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American Institute for Technology
& Science Education Newsletter
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February/March, 2013
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Greetings!
Did you miss the February newsletter? Did you wonder what happened to it? If so, check your January inbox and all will be revealed. Or read on and find out now. Basically, AITSE is making some changes this year. Due to time and financial constraints, we will be reducing our activity--the newsletters will only come out on a bimonthly basis. But, do not despair, you can still be the most scientifically-informed person around by "liking" us on Facebook or following Dr. Crocker on Twitter and Linked in.
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 To Hope or Not to Hope Which is Preferable?
The surgeon shook his head before he posed a question that obviously troubled him deeply. "What would you do with a patient who is in constant pain, has had surgery to no avail, for whom analgesics give no relief? Wouldn't you refer them to an alternative medicine practitioner--at least giving them hope?"
The oncologist's concern was similar. If a person comes in with inoperable and terminal cancer, is it right to advise them to have chemotherapy which will cause a diminished quality of life and at most extend their life by a month or two, but will also give them --hope? Then, there is the military man leading an organization that helps our wounded warriors. After being contacted by someone claiming that HBOT might help (and reading our report showing that it will not), what should he do? Give those suffering with traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder false hope--or no hope? In a world where unavoidable troubles surround us, does an organization that promotes integrity go for the placebo or for the truth?
Read more. ...As harsh as it sounds, it is probably better to face the truth--and have the opportunity to deal with it--than be fed a lie.
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The Beauty of Cells 
A New AITSE Presentation
by Caroline Crocker, PhD
The latest AITSE presentation is on cells, the smallest and simplest unit of matter that can still be considered alive. Those things that Darwin's contemporary Huxley described as simple bags of protoplasm and those integrated systems that origin of life researchers posit spontaneously arose from the primordial soup or something of the sort. And, as a cell biologist, those self-same units that challenge, fascinate, and inspire me.
So, what are cells and why would I say they are beautiful? After all, they aren't even visible. The smallest cell, a mycoplasm, is just 0.0001 mm in diameter. The smallest human cell, a sperm, is 30 times larger. The largest human cell, an egg, is 0.12-0.15 mm in diameter, and theoretically is visible to the naked eye. But, according to Bruce Alberts PhD of UCSF, contained in this microscopic piece of nature--so small that it takes about 50-75 trillion to make just one person--is "an elaborate network of interlocking assembly lines, each of which is composed of a set of large protein machines."
Personally, I find it easier to just describe the cell in terms of a city and this is what is done in the new presentation. Harvard University has produced an amazing animation of the events inside this city. Take some time to watch and enjoy. As a cell biologist I can assure you that all these things really happen.
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Does Fracking Harm the Environment? 
by Bill Freeman
The Petroleum Extraction Industry (PEI) provides the fossil fuel energy that regulates the heart beat of the United States economy. Over the past number of years, energy independence from fossil fuels has not been achievable in the United States (U.S.). This is why foreign imports are still necessary to meet our energy needs.
As a result, industry, government, and academia are investigating alternative energies. As part of this, over the past few years, the PEI has continued to develop an old technology: hydraulic fracturing (novices call this "fracking).
What is hydraulic fracturing? It is a technology used after the drilling of a new fossil fuel well that significantly improves its productivity, a treatment whereby the below-ground fossil fuel reservoir adjacent to the wellbore is fractured. This provides a high permeability pathway for the hydrocarbon fluids to flow from the below-ground reservoir into the wellbore and upwards to the surface for collection and processing at the above-ground production facility...
Unfortunately, there is controversy about achieving energy independence by using fossil fuels. Read more.
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Quote of the Month 
"The peer-review process was designed to assure the validity and quality of science that seeks publication. This is not always the case." Dariusz Leszczynski, PhD
In this article Finland's research professor in radiation and nuclear safety Dr. Leszczynski points out that the sheer numbers of articles that are later retracted show that the peer-review process is faulty. He says that many papers that should never get through the process, do. And we at AITSE know that many that should, do not. Dr. Leszczynski's own article explains.
... There is no doubt that finances, politics, and even religion decrease the efficacy of the peer-review process. The mission of AITSE is to promote integrity in science, allowing us access to accurate information so we can make up our minds for ourselves. Support us and help achieve this aim!
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No, Your MLM Doesn't Work
I write today's article in response to the thousands and thousands of comments that I've gotten from multi-level marketing (MLM) distributors for various products such as MonaVie, Protandim, Youngevity, Jusuru, Asea and others that make the claim that their products helped with such and such medical condition. As Dr. Jonny Bowden has written:
"New Rules: No More Claiming Mona Vie Cures Cancer! Nor, for that matter, AIDS. Nor lupus, GERD, acne, age spots, arthritis, a balding scalp or sagging libido. Nope. Sorry. And lest you think I'm picking on poor MonaVie, the same is true of Xango, Mangosteen, Xocai, Tahitian Noni, and all the other ridiculously overpriced and oversold juices promoted by scientifically illiterate multi-level marketing 'distributors' who repeat these claims with the sincerity and earnestness of a Kucinich volunteer."
...What we have here are 9 products that are all reportedly able to cure or aid with almost every condition known to mankind. I'll add Xowii, Zrii, and Nopalea to round out to an even dozen. Though some of the have overlapping exotic ingredients like acai, there is no single ingredient in all of them that could provide reason explanation of healing benefits. Read more.
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In closing, as always, thank you for your past gifts and support. It is a fact that AITSE cannot continue in its efforts to educate to increase scientific understanding and integrity without contributions. Please consider helping us with a special donation or a commitment to give on a monthly basis. Please make checks payable to AITSE and send them to PO Box 15938, Newport Beach, CA 92659. Alternatively, you can donate on line through PayPal or credit card.
Sincerely, Caroline Crocker
American Institute for Technology and Science Education |
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