Saddam should be dead tomorrow. The retrospective stories (such as this one), leave me to think that Iraq is still better off without him. How much worse would the violence be if the coalition hadn't been there, and if saddam stayed in power another ten years then died, leaving a vaccuum? At least now Iraq has a fighting chance at a stable, free country, whereas without the US invasion they would of had none. Perhaps they are not ready for democracy, but such a thing takes time, and education. Iraq has neither. So even if the democratically elected government is overthrown by another tin pot dictator, at least Iraq has known freedom, and tasted freedom. Once they have that taste, I bet they will not be so readily cowed in the future (not to mention everyone has mortars, RPGs, and AK-74s at their disposal).

Story here

The abstract is here:

In type 1 diabetes, T cell-mediated death of pancreatic β cells produces insulin deficiency. However, what attracts or restricts broadly autoreactive lymphocyte pools to the pancreas remains unclear. We report that TRPV1+ pancreatic sensory neurons control islet inflammation and insulin resistance. Eliminating these neurons in diabetes-prone NOD mice prevents insulitis and diabetes, despite systemic persistence of pathogenic T cell pools. Insulin resistance and β cell stress of prediabetic NOD mice are prevented when TRPV1+ neurons are eliminated. TRPV1NOD, localized to the Idd4.1 diabetes-risk locus, is a hypofunctional mutant, mediating depressed neurogenic inflammation. Delivering the neuropeptide substance P by intra-arterial injection into the NOD pancreas reverses abnormal insulin resistance, insulitis, and diabetes for weeks. Concordantly, insulin sensitivity is enhanced in trpv1−/− mice, whereas insulitis/diabetes-resistant NODxB6Idd4-congenic mice, carrying wild-type TRPV1, show restored TRPV1 function and insulin sensitivity. Our data uncover a fundamental role for insulin-responsive TRPV1+ sensory neurons in β cell function and diabetes pathoetiology.

The lowdown is that there appears to be simliarities between MS and Diabetes, in that the nervous system and immunosystem combine to produce a disease. Here they show that neurons play a role in inflammation of the B islet cells (those that produce insulin). Treatment with drugs that block the nervous system or elimination of specific neurons blocked the disease. I think this will force us to re-evaluate inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, chrons disease, and possibly autoimmune diseases such as MS and lupus.

Is it me, or does this look silly? Sure, the movie will be cool, but you can't tell that based on this trailer (lots of explosions, little else).

Says Murdoc.(Or more realistically Japan in late 1930s). I haven't seen this reference before. Japan in the late 1930s was resource starved, and the decision of the US to start an oil embargo against japan (to reign in their delusions of empire) started the war in the pacific. More to the point, it launched Japan into an expansionistic war, of which one of the opening salvos was Pearl Harbor. (For the history buffs, it's discussed here on the wiki)

This just got published. Or will be published, tomorrow? In the Houston Chronicle.

It was regarding a piece by George F Will, which can be found here.

Dear Sirs,

I am writing regarding the latest essay from George F Will, published today in the Chronicle. I usually enjoy his columns but todays left a sour taste. The column was an insult to the million of bloggers such as myself who don't tend to write about their pet iguana. In fact, in the political blogs, you can usually find a spirited, democratic debate about the steps (or missteps) our current government has taken. I think it's sad that mainstream columnists such as Mr. Will, realizing they are going extinct, tend to lash out at the new generation; the bloggers. Some are quite good; for example Instapundit and Iraq the Model come immediately to mind. If the (virtual) cry of a million voices in a democracy is not the process itself in motion, then I don't know what is. Surely Mr. Will doesn't think he represents us in any way, does he? After all, nobody votes to elect columnists.

Sincerely,

Rob


Update: Rich Miller has basically the same tone, and it's pretty much identical to every blog i've read about the subject (maybe half a dozen). Some media sources boil the blogosphere down to Youtube, and that's just wrong.


