Humans http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1129&ft=1&f=1129 Humans en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Thu, 23 May 2013 18:02:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Humans http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1129&ft=1&f=1129 The Weight Of A Med Student's Subconscious Bias A test of third-year medical students in North Carolina revealed biases against the obese. The author of the study says these thoughts, often subconscious, could affect how doctors treat their patients and whether those patients trust them. Thu, 23 May 2013 18:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/186294402/the-weight-of-a-med-students-subconscious-bias?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/186294402/the-weight-of-a-med-students-subconscious-bias?ft=1&f=1129 A test of third-year medical students in North Carolina revealed biases against the obese. The author of the study says these thoughts, often subconscious, could affect how doctors treat their patients and whether those patients trust them.

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]]> Researchers Find Bird Flu Is Contagious Among Ferrets The virus's ability to move between these mammals might not bode well for humans. So far, it appears that H7N9 doesn't pass easily between people, but it could mutate over time and pose more of a threat. Thu, 23 May 2013 15:49:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/186304710/researchers-find-bird-flu-is-contagious-among-ferrets?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/186304710/researchers-find-bird-flu-is-contagious-among-ferrets?ft=1&f=1129 The virus's ability to move between these mammals might not bode well for humans. So far, it appears that H7N9 doesn't pass easily between people, but it could mutate over time and pose more of a threat.

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]]> Scientific Tooth Fairies Investigate Neanderthal Breast-Feeding Our closest relatives, chimpanzees and gorillas, breast-feed their offspring for several years. Some baby orangutans nurse until they are 7 years old. Researchers found a way to test ancient teeth for clues about when humans cut nursing short. Wed, 22 May 2013 17:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/185813855/Scientific-Tooth-Fairies-Investigate-Neanderthal-Breastfeeding?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/23/185813855/Scientific-Tooth-Fairies-Investigate-Neanderthal-Breastfeeding?ft=1&f=1129 Our closest relatives, chimpanzees and gorillas, breast-feed their offspring for several years. Some baby orangutans nurse until they are 7 years old. Researchers found a way to test ancient teeth for clues about when humans cut nursing short.

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]]> Research Reveals Yeasty Beasts Living On Our Skin While studying microorganisms on humans is not new, tracking fungi is. In a census of sorts, scientists checked the skin of healthy volunteers. They found an expansive ecosystem of silent inhabitants. Wed, 22 May 2013 13:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/22/185821644/research-reveals-yeasty-beasts-living-on-our-skin?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/05/22/185821644/research-reveals-yeasty-beasts-living-on-our-skin?ft=1&f=1129 While studying microorganisms on humans is not new, tracking fungi is. In a census of sorts, scientists checked the skin of healthy volunteers. They found an expansive ecosystem of silent inhabitants.

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]]> The Art And Science Of Motivation Graduation season is upon us and that means a slew of uplifting commencement speeches trying to motivate young adults to greatness. Science and experience tell us that everyone is motivated differently, so how do speakers, coaches and business managers inspire people? Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185809739/the-art-and-science-of-motivation?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185809739/the-art-and-science-of-motivation?ft=1&f=1129 Graduation season is upon us and that means a slew of uplifting commencement speeches trying to motivate young adults to greatness. Science and experience tell us that everyone is motivated differently, so how do speakers, coaches and business managers inspire people?

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]]> Can A Piece Of Hair Reveal How Much Coke Or Pepsi You Drink? People are notorious for under-reporting what they consume — they lie, forget or just guess wrong. For researchers who want to know how much soda we're drinking, a high-tech analysis technique could help. Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/17/184797227/can-a-piece-of-hair-reveal-how-much-coke-or-pepsi-you-drink?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/05/17/184797227/can-a-piece-of-hair-reveal-how-much-coke-or-pepsi-you-drink?ft=1&f=1129 People are notorious for under-reporting what they consume — they lie, forget or just guess wrong. For researchers who want to know how much soda we're drinking, a high-tech analysis technique could help.

