The World from PRX

Ira Flatow

A close-up view of a male blue orchard bee, also known as Osmia lignaria. This type of bee, which is native to North America, is known to be one of the world's best pollinators.
Science
Book creates buzz about native bees of North America
Bats have a specialized thin skin that allows their wings to change when a muscle is activated with every beat cycle of the wings.
Science
Researchers explore the fascinating biomechanics and neuroscience of bats
Before the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, five states had "red flag" statutes called gun violence restraining orders. Recently, Florida became the six state to add the statute.
Culture
Researchers still struggle to get funding to study gun violence
Since the inception of commercial air travel, the insides of airplane cabins have been associated with a higher likelihood of catching a cold or other spreadable disease. New research has sought out to see if scientific facts back up those sentiments.
Health
Study examines how diseases really spread during air travel
Recent released information about Russians hacking into American power systems has raised several concerns about the overall security of the U.S. energy grid as a whole.
Conflict
Can the US protect its power grid from hackers?
Books
New book sheds light on overlooked women pioneers who paved the way for today’s internet
Those who have the neurological condition synesthesia often automatically see colors when they hear music or see numbers or letters.
Music
Study begins to reveal genetic ties behind a neurological phenomenon
The Tiangong-1 space station passes over the moon in this photo taken in September 2013. The station is scheduled to make a crash landing in Europe within the next few weeks.
Technology
Chinese space station likely to land in Europe in a few weeks
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, ISS Expedition 22 crew members take a moment for photographs following a fit check of their Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft at the launch site’s integration facility in December 2009.
Technology
As the private space industry emerges, what’s next for the International Space Station?
At the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, ISS Expedition 22 crew members take a moment for photographs following a fit check of their Soyuz TMA-17 spacecraft at the launch site’s integration facility in December 2009.
Technology
With private space competition on full boil, the ISS looks to find its place in next chapter of space habitation
In 1908, New Zealand Parliament passed the Prevention of Quackery Act to defend against claims such as the one featured in this leaflet: "bile beans" that claimed to cure a vareity of ailments, including indigestion, headaches, pimples and sleeplessness.
Books
New book looks at medical cures now considered ‘quackery’
The Shard stands 95 stories tall in the heart of London on the banks of the River Thames.
Culture
New book explains the secrets behind famous skyscrapers, other structures
Flamingos have enjoyed a resurgence in Florida over the last 50 years. Notice that the young flamingo in the middle is gray and not the iconic pink. Flamingos gain their pinkish color over time through their diet — mainly shrimp.
Science
New study sheds light on the debate over the origins of flamingos in Florida
New artificial-intelligence-enabled algorithms have allowed video editors a whole new array of tools to make fake videos even more believable.
Culture
AI-based fake videos pose the latest threat to what we perceive as reality — and possibly our democracy
Bitcoins, represented here with with actual coins, are a type of digital currency that have spearhead a new nefarious activity known as "cryptojacking."
Technology
Hackers find the processing power they need for mining for cryptocurrencies through ‘cryptojacking’
A particular type of UV light, shown here with a scintillator composed of plastics, could revolutionize the practices of flu prevention.
Health
A cure for the flu? It could be as simple as sitting under a lamp.
A biting midge pollinates a cacao flower on the Goodman Cacao Estate in Killaloe, Australia.
Food
Giant chocolate industry depends on tiny insects for survival
This image is from a video made in 2011 that compiled visualizations of the Antarctic ozone hole. Recent findings have shown that the hole is filling up — while other parts of ozone remain on the decline.
Science
The ozone hole over the Antarctic is beginning to fill up. Here’s the bad news.
For years, Shanghai has featured some of China's worst air pollution. Recent initiatives by the Chinese government, though, have begun to clean up some of the problem.
Economics
With the US pursuing fossil fuels, alternative, renewable forms of energy could be an even bigger boon to China
Activity using Strava's tracking technologies such as the one above has helped the company produce a heat map of the world using one billion total activities.
Technology
Recent discovery on Strava heat map points out the ease of leaking data through social media platforms
In a recent study, researchers found that naked mole rats appear to defy the traditional laws of aging.
