Famous Astronomer Has Resigned After Sexual Harassment Investigation
Geoff Marcy has resigned from his tenured position at the University of California, Berkeley, the school confirms. Facing criticism, the university defended its decision not to fire him.
Berkeley Astronomers Call For Professor To Leave In Wake Of Sexual Harassment Investigation
Astronomy professors issued a statement late on Monday calling for Geoff Marcy to leave the Berkeley faculty in the wake of sexual harassment allegations revealed by BuzzFeed News. Berkeley postdocs and graduate students issued similar statements.
Famous Berkeley Astronomer Violated Sexual Harassment Policies Over Many Years
A university investigation into astronomer Geoff Marcy, exclusively obtained by BuzzFeed News, has determined that he violated sexual harassment policies at UC Berkeley. Marcy has written a public apology, though he denies some of the investigation’s findings.
Catholic Hospitals Sued For Refusing Emergency Care To Pregnant Women
The ACLU filed a lawsuit Thursday against Trinity Health Corporation, which operates nearly 80 hospitals nationwide. The case is only the most recent of many controversies involving Catholic hospitals, which refuse abortions under all circumstances.
9 Science Stories You Can't Miss: The Bad Pharma Edition
The pope told Congress they have a moral duty to fix climate change, and a former hedge funder's shocking price hike put Big Pharma back in the headlines. Those and other great science stories from BuzzFeed and around the web.
Bill Gates Just Gave $6 Million To Genetically Engineer An HIV Vaccine
The new approach proposes injecting genes to fight HIV, bypassing our immune systems entirely. But scientists warn that when it comes to an HIV vaccine, we’re still years away.
Intersex Surgeries Are A Human Rights Violation, Says U.N. Group
But some doctors and bioethicists argue that calling intersex surgeries "torture" could end up doing more harm than good for kids born with ambiguous genitalia.
These States Ban Abortion For Women Who Want It For The Wrong Reason
Later this month, Ohio lawmakers will debate a bill that would ban women from terminating a pregnancy based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. It’s the latest in a slew of state laws focused on women's motivations for abortions.
HIV Testing Is Down And STDs Are Up As New York City Closes Free Clinics
New York City has quietly shuttered its busiest STD clinic, and the city has cut hundreds of thousands of free HIV tests since 2010. City officials blame a shrinking budget, but AIDS activists say it's putting many people at risk.
How Big Pharma Used Feminism To Get The “Female Viagra” Approved
The first drug to treat low libido in women was just approved by the FDA. It might never have happened, experts say, if not for a media-savvy, pharma-funded advocacy group called Even the Score.
Vaccines Didn't Work For Thousands Of Teens Born With HIV
A new study found that the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella wasn't effective for nearly half of young adults born with HIV. The same is probably true for other vaccines, researchers say.
Born In Between: When A Newborn’s Sex Is In Question, Why Do Doctors Get To Decide?
M.C. was born with ambiguous genitalia, a rare condition that doctors addressed with surgery. Now, in a landmark lawsuit, M.C.'s parents are challenging the medical mainstream: Why does a surgeon decide what sex a child should be?
Here’s What We Actually Know About The Pill That Prevents HIV
Rumors are swirling about Truvada, the first drug approved to prevent HIV. Here’s what the research actually says about the safety and effectiveness of that famous blue pill.
Champion Sprinter Wins Landmark Case To Let Her Compete As A Woman
Last year, 19-year-old Indian sprinter Dutee Chand challenged the international rules banning her from competing in women's races because of her naturally high testosterone. Monday's landmark ruling in her favor is dividing the scientific and athletic communities.
This French Teen's HIV Has Been In Remission For 12 Years With No Meds
The 18-year-old has been in remission longer than any other person born infected with HIV. But some scientists warn against hyping this incredibly rare case.
Read This Letter From Scientists Accusing Top Publisher Of Sexism
The letter was signed by 600 people and sent Tuesday to the publisher of Science and to BuzzFeed News. It denounces the elite publisher for sexist columns, an offensive cover photo about trans people, and a snarky tweet from an editor who has since resigned.
The Real Story Behind That Video Of An Abortion Doctor Discussing Harvesting Organs
On Tuesday a video went viral showing a Planned Parenthood doctor discussing the harvesting of cells from aborted fetuses. Scientists are appalled at the seemingly callous tone of the doctor, but say that fetal cells have played important roles in medical research since the 1960s.
This Company Is Trying To Make More Perfect Babies
The genetics startup GenePeeks has just partnered with a fertility clinic to screen egg donors for their likelihood of passing on nearly 450 genetic changes linked to disease. As this technology advances, some critics worry about an emerging market for designer babies.
Science Frauds Who Steal Tons Of Federal Money Almost Never Go To Jail
A scientist was just sentenced to 57 months in jail for using $11.6 million in federal dollars to fake data on AIDS vaccines. That’s super rare — Han is one of the only scientists to go to prison for fraud, out of nearly 300 researchers found guilty of misconduct.
Same-Sex Marriage Isn't Bad For Kids — And The Supreme Court Said So
A long and trying debate over whether marriage equality is bad for children was dealt a lethal blow on Friday, when the Supreme Court ruled that states can no longer ban same-sex marriage. The 2012 study that suggested same-sex marriage harms children was shoddy on many levels, experts say.