Science

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasts into space. On board is a satellite with a climate solutions mission. It's designed to detect methane, a potent planet warming gas.

A new satellite will track climate-warming pollution. Here's why that's a big deal

2:29pm March 05, 2024

by Julia Simon

A satellite with a climate solutions mission blasted off on a SpaceX rocket Monday. It's on a mission to detect planet-heating methane pollution from the oil and gas sector.

Queue Listen Now

Ibrahim, 12, speaks to his grandmother, who lives in Gaza, from his home in Ramallah in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Jan. 31. The family did not want to use their full names out of fear of reprisals from Israeli authorities.

Destruction from the war with Israel has cut Gaza off from the outside world

1:41pm March 03, 2024

by Hadeel Al-Shalchi

Spotty internet and cell services, blackouts and the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza during Israel's war with Hamas have hampered aid and medical services and keeping in touch with loved ones.

Queue Listen Now

Did Archimedes light Roman ships on fire using sunlight? A 13-year-old found out

8:08am March 03, 2024

by Ayesha Rascoe

Scientists have long debated whether Greek scientist Archimedes could have destroyed enemy ships by redirecting sunlight. Brenden Sener, 13, tested it for a school science fair project.

A plant-based diet is not just good for your health, it's good for the planet.

This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

7:00am March 03, 2024

by Allison Aubrey

A new study finds swapping half of your typical red meat intake for plant protein, reduces your diet-related carbon footprint by 25% and may also your boost lifespan.

Scientists have new details on an Antarctic glacier crucial to future sea level rise

4:22pm March 01, 2024

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with glaciologist Ted Scambos about the conclusion of a multi-year study of Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier, the "plug" holding back a formidable amount of ice.

Science

Morning news brief

8:09am March 01, 2024

Funeral for Russian opposition leader Navalny. Israeli troops fired on Palestinians getting aid in Gaza. Scientists clone genetically modified pigs with organs to be used in human transplants.

Queue Listen Now

A young, genetically modified pig raised at a Revivicor farm for organ transplantation research.

How genetically modified pigs could end the shortage of organs for transplants

10:35pm February 29, 2024

by Rob Stein

Scientists are optimistic that gene-edited animals could provide a new source of organs for transplantation. Pig organs modified to minimize rejection are now being tested in humans.

Queue Listen Now

ExxonMobil is suing investors who want faster climate action

6:45pm February 29, 2024

by Michael Copley

The oil and gas giant is suing investor groups that want it to slash climate pollution. Interest groups on both sides of the case say it could lead to more lawsuits against activist investors.

Science

The space missions that aim to explore distant moons

5:07pm February 29, 2024

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with astrobiologists Catherine Neish and Kevin Hand about missions to Saturn's moon Titan and Jupiter's moon Europa, to search for conditions that could support life.

The fickle, golden magic of the Yosemite "Fire Fall"

5:07pm February 29, 2024

For a few weeks each year, Horsetail Fall at Yosemite national park glows gold just before sunset. They call it the "Fire Fall." But it only happens if conditions are perfect.

Queue Listen Now