I had the pleasure of listening to another fascinating TED talk on fungi by Paul Stamets today. After this world wind tour of Paul Stamets' research on fungi, I will never see mushrooms in the same light again and can appreciate them way beyond featuring in my risotto!
Paul Stamets talk goes through analogies of fungi systems with internet systems, how fungi can help fight viruses and how they can be harnessed to fight climate change. I know, I know, all of this sounds way too good to be true, but on listening you will find Stamets talk both compelling and highly persuasive, whilst of course being hugely educational.
Switch off the nonsense reality this and that on the telly, and have a listen to a perfect podcast to accompany you whilst cooking your evening meal.
SophosLabs didn't believe claims that Windows 7 and its User Account Controls were any more secure than previous versions of the OS, so they tested (albeit somewhat oddly) a clean install. Result? A reminder that you should always use protection.
The way the test was conducted is that ten viruses were introduced into a clean install of Windows 7 with the UAC settings on system defaults. While only one virus was blocked, two technically did not function properly for whatever reason. Still, this doesn't leave much hope for those who decide to skip automatic patching, firewalls and anti-virus applications. Let's do the whole "Safer Computing" thing, shall we? [Sophos]
Send an email to Rosa Golijan, the author of this post, at rgolijan@gizmodo.com.
(CNN) -- Worms, spam, viruses and hackers -- they're not just for your desktop or laptop anymore. According to internet security experts they could be well on their way into your pocket or purse.
The popularity of smartphones -- like the Blackberry, iPhone, Palm and the emerging Droid -- is on the rise and shows no signs of letting up.
Awhile ago there was an email going around "The SPP is Dead"---I thought to myself---there is not a chance of that. It may shapeshift and/or mutate but there is no way they are going to give up on that. They simply want us to forget about it long enough to slide it by us piece by piece....
So now here they are--- looking to implement the vaccine agenda NAU wide. No wonder Harper has such a casual attitude about it all--he's simply going to follow the US footsteps like a good little poodle...
Notice this news comes to us by way of India---not a peep in Canadian or US papers that I've seen....
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO — (Marketwire) — 10/04/09 — On behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, Mr. Morris Rosenberg, Deputy Minister Of Health Canada will attend the Meeting on North American Cooperation to Strengthen Response Capabilities against Influenza A (H1N1) during the fall and winter season 2009 – 2010.
Mr. Rosenberg will lead a delegation of senior Canadian public health and public safety officials in meetings with U.S. and Mexican counterparts, to further improve the coherence of North American H1N1 response capabilities.
Most current research into the causes of cancer focuses on genes and environmental triggers. Evolutionary biologist Paul Ewald of the University of Louisville in Kentucky argues that scientists have overlooked the most important cause: parasites, especially viruses. Blending medicine and Darwinian biology, Ewald considers cancer and other diseases from the pathogen’s point of view, showing how natural selection determines why the smallpox virus, for instance, is a ruthless killer while viruses for the common cold are relatively benign. He says that once we identify the viruses that trigger cancer, we can work to prevent their transmission and force them to evolve from fatal scourges into mere nuisances, eventually turning cancer into a manageable disease.
As money gets tighter in my household, one of the first things we had to cut back on was subscription software services for our computers. For example, we've been using Norton 360 Premier to guard against viruses and spyware, RegCure to clean up PC registry errors, and SafeEyes to restrict my kids' internet activities. I have been happy with all of these services and would normally recommended them to friends. But in times of shrinking household budgets, when one has to choose between software and food for the kids, continuing to pay for these services is difficult to justify. So when my SafeEyes subscription expired, I didn't renew it. Instead, I sought out a free and/or Open Source solution. What I found, much to my surprise, was a proprietary, but free, parental control solution called K9 Web Protection from a company called Blue Coat. Unlike Open Source software, which is almost always free, it's rare to find a for-profit company offering quality software solutions simple because they think no-one should be without it. Yet, this is apparently what Blue Coat has done. K9 is actually an improvement over SafeEyes in several ways. K9 installs a much smaller program on the PC (there is also a Mac version), so its faster and easier to use. SafeEyes delivers a more comprehensive set of reports and gives you greater control of more type of programs, but for what I need...to keep my boys off adult websites...K9 is more than adequate. So, I'll keep the 50 bucks for the 1 year SafeEyes subscription. Even if I have the money in the future to spend on a SafeEyes subscription, I will probably keep K9. Why pay for something that you can get for free?
If you know of any free or open source solutions for Norton and RegCure, please post a comment.
These transparent glass sculptures were created to contemplate the global impact of each disease and to consider how the artificial colouring of scientific imagery affects our understanding of phenomena. Jerram is exploring the tension between the artworks' beauty and what they represent, their impact on humanity.
The question of pseudo-colouring in biomedicine and its use for science communicative purposes, is a vast and complex subject. If some images are coloured for scientific purposes, and others altered simply for aesthetic reasons, how can a viewer tell the difference? How many people believe viruses are brightly coloured? Are there any colour conventions and what kind of ‘presence’ do pseudocoloured images have that ‘naturally’ coloured specimens don’t? See these examples of HIV imagery. How does the choice of different colours affect their reception?
