The Fount of Useless Information
Your place for useless information that just might possibly be interesting.
Can ‘The All American Store’ Reverse Our Nation’s Walmartization?
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/01/06/can-the-all-american-store-reverse-our-nations-walmartization/
People complain bitterly about Wallyworld coming to town and make all sorts of promises that they will steadfastly ignore the store and support their fellows. That is, until they see …
I was contacted by a high school friend I haven’t heard from in a long time (hey Greg!) and he mentioned he had been reading a blog I might be interested in (I suggested he might be interested in mine …
Eight-legged evolution exploits editing
RNA tweaks adapt octopuses to water temperature
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337413/title/Eight-legged_evolution_exploits_editing
This is quite interesting because, as the author states:
…Researchers used to think that dialing down or amping up the activity of genes through DNA mutation was evolution’s
Thanks to Erik for pointing this out…
Chinese Government Plans to Cause Ten Percent More Rain By 2015
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-12/china-aims-modify-weather-producing-more-rain-produce-more-crops
Actually, if they are successful in increasing rain by 10% for a measly $157 million, they might be on to something. …
Patients at risk after scientists withhold test results from clinical trials of new medicines
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2082116/Patients-risk-scientists-withhold-test-results-clinical-trials-new-medicines.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
There is already a huge bias in science where (almost) only positive results are ever reported, but, at least in most cases, there are not …
Software Scientist
With a little data, Eureqa generates fundamental laws of nature
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/feature/id/337207/title/Software_Scientist
Hopefully this content will remain available.
This is something I would really have liked to be part of (see Eureqa). Conceptually it is the same as …
Bt: The lesson not learned
Science News reported 60-plus years ago how indiscriminate use of DDT ruined that chemical’s value: Now history seems to be repeating itself with Bt
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337240/title/Bt_The_lesson_not_learned
I am not sure if this content remains free, so …
Why Placebos Work Wonders
From Weight Loss To Fertility, New Legitimacy For ‘Fake’ Treatments
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204720204577128873886471982.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
More and more evidence is mounting that the placebo effect is ‘real’ in the sense that it has actual, measurable physiological effects. However, as mentioned …
Study says evolution theory all wet
A UO scientist says fish probably made the transition to land in a wooded, humid environment, not a desert
http://www.registerguard.com/web/updates/27378888-55/fish-retallack-desert-pond-popular.html.csp
I almost didn’t blog on this because it seems rather ‘Duh!’ to me, but …
Study: Vitamins, Omega-3s may keep brain from shrinking
http://yourlife.usatoday.com/health/story/2011-12-29/Study-Vitamins-Omega-3s-may-keep-brain-from-shrinking/52264894/1
Of course, we don’t want to encourage any young people to follow this advice 😉 We oldsters need whatever advantage we can get!
This part sucks a bit though:
……the study