Roberta McReynolds writes: There are circumstances when a degree in algebra would certainly be beneficial. Never once did any of my instructors say, "Pay attention young ladies! You’re going to need to know how to calculate your correct bra size someday and it won’t remain the same throughout your life. You don’t want people to look at your chest and realize you flunked algebra, do you?" more »

A California law prohibits mental health providers from engaging in efforts to change the sexual orientation of patients under the age of 18. Illinois law enhances the penalties for manufacturing and selling bath salts. Oregon school districts must adopt a policy on teen dating violence. California law adds breastfeeding as a category of sexual discrimination in housing and employment.Illinois created the Toxin-Free Toddler Act banning manufacturers and wholesalers from selling children's food and beverage containers containing bisphenol A(BPA). more »

Rita’s first big hurdle was persuading her father to let her go to college. Mr. Levi, an electrical engineer and mathematician, believed that a career interferes with the duties of a wife and mother. When the Germans invaded Italy in 1943, she moved to Florence, where she lived under ground with another makeshift lab until the end of the war. more »

Ferida Wolff writes: The Nuthatch is the only bird that regularly starts at the top of the tree (or birdfeeder) and works its way down as it seeks its food. There is an advantage to going downward; the bird is able to see food overlooked by the usual upward direction of other birds. more »