This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. the booksellers Borders and Angus & Robertson went into voluntary administration [1a]. I bet the government doesn’t offer them a generous exit package like it’s given loggers and their ilk [1b].

2. zinc was reported to reduce significantly the severity and duration of the common cold [2]. It inhibits rhinovirus replication.

3. I read that record sheep prices have stimulated a spike in duffing, i.e. theft [3]. That’s predictable of course.

4. Hepburn Wind’s turbines, on the SE Panthea, are due to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow evening [4]. It’s hoped they’ll be operational later in 2011. Yay.

5. a natural gas liquification plant opened in northern Tasmania [5]. LNG will only be used in trucks – because engines need costly rebuilds to run on LNG. LNG greatly improves fuel efficiency though compounding problems firefighters face if an LNG-powered truck crashes.

6. an Australian research paper showed the incidence of multiple sclerosis falls as sunlight exposure rises [6]. This effect’s been known for years. But its basis remains unclear. Sunlight and Vitamin D explain only 32% of the latitude incidence gradient.

7. a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians discourages routine imaging for low back pain [7]. The College says routine imaging increases costs and complications – without improving outcomes.

8. darling sister Sue sent me this link to an interview her son (thus my nephew) Dion did last 12 January [8a]. I’ve previously labelled Dion a natural [8b]. This recent interview confirms he is. I’m proud of you, mate.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.

My nephew hits a home run

Bernard Malamud (1914-86) was an author of novels and short stories, and arguably one of the great American Jewish writers of the 20th century [1]. When I think of Malamud, lots of things come to my mind. But baseball’s not one of them. Despite this he wrote a baseball novel [2] that was adapted into a 1984 film starring Robert Redford, Glenn Close and Kim Basinger [3] Its name? The Natural. My oldest nephew, darling Dion (pictured) isn’t a baseball player (to my knowledge, anyway). But when it comes to the media he’s a natural. Most definitely. So cool, unfazed, articulate, empathic, interesting, interested, concise and relevant. And, of course, handsome. ‘Yes, but you’re his uncle’, I hear you say. I am indeed. But don’t take my word for it. Have a look at this recent interview [4] and make up your own mind. I’ve no clue where Dion’s media savvy came from: there aren’t too many media stars – if any – in the family. Maybe he’s read books on the subject. Or been coached. But perhaps he is, before and after all, just a natural. I hope to see lots more media appearances in the future from my nephew – the Future Maker and Young Entrepreneur [5]. And I hope he continues to hit lots of metaphorical home runs – in his career, and in his broader life. Well done, mate!