Faith v Reason: Look at the results

We have two stories today, which if taken together, nicely illustrate the difference between Scientific Reason and Blind Faith.

CAR-T Therapy against Multiple sclerosis When we were young , Multiple Sclerosis was a dread disease, Slowly , understanding and therapies have evolved, and now as Nature Briefings explains, a powerful new method using the exciting new CAR-T system looks almost ready for large trials.

And we know how they did it The researchers looked at evidence. They designed and ran experiments . They discarded theories that the evidence showed was wrong. And eventually they came up with this, Engineered Cells for Multiple Sclerosis

The first US trials of CAR T cells to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) have started. These engineered cells could reset the malfunctioning immune system, halting the brain damage that defines MS. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but there’s a prospect here for a one-and-done therapy,” says neurologist Jeffrey Dunn, who is running a trial for Kyverna, a US biotech company. Safety is a concern because CAR T treatments can cause brain toxicity, which can result in confusion, seizures and death.Nature | 5 min read

Alabama Theocracy Over in the USA, the Faith-Based Folks of the Alabama Supreme Court have just outlawed IVF. You can read the full story from Robert Reich here [1] but a little of their motivation may be gleaned from the following

In a concurring opinion in last week’s Alabama supreme court decision, Alabama’s chief justice, Tom Parker, invoked the prophet Jeremiah, Genesis and the writings of 16th- and 17th-century theologians.

Today IVF….tomorrow.? Slowly, the tentacles of the Theocrats will close around every laboratory in the USA, banning this, forbidding that, until the US slips so far behind it can never catch up. It was by the Seventeenth Century trial of Galileo that the Catholic Church ensured its own eclipse by ensuring that thinkers fled to the Protestant lands of the north. Hitler found the same, ensuring that the best Jewish scientists fled to Allied countries, delivering their brains to his eventual defeat. That’s what happens when you discard evidence which the theory says is wrong.

Someone once observed that Knowledge and Belief are two different things. It can be hard to choose, we know. But if you need a little help, it may be worth looking at the outcomes of your choice. We can’t see the supreme court of Alabama coming up with a cure for disease any time soon. Nor will the Ayatollahs of Iran. But we hope the above evidence may help you, gentle reader, to support those who might.

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/23/republicans-american-theocracy

#religion #theocracy #christian nationalism #iran #science #empiricism #science

Out of Darkness-a brave attempt to get Cavemen right

Hoxne Cave Man Brakey Wood Hoxne Suffolk by Bob Pearce is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0

Fans of human evolution have always had a thin time at the movies. Back in the 1960s, the standard fare was stuff like One Million Years BC in which photogenic actresses in exiguous fur bikinis ran the gamut of pterosaurs, tyrannosaurs and beefcake co-stars sporting equally unlikely get ups and attitudes. Entertaining for some, but scientific nonsense. It felt like someone had tried to make Apocalypse Now using the cast and sets of The Sound of Music.

In our view, only two serious movies tried to paint an authentic picture of what everyday life might have been like for our ancestors. 2001: A Space Odyssey(1968) gave us 15 minutes at best of some pretty authentic australopithecines. Quest for Fire (1982) tried to pitch a later time, among the various human types of the late Paleolithic. And that was more or less that. Now some brave new filmmakers have tried again with Out of Darkness, here reviewed by Penny Spikins for The Conversation. We won’t spoil the review, which you should read for yourselves. [1] But we will note that Penny is an expert in the field, so approval from her is approval indeed. And the central idea of the film-who is “us”, and if they’re not, ought we to kill them?” is not without resonance today. So you don’t have to be a big caveman fan per se in order to go along and check this out.

Declaration of interest: at the time of writing, we have not yet seen this movie. But we sure as hell are going to, even if it means going alone. So there.

[1]https://theconversation.com/out-of-darkness-im-an-expert-on-human-origins-heres-how-this-stone-age-thriller-surprised-me-223614?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation

#science fiction #horror #film #stone age #human origins

250 years of getting politics wrong?

