Check your favorite plastic drinking bottle. Does it have a recycling number 7 on the bottom? If so it is probably leaching BPA into your drink.
You'll want to read this from Science Daily:
"Exposure to BPA, used in the manufacture of polycarbonate and other plastics, has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans."
Check for the 7.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
How To Rob A Moving Truck
Hint: it's not just a moving truck, it's really er, moving. At highway speed. At night. The robbers combine precision driving with death-defying acrobatics to scarf up the goods. Most of the time the hapless drivers don't even know they've been had.
"Springtime For Hitler" - Now Playing... In Germany
The stage adaptation of Mel Brooks' classic movie comedy The Producers has opened in Berlin, the heart of old Nazi Germany. The Wall Street Journal describes the surreal opening gala:
"At Sunday’s gala premiere, everyone seemed pumped to ridicule the führer. Politicians, actors and rock stars crowded the courtyard of the Admiralspalast, which was a sea of red and black as Nazi flags with pretzels and sausages in lieu of swastikas fluttered about. Ushers in traditional Bavarian dress handed out flags and armbands and scattered audience members sported World War II helmets and other regalia. Showtime was announced by an air-raid siren, which added to the giddy carnival atmosphere."
"At Sunday’s gala premiere, everyone seemed pumped to ridicule the führer. Politicians, actors and rock stars crowded the courtyard of the Admiralspalast, which was a sea of red and black as Nazi flags with pretzels and sausages in lieu of swastikas fluttered about. Ushers in traditional Bavarian dress handed out flags and armbands and scattered audience members sported World War II helmets and other regalia. Showtime was announced by an air-raid siren, which added to the giddy carnival atmosphere."
You Don't Need To Know German To Understand This
Glenn Reynolds wants to drive one of a DB9. That's nice. I want one of these. Listen closely gearheads: "Ubermotor...", "Monster..." the German should come naturally. You must turn up your sound.
Und here is Brutus spitting flames.
Und here is Brutus spitting flames.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Gunkanjima - Battleship Island
I have been meaning to blog about Japan's abandoned Hashima Island. It's locally known as Gunkanjima - Battleship Island. Gunkanjima was a city built on an island 500 meters long by 160 meters wide not far from Nagasaki. It sat on top of the opening to a huge coal mine.
In 1959, Gunkanjima housed 139,100 people per square kilometer. This works out to almost 12,000 people in a space the size of two big supertankers. Wikipedia says this is the highest population density ever recorded and has a stunning photo taken from the sea. The island was abondoned to the elements in the 1970s when the mine closed.
Gunkanjima was an early inspiration to Japanese photographer Saiga Yuji. Here's a link to some incredible photos of an incredible place. (Mouse over the opening image to get a link to his English Site).
It is tempting to view this place as some sort of post-apocalyptic metaphor. Actually, the coal was replaced with cleaner, less expensive oil. And humanity advanced, away from Gunkanjima.
In 1959, Gunkanjima housed 139,100 people per square kilometer. This works out to almost 12,000 people in a space the size of two big supertankers. Wikipedia says this is the highest population density ever recorded and has a stunning photo taken from the sea. The island was abondoned to the elements in the 1970s when the mine closed.
Gunkanjima was an early inspiration to Japanese photographer Saiga Yuji. Here's a link to some incredible photos of an incredible place. (Mouse over the opening image to get a link to his English Site).
It is tempting to view this place as some sort of post-apocalyptic metaphor. Actually, the coal was replaced with cleaner, less expensive oil. And humanity advanced, away from Gunkanjima.
CAFE Same Old Same Old
Earlier this week I linked to Robert Farago at The Truth About Cars. He editorialized:
"There is no reason to believe that the new [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] CAFE regs will be any more stringently applied than existing laws, or if they are, that manufacturers will be any less likely to game the system to allow them to build the more profitable vehicles that people want to buy."
Today Autoblog quotes Edmund's and points out the gap between CAFE gas mileage and EPA gas mileage:
"a vehicle that scores an EPA combined rating of 29 miles per gallon actually contributes 39 MPG to its manufacturer's CAFE average. There are 29 car models and 36 truck models that already achieve the new standard, and about a third of the cars and half of the trucks are produced by a domestic automaker."
To paraphrase Edmund's - That's a gap big enough to accomodate a fleet of SUVs. So what was all the fuss earlier this week about conserving gas and saving the planet? Hope and change?
"There is no reason to believe that the new [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] CAFE regs will be any more stringently applied than existing laws, or if they are, that manufacturers will be any less likely to game the system to allow them to build the more profitable vehicles that people want to buy."
Today Autoblog quotes Edmund's and points out the gap between CAFE gas mileage and EPA gas mileage:
"a vehicle that scores an EPA combined rating of 29 miles per gallon actually contributes 39 MPG to its manufacturer's CAFE average. There are 29 car models and 36 truck models that already achieve the new standard, and about a third of the cars and half of the trucks are produced by a domestic automaker."
