Author Archives
In short, I review clinical research on an almost daily basis. What I post tends to be articles that are relevant to the readers in addition to some curiosities that have intriguing potential.
As a hobby, I truly enjoy the puzzle-solving play that statistics and programming as in the python language bring to the table. I just do not enjoy problem-solving, I love problem-solving and the childlike inspiration and exploration of that innocent exhilaration of discovering something new.
Enjoy ;-)
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Meet the Israeli female super-spies who FLIRT their way into deciphering enemy secrets
By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED:23:12 EST, 14 September 2012| UPDATED:23:12 EST, 14 September 2012 When most people think of international spies, they probably imagine hyper-masculine figures such as James Bond or Jason Bourne. But Israel’s fearsome secret service has developed… Read More ›
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$1m an hour to schmooze sheiks? No wonder Mr Blair’s preening like the new peacocks on his country estate
* Engineering Evil Note: This is also filed under Security. Reason being, this Makes Mr. Blair a security risk. By Paul Scott PUBLISHED:18:34 EST, 14 September 2012| UPDATED:18:34 EST, 14 September 2012 Schmoozing sheiks: Former Prime Minister Tony Blair … Read More ›
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A Merger of German and French Defense Industries for a United Europe?
BAE-EADS merger would advance Europe’s military goals : By Adrian CroftPosted 2012/09/16 at 11:22 am EDT BRUSSELS, Sep. 16, 2012 (Reuters) — Merging Britain’s BAE Systems with EADS to create a global aerospace and defense giant would be a significant… Read More ›
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Predicting If Scientists Will Be Stars: New Formula Reveals If Young Scientists Will Have Brilliant Future
ScienceDaily (Sep. 12, 2012) — A medical school committee is weighing whether to hire a promising young neuroscientist. Will she have a brilliant future as a researcher, publish in top journals and nab abundant research funds? If only there were… Read More ›
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Slices of brain tissue can store patterns of activity for short periods of time: scientists
By Mo Costandi, The Guardian Sunday, September 16, 2012 5:44 EDT Topics: activity patterns ♦ Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland ♦ Ohio It sounds like the plot of a science fiction film, or like something from a transhumanist fantasy:… Read More ›
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DEA shuts down shipments from Walgreen facility : Suspicion that highly addictive painkillers were being diverted to the black market.
Reuters – Fri, Sep 14, 2012 (Reuters) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) said it shut down shipments of controlled substances from Walgreen Co’s Florida distribution facility on the suspicion that highly addictive painkillers were being diverted to the… Read More ›
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‘Poverty barons’ who make a fortune from taxpayer-funded aid budget
Britain’s swelling overseas aid budget has created a new group of “poverty barons” paying themselves up to £2 million a year for their work helping the disadvantaged. By Andrew Gilligan 10:00PM BST 15 Sep 2012 The Department for International Development… Read More ›
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NSA whistleblower: Illegal data collection a ‘violation of everybody’s Constitutional rights’: The Story of “ThinThread”
By Paul Harris, The Guardian Saturday, September 15, 2012 14:53 EDT Former National Security Agency official Bill Binney says US is illegally collecting huge amounts of data on his fellow citizens Bill Binney believes he helped create a monster. Sitting… Read More ›
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Statins have unexpected effect on pool of powerful brain cells : Reduces Glial progenitor cells
Re-post 34th HRR 2008 Contact: Tom Rickey tom_rickey@urmc.rochester.edu 585-275-7954 University of Rochester Medical Center Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have a profound effect on an elite group of cells important to brain health as we age, scientists at the University… Read More ›
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Drug companies do almost no innovation : Innovation comes mainly from NIH-supported research in academic medical centers
Re-Posted for Filing 2008 report New report: The truth about drug innovation New York, NY: A new report co-authored by Manhattan Institute senior fellow Benjamin Zycher, and Joseph DiMasi, and Christopher-Paul Milne, researchers from the Tufts Center for the… Read More ›
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Blue light used to harden tooth fillings stunts tumor growth
Re-Post 2008 Contact: Amy Connell aconnell@mcg.edu 706-721-8605 Georgia Health Sciences University IMAGE:Alpesh Patel, a rising MCG School of Dentistry junior, studies the effects of a blue curing light on tumors. Click here for more information. A blue curing light used… Read More ›
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Newborn vitamin A reduces infant mortality by 15%
Contact: Tim Parsons tmparson@jhsph.edu 410-955-7619 Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health A single, oral dose of vitamin A, given to infants shortly after birth in the developing world can reduce their risk of death by 15 percent, according… Read More ›
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34th Health Research Report 08 JUL 2008 – Reconstruction
Editors Top Five: 1. Statins have unexpected effect on pool of powerful brain cells 2. Cholesterol drugs recommended for some 8-year-olds 3. Newborn vitamin A reduces infant mortality 4. Fish oil and red yeast rice studied for lowering… Read More ›
