A (Literal) Flood of Refugees

There is an article up at Salon about "climate refugees"”. It discusses the idea that people who currently live in low-lying areas, such as islands or coastal areas, will be displaced by rising ocean levels caused by global warming.

We already have a potential global overpopulation problem that will inevitably result in a correction someday (that's a nice way of saying lots of people will die from disease, hunger, resource wars, etc). The flooding of low-lying areas will reduce the amount of habitable land while increasing the per capita population of the rest of the world.

If the UN is successful in classifying "climate refugees"” as legitimately recognized refugees, then countries who are required to give shelter to a certain number of refugees each year (like the US) will face increased costs associated with harboring refugees. This is another unintended consequence and unaccounted for cost of continuing to ignore climate change. As stated in the article, some have suggested that countries be required to take "“climate refugees"” in the same proportion as their carbon emissions. Imagine millions of Bangladeshis flooding into the US.

This is a single example of many that illustrate why people need to stop ignoring this issue and realize that there are socioeconomic consequences to climate change that may well end up costing this country more than we are supposedly saving by not signing the Kyoto treaty or mandating more eco-friendly energy generation policies.

Categories: Global Warming, Climate Change

Today in Science

Climate Change

Unexpectedly rapid temperature increase in Antarctica is not accounted for by current warming models. BBC, CNN, LiveScience.com

People rush to cash in on effects of global warming in the Arctic. Der Spiegel


Environment

Over 80% of Sub-Saharan African farmland is becoming unusable. BBC, NYT

Fault lines in Louisiana may be causing New Orleans to sink. CSM

California condors seen in Northern California for the first time in over 100 years. CNN


Science

NASA scientists to be free to speak their minds again. NYT, Reuters

Physicists confirm that neutrinos have mass. BBC, LiveScience.com

Gene involved in long term memory identified. USAT


Health

Major step forward for developing new antibiotics seen. BBC

Study says prayer doesn’t help heart bypass patients. WP, CNN, CBC, LiveScience.com, NYT, LAT

Direct electronic stimulation of the brain may be used to treat depression. Guardian

Outbreak of Mumps in Iowa moves to Nebraska. WP


Technology

Apple v. Apple continues. WP, NYT, LAT, BBC

Better superconductors may be in the near future. Nature

Congress may reform visa program for skilled technical workers. WP

Today is the last day of Microsoft’s EU hearing. WP

First High-definition DVD player goes on sale in Japan. WP, Reuters, FT


Education

House renews ‘Higher Education Act’. WP, NYT


Weather

This year’s hurricane season to be bad – but not as bad as last year. LiveScience.com


Cloning

Horse clone army coming to a track near you? Reuters, WP


Categories: Science news, Science, news

Today in Science

Space

Solar eclipse was neat. Pictures: BBC, Reuters

First Brazilian astronaut to launch today. Al Jazeera, Reuters, BBC, CNN

Scientists believe there may be ‘moonlets’ concealed in Saturn’s rings. CBC

NASA releases new maps of Jupiter. BBC


Science

The brains of intelligent children develop in very specific ways. WP, CBC, LiveScience.com, ScienceNOW, Nature, NYT, LAT

President Bush wants to hold schools accountable for science education in ‘No Child Left Behind’. WP


HIV/AIDS

HIV infection has fallen by a third in parts of India. BBC


Health

Protein identified that may be involved in cancer metastasis. WP, Reuters

C-sections may be safer for certain women. WP


Climate Change

The World Bank says climate change severely threatens East Asia’s economy. Reuters


Technology

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (US may legalize cell phone use on flights…and civilization ends.) CSM

Apple releases software update that lets parents set maximum volume on kids’ iPods. Reuters, WP, LAT, BBC, Al Jazeera

EU: Microsoft’s Vista may violate anti-trust laws. Seattle Times

Microsoft’s trouble with the EU is Apple’s gain. Reuters

Google keeps beating everyone else’s brains in. SF Chronicle

Intel releases PC designed for use in rural India. FT


Bird Flu

Bird flu vaccine only protects about half of those who receive it and it requires a high dose. NYT , LAT, CBC, Reuters


Categories: science news, Science, news

East African Drought

This is slightly off topic for me but I just watched a report on 'The Newshour' about the crisis in East Africa. There is an awful drought going on in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. and the relief organizations need donations.

They weren't asking for too much (they said the amount in Pounds not dollars and I don't want to get my graphing calculator out to figure out what it is). But, give what you can.

UN World Food Programme

Save the Children

Monkeys and RNAi (mostly RNAi)

RNAi (short for ribonucleic acid interference) is a technique that is used to silence gene expression in a variety of animals. Researchers recently reported in Nature that they had successfully used RNAi to drastically reduce LDL (i.e. bad) cholesterol in monkeys.

