CLibertyC

Anti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

"Anti-anxiety drugs find their way into wastewater where they make fish more fearless and antisocial, with potentially serious ecological consequences, researchers said Thursday. Sientists examining perch exposed to the sedative Oxazepam — which, like many medications, passes through the human body — found that it made them more likely to leave their school and strike out on their own. With the use of such drugs on the rise, in Sweden and elsewhere, the researchers said the changes in the fish could be a global phenomenon, adding that more research is necessary before broad-based conclusions can be drawn." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAnti-anxiety drug pollution makes fish fearless and antisocial

My 3 Cents On Cancer: Jack Andraka at TEDxSanJoseCAWomen

"Jack is a fifteen year old freshman in high school. He developed a paper sensor that could detect pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer in five minutes for as little as 3 cents. He conducted his research at John Hopkins University. This research could change the face of cancer and promote early detection. He has been selected as the Intel 2012 ISEF winner and has won awards at multiple national and international math competitions. Jack is on the national junior whitewater kayaking team and enjoys playing with his dog and folding origami." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMy 3 Cents On Cancer: Jack Andraka at TEDxSanJoseCAWomen

AI system diagnoses illnesses better than doctors

"Using a computerized decision making processes similar to IBM’s wiz computer 'Watson' that won the game show 'Jeopardy,' researchers plugged in big medical data sources and tasked it to simulate treatment outcomes for 500 patients, most of whom suffered from clinical depression and at least one other chronic condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Using data from actual patient-doctor treatment sessions, real-life outcomes were compared to simulated treatment regiments and the computer was nearly 42 percent better at diagnosing illnesses and prescribing effective treatments than human doctors." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAI system diagnoses illnesses better than doctors

Is Ron Paul Not a Libertarian Because He’s Socially Conservative? Who Else?

One can be either socially liberal or socially conservative and still be a libertarian. On issues like abortion, gay marriage and drugs, how one views the state’s role, or non-role, in these matters, is usually what determines that individual’s libertarian credentials–not necessarily their personal views on these issues. But there are some libertarians who insist [...]

Continue ReadingIs Ron Paul Not a Libertarian Because He’s Socially Conservative? Who Else?

Is Ron Paul Not a Libertarian Because He’s Socially Conservative? Who Else?

One can be either socially liberal or socially conservative and still be a libertarian. On issues like abortion, gay marriage and drugs, how one views the state’s role, or non-role, in these matters, is usually what determines that individual’s libertarian credentials–not necessarily their personal views on these issues. But there are some libertarians who insist [...]

Continue ReadingIs Ron Paul Not a Libertarian Because He’s Socially Conservative? Who Else?

Save Silicon Valley — abolish patents now

"'Our preferred policy solution is to abolish patents entirely,' Michele Boldrin and David K. Levine wrote in a recently published paper. That statement, of course, flies in the face of the conventional wisdom that patents foster innovation and improve productivity. Both truisms, they say, are wrong. In fact, patents have a 'negative effect on innovation,' they say. Obviously, this is awfully radical, but it's worth noting that 18 months after the largest patent reform legislation in decades -- the America Invents Act -- was signed by President Barack Obama, patent litigation has continued to increase." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSave Silicon Valley — abolish patents now

German student creates electromagnetic harvester that gathers free electricity from thin air

"A German student has built an electromagnetic harvester that recharges an AA battery by soaking up ambient, environmental radiation. These harvesters can gather free electricity from just about anything, including overhead power lines, coffee machines, refrigerators, or even the emissions from your WiFi router or smartphone." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGerman student creates electromagnetic harvester that gathers free electricity from thin air

Welcome to the Future: Congress Takes on 3-D Printing

"This may be the first time 3-D printing is the subject of legislation, but it certainly won’t be the last. The technology allows for the production of objects by depositing thin layers of materials. The process is called additive manufacturing, which stands in opposition to subtractive manufacturing, the traditional process in which objects are produced at factories by making small parts out of larger pieces of material, like sheets of metal. By allowing for the on-demand production of single, customized items, the technology promises to end the system of large factories and long supply chains in the markets for many goods—and to transform the global economy." Continue reading →

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Wendy McElroy: Print Me A Revolution

"Two men – one in Washington State and the other in South Africa – used open source software to design a series of mechanical hands for a boy whose family could not afford a commercial prosthetic. A group called Defense Distributed have already 'printed' a plastic high capacity ammunition magazine. President Obama is noticing. The Department of Defense has shelled out $30 million to promote 3D printing and the sum is being matched by a group that includes crony-capitalist corporations such as Boeing. Nothing could be more disastrous to the technology than being championed by government promoting the technology, especially in league with crony corporations." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWendy McElroy: Print Me A Revolution