The Norovirus, A.K.A. The Cruise Ship Bug Vaccine

Norovirus is not generally life-threatening
~Dr. Julie Gerberding President of Merck Vaccines

An experimental vaccine for the norovirus is in the testing stages. Norovirus, implicated by the Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal as  caused by poor restroom cleaning,  may soon be preventable by vaccination. According to Dr. Thomas Hooton (professor at University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine) the norovirus spreads like wildfire.  Hundreds of people can get sick in just a few days, he pointed out. "If a food handler contaminates the food on a cruise ship, it spreads like crazy. There is bad diarrhea and bad vomiting, and if they are not cleaned up properly, it can stick to surfaces and spread from person to person," Hooton said.

Clearly, there is a tremendous need for prevention. And prevention apparently means vaccination, not clean toilets or proper food handling.

Note: Personally I prefer hygienic measures to eliminate the spread of norovirus on cruise ships or other contained areas that serve food. A vaccine that  prevents you from becoming ill if you eat s**t? I think that should make you sick.

Wild Genets as Exotic Pets

Should Wild Animals Be Kept as Pets? Consider the risks to human health and safety, animal welfare, and the environment.
~The Humane Society of the United States

Genets look kind of like cats with a long raccoon tail. Sort of. Genets have pointed noses and long whiskers. They have long bodies (16 to 24 inches, 15 to 20 inch tail) and big ears. Their fur is brown or gray with spots or completely black. They share many characteristics with cats, but are only distantly related. They are quite cute and playful and can be kept as pets.

There are ten different types of genets:

• Abyssinian genet
• Angolan genet
• Small-spotted genet
• Johnston's genet 
• Panther genet
• Servaline genet
• Haussa genet
• Large-spotted genet
• Giant genet
• Aquatic Genet (A.K.A. the fishing genet. See video here.)

In the wild genets are nocturnal, but may roam in the daytime during the rainy season. They hunt in trees (birds and eggs), and on the ground (burrowing rodents and other prey). Genets are solitary, and do not group with others except for mating. Genets are from central, eastern Africa.  Genets can be found in a variety of habitats including arid to semi-arid regions as well as forested areas. The small spotted Genet is most often found in arid regions while the large spotted Genet is tolerant of most habitats including the densely forested regions of eastern Africa.

The Small Spotted Genet (Common or European Genet) has become a popular exotic household pet. (State laws vary on keeping exotic pets.) As pets genets do not tend to tear, claw or bite the furniture but they do climb. They will seek to reach the highest place in any location. They are generally cautious in disposition, easily frightened and skittish. Genets do not bond with groups, usually just a few people and can coexist with other household pets including cats and dogs. They will eat hamsters, gerbils, and other small mammals.

A genet needs plenty of room to roam. They will escape through open doors or windows if not closely attended. They have an independent nature and do not respond well to small confining places. Genets can be trained to use a litter box. They are clean pets and groom themselves. Classified as a carnivore, genets are not really  picky about what they eat, cat food (canned or dry), meat, even fruit.

Something else I learned: It is legal to own a genet as a pet in Michigan.

Traditional Scandanavian Rya Rugs

rya rug
(noun) rya, rya rug
a shag rug made in Sweden
~Dictionary

Rya rugs made from hand-knotted wool are traditional Scandinavian rugs. The first Rya rugs (dating from the 1400s) were coarse, heavy outerwear used by fisherman instead of fur. As time progressed rya rugs gained prestige and honor and were frequently a part of a bride' trousseau (18th century).

Eventually rya rugs were replaced by quilted coverings and became strictly ornamental. These later (but still antique) rugs became distinctly "Northern" in appearance and expression.Simple patterns, scenes from a daily existence, and personal vignettes became rya rugs.  Marta Maas-Fjetterstom, a Swedish carpet designer gave a renewed and attractive aesthetic to this type of weaving.

Rya rugs, due to simplicity and eye pleasing character are now desirable pieces in contemporary decorating. Rya rugs from the early 20th century are immensely popular and sought after. The particular flavor of design and the impeccable craftsmanship made these rugs works of art in their own right.

Note: The rya rugs look like latch hook rugs.

Something else I learned: On Ebay they call latch hook rugs from the 70s "Vintage Mid-Century Modern Danish Rya Rug ." They want a lot of money for them too!

Red Cross Wants Geneva & Hague Conventions Applied to Video Games

Some one set us up the bomb
~Japanese-to-English translation from the game Zero Wing

The International Committee of the Red Cross wants to have the Geneva and Hague Conventions applied to video games. They are concerned it seems about the effect of war games on gamers.  Most video war games and first person shooters do tend to flout the conventions. (So do plenty of governments, even signatories of both.)

The 31st meeting of the International Committee of the Red Cross (last week) discussed many issues including videogames and the effect they have on the public. The video game panel investigated games that depict modern warfare explored the possibility of applying the Geneva Conventions to videogames. The description for the discussion is: While the Movement works vigorously to promote international humanitarian law (IHL) worldwide, there is also an audience of approximately 600 million gamers who may be violating IHL in the virtual world. Exactly how videogames influence individuals is a hotly debated topic, but for the first time, Movement partners discussed our role and responsibility to take action against violations of IHL in video games.

When will the cries of "Violent video games are destroying the world" stop? Everyone reading this either is or knows someone who plays these violent killing games. I could not say that everyone reading this is or knows a real violent killer. Okay, anecdotal evidence is not conclusive and does nothing to further the conversation.

Manhunt 2, one of the most violent games available. This image was about the mildest I found:

So yes, it looks extremely violent and while I've never played it, I'm going to guess it does not adhere to the Geneva Convention. Even with the Geneva Conventions in place it would be unacceptable for very young players due to the level of violence alone. (Use the ratings as a guideline! I reccommend it.)

So please read these Video Game Myths. Highlights:

• Juvenile violent crime in the United States is at a 30-year low
• No research has found that video games are a primary factor or that violent video game play could turn an otherwise normal person into a killer
• Almost 60 percent of frequent gamers play with friends
• Even primates make distinctions between play fighting and actual fighting

Note: I think it is important for the Red Cross and every one else to remember video games are not the real world and attempting to apply real life rules to games seems patently silly.

Something else I learned: The percentage of women playing games has increased. Women  outnumber men playing Web-based games. Efforts in the mid-90s to build games that appealed to girls made inroads. The Sims game was successful in attracting many female players that had not played games previously. (I played that one!)

Kepler-22b, An Earth-like Planet 600 Light Years From Home

I don't believe that there are aliens. I believe there are really different people.
~Orson Scott Card

Although discoverd by NASA's Kepler telescope over 2 years ago, new research suggests that Kepler 22b is the planet most similar to earth yet found. The planet has average temperatures of 72°, and has the correct atmospheric conditions to support life. It is in a "habitable" position in relation to a star very similar to the sun. Scientists believe not only is the planet habitable, it may well be inhabited.

 

Note: I find stories like this very cool!

Something else I learned: The Kepler telescope watches 155,000 stars that exist in the so-called habitable zone of stars that resemble our sun. The telescope watches for small drops in the brightness of the stars which would be caused by the rotation of planets around the star.

EU Bans Claim that Water Can Prevent Dehydration! Wait...What?

Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see.
~Edgar Allan Poe

Producers of bottled water are now forbidden by law from making the claim and will face a two-year jail sentence if they defy the edict, which comes into force in the UK next month.

EU bans claim that water can prevent dehydration!
Brussels bureaucrats were ridiculed yesterday after banning drink manufacturers from claiming that water can prevent dehydration!

Great headline! Further research reveals: In 2008, German scientists Dr Andreas Hahn and Dr Moritz Hagenmeyer submitted an application to the European Food Safety Authority  (EFSA) requesting the right to make the claim ”regular consumption of significant amounts of water can reduce the risk of development of dehydration and of concomitant decrease of performance” on labels of bottled water.

 I don't think that is exactly the same thing. I understand that decreased performance would be concomitant with dehydration, but drinking water prevents dehydration specifically, and dehydration is the cause of decreased performance. So, despite the fact that yes, it is silly to ban claims that water prevents dehydration, that does not give sellers of bottle water to make carte blanche statements about how well you will perform if you drink water.

Double learned today: Context matters, and don't take all things at face value just because you read a news headline. How does the song go? "People say believe half of what you see, some or none of what you hear."

Something else I learned: In pure scientific terms there is a significant distinction between dehydration and being in a state of dehydration.

How Did Cats Become Domesticated?

Thou art the Great Cat, the avenger of the Gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; thou art indeed...the Great Cat.
~Inscription on the Royal Tombs at Thebes

Domestic cats are descended from Felis sylvestris, a wildcat of the middle east. Felis sylvestris translates to "cat of the woods." The common wisdom is that cats, unlike other domestic animals, more or less domesticated themselves. When people started storing food, wild cats found a ready food source: the rodents that were drawn to the food stores. The cats were encouraged to stay and guard the food supply. The cats we today call our pets are the descendents of the cats that adapted to this environment.

Felis sylvestris, rawr:

The  domestication of cats occurred far earlier than the civilization of ancient Egypt. The first depiction of a cat wearing a collar appeared on Egyptian art  in a tomb during the Old Kingdom (2500-2350 BC) and cats were the most commonly mummified animal in Egypt. They appear frequently in Egyptian art and drawings.

Current archeological evidence places the domestication of cats around 10K years ago in the fertile crescent region when wheat and barley were also domesticated. An intentional cat burial was discovered next to a human burial dating 9500-9200 years before the present on the island of Cypress.

Animal domestication is defined as the process of developing the mutually useful relationship between animals and humans. Apparently the Egyptians were the first to get this right - cats hang around, and humans worship them. This relationship has largely endured.

Note: For some reason cats were demonized in Europe during the middle ages. They somehow developed a reputation for association with witches and the devil. They were killed in large numbers. The depletion of the cat population very likely contributed to the spread of the plague.

Something else I learned: Cats are the most popular pet in the world. One third of American homes have feline members, and more than 600 million cats live among humans worldwide.