Nov 30 2009
In Pursuit of the Gene: From Darwin to DNA
One hundred and fifty years ago on November 24th this year, Charles Darwin published his seminal book On The Origin of Species. While Darwin’s concepts of evolution through Natural Selection have become political targets of religious zealots everywhere, his scientific work formed the basis of much of what is known today about genetics, one of humanity’s greatest achievements. For about …
One hundred and fifty years ago on November 24th this year, Charles Darwin published his seminal book On The Origin of Species. While Darwin’s concepts of evolution through Natural Selection have become political targets of religious zealots everywhere, his scientific work formed the basis of much of what is known today about genetics, one of humanity’s greatest achievements. For about …
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Born just three days before the Soviet invasion and occupation of her country, Malalai Joya is in many ways typical of Afghans aged 30 years or younger. They are a generation that has known only war. But in many ways Malalai Joya is an extraordinary person, as her political memoir reveals, risking her …
The Presidential elections slated for this Sunday November 29th are going ahead as planned despite the breaking of a US-sponsored peace accord that was meant to reinstate ousted President Manual Zelaya. The United States and Panama are the only two countries so far to support the elections. South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint announced earlier this month that he had …
The Obama administration recently announced its intent to push for comprehensive immigration reform in the coming new year. In a speech given earlier this month Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano favored what she called a “three-legged stool” approach involving enforcement, expanded legal channels, and a “firm but fair way to deal with those who are already …
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is when retailers advertise so-called door-busting deals and special promotions to consumers to kick-off the Holiday shopping season. Black Friday as a retailing term goes back to at least 1966 when the Philadelphia Police Department used it to describe shoppers the day after Thanksgiving flooding into the Center City area of downtown. …
The discovery of 46 bodies of lawyers, journalists and family members of a politician in the Philippines, has caused national outrage, leading to President Arroyo declaring a state of emergency. The victims, more than a dozen of whom were women, were abducted by gunmen on Monday in Maguindanao, a province on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Many of their …
A government agency released new guidelines for breast cancer screening last week that have set off a firestorm of debate both within and outside the medical community. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that getting mammograms later in life, and every other year instead of every year saves just as many lives and actually does less harm. Additionally …
As parents and other consumers shop for children’s gifts this holiday season, a new report warns that many toys on store shelves remain toxic and hazardous. Released today, the California Public Interest Research Group’s 24th annual “Trouble in Toyland” survey examines toy safety in three major categories; choking hazards, excessive noise, and dangerous lead levels. Despite unprecedented recalls of …
