Many, along with Francis Collins, director of the NIH, suggest that we’ll be seeing $1,000 genomes within the next five years. In such a world, how do we plan for this future?

The AAAS, at their meeting on personalized medicine at the end of last month, clearly aimed to address this question. On the agenda were talks about comparative effectiveness research (CER), biomarkers and clinical care, and health IT and personalized medicine. Continue Reading »

Bisphenol A (BPA) is dangerous to human health.  

Or is it? This is the question that circles through debates as an increasing number of people (scientists and non-scientists alike) discuss chemical effects. What exactly is in the air and in our water supplies? Are harmful chemical mixtures present in our products, or aren’t they? BPA has been largely publicized as an example, though these days few are arguing the absence of the chemical in consumer products. Instead, the argument focuses mainly on exposure levels. I read a New York Times op-ed about BPA levels discovered in canned food, such as particular brands of soup and juice. In addition, another recent article points to BPA traces found in products specifically labeled “BPA-free.”  Continue Reading »

While watching the World Series a few weeks ago, I noticed a few players—notably New York Yankees’ pitchers A. J. Burnett and Joba Chamberlain and Philadelphia Phillies players Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard—wearing bulky, metallic necklaces. With a bit of research I found that these are titanium necklaces made by Phiten, who claims the products “work with your body’s energy system, helping to regulate and balance the flow of energy throughout your body.” There is no explanation as to exactly how titanium necklaces may do that or why regulating and balancing the flow of energy may help your shoulder pain. In fact there is little science behind this claim, despite the vague “science-speak” press about the titanium products; a number of physicians and scientists have countered the claim by noting that the only effect taking place with these necklaces is the placebo effect. Continue Reading »

As program assistant for electronics and emerging technology, my main project is processing and digitizing Gordon Moore materials from his office at Intel Corporation. By reading his correspondence reports, presentations, and other materials that span 30 years, I have discovered that Dr. Moore cares not just for the success of his company. He is also concerned for the future of his field in electronics and technology and science in general. In the late 1980s and 1990s Dr. Moore lectured at educational conferences to promote science and math and urged teachers to integrate technology in the classroom. At one point he requested Intel employees to encourage their own children to take an interest in science.

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Food safety is again making headlines, with a flurry of recent articles focusing on E. coli and food safety. The FDA announced it would begin a joint effort with the USDA to develop new food-safety rules, as well as begin outreach efforts to the U.S. produce industry. And recently the Center for Science in the Public Interest released a list of the ten most “dangerous” foods (in terms of contamination), with leafy greens at the top of the list, and berries, tuna, and tomatoes implicated as well. (Interestingly, peanuts—which brought to light more food-safety issues earlier this year—didn’t make the list.) At home, handling, washing, and cooking—done properly—can rid produce and meat of most dangerous bacteria. But how can consumers be sure that bag of spinach they’re using doesn’t already carry E. coli inside?  And what about pre-made frozen dinners, and ground beef that may leave traces of bacteria in the kitchen even if handled safely?   Continue Reading »

On 28 September 2009 Norfolk Southern introduced their new all-electric switcher engine, dubbed the NS 999, and it’s getting a lot of press. This engine, which is a joint venture between the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Railroad Administration, and Penn State University, could be the future of rail freight. However, in most of the articles available there is nothing mentioned of how this new engine differs from prior ones. We need to take a look at what this engine does and what it means before we can get excited about seeing it cruising down the track.

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