Friday 24 August 2018

Spotty Coverage?

As an additional piece of information pertinent to the recently-reported rise of measles infections (linked to declines in uptake of the MMR vaccine) in the US and EU, a recent study by an American body has suggested that the debate surrounding the safety of child vaccinations is being deliberately manipulated by bots and trolls with foreign connections (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/aug/23/russian-trolls-spread-vaccine-misinformation-on-twitter). Apparent 'pro' and 'anti' material is posted seemingly with the intention of fuelling conspiracy theories in a manner not too dissimilar from that used to advance political views.

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What's In a Critter's Name? 2. Bloody-nosed beetle

The Bloody-nosed beetle ( Timarcha tenebricosa ) doesn't get into fights. The red fluid it exudes, when handled, is produced to deter p...