Kids who have dogs get significantly more physical activity, compared to kids who don't. Researchers followed 600 children over three years, and found young girls got the biggest exercise boost.
In 1986 the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, releasing radioactive material into northern Ukraine and Belarus. It was the most serious nuclear accident in history. Over one hundred thousand people were evacuated from the surrounding area. But local gray wolves never left — and their population has grown over the years. It's seven times denser than populations in protected lands elsewhere in Belarus. This fact has led scientists to wonder whether the wolves are genetically either resistant or resilient to cancer — or if the wolves are simply thriving because humans aren't interfering with them.
This episode, researchers Shane Campbell-Staton and Cara Love talk through what might be causing this population boom. Plus, why researchers in the field of human cancer are eager to collaborate with them.
Want to hear about other ways humans are impacting the planet? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Flaco has become one of New York City's most beloved characters, lounging in courtyards and on fire escapes. But it can be easy to forget that his freedom is the result of an unsolved crime.
There is a simple reason for male groundhogs to seize the Feb. 2 holiday. But the handlers of female groundhogs say their animals are more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil.
Spiderwebs can capture environmental DNA, or eDNA, from vertebrate animals in their area, potentially making them a useful tool in animal monitoring, tracking and conservation.
Scientists have found that spiderwebs can be used to capture environmental DNA, which reflects the animal population of an area. The technique may help track the biodiversity of an ecosystem.
Those insects you see flying in crazed circles are trying to keep their backs towards the light because they think that direction is up, new research suggests.
Dogs tune into the tone of human voices. Do livestock? To find out, goatologists ran an experiment using a hidden speaker that broadcast two versions of the phrase "Hey, look over here."
Nearly 1,000 manatees gathered at Blue Spring State Park on one of the coldest winter days of the season. Here's why the growing number of manatees at the park is encouraging.
Alligators rely on external sources to regulate their body temperatures — so during winter, they will go into brumation. A viral video captured the phenomenon during the Texas winter freeze.
The ancient extinct shark that starred in the film The Meg is thought to be the largest shark that ever swam the Earth. But there's debate over what it really looked like.
The "mob wife" look calls for flashy gold jewelry, big sunglasses — and fur coats. Some people are turning to vintage furs as a sustainable option, but critics say it isn't an ethical workaround.
The 4-year-old giraffe arrived Tuesday at his new home in a large animal park in central Mexico. He was transferred following pressure from animal advocates, and after he spent the last year alone.
The megalodon went extinct 3.6 million years ago, and is thought to be the largest shark that ever swam the Earth. But the megalodon may not have been as big as once thought, some researchers suggest.
