The first full moon of 2025 is here This moon phase is nicknamed the Wolf Moon, which is rooted in Native American culture. Ayana Archie
Science journalist Shayla Love discusses whether insects feel pain A Martinez speaks with science journalist Shayla Love about her article for the New Yorker titled "Do Insects Feel Pain?" A Martínez
Kangaroo species went extinct in the Pleistocene. Research hops in with a possible explanation. In a mass extinction event some 40,000 years ago, Australia lost 90% of its large species, including nearly two dozen kinds of kangaroos. Two theories suggest why. Ari Daniel
How one U.S. conservationist's work is helping to preserve Chile's wilderness Chile is set to gain its 47th national park early this year — largely due to the efforts of U.S. conservationist Kristine Tompkins and her organization. John Bartlett
People are rushing to install solar panels before Trump becomes President Potential rooftop solar customers and installers worry the incoming Trump administration might try to eliminate a 30% federal tax credit. Some customers plan to install sooner because of that and solar companies are changing their business plans. Jeff Brady
New photos show the volcanic plains of Mercury after a spacecraft fly-by The BepiColombo spacecraft flew less than 200 miles from Mercury's surface and photographed volcanic plains and icy craters. Manuela López Restrepo
How did climate change impact ancient kangaroos in Australia? In a mass extinction event some 40,000 years ago, Australia lost 90% of its large species, including nearly two dozen kinds of kangaroos.
2024 was the hottest year on record. The reason remains a science mystery The official numbers are in: 2024 is the hottest year on record. Climate change is the main culprit. But there might be something else going on, too. Alejandra Borunda
What is the flame retardant that planes are dropping on the LA fires? As fire crews and air tankers work to block the wildfires' explosive growth, images of red clouds of fire retardant falling onto trees are common. What is it — and what's in it? Bill Chappell
This week in science: hula hoop science, vaccine longevity and 2025 space missions NPR's Juana Summers talks with Jessica Yung and Emily Kwong of Short Wave about the physics of hula hooping, why some vaccines last longer than others, and a few moon launches to watch for in 2025. Emily Kwong
