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 'intellectual'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:56:35 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5174667&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F08%2F28%2Fthe-curious-case-of-phineas-gage-and-others-like-him%2F If you’ve ever taken an introductory psychology class, then you probably know the story of Phineas Gage, the 25-year-old railroad worker whose personality dramatically changed after a rod pierced his skull. Gage lost portions of his frontal lobe and went from being a kind and mild-mannered man to rude and unrestrained. On September 21, 1848, The Boston Post reported on the incident. The article was called “Horrible Accident” and said: As Phineas P. Gage, a foreman on the railroad in Cavendish, was yesterday engaged in tamping for a blast, the powder exploded, carrying an instrument through his head an inch in length, which he was using at the time. The iron entered on the side of his face, shattering the upper jaw, and passing back of the left eye, and out at the top of the head.... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5174667 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 12:17:17 +0100 5174667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159453&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fbible-on-intellectual-assessment-has.html Just in time for your XMAS shopping!!!! One of the best texts on intellectual assessment and theories related to the practice of intellectual assessment.The publisher has given me permission to post this information. The text below does not show all the formatting in the original document sent to me, so if you want a nicer PDF version to share with others, click here.Conflict of interest disclosure: I have coauthored a chapter in the book and will be splitting an honorarium check (not big, trust me) and will be receiving a free copy. But, I get no royalties (I wish I did).Kudos to Dr. Flanagan and Harrison for revising what I consider one of the best texts on intellectual assessment.NEW FROM THE GUILFORD PRESS (​Revised and Expanded!)Contemporary Intellectual Assessment, Third EditionThe... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159453 Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:09:00 +0100 5159453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086558&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FNoWxngWGoxw%2F In a closely watched case, a federal appeals court upheld the right of Myriad Genetics to patent two human genes that form the basis of a widely used genetic test for breast and ovarian cancers. The ruling reverses a lower court decision and gives Myraid the right to patent two so-called isolated human genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2 - that account for most inherited forms of breast and ovarian cancers. Many women with a familial history undergo genetic testing to determine if they have the mutations on their BRCA genes. The info helps decide on treatment or prevention, such as increased surveillance, preventive mastectomies or ovary removal. Women who test positive using Myriad’s gene test, which is called BRACAnalysis, have an 82 percent higher risk of breast cancer and a 44 percent higher... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086558 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:20:41 +0100 5086558 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5078029&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FErKoEEBgvYc%2F A group of 40 members of the House of Representatives have written President Obama urging the Trans Pacific Partnership talks currently under way should include a requirement that countries offer 12 years of data exclusivity for new biologics. The missive is the latest move by the pharmaceutical industry to create what it calls parity with US law. “The US-led biopharmaceutical industry would be disadvantaged if the US does not ensure consistency with US law as part of the TPP, because foreign countries do not provide the same type of protection rules,” according to the July 27 letter, which PhRMA is circulating. The trade group has also distributed this document as part of its lobbying campaign. You may recall that brand-name drugmakers won a 12-year exclusivity period as part of a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5078029 Fri, 29 Jul 2011 15:16:56 +0100 5078029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008660&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FoGHMXqJ1AYw%2F India has promised not to link a proposed trade deal with the European Union to any limits on making generic AIDS drugs, according to a joint statement from India’s Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The declaration came in response to growing criticism that pharma was pushing provisions in trade talks that would limit the availability of AIDS meds. The EU and India began talks in 2007 on a free-trade agreement that would be worth an estimated $134 billion in commerce. But a report last year in the Journal of the International AIDS Society suggested provisions could raise prices delay access to improved meds, and recommended that “inappropriate” trade deals should not be pursued unless new policies are created (see here). A key poin... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008660 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 13:20:18 +0100 5008660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5008666&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fb0Td2mZIFjs%2F European Union antitrust regulators have ended a four-year probe into charges that Boehringer Ingelheim abused the patent system to thwart rivals from launching versions of the best-selling Spiriva med for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. To settle the investigation, the German drugmaker agreed to make changes in its intellectual property protections. As the EU noted, Boehringer is the market leader in COPD meds thanks to its Spiriva inhalers, which generated nearly $4.3 billion in sales last year. The fracas began, though, in 2003, when Boehringer filed patent applications for new treatments involving combinations of three categories of active substances, including a new active substance that was discovered by Almirall, a Spanish drugmaker. Almirall objected to the... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5008666 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:15:21 +0100 5008666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4984693&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FIkIZCh14KuA%2F After years of embarrassment, lobbying and litigation, The Medicines Company last week finally succeeded in convincing Congress to support what has been derisively called the ‘Dog Ate My Homework Act.’ In reality, this was not a separate bill, but an amendment to the patent reform legislation known as the America Invents Act. The amendment was designed to compensate for a mistake that occurred a decade ago, when the drugmaker sought a patent extension for its Angiomax anti-coagulant, but its lawyers missed the filing deadline by one day, a contentious point that the law firm denies (see comment below). And so the amendment, which was introduced by four members of the House, would retroactively alter the process used to review filings - and grant an additional day (read the amen... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4984693 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:35:16 +0100 4984693 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968577&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F06%2F25%2Fwhy-celebrities-like-katy-perry-dont-want-people-to-make-eye-contact%2F A few weekends ago, I was intrigued to see this story in the New York Post: “The ultimate star perk is forbidding eye contact.” According to the Smoking Gun, singer Katy Perry’s contract covering her driver provides that the driver isn’t supposed to “stair” (sic) at her in the rear-view mirror. The piece notes that there have been many similar rumors over the years — that people were prohibited from making eye contact with Luke Perry, Tori Spelling, Sylvester Stallone, and others. When I read this story, I had a huge rush of intellectual pleasure. Because I think I’ve figured this out! Darshan. Years ago, when I was doing the research for my first book, Power Money Fame Sex: A User’s Guide, I was struck by how often celebrities made rules about eye contac... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968577 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 19:03:06 +0100 4968577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4952799&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FczRzl1vXuRE%2F By Ilya ShapiroIn 1920, the Supreme Court decided an obscure case concerning the implementation of a treaty between the United States and Canada regarding migratory birds. Tucked into Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’s five-page decision in Missouri v. Holland was a sentence that expressed a truly startling idea: that Congress can transcend its enumerated powers via its power to implement treaties. That is, although Congress has no enumerated power to pass, say, general criminal laws, if a ratified treaty with France demands that we pass such laws, then Congress’s power expands to allow for such legislation. Thus, foreign nations and the executive branch are given the power to change, almost at will, one of the most hotly debated and carefully crafted sections of the Constitution,... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4952799 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:35:51 +0100 4952799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953367&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F50CZuCTdRlE%2F Once again, US trade talks and the behind-the-scenes role being played by the pharmaceutical industry are making headlines. This time, the ruckus is taking place in New Zealand, where there are mounting concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement, or TPP, which is a trade agreement that aims to integrate eight economies of the Asia-Pacific region. Among the issues is the extent to which the TTP would move beyond intellectual property standards in the World Trade Organization’s Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS agreement (back story). The US Trade Representative, with backing from 28 US Senators and pharma, is also reportedly taking a hard line on Pharmac, the government entity that manages access to medicines in New Zealand, and reimbursement practices. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953367 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 15:14:31 +0100 4953367 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934114&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FsskDnGcrBaw%2F By Jim HarperIf you like innovation, and if you’re interested in intellectual property, you probably already know about the Committee on the Impact of Copyright Policy on Innovation in the Digital Era. That’s a group assembled by the National Academies to, well, analyze the impact of copyright policy on innovation in the digital era. Long-standing consensus holds that copyright, by creating artificial scarcity in information goods, allows creators to enjoy rewards from their creations sufficient to justify creating them. In other words, copyright’s incentive structure encourages creation and innovation, the end result being more and better information goods for the society to enjoy. Information technologies such as digitization and the Internet are rejiggering the balance... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934114 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 12:44:22 +0100 4934114 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921753&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPIwO-IEL5xE%2F And so another working week will soon draw to a close. This is, of course, our signal to dream about weekend doings. Our modest agenda includes spending time with Mrs. Pharmalot and the short people, catching up on our own version of R&D - a never-ending quest - and maybe taking a nap. And you? Perhaps there will be time for a walk in the park? A moment with someone special? Or seize the moment and make plans to enter the Republican presidential primary? Whatever you do, have a great time. See you soon… Bristol-Myers Resolves Problems At Puerto Rico Plant (Dow Jones) Japan Does Not Plan To Recall Actos (Reuters) Germany Joins France In Suspending Actos (Reuters) FDA Links Some Prostate Drugs To Cancer Risk (Associated Press) Sanofi CEO Tells Canada To Upgrade Patent Protection (... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921753 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:02:18 +0100 4921753 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911817&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FscuNG8BkIgY%2F To settle a bitter dispute over seizures of generic meds at a Dutch airport, Eli Lilly is about to make an undisclosed payment to several Indian generic drugmakers, The Financial Times writes. Several big drugmakers, in fact, benefited when the lower-cost drugs were impounded, since the move thwarted distribution of the generics throughout the European Union. The seizures in 2008 and 2009 were made in response to claims that the meds violated intellectual property rules protecting patents within the EU. But the move also prompted fierce criticism from health activists and non-governmental organizations that argued the generics were simply being shipped through the EU to developing countries where the patent laws did not apply, the FT notes. The seizures were only the latest struggle in a l... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911817 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:00:39 +0100 4911817 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911820&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FWRej8NgksWI%2F Good morning, everyone, and how are you today? A scorcher is predicted to envelope the Pharmalot corporate campus. We plan to keep cool by perusing interesting documents and chatting up interesting people. We will also break later to appear on a PhRMA panel on social media. To prepare, we are downing a few cups of stimulation - our flavor today is Southern Pecan. Meanwhile, here are some nifty tidbits from around your world. Watch out for the heat and see you soon… Pfizer Teams With Harvard In $100M Drug Discovery Deal (Bloomberg News) Merck Ends Trial Of Intercell Vaccine For MRSA (Reuters) Covidien Seeks A Buyer For Its Pharma Unit (Bloomberg News) Orphan Drug Development Success Remains Elusive (Gen New) US Seeks Prison Sentences For Device Execs (Associated Press) Glaxo Faces Adv... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911820 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:00:08 +0100 4911820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4893919&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FMA_m_JeONT8%2F Once again, Bernie Sanders, the independent Senator from Vermont, is proposing legislation that would eliminate market exclusivity for new drugs and, instead, would give inventors or developers cash rewards from a pair of prize funds. A separate fund would similarly offer rewards for those who develop drugs specifically for HIV and AIDS. The first bill, known as the Medical Innovation Prize Fund Act, would eliminate legal barriers to making and selling generics, including vaccines, and create a fund equal to .55 percent of the US Gross Domestic Product, which would be worth an estimated $80 billion annually at current levels. The HIVAIDS Prize Fund would be funded at .02 percent of US GDP, or equal to more than $3 billion a year (you can read each bill here and here). Where would the money... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4893919 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:33:43 +0100 4893919 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4821150&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FYw_11Z337sQ%2F And so another working week will soon draw to a close. Already, we are daydreaming about weekend plans. Our modest agenda includes mowing the lawn (again), catching up on some reading and taking one of the short people to watch a soccer match. And you? Anything special in the works? Maybe a drive in the country? A mysterious rendezvous? Or perhaps some spring cleaning is in order? Whatever you fancy, have a great time. But, of course, go safely. Meanwhile, here are some tidbits. See you… Shire Is A Takeover Target (Bloomberg News) Iperian Fires Top Execs (Xconomy) UK’s NICE Backs Merck And J&J’s Simponi For Rheumatoid Arthritis (InPharm) Prescription Drug Price Increases Cannot Go On Forever (Reuters) Ranbaxy Hopes To Supply Nexium To US By Year’s End (Economic... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4821150 Fri, 13 May 2011 12:01:46 +0100 4821150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4715023&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F3EmIsWhgxuY%2F Late last month, the US Supreme Court asked the Obama administration for its views on a complicated and controversial spat that has the potential to alter the way brand-name drugmakers use patent law to delay generic competition (look here). Whether the Supremes choose to review the case is unclear, but by asking the US Solicitor General to comment, the court has signaled a hearing is, indeed, a possibility. The case, meanwhile, is being closely watched, as one might imagine. A growing number of generic drugmakers have begun filing briefs with the Supreme Court, explaining why a review is warranted. And Wall Street has signaled that, if the status quo continues, brand-name drugmakers will have hit on a new means of fending off unwanted generic rivals. Here is the background: In 2005, Novo... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4715023 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:00:05 +0100 4715023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4677112&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRNHq-kkANQA%2F Two months ago, several non-governmental organizations urged Novartis to drop its “persistent legal actions” in India, where the drugmaker has spent five years waging a legal battle in hopes of securing a patent for its Gleevec med for treating chronic myeloid leukemia. Novartis made an appeal to the Supreme Court there two years ago and a hearing is scheduled for April 19. The groups argue the challenge is designed to influence the government to introduce laws and policies that would hinder access to medicines at a time when the issue is also the subject of trade negotiations (see here). Meanwhile, the groups charge that Novartis has tried to abuse the Indian patent sytem by continuing to file patent applications with, allgedly, minor chemical variations of the existing active... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4677112 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:10:58 +0100 4677112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4606051&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FgmtyQBHL9u4%2F And so another deal has gone on south amid acrimonious charges that trade secrets were swiped and loyalties forsaken. In this case, Tekmira Pharmaceuticals has filed a lawsuit charging Alnylam Pharmaceuticals with breaching a 2007 licensing agreement by replicating Tekmira’s proprietary RNAi technology, filing numerous patents based on the technology and sharing the confidential info with a third party. “Alnylam abused its collaborator status and access to our confidential information by improperly using this information for its own internal purposes and to replicate a competing technology in ways that were unauthorized and without our consent,” Tekmire ceo and president Mark Murray says in a statement (here is the statement and here is the lawsuit). In boasting about Tek... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4606051 Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:14:17 +0100 4606051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570761&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzGaMvXkB8L0%2F After weeks of anticipation and furious lobbying, Canada’s House of Commons passed a bill called C-393, which was designed to allow generic versions of patented AIDS meds to be sent to developing countries. The bill was conceived to amend a 2004 law called Canada’s Access to Medicines Regime, which proved ineffective. Since its passage six years ago, only one license was ever issued and this involved exporting just one order of an AIDS med to Rwanda. However, the legislation, which the pharmaceutical industry has fought over concerns that intellectual property rights would be undermined, still has another hurdle to clear, because it must still be approved by the Senate before becoming law. And the Senate is controlled by the Conservative Party, and supporters are now ramping up th... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570761 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:01:41 +0100 4570761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424324&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fspecial-journal-issue-on-forensic.html Thanks to Karen Salekin for alerting me to a two-part special issue of Psychology, Crime and Law: Forensic Research in Offenders with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities. I've provided picture images of the table of contents below. The actual TOC and articles for the two issues can be accessed here and here.Double click on images to enlarge - iPost using BlogPress from my Kevin McGrew's iPadintelligence intelligence testing Atkins cases ICDP blog psychology school psychology neuropsychology Forensic psychology criminal psychology criminal justice death penalty capital punishment ABA IQ tests IQ scores adaptive behavior AAIDD mental retardation intellectual disability Generated by: Tag Generator (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424324 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:24:00 +0100 4424324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405823&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fphrenology-examining-the-bumps-of-your-brain%2F The next time you say, “so and so should have her head examined,” remember that this was literally done in the 19th century. Phrenology, as it became known, is the study of brain function. Specifically, phrenologists believed that different parts of the brain were responsible for different emotional and intellectual functions. Furthermore, they felt that these functions could be ascertained by measuring the bumps and indentations in your skull. That is, the shape of your skull revealed your character and talents. Viennese doctor and anatomist Franz Josef Gall originated phrenology, though he called it cranioscopy. He was correct in saying that brain function was localized (this was a novel idea at the time), but unfortunately, he got everything else wrong. When Gall was young, he not... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405823 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:01:01 +0100 4405823 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405816&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F39444424%2Fprotecting_your_biotechnology_discoveries.php © zipckrBiotechnology discoveries and inventions can often lead to the researcher being known not only as one of the best researchers in the world, but also can produce them millions of dollars in return of their hard work. Protecting your rights and your creations is one of the first things you need to consider before embarking on anything. This is particularly important if you are in partnering with a university, organization or an individual for a project that has a high likelihood of being very ... (Source: The Biotech Weblog) The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405816 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 01:51:02 +0100 4405816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4377792&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FshWlI8o-q9M%2F Rise and shine. Another day is on the way. And here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the official mascots are barking and the short people are scurrying off to the school houses, we are preparing for the usual meetings and deadlines. We imagine you are doing the same. So as always, please join us for a needed cup of stimulation and take a moment to peruse the news of the world. We hope your day is productive and please stay in touch… Vertex Hepatitis C Drug Gets Priority Review (Associated Press) Merck Confirms Bleeding Risk With New Clotbuster (Reuters) Perrigo Buys Assets Of Paddock Labs (Bloomberg News) Forest Labs Says Depression Drug Fails In Study (Associated Press) UK Plans To Overhaul The NHS (The Guardian) Parents Upset At FDA Panel Rejection Of Lilly Drug (Xconomy) ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4377792 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 13:03:28 +0100 4377792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4241949&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FU1IRA4muioM%2F Generally, trade agreements are discussed behind closed doors, but a New Zealand talk paper was leaked the other day and contains ideas that run counter to suggestions being pushed by US and the global pharmaceutical industry. In fact, the Public Citizen advocacy group, which publicized the leak, calls it a “direct challenge to the monopoly interests of major pharmaceutical corporations.” The disclosure comes amid negotiations that are being held this week in New Zealand among eight countries and the US that are participating in the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade agreement, or FTA. At issue is the extent to which the FTA would move beyond intellectual property standards in the World Trade Organization’s Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS agreem... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4241949 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 16:45:36 +0100 4241949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924943&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fthe-r-word-sticks-stones-and-rosas-law%2F “What you call people is how you treat them. What you call my sister is how you will treat her. If you believe she’s ‘retarded’ it invites taunting, stigma. It invites bullying and it also invites the slammed doors of being treated with respect and dignity.” –14-year-old Nick Marcellino, Rosa’s brother, in testimony to the Maryland General Assembly Say what you will about New Jersey. Yeah, we are called the Soprano state, and, yeah, everyone in Jersey is rumored to have an attitude. You got a problem with that? But I couldn’t be more proud of its recent legislation. The U.S. Senate passed the bill known as Rosa’s Law in August 2010, and in September it goes before the House. Terms such as “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” will... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924943 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:55:39 +0100 3924943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880824&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FwkMIVQGEgkE%2F Cato adjunct scholar David Post writes on the Volokh Conspiracy blog about the sticky copyright wicket facing some impressive jazz recordings from the 30s and 40s. I get pretty excited . . . when I read that the collection also contains live performances of a Goodman-Wilson duet on “Lady Be Good” (with Wilson playing harpsichord!), Lester Young and Herschel Evans on “Tea for Two,” Charlie Christian playing electric guitar with the Goodman sextet in a 1939 performance of “Shivers,” the Count Basie and Duke Elllington bands’ performances at the 1938 “Carnival of Swing” on Randalls Island, . . . all previously unreleased. Oh, lordy — you’ve got to be kidding me! And listening to the excerpts from the recordings here, if anything, makes me even more delirious — this is ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880824 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:28:52 +0100 3880824 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3802586&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FRSx3foaRw3A%2F Last week, several public interest groups filed a complaint with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights alleging the Obama Administration’s US trade policy violates international human rights obligations. Specifically, the groups charge the White House has used the US Trade Representative’s ‘Special 301′ status toward foreign intellectual property law standards to promote policies that restrict access to affordable medicines (background). We spoke with Sean Flynn, who is the associate director of the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual at the Washington College of Law, about why this step was taken… Pharmalot: So why was this complaint filed? And why now? The issues raised are not new. Flynn: Here’s the background. After the US Trade Rep’s 2009 ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3802586 Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:19:23 +0100 3802586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3723339&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F07%2F03%2Fhow-your-past-can-help-guide-your-future%2F “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - George Santayana I believe that we humans spend a lot of time repeating our past — the mistakes, the patterns of behavior, the way we communicate with others. We’re creatures of habit and habits are hard to break. We believe, “Hey, this has worked for me in the past, so why not keep doing it?” Except that sometimes, we’re deluding ourselves. We think something has worked for us in the past, when in fact, it hasn’t at all. We believe our style of communication is effective with our partner, when all the while our partner sits there and wonders what the hell it is we’re thinking. History can be a great teacher and source of wisdom. This is true of history in the traditiona... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3723339 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:10:21 +0100 3723339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3666082&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2FWewc7Opte04%2F Intellectual Enrichment Helped Preserve Memory and Learning in Multiple Sclerosis Patients, Study Says (WebMD) “A small study of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients shows that maintaining an intellectually active lifestyle can help preserve learning and memory, even among patients with a high degree of brain damage.” “Although there’s no indication that being mentally engaged protects against brain damage itself, the findings do suggest that an active mind may be better equipped to retain its functions even in the event of brain damage.” “The findings suggest that enriching activities may build a person’s ‘cognitive reserve,’ which can be thought of as a buffer against disease-related memory impairment,” says study author James Sumowski, Ph... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3666082 Tue, 15 Jun 2010 17:17:48 +0100 3666082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648801&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2Fy6IVMFN-_ZE%2F Three months ago, a controversy erupted in India where intellectual property conferences sponsored by drugmakers, law firms and others angered various non-profit groups that argued the sessions are little more than gussied up opportunities to lobby India’s judges and policy makers. In their view, these IP summits, which are organized by the George Washington University Law School, are attempts to influence sitting judges on patent law enforcement issues that are pending in Indian courts. At the time, more than 20 consumer groups and non-governmental organizations wrote to India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry to complain the meetings are used as forums by companies to promote their IP and lobby for amendments to existing law or plead cases before the Indian Patent Office. Now, ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648801 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:49:55 +0100 3648801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3611906&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Factive-kids-outdoor-play-and-little-mishaps%2F2010.05.30 This study suggests that school children in this age group should be provided with daily recess. (more…) *This blog post was originally published at Health in 30* (Source: Better Health) Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3611906 Sun, 30 May 2010 13:19:26 +0100 3611906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3577624&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FcJw4UpLMOww%2F There is growing anger among numerous countries that the World Health Organization favors intellectual property rights over access to needed medicines in poor countries. This week, for instance, India and Thailand asked the WHO to end its involvement with IMPACT, the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce, which is accused of harboring conflicts of interest. At issue are concerns that IMPACT’s actions, which include involvement in seizing counterfeit drugs shipped between countries, is partly a smokescreen for delaying shipment of legitimate, lower-cost generic drugs to poor nations. Developing nations view the seizurese as a way to bolster patent protection for brand-name drugmakers. And so India, which has a large generics industry, and Thailand, which has rat... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3577624 Wed, 19 May 2010 13:38:31 +0100 3577624 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3542876&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPwTzubwpKl4%2F What do life sciences companies worry about most when it comes to losses for which there is some kind of liability? A new survey of execs from BIO and the Medical Device Manufacturers Association finds that over the past three years, 46 percent experienced a loss due to product injuries to third parties, followed by 32 percent that suffered ingredients spoiled due to temperature changes and 25 percent cited employment practices. And so if the past is prologue, it’s not surprising that 64 percent of the execs surveyed by the Chubb Group of Insurance, which is trying to drum up business, believe third-party injuries remain a major concern. And 67 percent worry about employment practices liability, while 74 percent fret over spoilage or a change in temperature to perishable items. And 5... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3542876 Thu, 06 May 2010 16:51:38 +0100 3542876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538387&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F8SmLptd4QEY%2F The industry cutbacks continue. Of course, 70 positions is relatively modest compared with the thousands announced at various times. Just the same these do add up. Sanofi-Aventis, which recently eliminated another 70 jobs at its US headquarters in Bridgewater, New Jersey, (see here), cites decaying patent protection as a key reason for deteriorating business conditions and, by extention, the job cuts. In announcing the cuts, Sanofi-Aventis complains that brand-name drugmakers in Canada have “no effective right of appeal” when facing patent challenges and, as a result, generics can appear before patents expires. Using rather pointed language, the drugmaker says the “lack of government policy leadership” threatens its ability to maintain R&D investments, capital ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538387 Wed, 05 May 2010 22:55:07 +0100 3538387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3534102&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F1zp-ai1enLI%2F The proposed Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union will stipulate that “there should be no limit on India’s capacity to produce and export life-saving medicines,” an EU official tells PharmaTimes. Moreover, an internal EU customs regulation will be changed to ensure there are no further seizures by EU customs officials of drugs made in India that pass through Europe on their way to Africa and Latin America, according to Daniele Smadja, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to India. “We are committed that what had happened a year and a half ago doesn’t happen again,” the EU official adds, referring to 18 seizures of Indian-made meds at EU ports, which were made based on claims by drugmakers that the meds contravened their EU patents. However, Indian drugmakers... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3534102 Wed, 05 May 2010 12:09:58 +0100 3534102 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526946&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FzpqIM4B9T1U%2F Access to medicines in poor and developing countries remains a hot issue and the outcome can often be influenced by trade policies. For this reason, the annual report from the US Trade Representative is closely watched for signs that public policy strikes an even balance between basic human needs and the economic interests, notably patents, of key US industries, including the pharmaceutical industry. This time around, the US Trade Rep’s annual report (which you can read here) notes that the US affirms the conclusions of the Doha declaration of TRIPS, the trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (see this primer), and “respects a country’s right to protect public health and, in particular, to promote access to medicines for all, and supports the vital role of the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526946 Mon, 03 May 2010 15:24:09 +0100 3526946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3494298&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FAyhd8t2Aymo%2F By Jim HarperSecrecy breeds suspicion, and little in the intellectual property area has garnered more suspicion than ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. ACTA is a multilateral trade agreement that has been under negotiation since 2007. But the negotiations haven’t been public, and access to key documents has only been provided to people willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It is inconsistent with the U.S. public’s expectations to have government officials negotiate public policies without providing public access to the deliberations and the documents. There are some limitations and exceptions to this principle. Generic diplomatic relations probably develop best in an environment where candor can prevail. Issues related to national security may require secret ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3494298 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:02:47 +0100 3494298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3457906&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F04%2Freearch-briefs-4-10-10-working-memory.html The cognitive neuroscience constructs of working memory and executive function (EF) are hot topics in all areas of cognition.  Although working memory measures are now showing up on most contemporary IQ tests, the measurement of executive functioning (EF) is not...and is typically measured by special purpose tests, tests that all suffer from a solid empirical foundation of research that clearly specifies the elements of, relations between, operational definitions of, etc. the components of EF.I was thus excited to see the table of contents for the recent issue of the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research (see below), as it focuses primarily on working memory and EF research for people with ID/MR.  My excitement was short-lived as I found that, at least at my Universities li... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3457906 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 17:10:00 +0100 3457906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3443848&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fpsychometric-ps-to-johnston-v-florida.html This is a follow-up to my brief comments yesterday regarding the Johstone v Fl (2010) denied MR/ID appeal of two days ago.As mentioned in the decision and my blog comment, the WAIS-III/WAIS-IV tests correlated .94 in a study reported in the WAIS-IV technical manual.  This is a very high correlation...but does NOT mean that the two tests should be expected to provide identical IQ scores.  I discuss these issues in a prior IAP AP101 report.The tests have different norm dates and thus, the later version (WAIS-IV) would be expected to provide a lower score based on the Flynn effect.  More importantly, as reported in the IAP AP101 report, when one calculates the standard deviation of the difference score (see page 6 of that report) for a correlation of .94, the resulting value is 5.2 (round ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3443848 Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:29:00 +0100 3443848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3420621&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F03%2Faaidd-manual-on-intellectual-disability.html The AAIDD web site now has three video interviews available for viewing that deal with three broad topics related to the new green manual.  The titles, presenters, and links are provided below.  Click here for prior blomgaster (Dr. Kevin McGrew) critiques of the manual's chapter on intellectual functioning.On Legal Aspects of the New Intellectual Disability Definition Manual.  Co-author Ruth Luckasson, JD Distinguished Professor, University of New MexicoOn the New Intellectual Disability Definition Manual.  Co-author Bob Shalock, PhD Professor Emeritus and Former Psychology Chair, Hastings CollegeOn Education Aspects of the New Intellectual Disability Definition Manual.  Co-author Martha E. Snell, PhD Professor of Special Education, University of Virginia (Source: ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3420621 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:02:00 +0100 3420621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3385366&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FObQTT0g-YKA%2Fet_tu_youtube_viacom.php We frequently use video clips on this site, many, but not all, from YouTube. To say YouTube has revolutionized web video content would be accurate, neither an understatement nor an exaggeration. The amount of material uploaded to YouTube is staggering. It is also the frequent target of specious take-down demands and is now the subject of a lawsuit by Viacom and other media giants alleging YouTube should check every upload for rights ownership. YouTube responds that such a requirement and threat of liability would put it, and most other service providers, out of business and points to explicit provisions in the federal low (the infamous Digital Millennium Copyright Act, "DMCA") that gives online services protection from liability if they obey a legitimate take-down request. It is not a ques... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3385366 Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:24:41 +0100 3385366 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3383082&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FaRNP6NYSxkQ%2F A controversy has erupted in recent weeks in India, where consumer activists are arguing that intellectual property conferences sponsored by drugmakers, law firms and others are little more than gussied up opportunities to lobby India’s judges and policy makers. In their view, these IP summits, which are organized by the George Washingtong University Law School, are attempts to influence sitting judges on patent law enforcement issues that are pending in Indian courts. “These meetings are being used as forums by companies to promote their intellectual property and to lobby for either law amendments or even to plead their cases currently pending before, for instance, the Indian Patent Office,” more than 20 consumer groups and non-governmental organizations wrote in a Feb. ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3383082 Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:03:34 +0100 3383082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3306863&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2FMMGQFShrFvU%2Fthe_copyright_mafia_makes_me_s.php If I screamed every time I wanted to scream after reading something on the internet, I'd be so hoarse I wouldn't be able to scream about something I hadn't read on the internet. Like the Obama administration's loser mentality or the Republican Party as just plain losers with no mentality at all. So maybe I won't scream about what I read about on The Guardian today (hat tip Boingboing), but I'd like to scream. LIKE THIS. But why should you listen to me? I'm an Enemy of the State. I know this because the US-based International Intellectual Property Alliance has made it clear what kind of person or entity is An Enemy of the State: someone who advocates for Open Source Software (and presumably Open Access publishing; I am editor of an open access peer reviewed scientific journal). If this sou... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3306863 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:58:50 +0100 3306863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302451&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F02%2Faaidd-position-paper-on-dsm-v-proposed.html Yesterday AAIDD presented its formal reaction to the DSM-V ASD and Developmental Disorders Subgroup, ID Subcommittee regarding the proposed DSM-V definition for intellectual disability (ID). The AAIDD 11th Edition Implementation Committee position paper (and recommendations) can be found by clicking here.Technorati Tags: psychology, forensic psychology, forensic psychiatry, neuropsychology, intelligence, IQ, IQ tests, IQ scores, adaptive behavior, intellectual disability, mental retardation, MR, ID, criminal psychology, criminal defense, ABA, American Bar Association, Atkins cases, death penalty, capital punishment, AAIDD, DSM-IV (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302451 Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:05:00 +0100 3302451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3294831&cid=t_136948_155_f&fid=39055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulesberman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fintellectual-property-6.html This is the sixth and last in a multi-part blog on the topic of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY in the sciences."Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation."- Oscar WildeIn earlier blogs, we covered uses of the patent system that had dubious societal value, specifically:1. Patenting to suppress innovation.2. Patent farming.3. Patent spreading.4. Patent holding.5. Patent shifting.6. Remixing prior patents.7. Patenting the uses of unpatented inventions.8. Patenting the obvious and the previous.9. Patenting life.10. Viral patenting.11. Royalty stacking.12. Reaching through a patent.The government awards patents, but when someone infringes on a patent, the government takes no action. Only the patent holder is harmed, and on... Specified Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3294831 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:54:00 +0100 3294831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3292029&cid=t_136948_155_f&fid=39055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulesberman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fintellectual-property-5.html This is the fifth in a multi-part blog on the topic of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY in the sciences.In the blogs from yesterday and the day before, we covered uses of the patent system that had dubious societal value, specifically:1. Patenting to suppress innovation.2. Patent farming.3. Patent spreading.4. Patent holding.5. Patent shifting.6. Remixing prior patents.7. Patenting the uses of unpatented inventions.8. Patenting the obvious and the previous.9. Patenting life.Here are three more common practices:10. Viral patenting. Asserting a patent on the manufacturer of an assembled device, and asserting the same patent on the users of the manufactured device. Viral patenting is risky for the patent owner. In a precedential case, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that LG Electronic could not... Specified Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3292029 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 12:16:00 +0100 3292029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3291006&cid=t_136948_155_f&fid=39055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulesberman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fintellectual-property-4.html This is the fourth in a multi-part blog on the topic of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY in the sciences.In yesterday's blog, we were discussing uses of the patent system that had dubious societal value. We covered:1. Patenting to suppress innovation.2. Patent farming. 3. Patent spreading. 4. Patent holding. 5. Patent shifting. 6. Remixing prior patents.TO CONTINUE:7. Patenting the uses of unpatented inventions. The wheel is an unpatented invention. If you were to come up with a novel, useful, and nob-obvious application of the wheel, you might be able to patent your work. This means that when you use an invention that is not covered by a patent, your use of the invention may still constitute a patent infringement. Here is an example. DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) is a freely... Specified Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3291006 Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:58:00 +0100 3291006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3288050&cid=t_136948_155_f&fid=39055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulesberman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fintellectual-property-3.html This is the third in a multi-part blog on the topic of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY in the sciences.In the U.S., the first patents were issued in 1790; three in total. By 1800, there were 41 patents issued. In 1900, there were 26,414 patents issued. In the year 2000, there were 159,255 patents issued, of which 157,494 were inventions, 17,413 were designs, and 548 were plants (1). The reason that the rate of patent issuance has increased through the centuries has less to do with the heady pace of scientific progress and more to do with the profitability of holding intellectual property. The original purpose of the patent system was to grant the inventor the exclusive right to make, use, or sell, or license his invention. Over the years, the uses of patents have expanded to include practices of dub... Specified Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3288050 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:07:00 +0100 3288050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283843&cid=t_136948_155_f&fid=39055&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjulesberman.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fintellectual-property-2.html This is the second in a multi-part blog on the topic of INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY in the sciences."What is mine is mine. What is yours is negotiable."- Nikita Khruschev, who is credited with using it to describe the American approach to arms control negotiations with the former U.S.S.R.Though depriving society of a medical advance is not a crime, few holders of intellectual property resort to secrecy nowadays; they use patents, copyrights, and courtrooms to protect their interests. The modern patent is a property right (lasting 20 years) given by a government to an inventor of a method, or invention, or a novel item. Patent means "open," so named because the patent process opens the invention to scrutiny. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) publishes detailed descriptions of every awa... Specified Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283843 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:55:00 +0100 3283843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267054&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fcritque-of-proposed-dsm5-intellectual.html Without question, the DSM-5 Proposed Draft Revision document has been generating considerable chatter among psychologists.  With regard to Atkins cases, the proposed definition of intellectual disability (ID) is no exception....emails and listservs have been busy debating and critiquing the ID proposed criteria.  Dr. Dale Watson has set out a well-written set of concerns and issues in the guest blog post below---which is reproduced "as is" from Dr. Watson.  Kudos to Dale for providing ICDP with his perspective.Dr. Dale Watson's critique of the proposed DSM-V ID criteria follows:The DSM-5 Proposed Draft Revisions to the Criterion sets for Mental Disorders have recently become available.  The proposed criteria for the diagnosis of Intellectual Disability retain the three-... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267054 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:24:00 +0100 3267054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259112&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fdsm-5-proposed-draft-revisions.html The Proposed Draft Revisions to DSM-5 are now available on line.  MR/ID is described as the following:Intellectual DisabilityA. Current intellectual deficits of two or more standard deviations below the population mean, which generally translates into performance in the lowest 3% of a person's age and cultural group, or an IQ of 70 or below. This should be measured with an individualized, standardized, culturally appropriate, psychometrically sound measure.B. And concurrent deficits in at least two domains of adaptive functioning of at least two or more standard deviations, which generally translates into performance in the lowest 3 % of a person's age and cultural group, or standard scores of 70 or below. This should be measured with individualized, standardized, culturally appropriate, ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259112 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:42:00 +0100 3259112 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3254577&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fstephen-greenspan-on-minutes-to-discuss.html Stephen Greenspan (ANNALS OF GULLIBILITY, Praeger, 2009) is scheduled to appear on a  60 Minute segment scheduled to air on Sun, 2/14 @ 7 pm ET/PT; 6PM Central/ Mtn.  Greenspan has written extensively re: the critical importance of the concept of gullibility as it relates to the definition and identification of individuals with intellectual disabilities/mental retardation (ID/MR).According to Greenspan, the segment will focus mainly on Ponzi scheme implications, and will not get much or all into other implications, such as criminal justice, cognitive disabilities, Atkins MR death penalty cases, etc.Technorati Tags: Psychology, forensic psychology, forensic psychiatry, intellectual disabilities, mental retardation, social skills, social intelligence, social cognition, 60 minutes, ... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3254577 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 16:16:00 +0100 3254577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227900&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fintellectual-heterogeneity-of-mrid-as.html This study clearly suggests that even a population of individuals with a shared genetic causal mechanism display significant individual differences in patterns of cognitive abilities.  If this is found in ID/MR populations with a strong shared genetic causal mechanism, one would be hard-pressed to argue that such variability does not exist for more milder forms of ID/MR and the general population.My point (again)---I'm very concerned that the AAIDD 11th Edition ID manual's "stuck on g" position is out of synch with contemporary intelligence theory and measurement and has the potential to cause serious harm when potentially life-altering decisions are made on the basis of a single g-based composite IQ scores that ignores the heterogeneity of human cognitive abilities across the ability... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227900 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 21:29:00 +0100 3227900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3146092&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fwechsler-like-iq-subtest-scaled-score.html The following are the first three paragraphs (and a critical figure) of a draft of an IAP Applied Psychometrics 101 Brief Report (#5).  The complete report can be download in PDF format by clicking here.  A web-page version of the complete report can be found by clicking here (note - the web page verision may NOT display two embedded figures....viewing the PDF copy may be necessary)I'm providing this initial draft report with the expressed intent of soliciting feedback and comments regarding the accuracy and soundness of my analyses and logic.  I'm looking for critical feedback to improve the report.  This is a draft report that will be revised if comments suggest important changes.  Please read it in the spirit of "tossing out some critical ideas" for reflective a... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3146092 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:44:00 +0100 3146092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3115198&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F12%2Fstate-special-education-definitions-of.html This study examined the terms used to describe MR, the use of classification levels, the cutoff scores, and the adaptive behavior considerations for each state. In addition, this study examined guidelines for consideration of intelligence test part scores and consideration of the unreliability of IQs through consideration of the standard error of measurement (SEM) or an IQ range. As found in previous studies, results revealed great variation in the specific eligibility guidelines for MR from state to state. The greatest variation appeared to be across the adaptive behavior considerations. Approximately 20% of states (10) recommend consideration of intelligence test part scores, and approximately 39% of states (20) recommend attention to unreliability of IQs through consideration of the SEM... Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3115198 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:29:00 +0100 3115198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3036068&cid=t_136948_180_f&fid=38613&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevepavlina.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F11%2Fproperty-ownership%2F People often ask me for my thoughts on property ownership, both with respect to physical property and intellectual property. I feel inspired to write about this topic this morning, so I’ll share some of those thoughts with you now. Do I think property ownership is a good thing, or is it an evil scourge? For me, property ownership is about responsibility and sharing, not about control and security. If you think that can truly own something, you’re mistaken. Your ownership of anything in the physical world is guaranteed to end eventually, either through loss or death. So how can you really own anything if your ownership will be taken away? You’re not really the owner of anything. You’re simply a temporary steward. As a steward of your property, you’re responsibl... Steve Pavlina's Personal Development Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3036068 Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:18:50 +0100 3036068 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004063&cid=t_136948_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FG4OenXy9bD8%2Fchemo-brain-new-york-times I thought I’d let you know that I am a guest blogger today for the New York Times and have written a post called When Cancer Muddles the Mind.  Have a read and leave a comment on the Well Blog. (Source: Everything Changes) Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004063 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:48:05 +0100 3004063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2985035&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FvtQoz7Em2jw%2F Frustrated with patent challenges, Novartis has put its R&D activities in India on the back burner, The Economic Times reports. Chief executive Dan Vasella, who was in Mumbai to attend a Pepsico board meeting, tells the paper that intellectual property protection in India is not what it ought to be. “In principle you can discover in India, you can do research. There has been some progress on the protection of intellectual property but its not up to the standard that I would expect to make an investment into discovery led research,” Vasella tells the paper. He adds that India’s recent decision to invest $1 billion in China and not India was not driven by its bad experience with its Gleevec cancer drug in India but a friendler investment environment in China. Novartis, you m... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2985035 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:26:51 +0100 2985035 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2899078&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=37835&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iqscorner.com%2F2009%2F10%2Fap101-brief-1a-g-or-not-to-g-iq-part-vs.html IQs Corner readers may find the Applied Psychometrics 101 Brief #1:  g or not to g in Atkins MR death penalty cases (post at sister blog) of interest.  