At a time when COVID-19 cases are topping a million globally and thousands of Americans have died from the pandemic, the Trump Administration is planning a celebration—of sorts. Read more >
How Science Watchdogs Can Protect the Gray Wolf
Dr. Carlos Carroll, UCS Science Network, UCS
September 10, 2019 2:09 PM EDT
Sadly, we have grown accustomed to seeing political candidates denying the reality of established scientific facts, such as those that underpin our understanding of evolution and climate change. Science denial is even more disturbing, however, when it emerges from federal agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that are meant to uphold scientific integrity. But scientists can play an important role in watchdogging government actions. My new peer-reviewed study sheds light on how far we’ve strayed from what the science says we should do in protecting the wolf, and how the FWS can return to a science-based path to recovery. Read more >
Facing Uncertain Future, Puffins Adapt to Survive Climate Change
Derrick Z. Jackson, fellow
August 22, 2019 12:27 PM EDT
Eastern Egg Rock, Maine — In the midst of a second-straight record year for breeding Atlantic puffins, the research crew on this tiny, treeless jumble of boulders six miles out to sea pondered how long this good fortune would last amid climate change. Read more >
Photo: NASA
It’s Earth Day and these 3 Unique (but Endangered) Species are Giving Me LIFE!
Jacob Carter, Research scientist
April 22, 2019 1:54 PM EDT
It’s Earth Day, and this year’s focus is to protect our species. That focus makes me incredibly happy because of three reasons: 1) I get to return to my roots as an ecologist and tell you about some super cool species, 2) there are lots of endangered species that don’t’ receive a ton of attention BUT need attention, 3) this post is not about the Trump administration doing terrible stuff to science. Read more >
Photo: Bishnu Sarangi/Pixabay.
Science and Transparency: Harms to the Public Interest from Harassing Public Records Requests
Donald R. Smith, UCS Science Network, UCS
April 18, 2019 9:25 AM EDT
In my work as a professor and researcher in the Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I investigate the basic mechanisms underlying how exposure to toxic metals contribute to cellular effects and disease. My lab explores how exposures to environmental toxins, such as lead, manganese, and arsenic can cause or contribute to the development of diseases in humans. For example, some neurobehavioral and neurodegenerative disorders, such as learning deficits and Parkinsonism have been linked to elevated lead and manganese exposures in children and manganese exposures in adults, respectively. Read more >
