Christie Taylor

Christie Taylor is a producer for Science Friday.

Christie Taylor is a producer for Science Friday.

Bats have a specialized thin skin that allows their wings to change when a muscle is activated with every beat cycle of the wings.

Researchers explore the fascinating biomechanics and neuroscience of bats

To get a true sense of wonder that surrounds the movement of bats, you just have to slow things down a little.

Researchers explore the fascinating biomechanics and neuroscience of bats
Contrary to classic depictions of a tyrannosaurus rex, paleoartist Gabriel Ugueto says that the massive carnivores likely were covered in small feathers on the top of their bodies.

Turns out, dinosaurs probably had feathers. This artist is using science to draw more accurate pictures.

Turns out, dinosaurs probably had feathers. This artist is using science to draw more accurate pictures.
Before the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, five states had "red flag" statutes called gun violence restraining orders. Recently, Florida became the six state to add the statute.

Researchers still struggle to get funding to study gun violence

Researchers still struggle to get funding to study gun violence
Grace Hopper sits behind the UNIVAC (universal automatic computer) keyboard in the early '60s. As a mathematician and rear admiral in the US Navy, she helped design the UNIVAC I and many other related systems.

New book sheds light on overlooked women pioneers who paved the way for today’s internet

New book sheds light on overlooked women pioneers who paved the way for today’s internet
The Shard stands 95 stories tall in the heart of London on the banks of the River Thames.

New book explains the secrets behind famous skyscrapers, other structures

New book explains the secrets behind famous skyscrapers, other structures
 New artificial-intelligence-enabled algorithms have allowed video editors a whole new array of tools to make fake videos even more believable.

AI-based fake videos pose the latest threat to what we perceive as reality — and possibly our democracy

Can you spot a fake video from a real video? It may seem simple enough, but new technology is blurring the lines of reality at unprecedented levels.

AI-based fake videos pose the latest threat to what we perceive as reality — and possibly our democracy
The percentage of parents who refuse to give any vaccines to their children remain at one to two percent of the general public. There is a much larger group of people who have doubts and concerns over certain vaccinations, experts say.

Despite dozens of recent flu deaths among US children, vaccination skeptics remain — and their numbers have grown

Vaccinations have been around for more than a century. So why is the vaccination rate so low in the United States?

Despite dozens of recent flu deaths among US children, vaccination skeptics remain — and their numbers have grown
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai

An FCC vote to dismantle net neutrality is expected this week. Here’s what that means.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai refers to the planned repeal as “restoring internet freedom.”

An FCC vote to dismantle net neutrality is expected this week. Here’s what that means.
passenger pigeon

Why did passenger pigeons go extinct?

New research into pigeon genetics may provide some clues.

Why did passenger pigeons go extinct?
Cone snail

A scientist who finds pharmaceutical promise in the venom of cone snails

Mandë Holford collects the snails with salad tongs and scuba gloves. Back in her lab, she studies their venom for compounds that could treat everything from cancer to chronic pain.

A scientist who finds pharmaceutical promise in the venom of cone snails
a peacock spider

Two arachnid experts share their four favorite spider facts

“For me, the process of turning fear to fascination was relatively [quick], and it was just all about spending time with spiders, watching their behavior, and learning more about them,” Catherine Scott says.

Two arachnid experts share their four favorite spider facts
A modern human skull (left) and a Neanderthal skull (right) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Neanderthals went extinct, but many of us still carry around fragments of their DNA

“Everybody whose genetic roots are outside Africa are partly descended from Neanderthals,” one geneticist says.

Neanderthals went extinct, but many of us still carry around fragments of their DNA
Two Arachnocampa luminosa larvae

How glow worms get their glow on

Researchers in New Zealand are learning more about what makes the little maggots light up.

How glow worms get their glow on
Monument Rocks

Hunting sea monsters in Kansas is easier than you might think

Finding sea monsters in Kansas is “pretty low tech,” one paleontologist says. “You walk around and look at the ground until you find something.”

Hunting sea monsters in Kansas is easier than you might think
boredom

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time

When we’re resting, a very important part of our brain gets to work.

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time