Pacific Standard

Ecosystems Secretly Protect Against Lyme Disease

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:10:04 +0000

Lizards, it seems, are good at keeping ticks free of Lyme disease, which suggests that a ecosystem that benefits lizards (and other creatures) ultimately benefits humankind, ecologist Cherie Briggs explains in this podcast.

Ecosystems Secretly Protect Against Lyme Disease On Pacific Standard -

Climate Change Pushing Millions to Edge of Starvation

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:37:15 +0000

Climatologist Chris Funk explains his findings that long-term ocean warming has created a chain reaction that is likely to permanently dry out East Africa.

Climate Change Pushing Millions to Edge of Starvation On Pacific Standard -

Evacuation Lessons From Hurricane Irene

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:57:58 +0000

Safety officials may have overreacted in preparing for Hurricane Irene, but that's the best course of action, says evacuation expert Micah Brachman.

Evacuation Lessons From Hurricane Irene On Pacific Standard -

Law of the Jungle: Powerful Men Have More Children

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:35:32 +0000

Anthropologist Christopher von Rueden's studies of a Bolivian tribe suggest that men's instinctive drive for power is a strategy to seed their descendants thickly.

Law of the Jungle: Powerful Men Have More Children On Pacific Standard -

New Answers to Whale of a Mystery

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:33:32 +0000

Biologist Graham Slater explains that the evolution of whales into behemoths of the sea occurred in evolutionary spurts and not in a slow and steady process.

New Answers to Whale of a Mystery On Pacific Standard -

Law Without (As Many) Lawyers

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:30:09 +0000

In a podcast conversation with law and economics professor Gillian Hadfield, she expounds on ways to bring more legal services to Americans without requiring vast new armies of expensive lawyers.

Law Without (As Many) Lawyers On Pacific Standard -

Could Organic Farming Threaten Our Food Supply?

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:30:51 +0000

Pest ecologist Scott Merrill discusses the bizarre adaptions of insects who feast on our crops, and how some organic farming practices may make life easier for them.

Could Organic Farming Threaten Our Food Supply? On Pacific Standard -

Greek Economic Collapse: Pulling Europe and U.S. Down?

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 23:30:33 +0000

Economist Benjamin J. Cohen discusses the ramifications of the debt crisis in Greece, one of the four PIGS — Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain — whose debt problems threaten economic stability in Europe and the United States.

Greek Economic Collapse: Pulling Europe and U.S. Down? On Pacific Standard -

Six Months after Arab Spring, Uncertainty Rules in Egypt

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 22:48:26 +0000

While the Arab Spring spotlight has marched on to Syria and Libya, pioneering Egypt's first steps have by followed by little-noticed stumbles.

Six Months after Arab Spring, Uncertainty Rules in Egypt On Pacific Standard -

What Causes Conflict?

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:45:27 +0000

By studying pig-tailed macaques, physicist Simon DeDeo untangles the hidden structures underlying conflict in social animals — including humans.

What Causes Conflict? On Pacific Standard -

Hidden Patterns in Presidential Voting

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:48:54 +0000

In predicting presidential voting in the United States, don't sweat the small stuff, political scientist Nathan Collins explains to Curiouser & Curiouser host Jai Ranganathan.

Hidden Patterns in Presidential Voting On Pacific Standard -

The Origin of Monogamy

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:03:51 +0000

Where does the idea of marriage — monogamous marriage specifically — come from? Anthropologist Laura Fortunato has some answers.

The Origin of Monogamy On Pacific Standard -

From Siberia to the Tropics with a Thermometer

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:43:45 +0000

Marine biologist Steve Katz has tapped a Russian family's multigenerational measurements of the temperature of a Siberian lake to explain how climate there is part of climate everywhere.

From Siberia to the Tropics with a Thermometer On Pacific Standard -

The Next Epidemic — How Society Aids Disease

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 18:27:02 +0000

Are we at greater risk now from massive disease outbreaks? It's a vital question after a wave of deadly E. coli infections in Germany has put hundreds in the hospital and killed more than 20. Disease ecologist Sadie Ryan explains how societal changes are aiding the bugs.

The Next Epidemic — How Society Aids Disease On Pacific Standard -

Wonking Week: Dirty Laundry

michael.todd@miller-mccune.com — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:47:36 +0000

In this week’s audio newsletter, we discuss political missteps and the norms of masculinity. In addition, Emily Badger looks into Meredith Attwell Baker and reforming the FCC.

Wonking Week: Dirty Laundry On Pacific Standard -