To paraphrase Edmund's - That's a gap big enough to accomodate a fleet of SUVs. So what was all the fuss earlier this week about conserving gas and saving the planet? Hope and change?
America Notices Chalk River Reactor Crisis
According to Reuters: "Makers of medical isotopes used in scores of diagnostic imaging tests are scrambling to find new suppliers after Canadian health officials shut down a nuclear reactor last week that produces a third of the world's supply."
Well that's not quite right. It's not the makers of medical isotopes who are scrambling - they're shut down - it's the users of medical isotopes who are in trouble - like cancer patients awaiting radiation therapy.
Reuters gets this much right, though:
"For patients in North America, the shutdown will have a dramatic impact, said Robert Atcher, president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. "That reactor supplies about half of the clinics and hospitals in the United States," he said. "About 8 million of our studies are imperiled because that reactor is offline."
Well that's not quite right. It's not the makers of medical isotopes who are scrambling - they're shut down - it's the users of medical isotopes who are in trouble - like cancer patients awaiting radiation therapy.
Reuters gets this much right, though:
"For patients in North America, the shutdown will have a dramatic impact, said Robert Atcher, president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine. "That reactor supplies about half of the clinics and hospitals in the United States," he said. "About 8 million of our studies are imperiled because that reactor is offline."
Wolfram Alpha Followup
Wolfram Alpha, the "computational search engine" launched last Friday amid a fair amount of hype about it being a Google killer.
Maybe not so much. From SlashDot via InstaPundit: "Wolfram Alpha's terms of use are completely different in that it is not a search engine; it's a computational service. The legalese says that they claim copyright on the each results page and require attribution."
Interesting back-and-forth between CNet's Matt Asay and Wolfram Alpha's Theodore Grey here.
Maybe not so much. From SlashDot via InstaPundit: "Wolfram Alpha's terms of use are completely different in that it is not a search engine; it's a computational service. The legalese says that they claim copyright on the each results page and require attribution."
Interesting back-and-forth between CNet's Matt Asay and Wolfram Alpha's Theodore Grey here.
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Via SlashDot: In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Dan Aykroyd revealed that the third Ghostbusters movie could start filming soon. He said that all the original cast have now signed on, including Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and of course Aykroyd himself.
Harvard Law Profs vs. The RIAA
"In the unlikely event that Nesson, Camara, and the Harvard Law crew succeed in all of their goals, not only will file-sharing be redefined as fair use, but the recording industry will be out $100 million. Ouch."
And this:
"Does that worry the music industry? It's certainly generating plenty of press, but if the RIAA was worried about bad press it would have stopped suing people long ago."
And this:
"Does that worry the music industry? It's certainly generating plenty of press, but if the RIAA was worried about bad press it would have stopped suing people long ago."
More Recovery On The Left
Last week I linked to a curious letter of amends to conservatives from Robin of Berkeley, a self-described recovering leftist who used to scream out her politics.
Today, after "an outpouring of support, wisdom, and forgiveness" from readers Robin elaborates on her conversion.
Great quote: "Converting from Islam to Judaism, yet still hanging out in front of the old mosque in Kabul, probably would have been easier."
Today, after "an outpouring of support, wisdom, and forgiveness" from readers Robin elaborates on her conversion.
Great quote: "Converting from Islam to Judaism, yet still hanging out in front of the old mosque in Kabul, probably would have been easier."
Cherry Blossoms
A picture of cherry blossoms from the huge old tree in my garden. It began to bloom last Saturday and my neighbour who has lived next door a lot longer than we have been here says it is the earliest he has ever seen it in bloom. Here in St. John's everything is early this year by about 7 to 10 days according to the older folks. The more blossoms, the more sweet, sweet cherries. Yum!
Jay Leno Drives The Aptera
I've blogged about the Aptera 2e electric car before. There's some great Aptera driving video over at Jay Leno's Garage. And dig the cars in the background inside Leno's garage.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
South Africa Backstops Chalk River
Updating from my earlier posts on the medical isotopes shortage, a new story in today's Globe and Mail:
"South Africa has agreed to provide a portion of the medical isotopes that will be required across [Canada and the US] while the aging Canadian reactor that produced much of the world's supply remains out of service. But there will still be a shortage. And nuclear medicine specialists are concerned the reactor at Chalk River could be down for much longer than the month originally predicted..."
For cancer patients and other scheduled soon for radiation therapy this is not good news.
"South Africa has agreed to provide a portion of the medical isotopes that will be required across [Canada and the US] while the aging Canadian reactor that produced much of the world's supply remains out of service. But there will still be a shortage. And nuclear medicine specialists are concerned the reactor at Chalk River could be down for much longer than the month originally predicted..."
For cancer patients and other scheduled soon for radiation therapy this is not good news.
But I Eat Like A Bird! Er, No Sorry. Pterodactyls Aren't Birds
Sometimes it takes a scientific study to point out what should be obvious to common sense:
"The main cause of the obesity epidemic in this country [the US] is the wide availability of high-caloric foods and the fact that we are eating way too many calories in the course of a day. Exercise has much less impact."
"...about 90% of weight loss is achieved by cutting calories; only about 10% of weight loss is achieved by significantly increasing physical activity."
Eat less. Lose weight. Any questions?
Global Warmist Predators
Famous author of The Skeptical Environmentalist (and many other thoughtful books) Bjorn Lomborg has an interesting essay in today's Wall Street Journal titled The Climate-Industrial Complex.
Lomborg: "Naturally, many CEOs are genuinely concerned about global warming. But many of the most vocal stand to profit from carbon regulations. The term used by economists for their behavior is "rent-seeking."
Money quote: "The partnership among self-interested businesses, grandstanding politicians and alarmist campaigners truly is an unholy alliance."
Update: Contrary to widely held belief, Lomborg isn't at all skeptical that global warming is a problem, or that humanity is contributing to it. Here's a recent interview with Bjorn Lomborg by Gene Epstein of Barron's.
Lomborg: "Naturally, many CEOs are genuinely concerned about global warming. But many of the most vocal stand to profit from carbon regulations. The term used by economists for their behavior is "rent-seeking."
Money quote: "The partnership among self-interested businesses, grandstanding politicians and alarmist campaigners truly is an unholy alliance."
Update: Contrary to widely held belief, Lomborg isn't at all skeptical that global warming is a problem, or that humanity is contributing to it. Here's a recent interview with Bjorn Lomborg by Gene Epstein of Barron's.
Nanoparticle Invisibility Cloak - That's So Three Weeks Ago
Not even three weeks ago I linked to Science Daily and their report on a nano-technology cloaking material that made objects invisible. With this sort of stuff you can't blink without the universe changing. Today Science Daily reports on a new cloaking concept that is even more powerful. Those crafty muggles just don't quit.
"The research falls within a new field called transformation optics, which may usher in a host of radical advances, including cloaking; powerful "hyperlenses" resulting in microscopes 10 times more powerful than today's and able to see objects as small as DNA; computers and consumer electronics that use light instead of electronic signals to process information; advanced sensors; and more efficient solar collectors."
Don't blink!
"The research falls within a new field called transformation optics, which may usher in a host of radical advances, including cloaking; powerful "hyperlenses" resulting in microscopes 10 times more powerful than today's and able to see objects as small as DNA; computers and consumer electronics that use light instead of electronic signals to process information; advanced sensors; and more efficient solar collectors."
Don't blink!
Fly Turns Ant Into Zombie, Eats Brains
I have always held that if the insects were to suddenly disappear, we humans would quickly follow. But if we humans were first to suddenly disappear, the insects wouldn't notice. It's the ants who have always really ruled the world. And fire ants have been fearsome rulers.
But now National Geographic reports that some pesky scientists have found a parasitic fly that turns fire ants into zombies, eats their brains and decapitates them. And they've unleashed millions of them in the fight against the spread of fire ants.
Hope they don't like humans. Or chihuahuas. Just sayin'.
But now National Geographic reports that some pesky scientists have found a parasitic fly that turns fire ants into zombies, eats their brains and decapitates them. And they've unleashed millions of them in the fight against the spread of fire ants.
Hope they don't like humans. Or chihuahuas. Just sayin'.
The Dimming Of Nuclear Medicine?
Canada's Chalk River nuclear reactor has been offline for a week causing a world-wide shortage of radioactive medical isotopes used for cancer treatments and other medical procedures. It's the second time the reactor has gone offline in five months.
According to the CBC: "Officials detected a heavy water leak at the base of the reactor vessel in a place where there is corrosion. The problem will keep the reactor out of service for a month, which is expected to lead to a shortage of the medical isotopes...."
The 53-year-old National Research Universal (NRU) reactor is one of only five reactors in the world with the capacity to produce isotopes for medical use and produces isotopes for over 20 million patients a year. Three other reactors are in Europe and one in South Africa. There are no large-scale medical isotopes reactors in the United States.
The reactor is the biggest single source in the world of cobalt-60. Cobalt-60, strontium-89 and other isotopes are used to treat many types of cancer. Isotopes are also used to diagnose potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease.
An interruption in the isotope supply will delay cancer treatments for many patients and will potentially change outcomes for people with a variety of cancers.
As the world's population ages and medical treatments become more sophisticated the demand for medical isotopes is increasing while the reactors that produce isotopes are aging with the patients.
No new plants have been built in years and there are no plans to build any new ones.
Update: The CBC now reports that Clinics are paying two to three times more for medical isotopes after a supplier abruptly hiked prices this month — shortly before the nuclear reactor that usually generates the bulk of the isotopes shut down temporarily.
Update 2: The Ottawa Citizen reports: "But two engineers -- one working at the Chalk River facility and one who spent years working there -- said they doubt the repairs will be made even within eight months and, in fact, may never be complete.
