Science Out Of The Box Science Finds One Use for Fruitcake: Blow It Up! December 30, 2006 • Not sure what to do with Grandma's leftover fruitcake? Professor Thom Castonguay has an idea. In a lab at the University of Maryland's Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Castonguay demonstrates bomb calorimetry -- the science of calculating calories by blowing up food. Science Finds One Use for Fruitcake: Blow It Up! Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6700905/6700910" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Science Finds One Use for Fruitcake: Blow It Up! Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6700905/6700910" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Midway, a Protected Area, Is Also Underfunded December 29, 2006 • Even President Bush's staunchest environmentalist critics were singing his praises when he protected the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, including Midway Island. But it turns out that there's so much lead paint flaking off old buildings on Midway that thousands of Laysan albatross born there each year are getting poisoned. Midway, a Protected Area, Is Also Underfunded Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6697385/6697386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Midway, a Protected Area, Is Also Underfunded Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6697385/6697386" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Author Interviews Book Pays Tribute to the Much Maligned Pigeon December 29, 2006 • A new book tells the story of the most common urban bird: pigeons. Author Andrew Blechman talks about Pigeons: The Fascinating Saga of the World's Most Revered and Reviled Bird. Book Pays Tribute to the Much Maligned Pigeon Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696472/6696473" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Book Pays Tribute to the Much Maligned Pigeon Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696472/6696473" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Research News Volunteers Start Annual U.S. Bird Count December 29, 2006 • Across the country, volunteers help to launch the National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, going strong for more than 100 years. Researchers hope the results will tell them how birds are faring. They're watching this year's count closely, as birds have weathered a record wildfire season and struggled to recover from the 2005 hurricanes. Volunteers Start Annual U.S. Bird Count Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696469/6696470" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Volunteers Start Annual U.S. Bird Count Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696469/6696470" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Look Back at the Science Stories of 2006 December 29, 2006 • This year, science stories made headlines: Pluto was bumped from the planetary line-up. Google bought YouTube. Evidence grew for global warming. New York City declared war on trans fats and breast cancer rates dropped. A Look Back at the Science Stories of 2006 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696466/6696467" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A Look Back at the Science Stories of 2006 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6696466/6696467" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
2006: The Year in Health News December 28, 2006 • Health news made headlines throughout 2006, with stories ranging from mental illness to HIV/AIDS. Dr. Ivan Walks talks about the year in health news. 2006: The Year in Health News Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6690152/6690153" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
2006: The Year in Health News Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6690152/6690153" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Scientists Compete to Design New Nukes December 28, 2006 • Two teams of scientists have drawn up designs for a new nuclear warhead intended to replace the aging warheads on U.S. submarines. The scientists had to devise designs that they can guarantee will work without being tested. Scientists Compete to Design New Nukes Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6689731/6689732" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Scientists Compete to Design New Nukes Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6689731/6689732" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Online Campaign Sparks Interest in New Disease December 27, 2006 • A vigorous online lobbying campaign has made a disturbing disease a priority for the Centers for Disease Control. Patients from California, Texas and Florida describe symptoms including rashes and sores, and the sensation of things crawling under their skin. Many sufferers believe they have something called Morgellons disease. Online Campaign Sparks Interest in New Disease Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6685822/6685823" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Online Campaign Sparks Interest in New Disease Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6685822/6685823" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Asia Earthquake Threat Hangs Over World Markets December 27, 2006 • Scientists say Asia is at risk for at least two more massive quakes. One near the source of the 2004 tsunami, the other threatens Tokyo. When they come, the quakes could impact world financial markets. Asia Earthquake Threat Hangs Over World Markets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6684850/6684851" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Asia Earthquake Threat Hangs Over World Markets Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6684850/6684851" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
National Fighting Hunger in Cincinnati December 24, 2006 • In the downtown Cincinnati neighborhood known as Over the Rhine, one food bank gave out special meals this week -- enough to feed some 17,000 people, including 8.000 children. Fighting Hunger in Cincinnati Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6669051/6669087" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Fighting Hunger in Cincinnati Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6669051/6669087" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Environment Climate Change Said to Confuse Europe's Birds December 23, 2006 • Some of the birds of Europe don't seem to be flying south for the winter as they once did. Climate change appears to be at the heart of the problem. Climate Change Said to Confuse Europe's Birds Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6667715/6667716" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Climate Change Said to Confuse Europe's Birds Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6667715/6667716" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Max Mayfield: A Life in Storm Tracking December 20, 2006 • In his exit interview, Max Mayfield, director of the National Hurricane Center, reflects on his career, his upcoming retirement and whether models predicting hurricanes have improved since Katrina. Max Mayfield: A Life in Storm Tracking Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6653682/6653683" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Max Mayfield: A Life in Storm Tracking Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6653682/6653683" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Environment Grey Wolf Close to Leaving Endangered Species List December 20, 2006 • Grey wolves could soon be off the Endangered Species List in Montana and Idaho, but remain protected in neighboring Wyoming. Federal officials say the wolf has rebounded in population, but that Wyoming hasn't come up with a plan to protect the animals outside of Yellowstone National Park. Grey Wolf Close to Leaving Endangered Species List Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6652227/6652228" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Grey Wolf Close to Leaving Endangered Species List Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6652227/6652228" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
News Whale Vomit Could Be Retiree's Hidden Treasure December 19, 2006 • Ruth Carpenter, 82, is in possession of an object that some authorities believe is petrified whale vomit worth thousands of dollars. Known as ambergris, the substance is often used in fine perfumes. Madeleine Brand talks with Carpenter about the item found on a beach 50 years ago. Whale Vomit Could Be Retiree's Hidden Treasure Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6646775/6646776" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Whale Vomit Could Be Retiree's Hidden Treasure Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6646775/6646776" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Research News Smelling in Stereo: Human Sense Detailed in Study December 18, 2006 • Just as they hear in stereo, humans also smell in stereo, according to a new report. Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, found that humans use both nostrils to determine where a smell is coming from, much like we use our two ears to find where sound is coming from. Smelling in Stereo: Human Sense Detailed in Study Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6642887/6642888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Smelling in Stereo: Human Sense Detailed in Study Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/6642887/6642888" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript