Science

An artist's depiction of the surface of the planet Proxima b as it orbits the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our solar system. The planet is a bit more massive than Earth, scientists say, and circles its star once every 11 days.

This Planet Just Outside Our Solar System Is 'Potentially Habitable'

4:31pm August 24, 2016

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

It's not exactly close — 25 trillion miles from Earth, say the scientists who spotted it. But that might be near enough for further exploration. It's about Earth's size, with mild temperatures.

Berkeley, Calif., passed the nation's first soda tax in 2014. According to a new study, the tax has succeeded in cutting consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. But there's uncertainty about whether the effect will be permanent.

Berkeley's Soda Tax Appears To Cut Consumption Of Sugary Drinks

11:33am August 24, 2016

by Dan Charles

According to a new study, the nation's first soda tax succeeded in cutting consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. But there's uncertainty about whether the effect will be permanent.

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Radio Rookies: Reformed Catcaller Explores Roots Of Street Harassment

7:52pm August 23, 2016

Growing up, Jared Marcelle watched as older men catcalled women in his Brooklyn neighborhood. He thought it was normal, so as a teenager Marcelle and his friends became those guys. But now he's changed.

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Persistent Drought Kills Millions Of Trees In California Forests

4:47pm August 23, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

Years of drought have strained California's forests, killing millions of trees and fueling wildfires.

Hiroyuko Yamamoto, a crossing guard in Matsudo, Japan, has been trained in how to recognize and gently approach people who are wandering, or have other signs of dementia, in ways that won't frighten them.

Japanese City Takes Community Approach To Dealing With Dementia

4:47pm August 23, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

Japan expects 7 million cases of dementia among its long-lived residents by 2025. It has started training pharmacists, bankers and postal workers in how to recognize the signs and be supportive.

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Four days after Rory Staunton cut himself in gym class, he died from septic shock.

Health Officials Struggle To Fight Deadly Sepsis Infections

3:18pm August 23, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Although a CDC study released today found that 80 percent of cases develop outside the hospital or at a nursing home, many people still don't know about this lethal medical condition.

Paleoartist Peter Schouten's reconstruction of Microleo attenboroughi prowling along the branches of rain forest trees in search of prey.

Extinct 'Micro Lion' Is Named For Sir David Attenborough

2:54pm August 23, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Microleo attenboroughi was a tiny, marsupial lion that lived some 18 million years ago. Paleontologists in Australia said they named it after the famed naturalist "for his dedication and enthusiasm."

This Lawson convenience store in Kowaguchi, Japan, sells a selection of prepared meals and fresh vegetables and meats, along with products aimed at the elderly. Many of the store's older customers find it hard to get to the supermarket, the store's manage

Beyond Slurpees: Many Japanese Mini-Marts Now Cater To Elders

2:02pm August 23, 2016

by Ina Jaffe

Convenience is in the eye of the generation. Increasingly, corner markets in Japan target the 27 percent of residents over 65 — offering nursing care advice and home delivery of meals and groceries.

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Science

Do You Read Terms Of Service Contracts? Not Many Do, Research Shows

10:27am August 23, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

During an experiment, people consented to sharing their private information with the NSA, and to surrendering their first-born as payment for access to a fictitious social networking site.

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Dan Gilbert says we're not great at predicting how much we will enjoy an experience in part because we fail to consider all of the details. We think a visit to the dentist will be terrible — but we're forgetting about the free toothbrush, the nice chat

Science

You vs. Future You; Or Why We're Bad At Predicting Our Own Happiness

12:01am August 23, 2016

by NPR Staff

Researcher Dan Gilbert says that human beings are the only animals that think about the future. But we don't always do the best job at predicting what will make us happy — or even who we will be.

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