What's at the core of new apple creation at Washington State University? Soundside host Diana Opong sits down with WSU horticulturalist and fruit breeder Kate Evans to talk about the science behind creating the new WA64 apple. Diana Opong
Oncologists' meetings with drug reps don't help cancer patients live longer Drug company reps commonly visit doctors to talk about new medications. A team of economists wanted to know if that helps patients live longer. They found that for cancer patients, the answer is no. Sydney Lupkin
How two good friends became sworn siblings — with the revival of an ancient ritual Thousands of years ago, there was a ceremony to bind close friends together as sworn siblings. Could the practice be resurrected today to strengthen modern friendships? Two women did just that. Rhaina Cohen
The Lyrids meteor shower is peaking. Here's how to enjoy it with a bright moon The Lyrids meteor shower is active until April 29 and is peaking overnight from Sunday into Monday. To see it, it's best to find an area with trees or a mountain blocking out the moon. Huo Jingnan
A robot dog is training on Earth to be able to go to space one day NPR's Scott Simon speaks with scientists Feifei Qian and Ryan Ewing of the LASSIE Project. It is training a robot dog to navigate different types of terrain in preparation for future space missions. Scott Simon
Which scientists get mentioned in the news? Mostly ones with Anglo names, says study A new study finds that in news stories about scientific research, U.S. media were less likely to mention a scientist if they had an East Asian or African name, as compared to one with an Anglo name. Hao Peng
This week in science: Pompeiian frescoes, dark energy and the largest marine reptile NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Emily Kwong and Rachel Carlson of Short Wave about newly unearthed Pompeiian frescoes, how dark energy may be changing, and the largest known marine reptile. Rachel Carlson
Lethal heat in West Africa is driven by human-caused climate change The recent deadly heat in West Africa is driven by human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, particularly in the wealthy Northern Hemisphere, according to an international report. Emmanuel Akinwotu
Wildfire smoke contributes to thousands of deaths each year in the U.S. Two new studies show the unseen toll smoke is taking on people across the country. Climate change is likely to make the problem even bigger. Alejandra Borunda
Finally! Tough new safety rules on silica dust are out to protect miners' lungs Addressing a problem first identified 50 years ago, federal regulators say stricter new rules to limit miners' exposure to silica dust are expected to finally go on the books on Tuesday. Justin Hicks
