December 30, 2011
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![Researchers claimed in late 2010 that they found bacteria in Mono Lake, Calif., that survived on the poison arsenic in the place of an element thought essential to life. The report was immediately greeted with skepticism from the scientific community. Researchers claimed in late 2010 that they found bacteria in Mono Lake, Calif., that survived on the poison arsenic in the place of an element thought essential to life. The report was immediately greeted with skepticism from the scientific community.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/mono-lake-tufa-towers.jpg?t=1325221018&s=2)
Researchers claimed in late 2010 that they found bacteria in Mono Lake, Calif., that survived on the poison arsenic in the place of an element thought essential to life. The report was immediately greeted with skepticism from the scientific community.
Debunked Science: Studies Take Heat In 2011
()In the world of science, 2011 may go down as the year of the retraction. Lots of highly publicized discoveries got debunked this year. And many of those discoveries involved findings that both scientists and the public really wanted to believe.
It Was A Good Year For...
In U.S., Android Has Upper Hand On The iPhone()
![Models hold the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus Android phone during its official launch in Hong Kong in October. The new smartphone runs Google's Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system. Models hold the new Samsung Galaxy Nexus Android phone during its official launch in Hong Kong in October. The new smartphone runs Google's Android "Ice Cream Sandwich" operating system.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/16/eoy_samsung.jpg?t=1325199619&s=1)
December 29, 2011 Sure, Apple's iPhone is trendy and cool, but smartphones running Google's Android operating system dominate the U.S. market. That's because Android phones sell at a wide range of price points. And many are built with specific uses in mind.
States Of The Economy
'It's A Great Day In South Carolina,' If You Have A Job()
![Workers in Boeing's new $750 million final assembly plant in North Charleston, S.C. At the plant's ribbon-cutting ceremony in June, Rep. James Clyburn called the newly constructed facility a game changer for the state's workforce. Workers in Boeing's new $750 million final assembly plant in North Charleston, S.C. At the plant's ribbon-cutting ceremony in June, Rep. James Clyburn called the newly constructed facility a game changer for the state's workforce.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/ap11061007823.jpg?t=1325202479&s=1)
December 29, 2011 WFAESouth Carolina's Republican governor paints an optimistic picture of the state's economy. But with a higher-than-average unemployment rate, voters are focused on economic issues when it comes to the 2012 presidential election.
Middle East
In Syria, Arab League Observers Caught In Crossfire()
![In this frame grab from an amateur video posted on YouTube, members of the Arab League monitor violence in the Syrian city of Homs this week. In this frame grab from an amateur video posted on YouTube, members of the Arab League monitor violence in the Syrian city of Homs this week.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/arableague_04.jpg?t=1325201074&s=1)
December 29, 2011 An Arab League monitoring mission is visiting Homs and Hama, major centers of Syria's anti-government uprising, and witnessed violence firsthand. Activists say at least 40 protesters were killed by security forces Thursday. The presence of the monitors has emboldened the protesters, who are chronicling their struggle in videos.
Environment
U.S. Military Tests Out Green Tech In Afghanistan()
![In this photo released by the U.S. Marines and taken in December 2010, Lance Cpl. Dakota Hicks, from Laharpe, Ill., connects a radio battery to a portable solar panel communication system in Sangin District, in Afghanistan.The U.S. military is trying to wean itself off reliance on fossil fuels by employing solar energy and biofuels, among other measures. In this photo released by the U.S. Marines and taken in December 2010, Lance Cpl. Dakota Hicks, from Laharpe, Ill., connects a radio battery to a portable solar panel communication system in Sangin District, in Afghanistan.The U.S. military is trying to wean itself off reliance on fossil fuels by employing solar energy and biofuels, among other measures.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/marine_solar_power.jpg?t=1325190151&s=1)
December 29, 2011 Saving money and lives, as well as improving national security, are the goals behind a U.S. military initiative to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. At one outpost in remote Afghanistan, Marines are using solar power; the Navy is also experimenting with biofuels.
Business
Gas Pains? U.S. Diesel, Gas Exports Surpass Imports()
![Distillation towers, tanks and other equipment at Sunoco's sprawling refinery on the banks of the Schuylkill River on Aug. 3, 2009. Sunoco is selling off two refineries and, in September, announced it would get out of the refining business. Distillation towers, tanks and other equipment at Sunoco's sprawling refinery on the banks of the Schuylkill River on Aug. 3, 2009. Sunoco is selling off two refineries and, in September, announced it would get out of the refining business.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/ap090803056085.jpg?t=1325185415&s=1)
December 29, 2011 For the first time since Harry Truman was president, the country is exporting more petroleum products than it imports. Domestic demand for diesel and gasoline is down while production is up. That's made it difficult for some refineries to stay in business.
Movie Reviews
'A Separation': In Tehran, Houses And Hearts Divided()
![The Great Divides: Simin (Leila Hatami) and Nader (Peyman Moadi) are at odds first about whether to leave Iran for life abroad — and then about more urgent issues yet. The Great Divides: Simin (Leila Hatami) and Nader (Peyman Moadi) are at odds first about whether to leave Iran for life abroad — and then about more urgent issues yet.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/28/2.jpg?t=1325186819&s=1)
December 29, 2011 Asghar Farhadi's film is a beautifully crafted, fascinating thing, both as a portrait of modern Iranian society and as a twisty family drama. (Recommended)
Music News
Government Bulldozer: Protest Songs From Russia()
![Russian musician Noize MC Russian musician Noize MC](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/mcnoize.jpg?t=1325190476&s=1)
December 29, 2011 Russian musician, producer and public activist Vasily Shumov talks with Robert Siegel about popular protest songs that have grown out of the recent political uprising in Russia.
National Security
Terrorists Struggle To Gain Recruits On The Web()
![The Twitter page for al-Shabab, the radical Islamic group in Somalia that has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. Such groups are active in social media, but have not attracted many recruits. The Twitter page for al-Shabab, the radical Islamic group in Somalia that has been branded a terrorist organization by the U.S. Such groups are active in social media, but have not attracted many recruits.](http://web.archive.org./web/20111230205742im_/http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/12/29/al_shabab_twitter.png?t=1325192997&s=1)
December 29, 2011 Terror groups are using social media to find new followers. But analysts say if you look at the recruiting numbers, the strategy has failed. What's more, their frank exchanges on Facebook and Twitter have been a boon to law enforcement.