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Saturday 4 October 2014

Aids: Origin of pandemic 'was 1920s Kinshasa'

Kinshasa in 1955Kinshasa in 1955 Kinshasa, pictured in 1955, was at the centre of the pandemic, scientists say Continue reading the main story Related Stories Early HIV drugs are 'not a cure' Aids can be 'under control by 2030' HIV origin 'found in wild chimps' The origin of the Aids pandemic has been traced to the 1920s in the city of Kinshasa, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, scientists say. An international team of scientists say a "perfect storm" of population growth, sex and railways allowed HIV to spread. A feat of viral archaeology was used to find the pandemic's origin, the team report in the journal Science. They used archived samples of HIV's genetic code to trace its source, with evidence pointing to 1920s Kinshasa. Their report says a roaring sex trade, rapid population growth and unsterilised needles used in health clinics probably spread the virus. Meanwhile Belgium-backed railways had one million people flowing through the city each year, taking the virus to neighbouring regions. Experts said it was a fascinating insight into the start of the pandemic. HIV came to global attention in the 1980s and has infected nearly 75 million people. It has a much longer history in Africa, but where the pandemic started has remained the source of considerable debate. Family affair A team at the University of Oxford and the University of Leuven, in Belgium, tried to reconstruct-READ MORE-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29442642

SPIDER IN THE WETROOM

Did this rat carry the PLAGUE? 'Mummified' rodent found during building renovations dates back to the Black Death

The rat (pictured) was discovered in the late 1990s in Cornwall. It was originally found covered in black hair, which has since faded. It is said to be more than 650 years old, and experts believe it may have been interred while still alive, to protect the homeowners. But, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s bodyThe rat (pictured) was discovered in the late 1990s in Cornwall. It was originally found covered in black hair, which has since faded. It is said to be more than 650 years old, and experts believe it may have been interred while still alive, to protect the homeowners. But, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body +3 The rat (pictured) was discovered in the late 1990s in Cornwall. It was originally found covered in black hair, which has since faded. It is said to be more than 650 years old, and experts believe it may have been interred while still alive, to protect the homeowners. But, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body However, no evidence of the disease was found on the rat’s body. The mummified remains were found during renovations to the staircase at 107 The Terrace, Penryn. It was originally covered in black hair, but this has faded since the rat was removed. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2774983/Mummified-rodent-building-renovations-dates-Black-Death.html#ixzz3FBUOvBs3 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

I AWAIT A BLOOD TEST

I await upstairs to get my blood test,surrounded by beige walls,green carpets such the norm for a doctors,people sitting by you in a  monk like silence  ,staring into space with frowns on their heads,the door opens the nurse pops out in a cuckoo clock way,so be my turn hurrah.To take the blood a band goes around the arm beware sharp scratch ,blood flows into vessels looking similar to ketchup in horror movies,ready to go to the lab,its over again to next time i hope not soon.

INSECTS FOR TEA

The new food to feed the world  as mentioned by many an expert-insects like- meal worms,thai green curry crickets,barbeque - flavored worms,choc-covered scorpion,buffalo worms.Can,t wait to try  but if the current human population keeps expanding may be in a supermarket soon in future.

TRUE OR FALSE-DORLING KINDERSLEY-£12.99

HEAD LICE LIKE DIRTY HAIR-False-clean or dirty  lice will  jump in and make themselves at home.WE SHARE 96% OF DNA WITH CHIMPS-True-chimpanzees are closest to man with almost identical genes .But as we now all know  every living known organism come from the same family tree.YOU CATCH A COLD FROM BEING CHILLY-False-the only way to catch a cold is from a cold virus.CROCODILES CRY WHEN  EAT PREY-True this happens due to the crocs tear glands  keep moist  and located in their throats,so when the croc feeds by ripping and swallow whole it puts pressure on the glands and hence tears.THE PYRAMIDS WERE BUILT BY SLAVES-False-example -THE GREAT TEMPLE  OF GIZA -was built by a willing workforce from all works of life ,all these facts are part of this book ,worth a read my dear reader.

EARTH WILDLIFE FALLING

A study by WWF has found that earths  wildlife population has dropped by half in past 40 years.The  poorer countries are the biggest fall -58% due to hunting and deforestation.