Science

After compulsively watching YouTube, teenage girl lands in rehab for 'digital addiction'

By Lesley McClurg, KQED Science

Digital addictions are not official mental disorders. But researchers see the same patterns in digital addictions as in other substance abuse.

Everything you need to know about the 'WannaCrypt' ransomware attack

By Andrew Wagner

While governments and corporations scramble to perform damage control for WannaCrypt ransomware, here’s what we know about the origins of this cyber attack, who might be to blame and what you can do to protect yourself.

This tiny island with no humans is getting buried in plastic trash

By Nsikan Akpan

Henderson Island, a remote locale in the South Pacific, is covered with 37.7 million pieces of plastic debris -- the highest density ever recorded in the world for a beach.

When Atlantic City floods, low-income neighborhoods are left underwater

By John Upton, Climate Central

New Jersey's working class have been left behind, as federal funds for Hurricane Sandy recovery and flooding problems have gone to wealthier neighbors.

Glaciers will disappear from mainland U.S. in our lifetime, scientists say

By Dayana Morales Gomez

Of the estimated 150 glaciers that existed when Glacier National Park was created in Montana back in 1910, only 26 remain.

Column: Why big data analysis of police activity is inherently biased

By William Isaac, Andi Dixon, The Conversation

New research argues predictive policing tools reinforce, rather than reimagine, existing police practices, which could lead to further targeting of communities or people of color.

Asthma patients breathe easier with new bluetooth inhalers

By Andrew Wagner

Thanks to advances in Bluetooth technology, smartphones have turned into the newest weapon in the fight against asthma.

Climate change-denying booklets are landing in the mailboxes of thousands of teachers

By Vic Pasquantonio

In March, 25,000 science teachers received unsolicited materials from a libertarian think tank that cast doubt on the role humans play in climate change. Here's what happened next.

Senate blocks move to repeal Obama-era rule on methane emissions

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

A Congressional Review Act measure to repeal the methane waste reduction rule failed on a vote of 51-to-49 in the Republican-led chamber.

Take a 360 degree stroll through a 'Trash Mountain'

By Mike Fritz

The Ghazipur landfill in New Delhi, India stretches across some 70 acres of land. The area has been dubbed "Trash Mountain" because it holds 10 million tons of garbage now piled higher than the city's skyline. Workers can earn about…