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Technology To Find Trapped Miners

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The explosion at a coal mine in West Virginia that killed 29 people last month focused media attention on the dangerous business of mining and regulations to prevent accidents. But researchers at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington have been working on a seismic wave device that would allow rescuers to locate trapped miners once an accident occurs.

Their project was inspired by a previous explosion.

Sarah McConnell reports...

NPR

Fictional 'Mothers' Reveal Facts Of A Painful Adoption Process

After years trying to conceive, novelist Jennifer Gilmore and her husband decided to adopt. What they thought would be a relatively simple process was instead a long and painful one. In her latest novel, Gilmore channels these autobiographical experiences into fiction.
NPR

Could African Crops Be Improved With Private Biotech Data?

A plant scientist at Mars Inc., has appealed to the world's biggest life sciences companies to help him — by sharing what they already know about 100 crops that could provide better nutrition in Africa. But can the kings of agricultural intellectual property get on board with open source agricultural information for Africa?
NPR

IRS Witness Turns Down Questions At Congressional Hearing

Lois Lerner was the first IRS official to explain how conservative groups' applications for tax-exempt status were flagged for extra scrutiny. On Wednesday, she cited her constitutional right not to incriminate herself and declined to answer questions from a House committee.
NPR

How That 'Nigerian Email Scam' Got Started

You've probably seen it in your inbox before: Someone who claims to have come into a fortune needs your help. You can share in the profits — if you send along a deposit or your bank account number. Boston Globe correspondent Finn Brunton talks about the history of the "Nigerian prince" or "419" scam, which actually got its start long before email.

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