- New polio vaccine more effective in reducing disease – “The scientists behind the work believe this new vaccine could help to finally eradicate the disease.” From Dave.
- “Koala AIDS” spreading at an alarming rate – I have to agree with Garbeldina, “Koala AIDS?!? Really??? What’s next, Panda Cancer? I am
going to be depressed all week about this.” - Why anti-vaxxers are in league with Big Pharma – “I’m turning the tables on you now, anti-vaxers. I want you to prove to me that you are not in league with Big Pharma. (We know you’re in league with Big Placebo, so there’s no need to explain that association.)” From Mark.
- Contraceptive gel could offer alternative to the pill – “The clear gel is put on once a day and delivers a dose of hormones to prevent pregnancy. Women using the gel have reported none of the typical side effects associated with the pill, such as weight gain and acne.” From Ryan.
It seems to me that Big Pharma would profit far more from the anti-vax movement because they’d make tons more money treating diseases than preventing them.
Panda cancer? no
Tasmanian devil cancer we got though.
@catgirl: It seems to me that Big Pharma would profit far more from the anti-vax movement because they’d make tons more money treating diseases than preventing them.
I think this would require a cartel. Otherwise one company would get the minor profit from the vaccine and scoop their competitors. Good thing we have a government that views business regulation as necessary to the well-being of its citizens and will prevent this sort of behavior…, oh, wait… shit. Never mind.
Regarding topical hormone creams and the risk to others; including your pets!
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/25/when-hormone-creams-expose-others-to-risks/?hpw
Koala AIDS is new to me, but there are immunodeficiency viruses in many animal species. I see FIV (Feline) every day, and of course there is SIV (Simian). It is hypothesized that HIV is a mutation of SIV.
@ James Fox: Thanks for pointing that out. It can also affect your kids. Users just have to be respectful of the fact that it is absorbed through the skin — any skin! The cynical part of me says people are too dumb to use transdermals unless they are in a patch.
Clearly, House doesn’t have a large enough viewing audience amongst menopausal women/older men. The show addressed the hormone cream danger to other parties some time ago. [And no, I don’t in any way take the “medicine” on a TV show as gospel, but it does, occasionally, spur questions that can be researched/asked of a real physician.]
One of my cats has a fondness for Keihl’s facial moisturiser. I have to be careful not to let her lick my face, because I cannot imagine ingesting something that has a variety of ingredients toxic to felines, in however slight a concentration, would be good for her.
@James Fox: My close friend has to apply estrogen cream nightly. She can’t touch her husband for like, 30 minutes afterward. AT ALL. :/
Anyway, it’s a good option, but yeah, hormonal creams can be tricky.
@DominEditrix: â€The show addressed…â€
And that House doctor really knows his shit! ;-P
@marilove: Talk about girl kooties.
@mrmisconception: Why? Just… why? And they picked the world’s cutest tasmanian devil to head the article, like he’s saying, “I have cancer. Where’s your god now???”
I also found it noteworthy that Koala AIDS is called KIDS. Mostly because you can say, with the utmost gravitas, “Koala populations are in danger of being completely decimated by KIDS. The worst thing to ever happen to koalas, KIDS. God, I just hate KIDS so much! Damn you, KIDS!”
For real.
@Garbledina:
And I would have gotten away with it if it weren’t for those damned KIDS.
Um, are Drop Bears vulnerable to KIDS?
Panda cancer is plausible. I would think any multicellular living being have chances in which the mechanism for cell reproduction can go wrong.