A couple of Questions, a couple of Answers
In my signature, you see me asking for scientific topics you’re interested in. I’m not getting many questions but sometimes there are some that I can use. In other cases though, the question sits on my list of topics for weeks and months and is never answered. Today I chose to explore those topics that have been there for a while.
@thegoldenphoenix once asked me about the connection between HIV and sickle cell disease (SCD). I knew that SCD is effective to prevent death from malaria, as the person who contracts malaria won’t be overpowered by the disease. But HIV? Sounded like fake news.
A simple google search revealed that no, there seems to be a connection, although studies aren’t quite sure what exactly is happening. Those who have SCD seem to be less frequently infected with HIV. And if they are infected, the progression from HIV to AIDS is a lot slower than for those without SCD. @suesa
At the same time, cases of hepatitis B and hepatitis C seem to be slightly more frequent for those with SCD.
It seems that sickle cell disease while being an illness that’s generally not desirable, might have the potential for a treatment of HIV and malaria. How exactly that can happen is a different question entirely, but just the knowledge that there is something we can research is great already.
A clean-shaven face is a sign that someone is taking care of themselves, right? Well, many people at least seem to think so. But how awful is it when shortly after achieving that smooth-skin look, tiny bumps that get infected turn up all over your face!
@greenrun asked me if there’s a reason why especially black men seem to suffer this fate.
The condition described above is called pseudofolliculitis barbae and is caused by the fact that especially black hair is really curly. It turns and twists which can cause it to bury itself back into the skin. Shaving the hair also sharpens the tip of it which makes the effect even more severe.
The skin reacts to this ingrown hair like it would to a foreign object, which is already unpleasant in itself. But at the same time, the affected area is prone to bacterial infections which worsens the effects.
According to one of the sources I linked below, about 83% of all black men suffer from this phenomenon. It’s not exclusive to them though, the shaving or waxing of pubic hair can lead to the same problems in people of all skin colors, as pubic hair is usually thicker and curlier.
There are several procedures that promise to help with razor bumps, from creams to lasers, but they are often really expensive, ineffective or lead to other problems.
@wiplala87 requested “something about black holes”. For a moment I considered researching some fun facts and then writing about them, until I realized that it would be bullshit. I’m not good with physics. I study biology, so biology and chemistry are what I’m good (or at least okay) at. I’m not really qualified to write about black holes!
Someone who is qualified is @lemouth , who is currently planning to write about black holes at some point during the next week. So, if you’re generally interested in physics, head over to his blog and click “follow”. And even if you’re like me and physics is really not your kind of science, you should still have a look. It’s really interesting.
When @rawdawg suggested I should look into Dr. Masaru Emoto, I thought “yeah, why not, never heard of that guy. Maybe I can learn something new!”.
Then I checked him out. And let out a deep sigh.
Dr. Emoto wanted to test the freezing of water and formation of snow crystals under a variety of conditions. So far, so good. Quote:
It was 1994 when the idea to freeze water and observe it with microscope came upon me. With this method, I was convinced that I should be able to see something like snow crystals.
After two months of trial and error, this idea bore fruit. The beautifully shining hexagonal crystals were created from the invisible world…
Sounds not too bad, does it? So, what were the conditions?
- Observe the crystal of frozen water after showing
- letters to water
- Showing pictures to water
- Playing music to water
- Praying to water
I’m sure you can understand my amusement. He couldn’t be serious? But apparently, he was.
The result was that we always observed beautiful crystals after giving good words, playing good music, and showing, playing, or offering pure prayer to water. On the other hand, we observed disfigured crystals in the opposite situation
As a scientist, you should generally keep an open mind. I read more and more about the experiment. Several sources stated that his study was flawed and easily manipulated. The conclusion that the human consciousness has an effect on the behavior of water can be discarded, at least if you just base it on his experiments.
A bit later, Dr. Emoto did another experiment, with rice this time. One glass of rice was insulted, the other one praised. Again, many conditions were not factored in and/or easily manipulated.
Don’t believe everything you read, especially if it sounds this magical. Check if the “study” can actually call itself that and isn’t just pseudo-science.
Pictures were taken from pixabay.com
Today’s Suesa’s favorite is: @m31
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Waiting for your post on black holes now.
Mine or her? I am not sure that @suesa will write any ^^
Most likely yours, otherwise it would mean they have not read the post xD
Don't tell me it is not possible ;)
I like the short Q and A post. Also, I'm impressed you took the time to investigate the connection between SCD and HIV. I would have figured it doesn't exist as well but I'm convinced now based on your research.
Girl, you're a treasure. I love seeing your posts in my feed because I know I can always expect quality.
I am certain you've watched it, but "The Knick" is a wonderful show about medicine 100 years ago. It's pretty nuts.
Topics I'd like discussed:
@techslut, The Knick is an awesome series! I loved every episode of it! It is amazing to watch how far we've come in terms of advances in medical technology and inventions. Imagine using cocaine to treat people. Lol.
Puts everything on the list
Thanks for the compliment <3 I try to keep a certain standard! I've actually not heard of "The Knick" before, going to check it out!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2937900/
I suspect you will like it. I did. :)
And thank you. I don't hand out 100% upvotes much, but you are worth them every time.
(mild spoilers)
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I am still wondering why someone would douce their genitalia with a numbing substance before sex...
I'm not opposed to the idea that reality could be manipulated with thought...but I have always heard about what he did and got this feeling similar to when one sneezes "BULLSHIT".
Your way of breaking down science is addictive. This is such an interesting read especially the first two answers. I find it very interesting that as deadly as Malaria and HIV are, they can't overwhelm SCD yet hepatitis B & C do.
I think Africa is overwhelmed by HIV & Aids so I usually pray someone finds a cure. Malaria overwhelmed this continent a long time ago.
And thank you for making this clear...
I have always wondered why its so common among African men! Always fun to read your work :D
Thanks for the advertisement @suesa. I will try to write something about black holes later this week. Maybe during the next week-end. I am very busy at the moment, and it is hard to me to write as much as I would love to.
So, @wiplala87, I will take care of your request soonish :)
Love these posts @suesa!
The SCD and HIV part is pretty interesting. Correlations appear to be there but proper studies are lacking.
It looks like HIV also negatively influences SCD:1
Yes, I'd love to see more studies about this! The interaction of different types of diseases is always interesting.
Thank you @suesa, my question finally answered! I never liked using depilatory products, I prefer my clipper. But the bumps just won't let me be :)
Great content. One question:
You are writing that SCD "might have the potential for a treatment of HIV and malaria."
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought SCD was caused by a gene defect? Are there other ways to induce it that might serve as therapeutic approach?
Yes, it's caused by a gene defect. But if it's possible to find out what exactly the properties are that slow down HIV one could try to mimic those.
nice. You will keep us informed, I guess?^^
If I hear something, you will hear about it next
Do you know anything on this, Suesa? HIV in Africa is 50:50 men women, in Western World about 98% men.
I don't know about the 98% but it's correct that in the western world, the percentage is shifted more towards men. We actually discussed this in a lecture once. In the western world, heterosexual couples tend to use condoms more often than homosexual men, because of the pregnancy risks. In Africa, condom usage is lower because of several factors. This results in an about 50:50 split of HIV cases there and a higher prevalence of the disease in men in western countries.
Or at least that's the theory.