tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-230306392024-03-07T16:32:49.385-05:00Raging Coconuts!A blog dedicated to science and humoreyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-79200996079203234892009-09-23T22:09:00.001-04:002009-09-23T22:11:23.743-04:00Stem Cell Awareness Day<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Paterson of NY State has proclaimed September 23rd "Stem Cell Awareness Day". There is a website with beautiful photos of stem cells from some of my colleagues from around the state. Enjoy!</span><br /> <br /> <a href="http://stemcell.ny.gov/slideshow/"><span style="font-family: arial;">http://stemcell.ny.gov/slideshow/</span></a></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-36446649884290682062009-03-09T20:41:00.004-04:002009-03-09T20:52:35.446-04:00Great News on Stem Cells!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" >It's something long overdue--- federal support for human embryonic stem cell research. We've discussed many of the arguments pro and con. But in the end, science has to progress without the restrictions of religious ideology. And everyone, even those who believe that a 100-cell embryo is equivalent to a human baby, will benefit from the medical knowledge gained.</span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-79340738624185510022008-11-28T22:12:00.002-05:002008-11-28T22:29:54.049-05:00I'm Baaaaack!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Thanks to Heather for bringing me back from hiatus. Life is hectic with two jobs, located 70 miles apart. But at least the gas prices have come down a bit.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">I'm hopeful with the new administration coming in 2009 that stem cell research will be supported at the federal level in short order. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Here is some recent good news on the use of stem cells to reconstruct a human trachea: </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:18px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpBZGPAEvUY">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpBZGPAEvUY</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:48px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:18px;"><br /></span></div>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-33135540390266324622008-05-26T14:44:00.002-04:002008-05-26T15:05:06.655-04:00Long Time, No Blog!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">Greetings from Stem Cell Central!<br /><br />I didn't realize how long it's been since my last post. The two jobs have been keeping me busy.<br /><br />Here's the website for NYSTEM, the New York State stem cell initiative that was established in April 2007:<br />http://stemcell.ny.gov/<br /><br />NYSTEM has recently put out a request for grant proposals for New York State stem cell researchers. <br />http://stemcell.ny.gov/news_releases.html<br /><br /></span></span> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></p> <blockquote style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">ALBANY, NY (May 8, 2008) Governor David A. Paterson today announced that nearly $109 million in new state funding is being made available to support stem cell research initiatives in New York. The nearly $109 million represents the second round of available funding from the state’s 11-year, $600 million stem cell research initiative that was approved as part of last year’s state budget.</span></p> <span style="font-size:130%;">Four Requests for Applications (RFAs) issued today invite proposals from in-state research institutions for stem cell research activities that encourage collaborations among scientists, facilitate the acquisition and development of specialized equipment, and support researcher-initiated and targeted stem cell research </span></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">It's great to see the New York State stem cell initiative come to fruition, thanks to the tireless efforts of so many advocates.</span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><br /></span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-44039638132900575662008-04-18T23:04:00.000-04:002008-04-18T23:06:03.842-04:00Academia in a Nutshell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFocjggOYdxZj926rHgdl_gGolGIj7sG8fZeNfZeDYSQhYqBYcIsalfEIRHcuy_TSSStVm7jF-NnBTHcVz0o80QnN06YaiseWxoDNwoqm121EakRLJul1rnled069dnV16uzK2/s1600-h/07-Jan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFocjggOYdxZj926rHgdl_gGolGIj7sG8fZeNfZeDYSQhYqBYcIsalfEIRHcuy_TSSStVm7jF-NnBTHcVz0o80QnN06YaiseWxoDNwoqm121EakRLJul1rnled069dnV16uzK2/s400/07-Jan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190787212680874050" border="0" /></a>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-15145692666182489742008-04-01T20:25:00.003-04:002008-04-01T20:48:03.365-04:00Oldies But Goodies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVncVZK1UjqGR1OqkIrixWBpXk8Omco1e_qFllBY2BHWoj_6eGDZqoZgvf8r_JJcK2Y2_WYYIHqVcU5ICl1TXSgCPfSbWJWzhuN67OsLuMTHyer6uPhINzbBhbZF34jMn8CqmY/s1600-h/donoreye.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVncVZK1UjqGR1OqkIrixWBpXk8Omco1e_qFllBY2BHWoj_6eGDZqoZgvf8r_JJcK2Y2_WYYIHqVcU5ICl1TXSgCPfSbWJWzhuN67OsLuMTHyer6uPhINzbBhbZF34jMn8CqmY/s400/donoreye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184442425914555602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >Cornea transplants are routine, with the highest success rates (97-99%) of any transplant procedure. In general, corneas for transplant are obtained from eyebank donors, aged 2-70. A recent study suggests that corneas from older donors may work as well as corneas from younger donors.<br /><br />Some kinds of cornea damage and prior LASIK surgery disqualify corneas from being used as transplant material. As more and more people decide to undergo LASIK kinds of procedures, fewer corneas will qualify as transplant material. By increasing the potential donor age, it will help address potential shortages.<br /><br /></span> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></p> <blockquote> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"We now have scientific evidence showing that older donors can be used reliably in corneal transplantation," said Dr. Edward Holland of the University of Cincinnati and one of the study's lead researchers.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The cornea is the clear covering for the front of the eye, crucial for helping it focus light. More than 39,000 corneal transplants were performed last year, according to the Eye Bank Association of America.</span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The nation has had an adequate supply so far. But specialists say there are international shortages, and eye banks fear U.S. supplies will tighten as a result of tougher Food and Drug Administration donor-safety rules that began last summer, increasing interest in older donors.</span></p> </blockquote> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/32hem5"><b>http://tinyurl.com/32hem5</b></a></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This is interesting in light of some of the research done in my own lab a few years ago, where we saw stem-like cells in corneas from 92-year old donors. It's amazing how the cornea is able to maintain its clarity and vitality throughout life....and even beyond.<br /></span></p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-46665462435210585192008-03-21T18:37:00.000-04:002008-03-21T18:38:38.502-04:00Annual Marshmallow Peeps Post<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/1600/banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/320/banner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I discovered this silly website a couple of years a</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">go. It's still hysterical and especially appropriate for Easter week-end. It seems that some scientists (</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">apparently with some time to kill in the lab) are conducting laboratory experiments on marshmallow peeps. They have an entire website devoted to their studies.<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">One particularly cute experiment was "the effect of alc</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ohol and smoking on marshmallow peeps."</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.peepresearch.org/smoking.html">http://www.peepresearch.org/smoking.html</a><br /><br />First, the peep was exposed to alcohol and did exhibit s</span></span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ome signs of inebriation, such as bumping into the walls of the swimming vessel:</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/1600/peep15.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/320/peep15.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Then, the peep was permitted to select a brand of cigarette and smoked without apparent ill effects:</span><br /></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/1600/peep09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/320/peep09.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >However, when smoking and alcohol were combined, the effects were catastrophic:</span><br /><p> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/1600/peep05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1961/2353/320/peep05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p> </p> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Their conclusions: "The synergistic effect of smoking and alcohol in Peeps produces a rapidly exothermic oxidation reaction, leading to a chemical and morphological divergence from the wild-type Peep phenotypes."<br /><br />The marshmallow peep appears to be an excellent experimental model for the synergistic effects of smoking and alcohol!</span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-65443675517956622912008-03-05T19:52:00.004-05:002008-03-05T20:02:10.831-05:00Great News!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z3mazX-aNsKFoo2FD7aKmanK7XEtmgxldVESH3vwgb59ycFxHpgwtVsvcTr2VkJYTPHl2ywT6IrtAtHIw6U7XiW1Ri2wBMq9B2YVcKS1cTXxEa0laqJlOKHQjCrtQ0U4p0nW/s1600-h/academia_image.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5z3mazX-aNsKFoo2FD7aKmanK7XEtmgxldVESH3vwgb59ycFxHpgwtVsvcTr2VkJYTPHl2ywT6IrtAtHIw6U7XiW1Ri2wBMq9B2YVcKS1cTXxEa0laqJlOKHQjCrtQ0U4p0nW/s400/academia_image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174426440737658018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Hey, guess what? I just found out that my research grant is going to be funded!! Yay! This is good news because I can finally hire some technical help for the stem cell lab and not be a volunteer anymore. It's time to celebrate!<br /><br />The research project involves targeting "cancer stem cells" that seem to be the driving force behind tumor growth and resistance to chemotherapy.<br /></span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-13173050197662632772008-02-07T19:05:00.000-05:002008-02-07T19:25:45.673-05:00It's All Relative!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMXQbR3o4yZjAWq7VTkmJzdbRI4S-M252Q6nNajPpLLhXjbkso7MS8vcmgX5Pnuc3UgrNyCvwUQmNdp4BU3Gh9mjPCHLUVod_htgWeEhRxmU7C5xii2oXP56kz6ACtVK63hVm/s1600-h/Blue_eye.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOMXQbR3o4yZjAWq7VTkmJzdbRI4S-M252Q6nNajPpLLhXjbkso7MS8vcmgX5Pnuc3UgrNyCvwUQmNdp4BU3Gh9mjPCHLUVod_htgWeEhRxmU7C5xii2oXP56kz6ACtVK63hVm/s400/Blue_eye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164397461271151794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /><br />How many of you out there have blue eyes? If so, we're related!<br /><br />A Danish scientist, Dr. Hans Eiberg, has conducted a study of blue-eyed people and found that there is a single mutation responsible for blue eye color. This mutation is very specific and has been found in every single blue-eyed person that they've studied. This "founder" mutation for blue eyes goes back to a common ancestor thousands of years ago. In other words, if you have blue eyes, you are likely related to everyone else in the world who also has blue eyes.<br /><br /></span><a href="http://tinyurl.com/22gxvo"><b>http://tinyurl.com/22gxvo</b></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br />I hope you're all inviting me to your next family reunion!<br /><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-42200150567671185832008-01-17T22:54:00.000-05:002008-01-17T23:05:24.444-05:00Vote for PlayPumps International!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >For the next three days, you can vote online and support PlayPumps International:<br /><br /></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">PlayPumps International’s mission is help improve the lives of children and their families by providing easy access to clean drinking water, enhancing public health, and offering play equipment to millions across Africa. We provide schools and communities throughout Africa with an innovative, uniquely sustainable, free supply of clean drinking water. We strive to bring joy and play into the lives of African children, better health for millions, and to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. We will carry out our mission by installing 4,000 PlayPump water systems in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa by 2010, bringing the benefits of clean water to up to 10 million people. More than 950 PlayPump systems have already been installed in South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zambia.<br /></span><br /></blockquote><br /><div style=""><div style="">VOTE<span style="">4</span>CAUSE | Donate Through Voting</div><div style="">PlayPumps International<br /><a href="http://www.vote4cause.org/cause.php?id=52">http://www.vote4cause.org/cause.php?id=52</a><br /></div></div>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-40928773019757626452008-01-09T19:27:00.000-05:002008-01-09T19:34:39.182-05:00Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Stem Cells....<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" >This is a long, but interesting presentation that explains stem cells.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BitVZLX58yg&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BitVZLX58yg&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-85585280182148231322008-01-06T22:25:00.000-05:002008-01-06T23:11:41.812-05:00Clone, Clone on the Range<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMVmJdboZsUpMs154x0bc8lCfPYn6FrqkAS7EOzbr4wU7OfmdKDZeh5WPQwFfCmUpNU1x1tR-muujNISEC-b6cY4IghO5s3r5lsHusUU2w4M0Si-2HG7jk4LywbnFu5LjryM8/s1600-h/blackcow.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNMVmJdboZsUpMs154x0bc8lCfPYn6FrqkAS7EOzbr4wU7OfmdKDZeh5WPQwFfCmUpNU1x1tR-muujNISEC-b6cY4IghO5s3r5lsHusUU2w4M0Si-2HG7jk4LywbnFu5LjryM8/s400/blackcow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152571059644342242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">How do you feel about eating hamburgers from cloned cows? <br /><br />Meat from cloned animals has been deemed no different than meat from non-cloned animals. Therefore, the FDA requires no special label for cloned meat.<br /><br />So why clone animals?<br /><br />The idea is to replicate the best livestock over and over again, to improve the quality of meat and milk products.<br /><br />There are some who feel squeamish about cloning animals, worry about safety issues, and wonder whether cloned animals face increased danger from being wiped out by epidemics. Some want mandated labeling so that they will know whether or not their meat comes from cloned animals.<br /><br />With the caveat of ensuring genetic diversity in animals to protect against epidemics, I am comfortable with cloned animals. On the grill, a steak from a cloned animal is indistinguishable from a steak from an uncloned animal. Twin cows are clones of one another. There is no inherent danger to humans in eating meat from twin cows, whether naturally-occurring or intentionally created.<br /><br />Here is an interesting video from Wired Science that explains things in a bit more detail--<br /><br /><object width="425" height="265"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/video/embed/139"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.pbs.org/kcet/wiredscience/video/embed/139" quality="high" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="265" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> </object><br /></span></span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-21063616725894897972007-12-16T10:06:00.000-05:002007-12-16T10:44:08.865-05:00Bird Flu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQOQtHtf6CDl8U0rbHUt1-hD3ZJh56vs4tNn5O2mpchYiQOkxFXMTLm3_b0BDtL3QhljJq3SLgWcu7yz6WMINf71MQySuMATYxKpMfnDMlNCimTZUGANNTi_8iFisF7vwLo2g/s1600-h/p43u.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQOQtHtf6CDl8U0rbHUt1-hD3ZJh56vs4tNn5O2mpchYiQOkxFXMTLm3_b0BDtL3QhljJq3SLgWcu7yz6WMINf71MQySuMATYxKpMfnDMlNCimTZUGANNTi_8iFisF7vwLo2g/s400/p43u.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144588145665187794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />Eight suspected cases of bird flu have been reported in Pakistan, including five members of one family. One relative, who attended a funeral for one of the flu victims in Pakistan and returned to New York, developed flu-like symptoms and went into voluntary quarantine with his son. Tests for exposure to bird flu were negative for both father and son and they are no longer in quarantine. There is more detail on this story at Bloomberg.com<br /><br />According to the World Health Organization, approximately 340 people in 13 countries have contracted bird flu since 2003. Sixty percent of the cases were fatal and most could be traced to direct contact with infected poultry. At this point, bird flu has not become a highly contagious, seasonal event. But we certainly need to keep tabs on it.<br /><br />In April of this year, the Centers for Disease Control announced FDA approval for the first human bird flu vaccine against the H5N1 strain of the virus. According to the FDA:<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ></span><blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >The manufacturer, sanofi pasteur Inc., will not sell the vaccine commercially. Instead, the vaccine has been purchased by the federal government for inclusion within the National Stockpile for distribution by public health officials if needed.<br /><br /> </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"The threat of an influenza pandemic is, at present, one of the most significant public health issues our nation and world faces," said Andrew C. von Eschenbach, M.D., Commissioner of Food and Drugs. "The approval of this vaccine is an important step forward in our protection against a pandemic."</span></span></blockquote><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-3314362628723563882007-11-21T19:43:00.001-05:002007-11-21T20:08:29.404-05:00News On The Stem Cell Front<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HqdHdkzMC-oIXz9cIgnCFNEfUtvWNWAHuBiotmNn8xRIgpdrfFFCthuin6ySP6th0UionTs3HsUYojP3xOazQ_4Ay7YESXN-Dg_ivHdI7q-O2hKZ2vRTIkSnul9Df6A5qBKp/s1600-h/Neurons+from+ES+cells+1.hmedium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HqdHdkzMC-oIXz9cIgnCFNEfUtvWNWAHuBiotmNn8xRIgpdrfFFCthuin6ySP6th0UionTs3HsUYojP3xOazQ_4Ay7YESXN-Dg_ivHdI7q-O2hKZ2vRTIkSnul9Df6A5qBKp/s400/Neurons+from+ES+cells+1.hmedium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135463297132888994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I'll bet many of you have read the latest news stories about how skin cells have been coaxed to behave like embryonic stem cells. This is a fascinating study and one that bears follow-up in the months/years ahead. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />However, contrary to President Bush's recent comments, these findings do not eliminate the need for human embryonic stem cell research, nor will it end the stem cell debate. In order to prove that these new skin-derived stem cells are as good as, or better than, human embryonic stem cells, direct comparisons must be made between them under a variety of conditions. In order to make direct comparisons, all stem cell types are needed, embryonic and otherwise. To limit further study on skin-derived stem cells alone, it would never allow us to answer the question of which cell type might work best for diabetes, Parkinson's Disease, spinal cord injury, etc. </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />In no way does this minimize the significance of findings regarding skin-derived stem cells or stem cells derived from other tissue types. But I do think that it's important to ensure that stem cell researchers have access to a wide variety of cell types for future study, including human embryonic stem cells. Let's keep this issue at the forefront and encourage federal funding for all stem cell research.</span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-60594810025536934982007-11-02T22:20:00.000-04:002007-11-02T22:41:39.359-04:00R.I.P Washoe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oeTqZe-1_3AYCHqJt1xHOp33cJxtZ7OL2mbKQG_Zi3rzqe16sXuja6hv86QZRl8nkK7unVuK439VUM_RRsW9l1pnrmiZfra1LNDXxqBT1aLja6eYkvC9SdXYknYSlpuHzKYK/s1600-h/WashoeSm3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oeTqZe-1_3AYCHqJt1xHOp33cJxtZ7OL2mbKQG_Zi3rzqe16sXuja6hv86QZRl8nkK7unVuK439VUM_RRsW9l1pnrmiZfra1LNDXxqBT1aLja6eYkvC9SdXYknYSlpuHzKYK/s400/WashoeSm3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128433869968924466" border="0" /></a><br /> <p style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Washoe the chimp died on Oct. 30th at the age of 42. She was the first non-human to learn American Sign Language (ASL). She was named for Washoe county, Nevada, where she was raised and trained in ASL. At the time of her death, she resided at Central Washington University.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There was controversy about the project and the claims that Washoe could use 250 ASL signs. Still, the project was groundbreaking in the field of animal communications. Washoe eventually passed on her knowledge of ASL to her adopted son Loulis.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br />R.I.P. Washoe.</span><br /><br /></span></p> <blockquote> <p style="font-family: arial;"></p> </blockquote><p><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span> </p>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-21949036074522545232007-10-10T18:36:00.000-04:002007-10-10T19:00:31.028-04:00Happy Birthday...Have a Nobel Prize!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k7CNKcGaiKvpkAz1dQMkopnItIcwnAFiKkfqAC8-82RHiOnNX21Qk-yh3YUmYgN1Pw1Dgo0x-jRZTtfJkId5d7Mgz56U1cTpBb6fn9vz8HU5BL1sTpss7PT4ZI4juX71cMDT/s1600-h/SGE.ICX65.101007115607.photo00.photo.default-512x341.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-k7CNKcGaiKvpkAz1dQMkopnItIcwnAFiKkfqAC8-82RHiOnNX21Qk-yh3YUmYgN1Pw1Dgo0x-jRZTtfJkId5d7Mgz56U1cTpBb6fn9vz8HU5BL1sTpss7PT4ZI4juX71cMDT/s400/SGE.ICX65.101007115607.photo00.photo.default-512x341.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119846307516397922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >It was a great birthday for Gerhardt Ertl. He turned 71 today and was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry. His award-winning research involved "surface chemistry", vital to the development of the catalytic converter, and our understanding of the vanishing ozone layer.<br /><br />Professor Ertl spoke at a live press conference today, "It is the best birthday present that you can give somebody. I was really speechless."<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Professor Ertl!</span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-1764654207572657032007-09-30T23:07:00.001-04:002007-09-30T23:21:31.128-04:00Breast Cancer Walk-- A Success!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5M4zUugyAQCtuv74ZCN6ZLGE4HURPKvntHd9EA2taIhyphenhyphenU8lCaQok9B4LZCYMDt2FATlNSKY1Bu26FKCpRgqu4AWSMovcNkqmfehTqeHBUZgMy35NgmmSx7h5BmNKt0GTtdpO/s1600-h/picture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5M4zUugyAQCtuv74ZCN6ZLGE4HURPKvntHd9EA2taIhyphenhyphenU8lCaQok9B4LZCYMDt2FATlNSKY1Bu26FKCpRgqu4AWSMovcNkqmfehTqeHBUZgMy35NgmmSx7h5BmNKt0GTtdpO/s400/picture.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116202490894976418" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br />I participated in today's "Making Strides for Breast Cancer" walk to benefit the American Cancer Society. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">You can see from the photo that we had perfect weather for the event. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">I walked the 3 mile route with a group of about 14 team members, including a couple of toddlers in a stroller. Altogether, there were about 9,000 people who took part in our local walk. <br /><br />Many thanks to all who sponsored me. I ended up raising over $700 for a very worthy cause. </span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-12794763375242289392007-09-18T22:41:00.000-04:002007-09-18T23:07:33.620-04:00Eye on Climate Change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVALXKYlY8LCuuSAtyVv8IQBLYj3Hw93SYEupeQvjWNLzOj92PIRRDazSaXjnOc1XmLa9I6-U-f64e3Vddiepz7raa2ha4JzlxqfPIemXA2hJ79T8YSfFQnMayeHjhoicb_4Lq/s1600-h/300px-The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVALXKYlY8LCuuSAtyVv8IQBLYj3Hw93SYEupeQvjWNLzOj92PIRRDazSaXjnOc1XmLa9I6-U-f64e3Vddiepz7raa2ha4JzlxqfPIemXA2hJ79T8YSfFQnMayeHjhoicb_4Lq/s400/300px-The_Earth_seen_from_Apollo_17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111740833790899570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There is an excellent website with scientific information on global warming:</span><br /> <a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" href="http://www.blogger.com/www.nature.com/reports/climatechange">www.nature.com/reports/climatechange</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />You'll find a journal club, a blog and a free digital issue of "Nature Reports Climate Change".</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br />Check it out!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-47526796424318592842007-09-16T10:36:00.000-04:002007-09-16T10:39:07.565-04:00What Will They Think Of Next?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4e6dWi4ENkwMEnzlDOJOu9gBwg-pOTBP_30Ws6s9xBedod23QtxLdRBqBC6pru3vkQ6m4tgk9dBQznBvPTLy5-yvIILqgi3shZC8_sXpXtUpwnGpjV4XC3pRIVqwdE7hIN7n/s1600-h/med_cold_air.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG4e6dWi4ENkwMEnzlDOJOu9gBwg-pOTBP_30Ws6s9xBedod23QtxLdRBqBC6pru3vkQ6m4tgk9dBQznBvPTLy5-yvIILqgi3shZC8_sXpXtUpwnGpjV4XC3pRIVqwdE7hIN7n/s400/med_cold_air.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110811187379714786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >OK, it was cool in 1953.</span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-23414750986277760812007-09-10T18:31:00.000-04:002007-09-10T18:38:55.869-04:00In Memoriam: Elizabeth Olmsted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hM71gN_BTl9jl4rtd9897gPwu_ElgANOqctzyurx13vtWFvIpbMmvaC5bXts2UdhbKlXlJpArX3ct1ll4VSAFOxqDCpi2P4G_Kr4We2dmAk0IU0ya8E187nF43DfQoB5Ia6W/s1600-h/360-bn-20070909-B005-drelizabethpier-44206-MI0001.embedded.prod_affiliate.50.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hM71gN_BTl9jl4rtd9897gPwu_ElgANOqctzyurx13vtWFvIpbMmvaC5bXts2UdhbKlXlJpArX3ct1ll4VSAFOxqDCpi2P4G_Kr4We2dmAk0IU0ya8E187nF43DfQoB5Ia6W/s400/360-bn-20070909-B005-drelizabethpier-44206-MI0001.embedded.prod_affiliate.50.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108707067495061266" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><br />From the Buffalo News Obituary:</span><br /><p> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><i></i></span></p> <blockquote> <p><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" ><i>March 5, 1915 — Sept. 6, 2007</i></span> </p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dr. Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted, a pioneer for women in medicine, died Thursday in Millard Fillmore Hospital. She was 92. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine in 1939, becoming Western New York’s first female ophthalmologist. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Throughout her career, she also worked as a military consultant investigating the effects of radar exposure on the eye, invented the diffraction lens used in the treatment of crossed and lazy eyes, authored numerous articles and served as president and chairwoman of local and state professional societies. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dr. Olmsted was one of the area’s first female pilots, serving as a lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol in the early 1940s. She was a member of the Ninety- Nines, the international organization of female pilots. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Her husband, Ira G. Ross, died in 1991. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">A lifelong Buffalo resident and civic leader, she volunteered for several local organizations. Of all her accomplishments, she is perhaps best known for philanthropy. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Throughout the 1990s, Dr. Olmsted contributed millions of dollars to the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences to establish a faculty chair in medical information services and to establish the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute. She also donated to the Blind Association of Western New York, renamed in her honor the Elizabeth Pierce Olmsted, M.D. Center for the Visually Impaired, to update its facility to state-of-the-art. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">In recognition of her generosity, Dr. Olmsted in 2004 received the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">She also received the National Conference for Community and Justice of Western New York Lifetime Achievement Award, the Athena Award, UB’s Distinguished Medical Alumna Award and many other honors. In 2003, she received an honorary doctorate in science from the State University of New York. </span></p> </blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >I had the great pleasure to know Dr. Olmsted. She once told me that when she started out as the first female Ophthalmology resident at the University of Rochester, the male residents refused to sit at the lunch table with her. Eventually, she won them over. She was truly a pioneer in the field. </span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-90734625372852841882007-09-01T15:52:00.000-04:002007-09-01T15:53:35.043-04:00Signs That Make You Go "Huh"?