I have a new post up on the Stem Cell Network on the topic of fat stem cells and the use of these stem cells in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. It was a better timed post than I had initially expected – just this morning, my “daily deal” email included an offer for a “breakthrough” stem cell skin cream. Please do not buy this cream.
This terrifying link came though twitter today about a Yale student who died after getting her hair caught in some machinery late at night. Soooo scary. It’s a sober reminder to grad students and enthusiastic technicians – never work alone if you can help it. Yes, I know we all have gone through the 12 hour time points or the 6am cell harvest – but at least let a close friend or roommate know where you are and take every precaution possible. Sadly, this can be as simple has tying back your hair, wearing your PPE and minding your general surroundings.
When I had to work late nights or early mornings in the animal facility, I always went around the room making sure racks and cabinets were locked down. One of my greatest fears was to be in an animal room, several stories underground during an earthquake when some idiot has left the racks unlocked. Imagine being crushed by several hundreds of pounds of metal while newly freed rodents roam your body as you lose consciousness. Terrifying. But perhaps a bit of karma as well. 😛
Now that you all have that lovely picture in mind… Other links
- This is what I’m getting the bf for Christmas. What a great idea!
- I found this post on how to get tenure at a major university incredibly… disturbing and discouraging, especially if you are a student. Particularly this point:
Don’t worry about teaching, leadership, organizing, etc. I don’t think being good at these things actively hurts you, although I did once hear a senior faculty member say that he was negatively predisposed to candidates who had good teaching evaluations. (He was joking, I think.) Why? Because you’re spending time on something that isn’t research. But generally it won’t hurt, it just won’t help. You will typically be told (as I was) something like “teaching isn’t really important, but if your case is very close, it can help put you over the top.” Everyone agreed my case was very close, and my teaching was among the best in the department; it didn’t help. The point is simple: this stuff is not research.
Bleh.
AlbinoMouse 