Public Health & Other Relevant Topics

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital partners with commercial pharmaceutical companies to mass-produce and market its drugs. While St. Jude discovers and creates novel therapies, it is a research hospital rather than a commercial drug manufacturer.  It handles the early stages of drug development on-site but transitions to the pharmaceutical industry for large-scale production, commercial testing, and global distribution. How St. Jude’s Drug Process Works On-Site Discovery and Small-Scale Manufacturing:  St. Jude features an internal, 64,000-square-foot Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) facility. This specialized lab manufactures early-stage biological products, experimental vaccines, and gene therapies specifically for its own pediatric patients and clinical trials. Licensing to Pharmaceutical Companies: When a drug discovered at St. Jude proves successful in laboratory settings or early trials, the hospital licenses the patent rights to major pharmaceutical firms. These cor...

 

... not just from suffering a loss of a loved one from suicide:

Chris’s Broken Back Midge Flies 👏 Bravo Chris 🎣

From reddit: Why is elitism so prevalent in the cycling community? I have a lot of hobbies, and I must say that the most pretentious group of people I deal with who share my interests are cyclists. (Maybe photographers are a close second) I was 3/4 of the way through a 60 mile ride yesterday and bumped into 2 cyclists. I am on a temporary cheap bike I bought just to use on this trip I am on. Still a very decent bike specialized sirrus elite. I am loving riding it so far. The guys were on nice entry level carbon bikes. Within 30 seconds of chatting with them they took out the time to trash my bike. Saying it was heavy, and didn't know how I could have ridden it so far. I bit my tounge because my real bike is more expensive then theirs, and they were turning around after 5 miles. This has been a consistent thing that has always turned me off from associating with cyclists. My first real road bike purchase years ago was a Specialized Allez, that I saved up for all summer and was my pr...

Some POS held the door open for a patrol cop who thanked the POS. The POS said, you're very welcome. WTF?! They burn my genitals with acid, keep me up all GD night, make up lies about me .... let their retired cop beat his wife to near death & force her to move out of California... and the door is held open for them. ***** Some people respect, or at least support, officers accused of corruption due to a strong preference for "law and order," the belief that officers maintain safety in dangerous areas, and a desire to trust authority figures. This support can persist because of political messaging, a belief that corruption reports are exaggerated by media, or personal experiences where police provided necessary security.  Key factors driving this perspective include: Prioritizing Order Over Due Process: Many individuals prioritize the immediate enforcement of laws and the restoration of order, viewing strict policing as essential to safety, even if it involves miscondu...

The annual return of cliff swallows to Mission San Juan Capistrano, traditionally celebrated on St. Joseph's Day (March 19), marks the birds' return from Argentina to nest. While urban development reduced their numbers in the 1990s, the birds still return to the area annually.  Migration Pattern: Swallows arrive in mid-March and depart around October 23 (Day of San Juan) for a 6,000-mile journey south. The Mission Connection: Legend says Father St. John O'Sullivan invited them to the Mission in the early 20th century after a shopkeeper destroyed their nests. Today's Return: Efforts to encourage their return, including using bird call recordings and installing artificial nesting, have resulted in some nesting in the Mission's East Corridor. Celebration: The city celebrates with the annual Swallows Day Parade and mercado.  The birds are known for building gourd-shaped mud nests under the eaves of the old stone church.  I saw them flying low along the ocean in San Juan...

Quality of life (QOL) is subjective and defined differently by everyone, but generally, "no quality of life" refers to a state where an individual's suffering or limitations outweigh their ability to experience joy, meaning, or basic comfort.  Physical and Functional Limitations Loss of Independence: The inability to perform basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), such as dressing, showering, or eating without assistance. Chronic, Unmanageable Pain: Persistent physical suffering that cannot be adequately controlled by medication or treatment, often interfering with sleep and mobility. Severe Symptom Burden: Dealing with constant, distressing symptoms like frequent nosebleeds, coughing up blood, or severe nausea that dominate daily existence. *** No quality of life" is a subjective, often terminal, state characterized by an inability to experience pleasure, profound loss of autonomy, or overwhelming pain. It is generally marked by the absence of joy, independence, an...

What you are describing—physical pain from a common sound combined with an intense emotional reaction—is a recognized phenomenon often linked to specific sound-sensitivity conditions. It’s not just "being sensitive"; there are biological and psychological reasons why a whistle in your ear can feel like a physical and personal violation.  What you are describing—physical pain from a common sound combined with an intense emotional reaction—is a recognized phenomenon often linked to specific sound-sensitivity conditions. It’s not just "being sensitive"; there are biological and psychological reasons why a whistle in your ear can feel like a physical and personal violation.  Possible Medical Explanations Hyperacusis: This is a hearing disorder where everyday sounds seem uncomfortably loud or even physically painful. High-pitched sounds like whistling are common triggers Pain Hyperacusis (Noxacusis): A specific type where sounds actually trigger sharp, burning, or stabbi...

