Saturday, March 31, 2018

NPR News: 'He Broke Boundaries With His Mind': Public Pays Tribute At Stephen Hawking's Funeral

'He Broke Boundaries With His Mind': Public Pays Tribute At Stephen Hawking's Funeral
About 500 guests honored the physicist at Sunday's private service in Cambridge, his intellectual home for half a century. The procession was met by admirers who lined the streets to share memories.

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NPR News: 'The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind' Returns From Madness

'The Neuroscientist Who Lost Her Mind' Returns From Madness
Neuroscientist Barbara Lipska describes in a new memoir surviving 20 brain tumors, and what the eight-week nightmare of psychological symptoms taught her about mental illnesses she's long studied.

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Friday, March 30, 2018

NASA Invests in Shapeshifters, Biobots, Other Visionary Technology

NASA is investing in technology concepts that includes meteoroid impact detection, space telescope swarms and small orbital debris mapping technologies that may one day be used for future space exploration missions.

March 30, 2018
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NPR News: The Pattern Problem

The Pattern Problem
Are we destined to repeat our patterns, or do we generally stray in surprising directions?

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Thursday, March 29, 2018

NASA Ready to Study Heart of Mars

NASA is about to go on a journey to study the interior of Mars. The space agency held a news conference today at its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, detailing the next mission to the Red Planet.

March 29, 2018
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NASA to Host News Conference Announcing New Supersonic Test Aircraft

NASA will host a news conference at 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, April 3, to announce the agency's plans for its next experimental aircraft, or X-plane, called the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator (LBFD).

March 29, 2018
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NPR News: U.S. Utilities Look To Electric Cars As Their Savior Amid Decline In Demand

U.S. Utilities Look To Electric Cars As Their Savior Amid Decline In Demand
After years of rising demand, utility companies are staring down a projected decline in the demand for electricity. They say the budding electric car industry could save them.

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NPR News: What If A Drug Could Make Your Blood Deadly To Mosquitoes?

What If A Drug Could Make Your Blood Deadly To Mosquitoes?
That's what researchers wondered as they look at new ways to stop the spread of malaria. A new study reports on the impact of ivermectin on skeeters.

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NPR News: Gonorrhea Strain Thwarts Two Main Drugs, Raising Concerns It's Becoming Untreatable

Gonorrhea Strain Thwarts Two Main Drugs, Raising Concerns It's Becoming Untreatable
This is the latest in a long history of gonorrhea developing resistance to antibiotics. It's the first global report of gonorrhea that is resistant to the two main drugs used to treat it.

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NPR News: 'Aggressive' Advance Directive Permits Halting Food And Water In Severe Dementia

'Aggressive' Advance Directive Permits Halting Food And Water In Severe Dementia
Supporters call this right-to-die proposal the strongest move yet to document a person's advance wishes in cases of severe dementia. Critics say it would deny basic care to society's most vulnerable.

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NPR News: 'Aggressive' Advance Directive Permits Halting Food And Water In Severe Dementia

'Aggressive' Advance Directive Permits Halting Food And Water In Severe Dementia
Supporters call this right-to-die proposal the strongest move yet to document a person's advance wishes in cases of severe dementia. Critics say it would deny basic care to society's most vulnerable.

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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

NASA Prepares to Launch Next Mission to Search Sky for New Worlds

NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is undergoing final preparations in Florida for its April 16 launch to find undiscovered worlds around nearby stars, providing targets where future studies will assess their capacity to harbor life.

March 28, 2018
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NPR News: Teaching And Learning At The Boundaries Of Two Cultures

Teaching And Learning At The Boundaries Of Two Cultures
We all stand to lose from the gulf between the sciences and the humanities — and the classroom is the ideal place for conversations between these two cultures to unfold, says Prof. Marcelo Gleiser.

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NPR News: No Fooling: Chinese Space Lab Might Plunge From Orbit On April 1

No Fooling: Chinese Space Lab Might Plunge From Orbit On April 1
China's Tiangong-1, launched in 2013, is expected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere sometime between March 31 and April 2, according to the European Space Agency.

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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

NASA Awards Contract for Environmental Compliance, Operation Services

NASA has awarded a contract to Navarro Research and Engineering, Inc., of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for continued environmental compliance and operation services at the agency’s White Sands Test Facility in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

March 27, 2018
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Be a Flight Director: NASA Accepting Applications for Mission Control Leaders

How would you like to sit at the helm of human spaceflight, responsible for the success of missions and the highly trained teams of engineers and scientists that make them possible? NASA is hiring new flight directors for just this job at its mission control at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

March 27, 2018
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NPR News: Why Scientists Aren't Fans Of Creating On-Demand Meteor Showers

Why Scientists Aren't Fans Of Creating On-Demand Meteor Showers
A Japanese company is proposing a venture to create on-demand meteor showers using small spheres dropped from a satellite. Scientists aren't really keen to the idea.

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NPR News: An Engineer's Quest To Save Stephen Hawking's Voice

An Engineer's Quest To Save Stephen Hawking's Voice
When Stephen Hawking's computer voice was in danger of disappearing, his team called Eric Dorsey for help. The Palo Alto-based engineer worked for the company that helped create Hawking's CallText 5010 speech system.

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NASA’s Webb Observatory Requires More Time for Testing and Evaluation; New Launch Window Under Review

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope currently is undergoing final integration and test phases that will require more time to ensure a successful mission. After an independent assessment of remaining tasks for the highly complex space observatory, Webb’s previously revised 2019 launch window now is targeted for approximately May 2020.

March 27, 2018
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NPR News: New Study Finds Mother Bears Are Sticking Around With Their Cubs Longer

New Study Finds Mother Bears Are Sticking Around With Their Cubs Longer
In many parts of the world, it is illegal to shoot a brown bear with cubs. The restrictions have made mother bears more likely to spend an extra year with their cubs.

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NPR News: New Study Finds Mother Bears Are Sticking Around With Their Cubs Longer

New Study Finds Mother Bears Are Sticking Around With Their Cubs Longer
In many parts of the world, it is illegal to shoot a brown bear with cubs. The restrictions have made mother bears more likely to spend an extra year with their cubs.

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NPR News: The Psychology Of Fake News

The Psychology Of Fake News
How can we succeed in creating and perpetuating a culture that values and promotes truth? Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo considers the science of fake news — and how to protect ourselves.

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NPR News: The Psychology Of Fake News

The Psychology Of Fake News
How can we succeed in creating and perpetuating a culture that values and promotes truth? Cognitive scientist Tania Lombrozo considers the science of fake news — and how to protect ourselves.

