public health with a technological aside.
There's nothing like being aware that inspires a little fear . . .
Getting a little old school: The people of Paraguay aren't very happy about a new outbreak of yellow fever, but they were even less pleased with their country's lack of vaccines. After demonstrations were held, the governments is now vaccinating the population. The outbreak is thought to come from neighboring Brazil and has northern Argentina on alert.
Many programs combating HIV/AIDS in Africa have focused on women and communities until now. Why? Perhaps because women have greater economic and social incentives to protect themselves or because they are more likely to be compliant test subjects. Women also are more likely to be caretakers and often see the effects of AIDS firsthand. However, there have been a few very important male-centered studies in Africa, notably the one that found that circumcision significantly reduced the rate of HIV transmission. Namibia's government is going to encourage men to be directly involved in the fight against AIDS. Considering that they are more likely to have multiple partners, which makes them more likely to spread the disease, this is not a bad idea. My favorite line in the article is "Official statistics further indicate that as of end of last year, over 200000 people were infected with HIV, the virus that may lead to AIDS." (my emphasis)
UGA, the Zoological Society of London, and Columbia's Earth Institute came out with a map of emerging infectious diseases worldwide. One should note the number found in the US, especially the eastern seaboard. This interests me because, besides having to do with epidemiology, it has to do with GIS.
He said what? No way!: Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near, says that machines will match us by 2029. The American Association for the Advancement of Sciences is having a meeting and I guess one can call a press meeting to sell one's stuff. Take a look at the little sidebar on the 14 challenges facing humanity that these guys collected. It's funny how some problems always confront us. Personally, this is my favorite take on Kurzweil.
Last but not least: Lawrence Lessig, IP law expert, is running for congress. Nifty.
Getting a little old school: The people of Paraguay aren't very happy about a new outbreak of yellow fever, but they were even less pleased with their country's lack of vaccines. After demonstrations were held, the governments is now vaccinating the population. The outbreak is thought to come from neighboring Brazil and has northern Argentina on alert.
Many programs combating HIV/AIDS in Africa have focused on women and communities until now. Why? Perhaps because women have greater economic and social incentives to protect themselves or because they are more likely to be compliant test subjects. Women also are more likely to be caretakers and often see the effects of AIDS firsthand. However, there have been a few very important male-centered studies in Africa, notably the one that found that circumcision significantly reduced the rate of HIV transmission. Namibia's government is going to encourage men to be directly involved in the fight against AIDS. Considering that they are more likely to have multiple partners, which makes them more likely to spread the disease, this is not a bad idea. My favorite line in the article is "Official statistics further indicate that as of end of last year, over 200000 people were infected with HIV, the virus that may lead to AIDS." (my emphasis)
UGA, the Zoological Society of London, and Columbia's Earth Institute came out with a map of emerging infectious diseases worldwide. One should note the number found in the US, especially the eastern seaboard. This interests me because, besides having to do with epidemiology, it has to do with GIS.
He said what? No way!: Ray Kurzweil, author of The Singularity is Near, says that machines will match us by 2029. The American Association for the Advancement of Sciences is having a meeting and I guess one can call a press meeting to sell one's stuff. Take a look at the little sidebar on the 14 challenges facing humanity that these guys collected. It's funny how some problems always confront us. Personally, this is my favorite take on Kurzweil.
Last but not least: Lawrence Lessig, IP law expert, is running for congress. Nifty.