Science

Federal Court Blocks Challenge To Social Cost Of Carbon

6:46pm August 17, 2016

by Jacob Goldstein

Economists call it the social cost of carbon. A single number that is supposed to reflect all of the costs society incurs when people burn fossil fuels. That number is now part of federal regulations, and some industries aren't happy.

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Scientists Engineer An Opioid That May Reduce Pain With Less Risk

5:20pm August 17, 2016

by Angus Chen

Opioids lock to a receptor in the brain that controls pain relief, pleasure and need. A new compound may offer relief without as much risk of addiction or overdose. But it's only been tested in mice.

Henry Wood Elliott comments on walruses on Punuk Island in 1874, from his book Our Arctic Province.

What Does It Take To Map A Walrus Hangout? 160 Years And A Lot Of Help

2:04pm August 17, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Groups of walruses are vulnerable to disturbances, but it's hard to avoid them if you don't know where they are. A new tool from U.S. and Russian researchers draws on history to protect the animals.

The Laser Interferometer Gravity-Wave Observatory looks for tiny changes in the length of the structure's 2.5-mile-long arms. There are two detectors: one in Washington and one in Louisiana (pictured). This photo was taken before severe flooding that has

How To Catch The Biggest Wave In The Universe

10:36am August 17, 2016

by Geoff Brumfiel

An L-shaped machine in Louisiana is hunting for some of the most powerful waves in existence: gravitational waves. This wave detector acts like a giant tape measure to capture bends in space and time.

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White House Announces New Fuel Efficiency Standards For Trucks, Buses

6:37pm August 16, 2016

by Susan Phillips

The Obama administration has announced new fuel efficiency standards for trucks and buses.

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Science

Short Answers To Big Questions: The Power Of Earth's Magnetic Field

4:36pm August 16, 2016

by Adam Frank

All Things Considered asked listeners to ask our resident astrophysicist big questions, so we can give you short answers. Today we explore magnetic fields and explain why they are so powerful on Earth.

'Roaring Wind' Examines Extreme Weather, And The Power Of Air

1:40pm August 16, 2016

Biologist Bill Streever sailed from Texas to Guatemala while doing research for his new book, And Soon I Heard a Roaring Wind. He says the wind was working against him "most of the time."

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Science

Why High-Income Households Benefit More From Product Innovations

5:05am August 16, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

A Stanford University researcher finds that products purchased mainly by poor people were increasing in price much more quickly than those purchased by the wealthy.

The cover of The Sea Forager's Guide to the Northern California Coast.

Fishing And Foraging: How To Catch Your Seafood, Ethically

3:05pm August 15, 2016

by Alastair Bland

Fisherman Kirk Lombard's new book teaches people to fish and forage along the northern California coast, while urging them to harvest in moderation, follow regulations and respect sea creatures.

Michigan Wolverines fans do the wave in support of their team as it faces the Brigham Young Cougars at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 26, 2015, in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Physics And Psychology Of 'The Wave' At Sporting Events

2:15pm August 15, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

You may love or hate "the wave" as it sweeps through spectators at baseball, football and soccer games. But physicists say the synchronized action shows how humans are like particles.