Here's what it means, because never have so many people called me sweetheart like this year. Sweetheart aka  Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a chronic, often asymptomatic disorder of the heart muscle in diabetics (type 1 or 2) that causes structural damage and functional impairment, leading to heart failure independently of coronary disease or hypertension. It presents as early diastolic dysfunction (stiffness) progressing to systolic failure. Systolic failure: Systolic heart failure, or  heart failure with reduced ejection fraction  (HFrEF),  occurs when the left ventricle becomes weak or enlarged and cannot contract properly to pump sufficient blood to the body This condition leads to fluid buildup in the lungs and body, causing fatigue, swelling, and breathing difficulties.

 

Yes, warm temperatures and specific seasonal changes are associated with higher rates of overall suicides, including violent methods like train suicides. While some studies show peak occurrences in warmer, early summer months, research also suggests that railway suicide attempts can be linked to preceding periods of bad weather or lack of sunlight.  Stanford University Stanford University  +6 Warm Weather Association: Increased temperatures, particularly heatwaves, are correlated with increased suicide rates, with some studies suggesting a 1% rise in suicides for every   increase in average monthly temperature. Seasonal Patterns: Research has shown that suicides tend to peak during warmer months (spring/summer). However, some studies specifically on railway suicides found peaks in early summer, often linked to the timing of daylight and increased activity. Opposing Findings (Recent Weather): In contrast to the heat hypothesis, a study on Japanese railways found that ...

  Waking up every hour causes severe sleep fragmentation, preventing the brain from entering deep, restorative sleep stages. This leads to extreme fatigue, impaired cognitive function (memory, focus), increased stress, and irritability. Long-term effects include weakened immunity and heightened risks of chronic illnesses like dementia or depression.  Reddit Reddit  +4 Immediate and Short-Term Effects Intense Sleep Inertia: You will likely feel severe grogginess, disorientation, and a strong desire to return to sleep upon waking, a state sometimes called "sleep drunkenness". Cognitive Impairment: Reduced vigilance, slower reaction times, and difficulty focusing throughout the day. Mood Changes: Irritability, stress, and anxiety. Physical Fatigue: Persistent exhaustion due to lack of REM and deep sleep cycles

What Makes an Avocado Delicious? Scientists Seek Clues to Fruit's Flavor As anyone who loves avocados will tell you, the perfect fresh avocado has a smooth, buttery texture and a rich, often nutty flavor. Aroma is, of course, part of what we perceive as flavor. Scientists already know that Hass avocados, the kind that’s most widely sold in the United States, have at least 25 aroma compounds or, technically speaking, aroma volatiles. Though the word “aroma” might imply that they have a role in avocado flavor, the precise contribution of each of these aroma volatiles has, for the most part, not been well studied, according to Agricultural Research Service plant physiologist David Obenland at Parlier, California. The aroma compound pentanal is a good example. It may be responsible for the nutty flavor of a ripe Hass avocado. Right now, however, there’s not enough scientific data to confirm that role, nor to indicate the amount of pentanal needed to impart the nutlike flavor, Obenland ...

A toddler excelling at jigsaw puzzles indicates advanced cognitive development, specifically strong visual-spatial skills, high pattern recognition, and excellent hand-eye coordination. It suggests a capability to mentally rotate shapes, understand part-to-whole relationships, and likely demonstrates patience, concentration, and problem-solving abilities above average for their age. What Excelling at Puzzles Indicates: Visual-Spatial Intelligence: They can visualize how pieces fit together and recognize patterns in colors, shapes, and orientations. Advanced Problem-Solving: The child is likely using logical strategies (like finding edge pieces first) rather than just trial-and-error. Fine Motor Control: Developing precision in hand and finger movements (grasping, rotating, fitting). High Focus and Patience: Ability to stay engaged in a task, promoting longer attention spans and emotional regulation (perseverance). Cognitive Maturity: This often reflects strong memory and an ability to ...

Homeless people hoard for a combination of reasons, including the practical need to salvage useful or sellable items like cans or food, and for psychological reasons like coping with trauma, a sense of security, and a fear of future scarcity. Hoarding can stem from experiences of instability, loss, or hardship, where items represent a coping mechanism or a perceived safety net.  Practical reasons Salvaging for use: Items that may seem like trash to others can be useful for survival, such as food, clothing, or materials for shelter. Earning money: Collecting items like bottles, cans, and scrap metal for recycling is a common way to earn money. Food scarcity: A continuous search for food is necessary, leading to the collection of any edible food found.  Psychological reasons Coping with trauma and instability: Hoarding can be a way to cope with a history of hardship, trauma, or loss. The items can provide a sense of security, control, and stability in an otherwise uncertain life...

President Johnson signing the Food Stamp Act of 1964. 1939 – The First Food Stamp Program 1961 through 1964 – Pilot Food Stamp Program 1964 – Food Stamp Act 1960s through the early 1970s – Program Expansion 1971 through 1974 – Major Legislative Changes 1974 – Nationwide Program 1976 – Participation Milestone 1977 – The Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 1981 – Participation Milestone Early 1980s – Budget Cutbacks Mid-1980s through Late 1980s – Recognition of Domestic Hunger 1988 through 2004 – Development of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) 1992 – Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program State Plans Approval 1993 – Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger Relief Act 1994 – Participation Milestone 1999 through 2001 – The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act and Other Legislative Actions 2002 – The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act 2008 – Participation Milestone 2008 – The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act 2009 – American Recovery & Reinvestment Act 2010 – Healthy...