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]]> Researchers Report Cloning Advance For Producing Stem Cells Scientists reported this week in the journal <em>Cell</em> that they had used somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques to create a source of embryonic stem cells from the skin cells of a patient. George Daley, director of the stem cell transplantation program at Boston Children's Hospital, and Josephine Johnston of the Hastings Center discuss the research. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775918/researchers-report-cloning-advance-for-producing-stem-cells?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775918/researchers-report-cloning-advance-for-producing-stem-cells?ft=1&f=1129 Scientists reported this week in the journal Cell that they had used somatic cell nuclear transfer techniques to create a source of embryonic stem cells from the skin cells of a patient. George Daley, director of the stem cell transplantation program at Boston Children's Hospital, and Josephine Johnston of the Hastings Center discuss the research.

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]]> Desktop Diaries: Daniel Kahneman Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman is the latest subject in our <em>Desktop Diaries</em> series, although he has no desk. Kahneman, professor emeritus at Princeton University, won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2002 for his research with the late Amos Tversky on our sometimes irrational intuitions and how they affect decision-making. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775922/desktop-diaries-daniel-kahneman?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775922/desktop-diaries-daniel-kahneman?ft=1&f=1129 Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman is the latest subject in our Desktop Diaries series, although he has no desk. Kahneman, professor emeritus at Princeton University, won the Nobel Prize in economic sciences in 2002 for his research with the late Amos Tversky on our sometimes irrational intuitions and how they affect decision-making.

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]]> When Great Scientists Got It Wrong In <em>Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein</em>, astrophysicist Mario Livio explores the colossal errors committed by scientific greats, from chemist Linus Pauling's botched model of DNA, to Charles Darwin's failure to understand genetics--the very mechanism of natural selection. Fri, 17 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775928/when-great-scientists-got-it-wrong?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/184775928/when-great-scientists-got-it-wrong?ft=1&f=1129 In Brilliant Blunders: From Darwin to Einstein, astrophysicist Mario Livio explores the colossal errors committed by scientific greats, from chemist Linus Pauling's botched model of DNA, to Charles Darwin's failure to understand genetics--the very mechanism of natural selection.

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]]> Giving It Away You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1129 You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return.

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]]> Do We Have The Wrong Idea About Charity? Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls out the double standard that drives our broken relationship to charities. Instead of equating frugality with morality, he asks us to start rewarding charities for their big goals and accomplishments.<strong> </strong> Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:47 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181693499/do-we-have-the-wrong-idea-about-charity?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181693499/do-we-have-the-wrong-idea-about-charity?ft=1&f=1129 Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls out the double standard that drives our broken relationship to charities. Instead of equating frugality with morality, he asks us to start rewarding charities for their big goals and accomplishments.

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]]> How Do You Get People To Pay For Music? Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:47 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1129 Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan.

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]]> When Is the Right Time To Give? Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.<strong> </strong> Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181685278/when-is-the-right-time-to-give?ft=1&f=1129 Volunteer firefighter Mark Bezos tells a story of an act of heroism that didn't go quite as expected — but that taught him a big lesson: Don't wait — give now.

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]]> How Can You Give A Community Better Health? Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys." Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:46 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181691507/how-can-you-give-a-community-better-health?ft=1&f=1129 Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. He hopes to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where "the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys."

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]]> Stem Cell Milestone Revives Intense Ethical Debate Scientists in Oregon have achieved something that has eluded researchers for years. They have created stem cells that are tailored to individual patients, made from cloned embryos. That would open the door to treating many diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and many others. But researchers face ethical dilemmas. Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184399430/stem-cell-milestone-revives-intense-ethical-debate?ft=1&f=1129 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/16/184399430/stem-cell-milestone-revives-intense-ethical-debate?ft=1&f=1129 Scientists in Oregon have achieved something that has eluded researchers for years. They have created stem cells that are tailored to individual patients, made from cloned embryos. That would open the door to treating many diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, diabetes, spinal cord injuries and many others. But researchers face ethical dilemmas.

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