Science

A heat-stressed koala is doused with water in December 2015 during an extreme heat wave in Adelaide, Australia. Last year was the hottest on record, but 2016 is on pace to supplant it at the top of the list. Every month of this year has set heat records.

Scientists Report The Planet Was Hotter Than Ever In The First Half Of 2016

9:22pm July 19, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

For example, June's average was up 1.62 F. A couple of degrees may not sound like much, but it's persistent warming over decades that alters the atmosphere, the oceans, and most everything else.

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Cargo ships berth in Qingdao, a port city on China's east coast.

The Smoggy Seas: Cargo Ships Bring Pollution, Health Risks

6:00pm July 19, 2016

by Natalie Jacewicz

Eight of the 10 busiest ports are in East Asia. A new study shows how the growing number of cargo ships are polluting the air and threatening health.

Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California, the state's health insurance exchange, said the projected rate increases for 2017 are linked to increases in the cost of health care in the state.

Covered California's Health Plan Rates To Jump Sharply In 2017

5:03pm July 19, 2016

After two years of moderate rate hikes, a double-digit increase in the cost of insurance premiums in California is likely to resonate across the U.S. in the debate about the benefits of Obamacare.

Hundreds Of Endangered Toads Released Into Southeast Wyoming

4:54pm July 19, 2016

by Melodie Edwards

More than 900 endangered toads recently hopped onto the arid plains of southeast Wyoming. It's the only place in the world this species — the Wyoming toad — exists. The release is an effort by wildlife officials to bring back one of the most endangered amphibians in North America.

NASA Scientists Predict Another All-Time Heat Record For 2016

4:29pm July 19, 2016

by Christopher Joyce

During the 12 months from May 2015 to May 2016, each month set an all-time heat record. That's on average around the world. Some places were not record breakers, but overall, global warming is increasing. NASA scientists talk about what the rest of this year may look like, and whether it will set yet another global record.

Can Big Data Help Head Off Police Misconduct?

3:57pm July 19, 2016

by NPR Staff

An officer who has been under stress after responding to cases of domestic abuse or suicide may be at higher risk of a negative interaction with the public, a data scientist says.

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Ovarian tissue after the thaw — ready for reimplantation.

Twin Sisters Try To Get Pregnant With Ovaries They Froze In 2009

12:55pm July 19, 2016

by Rob Stein

Each twin had an ovary removed and frozen in 2009, when they were in their 30s, in hopes of buying more time to get pregnant and have babies. But will the thawed, reimplanted ovaries work?

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A bumblebee grooms her fur — and her tongue — to get at the pollen grains she vibrated free from the anthers.

WATCH: The Secret Buzz Only Bumblebees Know To Unlock Our Favorite Crops

11:09am July 19, 2016

by Lisa Marie Potter

Some plants will release their pollen only to bees that buzz in just the right way. It's a risky strategy — and it's critical to human agriculture, from tomatoes to blueberries.

Science

What Science Says About Taking A Great Vacation

8:57am July 19, 2016

by NPR Staff

Summer vacations often take time, energy and money to plan. Expectations can run unreasonably high. This week, we dive into what social science research says about how to have a better getaway.

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'Ban The Box' Laws,' Do They Help Job Applicants With Criminal Histories?

7:48am July 19, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

To help ex-felons land jobs, many states have enacted a law that prevents employers from asking applicants to check a box to reveal criminal history. But these laws may not have the intended effect.

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