Some #ScienceEveryday for #Caturday .
Nice article Liza Gross
Originally shared by National Geographic
Snow leopards have declined in population by 20 percent over the past two decades—primarily due to human activity—but in one community, the cat lives on.
Lego to the rescue
I think this is a great idea for kids. I also like to see that the operator is female. We actually use Legos to test our MRI scanners. We put a Lego or Legos into a 50 mL tube with copper sulfate (it has a lower relaxation time than water). Because the Lego is plastic, i.e., doesn’t have protons that can interact with the magnet, it doesn’t have signal. So you get a void where the Lego is and you identify distortions (rather than a uniform image, if it were just plain liquid) if something is wrong with the system.
You can read more here:
Medical Imaging 101 pt 3: MRI
h/t Steve Esterly
#ScienceEveryday
Explaining Ebola
I had a group of professors from Nigeria visit the facility today. They are looking for ideas and suggestions on how to improve the academic research infrastructure in Nigeria and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. I couldn’t help but wonder if the first thing that comes to mind when people meet them is ebola. I think this HOA might help.
Originally shared by Science on Google+
Join us for a Science on Google+ Hangout on Air as we speak to Professor Vincent Racaniello and Dr Tara C. Smith about the recent Ebola outbreak. We will discuss the basics of Ebola, why the epidemic has spread, how it might be curtailed, and debunk some of the myths surrounding this outbreak. Please leave your questions on the Event page.
Vincent is a professor of virology at the University of Columbia and is a fantastic science communicator. Tara is an epidemiologist at Kent State University who has written numerous articles debunking some of the myths surrounding Ebola. This HOA will be hosted by Dr Buddhini Samarasinghe and Dr Zuleyka Zevallos. You can tune in on Sunday August 10th at 2.30 PM Pacific, 5.30 PM Eastern. The hangout will be available for viewing on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/ScienceHangouts) after the event.
Quack Miranda Warning
I stumbled onto this today and it made me smile. Do you know what you call a home remedy that is scientifically proven to work?
Medicine!
“These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
This “Quack Miranda Warning” is on every just about every woo-meister’s website. I see dozens of patients every day, and I never Mirandize them, so whats the deal?
There are three ways to look at this: the truthful way, the sinister way, and the bat-shit insane way.
1) Truth: Anyone who wants to sell you something that’s a load of crap must use this statement to cover themselves legally.
2) Sinister: Variation of above–someone wants to sell you something that you are supposed to believe is medically useful, but at the same time they tell you in fine print that it is not medically useful. When it doesn’t work, they don’t get sued. I wonder why anyone would buy something with that disclaimer attatched to it? When I treat someone for a medical problem, I pretty much say that I intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent a disease. Why would I say otherwise? It would be a lie. Also, who would go to see a doctor that told you that they didn’t intend to diagnose or treat disease. The whole thing is bizarre.
3) Bat-shit insane: The FDA and Big Pharma are in cahoots with the AMA to keep you from learning all the simple ways to treat diseases. They want your money, and they’ll do anything they can to get it from you, including suppressing the knowledge than anyone can learn to heal cancer.
I can’t really help the people who believe #3, but people who are willing to suspend their paranoia should read #’s 1 and 2 a few times. Unless you’re being arrested, no one should be reading you your rights. The Quack Miranda Statement is the red flag that should send you running.
Source:
What the frack is up with the Susan G. Komen Foundation?
Do you remember the Susan G. Komen Foundation debacle with Planned Parenthood?
Meet the Komen Exec Behind the Planned Parenthood Defunding
Did you know the Komen Foundation has sued other charities?
In 2010, they spent more than $1 million suing smaller charities that used the phrase “for the Cure” in their names or in their events. The organization said that this was to prevent donor confusion. from:
How the Susan G. Komen Foundation Lost Its Way
Here’s an entertaining video about breast exams. I didn’t want this to be a completely negative post.
https://plus.google.com/+ChadHaney/posts/5wanWKXHBbf
h/t Kimberly Chapman
Originally shared by Kimberly Chapman
In case your world didn’t have enough wrongness in it or you thought there was anything redeeming left about the Susan G. Komen foundation, there’s this: http://www.salon.com/2014/10/08/susan_g_komen_teams_up_with_fracking_company_introduces_pink_drill_bits_for_the_cure/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
So. Much. Wrong.
Via Kit Cameo
Tea in Sri Lanka with you
Don’t miss Professor of Chemistry, Siromi Samarasinghe this afternoon. Until then I leave you with a little Sting.
The Police – “Tea in the Sahara” by Bob Head Productions
#ScienceSunday
Originally shared by STEM Women on G+
Join us for a STEM Women HOA as we speak to Professor Siromi Samarasinghe from the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka. Siromi lectures in organic chemistry and her research interests include the chemistry of tea compounds. She will talk to us about her research and career path, and also share her experiences of studying abroad and mentoring students.
You can read more about Siromi here: http://www.stemwomen.net/science-helped-me-to-overcome-challenges-in-life/
This HOA will be hosted by Dr Zuleyka Zevallos and Professor Rajini Rao. You can tune in on Sunday 5th October at 1.30 PM Pacific or 9.30PM UK/ Monday 6th 7.30 AM AUS.
The hangout will be available for viewing on our YouTube channel after the event: http://www.youtube.com/stemwomen