Drusas

Imperial College project could lead to less invasive testing and combat increase in antibiotic resistance

Jodie is a canine with special ­powers, scientists have discovered. The golden labrador can smell and ­identify ­particular bacteria and could soon play a key role in helping researchers develop a programme in which dogs could sniff out individuals infected with dangerous microbes.

The project, recently launched by scientists at Imperial College London, could be vital in the battle against antibiotic resistance as well as the treatment of patients with lung ­disease and other conditions, they say.

“We believe Jodie and her fellow medical detective dogs point to a new way to spot infected individuals, just by having a sniff of their socks or shirts,” said Professor Jane Davies at Imperial College.

“They could become a major help in tackling antimicrobial resistance and conditions like cystic fibrosis.”

Cystic fibrosis is one of the world’s most common inherited illnesses. A defective protein allows mucus to build up in lungs and other organs, triggering chronic infections that worsen through life.

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While I don't expect or hope to ever need it, as an American, I would like to be prepared to resist as much as necessary if needed. It's looking like it might be needed at some point here.

I'm looking to get a rifle or two for that specific purpose just in case. Can anyone recommend specific brands/models and/or features I should be looking for? I'm disabled in a way that limits my ability to hold anything heavy, so lighter weight is good. I have a revolver, but that's probably not the best for standing up against a repressive regime.

I plan to train with whatever I get, of course. Thanks in advance.

Edit: There way too much information here for me to reply to it all individually, but I would like to say thank you to everyone for your very helpful responses.

I spent a few years living in the international district (Chinatown, Japantown, Little Saigon) and people would set off fireworks and firecrackers in the neighborhood for days or even a couple of weeks after New Year's. And then again on Chinese New Year's. And there's also this group that likes to go and bang on drums while marching around the neighborhood at those times. It was awful and it made my dogs so stressed out.

Now that I live in a mostly Vietnamese neighborhood outside of the international district, I only hear fireworks on New Year's Eve and Chinese New Year's. It's great not having to worry about whether or not I should drug my dogs for days on end.

I personally enjoy fireworks displays, but I don't think they should be allowed by unlicensed people at their own homes.

About 4 years ago, I watched a movie which I enjoyed but can't for the life of me find. It involved a white couple getting lost in deep rural Appalachia and getting taken in by a cult-like small family in the middle of nowhere.

I don't remember the details very well since it was a few years ago and I watched it pretty late at night. I think it involved the woman being drawn in while the man wasn't, and there being murder (in a shed?), but that could be me mixing different movies up.

Does anyone know what it might have been?