Articles

A 9-year-old girl, misdiagnosed with the stomach flu, died after a doctor failed to communicate to her Vietnamese-speaking parents that the drug he prescribed for her could have dangerous side effects. New federal rules requiring thousands of hospitals, doctors and dentists to provide free interpretation and translation services for people who don't speak English aim to prevent tragedies. more »

A paper peepshow resembles a pocket-sized stage set, complete with backdrop and paper cut-out scenes, which expand to create an illusion of depth. The world's largest collection, which includes over 360 paper peepshows along with other optical wonders, has been gifted to the Victoria & Albert Museum. more »

Julia Sneden wrote: Beyond the life-giving oxygen that they produce, beyond the cooling shade they offer on a hot summer's day, beyond the protection they offer to birds and squirrels and other creatures, trees are just good for the soul. When I was a child, I was best friends with a California live oak tree. There was a tip-top seat formed by small branches where I could look out over the whole of the Santa Clara Valley. If I could go back there today, I would press myself against the roughly-lichened bark and stand in silent communion with my oak, to salute it as a still-living part of my childhood. more »

As the demand for high-skilled workers continues to grow, American voters express relatively little confidence in either major party presidential candidate when it comes to their ability to help American workers prepare to compete in today’s economy. Among the six economic issues tested, 43% of voters say that jobs will be either the most important or the second most important issue to their vote for president more »