Science

Marine ecologist Neil Hammerschlag says he can sometimes identify sharks like Emma (pictured) by the way they move. "It's pretty cool to be able to jump in the water and say, 'Hey look, there's Emma the tiger shark!' "

A Marine Ecologist On Swimming With Sharks And What 'Jaws' Got Wrong

6:17pm July 14, 2016

Neil Hammerschlag has looked inside the mouth of a wild tiger shark and lived to tell the tale. He says that sharks pose only a very small risk to people: "Humans are not on the shark's menu."

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Pssssst, kid: If you go to bed early enough, you might still have a bit of time for covert reading before nodding off.

Early Bedtime For Preschoolers Might Help Reduce Obesity Risk Later

1:36pm July 14, 2016

by Carolyn Beans

Little kids who hit the sack early may be less likely to get overtired and fussy in a way that messes with their sleep cycle, researchers say.

Lucky laboratory mice got to watch scenes from Orson Welles' classic Touch of Evil, starring Janet Leigh and Charlton Heston.

A Mouse Watches Film Noir And Offers Clues To Human Consciousness

4:36pm July 13, 2016

by Jon Hamilton

Researchers in Seattle have created a public observatory for studying the visual circuitry in a mouse's brain. Among the attractions: watching 18,000 neurons respond to Orson Welles' Touch of Evil.

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A new study finds people who are well-hydrated have lower body weights and lower odds of obesity.

Thirsty? New Study Links Good Hydration To Slimmer Waistlines

6:19pm July 12, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

A new study finds people who are well-hydrated have lower body weights and lower odds of obesity. It adds evidence to the theory that drinking lots of water may help in weight management.

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Toddlers need consistent care from a pediatrician to make sure, among other things, that they are hitting developmental milestones and their vaccinations are up-to-date.

Red Tape Leaves Some Low-Income Toddlers Without Health Insurance

6:16pm July 12, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Despite government policies designed to encourage health coverage for these children, many families are thwarted by confusing rules and regulations, advocacy groups say.

Not In My Landfill: Georgia Residents Fight Plan To Store Toxic Coal Ash

4:26pm July 12, 2016

by Molly Samuel

In 2014, after disastrous spills and opposition from environmentalists, the Environmental Protection Agency imposed new rules on the storage of coal ash. Now utilities are planning to close down the ponds that hold the toxic ash, but it has to go somewhere. Environmentalists say the safest place for it is in securely lined landfills, such as the municipal landfill in Wayne County, Ga. Locals are fighting the plan, but there's not much they can do.

Overworked Americans Aren't Taking The Vacation They've Earned

2:16pm July 12, 2016

by Patti Neighmond

And they're not unplugging from email and text messages when they do get away, an NPR poll finds. "So they're taking their stress along with them wherever they go," says a Harvard scientist.

If you're worried, they're worried. Staying calm is one of many techniques parents can use to reduce pain and anxiety about shots.

Parents Can Help Reduce Pain And Anxiety From Vaccinations

2:09pm July 12, 2016

by Laurel Dalrymple

There are plenty of proven techniques that can help parents soothe the sting of the needle. And guess what? A parent's attitude can matter more than the actual pain of the shot.

Examples of the machine's forecasts of actions before they begin (starting at left) and the results (at right).

Science

A Computer Binge-Watched TV And Learned To Predict What Happens Next

11:02am July 12, 2016

by Riley Beggin

Researchers fed a program 600 hours of videos and TV shows to see if it could learn about and predict human interactions — hugs, kisses, high-fives and handshakes. It was right nearly half the time.

Science

Research: Black Judges Are Reversed On Appeal More Than White Judges

8:01am July 12, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

President Obama has tried to diversify the federal judiciary by appointing more black judges. Data show black federal district judges are overturned on appeal 10 percent more often than white judges.

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