Pope Francis: Climate Change A 'Principal Challenge' For Humanity
In a major encyclical, the pontiff calls on humanity to acknowledge a "sense of responsibility" for the Earth and said it was time to stop "masking problems."
Science
To Tackle Food Waste, Big Grocery Chain Will Sell Produce Rejects
If fruits and vegetables don't measure up to cosmetic standards, they're often plowed under in the field. One company wants to help change that by creating a market for less-than-perfect produce.
Watching Cat Videos Serves Useful Purpose, Research Finds
A survey published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior finds that cat videos can boost a person's mood. Nearly 7,000 people were surveyed about Internet cat videos.
DNA 'Printing' A Big Boon To Research, But Some Raise Concerns
Companies are assembling and churning out tailored stretches of DNA faster and more cheaply than ever before. The tool speeds research into diseases of plants and people. But what about eugenics?
Videos On End-Of-Life Choices Ease Tough Conversation
A program in Hawaii aims to reduce the number of older people who spend their final days of life in a hospital. Hawaii has one of the highest rates of hospital deaths for those over age 65 in the U.S.
Gambler-Turned-Conservationist Devotes Fortune To Florida Nature Preserve
M.C. Davis made millions gambling and buying up land and mineral rights. Now, he's restoring ecosystems destroyed by agriculture and timbering in his private preserve, one of the largest in the U.S.
Red Crabs Invade Southern California Beaches In Search Of Warm Water
Due to warm ocean temperatures, tens of thousands of red crabs are invading beaches in Southern California.
NASA Satellites Show World's Thirst For Groundwater
New data suggest that many regions in the world are overusing their underground water supplies. And researchers aren't sure how much remains.
Worms Know What's Up — And Now Scientists Know Why
In what researchers say is a first, they've discovered the neuron in worms that detects Earth's magnetic field. They say the worms have microscopic antenna-shaped sensors to help orient themselves.
Take A Swing At This: Golf Is Exercise, Cart Or No Cart
American adults play more golf than any other sport. So how much exercise do you get from an afternoon on the links? Players clipped on pedometers and Fitbits to help us find out.