NPR News: Magpies' unexpected reaction to GPS trackers may have revealed altruism in the birds

Magpies' unexpected reaction to GPS trackers may have revealed altruism in the birds
Researchers tried to attach tracking devices to magpies for a study. But the magpies helped each other to remove them — a possible sign, the scientists say, of altruism in the birds.

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Science - March 1, 2022 at 05:24AM - Magpies' unexpected reaction to GPS trackers may have revealed altruism in the birds

NPR News: The time of year the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit explains why some species survived

The time of year the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit explains why some species survived
The asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs hit in spring the northern hemisphere, a new study suggests. Scientists say animals in the different hemispheres may have fared differently after the event.

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Science - March 1, 2022 at 04:31AM - The time of year the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit explains why some species survived

NPR News: Physical evidence indicates that the coronavirus emerged at Wuhan seafood market

Physical evidence indicates that the coronavirus emerged at Wuhan seafood market
Scientists have solid, physical evidence indicating the COVID pandemic began at a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Data suggest the virus jumped from an animal at the market into people at least twice.

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Science - March 1, 2022 at 04:31AM - Physical evidence indicates that the coronavirus emerged at Wuhan seafood market

NPR News: Looks like non-mRNA vaccines can be as good as Pfizer and Moderna in certain scenarios

Looks like non-mRNA vaccines can be as good as Pfizer and Moderna in certain scenarios
The consensus has been that Pfizer and Moderna are most protective. But a study looking at 5 vaccines — including Russia's Sputnik V and two Chinese types — offers an unexpected finding.

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Science - February 25, 2022 at 02:01AM - Looks like non-mRNA vaccines can be as good as Pfizer and Moderna in certain scenarios

NPR News: The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans

The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans
Environmental writer Oliver Milman says habitat loss, pesticides and climate change are killing off insects worldwide, which, in turn, threatens humans. His new book is The Insect Crisis.

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Science - February 25, 2022 at 01:09AM - The world's insect population is in decline — and that's bad news for humans

NPR News: A rare fossil of a 170 million-year-old pterosaur with an 8-foot wingspan is found

A rare fossil of a 170 million-year-old pterosaur with an 8-foot wingspan is found
The National Museum of Scotland said the fossil of the pterosaur is the largest of its kind ever discovered from the Jurassic period. A Ph.D. student made the discovery while on a field trip.

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Science - February 24, 2022 at 01:19AM - A rare fossil of a 170 million-year-old pterosaur with an 8-foot wingspan is found

NPR News: This reservation has Wyoming's strictest COVID-19 rules. Student athletes are glad

This reservation has Wyoming's strictest COVID-19 rules. Student athletes are glad
Basketball players on the Wind River Reservation say masks keep them healthy and on the court. They're thankful the mandates won't be lifted anytime soon.

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 11:22PM - This reservation has Wyoming's strictest COVID-19 rules. Student athletes are glad

NPR News: Corporate opioid payouts now being finalized would top $32 billion

Corporate opioid payouts now being finalized would top $32 billion
Companies at the center of the deadly prescription opioid epidemic are close to deals that would cap their liability while funding drug treatment and recovery programs.

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 06:00PM - Corporate opioid payouts now being finalized would top $32 billion

NPR News: A.I. has mastered 'Gran Turismo' — and one autonomous car designer is taking note

A.I. has mastered 'Gran Turismo' — and one autonomous car designer is taking note
A new artificial intelligence program has beaten the world's best players in the popular PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo Sport. But the impact could be felt far beyond that.

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 05:01PM - A.I. has mastered 'Gran Turismo' — and one autonomous car designer is taking note

NPR News: Archaeologists find a 9,000-year-old shrine in the desert in Jordan

Archaeologists find a 9,000-year-old shrine in the desert in Jordan
Researchers said the find "sheds an entire new light on the symbolism, artistic expression as well as spiritual culture of these hitherto unknown Neolithic populations."

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 09:35AM - Archaeologists find a 9,000-year-old shrine in the desert in Jordan

NPR News: Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not

Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not
Some countries are moving ahead with plans to offer a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine. But studies are raising questions about the potential advantages of this extra booster.

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 05:14AM - Who might benefit from a 4th shot — and who might not

NPR News: Scientists piece together what led to the massive volcanic eruption in Tonga

Scientists piece together what led to the massive volcanic eruption in Tonga
Scientists are piecing together what led up to a massive eruption in Tonga last month. They found a likely sequence of events.

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Science - February 23, 2022 at 04:42AM - Scientists piece together what led to the massive volcanic eruption in Tonga

NPR News: Soot is accelerating snow melt in popular parts of Antarctica, study finds

Soot is accelerating snow melt in popular parts of Antarctica, study finds
Arctic communities have long been plagued by soot that drives snow melt and respiratory disease. Now, humans are making their mark in Antarctica.

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Science - February 22, 2022 at 11:07PM - Soot is accelerating snow melt in popular parts of Antarctica, study finds

NPR News: As booster shot protections wane, here's the latest research on a 4th vaccine dose

As booster shot protections wane, here's the latest research on a 4th vaccine dose
Scientists now know that the potency of the booster shot wanes quickly after about three months. We look at the latest research on a fourth shot.

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Science - February 22, 2022 at 04:04AM - As booster shot protections wane, here's the latest research on a 4th vaccine dose

NPR News: Art and music therapy seem to help with brain disorders. Scientists want to know why

Art and music therapy seem to help with brain disorders. Scientists want to know why
Arts therapies appear to ease brain disorders from Parkinson's to PTSD. Now, artists and scientists have launched an effort to understand how these treatments change the brain.

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Science - February 19, 2022 at 06:00PM - Art and music therapy seem to help with brain disorders. Scientists want to know why

NPR News: AirTags are being used to track people and cars. Here's what is being done about it

AirTags are being used to track people and cars. Here's what is being done about it
Apple's AirTags were billed as a easy way to track your keys and wallet, but now the small button-sized device are being used by stalkers and thieves to track people and steal cars.

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Science - February 19, 2022 at 05:37AM - AirTags are being used to track people and cars. Here's what is being done about it

NPR News: The science on masking in schools

The science on masking in schools
While many states have already lifted their statewide mask mandates, many mandates remain in place. But the science is mixed about masks effectiveness in schools — especially for kids.

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Science - February 19, 2022 at 04:44AM - The science on masking in schools

NPR News: After Valieva: 5 questions for a doping expert about fixing a messy system

After Valieva: 5 questions for a doping expert about fixing a messy system
"That was an incredibly troubling outcome," doping expert April Henning says of Russian skating star Kamila Valieva's collapse. She says Valieva "was failed at all levels" by the adults around her.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 11:52PM - After Valieva: 5 questions for a doping expert about fixing a messy system

NPR News: Matteo Cerri: Will humans one day hibernate?

Matteo Cerri: Will humans one day hibernate?
Bears and squirrels hibernate to survive harsh conditions; why not humans? If we want to travel deep into space or combat deadly diseases, physiologist Matteo Cerri says hibernation might be the key.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 09:32PM - Matteo Cerri: Will humans one day hibernate?

NPR News: Dylan Selterman: What are our dreams — and nightmares — trying to tell us?

Dylan Selterman: What are our dreams — and nightmares — trying to tell us?
We might forget our dreams mere minutes after waking. But psychologist Dylan Selterman says that if we pay attention to them, we could gain new information about our emotions, relationships and more.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 09:32PM - Dylan Selterman: What are our dreams — and nightmares — trying to tell us?

NPR News: Craig Richard: Whispers and haircuts — the science of ASMR

Craig Richard: Whispers and haircuts — the science of ASMR
Why do so many people experience brain tingles when watching ASMR videos? Physiologist Craig Richard shares the science behind the "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response," and how it calms the mind.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 09:31PM - Craig Richard: Whispers and haircuts — the science of ASMR

NPR News: NASA's Perseverance rover marks its first year hunting for past life on Mars

NASA's Perseverance rover marks its first year hunting for past life on Mars
Since touching down in Jezero Crater, NASA's Perseverance rover has already cached 6 samples that could one day be brought back to Earth. Astrobiologists hope they hold signs of past microbial life.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 05:01PM - NASA's Perseverance rover marks its first year hunting for past life on Mars

NPR News: Elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks, new analysis finds

Elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks, new analysis finds
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way of using DNA from elephant tusks to solve poaching mysteries and bring animal traffickers to justice.

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Science - February 18, 2022 at 05:00PM - Elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks, new analysis finds

NPR News: The surgeon general's young daughter got COVID. This is what he wants you to know

The surgeon general's young daughter got COVID. This is what he wants you to know
This past weekend, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wasn't a leading scientific voice on the pandemic — he was another worried parent whose young daughter had just tested positive for COVID.

