Grazin’ in the Backyard

More and more, people are accepting the idea that common plants can be
used as medicine. As it turns out, many of these same plants are very
nutritious. And some people are trying to combine those benefits. The
Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Wendy Nelson reports:

Activists Hold Anti-Nuke Rally

This week, a national coalition of safe energy groups is meeting in
Michigan to host a "Nuclear Free Action Camp". Organizers say the goal
of the event is to educate the public about the dangers of nuclear power
and develop local organizing strategies. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s David Hammond reports:

Aquariums Soothe Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s patients can present tough challenges to their caregivers.
Often, they won’t sit still long enough to eat, making it hard to get
proper nutrition. And they can be disruptive – yelling, spitting and
shoving. But researchers at Purdue University think they may have found
a simple answer to address these problems… and improve the quality of
life for Alzheimer’s patients. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Wendy
Nelson explains:

Clean Water Act Fights Air Pollution

Public health officials say mercury is proving to be one of the most
troublesome pollutants. While mercury causes brain and reproductive
damage, it’s very difficult to capture and very difficult to clean up.
But in northern Minnesota, people are trying an innovative approach to
the mercury problem, and they’re using an obscure part of the clean
water act. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Stephanie Hemphill
reports:

Zebra Mussels Affect Drinking Water

Researchers know zebra mussels have altered the Great Lakes. They
believe those changes are not finished. The Great Lakes Radio
Consortium’s Lester Graham reports… the invasive species might be
upsetting the food chain and making tap water drawn from the lakes taste
bad:

New Research in Drug Development

Scientists say they might have found a more efficient way to produce drugs
and chemicals from plants. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Lester Graham
reports… it might reduce the cost of developing drugs:

Field Biology Adopts a Gentle Touch

In field biology courses across the country, students collect samples of
plants, insects and fish. The specimens are then killed, preserved and
studied. But at one university, they’re trying something new: they’re
saving the lives of specimens. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium’s Wendy
Nelson reports: