Science Wild elephants may have names that other elephants use to call them Forget names like "Dumbo"—wild elephants appear to have their own unique names that other elephants use while talking to them in low rumbles. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Environment Climate change is deadly. Exactly how deadly? Depends who's counting Multiple federal and state government agencies count the number of deaths from extreme floods, wildfires, heat waves and hurricanes. They don't always agree on which deaths should be counted. Rebecca Hersher Alejandra Borunda
Environment Creating a throw-away culture: How companies ingrained plastics in modern life Plastic has become embedded in everyday life. That’s because for the last 70 years, the plastics industry convinced consumers to embrace the material for its low cost and disposability. Michael Copley
Science The week in space: Two lessons for NASA and their private space partners Scott Detrow Geoff Brumfiel
Science Crows can count vocally like toddlers, research shows Crows can count... out loud! They do so similarly to human toddlers who are learning to tally things up. A neuroscientist trained birds to produce a number of calls in response to random visual cues. Ari Daniel
Science A fungus is turning cicadas into horny zombies — but don’t panic The fungus takes over cicadas’ lower halves and sex drives, fueling them to keep mating and spreading the disease in the process. That's why some scientists call them “flying salt shakers of death.” Rachel Treisman
Environment A heat dome can bring dangerously high temperatures. What is it? Much of the Southwest U.S. is experiencing extreme heat this week — with temperatures blazing past 100 degrees. And a phenomenon known as a heat dome is to blame. Bill Chappell
Environment The arguments for swapping lawns for more natural landscaping It’s lawnmower season but some homeowners and others say it’s time to shift from well-trimmed lawns to more environmentally friendly landscaping. Teresa Homsi
Science Hubble will change how it points, but NASA says 'great science' will continue NASA is shifting the way the Hubble Space Telescope points. The change is a work-around for a piece of hardware that's become intolerably glitchy. Officials say Hubble will continue to do 'ground breaking science,' for about another decade. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Science ADHD diagnoses are rising. 1 in 9 U.S. kids have gotten one, new study finds ADHD is an ongoing and expanding public health concern, according to researchers studying the disorder. One million more U.S. children were diagnosed in 2022 compared to 2016, a new study shows. Maria Godoy