Yearly Archives: 2013

US issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

"Amalgam dental fillings – which contain the highly toxic metal mercury – pose a health risk, the world's top medical regulatory agency has conceded. After years of insisting the fillings are safe, the US government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health warning about them. It represents a landmark victory for campaigners, who say the fillings are responsible for a range of ailments, including heart conditions and Alzheimer's disease. The FDA is now reviewing its rules and may end up restricting or banning the use of the metal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

U.S. sends anti-missile destroyer near North Korean coast

"The USS Fitzgerald, which had sailed to South Korea as part of recent exercises, has been sent off the southwestern coast of the Korean peninsula instead of returning to its home port in Japan, a US defense official said. Pyongyang in February tested a nuclear bomb and has declared itself to be at a state of war with US-allied South Korea. The United States previously took the unprecedented step of announcing test bombing by nuclear-capable state-of-the-art B-2 bombers. It has also deployed F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to South Korea as part of an ongoing exercise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. sends anti-missile destroyer near North Korean coast

Decentralizing Science: Local Biohacking

"Far-out ideas make established scientists uncomfortable. If your entire career was built around the fax machine, phrenology, the geocentric model or the beeper, you’re not too excited about these crazy kids and their ideas. There is a lot of untapped brainpower out there. The state education mill is a barrier to entry, a great divider — a credential firewall. MOOCs and badges may displace the academic cartel, but not without vested interests fighting to halt creative destruction along the way. Statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicholas Taleb recognizes that 'stochastic tinkering' rather than systematic, institutional agendas yield the greatest discoveries." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDecentralizing Science: Local Biohacking

Obama launches $100 million brain-mapping project

"US President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced a $100 million project to map the intricate inner mysteries of the human brain, targeting cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s. The BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) initiative will be run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. Obama was introduced as 'scientist in chief' at the White House event by NIH Director Francis Collins, and his administration makes the case that despite tough fiscal times, investments in science are vital." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObama launches $100 million brain-mapping project

Beekeepers sue EPA over failing to stop harmful pesticides

"The US government is being sued by a coalition of beekeepers, conservation and food campaigners over pesticides linked to serious harm in bees. The lawsuit accuses the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of failing to protect the insects – which pollinate three-quarters of all food crops – from nerve agents that it says should be suspended from use. Neonicotinoids, the world’s most widely used insecticides, are also facing the prospect of suspension in the European Union, after the health commissioner pledged to press on with the proposed ban despite opposition from the UK and Germany." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBeekeepers sue EPA over failing to stop harmful pesticides

U.S. criticizes ‘unnecessary’ EU rules on genetically modified crops

"The United States on Monday criticized 'unnecessary' European Union rules against genetically modified US crop imports as it prepares to enter free-trade talks with the EU. EU restrictions notably have resulted in delays in the approval of new GM traits 'despite positive assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),' the US Trade Representative’s office said in a report on reducing trade sanitary barriers. The USTR also criticized the EU for imposing 'commercially infeasible requirements' on GE content in food products under EU Traceability and Labeling regulations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingU.S. criticizes ‘unnecessary’ EU rules on genetically modified crops

Fusion center director: We don’t spy on Americans, just anti-government Americans

"Law enforcement intelligence-processing fusion centers have long come under attack for spying on Americans. The Arkansas director wanted to clarify the truth: centers only spies on some Americans – those who appear to be a threat to the government. In trying to clear up the ‘misconceptions’ about the conduct of fusion centers, Arkansas State Fusion Center Director Richard Davis simply confirmed Americans’ fears: the center does in fact spy on Americans – but only on those who are suspected to be ‘anti-government’." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFusion center director: We don’t spy on Americans, just anti-government Americans

Colorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

"The bill grants members of the Secret Service arrest powers by considering them to be a peace officer, putting them on a par with state law-enforcement officials. The legislation does not only apply to agents guarding the president or other government officials but also to special agents, uniformed division officers, physical security technicians, physical security specialists and special officers of the United States Secret Service. The idea actually aligns with an Obama agenda to create vast new restrictions and regulations on guns. Hundreds of sheriffs nationwide have said they cannot enforce federal restrictions that would violate the Second Amendment." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColorado to grant Secret Service vast new powers

Former heart surgeon sues Jackson County, sheriff over false arrest, land seizure

"A former Pascagoula heart surgeon, whose 2009 charges of growing marijuana at his farm were dismissed, has filed a federal lawsuit against Jackson County Sheriff Mike Byrd, the Jackson County Board of Supervisors and the Narcotics Task Force of Jackson County alleging civil, constitutional and human rights violations. Filed in U.S. District Court in Gulfport, the lawsuit says David Bruce Allen was the victim of false arrest, false imprisonment for more than a year, slander and libel, assault and battery, emotional distress and irreparable loss of his property and reputation." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer heart surgeon sues Jackson County, sheriff over false arrest, land seizure

An Idaho “Gun Violence” Story for the Huffington Post

"The Sheriff staged a SWAT-style raid in which the supposed victim was assaulted by a Deputy (Detective Rich Perecz, who has a previous violent offense in his criminal record), Bear was handcuffed, and an illegal search of the home was made in the hope of finding narcotics evidence that could be used as an excuse to forfeit (that is, steal) the property. Why were Bear and Marcella singled out for such abusive treatment? According to recorded radio traffic among the deputies, the paramilitary raid was carried out because Bear had been politically profiled as a 'Constitutionalist' – which meant that in the interests of 'officer safety,' SWAT tactics would be employed." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAn Idaho “Gun Violence” Story for the Huffington Post