NPR News: A tiny radioactive capsule was lost on a 700-mile stretch of highway in Australia

A tiny radioactive capsule was lost on a 700-mile stretch of highway in Australia
The round, silver capsule — measuring roughly a quarter of an inch wide by a third of an inch tall — is believed to have been lost somewhere along the road in Western Australia.

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Science - February 1, 2023 at 04:57AM - A tiny radioactive capsule was lost on a 700-mile stretch of highway in Australia

NPR News: A mysterious flying spiral above Hawaiian night sky likely caused by SpaceX launch

A mysterious flying spiral above Hawaiian night sky likely caused by SpaceX launch
A Japanese telescope captured images of the shape on Jan. 18. It was likely caused by the sun illuminating leftover fuel expelled from the rocket of a SpaceX launch.

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Science - February 1, 2023 at 03:11AM - A mysterious flying spiral above Hawaiian night sky likely caused by SpaceX launch

NPR News: Trying to crack the Nipah code: How does this deadly virus spill from bats to humans?

Trying to crack the Nipah code: How does this deadly virus spill from bats to humans?
Nipah virus, which can rapidly infect and kill members of a community, is carried by bats. Exactly how does it cross over into humans? Researchers in Bangladesh are trying to find out.

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Science - January 31, 2023 at 05:00PM - Trying to crack the Nipah code: How does this deadly virus spill from bats to humans?

NPR News: QUIZ: Test your knowledge of spillover viruses, starting with ... what are they?

QUIZ: Test your knowledge of spillover viruses, starting with ... what are they?
As we launch a series about spillover viruses — like SARS-CoV-2, which triggered a global pandemic, you may have a lot of questions. So do we — 7, to be exact, in the quiz below.

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Science - January 30, 2023 at 07:39PM - QUIZ: Test your knowledge of spillover viruses, starting with ... what are they?

NPR News: The zombie fungus from 'The Last Of Us' is real — but not nearly as deadly

The zombie fungus from 'The Last Of Us' is real — but not nearly as deadly
This species of fungus, Ophiocordyceps, is known for using "mind control" on insect hosts. Humans, however, are immune.

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Science - January 30, 2023 at 05:00PM - The zombie fungus from 'The Last Of Us' is real — but not nearly as deadly

NPR News: COVID flashback: Here's how NPR reported on the coronavirus at a turning point

COVID flashback: Here's how NPR reported on the coronavirus at a turning point
On Jan. 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the "novel coronavirus" sweeping through China to be a global health emergency. Here's how NPR covered the story at that point in time.

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Science - January 30, 2023 at 04:00AM - COVID flashback: Here's how NPR reported on the coronavirus at a turning point

NPR News: 9 diseases that keep epidemiologists up at night

9 diseases that keep epidemiologists up at night
Thinking about the next pandemic is job number one for many researchers around the world. Here's a look at the World Health Organization's current list of pathogens with pandemic potential.

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Science - January 29, 2023 at 07:01PM - 9 diseases that keep epidemiologists up at night

NPR News: A new study casts doubt on oxytocin's role as a 'love hormone'

A new study casts doubt on oxytocin's role as a 'love hormone'
A study involving prairie voles shows that oxytocin may not live up to its billing as a "love hormone" that is essential to forming enduring attachments with mates.

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Science - January 28, 2023 at 08:02PM - A new study casts doubt on oxytocin's role as a 'love hormone'

NPR News: Prairie voles can find love without the 'love hormone' oxytocin, study finds

Prairie voles can find love without the 'love hormone' oxytocin, study finds
The hormone oxytocin plays a key role in long-term relationships. But a study of prairie voles finds that the animals mate for life even without help from the "love hormone."

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Science - January 27, 2023 at 11:45PM - Prairie voles can find love without the 'love hormone' oxytocin, study finds

NPR News: Morning news brief

Morning news brief
Five former Memphis police officers are charged in the death of Tyre Nichols. Republicans disagree on what it means to be conservative. U.S. officials weigh how to oversee risky virus research.

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Science - January 27, 2023 at 05:06PM - Morning news brief

NPR News: Virologists defend their science as officials eye more oversight of risky experiments

Virologists defend their science as officials eye more oversight of risky experiments
Policymakers have long grappled with how to handle experiments that might generate potentially dangerous viruses. Now, officials are considering whether oversight needs to be expanded.

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Science - January 27, 2023 at 05:00PM - Virologists defend their science as officials eye more oversight of risky experiments

NPR News: Earth will have 'a very close encounter' with an asteroid tonight, NASA says

Earth will have 'a very close encounter' with an asteroid tonight, NASA says
There's no reason for alarm — but, a NASA engineer calls it "one of the closest approaches by a known near-Earth object ever recorded." It will be only 2,200 miles above the Earth's surface.

