Researching Heatstroke In Athletes
The death of a University of Maryland player is among a number of training deaths in college football recently. Melissa Block speaks with Douglas Casa who has researched the causes.
Science
Helping Clean Florida's 'Red Tide'
Piles of dead, rotting fish are washing ashore on parts of Florida's coastline due to red tide, a seasonal algal bloom. Captain Destiny Ibasfalean talks with NPR's Melissa Block.
So Far, More Heat Waves Do Not Mean More Heat Deaths
The spread of air conditioning may have kept some people from dying in this summer's extreme heat. But studies project more heat-related illnesses as the climate warms.
Talkin' Birds: The Damage Of Plastics
Single-use plastics like bags and straws are doing damage to the world's oceans and marine life. Ray Brown from Talkin' Birds tells NPR's Scott Simon that such plastics pose danger to birds as well.
Survival Of The Sluggish: Scientists Find An Upside To A Low Metabolism
A study of 5 million years of mollusks suggests that laziness could be a good survival strategy: species that have gone extinct had higher metabolic rates than the ones that exist today.
How To Survive A 10,000-Foot Fall
Sometimes people who fall great distances survive. How do they get so lucky? Scientists share the secrets of an implausible safe landing.
No Amount Of Alcohol Is Good For Your Health, Global Study Says
While the study's authors acknowledge moderate drinking may protect some people against heart disease, these potential benefits do not outweigh the risks of cancer and other diseases.
The Latest Scientific Advice On Drinking Alcohol: Don't.
A new study published in The Lancet finds alcohol is associated with 2.8 million deaths each year worldwide. Researchers conclude that there is no safe level of alcohol and say the risks outweigh the potential benefits.
Drought In Central Europe Reveals Cautionary 'Hunger Stones' In Czech River
For hundreds of years, these boulders have warned about the consequence of devastating droughts — and documented them for posterity. One says "if you see me, weep."
Scientists Are Puzzled By Mysterious Lights In The Sky. They Call Them STEVE
Scientists don't know what's causing the aurora-like phenomenon, which has been known to amateur photographers for decades but only recently came to the attention of researchers.