Paths of Pollution: PCBs and the Great Lakes
As industries began to proliferate around the Great Lakes and its tributaries, contamination also began to accumulate in its waters. PCBs, which do not biodegrade, were routinely discharged into the environment before scientific evidence revealed th...
HIV/AIDS: Blood Supply Safety
Dr. Alexandra Levine, Chief of the Division of Hematology at the USC School of Medicine, talks about the strides that have been made in making sure the blood supply in the United States is safe in the wake of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although there is...
Biological Treatment Technologies: Bioremediation
While the term 'biological treatment' traditionally refers to sewage and wastewater facilities, a newer science known as bioremediation broadens the use of living organisms to concentrate or decompose contaminants. The goal of bioremediation is to ...
Biological Treatment Technologies: Co-Metabolism
While traditional bioremediation can degrade most organic elements, a newer process called co-metabolism is required for certain chemical contaminants, such as synthetic organics, pesticides and detergents. The key to successful co-metabolism is ch...
Memory and Videotape Recorders
Experimental psychologist and author Elizabeth Loftus explains that, "...memory does not work like a tape recorder. We don't just record the event and play it back later the way a videotape might work." Instead, Dr. Loftus says, when we are exposed ...
Memory Distortion
Experimental psychologist and author Elizabeth Loftus talks about experiments in which subjects are asked to recall details of a simulated accident they've witnessed. Dr. Loftus explains that, as part of the experiment, a suggestion about what might...
Memory Contamination (Part Two)
Experimental psychologist and author Elizabeth Loftus explains that, while all people are susceptible to memory contamination, children between the ages of three and six appear to be more susceptible than older children and adults.
Remembering Significant Events
Experimental psychologist and author Elizabeth Loftus talks about our ability to remember significant events, even if they took place years earlier. But like any memories, these are subject to change, distortion and contamination.
Memory Contamination (Part One)
Experimental psychologist and author Elizabeth Loftus explains that, "...if you let the memory fade a little bit so it weakens, it then becomes more and more vulnerable to suggestion, to post-event contamination."
The Semiconductor and Electronics Industry: Obsolete Computers and the Environment
Throughout the 1960's and 70's, mainframe computers were expected to have long, useful lives. But with rapid advances in technology, and the phenomenal growth of the personal computer, yesterday's million-dollar computers are now only valuable as s...