BREAKING NEWS: Science (2)

Life Expectancy in California Has Not Rebounded After Covid

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:14:38 +0000

The state’s life expectancy was lower in 2024 than in 2019, according to an analysis, but primarily as a result of causes of death other than Covid.

New Research Questions Severity of Withdrawal From Antidepressants

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:00:19 +0000

Warnings about withdrawal from antidepressants have rippled through society in recent years. A new study claims they are overblown.

A 37,000-Year Chronicle of What Once Ailed Us

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:00:06 +0000

In a new genetic study, scientists have charted the rise of 214 human diseases across ancient Europe and Asia.

Franklin W. Stahl, 95, Dies; Helped Create a ‘Beautiful’ DNA Experiment

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:58:57 +0000

He and a colleague proved a theory advanced by the Nobel Prize winners James Watson and Francis Crick, who discovered DNA’s helical structure.

A battle is unfolding in Europe over the future of wolves

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 14:23:14 +0000

Europe recently downgraded the protected status of wolves, sparking concern among conservationists who warn this may undo decades of progress and lead to the species becoming threatened again.

(Image credit: Paolo Picciotto)

It's a Big Move for the Iconic, Fragile Bayeux Tapestry

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:49:10 +0000

"One of the most iconic pieces of art ever produced in the UK," in the words of Britain's culture secretary, will return to the country after nearly a millennium spent abroad. The legendary Bayeux Tapestry—a nearly 230-foot-long embroidered artwork depicting the Norman Conquest of England in 1066—will be...

NSF Graduate Research Fellow contribution to flight could aid disaster relief

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

With the devastating hurricanes that swept the southeastern United States at the end of 2024, new and better ways to get critical supplies to disaster zones and rural areas are essential. U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow…

Podcast: Training artificial intelligence

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:22:17 +0000

Mingyi Hong, a professor at the University of Michigan and NSF-funded researcher, discusses AI reinforcement learning strategies and the challenges of training experts. {"preview_thumbnail":"/s3/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video…

Earth's rotation speeds up, causing shorter days in July due to Moon’s new alignment on these dates

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:13:52 +0000

Earth is set to experience unusually short days in July and August 2025. The Moon's orbital position is subtly accelerating Earth's rotation. These days will be milliseconds shorter, impacting precision systems. Global timekeepers are considering a negative leap second around 2029. This adjustment is needed to maintain accuracy. The change is scientifically important for satellite communications and GPS systems.

Animals that went into the space before humans did

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:00:59 +0000

In the early days of space exploration, scientists sent animals like fruit flies, monkeys, dogs, tortoises and worms into space to study the effects of weightlessness on living beings. Laika, a Soviet dog, was the first animal to orbit Earth, while Belka and Strelka were the first to return safely.

Space farming: Shubhanshu Shukla grows methi, moong on ISS; calls it ‘exciting and joyful work’

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:39:12 +0000

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the ISS, is conducting crucial experiments on seed germination in microgravity, collaborating with Indian institutions. He's photographing sprouting moong and methi seeds, later to be studied on Earth for genetic changes. Shukla is also working with microalgae for space-based food and biofuel production.

Severed Bow of WWII Ship Found, 8 Decades Later

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:21:00 +0000

Lost for more than 80 years, the severed bow of the legendary USS New Orleans—torn away by a torpedo in one of World War II's fiercest battles—has finally been discovered deep beneath the Pacific, CBS News reports. Researchers with the Ocean Exploration Trust discovered the wreckage about 675...

From roads to rockets: Honda's leap into space; why automakers are building rockets?

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:04:55 +0000

Honda achieved a milestone by successfully launching and landing a reusable rocket, joining Toyota and Geely in space exploration. These automakers are leveraging their expertise in engineering, manufacturing, and automation to contribute to the burgeoning space economy. They aim to enhance satellite connectivity, reduce costs, and explore new revenue streams beyond traditional vehicle sales, envisioning a future of interplanetary mobility.

National suicide prevention hotline plans to stop offering LGBTQ+ youth counseling. Queer advocates in L.A. wonder what's next

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The Trump administration's decision to stop working with the Trevor Project to provide suicide prevention hotline services to LGBTQ+ youth is the latest in a string of setbacks for the community.

Canceled grants get the spotlight at a Capitol Hill 'science fair'

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

On Tuesday, scientists held an event organized by House Democrats in which they stood in front of posters outlining their work — and the federal cuts that now threaten it.

(Image credit: Scott Neuman)

‘Will keep safe distance from Earth’: Nasa spots interstellar comet in solar system; shares picture

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:29:33 +0000

NASA's ATLAS telescope in Chile has detected a fast-moving interstellar comet, named 3I/Atlas, currently located 4.5 au from the Sun. This is only the third alien object observed in our solar system, following Oumuamua and comet 2I/Borisov. 3I/Atlas poses no threat to Earth and will approach the Sun around October 30, passing between Mars and Earth.

