Topological study of the recycle symbol. It's not much, but it's yet another reminder that even the most banal icons of daily life are tied to some cute little math nerd.

Math Trek : Recycling Topology, Science News Online, April 26, 2003

So let me get this straight. NASA can build a container strong enough to withstand a massive explosion and heat, protecting the fragile life of worms but, still manages to lose astronauts due to seals and foam tiles... wow

[wow...thats pretty amazing - Nano]

Searchers find live worms in shuttle wreckage - Apr. 30, 2003

] Doctors at Chimkent Children's Hospital in Kazakhstan
] originally believed Mourat Zhanaidarov was suffering from
] a cyst.
]
] But during surgery, they discovered he was in fact
] carrying the dead foetus of his twin brother.
]
] The foetus had developed into a tumour but was found to
] have hair, nails and bones.

] Valentina Vostrikova, chief surgeon at Chimkent
] Children's Hospital, told the newspaper: "It was
] remarkable. For seven years it lived like a parasite
] inside the boy's body."

umm....what? And um....yeah....how?

BBC NEWS | Health | Boy 'pregnant' with twin brother

] PhreakNIC 7 dates have been set for October 24-26, 2003!

PhreakNIC 7 :: Nashville, TN

] Now, several companies and medical laboratories are
] developing rapid genetic tests to determine who is likely
] to respond poorly, or not at all, to standard doses of
] common medications. These tests represent the beginning
] of a fundamental change in the way medicine is practiced,
] by tailoring the choice of drug and the amount prescribed
] to the genetics of the patient.
]
] The full impact may not be felt for five or 10 years. But
] already, Roche, the worldwide leader in marketing
] diagnostic tests, is betting $70 million on new gene
] chips from Affymetrix in Santa Clara. The first Roche
] AmpliChip will check patients for common variations in
] two genes that play crucial roles in the breakdown of
] almost half of the prescription drugs now on the market.

Finally.

Mercury News | 04/21/2003 | Emerging biotech field uses genetics to predict drug reactions

Finally....some SARS infoz for the US. Nobody has died in the US from SARS, but it is good to keep an eye on where it is happening.

CDC Media Relations - SARS US Case Report

] Human liver cells harbouring the hepatitis C virus can be
] selectively targeted and destroyed by a new gene therapy
] approach, according to new research.
]
] The key is a genetically-engineered "suicide" gene,
] delivered aboard a harmless virus, which is triggered
] only when it enters a hepatitis-infected cell.

This is just....wow. So cool. This is similar to what I was working on with cancer cells at Esoterix.

New Scientist - Genetic 'smart bomb' knocks out hepatitis

] The tooth fairy could soon face competition for baby
] teeth from scientists who have discovered the teeth are a
] source of stem cells. The cells could help repair damaged
] teeth and perhaps even treat neural injuries or
] degenerative diseases.
]
] Currently, researchers can isolate two types of stem
] cells. Embryonic stem cells can develop into any cell in
] the body, but their harvesting requires the destruction
] of embryos, which pro-life groups oppose. Adult stem
] cells avoid this problem, but have more limited
] abilities. Now it appears that the stem cells from
] children's lost teeth could provide an intermediate and
] easily accessible source.

So...this is cool....but at the same time, it makes me conjure up images of researchers sneaking around dentists offices. Kinda funny.

New Scientist - Baby teeth revealed as source of stem cells

] We weren't really worried about security of the system.
] We were worried about the reputation of the system,"
] Baker said.

These people are morons

Blackboard Gets Gag Order Against Smart-Card Hackers (TechNews.com)

Happy Birthday Rattle:)