Science

Forecasters Predict Powerful El Nino To Bring Rain To The Dry West

6:55pm August 13, 2015

by Molly Peterson

Forecasters say it is highly likely an El Nino weather system in the Northern Hemisphere will last until the spring of next year. The El Nino could bring much needed rain to the drought-stricken West.

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Sutures With A Soundtrack: Music Can Ease Pain, Anxiety Of Surgery

3:52pm August 13, 2015

by Richard Harris

Most studies of music's ability to ease pain have been small. But an analysis pooling the best research builds a strong case, doctors say, that a dose of music reduces the need for painkilling pills.

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Coca-Cola Funds Scientists Who Downplay Diet's Role In Obesity

3:30pm August 13, 2015

Coca-Cola is funding a new nonprofit that blames obesity on lack of exercise, not on bad diets. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with Anahad O'Connor of The New York Times about the group's controversial message.

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Science

Perseid Meteor Shower To Reach Its Peak Tonight

3:18pm August 13, 2015

NPR's Melissa Block talks with Kelly Beatty, senior contributing editor for Sky & Telescope, about the annual Perseid meteor shower, which reaches its peak Wednesday night.

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Science

Astronomers Present New Research On The Aging Universe

3:16pm August 13, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

An international team of astronomers has measured the energy produced within a large portion of space more precisely than ever before, and their work shows how the universe is slowly dying.

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Not Everybody Likes Kissing

2:29pm August 13, 2015

by Jessie Rack

A passionate kiss may make you swoon, but many cultures don't do it, anthropologists say. And some cultures find such lip locks downright disgusting.

This microalgae powder is designed for use in cooking, baking and smoothies. Marketed under the name AlgaVia, the powder is starting to show up as an ingredient in grocery store items.

Protein Goes Green: Can Algae Become The Next Soy?

2:19pm August 13, 2015

by Jessie Rack

Some companies think microalgae could be the alternative protein of the future, but can it top plant proteins?

Science

One Small Bite For Man: NASA Astronauts Eat Space-Grown Food

9:51am August 13, 2015

by Laura Wagner

Crew members on the International Space Station on Monday sampled red romaine lettuce, the first food to be grown and eaten in space.

A juvenile California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides).

Octopus Genome Offers Insights Into One Of Ocean's Cleverest Oddballs

7:26pm August 12, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Octopuses are cool. They can regrow lost arms, change the color of their skin, and are surprisingly smart. Scientists who sequenced the first octopus genome say it's nearly as big as a person's.

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'Defunding' Planned Parenthood Is Easier Promised Than Done

6:08pm August 12, 2015

by Julie Rovner

Some Republican candidates for president claim they have defunded Planned Parenthood in their states already. But the truth, others say, depends on how you define "defund."