Jun19

Wednesday Links

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Wednesday Links

A new study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association about neuroimaging to determine response to medication or therapy in Major Depressive Disorder. It seems much more exciting if you don’t actually read it. Fortunately, Neurocritic did, so you have someone to explain what’s hope and what’s hype.

Paul Offit explains why we shouldn’t take multivitamins.

He also has a book coming out soon called “Do You Believe in Magic? The Sense and Nonsense of Alternative Medicine” and USA Today covers some of the issues that make this stuff such a dangerous alternative.

And Darshak Sanghavi at Slate wonders why so many of us think we need to avoid gluten

Now, if you happen to be near Washington, DC, and you want to see some cool genetics stuff, hit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History for an exhibit called Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code.

Teaching otters to use vending machines might not be the best idea, but it sure is cute to watch.

Jun12

Wednesday Links

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Wednesday Links

Yes, it’s been a while since the last set of links. I’ll try to do better. Enjoy these for now.

Carl Zimmer wrote an article on Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva for the Atlantic. One of the reasons I think it’s important to read stories like these is to see examples of the success that comes from investigating genetic origins of diseases. Another is to show that there are real reasons that a treatment may or may not be produced outside of the simple profitability of the treatment itself. All in all, this is a great story with some human interest thrown in for good measure.

I’ve often had the discussion with people about how even though we have names for colors, not everyone perceives them the same way. Well. . .who’d have known it? Apparently some of our perception differences arise from how we name the colors in the first place! Empirical Zeal discusses it in two parts. Part 1. Part 2.

Beyond Recognition: The Incredible Story of a Face Transplant Yes, it’s graphic, but it’s also absolutely amazing.

Scicurious has an interesting piece about genes and environment. . .interesting not only because it shows an actual mechanistic result in the brain that can differentiate genetically identical mice, but also because those of us on SSRIs can take comfort in knowing our meds are assisting us in hippocampal neurogenesis.

Another thing that seems to be related to a mechanical malfunction in the brain is Body Integrity Identity Disorder, in which a person is uncomfortable with the very presence of a part of his or her body. Mindscapes: The man who needs to paralyse himself in New Scientist talks about some of the possible roots of this condition that makes people seek elective amputation procedures.

From Nature, an explanation of what a chemical is, and why it’s not inherently dangerous or toxic.

Some tips on distinguishing science journalism from infotainment.

And. . .a tap-dancing seagull.

Jun2

Addicted to Bollywood

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Addicted to Bollywood

So, a friend of mine actually asked for recommendations for Indian movies, which was ironic because he’s Indian and I’m decidedly not. Since I’ve been stuck at home, mostly prone and on an ice pack for most of the last year, I’ve indulged in quite a few. When you’re stuck in one place, a 3-hour movie is a great way to pass the time.

I thought about organizing this in a particular way, but then I’d never finish it, so I’m just going to go by my Netflix and IMDB ratings.

Band Baaja Baaraat I really liked, mostly because I love watching Anushka Sharma. She plays an ambitious young woman who wants to start her own wedding planning company, and finds a niche in creating affordable but spectacular events. Ranveer Singh plays a young man who wrangles his way into the business, and eventually they test the waters of romance. This actually drives them apart, and they dissolve the company, only to find that they can’t live or work without each other. The dance numbers fit in because part of their success hinges on creating these dances and getting everyone at the weddings to join in, and they’re a lot of fun.

I happen to also love almost everything Ranbir Kapoor has starred in. Not too many exceptions. I saw him first in Rocket Singh, adored him in Barfi!, Wake up Sid, and Bachna Ae Haseeno

Oh, and if you watch Barfi!, look for Jhilmil’s amazing transformation into Neha in Dostana. It’s a silly little movie about two men who pretend to be gay lovers in order to get into a fabulous apartment with Neha, while disguising the fact that in the process of learning to be friends with her, they’ve both fallen in love with her instead.

I’m also a big fan of Imran Khan. I saw him first in Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, which has one of the most improbable plot lines ever, but he is adorable and has a great sense of comic timing. I liked Jaane Tu. . .ya Jaane Na so much I bought the soundtrack – the story and the way it’s told is very different from most of the run-of-the-mill Bollywood movies of best friends discovering they were made for each other. Delhi Belly could be enjoyed by even non-Bollywood fans – it’s not a musical – but remember to turn on the subtitles. Everyone speaks English until you meet the bad guys. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is funny and sad, but not a must-see.

But speaking of must-see, Aamir Khan is a force to be reckoned with in Indian films. If you watched Lagaan, you’ve seen him, but you probably don’t know it. Watch 3 Idiots. Watch Dil Chahta Hai. Watch Mumbai Diaries. Watch Rang De Basanti. Watch Ghajini. He has a long, long list of credits.

I think I’m going to finish up for now with one of my favorite actors to watch, Hrithik Roshan. He might not have as many movies, and he definitely doesn’t have the acting chops of Aamir Khan, but he’s an amazing dancer and quite possibly the most beautiful man on the face of the planet. This does not mean that you should watch Kites, though, which was so awful I’m not even going to link to it. Really. Just don’t. Guzaarish, though, campy as it might be at times, is completely enjoyable. He plays a world-famous magician paralyzed from the neck down when an act goes wrong, and follows him from being an inspirational radio voice for the disabled to fighting the government for the right to die. He’s paired up with Aishwarya Rai, who is quite possibly the most beautiful woman on the planet, and they’re together again in Dhoom 2. It’s a very silly movie, just like Dhoom, but if you enjoy ridiculously far-fetched plots and action sequences that completely ignore all known laws of physics, go for it. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Koi. . .Mil Gaya is the story of a young man who gets special powers from an alien and. . .and. . .the story is ridiculously convoluted and borrows shamelessly from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T., and it’s a cheesy, guilty pleasure. Preity Zinta makes it better. More on her later. Anyway, I watched it only because it’s the prequel to Krrish, which is about his son, raised by his mother in a remote location so he never reveals his inherited super powers to the world. (Of course, he does. And dances. And falls in love with someone he shouldn’t. It’s Bollywood.) Come to think of it, I wouldn’t say any of his movies are must-see, but I love to watch him. Maybe Krrish 3 (they skipped right over 2, because 1 is 2 because Koi. . .Mil Gaya is 1. . .or something like that) will be better? Whatever, he’s been working with a personal trainer to look even better for it, so even if it’s bad, I’ll watch it.

That’s enough for a starter, and I didn’t even hit a single SRK movie. Yeah!