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Raymond Wang, 17, of Vancouver, celebrates winning first place at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Pittsburgh, May 15.

Science Fair Winner Designs Device To Cut Virus Spread On Planes

When 17-year-old Raymond Wang read about how easily some diseases spread on planes, he thought airlines could do better. So he went to work — and won $75,000 at the International Science Fair.

Jimmie Johnson, celebrating a win in July, is a six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ. He says the playoff changes should still result in a top driver taking the title.

It's Winner-Take-All In NASCAR's New Chase

NASCAR executives and drivers hope changes to the playoff system boost flagging TV ratings and attendance. The new rules alter how drivers qualify, and the season has a Super-Bowl-like finish.

Michael Emberley's illustrations, like this one showing an egg traveling through a fallopian tube, make sexual health information accessible to an elementary and middle school audience. But elements of the art, including naked bodies, make some parents uncomfortable.

It May Be 'Perfectly Normal', But It's Also Frequently Banned

It's Perfectly Normal, a 20-year-old illustrated sex-ed book for kids, is meant to teach children about sexual health, puberty and relationships. It's one of the most banned books in America.

NTSB: D.C. Metro Incident Highlights Need To Improve Transit Safety

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a subway train incident in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon that left one person dead and sent dozens of passengers to local hospitals. On Tuesday, the NTSB also announced its so-called "Most Wanted List" of safety fixes for this year.

Solar sponge: The top layer of graphite soaks up the sun's energy in tiny holes. When drops of liquid fill the holes, the water quickly evaporates. (The beaker looks hot, but the water below the sponge is cool as a cucumber.)

Cheap Drinking Water From The Sun, Aided By A Pop Of Pencil Shavings

Engineers have developed a low-cost material that efficiently sterilizes and desalinates water using only solar energy. The secret to the new technology is likely sitting right on your desk.

Chile Wildfire Litters Questions In The Ash Of Burned-Out Homes

In Chile, a fire that started in the hills above Valparaiso continues to burn. The blaze has killed 15 people and destroyed 2,500 homes in the area that surrounds Valparaiso. Reporter Alexandra Hall looks at some of those affected.

A vendor sells chickens at the Kowloon City Market in Hong Kong last month. As a precautionary measure against the deadly H7N9 virus, Hong Kong has temporarily stopped importing poultry from mainland farms.

Worries About Bird Flu Curtail Chinese New Year Feasts

Serving chicken, pigeon or duck for the holiday may be harder this year for some families in China and Hong Kong. As the deadly H7N9 virus continues to spread, officials in China have closed many live poultry markets, while agricultural workers in Hong Kong plan to cull thousands of chickens this week.

The CDC's director, Tom Frieden, testified before a congressional subcommittee Wednesday regarding a recent anthrax incident and lab safety improvements he is instituting.

Head Scientist At CDC Weighs Costs Of Recent Lab Safety Breaches

The mishaps mean federal scientists need to "take a hard look" at all federal research on deadly pathogens and make sure, in each case, that the benefits justify risks, says Dr. Tom Frieden.

In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu offer flowers in memory of Andrei Karlov, Russia's ambassador to Turkey. Karlov was fatally shot Monday in Ankara.

After Diplomat's Killing, Russia Doubles Down On Ties With Turkey

Talks in Moscow between Russia, Turkey and Iran on Syria's future went ahead despite the assassination in Ankara of Russia's top diplomat. Moscow laid blame for the killing farther afield.

The remains of a business in Gatlinburg, Tenn., smolder on Nov. 29, after a devastating wildfire damaged or destroyed more than 2,000 buildings and killed at least 14 people.

2 Juveniles Charged With Arson, Suspected Of Starting Deadly Tennessee Wildfire

The fire in east Tennessee that began last month has killed at least 14 people and caused widespread destruction in the town of Gatlinburg. Two minors have been arrested and might be tried as adults.

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