- Remember those U.S. embassy personnel in Cuba and China that have been suffering from physical ailments from unknown origins? The doctor leading the initial examination of those folks now says microwaves were probably used to cause brain damage to 3 dozen U.S. citizens.
- There are many microbes on and in our bodies (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses). Scientists are experimenting with harnessing some of the bacteria to eat other dangerous, disease-causing bacteria (pathogens). So far, they've confirmed that one type of bacteria (Bdellovibrio) will attack 145 of the 168 human pathogens tested -- eating 99.9% of pathogens like the plague and lung infections from the inside out. And so far, the pathogens have NOT developed resistances to the attacks. More tests are coming, such as treating infections from wounds or burns.
- Consider for a minute that global warming might be real (despite the current administration's arguments otherwise), and now consider what might happen if the planet warms by only 2 degrees. Researchers at the University of Washington have thought it through. According to their models, insect populations will explode -- along with their chemically-charged metabolisms. By 2100 or sooner, grasshoppers, caterpillars and other insects will eaten 46% of the world's wheat crops, 19% of rice, and 31% of corn. Combine that with the world's human population almost doubling to 11.2 billion by 2100.
- "What's In My Food This Week?"
- Salmonella (Intestinal bacteria) in the Kellogg's Honey Smacks continues to make people sick in 36 states
- Cyclospora (intestinal parasite) in cilantro shipments from Mexico into the U.S.; good news is that inspectors have refused to allow some shipments into the country that were also contaminated (basil, parsley, sprouts, avocados, cucumbers, peppers)
- global outbreak of African Swine Fever is requiring culling of many pigs -- no other impact on humans that I can see
- lab mice who are allowed one meal a day have longer lifespans and less age-related diseases. In interview after interview, however, the mice all said that their quality of life sucked
- "Rut Roh" news, there's increasing evidence linking daytime drowsiness and night-time poor sleeping to Alzheimer's disease.
- I'll leave you with this: 63% of men and 49% of women report seeing their work colleagues NOT wash their hands after using the restroom. Ewwww
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
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