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Friday November 28, 2003

Eskimos Seek Answers to Land Contamination

November 28, 2003 • During the Cold War, the U.S. military created early-warning radar sites along Alaska's western coast. Now the local Yup'ik Eskimos, who have lived off the land for thousands of years, suspect that abnormalities in the fish and wildlife, and their own health problems, are related to contaminants left behind by the military. As NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports, they're determined to find out for themselves. See photos of Alaska's Hooper Bay area.

Eskimos Seek Answers to Land Contamination

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Tuesday November 25, 2003

U.N. Reports on World AIDS

November 25, 2003 • The United Nations issues a report Tuesday on AIDS around the world. The organization says that the number of people infected is 40 million, slightly less than in recent years. That's due to more accurate calculations. The epidemic has stabilized in a few places, but remains out of control in Africa and parts of Asia. NPR's Brenda Wilson reports.

U.N. Reports on World AIDS

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Tuesday November 18, 2003

Hepatitis A Outbreak Traced to Pennsylvania Chi-Chi's

November 18, 2003 • More than 500 patrons of a Chi-Chi's Mexican restaurant in southwestern Pennsylvania have contracted hepatitis A. Three have died. Authorities now believe the restaurant's food supply was the main source of the outbreak, the largest ever to be attributed to one restaurant. Mark Nootbaar of member station WDUQ reports.

Hepatitis A Outbreak Traced to Pennsylvania Chi-Chi's

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Saturday November 15, 2003

Smithsonian Opens New Mammal Hall

November 15, 2003 • Lions pounce on an African buffalo in a savage attack. A bobcat leaps after its winged prey. These are among the many lifelike, dynamic displays that go on view Saturday, as the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History opens its new mammal hall. NPR's Scott Simon reports. View a photo gallery of the new exhibit.

Smithsonian Opens New Mammal Hall

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Thursday November 13, 2003

Birthing Centers Closing Despite Popularity

November 13, 2003 • Pregnant women are increasingly choosing nurse midwives to deliver their babies. But some midwives and birthing centers are closing their practices as high insurance rates and thin profit margins prevent them from making ends meet. Fred Mogul of member station WNYC reports.

Birthing Centers Closing Despite Popularity

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Wednesday November 12, 2003

Drug's Effectiveness Halts Clinical Trial

November 12, 2003 • The apparent success of an experimental drug in reducing the recurrence of breast cancer recently led to the drug's clinical trial being stopped early. Researchers believed it would not be ethical to withhold the drug from women in the trial who were receiving a placebo. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Drug's Effectiveness Halts Clinical Trial

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Monday November 10, 2003

Nutrition Labels for Fast Foods

November 10, 2003 • The government has long required food sold in supermarkets to include information about calories, fat and other nutritional values. Newly introduced legislation in Congress would require fast-food outlets and other restaurant chains to do the same. NPR's Bob Edwards talks to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro (D-CT). See samples of what new menus might look like.

Nutrition Labels for Fast Foods

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Thursday November 6, 2003

Voyager Nears End of Solar System

November 6, 2003 • Twenty-six years after it left Earth, NASA's Voyager spacecraft is nearing the edge of the solar system. It's original mission was to study Saturn, but now it's heading off into the unknown, NPR's Richard Harris reports. See photos from Voyager.

Voyager Nears End of Solar System

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Smallpox: 'The Speckled Monster'

November 6, 2003 • By the time smallpox was eradicated globally in 1980, the disease had claimed hundreds of millions of victims. A new book recounts the story of a British aristocrat, Lady Montagu, and a self-taught Boston doctor, Zabdiel Boylston, who made the first successful attempts at fighting the disease in the early 1700s.

Smallpox: 'The Speckled Monster'

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Monday November 3, 2003

Radio Expeditions

Southeast Asia's Illegal Wildlife Trade

November 3, 2003 • Illegal wildlife trade totals billions of dollars a year globally, and conservationists say the problem is most acute in Southeast Asia. NPR's Michael Sullivan reports in a three-part series for NPR/National Geographic Radio Expeditions

Southeast Asia's Illegal Wildlife Trade

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Wednesday October 29, 2003

Geomagnetic Storm Visits Earth

October 29, 2003 • A massive solar flare brings a geomagnetic storm to the Earth, disrupting electric and magnetic systems. On the scale that measures the strength of such storms, Wednesday's is one of the most extreme since 1976. NPR's Melissa Block talks with Kelly Beatty, executive editor of Sky and Telescope magazine.

Geomagnetic Storm Visits Earth

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Tuesday October 28, 2003

The Anger Management Industry

October 28, 2003 • Anger management is a thriving industry in the United States. It is the subject of hundreds of books, workshops and videos. And yet, as NPR's Robert Siegel discovers, there are no national criteria, no oversight and no evaluation of the efficacy of these programs.

The Anger Management Industry

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Stories in Medicine

October 28, 2003 • Dr. Rita Charon is leading a novel approach to training medical students. In her narrative medicine class at Columbia University, she's helping doctors-in-training learn that writing about their patients -- and their reactions to their patients -- can help them navigate the difficult world of medicine. Listen to Margot Adler and the students' stories.

Stories in Medicine

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Monday October 27, 2003

Pasta, Bread Makers Fight Low-Carb Diets

October 27, 2003 • Bread and pasta sales are down, and many in the industry blame popular low-carb diets like Zone, Atkins and South Beach. While some retailers respond by producing low-carb versions of their products, others prepare a PR campaign that emphasizes the importance of carbohydrates as a source of energy. NPR's Greg Allen reports. Read the USDA dietary guidelines and hear more stories on the effectiveness of low-carb diets.

Pasta, Bread Makers Fight Low-Carb Diets

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Saturday October 25, 2003

Florida Case Puts Focus on End-of-Life Decisions

October 25, 2003 • The legal battle over the care of Florida's Terri Schiavo puts new focus on the rights of severely injured patients -- and on the plight of families faced with a decision on ending life support. Most states have legal tools for end-of-life medical decisions, but most people aren't using them. NPR's Rachel Jones reports.

Florida Case Puts Focus on End-of-Life Decisions

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