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Science

Wednesday

Research News

DNA Shows Human-Ape Links, Differences

Scientists say a rough draft of the chimpanzee genome shows that Darwin was right when he said that African great apes and humans share common ancestors. The genome also shows key areas where humans and chimps differ. And researchers believe it will help them understand how subtle genetic changes have made human brains very different from chimp brains.

DNA Shows Human-Ape Links, Differences

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Tuesday

National

In New Orleans, Floods and Looting Spread

Flood waters are rising in New Orleans, which remains without power after being hit by Hurricane Katrina Monday. Phone service is also largely down, and looting is taking place in several areas. Fallout from the storm has prompted President Bush to return to the White House two days ahead of schedule.

In New Orleans, Floods and Looting Spread

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Monday

Environment

Wetlands and Flooding in New Orleans

Historically, wetland vegetation works as a buffer zone during hurricanes. Now that so much is gone, New Orleans is at greater risk of flooding. Experts say the change is due to the building of levies along the Mississippi river delta to protect New Orleans from floodingMelissa Block talks with oceanographer Joe Suhayda, who studies coastal wetlands in Louisiana.

Wetlands and Flooding in New Orleans

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National

New Orleans Swims in Katrina's Wake

The center of New Orleans has plenty of broken windows and flying debris, but it is largely empty of people, as Hurricane Katrina makes its way inland. The system came ashore as a Category Four storm Monday morning east of New Orleans.

New Orleans Swims in Katrina's Wake

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Friday

Research News

Reprogramming Adult Stem Cells

Scientists said this week that they've reprogrammed adult stem cells to their embryonic state. If they can perfect this technique, it might provide an alternative to creating stem cells by therapeutic cloning, a technique at the center of the current political and ethical debate over stem cell research.

Reprogramming Adult Stem Cells

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Women in Science: Climbing the Career Ladder

More women today are studying science and getting advanced degrees. But the picture changes in the working world: the higher the position, the fewer the women. A recent study in the journal Science documents the obstacles that hold women back. We'll talk with women in the sciences about their experiences climbing the career ladder.

Women in Science: Climbing the Career Ladder

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Environment

Efforts to Promote Coral Spawning

Scientists estimate that as many as 20 percent of the coral reefs worldwide have been destroyed. We talk with a scientist who is working to give some Caribbean corals in the Florida Keys a better chance of survival -- by giving a boost to their reproductive activities.

Efforts to Promote Coral Spawning

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National

Panda Cam Panders to Panda Fans

Washington's newest political star weighs less than five pounds and still sleeps with his mom. The giant panda cub at the National Zoo is too small for visitors, but he can be seen on 'Panda Cam.'

Panda Cam Panders to Panda Fans

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Environment

Katrina Soaks Florida, Gains Force in Gulf

Hurricane Katrina gains strength in the Gulf of Mexico after drenching the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area early Friday. At least four deaths were blamed on the storm. Utility companies reported more than 1 million customers without power as of Friday afternoon.

Katrina Soaks Florida, Gains Force in Gulf

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Thursday

Gossip Can Be Good For You

Research suggests that gossip -- even around the water cooler or at the corner bar -- can be very good for groups of friends, colleagues or simple acquaintances. Gossipers, experts and listeners discuss the good, and not so good, of scuttlebutt.

Gossip Can Be Good For You

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Analysis

Space

Betting on Deep Impact's... Impact

On the 4th of July, NASA successfully arranged for a probe to get in the way of a comet. The collision produced a huge cloud of debris and reams of data for scientists to study. They now know more about the makeup of comets. But one office pool among the scientists remains unresolved: What did the resulting crater look like?

Betting on Deep Impact's... Impact

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Radio Expeditions

Audio Evidence of Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

New evidence adds to hopes that the ivory-billed woodpecker, feared extinct, is alive in eastern Arkansas. Researchers have captured bird calls and rapping that reinforces video evidence of a bird in flight.

Audio Evidence of Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

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Tuesday

Environment

Some Grizzlies May Come Off Threatened List

After nearly going extinct, the grizzly population in the Yellowstone region is 600 strong. The Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to remove them from the list of threatened species. Many conservation groups say it is too soon to de-list the bears, whose population is still fragile.

Some Grizzlies May Come Off Threatened List

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Florida Museum Puts Cadavers on Display

More than 12,000 people have paid $20 this week to see dead bodies. It's a new exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, Fla., "Bodies, the Exhibition." It consists mainly of preserved cadavers with exposed muscles, bones, organs and tendons.

Florida Museum Puts Cadavers on Display

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