According to the CBC: "Officials detected a heavy water leak at the base of the reactor vessel in a place where there is corrosion. The problem will keep the reactor out of service for a month, which is expected to lead to a shortage of the medical isotopes...."
The 53-year-old National Research Universal (NRU) reactor is one of only five reactors in the world with the capacity to produce isotopes for medical use and produces isotopes for over 20 million patients a year. Three other reactors are in Europe and one in South Africa. There are no large-scale medical isotopes reactors in the United States.
The reactor is the biggest single source in the world of cobalt-60. Cobalt-60, strontium-89 and other isotopes are used to treat many types of cancer. Isotopes are also used to diagnose potentially life-threatening conditions such as heart disease.
An interruption in the isotope supply will delay cancer treatments for many patients and will potentially change outcomes for people with a variety of cancers.
As the world's population ages and medical treatments become more sophisticated the demand for medical isotopes is increasing while the reactors that produce isotopes are aging with the patients.
No new plants have been built in years and there are no plans to build any new ones.
Update: The CBC now reports that Clinics are paying two to three times more for medical isotopes after a supplier abruptly hiked prices this month — shortly before the nuclear reactor that usually generates the bulk of the isotopes shut down temporarily.
Update 2: The Ottawa Citizen reports: "But two engineers -- one working at the Chalk River facility and one who spent years working there -- said they doubt the repairs will be made even within eight months and, in fact, may never be complete.
"A month to repair is a dream," said the engineer who works at the facility, and who asked for anonymity for fears he would be dismissed."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wayne Allwine Has Died
You have probably never heard of Wayne Allwine. But you most likely have heard him. He was the actor who gave voice to Mickey Mouse for over 30 years. Allwine died of complications from diabetes. He was only 62.
That Didn't Take Long
From the New York Times: "Let's not go ape over Ida." "There is no missing link. Rather, there are an indefinite number of missing branches. To have a missing link, you need to visualise evolution as a chain. If there’s a gap in the chain, then you have a missing link. But evolution, at least at the scale of animals and plants, is mostly a tree."
Apparently claims of a Darwinian breakthrough are too soon. 47-million years too soon.
Apparently claims of a Darwinian breakthrough are too soon. 47-million years too soon.
"All The President's Newsmen"
Reason TV: "There are many ways of extending the life of a terminally-ill by forcing onto life support. But why should the government support an industry that consumers are rejecting?"
Talk about the US government bailing out "the papers" increases, especially from those who depended on the papers to help them get elected. Be sure to watch Michael Moynihan's video.
Talk about the US government bailing out "the papers" increases, especially from those who depended on the papers to help them get elected. Be sure to watch Michael Moynihan's video.
Fighter Pilots Fading Away
Strategy Page is reporting that top brass at the Pentagon have concluded the century-long era of the fighter pilot will soon be over."The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs (a navy admiral and the senior military guy in the Pentagon) and his boss (the Secretary of Defense) have both said that the F-35 (above) will probably be last American manned combat aircraft."
Technology has evolved to the point that in the forseeable future, fighter planes and bombers will be UAVs - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Staring Down A Black Hole
"Black holes are perhaps the most outrageous prediction of science, and even though we can paint fine theoretical pictures of them and point to evidence for many objects that seem to be black hole-ish, nobody has ever actually seen one. All that could change in the next few months. Astronomers are working to tie together a network of microwave telescopes across the planet to make a single instrument with the most acute vision yet. They will turn this giant eye towards what they believe is a supermassive black hole at the centre of our galaxy, code name Sagittarius A*"
Very Cool High Speed Photography
“We’ve evolved for 5 billion years just to do what we needed to do to be alive … and we can see 30 to 50 things a second,” said Jeff Lieberman, co-host of Time Warp. “With high-speed cameras we can see a million things a second, and we’re looking at everyday things and seeing an entire world that exists underneath.”
Aside from the annoyingly repetitive BMW ad there are some really amazing shots here. I ran the shot of the surfer inside the barrel wave several times just to understand its awesomeness.
Aside from the annoyingly repetitive BMW ad there are some really amazing shots here. I ran the shot of the surfer inside the barrel wave several times just to understand its awesomeness.
New Cancer Insights From Down Syndrome
"It has long been observed that people with Down Syndrome have very low rates of cancer. Now researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have discovered that people with Down Syndrome benefit from a gene that blocks angiogenesis, the development of blood vessels essential for cancer's growth. The study identifies specific new therapeutic targets for treating cancer."
This is excellent news and I hope it pans out.
This is excellent news and I hope it pans out.
Hubble Is Back In Orbit
"It's amazing looking back at how hard things looked a couple of times -- more difficult than I ever expected -- and then to overcome and wind up with everything done in the way that it was. We were very successful," Atlantis commander Scott Altman told reporters during an in-flight news conference [today]. The shuttle crew is preparing to wrap up its 11-day mission with a landing on Friday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida."
