Health & Science

For centuries, poets and philosophers extolled the benefits of a walk in the woods. The writer Florence Williams set out to learn if they were right. She discovered that time in nature is not just a luxury; it's actually essential to our humanity.

Since first evolved on earth more than four billion years ago, it has passed in and out of existence five times. Make that six. An extinction event is happening right now. So what can we learn about the previous ones?

Friday, we're talking about your compulsions. Everyone has them. Maybe you're a neat freak, or maybe it's exercise. But compulsions don't necessarily mean your brain is broken. In fact, they're a perfectly natural response to anxiety.

The wild horse is a majestic, beloved, and federally protected icon of the American frontier with a history as epic as the land it inhabits. It’s also the subject of heated controversy and dispute.

Well, it’s back. Again. Bad air is choking northern Utah, and it could be around for a while. But we’re not the only ones who have to deal with toxic air pollution. These days it’s a global problem, and people everywhere are looking for solutions.

Believe it or not, scientists are actually trying to bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction. It's not going to be easy, but if they get it right, and if they manage all the legal and ethical hurdles, the results could actually help save the world.

Friday, we're talking about how unhealthy sugar is for you. No, we're not trying to be killjoys. But as you recover from and regret that third helping of pie on Thanksgiving, we thought you might want to know why you'd probably be healthier without sugar. (Rebroadcast)

Changing people’s minds is hard. And it’s a problem a lot of people encounter on Thanksgiving. Neuroscientist Tali Sharot studies decision-making. She says we can better influence people by understanding how the brain is wired.

Serious researchers long shied away from so-called anthropomorphism. But biologist John Shivik says animal personalities and emotion are key to understanding how species evolved. So why are some animals shy and others ornery? Shivik joins us Thursday.

Wednesday, we’re asking this question: Is it true that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? Investigative journalist and anthropologist Scott Carney went looking for answers. He joins us to talk about pushing past perceived limitations.