NPR Programs: Talk of the Nation http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5&ft=1&f=5 Journalist Neal Conan leads a productive exchange of ideas and opinions on the issues that dominate the news landscape. From politics and public service to education, religion, music and healthcare, Talk of the Nation offers call-in listeners the opportunity to join enlightening discussions with decision-makers, authors, academicians and artists from around the world. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Talk of the Nation http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5&ft=1&f=5 Real-Life Physics Problems Star On TV The stars of <em>The Big Bang Theory</em> are two fictional Caltech physicists, but the physics problems they study are real. Bill Prady, the program's co-creator and executive producer, talks about including real-world science in the script, from dark matter to magnetic monopoles. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613274&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613274&ft=1&f=5 The stars of The Big Bang Theory are two fictional Caltech physicists, but the physics problems they study are real. Bill Prady, the program's co-creator and executive producer, talks about including real-world science in the script, from dark matter to magnetic monopoles.

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]]> Brushing Up On Tropical Diseases Dengue fever, malaria and other tropical diseases took center stage at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Nathan Seppa of <em>Science News</em> offers details, including a strange story of palm trees, fruit bats and human infection. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613361&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613361&ft=1&f=5 Dengue fever, malaria and other tropical diseases took center stage at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene conference. Nathan Seppa of Science News offers details, including a strange story of palm trees, fruit bats and human infection.

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]]> Rethinking The Human Future In Space With NASA reporting a "significant amount" of water on the lunar surface, is it time to re-examine our priorities regarding living and working in space? Mark Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute, talks about why and how people should venture beyond Earth. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613250&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613250&ft=1&f=5 With NASA reporting a "significant amount" of water on the lunar surface, is it time to re-examine our priorities regarding living and working in space? Mark Sykes, director of the Planetary Science Institute, talks about why and how people should venture beyond Earth.

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]]> Personalizing Solar Power Researchers are hoping to improve solar energy installations by coupling a solar panel to an efficient hydrolysis unit that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. Daniel Nocera of MIT says the approach could lead to personal solar power units that could get many houses off the grid. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613254&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613254&ft=1&f=5 Researchers are hoping to improve solar energy installations by coupling a solar panel to an efficient hydrolysis unit that splits water into oxygen and hydrogen. Daniel Nocera of MIT says the approach could lead to personal solar power units that could get many houses off the grid.

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]]> Talking Turkey About Holiday Stress The holiday season is here and for many that can mean a surge in stress. But what is stress exactly? <em>Science Friday</em> hit the streets of New York City to gauge stress levels and consulted with experts on the effects of stress and strategies for how to cope. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613258&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613258&ft=1&f=5 The holiday season is here and for many that can mean a surge in stress. But what is stress exactly? Science Friday hit the streets of New York City to gauge stress levels and consulted with experts on the effects of stress and strategies for how to cope.

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]]> Debating Benefits, Risks Of Routine Mammograms New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613264&ft=1&f=5 New guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend women start getting routine mammograms at age 50, not 40. Ira Flatow and guests take a closer look at the guidelines and what they mean for women's health.

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]]> Book Recounts Challenges Of Eradicating Smallpox In <em>Smallpox: The Death of a Disease</em>, Dr. D.A. Henderson recounts the history of the deadly virus, from the development of the first vaccine in the late 18th century to his involvement in the successful global eradication campaign in the 1960s and 70s. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613268&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120613268&ft=1&f=5 In Smallpox: The Death of a Disease, Dr. D.A. Henderson recounts the history of the deadly virus, from the development of the first vaccine in the late 18th century to his involvement in the successful global eradication campaign in the 1960s and 70s.

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]]> New Yorkers Disagree Over Plans For Sept. 11 Trial Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be tried in a civilian court in New York City. Some argue it will open old wounds, while others insist it will provide closure. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576418&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576418&ft=1&f=5 Attorney General Eric Holder announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-proclaimed mastermind behind the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, will be tried in a civilian court in New York City. Some argue it will open old wounds, while others insist it will provide closure.

