Duke professor is using 'Star Trek' to teach about science

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Have you wondered how Captain America survived being in a state of suspended animation, if apes could grow as large as King Kong and why so many of the aliens in "Star Trek" look humanoid?

It's those kinds of questions that Mohamed Noor, a biology professor at Duke University, is asking by using science fiction to motivate people to learn more about science. Noor has taken his message wider with his recently published book, "Live Long and Evolve: What Star Trek Can Teach Us About Evolution, Genetics And Life On Other Worlds."

"There are a lot of science-fiction fans out there," Noor said in an interview.