BREAKING NEWS: Science (2)

SpaceX prepares resupply mission to International Space Station

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 17:56:04 +0000

SpaceX is scheduled to fly Monday night from Florida launch to get some 6,000 pounds of supplies to the International Space Station.

Archaeologists Unearth an Ancient Egyptian Tomb

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 16:55:00 +0000

Archeologists from Egypt and the United States unearthed an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near the famed city of Luxor, Egyptian authorities said. Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry said the tomb, which dates back to the Middle Kingdom (1938BC to 1630BC), was found in the South Asasif necropolis, next...

Cost of Mpox Shot Deters Americans at Risk, Critics Say

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:38:38 +0000

The epidemic in Africa continues to grow, prompting fears of another outbreak in the U.S. But the vaccine is no longer free, and vulnerable people are going without.

In Amazon's Deforestation, a Potent New Threat Emerges

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:09:00 +0000

Authorities in Brazil trying to protect the Amazon from illegal deforestation have long relied on satellite images to alert them to areas that have been clear-cut or burned in a matter of days. Now, however, loggers are increasingly using a potent new tool that is much harder to detect, reports...

Where There’s Joy in a Terror Bird

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:00:25 +0000

In Colombia, a fossil-collecting rancher has found a giant, flightless killer from 13 million years ago — and a missing link to the region’s evolutionary history.

China's Shenzhou-18 crew returns to Earth

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 12:42:51 +0000

Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth early Monday after six months in space as part of its Shenzhou-18 mission at its orbiting space station.

Strange new frog species smaller than fingernail discovered

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 11:19:50 +0000

There may be more such miniature frog species than previously thought, researchers say

Anxious at the Portland airport? Beni the Llama is here for you, spreading joy

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000

The gentle animals are part of Portland International Airport's effort to counter travel stress with soothing elements from nature.

(Image credit: Jay Fram for NPR)

Bizarre 2,500-year-old burial of woman found with knife stuck to grave

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:32:57 +0000

Researchers also found evidence of two houses and an ancient warehouse buried at the site

Did life start on the ocean floor — and what does that mean for alien life?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:00:59 +0000

How did life start on Earth? The answer is a big scientific mystery scientists are actively investigating. After talking with many scientists, host Regina G. Barber found that an abundance of water on Earth is most likely key, in some way, to the origin of life — specifically, in either deep sea hydrothermal vents or in tide pools. It's for this reason some scientists are also exploring the potential for life in so-called "water worlds" elsewhere in the solar system, like some of the moons of Jupiter and Saturn. This episode, Regina digs into two water-related hypotheses for the origin on life on Earth — and what that might mean for possible alien life.

Have another scientific mystery you want us to cover on a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we might feature your idea on a future episode!

(Image credit: Ralph White)

Archaeologists find 4,000-year-old fort city hidden under Saudi oasis

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 05:21:25 +0000

Northern Arabia was likely dotted with similar small fortified towns, scientists say

Follow Your Nose to the Next Museum Exhibit

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 23:59:22 +0000

Museums are adding scents as another tool for communicating information about science and other subjects in their exhibits.

Scientists discover crows are not bird-brained – they can hold grievances for years

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 23:00:00 +0000

New York Times: The brainy birds carry big chips on their shoulders, scientists say.

Two LAPD officers injured when patrol car hit by another vehicle

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 22:05:34 +0000

Two Los Angeles Police Department officers were injured early Sunday morning in South L.A. when their vehicle overturned after being struck by a car.

Thousand Oaks nursing home resident arrested on suspicion of killing his roommate

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 18:35:46 +0000

A resident of a nursing home in Thousand Oaks was arrested after his roommate was found dead early Friday morning, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said.

World-first NZ study: Are baby food pouches really unhealthy for kids?

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

NZ researchers test claims baby food pouches are unhealthy – with surprising results.

Hidden risk: What scientists just discovered about NZ’s coastal flooding danger

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

First-of-its-kind study reveals large but hidden chunk of population facing flood risk.

Richard A. Cash, Who Saved Millions From Dehydration, Dies at 83

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:02:56 +0000

He worked alongside another doctor to show that a simple rehydration therapy could check the ravages of cholera and other diarrhea-inducing diseases.

