Dying Honeybees Threaten Agriculture Industry March 31, 2005 • California's almond harvest is in jeopardy after more than half of the state's bees have died due to a parasite. NPR's Alex Chadwick speaks to Ira Flatow, host of Talk of the Nation Science Friday, about how the scourge is now threatening the nation's agriculture.
Africanized Bees, Redux March 31, 2005 • NPR's Alex Chadwick revisits a Radio Expeditions moment when reporter Charles Thompson was attacked by a swarm of "Africanized" bees.
Environment Flowers Draw Tourists to Death Valley March 31, 2005 • A record breaking wild flower season in Death Valley is drawing huge crowds of tourists to the National Park. We take a look at what toll the large crowds have on the park.
Indian Ocean Tsunami 2004-05 December Indian Ocean Quake Was Larger Than Thought March 30, 2005 • Research appearing in the journal Nature says the Indian Ocean earthquake that caused the devastating December tsunami was more intense than first thought, making it the second-largest quake in recorded history.
Environment Sea Lice from Fish Farms Can Plague Wild Salmon March 30, 2005 • The spread of parasitic sea lice from salmon farms to wild salmon could be far bigger problem than was previously thought. A study being published in the science journal Proceedings of the Royal Society found that lice from a salmon farm in Canada were able to infect wild salmon who swam nearby.
Sports To the Limit: Ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes March 30, 2005 • To most people, a marathon represents an epic physical challenge, a draining test of one's conditioning, such as the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon. Then there are athletes like Dean Karnazes, who has run for 262 miles straight. He has written a new book, Ultramarathon Man.
Doctors Seek Tanning Salon Ban for Juveniles March 30, 2005 • With rates of skin cancer on the rise among young women, the American Academy of Dermatology wants states to make it illegal for juveniles to use tanning booths.
Environment Report Urges Action Against Ecosystem Damage March 30, 2005 • A new report by more than 2,000 scientists from 100 countries finds that unless governments act now, environmental damage will doom efforts to reduce hunger, poverty and disease. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment draws on the work of environmental scientists who have shown that ecosystems such forests, coral reefs and salt marshes are key for human survival.
Technology DJs Face Off with Laptop Compositions March 29, 2005 • Laptop computers spawn a new kind of musical competition: the laptop battle. DC9, a smoky nightclub in downtown D.C. recently hosted one of these cyber-music showdowns.
Carnegie's Famed Dinosaurs Get a Makeover March 29, 2005 • The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh is in the process of making over its world-renowned dinosaur exhibit, which includes 15 soaring skeletons. he specimens won't just be cleaned -- their poses will be adjusted to more accurately reflect current scientific research.
Business A Whopper of a Breakfast March 29, 2005 • Burger King is offering a breakfast version of its famous Whopper burger: the Enormous Omelet Sandwich. The new Burger King sandwich contains more than 700 calories, about 40 grams of fat and has health experts wondering whatever happened to the trend in healthier fast food.
Books Understanding Birdsong — and Its Fans Fresh Air March 29, 2005 • Donald Kroodsma is a renowned specialist in the interpretation of bird songs. His new book, The Singing Life of Birds, describes how birds communicate and why. But Kroodsma is also the subject of another book — about those who listen to birds.
National Meth Use Among Gays Worries Health Officials March 28, 2005 • Growing use of methamamphetamine among the gay community has public health officials worried. A recent study that showed a link between crystal meth use and unprotected sex among gays also found that users were significantly more likely to be HIV positive than non-users.
Key Fault Line in Indian Ocean Quakes Monitored March 28, 2005 • Over the last three months, scientists have studied the December Indian Ocean earthquake and subsequent tsunami. They believe the quake near Indonesia Monday was triggered by that event.
National Alabama Town's Streets Laden with Mercury March 27, 2005 • The people of McIntosh, Ala., recently learned that their streets are paved with mercury. It seems someone paved those streets with a compound that included a byproduct of chlorine production at a nearby chemical plant. NPR's Debbie Elliott interviews Bill Finch, environment editor of The Mobile Register, which broke the story.