Nurith Aizenman

Periods of sweltering temperatures like the current global heat wave seem to drive up civil conflicts. But why? To find out, researchers put thousands of people in hot rooms - with surprising results.

Scientists have long held that early human men did the hunting and women the gathering. A new review of data on foraging societies in modern times suggests that most women hunted.

The wondrous findings of a global project to record the sound of ocean habitats threatened by climate change and pollution — then play it through loud speakers set up next to troubled reefs.

A debt crisis looms over low- and-middle-income countries. One in five people live in a country teetering toward default. NPR unpacks the causes and consequences, including spiraling food prices.

The head of the World Health Organization made a historic announcement today: COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency. NPR unpacks what that means — and what comes next.

The World Health Organization has lifted the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for COVID-19. The declaration had been in effect since Jan. 30, 2020.

Botswana has one of the last thriving herds of elephants. But the animals are a menace to rural farmers. One nonprofit's solution: safari drives for local schoolkids. Can it work? NPR joins a trip.

Tuberculosis kills 1.6 million a year — the second deadliest infectious disease after COVID-19. Using immune cells and mRNA technology, scientists in South Africa are working on a new vaccine.

That's the view of Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute. He considers the fear the war would lead to a surge in food prices – and a dramatic worsening of world hunger.

Disease researchers from South Africa were the first to identify the omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. Scientists there are racing to detect new pathogens before they can spark another pandemic.