Amy Winehouse, Crack Cocaine and Emphysema

²Figure 15b: Advanced emphysema in a
relatively young (36-year-old) woman with
a history of heavy cocaine abuse and unrelated
mitral valve disease. Chest CT scan reveals
diffuse advanced emphysema.

The latest news in the celebrity drug-abuse world is that Amy Winehouse’s dad has informed the press that she has early stage emphysema. Her publicist has also confirmed the report.

Although health problems related to drug abuse are nothing novel in the world of musical entertainment, emphysema in a 24-year old is unusual, to say the least.

George Carlin Has Died

It is sad news that George Carlin has died. His mordant wit, disdain for bullshit, and penetrating insight into social and political wackaloonery have been an inspiration to many. Of course, he would have mocked the shit out of anyone who melodramatically mourned his passing.
Some of his best work pierced the conceits and deflated the overweening self-centeredness of those who mourn the deaths of public figures they never even met. He would be disgusted if his own death were subject to the kind of arrogant starfucking me! me! me! fake-ass public self-aggrandizing “mourning” garbaggio that Tim Russert’s death inspired.
Adios motherfucker!!

Science Networking: BiomedExperts.com

One of my agents passed along the link to BiomedExperts, the latest tool to geek away endless hours obsessing about your publications. Or, more precisely your cloud of scientific collaborators (and their collaborators….) linked through your co-authored publications.