Science

Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the new missile during his annual state of the nation address in Moscow on Thursday.

Experts Aghast At Russian Claim Of Nuclear-Powered Missile With Unlimited Range

8:31pm March 01, 2018

by Geoff Brumfiel

The U.S. tested similar concepts in the 1960s but abandoned them over concerns of radioactive contamination. Russia's claim seems so fantastic that some analysts didn't believe initial reports.

Forecast For National Weather Service Is Cloudy, With A Chance Of Budget Cuts

6:16pm March 01, 2018

by Brian Naylor

The Trump administration is looking to slash the National Weather Service's budget at a time when the service already has hundreds of unfilled positions — all while extreme weather is increasing. Now, meteorologists are speaking out, warning about being understaffed and the risks to keeping the public informed.

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An electron microscope image shows popcorn magnified 250 times

Science

The Oscar For Best Snack Goes To ... Popcorn, The 6,000-Year-Old Aztec Gold

3:05pm March 01, 2018

by Adam Cole

Zoom in and behold the science secrets behind popcorn's airy crunch — and learn about the snack's ancient origin — in this bite-sized video.

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In 2012, record heat throughout the U.S. farm belt curtailed crop production like this rotting corn on a farm in Bruceville, Ind. Farmers are now worried that the lack of rainfall this year could start the cycle over again.

Widespread Drought Across U.S. Stokes Fears About A Repeat Of 2012's Wrath

1:57pm March 01, 2018

by Madelyn Beck

If rainfall doesn't come soon, it could cost billions in devastation — a difficult fallout considering the USDA expects farmers' incomes to hit a 12-year low even if crop yields stay high.

A man signs a banner against guns as mourners pay tribute at a memorial on Feb. 25 for the victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

3 Ways To Elevate The Debate About Guns

10:50am March 01, 2018

by Tania Lombrozo

Understanding the authority of science means, when it comes to factual claims, intuitions and gut feelings won't cut it — whichever side of the political aisle they come from, says Tania Lombrozo.

Science

LISTEN: Dolphins Use Targeted Echolocation To Plan Their Hunting Dives

6:00pm February 28, 2018

by Rebecca Hersher

Oxygen is a precious resource for dolphins. A new study suggests they use it efficiently by remembering what they learn during a dive, then applying that information to future foraging expeditions.

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A study in mice suggests that our brains tell us when to start and stop drinking long before our bodies are fully hydrated.

Still Thirsty? It's Up To Your Brain, Not Your Body

4:33pm February 28, 2018

by Jon Hamilton

Thirst is what compels us to start hydrating. Now scientists have found a brain circuit in mice that seems to switch off thirst when they've taken in enough fluid and before it gets dangerous.

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Artist's rendering of how the first stars in the universe may have looked.

Science

Did Dark Matter Make The Early Universe Chill Out?

1:49pm February 28, 2018

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

A new study suggests that the early universe got an unexpectedly cold start, and that dark matter may be to blame.

At Davos, Yuval Harari suggests that we are in our third grand revolution — the control of data.

Science

Biometric Data And The Rise Of Digital Dictatorship

1:17pm February 28, 2018

by Marcelo Gleiser

As historian and author Yuval Harari suggests, market forces and investor greed will keep moving the data revolution forward. But there are balancing forces to this onslaught, says Marcelo Gleiser.

Barbra Streisand plays with her dog Samantha near her son, Jason Gould (left), and husband, James Brolin, in Paris in 2007. Samantha died last year, but Streisand now has clones of the dog.

Send In The Clones: Barbra Streisand Reveals Fluffy Canine Copies

1:14pm February 28, 2018

by Scott Neuman

In an interview with Variety magazine, the legendary singer/filmmaker dropped a bombshell: Two of her three coton de tulears are clones of a favorite canine who died last year.