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Science

Year in Review: Science Stories of 2011

From the tsunami-damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant to the end of NASA"s shuttle program, a great deal of science stories made headlines this year. Science writers Mariette DiChristina, Matt Crenson, Steven Levy, and Paul Raeburn join Ira Flatow to discuss the year's top stories in science.

Year in Review: Science Stories of 2011

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Science

Making Resolutions That Stick In 2012

Many have fallen off the New Year's resolution bandwagon soon after adopting a new diet or quitting smoking. So how can you achieve year-end goals and start the year on a positive note? Roy Baumeister, co-author of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength , has some tips.

Making Resolutions That Stick In 2012

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In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty

Anna Hu at the Ao Hua Farmers Market in Shanghai. After years of working long hours and eating only in restaurants, Hu has learned how to cook vegetables and eat more healthfully. Eliza Barclay/NPR hide caption

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Eliza Barclay/NPR

The Salt

In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty

As people get richer, they tend to get fatter. That's what's happening in China, where 25 percent of adults are now obese or overweight. But some Chinese are discovering that it's possible to enjoy times of plenty and still stay slim.

In China, Finding A New Way To Eat In Times Of Plenty

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Thursday

When The Food Isn't All Right On The Night Shift

Rachel Zayas, a registered nurse, sets up the shift board for the night shift at the Cleveland Clinic. Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer /Landov hide caption

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Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer /Landov

The Salt

When The Food Isn't All Right On The Night Shift

Working nights is bad for your health. But scientists haven't really looked at whether the poor food available is really to blame. New studies ask whether providing better food to shift workers would be an easy fix for a big public health problem.

Wednesday

Is There Really Such A Thing As Brain Food?

People who ate a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, which are commonly found in fish, and in vitamins C, E and B, which are often found in vegetables, were less likely to have their brains shrink, and were more likely to score higher on the memory and thinking tests, a study found. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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iStockphoto.com

The Salt

Is There Really Such A Thing As Brain Food?

A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and some vitamins could help improve memory and performance on memory tests, researchers found.

Law

HIV Status Disclosure Laws Under Scrutiny

Failing to disclose positive HIV status to sexual partners is a crime in more than 30 states. In Iowa, it can carry a 25-year jail term. Advocates say the rules are discriminatory, and are urging state governments to reword laws that solely target HIV, but not other transmittable diseases.

HIV Status Disclosure Laws Under Scrutiny

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Antiviral Drugs Sparkle In The Race To End AIDS

Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS coordinator, says field testing is necessary and urgent to determine if HIV testing-and-treating services are feasible. Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images hide caption

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Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Antiviral Drugs Sparkle In The Race To End AIDS

AIDS researchers dealt the disease a major blow in 2011 by showing that antiviral drugs not only save the lives of infected people, they also stop them from spreading the virus.

Antiviral Drugs Sparkle In The Race To End AIDS

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Reversal On Health Mandate Came Late For Gingrich And Romney

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney chat after finishing a GOP debate in Sioux City, Iowa, earlier this month. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

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Scott Olson/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Reversal On Health Mandate Came Late For Gingrich And Romney

Both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney once supported the requirement that almost everyone have health coverage — a key plank of the federal overhaul. And both GOP presidential hopefuls stuck with that position a lot longer than you might realize.

Reversal On Health Mandate Came Late For Gingrich And Romney

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Tuesday