Birds in the Amazon have been shrinking. Here's why scientists think it's happening Over the last four decades, birds in the Amazon have been shrinking — and scientists believe their smaller bodies may be a response to hotter, drier weather brought by climate change. Christopher Intagliata
Phillip Atiba Goff: How can communities reimagine their approach to public safety? Psychologist Phillip Atiba Goff analyzes data on how racial bias affects police behavior. He shares how communities can rethink their public safety systems, and ultimately better respond to crises. Manoush Zomorodi
Emily Oster: Why wasn't the US tracking the spread of COVID-19 in schools? In summer 2020, parents faced so many unknowns when it came to sending kids to school. Economist Emily Oster describes how she started collecting data nationwide to help parents decide for themselves. Sylvie Douglis
Priti Krishtel: How can we reform the outdated US patent system to lower drug prices? The U.S. patent system was designed to foster innovation and serve the public good. But it's no longer working as intended. Lawyer Priti Krishtel explains the consequences and how to change that. Manoush Zomorodi
When can kids take off their masks in school? Here's what some experts say With vaccines now available for children as young as 5, some school districts are easing up on their mask policies. Anya Kamenetz
In Jupiter's swirling Great Red Spot, NASA spacecraft finds hidden depths NASA's Juno spacecraft sweeps over Jupiter's Great Red Spot and makes 3D map of the giant storm. The findings could shed light on gas giant exoplanets in distant solar systems. Brendan Byrne
How did the enslaved workers of Pompeii live? A new discovery provides a rare glimpse Archaeologists working to uncover a wealthy villa on the outskirts of the ancient city have found a dormitory for workers, providing important insight into daily life. Kat Lonsdorf
Suicide rates fall again — but not for young adults and some people of color Despite lockdowns, historic job losses and COVID-19, new figures from the CDC show that death by suicide dropped for a second straight year in 2020. Becky Sullivan
Astronauts grew green chile on the space station and made themselves space tacos It's NASA's first time growing peppers in space. And after they were harvested, NASA astronauts got to sample the crop sprinkled on tacos at the International Space Station. Sharon Pruitt-Young
NASA is looking for a framework to better help you understand its deep space finds A scientific discovery about extraterrestrial life can provide new insight, but it can be misunderstood or exaggerated into something else when it reaches the public. NASA is hoping to change that. Joe Hernandez
