PBS NewsHour - Science

As the climate crisis worsens, so does pressure on wildlife. The number of birds in North America has declined by 3 billion in the last 50 years. Brooke Bateman, director of climate science at the National Audubon Society, joins Ali Rogin to discuss why and what can be done to preserve and renew the populations of bird species at risk of extinction. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Saturday, Trump spoke on the campaign trail a day after his federal indictment was unsealed, Ted Kaczynski died in federal prison, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said his country's counteroffensive against Russia has begun, skies over the East Coast have started clearing of smoke from Canada's wildfires, and four children were found alive 40 days after a plane crash in the Amazon. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A heavy pall of polluted air still blankets much of the eastern U.S and it may not dissipate for days as fires in Canada send vast curtains of smoke south. The bad air has officials warning that breathing it can be hazardous to your health. It's also scrambling schedules from airports to schools to the White House. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Hundreds of wildfires continue to burn across Canada and many of them are out of control. The smoke is putting millions of Americans under air quality alerts, prompting warnings to stay indoors to avoid exposure to pollution. Stephanie Sy reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Dr. Joe Dituri, also known as Dr. Deep-Sea, has been living underwater for more than 75 days, breaking previous records and aiming to reach 100. Dr. Dituri fills his days with science and outreach in an effort to raise awareness about the value of the oceans. Nicole Ellis reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

As plastic waste piles up in the world's landfills, sewer systems and oceans, the United Nations has set a goal to reduce plastic pollution by 80 percent by the year 2040. Inger Andersen, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, joins William Brangham to discuss the upcoming negotiations over how to realize this goal. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The Supreme Court has again weakened the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency. The case involved the EPA blocking an Idaho couple from building a house near a lake on their property, saying the construction would pollute water protected by the Clean Water Act. William Brangham discussed the case with Coral Davenport. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

AI is finding its place in all sorts of scientific fields, and health care is no exception. Programs are learning to answer patients' medical questions and diagnose illnesses, but there are problems to be worked out. Dr. Isaac Kohane, editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine AI and chair of Harvard's department of biomedical informatics, joins John Yang to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In Louisiana, coastal erosion is claiming an average amount of land equivalent to a football field every hour. Some Native American communities in the southeastern part of the state are the hardest hit. Special correspondent Megan Thompson brings us the story of three Indigenous communities fighting to save their tribal lands. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Artificial intelligence was a focus on Capitol Hill Tuesday. Many believe AI could revolutionize, and perhaps upend, considerable aspects of our lives. At a Senate hearing, some said AI could be as momentous as the industrial revolution and others warned it's akin to developing the atomic bomb. William Brangham discussed that with Gary Marcus, who was one of those who testified before the Senate. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Parts of the United States have recently been getting glimpses of the northern lights. John Yang and science correspondent Miles O'Brien discussed why this spectacle in the skies is now being seen further south. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

At a time when the public teaching of science is again being fought over, the largest museum of natural history in the U.S. just extended its reach. Jeffrey Brown got a look inside the American Museum of Natural History's stunning new expansion in New York for our arts and culture series, CANVAS. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It's been an exciting time for astronomers, astrophysicists and other scientists who specialize in deciphering the far reaches of space. Since the beginning of May, observations of some never-before-seen celestial events have been reported in science journals. Science correspondent Miles O'Brien joins John Yang to explain the latest findings. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're highlighting people whose contributions have often been overlooked. Tonight, we explore the legacy of Kalpana Chawla, the first American of Indian descent to travel to space, who gave her life in the pursuit of research, science and exploration. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Oranges have long been synonymous with Florida, as a key element of the state's economy. But this year, Florida projects the worst citrus harvest since the Great Depression, threatening a way of life for many. William Brangham reports on what's driving the decline and who is affected. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders