Recent Programs: Friday, October 10th, 2008

A wealth of epiphytes in the canopy of a Lecythis tree on the Barva Transect, Costa Rica. Catherine Cardelús

Hour One- 2pm EDT

Climate Change And Tropical Habitats

As the world gets warmer due to climate change, some species may need to find cooler habitats to compensate. In this segment, we'll talk about the potential effects of warming temperatures on plants and insects in the tropics. audio available (more)

Deep Bacterium Goes it Alone

Researchers studying a sample of bacteria from water taken from a crack in a South African gold mine -- nearly 3 kilometers below the surface of the Earth -- have found that the ecosystem in the crack consists of only one organism. audio available (more)

Science Advice for Future Presidents

In this segment, Ira talks with Thomas Murray, head of the nonpartisan bioethics research institution The Hastings Center, about the role of science and technology in future presidential administrations, and about challenges involving bioethics facing the next presidency. audio available (more)

Hour Two-3pm EDT

Mental Health Gets Insurance Parity

Included in the economic rescue package signed into law last week were provisions that will, for the first time, require employers and insurance companies to give mental health issues parity with physical health issues. We'll talk about the new law, and its potential effect on treatment for addiction, schizophrenia, and other mental health concerns. audio available (more)

Fall Gardening

The frost is on the pumpkin in some parts of the country -- how did your garden grow? In this segment, we'll talk about fall gardening, from crops that can be planted now, to what you can do now to prepare your garden for next year. audio available video available (more)

Science Friday Archives:

SciFri Blogs

From Ira's Desk: Our Podcasts: Reaching New Heights -- Our SciFri podcasts have reached a new peak: 250,000 downloads each! That makes for about a million downloads per month, over 10 milion per year! We are the second most downloaded Podcast on NPR, of all NPR programs... (more)

Annette on Energy: Liberal Fascist? Really? -- Summer is over, and so is the trial time-of-use pricing plan offered by my power company... (more)

On Sustenance: Down To Earth - Part 2 -- This summer urban agriculture got some good press and a financial boost... (more)

China Watching: Space Walk Boost for Traditional Chinese Medicine -- A few hours from now, between 9:07 a.m. EDT, and 10:27 a.m. EDT, China plans to launch its third manned space mission... (more)

Noteworthy: Do Not Fear the Worm Bin

Wary of indoor composting? Don't be, says SciFri guest Deborah Martin, author of "The Complete Compost Gardening Guide." A healthy worm has a pleasant odor, she says! Listen.

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