SCIENCE IN THE NEWS WEEKLY
Global Warming, Evolution and Science Education
The New York Times reported last week that the foes of evolution are linking the topic to global warming, arguing that dissenting views on both subjects should be taught in public schools.
Meanwhile, scientists say they don't know the full implications of the discovery that the powerful greenhouse gas methane is bubbling up from the once-frozen seabed north of Siberia, but some are concerned that release of the gas could ramp up global warming.
Many climate researchers have come to the conclusion that, given the rising tide of public opinion, they can't afford to just ride out recent stormy controversies over climate science. They have begun to engage their critics and reshape the way they conduct research.
In other news, National Geographic looked into why the tsunamis associated with the recent massive earthquake in Chile were so much smaller than anticipated.
A startling new study found that male frogs exposed to the herbicide atrazine, commonly found in U.S. waterways, can transform into females so completely that they can mate with other males and lay eggs.
And federal regulators say the Supreme Court has left uncertain which waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act, giving rise to increased water pollution nationwide.