Science Scientists have identified 50 million connections in a the brain of a fruit fly Scientists have mapped all 50 million connections in the brain of a fruit fly, the largest brain ever mapped. The feat will allow scientists to study how brain determines behavior in flies and people. Jon Hamilton
Science Fat Bear Week delayed after a large bear kills a rival bear The scene was relayed by a live webcam of bears on Alaska's Brooks River. “This is very difficult to watch and comprehend,” said Naomi Boak of the nonprofit Katmai Conservancy. Bill Chappell
Science A tiny town just got slammed by Helene. It could massively disrupt the tech industry Spruce Pine is a major global supplier of high-purity quartz. It’s an essential ingredient for microchips and solar panels. Geoff Brumfiel Scott Neuman Camila Domonoske
Science Why the most climate-resistant glaciers are hiding in plain sight In the American West, white glaciers and snow fields are outnumbered by long-overlooked “rock glaciers.” The rock covering these vast hunks of ice makes them far less affected by warming temperatures. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Science SpaceX launches ISS-bound crew that hopes to bring home 2 stuck astronauts Two astronauts were launched on a five-month mission that also hopes to rescue two NASA astronauts left behind on the ISS. The four are expected to return to Earth in February. Emma Bowman
Science Meet the astronauts preparing to travel farther from Earth than any human before This time next year, NASA plans to send its first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years. NPR visited the facility to find out how astronauts are preparing for this high stakes exploration. Scott Detrow Michael Levitt Ashley Brown
Environment California’s first plastic bag ban made things worse. Now it’s trying again California and other states -- and some cities -- have learned a lesson: Bans on plastic bags don’t always go as planned. In fact, California's original ban made things worse. Bill Chappell
Science The story of a scientist who tried to stand for the truth and avoid Covid politics A scientist tried to stand up for the truth during a pandemic when political rhetoric and conspiracies were clouding everyone’s world. Rund Abdelfatah Ramtin Arablouei
Environment California sues ExxonMobil for misleading public on plastic recycling California’s lawsuit alleges that ExxonMobil has known for decades that recycling would not effectively stem the flow of plastic waste. Alejandra Borunda Michael Copley
Science Octopuses and fish share leadership — and enforcement — in group hunting When octopuses and fish hunt in groups in the Red Sea, the leadership roles are more dynamic than researchers knew — as are some ways the animals enforce cooperation. Ari Daniel
