Science & Technology

(1750-1848) – THIS 18TH CENTURY CINDERELLA OF SCIENCE ROSE FROM A LIFE OF SERVITUDE TO RECEIVE ROYAL HONORS AND WORLDWIDE ACCLAIM AS THE FIRST LADY OF ASTRONOMY. I'M KATE MULGREW WITH HER STORY.

1706-1749 – IN A TIME AND PLACE WHERE A WOMAN'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON HER COURTING ABILITIES, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH - AN UGLY DAUGHTER? EDUCATE HER! SHE JUST MIGHT GROW UP TO BE A GROUNDBREAKING MATHEMATICIAN! EMILIE DU CHATELET DID. AND BY THE WAY - HER LOVE LIFE WASN'T TOO SHABBY EITHER.

370?-415 C.E. – SOME HISTORIANS THINK HER DEATH HERALDED THE END OF FREE THOUGHT IN THE ANCIENT WORLD. BUT HER WORK CONTINUED TO BE STUDIED FOR OVER A THOUSAND YEARS AFTER SHE WAS MURDERED.

Letters addressed simply to the Philosopher were delivered to her at the Museum in Alexandria, the intellectual center of the world in the 4th C. Self-possessed and confident, she had no qualms about addressing an academy full of men. In fact, Hypatia's intellect surpassed even that her father Theon, the scholar.

1st. Cent. BCE/CE – CHEMICAL ENGINEER OR ALCHEMIST? THE PROOF MAY BE IN THE PUDDING, BUT THIS 'SISTER OF MOSES' HAS A LIFE STORY AS SHROUDED IN MIST AS THE KITCHEN DEVICE NAMED FOR HER.

Passadena, California – This audio diary is part of the Powerful Signals Radio Series. Tracy Drain is an engineer who helped build the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Today we follow Tracy as she waits for the orbiter to reach the red planet. (9:42) For more information, visit the Women In Science On The Air! website at www.womeninscience.org. Powerful Signals: Transforming the Role of Women and Girls In Science and Engineering was made possible by support from the National Science Foundation.

By Pat Bradley

Plattsburgh, NY – The Bush administration proposed new rules affecting the country's national forests yesterday. Opponents of the proposal say regulations against logging in national forests are being swept aside. There is a national forest in Vermont, and while environmentalists are concerned, Vermont officials don't think the new rule will have much impact here..

By Allison Dunne

Kingston, NY – A rainy spring and summer not only dampened some people's plans, but their Hudson Valley homes as well. Now some county health officials say they are fielding a larger-than-usual volume of calls about mold. More from Hudson Valley Bureau Chief Allison Dunne.

By Pat Bradley

Albany, NY – Governor Pataki and the governors of nine other Northeastern states have pledged to develop a regional strategy to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. Environmentalists note that as important as the move is for the ecosystem, its even more significant in sending Washington a message. More from North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley.

By Brian Shields

Albany, NY – A new report by the National Wildlife Federation says the levels of Mercury found in rainwater tested in 12 states, including New York, are at "alarming levels". WAMC's Brian Shields reports.