Articles written by Neil Wagner

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About me - Neil Wagner

Former mad scientist who likes translating scientific jargon back into plain English, where it belongs.

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Food & Drink > Coffee Tips for buying a small drip coffee maker: 1 of 6
It's possible to buy drip coffeemakers that will grind beans, work on a timer or probably even play the theme from Spider Man. That's not what we're talking about here, though. This is about buying a simple unit that will get you your dose of caffeine without giving you a headache in the process. I've found the two most impor... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Baseball Do baseball salaries buy championships?: 9 of 27
Actually, the answer to the question is "maybe." All you have to do is look at the ineptitude of the Baltimore Orioles over the last decade to see that a high payroll doesn't always translate into victories. They've spent, and their only championship quality is Boog Powell's barbecue. What a high payroll does do is give you a... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Basketball Reflections on Rasheed Wallace's playoff game ejection in 2006: 1 of 3
Rasheed Wallace is a real character. Anyone who'swatched him play for a while has their favorite Rasheedmoment. Mine is so surreal, I wonder if I dreamed it. One year when he was still playing for Portland,Rasheed was leading the league in technical fouls. Somemedia person interviewed him and asked if this wasdetrimental to ... More..
Sports & Recreation > Baseball Coaching & Skills The possibility of blowing a bunt foul: 1 of 1
I know this is going way back, but it deals with an extremely peculiar play and seems to violate the laws of physics, so I'd like some confirmation that I didn't just imagine it. Lenny Randle was an infielder who played in the 1970s and early 1980s. He's best known for punching out his manager, Frank Lucchesi while with the T... More..
Health & Fitness > Dentistry (Other) Triclosan: Uses and effects: 1 of 1
Triclosan: Is it for you? Triclosan is an active ingredient present in some toothpastes, notablyColgate Total. Claims of up to 30% reduction in gingivitis (gum disease)and plaque formation are given for it. There are also many associated healthconcerns, some so severe that triclosan containing products have been pulledfrom t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Environmental Awareness The hazards of carcinogens: 5 of 9
Most people would be surprised to learn that the listof proven human carcinogens is pretty small. TheInternational Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) listsunder 70 agents and groups of agents as known humancarcinogens. Some of these are viruses and radioisotopes.Asbestos, aflatoxins and benzene and some derivatives headthe... More..
Sports & Recreation > Baseball Coaching & Skills Analyzing the bullpen by committee approach: 5 of 8
BULLPEN BY COMMITTEE The habit of baseball teams using a single closer hasbecome so well established, it's hard to imagine anotherapproach. Can multiple closers work? I think they can andshould definitely be tried by some teams. I'm not talkingabout teams with premier relievers like Mariano Rivera, BJRyan or Trevor Hoffman.... More..
Sciences > Cellular Biology Understanding genetic modification: 4 of 6
Human mediated genetic modification of crops has been going on since the first agriculturist crossed two different species of plant. It's only the techniques that have become more powerful. Many people feel that transplantation of genes from one species to another is too dangerous to be permitted. After all, simple crossbree... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues The Electoral College: Does my vote matter?: 2 of 3
If you assume that your vote is counted and correctly tabulated, the question of how much your vote actually counts in the electoral college depends on where you live. If you live in a small state such as Wyoming, your vote counts about four times as much as if you live in a big one such as New York or California. Wyoming has... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Sports Archives Reasons the Yankees will or will not win the pennant: 27 of 35
The main reason the Yankees are likely to win the 2007 AL pennant is because they will be best at addressing whatever mid-season deficiencies crop up. Some of this is due to their GM and a lot of it is due to having a virtually unlimited payroll. Sorry Kansas City Royal fans, it isn't fair and I commiserate with you but the ... More..