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Science

Sunday

Somewhere Over The Brainbow: The Journey To Map the Human Brain

More than 100 years ago, Golgi staining on nerve cells opened the gates to modern neuroscience. Scientists recently developed the Technicolor version of Golgi staining, Brainbow, allowing more detailed reconstructions of brain circuits. AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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AFP/Getty Images

Somewhere Over The Brainbow: The Journey To Map the Human Brain

The government-funded plan could cost $3 billion, take 10 years and involve hundreds of scientists. The hope is the project can unlock the secrets of conditions such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease. But progress will likely be slow, and in the end, will it be worth the cost?

Somewhere Over The Brainbow: The Journey To Map the Human Brain

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Friday

Space

Studying Rocks Found On Earth For Clues About Space

With samples from over 1,800 separate meteorite falls around the world, ASU's Center for Meteorite Studies claims the world's largest university-based meteorite collection. Meenakshi Wadhwa explains how meteorites can teach researchers about the history of the solar system.

Studying Rocks Found On Earth For Clues About Space

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Space

How Cosmic Collisions Have Shaped Our Solar System

From the rocky fragments in Saturn's rings to Earth's own moon, our solar system bears signs of an ancient demolition derby. Planetary scientist Erik Asphaug describes the role of impacts in our planetary neighborhood, and looks ahead to a possible comet collision on Mars.

How Cosmic Collisions Have Shaped Our Solar System

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Culture

Gripping Science Tales Need Not Be Science Fiction

When does a story about science become science fiction? Cosmologist Lawrence Krauss and theoretical physicist Brian Greene discuss how to spin a yarn about string theory or the Big Bang, without hyping the science. And novelist Ian McEwan, whose books touch on neurosurgery and quantum field theory, talks about what science offers to fiction.

Gripping Science Tales Need Not Be Science Fiction

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The Secret Life Of the Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert, which spans some 100,000 square miles in southwestern North America, is one of the most diverse desert ecosystems in the world. Host Ira Flatow and guests discuss some lesser known desert creatures, and explore the secret life of that American southwest icon, the saguaro cactus.

The Secret Life Of the Sonoran Desert

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'Biotech Rider' In Budget Angers Opponents Of Genetically-Modified Crops

Hidden inside the massive federal budget that President Obama signed on Thursday is a small paragraph that has infuriated opponents of genetically-engineered crops. The provision is designed to protect those crops from court challenges. Audie Cornish talks to Dan Charles for more.

'Biotech Rider' In Budget Angers Opponents Of Genetically-Modified Crops

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Sand From Fracking Could Pose Lung Disease Risk To Workers

A worker stands on top of a storage bin on July 27, 2011, at a drilling operation in Claysville, Pa. The dust is from powder mixed with water for hydraulic fracturing. Keith Srakocic/AP hide caption

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Keith Srakocic/AP

Shots - Health News

Sand From Fracking Could Pose Lung Disease Risk To Workers

The sand is pumped underground along with water and other chemicals to extract oil and natural gas trapped deep in rock. But researchers found that air samples taken at some drilling sites contained high enough levels of very fine silica particles to be dangerous to workers.

Sand From Fracking Could Pose Lung Disease Risk To Workers

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Number Of Early Childhood Vaccines Not Linked To Autism

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds no link between the number of vaccinations a young child receives and the risk of developing autism spectrum disorders. Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images hide caption

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Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

Number Of Early Childhood Vaccines Not Linked To Autism

A government study of the medical records of 1,000 kids found no correlation between the number of vaccines a child received and his or her risk of autism spectrum disorder.

Number Of Early Childhood Vaccines Not Linked To Autism

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Tiny DNA Switches Aim To Revolutionize 'Cellular' Computing
NPR Illustration

Research News

Tiny DNA Switches Aim To Revolutionize 'Cellular' Computing

Researchers are using cellular machinery to turn E. coli bacteria into little computers. By creating on/off switches that are similar to electronic transistors, scientists can control each microbe's behavior.

Tiny DNA Switches Aim To Revolutionize 'Cellular' Computing

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Thursday

Steven Pinker: Is The World A Less Violent Place?

Steven Pinker says our perception of how violent we are as a species is skewed. Robert Leslie/TED hide caption

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Robert Leslie/TED

TED Radio Hour

Steven Pinker: Is The World A Less Violent Place?

Steven Pinker charts the decline of violence from Biblical times to the present, and argues that, though it may seem illogical, we are living in the most peaceful time in our species' existence.

Steven Pinker: Is The World A Less Violent Place?

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Leslie Morgan Steiner: Why Don't Domestic Violence Victims Leave?

Leslie Morgan Steiner shares her story of domestic abuse at TEDxRainier. TED hide caption

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TED

TED Radio Hour

Leslie Morgan Steiner: Why Don't Domestic Violence Victims Leave?

Writer Leslie Morgan Steiner tells the harrowing story of her abusive relationship, correcting misconceptions many people hold about victims of domestic violence.

Leslie Morgan Steiner: Why Don't Domestic Violence Victims Leave?

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Jim Fallon: What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?

Jim Fallon's work analyzing the brains of psychopaths lead to a surprising personal discovery. Michael Brands/TED / Michael Brands hide caption

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Michael Brands/TED / Michael Brands

TED Radio Hour

Jim Fallon: What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?

Neuroscientist Jim Fallon uses brain scans and genetic analysis to uncover the wiring in the nature (and nurture) of murderers.

Jim Fallon: What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?

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Philip Zimbardo: Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?

Philip Zimbardo explains his infamous Stanford Prison experiment at a TED conference. Andrew Heavens/Courtesy of TED hide caption

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Andrew Heavens/Courtesy of TED

TED Radio Hour

Philip Zimbardo: Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?

Philip Zimbardo knows how easy it is for nice people to turn bad. In this TED talk, Zimbardo explores the nature of evil and how easy it is to be a hero.

Philip Zimbardo: Why Do Good People Do Bad Things?

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