Science

Science

Poll: A Look At Sports And Health In America

8:07am June 15, 2015

by Patti Neighmond

A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NPR and Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health poll finds that while most adults played team sports when they were kids, the vast majority no longer play sports.

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In the study, muscle cells were injected into the cell-free "scaffolding" of a rat limb, which provided shape and structure onto which regenerated tissue could grow.

Science

In Massachusetts Lab, Scientists Grow An Artificial Rat Limb

7:00am June 15, 2015

by NPR Staff

The regenerated forelimb, made from living rat cells, may be the first step toward creating functional, bioartificial limbs. The scientists were thrilled to see the muscle fibers twitch.

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The Philae lander beamed back images showing one of its three feet on the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. This photo is compiled from two images.

Comet Lander Wakes Up, Calls Home, After Long Sleep

5:44am June 15, 2015

by Scott Neuman

A little sunlight applied to solar panels proved the cure for what ailed the European Space Agency's Philae lander, which had been dormant from lack of power since November.

Science

'Sesame Street' Improves School Readiness, Researchers Say

9:58pm June 14, 2015

by Will Huntsberry

A Wellesley College and University of Maryland study finds Sesame Street has a big impact on how well kids do in school. Children who watch the show are less likely to fall behind in later grades.

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A woman on a street in Seoul checks her cellphone. The government is ramping up efforts to control an outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome by monitoring the smartphones of those under quarantine.

Creepy Or Comforting? South Korea Tracks Smartphones To Curb MERS

9:53pm June 14, 2015

by Elise Hu

The government is trying to strike a balance between doing too little and doing too much to stop an outbreak of the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome. But has it stepped over a line?

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Editing The Climate Talkers: Punctuation's Effect On Earth's Fate

9:36pm June 14, 2015

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

The littlest things — punctuation, precise word choice and grammar — can hold tremendous power in worldwide climate negotiations. This year in Europe, editors get a chance to help make history.

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Thomas Edison's talking dolls were reportedly pretty robust, but their miniature phonographs were another story.

Science
Arts

Edison's Talking Dolls Can Now Provide The Soundtrack To Your Nightmares

3:34pm June 14, 2015

by Neda Ulaby

Thomas Edison built and sold about 500 dolls back in 1890. Now, new technology has made hearing their supercreepy voices possible for the first time in decades. (Thanks, technology.)

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NASCAR Goes Green: Gas-Guzzling Sport Works To Reduce Carbon Footprint

3:21pm June 14, 2015

by Michael Tomsic

NASCAR is probably not what you think of when it comes to being environmentally friendly. But it — and other sports leagues — is working to change that.

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Science

Female Scientists Unleash Comedic Revenge At #Distractinglysexy

11:02am June 14, 2015

After the sexist comments of Nobel Prize-winning British scientist Tim Hunt went viral, female scientists staged a counterblow on social media.

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Raymond Wang, 17, of Vancouver, celebrates winning first place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, May 15.

Science Fair Winner Designs Device To Cut Virus Spread On Planes

9:40am June 14, 2015

by Ina Yang

When 17-year-old Raymond Wang read about how easily some diseases spread on planes, he thought airlines could do better. So he went to work — and won $75,000 at the International Science Fair.