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| 2009 NOVEMBER
Nov. 25, 2009
Bound for Copenhagen, Obama Faces Climate Change Obstacles
Ray Suarez speaks with climate experts about what to expect from President Obama's trip to the Copenhagen climate change summit next month.
   
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| Nov. 25, 2009
Obama to Offer 17% U.S. Emissions Cut at Copenhagen Summit
The White House said President Obama will travel to Copenhagen with a promise to reduce carbon emissions 17 percent by 2020. Judy Woodruff reports.
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| Nov. 20, 2009
New Guidelines Recommend Later, Less Frequent Cervical Cancer Screening
Women can wait to have their first Pap test for cervical cancer until age 21, and can wait longer between screenings than recommended in the past, according to new guidelines released Friday.
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| Nov. 18, 2009
Author Auletta Dissects Global Impact of Google
Jeffrey Brown speaks with author Ken Auletta about his new book on Internet powerhouse Google called 'Googled: The End of the World as We Know It.'
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| Nov. 16, 2009
Breast Cancer Screening Should Begin at Age 50, Panel Finds
A government medical task force recommended major changes in breast cancer screening guidelines Monday, suggesting that most women should not begin getting routine mammograms until age 50, and then only once every two years.
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| Nov. 13, 2009
News Wrap: Bombers Strike in Afghanistan, Pakistan
In other news, at least 24 people died in a suicide bombing near a U.S. military base outside of Kabul, and in Pakistan, a truck bomber killed at least 10 people outside the northwestern headquarters of the Pakistani intelligence services.
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| Nov. 3, 2009
How the Climate Changed Human Evolution
NOVA explores the issue of climate change as it relates to human origins in part one of a three part series on evolution.
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| Nov. 2, 2009
Kindle, Price War Changing the Way We Read
Jeffrey Brown explores the shifting world of book publishing, and examines how technology and readers are changing the industry.
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| OCTOBER
Oct. 30, 2009
In Colorado Desert, Hope Blooms for Pond Scum as Fuel
In the latest in a series about innovation amid economic turmoil, Tom Bearden reports on efforts to convert algae into clean fuel.
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| Oct. 30, 2009
News Wrap: Stocks Slide on Weak Consumer Spending
In other news, stocks dropped on Friday on news of weak consumer spending, and the White House said it was unhappy with the output of swine flu vaccine.
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| Oct. 28, 2009
No Insurance? On Borneo, This Clinic Accepts Manure
On the Southeast Asian island of Borneo, the Asri Clinic doesn't take credit cards. Instead, the clinic accepts payments that improve the local ecosystem, be it seedlings for replanting, eggshells for composting, even manure. Fred de Sam Lazaro reports.
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| Oct. 28, 2009
Cities Struggle With Access to Green Energy Sources
In cities across the country, officials are faced with the task of getting renewable energy from the outskirts of town to the urban centers where demand is greatest. NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels reports from Los Angeles.
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| Oct. 26, 2009
Experts Answered Your Questions on the H1N1 Flu Vaccine
The H1N1 swine flu virus is now widespread in 46 states and has hospitalized more than 20,000 people in the U.S., according to CDC officials. Meanwhile, delays in vaccine production have led to long lines at clinics and doctors' offices. Two experts on vaccines answer your questions.
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| Oct. 23, 2009
CDC: H1N1 Vaccine Efforts Not Meeting Goals
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that the H1N1 flu's effects have already matched those of the seasonal flu. Ray Suarez reports.
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| Oct. 23, 2009
Swine Flu Widespread in U.S., Vaccine Delays Continue
The H1N1 swine flu virus is now widespread in 46 states, has hospitalized more than 20,000 people and caused more than 1,000 deaths in the U.S., Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday.
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| Oct. 21, 2009
Chaos in Clinics Over H1N1 Vaccine Shortage
Throughout the nation, concern over a possible H1N1 vaccine shortage is causing chaos at hospitals. Betty Ann Bower visits a clinic in Maryland for more.
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| Oct. 20, 2009
HIV Vaccine Tests Confirm 'Modest' Protection, More Research Needed
PARIS | The complete results of the first vaccine trial to ever show some protection against HIV were released Tuesday, and researchers sought to refute criticism that the study's results could be weaker than indicated.
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| Oct. 19, 2009
In Greenland, Ice Unlocks Climate Change History
Scientists dig deep into Greenland's ice to unearth the history of climate change. Climatologist and Climate Central correspondent Heidi Cullen reports.
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| Oct. 15, 2009
Solar Energy as Competitive Sport
Green technology can take many forms, be it in eco-friendly light bulbs, hybrid cars, or wind turbines. It can even take the form of homework, as in the case of students competing in the Department of Energy's "Solar Decathlon."
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| Oct. 13, 2009
ScienceNow Looks at Rescuing the Hubble
The NewsHour airs an excerpt from a NOVA ScienceNow report on efforts to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.
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| Oct. 9, 2009
Small Crash on Moon Could Have Big Scientific Impact
Scientists hope crashing a probe into the moon will shed light on whether there is much water there.
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| Oct. 9, 2009
Moon Explosion Could Yield Water for Humans
A NASA spacecraft crashed into the Moon on Friday morning, on purpose, in a bid to discover ice hidden below the lunar surface.
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| Oct. 8, 2009
Tracking Tainted Food a Near Impossibility in U.S.
Lee Hochberg reports on the difficulty in tracking the source of tainted foods and the complicated trail from production to sale.
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| Oct. 8, 2009
Flu Season to Come Earlier, Stronger than Expected
The flu season might start earlier than expected, complicating efforts to distribute an H1N1 vaccine before people are infected. Betty Ann Bowser reports.
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| Oct. 7, 2009
New Saturn Ring Could Hold a Billion Earths
A team of scientists have discovered a new ring around the planet Saturn, already famous for its many rings, that is so large that it has the volume equivalent to one billion Earths.
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| Oct. 6, 2009
Masters of Light: Americans Win the Nobel Prize in Physics
Jeffrey Brown reports on three American scientists who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering research in fiber optics and digital photography.
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| Oct. 6, 2009
'Masters of Light' Receive Nobel in Physics
The three scientists awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics Tuesday all developed new ways of harnessing light for different technological applications that are now used all the time, every day, all over the world.
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| Oct. 5, 2009
Nobel Prize for Medicine Goes to American Trio
Three Americans were named the 2009 winners of the Nobel Prize in Medicine Monday for their work identifying a key growth enzyme that has important implications for research on aging, and for diseases like cancer.
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| Oct. 1, 2009
Fossil Find Sheds Light on 'Early Evolutionary Steps'
A 4.4-million year old fossil, discovered in Africa has opened a window onto humans' "early evolutionary steps," according to the group of scientists responsible for the find. Ray Suarez reports.
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| SEPTEMBER
Sept. 30, 2009
One Man's Trash, Another Man's 'Earthship'
In the latest installment in his series on innovation during the recession, Tom Bearden examines how one architect is turning unlikely items into environmentally friendly homes he calls "earthships."
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| Sept. 29, 2009
Politics, Engineering Intersect Over Bay Bridge
Political wrangling can often get in the way of critical infrastructure improvements Case in point: The rebuilding of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. Spencer Michels reports.
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| Sept. 28, 2009
Government Aims for Cost, Security Benefits With Cloud Computing
When Vivek Kundra, the federal chief information officer, describes how the government has gone about spending money on information technology in the past, images of infamous $200 government hammers and ashtrays can easily spring to mind.
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| Sept. 25, 2009
Unearthed Gold Sheds Light on Anglo-Saxon History
Britain's largest collection of gold artifacts has been discovered and it dates back 1,300 years to the Anglo-Saxons. Nicholas Glass of ITN reports.
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| Sept. 25, 2009
World Leaders Warn Iran Over Uranium Enrichment
President Obama and the leaders of France and Britain accused Iran Friday of building a covert uranium-enrichment site. Former U.N. weapons inspector David Albright examines what's known about the Iranian facility.
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| Sept. 24, 2009
HIV Vaccine Shows Promise for First Time
An AIDS vaccine tested in Thailand has shown signs of stopping HIV infection for the first time. Tim Clarke of ITN reports on the clinical research.
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| Sept. 24, 2009
Trial Shows First HIV Protection from Vaccines
Promising results released Thursday from an HIV vaccine trial in Thailand show for the first time that a vaccine may prevent HIV infection.
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| Sept. 22, 2009
Better Storage Options Sought as Wind, Sun Power Catch on
Tom Bearden reports on new innovations that would allow for better storage of electricity generated by the wind and sun.
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| Sept. 22, 2009
At U.N. Summit, China Pledges to Lead Effort to Curb Climate Change
As the U.N. kicked off a summit on climate change in New York, China promised to lead the way in combating global warming. Margaret Warner reports.
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| Sept. 18, 2009
No 'Plan B' for Copenhagen Climate Summit, U.N. Negotiator Says
Ahead of a U.N. conference on global warming this December in Copenhagen, the organization's top climate negotiator speaks with Margaret Warner about the outlook for a global pact to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
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| Sept. 18, 2009
India's Population Boom Tests Green Revolution's Legacy
Fred De Sam Lazaro reports from India about new questions about the environmental impact of the nation's first major initiative to grow more food to meet the needs of a booming population.
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| Sept. 17, 2009
Obama Shelves Bush-era Plan for Missile Defense Shield
The White House said Thursday that the U.S. will scrap a European missile shield proposed by the Bush administration to thwart the threat of an attack from Iran. Analysts weigh in on the decision.
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| Sept. 17, 2009
Progress Towards a Malaria-Free Tanzania
In this reporter's notebook, senior correspondent Ray Suarez writes about the steps Tanzania has taken to reduce malaria infection, and the promise of new malaria vaccine trials.
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| Sept. 11, 2009
One-shot Solution Explored for H1N1 Vaccine
Margaret Warner speaks with Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease about a new H1N1 flu vaccine.
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| Sept. 10, 2009
Study: H1N1 Replicates, Spreads Faster Than Seasonal Flu
A new study released by University of Maryland researchers this month found that the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus may have a biological advantage over other seasonal flu viruses this winter.
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| Sept. 3, 2009
Entrepreneurship? There's an App for That
While the recession has battered most industries, it has sparked innovation across a range of many others. Case in point: the cell phone application market. Simon Marks reports.
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| AUGUST
Aug. 28, 2009
IAEA Report Shows Some Slowdown, but Continued Nuclear Activity in Iran
Iran has showed some signs of cooperation in slowing its uranium enrichment activity but indicators continue to point toward a covert nuclear weapon program, according to a report released Friday by the U.N. nuclear watchdog.
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| Aug. 25, 2009
NOVA scienceNOW: Mysteries of Memory
An excerpt of NOVA scienceNOW, which takes an in-depth look at the human brain as a neuro-anatomist dissects one into 3,000 pieces.
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| Aug. 19, 2009
Tiny: Art From Microscopes
Inside the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wis., an art exhibit called "Tiny: Art From Microscopes at UW-Madison" invites travelers to find art in images normally reserved for the pages of scientific journals.
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| Aug. 19, 2009
Tiny World, Big Art in Madison
If you happen to find yourself waiting out a flight delay at the airport in Madison, Wis., look on the bright side: You'll have more time to browse an exhibit that unites art and science.
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| Aug. 18, 2009
Record-setting Cyber Theft Stirs Questions on Security
The Justice Department indicted three men on Monday for stealing more than 130 million credit and debit card numbers by hacking into the computer systems of five major companies. Cyber-securiity experts discuss the case with Ray Suarez.
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| Aug. 14, 2009
With Eyes on Moon and Mars, Space Exploration Goes Under Review
According to a presidential review panel, the U.S. plan to return astronauts to the moon by 2020 will not happen without a big boost in NASA's budget.
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| Aug. 14, 2009
Budget Woes Expected to Ground Some Space Missions
U.S. budget constraints threaten to ground some of NASA's manned space missions. Judy Woodruff looks at the space program and its future prospects.
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| Aug. 14, 2009
Telemedicine, Outreach Programs Bring Health Care to Rural Montana
Nearly two-thirds of the population of Montana lives outside of the three urban counties in the state. For many residents, doctors -- particularly specialists -- are hard to come by. So rural residents rely on outreach programs and telemedicine to bring medical care closer to home.
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| Aug. 6, 2009
Forensic Clues Aid Fight Against Ivory Trade
ITN correspondent Julian Rush reports on how the science of carbon dating is being used to combat the illegal global ivory trade.
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| Aug. 5, 2009
World's Oceans Face Problem of Plastic Pollution
Some researchers believe that more than 5 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean has become a soup of plastic confetti. Now, scientists are trying to quantify the problem and are studying how plastic affects fish, marine mammals and birds.
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| Aug. 3, 2009
Children Not Getting Enough Vitamin D, Study Concludes
More than 60 percent of children have "insufficient" levels of Vitamin D, a study published by the journal Pediatrics concluded on Monday. Gwen Ifill reports.
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| JULY
July 29, 2009
Microsoft, Yahoo Pair up With Sights on Google
After years of courting, Microsoft announced Wednesday that it finally inked a deal with Yahoo in hopes that a partnership could help topple Google from being the Internet search and advertising leader.
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| July 22, 2009
Twitter: Harmless Fad, or Web Revolution?
In three short years, Twitter has become one of the Web's most heavily trafficked sites. But is the micro-blog simply a fad, or a technological game-changer? Jeffrey Brown explores.
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| July 20, 2009
Moon Landing Anniversary Renews Debate on Spaceflight
As the country celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, NASA and the Obama administration are weighing the debate over sending more astronauts into space, or to shift more toward the use of robots. Ray Suarez reports.
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| July 20, 2009
'We Sent Music and Laughter There': Man and the Moon, 40 Years On
Now re-released by the Criterion Collection, the new DVD version of Al Reinert's "For All Mankind" is far superior to the original grainy images most watched for the first time on their TVs.
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| July 16, 2009
Cyber Attacks on Governments
On the Fourth of July, cyber attacks started targeting computers at the White House, the Pentagon and other major U.S. government agencies. The New York Stock Exchange and the South Korean government were also targets. Who and what are behind the attacks? Two experts answered your questions.
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| July 16, 2009
Publishing Industry Confronts Changing Reader Habits
As the recession pushes more readers into cash-strapped libraries, some are turning to electronic books to satisfy their literary appetites. Ray Suarez looks at this nascent industry with two publishers.
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| July 9, 2009
'Cloud Computing' Could Transform Data Storage
Some businesses are beginning to embrace a technology called "cloud computing" -- storing data and programs on the Internet rather than on an individual company's computers. But critics worry about privacy issues. Spencer Michels reports.
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| July 9, 2009
U.S. Government to Fund H1N1 Vaccinations
The U.S. government plans to fund a vaccination program against the new H1N1 swine flu this fall, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday.
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| July 8, 2009
Cyber Attacks on U.S. Government Put Digital Security in Spotlight
Recent attacks on government computers, private organizations and foreign governments have raised fresh questions about the nation's digital security. Analysts discuss the implications of the attacks and the vulnerability of the nation's digital systems.
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| July 8, 2009
The Cap and Trade Debate
Paul Solman answers your questions on business and economic news on "The Business Desk."
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| JUNE
June 30, 2009
3.6 Trillion and Counting: New Billboard Clocks Emissions
Eight stories above midtown Manhattan, a new billboard has begun counting how much, and how fast, greenhouse gases are entering the atmosphere. Climate Central reports.
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| June 19, 2009
NASA Launch Begins Effort to Return Man to the Moon
NASA launched two satellites to the moon last week, the first step toward its goal of returning a human to the lunar surface. At the start of this new effort, though, a debate has been ignited at the space agency over how best to do so. Tom Bearden reports.
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| June 18, 2009
NASA's Latest Lunar Mission
NASA sent a rocket to the moon Thursday, launching a pair of unmanned science probes designed to search for hidden ice and possible landing sites. Andrew Chaikin, author of "Voices From the Moon," discusses why we study the moon and describes the new NASA mission, which is part of a plan to establish a lunar base by 2020.
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| June 12, 2009
After Delays, Digital Television Conversion is Complete
Analysts examine the road to digital television conversion and assess the successes and drawbacks involved in the change.
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| June 9, 2009
Cities Struggle With Access to Green Energy Sources
In cities across the country, officials are faced with the task of getting renewable energy from the outskirts of town to the urban centers where demand is greatest. NewsHour correspondent Spencer Michels reports from Los Angeles.
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| June 9, 2009
In Science and Jazz, Father and Son Find Common Bonds
A rare disciplinary cross-pollination performance piece, "Genes and Jazz" is a concert that pairs a Nobel laureate's considerable medical expertise with his son's original jazz pieces.
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| June 3, 2009
List of U.S. Nuclear Sites Mistakenly Released on Web
The U.S. government admitted Wednesday to accidentally posting on the Internet locations of hundreds of civilian nuclear sites and details on their activities.
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| June 2, 2009
Stalagmites Provide Clues in Changing Rainfall Patterns
ITN's Channel 4 news correspondent Tom Clarke reports on what scientists are learning from stalagmites about the rainfall and changing weather patterns in a remote region of southwest Poland.
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| June 1, 2009
China Appears to Tighten Internet Access Around Tiananmen Anniversary
In the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen protests on June 4, concerns over Chinese censorship of the Internet are running strong, although problems with unpredictable Web access and other matters are proving just as tricky.
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| MAY
May 29, 2009
Digital Threats Mark New Front in Nation's Security
President Obama unveiled plans Friday to shore up the safety of U.S. computer networks, including naming a new "cyber czar." Analysts examine the nature of digital vulnerabilities.
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| May 29, 2009
Obama Pledges Increased Cybersecurity, Will Name Cyber Czar
President Barack Obama unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat threats to the U.S. digital infrastructure Friday, including creating a new position to handle cybersecurity coordination.
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| May 29, 2009
Global Monitoring Systems Work to Confirm North Korean Nuclear Test Claims
When North Korea conducted its second underground nuclear test in three years Monday, one of the first places in the world to register anything unusual was the National Earthquake Information Center in Denver, Colo.
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| May 25, 2009
World Leaders Condemn N. Korean Nuclear Test
World leaders on Monday denounced North Korea's reported back-to-back nuclear and missile tests, which President Barack Obama said were a reckless challenge that will only invite more international pressure on the secretive regime.
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| May 25, 2009
N. Korean Tests Prompt Global Condemnation
North Korea's reported nuclear and short-range missile tests Monday brought swift condemnation from neighboring countries and around the globe. Here are some key excerpts of worldwide reaction from leaders and analysts:
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| May 22, 2009
Astronauts Complete Repairs in Final Hubble Servicing Mission
The astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis completed all their scheduled repairs and upgrades in the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission this week. View photos from the mission.
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| May 21, 2009
Five Years Later, Mars Rovers Continue to Make Discoveries
More than four years after its expected demise, the Mars rover Opportunity continues to send back valuable data as it crawls across the planet's surface.
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| May 20, 2009
Health Officials Race to Create H1N1 Flu Vaccine
At the World Health Organization's annual meeting this week, a main topic was the ongoing effort to develop a vaccine against the H1N1 swine flu virus. Betty Ann Bowser reports on efforts to create a new vaccine and concerns over having the time to properly produce it.
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| May 20, 2009
After U.S.-Israel Talks, Iran Announces Test Launch of New Missile
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Iran had successfully launched a new surface-to-surface missile with a range of about 1,200 miles, giving it the capability to hit Israel, southeastern Europe and U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf.
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| May 19, 2009
Georgia's Reliance on Coal Questioned Amid Climate Concerns
Climate Central's Heidi Cullen reports on the coal industry's role in Georgia, a state that gets over 60 percent of its electricity from coal, as new emissions and climate policies are crafted in Washington.
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| May 19, 2009
Analysts Mull White House's New Vehicle Emissions Standards
The Obama administration's new vehicle emissions standards would increase the fuel economy of automobiles to a minimum of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Analysts mull the plan's costs and benefits and assess the challenges ahead for the auto industry.
