Organic Cat Litter Chief Suspect In Nuclear Waste Accident
The release of plutonium at a New Mexico nuclear dump may have been caused by a bad purchase at the pet shop.
Science
Air Quality - The Connection
SciWorks Radio is a production of 88.5 WFDD and SciWorks, the Science Center and Environmental Park of Forsyth County, located in Winston-Salem.
We all know well by now that our smallest actions can have a consequence on the environment. While we often think of long term effects on climate, many of us overlook the immediate local impact. In this second Earth Day series installment of SciWorks Radio, we spoke with Lorelei Elkins, Program Coordinator at Triad Air Awareness, based in the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection.
Overexposed? Camera Phones Could Be Washing Out Our Memories
When you snap lots of photos, psychologists say you're subconsciously relying on the camera to remember the experience for you. And your memory, they say, may suffer because of it.
Big Bang's Ripples: Two Scientists Recall Their Big Discovery
Fifty years ago today, two astronomers in New Jersey accidentally discovered the Big Bang's afterglow. The roaring space static their hilltop antenna detected came from the birth of the universe.
Mating Rituals: Why Certain Risky Behaviors Can Make You Look Hot
Social science research suggests risky behavior such as braving heights or swimming in deep waters increases your sex appeal. Driving without a seat belt? Not so much.
Gluten Researcher Reverses His Earlier Finding
A 2011 study found gluten can cause gastrointestinal distress even in people who don't suffer from celiac disease. Peter Gibson published that study, and in a new paper he says the opposite is true.
Why Reporting On Scientific Research May Warp Findings
The pressure to publish original research can mean scientists are neglecting to verify the work of others. In its current issue, the journal Social Psychology is trying a different approach.
The First American Teenager, Millennia-Old And Underwater
DNA from the skeleton of a 12,000-year-old teenage girl found on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula shows that today's Native Americans are descended from Siberians who spread southward across North America.
Filtering A New Idea: A Book That's Educational And 'Drinkable'
Improving access to clean water can reduce the spread of diarrheal diseases in developing countries. The "Drinkable Book" should help: It has water safety tips and each page works as a filter.
Out There On The Ice: An Intimate View Of The Melting Antarctic Sheet
Two groups of scientists have reported that the melting of the giant West Antarctica Ice Sheet appears to be unstoppable. Oceans could rise several feet in the coming centuries because of its melting.