LA Times Science Files for 2007/06/12

These are items compiled by staff of the LA Times.

• ENERGY CONSERVATION
  Climate looks ripe for fuel-economy bills
  

  WASHINGTON – Tougher fuel-economy rules, blocked for years by Detroit automakers, now stand their best chance of clearing Congress amid heightened concern about gas prices and global warming. By Richard Simon, Times Staff Writer.

• SPACE
  After delay, first spacewalk task a success
  

  The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis successfully attached a 35,000-pound truss to the International Space Station on Monday, preparing the way for Japanese and European science labs that will be added next year. . By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff Writer.

• PUBLIC HEALTH
  How King-Harbor has stayed alive
  

  Defended by its community, the hospital hangs on to certification despite repeated lapses. By Charles Ornstein, Times Staff Writer.

• OBITUARIES
  Homer J. Stewart, 91
  

  Caltech engineer helped in early development of satellites. By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff Writer.