What you need to know about aspartame and cancer
This week, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer reclassified the sugar substitute as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."
Science
Natural gas can rival coal's climate-warming potential when leaks are counted
Climate-warming greenhouse gasses from natural gas could be as damaging as those from coal, according to a new analysis.
Researchers discover stardust sprinkled on a nearby asteroid
The dust, which came from distant stars, is thought to be similar to grains that eventually helped form the planets, including Earth.
WHO says aspartame is a 'possible carcinogen.' The FDA disagrees
Moderate consumption of aspartame is OK, scientists say. But heavy consumers may want to reduce their intake. The WHO says aspartame may "possibly" cause cancer. The FDA questions the evidence.
A week in science: A copper-age "queen," a sea squirt and malaria-fighting mosquitoes
NPR's Adrian Florido talks with Short Wave hosts Regina Barber and Geoff Brumfiel about a copper-age "queen," a 500-million-year-old sea squirt, and a way to help mosquitoes fight malaria.
Scientists are a step closer to defining when the age of humans officially began
Scientists recommend the start of a geological epoch defined by how humans have impacted Earth — soot, plastics and radioactive fallout have made it into the rocks, ice and mud that form our planet.
A small lake outside Toronto could be the clue that a new epoch has begun on Earth
A team of scientists have identified a geological site in Canada that they say best reflects a new epoch in Earth's history — the Anthropocene era. Francine McCarthy led the group.
Scientists say a new epoch marked by human impact—the Anthropocene—began in 1950s
The Anthropocene Working Group is proposing a small but deep lake outside of Toronto, Canada — Crawford Lake — to place a historic marker.
New malaria vaccine offers a ray of hope to Nigeria. There's just one thing ...
The country's toll makes up nearly a third of the world's 619,000 malaria deaths each year. Now Nigeria has approved a new vaccine. Will it get into the arms of those who need it most?
Should we invest more in weather forecasting? It may save your life
Over the last century, we've seen a huge improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasts. A new study suggests these better forecasts have tremendous value for our lives and our economy.