President Trump Postlaunch Remarks (NHQ202005300037) by NASA HQ PHOTO is licensed under CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0

“I tried to reason. But facts and logic just bounce off them, like footballs off of a wall”. That’s been a common complaint in recent year, as political discourse has descended into a series of angry shouting matches, with few even listening to, let along reasoning with, the arguments on the other side. It wasn’t supposed to have been like this. Ever since the Enlightenment, the presumption was that people would act in their own self-interest. And that interest would be largely economic. Well, it was fun while it lasted.

Gropingly, provisionally, a new way in which we might try to understand peoples’ political choices and affiliations is starting to emerge. And that it might be based on trying to understand their deep and persistent emotional states- grief, hope, resentment, even the security of their gender identities, may all be part . Latest to have a go is Derek Thompson for the Atlantic [1](warning- you may have to go over a paywall on this one) Derek bases much of his analysis on the well-received Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild (2016)[2] It was an attempt to look at the psychologies of many Tea party voters, who went on of course to man the Trump movement en masse. But they stand as proxies to angry populist movements the world over now.

What we liked about Derek’s article was its questing, unassuming style. There is no careful logical structure of propositions leading to some triumphant conclusion. The author picks at facts and concepts, trying to shape them. Trying hard to find the words that make the best sense. As anyone does in a new field. One day perhaps, some genius will come along with a new paradigm, explain why we act as we do, and we can all go comfortably back to sleep. Until that day, we are stuck with one another, bewildered, afraid and angry. Which is why Strangers in their Own Land is a very, very good title indeed.

_{Thanks to P. Seymour}

[1] https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/12/deep-story-trumpism/617498/?utm_source=apple_news Hochschild

[2]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strangers_in_Their_Own_Land

#trump #populism #elitism #alienation #politics #economics

Electric Cars: A vault to the future, or just a current fad?

Photo by Chris LeBoutillier on Pexels.com

“Just because something appears in the Daily Mail,” observed George Orwell,”does not automatically mean it’s a lie.” Astute readers will know how, having lost the argument on carbon emissions, climate deniers spend their time sniping and snarking at every new technological advance. Remember all those hecatombs of pigeons supposedly murdered by marine wind farms? Which is not to say that we at LSS dismiss every criticism, every reasoned argument, about how we get to a sustainable world safely, with the minimum possible collateral damage. There’s a debate to be had, especially when it is mooted in the august pages of the New Scientist [1].

One of the troubles with electric vehicles (EVs) is the kind of unpleasant things like lithium (and cobalt) you need to mine to make the batteries, And, as this piece by New Scientist photographer Tom Hagen shows, the local consequences of doing so can be frightful. This is Chile; but you’d find something like it similar production sites across the world. And some pretty dire working conditions, especially in places like Africa. At which point despair seems a very understandable reaction. Surely the cost of making these new EVs, and powering up the grids to run them, makes the whole enterprise futile?

The despair trap is a product of oversimplification; “if a thing is not 100% good, it must be bad. Gotcha!” runs the thinking. In the real world, lasting solutions are a mosaic set of compromises and trade offs, as every engineer knows. On balance, the environmental benefits of using electric vehicles are already in excess of the costs.[2] And this is before the dreadful health impacts of nitrate and particle emissions from our archaic old fleet of combustion vehicles[3] is taken into account (LSS passim).[3] Compared to the world we lived in 10 or 20 years ago, we’re actually rather cheered to live in a world where someone is actually doing something. However imperfect, it’s better than sliding blindly down the ramp to destruction, which is what they did in the Good Old Days.

^{With thanks to Gary Herbert}

[1]https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25333710-200-lithium-fields-beautiful-from-the-air-trouble-on-the-ground/

[2]https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/are-electric-vehicles-definitely-better-climate-gas-powered-cars

[3]https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/air-pollution

#pollution #electric vehicles #new scientist #lithium #cobalt #particulates #nitrates #batteries

Sexually Transmitted Diseases-new tools needed

The Renaissance brought us massive advances in learning. In Art, the Humanities, in Science and Trade, to name but a few. It also brought us a massive upswing in Sexually Transmitted Diseases. In Europe, Syphilis seems to have started among the troops of Charles VIII of France, who were besieging Naples in 1494. And spread like a forest fire in a drought thereafter. Gonorrhoea seems to have got its big break in the region of Les Clapiers in Paris around the middle of the sixteenth century. [1] Anyway, this wonderful link to Wikipedia will tell you all you want to know.

And STDs certainly haven’t gone away. In both the US and the UK, rates of syphilis have been rising drastically, as this article from the astute Jonathan Neal of the Daily Mail makes clear.[2] But instead of wringing his hands, Jonathan looks possible responses, and , as all good LSS readers will be cheered to discove , from an antibiotics perspective. As some of you will already know, our chief frontline weapon at the moment is doxycycline. Instead of a long course of post- infection antibiotics, why not hit ’em hard, the morning straight after, with a massive pill of the stuff? So say some experts. But there’s always a catch, as Jonathan points out. As you will have guessed, it’s our old friend antibiotic resistance. Which, according to Jonathan’s experts, is already climbing fast among gonorrhoea patients. So what is to be done?

For us at LSS, the conclusion is clear. All public health problems require a mosaic response. Public education, scientific resources, trained staff and above all someone to co-ordinate everyone else are vital. And in a deeper way , that’s true of a lot of other things. Syphilis, like climate change or migration, knows no nations and no borders. Anyone for a World Government?

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_infection

[2]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13095693/This-STI-morning-pill-beat-rising-rates-potentially-life-threatening-syphilis-UK.html

#antibiotics #antibiotic resistance #syphilis #gonorrhoea #STD #public health #jonathan Neal

Nanoparticles target antibiotic delivery

It’s one thing to have antibiotics. It’s even better if you can find clever new ways of delivering them so they do even more good to the patient. According to a report by the tireless Grace Wade of New Scientist, Chinese scientists have done exactly that.[1]

Junliang Zhu of Soochow University noticed that layers of mucus in our lung tissues are inhibiting the effective distribution of antibiotics. To overcome this they created nanoparticles from silica, which they coated with an antibiotic called ceftazidime, which they used to treat mice with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). So, what were the results? You had better look at Grace’s article, hadn’t you?

The reason we picked on this was not just because of the antibiotics trope. Widespread COPD is a classic result of having too many vehicles, particularly old fashioned diesel and petrol ones, which fill our air with particulate matter. It’s a major contributor to all kinds of health horrors. Just getting on top of one of them like this will be a major alleviation to millions. It’s so nice once again to see someone thinking outside of the box to do it.

[1]https://www.newscientist.com/article/2416072-inhalable-nanoparticles-could-help-treat-chronic-lung-disease/#:~:text=So%2C%20Junliang%20Zhu%20at%20Soochow%2

#antibiotics #nanoparticle #Grace Wade #Junliang Zhu #soochow university #COPD

Kill Krill? You’ll pay a bill

Today we’re devoting our blog to Krill, those humble but immensely prevalent crustaceans which form the basis of immense and vital ocean food chains. [1]They even form the breakfast of the Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus), that mighty monarch of the sea. They may even play a role in carbon capture and sequestration [2 see part #9] and now, you’ve guessed it-they are under threat. From that brutal ignorant species that has the vanity to call itself Homo sapiens. Not only are they being massively overfished. But now the melting glaciers and ocean acidification, both caused by global warming, are starting to eat into their numbers at alarming rates. If that goes on happening then the whole ocean ecology will collapse, with incalculable consequences for the stability of human society.

“So-what can I do?” we hear you asking. It’s a perfectly good question. And in the last analysis, only you will know the answer, gentle reader. But here at LSS we know one thing. The days of living the quiet suburban lifestyle at sports ground and shopping mall are over. We’re not saying it wasn’t good while it lasted. But it can’t be sustained any longer, not at least without some major social and technological engineering. Could you at least help one organisation that is trying to do something? What about the WWF, who have supplied one of today’s links? What have you got to lose? Well you know the answer to that.

^{Thanks to Gary Herbert}

[1]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krill

[2]https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/fascinating-facts/antarctic-krill#:~:text=They%20are%20under%20threat,interest%20in%20the%20krill%20fishery.

#krill #crustaceans #ocean #food chain #blue whale #climate change #global warming #glacier #ice sheet

How to really help Antibiotics Research UK for just one hour a week

We often talk about the Charity Antibiotics Research UK on this blog.[1] Since 2015, they have been doing invaluable work. Not only have they pointed to the need for new antibiotics. They have also tried to fund research. But they do a lot more than that.

Now, many people think “Disease-Diagnosis-Antibiotic-Cured-bosh!” is the way it works. That’s the ideal of course, and in many cases, it’s true. But all too often people have long term chronic conditions. [2] Such poor souls need all kinds of advice on treatments, health care, contacts-and sometimes just someone to talk to. And that is where antibiotic research UK’s brilliant patient support services comes in. If it’s done properly, it will eke out the effectiveness of our dwindling supplies of antibiotics, and , who knows, have support networks in place if new ones are developed. And now, gentle reader, is where YOU come in. To quote their appeal

We’re currently seeking volunteers to review the information we provide, whether it’s directly from our website or in response to enquiries. We’re looking for two types of reviewers:

Lay reviewers: Individuals without a healthcare background who can assess whether our articles are easy to understand and digest.
Expert reviewers: Professionals with a background in science or health who can provide insights into the accuracy and comprehensiveness of our content.

Come on, it’s not as if we’re asking you to climb Mount Kanchenjunga backwards, or swim the English Channel while dressed as the Red Queen from Alice Through the Looking Glass, is it? We bet a few of you reading this are retired after a successful career and are now sratching round for something useful to do. Could this be it?

[1]www.antibioticresearch.org.uk

[2]patient.support@antibioticresearch.org.uk

#antibiotics #patient care #medicine #health #hospital #nurse #doctor #bacteria #infection #chronic

If the Gulf Stream collapses, you won’t need ice in your Gin and Tonic

According to the American writer Gore Vidal, one must choose between two missions in life. Either to Comfort the Afflicted; or to Afflict the Comfortable. Now, generally speaking, the Daily Mail is normally very much on the side of the Comfortable. Hardly a bunch of Islington Green Remoaner Marxist Liberals, you might say. So when they publish something which might in some way be slightly comfort-afflicting, we know it’s been through a pretty fine toothcomb first. And today we present just such a story by their admirable Jonathan Chadwick called The Real Life Day After Tomorrow. Not only does it speculate that the warming currents of the North Atlantic might collapse, plunging us into a new Ice Age. But there is a chance that it might happen rather soon. [1]

Most people know that the reason that Western Europe is tolerably warm is due to the fact that certain ocean currents move vast quantities of heat up from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico to these otherwise benighted shores. Thanks to global warming and melting ice caps, those currents could switch off as early as next year. We cannot hope to improve on the excellent explanations and top notch, easy-to-understand graphics in Jonathan’s article. But we could beg you to look at some of the comments. and the squeals and howls of outrage from those whose weltenschauung is horribly imperilled by Jonathan’s words. Denial, evasion and getting shouty are common psychological defence mechanisms of people who are often uncertain of their own case. Blaming the messenger can be another; although we are all guilty of that.

Perhaps the latter was on display in the case of climate scientist Michael Mann, who, because of his scientific work, became the subject of unpleasant personal attacks from those who objected to his findings. To us it all seems a bit reminiscent of what happened to Galileo in the 1640s. Fortunately Mann has won damages from some of his adversaries , and this may buy back some space for objective debate in some areas of science. We wait to see. Whatever happens, those who prefer to deny, for whatever reason, should remember. Reality, be it economic, physical or logical, will eventually come round to charge a price. The longer you leave it, the higher that price will be.

[1]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-13073449/Gulf-Stream-plunging-Europe-deep-freeze.html

[2]https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-00396-y?utm_source=Live+Audience&utm_campaign=0f1db6493c-briefing-dy-20240212&utm_medium=email&utm_term=

#jonathan chadwick #climate change #global warming #ice caps #AMOC #climate denial

Exclusive: we reveal the secret conspiracy that runs the world

These days everyone is talking about conspiracy theories and trying to find out who is in the secret conspiracy that controls everything. Some say it is Davos Man, but surely he can’t do it all on his own? Some say it’s the illuminati; others cite a rather boring man called George Soros who looks and sounds like someone at home in the impenetrable back pages of the Financial Times. But today, we at LSS can reveal that the real conspirators are the same they have always been. The Movers and the Shakers, and the Great and the Good. (although some claim to be in more than one of these categories at the same time) It’s about time that the Ordinary Citizen learned more about them. So you can recognise one in the street and, if possible, pointedly ignore them in a hostile way.

A note before we start The Movers and the Shakers, the first two rungs in the career ladder, are not to be confused with the 1960s California Soft Rock band of the same name whose hit single Baby I want your Love was the sound track for a whole generation who passed their golden youth in ancient camper vans on the golden beaches of places like La Jolla and Malibu.

Movers Can easily be recognised because they still inhabit the kind of flats they lived in when they were students, except now they own the flats and rarely wear baseball caps. Because their company/career/practice is in its early stages they still talk to people they knew at University. May even occasionally be seen at places like La Jolla, although the van is massively improved,. Hoping to become a…

Shaker By this time the company/career/practice is doing so well they can afford the all the extra houses/cars/mistresses that reinforce their new status. Do not expect Christmas cards/birthday cards/second wedding invitations from them any more. Quick to exalt the virtues of people like themselves who have made it big, they are longing to be called to a Selection Board in order to join the next stage, commonly known as :

The Great Yes, there are boards and examinations which you have to pass to reach this stage. But the questions are not like those in ordinary exams, such as “which is the largest copper-exporting country in South America?” or “integrate the function y=Cos x³-8 x^1/2-4x”. Instead the questions are “are you going to Glyndebourne this year? or “were you at Rupert’s party in the Hamptons? Isn’t Piers Morgan one helluva guy?” One thing to know: the Great would never, ever, even be seen dead on beaches in places like La Jolla, however luxuriously-appointed was the camper van. But their major trouble is that they have spent so much time preparing for their role that they have learned nothing useful which might help them to do it. Which is way they make such a mess of things. And the hours are dreadful; if you are Great, your life is no longer your own. So many of them cannot wait to resign, and go as soon as possible to the last stage:

The Good Once upon a time being the Good was best of all. There were senior roles in things like the Arts Council or even your own 14-part cultural series on BBC2. Nowadays, with all these shopping channels and the internet, such gigs are few and far between. Instead they spend their time running international Institutes which nobody can see the point of. Or writing long newspaper articles which nobody reads, because the author is no longer Prime Minister, and never will be again. Apart from that, they just fret in case those ghastly locals build a caravan site on a hill which overlooks their villa in Tuscany. They have villas in Tuscany because they are far too old for beach life-especially among the heavy waves of La Jolla.

So now you know, you have two choices. You could Rise in Righteous Indignation and overthrow them. But; someone’s got to to do the job, why would you be any better? And do you you really want to give up your old camper van, with its digitally remastered tracks like Baby I want your love, just to fly to Davos and endure a string quartet?

No, we thought not.

#george soros #illuminati #conspirators #davos man #the great and the good #movers and shakers #malibu #la jolla