Listen to Science Matters reports from WCVE Public Radio.
Science Matters Home

Question Your World: Is Some Stress Good for You?

No pain, no gain…right? Well, that phrase seems to go hand in hand with workout routines, but it may also be applicable for the brain! Scientists have been studying the impact of acute and chronic stress on the brain and have concluded some very interesting results. So, what does stress do to the brain? Check out the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Tomorrow’s Jets Could Fly with Flower Power

Camelina Jet Fuel

Due to rising oil prices and environmental concerns, the aviation industry is now looking at many biofuels as alternatives to petroleum derived fuel. NASA researchers conducted a series of test flights recently that proved a commercial jet can fly safely with a blend of jet fuel made from Camelina plant oil.

WCVE Public Radio’s Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Question Your World: How Did Everyone Really End Up Everywhere?

For about 200,000 years humanity has been making its way from Africa to just about every corner of this planet. The study of our past helps explain the evolution of life here on Earth. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into digging through the past and have constructed the time line of our story, all the while continually making new discoveries. So, what happens when we make a new discovery that totally contradicts what we've learned? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Do You Feel About Robots?

robot

Would you be happy if a robot gave you flowers? Would you be sad if you saw someone hurt a robot? Those are the types of questions that were on a recent German scientific survey, but why? Why do we need to understand how we feel about robots? Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

Question Your World: How Far Does Our Solar System Stretch?

Voyager

Our lovely and comfortable home here on Earth is a long way away from the end of our solar system. Here on Earth concepts of boundaries involve rivers, lakes, mountains, human imposed borders, and so on. However, this is not how the limits of our solar system are established. There is not one point that defines the end, but there is definitely an end and it’s really far from here. Listen to the latest Question Your World Radio Report from the Science Museum of Virginia to learn more.

More From WCVE Public Radio...

McDonnell Pushes for Electric Cars

Craig Carper in News | Science Matters

Yesterday Governor Bob McDonnell announced a public-private partnership to encourage increased use of electric cars in the Commonwealth. Craig Carper reports.

EPA Wins Fight Over Regulation of Air Pollution

Charles Fishburne in News | Science Matters

The United States Senate has turned back an attempt to limit the EPA’s power to further regulate air pollution from vehicles and industrial facilities. Charles Fishburne reports.

A Coal Mine Proposal is Challenged

John Ogle in News | Science Matters

Environmentalists are challenging a planned mountain top removal coal mine in southwest Virginia.

Virginia Tech Researching Bio Oil

John Ogle in News | Science Matters

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed methods to stabilize bio mass oils that could be used to put bio gasoline on the market very soon.

UVA’s Kathy Thornton is inducted into the Astronauts Hall of Fame

Charles Fishburne in News | Science Matters

Over the weekend, UVA’s associate dean of engineering, who was also America’s second woman in space…was inducted into the Astronauts Hall of Fame. Before she left for the ceremony at Kennedy Space Center, Charles Fishburne talked with former Astronaut Kathy Thornton about her time in space.