Scientists can't agree on why some autumn leaves go red Leaves often turn brilliant colors in autumn. One of those colors has generated a lot of heated debate among scientists in recent years. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Too many rats? Birth control is one city's answer Rats aren't just a nuisance. They can carry diseases and are a leading causes of property damage. One community in Massachusetts is trying a novel approach to rat reduction: Birth control. Ari Daniel
How a great-grandmother helped researchers unravel a dinosaur mummy mystery A paleontologist was trying to locate the site of a famous 1908 discovery when a rancher in Wyoming shared an important clue. Bill Chappell
Why an interstellar comet has scientists excited The comet could be older than our solar system. The comet is also distinct because nickel vapor was detected in the gas surrounding it. Jaclyn Diaz
This week's Short Wave news roundup Regina Barber and Emily Kwong of Short Wave talk about spider web architecture, storytelling and memory, and why more TV pixels may not translate to a better viewing experience. Ailsa Chang
Scientists thought this fossil was a teen T. rex. Turns out it's a new tyrannosaur A new look at the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil reveals that Tyrannosaurus rex was not the only tyrannosaur roaming the land. Ari Daniel
An Alzheimer's pill appears to protect some in a high-risk population A new study is reviving hope that a twice-daily pill can slow down Alzheimer's in people whose genes put them at high risk for the disease. Jon Hamilton
A spider scientist makes the case for why we should love arachnids NPR's Ailsa Chang goes on a nighttime hike in search of spiders, with Lisa Gonzalez of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Ailsa Chang
Sheep, soldiers, and grains: Studying the physics of crowds In Pamplona, where the bulls run, a scientist studies the physics of crowds. Ari Daniel
California euthanizes 4 gray wolves after 'unprecedented' surge in livestock kills California wildlife officials have been working to mitigate the impact of the state's rebounding wolf population on its ranchers. The Northern California wolves that were euthanized had become dependent on cattle for food. Nathan Rott