Monday, December 31, 2012
Gov't Agreements Abound
It looks like we will see an agreement with the U.S. fiscal cliff...but there's also agreement between the DOE, the EPA, and WA state over Hanford delays.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Managing HLW
Here is a newly uploaded excerpt from the Heritage Foundation's Powering America "documentary" which I've discussed before:
Rep. Dan Burton Is An Anti-Vaxxer
I am watching C-Span and he's on there spouting nonsense. Vaccines do NOT cause autism.
Here's a recent clip of him at a Congressional hearing. The clip also includes the fraud Andrew Wakefield :
Here's a recent clip of him at a Congressional hearing. The clip also includes the fraud Andrew Wakefield :
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Speaking Of TV....
James Hansen is scheduled to speak about climate change on C-Span at 9:05 p.m. EST. There is a good discussion on the channel right now!
The God Problem On Book TV
The book is called "The God Problem: How A Godless Cosmos Creates" by Howard Bloom.
It's scheduled to appear at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and will probably replay later this weekend.
It's scheduled to appear at 7:00 p.m. Eastern and will probably replay later this weekend.
Friday, December 28, 2012
What's Wrong With This Headline?
The news is good. It's about a study that found that proton beam therapy works no better than intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). So why pay more? But protons are radiation as are the photons associated with IMRT.
Sakura Meet Rosemary & Meister
Sakura was the Fukushima robotic aide I covered in this post.
Here are a couple more. They all face hurdles:
Here are a couple more. They all face hurdles:
Krauss With A One-Two
A couple of short philosophical videos by theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss:
How Celebrities Went To War Against Science
A round-up of some of the celebrities who engaged in pseudo-science. They're just people too.
Nuclear Power Plant Flood Risk
The author of this piece did very well in touching base with the anti-nukes. However, it is important for nuclear facilities to prepare for climate change and not ignore it. And they don't have to wait for the NRC to prod them, either.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Jerry Coyne Chimes In
Biologist Jerry Coyne chimes in on my last post about science and religion. He sides with Dawkins (and me!). I don't know when this talk was given, but it was uploaded to YouTube less than a week ago:
Physicist Criticizes Biologist Over Anti-Religious "Fundamentalism"
Peter Higgs, known for theorizing the recently discovered boson which carries his name, has criticized biologist Richard Dawkins over Dawkins' approach to dealing with religious believers.
What may motivate Dawkins is that the central paradigm of his science is evolution, and many religious leaders promote that evolution isn't true. There isn't much religious objection to physics, so Higgs hasn't had to deal with the same problems that Dawkins has.
I'm fundamentally (pun intended) with Dawkins. Higgs offers no reason not to be other than others in his field are religious. That's not a good reason.
What may motivate Dawkins is that the central paradigm of his science is evolution, and many religious leaders promote that evolution isn't true. There isn't much religious objection to physics, so Higgs hasn't had to deal with the same problems that Dawkins has.
I'm fundamentally (pun intended) with Dawkins. Higgs offers no reason not to be other than others in his field are religious. That's not a good reason.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Treasure Island Rad Levels
I've written about the island before. Rad levels are pretty high at 80 mrem/hr.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Radiation Induced Cancer Risk - Timing Is Important
According to Dr. Pandharipande, a Harvard professor of radiology.
(You can only read the first page unless you suscribe).
(You can only read the first page unless you suscribe).
Monday, December 24, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Flaws In Pipeline Leak Detection Systems
Detect leaks less than 20% of the time.
Recall that natural gas is a greater contributor to global warming than CO2. Even though when burned, natural gas produces less CO2 than coal, any natural gas leakage works against this benefit.
Recall that natural gas is a greater contributor to global warming than CO2. Even though when burned, natural gas produces less CO2 than coal, any natural gas leakage works against this benefit.
Science & Faith. Another Reconciliation Attempt?
In HuffPo.
It's hard to really understand what the author means by "faith". He seems to be arguing more for philosophy.
In any event, just because some things are not understood by humans or we've discovered some things that are counter-intuitive doesn't mean "faith" has anything to add. It doesn't.
It's hard to really understand what the author means by "faith". He seems to be arguing more for philosophy.
In any event, just because some things are not understood by humans or we've discovered some things that are counter-intuitive doesn't mean "faith" has anything to add. It doesn't.
Friday, December 21, 2012
A Lot Of Stupid In One Book
It's called, "The Politically Incorrect Guide To Science", but it should drop the word "politically".
It pretty much gets all the science-denial in one place - radiation is good for you, there is no global warming and biological evolution doesn't happen. (Thanks to the blog Pharyngula for pointing this piece of "work" out).
It pretty much gets all the science-denial in one place - radiation is good for you, there is no global warming and biological evolution doesn't happen. (Thanks to the blog Pharyngula for pointing this piece of "work" out).
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
What Do So Many People Have Against Science?
James Randi answers.
It's ironic that the interview appears in the Washington Times which is owned by the Unification Church.
It's ironic that the interview appears in the Washington Times which is owned by the Unification Church.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Hanford Challenge Criticizes Hanford Progress
Hanford Challenge is your typical self-annoited appointed watchdog group.
They are critical of DOE's progress at Hanford.
It does seem like the DOE could be doing better.
They are critical of DOE's progress at Hanford.
It does seem like the DOE could be doing better.
Biased German Physician Faults WHO Fukushima Report
I'm referring to the WHO Fukushima Preliminary Dose Estimate Report which I provided a link to on the right hand side of this webpage.
What evidence does this physician have that the WHO really got it wrong? None. He's just finding them guilty by association with the IAEA and he's claiming that they've omitted discussions on the health effects.
That's because that report only deals with dose estimates. Health effects are to be discussed in a subsequent report which is due to be published this year (time is running out).
The WHO is yet to respond.
What evidence does this physician have that the WHO really got it wrong? None. He's just finding them guilty by association with the IAEA and he's claiming that they've omitted discussions on the health effects.
That's because that report only deals with dose estimates. Health effects are to be discussed in a subsequent report which is due to be published this year (time is running out).
The WHO is yet to respond.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Sunlight Radiation Hormesis
So I was reading the latest issue of the Health Physics Journal and I see this really stupid letter by a guy named William B. Grant criticizing the UV Index working group on its work. The UVI working group primarily focuses on the cancer risk associated with UV radiation.
Grant accused them of not paying enough attention to the beneficial effects of UV radiation in areas other than bone health (ie, cancer risk reduction). He primarily used studies which suffered from the ecological fallacy to bolster his case.
Like the radiation hormesis proponents (or Intelligent Design proponents or global warming deniers) he has a website.
Grant accused them of not paying enough attention to the beneficial effects of UV radiation in areas other than bone health (ie, cancer risk reduction). He primarily used studies which suffered from the ecological fallacy to bolster his case.
Like the radiation hormesis proponents (or Intelligent Design proponents or global warming deniers) he has a website.
IDiot Tries To Raise Doubts On Biology
From the IDiot Institute (actually The Discovery Institute which tries to undermine biology in favor of the long debunked Intelligent Design, hence the name IDiot):
How's that model of the Designer looking?
How's that model of the Designer looking?
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wade Allison At It In Warsaw
Apparently he gave a talk to the World Nuclear Power Briefing called the "Road To Public Confidence In Nuclear Power" (see towards bottom of the webpage link).
Congrats Americans!
Most of you are not in denial of global warming.
The rest of you need an education....and not a pseudo-education from Rawls.
The rest of you need an education....and not a pseudo-education from Rawls.
Exelon Tells Employees To Tell Congress
To end wind power tax credits because it's hurting their profitability.
The Fukushima "50"
Those who helped control the plant during the crisis...actually more than fifty. Cool graphic at bottom of article.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
LA - This Is Very Troubling
Here's a <20 minute talk by Barbara Forrest of the National Center For Science Education called, "Religious Politics and Secular Values". It was posted on YouTube yesterday though it dates back to about a year ago. The focus is on Louisiana and the interplay between religion and politics there:
America - This Is Very Troubling
About 36% of Americans think that the changes we've experienced from climate change, are due to end times.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
How About Some Cheese With That Whine?
I've written about the International Hormesis Dose Response Society before (see my page, "Comparing The Creationist & Hormesis Cults", on the right hand side of this webpage) and I've written about Jerry Cuttler before (search his name).
Put the two together and you have a paper by him in the latest "journal" published by the society. It's titled "Commentary On The Appropriate Radiation Level For Evacuations". You will have to search for it to read it, and when you do you'll see that he's been repeating this over and over.
This is the opposite of science.
Instead of providing new evidence to support his claim, he attached a paper from 1990 to his.
It's almost 2013.
That's classic science denial.
Put the two together and you have a paper by him in the latest "journal" published by the society. It's titled "Commentary On The Appropriate Radiation Level For Evacuations". You will have to search for it to read it, and when you do you'll see that he's been repeating this over and over.
This is the opposite of science.
Instead of providing new evidence to support his claim, he attached a paper from 1990 to his.
It's almost 2013.
That's classic science denial.
Poisoning The Well
Good article which describes how even though injecting pollution into aquifers is against the regulations, a company can get exemptions. And with the current surge in domestic drilling for energy resources, that's what companies are doing.
Bang! There Goes That Theory!
It looks like there is a British television show called "Bang Goes The Theory" which tried to give the "truth about the effects of radiation".
But they didn't.
But they didn't.
Scientist Doesn't Like Science
You can always tell when they use the neologism of "scientism". When we apply the scientific method to everything, we fare better than when we don't. Yes, even ethics. When we observe and tabulate the effects of certain behaviors on others we can get data to help us decide whether the behaviors are more harmful than we might have first thought.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Climate Change Denier Clown
He is Englishman Lord Christopher Monckton at the international climate conference last week. He didn't go representing England, he doesn't have the technical skills to be qualified for that.
He went in disguise as sheikh from Burma!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Georgia's Rad Material Market
Not the U.S. state of Georgia, but the country. It seems to be part of an illicit market for radioactive material which could be used to make either a dirty bomb or a nuclear weapon.
The Santa Lie - Does It Hurt Kids?
Here's a Slate article that discusses the question and generally finds that because it fosters creativity it has some benefit. And of course, one day the children learn it was lie.
But what about this?:
But what about this?:
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Breast Cancer Radiotherapy - Less Is Better
Less total dose delivered in fewer, but larger treatments is better.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
And Don't Forget About Health Physics!
A good article on what is and is not a scientific debate and the role of the media.
Japan's Health Physics Deniers
Yup, Japan has them too, and some have been nuclear industry funding recipients.
One of them says that the linear, no threshold model is a "tool" and possibly not scientifically sound.
It may not be, but he needs to provide evidence to convince others, and he obviously hasn't.
I don't know what work he's done on salamanders or other animals, but it's sure is early to declare that there are no harmful effects.
One of them says that the linear, no threshold model is a "tool" and possibly not scientifically sound.
It may not be, but he needs to provide evidence to convince others, and he obviously hasn't.
I don't know what work he's done on salamanders or other animals, but it's sure is early to declare that there are no harmful effects.
Pseudoscience - The Shadow Of Science
This article describes what I've found to be true...the pseudosciences will always migrate to do what they can to look like legitimate science because real science earns so much respect.
Working against biology we have the Discovery Institute and working against health physics we have the International Dose-Response Society. They look reputable and scientific...they even have PhD's.
But they are peddling nonsense.
Working against biology we have the Discovery Institute and working against health physics we have the International Dose-Response Society. They look reputable and scientific...they even have PhD's.
But they are peddling nonsense.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ban On CO2
That would be U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
I wonder why the article's author felt compelled to find a climatology denier to interview.
I wonder why the article's author felt compelled to find a climatology denier to interview.
Fukushima - >80% Of Homes Remain Contaminated
About 100,000 homes was the estimate of the total number requiring decontamination.
IDiot Needs Focus
Here's biologist, but biology denier, Doug Axe attempting to raise doubts about evolution (and sell a book):
Africa - Getting Energized
Kenya is scheduled to have its first nuke plant by 2022:
Meanwhile, Ghana and Morocco are scheduled to open large solar power plants.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Earth's Rad Belts Are Highly Dynamic
Remember the two space probes launched a couple of months ago to study the Earth's radiation belts?
They've begun to transmit unexpected data.
They've begun to transmit unexpected data.
"Don't Criticize Science When It Doesn't Give You The Answer You Thought You Knew"
Here's a wonderful Forbes article (Forbes of all places!) criticizing some of our Congressmen for promoting anti-vaxxers (the false allegation that vaccines cause autism, they don't).
Genetic Background Matters
This study shows that it matters in relating skin cancer risk to UV exposure, but it also matters for other cancer risks and ionizing radiation.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the linear, no threshold risk model applies to individuals, but it doesn't. It applies to a population. An individual may be at less or greater risk than the population as a whole. And different populations can have different radiation cancer risks. This should be obvious in the case of UV radiation where darker skinned populations are at less risk than lighter skinned ones, but there can also be traits which cause differential ionizing radiation responses.
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the linear, no threshold risk model applies to individuals, but it doesn't. It applies to a population. An individual may be at less or greater risk than the population as a whole. And different populations can have different radiation cancer risks. This should be obvious in the case of UV radiation where darker skinned populations are at less risk than lighter skinned ones, but there can also be traits which cause differential ionizing radiation responses.
TEPCO Considers Giant Net To Control Contaminated Fish
This sort of thing was done before to minimize the spread of Hg contaminated fish in 1974.
Diet & Radiation Destroy Brain Tumor Cells
In mice. Those provided with a high fat, low carb diet fared better than those with a standard diet.
Q&A At An Anti-Nuke Conference
I can't embed the video, but it's here, from the recent Chicago anti-nuke conference, featuring Arnie Gundersen (I don't know who is at his side).
It's interesting to see how they maintain fear among themselves.
It's interesting to see how they maintain fear among themselves.
Anti-Nukes Visit Old Chicago Waste Site
They say to keep the risks of nuclear power in the public's mind, but if it's so risky why are they there?
Monday, December 3, 2012
Climatology Deniers Write Stupid Letter
Not in a science journal like the Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, but in the Financial Post!
For a resounding criticism of it, read this.
For a resounding criticism of it, read this.
When More Medical Radiation Is Good
When targeting lung cancers with it which have evolved resistance to drugs.
Teens Dying Curb Sunbed Tanning Industry
Yeah, not a good thing to contribute to kids' cancer. And where have we seen this line before (think - fossil fuel industry and global warming or nuclear industry and LNT or religious organizations and evolution)?:
“Though they don’t have much in the way of scientific argument, they do their best to obfuscate.”
“Though they don’t have much in the way of scientific argument, they do their best to obfuscate.”
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Radiation Issue In Indiana Town?
Possibly due to fly ash, but the EPA doesn't agree with local "expert".
Bashing Nuclear Power
The Nuclear Energy Information Service is holding a two day conference in Chicago, starting yesterday. Their confirmed list of speakers (provided on their website) are pretty much the same anti-nuclear folks of decades past.
Video's of yesterday's talks are here.
Arnie Gundersen has posted his talk on his website.
Video's of yesterday's talks are here.
Arnie Gundersen has posted his talk on his website.
The Guardian On Cumbria
The Guardian is a British newspaper and Cumbria is the proposed high level radioactive waste disposal site. Here are a series of short videos posted by the newspaper where a reporter gets different viewpoints from different folks:
Saturday, December 1, 2012
CO2 Could Reduce Crop Yields
It almost certainly will in a particular region for a particular crop, but it may help certain crop yields in other regions. Some people focus only on the fact that CO2 is consumed by plants as a part of photosynthesis, so the first thought is that rising CO2 should be good. But rising CO2 also causes temperature increases, droughts and flooding which can be worse.
High Thyroid Doses To 178 Fukushima Workers
According to this article describing the draft WHO report on Fukushima.
Friday, November 30, 2012
"Chasing Ice" Viewer Emerges From Fox News Bubble
"Chasing Ice" is a documentary about the planet's loss of ice due to global warming. Here's a trailer:
Dispersants Made Deep Water Horizon Spill 52 Times More Toxic
Based on rotifer studies, a common organism used to understand ecotoxicity.
The Economics Of Radwaste Disposal
General rule is cheaper is better as long as regulatory compliance is satisfactory.
Possible Sabotage At San Onofre
Coolant in emergency diesel generator oil reservoir - possible employee retaliation to impending layoffs.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Ice, Ice Baby
A new study shows that ice sheet loss at both poles is increasing.
But fear not, there's likely ice on Mercury.
Music please, Maestro (no, not Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby", rather Bowie/Queen's "Under Pressure" from which he stole the bass riff):
But fear not, there's likely ice on Mercury.
Music please, Maestro (no, not Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby", rather Bowie/Queen's "Under Pressure" from which he stole the bass riff):
CNN - How Old Is The Earth?
It's good that they had Bill Nye on to criticize the stupidity. But the caption shouldn't say "...debate over the age of the Earth...".
There is no debate.
There is no debate.
Does Ubiquitination Cause Cancer?
This study of the Ras gene sure makes it seem so. We've known gene mutations in Ras can lead to cancer, but ubiquitination is an epigenetic effect.
Does Genomic Instability Cause Cancer?
This has been a pretty old question. Cancer cells are notorious for having lost control of their genomes, but is this a symptom or a driver of cancer? A recent study with fruit flies indicates it's a driver.
Note that in addition to causing mutations in DNA in the "hit" cell, ionizing radiation also causes genomic instability whose effects include mutations, chromosome aberrations, aneuploidy and micronuclei, in cell daughters several generations after the "hit".
Note that in addition to causing mutations in DNA in the "hit" cell, ionizing radiation also causes genomic instability whose effects include mutations, chromosome aberrations, aneuploidy and micronuclei, in cell daughters several generations after the "hit".
Ted Rockwell's Ironic Plea
In the December issue of the Health Physics Society's Newsletter he asks for assistance from "radiological protection experts" to denounce the NYAS's Chernobyl book.
The editorial is titled, "The Responsibilities Of Being A Radiological Protection Expert".
The irony is that he co-chaired the 2012 ANS President's Special Session which was an overt attempt to deny the science of health physics.
So, being a responsible "radiological protection expert", I criticized that session (as I do the Chernobyl book).
See this earlier post on both attempts to politicalize health physics.
The editorial is titled, "The Responsibilities Of Being A Radiological Protection Expert".
The irony is that he co-chaired the 2012 ANS President's Special Session which was an overt attempt to deny the science of health physics.
So, being a responsible "radiological protection expert", I criticized that session (as I do the Chernobyl book).
See this earlier post on both attempts to politicalize health physics.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Closer Scrutiny Of CT Scan Exposures
Were recommended in the journal Radiology. This study may be relevant.
If The Last Post Didn't Hurt, This One Will
Wild animals at the usually animatronic "museum" devoted to willful ignorance:
More Anti-Science Propaganda By The Discovery Institute
This time with a documentary attempting to show that C.S. Lewis, who had warned how science could be twisted to attack religion and limit human freedom, was prophetic. Not that there hasn't been plenty of evidence of people using religion in order to limit human freedom! Nah!
How A Nuclear Power Plant Works
High quality video by a low quality group (The Heritage Foundation, which was mentioned in the article associated with an earlier post today). Other videos in their series, "Powering America" can be found at the link given at the end of this video (I've posted a few before, search "heritage").
Chernobyl Milestone (Improved)
Why Conservatives Turned Against Science
Because science exposed failures of the free market.
And not surprisingly. scientists have fled the Republican Party.
And not surprisingly. scientists have fled the Republican Party.
Global Warming - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
Some scientists are looking for ways we can use climate change to our advantage.
Music please, Maestro:
Music please, Maestro:
Court Room - Homeopathy vs. Medicine
Homeopathy found guilty of being stupid.
Medicine wins!
Remember kids, radiation hormesis was originally promoted by comparing it to homeopathy.
Of Course! This Is America!
About 64% of adult patients undergoing outpatient CT didn't know what radiologists do.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Arafat's Remains Exhumed To Check For Poisoning
Po-210 is one suspected agent, though Arafat's symptoms didn't really match those of Po-210 poisoning.
But then why were some of his personal articles contaminated years later (it has a half life of 138 days)?
But then why were some of his personal articles contaminated years later (it has a half life of 138 days)?
RealClearScience Asst. Editor, Doesn't Understand Science
Or at least the philosophy of the science. Ross Pomerey tries to support the claim that strict atheism is unscientific. His basic argument boils down to "you can't prove god doesn't exist!".
Of course, he fails to define "God". The reader is free to imagine any god he/she wants to and assume Pomerey is addressing that version. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't.
We can all imagine whatever we want exists, like unicorns, fairies, gods, etc.
Just because we can imagine it, is not a good reason to think they actually exist.
An existence claim of something not generally observed requires evidence, and an existence claim of something extraordinary, like gods, requires extraordinary evidence.
No such evidence exists, so there's no reason to believe in gods.
Of course, he fails to define "God". The reader is free to imagine any god he/she wants to and assume Pomerey is addressing that version. Maybe he is, maybe he isn't.
We can all imagine whatever we want exists, like unicorns, fairies, gods, etc.
Just because we can imagine it, is not a good reason to think they actually exist.
An existence claim of something not generally observed requires evidence, and an existence claim of something extraordinary, like gods, requires extraordinary evidence.
No such evidence exists, so there's no reason to believe in gods.
Entertainer Caldicott In Japan
Anti-nuclear entertainer Helen Caldicott was in Japan recently. I don't understand the questions, but I understand the answers. I do hope the audience isn't taking her seriously, but they probably are:
Climate Denial Groups Work To Reverse Renewable Energy Mandates
No, they're not climate skeptics...they're deniers. When groups deny the preponderance of the evidence then the actions that they undertake will not be reality-based.
U.S. Scientists Learn From Fukushima
Members of the National Academy of Sciences went to Japan to prepare for an upcoming report due to be released in 2014.
ANS & NYAS - Case Studies In HP Politicalization
I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the similarities and differences between the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS) publication of the Chernobyl book, and the American Nuclear Society's (ANS) 2012 President's Special Session On Low Level Radiation & Its Implications For Fukushima Recovery.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Climate Change: From Biotic To Exotic
In a talk by Minda Berbeco, superhero (you'll understand if you watch it, and you should watch it with a glass of wine!):
Climate Change Evident Across Europe
According to a new, free online report published by the EU's European Environment Agency.
Errata - Earth Isn't Old
Post-Fukushima: "Coexisting With Nature"
I haven't seen David Suzuki in some time (he was the host of the long-running television science series, The Nature Of Things). Here he is in a NHK documentary about Japan, asserting the need for a change of direction in energy production:
U.N. Human Rights Rapporteur On Fukushima
A rapporteur is someone who is charged by an organization to develop a report on a particular subject and inform the organization of the results. In this case the organization is the U.N. Human Rights Committee, the subject is Fukushima, and the rapporteur is Anand Grover.
.
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WHO Draft Report Of Fukushima Health Effects
Apparently a draft of the report is available, though it's not on their website. As expected the predicted cancer risk increases are very low.
Poor Arnie! Will he pull a Pat or not?
Poor Arnie! Will he pull a Pat or not?
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Practicing This Is A Waste Of Time
Here's Pat Robertson explaining why, even though he had said god had revealed to him that Romney would win the last Presidential election, Obama won. He suggests practicing to try to hear voices in your head until you do. I suggest practicing just about anything else:
Here was his "revelation" from last January:
Here was his "revelation" from last January:
Britain To Encourage Nuclear & Wind Power
A bit of good news amidst a possible calamity (see previous post).
Global Warming Calamity Warnings
This article describes the international meeting going on in Doha, Qatar.
The snapshot of climate change numbers (at end of article) is troubling.
(I don't recall ever seeing the message of calamity associated with a photo of cooling towers, unless the message was anti-nuclear and the cooling towers belonged to a nuclear power plant.)
The snapshot of climate change numbers (at end of article) is troubling.
(I don't recall ever seeing the message of calamity associated with a photo of cooling towers, unless the message was anti-nuclear and the cooling towers belonged to a nuclear power plant.)
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Fukushima & The ICRP
The International Commission On Radiological Protection (ICRP) formed a unique task group to understand the radiological issues associated with Fukushima so that the information could be assimilated within the ICRP's work of promulgating radiation protection recommendations.
The initial lessons learned by the task force can be found at the ICRP website (left hand side, under "News").
The initial lessons learned by the task force can be found at the ICRP website (left hand side, under "News").
PSR Plays The "Safe" Game
The Physicians For Social Responsibility (PSR) is an anti-nuclear group and it contains an Environmental Health Policy Institute. Their current topic is Radioactivity and Health.
Two of the papers deal with health physics and both play on the word "safe" ("Radiation's Risk To Public Health" & "An Overview Of Radiation and Health").
Those authors over-emphasize the absolute meaning of "safe"....that radiation exposure does increase the risk of cancer. That's true.
But there's also a relative meaning of "safe"....meaning that every endeavor involves some sort of risk so any radiation exposure (and any associated benefit) should be considered relative to other endeavors. So, we can compare the risk of an x-ray in order to diagnose a pain we're experiencing to an alternative of surgery which involves its own risk. Or we can forgo diagnosis, which also has its own risks.
We can compare the risk of radiation exposure from nuclear power to risks associated with other energy sources. Or we can forgo energy, which has its own risks. Energy is a benefit which powers hospitals, heating and cooling systems, etc. and therefore saves lives. Of course electricity itself also kills people, in addition to the byproducts of energy production.
If the PSR elaborated on relative safety, it would talk itself out of its agenda.
Two of the papers deal with health physics and both play on the word "safe" ("Radiation's Risk To Public Health" & "An Overview Of Radiation and Health").
Those authors over-emphasize the absolute meaning of "safe"....that radiation exposure does increase the risk of cancer. That's true.
But there's also a relative meaning of "safe"....meaning that every endeavor involves some sort of risk so any radiation exposure (and any associated benefit) should be considered relative to other endeavors. So, we can compare the risk of an x-ray in order to diagnose a pain we're experiencing to an alternative of surgery which involves its own risk. Or we can forgo diagnosis, which also has its own risks.
We can compare the risk of radiation exposure from nuclear power to risks associated with other energy sources. Or we can forgo energy, which has its own risks. Energy is a benefit which powers hospitals, heating and cooling systems, etc. and therefore saves lives. Of course electricity itself also kills people, in addition to the byproducts of energy production.
If the PSR elaborated on relative safety, it would talk itself out of its agenda.
Leukemia Risks Amongst French Nuclear Workers
The study, published in the recent Radiation Research journal (as was the study of the previous post), shows an increased risk.
Chernobyl Worker Thyroid Study
Shows increased thyroid cancer risk.
This follows on the heals of an earlier study on leukemia incidence among Chernobyl workers.
This follows on the heals of an earlier study on leukemia incidence among Chernobyl workers.
Physical Scientists Take On Cancer
Here's a free online supplement of Outlook courtesy of the journal Nature which has a wonderful collection of easy-to-read papers on the topic.
Climate Change News
The World Bank fears a 4C warming trend. "The time is very, very short."
Reduced Russian arctic ice.
Reduced Russian arctic ice.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Shooting ANS's "Nuclear News" P2
I mentioned yesterday in P1 that I would post pertinent parts of my email to the Nuclear News' Editor/Publisher.
Viola:
Viola:
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Carbon Capture Plants To Compete With Nuclear
In the next decade, in the U.K. if all goes as planned.
Shooting ANS's "Nuclear News" P1
As in "shooting the messenger". And I am, and maybe I'll hit the sender (American Nuclear Society) too.
I criticized Nuclear News' coverage of the 2012 ANS's President's Special Session here, after criticizing the meeting itself.
In November's Nuclear News (NN) there is an editorial titled "Don't shoot the messenger" in which the Editor & Publisher, Betsy Tompkins, defends the publication against the criticism it received. Ironically, the NN is shooting the messenger (me) who is delivering a message they don't seem to want to hear.
She provides two key arguments:
1. Her reporters reported what was said, which as non-critical reporters they are supposed to do.
2. Opinions expressed within the publication are not necessarily those of anyone else, including the American Nuclear Society.
I criticized Nuclear News' coverage of the 2012 ANS's President's Special Session here, after criticizing the meeting itself.
In November's Nuclear News (NN) there is an editorial titled "Don't shoot the messenger" in which the Editor & Publisher, Betsy Tompkins, defends the publication against the criticism it received. Ironically, the NN is shooting the messenger (me) who is delivering a message they don't seem to want to hear.
She provides two key arguments:
1. Her reporters reported what was said, which as non-critical reporters they are supposed to do.
2. Opinions expressed within the publication are not necessarily those of anyone else, including the American Nuclear Society.
Irrational Factors Drive End Of Life Rad Treatments
Interesting article about radiation treatments delivered to terminal cancer patients to help relieve some of their symptoms.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Swiss Rx Shuts Down, Makes News
Don't ask me why.
Well, since you've asked...any unusual event at a nuclear reactor is seen as news by some because it infers human weakness regarding a technology. That promotes fear-mongering and helps to attract readers/viewers/listeners to the media that is being peddled.
Well, since you've asked...any unusual event at a nuclear reactor is seen as news by some because it infers human weakness regarding a technology. That promotes fear-mongering and helps to attract readers/viewers/listeners to the media that is being peddled.
Christian Worldview Necessary For Rise Of Science???
According to James Hannam it was. I say Bullshit, BioLogos. In case you don't know, Biologos promotes the idea that evolutionary biology is true, but that God (Jesus, not Thor, Yahweh, Mithra, or any of the other thousands of gods) is behind it.
