Category: Uncategorized

More on Brain Death and Persistent Vegetative State/Coma

Follow up on the short discussion of the Jahi case and the longer one on Terri Schiavo.
Guidance for Neurologists on how to determine brain death
http://surgery.med.miami.edu/laora/clinical-operations/brain-death-diagnosis
Discussion from the National Inst of Neurological Disorders on characteristics of Coma and Persistent Vegetative State (PVS).
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/coma/coma.htm

This'll Make Your Day–Poverty is Down

Julian Simon predicted it, the success of the Human Race because of inventiveness, creativity, and energy.
Sit down, smoke a cigar, have a drink and consider this.
http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/12/chart-of-the-greatest-and-most-remarkable-achievement-in-human-history-and-one-you-probably-never-heard-about/

WHO is Apolitical–Really?

Tibet is a 1984 non entity.
Hard to get attention or status when you are diminished as an entity and persecuted by a huge commie country that sits on the Security Council.
The Dalai Lama, remember him? Religious and political iconic figure, thought by Tibetans to be a deity. Not so the Chinese.
So here is an example of why I don’t trust the World Health Organization, or any UN entity involved in politically charged issues.
The UN is a debating society dominated by tyrannies. Ok? Got it??
Continue reading WHO is Apolitical–Really?

Let's Hear it for Osteopathy

I have been hard on Naturopathy and Chiropracty because they cross my science line. Not so with Osteopathy, which has become mainstream and committed to scientific medicine and medical care.
Osteopathy is evidence based medicine with some osteopathic therapies (mostly manipulation) included.
Anyone with sense can see the advantages of manipulative therapy properly applied. It’s like sophisticated massage/physical therapy.
Many months ago I developed some back problems from some work I had to do and benefited from some manipulative osteo therapies from a colleague.
I know, that’s an anecdote–so???? Osteopaths started in a place where they were sorta close to chiropracters, who have no scientific theories of any substance or repute.
Osteopathic medical schools are underfunded and on a shoestring, so also with their clinical and post graduate training programs, but I find that they work hard to close the gap on quality medicine and are serious contributors to good medical care. No substitute for hard work and virtue.
http://www.theunion.com/news/9548193-113/osteopathic-body-medicine-approach

Fulks Sends Out a Cold Warning for the Upper Midwest

Gordon Fulks, physicist, U of Chicago, now in Oregon, keeps me posted.
This news is serious.
From the National Weather Service:
Bitter Cold Temperatures Remain in the Central U.S.
“Temperatures across the central U.S. will continue to be 10-30 degrees below normal as an arctic airmass remains in place. Gusty winds in this region will contribute to extremely cold wind chills, especially in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota where Wind Chill Advisories are in effect.”
From a low this morning of – 37 F, conditions at International Falls, Minnesota have warmed to -8 F this afternoon. But more bitter cold is on the way:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=48.6023149&lon=-93.40406789999997&site=all&smap=1&searchresult=International%20Falls%2C%20MN%2C%20USA#.UsHug_slja8
Wind Chill Warning
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN
306 PM CST MON DEC 30 2013
…DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES EXPECTED TONIGHT…
.ANOTHER PUSH OF ARCTIC AIR WILL ARRIVE TONIGHT AND COMBINE WITH
LIGHT WINDS TO PRODUCE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND CHILL VALUES ACROSS
THE ENTIRE REGION. TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS IF VENTURING OUT
TONIGHT OR TUESDAY MORNING.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DULUTH HAS ISSUED A WIND CHILL
WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
TUESDAY.
* WIND CHILL VALUES…35 TO 45 BELOW ZERO EXPECTED ACROSS
NORTHEAST MINNESOTA AND INTO DOUGLAS COUNTY IN EXTREME NORTHWEST
WISCONSIN. WIND CHILL VALUES AS LOW AS 50 BELOW ARE POSSIBLE
FROM INTERNATIONAL FALLS TO THE IRON RANGE AND INLAND AREAS OF
THE ARROWHEAD.
* IMPACTS…EXPOSED FLESH COULD FREEZE IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
Woops, wish we had some warming.

Wanna Know Why I Consider Public Health People Creepy?

Just read this smarmy and self congratulatory piece by some Public Health public relations shill.
After reading it, ask yourself the question–is this author a legitimate representative of the American Healthcare system or a visitor from Mars?
http://blogs.plos.org/publichealth/2013/12/30/the-biggest-public-health-stories-of-2013/