Switch to Switchgrass
port1080.
Posted to SciTech on Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 08:21:10 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
Biofuel - gasoline alternatives made from plant matter - has long been promised as a savior that will both provide energy independence and help reduce automobile pollution. There has, however, always been a problematic trade-off - planting crops for biofuel has reduced the crop space available for food crops. The more popular biofuels became, the more the cost of food staples would increase. Now a potential solution finally seems within reach - two companies have recently announced breakthroughs in creating cellulose-based biofuels.
(16 comments, 777 words in story) Full Story
The future of psychiatry... today!
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Sat Feb 13, 2010 at 09:50:02 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
On Wednesday the American Psychiatric Association posted an outline to the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. This is important because mental health professionals use this book as a standard for diagnosing mental illness in patients. Some changes are humdrum while others, such as the idea to include all autism like conditions (such as Asperger's) in a single category, are very controversial.
(9 comments, 304 words in story) Full Story
Tanning Beds = Cancer Machines
shane.
Posted to SciTech on Tue Feb 09, 2010 at 10:20:46 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
Analysis of more than 20 epidemiological studies revealed the risk of skin cancer increased by 75 per cent when the use of tanning devices starts before the age of 30, the working group found. This, along with other studies indicating the dangers of tanning beds, have led to a spate of new legislative proposals in both the US and Canada.
(8 comments, 164 words in story) Full Story
Breaking News: Incident at Connecticut Power Plant
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Sun Feb 07, 2010 at 03:36:38 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
Mass injuries and multiple causalities were reported at a Connecticut power plant Saturday morning after a large explosion left a large plume of black smoke hanging over the affected area. The explosion damaged buildings off site of the plant and was felt at least 15 miles away. Plant managers were unsure how many people were dead, but confirmed police reports that it was a "mass casualty" incident. The facility is a gas fired power plant that was recently undergoing construction.
(5 comments, 113 words in story) Full Story
Breaking Scientific News: Vaccines --> Autism Paper Retracted!
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Thu Feb 04, 2010 at 08:07:49 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
There has been quite a bit of controversy regarding the idea that vaccines may not be completely safe. Much of this centered around a 1998 paper published in the reputable journal The Lancet which stated that vaccines were related to Crohn's disease and autism. The journal recently retracted (full access requires subscription) this article, claiming unreported conflicts of interest, falsification of methods and unethical content required it to be withdrawn from the scientific record.
(6 comments, 319 words in story) Full Story
Scientists: We are further from Doomsday Than We Were Yesterday
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Tue Jan 19, 2010 at 11:59:29 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
Since 1947 the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists has been responsible for setting the Doomsday Clock. For the nineteenth time the clock was changed, this time it was moved back 1 minute to 11:54.
(3 comments, 276 words in story) Full Story
Google: It's On Like Donkey Kong!
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Thu Jan 14, 2010 at 07:54:44 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
An announcement by internet goliath Google, Inc will likely go beyond the tech/geek pages on the local news. Google has announced that it detected Chinese cyberwarfare attacks against itself and about 20 other companies. It says that the main thrust of these attacks appeared to center around accessing the e-mail information of dissidents and human rights activists. Because of these shenanigans Google has announced that it will no longer be complicit in the censorship of the internet in China, and will either halt its blocking of websites and search results the government deems offensive, or it will cease operations in the affected country.
(20 comments, 389 words in story) Full Story
Cell phones stop Alzheimer's disease
shane.
Posted to SciTech on Fri Jan 08, 2010 at 03:07:22 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
A study in mice suggests using cellphones may help prevent some of the brain-wasting effects of Alzheimer's disease, U.S. researchers said on Wednesday.
(8 comments, 64 words in story) Full Story
Doc Oc accused of Negligence by Medical Board
pO157.
Posted to SciTech on Thu Jan 07, 2010 at 08:15:44 AM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
The reproductive health physician hired by California Octopus Mom Nadya Suleman is now charged by that state's medical board. Dr. Michael Kamrava of Beverly Hills is accused investigation by that agency for gross negligence and violating professional guidelines after implanting her with multiple embryos. This lead to the welfare recipient mother of 6 giving birth to another 8 children.
(11 comments, 196 words in story) Full Story
New Tech: 2010
port1080.
Posted to SciTech on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 02:34:05 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
Some new and potentially game changing devices are being discussed for release in 2010. The rumor mill is working overtime in discussion of the new tablet device which Apple will likely unveil later this month. Almost as anticipated is Google's new phone, Nexus One, which was revealed to the public on Tuesday.
(9 comments, 417 words in story) Full Story
The Best Protection Is Less Detection?
gerrymander.
Posted to SciTech on Wed Nov 18, 2009 at 03:34:45 PM EST (promoted by port1080). RSS.
Despite the US having one of the better survival rates in the developed world and a popular, widespread national campaign based on prevention through early detection, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a new advisory recommending fewer screenings for breast cancer.
(17 comments, 236 words in story) Full Story
Featured Diary: Behold, a door will be opened
Steve Urkel.
Posted to SciTech on Fri Nov 13, 2009 at 08:42:32 AM EST (promoted from Diaries by port1080). RSS.
"Out of this door might come something..."- Sergio Bertolucci, director for research and scientific computing at CERN, explaining what will happen when the Large Hadron Collider is activated.
(21 comments, 54 words in story) Full Story