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Science - February 17, 2022 at 07:09PM - The surgeon general's young daughter got COVID. This is what he wants you to know

NPR News: Scientists say elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks

Scientists say elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a way of using DNA from elephant tusks to solve poaching mysteries and bring animal traffickers to justice.

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Science - February 17, 2022 at 03:56AM - Scientists say elephant tusk DNA can expose poaching networks

NPR News: Accusations of 'greenwashing' by big oil companies are well-founded, a new study finds

Accusations of 'greenwashing' by big oil companies are well-founded, a new study finds
Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP and Shell used terms like "climate" and "low-carbon" more frequently in recent annual reports, but their actions on clean energy didn't match their words, researchers conclude.

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Science - February 17, 2022 at 03:28AM - Accusations of 'greenwashing' by big oil companies are well-founded, a new study finds

NPR News: A Norwegian student found a boat launched by New Hampshire middle schoolers in 2020

A Norwegian student found a boat launched by New Hampshire middle schoolers in 2020
The Rye Riptides began as a science class project in New Hampshire. Some 462 days and 8,300 miles later, a sixth-grader retrieved it from an uninhabited Norwegian island, with its notes still intact.

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Science - February 17, 2022 at 01:58AM - A Norwegian student found a boat launched by New Hampshire middle schoolers in 2020

NPR News: A geeky quiz says what kind of immune cell you are. Bonus: See our immune cell primer

A geeky quiz says what kind of immune cell you are. Bonus: See our immune cell primer
Answer a few questions and find out what kind of immune cell you'd be – and learn more about these amazing cells that fight off infection.

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Science - February 16, 2022 at 05:29AM - A geeky quiz says what kind of immune cell you are. Bonus: See our immune cell primer

NPR News: Confused about how worried to be about the pandemic? You're not alone

Confused about how worried to be about the pandemic? You're not alone
It's another discombobulating moment in the pandemic, with lots of conflicting signs of where the virus is heading and what people should do about it on a day to day basis.

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Science - February 15, 2022 at 04:48AM - Confused about how worried to be about the pandemic? You're not alone

NPR News: Study finds Western megadrought is the worst in 1,200 years

Study finds Western megadrought is the worst in 1,200 years
In records dating back to 800 AD, the only multi-decade drought that came close to today's was in the 1500's. Researchers say climate change is a factor, and the U.S. must plan for less water.

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Science - February 14, 2022 at 11:04PM - Study finds Western megadrought is the worst in 1,200 years

NPR News: Artificial intelligence beats top human players in popular racing game

Artificial intelligence beats top human players in popular racing game
Scientists pitted an artificial intelligence driver against real human gamers in the PlayStation driving game Gran Turismo. The AI driver beat them all.

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Science - February 12, 2022 at 04:25AM - Artificial intelligence beats top human players in popular racing game

NPR News: CTE might be used as a legal defense more often as research into the disorder evolves

CTE might be used as a legal defense more often as research into the disorder evolves
Some people charged with assault and even murder have blamed CTE, a type of brain damage. The legal strategy is rare, but may become more common as research into the disease develops.

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Science - February 12, 2022 at 04:25AM - CTE might be used as a legal defense more often as research into the disorder evolves

NPR News: Are you over the pandemic? We want to hear about your worries or hopes

Are you over the pandemic? We want to hear about your worries or hopes
In the coming weeks, many long-closed offices are looking to re-open as major cities and states relax mask mandates and other precautions. What do you expect to change or remain the same?

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Science - February 12, 2022 at 03:54AM - Are you over the pandemic? We want to hear about your worries or hopes

NPR News: The first images from NASA's new space telescope show how it's coming into focus

The first images from NASA's new space telescope show how it's coming into focus
The James Webb Space Telescope has seen its first star light, but its 18 mirror segments aren't yet perfectly aligned. As a result, the pictures it's sending back now aren't exactly cosmic eye candy.

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Science - February 12, 2022 at 12:49AM - The first images from NASA's new space telescope show how it's coming into focus

NPR News: U.K. lifts all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers starting today

U.K. lifts all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers starting today
Residents and visitors who have had at least two doses of an approved vaccine now only need to fill out a form before entering the U.K. Unvaccinated people must test both before and after arriving.

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Science - February 11, 2022 at 05:50PM - U.K. lifts all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers starting today

NPR News: SpaceX's Elon Musk says 1st orbital Starship flight could be as early as March

SpaceX's Elon Musk says 1st orbital Starship flight could be as early as March
SpaceX's Elon Musk said Thursday that the first orbital flight of his towering Starship could come soon. NASA plans to use the fully reusable Starship to land astronauts on the moon as early as 2025.

