Science

The making of an elite athlete
Watching elite athletes at the top of their game is quite a spectacle, but what makes them great? Are these athletes simply born with skills and bodies that the majority of people lack, or does their greatness come from dedication and practice?The Daily Circuit, July 15, 2012
Has the Gulf recovered from the BP oil spill?
Two years ago this Sunday, the BP wellhead that ruptured in the Gulf of Mexico was capped. The disaster killed 11 people and spilled nearly five million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. How has the Gulf recovered and what have we learned?The Daily Circuit, July 12, 2012
Gene mutation protects people against Alzheimer's disease
Researchers have discovered a rare gene mutation that protects people against Alzheimer's disease. We'll talk with Dr. Ronald Petersen of the Mayo Clinic about what the discovery means for treatment of Alzheimer's.The Daily Circuit, July 12, 2012
BBC: Artificial blood
Is it possible to make artificial blood? As part of the BBC Discovery Series, Vivienne Parry looks at attempts to make it as medical professionals worry about donor shortages and infected supplies.The Daily Circuit, July 11, 2012
The future of zoos
The recent flooding at the Duluth zoo and numerous dolphin deaths at the Minnesota Zoo made us think about the issues surrounding animals in captivity. Is it ethical? And what is the purpose of zoos today?The Daily Circuit, July 11, 2012
New vaccine could prevent nicotine addiction
Nicotine is a tough addiction to kick. But what if you could prevent the addiction in the first place? Weill Cornell Medical College researchers say they prevented addiction in mice with a vaccine.The Daily Circuit, July 10, 2012
34 years after first test tube baby, ethical questions remain
This month marks 34 years since the first test tube baby was born. While the procedures are becoming quite common, ethical questions linger. What are these concerns?The Daily Circuit, July 9, 2012
Commentary: A new tick-borne virus to watch for
It's that time of the year when insect-borne viruses start appearing in the headlines. In fact, state health department officials just recently confirmed the year's first case of West Nile Virus in Minnesota. But physician and writer Dr. Craig Bowron is keeping his eye on a new tick-borne virus that he thinks bears watching.The Daily Circuit, July 6, 2012
Rehabilitating Twin Cities' wildlife
Wondering what to do when you find an injured or orphaned critter in your yard? Phil Jenni, executive director of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, will join us to take your questions about handling injured animals.The Daily Circuit, July 5, 2012
Martin Rees on "From Here to Infinity"
Is scientific theory inaccessible to the general public? Astrophysicist Martin Rees argues it's accessible to everyone in his new book, "From Here to Infinity." He joins us to discuss the ideas behind his book.The Daily Circuit, July 5, 2012
Is squeaky-clean food hurting your immune system?
New evidence suggests that the rise in allergic and autoimmune disorders in the past few decades is due, at least partly, to our obsession with sanitation and aversion to dirt. Do we need to dirty up our diets to stay healthy?The Daily Circuit, July 2, 2012
Daniel Chamovitz on what plants know
In "What a Plant Knows," biologist Daniel Chamovitz uses plant research to explain how plants survive, adapt and react to their surrounding environment. How much do humans have in common with plants?The Daily Circuit, July 1, 2012
Is Earth nearing a tipping point?
According to an article to be published in the journal Nature, a number of factors including climate change and population growth may be driving Earth toward a tipping point.The Daily Circuit, June 19, 2012
Joy Reidenberg on 'Inside Nature's Giants'
Have you ever wondered what the inside of a sperm whale looks like? Joy Reidenberg knows. She's a comparative anatomist, going "Inside Nature's Giants" on the popular PBS series.The Daily Circuit, June 17, 2012
How brain chemistry controls your emotions
In "The Emotional Life of Your Brain," psychologist and brain researcher Dr. Richard Davidson looks at how our brains emotionally respond to events in our lives.The Daily Circuit, June 14, 2012