Paul Stamets @ TED on fungi; also re how they can help clean up Gulf oil spill

Introduction

I first discovered Paul Stamets when reading this article on my Palm III via AvantGo (a forerunner of RSS) – waaay back in 2002.

I was particularly struck by the effect of fungi in cleaning up soil contaminated with diesel – as told in this Wikipedia article about Mycoremediation.

Eventually, as per this previous post – I bought some wooden dowels, innoculated by fungi from Paul’s company, and set up a large log with them in. Rather embarrassingly, I never moved the stump from one house when Caroline and I moved – it got left my the wayside as it was too heavy / I was too embarrassed to ask the movers… :$

I also bought a copy of Paul’s book Mycelium Running: A Guide to Healing the Planet through Gardening with Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms but that’s also still on the to-do pile. Ho hum!

Rediscovering Mr Stamets

*Anyway*, I was reading The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business by Tara Hunt last week, and she mentioned being introduced to Paul when she was at TED. So I googled Paul’s talk and found it – see below (I think he really nailed it, although there was a cheesy joke at the beginning lol).

The citation from the TED website reads:

Entrepreneurial mycologist Paul Stamets seeks to rescue the study of mushrooms from forest gourmets and psychedelic warlords. The focus of Stamets' research is the Northwest's native fungal genome, mycelium, but along the way he has filed 22 patents for mushroom-related technologies, including pesticidal fungi that trick insects into eating them, and mushrooms that can break down the neurotoxins used in nerve gas.

 

Video

He’s obviously a rocket scientist, but what he says is compelling!

Paul Stamets’ statement on Mycoremediation and its applications to oil spills

So, having found Paul’s talk, it got me thinking that his expertise might be helpful in mitigating the effects of the Gulf oil spill. I then got in touch with his company, and they forwarded the statement below:

Paul Stamets statement on Gulf oil spill

What Paul is saying is that fungi could provide a natural remedy to break down the oil and mitigate its long-term effects, but there would need to be an army of people on the ground to make it work in practice…

I think most people would put this in the “it’s so crazy, it just might work” category – but I’m putting this out there in the hope that it might get some legs. In fact, I might well send the link to the Deepwater Horizon team…

Thoughts?

Cheaper than a 4x4

This is a fairly unvarnished paean of praise for the winter tyres I have for my VW MkIV Golf.

Introduction

I bought a set of Michelin Alpins from CostCo in November 2006: Caroline and I had just moved out into the country from coastal North Shields, and I figured that if the weather turned nasty, winter tyres would be just the job to get around.

As it happened, the winter of 2006-07 turned out to be one of the warmest in recent times, which made the £220 I had shelled out for the four (including fitting) seem slightly vain. I had bought them from the local CostCo in Gateshead, who swapped them on to my existing rims, and I thought the deal was a pretty good one.

Bog-standard

I should say that my Golf has very bog-standard steel wheels, hidden by plastic wheel trims - see photos below. The car had come from new with a set of Dunlops, and the one immediate thing I noticed was the the car became a better one when it had the Michelins on, so I decided to buy a set of 'normal' Michelins for the summer months as the front two Dunlops had worn out.

The winter tyres had been re-assuring in heavy rain, and in the light snow we’d had, they seemed pretty adept.

Coming into their own

However, snow and bad weather in early 2009, and the wintry conditions we've just been through have shown just what a massive difference winter tyres make to even a front-wheeled car like mine, let alone a rear-wheeled Beemer or Merc.

In fresh snow, settled snow and melting snow they have found grip and further re-assurance. In ice, they've been grippy and effective. The only thing I've had to do is learn a new driving style - rather in the mould of rally drivers, where you have to over-steer and wait for the back end to slide round corners...!

They've definitely saved me from sliding off the road, and allowed me to drive around Northumberland in the period where I was moving house - a priceless benefit.

Winter tyres for everyone!

I realise that, even if we we're in a recession, finding spare cash to shell out for a set of 4 winter tyres would definitely not be at the top of most people's priority list.

However, IMHO serious consideration of such a move might help free the British populace from (what seems to be) a rather passive attitude towards road conditions and the consequent blaming of the 'Authorities' for not doing more to make roads passable. More background information here about Holland and Germany deal with adverse conditions.

One thing that has been great has been the service of the local farmers contracted by the Council to keep our country lanes clear - excellent work!

I can still recalled being flashed by a motorist when I was driving down the outside lane of a local dual carriageway – which, granted, was not in a particularly good shape. I got the distinct impression they thought I was a nutter [not difficult!], but the possibility I was shod with winter tyres probably never crossed that driver’s mind. <sigh>

Wash up

Ok, so what I’m advocating is that during the summer months, many of you might want to consider ordering some winter tyres, so that you’re ready for the inclement weather.

In terms of cost, instead of putting them on your low profile alloy rims, mebbes you can get a set of cheapo steel wheels, and thereby save mega bucks versus the low profile versions. Especially recommended for rear-wheel drive cars IMO.

I pop into CostCo in early November to prep for the winter, and get the ‘normals’ put back on in late March, early April. I respectfully propose you do the same! Feedback gratefully received below. ;-D

Kielder bike demo day

Post about recent day up at Kielder Forest – more details of this series in general is here. Drafted 07 March 2010.

Intro

It is with achy limbs and a weary body that I put together this post, to record my satisfying day up at Kielder Forest testing mountain bikes.

We are extremely lucky in the North East of England, and also the South of Scotland, in that mountain bikers are catered for in Forestry Commission woodland that covers swathes of our part of the UK.

In a series of forests from Dumfrieshire to East Lothian, the Seven Stanes MTB centres provide what's effectively a rollercoaster for pedallers - you hop on your steed, twiddle in the lower gears to the top of a hill through fir trees galore, and then launch yourself back down the hill to generate as much adrenaline as possible, and thereby a grin The Joker himself would be proud of.

Kielder Forest

I dare say Kielder is best known for its reservoir, built near the head of the River North Tyne to provide for Tees-, Tyne-, and Wear-side, and the now defunct steelworks at Consett I believe.

The natural splendour is complemented by the beauty of having a focus for outdoor activities, and a (mostly) decent road to get there.

Our local business development and tourist authorities have seen fit to provide for a developing centre for mountain biking in the North East, to complement venues such as Hamsterley Forest and Chopwell Woods [I'm sure there are others].

You may recall other posts I have written about being up in this remote but striking part of the County, and so it was with glee that I discovered mountain biking's roadshow was going to hit Town Kielder village. ;-)

Bike Demo Day Series 2010

I am lucky enough to have been given a subscription to What Mountain Bike? for the last 4 or 5 years.

I therefore knew about this event as What MTB? were the organisers. The bikes I booked myself to ride today:

• Giant Genius 50
• Lynskey LT
• Norco Shore

I was also hoping to have a ride of a Lapierre Zesty 314 or similar, but they were all booked out all day – Hotlines being a happy distributor!

So what actually happened was:

• I rode a Scott Spark 20, and managed to put myself on the deck after getting over-excited on a downhill stretch (happily my body armour came in handy)
• Rode the Lynskey - which was great, but I've already got a hardtail. It had really wide handlebars, which I ended up quite liking :-)
• The Shore turned out to be a bike for going downhill very fast indeed, but it was not designed for the riding I do, so I quickly took it back and rode a Norco 6.1 instead – much better!
• Went back to the nice people at Scott (aka Arnie) and rode a Genius 20 – tremendous! Genius has
• A carbon frame – great for chucking around the singletrack
• It was an extra large though (food for thought)
• Arnie reckoned the reason the back-end kicked out a few times was probably down to tyre selection
• I loved the 6” travel, but there’s a great gizmo on the handlebars to selectively lock out fork / shock / both
• I liked being able to dial down the front fork for going uphill
• A bar-controlled adjustable seatpost would complete the picture, but it’d be a pretty expensive one! :’(

I managed to leave my driver’s licence with the registration desk so big shout to Future Publications for sending it back, and am thrilled that a) someone turned my digi camera into Purple Mountain, and b) they’ve sent it back – tremendous effort & much kudos to them.

Photos

Feedback

Quick thoughts:

• Tremendous to have the mountain bike brands come to Northumberland – real feather in the cap of folks like Kielder Train Reavers
• Folk had come from round about and also from afar – i.e. 2 hours away.
• The weather was very kind, although still a bit chilly the Sun came out later in the day (and just as well).
• Great learning experience for me – my best ride was on the (rather expensive) Scott Genius.
• Helped to work out what sort of bike I might like to buy as a full suspension bike option for the future.

