Dec. 2) -- Astronomers have discovered hundreds of Jupiter-like planets in our galaxy. However, a handful of the planets found orbiting distant stars are more Earth-sized. This gives hope to astrobiologists, who think we are more likely to find life on rocky planets with liquid water.
The rocky planets found so far are actually more massive than our own. Dimitar Sasselov, professor of astronomy at Harvard University, coined the term "Super-Earths" to reflect their mass rather than any superior qualities.
But Sasselov says that these planets -- which range from about two to 10 Earth masses -- could be superior to the Earth when it comes to sustaining life.
"Earth is a marginal planet when it comes to conditions we would like to see for complex life to sustain itself," Sasselov notes. "In the family of Earth-like planets, the sweet spot for complex chemistry and biochemistry to emerge and sustain itself lies in planets larger than the Earth."
And Mr Sasselov knows because he visited some of these Super Planets on his last "trip",, conducted a chemical and biochemical tests,, and without a doubt
Earth is marginal. Next thing you know,, he will be applying for a BILLION BILLION dollar grant to take class from Harvard there to taste the sweet spot
Are we having fun yet? Duh!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
NSEERS changes in immigration reform pro-Muslum
While Republicans are celebrating a GOP Victory
The Obama Administration is shoring up relationship with Muslim communities
by appointing a devout Muslim to a Homeland Security post,, I didn't realize that was part of a job description!
Press Release: After Ten Years of Service, ADC Congratulates Kareem Shora for Appointment as DHS Senior Policy Adviser Washington, DC October 15, 2009 www.adc.org The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination (ADC) offers its most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Kareem Shora, ADC National Executive Director, for his ten years of exceptional service to ADC and to the Arab-American community. Shora, who earlier this year was sworn-in by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), has been appointed as Senior Policy Adviser for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and will be leaving ADC as of October 23. ADC congratulates Kareem on his new position, wishes him the very best, and knows he will continue to be successful in the future. ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "Without question, in the past decade Kareem helped our dedicated national board, staff, and grassroots chapters build ADC into one of the most effective and respected civil rights organizations in the country. Especially following 9/11, Kareem's strategic leadership approach and ability at building partnerships and coalitions both with other organizations and communities as well as with federal agencies, gave ADC an edge in standing up as a strong and consistent voice for civil and human rights. Personally, I will miss his wise counsel, calm demeanor, and sense of dedication and responsibility. Thank you Kareem for your outstanding leadership and commitment to ADC and the community. Kareem's appointment as Senior Policy Adviser with DHS is yet another feather in ADC's cap of ever-growing achievements and success."Kareem Shora said, "I am honored to have served the noble cause of such a great organization as ADC. Everyday, for the past ten years, I saw the increased effectiveness of ADC thanks to its dedicated team of staff, board members, and volunteer grassroots leaders. It is an organization that each American should be proud of as it stands up for the very-definitions which have made this country so great. While we have achieved many victories during my tenure with ADC, we continue to face many more challenges that require our collective support for ADC and its great work. Although I am leaving ADC, I will maintain my involvement with the organization in my personal capacity and hope to use the knowledge and experience I gained over the past decade in my new role with the Department of Homeland Security." To reach Kareem via email: kareemshora@yahoo.com
To reach ADC President Mary Rose Oakar: president@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Legal Department: legal@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Media Department: media@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Organizing Department: organizing@adc.org
###
NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non sectarian and non partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980, by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.
The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.
ADC Files FOIA With FBI, DOJ, and DOE For Radiation Surveillance of Muslim SitesDecember 27, 2005, Washington, DC-Today, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request asking that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and the US Department of Energy (DOE) release information relating to the FBI and Department of Energy's Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) nuclear surveillance program. Specifically, ADC requested that it be provided with the addresses of the mosques, homes, businesses, warehouses, and all other facilities, in the greater Washington, DC, area where the nuclear surveillance program has been conducted. ADC's intent with the request is to assure the Arab-American and Muslim communities, along with the rest of our nation, that national security enforcement measures are not resulting in a disproportionate impact on these communities and that these federal agencies act in a manner consistent with the repeated statements made by their spokespersons - namely, not to engage in racial, national origin, or religious profiling.
