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Science

Race To Immunize Tightens As Cases Rise; Promising Vaccine News Released

Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is shown to be extremely effective in young teenagers. Esteban Felix/AP hide caption

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Esteban Felix/AP

Consider This from NPR

Race To Immunize Tightens As Cases Rise; Promising Vaccine News Released

Scientists are growing concerned the U.S. may be headed for a fourth wave. COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly, mirroring an increase in many countries around the world.

Race To Immunize Tightens As Cases Rise; Promising Vaccine News Released

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Bonobos Offer Clues To Why Humans Evolved To Value Niceness

Humans evolved to be nice — at least sometimes. The trait has helped us succeed as a species. But how did it happen? A look at some peace-loving apes in Democratic Republic of the Congo offers clues.

Bonobos Offer Clues To Why Humans Evolved To Value Niceness

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In Hotter Climate, 'Zombie' Urchins Are Winning And Kelp Forests Are Losing

Purple sea urchins have boomed off Northern California, destroying kelp forests that provide a crucial ecosystem. Steve Lonhart/NOAA MBNMS hide caption

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Steve Lonhart/NOAA MBNMS

In Hotter Climate, 'Zombie' Urchins Are Winning And Kelp Forests Are Losing

Kelp forests along Northern California have almost vanished. Divers and scientists are racing to stop purple sea urchins from taking over critical habitat.

In Hotter Climate, 'Zombie' Urchins Are Winning And Kelp Forests Are Losing

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Fulgurite: What A Lightning-Formed Rock May Have Contributed To Life On Earth

Lightning strikes on August 5, 2005 southwest of Barstow, California David McNew/Getty Images hide caption

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David McNew/Getty Images

Short Wave

Fulgurite: What A Lightning-Formed Rock May Have Contributed To Life On Earth

When lightning strikes the ground, it can leave behind a root-like rock called a fulgurite. Host Maddie Sofia talks with NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfieldboyce about what lightning and its funky rock creation can reveal about the origins of life.

Fulgurite: What A Lightning-Formed Rock May Have Contributed To Life On Earth

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What We Can Learn From Microscopic Life In Antarctica

Aerial view of AJAX Glacier and O'Connor rock in the area near Comandante Ferraz Station, in King George Island, Antarctica. Alessandro Dahan/Getty Images hide caption

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Alessandro Dahan/Getty Images

Short Wave

What We Can Learn From Microscopic Life In Antarctica

Our colleagues at the TED Radio Hour introduce us to wildlife filmmaker Ariel Waldman. She says the coldest continent is brimming with invisible life that can only be seen through microscopes, including tardigrades (one of Maddie's favorite critters).

What We Can Learn From Microscopic Life In Antarctica

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Scientists Get Closer To Redefining The Length Of A Second

Scientists have made new more accurate comparisons between types of atomic clocks. Jun Ye hide caption

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Jun Ye

Scientists Get Closer To Redefining The Length Of A Second

A group of scientists from Boulder, Colo., compared three different atomic clocks. It's a step toward redefining the length of a second.

Scientists Get Closer To Redefining The Length Of A Second

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Researchers Are One Step Closer To Redefining The Second

Researchers with the Boulder Atomic Clock Optical Network Collaboration are one step closer to replacing the current atomic clock and officially redefining the second.

Researchers Are One Step Closer To Redefining The Second

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Animals

Naturalist Traces The 'Astounding' Flyways Of Migratory Birds

Fresh Air

Scott Weidensaul has spent decades studying bird migration. "There is a tremendous solace in watching these natural rhythms play out again and again," he says. His new book is A World On the Wing.

Naturalist Traces The 'Astounding' Flyways Of Migratory Birds

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Is The Future Quantum?

Google is one of the companies investing in building quantum computers. Google hide caption

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Google

Short Wave

Is The Future Quantum?

NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel takes us to IonQ, one of the companies betting on a quantum computing future. Along the way, Geoff explains what little researchers know about how we might actually use this technology. There are hints though quantum computing could change everything from discovering new drugs to developing advanced materials.

Is The Future Quantum?

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A Cultural Triumph: Microbiology Student Makes A Petri Dish Masterpiece

Microbial Peacock by Balaram Khamari Balaram Khamari hide caption

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Balaram Khamari

Art & Design

A Cultural Triumph: Microbiology Student Makes A Petri Dish Masterpiece

Balaram Khamari has been spending a lot of time in his lab in Puttaparthi, India, culturing colorful bacteria and artfully arranging it on a jelly like substance called agar.

A Cultural Triumph: Microbiology Student Makes A Petri Dish Masterpiece

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Asteroid Apophis Not A Risk To Earth For At Least 100 Years, NASA Says

NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab shows the orbital trajectory of the asteroid Apophis as it will pass by Earth in 2029. This week the space agency announced that the asteroid poses no risk of impact to Earth within the next century. Screenshot by NPR/JPLraw via YouTube hide caption

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Screenshot by NPR/JPLraw via YouTube

Space

Asteroid Apophis Not A Risk To Earth For At Least 100 Years, NASA Says

The asteroid Apophis was taken off of NASA's "risk list" after the space agency determined earlier this month that it poses no risk of impact to Earth within the next century.

Indonesian 'Mountain Of Fire' Erupts Again

Lava flows down from the crater of Mount Merapi, Indonesia's most active volcano, as seen from Tunggul Arum in the city of Turi near Yogyakarta early Saturday. Agung Supriyanto/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Agung Supriyanto/AFP via Getty Images

Asia

Indonesian 'Mountain Of Fire' Erupts Again

Mount Merapi on the Indonesian island of Java has been erupting regularly and is considered a highly active volcano. No injuries were reported after Saturday's eruptions, but officials advise caution.

Health

Vaccinated College Students Will Help Answer Critical Question About COVID Spread

Scientists have launched a study of college students to find out whether people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 can still spread the virus. That's a big unanswered question about the vaccine.

Vaccinated College Students Will Help Answer Critical Question About COVID Spread

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