April 20, 2002

There is talk of having "The Osbournes" second season take on a "Survivor/Big Brother" style format where family members vote other family members out of the house. OK, truth is I am the only one talking about it, but there is talk.  Today the big Osbournes headline is that they have  pushed aside professional wrestling as cable television's biggest show.  Is this really something to brag about? All kidding aside this is a wicked funny show.    My only hope is that Alice Cooper drops in for a visit, or maybe Tommy Chong and his family. EW.com: All About "The Osbournes"   2:21:32 PM

Protein May Offer Clue to Obesity, Diabetes WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A protein that affects the body's ability to handle fat and sugar might offer a way to treat obesity and diabetes, if a way can be found to block it, scientists reported on Friday. If it works to block this protein, you may be able to eat the same amount of food, and gain less weight.   Anyway, it seems to work in mice....... 2:08:57 PM

Cigarettes, Tea Linked to Lower Parkinson's Risk New research provides more evidence of the unusual link between smoking and a lower risk of Parkinson's disease. But far from recommending smoking as a way to reduce Parkinson's risk, researchers point out that understanding the relationship could help identify the cause of the disease and ways to treat or prevent it.  [ Reuters ]   I might be paranoid, but I really did wonder if this study was financed by Philip Morris.  I guess I watched The Insider way to much... or?     More on Parkinson in the news: - Pesticide link to Parkinson’s probed - MSNBC (Apr 19, 2002) - 'I was able to laugh for the first time in years' - The Guardian (UK). (Apr 19, 2002) - Parkinson's drug success lets patients laugh again - The Independent (UK) (Apr 19, 2002) - Hope of breakthrough in Parkinson's disease - The Guardian (UK). (Apr 19, 2002) 1:55:54 PM