Science

A new study suggests that one service already in place in many food deserts could help make it easier to access fresh, healthy food: online grocery delivery. The finding lends support to expanding a pilot program that lets people use food stamp benefits t

How Online Grocery Delivery Could Help Alleviate Food Deserts

9:33am December 19, 2019

by Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Delivery service could make it easier to access fresh, healthy food in these areas, a study finds. It lends support to a pilot program that lets people pay for these groceries with food stamps.

This golden pendant of the Egyptian goddess Hathor was found in one of two 3,500-year-old tombs.

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Greek Royal Tombs Dating Back 3,500 Years

8:35pm December 17, 2019

by Richard Gonzales

Among the findings are a gold pendant with the image of an Egyptian goddess, suggesting wider interaction between ancient Greece and Egypt than previously known.

A piece of birch pitch from Syltholm, in southern Denmark, has proved to be a remarkable source of ancient human DNA.

What Ancient 'Chewing Gum' Can Tell Us About Life 5,700 Years Ago

5:34pm December 17, 2019

by Merrit Kennedy

Scientists say that for the first time, they've managed to extract an entire ancient human genome from anything other than human bones or teeth. It told them a lot about the person chewing the gum.

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Using e-cigarettes doesn't seem to be as risky as smoking tobacco. But both activities can cause long-term lung problems, research finds — and the effect seems to be additive for people who do both.

Vaping Nicotine Linked To Increased Risk Of Chronic Lung Disease

8:24pm December 16, 2019

by Allison Aubrey

A new study suggests the use of e-cigarettes can increase smokers' and nonsmokers' risk of developing chronic lung disease, including conditions such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or asthma.

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New Study Offers First Evidence Of Vaping's Long-Term Risks

4:33pm December 16, 2019

by Allison Aubrey

The study finds that e-cigarettes are linked to increased risk of chronic lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and COPD, as well as weakened immune defenses.

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Science

Some Dinosaurs Had Lice

9:17am December 14, 2019

Researchers have determined that some dinosaurs had lice. NPR's Scott Simon talks with paleontologist Chung Kun Shih about this exciting yet revolting discovery.

The holiday party season can be a particularly stressful time for people with social anxiety. But healthy ways to cope abound.

Holiday Parties Make You Squirm? Here's How To Conquer Social Anxiety

7:00am December 14, 2019

by Juli Fraga

People with social anxiety disorder fear their "fatal flaws" will be exposed by a wayward comment or other social misstep. If holiday parties send you spiraling, try these tips.

Why People With Climate Change Concerns Don't Always Do What's Best For The Environment

5:52pm December 13, 2019

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Ashley Whillans, behavioral scientist at Harvard Business School, about why many people care deeply about climate change, but slow to adopt climate-friendly behaviors.

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Science

Cleaning Up Space Junk

5:08am December 13, 2019

The European Space Agency says a self-destructing robot will be sent into orbit in 2025 to begin work on the world's first space cleanup mission. Jan Woerner of the European Space Agency discusses.

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Why Climate Change Threats Don't Trigger An Immediate Response From Human Brains

5:12pm December 12, 2019

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Harvard psychologist Daniel Gilbert about why the human brain doesn't respond to threats posed by climate change as quickly or proactively as seems warranted.

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