The Ideas Engine Needs a Tuneup

Those members of the readership who work in science, particularly if you work in the defense or biosciences industries, may be interested in this article about how the Pentagon's funding agencies are becoming dangerously risk-averse, if such a phrase isn't oxymoronic.

That's My Girl!

Alison gave her dissertation proposal today. It went very well, as I knew it would.* So, we should all congratulate her on passing this major milestone. Congratulations!

* Because she rocks!

Cancer, You Just Made a New Enemy

I'd like everyone to know that Alison was awarded a pre-doctoral training grant yesterday. This development not only means that will her tuition be paid for, but also that she'll receive a modest stipend for her grad-school work. The benefits of the grant are not only financial; it will look good on her already-impressive resume. So let's all congratulate Alison on her good work.

By the way, this is what I look like when I'm very proud.

Let's Go to War and Cut Funding for Military Research

I found out at work the other day that, because the US has spent over 250,000,000,000 dollars in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and because the total cost of the war in Iraq is expected to be around 2,000,000,000,000 bucks, the 2007 budget for military (and other government) research is expect to be reduced dramatically. Not only do I think it's stupid to cut funding for defense research during a military conflict, but I'm also annoyed because this move will directly impact my own funding situation.

Locutus of Bug?

Believe it or not, the principal investigator on a couple of my recent projects wants to submit a proposal to this DARPA solicitation, which is covered for layfolks by the Beeb here. Sounds DARPA-ish, doesn't it?

She Blinded Me with Science

Good news, everyone! Alison's analysis of menopause and all-cause mortality (which was published in AJE) was covered by the mainstream press a few days ago. Reutors has an article on the study, and Carmen is quoted therein. So, check it out.