Johnston Atoll Spared From SpaceX Rocket Plans

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A remote Pacific wildlife refuge, once targeted for SpaceX rocket testing, has been spared—at least for now—as the Air Force backs away from controversial plans amid mounting pressure from conservationists and Indigenous groups, Popular Science reports. The US Department of the Air Force has confirmed it will not...

Peter Jackson Funds Plan to 'De-Extinct' Giant Bird

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Filmmaker Peter Jackson owns one of the largest private collections of bones of an extinct New Zealand bird called the moa. His fascination with the flightless ostrich-like bird has led to an unusual partnership with a biotech company known for its grand and controversial plans to "de-extinct" lost species . On...

Evolution went on trial 100 years ago. Where are we now?

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:00:59 +0000

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Scopes "Monkey Trial" — where a teacher was charged with the crime of teaching Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. At the time, it was illegal in Tennessee to "teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man has descended from a lower order of animals." The trial, which was orchestrated to be a media spectacle, foreshadowed the cultural divisions that continue today and led to a backlash against proponents of evolution.

Read more of science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce's reporting on the story.

Want us to cover more science history? Less? Either way, tell us by emailing shortwave@npr.org! We'd love to know what you're hearing — and want to hear from us!

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Research Suggests Climate Change Added Excess Deaths in European Heat Wave

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:00:04 +0000

The rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution calculated that climate change might have tripled the death toll from the event.

Mysterious object may have crashed into Saturn, astronomers still searching for clues

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 03:49:34 +0000

A mysterious glow on Saturn, captured by amateur astronomer Mario Rana on July 5, 2025, has ignited excitement. The footage suggests a possible impact event, a rare occurrence for the gas giant. Astronomers worldwide are now collaborating to analyze the data and confirm the impact, potentially offering unprecedented insights into planetary collisions.

Earth's Spin to Speed Up, Making Days Slightly Shorter

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 00:56:08 +0000

Earth is set to spin a bit faster in the coming months, leading to slightly shorter days, according to scientists. On July 9, July 22, and August 5, the effect will be most noticeable, with each day ending up between 1.3 and 1.51 milliseconds shorter than usual. The...

Ivar Giaever, Nobel Winner in Quantum Physics, Dies at 96

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:49:27 +0000

A former “D” student from Norway, he made his mark at G.E.’s Research Lab in the U.S., in part by confirming a pivotal theory about superconductivity.

China's emissions may be falling - here's what you should know

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 22:01:45 +0000

Experts are divided if the drop over really means China has reached the peak of its emissions.

Hot, dry weather in London and nearby areas means water usage may be restricted for 16 million

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:48:40 +0000

Water usage has spiked with demand in Swindon, Oxfordshire above 2022 drought levels.

North America Was Once Home to a Flying 'Goddess'

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 21:15:58 +0000

A delicate jawbone unearthed in Arizona has revealed North America's oldest known pterosaur, a flying reptile no bigger than a small seagull, and provided a rare glimpse into the continent's prehistoric skies. The fossil, initially mistaken for a mammal, was unearthed in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park in 2013 by...

Pieces From One of Seven Ancient Wonders Are Raised

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 18:03:00 +0000

Long-lost stone blocks from the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria, once a beacon to ancient mariners and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, have been hoisted from the Mediterranean. The blocks, submerged for centuries in Alexandria's harbor, are being digitally scanned as part of an effort to create...

Neolithic farming halls older than Stonehenge discovered beneath school

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:49:41 +0000

Archaeologists say the discovery of what they believe is the largest hall found in Scotland is ‘exceptional’

Foreign, feral honeybees are crowding out native bee species in southern California

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:46:17 +0000

Non-native, feral honeybees are crowding out native bee species in southern California — and it could have knock-on effects on local plants in need of pollination.

Increasingly Acidic Seas Threaten Oyster Farming

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:31:27 +0000

Researchers and hatcheries are exploring new ways to protect shellfish in the Pacific Northwest, although Trump budget cuts may thwart their efforts.

Trump’s Budget Would Clip Bird Banding, and Hunters Are Not Happy

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:11:47 +0000

The Bird Banding Laboratory has turned duck hunters into citizen scientists. What happens if it is defunded?

With Indus Waters Treaty in the balance, Pakistan braces for more water woes

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:10:08 +0000

In an unprecedented move, India held the water treaty in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in April. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and accuses India of "weaponizing water."

(Image credit: Betsy Joles for NPR)

Chicago Beluga Is First to Recover From Anesthesia

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:00:35 +0000

Chicago is home to a special beluga whale—the only one known to have recovered from general anesthesia. The 12-year-old whale dubbed Kimalu, born and kept at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium, underwent surgery to remove a network of cysts around her blowhole on July 1, per a release . Caretakers first noticed...

Study: Melting Glaciers could cause more volcanic eruptions

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:14:51 +0000

The melting of glaciers due to the climate crisis could make volcano eruptions more catastrophic than before, scientists cautioned in a study.

NSF advances 29 semifinalists in the second NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 14:00:07 +0000

The U.S. National Science Foundation  Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) program announced the 29 semifinalists advancing to the next stage of the second competition – spanning critical technologies and applications ranging from energy grid…

Will there be a drought where I live?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:39:49 +0000

We take a look at river, reservoir and groundwater levels after a particularly dry few months.

Expect More—and More Powerful—Eruptions

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 12:27:00 +0000

The ongoing melting of glaciers and ice caps due to global warming could set off a new wave of volcanic eruptions, potentially reshaping land and amplifying the climate crisis, according to new research. The process works like this: as ice thins out, pressure is lifted from underground magma chambers, making...

Medical Societies Sue Kennedy and H.H.S. Over Vaccine Advice

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:42:46 +0000

New restrictions on Covid shots run counter to scientific evidence, the groups said.

'Many of you will be future astronauts': Shubhanshu Shukla speaks to students from ISS

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:57:38 +0000

During his ISS mission, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla connected with students from Meghalaya and Assam via Ham radio from NESAC, Shillong. He addressed their questions about life in space, training, and health in microgravity, highlighting the challenges of adapting to weightlessness and the importance of exercise and teamwork. Shukla also discussed the role of robotics in assisting astronauts with their tasks.

Beluga whale at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium first to recover from general anesthesia

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:02:10 +0000

A beluga whale at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium is the first to successfully recover from general anesthesia in captivity after a surgery to remove a network of cysts.

Trump Wants to Close the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:01:31 +0000

The White House is planning to eliminate the board, a small agency that investigates chemical disasters to understand what went wrong.

100 years after evolution went on trial, the Scopes case still reverberates

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:34 +0000

One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tenn., became the unlikely stage for one of the most sensational trials in American history, over the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution.

(Image credit: Topical Press Agency)

Want to make yourself less appealing to mosquitoes? Our quiz has surprising ideas

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Level up your knowledge of mosquito bite prevention with our quiz. It's full of surprising, science-backed tactics that may save you from getting eaten alive this summer.

(Image credit: Beck Harlan/NPR)

Sea lions are released after toxic algae bloom in California

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Marine mammal researchers are investigating how sea lions were affected by the longest toxic algal bloom on record off the coast of Southern California. Some sea lions are now being released back into the wild.

(Image credit: Courtney Theophin)

The U.S. has millions of old gas and oil wells. Here's what it takes to plug them up

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

There was a circle in Maria Burns' yard where grass wouldn't grow and trees died. She knew what it was: An old natural gas well, plugged when she was a little girl, starting to leak again.

(Image credit: Maddie McGarvey for NPR)

Itchy? Air pollution might be making it worse

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:00:59 +0000

Short Wave producer Hannah Chinn has adult-onset eczema. They're not the only one. Up to ten percent of people in the United States have it, according to the National Eczema Association — and its prevalence is increasing. Despite its ubiquity, a lot about this skin condition remains a mystery.
So today, Hannah's getting answers. In this encore episode, they sat down with Raj Fadadu, a dermatologist at the University of California, San Diego, to ask: What is eczema? What triggers it in the first place? And might climate change make it worse sometimes?

If you liked this episode, check out our episode on the science of itchiness. Also, follow us! That way you never miss another episode.

Interested in hearing more about climate change and human health? Email us at shortwave@npr.org — we'd love to hear your feedback!

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(Image credit: Alexander Spatari)

Lung Cancer Screening on Wheels

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 07:00:17 +0000

On the road with a 68,000-pound tractor-trailer that crisscrosses West Virginia, saving lives.

Shubhanshu Shukla on the ISS can be spotted over Indian skies; here’s how, when and where to see through your naked eye

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:56:32 +0000

Indians have a unique opportunity to see the International Space Station (ISS) as it passes over India, carrying astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. Visible to the naked eye, the ISS will appear as a bright, fast-moving star. Several viewing opportunities are available in July, with tracking apps like 'Spot the Station' and 'ISS Detector' providing precise timings and directions.

Why we see different colours in moonlight — from blood red to honey yellow

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 06:10:05 +0000

Moonlight's colour varies. It depends on Earth's atmosphere. The Moon reflects sunlight. Atmospheric particles scatter light. This creates orange or red hues. Lunar eclipses cause 'blood moons'. Volcanic ash can produce blue moons. Summer moons appear honey-coloured. Rare green flashes and halos occur. Viewing conditions affect moonlight's appearance. The Moon's light is a dynamic phenomenon.

Indonesian volcano spews massive ash cloud as it erupts again

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 05:44:59 +0000

Following a series of eruptions three weeks ago, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki has begun spewing hot ash and lava again.