[Below is the original script. But a few changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]

Something is afoot in the story of us.

[More]

[Below is the original script. But a few changes may have been made during the recording of this audio podcast.]

Something is afoot in the story of us.

[More]

Each and every one of us human beings has a story, a past, a present, and a future that is all wrapped up in our belief systems and how those belief systems affect our daily lives. What we believe comes from our educational background, the upbringing and training we had from our families, our ethnic and cultural influences, and research we have each independently done plus our life experiences. How we identify who we are, what we are, and why we are here is aligned with what we know or feel or understand to be truths according to our experiences and education thus far in life. What we believe about who we are in large part determines how we view our purpose in life. Our purpose in life provides our motivation and our blueprint for the decisions we make, the way we treat others, and the way we live our lives.

Young people with asthma have nearly twice the incidence of depression compared to their peers without asthma, and studies have shown that depression is associated with increased asthma symptoms and, in some cases, death.

The findings of a major new study are consistent with gradual changes of current systems in the North Atlantic Ocean, rather than a more sudden shutdown that could lead to rapid climate changes in Europe and elsewhere.

Scientists have identified the specific gene which triggers the body to produce disease-fighting antibodies -- a seminal finding that clarifies the exact molecular steps taken by the body to mount an antibody defense against viruses and other pathogens. The finding has major implications for the development of new and more effective vaccines.

Researchers have found a way to block the genetic flaw at the heart of a common form of muscular dystrophy. The results of the study could pave the way for new therapies that essentially reverse the symptoms of the disease.

Developmental hip dysplasia is the most common congenital defect in newborns. The condition occurs when a hip joint is shallow, unstable or when the joint is dislocated. Infants with the condition are often at risk of developing arthritis of the hip as a young adult. A new study finds that screening all infants for hip dysplasia can significantly decrease their chance of developing early arthritis.

A robotic vision system that mimics key visual functions of the human brain promises to let robots maneuver quickly and safely through cluttered environments, and to help guide the visually impaired.

Most people assume that their trash ends up in a landfill somewhere far away (if they think about this at all). But growing concern over the environmental impact of waste--discarded electronics, in particular--has prompted a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) to take a high-tech approach to studying exactly what people are tossing out and where those items are ending up. [More]