He mentions that we recognize the contributions of the Greeks and Muslims, which we do. But he says they were often wrong. Okay, so were many Christians of the period. In fact, some Christians today perform faith healing which doesn't work, while others perform exorcisms. We can discuss Galen of Pergamum, but we need not go back that far in history. Open thine eyes, imbecile.
No educated person thinks that "religion held back science at every opportunity". That's absurd. But religion is not science and it's not history. So it doesn't help those pursuits which are based on facts.
Some Christians pursued science, others fought it. Those who pursued it, could have done so without any knowledge of Christianity, and those who fought it largely did so due to religious bias, though other factors could contribute like power.
People in that part of the world traveled and spread word of what was going on in each region. Science evolved as each group learned from another.
The early scientists were natural philosophers who decided to understand the world by studying nature. Most of those folks were originally religious and used their sacred texts to guide their studies. If the sacred texts had sufficient information in them, there would be no need to study nature. It soon became apparent though that nature didn't agree with the sacred texts. The guides weren't guiding, they were misleading. It wasn't long before it was obvious that they were wrong.
A religion based on the sacred texts (Christianity for example) is wrong.
He mentions that we recognize the contributions of the Greeks and Muslims, which we do. But he says they were often wrong. Okay, so were many Christians of the period. In fact, some Christians today perform faith healing which doesn't work, while others perform exorcisms. We can discuss Galen of Pergamum, but we need not go back that far in history. Open thine eyes, imbecile.
No educated person thinks that "religion held back science at every opportunity". That's absurd. But religion is not science and it's not history. So it doesn't help those pursuits which are based on facts.
Some Christians pursued science, others fought it. Those who pursued it, could have done so without any knowledge of Christianity, and those who fought it largely did so due to religious bias, though other factors could contribute like power.
People in that part of the world traveled and spread word of what was going on in each region. Science evolved as each group learned from another.
The early scientists were natural philosophers who decided to understand the world by studying nature. Most of those folks were originally religious and used their sacred texts to guide their studies. If the sacred texts had sufficient information in them, there would be no need to study nature. It soon became apparent though that nature didn't agree with the sacred texts. The guides weren't guiding, they were misleading. It wasn't long before it was obvious that they were wrong.
A religion based on the sacred texts (Christianity for example) is wrong.
German Report On Fukushima Thyroid Exams
Click the "CC" button if you don't see English subtitles. As I mentioned yesterday, whether or not 40% or so of the kids have thyroid abnormalities is actually unusual or not depends on the background incidence. That is what the Nagasaki study is going to give some sense of.
Helen Caldicott In Japan
Spewing her fear-mongering.
Fetuses are not thousands of times more sensitive to radiation. Cancer isn't "incubated", that refers to viruses or bacteria. No one knows what the background level is of thyroid abnormalities is in Japan, that's why the government is currently studying far away thyroid abnormalities in Nagasaki for comparison. There are regulations about radioactive food being consumed in Japan, the limit is 100 Bq/kg.
No, we shouldn't make personnel medical records public. And no, the #4 spent fuel pool won't catch fire.
Clueless in Japan.
Fetuses are not thousands of times more sensitive to radiation. Cancer isn't "incubated", that refers to viruses or bacteria. No one knows what the background level is of thyroid abnormalities is in Japan, that's why the government is currently studying far away thyroid abnormalities in Nagasaki for comparison. There are regulations about radioactive food being consumed in Japan, the limit is 100 Bq/kg.
No, we shouldn't make personnel medical records public. And no, the #4 spent fuel pool won't catch fire.
Clueless in Japan.
Global Warming Targets Further Out Of Reach
At the rate greenhouse gases are accumulating, this will be catastrophic. Ironically, the global economic slowdown also helped slow down the rise in greenhouse gases.
Wild Mushrooms Far From Fukushima Have High Rad Levels
Cesium. Presumably from rain-out off of trees and shrubs.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Another Radiation Book Advocates Hormesis
I'm not surprised based on its title, "Understanding Radiation: A Common Sense Approach". There's no such thing as common sense. Following one's intuitions (which is what is meant by the term "common sense") frequently leads to the wrong conclusions.
The book was reviewed in the December, 2012 Health Physics Journal and the reviewer, Matt Grypp, was disappointed with it mostly due to the book's "advocating hormesis".
It's like the author is trying to be an American version of Wade Allison (who has a book titled"Radiation and Reason", which also promotes hormesis).
Don't waste your money on either one.
The book was reviewed in the December, 2012 Health Physics Journal and the reviewer, Matt Grypp, was disappointed with it mostly due to the book's "advocating hormesis".
It's like the author is trying to be an American version of Wade Allison (who has a book titled"Radiation and Reason", which also promotes hormesis).
Don't waste your money on either one.
Japan Doing Epidemiology On Kid's Thyroid Symptoms
Comparing kids in Nagasaki (control cohort) to those around Fukushima (exposed cohort).
The Pope's Circular "Logic"
From the article on his book about Jesus' childhood:
"Catholics should see belief in the virgin
birth and the resurrection of Jesus from the dead as "cornerstones of faith"
because they are undeniable signs of God's creative power.
"If God does not also have power over
matter, then he simply is not God," Benedict writes. "But he does have this
power, and through the conception and resurrection of Jesus Christ he has
ushered in a new creation.""
In other words, believe in the virgin birth and resurrection in order to convince yourself of god's power. That's circular logic - no thank you.
Show me evidence of virgin births and resurrections and based on the strength of the evidence I may believe you.
Stories are not evidence.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Rubio Is A Creationist
As the Republicans struggle to attract Latino voters, one prospect is FL Senator Marco Rubio, since he is a Latino himself. But he's an ignorant creationist!
Solar Power To Eclipse Nuke Power In Romania
By 2016 if current pace of photovoltaic investment continues.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Breast "Brachytherapy"
Well, it's not really brachytherapy because the radioactive seed isn't being used to treat the tumor, it's being used as a signalling device so the surgeon can locate the tumor.
Republicans - The Stupid Party
Here's an op-ed in the Washington Post regarding LA Governor Bobby Jindal's recent remarks on the subject.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Chernobyl's Babushkas
From last week....obviously a bit of exaggerating on radiation's toxicity. At the end of the article it says that the author is making a documentary. We urgently need that! HA!
The Myth Of The Radiation: No-Safe-Level Myth
I've just come across a website called The Hiroshima Syndrome. That syndrome supposedly consists of 3 elements, one of which is the "no safe level of radiation myth".
But the author is engaged in mythology too by trying to sell the hocus-pocus of hormesis (see the right hand side of this webpage for other pages on hormesis or just use the search function).
It is true, relatively, that there is a myth that no safe level of radiation exists. No one who flies on airplanes thinks the additional radiation is "unsafe", or they wouldn't fly. And those who avoid airplanes out of fear, are fearful of crashing, not radiation.
But in an absolute sense, there is no safe level of radiation...a single photon can damage DNA, and DNA cannot repair itself perfectly (thankfully). It is not a myth.
But the author is engaged in mythology too by trying to sell the hocus-pocus of hormesis (see the right hand side of this webpage for other pages on hormesis or just use the search function).
It is true, relatively, that there is a myth that no safe level of radiation exists. No one who flies on airplanes thinks the additional radiation is "unsafe", or they wouldn't fly. And those who avoid airplanes out of fear, are fearful of crashing, not radiation.
But in an absolute sense, there is no safe level of radiation...a single photon can damage DNA, and DNA cannot repair itself perfectly (thankfully). It is not a myth.
Homeopathic "Logic"
Dr. Steve Novella discusses the medical silliness known as homeopathy. Recall that homeopathy was used as a "logical" basis for comparison for radiation hormesis by T.D. Luckey.
ANS Special Committee On Fukushima
This was uploaded last month, I'm not sure when the conference actually occurred. Health physics is discussed at 14:15 and the fact that any excess cancers would not expect to be seen this early is not mentioned:
ND Landfill Increases Fines For Rad Waste
The existing $1,000 fine wasn't enough to prevent oil companies from trying to dispose of naturally occurring radioactive material waste. So they've increased the fine to $10,000.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Decontamination - Losing The Sheltering Trees
An NHK documentary about the removal of contaminated trees and other decontamination efforts from Fukushima:
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Radiation - No Dose Threshold
Duh! As long as one photon can cause DNA damage and DNA repair is imperfect, there will always be a non-zero cancer risk or genetic risk associated with the photon.
Frequently, not-so-bright people arguing for a threshold point to areas where the natural radioactivity is higher than average. They claim living there is "safe" because...people live there. Or something. Usually it involves the ecologic fallacy.
Recently, two scientists did a meta-analysis of other studies involving this subject and concluded no dose threshold.
Of course, there will be those folks who will see what the lowest radiation level was in that study, and then they'll claim that there is a threshold for doses below that level.
Frequently, not-so-bright people arguing for a threshold point to areas where the natural radioactivity is higher than average. They claim living there is "safe" because...people live there. Or something. Usually it involves the ecologic fallacy.
Recently, two scientists did a meta-analysis of other studies involving this subject and concluded no dose threshold.
Of course, there will be those folks who will see what the lowest radiation level was in that study, and then they'll claim that there is a threshold for doses below that level.
Targeting Protein To Prevent Cancer Metastasis
It's called Cdc42 and it helps cancer cells attach to endothelial cells of blood vessels so they can mobilize to other areas of the body.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I'll Drink To That!
Alcohol lowers risk of certain lymphomas, though the study depended on questionnaires.
Monday, November 12, 2012
One Way Chronic Inflammation Can Cause Cancer
The body releases interleukin-5 (IL-5, a hormone like substance) to stimulate the propagation of natural killer cells following a virus infection. The IL-5 can cause another type of immune cell, large granular lymphocytes, to become cancerous.
Climate Change Report Outlines Security Perils
Climate change will "will create more frequent but unpredictable crises in water supplies, food markets, energy supply chains and public health systems."
Radon - Blame It On Glaciers
Here's a good article from Sioux City, Iowa about their high radon levels, which are thought to be due to glacial advances and retreats years ago, which produced loose soil today. The loose soil allows radon to escape more easily.
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