Science

What you need to know about NASA’s next mission to Mars
The Perseverance rover is set to land on Mars Feb. 18. What do NASA scientists want to learn from the next mission to explore the Red Planet?
Patience is a virtue: How northern Minnesota wolves ambush their prey
A study released Tuesday shows for the first time the sophisticated ambushing strategies that wolves in northern Minnesota have developed to hunt beaver. It builds on earlier research countering the traditional notion that wolves only hunt prey by outrunning and outlasting it.  
Hope heads for a rendezvous with Mars
The UAE probe arrives at Mars on Tuesday, Feb 9. Its purpose is to both study the weather on Mars as well as inspire the next generation of that country's scientists and engineers.
COVID patient's case offers surprising clues to origins of coronavirus variants
Scientists are looking at a possible link between the coronavirus mutations in the U.K. and South Africa — and those in a patient in Boston who had living, growing virus in his body for five months.
Study finds AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may reduce virus transmission
A new study may help answer answer one of the big open questions about the campaign to suppress the coronavirus outbreak. Researchers from Oxford University say AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine does more than protect people from falling seriously ill — it also appears to reduce transmission of the virus. 
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine works, but less so against variants
Novavax says its COVID-19 vaccine appears 89 percent effective, based on early findings from a British study. The shot also seems to work against new mutated versions of the virus circulating in that country and South Africa, though not as well. 
Fauci relishes a 'hallelujah' moment
Dr. Anthony Fauci, now President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser on COVID-19, says he rejoiced when the new president said that "science and truth" would guide the nation's policies toward the pandemic.
How have museums made it through the pandemic?
On Jan. 11, the state's museums were allowed to reopen once more — at 25 percent capacity. MPR News guest host Chris Farrell spoke with three museum directors about the year they’ve had and what visitors can expect as they gradually re-open their doors.