What scares scientists? What fears keep them up at night worrying? What makes them scream (if only in their heads)? As part of my elephant in the lab series tackling difficult but important topics for scientists, today I am talking fear! Earlier posts in this series included taboo topics about iPS cells, the dirty dozen […]
Fears of academic scientists: elephant in the lab series Read More »
I’m sitting here in Davis, CA USA wishing I was in Japan for ISSCR 2012. I’m also wondering what I’m missing. Is it a great meeting? So so? Kind of boring? If you are at ISSCR 2012 please take our poll and let us know what you think of the meeting so far. Last year
How good is ISSCR 2012 so far? Take our poll! Read More »
On Monday I had the privilege to participate in a very unique meeting down in San Diego, CA with Governor Rick Perry of Texas. The focus was on the future of stem cell translational research and clinical application. The small meeting was hosted by Jerry Henberger of the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego, at the Scripps
Meeting with Rick Perry to build stem cell bridges Read More »
Taxpayer supported government grants + scientists’ work = closed access publisher profits (derived from payments from taxpayers + scientists) This simple equation embodies all that is wrong with today’s predominant system of publishing. In fact, it is an indictment of closed access publishers. The profits of closed access publishers come at the expense of science
The case for open access publishing embodied in a single equation Read More »
What are the most important iPS cell papers so far? 1) Yamanaka’s first paper on mouse iPS cells. Revolutionary. Intriguing perspectives presented in day 1 of the iPS cell field. Interesting statements such as Myc is required. Also take a look at those other reprogramming factors that he tested…there’s a tremendous amount there, largely unexamined.
What are the best iPS cell papers so far? Read More »
Why doesn’t the brain fix itself using stem cells the way other organs do? Earlier this week I was lecturing to students here at UC Davis on stem cells. One of the points I raised was that most if not all of our organs have a compliment of stem cells that are there to maintain
Stem cells on the brain: why can’t the brain just fix itself? Read More »
Welcome to the era of the brain injury epidemic. It’s always been an epidemic, but we as a society are only realizing it now. Remember those old anti-drug commercials that aired on TV I think in the 80s saying “This is your brain on drugs”? They showed an egg frying in a pan (see video
The end of the NFL? The “new” epidemic of head injuries in pro and child athletes Read More »
The FDA has been busy with stem cell-related activities this spring. Busier than publicly apparent. Very busy, indeed! Earlier, I reported that they issued a warning letter to cosmetician to the stars, Dr. LookGood, as well as one to another doc selling stem cell therapies. Now it seems apparent that even more is going on
FDA visits both ICMS and reportedly Celltex: the scoop! Read More »
Yesterday I put out a post as a guide for scientists to insult each other. More insults have been forthcoming from the blog readerships including some even nastier ones. Most are just downright mean, but some are sexist or racist. Sadly these comments are real. They skewer you and roast you over the coals, often
Insults 2.0: more ways scientists skewer each other Read More »
Scientists have special ways of using words to insult each other and believe me it can be vicious even if almost uninterpretable to those not fluent in that language. These insults are sometimes brutal or fatal career-wise, but also sometimes ironic and telling of our scientific culture. They are often also not talked about because
The scientist’s guide to insulting other scientists: elephant in the lab series Read More »