And, the wind, she cries— Power?

April 30, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 16 Comments

We “know” that petroleum as a fuel source is running out. Not as fast as we once thought- only because as the price rises, sites and sources that were out of reach (economically) become more feasible. Think Athabascan tar sands, coal to gas, fracking (water fracturing of structures to release natural gas). But, we still need alternative sources, not only as a national security issue, but to reduce our carbon footprint and maintain/improve our air quality.

Continue reading And, the wind, she cries— Power? →

Share this:

Medicine, Technology

Can you hear me?

April 27, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 32 Comments

Imagine this scenario. It’s almost Christmas. And, you’re in a Hilton hotel bar- teeming with people celebrating, virtually wall to wall. And, you hear a voice. And, recognize it as that of a friend from decades past. “Jeffrey Fried, where are you?”, I call out. Seconds later… “Roy?”. I hadn’t seen Jeff in 21 years. But, I recognized his voice. (Which restarted our friendship for another decade, until I got married and moved away. Jeffrey Fried- where are you?)

Continue reading Can you hear me? →

Share this:

Business Management, Economy

Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet- yeah, right!

April 26, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 12 Comments

Here we go again. The US Congress is complaining that the US Postal Service (USPS) is losing money. And, they can’t figure out why. Instead of fixing the problems, they plan to cut Saturday delivery (why not Wednesday?) and adjust another problem they caused the Service with its pensions. (I’ll address that below, too.) And, you wonder why I doubt the intelligence of our Congressfolk and Senators?

Continue reading Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet- yeah, right! →

Share this:

Business Management, Dialysis

Dialysis is the FDA hotbed, once again

April 25, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 8 Comments

There’s a new program at the US Food and Drug Administration. One designed to afford innovative devices a speedier review process. This Innovation Pathway 2.0 program is designed for pre-market evaluations of medical devices, expediting the process without reducing the need or quality of safety and effectiveness reviews. And some 30 years ago, there was a similar process for smaller companies- it worked, then, too. (I know, we used it- twice!)

Continue reading Dialysis is the FDA hotbed, once again →

Share this:

Dialysis

Silent Killer

April 24, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 23 Comments

One of the biggest components of the US Healthcare costs is kidney failure. About 1/9 of Americans (26 million) suffer from chronic kidney disease. $ 40 billion a year in costs. Almost 400,000 of Americans undergo dialysis thrice weekly.

Continue reading Silent Killer →

Share this:

Medicine

Got a bug?

April 23, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 20 Comments

You have the sniffles. You ache. You complain. You call your doctor. He prescribes antibiotics. All is well? Right?

Continue reading Got a bug? →

Share this:

Business Management, Medicine, Technology

Tal navigates his “Narrow Straits”

April 20, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 21 Comments

I was perusing the web after I put away all my special dishes and food required for my holiday. (OK, I was vegging out after stuffing and carrying 8 tubs, with an average weight of 25 kilos down 10 steps and through a narrow hallway, leaving them in storage until next year.) And, I ran across a new device that intrigues me- and I think you will be interested as well.

Continue reading Tal navigates his “Narrow Straits” →

Share this:

Energy

Unconventional energy is what our military forces need

April 19, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 8 Comments

I have written before about the military’s push for alternative energy sources. Not necessarily because they want to be innovative, but for purely logistical reasons. The need to get power to the troops- often within the enemy confines, which adds the danger of attack to the delivery requirements. Which is why there now is an Assistant Secretary for Operational Energy in the Department of Defense [DOD] hierarchy. (Shannon Burke assumed this position in 2010.)

Continue reading Unconventional energy is what our military forces need →

Share this:

Brain, Medicine

Another step in the stem cell saga for Parkinson’s

April 18, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 6 Comments

I have written before about the hope that stem cells offer to sufferers from Parkinson’s disease. Here’s yet another installment.

Continue reading Another step in the stem cell saga for Parkinson’s →

Share this:

Uncategorized

Narrow straits

April 17, 2012 Roy A. Ackerman, Ph.D., E.A. 24 Comments

Tonight begins (or, at least it would be on the day I wrote this) the Seventh Day of Pesach (Passover). One of my favorites. No, not because this holiday of eating matza is almost over. And, I’ve already celebrated and exalted over the Freedom that the Supreme Being provided me, my family, my relatives, and my ancestors on the first days of the holiday.

Continue reading Narrow straits →

Share this: