Science

Manufacturing Uncertainty

by Laura Miller — June 21, 2005 - 5:52pm

There is a growing concern that occupational- and environmental-health research is in crisis. With funding for this type of research a low priority at government agencies, researchers have had to turn to industry for information and money. "Critics of industry-sponsored research argue that even the most forthright agreements between researcher and industry carry risks of bias in results or interpretation that benefit the sponsors," the Chronicle of Higher Education writes.

Main Source: 
Chronicle of Higher Education, June 21, 2005

Science Under Siege

by Sheldon Rampton — June 21, 2005 - 5:28pm

The American Civil Liberties Union has issued a new report which charges that the Bush administration is using the war on terror as a pretext to tighten restrictions on information. It states that the administration "has sought to impose growing restrictions on the free flow of scientific information, unreasonable barriers on the use of scientific materials and increased monitoring of and restrictions on foreign university students. ...

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American Civil Liberties Union, June 21, 2005

Oil Lobbyist Becomes White House Climate Science Editor

by Bob Burton — June 9, 2005 - 1:07am

In a lengthy memo Rick S. Piltz, a former senior associate in the Climate Change Science Program, revealed that U.S. government climate research reports had been edited by a White House official, Philip A. Cooney, to emphasize doubts about climate change.

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New York Times, June 8, 2005

Doubting Scientists for Hire

by Diane Farsetta — May 23, 2005 - 3:48pm

"The vilification of threatening research as 'junk science' and the corresponding sanctification of industry-commissioned research as 'sound science' has become nothing less than standard operating procedure in some parts of corporate America," writes Clinton-era Energy Department epidemiologist David Michaels.

Main Source: 
Scientific American, June 15, 2005

The Junkman Judgeth

by Laura Miller — May 11, 2005 - 4:44pm

One of PR Watch's "usual suspects," Steven J. Milloy, managed to get himself invited to be a judge for the 2004 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Journalism Awards: Online Category.

Main Source: 
Environmental Science and Technology Online, May 11, 2005

Weird Science

by Diane Farsetta — May 10, 2005 - 11:34am

"It is hard to convey just how selective you have to be to dismiss the evidence for climate change," writes George Monbiot.

Main Source: 
The Guardian, May 10, 2005

Oil and Rigorous Science Just Don't Mix

by Diane Farsetta — April 29, 2005 - 10:44am

A National Cancer Institute study found that "workers exposed to average levels of benzene" were four times more likely to develop cancer. Benzene is a component of gasoline, so tighter regulations would have "an impact on gasoline production," said a former Mobil Oil toxicologist.

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Houston Chronicle, April 29, 2005

Chemical Industry Targets Historians

by Laura Miller — February 1, 2005 - 7:45pm

In an unprecedented move, the U.S. chemical industry is attempting to discredit two historians who have detailed the industry's efforts to hide links between their products and cancer.

Main Source: 
The Nation, February 7, 2005
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