Chameleon Tongues Stay Speedy In The Cold[ Mar 08, 2010 18:00 ]

Lizards normally can't move very quickly when the temperature drops. But a new study shows that chameleons have a special adaptation that allows them to quickly catch prey, even when it's cold outside.

For Developing Nations, Exports Boost CO2 Emissions[ Mar 08, 2010 16:00 ]

China is criticized for being the world's largest producer of carbon dioxide, but a new report shows that a quarter of that is emitted while making things for Western consumers. Researchers say that climate policy must account for emissions resulting from trade.

Scientists Still Hopeful About Gene Therapy's Promise[ Mar 08, 2010 00:00 ]

For 25 years, scientists have touted the promise of gene therapy to treat human diseases, but only a handful of therapies have shown progress. Nonetheless, proponents remain optimistic and say the approach may yet revolutionize medicine.

Researcher: Pesticide 'Castrates' Male Frogs[ Mar 07, 2010 15:00 ]

Atrazine is widely used as weedkiller on American farms. And a new study shows this common chemical may have gender-bending effects on frogs. Host Guy Raz talks to biology professor Tyrone Hayes about his work with atrazine and frogs. Hayes found that 9 of every 10 male frogs he exposed to atrazine became chemically castrated. And that other 1 out of every 10? Well, he became a she.

Naps May Improve Performance Later In The Day[ Mar 07, 2010 00:00 ]

If you need an excuse to take your afternoon siesta, look no further: Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have found that naps may help your brain work better later.

Fossil Pushes Back The Age Of Dinosaurs[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

A fossil in Tanzania suggests dinosaurs appeared 10 million years earlier than previously thought, according to a Nature study. Christian Sidor, of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture at the University of Washington, discusses the origin of dinosaurs.

Rock Out With A Homemade Electric Guitar[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

Forget the air guitar solos, go electric for under $10. Sound artist Ranjit Bhatnagar, a member of NYC Resistor, specializes in building cheap, DIY instruments. He explains how to make an electric guitar from a plank of wood, some wire, a magnet and a guitar string.

Changing Behaviors To Save Energy[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

Energy Star labels and miles-per-gallon vehicle ratings aren't enticing enough consumers toward energy-saving options, according to economist Hunt Allcott. Allcott explains how new research in behavioral economics might help lead consumers to more energy-efficient choices.

Can Technology Solve Nuclear's Problems?[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

President Obama has pledged support for nuclear power, but problems including how to dispose of the waste persist. Ira Flatow and guests look at the latest nuclear technology, from microreactors to waste storage, and compare the cost of nuclear to other energy sources.

Yucca Mountain As Metaphor in About A Mountain[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

When writer John D'Agata moved his mother to the suburbs of Las Vegas, he began looking at the history of the government’s plan to store nuclear waste deep in Nevada's Yucca Mountain. The resulting boo—-- About a Mountai—-- is a reporter's notebook that reads like poetry.

Tracking The Geologic Impacts Of Earthquakes[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

The earthquake that shook Chile last weekend was powerful enough to push up the Andes a few feet, shift Earth's axis and even speed up the planet’s spin. Ross Stein, a geophysicist at the U.S. Geological Survey, explains the fallout of the quake and the physics that triggered it.

Harnessing Thoughts To Control A Computer[ Mar 05, 2010 13:00 ]

Researchers decoded electrical brain signals without implanting electrodes, according to a new study. Instead, Jose L. Contreras-Vidal and colleagues monitored brain activity with EEG sensors placed on the scalp, using those signals to reconstruct hand movement and drive a robot.

Your Neighborhood Oscars[ Mar 05, 2010 08:45 ]

Wanna know what movies might get your neighbor's vote? A New York Times interactive has a breakdown of top Netflix rentals by ZIP code.

Mighty Mussels Have Industrial Strength[ Mar 05, 2010 00:00 ]

Mussels hold tight to rocky seashores with the help of their strong but flexible "beards," or byssal threads. These threads are made of a sticky protein loaded up with iron that suggests a new way of making flexible but strong materials for industrial uses.

Oddball Amoebas Sprout Arms When Stressed[ Mar 05, 2010 00:00 ]

Scientists have deciphered the genome of one of Earth's strangest creatures. It turns from a lethargic amoeba into a sprightly, two-armed swimmer under stress. Its enormous number of genes allows the amoeba to morph and survive in the unforgiving mud where it lives.