Science Slingshot spiders rely on good vibrations to catch supper The tiny ray spider uses launches its web to grab its prey out of the air. Though common practice in the superhero world, this ability is actually unusual in spiders. Ari Daniel
Science NASA delays Artemis II human moon mission once again as it wraps up heat shield investigation The mission to take four astronauts on a trip around the moon and back, previously targeting a launch at the end of 2025, has been delayed until at least April, 2026. Brendan Byrne
Politics Trump chooses billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman to run NASA Earlier this year, Isaacman became the first private citizen to conduct a spacewalk. But his longstanding ties with Elon Musk's company SpaceX raise possible conflicts of interest. Geoff Brumfiel
Science Longer careers in ice hockey are linked to a greater risk of CTE, a new study finds A new Boston University study of 77 deceased male ice hockey players found that their chances of developing the degenerative brain disease known as CTE increased with each year they played the sport. Becky Sullivan
Environment Negotiators fail to reach an agreement on a plastic pollution treaty. Talks to resume next year The negotiations in Busan, South Korea, were supposed to be the fifth and final round to produce the first legally binding treaty on plastics pollution, including in the oceans, by the end of 2024. The Associated Press
Environment A landmark climate change case will open at the top U.N. court The hearings come after years of lobbying by island nations who fear they could simply disappear under rising sea waters, The Associated Press
Science A study of dinosaur droppings shows how the dinosaurs came to rule the Earth Researchers have conducted what could be the largest study ever of dinosaur poop. The findings shed new light on how dinosaur's diets allowed them to dominate the planet. (This story first aired on Morning Edition on November 28, 2024.) Geoff Brumfiel
Science Opinion: The life and work of Seuk Kim, pilot and animal rescuer NPR's Scott Simon remembers Seuk Kim, a volunteer animal rescue pilot who died in a crash earlier this week, transporting several dogs. Scott Simon
Environment Reporter Journal: A sunrise trek through wild solitude in New York City New York City is home to more than eight million people but NPR's Brian Mann mapped out an urban hike through solitude and parkland wildness. Brian Mann
Environment O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, which is more sustainable: real or plasticky? It's time to discuss one of the perennial debates of the holiday season. Are real Christmas trees or their fake counterparts more eco-friendly? Alina Hartounian