New York Times: The Glaxo-Gates Malaria Vaccine (editorial)
Researchers have been trying for more than 70 years to develop a vaccine against malaria. Two studies conducted in East Africa suggest that they are finally closing in on their goal. This NY Times editorial praises the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for enabling this research to go forward when the drug manufacturer was unwilling, on its own, to take the financial risk to try to develop a vaccine.

New York Times: Amid a Hopeful Mood, U.N. Talks Set Countries on Path Toward a Global Climate Treaty
The United Nations climate talks concluded in Poland on Saturday. The final documents give nations credit for saving forests and opening up a long-planned fund to help poor countries adapt to climate change. “Perhaps contributing most to the hopeful mood,” the NY Times reports, “were signs from high-level United States officials that the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama would be ready to hit the ground running with a new United States climate policy.”

-Chandler Smith