Science

Young schoolgirls receive new notebooks and textbooks at a refugee camp in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan. Many girls in Pakistan still don't receive an education.

See Priya Cook: Gender Bias Pervades Textbooks Worldwide

11:07am April 19, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

In almost every corner of the world, women are either completely written out of school books, or they're portrayed in stereotypical, subservient roles, a report says. What will it take to fix this?

These robotic arms are part of a modular kitchen that's been set up so that the robot chef can find exactly what it needs.

This Robot Chef Has Mastered Crab Bisque

11:00am April 19, 2015

by NPR Staff

The system, a pair of robotic arms, learned to cook by mimicking the motions of a top chef. Even though it can't smell or taste, its maker says the robot should be able to make 2,000 meals by 2017.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Gazing Into Those Puppy-Dog Eyes May Actually Be Good For You

6:25pm April 18, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Gazing into your dog's eyes apparently triggers happy feelings in both parties - suggesting that dogs really may love us back. (This piece originally aired on All Things Considered on April 16, 2015.)

Queue Listen Now

How Almonds Became A Scapegoat For California's Drought

12:17pm April 18, 2015

by Richard Gonzales

The relentless drought has turned almonds into a target for water conservationists who bemoan that it takes one gallon of water to grow one almond. Growers say the bad rap is unfair and misleading.

Queue Listen Now

Why Water Markets Might Work In California

10:59am April 18, 2015

When Australia suffered a drought in the 2000s, it set up markets to trade water rights. NPR's Linda Wertheimer asks McKenzie Funk whether water markets could help California.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Why Is Condom-Use Suddenly Dropping Among College Sophomores?

8:28pm April 17, 2015

by Shankar Vedantam

Research at multiple universities shows the decline in safe sex is concentrated among students from low-income families. But why are these students less likely to practice safe sex?

Queue Listen Now

Dr. Raj Mangrulkar and medical student Jesse Burk-Rafel at the University of Michigan Medical School. Good communication skills, teamwork and adaptability will help doctors thrive through swift changes in medical science, Mangrulkar says.

Medical Schools Reboot For 21st Century

8:27pm April 17, 2015

by Julie Rovner

Medicine has changed a lot in the past 100 years. But medical training has stayed much the same. Many schools are now retooling — focusing on teamwork — to train a different kind of doctor.

Queue Listen Now

A troop of chimpanzees in Uganda has learned to look both ways before crossing a busy highway.

Science

WATCH: Chimps In Uganda Look Both Ways Before Crossing

6:32pm April 17, 2015

by Scott Neuman

A 29-month study of chimpanzees in Uganda's Kibale National Park reveals that many have learned a valuable survival skill — to look both ways before crossing a busy highway.

Men Strive To Give More To Charity When The Fundraiser Is Cute

5:28pm April 17, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

If you're wondering how to get more people to contribute to your online charity drive, consider a photo of you smiling. Even better if you're an attractive woman. Biology is to blame, researchers say.

A direct, friendly gaze seems to help cement the bond of affection between people and their pooches.

Scientists Probe Puppy Love

5:28pm April 17, 2015

by Geoff Brumfiel

Research shows the mutual gazing between pooches and people spurs release of a "trust hormone" in both. The results suggest dogs really may love us back.

Queue Listen Now