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NPR News: Energy Supplies And Prices Have Grown More Unpredictable

Energy Supplies And Prices Have Grown More Unpredictable
Energy analysts are getting worse at predicting how much oil and gas will come out of the ground in the future, a new study finds.

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NPR News: Energy Supplies And Prices Have Grown More Unpredictable

Energy Supplies And Prices Have Grown More Unpredictable
Energy analysts are getting worse at predicting how much oil and gas will come out of the ground in the future, a new study finds.

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Monday, March 26, 2018

NPR News: Scientists In Africa Wonder If There's Bias Against Their Research

Scientists In Africa Wonder If There's Bias Against Their Research
The problem is, it's hard to prove. Journals deny it. But some academics say they've experienced it firsthand.

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NPR News: Scientists In Africa Wonder If There's Bias Against Their Research

Scientists In Africa Wonder If There's Bias Against Their Research
The problem is, it's hard to prove. Journals deny it. But some academics say they've experienced it firsthand.

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NASA Hosts Media Teleconference on Status of James Webb Space Telescope

NASA will host a media teleconference at 11:30 a.m. EDT Tuesday, March 27, to provide an update on the agency’s James Webb Space Telescope – what will be the world’s premier infrared space observatory and the biggest astronomical science telescope ever built. Audio of the call will stream live on NASA’s website.

March 26, 2018
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NASA Television to Air Launch of Next Space Station Resupply Mission

NASA commercial cargo provider SpaceX now is targeting its 14th resupply mission to the International Space Station for no earlier than 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday, April 2.

March 26, 2018
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NPR News: Clockwork Orange? Why Russian Ski Slopes Are Being Blanketed In The Unearthly Color

Clockwork Orange? Why Russian Ski Slopes Are Being Blanketed In The Unearthly Color
The skies over Crete were an eerie orange, too. Why the tangerine tint? Powerful storms in North Africa blew sands from the Sahara across the Mediterranean.

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NPR News: Why Not Talk About Death?

Why Not Talk About Death?
Many people just don't want to talk about what it means to live in the face of death. Astrophysicist Adam Frank reflects on life and death — and invites others to do the same.

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NPR News: Birth Control Apps Find A Big Market In 'Contraception Deserts'

Birth Control Apps Find A Big Market In 'Contraception Deserts'
For some U.S. women who buy hormonal contraception via an app, it's all about convenience — birth control pills in the mail, without an office visit. But in Texas there's much more to it.

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Sunday, March 25, 2018

NPR News: A NASA Astronaut Stays In Orbit With SpaceX And Boeing

A NASA Astronaut Stays In Orbit With SpaceX And Boeing
Sunita Williams was the second female commander of the International Space Station. Now, she says her new job working with private companies to develop space technologies feels like a new frontier.

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NPR News: The Great Pacific Garbage 'Patch' Much Bigger Than Previously Thought

The Great Pacific Garbage 'Patch' Much Bigger Than Previously Thought
The most thorough examination of the infamous "Pacific Garbage Patch"-- a floating swath of debris caught in a gyre — shows it's bigger, way bigger, than thought. And it's mostly plastic.

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NPR News: Cape Town's Water Crisis Marks Divide Between Rich And Poor

Cape Town's Water Crisis Marks Divide Between Rich And Poor
Wealthy residents of the South African city are coping with the drought by drilling bore holes into the aquifer. But compliance with water restrictions may have put off the day when the taps run dry.

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NPR News: Idaho Joins Other States With Informed Consent For 'Abortion Reversal' Procedures

Idaho Joins Other States With Informed Consent For 'Abortion Reversal' Procedures
Dr. Daniel Grossman shares his concerns with NPR's Sarah McCammon about so-called abortion reversal procedures and state laws mandating that doctors inform women about them.

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NPR News: The Great Pacific Garbage 'Patch' Much Bigger Than Previously Thought

The Great Pacific Garbage 'Patch' Much Bigger Than Previously Thought
The most thorough examination of the infamous "Pacific Garbage Patch"-- a floating swath of debris caught in a gyre — shows it's bigger, way bigger, than thought. And it's mostly plastic.

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NPR News: CDC Now Has Authority To Research Gun Violence. What's Next?

CDC Now Has Authority To Research Gun Violence. What's Next?
Mark Rosenberg oversaw gun violence research at the CDC until the Dickey amendment stopped that work. Now, with new language in the legislation Trump signed, he explains how that work can begin again.

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NPR News: CDC Now Has Authority To Research Gun Violence. What's Next?

CDC Now Has Authority To Research Gun Violence. What's Next?
Mark Rosenberg oversaw gun violence research at the CDC until the Dickey amendment stopped that work. Now, with new language in the legislation Trump signed, he explains how that work can begin again.

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Saturday, March 24, 2018

NPR News: To Save Whales, Maine's Iconic Lobster Industry May Have To Change

To Save Whales, Maine's Iconic Lobster Industry May Have To Change
Scientists says to help whales, the ropes used to tend lobster traps must be changed or eliminated. Mainers who catch lobster for a living feel they're being singled out for an international problem.

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Friday, March 23, 2018

NASA Invites Media to View Launch of InSight Mars Lander from West Coast

Media accreditation is open for the launch of NASA's next mission to Mars - the Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport spacecraft (InSight) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

March 23, 2018
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NASA Awards Contract for Aerospace Systems Modeling, Simulation

NASA has awarded an 8(a) small business set-aside contract to Metis Flight Research Associates LLC of Albuquerque, New Mexico, for support of aerospace systems modeling and simulation facilities at the agency's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

March 23, 2018
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NPR News: Reduce, Reuse, Rethink: Remaking Recycling

Reduce, Reuse, Rethink: Remaking Recycling
It's time to go beyond the blue bin.

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NPR News: How Social Media Can Reveal Overlooked Drug Reactions

How Social Media Can Reveal Overlooked Drug Reactions
Even big clinical studies can miss important drug side effects. Researchers, doctors and drugmakers are looking at patients' experiences posted on social media for clues on problems that were missed.

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Thursday, March 22, 2018

NPR News: The Trash Patch In The Pacific Is Many Times Bigger Than We Thought

The Trash Patch In The Pacific Is Many Times Bigger Than We Thought
In total, scientists say there are about 79,000 tons of plastic in this area, which is more than double the size of Texas.

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NPR News: The Trash Patch In The Pacific Is Many Times Bigger Than We Thought

The Trash Patch In The Pacific Is Many Times Bigger Than We Thought
In total, scientists say there are about 79,000 tons of plastic in this area, which is more than double the size of Texas.

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NASA Invites Media to Discuss First Mission to Study Mars Interior, First Interplanetary Launch from West Coast

NASA's next mission to the Red Planet will be the topic of a media briefing at 5 p.m. EDT (2 p.m. PDT) Thursday, March 29, at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The briefing will air live on NASA Television and the agency's website.

