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The Internet

Submission + - Terminal Size Of Websites

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: This article proposes the interesting idea of a terminal size of websites. "When a website reaches such a colossal size, huge groups of members and visitors form opinions about what should be done and what should not be done to update and change how it works. Similar to a country, the "citizens" of these websites prove to be a formidable force in deciding what is popular and, ultimately, what direction the website goes in. But what does not fit that comparison to a country is the fact that there isn't a reliable form of government (although I guess many countries would arguably fit that description as well). However, the point remains; what direction are these sites going in and who is really controlling it, if anybody?"
Biotech

HIV Vaccine Ready For Clinical Trials 385

Posted by Zonk from the go-science-go-science dept.
amigoro writes with the happy news that a possible vaccine against HIV is nearing readiness for clinical trials. The compound could provide a 'double whammy' by not only inoculating the patient against future infection, but destroying an HIV infection in progress. "The vaccine is an artificial virus-like particle whose outer casing consists of the TBI (T- and B cell epitopes containing immunogen) protein constructed by the researchers combined with the polyglucin protein. This protein contains nine components stimulating different cells of the immune system: both the ones that produce antibodies and the ones that devour the newcomer."
United States

Submission + - Bush Administration Muzzled Surgeon General (scienceblogs.com)

Submitted by
rnws
rnws writes: "The Scientific Activist blog is carrying comment on a New York times article on political pressure applied to the former US Surgeon General:

Yesterday, former Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona testified before congress that he was subjected to extensive and systematic political interference in his work by the Bush Administration. From Gardiner Harris of The New York Times:

"The administration, Dr. Carmona said, would not allow him to speak or issue reports about stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, or prison, mental and global health issues."
"Dr. Carmona said he was ordered to mention President Bush three times on every page of his speeches. He also said he was asked to make speeches to support Republican political candidates and to attend political briefings.
And administration officials even discouraged him from attending the Special Olympics because, he said, of that charitable organization's longtime ties to a "prominent family" that he refused to name.
"I was specifically told by a senior person, 'Why would you want to help those people?'""
Music

Submission + - Putting Piracy in Perspective

Submitted by
An anonymous reader writes: Over the past year, Slashdot has pointed to many industry claims and governmental pressure (here, here, and here) arguing that Canada as a piracy haven. Canadian law prof Michael Geist has produced Putting Canadian "Piracy" in Perspective, a video that demonstrates how the claims are hugely exaggerated. For example, it shows how despite the MPAA's claim of movie piracy, Canada was the industry's fastest growing market last year. Similarly, while the recording industry says Canada is the world's top P2P country, the data shows that the Canadian music industry is experiencing record gains and that most of the decline from the major labels is due to retail pricing pressures.

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Our business in life is not to succeed but to continue to fail in high spirits. -- Robert Louis Stevenson

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