The Mad Hatter's Secret Ingredient: Math[ Mar 13, 2010 00:00 ]

The first numbers that come to mind when thinking about Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland might be how much money the movie is raking in at the box office. But mathematicians say the books are full of algebraic lessons — such as why a raven is like a writing desk.

Ancient Shipwrecks A Wonder Of The 'Baltic Triangle'[ Mar 13, 2010 00:00 ]

A dozen ancient shipwrecks have been discovered in the Baltic Sea, just east of Sweden. The well-preserved ships are hundreds of years old. The oldest wreck may date back 800 years.

Can Biotech Crops Feed The Developing World?[ Mar 12, 2010 13:00 ]

Biotech has promised innovations like drought-resistant corn and vitamin-packed cassava to the developing world. But how has it delivered on those dreams? Ira Flatow and guests discuss the status of those projects, and how "technologies in a seed" fit in with other agricultural improvements.

The Secret Life Of Caves[ Mar 12, 2010 13:00 ]

Pigmentless grotto salamanders, blind Ozark cavefish and parasitic horsehair worms are a few of the animals living in Missouri's 6,000-plus caves. Ira Flatow and three expert spelunkers look at the biology, geology and history of underground attractions in the "Cave State."

Living Spaces That Stress Less[ Mar 12, 2010 13:00 ]

From switching to energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, to collecting rainwater and installing photovoltaic panels, how are experts making buildings that use less energy and generate less waste? Ira Flatow and guests explore the latest in green materials and design.

Do Big Quakes Increase Global Seismic Activity?[ Mar 12, 2010 04:00 ]

There have been three deadly earthquakes already this year — in Haiti, Chile and Turkey — and a fourth that caused damage in Taiwan. Is this a coincidence? Seismologists can't answer that question directly, but they say there's a growing realization that big earthquakes can trigger other earthquakes many thousands of miles away.

Battle Over Ivory, Tuna Expected At Wildlife Meeting[ Mar 12, 2010 00:00 ]

Wildlife experts convene next week in the city of Doha in Qatar to consider how to control the trade in rare animals and plants. Trade in elephant ivory continues to be a contentious issue. And this year sees a brand new effort to move offshore and protect some of the ocean's most charismatic and sought-after species.

Computers One Step Closer To Reading Your Mind[ Mar 11, 2010 16:00 ]

Clairvoyant computers may be nearer to reality than you'd think. In a new study, a computer program that analyzes brain scans was able to detect participants' thoughts — or at least their memories of a short film they were thinking about.

Doctors Often Order Heart Test But No Disease Is Found[ Mar 11, 2010 09:04 ]

Most patients without known heart disease who get coronary angiograms don't have clogged arteries after all, a large study finds. The results cast doubt on the usefulness of the expensive test in about 200,000 cases a year.

Half-Rooster/Half-Hen Helps Unlock Sex Mystery[ Mar 11, 2010 00:00 ]

In mammals, a flood of hormones tells cells to develop male or female features. But a new study of gender-bending chickens reveals that birds may be different. They have an additional way of determining whether they appear male or female: Individual cells may be able to do it.

Lonely Wolverine Seeks West Coast Mate[ Mar 10, 2010 14:21 ]

It isn't a personal ad: A male wolverine, dubbed "Buddy" by researchers, has been found in Tahoe National Forest in California. A wolverine has not been spotted in the state for some 90 years. No one can figure out just how Buddy got there, but as mating season approaches, this little guy could feel lonelier than ever.

Vaccinating Kids Helps Adults Avoid Flu[ Mar 10, 2010 08:52 ]

Researchers studying isolated communities in Canada showed that immunizing children against influenza lowered flu rates among unvaccinated adults by 60 percent.

Giving May Be Contagious[ Mar 09, 2010 17:19 ]

Even a little pot of money can lead to a lot of giving, as the altruistic spirit ripples through a network, researchers say.

For Quake Scientists, Chile Becomes A Unique Lab[ Mar 09, 2010 15:30 ]

Following the massive earthquake that struck on Feb. 27, scientists have flocked to Chile with the goal of picking up enough clues to one day predict when the next big one will strike.

When You Were Just A Twinkle In A Cro-Magnon's Eye[ Mar 09, 2010 14:55 ]

In the grand scheme of things, humans are mere infants on this planet. Some creatures alive today were swimming under the sea during the U.S. Civil War or photosynthesizing when the Egyptian pyramids were being built. Here are six of the oldest living things on the planet.