News NASA's Oldest Active Astronaut Retires December 31, 2004 • After 42 years of exploring the stars, NASA's longest-serving astronaut, John Young, is retiring at the age of 74. Young was a pilot on the first Gemini mission, has walked on the moon and helped design the space shuttle. He discusses his career in space flight with NPR's Steve Inskeep.
Opinion Analysis Top Science Stories of 2004 December 31, 2004 • It might be hard to beat the success of the Mars rovers, but what else should make it onto a best-of-2004 list of science stories? Maybe Russia's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, drug safety, or the discovery of a new species of ancient humans? We take a trip back through the year in science.
Environment Tsunami Science and Prediction December 31, 2004 • The Dec. 26 earthquake off Indonesia unleashed tsunamis that destroyed coastal regions thousands of miles away, killing more than 100,000 people. We talk about tsunami science and prediction. What do scientists know about tsunamis? How do you predict when they're coming and how big they'll be?
Diversions Do Nanotech Products Live Up to the Hype? December 31, 2004 • Nanotechnology is the science of designing materials, atom by atom. It promises revolutionary applications for everything from the military to sports. NPR's David Kestenbaum investigates whether nanotech products already on the market are all they're cracked up to be.
NPR Health News Briefs; Dec. 26, 2004 — Jan. 1, 2005 December 31, 2004 • Among the week's stories: a note of caution for overweight women using birth control pills; and troubles getting costly drugs covered by Medicare.
Environment State of Tsunami Readiness on U.S. West Coast December 30, 2004 • NPR's Karen Grigsby Bates looks at how prepared America's West Coast is for a tsunami like the one that struck South Asia on Sunday.
The Year in Science with NPR's Ira Flatow December 30, 2004 • From the Mars Rover to the Vioxx recall, 2004 was an eventful year in the world of science. NPR's Joe Palca speaks with NPR's Ira Flatow, host of Talk of the Nation Science Friday, about this year's top science stories.
Tsunami Devastation Reveals Shortcomings of Monitoring System December 30, 2004 • Scientists monitoring the worldwide network of seismic detectors knew within minutes that something was happening under the Indian Ocean. But what happened over the next few hours reveals both the limits of science and the enormous gap between high- and low-tech worlds. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports.
National World's Tallest Building to Open in Taipei December 30, 2004 • Taipei 101, the world's tallest building, will be officially inaugurated in Taipei, Taiwan, on Dec. 31. Designing the 1,666-foot skyscraper in the earthquake- and typhoon-prone region presented engineers with quite a challenge. Hear NPR's Melissa Block and structural engineering consultant Dennis Poon.
Environment Water Crisis Leads to Starvation in Kenya December 29, 2004 • Sadie Babits from member station KNAU in Arizona reports on Kenya's lack of potable water due to drought and poor water management. Millions of Kenyans are starving as a result.
Alert System Could Warn West Coast of Tsunami December 29, 2004 • The recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean has left many wondering if such a disaster could happen on the Pacific Coast. In 1964 it did. As NPR's John Nielsen reports, experts can't predict such an event, but a new detection system might help.
Environment Wolves Return to Southern France December 28, 2004 • Eleanor Beardsley reports about the dilemma facing sheep farmers in southern France. Wolves are returning to the land after a century of near extinction, and farmers say that's jeopardizing their livelihood.
The Psychological Impact of the Tsunami December 28, 2004 • The death toll continues to rise following Sunday's tsunami in southern Asia. We discuss the psychological impact a disaster like this has on the survivors.
World Red Tape Slowed Tsunami Warning from Reaching Asia December 28, 2004 • Technicians from the Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii knew an earthquake struck under the Indian Ocean within minutes. But scientists could only issue a warning to the surrounding countries, because their jurisdiction only covers the Pacific. NPR's Christopher Joyce reports on why the news didn't travel fast enough to save lives.
Technology Laser Mapping Technology Gives New Glimpse of Earth December 28, 2004 • Geologists are raving about a new laser technology that reveals the earth's surface as never before. The technique is helping scientists solve puzzles about earthquakes, salmon streams and more. NPR's Richard Harris reports.