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Science
The Sweet Song of a Jurassic Katydid
An international team of scientists has reconstructed the sound of an insect, a katydid, that lived in China about 165 million years ago.
Podcast: The World Population at Seven Billion
On October 31st, world population reached seven billion. That’s according to the latest estimates by the United Nations Population Fund. We explore what that means for the planet and our future in it. We compare family planning programs in two South Asian countries. Also, breaking news about a Dutch science scandal.
Oldest Known Paint Workshop Discovered
Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known workshop for making, processing and storing paints.
North Korea Trains Children as Cyber Warriors
North Korea is grooming kids good at math and science for a special cyber warfare program.
Tight and Loose Cultures
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Some countries are strict, others are a little more laid back – You could say “tight” or “loose.” An international team of scientists has come up with a psychological and cultural study of 33 countries. The study compares how those nations enforce social rules and customs. The results are in a study published in the journal “Science.” So for our Geo Quiz, we want you to name the two countries that are on the opposite ends of the tight/loose spectrum. Download MP3
Science Forum: Using science to track terrorists
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Two years ago, UCLA geographer Thomas Gillespie led a study that used scientific methods that tried to predict the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden. Turns out he wasn’t that far off. Gillespie employed theories normally used by scientists to predict the distribution of endangered species. Can these theories be applied to tracking other terrorists? Ask Gillespie. He’s the guest in our latest Science Forum discussion. Download MP3
Japanese educators trying make science cool
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Japan fears it may lose its edge in technology, as fewer and fewer young people pursue careers in science and engineering. Some Japanese educators are trying to reverse this trend by making science “cool” again. Ari Daniel Shapiro reports. Download MP3Slideshow: Get a tour of Yokohama Frontier HS
Forum: Science as an economic force
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President Obama says the US must invest in science and technology to stay competitive in today’s global economy. The World’s Lisa Mullins speaks with Dartmouth business professor Chris Trimble about the role science plays in boosting the nation’s economic growth. Download MP3Join the conversation with Chris Trimble
A lesson from China in math and science
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President Obama said in his address to the nation last night that the nation’s public schools must place more emphasis on math and science, something economic giants like India and China had already figured out. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with someone who’s experienced China’s math and science curriculum firsthand, Yong Zhao, professor of education at the University of Oregon. Download MP3
Exhibit looks at the history of computers
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It is being hailed as the largest exhibition in the world on the history of computers. Reporter Corey Takahashi tells us the exhibit not only gives us the history of the hardware, but also of the languages. Download MP3
Science Forum: Global fisheries decline
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According to a new WWF report, seventy percent of commercial marine fisheries are on the decline. Rashid Sumaila directs the Fisheries Center the the University of British Columbia. He tells us about the problems facing the global fisheries industry, and what consumers can do to encourage sustainable fishing practices. Dr. Sumaila is also the guest in our online Science Forum. Join the conversation. Download MP3
The export of mental illness concepts
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Author Ethan Watters argues that America has exported its ideas of mental health, and mental illness, sometimes to the detriment of other countries. In his book Crazy Like Us, he contends that mental disorders have a strong cultural component that is often ignored by Western psychiatrists. Marco Werman talks with Watters and you can share your ideas about this topic with Watters in our Science Forum. Download MP3
Lizard extinction and oil in the deep ocean
In the science podcast we’re looking at a new study suggesting the world’s lizards are increasingly threatened by climate change. And a scientist on board a research vessel tells us what he’s seeing around the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Science Forum: Urban Raptors
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Birds of prey are thriving in places like New York, London, and Berlin, where raptors nest on skyscrapers and feast on pigeons. We talk to Canadian wildlife biologist David Bird, our guest in the latest World Science Forum, about the surprisingly good raptor habitat to be found in some major cities. (Photo: www.flickr.com/ photos/ animaltourism) Download MP3
The Sandwalk
The Sandwalk is your first clue for today’s Geo Quiz. The Sandwalk is a walking path where Charles Darwin used to stroll…
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