Search results for

Scott Simon talks with Iain Neil, who will receive an Academy Award tonight in Beverly Hills, where the scientific and technical awards will be handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Neil won for his invention, the Panavision Primo Macro Zoom Lens or for short, PMZ. This new lens is the first movie lens that allows very close-up photography while still being able to zoom out and capture a wide shot with clarity. Previously, two lenses would be needed to achieve the same effect without the aid of a cut or digital enhancement. (4:30)

In Part Three of All Things Considered's oil series, NPR's Elizabeth Arnold reports on whether conservation could be a way to lessen the U.S. reliance on Middle East oil. It's possible, but are Americans willing to do it?

Swarms of 15-ounce athletes will take to the sky this weekend as the pigeon racing season kicks off. For days, they'll rush like mad to get home. And scientists still aren't sure how they do it. (3:45)

Puzzle master Will Shortz quizzes one of our listeners, and has a challenge for everyone at home. (This week's winner is Frank Friedman from Flint, Michigan. He listens to Weekend Edition on member stations WKAR in East Lansing and WFUM in Flint.)

Robert Siegel and Susan Stamberg chronicle the large and small changes in the lives of Americans since the terrorist attacks and reflect on the places and venues in which the change has shown itself. (2:45)

Known as a traditional Irish band, Solas decided to try something new on its latest CD: blending traditional Celtic music with more contemporary songs from Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and others. They recently visited NPR to perform songs from their new CD, The Edge of Silence. (Shanachie Re

Scientists are surprised by the rapid disintegration of a large ice shelf around the Antarctic Peninsula. Is this more evidence of global warming? With Antarctica, it's hard to tell. For All Things Considered, NPR's Richard Harris has the story.

To workers at the Harris Beach law firm, their office on the 85th floor of the World Trade Center's south tower was their "acre in the sky." NPR's Madeleine Brand reports on the firm's efforts to recover in the six months since the Sept. 11 attacks.

There's renewed concern in the United States about dependence on oil from the Middle East. There is still oil under American soil. It isn't enough to run the country, but combined with oil outside OPEC's control, it may be enough to reduce reliance on Persian Gulf producers. In Part Two of All Things Considered's oil series, NPR's Christopher Joyce reports on some of the people trying to squeeze out a few more drops of domestic oil.

Of the 343 New York City firefighters and fire department officers lost in the Sept. 11 attack, nine were from a firehouse on East 29th Street. Six months later, the firefighters who survived have resumed their routines. From member station WNYC, Beth Fertig reports. (12:30)