Today in Science

HIV/AIDS

HIV reservoirs in the gut survive anti-retroviral drugs. BBC, CBC, Reuters


Health

Scientists have found a way to reverse muscular dystrophy in mice. BBC

Medicare drug benefit falling short for some. WP, UPI

More vaccinations are recommended for children. AP, AP

John Kerry calls for healthcare coverage for all Americans by 2012. AP, AP

Drinking is good for you. (In moderation people!) LAT


Animals

A type of spider makes noise during sex. LiveScience.com

New type of giant dinosaur discovered. NG


Nature

Scientists successfully predicted an earthquake in India. ScienceNOW


Cancer

Doctors say the new cervical cancer vaccine should be given to men and women. Reuters

Scorpion venom may fight brain cancer. Reuters, BBC


Space

South Africa to start a space program. Reuters


Politics

Bill in the Senate would create searchable database of all government spending. WP

The Senate will vote on easing offshore oil drilling restrictions. CSM


Bird Flu

Smugglers are bringing bird flu across the Chinese border into Vietnam. WP

India says it is free of bird flu. AP, AP

The Thai government ordered 300,000 chickens killed following recent bird flu outbreak. DPA


Terrorism

Secret government anti-bioterrorism center being built. WP

DOD program supports teaching of languages relevant to the war on terror. WP

Here is an interesting article about the concerns surrounding generating designer viruses in the lab. WP


Miscellaneous

Taiwan looks to secure oil from Chad. DPA

Iran and Japan put finishing touches on $2 billion dollar oil deal. DPA


Categories: Science news, Science, News

This Week in Science

Environment

Report: Arab nations will need to spend $100 billion on water desalinization over the next 10 years to meet the rising demand for water. Reuters


HIV/AIDS

The rate of new HIV infections in South Africa is leveling off. AP, AP


Space

China plans to send seeds into space in the hope that cosmic rays will mutate them into super-fruits. Al Jazeera

Space shuttle Atlantis to launch in late August. Reuters

Space probe finds continent on Saturn’s moon Titan. NG

Saturn’s moon Titan may have lakes filled with liquid hydrocarbons. BBC, ScienceNOW, AP, AP

Methane rain falls on Saturn’s moon Titan. Reuters, Nature

NASA may halt research being done on the space station to deal with a $100 million budget shortfall. Reuters


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Use of corn as a fuel source may significantly impact corn as a food source. CSM


Health

Holy crap! Many Americans are too fat to be X-rayed. Reuters

Diabetes in childhood can drastically reduce life expectancy. Reuters, AP, AP

Scientists may have found a way to manipulate a bacterium so that it prevents mosquitoes from spreading malaria. BBC

Scientists have found genes that allow electrical currents to accelerate the healing of wounds. Guardian, Reuters, ScienceNOW


Technology

OK, for real this time: Microsoft will release its own version of the iPod called Zune. (Better than Origami.) WP, BBC

Report: Much of the US is not prepared to use electronic voting machines. WP

Pakistan is developing more plutonium. Nature, AP, WP, AP


Drugs

Most people are happy with their Medicare drug plans. AP


Bird Flu

Mass produced bird flu vaccine for humans may be ready by next year. Reuters, CBC, WP, AP, AP, NYT, BBC, DPA, Guardian


Stem Cells

The EU will continue to give a tiny amount of money to stem cell research, but no research that destroys embryos. BBC, AP, AP, Guardian

Stem cells from human fat have been turned into muscle cells in the lab. Reuters

White House Press Secretary takes back his “embryonic stem cells are murder” comment. WP

Disgraced South Korean stem cell scientist says he tried to clone mammoths. Reuters

Singapore develops the first stem cell lines suitable for use in human beings. Nature (In the “I told you so” department, see here.) [Actually, it wasn’t me but you get the point.]


Nature

Another earthquake hits Indonesia. Reuters, AP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Health

DDT to be used in Africa to fight malaria. UPI

Low-fat, vegan diet shows promise for treating type-2 diabetes. CBC, Reuters

Smoking vaccine? AP

House passes bill to accelerate the use of electronic health records. Reuters


Animals

Scientists say they know why flying dinosaurs grew crests on their heads: sex. (Big surprise.) BBC


Drugs

Most people are happy with their Medicare drug plans. AP


Space

NASA may halt research being done on the space station to deal with a $100 million budget shortfall. Reuters


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

A Nobel Prize winner suggests putting more sulfur in the atmosphere to counteract the extra CO2. LiveScience.com

No conflict of interest here: Energy company gives $100,000 to climate change “skeptic”. Reuters


Technology

AMD may not destroy Intel after all. Reuters


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Bird Flu

More on the potential bird flu vaccine that may be out next year. CBC, WP, AP, AP, NYT, BBC, DPA, Guardian


Stem Cells

Singapore develops the first stem cell lines suitable for use in human beings. Nature (In the "I told you so" department, see here.) [Actually, it wasn’t me but you get the point.]

A clinic in the UK will be able to pay women having IVF to give up extra eggs for stem cell research. BBC


Nature

Another earthquake hits Indonesia. Reuters, AP


Drugs

Unpredictable responses to marijuana therapy may do more harm than good. BBC


Cancer

WHO: 60,000 die each year worldwide from getting too much sun. Reuters, BBC


HIV/AIDS

India may repeal law banning gay sex to help fight the spread of HIV. AP, AP


Health

Scientists have found genes that allow electrical currents to accelerate the healing of wounds. Guardian, Reuters, ScienceNOW

Transplant doctors want to offer people who donate their organs to get special benefits. UPI


Space

Methane rain falls on Saturn's moon Titan. Reuters, Nature


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

"U.S. officials and automotive industry leaders have agreed that hydrogen fuel is the long-term solution to reducing the country's oil dependence." Correct me if I’m wrong but, aren’t these the same people who made us oil dependant in the first place? UPI

Heat trapped in large cities affects summer weather. NG

Hydrogen scooter developed in the Netherlands. LiveScience.com


Technology

Pakistan is developing more plutonium. Nature, AP, WP, AP

MSN will run free episodes of "Arrested Development" online. LAT, AP, AP

Metallica goes on sale on iTunes. Reuters, LAT

Over 95% of email is spam. BBC


Evolution

Genes identified that pattern both fish fins and human limbs. CBC, LiveScience.com


Miscellaneous

ROBBLOG's first ever story about watermelon. CBC, Reuters


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Health

Holy crap! Many Americans are too fat to be X-rayed. Reuters

Diabetes in childhood can drastically reduce life expectancy. Reuters, AP, AP

Scientists may have found a way to manipulate a bacterium so that it prevents mosquitoes from spreading malaria. BBC

Vaccines made with bacteria killed by radiation may be better than other types. Reuters


Animals

Family of squirrels takes over a house in Germany. Der Spiegel


Cancer

Theory: Testicular cancer may be particularly sensitive to chemotherapy due to testicular cells being used to slightly cooler than core body temperature. BBC, CBC, AP, AP


Space

Saturn's moon Titan may have lakes filled with liquid hydrocarbons. BBC, ScienceNOW, AP, AP


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Use of corn as a fuel source may significantly impact corn as a food source. CSM


Technology

Report: Much of the US is not prepared to use electronic voting machines. WP


Education

Most states are not living up to "No Child Left Behind" standards and may lose federal money. NYT

Judge puts banned children's book about Cuba back on the shelves in Miami-Dade. NYT


Evolution

Language skills may have evolved in early primates. Reuters


Bird Flu

Mass produced bird flu vaccine for humans may be ready by next year. Reuters

Thailand sees its 15th death from bird flu, first this year. BBC


Miscellaneous

Transgenic cotton may give rise to an increase in secondary pests. Nature


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Stem Cells

The EU will continue to give a tiny amount of money to stem cell research, but no research that destroys embryos. BBC, AP, AP, Guardian

Stem cells from human fat have been turned into muscle cells in the lab. Reuters

White House Press Secretary takes back his “embryonic stem cells are murder” comment. WP

