Were Carbs A Brain Food For Our Ancient Ancestors?
Once ancient humans learned to cook, starchy foods could have given them a calorie bump that fueled the evolution of the human brain, British researchers argue in a new paper.
Science
Chatty Marmosets Have Something To Say About Vocal Learning
Scientists have found that marmosets have the capability to learn calls from their parents. Studying the small monkeys may provide insights into developmental disorders in humans, like autism.
Titanium Rings Tough To Crack In Emergencies
A patient's ring was stuck, his finger dangerously swollen. Doctors tried everything to remove the ring — and finally hit upon a solution they hope will help other people.
Engineers Make Narcotics With Yeast. Is Home-Brewed Heroin Next?
The yeast produce only tiny amounts of the drug. But eventually, the technology could lead to better painkillers and other medicines. Drug officials worry the microbes could fall into the wrong hands.
Research Biologist Coins Term 'Kilo-Author' For Scientific Journal Articles
NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Zen Faulkes of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley about the term, which describes the trend of adding more names as contributors to science journal articles.
Decoding Nature: Identifying Sounds A Horned Owl Makes
A listener responded to our invitation to send recordings of backyard wildlife with audio of a spooky bird screech. An expert at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology helped solve the mystery.
Tonight, Look For A Rare (But Not Quite Blue) Moon
The modern definition of a "blue moon" has nothing to do with its color.
EPA Says It Released 3 Million Gallons Of Contaminated Water Into River
The spill on Wednesday sent heavy metals, arsenic and other contaminants into a waterway that flows into the San Juan National Forest. Estimates of the spill's size have risen sharply since then.
Scientists Discover 15th Convex Pentagon Able To Tile A Plane
NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with Julie Rehmeyer, a contributing editor at Discover magazine, about a newly discovered pentagon.
Close Listening: How Sound Reveals The Invisible
The stethoscope seems so simple — a 19th century tool for listening more closely to the human heart or lungs. It also sparked a culture of listening that is transforming the way scientists learn.