Earth Talk: Traffic pollution and asthma

Roddy Scheer

Living near a roadway certainly does exacerbate asthma, especially for kids. To wit, a recent study by the University of Southern California (USC)—the most comprehensive by far to date on this topic—found that at least eight percent of the more than 300,000 cases of childhood asthma in Los Angeles County can be attributed to traffic-related pollution at homes within 250 feet of a busy roadway. The findings, released in the September 2012 online edition of the peer-reviewed journal, Environmental Health Perspectives, indicate that previous research underestimated the effects of roadway traffic on asthma.

Frank Knapp Jr.: Surprisingly, small-business owners agree with voters on toxic chemicals threat

Contributors

We have heard an ongoing cry from organizations claiming to represent all businesses that they oppose any government action on toxic chemicals in our products, warning of increased costs and job losses. Now, a new independent poll shows that when it comes to protecting workers and consumers from negative effects of toxic chemicals, small-business owners agree with voters in that both want to be protected by stricter regulations.

Rev. Jennifer Butler and Gordon Whitman: The moral case for preserving the safety net

Contributors

As cracks form among CEOs and Republican Members of Congress over their hardline anti-tax position in the fiscal showdown, religious leaders from across the ideological spectrum have been united in supporting new revenue over additional spending cuts. And they’re speaking for their people. A strong majority of religious Americans favor letting the Bush tax cuts for the richest two percent of Americans expire. Even reliably conservative groups, such as white evangelical Protestants, are evenly divided on the issue.

university of virginia uva

New technique can identify role of proteins with unknown function

Contributors

An ingenious new technique is making it quicker and easier for scientists to identify the function of uncharacterized proteins in cells. The method, developed by researchers primarily from the Wladek Minor laboratory at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, already is being used to solve some of the most stubborn mysteries of cellular function.

Chris Graham: Weak spots for McAuliffe, Cuccinelli

Contributors

Both Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli have what they want … sorta, kinda. McAuliffe, the presumptive Democratic Party gubernatorial nominee, and Cuccinelli, the presumptive Republican nominee, have clear paths at the 2013 general election. The possibility that Bill Bolling, the sitting Republican lieutenant governor, will enter the race as an independent is still out there, but not likely.

Report: Coal industry costs Virginians millions

Contributors

The coal industry and coal-related activities cost Virginia $22 million more than was paid by these businesses in taxes, fees and other revenue to state coffers in fiscal year 2009, according to a report released Wednesday that is the first analysis of the full financial impact of the coal industry on the Commonwealth. Given the nature and extent of the costs associated with coal, and the relatively small amount of taxes collected from coal companies, it can be expected that the industry imposes a net cost on Virginia taxpayers in most years.