Monthly Archives: August 2012

The Mohegan Sun Supports the Red Sox

Posted on August 28, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Or so the heavens tell me: (observed on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston)

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Some Thoughts on the CRE ‘Superbugs’

Posted on August 28, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Last week, you might have read about carbapenem-resistant ‘superbugs’ (actually, these are pretty ordinary bacteria except that they’re resistant to just about everything we can throw at them) due to the recent study detailing an outbreak at the NIH. I’ve … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, KPC, NDM-1, Public Health | 5 Comments

Links 8/27/12

Posted on August 27, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: The NIH Superbug Story—a missing piece Victory for evolution in Texas Debunking the Hunter-Gatherer Workout Not a failure, a lesson. The NIH Clinical Center KPC Outbreak Ferrets: Man’s Other Best Friend Other: Elite Public University Gives … Continue reading →

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If Ivan Can Sound the Shofar, Then the Mad Biologist Can…

Posted on August 27, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

…bring you pictures from St. Anthony’s parade. Observed in the North End, Boston:

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Yes, There Is Money to Be Made in Microbial Sequencing

Posted on August 27, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

And I’m not the only one who thinks so in light of the recent paper about a KPC outbreak at an NIH hospital. From MSNBC (boldface mine): Hospitals and long-term-care facilities, which also often experience infectious outbreaks, could become significant … Continue reading →

Posted in Antibiotics, Genomics, KPC, Public Health | Comments Off on Yes, There Is Money to Be Made in Microbial Sequencing

Links 8/26/12

Posted on August 26, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Vowel Movement: How Americans near the Great Lakes are radically changing the sound of English. Genome detectives unravel spread of stealthy bacteria in a hospital What’s a Monkey to Do in Tampa? (strip joints?) Myriad, Mayo … Continue reading →

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We Are All Just Assholes With Blogs

Posted on August 26, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Actually, that’s not fair: there are some people who are bona fide experts in certain areas. But most of us, regarding most subjects, are just assholes with blogs, whether that blog be electronic or made from dead plants. And someone … Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness, Education, Ethics | 3 Comments

Congressman Ryan and Science Budgets

Posted on August 26, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

We note this observation in Nature (boldface mine): If carried out, Ryan’s plan could cut spending on non-defence-related research and development by 5%, or $3.2 billion, below the President’s 2013 request, according to the American Association for the Advancement of … Continue reading →

Posted in Funding, NIH | 1 Comment

Links 8/25/12

Posted on August 25, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Links for you. Science: Whose F Distribution Was It? Octopuses Gain Consciousness (According to Scientists’ Declaration) Beneath streets, science’s stockpile: Frozen blood vital for Boston’s researchers Vintage ads where the science is very wrong (or just looks wrong) Why you … Continue reading →

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Praying on Exeter Street

Posted on August 25, 2012 by mikethemadbiologist

Or perhaps I mean…preying (BWAHHAHAH!!!). Observed on Exeter Street, Back Bay, Boston: My experience has been that six-inch long insects are a rare occurrence around these parts.

Posted in Boston, Insects | 2 Comments