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JPMorgan faces money laundering probe: source
By Carrick MollenkampPosted 2012/09/15 at 3:24 pm EDT Sep. 15, 2012 (Reuters) — JPMorgan Chase & Co’s compliance with U.S. anti-money laundering laws is being reviewed by a banking regulator, a source said, making the largest U.S. bank the latest… Read More ›
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Basseley Nakoula had worked as a government informant on a Bank Fraud case
Producer Of Anti-Islam Film Was Fed Snitch L.A. man began cooperating with prosecutors after 2009 fraud bust SEPTEMBER 14–In remarks stressing that the U.S. government had “absolutely nothing to do with” the anti-Islam film that has touched off violence in… Read More ›
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Berlin rejects Israeli pressure over submarine sales to Egypt
By Agence France-Presse Saturday, September 15, 2012 9:52 EDT German Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere dismissed Israeli pressure not to sell two submarines to Egypt, while acknowledging the country was “not as stable” as he would like in an interview… Read More ›
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Only 24% of American teens have proficient writing skills – even when allowed spell check and computers
Fewer than one in four American teens has proficient writing skills – even when allowed spell check and computers Only a quarter of eighth and 12th grade students had solid writing abilities, according to National Assessment of Educational Progress writing… Read More ›
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Politician ‘plots to get her state senate rival arrested by telling police she bought cocaine’
By Daily Mail Reporter PUBLISHED:09:54 EST, 14 September 2012| UPDATED:19:49 EST, 14 September 2012 Politics is a dirty game but one Massachusetts Representative appears to have really upped the ante in the run up to elections. Denise Andrews, a Democrat… Read More ›
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Revealed: Harvard cheating scandal which could see over 100 students thrown out of elite college was discovered because of a TYPO
By Hugo Gye PUBLISHED:18:42 EST, 14 September 2012| UPDATED:18:42 EST, 14 September 2012 The Harvard cheating scandal which has rocked the world-famous university and cast doubt on more than 100 students began with a minor typing error, it has been… Read More ›
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Malware being installed on computers in factories, warns Microsoft : ” found forged versions of Windows on all the machines “
Researchers find malware pre-installed on brand new computers bought in China Associated Press guardian.co.uk, Friday 14 September 2012 07.41 EDT Microsoft investigator David Anselmi shows how malware can wind up on consumer computers. Photograph: Elaine Thompson/AP Criminals are installing malware on… Read More ›
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Half of drugs prescribed in France useless or dangerous, say two specialists
The doctors claim that the state wastes money on unnecessary medicine that they blame for up to 20,000 deaths annually Kim Willsher in Paris guardian.co.uk, Friday 14 September 2012 12.18 EDT Half of all prescribed drugs are useless or dangerous, two leading… Read More ›
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Economist Richard Duncan: Civilization May Not Survive ‘Death Spiral’
Money Morning By Terry Weiss, Money Morning Richard Duncan, formerly of the World Bank and chief economist at Blackhorse Asset Mgmt., says America’s $16 trillion federal debt has escalated into a “death spiral, “as he told CNBC. And it could… Read More ›
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China’s nuclear weapons strategy highlights the risk of escalation to nuclear war from a conflict beginning with conventional weapons, due to the unusual structure of the nation’s military
Contact: Katie Baker katie.baker@sagepub.co.uk 020-732-48719 SAGE Publications China’s nuclear dilemma Los Angeles, CA (September 14, 2012) – An expert assessment of China’s nuclear weapons strategy highlights the risk of escalation to nuclear war from a conflict beginning with conventional weapons,… Read More ›
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Having a tonsillectomy can cause Obesity
Contact: David March dmarch1@jhmi.edu 410-955-1534 Johns Hopkins Medicine Age, not underlying diagnosis, key factor in weight gain in children after tonsillectomy Potentially worrisome weight gains following tonsillectomy occur mostly in children under the age of 6, not in older children,… Read More ›
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Short wavelength illumination (primarily LED lighting) can result in various illnesses and adverse symptoms
Lights out? Published by Editor at 1:43 pm under Home Page, Press Releases An international conference at the University of Haifa has called attention to the dangers of exposure to light at night. “The most important thing for us is… Read More ›
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‘Spin’ in media reports of scientific articles: 47% of articles contain ‘Spin”
Contact: Sumrina Yousufzai syousufzai@plos.org 415-568-3164 Public Library of Science Press releases and news stories reporting the results of randomized controlled trials often contain “spin”—specific reporting strategies (intentional or unintentional) emphasizing the beneficial effect of the experimental treatment—but such “spin” frequently… Read More ›
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Pain drug can kill resistant tuberculosis: Researchers claim may never be tested in TB clinical trials.
