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Science

Friday

National

Nuclear Plants Get Stricter Security Standards

The nation's nuclear power plants are working to meet Friday's deadline to comply with new anti-terrorist security standards. They include more guards, more training, more barriers and better surveillance. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.

Nuclear Plants Get Stricter Security Standards

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Thursday

Space

Cassini Probes Secrets of Saturn's Biggest Moon

NPR's Alex Chadwick speaks with NPR's Ira Flatow, host of Talk of the Nation Science Friday, about new images and data from the Cassini space probe that could unlock some of the mysteries surrounding Titan, Saturn's largest moon.

Cassini Probes Secrets of Saturn's Biggest Moon

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Scientists Discover Species of Small Early Humans

Scientists discover fossils of a new species of early human on the Indonesian island of Flores. Like the Neanderthals, it is an alternate human line that disappeared. The creatures were surprisingly small -- no more than a meter tall, with heads the size of a grapefruit. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports.

Scientists Discover Species of Small Early Humans

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Wednesday

Space

Cassini Sends Titan Photos

Images of Saturn's moon Titan sent back by the Cassini spacecraft show the outlines of what could be continents, lakes or something else entirely. Until now, Titan's perpetual smog layer kept scientists from seeing its surface in detail. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.

Cassini Sends Titan Photos

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Research News

New Human Species Found

In a cave on the Indonesian island of Flores, scientists unearth the bones of a new species of human... a find that could rewrite the history of human evolution. About three feet tall when fully grown, Homo floresiensis resembles our most primitive ancestors, but lived as recently as 13,000 years ago.

New Human Species Found

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Tuesday

Monday

Where Science Meets Art

Exploring the Drama of Science, Faithfully

Many films and plays present a cartoon version of science bearing little resemblance to reality. Playwright Paul Mullin prefers to explain the facts to the audience, highlighting the human drama inherent in scientific discovery. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Exploring the Drama of Science, Faithfully

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Law

Justice Rehnquist Hospitalized

Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist, 80, is hospitalized for thyroid cancer. Rehnquist underwent a tracheotomy Saturday at a Maryland hospital. The court's conservative leader is expected to return to work next week. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and NPR's Nina Totenberg.

Justice Rehnquist Hospitalized

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Sunday

Environment

Ecologist's Dream: A (Safe) Volcanic Eruption

New activity at Mount St. Helens -- from steaming plumes to oozing lava -- has geologists monitoring the Washington state volcano very closely. But ecologist Charlie Crisafulli, who has studied Mount St. Helens since 1980, says he's eager for another eruption. Hear NPR's Howard Berkes.

Ecologist's Dream: A (Safe) Volcanic Eruption

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Saturday

Research News

Biological Basis for False Memories Revealed

Magnetic resonance imaging reveals that the parts of the brain used to perceive an object overlap with those used to imagine that object. The test is the first to reveal the biological basis for the persistence of memories that never really happened. NPR's Michelle Trudeau reports.

Biological Basis for False Memories Revealed

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Thursday

Environment

More Fireworks from Mount St. Helens?

Mount St. Helens continues a slow eruption that has the general public thinking about the drama and disaster of 1980. But geologists believe the volcano cannot create the same kind of damage this time around. NPR's Howard Berkes reports.

More Fireworks from Mount St. Helens?

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Wednesday

Tuesday

America Grapples with Flu Vaccine Shortage

Flu Blame Game Misguided

The loss of half of the nation's flu-vaccine supply has both President Bush and his Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry, pointing fingers. But facts suggest both men may be placing the blame where it doesn't belong. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

Flu Blame Game Misguided

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Monday

Where Science Meets Art

Manjul Bhargava: An Artist of Music and Math

Number theory expert Manjul Bhargava is also a master of Indian drumming. He sees close links between his two loves -- both connect seemingly random ideas to create beauty.

Manjul Bhargava: An Artist of Music and Math

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Sunday

Endangered Species Meeting Draws Mixed Reviews

The recent meeting in Thailand on endangered species receives mixed reviews as it closes. U.S. delegates proclaimed the conference a success. But critics call the treaty -- the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species -- a "shark without teeth." They say poachers are bolder and better armed than ever, and many species, like forest elephants, are on the road to extinction. NPR's John Nielsen reports.

Endangered Species Meeting Draws Mixed Reviews

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