Science

Science

Homo sapiens and Neanderthals may have interbred, new research shows

9:41pm February 04, 2024

by Elissa Nadworny

NPR's Elissa Nadworny speaks with Elena Zavala of the University of California, Berkeley, about new research showing how homo sapiens and Neanderthals interacted and may have even interbred.

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The truth about caffeine

6:00pm February 04, 2024

by Andee Tagle

Life Kit offers tips on how to better understand the effect caffeine has on our bodies, and make sure your relationship with your favorite caffeinated drink is a healthy one.

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The new documentary Agent of Happiness follows Bhutanese bureaucrats who survey people about their state of mind. From right: director Dorottya Zurbó, happiness agents Amber Kumar Gurung and Guna Raj Kuikel, and director Arun Bhattarai.

Are you happy? New film follows a Bhutan bureaucrat who asks 148 questions to find out

9:10am February 04, 2024

by Jonathan Lambert

The new documentary Agent of Happiness explores Bhutan's efforts to measure its own "gross national happiness." The film follows one not-especially-happy agent who gathers the data.

Kids who have dogs get a boost in physical activity - especially young girls.

Do your kids want a dog? Science may be on their side

7:00am February 04, 2024

by Maria Godoy

Kids who have dogs get significantly more physical activity, compared to kids who don't. Researchers followed 600 children over three years, and found young girls got the biggest exercise boost.

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As an evolutionary anatomist, Heather Smith studies the fossil record of extinct species. A sudden appendectomy as a child made her curious about what the appendix is for and why it gets inflamed.

Your appendix is not, in fact, useless. This anatomy professor explains

3:49pm February 02, 2024

by Selena Simmons-Duffin

A sudden appendectomy as a child made Heather Smith curious about what the appendix is for and why it gets inflamed. Now as an anatomy researcher, she's finding answers.

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Science

Meet the 'chicken from hell' 2.0: a newly discovered dinosaur

5:33pm February 01, 2024

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Kyle Atkins-Weltman, a PhD student of paleoecology at Oklahoma State University, about a newly discovered dinosaur dubbed the "chicken from hell".

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Spiderwebs can act as air filters that catch environmental DNA from terrestrial vertebrates, scientists say.

Need to track animals around the world? Tap into the 'spider-verse,' scientists say

9:28am February 01, 2024

by Ari Daniel

Spiderwebs can capture environmental DNA, or eDNA, from vertebrate animals in their area, potentially making them a useful tool in animal monitoring, tracking and conservation.

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Spiderwebs could offer a snapshot of an ecosystem, study shows

5:21pm January 31, 2024

by Ari Daniel

Scientists have found that spiderwebs can be used to capture environmental DNA, which reflects the animal population of an area. The technique may help track the biodiversity of an ecosystem.

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Scientists have found that artificial light can interfere with many insects' ability to position themselves relative to the sky.

Science

'Like moths to a flame'? Here's what's going on with insects and porch lights

4:43pm January 30, 2024

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Those insects you see flying in crazed circles are trying to keep their backs towards the light because they think that direction is up, new research suggests.

Patients report that ketamine infusions can be lifesaving, with immediate improvement for severe depression. But dosage and safety measures vary widely at the hundreds of clinics that have opened.

The ketamine economy: New mental health clinics are a 'Wild West' with few rules

5:00am January 30, 2024

by Dawn Megli

Ketamine, approved as an anesthetic in 1970, is emerging as a major alternative mental health treatment. But more than 500 clinics have popped up with little regulation, and treatment varies widely.