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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...

UVA Inventor of the Year Cited for Designing a Device to Help Manage Diabetes

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation has selected an internationally renowned diabetes technology scientist for its top honors this year. Charles Fishburne has more in this Science Matters report.

Industrial Pollutants Are Down in Annual DEQ Report

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Virginia is a bit cleaner, according to an annual state inventory done by the Department of Environmental Quality.

UVA performs world’s first focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Surgeons at the University of Virginia have conducted the world’s first scapel-free brain surgery to relieve a patient’s debilitating tremor, and as Charles Fishburne tells us in this Science Matters report, it holds promise for many other procedures as well.

Richmond reduces flouride in drinking water

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities has announced it will reduce the flouride levels in the drinking water treatment process as a result of recommendations from the EPA and the US Department of Health and Human Services. As Charles Fishburne reports, it may have become too much of a good thing.

Jefferson Lab breaks the record for free-electron laser power

Charles Fishburne in Science Matters

Jefferson Lab researchers say they have broken a power record for a free-electron laser, a light beam that can burn through 20 feet of steel per second. Charles Fishburne reports.