Briefly, the two-post AP101 Brief presents and disucsses the relative g-loadings (g-ness) of composite scores from the WAIS-III, WJ III, and KAIT in a university adult sample. Questions are raised, based on analysis of data from a sample of 200 young adults, regarding the use of different composite scores from intelligence batteries in place of the total (full scale) IQ score when considerable variability exists in an IQ batteries composite scores. (Source: Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner)) Intelligent Insights on Intelligence Theories and Tests (aka IQ's Corner) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2899078 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:06:00 +0100 2899078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2857450&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F10%2F03%2Fis-psychology-rotten-to-the-core%2F It’s not everyday you wake up and find your profession in midst of a holy war. Yet that seems to be what’s happening in the profession of clinical psychology. A new journal article to be published next month by Timothy B. Baker, Richard M. McFall, and Varda Shoham (2009) suggests that psychology is falling apart. Specifically, the researchers argue that graduate training programs for psychologists studying to become psychotherapists has taken a wrong turn and needs to be turned around before it’s too late. So what steps could be taken to fix the apparent problem? Funny you should ask, because not only do the authors have a prescription, they actually started implementing their prescription more than a year ago. Is Psychology Like Medicine? Baker et al.’s argument ... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2857450 Sat, 03 Oct 2009 15:27:58 +0100 2857450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464119&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fyale-van-gogh-and-personal-property.html At Healthcare Renewal and at numerous other healthcare blogs, we write about academic and industry conflicts of interest, malfeasance, and other topics in the hopes that there are leaders within organizations who might correct the wrongs that result from such conflicts and behaviors. (That is, when it is not those same leaders behind the scandals in question.)Our efforts are based on the assumption (perhaps, more correctly, a hope) that the problems within organizations are not organic and ideological, and that they are in some fashion amenable to correction internally and externally via exposure to sunlight.What if we're wrong?A story caught my eye about my Medical Informatics alma mater. A Frenchman, Pierre Konowaloff, is suing Yale for return of a famous Van Gogh painting that was con... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464119 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:28:00 +0100 2464119 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452341&cid=t_136948_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F04%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-obos-joins-aclu-lawsuit-challenging-breast-and-ovarian-cancer-gene-patents%2F On May 12, the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit against the U.S Patent and Trademark Office, Myriad Genetics and the University of Utah Research Foundation, “charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer are unconstitutional and invalid.” The suit focuses on the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, mutations of which are related to increased risk of breast and/or ovarian cancers. OBOS has joined the suit as a plaintiff, along with Breast Cancer Action and others. Learn more about the suit, the issue in general, and how to sign a statement of support for the effort at Our Bodies Our Blog. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Boobs, Cancer, Ethics, Laws, Legislation, & Courts, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452341 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:52:10 +0100 2452341 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2442303&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F05%2Fhow-rome-fell.php David Frum has a very interesting review of How Rome Fell: Death of a Superpower. In it he touches upon two other works which address the same topic, The Fall of Rome: And the End of Civilization & The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians. I've read them both, and they are excellent histories, though as Frum notes they take different tacks. The former taking a materialist perspective, and the latter a more classical narrative of politics and government. I also agree that to some extent modern multiculturalism has fed into the revisionism which suggests that there was no decline from Classical to Late Antiquity. In From Plato to NATO: The Idea of the West and Its Opponents conservative historian David Gress actually shows how pre-multiculturalist liberal in... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2442303 Thu, 21 May 2009 02:17:00 +0100 2442303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2389849&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fdrug-design-and-thinking-unthinkable.html "The problem pharma industry faces isn’t that they didn’t see generics coming. They not only saw it miles off, they figured out early on that they needed a plan to deal with it. ... In drug design the unthinkable scenario unfolded something like this: The ability to share data and intellectual properties wouldn’t shrink, it would grow. Walled data silos would prove unpopular and inefficient. ... No one experiment is going to replace what we are now losing with designed drugs, but over time, the collection of new experiments that do work might give us the cure we need." [adapted from Clay Shirky]We need legal support, intellectual property protection, and social legal systems, we need them more than ever ! Sure, we want to work 'openly' together, but not without payment. I think ther... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2389849 Wed, 06 May 2009 18:32:00 +0100 2389849 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349264&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F04%2Faustrians-and-presuppositionalism.php Less Wrong makes an analogy between Austrian economics and Calvinist presuppositionalism. I've turned off comments, so you can comment there. Especially see Robin Hanson's comment. When I expressed skepticism of rationality, this is part of what I was talking about. Deduction gets you only so far, mostly because humans are stupid and imprecise. (Source: Gene Expression) Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349264 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:37:00 +0100 2349264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2323425&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F03%2Fperhaps-people-like-to-memorize-stuff.php Steve brings up the fact that there is a trend in Indian culture toward memorizing stuff as a way of showing off one's intellect. This seems plausible. But, I think a bigger point might be that rote learning and feats of memory have traditionally been more important in human history than they are now, and Western societies in particular are on the cutting edge on placing more of an emphasis on creative original thinking which illustrates the ability to reconstitute concepts into a novel synthesis as opposed to regurgitating ancient forms. In fact before the printing press made books much more common there was a whole field termed the Art of Memory in the West.Note: I would also add that memory has different utility in different fields. Physicists who I've known seem to be rather slack abou... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2323425 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:05:00 +0100 2323425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2295398&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2009%2F03%2Ftracking-economists-consensus-on-money.php I'm probably not the only person playing catch-up on economics in order to get a better sense of what the hell is going on. Just two economists clearly called the housing bubble and predicted the financial crisis, and only one of them has several books out on the topic -- Robert Shiller, the other being Nouriel Roubini. With Nobel Prize winner George Akerlof, Shiller recently co-authored Animal Spirits, a popular audience book making the case that human psychology and behavioral biases need to be taken into account when explaining any aspect of the economy, especially when things get all f.ed up. That argument would seem superflous, but economics is the butt of "assume a can-opener" jokes for a reason.To be fair to the field, though, they point out that before roughly the 1970s, mainstream... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2295398 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:07:00 +0100 2295398 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147538&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=34765&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcrenewal.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fblogscan-how-healthcare-blogosphere-was.html Scams in healthcare are not just limited to insurers, hospitals and clinicians. The blogosphere itself can be victimized.At Dr. Val's blog "Getting Better" in a post entitled "How The Health Blogosphere Was Scammed", we learn that a blog aggregator company called Wellsphere promised to help bloggers better distribute their content, achieve higher recognition, etc. It sent out seductive, complementary letters made to appear as if done individually, and an invitation to submit content with the following onerous provision in the electronic fine print (only seen if a 'terms of service' link is clicked):When you post your own copyrightable content on the Website or give Wellsphere permission to post your copyrightable content on the Website, you retain ownership of any copyright you claim to yo... Health Care Renewal blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147538 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 23:47:00 +0100 2147538 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2033594&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F481980464%2F Consider this scenario: An Indian shipment of pharmaceuticals bound for Venezuela makes a pit stop at a Dutch port, where local customs sieze the goods, citing counterfeiting and patent infringement. A trade promotion agency in India cries foul, saying the drugs are perfectly legal in Latin America, LiveMint writes. But the European Commission is non-committal, citing ongoing litigation in national courts. And a patent lawyer points to problematic definitions of counterfeit drugs that could lead to misinterpretation of intellectual property rights violations, according to the news service. Such instances are on the rise, LiveMint continues, as countries and businesses start fighting turf wars over intellectual property rights and use local laws and international guidelines to their advanta... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2033594 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 19:58:55 +0100 2033594 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2011027&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F473938559%2Fsunlight_is_the_best_disinfect.php Many of us supported Barack Obama during the Presidential campaign, not because we agreed with all of his positions but we agreed with many of them that were crucial. We also saw no morally viable alternative. We hope to be able to continue our support, but it will always be offered in a constructive and not unconditional spirit. We appreciate the commitmentto transparency that has characterized the transition period and we have high hopes it will continue once the Obama administration takes office. It is in this spirit we endorse and pass on these Principles for an Open Transition suggested by some of the internet's most progressive voices for open government: 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=2011027 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:14:26 +0100 2011027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1980548&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F462196642%2Frecording_industry_accused_of.php More delicious irony concerning the bottom feeders at the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the copyright thugs whose frivolous lawsuits extort money from innocent teens, grandmas and those in between. They are being hit with another counter claim ((the first was rejected) in Atlantic Recording v. Raleigh, a case being heard in St. Louis, MO. This time an amended class action claim in being filed under RICO, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The allegations? 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=1980548 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 20:33:18 +0100 1980548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1974948&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F460025546%2Fstupid_legislature_tricks_tenn.php There's a lot of stupidity in state legislatures, and the responsibility for that stupidity rests squarely with the people who voted for these morons. Take Tennessee. Please. 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=1974948 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 20:25:35 +0100 1974948 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968917&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F11%2Fno-more-love-for-modernist-authors.php Previously I looked at changing fashions in academic theories and their associated buzzwords, using the articles archived in JSTOR as a sample: see part 1, part 2, and part 3. What about the thing that arts & humanities academics are supposed to study -- the text itself? I mean, the vulgar consuming public may flit from one "it" author to the next, but surely academics are above such fickleness?Most of them are happy to admit that they don't make grand claims about Truth -- that's only what us evil science people do. But they don't freely admit to being driven mostly by a blind adherence to fashion -- whatever they're showing in Paris this season -- and it's time to strike back at them for this, after that knuckle-rapping they tried to give us in the '90s. Again, I've already showed ho... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968917 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:14:00 +0100 1968917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1837265&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2Fgraphs-on-rise-of-scientific-approaches.php Well, with the first post and a response to criticisms out of the way, I'll conclude with the graphs on some ideas that are gaining in popularity in the study of mankind. Where it says "social sciences," I've only searched JSTOR for the following journal categories: anthropology, economics, education, political science, psychology, and sociology. The social sciences, basically. (And I've used appropriate neutral comparisons as before.) The reason is that if "heritability" increases in usage, that could be due to its use in genetics -- I want to see how popular it is when talking about humans. (As before, graphs have simple titles, while the full search terms are listed in an Appendix.)Contrary to what you might think, since about 1950 academics have become increasingly interested in the ge... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837265 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:16:00 +0100 1837265 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1837266&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2Fresponse-to-criticism-on-death-of.php My first post detailed the demise of wooly-headed theories in academia. In this post, I'll also address some common criticisms that have come up so far. In the third post, just above this one, I will look at a rival class of theories, namely the scientific and in particular biological approaches to studying humanity. The take-home message is that, while the Blank Slate theories are slowly being driven out of academia, new ones based on the biological sciences are becoming ever more popular. But let's start with the criticisms:1) You're confusing popularity with accuracy, truth, etc.I never said anything to this effect. I am just interested in whether certain theories are becoming more or less prevalent. Now, I happen to believe that in the case of, say, psychoanalysis or Marxism, the theor... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837266 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:57:00 +0100 1837266 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1825426&cid=t_136948_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F24%2Ftoward-a-new-era-of-intellectual-property-from-confrontation-to-negotiation-a-report-from-the-international-expert-group-on-biotechnology-innovation-and-intellectual-property%2F (Executive Summary) suggests that life-saving scientific research is being stifled by a “broken” patent system .”Blocking patents” are delaying advances in cancer medicine and food crops, says the Canada-based Innovation Partnership, a non-profit consultancy. Posted in Grey Literature, Intellectual Property   Tagged: Grey Literature, Intellectual Property    (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825426 Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:55:26 +0100 1825426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1812821&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34994&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gnxp.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F09%2Fgraphs-on-death-of-marxism.php [Note: I'm rushing this out before the school week starts, as I need sleep, so if it seems unedited, that's why.]We are living in very exciting times -- at long last, we've broken the stranglehold that a variety of silly Blank Slate theories have held on the arts, humanities, and social sciences. To some, this may sound strange, but things have decisively changed within the past 10 years, and these so-called theories are now moribund. To let those out-of-the-loop in on the news, and to quantify what insiders have already suspected, I've drawn graphs of the rise and fall of these fashions.I searched the archives of JSTOR, which houses a cornucopia of academic journals, for certain keywords that appear in the full text of an article or review (since sometimes the big ideas appear in books ra... Gene Expression blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812821 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:17:00 +0100 1812821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1798094&cid=t_136948_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthbolt.net%2F2008%2F09%2F15%2Fcan-thinking-too-much-make-you-fat%2F Sounds like a strange question but, in a nutshell,  that’s what a group of Canadian researchers wanted to know. So they recruited 14 women and put their brains (and their stomachs) to work. After performing one of the three different tasks for 45 minutes - relaxing in a sitting position, reading and summarizing a text, or completing a series of memory, attention, and vigilance tests on the computer - the women were provided with an all-you-can-eat buffet to dig into. The researchers measured the sponstaneous food intake of the students following each activity and discovered that the women ate 203 more calories after the reading-writing task and 253 more calories after the memory and attention task than they did when they were just sitting around and relaxing. The researchers also di... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798094 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:55:39 +0100 1798094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1773159&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F386016149%2Fgop_copyright_piracy.php The Bush administration and Republicans in general have acted and talked tough about copyright violations. It's not just Republicans, either. Some scumbag Democrats are in bed with the RIAA and MPAA and going at it as much as they can as long as the Johns are paying for their services. But it's another case of "Do as I say, not as I do," for the GOP. The McCain campaign has now been tagged at least three times for using copyrighted material in campaign ads and events without the permission of the artists. Jackson Browne is suing them for $1 million for the unauthorized use of "Running on Empty" in a commercial. He doesn't permit his music to be used in any commercials. A Frankie Valli tune was used without permission in another anti-Obama commercial by the McCain campaign and was taken dow... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1773159 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 20:30:37 +0100 1773159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1730855&cid=t_136948_122_f&fid=36582&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FSharpBrains%2F%7E3%2F372866231%2F I apologize for the long delay in getting back to this column but I have a good excuse. We just recently had a baby, and boy, that takes care right there of the physical exercise need. Between carrying the baby upstairs and downstairs, running to get the baby, getting out of the bed and picking the baby up and putting the baby down a couple of times a night no you need not worry about getting your daily exercise dose in…Now, the majority of the answers to my post on the brain virtues of physical exercise suggests that most people think that the brain benefits of physical exercise are mostly to be understood as complementary effects of a healthy life style. Is this correct? In my post today I will attempt to answer this question. First, while generally healthier people seem to have health... SharpBrains blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1730855 Sat, 23 Aug 2008 18:09:27 +0100 1730855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1711782&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FyuGljrjApwA%2F Today’s New York Times weighs in not so much about the movie Tropic Thunder’s use of the r-word, as on the more general phenomenon of certain Hollywood movies seeking to top levels of tastelessness and crassness, and un-PC-ness, all in the name of box office revenues. The r-word is kind of r-rated around here and, indeed, just simply rude. And a sign of a rube? Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, beats, ben stiller, disabilities blog, disability, dream works, Family, family blog, films, Health, hollywood, intellectual disabilities, jack black, jr., Language, Movies, new york, parenthood, Parenting, pdd-nos, r-rated, robert downey, special olympiShare This (Source: Autism Vox) Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1711782 Sun, 17 Aug 2008 16:06:47 +0100 1711782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1704770&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FcHtQ07CYw9M%2F Regarding this boycott of the movie Tropic Thunder over its use of the term “retarded” and director and star Ben Stiller’s portrayal of “a weak-minded character named Simple Jack” : It’s starting to seem that, really, Hollywood’s got the “developmental delays”—is being “a little slow to get it”—-at least when it comes to understanding why mocking the “retarded” may be the last acceptable prejudice. And, why they should stop doing it. Here’s an article on the Special Olympics website about the boycott. Tags: asd, asperger, autism, autism blog, beats, ben stiller, disabilities blog, disability, dream works, Family, family blog, films, Health, hollywood, intellectual disabilities, jack black, jr.,... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704770 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:00:04 +0100 1704770 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1696280&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FgShimX5nu7o%2F More than a dozen disabilities groups—including the Arc of the United States, the National Down Syndrome Congress, the American Association of People With Disabilities—-are calling on Monday for a boycott of the movie Tropic Thunder, which is to be released this Wednesday. The film is directed by actor Ben Stiller and is, according to the August 10th New York Times, a “movie-industry spoof”: A particular sore point has been the film’s repeated use of the term “retard” in referring to a character, Simple Jack, who is played by Mr. Stiller in a subplot about an actor who chases an Oscar by portraying a mindless dolt. ….. DreamWorks and Paramount have shown “Tropic Thunder” in more than 250 promotional screenings around the country since April, but sign... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1696280 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:33:25 +0100 1696280 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1625792&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F336535642%2F Jeff was one of four people who were invited to testify earlier today before the Senate Finance Committee about the “international enforcement of intellectual property rights and American competitiveness.” And the Pfizer ceo offered these suggestions to Congress in his testimony…. STRONGER ENFORCEMENT TOOLS: US officials need to hold the worst counterfeit offenders accountable, and the government needs more resources to do that. The global IP problem is growing faster than the capacity of our agencies that fight it; STRONG, ENFORCABLE IP PROVISIONS IN OUR TRADE AGREEMENTS: This means for all forms of IP. The global landscape for IP is evolving. Our trade agreements need to reflect those changes. Acquiescing to a weakening of IP in these agreements will mortgage our econom... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1625792 Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:25:17 +0100 1625792 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1546585&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F320487351%2Fis_it_in_the_public_domain.php Traveling and busy as hell, but wanted to share this. The ever expanding copyright laws is one of my pet peeves, but almost as irritating as the increasing length of copyright is the difficulty in knowing if something is still under copyright. The copyright date and name of the copyright holder in the frontmatter of a book is not a sufficient indication since it only tells you who used to have the copyright, not who does or does not have it now as a result of a renewal. For books published in the US between 11923 there is now a new tool to use: 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=1546585 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:06:17 +0100 1546585 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1543935&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35779&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pharmamanufacturing.com%2Fonpharma%2F%3Fp%3D2211 At a meeting at DIA in Boston yesterday, Mike Svinte, President of Global Life Sciences at IBM provided a sneak peek and insights into a new report probing CEO challenges and concerns and their implications. The report, which is due to be released next month, will distill interviews with more than 1,000 CEOs from around [...] (Source: On Pharma) On Pharma blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1543935 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:11:51 +0100 1543935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1472545&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F299274352%2F Last December, Cynthia Standifer killed her adopted son, Rasheed Michael Standifer, who had intellectual disabilities. According to the May 22nd Enquirer (Cincinnati), Standifer injected large doses of morphine into her son and then also injected herself with the drug and was found on December 26. Last Wednesday, May 21st, Standifer was given the minimum sentence of three years by a judge who “praised her for adopting a disabled child and caring for him for two decades.” More from the Enquirer: Standifer, a nurse, poisoned her son - who had the mental capacity of an 8-year-old - because she feared he soon would be institutionalized. The judge called the situation pitiful. “It’s just as sad for Mrs. Standifer as for anyone else,” Davis said. Standifer originall... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1472545 Tue, 27 May 2008 19:00:01 +0100 1472545 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1451978&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F293403237%2F The tension between big pharma and developing nations over intellectual property and affordable meds is palpable, particularly in India, where Novartis is challenging the denial of a patent for its Gleevec cancer drug. India Knowledge@Wharton spoke with Ranjit Shahani, who heads the drugmaker’s operations in India about IP rights and access to meds. This is an excerpt… IKW: The idea of there being a homogenous patent regime for all countries is like saying that the health care capabilities, priorities and infrastructure of the American people are on par with those of developing countries such as India. What are your views on this? Shahani: You cannot compare a developing country to the US on any score, be it patents, growth or equity…Protecting innovation is the best prot... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1451978 Mon, 19 May 2008 10:52:10 +0100 1451978 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1436943&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2F288949362%2F Researchers at Adelaide’s Women’s & Children’s Hospital and the University of Adelaide, Australia, have found that a mutant gene causes epilepsy and intellectual disabilities specific to women. As noted in Science Daily, the study links a “large family of genes known as protocadherins with a condition known as ‘epilepsy and mental retardation limited to females’ (EFMR).” EFMR is described as “relatively uncommon” and also hereditary, …….with successive generations of women affected. In just one of seven families studied across the world, 23 women were affected by the disorder across five generations. This discovery will now enable such families to benefit from genetic counselling, including screening for the genetic muta... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1436943 Mon, 12 May 2008 21:02:29 +0100 1436943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1433701&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F287584585%2Fcopyright_versus_health_and_sa.php We talk a fair amount about intellectual property issues here. When it comes to the free exchange of scientific information already paid for by taxpayers or the rapacious use of intellectual property laws by Big Pharma to price gouge the developed world and pillage the developing world the connections to public health are clear to us. Maybe some of you thought they were a stretch but now we have agreement from an unlikely source: the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Of course their take is 180 degrees in the opposite direction. For them it's infringement that's the public health and safety threat: 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=1433701 Sat, 10 May 2008 17:32:24 +0100 1433701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1407326&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F280281893%2F Last week, the US Trade Representative issued its annual Special 301 report that singles out US trading partners that fail to respect intellectual property rights. The rankings are closely watched by many industries including, of course, pharma and, as a practical matter, can influence myriad economic interactions down the road. And so American University’s Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property has compared the latest report with actual industry submissions to the US Trade Rep by both PhRMA and the International Intellectual Property Association. The upshot - most of the countries which the industry groups requested USTR to place in the report are there… - Of the 47 nations named by the IIPA, 36 are in the report; and - Of the 48 countries cited by PhRMA, 36 made... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1407326 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:37:10 +0100 1407326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399357&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F277819702%2F This label refers to US concern over the way Thailand handles intellectual property rights, and it was first issued to Bangkok last year after the new military government began issuing compulsory licenses for three widely used meds. Since then, Thailand has become an ideololgical flashpoint in the widening debate over patents and access to life-saving drugs. More recently, a newly installed government considered rolling back the program, but ultimately left it in place, even as pharma lobbied the US Trade Rep to downgrade Thailand’s status. Instead, the US Trade Rep left Thailand in the same position. “The serious deterioration of intellectual property rights (IPR) protection in Thailand led the United States to elevate Thailand to the Special 301 Priority Watch List of countri... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399357 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:31:51 +0100 1399357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1399362&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F277635612%2F On April 16, the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) asked its members to support an open letter to a World Health Organization committee - the Intergovernmental Working Group on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property - in advance of a meeting where new proposals will be discussed concerning models for supporting R&D for new meds. The issue comes down to patents and accessibility. “Prize systems, a medical R&D treaty, and compulsory patent pools are being advocated as alternatives to patents and IP protections at the April 28 meeting. These solutions could pose a challenge to our current and very successful system of innovation and tech transfer. This letter will be published as a full page advertisement in a major international newspaper a few... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1399362 Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:49:25 +0100 1399362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1370865&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F270181932%2F A long-negotiated patent overhaul bill sought by technology companies and opposed by drugmakers is in deep trouble in the Senate, Democratic and Republican aides tells Reuters. Big high-tech companies, such as Cisco and Hewlett-Packard, began pushing for reform legislation years ago to cut the number of patent infringement lawsuits and the amount of damages paid. A version of the bill passed the House last September but the White House opposes the damages portion of the House version and a similar measure in is stalled in the Senate amid vocal opposition from Lilly and Monsanto, as well as smaller tech companies that fear lower damages would leave them vulnerable to infringers. “I wouldn’t say the bill is dead, but let’s say right now it’s on ice,” one Democra... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1370865 Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:12:08 +0100 1370865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1351950&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F264181828%2Fattorney_general_mukasey_inten.php The Global War on Terror is claiming yet another victim: the reputation of Attorney General Michael Mukasey as a principled guardian of the Rule of Law. Even before joining the Bush administration Mukasey was forgetting the meaning of the word "torture," and since being confirmed is equally benighted regarding privacy. Now he is peddling shoddy goods linking terrorism and software piracy. Does this former judge have no shame? Via Preston Gralla at Computer World Blogs: 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=1351950 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:41:39 +0100 1351950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1344612&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F262592832%2F On a hot morning in a dusty suburb of Mumbai, a man in his thirties visits a clinic for an HIV med, a process repeated by hundreds of thousands of patients from Argentina to Zimbabwe. On a wall of the clinic, operated by the charity Medecins sans Frontieres, a poster bears the words “Patent on Aids drugs” inside a circle struck out by a thick red line. The phrase “lives before profit” is written below. “Medicine is our main expenditure,” Freya Raddi, the director, tells The Financial Times. “With cheaper drugs, we can use whatever money we have to help more patients.” Cheap drugs are big business in India, as well as a source of fierce debate, the paper continues. Among India’ls manufacturers of cut-price generics, Cipla has caused the ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1344612 Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:12:02 +0100 1344612 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1340500&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F261480907%2Fsony_bmg_caught_pirating_softw.php Record and movie companies want to turn file sharing into a moral issue -- I think there are some moral issues here, although they fall on both sides -- but in reality everyone knows it's just about money and the fact that they have their hands on the levers of the legal system which they use for their benefit. It's not about justice. They recover money from teenies and grandmas and then don't redistribute it to the artists. In fact they have a long history of cheating artists. And now they have been caught again with their hands in the cookie jar. I found this on Slashdot but the original article is in French. My French, while passable is not terrific, but I can certainly translate the first sentence, "La nouvelle ne manque pas de piquant," into idiomatic English and German: We greet th... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1340500 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:25:02 +0100 1340500 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1292202&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F249070086%2Fyoutube_demand_letter_criminal.php Suppose you had a high priced lawyer who sent a notice to someone on your behalf certifying, upon pain and penalty of perjury, that the information in her notice was accurate but that it turned out it was nothing of the kind? And that the falsity of the statement would have been immediately evident to a large number of non lawyer lay people, much less a lawyer acting on behalf of the US government? It seems there are only two choices here: deliberate perjury (a serious crime); or the engagement on your behalf of seriously incompetent people (business as usual in this Administration). I'll let you decide, after hearing the details. 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=1292202 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:41:59 +0100 1292202 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1288690&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F03%2Fcas-numbers-are-not-public-domain-are.html "Work created before the existence of copyright and patent laws also form part of the public domain. The Bible and the inventions of Archimedes are in the public domain. However, copyright may exist in translations or new formulations of this work." [Wikipedia]As posted by Tony is the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) discouraging using their CAS services for assigning correct CAS numbers to structures for any third party database. Wikipedia is a source of structures, which is public domain due to its GNU FDL. Still, this does not imply that any translation of structures, e.g. CAS numbers, are in the public domain, too. Honestly, this raises a serious problem for curating CAS numbers on Wikipedia and this raises indeed the question, if they should not be dropped from Wikipedia, and any other... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1288690 Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:00:00 +0100 1288690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1140027&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F214008771%2F The BIO exec and former congressmen recently chatted with PharmAsia News* about various pressing issues of the day. This excerpt touches on the row in Thailand, which wants to extract lower prices on meds. For those who may not recall, Thailand is in the process of breaking patents on several popular drugs (here’s some background). PharmAsia News: How can biotech companies protect their intellectual property rights in Asia when they are up against emerging biosimilars such as Dr. Reddy’s biosimilar of rituximab? Greenwood: Intellectual property rights are under assault in this country and around the world. In some instances, that is for commercial reasons, but in other instances it is because either policy makers and others are understandably feeling a sense of urgency to get a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1140027 Wed, 09 Jan 2008 21:24:30 +0100 1140027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1130977&cid=t_136948_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2008%2F01%2F04%2Fmeds-proven-ineffective-for-aggression-in-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities%2F Despite their widespread use amongst doctors who treat adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation, a new study has found that a specific type of psychiatric medication — antipsychotics — to be ineffective in helping reduce these individuals’ aggressive behavior. Antipsychotics are generally not FDA-approved for the treatment of aggressive behavior, this has simply been an off-label and common practice by many physicians for years. The researchers followed 86 non-psychotic people with an intellectual disability (what we in the U.S. would term either a developmental disability or mental retardation) and aggressive or challenging behaviors. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups — an older antipsychotic (Haldol), a newer at... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1130977 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:43:56 +0100 1130977 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1089033&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=36584&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biotech-weblog.com%2F50226711%2Fglobal_institute_for_bioexploration_gibex.php The Global Institute for Bio-Exploration, GIBEX, a joint initiative of the University of Illinois and Rutgers University, The Global Institute for Bio-Exploration, a joint initiative of the University of Illinois and Rutgers University, has become a model of sustainable, non-exploitive research on bio-exploration in developing countries. Instead of the typical bio-prospecting approach, where researchers take plants back to their labs in Western Europe or the U.S., under the GIBEX program, initial screenings and assays are done in situ; thus, the intellectual property rights, should a discovery be made, stays with the country. The program also is developing techniques for analyzing the soup of chemical compounds in wild plants. By screening plants in the field, the researchers are able to... The Biotech Weblog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1089033 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:22:14 +0100 1089033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1034167&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F186428579%2Fsince_i_cant_watch_the_daily_s.php I used to watch The Daily Show every night (thanks to TiVo). Now I don't because of the writers' strike. So I have to settle for this. Enjoy: Read the comments on this post... (Source: Effect Measure) Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1034167 Sat, 17 Nov 2007 21:44:50 +0100 1034167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=995117&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F177720247%2F Last week, Bernie Sanders, the independent from Vermont, introduced a Senate bill that would swap prizes for patents. Essentially, the idea would eliminate market exclusivity for new drugs, but give inventors or developers cash rewards from a fund that would start with $80 billion a year. By doing so, the scheme would eliminate monopolies, allow generic competition, lower drug prices and produce savings of more than $200 billion annually. Working behind the scenes on the concept for several years was Jamie Love, a consumer advocate who heads Knowledge Ecology International and who brainstormed with numerous people, including members of Sanders’ staff and Aventis execs during a 2002 global health planning meeting. The proposal, not surprisingly, is controversial and whether the bill w... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=995117 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:17:38 +0100 995117 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=992033&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F177362131%2F That’s one of the take-away messages contained in a 68-page report that reviews the Bush administration’s approach to trade agreements and intellectual property protection, specifically as it pertains to pharmaceuticals. The report, of course, looks at the White House track record since 2001, when a new intellectual property agreement was reached under World Trade Organization auspices and used measured language to assess the White House track record. And the findings weren’t all negative. For instance, the GAO determined that the US Trade Rep took a measured approach toward Thailand, which caused a ruckus for issuing compulsory licenses for several drugs. Several key observations, however, took the Bush administration to task for the way trade protections were balanced a... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=992033 Tue, 30 Oct 2007 20:57:34 +0100 992033 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1147429&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=36698&url=http%3A%2F%2Fminingdrugs.