Science

"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.

Science

Researchers: Hackers Could Encode Human DNA With Malicious Software

7:55am August 12, 2017

University of Washington researchers say malware could be encoded into DNA strands. NPR's Scott Simon speaks to researcher Karl Koscher about the findings and what they mean for gene sequencing.

Science

40 Years Ago, NASA Launched Message To Aliens Into Deep Space

10:00pm August 11, 2017

by Christopher Joyce

Forty years ago, NASA launched two Voyager spacecraft into deep space. Onboard both were gold discs with music, greetings and sounds from Earth — a message to aliens. Ann Druyan, the creative director of the project, talks about how they decided what message to put in the interstellar bottle.

Queue Listen Now

It takes more than temperament tests to ensure safe dog adoptions, says Alva Noë.

Success In Placing Shelter Dogs Takes More Than Temperament Tests

1:21pm August 11, 2017

by Alva Noë

Blogger Alva Noë talks with a dog trainer who says the need to give shelters, handlers and adopters the resources required to keep dogs and people supported and safe is critical in the process.