Science & Environment

Amphibians' Population Decline Marked In New U.S. Study

Bill Chappell — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:05:00 +0000

Populations of frogs, salamanders and other amphibians are declining at an average rate of 3.7 percent each year, according to a U.S. Geological Survey study released this week.

Tracking Killer Tornadoes

editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:53:00 +0000

A series of tornadoes struck the central United States this week, including a powerful storm in Oklahoma that killed at least 24 people. Marshall Shepherd, the president of the American Meteorological Society, describes the ingredients of major tornadoes, and how they are predicted.

Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment

editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:53:00 +0000

Last year scientists reported that a skin cancer drug appeared to reverse the effects of an Alzheimer's-like disease in mice. But four studies out this week in Science question the original results. Ronald Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, talks about the new findings, and the hunt for Alzheimer's drugs.

Reinventing Farming For A Changing Climate

editor — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:53:00 +0000

Scientists say climate change could increase pests and weeds, lengthen growing seasons and turn dry soil to dust. Farmers are already on the offensive, adopting no-till cropping methods to conserve water and experimenting with different seeds. And scientists are using a technique called gene silencing to develop new crops--without tinkering with the plants' DNA.

Who's The Best Drinker? Dogs? Cats? Or Pigeons?

Robert Krulwich — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:45:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Ch2pNkZwU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTCxZWYlWC0

China's Air Pollution: Is The Government Willing To Act?

Frank Langfitt — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:11:00 +0000

Denise Mauzerall arrived in Beijing this year at a time that was both horrifying and illuminating.

Why You Have To Scratch That Itch

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:27:00 +0000

Everybody itches. Sometimes itch serves as a useful warning signal — there's a bug on your back! But sometimes itch arises for no apparent reason, and can be a torment.

Think of the itchy skin disorder eczema, or the constant itching caused by some cancers. "A very high percentage of people who're on dialysis for chronic kidney disease develop severe itch that's very difficult to manage," says Dr.

The Weight Of A Med Student's Subconscious Bias

Joe Palca — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:03:00 +0000

Quite a few medical school students have something against obese people, and most of those who have such a bias are unaware of it.

That's the conclusion of study appearing in the July issue of Academic Medicine. It was conducted at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C.

'Extremely Active' Atlantic Hurricane Season Predicted

Jon Hamilton — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:01:00 +0000

Unusually warm ocean temperatures and favorable wind patterns mean the Atlantic is likely to see "an active or extremely active" hurricane season this year, say officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The agency expects between seven and 11 hurricanes and as many as 20 named storms during the 2013 season, which runs from June 1 through November.

So for residents of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, "now is the time to pay attention to preparedness," NOAA's acting administrator, Kathryn Sullivan, told a news conference Thursday at the agency's new Climate Prediction

Inside A Tart Cherry Revival: 'Somebody Needs To Do This!'

Dan Charles — Thu, 23 May 2013 21:50:00 +0000

Some fruits, like apples, you can find anywhere. But others have gotten a little bit lost in today's global food business.

Take tart cherries, also known as sour cherries.