Update2: Over at the Belmont Club is a great report of the blogosphere and how it can influence (and be influenced by) external events. The case in point is the Isreali-Hezbollah war this year. Regardless if there are 50 million or 100 million blogs, a small fraction have alot of posts and have been around for a long time and have a large readership. Of these, they tend to focus more on serious topics. Anyway read the whole thing.

It's not out yet, but taking shape. Looks like the following will be factors:

1) New Deal type jobs program.
2) Troop surge to deal with ethnic cleansing in Baghdad.

Color me skeptical. The New Deal didn't have armed thugs waiting to kill anyone who is helping to move the country forward. The troop surge will likely be too little, too late (see the Slate article referenced below this post). A recent article in the houston chronicle (not linkable, alas) by two retired generals mentions that the troops required will be 30,000 and lasting for 1.5 years, that's just in baghdad.

I think that the ethnic cleansing has completely consumed the worlds attention, and prevented work in other parts of the country from carrying out (that plus the usual graft and greed). Really i think it's pretty much a shithole which isn't going to change any time soon; the ethnic tentions, the tribal tensions, the manipulation by Syria and Iran, the flight/murder of intellectuals; all this points to a country that will be mired in the third world for decades to come.

Time has the story. I think this is a feel-good win for various environmental groups. The facts are clear, polar bears are in trouble due to the warming trends in the last two decades. However, given that no polar bears actually live in the U.S., and due to the fact that global warming is hotly debated by the Bush admin, I find it very doubtful that any US legislation will help the polar bears (ditto for penguins, for that matter, which live in the southern hemisphere). Unless the US starts invading and holding countries, there is little we can do to affect species living in other countries. So, yes, we are headed for a mass extinction, but the US can do little, since we are not the ones, primarily, that are over-harvesting everything from tropical rainforests to oceanic fish. We could curb our appetite, and engage in sustainable logging practices and promote aquaculture though. Really when you think about it, oil is only one part of a huge problem that we have.

I just got a new email phishing scheme, saying the IRS owes me money and I just have to 'click here' to get my refund. The IRS is aware of phishing schemes and alerts taxpayers here.

Anyway, just some helpful advice. Never click on a link embedded in an email. Point your mouse to (but don't click) the link to reveal the destination of the link; for example this email didn't point to the IRS website but somewhere else. That's how you know it's a scam, and almost all (i'll say 99.99%) of emails saying you can get money by clicking on a link is a scam.

This is a Newsweek story Regarding a neurosurgeon at MDACC getting the worst type of brain cancer, glioblastoma (GBM). Read and take a look. Although half of brain cancers are very treatable, GBM is not. My fellowship proposal is examining a model for GBM (sorta). Anyway i hope it gets funded; its due Jan 5th. I'm lucky so far, in the last few months 3 new journal articles have appeared talking about my specific focus area, so they really help shed light on what I want to do.

Here! Not too many of these. It was recently ranked #1 in a best of blog 2006 contest.

• Why do we make a "lip-smacking" sound when kissing closed-mouth? We do make the sound; it doesn't happen on its own ...

Hmm, I think it's due to the air being released by a tight vaccuum formed due to the two pairs of lips being pressed against each other. That or it could be a frictional sound due to the lips. I'm not sure.

• What's likely to happen to people, or what might they feel, when they're killed instantly?

Probably lots of pain, for a short period of time. Depends on how long the brain remains conscience.

• Can a state in the United States split into two or more states? If so, how? I think Texas has a special provision for being able to divide into up to five states. But I am wondering about the others.

There is no special provision for texas. There is no provision in the constitution for states seceding or splitting. Historically W Virgina split from Virginia during the civil war, when some WV counties favored the north. I would imagine the state legistlature would have to pass a law stating the state is split.


• I have noticed that a lot of mainstream movies feature men peeing. Are the actors really peeing?

Probably not, since it likely requires multiple takes. You can get it pretty realistic via a portable bladder-like container filled with yellowish liquid, that emites via pressure nozzle near the penis. That's how i'd do it anyway.

