Daily Archives: January 12, 2009

Autism Study Examines Cause of Apparent Rise in Rate

January 12, 2009Uncategorizedautism, Denialism, health, Health, vaccines, WooGreg Laden

A study recently published by Irva Hertz-Picciotto and Lora Delwiche of the M.I.N.D. Institute, UC Davis, addresses the question of an apparent rise in the frequency of diagnosed autism in California.

This study is quickly becoming the focus of attention as the various factions with an interest in autism square off on assessing its validity. In the mean time, the study itself is rather modest in what it attempts and what it concludes.

Let’s have a look.
Continue reading Autism Study Examines Cause of Apparent Rise in Rate →

Stuff White People Like Guy Coming to UMN

January 12, 2009UncategorizedUncategorizedGreg Laden

Popular blogger and author Christian Lander will discuss his book, Stuff White People Like, on Monday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E. Minneapolis.

Lander decided early on that he did not like white people who did not watch the TV show “The Wire.” His thoughts soon focused on what white people were doing instead of watching the show and thus his widely popular and provocative blog stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com was born. Now after nearly 30 million visitors, Lander has compiled some of his best thoughts and stories from the blog into his story behind the blog–Stuff White People Like.

Lander will sign copies of his book following the discussion. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, or to order a signed copy visit this link.

quote from the UMN bookstore facebook page.

Homeschooling Carnival Up

January 12, 2009UncategorizedCreation Science, Creationism, Darwin, Education, Evolution, Evolutionary Biology, Homeschooling, Intelligent Design, Natural Selection, Religion, Science EducationGreg Laden

Homeschool Showcase (Formerly The Carnival of Cool Homeschoolers) #15 is up at Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers. I’ve got an item listed in the carnival, which is typical (I often send potentially useful science content material to the homeschooling carnivals.)

While you’re studying Earth science, you may want to check out Nature’s Evolutionary Gems posted by Greg Laden at Greg Laden’s Blog. It’s up to you whether you use it to teach evolution as fact or as a teachable moment as you discuss God’s creation. I know how we’ll be using it. 😉

Wink wink indeed!

New Autism Study

January 12, 2009UncategorizedHealthGreg Laden

California’s sevenfold increase in autism cannot be explained by changes in doctors’ diagnoses and most likely is due to environmental exposures, University of California scientists reported Thursday.

The scientists who authored the new study advocate a nationwide shift in autism research to focus on potential factors in the environment that babies and fetuses are exposed to, including pesticides, viruses and chemicals in household products.

Scientific American