This week's compendium

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

1. treehugger.com quoted an Australian report concluding increased energy efficiency could deliver 65% of worldwide carbon cuts by 2020, i.e. almost twice renewable energy, nuclear power and clean coal combined [1]. So surely this is the way to go, world.

2. in a US court, 91 Israeli civilian victims of the 1996 Second Lebanon War, filed a US$91.2B lawsuit against al-Jazeera claiming it intentionally reported realtime coverage of rocket strike locations in Israel, so Hezbollah could more accurately aim its rockets [2]. The Israelis must have good evidence. Time will tell.

3. the Age reported that Melbourne researchers who’ve developed a revolutionary treatment for Alzheimer’s, are having trouble raising A$1.5M of the A$3M needed for a clinical trial [3]. The Victorian Government wastes A$50M+ on the Grand Prix. Each year.

4. Grammar Girl's topic was ‘When to use Female Nouns’ [4]. I like her summary: 'What matters is getting across the massages you want to send, and trying to block those you don't'.

5. an HonestReporting item revealed a Lancet multi-article series on Palestinian health that’s scandalously and unequivocally biased [5]. It’s okay if the Lancet wants to be a political journal. But it shouldn’t masquerade as a medical journal.

6. the Archives of Internal Medicine published a 6-year prospective study finding a correlation between low vitamin D levels and the onset and progression of cognitive decline [6]. A chicken-and-egg scenario. But there’s no downside to ensuring one’s vitamin D level’s normal.

7. treehugger.com reported on a London urban orchard [7]. It’s terrific, but not as salubrious as the Artist as Family’s Food Forest in Sydney.

8. speaking of which, AaF’s Food Forest Plant-in Day last Saturday got some great media [8]. Well done, AaF.

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

This week's compendium

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

1. Nokia, one of the world’s greenest tech companies [1a], unveiled Eco Profiles for each of its new products [1b]. Nice, Nokia.

2. a research article concluded hot packs and cold packs were equally ineffective for acute neck or back pain treated by ibuprofen [2]. But patients liked them.

3. Yahoo began using its iPhone weather application to make a political statement [3]. Stick to your knitting, Yahoo.

4. Grammar Girl distinguished between ‘assure’ and ‘ensure’ and ‘insure’ [4]. Rest assured it’ll ensure you know the difference.

5. a Lancet paper showed that allopurinol, a drug heretofore used only for gout, increases exercise capacity and lessens effort-related symptoms in patients with chronic stable angina [5]. A fascinating discovery.

6. I liked this Radiolab podcast about tumours, which included a segment about Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour Disease [6]. I didn't know a Dutchman discovered TDFTD.

7. Nutrition Diva tells us to eat fish fat, and why [7]. Okay.

8. in fact yesterday, was the 50th anniversary of my Bar Mitzvah [8]. Time flies when…

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

farmdoc's blog post number 615

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

1. I read on Planet Ark’s website of the outstanding success of South Australia’s ban on plastic bags. In the first six months of the ban, plastic bag usage has fallen by an estimated 200 million. [1] What’s holding back the other Australian states – including Victoria and Tasmania?

2. regarding reporting on the Middle East, the HonestReporting website published the nominees for, and winner of, its ‘Dishonest Reporter Award 2009’ [2]. Regrettably there was no shortage of worthy nominees – unsurprisingly including the Age.

3. the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists launched a website titled Inside Radiology aiming to provide consumers (patients, potential users) and referrers (medical and other health professionals) with accurate, up to date and accessible information about radiology procedures and interventions [3]. An excellent resource.

4. Grammar Girl listed the four commonest grammar questions put to her in 2009, with links to full explanations of the answers [4]. Interesting holiday reading.

5. Nutrition Diva explained when you add wine or other liquor to a recipe, although some of the alcohol ‘cooks off’, up to 85% of the alcohol remains in the finished dish [5]. Now you know.

6. the North American Aerospace Defence Command [NORAD] set up an official NORAD Santa Tracker website [6]. Maybe NORAD knows something I don’t know. That wouldn’t be difficult – because I don’t know much.

7. the 2009 Global Solar Report Card gave Australia a C minus for focus on solar energy, and a C regarding incentives for installing solar [7]. (Germany was top nation, with A minus for each.) Ho hum.

8. Daylesford Organics received a council permit for farm gate sales of its prize-winning organic fruit, vegetables and eggs. Now sales can, and will, begin in early January as planned. Details are here [8]. Good luck, guys. Actually, luck isn’t needed – because your top quality produce speaks for itself.

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