Disgraced South Korean stem cell scientist says he tried to clone mammoths. Reuters


Health

Cigarette smoking may cause people to consume more alcohol. BBC, Nature


Space

Space shuttle Atlantis to launch in late August. Reuters


Weather

High temperatures in Los Angeles temporarily shut down MySpace.com. BBC


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Drugs

Human trial are about to start on Alzheimer's pill that may significantly reduce the amount of amyloid protein in patients brains. BBC, Reuters

Leukemia drug shown to have dangerous cardiac side effects. BBC, AP, AP, Reuters, Nature


Environment

President Bush's anti-pollution measures are judged to be equal to President Clinton's. (By actual scientists.) WP

Report: Arab nations will need to spend $100 billion on water desalinization over the next 10 years to meet the rising demand for water. Reuters


HIV/AIDS

The rate of new HIV infections in South Africa is leveling off. AP, AP


Health

American students are turning to Cuba for free medical education. WP

Anti-obesity surgery results in complications in 40% of patients. NYT


Space

China plans to send seeds into space in the hope that cosmic rays will mutate them into super-fruits. Al Jazeera

Space probe finds continent on Saturn's moon Titan. NG


Technology

OK, for real this time: Microsoft will release its own version of the iPod called Zune. (Better than Origami.) WP, BBC


Evolution

Genome analysis shows evidence of natural selection at work in humans. WP


Stem Cells

The EU is considering a stem cell research funding ban similar to the US. (Prepare to have to fly to Seoul for your medical needs in the future.) BBC, Reuters


Bird Flu

The sole patient in Indonesia to survive the bird flu is finally going home. AP, AP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

This Week in Science

Stem Cells

Senate passes 3 stem cell bills. WP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP, AP, BBC, ScienceNOW

President Bush vetoes stem cell bill. Reuters, NYT, WP, BBC, Guardian, ScienceNOW, AP, ROBBLOG

House vote to override Bush’s veto falls short. AP, AP

Scientists say Bush is “out of touch” on stem cell issue. BBC

The ban has damaged US progress on stem cell technology. WP

Governor Schwarzenegger authorizes $150 million loan to California’s stem cell institute to circumvent anti-stem cell lawsuits. Reuters, AP, AP


Space

The space shuttle returned safely to Earth. Al Jazeera, CBC, BBC, WP, AP,AP, NYT, Reuters, CSM, Nature, NG, LAT


HIV/AIDS

The Gates Foundation donates $287 million to development of an AIDS vaccine. NYT, BBC, AL Jazeera, AP, AP, LAT, Guardian


Animals

Tiger habitat has been reduced by 40% in the last decade. Reuters, BBC, NG, AP, Guardian

Not to be outdone by the Germans, Italy may kill Bruno’s mother. Der Spiegel


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Toyota to sell plug-in hybrids. CSM

Company says it can produce oil from plankton. Reuters

Melting ice may release trapped methane into the atmosphere, further exacerbating global warming. Reuters


Science

Another poor funding year anticipated for NIH in 2007. ScienceNOW

Researchers look to sequence Neanderthal genome. Reuters, AP, AP, NYT, Nature, LAT, Guardian


Drugs

Methamphetamine remains the biggest drug problem in the US. AP, AP

New implantable birth control drug approved by FDA. AP, AP, Reuters


Health

Judge: Wal-Mart does not have to spend more on their employees’ health insurance in Maryland. NYT, WP, AP, AP


Nature

An earthquake in Indonesian spawned a tsunami that claimed at least 547 lives. AP, AP

New rift in Africa/Arabia tectonic plates may eventually form a new ocean. BBC, LiveScience.com, NG


Bird Flu

Scientists confirm 42nd Indonesian bird flu death. AP, AP


Cancer

A new blood test may provide early detection of lung cancer. Reuters


Education

Republican lawmakers announce $100 million school voucher plan for low income students. WP, NYT, AP, AP

Study shows that public schools are roughly equal to private schools in performance. NYT


Miscellaneous

Women seeking abortion advice are often given misleading information. Reuters, WP, AP, AP

Some European countries are bribing women to have children with benefits to boost sagging populations. AP, AP And they are sagging. AP, AP

Amnesty International says Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo! violate human rights by working with China against dissidents. AP, AP, Reuters


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Como Esta, %!#*#

Just to update something I talked about last week, apparently Castro is still alive.

