Ethics
Study: Fraud growing in scientific research papers
October 2, 2012 4:00 am | by Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsA recent review of retractions in medical and biological peer-reviewed journals finds the percentage of studies withdrawn because of fraud or suspected fraud has jumped substantially since the mid-1970s. In 1976, there were fewer than 10 fraud retractions for every 1 million studies published, compared with 96 retractions per million in 2007.
Article: New technology being stymied by copyright law
September 17, 2012 5:08 am | News | CommentsFrom Napster to iTunes to Pandora, the methods by which the public can obtain and share music have rapidly progressed. Future groundbreaking innovations may need to wait, though, as the next generation of technology is being stymied by the very copyright laws that seek to protect the industry, says Rutgers-Camden University professor Michael Carrier in a new article for a law journal..
Tech titans face off in court over iPhone, iPad
July 31, 2012 4:57 am | by Paul Elias, Associated Press | News | CommentsWith billions of dollars and control of the U.S. smartphone and computer tablets markets at stake, jury selection began Monday in a closely watched trial between two of the world's leading tech companies over patents. Cupertino-based Apple is demanding $2.5 billion in damages from Samsung Electronics Co., an award that would dwarf the largest patent-related verdict to date.
“Control-Alt-Hack” game lets players try their hand at computer security
July 24, 2012 5:28 pm | by Hannah Hickey | News | CommentsDo you have what it takes to be an ethical hacker? Can you step into the shoes of a professional paid to outsmart supposedly locked-down systems? "Control-Alt-Hack", a new card game developed by University of Washington computer scientists, gives teenage and young-adult players a taste of what it means to be a computer-security professional defending against an ever-expanding range of digital threats.
University professors lead voluntary code of ethics effort for journals
June 6, 2012 9:44 am | News | CommentsProfessors from Purdue University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are bringing editors of academic journals together to reaffirm their commitment to research integrity.
Cafe conquerors use high-tech gadgets to take over public spaces
May 9, 2012 5:59 am | News | CommentsIt’s a situation we’ve all probably encountered: a coffee shop full of laptop users and no place to sit. According to recent studies at Boston College, “plugged-in” customers are increasingly grabbing extra seats counter space and table tops by using cell phones, laptops, and cups of steaming hot coffee to shield others from seemingly public spaces
First of two papers on lab-made bird flu published
May 3, 2012 5:09 am | by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsFour months ago the U.S. government sought to block publication of two studies about how scientists created an easily spread form of bird flu. Now a revised version of one paper is seeing the light of day with the government's blessing. The second paper, which is more controversial because it involves what appears to be a more dangerous virus, is expected to be published later.
Nanotechnology meets safety, ethics in medical community
April 30, 2012 3:50 am | News | CommentsEngineers are developing new and innovative ways of coating medical materials with nano-sized particles of silver, an element that has long been known for its antimicrobial properties. However, a recent paper from the University of Notre Dame highlights the fact that a vast majority of bacteria are actually neutral, or even beneficial. Overuse of nanosilver might harm their useful functions in daily life, the paper reports.
Hubbub over content rights greets Google Drive
April 26, 2012 1:55 pm | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsShortly after Tuesday's release of the long-awaited Google Drive service, technology blogs and Twitter users were picking apart a legal clause that made it sound as if all the users' content stored in Google Drive automatically would become the intellectual property of Google Inc. As it turns out, the worries are probably unfounded.
China sets up rare earths industry group
April 9, 2012 8:39 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsWith about a third of the world's rare earth reserves and supplying 90% of what is consumed, China has come under fire for imposing limits on rare earths production and exports. In response, the country has begun an industry association designed fend off these complaints and administer greater regulation of the sector.
Gene mapping for everyone? Study says not so fast
April 2, 2012 3:46 pm | by Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press | News | CommentsToday, scientists map entire genomes mostly for research, but as genome mapping gets faster and cheaper, scientists and consumers have wondered about possible broader use: Would finding all the glitches hidden in your DNA predict which diseases you'll face decades later? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple, say experts.
Panel backs sharing studies of lab-made bird flu
April 2, 2012 5:24 am | by Malcolm Ritter, AP Science Writer | News | CommentsOn Friday, the U.S. government's biosecurity advisers said they support publishing research studies showing how scientists made new easy-to-spread forms of bird flu because the studies, now revised, don't reveal details bioterrorists could use. The announcement could end debate sparked by the government’s request last December that scientists refrain from publishing all the details of their work.
