Recent Science Commentaries

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Juliana v. United States
Some people talk about climate change, some do something about it and others… well, look at Kelsey Juliana and 20 others who chose to do something big. In 2015, 19-year-old Kelsey Juliana decided enough was enough. “There was a wildfire season that was so intense,” Juliana told CBS 60 Minutes reporter Steve Kroft, “we were advised not to go outside....
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April 10, 2019
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Apollo 11
This isn’t a movie review about the new documentary. This is a memory review. 1969… While the war in Vietnam was grinding away at America’s soul, one extraordinary moment electrified and uplifted Americans and the world like never before. On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong climbed down a small ladder from his lunar lander christened the “Eagle,” paused briefly, then...
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April 8, 2019
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Costas is Right!
I’m not a football fan. Never have been. Like boxing, I just saw too much brutality in it, and the more brutal it got, the more fans seemed to cheer. However, I never understood the ultimate consequence of all that head-bashing until I saw the 2015 film, Concussion. In possibly the most compelling performance of his career, Will Smith plays...
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February 25, 2019
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Real Fake News
The lack of trust in institutions vital to our health, welfare and security continues to grow in the age of Trump. I have written about the serious threat to both children and communities when parents willingly deny vaccinations for their children. Nonetheless, the risk has grown more dangerous. The New York Times Editorial Board writes (Jan. 19) that “The World...
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January 23, 2019
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On the Side of Hope
In 2017, the United Nations convened a conference which resulted in The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. In 2017, the Nobel committee awarded The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons – better known as ICAN – its coveted Peace prize for their work leading to the U.N.’s goal. Who is ICAN? ICAN is a coalition of more than...
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December 14, 2018
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The Alarm is Sounding
In 1982, Dr. David Krieger founded The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation to be a driving force in abolishing all nuclear weapons from the planet. When it comes to peace and disarmament, Krieger says, “the people must lead their leaders.” Recently, Krieger wrote a ten-point message aimed at the next caretakers of the planet. “Our generation has caused and witnessed a...
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December 10, 2018
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Touch Down!
“Wish you were here!” – tweet from InSight Mars lander, 12:03 PM – 26 Nov 2018 “@NASAInSight sent home its first photo after #MarsLanding: InSight’s view is a flat, smooth expanse called Elysium Planitia, but its workspace is below the surface, where it will study Mars’ deep interior,” the rest of the tweet reads. “The pursuit of excellence,”   » Read more...
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November 27, 2018
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Act Now or We’re Cooked
The evidence doesn’t get any clearer than this. “Do what science demands before it is too late.” That’s United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in a direct warning to world leaders. In a press release issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) two days ago paints a climate picture far more urgent than we thought. “ ‘With more...
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October 12, 2018
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Truth, Justice and the American Way
“Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” “Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird.”  “It’s a plane.”  “It’s Superman!”  “Yes, it’s Superman, strange visitor from another planet who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Superman,  » Read more about: Truth, Justice...
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July 4, 2018
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How Am I Doing?
I’ve been “clean and sober” – no mention of you-know-who, (rhymes with “rump”) – for 21 days and I must confess, a change has come over me. I feel… a little happier. The birds are singing more beautifully; the blossoms on the trees smell more sweetly; and I’ve unplugged from most cable news. In a March 1 commentary (La La...
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March 22, 2017