The Obama Administration is shoring up relationship with Muslim communities
by appointing a devout Muslim to a Homeland Security post,, I didn't realize that was part of a job description!
Press Release: After Ten Years of Service, ADC Congratulates Kareem Shora for Appointment as DHS Senior Policy Adviser Washington, DC October 15, 2009 www.adc.org The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination (ADC) offers its most heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Kareem Shora, ADC National Executive Director, for his ten years of exceptional service to ADC and to the Arab-American community. Shora, who earlier this year was sworn-in by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano as a member of the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC), has been appointed as Senior Policy Adviser for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and will be leaving ADC as of October 23. ADC congratulates Kareem on his new position, wishes him the very best, and knows he will continue to be successful in the future. ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, "Without question, in the past decade Kareem helped our dedicated national board, staff, and grassroots chapters build ADC into one of the most effective and respected civil rights organizations in the country. Especially following 9/11, Kareem's strategic leadership approach and ability at building partnerships and coalitions both with other organizations and communities as well as with federal agencies, gave ADC an edge in standing up as a strong and consistent voice for civil and human rights. Personally, I will miss his wise counsel, calm demeanor, and sense of dedication and responsibility. Thank you Kareem for your outstanding leadership and commitment to ADC and the community. Kareem's appointment as Senior Policy Adviser with DHS is yet another feather in ADC's cap of ever-growing achievements and success."Kareem Shora said, "I am honored to have served the noble cause of such a great organization as ADC. Everyday, for the past ten years, I saw the increased effectiveness of ADC thanks to its dedicated team of staff, board members, and volunteer grassroots leaders. It is an organization that each American should be proud of as it stands up for the very-definitions which have made this country so great. While we have achieved many victories during my tenure with ADC, we continue to face many more challenges that require our collective support for ADC and its great work. Although I am leaving ADC, I will maintain my involvement with the organization in my personal capacity and hope to use the knowledge and experience I gained over the past decade in my new role with the Department of Homeland Security." To reach Kareem via email: kareemshora@yahoo.com
To reach ADC President Mary Rose Oakar: president@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Legal Department: legal@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Media Department: media@adc.orgTo reach the ADC Organizing Department: organizing@adc.org
###
NOTE TO EDITORS: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), which is non sectarian and non partisan, is the largest Arab-American civil rights organization in the United States. It was founded in 1980, by former Senator James Abourezk to protect the civil rights of people of Arab descent in the United States and to promote the cultural heritage of the Arabs. ADC has 38 chapters nationwide, including chapters in every major city in the country, and members in all 50 states.
The ADC Research Institute (ADC-RI), which was founded in 1981, is a Section 501(c)(3) educational organization that sponsors a wide range of programs on behalf of Arab Americans and of importance to all Americans. ADC-RI programs include research studies, seminars, conferences and publications that document and analyze the discrimination faced by Arab Americans in the workplace, schools, media, and governmental agencies and institutions. ADC-RI also celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Arabs.
ADC Files FOIA With FBI, DOJ, and DOE For Radiation Surveillance of Muslim SitesDecember 27, 2005, Washington, DC-Today, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request asking that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Department of Justice (DOJ), and the US Department of Energy (DOE) release information relating to the FBI and Department of Energy's Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) nuclear surveillance program. Specifically, ADC requested that it be provided with the addresses of the mosques, homes, businesses, warehouses, and all other facilities, in the greater Washington, DC, area where the nuclear surveillance program has been conducted. ADC's intent with the request is to assure the Arab-American and Muslim communities, along with the rest of our nation, that national security enforcement measures are not resulting in a disproportionate impact on these communities and that these federal agencies act in a manner consistent with the repeated statements made by their spokespersons - namely, not to engage in racial, national origin, or religious profiling.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Obamacare :) ten new additions
Decided to have some fun on Science is Political this sent to by my friend Dorothy
TOP TEN INDICATORS THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS CHANGED TO OBAMACARE:
(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.
