ARTICLE OF THE DAY from the Free Dictionary
Trepanation  The practice of drilling a hole into the skull to expose the dura mater surrounding the brain is an ancient surgical procedure dating back to prehistoric times. It is the oldest surgical procedure for which evidence (in the form of human remains) has been discovered. Modern physicians continue to perform trepanations, though the medical rationale surrounding the surgery has since evolved. Which artist gained notoriety for performing a self-trepanation and then screening a film of the procedure?

IN THE NEWS from the Free Dictionary
HIV Treatment Cuts Mom to Baby Transmission Risk  A review of data from more than 5,000 pregnancies in the UK and Ireland has found that the infection rate for babies born to HIV positive mothers taking measures to prevent transmission is only 1.2%. Before effective drug treatments became readily available, the transmission rate was considerably higher at more than 20%. Women treated with antiretroviral (ART) drugs for at least 14 days prior to delivery rarely pass on the virus to their babies; the transmission rate among these women is less than 1%. Unfortunately, access to ART drugs is limited in developing countries, and as a result, approximately 1,800 babies are born with HIV each day.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY from the Free Dictionary
Thomas Blood Attempts to Steal Crown Jewels of England  Blood was an Irish-born adventurer who served under Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War. In 1663 he tried to seize the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from Dublin Castle, and in 1670 he attempted to assassinate the Duke of Ormonde. A year later, Blood and three accomplices made an infamous attempt to steal the Crown Jewels of England. Having befriended the jewel keeper, Blood arranged a private viewing, during which time the men made off with the treasures. Why did the king pardon Blood?