CAFE Updates
Much, much more information here for those so inclined from Keith Hennessey. Also see an excellent technical essay and updates posted in the Comments section by "All that's left to arrive at the President's new destination for the American way of driving are huge, unanswered questions about technology, financing and the marketability of cars that will be small and expensive."
Uppestdate: From Real Clear Politics: "When private enterprise and private capital drive the economy, the result always is to maximize efficiency, because that turns directly into profits. But the government isn't seeking to maximize profits. Its goals in taking over the auto industry are to maximize political and environmental benefits, and to reward its friends in the labor movement."
Uppestdate: From Real Clear Politics: "When private enterprise and private capital drive the economy, the result always is to maximize efficiency, because that turns directly into profits. But the government isn't seeking to maximize profits. Its goals in taking over the auto industry are to maximize political and environmental benefits, and to reward its friends in the labor movement."
Most.Expensive. Ever.
Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa“The historical significance of this car attracted a bidding war as collectors from around the world — both in the room and on the telephone — competed to secure one of the most alluring and iconic of all Ferrari racing cars.”
It's still not as pretty as a Jag, though.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
3 Below Honey
After figuring out some legal issues with er, Van Morrison (it was called 2 Below Honey), the Minnesotans for Global Warming strike again. Don't be talkin' climate change to me. I love this line: "Al Gore says CO2's killin' the planet. But 31-thousand scientists disagree."
The Internet Never Never Forgets. Never.
"It's the latest wakeup call to Web 2.0 aficionados that once they reveal personal information online, there's no taking it back - no matter what anyone tells you."
Web 2.0? Oh, that's only Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, this blog &c. &c... I hope the kids are listening.
Web 2.0? Oh, that's only Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, this blog &c. &c... I hope the kids are listening.
The Best Named Metal Band You Never Heard Of
Well I never was one "who hung on to their old Judas Priest cassettes" because I never had any and also I wouldn't be able to pick out a Judas Priest ditty even if I were stirred into an electrified barrel of mercury filled with boiling scrap lead, cast iron anvils and molten steel Double Neck Bich's.
But since Damian Penny (erstwhile of Daimnation, now on hiatus) has reviewed the documentary Anvil! about a veteran Canadian metal band I will at least read about them. Damian likes Anvil! which is good enough recommendation for me.
But since Damian Penny (erstwhile of Daimnation, now on hiatus) has reviewed the documentary Anvil! about a veteran Canadian metal band I will at least read about them. Damian likes Anvil! which is good enough recommendation for me.
All You Ever Need Is A Couple Of Good Men
A couple of good men from St. John 's, Newfoundland: "Robert Parsons and Perry Reid rushed to help when they saw smoke coming from an apartment at Pennywell Manor early Sunday morning, banging on doors and removing some wheelchair-bound residents to the sidewalk outside." They went back into the building twice before the fire fighters arrived. Everyone got out.
Good job. Good men. Well done.
Good job. Good men. Well done.
I've Met You Before... What's Your Name?
"Some people say they never forget a face, a claim now bolstered by psychologists at Harvard University who've discovered a group they call "super-recognizers": those who can easily recognize someone they met in passing, even many years later."
This surprises me as I have always taken this for granted. I truly never forget a face. Or old cars. Or music. But names? I have a terrible time with remembering names. Harvard, give me a call if you want to, you know, study me.
This surprises me as I have always taken this for granted. I truly never forget a face. Or old cars. Or music. But names? I have a terrible time with remembering names. Harvard, give me a call if you want to, you know, study me.
The CAFE Society Speaks
So I wanted to post something on today's announcement of the newly mandated corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for cars and trucks in the US. Mandates that will equally affect Canada by the way.
It was hard to find an article that did not take a stance: On the one hand it was like ooh aah Obama and !@#$%nsfw cars and on the other hand !@#$%nsfw Obama and ooh aah cars. Polarized. Like America in general these days. Is this even news?
But I did manage to find this more-or-less middle of the road piece at The Car Connection.
It was hard to find an article that did not take a stance: On the one hand it was like ooh aah Obama and !@#$%nsfw cars and on the other hand !@#$%nsfw Obama and ooh aah cars. Polarized. Like America in general these days. Is this even news?
But I did manage to find this more-or-less middle of the road piece at The Car Connection.
A New Quick Test For Prostate Cancer
"A new 3-minute test could help in diagnosing prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men in the UK, according to scientists.
Prof Leslie Costello from the University of Maryland said: "Citrate is formed in cell metabolism processes which alter as cancers grow. The analysis of the citrate concentration of prostatic fluid can provide an accurate way to screen and diagnose prostate cancer. Since citrate concentrations decrease markedly early in malignancy, this technique makes it possible to analyse what's happening quickly in the early and treatable stage of prostate cancer. It shows much promise as a clinical tool."
Early diagnosis leads to longer lives. Get tested guys. It's never too early to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a family history. See prostate cancer links on the sidebar for more info. And talk it up.
Prof Leslie Costello from the University of Maryland said: "Citrate is formed in cell metabolism processes which alter as cancers grow. The analysis of the citrate concentration of prostatic fluid can provide an accurate way to screen and diagnose prostate cancer. Since citrate concentrations decrease markedly early in malignancy, this technique makes it possible to analyse what's happening quickly in the early and treatable stage of prostate cancer. It shows much promise as a clinical tool."
Early diagnosis leads to longer lives. Get tested guys. It's never too early to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a family history. See prostate cancer links on the sidebar for more info. And talk it up.
The Missing Link - Darwin Would Be So Pleased
"When Darwin famously told the Bishop of Worcester's wife about his theory of evolution, she remarked: "Descended from the apes! My dear, let us hope that it is not true, but if it is, let us pray that it will not become generally known."
Now, it certainly is.
Everything Old Is New Again
In the latest Reason, Ronald Bailey comments on the re-birth of subsidized alternative energy and how that worked out the last time the US went down that road.
"In May of [1980], Carter declared, “For the first time in our nation’s history, we will have a national energy program to put us on the road to energy security. It’s more ambitious than the space program, the Marshall plan, and the Interstate Highway System combined.”
"Sound familiar? During the 2008 presidential campaign, Democratic candidate Barack Obama declared almost daily that developing new energy sources and breaking our addiction to foreign oil would “take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy.” He explicitly compared his plan to putting a man on the moon and building the Interstate Highway System."
What about the Marshall Plan? The more things change the more they seem to stay the same.
"In May of [1980], Carter declared, “For the first time in our nation’s history, we will have a national energy program to put us on the road to energy security. It’s more ambitious than the space program, the Marshall plan, and the Interstate Highway System combined.”
"Sound familiar? During the 2008 presidential campaign, Democratic candidate Barack Obama declared almost daily that developing new energy sources and breaking our addiction to foreign oil would “take nothing less than a complete transformation of our economy.” He explicitly compared his plan to putting a man on the moon and building the Interstate Highway System."
What about the Marshall Plan? The more things change the more they seem to stay the same.
Levant On Hudac And The HRC
Ezra Levant comments on Ontario Conservative leadership hopeful Tim Hudak's proposal to abolish the Ontario Human Rights Commission.
What's Eating All The Oil Spills?
Oil spills along our coasts are alarming. We think of them as catastrophes because of the wildlife they kill and the general mess they make. Think of the Exxon Valdez and many more. But what happens to all that spilled oil? And what happened to all the millions of barrels of oil that gushed out of sunken ships in World War II? It didn't all explode like in the movies. New research on vast naturally-occurring oil seeps is producing some astonishing knowledge. Nature has its ways of dealing with natural spills that dwarf the Exxon Valdez 100 times over.
Is The Internet Changing How Humans Think?
It seems obvious on the face of it. Of course the Internet is changing how we think. But how? And is that a good thing?
The debut of Wolfram Alpha got me to thinking about how we use our computers to store and access information and how we used to use our brains. The bookcase behind me contains hundreds of books. My books were my database, my go-to for reference, my library. Google changed all that. Except for some old favorites, the books now gather dust. And they are also not upgrading themselves. The flow of new books has slowed to a trickle. And I don't settle in with a book anymore - I find my concentration wanders more than it did. Is this just a function of aging? Or am I becoming dependent on my wi-fi laptop to help me think?
As I have often discovered on the internet, someone else is already thinking about such things. Writing in The Atlantic about a year ago now, Nicholas Carr asked "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" And on the same topic, at The American Scene, Peter Suderman wonders what is becoming of our minds and how we think as we transition from print to digital. The comments following Suderman's article are also well worth your time. I just hope they are right!
The debut of Wolfram Alpha got me to thinking about how we use our computers to store and access information and how we used to use our brains. The bookcase behind me contains hundreds of books. My books were my database, my go-to for reference, my library. Google changed all that. Except for some old favorites, the books now gather dust. And they are also not upgrading themselves. The flow of new books has slowed to a trickle. And I don't settle in with a book anymore - I find my concentration wanders more than it did. Is this just a function of aging? Or am I becoming dependent on my wi-fi laptop to help me think?
As I have often discovered on the internet, someone else is already thinking about such things. Writing in The Atlantic about a year ago now, Nicholas Carr asked "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" And on the same topic, at The American Scene, Peter Suderman wonders what is becoming of our minds and how we think as we transition from print to digital. The comments following Suderman's article are also well worth your time. I just hope they are right!
Vaccines, Autism & Junk Science
In fact let's not even call it junk science. In today's National Post:
"Pediatric associations in Canada and the United States are worried that the actress and former Playboy bunny, Jenny McCarthy, will use a new deal with Oprah to promote her emotionally resonant vaccine-skeptical views, despite the fact that they are not scientifically backed."
