PBS NewsHour - Science

Off the coast of Antarctica, deep underwater, researchers have discovered the British ship called "Endurance," the vessel that launched one of the most remarkable stories of survival and determination. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Livestock production--primarily cows--produce 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of that is in the form of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is a natural byproduct of how some livestock process food. But as Christopher Booker reports, scientists are hoping that small tweaks in what cows eat can dramatically reduce a big source of climate emissions. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Cognitive neuroscientist and author Daniel Levitin wrote a bestselling book, "Successful Aging," in which he gave plenty of tips on the best ways to grow old, including learning new things. Now, he is putting his own advice into practice - with a little help from his noteworthy friends. Special Correspondent Mike Cerre reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

There's grim new reports about potential causes and effects of climate change. The United Nations Environment Program has projected intense wildfires linked in part to climate change could increase 50 percent by the end of the century, and the International Energy Agency said energy sector emissions of methane are 70 percent higher than governments claim. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It's often said that there's no place like home. But what if that home was built with a 3D printer? Only a handful of people in the U.S. currently live in these types of houses, but some believe this will soon change because of 3D-printing technology's potential to reduce construction times and costs. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The families of nine victims in the Sandy Hook School shooting agreed to settle with gun-maker Remington for $73 million. The company made the Bushmaster AR-15-style rifle used to kill 20 first-graders and six teachers in 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut and the families sued over the weapon's marketing. John Yang reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week. It has dried up water supplies, threatened ranchers and fueled wildfires. Park Williams, the lead author of the study just published in the journal Nature Climate Change, joins William Brangham with more. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Scientists have recently discovered what they are calling a silent outbreak of coronavirus among white-tailed deer. William Brangham reports about how one of the most ubiquitous species in North America contracted COVID, and what that means for the future of the pandemic. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Omicron-fueled surge is slowing down in many parts of the U.S., but is still setting records nationally and internationally. While new cases in Russia broke records, many cities around the world are seeing mass protests against vaccine mandates even as countries start easing restrictions. ProPublica's reporter Caroline Chen joins to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Two years since the first lockdown in China, there have been great strides to combat COVID-19, but confusion and questions remain. From vaccinations to testing, to masking and how many days to isolate--there hasn't always been clarity. More collaboration between the CDC and the FDA would help, says Joshua Sharfstein, professor at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In order to expand testing access and help stop the spread of the omicron variant, the Biden administration announced this week that it would begin distributing millions of COVID-19 tests and masks to Americans for free. Infectious disease epidemiologist Jessica Malaty Rivera joins for more on the rollout of this plan and its potential impact, the latest public health recommendations, and what the future of COVID-19 may hold. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Verizon and AT&T are forging ahead with their plan to switch to new high speed 5G service nationwide -- but with an important exception near U.S. airports and runways. Those exceptions were made Tuesday because of fears that the new technology could interfere with plane technology and potentially impact landings. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien unpacks the details. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Starting Saturday, private insurers are required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home testing kits, while those without insurance can get a free kit from the federal government. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases rose by another 800,000 across the U.S. Hospitals are filling up even as deaths have risen at a slower pace. Dr. Jeremy Faust, an emergency room physician at Brigham and Women's hospital joins from Boston. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The worst drought in decades is gripping eastern Africa -- parching landscapes, killing livestock and creating a humanitarian crisis. Driven by climate change, it's also leading to civil strife, as shepherding communities battle each other for scarce resources. Special correspondent Jack Hewson and producer Georgina Smith report from the Wajir province of northern Kenya. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The world's most powerful telescope unfurled its final mirror today as it sped away to its final destination one million miles from earth. NASA completed the final step of the Webb telescope's difficult two-week initiation process Saturday, unfolding the final 21-foot piece: its 'golden eye.' NPR science correspondent Joe Palca joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain more about the telescope, its design, and its purpose. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders