Fears of Nuclear Plant Leaks in India Similar to Fukushima?

According to the BBC report Fears rise in India of Fukushima-style nuclear disaster, the Indian government may not actually have common sense, at least not according to many Indian protesters.  The reasoning is that the government is planning to build several nuclear power plants in a region of India that is an earthquake hotspot.

There are disagreements on how earthquake prone these regions are, but after the incidences in Japan, I would think that any government in this world would not want to take such a risk.

But that is just my opinion. 

Were you Born in the Spring? You Might be at Greater Risk for an Eating Disorder

As reported by the BBC news article Anorexia nervosa 'link to spring birth',  a 2011 study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, Season of birth and anorexia nervosa found children born during the spring were more likely to experience anorexia than children born during the autumn.  Many environmental factors may play a role in these differences.

Understanding seasonal effects on eating disorders and other health issues could be beneficial in finding novel preventative treatment options.

Many Want to Repeal Science Education Act in Louisiana. Creationism vs Evolution

The science education act was the latest attempt of certain people in Louisiana to integrate Creationism into science classes.  Many students, teachers, and scientists, feel this does nothing of value except put Louisiana into a bad light, an anti-science mob mentality.

I personally don't care what people believe.  I do care when people call themselves American's then they attempt to circumvent the constitution.  There is a reason for the separation of church and state, and it doesn't apply to all religions, except Christianity.

Religion does not belong in a science class.  Science is about learning and adating to our understanding of the world.  Religion, for the most part does not adapt.  People often protest evolution because its a theory.  A theory means that it is adaptable.  Creationism, in the minds of the many people that want creationism to be taught in school, is irrefutable.  To them, because they "know" that creationism is "right" it can't be a theory, and thus it is more accurate than evolution.

Science doesn't deal with right or wrong.  It deals with possibilities and probabilities. Science is not an enemy of religion, it is simply a way to understand through careful studies the world around us.  Science is fluid and should not have any bias.  (When dealing with humans of course, bias always exists, but science strives to remove this from studies).  Science is a tool for all people of all creeds.

At the worst case scenario, if people definitely want creationism to be taught in school, it should be taught in a religious/history class, but at the same time, every other religion in the world should also be taught, including atheism, agnosticism, paganism, etc.  If we want to teach students the religion history of the world, then we need to give students of the US a well-balanced look of the world.

Just saying...

Lawmakers asked to repeal of Science Education Act

Coolest Website Ever!! Internet Archive ! Check out the Wayback Machine!!

In San Francisco, there is small building that houses the Internet Archive.

You Really should check out the Wayback machine (classic version) and find out what goole looked like twelve years ago, or how CNN.com evolved over the years.

Pretty fun, or at least a time killer.

Stem cells get federal funding

You can check out the examiner.com article Stem Cells Research Gets Federal Funding

Arbor Day? The Key To Bettering Ourselves?

According to a new study, Digging in dirt, Arbor Day planting, may help build citizenship: UMD study, planting trees may help make better people.  

Well I've always heard and believe that hard-work, in any fashion, is a character builder.


And this study relates perfectly with another study, that shows psychologically, people feel better when they do something, no matter what it is.  The rewards of doing 'something'

So maybe, we can all start planting and we will save our country and our world.

Racial Disparities in How Much People Are Willing To Spend on Healthcare

It does exist.

Check out my Examiner.com article, How Much is Your Life Worth to You?

Don't want to go Deaf? Then Maybe Forgo the Cotton Swabs

In the study, Study: Cotton swabs prove problematic for ear health, a strong and direct correlation between ear drum punctures and cotton swab use was observed.  

But can you really blame the cotton swab?  Perhaps we just need better education in its use.

I've always been told not to shove those things in my ear, and only use them to clean the outside region of the ear, not the ear canal.


Just saying...

But at the same time, a ruptured ear drum can be serious, so be careful with cotton swabs and get medical attention immediately.

Cancer is cured! Nope maybe not

The study that is described in Is Fish Oil Linked to Prostate Cancer?, shows that DHA may increase agressive prostate cancer incidence, contradictory to previous reports.  This is only one study and there have been many other studies that have shown the opposite effect, however, it does illustrate an interesting fact that like anything, herbal supplements do not always act the same in every person. 

Natural supplements are not necessarily safe,  and studies regarding their effectiveness against disease is still quite limited.

The best option in regards to herbal supplements is to use them cautiously and consult a medical doctor.

Also it is important not to listen to your average news media about the new breakthroughs in science.  More often than not, for ratings, news reports will attach itself to an "exciting" story and not necessarilly base it in accuracy.

I mean I can't count how many times I've heard that cancer has been cured. Trust me, it's not

So truly educate yourself (remember not knowing side effects of a supplement, is not the same as not having side effects.  A fact many internet sites overlook), and be cautious in regards to herbal supplements.

Early Non-Invasive Test for Autism at One Year

This is pretty cool.

Early detection is an important key for treating Austism and improving cognitive function.

A new technique lead by Dr. Karen Pierce from University of California San Diego, Department of Neurosciences, utilizes a questionnaire for the parents asking important questions about the communication development of their child and helps determine whether it is appropriate for their age.  This subtle testing technique has proved effective for early testing of autism.

