Science

Drought Turns Spotlight On Future Of California Farms

2:28pm November 30, 2015

by Ben Bergman

Half of all fruits, vegetables and nuts grown in the United States come from California. Despite four years of extreme drought, the state's agriculture industry is thriving for some farmers. Ben Bergman with member station KPCC reports.

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2 Degrees In Paris: The Global Warming Set To Dominate Climate Conversation

2:06pm November 30, 2015

As world leaders gather in Paris to talk about climate change, one phrase that will dominate conversations is "two degrees." Global leaders will discuss how to prevent global temperatures from warming by more than two degrees since the industrial revolution.

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A power-generating windmill turbine is seen in front of the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysees avenue in Paris ahead of the COP21 World Climate Summit, which begins Monday.

Why Negotiators At Paris Climate Talks Are Tossing The Kyoto Model

10:48am November 30, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 didn't slow down the gradual warming of the planet. Now governments meeting for a two-week summit are trying an a la carte approach.

Kyoto Treaty Fizzled, But Climate Talkers Insist Paris Is Different

3:53am November 30, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

The 1997 Kyoto treaty set targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions that many nations didn't meet. This time, stakes are higher and all countries will be asked to set and meet their own limits.

Recordings Might Sound A Silent Alarm About California Drought

5:11pm November 29, 2015

by Michel Martin

Bernie Krause is an audio ecologist. This year he noticed a precipitous drop in the sounds of one his favorite field recording sites, a change he attributes in large part to California's drought.

Loneliness May Warp Our Genes, And Our Immune Systems

7:18am November 29, 2015

by Angus Chen

Loneliness takes a toll on many aspects of health, in part because it activates a fight -or-flight immune response. That may have helped ancestors survive lonely exile, but can slowly kill us today.

What Will News Of Frank Gifford's CTE Mean For Football?

8:00am November 28, 2015

NPR's Scott Simon and Bloomberg View's Kavitha Davidson discuss the late Frank Gifford, concussions and the debate over locker room interviews.

Oranges ripen in a grove in Plant City, Fla. Citrus greening, a disease spread by a tiny insect that ruins oranges and eventually kills the trees, has put the future of the state's $10 billion citrus industry in doubt.

How Long Can Florida's Citrus Industry Survive?

4:32pm November 27, 2015

by Greg Allen

The USDA recently stunned growers when it projected the smallest orange harvest for Florida in more than 50 years. The culprit: A tiny insect that's killing off the state's trees — and industry.

Inside Each Flu Shot, Months Of Virus Tracking And Predictions

1:55pm November 27, 2015

by Rae Ellen Bichell

Scientists worldwide face a yearly challenge in deciding what goes into the annual flu vaccine to make it effective. The job requires keeping tabs on a massive group of speedy, shape-shifting viruses.

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Many Americans Believe They Don't Need The Flu Vaccine

1:47pm November 27, 2015

by Rae Ellen Bichell

An NPR poll finds nearly two-thirds of adults got this year's flu vaccine or plan to get it. Many of those who are skipping vaccination cite a lack of need and worries about side effects.