Stories by paul caine

Nurdles found washed up on the beach at Dawlish Warren in Devon, England. (Partonez / Wikimedia Commons)

Great Lakes Pollution Puts Plastic in All of Us

Each year, 22 million pounds of plastic finds its way into the Great Lakes – the source of potable water for more than 30 million Americans. We take a look at what can be done to limit plastic pollution.

Gymnast Simone Biles cheers on her teammates at the Tokyo Olympics. (Credit: NBC)

Biles Was Right to Withdraw from Competition: US Olympic Team Doctor

One of the leading doctors for the U.S. Olympic team says star gymnast Simone Biles was right to withdraw from competition after a bout of what gymnasts call the “twisties.” Dr. Mark Hutchinson joins us from Tokyo to share his impressions of the Games so far.

A global shortage of computer chips is causing major headaches for American manufacturers. (Jeremy Zero / Unsplash)

Global Shortage of Computer Chips Hits US Manufacturing

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the disruption of supply chains and manufacturing the world over. Manufacturers of computer chips in Asia have been especially hard hit. And that means companies that make products that rely on such chips are feeling the pinch.

A photograph of rice plants in a study performed by a team from the University of Chicago. Researchers found that by adding a gene that encodes for a protein called FTO both rice and potato plants increased yields by 50%. (Courtesy of University of Chicago / Yu et. al.)

UChicago-Led Team Discovers Way to Dramatically Boost Crop Production

In a potentially world-changing discovery, scientists led by a team from the University of Chicago have discovered a way to manipulate RNA to dramatically boost crop production. 

Researchers have developed technology that enabled a man unable to speak because of paralysis to communicate by translating his brain waves into text on a computer screen. (Courtesy of UC San Francisco)

Paralyzed Man’s Brain Waves Turned Into Computer Text

Researchers have developed technology that enabled a man unable to speak because of paralysis to communicate by translating his brain waves into text on a computer screen. Rabiah Mayas of the Museum of Science and Industry has details on that story and others making headlines.

A patient performs COVID-19 rehabilitation exercises under medical supervision at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. (Courtesy of Shirley Ryan AbilityLab)

Study: Diaphragm Damage in COVID-19 Survivors Can Lead to Long-Term Symptoms

Many survivors of COVID-19 experience long-term symptoms including shortness of breath and fatigue. A new study finds damage to the lungs may not be the only cause.

On Sunday, July 11, 2021, Richard Branson became the first person to fly into space on a self-funded ship. (WTTW News via CNN)

Flamboyant Billionaire Branson Reaches the Edge of Space

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson on Sunday became the first billionaire to ride his own rocket ship to space. But beyond being the ultimate joyride for billionaires, will commercial space travel take off as an industry accessible to the rest of us?

An image of the brain of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. (WTTW News)

Latinos Have Greater Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s, But Less Likely to Get Help

The degenerative brain disease, for which there currently is no cure, takes a terrible toll on both patients and caregivers. By the year 2060, some 3.5 million Latinos are expected to be afflicted with the disease.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses Chicago’s violent holiday weekend on July 6, 2021. (WTTW News)

Anti-Violence Workers in Chicago Say More Resources Needed

Following a violent holiday weekend in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said young people need to “put down the guns.” Community organizations fighting to stem the rising tide of violence talk about their efforts and the root causes of violence in the city.

A magnified image of a rotifer (Bob Blaylock / Wikimedia Commons)

Russian Researchers Revive Tiny Creatures Frozen for 24,000 Years

Researchers in Russia revive creatures frozen in Arctic permafrost for more than 20,000 years. A new vaccine for malaria. The powerful connection between music and memory. And how “laughing gas” is being used to treat severe depression.

(Chris_LeBoutillier / Pixabay)

Northern Illinois Farmers Facing Worst Drought in 30 Years

After record floods in 2019, northern Illinois farmers are now contending with severe drought. According to state data, this spring was the third driest on record — and those records go all the way back to 1871. Two area farmers join us to share their insights.

(NikolayFrolochkin / Pixabay)

Fed Forecasts Strong Economic Growth, but Inflation Concerns Rise

The Federal Reserve has revised its forecast for inflation this year, predicting that core inflation — which doesn’t include the cost of food or gas — could rise to 3.4% by the year’s end. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that while the economy is growing strongly, the U.S. is still down 7 million jobs.

