Clipmarks | pokkets's 'disease' clips

The Strangest Disaster of the 20th Century

Tue, 22 May 2007 06:00:44 GMT

clipped by: thefoxalmighty
clipper's remarks: Creepy.

Here’s the story of how scientists unlocked the secrets of the worst natural disaster in the history of the West African nation of Cameroon… and what they’re doing to try and stop it from happening again.

Overnight, something had killed nearly 1,800 people. Plus more than 3,000 cattle and countless wild animals, birds and insects—in short every living creature for miles around.

The official death toll was recorded as 1,746 people, but that was only an estimate, because the survivors had already begun to bury victims in mass graves, and many terrified survivors had fled corpse-filled villages and were hiding in the forest. Whatever it was that killed so many people seemed to have disappeared without a trace just as quickly as it had come.

There was no evidence of bleeding, physical trauma, or disease, and no sign of exposure to radiation, chemical weapons, or poison gas. And there was no evidence of suffering or “death agony”: The victims apparently just blacked out, fell over, and died.

Tags: disaster, news

23 Obscure and Obsolete Words

Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:41:58 GMT

clipped by: missangelyss

Clip Source: www.canongate.net

23 Obscure and Obsolete Words

The average adult recognises 30,000 to 50,000 words, but only uses 10,000 to 15,000. However, there are actually about 1 million words in the English language, some of which - although obscure, forgotten, or rarely used - are worth reviving.

BOANTHROPY - A type of insanity in which a man thinks he is an ox.
CHANTEPLEURE - To sing and weep at the same time.
DIBBLE - To drink like a duck, lifting up the head after each sip.
EOSOPHOBIA - Fear of dawn.
EUGERIA - Normal and happy old age.
EUNEIROPHRENIA - Peace of mind after a pleasant dream.
EYESERVICE - Work done only when the boss is watching.
FELLOWFEEL - To crawl into the skin of another person so as to share his feelings, to empathise with.
GROAK - To watch people silently while they are eating, hoping they will ask you to join them.
GYNOTIKOLOBOMASSOPHILE - One who likes to nibble on a woman's earlobes.
HEBEPHRENIC - A condition of adolescent silliness.
IATROGENIC - Illness or disease caused by doctors or by prescribed treatment.
LAPLING - Someone who enjoys resting in women's laps.
LIBBERWORT - Food or drink that makes one idle and stupid, food of no nutritional value, `junk food'.
MEUPAREUNIA - A sexual act gratifying to only one participant.
NEANIMORPHIC - Looking younger than one's years.
ONIOCHALASIA - Buying as a means of mental relaxation.
PARNEL - A priest's mistress.
PERISTEROPHOBIA - Fear of pigeons.
PILGARLIC - A bald head that looks like a peeled garlic.
PREANTEPENULTIMATE - Fourth from last.
RESISTENTIALISM - Seemingly spiteful behaviour manifested by inanimate objects.
SUPPEDANEUM - A foot support for crucifix victims.

Other lists in Words

Have a browse of the List of Lists down the left hand side of this page for more lists in different subjects...

Tags: english, grammar, wordsmith, words

Create a back-up copy of your immune system

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 11:54:28 GMT

clipped by: wildcat

Clip Source: www.newscientist.com

Imagine having a spare copy of your immune system on ice, ready to replace your existing one should you fall victim to AIDS, an autoimmune disease, or have to undergo extensive chemotherapy for cancer.

An Anglo-American company called Lifeforce has received permission from the US Food and Drug Administration to do just that. The firm collects 480-millilitre samples of blood from healthy individuals, extracts the white blood cells and stores them as an insurance policy against future disease. The service comes at a price, though: around $800 for taking the initial sample then $25 per month for storing the cells at -196 °C. "That sample would have the complete repertoire of all your white blood cells," says Del DelaRonde, co-founder of Lifeforce in Newport, UK.

“Whole new armies of white blood cells could be grown in the lab and reinfused into the patient”

Last month, Lifeforce also won permission to expand its UK operations.

Tags: science, technology, immune system, back up copy, lifeforce

Parasite "Turns Women into Sex Kittens"

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:31:58 GMT

clipped by: nohobot
clipper's remarks: The sexy side of parasitism? (Shudder!)

Clip Source: www.news.com.au

A COMMON parasite can increase a women's attractiveness to the opposite sex but also make men more stupid, an Australian researcher says.

Human infection generally occurs when people eat raw or undercooked meat that has cysts containing the parasite, or accidentally ingest some of the parasite's eggs excreted by an infected cat.

About 40 per cent of the world's population is infected with Toxoplasma gondii, including about eight million Australians.

Until recently it was thought to be an insignificant disease in healthy people, Sydney University of Technology infectious disease researcher Nicky Boulter said, but new research has revealed its mind-altering properties.

"Infected men have lower IQs, achieve a lower level of education and have shorter attention spans. They are also more likely to break rules and take risks, be more independent, more anti-social, suspicious, jealous and morose, and are deemed less attractive to women.

"On the other hand, infected women tend to be more outgoing, friendly, more promiscuous, and are considered more attractive to men compared with non-infected controls.

"In short, it can make men behave like alley cats and women behave like sex kittens''.

The mice were more likely to take risks that increased their chance of being eaten by cats, which would allow the parasite to continue its life cycle.

Rodents treated with drugs that killed the parasites reversed their behaviour, Dr Boulter said.

Another study showed people who were infected but not showing symptoms were 2.7 times more likely than uninfected people to be involved in a car accident as a driver or pedestrian, while other research has linked the parasite to higher incidences of schizophrenia.

Tags: science, research, parasite, australia, cat, cats, mice, mouse, sexuality, sex, personality, men, women

world's 7 most potent disease-fighting spices!

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:17:43 GMT

clipped by: mugofcoffee
clipper's remarks: have clipped in short-hand, means only the words that matters! for the rest of the story, please visit the site...

Clip Source: www.sixwise.com

The World's 7 Most Potent Disease-Fighting Spices

Ginger

The active ingredient in ginger is gingerol, a compound that's thought to relax blood vessels, stimulate blood flow and relieve pain. It's commonly used as a digestive aid

anti-inflammatory

fighting heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and arthritis.

Oregano

42 times more antioxidant activity than apples

30 times more than potatoes

12 times more than oranges

4 times more than blueberri

Cinnamon

stop the growth of bacteria, fungi and yeas

anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory properties

diabetes

control blood sugar

Turmeric

anti-inflammatory

ighting

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, cystic fibrosis, cancer and Alzheimer's disease

Sage

better brain function

anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

Red Chili Peppers

Boost immunity

Prevent stomach ulcers by killing bacteria

weight loss

Reduce blood cholesterol,

Prevent cancers,

Parsley

ability to fight cancer.

heart-protective nutrients

great breath freshener at the end of a meal.

Tags: spices, disease, world, top foods.

10 Minutes Of Staring at Boobs Daily Prolongs Man's Life by 5 Years...

Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:00:37 GMT

clipped by: Mohir
clipper's remarks: "Sexual excitement gets the heart pumping and improves blood circulation. There's no question: Gazing at large breasts makes men healthier. Our study indicates that engaging in this activity a few minutes daily cuts the risk of stroke and heart attack in half." said Weatherby, who even recommended that men aged over 40 should spend at least 10 minutes daily admiring breasts sized "D-cup" or larger.

She said that this was as healthy as going to the gym for 30 minutes daily and prolonged a man's life by five years.

Clip Source: news.softpedia.com

10 Minutes Of Staring at Boobs Daily Prolongs Man's Life by 5 Years...

A German research published in New England Journal of Medicine said that men staring at women's breasts in fact prolong their lives with years.

"Just 10 minutes of staring at the charms of a well-endowed female such as Baywatch actress Pamela Lee is equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out," said author Dr. Karen Weatherby, a gerontologist.

The team led by Weatherby was made up of researchers at three hospitals in Frankfurt, Germany, and found this results after monitoring for 5 years the health of 200 male subjects, half of whom were asked to look at busty females daily, while the other half had to abstain from doing so.

For five years, the boob oglers presented a lower blood pressure, slower resting pulse rates and decreased risk of coronary artery disease.

Tags: man, health

It's Electrifying!

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 10:41:27 GMT

clipped by: wildcat
clipper's remarks: fascinating

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

It's Electrifying! Scientists Discover Human Cells have Internal Electric Fields as Strong as Lighting Bolts

Using newly developed voltage-sensitive nanoparticles, researchers have found that the previously unknown electric fields inside of cells are as strong, or stronger, as those produced in lightning bolts. Previously, it has only been possible to measure electric fields across cell membranes, not within the main bulk of cells, so scientists didn't even know cells had an internal electric field.

This discovery is a surprising twist for cell researchers. Scientists don't know what causes these incredibly strong fields or why they' are there. But now using new nanotools, such as voltage-sensitive dyes, they can start to measure them at least. Researchers believe they may be able to learn more about disease states, such as cancer, by studying these minute, but powerful electric fields.

Tags: science, human cells, electric fields

Garlic attacks brain cancer

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 06:19:59 GMT

clipped by: hudgal1

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

Garlic can kill cells that cause glioblastoma, a brain cancer that is usually fatal, researchers in South Carolina have found.

Swapan Ray and Narendra Banik, neurosciences professors at the Medical University of South Carolina, said their discovery came during a search for a way to kill the cancer without harming healthy cells, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier reported.

"In the disease, you want to kill the cells, but you want to protect others," Banik told the newspaper. "Our tests were to see how effective the compounds were."

Banik, Ray and post-doctoral fellow Arabinda Das tested several organic compounds on cancerous cells. They included garlic in the test program because of its reputation for having healing powers.

Three organo-sulfur compounds they tested effectively stopped the cancerous cells, Ray said.

"This research highlights the great promise of plant-originated compounds as natural medicine for controlling the malignant growth of human brain tumor cells," Ray said.

Tags: cancer, garlic

Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 08:11:12 GMT

clipped by: Rwinter

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

new research has suggested that moderate beer intake can actually improve cardiovascular function.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

Studies show that bursts of anger here and there are good for the health

stay angry for long periods

health issues, like blood pressure, sleep disorders and lung damage

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

unrelated studies claim coffee is a major source of antioxidants in our diet and can help lower your risk of diabetes.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

In heavy drinkers, small doses of LSD have been thought to help bypass the rock-bottom stage of alcoholism and prevent relapses.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

sun's rays is necessary to survive, but can also kill you in gross, cancerous quantities.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

munch on bacteria and dead tissue, stimulating healing and helping to prevent infection.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

Marijuana

prevent the clumping of brain proteins, one major cause of the disease.

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

Red Wine

a reduction in gum disease and Alzheimer's

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

Chocolate

may even increase blood flow to the brain

Clip Source: www.livescience.com

take pleasure in the news

sex is an easy way to reduce stress, lower cholesterol and improve circulation throughout the body.

Tags: health, sex, chocolate, alzheimer's, wine, marijuana, maggots, healing, sun, lsd, coffee, antoxidants, anger, beer, cardiovascular, good, bad, heart

Amazing diabetes breakthrough

Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:14:53 GMT

clipped by: CrazyRedHead

Clip Source: www.canada.com

Diabetes breakthrough

Toronto scientists cure disease in mice

In a discovery that has stunned even those behind it, scientists at a Toronto hospital say they have proof the body's nervous system helps trigger diabetes, opening the door to a potential near-cure of the disease that affects millions of Canadians.

Diabetic mice became healthy virtually overnight after researchers injected a substance to counteract the effect of malfunctioning pain neurons in the pancreas.

"I couldn't believe it," said Dr. Michael Salter, a pain expert at the Hospital for Sick Children and one of the scientists. "Mice with diabetes suddenly didn't have diabetes any more."

"I've never seen anything like it," said Dr. Hans Michael Dosch, an immunologist at the hospital and a leader of the studies. "In my career, this is unique."

Dr. Dosch had concluded in a 1999 paper that there were surprising similarities between diabetes and multiple sclerosis, a central nervous system disease. His interest was also piqued by the presence around the insulin-producing islets of an "enormous" number of nerves, pain neurons primarily used to signal the brain that tissue has been damaged.

Suspecting a link between the nerves and diabetes, he and Dr. Salter used an old experimental trick -- injecting capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot chili peppers, to kill the pancreatic sensory nerves in mice that had an equivalent of Type 1 diabetes.

Tags: diabetes, health, science

Transplanted Organs "Remember" Their Donor

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 02:25:30 GMT

clipped by: thisnamecantbetaken
clipper's remarks: Where do memories reside? This is so weird! It's actually pretty creepy, I reckon.

A 29-year-old lesbian and a fast food junkie received a heart from a 19-year-old woman vegetarian who was "man crazy." The recipient reported after her operation that meat made her sick and she was no longer attracted to women. If fact, she became engaged to marry a man.

The whole article is well worth the read.

Clip Source: www.med.unc.edu

Cellular Memory in Organ Transplants

theories of emotions or memories being somehow stored in the tissues of the body and later manifesting in the physical form of pain or disease. What was most striking were the numerous reports of organ transplant recipients who later experienced changes in personality traits, tastes for food, music, activities and even sexual preference. Is it possible that our memories reside deep inside our bodily cells in addition to in our minds?

propose the universal living memory hypothesis in which they believe that "all systems stored energy dynamically . . . and this information continued as a living, evolving system after the physical structure had deconstructed."

After interviewing nearly 150 heart and other organ transplant recipients, Pearsall proposes the idea that cells of living tissue have the capacity to remember.

"Changes in Heart Transplant Recipients That Parallel the Personalities of Their Donors."

The researchers reported striking parallels

Tags: donor, transplants, health, heart, memories, quantum physics

"WILL THE BANANA BECOME EXTINCT?"

Wed, 28 May 2008 11:42:45 GMT

clipped by: vk2yoc
clipper's remarks: Eat a banana now, while you still can.

