BIOTECH & MEDICAL

• What is deja vu and when did we know it? I feel like I was just thinking about that the other day. Yeah, that's the ticket. (Hat Tip: Paul Hsieh)

• A new virus has been engineered in the lab to fight against cocaine addiction. This new method of intervention appears to be much more effective than the current protein delivery methods which struggle to escape the body's self-defense mechanism.

• UNC-Chapel Hill scientists have concluded that a 'specific form of the gene APOE very slightly increases the risk of Parkinson's disease, even though the same gene is protective in Alzheimer's disease'. Hmmmm, APOE, where have I read about that before? It's that deja vu all over again.

• Scientists can grow kidneys, and maybe some other organs too, in a dish. The field of organogenesis is the stuff of science fiction, but it's coming to a hospital near you. Simply amazing.

• Doctors may soon be able to go straight to a stroke site to do their clot-busting, and stroke patients will benefit with improved outcomes.

• Francis Crick has passed away, but this pioneer who helped discover DNA will forever be remembered in the biotech community.

NANOTECH

• There's a new dance craze out there. They're doing it in all the disco halls, on the nano level of course. (Hat Tip: Paul Hsieh)

• Researchers at Georgia Tech are collaborating with the Zionists on a sinister scheme to create miniature dwarves that will take over the world! That is, the BizarroCritical world. Mwahahah.

INVENTION & DISCOVERY

• You can catch a glimpse of past visions of future modes of transportation when you stop by the Transportation Futuristics exhibit in the Bernice Lynn Brown Gallery at UC-Berkeley. All these visions of the future were not to be, but Jamais Cascio lets us know what lessons we can learn for our future.

• These stories are a bit old, but this technology and that technology are so new. Susumu Tachi may be wandering the streets of your neighborhood, right in front of your very eyes, and you may not even know it. Everybody get their stun guns!

• Discover provides a mid-term report on the development of an industrial plant which will be able to turn anything into oil.

• Archaeologists have discovered a 1,000 year old brewery in the mountaintop city of Cerro Baúl, Peru. No word yet on whether the brewery's well-aged chicha passed the taste test.

SPACE

• Scientists at Stanford have spotted a most massive black hole, measuring more than ten billion times the mass of the sun. This black hole sucks in matter so messily that it has been dubbed Jabba the Hutt. Whatever you do, Stephen Hawking warns, do not try to prove the biocosm hypothesis. If you were to jump into Jabba's mouth, then you'd surely be spit out in "mangled form".

• Two Princeton professors have developed a compelling theory for the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Earth's moon. More than four billion years ago, a Mars-sized rock was knocked from one of the five Lagrangian points (or relatively stable gravitational spots) that surround the sun, and sent careening towards Earth. The low-speed sideways collision between the two objects then 'turned a chunk of Earth's rock into hot vapor and flung it into space'.

• While reading the book, Don't Know Much About the Universe, I found this cartoon, which shows a man watching television news with this caption: "Scientists confirmed today that everything we know about the structure of the universe is wrongedy-wrong-wrong". Well, that may be truedy-true-true.

• Seth Shostack of SETI proclaims that we will come into contact with alien life within the next twenty years. Anything is possible, but then, I know what Drake's Equation is, and I understand the influence of assumptions. They can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. I'm keeping an open mind on everything.

• Meanwhile, NASA is working to customize lab-on-a-chip technology to detect for life forms in space.

• In an interview, Dutch astronomer Paul Groot tells about all the lessons we are learning during the 'golden age of astronomy'.

THE ENVIRONMENT

• Severe weather has sunk more than 200 supertankers and container ships exceeding 500 feet in length over the last two decades. Rogue waves up to 100 feet tall are believed to be the major cause in many such cases - and a recent study reveals that giant waves are more common than we thought.

• Japan has stepped up to the plate to donate a large sum of money towards the restoration of the marshlands of Southern Iraq. Chiasm reports on the ecocide and de-ecocide of this historic ancient land which some scholars believe to be the site of the Garden of Eden.

• Chiasm has another super post on the scientifically unproven, but highly revered method of weather control called cloud seeding. All one's got to do is shoot some special rockets into some thick clouds and...voila. Between this, the stun gun and the invisibility cloak, I feel like we're living in a comic strip.

• WorldChanging sent me here to read up on the history of the science of global warming. It's an excellent guide and I've still got much more to read, but I'm still not 100% sold on the hockey stick. I know when the thermometer was invented, and I understand the influence of assumptions. I'm keeping an open mind on everything.

• At Foreign Affairs, John Browne offers a path for post-Kyoto international cooperation on the subject of global warming. The keys to advancement for the US government and the rest of the developed nations are to 'create incentives, improve scientific research, and forge international partnerships'.

• Meanwhile, it looks like the Bush administration may be reaching for the keys. Well, at least President Bush is agreeing with seven other nations on something, right fellas?

• I hope this is an example of progress on that second key.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

• Yoda, the world's oldest mouse, tells his life story. It's an epic tale with a teary ending, but such is life. You do not want to miss out.

• Monkeys are so very close to human beings in the evolutionary context. While a new study shows that yawning is contagious among the chimpanzees (thereby indicating an ability to understand another chimp's state of mind), this macaque is already comporting himself like a human.

• Dogs. Is there anything they can't do?? They can smell disease and they can predict seizures...they even look cute when they've been bad.

• And finally, why do males have nipples? Scientific American asks an expert.

Please check back soon for another exciting edition of Winds of Discovery!

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BIOTECH & MEDICAL

• Former President Ronald Reagan finally succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease following a ten-year long battle. He may have become a shell of his former self during that time, but in some ways, his melody lingered on. In fact, a recent study at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute validates this point by finding that Alzheimer's patients do manage to keep some forms of memory intact.

• We are learning new things about the complexity of the human brain practically every day. We humans may process information in a manner more similar to robots than has ever been imagined, and the brain finds ways to reshuffle while the rest of the body is in sleep-mode (which is where I am when I watch most TV sitcoms).

• Researchers have resorted to experimentation on voles to understand the science of love, and Kevin Drum highlights the latest discovery. If the ladies have it their way, there may be more monogamy on the way.

• A recent study has concluded that males with lowered testesterone levels may benefit from a few high doses of estrogen. Men in advanced stages of prostate cancer (who had undergone testesterone deprivation therapy) demonstrated an improved long-term memory and decreased feelings of confusion following the estrogen treatment. A follow-up study may be conducted to determine whether the side effects of such treatment include periodic increases in personal attacks on other men.

• Nerve cells may be more malleable than previously thought. The general consensus had been that nerve cells are hard-wired for specific functions, but scientists at the University of California-San Diego now believe that certain patterns of electrical activity in the nerve cell can alter the program.

• Fifty new embryonic stem cell lines have been created at the Reproductive Genetics Institute in Chicago. As the lines were not around prior to August 2001, federal funding for scientific research will not be available (unless there's a change in Bush administration policy, or a change at the White House).

PUBLIC POLICY

• Wesley J. Smith makes some valid points about the overhype surrounding embryonic stem cell research, such as when advocacy groups claim that a cure for Alzheimer's Disease is right around the corner. Stem cells will never provide an easy fix for this disease in particular, as Alzheimer's attacks many different types of cells in the brain. But the outlook for embryonic stem cell research could be much brighter when it comes to treatments for a whole host of diseases and ailments. Intellectual honesty is so very important when real information is in the hands of a select few, and those in the know should look for moral guidance when treading these waters. I just hope that Mr. Smith holds himself to the same standards that he holds for others. And that goes for the editors of The Weekly Standard too.

• In what is just another sign of the continuing deterioration of America's intellectual property system, Microsoft has been awarded a patent for double-clicks on limited resource computing devices (aka PDA's and cellphones). No word yet from the patent office on how it determined that this function is novel or non-obvious.

• The United States government has funneled large sums of money in the direction of bioterror research over the last few years. We all hope that this will make us safer in the long run, but it now appears that this research is stretching from defense to offense. Good intentions gone bad? We'll see... (Hat Tip: MetaFilter)

• In The New Atlantis, Stephanie Cohen takes a critical look at both sides of the energy debate.

INVENTION & DISCOVERY

• Researchers at Mississippi State University have invented a breath analyzer to detect the early stages of diabetes. Miniscule amounts of acetone in one's breath is an indicator for the disease, and this new device is sensitive enough to measure in parts-per-billion.

• Some people may be spooked by the future potential of self-replicating robots, but this is even spookier. Even Einstein thought so.

• Has the lost city of Atlantis been discovered through satellite imagery off the coast of Spain? This isn't the first time that such a claim has been made, so we'll just have to wait and see about this one.

• If you can build a robot, then you certainly know about the next robot race. But did you know that the race is also on for innovations in marine robotics? These competitions open up new ideas and new talent, and their value for the future of scientific progress should not be overlooked (or under-reported).

SPACE

• Astronomers are mystified over the recent sighting of Wild 2, a comet unlike any ever seen before. Check out this wild image.

• Astronomers may have witnessed the birth of the youngest black hole. They say it was messy, but I would imagine that the birth of a human being is a bit messier.

• Was there ever water on Mars? Some scientists are still skeptical, but new observations from NASA's Opportunity rover are pointing to yes. All this new data about Mars may matter very much, as the debate over terraforming the red planet rages on.

• On the ever-apparent clash between science and religion, from the perspective of an astrophysicist: "We can't ever rule a divine being out using science, because the divine being, of course, could have set it up so that we could discover what we have but see no direct imprint of the work of that divine being". Read more wisdom dropped by Brian Greene in his interview with The Atlantic.

THE ENVIRONMENT

• Some scientists believe that the extraction of the longest ice core ever recorded may uncover some clues about the history of climate change on this planet, and may also allow for more precise predictions of future temperature variations.

• We are always gaining new information about the origins of life on this planet, and its no surprise that tiny little microbes are offering new clues.

• Cornell University, my old alma mater, installed a new eco-friendly "Lake Source Cooling System" a few years ago which cools down buildings during the (somewhat) hot Ithaca summers. It's a magnificent plan, though the school may benefit from its unique geographical circumstances.

THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

• Drunken worms may help to reveal who is the drunken master! Seriously though, scientists may be learning more about a genetic basis for variable degrees of alcohol tolerance through this research with worms (and The Legend of Drunken Master is the best kung-fu movie ever).

• For the sushi lovers out there, researchers have planned a special diet for the pufferfish (or fugu for those who are more familiar) so that its deadly poison is completely removed. Will true fugu fans be drawn to the non-toxic variety, or is it the danger that excites them?

• It may make sense to talk to your dog after all. Apparently, man's best friend can understand a good chunk of what is being said to them, at least in a similar sense as a young child. Just don't wait around for your dog to talk back any time soon, unless his name is Brian.

• Croc capture can be a dangerous game. And sometimes, the crowd is rooting for the croc!

• And finally, some beetles will try to "make love" to just about anything. The Australian jewel beetle, in this case, takes a genuine liking towards empty (and available) stubbies in its neck of the woods. Betsy Devine observes: "More proof, if we needed it, that beer-drinking leads to unwise romantic choices". Or maybe it's just love that makes one dumb.

Please check back in two weeks for another exciting edition of Winds of Discovery!

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BIOTECH & MEDICAL

• The United Kingdom seeks to advance quickly in the realm of embryonic stem cell research. The UK government is pouring millions of British pounds into labs across the country and the first ever embryonic stem cell bank is now open for business.

• Meanwhile, MIT Technology Review reports that the United States' stem cell policy may be reaching a tipping point. A recognition of the worldwide competition, and of unsatiated consumer demand, may be forcing the Bush administration's hands. Finally.