Infants that failed this screening technique were then referred to UC San Diego Autism Center of Excellence (ACE) for further testing.


5-minute screen identifies subtle signs of autism in 1-year olds

Want to be the Cool Parent? Letting Kids Drink Under Your Supervision? Read this!

Everyone has heard about the "cool parents," the adults that let their kids and friends have parties and drink under their supervision.

While supervised drinking in teenagers might in theory sound like a good idea; a way to teach teenagers responsible drinking rather than having them go out and start binge drinking, however, a new study has emerged which shows that supervised drinking can actually encourage and increase alcohol consumption in teenagers.

A strict no-alcohol policy for teenagers may be the best choice.

Adult-supervised drinking in young teens may lead to more alcohol use, consequences

Thin? Just Lucky With a Fast Metabolism? Die Sooner? Maybe

Ever hear or say, "I'm just lucky, I was born with a fast metabolism."

Well people that say this, may not be so lucky, especially if they actually have a fast metabolism. 

According to a new study Increased metabolic rate may lead to accelerated aging, an actual higher metabolic rate equates to higher mortality rate and thus shorter lifespan.  


The hotter you burn, the faster you burn out.


So I guess there is something to being a couch potato after all.

You Know What I Like About Movies? The Clouds

Photo Taken By Alina Barnett near Multnomah Falls, Oregon

I absolutely love movies.  In another life, I'd probably be a movie reviewer or something.  Well, actually for about four months I was a movie reviewer for a now defunct online magazine.

But you want to know what I almost always notice about a movie, especially a movie I like to re-watch again and again  (If I love a movie, i will watch it a million times over)?

I notice the clouds.  Every-time I see a cloud in a movie, or in a family photo, it reminds, me that out in the world, I will never see that cloud again.  The cloud has died. 

A tad melodramatic, I know, but it is also a cool glimpse into the past and a constant reminder to cherish what we have in life.  We won't know when its gone. 

And like the clouds I just saw in a scene in Dumb and Dumber, things; people and places of the past will soon be mere memories; an unnoticed addendum to a popular Jim Carrey movie.

So yes, I notice the clouds, I do my best to love and remember the past, while cherishing the present.

Let's all try it.

Having Friends May Keep You Smart! But Not Being Popular is Okay Too

A new study found that going to social events, parties and spending time with friends can be as beneficial against dementia and cognitive decline as doing the daily crossword.  Well at least there is ways to decrease cognitive decline for introverts and extroverts.

If you're popular and like crosswords, then you might just be a super genius in your old age.  Awesome!

Higher levels of social activity decrease the risk of cognitive decline

Laugh (or at least roll your eyes) and fight cancer! How is it possible?

Well you can buy my first book "I Hate Jane Austen" published for the Amazon.com kindle.  It's a collection of quirky, odd, funny (at least I laugh at my own musings) stories that I have written over the years.

Poignant stories that touch on everything from the nature of good versus evil, the emotional makeup of a decrepit abandoned couch, man-eating kumquats, vampires, a grumpy grim reaper named Harold.  Just to name a few.

The cost for the download is $2.99, a low cost that will not only support me and this lovely blog, but also, and more importantly, 25% of all proceeds (for every book sold), will be given to the American Cancer Society.

Thanks for the support, if you can swing by, check the book out, give it a like, maybe even a review, I'd greatly appreciate it.


Thank you.

PS. Don't mind the editorial typo on the Amazon page.  It has already been fixed and new changes should be made shortly.  The book is fine

Want to Know an Easy Way to Become a Vampire like in Twilight? Read This!

Hi Everyone!

This story has moved to my new website Uncomplicated Scientist.

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or twitter @TUScientist

Happy Earth Day-1990 Earth Day Special was the best!

Earth Day though hasn't been as cool as it was in 1990.  Anyone remember the Earth Day TV special?  Here's a few random clips- not in any specific order. 

The Early Universe was a Line? Awesome!

Yep, according to a new a theory outlined in Primordial weirdness: Did the early universe have 1 dimension?, the early universe only had one dimension.  The other dimension came later apparently.  It's that or I my A in rudimentary physics means absolutely nothing :)

I am more than a line, right?

Contradictory Reports about Aspirin and Pancreatic Cancer

Check out my examiner.com article, Don't Want Pancreatic Cancer? Perhaps You Can Try Aspirin?  Then Again Maybe Not, about the use of aspirin and its possible role in either preventing or increasing pancreatic cancer.  I guess it all depends on the study :)

Were You Happy When Bush Won the Presidency? Or Obama? Did You Look at Porn Afterwards?

Apparently after a victory of your candidate in an election, the popular thing to to do is look at porn.  At least this is the apparent finding of a new study from Rutger's University.  After a great victory, according to Google Analytic's porn usage increases significantly.

However, the EurekAlert! press release Political wins celebrated with porn, says Rutgers-Camden Researcher, does not completely clarify how they determine if the people viewing the porn are actually celebrating.  It seems to me that it is also likely that people whose candidates may have lost are also likely to look for consolation in internet porn.

