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About the Program
Talk of the Nation with host Neal Conan is known for intelligent and thought-provoking discussion. Guests, contributors, and listeners explore today's most compelling issues — from breaking news, science, and education to religion and the arts.
Starting June 30th, 2006, both hours of Science Friday, broadcast during Talk of the Nation, will be broadcast on MPR News stations.
Official program Web site
Starting June 30th, 2006, both hours of Science Friday, broadcast during Talk of the Nation, will be broadcast on MPR News stations.
Official program Web site
Latest Show
Study: Sahara Gradually Dried Up Over 6,000 YearsWhat made the Sahara Desert go dry — and are there ancient waters still hidden below the sands? In a controversial study published in the journal <em>Science</em> researchers argue that the drying of the Sahara took place over thousands of years — not suddenly as was previously thought. (05/09/2008)
Scientists Mark 25 Years of HIV ResearchIn May 1983, the first scientific papers were published describing the possible connection between a retrovirus and the development of AIDS. The virus went on to become known as HIV. Experts discuss whether, 25 years later, scientists any closer to a cure for AIDS or to a vaccine to prevent HIV transmission. (05/09/2008)
TV Viewers Prepare for Digital TransitionIn February 2009, all full-power broadcast television stations in the U.S. will stop analog transmissions and begin broadcasting only in digital. Viewers who have cable or satellite are fine, but those who have older TVs receiving over-the-air signals may need to buy converters. (05/09/2008)
Mysterious Memristor: Electronics' Missing Link?Introductory electronics classes focus on circuit diagrams involving combinations of resistors, capacitors and inductors. Now, researchers have discovered a fourth passive circuit element — one that fills in a gap in equations describing relationships between voltage, current and magnetic flux. (05/09/2008)
Common Weedkiller May Cause Hormonal ProblemsResearchers report that atrazine, the second-most-applied weedkiller in the U.S., may be able to disrupt hormonal signaling in humans. The herbicide, which has been banned in Europe, is suspected of playing a role in sexual abnormalities in fish, frogs and other aquatic organisms. (05/09/2008)
Is It Better to Eat Locally or Eat Differently?When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, what you eat may be more important than where your food comes from. A new study finds that replacing red meat and dairy products with chicken, fish or vegetables could have the same impact as shifting to an entirely locally-grown diet. (05/09/2008)
Is Lying to Others a Form of Lying to Yourself?A study published in the journal <em>Emotion</em> says that embellishing stories to friends is not really an attempt to deceive others, but rather, an attempt to express your true hopes and goals. Self-serving exaggeration, the researchers say, is psychologically very different from other forms of lying. (05/08/2008)
Online Moms Find New, More Modern Ways to NagWeb savvy moms are logging onto Facebook and creating Instant Messenger accounts to keep in touch with — and keep tabs on — their kids. "Postcards from Yo Momma" is a new Web site where youngsters showcase the gems of e-correspondence they receive from their moms. (05/08/2008)
Wright's Remarks Spark Dialogue on Race in U.S.The controversial comments made by Barack Obama's former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, have inspired conversations about race relations in America today. Guests and callers weigh in on whether people speak honestly about race when they have discussions in diverse groups. (05/08/2008)
Questions or Concerns? NPR Ombudsman RespondsNPR ombudsman Lisa Shepard shares some of the listener phone calls and e-mails she has received in recent weeks. Some listeners took issue with NPR's coverage of the apparent suicide death of "D.C. Madam" Deborah Jean Palfrey — how detailed or graphic should news coverage be? (05/07/2008)
Vets in Legal Trouble Find Help in Buffalo CourtEarlier this year, Robert Russell, a judge in Buffalo New York, decided to address the increasing number of veterans he saw entering the criminal justice system. Russell established a special court that considers the experience of war before sentencing and helps former soldiers find treatment. (05/07/2008)
Obama Weathers Pastor's Inflammatory RemarksObama's big win in North Carolina reversed his campaign's downward spiral, sparked in March by inflammatory racial comments from Obama's former pastor. Guests discuss how the Rev. Jeremiah Wright will continue to figure into the race, and whether his comments affected voters on Tuesday. (05/07/2008)
Obama Clinches N. Carolina, Clinton Wins IndianaSen. Barack Obama won a decisive, double-digit victory in North Carolina's Democratic primary Tuesday, while rival Sen. Hillary Clinton held on to just barely win the race in Indiana by two percentage points. Neal Conan hosts an NPR News Special at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. (05/07/2008)
Facebook vs. Yearbook: Memories Saved OnlineThe hardcover yearbook used to be an indispensable part of the high school and college experience. But today, online social-networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace allow students to memorialize their friendships online — for free. (05/06/2008)
Teacher Fired After Declining to Sign Loyalty OathMath teacher Marianne Kearney-Brown discusses why she declined to sign California State University's loyalty oath. As a Quaker, Brown did not want to pledge to "support and defend the U.S. and state Constitutions against all enemies." She drew an asterisk next to "defend" and wrote "non-violently." (05/06/2008)
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