Simply put, RNAi works by introducing a small piece of RNA (siRNA - small interfering RNA) that is similar to a specific messenger RNA (mRNA - RNAs that are used to generate proteins) into a cell. Specific cellular machinery then uses this small piece of RNA to destroy all similar mRNAs. This has the effect of keeping any new proteins of the type targeted by the siRNA from being made. As such, with this technology, you can disrupt any functions that require the protein that you target with RNAi.

The researchers were able to target liver cells with siRNAs designed to silence apolipoprotein B (a protein component of LDL cholesterol). This had the effect of reducing LDL cholesterol by 80%. Not bad.

The next step is to test RNAi in humans to determine if it is a viable treatment. If it is, the potential applications could be staggering - just reducing LDL by 80% would eliminate countless cases of cardiovascular disease. In addition, there are many diseases that could be effectively treated by shutting off one or two proteins.

As far as safety goes, RNAi was well tolerated in the test monkeys. However, if an siRNA shuts down the function of the wrong protein(s) there could be serious problems. Another source of side effects could come from the method of siRNA administration or cell targeting.

All in all, this could be a huge step forward in treating genetic and other diseases.

Category: Science

Today in Science

Climate Change

US to slightly raise fuel efficiency standards on trucks, SUVs. Reuters

‘Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative’ in northeast US states looks to reduce CO2 emissions from power plants. Reuters

British Prime Minister calls for work on post-Kyoto agreement. Reuters

UK to fall short of goals on CO2 reduction. Guardian


HIV/ AIDS

World Health Organization has fallen well short of goal on AIDS treatment. LAT


Health

Nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections account for increased medical costs. WP

Diabetes amputations are unnecessarily common. BBC


Space

Solar eclipse to be seen today in Brazil, parts of Africa, Asia. CNN, Reuters, BBC, Reuters


Technology

Microsoft cuts price of dial-up service to compete with AOL. WP

The Beatles are suing Apple Computers over copyright infringement. WP, BBC

Security firms patch Internet Explorer bugs before Microsoft. BBC

Number of people who want to be buried with their cell phone is increasing. BBC

Scientists recreate San Francisco quake of 1906. SF Chronicle


Education

27% of schools are not living up to ‘No Child Left Behind’ Standards. WP

Bible to be used as textbook in Georgia. NYT


Politics

Iran increases censorship of blogs. LAT

Internet companies concerned about legislation that would allow phone and cable companies to block certain websites. WP


Stem Cells

Paralyzed rats partially cured by mouse brain stem cells. CBC, Reuters


Categories: science news, Science, news

Bush May Believe The World is Flat (In the Smart Way, Not the Dumb Way).

I was listening to the Seed Magazine podcast for 3.16.2006 concerning an article that describes how, along with a National Institutes of Health report (PDF), The World is Flat (see right) actually influenced the Bush administration's position on funding science.

It is a stunning thing to read members of the administration quoting or paraphrasing from Tom Friedman's book. I imagine Friedman himself would be stunned.

The fact that Washington insiders are listening to The World is Flat to inform policy decisions bolsters my belief that, not only will this book be one of the most successful (top ten on Amazon since its release last year), but also one of the most influential of the decade. In fact, considering the Bush policy shift toward Friedman's positions on funding science and education/training, it may end up having a great amount of influence on the coming decades.

Read it. If you don't buy it from Amazon, buy it somewhere. Or go to the library. Or borrow it from someone. (Actually, according to Amazon, an update is coming out on April 18. So, you may want to wait for that.)

Categories: Bush, Science, books

Today in Science

HIV/AIDS

Drug combination to be tested as HIV preventative. NYT, LAT

Most pregnant women with AIDS do not get the proper drugs to prevent transmission of HIV to their children. BBC, Reuters

Technology

eBay Supreme Court patent case may have larger implications for software, pharmaceutical industries. WP, Reuters, SF Chronicle, Seattle Times

US returns to top of international IT rankings. FT

Video games seen as a way to maintain mental acuity past middle age. WP

Science

Researchers combine brain cells, computer chip. LiveScience.com

Yum! Scientists want to grow meat in the kitchen in a bread maker-like machine. CBC

Health

People who drink and smoke need to be tested for colon cancer earlier than those who do not. Reuters, CBC

China to ban sale of transplant organs. BBC, Reuters

Space

Funding restored for NASA asteroid mission. Reuters, CNN, LAT, BBC

Climate Change

US power company wants national plan to avoid global warming. Reuters

Environment

Wal-Mart to support organic foods. Seattle Times

President of Brazil says rich countries need to do more to preserve the Earth'’s biodiversity. BBC

Education

Nobody wants to pay for education. NYT, not even Democrats. NYT

Bird Flu

The New York Times is running several articles on bird flu today. NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT

Politics

Microsoft running out of time to avoid massive fines from the EU. Reuters

Federal election committee votes to keep virtually all internet political activity unregulated. WP, NYT

More proof that cable companies do not like competition: they are refusing to broadcast ads that support legislation making it easier for phone companies to get into TV. WP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

New Embryonic Stem Cell Technology May Redefine Science Debate

This report from researchers in Nature is something I have been waiting and hoping to see for several years. (See Washington Post coverage here).

Back when I was in graduate school, I went to a symposium on stem cells (circa 2001 or 2002). There were some very interesting talks, some very speculative, and one about cloning cattle at UGA, I believe.

Anyway, the important point is that one of the talks was by a researcher (I think unrelated to this current paper) who discussed the concept of taking adult stem cells and, by growing them in media containing certain nutrients, chemicals, etc., inducing them to revert to an earlier state of differentiation -– with the goal of turning the cells BACK into embryonic stem cells. He called this process de-differentiation and now it seems some German researchers have managed to (accidentally?) do just that with adult stem cells from mice testes. (This is of particular interest to me as I worked with mice - and their testes. The glamorous life of a research scientist.)

However, if this discovery is legitimate and, more importantly, can be recapitulated with human adult stem cells (although, I don'’t know who will volunteer to give those cells - ouch) then this new technique has the potential to completely redefine the embryonic stem (ES) cell debate. I say redefine because I don't want to say that this will end the debate. For example, this technique eliminates the need for harvesting stem cells from an embryo -– a process that effectively destroys it (which is the main objection from religious conservatives). So, at first glance, this new discovery would seem to silence that issue. However, I could see religious conservatives take up a new position if it is possible for these de-differentiated ES cells to become embryos (I would doubt that this is possible but you never know). That is why I say this work could redefine the debate.

Another bonus is that these de-differentiated ES cells would be tailor made for a man to receive because they could come from his own tissue - thus eliminating the need for nuclear cloning (a.k.a. therapeutic cloning, in which the nucleus from a fully-differentiated adult cell replaces the nucleus of an ES cell). This avoids another boogeyman.

There is one significant downside right now. Unfortunately, since de-differentiatable stem cells have only been found in the testis, only men can benefit from any therapies that arise from this technology. However, therapeutic cloning could solve this problem -– but then we have to contend with this issue again. That may result in an interesting dilemma: in which men are free to benefit from these new ES cells but women have no access to the therapies. Then the question of laws banning cloning takes on new dimensions such as sexism, civil rights, etc.

Personally, I'd be pretty pissed if my wife or my mom couldn't have an ES cell therapy because a bunch of men made laws against therapeutic cloning on dubious 'moral' grounds.

But, all in all this may end up being fantastic news and finally open up stem cell research and allow it to achieve its world-changing potential.

Categories: Science, Science News, Technology, Stem Cells

Today in Science News

Stem Cells

Scientists claim to have generated embryonic stem cells by de-differentiating adult stem cells from mice testes. WP, CNN, ScienceNOW, Nature

Genetic Engineering

Now this is better living through science: scientists produce pigs whose meat contains healthy fats. NYT, BBC, Reuters, LAT

Climate Change

Wind power to grow faster than anticipated in UK. Reuters, BBC

Evolution

Yet another ‘missing link’ discovered in Africa. CBC, CNN, LiveScience.com

Health

‘Guinea worm’ nearing eradication. NYT

Medical marijuana back in court. WP

Technology

Three new security threats to Internet Explorer seen. BBC

New internet phone services debut. WP, LAT

Education

Germans (my people) are the smartest Europeans. Al Jazeera

Schools across the country are cutting down their curriculum to meet ‘No Child Left Behind’ standards. NYT

On the Go ID

I just listened to the Discovery Institute’s “Intelligent Design Update” podcasts (I’m in love with the theme music, BTW). Here is the most striking and disturbing thing about these Intelligent Design (ID) propaganda-casts: they have a message that is sophisticatedly aimed at the American public’s ignorance (note: not the same thing as stupidity) about evolution, and short attention span. These podcasts average under 1 minute, for example.

They say “Teach the controversy and let the student decide”, in reference to their claim that mainstream scientists don’t think evolution is sound science. (I don’t remember being allowed to choose which facts to believe when I was in school.) They don’t mention that, by and large, these scientists are NOT BIOLOGISTS - the people who have actually extensively studied evolution. (Despite my feeling that, in general, when someone brings Nazis or the Holocaust into an argument it pretty much means they don’t have anything substantive to say anymore, I think a comparison here is apt.) There are many people who don’t believe that the Holocaust happened (frighteningly, probably more than believe in ID). Does this then mean that we should teach this ‘controversy’ in history classes? I don’t think so.

I guess my main point is that, despite the fact that ID has almost 0% chance of being broadly taught in public schools, they are getting their message out to the public. If a kid comes home after learning about evolution and his parents tell him that it’s not true, it undermines that kid’s education and that hurts both the kid’s future education and future job prospects. And that hurts the country as a whole. At a time when we need to have the next generation prepared for jobs that will require more education than any previous generation needed, we need to teach them with a unified voice.

As such, science needs to fight back with its own slick message. Obviously, our task is more difficult because explaining evolution is more difficult than saying, “God did it”. That doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t do it.

[PS: God may have, in fact, done it. However, that hypothesis is not testable and, as such, has no place in a Science classroom.]

Today in Science News

Climate Change

Scientists see possible irreversible rise in sea level. NYT, Reuters, BBC, CSM, CNN, LiveScience.com, Nature

Northeastern states detail carbon emission reduction plan. Reuters

Environment

250(?) year-old turtle dies in India. CBC, CNN

Demand for cheap Chinese furniture is depleting Asian forests. Al Jazeera

HIV/AIDS

UN says world must increase efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in children. Reuters

African Tuberculosis crisis worsened by AIDS, poverty. Reuters

Health

Total cases of Tuberculosis at record lows but incidence of drug resistance increasing in US. WP, NYT, LAT

Type I diabetes may be cured by suppressing a specific immune attack on the pancreas. NYT

Fish oil may not have health benefits. BBC, Reuters

Flu season lasting longer than usual. CNN

Technology

Microsoft changes up Windows division after Vista operating system delay. WP, Reuters, Seattle Times, NYT

New version of Microsoft Office expected in 2007. Reuters

Google to join S&P 500. FT, NYT

Movie theaters look to 3D sports presentations to boost sales. Reuters

Sony Playstation 3 (PS3) video games to be available online. BBC, SF Chronicle, FT, Seattle Times

Nanotechnology may have been used to produce a computer circuit. NYT, BBC

Online Encyclopedia Britannica disputes Nature paper which said Wikipedia is comparably accurate to it on science. BBC

Politics

Enrollment in Medicare drug plan rising. Reuters

Stem Cells

Stem cells used to repair tendons in horses. Reuters

Today in Science News

Bird Flu

Possible reason for lack of transmission of Bird flu from human to human found. BBC, CNN, CBC, Reuters, LiveScience.com, ScienceNOW, WP, NYT

Environment

40% of Amazon rainforest may be gone by 2050. Reuters

Health

Too much fluoride in water can damage bones. NYT, ScienceNOW

Climate Change

Environmental impact of ethanol may be negated by fueling ethanol plants with coal. CSM

Technology

'Hypersonic'’ jet, capable of going seven times the speed of sound, to be tested in Australia. BBC

Upgrades and Apologies

Well I screwed up today.

A little backstory. I got a new computer yesterday and, when I was putting 'Today in Science' together last night, I used the new MS Word and it automatically 'corrected' all my hyperlinks so that they did not work. So, this morning, when I finished it up and posted it, I decided not to check each link to make sure it worked - which I always do. So, of course, this was the day there was a problem. Anyway, I apologize and they have all been fixed. (The new computer is sweet, BTW.)

Additionally, I updated the books section and I'll write something about the two new books later. For now, both Misquoting Jesus and the Dalai Lama's book are good. Reading Reading Genesis One is like beating yourself in the head. It's very interesting, but it's trying to teach me ancient Hebrew along the way - and that's hard. That's why since I started reading it I've read one other book and started a second.

I also added some more links on the right. The most notable two are Juan Cole and Asharq Alawsat. Juan Cole writes a daily update on news from and about Iraq and the Middle East. It a nice and depressing way to start your day. Asharq Alawsat is an Arabic daily (in English) that gives a perspective on world events from the Middle Eastern point of view. It's interesting to see another side. The rest of the links are some of the better news sources that I read.

So, that's all for now. Sorry about today, but I hope the new additions will be useful.

