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Nell Greenfieldboyce Nell Greenfieldboyce is a NPR science correspondent.
Nell Greenfieldboyce 2010
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Nell Greenfieldboyce

Space

Space Toilet Awaits Repair Mission

The crew of the international space station is struggling with a broken toilet on the eve of a visit from the space shuttle. But the seven-person shuttle crew will bring spare parts and the promise of repairs.

Space Toilet Awaits Repair Mission

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Your Health

Mosquito War: New Chemicals May Beat DEET

A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found several chemicals that may be more effective mosquito repellents than DEET. The gold standard for discouraging mosquitoes, it wasn't known until recently how DEET affects the insects.

Mosquito War: New Chemicals May Beat DEET

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Research News

Nanotubes, Like Asbestos, Could Threaten Health

Tiny tubes made of carbon atoms have promised to revolutionize industry. But a new study in mice suggests that one kind of nanotube produces biological changes like those caused by asbestos.

Nanotubes, Like Asbestos, Could Threaten Health

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Space

Elvis, bin Laden and Hitler Join Mission to Mars

A Mars spacecraft carrying a DVD of thousands of names was intended to increase public interest in space missions. But the unintended consequence was lasting space memorials to Donald Duck, John Lennon, Adolf Hitler and Malcolm X.

Elvis, bin Laden and Hitler Join Mission to Mars

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Space

Rough Soyuz Landing Creates Bumps for NASA

NASA is trying to downplay fears that the recent bone-rattling landing of a Russian capsule could mean it is less reliable than thought. Once NASA retires the space shuttle in 2010, the Russian Soyuz will be the only means of getting astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

Rough Soyuz Landing Creates Bumps for NASA

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Science Out Of The Box

Sadness Spurs Spending, Experiment Shows

Feeling blue? You may want to think twice before heading to the mall. A recent experiment found that people who watched a clip from a sad movie were willing to pay significantly more for a water bottle than those who watched part of a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef.

Sadness Spurs Spending, Experiment Shows

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Science Out Of The Box

Robots, Real and Fictional, Honored at Hall of Fame

Four robots were recently inducted into the Robot Hall of Fame — two of the robots are famous ones enjoyed by kids and TV audiences, while the other two are not exactly household names. A group of robot enthusiasts has been picking their favorite machines in both real life and in pop culture since 2003.

Robots, Real and Fictional, Honored at Hall of Fame

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Research News

Study Finds Soil Bacteria Can Live on Antibiotic Diet

Antibiotics normally kill bacteria. But scientists have discovered that hundreds of bacteria living in dirt not only resist being killed by antibiotics — they use the antibiotics as food.

Study Finds Soil Bacteria Can Live on Antibiotic Diet

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World

European Spacecraft Takes Off

The European Space Agency has launched a massive new cargo ship, which is headed for the International Space Station. The robotic ship can carry more than seven tons of fuel, food and other supplies up to the station.

European Spacecraft Takes Off

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National

Panel Shoots Down Wider Ballistics Database

In recent years, some lawmakers and gun control groups have pushed for a national database that would record the ballistics signature of every gun sold in the United States. But a new report from the National Research Council says the database would return too many potential matches to be practical.

Panel Shoots Down Wider Ballistics Database

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Sports

Women Can't Jump, Olympic Panel Says

Ski jumping is the only sport in the winter Olympics that doesn't include women. However, advocates of women's ski jumping have recently gotten a boost from Canada, which is hosting the 2010 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee is facing protests and increasing pressure to change its policy.

Women Can't Jump, Olympic Panel Says

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Science

Swimming Robot Takes Its First Icy Plunge

An aquatic robot takes an experimental dip into the icy waters of Lake Mendota in Wisconsin. Scientists hope someday to use the technology to explore ice-bound lakes in Antarctica and even distant icy moons.

Swimming Robot Takes Its First Icy Plunge

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Technology

Scientists One Step Closer to Holographic Movies

Holograms are nothing new, but they've never been dynamic. Using a special kind of plastic film, scientists have found a way to make dynamic 3-D holographic images. They use the old method of making a hologram with lasers to capture an image. But the image isn't permanent. They can use another laser process to erase it.

Scientists One Step Closer to Holographic Movies

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Science Out Of The Box

Rehydrate, Inject … Baby?

Freeze-dried food is nothing new. Just grab a jar of Taster's Choice instant coffee, add water and you're good to go. But what about freeze-drying sperm and then using it to make a baby? NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce brings us news of an advance in human reproductive science. With the right technique, freeze-dried sperm can become viable enough to fertilize an egg.

Rehydrate, Inject … Baby?

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Technology

Cell Phone Reads to the Blind

A new cell phone offers the smallest text-to-speech reading device ever built, a device especially useful for people with impaired vision. The phone and software come with a $2,000 price tag.

Cell Phone Reads to the Blind

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