7 posts tagged “winter”
So this is why I'm sick again...
U.S. study shows why winter is "flu season"
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Influenza viruses coat themselves in fatty material that hardens and protects them in colder temperatures -- a finding that could explain why winter is the flu season, U.S. researchers reported on Sunday.
This butter-like coating melts in the respiratory tract, allowing the virus to infect cells, the team at the National Institutes of Health found.
"Like an M&M in your mouth, the protective covering melts when it enters the respiratory tract," said Joshua Zimmerberg of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), who led the study.
Experts have long pondered why flu and other respiratory viruses spread more in winter. No one explanation, such as people staying indoors more, or the destructive effect of the sun's radiation in summer, has fully explained it.
The new report, published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, could lead to new ways to prevent and treat flu, said NICHD Director Duane Alexander.
"The study results open new avenues of research for thwarting winter flu outbreaks," Alexander said in a statement.
"Now that we understand how the flu virus protects itself so that it can spread from person to person, we can work on ways to interfere with that protective mechanism."
by Alfred Domett (1811–87)
Hence, rude Winter! crabbed old fellow,
Never merry, never mellow!
Well-a-day! in rain and snow
What will keep one’s heart aglow?
Groups of kinsmen, old and young,
Oldest they old friends among;
Groups of friends, so old and true
That they seem our kinsmen too;
These all merry all together
Charm away chill Winter weather.
What will kill this dull old fellow?
Ale that ’s bright, and wine that ’s mellow!
Dear old songs for ever new;
Some true love, and laughter too;
Pleasant wit, and harmless fun,
And a dance when day is done.
Music, friends so true and tried,
Whisper’d love by warm fireside,
Mirth at all times all together,
Make sweet May of Winter weather.
It's true. Project 365 has fallen by the wayside. I just FORGET. And after 3-4 days of forgetting or taking pictures at the last moment in the day just to say I took something, well, I'll just stick to taking pictures as I think about it. But I have scored some interesting shots over the last couple of weeks, so here is my last almost-365 post.
Chihuly glass sculpture at Mohegan Sun. They finally cleaned it. When I saw it last it was covered in the most disgusting layer of yellow gray smoke crud. I used to work at a bottle supply company that Chihuly used to buy containers to mix his paints. He would always send a cab driver over to get the delivery which I thought was so strange.
Put the two together and you have the latest Project 365 photos from me.
The first photo is the reflection in my wine glass. My computer and the wall behind it which is covered with postcards.
Here are this week's 365 photos....
Day 006: Joe cooked up some lamb with garlic and some other spices...
Day 008: This restored house from the Revolutionary era looked really beautiful in the brief bit of snow we had last Friday. I drive by this house every day on my way to work. It's on the Minuteman trail out in Concord...no, it's not inhabited.
Joe and I opened presents last night so we don't have to lug them to his parents when we go for Christmas. He got me
He also snagged me a wonderful handmade felt hat that I've been eyeing for awhile. It's a pretty red with really cute flowers along the side. Funky and cute and now I REALLY need some snow.
I got him all 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which he has been wanting for a couple years now. OMG there is so much TV in our future!
Romeo got a catnip mouse. He's very happy about that.
More gifts awaiting us when we get to Joe's parents. They already got us a really nice wine fridge that we promptly filled. I know that Rosie also picked up the terrine dish that we really wanted too. Lots of great terrines and pates in our future. You'll be dying to come over for dinner. :)
Best of all though is that the next few days will be filled with family. The older I get the more that means to me. I really look forward to Christmas Eve when Joe's parents open up their home all evening and friends and family just pop in for lasagna, calamari, tripe (they're Italian...I can't eat the stuff but that's ok), cheeses, sweets and lots of free flowing wine.
I hope that all of you have a very happy holiday season! I'll catch up with everyone next week!
Show us a happy memory.
Submitted by Liz.
For today's wintry song, I give you Sarah Mclachlan's "River."
