December 7, 2011
Trying to decide on a college major? Want a job upon graduation? Become an astronomer! It's one of 5 majors found to have zero unemployment. The worst unemployment rate for college grads? U.S. History.
October 17, 2011
Shallow, materialistic people fare badly in marriages. Shocking news.
September 13, 2011
Insulin spray may help ward off Alzheimer's. In a small study, researchers found that the spray improved brain function in as much as three-fourths of the study's participants.
Researchers are being cautious, however. Many small studies go on to fail when tried on a larger group.
September 9, 2011
FERAL HOGS ARE A HUGE PROBLEM. In Tennessee. These wild beasts are causing at least $1.5 billion in damages a year to property, wildlife, and one sportsplex in Florence, Tenn. They're rude, destructive and reproduce prolifically. But as one hunter said of the big pigs: "They are really good to eat. I mean really, really good to eat."
September 8, 2011
Scaring the hell out of us. That's what headlines like this could do for pregnant women. The study says that taking any form of NSAID (Advil, etc.) increases risk of miscarriage by almost 200%.
The best thing about this article is it points out the study's limitations: it only counted women taking PRESCRIPTION NSAIDs; the miscarriage group had higher other factors, like illness and poverty.
At the end, the study's authors recommend other painkillers, like acetaminophen. While surfing around trying to determine the safety of acetaminophen, I came across this 2009 report on how the FDA mandated lowering dosages of the drug. I like the last line where a doctor, talking about combining acetaminophen with addicting drugs like oxycodone, said "It's like putting poison in a candy."
September 7, 2011
Phthalates might be making our kids dumber. This study says that exposure to these chemicals by pregnant moms increases risks to their babies' brains and bodies.
And where are these dangerous chemicals? In many things includiing car interiors, floor tiles, raincoats, nail polish and other cosmetics, synthetic leathers, and food packaging. The seven-year study found that, among other things, exposure can increase whining in boys. And who needs that?
The American Chemistry Council disputes the findings. Of course. The study's author said just because other factors may contribute to kids' development problems is no reason to leave out the danger posed by those chemicals. Right....
