NPR Feeds

Reinventing Farming For A Changing Climate

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

North Carolina State University biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues surveyed people's pillow cases, refrigerators, toilet seats, TV screens and other household spots, to learn about the microbes that dwell in our homes. Among the findings, reported in the journal PLoS One, homes with dogs had more diverse bacterial communities, and higher numbers of "dog-associated" bacteria.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tackling New Tech In The Golden Years

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

Smartphones, tablets and computers could help seniors stay connected to their communities and families. But a hefty price tag, steep learning curves, and designs meant for younger eyes and hands could keep some older adults from logging on. Guests discuss the best ways for seniors to tackle new technology, and how devices can be adapted to accommodate older users.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tracking Killer Tornadoes

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Reinventing Farming For A Changing Climate

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

'Crazy Ants' Spreading In The Southeastern US

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

In parts of the southeastern US, aggressive fire ants have been driven out by an even more recent arrival, the tawny crazy ant. Edward LeBrun, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, describes the newcomers and how one invasive species can out-invade another.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

North Carolina State University biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues surveyed people's pillow cases, refrigerators, toilet seats, TV screens and other household spots, to learn about the microbes that dwell in our homes. Among the findings, reported in the journal PLoS One, homes with dogs had more diverse bacterial communities, and higher numbers of "dog-associated" bacteria.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tackling New Tech In The Golden Years

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

Smartphones, tablets and computers could help seniors stay connected to their communities and families. But a hefty price tag, steep learning curves, and designs meant for younger eyes and hands could keep some older adults from logging on. Guests discuss the best ways for seniors to tackle new technology, and how devices can be adapted to accommodate older users.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tracking Killer Tornadoes

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Reinventing Farming For A Changing Climate

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

'Crazy Ants' Spreading In The Southeastern US

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

In parts of the southeastern US, aggressive fire ants have been driven out by an even more recent arrival, the tawny crazy ant. Edward LeBrun, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, describes the newcomers and how one invasive species can out-invade another.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

'Crazy Ants' Spreading In The Southeastern US

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

In parts of the southeastern US, aggressive fire ants have been driven out by an even more recent arrival, the tawny crazy ant. Edward LeBrun, a researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, describes the newcomers and how one invasive species can out-invade another.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Having a Dog May Mean Having Extra Microbes

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

North Carolina State University biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues surveyed people's pillow cases, refrigerators, toilet seats, TV screens and other household spots, to learn about the microbes that dwell in our homes. Among the findings, reported in the journal PLoS One, homes with dogs had more diverse bacterial communities, and higher numbers of "dog-associated" bacteria.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tackling New Tech In The Golden Years

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

Smartphones, tablets and computers could help seniors stay connected to their communities and families. But a hefty price tag, steep learning curves, and designs meant for younger eyes and hands could keep some older adults from logging on. Guests discuss the best ways for seniors to tackle new technology, and how devices can be adapted to accommodate older users.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Tracking Killer Tornadoes

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Studies Question Potential Alzheimer's Treatment

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Reinventing Farming For A Changing Climate

Talk of the Nation - May 24, 2013 - 1:00pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds

Study Is First To Chart Amphibian Populations' Decline In U.S.

NPR Health&Science - May 24, 2013 - 12:25pm

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.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

Categories: NPR Feeds