Some articles I want to discuss...

...but just haven't had the time to do more extensive write-ups. So, a mini carnival of good stuff:

First, as other Sciencebloggers have noted, Seed is sponsoring a writing contest. $1000 dollar top prize and publication in Seed to the winner.

Cervantes at Stayin' Alive writes about the cost of pandemic preparedness--you might be surprised that it's, well, nothing so far. You get what you pay for?

Joseph has a post on Ebola examining the claims made by Eric Pianka that have received so much attention lately.

Some Ohio infectious disease news: tuberculosis found in illegally-transported hogs, and a four-fold jump in deaths from Clostridium difficile from 2000-2005.

The prospect of a T cell vaccine for multiple sclerosis.

A Seed article on phage therapy.

Mike on RNA and parasitic viruses.

So much interesting stuff, so little time...

More like this

Don't believe in evolution? Just look to the weeds in the sidewalk:
The seed is starting to take shape as the site and symbol of freedom in the age of manipulation and monopoly of life. The seed is not big and powerful, but can become alive as a sign of resistance and creativity in th smallest of huts or gardens and the poorest of families.