Welcome to ...

The place where the world comes together in honesty and mirth.
Windmills Tilted, Scared Cows Butchered, Lies Skewered on the Lance of Reality ... or something to that effect.


Friday, August 7, 2009

Deet, the popular and potent insect repellent, is neurotoxic

Some 200 million people a year use it, and apparently it's bad news for the brain and nervous system, particularly when combined with other repellents that have similar toxic effects.

From a Science Daily article:
deet.jpg The active ingredient in many insect repellents, deet, has been found to be toxic to the central nervous system. Researchers say that more investigations are urgently needed to confirm or dismiss any potential neurotoxicity to humans, especially when deet-based repellents are used in combination with other neurotoxic insecticides.

Vincent Corbel from the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement in Montpellier, and Bruno Lapied from the University of Angers, France, led a team of researchers who investigated the mode of action and toxicity of deet (N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). Corbel said, "We've found that deet is not simply a behavior-modifying chemical but also inhibits the activity of a key central nervous system enzyme, acetycholinesterase, in both insects and mammals".


Here is the original report: Deet inhibits cholinesterase: Evidence for inhibition of cholinesterases in insect and mammalian nervous systems by the insect repellent deet

3,000-year-old Wacko statue?

 Images 410*307 Egyptian-Bust-Large This Egyptian bust has become a popular attraction at Chicago's Field Museum because it's a spitting image of Wacko, complete with a tweaked nose. It was carved between 1550-1050 BC and depicts a woman.

Kepler spacecraft sees its first exoplanets

Kepler's computer has mysteriously entered a standby, or "safe", mode twice since launch - possibly because it was hit by charged particles from space called cosmic rays (Illustration: NASA)

Kepler spacecraft sees its first exoplanets

NASA's recently launched probe has detected three known planets, confirming it is sensitive enough to find other Earths – unfortunately, it's sensitive to cosmic rays, too.

Mini-magnet test makes things sticky for TB

TB-causing bacteria are now quicker to spot (Image: CDC/Phanie/Rex Features)

Mini-magnet test makes things sticky for TB

Tuberculosis can now be diagnosed in just 30 minutes rather than weeks, using magnetic nanoparticles that adhere to the bacteria that cause the disease

Arctic Ocean may be polluted soup by 2070

By 2070, the Arctic could be a stagnant polluted sea (Image: Jonathan Hayward / Rex Features)

Arctic Ocean may be polluted soup by 2070

Without drastic cuts in emissions, the Transpolar Drift, one of the Arctic's most powerful currents and a key disperser of pollutants, is likely to disappear because of global warming.

Science News

From BBC-Science:
Tiger
Groups of closely-related species are likely to become extinct at the same time, according to research in Science journal.

And I Quote

Bill O'Reilly is a disgrace to American society.
He's full of shit.
This is not a debate, it's a civil war.

~ Dr Warren Hern, friend of slain Dr Tiller,

Violent Wing-Nut Town Hall Mob: Linked With Group Promoted by Glenn Beck

An angry mob of near-rioting right-wing protesters overwhelmed a Tampa, Florida Democratic town hall Thursday night organized to discuss health reform, requiring dozens of police officers to control the unruly crowd.

Full Story

In response to these wing-nut mobs ...
Let your Congresscritter you are fed up with these wing-nut mobs.

In a hallmark move of a lost cause the repugicans are howling and trying to brow-beat everyone into thinking they are 'tha bomb' - but they just blowing hot air as they always do. They smell of fear and failure.

And just what is the wing-nut's take on this?

Dougj, over @ Balloon Juice: put it quite nicely ...
When someone talks back to a cop in his own house, that’s disorderly conduct.

When people make death threats and start fights in public, that’s exercising their first amendment rights.
Makes you want to hurl or otherwise blow chunks, doesn't it?!

Jilted Wife Leaves Governor's Mansion With Sons

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's wife and four sons are moving out of the official governor's residence, several weeks after Sanford admitted to having an affair with an Argentine woman he called his "soul mate."

Jenny Sanford announced Friday that she and her sons will move to Charleston for the upcoming school year and will continue to work toward "healing our family." .

Full Story

Cop who targeted drug dealers died from heroin overdose

A police officer who was renowned for his work against London drug dealers was found dead in his flat from a heroin overdose.

Full Story

Gun-shaped lighter sparks court evacuation

Authorities in Florida said a reported gun that sparked the evacuation of two court buildings was later discovered to be a cigarette lighter.

Full Story

Woman, 86, faces shoplifting charge in 61st arrest


Ella Orko.

Full Story

To fill void left by Tiller slaying, Nebraska abortion provider plans Kansas clinic

A Nebraska physician says he still plans to open his own late-term abortion practice in Kansas in the wake of the shooting death of Wichita abortion provider George Tiller.

Full Story

Obama not letting the shrub off hook on economy

Obama not letting Bush off hook on economy

Dodging attacks over the deficit the president and his team have placed the blame where it belongs.

Obama not letting the shrub off hook on economy

Also:

How 'clunker' cars get killed

The trashed rides must make a few stops before demolition.

How 'clunker' cars get killed

Also:

Simple tip that keeps bees away

Simple tip that keeps bees away

Warding away wasps and bees from your picnic requires just one strategically placed ingredient.

Simple tip that keeps bees away

Also:

Air speed failures

Air speed failures reported on at least 12 flights

Pilots on at least a dozen U.S. flights couldn't tell how fast they were traveling, an investigation reveals.

Air speed failures reported on at least 12 flights

Also:

Blogger targeted in Twitter attack

Reports: Blogger targeted in Twitter attack

Thursday's worldwide Twitter outage may have been caused by those trying to silence an outspoken user.

Blogger targeted

Also:

Meth Lab Discovered In Motel Next To Sheriff's Office

A methamphetamine lab was discovered Wednesday inside a room at the Virginian Motel in Stuart, right next door to the Patrick County Sheriff's Department.

Full Story

Experiment may reveal truth to old fable

Experiment may reveal truth to old fable

The famous tale about a thirsty crow and a pitcher of water may have been a reality, scientists report.

Truth to old fable

Also:

The easiest languages to learn

The easiest languages to learn

If English is your native tongue, you'll have the best luck picking up one of these.

The easiest languages to learn

Also:

Jobless rate drops for first time in 15 months

Jobless rate drops for first time in 15 months

It was a better-than-expected July data offers a strong signal that the country's recession is finally ending.

Jobless rate drops

Also:

Unusual Holidays and Celebrations

Today is

Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day

as well as

Lighthouse Day

Daily Almanac

Today is Friday, Aug. 7, the 219th day of 2009.

There are 146 days left in the year.

Today In History August 7

Our Readers

Some of our readers today have been in:

Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Daily Horoscope

Today's horoscope says:

You've often been described as the family historian, and while it's a title you love, it's also one you richly deserve.
You remember things no one else does, and you have a scrapbook that's entirely up-to-date and a box of mementos that will bring tears to the eyes of all parties involved.
It's time to bring those things out and let your loved ones see how good you are.

It's party time then!