U.S. Troops Suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress after Iraq June 30, 2004 • A new study of the mental health of U.S. troops who've been in Iraq shows a substantial rate of post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric illnesses. The high rates of mental illness occurred despite intensive efforts by U.S. officials to prevent them. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.
Space Cassini Probe Closes In on Saturn June 30, 2004 • The Cassini space probe will face a critical moment as it approaches Saturn late Wednesday night, when it will begin firing rockets to allow it to enter Saturn's orbit. If the maneuver fails, the $3 billion spacecraft will disappear into the farthest reaches of the solar system. NPR's Richard Harris reports.
Radio Expeditions Coral Reefs in the Balance, Part 3 June 30, 2004 • As part of the Radio Expedition collaboration with National Geographic, NPR's Christopher Joyce travels to Asia to report on the damage done to tropical fish populations and the reefs they live on by divers filling the demand for exotic fish species.
Southern States Battle over Water Rights, Sue U.S. June 29, 2004 • Florida, Alabama, and Georgia have been fighting over the use of water from the Chattahoocee River for the past 14 years with no resolution. Now all three states are in court suing the Army Corps of Engineers over how the water is being managed. Melanie Peeples reports.
Environment 35th Anniversary of Cleveland's Cuyahoga River Blaze June 29, 2004 • Janet Babin of member station WCPN reports on the 35th anniversary of the day that Cleveland's heavily polluted Cuyahoga River caught on fire. Babin talks to residents who remember that day, and looks into whether the Clean Water Act was effective in flushing out the toxins that led to the blaze.
Radio Expeditions Coral Reefs in the Balance, Part 2 June 29, 2004 • On the tiny island of Jandayan in the Philippines, "lantern-divers" swim along the reefs at midnight to hunt for one of the world's most exotic animals, seahorses, to sell to aquarium-fish dealers. It's part of an effort to preserve the traditional island lifestyle while keeping seahorses from dying out. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports in the second part of a National Geographic Radio Expeditions series.
Space Cassini Prepares to Enter Saturn Orbit June 29, 2004 • This week, the Cassini space probe is scheduled to begin its four-year exploration of the moons and rings of Saturn. It will be the first spacecraft to enter orbit around Saturn. Scientists hope its journey will give new insight into the history of our solar system. NPR's Richard Harris reports.
Farming and Biotech Insects June 28, 2004 • NPR's Christopher Joyce reports on efforts to protect crops by genetically engineering insect pests and some of the microbes that live inside them. The approach offers an alternative to pesticides. But some fear it also could produce dangerous "super-bugs."
Research News Drug May Help Sexual Arousal in Women June 28, 2004 • A chemical being developed to encourage tanning is also reported to put female rats in the mood for love. Scientists say it could lead to drugs for women who lack sexual desire. NPR's Joe Palca reports.
Radio Expeditions Coral Reefs in the Balance June 28, 2004 • As part of the Radio Expeditions collaboration with National Geographic, NPR's Christopher Joyce travels to Asia to report on tropical fish populations at reefs that are being harmed by the demand for exotic fish species.
Technology Virtual Record Player Preserves Historic Recordings June 28, 2004 • Particle physicists have found a way to allow preservationists to play fragile historic audio recordings on acetate and wax cylinders without damaging them. Photographic imaging technology is used to map the grooves on the cylinders and records. A computer program reads the data and plays the music -- without ever touching the record. Hear NPR's Renee Montagne.
Mental Health Defending the Mentally Disabled June 26, 2004 • Every week, advocate Bob Perske visits Richard Lapointe, a mentally disabled man serving a life sentence for raping and killing an elderly woman. Freeing Lapointe is a long shot, Perske admits, but one he's counting on. NPR's Joseph Shapiro reports.
Research News Artificial Enzyme Latest Advance in Designer Proteins June 25, 2004 • In the latest issue of the journal Science, Duke University researchers report they've designed and built in the lab an enzyme crucial to the digestion of complex sugars. It's the latest advance in the world of designer proteins. The science might one day create proteins that break down toxic waste or monitor drugs inside the body. NPR's Joe Palca reports.
Environment Scientists Call for Better Monitoring of Beach Pollution June 25, 2004 • Every summer, many U.S. beaches are so fouled with human waste and other pollutants that authorities post "no swimming" signs. But due to lax monitoring and other factors, many of those signs are wrong or out of date. Scientists say it's time for better beach monitoring and more common-sense warnings to swimmers. NPR's John Nielsen reports.
Environment 'The Secret Life of Lobsters' June 25, 2004 • NPR's Melissa Block talks with author Trevor Corson about the love of lobster, fishing town economics and the practical jokes among Maine's lobstermen. Corson's new book is The Secret Life of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean.