American science journalist
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What's the whackiest science story ever? How about the OJ chase upending Al Gore and the Space Station? Heir's 30 years of science reporting adventures from NPR's own Joe Palca. https://terryvirts.com/ Twitter: @AstroTerry Instagram: astro_terry
Earlier this week we got a look at one of the highest-profile scientific photo dumps of all time. The James Webb Space Telescope is the most powerful telescope ever sent into space, and it is producing some of the most detailed, rich, and far-reaching images of the universe we have seen – including the birth of stars, galaxies colliding, and the bending of space-time itself. Today, Host Emily Kwong talks with Short Wave Scientist-in-Residence Regina Barber and NPR's Joe Palca about these mind bending new portraits of our universe and our origins. You can follow Emily on Twitter @EmilyKwong1234 and Regina @ScienceRegina. Email Short Wave at ShortWave@NPR.Org.
The world's most powerful telescope unfurled its final mirror today as it sped away to its final destination one million miles from earth. NASA completed the final step of the Webb telescope's difficult two-week initiation process Saturday, unfolding the final 21-foot piece: its 'golden eye.' NPR science correspondent Joe Palca joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain more about the telescope, its design, and its purpose. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
The world's most powerful telescope unfurled its final mirror today as it sped away to its final destination one million miles from earth. NASA completed the final step of the Webb telescope's difficult two-week initiation process Saturday, unfolding the final 21-foot piece: its 'golden eye.' NPR science correspondent Joe Palca joins Hari Sreenivasan to explain more about the telescope, its design, and its purpose. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders
Fully vaccinated people can ditch the mask outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week — unless they're at a crowded event. Dr. Anthony Fauci explains the new guidance to NPR and weighs in on how soon children under 16 might be eligible for vaccines. NPR's Joe Palca reports on the scientific effort to learn more about how long vaccines protect us. Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey. In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Fully vaccinated people can ditch the mask outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week — unless they're at a crowded event. Dr. Anthony Fauci explains the new guidance to NPR and weighs in on how soon children under 16 might be eligible for vaccines. NPR's Joe Palca reports on the scientific effort to learn more about how long vaccines protect us. Additional reporting in this episode from NPR's Allison Aubrey. In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Scientists are growing concerned the U.S. may be headed for a fourth wave. COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly, mirroring an increase in many countries around the world. Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage tells NPR he's worried another surge in the U.S. will fuel the spread of the variant known as B.1.1.7. In the meantime, there's new evidence that vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are effective at preventing viral spread — and that they produce "robust" antibody response in children ages 12-15. NPR's Joe Palca has more. In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Scientists are growing concerned the U.S. may be headed for a fourth wave. COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly, mirroring an increase in many countries around the world. Harvard epidemiologist Bill Hanage tells NPR he's worried another surge in the U.S. will fuel the spread of the variant known as B.1.1.7 . In the meantime, there's new evidence that vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are effective at preventing viral spread — and that they produce "robust" antibody response in children ages 12-15. NPR's Joe Palca has more. In participating regions, you'll also hear from local journalists about what's happening in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
Reflecting on the President's Column in the March/April issue of the Observer, NPR science correspondent Joe Palca, who earned a PhD in psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, offers his unique take on the evolution of methodologies in science, from landers on Mars to big data and psychological science.
It was a plague that came every summer and left thousands of American children paralyzed -- or dead -- in its wake. This hour we take a look at the legacy of polio. How did the development of the polio vaccine change the course of history? Nearly eradicated, the disease is still be found in a handful of countries. Could we see polio outbreaks in the US today? We want to hear from you. Did you or a family member survive polio? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. GUESTS: Dr. David Oshinsky - Author of Polio: An American Story, which won the Pulitzer Prize in History in 2006. He the Director of Medical Humanities at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, and a professor of history at NYU (@DavidOshinsky) Joann Griswold - Resident of Amherst Mass and 1954 graduate of UConn School of Nursing; she was a registered nurse for 64 years, including at many hospitals in Connecticut and Massachusetts Dr. Melissa Held - Infectious disease specialist and assistant dean of medical education at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and associate professor of pediatric infectious disease at UConn School of Medicine Kim Brown - Granby resident; she has a primary immune deficiency READING LIST: NPR: Defeating Polio, The Disease That Paralyzed America – “Think of it: Between 1937 and 1997, Post-Polio Health International estimates in one table, more than 457,000 people in the U.S. — and hundreds of thousands more around the world — suffered from some form of polio. Thousands and thousands were paralyzed in this country alone. Within two years of the 1955 announcement [of the Salk vaccine], U.S. polio cases dropped 85 to 90 percent, Joe Palca of NPR reported.” Gizmodo:The last of the iron lungs (November 2017) - “In the 1940s and 1950s, hospitals across the country were filled with rows of iron lungs that kept victims alive. Lillard recalls being in rooms packed with metal tubes—especially when there were storms and all the men, women, adults, and children would be moved to the same room so nurses could manually operate the iron lungs if the power went out. “The period of time that it took the nurse to get out of the chair, it seemed like forever because you weren’t breathing,” Lillard said. “You just laid there and you could feel your heart beating and it was just terrifying. The only noise that you can make when you can’t breathe is clicking your tongue. And that whole dark room just sounded like a big room full of chickens just cluck-cluck-clucking. All the nurses were saying, ‘Just a second, you’ll be breathing in just a second.’” UConn Dolan Collection Nursing History Blog:Iron Lung Exhibit: Our Alumni Remember (January 2016) – “Joann Griswold (Class of 1954) vividly recalls three patients in iron lungs for whom she cared. One was a four-year-old child: ‘We accessed her bedding and body through elasticized portholes, and this as I recall intrigued her; she would try to grab our hands. I realized that human contact was exceptionally important with a baby or child, and she certainly showed a positive response to holding my hand, and or my gently rubbing her forehead, and bathing her. Although rest was important, once her fever had subsided, she was able to do gentle exercises within the respirator to retain the musculoskeletal function she had. We had to closely monitor her breathing, because people with this type of polio mainly affecting the respiratory system could die suddenly, and because of her age, there was always a nurse or a student nurse with her. She enjoyed being read to, and with the respirator mirror we could show her pictures, which she also enjoyed. It was important to keep her calm so that her weakened respiratory system would not be further compromised by her crying, shouting, etc. We sang to her, talked, read, drew pictures, told stories.’” Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired October 18, 2018. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It was a plague that came every summer and left thousands of American children paralyzed -- or dead -- in its wake. This hour we take a look at the legacy of polio. How did the development of the polio vaccine change the course of history? Nearly eradicated, the disease is still be found in a handful of countries. Could we see polio outbreaks in the US today? We want to hear from you. Did you or a family member survive polio? Join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter. GUESTS: Dr. David Oshinsky - Author of Polio: An American Story, which won the Pulitzer Prize in History in 2006. He the Director of Medical Humanities at NYU’s Langone Medical Center, and a professor of history at NYU (@DavidOshinsky) Joann Griswold - Resident of Amherst Mass and 1954 graduate of UConn School of Nursing; she was a registered nurse for 64 years, including at many hospitals in Connecticut and Massachusetts Dr. Melissa Held - Infectious disease specialist and assistant dean of medical education at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and associate professor of pediatric infectious disease at UConn School of Medicine Kim Brown - Granby resident; she has a primary immune deficiency READING LIST: NPR: Defeating Polio, The Disease That Paralyzed America – “Think of it: Between 1937 and 1997, Post-Polio Health International estimates in one table, more than 457,000 people in the U.S. — and hundreds of thousands more around the world — suffered from some form of polio. Thousands and thousands were paralyzed in this country alone. Within two years of the 1955 announcement [of the Salk vaccine], U.S. polio cases dropped 85 to 90 percent, Joe Palca of NPR reported.” Gizmodo:The last of the iron lungs (November 2017) - “In the 1940s and 1950s, hospitals across the country were filled with rows of iron lungs that kept victims alive. Lillard recalls being in rooms packed with metal tubes—especially when there were storms and all the men, women, adults, and children would be moved to the same room so nurses could manually operate the iron lungs if the power went out. “The period of time that it took the nurse to get out of the chair, it seemed like forever because you weren’t breathing,” Lillard said. “You just laid there and you could feel your heart beating and it was just terrifying. The only noise that you can make when you can’t breathe is clicking your tongue. And that whole dark room just sounded like a big room full of chickens just cluck-cluck-clucking. All the nurses were saying, ‘Just a second, you’ll be breathing in just a second.’” UConn Dolan Collection Nursing History Blog:Iron Lung Exhibit: Our Alumni Remember (January 2016) – “Joann Griswold (Class of 1954) vividly recalls three patients in iron lungs for whom she cared. One was a four-year-old child: ‘We accessed her bedding and body through elasticized portholes, and this as I recall intrigued her; she would try to grab our hands. I realized that human contact was exceptionally important with a baby or child, and she certainly showed a positive response to holding my hand, and or my gently rubbing her forehead, and bathing her. Although rest was important, once her fever had subsided, she was able to do gentle exercises within the respirator to retain the musculoskeletal function she had. We had to closely monitor her breathing, because people with this type of polio mainly affecting the respiratory system could die suddenly, and because of her age, there was always a nurse or a student nurse with her. She enjoyed being read to, and with the respirator mirror we could show her pictures, which she also enjoyed. It was important to keep her calm so that her weakened respiratory system would not be further compromised by her crying, shouting, etc. We sang to her, talked, read, drew pictures, told stories.’” Chion Wolf contributed to this show, which originally aired October 18, 2018. Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Interim results are in from a large trial of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine. Drug maker Pfizer, working with German company BioNTech, says its vaccine appears to be working really well — it was found to be more than 90 percent effective. Today on Short Wave, host Maddie Sofia talks to NPR science correspondent Joe Palca about what that efficacy number means, details of the study and what more information about the vaccine researchers are awaiting.Reach the show by emailing us at shortwave@npr.org.
As coronavirus cases again surge in the United States, Joe Biden has announced his own response taskforce. And Pfizer announced promising news about its vaccine, which testing shows is highly effective at preventing the virus.This episode: correspondent Scott Detrow, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, White House correspondent Tamara Keith, and science correspondent Joe Palca.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here.Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org.Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.
FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE: https://n.pr/3nj0elUMuddled messaging from the White House has sent confusing signals about the president's well-being. We talk about what we know about his condition and treatment.This episode: political reporter Danielle Kurtzleben, White House reporter Franco Ordoñez, science correspondent Joe Palca.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here.Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org.Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.
The head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Congress that a widely-available vaccine probably won't be available until well into 2021. But he did say that masks are perhaps even more useful in preventing the spread. That will prove especially true if people are reluctant to take the vaccine.This episode: White House reporter Ayesha Rascoe, congressional reporter Claudia Grisales, and science correspondent Joe Palca.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here.Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org.Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.
This week, we welcome longtime NPR science correspondent Joe Palca ’74. Since joining NPR in 1992, Palca has covered a variety of science topics, from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, “Joe's Big Idea.” In a discussion recorded last fall, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, he talks about, among other things, the challenges and responsibilities of explaining scientific research to the general public and the vital importance of scientific literacy in today’s world. Hosted by: Mark Wood and Patty Vest Produced by: Jeff Hing Transcript: https://www.pomona.edu/sites/default/files/sagecast-joepalca-090220.txt
From therapeutics to testing to vaccine development, public health experts are increasingly worried the Trump administration is letting politics guide public health decisions. NPR's Richard Harris reports on a quiet change to testing guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. NPR's Joe Palca explains what protections exist to insulate the vaccine development process from political influence. Find and support your local public radio station.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
From therapeutics to testing to vaccine development, public health experts are increasingly worried the Trump administration is letting politics guide public health decisions. NPR's Richard Harris reports on a quiet change to testing guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. NPR's Joe Palca explains what protections exist to insulate the vaccine development process from political influence. Find and support your local public radio station.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.
The United Arab Emirates launched a mission to Mars earlier this month, followed by China days later. And tomorrow, NASA is scheduled to launch its own mission to the red planet that includes a six-wheeled rover called Perseverance, as well as a tiny helicopter. Short Wave reporter Emily Kwong talks with NPR's Joe Palca, who explains why these launches are happening now and the goal of the missions when they get there.
The original White House social distancing guidelines are lapsing, with a phased plan for reopening that delegates more control to states taking their place. And a drug originally developed to combat Ebola shows early promise in lessening the severity of some coronavirus cases.This episode: congressional correspondent Susan Davis, White House correspondent Franco Ordoñez, and science correspondent Joe Palca.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here.Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.org.Join the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.
According to new White House guidelines, a state, city, or county has to show a decreasing rate of confirmed coronavirus cases for 14 days before reopening their economy. A year may seem like a long time to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus, but vaccine development typically takes longer. NPR's Joe Palca explains why it's so hard and what researchers are doing to speed things up.Food banks around the country have been stretched, including one in San Antonio. Last week it served 10,000 families, many of whom are dealing with joblessness and food insecurity caused by the pandemic. Plus, the man who developed the N95 mask filter technology comes out of retirement.Find and support your local public radio stationSign up for 'The New Normal' newsletterThis episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
According to new White House guidelines, a state, city, or county has to show a decreasing rate of confirmed coronavirus cases for 14 days before reopening their economy. A year may seem like a long time to develop a vaccine for the coronavirus, but vaccine development typically takes longer. NPR's Joe Palca explains why it's so hard and what researchers are doing to speed things up.Food banks around the country have been stretched, including one in San Antonio. Last week it served 10,000 families, many of whom are dealing with joblessness and food insecurity caused by the pandemic. Plus, the man who developed the N95 mask filter technology comes out of retirement.Find and support your local public radio stationSign up for 'The New Normal' newsletterThis episode was recorded and published as part of this podcast's former 'Coronavirus Daily' format.
ARE YOU EASILY ANNOYED? WHA BUGS YOU? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THOSE THINGS THAT ANNOY YOU?
There are rare chemical elements, and then there is tennessine. Only a couple dozen atoms of the stuff have ever existed. For the 150th anniversary of the periodic table, NPR science correspondent Joe Palca shares the convoluted story of one of the latest elements to be added. Follow Maddie on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the team at shortwave@npr.org.
As 2019 draws to a close, we enlisted the help of two NPR science correspondents — Nell Greenfieldboye and Joe Palca — to look back on some of the biggest science stories of the past 10 years. Follow host Maddie Sofia on twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.
The evening news, your local paper, online websites, blogs, twitter, Facebook, and yes podcasts all are communicating the latest science news. In this mix of messages are often conflicting stories about what is good and bad for you. It seems that every day there is a cure for cancer or some other disease. With all this messaging, who do you trust? Dr. Biology has a chance to talk with longtime science correspondent, Joe Palca, about who we should trust and science communication.
Graycen and Alison talk about glamorous spiders, 'shroom microdosing, concrete batteries, and blooooood. Then they sit down for a very special interview with Joe Palca and Maddie Sofia from NPR.
Hear about Jennifer Doudna's discovery of CRISPR/Cas9, a genome editing tool, and its bioethical implications. Doudna, Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at UC Berkeley, speaks with NPR's Joe Palca. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 33095]
Hear about Jennifer Doudna's discovery of CRISPR/Cas9, a genome editing tool, and its bioethical implications. Doudna, Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at UC Berkeley, speaks with NPR's Joe Palca. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 33095]
Hear about Jennifer Doudna's discovery of CRISPR/Cas9, a genome editing tool, and its bioethical implications. Doudna, Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at UC Berkeley, speaks with NPR's Joe Palca. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 33095]
Hear about Jennifer Doudna's discovery of CRISPR/Cas9, a genome editing tool, and its bioethical implications. Doudna, Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry at UC Berkeley, speaks with NPR's Joe Palca. Series: "Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory " [Science] [Show ID: 33095]
Ep16 - -Dr. Joe Palca by IU School of Medicine Graduate Division
Pathways Preview - -Dr. Joe Palca by IU School of Medicine Graduate Division
A series of incidents propels Joe Palca to a career in sleep research. Joe Palca is a science correspondent for NPR. He comes to journalism from a science background, having received a Ph.D. in psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz where he worked on human sleep physiology. Since joining NPR in 1992, Dr. Palca has covered a range of science topics — everything from biomedical research to astronomy. He is currently focused on the eponymous series, “Joe’s Big Idea.” Stories in the series explore the minds and motivations of scientists and inventors. Palca has also worked as a television science producer, a senior correspondent for Science Magazine, and Washington news editor of Nature. Palca has won numerous awards, several of which came with attractive certificates. With Flora Lichtman, Palca is the co-author of Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us (Wiley, 2011). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cara is thrilled to chat with NPR science correspondent Dr. Joe Palca. They talk about advocacy vs. journalism, science literacy, and how new media can be a game-changer. He also details his journey from academia to television to radio in his incredible 30+ year career as a science journalist. Follow Joe: @joepalca.
Cara is thrilled to chat with NPR science correspondent Dr. Joe Palca. They talk about advocacy vs. journalism, science literacy, and how new media can be a game-changer. He also details his journey from academia to television to radio in his incredible 30+ year career as a science journalist. Follow Joe: @joepalca.
NPR Science Correspondent Joe Palca set out to become a college professor and ended up on the radio. He's in Logan for several events for UPR and USU and he's Tom Williams' guest for the hour on Friday's AU. They'll talk about the art of reporting on science and the fascinating stories he has covered, including a story from Utah about the dangers of household sponges.
Joe Palca is one of the best science storytellers out there. In his 20 years as an NPR science correspondent he’s covered all sorts of obscure topics, from soccer-playing robots and oyster glue to turtle paleontology. He finds the humor in the serious and the thoughtful in the funny, usually by focusing on the human elements of stories. “Stories are usually about people, those are the ones we remember. We don’t remember stories about transuranic elements,” Palca says. We took this episode of Distillations on the road and visited Palca at NPR headquarters in Washington, D.C., where we got a behind-the-scenes tour of his program, Joe’s Big Idea. CREDITS: Hosts: Michal Meyer and Bob Kenworthy Reporter, Producer & Editor: Mariel Carr MUSIC: “Converge To Some Centre”- We Are All Alone “Where the Magic Happens”- THERE “Teletransportation” - Coma Stereo “Elsewhere” - Phonotrash “Solutions” - Lee Rosevere “Tragic”- Semyon All songs from the Free Music Archive, freemusicarchive.org Check out Distillations magazine at distillations.org, where you'll find articles, videos, and our podcast.
Joe Palca, a science correspondent for NPR, talks about the new book he co-authored with Flora Lichtman, “Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us.” With humor and plenty of hard data, he explains why fingernails on a chalk board make us cringe and why that guy on the cell phone drives us crazy.