Humans

Allan Aarslev, a police superintendent in Aarhus, became part of the effort to make young Muslims feel like they have a future in Denmark.

How A Danish Town Helped Young Muslims Turn Away From ISIS

9:40pm July 15, 2016

by Hanna Rosin

Muslim youths in Denmark were leaving to join ISIS in Syria, feeling they were being persecuted in Europe. Then the police in Aarhus responded in a completely unexpected way: They apologized.

The Zagros Mountain range, which lies at the border between Iran and Iraq, was home to some of the world's earliest farmers.

Science

Where Did Agriculture Begin? Oh Boy, It's Complicated

4:31pm July 15, 2016

by Rhitu Chatterjee

Scientists have long assumed that farming began among one group in the Mideast. But a new study suggests a more diverse origin story.

How Will 'Cut And Paste' Technology Rewrite Our DNA?

10:00am July 15, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Biochemist Sam Sternberg describes how recent developments in gene editing technology may help end many diseases and even control our own evolution.

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How Do Nature And Nurture Combine To Make Us Who We Are?

10:00am July 15, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Psychologist Steven Pinker describes how far we've come in understanding how both nature and nurture make us ... us.

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Science
Arts

Where Does Consciousness Come From?

10:00am July 15, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

Philosopher John Searle argues that consciousness is what makes us human. He makes the case for studying consciousness and accepting it as a biological phenomenon.

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Study Explores Links Between Politics And Racial Bias

6:53pm July 14, 2016

A new study looks at the link between racial bias and the Tea Party. Researchers found that people who looked at images of Barack Obama that were edited to make his skin look darker were more likely to express support for the Tea Party.

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Pssssst, kid: If you go to bed early enough, you might still have a bit of time for covert reading before nodding off.

Early Bedtime For Preschoolers Might Help Reduce Obesity Risk Later

1:36pm July 14, 2016

by Carolyn Beans

Little kids who hit the sack early may be less likely to get overtired and fussy in a way that messes with their sleep cycle, researchers say.

Lucky laboratory mice got to watch scenes from Orson Welles' classic Touch of Evil, starring Janet Leigh and Charlton Heston.

A Mouse Watches Film Noir And Offers Clues To Human Consciousness

4:36pm July 13, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

Researchers in Seattle have created a public observatory for studying the visual circuitry in a mouse's brain. Among the attractions: watching 18,000 neurons respond to Orson Welles' Touch of Evil.

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A new study finds people who are well-hydrated have lower body weights and lower odds of obesity.

Thirsty? New Study Links Good Hydration To Slimmer Waistlines

6:19pm July 12, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

A new study finds people who are well-hydrated have lower body weights and lower odds of obesity. It adds evidence to the theory that drinking lots of water may help in weight management.

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Toddlers need consistent care from a pediatrician to make sure, among other things, that they are hitting developmental milestones and their vaccinations are up-to-date.

Red Tape Leaves Some Low-Income Toddlers Without Health Insurance

6:16pm July 12, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Despite government policies designed to encourage health coverage for these children, many families are thwarted by confusing rules and regulations, advocacy groups say.