Laos Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1998

This is from a report made by the U.S. Department of State:

 

"The Government allows citizens to marry foreigners, but only with its prior approval. Although the Government routinely grants permission, the process is burdensome."

 

Sound like the story of anyone you know?

 

"Marriages to foreigners without government approval may be annulled, with both parties subject to fine."

 

They won't annull our marriage. But it has cost us many $K to keep me here so far. And I've filed hundreds of pages of documents, just trying to get the right to stay here with my American citizen husband.

An unlikely crusader fights to save the voodoo soul of Haiti

"Unesco has contributed $20,000 (£14,000) towards indexing and photographing the collection, but UN officials estimate that a further $30,000 is needed to prepare a complete inventory." - Guardian Unlimited

 

Holy crap. So this is what UN officials do. 

FDA OKs Lizard-Derived Shot for Diabetes

I was just amused by the extracting of the saliva of Gila monsters. I wonder what eye of newt does.

Birds May Be Behind Exploding German Toads

Is this the first time crows have ever done this kind of thing? Because, while I feel better about it not being some kind of freaky contagious disease, I'm still a little disconcerted by crows suddenly (and selectively) plucking the livers out of specific frogs in a manner which seems to have taken biologists by surprise. Maybe we should be looking into the chemicals found in these livers and the diseases in these crows, as animals do self-medicate.

CDC Pushing New Mosquito Repellents

Woohoo! GOOD NEWS! Finally! Oil of lemon eucalyptus gets its official props!

Mother charged with fatally stabbing 9-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter

I'm waiting to see how long the media takes to find out which SSRI anti-depressant meds she was taking.

A randomised controlled trial of vitamin E in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhoea

Woohoo!

 

200IU twice a day, beginning 2 days prior, reduction of need for ibuprofen, cutting cramping time to 2 hours ... it's about time.

Exploding Toads Puzzle German Scientists

Is there even a comment needed for this story?

Man Uses Video Camera to Catch Speeders

As a pedestrian who has been nearly picked off on a number of occasions, I salute this dude.

Probe Looks at Foster Kids in Drug Trials

Taken from homes where their human rights are suspected to be compromised and placed in a system where we know their rights are compromised?

Study: Processed Meats May Up Cancer Risk

Novel idea, that it isn't the meat that's dangerous but the junk done to it.

"The study showed no heightened pancreatic cancer risk with eating poultry, fish, dairy products or eggs - nor did overall intake of total fat, saturated fat or cholesterol cause additional risk.

"The results suggest that carcinogenic substances related to meat preparation, rather than their inherent fat or cholesterol content, might be responsible for the association," lead investigator Ute Nothlings said. "From our study, it seems it's not the fat."

Processing of the meats causes chemical reactions, which could produce carcinogens such as heterocyclic amines or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, scientists said." - Associated Press

Somewhere, Dr. Atkins is grinning.

Alley, Preston Oppose Psychotropic Drugs

If anybody knows about any clinical testing (e.g. blood, urine, saliva) that can be used to diagnose a mental disorder related to brain chemistry, let me know.

CDC: Most Flu Virus Samples Destroyed

Apparently there are still 36 labs staffed by people who don't catch the news.

British Court Rules to Allow Baby to Die

It doesn't seem to be about respecting the wishes of the person or of the next of kin. What's weird about this article is its use of the word "doctors", in the same way that one would use the word "police". Compare the following statements:

"Police believe a city woman who was kidnapped on Thursday is in extreme danger, and they are asking for the public’s help in trying to find her." - Union Leader

"Rejecting a bid by the parents, a British judge on Thursday upheld a court order allowing doctors to let a critically ill baby die if she stops breathing - a move doctors say is the only humane way to end the child's suffering." - Associated Press

As if there is only one, nationally unified body of doctors in Britain and when they speak, they speak for all doctors.

National Cancer Institute Halts Drug Trial

Let me get this straight ... Iressa has been shown to not be helpful for lung cancer patients but you're hoping it will still "be a useful drug"? Useful for what? Getting another $389 million next year from hopeful lung cancer sufferers?