Science

Dr. Harry Selker, a cardiologist, works on collaborations to improve delivery of medical care.

This Doctor Is Trying To Stop Heart Attacks In Their Tracks

4:59pm September 23, 2016

by Arun Rath

Harry Selker has spent his life trying to come up with better ways to keep people from dying of heart attacks. Now he's intent on figuring out if a simple, cheap medication could be a game changer.

Presidential Candidates Hold Starkly Different Views On Energy

4:43pm September 23, 2016

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have starkly different views on energy policies. We hear from the people who are advising the candidates on everything from clean energy to fracking.

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Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Near Beacon Heights

Science

Follow The Foliage!

1:04pm September 23, 2016

by Shawn Fitzmaurice

The fall is a beautiful time of year here on the East Coast, and in North Carolina, we have a resident expert who has long been the go-to scientist for local leaf-peepers: Dr. Howard Neufeld, professor of biological sciences at Appalachian State University. He is learning how and why trees turn color in the fall, as well as why some turn red, while others turn yellow.

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Changing habits and better health care have vastly reduced the risk of death by heart disease.

Are We Reaching The End Of The Trend For Longer, Healthier Lives?

11:52am September 23, 2016

by Richard Harris

In the past 50 years, better medical care and healthier habits have greatly reduced the risk of dying young from heart disease. But the obesity epidemic threatens to reverse that happy trend.

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Computer Scientists Solve Mystery Of The Ein Gedi Scroll By 'Virtual Unwrapping'

8:30pm September 22, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

Researchers used a new kind of analysis to make a virtual image of a crumbling ancient scroll from Israel. Biblical scholars were able to read the re-created text, which is from Leviticus.

If You Think Eating Is A Political Act, Say Thanks To Frances Moore Lappe

7:16pm September 22, 2016

by Allison Aubrey

When Frances Moore Lappe wrote the best-selling Diet For A Small Planet back in 1971, she helped start a conversation about the social and environmental impacts of the foods we choose.

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Corn rootworm beetle larvae feed on maize root and seed.

As a GMO Pillar Wobbles, Biotech Companies Promise New Insect-Killing Genes

4:59pm September 22, 2016

by Dan Charles

Scientists have discovered a soil microbe with a gene that kills the corn rootworm, an insect that farmers spend $1 billion each year trying to control.

Stanford Biologist Invents Ultra Low Cost Scientific Tools

4:59pm September 22, 2016

NPR's Robert Siegel interviews Manu Prakash, a physical biologist and inventor at Stanford University, about being awarded a MacArthur fellowship this year. He talks about his work using bioengineering, not just for basic research, but to invent ultra low cost scientific tools, such as microscopes kids can use anywhere in the world.

Science

Swedish Scientist Starts DNA Experiments On Healthy Human Embryos

4:33pm September 22, 2016

by Rob Stein

A scientist in Sweden has started experiments on healthy human embryos in which DNA is altered. The aim is to determine the causes of infertility. It's the first known use of so-called "gene-editing" tools on healthy human embryos, and critics say it could potentially lead society down a very dangerous path.

Science

Can An Airline Affect The Direction Of Science?

3:12pm September 22, 2016

by Shankar Vedantam

Research collaborations often involve scientists from all over the world. A new study looks at plane ticket prices, and how they relate to the direction of science.

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