A look at today’s science and health policy news:
A Last Push To Deregulate
Washington Post–The White House is working to enact a wide array of federal regulations, many of which would weaken government rules aimed at protecting consumers and the environment, before President Bush leaves office in January.
Scientists Plant Grass-Roots Effort for Obama in Final Days of Contest
Science (Subscription required)–Since September, more than three dozen scientists have placed articles or letters supporting presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama in 50-plus newspapers in 20 states.
FDA staff, White House disagreed on drug lawsuits, papers show
L.A. Times–Congressman Waxman releases documents showing that regulators tried to guard injured patients’ right to sue as the Bush administration pushed to shield drug makers. The Supreme Court takes up the issue Monday.
Hubble Space Telescope is alive and clicking
N.Y. Times–The restarted telescope resumes sending pictures. But there’s a new snag: A NASA repair team won’t be sent to the aging craft until at least May.
Seeking to replace Udall, hopefuls focus on energy
Denver Post–Voters in the 2nd Congressional District have a choice between a Democrat and a Republican with divergent positions, as well as candidates from the Green and Unity parties.
Adrian Smith talks about energy
Gering Courier–U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith was the speaker at the Gering Business Club and said Congress has failed the nation in many areas of an effective energy policy.
13th District candidates talking technology
On Washington State’s Ballot: Doctor-Assisted Suicide
N.Y. Times–The ballot initiative, modeled on Oregon’s, would let mentally competent, terminally ill adults obtain a doctor’s prescription for a lethal dose of medication.
California water shortages could lead to rationing, officials say
L.A. Times–Water agencies could get as little as 15% of their allocations next year unless rain and snowfall return to normal levels in the coming months.
NY sets code to axe dirty business in clean energy
Reuters–New York’s Attorney General launched an ethics code on Thursday that seeks to fight dirty business in the state’s emerging wind power farm business.
Our Vote to End Cervical Cancer
Washington Post–An open letter from Lance Armstrong and John Seffrin.
Seed Endorses Barack Obama for President
Market Watch–The editors of Seed today endorsed Barack Obama for President in a piece available online.
Medicare drug plan spending drops $6B in 2008
USA Today–In a rare bit of good news for taxpayers, the cost of the Medicare prescription drug program fell $6 billion this year — savings driven by the widespread use of low-cost generic drugs.
A Psychologist Helps Repackage Democrats’ Message
N.Y. Times–Democrats up and down the ballot have been trying to reverse the Republican rhetorical dominance that made “liberal” an unsavory label, and many have found help in a slender document percolating through their party’s hierarchy.
Scientists Spot 4 New Alzheimer’s Genes
Health Daily News–Four newly identified genes may be linked to the most common form of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, U.S. researchers report.
