Articles

Don Reed: Stem Cell Battles: Proposition 71 and Beyond

After his 19-year-old son Roman became paralyzed in a 1994 college football game, Don Reed immersed himself in learning about and advocating for stem cell research. His book, Stem Cell Battles: Proposition 71 and Beyond, chronicles efforts to educate the public and convince legislators to support stem cell research, first in California in 2004, and later in other states, and nationally. Reed humanizes the research, telling stories of individuals affected by disorders for which stem cell research holds promise, and of scientists working to advance treatment.

From ScienceWriters: A brief guide to self-republishing

We’ve heard a lot about self-publishing new books. But what about self-republishing out-of-print books? Having some time and some available books, Jeff Hecht tested the process, and came to the conclusion it can work, but not for all books, and not in the formats used by e-book readers unless you have a clean digital copy. This article shares what he's learned the hard way to save you time and trouble.

From ScienceWriters: WCSJ2017 update

Most American science journalists and others who help in shuttling information and analysis from the realm of science to the public in plain English surely have heard at least vaguely about something called the World Conference of Science Journalists (WCSJ). It is coming soon to the USA for the first time. In less than two years, our kind will be in downtown San Francisco for a self-improvement confab among a global bevy of science journalists and their like. Key activities include workshops, mad gossip in the hallways, tours, and lectures from experts on hot science on the horizon.

From ScienceWriters: What writers need to know about tax audits

Most freelancers fear audits, but there are ways to lessen the trauma and expense of encounters with the Internal Revenue Service. Here are some reminders for NASW members on how to cope with audits.

Raeburn/Zollman: The Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting

“That’s not fair!” “He started it!” When children behave like — well, children — parents often have to settle disputes. In The Game Theorist’s Guide to Parenting, NASW member Paul Raeburn and Kevin Zollman assert that game theory — the science of strategic thinking — offers parents a wealth of practical and non-punitive ways to reduce squabbling and improve sibling relationships. Use of bargaining, incentives, and other evidence-based tactics, they say, fosters family harmony, and helps children grow into fair-minded adults.

Luba Vikhanski: Immunity

In 1882, Russian zoologist Elie Metchnikoff recognized that white blood cells form the first line of defense against invading bacteria. Initially greeted with skepticism, his insights into the nature of immunity brought him the Nobel Prize in 1908. His belief that sour milk might delay aging sparked a global craze for yogurt. In researching Immunity, her biography of Metchnikkoff, Luba Vikhansky tracked down a secret stash of Metchnikoff’s letters in Paris, and obtained permission to break into safe deposit boxes to gain access to this material.

Wilcox, Brookshire, Goldman, eds.: Science Blogging

Want to write a science blog? Learn how to set up your blog, build an audience for it, and cover controversial topics, while dealing with deniers, cynics, and trolls in Science Blogging: The Essential Guide. Editors Christie Wilcox, Bethany Brookshire, and Jason Goldman, along with two dozen other seasoned bloggers, also tell how to blog for science education, use your blog as a springboard for a book, and, yes!, get paid for your work. A NASW Idea grant helped support the book’s production.

From ScienceWriters: Information Access Database

Have you ever had trouble getting access to information or sources you need for a story? To help address the problem, the recently reconstituted Information Access Committee has created a database in which NASW members can share experiences trying to gain hard-to-obtain information or speak to scientists to whom access is restricted by institutional media policies.

Rani Iyer: Green Transport

In Green Transport: Exploring Eco-friendly Travel for a Better Tomorrow, Rani Iyer, writing for young adults, reviews effects of various modes of transportation on the environment. She describes more environmentally-friendly modes of transportation, such as biodiesel-fueled buses and cars and solar-powered boats, and stresses benefits to the environment and health of biking or walking. She also discusses efforts around the world to boost use of these alternatives.

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