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Science

Monday

Friday

Shuttle Design Flaw Could Endanger Future Flights

Investigators say they've found a potentially catastrophic design flaw with the space shuttle that could result in parts of a heavy bolt striking the orbiter during launch. Officials do not think the flaw caused the shuttle Columbia to break apart, but it could ground the shuttle program longer than expected. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

Shuttle Design Flaw Could Endanger Future Flights

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Monkeypox May be Spreading

Wisconsin health officials are investigating at least three possible cases of human-to-human infection of monkeypox. If confirmed, they would be the first cases of person-to-person spread of the disease in the United States. The U.S. outbreak of the disease has so far involved people who got infected from pets. NPR's Richard Knox reports.

Monkeypox May be Spreading

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Thursday

Scientists Criticize Limits on Stem Cell Research

At the first meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research, scientists express frustration over restrictions the Bush administration has placed on the research. The strict limits have significantly slowed progress, they say. Hear NPR's Joe Palca.

Scientists Criticize Limits on Stem Cell Research

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CDC Advises Smallpox Vaccine for Monkeypox Exposure

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends smallpox vaccinations for people exposed to monkeypox, a similar disease transmitted from some animals to humans. And officials ban sales of prairie dogs and imports of six species of African rodents tied to the spread of the disease. Hear NPR's Richard Knox.

CDC Advises Smallpox Vaccine for Monkeypox Exposure

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Wednesday

NASA Rover Heads to Mars

NASA launches the first of two missions to Mars. Exploration Rover A, also known as Spirit, is scheduled to land in January to look for evidence that water once flowed on the Red Planet. It would be the first mission to reach Mars since July 4, 1997. Hear NPR's Joe Palca.

NASA Rover Heads to Mars

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Oldest Human Fossils Found

Fossil hunters in Africa have discovered human bones dating back 160,000 years. Paleontologists say the find adds detail to a crucial period in human evolution, and confirms the hypothesis that modern humans evolved in Africa. NPR' s Christopher Joyce reports.

Oldest Human Fossils Found

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Tuesday

Senate Medicare Plan

A Senate panel will unveil the details of a bipartisan plan that provides prescription drug coverage to Medicare recipients and calls for the creation of new private health plans. Supporters say the new plans will provide better and more cost-effective health care, but critics say Congress should find ways to add new benefits to the traditional Medicare program instead. Hear NPR's Julie Rovner.

Senate Medicare Plan

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Friday

SARS Highlights Need to Address TB Pandemic

After afflicting more than 8,400 people and killing nearly 800 worldwide, the daily count of SARS deaths and cases is showing a decline. But another respiratory disease, tuberculosis, rages on. Tens of millions of people have TB and millions more are at risk. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

SARS Highlights Need to Address TB Pandemic

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Thursday

Plant Sentinels

It sounds like something from a science fiction movie: plants that give off a warning glow during a terrorist attack. But researchers are working to develop plants that do exactly that. NPR's Ketzel Levine reports on the latest advances in making "smart plants" to be used as warning devices during a biochemical attack.

Plant Sentinels

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Wednesday

Hong Kong SARS

For decades, money and ambition have formed the central ethos of Hong Kong. But SARS was such a blow to the city that many people there are pausing to think about what really matters. NPR's Rob Gifford reports that volunteerism is up, at least for now, in a kinder, gentler Hong Kong.

Hong Kong SARS

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Saturday

SARS in China

Chinese epidemiologists believe SARS may have reached humans through food handlers who prepared wild game for restaurant use in southern China. An official ban has put a dent in wild animal trade, but has not completely wiped out black-market operations. NPR's Rob Gifford reports.

SARS in China

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Friday

On the Edge, Timbuktu, Part 4

In the final report of a four-part NPR/National Geographic Radio Expedition to Mali, Chadwick descends into one of the biggest salt mines in the Sahara Desert, where West African miners still extract salt by hand, the way it's been done for centuries. Such mines have been the destination of camel caravans for at least a millennium.

On the Edge, Timbuktu, Part 4

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Thursday