Month: September 2015

The U.S. Needs More Treatment Options for Opiate Addiction

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hyun-namkoong/flooded-with-drugs-but-fa_b_8072240.html

“When you wake up [from naloxone], you’re extremely dope sick,” said Caitlyn Phillips, a resident of Asheville who used intravenous heroin for several years. “It’s the most painful way to wake up.”

There’s been a lot of media attention on naloxone and how it saves lives.  But I’ve been waiting to hear from an actual user of naloxone, and Ms. Phillips has confirmed my thoughts on how users are affected by this drug.  And yet, as painful as the after-effects of this drug are, the experience doesn’t stop drug addicts from using again.

Because I’ve read about how this drug works on the brain, I have to wonder:  Does naloxone interfere with the pain receptors to a degree that would affect how the patient perceives pain in the future? Or how the patient reacts to pain medication used for, say, surgery? Does the use of naloxone create a potential for a chronic pain condition?

Serena for President

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-09-01/the-serena-bump-gives-women-s-tennis-a-sellout

Most recently, the intersection of prejudices Williams has had to face has been much discussed in the context of her endorsement deals. After Williams defeated Maria Sharapova in the Wimbledon semifinals in July, many commentators noted that despite utterly dominating her opponent on the court — Williams is 18-2 lifetime against Sharapova, and hasn’t lost to her on any surface in more than a decade — Williams still trails the Russian in sponsorship dollars. According to Forbes, Sharapova earned $23 million in endorsements in the last year, while Williams banked $13 million from her deals…

For the first time ever, tickets to the women’s final of the U.S. Open sold out before the men’s. Women’s tickets are going for three times their usual price from ticket resellers — all thanks to the Serena Bump. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio — the first mayor to ever give a ticker-tape parade to the Women’s World Cup team — mentioned the ticket sales in his welcome address to the prime-time crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium before Williams’ opening match…

Are you updating to Windows 10?

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/unpopular-windows-10-privacy-problems-now-available-for-windows-7-and-8-too-083115.html

Slate almost immediately dubbed Windows 10 a “privacy nightmare,” because “By default, Windows 10 gives itself the right to pass loads of your data to Microsoft’s servers, use your bandwidth for Microsoft’s own purposes, and profile your Windows usage.” …

I haven’t updated to Windows 10, even though I continually get a pop-up inviting me to do so. Since the daily updates on Windows 8 are driving me crazy, I haven’t wanted to subject myself to potential updates every hour with Windows 10.

It appears Microsoft has an answer for that, as the article indicates, automatically updating my Windows 8 with Windows 10 features.  Perhaps Microsoft wouldn’t be so scary if they weren’t involved with helping the federal government spy on people.

And Microsoft can use my bandwith?  WTF?

(2011) Is Dirty Electricity Making You Sick?

Electromagnetic Fields and Your Health | Prevention

http://www.prevention.com/health/healthy-living/electromagnetic-fields-and-your-health

While defenders of cell phone safety claim no scientist can explain why EMFs may be harmful in humans, a body of reliable and consistent animal research shows that electromagnetic fields, equal to those generated by mobile phones, open the blood-brain barrier, causing blood vessels to leak fluid into the brain and damage neurons. Ironically, that research (by renowned Swedish neuro-oncologist Leif G. Salford, MD, PhD) began with the goal of finding a way to deliver chemotherapy to brain tumors…

Members of the European Union, which has led the way on EMF investigations, are moving quickly to protect their citizens, particularly children and pregnant women. In the past 2 years alone, France, Germany, and England have dismantled wireless networks in schools and public libraries, and other countries are pressing to follow suit. Israel has banned the placement of cellular antennae on residences, and Russian officials have advised against cell phone use for children under 18…