Friday, August 7, 2026

Coffee Break: Gene Editing Gone Wrong, Plants that Eat Animals, and a Neanderthal Gene that Makes a Difference

Part the First: If You Stretch Biomedical Science Too Far It Breaks, Every Time.  Gene editing using CRISPR technology has made possible great leaps in biomedical science, and Emanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna were rightly awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry for it in 2020.  The prospects for CRISPR in therapy for tractable genetic diseases […]

The Floods of the Future Won’t Come One at a Time

A dangerous collision of storm surge, torrential rain, and sea level rise threaten overwhelming floods, endangering large sections of the US

Links 8/7/2026

Iran War: Heads Explode Over Iran Draft Terms for Strait of Hormuz; Ansar Allah Strike on Saudi Forces, Killing Over 50

Today’s Iran war news: Iran’s draft to Parliament re operating the Strait gives new meaning to the word maximalist as Ansar Allah ramps up.

The Donroe Doctrine Just Went Fully Live

And if you blinked, you probably missed it. 

Why “Albert Einstein’s ‘Why Socialism?’”?

On Einstein’s important essay “Why Socialism?” along with his considerable involvement in politics and some of his important initiatives.

The Ceuta Psyop Shows the Seams of the European Far Right

Far-right hysteria labeling the 70,000 border crossings an ‘invasion’ is part of the psyop—and it reveals the limits of their narrative.

Senate Dems Push GOP to Divulge Secret Plan to ‘Attack Earned Benefits Like Social Security’

Republican plans to gut, erm, “reform” Social Security must be brutal since they insist on hiding them till after the midterms.

Links 8/6/2026

Iran War: Iran Agreement With Oman Will Not “Open” Strait of Hormuz as Trump Hypes Non-Existent Talks; Ansar Allah Threatens Red Sea Escalation; Trump-Hegseth Row Over Weapons Shortages

Today’s Iran War news: Over-selling of Iran-Oman Hormuz pact as US arms shortages lead to doctrine change: liberal use of tactical nukes

Trade Liberalization Never Lifted All Boats

While selective trade liberalization has benefited powerful corporate interests and some others, most have lost out.

Science, Religion, and Political Omens: The Meaning of Eclipses in Ancient Rome

Eclipses have long caused fear and wonder, and became focuses for divination.

El-Sayed on Track to Win US Senate Primary, Overcoming AIPAC’s $30 Million Onslaught

Abdul El-Sayed’s opponents, with substantial AIPAC funding, outspent him 11 to 1 but still lost. Israel support is becoming a scarlet letter.

Links 8/5/2026

Iran War: US Again Fabricates Talks On, “Deal Is Nigh” As Reuters Reports Even Greater Weapons Depletion; Iran Debunks Media Reports on Oman Negotiations v. “Opening”

Today’s Iran war news: Disappointingly, more commentators are repeating Trump bogosity as the weapons and real economy crunch worsens.