• The Environment

    Factory Farming and its Dire Consequences

    By Matt Ransford Posted on 3.25.2008 7 Comments

    One of the dire consequences of factory farming is that it encourages the spread of disease due to the close quarters in which the animals live. Thats why theyre fed antibiotics and other medicines when they arent sick. This overuse of antibiotics, while beneficial to the flocks and herds in the short term, leads to stronger and more drug-resistant bacteria in the long term. The effect has been widely reported by popular authors like Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser. What we havent heard much about are how viruses can thrive in this environment.

  • Science

    The Firefighting Robot

    By Abby Seiff Posted on 3.31.2008 6 Comments

    digg_url = 'http://digg.com/general_sciences/ROBOT_INSECT_FIGHTS_FOREST_FIRES'; Shifting through the mossy undergrowth of Germanys Black Forest, antennae raised and leg joints quietly clicking forward, OLE (pronounced oh-luh) is a St. Bernardsize bug on the prowl. But this mechanized insect isnt a scavenger—its a guardian.

  • The Environment

    America's 50 Greenest Cities

    By John Mahoney Posted on 2.8.2008 49 Comments

    In the international alliance to fight climate change, the United States is considered the sullen loner. But in the seven years since we rejected Kyoto, changes have begun. Not at the federal level, however. Its the locals who are making it happen.



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December 2009: Best of What's New

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