Search

A growing number of Americans are taking their private struggles with their identities into the public realm. How those who believe they were born with the wrong bodies are forcing us to re-examine what it means to be male and female. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this razor-thin election, the arcane subject of embryonic-stem-cell research has rallied lawmakers, scientists, patients, celebrities -- and the candidates. The issue may cause some voters to swing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The former First Lady's passion for stem-cell research has fueled a political battle. Where does the science stand? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The politics of the womb are becoming ever more personal -- and complex. The Peterson murder case, changing state laws and startling new science are causing many Americans to rethink long-held beliefs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The politics: the Bush administration wants to spend millions more selling teens on the virtues of virginity. Not everyone thinks that's such a good idea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two decades ago we eradicated the world's most devastating plague. Now the government has a plan to baccinate the intire population within 10 days of a terror attack, and 10 million health and emergency workers may get their shots in advance. But the inoculation debate isn't over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that lead poisoning is now called the nation's number 1 environmental threat to youngsters by top officials of the Bush administration. Even small doses of lead can make children less intelligent and, although lead-based paint and gasoline are banned, tons of old lead still line the walls of many American homes. Statistics on the hazards; Specific case examples. INSET: Where lead is found.;Is your home safe? Here's how to check....

Reports that new studies indicate that shyness is in some part congenital, but that parents can help their timid children. Harvard psychologist Jerome Kagan's work; Shyness triggered by `stressors' in a child's environment; Helping children by nurturing self-esteem and a sense of belonging.

Three years into the war on OxyContin abuse, the casualties continue. But there's hope where it all began. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contends that the advent of new scanning technology has prompted a fresh examination of mind theories. Scientists who see the brain as a machine; The notion of a central, transcendent consciousness; Details of continuing problematic considerations.

Reports that in Boston, Massachusetts, a malpractice suit over a strange case of suicide has generated a great deal of controversy. Allegations against Dr. Margaret Bean-Bayog; The troubled life of patient Paul Lozano; Additional details about the case.

Reports that supermarkets are fleeing the inner cities, leaving the poor to pay more for less. Origins of the widening urban grocery gap; Worsening economic conditions in different regions of the country; Attempts to find ways to lure big supermarkets back into city limits.

Reports that in the last few years, more and more grandparents who are angry at being cut off from their grandchildren, have begun to fight back. Visitation rights have become one of the most emotional issues of the growing grandparents' movement. Case of attorney Nancy Burton and her husband, `New York Times' correspondent William Honan; Grandparents' support groups popping up all across the country.

Describes the ACTV company's interactive TV test that enables the viewers to interact with their sets. Early experiments with this type of active television watching; `Play-along TV' and `do-it-yourself TV'; How the viewer can manipulate actions on the screen; Positive responses that the interactivity enhanced viewing; Potential ability to alter the outcome of murder mysteries, soap operas and more.

Mark McClellan: the top food and drug cop has politics in his bloodstream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sir John Templeton funds research that explores links between science and God. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports that Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn has called for a ban of water pistols called Super Soakers. Comments from Boston city councilman John Nucci; Why getting the guns off the streets will be next to impossible; Observations from Harvard psychiatrist Alvin Poussaint.

Compares the values and political appeal of First Lady Barbara Bush and Hillary Clinton. Perception that Clinton symbolizes the negative traits in modern American women; Ms. Clinton's long association with the Children's Defense Fund, a group that some consider to be opposed to parent's rights; Why First Ladies must remember that they are extensions of their husbands.

Describes a new technique designed to simplify testing for breast-cancer. Use of automated needles to extract tissue samples; Ease of the process; Reduced cost; Other aspects of stereotactic automated large-core biopsy.

Reports that Native Americans hope to make gambling casinos pay off. Tribes which face stricter regulation from the recently formed National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC); Use of casinos as a means to reduce welfare rolls; Unemployment rates among Native Americans.

Profiles the Harborlight Mall in Weymouth, Mass., a unique mall designed for hard times. Purchase of the mall by Jerry Ellis and partners; The luring of junkier merchants such as Cheapo Depot and Buck-A-Book; Low rent; Incentives; Future plans.

Comments on liberal-minded Americans who are combining business with political issues. The Body Shop's natural cosmetics and its stance against animal testing; What ice-cream maker Ben & Jerry's is doing; Act Now, a group of 17 companies; Taking the risky path of injecting a political message into marketing.

Reports on the banking crisis in Rhode Island that has dragged on, prompting people to react in protest. Zeal of 300 protesters in Warwick, R.I. last week in taking on Rhode Island Gov. Bruce Sundlun; Decrying the governor's handling of the scandal and demanding that their deposits, which have been in jeopardy for more than nine months, be returned; Details.

Covers a conflict between Sut Jhally, a professor of communications at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and MTV. The professor created a video showing MTV excerpts with his own critical narration and entitled it `Dreamworlds: Desire/Sex/Power in Rock Video.' His intention was to enlighten students about the advertisements for albums that use sex to sell. MTV's lawsuit threat; Constituting `fair use' of copyrighted work.

Reports on stories of hazings and beatings at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. How former cadet Chander Matta suffered his freshman year from theses alleged atrocities; Secret society called The Night Riders; Murder of three prostitutes in Arlington, Va.; Lawyers' claim that `the terror' at Norwich pushed Matta into madness; Trustee investigation.

Describes how many individuals have reacted to news releases concerning the dangers of mercury in standard amalgam fillings by flooding the offices of anti-amalgam dentists. Many risk-wary Americans misunderstand the threat; Being exploited by unscrupulous dentists happy to replace amalgam fillings in a procedure that may be more dangerous than leaving the fillings in.

Comments on a Norwood, Mass.-based mail-order company called Kids At Large that sells clothes for overweight children. Founded five years ago by Copie Lilien; Success of the company; Selling self-esteem.

Reports that, although alcohol consumption is down throughout the country, alcohol abuse on college campuses has increased. More and more college students are ending their parties in the emergency rooms. Number of students hospitalized for alcohol-related problems at Boston College has doubled; Difficulty knowing how to control the problem.

Announces new revisions on the Standardized Achievement Tests that will take effect in 1994. The biggest change is in the mathematical questions on the aptitude test which will be renamed the Scholastic Assessment Test or SATI. The verbal section of the SATI will test more vocabulary in reading passages and drop some isolated word exercises. INSET: Questions and answers..

Examines the controversy behind charges of extortion at Cumberland Farms. Hundreds of ex-employees of Cumberland Farms have come forward with allegations of coercion and extortion by the convenience-store chain. Denying the charges; Chilling stories about interrogators; Ongoing lawsuit.

Lambastes Lt. Gov. Evelyn Murphy's attempts to cut state spending. Whacking five percent off of Gov. Dukakis' salary; Finance Secretary Edward Lashman's comments.

Discusses the League for Programming Freedom's protest of Lotus Development Corp. which has brought `look and feel' suits against companies promoting look-alike programs. Copyright rules; Lotus won its first big victory against Paperback Software International.

Discusses how in the past, the Third World debt has been swapped for nature preserves or hiring ecologists, but now is being swapped for education. Harvard University will soon begin converting Ecuadoran debt into funds that will support both Ecuadoran exchange students and the university's researchers; Other countries considered; Transactions based on the near worthlessness of the debt.

Reports on the new brew-at-home beer. Starter kits for as little as $32.50; Ingredients; Charlie Papazian, president of the American Homebrewers Association; Laws permitting or prohibiting home brewing.

The shortage has put millions into a panic. Spotty supply is the immediate problem. Caring for our country's public health is the bigger issue [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What keeps infectious-disease experts up at night? A novel and virulent flu getting loose in a crowded world, where Tokyo, Nairobi and Moscow are a plane ride apart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OPIOIDS for people with chronic suffering, these powerful pills are a godsend. For others, they're a prescription for abuse and misery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With technology and a global mission, scientists nailed this bug in seven weeks. Curing it will be much harder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As this strange new virus continues its spree, killing hundreds and infecting thousands more, scientists are working overtime, trying to keep people from harm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As they reach for the duct tape, Americans say they're more anxious than ever. Scientific research about how our brains and bodies process fear can teach us how to live with long-term stress [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GOP leaders are putting gay marriage back on the agenda. Will voters respond? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]