Pentagon programs target of China cyber threat

WASHINGTON (AP) — New revelations that China used cyberattacks to access data from nearly 40 Pentagon weapons programs and almost 30 other defense technologies have increased pressure on U.S. leaders to take more strident action against Beijing to stem the persistent breaches.

The disclosure, which was included in a Defense Science Board report released earlier this year, but is only now being discussed publicly, comes as Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel heads to Southeast Asia, where he will discuss the escalating cyberthreat with counterparts from a number of area nations.

Read more...  http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-programs-target-china-cyber-threat-215656743.html

Human embryo stem cells cloning breakthrough | NHS Choices | Nursing Times

“Human embryonic stem cells created from adult tissue for first time,” The Guardian reports, while the Daily Mail’s front page leads with the somewhat fanciful warning that new research raises the “spectre of cloned babies”.

These headlines are based on newly published research into the use of a technique known as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) as part of embryonic stem cell research. It should be noted that no babies were born as a result of this research, and the researchers had no intention of producing a live cloned human being.

SCNT involves taking donated egg cells from women and removing their genetic material. These are then fused with human cells – in this case skin cells – and the fused cell begins behaving in a similar way to an embryo by producing human stem cells.

Read more: Human embryo stem cells cloning breakthrough | NHS Choices | Nursing Times

Tempe gets 1st medical marijuana dispensary

The name, Harvest of Tempe, on the modest storefront in a south Tempe strip mall might suggest it is home to a food bank or perhaps a fresh-produce shop.

If you make it inside, though, your first impression might be of a secure bank.

That’s just what the owners want. Harvest of Tempe is the southeast Valley’s first medical-marijuana dispensary and is among a handful of dispensaries to open since Arizona voters approved the Medical Marijuana Act in 2010.

To enter, customers must pass through a magnetically locked door controlled from the inside. At that point, they must show their medical-marijuana card and other state-issued identification before they can pass through another locked door to the area where they meet with Harvest employees to discuss the type of marijuana needed.

Read more: Tempe gets 1st medical marijuana dispensary

Bill allows state universities to research medical marijuana

State universities will be allowed to conduct federally approved research of medical marijuana under legislation signed Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer.

Senate Bill 1443 had the support of proponents of medical marijuana, who said universities provide safe places to research the drug and that it is too difficult to perform such research in other locations. The governor's signature is a victory for those proponents, especially Dr. Sue Sisley, a Scottsdale internist in private practice and assistant professor of psychiatry and internal medicine at the University of Arizona.

She plans to study the efficacy of marijuana on combat veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

“This is a triumph for the Arizona scientific community and proves there is the potential that science will win over politics,” Sisley said, adding that Brewer has opened the door to conduct a range of medical marijuana research that could be used nationally and internationally.

A voter-approved law allows patients with certain debilitating medical conditions to use medical marijuana; about 38,000 Arizonans particpate in the program.


Bill allows state universities to research medical marijuana

Benson Cartoons - Political Cartoons - The Arizona Republic

Benson Cartoons - Political Cartoons - The Arizona Republic