Friday, May 08, 2009
Rainy Day Stuff
This web site is a wonderful way to occupy some time, decorate your desk (or whatever), and keep children from being stabbed in the eye for being irritating on a rainy day... here.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Trust me, I'm a medical publisher
The recent discovery that Elsevier, the publisher of many top quality, peer reviewed, medical journals, were publishing a 'journal' in Australia that was apparently paid for by Merck raised a significant number of eyebrows in the publishing and medical world. Most publications go through a stringent series of tests to ensure that the information published is true, accurate, and independent of medical companies. Unfortunately, their credibility in this area is in some doubt due to this and subsequent revelations in The Scientist (NB: Free Subscription Required) that a total of six fake journals were published.
Big Pharma is also under scrutiny as these publications are being used to 'push' their drugs on the basis of 'truthful' research. When a doctor is being sold the benefits of a particular drug by a pharmaceutical company representative they would normally be pointed toward the relevant publication as proof of the benefit/efficacy of a particular brand of drug on the basis of sound research and testing. "Must be true, it's in journal 'X'". This would not appear to be the case here. In fact, the revelation today that there were in fact six paid for journals published makes things much worse.
In an attempt to smooth the troubled waters, Michael Hansen, the CEO (the type of person who is responsible for due oversight, captain at the helm, etc...) of Elsevier made a public statement regarding the matter here. Somehow, given the revelations, his words seem somewhat shallow and at odds with the facts. "But I can assure all that the integrity of Elsevier’s publications and business practices remains intact.” Oh yeah? Not with me it is not.
Frankly, I find it disgraceful and totally lacking in honesty and integrity. The public has to have something that they can trust and depend upon. There are clear issues when the CEO does not know what is going on in his own company. There would clearly be journal review meetings, strategic planning, copies of journals scattered liberally around the office, and would you, as a CEO, suddenly wonder why those guys from drug company X suddenly start winking at you and are overly friendly with their invites to their country clubs etc. He is unaware of of this? Yadda, yadda.
For anyone needing medical care it raises significant doubts regarding whether you are getting the best drug for your particular ailment. Is the one the doctor prescribing from valid research or is it simply because the favourable research was paid for? Is the report regarding any potential side-effects true or masked? These are serious and genuine questions anyone should be asking. If I were a doctor I would be knocking on Elseviers door and laughing in the face of the drug company rep if they metioned Elsevier. As a researcher I would certainly not want my hard work to be cast in doubt and would ensure I looked to a publisher I could trust not to cast doubt on my own personal integrity.
As a related point, I have recently read (and thoroughly enjoyed) "Bad Science" by Ben Goldacre. In the book he highlights many of the bad things about research, nutritionists and lots of other goodies. Here is his web site where you can find out more. The book is thoroughly entertaining and an enjoyable, fascinating read. Check out Amazon reviews.
There is an internal review underway within Elsevier but, as yet, there has been no disclosure regarding who else paid to have a false journal published. I believe there should be FULL disclosure if the company is to maintain its credibility in the medical and publishing world. It is remarkably similar to the Payola scandals that rocked the music industry but with far more serious and potentially dangerous repurcussions for any patient receiving drug treatment. Put simply, it stinks. Shareholders of Elsevier should be knocking on Mr. Hansen's door.
Big Pharma is also under scrutiny as these publications are being used to 'push' their drugs on the basis of 'truthful' research. When a doctor is being sold the benefits of a particular drug by a pharmaceutical company representative they would normally be pointed toward the relevant publication as proof of the benefit/efficacy of a particular brand of drug on the basis of sound research and testing. "Must be true, it's in journal 'X'". This would not appear to be the case here. In fact, the revelation today that there were in fact six paid for journals published makes things much worse.
In an attempt to smooth the troubled waters, Michael Hansen, the CEO (the type of person who is responsible for due oversight, captain at the helm, etc...) of Elsevier made a public statement regarding the matter here. Somehow, given the revelations, his words seem somewhat shallow and at odds with the facts. "But I can assure all that the integrity of Elsevier’s publications and business practices remains intact.” Oh yeah? Not with me it is not.
Frankly, I find it disgraceful and totally lacking in honesty and integrity. The public has to have something that they can trust and depend upon. There are clear issues when the CEO does not know what is going on in his own company. There would clearly be journal review meetings, strategic planning, copies of journals scattered liberally around the office, and would you, as a CEO, suddenly wonder why those guys from drug company X suddenly start winking at you and are overly friendly with their invites to their country clubs etc. He is unaware of of this? Yadda, yadda.
For anyone needing medical care it raises significant doubts regarding whether you are getting the best drug for your particular ailment. Is the one the doctor prescribing from valid research or is it simply because the favourable research was paid for? Is the report regarding any potential side-effects true or masked? These are serious and genuine questions anyone should be asking. If I were a doctor I would be knocking on Elseviers door and laughing in the face of the drug company rep if they metioned Elsevier. As a researcher I would certainly not want my hard work to be cast in doubt and would ensure I looked to a publisher I could trust not to cast doubt on my own personal integrity.
As a related point, I have recently read (and thoroughly enjoyed) "Bad Science" by Ben Goldacre. In the book he highlights many of the bad things about research, nutritionists and lots of other goodies. Here is his web site where you can find out more. The book is thoroughly entertaining and an enjoyable, fascinating read. Check out Amazon reviews.
