Study says gene encourages monogamy. A single gene, which controls the expression of a receptor for the neuropeptide vasopressin in the ventral pallidum region of the prairie vole, apparently makes all the difference between the monogamous mating behavior of this species and the promiscuousness of the closely related meadow vole species. Inserting the vasopressin receptor gene in the proper brain area in meadow voles makes them strongly prefer their current mate just as the prairie voles do, and blocking the effects of vasopressin at the newly expressed receptors makes them revert to their noncommittal behavior. The implicated region is involved in mediating the brain’s reward system, and it is hypothesized that prairie voles feel a sort of reinforcing pleasure with their mates that is absent in the meadow vole. (Boston Globe)
Daily Archives: 11 Jul 04
Bush Administration Seeks Authority to Postpone Nov. Election?
U.S. Mulling How to Delay Vote in Case of Attack: “U.S. counterterrorism officials are looking at an emergency proposal on the legal steps needed to postpone the presidential election in case of such an attack, Newsweek reported on Sunday.
‘I think it’s excessive based on what we know,’ said Rep. Jane Harman of California, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, in a interview on CNN’s ‘Late Edition.’
Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge warned last week that Osama bin Laden’s al Qaeda network want to attack within the United States to try to disrupt the election.
Harman said Ridge’s threat warning ‘was a bust’ because it was based on old information.” (Reuters)
When conspiracy buffs talk sinister scenarios, creating a state of emergency to postpone the lawful succession of power is always a big part of it. Given how much this dysadministration has done without giving a damn about the will of the people or the rule of law, with a philosophical position that they and only they can best make decisions for the country and that their ends justify any means, this is the first time I can believe in this possibility.
‘…New insights on how Abu Ghraib was spiralling out of control…"
U.S. News obtains all classified annexes to the Taguba report on Abu Ghraib:
“The most comprehensive view yet of what went wrong at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison, based on a review of all 106 classified annexes to the report of Major General Antonio Taguba, shows abuses were facilitated–and likely encouraged–by a chaotic and dangerous environment made worse by constant pressure from Washington to squeeze intelligence from detainees.
Daily life at Abu Ghraib, the documents show, included riots, prisoner escapes, shootings, corrupt Iraqi guards, filthy conditions, sexual misbehavior, bug-infested food, prisoner beatings and humiliations, and almost-daily mortar shellings from Iraqi insurgents. Troubles inside the prison were made worse still by a military command structure that was hopelessly broken.”
‘…New insights on how Abu Ghraib was spiralling out of control…"
U.S. News obtains all classified annexes to the Taguba report on Abu Ghraib:
“The most comprehensive view yet of what went wrong at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib prison, based on a review of all 106 classified annexes to the report of Major General Antonio Taguba, shows abuses were facilitated–and likely encouraged–by a chaotic and dangerous environment made worse by constant pressure from Washington to squeeze intelligence from detainees.
Daily life at Abu Ghraib, the documents show, included riots, prisoner escapes, shootings, corrupt Iraqi guards, filthy conditions, sexual misbehavior, bug-infested food, prisoner beatings and humiliations, and almost-daily mortar shellings from Iraqi insurgents. Troubles inside the prison were made worse still by a military command structure that was hopelessly broken.”
