Science Friday > Archives > 2004 > April
> April 23,
2004:
Hour One: Peer Review
Policy / Tree Height
New guidelines could change the way the government informs the public about science. Some worry the new rules for peer review may bias what should be unbiased scientific information. Others see them as a tool in a fight against 'junk science,' and a way to make sure that government policies are rooted in sound research. In this hour, Joe Palca and guests look at how the government decides what's good science.
Plus, why aren't the tallest trees.... taller? Researchers may have confirmed theories that say that it's just too hard to get water to the top of trees, saying that the tops of the world's tallest trees exist in near desert-like conditions. We'll find out more. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern), and share your opinions online in our Listeners' Lounge (registration required).
Guests:
John Graham
Administrator, Office
of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management
and Budget
Washington, DC
Granger Morgan
Lord Chair Professor in Engineering
Professor and Department Head, Department
of Engineering and Public Policy
Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
and the H. John Heinz III School of
Public Policy and Management
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
David Guston
Associate Professor, Department of Public
Policy
Bloustein School of Planning and
Public Policy
Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey
--------------
George Koch
Assistant Professor
Department of Biology
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
Steve Sillett
Associate Professor, Department of Biological
Sciences
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California
This segment produced by Charles Bergquist and Erica Altman
Archived Audio:
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trees
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streaming audio help
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Related Links:
Office
of Management and Budget
Office
of Information and Regulatory Policy ( OIRA )
OMB
Modifies Peer - Review Proposal (washingtonpost.com)
OMB
Watch - Home -
OMB
Peer Review Issue
Office
of Management and Budget ( OMB ) Peer Review
OMB
Releases Revised Bulletin on Peer Review; Seeks Additional Public Comment
Scipolicy
- Science and Health Policy Publications
Study:
Trees have a height limit
Study:
Even tallest trees have growth limits
Height
limit predicted for tallest trees: Climbing biologists get to the bottom
of redwood growth.
Trees: Magnificent Structures of the Natural World
CarlZimmer.com
Re:
Is there any absolute limit to how high a tree can transport water.
Books/Articles Discussed:
Revised Information Quality Bulletin on Peer Review (April 15, 2004)
Koch, G. W., Sillett, S. C., Jennings, G. M. & Davis, S. D. Nature, 428, 851 - 854, doi:10.1038/nature02417 (2004).
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