MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'environment?'. Tue, 04 May 2010 18:20:40 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529764&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FKfDaa9S6bb4%2F By Ilya ShapiroLast October, I blogged about Comer v. Murphy Oil USA, a lawsuit in Mississippi alleging that the defendant oil, coal, utility, and chemical companies emit carbon dioxide, which causes global warming, which exacerbated Hurricane Katrina, which damaged the plaintiffs’ property.  Mass tort litigation specialist Russell Jackson called the case “the litigator’s equivalent to the game ‘Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.’”  In a brief that Cato was due to file this week, I framed the operative question as, “When a butterfly flaps its wings, can it be sued for the damage any subsequent tsunami causes?” The plaintiffs asserted a variety of theories under Mississippi common law, but the main issue at this stage was whether the plaintiffs had standing, or ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529764 Tue, 04 May 2010 12:47:50 +0100 3529764 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529952&cid=t_348418_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FNYBrRSYL-Us%2F Check out Enviralment, a green-minded blog that’s all about the earth, the environment, technology, and pretty much everything in between – oh, and how they’re all interconnected. Coolest thing Enviralment told us about today? Dial4Light, a newly developed German public lighting system that lets pedestrians activate street lights with their mobile phones. Turned on to a dark alley? Punch in a code and your path will be lighted for around 15 minutes. Could this be the illuminating future for urban areas everywhere? We hope so. Post from: BlissTree Today's Best Blog: Enviralment (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529952 Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:11 +0100 3529952 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3529748&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Ftodays-best-blog-enviralment%2F Check out Enviralment, a green-minded blog that’s all about the earth, the environment, technology, and pretty much everything in between – oh, and how they’re all interconnected. Coolest thing Enviralment told us about today? Dial4Light, a newly developed German public lighting system that lets pedestrians activate street lights with their mobile phones. Turned on to a dark alley? Punch in a code and your path will be lighted for around 15 minutes. Could this be the illuminating future for urban areas everywhere? We hope so. Post from: BlissTree Today's Best Blog: Enviralment (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3529748 Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:11 +0100 3529748 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3522804&cid=t_348418_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fbottled-water.html I found this interesting. A local town wants to ban the sale of drinking water in plastic bottles starting next year. Its not the water that's the problem, its the bottles. I found it interesting that they are not the first and there are other places that no longer spend tax payer dollars on bottled water.I am someone who goes out the door every day with water in a refillable bottle. I don't buy bottled water except in desperation - meaning I forgot my bottle or something. Then I see people buying bottled water daily and throwing out, not recycling, the empty bottles. I find it to be a wasteful habit. Do you ever get to a meeting and find everyone has been given a bottle of water? What's wrong with tap water out of a pitcher? Its probably cleaner than the bottled water any - it is more reg... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3522804 Sat, 01 May 2010 11:16:00 +0100 3522804 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3522619&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Foil-spill-rss.html It is terrible news about the oil spill heading towards the cost of America.I searched the topic of oil spills on MedWorm and found it to contain some useful information.Here's a MedWorm RSS oil spill feed for those that want to keep up date with what is happening.The search is quite wide, so there's a number of articles that come through that are not relevant, but most of them are, and it should pick up everything going into MedWorm that is relevant. (Source: Frankie Speaking Frankly) Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3522619 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 20:06:00 +0100 3522619 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3519440&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FpTnhFrfoYjA%2F By Indur GoklanyWhy does the Neo-Malthusians’ dystopian worldview — that human and environmental well-being will suffer with increases in population, affluence and technological change — fail the reality check? Why has human well-being improved in the Age of Industrialization despite order-of-magnitude increases in the consumption of materials, fossil fuel energy and chemicals? I offer some reasons in the last of a series of posts (1, 2, 3, 4) at MasterResource. I note that although population, affluence and technology can create some problems for humanity and the planet, they are also the agents for solving those problems. In particular, human capital and greater affluence have helped the development and adoption of new and improved technologies, which empirical data show have redu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3519440 Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:19:36 +0100 3519440 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502999&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FNPfsnTdcBFc%2Fbeautiful_antarctica_feature_o.php Maggie Koerth-Baker, who I finally met in person at AAAS meeting, just designed an amazing feature on BoingBoing - the Antarctica: It's about the Antarctic Geospatial Information Center, a group of researchers based at the University of Minnesota who do the information processing and visualization that makes other research on the Frozen Continent possible. The story features some great details about life in Antarctica and tons of photos taken by the AGIC crew. Quick fun fact: Do you know how researchers use satellite images to find packs of penguins? Turns out, they look for huge smears of brownish-red penguin poop across the white landscape. It is wide - scroll the page left and right, not just up and down. Look at the amazing pictures, and read the long comment thread at the bottom. R... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502999 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 18:49:50 +0100 3502999 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502795&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FK2VVRodDbk8%2F By Indur GoklanyElsewhere, I have shown data that, notwithstanding the Neo-Malthusian worldview, human well-being has advanced globally since the start of industrialization more than two centuries ago, despite massive increases in population, consumption, affluence, and carbon dioxide emissions. Here I will focus on long-term trends in U.S. well-being, as measured by the average life expectancy at birth, in the age of fossil fuels. Since 1900, the U.S. population has quadrupled, affluence has septupled, GDP has increased 30-fold, synthetic organic chemical use has increased 85-fold, metals use 14-fold, material use 25-fold, and CO2 emissions 8-fold.  Yet life expectancy advanced from 47 to 78 years. During the same period, emissions of air pollution waxed and waned. Food and water got sa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502795 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:02:53 +0100 3502795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3501515&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXxjEqsiCWQk%2F By Indur GoklanyNeo-Malthusians bemoan population growth and view economic, technological, and fossil fuel development as inventions of the Devil. Yet between 1750 and 2007, despite an octupling of global population, and increases in affluence by an order of magnitude and CO2 emissions by three orders of magnitude, the average global life expectancy at birth — the single most important indicator for human well-being — more than doubled from 26 years to 69 years. Not only are we living longer, we are also living healthier. Read more  here. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3501515 Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:26:02 +0100 3501515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499053&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FzBeVgiacEu8%2F By Indur GoklanyThis Earth Day we heard various commentators bemoan the growth in population, consumption, and carbon emissions driven by fossil fueled technologies. Once again we are told that this is unsustainable, that we are running out of resources, prices are inevitably headed up, and, worse, such consumption reduces  both environmetal and human well-being. In this worldview, industrialization and economic development were fashioned in the Devil’s crucible, and that de-industrialization and de-development will be our saviour. I have started a series of posts at Master Resources that compares the above Neo-Malthusian view of industrialization, economic growth, and technological change against empirical data on human well-being from the age of industrialization.  The first post rev... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499053 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:15:35 +0100 3499053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499057&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Ffbhl-ltldn4%2F By Jerry TaylorA conversation with documentarian Robert Stone regarding Earth Day is featured today in The New York Times’s “Dot Earth” online column.  In the course of his conversation with the Times’s Andrew Revkin, Mr. Stone — who is quite alarmed about our reliance on foreign oil — asks:  “How many Americans know that we send about $800 billion to the Middle East every year for oil?” Hopefully, not many. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. spent $95.4 billion on crude oil imports from OPEC sources in 2009.  But not all OPEC members are from the Middle East.  That $95.4 billion includes dollars spent on oil originating from Algeria ($6.3 billion), Angola ($9 billion), Ecuador ($3.4 billion), Nigeria ($17.7 billion), an... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499057 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:11:36 +0100 3499057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499060&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FxARgsuAF3WM%2F By Chris MoodyToday is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a time to highlight and discuss ways to work toward a cleaner planet. Cato’s energy and environment research promotes policies that would help protect the environment without sacrificing economic liberty, goals that are mutually supporting, not mutually exclusive. Why we should thank capitalism for environmental gains: “It is businessmen — not bureaucrats or environmental activists — who deserve most of the credit for the environmental gains over the past century and who represent the best hope for a Greener tomorrow.” Finding the right balance: “Today, America’s environment is cleaner—and Earth Day has indeed helped ensure that. …We should renew our promise to keep the environment clean�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499060 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:44:45 +0100 3499060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499061&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fp482CAov00A%2F By David BoazToday in Washington: actress Sigourney Weaver testifies before the  Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on the topic of ocean acidification. Because, you know, she played an environmental scientist in Avatar. It’s the best fit since Jane Fonda, Jessica Lange, and Sissy Spacek — all of whom had played farm women — testified on America’s agricultural crisis. Congress doesn’t have time to vote on presidential nominations. It doesn’t bother engaging in serious oversight of presidential power and civil liberties abuses. It looks at the ceiling and whistles as the national debt approaches Greek levels. But members of Congress have time to listen ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499061 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 16:02:14 +0100 3499061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494269&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fearth-week-video-of-the-day-president-obama-marks-40th-anniversary-of-earth-day%2F Happy Earth Day! President Barack Obama on the environmental policy in the United States, and on what you can do to take action for Earth Day’s 40th anniversary. Visit “A New Foundation for Energy and the Environment” at WhiteHouse.gov for more info. Post from: BlissTree Earth Week Video of the Day: President Obama Marks 40th Anniversary of Earth Day (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494269 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:32:23 +0100 3494269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494270&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fearth-week-quote-of-the-day-ansel-adams-on-the-environment%2F photo: Thinkstock It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment. — Ansel Adams Post from: BlissTree Earth Week Quote of the Day: Ansel Adams on the Environment (Source: Healthbolt) Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494270 Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:03:37 +0100 3494270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490810&cid=t_348418_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F33twgCbfLEM%2F You say you’re an environmentalist. You use cloth bags when grocery shopping; your house is fitted with CFL light bulbs; and you drive a hybrid. (Hopefully not a Prius, though.) But if you really want to get your hands dirty for the sake of saving the planet, here are 10 ways you can use Earth Week as an excuse to get active in your community. If none of these opportunities are near where you live, check out Serve.org or Volunteermatch.org to find a worthy cause nearby. 1. Phoenix, Arizona Girls For A Green Planet – Saturday, May 1 You can teach Girl Scouts (grades two through six) how to lead greener lives, and help inspire the next generation to be as committed to saving the environment as you are. 2. Los Angeles, California Earth Day at SEA Lab – Saturday, April 24 Spend the morni... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490810 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:02:41 +0100 3490810 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490794&cid=t_348418_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F33twgCbfLEM%2F You say you’re an environmentalist. You use cloth bags when grocery shopping; your house is fitted with CFL light bulbs; and you drive a hybrid. (Hopefully not a Prius, though.) But if you really want to get your hands dirty for the sake of saving the planet, here are 10 ways you can use Earth Week as an excuse to get active in your community. If none of these opportunities are near where you live, check out Serve.org or Volunteermatch.org to find a worthy cause nearby. 1. Phoenix, Arizona Girls For A Green Planet – Saturday, May 1 You can teach Girl Scouts (grades two through six) how to lead greener lives, and help inspire the next generation to be as committed to saving the environment as you are. 2. Los Angeles, California Earth Day at SEA Lab – Saturday, April 24 Spend the morni... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490794 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:02:41 +0100 3490794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490608&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F10-places-to-volunteer-around-the-u-s-during-earth-week%2F You say you’re an environmentalist. You use cloth bags when grocery shopping; your house is fitted with CFL light bulbs; and you drive a hybrid. (Hopefully not a Prius, though.) But if you really want to get your hands dirty for the sake of saving the planet, here are 10 ways you can use Earth Week as an excuse to get active in your community. If none of these opportunities are near where you live, check out Serve.org or Volunteermatch.org to find a worthy cause nearby. 1. Phoenix, Arizona Girls For A Green Planet – Saturday, May 1 You can teach Girl Scouts (grades two through six) how to lead greener lives, and help inspire the next generation to be as committed to saving the environment as you are. 2. Los Angeles, California Earth Day at SEA Lab – Saturday, April 24 Spend the morni... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490608 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:02:41 +0100 3490608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3487381&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2Fu4pSlYI7CCk%2Fenvironmentally_friendly_chico.php We bought a couple of these recently and use them for all our grocery shopping. They are environmentally friendly, strong chico bags, tiny when wrapped up (and easy to wrap up) and large when opened up: Conflict of Interest: this is Bride of Coturnix's store (look around for other items). Every item sold puts money in our joint account. Which is good for me as I am owing tons in taxes..... Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3487381 Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:59:33 +0100 3487381 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3479664&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4O2lz_1MOAw%2F By Sallie JamesSen. Sherrod Brown (D, OH), along with eight other “usual suspects,” yesterday sent a letter to Senators John Kerry (D, MA), Joe Lieberman (I, CT) and Lindsey Graham (R, SC), outlining what’s necessary for their support of the latter’s climate green jobs bill (there seems to be some confusion about the precise purpose). The math, assuming that Republicans vote as a block to defeat the bill, requires that these senators’ demands be met if the Democrats are to overcome a filibuster and pass the bill. So what exactly do they want? The main thrust of their demands seems to be for U.S. manufacturing’s competitiveness to be “addressed,” including by asking for the bill to “invest” (don’t you just love the way th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3479664 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:10:41 +0100 3479664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3476003&cid=t_348418_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FfzSxOaSF-GA%2F Trashing food scraps is actually better for the environment than sending them down the garbage disposal according to Shift Your Habit, the site for Elizabeth Roger’s book on inexpensive and often cost-saving green tips. Of course, composting is the earth’s number-one choice for organic garbage, but if you’re deciding between the garbage disposal and garbage can, choose the can. Food sludge produced by a garbage disposal winds up at water treatment centers, and adds to the processes and chemicals needed in order to treat the water. The pulverized food gets strained out of the water supply and eventually ends up in a landfill anyway. So save the step and avoid the potential for clogged pipes and sewage issues by keeping your organic trash in the can. photo: Thinkstock Post ... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3476003 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:10:59 +0100 3476003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475986&cid=t_348418_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FfzSxOaSF-GA%2F Trashing food scraps is actually better for the environment than sending them down the garbage disposal according to Shift Your Habit, the site for Elizabeth Roger’s book on inexpensive and often cost-saving green tips. Of course, composting is the earth’s number-one choice for organic garbage, but if you’re deciding between the garbage disposal and garbage can, choose the can. Food sludge produced by a garbage disposal winds up at water treatment centers, and adds to the processes and chemicals needed in order to treat the water. The pulverized food gets strained out of the water supply and eventually ends up in a landfill anyway. So save the step and avoid the potential for clogged pipes and sewage issues by keeping your organic trash in the can. photo: Thinkstock Post ... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475986 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:10:59 +0100 3475986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3475781&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fgreen-habits-send-garbage-disposals-to-the-dump%2F Trashing food scraps is actually better for the environment than sending them down the garbage disposal according to Shift Your Habit, the site for Elizabeth Roger’s book on inexpensive and often cost-saving green tips. Of course, composting is the earth’s number-one choice for organic garbage, but if you’re deciding between the garbage disposal and garbage can, choose the can. Food sludge produced by a garbage disposal winds up at water treatment centers, and adds to the processes and chemicals needed in order to treat the water. The pulverized food gets strained out of the water supply and eventually ends up in a landfill anyway. So save the step and avoid the potential for clogged pipes and sewage issues by keeping your organic trash in the can. photo: Thinkstock Post ... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3475781 Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:10:59 +0100 3475781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3471728&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F14%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-upcoming-conferences-and-reproductive-justice-vs-climate-change%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog this week, I have a post on upcoming conferences on hysterectomy, midwifery (including a forum for those considering the profession), maternal and reproductive health. In another post, I highlight a new publication from the Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women on climate change and reproductive justice, particularly the ways in which a focus on reducing climate change through population control harms women. I also recently featured a virtual birthing center in Second Life and Facebook tips for midwives. Nominations for the 2010 Women’s Health Heroes awards are also coming in, and you can read all of the nominations so far here – lots of great profiles of people doing fascinating work! You can submit your own nominations through the end ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3471728 Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:06:19 +0100 3471728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3463618&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F04%2Fstudy-suggests-rheumatoid-arthritis-linked-to-vitamin-d-deficiency.html ScienceDaily (Apr. 10, 2010) — Women living in the northeastern United States are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA), suggesting a link between the autoimmune disease and vitamin D deficiency, says a new study led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher. In the paper, which appears online in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, a spatial analysis led by Dr. Verónica Vieira, MS, DSc, associate professor of environmental health, found that women in states like Vermont, New Hampshire and southern Maine were more likely to report being diagnosed with RA.  "There's higher risk in the northern latitudes," Dr. Vieira said. "This might be related to the fact that there's less sunlight in these areas, which results in a vitamin D deficiency." &n... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3463618 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:21:45 +0100 3463618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3460146&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36088&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ourbodiesourblog.org%2Fblog%2F2010%2F04%2Ffocusing-on-gender-and-reproductive-justice-in-climate-change-work The Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW), an NGO focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights in Asia, has released a new climate justice-themed issue of its ARROWs for Change publication. In In Search of Climate Justice: Refuting Dubious Linkages, Affirming Rights [PDF], the organization criticizes the linking of population control efforts to climate change work, citing disparities between rates of population growth and levels consumption, and the ways in which attempts to simply reduce birth rates ignore other demographic factors (such as per capita consumption) that contribute to climate change concerns. Most important, perhaps, are concerns that population control strategies “have inevitably led to abuses, coercion and the violation of women&#821... Our Bodies Our Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3460146 Mon, 12 Apr 2010 15:52:48 +0100 3460146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456718&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F04%2F10%2F5-reliable-findings-from-happiness-research%2F Yes, I know. There are dozens of books written about how to increase you happiness, probably hundreds of different blogs all promising you the secrets to the keys of happiness, and thousands of articles written on this topic. Since the positive psychology movement got started a while back, it’s been going bananas. And why wouldn’t it? Who wouldn’t like to learn some “secrets” to unlocking their inner happiness? Happier people tend to live longer, live healthier lives, make more money and do better at work. It’s a chicken and egg problem, though. Does happiness bring those kinds of things, or do those kinds of things lead us to be happier? While we may not exactly know the answer to that question yet, we do know the answers to many other questions about h... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456718 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:27:37 +0100 3456718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3448841&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FcXWA7doTgeo%2F By Jerry TaylorLast week I was on John Stossel’s (most excellent) new show on Fox Business News to discuss energy policy — in particular, popular myths that Republicans have about energy markets.  One of the topics I touched upon was nuclear power.  My argument was the same that I have offered in print: Nuclear power is a swell technology but, given the high construction costs associated with building nuclear reactors, it’s a technology that cannot compete in free markets without a massive amount of government support.  If one believes in free markets, then one should look askance at such policies.  As expected, the atomic cult has taken offense.  Now, it is reasonable to argue that excessive regulatory oversight has driven up the cost of nuclear power and that a “better�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3448841 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:36:48 +0100 3448841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443998&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FT2iarb6_K5g%2Fprimate_palooza_at_duke_-_meet.php From Duke: Bonobo Rescue Leader to Headline Primate Palooza: DURHAM, N.C. -- Internationally renowned conservationist Claudine André will visit Duke University April 14-18 as part of the "Primate Palooza," an effort to raise awareness for our primate relatives. André founded and runs the world's only sanctuary and release program for orphaned bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bonobos, like chimpanzees, are our closest living relative and are highly endangered. However, unlike chimpanzees and humans, bonobos are the only ape that has found a way to maintain peace in their groups. When bonobos have a disagreement with each other they tend to hug or share food instead of having a fight. Bonobos have never been observed to kill each other and females cooperate to prevent males ... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443998 Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:26:31 +0100 3443998 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3432865&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fxzt3vRataJY%2F By Jerry TaylorPresident Obama should be credited—albeit cautiously—for his announcement yesterday that he will open some U.S. coastal waters to offshore oil drilling.  The fact that this is an interesting political reversal on Obama’s part has been treated extensively elsewhere.  But what of the substance of the president’s drilling proposal? I and other free-market advocates have spoken for years of the potential energy benefits of allowing this drilling, so I won’t devote too much space to repeating myself.  The best encapsulation of my own thinking on the subject is this piece I wrote for the LA Times in 2008. A few points worth adding: Obama’s press conference at Andrews Air Force Base yesterday did indicate a welcome new direction for U.S. energy policy.  But in an ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3432865 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:36:13 +0100 3432865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3424987&cid=t_348418_122_f&fid=34736&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FChannelN-PodcastsPoweredByOdiogo%2F%7E3%2FrJMvGo_iWH4%2Fnature-walk-videos.html [Image by Native Night Productions.] Peaceful Walks A series of gorgeous, high quality videos featuring nature scenery from around North America. The concept, born out of research showing that contact with and imagery of nature reduces stress, is to provide nature videos (“walks”) that are easily accessible on your computer when you’re unable to go on a physical walk through the wilderness. Available in free streaming previews (with watermarks) or higher resolution versions (no watermarks) which are downloadable for a small fee. Free sample download. (Source: Channel N) Channel N blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3424987 Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:48:58 +0100 3424987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420668&cid=t_348418_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FSPKY6grDnPM%2F John Hawks has an excellent post rebutting some misinformation and confusion on the part of Colin Blakemore, an Oxford neurobiologist. Blakemore asserts that: * There was a sharp spike in cranial capacity ~200,000 years ago, on the order of 30% * And, that the large brain was not deleterious despite its large caloric footprint (25% of our calories service the brain) because the “environment of early humans was so clement and rich in resources” Hawks refutes the first by simply reposting the chart the above (x axis = years before present, y axis = cranial capacity). It’s rather straightforward, I don’t know the paleoanthropology with any great depth, but the gradual rise in hominin cranial capacity has always been a “mystery” waiting to be solved (see Gro... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420668 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:38:08 +0100 3420668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416064&cid=t_348418_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FUkvCid2QcUE%2Fbathing-source-of-water-pollution-from.html I have written two posts in the past on proper disposal of unused medications.  I have always been mindful of the medicines as a source of environmental water pollution. This past week the American Chemical Society reminded (head-slapped me) that topical medications are a source of environmental water pollution from their active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).    