Grad School is Busy

Some quick notes since its been a heavy schoolwork week here at Berkeley...

• I had to finally present my 40-minute research project on potential infectious causes of autism. My verdict: autism is caused by a genetic predisposition triggered by a prenatal environmental insult, most likely a range of infections including congenital rubella, herpes virus, mycobacteria, and lyme disease.
• Principles of Infectious Disease midterm in T-Minus 2 hours, 25 minutes... Did you know that our centralized, industrialized food industry is contributing greatly to diseases such as E. coli, salmonella, and so on? Not to mention all the hormones and antibiotics they use to fatten up our animals contributing to antibiotic resistance. Here's a sweet article from the NYT that shows the intrinsic link between the health insurance industry and food industry and how its all going to get flipped on its head soon. Thank you Ryan Marriott.
  
• Early epidemiological studies in Canada (British Columbia to be precise) indicate a marked increase of H1N1 infections in those who have received the seasonal influenza vaccine. Canada may well be halting all seasonal vaccinations for those under 65 years of age. Read more about it on ProMed.
  
• Speaking of the flu, did you know that Single Malt Scotch is one of the best mediums for protection against the flu? I should have known. Check it out yourself. Thanks Kate Corvese.
• The healthcare debate rages on... yesterday the Senate Finance Committee rejected two amendments to Max Baucus' bill that would have included a public option. The first, introduced by John Rockefeller IV of West Virginia was shot down by the entire cohort of Republicans on the committee, plus 5 Democrats. The second, more palatable (to conservatives at least) option was introduced by Charles Schumer of New York, and was also defeated by the Republicans with the help of 3 Democrats. Let's take a moment out of our busy day to thank the following Democrats for killing the public option that they have all previously publicly endorsed: Max Baucus of Montana, Kent Conrad of North Dakota, and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas voted against both bills. Thomas Carper of Delaware and Bill Nelson of Florida voted down Rockefeller's but supported Schumer's.
  
• Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer today scrambled to say they would push a public option, though likely watered down, to the full senate. Such a watered down version could resemble a proposal by Olympia Snow (R) of Maine, where a public option would kick in only in states where private insurance is deemed unaffordable. Said Schumer, "there is not one way to Rome, there are lots of ways to Rome." Someone please tell Chuck we're not trying to get to Rome, we're trying to get to the doctor's office.
• Speaking of health care reform: UC Berkeley students, tonight at 6pm, in Boalt Hall there will be a panel discussion among three professors regarding the issue. William Dow (former health economics advisor to W), Helen Halpin (current health care advisor to Obama), and Steve Shortell (Dean of the School of Public Health, health care policy specialist) will debate the merits of all the current proposals. Should be balanced and informative ('What does that mean?' you ask... yes I've almost forgotten as well).