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Science

Thursday

Environment

Hurricane Season Ends Without a Single U.S. Strike

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.

Hurricane Season Ends Without a Single U.S. Strike

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Wednesday

Study Finds Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research

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.

Study Finds Conflicts of Interest in Medical Research

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Environment

High Court Hears Its First Global Warming Case

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.

High Court Hears Its First Global Warming Case

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Research News

Intricacies of Ancient Lunar-Cycle Machine Revealed

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.

Intricacies of Ancient Lunar-Cycle Machine Revealed

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Environment

Supreme Court Hears Global Warming Arguments

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.

Supreme Court Hears Global Warming Arguments

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Environment

High Court to Hear Greenhouse-Gas Case

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.

High Court to Hear Greenhouse-Gas Case

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Tuesday

Environment

Could Tiger Farms Save a Species?

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.

Could Tiger Farms Save a Species?

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World

Radioactive Poison as an Assassin's Tool

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.

Radioactive Poison as an Assassin's Tool

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National

Officials Investigate Blaze at Missouri Group Home

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.

Officials Investigate Blaze at Missouri Group Home

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Education

Cape Cod School Erects its Own Wind Turbine

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.

Cape Cod School Erects its Own Wind Turbine

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Monday

Opinion

Krulwich Wonders...

Build Your Own Universe

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.

Build Your Own Universe

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National

Native Americans Bristle at Smoking Bans

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.

Native Americans Bristle at Smoking Bans

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Sunday

Science Out Of The Box

When Traffic Lights Make Us Stop and Think

For the past 15 years, writer Brian Hayes has made a hobby out of studying — and photographing — the manmade. He is the author of Infrastructure: A Field Guide to the Industrial Landscape. His subject on a recent trip to Washington? Traffic lights.

When Traffic Lights Make Us Stop and Think

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Friday

Radio Expeditions

Up Close and Personal with the Albatross

In literature, albatrosses represent weighty, inescapable burdens. But in real life, the huge seabirds use wind energy to cruise around the planet's oceans. Photographer Frans Lanting and writer Carl Safina report from one of the world's largest albatross colonies.

Up Close and Personal with the Albatross

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Environment

Conservationists Split on How to Curb Poaching

Elephants and other exotic animals are often targeted by poachers. But conservationists do not agree on how to keep the animals alive. Some say big well-funded anti-poaching teams are the only answer. Others say those patrols are waste of time and money. A study in Science magazine may help settle that argument.

Conservationists Split on How to Curb Poaching

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