Mike the Mad Biologist
Archives for April, 2009
Some Thursday Links
Posted by Mike on April 30, 2009 Merry Thursday! Here are some links for you. Science:
Tamiflu, Influenza, and Resistance…
Posted by Mike on April 30, 2009 …Oh my? The CDC is being very smart about this issue. As long time readers of this blog will know, the Mad Biologist is very concerned about the evolution of resistance to antibacterials (antibiotics) and antivirals. One such antiviral is Tamiflu which is used to treat influenza infections.
More Swine Flu/Homeopathy Snark
Posted by Mike on April 29, 2009 Courtesy of Skepchick:
Swine Flu: Maybe We’ll Take Seasonal Influenza Seriously
Posted by Mike on April 29, 2009 Probably not. I have no idea how serious this swine flu outbreak will be. As I noted yesterday, it could evolve to cause less severe symptoms or more severe symptoms–right now, nobody knows for certain. But I find the possible overreaction by the public to be disturbing (I think the public health system has adopted…
Quote of the Day
Posted by Mike on April 28, 2009 Surly Amy mixes swine flu and homeopathy:
Nonoptimal Virulence and Avian Influenza
Posted by Mike on April 28, 2009 Since TEH SWINE FLU!!!11!!! is a hot topic, I thought this post about how infections could evolve increased virulence after switching animal hosts was relevant. From the Murky Depths of the Mad Biologist’s Archives: There’s no reason to think that an epidemic influenza strain won’t become more deadly….
Senator Collins Opposed Pandemic Flu Spending
Posted by Mike on April 27, 2009 Republican Senator Susan Collins went along with Karl Rove and cut or eliminated funding from the stimulus package for pandemic influenza spending. While Democratic Congressman Obey was able to restore $50 million for infection reporting, all state and local funding was eliminated. Nicely done, ‘moderate’ Senator Collins (italics mine):
More on Fake HuffPo Pseudo-Experts
Posted by Mike on April 27, 2009 ScienceBlogling PalMD does a good job of eviscerating the false claims of expertise by woo practioner ‘Dr.’ Patricia Fitzgerald and the rest of the witch doctors over at The Huffington Post, so I thankfully don’t have to (so many fucking morons, so little Mad Biologist…). But PalMD neglected to mention one thing about ‘Dr.’ Patricia…
David Broder Defines the Banality of Evil
Posted by Mike on April 26, 2009 (from here) And I don’t mean that in a good way. Washington Post columnist and Compulsive Centrist Disorder sufferer, regarding prosecutions for torture, scribbles:
Some Saturday Links
Posted by Mike on April 25, 2009 Happy Saturday. Here are some links. Science: