From ScienceWriters and AAAS meetings
Although humans are the most prominent victims, every vertebrate species is susceptible to lead poisoning. Birds, fish, reptiles, dogs, and cats are all at risk. During a February 16 symposium at the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference in Boston, researchers agreed that lead is pervasive and poses significant threats to living things.
The Minnesota Twins and the Daytona 500 both care about precipitation, and scientists are very happy to use their data.
Ten talented juniors and seniors from across the country gathered in Boston Feb. 14-18 to report on the American Association for the Advancement of Science meeting as NASW's undergraduate travel fellows for 2013. During the next several days, we will be posting their reports here.
From The Open Notebook, an edited transcript and video recording of David Dobbs's interview with David Quammen, author of eight acclaimed nonfiction books, including the iconic The Song of the Dodo, as well as four novels. His newest book is Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic.
The Open Notebook has collected the thoughts of a half-dozen editors who took queries during the popular Pitch Slam at ScienceWriters2012. The six — Laura Helmuth, Amanda Moon, David Corcoran, Beth Quill, Susannah Locke, and Tasha Eichenseher — discuss what they look for (one word: "voice") and whether they prefer short or long queries: "Finally, remember that the best way to figure out what editors are looking for is to read the publication."
NASW fellow Amy West took photographs at ScienceWriters2012 in Research Triangle, N.C., Oct. 26-30, 2012. Use the "read more" button to see them.
Every science writer has probably been experienced the same problem at one point or another: you've stumbled upon a great topic, but it isn't a story. How do you find a good angle and a narrative arc that will help you craft a story that readers won't want to put down?
Moderator Nancy Shute began the “Wikipedia: The best, most hated resource for science communicators" seminar at ScienceWriters2012 by proposing this question to the audience. Dozens of sheepish science writers slowly raised their hands and a nervous giggle filled the room.
Alan Brown, moderator of the panel, “Surviving your mid-career crisis,” faced a scary question as a feature writer when the demand for long-form began to dwindle: how would he make a living?
Going to meetings can be overwhelming and expensive, but if you’re a science reporter or public information officer, you can’t afford to miss them.