Science Friday, Only Better! (Genetic testing, Irish research events & Meat-cleaver fun)

Should pharmacies sell personal genetic testing kits?

One of the biggest US pharmacies has delayed it's roll-out of a controversial $20 kit to test a person's risk of getting more than 70 genetic diseases.  Could we, and should we have similar tests available in Ireland? And on that note...

New sensationalism, only better?

Articles about overblown cancer-headlines are nothing new, says the Guardian.

Research and the Media event, Dublin, May 19th

The HEA is hosting a seminar on Wednesday May 19th on Research and the Media in Ireland.  Contact mbyrne@hea.ie  for details.  Via Science Communicators Ireland Linked In group.

Research and social enterprise

Want to get up to date on cutting-edge research topics? Come see Will Norman speak at Science Gallery's Innovation Interface on May 20th.

Feel-good art

A small but randomized trial has shown art therapy had a lasting effect on children with chronic asthma.

If politicians were mathematicians

Why election reform seems simple to a mathematician but implausible to a politician.

If only more Irish students were, too…

Leaving Cert Higher Level Maths Down, According to ENN: "Official figures reveal that only 19.5 percent, or 10,101 students, have indicated they will choose to sit the higher level maths paper next month. This is down from 19.9 percent at this point last year, and 21 percent in 2008."

Public trust in science

Why a fickle public is a double edged sword, from Dietram Scheufele.

So. Over. Facebook.

It's hip in Brooklyn, so get ready world!  Open-source social networks.

Finally, a little nerdy DIY:

Meat-cleaver your own microSIM!  iPad crazy, but want to use your old Sim card? An easy step-by-step guide to converting a standard sim to it's micro counterpart.  Via Metafilter.