Federal officials issue strong new warning about anti-malaria drug

Mefloquine hydrochloride was once routinely given to U.S. troops, some of whom say it damaged them permanently.



Federal drug officials have issued a strong new warning about a controversial anti-malaria medication once routinely given to U.S. troops, some of whom say it damaged them permanently.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/sT1rvfx7LyU/la-me-malaria-20130802,0,297657.story

California fishermen file suit in effort to keep 'otter-free zone'

Suit filed on behalf of harvesters of sea urchin, abalone and lobster accuses federal agency of illegally terminating program designed to protect fisheries.



Commercial fishermen have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for abandoning a program to create an "otter-free zone" in Southern California coastal waters that sustain shellfish industries.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/BU9UVA8f08o/la-me-otters-20130802,0,1283000.story

Artist envisions water wheel transforming a stretch of L.A. River

Lauren Bon of the Annenberg Foundation seeks permission for a water wheel to draw from the L.A. River and create a shady public retreat near Chinatown.



An artist and a director of the Annenberg Foundation is seeking permission to build a 70-foot water wheel to draw water from the Los Angeles River north of Chinatown to create a stream and shady retreat for the public.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/l_8_mbwdgjo/la-me-water-wheel-20130802,0,2987049.story

Skyscraper site in Hollywood may sit on active fault, state says

Because fault is so close to planned project, more seismic testing is urged for Millennium Hollywood project, which would create two of Hollywood's tallest towers.



California's state geologist has declared that the Hollywood earthquake fault is active and may run directly underneath a skyscraper project approved by the Los Angeles City Council last week.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/PLwfECnqRuY/la-me-hollywood-fault-millennium-20130802,0,3190734.story

Violence will rise as climate changes, scientists predict

Berkeley researchers pull together data on ancient wars, road rage and more, and conclude that violence may increase between now and 2050 due to warmer temperatures and extreme rainfall patterns.



Long before scientists began to study global warming, author Raymond Chandler described the violent effects of dry, "oven-hot" Santa Ana winds gusting through the city of Los Angeles.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/JDHvkE7vwQw/la-sci-climate-change-conflict-20130802,0,3466600.story

Pituitary damage an unexpected war wound

Evidence points to pituitary problems in victims of blast-related brain injuries — the defining wounds of the U.S.' recent wars.



Months after Chuck Spires came home from Iraq, he began having dizzy spells and radical mood swings and had lost all interest in sex.



via L.A. Times - Health http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/features/health/~3/qs1n8CptITs/la-me-pituitary-damage-20130801,0,4510474.story

Magma can take 'highway from hell' to fuel volcanic eruptions

Magma from deep within the Earth's mantle can surge through a volcano in a matter of months rather than thousands of years or more, as previously thought, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal Nature.



via L.A. Times - Science http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/latimes/news/science/~3/pQ7EYv2dfqQ/la-sci-sn-volcano-mantle-magma-highway-to-hell-20130801,0,3235152.story