Let's call it what it is: profitable fear-mongering.
"Pediatric associations in Canada and the United States are worried that the actress and former Playboy bunny, Jenny McCarthy, will use a new deal with Oprah to promote her emotionally resonant vaccine-skeptical views, despite the fact that they are not scientifically backed."
Let's call it what it is: profitable fear-mongering.
Monday, May 18, 2009
What Engine Bay Is This?
Since I owned a couple of these I knew right away. I wish I still had one because this car and engine combination was faster and handled way better than a contemporary Trans Am or Camaro. But they tended to rust pretty badly. The answer and lots more pix at Jalopnik.
And Now For Some Canadian Politics
Fuschi’s Canadian Forum reminds Canadians:
"We should burn into our consciousness, this reality. Mulroney was wrong to take Schreiber’s money, because it looked bad. But he did not steal it. It was willingly offered by a snake. On the other hand, the Liberals stole tax money and perpetrated a scam to hide their actions, - a far greater wrong - and none of the political leaders have yet paid the price at the hands of the law."
Adscam anyone?
"We should burn into our consciousness, this reality. Mulroney was wrong to take Schreiber’s money, because it looked bad. But he did not steal it. It was willingly offered by a snake. On the other hand, the Liberals stole tax money and perpetrated a scam to hide their actions, - a far greater wrong - and none of the political leaders have yet paid the price at the hands of the law."
Adscam anyone?
President Obama Joins America’s CAFE Society
President Obama will roll out new rules for vehicle emissions and mileage tomorrow, setting the first-ever nationwide standard for greenhouse-gas pollution.
Robert Farago at The Truth About Cars editorializes:
"There is no reason to believe that the new [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] CAFE regs will be any more stringently applied than existing laws, or if they are, that manufacturers will be any less likely to game the system to allow them to build the more profitable vehicles that people want to buy."
The existing CAFE regulations have only been met in the breach. And anyway cars are not the biggest contributors of CO2 - the gas the warmists believe causes global warming. So it's really just politics as usual.
Robert Farago at The Truth About Cars editorializes:
"There is no reason to believe that the new [Corporate Average Fuel Economy] CAFE regs will be any more stringently applied than existing laws, or if they are, that manufacturers will be any less likely to game the system to allow them to build the more profitable vehicles that people want to buy."
The existing CAFE regulations have only been met in the breach. And anyway cars are not the biggest contributors of CO2 - the gas the warmists believe causes global warming. So it's really just politics as usual.
But You Can't Line The Birdcage With It
That's just one of the problems with trying to charge web readers for online news.
There is a great debate going on right now that will change the way we have come to expect to use the Web. For the best part of 15 years, most content online has been free. The saying has always been "Information wants to be free".
Content providers are realizing however that this is not sustainable. As print media downsize or shut down altogether, what will be the future of online news?
In yesterday's Financial Times, Rob Grimshaw, managing director of FT.com says the answer is that a “free evangelist movement [convinced] everybody that the internet was somehow different and any attempt to impose a business model was an imposition on people’s human rights”. Changing that perception will mean nothing less than challenging the culture of the internet as we currently understand it."
And how will bloggers like me, or even Glenn Reynolds or Matt Drudge for that matter, adapt when we can no longer link to free sources? The big guys may work out click-through deals because of their enormous traffic, but without "free passage" on the internet, the grass-roots phenomenon of little-guy blogging will have to adapt somehow.
There is a great debate going on right now that will change the way we have come to expect to use the Web. For the best part of 15 years, most content online has been free. The saying has always been "Information wants to be free".
Content providers are realizing however that this is not sustainable. As print media downsize or shut down altogether, what will be the future of online news?
In yesterday's Financial Times, Rob Grimshaw, managing director of FT.com says the answer is that a “free evangelist movement [convinced] everybody that the internet was somehow different and any attempt to impose a business model was an imposition on people’s human rights”. Changing that perception will mean nothing less than challenging the culture of the internet as we currently understand it."
And how will bloggers like me, or even Glenn Reynolds or Matt Drudge for that matter, adapt when we can no longer link to free sources? The big guys may work out click-through deals because of their enormous traffic, but without "free passage" on the internet, the grass-roots phenomenon of little-guy blogging will have to adapt somehow.
Astronauts Performing Fifth And Final Spacewalk
NASA Astronauts are outdoors again today working on the final installations on the last Hubble Space Telescope upgrade. When they are done I hope the first thing they point the new super cameras at will be that giant mystery space blob out there. Way out there.Update: The spacewalk has ended. After just over 7 hours, the boys are safely back inside and all of the Hubble updates have apparently been successful.
Some Stats From Wolfram Alpha's Pre-Launch
Wolfram Alpha went live "officially" Monday, but actually began pre-launch testing over the weekend. Via email from Wolfram Alpha's Jennifer Peterson:
"Here are some data points and observations from Wolfram Alpha's pre-launch testing period May 15-17:
"Here are some data points and observations from Wolfram Alpha's pre-launch testing period May 15-17:
- During the weekend, Wolfram Alpha processed 13.7 million queries.
