Doctors in Star Trek: Dr. Phlox in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Since Dr. McCoy in The Original Series, Star Trek has had a doctor in every subsequent series. Star Trek: Enterprise ran between 2001 and 2005. In this series, the alien humanoid Doctor Phlox was the chief medical officer of the starship Enterprise NX-01. Phlox is truly alien, both biologically and in his cultural norms. However he is tolerant of human mores and customs and indeed, embraces them. His very alienness occasionally saves the crew from attacks which exploit human vulnerabilities. It is also this alienness, with very little sleep requirements, that permits him to be almost always available to his patients. Furthermore, Phlox frequently used an array of exotic alien flora and fauna in his medical treatments, but he does not eschew modern medicine, professionally utilising the typical gamut of futuristic instruments and devices to which Star Trek audiences are accustomed. He is thus the "the prototype of the multicultural homeopathic physician of the future, comfortable with technology but knowledgeable regarding the more natural means of healing". It is these two traits which endear him to modern viewers, availability and naturalistic treatments. He is a truly unique doctor who furthers the vision of Star Trek's creator, Gene Roddenberry, of a multicultural bridge crew, since the inception of The Original Series in 1966.

British media attacks on homeopathy: are they justified?

Homeopathy is being attacked by the British media. These attacks draw support from irresponsible and unjustified claims by certain teachers of homeopathy. Such claims include the use of 'dream' and 'imaginative' methods for provings. For prescribing some such teachers attempt to replace the laborious process of matching symptom picture and remedy with spurious theories based on 'signatures', sensations and other methods. Other irresponsible claims have also been made. These "new ideas" risk destroying the principles, theory, and practice of homeopathy.

The effect of homeopathically prepared thyroxine on highland frogs: influence of electromagnetic fields.

BACKGROUND: Previous experiments show that amphibian larvae are responsive to homeopathically prepared thyroxine. METHODS: We studied the effect of a highly diluted and agitated thyroxine solution exposed to various electromagnetic fields on metamorphosis in highland Rana temporaria. The devices tested were: microwave oven, mobile phone, airport X-ray, and a red light barcode scanner. Animals were treated either with homeopathically prepared thyroxine (10(-30) parts by weight, 10(-35) in the water in which the animals were kept), or analogously prepared blank solution, or analogously prepared thyroxine exposed to the electromagnetic field of one of the devices tested. Solutions were administered at 48h intervals according to a standardized protocol. RESULTS: Animals treated with the standard test solution thyroxine 10(-30) metamorphosed more slowly than the control animals, ie the effect of the homeopathically prepared thyroxine was opposed to the usual physiological effect of molecular thyroxine. The cumulative number of test animals that had reached the four-legged stage at defined points in time was smaller in the group treated with homeopathically prepared thyroxine at most of the points in time. This was found independently by all three research teams involved. In contrast, this effect did not occur when the thyroxine solution had been exposed to the field of the early model microwave oven, or mobile phone. There was no difference between aqueous or alcoholic solutions were used, and there was, if any, only a small protective effect from aluminum foil. Airport X-ray and red light barcode scanning did not diminish the effect of the homeopathic solution.

Airing method-specific advertisements.

PIP: The Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation initiated the commercial marketing of contraceptives in 1989 as part of a Contraceptive Social Marketing (CSM) program to make available low-cost contraceptives. In 1988 modern methods were used by 31% and traditional methods by 32.3%, while 36.6% used no contraceptives. Only 6.2% were current pill users mainly because of health reasons since high-dose pills dominated the market. A 1990 survey among urban consumers indicated a 94% awareness of contraceptive methods, 76.1% of current use, and preference for the IUD. The side effects of the pill were cited for disliking it, and the condom was rated higher. The CSM project aims at popularizing low-dose pills by explaining the differences and benefits regarding high-dose pills. It collaborated with manufacturers: Schering, Wyeth, Organon, and Eczacibasi Ilac. In 1991 a TV and radio advertisement campaign started that involves the low-dose products Microgynon, Triquilar, Desolet, Lo-Ovral, and Tri-Nordial. The introduction of the Okey condom by Eczacibasi Ilac. In June 1991 also entailed extensive promotion with newspaper ads and TV spots after getting official permission. 1.3 million condoms were sold in the 1st 2 months in 13,000 retail outlets, and 4 million more were projected to be sold. A shift of the attitude of supermarket owners allowing stocking of condoms and the support of the Turkish Ministry of Health, USAID, and the Turkish Radio and Television Bureau has facilitated the CSM project implementation that will profoundly affect family planning in Turkey.^ieng