Science Friday Archives - browsing recent stories

International Space Station following most recent upgrade. Credit: STS-119 Shuttle Crew, NASA.

Micro Microscope: We'll talk with one of the inventors of a new on-chip, lens-free microscope. (first broadcast Friday, August 1, 2008)

Secrets of the Spleen: What's a spleen good for? New research says nerves within the spleen could provide an interface between the brain and the immune system. (first broadcast Friday, July 25, 2008)

A New Direction for AIDS Vaccine Research: The National Institutes of Health has decided to cancel a large-scale test of an experimental AIDS vaccine, saying that more focused research was needed on the way such vaccines interact with the immune system. We'll talk with Anthony Fauci, head of the N (first broadcast Friday, July 25, 2008)

Tobacco Plants Grow Cancer Vaccines: Researchers report that they've been able to use tobacco plants as biological factories to manufacture specialized proteins needed for an experimental individualized cancer therapy. (first broadcast Friday, July 25, 2008)

Treating Depression: In this segment, we'll talk about what depression is and what can be done about it. Conventional therapies for depression involve medications and talk therapy, often used in combination. But is that approach the only way out of depression? (first broadcast Friday, July 25, 2008)

Deep-Sea Carbon Sequestration: Could porous rocks deep in the ocean floor be a place to stash unwanted carbon dioxide? (first broadcast Friday, July 25, 2008)

Solar Energy Roundup: In this segment, we'll get a sampling of the latest news on solar energy sources, including new developments in technology and energy policy. Plus, what you can do on a small scale to add solar power to your world. (first broadcast Friday, July 18, 2008)

Remembering Michael DeBakey: Pioneering heart surgeon Michael DeBakey died last week at the age of 99. We'll look back on his life and work. (first broadcast Friday, July 18, 2008)

Stomach Bug May Help Battle Asthma: Could a bacterium thought to be responsible for stomach ulcers help ward off childhood asthma? (first broadcast Friday, July 18, 2008)

Eco-Boat Breaks Speed Record: We'll talk with the skipper of a bio-fueled powerboat named Earthrace, which just broke the record for circumnavigation of the globe. (first broadcast Friday, July 18, 2008)

Off-Shore Drilling Pluses and Minuses: In this segment, we'll talk about the realities of offshore oil drilling. How much oil might there be? When would it be available? And what other consequences might offshore drilling have? (first broadcast Friday, July 18, 2008)

Genetics and ADHD: Researchers believe they have found a genetic factor linked to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and the change in the brain created by the genetic code. (first broadcast Friday, July 11, 2008)

Planetary Science Update: Mars has water ice in its soil -- and could Mercury be shrinking? In this segment, we'll get the latest from around the solar system, checking in with scientists on both the Mars Phoenix and Mercury Messenger space missions. (first broadcast Friday, July 11, 2008)

The Possibility of Earthquake Prediction: Can new forms of seismic monitoring be used to predict earthquakes? (first broadcast Friday, July 11, 2008)