Articles by Katharine Wroth

What happens when the Polish and polar bears meet?

Did you hear the one about the three Polish scientists who almost got eaten by polar bears?

No, seriously. Three researchers were stranded for 15 hours on an island in Norway's Svalbard archipelago (I just really, really wanted to type that pair of words). Hungry polar bears were circling. Yesterday, shortly before Pole met polar, helicopters swooped in and picked them up.

Don't they know it only makes a good movie if you get et?

Gambling site gives odds for oil

As news hits of a historic rise in oil prices (to $66 a barrel), America's "largest online sports betting destination" tells us they've turned the world's fuelish issues into a new category. Yup! Right there on the non sports events page -- tucked between "Who will win Tommy Hilfiger's 'The Cut'?" and "Who will win the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards video of the year?" -- you can bet on whether the price will reach $70 by the end of 2005.

What do you think: lie down and weep, or lay money down and reap?

Forest meets felon in John Vaillant’s The Golden Spruce

The old riddle goes: If a tree falls in a forest and no one’s there to hear it, does it make a sound? The new one might go: If a tree falls in a forest and no one’s there to hear it, is it worth writing a book about? The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant, […]

Frist brings science back into the mix

In potentially good news for science fans everywhere, Sen. Bill Frist has stepped up to support stem-cell research. The money quote on this one: "It's not just a matter of faith, it's a matter of science," (Dr.) Frist said.

All hail the new Age of Reason?