A look at today’s science and health policy news:
Where does Barack Obama stand on technology issues?
Beta News–The second of our four-part series examining the positions of the presidential and vice presidential candidates on technology policy.
McCain, Obama Agree to Overlook Transportation
Wired–For better or worse, the presidential campaign has kicked into high gear and both Barack Obama and John McCain. We’re disappointed to see neither candidate considers transportation a top-tier issue.
Sullivan discusses energy policy
Tulsa World–First District Congressman John Sullivan said Wednesday that the U.S. energy policy should be based on entrepreneurship and technology rather than regulatory measures such as so-called “cap-and-trade” legislation.
The Candidates Are Monitoring Your Mouse
Business Week–More and more politicians are capturing personal data to target voters. Privacy advocates are worried.
Industry Groups Sue Over Polar Bear Rule
CBS News–Five industry groups have sued the Interior Department over a rule to protect the polar bear that they say unfairly singles out business operations in Alaska for their contribution to global warming.
Changes to Endangered Species Act Called Bad Science
LIVE Science–Changes that the Bush administration is proposing to make to Endangered Species Act regulations just aren’t sound science, various scientists and conservation groups say.
California Moves on Bill to Curb Sprawl and Emissions
N.Y. Times–California, known for its far-ranging suburbs and jam-packed traffic, is close to adopting a law intended to slow the increase in emissions of heat-trapping gases by encouraging housing close to job sites, rail lines and bus stops to shorten the time people spend in their cars.
Santa Barbara County panel OKs offshore oil drilling
L.A. Times–In a largely symbolic act, the county Board of Supervisors votes 3 to 2 to support offshore oil extraction.
Fighting HIV-AIDS One Syringe at a Time
Washington Post (Opinion)–Rep. Jose Serrano on the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Curbing health insurance abuse
L.A. Times (Opinion)–A bill requiring state review before insurance companies deny or rescind healthcare coverage to customers deserves to make it to the governor’s desk and to be signed into law.
Towards a National Technology Policy
CIO Insight–A final excerpt from a conversation with Vint Cerf (a member of SEA’s Board of Advisors).
Does Silicon Valley Face an Innovation Crisis?
N.Y. Times–Judy Estrin (a member of SEA’s Board of Advisors), who has built several Silicon Valley companies and was the chief technology officer of Cisco Systems, says Silicon Valley is in trouble.
Comcast to cap monthly consumer broadband
Misconduct verdict for fusion researcher upheld
New Scientist–Nuclear engineer Rusi Taleyarkhan, who claimed to have achieved nuclear fusion by popping bubbles in a solvent, has been formally reprimanded for research misconduct by Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Study outcome won’t sway company on eye drug
Washington Post–What does a company do when there’s anecdotal evidence that two of its drugs are equally effective in treating a leading cause of blindness in the elderly, one costing patients $60 per treatment and the other $2,000? In the case of Genentech Inc., nothing.
Researchers Report Advances in Cell Conversion Technique
N.Y. Times–Biologists at Harvard have converted cells from a mouse’s pancreas into the insulin-producing cells that are destroyed in diabetes, suggesting that the natural barriers between the body’s cell types may not be as immutable as supposed.
H.I.V. Is Spreading in New York City at Three Times the National Rate, a Study Finds
N.Y. Times–The virus that causes AIDS is spreading in New York City at three times the national rate according to a study released on Wednesday by the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
Xcel to Disclose Global Warming Risks
N.Y. Times–One of the country’s largest builders of coal-fired power plants will give investors detailed warnings about the risks that global warming poses to its business under a deal with New York’s attorney general.
Hackers prey on Iraq vulnerable to cybercrime
USA Today–Computer usage has grown, and sensitive data could be snatched.
As Biomass Power Rises, a Wood-Fired Plant Is Planned in Texas
N.Y. Times–One of the country’s largest builders of coal-fired power plants will give investors detailed warnings about the risks that global warming poses to its business under a deal with New York’s attorney general.
