This week's compendium

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

1. Nutrition Diva reminded us chocolate’s good for us due to the flavanol content as well as the cacao percentage [1]. And cocoa beans from different countries have vastly different flavanol content.

2. Drew Ward, CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, resigned. He said he’d achieved his objective of taking the event from a car race to a major entertainment event. And he denied being pushed out [2]. He didn’t because it isn’t. And he was.

3. a treehugger item showed off beautiful and cosy slippers made from recycled sweaters and leather jackets [3]. What about it, Foxs Lane?

4. 1,500 West Australians including Federal and State parliamentarians, stood up to support Israel [4a, 4b]. Good on them – every single one of them.

5. gizmodo convincingly and colourfully demonstrated that iPhone users have more sex [5]. Sweetheart Vivienne is an iPhone user. Ho hum.

6. the Annals of Internal Medicine published research showing high blood lipid levels in early adulthood are associated with increased coronary calcium 20 years later [6]. It’s never too soon to start healthy behaviours.

7. an Archives of Neurology study showed high accuracy diagnosing Alzheimer disease – based on protein patterns in the cerebrospinal fluid [7]. I don’t know if early diagnosis is worthwhile if there’s no effective treatment?

8. the WHO decreed that the H1N1 flu pandemic’s officially over [8]. And what a beat-up it was, too.

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. the Zephyr unmanned solar plane set a record of 14 days 24 minutes aloft, thanks to its photovoltaic panels and lithium-sulphur batteries [1]. Go, Zephyr.

2. Blade Electric Vehicles [2a], Australia’s leading electric car manufacturer blasted the federal government for choosing an imported model to be our first electric trial fleet – even though Blade’s car’s better, cheaper and had been developed with federal government funding [2b]. Ho hum.

3. the effectiveness of so-called Hands-Only CPR, i.e. with heart compression only, was found no less than CPR that also includes respiratory assistance [3a, 3b]. It’s easier too, of course.

4. I learnt of the GrowFood website that matches farmers with potential paid or volunteer farmworkers [4a, 4b]. Pity it’s currently limited to US farms.

5. Nutrition Diva told us how to store half an avocado [5]. Yep.

6. Get-It-Done Guy offered advice on how to respond to important emails [6]. You’ve no excuses from now on.

7. Australian airlines said they have no policy to deal with overweight or obese passengers – even though the public wanted one [7]. As weight affects aircraft fuel consumption, lighter passengers should get a bigger baggage allowance – and vice versa.

8. the Age’s Jason Koutsoukis wrote that ‘Israeli troops removed several trees on the Lebanese side of the border fence that separates the two countries without incident’ [8]. The fence’s 200-300 metres on the Israeli side of the border. Even UNIFIL said so – as Koutsoukis wrote at the end of his article. Yet again Koutsoukis didn’t let the truth spoil a good story. He’s an apologist – not a journalist.

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. Nutrition Diva wrote that mineral water’s good for you [1]. Next time I go to Daylesford I’ll take my cup.

2. speaking of water, treehugger wrote cash-strapped US cities are slashing spending on bottled water [2]. They say it’s for fiscal and environmental reasons. I don’t care what they say – but I care what they do.

3. JAMA published a paper concluding that for chronic low back pain and lumbar spine arthritis, oral glucosamine’s no better than placebo [3]. But i’s good for knee arthritis.

4. planetgreen published the results of a global survey on child development and play. 90% of children said they’d rather play with parents and friends than watch TV or use the internet. [4] Ho hum.

5. the journal Neurology published a 17-year study revealing older people with depression have a 50% increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s [5]. Interesting.

6. young round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson announced the imminent release of a CD of 20 songs that she listened to during her voyage [6a]. I’ll bet none are those in my musical blog post tribute to her [6b].

7. treehugger published a piece about a Cannondale bike that doubles as a shopping trolley [7]. How beautiful.

8. as I wrote two days ago, Artist as Family’s food forest’s really took shape [8]. Over 100 people have said they’re attending the Plant-in Day today. Wow! Go, team!

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. I was sorry to read Al and Tipper Gore are separating after 40 years of marriage [1]. Big pity.

2. I was also sorry to read that Art Linkletter had died [2a]. Michael Schildberger too [2b]. I grew up with Art’s TV show People are Funny [2c]; and I attended the same synagogue as Michael.

3. treehugger reported on an electric car that went 623.76 miles (1,003 kilometres) on one charge [3]. That’s so impressive.

4. the BMJ reported that infrequent tooth-brushing’s linked to a higher risk of heart disease [4]. Apparently it’s an oral hygiene issue. At least twice a day’s the go, folks.

5. the BMJ also reported that active elderly people who wear multifocal glasses reduce their risk for falls if they use single-focus, distance-vision lenses during outdoor activities [5]. Makes sense to me.

6. I read this item about bald guys [6a]. I’m okay being one [6b].

7. treehugger reported that German researchers are using shark skin-like paint to make wind turbines more efficient [7]. It has implications for cars, planes, boats etc.

8. Nutrition Diva told us all we need to know about salt [8]. Including that we should all eat less of the stuff.

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. Grammar Girl pointed out the tautology in ‘please RSVP’ [1]. Yep.

2. Nutrition Diva wrote an informative article about ‘Which Type of Rice is Healthiest’ [2]. Everyone who eats rice would do well to read it.

3. Cornell University psychologists reminded us that more consumer gadgetry doesn’t mean more happiness [3]. And our planet benefits.

4. I couldn’t help but marvel at the EcoARK – a 3-storey Taipei building constructed using 1.5M plastic bottles [4]. As with item 3 above, a win-win situation.

5. I first heard that in 2007 actress Geena Davis had established The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media [5]. I compliment her and hope the Institute achieves its aims.

6. further to this Farmdoc’s Blog post [6], the scat seekers sought scats on our property last Thursday for two hours. I’ll post the results which I’ll learn only after weeks or months of DNA testing.

7. further to this Farmdoc’s Blog post [7a], Sweetheart Vivienne alerted me to this salon.com item titled ‘Good glasses make wine taste better’ [7b]. It links to a Riedel wineglass website, of course.

8. on darling Kate’s Foxs Lane blog I admired the fox name tag Kate received in a name tag swap [8]. These craft people are so imaginative.

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

farmdoc's blog post number 699

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

1. Greenpeace Australia published a helpful analysis of the sustainability of various canned tuna brands [1]. Unless buyers take note, in a few years there’ll be no tuna for anyone to eat.

2. Nutrition Diva wrote that healthy people can eat up to two whole eggs a day without any negative effect on their cholesterol levels or heart disease risk [2]. It’s amazing how the previous medical advice – to the contrary – could have been so wrong.

3. the BMJ reported that sexual activity, quality of sexual life, and interest in sex were positively associated with health in middle age and later life [3]. It’s a chicken-and-egg situation. Do healthier people have more and better sex, or does sex make people healthier?

4. JournalWATCH reported that long-term mortality among live kidney donors was similar to that in healthy controls [4] There was a increase in post-operative mortality among the donors. But it was tiny.

5. Sweetheart Vivienne alerted me to a NYT article concluding PSA (i.e. prostate specific antigen) testing’s useless to detect prostate cancer [5]. Hmmm. Interesting. I’ll ponder it for a while, I think.

6. using six criteria, Greenopia rated BP the greenest oil company [6]. Not many of the companies listed operate in Australia. Anyway BP’s the best of them. Shell was fourth.

7. the Herald-Sun reported that Australian F1 Grand Prix organisers lied by saying the 2009 event’s twilight timing produced a massive increase in TV watchers [7]. Question: How do you know when a GP organiser lies? Answer: When he speaks.

8. indeed today, is darling Emily's birthday [8]. I love her more today than I did on her previous birthday. Much more.

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

farmdoc's blog post number 685

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

1. Great Britain, which sanctimoniously condemned the use of fake British passports in the Dubai hit on the murderer al-Mabhouh, has now cringingly apologised for the use by its agents of fake passports in a 1942 hit on Nazi SS chief Heydrich [1]. I suppose the Brits think this pathetic apology gives them licence to continue their sanctimonious condemnation.

2. General Motors announced it'll shut down its Hummer brand after China’s regulators halted a Chinese purchase [2]. Good riddance.

3. in the US, National Grammar (on Thursday) came and went [3]. And I’ll bet the standard of grammar in the US stayed appallingly unchanged (not that Australia’s is one iota higher).

4. the Lancet published research concluding that in adults with low back pain of at least 6 weeks duration, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) in a group setting was effective in terms of pain and disability at 12 months [4]. You’d be foolish to underestimate the power of the human brain.

5. a retrofit of the Empire State Building – the world’s most famous office building – won it a prestigious award for energy efficiency [5]. Now for retrofits of the less famous ones.

6. a University of Ballarat survey revealed that almost 90 per cent of older men involved in community organisations feel it improves their overall wellbeing [6]. I’m one of the 90% because I’m a member of the Mole Creek Fire Brigade.

7. Nutrition Diva said calories you eat in the evening aren’t more likely to make you gain weight than calories eaten at any other time of the day [7]. Fair enough, then.

8. Sweetheart Vivienne’s book Alzheimer’s: a Love Story received a major accolade from a prestigious source, on national television [8]. Ho hum.

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

farmdoc's blog post number 664

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

1. with the 2010 Australian F1 Grand Prix only 43 days away, the GP Corporation announced that the rock group Simple Minds will play concerts at this year’s event [1]. I rest my case.

2. with the race only 43 days away and sans naming rights sponsor, a hero of mine, Kevin Summers, offered A$3,000 for the naming rights – to plug a play he’s directing. He’s not heard back yet. [2] Surely three grand’s better than nothing. Shame on you, GP Corp. But go, Kev!

3. Nutrition Diva explained how to know that the fish fillets you buy are fresh and healthy, and how to thaw frozen fish without it turning to mush [3]. Sounds sensible to me.

4. UK peer Baroness Tonge said Israel should set up an inquiry to disprove allegations that its medical teams in Haiti harvested organs of earthquake victims for use in transplants [4a, 4b]. The anti-Israel Baroness beggars belief. But the Elder Of Ziyon has the perfect solution [4c].

5. I read two articles about anti-Israel bias infecting medical journals [5a, 5b]. Wouldn't it be a great idea if medical journals wrote about medicine.

6. a research study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that Australian GPs rarely follow guidelines when managing new episodes of low back pain [6a, 6b]. Ho hum.

7. it was reported that three Australian mining companies, i.e. Newmont Mining (ranked third), Rio Tinto (fourth) and BHP Billiton (tenth), were in the top-ten most controversial companies in the world last year [7]. Ho hum again.

8. the Events section of Sweetheart Vivienne’s website’s been filling up [8]. And there’s more in the pipeline. When will I ever see her?

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.