- Our request for feedback has elicited nearly 27,000 responses.
- Within minutes, there were queries from six continents.
- Queries were surprisingly diverse. People quickly moved from using the examples page on the site to using their own inputs.
- Twitter users discovered that Wolfram Alpha could immediately provide information on a small California earthquake that happened Sunday.
- Finding Wolfram Alpha Easter eggs has already become a popular topic on Mashable, the social media news guide.
- Facebook users have been helping each other suggest and correct inputs."
And this is why Wolfram Alpha is significant:
"Fifty years ago," said Stephen Wolfram, the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research, "when computers were young, people assumed that they'd be able to ask a computer any factual question, and have it compute the answer. I'm happy to say that we've successfully built a system that delivers knowledge from a simple input field, giving access to a huge system, with trillions of pieces of curated data and millions of lines of algorithms. Wolfram Alpha signals a new paradigm for using computers and the web."
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Ouch! Really!
At Small Dead Animals, Kate McMillan links to an apology from a former leftist. I too have been screamed at by people like this because I asked the wrong questions. By fellow Canadians.
Seriously: What If Global Warming Fears Are Overblown?
Don't just blow this off as more "denialism". If you really do care about global warming, you owe it to yourself to read it all. Jarrett Plonka asks: What if global warming fears are overblown? He links to a CNN Money interview with John Christy, former lead author on the IPCC.
"Christy is actually the environmental lobby's worst nightmare - an accomplished climate scientist with no ties to Big Oil who has produced reams and reams of data that undermine arguments that the earth's atmosphere is warming at an unusual rate and question whether the remedies being talked about in [the US] Congress will actually do any good."
Then he asks what if scientific consensus now said that the whole 'icecaps melting and flooding the earth' was an exaggeration, to put it mildly?
From the Beeb: "Our reassessment of West Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise if the ice sheet was to collapse is about 3.3 metres... That is about half of the value that has been quoted up until now."
So old science came up with a number. Then newer science cut that in half. What will still newer science do I wonder. Read it all.
"Christy is actually the environmental lobby's worst nightmare - an accomplished climate scientist with no ties to Big Oil who has produced reams and reams of data that undermine arguments that the earth's atmosphere is warming at an unusual rate and question whether the remedies being talked about in [the US] Congress will actually do any good."
Then he asks what if scientific consensus now said that the whole 'icecaps melting and flooding the earth' was an exaggeration, to put it mildly?
From the Beeb: "Our reassessment of West Antarctica's contribution to sea level rise if the ice sheet was to collapse is about 3.3 metres... That is about half of the value that has been quoted up until now."
So old science came up with a number. Then newer science cut that in half. What will still newer science do I wonder. Read it all.
How Do I Hate Thee Honda? Let Me Count The Ways
If you have never heard of Jeremy Clarkson you will assuredly never forget an encounter with him. He is the incorrigible host of the BBC's international smash hit TV car show Top Gear. He's also automotive critic for The Sunday Times. This week he writes about the new Honda Insight Hybrid. To say that he hates this car is to not even begin to describe it. And when I say you will never forget him once you encounter him, wait till you read how he describes the sound this car makes. (H/T: Diogenes Borealis).
"President Palin's First 100 Days"
National Review contributor Victor Davis Hanson is one of my favorite commentators on the American scene and here are just two reasons why:
First: Hanson's scathingly hilarious satire of recent history, "President Palin's First 100 Days". Glenn Reynolds links.
Second, Glenn links again to this thoughtful and worrying analysis. If you have the time, press on through the comments.
First: Hanson's scathingly hilarious satire of recent history, "President Palin's First 100 Days". Glenn Reynolds links.
Second, Glenn links again to this thoughtful and worrying analysis. If you have the time, press on through the comments.
Fall And Winter Arrived Yesterday
That's correct. Even though here in Newfoundland we've just strung two 17 degree Celsius days together for the first time this year, Fall and Winter arrived with a thump on the front porch yesterday. Sears Fall and Winter. Yup, the catalog is out already. Weird. But not as weird as this, the Sears Fall and Winter Catalog from 1973 - "the nadir of human civilization". Explore James Lilek's website. You will become a fan.
Brad Pitt To Play The King Of Cool
I did not know there was a biopic of Steve McQueen in the works until I found out Brad Pitt will play him. Well I don't know about this. Brad Pitt is every bit the celebrity that McQueen was, but is he anywhere close the actor? And how much gasoline does Pitt have in his veins?"That's where it's at man." Is Brad Pitt where it's at?
Tokyo Mater
Car-Toons presents Mater's Tall Tales - Tow Mater stars in Tokyo Mater. If you don't get the references to the car sub-culture of drifting don't worry, it's Pixar. See the video at Jalopnik.
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