Regulations
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.
U.S. announces deal to ensure medical isotope supply
March 26, 2012 9:54 am | News | CommentsMedical isotopes are used to treat cancer and heart disease worldwide, but have been typically been made using highly enriched uranium. This material can also be used to create nuclear bombs, which has prompted a recent agreement between several countries to ensure its future supply while improving security.
Report examines what U.S. can learn from EU chemicals law
February 29, 2012 9:21 am | News | CommentsU.S. industry and environmental groups agree that the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 needs to be modernized to better protect public health and the environment. However, there is no consensus on what the reform should look like. A new report from Indiana University supplies a close examination of the European Union's reformed chemicals law REACH, which went into effect in 2006.
Eight national labs streamline partnership agreements
February 27, 2012 5:43 pm | News | CommentsIntended to help cut red tape for business and startups wanting to do business with the U.S. Dept. of Energy’s research laboratories, the new Agreements for Commercializing Technology (ACT) program was recently launched as a third alternative to the two preceding options: signing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) or a Work For Others (WFO) Agreement.
Litigator publishes guide to nanotech health law
January 30, 2012 3:49 am | News | CommentsJohn Delaney, an attorney with experience in toxic and environmental torts and a founding member of the law firm Delany & O’Brien in Philadelphia, has recently published guide to the legal implications of nanotechnology. He pays particular attention to carbon nanotubes and nanometal oxides, and notably argues for tort reform in anticipation of potential legal actions.
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.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship
December 15, 2011 4:13 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsFederally funded research can be a solution to some of the nation's top challenges, say government laboratory executives.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: Argonne National Laboratory
December 15, 2011 3:57 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsArgonne National Laboratory's Deborah Clayton speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: Los Alamos National Laboratory
December 15, 2011 3:54 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsLos Alamos National Laboratory's David Pesiri speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
December 15, 2011 3:49 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsLawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Erik Stenehjem speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: NASA Glenn Research Center
December 15, 2011 3:44 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsNASA Glenn Research Center's Ramon (Ray) Lugo III speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: National Energy Technology Laboratory
December 15, 2011 3:39 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsNational Energy Technology Laboratory's Paul E. King speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
December 15, 2011 3:35 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsNational Renewable Energy Laboratory's Bob Hawsey speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Economy, Energy, and Entrepreneurship: Y-12 National Security Complex
December 15, 2011 3:18 am | by R&D Editors | Articles | CommentsY-12 National Security Complex's Kevin Finney speaks on topics including funding, peer review, entrepreneurship, nanotechnology research, and communicating research missions in a social networking environment.
Survey finds public support for geoengineering research
October 24, 2011 11:54 am | News | CommentsThe first international survey by a peer-reviewed journal on the public perception of geoengineering and solar radiation management has found that 72% of respondents approved research into these climate-manipulating techniques.
Largest study on cellphones, cancer finds no link
October 24, 2011 10:54 am | by Maria Cheng, AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsThe biggest study ever to examine the possible connection between cellphones and cancer found no evidence of any link, suggesting that billions of people who are rarely more than a few inches from their phones have no special health concerns.
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.
Talk of treaty ban on mercury concerns scientists
October 21, 2011 8:20 am | by Maria Cheng, AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsAt the end of October, the United Nations Environment Programme, or UNEP, will conduct the third of five meetings to hammer out a treaty that may involve the comprehensive ban on mercury. The problem, says many health experts, is that a proposed ban might include thiomersal, a mercury compound used to prevent contamination and extend the shelf life of vaccines.
California adopts extensive 'cap-and-trade' plan
October 21, 2011 8:13 am | by Jason Dearen, Associated Press | News | CommentsOn Thursday, California formally adopted the nation's most comprehensive so-called "cap-and-trade" system. The system will be an experiment by the world's eighth-largest economy to provide financial incentives for polluters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some businesses claim it will hurt job growth and increase electricity costs; proponents say it will do the opposite.
Top Europe court bans stem cell technique patents
October 18, 2011 11:48 am | by Maria Cheng, AP Medical Writer | News | CommentsThe European Union's top court ruled Tuesday that scientists cannot patent stem cell techniques that use human embryos for research purposes, a ruling some scientists said threatens important research since no one could profit from it.
Manage First to Put Safety First
October 18, 2011 9:54 am | by Nathan Watson, President, BioRAFT, Lebanon, N.H. | Articles | CommentsThe first step in managing laboratory safety is managing the training process.
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.
How foreign insects, diseases get into the United States
October 10, 2011 12:42 pm | by Tracie Cone, Associated Press | News | CommentsDozens of foreign insects and plant diseases slipped undetected into the United States in the years after 9/11, when authorities were so focused on preventing another attack that they overlooked a pest explosion that threatened the quality of the nation's food supply.