March 22, 2018
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NPR News: For One Father And Son In Puerto Rico, A Storm Was Just The Latest Trial

For One Father And Son In Puerto Rico, A Storm Was Just The Latest Trial
The Martinez family has been waiting more than a year for a neurologist to diagnose the son's condition. He needs a diagnosis to be eligible for the health care he needs, but can't get an appointment.

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NPR News: New Zealand Eradicates Invasive Mice From Antipodes Islands

New Zealand Eradicates Invasive Mice From Antipodes Islands
In 2013, the government began a program to get rid the rodents from the subantarctic island, which is a World Heritage Site that is home to dozens of unique and endangered species.

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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

NPR News: Research Misconduct Allegations Shadow New CDC Director

Research Misconduct Allegations Shadow New CDC Director
Critics say the Trump administration failed to properly vet Dr. Robert Redfield. Sen. Patty Murray says a past research controversy suggests a "pattern of ethically and morally questionable behavior."

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NPR News: WATCH: Robotic Fish Moves Like The Real Thing — So It Can Observe The Real Thing

WATCH: Robotic Fish Moves Like The Real Thing — So It Can Observe The Real Thing
MIT researchers unveiled a Soft Robotic Fish prototype in hopes of boosting aquatic observation. It can wiggle like a fish, dive to 18 meters, work autonomously — and hopefully avoid getting eaten.

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NPR News: WATCH: Robotic Fish Moves Like The Real Thing — So It Can Observe The Real Thing

WATCH: Robotic Fish Moves Like The Real Thing — So It Can Observe The Real Thing
MIT researchers unveiled a Soft Robotic Fish prototype in hopes of boosting aquatic observation. It can wiggle like a fish, dive to 18 meters, work autonomously — and hopefully avoid getting eaten.

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Two NASA Astronauts Among Crew Heading to International Space Station

Three crew members, including NASA astronauts Drew Feustel and Ricky Arnold, are on their way to the International Space Station after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 1:44 p.m. EDT Wednesday (11:44 p.m. Baikonur time).

March 21, 2018
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Media Invited to View NASA Spacecraft That Will Touch the Sun

Media are invited to view NASA’s Parker Solar Probe spacecraft at 9:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 28, at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The spacecraft will embark this summer on a daring trek, traveling closer to the Sun than any spacecraft in history.

March 21, 2018
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NPR News: Why An Imperfect HIV Vaccine Could Be Better Than None At All

Why An Imperfect HIV Vaccine Could Be Better Than None At All
Public health interventions and antiviral drugs have put HIV on the ropes in the U.S. But it's unlikely that infections can be wiped out without a vaccine.

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NPR News: Why An Imperfect HIV Vaccine Could Be Better Than None At All

Why An Imperfect HIV Vaccine Could Be Better Than None At All
Public health interventions and antiviral drugs have put HIV on the ropes in the U.S. But it's unlikely that infections can be wiped out without a vaccine.

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Media Preview of Final Voyage of NASA's Around-the-World Atmospheric Mission

Media are invited to preview the final deployment of one of NASA's most ambitious airborne studies of Earth's atmosphere on Friday, April 13, at Building 703 of NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center, located in Palmdale, California.

March 21, 2018
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NPR News: Forum: How Discrimination Damages Health In LGBTQ Communities

Forum: How Discrimination Damages Health In LGBTQ Communities
How do LGBTQ adults experience discrimination and how does it impact their health? Join us for a discussion with experts in a webcast from Harvard's Chan School of Public Health at noon ET Wednesday.

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NPR News: Wrinkling Time To Heal A Family

Wrinkling Time To Heal A Family
Showing science's enchanting side has the almost magical effect of opening new portals to what is possible, says astrophysicist Marcelo Gleiser.

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NPR News: Is Geoengineering A Solution To Climate Change?

Is Geoengineering A Solution To Climate Change?
We got ourselves into this, and some researchers have a plan for getting ourselves out.

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NPR News: Have You Herd? Farmer Writes A Memoo Using Cows And Satellite Imagery

Have You Herd? Farmer Writes A Memoo Using Cows And Satellite Imagery
A Kansas farmer is becoming somewhat of a celebrity for making agriculture-themed pop-music parodies and calling his cattle by playing Lorde's "Royals" on the trombone. Now, he's making space cow art.

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NPR News: Forum: How Discrimination Damages Health In LGBTQ Communities

Forum: How Discrimination Damages Health In LGBTQ Communities
How do LGBTQ adults experience discrimination and how does it impact their health? Join us for a discussion with experts in a webcast from Harvard's Chan School of Public Health at noon ET Wednesday.

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NPR News: Autism, Haircuts And A Nursery Rhyme

Autism, Haircuts And A Nursery Rhyme
Haircuts can be traumatic for autistic children. It took two years for Australian barber Lisa Ann McKenzie to give Jordie Rowland a cut. The breakthrough was singing a favorite nursery rhyme.

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Tuesday, March 20, 2018

NPR News: The Puzzle Of Quantum Reality

The Puzzle Of Quantum Reality
Despite its incredibly accurate predictions, there's a great deal of disagreement over what the quantum theory says about reality — or even whether it says anything at all about it, says Adam Becker.

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NPR News: Classroom Skeleton: Whose Bones Are These?

Classroom Skeleton: Whose Bones Are These?
Remember that skeleton hanging in the front of your classroom? In some schools, those were actual human remains. We used science to figure out the story behind one of them.

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NPR News: Why Are Iguanas' Skulls Being Crushed In The Name Of Science?

Why Are Iguanas' Skulls Being Crushed In The Name Of Science?
A scientific project for killing invasive green iguanas in Florida has become the center of national attention. Anthropologist Barbara J. King looks at wildlife management and methods.

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NPR News: Robots Are Trying To Pick Strawberries. So Far, They're Not Very Good At It

Robots Are Trying To Pick Strawberries. So Far, They're Not Very Good At It
Strawberry growers are so worried about the farmworker shortage that they're testing a strawberry-picking robot. But while picking strawberries is easy for humans, machines struggle with the task.

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NASA to Launch Parachute Test off Virginia Coast March 27

NASA will test a parachute for possible future missions to Mars from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Tuesday, March 27. Live coverage of the test is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. EDT on the Wallops Ustream site.

March 20, 2018
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NPR News: Taste Buds Dull As People Gain Weight. Now Scientists Think They Know Why

Taste Buds Dull As People Gain Weight. Now Scientists Think They Know Why
Doctors have known that as people pack on the pounds, their sense of taste diminishes. New research in mice helps explain what's going on: Inflammation brought on by obesity may be killing taste buds.

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NPR News: Taste Buds Dull As People Gain Weight. Now Scientists Think They Know Why

Taste Buds Dull As People Gain Weight. Now Scientists Think They Know Why
Doctors have known that as people pack on the pounds, their sense of taste diminishes. New research in mice helps explain what's going on: Inflammation brought on by obesity may be killing taste buds.

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NASA to Preview Upcoming US Spacewalk, Provide Live Coverage

Two American astronauts will venture outside the International Space Station on Thursday, March 29, for a planned 6.5-hour spacewalk. Experts from NASA will preview this work in a briefing at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday, March 27, at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

March 20, 2018
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NPR News: A Chinese Space Lab Will Soon Fall From The Sky. Where It Lands, No One Knows

A Chinese Space Lab Will Soon Fall From The Sky. Where It Lands, No One Knows
Most of the Chinese space lab, the size of a city bus, will burn up in the atmosphere, but some debris may survive re-entry.

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NPR News: Why Some Men Have A Harder Time Confiding In Others

Why Some Men Have A Harder Time Confiding In Others
Many of us find our circle of friends gets smaller as we get older. Researchers say it is especially true for men and that social isolation can have grave effects on their physical and mental health.

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NPR News: Why Some Men Have A Harder Time Confiding In Others

Why Some Men Have A Harder Time Confiding In Others
Many of us find our circle of friends gets smaller as we get older. Researchers say it is especially true for men and that social isolation can have grave effects on their physical and mental health.

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NPR News: Shingles Is Nasty, And The New Vaccine Works Well. Why Do Adults Avoid Shots?

Shingles Is Nasty, And The New Vaccine Works Well. Why Do Adults Avoid Shots?
Beyond annual flu shots, federal health officials say older adults need protection against shingles, pneumonia, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. But many grown-ups aren't getting vaccinated.

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NPR News: Sudan, World's Last Male Northern White Rhino, Dies

Sudan, World's Last Male Northern White Rhino, Dies
Sudan lived most of his life in a zoo in the Czech Republic, but was brought to a conservancy in Kenya in 2009 as part of a last-ditch effort to save his species. He died at the conservancy at age 45.

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Monday, March 19, 2018

NASA to Discuss Upcoming Launch of Next Planet Hunter

Join NASA at 1 p.m. EDT Wednesday, March 28, as astrophysics experts discuss the upcoming launch of NASA's next planet hunter, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).

March 19, 2018
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Media Invited to View NASA's Mission to Study Mars Interior

Media are invited to view NASA's Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) lander Friday, April 6, at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where it's currently undergoing final tests for its May launch.

March 19, 2018
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NPR News: Lawmakers Weigh Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Screening For Postpartum Depression

Lawmakers Weigh Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Screening For Postpartum Depression
California's legislature will soon take up a bill requiring doctors to screen new mothers. Many doctors oppose the idea, and similar laws elsewhere haven't increased the number of moms treated.

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NPR News: Are There Risks From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke? Early Science Says Yes

Are There Risks From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke? Early Science Says Yes
Now that marijuana is legal in more than 20 states, we all may be exposed to more marijuana on the street. Researchers warn that secondhand smoke from pot poses risks to the heart, lungs and arteries.

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NPR News: Lawmakers Weigh Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Screening For Postpartum Depression

Lawmakers Weigh Pros And Cons Of Mandatory Screening For Postpartum Depression
California's legislature will soon take up a bill requiring doctors to screen new mothers. Many doctors oppose the idea, and similar laws elsewhere haven't increased the number of moms treated.

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NPR News: Are There Risks From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke? Early Science Says Yes

Are There Risks From Secondhand Marijuana Smoke? Early Science Says Yes
Now that marijuana is legal in more than 20 states, we all may be exposed to more marijuana on the street. Researchers warn that secondhand smoke from pot poses risks to the heart, lungs and arteries.

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@CleanStreamsDE: SAVE THE DATE! Great Schools, Clean Streams 2018 will run from April 9th to April 27th! Visit https://t.co/4I9ZmRiGG5 to learn what's new for 2018! @NCCDE

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Sunday, March 18, 2018

NPR News: Spot Fake News By Making It

Spot Fake News By Making It
NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Sander van der Linden of the Cambridge Social Decision-Making Lab about his online game which tries to teach players about fake news by making them produce it.

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NPR News: Determine Potential Partners By Voice In New Dating App

Determine Potential Partners By Voice In New Dating App
A new dating app called Waving lets users judge potential partners by their voice. We talk with Robert Burriss of Basel University about the role a person's voice plays in attraction.

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Saturday, March 17, 2018

NPR News: How A Russian Nerve Agent Got To The U.K.

How A Russian Nerve Agent Got To The U.K.
How was a nerve agent of a group called Novichok manufactured and sent into the U.K. to poison a former Russian spy? Richard Guthrie, a U.K.-based chemical weapons expert, talks with Scott Simon.

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NPR News: Former Coal Lobbyist On Tap For No. 2 Spot At EPA

Former Coal Lobbyist On Tap For No. 2 Spot At EPA
The man hoping to help lead the Environmental Protection Agency, Andrew Wheeler, is a former lobbyist for coal and natural gas companies. As a young EPA lawyer, he worked on hazardous chemical rules.

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Friday, March 16, 2018

NPR News: How Prepared Is The World For A Major Epidemic?

How Prepared Is The World For A Major Epidemic?
Reid Wilson says it's only a matter of time before we find out.

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Thursday, March 15, 2018

NPR News: FEMA Drops 'Climate Change' From Its Strategic Plan

FEMA Drops 'Climate Change' From Its Strategic Plan
The agency's strategic planning document does not mention the potential impact of a changing climate on the rising risk of natural hazards.

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NPR News: NASA Study Finds Astronaut's Genes Changed While In Space

NASA Study Finds Astronaut's Genes Changed While In Space
A study shows that not only do astronaut's genes change in space, but they have the potential to remained changed even months after the astronaut is back on Earth.

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NPR News: Is It Time To Bring Risk Back Into Our Kids' Playgrounds?

Is It Time To Bring Risk Back Into Our Kids' Playgrounds?
Are playgrounds in the U.S. too sterile and risk-averse to help our kids thrive? Anthropologist Barbara J. King considers play and child development in evolutionary perspective.

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NPR News: Biologists Trace Genetic Roots Of Evolution, One Cell At A Time

Biologists Trace Genetic Roots Of Evolution, One Cell At A Time
E.coli bacteria, each cell trapped in a tiny tube, are giving researchers the chance to study the pace and effects of single genetic mutations. Most mutations, the scientists find, aren't harmful.