Teens' Math Finding Was Once Thought to Be Impossible

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 13:03:00 +0000

Two young women from New Orleans who amazed mathematicians two years ago by coming up with a new trigonometric proof of the 2,000-year-old Pythagorean theorem have repeated the feat multiple times. A peer-reviewed paper from Ne'Kiya Jackson and Calcea Johnson published in the American Mathematical Monthly Journal outlines their...

How gigantic eruption’s rare ‘booms’ are informing New Zealand’s disaster planning

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 23:49:35 +0000

Kiwis' reports of 'booms' in the 2022 eruption offer scientists useful insights.

William returns to 'special place' Africa for prize awards

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 22:41:40 +0000

The awards event in South Africa will have emotional connections for the Prince of Wales.

India gets its first analog space mission in Leh to plan its lunar mission experiments

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 19:57:03 +0000

India's first analog space mission begins in Leh, Ladakh with ISRO simulating life in interplanetary habitats. This month-long mission involves a self-sustaining habitat, crucial for India's future lunar and Mars missions. The challenging high-altitude environment provides valuable data for testing life support systems, aiming to advance India's space exploration capabilities.

COP16 Talks in Colombia Adopt a Novel Way to Pay for Conservation

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 16:37:15 +0000

Delegates at the U.N. talks created a system that would compensate countries for the use of genetic information but failed to make headway on a broader funding commitment.

US presidential election: How much should I be worrying about who wins? – Jamie Morton

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 16:00:00 +0000

OPINION: Overwhelmed by an election you can't even vote in? Here's what the experts say.

Politicians not ambitious enough to save nature, say scientists

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 15:57:03 +0000

Representatives of 196 countries have been meeting in Cali, Colombia, as part of the COP biodiversity summit.

In Mexico, Archaeologists Spot a Maya City Behind a Wall of Trees

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 11:29:57 +0000

A city with temple pyramids not far from the road and a site with a Maya complex built alongside a sinkhole lend to evidence that the Maya civilization was even more sprawling than known.

Archaeologists uncover 11 sealed burials in ancient Egyptian Tomb at Luxor

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 10:49:28 +0000

Archaeologists from Egypt and the US discovered 11 sealed burials from the Middle Kingdom near Luxor, including coffins of men, women, and children. Significant findings include an amethyst necklace and ancient mirrors. This aligns with Egypt's efforts to revive tourism, showcasing its historical treasures amid economic challenges. The Grand Egyptian Museum also unveiled new exhibition halls recently.

Lost for almost 50 years, Nasa reconnects with Voyager 1 spacecraft 15 billion miles away

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 06:53:38 +0000

NASA has re-established contact with 47-year-old Voyager 1 after years of silence. The spacecraft's fault protection system shut down its radio transmitter, sparking investigations into the cause. Commands and data exchanges between the spacecraft and NASA take nearly two days, with engineers working to restore normal operations.

Bird flu virus found in Los Angeles County wastewater

Sat, 02 Nov 2024 00:51:56 +0000

Public health officials maintain the risk of H5N1 bird flu infection remains low. They are searching for the source.

From AI to Musk’s Brain Chip, the F.D.A.’s Device Unit Faces Rapid Change

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 23:57:56 +0000

The new director overseeing medical devices will confront criticisms about hasty approvals as she ushers in revolutionary technology.

Health Agency Blocks COVID Vaccinations

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 21:17:00 +0000

A regional public health department in Idaho is no longer providing COVID-19 vaccines to residents in six counties after a narrow decision by its board. Southwest District Health appears to be the first in the nation to be restricted from giving COVID-19 vaccines, the AP reports. Vaccinations are an essential...

Voyager 1 Reaches NASA by Turning On Old Transmitter

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:55:00 +0000

A radio transmitter that's been a backup for decades has helped reestablish communication with Voyager 1 after NASA lost touch for days. The blackout began on Oct. 19, CNN reports. The team suspects the fault protection system was triggered, causing the system to turn off the X-band transmitter and move...

NASA offers virtual launch attendance, guest passport for next SpaceX supply mission

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:41:27 +0000

NASA is inviting pubic participation in some virtual activities to watch the SpaceX space station resupply mission scheduled for a Monday night liftoff from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

How a Year of Rain Flooded Spain in Eight Hours

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 19:15:07 +0000

The region is no stranger to storms like those that caused this week’s deluges. But global warming helps them pack a bigger punch, scientists said.