(9) Directions to your doctor's office include "Take a left when you enter the trailer park."
(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.
(7) The only proctologist in the plan is "Gus" from Roto-Rooter.
(6) The only item listed under Preventive Care Coverage is "an apple a day.."
(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last month.
(4) "The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges," is not a typographical error.
(3) The only expense covered 100% is "embalming."
(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M's on them.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'VE JOINED OBAMACARE
(1) You ask for Viagra and they give you a Popsicle stick and Duct Tape.
TOP TEN INDICATORS THAT YOUR EMPLOYER HAS CHANGED TO OBAMACARE:
(10) Your annual breast exam is done at Hooters.
(9) Directions to your doctor's office include "Take a left when you enter the trailer park."
(8) The tongue depressors taste faintly of Fudgesicles.
(7) The only proctologist in the plan is "Gus" from Roto-Rooter.
(6) The only item listed under Preventive Care Coverage is "an apple a day.."
(5) Your primary care physician is wearing the pants you gave to Goodwill last month.
(4) "The patient is responsible for 200% of out-of-network charges," is not a typographical error.
(3) The only expense covered 100% is "embalming."
(2) Your Prozac comes in different colors with little M's on them.
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOU'VE JOINED OBAMACARE
(1) You ask for Viagra and they give you a Popsicle stick and Duct Tape.
Monday, August 3, 2009
New HIV strain found in Africa
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new strain of the virus that causes AIDS has been discovered in a woman from the African nation of Cameroon. It differs from the three known strains of human immunodeficiency virus and appears to be closely related to a form of simian virus recently discovered in wild gorillas, researchers report in Monday's edition of the journal Nature Medicine.
The finding ''highlights the continuing need to watch closely for the emergence for new HIV variants, particularly in western central Africa,'' said the researchers, led by Jean-Christophe Plantier of the University of Rouen, France.
The three previously known HIV strains are related to the simian virus that occurs in chimpanzees.
The most likely explanation for the new find is gorilla-to-human transmission, Plantier's team said. But they added they cannot rule out the possibility that the new strain started in chimpanzees and moved into gorillas and then humans, or moved directly from chimpanzees to both gorillas and humans.
The 62-year-old patient tested positive for HIV in 2004, shortly after moving to Paris from Cameroon, according to the researchers. She had lived near Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, but said she had no contact with apes or bush meat, a name often given to meat from wild animals in tropical countries.
The woman currently shows no signs of AIDS and remains untreated, though she still carries the virus, the researchers said.
How widespread this strain is remains to be determined. Researchers said it could be circulating unnoticed in Cameroon or elsewhere. The virus' rapid replication indicates that it is adapted to human cells, the researchers reported.
Their research was supported by the French Health Watch Institute, the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis and Rouen University Hospital.
A separate paper, also in Nature Medicine, reports that people with genital herpes remain at increased risk of HIV infection even after the herpes sores have healed and the skin appears normal.
Researchers led by Drs. Lawrence Corey and Jia Zhu of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that long after the areas where the herpes sores existed seem to be clear, they still have immune-cell activity that can encourage HIV infection.
Herpes is marked by recurring outbreaks and has been associated with higher rates of infection with HIV. It had been thought that the breaks in the skin were the reason for higher HIV rates, but a study last year found that treatment of herpes with drugs did not reduce the HIV risk.
The researchers tested the skin of herpes patients for several weeks after their sores had healed and found that, compared with other genital skin, from twice to 37 times more immune cells remained at the locations where the sores had been.
HIV targets immune cells and in laboratory tests the virus reproduced three to five times faster in tissue from the healed sites as in tissue from other areas.