A vision of what a permanent human presence on the moon could look like. (Credit: SOM / Slashcube GmbH)

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Work with European Space Agency to Design ‘Moon Village’

The Chicago-based global architectural powerhouse designs everything from train stations to high-rises to airports. But it also has its sights set beyond Chicago — and even beyond Earth. We learn about a design for a lunar colony grounded in science fact rather than science fiction.

(Steve Buissinne / Pixabay)

ProPublica Report Exposes Tax Strategies of America’s Super Rich

A trove of leaked IRS tax returns analyzed by ProPublica reveals America’s richest billionaires — including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos — often pay little to no income tax.

(WTTW News)

Experts: ‘Reopening Anxiety’ is Real, Widespread and to Be Expected

Starting Friday, Chicago and the state of Illinois will fully reopen. It’s a day that many people have longed for, but if you’re experiencing anxiety about a return to something like normal, you’re not alone.

(Andrey Metelev / Unsplash)

Clean Energy Bill Stalls, But Supporters Still Optimistic for Passage

A deal on Gov. Pritzker’s big push to make Illinois a green-powered state has reportedly been close for weeks. But the bill stalled in the Illinois Senate earlier this week. 

Protesters and police officers wearing riot gear have a standoff near Daley Plaza on Saturday, May 30, 2020. (Evan Garcia / WTTW News)

Lawyers and Activists Blast Mayor, Police for Lack of Consent Decree Progress

Community activists and lawyers engaged in efforts to reform the Chicago Police Department have blasted Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPD leadership for failing to move quickly on implementation of a court-mandated consent decree that is supposed to ensure change.

The Greater Chicago Food Depository supplies food pantries across the Chicago area. (WTTW News)

Economy is Bouncing Back, but Food Insecurity Persists

The Greater Chicago Food Depository, which supplies food pantries across the area, says in its more than 40-year history it has never seen a hunger crisis like the one caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss the issue as part of WTTW’s Firsthand initiative exploring poverty.

(WTTW News)

Chicago’s Top Doctor Says If in Doubt, Keep Wearing That Mask

Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, talks about the city’s updated mask guidance and what’s now safe for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Northwestern University (WTTW News)

NU President Says He Knew ‘Optics’ of Hiring Polisky Would Be Tough

Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro has faced intense criticism over his handling of sexual harassment allegations involving cheerleaders, donors and Wildcat fans. He joins us in discussion.

A team of researchers at Northwestern University has developed a suite of wireless pregnancy monitors. (courtesy Northwestern University)

Northwestern Team Develops Wireless Monitors for Pregnant Moms

For pregnant women, fetal monitoring devices are a cumbersome array of wires and tape that require constant adjustment and, quite literally, tether the patient to a hospital bed. A team of researchers at Northwestern University is working to change that.

NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover used its dual-camera Mastcam-Z imager to capture this image of “Santa Cruz,” a hill about 1.5 miles away from the rover, on April 29, 2021, the 68th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. The entire scene is inside of Mars’ Jezero Crater; the crater’s rim can be seen on the horizon line beyond the hill. (Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS)

NASA’s Perseverance Mission Begins Hunt for Ancient Martian Life

NASA’S Ingenuity helicopter takes flight on Mars. We get an update on the space agency’s most ambitious mission to date on the Red Planet from local astronomer and space enthusiast Mark Hammergren. 

(Photo by Brian Lundquist on Unsplash)

Economy Roars Back, But Dismal Jobs Report Points to Jobs-Skills Mismatch

The U.S. economy has come roaring back from pandemic lows, but a disappointing jobs report that fell far short of analysts’ predictions highlighted some potentially worrying trends.

(geraldoswald62 / Pixabay)

Enzyme Could Help 700 Million People with Chronic Kidney Disease

Scientists in Australia have identified an enzyme that could help millions of people around the world. Rabiah Mayas of the Museum of Science and Industry discusses that and other science stories making headlines.

Consumer spending is on the rise -- but for how long? (WTTW News)

As US Economy Surges Back, Economists Forecast 2021 Boom

The U.S. economy grew at 6.4% in the first quarter of 2021 as the combined impact of a mass vaccination rollout and federal stimulus checks triggered a surge in consumer spending. But how long can this economic boom last?

(WTTW News)

Bears Fans Looking for Game-Ready Reinforcements from NFL Draft

The NFL Draft gets underway Thursday evening and after a disappointing and deflating end to last season Bears fans are hoping for some game-ready reinforcements.