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fopen-data-closed-data-or-question-about.html Now, this poses quite a challenge: different licenses, different copyright holders, requirements to provide access to the source (for the Open data), etc, all in one system. Quite a challenge indeed, because ChemSpider is now required to track copyright and license information for each bit of information. [chem-bla-ics]... these techniques have traditionally been considered the realms of scientists from different disciplines, differences in computer systems and terminology provide a barrier to effective communication. This is probably the single most challenging problem that chemoinformatics must solve. [Hann/Green]Do you know Open Data, Open Source, and Open Standards (ODOSOS)? I am one of the blue obelisk co-founders, but I think I have to take a slightly distant position now. I am not a... Mining Drug Space blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1147429 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:24:00 +0100 1147429 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=941775&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F168086046%2Fturn_down_that_radio_or_else.php I didn't think it possible, but the intellectual property nonsense promoted by the movie and record industries has reached new heights of lunacy. This is from the UK, but it could just as easily be the US: 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=941775 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:51:56 +0100 941775 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=932712&cid=t_136948_140_f&fid=35438&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwrithesafely.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F06%2Fculture-nagging-part-1%2F So screw it, I’ll kick off the weekly ~music video meets poetics~ feature a day late and edit short, and that’ll just have to do, sitting ’round wondering will a matchbox hold my clothes… The Ignorant know nothing. The Provincial know only the perspective of their own community. Traditionalists hear new ideas, but cling to those of their [...] (Source: Writhe Safely) Writhe Safely blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=932712 Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:39:13 +0100 932712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=923806&cid=t_136948_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F164672835%2F Let us count the ways. The fight beween the drugmaker and New Delhi over its Gleevec patent was a cause celebre this year. But an analysis in IP Law & Business points out that Novartis flubbed it. And it’s a lesson for others… 1 - A crucial mistake made by the drugmaker’s lawyers was to challenge the legitimacy of Indian patent laws, which don’t recognize incremental innovation and but require a poorly defined notion of effectiveness. As IPL&B suggests, “had Novartis simply pursued a discreet, technical appeal to the Indian patent office, asking for clarification of ‘effectiveness’ rather than challenging the constitutionality and the validity of India’s patent laws before the WTO, it would have had a better chance to get the Glivec... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=923806 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:16:19 +0100 923806 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=908468&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F162162005%2Fharvard_law_professors_flunk_h.php So the Harvard Coop fiasco goes into yet another day with lawyers at Harvard Law School's Berkman Center for Internet & Society giving the book sellers (part of the Barnes and Noble College Division) a much needed lesson in copyright law. To recap (see also here and here), Harvard undergraduates running a comparison-shopping textbook service online were copying down course book ISBN numbers in the Harvard bookstore and were told to leave. On a second occasion The Coop (the name of the bookstore) called the cops, who, however, refused to intervene. The Coop's reasons were that the ISBN numbers for coursebooks were the store's "intellectual property." The Berkman Center lawyers are mystified: 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=908468 Thu, 27 Sep 2007 21:49:44 +0100 908468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=895780&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F160768039%2Fharvard_bookstore_becoming_lau.php I thought the saga of The Harvard Coop would be over once the inanity of its claim that the ISBN numbers of books used in Harvard courses were their intellectual property. The ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a 13 digit number and barcode used by publishers to identify books uniquely. Harvard students were going to the text book section of the Coop (the original name of the Harvard Cooperative, later bought by the Barnes and Noble College Division), copying down the ISBN numbers and then making them available online via CrimsonReading.org, a service that automates comparison shopping. I'll tell you more about CrimsonReading.org shortly, but here's is the latest stupidity. Not satisfied with the bad publicity of asking a student to leave for copying down information on six bo... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=895780 Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:29:45 +0100 895780 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=892361&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2Fscienceblogs%2FAyaJ%2F%7E3%2F159859490%2Fharvard_bookstore_says_its_pri.php The Harvard Cooperative ("The Coop," pronounced like the coop in chicken coop) is a venerable institution whose main branch in Harvard Square is the principal retail outlet for textbooks to Harvard students. Generations of bought their texts and other books there. Like many college bookstores the old co-operative was bought out by a modern chain and the Harvard Coop is now a Barnes and Noble College Bookstore. The subsumption by a book retail giant some years ago was only one sign of a change in the book business, however. Now we have the internet which gives the modern cost conscious college student the ability to comparison shop. That is if you can make the comparison. To do that you need to know what price The Coop is charging. If The Coop has anything to say about it, you will also nee... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=892361 Sat, 22 Sep 2007 12:31:32 +0100 892361 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1186502&cid=t_136948_165_f&fid=36770&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetaot.com%2Fblogs%2F%255Buser%255D Over the last year I have have been told of something disturbing by two students. One was a physiotherapy student that told me that students from her course had to sign over the publication rights of their work to their universities when they submitted their dissertations and the other was an occupational therapy student that told me she had to name her project supervisor as a co-author. Personally I think this may be unethical. None of my tutors ever helped me get published (I actually found some quite discouraging) and I would not want them riding on my back. Can the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency discipline universities or the Health Professions Council discipline tutors that take credit for work they have not done (work their students did)? Do you think we should get somethi... meta-ot blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1186502 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:49:19 +0100 1186502 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=821950&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F08%2Fregal_entertainment_group_roya.php The Reveres and spouses are not big moviegoers, although when on vacation we do like to take in a flick. The movie Transformers is not likely to be the one we'd pick, but one thing for sure: whichever one it is won't be shown at one the theaters of the world's largest chain, Regal Entertainment Group. Not since they decided to go after a 19 year old young woman who filmed 20 seconds of Transformers at one of their theaters. She wanted to show it to her 13 year old brother to show him what it looked like. She subsequently pled guilty to a charge of unlawful recording of a movie: 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=821950 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 12:34:50 +0100 821950 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=771559&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F08%2Fcut_the_panflu_patent_gordian.php The intellectual property issues surrounding H5N1 and pandemic influenza in general continue to deepen and ramify into uncharted territory. Currently the usual suspects are meeting in Singapore to try to resolve issues that have arisen when some developing countries, led by Indonesia, have upset the international flu applecart by refusing to provide viral isolates to the WHO laboratory network, asserting that the practice of supplying "their" isolates to pharmaceutical companies who then make vaccines the originating country can't afford was inequitable and intolerable. I have waded into this morass a number of times (see here and links therein) and been notably unsympathetic to Indonesia. I am no more sympathetic now, but I am also losing patience with Indon's opponents, scientists, drug ... Effect Measure blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=771559 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:20:13 +0100 771559 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=692315&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F06%2Fthe_bush_twins_no_amnesty.php Show mercy to Scooter Libby but not an illegal immigrant. Sue grandmothers and single parents of ten years olds but let rich twenty somethings admit piracy to a national newspaper with no one making a peep. Justice must have her blindfold off. But I shouldn't have said no one has made a peep. We have to make an exception for Mitchell Silverman, Florida lawyer, keen-eyed reader, and fighter for equal justice under the law. Mr. Silverman, bless his heart, recognized the clear evidence of a theft right before his eyes -- in the newspaper: 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=692315 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 12:45:21 +0100 692315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=644600&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F05%2Fradical_intellectual_property.php The thread that Indonesia pulled when it demanded certain rights to vaccines made from a seed virus isolated within its national borders is threatening to unravel the fabric of the half century seasonal influenza surveillance system. At the core of the dispute is the question of whether there is such a thing as an intellectual property right over a virus, a part of a virus or a viral gene: 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=644600 Mon, 28 May 2007 20:53:04 +0100 644600 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=631630&cid=t_136948_133_f&fid=35081&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmikestanton.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F05%2F22%2Fscience-fiction-and-factions%2F THE APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE Kev has just blogged about a piece of research that examines the effects of Rhesus immune globulin (RhIg) on mothers of autistic children. RhIg is routinely given to pregnant women who are Rhesus negative to stop their immune systems from attacking their unborn babies. Because RhIg used to contain thimerosal, anti vaccine pressure groups who blame thimerosal for causing autism, have tried to implicate RhIg as well. A recent attempt to link an RhIg called Rhogam and Autism collapsed when the judge decided that the expert witnesses in the case were not up to the required standard. Kev blogged this as did Autism Diva, Orac, and Prometheus while Kathleen provided a HTML version of the decision on neurodiversity.com According to a press release issued by the Unive... Action For Autism blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=631630 Wed, 23 May 2007 07:00:03 +0100 631630 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=567593&cid=t_136948_99_f&fid=34593&url=http%3A%2F%2Fscienceblogs.com%2Feffectmeasure%2F2007%2F04%2Fneuroscience_breakthrough_tech.php Excitement, then irritation. That was my reaction to a news article in Nature about a technique using a protein to switch off nerve firing when activated by light: 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=567593 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 20:53:46 +0100 567593 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=777635&cid=t_136948_140_f&fid=34838&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbipolarmale.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fi-literally-feel-my-brain-is-physically.html (Source: Bipolar Mo) Bipolar Mo blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=777635 Sun, 01 Apr 2007 22:04:00 +0100 777635 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=486957&cid=t_136948_107_f&fid=35026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fphylogenomics.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fgagging-of-scientists.html From an article in the SF ChronicleThe federal agency responsible for protecting Arctic polar bears hasbarred two Alaska scientists from speaking about polar bears, climatechange or sea ice at international meetings in the next few weeks, a movethat environmentalists say is censorship.I try in this blog to not get involved in too many political issues - except of course those related to Open Access publishing. I do this because I think Open Access needs support from all sides of the political spectrum and because there are many things about Open Access that are consistent with political views throughout the spectrum. However, the treatment of scientists by the Federal Government just keeps getting worse and worse. Stem Cells. Evolution. Global Warming. Food science. And so on. The feds see... The Tree of Life blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=486957 Sat, 10 Mar 2007 03:41:00 +0100 486957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=481456&cid=t_136948_131_f&fid=34975&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FThePersonalGenome%2F%7E3%2F94188686%2Ffamily_feuds_on.html The med-bio-tech blogosphere is bubbling with commentary on intellectual property issues following last week’s polemical op-ed on gene patents by Michael Crichton in the New York Times, Denise Caruso’s article the week previous (free here), and the recent introduction of the Genomic Research and Accessibility Act in the House (H.R. 977). All three pieces are unanimous, more or less, in their disdain for gene patents.  The general sentiment among my RSS feeds (here, here, here, here, here), especially in regards to Crichton’s piece, is that any outright dismissal of gene patents is foolhardy since it takes an important, complex issue and turns it into a soundbite that is so overly simplistic (“gene patents are bad”), that large numbers of people may actually come to believe i... The Personal Genome blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=481456 Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:00:00 +0100 481456