The Great Influenza

The other day I finished re-reading The Great Influenza, which I originally read early in the century when I was still teaching. I had used influenza, the virus as a critical part of explaining the relationship between evolution, genetics and disease. This book addresses all of those issues. Influenza is an RNA virus, as isContinue reading “The Great Influenza”

Thinking about diseases as I get ready to travel

In another week I will be heading to the Pantanal, Brazil. I have all the vaccinations that I will need. Actually I’ve had them for years since I traveled to Panama. The main ones for that trip were Hepatitis-A & B, as well as Yellow Fever. So I am not worried about those. What doesContinue reading “Thinking about diseases as I get ready to travel”

Summer viruses – 2024

With The Ann Arbor Art Fairs happening this week I am somewhat concerned about the spread of COVID in southern Michigan. Artists from all over the world, not just North America will be in town as will visitors from all over. This, as always is the perfect vector for spreading viruses. The current situation isContinue reading “Summer viruses – 2024”

Deadly animals

This story appeared in my news feed this morning. Some people find in hard to believe that there are tigers in Siberia, but there are. There is a thought that the Russians built prisons in Siberia not only to keep prisoners as far away from European Russia as possible, but to discourage prisoners from escapingContinue reading “Deadly animals”