Animal cases of avian influenza since 2003. Darker red indicates cases in poultry, lighter peach color indicates cases in wild birds only. (World Health Organization image - more influenza maps)

Bird flu continues its spread across Europe and Africa. This week, the influenza strain H5N1 was found in a cat in Germany--the first animal other than a bird to become infected with the virus in central Europe. In this hour, we'll get the latest on the flu, including a plan to track it through a military-style network of labs set up in places ill-equipped to handle an outbreak.

What are some of avian flu's potential effects, from the zoo to the economy?

Two recently-spotted companions for Pluto and its other moon, Charon. (NASA, ESA, H. Weaver (JHU/APL), A. Stern (SwRI), and the HST Pluto Companion Search Team

Plus, Pluto and its moon Charon are now officially no longer alone. Researchers using the Hubble Space Telescope recently reported they had snapped photographic proof of two additional moons orbiting the distant planet. We'll find out more.

We'll also hear about why chimps cooperate and help others. Two new studies look at how chimpanzees respond when faced with others in need of assistance. 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:
Joan Silk
Professor, Anthropology
University of California
Los Angeles, California

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Lt. Jean-Paul Chretien, M.D.
Coordinator, Overseas Research Laboratories
Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections, Surveillance & Response System
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Silver Spring, Maryland

David Nabarro, M.D.
Senior U.N. System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza
United Nations Development Group
New York, New York

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Richard Binzel
Professor, Planetary Sciences
Margaret MacVicar Faculty Fellow
Chair, Program in Planetary Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Books/Articles Discussed:

Melis A.P., Hare B.& Tomasello M. . Science, 311 . 1297 - 1300 (2006).

Warneken F.& Tomasello M. . Science, 311 . 1301 - 1303 (2006).

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth