Science Images of the Week

This enhanced-color image shows sand dunes trapped in an impact crater in Noachis Terra, Mars. (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)

This enhanced-color image shows sand dunes trapped in an impact crater on Mars. (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)

A Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) captured in a beach seine during a 2012 Bainbridge Island larval forage fish survey. This survey focused on the abundance, habitat use, and food habits of larval forage fish and was conducted by scientists from the Columbia River Research Laboratory -Western Fisheries Research Center. (Photo: Department of the Interior/USGS)

A Kelp Crab captured in a beach fishing net in Washington state during a Bainbridge Island survey which focused on the abundance, habitat use and food habits of larval forage fish. (Photo: Department of the Interior/USGS)

The space shuttle Enterprise is seen shortly after the grand opening of the Space Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Thursday, July 19, 2012 in New York. (Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The space shuttle Enterprise shortly after the grand opening of the Space Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York. (Photo: NASA/Bill Ingalls)

This artist's conception illustrates a storm   of comets around a star near our own, called   Eta Corvi. Evidence for this barrage comes   from NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope,  Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Artist’s conception of a storm of comets around a star near our sun, called Eta Corvi. Evidence for this barrage comes from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope. (Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

An aerial view of drought affected Colorado farm lands, 83 miles east of Denver, Colorado on Saturday, July 21, 2012 (Photo: USDA)

An aerial view of drought-affected Colorado farm lands, 83 miles east of Denver, Colorado on Saturday, July 21, 2012 (Photo: USDA)

This new view of the Orion nebula highlights fledgling stars hidden in the gas and clouds. It shows infrared observations taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the European Space Agency's Herschel mission. (Photo: (NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech/IRAM )

This Infrared observation of the Orion nebula highlights fledgling stars hidden in gas and clouds. It was taken by NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope and the European Space Agency’s Herschel mission. (Photo: (NASA/ESA/JPL-Caltech/IRAM )

Jonathan Wiley and Eric Kuntzelman rappel more than 300 feet off the ground from a 3 megawatt wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) near Boulder, CO. (Photo: Dennis Schroeder/NREL)

More than 300 feet off the ground, workers Jonathan Wiley and Eric Kuntzelman perform maintenance on a wind turbine at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) near Boulder, Colorado. (Photo: Dennis Schroeder/NREL)

Most of the Universe's galaxies look like small, amorphous clouds of vapor. One of these galaxies is DDO 82, captured here in an image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. (Photo: NASA/ESA)

Most of the Universe’s galaxies look like small, amorphous clouds of vapor. One of these galaxies is DDO 82, captured here in an image from the Hubble Space Telescope. (Photo: NASA/ESA)

In the foreground, a magnet girder for the National Synchrotron Light Source II. a new state-of-the-art, medium-energy electron storage ring. Each girder is a 14-foot, 8-ton structure holding multiple magnets in the NSLS-II accelerator ring. (Brookhaven National Laboratory/USDOE)

A magnet girder (in the foreground) for the National Synchrotron Light Source II, a new state-of-the-art, medium-energy electron storage ring. Each girder is a 14-foot, 8-ton structure which holds multiple magnets in the NSLS-II accelerator ring. (Brookhaven National Laboratory/USDOE)

NASA's Mars Odyssey spacecraft passes above Mars' South Pole in this artist's concept illustration. The spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since October 24, 2001. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)

Artist’s conception of NASA’s Mars Odyssey spacecraft passing above Mars’ South Pole.  The spacecraft has been orbiting Mars since October 24, 2001. (Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Univ. of Arizona)

Researchers at JPL and Caltech have developed an instrument for exploring the cosmos and the quantum world. This new type of amplifier boosts electrical signals and can be used for everything from studying stars, galaxies and black holes to exploring the quantum world and developing quantum computers. ( Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

This instrument for exploring the cosmos and the quantum world was developed by researchers at JPL and Caltech. The new type of amplifier boosts electrical signals and can be used for everything from studying stars, galaxies and black holes, to exploring the quantum world and developing quantum computers. ( Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Bad Memories? Here, Take a Pill

Do you ever wish you could take a pill that would erase a really traumatic memory or at least help take the emotional pain away?

A recent study suggests researchers might be on to something like that.

The team from the Centre for Studies on Human Stress at the University of Montreal says the drug metyrapone could help those suffering from conditions such as Post-traumatic stress disorder.

On the “Science World” radio program this weekend, we talk with the study’s lead author, Marie-France Marin.

She tells us that metyrapone doesn’t actually eliminate the memory, but it does reduce the brain’s ability to re-record the negative emotions associated with bad memories.

Listen to the interview here… 

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Other stories we cover on the “Science World” radio program this week include:

  • A somber anniversary as AIDS hits the 30-year mark
  • World health experts now say cell phones might cause cancer
  • China rejects Google claims that hackers in that country spied on email accounts
  • How technology is helping to improve access to health care in Senegal
  • Who would win a chess match in an Earth versus Space contest

About Science World

Science World

Science World is VOA’s on-air and online magazine covering science, health, technology and the environment.

Hosted by Rick Pantaleo, Science World‘s informative, entertaining and easy-to-understand presentation offers the latest news, features and one-on-one interviews with researchers, scientists, innovators and other news makers.

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