• Congratulations are due to St Mary's Hospital in Manchester, UK for breaking the world record for successful sperm storage. A test-tube baby was recently born to a father who had his sperm frozen over twenty-one years ago! The man was diagnosed with testicular cancer at an early age and opted for the deposit of several sperm samples before receiving treatment. He subsequently survived his battle with cancer and had tried several times to have his new wife impregnated with his frozen offspring. This breakthrough is big, as the number of cancer survivors with full lives ahead of them continues to climb.

• Beware future mothers: Taking aspirin during pregnancy may deprive your sons of their libidos! You can relax a bit for now, though. The current information comes from tests on newborn male rats, and the results were somewhat subtle.

• Leroy Hood is a living legend, no, the living legend in the world of biotechnology. The list of inventions attached to his name is extraordinary and his visions for the future of biotech have been proven correct time and time again. Now, his latest venture is beginning to bear some fruit. The release of Cytoscape 1.1 will certainly be just one of many tools developed by Dr. Hood's team that will fuel progress in the nascent field of systems biology.

• As the average life expectancy for the nation ramps up, so too does the number of cases of Alzheimer's Disease. Consequently, the scientific community has been searching high and low for potential cures for this mentally crippling illness. Perhaps the answer lies within yeast cells. Or maybe what is required is an antibody to destroy tiny proteins known as ADDL's. Time will tell, and we certainly have more of it.

• This one's for paranoid germophobes only. Or maybe it isn't. Mwahahah. (Hat Tip: Matt Drudge)

• Do we really use only 10% of our brains? Scientific American asks the expert.

NANOTECH

• Professor Reynolds says that we may be witnessing a nanotechnology turnaround, but I think his worries were overblown. The nanotech industry has been chugging right along, and there was no way that a few months of bad press could have stopped it in its tracks. Heck, the GM food industry has suffered years of bad press, yet even the highly eco-skeptical European Union finally succumbed to the tide. Public perception aligns eventually (perhaps slowly) with reality, and if nanotech products are indeed safe, then they will have their market. Only governmental legislation could hamper future development, and it appears that Congress has already decided to take an open-minded approach to nanotech.

• On nanotechnology, Nobel theoretical chemist Roald Hoffmann remarks, "I'm glad you guys [that includes women, of course] found a new name for chemistry. Now you have the incentive to learn what you didn't want to learn in college." He also notes what real progress has been made and declares that nanotech is "the way of the future, a way of precise, controlled building, with, incidentally, environmental benignness built in by design".

• Nanosonic sounds pretty cool, but the company's feature product may be even cooler. Metal Rubber 'conducts electricity like metal even when stretched like rubber', and may fit future aircraft with shape-shifting wings. Pretty cool indeed.

• With little fanfare, computer chipmakers have entered into the nano realm.

• The title says it all: Military Nanotechnology Continues Its March Toward Battlefield Use.

SPACE

• Keep your eyes fixed on the sky on June 8th. The path of the planet Venus will cross the sun for the first time in 122 years!

• Dean Esmay let me know that the first ever privately arranged manned space launch will be attempted on June 21st. It'll be a big day indeed.

• Astronomers have recently measured the universe at 156 billion light-years wide (or 1.5 with-twenty-three-zeroes-after-it kilometers). Now that is pretty far, but the matter is just as far from being settled. The universe may or may not be infinite (If the universe is infinite, how can it be expanding?), and it may or may not have boundaries. So, could its size ever be measured? We are forever limited to some degree by the extent of our observatory powers, thus there will always be a new frontier (Of course, some scientists are finding ways to work around this too).

• Researchers at Arizona State University, spanning across multiple disciplines, are learning new things about the birth of the sun and seeing that some things which are known about the solar system in general and the Earth in particular are making more sense.

