Condoms and Benedict.....

I learned a valuable lesson early in life....never talk about things you do not know. It is very easy to say things just because they seem to be right. Dear Benedict, read scientific reports, open your narrow mind and let some common sense in. By saying things like that, YOU make it worse! Please understand that sex is not evil and that human nature does not change in a flash just because some guy supposed to represent the Roman Catholic Church in 2009 says so......

"traditional teaching of the Church" on chastity outside marriage and fidelity within it had proved to be "the only sure way of preventing the spread of HIV and Aids".

Sexual abstinence and being faithful to your partner can be a good thing, I understand that, but remember that it takes a few unfaithful people to throw a wrench in the works.... Dear Benedict, 42 million people worldwide are currently affected by that virus! Condoms can, and do, help! Denying human nature is a stupid thing to do, I just wish you could understand that!

LINKS

• Complete global view od HIV infection from UNAIDS
• France chastises Pope on condoms (BBC News)

Image source: http://libguides.llu.edu/content.php?pid=18910&sid=147001 (Aids in 2008)

Via: Times Online

I love prosthetics but...

I really love prosthetics, I like the fact that there is a lot of research in this field and I love the fact that this research really improves the life of millions of amputees. But this USB finger is amusing...at most! I am trying hard to find the real advantage here....the only one I can find is that, if you are teaching, you are less likely to forget that USB on the teaching computer......

Photoshop lies...

I do not believe in censoring anything that's already out there but, for sure, the public has the right to know what's real and what's not. If you cannot find a model that satisfies you for a particular dress or swimsiut...then that person does not exist!

Here is a good link (NyTimes)

Image source: http://www.youngandhealthy.ca/caah/

Big Brother part 2

Again....yes we are monitored and we will be monitored even more in the future...my point is still the same: As long as camera-phones will exist, everyone can spy on everyone....and this is NOT going to stop!

Listen to the Podcast (CBC's Search Engine)

Via: Boing Boing

Whos is Big Brother? It's everyone!

I am amazed, really! Almost everyone I know worries about privacy, protecting personal information and identity theft. Almost everyone I know think there are too many cameras monitoring sidewalks and roads. Many think "The Government" is somehow spying on it's citizens and almost everyone I know was absolutely flabbergasted when they heard of the infamous Patriot Act that allowed the US government to monitor phone conversations without any permission from a judge. Ok...privacy is precious...right? RIGHT!

I do not want to look at the Facebook profile of my step-kids because I am too afraid of what I might find....I've seen it too many times. Party pictures posted on a social networking site will entertain your friends for a while but what is on the net can be saved on any computer and, eventually, could be used against you! My question is this...who would be willing to use that info? Very simple answer: your friends, your family, your colleagues, your neighbours, the police, the government....ANYONE could use ANY picture to prevent you from getting that promotion, that new job....and what else?

Recently Michael Phelps commited the mistake of being caught on a camera-phone while smoking some illicit substance. In the paper this morning I saw that picture of Jon Favreau, Obama's star-speechwriter grabbing Hilary Clinton's breast...it was a cardboard Hilary Clinton but it was extremely disrespectful.

These pictures were probably sent via an anonymous email (I am not sure, I did not check that fact...I have lots of marking to do still...) but it seems to me that "THE Government" does not need to spy on us....we already do that for "Them"....Come on people, we cannot change human nature but we can be a bit more careful about stuff we post online....can we?????

What's in your spit?

Well just think of this....there are 10 times as many bacteria cells as human cells in a single human being.....your saliva is no exception...it has bacteria!

The coolest fish!

Darwin's theory at its best! Simply amazing!

25 Random Things About Me

1. If you want to make me angry...never blame yourself for things that go wrong in your life, and never apologize for anyhting 2. If you want to make me smile tell me about your passions 3. I cannot tolerate animal abuse of any kind 4. I am agnostic, I cannot be sure if God really exists or not 5. I like to hear the robins at dusk and dawn 6. I hate hypocrisy 7. I believe we are all a potential champion in something....Michael Phelps could have been an average engineer...it's just that he discovered swimming. 8. I eat kiwi skin and always swallow my gum 9. My dad was my hero and he still is even if he is not with us anymore 10. I absolutely love my wife 11. I own a lot of books I never read 12. I feel guilty to sleep in, even though I have nothing planned 13. I like to watch stupid shows on the stupid TV 14. I am an optimist 15. I admire perseverance and Terry Fox is the most amazing hero this country ever got 16. I think Penelope Cruz is one of the cutest thing I have seen 17. Sometimes I wonder what day it will be when I die 18. I get cranky when sidelined by a running injury 19. Sarcasm is one of my favorite form of humor 20. I like to follow the instructions my "little voice" gives me even though I sometimes wish it would shut up 21. I like to sleep in fresh flannel sheets 22. I will be an Ironman in 2010 23. When I say something...I do it! This is one of my best qualities 24. Life is precious 25. Love is everything

Lucid dreams

I did that ONCE....and only once. Never could replicate it since.....very very cool!