• yea i have my own 620 gang and i dont know how to run it to make not look like a little bitch gang joke it is just me and my friend how do i run it?

This is too stupid to answer.

• Hi. How did the horse in the movie about dreams make it to not only survive but to win again? Was this movie true?

Didn't see it, sorry.

• Working in my yard yesterday, I killed a gnat in my ear canal, where it had flown. I couldn't remove the body as my finger was too fat. What happens to it now?

It will decay rapidly due to the presence of environmental bacteria. Don't worry about it.

• What is the richest religion? Scientology has a lot of Hollywood stars and I think they actually make their members give money, but Catholicism is a very old religion with its own country. Also, Islam has a lot of members but I don't know about their money situation.

Scientology is young. Catholicism is one of the oldest, stable religions, my bet is on them for most capital. The Mormans have alot of US capital, they force their members to tithe, too.

• Is chicken considered meat?

Yes, it contains animal muscle protein.

• Hello ... Could you tell me if there's been any kind of medical discovery in the last 30 years besides DNA.

Literally every day there are new discoveries. Every day there is a new discovery in my lab alone. Go to a medical library and look at the new journal stacks; every single journal is filled with dozens of articles documenting new medical advances. We've made huge improvements in medical care since 30 years ago, for example diabetes drugs, much better therapy for cancer, drugs for cholesterol, etc.

• Are UFOs confirmed to be from other Alien Planets?

No documented proof.

• How do you get to write articles for Slate. Do you have to go through a process?

Likely, yes.

• I met a 40-year-old stripper back in February of this year. We had a special connection. Yet, she was homeless, going through a divorce and bankruptcy. She has three kids who live in Alabama and she pays $500 a month in child support. Moreover, she used cocaine. At one point, she was arrested for forgery. She spent a month in jail but was released under the condition that she become a narc for the police department. She gave the names of her dealers and would wear wires when drug deals were going down. I let her stay at my place and kept food in the refrigerator. This past Monday she took all her clothes, my money, and left. The night before, she hung out with some friends. I called her, and she said I was too good for her. She said she had never been treated so well. She said she would drag me down and she couldn't bear to handle that. I told her my hopes and dreams the night before. I wonder if I scared her off. I don't know what to make of it. I don't know if she met someone else the night before and doesn't want to tell me. It's killing me inside. I cried for her. I really cared for her. Can you give me some advice?

Yes, get over her, quickly, and try to find someone who doesn't have a criminal history for your next mate. It ain't true love, trust me. There are alot of fruit on the tree, just keep picking. Try to go to church and meet women. Or join local clubs (ie a biking club, a social club, not a night club).

Next time, do a background check when you first start dating. Just remember the rule; criminal history = forgetaboutit.

(link)

• I have been pondering this situation for as long as I can remember (maybe age 7-8) and it drives me nuts. It makes me feel like my head will implode if I think any harder. Is the universe infinite? It must end somewhere. But when it ends … there must be something on the other side … right?

Maybe, we don't know. We can't see past the limits of this universe. Since there are many many galaxys such as the milky way that we live in, it stands to reason that there are also other universes. But this violates the big bang principle. According to that, once you get past the leading wave of matter, there is literally nothing beyond.

• If a group of passengers on a hijacked plane wanted to, could they bring a plane down by all of them using their cell phones at the same time?

No, in fact now airplanes are offering in flight cell service. Therefore, since no modifications are needed for individual cell phones, its unlikely that it could cause interference. In fact, I haven't seen any evidence showing that portable electronics can cause detectable interference. But I suppose it must be true, otherwise they wouldn't ban their use during take-off and landing.

• Why do humans die so young? In biblical times, people lived for several hundred years; now living to 100 is considered a long life. What happened?

You can't expect the bible to be literal. The life expectancy in biblical times is likely only 30 or 40 years old, since they didn't have access to modern healthcare, and lacked an understanding of hygiene (and soap for that matter).