That’s probably about it for now :-)

UPDATED to sort out the link to Purple Mountain... :$

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Gastroscopy

I’m posting this bunch of bullet points as is, otherwise this ain’t going to get posted at all… :-s

I’ve got a photo of my duodenum, but need to find it and scan it…

Cast

• Pam, the super efficient ward sister with the excellent bedside manner
• Lesley, the lady with the scanner (radiographer??)
• The good Doctor
• Caroline – who took me
• My Mum, who picked me up

Chronology

1. Admittance into Gastro-enterology
2. Own cubicle, cubicle’s own hand wash
3. Explanation of choice between
   1. Throat spray
   2. Sedation
4. Explanation of procedure
5. Chose throat spray
6. Doctor arrives, I sign disclaimer
7. Go into ‘operating room’
8. I marvel at the gastroscopy equipment
   1. Looks like something out The Matrix 
9. Doctor gives me throat spray
10. Bed, turn on my left hand side
11. ‘Bit’ to go between my teeth – aargh!
1. It’s a plastic thing with a hole big enough to have the ‘camera’ put through it, and so you don’t damage the equipment by biting on it - yeeuch
12. Gizmo fed into my mouth
13. Deep breathing, steady breathing
14. Suction thing like dentists
15. Swallow
16. Swallow again
17. Gizmo into my stomach
18. Further down, into duodenum for a look around
    1. Makes me feel a bit sick
19. Air being pumped in makes me burp a lot
20. Gizmo used to take samples – duodenum
21. Back into stomach for a look see
22. Concern because of saliva & breathing
23. Back out again
24. Thanks heavens!
25. Lesley gives me photo
26. Recuperation
27. 45 minutes after spray
28. Mum comes to collect
29. Rather tired last night
30. Have a sore throat today – unsurprisingly. Rather like a ‘sore throat’ caused by illness.

Initial test results

The biopsy taken from my duodenum was put into some ‘agar jelly’ containing lactose, along with a colour indicator. Apparently those with lactose intolerances normally turn the indicator a sky blue colour. I managed to turn it navy blue, which means a severe lactose intolerance.

The good Doctor also mentioned I have mild gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (apparently). Although looking at the symptoms, I don’t seem to suffer from this…

Results of blood test? Need to recall / check documentation

Reflections

• Would have been good to have some kind of hand signals to communicate
• Lack of control
• Anxiety over pipe in mouth, & breathing
• Throat spray vs. sedation

Deep joy – not.

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The [un]funny tummy saga continues

Introduction

Last week I went along to our local Hospital to speak with the Consultant Gastroenterologist. I took Caroline along to give her perspective (it was she who suggested I might be have an intolerance to lactose as couple of years ago).

This is a part of the continuing saga of my digestive system. So, look away now if you’re of a sensitive disposition.

We both felt that the good Doctor (name on application) was pretty impressive:

• He has a good bedside manner / interpersonal skills
• He seems open, knowledgeable, approachable

My Backstory

Not sure if he expects to be quoted (hence anonymity), but I recounted my story

History

• 2 Years ago - Caroline suggested I might have a dairy intolerance
  
  • Not sure, take a bit of convincing!
• Went to the local GP, pretty useless really
• Went to see the Practice Nutrionalist, pretty useless
  
  • But did give me a link to www. Lactose.co.uk
  • I bought some lactase pills - helps, buy some more on eBay
• Aunt had been treated by Nutrionalist, Angela Beecroft
  
  • I (eventually) go to see her
• She gets me to do a stool test – result points to Dientamoeba fragilis
• She recommends complementary therapies
  
  • These help, but after treatment has finished, symptoms return
• After taking these she suggests I have a course of anti-biotics
  
  • I go to the local Doctors (different from first ones, as we’ve moved since then)
  • I've had two courses of Metronidizole - which is why I went to see the Consultant

Thoughts

• I think I've had this condition for ages
• When I was on the anti-biotics
  
  • I felt more clear-headed
  • I felt rested, I slept better
  • My tummy was quiescent
  • I was less snappy & more pleasant

Symptoms

• Diarrhoea
• Gas / wind
• Tummy rumbling
• Need to open my bowels soon after meals [I did say…!]
• Better - taking lactase tablets
• Worse - having dairy, but this is not the only story

The Opinion

• The Good Doctor reckons it is IBS probably – he thought they were classical symptoms
• Doesn’t have a very high opinion of most complementary therapists
  
  • Has been involved in IBS study for 15 years
  • No candida or parasites found in his experience
  • Parasite (from previous test) is probably a red herring
• We discussed link between stress & stomach – certainly I used to have pretty serious ‘butterflies’ in my stomach when I was a child

Next Steps

• I go back in a couple of weeks
• Tests for
  
  • Parasite – blood & stools
  • Endoscopy (argh – literally & metaphorically…)
    
    • Coeliac
    • Um something else
• Treatments to be determined, depending on test results

Wash up

Caroline has also felt that the complementary stuff is bunkum, and (quite possibly) has probably been right all along ;-) :$

It's fair to say that I'm rather taken with the complementary stuff, but in the hospital, I managed to conjure up the following John Maynard Keynes quote:

“When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?”

It’s been an ongoing saga, so I don’t want to get my hopes up. However, if anything like the positive effects of taking that anti-biotics is a guide, this could be promising…

This is a shortened set of notes as I want to get this post up & not spend ages deliberating…

And finally:

Tummy-related Tweets

• Due to dodgy tummy, couldn't make the second half of journey home. Being looked after by my Sister and her Family :-D Need to sort logistics 11:34 AM Aug 26th, 2008 from twhirl
• fyi, I used Imodium to stop the tummy, dioralyte for re-hydration, & ibuprofen to stop the stomach cramps, but please use your own judgement 10:40 AM Aug 27th, 2008 from web
• Have now finished the birch bark & lotus rhizome pills, now for a dose of flax seeds http://twurl.nl/olqokv 2:29 PM Feb 13th from twhirl
• Just about to start my second course of Metronidazole for my [un]funny tummy; background here (if you're interested!) http://twurl.nl/lh4p28 12:22 PM May 19th from twhirl

Technorati Tags: ibs,health,digestion,irritable bowel syndrome,treatment,progress

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Deadwater MTB trail - Kielder Forest

A post to commemorate taking the afternoon off last Thursday, and taking my bike up to Kielder. As per my tweet:

First piece of Leave this year - taking the pm off, & the MTB up to Kielder

Named after Deadwater Fell, part of Kielder Forest, and more about which is here. Most of the trail has been built by Kielder Trail Reavers, supported by The Bike Place.

Learning points

The trail is bearing up well, but has become quite uneven, with lots of stones, where the surface has been worn away.

• My fantastic Marzocchi Bomber fork needs pumping up – it was slightly hairy going off large rocks / bumps and the forks compressing more than I’d have liked. Where is that shock pump?! Gah
• My skills & stamina definitely need a big improvement!
• Also, my brakes needs sorting / bleeding & new brake pads installed

btw, if you double-click on the photo of my bike and the associated gear, you will open a browser window at Flickr, as I have annotated the photo (and the next couple…).

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Dan Hannan lays into the BNP

In the immediate aftermath of the European elections, I thought it useful to repeat this rather fine clip which sums up why I don’t like the BNP [although there are many other reasons].

From Dan Hannan’s blog at The Daily Telegraph

Can you suggest any other links / reasons etc.?

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GoodReads, LibraryThing, Shelfari, or WeRead?

I’ve read a few cyberpunk and popular science books over the last few years, and I thought it’d be fun to catalogue them online and see whether there were folks who might suggest close matches to the micro-genres I’ve enjoyed.

To that end, I started looking around for websites that might provide this service.

This should probably be seen in the context of similar searching a while back, which lead to checking out Collectorz to catalogue my CD collection [so last century I know! ;-)].

• GoodReads
• Second most established
• LibraryThing
  • Seems to the most established
• Shelfari
  • Owned by Amazon (altho others get book data from Amazon)
• WeRead
  • Is this the most recent of the 4

Links

A google search for comparisons of the four yielded these:

• http://booksellerchick.blogspot.com/2008/10/goodreads-librarything-shelfari-one-to.html
• http://booksellerchick.blogspot.com/2008/10/goodreads-shelfari-and-librarything.html
• http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=librarything+or+goodread&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a
• http://wochan.wordpress.com/2008/01/12/my-librarything-barcode-scanner-and-i/

However, this post looks like the clincher. I have therefore signed up with this account at GoodReads.

CueCat

Whilst checking out Collectorz, I found that one can scan the barcode of the CDs (and hence books) to more rapidly upload the details to the Web / desktop application.

The scanner of choice seems to be CueCat. Initially LibraryThing had this post and I thought LT would be the way to go. Happily this help item on GoodReads shows GR do the same, so CueCat is now on my birthday list!

If I go with Collectorz for CDs, I will let you know. I see there is discussion on GR re cataloguing CDs, but it’s not mainstream.

Technorati Tags: collectorz,goodreads,librarything,shelfari,weread,CDs,books,saas,web2.0,community