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Wednesday March 31, 2004

Saving the World's Spineless

March 31, 2004 • Insects are usually near the bottom on the list of species given protection from extinction. Yet, like the vertebrates, they're losing habitat to development. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports on a campaign to give the spineless their due.

Saving the World's Spineless

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Tuesday March 30, 2004

U.S. Firm Wants to Test All Cattle for Mad Cow

March 30, 2004 • In an effort to win back reluctance Japanese consumers, a small U.S. beef producer has proposed testing all of its cattle for mad cow. But Creekstone Farms is meeting resistance from the USDA and others in the beef industry worried the move would pressure them to follow suit. NPR's Greg Allen reports.

U.S. Firm Wants to Test All Cattle for Mad Cow

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Sunday March 28, 2004

Genetic Ethics: 'Against Perfection'

March 28, 2004 • An article in this April's Atlantic Monthly makes the argument that the quest for genetic perfection through bioengineering may degrade the human will and the appreciation of life itself. NPR's Liane Hansen speaks with the article's author, Michael Sandel , professor of government at Harvard University.

Genetic Ethics: 'Against Perfection'

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Friday March 26, 2004

NASA to Test 'Scramjet' Aircraft

March 26, 2004 • NASA plans to test an aircraft this weekend designed to fly seven times the speed of sound, using an innovative engine called a "scramjet." The test is part of an effort to develop missiles that can reach any target on Earth within two hours, and spacecraft that can transport people and cargo more cheaply. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

NASA to Test 'Scramjet' Aircraft

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Thursday March 25, 2004

Active Seniors Challenge Aging Myths

March 25, 2004 • Minnesota's fastest-growing population consists of people 65 and older -- a reflection of a national trend. Many of the state's elderly are staying active and healthy longer, ditching retirement to head back to work in large numbers -- and exploding myths about what it means to grow old. Annie Baxter of Minnesota Public Radio reports.

Active Seniors Challenge Aging Myths

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Wednesday March 24, 2004

U.S. Increasingly Lacks Experts on Aging

March 24, 2004 • Health care officials say the United States is experiencing a shortage of geriatricians. Although more doctors are needed to care for elderly patients, the number of geriatricians has shrunk by 30 percent. Medical educators are resorting to new methods to attract medical students to the specialty. Madge Kaplan from member station WGBH reports.

U.S. Increasingly Lacks Experts on Aging

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Tuesday March 23, 2004

Smoke, Weight Pill Hailed as 'Miracle'

March 23, 2004 • Researchers proclaim that a new drug tackles two nagging health issues at once: smoking and obesity. The drug, still being studied, appears to double the chances of quitting smoking while also allowing people to lose weight. The medicine controls the urges by blocking the same circuits in the brain that make pot smokers hungry. NPR's Patricia Neighmond reports.

Smoke, Weight Pill Hailed as 'Miracle'

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Rover Points to an Ancient Sea on Mars

March 23, 2004 • NPR's Joe Palca reports on new evidence that that there was once a pool of liquid, salty water on Mars. The finding suggests the planet could have supported life.

Rover Points to an Ancient Sea on Mars

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Monday March 22, 2004

FDA Seeks Suicide-Danger Label

March 22, 2004 • The Food and Drug Administration says patients on some popular antidepressants should be closely monitored for warning signs of suicide. The agency asked the makers of 10 drugs to add the caution to their product labels. In changing its requirement, the FDA stressed that it is not yet clear that the drugs actually lead to suicide. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

FDA Seeks Suicide-Danger Label

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Saturday March 20, 2004

Stress, Breast Cancer and Cytokines

March 20, 2004 • New research indicates that women with breast cancer survive longer if they are able to eliminate certain stress factors in their lives. The study suggests that in about 30 percent of breast-cancer survivors, the body's own immune system chemicals -- notably cytokines -- prolong fatigue. Frank Browning reports.

Stress, Breast Cancer and Cytokines

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Monday March 15, 2004

Radio Expeditions

World's Biggest Tiger Reserve

March 15, 2004 • Myanmar plans to announce the creation of the largest tiger reserve in the world -- an entire valley nearly the size of Vermont. NPR's Renee Montagne discusses the plan with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Alan Rabinowitz, who helped bring the change.

World's Biggest Tiger Reserve

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Friday March 12, 2004

NASA to Get Second Opinion on Hubble's Fate

March 12, 2004 • Retired Adm. Harold Gehman, who led the investigation into the Columbia space shuttle disaster, calls for a new review of the risks and benefits of keeping the Hubble space telescope alive. NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe tells a Senate panel he'll seek advice from the National Academy of Sciences, though for now he stands by his decision to retire Hubble early. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.

NASA to Get Second Opinion on Hubble's Fate

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Thursday March 11, 2004

FDA Acts to Outlaw 'Andro' Supplements

March 11, 2004 • The Food and Drug Administration moves to end the sale of a popular steroid-like performance supplement often used in sports. Known as "andro," the chemical androstenedione is a steroid precursor -- the body converts it into testosterone and, to an extent, estrogen. NPR's Snigdha Prakash reports.

FDA Acts to Outlaw 'Andro' Supplements

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Wednesday March 10, 2004

Hubble Glimpses Early Universe

March 10, 2004 • Astronomers unveil a new image taken with the Hubble Space Telescope that reveals the deepest look ever at distant and ancient galaxies, providing a glimpse of the universe as it appeared shortly after the big bang. The image was released at an event designed to rally support for efforts to save Hubble, which is slated for early retirement in 2006. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

Hubble Glimpses Early Universe

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Boston's Big Dig Clears Path for Exercise

March 10, 2004 • Experts estimate that nearly half of Boston adults are overweight. The numbers are the similar for most U.S. cities, partly because urban centers are designed to get cars moving, not people. Now, as Madge Kaplan reports from member station WGBH, Boston health activists are eyeing the land opened up by a brand new highway -- with calories in mind.

Boston's Big Dig Clears Path for Exercise

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