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Science Friday > Archives > 2002 >
April
> April 5, 2002:
Hour Two: Iris Identification / Black Water / Skyscraper Safety
In this hour of Science Friday, we'll take a look at three different
stories:
| You may have seen the striking photos of an Afghan
woman who appeared on the cover of National Geographic Magazine
in 1985. Recently, the photographer attempted to locate the same
woman. We'll find out how iris identification technology was used
to make sure the photographer had found a match. (image
courtesy National Geographic. Left photo © Steve McCurry. Right
photo Steve McCurry, © National Geographic Society.) |
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The human iris contains an intricate design of random patterns.
Those patterns remain constant throughout life, much as fingerprints
do. Some companies are developing the technology for security
and identification applications -- but this year iris identification
helped photographer Steve McCurry positively identify Sharbat
Gula as the woman who had posed for him back in 1985. We'll find
out more.
at right: patterns in a human iris are extremely
intricate and can be used for identification. photo courtesy Iridian
Technologies Inc.
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Next: A new study says that if it is rebuilt, a future World Trade Center
should be shorter, and contain more safety features, including wider staircases
and more accessible emergency exits. We'll talk with the head of the study
team about future building design. (for more information, or for a copy
of the report, contact ci@asce.org.)
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Finally: In early March, researchers began to study
an area of dark brown water discovered by fishermen off the Florida
Keys. The reaserchers believe that the 'black water' was caused
by a type of algal bloom -- but they're still trying to find out
more. We'll talk about the black water, and what effects it is having
on marine life off the Florida coast.
at left: brown instead of water's usual indigo
shows up to the west of the Florida coast in this satellite image.
Image courtesy the SeaWiFS Project, NASA/Goddard Space Flight
Center, and ORBIMAGE.
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Call in with your comments and questions at 1-800-989-8255, and share
your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge
(registration
required).
Guests:
James Cambier
Vice President for Research
Iridian Technologies
Inc.
Moorestown, New Jersey
Robert Borg
Chairman, Committee on Social and Environmental Concerns in Construction
Construction Institute
American Society of Civil Engineers
Founder and Chairman
Kreisler, Borg, Florman General
Construction
Scarsdale, New York
Brian Keller
Science Coordinator
Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Marathon, Florida
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
- Behind
the Search for the "Afghan Girl"
A
Life Revealed @ nationalgeographic.com
NPR
: 'Afghan Girl' Mystery Solved
John
Daugman's webpage, Cambridge University, Computer Laboratory, Cambridge
UK.
Iris
recognition.
NY
Times: Report Sees Lower Towers That Can Empty Faster
BBC
News | SCI/TECH | Safety focus at skyscraper summit
Super-skyscraper
safety | Science and Technology | BBC World Service
Experts
Debate Future of the Skyscraper in Wake of Disaster
Popular
Science | Standing Tall
- Florida
Marine Research Institute
EO
Natural Hazards: Black Water off the Gulf Coast of Florida
SeaWiFS
Project - Homepage
CNN.com
- Scientists stir 'black water' mystery - April 2, 2002
Mysterious
'Blob' Off Florida Coast Baffles Scientists (washingtonpost.com)
Commercial
fishermen demand answers to 'black water' mystery
This segment produced by: Karin Vergoth and Kristen Kresge
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