A spider scientist makes the case for why we should love arachnids NPR's Ailsa Chang goes on a nighttime hike in search of spiders, with Lisa Gonzalez of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Ailsa Chang
Sheep, soldiers, and grains: Studying the physics of crowds In Pamplona, where the bulls run, a scientist studies the physics of crowds. Ari Daniel
California euthanizes 4 gray wolves after 'unprecedented' surge in livestock kills California wildlife officials have been working to mitigate the impact of the state's rebounding wolf population on its ranchers. The Northern California wolves that were euthanized had become dependent on cattle for food. Nathan Rott
Coffee-driven deforestation is making it harder to grow coffee, watchdog group says In Brazil's coffee-producing areas, more than 42,000 square miles of forest have disappeared over about two decades, says Coffee Watch. Deforestation leads to drought, which harms crop yields. James Doubek
What killed Napoleon's army? Scientists find clues in DNA from fallen soldiers' teeth In 1812, hundreds of thousands of men in Napoleon's army perished during their retreat from Russia. Researchers now believe a couple of unexpected pathogens may have helped hasten the soldiers' demise. Ari Daniel
Here's what experts say 'A House of Dynamite' gets wrong (and right) about nuclear war Some praised realistic elements like the depiction of the White House situation room. But others said parts of the plot didn't ring true. Geoff Brumfiel
Trump administration finalizes plan to open pristine Alaska wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling The Trump administration has finalized a plan to open the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling, renewing long-simmering debate over whether to drill in one of the nation's most sensitive wilderness areas. The Associated Press
This 'magical' dinosaur specimen emerged from the ground like a polished jewel A new pachycephalosaur, officially named Zavacephale rinpoche, was described in the journal Nature. The word rinpoche is Tibetan for "precious one" and refers to the domed skull. Ari Daniel
Scientists make yogurt using ants. The result: tangy and herby Scientists test a traditional method for fermenting yogurt... using ants. Regina G. Barber
Iceland reports the presence of mosquitoes for the first time, as climate warms The discovery of three Culiseta annulata mosquitoes was confirmed this week by the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, which said the mosquitoes likely arrived by freight. Joe Hernandez
