Drusas

Imperial College project could lead to less invasive testing and combat increase in antibiotic resistance

Jodie is a canine with special ­powers, scientists have discovered. The golden labrador can smell and ­identify ­particular bacteria and could soon play a key role in helping researchers develop a programme in which dogs could sniff out individuals infected with dangerous microbes.

The project, recently launched by scientists at Imperial College London, could be vital in the battle against antibiotic resistance as well as the treatment of patients with lung ­disease and other conditions, they say.

“We believe Jodie and her fellow medical detective dogs point to a new way to spot infected individuals, just by having a sniff of their socks or shirts,” said Professor Jane Davies at Imperial College.

“They could become a major help in tackling antimicrobial resistance and conditions like cystic fibrosis.”

Cystic fibrosis is one of the world’s most common inherited illnesses. A defective protein allows mucus to build up in lungs and other organs, triggering chronic infections that worsen through life.

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I spent a few years living in the international district (Chinatown, Japantown, Little Saigon) and people would set off fireworks and firecrackers in the neighborhood for days or even a couple of weeks after New Year's. And then again on Chinese New Year's. And there's also this group that likes to go and bang on drums while marching around the neighborhood at those times. It was awful and it made my dogs so stressed out.

Now that I live in a mostly Vietnamese neighborhood outside of the international district, I only hear fireworks on New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year's. It's great not having to worry about whether or not I should drug my dogs for days on end.

I personally enjoy fireworks displays, but I don't think they should be allowed by unlicensed people at their own homes.

About 4 years ago, I watched a movie which I enjoyed but can't for the life of me find. It involved a white couple getting lost in deep rural Appalachia and getting taken in by a cult-like small family in the middle of nowhere.

I don't remember the details very well since it was a few years ago and I watched it pretty late at night. I think it involved the woman being drawn in while the man wasn't, and there being murder (in a shed?), but that could be me mixing different movies up.

Does anyone know what it might have been?