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Science - January 26, 2023 at 11:42PM - Earth will have 'a very close encounter' with an asteroid tonight, NASA says

NPR News: North Korea is under lockdown to fight the spread of a respiratory disease

North Korea is under lockdown to fight the spread of a respiratory disease
Authorities have made no mention of COVID. North Korea claimed victory over the disease by August, but experts remain skeptical of that claim. The lockdown will last from Wednesday until Sunday.

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Science - January 26, 2023 at 10:27PM - North Korea is under lockdown to fight the spread of a respiratory disease

NPR News: Why inventing a vaccine for AIDS is tougher than for COVID

Why inventing a vaccine for AIDS is tougher than for COVID
The 4-decades long effort to create an AIDS vaccine suffered a blow with news that a vaccine in a late stage trial was discontinued because results showed it to be ineffective. What are the obstacles?

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Science - January 26, 2023 at 07:38PM - Why inventing a vaccine for AIDS is tougher than for COVID

NPR News: 15 wishes for 2023: Trailblazers tell how they'd make life on Earth a bit better

15 wishes for 2023: Trailblazers tell how they'd make life on Earth a bit better
We asked for a wish from expert wishers around the globe — from Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai to MacArthur "genius" grantee Gregg Gonsalves to Melva Acostaa, who runs a soup kitchen in Peru.

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Science - January 25, 2023 at 11:35PM - 15 wishes for 2023: Trailblazers tell how they'd make life on Earth a bit better

NPR News: To reignite the joy of childhood, learn to live on 'toddler time'

To reignite the joy of childhood, learn to live on 'toddler time'
The days might seem long, but the years go by quickly, friends warned when my son was born. I wanted to savor each precious memory, but how? Living on "toddler time," showed me the way.

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Science - January 25, 2023 at 05:00PM - To reignite the joy of childhood, learn to live on 'toddler time'

NPR News: Encore: Agricultural research funding is down, impacting fight against climate change

Encore: Agricultural research funding is down, impacting fight against climate change
Steep cuts in federal funds for agriculture research over the last 20 years threatens farming's fight against climate change.

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Science - January 25, 2023 at 06:02AM - Encore: Agricultural research funding is down, impacting fight against climate change

NPR News: Encore: What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery

Encore: What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery
Jazz musicians and scholars have long debated the question: What exactly is this thing called swing? Now physicists say they've cracked the secret.

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Science - January 24, 2023 at 05:32AM - Encore: What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery

NPR News: Scientists find 17-pound meteorite in Antarctica

Scientists find 17-pound meteorite in Antarctica
NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Maria Valdes of Chicago's Field Museum about a fresh haul of meteorites she and other scientists collected in Antarctica.

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Science - January 24, 2023 at 04:43AM - Scientists find 17-pound meteorite in Antarctica

NPR News: Agricultural research funding has dropped, impacting the fight against climate change

Agricultural research funding has dropped, impacting the fight against climate change
Steep cuts in federal funds for agriculture research over the last 20 years threatens farming's fight against climate change.

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Science - January 22, 2023 at 08:00PM - Agricultural research funding has dropped, impacting the fight against climate change

NPR News: Most Americans say overturning Roe was politically motivated, NPR/Ipsos poll finds

Most Americans say overturning Roe was politically motivated, NPR/Ipsos poll finds
An NPR/Ipsos poll finds that most Americans say Supreme Court justices are guided more by their politics than the law, and that lawmakers aren't deciding abortion policy based on public sentiment.

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Science - January 22, 2023 at 05:00PM - Most Americans say overturning Roe was politically motivated, NPR/Ipsos poll finds

NPR News: A deadly disease is threating honeybees, but a new vaccine could help

A deadly disease is threating honeybees, but a new vaccine could help
A first of its kind vaccine for honeybees is close to coming to market to fight a disease that currently means burning infected hives. It's a little extra help as bees try to deal with climate change.

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Science - January 21, 2023 at 06:05AM - A deadly disease is threating honeybees, but a new vaccine could help

NPR News: Nearly 6-pound 'Toadzilla' found in Australia breaks the record for largest toad

Nearly 6-pound 'Toadzilla' found in Australia breaks the record for largest toad
Cane toads are notorious pests in Australia, colonizing habitats and poisoning other wildlife. Park rangers euthanized the 5.95-pound animal, whose body will be donated to the Queensland Museum.

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Science - January 20, 2023 at 11:26PM - Nearly 6-pound 'Toadzilla' found in Australia breaks the record for largest toad

NPR News: Study shows heavy stones may give big leaps in water — plus real-world implications

Study shows heavy stones may give big leaps in water — plus real-world implications
Researchers have studied the physics behind heavy stones skipping across the surface of water. They say these findings could be applied to real-world problems like de-icing airplanes.

