Patt Morrison for Tues, 2/24/09

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

1-3 p.m.

  

1:00 - 1:30 

OPEN

 

 

1:30 -  2:00 

Guide to the Great Beyond

Everybody dies, but most people don't like to think about death.  Bestselling author and New York Times health columnist  Jane Brody disagrees and her new book Jane Brody's Guide to the Great Beyond aims to help people deal with end-of-life issues.  Brody joins us to explain more about her practical primer and how people can prepare medically, legally and emotionally for the inevitable.

 

Guests:

Jane Brody, personal health columnist for the New York Times and author of ten books, including "Jane Brody's Good Food Book" and "Jane Brody's Nutrition Book."

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2:00 - 2:30 

Ominous Bubbles beneath Melting Ice

It may seem that the urgency surrounding global warming has blended into the backdrop of our current financial crisis, but new research into methane pockets locked beneath melting arctic permafrost may re-prioritize our thinking. When released, the pockets could quicken a warming climate—methane has at least 20 times the heat-trapping ability of an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide, and about 55 billion tons of the gas could be released from beneath the Siberian lakes alone as warming temperatures thaw arctic soils. Patt checks in with two researchers for an update on their work.

 

Guests:

Dr. Katey Walters, aquatic ecologist and biogeochemist; assistant professor of Limnology ("the study of inland waters"), University of Alaska

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Dr. Vladimir Romanovsky, professor of geophysical sciences, University of Alaska

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2:30 - 2:40

OPEN

   

2: 40 –  3:00 

Is In Vitro Fertilization Safe?

One well-known complication of in vitro fertilization is the risk of multiple births, such as the Suleman octuplets born last month in California.  What are the concerns beyond multiple births?  Some studies indicate an increased risk of birth defects and abnormal patterns of gene expression associated with IVF.  The findings are considered preliminary and researchers say IVF is not excessively risky.  But there’s a lot we don’t know.  Patt talks with experts about the information we have, what’s lacking and why.

 

Guests:

CONFIRMED

Dr. Marcelle Cedars, Professor and Director of Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, at USCF

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NOT CONFIRMED

Dr. Mark Hughes, Molecular Geneticist and Founder, Genesis Genetics Institute (in Michigan)

Contact: