Science

Nicholas Christakis at speaking at TED in 2010.

How Do Our Social Networks Affect Our Health?

9:52am March 04, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Physician and social scientist Nicholas Christakis explains how face-to-face social networks and their structures influence behaviors and phenomena in human society and the natural living world.

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Why Is Laughter Contagious?

9:50am March 04, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Neuroscientist Sophie Scott studies laughter, specifically its effect on our body and brain. She discusses laughter's contagious nature, as well as its role in maintaining social bonds.

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Could You Hack Your Brain To Get More Motivated?

6:27pm March 03, 2016

by Angus Chen

Volunteers learned to activate a part of the brain linked to motivation when they got feedback from an MRI. It's much more specific than older forms of biofeedback. But could it help change habits?

Blue skies in San Juan, Puerto Rico belie the U.S. territory's struggle with massive debt. The islands have a generous health care program that covers nearly everyone, but economists say it has never been adequately funded.

Puerto Rico's Growing Financial Crisis Threatens Health Care, Too

5:01pm March 03, 2016

Unless Congress and the White House can agree on a funding fix for Medicaid in the U.S. territory, many worry that Puerto Rico's health care system could collapse when stopgap funding ends next year.

Science

How Does Sunshine Affect The Lottery?

4:44pm March 03, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

Social science research examines how the mood of gamblers can change the way they think about risk. New Yorkers buy more lottery tickets when the weather is good and when their sports teams win games.

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Oregon's large power utilities and environmental advocates have backed new legislation that phases out their use of coal. Here, a coal plant in Boardman, Ore., is seen in a 2014 file photo.

Big Power Companies Hail Oregon Lawmakers' Approval Of Plan Phasing Out Coal

11:16am March 03, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The legislation, which calls for big utilities to stop relying on coal by 2030, emerged from a January agreement between the companies and environmental advocates.

Sleep Munchies: Why It's Harder To Resist Snacks When We're Tired

7:52pm March 02, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

A new study finds that too little sleep boosts a signal in the body that may drive a stronger desire to eat. It's the latest evidence linking sleep deprivation to overeating and increased body weight.

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We know eating more produce is good for your heart. Now computer models suggest slashing the price by about a third could result in dramatically lower death rates from heart disease and stroke.

Slice The Price Of Fruits And Veggies, Save 200,000 Lives?

6:37pm March 02, 2016

by Clare Leschin-Hoar

We know eating more produce is good for your heart. Now computer models suggest slashing its price by about a third could result in dramatically lower death rates from heart disease and stroke.

Biologists hoping to bring endangered whooping cranes back from the brink started an experimental flock in 1967 at the U.S. Geological Survey's Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Md.

To Make A Wild Comeback, Cranes Need More Than Flying Lessons

6:26pm March 02, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

The 15-year project wasn't a flight of fancy. Biologists used a plane to successfully teach many young, captive-bred whooping cranes to migrate cross-country. But the birds aren't reproducing well.

Gasoline prices are displayed at a filling station in Philadelphia.

Gas Prices Pop Up Despite Historic Supplies Of Oil. Blame Spring

4:36pm March 02, 2016

by Marilyn Geewax

The Energy Information Administration says oil inventories are at "historically high" levels. Still, gas prices have been heading up because oil refineries are switching to more costly summer blends.