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| May 19, 2009
New Emissions Rules Mark Strategy Turn for Auto Industry
White House Climate Policy Chief Carol Browner explains the administration's vehicle emissions standards plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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| May 19, 2009
Obama Unveils Tougher Emissions Standards Plan
President Barack Obama outlined plans Tuesday for the nation's first wide-ranging effort to curb vehicle emissions while cutting U.S. dependence on foreign oil, calling the plan an historic turning point toward a "clean-energy economy."
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| May 18, 2009
Astronauts Complete Final Spacewalk of Hubble Repair Mission
The fifth and final spacewalk of NASA's final Hubble repair mission went smoothly Monday, and ended with astronauts John Grunfeld and Andrew Feustel completing all of the necessary repairs on the telescope.
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| May 15, 2009
Cell Phone Data Gives Picture of Human Movement
Researchers are using information from cell phone records to answer questions about where people travel and the social networks that connect them. Along the way, they're creating visual images that illustrate our cell-phone-linked world.
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| May 15, 2009
Researchers Mine Cell Phone Data for Insight Into Human Behavior
In 2007, the number of cell phone accounts worldwide passed 3.3 billion -- half the number of people on the planet.
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| May 14, 2009
Inspired by Soldier Son, Father Develops Military Robots
After the death of his son in the Iraq war, the father of a soldier formed a company that manufactures military robots. Tom Bearden reports.
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| May 11, 2009
Atlantis Embarks on Last Hubble Telescope Repair Mission
The space shuttle Atlantis lifted off Monday on the fifth and final mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. The crew will add a new camera and make other changes. Spencer Michels reports.
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| May 11, 2009
Two Decades of Hubble Repairs
The space shuttle Atlantis lifted off on the fifth and final mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. The crew will add a new camera, replace the telescope's positioning gyroscopes, and make other changes. Since Hubble's launch in 1990, four crews have shuttled up to the orbiting observatory.
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| May 7, 2009
Q&A: Gene Sequence 'Bank' Helps Scientists Decipher H1N1 Flu
Within days of the first swine flu case confirmation in California last month, scientists at the Centers for Disease Control mapped the virus's genetic code and posted the sequence in a publicly available database for other researchers to examine.
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| May 5, 2009
Benefits of Shutdown Debated as Mexico City Lumbers Back to Life
Senior correspondent Ray Suarez is in Mexico City to report on the H1N1 flu virus outbreak. In this reporter's notebook that he filed Monday, he reports on the huge city coming back to life after a days-long shutdown aimed at containing the outbreak.
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| May 1, 2009
As H1N1 Flu Spreads, Researchers Rush to Analyze Strain
After a report from Betty Ann Bowser on the CDC's latest efforts to stop the spread of the H1N1 flu, Margaret Warner talks to health experts about what's being done to better understand how the virus works and why it has proven deadly in some cases.
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| APRIL
April 29, 2009
Climate Studies Suggest Need for Drastic Cut in Fossil Fuels
In order to limit the damage from global warming, the world can use only about one quarter of its known fossil fuel reserves, according to two new research studies.
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| April 28, 2009
Researchers Prepare for Possible Swine Flu Vaccine
U.S. researchers are preparing for possible development of a vaccine for the H1N1 strain of swine flu now racing around the globe, but say a vaccine would still take months to produce, test and distribute.
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| April 23, 2009
Military Robots in the Field
The military has deployed thousands of robots in Iraq and Afghanistan, including aerial vehicles and ground robots. The next step may be robots with guns -- versions have already been developed, although so far military leaders have been hesitant to deploy them. Two experts take your questions.
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| April 23, 2009
Military Expanding Role of Robots on the Battlefield
The military has increasingly utilized robot technology in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, where the machines search for IEDs and conduct aerial surveillance. Tom Bearden reports on robots on the battlefield.
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| April 23, 2009
Photos: Military Robot Exhibition
In February, government agencies and private companies that develop military robots exhibited their latest technologies for students at the Army War College in Carlisle, Penn. The college also invited local high school students to view the robots.
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| April 22, 2009
College Students Exhibit Sustainable Designs on National Mall
At the Environmental Protection Agency's fifth annual Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, DC, college students exhibited their projects addressing sustainability issues including alternative energy, water purification and green buildings.
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| April 22, 2009
Young Engineers Envision Cities Of The Future
Correspondent Tom Bearden reports on a competition of young engineers designing eco-friendly urban centers of the future.
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| April 22, 2009
Potential Affirmative Action Policy Changes Focus of Miller Center Debate
Academics and analysts discussed whether affirmative action policies should continue to be based on race and ethnicity or changed to reflect a person's class and wealth. Ray Suarez moderated the debate at the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.
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| April 21, 2009
'Clean Coal' Debate Plays Out on the Airwaves
American television audiences are likely noticing a battle being waged during commercial breaks as millions of dollars are being spent on advertising to promote or denigrate a mysterious-sounding buzzword: clean coal technology.
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| April 17, 2009
EPA Finding Opens Door to New Emissions Regulations
An EPA report has labeled greenhouse gases as pollutants that threaten public health, paving the way for possible new emissions regulations. Analysts examine what the move means.
