freerangegeek - Slashdot User

Submission + - A vaccine to prevent every strain of flu?

Submitted by Shivetya on Friday December 29, 2006 @10:15AM

Shivetya writes: British scientists may have come up with a vaccine that can prevent every type of Influenza A by concentrating on a protien known as M2. This protein has hardly changed within the last 100 years and has been found in the current bird flu and the virus that caused the 1918 Spanish flu. The story, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/hea lth/healthmain.html?in_article_id=425227&in_page_i d=1774 , also reports a Swiss group doing similar research. Combine this story and recent ones on Slashdot concerning diabetes, http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/12/1 6/218236 , perhaps this decade will see to the end of some of the worlds most vexing health problems?

Submission + - Small businesses worried about MS anti-phishing

Submitted by

prostoalex

on Tuesday December 19, 2006 @04:55PM

prostoalex writes: "Ever get that warm feeling of safety, when the anti-phishing toolbar on Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 turns green, telling you it's safe to shop on a given site? Well, you probably don't, but millions of Internet users who are running IE7, probably pay attention to anti-phishing warnings. Wall Street Journal is reporting on Microsoft making it tough for a small business to assure it's treated properly by the anti-phishing algorithm: "That's because sole proprietorships, general partnerships and individuals won't be eligible for the new, stricter security certificates that Microsoft requires to display the color. There are about 20.6 million sole proprietorships and general partnerships in the U.S., according to 2003 and 2004 tax data from the Internal Revenue Service, though it isn't clear how many are engaged in e-commerce.""

Journal Journal: RIAA Drops Patti Santangelo Case 4

Journal by NewYorkCountryLawyer on Tuesday December 19, 2006 @04:55PM

The RIAA is seeking to drop its case against Patti Santangelo, Elektra v. Santangelo, in White Plains, New York. This is the case against a single mom, and mother of five, which received a great deal of press attention in 2005. The case was discussed on Slashdot here, here, and

Submission + - Worst. Console. Launches. Ever.

Submitted by

fistfullast33l

on Tuesday December 19, 2006 @04:52PM

fistfullast33l writes: "Luke Smith has great commentary over on 1up.com entitled "The Two Worst Console Launches Ever" which really should be called "The Three Worst Console Launches Ever." It's followed by a great discussion on how all three manufacturers really botched the launches of each of their products for various reasons. The PS3 of course gets highlighted, but is excused for everyone's favorite reason. "Constant reports leading up to Sony's PS3 launch pointed toward manufacturing problems and considering Blu-ray is new tech the shortages are somewhat justifiable." His reason for Nintendo is a bit more controversial. "A console that uses outdated old technology and sold through every unit during the month of November only ended up selling 476k units? While Sony certainly can't be accused of shortchanging supply to increase perceived demand, Nintendo certainly can be. If it's not hard to make — why aren't there more?" He doesn't touch on Microsoft at all, but it definitely should be included in this category for producing fewer units than the Wii but more units than the PS3. And of course, games, components, and accessories are all touched on as well as not only being overpriced but underproduced. Why do we tolerate this?"

Anti-Spyware Law Snags Anti-Spyware Vendor 138

Posted by Zonk on Thursday December 07, 2006 @02:09PM from the guess-their-product-wasn't-very-good dept.

Country Lawyer writes "Washington state's anti-spyware law has just resulted in a $1 million victory for the state, the first successful prosecution under the new law. The weird thing? They sued an anti-spyware vendor." From the article: "Washington State went after the company after 1,145 state residents purchased the software and the complaints began rolling in. Secure Computer president Paul Burke will now pay $200,000 in penalties, make $75,000 worth of restitution to Washington residents, and pay another $725,000 to cover the state's attorneys' fees. The irony of an anti-spyware law being used against an anti-spyware vendor was not commented upon."

Submission + - Ethics for Science Geeks

Submitted by

Anonymous Coward

on Thursday December 07, 2006 @02:05PM

Anonymous Coward writes: "While many argue that science is self-correcting, numerous studies have found that corporations influence research in peer-reviewed journals. One publisher has now released ethical guidelines for scientists publishing in their journals. One section of the article notes: "A survey of literature also found a publishing bias in studies on the plastics chemical Bisphenol A, which is used to make products such as baby bottles. Fred vom Saal, professor of biology at the University of Missouri-Rolla discovered that 109 of the 120 papers published on Bisphenol A reported that minute levels of the chemical may be harmful. However, 11 corporate sponsored studies found no effect." http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/12/07/publ ishing"

Journal Journal: Old Codger builds Dalek to Scare Students 1

Journal by Marxist Hacker 42 on Thursday December 07, 2006 @01:57PM

Story at el Reg: But the real question is can he climb stairs in it?

Journal Journal: Nintendo, Wii Have a Problem 3

Journal by Short Circuit on Thursday December 07, 2006 @12:51PM

The site Wiihaveaproblem.com has many pictures, videos and testimonials about the Wii and users who accidentally destroy their property. Come one, come all, to the batting cages and bowling alleys of your own living room, and see exactly what's getting batted and bowled around. And think about strengthening your wrist strap.

Slashdot Top Deals