Best of the Moment
science-health
north-america
Jon Ronson | Guardian | 6 March 2010
Very funny, gently mocking interview with Paul Davies, head of US-funded scientists' group advising how to respond if aliens contact Earth. He thinks Einstein will travel well, but not Picasso
Carl Zimmer | Loom | 4 March 2010
"Can the bacteria in our bodies control our behavior in the same way a puppetmaster pulls the strings of a marionette? This wonderfully creepy possibility may be true"
David Kent | American Scientist | Mach 2010
There's usually a market for goods that are much cheaper than the best, yet still fit for purpose. That's why we go to Ikea, Walmart. Why doesn't healthcare work the same way?
Amy Tuteur | Salon | 23 February 2010
Surge in childhood mental illness commonly blamed on over-diagnosis, encouraged by drug companies. But 100 years ago we didn't diagnose much cancer in children, either
Paul Waldman | American Prospect | 26 February 2010
Interview with author Michael Belfiore about Darpa, US military research agency which first strung together the internet, and quietly goes on bringing visionary projects to verge of viability
Amy Harmon | NYT | 22 February 2010
Clinical trials of miracle anti-melanoma drug showed tumours disappearing within a fortnight, even when cancer had penetrated bone. Two-part series. Outstanding story
Louis Menand | New Yorker | 21 February 2010
New doubts over effectiveness of anti-depressants over placebos revive doubt as to whether psychiatry really science at all, or mixture of profiteering, mumbo-jumbo
Michael Greenberg | NYRB | 19 February 2010
Review of Alison Gopnick's "Philosophical Baby", which argues that the mental processes of early childhood, including memory, are quite different from those of later life
Anonymous | Economist | 18 February 2010
Commercial 3D bio-printer for manufacturing human tissue now ready for delivery. Costs $200,000. Does simple stuff, such as skin, muscles. Organs to follow. Apparently
Peter Diamandis | WSJ | 13 February 2010
US government right to loosen grip on space exploration. Makes room for private capital, ready to invest in pursuit of near-infinite mineral resources