Science

U.S. Still Out of Paris Climate Agreement, Despite Conflicting Reports

9:34pm September 16, 2017

by Vanessa Romo

The White House has reaffirmed its position on the climate pact "unless we can re-enter on terms that are more favorable to our country," after reports from AFP and the WSJ that the U.S. would stay.

A Houston resident walks through waist-deep water while evacuating her home after severe flooding following Hurricane Harvey in north Houston.

After Hurricane Katrina, Many People Found New Strength

5:22pm September 15, 2017

A long-term study of people who survived Hurricane Katrina found that most were doing well, and some feel the experience transformed them. But others remain haunted by anxiety and depression.

Cassini Spacecraft Burns Up Like A Meteor In Dramatic End To Saturn Mission

4:35pm September 15, 2017

The Cassini spacecraft, which launched almost 20 years ago, ended its mission early Friday morning when it dove directly into Saturn's atmosphere, burning up like a meteor.

Matthew Rockloff and Nancy Greer give their acceptance speech after winning the Ig Nobel Economics Prize during ceremonies at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., on Thursday. The pair won for their experiments to see how contact with a live crocodile

Science

Ig Nobels Awarded For Research Into Big Ears, Feline Fluidity

4:21pm September 15, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The annual awards for research "that makes you laugh, then think" also singled out scientists who determined that having contact with a crocodile influences a person's willingness to gamble.

A wave structure known as the Janus 2:1 spiral density wave in Saturn's B ring returned earlier this month.

Science

Cassini's Saturn Mission Goes Out In A Blaze Of Glory

10:54am September 15, 2017

by Scott Neuman

The NASA probe that has spent the past 13 years making countless discoveries about the ringed planet and its moons was taken out of orbit and sent plunging into Saturn's atmosphere.

Sam Harris: What Happens When Humans Develop Super Intelligent AI?

10:00am September 15, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

Does superhuman artificial intelligence sound like science fiction? Not for Sam Harris. He says it's not a question of if but when — with potentially destructive consequences.

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We're at this break point where we can read life code. We can copy life code. We can edit life code. - Juan Enriquez

Juan Enriquez: What Can Happen If Humans Control The Future Of Evolution?

10:00am September 15, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

From genetically modified animals and crops, we can already manipulate DNA. But futurist Juan Enriquez argues soon we can take full control of human evolution to create a better life for all of us.

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Paul Knoepfler: What Are The Unintended Consequences Of Human Gene Editing?

10:00am September 15, 2017

by NPR/TED Staff

New gene editing tools hold a great deal of promise, but biologist Paul Knoepfler says we should be cautious. He warns altering DNA can have dire consequences, including a new form of eugenics.

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Science

Cassini Plunges To Saturn

5:06am September 15, 2017

by Joe Palca

The Cassini mission to Saturn ends on Friday. Scientists will steer the spacecraft into Saturn's atmosphere and watch it burn up.

Two snow leopard cubs play in their enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo on Tuesday during their public debut.

Good News For Snow Leopards, Bad News For Ash Trees

6:59pm September 14, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

Snow leopards are no longer on the verge of extinction, a new assessment found. However, the situation is looking dire for five species of ash trees, now listed as "critically endangered."