View of indoor beehive in Piru, California. Bees travel in and out of the building via a tube at the back of the hive.
Here are a few readings after Thanksgiving!
“In experiments with African cichlid fish, the scientists discovered that when a female shows a preference for a particular male, but then witnesses him losing a fight with another male, her feelings toward him change.”
“An international team of immunologists studying the effects of cannabis have discovered how smoking marijuana can trigger a suppression of the body’s immune functions. The research, published in the European Journal of Immunology, reveals why cannabis users are more susceptible to certain types of cancers and infections.”
“After years of wrangling over the chemical’s toxicity, researchers are charting a new way forwards. Brendan Borrell investigates how the debate has reshaped environmental-health studies.”
“Chronic jet lag alters the brain in ways that cause memory and learning problems long after one’s return to a regular 24-hour schedule, according to research by University of California, Berkeley, psychologists.”
“It’s a Thursday afternoon at the Live Well center in San Diego and a group of seniors are skipping, clapping and hooting in the recreation room. That’s precisely what Dr. Caroline Meeks, aka “Dr. Funshine” ordered. As part of her holistic practice, Meeks, a physician and author, visits senior centers and hospitals aiming to treat chronic seriousness.”
4 Comments
natzafis · November 29, 2010 at 10:11 pm
I was completely shocked by the information discussed in the article “cannabis suppresses immune system.” I had always assumed that smoking marijuana had negative health consequences, but had never thought previous to reading this article that they could be so serious. It is scary to think that a massive number of immune-suppressing MDSCs are triggered by cannabinoid receptors, which can leave the smoker vulnerable to infections and even certain types of cancers. The fact that this is even more of a danger for cancer patients because it works opposite than desired to actually promote cancer growth instead of fight against infections and cancerous cells is alarming as well. It would be beneficial for more teenage and college-age individuals to be aware of the detrimental effects that smoking marijuana can have on the immune system function to promote being above the influence.
anjames · December 2, 2010 at 4:06 pm
It was shocking to read that cannabis suppresses the immune system, especially when it comes to infections and cancer. While it makes sense on the one hand because it’s taxing your body to cleanse it of the toxin, it doesn’t make sense that it is sometimes common for cancer patients to use marijuana to lessen nausea, a common side effect from chemotherapy. Is it the medical professionals who are prescribing the cannabis or are patients self medicating? Either way, these research findings need to reach the medical and general public to keep from further harming already susceptible individuals.
VincentDeo21 · December 3, 2010 at 7:11 pm
“Fish Brains”
After taking a biological anthropology class, this study does not seem too surprising. On a basic level, if a fish is not a successful fighter what will that say about the survival probability of its offspring during their lifetime? Nature has a funny way of rooting out the losers and making sure the next generation is stronger and capable of surviving. It is interesting though, to see the brain functions of the female when she sees a potential mate lose. Many millennia of instinct probably created this sort of disinterest to maximize survival of the next generation. I would think this is similar and even more complex to the brain reactions of other animals who have more responsibility than fertilizing eggs. Animals who have to defend their offspring and mates probably have to display more of a strong fighter. Humans probably have similar reactions but their decision is not purely based on these “gut feelings” as the article said. We have brain functions that consider not only physical benefits and offspring survival but weigh emotional connectivity.
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