Science

Recent research has explored "helping" behavior in species ranging from nonhuman primates to rats and bats. To see whether intelligent birds might help out a feathered pal, scientists did an experiment using African grey parrots like these.

Science

Polly Share A Cracker? Parrots Can Practice Acts Of Kindness, Study Finds

6:36pm January 09, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Researchers found that African grey parrots voluntarily helped a partner get a food reward by giving the other bird a valuable metal token that could be exchanged for a walnut.

Queue Listen Now

Two boys are surprised in a movie theater.

Science
Arts

Tell Me A Story: What Narratives Reveal About The Mind

5:00pm January 09, 2020

We live in a world of stories. They're in movies, books, and plays. They're even in the things that we buy.

Queue Listen Now

What Is Known About Iran's Nuclear Capabilities

4:25pm January 08, 2020

by Geoff Brumfiel

How much time might it take for Iran to develop a nuclear weapon and a delivery system to launch it? Here are some scenarios for what could happen.

What Do We Know About Iran's Missiles And Its Arsenal Of Weapons?

11:00am January 08, 2020

by Geoff Brumfiel

Iran attacked military bases used by U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq with ballistic missiles. Over the past 20 years, Iran has built up a powerful force that is difficult to defend against.

Queue Listen Now

Firefighters struggle to protect homes from the embers generated by bushfires near the town of Nowra in New South Wales, Australia.

Australian Fires Prompt Questions About Protecting Houses From Embers

4:21pm January 07, 2020

by Rebecca Hersher

Massive Australian wildfires are sending embers high into the atmosphere. When they rain down, they can start new fires far from the original source, and some buildings are more flammable than others.

Queue Listen Now

In a new book The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage, author Kelly McGonigal argues that we should look beyond weight loss to the many social and emotional benefits of exercise.

Hope, Happiness And Social Connection: Hidden Benefits Of Regular Exercise

6:49pm January 04, 2020

by Stephanie O'Neill

A new book, The Joy of Movement, offers more motivation to exercise. It's not just about getting fit or looking good: Exercise can give you courage, pleasure and better friendships.

Science

Astronomers Carefully Watching Betelgeuse Star, Wondering If It's Nearing Explosion

4:12pm January 03, 2020

by Geoff Brumfiel

The star Betelgeuse has been dimming rapidly in recent weeks, leading to speculation that it may soon explode. If it did, that event would be a sight to behold.

Scientists are studying how some knots perform better than others, like this figure-eight knot tied using a special fiber that changes color under strain. Regions of high strain (green, yellow) can be easily distinguished from sections of the knot at low

Science

A Knotty Problem Solved

8:26pm January 02, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

We know that some knots hold better than others, but the why of it hasn't been so clear. Special fibers that change color under strain are providing some answers.

Queue Listen Now

from local story: "Sickle cell pain has a mind of its own," said Anesha Barnes, who's had the disease since she was a baby. She says the longer she stays in a pain crisis, the harder it is to break out of it.

Effort To Control Opioids In An ER Leaves Some Sickle Cell Patients In Pain

4:29pm January 02, 2020

by Sam Whitehead

People with sickle cell disease aren't fueling the opioid crisis, research shows. Yet some ER doctors still treat patients seeking relief for agonizing sickle cell crises as potential addicts.

Queue Listen Now

On December 31, 2019 firefighters struggled against the strong wind in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales.

In Australia Wildfires, Scenes Of Smoke, Sparks And Chaos

1:53pm January 01, 2020

Fires are blazing across southeast Australia. Scenes of smoke, sparks and blazing red capture the destruction happening in towns around the country.