Science

No Rush to Protect the Public

by Judith Siers-Poisson — May 14, 2008 - 10:55pm

Some U.S. Congresspeople want to limit direct to consumer marketing of drugs. Rep. Bart Stupak is head of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce investigative panel.

Main Source: 
Bulldog Reporter's Daily Dog, May 12, 2008

Where There's PR Smoke, There's Grassfire.org, Dude

by John Stauber — May 9, 2008 - 12:06pm

Columnist Dimitri Vassilaros received a news release about a grassroots "petition to stop climate alarmism" and attacking Al Gore's work.

Main Source: 
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, May 9, 2008

Industry Encourages More Regulation, USDA Declines

by Judith Siers-Poisson — May 2, 2008 - 3:04pm

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been criticized for not totally banning "downer" cows -- animals "too sick or hurt to stand for slaughter" -- from the food supply. So "when a coalition of major industry groups reversed their position and joined animal advocates and several lawmakers in calling for an absolute ban," why wouldn't the USDA agree?

Main Source: 
Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA), April 29, 2008

Painting Bottled Water Green

by Diane Farsetta — April 28, 2008 - 3:06pm

"Suppose, for example, that you own a company that sells bottled water," which is "shipped, in its little plastic bottles, ten thousand miles from the bottling plant to the consumer," writes Steve Burns. "Could you possibly 'brand' such a product as eco-friendly?" If the company is FIJI Water, you'll try.

Main Source: 
Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice blog, April 23, 2008

The Fudge on Sludge

by Sheldon Rampton — April 28, 2008 - 2:00pm

David Lewis, a University of Georgia professor and former Environmental Protection Agency scientist, is suing officials at his university for publishing allegedly fraudulent research funded by the federal government.

Main Source: 
Integrity in Science Watch, April 28, 2008

Unhealthy Practices at Public Hospitals

by Bob Burton — April 24, 2008 - 5:26am

At an inquiry into the problems facing cash-strapped public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia, neurologist Dr Suzanne Hodgkinson explained that doctors sought financial support of drug companies. "I had insufficient clerical support and so as to try and remedy that I approached a company to help me with that on a temporary, part-time basis. ... Quite a few senior doctors do try to raise money to help with the provision of services," she said. Hodgkinson raised A$20,000 for the position, but would not name the drug company funder.

Main Source: 
Sydney Morning Herald, April 18, 2008

Ultraviolet Without the Sunlight

by Sheldon Rampton — April 23, 2008 - 10:30pm

A review article published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) suggested that tanning at the beach or an indoor tanning booth can help avoid the dangers of vitamin D deficiency. However, the NEJM didn't disclose that the article's author, Michael Holick, has received more than $150,000 in research funding from the artificial tanning industry.

Main Source: 
The Cancer Letter, April 18, 2008
Syndicate content