Battery Recycling - I was depositing a check in the ATM in the Student University Center this week and I noticed a big plastic box in a corner. It was a recycling station. It had slots for batteries, cell phones, ink and CDs (I think the last was CDs, it said disks). That is so cool - now I have somewhere to bring those batteries that I keep putting in a bag in my closet. Note: we do not want to put batteries in our trash because they contain chemicals that can leech into the soil and poison our food, water, etc.
Of Mice and Morphine - In statistic text books, examples for data analysis often come from actual experiments. I am learning about ANOVA right now. This involves comparing mean scores between 2 or more groups. The example that we are exploring involves mice who are given morphine and or saline solution and then placed on a hot surface. The dependent variable, or what is being compared between the mice groups, is how long they take to lick a paw. The purpose of the study is to test tolerance to morphine. Long, long story but one of the hypothesis was especially intriguing to me. If the mouse built up a tolerance to the morphine (i.e. it stopped working and he felt the pain quickly) but was given the morphine in a different setting - the tolerance would not apply and the morphine would work again. The little experiment supported that assumption. The reason it matters is - a person using heroine ( a different form of morphine) who has built up a tolerance to the drug and is thus consuming a higher dose, can overdose if they use that same amount in a different "play ground." School is so cool- I love learning stuff.
Oh Michelle - HPV and Politics - I have very strong opinions on the HPV vaccine and have voiced them here since 2006. In regards to the recent controversy ignited during the last republican debate, let me just say that Merck is not going to be offering Michelle Bachman any campaign contributions (and Merck is the focus of my ire). I am upset with Merck because the marketing of the vaccine distracts from the need for annual PAP smears. The pap smear is the screening (prevention strategy)- for cervical cancer, not the vaccine. However, no evidence is available to support that innocent little girls (aren't they all!) are at risk for retardation from the vaccine. The evidence that Merck contributed to political campaigns is likely to be much more available.
Weekly "Really" Outrage - There was a sampling display at the grocery store this weekend. It was Splenda Essentials. I did not get up close and personal with the display, I saw quite enough from a distance. Apparently, the makers of Splenda have decided to fortify the sugar substitute with vitamins and minerals. To which I say, "Really?" Get your essentials from your food people - that is where science has found the benefit.
What is CNS Health Care? - I heard an advertisement for a quit smoking study. It referred people to CNS Health Care. I am still a certified tobacco treatment specialist and even when my certification expires, I will still KNOW stuff. so this intrigued me. I went to the website which talks about depression and anti depressants. The blurb on the smoking has to do with depression getting in the way of quitting. My overall impression of the website was - "not credible".
Weather Changes, Tires and Mood - We had another of those sudden drops in temperature here - the kind that make tires lose air and Deirdre lose equilibrium. I woke yesterday with a good deal of pressure in my head/sinuses and it lasted most of the day. I also had a pretty dour mood. It was not much warmer today, but the sun made appearances. I also figured out how much air my tires were supposed to have (side panel on the door), went and inflated them myself (using the pressure gauge), thus resetting the low tire warning light - all without going to Good Year. I felt so empowered. Also - I was mega productive and creative today. That was nice.
lastly - a couple of weeks ago, somewhat completed a feedback form and requested that I make another All in a Day video. It was a great email and I felt happy to oblige. I made this one a little differently and though it does include all that I ate - it is a short clip. You can see it here.
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