Science & the Public
Where scienceand society meet
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- Tech
How medicine is ‘barely managing’ the isotope crisis
Medicine is managing a prolonged and record shortfall in the principal diagnostic-imaging isotope by triaging the most urgent patients, substituting less effective procedures and working longer hours.
- Chemistry
Drugged money
U.S. greenbacks are especially effective at pocketing tiny traces of cocaine.
- Agriculture
Pesticide potency can depend on bug’s clock
The daily rhythms in gene activity can affect the toxicity of some poisons.
- Health & Medicine
Collins takes helm at NIH
Renowned geneticist will lead the world's largest biomedical research enterprise.
- Health & Medicine
BPA: House tries to put feds on the spot
New legislation has a proviso asking for a reanalysis of a widely used plasticizer's safety.
- Science & Society
News of science: Choose wisely
As the 'news' industry evolves, consumers who value quality science journalism may need to become ever more discriminating.
- Health & Medicine
When BPA-free isn’t
A type of plastic that shouldn't contain a hormone-mimicking ingredient may have it anyway, Canadian government scientist find.
- Chemistry
Beehive extract: Coming to the Tour de France?
Bees may have a performance-enhancing answer for hot blooded pursuits.
- Agriculture
How weed killers might protect our eyes: It’s corny
Herbicides can boost trace-nutrient concentrations in sweet corn.
- Health & Medicine
Pre-chewed baby food can spread HIV
An age-old cultural practice may offer new dangers in the era of AIDS.
- Tech
Electric grid still very vulnerable to electromagnetic weaponry
BLOG: Smart grid advocates weigh in on the vulnerability of the U.S. electrical infrastructure to electromagnetic pulse radiation.
- Earth
Pollution vs health reform
Health care reform should include investments in measures that curb the pervasive pollution contributing to costly disability and disease.
