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Science

Friday

Sports Injuries May Cause Lasting Brain Damage

Head injuries and concussions in sports players can lead to severe brain degeneration long after the physical impacts have stopped. In the NFL, seven former players died of various causes before they were 50. Researchers are still trying to figure out how many players might be affected by brain problems and to what degree of severity.

Sports Injuries May Cause Lasting Brain Damage

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Education

Can Scientific Reasoning Be Taught?

Scientific reasoning is essential to a successful career in science. But research in the journal Science claims this skill can't be learned through memorization of facts alone. Author Lei Bao explains the findings, and how teachers can apply them in the classroom.

Can Scientific Reasoning Be Taught?

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Technology

The Road To Building Greener Cars

The big automakers are retooling their factories to produce greener cars but many of these vehicles won't hit the road for years. Ira Flatow talks with guests about outside-the-box ideas for improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions quickly.

The Road To Building Greener Cars

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Space

A Distant Planet Has An Extreme Forecast

Astronomers have observed a planet orbiting a distant star that experiences temperature swings of hundreds of degrees in a matter of hours. Greg Laughlin, author on the Nature study, says weather models for the planet include glowing skies and 10,000 mile-per-hour winds.

A Distant Planet Has An Extreme Forecast

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Books

Harold Varmus Reflects On A Life In Science

Harold Varmus wrote his college thesis on Charles Dickens. He went on to win the Nobel Prize in medicine. Last month he was tapped by President Obama to serve as a science adviser. He describes his unusual career path in his new memoir The Art and Politics of Science.

Harold Varmus Reflects On A Life In Science

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Books

'Stuff Of Life' A Comic Take On Genetics

BANG! POW! PHOSPHORYLATION! The Stuff of Life is a new genetic biology primer with a twist — it takes the form of a graphic novel. Author Mark Schultz explains how he turned everything from cytokinesis to parthenogenesis into comics.

'Stuff Of Life' A Comic Take On Genetics

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Must-See Science: Videos From Science Friday

Scientists Dig Deep Sea Dirt Collection

In the basement of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory is the world's largest collection of mud from the seafloor. Marine geologist Peter deMenocal and Rusty Lotti Bond, the collection's curator, show off the collection and explain what it's good for.

Scientists Dig Deep Sea Dirt Collection

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Thursday

Serotonin Boost Turns Locusts Into Social Swarms

New research shows that the common brain chemical serotonin triggers gregarious, swarming behavior in locusts. The study, published in Science, says that when the normally solitary insects come together, the sight, smell and touch of other locusts causes a spike in serotonin levels, turning them into social creatures.

Serotonin Boost Turns Locusts Into Social Swarms

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Chlamydia Infections Are On The Rise

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued its annual report about sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. The big news is that Chlamydia infections are up. Medical contributor Dr. Sydney Spiesel discusses what the findings mean for peoples' sex lives.

Chlamydia Infections Are On The Rise

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Environment

Gore Urges Senate To Avoid Kyoto-Type Failure

Nearly 12 years after former Vice President Al Gore returned from Kyoto, Japan, he returned to the U.S. Senate to offer his former colleagues advice about how to approach international climate negotiations this year in Copenhagen.

Gore Urges Senate To Avoid Kyoto-Type Failure

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Wednesday

Economy

For Tips On Riding Financial Waves, Ask Fishermen

Americans suffering in the anemic economy could take a lesson from fishermen, who have learned how to manage ebbs and flows. They cooperate with their competitors, diversify their businesses and depend on their communities. Above all, they stay optimistic.

For Tips On Riding Financial Waves, Ask Fishermen

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Environment

How Conclusive Is Climate Change Research?

Stanford University biology professor Stephen Schneider worked alongside former Vice President Al Gore to research the significance of global warming. Host Alex Cohen talks with Schneider about the state of climate change research today.

How Conclusive Is Climate Change Research?

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Environment

Gore Testifies On Climate Change On Capitol Hill

Former Vice President Al Gore took the issue of global climate change to Capitol Hill on Wednesday. He addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Host Alex Cohen takes a look at the proceedings.

Gore Testifies On Climate Change On Capitol Hill

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Environment

Revisiting The 'Keeling Curve'

In the late 1950s, scientist Charles David Keeling began research that would prove to be a key signpost of climate change. In this archived story, hosts Madeleine Brand and Alex Chadwick talked with Keeling's widow and other scientists about the impact of Keeling's work.

Revisiting The 'Keeling Curve'

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Financial Turmoil Grips World Markets

Investor: Renewable Energy Needs Federal Funding

President Obama's Clean Energy initiative is meant to encourage the private sector to pump billions of dollars into green energy — even as such investment has shriveled because of the global financial slowdown. One venture capitalist says many projects will be abandoned without federal help.

Investor: Renewable Energy Needs Federal Funding

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