December 18, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Protecting America's Economic Future

Continued U.S. economic competitiveness depends on investments in innovation, collaboration, and education.

A Congressional Reflection

The year 2006 was not a good one for passing legislation.

December 11, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Food Safety System

Contaminated spinach prompts calls for major overhaul.

December 4, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Anthrax Sleuthing

Science aids a nettlesome FBI criminal probe.

Untold Effects Of Energy Farming

Skyrocketing demand for ethanol feedstock could profoundly change the agricultural landscape.

November 27, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

NSF Chemistry Gets New Leader

Clemson professor Luis Echegoyen takes control of division, unveils plans to reverse funding trend, advance research frontiers.

November 20, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Making Hazmat Transport Safer

Shippers, rail carriers disagree on methods to ensure safe transport of toxic chemicals.

Reading The New Congress

Despite new committee heads, national problems will remain hard to resolve.

November 13, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

BP Explosion Under Scrutiny

Many companies tolerate risky practices that may lead to deadly accidents, chemical safety board says.

The Nuclear Weapons Dilemma

There is desperate need for strong leadership and fresh thinking to keep nuclear weapons under control.

November 6, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Research Misconduct

Federal agencies handle fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism allegations differently, but all take claims seriously.

October 30, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

High-Altitude Quest For Data

Information from Colorado's Mountain Research Station puts the global environment into sharper focus.

October 23, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Global Chemical Policy Pains

U.S. manufacturers put their heads together to influence regulations abroad.

October 16, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Climate-Change Debate Shifts

Businesses and governments discuss top-down, bottom-up approaches to averting irreversible dangerous changes.

Keeping America's Competitive Edge

National Academies meeting builds on report that identifies actions to keep U.S. competitive.

October 9, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Big Savings Through Efficiency

Dow is midway through a 20-year efficiency program that aims to cut energy use in half by 2015.

Evaluating The Safety Of Nanotechnology

Congress, National Academies report push for more environment and safety impact studies.

October 2, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Dead Zone

Task force seeks advice on how to reduce and control Gulf of Mexico's low-oxygen zone.

September 25, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

September 25, 2006

Jack Gerard Shakes Up ACC

Goal is to transform a leaner American Chemistry Council into a more potent political force.

To A Nuclear Future

Congress members back nuclear power but find little agreement on federal aid to spur development.

A Milestone Of Note

The Army has destroyed 50% of all munitions in the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile.

September 18, 2006

Cover Story: FDA Turns 100

Agency has come a long way in its first century, but serious challenges remain.

Government & Policy Concentrates

Completing The Space Station

Science lab modules queue up as Atlantis delivers key elements to the International Space Station.

September 18, 2006

Rough Ride For Stem Cell Research

Embryonic stem cell scientists are on roller coaster of funding, research highs and lows.

September 11, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

On Or Off Track?

Critics say EPA's voluntary program rewards polluters with fewer inspections.

September 4, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Fluoride Risks Are Still A Challenge

Conference debates water fluoridation, sulfuryl fluoride, and problems with EPA limits.

August 28, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Cover Story: Renewable Energy

Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory stands out in the spotlight created by President George W. Bush's backing of renewable energy research.

Homeland Security Research At EPA

Investigations aim to protect water systems, detect contamination, facilitate cleanup, and assess risk.

August 21, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

The Last Of A Breed

Retiring House Republican Sherwood L. Boehlert reflects on his support for science, environment.

Yet Another Look at Science Education

National Science Board panel begins work on action plan to boost science education.

Heretical Position On Nuclear Power

Some environmentalists believe nuclear power must be one option to combat catastrophic climate change.

August 14, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

No Quick Fix For Acrylamide In Food

Intense scrutiny has provided methods of reduction but few answers about risk.

House Panel Sees Gap In Technical Advice

Hearing discloses need for permanent, in-house science and technology resource.

August 7, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Pork-Barrel Science

Congressionally legislated programs and projects circumvent traditional competitive grant process.

July 31, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Safer Antifreeze Bill Is Moving Fast

Congress is on the verge of mandating a bitter additive, but chemical may not deter pets.

July 24, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Malaria Control

Resurging use of the banned pesticide DDT to prevent malaria poses dilemma for health, environment.

July 17, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Uranium Plant Gets License

New Mexico centrifuge uranium enrichment plant seen as key to expanding U.S. nuclear power industry.

Painting A Picture Of Global R&D

UN organization and Toronto researchers report on spending, gender, and immigration trends.

July 10, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Murky Water

Supreme Court's fractured decision could curtail federal pollution controls in some waterways.

Chemical Shippers decry Rail Monopolies

In pressing for reform of railroad practices, captive customers cite lack of competition.

July 3, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Cover Story: Elias A. Zerhouni

NIH director has steered agency through congressional inquiries and paltry budget increases with bold actions to position agency for future.

Terrorism And The Chemical Industry

Study suggests Homeland Security Department support a panoply of research to protect this sector.

Hearings Probe Fraud In Silicosis Lawsuits

Evidence in Texas implies many asbestos exposure cases may also be invalid.

June 26, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Radioactive Leaks Found At Reactors

Tritium from power plant discovered in private wells casts doubts on industry reporting, NRC oversight.

Chemical Ecotoxicity

EPA ponders whether to require symbol for aquatic toxicity on labels for commercial chemicals.

June 19, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Special Issue

Pharma's Road Ahead

C&EN examines how the pharmaceutical industry, now on the defensive, is trying to win back the public's confidence and enhance productivity.

