May 19 NASA picks Bezos’ Blue Origin to build lunar landers for moonwalkers By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press Blue Origin received a $3.4 billion contract Friday to develop a lunar lander. It will be used to transport astronauts to the lunar surface as early as 2029, following a pair of crew landings by Elon Musk's SpaceX. Continue reading
May 19 Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano threatens 22 million people as it rumbles awake By María Verza, Associated Press Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano rumbled to life again this week, spewing out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions. Continue reading
May 18 RSV vaccine for pregnant women protects their newborns but is it ready for sale? By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press Pfizer's research shows a late-pregnancy shot is 82 percent effective at preventing severe RSV in the infants' first months of life. While FDA scientists say it appears safe, they have some questions about premature birth. Continue reading
May 17 EPA rule would force clean-up of toxic waste dumped near coal power plants By Matthew Daly, Associated Press EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the plan would hold polluters accountable for controlling and cleaning up coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal that can pollute groundwater, drinking water and air and has been linked to cancer and other health… Continue reading
May 17 Mifepristone case moves to federal appeals court with history of supporting abortion restrictions By Kevin McGill, Associated Press A federal appeals court in New Orleans hears arguments Wednesday on whether a drug used in the most common method of abortion was properly approved by a government agency more than two decades ago. Continue reading
May 16 How the American Dream convinced people loneliness is normal By Ted Anthony, Associated Press American lore is full of tales of the lone cowboy, the rugged individualist who will do what needs to be done and ride off into the sunset. In reality, loneliness in America can be deadly. Continue reading
May 16 Watch 10:55 Why artificial intelligence developers say regulation is needed to keep AI in check By William Brangham, Courtney Norris, Jonah Anderson Artificial intelligence was a focus on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Many believe AI could revolutionize, and perhaps upend, considerable aspects of our lives. At a Senate hearing, some said AI could be as momentous as the industrial revolution and others warned… Continue watching
May 16 Watch 2:36 Why the northern lights are being seen further south By John Yang, Miles O'Brien Parts of the United States have recently been getting glimpses of the northern lights. John Yang and science correspondent Miles O'Brien discussed why this spectacle in the skies is now being seen further south. Continue watching
May 16 How is climate change affecting farming? Send us your questions By Dan Cooney PBS NewsHour is hosting a live discussion called “Tipping Point: Agriculture on the Brink.” We want to hear from you as part of the event. Continue reading
May 15 Watch 7:21 American Museum of Natural History opens stunning new expansion By Jeffrey Brown, Anne Azzi Davenport, Alison Thoet At a time when the public teaching of science is again being fought over, the largest museum of natural history in the U.S. just extended its reach. Jeffrey Brown got a look inside the American Museum of Natural History's stunning… Continue watching