Thursday, June 18, 2026

Women's heatlh

I was vaguely aware of how women's health is not well funded or really taken seriously.  But, the fact that this doesn't get much press left me in the dark about the depth of the disparity.

Here's an article that calls out some of the issues, and how women are treated differently than men. For example, I just learned that women weren't even included in large research studies about health until 1993.  Wait, how did I not know that? (shame on me in a way)

And then there's funding for various women-specific issues.  Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women, yet only gets .067% of NIH funding (around $28 million), and another $44 million from startups.

Meanwhile male pattern baldness (which has no adverse health effects!) gets $1.2 billion in funding annually.  

Women typically aren't used in Alzheimer's studies in spite of the fact that they actually comprise 67% of the people afflicted with the disease.

And on and on from there.

It's something we should all be aware of, and try to right this "injustice" in how money is applied to the situation. 

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

A positive story in the World Cup

in spite of the visa issue that vozinha notes, this is is a pretty great story. 

Watch "It’s Not the 1980s Men Miss. It’s This." on YouTube

I found this video to be a little … enlightening. As a man of a certain age, I can absolutely relate. 

Times have changed and there are maybe simpler things that I miss  
 

Iran World Cup team coach says it was ordered out of U.S. right after first match - CBS News

This sounds right. Great game. Now get out! Or we’ll arrest all of you and put you in prison. Eyes roll. 


Also…

The Iran winger Mehdi Torabi’s US visa has expired after the team’s opening 2-2 draw against New Zealand on Monday, according to state media.

The player only had a single-entry visa instead of a multiple-entry with Iran staying in Mexico and travelling into the US for their matches.

“Following the national team’s trip to Los Angeles for the match against New Zealand and the conclusion of that game, Torabi’s visa has now expired,” the state news agency IRNA reported.

The Iranian Football Federation “has taken steps to obtain a new visa for Torabi, so that he can accompany the national team in its upcoming matches”, it added.

World Cup organisers and the US have not yet commented.

Monday, June 15, 2026

Shanghai Disney expansion

This is the story about a planned new theme park to complement the Shanghai Disney World that currently exists, and is wildly popular.  (And it may have already been formally announced by the time you read this, its unclear when it will be unveiled)

The article goes into some detail about the design of the park and its operation and is worth a read.  

Oh look. Another country manipulated him.

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