Health
Forum: How to Kill a Killer Disease
The first and only human disease to be eradicated was smallpox. Epidemiologist William Foege helped lead the campaign and has written a new book about it called “House on Fire: The Fight to Eradicate Smallpox.” The World’s Lisa Mullins speaks with Foege. Foege will also take listener questions in the latest Science Forum discussion.
South Korea’s ‘Coffin Academy’
An unusual attempt to turn South Korea’s high suicide rate around by ‘getting close to death.’
E. Coli Outbreak: Source Still A Mystery
With customers scared of E. coli, vegetable vendors in Germany are having trouble selling their produce.
Sanitation Solution Wins Innovation Prize
A group of MIT business students’ plan to help solve the global sanitation crisis by converting human waste into energy, fertilizer and profit wins $100,000 entrepreneurship award.
Waste Not: Composting Toilets in Haiti
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The World’s Amy Bracken reports from Haiti on efforts to use composting toilets to address a host of public health and environmental problems. The story is the third part of this week’s Toilet Tales series. Download MP3
Spain to Sue Germany over E. Coli Allegations
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German researchers are still trying to identify the source of a deadly E. coli outbreak after Spanish cucumbers were found not to have the lethal strain. The E. coli strain has killed 16 people in Germany and Sweden so far. Spain is threatening legal action after its growers were forced to destroy tonnes of freshly harvested vegetables. Gerry Hadden has more. Download MP3
An Indian Toilet Museum’s Public Health Mission
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The World’s Rhitu Chatterjee reports on a small museum in New Delhi that is at the center of an effort to improve sanitation for the 600 million Indians without access to modern toilets. Download MP3
Toilet Tales: Water and Waste
The humble flush toilet is a technological wonder that carries our waste safely away from our homes and workplaces. Yet roughly 2.5 billion people don’t have access to decent sanitation. And even for those who do, the toilet is an imperfect solution that often creates problems of its own. The World’s special five-part series “Toilet Tales” examines efforts to solve those problems around the world, from China to India to Haiti to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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E.Coli Worries in Germany
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Anchor Lisa Mullins talks to science reporter Jörg Blech, who writes for the German weekly “Der Spiegel,” about the outbreak of E.Coli infections in Germany. Download MP3
Cycling the World
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We’re trying to track down Somen Debnath in the Geo Quiz. He is traveling around the world on bicycle to raise awareness of AIDS and Indian culture. Somen grew up just outside of Kolkata, India. Back in 2004 he headed off on his bicycle. By his own count, he’s visited 60 countries – where is he now? Download MP3
Early HIV Treatment Slashes Odds of Transmission
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A landmark study released yesterday shows that early treatment of people with HIV dramatically reduces the odds that they will transmit the virus to a sexual partner. The World’s Marco Werman explores what the study means for combating AIDS in Africa. He speaks with Aditi Sharma, an AIDS activist with the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition. Download MP3
Cancer Deaths in Chernobyl, Brazil Invests in Science
A new analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists provides new, higher numbers for radiation caused cancer deaths in the U.S. Brazil lures back Brazilian scientists working in the U.S. Court rulings may be influenced by whether or not judges are hungry, according to a new study. All in the latest World Science Podcast.
History of royal diseases
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The British royal family was once known for certain inherited disorders like hemophilia and porphyria. Anchor Marco Werman talks with medicine geneticist Alan Rushton about the history of Royal diseases. Rushton is the author of “Royal Maladies: Inherited Diseases in the Royal Houses of Europe.” Download MP3
Himalayan Viagra
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High in the Himalayas, a parasitic fungus attacking insects (cordyceps sinensis) is regionally believed to boost the immune system and help with sexual dysfunction. It can sell for a lot of money, in Bhutan, the government has been trying to regulate the hunt for the Himalayan aphrodisiac. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Bhutan’s capital, Thimpu. Download MP3BBC video: watch how the fungus attacks insects
Foreign-Trained Doctors Kept Out of Practice in US
As the baby boom generation in the US ages, demand for medical care will grow. One possible solution would be to allow more foreign-trained doctors to work in the US. Many are ready and willing to practice, but the US system for residency keeps them out of the running. Marina Giovannelli of WLRN-Miami has more.
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