Science Policy Around the Web – December 16, 2012

photo credit: Walwyn via photopin cc

By: Jennifer Plank

Our weekly linkpost, bringing you interesting and informative links on science policy issues buzzing about the internet.

Tests Say Mislabeled Fish a Widespread Problem – A recent study published by Kimberly Warner and colleagues indicates that approximately 39 percent of fish sold by establishments in New York City were mislabeled. In some cases, the incorrect labels were relatively harmless- some cheaper species of fish were inappropriately labeled as more expensive species of fish. However, in some cases, the inappropriate labels present health concerns. For example, several types of fish that contain high levels of mercury were labeled as red snapper which poses a risk for pregnant consumers. Additionally, in many cases, the fish that was sold as white tuna was actually escolar, a fish that contains a toxin that can cause diarrhea when too much is ingested. Currently, the FDA is working on several programs to eliminate the problem of improperly labeled seafood.  (Elisabeth Rosenthal)

Why the Best Stay on Top in Latest Math and Science Tests – Results released by the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) indicated that fourth and eighth grade students from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea have again received the highest test scores on the TIMSS exam. A total of 63 countries participated in the study. There are several reasons why these 4 nations maintain high test scores. For example, educators from Singapore constantly revisit and modify their math and science curriculum in a timely manner. Based on the 2011 results, the United States ranked 11th in 4th grade math, 7th in 4th grade science, 9th in 8th grade math, and 10th in 8th grade science. (Jeffrey Mervis)

Psychiatry’s New Rules Threaten to Turn Grieving Into a Sickness –  A new change to the official psychiatric guidelines for depression will now result in a clinical depression diagnosis for patients suffering from grief over the death of a loved one. Under the current guidelines, the “bereavement exclusion” exempts patients from a depression diagnosis for 2 months following the death of a loved one unless the symptoms self-destructively extreme. The new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders was published on December 1 and no longer contains the “bereavement exclusion.” Critics argue that the symptoms of depression are identical to the feelings experienced when one loses a loved one. However, American Psychiatric Association claims that grief-related depression is not fundamentally different than clinical depression, and the “bereavement exclusion” made it more difficult for clinicians to effectively do their jobs. (Brandon Keim)

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