Yes, the simple act of bathing washes hormones, antibiotics, and other pharmaceuticals down the drain into the water supply. Ilene Ruhoy, M.D., Ph.D. and colleague  Christian Daughton, Ph.D. looked at potential alternative routes for the entry into the environment by way of bathing, showering, and laundering.  These routes may be important for certain APIs found in medications that are applied top... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416064 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:01:00 +0100 3416064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3412444&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F03%2Fapril-22-regulation-aims-at-protecting-children-from-lead-paint-chips-dust.html Dr. Leonard Vance of our department notes that a regulation, which takes effect next month could affect millions of U.S. homes. The regulation  seeks to reduce the amount of lead dust created during home renovations and repairs. Contractors who work in older homes will be required to become certified by a government-approved trainer and follow certain precautions, such as covering floors with plastic sheeting and dressing workers in protective clothing. Comment: Portsmouth, VA passed an ordinance to protect children and others from poor housing after health department investigators showed that most housing health hazards came from rental housing. This code, now 40 years old, requires all rental housing to be checked for building code and health hazards change of occupancy. If there ar... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3412444 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 20:10:16 +0100 3412444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3411086&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FngMmFFwyoiY%2F By David BoazEnvironmentalist groups and celebrities are celebrating “Earth Hour” tonight. They ask that you turn your lights out for an hour, to call attention to global warming.  Folks at the Competitive Enterprise Institute suggest that “this sends the wrong message — to plunge us all into darkness as a rejection of technology and human achievement.” In fact, they point out that it’s Earth Hour every night in North Korea, where people lack basic freedoms, as well as affordable, reliable access to many human achievements, such as electricity. Check out this famous photo of environmentally conscious North Koreans observing Earth Hour all night, every night. CEI rejects the rejection of technology. They have declared the hour between 8:30 and 9:30 to... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3411086 Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:06:33 +0100 3411086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408452&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=36089&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthesituationist.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F26%2Fthe-situation-of-bottled-water%2F From the Story of Stuff: The Story of Bottled Water, releasing March 22, 2010, employs the Story of Stuff style to tell the story of manufactured demand—how you get Americans to buy more than half a billion bottles of water every week when it already flows from the tap. Over five minutes, the film explores the bottled water industrys attacks on tap water and its use of seductive, environmental-themed advertising to cover up the mountains of plastic waste it produces. The film concludes with a call to take back the tap, not only by making a personal commitment to avoid bottled water, but by supporting investments in clean, available tap water for all. * * * * * * For a sample of related Situationist posts, see ““Flow” and the Situation of Water,” and the links that post... The Situationist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408452 Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:01:37 +0100 3408452 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3408427&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fhp_coupon_codes_and_ewaste.php © U.S. Army Environmental CommandElectronic waste, e-waste, e-scrap, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) refers to loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete, or broken electrical or electronic devices. They ares often exported from the United States and other developed nations to regions in China, India, Thailand and less developed countries where recycling is done in crude methods that result to health and pollution problems due to the release of contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium and brominated flame retardants. A proposal is currently under debate ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3408427 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 06:02:35 +0100 3408427 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385338&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FqZmnJtawhqs%2F By Randal O'TooleProgressive blogger Matthew Yglesias says he is baffled by my previous post here about whether urban sprawl is the result of individual choice or government regulation. Ben Adler, a Newsweek blogger, weighs in as well. You can read my detailed response to Yglesias on the Antiplanner blog. In a nutshell, Yglesias claims that my argument is a “complicated counterfactual hypothetical about whether or not most people would still prefer to live in large single-family homes even in the absence of regulatory restrictions.” In fact, my argument is that the government regulation that he claims forces people to live in urban sprawl does not even exist. As near as I can tell, Yglesias has lived his entire life in New York City, Massachusetts, and the DC area, all of which... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385338 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:38:30 +0100 3385338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3382782&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fweekend-hippie-school%2F …at New York City’s Go Green Expo. If you happen to be in the Big Apple this weekend, this event is open to the public all day Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. ($25 for both days; kids under 12 are free). Can’t confirm that they’ll hold seminars at 4:20 on Burning Man, Woodstock, or Teva sandals, but Keynote speakers are Ed Begley, Jr., Mariel Hemingway, and Bobby Williams. Panel topics include “Eco-Fashion and Style”, “Young People and the Environment”, and “Living Eco-logically”. Stay green, tree-huggers! Post from: BlissTree (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3382782 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:05:27 +0100 3382782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378453&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F2uKqk5ZhjAk%2F By Randal O'TooleOn Thursday, March 18, John Stossel’s show on the Fox Business News network will feature a discussion of how taxes and regulation have protected urban areas like Cleveland from the decline of the industries that once supported those regions. While the “stars” of the show were Drew Carey and Reason Magazine’s Nick Gillespie, Stossel spent a few minutes on zoning and land-use regulation. When searching for someone to advocate such land-use regulation, they happened to ask James Kunstler, author of The Geography of Nowhere, a critique of suburbia. Kunstler’s response was emphatic. First, he called one of Stossel’s other guests (okay, it was me) “a shill for the sprawl-builders.” Then he added, “Please tell Stoessel [sic] h... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378453 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:47:45 +0100 3378453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378462&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ2xIsk1ZHis%2F By Sallie JamesI suspect I may be falling into a publicity trap here, but nonetheless I am unable to resist blogging about an email I received this morning from the Global Development and Environment Institute at Tufts University.  The email contained this teaser: How does cheap food contribute to global hunger?  GDAE’s Timothy A. Wise, in this recent article in Resurgence magazine, explains the contradictory nature of food and agriculture under globalization. He refers to globalization as “the cheapening of everything” and concludes: “Some things just shouldn’t be cheapened. The market is very good at establishing the value of many things but it is not a good substitute for human values. Societies need to determine their own human values, not let the market do it for them. Th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378462 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:14:46 +0100 3378462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362420&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fbio_whitepaper_biotech_chemical_platforms_to_create_green_jobs.php The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) has released a white paper on the growth and jobs potential of green chemicals and briefed Congressional staff on the commercial status of industrial biotechnologies for algae applications, biobased products, and advanced biofuels. The white paper, Biobased Chemicals and Products: A New Driver of U.S. Economic Development and Green Jobs (pdf file), indicats that the biobased chemicals and plastics industry accounts for over 5,700 direct jobs and is likely responsible for over 40,000 jobs economy wide. A related report ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362420 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:38:16 +0100 3362420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416280&cid=t_348418_137_f&fid=39091&url=http%3A%2F%2Falzheimmers.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fdementia-agitation-treatment.html Now one of the biggest stressors for family members is what do you do if your loved one with Alzheimer's is agitated and lashing out, or agitated and wandering off at night. What if they are moving about and wandering and confused? Are they more likely to fall and get hurt? Sometimes. This is typically a problem in the later stages of Alzheimer's and not all people in the later stages of Alzheimer's get agitated. Some do, they may even get violent. Remember this is the disease and not your loved one. Yes it is true that there are people who have a history of violence and anger and agitation well before they develop Alzheimer's. Think of the violent or antisocial or sociopath. In my world as a psychiatrist those problems are all too common, but for the sake of those reading this blog, viole... Caregiver Survival: I Hate Alzheimer's blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416280 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:44:00 +0100 3416280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335285&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FiEItZahRNDc%2F By Sallie JamesSen. John Kerry (D, MA) made an, er, interesting rhetorical case yesterday (as reported on E2 Wire, The Hill’s Energy and Environment blog) that borrows heavily from the Bush playbook: your patriotism hinges on voting for his favored policy — in this case, a climate change bill. Not that the bill is really about climate change, of course. It’s about a list of goodies completely unrelated to the changing political winds: What we are talking about is a jobs bill. It is not a climate bill. It is a jobs bill, and it is a clean air bill. It is a national security, energy independence bill,” he told reporters in the Capitol… “And people are going to have to decide whether they are going to vote for America or against it,” he concluded. (Source: Cato-... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335285 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 16:17:19 +0100 3335285 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3331275&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fu3lFBBg7i2M%2F By Chris Edwards1. Additional federal spending transfers resources from the more productive private sector to the less productive public sector of the economy. The bulk of federal spending goes toward subsidies and benefit payments, which generally do not enhance economic productivity. With lower productivity, average American incomes will fall. 2. As federal spending rises, it creates pressure to raise taxes now and in the future. Higher taxes reduce incentives for productive activities such as working, saving, investing, and starting businesses. Higher taxes also increase incentives to engage in unproductive activities such as tax avoidance. 3. Much federal spending is wasteful and many federal programs are mismanaged. Cost overruns, fraud and abuse, and other bureaucratic failures are e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3331275 Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:34:12 +0100 3331275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366245&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fchitosan_as_alternative_to_antibiotics_for_ruminants.php © Sadie_GirlThe use of antibiotics in animal feed is strictly regulated as it has been linked to the emergence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. This prohibition has been reported, however, to raise production costs by an estimated 3.5% to 5%. In a new research, scientists explore the use of a natural-occurring biopolymer known as chitosan as an effective alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics in the diet of ruminants. Apart from its proven antimicrobial activity, chitosan is a viable alternative as it is biodegradable, renewable and a ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366245 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 17:57:11 +0100 3366245 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3311661&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPn31hW3p3fQ%2F By Sallie JamesAn article today in BRIDGES Weekly Trade News Digest (What? You don’t subscribe??) contains an explicit rejection by India’s trade minister of the idea that carbon border tax adjustments belong in the WTO’s agenda.  Border tax adjustments in this context refers to de facto tariffs that would “level the playing field” for domestic producers competing with foreign producers not subject to climate change policies of an equivalent rigour, also called “border carbon adjustments” or variations on that theme. While Minister Khullar predicts that these sorts of measures will be in place in 2-3 years time, he rejects that the WTO is the forum to deal with environmental issues. Furthermore, countries introducing such measures can expect liti... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3311661 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:21:19 +0100 3311661 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3307018&cid=t_348418_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FhDOjowy6ZFY%2Fbe_safe_and_live_long.php Arboreality has allowed for the evolution of increased longevity in mammals: The evolutionary theory of aging predicts that species will experience delayed senescence and increased longevity when rates of extrinsic mortality are reduced. It has long been recognized that birds and bats are characterized by lower rates of extrinsic mortality and greater longevities than nonvolant endotherms, presumably because flight reduces exposure to terrestrial predators, disease, and environmental hazards. Like flight, arboreality may act to reduce extrinsic mortality, delay senescence, and increase longevity and has been suggested as an explanation for the long lifespans of primates. However, this hypothesis has yet to be tested in mammals in general. We analyze a large dataset of mammalian longevity r... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3307018 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:57:15 +0100 3307018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3298355&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F2Ch4uxDciVA%2Fday_that_my_ship_comes_in_does.php Still working on the grant and today was our Mock Study Section. It was an experiment that in the view of all participants (there were about 35 reviewers in the room) was a highly successful one. But after hearing the litany of strengths and weaknesses I'm worn out. I naturally focussed on the weaknesses. We have over a month to fix things but the image of the ship going down swam before my eyes, even when surfing for blog fodder: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3298355 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:56:59 +0100 3298355 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3366246&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fseeds_from_moringa_oleifera_can_be_used_for_water_treatment.php © treesftfMoringa oleifera is a vegetable crop cultivated in many Africa, Central and South America, the Indian subcontinent, and South East Asia. In a new study, it appears that this plant is not only useful as a food source, but extracts from its seeds can also be used as a http://www.uu.se/news/news_item.php?typ=pm&id=935">flocculant in a form of low-cost water treatment. An indigenous water treatment method uses Moringa oleifera seeds in the form of a water-soluble extract in suspension, resulting in an effective natural clarification agent for highly ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3366246 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:43:04 +0100 3366246 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287721&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNzFTrqOzcBA%2F By Jerry TaylorA good default proposition regarding the government’s role in the economy would state that the government should not loan money to an enterprise if the enterprise in question cannot find one single market actor anywhere in the universe to loan said enterprise a single red cent.  It might suggest – I don’t know – that the investment is rather … dubious. Alas, like all good propositions regarding the government’s role in the economy, this one is being left by the roadside by the Obama administration.  Unfortunately, the only complaint being made by a not insubstantial segment of the political Right – frequently, the political crowd that is busy decrying “Bailout Nation” – is that the loan guarantees are not fat enough. I write, of course, about the $8.3 b... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287721 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:17:49 +0100 3287721 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3287722&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FDRfzOrjjU3U%2F By Patrick J. MichaelsThere are numerous possible reasons for UN climate chief Yvo de Boer’s decision to resign—from his inability to cobble together a new climate treaty last December in Copenhagen (where he wept on the podium), to recent revelations of his agency’s mishandling of climate change data. What the climate science community and the public should focus on now are the ramifications of de Boer’s resignation.  For one thing, it signals that hope is dead for a UN-brokered global treaty that would have any meaningful effect on global temperatures.  It also means that the UN intends to keep its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change pretty much intact under the leadership of the scientifically compromised Rajenda Pauchari, who should have resigned along with de Boer.... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3287722 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:54:05 +0100 3287722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283515&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fy93MnVvdGE0%2F By Tad DeHavenThe same federal agency that brought us monumental failures like public housing wants to play a bigger role in fostering so-called regional “smart growth.” HUD secretary Shaun Donovan recently traveled to Portland, Oregon to announce the Obama administration’s new Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities. This new bureaucracy will distribute $140 million in grants for regional “smart growth” planning: With OSHC’s grant programs, HUD will provide funding to a wide variety of multi-jurisdictional and multi-sector partnerships and consortia, from Metropolitan Planning Organizations and State governments, to non-profit and philanthropic organizations. These grants will be designed to encourage regions to build their capacity to integrate economic development, lan... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283515 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:50:35 +0100 3283515 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262645&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Fthe-fresh-air-fund-needs-host-families%2F Imagine growing up in a city environment where you rarely see a tree, a patch of grass, or a bird. Imagine having nowhere to play a game of baseball or play catch with your dog. Imagine a place where the only thing summer brings is sweltering indoor temperatures, with no vacation or fun outside of playing in the fire-hydrant spray. For many children, this is inner-city life and the only life they know. But the Fresh Air Fund is a non-profit that has been giving free summer experiences to poor children in New York City since 1877. During that time, they’ve helped more than 1.7 million children have a very different kind of summer vacation — a chance to breath some fresh air in a different, less urban environment. In 2009, The Fresh Air Fund’s Volunteer Host Family program... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262645 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:30:38 +0100 3262645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254437&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJ_hqYtsqlSk%2F By Michael F. CannonToday, the Cato Institute released “Scientific Misconduct: The Manipulation of Evidence for Political Advocacy in Health Care and Climate Policy,” by George Avery of Purdue University. Avery points to a troubling provision of the Senate-passed health care bill that Democrats are trying to get through the House: In a section creating a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to conduct comparative-effectiveness research, the bill allows the withholding of funding to any institution where a researcher publishes findings not “within the bounds of and entirely consistent with the evidence,” a vague authorization that creates a tremendous tool that can be used to ensure self-censorship and conformity with bureaucratic preferences….As AcademyHea... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254437 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:29:33 +0100 3254437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243780&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsDY0XenFj-I%2F By Patrick J. MichaelsToday’s New York Times reports that President Obama has “ordered the rapid development of technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of coal,” as well as mandating the production of more corn-based ethanol and financing farmers to produce “cellulosic” ethanol from waste fiber. You’ve got to like the president’s moxie.  Faced with his inability to pass health care reform and cap-and-trade, he now chooses to command the impossible and the inefficient. Most power plants are simply not designed for carbon capture.  There isn’t any infrastructure to transport large amounts of carbon dioxide, and no one has agreed on where to put all of it.  Corn-based ethanol produces more carbon dioxide in its life cycle than i... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243780 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0100 3243780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239582&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fstudy-says-lead-may-be-the-culprit-in-adhd.html This study showed a link only between blood lead and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, not inattention. But a second study showed a robust link between blood lead and both parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms, including both hyperactivity and attention problems. In both studies, the connection was independent of IQ, family income, race, or maternal smoking during pregnancy. Comment: I do not know how many time we have to ask ”when will we get lead out of children’s environments, rather than testing the blood before we intervene?” (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239582 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:32:46 +0100 3239582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239583&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2010%2F02%2Fwsjournal-criticizes-fda-pronouncement-on-bisphenol-a.html In an editorial, the Wall Street Journal (1/30, A14) criticized the FDA's recent pronouncement on bisphenol A, saying that the compound is very common and protects people from exposure to more harmful substances. In 2007, the environmental activists organized a "baby rally" where they equipped mothers and toddlers with signs reading "Don't Pollute Me." In response to the public outcry, confused and panicked retailers tossed plastic baby bottles and other BPA-containing products from their shelves. When the head of Health Canada's investigation of BPA Mark Richardson let slip in a speech to a medical group in Arizona that "exposures [to BPA] are so low as to be totally inconsequential, in my view," antichemical crusaders pressed the government to investigate Mr. Richardson's bias. He was ab... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239583 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:29:33 +0100 3239583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223501&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FrcyWsyhsvUU%2Favatar_in_the_amazon_video.php If there were ever a place that came close to the magical world of Pandora in James Cameron's new film Avatar, it would probably be the Amazon. There may not be butterflies that look like flying squid, but in the Amazon can you eat giant worms and lemon flavored ants for dinner in a forest that is home to both the jaguar and the pink dolphin. Reporter Melaina Spitzer joined a group of indigenous leaders from the Amazon in Ecuador's capital Quito, to see Avatar on the big screen in 3D. I heard the story on PRI's The World this afternoon. Glad to see there is also a video. Interesting.... Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223501 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:29:32 +0100 3223501 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220749&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FK0SyvZdLtv8%2Fecology_conservation_and_resto.php On Tuesday I went to the monthly pizza lunch at Sigma Xi, featuring a guest lecture by Dr. David B. Eggleston, Professor of Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Science at North Carolina State University and the Director of Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST). I posted a brief summary of the talk on the Science In The Triangle blog. Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220749 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 02:12:31 +0100 3220749 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208533&cid=t_348418_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FuP6E-oQhJ1Q%2F Rumor has it that Apple is going to announce a tablet computer, which may well become a revolutionary new way for users to read and experience all kinds of educational content. Will it support or hinder our Cognitive  Fitness? In this article, I describe the criteria that a tablet computer—and its technological ecosystem—must meet in order for the solution to make users more knowledgeable and smarter. To achieve these lofty goals, the tablet must be much more than an “e-reader”. The offering must be an integrated learning environment with which users transform the information that they read, hear and view on the tablet into their own knowledge. The key consideration in designing such a system is that productive reading is active reading. In other words, learning involves a lot of ... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208533 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:20:13 +0100 3208533 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3204888&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F0CJrx0D6j5o%2Fjoint_pain_and_migraines_weath.php While I work on my monster grant proposal -- I and my colleagues have been working on it for 9 months, but with the deadline only 3 months away it is time to turn the volume up to 11 -- blogging may be light or brief. But posting something is an excuse to take a break and surf the web a bit, so that's what you'll be getting for the next 3 months. After that I'll probably check into an institution with no internet access to be sedated. Yesterday I read on Medgadget that AccuWeather is selling an iPhone app to alert users of weather-associated health events in 16 locations: Read the rest of this post... | Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3204888 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:20:40 +0100 3204888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3275857&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F13ejpu%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3275857 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3275857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3272959&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F13acms%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3272959 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3272959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271082&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F136lro%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271082 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3271082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3269727&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F1330ma%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3269727 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3269727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267000&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12z6n3%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267000 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3267000 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262657&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12vbli%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262657 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3262657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259037&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12rds6%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259037 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3259037 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254508&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12nc6a%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254508 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3254508 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251253&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12jedf%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251253 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3251253 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3248574&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12fm1y%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3248574 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3248574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3246935&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F12cdcb%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3246935 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3246935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243851&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F128eze%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243851 