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| So you're into sci fi? But what about sci fact? Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction... Each month our very own Voyager Science Queen* will bring you interesting, quirky and downright bizarre tasty morsels from the world of science. And its all completely, totally, 100% true! November Sci-Facts |
| The Pandemic I usually try to make these pages light-hearted. But, with the rising panic created by the Avian Flu Scare, I thought I might do a little community service work, and investigate the truth behind the frightening rumours. It is best to know your enemy. The Avian Flu Virus, also known as the Bird Virus, Bird Flu, or H5N1 virus, is rapidly spreading throughout Europe and Asia. The virus originated in Asia. There has only been bird to human transmission of the disease, and there is yet to be a recorded case of human-to-human transmission. It is referred to a ‘bird’ flu disease simply because it occurs widely in the avian populations. It isn’t limited to one species of bird, and is very infectious. The flu is spread by contact with the faeces, saliva, or nasal secretions of infected birds. As the virus is rapidly mutating, the symptoms vary with the subtype of virus that has caused the infection. The main problem with the virus is that it is constantly changing; the virus may develop into a form that transmits from human to human with ease. This is when the real danger of a pandemic will eventuate. When a population of domestic poultry is infected, the risk of bird-to-human transmission is increased dramatically. Good hygiene practices, such as frequently washing hand when handling poultry, can help prevent transmission. Unfortunately, it appears that the Australian Government has been stockpiling the wrong flu-fighting drug. Scientists have discovered that a strain of the Avian Flu Virus - isolated from a Vietnamese girl - is resistant to the drug Tamiflu. Now, the best thing any responsible individual can do is not panic. If the Avian Flu Virus does manage to reach Australia, there are several things you can do to reduce its possible spread. Keep domestic stock isolated from wild birds. If you have pet birds, or keep poultry, maintain a strict hygiene regime. If any of your birds appear to have flu-like symptoms, isolate the ill animals from your other birds and your family, and contact your vet. As well, please take it under consideration that the media may be unintentionally sensationalising the spread of the bird flu. The fear of a pandemic is liable to make the news’ headlines.
Biography Professor Ian Frazer I nominate Professor Ian Frazer as the next recipient of a Nobel Prize for Medicine. His work, developing a vaccine for Cervical Cancer, will have an enormous impact on the medical community, and on all women. Sadly, Dr Jian Zhou, who was Professor Frazer’s research partner, passed away before the work was publicly recognised The vaccine is in the final stages of its clinical trials, and appears to be 100% effective, with no side effects. Professor Frazer was originally of Edinburgh, Scotland. He immigrated to Australia in 1981, and worked in immunology at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne. He moved to Queensland in 1985, to take up a teaching post at the University of Queensland. It was here that he did his research into the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer.
Concept of the Month Human Papilloma Virus The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a very common virus that causes abnormal cells or growth of tissue on the skin of the body, such as genital warts. It is transmitted to the female genitalia by sexual contact with another infected individual. In gynaecology, the concern is about the types of HPV that infect the female organs. Both men and women can be infected with the virus and not know it. At the moment, for women, the best form of recognising a HPV infection is via a Pap Smear Test.
Lynne’s Literary Comment Ageism in writing is not a new fashion. However, our society does seem to think “Youth is Better”. (Think of all the excitement over the age of the author of Eragon, Christopher Paolini.) So, all that life experience and training and practise counts for nothing?
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| *The Voyager Science Queen is also known as Lynne Green So, who is this woman who attempts to entertain us with Science? Well, I really am a scientist. I have a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Queensland, in Zoology. And, at the moment, I am working in a Pathology laboratory. I have always been intensely curious about every aspect of our universe, from the teeny tiny workings of the gene right up to the mind-bending forces that are twisting and knotting inside a blackhole. So, now I am sharing a brain stuffed full of trivia...and hopefully entertaining people at the same time. As well, I write Fantasy stories and novels. One day, I hope to have a book published, but don't hold your breath. Reading is my other major love, and my favourite authors are Terry Pratchett and Isaac Asimov, though I could list hundreds of others. If I had one wish, I ask for more time to write! Read previous Sci-Facts: Zombie Insects and other oddities Looking for more scientific oddities? Have you checked out Dr Steven Juan's website? He is, quite literally, the wizard of odds! |
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