archive

October 17, 2012 Polio is deadly, but so is what's required to stamp it out once and for all in Pakistan: facing down Islamist extremists. The virus thrives in Pakistan's lawless — and largely inaccessible — tribal regions. To stop polio's spread, health workers must be courageous, clever and relentless.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

October 17, 2012 Photojournalists and reporters on the campaign trail are using Instagram to transmit behind-the-scenes photos that you otherwise wouldn't see.

Summary

October 17, 2012 Northern Nigeria is the only region in the world where the number of polio cases is on the rise. International groups have poured money and volunteers into the area to combat the disease. But vaccinators face daunting challenges — from security threats like terrorist bombings to a lack of basic resources like electricity.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

October 16, 2012 During the early 20th century, polio killed thousands of American children each summer and paralyzed many more. Now, as the world fights to eradicate the virus globally, we look back at the development of the polio vaccine and its successful deployment around the world.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

October 4, 2012 Evan Prince's portraits of Star Wars bad guys at a convention show that even a Stormtrooper is capable of emotion.

Summary

September 28, 2012 The Gouffre Berger cave in France was once dubbed the world's deadliest. Now it's a rite of passage for new cavers. Photographer Robbie Shone illuminates its dark, and cold, depths.

Summary

September 25, 2012 Not much brings Mumbai, India, to a standstill, but the annual Ganesh Chaturthi festival does just that. Diptychs offer a glimpse into the merriment and mayhem of the 10-day festival.

Summary

September 24, 2012 Julia Kozerski lost 160 pounds in one year and documented her changing body by taking photos in dressing rooms. The images tell a poignant story of transition and self-discovery along the way.

Summary

August 31, 2012 A team of doctors and scientists, known as disease detectives, fly around the world on a moments notice to investigate mystery illnesses or contain outbreaks. These Sherlock Holmes of medicine chatted on Twitter about what it's like to be a disease detective and how you snag the gig.

Summary

August 17, 2012 The rising popularity of premium coffee in the U.S. is having a direct positive effect on some of the poorest farmers in the world. Freelance photographer Jonathan Kalan has seen it firsthand, and explains how this business sprung up in Rwanda and how it continues to benefit the family farmers.

Summary

August 16, 2012 High oil prices and technological advances have made it economically viable to ramp up oil production from Canada's tar sands. The oil pulled out of the ground is so thick and sticky that it needs complex, energy-intensive processing just to get it into a pipeline.

Summary

August 16, 2012 Photographer Tomas van Houtryve entered North Korea with an illegal passport and concocted an elaborate lie to avoid being detained. It was all part of his project to document modern-day communism.

Summary

August 14, 2012 A self-described "panographer" stitches together NASA's photos to create an engaging view of the red planet.

Summary