Ira Flatow

Friday, April 02, 2004
Why are some cancers so hard to wipe out? Cancer stem cells could hold the answer. We look at possible advances in that field. Also, new research explains how the fat hormone leptin regulates body weight by changing the way our brains are wired.

This year marks 200 years since Lewis and Clark headed west. We take a look at the plants the expedition collected, and their contributions to botany. Plus, test-driving the car of the future, with alternative fuels.

The audio for this program will be available at approximately 6PM ET, 3PM PT.

Thursday, April 1, 2004
Some of the deadliest and most gruesome attacks on Americans in Iraq have taken place this week. And coalition officials expect more as the planned handover of power approaches. We look at the uphill battle for hearts and minds in Iraq; plus an update on terrorism in Uzebekistan.

One way to understand something is to measure it. When the subject is globalization, that's a daunting task. In the first of a series of discussions, we tackle the definition of a "globalized" country and look at some international rankings.

Listen to Thursday's show | Listen to individual stories

Air America: Broadcasting from Left of the Dial
The Air America radio network kicked off its programming Wednesday with left-leaning celebrity hosts such as Sue Ellicott, Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo. Cultural critic Joe Queenan discusses the network on Talk of the Nation.
Tuesday, March 31, 2004

Lawrence Lessig: 'Free Culture'
Intellectual property laws are intended to protect creativity. Lessig says it's doing the opposite. His new book argues that the Internet age calls for a new way of deciding who can own an idea.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004

The 2004 Election: Swing Voters
The presidential candidates are already focusing on -- and campaigning in -- states with large numbers of independent voters. NPR's Neal Conan and guests look at swing voters and battleground states.
Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Brian Lamb and 25 Years of C-SPAN
Brian Lamb is a familiar face on cable television. His program Booknotes is celebrating its 15 anniversary on C-SPAN, the network he founded 25 years ago. He talks about the network and a new collection of author interviews. Read excerpts from the book.
Monday, March 11, 2004

Internet Animation Goes Mainstream
Talk of the Nation looks at the increasing popularity of Net animation, from Web-only weekly programs with cult followings to ads seen by millions on VH1 and the BBC. The popularity of the animations is often driven by children trading links to animation Web sites by e-mail and instant messaging.
Tuesday, March 9, 2004

Who Owns This Issue? National Security
President Bush's new television ads, using images from "Ground Zero," demonstrate the importance of the war in Iraq and national security in his re-election campaign. Sen. John Kerry says his own war record -- and the administration's mistakes -- give him the edge. Who owns the issues of war and national security?
Monday, March 8, 2004

'Movie Menus:' Food for Film Buffs
Culinary historian Francine Segan has put together a cookbook designed to compliment the cinematic experience. See recipes to serve up with Oscar contenders Master and Commander and Lord of the Rings.
Thursday, February 26, 2004

Heroin in America
In the 1970s, the average heroin user was 28 to 30 years old and an urban dweller. Today, the average addict is a white, middle-class teenager. As the profile of heroin users has changed, so has the drug, which is more potent than ever.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004

Who Owns This Issue? Jobs
Democrats and Republicans are hard at work to position themselves on the issue of jobs. Democrats blame President Bush for the loss of more than 2 million, and Republicans say tax cuts are creating jobs. Join NPR's Neal Conan in the latest in our series on 2004 campaign issues.
Thursday, February 23, 2004

The Seven Deadly Sins: Lust
Talk of the Nation looks at lust, in the latest in a series on the Seven Deadly Sins. NPR's Lynn Neary speaks with Simon Blackburn, a Cambridge University professor of philosophy, who has penned a series of books on subject.
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Dr. Seuss
On the shelf of undying children's classics, Dr. Seuss' works hold a prized position. But would you rate Seuss as an integral American icon? Talk of the Nation celebrates Theodor Geisel's contribution to children's literature and explores his lasting influence on American culture.
Thursday, February 10, 2004

Reconsidering No Child Left Behind
The cornerstone of the Bush administration's education policy aims to make schools more accountable and give parents greater choice. Yet many schools say the federal mandate is inflexible, and their school systems cannot meet the demands.
Thursday, February 5, 2004

Sex Education in America
A new poll finds that the debate over whether sex education should be taught in schools is over. But the NPR/Kaiser/Kennedy School survey of parents and principals does show there is still disagreement over how it should be taught. Read analysis and the surveys.
Thursday, January 29, 2004

Lewis and Clark Artifact Found
A piece of jewelry brought back East by explorers Lewis and Clark had been missing for the past 60 years. The necklace made of grizzly bear claws has now been rediscovered, sitting mislabeled on a shelf at Harvard University's Peabody Museum.
Tuesday, January 21

Celebrating 20 Years of the Mac
In 1984, an Apple commercial heralded a revolution: an easy-to-use computer. From beige box to Bondi blue fashion accessory, NPR's Neal Conan and guests look at the evolution and impact of the Macintosh. See photos from the Mac's 20-year history.
Tuesday, January 20

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