Powerful Earthquake Rocks Western Indonesia
()The underwater temblor, which had a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, collapsed buildings in the coastal city of Padang in Southern Sumatra province and briefly triggered a tsunami alert. Indonesia's vice president said at least 75 people were killed and warned that the death toll may rise.
World
Deadly Tsunami Sweeps Through South Pacific()
September 29, 2009 A powerful Pacific Ocean earthquake spawned towering tsunami waves that swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa early Tuesday, flattening villages, killing at least 39 people and leaving dozens of workers missing at devastated National Park Service facilities.
NPR Health Blog
Shakeup At Sequenom After Investigation of Down Syndrome Test()
September 29, 2009 A promising, experimental prenatal blood test to detect Down syndrome has been derailed by data irregularities at the company developing the assay.
NPR Health Blog
Lurking Bacteria Raise Risks From Swine Flu()
September 29, 2009 Bacteria that cause a common form of pneumonia can make swine flu infections more dangerous.
Energy
Solar Plan Ignites Some Environmental Concerns()
September 28, 2009 An Obama administration plan to build huge new solar energy plants in the Southwest is causing heartburn in the environmental community. The proposal would allow the construction of two dozen industrial solar energy facilities that require vast amounts of land and water.
Space
Plutonium Shortage Could Stall Space Exploration()
September 28, 2009 NASA is running out of the radioactive material used to power missions to the outer reaches of the solar system. To avoid future delays, the White House has asked for funds to produce more of the fuel source, but it's unclear whether Congress will approve the expense.
Spider Wranglers Weave One-Of-A-Kind Tapestry()
September 27, 2009 The American Museum of Natural History in New York unveiled something never before seen: an 11-by-4-foot tapestry made completely of spider silk. The tapestry took four years to make, with the help of more than 1 million spiders.