More info HERE

My tibias (in case you care)

Here is a bone scan of my tibias and knees. The tibias really incorporated the tracer (Technetium-99), wich is normal because I run a lot and the tibias are under constant stress.

In my left knee there is also tracer accumulation and that explain the mild pain I get sometimes (runner's knee). Cool, isnt't it?

Absolutely Heart Breaking...but some were saved!!!

3 dolphins were saved by the people of Seal Cove...well done guys!


Five dolphins are stuck in ice, they circle and circle....I just hope the weather warms up like it is supposed to be....

Gardasil

In case you missed it and are thinking of getting vaccinated.....food for tought!

Here is a secret...

Of course, somebody has to make money with it!!! Hey gullible people of the Earth...part with you hard earned money...science is there to save you! Use a few buzz words, use them in semi-intelligent sentences and you might have a few followers! Garbage!

Here is what they claim:

"IMAGINE A NEW WAY TO CHANGE THE PLANET AND OPEN UP YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL AS A HUMAN BEING BY LAYING ON YOUR BED WITHOUT LIFTING A FINGER"

A testimony here......

Do you have a minute????

Found this interesting video while looking at the Pharyngula blog. Interesting how things just accelerate near the last seconds and milliseconds.....

OUCH!!!!

From National Geographic

Taken at Rondeau Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada, this image shows a fight between a redheaded woodpecker and a yellow-shafted northern flicker over a nest hole. The redheaded woodpeckers tried to chase away the intruding flickers but after this encounter, the fight was over. The flicker managed to grab the redheaded by its tongue and force it all the way down to the ground. Both birds spiraled while falling to the ground. It must have been painful as the redheaded gave up after this clash.

Disgusting! Shame on you!

One of my coaches, Clint Lien, recently blogged about bike thefts. Yesterday, Lance Armstrong's time trial bike ($$$) was stolen from a van. Today I learned that music instruments were stolen from students' lockers at McGill University. Although I feel bad about the stolen bikes, a bike is a bike is a bike.....It can be replaced, sponsors are likely to provide another bike, and in the case of Lance Armstrong, Lance has the money to get another bike, exactly like the one that was stolen.

Musical instruments ARE DIFFERENT because music appeals to the soul. Musical instruments have a sentimental value THAT CANNOT BE REPLACED. Alicia Bisha lost her $40,000 viola....a gift from her grandmother.....how could you ever, EVER, replace that?????

Shame on you, thieves of the world....you are stealing for drugs, money.....you are also stealing something that is deep inside....you are robbing a piece of people's soul! SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!!!

UPDATE: Lance Armstrong's bike was returned!

Shark VS Dolphin

Well....it happens. Someone has to eat and to sharks, dolphin meat is probably quite good. Humans have this thing for dolphins (and I am one of them). We love the marine mammal....but someone has to eat! I just fear the wound will get infected, such a big gash!

My take on the Phelps thing

Here is my point of view...

Michael Phelps did something stupid, he smoked pot where someone could see him and take a picture (who does not have a camera phone these days). Michael Phelps forgot that he became a hero, someone to look up to and a great model. Almost everyone wants to be a hero but it seems to me like everybody quickly forget that, with the hero tag, comes a responsibility. Michael Phelps lost, his first loss in a long time! But here is where I admire Michael Phelps....unlike the other "heros", Phelps ADMITTED he did something stupid. He admitted it....YES....ADMITTING is hard to do! Just look at the cyclists caught with too much red blood cells....remember Floyd Landis? During the Tour de France 2006, Landis urine was found to have a bit too much testosterone.....What was Landis' explanation? He told the press that the night before he drank a bit too much...who drinks too much during such a big race? Did he ever apologize? NOPE! Did he ever admit to anything? NOPE! At least, Phelps stood up to his own mistake, to me that count more than anything!



Look at Landis trying to get out of it...blaming anyone but himself and the athletes that cheat!

GATTACA possible in 2019

2019....looks like a good year for a science fiction movie...does it? 2019 will be here in just a bit more that 3500 days! What can be achieved in 3500 days? A lot! I remember seeing the GATTACA movie (more than 3500 days ago), I remember finding it realistic and scary. I remember thinking of George Orwell's 1984, which I read in 1984 (just a bit more than 3500 days before)! I also know how weak humans can be compared to big corporations. Imagine....2019. Imagine having your own genome sequences before you can even recognize the letters A, C, G and T. Imagine your data being downloaded to an insurance company computer. Do not get me wrong, I love the fact that we might be able to prevent horrible diseases, I love the fact that some children will be able to achieve their true potential because they will be taken care of at the right time....but there is a dark side to that story and I know we, humans, have a record of creating problems at a much faster rate than we can find solutions for the same problems.....

