Note - You can read this as well as other posts here.
More coffee woes
In the last post, I mentioned the issue of channeling in coffee in an Espresso machine - something I’m sure none of you had even considered. Apparently, there’s also an issue with diterpenes, natural cholesterol-raising compounds that are in your cuppa. Preliminary results from a Swedish study show that the brewing method used affects the level of these LDL-affecting substances. The lowest amounts were for paper filtered coffee at only a few mg per cup. Coffee machines were around 20, while espresso was much higher. Their results from the machines though seemed to vary with how well the coffee was filtered. Even boiled (Turkish) coffee dropped from an extremely high value down to the 20s after filtering. They didn’t assess flavour changes though. Are these compounds yet another thing to worry about? The researchers assessed the impact of diterpenes as the equivalent of adding 60 ml of 40% cream to a cup of paper-filtered coffee - which is more than just a splash. But they also added that the study needed to be expanded with more samples and better control of some of the variables, so we’re safe for now.
In other news, another study showed that the risks from coffee enemas far outweigh any benefits of them. You’re welcome.
Brain drain
Trump’s policies against all them elites and eggheads with their damn bias for logic and data is having a number of effects beyond the cancelling of programs and changes to regulations. The scientists themselves are being muzzled for fear of losing government grants or even their jobs. Like many of Trump’s policies, even when he is gone, the changes will not be easily reversed. America will be different, and not for the better,
The Guardian reports that US academics, when they travel abroad, use burner phones and stripped-down laptops. They are all quite aware that on their return to the US, these devices will be scanned for any articles, emails, or posts that are critical of Trump and his actions. Several have already been either detained or refused entry.
Manitoba is looking into ways to attract US researchers. The province is already running ads in the US to attract nurses. France and other countries are also hoping to attract researchers - Aix Marseille University even has a Safe Place for Science program, and has been receiving a dozen applications per day.
Smart stick
Speaking of scientists, researchers at UBC have invented a stir stick that detects drugs in drinks. They call it “Spikeless”, and it can indicate the presence of drugs such as GHB and ketamine with just a colour change. So far they have a patent and are starting up a company to commercialize this. In California, there’s already a law that takes effect July 1, requiring bars to offer free drug testing kits for patrons’ drinks, so this simple solution will be welcome.
I like the stir stick idea. Getting drugged by your drink is no fun at all.