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Science - February 11, 2022 at 02:37PM - SpaceX's Elon Musk says 1st orbital Starship flight could be as early as March

NPR News: Police solve 1964 rape and murder of girl with help of DNA and a student

Police solve 1964 rape and murder of girl with help of DNA and a student
New technology and the help of a volunteer college student help solve what is believed to be the fourth-oldest cold case in the U.S. using genetic genealogy.

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Science - February 11, 2022 at 10:02AM - Police solve 1964 rape and murder of girl with help of DNA and a student

NPR News: Scientist Luc Montagnier, who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, is dead at 89

Scientist Luc Montagnier, who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, is dead at 89
Luc Montagnier, the scientist who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, has died at 89. His key contribution came at a time when AIDS was mysterious and uniformly deadly.

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Science - February 11, 2022 at 04:28AM - Scientist Luc Montagnier, who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, is dead at 89

NPR News: Watch these robotic fish swim to the beat of human heart cells

Watch these robotic fish swim to the beat of human heart cells
Tiny, robotic fish powered by human heart cells suggest that scientists are getting closer to their goal of building replacement hearts from living tissue.

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Science - February 11, 2022 at 02:27AM - Watch these robotic fish swim to the beat of human heart cells

NPR News: How dairy farmers are cashing in on California's push for cleaner fuel

How dairy farmers are cashing in on California's push for cleaner fuel
Big dairy farms are profiting from California's tougher limits on greenhouse emissions. They're getting paid to capture methane from cow manure. But critics say the system subsidizes polluters.

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Science - February 10, 2022 at 05:07PM - How dairy farmers are cashing in on California's push for cleaner fuel

NPR News: Our roads are killing wildlife. The new infrastructure law aims to help

Our roads are killing wildlife. The new infrastructure law aims to help
For the first time, the federal government is making a sizeable investment in wildlife road crossings. The goal is to help slow extinctions, and also protect people from animal collisions.

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Science - February 10, 2022 at 05:00PM - Our roads are killing wildlife. The new infrastructure law aims to help

NPR News: Take a look at SARS-CoV-2's family tree. It's full of surprises

Take a look at SARS-CoV-2's family tree. It's full of surprises
The family history of SARS-CoV-2 is not what virologists expected — and sheds light on the virus that launched a pandemic. Check out our illustration of the virus' family tree.

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Science - February 10, 2022 at 02:18AM - Take a look at SARS-CoV-2's family tree. It's full of surprises

NPR News: Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power

Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power
The state's ban on nuclear plants was enacted in 1996, but nuclear power has gained support as a tool to keep climate change under control and other states are transitioning away from fossil fuels.

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Science - February 9, 2022 at 06:39AM - Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power

NPR News: Scientist says state governments are lifting mask mandates prematurely

Scientist says state governments are lifting mask mandates prematurely
NPR's Adrian Florido talks with Mercedes Carnethon, vice chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, on whether local governments lifting mask mandates is science-based.

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Science - February 9, 2022 at 04:12AM - Scientist says state governments are lifting mask mandates prematurely

NPR News: How to build a fire inside, according to Neanderthals

How to build a fire inside, according to Neanderthals
Early humans seemed to strike the perfect balance in situating their hearths in the cave, preserving ample sitting and cooking space while avoiding the worst effects of smoke.

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Science - February 8, 2022 at 05:00PM - How to build a fire inside, according to Neanderthals

NPR News: Top White House science adviser announces resignation after reports of bullying

Top White House science adviser announces resignation after reports of bullying
Eric Lander tendered his letter of resignation hours after a Politico article reported that the White House had found that he bullied and demeaned his subordinates.

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Science - February 8, 2022 at 09:31AM - Top White House science adviser announces resignation after reports of bullying

NPR News: Corporate climate pledges are weaker than they seem, a new study reports

Corporate climate pledges are weaker than they seem, a new study reports
Many companies mislead by using accounting practices that make their environmental goals relatively meaningless or exclude parts of their businesses in their calculations, NewClimate Institute finds.

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Science - February 8, 2022 at 07:45AM - Corporate climate pledges are weaker than they seem, a new study reports

NPR News: Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks

Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks
Australia will reopen for doubly vaccinated travelers on Feb. 21, nearly two years after it first closed its border. The move is seen as welcome relief for its tourism industry.

