Britain, some would have us believe, is one of the worst places in the world for measles. In 2006-7, there were 12000 cases in Europe, many of them in the UK, according to a study in The Lancet (subscription required) and reported by the Beeb. This has not a little to do with the MMR […]
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Chip off the Old Block
It would appear that games like Tetris may help in the treatment of PTSD – there’s apparently a six-hour period in which traumatic memories become consolidated, so something like Tetris, in effect, allows the brain to be distracted for a time, thus reducing the consolidation. Hence [p]laying “Tetris” after viewing traumatic material reduces unwanted, involuntary […]
Naked Scientists Performing Autopsies!
The headline get your attention? There’s recently been an appeal put out that more people should donate their organs – brains in particular – to science. In a similar sort of vein, it’s apparently National Pathology Week (I’ve booked my autopsy for Thursday morning: it’ll be ACE!), and there’s a series of podcasts to go with it. […]
A Bad Day to Detox… and a Diversion to Mill
Sense about Science are truly wonderful people, but, I fear, are engaged in a somewhat futile attempt to rid the world of gobbledygook. Nevertheless, with Stakhanovite determination, they’re putting the boot into the detox industry. Again. On a similar theme, Ben Goldacre showed his mettle on Today and elsewhere. I wish them luck, but I […]
Virgin Schadenfreude
I don’t usually get to post these sorts of stories, usually Iain spots the salacious ones a mile off before I do… It turns out according to the BMJ that a US study has shown that abstinence pledges are ineffective at preventing sex among teenagers, those who vow not to end up having sex at […]
Gordon Brown opposes something that noone wants anyway…
Gordon Brown was interviewed on the radio this morning by Cormack Murphy O’Connor, Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster. A titanic clash of intellects it was not. Apparently Super Gord is against reforming the laws on assisted suicide: In a interview with Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, a guest editor on Today, Mr Brown was asked about calls […]
A Little Bit of Smut at Christmas
Not speaking German – we Brits don’t really believe in learning other languages when speaking English LOUDLY AND SLOWLY to non-limeys is clearly enough – I can’t be sure what this is about. But it would appear that someone has invented a spray-on condom. Or maybe it’s some process whereby you can shape your own. Or […]
How should we regulate research?
The BMJ is having it’s once yearly wrangle about the regulation of research in the UK: It’s time to change how Europe regulates research Many of the suggestions made and complaints are to some degree valid, the present system is cumbersome (though I think moving in the right direction in many ways such as the […]
Ethics Publishing Ethics
I’ve been thinking recently about what’s going on when one’s engaged in a piece of ethical writing, and what counts as a proper parameter for it. Particularly, I’ve been wondering whether there’s any obligation to be consistent between papers – is there any need for the papers that one publishes to be compatible at all? […]
I was going to write something sensible here…
… but, while waiting for the announcement of the Manchester Congestion Charge vote, I happened across this story. It made me wince. Of course, penis-crush injuries from falling toilet seats are no laughing matter. No, no, no. Nor will I laugh at the suggestion – apparently made in earnest – that certain toilet seats should […]