Science : NPR

Powerful Earthquake Rocks Western Indonesia

Earthquake survivors receive medical treatment Wednesday at a hospital in Padang Panjang in West Sumatra after a 7.6 magnitude temblor rocked western Indonesia. Tundra Laksamana/AP hide caption

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Tundra Laksamana/AP

Asia

Powerful Earthquake Rocks Western Indonesia

September 30, 2009 • The underwater temblor, which had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, collapsed buildings in the coastal city of Padang, in Southern Sumatra province and briefly triggered a tsunami alert. Indonesian officials said at least 200 people were killed.

Grunts And Gurgles Signal Love For Grouse

An aggressive encounter between two male greater prairie chickens (Tympanuchus cupido). During aggressive encounters, males leap into the air and strike their opponent with feet, wings and/or beak. Fort Pierre National Grassland, South Dakota. Gerrit Vyn/gerritvynphoto.com hide caption

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Gerrit Vyn/gerritvynphoto.com

Wild Sounds

Grunts And Gurgles Signal Love For Grouse

September 30, 2009 • Every spring, male grouse gather in the Great Plains and engage in a mass act of strutting, showmanship and general vocal frenzy that would put Mick Jagger to shame. For researchers, it's an opportunity to observe how these animals interact in a rapidly changing American West.

Senate Unveils Plan To Reduce Emissions

September 30, 2009 • California Sen. Barbara Boxer unveils a bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent to help slow climate change. The plan uses a cap and trade system and would rework the nation's energy economy.

Europe

In Europe, A Cow Over Hormone-Treated U.S. Beef

September 29, 2009 • Europeans accustomed to grass-fed beef don't understand why Americans are willing to eat beef pumped up with synthetic hormones. A French farmer says the two cattle industries are run differently: One focuses on profit and the other on quality.

Solar Plan Ignites Some Environmental Concerns

Sierra SunTower, a new solar facility in Lancaster, Calif., generates electricity for Southern California Edison. It was activated in August. Courtesy of eSolar hide caption

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Courtesy of eSolar

Energy

Solar Plan Ignites Some Environmental Concerns

September 28, 2009 • An Obama administration plan to build huge new solar energy plants in the Southwest is causing heartburn in the environmental community. The proposal would allow the construction of two dozen industrial solar energy facilities that require vast amounts of land and water.

Space

Plutonium Shortage Could Stall Space Exploration

September 28, 2009 • NASA is running out of the radioactive material used to power missions to the outer reaches of the solar system. To avoid future delays, the White House has asked for funds to produce more of the fuel source, but it's unclear whether Congress will approve the expense.

Environment

Prime Polluter China May Also Lead In Green Technology

September 27, 2009 • China currently produces more CO2 than any other country in the world, but it's also poised to be the next leader in green technology. Host Liane Hansen talks to Barbara Finamore, founder and director of the China program at the National Resources Defense Council about China's green initiatives and how they compare to what's happening in the U.S.

Spider Wranglers Weave One-Of-A-Kind Tapestry

A stunning golden tapestry woven from spider silk is unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City after four years of work — and the help of more than 1 million spiders. R. Mickens/AMNH hide caption

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R. Mickens/AMNH