Introduction: Influenza remains an important disease in humans and animals. In contrast to measles, smallpox and poliomyelitis, influenza is caused by viruses that undergo continuous antigenic change and that possess an animal reservoir. Thus, new epidemics and pandemics are likely to occur in the future, and eradication of the disease will be difficult to achieve. Although it is not clear whether a new pandemic is imminent, it would be prudent to take into account the lessons we have learned from studying different human and animal influenza viruses. Influenza has long been with us; indeed, the name itself refers to the…
The Science Creative Quarterly
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) is not a quarterly, but instead publishes new material at a non-linear rate. Currently, it is sleeping and in a sort of stasis (turpor?) It used to seek science writing of any genre, and your contribution would have involved checking out our submissions guidelines.
The Science Creative Quarterly (SCQ) has a single print edition so far (half SCQ pieces, and half fake science journal – see here for more details). Also, badges?
Stay safe everyone!
JOURNAL CLUB FIND: MEDICINE WITH A DOSE OF “D’OH!”
It’s reading week! REFERENCE: D’oh! An analysis of the medical care provided to the family of Homer J. Simpson (1998) Canadian Medical Association Journal, 159, 1480-1481 (2 page pdf) FIRST PARAGRAPH: These are hard times for physicians. Governments blame doctors for spiralling health care costs as they slash spending. Ethicists decry medical paternalism. Our patients — sorry, our clients — demand to be treated like consumers. And political correctness has changed the way we speak. It’s enough to give your average doctor an identity crisis. Who are we? Who should we aspire to be? Working on the premise that life…
JOURNAL CLUB FIND: 300MLS OF SEMEN, THREE TIMES A WEEK!
It’s reading week! REFERENCE: Seminal vesicle production and secretion of growth hormone into seminal fluid (1999) Nature Biotechnology, 17, 1087-1090 (1st page pdf) ABSTRACT: Production of foreign proteins in the tissues of transgenic animals represents an efficient and economical method of producing therapeutic and pharmaceutical proteins. In this study, we demonstrate that the mouse P12 gene promoter specific to the male accessory sex gland can be used to generate transgenic mice that express human growth hormone (hGH) in their seminal vesicle epithelium. The hGH is secreted into the ejaculated seminal fluids with the seminal vesicle lumen contents containing concentrations of…
JOURNAL CLUB FIND: I SEE DEAD PEOPLE
It’s reading week! REFERENCE: Continued Encounters: The Experience of After-Death Communication (2005) Journal of Holistic Nursing, 23, 191-207 (1st page pdf) ABSTRACT: Purpose: To analyze and categorize the various forms of after-death communication (ADC) and describe the effects on the bereaved. Method: In this qualitative descriptive study of 9 men and 9 women, data were collected during in-depth interviews using the Grief and Mourning Status Interview and Inventory and semistructured interview questions. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed and coded for content. Findings: Four categories of ADCs were identified: (a) visions and dreams, (b) lost-things-found, (c) symbolic messages, and (d)…
JOURNAL CLUB FIND: MEDICAL STUDY ON SWORD SWALLOWING
It’s reading week! REFERENCE: Sword swallowing and its side effects (2006) British Medical Journal, 333, 1285-7 (1st page pdf) ABSTRACT: Sword swallowers know their occupation is dangerous. The Sword Swallowers’ Association International (SSAI, www.swordswallow.org) recognises those who can swallow a non-retractable, solid steel blade at least two centimetres wide and 38 centimetres long. As we found only two English language case reports of injury resulting from sword swallowing, we explored the technique and side effects of this unusual practice.
JOURNAL CLUB FIND: THE ROBOT TICKLER
It’s reading week! REFERENCE: Can a Machine Tickle? (1999) Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 6 (3), 504-510 ABSTRACT: It has been observed at least since the time of Aristotle that people cannot tickle themselves, but the reason remains elusive. Two sorts of explanations have been suggested. The interpersonal explanation suggests that tickling is fundamentally interpersonal and thus requires another person as the source of the touch. The reflex explanation suggests that tickle simply requires an element of unpredictability or uncontrollability and is more like a reflex or some other stereotyped motor pattern. To test these explanations, we manipulated the perceived source…
BOOK REVIEW: BROWNE’S “DARWIN’S ORIGIN OF SPECIES: A BIOGRAPHY”
Much like David Quammen’s The Reluctant Mr. Darwin (2006) and Edward J. Larson’s Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory (2004), Harvard historian of science Janet Browne’s Darwin’s Origin of Species: A Biography (2007, ‘Books That Changed the World’ series, which also includes the Bible, the Qur’an, Smith’s Wealth of Nations , Plato’s Republic, Paine’s Rights of Man, and Marx’s Das Kapital) serves, I think, as a great introductory book on the topic of Darwin and evolution (for either lay persons wishing to become familiar with the topic or for undergraduate level courses in the history of science or…
SCIENCE ADMITS IT MADE INTEGRATION UP
The worlds of science and mathematics were sent into turmoil yesterday, with the shock revelation that Integration had been made up by science over a century ago. “I never meant any harm”, confessed the abstract concept of science, which spontaneously materialised to call a press conference. “You have to understand the level of competition back then, the types of pressure I was under. Differentiation was a huge success, and all eyes were on me to come up with another mathematical hit.” “Sure, it started off easy enough”, Science continued, adjusting its extremely thick glasses, “I just thought `Let’s do differentiation…
LEICESTER SCHOOL OF DESIGN CONSIDERS NAME CHANGE
Executive Board of the Leicester School of Design – – – Minutes of the Special Board Meeting to consider name change (16 September 2007) (Executive Conference Room, Spiro Agnew Memorial Library) – – – Members Present: Leopold Judd (chair), Juleph Altinson, Phillard Arbruster, C. Tony Catalonotonino, Judith Clemence, Alin Forebright (emeritus – non-voting), John Jones Johnson, Lester Wempnicke, Horace Zeel Absent: Ford Numble, Zevon Nguyen (student member – non-voting) Proceedings: Meeting called to order by Chair Judd, at 11:07 am. Last month’s meeting minutes approved, with amendments. Judith Clemence motions to table all other pending business, and to cede the…