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

Organism Captures Foreign DNA: Small freshwater invertebrates known as rotifers have the uncanny ability to capture bits of DNA from other organisms and assimilate that genetic code, scientists have found. (first broadcast Friday, May 30, 2008)

Monkey's Thoughts Move Robot Arm: Researchers have developed a neural interface for a prosthetic robotic arm that works in real-world situations. We'll talk about the research, and what it might mean for people. (first broadcast Friday, May 30, 2008)

More: How do population, natural resources, and women's rights all intersect? We'll talk about population and reproduction through the ages, and its connection to environmental issues past and present. (first broadcast Friday, May 30, 2008)

Countdown to Mars: The latest mission to Mars, Mars Phoenix, is scheduled to touch down on the Red Planet this coming Sunday. We'll talk about the mission and what the scientists behind it hope to achieve. (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

A Real Computer Bug?: A group of scientists reports that they have created specially-modified E. coli bacteria capable of performing one specific type of calculation. We'll talk with one of the researchers about the prospects for biologically-based computing. (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

What's a Crystal Skull, Anyway?: This week, the latest entry in the Indiana Jones movie franchise makes its debut. In this segment, Ira talks with a real life archaeologist about just what a 'crystal skull' really is, and whether there's any real mystery about them. (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

Circadian Clock Sets at Lunchtime: A newly discovered circadian clock mechanism connects the timing of food consumption to an animal's biological rhythms. (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

Watching a Supernova: Astronomers conducting observations of one recent supernova happened to have an orbiting observatory aimed in the right direction collecting data when they caught the first signs of a second supernova in the neighborhood, letting them watch the supernova (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

Nanotube Safety: Long carbon nanotubes may behave similar to asbestos fibers in the body, a preliminary study finds. We'll talk about what still needs to be learned abotu the potential health and environmental effects of nanoscale materials. (first broadcast Friday, May 23, 2008)

Great Lakes Water Issues: The five Great Lakes, Erie, Huron, Michigan, Ontario, and Superior, are said to hold one-fifth of the world's surface fresh water. In this hour, live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we'll talk about issues facing Great Lakes water and what the communities surr (first broadcast Friday, May 16, 2008)

The Science of Brewing: It's beer that made Milwaukee famous -- and in this hour, live from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ira and guests raise a glass to the science of brewing beer. How do yeast, water, hops and grain combine to form a lager, pilsner, or ale? (first broadcast Friday, May 16, 2008)

Digital TV Transition: What's going on with the transition to digital television -- and will you need to adjust your sets? (first broadcast Friday, May 9, 2008)

Eat Local? Or Eat Differently?: When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, what you eat may be more important than where that food comes from, a new study finds. (first broadcast Friday, May 9, 2008)

Weedkiller Worries: Researchers report that the common weedkiller atrazine may be able to disrupt hormonal signaling in humans. (first broadcast Friday, May 9, 2008)