In The News

Insect Explosion “A Threat to Food Crops”

Steve Connor February 15, 2008
After studying a warming trend in the Earth’s fossil record from 55.8 million years ago, scientists with Pennsylvania State University predict rising carbon-dioxide levels and insect populations. An increase in carbon dioxide will decrease nutrients available in plants and thus lead to insects eating more leaves. Researchers have not pinpointed the cause behind the ancient warming period, but the...

Time to Move to a Second Generation of Biofuels

Christopher Flavin February 15, 2008
The indirect costs of growing biofuels outweigh any benefits, report two studies in the journal Science. A new political and economic response is required on biofuels, suggests Christopher Flavin, president of the Worldwatch Institute, in response. The US government now provides tax incentives to farmers for growing crops that can be turned into energy, which has increased prices of biofuel crops...

My Saudi Valentine

Rajaa Alsanea February 14, 2008
Love is universal, but methods for finding it differ from culture to culture. Today, most Saudi relationships begin with the help of internet networking sites, cell phones or servants who act as intermediaries. In a society that strictly prohibits contact between the opposite sexes, let alone open displays of affection, starting any relationship relies on immense trust and some amount of daring....

Long, Cruel Road to the Slaughterhouse

Emily Dugan February 14, 2008
Ten major animal charities investigated the global trade in livestock, documenting the cruelties that live animals endure on journeys that last thousands of miles, from countries like Australia and Brazil to Europe and the Middle East. “Thousands of animals die en route from disease, heat exhaustion, hunger and stress,” reports Emily Dugan for the Independent. Low transportation costs encourage...

Happy Families

February 13, 2008
Bolsa Família, or the Family Fund, pays a benefit to mothers with low earnings, provided they send their children to school, show up for vaccinations and meet some other conditions. The program began in Mexico and quickly spread as far as Brazil, Eastern Europe and New York City as a way to allow children escape poverty. The program boosts the economy, with education building a skilled work force...

Satellite Spotters Glimpse Secrets, and Tell Them

John Schwartz February 12, 2008
Throughout the world, knowledge about satellite activities and orbits is remarkably limited. Yet, as John E. Pike of the space and military watchdog group GlobalSecurity.org notes, the internet has spawned an “important demystification” as to information about satellites. Using websites to upload photos and find other hobbyists has helped a small contingent of “spotters” worldwide to connect,...

Why Bill Gates Hates My Book

William R. Easterly February 12, 2008
The economic system of capitalism certainly creates pools of wealth, and economists, corporate leaders and others debate how to distribute such pools to aid the world’s poor. Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft who has since moved into philanthropy that funds basic education and health services in developing nations, argues for “creative capitalism,” by raising recognition of corporate...