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Richard Harris Award-winning journalist Richard Harris reports on biomedical research for NPR's newsmagazines, including Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
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Research News

Scientists Say Some Fisheries Are Recovering

A new report in the journal Science, crediting good management, says some over-fished ecosystems are improving and fish numbers are up. Marine biologist Boris Worm — who in 2006 warned that without action many fish populations could be gone by 2048 — describes the study's findings.

Scientists Say Some Fisheries Are Recovering

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Imperiled Fisheries Make A Comeback, Study Shows

A commercial fishing boat pulls in its net near Seattle. Strict federal fishing laws have cut back significantly on overfishing in the United States. S.Froebe/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Animals

Imperiled Fisheries Make A Comeback, Study Shows

In many areas, fishermen are pulling fish out of the seas faster than the populations can withstand, and some fisheries are heading toward collapse. But a major new study shows that all fisheries aren't doomed. In fact, some are on the mend.

Imperiled Fisheries Make A Comeback, Study Shows

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Science

Big-Beaked Toucans Play It Cool

Animals often have brilliantly colored or large features that attract mates. Until now, scientists thought the toucan bill was just another one of those pretty characteristics. But it turns out the bill may have another purpose — cooling down the bird.

Big-Beaked Toucans Play It Cool

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Environment

Climate Talks End With Meager Promises

International climate talks in Italy ended with few promises to cope with global warming. China and other developing countries continue to say they will not commit to stemming the flow of carbon dioxide from their smokestacks. These countries are first demanding dramatic action from the fully industrialized world.

Climate Talks End With Meager Promises

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Science

Obama Joins Global Warming Deal

President Obama and other world agreed Wednesday to back new targets to combat global warming. The leaders are supporting a goal to prevent the world's average temperature from rising more than 3.6 degrees.

Obama Joins Global Warming Deal

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Science

A Little Flute Music To Warm The Cave

Archaeologists have unearthed the world's oldest musical instruments: flutes. These vulture-bone flutes no doubt helped warm our ancestors' spirits as they pushed north into Europe's hostile Ice Age conditions.

A Little Flute Music To Warm The Cave

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Environment

Scientists Debate Shading Earth As Climate Fix

The National Academy of Sciences is discussing the risks and potential benefits of manipulating the planet's atmosphere — such as spraying fine particles into the stratosphere to shade the Earth — as a way to counteract global warming. But all potential strategies are fraught with uncertainty.

Scientists Debate Shading Earth As Climate Fix

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Science

Worlds Of Bacteria, Alive On Your Skin

Your body contains 10 times as many bacterial cells as it does human cells. A new study finds that healthy human skin hosts a remarkable diversity of bacteria ecosystems. Even skin as close as the inside and outside of your elbow contains distinct bacteria.

Worlds Of Bacteria, Alive On Your Skin

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Environment

Climate Change Bill Heads For House Vote

The Waxman-Markey bill sets ambitious targets for curbing greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade system. But some critics say the proposal could actually encourage pollution.

Climate Change Bill Heads For House Vote

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Environment

Predicted Impact From Antarctic Ice Melt Lessened

If the West Antarctic Ice Sheet were to melt, global sea level could increase by an average of 11 feet, a new study finds. This prediction is about half the rise scientists had estimated 30 years ago, but still enough to create a global disaster. The key question is how much sea level rise could occur in the coming decades?

Predicted Impact From Antarctic Ice Melt Lessened

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Environment

EPA's New Biofuel Regs Could Curtail Industry

The EPA recently issued new regulations based on science that says biofuels may not be as good for the environment as proponents first thought. The proposed policy — based on an earlier law that says biofuels must do more good than harm — could make it tougher for the industry to grow.

EPA's New Biofuel Regs Could Curtail Industry

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