The health and fitness thread about random things

[Cudzoziemiec]

I read somewhere (can't remember where, can't find it now, but it was in English) that the antivaccine scare is being spread by, amongst others, Russian troll bots. The point is not that Putin wants Western kids to die of measles, of course, it's that it stirs up controversy and spreads disharmony and distrust (of governments and probably more generally of organised medicine on the part of the antivacciners, of antivacciners on the part of the provacciners).

[Kim]

I read an article yesterday suggesting that much of the negative Twitter noise about the last Star Wars film was from Russian trollbots and users "with a political agenda", rather than the misogynist manbaby Star Wars fans we'd all assumed.  Presumably for similar reasons.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/02/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rian-johnson-abuse-politically-motivated-russian-trolls

Starting to wonder how deep this rabbit hole goes...

[Cudzoziemiec]

Haven't seen it, therefore haven't read the reviews, but my domestic Star Wars fan says the film was meh and is dismissive about the troll review idea. However, he's trying to explain/ask about laws regarding telling lies in parliament!

[T42]

This is worrying:

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/environnement/pesticides/enquete-franceinfo-un-plausible-scandale-sanitaire-des-cas-de-malformations-inexpliquees-a-la-naissance-dans-trois-communes-de-france_2968713.html

In essence, clusters of children with missing hands or forearms & hands have been born in three widely-separated communities in France. The health authorities are saying "chance" while epidemiologists are saying otherwise. Suspicion is falling on pesticides.

[mrcharly-YHT]

Are they sheep-farming regions?

[hellymedic]

I had a reminder text message this morning, about an appointment at Central Middlesex next Friday stating only date, time and that missed appointments cost the NHS around £160.
I now have the letter, which informs me this is a pre-assessment clinic, prior to my operation...
... which is sebaceous cyst removal under local anaesthetic.

I have no indication when this will occur.

I don't really think I need pre-assessment for cyst removal under local.

This jaunt will need at least one taxi to take me there.

We might get buses back.

[T42]

Are they sheep-farming regions?

No idea, but they're all small communities so there's a fair chance that at least someone in the area has sheep.

[simonp]

Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

[Chris S]

Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

You'll need a bible for that. So I've heard.

[simonp]

Follow-up booked for Wednesday for my wrist. Though it was good enough to get through regatta season intact, it's been uncomfortable recently. It might just be the ganglion cyst needs another bash.

You'll need a bible for that. So I've heard.

Or having it stabbed repeatedly with a hypodermic syringe full of steroids.

[ElyDave]

anyone have acess to this paper?  I'd like to get a copy if possible.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00394-017-1406-2

[barakta]

You have PM

[ElyDave]

Cheers 

[chrisbainbridge]

First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

[Cudzoziemiec]

I read somewhere (can't remember where, can't find it now, but it was in English) that the antivaccine scare is being spread by, amongst others, Russian troll bots. The point is not that Putin wants Western kids to die of measles, of course, it's that it stirs up controversy and spreads disharmony and distrust (of governments and probably more generally of organised medicine on the part of the antivacciners, of antivacciners on the part of the provacciners).

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304567

"American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) October 2018
Weaponized Health Communication: Twitter Bots and Russian Trolls Amplify the Vaccine Debate"

[T42]

Meanwhile, the WHO is preparing to recognize traditional Chinese medicine. Pass the rhino horn.

[ElyDave]

The insulin pump is generally much easier than 5 daily injections, but every now and then, removing a cannula can be interesting.

Seems the last one had nicked a vein close to the surface, which spurted like mad when I took it out.  Took a bit of stopping this time and ended up with blood all over my left hand.

[tiermat]

I went to see the specialist, yesterday.

First thing they normally do is weigh me.  the usual output of this is that I weigh 95Kg.

Not this time.

I have gone up to 101Kg...

UgBer.

[ian]

First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.

[chrisbainbridge]

First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.

I did not realise this was an organised crime website?  I understood it to be a single person who set it up and certainly free to use.

[Si S]

Ruddy hell, digging thorns out of your nipple hurts 

[Mrs Pingu]

How did it get in there?

[ian]

First choice for finding papers is sci-hub.tw
Superb resource used by all PhD candidates (who introduced me to it)

Plus you're giving a bung to your favourite Slavic organized criminals in the process, and they're everyone's favourite villain.

I did not realise this was an organised crime website?  I understood it to be a single person who set it up and certainly free to use.

Nah, it's our merry friends in Russia. They hack university networks and steal passwords and user information (by the by, using them to download all material, which is mostly the usual sundry mayhem). The person behind it either knows this or is a happy idiot, I think the jury is out on that one. Anyway, if you think that's all they use your credentials and information for, well. Anyway, regardless of the origins, it's still stolen content.

[Si S]

How did it get in there?

Optimistic idiot in charge of stepladder and hedgetrimmer, so all in all could have been so much worse.

[hellymedic]

I received a letter from (a third party mailer) from my general practice instructing me to make an appointment for a blood test.
I phoned the surgery and questioned the need as I have regular monitoring for my medication.
Receptionist checked with someone who said I must come as I MUST have this blood test.

I don't know what they are testing. (I can guess it's sugar and cholesterol; I've not been told to fast but will, anyway.)

I think it's RUDE to do a blood test without explaining what and why.

I suspect this is part of an incentivised box-ticking 'screening' program.

As a sixty-year old, of normal weight and blood pressure, with two fit parents, it is probably a waste of time and trouble...