Science

The Complex And Surprising History Of Humanity And Water

5:40pm September 20, 2021

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with author Giulio Boccaletti about his new book Water: A Biography, which takes readers through the complex and surprising history of humanity and water.

This photo made available by the Library of Congress shows a demonstration at the Red Cross Emergency Ambulance Station in Washington during the influenza pandemic of 1918.

COVID-19 Has Now Killed About As Many Americans As The 1918-19 Flu

4:59pm September 20, 2021

by The Associated Press

Before COVID-19, the 1918-19 flu was universally considered the worst pandemic disease in human history. Whether the current scourge ultimately proves deadlier is unclear.

In this image provided by SpaceX, a capsule carrying the all-amateur Inspiration4 crew parachutes into the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

Science

Inspiration4 Crew Returns To Earth, Splashing Down In The Atlantic Off Florida Coast

9:17pm September 18, 2021

by Dustin Jones

The Inspiration4 crew safely returned to Earth Saturday evening after three days of orbiting the planet. It is the first all-civilian mission to orbit.

Last year's harvest moon took place on Oct. 1. The lunar event is designated as the full moon occurring nearest to the autumnal equinox every year.

Celebrate The End Of Summer With Monday's Harvest Moon

8:57pm September 18, 2021

by Dustin Jones

The harvest moon is the last full moon of the summer. This year it will appear to be full for three days with peak illumination occurring at 7:54 p.m. ET Monday.

What This Science Reporter Wishes He'd Known Before Getting Breakthrough COVID

5:11pm September 17, 2021

by Will Stone

What do we know about breakthrough infections in vaccinated people? Will Stone explains and shares the story of how surprised he was to get a breakthrough infection himself.

Meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement will require completely eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning power plants like this one in Adamsville, Alabama

Science

Countries Promised To Cut Greenhouse Emissions, The UN Says They Are Failing

4:59pm September 17, 2021

by Dan Charles

Most countries are failing to follow through on promises to meaningfully cut greenhouse gas emissions. A UN analysis shows that actions so far will allow emissions to keep increasing

According to the CDC, between March and May, 2020, hospitals across the country saw a 24% increase in mental health emergency visits by kids aged 5 to 11 years old, and a 31% increase for kids 12 to 17.

We Know Students Are Struggling With Their Mental Health. Here's How You Can Help

9:11am September 17, 2021

by Rhitu Chatterjee

Experts say taking care of your own wellbeing first will allow you to help your kids and students. You should also listen to their concerns and teach them tools to manage their anxieties.

This photo provided by Melissa Breyer shows some of the dead birds collected in the vicinity of New York's World Trade Center on Tuesday.

Science

Hundreds Of Dead Migratory Birds In New York City Prompt Calls For Dimming Lights

8:24pm September 16, 2021

After a volunteer collected more than 200 dead migratory birds from the sidewalks around the World Trade Center, bird groups in the city called on the complex to dim unnecessary lights at night.

Two views of the Eagle Nebula's "Pillars of Creation," both taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. The left shows the pillars in visible light; the right image was taken in infrared light.

Science

NASA Is Launching A New Telescope That Could Offer Some Cosmic Eye Candy

11:59am September 16, 2021

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Hubble's iconic images captured the public's imagination. Will NASA's next big space telescope, which sees infrared light, produce astronomy scenes that pack a similar punch?

Sir Walter Raleigh, an English adventurer, writer and explorer of the Americas, founded a colony in North Carolina in 1587 that later disappeared. Archaeologists hope to uncover new clues about what happened.

Science

Sir Walter Raleigh's Colony Vanished Over 400 Years Ago. Scientists Are Still Looking

6:00am September 16, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

Archaeologists hope a new search will unearth clues about what happened to 117 men, women and children who vanished from a North Carolina settlement.