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_1pR0Us63BkqoT5yn2YWf5HbGtm5sW1OrlD-FjbqENzZai_cUxr0DtxyuhZUFMCnMSoy9Gd8U9aXa24X1IyQCF8ZaWn7SKPw4MHgbIKqa1NA3J89TF1Vb14BAzW4bCxcnWik/s1600-h/funnysigns002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_1pR0Us63BkqoT5yn2YWf5HbGtm5sW1OrlD-FjbqENzZai_cUxr0DtxyuhZUFMCnMSoy9Gd8U9aXa24X1IyQCF8ZaWn7SKPw4MHgbIKqa1NA3J89TF1Vb14BAzW4bCxcnWik/s400/funnysigns002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105326107894355714" border="0" /></a>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-39534409289241155582007-08-17T19:42:00.000-04:002007-08-17T19:54:51.677-04:00Breast Cancer Walk<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bzJDX6cImfr1gYhNx4MBYrlF4o85-6oRgbzGp_pJbYzGuv1SQbigPHwFHnqjDIBzSN9psw-EZw6d7k-IJH0LxxK-4Jaj3VAYwTFL_zfiaiSxgF6xeEwkSotzjyu3M3lniFTG/s1600-h/breast_cancer_ribbon.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bzJDX6cImfr1gYhNx4MBYrlF4o85-6oRgbzGp_pJbYzGuv1SQbigPHwFHnqjDIBzSN9psw-EZw6d7k-IJH0LxxK-4Jaj3VAYwTFL_zfiaiSxgF6xeEwkSotzjyu3M3lniFTG/s400/breast_cancer_ribbon.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5099821477345898898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >This year, I'll be participating in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event of the American Cancer Society. Our local walk will be at the end of September. I'm dedicating this walk to the memories of my cousin and my aunt who bravely fought breast cancer during their lives, and in honor of surviving relatives and friends who are an inspiration to us all.<br /><br />For more information about participating in your area, here is a link to the event:<br /><a href="http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/">http://makingstrides.acsevents.org</a><br /><br />If anyone would like to sponsor my walk, please send an e-mail to eyedoc333@hotmail.com and I'll send you the link to my donations page. </span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-7390416270203260012007-08-11T21:28:00.001-04:002007-08-11T21:45:30.665-04:00African Webcam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYZGNLMd75F2Hg3DmXcLfJRNeyS_E77p-zxhv_RDNQII5iE479DTrNa4QmvCgMokeJHSl5SGu-E8rELKN93CcHCQPmx2EomU29elg3uNs3-hstUu8UKFORif7efcErteHOmKH/s1600-h/elephant.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYZGNLMd75F2Hg3DmXcLfJRNeyS_E77p-zxhv_RDNQII5iE479DTrNa4QmvCgMokeJHSl5SGu-E8rELKN93CcHCQPmx2EomU29elg3uNs3-hstUu8UKFORif7efcErteHOmKH/s400/elephant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097621268375002610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There's a very interesting page on the National Geographic website called "Pete's Pond". It's a link to a live webcam of Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana, Africa. At various times of the day, you can see elephants, snakes, lizards, birds, and lions. The sounds of chirping insects and splashing water are very relaxing<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">.<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Edit: The tinyurl link isn't working. I'll put it in the comments section, if I can.</span></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br />Hat tip to Jillan.</span><br /></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-4361440788745116672007-07-26T20:40:00.001-04:002007-07-26T20:41:22.426-04:00A Stem Cell Milestone in New York!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a press release from Gov. Spitzer's website. </span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">Yours truly will apply for funding as soon as the grants become available!</span><br /> <br /> </span><!--quoteo--> <div style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="quotetop"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div> <blockquote> <div style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="quotetop"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /> </span></div> <!--quotec--><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">July 26, 2007</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">GOVERNOR SPITZER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO EMPIRE STATE STEM CELL BOARD</span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">Board to Oversee $600 Million in Funding for Stem Cell Research</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">Governor Eliot Spitzer today named 11 appointees to serve on the committees that form the Empire State Stem Cell Board. The Board was established to oversee and administer $600 million in funding for the Empire State Stem Cell Trust Fund to promote stem cell research and development.