Oct 30 Watch Chemical Used in Household Plastics Sparks Concerns The chemical bisphenol A, known as BPA, is used to make many common plastic products used in U.S. homes, including baby bottles. Scientists and expert panels have been tasked with determining whether BPA has adverse effects on human health. Continue watching
Oct 25 Oil and Gas Giant BP to Pay Fines Totaling $373M By Admin, PBS News Hour London-based BP has agreed to pay a total of $373 million in fines for violating regulations tied to a fatal refinery explosion in 2005, operating leaking oil pipelines and engaging in a price-fixing scheme, the government announced Thursday. Continue reading
Oct 23 Watch Competition Puts Energy-Efficient, Solar-Powered Homes on Display The U.S Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon brought teams from 20 universities to the National Mall to showcase their designs for a modern, solar-powered home. Interest in the event has grown amid new concerns over energy costs and climate change. Continue watching
Oct 23 Discovery Launches on Space Station Construction Mission By PBS News Hour The space shuttle Discovery launched on time Tuesday morning despite worries that rainy weather and ice buildup on the craft's fuel tank might delay the launch. Continue reading
Oct 22 Watch New Outbreaks of Drug-resistant Staph Infection Reported in Schools Over the weekend, there were more reports of students being diagnosed with a dangerous antibiotic-resistant staph infection known as MRSA. A medical expert from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine explains the risks of the sometimes-deadly bacteria. Continue watching
Oct 12 Watch U.N. Climate Panel Member Details Nobel-winning Work Former Vice President Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the Nobel Peace Prize Friday. Michael Oppenheimer, a member of the U.N. panel, discusses the honor and how the group's work has furthered the debate on climate… Continue watching
Oct 09 Watch Ethanol Boom Aids Farmers, but Stirs Environmental Concerns The high cost of oil and a national push toward alternative fuels has pushed ethanol production and corn prices to skyrocket. In eastern Colorado, corn farmers and other stakeholders contemplate the future of ethanol, which some researchers fear may not… Continue watching
Oct 09 Physics Nobel Prize Goes to Nanotechnology Researchers By PBS News Hour Two scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics Tuesday for their discovery of an electromagnetic phenomenon that has led to modern hard disks, like the kind used in laptops, iPods and other devices. Continue reading
Oct 08 Watch Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine Details Gene Modification Work This year's Nobel Prize in medicine was awarded Monday to a trio of scientists who modify genes in mice. One of the recipients, Mario Capecchi, professor of biology and human genetics at the University of Utah, discusses his award-winning work. Continue watching
Oct 08 Watch California Takes Lead in Stem Cell Research, Scientist Recruitment Since California passed a $3 billion bond measure for stem cell research, recruitment of top scientists has outpaced every other state. The new funding has sparked the building of state-of-the-art facilities and a push for stem cell innovations. Continue watching