A career and technical education teacher at a Hawaii high school recently helped organize a virtual conversation with former astronaut and retired United States Air Force officer Pamela Melroy. Greg Anderson has used technology to remotely connect students with other professionals, including business leaders.

Rats tend to help out when they come across a fellow rat in trouble, but are less likely to offer aid if other nearby rodents appear uninterested, according to findings published in Science Advances. Researchers placed a rat in a trap that could only be opened by another rat on the outside and most were willing to help, even without food as a reward, but when other rats, given a drug to lessen their emotional response, were added to the area, the rat that had originally been helpful became less so.

An unusual substance with visual attributes of a gel observed on the far side of the moon by China's Yutu-2 rover is actually a glossy rock, according to a study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. Researchers examined detailed photos of the find, determining the glossy, dark green mass was likely made by a meteorite impact.

Indigenous South American people may have traveled to eastern Polynesia hundreds of years ago, according to a DNA analysis published in Nature. Study leader Andres Moreno-Estrada says the research may be the first genetic clue to "a prehistoric event that left no conclusive trace, except for the one recorded in the DNA of those who had contact 800 years ago in one of the most remote places on Earth."

Students at a Texas high school will be able to participate in dual-enrollment courses with the University of Texas at Austin as part of a new program available this year. The low-cost classes are available in subjects such as English, history, physics and geoscience.

A high school in Oregon is preparing to offer cosmetology training as part of its career and technical education program. Students who enroll in the program could be prepared to take a state board test and become licensed.

An outdoor garden at an Oregon high school recently was expanded and provides educational experiences for students. When the coronavirus caused prolonged school closures, the school was eventually able to welcome some students back to school to work in the garden while socially distanced.

The coronavirus pandemic has upended many plans that college students had for jobs and internships, with their start dates being delayed or the offers being rescinded altogether. Now, students say they are starting from scratch in their searches, altering their plans or taking other steps to find their footing in a suddenly chaotic job market.

The definition of a "suburb" depends on who you ask, according to a recent survey of 55,000 households, more than 50% of which said their neighborhoods are suburban. Researchers learned that metrics such as income, population density and the age of homes can affect how people label where they live.

Many people around the world live in communities that aren't well-documented on maps, although community mapping is helping to create more accurate representations of these areas. This article takes a look at projects that aim to improve public health data and more.