Podcast
Cold weather heart attacks, a new test for ovarian cancer, high-elevation adaptations, what the numbers on a bottle of motor oil mean, and a telephone translator.
Podcast
SUNSCREEN & SUPPLEMENTS: Sunscreens from ivy, why tanning oil speeds up skin damage, and when to apply sunscreen. Also: the link between fructose and pancreatic cancer, and over-the-counter weight-loss supplements fail the grade.
Ivy Sunscreen
English ivy produces natural nano-sized particles that could improve sunscreens.
Sharkskin Paint
A paint modeled on sharkskin could reduce drag on aircraft and save fuel.
Forgery-Foiling Butterflies
The colors that make up some butterfly wings could help foil forgery.
Podcast
ANIMALS: Vibrating frogs, confused ducks, forgery-foiling butterflies, and the unsung heroes of the savanna.
Hydrogen Catalyst
A new molecular catalyst may make clean hydrogen power economically viable.
Waste into Plastic
Scientists have developed a way to turn municipal waste into biodegradable plastic.
Podcast
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE: Ecologically-friendly plastic, a cleaner way to produce hydrogen fuel, cell phone air sensors, the perils of spaceflight, the ethical implications of synthetic life, and more.
Podcast
THE BRAIN: Empathy and aggression share the same neural circuitry, chronic pain sufferers process acute pain differently, how a brain implant made of silk could help epilepsy patients, the effects of pre-natal air pollution exposure on children's cognitive performance, and the psychology behind the Ouija board.
Body Batteries
A new coating for rubber surfaces may make it possible for our bodies to power electric gadgets.
Super Water Repellent
Engineers have tapped the hairs on spider legs to develop the ultimate water-repellent surface.
Podcast
TECHNOLOGY REPORT: Lung-powered batteries, a spider-inspired water-repellent, art-restoring lasers, the health risks of polycarbonate plastics, and more.
Mussel Glue
A glue inspired by mussels may help prevent premature labor or miscarriages.
Synthetic Blood
Researchers have created synthetic red blood cells in the lab.
Podcast
MEDICINE: Alzheimer's in the eye, artificial red blood cells, and a microbial Achilles' heel. Also: do toilet seats spread disease?
Podcast
People with Alzheimer's disease get less cancer, nearsightedness is on the rise in the U.S., why the bones of the skull don't become brittle, and how an ingredient in clown make-up could protect astronauts from radiation.
Boron Nanotubes
The main ingredient in clown makeup is being used to create a nano-material that could protect astronauts from solar radiation.
Sandcastle Worm Glue
A small sea creature inspires a potentially useful medical glue.
Podcast
Ancient insect pollinators, your body's unique microbes, a marine creature that could fix broken bones. Also: does chewing gum really take years to digest?