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Sunday

This fish evolved to walk on land — then said 'nope' and went back to the water

An illustration of Qikiqtania wakei (center) in the water with its larger cousin, Tiktaalik roseae. Alex Boersma hide caption

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Alex Boersma

This fish evolved to walk on land — then said 'nope' and went back to the water

In a move reflective of a viral meme, a new study shows that an ancient fish really did evolve to walk out of the water, only to then go back to the sea.

This fish evolved to walk on land — then said 'nope' and went back to the water

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On a stunning Hawaiian mountain, the fight over telescopes is nearing a peaceful end

Mauna Kea is considered sacred to Native Hawaiians. It also happens to be ideal for observatories. Andrew Richard Hara/W. M. Keck Observatory hide caption

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Andrew Richard Hara/W. M. Keck Observatory

National

On a stunning Hawaiian mountain, the fight over telescopes is nearing a peaceful end

Mauna Kea is considered sacred to Native Hawaiians. It also happens to be ideal for space observatories. Now, a long running fight over the mountain's future may be coming to an end.

Saturday

Getting monkeypox treatment is easier, but still daunting and confusing

Kyle Planck, who has recovered from a painful case of monkeypox, has joined advocacy groups and pleaded with elected officials to make the antiviral pills TPOXX more available. Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Getting monkeypox treatment is easier, but still daunting and confusing

Though doctors and advocates have helped speed up access to the antiviral pills – of which the U.S. has enough to treat 1.7 million people – health providers are few and forms are still required.

Getting monkeypox treatment is easier, but still daunting and confusing

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States look to regulate weed alternatives like delta-8 as sales explode

Delta-8 products are set for testing at Virginia Commonwealth University's forensic science lab. These products come in different forms and packaging, many of which are designed to look like candies or cereal. Crixell Matthews/VPM News hide caption

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Crixell Matthews/VPM News

Shots - Health News

States look to regulate weed alternatives like delta-8 as sales explode

VPM News

Delta-8 is a hemp product designed to get users high, but misleading labels or added chemicals have caused people to get sick. And a lack of federal regulation or guidance has states stepping in.

States look to regulate weed alternatives like delta-8 as sales explode

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Friday

The delicious but endangered sea creature is getting the best help Aquilino can offer.

The delicious but endangered sea creature is getting the best help Aquilino can offer. Chad Campbell hide caption

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Chad Campbell

Environment

Behind this locked door is the white abalone's best chance of avoiding extinction

Behind a black door and a sign that reads "Authorized Personnel Only" is a project that aims to bring the white abalone back from the brink of extinction.

Behind this locked door is the white abalone's best chance of avoiding extinction

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Spice, Spice, Baby! Why Some Of Us Enjoy The Pain Of Spicy Foods
David Gannon/AFP via Getty Images

Short Wave

Spice, Spice, Baby! Why Some Of Us Enjoy The Pain Of Spicy Foods

Today, we talk about spicy food and its intersection with pleasure and pain as part of our "Taste Buddies" series — Short Wave's ode to "taste." In this episode, Host Emily Kwong talks to food reporter Ruth Tam and researchers Julie Yu and Nadia Byrnes about the science behind our love for spicy foods and what drives some of us to seek out the pain.

Spice, Spice, Baby! Why Some Of Us Enjoy The Pain Of Spicy Foods

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Thursday

Summer boosters for people under 50 shelved in favor of updated boosters in the fall

The Biden administration plans to offer updated booster shots in the fall. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Summer boosters for people under 50 shelved in favor of updated boosters in the fall

The Biden administration is scrapping plans to offer COVID boosters for people under 50 this summer. Instead officials will push for an earlier release of the next generation boosters in the fall.

Summer boosters for people under 50 shelved in favor of updated boosters in the fall

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These hurricane flood maps reveal the climate future for Miami, NYC and D.C.
NPR

National

These hurricane flood maps reveal the climate future for Miami, NYC and D.C.

National Hurricane Center data for Miami, Washington, D.C., and New York City show development happening in at-risk areas, even as climate change brings more frequent and intense storms.

These hurricane flood maps reveal the climate future for Miami, NYC and D.C.

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TASTE BUDDIES: No Sugarcoating How Sweet Affects The Brain

Computer graphics of a pink human brain looking forward to a plate with doughnuts. OsakaWayne Studios/Getty Images hide caption

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OsakaWayne Studios/Getty Images

Short Wave

TASTE BUDDIES: No Sugarcoating How Sweet Affects The Brain

Our ancestors evolved the ability to taste the sweet goodness of foods like pastries and creamy chocolates. They were enticed to consume quick calories that might only be available sporadically. What does that mean today for our brains and bodies in a world where sugar is much more abundant? Host Aaron Scott talks to taste and smell researcher Paule Joseph about the sticky science of sugar and how we can have too much of a good thing.

TASTE BUDDIES: No Sugarcoating How Sweet Affects The Brain

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Wednesday

James Lovelock, who theorized that Earth is a living organism, dies at 103

Scientist and inventor James Lovelock poses with one of his early inventions, a homemade gas chromatography device, used for measuring gas and molecules present in the atmosphere, at a science museum in London. Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA via AP, file hide caption

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Nicholas.T.Ansell/PA via AP, file

Obituaries

James Lovelock, who theorized that Earth is a living organism, dies at 103

James Lovelock, the British environmental scientist whose influential Gaia theory sees the Earth as a living organism gravely imperiled by human activity, has died on his 103rd birthday.

TASTE BUDDIES: Feeling Salty?

Natural, organic, sea, white salt, poured from a fallen salt shaker, on a black table or background. The concept of cooking healthy food, cosmetology. Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images hide caption

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Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images

Short Wave

TASTE BUDDIES: Feeling Salty?

Today, we're getting salty as we continue our series "Taste Buddies" — Short Wave's ode to taste buds. In this encore episode, Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber goes on a salty flavor journey with scientist Julie Yu. Along the way, Julie explains salt's essential role in our daily lives and how it affects our perception of food. Follow Regina on Twitter @ScienceRegina. Reach the show by sending an email to ShortWave@NPR.org.

TASTE BUDDIES: Feeling Salty?

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Tuesday

The Long And Winding Journey Of The James Webb Space Telescope

Ernie Wright stands near the James Webb Space Telescope mirrors as they sit just outside the testing chamber in the x-ray calibration facility at MSFC. David Higginbotham/Getty Images hide caption

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David Higginbotham/Getty Images

Consider This from NPR

The Long And Winding Journey Of The James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope has captured images of the universe that have stunned both scientists and the public. But for more than twenty years before its launch, the mission faced multiple delays, cost overruns, technical difficulties and threats from Congress to kill it altogether.

The Long And Winding Journey Of The James Webb Space Telescope

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Monday

Epidemiologists warn the U.S. reaches a critical moment to contain monkeypox

A medical laboratory technician shows a suspected monkeypox sample at the microbiology laboratory of La Paz Hospital on June 6. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images hide caption

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Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Epidemiologists warn the U.S. reaches a critical moment to contain monkeypox

Cases in the U.S. are 10 times higher than they were a month ago. Researchers advise that the coming days and weeks will be crucial as to whether the outbreak can be contained.