Public release date: 10-Sep-2012 [Print | E-mail| Share][ Close Window ] Contact: Lauren Woods law2014@med.cornell.edu 212-821-0560 New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College Researchers find low cost drug wipes out drug resistant TB, but worry it may… Read More ›
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Researchers discover mechanism related to negative emotions of cocaine withdrawal
Contact: Eric Sorensen eric.sorensen@wsu.edu 206-799-9186 Washington State University Emotional ‘brakes’ stay on after cocaine wears off PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University researchers have found a cellular mechanism that contributes to the lack of motivation and negative emotions of a cocaine addict… Read More ›
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Taking painkillers increases death risk, second heart attacks in survivors: 59-63% Higher risk of Death
Contact: Maggie Francis maggie.francis@heart.org 214-706-1382 American Heart Association — Heart attack survivors who take common painkillers after a heart attack have a higher long-term risk of dying or having a second heart attack, according to a new study published in… Read More ›
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More pregnant women taking high blood pressure drugs, yet safety unclear
Contact: Karen Astle karen.astle@heart.org 214-706-1392 American Heart Association Nearly 5 percent of pregnant women are prescribed drugs to treat high blood pressure, including some drugs that aren’t considered safe for mothers or their babies, according to new research in the… Read More ›
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Most prescription drugs manufactured overseas — are they safe? ” information about inspections is not public”
Contact: Kim Barnhardt kim.barnhardt@cmaj.ca 613-520-7116 x2224 Canadian Medical Association Journal Most pharmaceutical drugs in Canada are manufactured overseas in countries such as India, China and others, yet how can we be confident the drug supply is safe, writes a drug… Read More ›
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As Violence Spreads in Arab World, Google Blocks Access to Inflammatory Video
By CLAIRE CAIN MILLER Published: September 13, 2012 SAN FRANCISCO — As violence spread in the Arab world over a video on YouTube ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad, Google, the owner of YouTube, blocked access to it in two of… Read More ›
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Twitter surrenders Occupy protester’s tweets
By Joseph Ax NEW YORK | Fri Sep 14, 2012 10:41am EDT NEW YORK (Reuters) – Twitter handed over tweets from an Occupy Wall Street protester to a New York criminal judge on Friday after months of fighting a subpoena… Read More ›
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Learning faster with neurodegenerative disease
Contact: Dr. Christian Beste Christian.Beste@rub.de 49-234-322-4323 Ruhr-University Bochum Huntington’s gene mutation carriers: Severity of the genetic mutation related to learning efficiency People who bear the genetic mutation for Huntington’s disease learn faster than healthy people. The more pronounced the mutation… Read More ›
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False positives: fraud and misconduct are threatening scientific research
High-profile cases and modern technology are putting scientific deceit under the microscope Alok Jha, science correspondent guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 September 2012 13.12 EDT The Dutch psychologist Diederik Stapel was found to have published fabricated data in 30 peer-reviewed papers. Photograph: Boxem/boxem/Hollandse… Read More ›
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Vladimir Putin admits stage managing animal stunts
Vladimir Putin has admitted to staging some of his most famous stunts, including meeting endangered big cats and the “discovery” of ancient Greek amphorae in the Black sea, a Russian journalist has claimed. Vladimir Putin has acknowledged many of his… Read More ›
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White House allocates $376 million in September 2010 for upgrades
White House emerges from $86m two-year makeover… but it doesn’t look like anything has actually changed Four year construction project expected to cost $376 million After two years and $86 million, not much appears to have happened Witnesses say it… Read More ›
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Harvard pediatrics professor arrested after police found ‘up to 100 DVDs and 500 images of child porn at his home’
Dr Richard Keller was medical director at Phillips Academy for 19 years Spent almost $3,000 on child porn over two years Some pornographic content was delivered to his office at the boarding school Faces 20 years in jail By Rachel… Read More ›
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GM corn loses its edge against pests
YOU can’t keep a bad pest down. Corn rootworms in the US may have developed resistance to a protective chemical made by a genetically modified corn. The US Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that it plans to investigate the… Read More ›
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U.S. intelligence agencies didn’t issue high alert about Mideast unrest threat : They had 3 days
By Mark HosenballPosted 2012/09/13 at 9:02 pm EDT WASHINGTON, Sep. 13, 2012 (Reuters) — Although U.S. authorities believe anti-American violence that erupted on Tuesday in Libya and Egypt was triggered by an Arabic talk-show broadcast three days earlier, U.S. officials… Read More ›
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WHO: Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak ‘out of control’
By David Ferguson Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:28 EDT Topics: democratic republic of congo ♦ Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak ♦ Ebola virus The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that an outbreak of the Ebola virus in the… Read More ›
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Walmart supplier NFI’s warehouse workers strike over working conditions
California workers say they’ve filed labour complaints over lack of access to drinking water and alleged bullying by managers Paul Harris in New York guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 September 2012 11.39 EDT NFI Crossdock warehouse in Ontario, California is part of… Read More ›
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Prions are not degraded by conventional sewage treatment processes
Re-Posted for filing 2008 Contact: Michael Woods m_woods@acs.org 202-872-4400 American Chemical Society Persistence of Pathogenic Prion Protein during Simulated Wastewater Treatment Processes IMAGE:Wastewater treatment plants do not reduce harmful proteins called prions that cause incurable brain infections, such as Mad… Read More ›
Engineering Evil 