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| April 17, 2009
Study: Writing About Values Boosts Grades, Shrinks Achievement Gap
A short self-affirming writing exercise that took only about an hour of class time boosted struggling black junior high school students' grade point average by nearly half a point over two years, according to a new study.
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| April 17, 2009
EPA Report Marks First Step Toward Climate Change Regulations
Carbon dioxide and five other heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions are a danger to public health and welfare, and possibly even national security, according to an Environmental Protection Agency scientific review released Friday.
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| April 16, 2009
Ten Years After Columbine, Notable Moments in Recent U.S. Gun-control Debate
On the second anniversary of the Virginia Tech shootings and the 10th anniversary of the Columbine High School attack, a look back at notable events in the gun-control debate over the past decade:
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| April 14, 2009
Solar Energy Industry Maintains Footing Amid Recession
Amid the economic slump, there may be a silver lining for solar energy businesses that have withstood the recession so far. NewsHour special correspondent Spencer Michels reports.
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| April 10, 2009
Researchers Examine Arctic Climate Chemistry
In March, two dozen scientists travelled to Barrow, Alaska, as part of an International Polar Year research project to study the atmospheric chemistry of a changing Arctic climate. Photographer Spencer Brown spent a week documenting their trip.
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| April 10, 2009
As Polar Year Ends, Researchers Look for Climate Clues in Mountains of Data
A period of intensive study of the Earth's polar caps, called the International Polar Year, ended in March, leaving researchers with a bounty of data to sort through to help inform the next generation of polar research.
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| April 9, 2009
'Brown Fat' Studies Provide New Medical Insights, Hope For Weight Loss
New studies reveal that "brown fat," a type of fat scientists previously thought disappeared after infancy, can burn large amounts of calories if activated by cold temperatures. An author of one study explains the discovery and its possible medical applications.
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| April 9, 2009
Disease Trackers Examine Search Engine Data for Clues
Examining Web users' search terms could help public health officials identify emerging epidemics days, if not weeks, faster than more traditional forms of disease surveillance.
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| April 8, 2009
High-tech India Contrasts With Rural Ways
India has benefited from supplying other countries with outsourcing services from computer help to legal document analysis, while in other parts of the country poor farmers are struggling to make a living. NewsHour special correspondent Simon Marks reports on the two Indias.
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| April 7, 2009
Winners and Losers in Proposed Pentagon Budget
This week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates unveiled large proposed Pentagon budget cuts that would slash spending on missile defense and increase funding for new weapons systems designed to fight insurgencies.
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| April 6, 2009
At Least 91 Dead, 1,500 Injured in Italy Quake
A powerful earthquake shook central Italy as residents slept early Monday morning, tumbling entire blocks of buildings and leaving dozens of people dead.
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| April 3, 2009
States Move to Restrict Stem Cell Research After Obama lifts Federal Restriction
Last month, President Barack Obama lifted 8-year-old restrictions on federal funding for most embryonic stem cell research.
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| MARCH
March 27, 2009
Joint Project Seeks to Stem Impact of Energy Production on Wyoming Wildlife
By all accounts, more than 500 gas wells in an area of eastern Wyoming known as the Jonah Natural Gas Fields have transformed 30,000 acres of rich sagebrush ecosystem into a largely industrial landscape of fuel production.
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| March 27, 2009
IAEA Members Hit Stalemate on New Leadership
Member nations of the International Atomic Energy Agency failed Friday to elect a new leader after multiple rounds of voting split largely along economic lines.
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| March 25, 2009
U.S. Hospitals Lag in Electronic Health Records Switch
U.S. hospitals have been slow to enter the digital records age. According to a new study, less than 2 percent of hospitals have a comprehensive electronic health record system in place, and only about 8 percent have even a basic system.
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| March 23, 2009
Cities, Towns Work to Combat Climate Change
While the United States has never fully ratified the Kyoto climate change protocol, individual cities and towns around the country are aiming to go where the nation as a whole has not.
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| March 17, 2009
Calif. Scientists Advance Toward Producing Fusion Energy
Spencer Michels reports on the ongoing efforts of scientists in California, who say they are getting closer to producing fusion energy to help fuel American energy independence.
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| March 17, 2009
What Is Global Warming?
The Earth maintains an average temperature of about 60 degrees Fahrenheit or 16 degrees Celsius -- temperatures that enable people, plants and animals to live safely within its atmosphere.
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| March 17, 2009
Emissions Trading Ins and Outs
Greenhouse gases harm the environment equally regardless of where they originate, so to slow climate change, it doesn't matter which region of the world cuts back on emissions as long as the global amount falls.
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| March 11, 2009
Wal-Mart to Sell Digital Health Record Systems to Doctors
Wal-Mart Stores plans to enter the electronic health records market, company officials said Wednesday, bringing digital recordkeeping to physicians in small offices as well as large practices nationwide.
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| March 9, 2009
Obama Policy Shift Reopens Debate on Stem Cell Research
President Barack Obama moved Monday to lift funding limits on embryonic stem cell research. Experts weigh how the decision fits into the president's broader approach to science.
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| March 9, 2009
Obama Lifts Restrictions on Funding Human Stem Cell Research
Betty Ann Bowser reports on President Barack Obama's executive order to lift restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research.
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| March 9, 2009
Text Messages Are New Tool for AIDS Education in South Africa
A mobile health project in South Africa is using cell phone text messages to reach people in even the most remote areas of the country to encourage them to get information and counseling on HIV/AIDS.
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| March 9, 2009
Obama Lifts Restrictions on Stem Cell Funding
President Obama on Monday ended his predecessor's policy of restricting the use of federal funds for embryonic stem cell research.
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| March 6, 2009
NASA Telescope to Search for Earth-like Planets
A NASA telescope is set to launch Friday night from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, on a three-and-a-half year mission to scan the Milky Way galaxy for Earth-like planets.
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| March 5, 2009
Paper Profits: Origami Meets Science
Robert Lang, who studies lasers, gave up his Silicon Valley job to concentrate full-time on his life lifelong artistic interest in origami.
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| March 4, 2009
Origami Artist, Scientist Discusses Work
Origami artist and physicist Robert Lang describes how he uses mathematical tools to create complex origami art -- and how the science of folding has applications in space, medical and other research.
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| March 4, 2009
In Paper Folding, Art and Science Align
Eight years ago, physicist Robert Lang's career path took an unusual turn. The laser physicist and lifelong origami artist quit his Silicon Valley job to concentrate full-time on origami.
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| March 3, 2009
Reversing Bush Rule, Obama Resumes Safeguards for Endangered Species
President Barack Obama announced Tuesday that he wants federal agencies to resume full scientific reviews of projects that could harm endangered wildlife and plants.
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| FEBRUARY
Feb. 27, 2009
Audio Slide Show: 'Design for the Other 90 Percent'
The exhibit "Design for the Other 90 Percent," organized by the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and now on display at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, showcases innovative products aimed at serving the needs of people living in developing countries.
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| Feb. 25, 2009
Study Links Alcohol, Cancer Risk in Women
Drinking even one alcoholic drink per day can increase a woman's risk of developing several types of cancers, according to a new study of nearly 1.3 million women in the UK.
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| Feb. 24, 2009
CO2-tracking Satellite Crashes after Failing to Reach Orbit
A NASA rocket carrying a satellite built to track carbon dioxide emissions crashed into the ocean near Antarctica, ending a project nine years in the making at a cost of $273 million.
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| Feb. 20, 2009
NASA to Launch Its First Carbon-Testing Satellite to Measure Greenhouse Gas
NASA plans to launch a satellite Tuesday that will measure concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth's atmosphere, providing scientists with the most complete and precise set of measurements yet of the greenhouse gas.
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| Feb. 20, 2009
NASA Launches Orbiting Carbon Observatory
NASA is set to launch its Orbiting Carbon Observatory satellite on Feb. 23. Atmospheric scientists and climatologists are expecting the satellite's measurements of atmospheric carbon dioxide to dramatically improve their knowledge of the earth's carbon cycle.
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| Feb. 18, 2009
Dance Dance, Science Revolution
Most of us aren't asked to dance our life's work, and that's probably a good thing. But John Bohannon, a visiting scholar at Harvard University and writer for Science Magazine, believes dance is the ultimate translation challenge for scientists.
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| Feb. 17, 2009
With Green Energy's Limitations, Scientists Hunt for Alternatives
As the Obama administration highlights the importance of finding and investing in renewable energy, states such as California are trying to determine whether wind, solar and other renewables can replace a significant amount of fossil fuel. Spencer Michels reports.
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| Feb. 16, 2009
Microbicide Gels May Help Prevent HIV/AIDS Transmission
Two new studies of topical gels meant to prevent the transmission of HIV are providing fresh hope for the field of HIV prevention research after a string of disappointing set-backs.
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| Feb. 13, 2009
Darwin's 200th Birthday Celebrations Span the Globe
People worldwide celebrated Charles Darwin, the "father of evolution's" 200th birthday this week, honoring his extraordinary impact on science and history. Analysts discuss the man, his legacy and the ongoing debates raging over his core theories.
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| Feb. 13, 2009
Love Is a Chemical Reaction, Scientists Find
To poets, love might be a many-splendored thing. But in neuroscientist Larry Young's lab, love is biochemistry.
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| Feb. 12, 2009
Other News: Wall Street Slumps, Satellites Collide
In Thursday's other news, stocks fell on Wall Street and a Russian and U.S. satellite collided over Siberia in the largest accident of its kind.
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| Feb. 12, 2009
On 200th Birthday, a Look at Darwin's Legacy
Schools and museums around the world are celebrating Charles Darwin's 200th birthday with readings, lectures and exhibits. Science historian Janet Browne discusses previous Darwin anniversaries and what Darwin himself might have thought of his bicentenary celebrations.
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| Feb. 12, 2009
More Satellite Collisions Could Occur, Experts Say
As space officials continued to track the debris fields created by Tuesday's collision of two satellites, experts warned that more crashes will inevitably occur in the increasingly crowded orbits above Earth.
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| Feb. 10, 2009
Amazon Unveils the Kindle 2
Bookworms have a new gadget to look forward to. On Monday, Amazon introduced the latest version of its electronic book reader, the Kindle 2, which is thinner and lighter than the original, has an added joystick, more battery life and a function that reads books aloud.
