Who’s Doing the Choosing—Charter Schools or Students?

The Food and Drug Administration just approved an e-cigarette for sale in the US. It's the VUSE device from tobacco giant RJ Reynolds and it will only be available with tobacco-flavored cartridges. The FDA has denied scores of candy, fruit, and mint-flavored vaping products because they’re attractive to teenagers and they’re so unhealthy . . . but why approve any e-cigarettes if the ultimate goal is public health? Michael Siegel, a visiting professor and researcher in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine, advocates for the keeping of some e-cigarettes available. He explains why. (Mark Stehle/AP Images for R.J. Reynolds Vapor Company, File)

The pandemic was good for charter schools in America. Enrollment went up in charter schools, while public schools saw a decline across the country. Now charter schools technically are public schools—they get public money and aren’t supposed to charge tuition or be as selective as private schools. But charter schools have found lots of ways to be selective without openly rejecting students. Kevin Welner, head of the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder and co-author of “School’s Choice: How Charter Schools Control Access and Shape Enrollment,” explains charter schools’ selectivity and why it matters. (Segment produced by James Hoopes)

When astronomers look for signs of life outside our solar system, they usually focus on planets like Earth—rocky, lots of water, surrounded by an atmosphere, and just the right distance from its star so that it’s not too hot or too cold. But what if those criteria are too narrow? Astronomers at the University of Cambridge, including astrophysicist Nikku Madhusudhan, have found a new sort of planet that looks exceedingly promising for life. (Segment produced by Sydney Jezik)

Mindful meditation can be a powerful tool for coping with stress and anxiety. But it’s been co-opted by pop culture as a quick hack to feel better and be more productive—and now there’s evidence that it’s inclined to make Americans more self-centered. How does something rooted in Buddhist tradition end up making people care less about others? Lauren Ministero conducted a study to answer that question while pursuing her PhD at The University at Buffalo. She’s currently a behavioral scientist at the nonprofit research and development organization MITRE. (Segment produced by Sydney Jezik)

Drug overdose deaths in the US surged last year—more than 90,000 people. That’s a record high. Drug misuse often begins at the home medicine cabinet. That’s why a non-profit called the SAFE Project is on a mission to make it easy for you to safely dispose of those unwanted or expired medications. During this month, the Gone for Good campaign provides access to free products for proper disposal of drugs. Brandee Izquierdo, executive director of the SAFE project, explains the project.

Lots of conservation groups will let you “symbolically” adopt an animal to help fund conservation of that species. You get a plush version of the animal you adopt, along with a certificate. But it’s not an exclusive thing—not like your plush elephant or penguin represents an actual, individual elephant or penguin somewhere out there. A nature reserve in the Seychelles is the first to bridge that gap. You can buy the unique digital twin of one of 59 Seychelles Magpie Robins left on the island of Cousin. Each bird has a certified virtual copy with a price tag ranging from $10 to $10,000. Nirmal Shah, the CEO of the conservation group Nature Seychelles, explains how the program is going. (Segment produced by Cole Cummings)