Ari Daniel

Since gypsum is present on Mars as well, perhaps one day the instrument could be used to look for ancient microbes on the red planet, too. The study highlights the intimate interconnection between minerals and microbes on our planet, and perhaps beyond. For NPR News, I'm Ari Daniel.

though not the treasure you may be expecting.

though not the treasure you may be expecting.

though not the treasure you may be expecting.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Right, okay. So that's when this Brazilian neuroscientist I met named Camila Souza gets the call she's been waiting for. A baby humpback whale is adrift just offshore in the waters off southeastern Brazil. It's just died. And she wants its brain.

Right, okay. So that's when this Brazilian neuroscientist I met named Camila Souza gets the call she's been waiting for. A baby humpback whale is adrift just offshore in the waters off southeastern Brazil. It's just died. And she wants its brain.

Right, okay. So that's when this Brazilian neuroscientist I met named Camila Souza gets the call she's been waiting for. A baby humpback whale is adrift just offshore in the waters off southeastern Brazil. It's just died. And she wants its brain.

I know. I know. But there are some really important reasons to study the brains of whales and dolphins. And I will get to that.

I know. I know. But there are some really important reasons to study the brains of whales and dolphins. And I will get to that.

I know. I know. But there are some really important reasons to study the brains of whales and dolphins. And I will get to that.

Great. I'm glad. But first, let me finish telling you what happened to that baby humpback.

Great. I'm glad. But first, let me finish telling you what happened to that baby humpback.

Great. I'm glad. But first, let me finish telling you what happened to that baby humpback.

By the time Camila and her colleagues arrive on the scene by boat, the whale has washed ashore on a tiny island. And they have a problem. They can only get so close without running aground.

By the time Camila and her colleagues arrive on the scene by boat, the whale has washed ashore on a tiny island. And they have a problem. They can only get so close without running aground.

By the time Camila and her colleagues arrive on the scene by boat, the whale has washed ashore on a tiny island. And they have a problem. They can only get so close without running aground.

So Camila grabs her scalpel and saw and swims to shore.