SCIENCE

An amateur astronomer working from his backyard shed in Ireland was the first in the world to spot a supernova explosion last month. The discovery is the biggest ever in amateur astronomy in Ireland.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have created an experimental vaccine against beta-amyloid, the small protein that forms plaques in the brain and is believed to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Prohibition of cannabis in the United States may be counter-productive, with a new study showing that a period of increased law enforcement against the drug coincided with an increase in the number of young adult cannabis users smoking cheaper and more potent produce.

And finally, saved the best for last

A new international research project has found high levels of heavy metals in Chinese cigarettes, with some containing three times the level of lead, cadmium and arsenic of Canadian brands.

Yay, China. From poisoned dog food to poisonous baby food to leaded childrens toys.

The stuxnet virus

If you haven't heard by now, the stuxnet virus is some powerful stuff. It's the first virus of its kind to be able to fuck shit up IRL (Think hackers on steroids type shit), like making entire industrial factories blow up sky high. Is this the future of hacking, where one virus has the power to blow up nuclear plants and launch warheads?

"WASHINGTON – A powerful computer code attacking industrial facilities around the world, but mainly in Iran, probably was created by experts working for a country or a well-funded private group, according to an analysis by a leading computer security company.
The malicious code, called Stuxnet, was designed to go after several "high-value targets," said Liam O Murchu, manager of security response operations at Symantec Corp. But both O Murchu and U.S. government experts say there's no proof it was developed to target nuclear plants in Iran, despite recent speculation from some researchers.
Creating the malicious code required a team of as many as five to 10 highly educated and well-funded hackers. Government experts and outside analysts say they haven't been able to determine who developed it or why.
The malware has infected as many as 45,000 computer systems around the world. Siemens AG, the company that designed the system targeted by the worm, said it has infected 15 of the industrial control plants it was apparently intended to infiltrate. It's not clear what sites were infected, but they could include water filtration, oil delivery, electrical and nuclear plants.
None of those infections has adversely affected the industrial systems, according to Siemens.
U.S. officials said last month that the Stuxnet was the first malicious computer code specifically created to take over systems that control the inner workings of industrial plants.
The Energy Department has warned that a successful attack against critical control systems "may result in catastrophic physical or property damage and loss."

From Yahoo news , as well as several other sources. 

Who exactly developed this monster? My money is on the NSA

News, happenings, and other shit

Can't focus? Maybe it's the wrong time of month (Lol, Not THAT time of the month)
The future of the fuel cell(until an oil company buys them out and stomps out the competition)
Gay stuff and the military
California is executing people again

And for all those investors reading my blog
The re-re-re-rise of the bull market?
Gold is on the rise

The problem with gold rising is that its just another bubble that it is going to eventually pop, fucking over everyone involved in it. When will people realize gold is just as worthless as the money the U.S. prints? I'd have to see the gold bubble pop, because thats when shit is really going to go down the drain

Random Shit Volume 2

Women pay more than men for car insurance(I WONDER WHY LoL) http://articles.courant.com/2010-09-23/news/hc-women-car-insurance-0923_1_insweb-com-primary-driver-policy

Colbert up to his shenanigans http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100924/pl_yblog_upshot/stephen-colbert-draws-attention-to-self-then-farmworkers-during-hill-appearance

Giant Lake

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100922/ap_on_re_us/us_monster_lake_3

Car insurance: A necessity?

Is having auto insurance really necessary? I mean, it is expensive to repair a car after an accident, but why do most states make it illegal to NOT have insurance? This seems forced to me

Cool stuff n shit First Edition

Some news:

....A research team led by Edward Yu of Iowa State University and the Ames Laboratory has discovered the crystal structures of pumps that remove heavy metal toxins from bacteria, making them resistant to antibiotics.

Full Story 

...A team from the National Museum of Natural Sciences (CSIC) has analysed the impact of climate change on spotted hyena survival in Europe over 10,000 years ago. These changes played an important role, but the scientists say studies are still needed to look at the influence of human expansion and changes in herbivorous fauna on the definitive extinction of this species across the continent.

Full Story 

...African-American victims of motorcycle crashes were 1.5 times more likely to die from their injuries than similarly injured whites, even though many more of the African-American victims were wearing helmets at the time of injury, according to a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers.

Full Story 

...  Increasing the costs to consumers of beer, wine, and hard liquor significantly reduces the rates of a wide range of alcohol-related deaths, diseases, injuries, and other problems, according to a new study published in today's online edition of the American Journal of Public Health and scheduled for inclusion in the November print edition. Researchers at the University of Florida (UF) report that public policies that increase the price of alcoholic beverages, such as increases in alcohol excise taxes, not only reduce drinking but also significantly reduce most of the negative and costly outcomes associated with alcohol.

Full Story 

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Welcome to the most pointless blog in the universe. More crap to come soon, stick around