The Rise Of Yeast: How Civilization Was Shaped By Sugar Fungi
Without yeast, bread wouldn't rise and beer wouldn't foam. As Nicholas Money's new book, The Rise of Yeast, points out, it leaves its mark on other foods, too, including coffee, and even chocolate.
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Send In The Clones: Barbra Streisand Reveals Fluffy Canine Copies
In an interview with Variety magazine, the legendary singer/filmmaker dropped a bombshell: Two of her three coton de tulears are clones of a favorite canine who died last year.
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Though Prices Aren't As High As Before, West Texas Enjoys Oil Revival
The U.S. is on track to surpass Saudi Arabia and Russia next year to become the world's biggest oil producer — pumping out more crude than at its peak nearly half a century ago.
German Court Will Let Cities Ban Some Diesel Cars To Decrease Pollution
A German court has ruled that cities may bans diesel cars in order to bring down emissions levels.
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Pregnancy Rate Might Predict Future Recessions, Researchers Suggest
Conventional wisdom holds that fertility rates go down in response to an economic downturn. But a new study found that conception rates begin to drop before a recession actually begins.
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Children's Publishing House Takes Food Literacy Literally
Teaching kids how to eat healthfully and appreciate the cultural diversity of food begins with getting books about these themes into their hands, says Readers to Eaters' founding publisher.
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Can Nuclear Power Plants Generate Artistic Inspiration?
"Nuclear" artists see motivating muses where others see only grey buildings, drab fences, and white steam piping out of concrete cooling towers, says guest commentator Vincent Ialenti.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Erich Berger)
Scientists Predict King Penguins Face Major Threats Due To Climate Change
The researchers say the problem is their primary source of food is moving further away from places where the animals can breed. They're likely going to have to swim farther for their dinner.
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How A Skeptical Rancher, Aided By An Outdoors Brand, Turned Climate Friendly
It took a bit of arm-twisting to get on board because of previous encounters with environmentalists. But now, partnered with The North Face, the ranch sustainably produces wool for outdoor clothing.
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Lost Art Of Bending Over: How Other Cultures Spare Their Spines
No, we're not talking about squatting. We're talking about a way to bend over that's nearly disappeared in our culture. And it could be one reason why back pain is so common in the U.S.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Jean Couch)
Pediatricians Call For Universal Depression Screening For Teens
The nation's leading group of pediatricians has updated its guidelines for tackling teen mental health issues. One recommendation: Annual depression screening for all adolescents 12 and older.
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No Downturn In Obesity Among U.S. Kids, Report Finds
The childhood obesity epidemic rages on in the United States, with a big surge among the youngest kids, according to the latest government data.
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The Underwater Damage Left Behind After Hurricanes
After hurricanes hit St. John's hard last fall, the island's coral reefs were badly damaged. Lulu Garcia-Navarro speaks with marine biologist Peter Edmunds of California State University Northridge.
When Wildfire Smoke Invades, Who Should Pay To Clean Indoor Air?
Public health agencies are set up to regulate air pollution from cars, trucks and factories. Wildfire smoke presents a different set of threats, prompting some of those agencies to rethink priorities.
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French Food Waste Law Changing How Grocery Stores Approach Excess Food
Two years ago, France introduced a law to force supermarkets to donate unsold food to charities and food banks. Skeptics called it unworkable at the time, but there are signs the effort is succeeding.
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Montana Wildfires Provide A Wealth Of Data On Health Effects Of Smoke Exposure
Last summer's wildfires handed scientists a rare chance to study effects of smoke on residents. Most previous work had been on wood-burning stoves, urban air pollution and the effects on firefighters.
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Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot
Artist Alexander Reben wants to know whether a robot could fulfill our deep need for companionship. He created a robot named BlabDroid that asks people to share their raw emotions and deep secrets.
(Image credit: Jenn Liv for NPR)
Scientists Aim To Pull Peer Review Out Of The 17th Century
Some scientists want to change the old-fashioned way scientific advancements are evaluated and communicated. But they have to overcome the power structure of the traditional journal vetting process.
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Olympians Are Using Non-Alcoholic Beer As Recovery Drinks. Here's The Science
Today's Olympians have been swept up in a new trend largely emerging from Bavaria: non-alcoholic athletic recovery beers. Do they really work? We look at the evidence.
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Seychelles Finds A Novel Way To Swap Its Debt For Marine Protections
The Indian Ocean nation has brokered a novel deal that is intended to protect nearly one third of its marine area and is thought to be the first of its kind.
(Image credit: Tate Drucker/AP)
