Antibiotic-Resistant Staph Infections on the Rise; Disney to Overhaul California Adventure; Mining Claims Threaten California's National Parks; Steven Pinker on Language As a Window Into Human Nature
Antibiotic-Resistant Staph Infections on the Rise
It now appears a dangerous type of staph infection is probably killing more Americans each year than AIDS. It's resistant to standard antibiotics, and the government reports that this superbug now sickens more than 90,000 Americans annually. The drug-resistant germ goes by the nickname MRSA, short for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria can be carried by healthy people, living on skin or in noses, but can be deadly if it spreads inside the body. How concerned should you be? Larry Mantle talks with Los Angeles County epidemiologist Dr. Elizabeth Bancroft and UCLA-Olive View ER physician Dr. Gregory Moran.
Disney to Overhaul California Adventure
The Walt Disney Company announced that it will overhaul its California Adventure theme park to the tune of $1.1 billion. Since the park was built 6 years ago, it has never drawn the crowds like its more popular neighbor theme park, Disneyland. Disney is hoping to change that by giving the park more attractions and more defined areas, much like the original Disneyland. Larry Mantle talks about the story with Orange County Business Journal editor Michael Lyster.
Mining Claims Threaten California's National Parks
The Environmental Working Group released a report Monday stating that more than 21,300 mining claims have been staked within 10 miles of California's national parks and monuments. These claims pose a threat to the environment due to the toxic nature of mining as well as the large amount of water mining requires. Larry discusses the report with Dusty Horwitt of the Environmental Working Group and Laura Skaer of the Northwest Mining Association.
Steven Pinker on Language As a Window Into Human Nature
In his latest book, Harvard psychology professor Steven Pinker looks at language and what it tells us about the way we think. Language, he argues, reflects the very nature of our brain structure. Pinker analyzes the flow of information into our brains and discusses the significance of how we name things, how we put sentences together, and the importance of swearing and politeness. Larry talks with Pinker about his latest look at human nature and its manifestation in language.