Science This week in science: fish healing hearing, loneliness cures, and Conan the Bacterium NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Emily Kwong and Jessica Yung about hearing regeneration in fish and lizards, cures for the loneliness epidemic, and the secrets of a radiation-resistant microorganism. Emily Kwong Jessica Yung
Science The Geminids meteor shower peaks this week. Here's what to expect The Geminids are one of the best and most visible annual meteor showers, when at least 120 meteors can usually be seen per hour. But 2024 will be different, thanks to the year's final full moon. Chandelis Duster
Science These neurons in the abdomen help form the gut-brain connection Scientists have identified two types of brain cells in the abdomen that appear to control different aspects of digestion. Jon Hamilton
Science Orcas are hunting whale sharks. Is there anything they can't take down? Killer whales off Mexico have developed coordinated hunting skills to take down whale sharks, adding to their reputation as the ocean's top predator. Lauren Sommer
Environment Monarch butterflies will get federal protections as a threatened species U.S. officials decided to extend protections to monarch butterflies after warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive climate change. The Associated Press
Environment Arctic tundra now emits planet-warming pollution, federal report finds Arctic tundra is releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere as hotter temperatures melt frozen ground and wildfires increase. Barbara Moran
Science A wolf walks into a flower — and appears to pollinate it The bees and ... the wolves? Turns out, the Ethiopian wolf may be a pollinator, too. Ari Daniel
Science How many species could go extinct from climate change? It depends on how hot it gets. A new study projects biodiversity threats if global warming speeds up. Under the most extreme scenarios, about one in three species could be facing extinction by the end of the century. Jonathan Lambert
Environment Young people are dying of heat and their risks could grow, study finds Scientists have pointed out that extreme heat is particularly dangerous for older people. A new study shows that young, healthy people are also dying too often in extreme weather. Alejandra Borunda
Science She's 74 — and expecting: Wisdom the albatross astounds once again It started in the Eisenhower era: Every year, Wisdom, a Layan albatross, has returned to her nesting grounds on the Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. Bill Chappell
