Why some astronomers once feared NASA's James Webb Space Telescope would never launch NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is waiting at its launch site, after years of repeated delays and cost overruns. At one point, the giant new observatory was threatened with cancellation. Nell Greenfieldboyce
A brain circuit linking pain and breathing may offer a path to prevent opioid deaths Opioids can kill because they reduce breathing along with pain. Now brain scientists have made a discovery that could lead to potent pain drugs that don't affect breathing. Jon Hamilton
Why the most powerful space telescope ever needs to be kept really, really cold The James Webb Space Telescope will give a glimpse of the earliest galaxies formed after the Big Bang — but only if the telescope is kept frigid. That's why there's a tennis court-sized sunshield. Rebecca Ramirez
Extra learning time is helping these students catch up from COVID interruptions After school "learning hubs" are helping some high school students in North Carolina catch up on academic time lost due to COVID — and stay on track for graduation. Anya Kamenetz
Outgoing NIH director implores Fox News viewers to stay focused on the real 'enemy' The virus is the enemy, NIH Director Francis Collins said. "It's not the other people in the other political party." Omicron, which could soon become the dominant strain, is extremely infectious. Matthew S. Schwartz
Non-pro athletes may also be at increased risk for CTE, neuroscientist says NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with a man who is concerned about CTE, and with neuroscientist Bob Stern, who explains why more cases of CTE may emerge decades after plastic helmets became commonplace.
Scientist explains how a crumbling glacier could shrink coastlines globally NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with glaciologist Erin Pettit about her research on the Thwaites Glacier, a bellwether ice shelf that could fail in the next five years and accelerate global sea rise.
Studies into how pain and breathing are connected could lead to safer pain drugs Scientists may have learned why opioids depress breathing while relieving pain. The finding could lead to pain drugs that don't cause respiratory failure, the usual cause of death in opioid overdoses. Jon Hamilton
A millipede with 1,300 legs has been found in Australia. It's a new record by far Entomologists discovered a new species far underground. Despite millipede meaning "a thousand feet," it's the first to have more than 750. Scott Neuman
Amy Webb: A Glimpse Into The Future This hour, futurist Amy Webb guides us through innovations that give a glimpse into the future of transportation, wellness, tech, commerce, and travel ... and the impacts they'll have on our lives. Manoush Zomorodi
