Education

BioChemistry, Education, Genetics

Is genetics research the next big hobby? (FierceBioResearcher)

“Can genetics map onto electronics–is it ready to go into the garage shop in a
hobbyist sense?” said Church. “That’s the question she’s asking, and I think
that’s a very big, profound question… There seems to be a very deep and
growing curiosity about genetics that might dwarf electronics. No matter how
much we love our gadgets, we’re totally fascinated by our ancestry and health.” …

Bureaucracy, Education, Implications, Money

The Quiet Coup — How Bankers Seized America (Mercola.com)

A serious financial crisis is inevitable when you live too far above your means
for too long. This applies whether you’re talking about a single-family
household or an entire country. As this article points out, countries in crisis
need to learn to live within their means – just like you and I. This may mean
increasing exports and cutting imports. …

Bureaucracy, Education, Money, Pharma

Johns Hopkins puts screws on industry (FiercePharma)

Taking effect July 1, the policy prohibits any pharma-funded gifts and
entertainment, no matter how small their value. Drug reps will be
restricted to no-patients-allowed parts of the teaching hospital and its
clinics–and will be allowed even in those areas only by invitation. And
beginning in 2010, the school will also bar free drug samples. …

Education, Implications

Burt’s Bees, Tom’s of Maine, Naked Juice: Your Favorite Brands? Take Another Look (AlterNet C/O OCA)

I began to wonder about the other products I liked, trusted and respected for
their independence and their social responsibility. How many were really owned
by big corporations, who were going out of their way to hide the link between
the big corporate company with the small, socially responsible brand? It didn’t
take long for my list of disappointments to grow and grow. …

Education, Technology

Simple Elixir Called a ‘Miracle Liquid’ (LA Times C/O Organic Consumers Association)

It turns out that zapping saltwater with low-voltage electricity creates a
couple of powerful, nontoxic cleaning agents. Sodium ions are converted into
sodium hydroxide, an alkaline liquid that cleans and degreases like detergent,
but without the scrubbing bubbles. Chloride ions become hypochlorous acid, a
potent disinfectant known as acid water. …