Standards, Grades And Tests Are Wildly Outdated, Argues 'End Of Average'
A Harvard faculty member argues in his new book that averages tell us nothing useful about individuals. That has big implications for schools.
Science
Bulky Cameras, Meet The Lens-less FlatCam
How thin can a camera be? Rice University researchers created a "FlatCam" without lenses — one that can even be potentially made into wallpaper. Its roots trace to early pinhole cameras.
A Cluttered Kitchen Can Nudge Us To Overeat, Study Finds
Earlier research found that people in a messy work area were less likely to choose healthy snacks. Now a study hints that a cluttered kitchen might make those who feel out of control eat more sweets.
How To Clean Up All That Plastic In The Oceans
By 2050, it's estimated the oceans will contain more plastic than fish, by weight. One entrepreneur says he's developing a tool to remove much of that plastic.
WATCH: Massive Gas Leak At Porter Ranch Slows To A Stop
The California Air Resources Board was recording with an infrared camera as the methane leak on the outskirts of LA was finally controlled Thursday. The leak still needs to be permanently capped.
Einstein Saw Space Move, Long Before We Could Hear It
With all the excitement over the discovery of gravitational waves, NPR's Linda Wertheimer takes a moment to remember the man who first imagined a universe we couldn't yet see: Albert Einstein.
As Black Holes Collide, Scientists Detect Gravitational Waves
Scientists have seen gravitational ripples from two black holes colliding. The discovery is the culmination of decades of work. Albert Einstein first predicted such ripples should exist a century ago.
Massive Gas Leak In Los Angeles Temporarily Plugged After Nearly 4 Months
Crews are working to permanently plug the methane gas leak that has forced hundreds from their homes in the Porter Ranch area of Los Angeles. Southern California Gas Company says the leak was temporarily fixed Thursday, after nearly four months of spewing methane into the air.
Don't Be A Stupid Cupid! Hear How Not To Buy A Selfish Valentine's Day Gift
Social scientists have been studying Valentine's Day gifts, and research shows: The more you love someone, the more likely you might be to give selfish gifts.
Einstein, A Hunch And Decades Of Work: How Scientists Found Gravitational Waves
Behind the headlines and news conferences announcing the discovery were decades of hard work, hundreds of scientists and more than a billion dollars in taxpayer funds.