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Science - January 19, 2023 at 05:00PM - Study shows heavy stones may give big leaps in water — plus real-world implications

NPR News: What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery

What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery
For nearly a century, jazz musicians have debated what gives songs that propulsive, groovy feel that makes you want to move with the music. The secret may lie in subtle nuances in a soloist's timing.

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Science - January 18, 2023 at 05:01PM - What makes that song swing? At last, physicists unravel a jazz mystery

NPR News: An astronaut tells NPR what life is like on the ISS

An astronaut tells NPR what life is like on the ISS
Short Wave's scientist in residence Regina Barber talks with NASA astronaut Josh Cassada about daily life on the International Space Station.

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Science - January 18, 2023 at 04:43AM - An astronaut tells NPR what life is like on the ISS

NPR News: Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds

Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds
Socially isolated older adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia, according to researchers from Johns Hopkins. The findings suggest that simple interventions could be meaningful.

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Science - January 18, 2023 at 01:53AM - Social isolation linked to an increased risk of dementia, new study finds

NPR News: Why architectural marvels from Ancient Rome are still standing

Why architectural marvels from Ancient Rome are still standing
NPR's Scott Simon talks to Admir Masic, professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, about what made concrete used by Ancient Romans so incredibly durable.

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Science - January 14, 2023 at 07:58PM - Why architectural marvels from Ancient Rome are still standing

NPR News: Screening at U.S. airports expands to try to detect new COVID variants

Screening at U.S. airports expands to try to detect new COVID variants
The CDC has expanded screening of incoming international air travelers to try to more quickly spot any new variants that might emerge from China's massive COVID outbreak.

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Science - January 14, 2023 at 04:51AM - Screening at U.S. airports expands to try to detect new COVID variants

NPR News: First orca whale to be stranded in southeast U.S. in decades showed signs of illness

First orca whale to be stranded in southeast U.S. in decades showed signs of illness
A killer whale more than 20 feet long died after beaching itself in Palm Coast, Fla. This is the third known orca to be stranded in the southeastern U.S. and the first since 1956, an official says.

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Science - January 14, 2023 at 02:42AM - First orca whale to be stranded in southeast U.S. in decades showed signs of illness

NPR News: Extracting DNA from Neanderthal urine — and other breakthrough technologies of the year

Extracting DNA from Neanderthal urine — and other breakthrough technologies of the year
MIT Technology Review has released its annual list of breakthrough technologies. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Amy Nordrum, an editor who helped put the list together.

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Science - January 13, 2023 at 03:57AM - Extracting DNA from Neanderthal urine — and other breakthrough technologies of the year

NPR News: Exxon climate predictions were accurate decades ago. Still it sowed doubt

Exxon climate predictions were accurate decades ago. Still it sowed doubt
Exxon's climate research decades back painted an accurate picture of global warming, according to a new scientific paper. Still the oil company continued climate-denying policy efforts.

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Science - January 13, 2023 at 02:13AM - Exxon climate predictions were accurate decades ago. Still it sowed doubt

NPR News: The FDA no longer requires all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials

The FDA no longer requires all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials
In a victory for animal rights advocates, drugmakers can take their products to human clinical trials using alternative testing methods that don't involve animals.

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Science - January 12, 2023 at 06:03PM - The FDA no longer requires all drugs to be tested on animals before human trials

NPR News: Look to the night sky in 2023

Look to the night sky in 2023
Astronomer Jackie Faherty outlines the most exciting sky events you can put on your calendar in 2023, from eclipses to meteor showers and more.

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Science - January 12, 2023 at 05:00PM - Look to the night sky in 2023

NPR News: NASA's Webb telescope has discovered its first exoplanet

NASA's Webb telescope has discovered its first exoplanet
The exoplanet was found using a satellite and spectrography. It has a similar size as Earth, but is much hotter and completes its orbit around its star in two days.

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Science - January 12, 2023 at 03:14PM - NASA's Webb telescope has discovered its first exoplanet

NPR News: In praise of being late: The upside of spurning the clock

In praise of being late: The upside of spurning the clock
People who lose track of time aren't rude, researchers say — they may just be listening to their inner timekeeper instead of an external clock. Living according to "event time" has its benefits.

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Science - January 11, 2023 at 05:00PM - In praise of being late: The upside of spurning the clock

NPR News: Extreme weather, fueled by climate change, cost the U.S. $165 billion in 2022.

