Science

The wind direction from the fire in western Greenland has largely blown smoke toward the island's ice sheet and away from communities.

Greenland Is Still Burning, But The Smoke May Be The Real Problem

1:02pm August 15, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

Wildfires are still burning in western Greenland, close to the Arctic island's ice sheet. As the fires burn, they release black particles that can coat the ice and snow, and make it melt more quickly.

Adam Frank goes in search of solitude on the Appalachian Trail.

Science, Solitude And The Sacred On The Appalachian Trail

12:47pm August 15, 2017

by Adam Frank

There is no greater source for science, for the inspiration to do science, than the wild; that is where the sense of sacredness at the root of science's aspiration lives, says blogger Adam Frank.

Arthritis is a joint disease that can cause cartilage destruction and erosion of the bone, as well as tendon inflammation and rupture. Affected areas are highlighted in red in this enhanced X-ray.

6,000-Year-Old Knee Joints Suggest Osteoarthritis Isn't Just Wear And Tear

11:56am August 15, 2017

by Richard Harris

Even after a Harvard team took into account differences in age and weight among ancient specimens and knees today, they found that modern humans tend to have more osteoarthritis.

Queue Listen Now

"We are moving forward with an open and robust review of emissions standards," Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt says.

Trump Administration Takes Key Step To Rolling Back Auto Fuel Standards

5:11pm August 14, 2017

by Sonari Glinton

The Trump administration has opened a 45-day comment period ahead of proposed changes to Obama-era EPA rules for greenhouse gas emissions for cars and light trucks.

Science

New Study Highlights Strong Link Between Basic Research And Inventions

4:39pm August 14, 2017

by Joe Palca

A big waste of money or the engine of marketplace innovation? That's how some people see basic scientific research. Now a new study shows how basic research and inventions are connected.

Young children can better apply lessons from storybooks when they have realistic characters, according to new research.

In Children's Storybooks, Realism Has Advantages

11:47am August 14, 2017

by Tania Lombrozo

Young children have an easier time exporting what they learn from a fictional storybook to the real world when the storybook is realistic, says psychologist Tania Lombrozo.

On Nov. 13, 2012, a narrow corridor in the southern hemisphere experienced a total solar eclipse. The corridor lay mostly over the ocean but also cut across the northern tip of Australia where both professional and amateur astronomers gathered to watch.

Why Future Earthlings Won't See Total Solar Eclipses

10:08am August 14, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The Earth won't enjoy total solar eclipses forever because the moon is moving farther away, so it looks smaller and smaller over time.

Science

Demand For Solar Eclipse Glasses Has Many Local Vendors Sold Out

10:42pm August 13, 2017

by Bethany Chafin

Regardless of where you live or how much of the eclipse you'll see next week, it's important to have the right glasses, and there plenty of them being sold that aren't up to standard.

A Himalayan griffon vulture perches in the mountains. Nepal is home to nine species of vulture, four of which are critically endangered.

People In Nepal Used To Think Vultures Were Bad Luck. Not Anymore

3:38pm August 13, 2017

by Danielle Preiss

The number of vultures in South Asia has plummeted. But "restaurants" to feed rescued chicks and wild vultures are good for the birds — and for the local economy.

The Call-In: The Solar Eclipse

8:43am August 13, 2017

This week, on The Call-In, we answer all your questions about the upcoming solar eclipse — how to protect your eyes, and what to do if the day is cloudy.