May 28, 2004, Hour Two: Aspirin and Masculinization / 'The Day After Tomorrow' and Global Climate Change

Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > May > May 28, 2004:
Hour Two: Aspirin and Masculinization / 'The Day After Tomorrow' and Global Climate Change

In Hollywood's new disaster flick "The Day After Tomorrow," Manhattan is buried in ice and snow, monster tornadoes rip through the Northern Hemisphere, and it's all the result of global warming.

In this hour of Science Friday, Ira and guests discuss how much real science there is amongst the special effects. Plus, can something as seemingly trivial as a summer blockbuster have an influence on government science policy? We'll talk about it.

We'll also hear about new research published this week in the journal Nature Neuroscience that reports on the affects of certain chemical compounds on the brains of developing rats. The researchers found that exposure to drugs like aspirin can block the synthesis of a brain chemical, interfering with brain masculinization and later male sexual behavior in rats. We'll find out more. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).

Guests:
Margaret M. McCarthy
Professor, Program in Neuroscience and the Department of Physiology
School of Medicine
University of Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland

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Eileen Claussen
President
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
Arlington, Virginia

Kevin Trenberth
Head, Climate Analysis Section
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado

Roland Emmerich
Director,"The Day After Tomorrow"
Beverly Hills, California

This segment produced by Erica Altman

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