The Unlikely Buddha

It has been detected in a small number of samples from infected people and waste (sewer) water in several countries, including the  United States,  Denmark,  Israel,  South Africa, and the  United Kingdom. BA.2.86 is a subvariant of Omicron and is more genetically different from the original Omicron variant than previous subvariants have been.  It has over 35 amino acid changes compared with the more recently circulating  XBB.1.5 variant.  This number of genetic differences is roughly of the same magnitude as seen between the initial Omicron variant (BA.1) and previous variants, such as Delta (B.1.617.2). It is too early to say whether BA.2.86 is more transmissible or causes more severe disease than other Omicron variants. However, the fact that it has so many genetic changes is concerning to public health experts. They are closely monitoring the spread of BA.2.86 and its impact on the pandemic. These genetic changes are located throughout the vir...

Although currently there are no cures for autoimmune diseases, researchers are still trying to find what causes them in hopes of developing new treatments. Researchers recently developed a new type of vaccine called an “inverse vaccine” that showed potential in completely reversing autoimmune disease symptoms in mice. Scientists were able to do this without shutting down the rest of the immune system. Researchers from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago say they have developed a new type of vaccine called an “inverse vaccine” via a mouse model. The new vaccine was able to completely “reverse” autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and Crohn’s disease without fully shutting down the rest of the immune system in the mice. An estimated 1 in every 10 people worldwide has an autoimmune disease — a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues within the body. Generally speaking, there are curren...

NPR had a story this morning  about Lantern Bugs. They mention that the excrement is almost all sugar and encourages fungus growth which can slow the work of  chlorophyll in plants. They then went into all sorts of machinations to try and control them. From placing a sticky substance on tree trunks (which can trap and kill animals) to finding egg sacks and place them in alcohol to using insecticides which endanger humans. The fact of the matter is that In general, lantern bugs are not considered to be a serious threat to most plants. You can just knock them off foliage with a stream of water or... just wait for the coming cold season that will take care of them naturally.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,     Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;  Conspiring with him how to load and bless     With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;  To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,     And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;        To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells     With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,  And still more, later flowers for the bees,  Until they think warm days will never cease,        For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.  Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?     Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find  Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,     Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;  Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,     Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook     ...

I wandered lonely through the field, Where sunflowers stood tall and bright, Their golden heads turned towards the sun, A dazzling, joyful sight. Like sentinels they lined the way, Their faces turned towards the sky, A symbol of hope and resilience, As the soft breeze passed them by. I paused to watch their gentle dance, Their petals swaying in the breeze, And felt my heart with joy uplift, At this enchanting scene. For sunflowers are a gift to us, A reminder of the sun's embrace, And of the beauty all around, If only we take the time to see. Unlikely Buddha 2023

Capitalism is an economic system in which private individuals or businesses own capital goods. The production of goods and services is guided by the motive of profit, and the prices are determined by market forces. Capitalism has been the dominant economic system in the United States for centuries, and it has been credited with driving innovation and economic growth. However, capitalism has also been criticized for its tendency to produce inequality and environmental damage. In recent years, there has been a growing chorus of voices calling for reforms to capitalism or even its replacement with a different economic system. History of Capitalism in the United States Capitalism emerged in the United States during the colonial era. The early colonists were entrepreneurs who came to America seeking new opportunities to make a profit. They established businesses such as farming, trading, and manufacturing. After the American Revolution, the United States government adopted a number of polic...

Football is a popular sport that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world. However, it is also a dangerous sport. Players are at risk of a variety of injuries, including concussions, ligament tears, and broken bones. Some of these injuries can be life-threatening, and others can have long-term consequences, such as chronic pain and depression. The average career length in the NFL is 3.3 years. This is relatively short compared to other professional sports leagues, such as the NBA and NHL, where the average career length is around 4.5 years. In the U.S. most (non-athlete)  workers can expect a 20-30 year career before retiring. In the NFL only 1% of all players have retired at or after 20 years. In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the dangers of football, particularly the risk of concussions. Concussions are brain injuries that can occur when the head is suddenly jarred or hit. Concussions can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, naus...