Snap Observations: Mishandling Pathogens, Framing Science, Saying No to Toxic Pesticides

Influenza virus. SOURCE: CDC

U.S. labs that handle deadly germs have reported “100 accidents and missing shipments since 2003,” reports the AP. No one was hurt, but the number of incidents are going up with number of labs approved to handle the pathogens. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing today.

The latest on framing science: Matthew Nisbet & Dietram Scheufele in The Scientist on The Future of Public Engagement (now out from behind the subscription veil). Nisbet has it on Framing Science.

How the vagaries of scientific publishing don’t necessarily lead to better science getting published.

The EPA decided not to approve highly toxic methyl iodide as a pesticide. The agency balked after receiving a letter from 54 scientists, including 6 Nobel laureates, who “were astonished EPA was considering approving such a toxic chemical for agricultural use.” (Via Wired Science.)

PBS and Wired premier a new science magazine TV series last night, which (not to be confused with the publication’s blog) is called Wired Science.

Smithsonian magazine just issued a Fall 2007 special issue titled “37 Under 36: America’s Young Innovators in the Arts and Sciences,” comprised of 37 crisply written profiles of smart and creative young men and women making a difference. Oftentimes, the editorial content of magazine packages such as these come across as glossy as the accompanying photos, especially in special issues. In this case, the written words and the photos are equally compelling.

Tags: EPA, Framing Science, Media, Publishing

Comments on this article

You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.