• How can I tell if I was the first person to use the term "K-fed-up" in relation to Britney's divorce?

You could use a search engine ie google and see where your page stacks up (search for the first instance of the term by date). I'm not really sure which engine to use, but I would use that approach.

• Why is the No. 8 always the same combination (tamale, enchilada, rice, beans) in any Mexican restaurant I visit? This includes primarily the southeast United States but not obvious franchises.

Well, Americans tend to eat what we know. For us, it would be wierd to have a mexican restaurant that didn't serve margaritas and burritos. Yet in mexico they don't really eat that stuff. So, its based on customer expectations that mexican restaurants pretty much always have identical menus. I think the #8 thing is just a coincidence, though.

• Hi, how does nature make water? How does nature combine one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms to make water? If we knew how nature makes water, then perhaps we can then find an efficient way of separating hydrogen from oxygen, thus creating the ultimate source for energy.

H2O is created due to atomic energy favorabilities which occurs after nuclear fusion and fission. Essentially, for elements containing hydrogen and oxygen, H2O is the most stable form. H2 and O2 are gases, O2 is created from fusion of multiple hydrogens (16 to be exact). So it turns out that the most common compounds are made from the gases hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen. Carbon is unique since it needs four electrons to complete its outer shell, so it can't combine with itself. (it needs some combo of N, H, and O). This is the essence of how life was created, because of energenics and the amount of existing elements after nuclear fusion reactions. A chemist would know more though.

• Why is grilled chicken tasting increasingly rubbery and odd?

How do you know, did you test? If you are referring to chicken in your freezer, the time of exposure at -20 C decreases the quality of the chicken. Similiarly in the grocery store, the time of exposure at 4C decreases quality (more rapidly than frozen chicken). Chickens are now being produced in huge factories far away, so the long processing time ensures that they taste worse and worse. Try to get locally slaughtered chicken if possible.


• i need more money.....what business can i start that will not take a lot of time...i have internet access daily...........and i have saturday morning free before 12 noon to run around. i work from 7am to 9:30 pm..............

Find a market for a product that can be produced for less money than the market would bear. Ie if you can make a product for $10 that the market would buy for $100, then you could make a profit. But if your product costs $200 to make, but the market would only support selling at $100, then you'll lose money.

• Just suppose, one day someone wants to sell you an old gold bar. You don't know if it belongs to any treasure, and you can't find out if there is any reward for it, if it was a lost treasure. How would you go about melting it and selling it? The same would go for a gemstone about the size of a dinner plate. How would you go about selling it? If you're living in a country that is corrupt and you cannot trust the government, or anyone else, what can you do?

Bring it to a wholesale jeweler. If it has markings you can auction it off as estate jewelry. In general, large semi-precious gems aren't worth that much, since they are always flawed. Small gems are worth more, since they are not flawed.

• Can you tell me how long it will take if you eat rat poison to see if it is going to affect you? Please e-mail me back. Because my niece ate some.

Toxic effects are usually seen immediately after contact or up to a day. So if there is no toxicity after a day, she'll live.


• Hi. I just wanted to know if our eyeballs roll back when we are sleeping (or closed) or do they shake? Or …

No, we have muscles behind our eyes preventing them from rolling (and falling out).

• PYGMIES: How/when/where/still in existence/do we mate with them?

All dead, sorry (so scientists believe).

• Do dolphins actually save people? If so, why do they do this?

Maybe in disney films. I haven't heard anything, but you do hear stories of dogs saving owners all the time.

• I have a sister that stresses the hell out of me. For example this one sister out of three knows that I am recovering from a serious car accident. I thank God for saving my life, and healing me each and every day. My question is can a person who complains and talks about the same complaining crap every day stress you completely out? About four days ago I had to tell this one sister (Annie) basically to get a life and stop bugging me with her problems and everybody else's. I reminded her that I am still in a neck brace and healing … I really need to know if a person can really stress you out with the same old thing over and over and over again. PLEASE ANSWER BACK ASAP.

Yes. You are living proof. This is a stupid question.

• Can someone be forced to masturbate?

No.

Jees, why didn't they ask me this? Here is the first page, answered by me.

• What comes after 999 trillion?

999 trillion and one. Duh.

• Why do train whistles at night always sound lonely and mournful? Not so in the daytime.

Because melatonin production is dependant on sunlight, and there isn't any at night. Melatonin is an endorphin. This is also why people get the winter blues (back east, anyway; here its sunny and warm)

• Given the exchange and dispersion of matter, how likely is it/how often do we inhale/consume and/or incorporate into our own protein structure molecules that were once in some historical figure, say Abraham Lincoln?

So matter is neither created nor destroyed, really (matter is convertable to energy but only during nuclear events). Considering that during metabolism and breakdown, each individual atom is used in some other molecule, ie O2 goes to CO2, through an indirect path. The likelyhood is present but too small to measure. How many organic molecules exist in the world? Say it's X. Say the # of molecules per person is Y. Then I think the probability is Y/X. But it's a complex question and you'd pretty much have to assume that all of those molecules that Abe used are still available in the 'molecular pool'.

• Lasers are now powerful and small (at least I think they are), so why don't our troops carry laser guns?

They aren't that portable; the energy requirement is enormous. the military now has airborne lasers that are mountable on a huge aircraft, and also stationary lasers. See this article.

• Why is smooth peanut butter cheaper than nutty?

Because nutty has more stuff, ie peanuts. More stuff = more expensive.


• If we taught animals to talk, how would that affect the world?

Some animals can communicate with humans, ie primates, parrots. Others have definite verbal communication, but we can't understand it (see Happy Feet movie). But by and large only a few very intelligent animal species are capable of enough communication so that we could understand. Birds have song for warning and locating, for example. There isn't any complex stuff, its a small list of things that they can communicate (or so we think). Parrots can count and know some basics, about the mind of a 2 year old. They are not really capable of further development. Other primates have the best chance of intelligent communication. My fear is if we knew what other animals were saying, we'd take it as a threat and would destroy the species. Humans don't take well to threats.


• What would happen to the stock market if a meteor impacted the earth? What would happen to the global markets and the U.S. market? Say a meteor hits inside U.S. borders and takes out two states.
See 9/11. The market would plumett, then slowly recover.

• Is it possible to collect all the cookie dough in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream and actually bake cookies from it?

No, because it has other stuff in there, and doesn't contain yeast which is essential for baking.

• How clean is bar soap in a public bathroom? Is it "self-cleaning," since it's soap? It seems like a health hazard to me.

Its as clean as anything else, the detergent property of soap denatures protein and emulsifies lipids. It kills bacteria regardless of how old the soap is. It probably won't kill viruses like HIV, but not much will.

• Why did Zidane head-butt his opponent in the World Cup final? Do the French not fight with their fists?

No idea, ask him. French aren't known for their fighting prowlness (see World War II - French).


• When we are approaching another person, like in a hallway, why do we step to our left? That is, try and pass right-shoulder-to-right-shoulder.

We don't here, its usual that we pass on the right. Because we drive on the right side of the street. Other places, ie Britain, drive on the left. They probably teach their kids to pass on the left.

Here.

I think its factual and creditable. I also think the US Govt has zero idea of what its doing in Iraq. I think in 5 years we will have enriched a whole bunch of sheiks and terrorists, and nothing will have changed.

I call BS on this. Husband claims ferret was in its cage, wife says it was out. I find it highly unlikely that a ferret would do such a thing; supposedly 4 toes were missing. Yes, ferrets are carnivores and could conceivably chew on toes, but 4 of them? More likely it's the pitbull.

So J and I went to see this film today. I found it pretty sad, but realistic. What I find sadder, is knowing that the film will net hundreds of millions of dollars, and I have yet to hear about a penny of that fortune being used to actually protect the penguins from overfishing danger. Maybe there is something going on, but I don't know. So to me, the hypocracy of this movie (and every other animated movie with the usual deep 'we're destroying the environment' message), is astounding. They pull at our heartstrings, yet after all that public awareness and capital, they do nothing to protect the environment. I think Oceana is right on.

And yes, that was Steve Irwin as the elephant seal.

Here is a penguin foundation for Australian penguins. Funnily, I don't see the movie producers on the list of sponsors (but I do see a recognized wine producer - Little Penguin!)

Here's another story about the truth beyond Happy Feet.

The main threat is human encrochment, which has destroyed the ecological life-cycle of the swamp. Now exotics are getting in and having a field day. Consider the python,, one of the largest snakes in the world; so large it can eat a human. So large, it can take on a 6' croc, and win. Typically when predators overpopulate, the prey species vanish, and a few years later the predator species eventually follows. What the Everglades people are worried about, when all the native species go extinct (and now it's a matter of when, not if), where will the pythons go? Don't forget they feed on humans and pets, too. Fortunately pythons are not known for being fecund, so if they do start eating humans, it will lead to a virtual snake-man war, one the snake can't hope to win (opposable thumbs, and shotguns, give us a huge advantage).

HHMI just announced funding for 15 physician/scientists (that's MD/PhD to you and me, or more affectionally, mudphud), for $200 million. Thomas Cech, the HHMI president, spoke at ASCB, it was very interesting; he talked about their new campus at Janelia farms, they are bringing scientists from all walks of life to focus on imaging and computations:

* The identification of general principles that govern how information is processed by neuronal circuits
* The development of imaging technologies and computational methods for image analysis

Pretty cool, if you know anything about that area of research (which I don't). Being an HHMI researcher, though, is a huge deal; we're talking the most elite (and the most funded) researchers in the world.

Or something. Anyway, they linked some of my posts (no idea why). I think the point is to aggregate science blog posts. Cool idea!

Those wacky physicists. Now they've built this 12,500 ton solinoid in order to answer such deep questions as "find new particles, detect mini black holes and solve some of the mysteries of the universe such as where mass comes from, how many dimensions there are and what constitutes dark matter."

So apparently they now build this sucker, and they have to lower it, but it's so massive it will take...a long time, months or a year. I just don't they drop it!

Austin Bay has a great piece on the Army's 'breakage', basically, our army is stretched way too thin, and amazingly is underfunded; it's only taking 3.3% of the budget (whereas North Korea spends, what, half its budget on its military). Anyway, the military simply needs more troops, and i think everyone (politicians, generals, etc) are slowly getting that fact. It's not acceptable for troops to do back to back to back rotations in the gulf; in Vietnam most troops (which were drafted) came and went in 12 months.

We can win in Iraq and other places, but it will take a very long time; probably more than the American public is willing to take. It will take probably more sacrifice than we are doing currently (which is none). It will probably take a new administration (given the Bush admin 6 year track record).

I think Austin is right, the 'war' on terror is more of a critical ideological millinium struggle. This is the new hundred year war, get used to it. Until the muslim world catches up to the west in terms of technology and wealth (which will require abandoning old views), we will struggle against extremists who are angry and frustrated because their society is in shambles.

So, yeah, i'm back. I presented my poster Wed. at 12 (ending at 1:30) and my flight was at 4pm, so I had to hussle. My colleagues and I got there last friday, and sat night was the start of the conference. We got to see some of san diego including the zoo. The conference was not so related to my topic (but there were a few gems in there). I didn't really like the layout or format of the conference; even though my hotel was only two hotels down the street, it was still at least a half-mile walk to the hotel and back (no shuttle). Multiply that by at least 2 per day. Then the conference center wasn't easy to get around, there was only one entry/exit point to the center, two escalators to get between floors, and one entrance to the main gallery where the posters and such were. So you ended up doing *alot* of walking. Then I did the 5k run on sunday, and really hurt my legs (nothing damaged, just everything sore). So i hobbled for a week. Today i'm feeling quite good, and yesterday was pretty good. Until then, i was in pain every moment of movement. Not fun. I 'applied' to a few jobs there but I don't expect much. Now I have a week to get stuff done before xmas break, including my fellowship proposal.