Damn.

Anyway, this is my last non-science post on ROBBLOG (probably). That's why I have the new site. Just didn't want to leave anyone in suspense.

Tags: Castro, Cuba

Today in Science

Animals

Tiger habitat has been reduced by 40% in the last decade. Reuters, BBC, NG, AP, Guardian


Stem Cells

Governor Schwarzenegger authorizes $150 million loan to California’s stem cell institute to circumvent anti-stem cell lawsuits. Reuters, AP, AP

Germany wants the EU to ban funding for embryonic stem cell research. Reuters

Company freezes stem cells from baby teeth. AP, AP


Science

Experimental details of an attempt to clone a human are published. Guardian

Researchers look to sequence Neanderthal genome. Reuters, AP, AP, NYT, Nature, LAT, Guardian


Drugs

Prescription drug errors hurt 1.5 million people per year. Reuters, WP, AP, AP, NYT


Cancer

Drug company Roche talks about curing some types of cancer. Reuters


Health

Electronic pill that can diagnose stomach disorders approved by the FDA. AP, AP

CDC: More women are lifting weights but most people do not. AP, AP, Reuters


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Company says it can produce oil from plankton. Reuters

Melting ice may release trapped methane into the atmosphere, further exacerbating global warming. Reuters


Technology

Power Point virus seen. Reuters, BBC

Movies are trying a new and improved 3D. LAT


Bird Flu

Indonesian bird flu crisis will probably get worse. NYT


Miscellaneous

Agriculture department to scale back mad cow testing. NYT, AP, AP

Motion to dismiss warrantless wire tapping lawsuit against AT&T denied. WP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Stem Cells

President Bush vetoes stem cell bill. Reuters, NYT, WP, BBC, Guardian, ScienceNOW, AP, ROBBLOG

House vote to override Bush's veto falls short. AP, AP

Scientists say Bush is "out of touch" on stem cell issue. BBC


HIV/AIDS

The Gates Foundation donates $287 million to development of an AIDS vaccine. NYT, BBC, AL Jazeera, AP, AP, LAT, Guardian


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Toyota to sell plug-in hybrids. CSM

Super fast, super expensive electric car unveiled. NYT

Simple changes in India and China have cut greenhouse emissions. NG


Science

Another poor funding year anticipated for NIH in 2007. ScienceNOW


Animals

Scientists want a new world organization to combat loss of biodiversity. BBC, Reuters, Guardian


Nature

New rift in Africa/Arabia tectonic plates may eventually form a new ocean. BBC, LiveScience.com, NG


Drugs

Alzheimer's patch may be on the way. AP, AP


Cancer

Proteins that keep the cornea clear of blood vessel may be used to fight cancer. LiveScience.com


Health

San Francisco is moving closer to universal health care. AP, AP

Judge: Wal-Mart does not have to spend more on their employees' health insurance in Maryland. NYT, WP, AP, AP


Space

China wants to explore Mars. Reuters


Technology

HD camcorder from Sony. Reuters


Education

Republican lawmakers announce $100 million school voucher plan for low income students. WP, NYT, AP, AP


Bird Flu

Scientists confirm 42nd Indonesian bird flu death. AP


Miscellaneous

Amnesty International says Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo! violate human rights by siding with China against dissidents. AP, AP, Reuters

The Indian government is blocking some blogs. WSJ, BBC


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Sound and Fury Signifying Nothing

Well, after 5+ years filled with political wrangling, greatly impeded biomedical progress, and a bill passed with a large bi-partisan coalition in Congress...we are right back where we started from:

President Bush vetoed the stem cell bill using his first and, (depending on how the fall elections go) possibly only, veto.

