The other day PZ Meyers blogged about a new organization called Wisconsin Citizens for Science. WCFS, as they call themselves, is a "group of Wisconsin citizens, including teachers, professors, professionals and others, all coming together to promote and support quality science education in the state of Wisconsin."
One of my favorite efforts of the group, which they have listed on their webpage, is that they will be "participating in the drafting and adoption of science standards to ensure integrity and scientific accuracy as outlined by organizations such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and National Science Teachers Association, among others." I'm very glad that someone has finally stepped to the plate and started this up.
If you are a citizen of Wisconsin and your are pro-science you should sign up here today!
February 27, 2009
Wisconsin Citizens for Science
February 25, 2009
OTC Analgesics
The everyday aches and pains of life can be alleviated by a plethora of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. Understanding what all the medicines in your local pharmacy can do is both an essential and daunting task. By breaking them down into a few basic categories I will make them easier to understand.
Aspirin (Bayer, St. Joseph, Anacin, and Bufferin);
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin);
Naproxen Sodium (Aleve);
and Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Excedrin).
Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) is a generic name for a painkiller that affects the spinal cord, altering the brain’s perception of pain. It is generally easier on the stomach than other analgesics. It can reduce fevers as well as minor aches and pains.
Aspirin, unlike acetaminophen, alleviates pain without affecting consciousness. It inhibits the release of a lipid called prostaglandin which effects blood vessels, platelets, and sensitizes nerve endings. This affects blood clotting and can be used as an anti-inflammatory, along with all other pain relief. However children (under 18) should not take aspirin for symptoms related to viral infections due to the risk for Reyes Syndrome which can be fatal.
Ibuprofen is a prostaglandin inhibitor much the same way aspirin is. However it is a stronger analgesic than aspirin or acetaminophen and a better anti-inflammatory than aspirin.
Naproxen Sodium is the active ingredient in Aleve, Xenobid, Anaprox, Miranax, Naprogesic, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Proxen, and Synflex. It has a blood thinning effect, to a lesser degree than aspirin, that can be used as an anti-inflammatory. It is most widely used as an anti-arthritic medication.
Disclaimer: Nothing posted here should be used for medicinal purposes, always consult your doctor before you start using any over-the-counter products. Use only as directed on the label.
February 21, 2009
Mehmed The Conqueror
Christopher Hitchens commonly quotes American Physicist Steven Weinberg stating, "With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion." This has been very evident throughout history. I came across a very specific example in a history lecture the other day. It revolved around the conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
Mehmed II, "the Conqueror", was a sultan in the Ottoman Turkish empire. In the name of Islam he conquered the capital of the Christian empire in 1453. This effectively brought and end to the Byzantine Empire (Kritovoulos).
Kritovoulos, a Greek, describes in great detail the bloodshed and violence involved in the battle for Constantinople. Here is his account of Mehmed's reaction to the siege:
"After this the Sultan entered the City and looked about to see its great size, its situation, its grandeur and beauty, its teeming population, its loveliness, and the costliness of its churches and public buildings and of the private houses and community houses and those of the officials . .
When he saw what a large number had been killed, and the ruin of the buildings, and the wholesale ruin and destruction of the City, he was filled with compassion and repented not a little at the destruction and plundering. Tears fell from his eyes as he groaned deeply and passionately: 'What a city we have given over to plunder and destruction!'" (Kritovoulos)
Kritovoulos. History of Mehmed the Conqueror. Trans. Charles T. Riggs. Princeton University Press, 1954.
