Good Weather for Bad News

This week I found out that the Midwest Alliance, a grant project funded by
the National Science Foundation that I am the Project Manager for, has been
turned down for a second round of support and will end next month.

Nice Sign - No Guns Allowed

"Posted in accordance with Wi. Stat. 943.13(2)(bm)"

At Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery on Atwood Ave. In Madison

Dane County Near Top of Racial Disparity in U.S. Incarceration, Supervision Rates

A three-part series appearing in the Wisconsin State Journal highlights what many know all too well - racial disparities exist at an alarming rate, even in Dane County.  In fact, Dane County is near the top of the list of counties nationwide in terms of incarceration rates for black vs. white men for drug offenses:  an incredible ratio of 97:1, according to data from a 2005 SAMSA report.  Furthermore, up to 47% of Dane County men ages 25-29 who are black are either incarcerated or are under some form of supervision, vs. 3.2% for white residents of the same age range.  Dane County men who are black have a 50% chance of being incarcerated in their lifetime.  The causes for these high rates of incarceration are complex.  While sentencing rates appear to be similar for blacks and whites, it is more likely that black men will face conviction - while whites are more likely to enter diversion programs than face jail time.  The articles are really worth reading - rather than just me summarizing them here.  The solution to the problem is at least as complicated as the causes - I hope that more can be done to provide some positive change in our communities.  With disparities and incarceration rates like what we are seeing I would like to think things can get better, not worse.

Source: Part 1 - http://host.madison.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_c574b808-b5f9-11e0-baad-001cc4c002e0.html Part 2 - http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_fea23fac-b625-11e0-b588-001cc4c002e0.html  Part 3 - to be published tomorrow

Massive Changes Coming to Human Subjects Research

The news that major changes are coming to Institutional Review Boards and other rule-making bodies regarding human subjects research will come as great news to many, although it is likely that it will raise some concerns about human safety and privacy.  Simply the fact that the rules regarding what and how research can be done with regard to humans has not been changed in several decades should demonstrate that new rules are needed.  Not only are there new technologies available, we have a better understanding of research as well as ethics.  Stakeholders will have a lot of opportunity to weigh in on the changes, but at the end of the day the entire process is going to be more streamlined, less burdensome, and hopefully, better off for scientific and educational research of all kinds.

Source:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/25/health/research/25research.htm

Marijuana-PTSD Study Receives Approval from FDA

The University of Arizona College of Medicine and the Mulidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has received tentative approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to study the use of marijuana in the possible treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder among veterans.  There are additional hurdles that must be overcome before research may commence.  MAPS is the only U.S. organization pursuing research involving botanical marijuana that has received this type of support so far from the FDA.

Source: http://www.stripes.com/news/marijuana-treatment-sought-for-chronic-ptsd-sufferers-1.149688

Additional Information:  Mulidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Condolences to the People of Norway

I just wanted to wish my friends in Norway my condolences after today's attack in Oslo.  It is this type of atrocity that can test the moral fiber of anyone, and cause peace-loving people everywhere to lose a bit of hope with the world.  I hope and wish that the perpetrator or perpetrators come to justice soon and that the friends, family, colleagues, and fellow countrymen of those who were killed are able to find solace and peace again, and that the wounds of the injured are soon healed.

Defend Wisconsin - Vote Dave Hansen

Needless to say, but Dave Hansen - the Wisconsin Senator from District 30 up in Green Bay - should be easily reelected in today's 1st of 9 recalls.  But if you live in or know someone who might live in that area - Marinette, Peshtigo, Green Bay, Suamico, etc. - please tell them to get to the polls today and support Democratic Senator Hansen.  Republicans are highly mobilized and are attacking the 'Wisconsin 14' - Democrats who left the State earlier this year to block the passage of legislation designed to kill unions, destroy middle class and working class families, and punish districts that did not support Governor Walker in the 2010 election.  Time after time, Democrats are able to show that they are the only party willing to defend all of Wisconsin, and not just businesses and the wealthy.

New Evidence Suggests 'Bi-Directional Relationships between Alcohol and Stress'

There has long been anecdotal evidence showing a relationship between stress and alcohol use, but University of Chicago researchers have conducted a study demonstrating that not only does alcohol use affect an individual's emotional and physiological experience of stress, but that stress also affects the use of alchohol - such as by reducing the benefits of use and by increasing cravings.  According to Emma Childs, a research associate and co-author of an article to be published in the October 2011 issue of Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research:

"...using alcohol to cope with stress may actually make a person's response to stress worse, and prolong recovery from a stressor. "Stress may also alter the way that alcohol makes us feel in a way that increases the likelihood of drinking more alcohol," she said. "Stress responses are beneficial in that they help us to react to adverse events. By altering the way that our bodies deal with stress, we may be increasing the risks of developing stress-related diseases, not the least of which is alcohol addiction."

Source:  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-07/ace-saa070711.php

Fatty Foods Linked to Natural Marijuana-like Chemicals Already in the Body

Researchers led by a team at the University of California-Irvine have found evidence of a set of chemical mechanisms that result from the release of endocannabinoids - a naturally occurring marijuana-like chemical - due to the ingestion of fatty foods.  The result of the discovery may be the development of drugs that obstruct the brain receptors related to this chemical - and thus help prevent diseases like diabetes and cancer by helping people limit their fat intake.

More information can be found here:  http://today.uci.edu/news/2011/07/nr_fat_110704.php

Psychology Today Article on Lapsed Vegetarians

A recent study cited in Psychology Today suggests that there are more lapsed vegetarians than actual vegetarians and that most get that way because of health reasons, with the 'hassle factor' coming in as the second largest reason.  I think that the sample size of the study is too small actually to make the study conclusive, but it does bring up some good questions.  As a 15-year-long vegan and an additional 10 years' experience as a lacto-ovo vegetarian (I made the switch in 1986 when I was about 12 or 13 years old), I have struggled with finding a good balance of nutrition - at times I have been low in iron from not getting enough B12, and have also been overweight due to eating too many carbs and not enough veggies.  But being anemic or overweight can simply happen due to any diet that isn't carefully balanced, and it has taken me a long time to develop good eating habits and a lifestyle where I both know I'm healthy and feel great too.  For anyone contemplating giving up veganism or vegetarianism for health or hassle reasons, I urge you to visit the website of the American Dietetic Association here: http://www.eatright.org/About/Content.aspx?id=8357  Note that their position is,

"that appropriately planned vegetarian diets, including total vegetarian or vegan diets, are healthful, nutritionally adequate, and may provide health benefits in the prevention and treatment of certain diseases. Well-planned vegetarian diets are appropriate for individuals during all stages of the life cycle, including pregnancy, lactation, infancy, childhood, and adolescence, and for athletes."

I don't know what else I can say about the 'hassle factor' except that it seems like a much bigger hassle to eat food in a way that's inconsistent with your ethical or environmental beliefs.  Society is not going to make it easy, ever, to do something that is new and different.  But that's not a good enough reason in my view not to do it.  Anyone needing help with motivation to return to vegetarianism or to start up, just visit http://www.veganoutreach.org/ and you'll find lots of good resources to get going.

Psychology Today Link: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animals-and-us/201106/why-do-most-vegetarians-go-back-eating-meat