Science

At least 36 students at a North Carolina school have become infected with chickenpox. The school has many students whose parents claimed a religious exemption from state vaccination requirements.

Chickenpox Outbreak Hits N.C. Private School With Low Vaccination Rates

5:07pm November 20, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

Three dozen students have been infected at Asheville Waldorf School — which has among the very highest rates of parents claiming religious exemption from state vaccine requirements.

Klute-Nelson takes a break with her dogs Kona (left) and Max.

As Insurers Offer Discounts For Fitness Trackers, Wearers Should Step With Caution

10:44am November 19, 2018

by Stephanie O'Neill

Millions of Americans use wearable devices to monitor their diet and fitness. Some insurance companies offer incentives to use them, but privacy advocates caution customers not to share too much data.

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Last week J.D. Kleopfer, a state herpetologist, announced the death of a two-headed copperhead snake in Northern Virginia on social media. He said it was a discovery that few of his colleagues have seen.

Science

An 'Exceptionally Rare' 2-Headed Snake Found In Virginia Has Died

6:44pm November 18, 2018

by Gabriela Saldivia

Two-headed snakes don't live very long in the wild, so when one was found in a Northern Virginia yard, the discovery got the attention of scientists and social media alike.

Then-candidate Chrissy Houlahan during a campaign rally in Philadelphia on Sept. 21, 2018.

Science, Technology, Math, Engineering And Now Congress

7:00am November 18, 2018

by Ashley Westerman

"Somebody with a technical background might think in a little bit different than the way, for instance, that a lawyer would think," says Chrissy Houlahan, a new lawmaker with a STEM background.

Ingrid Fetell Lee: How Can We Design More Joy Into Our Surroundings?

9:22am November 16, 2018

Ingrid Fetell Lee discovered that certain elements--like bright color, abundance, round shapes--are universally joyful. She says designing more joyful spaces can actually change how we feel and act.

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David Baron: Why Should You Experience A Total Solar Eclipse?

9:20am November 16, 2018

The moment David Baron saw his first total solar eclipse in 1998, he was hooked. He's spent the last 20 years chasing them across the globe—all for a few minutes of joy, wonder and awe.

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Moms, babies and music - promo version (16x9).

Science

Bringing Up Baby

5:10pm November 15, 2018

This week we focus on the behavior of the youngest members of the human race. We try to translate the mysterious language of babies. And we ask, when should we step back and just let our children be?

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People who are sensitive to the bitterness of caffeine tend to drink more coffee than others, while people sensitive to bitter flavors like quinine drink less coffee, according to a new study.

Buzz, Buzz: Bitter Tasters Like Coffee Better

3:06pm November 15, 2018

by Joe Palca

A genetic analysis of samples taken from a large UK health database suggest that people who are more sensitive than their peers to the bitter taste of caffeine tend to drink more coffee — not less.

"Everything is private information, stored on your computer or a computer you designate," says George Church, genetics professor at Harvard Medical School, about the approach of Nebula Genomics.

Startup Offers To Sequence Your Genome Free Of Charge, Then Let You Profit From It

2:06pm November 15, 2018

by Richard Harris

A full genome sequence costs about $1,000. But Nebula Genomics expects that companies and researchers would defray the cost in exchange for key medical information about the person involved.

Downtown Houston flooded by rain from Hurricane Harvey on Aug. 29, 2017. The buildings in the region exacerbated rainfall from the storm, according to a new study.

Houston Got Hammered By Hurricane Harvey — And Its Buildings Are Partly To Blame

9:43pm November 14, 2018

by Rebecca Hersher

The city itself — skyscrapers, homes and factories — snagged the moist air of Hurricane Harvey and caused more rain to fall. Two new studies detail how humans are making hurricane flooding worse.

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