Welcome to the “Science: NPR” update from Hawaii Science Digest. Views expressed in this science and technology news summary are those of the reporters and correspondents. Content supplied by National Public Radio (NPR). Accessed on 06 June 2019, 1555 UTC.

Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/science

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Microplastics Have Invaded The Deep Ocean — And The Food Chain

Courtesy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute

THE SALT

Microplastics Have Invaded The Deep Ocean — And The Food Chain

Giant gyres of plastic in the ocean grab headlines, but it’s the tiny bits of plastic that scare scientists. And they’ve made their way everywhere, a new study finds — including in our seafood.

Bela Szandelszky/AP

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

You May Be Stressing Out Your Dog

VIDEO: FUTURE YOU, WITH ELISE HU

Higher, Better, Stronger, Faster — Brain Science Is Trying To Get There

PLAYLIST

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https://www.npr.org/player/embed/717486969/730208070″ />

House Committee Votes To Continue Ban On Genetically Modified Babies

Mark Schiefelbein/AP

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

House Committee Votes To Continue Ban On Genetically Modified Babies

June 4, 2019 • A congressional committee has upheld a prohibition against the Food and Drug Administration considering using gene-edited embryos to establish pregnancies.

LISTEN· 2:37PLAYLIST

Lynette Cook/Science Source

The ‘Great Dying’ Nearly Erased Life On Earth. Scientists See Similarities To Today

June 4, 2019 • It was the biggest extinction in Earth’s history. A new Smithsonian exhibit notes that some of the same things that killed over 90% of ocean species 250 million years ago are happening now.

LISTEN· 4:23PLAYLIST

Getting Fire From A Tree Without Burning The Wood

Sean Bagshaw/Science Source/Getty Images

JOE’S BIG IDEA

Getting Fire From A Tree Without Burning The Wood

June 4, 2019 • Cottonwood trees can harbor microorganisms that have a special (and flammable) characteristic.

People Like Us: How Our Identities Shape Health And Educational Success

Angela Hsieh

HIDDEN BRAIN

People Like Us: How Our Identities Shape Health And Educational Success

June 3, 2019 • Generations of Americans have struggled against segregation. Most of us believe in the ideal of a colorblind society. But what happens when that ideal come up against research that finds colorblindness sometimes leads to worse outcomes?

LISTEN· 35:28PLAYLIST

Astronomers Worry That Elon Musk's New Satellites Will Ruin The View

John Raoux/AP

SPACE

Astronomers Worry That Elon Musk’s New Satellites Will Ruin The View

June 3, 2019 • The billionaire wants to deploy thousands of satellites in order to provide global Internet, but astronomers say they could create unsightly glare.

LISTEN· 3:12PLAYLIST

2 Chinese Babies With Edited Genes May Face Higher Risk Of Premature Death

Anthony Kwan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

2 Chinese Babies With Edited Genes May Face Higher Risk Of Premature Death

June 3, 2019 • Analysis of DNA from more than 400,000 people in the U.K. suggests a genetic modification that protects against HIV may actually increase the overall risk of premature death.

LISTEN· 3:52PLAYLIST

Why Octopuses Might Be The Next Lab Rats

Courtesy of Michael LaBarbera

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

Why Octopuses Might Be The Next Lab Rats

June 3, 2019 • Move over, fruit flies, rats and zebrafish. Squid and octopuses have elaborate brains and behaviors, and scientists say studying them in the laboratory could yield important biological insights.

LISTEN· 4:57PLAYLIST

'Underland' Connects Us To Dazzling Worlds Beneath Our Feet

W.W.Norton & Co.

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‘Underland’ Connects Us To Dazzling Worlds Beneath Our Feet

June 3, 2019 • The beauty of Robert Macfarlane’s writing, and of the natural world it describes, is immense. His words also act as a warning, ensuring a recognition of human harms to the environment.

As CBD Oils Become More Popular, The FDA Considers Whether To Set New Rules

Getty Images

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

As CBD Oils Become More Popular, The FDA Considers Whether To Set New Rules

May 31, 2019 • The marijuana and hemp extract has been touted as a way to ease anxiety and inflammation, despite limited science. Now, the FDA is holding its first public hearing on cannabidiol.

