A look at today’s science and health policy news:
Smarter electric grid key to saving power
Wired- In the near future, power companies will be able to cue us when we should conserve power.
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U.N. sees world climate change deal in 2009
Reuters- The UN says the world can reach a significant new climate change pact by the end of 2009 if current talks keep up.
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Fighting Global Warming Block by Block
Washington Post- Cities and counties are starting to take active steps to fight urban sprawl to fight global warming.
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Major Arctic ice melt expected this summer
Wired- Climate experts say that there is very little chance for climate conditions to return to what they were 20 years ago.
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Another chance for the FCC
Government Computer News- The FCC’s failure to attract a winning bid for the D block during the last spectrum auction means it has a second chance to get the public safety network right.
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New barriers for science?
2theadvocate.com- Legislation in Louisiana’s legislature that would creat a 450 million expansion at LSU’s biomedical research center would also put restrictions on stem-cell research.
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Energy economics
LA Times- Corn ethanol is squeezing out greener technologies. We need low-carbon fuel standards instead.
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Obama: Change in ethanol policy might be needed
AP- Obama says that the federal government’s support for corn ethanol because of rising food prices.
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NASA employees big spenders on government credit
Houston Chronicle- NASA employees have used government credit cards to purchase iPods, video games, and even clothes while at other times using the cards in ways that sidestep competitive bidding rules.
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Even the Insured Feel Strain of Health Costs
New York Times- With the economic slowdown, the ranks of people without insurance has swelled, but now it is also threatening millions of people who are covered by find that coverage is too limited.
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Get the bribes out of medicine
The Oregonian- A task force triggered by the Journal of the American Medical Association says that drug and medical device companies should be banned from offering gifts to doctors, students, and other staff members in academic medical centers.
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EPA to cut lead emissions
United Press International- The EPA proposed a reduction in the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for lead emissions.
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Democrats Step Up Debate on Gas Tax
Washington Post- Democrats Clinton and Obama debate on rolling back the federal gas tax.
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Administration Reportedly Forces Out EPA Official
Washington Post- According to published reports, a senior regional EPA official who feuded over a toxic cleanup site in Michigan resigned Thursday under pressure for the Bush Administration.
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Ethanol defended by President Bush
LA Times- President Bush defended his emphasis on ethanol to help the country meet energy needs even though increased production of corn ethanol has contributed to sharp increases in food prices.
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Summit: Save STEM or watch America fail
eSchool News- Two years after the report “Rising Above the Gathering Storm,” a summit says that the US needs to make a greater investment in critical STEM education.
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As Gasoline Prices Soar, Politicians Fall Back on Familiar Solutions
New York Times- When President Bush calls on Congress to address rising fuel prices by drilling in ANWR this week Democrats quickly attacked him for falling back on tired ideas.
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