Stories by Melinda Burns

In-Depth Study Shows that the Primary Effect of Lobbyists Is to Block Change

Posted on: Jan 3, 2011, Source: Miller-McCune Magazine

Ten years of research shows that lobbyists don't get what their clients want as often as people believe, but they do guard the status quo.

Wind Power Can Change the World -- Why Aren't We Investing In It?

Posted on: Jul 25, 2010, Source: Miller-McCune.com

A lack of continuous federal support cripples emerging clean energy industries in the United States.

Just Give Money to the Poor? A Surprisingly Effective Solution to Poverty

Posted on: Jul 4, 2010, Source: Miller-McCune.com

Half the world's population lives below the poverty line, despite extreme free-trade policies that were supposed to "lift all boats." It's time to try something new.

Worse Than Peak Oil? We're Quickly Running Out of a Chemical Essential to Growing Food

Posted on: Mar 17, 2010, Source: Miller-McCune.com

In the not-too-distant future, demand for phosphorus could outstrip supply, playing out a familiar scenario of scarcity, price shocks, riots, starvation and war.

As the Internet Replaces Print Publishing, Urge to 'Unpublish' Means Censoring History

Posted on: Mar 1, 2010, Source: Miller-McCune.com

The Internet has opened up the past and made it fungible with a few keystrokes. The offended know it's physically easy to change a story online.

Study Claims Even the Most Sophisticated News Readers Can Be Manipulated

Posted on: Nov 9, 2009, Source: Miller-McCune.com

Revelations from a european study effort reveal that biased news can have a "time bomb" effect.

A Victory for the 'Water Underground': California Eases Restrictions on Greywater Use

Posted on: Oct 16, 2009, Source: Miller-McCune.com

Bone-dry California eases restrictions on greywater use, allowing wastewater from washing machines and bathtubs to spill onto the state's lawns and lemon trees.