Nasa and global leaders share inspiring Diwali messages of light and unity with stunning Omega Nebula image

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 18:37:52 +0000

NASA celebrated Diwali with a stunning Hubble image of the Omega Nebula, paralleling the festival's theme of light. Astronaut Sunita Williams shared festive greetings from the ISS. Tech leaders Sundar Pichai and Tim Cook also extended wishes, emphasizing unity and hope. These gestures highlight Diwali's universal appeal across different sectors and boundaries.

Monkeys Will Never Randomly Type Shakespeare

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:54:00 +0000

The old adage goes that if you give an army of chimpanzees typewriters, one will eventually write the complete works of William Shakespeare by chance. The so-called infinite monkey theorem is a thought experiment meant to demonstrate that events with a non-zero probability will occur over infinite time. In other...

Diving to Drink a 19th-Century Shipwreck’s Treasure

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:09:12 +0000

A team recently dived deep beneath Lake Huron hoping to harvest grain that may one day be distilled into whiskey with a flavor forgotten to history.

1 in 4 Child Deaths After E.R. Visits Are Preventable, Study Finds

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:00:34 +0000

If every emergency room in the United States were fully prepared to treat children, thousands of lives would be saved and the cost would be $11.84 or less per child, researchers found.

Can Axions Save the Universe?

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 13:26:22 +0000

The hunt for dark matter is shifting from particles to waves named after a laundry detergent.

Ozempic and Wegovy Ease Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Large Study

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 12:31:00 +0000

A large trial showed that semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for diabetes and as Wegovy for obesity, was better than any current medications in alleviating symptoms.

Watch: Nasa Rover Perseverance discovers a 'googly eye' phenomenon on Mars and explore Phobos' role in the search for life

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:39:11 +0000

NASA's Perseverance Rover captured a rare solar eclipse by Phobos, enhancing our understanding of Mars and its moons. The Rover's ongoing research, including the discovery of organic molecules in the 'Cheyava Falls' rock sample, could indicate past microbial life on Mars. These findings are crucial for future Martian exploration and understanding the planet's geological history.

India’s first Mars-Moon analogue mission kicks off in Ladakh’s space-like terrain

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:08:02 +0000

India's first analogue space mission, initiated by ISRO and partners, simulates interplanetary habitat in Leh. Led by Aaka Space Studio, this project uses advanced technologies to study human adaptation in Mars-like conditions, aiming to contribute to sustainable human habitats for future space exploration. Findings will support global space habitation advancements.

Scientists are looking into the benefits of growing human tissue in space

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:49:54 +0000

Scientists are sending stem cells into orbit where the forces of gravity won't interfere with how they cells proliferate and assemble into small organ-like clusters.

The oldest tadpole ever found is 161 million years old and amazingly preserved

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:00:59 +0000

Notobatrachus degiustoi tadpoles and adults in a mid-Jurassic period pond.'/>

For years, we've been asking, "Which came first: the chicken or the egg?" Maybe what we should have been asking is, "Which came first: the frog or the tadpole?" A new paper in the journal Nature details the oldest known tadpole fossil. Ringing in 20 million years earlier than scientists previously had evidence of, this fossil might get us closer to an answer.

Have another scientific discovery you want us to cover on a future episode? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we might feature your idea on a future episode!

How a Second Trump Term Could Recast Public Health

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 01:21:06 +0000

Breaking up the C.D.C., moving funds from the N.I.H. — conservatives have floated changes should Mr. Trump regain office.

Do hair and nails keep growing after we die? Here’s what science says

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:49:37 +0000

It's a common myth, but what does science say?

Sugar Rationing Lowered Diabetes and Hypertension in British Children

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:42:22 +0000

British data shows that children conceived and born during a period of sugar rationing were less likely to develop diabetes or high blood pressure later in life.

Was Stone-Age Scandinavia Struck by Plague?

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:17:00 +0000

New research by geneticists hints at the deadly work of Yersinia pestis 5,000 years ago.

AI robot ‘art’ might fetch $180K through Sotheby’s auction

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 22:04:36 +0000

A robot powered by artificial intelligence created an abstract portrait of Alan Turing that could sell for an estimated $180,000.

India plans lunar sample mission for 2028

Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:51:30 +0000

India is eying a return to the moon in 2028, aiming to collect 6.6 pounds of lunar samples from an area thought to be rich in water and ice near the lunar south pole, the Indian Space Research Organization has announced.