Science

Science

After Bouncy Landing, Philae Lander At Rest On Comet

10:31am November 14, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

Scientists have established contact with the lander, but they're not sure where on the comet it is. The lander apparently bounced after touching down, and its future may be uncertain.

Queue Listen Now

Science

Feds List Gunnison Sage Grouse As Threatened Species

10:31am November 14, 2014

by Kirk Siegler

The bird is now protected under the Endangered Species Act, which could stop some oil and gas development in Colorado and Utah — and will likely start a number of legal challenges.

Queue Listen Now

A nurse adjusts the position of a patient's arm during dialysis treatment. The treatment requires trained staff that weren't readily available in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy Stranded Dialysis Patients. Lessons Learned?

4:12pm November 13, 2014

by Alison Bruzek

A quarter of the dialysis patients who were in New York City when Hurricane Sandy hit missed at least one treatment due to power outages. Yet, not many are prepared for the next disaster.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Obama, seen here during a ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, announced pledges to reduce greenhouse gases.

China And U.S., Titans Of Carbon Pollution, Move To Cut Gases

12:30pm November 13, 2014

by Bill Chappell

China and the U.S. account for more than a third of greenhouse gases — making it vital that any broad climate plans include the pair.

Queue Listen Now

A photo illustration from the European Space Agency shows what a landing by the Philae robotic craft might look like on the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet. The lander headed toward the comet Wednesday.

Science

Comet Landing A Success: European Craft Makes 'Fairly Gentle Touchdown'

7:07pm November 12, 2014

by Bill Chappell

Millions of miles from Earth, the Philae robotic lander has settled on the comet's surface, the European Space Agency says.

These farmers grow maize, onions and other vegetables in a city in Ghana. They use groundwater to irrigate their crops.

40 Percent Of The World's Cropland Is In Or Near Cities

6:54pm November 12, 2014

by Eliza Barclay

Just how much of the world's cropland can we really call urban? That's been a big mystery until now.

What Exactly Are 'Monster Storms' And 'Bomb Cyclones'?

5:17pm November 12, 2014

The northern U.S. is getting a blast of unseasonably cold weather, thanks to what has been dubbed a "bomb cyclone." The Washington Post's Jason Samenow explains that and other odd weather terms.

Queue Listen Now

Successful Comet Landing A Major Step For Space Exploration

5:04pm November 12, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

The European Space Agency on Wednesday successfully landed a probe on the surface of a comet — something that has never been done before. But scientists say the lander may not be fully secure.

Queue Listen Now

For U.S.-China Deal On Greenhouse Gases, The Devil Is In The Details

5:03pm November 12, 2014

by Christopher Joyce

Scientists say a new deal between the U.S. and China on greenhouse gases is a positive move toward new models for controlling emissions, but that it won't keep the Earth from dangerous levels of warming.

Queue Listen Now

Tennis Players Are Getting Their First Servings Of Sabermetrics

2:27pm November 12, 2014

by Kevin Fixler

Players and managers in major team sports have leveraged sophisticated data analyses for years to improve game-time performance. Now one-on-one athletes are picking up Moneyball tactics, too.