Random links

How Scientists Contribute to Bad Science Reporting
"Surveying hundreds of news stories and press releases about medical research, a group of scientists at Cardiff University found that most exaggerations and misrepresentations of science in print news 'did not occur de novo in the media but was already present in the text of the press releases produced by academics and their establishments.'"
Mauritania journalist sentenced to death for apostasy
"The court ... sentenced the man ... to death for apostasy in an article he published almost a year ago. ... in the article in question, the blogger had questioned some of the decisions the prophet had taken during holy wars. During the trial, the defendant had pleaded not guilty, telling the court that it was 'not his intention to harm the prophet.'"
Why do Japanese people wear surgical masks? It’s not always for health reasons
Some interesting alternate reasons.
How Lending A Friend Your Car, Then Going to Bed Can Land You a Life Prison Sentence
"Ryan, who had no prior record, is serving a life sentence with no chance of parole in Florida. He was convicted of pre-meditated murder, even though no one, including the prosecutor, disputes that Ryan was asleep in his bed at home at the time of the crime."