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NPR News: Biologists Trace Genetic Roots Of Evolution, One Cell At A Time

Biologists Trace Genetic Roots Of Evolution, One Cell At A Time
E.coli bacteria, each cell trapped in a tiny tube, are giving researchers the chance to study the pace and effects of single genetic mutations. Most mutations, the scientists find, aren't harmful.

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NASA Statement on Confirmation of New Agency Chief Financial Officer

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot on the Senate’s March 14 confirmation of Jeff DeWit to serve as agency’s Chief Financial Officer.

March 15, 2018
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NPR News: Millions Own Gas And Oil Under Their Land. Here's Why Only Some Strike It Rich.

Millions Own Gas And Oil Under Their Land. Here's Why Only Some Strike It Rich.
Gas and oil companies pay royalties to millions of American landowners. But a growing number accuse energy companies of cheating them out of their fair share.

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NPR News: How Many Opioid Overdoses Are Suicides?

How Many Opioid Overdoses Are Suicides?
Opioid overdoses and related deaths are still climbing, according to U.S. statistics. Teasing out which overdoses are intentional can be hard, but is important for treatment, doctors say.

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Wednesday, March 14, 2018

NPR News: Live High Definition Video From Mars? NASA Is Getting Ready

Live High Definition Video From Mars? NASA Is Getting Ready
NASA is building a new space-based laser communication that will allow live, high-definition video from Mars and beyond — something that's not possible with standard radio equipment.

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NPR News: Live High Definition Video From Mars? NASA Is Getting Ready

Live High Definition Video From Mars? NASA Is Getting Ready
NASA is building a new space-based laser communication that will allow live, high-definition video from Mars and beyond — something that's not possible with standard radio equipment.

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NASA to Highlight Science Launching on Next Resupply Mission to Space Station

NASA will host a media teleconference at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, March 19, to discuss a number of science investigations and instruments launching in April to the International Space Station on the next SpaceX commercial resupply mission. Audio of the teleconference will stream live on NASA’s website.

March 14, 2018
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NPR News: Mourners Honor Stephen Hawking, Whose Mind Blazed Bright

Mourners Honor Stephen Hawking, Whose Mind Blazed Bright
His mental genius and physical disability made the renowned British physicist a household name. On Wednesday, people around the world grieved Hawking's death.

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NPR News: The Universe According To Albert Einstein: Relativity

The Universe According To Albert Einstein: Relativity
When Einstein, born 139 years ago on Wednesday, came onto the science scene, physics was in crisis. New ideas were badly needed — it was the perfect moment for a trailblazer, says Marcelo Gleiser.

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NASA Honors Legacy of Renowned Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking

The following is a statement from acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot on the passing of visionary physicist Stephen Hawking, who died at his home in Cambridge, England, early Wednesday morning.

March 14, 2018
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NASA Television Coverage Set for Space Station Crew Launch, Docking

Two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut are ready for their journey to the International Space Station that begins on Wednesday, March 21.

March 14, 2018
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Tuesday, March 13, 2018

NASA Awards Contract for Safety, Health, Mission Assurance Services

NASA has awarded a contract to Leidos, Incorporated in Reston, Virginia, for safety, health and mission assurance services at its Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

March 13, 2018
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NPR News: An Ode To Insignificance: Buttons, Touchscreens, And Other Dangerous Technologies

An Ode To Insignificance: Buttons, Touchscreens, And Other Dangerous Technologies
The most successful technologies are so seductive, user friendly, and so apparently innocuous that we hardly notice them entering our lives, says Jimena Canales. One such technology? The pushbutton.

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Monday, March 12, 2018

NPR News: Daniel Kahneman On Misery, Memory, And Our Understanding Of The Mind

Daniel Kahneman On Misery, Memory, And Our Understanding Of The Mind
Economic theory rests on a simple notion about humans: people are rational. But a half century ago, two psychologists shattered these assumptions.

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NPR News: Nerve Agent Found In U.K. Is Rare And Definitely Russian

Nerve Agent Found In U.K. Is Rare And Definitely Russian
Novichok-class agents were developed in top-secret Russian labs at the end of the Cold War. Experts say only Russia is known to have made them. "They've been a deep, dark secret," says one expert.

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NPR News: Do Backyard Chickens Need More Rules?

Do Backyard Chickens Need More Rules?
Drawn in by fresh eggs, or the possibility of feathered friends, people continue to flock toward backyard chickens. One researcher wonders if local laws are doing enough to keep people and birds safe.

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NPR News: This Is Why You Don't See People-Sized Salmon Anymore

This Is Why You Don't See People-Sized Salmon Anymore
Fishermen used to stand next to Chinooks almost as tall as they are. But a century's worth of dam-building, overfishing, habitat loss and hatcheries has cut the size of the average fish in half.

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NPR News: Fishing Boats 'Going Dark' Raise Suspicion Of Illegal Catches, Report Says

Fishing Boats 'Going Dark' Raise Suspicion Of Illegal Catches, Report Says
A new report by the international conservation group Oceana highlights several incidents of fishing vessels switching off their Automatic Identification System beacons in no-take fishing areas.

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NPR News: Hearts Get 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise

Hearts Get 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise
As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

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NPR News: Hearts Get 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise

Hearts Get 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise
As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

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NPR News: Hearts Gets 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise

Hearts Gets 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise
As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

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NPR News: Hearts Gets 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise

Hearts Gets 'Younger,' Even At Middle Age, With Exercise
As early as your mid-40s, especially if you're sedentary, your heart muscle can show signs of aging, losing its youthful elasticity and power. But moderately strenuous exercise can change that.

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Sunday, March 11, 2018

Flying over the Earth at Night II


What would it be like to orbit the Earth? The International Space Station (ISS) does this every 90 minutes, and sometimes the astronauts on board take image sequences that are made into videos. The featured time-lapse video shows many visual spectacles of the dark Earth below. First, as the video begins, green and red auroras are visible on the upper left above white clouds. Soon city lights come into view, and it becomes clear you are flying over North America, eventually passing over Florida. In the second sequence you fly over Europe and Africa, eventually passing over the Nile River. Brief flashes of light are lightning in storms. Stars far in the distance can be seen rising through the greenish-gold glow of the Earth's atmosphere. via NASA http://ift.tt/2HrQDTJ

NPR News: North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions And Abilities

North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions And Abilities
NPR's Renee Montagne talks with Siegfried Hecker, a former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, about North Korea's nuclear program.

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NPR News: Rethinking How Students With Dyslexia Are Taught To Read

Rethinking How Students With Dyslexia Are Taught To Read
Dyslexia is the most common learning disability in this country. But it is widely misunderstood, and schools often do a poor job of helping students learn to read.