• Just a few months ago, I laughed at the prospect of a "space elevator" in my lifetime. The whole concept just seemed so outrageous, something from a sci-fi movie. But this amazing initiative continues to gain publicity, and now there's even a blog dedicated to space elevators. Liftport's countdown to liftoff: 5061 days, 10 hours, 23 minutes, 39 seconds.

• That's not all folks. NASA is financing a whole slew of sci-fi technologies these days. Check them all out!

ENVIRONMENT

• Al Gore and his band of not-so-merry environmentalists are in an absolute tizzy over the release of the motion picture, The Day After Tomorrow. These characters hope that the movie will scare some people into taking the issue of global warming more seriously. Don't they understand that scare tactics will get them only so far? It certainly does not make them right.

• No modern scientist has faced as much worldwide vitriol and as many personal attacks as Bjørn "The Skeptical Environmentalist" Lomborg, the man who dared to suggest that global warming should not be the world's #1 environmental priority. He recently gathered a group of economists to evaluate the challenges facing the globe on measures of cost-benefit and importance. The "Copenhagen Consensus" concluded that the HIV/AIDS epidemic ranked #1. In response, a UN official compared Lomborg with none other than that infamous leader of the group which rhymes with "Yahtzee". That's right, Lomborg thinks just like Hitler.

• The world may be concerned about global warming now, but back in the 17th century, global cooling was the talk of the town. Looking to predict the next Maunder minimum (the solar oddity which likely caused the global cooling), scientists are discovering that this oddity is a rarity among nearby stars.

• Professor Philip Stott of EnviroSpin Watch links to a report on a team of Israeli researchers who found that humans harnessed fire 500,000 years earlier than previously thought, and makes a connection with today's climate change debate.

• Is the world running out of oil? Some recent publications have suggested so, but Michael Fumento argues otherwise.
  
  PUBLIC POLICY

• In what may be part of a promising trend, the State of California has formally approved the online sale of Canadian pharmaceuticals on a state-run website. The states of Wisconsin, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Minnesota and Rhode Island have already set up websites of their own. Will more states follow suit? Will the federal government attempt to intervene on behalf of the American healthcare industry? Will these newly opened marketplaces push down the price of prescription drugs in this country? These questions and many more are left to be answered. Stay tuned...

• Americans may be getting pudgier by the minute, but not everyone has given up the fight. A group of nutritionists is pushing for a ban of trans-fatty acids from America's food supply. How dangerous might these trans-fats be? So dangerous that an expert panel declared that there's 'no level of trans-fats in the diet that could be deemed safe'. Hey, I'm all for public policy in pursuit of better health for the nation, but this sniffs a bit like scare tactics to me. Do they mean that it's 'unsafe' or do they mean that it's 'unhealthy'? Isn't there a difference?

• Monsanto has won a court ruling against a Canadian farmer who was accused of patent infringement. The farmer believes that some of Monsanto's genetically modified seeds must have blown onto his property and cross-pollinated with his crops. Despite the ruling, the farmer was relieved from paying any damages. A book has recently been written examining the problems with America's patent system. Perhaps a chapter should have been included to cover Canada's.

• In a stunning turnaround, President Vladimir Putin has promised that Russia would soon ratify the Kyoto Treaty. Hans Labohm considers the president's motivations, and the future implications of this new arrangement.

ANIMAL KINGDOM

• Dinosaurs reigned across the planet for millions of years, yet their decisive end may have come faster than my Memorial Day weekend just flew by. A recent study has concluded that most dinosaurs sizzled to death within hours of a gigantic asteroid collision with the earth.

• Jacob Sullum wonders, "Must we learn to love cicadas?" and I wonder, "Is anybody really learning to love cicadas?"

• Dung beetles and chameleons and maggots. Oh my!

• And finally, Japanese researchers have confirmed that hippo "sweat" protects the beast from the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays. If you catch me down at the Jersey Shore this summer covered in a reddish-orange slimey goo, well, now you'll know why.

Please check back next month for another exciting edition of Winds of Discovery!

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