Authoritative insight & opinion on technology, science, aviation, space and the environment.
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How scientists are trying to predict wildfire movement
It’s been six months since the most deadly and destructive wildfire in California history, the Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and burned 19,000 structures in November 2018. But even at the peak of the inferno, some scientists moved toward it, in an attempt to understand more about the intensity and spread of the flames.…
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How NASA is preparing to launch another mission to the moon
The Trump administration wants NASA to get back to the moon by 2024, using any means necessary. But will the money and the commitment be there to support the effort? PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien talks to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine about technical and political risk, international competition and his broader vision for the…
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As planet warms, scientists explore ‘far out’ ways to reduce atmospheric CO2
The U.S. government estimates that the consequences of climate change are already costing the country hundreds of billions of dollars. But even if we stopped using fossil fuels immediately, the globe would continue to warm due to an existing buildup of carbon dioxide. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on how some scientists are…
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The stunning truth about asbestos use in the U.S.
Asbestos is no longer ubiquitous in building materials, and since it’s proven to cause cancer, many Americans likely assumed the substance had been banned entirely. But not only is asbestos a naturally occurring mineral, it is also still used to make some household products. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien reports on “broken” U.S. regulation…
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How cutting-edge engineering borrows nature’s innovations
In the never-ending hunt for new designs that jump, pump, or run faster and better, scientists are finding inspiration in nature. The field of biomimicry blurs boundaries between living things — like the butterfly’s proboscis or the flea’s powerful legs — and the inanimate to spur new problem-solving technologies. PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien…
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Science of 2018, most distant solar system object, declining antibiotic use in livestock: science roundup
Traffic was light this morning, tumbleweeds are rolling through the hallways of WGBH, and there was no line to get a Santa Fe chicken wrap in the station café. Yes, it appears the winter holiday has already begun, but we are still hard at work here. Today, we’re focused on our upcoming NOVA entitled “Inside…
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Want to learn about junk news? Here’s all our award-winning reporting.
UPDATE 6/13/19: This series won a 2019 Mirror Award for Best Story on Social Media in the Crosshairs, tied with a BuzzFeed News series focusing on the same topic. After the 2016 U.S. presidential election, it became clear to a lot of people, including me, that the issue of fake news on the internet merited…
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Genetics, climate change and space highlight the year in science
The year has been a major one for scientific milestones and research. As it comes to a close, PBS NewsHour takes a look back at some of the biggest science stories, for our weekly series the Leading Edge. Miles O’Brien and William Brangham discuss developments in the genetic engineering of humans, the realization of climate…
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The challenge of robots and artificial intelligence, a retrospective – with AI pioneer Marvin Minsky
Help us improve this podcast: take our short survey. Marvin Minsky is often regarded as the father of modern AI, but when Miles visited him in 2010, Minsky wasn’t a proud father. In fact, Minsky was disappointed with the lack of progress in the field and had reservations about its future. Unfortunately, Minsky is no…
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Climate denial at COP24, water found on Bennu, Virgin Galactic reaches space: science roundup
From climate denial at COP24 meeting to water found on asteroid Bennu, here’s the best science news of the week.
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