There is an internal review underway within Elsevier but, as yet, there has been no disclosure regarding who else paid to have a false journal published. I believe there should be FULL disclosure if the company is to maintain its credibility in the medical and publishing world. It is remarkably similar to the Payola scandals that rocked the music industry but with far more serious and potentially dangerous repurcussions for any patient receiving drug treatment. Put simply, it stinks. Shareholders of Elsevier should be knocking on Mr. Hansen's door.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Alex Lees - The Original Great Escapee
News of the death of one of the REAL members of Stalag Luft III.
The bit in the movie "The Great Escape" where they drop the dirt down their trouser legs?
Alex Lees was the man who had the original idea. He died in Scotland at the age of 97. Here is his NYT obituary.
The bit in the movie "The Great Escape" where they drop the dirt down their trouser legs?
Alex Lees was the man who had the original idea. He died in Scotland at the age of 97. Here is his NYT obituary.
An old article but ...
... just what the doctor ordered and what I love to eat. Here. Photos of my 'garden' soon...
UPDATE: By order of she who must be obeyed...
OUR Garden...
UPDATE: By order of she who must be obeyed...
OUR Garden...
Tiptoes - Gary Oldman
Thanks to DM for this real gem of a bad movie... here. Gary Oldman at his 'finest'. Straight to DVD so you (luckily) missed it in the movie theatre. Read the text before playing the YT clip. Truly missable.
Brief synopsis? Jewish guy with dwarfism in the family gets girlfriend pregnant. Nuf said.
Brief synopsis? Jewish guy with dwarfism in the family gets girlfriend pregnant. Nuf said.
Apparently, suspicion is not everything
For those who can recall the much discreited 'Sus' law abuses in Birmingham during the 80's, that led to the Handsworth riots of 1985, the widespread use of Section 44 of the Terror Act is clearly being over-used in London. The effectiveness of this is bordering on 0%. As highlighted in this BBC article, the law was used on 170,000 in 2008. This in London alone. From this, 65 people were arrested. it is not clear how many of these led to charges being filed. Statistically, the law is ineffective. Practically, all it does is alienate people toward the police. An interesting quote:
"The Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Metropolitan Police were all unable to say whether anyone had successfully been charged or convicted for terror offences as a direct result of section 44."
There are, of course, some rather odd stories surrounding this... here for example. The law, as they say, is an ass...
A law is only effective if it is used correctly and with appropriate justification and oversight. Clearly not the case here if no proper record keeping is maintained...
"The Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Metropolitan Police were all unable to say whether anyone had successfully been charged or convicted for terror offences as a direct result of section 44."
There are, of course, some rather odd stories surrounding this... here for example. The law, as they say, is an ass...
A law is only effective if it is used correctly and with appropriate justification and oversight. Clearly not the case here if no proper record keeping is maintained...
Sometimes an advertisement fails
Not sure if you have seen the Cathay Pacific adverts that precede some of the BBC web sites news stories. Possibly with this report on wind farms off the East Coast of the UK you will see what I mean. Check out this representative example. IF it is the same one, then were I this guy's boss I would probably fire him for being so indecisive and ineffectual. I imagine this guy in a boardroom having his rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr kicked for failure. You decide: is the guy... gay, have some mental issues, or simply a bit if a divhead loser.
Apparently I am not the only one who thinks that CP advertising campaigns sucks. They should get a better advertising company or a better grip on life, the universe, and everything. Here. Here.
A message for Cathay Pacific. Personally I think this advertising campaign of yours does your image more harm than good. Are you seriously telling me a group of intelligent people sat down and approved these adverts?
Apparently I am not the only one who thinks that CP advertising campaigns sucks. They should get a better advertising company or a better grip on life, the universe, and everything. Here. Here.
A message for Cathay Pacific. Personally I think this advertising campaign of yours does your image more harm than good. Are you seriously telling me a group of intelligent people sat down and approved these adverts?
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Augmented Reality - Experience the Enterprise
This is a MUST for fans of Star Trek... here.
As is the Onion. I was going to just link to the Star Trek section but the front page is pure satirical heaven here. The "Heartbreaking Country Ballad Paralyzes Trucking Industry" article is heaven...
Click the image.
As is the Onion. I was going to just link to the Star Trek section but the front page is pure satirical heaven here. The "Heartbreaking Country Ballad Paralyzes Trucking Industry" article is heaven...
Click the image.
Dom Deluise Dies
He of "Cannonball Run", "Blazing Saddles", "Robin Hood: Men in Tights", "The Muppet Movie" ... and so on fame... died on May 4th.
He was 75.
Crash on Sorcerer's Apprentice Set
The New York Post has a clip up of a Ferrari crashing when a stunt went wrong. Nicholas Cage's new movie has a scene where there is a car chase down 7th Avenue. One pedestrian was injured by a falling light pole. Another appears to have had a lucky escape. Some information here.
Nano Holiday
Since the wife has been working on a book on nano-technology I found this site. Rather interesting. Here.
Nice Windows Utility
Winsplit Revolution. "efficiently manage many active windows" Tiling, resizing etc. Really good for high end monitors... here.
There is a site for everything...
Here. I particularly like the "privately owned and commerical tanks"...
Monday, May 04, 2009
Trust me, I'm a doctor...
... well, not quite true. Mind you, when you are reading in any newspaper/interwebtubenets/wherever, perhaps you should consider this article regarding Merck and Elsevier. The latter being one of the major players in the filed of medical publishing... here.
This disgusting book should be banned...
... Whenever anyone complains about porn and inappropriate content in a book etc...
Refer them to this sort of publication... here.
Refer them to this sort of publication... here.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Most pointless 'photo'
An article on the BBC website contains the photo above. Any guesses what it purports to show or where it was taken? It is probably the restraining order taking effect.
Here.
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