Patt Morrison Thurs, 1/29

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Thursday, January 29, 2009

1-3 p.m.

 

 

1:00 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

 

1:30 – 2:00

Fragile Gladiators of the Gridiron: Former NFL Players & Brain Injuries

Post concussion syndrome has made frequent appearances on the list of injured NFL players over the past few seasons—in fact, every sport from hockey to even baseball has seen instances of concussions jump recently.  Now research suggests that brain injuries once only seen in boxers are becoming more common among football players.  Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, has been found in the brains of six former NFL players during post-mortem examinations, the latest case announced this week in former NFL lineman Tom McHale.  As we settle in to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday, could America’s favorite pastime be much more damaging to its players than previously thought?

 

Guests:

Dr. Ann McKee, professor of neurology & pathology at Boston University’s School of Medicine & director of BU’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy

 

Chris Nowinski, author of “Head Games:  Football’s Concussion Crisis”; former pro wrestler “Chris Harvard” in the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)

• In June 2007, Nowinski co-founded the Sports Legacy Institute, an organization dedicated to furthering awareness of and research on sports-related head injuries, and increasing the safety of contact and collision sports worldwide.

 

 

 

[NPR NEWS]

 

2:00 – 2:30

OPEN

 

 

 

2:30 – 3:00

Astronomy: The Next Big Questions

How do black holes affect the evolution of the universe? What lies beyond the edge of our solar system? And does life exist in other worlds? 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy and solar system sleuth Mike Brown of Caltech and planet hunter Debra Fischer of San Francisco State University are here to introduce (and attempt to answer) some of the new big questions in science.

 

Guests:

Mike Brown, Richard and Barbara Rosenberg professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology

IN STUDIO

 

Debra Fischer, professor of astronomy at San Francisco State University

IN STUDIO

 

Join DISCOVER and the National Science Foundation as they host their second “Great Questions in Science” event at 7pm this Friday, January 30th, at the California Institute of Technology’s (Caltech’s) Beckman Auditorium.