Japan, U.S., EU discuss rare earth supply security
March 29, 2012 4:10 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsChina holds about a third of the world's rare earth reserves but supplies about 90% of what is consumed. In the past two years it has imposed limits on its exports, citing a need to impose order on an unruly domestic market and to reduce environmental damage. Officials from the U.S. the European Union, and Japan met recently to propose ways to ensure secure supplies of strategically vital rare earths and other critical materials.
High court throws out human gene patents
March 27, 2012 12:07 pm | News | CommentsThe Supreme Court this week threw out a lower court ruling allowing human genes to be patented. The court overturned patents belonging to Myriad Genetics Inc. of Salt Lake City on two genes linked to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
iPad dispute signals new era in trademark troubles
March 7, 2012 3:24 am | by Elaine Kurtenbach, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsFinancially troubled Proview Electronics Co., a computer monitor and LED light maker, says it registered the iPad trademark in China and elsewhere more than a decade ago and wants Apple to stop selling or making the popular tablet computers under that name. Whatever the outcome, the dispute highlights the rising stakes of the trademark name game in the increasingly lucrative China consumer market, one that most global companies cannot afford to miss out on regardless of the risks.
Scientists pause research with lab-bred bird flu
January 23, 2012 2:19 am | by Lauran Neergaard, AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsAfter two laboratories reported created new, easier-to-spread version of the deadly bird flu viruses, research was temporarily halted on Jan. 20. The pause comes as fierce debate intensifies over how to handle this high-risk research.
Protest exposes Silicon Valley-Hollywood rivalry
January 18, 2012 1:42 pm | News | CommentsInternet users quickly learned about the standoff between technology companies and Hollywood on Wednesday. Google blacked out its name, Reddit shut down for 12 hours, and Wikipedia blacked out its main site for the full day. At issue are two congressional proposals intended to limit online piracy of movies and TV programs.
U.K. spy agency asks hackers to crack code
December 2, 2011 3:56 am | by Cassandra Vinograd, Associated Press | News | CommentsBritain's electronic listening agency, GCHQ, quietly launched a cryptic Website last month featuring a box of code made up of numbers and letters. There is no branding on the site, only the phrase "Can you crack it?" and a box to type in an answer.
U.S. report blasts China, Russia for cybercrime
November 3, 2011 12:00 pm | News | CommentsFor years, experts and officials have complained about cyberattacks emanating from China. Now, U.S. intelligence agencies have published a report that offers the first detailed public accusations from U.S. officials, saying computer attacks by foreign governments and corporate hackers are on the rise and represent a "persistent threat to U.S. economic security."
Security firm: Hackers hit chemical companies
November 1, 2011 11:06 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsAccording to Internet security software vendor Symantec, cyber attacks traced to China recently targeted at least 48 chemical and military-related companies in an effort to steal technical secrets. The victims included multiple Fortune 100 companies.
Will Steve Jobs' final vendetta haunt Google?
October 25, 2011 5:24 am | by Michael Liedtke, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsAmong the many revelations from Walter Isaacson’s biography of Apple’s co-founder is the anger Jobs had toward Google, which he claimed stole technology and features from Apple for its Android software. His comments suggest Google, which has been acquiring patents to shore up its legal claims, may face vigorous court battles with Apple.
Science fiction-style sabotage a fear in new hacks
October 24, 2011 7:31 am | by Jordan Robertson, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsThe computer attack that hobbled Iran’s unfinished nuclear power plant last year was assumed to be the work of elite hackers backed by a nation-state. Alarming, however, key elements of the attack have been replicated in the laboratory by security experts, often with little time, money, or specialized skill.
Moon rock sting terrifies California grandmother
October 24, 2011 7:18 am | by Thomas Watkins, Associated Press | News | CommentsExpecting the worst, NASA agents swept in on a 74-year-old woman in a Denny’s restaurant five months ago to recover what believed to be a moon rock being sold on the black market. The woman claimed the tiny speck of rock, encased in acrylic, was given to her husband by Neil Armstrong. Armstrong says otherwise, and NASA is silent on the case.
China rare earths supplier suspends production
October 20, 2011 10:15 am | by Joe McDonald, AP Business Writer | News | CommentsThis week's move by China’s biggest producer of rare earths to suspend production of exotic rare earths minerals might fuel tensions with the United States and Europe. The hiatus is expected to last one months and is explicitly intended to boost slumping prices.
Time zone database has new home after lawsuit
October 16, 2011 9:41 am | by Anick Jesdanun, AP Technology Writer | News | CommentsThe organization in charge of the Internet's address system is taking over a database widely used by computers and websites to keep track of time zones around the world. The transition comes a week after the database was abruptly removed from a U.S. government server because of a federal lawsuit claiming copyright infringement.
