Category: science

  • What Does “Design Defect” of a Vaccine Mean In the Iowa Bill to Require Vaccine Manufacturers to Waive Immunity from Lawsuits?

    What Does “Design Defect” of a Vaccine Mean In the Iowa Bill to Require Vaccine Manufacturers to Waive Immunity from Lawsuits?

    Beats me. Sorry, just kidding. I’m just a little bleary from looking at the web sites about the definition of “design defect” related to vaccines as it applies to the Iowa bill to make vaccine manufacturers waive their immunity from lawsuits about vaccine related injuries. I am sympathetic to anyone who in fact has suffered…

  • New Wrinkle on Iowa Bill to Oppose mRNA Vaccines in Iowa

    New Wrinkle on Iowa Bill to Oppose mRNA Vaccines in Iowa

    This is a follow up to yesterday’s post about the Iowa legislature’s proposition of a new law that would essentially ban mRNA vaccines in Iowa. I don’t understand the numbers and codes on the new sections, but the new one proposes that manufacturers of vaccines would have to waive immunity from lawsuits arising from “a…

  • Proposed Bill Would Ban mRNA Vaccines in Iowa

    Proposed Bill Would Ban mRNA Vaccines in Iowa

    Sena just alerted me to a bill in the Iowa legislature right now that proposes mRNA vaccines (like the Covid vaccine for example) be banned in Iowa. Part of it says that any person who provides or administers such a vaccine would be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and subject to a $500 fine. I…

  • The Connection Between Vitamin A and Measles Is Not Just About Carrots

    The Connection Between Vitamin A and Measles Is Not Just About Carrots

    The measles outbreak is big in the news and the issue of the role of Vitamin A in measles reminded me of something I saw back in the 1970s. I was working as a drafter and survey crew assistant for WHKS & Co (consulting engineers in Mason City, Iowa) at the time. As I was…

  • Girl Scout Cookies Are Safe!

    Girl Scout Cookies Are Safe!

    We were out the other day and tried the new Girl Scout Thin Mint Frosties. Sena got chocolate and I got vanilla. We thought they were delicious. Wendy’s partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA to serve them up and it’s a great idea. They’re swirled and topped with a mint-flavored cookie crumble sauce. We…

  • FDA Announces Clozapine REMS Program Eliminated

    FDA Announces Clozapine REMS Program Eliminated

    As of February 24, 2025, the FDA has eliminated the Clozapine Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) program. See the FDA link for details. Below is the announcement. “Latest Update February 24, 2025 – Beginning today, FDA does not expect prescribers, pharmacies, and patients to participate in the risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) program for…

  • Addiction Not the Same as Neuroadaptation

    Addiction Not the Same as Neuroadaptation

    It’s common to read or hear people say they’re “addicted” to all sorts of things, like chocolate, but there’s a difference between addiction and adaptation. Adaptation can also be called “dependence” or the fancier “neuroadaptation.” This can foster a discussion about whether you can be addicted to antidepressants, which by extension, could mean it’s difficult…

  • Are There Clear and Consistent Racial Differences in Immunity?

    Are There Clear and Consistent Racial Differences in Immunity?

    So, the short answer is “Probably not.” I did a little digging on this because I heard the recently confirmed HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr (RFK Jr) cite studies which he says did indicate there are differences in humoral immunity between Caucasians and African Americans. Now remember, I’m a retired general hospital psychiatric consultant…

  • Send The Asteroid; We Deserve It

    Send The Asteroid; We Deserve It

    About that news article regarding an asteroid colliding with earth—I couldn’t read it…hits too close to home (rim shot!). More seriously (but not much!), the background for this is that the asteroid 2024 YR4 has been identified by NASA and is tracking it now. News stories emphasize its large size of maybe up to a…

  • Get Ready to Vaccinate Your Chickens!

    Get Ready to Vaccinate Your Chickens!

    I’ve heard about the recent contract a drug company (Zoetis) obtained to make chicken vaccine for the H5N1 bird flu virus which is hopping from birds to cows and even to humans. So far, I haven’t heard that the bird flu is transmitted between humans. As far as eating eggs, I’ve read that the chance…