Russell McLendon Blog

Cicadas' antibacterial trick may help humans
Scientists have found tiny spikes on cicada wings that rupture and kill bacterial cells — a disease-fighting strategy that might also work in manmade materials.
Obama picks Ernest Moniz to lead DOE
The MIT physicist is already steeped in Beltway politics, but his enthusiasm for nuclear power and natural gas worries some environmental advocates.
Obama picks Gina McCarthy to lead EPA
The longtime environmental cop has a reputation for being tough, pragmatic and likable, but she'll still likely face a barrage of scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
U.S. bat epidemic spreads to 20th state
White-nose syndrome has been confirmed in a 20th U.S. state, continuing the rapid spread of a disease that has already killed some 6 million bats since 2006.
Shell scraps Arctic drilling plans for 2013
Plagued by a string of setbacks in recent months, the oil giant says it will 'pause' its offshore drilling program in the Arctic Ocean at least until next year.
Baby whale uses people as pacifiers [Video]
A new video seems to show a young gray whale requesting human help rubbing its gums, possibly seeking comfort like a teething human baby.
Study: Dolphins may call each other by name
New research suggests bottlenose dolphins address one another with self-given names, adding slight variations that could let them identify who's speaking.
4 ways the sequester could affect science, the environment and public health
The slate of spending cuts could wreak havoc on everything from USDA meat inspections and FDA drug reviews to EPA research and national park staffing.
Obama plans ambitious map of human brain
The 10-year project, expected to be unveiled next month, would map human brain activity in a manner similar to how the Human Genome Project decoded our DNA.
U.S. senators propose long-shot carbon tax
Top polluters would pay $20 per ton of CO2 emissions under the plan, with 60 percent of the revenue returned to each U.S. resident in a monthly rebate check.

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