Climate change affects all life on Earth, but no single answer or approach addresses every pressing concern. Questions and confusion about the topic swirl around government offices, community centers, boardrooms, and editorial desks as conflicting interests complete for attention. How do we untangle the issues and shed the inaccuracies surrounding this hot topic? During the […]
To protect the health and safety of Americans in the years ahead, the United States must focus its attention on large-scale attacks from its enemies. The biggest threat today originates from biological—not nuclear—weapons, particularly biological weapons obtained by terrorists. That is the hypothesis of Thomas Preston, author of a new book, From Lambs to Lions: […]
If the United States is to remain competitive with the rest of the world in science and math, it is critically important to persuade children by third or fourth grade that they can succeed in these subject areas, says Sylvia Oliver. Thanks to her efforts, youngsters—particularly those from underserved populations—are receiving better preparation in math […]
Thanks to the pioneering work of pharmacist and educator Stephen Setter, aging Americans are more likely to prolong their ability to live independent lives in their own homes, improving their quality of life and saving themselves (and often the state) the high cost of nursing home care. Dr. Setter creates that reality for countless Spokane […]
Trailblazing research conducted by Jaak Panksepp could one day bring relief to millions of people around the globe who suffer from psychological disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and autism. Dr. Panksepp, who joined the College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006, has spent most of his career researching affective neuroscience, the study of the basic processes […]
A groundbreaking discovery by Washington State University molecular biologist Michael Skinner could lead to a paradigm shift in our understanding of disease that could affect medicine, toxicology—even evolution. The findings suggest not all diseases are traceable to genetic mutations. Rather, some may be caused by environmental compound exposures that can be traced back as far […]
One day in the future, the current increased likelihood that older pregnant women will produce chromosomally abnormal children may be greatly diminished. That’s the ultimate goal of internationally renowned geneticist Patricia Hunt and her research colleagues, who are examining the role age plays in altering chromosomes in human eggs. Dr. Hunt’s research focuses on germ […]
M. Grant Norton envisions a day when filling up at the fuel pump will be a thing of the past. It’s a vision that relies on hydrogen gas, a potentially clean, alternative fuel that currently eludes our tanks, primarily because there are no reasonable mechanisms for storing the highly explosive gas. Dr. Norton will address […]
Organic farming techniques are proven to be profitable, environment friendly, resource conscious, healthy, and socially responsible. Sales of organic foods in the U.S. have grown at least 20 percent a year for the past decade, according to a 2002 U.S. Department of Agriculture report. As this market segment grows in the state, nation, and world, […]
The recent SARS outbreak and current concerns about Asian bird flu have sparked heightened public interest in understanding the realities and risks of disease transmission, including the transfer from animals to humans. Our ability to accurately assess risk relies on understanding the determinants of transmission and the impact of effective immunization, according to Guy Palmer, […]