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Saturday, March 10, 2018

NPR News: Study: How Arming Teachers Can Put Students Of Color At Greater Risk

Study: How Arming Teachers Can Put Students Of Color At Greater Risk
Some of the concern about Florida's law allowing teachers to be armed is based on a 2014 study by Center for Policing Equity's Phillip Atiba Goff. Goff talks to NPR's Michel Martin about his research.

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Friday, March 9, 2018

NPR News: Questions And Answers About Opioids And Chronic Pain

Questions And Answers About Opioids And Chronic Pain
Are opioids the best way to manage long-term pain? NPR's Ari Shapiro talked with Dr. Ajay Wasan, a pain specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, to find out.

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NPR News: Questions And Answers About Opioids And Chronic Pain

Questions And Answers About Opioids And Chronic Pain
Are opioids the best way to manage long-term pain? NPR's Ari Shapiro talked with Dr. Ajay Wasan, a pain specialist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, to find out.

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Science Teachers at National Conference to Speak with NASA Astronaut on Space Station

The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) Conference in Atlanta will speak with NASA astronaut Scott Tingle, currently living and working aboard the International Space Station, at 10:40 a.m. EDT Friday, March 16.

March 09, 2018
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NPR News: Penguins Mug For Camera, Take A Pretty Great 'Selfie'

Penguins Mug For Camera, Take A Pretty Great 'Selfie'
You probably didn't know that Emperor penguins are reasonably good at framing a video shot. At a research station in Antarctica, the curious animals provided a "bird's eye view."

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NPR News: The Great Norwegian Porridge Debate, Or Tradition Vs. 'Science'

The Great Norwegian Porridge Debate, Or Tradition Vs. 'Science'
In 1864, a male scientist tried to "porridge-splain" how to make proper gruel to Norwegian women who had been making it for centuries. It caused quite a stir and didn't work out so well for him.

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NPR News: Getting Climate Change Right: In Light Of The Stars

Getting Climate Change Right: In Light Of The Stars
When it comes to facing global warming, dealing with climate change and making informed choices for our cherished "project of civilization," we've been asking the wrong question, says Adam Frank.

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NPR News: Kang Lee: Can Technology Detect Our Hidden Emotions?

Kang Lee: Can Technology Detect Our Hidden Emotions?
Developmental researcher Kang Lee says scientists can detect emotions by reading subtle physiological signals beneath the surface of our skin.

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NPR News: Lisa Feldman Barrett: Can We Really Tell How Other People Are Feeling?

Lisa Feldman Barrett: Can We Really Tell How Other People Are Feeling?
Identifying basic emotions in others — like fear, sadness or anger — seems instinctive, but psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett says we're doing more guesswork than we think.

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NPR News: In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?

In The Recycling World, Why Are Some Cartons Such A Problem?
Because of layers of material that can be difficult to separate, many containers for juices and broths have traditionally been destined for landfills. But recycling them is getting easier.

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NPR News: Invisibilia: When Death Rocks Your World, Maybe You Jump Out Of A Plane

Invisibilia: When Death Rocks Your World, Maybe You Jump Out Of A Plane
The first episode of this season's Invisibilia podcast explores how people cope when something happens that fundamentally shifts how they view themselves. The author's mother decided to try skydiving.

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Thursday, March 8, 2018

NPR News: FDA Approved At-Home Test For Breast Cancer Gene Now Available

FDA Approved At-Home Test For Breast Cancer Gene Now Available
But there are warnings to heed.

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NPR News: Tattoo You: Immune System Cells Help Keep Ink In Its Place

Tattoo You: Immune System Cells Help Keep Ink In Its Place
When you get a tattoo, your body mounts a battle against the ink. So how do ankle flowers and bicep hearts stick around so long? Researchers took a look at specialized cells that gobble up the ink.

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NPR News: Tattoo You: Immune System Cells Help Keep Ink In Its Place

Tattoo You: Immune System Cells Help Keep Ink In Its Place
When you get a tattoo, your body mounts a battle against the ink. So how do ankle flowers and bicep hearts stick around so long? Researchers took a look at specialized cells that gobble up the ink.

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NPR News: New Research Claims Bones Found 80 Years Ago On Pacific Atoll Likely Amelia Earhart's

New Research Claims Bones Found 80 Years Ago On Pacific Atoll Likely Amelia Earhart's
Richard Jantz, a forensics expert at the University of Tennessee, reanalyzed measurements from the bones. He says they are female and the right size to be Earhart. But questions linger.

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NPR News: New Research Claims Bones Found 80 Years Ago On Pacific Atoll Likely Amelia Earhart's

New Research Claims Bones Found 80 Years Ago On Pacific Atoll Likely Amelia Earhart's
Richard Jantz, a forensics expert at the University of Tennessee, reanalyzed measurements from the bones. He says they are female and the right size to be Earhart. But questions linger.

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NPR News: Calling Team Cephalopod: Why Octopuses Could Never Disappoint

Calling Team Cephalopod: Why Octopuses Could Never Disappoint
Evidence for smart, sassy octopus behavior once again impresses our resident cephalopod fan Barbara J. King. She stands up for octopuses against a recent broadside.

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NPR News: What We Know About Russian Spies And Nerve Agents

What We Know About Russian Spies And Nerve Agents
British authorities say that a former Russian spy and his daughter were poisoned by a nerve agent in England this week. Steve Inskeep speaks with Alastair Hay, a toxicologist at Leeds University.

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NPR News: America's Oil Boom Is Fueled By A Tech Boom

America's Oil Boom Is Fueled By A Tech Boom
The U.S. is on track to become the world's biggest oil producer. Technology advances and automation mean this can happen with fewer workers than during the last boom.

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Wednesday, March 7, 2018

NASA Awards $96 Million to U.S. Small Businesses for Tech Research, Development

NASA has selected 128 proposals from American small businesses to advance research and technology in Phase II of its 2017 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. These selections support NASA's future space exploration missions, while also benefiting the U.S. economy.

March 07, 2018
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NPR News: A Look At Just How Invasive The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Is

A Look At Just How Invasive The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Is
The brown marmorated stink bug first showed up in the United States about 20 years ago, and has been terrorizing homeowners and farmers ever since. NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Kathryn Schulz, who writes about the invasive insect in the latest issue of The New Yorker.

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NPR News: Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains

Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains
The brains of birds and mice continue to produce new nerve cells in the hippocampus throughout life. But research now suggests the human brain stops doing this around adolescence.

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NPR News: Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains

Sorry, Adults, No New Neurons For Your Aging Brains
The brains of birds and mice continue to produce new nerve cells in the hippocampus throughout life. But research now suggests the human brain stops doing this around adolescence.