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

Adios, Banana: Why Future Generations Will Likely Never Taste One of Our Favorite Fruits

It’s less sensational news than skyrocketing food and oil prices, but the beloved yellow banana may soon disappear forever. Bananas are even more heavily consumed in many parts of the world than rice or potatoes, but now a fungus called Panama Disease is turning them brick-red and inedible. Here’s the worst part: There is no cure for Panama Disease and it is spreading very quickly. Experts surmise that within the next three decades, the sweet and creamy food staple will be nonexistent.

“The story of how the banana rose and fell can be seen a strange parable about the corporations that increasingly dominate the world – and where they are leading us.”

Thanks to bad corporate behaviour and physical limits, we seem to be at a dead end. The only possible glimmer of hope is a genetically modified banana that can resist Panama Disease. But that is a distant prospect, and it is resisted by many people:

Thinking of peeling an apple? - DON'T!

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:27:11 GMT

clipped by: RecordSage

Clip Source: v.mercola.com

What is the Healthiest Part of an Apple?

Traditionally, apple peels have been considered healthy because of their fiber content, as the peel contains about 75 percent of the dietary fiber in an apple.

But a recent study has shown that the peel also contains most of the beneficial phytochemicals responsible for apples' anticarcinogenic effects.

Scientists processed more than 200 pounds of Red Delicious apples, and extracted phytochemicals from about 24 pounds of peel. They screened the compounds for anti-cancer effects in laboratory cultures of human liver, breast, and colon cancer cells, and identified a group of compounds with potent anti-cancer properties.

Specifically, 13 triterpenoids from the peels of Red Delicious apples were identified and confirmed to be highly effective against cancer. Exactly how and why these biochemicals seek and destroy cancer cells is still unknown.

Apple consumption has previously been linked to a reduced risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

Tags: health, apple, peel, cancer

Schizophrenia: The Curse That's Almost a Blessing

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 19:57:25 GMT

clipped by: Mohir
clipper's remarks: A recent study may have found what kind of process goes awry in schizophrenic brains. Researchers found that DISC1 regulates the migration of new neurons in the adult brain. When the levels of DISC1 were reduced in mice during adult neurogenesis, the newborn neurons sped up and overshot their intended targets within the hippocampus, When the neurons finally reached their destinations, they forged an unusual number of connections with neighboring cells, a series of events that might give rise to the abnormal—and quite crippling—brain functions associated with schizophrenia, according to Hongjun Song, a Johns Hopkins neurologist who also worked on the study. It is possible, Song says, that further research will lead to a drug that treats schizophrenia by restoring normal neurogenesis.

So what evolutionary advantage could schizophrenia-related genes bring to people who have some of the genes but not the disease? For now, this remains one of the many open questions.

Clip Source: discovermagazine.com

Schizophrenia: The Curse That's Almost a Blessing

The disease may be the twisted flipside of an evolutionary boost.

For years, scientists struggled to identify an adaptive advantage that might explain schizophrenia’s persistence. Researchers from various disciplines volleyed ideas back and forth. Some argued that the genes implicated in the disease promoted creativity; others believed that schizophrenics were frustrated cult leaders—unorthodox thinkers constitutionally “engineered” to lead segments of humanity to break off from the herd, but who lacked the charisma to effect much change. None of the theories gained much traction.

Tags: psychology, brain, schizophrenia, evolution

Achilles Heel Of HIV Found?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:54:51 GMT

clipped by: Mohir
clipper's remarks: “Unlike the changeable regions of its envelope, HIV needs at least one region that must remain constant to attach to cells. If this region changes, HIV cannot infect cells. Equally important, HIV does not want this constant region to provoke the body’s defense system. So, HIV uses the same constant cellular attachment site to silence B lymphocytes - the antibody producing cells. The result is that the body is fooled into making abundant antibodies to the changeable regions of HIV but not to its cellular attachment site. Immunologists call such regions superantigens. HIV’s cleverness is unmatched. No other virus uses this trick to evade the body’s defenses.”
Paul’s group has engineered antibodies with enzymatic activity, also known as abzymes, which can attack the Achilles heel of the virus in a precise way. “The abzymes recognize essentially all of the diverse HIV forms found across the world. This solves the problem of HIV changeability. The next step is to confirm our theory in huma

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) researchers at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston believe they have uncovered the Achilles heel in the armor of the virus that continues to kill millions.

The weak spot is hidden in the HIV envelope protein gp120. This protein is essential for HIV attachment to host cells, which initiate infection and eventually lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Normally the body’s immune defenses can ward off viruses by making proteins called antibodies that bind the virus. However, HIV is a constantly changing and mutating virus, and the antibodies produced after infection do not control disease progression to AIDS. For the same reason, no HIV preventative vaccine that stimulates production of protective antibodies is available.

The Achilles heel, a tiny stretch of amino acids numbered 421-433 on gp120, is now under study as a target for therapeutic intervention.

Tags: aids, hiv