Science

Protests Disrupt Telescope Groundbreaking In Hawaii

3:40am October 08, 2014

by Lauren Hodges

After years of planning, Hawaii's Thirty Meter Telescope broke ground Tuesday. But a group interrupted the ceremony, angry about the telescope's location on a mountain held sacred by Native Hawaiians.

The roots of your hankering for hoppy beers and cruciferous vegetables may be genetic.

From Kale To Pale Ale, A Love Of Bitter May Be In Your Genes

4:02pm October 07, 2014

by Allison Aubrey

Researchers have found a gene that affects how strongly you experience bitter flavors. And those who aren't as sensitive eat about 200 more servings of vegetables per year.

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A "blood moon" captured on the night of Jan. 20, 2000.

'Blood Moon' Eclipse To Be Visible Throughout U.S.

12:59pm October 07, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Weather permitting, on Wednesday morning you'll be able to see the second lunar eclipse visible in North America in a series of four that runs through next year.

A screen shows the laureates of the Nobel Prize in physics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm on Tuesday.

3 Scientists Win Nobel In Physics For Development Of Blue LED

12:49pm October 07, 2014

by Scott Neuman

American Shuji Nakamura, and Isamu Akasaki and Hiroshi Amano of Japan, will share the prize for co-developing a blue light-emitting diode that triggered a revolution in lighting technology.

Science

Dolphins: Adorable, Playful, Not As Smart As You Might Think

9:27am October 07, 2014

by NPR Staff

Dolphins are often considered the geniuses of the ocean. But some researchers have begun to challenge that notion, saying many mammals have similar skills and dolphins might not be that special.

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Science

Study: Voice-Command Systems Contribute To Distracted Driving

9:26am October 07, 2014

Carmakers would like you to think that voice-command systems keep you focused on the road. Recent research indicates that voice commands, like Siri, more than likely cause distracted driving.

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3 Win Nobel In Physics For New Light Source

7:33am October 07, 2014

by Geoff Brumfiel

Scientists — 2 from Japan and 1 from the U.S. — have won the Nobel Prize in physics for the invention of blue light-emitting diodes — a new energy efficient and environment-friendly light source.

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3 Neuroscientists To Share Nobel Prize In Physiology Or Medicine

6:30pm October 06, 2014

by Rob Stein

The $1.1 million prize will be split between John O'Keefe of University College in London and a husband-and-wife team, May-Britt and Edvard Moser of the Norwegian University in Trondheim.

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A screen presents the winners of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, U.S.-British scientist John O'Keefe and Norwegian husband and wife Edvard Moser and May-Britt Moser, for their discoveries of cells that constitute a positioning system in the brain.

3 Win Nobel Prize In Medicine For Discovering Brain's 'Inner GPS'

5:00pm October 06, 2014

by Scott Neuman

The scientists, one working in Britain and a husband-and-wife team from Norway, will share the award for work that began in the 1970s and spanned decades.

Is That A Lark I Hear? A Nightingale? Surprise! It's A Bat

2:19pm October 06, 2014

by Robert Krulwich

There are animals famous for their songs. Whales sing. Birds sing. We humans have Aretha, Elvis, Ray Charles, Pavarotti. But bats — who knew?