Say hello to sub-30% approval ratings! (Oh and continued suffering and misery for millions of sick people. Thanks religious conservatives!) Around 70% of Americans disagree with the President on this issue.

Tags: Science, Politics, Stem Cells

Today in Science

Stem Cells

Senate passes 3 stem cell bills. One easing restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cells awaits President Bush's first ever veto. WP, Al Jazeera, Reuters, AP, AP, BBC, ScienceNOW

One sponsored by Rick Santorum did not pass the House. AP, AP

The ban has damaged US progress on stem cell technology. WP

Groups are challenging patents on stem cell technology. ScienceNOW


Health

Autistic boys have fewer neurons in their amygdalas. Reuters


Bird Flu

National Governor's Association releases bird flu guidelines. AP, AP


Drugs

Methamphetamine remains the biggest drug problem in the US. AP, AP

New implantable birth control drug approved by FDA. AP, AP, Reuters


Miscellaneous

More people worldwide are moving to coastal regions as coastal regions become more dangerous. LiveScience.com


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Space

The space shuttle returned safely to Earth. Al Jazeera, CBC, BBC, WP, AP,AP, NYT, Reuters, CSM, Nature, NG, LAT


Nature

The death toll is well over 300 for the latest Indonesian tsunami, warning system in doubt. Der Spiegel, AP, WP


Stem Cells

President Bush will veto the stem cell bill. WP, LiveScience.com, NYT, Reuters, AP, WP, AP


Science

Cloned humans would feel like individuals. BBC

Scientists look to make sequencing a person's genome cheap enough for everyone to do. NYT


Animals

I miss Bruno the German Bear, but maybe Bitey the Rabid Bobcat can take his place. AP, AP

Speaking of Bruno: Not to be outdone by the Germans, Italy may kill Bruno's mother. Der Spiegel


Cancer

Questions answered about new cervical cancer vaccine. WP

FDA approves drug for ovarian cancer, despite advice to the contrary. Reuters

Proteins involved in the spread of pancreatic cancer identified. Reuters


Health

Hospital architects say private rooms would reduce infectious disease transmission, errors. AP, AP

Namibia starts program to re-eradicate polio. AP, AP

Alzheimer's drug slow reduction in brain size. Reuters

Radiofrequency ID tags can be used to detect surgical instruments left in patients. ScienceNOW, Nature, Reuters


Miscellaneous

Women seeking abortion advice are often given misleading information. Reuters, WP, AP, AP

Some European countries are bribing women to have children with benefits to boost sagging populations. AP, AP And they are sagging. AP, AP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Stem Cells in the (So-Called) News

Here is an example of some of the garbage that "journalists" write about the stem cell issue. The author wants us all to know that stem cell treatments are far away – pardon me but NO CRAP! They are farther away every single day that adequate funding is denied to stem cell research. She also points out that the federal government is this year funding $38 million dollars in stem cell research. That is a big number! Surely it is enough. Unless you consider the fact that the recent $3 billion California stem cell initiative is going to fund $300 million per year for 10 years! And that is only ONE state. Private funding already exceeds $38 million. More importantly, those federal funds are limited to the (poor) stem cell lines that existed prior to the Bush ban.

Incidentally, the US is also falling behind the rest of the world in stem cell advances. That’s not how we roll, people. South Korea may be able to make cars that people want better than any American company can, but this? It is embarrassing and the rest of the world is eating us up for it. New technology means new jobs – I guess the Koreans just want it more.

To see what actual reporting of this issue looks like see here.

And check out my latest Tokatakiya post on the subject: YSK: Politicians Who (Say They) Oppose Stem Cell Research are Hypocrites or Ignorant

7.18.2006: Correction: I had originally said that California stem cell funding was $1 billion when in fact it is $3 billion. (Oops, I was more right than I thought.) The correct figures are now in the post.

