AddictiveTips sources this leak from a supposed Apple informant, which goes into detail AT&T using iOS 4 to prevent users from unlocking their phones, lest they be completely locked out. We're not sure if it's legit, but it is interesting. More »
Apple - Shopping - Consumer Electronics - Communications - Operating Systems
I love this: The contact lens mouse:
Via Yanko Design:
This one’s kinda hard to swallow so take a deep breath, open your minds, and pretend it’s 2100. I CONTACT is essentially a mouse fitted to your eyeball. The lens is inserted like any other normal contact lens except it’s laced with sensors to track eye movement, relaying that position to a receiver connected to your computer. Theoretically that should give you full control over a mouse cursor. I’d imagine holding a blink correlates to mouse clicks.
The idea was originally created for people with disabilities but anyone could use it. Those of us too lazy to use a mouse now have a free hand to do whatever it is people do when they sit at the computer for endless hours. I love the idea but there is a caveat. How is the lens powered? Perhaps in the future, electrical power can be harnessed from the human body, just not in a Matrix creepy-like way.
Noting the tenth anniversary of the reading of the human genome, The Economist issues a call to action, but not without warning:
Humanity’s foibles will be laid bare. The species’s history, from its tentative beginning in north-east Africa to its current imperial dominion, has already been revealed, just through being able to read the genome. It is now possible, too, to compare Homo sapiens with his closest relative—not the living chimpanzee, with whom he parted company perhaps 5m years ago, but the extinct Neanderthal, a true human. That will do what philosophers have dreamed of, but none has yet accomplished: show just what it is that makes Homo sapiens unique. The genome will answer, too, the age-old question of original sin. By showing what is nature, it will reveal what is nurture—and thus just how flexible and perfectible the human animal really is.
...
Genomics may reveal that humans really are brothers and sisters under the skin. The species is young, so there has been little time for differences to evolve. Politically, that would be good news. It may turn out, however, that some differences both between and within groups are quite marked. If those differences are in sensitive traits like personality or intelligence, real trouble could ensue.People must be prepared for this possibility, and ready to resist the excesses of racialism, nationalism and eugenics that some are bound to propose in response. That will not be easy. The liberal answer is to respect people as individuals, regardless of the genetic hand that they have been dealt. Genetic knowledge, however awkward, does not change that.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is a professional organization of stem cell researchers. I am happy to see that they see it as their responsibility to respond to the growth of dubious stem cell clinics offering unproven treatments to desperate patients.
In a recently published handbook for patients, they write:
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is very concerned that stem cell therapies are being sold around the world before they have been proven safe and effective.
Stem cell therapies are nearly all new and experimental. In these early stages, they may not work, and there may be downsides. Make sure you understand what to look out for before considering a stem cell therapy.
Remember, most medical discoveries are based on years of research performed at universities and companies. There is a long process that shows first in laboratory studies and then in clinical research that something is safe and will work. Like a new drug, stem cell therapies must be assessed and meet certain standards before receiving approval from national regulatory bodies to be used to treat people.
This is good advice for any new treatment.
The problem with dubious stem cell clinics has been growing in recent years. In China, Mexico, India and elsewhere clinics promise “cutting edge” stem cell transplants for a long list of fatal or incurable diseases, like ALS, spinal cord injury, or stroke. They seem to be deliberately targeting affluent Westerners – although many of their victims have to raise money or mortgage their house to pay for the travel and cost of the treatment. The cost is often in the 10s of thousands of dollars, at time more than 100k dollars.
Such clinics typically advertise for customers over the internet. A survey of such sites indicates that most present their stem cell treatments not as experimental, but as “routine.” They offer testimonials to support their treatments, rather than published research.
These clinics are not doing proper science – publishing rigorous research and treating patients only with proper experimental protocols and informed consent. They are exploiting the public’s interest in a potential future therapy to prey on the desperate.
Such clinics are allowed to practice because of lax regulations in the countries in which they reside. Because of some bad press, Costa Rica, India and other countries are starting to take a look at such clinics – but official efforts to regulate them has been half-hearted at best.
It is therefore most welcome that professional and research organizations are seeing it as part of their mission to educate the public and directly address the misleading claims of snake oil peddlers. We need much more of this. Engaging with the public about misinformation and especially dubious health claims and products should be considered a core mission of medical professional societies.
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International Stem Cell Corporation (OTCBB:ISCO), http://www.intlstemcell.com, a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic and research products, announced today that Charles J. Casamento was elected to the Board of Directors, on June 21, 2010.
Mr. Casamento is currently Executive Director and Principal of The Sage Group, a healthcare advisory group specializing in mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships between biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical companies. During his career, Mr. Casamento has served as a director on the boards of eight public biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies. He was the president and CEO of Osteologix, Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company developing products for treating osteoporosis, from 2004 through 2007. From 1999 through 2004, he served as chairman of the board, president and CEO of Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Mr. Casamento formerly served as RiboGene, Inc.'s president, CEO and chairman of the board from 1993 through 1999 until it merged with Cypros to form Questcor. He was co-founder, president and CEO of Interneuron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Indevus), a biopharmaceutical company, from 1989 until 1993. Mr. Casamento has also held senior management positions at Genzyme Corporation, where he was senior vice president, pharmaceuticals and biochemicals; American Hospital Supply, where he was vice president of business development and strategic planning for the Critical Care Division; Johnson & Johnson, Hoffmann-LaRoche, Inc. and Sandoz Inc. Mr. Casamento also serves on the Boards of Directors of CORTEX Pharmaceuticals, SuperGen, Inc. and VIVUS, Inc. He holds a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from Fordham University and an M.B.A. from Iona College and was originally licensed to practice pharmacy in the states of New York and New Jersey.
'Mr. Casamento is a vital addition to our Board and brings to International Stem Cell Corporation expertise in areas that will help guide our company through growth, including corporate governance, business development, strategic planning, financing, mergers and acquisitions, product development, clinical trials and corporate and research and development collaboration activities,' said Kenneth Aldrich, Chairman.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL STEM CELL CORPORATION (ISCO.OB):
International Stem Cell Corporation is a California-based biotechnology company focused on therapeutic and research products. ISCO's core technology, parthenogenesis, results in creation of pluripotent human stem cells from unfertilized oocytes (eggs). hpSCs avoid ethical issues associated with the use or destruction of viable human embryos. ISCO scientists have created the first parthenogenic, homozygous stem cell line that can be a source of therapeutic cells with minimal immune rejection after transplantation into hundreds of millions of individuals of differing sexes, ages and racial groups. This offers the potential to create the first true stem cell bank, UniStemCell(TM), while avoiding the ethical issue of using fertilized eggs. ISCO also produces and markets specialized cells and growth media for therapeutic research worldwide through its subsidiary Lifeline Cell Technology. More information is available at ISCO's website, http://www.internationalstemcell.com.
To subscribe to receive ongoing corporate communications please click on the following link: http://www.b2i.us/irpass.asp?BzID=1468&to=ea&s=0.
FORWARD-LOOKING
Statements pertaining to anticipated technological developments and therapeutic applications, and other opportunities for the company and its subsidiary, along with other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management constitute forward-looking statements. Any statements that are not historical fact (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as 'will,' 'believes,' 'plans,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'estimates') should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of potential products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, need and ability to obtain future capital, application of capital resources among competing uses, and maintenance of intellectual property rights. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and as such should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the company's business, particularly those mentioned in the cautionary statements found in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Key Words: Stem Cells, Biotechnology, Parthenogenesis
International Stem Cell Corporation
Kenneth C. Aldrich, Chairman
760-940-6383
kaldrich@intlstemcell.com
or
Brian Lundstrom, President
760-640-6383
bl@intlstemcell.com
Head-lice infestation is prevalent worldwide, especially in children 3 to 11 years old.
Topical insecticides (i.e., pyrethroids and malathion) used as a lotion, applied twice at an interval of 7 to 11 days, are typically used for treatment. Resistance of lice to insecticides, particularly pyrethroids, results in treatment failure.
For difficult-to-treat head-lice infestation, oral ivermectin, given twice at a 7-day interval, had superior efficacy as compared with topical 0.5% malathion lotion, a finding that suggests that it could be an alternative treatment.
References:
Oral Ivermectin versus Malathion Lotion for Difficult-to-Treat Head Lice. NEJM, 2010.
Posted at Clinical Cases and Images. Stay updated and subscribe, follow us on Twitter and connect on Facebook.
Super Sexy CPR from Super Sexy CPR on Vimeo.
“Now that we’ve got you interested in learning CPR and the abdominal thrust, go get properly certified by taking a class through one of the many certifying authorities in your local area.”
Certainly one of the best instructional videos on CPR I’ve seen to date. Not only is it attention grabbing, but it’s also well designed. If only more instructional videos were as captivating…
[spotted by Justin]
Eboo Patel with a tribute to Wayne Teasdale and those little bit crazy mentors who bring out the best in us.
. . . remember to thank the water.
. . . some people don't have pure water . . .
Freedom House today condemned ongoing efforts by the Venezuelan government to bring criminal charges against the owners of Globovision,
From Ynet (Israel News), June 22:
Geert Wilders, who leads the right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) in Holland, said last week he believes Jordan should be renamed Palestine. The Jordanian government responded by saying Wilders' speech was reminiscent of the Israeli right wing.
"Jordan is Palestine," said Wilders, who heads the third-largest party in Holland. "Changing its name to Palestine will end the conflict in the Middle East and provide the Palestinians with an alternate homeland."
