Achoo! A new discovery may help alleviate allergies. The antibodies which cause allergies attach to mast cells, which then release irritants that cause allergy symptoms. They can stick to the cells for weeks and researchers have discovered that the usually bent antibody will unbend to secure itself to the mast cells. Genentech has a drug called Xolair which interferes with these antibodies, but it is a large molecule which must be injected. The new findings may help scientists create a design a pill that keeps the antibodies bent. Until then, I’m sticking to the cromolyn.

Smith College’s traveling exhibit “Corot to Picasso” has been making its way around the country. It includes an unfinished painting by Gustave Courbet which was titled “The Preparation of the Bride,” until it was discovered that someone had painted clothes on the “bride” in order to alter a morbid, previously thought missing, painting called “The Preparation of the Dead Girl.” It is thought that the bridal theme was considered more marketable when the painting was sold after Courbet’s death, and thus the alteration was made. X-Rays revealed the truth underneath. The exhibit includes other unfinished works, appropriate for an educational institution’s collection, which reveal the creation process.

A “purple and crimson” diamond is being touted as “the world’s most valuable natural object in existence, on a weight to weight basis.” Its owner, who probably did not expect such a brouhaha over the gem, took it out for appraisal and it was subsequently publicized. Crimson diamonds have been discovered before, but no purple ones are known to exist. This one is between two and five carats, the jeweler won’t say exactly. If the owner is intending to sell it, perhaps the publicity is welcome.

Notes from Alton Brown’s Booksigning in San Jose, 6/15/2002
Alton had to buy one of his own books at a signing in L.A. He signed it with the wrong name (Rick/Eric) so he is passing it around at his appearances for everyone else to sign, like a “yearbook” (he claimed not many people wanted to sign his high school yearbook). Someone outright asked if he liked Emeril. He replied (I’m paraphrasing): “If it wasn’t for Emeril I wouldn’t be here today. He opened up the television food business. Also, the steak I had at his restaurant in New Orleans was the best I’ve ever had.” At one point during the lengthy signing session, Alton got up to yell at the people towards the end of the huge line, asking how they were doing, telling them that the supply drop would be arriving any minute. For photos, he posed everyone differently. For our photo, he turned his back to the camera. I asked if his daughter was the girl in the episode with the tea party, he said no, that was a neighbor’s daughter, but his daughter was in the honey show, “she was much smaller then.” Someone asked where he ate dinner last night and what he had. He said his driver, who was Chinese, dropped him off in a dark alley in Chinatown and he had yummy garlic prawns and other dishes I can’t recall. He also said he was trying to get into Chez Panisse tonight (he’s never eaten there). He joked that he was going to bring the poster for his book with him and hold it up next to his face. He may market a ready-made brine mix. His final meal request would be duck confit (it takes 3 days to prepare). To sum up, a really nice guy with a lot of wit and charm, very happy to meet and interact with his fans.

Wired’s July issue has an article on the construction of a new building at the South Pole. Consider the logistics of building a normal house at the South Pole, getting the supplies there, dealing with weather. Now consider the fact that the original, 1956 station is sitting somewhere under 30 feet of ice. The current central station’s dome is slowly being crushed by snow. The new design is raised, to avoid snow drifts, and can be lifted up to counter the sinking that is occuring.

Target is racking up the style points with yet another prominent designer on the payroll. Philippe Starck is designing a myriad of products for the affordable retailer, which also has Michael Graves and Stephen Sprouse on the shelves. Starck is perhaps best-known for his chic interior design of hotels, creating everything from rugs to sconces for a distinctly unified look. His Target designs include a curling iron, wearable baby monitor, food storage containers, and there is more to come.

Meowsers! Mice have been spotted snacking at the British Parliament. “Eight Liberal Democrat MPs” have signed a motion stating it would be “fiscally prudent for the Sergeant at Arms’s department to invest in a House of Commons cat to try to tackle this problem.” A mouse which appeared under a skirting board was described as “very brave, very bold and it looked extremely healthy.” Thus they will need an equally brave, bold, and healthy kitty to solve this problem. But will it be like some cats and bring its successful catches to the feet of members of parliament as gifts?

The world’s fastest train is being tested in Japan and some lucky people have been able to ride it. It’s a maglev, and can reach speeds of 500 kph (which I can’t imagine even when I translate it from metric, ~300mph). Soon after departure, the train’s wheels retract and it floats 10 centimeters above the track. Some say this is the key for the future of Japan, creating new economic growth, but some think the cost will be prohibitive . Regardless, the technology is fascinating and makes me feel more like that fictional future of the new millenium may actually arrive someday. (via SlashDot)

While the cooking show America’s Test Kitchen is dry and bland compared to something like Good Eats, it still delivers solid, well-researched information. The accompanying magazine, Cook’s Illustrated, is, as reported by the NY Times, discovering actual profit in avoiding advertising and creating loyal subscribers. They are the Consumer Reports of the cooking world. The company, Boston Common Press, “will have more than $20 million in revenue this year and profits of more than $4 million. It is also debt free.” It is refreshing to see a publishing company with its consumers as customers instead of the advertisers.

What art makes you cry? There is much that I would not consider art that has made me cry, for example, many sappy episodes of Little House on the Prairie. There are those cheap tears and also the deeper ones that come from a purely beautiful experience. An emotional connection to art comes from an understanding that touches you personally.