Today in Science

Stem Cells

Senate to debate stem cell bill this week. WP, NYT, Reuters, AP, AP Senate Majority Leader Frist predicts it will pass. Reuters

Scientists refute claims made by a Senate science advisor who is against the stem cell bill. WP


Nature

An earthquake in Indonesian spawned a killer tsunami. LiveScience.com, AP, AP


Space

Space shuttle to return today. CBC, NYT, Reuters, BBC


Animals

Vulture populations worldwide are endangered. Guardian


Cancer

A new blood test may provide early detection of lung cancer. Reuters


HIV/AIDS

The G8 wants more funding for AIDS. AP, AP But some say it is still not enough. Reuters


Health

Diabetes may lead to an increased risk of Alzheimer's. NYT


Technology

Apple and Microsoft may both be planning new MP3 players. Reuters

HP has developed a tiny wireless chip that may be put in almost anything. Reuters, BBC


Education

Study shows that public schools are roughly equal to private schools in performance. NYT


Bird Flu

42nd Indonesian dies from bird flu. Reuters, AP, AP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

This Week in Science

HIV/AIDS

Once daily HIV pill containing 3 drugs approved. WP, CBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, AP, AP, NYT, BBC, LAT


Evolution

Darwin’s finches have evolved while scientists watched. LiveScience.com, Nature, AP, AP


Health

Any kind of physical activity helps the elderly live longer. WP, AP, AP, CBC, Reuters

Senate votes to allow importing prescription drugs from Canada. Reuters, AP, AP


Animals

Western Africa’s Black Rhino’s may be extinct. Reuters, BBC, Guardian, NG

Analysis of mammoth genes reveals their coat color. BBC, Guardian, Nature, AP, AP


Biology

Gene expression varies between the sexes. Reuters, Nature


Space

The shuttle is deemed safe for return to Earth. WP, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera, NYT, AP


Stem Cells

Researchers have grown sperm from mouse embryonic stem cells. BBC

President Bush will probably veto any stem cell bill. AP, AP


Bird Flu

Bird flu in Spain. AP, AP

Bird flu vaccine ready for human trials. Guardian

Indonesian bird flu deaths reach 41. BBC, AP, AP


Technology

New sensor allows paralyzed man to move computer cursor with his mind. Reuters, NYT, ScienceNOW, NG, BBC, CBC, LAT

Speaking of advancements for the betterment of mankind: 103-inch TV! Reuters

Over 30 states are suing microchip manufacturers over alleged price-fixing. NYT, LAT, Reuters, AP, AP


Climate Change/Alternative Energy

Nobel laureate’s paper to suggest introducing sulfur into the stratosphere to fight climate change. Nature

Oil companies are investing in alternative energy. NYT

New study shows that biofuels made from corn and soybeans will not solve our energy crisis. Nature, AP, AP


Miscellaneous

North Korean missile may have been aimed at waters near Hawaii. Der Spiegel

House passes online gambling restriction bill. WP, BBC, AP, AP


Categories: Science news, Science, News

Today in Science

Evolution

Darwin’s finches have recently evolved with scientists watching. LiveScience.com, Nature, AP, AP


Animals

Meerkat parents teach their children to hunt. Reuters, BBC, LiveScience.com, ScienceNOW, NG, AP

A certain type of whale may live to be over 200 years old. NG

Teenage years of Tyrannosaurus Rex revealed. NG, CBC, LiveScience.com


Science

Senate wants to increase science spending. ScienceNOW


Cancer

Marijuana may cause precancerous changes in the lung. Reuters


Health

The Navy wants to test a cow-blood based blood substitute on trauma victims without their consent. AP, AP

Smoking is responsible for over half of the increased mortality in poor vs rich people. CBC

Infections may cause diabetes in the young. Reuters

1 out of 8 babies are now born premature. LAT, AP, AP

Autism rates are higher than previously estimated. Guardian, BBC


Technology

Intel to cut 1000 management jobs. AP, AP

Over 30 states are suing microchip manufacturers over alleged price-fixing. NYT, LAT, Reuters, AP, AP


Bird Flu

Indonesian bird flu deaths reach 41. BBC, AP, AP


Weather

Rainfall follows traffic patterns in the southeastern US. NG


Categories: Science news, Science, News