Every baby born a decade from now will have its genetic code mapped at birth, the head of the world's leading genome sequencing company has predicted.

A complete DNA read-out for every newborn will be technically feasible and affordable in less than five years, promising a revolution in healthcare, says Jay Flatley, the chief executive of Illumina.

Only social and legal issues are likely to delay the era of “genome sequences”, or genetic profiles, for all. By 2019 it will have become routine to map infants' genes when they are born, Dr Flatley told The Times.

source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article5689052.ece

If it has anything to do with Obama...it's news!

Amazing! This 45 seconds little video is posted on CNN's website. No sound, it even looks like this video was shot from a camera phone. To make things even sorse, Obama does not really bumps his head, he just found the top of the door on his way in the helicopter. Come on...this is not news! Or is it???

A dog tries to save another dog

Amazing...considering that humans often DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help someone in need! Compare these two videos and tell me what animal is the most evolved.......

Human 2.0 - The generosity of students

Not enough energy....

4 hours in just a bit more than 2 minutes.....there is absolutely NO WAY I could be so active for 4 hours......I am getting old....


Via: Radio-Canada

I feel funny.....

Not too sure what I should think..

Arrrgh ......ITBS!

Once again....I am sidelined by this ANNOYING condition! A hard track workout...always running in the same direction got me! ITBS in my left knee this time! I guess I am not a spring chicken anymore....ah...age!

The brain is the boss

Here is a good demonstration of a simple concept: An oxygen-depleted brain will shut down unecessary functions in order to survive.....do not try this at home!

Why do I run?

Why do I run...that is a good question...In a way, running makes me a better person, or gives me the impression that I am.

I run because I can
I run because I know my time here is temporary
I run to stay healthy
I run to test my limits
I run because I am a fierce competitor...against myself
I run because of the mental thoughness it takes and the one it brings
I run because I like to see how much I can get away with
I run because I have to
I run because I can look at myself in the mirror and know I gave everything I had
I run because I am an experiment
I run because I gather data on my own biology
I run because I get a high from it and because I am truly addicted to it
I run for meditation
I run for healing
I run for happiness
I run to get rid of the daily frustrations
I run to stay sain
I run because my dad did not....he should have
I run because my mother cannot
I run....just because........I run

2009 Race schedule

This could change but here it is....

February 8 Cedar 12K (WILL NOT RUN....ITBS PAIN!!!)
March 22 Comox Valley Half Marathon
May 3 Vancouver Marathon (with my wife?)
June 21 New Balance Triathlon (Half Ironman)
July 5 Triathlon of Compassion
September 13 Subaru Sooke Triathlon
October 11 Royal Victoria Marathon

In August I am going to Penticton, I am registering for the 2010 Ironman! yeah!!!!!

The LAST lecture....

I just watched the first 5 minutes of this video. I am going to watch the whole thing because I think my life will be enhanced by watching this guy. I also just found these websites:
http://www.thelastlecture.com/
http://download.srv.cs.cmu.edu/~pausch/


I do not really know if this is really what it seems but I will find out...soon!

Antigravity?

Finally...some advice for future lefties!

I wish somebody showed me how to tilt the paper....but NOOOOOOO! Back in 1966...they were still trying to force people to write with their right hand.....I am one of the few that escaped!

• Parents can help significantly by teaching them to tilt their paper toward their right
• Lefties have a tendency to use a ‘hook’ grasp so they can see what they are writing, but they should be encouraged to hold writing instruments the "right" way.
  
• Also, buy quick drying pens, as lefties tend to smear the ink as they're writing, because their hands skim over their recent work as they move on to the next section.

Via: education.com

The virtue of N=1

I always have been interested in articles where only one case has been reported...when I was in graduate school I remember listening to a presentation on the dangers of filling methanol burners. The virtues of N=1...only allowed in medical cases. Ingesting a wishbone...I guess this guys was not so lucky! Ouch....






Acute abdomen caused by ingested chicken wishbone: a case report

Introduction
An ingested foreign body often passes the gastrointestinal tract without any complications. Foreign bodies, such as dentures, fish bones, chicken bones, and toothpicks, have been known to cause perforation of the GI tract.

Case presentation
We are presenting a case of a fifty-year-old male with acute abdomen; diffuse fibro purulent peritonitis, i.e. ileum perforation, caused by accidentally ingesting a chicken wishbone. He was treated surgically with ileum resection, and temporary ileostomy. After four months, intestinal continuity was established in the second operation.

