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Wednesday

Tuesday

Shuttle Report Faults NASA

The panel investigating the Columbia disaster releases its final report on what caused the space shuttle to break up Feb. 1. The report confirms the theory that foam debris from the shuttle's fuel tank severely damaged the craft during liftoff. But it lays the ultimate blame on mismanagement at NASA, citing organizational and cultural shortcomings. Hear NPR's David Kestenbaum.

Shuttle Report Faults NASA

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Monday

Future of Human Space Flight in Question

A government panel will soon make recommendations for how NASA can avoid another fatal shuttle disaster. But NASA must still decide the goal of its human space program. Many in government want something bolder than the international space station to justify the financial and human costs of exploring space. Hear NPR's Joe Palca.

Future of Human Space Flight in Question

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Thursday

Capturing the Red Planet

This summer, Mars is making a historic appearance in the night sky, coming closer to Earth than at any time in human history. For space author and Morning Edition commentator Andrew Chaikin, the event became a quest to take a rare astronomical portrait. See Chaikin's prized photos of Mars and the moon.

Capturing the Red Planet

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Monday

DNA Tests Shed Light on 'Hybrid Humans'

DNA technology is helping scientists learn more about a rare genetic phenomenon. When two fertilized eggs fuse in the womb, they create a child with two full sets of genes, called a chimera. NPR's David Baron reports.

DNA Tests Shed Light on 'Hybrid Humans'

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Thursday

Saturday

Mars Creeps Closer to Earth in Boon to Astronomers

By the end of August, Mars will come as close to Earth as it has for 60,000 years, though it's still 35-million miles away. Mars will be brighter in the sky, giving amateur astronomers and NASA alike a rare opportunity to study a cosmic neighbor. Hear NPR's Linda Wertheimer and Sky and Telescope magazine editor Kelly Beatty.

Mars Creeps Closer to Earth in Boon to Astronomers

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Friday

Spittle Bug Named Highest Insect Jumper

A tiny insect called the froghopper, or spittle bug, leapt over the flea as nature's most powerful jumper. A new study says that the spittle bug can leap more than two feet in the air. That's more than twice as high as the flea, and the equivalent of a man jumping over the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. NPR's Jon Hamilton reports.

Spittle Bug Named Highest Insect Jumper

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Saturday

Treating Alcoholism in Older Americans

Each year, about as many elderly Americans are admitted to hospitals for alcohol-related problems as for heart attacks. The good news is treatment programs are getting results when they are set up specifically to help older adults. Find out more about these programs online.

Treating Alcoholism in Older Americans

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Friday

Thursday

Hawaii Drug Program Teaches Traditions

A program for drug addicts teaches native Hawaiians about their ancestors, history and culture. The idea is to help the clients see that they are connected to something larger than themselves. On Morning Edition, Jon Miller reports on the program as part of the Worlds of Difference series on global cultural changes.

Hawaii Drug Program Teaches Traditions

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Monday

Newborn 'Safe Haven' Laws Questioned

After a spate of high profile baby-abandonment cases in the late 1990s, many states enacted laws designed to protect abandoned infants. The "safe haven" laws allow women to leave their newborns at designated safe places, such as hospitals or firehouses, without the threat of prosecution. But some adoption advocates say the laws are creating problems. Hear NPR's Madeleine Brand.

Newborn 'Safe Haven' Laws Questioned

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Saturday

Investigators: NASA Needs Culture Shift

The government committee investigating the Feb. 1 space shuttle Columbia disaster says failures in NASA's culture need to be addressed. Investigators ask why a loose piece of foam insulation, now thought responsible for the crash, was not considered a threat. NPR's Richard Harris reports.

Investigators: NASA Needs Culture Shift

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Tuesday