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Science - February 8, 2022 at 12:51AM - Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks

NPR News: A brain circuit tied to emotion may lead to better treatments for Parkinson's disease

A brain circuit tied to emotion may lead to better treatments for Parkinson's disease
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease can vanish briefly in the face of stress or a strong emotion. Now scientists are searching for a treatment based on this phenomenon, a form of the placebo effect.

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Science - February 7, 2022 at 05:01PM - A brain circuit tied to emotion may lead to better treatments for Parkinson's disease

NPR News: 900,000 Americans have died of COVID in 2 years of the global pandemic

900,000 Americans have died of COVID in 2 years of the global pandemic
The U.S. death rate from COVID-19 continues to increase daily, as the rolling seven-day average for daily COVID-19 deaths has been above 2,000 since Jan. 23.

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Science - February 5, 2022 at 04:57AM - 900,000 Americans have died of COVID in 2 years of the global pandemic

NPR News: Building a fire in a cave is not easy — early humans figured out how

Building a fire in a cave is not easy — early humans figured out how
Early humans seemed to strike the perfect balance in situating their hearths in the cave, preserving ample sitting and cooking space while avoiding the worst effects of smoke.

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Science - February 5, 2022 at 04:40AM - Building a fire in a cave is not easy — early humans figured out how

NPR News: Coronavirus FAQ: My drugstore now offers antibody tests. Is it worth getting one?

Coronavirus FAQ: My drugstore now offers antibody tests. Is it worth getting one?
Antibody tests may be coming soon to a pharmacy near you. Here's what the tests do — and don't — reveal about you and COVID-19.

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Science - February 5, 2022 at 12:47AM - Coronavirus FAQ: My drugstore now offers antibody tests. Is it worth getting one?

NPR News: Discovery of HIV variant shows virus can evolve to be more severe — and contagious

Discovery of HIV variant shows virus can evolve to be more severe — and contagious
Findings from a new study help answer questions about why some people get more severe and transmissible HIV than others — and serves as a reminder that viruses don't always weaken over time.

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Science - February 5, 2022 at 12:40AM - Discovery of HIV variant shows virus can evolve to be more severe — and contagious

NPR News: A satellite finds massive methane leaks from gas pipelines

A satellite finds massive methane leaks from gas pipelines
A satellite has detected massive leaks of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, from natural gas plants and pipelines. Most of these releases are deliberate, resulting from sloppy pipeline repairs.

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Science - February 4, 2022 at 06:05AM - A satellite finds massive methane leaks from gas pipelines

NPR News: A new study predicts a huge increase in catastrophic hurricanes for the northeastern U.S.

A new study predicts a huge increase in catastrophic hurricanes for the northeastern U.S.
When hurricanes cause both extreme high tides and heavy rains, devastating floods ensue. Such storms will get much more frequent by the end of the century, according to a new study.

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Science - February 4, 2022 at 05:34AM - A new study predicts a huge increase in catastrophic hurricanes for the northeastern U.S.

NPR News: New Mexico asks National Guard to work as substitute teachers to keep classrooms open

New Mexico asks National Guard to work as substitute teachers to keep classrooms open
New Mexico is short 1,000 teachers, National Guard volunteers now serve as substitute teachers

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Science - February 2, 2022 at 07:01PM - New Mexico asks National Guard to work as substitute teachers to keep classrooms open

NPR News: National Guard soldiers now substitute teaching in New Mexico

National Guard soldiers now substitute teaching in New Mexico
New Mexico is short 1,000 teachers, National Guard volunteers now serve as substitute teachers

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Science - February 2, 2022 at 07:01PM - National Guard soldiers now substitute teaching in New Mexico

NPR News: The song sparrow might be nature's best DJ

The song sparrow might be nature's best DJ
Instead of playing the same old tune, male song sparrow's sing a variety of songs to keep potential mates interested.

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Science - February 2, 2022 at 05:00PM - The song sparrow might be nature's best DJ

NPR News: A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!

A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!
Cuba has one of the world's highest COVID vaccination rates, with more than 85% of the nation fully immunized and kids as young as 2 getting inoculated. And it's done so using homegrown vaccines.

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Science - February 2, 2022 at 07:22AM - A small island nation has cooked up not 1, not 2 but 5 COVID vaccines. It's Cuba!

NPR News: Heartbroken? There's a scientific reason why breaking up feels so rotten

Heartbroken? There's a scientific reason why breaking up feels so rotten
Science writer Florence Williams experienced what felt like a brain injury when her husband left her after more than 25 years. Her new book is Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.

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Science - February 2, 2022 at 02:14AM - Heartbroken? There's a scientific reason why breaking up feels so rotten