Conclusion
Intestinal perforation by a chicken bone is rare and affects the left colon or distal ileum. The lack of information of ingestion and detection of chicken bones preoperatively are of interest to be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen, which in this case was treated surgically.

top VO2 Max....

I can only wish.....my VO2 MAX is below 78.8....way, way, way below!!!! And it decreases with age....yikes! FYI my VO2 Max (predicted from my last race is 48.8)....probably more like 50 because I think I can push harder than I did...still 30 below this guy's VO2 Max......


Haile Gebrselassie (35 years old) set a new marathon world record in Berlin with a time of 2h 03m 59sec.....That's a predicted VO2 MAX of 82.8 ml/kg/min. In my next life...maybe....because I would also like to spend it as a house cat....

Whoa! 10 dimensions explained....

If you get this, and all the concepts in a single viewing...and can explain it back to me....I'll give you a cookie!

Our planet is a spaceship

túrána hott kurdís by hasta la otra méxico! from Till Credner on Vimeo.

Will not make any difference for me but nice

Copycat

You have to see this one


Via: A Blog Around the Clock

Quite a meal!

Via: Bayblab

Intellectual Dishonesty

Once in a while I read Pharyngula, the most popular of all scientific blogs and once in a while it makes me laugh or shake my head in disagreement with PZ Myers....anyway...

This time it is different and I am happy that PZ did a good job of explaining the latest "clue" of a creationist past.

In their website THE UNCOMMON DESCENT, creationists cite an interesting article that was recently published in PNAS: Two-phase increase in the maximum size of life over 3.5 billion years reflects biological innovation and environmental opportunity.

The author(s) of the Uncommon Descent blogpost cite the authors and give their own creationist interpretation either because they do not understand the article or because they did not read it. PZ Myers explains the article with an interesting example of Australian drunks getting out to the streets. It is a useful analogy.

If you are interested in this topic, read this Pharyngula post and please remember that citing authors in a way that suits your own hypothesis with the knowledge that it might be wrong is scientific dishonesty.

Underwater Marvels Slideshow

Click on image and enjoy!!!!

Via: NY Times

Smaller classes...better retention...MIT goes the Camosun way!

M.I.T. just figured it out...

"The physics department has replaced the traditional large introductory lecture with smaller classes that emphasize hands-on, interactive, collaborative learning. Last fall, after years of experimentation and debate and resistance from students, who initially petitioned against it, the department made the change permanent. Already, attendance is up and the failure rate has dropped by more than 50 percent."

Collaborative learning is a very wise thing to do. I use Google Docs in my second year Microbiology class. I have labs that connect directly to the theory taught in my lectures and I have very good retention. MIT is going the Camosun way with smaller classes. Unfortunately, not smaller tuitions.

Source: NY Times

Human 2.0 - Eyeborg

Rob Spence - Camera Eye Videographer
Very interesting idea....scary as well.....

Visit Rob's Blog: http://eyeborg.blogspot.com/

Via; Radio-Canada

Nature's best

From smile to pain in 33 minutes 21 seconds

A bit about my latest running adventure at the Prairie Inn Pioneer 8K, Jan 11th, 2009 in Saanichton, BC.



That's an easy picture, I knew Crys was going to be there and that's about 300m from the start line. I am fresh, rested, hydrated and in good spirits. That's about to change...the smile will fade away....



This second picture was taken exactly at the same spot as the first one BUT after a 4 km loop. I am pacing myself, knowing that there is still 4 long km to go. I want to go fast here but not too fast...I need gas in my tank to last long enough. A 8 k race is not long but just long enough to burn out if you are not careful! I try to smile (I thought I was smiling) but I cannot. My heart rate is now at 170 beats per minute (BPM, 88% from max heart rate)and my pace is just above 4 min/km. It's about to get more difficult....



There was a guy in front of me....I made him my prey and I ate him for lunch. I wanted to make sure this guy was not going to take any spot from my age group. At this point I am totally exhausted, I just want to finish and I no longer care about my time and performance. My left side of the brain is sending weird negative messages and I try to fight those nasty demons...if you run and ever pushed yourself, you know exactly what I mean...My heart rate is now 192 BPM (99% max heart rate) and my speed is 3.5 minutes/km. Not fast compared to elite runners but fast for me. I did it, I have a new PR that I improved by 38 seconds, and an average pace of 4 minutes 11 seconds/km. I am happy....time for chicken soup...

I finished 22nd of my age group (40-44 yrs). The first guy in my group finished in 25 minutes, 42 seconds...a pace of 3 minutes 13 seconds / km. The top male finished in 23 minutes 35 seconds....ahead of me...way, way ahead of me!

