She got famous on YouTube. Now it helps fund her research in quantum gravity This theoretical physicist and mathematician drops a new video several times a month, dispensing her dry wit and pithy wisdom to a loyal fan base of nerds across the internet. Read more on NPR

Despite efforts of 3 U.S. administrations, migrant families keep crossing the border Immigration authorities arrested more families in August than in any month on record. U.S. officials have long grappled with discouraging families from coming — and found there are no easy solutions. Read more on NPR

Vaccines are still tested with horseshoe crab blood. The industry is finally changing The horseshoe crab bleeding industry is in transition. One biomedical company agreed to more oversight, and a regulatory group is paving the way for drug companies to use animal-free alternatives. Read more on NPR

How the UAW strikes could impact car shoppers Historic as the UAW strikes may be, analysts say the actions are unlikely to impact car prices too much — for now. A new strike on parts distribution centers, however, could sting. Read more on NPR

1 in 4 inmate deaths happens in the same federal prison. Why? The Butner federal prison complex in North Carolina is where a quarter of federal inmate deaths occur. It includes a medical facility but inmates aren’t getting needed care, there or at other prisons. Read more on NPR

Bogotá has some of the worst traffic. It’s finally getting a metro, with China’s help Colombia’s capital is home to 11 million people — and to some of the worst traffic jams in the world. Now Chinese companies are building its first metro line. Read more on NPR