Society & Policy13341 articles archived since 1845

India Builds Solar Plants atop Canals to Save on Land, Water

As India moves to ramp up investment in solar power, it is exploring innovative places to install solar plants, including across the top of canals

Coral Reefs Show Remarkable Ability to Recover from Near Death

Scientists have identified key factors that enable corals to recover from bleaching events brought on by global warming

Humans Cross Another Danger Line for the Planet

Five years go an impressive, international group of scientists unveiled nine biological and environmental "boundaries" that humankind should not cross in order to keep the earth a livable place...

No Increased Stress from Heavier Social Media Use

Heavy users of the Internet and social media do not have higher levels of stress, and women who use Twitter, email and photo sharing show less stress than women who do not use them, a survey shows...

Ex-President Wins Campaign against Ghastly Guinea Worm

Jimmy Carter's efforts against the horribly painful guinea worm parasitic disease have helped lower the number of cases from 3.5 million in 1986 to just 126 last year. Steve Mirsky reports

 ...

Pope Says Climate Change Mostly Man's Fault

Pope Francis said on Thursday he believed that man was primarily responsible for climate change and that he hoped this year's Paris conference would take a courageous stand to protect the environment...

Mexican Wolves Finally Get Endangered Species Status

North America's smallest and rarest wolves will finally have the full protection of the Endangered Species Act. Well, almost. Mexican gray wolves (Canis lupus baileyi) nearly went extinct 40 years ago...

Levels of Persistent Flame Retardants Decline in San Francisco Bay

Controversial PBDEs have started to disappear in bay sediment and wildlife after industry phaseouts and government bans

2 Endangered Monkeys Die at Zoo after Being Left Out in Cold

The cotton-top Tamarins, weighing less than a pound, were left outside overnight last week in temperatures that dipped into the 30s F at the Alexandria Zoo in central Louisiana , officials said ...

NYC Bans Expanded Polystyrene Food Containers, Opens Market to Alternatives

The chemical industry had fought for recycling of styrofoam materials to stave off prohibition

Fight at the Museum: Confronting Visitor Biases

Midway through the school year, parents and teachers are starting to plan (and fundraise) for winter and spring field trips. Among the most popular destinations is the science museum.

Powerful Global Warming Pollution Cut by New U.S. Rules

The White House announces new plans to slash emissions from the oil and gas industry

Donated Personal Data Could Aid Lifestyle Researchers

Donated personal data could yield insights for the public good, although some vital privacy issues would first need to be solved

Probe into Deadly Washington, D.C., Subway Smoke May Take a Year - NTSB

The preliminary cause of the smoke that filled six subway cars in a tunnel was electrical arcing involving the charged third rail  , a spokesman said...

6 Steps to Women’s Heart Health

Researchers tracked 70,000 for decades to find lifestyle clues for better cardiovascular condition. Dina Fine Maron reports

Antibiotics in Blood Can Make Malaria Mosquitoes Mightier

The drugs disrupt mosquitoes' gut bacteria, which appears to make the insects more effective malaria vectors. Christopher Intagliata reports

In Case You Missed It: Need to Know News from around the World

Obese Kids in Head Start Get Healthier during the Year

Kids in Head Start seem to benefit socially and emotionally, and may also benefit physically

CDC Director "Confident" That Global Ebola Cases Can be Reduced to Zero

The director of the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention expressed confidence but also said "we are by no means out of the woods"

Health and Conservation Reminders Cut Consumer Energy Use

Households that got weekly messages about the lower pollution they generated via efficiency cut energy use much more than did residents who were told how much money they were saving. Cynthia Graber reports

 ...