Wilders friend and ally in the U.S. Ayn Randist Pamela Geller of Atlas Shrugs adds:
88% of Palestine that the Palestinian Muslims crow over -- is in Jordan... of course Wilders is historically correct. Yaser Arafat and his Jew-hating armies created this Muslim narrative of deception of "Palestine," and their lies became the accepted, twisted narrative of modern history, thanks to a corrupt and incompetent media.
From Eric Dondero:
Adrian Galysh won the Libertarian Primary for State Senate on June 8th. He has since launched an agressive campaign district-wide.
From a Galysh release:
Galysh's strong campaign brought the musician's message of government spending cuts, lower taxes, and school choice to groups including the Los Angeles Urban League of Students Candidate Forum at USC, San Fernando Valley Tea Party Patriots "Candidate Sampler", Thousand Oaks Glenn Beck 9-12 book club, LA JEMM Medical Marijuana Awareness Festival, and UCLA's Young Americans For Liberty.
An active and enterprising musician, Galysh has been hitting the pavement and reaching out to the San Fernando Valley neighborhoods through events like the perennially popular St. Nicholas Greek Festival in Northridge, San Fernando Valley Pet Care day at Woodley Park, and the San Fernando Valley Fair.
Galysh is challenging incumbent State Sen. Alex Padilla, a liberal Democrat, and former staffer to US Senator Dianne Feinstein.
Galysh's is a Prog Rocker. His specific musical style has been called "Art Guitar." (See a video of one of his live performances here.)
Libertarian Republican contributor and a former southern California lead singer for a '90's punk band Michael W. Dean commented on Galysh's candidacy:
Winning a libertarian primary is easy. Tell that boy to run as a Republican!
From Eric Dondero:
The liberal media is aghast. Republican candidate for US Senate Rand Paul is actually opposed to mandatory seat belt laws. And he's against smoking bans too!
From the Louisville Courier-Journal, Sunday (via The Hill), "Report: Rand Paul supported healthcare bartering"):
Paul has condemned Medicare as ‘socialism;’ denounced seat-belt and anti-smoking laws as ‘Nanny-state’ paternalism; called for voluntary, rather than mandatory, accommodation of people with disabilities; and suggested using satellites to monitor America's borders for illegal immigrants.
Kentuckians may like their fast cars and smokes more than the liberal Nanny-Staters realize. The elites in D.C. (and Louisville!) could very well get a rude awakening come November.
LR FOLLOW-UP
From Eric Dondero:
We reported weeks ago, on Republican State Representative Tom Trail who was pushing legislation in the Idaho House to legalize medicinal marijuana. Now Trail is brining the issue up to Idaho Republican Convention delegates.
From The Times-News MagicValley.com, June 19:
Rep. Tom Trail, R-Moscow, has been working on the issue for about two years and plans to introduce legislation in the 2011 session. Before that happens, he’ll be able to gauge what other Idaho Republicans think of the idea at the party’s convention next week in Idaho Falls, when he floats a proposed resolution to delegates.
Fifteen states, including Montana, Washington, Oregon and Nevada, have laws allowing medical marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Meanwhile, one Idaho town is taking a "Sarah Palin-type" approach to the issue. (Last week Palin commented on Fox Business News that busting private Marijuana smokers should be local law enforcements "lowest priority.")
In Blaine County, there’s an openness toward medical marijuana. Hailey Mayor Rick Davis has said efforts to curb marijuana use on private property will be the local police force’s lowest priority.
Davis’ announcement came after residents passed pro-marijuana initiatives: One to allow medical marijuana, another to legalize industrial hemp and a third to make enforcement of anti-pot laws the lowest priority for Hailey police.
Davis told the Hailey City Council the decision to make pot smoking on private property the lowest police priority wasn’t easy, but it represents something that “works for those on both sides of this issue.”
Note to our Readers - if you live in Idaho and you are up on ID politics, we need to talk to you. Please contact us (contact page).
From Cliff Thies:
In Chester County, South Carolina, a beer truck overturned and eight hundred thousand ounces of beer in bottles was lost. In spite of the efforts of state road crews, state and local police, and the local fire and rescue squad, not one bottle of the precious fluid was recovered. Only later did it occur to anybody, where was the President during this tragedy???
From the Herald-Tribune June 19:
RICHBURG -- The beer truck driver escaped unscathed.
The beer wasn't so lucky. The beer died. In a trickle, into red-clay dirt.
American Ale and Bud Light, thousands of dark brown bottles. Destroyed late Thursday when a 53-foot tractor-trailer fell on its side on Interstate 77 southbound in rural Chester County, in the construction zone where bridge repairs are being done.
Yes, some people will blame this beer spill on corporate greed or on the deregulation of the trucking industry. Others will point to crony capitalism and an all too unseemly relationship between the giant multinational beer corporations and the administration. But, the one thing that's for sure is blaming it on Bush is no longer resonating with the public.
Somewhere, someone is probably right now slurping down a tall one, taking it for granted, not knowing what's really at stake in the upcoming election. Come on, America, it's time to wake up! Do you want to see your Constitutional rights disappear like so many ounces of beer into the red clay along I-77? Or, are you going to protect your Constitutional rights they way you protect your very own supply of beer on the way to a tailgate party?
Photo not of actual truck.
Tuesday night's topic involves both the right to privacy and free speech, both at odds. Police have been arresting people that video tape them, citing right to privacy issues. The problem is that police have video cameras in cars and these same police have allowed themselves to be videotaped when there is a positive spin to it, but suddenly it's wrong when they are caught doing something that could get them in trouble. Read the article at my blog here.
Hosts Jim Lagnese and Andre Traversa
Guests; Carlos Miller is a Florida Attorney, specializing in civil liberties issues. Carlos Miller has an award-winning blog "Photography is not a Crime" (CarlosMiller.com).
The show date: Tuesday June 22 (also you can listen after show on podcast)
The show time: 8-9pm CST Live stream at Libertarian Politics Live
Call in at 646-915-9887
Thank you for reading this blog.
Indiana's Mitch Daniels also in mind
From Eric Dondero:
Interesting article from the Daily Caller, "Ron Paul says GOP will be more open to libertarian-minded nominee in 2012." Paul demures when asked if he'd run. But makes some news with a plug for Gary Johnson.
Asked to name other potential presidential candidates he could support, Paul replied, “I guess the best one would be Johnson from New Mexico — Gary Johnson.”
Johnson, an ultra-marathon runner who was governor from 1995 to 2003 and endorsed Paul in 2008, is beloved by libertarians for his many vetoes and privatizations while in office, and for championing school choice and drug decriminalization.
The article also cites "Paul’s son Rand Paul in Kentucky and Sharron Angle in Nevada" as the top "libertarian-Republican" candidates for 2010.
But it's in the following paragraphs, quoting of Cato Institute Vice-President David Boaz, that might be the most newsworthy. Boaz, normally a cynic of libertarian efforts in the GOP, goes out of his way to highlight New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels.
The Big Man most able to attract "libertarian" support
From the Daily Caller, June 22:
David Boaz, the executive vice president of the libertarian Cato Institute, said that while he thinks the 2010 elections will sweep in some more libertarian-minded Republicans in Congress and the governor’s mansions, he’s less optimistic about such a candidate being nominated by Republicans in 2012.
“You can’t nominate just anybody, you have to nominate somebody,” Boaz said. “And plausible libertarian-minded candidates are hard to find. Ron Paul may make some noise, and may run, but House members don’t get nominated for president. Gary Johnson has a great libertarian record, but he doesn’t yet have much national recognition.”
Boaz did say that “a governor with a good record, like Mitch Daniels or Chris Christie, might be a candidate who could attract support from conservatives, libertarians, and independents,” if they could get around Romney.
A sign perhaps, that "culturally liberal" and stridently leftwing/non-interventionist on foreign policy Cato, is tiring of Obama-ism, and might be opening up to a more right-leaning libertarian approach?
Sharron Angle, and Tea Party now represent Mainstream Values
From Eric Dondero:
Wayne Root, Libertarian National Committee member, contributor to Libertarian Republican, and self-described "Reagan Libertarian," had an editorial published in the Las Vegas Sun-Review on Sunday: "Is [Sharron] Angle's 'radical' streak the new mainstream?" Root runs down a laundry list of incumbents losing across the U.S. losing to Tea Party-backed opponents. He offers praise to Republican candidate for South Carolina Governor and radical reformer libertarian Nikki Haley, who he notes was a "politically unknown female candidate endorsed by Sarah Palin."
He then offers praise for fellow Nevadan and GOP nominee for US Senate Sharron Angle:
In Angle’s case, the Tea Party movement gets 100 percent of the credit. Angle was languishing in single digits, in third place, until she received the endorsement of the Tea Party Express and The Club for Growth...
Sharron Angle is a true fiscal conservative, limited government, anti-tax, Tea Party candidate.
The Wall Street Journal just days ago described her views as “outside the mainstream.” Well I have news for The Wall Street Journal — radical is the new mainstream. The Journal described her radical positions in the past as “abolishing the federal tax code, privatizing Social Security for younger Americans, and eliminating the Education Department.” I have a funny feeling the mainstream media just doesn’t get it — yes, those views used to be out of the mainstream. But not this year, not when you’re running against the U.S. Senate majority leader who carries the water for the most socialist president in American political history.
Root goes on to declare:
Conservative and libertarian philosophy is back in vogue; “traditional,” “establishment” and “mainstream” are dirty words; and radical is the new mainstream.
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