Hackers take control of the UK

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/21/uk_census_lost/
Once again Lulz Security are in the headlines as it is believed they have managed to get their hands on this years census data for the UK. Such a loss is hugely embarrassing for the government and has gotten many people thinking how tight are our nation security measures? The message which is being believed to have been sent from 'Lulzsec' reads
Greetings Internets,

We have blissfully obtained records of every single citizen who gave their records to the security-illiterate UK government for the 2011 census   We're keeping them under lock and key though... so don't worry about your privacy (...until we finish re-formatting them for release)

It goes on to mention that once the database has been reformatted it will be open to the public on piratebay.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13807205

A new vaccine using DNA from health cells was able to cure 80% of mice in animal trials involving prostate cancer. Cancer Research UK have said that this is a major development although human trials must begin as soon as possible. Cancer vaccines are not unlike traditional vaccines but instead of making the immune system attack infections they aim to target specifically tumour cells. Should these new methods prove to be successful this new and interesting study could really broaden the field of immunotherapy research.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/martin-beckford/8587176/Taxpayers-will-no-longer-bail-out-failing-NHS-hospitals.html

In the latest details of the governments controversial NHS reforms it has been announced that supposed 'failing' hospitals will no longer be secretly "bailed out" using the tax payers money. The Department of Health have said that poorer quality organizations will no  longer be proper up with subsides and highlighted the importance of competition and choice as key proponents to improving public services.

AND back with music :

Cells and Sales

Greetings bloggers,

Got a couple of stories for you today.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8557148/Northern-Rock-set-to-be-sold-alongside-Lloyds-branches.html

The British treasury is expected to bring in close to £1.4 billion from the sale of 620 Lloyd's TSB branches and the whole of Northern Rock. I guess this is somewhat good news for the majority of people as the treasury attempts to begin recovering the investment it put into the Banks only a short time ago. I would be interesting to see what the +/- figures for this deal when you compare it to when Northern Rock had to be bailed by the Bank of England out due to excessive mortgage lending by the former back in 07.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/8556764/Blood-stem-cell-bank-to-provide-biological-insurance-for-adults.html

This is a little bit further to the science(y) side so bare with me. The wealthiest Britons can now begin freeze and store their stem cells as an "insurance policy" that could later be used to treat diseases/disorders etc... as they develop in the foreseeable future. Granted this seems a major step forward as it is the first time the regulatory body (Human Tissue Authority) has actually acknowledged such a proposal however questions should be asked to whether or not this could be seen as the beginnings of a privatised state with the best care going to the "best" (supposedly richest) people. The companies leading the project offers charges of £2,495 for the collection and storage of your stem cells for a period of 20 years.

Currently no stem cell therapy exists under private or government health care however the hope is that diseases and disabilities such as:

• Parkinson's
• Alzheimer's
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Defective Organs

Will be at the forefront of future research.