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| Feb. 3, 2009
Iran Launches First 'Homegrown' Satellite Into Space
Iran said Tuesday that it had launched its first domestically-produced satellite as part of Tehran's ongoing efforts to build a space program. The launch was timed to coincide with observances of the 30th anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution.
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| Feb. 2, 2009
NOVA Explores the Role of Technology in Espionage
An excerpt of Tuesday's NOVA program sheds light on the role of technology in espionage, focusing on the National Security Agency's surveillance of Osama bin Laden.
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| JANUARY
Jan. 30, 2009
The Digital TV Conversion
On Feb. 4, 2009, the House gave final Congressional approval to a measure to postpone the end of analog TV signals until June 12. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it.
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| Jan. 30, 2009
As Wind Power Usage Grows, Wind Farms Expand
On his 120-acre farm in Minnesota, Richard Peterson harvests crops of corn, soybeans and, since 2005, wind. His turbine is just one of 67, all housed on adjoining farmland, that make up a wind farm capable of generating 100 megawatts of power.
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| Jan. 29, 2009
Scientists Hope to Renew Stem Cell Advances
Stem cell scientists anticipate a loosening of federal research funding restrictions under the Obama administration despite otherwise shrinking budgets. Spencer Michels reports on where stem cell research stands and how scientists think it may change in the coming years.
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| Jan. 28, 2009
In Iowa, Questions Arise on Impact of Ethanol Production
Al Gore testified before Congress Wednesday on the urgency of energy policy reform and made the case for easing America's reliance on carbon-based fuels. Heidi Cullen of Climate Central reports on an emerging debate over the changing land use and impact of ethanol production in Iowa.
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| Jan. 26, 2009
Switch to Digital TV Prompts Concerns, Calls for Delay
The impending switch to digital TV has caused confusion in some households and prompted Congress to consider delaying the switchover even further over concerns that the message has not yet reached some important groups. Kwame Holman reports.
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| Jan. 26, 2009
Obama Orders Regulators to Revisit Fuel Standards
President Barack Obama pledged renewed U.S. leadership to fight global warming Monday, as he ordered regulators to revisit the tightening of fuel-economy standards for new cars and trucks. Experts debate the significance of the announcement for automakers.
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| Jan. 26, 2009
Obama Moves to Revise Fuel Efficiency Policies
President Barack Obama on Monday ordered federal regulators to reexamine two policies that could lead to tougher fuel-economy standards for new cars and trucks.
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| Jan. 23, 2009
Environmental Groups Weigh Impact of Obama 'Midnight Rules' Freeze
On his first day in office, President Obama ordered a freeze on all pending federal rules put forward by the Bush administration during its final days -- including several controversial environmental regulations.
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| Jan. 22, 2009
Tech Industry Faces Struggles Amid Economic Slump
Microsoft announced a drop in earnings and unprecedented job cuts, and the Intel Corporation revealed plans to shutter five plants and lay off thousands of workers Thursday. Lee Hochberg examines how the technology industry is weathering the economic crisis.
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| Jan. 22, 2009
New Study Shows Warming Trend in Antarctica
Antarctica, a part of the world that researchers had previously believed was bucking the trend of global warming, is getting warmer after all, according to a newly released study.
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| Jan. 16, 2009
Study: Simple Surgical Checklist Saves Lives
A simple surgical checklist helped hospitals in eight countries reduce the number of surgical deaths by nearly 40 percent, according to a study released this week by the New England Journal of Medicine.
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| Jan. 15, 2009
Steve Jobs' Medical Leave Raises Questions for Apple
Apple CEO Steve Jobs' decision to take six months of medical leave for an illness he has deemed a "horomone imbalance" caused the company's stock to fall sharply. Spencer Michels examines Jobs' singular influence in the technology world.
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| Jan. 13, 2009
Chu Vows to Fight Global Warming at Confirmation Hearing
Nobel-prize winning physicist Steven Chu said at a hearing Tuesday that if he is confirmed as energy secretary, he plans to aggressively pursue policies to combat global warming.
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| Jan. 9, 2009
Nanoscale 'Levitation' Discovery Could Lead to Better Nanomachines
By exploiting a quantum mechanical quirk, a team of researchers has discovered how to levitate a tiny object. The finding sounds magical, but it could have an important practical application -- helping scientists build better nanoscale machines.
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| Jan. 6, 2009
Bush to Establish World's Largest Marine Sanctuary
President Bush on Tuesday created three new marine protected areas in the Pacific Ocean, safeguarding more than 195,000 square miles of coral reefs, underwater volcanoes, rare fish and unique habitats.
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| Jan. 2, 2009
Slowing Great Barrier Reef Coral Growth Worries Scientists
Coral in Australia's Great Barrier Reef are growing at their slowest rate in at least 400 years, according to a new study.
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| Jan. 1, 2009
Volatile Fuel Prices Shift Off-shore Drilling Debate
The past year's volatile gas prices are impacting the ongoing debate on whether to drill for oil off the coasts of Virginia and California. Spencer Michels reports on how the price swings and new technology are affecting the controversy.
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