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3243851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239628&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F124i57%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239628 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3239628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3235906&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F120me1%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3235906 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3235906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3231606&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11wvgj%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3231606 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3231606 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227838&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11tb0w%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227838 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3227838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3224878&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11pn0p%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3224878 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3224878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3223329&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11m91x%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3223329 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3223329 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3220563&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11incp%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsI wonder if consumers bought in that shop rather than buying in ... by judyofthewoodsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3220563 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3220563 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3216647&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11f1h2%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3216647 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3216647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3212382&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11b52k%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3212382 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3212382 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3208454&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F11779e%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3208454 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3208454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3204938&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F113hjn%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3204938 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3204938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3201773&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10zqak%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3201773 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3201773 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3200487&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10wd5o%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3200487 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3200487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3197717&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10stku%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3197717 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3197717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3193782&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10p09k%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3193782 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3193782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3189204&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10l7iq%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsIt's nice when what is good for the consumer is good for the ... by Verilliance (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3189204 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3189204 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185419&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34761&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedblitz.com%2F%7E%2F5359797%2F10hcew%2Fneuromarketing%7EGreen-Marketing-Light-Up-Sales.htm “Green marketing” usually refers to using an environmental pitch to sell a product. A car creates less pollution, a paper product is made from recycled content, and so on. Results of appealing to environmental sentiment have been mixed. On one hand, the Toyota Prius has sold better than would be justified purely [...] CommentsComments (Source: Neuromarketing) Neuromarketing blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185419 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:27:04 +0100 3185419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182166&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F7EPeA9dVEl4%2F By Randal O'TooleLast week, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that federal transit grants would now focus on “livability.” Buried beneath this rhetoric is LaHood’s decision to eliminate the only efforts anyone ever made to make sure transit money isn’t wasted on urban monuments that contribute little to transportation. Back in 2005, then-Transportation Secretary Mary Peters stunned the transit world when she adopted a “cost-effictiveness” rule for federal transit grants to new rail projects. In order to qualify, transit agencies had to receive a “medium” cost-effectiveness rating from the FTA, meaning they had to cost less than about $24 for every hour they would save transportation users (either by providing faster service to ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182166 Mon, 18 Jan 2010 03:34:21 +0100 3182166 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171882&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F421zmODqqbw%2F By Sallie JamesThe nominee for EU Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht has taken the brave step of opposing carbon tariffs, called for by many European politicians (including, notably, French President Nicolas Sarkozy). In the first day of his confirmation hearings, Mr. de Gucht expressed concern that carbon tariffs were a possible first step in a “trade war” and implied that they were in any event inconsistent with current trade law. (I agree.) He also called for abolishing tariffs on goods beneficial to the environment as a trade-friendly way to reduce greenhouse gases, and expressed support for the Doha round of multilateral trade talks. (More here.) While the Trade Commissioner’s influence over actual trade policy in the EU is arguably limited, it is good to have some... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171882 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:45:08 +0100 3171882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171883&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FNo3emu0e7Sk%2F By David BoazIn Soviet times people used to say that if the Communists took over the Sahara desert, there’d soon be a shortage of sand. Which I guess explains why there’s an energy crisis in energy-rich Venezuela. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171883 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:11:49 +0100 3171883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3164065&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2F0E_8TcNv5RU%2Fsigma_xi_pizza_lunch_-_conserv.php Our first 2010 American Scientist pizza lunch is scheduled for noon, Tuesday, Jan. 26. at Sigma Xi in Research Triangle Park. No doubt you've heard about the many forces degrading coastlines. This time we'll hear from someone intimately involved with the challenges of conserving and restoring North Carolina coastal ecosystems, especially oyster reefs. That would be David Eggelston, a marine biologist and director of the Center for Marine Science and Technology at N.C. State University. American Scientist Pizza Lunch is free and open to science journalists and science communicators of all stripes. Feel free to forward this message to anyone who might want to attend. RSVPs are required (for an accurate slice count) to cclabbyATamsciDOTorg Directions to Sigma Xi: http://www.sigmaxi.org/abou... A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3164065 Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:44:48 +0100 3164065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3163729&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F11%2Farchives-of-general-psychiatry-2009-vol-67-no-1%2F content page Fade Fave: Influence of Environmental Factors in Higher Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Linked With Parental Mental Illness Fade Skinny: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) designates a death during the first year of life that remains unexplained after autopsy, death scene investigation, and medical history review. substantial reductions in rates of SIDS during recent decades, it remains the leading cause of infant death beyond the perinatal period in developed countries. Known modifiable risk factors include parental smoking and the infant’s sleeping position, and national risk reduction campaigns have successfully targeted these factors in the general population. Recent evidence from the United Kingdom indicates that SIDS has become highly concentrated among soci... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3163729 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:41:57 +0100 3163729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159666&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F11%2Farchives-of-general-psychiatry-2009-vol-67-no-1%2F content page Fade Fave: Influence of Environmental Factors in Higher Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Linked With Parental Mental Illness Fade Skinny: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) designates a death during the first year of life that remains unexplained after autopsy, death scene investigation, and medical history review. substantial reductions in rates of SIDS during recent decades, it remains the leading cause of infant death beyond the perinatal period in developed countries. Known modifiable risk factors include parental smoking and the infant’s sleeping position, and national risk reduction campaigns have successfully targeted these factors in the general population. Recent evidence from the United Kingdom indicates that SIDS has become highly concentrated among soci... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159666 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:41:57 +0100 3159666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3157549&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2010%2F01%2F10%2Fwhere-does-your-hamburger-come-from%2F PopTech 2009: Michael Pollan from PopTech on Vimeo. Author and activist Michael Pollan is a passionate advocate for sustainable food. In his compelling talk at PopTech, he explores how our industrial food system is keeping us overly dependent on fossil fuels, destroying our environment, and making us sick. Breaking this cycle requires fundamentally changing our relationship to food – and eating more meals together. This presentation was made in collaboration with Duarte Design. You can read about the making of this presentation on their blog here. Amazing presentation on an important topic. For his speaking agenda and giving the Sun Food Agenda presentation have a look at the schedule here. Related posts:Presentation Update 2 In previous posts we made the distinction between ballr... Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3157549 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 13:11:04 +0100 3157549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3149020&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36069&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffrankiespeakingfrankly.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdoes-global-warming-really-exist-my.html My local MP (member of parliament, for those of you reading not in the UK), Gary Streeter, recently confessed in our local newspaper (‘Plymptom, Plymstock and Ivybridge News’, Friday 18th December) and on his blog that he his sceptical of global warming. He agrees that the climate is changing, but questions whether it is us that are causing it or whether it is happening naturally.He says ‘I have a confession, which will disappoint some. I have tried really heard to buy into the hard-core green agenda over the past few years but something inside prevents me from going the whole way. I realise that pumping carbon into our atmosphere can hardly be a good thing, but is it really causing a change in weather patterns of this awesome globe on which we live? I want to believe and yet…’Ga... Frankie Speaking Frankly blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3149020 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:11:00 +0100 3149020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3145922&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F06%2Fnhs-european-office-policy-priorities-2010%2F Title: NHS European Office: policy priorities 2010 The Skinny: Identifies the following priorities for the NHS European Office in monitoring and disseminating information about risks arising from EU regulation in the following areas. Patient mobility Research and Innovation Competition and Public Procurement Employment Quality and Safety of Health Care Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Environment Commercial Transactions Publisher: NHS Confederation Size of Publication: 2p Published: 05/01/2010 Posted in Grey Literature, Legislation, NHS, Public Sector, Quality Tagged: Commercial Transactions, Commissioning, Competition, Drug Therapy, Employment, Environment, European Union, Grey Literature, Health and Safety, Horizon Scanning, Innovation, Legislation, Medical Technology, Patient Mobil... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3145922 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:50:17 +0100 3145922 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3142513&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FjbUNnK6jmTw%2F By Sallie JamesNot content with waiting for federal legislation on the matter, it seems that Minnesota has introduced a “carbon fee” of $4-$34 per ton of carbon dioxide emissions on energy produced –mainly using coal — in North Dakota.  The fee is scheduled to go into effect in 2012. (see here) North Dakota plans to challenge the new tax, which it rightly says will discourage the purchase of North Dakota power (that is, indeed, the whole point of the tariff). I’m no constitutional scholar, but Article 1, section 10 of the Constitution says that “No State shall, without the consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection laws…” so the Minnesota tar... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3142513 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:26:19 +0100 3142513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137616&cid=t_348418_132_f&fid=35024&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FBlindscientist%2F%7E3%2FUtWBLhTI55Q%2F At the time of the Copenhagen meeting about climate change, Brazilian representatives were major protagonists, specially when criticizing all developed countries about their carbon emissions. The crook, also known as the Brazilian president, kept reminding everyone how advance Brazil is on “green” policies, how much native forests are still there, and saying the the developed countries have to do something to erase their polluted heritage. Well, I don’t think many of my 3 readers (yes, I got an extra one this last week!) have ever been to Brazil, so I would like to list some of the lies about Brazilian “green” policies and actions: - São Paulo is the largest city of the Southern Hemisphere, and there’s no effective recycling service. Now, imagine, 10+ ... Blind.Scientist blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137616 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:59:28 +0100 3137616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3139017&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006839.html Time to close the canal connection between the Illinois River and Lake Michigan in order to keep the Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes. In an urgent effort to close down Chicago-area passages that could allow the unwanted fish to reach Lake Michigan, the State of Michigan is suing the State of Illinois and other entities that govern the waterways here. Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin have filed documents in recent days supporting Michigan’s move, and Indiana says it will soon do the same. My take: the states around the Great Lakes have been seriously slow in stepping to the threat posed by Asian carp. They shouldn't have waited until Asian carp reached several miles from the Great Lakes before... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3139017 Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100 3139017 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3137488&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FaFlSmJUvpJY%2F By David BoazIs environmentalism a religion? At NPR it is — yet again. I thought the latest story started off oddly — talking about “the uneasy relationship between religion and science” and saying that lefty novelist Margaret Atwood thinks that ”in the future we could see a religion that combines religion and science.” But it’s not the case that all religions have problems with all science, is it? So I was dubious about the premise of the story. And then — what new kind of religion does Margaret Atwood envision? Well, you could write it yourself: KLEFFEL: Armstrong sees the role of religion as a guiding force for ethical behavior. Margaret Atwood brings that notion to life in her newest novel, “The Year of the Flood.” It’s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3137488 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:18:20 +0100 3137488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111379&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006806.html Salmon are good for you. An environment in which salmon thrive is therefore in our collective best interest. Depleted salmon populations might recover more rapidly if less pesticides were allowed to run off into rivers where salmon run. Biologists determined that short-term, seasonal exposure to pesticides in rivers and basins may limit the growth and size of wild salmon populations. In addition to the widespread deterioration of salmon habitats, these findings suggest that exposure to commonly used pesticides may further inhibit the recovery of threatened or endangered populations. "Major efforts are currently underway to restore Pacific salmon habitats in an effort to recover depressed populations," says David Baldwin of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), who co-... FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111379 Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 3111379 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104988&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FO5_ZsC2Ze5g%2F By David BoazDec. 17 (Bloomberg) – World leaders flying into Copenhagen today to discuss a solution to global warming will first face freezing weather as a blizzard dumped 10 centimeters (4 inches) of snow on the Danish capital overnight. Copenhagen (CNN) – In a strange twist, a Washington snowstorm is forcing Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, to make an early departure from a global warming summit here in Denmark. Pelosi told CNN that military officials leading her Congressional delegation have urged the 21 lawmakers to leave Copenhagen several hours earlier than scheduled on Saturday. The Speaker said she has agreed to the new travel plan so that lawmakers can get back to Washington before much of the expected storm wallops the nation’s capital. Washington Post: Before l... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104988 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:32:21 +0100 3104988 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104990&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FFC4-rdlcDkw%2F By Patrick J. MichaelsLate Friday afternoon, the White house announced a “meaningful agreement” at the Copenhagen climate summit.  Details are currently unavailable, but a White House official said that developed and developing countries have agreed to list their national actions and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a “target” of a two degree (Celsius) limit to any further global warming. In other words, there are no specific emissions reductions targets and timetables.  A country may choose no national reductions, or maybe a national program and that would be their “list.” And just what carbon dioxide level will stop warming over two degrees? No one knows, at least until computer models stop forecasting warming that isn’t happ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104990 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:40:35 +0100 3104990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104996&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FSSVKuxXsqbI%2F By Roger PilonPolitico asks, “Was he convincing?” My response: In Copenhagen this morning, President Obama convinced only those who want to believe — of which, regrettably, there is no shortage.  Notice how he began, utterly without doubt:  “You would not be here unless you, like me, were convinced that this danger is real.  This is not fiction, this is science.”  The implicit certitude is no part of real science, of course.  But then the president, like the environmental zealots cheering him in Copenhagen, are not really interested in real science.  Theirs, ultimately, is a political agenda.  How else to explain the corruption of science that the East Anglia Climate Research email scandal has brought to light, and the efforts, presently, to dismiss the s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104996 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:49:18 +0100 3104996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3104997&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJPUOod4bfg0%2F By Daniel J. MitchellPat Michaels and others are working heroically to save America from global central planning for purposes of combatting global warming (or climate change, or whatever they’re calling it now). But let’s also be thankful this holiday season for our Founding Fathers, who wisely created a system based on separation of powers. If the United States had a parliamentary system, there would be no hope of derailing some of the statist schemes being discusssed in DC, even if Pat worked 24 hours a day. The secretary of state, for instance, is issuing pronouncements about putting American tapxayers on the chopping block to help finance $100 billion per year of new “climate change” foreign aid. This money can only be squandered, however, if the House and Sen... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3104997 Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:44:29 +0100 3104997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3100783&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4bBYT2BVZJA%2F By Patrick J. MichaelsThe big UN climate conference at Copenhagen is supposed to produce a new schedule for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as the 1997 Kyoto Protocol ends in 2012.  In fact, Copenhagen in 2009 is beginning to look a lot like Kyoto in 1997.  Back then, the two-week conference was “deadlocked” as it drew to a close, with a major split between the United States and Europe.  President Clinton had committed the U.S. to a relatively innocuous target of holding U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide constant, while the EU wanted much more costly reductions.  Vice President Gore jetted in near the end of the scheduled conference, and instructed the U.S. negotiators to be “more flexible.” The meeting was extended for days, and suddenly we agreed to reduce our CO2 emissio... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3100783 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:51:59 +0100 3100783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3096834&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FkoW2Ldme7gM%2F By Andrei IllarionovYesterday, the Moscow-based Institute of Economic Analysis (IEA), of which I am President, issued a study (in Russian), “How Warming Is Being Made: The Case of Russia.” The report, prepared by IEA director Natalya Pivovarova, suggests that the Hadley Center for Climate Change based at the headquarters of the British Meteorological Office in Exeter (Devon, England) and the Climate Research Unit of the University of East Anglia (CRU) in Norwich (England) apparently cherry-picked Russian climate data. The IEA report shows that Russian meteorological-station data in the last 130 years did not substantiate the rate of warming on Russian territory suggested by the Hadley Climate Research Unit Temperature (HadCRUT) database, which has now been partially released. IEA analy... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3096834 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:47:47 +0100 3096834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3092884&cid=t_348418_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F15%2F2839%2F I say, “Bien oui!” to The Yes Men! Copenhagen Spoof Shames Canada; Climate Debt No Joke The Yes Men Punk Canada Who Are The Yes Men and Why Did They Punk Canada at Copenhagen Like Rick Mercer and This Hour has 22 Minutes, there’s a lot more truth than spoof in the treatment of Canada’s environmental policy by [...] (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3092884 Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:35:32 +0100 3092884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3082389&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FEhrIgHk52wE%2F By Andrei IllarionovAs the Copenhagen Climate Conference is taking place, it is appropriate to clarify once again what is more or less accurately known about the climate of our planet and about climate change. Obviously, a brief post can not substitute for detailed studies of professionals in a variety of scientific disciplines – climatology, atmospheric physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, and economics. However, a short post can summarize basic theses on the main trends in climate evolution, on its forecasts, and on its actual and projected effects. 1. The Earth’s climate is constantly changing. The climate was changing in the past, is changing now and, obviously, will be changing in the future – as long as our planet exists. 2. Climatic changes are largely cyclical in nature. T... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3082389 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:33:41 +0100 3082389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3083053&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F12%2Ftudy-shows-no-link-between-increased-cell-phone-use-brain-cancer-incidence.html         USA Today (12/4) reports that, according to the study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers found "no link between rising cell phone use and rates of brain cancer." The finding is "consistent with most other studies," but Melissa Bondy, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, noted that "even if the study had found an increase in brain tumor rates," cell phones may not be "to blame," because "lots of other trends" can "help explain changes in disease rates."  Comment: We keep wasting money on unlikely events,  before researching effective ways (particularly translational research) to reduce more common events such a heart disease and diabetes.. The Swedes are activists on ‘environmental’ cancer links.,... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3083053 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:15:57 +0100 3083053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079360&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F12%2Ftudy-shows-no-link-between-increased-cell-phone-use-brain-cancer-incidence.html         USA Today (12/4) reports that, according to the study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers found "no link between rising cell phone use and rates of brain cancer." The finding is "consistent with most other studies," but Melissa Bondy, of MD Anderson Cancer Center, noted that "even if the study had found an increase in brain tumor rates," cell phones may not be "to blame," because "lots of other trends" can "help explain changes in disease rates."  Comment: We keep wasting money on unlikely events,  before researching effective ways (particularly translational research) to reduce more common events such a heart disease and diabetes.. The Swedes are activists on ‘environmental’ cancer links.,... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079360 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:15:57 +0100 3079360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067013&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyefUWEV1P1c%2F By Patrick J. Michaels25,000 bureaucrats, factota, hangers on, and representatives of various environmental organizations have just converged on Copehagen for the UN’s latest “Conference of the Parties (COP) to its infamous 1992 climate treaty. Expect a lot of heat, not much light, and a punt right into our next election. President Obama says that the US will agree to a “politically binding” reduction of our emissions of carbon dioxide to a mere 17% of 2005 levels by 2050. This will allow the average American the carbon dioxide emission of the average citizen in 1867. Obama’s pronouncement has stepped all over the toes of the US Senate, which really doesn’t want to vote on similar legislation this election year. Jim Webb, a democrat heretofore very loyal to the President recent... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067013 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:01:37 +0100 3067013 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3063230&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F06%2Fthe-lancet-2009-volume-374-issue-9705%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Public health benefits of strategies to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions: household energy Fade Skinny: Energy used in dwellings is an important target for actions to avert climate change. Properly designed and implemented, such actions could have major co-benefits for public health. To investigate, this article examines the effect of hypothetical strategies to improve energy efficiency in UK housing stock and to introduce 150 million low-emission household cookstoves in India. It estimates 850 fewer disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and a saving of 0·6 megatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), per million population in 1 year. (Print Subscription Held by the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness, Journals Tagged: Current Awareness, DALYs, Environment, Journal... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3063230 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:04:37 +0100 3063230 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3059716&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FPbYP-N4LY5E%2F Today’s question at “Politico Arena“: “Have the greens failed?” My response: If the greens have failed, it’s not for lack of trying.  For years now, in everything from pre-school programs to “educational” ads aimed at adults, they’ve been “greenwashing” our brains.  