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Health and Science
Failure To Launch: SpaceX Delays Mission
With NASA's help, SpaceX is trying to send the first commercial spaceship to the International Space Station. The launch was aborted Saturday morning, but there will be another opportunity on Tuesday. Host Scott Simon speaks with NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce.
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Source: Science | 19 May 2012 | 8:00 am
Rocket Liftoff Aborted A Half-Second Before Launch
The privately funded, unmanned spacecraft was attempting its first flight to the International Space Station. The spacecraft had a one-second window to take off, and the failed launch means it won't be trying again for at least a few days.
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Source: Science | 19 May 2012 | 1:58 am
Pipeline Flip Turns U.S. Oil World 'Upside Down'
An oil boom in the American heartland has created an oil glut in the middle of the country. Now, a pipeline that has been pumping crude oil from Texas to the Midwest will reverse its flow, reducing the bottleneck — and potentially creating winners and losers at the pump.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 3:18 pm
Clarence Birdseye And His Fantastic Frozen Food Machine
Clarence Birdseye's life as a taxidermist, fur trader, hunter, and fish lobbyist all led to his creation of the modern frozen food industry. His inventions made frozen food tastier and more widely available to consumers.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:13 pm
On Eve Of Launch, SpaceX Head Talks About Mission
SpaceX is set to launch its Dragon spacecraft to rendezvous with the International Space Station this weekend. If successful, it will be the first commercially developed, launched and operated craft to meet the ISS. SpaceX head Elon Musk talks about the launch, and his other project, Tesla Motors.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
The Itching Question That's More Than Skin Deep
Studies show that the power of suggestion can induce itchiness — but scientists don't know what this irritation is, what causes it, or why it feels so good to cure. Marc Abrahams, editor of the Annals of Improbable Research, talks about how talking about the science of itches might have you scratching right now.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
Planning For A Solar Sky Show
On May 20th, skywatchers in the western third of the United States will be treated to an annular solar eclipse, a sight not seen here in 18 years. Dean Regas of the Cincinnati Observatory shares tips for viewing the eclipse, and tells how solar observers can safely get a peek at the elusive 'ring of fire.'
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
From Rooftops And Abandoned Lots, An Urban Harvest
From rooftop apiaries in Paris to a vegetable-and-chicken farm in Philadelphia, agriculture has come to the city. Urban farmer Mary Seton Corboy and food writer Jennifer Cockrall-King talk about the future of food in the city. Plus, Tama Matsuoka Wong gives tasty tips for eating garden weeds.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
Rerouting Working Nerves To Restore Hand Function
A paralyzed man with a spinal cord injury to the C7 vertebrae is able to move his fingers again. Surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine rerouted working nerves in the patient's upper arms to restore some hand function. Dr. Ida Fox discusses the procedure described in the Journal of Neurosurgery.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
Stroke Victims Think, Robotic Arm Acts
Reporting in Nature, researchers write that two individuals, both paralyzed by stroke, made reach-and-grasp movements using a thought-controlled robotic arm. One participant was even able to a sip a drink by herself. Neuroengineer Dr. Leigh Hochberg discusses the paper and the ongoing trial.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 1:00 pm
Trash Can May Be Greenest Option For Unused Drugs
Drug take-back programs are gaining popularity as a safe way to dispose of extra prescriptions. But a study from the University of Michigan suggests that chucking them in your household trash may be just as safe and more environmentally-friendly, thanks to reduced overall pollution.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 9:53 am
NASA, SpaceX Aim To Launch Private Era In Orbit
If all goes well, an unmanned capsule will become the first commercial spacecraft to visit the International Space Station. SpaceX and NASA have been working together to make this launch happen, navigating cultural differences between the young startup and the veteran agency.
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Source: Science | 18 May 2012 | 8:20 am
Pennsylvania Doctors Worry Over Fracking 'Gag Rule'
A new law grants doctors access to information about trade-secret chemicals used in natural gas drilling. Doctors say they need the information to treat patients who may have been exposed to chemicals. But the law also says doctors can't tell anyone else — not even other doctors — about what's in the formulas.
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Source: Science | 17 May 2012 | 5:30 pm
Ancient Deep-Sea Bacteria Are In No Hurry To Eat
Back when the dinosaurs ruled the Earth, some hardy bacteria took up residence at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Eighty six million years later, they're still there. And a new study says they're living out the most Spartan lifestyle known on this planet.
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Source: Science | 17 May 2012 | 5:06 pm
The Secret Life Of California's World-Class Strawberries
We may romanticize that strawberries are grown down the road, but most of them come from California. And a complex web of plant cloning practices, relocation and fumigation has cropped up to keep it that way. Although scientists are exploring new options, like soil-free growing.
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Source: Science | 17 May 2012 | 3:21 pm
