NPR Health News Briefs; Dec. 26, 2004 — Jan. 1, 2005 December 31, 2004 • Among the week's stories: a note of caution for overweight women using birth control pills; and troubles getting costly drugs covered by Medicare.
Environment Tsunami Science and Prediction December 31, 2004 • The Dec. 26 earthquake off Indonesia unleashed tsunamis that destroyed coastal regions thousands of miles away, killing more than 100,000 people. We talk about tsunami science and prediction. What do scientists know about tsunamis? How do you predict when they're coming and how big they'll be? Tsunami Science and Prediction Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4253406/4253407" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Analysis Analysis Top Science Stories of 2004 December 31, 2004 • It might be hard to beat the success of the Mars rovers, but what else should make it onto a best-of-2004 list of science stories? Maybe Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, drug safety, or the discovery of a new species of ancient humans? We take a trip back through the year in science. Top Science Stories of 2004 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4253404/4253405" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Diversions Do Nanotech Products Live Up to the Hype? December 31, 2004 • Nanotechnology is the science of designing materials, atom by atom. It promises revolutionary applications for everything from the military to sports. NPR's David Kestenbaum investigates whether nanotech products already on the market are all they're cracked up to be. Do Nanotech Products Live Up to the Hype? Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4252587/4253151" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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National World's Tallest Building to Open in Taipei December 30, 2004 • Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, will be officially inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 31. Designing the 1,666-foot skyscraper in the earthquake- and typhoon-prone region presented engineers with quite a challenge. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and structural engineering consultant Dennis Poon. World's Tallest Building to Open in Taipei Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4252073/4252210" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Alert System Could Warn West Coast of Tsunami December 29, 2004 • The recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean has left many wondering if such a disaster could happen on the Pacific Coast. In 1964 it did. As NPR's John Nielsen reports, experts can't predict such an event, but a new detection system might help. Alert System Could Warn West Coast of Tsunami Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4249137/4249138" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Scientists Study Quake-Prone Area for Predictive Cues December 28, 2004 • Scientists are studying an earthquake that occurred three months ago in Parkfield, Calif., hoping to better understand and predict quakes. Parkfield lies on the San Andreas Fault, making it a focal point for earthquake research. NPR's Richard Harris reports. Scientists Study Quake-Prone Area for Predictive Cues Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4248390/4248391" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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The Psychological Impact of the Tsunami December 28, 2004 • The death toll continues to rise following Sunday's tsunami in southern Asia. We discuss the psychological impact a disaster like this has on the survivors. The Psychological Impact of the Tsunami Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4247965/4247966" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Space New Galaxies Found in Earth's Backyard December 24, 2004 • Astronomers working on NASA's Galaxy Evolution Explorer project have just discovered new galaxies right here in Earth's backyard. Team member Tim Heckman joins NPR's Ira Flatow to talk about the findings. New Galaxies Found in Earth's Backyard Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4244175/4244176" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Technology Exploring the Process of Inventing December 24, 2004 • How do great inventors like Dean Kamen (the Segway), Woody Norris (diagnostic ultrasound), and Max Levchin (PayPal) come up with their innovative ideas? A new book claims that most of them follow an 11-step process. We explore the process of inventing. Exploring the Process of Inventing Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4244179/4244180" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Environment Rules Revised for U.S. Forests December 23, 2004 • Sweeping new guidelines from the Bush administration give U.S. forest managers more leeway to approve commercial development without lengthy environmental review. Critics say that leaves public lands open to exploitation. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne and Felicity Barringer of The New York Times. Rules Revised for U.S. Forests Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4242637/4242638" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Research News Ancient, Complex Peruvian Communities Explored December 22, 2004 • Along Peru's coast, archeologists find the ruins of some 20 communities clustered along three rivers. Some date back 5,000 years. People there grew crops and built huge stone monuments that predate the Egyptian pyramids. It's believed to be the oldest complex culture in the Americas. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports. Ancient, Complex Peruvian Communities Explored Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4241075/4241177" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Environment Cabinet-Level Panel to Advise Bush on Oceans December 20, 2004 • President Bush has created a cabinet-level committee to advise him on ocean policy. Environmentalists who criticized the administration's record have long sought more attention to the oceans, which in U.S. territorial waters and elsewhere suffer from pollution and over-fishing. Hear NPR's Alex Chadwick and Dr. Ellen Pikitch of the Pew Institute for Ocean Science. Cabinet-Level Panel to Advise Bush on Oceans Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4236278/4236279" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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Transplant Pioneers Recall Medical Milestone December 20, 2004 • On Dec. 23, 1954, Boston doctors gave a kidney to a 23-year-old man in the first successful long-term transplant of a human organ. Transplants have since saved more than 400,000 lives. Dr. Joseph Murray and his first donor recall the event. Transplant Pioneers Recall Medical Milestone Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4233669/4235952" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
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NPR Health News Briefs: Dec. 12 - Dec. 18 December 17, 2004 • Among the week's stories: poor trial results for a newly approved drug against lung cancer; dioxin poisoning in the Ukraine election; and power wheelchairs get scrutiny.