Me

Today in Science

Climate Change

Statue of Liberty to run entirely on wind power. CSM

American companies pay less attention to global warming than Asian and European companies. NYT

Space

Mars orbiter to begin taking pictures this week. USAT

Environment

Scientists oppose removing Grizzly bears from the endangered species list. USAT

HIV/AIDS

Access to anti-HIV drugs may not slow spread of HIV in poor countries. Reuters

AIDS in young children may impair cognitive abilities. Reuters

Health

Fish oil may keep prostate cancer from spreading. BBC, Reuters

Being overweight is unhealthy, even with exercise. WP

Technology

Microsoft delays new operating system, Vista, again. WP, NYT, BBC, LAT, Seattle Times, Reuters

Education

More people want to learn Arabic. LAT

New Florida plan will link teachers’ pay to students’ standardized test performance. WP

Politics

New French law requires Apple to make iTunes MP3s usable on any MP3 player, not just iPod. FT, NYT, LAT, BBC

Evolution

Archbishop of Canterbury says Creationism should not be taught in schools. NYT

Today in Science

Environment

Humans are causing the sixth mass extinction in Earth's history, first since the dinosaurs (that makes us the same level of disaster as volcanic eruptions and asteroid strikes). Reuters, BBC, CNN, USAT, LiveScience.com

Cleaner air leads to lower death rate. NYT

Overuse of water in farming seen as major threat to freshwater. Reuters

Bird Flu

Bird flu virus has evolved into two distinct strains. BBC

Science

Gene may increase impulsiveness, violent behavior. LiveScience.com, ScienceNOW

Inbreeding amongst Bedouins has resulted in rare genetic disease. NYT

HIV/AIDS

AIDS activist missing in China. Reuters

Climate Change

Climate changed linked to increase in malaria in Africa. BBC

NASA is measuring Arctic snow levels. Reuters

Today in Science

Politics

Cabinet drills on possible smallpox attack. NYT, Reuters

Google must provide the government with much less info than was requested. Yahoo!, NYT, BBC, Al Jazeera

Chairman of the House Science Committee to retire. ScienceNOW

Climate Change

Federal appeals court blocks exemptions from Clean Air Act introduced by the Bush administration. NYT, CSM

Human Genome scientist turns his attention to designer microbes for alternative energy production. Seattle Times

Rural India turns to biofuel for electricity. BBC

Space

Life from Earth may have reached distant moons. BBC, Nature

One of the Mars rovers looses use of a wheel. BBC, USAT

HIV/AIDS

New mechanism to fight HIV infection discovered. BBC

Health

Two more women die after taking RU-486 (abortion drug), exact cause unknown. WP, CNN

Plan to eliminate polio is having trouble being completed. NYT

Scientists develop bionic muscles. BBC

Technology

Dell plans to double its Indian workforce by 2009. WP, Reuters

Price of flash memory to drop dramatically in 2006. BBC

Stem Cells

South Korean stem cell scientist (finally) officially fired. Reuters

Today in Science

Climate Change

Warmer ocean water is causing stronger hurricanes. Nature, LiveScience.com, LAT, Guardian

Ford to offer 0% interest financing on hybrids in CA, DC. (Too bad they are still SUVs.) Reuters

Space

New data found on the 'Big Bang'. CBC, NYT, Reuters, CSM, USAT, ScienceNOW

Chances slim for a new mission to Saturn moon where water was found. USAT

Technology

FBI announces plans for new computer system. WP

California using GPS to track gang members. Reuters

Health

Shocking (please note the sarcasm): Low-carb diets (Atkins) may be bad for you. Reuters, BBC, CNN

The obese are malnourished due to poor food quality. Reuters

Bird Flu

Bird flu found in Israel. Reuters, BBC

Environment

Some American nuclear plants are leaking radioactive water. NYT

Ivory-billed woodpecker. Extinct. Not-extinct. Extinct? NYT, BBC, CNN, USAT, LiveScience.com, Nature

Today in Science

Climate Change

UN to hold emergency meeting today on climate change. Guardian

It's probably too late to stop global warming even if we halted carbon emissions immediately. Reuters

Science

Scientist creates designer shapes out of DNA, may prove useful for future nanotechnology. Reuters, BBC, LiveScience.com, Nature

Ultrasonic frog discovered. BBC, LiveScience.com, Nature

Health

Scientists identify a protein that may allow earlier diagnosis, treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Nature

Technology

Defense Department wants cyborg-insect army. BBC

iTunes to offer full-length movies (and are starting with a crappy Disney Channel movie). WP

Evolution

Dinosaur fossil may force a rethinking of how feathers evolved in dinosaurs. CNN, USAT, LiveScience.com

Politics

Nominee to head the FDA may be blocked due to inaction on approval of 'Plan B' contraception. NYT, ScienceNOW

Stem Cells

Stem cell therapy helps woman with multiple sclerosis. CBC

Disgraced South Korean stem cell scientist has his license to work with stem cells revoked. LAT, Reuters

Today in Science

Climate Change

Arctic ice is receding, soon possibly for good. NYT

NASA fingers ozone production as major source of warming in the arctic. Reuters

Coral reefs in the Indian Ocean may die off in 50 years due to warming. Reuters

BMW moves up timeframe for hydrogen powered cars. Reuters

Argentinian glacier collapsing. LiveScience.com

Technology

Google may have to hand over some search data to the Justice Department. WP, Reuters, BBC, Seattle Times, NYT, FT

Radio frequency ID tags are susceptible to viruses. NYT, Reuters

iPods will deafen us all. Reuters, CNN

Movie theaters look to jam cell phones. Reuters

Science

UK scientists to collect DNA samples from 500,000 people, track their lives. Reuters, BBC, Guardian

Health

US to compile and publicize prices for certain health care procedures. Reuters

Specific foods shown to lower cholesterol. WP

FDA to streamline drug approval process. CNN, Reuters

Safety of sleeping pills questioned. Reuters

Politics

Bush admits struggles with prescription drug benefit. NYT

Environment

Brazil to dam rivers, flood Amazon habitats. Reuters

Space

Next shuttle launch delayed. NYT, Reuters, BBC, CNN, USAT, WP, LAT

Today in Science

Health

Crestor (statins) may actually reverse heart disease. Reuters, SF Chronicle, BBC, LAT

Stroke deaths have decreased since folate was added to enriched grain in the US and Canada. Reuters

'Mad cow' case found in Alabama. BBC

Another shocker: marijuana use tied to memory loss. Reuters, LiveScience.com

Babies are parasites designed to kill their mothers (no, my wife does not read this site). NYT

Technology

Nanotechnology used to restore vision in hamster. BBC, Guardian, LiveScience.com

Google goes to court to fight Justice Department request for search data. BBC, Seattle Times

GoogleMars. WP

Reminder: CBS will broadcast early-round NCAA tournament games online. NYT

Space

Extra-solar "Super-Earth" identified. Reuters, BBC

Comets are more complex than previously thought. LAT, Reuters, BBC

Climate Change

Record CO2 levels recorded. BBC

Thin, cheap solar panels may be on the horizon. SF Chronicle

Burying CO2 seen as partial solution to carbon emissions/oil dependence. Reuters

Dying toads may be the Harbinger of a mass extinction. Reuters

Warmest Canadian winter...ever. Yahoo!, Reuters

Environment

The Florida Panther faces an odd problem. NYT

Evolution

UC-Davis scientist predicts that evolution would occur along similar lines on other planets. LiveScience.com

Go Significantly Less Big Red!

Here's a story I've discussed with a few of the people I know read this blog. It's an update on Patrick Deuel from my home state of Nebraska. This guy has lost almost 700 pounds (yes, 2 zeros). Not bad. His goal is to be able to sit in the stands for a Husker game. I hope they are better by the time he gets there.

Good luck, Big Guy.

[Man Who Weighed 1,000 Pounds Down to 400] - Yahoo News (via my sister-in-law Rhonda - thanks Rhonda)

Today in Science

Technology

Internet blows CIA agents cover. Chicago Tribune, BBC

Microsoft wants to move away from pre-packaged software to online services. LAT

Environment

Huge oil spill in Alaska. Reuters, BBC

Space

Mars probe is in orbit. Reuters, CNN, USAT

Health

New studies suggest B vitamins do not prevent heart attacks, strokes. WP, NYT, Reuters

Vaccines may prevent 10-25% of cancers. BBC

New treatment seen for Huntington's disease. BBC

Stem Cells

Missouri Republicans at odds over stem cell proposal. NYT

Today in Science

Space

NASA finds giant water geyser and possible ocean on one of Saturn's moons. Reuters, CSM, CNN, USAT, Nature, NYT, BBC, The Guardian

Probe to begin orbiting Mars today, look for water. USAT, BBC, The Guardian

Science

Mammal thought extinct for 11 million years identified in Laos. USAT, LiveScience.com, ScienceNow, Nature

HIV/AIDS

Today is 'National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day'. Reuters

Health

Almost 20% of people in the world do not have clean drinking water. BBC

Worldwide measles deaths cut in half. Reuters, BBC

America keeps getting older and, surprisingly, healthier. Reuters, NYT

Average blood pressure has dropped in the general population. Reuters

New factors in deep vein thrombosis (blood clots you get on an airplane) identified. Reuters, BBC

NC woman dies from flesh-eating bacteria. LAT

Nepalese families are trying to alleviate their poverty by having fewer children. Reuters

Climate Change

Yet another study shows net loss in polar ice. BBC

Warming is changing the environment in the Bering sea. LiveScience.com

China faces internal opposition to energy conservation. Reuters

Technology

US Government tests machines to check for explosives in subways. Reuters

Amazon may start selling downloadable movies and TV episodes. NYT

Small radio frequency tracking devices (for tracking everything) to be studied in Europe. BBC

Politics

Congress may force government funded researchers to supply their results for free. WP

Stem Cells

Stem cell trial to treat a rare brain disease to begin in Oregon. LAT

MS Etch-A-Sketch

I know this new ultramobile PC (UMPC) from Microsoft is going to be really cool and change our lives and everything, but is it just me or does it look like they just updated the 'Etch-A-Sketch'?

This is my favorite picture of the UMPC that I've seen so far. I think the caption should read, "German Chancellor Angela Merkel shows off her new MS Etch-A-Sketch and the pony she drew on it consisting completely of right angles."

What's up next for Microsoft? My guess would be an MP3 player shaped like a hoola-hoop.

What an age we live in.

Today in Science

Technology

Finally, Microsoft unveils it new "ultramobile PC" (which won't be called Origami). WP, NYT, Reuters, BBC, Seattle Times

TiVo changes price structure (this kind of sucks). WP

iTunes to sell subscriptions to Comedy Central shows. Reuters

Science

Group looks to regenerate limbs. LAT

Lab sets record for highest temperature ever on Earth. LiveScience.com

Tabletop fusion study to be investigated. NYT, NYT, LAT, USAT, Nature

Health

People are drinking less pop (good for them). NYT

Multiple sclerosis vaccine trials to begin. BBC

Space

NASA probe approaches Mars. Reuters

Climate Change

Oil companies to use CO2 to tap oil. BBC

GM to expand ethanol usage in Minnesota. Reuters

Politics

House Republicans split with Bush over Medicare cuts. Reuters

House votes to gut state food-safety laws. Reuters

Today in Science

Technology

Finally, Microsoft unveils it new "ultramobile PC" (which won't be called Origami). WP, NYT, Reuters, BBC, Seattle Times

TiVo changes price structure (this kind of sucks). WP

iTunes to sell subscriptions to Comedy Central shows. Reuters

Science

Group looks to regenerate limbs. LAT

Lab sets record for highest temperature ever on Earth. LiveScience.com

Tabletop fusion study to be investigated. NYT, NYT, LAT, USAT, Nature

Health

People are drinking less pop (good for them). NYT

Multiple sclerosis vaccine trials to begin. BBC

Space

NASA probe approaches Mars. Reuters

Climate Change

Oil companies to use CO2 to tap oil. BBC

GM to expand ethanol usage in Minnesota. Reuters

Politics

House Republicans split with Bush over Medicare cuts. Reuters

House votes to gut state food-safety laws. Reuters

Today in Science

Stem Cells

California's stem cell initiative is being held up by legal challenges. CSM

Dog cloned by disgraced South Korean stem-cell scientist is legitimate. Reuters

HIV/AIDS

Treatment improving for African children with AIDS. NYT

Steroids help AIDS patients. Reuters

Evolution

Gene expression seen as major reason for differences between chimpanzees and humans. Reuters

Technology

CBS to broadcast NCAA tournament games online. LAT

Science

New "furry lobster" species discovered. BBC, CNN, LAT

Clamor for my book.

I just want to post on some of the books that you will be seeing in the "What I am Reading Now" section. I am thinking about writing an article or book about the 'conflict' between religion and science. So, a lot of what I'll be reading in the immediate future will be religion v. science based. What I hope to write will be a well-balanced assessment of the shortcomings of both sides of this debate. Hopefully, both sides will be able to see the error of their ways or, at least, understand the other side's point of view a little better.

There is no obligatory reason for scientists and religious leaders to be necessarily opposed to each other. My sincerest hope is that these people can be shown the error of their ways.

Today in Science

Space

Upcoming sunspot cycle may have serious effects on the Earth. SF Chronicle, LAT, Reuters, CNN, USAT

Environment

Scientists ID locations at risk for future mass extinctions. BBC, The Guardian, USAT

Climate Change

Energy from wind to triple by 2014. Reuters Especially in China. Reuters

Oil demand expected to be lower in the second quarter of 2006. Reuters

Evolution

Not only did humans evolve, they are still evolving. NYT, The Guardian

And a family in Turkey may be devolving. BBC

Health

Mercury content in sushi may be unsafe. Reuters

Technology

British TV networks trying broadcasting over the internet. BBC

Politics

Government trying to crackdown on militant animal-rights activists. CSM

"Wal-Mart Enlists Bloggers in P.R. Campaign" I will not be one of those Bloggers. NYT

Science

It ain't cheap to be a mouse scientist. (Amen, brother.) CNN

Flock of Dodos

Considering I'm apparently a movie-critic now (see below), I thought I would post something about a film that may not be the worst movie ever. It's called "Flock of Dodos" and it is about the current evolution-intelligent design "debate". The premise is that Biologists today don't (won't) effectively communicate with regular people to explain why evolution isn't just a theory and why intelligent design is not science.

I can't wait to see this movie (and, hopefully, for the scientists concerned to see themselves). I think it is vitally important that Biologists learn to talk to non-biologists to educate them. Arrogance does not persuade people. Common ground does.

