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Nerds 4 Obama

Last Friday the Obama campaign made a big move in courting the country’s nerds, geeks and overall science-friendly voters. First the campaign announced that 61 Nobel laureates in science signed a letter supporting Obama’s election, then the campaign unveiled a new science policy centered on increased funding and an emphasis on math and science education.

Border Security to Become Copyright Police?

As if the security in airports and controls at border crossings weren't slow and intrusive enough, governments around the world are quietly passing laws to allow them to search the contents of your laptop and other electronic devices, like iPods and cellphones. A United States court last month gave border agents carte blanche to hold a laptop for days and even copy its entire contents. The UK government has given its agents authority to search computers at its borders for pornography. But in what may be the most baffling and cumbersome move of all, the US, Canada, UK, and other EU nations are working behind closed doors on a new trade agreement which could turn border agents into the copyright police.

The World's Spookiest Weapons

Lower Yields from GM Crops

When genetically modified (GM) crops were first introduced, they were met with quite a lot of skepticism, not only in regards to their unproven long-term safety and efficacy but to their potential to be high-yield super crops. A three-year University of Kansas study has now confirmed the findings of a previous University of Nebraska study as to the yield abilities of the GM soybean from Monsanto: not only is the crop not a super-yield producer, it actually produces less than conventional yields, even under optimal conditions.

Artificial Turf Fields Closed Due to Lead Poisoning Risk

For years we've known not to play with peeled paint chips; now, we know not to eat the turf. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced an investigation potential hazardous levels of lead in artificial turf fields across the country. Two fields in New Jersey were closed this week after elevated levels of lead were found during an unrelated investigation. The source is likely from lead chromate that is used as pigment and to prevent fading. While the lead could become airborne through wear on the surfaces, further studies are necessary to assess the actual risk.