An interesting development in stem-cell research was just reported by Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine International. Scientists have had a couple methods in the past to convert a patient’s own cells to stem cells but the methods had unacceptable risks for mutations. The new method uses skin cells and a cell-penetrating peptide (protein.) This avoids the risks of using retroviruses or chemical washes. Currently it takes longer but they believe the process can be refined.
Avoiding the thorny ethical issues of embryonic stem cells means research can progress rapidly. Also, using one’s own cells reduces rejection issues. Great progress…
Another guy with time on his hands playing with old hardware. Live demo of 1960′s 300 baud acoustic modem being used to connect to the internet. Interestingly enough, I worked at a company that had a 1200 baud acoustic modem still in daily use in 2000 (the same company also had a 286 computer still in production.)
ArsTechnica has an excellent article laying out why the major ISP’s claims that they need data caps to avoid financial ruin just don’t hold water. Just like their opposition to the various “net neutrality” proposals we continue to see evidence of what we already expected–they are just being greedy.
Now, the libertarian side of me believes in a free capitalist market. But keep in mind that in most areas the major telcos/cable operators have a government-approved and somewhat protected monopoly. That isn’t a free market and the lack of competition means they don’t truly operate at the levels that the “market would bear” without such constructs.
In areas where there is more competition we see things can be done better at some pretty amazing costs. However, the major players are always ready to fiercely protect their restricted markets even lobbying government to actively prohibit municipal and other independent providers. I call foul. For a recent example, just see what Time Warner is doing in North Carolina.
As Dan @ Queen City Survey points out, May is festival season in the Queen City. Head over to the QCS site for a listing of May events and his upcoming coverage of some of the bigger ones.
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