Science

Science

How Emotional Responses To Terrorism Shape Attitudes Toward Policies

11:28am December 22, 2015

by Shankar Vedantam

Scientists have been studying reactions to terrorist events, and how those reactions shape public policy. They found emotional response to terror attacks is often out of proportion to actual risk.

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A handout picture made available by SpaceX shows a Falcon 9 rocket landing upright at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. SpaceX successfully returned a rocket to Earth following Monday's satellite launch after two earlier attempts failed.

SpaceX Rocket Successfully Lands After Launching Satellites

8:16am December 22, 2015

by Doreen McCallister

It's the first launch since a Falcon 9 rocket exploded in June, and the first recovery of a spent booster for SpaceX. Previous attempts were close but ended in failure.

After Killing Of Cecil, White House Enacts Protections For Lions

7:49pm December 21, 2015

by Brian Naylor

Months after an American dentist shot and killed a beloved African lion named Cecil, the Obama administration moves to protect lions in Africa through the Endangered Species Act.

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Science

Explaining The Celestial Logistics Of The Winter Solstice

7:26pm December 21, 2015

by Adam Frank

Why doesn't the winter solstice have the earliest sunset of the year? NPR's Ari Shapiro explores that and other fun celestial news with NPR blogger Adam Frank.

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Wind turbines stand in Western Maine along the Kibby Mountain range.

Wind Power Continues Steady Growth Across The U.S.

4:39pm December 21, 2015

by Jeff Brady

The wind power industry is celebrating a milestone in November: 70 gigawatts of generating capacity. Researchers say that's enough to power 19 million homes.

The partisan gap on climate change in the U.S. is wide.

WATCH: Obama Insists Climate Deal Will Outlast GOP 'Climate Denial'

7:35am December 21, 2015

by Danielle Kurtzleben

With a Paris climate agreement just over a week old, President Obama is singling out the GOP on climate change in an interview with NPR.

There are so many opportunities to screw up pumpkin pie. But done right, it can win friends and influence people.

Perfect Pumpkin Pie: One Woman's Quest For Custard, Crust — And Glory

10:58am December 20, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

Great pumpkin pie is elusive. You could end up with a soggy crust or a grainy filling. For months, reporter Maanvi Singh has been on a journey to learn the art and science of the ideal pie.

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How San Diego Will Hold Up Its Green Transition Promise

8:34am December 20, 2015

Last week, San Diego's city council voted to transition to using 100 percent renewable energy by 2035, becoming the first major American city to enter a legally binding agreement to do so.

Dr. Irene Aguilar, a Democrat and Colorado state senator from Denver County, is also a medical internist and advocate of universal health care. She led this Denver rally in favor of the 2016 ballot measure.

Coloradans Will Put Single-Payer Health Care To A Vote

10:58am December 19, 2015

by John Daley

Colorado voters made the state the first to legalize recreational pot. In 2016, a ballot initiative could establish another first: a single-payer health system that provides universal coverage.

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The Neuroscience Of Musical Perception, Bass Guitars And Drake

7:00am December 19, 2015

by Bret Stetka

Recent research hints at how the human brain is uniquely able to recognize and enjoy music. Timing in your brain is nearly everything.