Category: science

  • Mouse in Your Engine Not the Same as Tiger in Your Tank

    Mouse in Your Engine Not the Same as Tiger in Your Tank

    The other day, Sena was out at the auto dealership getting our lease car serviced and had an interesting conversation with the service guy and another customer. The other customer was discussing his vehicles issues with the service guy and mentioned that rodents were probably snacking on his engine wires and hoses. The bill for…

  • Ready for Another Step Counting Recommendation?

    Ready for Another Step Counting Recommendation?

    Remember my post about the step counter and my workout update pointing out the possibly bogus 10,000 step recommendation? Well, get ready for another recommendation which lowers the bar somewhat, based on your sedentary index. There’s a new study which says, essentially: “Conclusions: Any amount of daily steps above the referent 2200 steps/day was associated…

  • New Compound MM-120 Related to LSD Gets FDA Nod

    New Compound MM-120 Related to LSD Gets FDA Nod

    I saw the story in Psychiatric Times about the compound MM-120, which the FDA recently granted breakthrough designation. MM-120 is related to LSD. Breakthrough designation is defined by the FDA as, “…a process designed to expedite the development and review of drugs that are intended to treat a serious condition and preliminary clinical evidence indicates…

  • Do You Really Need to Walk 10,000 Steps a Day?

    Do You Really Need to Walk 10,000 Steps a Day?

    Since we got this little step counter, I’ve been paying more attention to how I exercise. The step counter will even track steps when I juggle—probably because I drop balls often enough to chase after them a lot. And then I ran across the 10,000 steps as a benchmark for walking to keep healthy. I…

  • Jim Updates His Workout and Adds a Step Counter!

    Jim Updates His Workout and Adds a Step Counter!

    Since we added the step platform, I’ve been wondering how to count steps when I use it because for some reason my smartphone step counter won’t count steps when I try to use it on the platform. Sena got a handy step counter and it works! It works if you have it in your pocket…

  • The Iowa State University African and African American Studies Research Guide

    The Iowa State University African and African American Studies Research Guide

    In keeping with Iowa History Month 2024, you can have a look at the Iowa State University website “African and African American Studies Research Guide.” Iowa State University happens to be my alma mater, or in a way, one of them. I took my Bachelor’s degree there and later graduated from The University of Iowa…

  • FDA Advisory Committee to Meet in May 2024 to Discuss Updating Covid-19 Vaccine

    FDA Advisory Committee to Meet in May 2024 to Discuss Updating Covid-19 Vaccine

    The FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) will meet on May 16, 2024 to make recommendations on Covid-19 strain selections for the fall vaccine of 2024-2025.

  • The Good and the Not So Good About Mental Health Treatment

    The Good and the Not So Good About Mental Health Treatment

    Sometimes I write “depressing” blog posts. On the other hand, I have both good and bad news today. I found out that, according to the Treatment Advocacy Center, Iowa’s state psychiatric hospital bed availability is dismal according to 2023 figures. That’s actually not new. Although we rate last in the nation for this, we still…

  • Thoughts on a Study of Sitting with Your Patients

    Thoughts on a Study of Sitting with Your Patients

    I saw this interesting article on a study about the effect of chair placement on physicians’ behavior when in a patient’s room, specifically whether it altered the length of time a doctor spends with a patient or the level of satisfaction patients had with the interaction. In this study, it didn’t lengthen the time, but…

  • Well, The Times They Are A’Changing at the CDC

    Well, The Times They Are A’Changing at the CDC

    We just found out that the CDC is, in fact, changing their recommendations on isolation precautions and other guidance for respiratory illness. It turns out the 5 day isolation rule for a positive Covid 19 test is going away. The Respiratory Virus Guidance page has changed as of today. Sena found out about it from…