Cattle ranchers are facing some puzzling—and, at times, economically devastating—problems with pregnant cows and calves.At some facilities, high numbers of fetuses are aborting for no apparent reason. Other farmers successfully raise what look to be normal young cattle, only to learn when the animals are butchered that their carcasses appear old and, therefore, less valuable. The bottom line: Farmers pocket only a fraction of the anticipated profit for their livestock.At present, no one knows what’s behind either syndrome, notes Michael J. Fields, an animal scientist at the University of Flori...

It may sound like a barbecue chef’s dream: fish that won’t catch fire and char when their fat spatters onto overly hot charcoal. But the facts are less appealing. Although many U.S. fish contain fire retardants, they won’t protect your grilled fare from burning. In fact, these compounds, which go by the name of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are industrial pollutants. Emerging data suggest that PBDEs are probably hormone-mimicking poisons—a nutritional nightmare instead of a culinary dream.To many environmental scientists, PBDEs represent just the latest addition to a growing alphab...

It may sound like a barbecue chef’s dream: fish that won’t catch fire and char when their fat spatters onto overly hot charcoal. But the facts are less appealing. Although many U.S. fish contain fire retardants, they won’t protect your grilled fare from burning. In fact, these compounds, which go by the name of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are industrial pollutants. Emerging data suggest that PBDEs are probably hormone-mimicking poisons—a nutritional nightmare instead of a culinary dream.To many environmental scientists, PBDEs represent just the latest addition to a growing alphab...

It may sound like a barbecue chef’s dream: fish that won’t catch fire and char when their fat spatters onto overly hot charcoal. But the facts are less appealing. Although many U.S. fish contain fire retardants, they won’t protect your grilled fare from burning. In fact, these compounds, which go by the name of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are industrial pollutants. Emerging data suggest that PBDEs are probably hormone-mimicking poisons—a nutritional nightmare instead of a culinary dream.To many environmental scientists, PBDEs represent just the latest addition to a growing alphab...

A new dust-abatement program is transforming the nation's biggest source of respirable dust into a sea of nonpolluting mud. (p. 342)

Each morning, across America, women rev up their engines by downing a cup of caffeine-rich coffee. A few buck the trend, preparing instead a cup of tea. And some of the more health conscious choose a decaf brew. But for the vast majority, no morning beverage offers the appeal of a strong cup of regular java.Data from a pair of large studies reported in November at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in San Francisco now suggest that a woman’s choice of brew may affect her joints.The good news for coffee lovers: Both new studies find that caffeine poses no problem. Regular consumption ...

Each morning, across America, women rev up their engines by downing a cup of caffeine-rich coffee. A few buck the trend, preparing instead a cup of tea. And some of the more health conscious choose a decaf brew. But for the vast majority, no morning beverage offers the appeal of a strong cup of regular java.Data from a pair of large studies reported in November at the American College of Rheumatology meeting in San Francisco now suggest that a woman’s choice of brew may affect her joints.The good news for coffee lovers: Both new studies find that caffeine poses no problem. Regular consumption ...

U.S. households are water hogs. On average, each man, woman, and child uses an average of 100 gallons of tap water per day.In fact, the United States consumes more water than any other country—even ones that are equally well developed, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.So, where does all of a household’s tap water go? Roughly one-quarter ends up flushed down the toilet. Nearly as much goes for bathing. Clothes washing uses 8 gallons per person daily, and homes with garbage disposals and automatic dishwaters send another 4.1 gallons down the drain. And then there are the out...

U.S. households are water hogs. On average, each man, woman, and child uses an average of 100 gallons of tap water per day.In fact, the United States consumes more water than any other country—even ones that are equally well developed, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.So, where does all of a household’s tap water go? Roughly one-quarter ends up flushed down the toilet. Nearly as much goes for bathing. Clothes washing uses 8 gallons per person daily, and homes with garbage disposals and automatic dishwaters send another 4.1 gallons down the drain. And then there are the out...

U.S. households are water hogs. On average, each man, woman, and child uses an average of 100 gallons of tap water per day.In fact, the United States consumes more water than any other country—even ones that are equally well developed, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.So, where does all of a household’s tap water go? Roughly one-quarter ends up flushed down the toilet. Nearly as much goes for bathing. Clothes washing uses 8 gallons per person daily, and homes with garbage disposals and automatic dishwaters send another 4.1 gallons down the drain. And then there are the out...