This week, researchers from around the world published a series of scientific papers identifying six new genetic factors they believe increase the risk of developing breast cancer. The findings are some of the first results from a new type of genetic screening that promises more rapid gene analysis. The new genes appear to create only a moderate increase in breast cancer risk, but are present in a large percentage of the population. We'll talk with an author on one of the papers about the work, what it means for women, and what's to come in the field of cancer screening.

Then, we'll talk about removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Scrubbers exist to strip pollutants such as sulfur from smokestack emissions -- could a carbon dioxide scrubber be built to suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and help combat global climate change?

Finally, we'll look at new research into generating hydrogen. A researcher says that an aluminum alloy could be used to produce hydrogen from water where it is needed, potentially making fuel cell vehicles more practical. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
David Hunter
Professor of Cancer Prevention, Harvard School of Public Health
Epidemiologist, Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts

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Klaus Lackner
Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics
Professor, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Director, Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy
The Earth Institute of Columbia University
Palisades, New York

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Jerry Woodall
Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Director of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship
Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana

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This segment produced by Charles Bergquist