Current:Home > NewsNews Round Up: FDA chocolate assessment, a powerful solar storm and fly pheromones -CapitalCourse
News Round Up: FDA chocolate assessment, a powerful solar storm and fly pheromones
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:41:10
After reading the science headlines this week, we have A LOT of questions. Is chocolate really that good for your health? How do solar flares affect life on earth? And what's the big deal about scientists identifying the chemical motivation for tsetse fly sex? Luckily, it's the job of Short Wave co-hosts Emily Kwong and Aaron Scott and Scientist in Residence Regina G. Barber to decipher the science behind the headlines. Hang out with us as we dish on some of the coolest science stories in this Valentines-themed installment of our regular newsy get-togethers!
FDA chocolate assessment
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responded to claims that chocolate and cocoa products can have health benefits. But ... the assessment is not a blanket green light. NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey reports the FDA findings are scant and only apply to high flavonol (aka VERY bitter) cocoa powder. So, if you're going to eat a whole bag of dark chocolate kisses, do it because you WANT to — not because you SHOULD.
Valentine's Day light show
In the days leading up to Valentine's Day, there was a massive solar flare. And since the matter that it ejected took a few days to reach Earth, sweethearts in the northern hemisphere had a romantic February 14 under the resulting aurora. Nothing says I Love You like cosmic radiation.
Fly pheromones
Recently, scientists identified pheromones tsetse flies release to mate. Romantic for the flies, but not for the diseases they spread to humans and cattle. By extracting the pheromones and dousing a fly decoy, the scientists showed that the volatile chemicals were, shall we say ... effective on male flies. This work could inform trap designs to control tsetse fly populations.
Have suggestions for what we should cover in our next news roundup? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
This episode was produced by Berly McCoy and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Anil Oza checked the facts, and the audio engineer was Josh Newell.
veryGood! (9631)
Related
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Germany arrests French woman who allegedly committed war crimes after joining IS in Syria
- Louisiana’s tough-on-crime governor-elect announces new leaders of state police, national guard
- Sweden halts adoptions from South Korea after claims of falsified papers on origins of children
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- 'Sex and the City' star Cynthia Nixon goes on hunger strike to call for cease-fire in Gaza
- Comedian Sebastian Maniscalco on new Max show 'Bookie,' stand-up and Chris Rock's advice
- Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's right-hand man at Berkshire Hathaway, dies at 99
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Boy who was 12 when he fatally ran over his foster mother gets 2 years in custody
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Death of Henry Kissinger met with polarized reaction around the world
- Senate Majority Leader Schumer warns that antisemitism is on the rise as he pushes for Israel aid
- Toppled White House Christmas tree is secured upright, and lighting show will happen as scheduled
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- College football playoff rankings: Georgia keeps No. 1 spot, while top five gets shuffled
- Liam Hemsworth Shares How Girlfriend Gabriella Brooks Is Bonding With Brothers Luke and Chris Hemsworth
- CIA Director William Burns returns to Qatar in push for broader hostage deal
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
China factory activity contracts in November for 2nd straight month despite stimulus measures
Generations of mothers are at the center of 'A Grandmother Begins A Story'
Mavericks likely will end up in the hands of one of Las Vegas’ most powerful families
The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
Why Swifties Think Taylor Swift and Ex Joe Alwyn’s Relationship Issues Trace Back to 2021
New warning for online shoppers: Watch out for fake 'discreet shipping' fees
What to know about Joe West, who is on Baseball Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Era ballot