Prior posts have discussed the multiple and various ways by which "Darwinian" selection occurs, many involving processes that Darwin could never have imagined (e.g., selection at the atomic and molecular level, selection at the planetary level... Read More
Perchlorate occurs naturally in the environment; it's also made for use in rocket propellant, explosives, fireworks, and road flares. Perchlorate has been found in drinking water in some areas of the country, as well as in food and *** milk. [See... Read More
While it has been demonstrated repeatedly that antibiotics can act as a selection factor in the evolution of resistance in bacteria, in some cases the exact biochemical mechanism for resistance has remained a puzzle. A recently published study in the... Read More
Most aphids host mutualistic bacteria, Buchnera aphidicola, which live inside specialized cells called bacteriocytes. Buchnera are vital to the aphids’ well being since they provide essential amino acids that are scarce in its diet. New research... Read More
This is the first in a series of posts over the next week that addresses various issues related to the evolution of life on Earth. The purpose is to show the ever-growing body of knowledge, and how that knowledge is changing fundamental assumptions about... Read More
Prior posts have discussed the nature and procedure of California's Proposition 65. A recent meeting of the Carcinogen Identification Committee examined 38 chemicals to determine the priority with which OEHHA should address them as part of its Hazard... Read More
Prior posts have described California's Green Chemistry Program. California's Department of Toxic Substances Control has now announced that it will use a "Wiki" to gather public comments regarding the development of regulations necessary... Read More
When discussions about evolution occur, one of the frequent criticisms is that there is often scant evidence showing the transition of an animal from one form to another. Given the rarity of fossils, this is a clever argument, but often lacking in any... Read More
This is the last in a series of four posts about the changing view of the evolution of life on Earth. Today's post looks at a question of interest to all of us. Why are humans different from our close relatives, the great apes? There are two interesting... Read More
Researchers from the University of Bristol Centre for Child and Adolescent Health set out to see if there was any effect on the behavior and intellectual development of children who had ingested just below the so-called safe level of 10 micrograms per... Read More
To date, there have been relatively few epidemiologic studies investigating the association between intrauterine exposure to chemicals and body mass index [for an explanation of the BMI, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index .] However, it... Read More
Prior posts have noted the evolving science of evolution and our understanding of the history of both our planet and its various life-forms over time. Two recently published studies add to that body of knowledge that is ever-changing. First, the size... Read More
Using data and samples that are admittedly several years old, researchers have noted that the chlorine and caustic soda made worldwide is made in chlor-alkali plants using mercury cells or the increasing popular membrane technology that is mercury free... Read More
Section 1021.5 of the California Code of Civil Procedure is the statutory basis for an award of attorney''s fees when the lawsuit results in a significant public benefit. In evaluating how the public benefit came to be for purposes of Section... Read More
California 's so-called Green Chemistry program has been discussed in prior posts (see http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention ). One of the program's objectives is to decrease toxins in consumer products in order to reduce the potential for... Read More