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NPR News: Life Hacking Life: The Scary Premise Of 'Annihilation'

Life Hacking Life: The Scary Premise Of 'Annihilation'
As with Ex Machina, says Marcelo Gleiser, director Alex Garland is sending a warning: We are now hacking life itself and will continue to do so with growing efficiency. Are we creating our own doom?

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NPR News: 21 Tech Companies Band Together Against Wildlife Trafficking

21 Tech Companies Band Together Against Wildlife Trafficking
The effort involves tech leaders such as Alibaba, Baidu, eBay, Facebook and Instagram who have pledged to try to reduce trafficking across their platforms by 80 percent by 2020.

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NPR News: A 'Floating Fillet': Rice Farmers Grow Bugs To Replenish California's Salmon

A 'Floating Fillet': Rice Farmers Grow Bugs To Replenish California's Salmon
Insect-rich floodplain water once supported the threatened fish, but it has been diverted. The project's end goal is to improve the likelihood that Chinook survive the trek to the ocean and back.

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NPR News: Patients Like Hospital Care At Home, But Some Insurers Are Skeptical

Patients Like Hospital Care At Home, But Some Insurers Are Skeptical
Some health systems are encouraging selected emergency room patients who are sick but stable and don't need intensive, round-the-clock care to opt for hospital-level care at home, instead.

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NPR News: Patients Like Hospital Care At Home, But Some Insurers Are Skeptical

Patients Like Hospital Care At Home, But Some Insurers Are Skeptical
Some health systems are encouraging selected emergency room patients who are sick but stable and don't need intensive, round-the-clock care to opt for hospital-level care at home, instead.

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Tuesday, March 6, 2018

NPR News: What You Might Not Realize About The Benefits Of Hand-Washing

What You Might Not Realize About The Benefits Of Hand-Washing
Norovirus is that awful ailment that can make you barf and suffer from diarrhea. A new study tries to figure out the best way to stop it.

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NPR News: After Decades Of Air Pollution, A Louisiana Town Rebels Against A Chemical Giant

After Decades Of Air Pollution, A Louisiana Town Rebels Against A Chemical Giant
Neighborhoods around a Louisiana chemical plant have the highest cancer risk in the U.S. Residents felt powerless, until the Environmental Protection Agency released data on what they were breathing.

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Media Invited to Upcoming Launch of NASA’s Newest Planet-Hunting Spacecraft

Media accreditation now is open for the launch of a NASA spacecraft that will search for planets outside of our solar system with a field of view almost 400 times larger than that of the agency’s Kepler mission.

March 06, 2018
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NPR News: Florida's Long-Lost Wild Flamingos Were Hiding In Plain Sight

Florida's Long-Lost Wild Flamingos Were Hiding In Plain Sight
Scientists thought Florida's native flamingo population had been hunted out of existence by the 19th century plume trade. A new study suggests the birds have been there all along.

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NPR News: Mysteries of the Moo-crobiome: Could Tweaking Cow Gut Bugs Improve Beef?

Mysteries of the Moo-crobiome: Could Tweaking Cow Gut Bugs Improve Beef?
Microbe-free bovine life would be rough. Cows rely on single-cell accomplices for their digestion, so scientists are looking for ways to use these bugs to improve cows' eating and burping habits.

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NPR News: Mysteries of the Moo-crobiome: Could Tweaking Cow Gut Bugs Improve Beef?

Mysteries of the Moo-crobiome: Could Tweaking Cow Gut Bugs Improve Beef?
Microbe-free bovine life would be rough. Cows rely on single-cell accomplices for their digestion, so scientists are looking for ways to use these bugs to improve cows' eating and burping habits.

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NPR News: Hidden Brain: Relationship Between Having Babies And The Economy

Hidden Brain: Relationship Between Having Babies And The Economy
Americans tend to have more children in a strong economy. Research suggests that conceptions might be a leading economic indicator — meaning declines in conceptions can predict the next downturn.

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NPR News: Hidden Brain: Relationship Between Having Babies And The Economy

Hidden Brain: Relationship Between Having Babies And The Economy
Americans tend to have more children in a strong economy. Research suggests that conceptions might be a leading economic indicator — meaning declines in conceptions can predict the next downturn.

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NPR News: Tough Talk As Oklahoma's Wind Industry Becomes A Political Target

Tough Talk As Oklahoma's Wind Industry Becomes A Political Target
Though the wind industry was once a political darling in the state, some say Oklahoma can no longer afford the tax breaks that helped it thrive.

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Monday, March 5, 2018

NASA, Partners Seek Input on Standards for Deep Space Technologies

In order to maximize investment in, and benefits of, future deep space exploration platforms and technologies, NASA and its International Space Station partners have collaborated to draft standards that address seven priority areas in which technology compatibility is crucial for global cooperation.

March 05, 2018
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NPR News: New Report Predicts Rising Tides, More Flooding

New Report Predicts Rising Tides, More Flooding
The report, obtained by NPR, shows that so-called "sunny-day flooding" may be a regular occurrence in some areas.

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NPR News: Grass Is Back In The Chesapeake, And Crabs Will Follow

Grass Is Back In The Chesapeake, And Crabs Will Follow
In the Chesapeake Bay, underwater seagrass beds are growing, sheltering crabs and fish. The long-awaited recovery depends on efforts by farmers to prevent nutrients from polluting the giant estuary.

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NPR News: Grass Is Back In The Chesapeake, And Crabs Will Follow

Grass Is Back In The Chesapeake, And Crabs Will Follow
In the Chesapeake Bay, underwater seagrass beds are growing, sheltering crabs and fish. The long-awaited recovery depends on efforts by farmers to prevent nutrients from polluting the giant estuary.

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NPR News: Why Won't The Old Caveman Stereotypes For Neanderthals Die?

Why Won't The Old Caveman Stereotypes For Neanderthals Die?
New evidence suggests Neanderthals made cave art — and they may also have created religious rituals. It's time to let go of Neanderthal-human "border policing," says anthropologist Barbara J. King.

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NPR News: This Chef Lost 50 Pounds And Reversed Pre-Diabetes With A Digital Program

This Chef Lost 50 Pounds And Reversed Pre-Diabetes With A Digital Program
People with pre-diabetes like a Washington state chef reversed the diagnosis using a digital program that harnesses the power of wearable devices, data, education, e-coaching and peer support.

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NPR News: Like It Or Not, Personal Health Technology Is Getting Smarter

Like It Or Not, Personal Health Technology Is Getting Smarter
Tech evangelists say consumer electronics that sense, stream and interpret vital signs will lead to better health and lower costs. But skeptics say reliability and privacy issues still loom.

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Sunday, March 4, 2018

NPR News: Family Tree Goes Back 11 Generations, Includes 13 Million People

Family Tree Goes Back 11 Generations, Includes 13 Million People
Thirteen million people and 11 generations later, researchers have mapped out what may be the largest family tree to date.

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NPR News: Family Tree Goes Back 11 Generations, Includes 13 Million People

Family Tree Goes Back 11 Generations, Includes 13 Million People
Thirteen million people and 11 generations later, researchers have mapped out what may be the largest family tree to date.

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Saturday, March 3, 2018

NPR News: In Florida, Flamingos Aren't Making A Comeback — They've Been There All Along

In Florida, Flamingos Aren't Making A Comeback — They've Been There All Along
South Florida's wild flamingo population was wiped out by the plume trade in the 1800s — or so scientists thought.

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NPR News: Unusually High Temperatures In Arctic Rise In Frequency

Unusually High Temperatures In Arctic Rise In Frequency
Weather patterns in the Arctic have been described as "freakishly warm." NPR's Michel Martin talks with climate science professor Katharine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University about what's behind it.

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NPR News: In Florida, Flamingos Aren't Making A Comeback — They've Been There All Along

In Florida, Flamingos Aren't Making A Comeback — They've Been There All Along
South Florida's wild flamingo population was wiped out by the plume trade in the 1800s — or so scientists thought.

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NPR News: Report: Science On Gun Laws Is Lacking

Report: Science On Gun Laws Is Lacking
The RAND Corporation has published an unflattering report about U.S. gun policy. It identified only 62 studies testing the effectiveness of policies such as background checks and buying restrictions.

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Friday, March 2, 2018

NPR News: Here's Why Environmentalists Are Cheering The Latest Burger At Sonic Drive-In

Here's Why Environmentalists Are Cheering The Latest Burger At Sonic Drive-In
The fast-food chain is about to roll out a new kind of burger made from a mixture of beef and mushrooms. Sonic calls it "uniquely delicious." Environmentalists say it could help save the planet.

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Massachusetts Students to Speak with NASA Astronaut on Space Station

Students from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (UMass Dartmouth,) will speak with NASA astronaut and alumnus Scott Tingle, who is living and working aboard the International Space Station, at 12:30 p.m. EST Tuesday, March 6. The 20 minute, Earth-to-space call will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

March 02, 2018
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NPR News: Some Of The Oldest-Ever Tattoos Found On Egyptian Mummies

Some Of The Oldest-Ever Tattoos Found On Egyptian Mummies
Thanks to new technology, archaeologists in the British Museum have just discovered what they say are the earliest-known body art displaying figures.

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NPR News: Some Of The Oldest-Ever Tattoos Found On Egyptian Mummies

Some Of The Oldest-Ever Tattoos Found On Egyptian Mummies
Thanks to new technology, archaeologists in the British Museum have just discovered what they say are the earliest-known body art displaying figures.

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NPR News: From Almonds To Rice, Climate Change Could Slash California Crop Yields By 2050

From Almonds To Rice, Climate Change Could Slash California Crop Yields By 2050
An analysis of nearly 90 studies finds warming temperatures may alter where key crops grow across the state, which provides around two-thirds of America's produce.

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NPR News: From Almonds To Rice, Climate Change Could Slash California Crop Yields By 2050

From Almonds To Rice, Climate Change Could Slash California Crop Yields By 2050
An analysis of nearly 90 studies finds warming temperatures may alter where key crops grow across the state, which provides around two-thirds of America's produce.

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NPR News: Uber, Lyft Drivers Earning A Median Profit Of $3.37 Per Hour, Study Says

Uber, Lyft Drivers Earning A Median Profit Of $3.37 Per Hour, Study Says
Researchers at MIT said 30 percent of Uber and Lyft drivers are actually losing money after taking car expenses into account, while most drivers earn less than minimum wage.

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NPR News: National Weather Service Forecast: Cloudy, With A Chance Of Budget Cuts

National Weather Service Forecast: Cloudy, With A Chance Of Budget Cuts
The National Weather Service, already understaffed, would lose at least 200 positions in the White House's proposed budget for fiscal year 2019.

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Thursday, March 1, 2018

NASA, ULA Launch Advanced NOAA Weather Satellite

NASA successfully launched the second in a series of next-generation weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at 5:02 p.m. EST Thursday.

March 02, 2018
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NPR News: Experts Aghast Over Russian Claim Of Nuclear-Powered Missile With Unlimited Range

Experts Aghast Over Russian Claim Of Nuclear-Powered Missile With Unlimited Range
The U.S. tested similar concepts in the 1960s, but abandoned them over concerns of radioactive contamination. Russia's claim seems so fantastic that some analysts didn't believe initial reports.

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NASA Awards Professional Services Contract

NASA has awarded a contract to Alutiiq-Fusion Joint Venture of Chesapeake, Virginia, for administrative, media and professional services at the agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

March 01, 2018
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NPR News: Forecast For National Weather Service Is Cloudy, With A Chance Of Budget Cuts

Forecast For National Weather Service Is Cloudy, With A Chance Of Budget Cuts
The Trump administration is looking to slash the National Weather Service's budget at a time when the service already has hundreds of unfilled positions — all while extreme weather is increasing. Now, meteorologists are speaking out, warning about being understaffed and the risks to keeping the public informed.

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NPR News: The Oscar For Best Snack Goes To ... Popcorn, The 6,000-Year-Old Aztec Gold

The Oscar For Best Snack Goes To ... Popcorn, The 6,000-Year-Old Aztec Gold
Zoom in and behold the science secrets behind popcorn's airy crunch — and learn about the snack's ancient origin — in this bite-sized video.

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NPR News: The Oscar For Best Snack Goes To ... Popcorn, The 6,000-Year-Old Aztec Gold

The Oscar For Best Snack Goes To ... Popcorn, The 6,000-Year-Old Aztec Gold
Zoom in and behold the science secrets behind popcorn's airy crunch — and learn about the snack's ancient origin — in this bite-sized video.

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NPR News: Widespread Drought Across U.S. Stokes Fears About A Repeat Of 2012's Wrath

Widespread Drought Across U.S. Stokes Fears About A Repeat Of 2012's Wrath
If rainfall doesn't come soon, it could cost billions in devastation — a difficult fallout considering the USDA expects farmers' incomes to hit a 12-year low even if crop yields stay high.

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NPR News: Three Ways To Elevate The Debate About Guns

Three Ways To Elevate The Debate About Guns
Understanding the authority of science means, when it comes to factual claims, intuitions and gut feelings won't cut it — whichever side of the political aisle they come from, says Tania Lombrozo.

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California, Arizona Students to Speak with Astronauts on Space Station

Two astronauts living and working aboard the International Space Station will talk live with students in Arizona and California on Friday, March 2. The separate Earth-to-space calls will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.

March 01, 2018
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