Science

Scientist Luc Montagnier, who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, is dead at 89

4:28pm February 10, 2022

by Richard Harris

Luc Montagnier, the scientist who discovered the virus that causes AIDS, has died at 89. His key contribution came at a time when AIDS was mysterious and uniformly deadly.

Dairy farms that capture methane from their cows' manure can earn valuable pollution-cutting credits through California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

How dairy farmers are cashing in on California's push for cleaner fuel

7:13am February 10, 2022

by Dan Charles

Big dairy farms are profiting from California's tougher limits on greenhouse emissions. They're getting paid to capture methane from cow manure. But critics say the system subsidizes polluters.

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A mountain lion photographed with a motion sensor camera in the Verdugo Mountains overlooking the city lights of Los Angeles. New money for wildlife crossings will help animals whose habitat has been cut by roadways.

Our roads are killing wildlife. The new infrastructure law aims to help

5:00am February 10, 2022

For the first time, the federal government is making a sizeable investment in wildlife road crossings. The goal is to help slow extinctions, and also protect people from animal collisions.

Take a look at SARS-CoV-2's family tree. It's full of surprises

5:00pm February 09, 2022

by Michaeleen Doucleff

The family history of SARS-CoV-2 is not what virologists expected — and it sheds light on the coronavirus that launched a pandemic. Check out our illustration of the virus's family tree.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice gives his State of the State speech in the House Chambers in January.

Coal-dependent West Virginia eliminates ban on nuclear power

6:40pm February 08, 2022

by The Associated Press

The state's ban on nuclear plants was enacted in 1996, but nuclear power has gained support as a tool to keep climate change under control and other states are transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Scientist says state governments are lifting mask mandates prematurely

4:12pm February 08, 2022

NPR's Adrian Florido talks with Mercedes Carnethon, vice chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Northwestern University, on whether local governments lifting mask mandates is science-based.

Researchers explore how Neanderthals used fires inside caves.

Science

How to build a fire inside, according to Neanderthals

10:55am February 08, 2022

Early humans seemed to strike the perfect balance in situating their hearths in the cave, preserving ample sitting and cooking space while avoiding the worst effects of smoke.

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Eric Lander, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, speaks on Jan. 16, 2021.

Top White House science adviser announces resignation after reports of bullying

10:04pm February 07, 2022

by Alana Wise

Eric Lander tendered his letter of resignation hours after a Politico article reported that the White House had found that he bullied and demeaned his subordinates.

Corporate climate pledges are weaker than they seem, a new study reports

7:45pm February 07, 2022

by The Associated Press

Many companies mislead by using accounting practices that make their environmental goals relatively meaningless or exclude parts of their businesses in their calculations, NewClimate Institute finds.

A plane sits at Melbourne Airport in December, ahead of the Australian Open. The country will reopen its international borders to visa holders and fully vaccinated travelers on Feb. 21.

Australia will reopen to fully vaccinated travelers in 2 weeks

1:03pm February 07, 2022

by Rachel Treisman

Doubly vaccinated travelers will be welcomed starting Feb. 21, nearly two years after it first closed its border. The move is seen as relief for its tourism industry.