Extreme weather, fueled by climate change, cost the U.S. $165 billion in 2022.
The U.S. endured 18 separate billion-dollar disasters in 2022, highlighting the growing damages of human-caused climate change.

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Science - January 11, 2023 at 02:01AM - Extreme weather, fueled by climate change, cost the U.S. $165 billion in 2022.

NPR News: Forest lizards have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers say

Forest lizards have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers say
The Puerto Rican crested anole has sprouted special scales to better cling to smooth surfaces like walls and windows and grown larger limbs to sprint across open areas, scientists say.

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Science - January 11, 2023 at 01:03AM - Forest lizards have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers say

NPR News: The ozone layer is on track to recover in the next 40 years, the United Nations says

The ozone layer is on track to recover in the next 40 years, the United Nations says
The ozone layer is a thin shield in the stratosphere that protects humans and the environment from harmful levels of the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

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Science - January 10, 2023 at 07:01PM - The ozone layer is on track to recover in the next 40 years, the United Nations says

NPR News: A bright green comet may be visible with the naked eye starting later this month

A bright green comet may be visible with the naked eye starting later this month
Comet C/2022 E3 was first spotted last year and will draw nearest to the Earth in early February. The brightness of comets tends to be unpredictable, but astronomers say this one is promising.

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Science - January 8, 2023 at 10:35PM - A bright green comet may be visible with the naked eye starting later this month

NPR News: New research finds why humans walk with a 'double bounce'

New research finds why humans walk with a 'double bounce'
A new study out of the Technical University of Munich sheds new light on the "double bounce" in the human gait. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks to mechanical engineer Daniel Renjewski who led the study.

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Science - January 8, 2023 at 08:00PM - New research finds why humans walk with a 'double bounce'

NPR News: RSV recedes and flu peaks as a new COVID variant shoots 'up like a rocket'

RSV recedes and flu peaks as a new COVID variant shoots 'up like a rocket'
RSV and the flu appear to be receding in the U.S., but COVID is on the rise, new data suggest, driven by holiday gatherings and an even more transmissible omicron subvariant that has become dominant.

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Science - January 7, 2023 at 05:34AM - RSV recedes and flu peaks as a new COVID variant shoots 'up like a rocket'

NPR News: FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease

FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease
An Alzheimer's drug that removes the substance amyloid from the brain has received a conditional approval from the FDA. A large study found the drug decreased the loss of thinking and memory by 27%.

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Science - January 7, 2023 at 04:05AM - FDA approves Alzheimer's drug that appears to modestly slow disease

NPR News: How to pick the perfect stone for skipping, according to physics

How to pick the perfect stone for skipping, according to physics
A new study suggests larger, curvy rocks can yield impressive throws when skipping stones on water.

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Science - January 6, 2023 at 06:55AM - How to pick the perfect stone for skipping, according to physics

NPR News: Many glaciers are set to vanish more quickly than previously thought, study says

Many glaciers are set to vanish more quickly than previously thought, study says
A new study suggests that mid-latitude glaciers, including those in western Canada, the Rocky Mountains and central Europe, will be gone by the end of the century.

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Science - January 6, 2023 at 06:21AM - Many glaciers are set to vanish more quickly than previously thought, study says

NPR News: How our perception of time shapes our approach to climate change

How our perception of time shapes our approach to climate change
Climate goals can feel distant. But climate change is a happening right now. Speed up the benefits for taking action, psychologists say, if you want leaders and others to pay attention and act.

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Science - January 4, 2023 at 05:01PM - How our perception of time shapes our approach to climate change

NPR News: Did Damar Hamlin experience commotio cordis? What to know about the rare phenomenon

Did Damar Hamlin experience commotio cordis? What to know about the rare phenomenon
It involves the impact of a specific force to the chest at a specific moment in the cardiac cycle. One cardiologist told NPR that what happened to Hamlin was likely "a perfect storm of events."

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Science - January 4, 2023 at 06:24AM - Did Damar Hamlin experience commotio cordis? What to know about the rare phenomenon

NPR News: Encore: Perceiving without seeing: How light resets your internal clock

Encore: Perceiving without seeing: How light resets your internal clock
Human bodies use light to help tune their body clocks, and that's true even for some blind people. How does this work? It's a circadian mystery.

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Science - January 3, 2023 at 04:39AM - Encore: Perceiving without seeing: How light resets your internal clock

NPR News: Time is fleeting. Here's how to stay on track with New Year's goals

Time is fleeting. Here's how to stay on track with New Year's goals
As we dive into another new year of resolutions, managing time is the key to success. And learning to organize our time around our goals may mean saying 'no' to activities that don't align.

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Science - January 2, 2023 at 05:00PM - Time is fleeting. Here's how to stay on track with New Year's goals