Jump to content

bolverk

New Members
  • Posts

    16646
  • Joined

  • Days Won

    12

Everything posted by bolverk

  1. Good lord!
  2. Surprised there's not a thread on this yet. It's apparently only the third known interstellar traveler to visit our system (everyone remember the asteroid Oumuamua?). Right now, it's on the opposite side of the sun from us, but it should reappear and again be visible (by telescopes only) by the middle of November, and will come closest to Earth in December. Astronerds are justifiably excited about it since: a) it's only the third interstellar object we've observed, b) its chemical composition is unusual and includes a lot of nickel, which might be a reflection of how ancient it is, and c) conspiracists are having a field day suggesting it's an alien spacecraft or that its outgassing jets could put it on a trajectory to hit Earth or be a near miss. Anyway, I thought this deserved to be in Bada Bing instead of Nerdz since it's likely going to make a lot of news. Nickel article: https://www.space.com/astronomy/comets/awakening-an-interstellar-wanderer-surprising-nickel-detection-in-comet-3i-atlas
  3. Looking a little bit better for Kingston (metro pop: 1.2 million) and the rest of the eastern third of the island. I imagine they'll still see tons of coastal flooding, mudslides, and the attendant damage, but let's hope they're spared the worst of the winds. Of course, that's no consolation for the poor folks 50 miles to the west.
  4. COVID-19 mRNA vaccines can trigger the immune system to recognize and kill cancer, research finds The researchers found that mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines could potentially help patients whose tumors don’t respond well to traditional immunotherapy. The COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines that saved 2.5 million lives globally during the pandemic could help spark the immune system to fight cancer. This is the surprising takeaway of a new study that we and our colleagues published in the journal Nature. While developing mRNA vaccines for patients with brain tumors in 2016, our team, led by pediatric oncologist Elias Sayour, discovered that mRNA can train immune systems to kill tumors β€” even if the mRNA is not related to cancer. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that mRNA vaccines designed to target the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 might also have antitumor effects. So we looked at clinical outcomes for more than 1,000 late-stage melanoma and lung cancer patients treated with a type of immunotherapy called immune checkpoint inhibitors. This treatment is a common approach doctors use to train the immune system to kill cancer. It does this by blocking a protein that tumor cells make to turn off immune cells, enabling the immune system to continue killing cancer. Remarkably, patients who received either the Pfizer or Moderna mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine within 100 days of starting immunotherapy were more than twice as likely to be alive after three years compared with those who didn't receive either vaccine. Surprisingly, patients with tumors that don't typically respond well to immunotherapy also saw very strong benefits, with nearly fivefold improvement in three-year overall survival. This link between improved survival and receiving a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine remained strong even after we controlled for factors like disease severity and co-occurring conditions. To understand the underlying mechanism, we turned to animal models. We found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines act like an alarm, triggering the body's immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells and overcome the cancer's ability to turn off immune cells. When combined, vaccines and immune checkpoint inhibitors coordinate to unleash the full power of the immune system to kill cancer cells. Why it matters Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment over the past decade by producing cures in many patients who were previously considered incurable. However, these therapies are ineffective in patients with "cold" tumors that successfully evade immune detection. Our findings suggest that mRNA vaccines may provide just the spark the immune system needs to turn these "cold" tumors "hot." If validated in our upcoming clinical trial, our hope is that this widely available, low-cost intervention could extend the benefits of immunotherapy to millions of patients who otherwise would not benefit from this therapy. What other research is being done Unlike vaccines for infectious diseases, which are used to prevent an infection, therapeutic cancer vaccines are used to help train the immune systems of cancer patients to better fight tumors. We and many others are currently working hard to make personalized mRNA vaccines for patients with cancer. This involves taking a small sample of a patient's tumor and using machine learning algorithms to predict which proteins in the tumor would be the best targets for a vaccine. However, this approach can be costly and difficult to manufacture. In contrast, COVID-19 mRNA vaccines do not need to be personalized, are already widely available at low or no cost around the globe, and could be administered at any time during a patient's treatment. Our findings that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines have substantial antitumor effects bring hope that they could help extend the anti-cancer benefits of mRNA vaccines to all. What's next In pursuit of this goal, we are preparing to test this treatment strategy in patients with a nationwide clinical trial in people with lung cancer. People receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor will be randomized to either receive a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine during treatment or not. This study will tell us whether COVID-19 mRNA vaccines should be included as part of the standard of care for patients receiving an immune checkpoint inhibitor. Ultimately, we hope that this approach will help many patients who are treated with immune therapy, and especially those who currently lack effective treatment options. This work exemplifies how a tool born from a global pandemic may provide a new weapon against cancer and rapidly extend the benefits of existing treatments to millions of patients. By harnessing a familiar vaccine in a new way, we hope to extend the lifesaving benefits of immunotherapy to cancer patients who were previously left behind.
  5. ICE detains British journalist after criticism of Israel on US tour Trump ally Laura Loomer took credit for Sami Hamdi’s detainment in move denounced as β€˜affront to free speech’ The British journalist Sami Hamdi was reportedly detained on Sunday morning by federal immigration authorities at San Francisco international airport, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) says that action is apparent retaliation for the Muslim political commentator’s criticism of Israel while touring the US. A statement from Cair said it was β€œa blatant affront to free speech” to detain Hamdi for criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza while he engaged on a speaking tour in the US. A Trump administration official added in a separate statement that Hamdi was facing deportation. β€œOur attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice,” Cair’s statement said. The statement also called on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) β€œto immediately account for and release Mr Hamdi”, saying his only β€œβ€˜crime’ is criticizing a foreign government” that Cair accused of having β€œcommitted genocide”. The press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, wrote of Hamdi in a social media post: β€œThis individual’s visa was revoked, and he is in ICE custody pending removal.” McLaughlin’s post also said: β€œThose who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country.” During his tour, Hamdi spoke on Saturday at the annual gala for Cair’s chapter in Sacramento. He was expected to speak on Sunday at the gala for the Florida chapter of Cair. McLaughlin’s post about Hamdi’s detention was shared by the Trump administration ally Laura Loomer, who took credit for his being taken into custody. Loomer, who has called herself a β€œwhite advocate” and a β€œproud Islamophobe”, has often peddled conspiracy theories such as endorsing claims that the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 were an β€œinside job”. In 2018, she infamously chained herself to Twitter’s headquarters in New York City in protest of her account being banned. The billionaire businessman Elon Musk reinstated her account after he bought the social media platform in 2022. β€œAs a direct result of … my relentless pressure on the [state department] and Department of Homeland Security, US officials have now moved to take action against Hamdi’s visa status, and his continued presence in this country,” Loomer posted on social media. Hamdi is the latest of numerous immigrants and travelers who have been arrested and deported by ICE over pro-Palestinian views. Earlier in October, journalist Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador after having been detailed while live streaming the massive, anti-Trump No Kings protest in June. On 30 September, a federal judge appointed during Ronald Reagan’s presidency ruled the administration’s policy to detain and deport foreign scholars over pro-Palestinian views violates the US constitution and was designed to β€œintentionally” chill free speech rights. The ruling is bound to be appealed, possibly all the way to the US supreme court, which is dominated by a conservative supermajority made possible by three Trump appointments. The state department, meanwhile, has said it will continue revoking visas under the policy.