They almost got me...almost

That message was sent to me with HIGH IMPORTANCE...ah ah...when was the last time Revenue Canada went after you to GIVE YOU money...when???? I am not that gullible! Funny though!
______________________________

Canada Revenue Agency
Online Refund Form

After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 386.00.
Please submit the tax refund and allow us 3-9 days in order to process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
To access the form for your tax refund, please click here>>


Copyright Canada Revenue Agency. All rights reserved. www.cra-arc.gc.ca

One day I'll get off the grid

This is my dream...getting off the grid because my house becomes energy self-sufficient. That could be the solution!


Read the story HERE

I am a polar bear!

Yes...it is me....the water was very cold and my feet froze immediately. I quick dip up to the neck and I was out....

Can't do the time...don't do the crime!

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/12/30/maine_man_faces_oui_charge_atop_zamboni/

In case you missed it...and that you care about checkers

"One of the world's best-known strategists on the game of checkers passed away in November. Richard Fortman was Illinois state champion six times, and in the 1970s and 1980s published a seven-volume handbook on rules and tactics. Many people now considering the game would be astonished to know that, as in chess, there are masters and grandmasters, and international rankings, that experts actually study historical opening moves and endgames, and that some play, move-by-move, via the U.S. Mail. A New York Times obituary noted that Fortman played as many as 100 games simultaneously, and won games blindfolded. Until the end, according to his daughter, Fortman spent "hours each day" playing checkers online. [New York Times, 11-30-08] "

Via: www.newsoftheweird.com

Oops! Survival of the fittest among bacteria...competition kills the weakest one!

Genetically engineered bacterium kills plants instead of helping them!

As far as the intended goals were concerned -- eliminating rotting organic waste and producing ethanol -- the genetically engineered bacterium was a success. But when a doctoral student named Michael Holmes decided to add the post-processed waste to actual living soil, something happened that no one expected. The seeds that were planted in soil mixed with the engineered Klebsiella sprouted, but then every single one of them died.

What killed them? The genetically engineered Klebsiella turned out to be highly competitive with native soil micro-organisms. Plants are only able to take nitrogen and other nourishment from the soil with the help of fungi called mycorrhizae. These fungi live in the soil and help make nutrients available to plant roots. But when the genetically engineered Klebsiella was introduced into living soils, it greatly reduced the population of mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. And without healthy mycorrhizal fungi in soils, no plants can survive.

Via: findarticles.com/

Wood on Mars....give me a break!

Ah come on! Some want to believe in anything but the real....they imagine conspiracies, want us to believe "The Government" is making stories up....but what about them? Why should we believe such non-sense????

Now there is a piece of wood on Mars and the Moon is an alien ship.....ah ah! What a crock!

Please BE CAREFUL!!!

Please, take responsible measures so that it does not happen to you! Please be careful!

Are you cold...DO NOT COMPLAIN!!!

Do not EVER complain about the cold....it is NOT cold!!!!! (it's relatively quite warm)



Here is what it looks like right now (Tuesday, Dec23rd, 2008)



And this weather guy is hysterical....



Via Radio-Canada's website

My Squid

Meet Orbea....my very own virtual squid. She was born on Dec, 21 2008. I worry about her new friendship with a vampire squid though......Do I worry too much as the parent of a new squid??? Maybe! Jealous...make your own.....this one is MINE!!!

Did we escape from a new Ice Age ?

Interesting news from Science Daily

Using three different climate models and removing the amount of greenhouse gases humans have injected into the atmosphere during the past 5,000 to 8,000 years, (Stephen) Vavrus and Kutzbach observed more permanent snow and ice cover in regions of Canada, Siberia, Greenland and the Rocky Mountains, all known to be seed regions for glaciers from previous ice ages. Vavrus notes: "With every feedback we've included, it seems to support the hypothesis (of a forestalled ice age) even more. We keep getting the same answer."

Another article published in 21st Century Science and Technology Magazine (2004) came up with this interesting data:

The geological requirements for an Ice Age are the presence of a large landmass around the Polar Circle and extending southward. A look at the globe, or world map, shows that those conditions exist in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in the Southern. Therefore, the important thing to look at is the climate conditions in northern and far northern regions. Some of the indicators:

• Since 1980, there has been an advance of more than 55% of the 625 mountain glaciers under observation by the World Glacier Monitoring group in Zurich. (From 1926 to 1960, some 70-95% of these glaciers were in retreat.)

• A comparison of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1965 and 1990 Plant Hardiness Zone Maps, shows a southward change of one zone, or 10°F, between 1965 and 1990.

• Careful measurements of the oxygen isotope ratios in German oaks, which are rigorously calibrated to temperature data, show a 1°C temperature decline from 1350 to 1800 (the lowpoint of the Little Ice Age). Temperature thereafter increased by 1°C from 1800 to 1930, and has been declining since then.

• From weather stations in the Alps, and in the Nordic countries, we find the temperature decline since 1930 is also 1°C.

• Satellite measurements have shown growth in the height and breadth of the huge Greenland ice sheet, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere

Global warming a good thing? A bad thing? Global warming or cooling....one thing is sure....climate change as it is now called!

Pure beauty

Dolphin Play Bubble Rings - Watch more funny videos here

That device is scary

The teaser.....



And the prototype (hover test)

How to import Scarlett Johansson's pathogens

Yes she is famous. Yes she is a gorgeous actress. Yes she is human....SHE IS! What does that mean? That means that like any other human being, she has a bacterial flora. Nope...Scarlett's skin and mucosal secretions are NOT free of pathogens. You need a list of some of pathogenic bacteria that inhabit the upper respiratory tract? Here it is:

• Streptococcus mutans
• Candida albicans
• Streptococcus pyogenes
• Haemophilus influenzae
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Neisseria meningitidis
• Streptococcus pneumoniae
  

Because she admitted that she is recovering from a cold, apparently acquired through interacting with "The Spirit" fellow actor Samuel Jackson, her mucus-filled tissue now auctionned on eBay could contain potential pathogens. Because I am curious, I wanted to know if it was possible at all to buy Johansson's tissue and have it shipped (Free of charge according to the website) here in Canada. I made a few phone calls here and there (mostly to Health Canada) without a real answer...I was constantly referred to the Communications Officer. Then someone sent me a link that offers a few answers - Human Pathogens Import Regulations.

According to this document NO RISK GROUP 2, 3 or 4 pathogens can be imported. Just for your information, a risk group 2 pathogen is:

"A pathogen that can cause human or animal disease but is unlikely to be a serious hazard, and, while capable of causing serious infection on exposure, for which
there are effective treatments and preventive measures available and the risk of spread of infection is limited."

Every Streptococcus and Staphylococcus belongs to this group.

According to the Human Pathogens Import Regulations document:

No person shall import a human pathogen that belongs to Risk Group 2, 3 or 4 unless

(a) the importation is in accordance with a subsisting importation permit issued to that person under paragraph 7(a);

(b) prior to shipment of the human pathogen, that person notifies the supplier that the outer shipping container in which the human pathogen is transported must display clearly, on the outside surface of the container, the importation permit number and the following statement immediately preceding that number:

“Human Pathogen — Importation Permit Number:/ Agent anthropopathogène — Numéro du permis d’importation :”; and

(c) prior to shipment of the human pathogen, that person provides a copy of the importation permit to the supplier and notifies the supplier that a copy of the importation permit must accompany each shipment.

It looks like it can be very difficult to import Scarlett's snotty tissue. I feel bad that I am the bearer of such bad news....after all it's almost Christmas and that tissue could have been on a loved one list.....Happy Holidays! :o)

Jay Leno stole my idea....but for a good cause!

Jay leno and Scarlett Johansson PROVED MY POINT...Art value depends on demand. A kleenex filled with ...whatever nasal/pulmonary secretions is worth more if it comes from a celebrity, it's even better if it's a good looking celebrity (like Brad Pitt or Scarlett Johansson).

In my February 20th, 2007 post I argued that Brad Pitt's used kleenex could fetch top dollars on eBay. Looks like I was right....the highest bid for Scarlett Johansson's used tissue is now (at the time I was writing this blog post) valued at US $3272 (FREE SHIPPING) (Link to auction HERE).

Now coming back to the value of art....I hope I will never hear a complaint about the fact that Barnett Newman's "Voice of Fire" was purchased for $1.8 Million. NEVER!!! (Right... C?)

Nobel prize of corruption????

Ah.....I really don't like stories like this! Bad PR! Really bad PR!!!!
Find the original story HERE

The integrity of the Nobel prize was called into question last night after it emerged that a member of the jury also sat on the board of a pharmaceuticals giant that benefited from the award of this year’s prize for medicine.

Prosecutors were studying whether AstraZeneca, the London-based multi-national pharmaceutical company, could have exerted undue influence on the award.

The joint winner of this year’s Nobel Prize for Medicine, Harald zur Hausen, was recognised for his work on the human papilloma virus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer. AstraZeneca has a stake in two lucrative vaccines against the virus.

IMAGE SOURCE: http://www.libertassociety.org/HPV.JPG

Mind reading?

That is really cool....

1) Look at an image
2) A computer analyses brain activity
3) Computer recreates images from the signals

Hey....that could be used to cheat at Poker.......!!!

See a very good image and explanation at Pharyngula!

Adolf Hitler cake?????

I have seen everything....nothing can shock me anymore.....


