Humans

In the current version of the Fitnet App, the camera of an exerciser's smartphone captures data from him (upper left), while a prerecorded trainer guides him through a workout. A clock (bottom center) shows elapsed time. The orange dots (upper left) indic

Fitness App Aims To Deliver Live Feedback From A Personal Trainer 24/7

7:31am June 23, 2015

by Alison Bruzek

The Fitnet app uses your phone's camera to analyze your workout and give feedback. Next step is a live trainer on the other end. The hitch: Your Internet speed likely needs to be 40 times faster.

The Challenges Posed By An Aging Global Population

6:49pm June 22, 2015

One-fifth of the U.S. population will be 65 or older in 15 years. NPR's Ina Jaffe talks with NPR's Scott Simon about the aging of the population worldwide and the challenges it presents.

Queue Listen Now

This clay facial reconstruction of Kennewick Man, who died about 8,500 years ago in what's now southeast Washington, was based on forensic scientists' study of the morphological features of his skull.

DNA Confirms Kennewick Man's Genetic Ties To Native Americans

5:34pm June 22, 2015

by Christopher Joyce

The new evidence suggests the ancient skeleton is closely related to members of a Washington state tribe. The findings are likely to rekindle an old debate between scientists and Native Americans.

Queue Listen Now

A screenshot from Planned Parenthood's new app, which tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea by mail.

Worried You Have An STD? This App Helps You Quietly Find Out

10:19am June 22, 2015

by Jessie Rack

Planned Parenthood has an app that offers discreet help for Californians seeking to get tested for chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Poet Rives explores why 4 a.m. has become synonymous with the strangest hour of the day.

Arts

Which Time Of Day Is Both Too Early And Too Late?

9:41am June 22, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Poet Rives explores why 4 in the morning has become popular shorthand for the strangest hour of the day.

Queue Listen Now

"Human beings are works in progress that mistakenly think they're finished," says psychologist Dan Gilbert.

Science
Arts

When Do We Become The Final Version of Ourselves?

9:41am June 22, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Dan Gilbert shares research on what he calls the "end of history illusion," where we think the person we are right now is the person we'll be for the rest of time. Hint: that's not the case.

Queue Listen Now

Psychologist Laura Carstensen explains why growing older also means growing happier for so many people.

Why Should We Look Forward To Getting Older?

9:41am June 22, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Psychologist Laura Carstensen says that as people get older, they usually become less stressed and more content.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Why Does Time Exist?

9:41am June 22, 2015

by NPR/TED Staff

Cosmologist Sean Carroll tackles a deceptively simple question: Why does time exist at all? The potential answers point to a surprising view of the nature of the universe, and our place in it.

Queue Listen Now

Removing micropollutants from wastewater isn't cheap or easy.

Hunting Ways To Keep Synthetic Estrogens Out Of Rivers And Seas

1:26pm June 19, 2015

by Jessie Rack

Hormones from medical treatments wind up in wastewater, and that can be a problem. Some scientists think a version of a household chemical, hydrogen peroxide, could be part of the solution.

Why Some Teen Brains May Be Hardwired To Make Risky Choices

11:45am June 19, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

Individual differences in the brain's working memory could help explain why some teens are especially impulsive about sex. Having engaged parents helps reduce the risk.