Science

Science

Geminids Promise A Light Show In The Night Sky

12:52pm December 13, 2014

The best and most easily-watched meteor shower of the year is happening this weekend. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the Carnegie Institution for Science.

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Science

Are Men Idiots Who Do Stupid Things? Study Says Yes

6:25pm December 12, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

It looked at winners of the Darwin Awards, given to people who die in such an idiotic manner their action ensures the species' long-term survival. Nearly 90 percent of the winners were male.

Broccoflower was originally grown in Holland and hit the U.S. market in 1989. It's remained a relatively specialty item since then, but culinary experts say it may soon become more widely available.

Science

Kalettes, Broccoflower And Other Eye-Popping Vegetables For 2015

6:22pm December 12, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

Kale's days as the superfood-du-jour may be numbered. Next up: Kalettes? It's a cross between kale and Brussels sprouts, and it's one of a few bewitching hybrid vegetables that could go big in 2015.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers a speech Thursday at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Lima, Peru. A major sticking point remains over how to divide greenhouse emissions targets.

Climate Sticking Point: Who Cuts And By How Much?

2:37pm December 12, 2014

by Scott Neuman

On the final day of the latest round of climate talks, rich and poor nations meeting in Lima, Peru, have yet to agree on the central issue of emissions targets.

"Pup 681" during a feeding at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago.

Chicago's Orphaned Otter 'Pup 681' Gets A Real Name

2:15pm December 12, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The southern sea pup now known as Luna was found on a beach in California in October. She was transferred to the Shedd Aquarium, where a naming contest was held this month.

Making and taking a hit chest to chest, instead of skull to skull, is easier to remember if you're not wearing a helmet, say University of New Hampshire Wildcat football players.

Football Players Drill Without Helmets To Curb Concussions

7:49pm December 11, 2014

by Jack Rodolico

The idea, according to a scientist at New Hampshire University, is to teach each player "rugby awareness," so he'll be more likely to keep his head out of harm's way. Helmets off, eyes up.

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The Mystery Of The Missing Martins

6:39pm December 11, 2014

by Adam Cole

In Skunk Bear's latest video, join the search for an enormous flock of missing songbirds, and learn some bizarre facts about Shakespeare and Doppler radar along the way.

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A shipment of experimental Ebola vaccine is opened at a hospital in Geneva.

Unexpected Joint Pain Seen In Test Of Experimental Ebola Vaccine

4:00pm December 11, 2014

by Richard Harris

A major donor has pledged $300 million to distribute an Ebola vaccine in Africa, as soon as one is available. Vaccine development is proceeding, but there have been hiccups.

A blast from the past: Using data from four telescopes, NASA created this image of the first documented sighting of a supernova, made by Chinese astronomers in 185 A.D.

Science

To Search For A New Supernova, Build A New Camera

2:03pm December 11, 2014

by Joe Palca

Most telescope cameras can only capture a small patch of sky at a time. But a new camera has a much larger field of view, and its backers are hoping for help in deciphering its reams of data.

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What Is Torture? Our Beliefs Depend In Part On Who's Doing It.

8:13am December 11, 2014

by Shankar Vedantam

Researchers are studying how nations and individuals react when they given information that members of their own group have harmed other people, such as through torture. It takes some nimble thinking.

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