I’ve been hearing for some time that our building codes get in the way of energy efficiencies. Black water pipes on roofs in Florida is one example where we wouldn’t have to use as much energy for water heaters. An article in the Times (White Roofs Catch On as Energy Cost Cutters) reports on increasing [...]
Continue reading about Rethinking Energy and Building Efficiencies
Last night I saw the visually striking film Manufactured Landscapes. The film’s depiction of the extent of global pollution definitely gave pause.
USA Today (U.S. making doubly sure Census isn’t overcounted) reports on known U.S. Census data collection errors. Reliant on forms (change of address) and identity verification (birth certificates, social security numbers), the Census is sure to miss more of those without a paper trail.
My mouth is watering at the prospect of government restrictions on the use of antibiotics in animals used for public consumption. Reported in the Times (Administration Seeks to Restrict Antibiotics in Livestock), this restriction pits the American Medical Association at al. against the National Pork Producers Council and other farming groups.
Continue reading about Some Meat to go with Your Antibiotics
The Post (New Index Will Score Graduate Students’ Personality Traits) reports on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) creation of a Personal Potential Index because recommendation letters are apparently too cumbersome to request and expect people to read. One wonders if the great minds of the world would all score a 5.
Continue reading about People Say You’ve Got Skills; Now You’ve Got an Official Score!
Today’s Post (In Retooled Health-Care System, Who Will Say No?) discusses who may ultimately absorb the risks for health care after the low-hanging fruit of waste is trimmed.
Continue reading about Comparative Effectiveness at the Margin
The Post (HIV Positive..So Why Don’t They Get AIDS?) provides some excellent information on HIV/AIDS and investigations into single nucleotide polymorphisms. From the article: Since HIV was identified in 1981, AIDS has claimed more than 25 million lives, and today some 33 million people worldwide are infected with HIV.
Continue reading about HIV/AIDS and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
The Post reports (Same-sex unions a challenge for Census) the U.S. Census “has said that the 2010 Census will report the number of married same-sex couples for the first time.” Among the challenges cited, and this is why I always say numbers are inherently political, is “The federal marriage act may not apply to the Census [...]
Continue reading about Inclusive Census Category for Same-sex Married Couples
NPR presents the Top 10 Reasons Why The BMI Is Bogus. # 5 questions the utility of applying the “average” person standard to individuals–the ecologic fallacy.
The Post reports (India gay ruling boosts AIDS fight but stigma lingers) India has an additional means to address its HIV rate (which is “at least 2.5 million HIV infected people”) now that the Delhi High Court has decriminalize gay sex. Community outreach workers and clinicians will Indiacertainly be better able to address modes of [...]