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Science

Friday

From Our Listeners

Einstein, Bohr and the Nature of Light

Is it a wave or a particle, both, or neither? Well, maybe it depends on who is looking. In this hour we take a new look at an old quantum question about the nature of light. We'll talk with one physicist who says he has a new take on an age old quantum question.

Einstein, Bohr and the Nature of Light

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Opinion

From Our Listeners

Remembering Francis Crick

We bid farewell to genetics pioneer Francis Crick. Crick died this week at the age of 88. He shared the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine in 1962 with James Watson for their work in deciphering the structure of the DNA molecule.

Remembering Francis Crick

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From Our Listeners

The Right Stuff: Food Technology Update

We hear about what's cooking in food technology, including designing space cuisine for astronauts. A recent meeting of the members of the Institute of Food Technologists contained new research into topics from obesity to crisper lettuce. We'll find out more.

The Right Stuff: Food Technology Update

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Research News

A Sea Worm's Surprising Living Arrangement

In a well-explored part of the Pacific, researchers have discovered a novel species of worm. The female tube worms live with dozens of males and food-providing bacteria inside them. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

A Sea Worm's Surprising Living Arrangement

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Thursday

Obituaries

Remembering DNA Pioneer Francis Crick

Nobel laureate Francis Crick, who along with James Watson uncovered the "double helix" spiral structure of DNA, died Wednesday at age 88. In 1953, the pair announced they had determined the structure of DNA, the molecule that carries the codes for genes. Hear NPR's Ira Flatow, host of Science Fridayand NPR's Noah Adams.

Remembering DNA Pioneer Francis Crick

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Wednesday

A Janitor's Bacteria-Blasting Approach to Cleaning

Nevada Public Radio's Ky Plaskon profiles Rex Morrison, a school custodian who invented an efficient, bacteria-blasting approach to cleaning that's being adopted by janitorial crews all around the state.

A Janitor's Bacteria-Blasting Approach to Cleaning

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Politics

Reagan's Son Urges More Stem Cell Research

Ron Reagan, son of the late former president Ronald Reagan, calls for the expansion of research on embryonic stem cells in an impassioned speech Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention. The cells potentially promise to cure a wide range of illnesses. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and NPR's Joe Palca.

Reagan's Son Urges More Stem Cell Research

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Tuesday

Technology

Bloggers Offer Intimate View of Convention

For the first time, writers of Web logs -- online journals of news and opinion -- have been granted journalist credentials for a political convention. Bloggers at the Democratic gathering in Boston offer a more passionate, opinionated view of goings-on than that of traditional journalists. Hear NPR's Robert Smith.

Bloggers Offer Intimate View of Convention

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Space

The Hot Air That Helped Fuel the Space Race

At sunrise Wednesday, a hot air balloon will rise from South Dakota's Black Hills to commemorate the world's first research flight into the stratosphere. The 1934 "Explorer One" mission paved the way for future missions that laid the foundations of the space program. Jim Kent reports.

The Hot Air That Helped Fuel the Space Race

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New Safety Standards Proposed for Dirty Bomb Attacks

The government is set to issue draft guidelines to be used in case of a dirty bomb attack. The recommendations allow for a higher acceptable level of radiation exposure for first responders and residents. NPR's David Kestenbaum reports.

New Safety Standards Proposed for Dirty Bomb Attacks

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Sunday