Science

A screengrab from viewer Brandon Warren's video of a fireball meteor taken on Friday, Sept. 24, at 7:40 p.m. in Willow Spring, N.C.

'Fireball' Meteor Caught On Camera Soaring Over North Carolina At 32,000 MPH

7:18pm September 27, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

The bright phenomenon was videoed above the coast of North Carolina Friday night. Sightings were also reported in South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

How Our Brains Create Meaning From The Sounds Around Us

5:39pm September 27, 2021

How do our brains create meaning from the sounds around us? That is the question at the heart of a new book from neuroscientist Nina Kraus, called Of Sound Mind.

Engineer Marian Croak (left) and ophthalmologist Patricia Bath are the first Black women to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in its nearly 50-year history.

Meet The First 2 Black Women To Be Inducted Into The National Inventors Hall Of Fame

3:45pm September 27, 2021

by Rachel Treisman

Dr. Patricia Bath transformed cataract surgery and fought to eradicate preventable blindness. Marian Croak pioneered the technology behind audio- and videoconferencing and text-to-donate services.

A supporter of pop star Britney Spears participating in a #FreeBritney rally on July 14 in Washington, D.C. When anyone poses a high risk of harm to themselves or others, psychiatrists are obligated to hospitalize them, even against their will. For many p

The Cost Of Forced Psychiatric Care Like Britney Spears Got Can Be Ruinous

9:06am September 27, 2021

by Christopher Magoon

The pop star was forced into psychiatric care — and compelled to pay for it. That could happen to anyone during an episode of serious mental illness, adding a financial threat to the health woes.

Perfume flower grower Pierre Chiarla picks jasmine flowers in his field in Grasse, France.

In France's Perfume Capital Of The World, There's A World Of Beautiful Fragrance

7:02am September 25, 2021

by Eleanor Beardsley

Its jasmine and roses are prized by perfumers and those eager to learn the trade. But the French Riviera town of Grasse didn't always smell sweet. Centuries ago, it was known for leather tanneries.

Fossilized human footprints shown at the White Sands National Park in New Mexico. According to a report published in the journal Science, the impressions indicate that early humans were walking across North America around 23,000 years ago.

Science

Ancient Footprints Suggest Humans Lived In The Americas Earlier Than Once Thought

4:07pm September 24, 2021

by Scott Neuman

A team of scientists dated the footprints along an extinct lake bed in New Mexico and found them to be between 21,000 and 23,000 years old — far older than reliable evidence has suggested to date.

An artist's conception of the James Webb Space Telescope after it has unfolded in space.

Science

NASA's Got A New, Big Telescope. It Could Find Hints Of Life On Far-Flung Planets

6:13pm September 23, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The James Webb Space Telescope will let scientists study small, rocky planets around distant stars in more detail than ever before. After decades of work, it could head into orbit later this year.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.

Science

Boris Johnson Urges World Leaders To Act With Renewed Urgency On Climate Change

5:31pm September 23, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, the British prime minister said the global community needs to "listen to the warnings of the scientists."

A 3D microflier next to a pencil tip for scale.

Science

Flying Microchips The Size Of A Sand Grain Could Be Used For Population Surveillance

3:33pm September 23, 2021

by Scott Neuman

Northwestern University says these are the world's smallest human-made flying structures, and they could be used for monitoring the environment, population surveillance or disease tracking.

In the first Biden administration rule aimed at combating climate change, the Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to phase down production and use of hydrofluorocarbons, highly potent greenhouse gases commonly used in refrigerators and air condit

EPA Moves To Sharply Limit Potent Gases Used In Refrigerators And Air Conditioners

3:32pm September 23, 2021

by The Associated Press

The new rule is intended to decrease the use of greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons by 85% over the next 15 years. The gases that are thousands of times more powerful than carbon dioxide.