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">“The Empire State Stem Cell Trust Fund propels New York State forward in the search for scientific knowledge and advancement, and will enable the world-class academic, research, medical and scientific institutions located here to reach their full potential,” said Governor Spitzer. “The individuals that we are nominating to the Empire Stem Cell Board will help bring thoughtful leadership, scientific expertise, and ethical considerations to the advancement of stem cell research.”</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">The 2007-2008 Enacted Budget includes an initial appropriation of $100 million and an additional $500 million is provided at $50 million per year for ten years beginning in April 2008. The Fund will make grants for basic, applied, translational and other research that advances scientific discoveries in fields related to stem cell biology. No grants are allowed for any research involving human reproductive cloning.</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson said: “New York is responding to the urgent need for a state-sponsored, fully-funded stem cell research program. The appointed members of the Empire State Stem Cell Board represent the best leadership our State has to offer in the stem cell research field. This board will execute our stem cell research program with the highest moral, ethical, and scientific standards. It will play a key role in advancing medical science, bringing hope to people suffering a range of debilitating illnesses. I am proud that we are able to deliver our stem cell program to the people of this state, and I am personally committed to seeing its full, successful implementation. ”</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">Commissioner of Health Richard F. Daines, M.D. said: "Biomedical research holds great promise for the presentation and treatment of the most devastating diseases and health conditions. Governor Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor Paterson's support for this initiative will position New York as a leader in stem cell research, and will expand the number of New York scientists contributing to this promising field. The caliber of the Empire State Stem Cell Board members is outstanding, and we look forward to working with them.”</span><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">The Board includes two committees – the Funding Committee and Ethics Committee – each consisting of 13 members. The Stem Cell Board will be chaired by the Commissioner of Health, Richard F. Daines, M.D. who will also act as a member on each committee. Twelve members are appointed by the Governor with six of those members recommended by legislative leaders. The Funding Committee will make recommendations for the awarding of grants to the Commissioner of Health based upon the analysis and recommendations of an independent scientific peer review process. The Ethics Committee will make recommendations regarding scientific, medical and ethical standards.</span></span></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23030639.post-84578100644762314662007-07-25T18:27:00.000-04:002007-07-25T18:42:16.054-04:00Outrageous Politicizing of Science!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49p-e-iPfyCagZTUeKq3pMTQgcn8IH5IcC5r1bHyfInZyDI2C_n6NAKa4dVbaNGUKKGs_67y8WKvbMTHFDbxGTuTLl39nOh0vM6zFpRC1n7UIrRo6JHZvXx2bWJiuKRyeSa_6/s1600-h/The+Worst+Part+of+Censorship.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49p-e-iPfyCagZTUeKq3pMTQgcn8IH5IcC5r1bHyfInZyDI2C_n6NAKa4dVbaNGUKKGs_67y8WKvbMTHFDbxGTuTLl39nOh0vM6zFpRC1n7UIrRo6JHZvXx2bWJiuKRyeSa_6/s400/The+Worst+Part+of+Censorship.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5091265550000578018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Sadly, I must report on another outrageous government intrusion into scientific affairs. Yesterday, Executive Order 13422 went into effect that gives political appointees the final word on federal science regulations. </span></span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> This will promote and foster the continuing climate of political interference of scientists at federal agencies,<br /><br />The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is on the case, delivering letters</span></span></span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" > to two Senate committee chairs calling for questions to be asked at the confirmation hearings for the nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget.<br /></span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><blockquote>"We have a corps of highly trained scientists in federal agencies. Why would we want to undermine their expertise and authority?" said Francesca Grifo, director of UCS's Scientific Integrity Program. "This executive order greatly expands the power of the White House to weaken the ability of federal agencies to protect public health and safety..."</blockquote></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> </span></span></span>eyedoc333http://www.blogger.com/profile/16208608165351334993noreply@blogger.com4