AI helps doctors improve diagnoses: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/artificial-intelligence-medicine-doctors-diagnosis-bad736c6 . This is presumably obvious to everyone except some egocentric doctors. AI of course will keep getting better. I do agree with the framing of this issue by the doctor quoted in the article. If AI improves diagnoses, isn’t it unethical for the doctor not to use it?
Breast cancer risk from genetics: https://theconversation.com/breast-cancer-new-study-reveals-real-risk-of-the-disease-if-you-have-genetic-mutation-213686 . I read these statistics to mean that the BRCA1 mutation increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer by just under a quarter (24%), but that increase is nearly doubled (45%) if she also has a close relative who’s had breast cancer. It makes sense that the BRCA1 increases a woman’s risk, but it’s only one gene in a complex process. However, if a similar genetic “package” (a close relative) displays breast cancer, the woman’s risk doubles.
Silicosis from cutting stone countertops: https://www.aol.com/news/california-workers-cut-countertops-dying-100021108.html . Note that the problem comes from engineered stone. We have straightforward ways to keep down the dust. Where is OSHA on this?
Understanding emotions: https://www.inc.com/nick-hobson/emotionally-intelligent-people-use-law-of-9-to-overcome-challenges-beat-odds.html . This is a lot of perspective for one article – I recommend it.
WSJ: We are the definition of psycho-babble: https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/your-friend-is-struggling-maybe-dont-ask-for-details-3bb96c80 . Dr. Boardman apparently has social adjustment problems. When a friend is suffering, of course you let them debrief with you. That does not lead to “endless conversation”, as Dr. Boardman assumes. After the initial debrief, as a friend you have to turn the conversation to alternate solutions in order to help your friend past the problem. This isn’t that hard, and it’s not “co-rumination”. And if solution discussion doesn’t help them move past their issue, it may be time for a therapist – just not Dr. Boardman.
Expert declares she’s not an expert: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a44671706/vitamin-d-heart-attacks-study/ . The writer discusses the effect of Vitamin D supplements on heart health. She describes the results as “compelling”. But the supplement performed only slightly better than a placebo and the results were not statistically significant. This woman simply has no idea how science or mathematics operate. Take away her pen.
WSJ: App frustration leads to migrant surge: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/migrants-texas-us-asylum-laws-3ff360df . The Journal’s analysis is misleading. The app is working. The flood of migrants has made appointments unavailable until a few months out, and many newly arrived migrants are unwilling to wait.
Tentative deal in writers’ strike: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wga-and-studios-reach-tentative-deal-to-end-writers-strike/ . One suspects the actors may now settle fairly quickly. It’s time for everyone to get back to work. More from The New York Times: https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/news/actors-in-hollywood-remain-on-strike-despite-deal-with-writers/ar-AA1hctXg?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=2a2ecf4b5012478ba88bfeb789d7ab73&ei=10 . More from the LA Times: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/with-wga-deal-when-will-hollywood-finally-get-back-to-work/ar-AA1hcSLc?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=a2b136cc738049e0ae027132feaaeb8c&ei=27 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/business/media/hollywood-writers-reach-agreement-with-studios-streamers-to-end-strike-57fb5dd .
Stop the shutdown insanity: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/lawmakers-are-pushing-ideas-to-end-government-shutdowns-forever-115131214.html .
WSJ: US economic headwinds: https://www.wsj.com/economy/u-s-economy-could-withstand-one-shock-but-four-at-once-8312ba51 . I don’t find these four factors particularly determinative of a US recession. The combination of higher interest rates with increasing consumer debt defaults strikes me as a more compelling warning sign.
WSJ: More scrutiny of Hawaiian Electric: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/climate-environment/maui-fire-hawaiian-electric-power-lines-1eaef7cf . We all know Hawaiian Electric was grossly negligent in safety maintenance for this well-known risk. We also know they expect to declare bankruptcy over all the litigation coming down the road. The state and the feds need to be sure the successor company rebuilds properly and performs required maintenance. And that lesson must be applied to California and the West starting yesterday.
The Ukrainian homegrown drone force: https://apnews.com/article/drones-ukraine-war-russia-innovation-technology-589f1fc0e0db007ea6d344b197207212 . Fighting for your life and your identity is certainly motivational. The Ukrainians continue to rise to the challenge.
WSJ: Russia is learning from its mistakes: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/russias-army-learns-from-its-mistakes-in-ukraine-a6b2eb4 . Once again, the Journal demonstrates its absolute lack of critical analysis skills. The most important fact in this article, reported elsewhere, is that the Russian army has lost 50% or more of its combat effectiveness. This has happened with no commitment of US troops. If we continue to expand our support of Ukraine, Russia loses. That will complete the fall of the Soviet empire and will be the largest step forward for American global supremacy since the Berlin Wall fell.
The US strategy to contain China: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/strategy-to-counter-china-in-pacific-at-risk-in-congress-budget-fight-f162fcd4. With the Chinese economy in dire straits, here is another investment the US cannot afford not to make.
WSJ: Our racism is showing, again: https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/u-s-shared-intelligence-with-canada-after-alleged-assassination-of-sikh-separatist-2a5a0652 . The Journal’s description of the Five Eyes intelligence network as one of “English-speaking” countries is just appalling. Why would they use the example of Germany as not being included in this network? Worse, do they not realize that English is an official language of India, and very widely spoken there? The Journal’s language here is appallingly ignorant, and may further inflame tensions over this matter.
ABC News poll has OJ over Biden by 9 points: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/troubles-biden-age-reelection-campaign-poll/story?id=103436611 . What this poll proves is that Langer Research Associates doesn’t know how to poll. This result is a total outlier from all other recent polling. However, there is a message for Democrats – the James Carville message: It’s the economy, stupid. Gas prices are up, as are health insurance costs. So far, Bidenomics is not working as a message. Good thing the election remains more than a year away.
Notre Dame, once again, is college football’s most incompetent team: https://www.aol.com/sports/notre-dames-marcus-freeman-knew-171952352.html . You have a victory over Ohio State which you piss away, because after calling a timeout, you can’t figure out you’ve got 10 men on the field? For two plays? The next time you make a mistake, just remember, you’re not Notre Dame. WSJ: We still believe Notre Dame could be a playoff contender: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/notre-dame-ohio-state-marcus-freeman-bc01b88f . Meanwhile, the Journal remains the most incompetent football analysis in print. Notre Dame will not be a one-loss team by the end of the season.
Still, the bias against West Coast teams increases: https://www.aol.com/sports/ap-top-25-colorado-falls-182837833.html . The Pac-12 has 4 teams in the Top 10, ranked Nos. 7, 8, 9 and 10. This simply defies logic. And dammit, as I’ve been pointing out, the Pac-12 would lose ranked teams this week because of 3 head-to-head contests among ranked teams. As I said last Tuesday, the winners deserved to move up.
WSJ: The NFL tush push: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/nfl-eagles-jalen-hurts-quarterback-sneak-push-abcc7890 . Sigh. I’ve been thinking for some time that this new play must have come from rugby. The point the article misses is that rugby in general and this play in particular are dangerous. Rugby players are smaller than NFL players and don’t wear all the protective equipment. Locking arms strikes me as quite dangerous for NFL linemen, but no one really knows. My preference is that the new play be once again illegal. However, if the NFL goes for an “arms race”, they need to be damn sure this doesn’t cause career-ending injuries.
Women’s world record in Berlin marathon: https://apnews.com/article/berlin-marathon-tigst-assefa-world-record-0a31891fef7b85f8e439414b136b4b2f . Breaking this record by 10 seconds would have been impressive. But Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia broke the record by more than 2 minutes. This level of record improvement is extremely rare. It is a stunning accomplishment in a running event. WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/sports/olympics/tigst-assefa-womens-marathan-world-record-berlin-7b643439 . It’s only her second marathon. She’s 26, and she will get better.
Terry Kirkman, Association co-founder, passes at 83: https://variety.com/2023/music/news/terry-kirkman-dead-the-association-1235733822/ .