Science 2.0
A Nice Little Combination
Although I have long retired from serious chess tournaments (they take too much time, a luxury I do not have anymore - even more so now that I have two infants to help grow!), I insist playing online blitz on chess.com, with alternating fortunes. My elo rating hovers in the 2200-2300 range, signalling that I still have my wits around me (I figure it is a very good way to keep a watch on my mental capabilities: if Alzheimer lurks, I will spot it early).
Categories: Science 2.0
Mesolithic People Had Meals With More Tradition Than You Thought
The common imagery of prehistoric people is either rooting through dirt for grubs and picking berries, or hunting mastodons with spears. Those are both true but some also had a good variety in meals. They were also fishers, not just hunter-gatherers.
Categories: Science 2.0
If You Don't Like Math, Blame Pollen
Epidemiologists say that pollen can cause worse outcomes for students in math, chemistry and physics.
Allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction to things such as dust, pet hair, and pollen, is common. Epidemiologists link that to cardiovascular health and even blanket terms like wellness. There is no question people with allergies suffer, especially during peak pollen production, but a new paper says allergy sufferers may be less likely to be good at math and science, and pollen could be why.
Allergic rhinitis, an allergic reaction to things such as dust, pet hair, and pollen, is common. Epidemiologists link that to cardiovascular health and even blanket terms like wellness. There is no question people with allergies suffer, especially during peak pollen production, but a new paper says allergy sufferers may be less likely to be good at math and science, and pollen could be why.
Categories: Science 2.0
For Cancer, Alternative Medicine Is The Same As Doing Nothing
Medicine works. When progressives insisted Science Is A Vast Right Wing Conspiracy it was dumb. Vani Hari and Joe Mercola, DO, and the rest jumping on the MAHA train and claiming Science Is A Left Wing Conspiracy (enjoy endorsing glyphosate you two!) is still dumb.
Because facts are real.
Because facts are real.
Categories: Science 2.0
COVID-19 Lockdowns Set Back Childhood Development By Years
COVID-19 lockdowns were an important tool in mitigating risks of acquiring the disease and putting those with comorbidities at higher risk, but objective epidemiologists questioned the value of lockdowns beyond three weeks. Some areas exceeded SAR and R0 models by months or, in states like California, years.
The value of public education over home-schooling or private has been touted by proponents as social adjustment, so there was also concern about how children might be stunted by not having access to anything except close family and device screens.
The value of public education over home-schooling or private has been touted by proponents as social adjustment, so there was also concern about how children might be stunted by not having access to anything except close family and device screens.
Categories: Science 2.0
Urban Trees Can Absorb More CO2 Than Cars Emit
A new study finds that even in urban environments, trees make a terrific contribution to offsetting carbon dioxide emissions in cities, while grass is less valuable.
Soil respiration of grass exceeds photosynthesis so grassy areas release more carbon dioxide than they bind, making them a source of CO2 rather than mitigation, whereas on summer days, tree absorption can cover the emissions from Munich's urban car traffic and even exceed them at times.
Soil respiration of grass exceeds photosynthesis so grassy areas release more carbon dioxide than they bind, making them a source of CO2 rather than mitigation, whereas on summer days, tree absorption can cover the emissions from Munich's urban car traffic and even exceed them at times.
Categories: Science 2.0
Don't Sleep A Lot? You May Be At Risk For Diabetes
A new paper says the way to lower your risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes is not losing weight and exercising more, but sleeping 7 hours and 18 minutes every night.
You can't multiply that by seven days and catch up by sleeping more on the weekend and it also means if you just sleep less, you are out of luck. That is why like all epidemiological correlation, this is only EXPLORATORY. Science has not confirmed this and the correlation arrows could easily go the other way; insulin misfires may make you sleep less.
You can't multiply that by seven days and catch up by sleeping more on the weekend and it also means if you just sleep less, you are out of luck. That is why like all epidemiological correlation, this is only EXPLORATORY. Science has not confirmed this and the correlation arrows could easily go the other way; insulin misfires may make you sleep less.
Categories: Science 2.0
Mushrooms Linked To Fewer COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial tested a four-day oral supplement, “FoTv,” which is made from the mycelium — the root-like network — of two types of mushrooms: Fomitopsis officinalis and Trametes versicolor (FoTv).
Participants began taking the supplement on the same day they received their vaccine and the authors reported that the supplement acted as a natural immune regulator and decreased vaccine side effects while preserving or increasing antibody levels and helping vaccine protection last longer. They say it could replace synthetic immune adjuncts which help the body produce a stronger antibody response - but have been linked to side effects such as fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches.
Participants began taking the supplement on the same day they received their vaccine and the authors reported that the supplement acted as a natural immune regulator and decreased vaccine side effects while preserving or increasing antibody levels and helping vaccine protection last longer. They say it could replace synthetic immune adjuncts which help the body produce a stronger antibody response - but have been linked to side effects such as fever, chills, fatigue and muscle aches.
Categories: Science 2.0
New Study Shows Shrinking Snow Coverage
A new study examining regional snow cover trends across the Northern Hemisphere found seasonal shifts in snow - and a lot less of it.
The authors used the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Cover Extent Data Record to determine whether snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere is increasing or decreasing. Then their two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics was used to analyze snow cover and found that significantly more areas are losing snow cover than gaining it.
And the seasons were changing.
Central Park in New York City. Credit: Mary Pollitz
The authors used the Rutgers University Global Snow Lab Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Cover Extent Data Record to determine whether snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere is increasing or decreasing. Then their two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics was used to analyze snow cover and found that significantly more areas are losing snow cover than gaining it.
And the seasons were changing.
Central Park in New York City. Credit: Mary Pollitz
Categories: Science 2.0
Satellite Livers Instead Of Transplantation
A bad liver today currently means a replacement, but having enough transplant organs is challenging when families worry their loved ones' skeletons could be sold to middle schools and end up immortalized in prank photos. The future will involve replacements made with a patient's own stem cells, no immunosuppressive drugs or waiting lists needed.
Categories: Science 2.0
Canadian Epidemiologists Claim Processed Foods Cause Bad Kids
A cohort analysis of preschoolers in Canada has led the authors of the paper to call for bans on so-called "ultraprocessed" foods, charging that it will lead to long-term mental health and well-behaved children.
Categories: Science 2.0