''Understanding that even treated (herpes) infections provide a cellular environment conducive to HIV infection suggests new directions for HIV prevention research,'' commented Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
That study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Tietze Foundation.
^------
On the Net:
Nature Medicine: http://www.nature.com/nm
The finding ''highlights the continuing need to watch closely for the emergence for new HIV variants, particularly in western central Africa,'' said the researchers, led by Jean-Christophe Plantier of the University of Rouen, France.
The three previously known HIV strains are related to the simian virus that occurs in chimpanzees.
The most likely explanation for the new find is gorilla-to-human transmission, Plantier's team said. But they added they cannot rule out the possibility that the new strain started in chimpanzees and moved into gorillas and then humans, or moved directly from chimpanzees to both gorillas and humans.
The 62-year-old patient tested positive for HIV in 2004, shortly after moving to Paris from Cameroon, according to the researchers. She had lived near Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon, but said she had no contact with apes or bush meat, a name often given to meat from wild animals in tropical countries.
The woman currently shows no signs of AIDS and remains untreated, though she still carries the virus, the researchers said.
How widespread this strain is remains to be determined. Researchers said it could be circulating unnoticed in Cameroon or elsewhere. The virus' rapid replication indicates that it is adapted to human cells, the researchers reported.
Their research was supported by the French Health Watch Institute, the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis and Rouen University Hospital.
A separate paper, also in Nature Medicine, reports that people with genital herpes remain at increased risk of HIV infection even after the herpes sores have healed and the skin appears normal.
Researchers led by Drs. Lawrence Corey and Jia Zhu of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that long after the areas where the herpes sores existed seem to be clear, they still have immune-cell activity that can encourage HIV infection.
Herpes is marked by recurring outbreaks and has been associated with higher rates of infection with HIV. It had been thought that the breaks in the skin were the reason for higher HIV rates, but a study last year found that treatment of herpes with drugs did not reduce the HIV risk.
The researchers tested the skin of herpes patients for several weeks after their sores had healed and found that, compared with other genital skin, from twice to 37 times more immune cells remained at the locations where the sores had been.
HIV targets immune cells and in laboratory tests the virus reproduced three to five times faster in tissue from the healed sites as in tissue from other areas.
''Understanding that even treated (herpes) infections provide a cellular environment conducive to HIV infection suggests new directions for HIV prevention research,'' commented Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease.
That study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Tietze Foundation.
^------
On the Net:
Nature Medicine: http://www.nature.com/nm
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Veterans in Virginia exposed to HIV from dirty colonoscopy equipment
Veteran's Hospitals,, the snake pits of 2009 one would think after all that talk about improving the Veteran's txtment clean equipment for a colonoscopy--and don't think about the graphics on that one.. could be managed
Lawmakers "shocked" by report on possible cases of HIV exposure at VA hospitals.
The CBS Evening News (6/16, story 5, 2:35, Glor) reported, "Capitol Hill is famous for holding hearings, but rarely have members of Congress been as shocked as they were" Tuesday, when "they got the results of a new report with this startling headline: More than 10,000 veterans who went in for checkups at several Southeast VA hospitals may have been exposed to HIV or other blood diseases." According to CBS, over "10,000 veterans have now received letters warning them that the equipment the VA used for their colonoscopies may not have been properly sterilized. So far, six of those" vets "have tested positive for HIV, 13 for hepatitis B, and 34 for hepatitis C."
According to the AP (6/16, Evans), "lawmakers sharply criticized" the VA "on Tuesday about why a national scare over botched colonoscopies earlier this year didn't prompt stronger safeguards at the agency's medical centers." VA officials "apologized for the continued weaknesses and told a House subcommittee they would do better," while VA Secretary Eric Shinseki "said he would be disciplining staffers. The strong reaction came as the agency's inspector general reported that fewer than half of VA facilities selected for surprise inspections last month had proper training and guidelines in place. That was months after the VA launched a nationwide safety campaign over the discovery of errors" at three facilities.
