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November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she means to science, and what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, just in time for Thanksgiving, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
10:16
Scientists Identify The ‘ManhattAnt’ Spreading Across NYC
An unknown ant was spotted in Manhattan in 2011, and it quickly spread through New York City. We now know what it is.
12:14
Extreme Heat Is Making Learning—And Teaching—More Difficult
As the climate changes and summer temperatures linger, educators are increasingly worried about keeping kids safe from heat exhaustion.
17:33
To This Neuroscientist, Cows Are Like Puppies
In a new book called “Cowpuppy,” neuroscientist and farmer Gregory Berns investigates cow intelligence.
11:15
‘Time Capsule’ Rocks Provide Clues About Earth’s Mantle
Samples of 2.5 billion-year-old mantle rocks found at spreading ocean ridges could put bounds on models of how the planet formed.
5:45
Genetically Engineering Stronger Poplar Tree Wood
Researchers decreased the amount of lignin in poplar tree wood, making it stronger and slower to deteriorate.
12:14
Mosquito-Borne Diseases Are Spreading As Temperatures Rise
Several states have reported cases of the rare but serious mosquito-borne illness eastern equine encephalitis.
6:30
Asteroid That Killed The Dinosaurs Was A Carbon-Rich Rock
A new study suggests that the giant dino-killing rock may have originated from the outer parts of the solar system.
10:30
‘Slingshot’ Imagines A Yearslong Space Mission Gone Wrong
The new sci-fi movie about an astronaut’s mental breakdown prompts questions about how to prepare humans for long-term space travel.
12:12
Training Dogs To Stop The Spread Of Spotted Lanternflies
The invasive insects often lay eggs on vehicles and shipped goods. Now researchers are training dogs to sniff them out before they hatch.
17:28
Could ‘Season Creep’ Affect Human Behavior?
The seasons are arriving at different times than they used to. A psychologist weighs in on whether these shifts could impact our behavior.