2008 Science News In Review

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12/19/2008

Dec. 19, 2008

2008 Science News In Review

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What were the biggest science stories of 2008 - and which flew under the radar? In this hour, Ira and a panel of journalists look back on the year in science, from biologists stitching together the first synthetic genome to the Phoenix lander's flawless touchdown on the northern plains of Mars. Just this past week brought big news with the first face transplant in the United States, and confirmation of the presence of dark energy in the universe. Or maybe your news headlines for the year include more political items, such as the selection of Nobel physicist Steven Chu as energy secretary for the incoming administration.

Call in with your thoughts on the year's achievements -- and failings -- in the year in science, or with your predictions for the coming year in science, medicine, technology or the environment.

Produced by Christopher Intagliata, Associate Senior Producer

Guests

KC Cole
Author of "The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty"

Professor,
Annenberg School of Journalism

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
Steve Mirsky
Staff editor and writer for Scientific American

Host of Scientific American's Science Talk podcast

New York, New York
Paul Raeburn
Author, "Acquainted with the Night"

Author, "About Fathers" blog for Psychology Today

New York, New York
Sharon Begley
Science columnist

Newsweek

New York, New York

Dec. 19, 2008