As you've probably noticed, I haven't posted here on OS in awhile. I also have not written any articles in 2 months. I have been updating some older ones, but as my 3 month deadline approaches next month (this is the cycle I'm on currently) I will be playing catch up… Read full post »

 

 

The cost of education was high when I started college - $300-500 a semester for books, $2000 per semester tuition, $12000 a year total cost of attendance - and this was a public university. My sister is entering college this week, a state university, and her books alone… Read full post »

I've been attempting to let everything about the healthcare reform debate sink in rather than simply bolting at it with words, postures, or fits of rage. I've been involved in a few discussions on various forums I frequent, been following the cable news channels, been reading a Twitter feed of a… Read full post »

I read a lot throughout the day, both for work and leisure. One thing that seems increasingly clear is that everyone has something about which they would like to enlighten others. The problem, though, is that most of it is steps backwards in thinking.

Many ideas are actually… Read full post »

 

 

The Human Genre Project is attempting to establish the poetryome.

 Yes, you read that right - accumulating submissions from writers, scientists, and genetic entthusiasts the project is attempting to spread the word about the human genome via poetry, short stories, and refl… Read full post »

Having a sick cat has given me a rare opportunity to compare my knowledge of human anatomy and pathology to that of animals, marveling at the similarities and becoming frustrated with the differences. In early March our 15-year old was diagnosed with an enlarged heart following an episode of… Read full post »

I once again saw a commercial last night for Cylapril from the Adrenal Fatigue Institute (AFI) to treat adrenal fatigue. Something about both the terminology and symptoms did not mesh with what I learned in graduate school. My suspicions were well-founded:

1) Adrenal fatigue is NOT a real me… Read full post »

 

 

I ran across this interesting, though intuitive, study in the International Journal of Obesity. It is currently open access, so I wanted to share it while you can still read it.

The researchers looked at twins in Finland to determine the extent physical activity can overcome ob… Read full post »

I missed this news when it came out in May. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a spending program to push research on rare diseases, the ones that affect less than 200,000 Americans. They also want to include research on neglected diseases, those that affect low income or undeveloped r… Read full post »

This is the time of year when people blow off fingers*, burn their hair**, lose their hearing***, and get hurt while escaping from idiots**** - all to celebrate our independence!

Please, if using fireworks, use them safely and minimize the danger to yourself and others. We all love a good… Read full post »

 

 

There's been some hype garnered for a new genetics test seeking licensure in the UK. It would test embryos for genetic abnormalities, alerting parents to disease. The exact effect of the test on the embryo (do they remove a cell?) isn't stated. It uses karyomapping, which is a… Read full post »

 

 

There are many conditions known to be the result of both genetics and environment. Despite extreme environmental variations that can overcome genetics, and genetics that can overcome environment - the majority of individuals who are susceptible lie somewhere in the middle, strad… Read full post »

Although the government (both state and federal) has been one of the constant players in the tobacco sale game, even making money off of it, there's been a slow war waged against smokers. It started with laws banning smoking in certain establishments, slowly in some cities and states. Then there were… Read full post »

In the movie 50 First Dates, a patient at a memory clinic is called 10-second Tom because he can't remember anything that just happened to him. It makes for some funny, yet sad in concept, moments.

 

Amazingly, the concept has been duplicated in mice.

A Japanese Research group… Read full post »

The past few days have been surreal. We've been thrown out of our normal routine due to a litter of baby mice.

My significant other (otherwise known as Courtney) works at a store that had a mouse problem earlier this month.  So they caught the mouse in a trap, cleaned… Read full post »

 

First Elsevier and Merck's propoganda, now Bentham green-lighting a hoax study without editorial review - what is the scientific publishing world coming to?

 

 I'm an advocate for open access, I think the results of studies and scientific endeavors should be out there for publ… Read full post »

I ran across an interesting blog yesterday, via a very interesting blog post - The WHO cocaine report the US didn't want you to see

No, it's not about Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry's unsober years (I don't even think they were into coke) - it's about studies conducted… Read full post »

Could you imagine paying $7000 for a hypoallergenic cat? 400 people have from a company called Allerca. The kicker: they're not hypoallergenic!

The Scientist (registration is free to read the article) has the story of one New York couple who discovered this problem, and 5% of those 400 cats/… Read full post »

In light of the scandal over a journal Merck published in the guise of peer-reviewed research, Elsevier is revisiting its policies regarding publication and disclosure.It has also come to public attention that it was just 1 of 6 journals published betweewn 2000 and 2005 by companies using the integri… Read full post »

Progress is made by building on the advancements and revelations of the past. On occasion, a lack of connection to the previous struggles allows for a few steps to be taken backwards.

We all know what happened in Kansas yesterday, and it's an ironic situation - someone who considers themselves… Read full post »

It's been raining for several days here, and it's been cooler than expected, meaning that I've been stuck inside more than usual. The hummingbirds are still flitting to the window, their loud buzzing and va-rooming audible even with the window closed. My seeds are sprouting for Bachelor's Buttons (ty… Read full post »

There was a large and varied response to my previous post about GM foods.

One point that was being made was that genetic modifications have a benefit, and that problems with the corporate use of the technology should not condemn the technology, or the goals of those pursuing it.

Nature… Read full post »

If you watch TV, then I'm sure you've seen the commercials: someone annoying asking their waiter tons of questions, their mechanic, their grocer, what have you, but they get to the doctor and are quiet. "Any questions?" "nope"

Then it directs you to a website to find the 10 questions you… Read full post »

I was reading this article and thought you may be interested - 'Clean' Energy and Poisoned Water

In short: Drilling for natural gas under the Marcellus Shale may threaten the drinking water of 8 million people living in and around the New York watershed. There have already been smaller such projects… Read full post »

 

 

NewScientist is reporting that research from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has found an alternative vaccine method for preventing HIV infection. Using a virus to produce antibodies in the muscle - bypassing the immune system altogether and avoiding the cells that HIV i… Read full post »