In September the Wall Street Journal reported that the EPA was focusing on children:  ”Partnering with the Parent Teacher Organization, the agency earlier this month launched a cross-country tour of 6,000 schools to teach students about climate change and energy efficiency.” Yet for all that effort, the public isn’t buying.  As Politico notes this morning:  ”The Pew Research Center found that by last January, global warming &#8217... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3059716 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:36:19 +0100 3059716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3056612&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FrjOwAyuD-HQ%2F In 2007, the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program was created in the Department of Energy to support the development of advanced (i.e., “green”) technology vehicles. Last year Congress appropriated $7.5 billion to support a maximum of $25 billion in loans. So far, the subsidies have been dished out to Ford ($5.9 billion), Nissan ($1.6 billion), Tesla Motors ($465 million), and Fisker Automotive ($528 million). Darryl Siry, a former official at Tesla, has written a piece for Wired that illuminates a fundamental problem with the government trying to pick winners and losers in the marketplace: To the recipients the support is a vital and welcome boost. But this massive government intervention in private capital markets may have the unintended consequence of stifling inn... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3056612 Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:00:17 +0100 3056612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044733&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FQ1ccO3jpQ_s%2F This has not been a good week for the global warming alarmists. They’ve been caught with their pants down on the Climate-gate email scandal, and they are terrorized by my colleague Pat Michaels. So this is the time to add some insult to injury with a very amusing video. On the topic of amusing videos, here’s one on health care put together by Ladies4Liberty, featuring Cato’s Nena Bartlett. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044733 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:43:59 +0100 3044733 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044682&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Fgut-2009-volume-58-number-12%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Ulcerative colitis: is it in the diet? Fade Skinny: Looks at the evidence that environmental factors cause ulcerative colitis. Migrant studies have shown that ulcerative colitis incidence is at least as high in subjects originating from South Asia living in UK than in native British subjects, this suggests the British way of life increases the incidence of ulcerative colitis in migrants from Asia. (NHS Athens is required to access this article online) Posted in Athens Password, Current Awareness, E-Journals Tagged: Athens Password, Current Awareness, Diet, E-Journals, Environment, Ulcerative Colitis (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044682 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:13:37 +0100 3044682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039761&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FoUGgICKK0mM%2F It was “Open Mic” this past weekend at Politico Arena: My post: Brad Smith is to be commended for encouraging Politico Arena contributors to comment on the emerging “Climategate” scandal.  And it is noteworthy that both he and Walter Russell Mead, the first to respond to Brad’s invitation, have taken a “let’s-see-the-evidence” posture toward the matter, discounting neither the global warming thesis nor the evidence that there may be less to the thesis than its promoters have been saying. Yet to listen to how the promoters have discounted their critics over the years, one would imagine that the science on the matter were settled.  In fact, one hears often enough that the science is settled to believe that many of them believe it &#821... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039761 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:36:04 +0100 3039761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3037091&cid=t_348418_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholism-what-is-it%2F Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions. In common and historic usage, alcoholism refers to any condition that results in the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages despite the health problems and negative social consequences it causes. Medical definitions describe alcoholism as a disease which results in a persistent use of alcohol despite negative consequences. Alcoholism may also refer to a preoccupation with or compulsion toward the consumption of alcohol and/or an impaired ability to recognize the negative effects of excessive alcohol consumption. Although not all of these definitions specify current and on-going use of alcohol, some do, as well as remarking on the long-term effects of consistent, heavy alcohol use, including dependence and sympt... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3037091 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:57:09 +0100 3037091 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3033616&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34699&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FvjmG%2F%7E3%2FsRIXSkvMJp8%2Fwhere_does_all_the_sulfur_go.php Environmental regulations have greatly reduced the amount of sulfur in gasoline.  This has created many benefits.  But did you ever wonder what happens to all that sulfur?  Perhaps not, if it was never clear to you why you should care. The reason you should care is this:  Sulfur is present in coal and in most liquid fuels.  When it is burned, it oxidized, much as the carbon is oxidized.  Carbon becomes carbon dioxide; sulfur becomes sulfur dioxide.  When sulfur dioxide enters the atmosphere, it becomes a strong acid: sulfuric acid, which is battery acid.  This is one factor that contributes to acid rain, among other problems. Regulations in the USA and elsewhere have resulted in a great reduction in domestic sulfur emissions.  In part, this is... The Corpus Callosum blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3033616 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:16:23 +0100 3033616 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3023095&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F35PMRhE5m3I%2F I’ve just started reading a new article by economists at the World Bank and the Peterson Insititute. The gist of the paper is that greenhouse gas emission targets will have little effect on “carbon leakage”, the apparently-largely-theoretical phenomenon whereby carbon-intensive industries move to less regulated jurisdictions in response to stringent emissions regulations in their original home.  So we can strike that off our list of worries. The authors do reach the conclusion, though, that output of energy-intensive products will decline in response to emissions cuts and the political temptation for “carbon tariffs” will be strong (see here why that is a bad idea). Basing the carbon tariffs on the carbon content of imports–as opposed to, say, the carb... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3023095 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:10:35 +0100 3023095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3019087&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=38950&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shockmd.com%2F2009%2F11%2F22%2Ftraining-pilots-to-land-on-skis%2F Just came back from Oxford UK, flying with some heavy wind and rain, peace of cake compared to these guys. Heidi Cullen visits the crew of the 109th Airlift Wing in Greenland to learn the challenges of flying and landing an airplane in the Arctic snow Read more: http://www.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,51162540001_0,00.html#ixzz0XcigUcOq Related posts:Pilots with Depression A new blog: Pilots with Depression that got my...Brain Training for Elderly Better On Paper or Computer? As always the answer to this question is not...A New Way to Visualize and Interact with Scientific Data “Your flying through the cortex of my colleagues brain”,... Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin. (Source: Dr Shock MD PhD) Dr Shock MD PhD blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3019087 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:48:24 +0100 3019087 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012368&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Ful9uy7lpje4%2F There are two different stories coming from the same political party on global warming, leading to only one conclusion: President Obama is about to (or has) ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to mandate some type of cap on U.S. carbon dioxide emissions. Harry Reid and other democratic leaders in the Senate have clearly indicated that cap-and-trade legislation will be put off at least, until what they call “spring”, which is long after the upcoming UN climate conference in Copenhagen next month. At the same time, President Obama has said that the U.S., along with China, will announce some type of emissions cap in Copenhagen. Obviously this cannot refer to legislation that has yet to be voted on in the Senate. President Obama keeps using the language “operati... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012368 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:25:54 +0100 3012368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3008070&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FriD4ZLv9qIY%2F In 2006, the National Transportation Safety Board found that 298 subway cars in the Washington Metrorail system are “vulnerable to catastrophic telescoping damage” and should be replaced or reinforced immediately. They weren’t, which was a major reason why nine people died in a rail collision last June. In 2007, supposedly fail-safe circuits in Metrorail’s train detection and control system began to “intermittently malfunction.” This contributed to at least one near miss before the fatal crash, and was the other major reason why nine people died in June. Clearly, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority is short of funds. It still has not begun to replace the 298 cars; instead, it is merely inserting them into the middle of trains so tha... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3008070 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:59:47 +0100 3008070 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993720&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fsunday-news-round-up-1115%2F Lots of good stuff at Our Bodies Our Blog as usual, including a new post from OBOS intern Meg Young on Reebok’s ridiculous new sneaker ad. The FDA is looking into caffeinated alcoholic beverages and considering whether they are safe and/or legal (via NPR). On Stupak, NPR has a good explanation of the red tape barriers to abortion that would be created by the amendment. RaceWire launched a LGBT Racial Equity Toolkit with the note “Though this website was developed especially to inform philanthropic efforts and mobilize support for LBGTQ communities of color, there’s a lot here that could benefit the wider community involved in all kinds of social justice efforts.” The “Perspectives” section can be browsed by topic – some of them touch on aging, HIV/A... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993720 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:45:36 +0100 2993720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992659&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCo0EmhS-QJo%2F Well, here’s an interesting pair. Today’s Washington Post contains an op-ed on climate change and trade, written jointly by Fred Bergsten, director of the Peterson Institute of International Economics, and Lori Wallach, director of Global Trade Watch at Public Citizen.  The authors readily admit, quite early in the piece, that they are usually on opposing sides of the trade debate.  The Peterson Institute scholars are well-known and well-respected advocates of freer international trade. Global Trade Watch, and Wallach in particular? Not so much. She has called NAFTA a “disastrous experiment” and has a special section on her website calling on people to Take Action! on trade (example: by hosting a house party to celebrate the tenth anniversary of ” the hist... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992659 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:04:33 +0100 2992659 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989188&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fgenetically-engineered-heavy-metal-fans.html The wastewater released from industry often contains high levels of toxic heavy metals, which can kill organisms, damage ecosystems, and accumulate in the foodchain. Electroplating, lead smelting, mining, and countless other processes produce enormous volumes of such wastewater. In a perfect world, remediation would be powered by a renewable energy supply, there would be no solid waste to dispose of, and the heavy metal contaminants could be recycled back into the industrial process with minimal losses. That would be industrial Utopia, of course, but something close might exist if scientists can genetically modify aquatic plant species to grow quickly and soak up heavy metal ions from wastewater. So-called phytoremediation technology has been used as an economical and eco-friendly option f... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989188 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:44 +0100 2989188 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2984781&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F4wEeiXfvpdk%2F My colleague Dan Griswold pointed out yesterday some unfortunate editing in the Washington Post. Here are a couple of other trade-related items in the news recently: Sen. Max Baucus (D, MT and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee) has seemingly thrown his weight behind the idea of “border measures” (i.e., carbon tariffs).  After paying the semi-obligatory lip service to the United States’ obligations under international trade law — and I say only “semi-obligatory” because some U.S. lawmakers appear not to care about it at all – Baucus goes on to deliver this rhetorical gem: I think often the United States has to lead,” Baucus said, noting that what lawmakers come up could be used as a model for other countries to copy. So the U.S. wou... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2984781 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:44:21 +0100 2984781 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2973894&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=34902&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.futurepundit.com%2Farchives%2F006699.html In sometimes subtle ways we are creating a civilization that is incompatible with some of our genetic inheritance. Some researchers working in Australia and Singapore were able too show that children who spend less time outdoors get myopia at higher rates. The team looked only at children of Chinese ethnicity, to rule out genetic differences between races as an explanation for higher myopia rates in certain countries. The result? On average the children in Sydney spent nearly 14 hours per week outside, and only 3 per cent developed myopia. In contrast, the children in Singapore spent just 3 hours outside, and 30 per cent developed myopia. Once again, close work had a minimal influence; the Australian children actually spent more... (Source: FuturePundit) FuturePundit blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2973894 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100 2973894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970196&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa6iaAzBk_ac%2F Following on from my earlier post, I was delighted to receive a call from Bradley Peck at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce just now, clarifying that they do not in fact endorse the idea of carbon tariffs. Here’s a blog entry, posted a few minutes ago on the Chamber’s blog, clarifying their position. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970196 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:19:51 +0100 2970196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2970199&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F1fh_fPOPVfI%2F Even though the climate change summit in Copenhagen next month is likely to yield very little, domestic shenanigans continue. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed a bill on Thursday amid controversy, and the farmers’ friends in the Senate (notably Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D. Mich) are looking to send goodies their way by filing an amendment that would pay farmers for not cutting down trees, not farming, and will likely see states such as — well, how about that! —  Michigan “cashing in” (see here). Meanwhile, those concerned about the cost of climate change regulations may have lost an ally. Often, but not always, one can depend on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to defend free enterprise, or at least free trade. On climate change, however, t... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2970199 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:55:16 +0100 2970199 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967547&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FKdegBKJ4Zac%2Fjosh_jones_studied_whales_and.php Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967547 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:47:10 +0100 2967547 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939575&cid=t_348418_154_f&fid=36427&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FABlogAroundTheClock%2F%7E3%2FCq0c-TmTZ7g%2Fplastic_in_the_pacific_gyre_ca.php Read the comments on this post... (Source: A Blog Around The Clock) A Blog Around The Clock blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939575 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:30:46 +0100 2939575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2939274&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmHspvR8s3dw%2F Last night I spoke at “The Little Idea,” a mini-lecture series launched in New York by Ari Melber of The Nation and now starting up here in D.C., on the incredibly civilized premise that, instead of some interminable panel that culminates in a series of audience monologues-disguised-as-questions, it’s much more appealing to have a speaker give a ten-minute spiel, sort of as a prompt for discussion, and then chat with the crowd over drinks. I’d sketched out a rather longer version of my remarks in advance just to make sure I had my main ideas clear, and so I’ll post them here, as a sort of preview of a rather longer and more formal paper on 21st century surveillance and privacy that I’m working on. Since ten-minute talks don’t accommodate footnotes ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2939274 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:07:10 +0100 2939274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2934653&cid=t_348418_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FXoova6-GXrU%2F Novelist Michael Crichton said that environmentalism had all the trappings of a religion: “Eden, the fall of man, the loss of grace, the coming doomsday.” I never took such claims entirely seriously. But then I heard this statement from a Montana writer, Jim Robbins, interviewed by the “sustainability reporters” of government-funded Marketplace Radio: There’s a saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. I think there’s something along that line happening here. I mean, there are still some people who refuse to believe it. But I think there’s been an erosion of that disbelief and it’s changed pretty dramatically. Darned if he isn’t using terms like “atheists” and “disbelief” in a discussion of global warming. A... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2934653 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:46:10 +0100 2934653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920205&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F10%2Fcar-seats-can-be-dangerous-outside-the-car.html More than 8,700 infants end up in the emergency room each year because their car seats are used improperly outside the car, according to study presented Monday at the American Academy of Pediatrics' annual meeting in Washington. Babies are spending more time in car seats, which have saved nearly 9,000 lives in the past three decades, both in and out of the car, says author Shital Parikh, a pediatric orthopedist at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. (Source: Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG) Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920205 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:32:22 +0100 2920205 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916157&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fa-month-with-an-electricity-monitor.html Right, the kettle is on for a morning brew and apparently our household is using 3.07 kilowatts. That will include the chest freezer in the garage, the refrigerator in the kitchen, the electric kettle, my laptop and wireless network, oh and a little device sitting on my desk right now that’s monitoring all those electrons as they speed through the mains supply cable. The monitor consists of two parts, a battery-powered broadcast unit that has a magnetic clamp that you wrap around the main electricity cable (no wiring necessarily) and a display that picks up the signal and tells you how many kW you’re using at any given time. It can also convert that into an equivalent of carbon tonnage, although that’s a more dubious metric given that the monitor doesn’t know how t... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916157 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:42 +0100 2916157 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2905148&cid=t_348418_180_f&fid=38616&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifelearningtoday%2Fwlyf%2F%7E3%2Fr14cm2QOSEI%2F Too much stuff is not only bad, it’s worse than you think. And it’s not just about the environment. It’s about people too and the quality of their lives. Check out this preview video of “The Story of Stuff.” If you are interested, you can view the full version which is just below the first video. And before you become depressed or start feeling hopeless, know that there are things YOU can do to actually make a difference. Identifying a problem is the first step in a brighter future. Check out the top 10 things you can do to make a difference here. Preview of “Story of Stuff” Full version of “Story of Stuff” (only 20 minutes) What You Can Do to Change the “Story of Stuff” There are many ways to get involved. The Story of St... Life Learning Today blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2905148 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:45:07 +0100 2905148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2901643&cid=t_348418_99_f&fid=35342&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.vcu.edu%2Fcbuttery%2F2009%2F10%2Fdata-indicate-cyclists-experiencing-higher-injuries-rates-longer-hospital-stays.html The Los Angeles Times (10/14, Stein) "Booster Shots" blog reported that as bicycles ride a wave of popularity, "cyclists may be suffering more injuries," according to University of Colorado researchers. After looking at "accident rates and severity from 1996 to 2006," they noted that "among 329 bicycle accident cases admitted to the Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center at Denver Health Medical Center, the length of stay increased substantially over those years." What's more, "an increase was seen in chest injuries (up 15 percent), and abdominal injuries tripled over the last five years of the study. About one-third of 118 patients had head injuries." Comment: Cycling is certainly more dangerous in the US than Europe where most roads have dedicated bicycle lanes, There are very few such la... Dr. Buttery's Public Health BLOG blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2901643 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:21:04 +0100 2901643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899133&cid=t_348418_131_f&fid=34995&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2Fgnxp%2F%7E3%2FrPRDRNaHUls%2Fowen_lovejoy_ardipithecus.php Owen Lovejoy has some theories which he is using to process the data from the spate of Ardipithecus ramidus papers. When it comes to the argument about social structure based on the anatomy of the extant remains I'm skeptical. I just recorded a diavlog with John Hawks which is 2/3 devoted to Ardi-issues (should be up Saturday), and he pointed out that Lovejoy has been laying out the case for a monogamous social structure for early hominins for years. This is why I'm not that surprised that some of the numbers he cites from the literature are off. He's probably quoting older values, and hasn't been tracking updates or revisions. Read the comments on this post... (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899133 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:39:55 +0100 2899133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899229&cid=t_348418_180_f&fid=38616&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Flifelearningtoday%2Fwlyf%2F%7E3%2FEYEdhEBvaNA%2F photo credit: felipesp You don’t have to save the world single handed. It’s not an all or nothing proposition for each individual. It’s simply about doing the best you can in any given day. What I’m doing today is spreading the word for Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change. As Monika Baurlein states today in MotherJones.com, “Fix the Climate or the Kid Gets It.” (Clever title!) We need to convince “Americans that something we care about is actually at risk here. And of course something is is. Climate change poses the greatest danger not to polar bears, not to glaciers or beaches, but to our kids.” So what’s a busy person to do? Here are some ideas that are easy: 10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint and Save the Earth for Your ... Life Learning Today blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899229 Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:41:09 +0100 2899229 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2898991&cid=t_348418_107_f&fid=36672&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencebase.com%2Fscience-blog%2Fclimate-change-action.html It’s Blog Action Day 2009 and the subject this year is Climate Change. So, here are a few resources for readers seeking out climate information: IPCC – Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change – The IPCC assesses the scientific, technical and socio-economic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change. EPA – The US EPA Climate Change site provides comprehensive information on the issue of climate change and global warming in a way that is accessible and meaningful. BBC Weather Centre – Aims to inform people about the potential changes in our weather over the next 100 years. RealClimate – A commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. Island of Doubt ... Sciencebase Science Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2898991 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:01 +0100 2898991 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899003&cid=t_348418_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F15%2Ftreating-depression-and-folate-deficiency-with-medical-foods%2F Midweek Mental Greening First and foremost, I should offer a disclaimer for this post: The scientific media briefing I watched this morning, “Feeding the Brain to Help Manage Depression: The Role of Medical Foods,” was presented by Rakesh Jain, M.D., M.P.H., the Director of Psychiatric Drug Research at R/D Clinical Research Center in Lake Jackson, TX and Teodoro Bottiglieri, Ph.D. of the Baylor Institute of Metabolic Disease, and sponsored by Pamlab, a pharmaceutical company specializing in prescription medical foods. Neither PsychCentral.com nor myself is affiliated with Pamlab or Deplin, the new medical food discussed during the briefing. Now that that’s out of the way, on to the more interesting stuff. “Can we feed the brain to regulate mood disorders?” If you had no exper... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899003 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:25:21 +0100 2899003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899138&cid=t_348418_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F4O5T4s3NGrw%2F We were in Chinatown on Saturday, where we often eat Vietnamese food, but since I was about to go on a restricted diet for a couple of days I got to pick, and I was craving Cantonese. It was a tough decision, because a Vietnamese restaurant was a lot more likely to have some grilled chicken-on-a-stick that Alex would eat. But homestyle Chinese favorites were calling, so we went to China Village, an ordinary but great place on Baxter Street. Since we’ve been forcing Alex to taste things at home, it wasn’t that hard to get him to try some crispy dumpling skin — and he liked it! He ate quite a few pieces. We moved onto an order of fried rice (diced pork not a hit) and and chicken with broccoli (sliced chicken fairly successful),  chicken lo mein (sliced chicken a bigger hit). S... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899138 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:25:56 +0100 2899138 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2890857&cid=t_348418_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F4O5T4s3NGrw%2F We were in Chinatown on Saturday, where we often eat Vietnamese food, but since I was about to go on a restricted diet for a couple of days I got to pick, and I was craving Cantonese. It was a tough decision, because a Vietnamese restaurant was a lot more likely to have some grilled chicken-on-a-stick that Alex would eat. But homestyle Chinese favorites were calling, so we went to China Village, an ordinary but great place on Baxter Street. Since we’ve been forcing Alex to taste things at home, it wasn’t that hard to get him to try some crispy dumpling skin — and he liked it! He ate quite a few pieces. We moved onto an order of fried rice (diced pork not a hit) and and chicken with broccoli (sliced chicken fairly successful),  chicken lo mein (sliced chicken a bigger hit). S... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2890857 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:25:56 +0100 2890857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886369&cid=t_348418_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F13%2Fthe-crc-energy-efficiency-scheme-and-the-nhs%2F Title: The CRC energy efficiency scheme and the NHS The Skinny: The Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme, which will begin in April 2010 with an introductory three-year phase, is a mandatory energy efficiency scheme that will affect both the public and the private sector. Key points: Trusts should work out if they qualify for the scheme and start preparing. It supports the NHS’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions as outlined in the NHS Sustainable Development Unit’s Carbon Reduction Strategy. It will affect an estimated 180 NHS organisations. Participating trusts will need to report their carbon emissions to the Environment Agency and will have to buy carbon allowances. Trusts should nominate a responsible director and may also want to nominate a lead for managi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886369 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:55:32 +0100 2886369