Play53min 55secFrom science fiction to physical realityApril 15, 2009 4:20 PMA renowned theoretical physicist ponders the possibility of forcefields, time travel, and other themes of science fiction. He says many of these do not violate the laws of physics, and could become reality in the next century.
Play53min 54secHumans vs. animals, a comparative studyApril 7, 2009 4:06 PMA writer investigates what it means to be human by considering how much she is like certain animals. One example: like people, prairie dogs have an extended vocabulary of sounds.
Play3min 23secElk Run investor lays out vision for future of medicineApril 3, 2009 3:50 PMBy Mark SteilBiotech investor Steve Burrill laid out his vision today for the future of medicine during a visit to southwest Minnesota. It was his first public stop in the state since he decided to invest in the planned Elk Run BioBusiness Park near Rochester.
Play5min 48secSt. Olaf students win Rube Goldberg competitionApril 1, 2009 5:00 PMBy Tom CrannHow many St. Olaf College students does it take to change a light bulb? Apparently the answer is 11 -- and it takes them 239 steps and nearly two full minutes to get the job done.
Play6min 34secWill the dikes hold up against the storm?March 30, 2009 5:33 PMBy Tom CrannThe floodwaters seem to be receding, but the danger is far from over. An incoming storm will bring both wind and snow to the Red River Valley and people are concerned about the winds whipping up waves that could overcome the sandbag dikes. All Things Considered talked with agricultural service engineer Ken Hellevang about the strength of the dikes.
Hackers steal $94K from Red Wing churchMarch 30, 2009 11:21 AMThe thieves apparently used a complicated Internet virus to gain private information that was used to execute electronic money transfers at the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing.
Study: Triathlons can pose deadly heart risksMarch 28, 2009 6:43 PMWarning to weekend warriors: Swim-bike-run triathlons pose at least twice the risk of sudden death as marathons do, the first study of these competitions has found.
Play4min 00secFed money stimulates construction of NE MN physics labMarch 26, 2009 4:30 PMBy Bob KelleherStimulus money will fund dozens of jobs to build a big physics experiment in northeast Minnesota.
Play8min 21secThe geology of the Red River flood plainMarch 25, 2009 4:44 PMBy Tom CrannTo explain why the Red River seems to spill over its banks with such consistency, we called Don Schwert, a professor of geology at North Dakota State University in Fargo.
Play53min 54secVolcano science and Mount RedoubtMarch 25, 2009 4:29 PMMount Redoubt in Alaska is spewing ash and showing signs of imminent eruption. Meanwhile, politicians on Capitol Hill are questioning the usefulness of "volcano monitoring" in President Obama's stimulus package. Midmorning looks at the science and politics of this dangerous force of nature.