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Science

Monday

Solutions

Hawaii: Frontline for Conservation

Botanists will go to great lengths to track down and capture their prey. In the first of two reports this week from the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i, one botanist battles knee-deep mud and curtains of fog in search of a rare orchid. His goal is to preserve its seed.

Hawaii: Frontline for Conservation

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Research News

NASA Releases Cryptic Airline Safety Study

NASA on Monday dumped 29,000 lines of raw data onto the Internet to fulfill a promise to release information about the safety of air travel. NASA declined to say what the data meant, but the space agency previously had refused to release the information at all because it feared scaring the public and hurting the aviation industry.

NASA Releases Cryptic Airline Safety Study

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Environment

Bureaucracy Floats Through the Everglades

Seven years ago, the federal government announced grand plans to help the state of Florida restore the Everglades. Since then, almost nothing has been accomplished, frustrating environmentalists and officials in Florida alike.

Bureaucracy Floats Through the Everglades

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Environment

France Set to Ban Smoking in Social Outlets

Starting New Year's Day, France bans smoking in bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cafes. It's a move with widespread public support, though some worry that a way of life may be lost, especially in small villages far from Paris where the cafe is often the only place for social interaction.

France Set to Ban Smoking in Social Outlets

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Environment

Rock Snot Hitches Ride on Fishing Gear

For at least a decade, nasty carpets of an invasive algae species have been fouling up pristine fishing streams in the western United States. But this year, the giant, gooey wads appeared on the East Coast, and traveling fishermen are the culprits.

Rock Snot Hitches Ride on Fishing Gear

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Solutions

In a Forest's Breath, Deciphering Climate Clues

The world's forests currently soak up 25 percent of the carbon dioxide created by burning fossil fuels. But as forests age, they may start releasing more CO2 than they absorb. Scientists have put Harvard Forest under the microscope to find out which way trees will sway.

In a Forest's Breath, Deciphering Climate Clues

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Saturday

Environment

Searching for Life in Greenland's Icy Interior

Greenland's interior is a solid sheet of ice — hundreds of miles of frozen terrain that is seemingly inhospitable for life. But it's not as lifeless as you might expect.

Searching for Life in Greenland's Icy Interior

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Culture

New Space Promotes Intersection of Art, Science

A new creative space dedicated to experimental collaboration between artists and scientists opens in Paris. Le Laboratoire is the brainchild of Harvard bio-medical technology professor David Edwards. Besides teaching, Edwards writes fiction and works in theater.

New Space Promotes Intersection of Art, Science

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World

African Ivory Headed for One-Time Auction

Sometime early next year, tons of African ivory will be sold at auction to Japan. Despite the international ban on the trade, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia will be allowed a one-time purge of their stockpiled ivory. Conservationists hope the sale won't reignite widespread demand for elephant tusks.

African Ivory Headed for One-Time Auction

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Friday

Diversions

History's Strangest Science Experiments

Guests discuss some of science's most unusual research and what it's like to be a human "lab rat." We'll hear from one woman who was blindfolded for five days in the name of science, and another participant who spent 84 days lying in bed.

History's Strangest Science Experiments

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Space

Asteroid May Cross Path of Red Planet

NASA astronomers are monitoring a 164-foot wide asteroid that is headed in the direction of Mars at about 28,000 miles per hour. Scientists say that the space rock has a 1-in-75 chance of colliding with the Red Planet.

Asteroid May Cross Path of Red Planet

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Space

South Pole Telescope Scans the Skies

Physicists are using the largest telescope in Antarctica to probe the farthest edges of the universe. South Pole Telescope scientists discuss their 280-ton scope, what they hope it will show them — and what it's like to live and work on the southernmost continent.

South Pole Telescope Scans the Skies

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Environment

Documenting Wildlife Across the Globe

Three world explorers — a photographer, an acoustician and a scientist — talk about documenting wildlife in the most remote places on Earth. We'll track jaguars through the jungles of Belize, scope out rare mountain goats in India, and eavesdrop on barking baboons in Zimbabwe.

Documenting Wildlife Across the Globe

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Research News

Stem Cell Debate Still Thorny Despite Progress

Scientists say they've found a way to create cells that act like embryonic stem cells without using human embryos. That could sidestep a big political and moral debate. Yet some scientists say, not so fast.

Stem Cell Debate Still Thorny Despite Progress

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Wednesday

Business

NFL Plans to Offset Super Bowl's Carbon Footprint

Jack Groh, environmental program director for the National Football League, talks with Melissa Block about the league's plan to offset the carbon footprint of the next Super Bowl.

NFL Plans to Offset Super Bowl's Carbon Footprint

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