The science behind the selfless act of donating a kidney to a stranger About 300 Americans a year give a kidney to a complete stranger. Research says these people have a larger amygdala -- perhaps making them feel others' pain more than the average person. Stephanie O'Neill
This week in science: water on Mars, the history of hazelnuts and a mysterious fish NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Emily Kwong and Jessica Yung of Short Wave about ancient evidence of hot water on Mars, indigenous people's cultivation of hazelnuts, and an inauspicious fish sighting. Jessica Yung
The National Dog Show explained: How a dog contest became a Thanksgiving tradition Football isn't the only thing Americans like to watch on Thanksgiving. The National Dog Show continues its decades-long run, this time with a brand new breed. Here's what to know and how to watch. Rachel Treisman
Ocean explorers hoped they photographed Amelia Earhart's plane. Turns out it's a rock Earhart, her navigator and their plane disappeared during their attempted 1937 circumnavigation of the globe. A deep sea exploration company thought it might have solved the mystery, but it lives on. Rachel Treisman
50 years after her discovery, Lucy's skeleton still shapes paleoanthropology Fifty years ago, the discovery of a human ancestor "Lucy" generated worldwide attention. NPR's Scott Detrow speaks with paleoanthropologist Zeray Alemseged about the legacy of the discovery. Scott Detrow
With talks teetering, climate negotiators struck a controversial $300 billion deal Representatives of developing countries and climate activists were furious over the outcome, saying $300 billion annually from industrialized countries is far short of what vulnerable nations need to better protect themselves from climate change. Jeff Brady
Climate change plays a role in global rise of dengue fever Over 12 million cases of dengue fever were reported in 2024, the most ever. A study suggests climate change has likely played a significant role in the disease's expansion. Alejandra Borunda
What a mollusc shell and fiber optic cables have in common A heart cockle shell has been found to let in light through a design that resembles fiber optic cables. This could inspire everything from helping coral survive to designing new camera lenses. Ari Daniel
Atmospheric rivers aren't new. Why does it feel like we're hearing about them more? In recent years, "atmospheric river" has become used much more frequently in scientific papers and in media coverage. According to experts who study climate and weather, a few reasons may explain why. Danielle Venton
Searching for tiny dung beetles that clean the vast forest floor Creating a census of the dung beetles of Massachusetts gives clues into the health of forests and fields. Ari Daniel
