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

Improving Automobile Efficiency: Energy legislation currently moving through Congress could result in an increase in fuel efficiency standards for the U.S. auto fleet. In this segment, Ira and guests talk about the legislation, and about research into improving the fuel efficiency of car (first broadcast Friday, December 7, 2007)

Did Life Start in Mica?: A biophysicist discusses her hypothesis that in the early days of Earth, organic compounds needed for life may have been synthesized in the tiny spaces between sheets of mica rock. (first broadcast Friday, December 7, 2007)

Amir Aczel 'The Jesuit and the Skull': In this segment, Ira talks with author Amir Aczel about his new book 'The Jesuit and the Skull, a biography of priest and scientist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. (first broadcast Friday, December 7, 2007)

Science Book Picks for 2007: In this segment, Ira and guests discuss notable books about science, medicine, and the environment that were published in the last year. Call in with your own suggestions! (first broadcast Friday, December 7, 2007)

Re-Wiring the Sense of Touch: Doctors have rewired the nerves of two amputees to restore the sensation of touch in a missing hand. The researchers hope the work will lead to better prosthetic devices. (first broadcast Friday, November 30, 2007)

Stress: You've survived the big family Thanksgiving get-together -- but now the winter holidays loom on the horizon. In this segment, we'll talk about stress, how it affects your health, and how you can de-stress for the holidays. (first broadcast Friday, November 30, 2007)

Green Energy at Google: In this segment, Ira talks with the 'alternative energy czar' for web giant Google about the company's plan to give a boost to green energy. (first broadcast Friday, November 30, 2007)

Stem Cells in Review: Last week researchers announced a significant advance in stem cell science, changing skin cells into cells that seem to behave like embryonic stem cells. Now that the dust has settled, we'll talk about the research and where the field goes from here. (first broadcast Friday, November 30, 2007)

Canadian Beef Imports: Canadian cattle up to 8 years old can now be imported into the U.S., according to rules that went into effect earlier this month. That has some health advocates worried. (first broadcast Friday, November 30, 2007)

The World Without Us: What would the world be like if humans were to disappear from the planet? (first broadcast Friday, November 23, 2007)

Why is the Universe Right for Life?: How did our universe develop in such a way that we can exist? Is it by accident or design -- and is that a question science can answer? (first broadcast Friday, November 23, 2007)

The 2007 Ig Nobel Awards: It's time for our annual Thanksgiving holiday tradition -- highlights from this year's Ig Nobel awards ceremony. (first broadcast Friday, November 23, 2007)

Politics and the Brain: What happens in your brain when you think about politics? We'll talk with a researcher using brain imaging techniques to map out voters' innermost feelings about the current crop of candidates. (first broadcast Friday, November 16, 2007)

Future of Phones: There are plenty of options for placing a call from point A to point B, with more arriving on the market every day. In this segment, Ira and guests try to sort out the future of phones. Will Google's entry into cell phone software simplify the market? (first broadcast Friday, November 16, 2007)