  6. Hopefully, we can shut down this thread after this week. Fingers crossed. Here's the forecast from 250 miles to the northwest. Check out Wednesday night.
  7. Wordle 1,591 4/6 β¬›β¬›β¬›πŸŸ¨πŸŸ¨ β¬›πŸŸ©β¬›πŸŸ©πŸŸ¨ πŸŸ¨πŸŸ©β¬›πŸŸ©πŸŸ© 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Connections Puzzle #869 🟩🟩🟩🟩 πŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺ 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 πŸ™‚ Daily Quordle 1372 5️⃣6️⃣ 7️⃣4️⃣ m-w.com/games/quordle/ ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩 ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨 ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ ⬜🟨⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜⬜🟨🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟩🟨🟨 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
  8. Russia proper, a little northeast of Kharkiv. Edit: Sabotage. They're lighting them on fire.
  9. Laissez les Tigres manger
  10. Wordle 1,589 4/6 β¬›β¬›πŸŸ¨β¬›πŸŸ© πŸŸ¨β¬›β¬›β¬›πŸŸ© β¬›πŸŸ©β¬›πŸŸ©πŸŸ© 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Connections Puzzle #867 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 πŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺ SW quad took a long while. πŸ™‚ Daily Quordle 1370 6️⃣4️⃣ 7️⃣5️⃣ m-w.com/games/quordle/ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜🟨🟨🟩 ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ 🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜🟩⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛
  11. Oh, I know. Like I said yesterday, here on the edge of the Chihuahua Desert, it was muggy as hell right before it blasted through. That chilly air when it came through and then all day today was wondrous. If you guys survive the the hazardous shit tonight, you're going to love the fuck out of it tomorrow.
  12. When it came through here, it went from 88Β° at 6 pm to 64Β° by 8 pm. Crazy winds up to 44 mph. Current temp is 56Β°. Like I said, this is a strong one.
  13. I don't understand how my getting curbside at Whataburger and taking a photo of the rain while parked and waiting became a bitch session about curbside at HEB, but I guess Surly is gonna Surly.
  14. You earn points with your Whataburger orders, which you then can use to get free food. The app also offers coupons for special deals, like buy-one-get-one-free. When I moved out to West Texas, I learned through the app that green chilis are a standard add-on out here, like jalepenos everywhere else. Not sure how I would’ve learned that without it. Mostly this, though. Back on topic, another line of storms just blew through here.
  15. Who the hell complains about curbside? And why? That app is the best way to get your order both correct and on time, not to mention the rewards.
  16. You're not kidding. It was a fantastic light show that lasted for hours. Remind me, are you in Runnels or Coleman County?
  17. Just started pouring while waiting on curbside. Feeling kinda bad about that.
  18. Wordle 1,588 4/6 β¬›β¬›β¬›πŸŸ¨πŸŸ¨ πŸŸ©β¬›β¬›πŸŸ©πŸŸ© πŸŸ©β¬›β¬›πŸŸ©πŸŸ© 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Connections Puzzle #866 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦 πŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺπŸŸͺ πŸ™‚ Daily Quordle 1369 6️⃣4️⃣ 5️⃣7️⃣ m-w.com/games/quordle/ ⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜ 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟨🟨🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ 🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
  19. I should also mention that it got up to 88Β° today (and really humid for West Texas), so this is a pretty strong front. Hoping all you get something good out this.
  20. We had some pretty heavy stuff blow through here about an hour ago. Still getting some moderate showers with rolling thunder that's shaking the house. I've got the windows open and it's a glorious 64Β°. Be patient, y'all. It's coming.
  21. Agree with y'all on the wording...
  22. Well, yeah, sure, I know how the Euros do it, as I've lived over there for a little while, but this is America, gotdammit. Also, your explanation doesn't explain the %100 bullshit, which goes to show they're just doing it because (I assume) they saw some GenZ kids doing it.
  23. What’s up with folks, including posters on this site, suddenly placing the dollar sign after an amount and the percentage sign before one? It seems like this is a pretty recent (and idiotic) orthographic trend around here that’s taken hold over the last year or so. Examples: 100$ instead of $100 %100 instead of 100% I can understand uneducated people getting confused or something, but these are supposedly college-educated or at least somewhat intelligent posters, doing this stuff, when they absolutely know better. And it is not hip or cool, if that’s why you’re doing it.
Γ—
Γ—
  • Create New...