Apparently it's not as lethal as I thought. Chocolate can cause cardiac arythmia and probably myocardial infarction (heart attack). But the dosage is important; this article estimates 2 oz of milk chocolate is minimal for lethality (and .1 oz of baking or pure chocolate). Anyway, back to the story. I got back late (late late) Wed night, and dumped my bags on the floor. I bought some chocolate for Jen, and thought I took it all out of the lab before I went into work. Not so, i forgot about the .35 oz sample chocolate. Angel didn't forget, or has a great nose; she found it, clawed into it, and was happily chewing on it when I got home. We discovered that 1/4th of the small bar was missing and persumed eaten. The bar is .35 oz, so roughly .09 oz was consumed, but it was dark chocolate, which is more toxic than milk chocolate. Anyway, there were zero symptoms from either weasel. Whew! Angel sure was happy that day though...

Flicker collection here. . Click on slideshow to view them in groups. Most are not that good, but some gems in there. Like most photography i guess.

A date that shall live in infamy. (Famous FDR quote)

Here is a retrospective of his work on C-net. He died yesterday due to exposure, hypothermia, and dehydration (autoposy isn't done, but that's my guess). Rescuers were very close to finding him; this is a true tragedy which will hopefully promote Oregon to actually close the roads they don't intend to maintain during the winter.

Linux support! Tek Jansen shows how. Hmm, a game console which is really a tricked out PC which is now running a PC operating system. Why not just call it a tricked out PC that can also run games great. The thing of it is, for the price the PS3 gives great stuff, including a great graphics card, and the stupid blu-ray support. The problem is, i already have 3 PCs and don't need another, nor do I have HDTV, so the graphics would suck on regular TV. I personally wouldn't get a $600 or $700 system to run Linux on (to play movies, that's the real point). I'd get a small PC and hook it in the TV somehow.

From Extreme Mortman

In other news; I'm leaving for San Diego tomorrow for ASCB. So I'm frentically busy doing last minute things (as usual).

Guess I spoke too soon on the need for a biomass fueled energy source. Hummer, that gas-guzzling car brand, has designed a very cool car called the O2 (for oxygen).

The texans beat the raiders despite few running yards and negative passing yards. The Texans still suck, this is a fluke.

You may have been drinking a bit hard.

I've always said (well, somewhere I said it), that the Iraqi civil war/insurgency will stop when they get tired of killing each other. Looks like this is closer to happening in Basra.

In other news, i caught a nasty cold from J; and my san diego conference is on friday. Work is going well as can be expected with so many gaps and time off (it's very difficult to do a month long project if you are gone every other weekend, or week even).

Why hasn't the rest of the federal government gone onto a 'war footing'. For that matter, why is there no systematic effort of the American people, directed by our government, to go onto a war footing? It's not World War 2, but still...

I'm really busy at work and home, getting ready for xmas and conferences and a fellowship in January. Anyway blogging is light. Work is going well; my dissertation work was published a few months ago, and I just received word that I'm an author (4th) on a Cell paper. Cell is one of the biggest journals in biology; some professors, many I bet, spend their whole life without getting a single Cell (or higher) publication. I just was lucky to be involved in the study in a small way; my labmate Ruoning did most of the work, and as usual 10 people got credit for it. If I get this fellowship that would do wonders for my career I think; it certainly wouldn't hurt.

Mudville has a short roundup of new news which is under the radar of most media (but includes an important piece from the NYT). Is the civil war/secretarian violence at a peak? I hope so!

(link) Want to bet it will clear by the time J&I go there for xmas? In other news; tis freezing here; temp dropped 25 degrees in an hour yesterday, and stayed low. Today is somewhat warmer, but biking is a grueling effort now...well it's not *that* bad, just cold cold cold.