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]]> 'Googled': From Brainchild To Behemoth How much do you know about the company that knows so much about you? In <em>Googled: The End of the World as We Know It,</em> Ken Auletta chronicles the growth of Google, from the brainchild of two computer science graduate students, toiling in a California garage, to the multi-billion dollar, multi-nation corporation it is today. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576406&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576406&ft=1&f=5 How much do you know about the company that knows so much about you? In Googled: The End of the World as We Know It, Ken Auletta chronicles the growth of Google, from the brainchild of two computer science graduate students, toiling in a California garage, to the multi-billion dollar, multi-nation corporation it is today.

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]]> Indentured Servitude Persists In Florida's Fields Slavery was abolished in the U.S. in 1865, but the specter of slavery persists today for the tomato and citrus pickers working in Florida's fields. Reporter Amy Bennett Williams joins Neal Conan in Fort Myers, Fla. to discuss indentured servitude, human trafficking, and how prosecutors are fighting it. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576412&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576412&ft=1&f=5 Slavery was abolished in the U.S. in 1865, but the specter of slavery persists today for the tomato and citrus pickers working in Florida's fields. Reporter Amy Bennett Williams joins Neal Conan in Fort Myers, Fla. to discuss indentured servitude, human trafficking, and how prosecutors are fighting it.

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]]> Books That Will Help You Understand Afghanistan The conflict in Afghanistan dominates headlines, but many people seek a deeper understanding of the country and the war the U.S. is fighting there. In the first of a series of suggestions for an Afghanistan "reading list," <em>Washington Post</em> special military correspondent Tom Ricks shares his recommendations, ranging from a collection of Afghan proverbs, to a history of the CIA's involvement in the country. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576400&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120576400&ft=1&f=5 The conflict in Afghanistan dominates headlines, but many people seek a deeper understanding of the country and the war the U.S. is fighting there. In the first of a series of suggestions for an Afghanistan "reading list," Washington Post special military correspondent Tom Ricks shares his recommendations, ranging from a collection of Afghan proverbs, to a history of the CIA's involvement in the country.

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]]> USDA Study Show Hunger On The Rise In U.S. A new report on hunger in America from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that nearly 15 percent of all American households struggled to get enough to eat in 2008. That's the largest percentage since the agency began measuring hunger in 1995. Alfred Lubrano, reporter at the <em>Philadelphia Inquirer</em> explains the study’s findings. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:26:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120544271&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120544271&ft=1&f=5 A new report on hunger in America from the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that nearly 15 percent of all American households struggled to get enough to eat in 2008. That's the largest percentage since the agency began measuring hunger in 1995. Alfred Lubrano, reporter at the Philadelphia Inquirer explains the study’s findings.

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]]> Matthew Continetti On The 'Persecution' Of Palin It's been all Palin all the time ever since the former Alaska governor unveiled her memoir on <em>Oprah</em> on Monday. Matthew Continetti of the <em>Weekly Standard</em> comes to Palin's defense in his new book, <em>The Persecution of Sarah Palin: How the Elite Media Tried to Bring Down a Rising Star</em>. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:22:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120538109&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120538109&ft=1&f=5 It's been all Palin all the time ever since the former Alaska governor unveiled her memoir on Oprah on Monday. Matthew Continetti of the Weekly Standard comes to Palin's defense in his new book, The Persecution of Sarah Palin: How the Elite Media Tried to Bring Down a Rising Star.

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]]> Doc Ford Gets To The Bottom Of Florida Mysteries Crime writer Randy Wayne White spent 13 years as a tackle fishing guide before he began to probe the mysteries of southwest Florida. White is best known for his series of crime novels featuring Doc Ford, an NSA agent turned marine biologist living on Florida's Gulf Coast. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537924&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537924&ft=1&f=5 Crime writer Randy Wayne White spent 13 years as a tackle fishing guide before he began to probe the mysteries of southwest Florida. White is best known for his series of crime novels featuring Doc Ford, an NSA agent turned marine biologist living on Florida's Gulf Coast.

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]]> Understanding The New Mammogram Guidelines For years, women were encouraged to get breast cancer screenings at 40. Now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued new guidelines saying that the average woman can wait until 50. The guidelines also discourage the teaching of self breast examinations. Experts explain how the study was conducted, and how to interpret the new recommendations. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537928&ft=1&f=5 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120537928&ft=1&f=5 For years, women were encouraged to get breast cancer screenings at 40. Now, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued new guidelines saying that the average woman can wait until 50. The guidelines also discourage the teaching of self breast examinations. Experts explain how the study was conducted, and how to interpret the new recommendations.

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