Science & the Public

Health & Medicine

Acupuncture as Placebo

There may be some treatments for which a true placebo is unavailable.

Humans

Federal R&D Budget: On Boosts and Earmarks

Some people have argued that science hasn’t fared well under George W. Bush. The President’s science advisor, John H. Marburger, III, begs to differ. Federal R&D spending is up big time.

Humans

Scientific Interference: Complaints At EPA

Results from a survey of more than 1,500 EPA scientists suggest a systematic attack on scientific integrity within that agency.

Health & Medicine

Perchlorate: A Saga Continues

Perchlorate is not yet a household word in many parts of the country. But it may becomes one if Sen. Barbara Boxer has her way. Perchlorate – an ingredient in solid rocket fuel, fireworks, flares and explosives – taints drinking-water supplies around the nation, not to mention plenty of foods. In animal tests, the pollutant […]

Agriculture

Ethanol Fallout: Health Risks for Livestock

With Uncle Sam pushing the production of ethanol for fuel, U.S. farmers are planting more corn than at any time since World War II, and garnering premium prices for each harvested bushel. But many livestock operations are getting hit with a double whammy: higher feeds costs and corn-derived feed that’s carrying triple the normal load of fungal poisons.

Earth

Babbitt to Southern Louisiana: Look into Gondolas

“New Orleans, at the end of the century, will be an island” — literally, predicts Bruce Babbitt. Whether or not you believe his assessment, he makes a good case for considering the implications of climate change when planning federal projects.

Climate

Air Pollution Can Be So Cool — ing

Fossil-fuel pollution has been offsetting global warming to the tune of about 30 percent per year. Cleaning up that pollution, a must, threatens to accelerate warming unless humanity changes its fuel-use strategy.

Health & Medicine

Rice Woes, Pt. 1

A shortfall in rice production has been developing well under the radar screen of agricultural economists and growers. The bad news: It promises to get much worse, and fairly soon.

Climate

Olympic Clean Up

Rather than wowing its visitors this summer with world-class air pollution, China wants to impress them with its clean, green Olympics.

Humans

A Proposed NSF for Innovation

Researchers with the Brookings Institution have just published a blueprint for tackling what they perceive as a brewing innovation crisis. They propose that Uncle Sam create a federal agency to focus squarely on helping home-grown companies increase their innovation, productivity and profitability.

Ecosystems

Building Homes Where the Buffalo Roamed

A new study finds that being environmentally conscious is no guarantee you’ll put your home where you mouth is.

Humans

The Return of EPA’s Libraries

After mothballing five libraries as a purported cost-cutting gesture, the agency is now responding to congressional prodding and unboxing its books.