In response to these questions, Jerram has created a series of transparent, three dimensional sculptures. Photographs of these artworks will be distributed to act as alternative representations of each virus. Ironically the coloured photograph of the HIV sculpture by David Sayer won an award from the Institute of Medical Imaging 2007.
The sculptures were designed in consultation with virologists from the University of Bristol using a combination of different scientific photographs and models. They were made in collaboration with glassblowers Kim George, Brian Jones and Norman Veitch.
Jerram said, "Its great to be exploring the edges of scientific understanding and visualisation of a virus. Scientists aren't able to answer many of the questions I ask them, such as how the RNA is exactly fitted within the Capsid
? At the moment, the technology isn't there to answer all these questions for certain. I'm also pushing the boundaries of glassblowing. Some of my designs simply can't be created in glass, Some are simply too fragile and gravity would cause them to collapse under their own weight. So there's a very careful balancing act that needs to take place, between the limitations of current scientific knowledge and glassblowing techniques."
HIV
Editions of this work are on display in The Wellcome Collection, London and Bristol City Museum. Dimensions - 8cm diameter. A further edition was auctioned for the HIV/Aids Charity AVERT, raising money for victims in South Africa.
A letter from a stranger received Sept '09.......Dear Luke, I just saw a photo of your glass sculpture of HIV. I can't stop looking at it. Knowing that millions of those guys are in me, and will be a part of me for the rest of my life. Your sculpture, even as a photo, has made HIV much more real for me than any photo or illustration I've ever seen. It's a very odd feeling seeing my enemy, and the eventual likely cause of my death, and finding it so beautiful. Thankyou.
Smallpox
During the 20th Century, it is estimated that Smallpox was responsible for 300–500 million deaths. The virus has killed more people than any other disease in human history. An amazing scientific success, Smallpox was completely wiped out in the 1970s through a program of global vaccination. Only two samples of the virus remain in existence, stored in high security labs of the USA and in Russia. The US Institute of Medicine, who are researching potential clinical uses for the controversial last remaining samples of living Smallpox, are using Jerram’s photographs for the cover of their report.
With commemorations around the world 2010 sees the 30th anniversary of the global eradication of the disease.
Swine Flu Virus
This sculpture was created to contemplate the issues of the Swine Flu virus; the global pandemic and the imagery presented to the public by the media. The Wellcome Collection have just acquired edition 1 of 5 for their gallery. The artwork will be loaned to the Mori Museum in Tokyo for display, before being permanently displayed at the Wellcome Collection later in the year.
Solo Show at Smithfield Gallery
For the first time ever, an exhibition of all Jerram's glass sculptures will be presented along with photographic works and video. Works include Avian Flu, Smallpox, HIV, Swine Flu, SARS Corona Virus and E. coli. Read about show in Guardian and Times.
From 22nd Sept-3rd Oct at Smithfield Gallery, London. Opening Times Mon- Fri 10-6pm. The launch will be 6-8pm on 22nd Sept. Come one and all!
For high resolution images of glass artworks as seen on Jerram's website contact: CarolineCaroline MT. Public Relations. email: carolinemt@hotmail.co.uk
Contact Wellcome Images for more photos of the Swine Flu Sculpture.
The greatest weapon we have against the H1N1 Pandemic is our own immune systems. Here are some tips for keeping your immune system strong:
Eat your fruits and veggies. Your mom told you that already, right? Try some veggies you might not have thought about--sea veggies and mushrooms. Sea vegetables, such as kelp and dulse, add vital minerals and calcium. They also remove excess fluids from the body. Mushrooms, such as reishi and shitake, boost immunity and longevity.
Spice it up. Herbs and spices have medicinal qualities.
Sage fights fatigue.
Thyme strengthens the lungs.
Oregano kills germs.
Limit dairy and refined flours.Viruses, germs and parasites love gunky, gooey environments.
The spices in chai tea are warming, stimulating, and strengthening.
A tea to clear sinus congestion can be made from ginger, cinnamon and scallions.
Honeysuckle has antibiotic qualities similar to echinacea but is much easier on the body and can be steeped in boiling water for tea.
Simmer astragalus in water for 45 minutes to boost immunity and bring strength to the lower body.
Get plenty of rest. While we sleep, our bodies and minds repair the damage done during the day.
Fight germs without alcohol. Tea tree oil from Australia is an excellent germ fighter. Add a drop to your moisturizer or a bit of water and smooth onto your face and hands. Before you go outdoors, swab a drop in each nostril to prevent viruses and germs from entering the lungs through the nose.
Stay social. In these times, it is easy to become overwhelmed with fear of the H1N1 virus. We may begin to ostracise anyone with a sniffle or become isolated and anti-social. Some communities in France are even doing away with "la bise," the custom of kissing the cheeks in greeting. Quel horreur! Much of our health and wellbeing comes from socializing, so we must resist giving into fear of social contact.
Okay, I was drawn in by the title, but it's not really about Excel Hell as it's about Self-imposed Salesguy Hell. If you're in sales or deal with a large volume of sales guys, this one may strike a little close to home. That said, it made me laugh. :)
