January 29, 2010

Thaipusam – Trance

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam is a day where devotees turn their attention away from the physical world.

January 28, 2010

Thaipusam – Story of Lord Murugan

The holiday of Thaipusam celebrates the victory of the Hindu god Murugan over a human devotee with a bad case of over- ambition.

January 27, 2010

Butter – Monitoring Pollutants

Scientists have hit upon a cheap and effective pollution monitoring tool – butter.

January 26, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Mars – Sending an Arm

If we can’t send an Armstrong to Mars, how about a strong arm?

January 25, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Mars – How Far

Mars may be Earth’s neighbor, but getting there can take years!

January 22, 2010

Butter – Persistent Pollutants

Just because a pollutant gets banned, it doesn’t mean it has gone away. In fact, detectable traces of it might be in your refrigerator.

January 21, 2010

Sea Otter – Breaking The Human Bond

Marine biologists play surrogate mom to injured sea lions, taking care that their young charges don’t get too attached to them.

January 20, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Public Sentinel

Investigating death may very well protect the health of others.

January 19, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Crash Case

When alcohol or drugs are involved in an auto accident, the driver’s identity is not always evident. So how do you find out who really was driving the car?

January 18, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Forensics – Gathering Evidence

Declaring someone dead is one thing, but if you want a definitive cause, you’ll want to give forensic investigator Mo Lupia a call.

January 15, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Unexpected Adhesion

By way of an accidental discovery, engineers are now developing “sticky” material based on the properties of a gecko’s toes.

January 14, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Toe Hair

Hairy toesREALLY hairy toesare essential to a gecko’s wall-climbing ability.

January 13, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Running Like Roaches

Roaches and humans have at least one thing in common the way we run.

January 12, 2010

Plough Monday – Tradition

Imagine a holiday like Halloween, with a bit of Mardi Gras thrown in, and you’ll have a pretty good idea of what Plough Monday was like – in 18th century rural England.

January 11, 2010

Plough Monday – Purpose

Once a year, riotous behavior gave farm workers an escape from social constraints in 18th century England.

January 8, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Toothbrush Toes

If you want to understand gecko-inspired adhesion, just pick up a toothbrush and follow along.

January 7, 2010

Kids’ Science Challenge: Biomimicry – Gecko Fingers

A gecko’s ability to adhere to surfaces is leading to advances in manmade materials. Gecko tires, anyone?

January 6, 2010

Three Kings Day – The Magi

One of our listeners returns to his homeland of Puerto Rico each year for the celebration of the Epiphany.

January 5, 2010

Three Kings Day – Parranda

“It’s Christmas caroling – Puerto Rican Style!” In the days leading up to the Feast of Epiphany, the sounds of Parrandas are heard throughout the island.

January 4, 2010

Three Kings Day – Holiday Foods

In Puerto Rico, Three Kings Day is a festival for the palate, with savory traditional foods such as roasted pig.

January 1, 2010

Hogmanay: Biggest Day of the Year

Scottish culture preserves New Year’s Day as the most important family holiday.