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Science Friday > Archives > 2003 > April
> April 11, 2003:
Hour One: Fusion Research / Managing Risk / Forensics in Iraq
Between the threat of terrorism and concerns over the spread of the
infectious disease SARS, we're certainly living in uncertain times.
In this hour of Science Friday, we'll talks with researchers about
how people assess and manage risk -- even when provided with little
information on which to base decisions.
Plus, we'll hear about recent fusion experiments at Sandia National
Lab's 'Z Machine.' Speaking at the April meeting of the American Physical
Society in Philadelphia earlier this week, lab researchers said their
device had created a hot dense plasma that produces thermonuclear
neutrons.
We'll also talk about the role of forensic scientists in Iraq. Following
the US bombing of a residence that US military leaders though might
contain Saddam Hussein, his two sons, and other Iraqi officials, all
that remained was a hole in the ground. Is it possible to tell from
remains whether or not the Iraqi president was killed in the attack?
It may be more difficult than it appears. We'll find out more. Call
in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255, and share your
opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).
Guests:
Keith Matzen
Manager, Inertial Confinement Fusion Program
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Baruch Fischhoff
Howard Heinz University Professor
Department of Social & Decision
Sciences
Department of Engineering & Public
Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Max Houck
Projects Director
Forensic Science Initiative
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
New
Fusion Method Offers Hope of New Energy Source
Albuquerque
Tribune Online
Z
Accelerator
Reuters
| Scientist Says Saddam Remains Could Be Identified
toledoblade.com:
Saddam mystery likely to be solved by DNA, scientists
DNA
as a forensic instrument
National Research
Council: The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence
- Reuters:
Reaction to SARS Just Human Nature, Experts Say
- Assessing
- and Communicating - the Real Risks of Terrorism
- RiskWorld:
news and views on risk analysis, risk assessment, risk management
- Society
for Risk Analysis: Risk Assessment, Characterization, Management,
Communication, and Policy
This segment produced by Charles
Bergquist and Adrian MacDonald
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