Blurs

From ancient remedies to modern antiparasitic drugs, some of medicine's most effective compounds are designed to exploit the differences between a parasite and its human host. Parasites have evolved extraordinary ways of living inside the human body. Some live in the intestine, feeding on food passing through the digestive system. Others burrow into tissues, invade red blood cells, migrate through the liver or lungs, or live inside the lymphatic system. Some can remain in the body for years. Yet despite their complexity, many parasites have vulnerabilities that scientists can exploit. Modern antiparasitic medicines work by attacking those vulnerabilities. Some paralyse worms. Others disrupt their energy production, damage their protective surfaces, interfere with DNA or prevent parasites from reproducing. The result is a remarkable collection of chemical weapons that can kill organisms living inside us while, when properly used, causing considerably less damage to the human host. F...

Few psychoactive substances have been surrounded by such a mixture of science, medicine, politics and mythology as THC. For some people, THC is simply the compound that produces the familiar cannabis "high". For others, it is part of a plant that has been used medicinally for centuries. It can make people relaxed, alter perception, increase appetite and change the way pain is experienced. It can also impair memory and coordination, and some people experience anxiety or paranoia. Both sides of that picture are real. The interesting question isn't whether THC is "good" or "bad". It is why the same chemical can produce such different effects in different people — and what the evidence actually tells us about its benefits and risks. What exactly is THC? THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, with delta-9-THC being the principal intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis. Cannabis contains many cannabinoids, including CBD, but THC is primarily responsible for the p...

Tinnitus is usually described as hearing a sound that doesn't come from an external source. It might be a high-pitched tone, buzzing, humming, ringing, clicking or even something resembling music. For some people it is barely noticeable. For others, it can become intrusive and profoundly affect sleep, concentration and quality of life. As wireless technology has become almost unavoidable, another question has emerged: Could the electromagnetic fields produced by mobile phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other wireless devices affect tinnitus? It is a question worth investigating. But it is also an area where personal experiences, scientific evidence and speculation can easily become mixed together. The current evidence does not establish that everyday wireless exposure causes tinnitus. At the same time, researchers have investigated the possibility, and there are still questions about exactly how radiofrequency exposure interacts with biological systems. So what do we actually know? What...

A search for information about Palantir and NHS data quickly produces a series of questions:  Does Palantir have access to your records?  Can you opt out?  Why is the NHS using Palantir?  And who actually controls the information? Let's cover some of the biggest concerns surrounding the NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP). 1. Does Palantir have access to my NHS data? Yes. Palantir Technologies UK is the technology supplier for the NHS Federated Data Platform. Under NHS arrangements, Palantir acts as a data processor, rather than the organisation deciding why NHS data is collected or how it is used. NHS England says the NHS — rather than Palantir — remains in control of the data. Palantir can process personal data when necessary to operate and maintain the platform and must follow the instructions of the NHS organisation responsible for the particular data. 2. Why is the NHS using Palantir? The Federated Data Platform is intended to connect information that is currently...