See this excellent essay against Mars and in favor of exploring the asteroids, Phobos, Deimos, or Earth's moon by NSS Board of Governors member and former L5 board adviser Eric Drexler, Space Development: The Case Against Mars
He implies or states that there is very little to no proper randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies in this area that valid conclusions can be drawn from. This is false.
Just off the topic of my head, the most compelling recent population-based, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial showing a statistically significant effect was for using vitamin D to prevent cancer. The effect in this 4 year study was so large and statistically significant that researchers say that nearly _all_ previous studies of cancer will need to be revised to control for the effect of latitude (because latitude effects vitamin D levels).
Also, just looking at one hit from a single quick google search brought up randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies for omega-3 fatty acids and the following health effects: joint function, cognitive/emotional health, respiratory function, and gastrointestinal health. These results are further supported by our detailed mechanistic understanding of the function of specific types of fats in membrane functioning, and as precursors to important hormones in specific synthesis pathways, etc. It can be shown in atomic detail exactly why a membrane doesn't function as well when constructed with the wrong fats. We also know that certain of these required fats can not be synthesized by the human body, and therefore must be consumed in the diet.
The problems of healthy user effects, compliance effects, and prescriber/eager patient effects that he mentioned are factored out in the randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies I refer to above.
Just because some of the science is junk, it doesn't mean there isn't also good science being done.
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See this excellent essay against Mars and in favor of exploring the asteroids, Phobos, Deimos, or Earth's moon by NSS Board of Governors member and former L5 board adviser Eric Drexler, Space Development: The Case Against Mars
This recent NewScientist article overviews a recent report from the NSS co-authored by Buzz Aldrin with a similar conclusion, Astronaut-authored report says NASA needs new direction
The two key technologies are a more advanced form of "source mask optimization" (SMO) than has been used to date, and "ability to program the lithography illumination source at the grayscale pixel level". A very readable account is here: http://www.semiconductor.net/article/CA6597205.html More detailed information on current and older SMO techniques can be found at these links: http://www.luminescent.com/pdf/PMJ08_079_Minimize_MEEF_in_Low_K1_Lithography.pdf http://wps2a.semi.org/cms/groups/public/documents/membersonly/van_schoot_presentation.pdf
He implies or states that there is very little to no proper randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies in this area that valid conclusions can be drawn from. This is false.
Just off the topic of my head, the most compelling recent population-based, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial showing a statistically significant effect was for using vitamin D to prevent cancer. The effect in this 4 year study was so large and statistically significant that researchers say that nearly _all_ previous studies of cancer will need to be revised to control for the effect of latitude (because latitude effects vitamin D levels).
Also, just looking at one hit from a single quick google search brought up randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies for omega-3 fatty acids and the following health effects: joint function, cognitive/emotional health, respiratory function, and gastrointestinal health. These results are further supported by our detailed mechanistic understanding of the function of specific types of fats in membrane functioning, and as precursors to important hormones in specific synthesis pathways, etc. It can be shown in atomic detail exactly why a membrane doesn't function as well when constructed with the wrong fats. We also know that certain of these required fats can not be synthesized by the human body, and therefore must be consumed in the diet.
The problems of healthy user effects, compliance effects, and prescriber/eager patient effects that he mentioned are factored out in the randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies I refer to above.
Just because some of the science is junk, it doesn't mean there isn't also good science being done.