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Science

The brain and beyond

A scientist who has spent his life studying the way the brain works talks about why so much about the most complex organ in the body remains unknown.

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The universe in a paper clip

Modern people move through life surrounded by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of simple tools: pencils and paper clips, zippers and silverware. Duke University civil engineering and history professor Henry Petroski studies the genesis and refinement of these humble everyday objects.

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The big, big screen

The Science Museum of Minnesota is one of the world's leading producers of giant-screen movies. The museum's Omnitheater productions have been seen by over 60 million people in 28 countries. Director Mike Day talks about the science museum's Omnifest and the making of larger-than-life films.

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How we learn, from infancy to old age

Scientists used to think that people couldn't grow new brain cells, but now they say the brain can regenerate itself, and what's more, there are things people can do to keep their minds limber as they grow old. This new program from Public Radio International's Gray Matters series looks at how our brains acquire and retain information from the time we're babies to old age.

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The design of everyday life

The design of the things we use in our daily lives is more a result of accident than intention. An expert in design and history looks at the effect of global standardization on everything from cellphones to cupholders.

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White Earth members seek ban on genetically modified wild rice

The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are an ideal habitat for wild rice. But the tribe is worried that resource could be threatened by the science of genetic engineering.

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When are split-second decisions the right ones?

New Yorker Staff Writer Malcolm Gladwell answers questions about his latest book, "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking," at the Commonwealth Club of California. "Blink," which explores snap judgements, is number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

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The power and pitfalls of snap judgements

By the time you finish this sentence, you may very well have decided whether or not to listen to Malcolm Gladwell's speech at the Commonwealth Club of California. Gladwell's book "Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking" is about these kinds of split-second decisions: how they are made, why they are often surprisingly good and why they are sometimes tragically bad.

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The Titanic today

Titanic explorer Robert Ballard makes the case for limiting visits to the historic wreck. He talks about how the submerged ocean liner is degrading.

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Robot revolution

The government is preparing to send robots to fight in Iraq this spring. Human replacements are also being used to explore space, clean up nuclear sites and care for the elderly. Midmorning examines the history and future of artificial intelligence.

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