June 12, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

A Harder Look At Efficiency

DOE's industrial energy-auditing program could cut energy use significantly, but its survival is unsure.

Congress Tackles Education Issues

Legislation focuses on K-12, undergraduate science education to keep U.S. economically competitive.

June 5, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Guidelines For Assessing Risk

White House proposal could impede broad range of government activities, agency representatives warn.

Hydrogen Fuel Incentive Advances On Capitol Hill

H-Prize would provide reward for scientists who develop an affordable hydrogen vehicle.

May 29, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Parsing The Meanings Of WMD

Analyst argues the term 'weapons of mass destruction' should mean nuclear, biological, and chemical arms.

International Science

Board gathers input on improving effective scientific partnerships between U.S. and non-U.S. scientists.

EPA's Research Needs: Looking Forward

Former EPA research chiefs examine the challenges facing agency's science programs.

May 22, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Push For Biofuels Seen In Farm Bill

Members of a key Senate panel plan to include greater incentives for biofuels projects in farm policy overhaul.

Collusive Payments

Generic drug producers are being paid to drop patent challenges, FTC says.

Funding Science At NASA

National Academies report finds the agency trying to do too much with too little.

May 15, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Changes For Research At EPA

New science chief faces budget challenges and pushes for greater analysis of uncertainty.

Far From Safe

A rare case of anthrax shows more is needed to protect citizens from infectious outbreaks, terror attacks.

May 8, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Administration Policies Are Panned

Budgets, scientific integrity, and energy policy are criticized by science policy experts at AAAS forum.

May 1, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Congress Weighs Energy R&D Unit

Bills would create a high-risk research agency in bid to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources

April 24, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Oil Shale Research Is Moving Forward

Oil from shale promises big payoff, but high costs and pollution pose hurdles

EPA Could Allow Toxic Emissions To Rise

Environmentalists, parts of agency decry plan that industry says would reward responsible actions.

April 17, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Chemical Weapons Deadline At Risk

Russia, even U.S., is not likely to destroy arsenals completely by 2012 as mandated by treaty.

Nanotechnology In Food And Agriculture

Database finds diverse themes and predominantly basic research in federally funded R&D.

Science At NASA

Agency cuts science programs in order to refocus funding on space exploration.

April 10, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Regulating Chemicals

New global chemical management pact is major focus of GlobalChem conference.

Evidence Rule Stirs Up Debate

Proposal would require chemical facilities to preserve evidence after significant accidents.

Ever More Complex Nuclear conundrum

Inherent irrationality of nuclear weapons confounds command and control of their worldwide menace.

April 3, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

NIH Grants Go Electronic

Agency begins phasing out paper grant application submissions in favor of electronic process.

Estimating Properties Of New Chemicals

EPA software undergoes peer review.

March 27, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Bush Presses For Nuclear Recycling

Reprocessing spent fuel would increase risk of nuclear weapons proliferation, critics charge.

March 20, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

From Science To Statecraft

Bruce Averill considers a leap from tenured chemist to government policy adviser.

March 13, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Face-Off Over Pollutants

Bills in House differ on how U.S. should regulate persistent organic pollutants pegged for global controls.

Arden L. Bement Jr.

NSF director shares excitement for foundation's future, enthusiasm for ongoing research, and insights into science and technology policy issues.

March 6, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Bush Promotes Alternative Fuel

Ethanol blend can help reduce demand for fossil fuels, but technology and infrastructure hurdles remain.

Brighter Times For Basic Science Research

Proposal to increase support for physical sciences basic research and education is cheered.

February 27, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Safely Managing Chemicals

Global agreement aimed at protecting health, environment could also affect trade disputes.

Judging Science

As gatekeepers of science in court, judges must bridge the worlds of science and the law.

February 20, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

2007 R&D Budget Lacks Balance

Sizable funding increases in a number of research areas are negated by cuts in other programs.

February 13, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Gender Equity

Workshop looks at ways to make academic chemistry department positions more inviting to women.

Energy For A Sustainable Future

Experts discuss integration of climate-change concerns into energy planning, research priorities.

Efficiency Drivers

The Toyota's Multipronged Strategy To Save Energy.

Drug And Oil Profits: How Much Is Enough?

Big profits for ExxonMobil and Pfizer raise issues as many people struggle with costs of gasoline and health.

February 6, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Congress Revisits Farm Chemical

Federal legislation would regulate ammonium nitrate, which has become a weapon of choice for terrorists.

January 30, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Managing Nanotechnology

Report evaluates ability of U.S. regulatory framework to govern engineered nanomaterials.

January 23, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Oversight Needed For Biotech Crops

USDA's inspector general finds major problems in monitoring field trials of genetically engineered crops.

Congressional Outlook

Congress will reconvene to deal with legislation on gas and oil drilling, chemical plant security, tort reform, clean air legislation, and holding down federal spending.

January 16, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Incentives Boost Coal Gasification

Higher energy prices are making technologies to gasify the nation's vast coal reserves attractive again.

Fraud & Consequences

Stem cell research community is shocked by findings that landmark work by South Korean was a con.

January 9, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Terrorism's Legacy

EPA's plan to test homes for 9/11 contamination sparks anger among advisers and New Yorkers.

January 2, 2006

Government & Policy Concentrates

Electronic Waste

States strive to solve burgeoning disposal problem as more waste ends up in developing countries.

This page updated October 16, 2006