The sstory can also be found HERE

Sperm can out race Coca-Cola (Good to know!)

Taken from the British Medical Journal (BMJ 2008;337:a2873 )

Coca-Cola douches were a part of folklore about birth control during the 1950s and 1960s, before effective contraceptive methods were readily available.1 It was rumoured that the acidity of Coca-Cola killed sperm, and the classic coke bottle provided a convenient "shake and shoot" applicator. Recently, an old study from our group confirming the spermicidal effects of various Coca-Cola formulations2 was awarded the 2008 IgNobel prize in chemistry.3 The press releases surrounding our IgNobel award might have repopularised this method, and soft drink douches are apparently still used to prevent pregnancy in resource-poor settings.4 There are, however, many reason why women should not rely on this method.

That's old news. An article published in Human Toxicology already dealt with this myth in 1987 (Hum Toxicol. 1987 Sep;6(5):395-6).

The inhibitory effect of Old Coke, caffeine-free New Coke, New Coke, Diet Coke and Pepsi-Cola on human sperm motility was studied with a trans-membrane migration method. None of them could decrease sperm motility to less than 70% of control within one hour. A previous study which claimed a marked variation of spermicidal potencies among different formulations of Coca-Cola could not be confirmed. Even if cola has a spermicidal effect, its potency is relatively weak as compared with other well-known spermicidal agents.

PIP: Testing of various cola formulas on sperm motility using a trans-membrane procedure did not decrease motility to less than 70% control in a 1-hour period. Diet Coca-Cola had the strongest spermicidal effect followed by Classic Coca-Cola, Caffeine-free Coca-Cola and New Coca-Cola. Since there are no known substances in cola that effect cellular membranes, the results of these tests were not unusual. Other tests have been done using higher dilution of cola which could effect sperm motility and give different results for spermicidal potencies. The results show that cola has little if any spermicidal effect. Its use in postcoital douching is ineffective and could cause complications such as infection.

Via Radio-Canada's website!

UPDATE: Pepsi and Coca-cola used as pesticides......

No microchip for HIV / AIDS patients

Do not get me wrong...I not against microchip implants for willing guinea pigs. Microchips are cool and the more people experiment with them, the better we will understand Human-Machine interaction and Human 2.0 development. New technologies will eventually improve memory and, maybe, let us connect to networks (think internet) without computers. Disabled people will see, think, get more balance etc....I embrace new technologies in and out of the body...after all I am a fan of Kevin Warwick.

Having said that, it seems like this same technology can have a dark side. I actually should say that it's not the technology but rather the use of that technology that has a dark side...it can be used as a tracking device. Humans are NOT cattle and I am very happy that this HIV / AIDS patient-tracking microchip business will not go ahead in Indonesia's Papua.

"Papua's parliament agreed Tuesday to drop a section of the health development bill that supported the tagging of some HIV patients with small computer chips inserted beneath the skin — part of extreme efforts to monitor the disease"

I also wanted to comment on a recent article published in Retrovirology (PDF version HERE). According to an article by Dr. Mark Wainberg, a McGill professor (HIV transmission should be decriminalized: HIV prevention programs depend on it) people might decide not to get tested because, down the road, they do not want to get charged if they ever transmit HIV. Ignorance would then protect you.

"...the consideration of being potentially charged with wilful HIV transmission may be a significant deterrent for being tested for HIV infection in the first place. After all, an individual who does not know that he is HIV positive cannot logically be accused of its transmission"

I agree BUT I really doubt that decriminalizing HIV transmission will have the opposite effect...In other words, it is quite unlikely that we would see an increase in HIV testing if wilful transmission should be decriminalized. Human behaviour is a strange creature and when it comes to sexual behaviour it becomes unpredictable. It's not as straightforward as people might say it is. I argue that decriminalizing could, in fact, cause a surge in wilful transmissions.....I hope we never have to prove that.

STUPID, CRIMINAL, DISGUSTING....

I can not believe this....are we in the dark ages???? How can something like this happen????

Seclusion rooms, sometimes called time-out rooms, are used across the nation, generally for special needs children.

Read this CNN story by clicking HERE

What a joke...

I am from Quebec....I am used to drive in the snow but here...I am scared....of other drivers! Total lack of organization for just a bit of snow! What a joke!

Ironman Kona 2008

Via Mike Neil's Blog site: http://humanpoweredracer.blogspot.com/

Higher Ed Prostitute

My students are well aware that I am a big fan of podcasts. I walk to work almost everyday and as I cross streets and boulevards I am learning something. I teach for a living and I try to learn something new everyday. I really like this podcast: "On The Media"...always interesting stories about how the media affects us, the way we think and the way we work. As I was walking this gloomy morning I listened carefully to this story, The term paper artist. It is about something that affects my field...education. It is about cheating and plagiarism....in it's own way, it is also about prostitution! Intellectual prostitution.

