Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Is Enacted In California
Gov. Jerry Brown has signed SB 270, the first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags in the U.S. It requires a 10-cent fee for the use of compostable or paper bags.
Science
Aral Sea's Eastern Basin Has Dried Out, NASA Photos Show
"For the first time in modern history, the eastern basin of the South Aral Sea has completely dried," NASA says, citing satellite photos from 2000 and 2014.
Instead Of Staring At Screens, These Kids Stared At Faces
A recent study from researchers at UCLA found that kids who spent a week at outdoor camp — away from all electronic devices — got a lot better at picking up emotion in other people's faces.
European Activists Say They Don't Want Any U.S. 'Chlorine Chicken'
Most U.S. poultry is bathed in a little chlorine on the way to your plate. But that treatment is banned in Europe. Now "chlorinated chickens" are a sticking point in a trans-Atlantic trade deal.
Certain English Errors May Decipher Clues To Dying Languages
Linguists try to understand the nuances of languages, and how they relate to one another. A computer scientist says the English mistakes of non-native speakers can reveal something about languages.
A Doctor Unlocks Mysteries Of The Brain By Talking And Watching
If you have a problem with your heart or liver, the diagnosis is likely to be made by a lab test or medical image. But neurologist Allan Ropper says those tests often fail when it comes to the brain.
From Coffee To Chicory To Beer, 'Bitter' Flavor Can Be Addictive
If you don't think you like bitter foods, try them again. Jennifer McLagan, the author of Bitter: A Taste of the World's Most Dangerous Flavor, is on a mission to change hearts and minds.
Tiny Spanish Island Nears Its Goal: 100 Percent Renewable Energy
El Hierro, the most remote of Spain's Canary Islands, used to import thousands of tons of diesel each year. Now a new power plant will let the island run entirely on renewable energy.
Unmasked, Cancer Survivors Face The Symbol Of Their Torture
For some survivors of head and neck cancer, the mask each had to wear to guide beams of radiation therapy remains a potent symbol. Some destroy the mask afterward. Others see a new beginning.
India Zooms To Mars Much More Cheaply, But With Trade-Offs
A U.S. probe cost $637 million to get to Mars; an Indian mission cost about a tenth as much. There are at least a few reasons why, both teams agree — starting with the differing shapes of each orbit.