NPR Topics: Science

Whales are showing up in San Francisco Bay. New ship alerts could help protect them

Lauren Sommer — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The changing climate is driving whales into San Francisco Bay, where ship strikes have been deadly. A new camera system could help ships and ferries steer clear.

(Image credit: Darrin Allen)

Can birds outsing traffic? Some are trying

Adrian Florido — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:53:15 -0400

New research from scientists at the Centre for Ecological Research in Hungary finds that some birds living in cities are changing their songs to compete with traffic and other urban noise.

Look up! Venus and Jupiter are sharing a 'cosmic kiss'

Ayesha Rascoe — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 08:14:38 -0400

Jupiter and Venus will appear close together in the sky Monday and Tuesday in what astronomy calls a "conjunction."

It's one of the world's most isolated islands. Here come the bulldozers

Omkar Khandekar — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 07:51:18 -0400

The Indian government is spending $9 billion to create a megaport, airport and city on this remote island. Critics fear the impact on pristine forests and the lives of indigenous inhabitants.

(Image credit: Omkar Khandekar/NPR)

Bumblebees have tiny brains but they can solve problems like chimps and elephants

Ari Daniel — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

New research suggests the fuzzy insects may be capable of spontaneously solving problems the way animals with much larger brains do.

(Image credit: Mikko Törmänen/University of Oulu)

Immunologist Nicole Baumgarth explains why ticks are spreading to new regions

Eyder Peralta — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 07:41:04 -0400

NPR's Eyder Peralta speaks with immunologist Nicole Baumgarth about why ticks are spreading to new regions, and what this increase in ticks could mean for the spread of Lyme disease.

What teeth enamel tells us about ancient human diets

Nathan Rott — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:19:47 -0400

The enamel on our teeth is the hardest tissue on the human body. A new study looks at the nanoscale structure of enamel from teeth dating as far back as 18 million years ago to see how it's changed.

Scientists in 'autonomous laboratories' are starting to outsource work to robots

Katia Riddle — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Scientists are building autonomous robotic labs powered by artificial intelligence. The goal, they say, is for these robots to take over human researchers' most laborious, time-consuming tasks.

(Image credit: Jodi Hilton for NPR)

Scientists probe how pigeons use magnetism to navigate

Ari Daniel — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:13:04 -0400

Homing pigeons rely on a variety of signals to navigate, including magnetism. But it hasn't been clear how they detect magnetic cues. Researchers propose the answer may be found in the birds' livers.

A science powerhouse bets on genetic therapy to beat brain disorders

Jon Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:43:06 -0400

After spending two decades studying how the brain works, a team of scientists prepares to focus on gene therapy treatments for brain diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.