You can find the article here: http://www.thesmartset.com/article/article10100801.aspx

Here is the segment on "The Term Paper Artist"



And here is a link to the On The Media podcast....chances are you will become a fan too.

Facebook from space....in 3D!

Obama's doodle...

I doodle all the time! Maybe I should watch it...someone might analyse my doodles....interesting anyway!

Educating for the future

I came across this YouTube video thanks to this blog. As educators, I think it is important to make a priority of "teaching for judgement" or "teaching for critical thinking". Some of us, educators, do not want to use the so-called "new technologies" for various reasons. Let's remember that our students are avid users of this technology, let's also remember that this generation of instructors is probably the last one to refrain from using that"not-so-new-technology".....

Eye jewelry

Tiny beads, or crystals or whatever are directly attached to contact lenses.... In a way I hate stuff like that, but art and design should make me think. Mission accomplished but this is a nice way to open the door to bacterial infections! Sigh!...It's quite amazing what people will do to look different, yet everybody eventually looks the same!

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose...the more that things change, the more they stay the same...

(Neil Peart, Circumstances 1978)

Design from Eric Klarenbeek


Via: http://www.newsoftheweird.com/archive/index.html

It actually reminds me of another crazy thing....related to eye jewelry. The next YouTube video is even more extreme (and stupid if you ask me)....I warn you...graphic images!!!!

Chinese Imports will finally be tested!

"Chinese products that contain milk or milk powder will be detained until the manufacturer or its customer has the product tested and found to be free of contamination, or they show documentation indicating that the product does not contain milk or milk-derived ingredients."

It is about time...don't you think???

Via: NYTIMES

A tracking device in your razor?

Wow, that is serious business. I know blades are extremely expensive....way too expensive and for that reason I am happy to let it grow a little and only trim when necessary. But these tracking devices are, if they really work, a threat to privacy. Click HERE to access an interesting but scary site...

MY CAMOSUN contest winner.

A contest, MY CAMOSUN, was launched a few weeks ago. Anyone, faculty or students could submit a one minute video explaining what Camosun College represents to them. Here's the winner. Enjoy....enjoy!!!

Molecular dance

A colleague sent me this link today:http://gonzolabs.org/dance/

Briefly, if you are a Ph.D. student of if you have a Ph.D. you can enter the contest. The goal is to engage the public and express a science concept through dance. Nicely done and interesting idea if you are open-minded!

The title of this dance is: "The role of folate in epigenetic regulation of colon carcinogenesis"

Revenge of the test tubes???

When I was involved in research I never kept anything in plastic containers because I thought something could leach out and affect my results. I wish I did this research 15 years ago....arrgh!

The compounds [leaching out of plasticware] can have "potent effects" on enzymes and proteins, inhibiting the activity and binding properties of molecules

This potentially means that many scientific conclusions are in fact not true at all...THIS IS HUGE! What about forensic evidence????

To read the whole story, click HERE

In case you missed it! CNN holographic interview!

Geography - New world order?

The picture can be found here:
http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh2/prettinpinkk887/unknown.jpg

When are we going to understand????

I am happy about the outcome of the American elections....I like Obama, probably because of is extreme charisma, we will see how he does.

There is one thing I am quite disappointed about: California voters decided to overturn same sex marriage....so now what happens to people that are already married? Why do people care so much about gay marriage? It seems to me homosexuality has been part of every civilization, there are heterosexuals and homosexuals.....why different rights???? WHY??? I have many gay friends...some of them are my best friends and it crushes me everytime I think of their struggles!

This is 2008! Move on!

A green idea for you lawns...

Annie Booth, a professor at UNBC studied the impact of goats on weed growth and, probably, invasion in an urban setting. The conclusion? Goats rule!!!! Goats seem to think weeds are very good...they eat everything, from dendelions to thisle (ouch)! To me that's good news!

I got that story from CBC.ca and read a few of the comments and, again, I am disappointed at some of us trying to discredit any new ideas.... look at this (narrow minded) comment:

Although it sounds like a great idea, this obviously hasn't been researched properly. Considering this person is a "professor" at a university she didn't account for a number of factors.
1.What do you do with the goats in the winter?
2.How do you control the goats along roadsides?
3.What do you do with the goat "poo"? (If dog droppings are a problem, what would a herd of goats leave behind?)
4.If goats are not herded properly they will destroy all the vegetation in an area.
5. There are existing grazing programs in Canada.
For a more informed idea about this check out the city of Fort Saskatchewan (in Redneck Alberta) which has a sheep grazing program for city properties.

Come on people......!