Either way, an interesting way to celebrate the political machinations of our fair country. I guess some people just can't wait for the illicit crap our politicians will throw on us, they want to get a head start on porn.

No matter, I don't judge.  Celebrate or find consolation in as much porn as you like, if that's what floats your boat.

Prejudice Against Women that Breast Feed? Do we Just Look for any Excuse to be a Jerk?

According to a recent study, there is a prejudice against women that breast feed their children (not necessarilly in public) and career opportunities.  What this tells me is that people are jerks (I'm being quite kind here by just saying jerks) and if they feel they need to hate something, they should hate themselves for playing a role in the destruction of common decency within the human race.

Warning to breastfeeding mothers

Can Pacman destroy cancer

A new "Pacman" approach to cancer therapy has been developed.  You can read about it in the examiner.com article Pacman versus Cancer?

And if you feel like playing Pacman don't forget GOOGLE's free Pacman game.

Is Saving Your Heart Worth the Possibilty of Drinking Yourself to Death?

An Interesting study showed high amounts of drinking lead only to a moderate increase in alcohol-related deaths a month, mostly of the middle-aged.  Increased drinking also lead to a significant decrease in cardiac related deaths in men and women over 70. 

A great quandary for a person to make.  Drink copious amounts of alcohol and risk an early death or drink copious amounts of alcohol and possibly reap the awards of healthy heart.

Weird Science drinks itself to death to avoid a heart attack

Want to Know How To Encourage Kids to Enjoy the Sciences?

Take them to zoos and fun science museums like the Exploratorium or California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco or OMSI in Portland Oregon or California Science Center in Los Angeles, or any number of similar places across the country. 

It worked for me.

According to a new study from Oregon State University, it works for a lot of kids.  Fun and educational museums, are highly successful in not only getting children excited about but inspires them to begin "Free Choice" learning (ie, choosing to learn rather than being forced t learn). 

Choosing to learn is always so much more successful than being forced.

Perhaps we should strive to take all kids and maybe even adults to these places.  I still enjoy them.

Check out the Press Release for the study, Surveys confirm enormous value of science museums, “free choice” learning.

What Can Possibly be Wrong with a Naked Penguin?

Feather-loss disorder has also been observed in African penguins

  Photo credit: Nola Parsons

Unfortunately, a lot.  While the idea of a naked penguin, or any naked animal might seem a little humorous or possibly cute, it is not a good thing.  Baffled experts are trying to figure out what is causing the  "feather-loss disorder" in penguins in the South Atlantic.

This disorder first appeared in 2006, and the penguins afflicted are developmentally stunted and have a higher mortality rate.  The quick rise in this disorder among the penguins, may be attributed to many different causes; researchers have a lot of work to do to pinpoint the exact cause, however, it is a definite sign that the local ecosystem has taken a serious hit.

Many of these odd changes that have been occurring over the past few years, naked penguins, missing bees, sudden deaths of birds, may be coincidences, but it is also possible that the world is going through a massive change; change that we may have no control over and we likely won't enjoy the outcome. 

Is this change the fault of the humans?  Hard to say, it may just be nature, but we should do our best to act as though it is our fault and strive to heal the earth, if we can.

You can read more about this in the original EurekAlert! press release 'Naked' penguins baffle experts.

The People Leading our Government Truly Don't Care About our Country! Here's why

Congress is at it again.  I truly don't understand.  Watching these fools work, striving so hard to tear down every part of our country, while blocking innovation and education that will keep this country as a world power in the future, you got to wonder, are they simply idiotic or are has some nefarious people integrated themselves into congress for the sole purpose of destroying America?

Now why am I making this rant?  It's because congress, in their budget cuts, always cut very important and necessary components.  Education and the sciences, two aspects that America used to excel at, are often the first to be under attack, and now as our country trails behind in scientific discovery and innovation, our government is making more cuts.  If we truly love this country and want it to do well, then perhaps we should stop injuring ourselves and start striving to be the best, not simply mediocre.

I love this country, and I think we as people need to start fighting for it.

US House budget plans would jeopardize scientific research facilities

Heart Disease for Astronauts?

According to animal studies, radiation equivalent to the cosmic rays that astronauts will encounter on long space journeys toward toward the moon, mars, or beyond, can cause the development of atherosclerosis.

Astronauts with bad tickers?  We don't want that.

Deep-space travel could create heart woes for astronauts  

Prevent Breast Cancer?

Maybe not the initial diagnosis, but by maintaining a healthy weight, the chance of breast cancer reoccurrence may be reduced.

You can read about it in the examiner.com article: Eat Well, Stay Lean, Prevent Breast Cancer Reoccurrence

Non-traditional Learning Practices Need Better Definitions? I think they Missed the Point.

This title just made me laugh, Non-traditional learning environments need clearer definitions, MU researchers say.  I'm sure there is some reason for this, but in my mind, throwing a fit on how something is defined is kind of silly.  Throwing a fit about how something that is considered non-traditional or unorthodox kind of deafeats the purpose of something that is non-traditional or unorthodox.

Seriously if students have a hard time understanding these learning practices that are mentioned in the article, maybe they shouldn't be students.