Major League Baseball began its season this week with a series between Boston and Oakland played in Japan. Guests discuss the science behind America's favorite pastime -- from statistics, to orthopedics, to the psychology of die-hard fans.

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In 2006, astronomers voted to remove Pluto from the list of planets in Earth's solar system -- continuing an ongoing controversy over what exactly defines a planet. Planetary scientist Mark Sykes argues in the journal Science that a planet is simply "a round object orbiting a star."

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Birding experts talk about the signs of spring in the avian world, from migrations, to nesting, to birdsong. They'll also weigh in on some threatened birds that enthusiasts should make a special effort to see this spring.

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Planetary scientist Alan Stern has announced that he is stepping down as NASA's associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, the head role in the space agency's science programs. His departure was unexpected, and the agency gave no reason for the sudden departure.

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Last week, Talk of the Nation embarked on a political adventure and asked you to serve as our guides. We wanted to hear your stories of the first time you became political: What happened, and how does that experience influence your politics? Today, we'll hear your replies.

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