Conventional summertime wisdom says that when you go outside, you should cover up -- or at least, wear sunscreen. But in a speech at a recent meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, an epidemiologist made the provocative suggestion that getting some sun unprotected might actually be good for you -- that the increased levels of Vitamin D created by the sun exposure could help protect against certain cancers. In this hour of Science Friday, we'll talk about the suggestion. Many dermatologists aren't happy about the idea.

Then, we'll turn our attention to bees and beekeeping around the world. Honeybee populations in the US are in decline, the victim of a tiny parasitic mite. We'll talk about efforts to protect bees against the mites, and talk about the health of other bee populations around the world. Plus, if you've ever thought about producing your own honey, our guests have some suggestions for getting started with beekeeping. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Ed Giovannucci
Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology
Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology
Harvard School of Public Health
Boston, Massachusetts

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Stephen Buchmann
Author, "Letters from the Hive" (Bantam Dell, 2005)
Founder, The Bee Works
Tucson, Arizona

Keith Delaplane
Senior Editor, Journal of Apicultural Research
Professor, Department of Entomology
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Letters from the Hive: An Intimate History of Bees, Honey, and Humankind," by Stephen Buchmann with Banning Repplier.Bantam Dell, 2005.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Charles Bergquist

Science Friday
With Host Ira Flatow: Making Science Radioactive