Nathan Rott/NPR

‘It’s Never Done This’: Arkansas River Keeps Flooding, Testing Levees And Patience

May 31, 2019 • The Arkansas River is rising well above its previous record, and it’s forecast to stay that way for days. That’s putting pressure on old levees and making it hard for some residents to evacuate.

Scientists Genetically Modify Fungus To Kill Mosquitoes That Spread Malaria

Courtesy of Brian Lovett

GOATS AND SODA

Scientists Genetically Modify Fungus To Kill Mosquitoes That Spread Malaria

May 30, 2019 • The modified fungus produces spider toxin that rapidly kills mosquitoes, raising hopes for a new weapon to fight a disease that sickens millions. But not everyone is convinced.

LISTEN· 3:39PLAYLIST

Safe Or Scary? The Shifting Reputation Of Glyphosate, AKA Roundup

Dan Charles/NPR

THE SALT

Safe Or Scary? The Shifting Reputation Of Glyphosate, AKA Roundup

May 30, 2019 • The world’s most widely used weed killer was once seen as one of the safest pesticides. Now it is blamed for causing cancer. Yet the scientific evidence remains disputed.

LISTEN· 6:25PLAYLIST

In Yemen Conflict, Some See A New Age Of Drone Warfare

Iranian Army via AP

WORLD

In Yemen Conflict, Some See A New Age Of Drone Warfare

May 29, 2019 • Iran has been developing drones for both itself and its proxies. In recent months those drones have been used for targeted assassinations, military strikes and to sow chaos in the region.

LISTEN· 3:57PLAYLIST

Is 'Gaming Disorder' An Illness? WHO Says Yes, Adding It To Its List Of Diseases

Mustafa Hacalaki/Getty Images

EDUCATION

Is ‘Gaming Disorder’ An Illness? WHO Says Yes, Adding It To Its List Of Diseases

May 28, 2019 • For the first time, the World Health Organization will list “gaming disorder” as a behavioral addiction, a controversial move for some.

More Divided Than Ever? Excavating the Roots Of Our Political Landscape

Roy Scott/Getty Images/Ikon Images

HIDDEN BRAIN

More Divided Than Ever? Excavating the Roots Of Our Political Landscape

May 27, 2019 • Many of us intuitively feel that the bitter partisanship of American politics is bad for our nation. So should we be concerned about the health of our democracy? This week on Hidden Brain, we revisit two of our favorite conversations about U.S. politics. We start by talking with political scientist John Hibbing about the psychological differences between liberals and conservatives. Then, we explore the role of conflict in democracy with historian David Moss.

LISTEN· 52:53PLAYLIST

Neil Webb/Getty Images/Ikon Images

Study Shows Freezing Office Temperatures Affect Women’s Productivity

May 26, 2019 • Do you often hear your colleagues complain that the office is too cold or that they have to bundle up? A new study shows that women are more productive when their surrounding temperatures are higher.

LISTEN· 2:03PLAYLIST

Why Corned Beef Sandwiches — And The Rest Of The Universe — Exist

Erik Rank/Getty Images

JOE’S BIG IDEA

Why Corned Beef Sandwiches — And The Rest Of The Universe — Exist

May 25, 2019 • Somehow, at the beginning of time, there was an imbalance of matter and antimatter. That’s how all the stuff in the universe came about. Scientists think they may find an answer by studying neutrons.

LISTEN· 4:27PLAYLIST

At $2.1 Million, New Gene Therapy Is The Most Expensive Drug Ever

Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images

SHOTS – HEALTH NEWS

At $2.1 Million, New Gene Therapy Is The Most Expensive Drug Ever

May 24, 2019 • The Food and Drug Administration approved a new gene therapy for a rare but devastating genetic disorder. The drugmaker says the cost is worth it because it’s a one-time treatment that saves lives.

LISTEN· 4:19PLAYLIST

NOAA via Getty Images

The 2019 Hurricane Season Will Be ‘Near Normal.’ But Normal Can Still Be Devastating

May 23, 2019 • NOAA forecasts that two to four major hurricanes will form this year in the Atlantic. But even an average year can cause record-breaking damage, as storms get bigger and wetter.

LISTEN· 2:12PLAYLIST

For the latest trends in science, technology, medicine, environment, cyber security, and artificial intelligence (AI), please visit this blog daily. Thanks for joining us today.

Until next time.

Russ Roberts

https://atomic-temporary-155977078.wpcomstaging.com

https://hawaiidigest.science.blog (backup/alternate website)

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