In the BMJ editorial office, we often come across interesting articles, blogs, and web pages. We thought we would share these with you. Some are medical, some techie, and some just general.

Direct Red by Gabriel Weston: a curious little book that uses elegant and subtle, almost poetic language reminiscent of Chekhov or Katherine Mansfield to describe some utterly gruesome surgical scenarios and human dilemmas. Her encounters with real life patients prompted this series of fictional, but obviously reality based, vignettes charting the development of the author’s professional skills, personal growth, and career decisions. (Review by Luisa Dillner at http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/may14_1/b1933)

Are Publisher Linking Networks Like 2Collab and Connotea Choking to Death on Spam? http://scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2010/02/10/are-publisher-linking-networks-choking-to-death-on-spam/

Swine flu drugs ordering service is closed down http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8509736.stm
Birte Twisselmann, deputy editor bmj.com

That way, madness lies
http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=15450623
The Economist provides some background on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the fifth version of which was published this week.

My big fat geek wedding: Tears, joy and oxytocin
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20527471.000-my-big-fat-geek-wedding-tears-joy-and-oxytocin.html
New Scientist reporter Linda Geddes describes how she turned her recent nuptials into a science experiment to measure the blood levels of oxytocin and other key “mood” hormones on the happiest day of her life.
Helen Jaques, technical editor

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/feb/07/the-challenge-barefoot-running
I am intrigued by this article about barefoot running. It is supposedly healthier, more efficient, and better for one’s posture than running with trainers, but I am not convinced. As a city runner I can’t imagine ever running without trainers. What about the risk of stepping on something sharp, or getting an infection from all the dirt on the streets?
Juliet Walker, assistant web editor bmj.com

Google Buzz Surpasses 9 Million Posts and Comments
http://mashable.com/2010/02/11/google-buzz-9-million/

iPad costs Apple £146 to make
http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/ipad-costs-apple-146-to-make-669717
David Isaacson, doc2doc community manager