Flock of Dodos official movie site.

Parting shot at 'History of Violence'

I just want to put a bow on the 'History of Violence' thing. Apparently, it was up for best adapted screenplay or something - I don't really care. The point is it didn't win and now hopefully it will go wherever movies like this go to die.

Now let us never speak of it again.

Today in Science

Climate Change

States appeal EPA's lack of action on limiting CO2 emissions to the Supreme Court. Reuters

UN declares humans responsible for climate change. Reuters

Health

Wal-Mart caves, will sell 'Plan-B' contraceptive. NYT

Childhood obesity keeps going up. Reuters

Drug companies not performing follow-up studies. WP, NYT

Space

NASA budget cuts will hurt satellite programs. CNN

Politics

Iran may want to make nuclear weapons but they aren't very good at it. NYT

A History of Wanting My Money Back

This post is a little off-topic considering this is a science blog. However, seeing as the Oscars are tomorrow, I thought I would dust off a critique (actually, a warning) I wrote to friends and family after seeing the film "A History of Violence". Since it's up for 'Best Screenplay' (which I can understand, because it must be better when read) and is on every critic's 2005 top ten list, I wanted to let anyone who may want to go rent it know what they are in for.

Enjoy, and remember - THIS MOVIE IS BAD:

Just wanted to write a quick note and let you all know that we saw "A History of Violence" last night and it's one of the worst movies I have ever seen. As some of you may know, I enjoy bad movies a great deal. However, this is less a movie and more a train wreck caught on film. The only difference is that train wrecks don't leave you feeling cheated and empty inside.

Please don't let this intrigue you as to why the movie is so bad, that is not my intention. This movie must be allowed to die quickly before it steals anyone else's money. If they had done it properly, it could have been a decent movie-but it doesn't even come close. I really tried to give it every chance to pull out some kind of justification for its existence but it failed at every turn.

To summarize:

Beginning was slow, couldn't really tell how bad it was going to suck.

Middle: Ranged from dull to confusing to incredibly graphically violent (even this didn't help it) to odd to confusing to pointless. It also contains two of the most uncomfortable sex scenes that I have ever witnessed.

End: Was there an ending? I don't remember it ending, I just remember crap and then credits.

Again, please do not let this intrigue you. This is a movie that no one could possibly enjoy. I can't overstate this. Me, Deanna and her Dad all have different tastes in movies and we all agreed that it was horrible.

I beg you, for your own well-being, do not see this "movie".

Thank you for your time.

There you have it. As true as when it was written. I should point out that Ed Harris was very good because Ed Harris is always very good. It was like watching Olivier acting with several piles of steaming dog $#!+.

So, remember tomorrow when "A History of Violence" wins the Oscar (and it WILL win, I guarantee you) sometimes bad films slip throught the cracks. They can't all be gay cowboy movies.

Today in Science

Climate Change

Antarctic glaciers are melting, causing sea levels to rise. NYT, BBC, LiveScience.com, LAT, Reuters, The Guardian

Africa may lose a quarter of its water by 2100 due to climate change. BBC, The Guardian

The Iditarod dog race is feeling the heat of climate change. Reuters

Environment

Oil spill in Alaskan bay. Reuters, Seattle Times

Evolution

Geneticists may have pinpointed the original life form from which all others evolved. The Guardian

Greatest...story...ever. Primates may have developed color vision to detect the "blush on someone else's rump". (This one is right up there with the BBC's "Snogging causes meningitis.") Reuters

Chimps, like Muppets, can co-operate. NYT, LiveScience.com

Health

Women taking oral contraceptives have more headaches. (Presumably this is the mechanism by which the women keep from becoming pregnant.) Reuters

Malnutrition saps a significant portion of poor nations' GDP. Reuters

Vaccine developed for ear infections. Reuters, BBC

Space

NASA backlash against proposed budget cuts. CNN, USAT But they say shuttle missions, space station should be on schedule. WP, NYT, BBC

Technology

More hints about the intriguing new Microsoft product with the terrible name. WP, Seattle Times

Politics

Congress is trying to kill things again...oh Congress. SF Chronicle

Stem Cells

Case to decide the constitutionality of California's $3B stem cell initiative awaits a verdict. NYT

Stem cell issue dividing Republicans. Chi Tribune

Science

New Mexican shark discovered in Mexico by Mexican scientist (from Mexico). Reuters

(I always enjoy the UCI stories.) HUGE scientist (I'm talking medical plaza named after huge) lost $3M in that Nigerian email scam everyone has gotten 3M times. LAT

Terrifying (This was the only heading I could think of for this story.)

Pentagon plans to use remote control sharks. (You could not make this up.) BBC