Health
Looking for the fountain of youth? Try looking in the tunnels inhabited by naked mole rats
A drummer performs during a celebration of Sahrul, a festival of flowers, in Ranchi, India. Recently, the findings were released from a study that played snippets of songs from 86 small remote societies to online listeners in 60 countries to see if shares
Arts
New findings explore the universality of music, features that are recognizable across cultures
There may be thousands of kinds of jellyfish that have yet to be discovered, even though thousands have already been identified.
Books
New book sheds light on the amazing capabilities of jellyfish, addresses myths and misperceptions
The percentage of parents who refuse to give any vaccines to their children remain at one to two percent of the general public. There is a much larger group of people who have doubts and concerns over certain vaccinations, experts say.
Health
Despite dozens of recent flu deaths among US children, vaccination skeptics remain — and their numbers have grown
Since the inception of predictive algorithm software in U.S courtrooms, more than a million Americans have been analyzed using the technology.
Justice
Growing trend of using predictive algorithms in courtrooms and human services offices raises concerns over their current lack of transparency
According to a report from the CDC in 2014, one third of Americans do not get the recommended seven hours of sleep.
Lifestyle
Devices to aid sleep flood the market in spite of lack of scientific evidence of improved health, better sleeping habits
A soft robotic system that gently tugged on the esophagus of a pig proved to elongate the organ by 10 millimeters.
Health
New mechanical cell-manipulation technique could provide pathways into fixing disorders — even cancer
A view of tundra landscape in the Rocky Mountains — 11,000 feet from sea level.
Science
In the dead of winter, plants are already starting to prepare for spring — underground
Technology
Blue salt crystals on meteorites stoke conversation about extraterrestrial life
When it comes to protecting your cyber identity, two tips that cybersecurity experts offer are to use a password manager and two-factor authentication (when possible).
Technology
In the midst of complex hacking operations, here are simple tips to improve your cybersecurity
Microsoft recently announced a commitment of $50 million and five years to its "AI for Earth" program.
Technology
Artificial intelligence could play a pivotal role in managing and protecting planet’s natural resources
The generation of a ball of mouse skin through stem cell work has created excitement among the the scientific community about possible new insight in skin formation — especially on humans.
Health
A ball of mouse skin could lead to new insight in human skin generation
Although there are several drinks based on bourbon, many enthusiasts prefer the alcohol straight in a glass on the rocks.
Food
Master distiller provides insight into the ‘Old Fashioned’ science of making bourbon
On Dec. 19, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a plan for the state’s common retirement fund to completely decarbonize its entire portfolio.
Economics
Big money is backing out of fossil fuel industry, moving into greener alternatives
Most Americans are never too far away from their cell phones. To date there have been no evidence of harmful radiation effects from the collective scientific community in spite of a recent report from California.
Lifestyle
A California public health report suggests that cellphone exposure is bad for us — but the scientific community isn’t so sure
Mona Lisa
Arts
Biographer Walter Isaacson, on Leonardo da Vinci’s art and science
CA wildfire
Health
After wildfires, health risks linger
baby
Development
The science behind ‘baby talk’
Moon
Technology
The Trump administration wants to put Americans back on the moon
British primatologist Jane Goodall
Science
Dr. Jane Goodall on her work with chimpanzees, and the new documentary ‘JANE’
Wild horses.
Environment
The trouble with managing America’s wild horses
A modern human skull (left) and a Neanderthal skull (right) at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.
Science
Neanderthals went extinct, but many of us still carry around fragments of their DNA
minke whale
Science
In New York, a whale of a comeback story
Ivy Mike
Conflict
What you need to know about modern nuclear war
boredom
Health
In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time
Girl reading a book under a tree
Books
The best science fiction books for your summer reading list
Silicon sphere
Science
A kilogram just isn’t what it used to be — and it might never be again
ApplePay
Technology
Your total is $57.67 — will that be cash, credit or phone?
A newly discovered soil bacterium, Eleftheria terrae, is able to make teixobactin, a new antibiotic that can kill a range of disease-causing bacteria.
Medicine
Scientists discover a potent new antibiotic
Science News: Black and White and Grey Allo Over