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Does Age Quash Our Spirit of Adventure?

Robert Sapolsky, a distinguished neuroscientist in his 40s, had a young assistant who played different music every day, from Sonic Youth to Minnie Pearl. That made Sapolsky crazy -- and curious about why his aging ears still crave the music he loved in college. Is there a certain age when the typical American passes from the novelty stage to utter predictability?

Does Age Quash Our Spirit of Adventure?

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Christenberry Photos Capture the Changing South

William Christenberry grew up in Hale County, Ala. For more than 40 years, he has returned there each summer, revisiting the same locations to document the passage of time.

Christenberry Photos Capture the Changing South

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Going Binocular: Susan's First Snowfall

Susan Barry was born with crossed eyes. Shortly after her second birthday, she had a surgery to treat them. But what she didn't know until decades later was how differently she still saw the world. A type of physical therapy for the eyes has changed all of that.

Going Binocular: Susan's First Snowfall

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Health Cuts Create Dilemma for Tennessee's Poor

New limits on Tennessee's health coverage for the poor has created a painful dilemma for many. If you have restricted insurance, but several chronic illnesses, as Linda Warner does, how do you choose which one to treat?

Health Cuts Create Dilemma for Tennessee's Poor

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Life After Foster Care: A Tale of Two Boys

In 1994, Tovan Love and Troy Saunders were teens at a group home in Washington, D.C. They were filled with optimism about the future. Twelve years later, we report on what happened to the young men -- and their dreams.

Life After Foster Care: A Tale of Two Boys

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A Manicure Leads to a Literary Friendship

Writer Tony Platt stopped in Baltimore for a manicure and found a poet. Jael Freedman works at a spa and keeps her poems in her head. Together, they tell the story of a chance encounter that turned into a literary meeting of the minds.

A Manicure Leads to a Literary Friendship

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Teens Turn 'Repeller' into Adult-Proof Ringtone

Shopkeepers in the United Kingdom have been using the ultasonic Mosquito teen repellent to stop teenage loitering. But now, teens are using the high-pitch frequency that most adults can't hear as a text message alert while they're in class -- where they're not supposed to be using their cellphones.

Teens Turn 'Repeller' into Adult-Proof Ringtone

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Opinion

Circle of Events: A New Kidney, a New Life

Independent producer Matt Holzman underwent a kidney transplant operation a decade ago. A few days after his operation, he discovered and kept all the messages concerning his kidney. He uses the messages to paint a tale of how the operation that saved his life came about.

Circle of Events: A New Kidney, a New Life

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Lessons from a Psychologist, and Granddad

Fresh Air

Psychologist and family therapist Dr. Dan Gottlieb's new book Letters to Sam is a collection of lessons on life he wrote to his grandson. Two decades ago, Gottlieb became a quadriplegic in an automobile accident. His grandson is autistic, and the letters have lessons about what it's like to be different.

Lessons from a Psychologist, and Granddad

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Using DNA to Plumb Human Ancestry

Fresh Air

Nicholas Wade, science reporter for The New York Times, examines what we've learned about our human ancestors using the latest techniques in DNA analysis in his new book, Before the Dawn: Recovering the Lost History of Our Ancestors.

Using DNA to Plumb Human Ancestry

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'Now You See It': The Comedy of Harry Shearer

Versatile writer, actor and comedian Harry Shearer talks about his new DVD, which compiles some of his funniest material from the 1980s. He talks about his sketches -- and how much he enjoys satirizing network television news anchors.

'Now You See It': The Comedy of Harry Shearer

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Skyler Pia: 'One World, One Kid,' One Good Cause

When young Skyler Pia's friend was sick with cancer, he tried to cheer him up with music. Skyler's choices became a CD: One World, One Kid. Skyler and his mother, Cheryl Pia, tell Debbie Elliott about the experience.

Skyler Pia: 'One World, One Kid,' One Good Cause

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