Joke. Stem Cells. Spicy Food. Drugs.

A Joke To Start Off With.......
An elderly woman from the deepest, most southern part of Alabama goes into the local newspaper office to see that the obituary for her recently deceased husband is written.
The obit editor informs her that the fee for the obituary is 50 cents a word. She pauses, reflects and then says, "Well, then, let it read, "Billy Bob died."
Amused at the woman's thrift, the editor says, "Sorry ma'am there is a 7 word minimum on all obituaries." Only a little flustered, she thinks things over and in a few seconds says, "In that case, let it read, "Billy Bob died - 1983 pickup for sale."

My Thought Of The Day
I am curious as to why some medical schools claim they have a "pass-fail" system when they really don't. Talk with a friend at another school and ask them, "Tell me about the pass-fail system at your school".
They'll respond with, "We have High Honors, Honors, Pass, and Fail".
What does that even mean!? Aren't those grades?! Your guess is as good as mine.

Joining the AMA as a medical student only so I could get a free Stedman's was the worst idea ever. I get shitty e-mails from them, countless mailings, and a JAMA that I rarely have the time to read. What a waste of money on their part. Instead, they should start a free clinic somewhere in Africa instead of wasting money on paper.

And for some news............
(click links for stories)

1. US House backs stem cell research
Thank the good lord that the Democrats have taken the power back......finally a separation of church and state!
"The US House of Representatives has passed a bill backing embryonic stem cell research, marking a major challenge to President George W Bush. The stem cell bill was among the top priorities for the Democrats, who took control of Congress last week, but Mr Bush has vowed to veto it."

2. How spicy foods can kill cancers
You love to eat it, It'll help you kill, and it's Hot, Hot, Hot.
"They found capsaicin, an ingredient of jalapeno peppers, triggers cancer cell death by attacking mitochondria - the cells' energy-generating boiler rooms. The research raises the possibility that other cancer drugs could be developed to target mitochondria."

3. Government to list hospitals that falter in heart attack care
Good or Bad for the Healthcare System? You Tell Me!
"In a dramatic bid to improve hospital performance, the government plans to post a consumer-friendly comparison of hospitals' heart attack and heart failure death rates on the Internet."

4. San Francisco area is No. 1 for regular drug use, study says
Any UCSF Students out there? What's the dilly-o?
"The San Francisco metropolitan area has a higher percentage of people who are regular drug users than any other major metropolitan area in the USA, a study from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found."

5. The Claim: Hot Leftovers Should Cool at Room Temperature
"The reasoning behind the claim varies. One theory is that allowing food to cool at a slower rate reduces the likelihood that it will spoil. Another suggests that hot food can somehow interfere with the circulation of cold air in the refrigerator. The notion may have originated back when food was stored in iceboxes, and thus could not be too hot when put away."