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We're still working on a Michigan meetup to celebrate our millionth comment. Ed Brayton, who has to trek over from the west side of the state, has suggested a more central location (not unlike early Michiganders). Rather than SE Mich, there is some interest in Lansing or East Lansing. If forced…
The Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) confirmed yesterday that it has referred evidence related to the Crandall Canyon disaster to a federal district attorney for a possible criminal investigation. Murray Energy was assessed a $1.34 million civil penalty on…
by revere, cross-posted at Effect Measure
McCain wants to go full speed ahead for nuclear power (that's a maverick's way of dealing with climate change?) and Obama seems to feel friendly to it, too, as long as the waste disposal issue can be solved, satisfactorily (which it doesn't seem it can be,…
So the alties hate real medicine. They come over here and bemoan modern medicine's failure to address behavioral changes that affect health, such as diet and exercise.
Then I write a long post about internists' duties viz public health and health behaviors, and the gun nuts think I want to disarm…
On Friday, August 29, Carolyn Merritt, 61, the former chair of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (2002-2007) passed away after a valiant battle against metastic breast cancer. Advocates for workers' safety will remember Ms. Merritt as an outspoken…
No, this isn't some post-modernist rant on the inherent non-objectivity of science. On the contrary---this is a much simpler, grittier point, that science actually is the most accurate way of describing reality, and because of this, politics (the job of manipulating and controlling group's social…
Last month, Congress passed and the President signed major legislation strengthening the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Washington Postâs Annys Shin described it this way:
The measure ⦠represents the most significant expansion of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) since it was…
(HT to Nisbet...really)
With the "choice" of Governor Palin as the vice presidential candidate, the GOP must now face up to questions about the teaching of creation myths is public school science classes. The new talking point? "It's a local issue." Science is local?
Lucky for the GOP, Governor…
Welcome to the new look Genetic Future, now hosted on ScienceBlogs.
In around five years, a complete genome sequence will be readily affordable for most citizens of wealthy industrialised nations - even those of us on a researcher's salary. At the same time we will have access to vast amounts of…
Dr. Signout, over at, well, Signout, wrote an interesting piece the other day. It's a piece that everyone should read and think about while they can, because you never know when you may need to think about this.
One of the most dramatic procedures in any hospital is the CPR, also known as a "code…
Bloggers give us the dirt on the VP picks announced this week. Thereâs already info on McCainâs running mate, Sarah Palin:
Gristmill gives us a snapshot of Palinâs record on energy and environmental issues, and compiles statements from and about her on these topics.
Keith Johnson at Environmental…
So, McCain's picked a running mate. We don't know much about her, but she has advocated "teaching the controversy" when it comes to Creationism. I'm sure her views will become more clear over the next several weeks, and we'll let them speak for themselves. I'm simply interested in the idea of "…
Last year's flu season was bad. Hopefully this year's will be better (for us, not for the virus). The CDC is changing the recommendations a bit to improve the population's coverage, and I'm hoping I won't be quite as busy this winter.
Last year, I provided you with weekly flu activity updates…
by revere, cross-posted at Effect Measure
IÂ used to joke that the only plan the Bush administration had for dealing with air pollution was to put all the free radicals in jail. If you don't know what a free radical is, it is a highly reactive form of a chemical, usually involving an unpaired…
Perhaps I have delusions of grandeur, but after all, this is the (checking) 15th ranked science blog on teh intertubes. But despite my high profile, I've heard no responses to my challenge to the Creationism Cults.
Creation "science" to this point has been based on bizarre teleologic arguments…
It's no secret that I have no respect for Joe Mercola. Every time I read one of his promotional emails or make a visit to his website, I see more fantastic claims. Usually, I don't see blatant lies...until now...
This guy likes to claim that he's in the woo-peddling business to help people...it's…
Well, here at ScienceBlogs, we're heading for another milestone. Sometime in the next few weeks, we will have our millionth comment. If the past is any guide, there will be some celebratory swag, and hopefully, mini-meet-ups. We may have a little Michigan gathering of sciblings, readers, and…
Will someone just go and put up a sign "Proudly Screwing Workers: 2,827 Straight Days" on the Labor Department building?Â
Late yesterday I learned that Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Asst. Secretary Leon Sequeira and her other political minions sent a proposed rule to…
First, as most ScienceBlogs readers know, Carl Zimmer of "The Loom" has moved over to Discover's blogs. He's a terrific science writer and you must change your feed, if you haven't yet. Now, the Deep Sea News folks have some breaking news.
As for "welcomes", Blake Stacey, of Science after…
Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that as many as 300,000 combat veterans have suffered at least one concussion, according to Pentagon estimates. Victims of these injuries can suffer a range of symptoms, from dizziness and persistent headaches to hearing problems and memory loss.…
by Tom Bethell
(Posted with permission from The Mountain Eagle, Whitesburg, KY)
Just when you think youâve seen it all, somebody in the Bush administration comes up with another way to compromise somebody elseâs rights. The latest example is Richard Stickler, director of the Mine Safety and Health…
Hmph!  I just read on the OMB/OIRA website that they have completed their review of Labor Secretary Chao's proposal to change the way that OSHA and MSHA assess workers' risk of health hazards. The OIRA website notice says their review was completed on August 25, and…
It looks like California is once again picking up the slack for a federal agencies failing in their regulatory responsibilities. In this case, theyâre addressing the issue of chemicals in consumer products, as a step toward a broader âGreen Chemistry Initiative,â which is âaimed at promoting…
On Saturday afternoon, I sat at my computer screen and watched Barack Obama announce Senator Joe Biden as his running mate. I think it's a good pick for a multitude of reasons---some personal, some political and some practical. When Biden spoke on Saturday, I found…
Imagine being an MSHA inspector and being asked by independent investigators for your honest and frank opinion about the events surrounding the August 2007 disaster at the Crandall Canyon mine, which took the lives of nine men. You decide to participate because you genuinely …
Dear Jenny,
Thank you! Thankyouthankyou thank YOU!
You see, my medical education had a few gaps. I was unfortunate enough to do my training during the last couple of decades, which means I never saw measles, pertussis, polio, and many other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Well, last year, I saw…
A number of us in the blogosphere have been outraged by Bush's Department of Health and Human Services' desire to put the arbitrary wants of doctors before the needs of patients. At first it was just a draft proposal, but now Mike Leavitt is pushing to implement the changes. Soon, it may be…
I'm a little down today. I've told you before that I take care of my own patients in hospice. I've also told you about watching patients and friends lose their battles with disease.
This week I had serious talks with several people about end-of-life issues (the details of which I can't really…
With the presidential contest heating up, bloggersâ thoughts turn to U.S. healthcare reform:
Lisa Codispoti at Womenstake presents the numbers that show just how bad conditions are now.
Brian Klepper at Health Care Policy and Marketplace Review explains the crucial element of healthcare reform…