In the midst of Japan's nuclear crisis, it's easy to forget that radioactive isotopes are often employed to save human lives. In this episode we look at diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nuclear medicine. First, we learn how doctors use iodine-131 to eradicate cancerous thyroid cells that regular surgery can't reach. Next,Distillations' assistant producer Anne Fredrickson speaks with University of Pennsylvania's Abass Alavi and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Andrew Newberg about their collaborative research in using PET scans to explore the efficacy of non-Western practices like meditation and acupuncture.

In the midst of Japan's nuclear crisis, it's easy to forget that radioactive isotopes are often employed to save human lives. In this episode we look at diagnostic and therapeutic applications of nuclear medicine. First, we learn how doctors use iodine-131 to eradicate cancerous thyroid cells that regular surgery can't reach. Next,Distillations' assistant producer Anne Fredrickson speaks with University of Pennsylvania's Abass Alavi and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's Andrew Newberg about their collaborative research in using PET scans to explore the efficacy of non-Western practices like meditation and acupuncture.