Thank your ancestors if you're an early riser, say scientists
Are you an early riser? If so, you might have Neanderthal ancestors.
Science
Scientists for the first time used a laser to send HD video from deep space to Earth
For the first time, NASA scientists used a laser to send a high-definition video from a deep space spacecraft 19 million miles away back to Earth. On the video is a cat chasing a laser.
Acts of generosity — like giving gifts — brings happiness, research shows
Research shows that acts of generosity, like gift-giving, are contagious and increase happiness. Giving and receiving are also fundamental for good relationships.
Artificial intelligence can find your location in photos, worrying privacy experts
Three Stanford graduate students built an AI tool that can find a location by looking at pictures. Civil rights advocates warn more advanced versions will further erode online privacy.
Giving gifts boosts happiness, research shows. So why do we feel frazzled?
Researchers who told people to either buy themselves a gift or give one to a stranger, found those who gave to others felt a lot happier. Here's how to get the mood boost without the shopping stress.
Why declining social invites is OK
NPR's Scott Detrow talks to West Virginia University marketing professor Julian Givi about his research on the social ramifications of turning down invites.
A powerful eruption on the sun disrupted radio signals on earth
NPR's Ayesha Rascoe talks with heliophysicist India Jackson about Thursday's huge solar flare and how it affected the Earth.
What parents need to know before giving kids melatonin
Research shows nearly 1 in 5 school-age children are using melatonin to help them sleep. But these supplements are unregulated and pediatricians worry about their safety and the dose.
Cats play fetch, too — as long as they're in control, a study finds
A new study showed that cats fetched objects instinctively, in the absence of overt training. Fetching is defined as when the animal retrieves an object that's thrown.
This week in science: dunking birds, a hole in the sun and lack of emoji biodiversity
NPR's Juana Summers talks with Regina Barber and Viet Le of Short Wave about parrots dunking food in water, a giant hole in the sun and the lifeforms neglected by emoji makers.