Science, Technology & Health: February 2004 Archives
I don't know if this problem plagues other Internet Explorer users, but have you ever noticed that you can "disable script debugging" in the Tools->Internet Options->Advanced menu as many times as you want, but it won't stick? Well I found the solution in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 224926.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, use the following steps:
1. Open Visual InterDev 6.0.
2. On the Tools menu, click Options.
3. Double-click Debugger to expand the branch, and then click General.
4. Under Script, click to clear the Attach to programs running on this machine check box.STATUS
This behavior is by design.
Largely due to artificial conception, the rate of twin births is on the rise in the UK.
While the overall birth rate is falling, 15 in every 1,000 births now result in twins, triplets or more - an increase in multiple births of 20 per cent in 10 years.Meanwhile, the age that women are having their first child continues to rise.
Yesterday's figures on birth rates, from the Office for National Statistics, show the average age of women giving birth has continued to increase to 29.3 years in 2002.These two phenomena are fruits from the same tree that has given the UK an increasing abortion rate. How twisted.The average age of women having their first baby increased to 27.3 years.
I think Zicam may be better than the internet. I started taking it on Monday, and I can tell I've had a cold for a few days now but I basically have no symptoms. It appears to be important to take it at least once during the night, otherwise the viruses in your throat/nose have a chance to regroup.
Some researchers at MIT think they've discovered the biological mechanism behind long-term memory. Pretty nifty, if they turn out to be right. Until now there hadn't been much progress on this front, at either the hardware (biology) or software (psychology) level. Once we get a better understanding of the physical structure behind memory, we may be able to implement human-like memory using computer systems -- an essential component of human-like artificial intelligence.
(HT: GeekPress.)
The Atkins Diet always seemed incredibly unhealthy to me, and it's now been leaked/revealed that its inventor, Dr. Robert Atkins, was obese when he died in April, 2003.
The news calls into question his cause of death and whether Dr Atkins followed the controversial diet, which has reversed conventional wisdom by prescribing meats and cheeses while eschewing starchy foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates.Of course, the direct cause of death was his fall down some icy stairs. His doctors claim his diet wasn't related to his obesity or heart problems.The examiner's report said that Dr Atkins had suffered a previous heart attack, congestive heart failure and hypertension, all conditions that are related to obesity.
Personally, I'd rather eat the sort of balanced diet the human body is designed for. No one yet knows what kind of long-term effects -- if any -- the Atkins diet will have on people after several decades of use. Eating so much protein and fat can't be good for the liver and kidneys.
Another example of why I'm not entirely libertarian: I really think we need to limit tort liability. Libertarians advocate a reduction in government regulation and claim that people will regulate their own activities if we have a strong court system that allows them to sue each other for civil damages. For example, we wouldn't need building codes if building owners could be effectively sued for damages when their buildings collapse on people. Such a suit could be brought now, but would likely lose if the buildings met whatever codes have been established by the government; under the libertarian system, the plaintiff would always win such a case based on the facts in evidence -- your building collapsed, ergo it was not built properly and you owe me money.
The multitude of problems with our medical malpractice system belies the theory behind this sort of regulation through unlimited tort. Jurors, unfortunately, don't appear to be smart enough or dedicated enough to make wise decisions in these matters, and their judgements are driving health costs through the roof and putting doctors out of business. Just as over-regulation can strangle an industry, so can trial lawyers and plaintiffs looking to win the legal lottery.
Zicam works.
I started coming down with a cold on Sunday night, and on Monday morning I was feeling pretty out of it. I hit the drug store on the way to work and bought some Zicam tablets that dissolve in your mouth and I started taking one every three hours as instructed on the bottle.
When I'm first getting sick I usually have a bad sore throat for the first few nights, and Sunday night it was just getting started. When evening came around yesterday though, my throat didn't hurt at all. I expected to take NyQuil to get to sleep, but I decided I didn't need it. I woke up once during the night and popped another Zicam.
When I woke up this morning, I felt great! I still feel a little sick -- a little warm, a little tired -- but the major symptoms are basically gone. I'm completely amazed. It normally takes me over a week to feel this good.
I'm going to keep taking Zicam for another 48 hours, and we'll see how I feel in a couple of days. As of now, I'm thinking this was the best $11 I've ever spent.
