Dan Vergano
Contact this reporter at dan.vergano@buzzfeed.com
Scientists Showed How More Guns Led To More Violent Crime
A Supreme Court case may soon create a constitutional right to freely carry a gun everywhere, but that would be a dangerous mistake to make, suggests a new study of violent crimes.
President Trump Wants $1.6 Billion For A NASA Moon Landing By 2024
"That is a very small down payment for what they are proposing to do," one space expert said.
Elon Musk Made Fun Of Jeff Bezos's Moon Plans. He Wasn't The Only One.
The two space billionaires have previously jousted over whose rocket is bigger.
It’s Starting To Look Like God Won’t Save Us From Global Warming
“There is no sign of religious people saving us from climate change.”
US Measles Outbreaks Are The “New Normal” Thanks To Europe’s Epidemic And Anti-Vaccine Campaigns, Experts Say
“Under-vaccinated areas in the US are the kindling and the huge numbers of infections overseas are the spark that ignites outbreaks here.”
People Are Getting Sick From A US Steel Factory That Is “Grossly Violating” Health Standards, Experts Say
Air pollution has triggered sky-high asthma rates near Pittsburgh. With politicians unwilling to confront US Steel after a factory fire, a county health agency is pushing unprecedented penalties against the $14 billion company.
Trump Keeps Saying Wind Turbines Cause Cancer (They Don’t) And Can Stop You From Watching TV (They Won’t)
The fake “wind turbine syndrome” has long been pushed by online conspiracy theorists who blame the technology for all kinds of illnesses. In at least one case, the spread of the myth was connected to an oil company in Australia.
The White House And Federal Scientists Are Pushing The Myth That Marijuana Is Laced With Fentanyl
“It's crazy that this story is coming out from our leaders,” one expert said. “There is scant evidence for cannabis laced with fentanyl.”
The Vice President's Plans To Land Astronauts On The Moon By 2024 Will Cost Billions
The Trump administration wants a new moonshot.
Genetically Engineered Babies Should Be Off-Limits For 5 Years, The NIH Chief Said
“An international moratorium should be put into effect immediately,” NIH chief Francis Collins said.
FDA Chief Scott Gottlieb Has Resigned
The FDA commissioner, who took stands against teen vaping and online opioid sales, said he wants to spend more time with his family.
The National Enquirer’s Publisher Says The White House Had No Influence On Its “Space Force” Magazine
The magazine promises the USA will militarize the “dark side” of the moon. (There is no dark side of the moon.)
Here’s How One Small Town Beat The Opioid Epidemic
Little Falls, Minnesota, didn’t do anything revolutionary. They just made a real effort — and spent real money — treating addiction as a disease, not a crime.
Trump’s Emergency Declaration Won’t Help The Overdose Crisis, Say Narcotics Experts
“It's terrible policy,” said one expert. “It guts a vital coordinating function we rely on to interdict drugs domestically and internationally.”
A Dust Storm Has Killed NASA’s Longest-Lived Mars Rover
The Opportunity rover landed on the red planet with its twin, Spirit, in 2004.
Another Looming Climate Disaster: Dam Collapses
“The Oroville Dam shows what the chances of these failures look like, and might become the new normal.”
Trump Says He Wants To Wipe Out HIV. Experts Say That Would Require Treating Trans People And Immigrants A Lot Better.
“Many recent immigrants are afraid to access HIV prevention and medical care, out of fear of deportation,” according to a recent HIV prevention report.
John Christy Was Just Named An EPA Science Adviser. His Climate Studies Have Been Repeatedly Corrected.
“I’m skeptical of the conclusions that can be drawn from climate models,” he told BuzzFeed News. “I think there is a rush to judgment that every time something happens it’s because of global warming.”
A French Soldier Died After A Saber Wound In 1812. Scientists Have Now Rebuilt His Face.
“It is a sad story, but unfortunately it is also the story of hundreds of thousands of young soldiers,” said one archaeologist.
The NFL Is Trying To Push Tackle Football Through A Controversial School “Health Program,” Critics Say
The program has touted the NFL to 4.5 million kids in 73,000 schools — more than half of the public and private schools nationwide — with little scrutiny.