NPR Topics: Story of the Day Podcast

Many single people find it nearly impossible to find an affordable apartment in San Francisco. In an effort to cut rents, city supervisors are weighing a proposal to reduce the minimum allowed size for a studio apartment to 220 square feet — not much bigger than a large parking space.

New research suggests that by the time an Alzheimer's patient is diagnosed, many key neurons are already dead. Neuroscientists say it's possible that several recent trials of drugs for Alzheimer's have failed because the drugs were given after symptoms had already started to appear.

During the early 20th century, polio killed thousands of American children each summer and paralyzed many more. Now, as the world fights to eradicate the virus globally, we look back at the development of the polio vaccine and its successful deployment around the world.

Sunday's stratosphere skydive by Felix Baumgartner was a record-breaking success for the daredevil jumper and a marketing triumph for Red Bull Energy Drink, which sponsored the event. The company's pioneering marketing strategies have propelled it to global success. Melissa Block talks with business writer Duff McDonald, who has profiled the Austrian company and its founder.

It's difficult to build a working four-rotor helicopter that spans 100 feet and only weighs 80 pounds. It's even harder when your engine is a 0.7-horsepower person. But two teams of young engineers hope to do just that.

Civil rights was once a common cause for pro athletes, but players have been relatively quiet about gay rights. Former athletes have expressed the fear and isolation of their "dirty little secret." Recently, though, there have been a few standout moments for gay rights in the sports world.

"K-Man," as he's known to locals, lived more than 9,500 years ago in what is now Washington state. Scientists studying his ancient bones say he was all athlete, with a soccer player's leg muscles and a killer arm that might fit right in among today's major league players.

Because of a unique collaboration between Quakers, Italians and Mexicans, half the nation's mushrooms are grown on farms near Kennett Square in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Colorado State University students say they are keenly aware that the current job market isn't a good one for newly minted college graduates, and they express worry over the size of the deficit.

Ernest Gagnon, who once weighed 570 pounds, chose an unusual way to lose weight. Instead of surgery, he decided to take up cyclocross, a high-adrenaline racing sport that combines road bikes and obstacles. He gained the support of the cyclocross community and lost more than 200 pounds. Now he's even racing.

The typical jack-o'-lanterns that don front stoops this time of year pale in comparison to their multihundred-pound brethren: the giant pumpkin. Every year in Damariscotta, Maine, people hollow them out, climb inside and race them.

A new dinosaur species was identified this week called Pegomastax, or "thick-jawed reptile." The dinosaur's defining feature is its fangs, which make it look like a fearsome cross between a porcupine and a chicken.

Mitt Romney said during Wednesday's debate that pre-existing conditions would be covered under his health care plan. But the Republican presidential candidate's plan wouldn't guarantee that people who don't have coverage now will be able to buy it.

Simon Cho says he tampered with another racer's skates at the World Short Track Team Championships last year after being pressured by his coach. Other speedskaters have also filed abuse complaints against coach Jae Su Chun, who denies the claims.

For the first time, scientists have created fertile eggs and healthy offspring using embryonic stem cells. The experiments in mice raise the possibility of artificial egg production and new infertility treatments for humans someday.