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Science

Saturday

Science Out Of The Box

Apple Grower Goes Hog-Wild in Battle Against Bugs

At a farm near Flint, Mich., European Berkshire pigs are being used to eat up ground-fall apples from the orchard. Many of the apples are infested with a bug called the plum curculio, which is among the most destructive insect to apple growers.

Apple Grower Goes Hog-Wild in Battle Against Bugs

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Friday

Research News

Ancient Hair Reveals Greenland Eskimos' Roots

A 3,000-year-old clump of human hair found frozen in Greenland may have solved a scientific mystery: Where did ancient Eskimos come from, and where did they all go?

Ancient Hair Reveals Greenland Eskimos' Roots

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Environment

Senate Girds for Debate on Carbon Cap Bill

The Senate is beginning debate on a bill that would put a national cap on greenhouse gases. But some say this would make the U.S. less competitive on the global market.

Senate Girds for Debate on Carbon Cap Bill

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Research News

Monkeys Control Robotic Arm Just by Thinking

Monkeys were able to use the arm to perform tasks such as feeding themselves — and, the researchers say, the monkeys appear to regard the robotic device as part of their own bodies. What could this research mean for human prosthetics?

Monkeys Control Robotic Arm Just by Thinking

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Research News

Organism Captures and Assimilates Foreign DNA

Small freshwater invertebrates known as rotifers have the uncanny ability to capture bits of DNA from other organisms and assimilate that genetic code. Researchers writing this week in the journal Science report that the genome of one class of rotifers can include DNA from bacteria, fungi, and even plants.

Organism Captures and Assimilates Foreign DNA

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A Meeting of the Minds at the World Science Festival

Great science minds from around the world are converging on New York City this week for the five-day World Science Festival. Brian Greene, co-founder of the festival, discusses the purpose of the event and what the organizers hope to achieve.

A Meeting of the Minds at the World Science Festival

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Environment

Navajo Nation Pushes for Uranium Cleanup

Despite the lure of potentially big money, the Navajo Nation has banned uranium mining on its reservation, which spans parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. In part, the decision reflects deep Navajo concerns about how past mining activities have damaged health and the environment.

Navajo Nation Pushes for Uranium Cleanup

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Thursday

Environment

Report Documents Effects of Climate Change in U.S.

A new report published by the federal government states that climate change is already affecting U.S. water resources, agriculture, land resources and biodiversity. Some forests are seeing more fires and insect infestations. Water use is on the rise, and invasive weeds are spreading.

Report Documents Effects of Climate Change in U.S.

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National

Glow of Uranium Boom Attracts U.S. Miners

There's money to be made in mining uranium since the price of uranium ore has shot up owing to demand. That means more mines could start opening or reopening in the U.S.

Glow of Uranium Boom Attracts U.S. Miners

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Wednesday

Surprising Surge in Fatal Arizona Snake Bites

Scientists aren't sure why rattlesnake bite deaths are up in Arizona, but reptile expert Russ Johnson says changing demographics have helped bring vulnerable new human communities — many of them retirees — face to face with the viper's deadly venom.

Surprising Surge in Fatal Arizona Snake Bites

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The Chimp That Learned Sign Language

Project Nim was a research study conducted in the 1970s meant to find out if a chimpanzee could learn to sign. The study's chimp –- named Nim Chimpsky -– lived in a Manhattan brownstone with a family who could teach him sign language.

The Chimp That Learned Sign Language

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Tuesday

Opinion

Essay

Turning Point: Cracking My Family's Mysteries

A cancer diagnosis pushes a journalist to probe into her mother's past. What she learns changes the dynamics of their relationship as well as her vision of her mother.

Turning Point: Cracking My Family's Mysteries

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Remembering How to Cope with Alzheimer's

If you're hoping to hang on to your memory — or you dread the possibility of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's — you're not alone. Sue Halpern discusses her book, Can't Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Front Lines on Memory Research.

Remembering How to Cope with Alzheimer's

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The Impact of War

'Virtual Iraq' Game Aims to Help Vets with PTSD

Albert "Skip" Rizzo talks about the immersion therapy video game he created for psychologists treating veterans struggling with PTSD. The game simulates the sights, sounds and smells of combat and allows a patient to re-enter a traumatic situation gradually.

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