Nikola Tesla was born in 1856, and made hundreds of scientific contributions to research in electricity and magnetism in the later 19th and early 20th centuries. Though at one point an employee of Thomas Edison, the two later became scientific adversaries, particularly in the field of transmission of electric current and whether alternating or direct current was preferable. After years of patent squabbles, the US Supreme Court eventually upheld a Tesla patent for the invention of radio -- several months after Tesla's death in 1943. In this hour, Ira talks with the director of 'Violet Fire,' a new opera about the life and times of Tesla.

We'll also hear about new research into Alzheimer's. Researchers have found that, at least in rats, compounds found in marijuana may help delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, allowing aging rats suffering from inflammation in the brain to better retain memories. The work was done with synthetic compounds similar to those in marijuana, as the researchers hope to demonstrate the compounds' beneficial effects without psychoactive effects. We'll talk with a researcher involved with the studies, which were presented this week at the Society for Neuroscience meeting.

Finally, we'll talk with biologist Sean Carroll about evolution and the human genome. Carroll says that looking at out genetic code reveals what he calls 'forensic evidence' for the evolution of the species. We'll talk about it. 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:
Gary L. Wenk
Professor, Psychology and Neuroscience
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

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Terry O'Reilly
Director, "Violet Fire"
Brooklyn Academy of Music
Brooklyn, New York

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Sean B. Carroll
Author, "The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution," ( W.W. Norton and Company, 2006)
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical institute
Professor, Genetics
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, Wisconsin

Books/Articles Discussed:

"The Making of the Fittest: DNA and the Ultimate Forensic Record of Evolution," by Sean B. Carroll. W.W. Norton and Company, 2006.

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This segment produced by Annette Heist