Environment Hurricane Season Ends Without a Single U.S. Strike November 30, 2006 • The 2006 Atlantic hurricane season -- the likeliest time for a violent tropical storm to strike the U.S. -- ends Thursday without a strike on American soil. The past two seasons brought 11 hurricanes, including Katrina.
Environment Skiers Worry Global Warming Could Crimp Careers November 30, 2006 • A lack of snow in Europe has forced the cancellation of three World Cup ski races. Some ski lovers wonder what the future holds for the sport as the snowy season seems to shrink. Some are worried that global warming will eventually consign them to a life off of the slopes.
Study Finds Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research November 29, 2006 • Conflicts of interest in clinical research tests are common, and not always disclosed, according to a large national survey of academics on institutional review boards. The first-of-its-kind review of the boards will likely fuel the debate over how research integrity is affected when clinical investigators have financial ties to companies that pay for testing.
Research News Intricacies of Ancient Lunar-Cycle Machine Revealed November 29, 2006 • In 1900, a team of sponge-divers discovered an ancient shipwreck from around 65 B.C. On the ship, they discovered the remains of a mysterious machine about the size of a shoebox. Scientists think it was used to calculate eclipses and other astronomical cycles. Researchers who completed a three-dimensional scan of the pieces say they are impressive.
Environment High Court Hears Its First Global Warming Case November 29, 2006 • The U.S. Supreme Court addresses the question of global warming for the first time, in a case in which states are asking the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gases in vehicles and power plants. At issue is whether the Bush administration can refuse to regulate carbon emissions.
Environment Supreme Court Hears Global Warming Arguments November 29, 2006 • The Supreme Court takes on carbon dioxide as it hears arguments over climate change and CO2 emissions. Madeleine Brand talks with Slate.com's legal analyst Dahlia Lithwick.
Environment High Court to Hear Greenhouse-Gas Case November 29, 2006 • Twelve states and a coalition of environmental groups sued the Bush administration in 2003 for refusing to issue regulations limiting carbon emissions from cars and power plants. Wednesday, the case reaches the Supreme Court, where justices will hear the arguments on both sides.
Environment Could Tiger Farms Save a Species? November 28, 2006 • Poachers who sell tiger parts to make Asian medicines are wiping out the big cats. One group in India thinks salvation may come from tiger farms that could make the black market unprofitable. But other conservationists say legalizing the tiger trade would just increase market demand.
World Radioactive Poison as an Assassin's Tool November 28, 2006 • Former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned by a radioactive substance, but why did his killer use such a dangerous tactic? Former CIA Inspector General Frederick Hitz explains the reasons an assassin would choose to use a radioactive poison. Hitz is the author of The Great Game: The Myth and Reality of Espionage.
National Officials Investigate Blaze at Missouri Group Home November 28, 2006 • Monday's fire at the home for mentally ill and elderly killed 10 people -- including one staff member. The home's management included a convicted felon, whose company was cited for fire code violations at another property.
Education Cape Cod School Erects its Own Wind Turbine November 28, 2006 • Cape Cod residents have differing opinions about a massive, offshore wind farm proposed for the area. But one local school is taking a cue from the proposal and is erecting its own wind turbine.
Environment 'Carbon Offset' Business Takes Root November 28, 2006 • The promise of the growing "carbon-offset" business is a carbon-neutral imprint for individuals through investment in green technologies, or even trees. But does buying a carbon offset for your gas-guzzler really make it carbon neutral?
CDC Begins to Practice What it Preaches November 28, 2006 • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta is finally throwing out the fat-filled food in its cafeteria and replacing it with a healthy menu. And those finger-wagging scientists are getting with the exercise program, too. The CDC's broken-down gym is being retrofitted with state-of-the-art equipment worth $200,000.
Opinion Krulwich Wonders... Build Your Own Universe November 27, 2006 • Physicists agree, one day it may be possible for a person to create a universe. It won't happen tomorrow, but the idea is in the works. There's already one problem with the idea: If a universe is created, physicists say they wouldn't know how to communicate with it.
National Native Americans Bristle at Smoking Bans November 27, 2006 • Public smoking bans have been sweeping many states and cities in recent years. But some Native American groups oppose the anti-smoking efforts because of ceremonial tobacco use.