USA Today (6/17, Theobald) adds, "House lawmakers blasted" VA "officials on Tuesday after hearing testimony that the agency still wasn't following procedures for handling endoscopes, months after discovering that the improperly cleaned instruments may have exposed veterans to hepatitis and HIV. 'I'm outraged that any of our nation's heroes were potentially infected or that they even have to worry about the possibility,' said" US Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), "who is chairman" of the House's Veterans Affairs subcommittee on oversight and investigations.
McClatchy (6/17, Clark) reports, "Several employees" at the VA hospital in Miami "are likely to be disciplined for failing to detect problems with improperly sterilized medical equipment in a case that's enraged members of Congress. The disclosure of the potential punishments came" as federal "lawmakers chided" the VA "for not moving faster to address mistakes that may have exposed thousands of veterans to HIV and hepatitis."
From the ASCP
Maintenance of Certification 101
ASCP launched a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) on-demand Webcast featuring Betsy Bennett, MD, FASCP, presenting an ABP MOC overview and Larry Fowler, MD, FASCP, presenting information on ASCP tools and resources to support ABP diplomates. This Webcast is available on the ASCP website.
Launch the Webcast now
This is what we as a nation could be facing----like I used have on my bumper sticker,,
if you think Health care is expensive now "WAIT UNTIL IT IS FREE"..
Lawmakers "shocked" by report on possible cases of HIV exposure at VA hospitals.
The CBS Evening News (6/16, story 5, 2:35, Glor) reported, "Capitol Hill is famous for holding hearings, but rarely have members of Congress been as shocked as they were" Tuesday, when "they got the results of a new report with this startling headline: More than 10,000 veterans who went in for checkups at several Southeast VA hospitals may have been exposed to HIV or other blood diseases." According to CBS, over "10,000 veterans have now received letters warning them that the equipment the VA used for their colonoscopies may not have been properly sterilized. So far, six of those" vets "have tested positive for HIV, 13 for hepatitis B, and 34 for hepatitis C."
According to the AP (6/16, Evans), "lawmakers sharply criticized" the VA "on Tuesday about why a national scare over botched colonoscopies earlier this year didn't prompt stronger safeguards at the agency's medical centers." VA officials "apologized for the continued weaknesses and told a House subcommittee they would do better," while VA Secretary Eric Shinseki "said he would be disciplining staffers. The strong reaction came as the agency's inspector general reported that fewer than half of VA facilities selected for surprise inspections last month had proper training and guidelines in place. That was months after the VA launched a nationwide safety campaign over the discovery of errors" at three facilities.
USA Today (6/17, Theobald) adds, "House lawmakers blasted" VA "officials on Tuesday after hearing testimony that the agency still wasn't following procedures for handling endoscopes, months after discovering that the improperly cleaned instruments may have exposed veterans to hepatitis and HIV. 'I'm outraged that any of our nation's heroes were potentially infected or that they even have to worry about the possibility,' said" US Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ), "who is chairman" of the House's Veterans Affairs subcommittee on oversight and investigations.
McClatchy (6/17, Clark) reports, "Several employees" at the VA hospital in Miami "are likely to be disciplined for failing to detect problems with improperly sterilized medical equipment in a case that's enraged members of Congress. The disclosure of the potential punishments came" as federal "lawmakers chided" the VA "for not moving faster to address mistakes that may have exposed thousands of veterans to HIV and hepatitis."
From the ASCP
Maintenance of Certification 101
ASCP launched a Maintenance of Certification (MOC) on-demand Webcast featuring Betsy Bennett, MD, FASCP, presenting an ABP MOC overview and Larry Fowler, MD, FASCP, presenting information on ASCP tools and resources to support ABP diplomates. This Webcast is available on the ASCP website.
Launch the Webcast now
This is what we as a nation could be facing----like I used have on my bumper sticker,,
if you think Health care is expensive now "WAIT UNTIL IT IS FREE"..
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