57 Other Varieties?

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition, linked to being overweight and/or inactive. The condition is also more common in people with a family history of the disease. The incidence of this 'blood sugar' disorder is increasing in the UK and several other countries. A University of Cambridge study (not yet peer reviewed), found that Type 2 Diabetes increased the risk of at least 57 other health conditions (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/mar/29/type-2-diabetes-results-higher-risk-57-other-conditions-study). People with Type 2 Diabetes were, for example, more at risk of contracting cancers, kidney diseases and a variety of neurological disorders. These conditions were developed up to 5 years earlier than in matched counterparts without Type 2 Diabetes. Clearly, Type 2 Diabetes is a serious and costly health threat. More needs to be done to increase the probabilities of people adopting healthy diets taking regular cardiovascular exercise. The current cost of living crisis, however, negates the chances of poorer folk eating well and taking out gym subscriptions!

'Ghost Flights' Take Off!

People generate one of their biggest emissions of 'greenhouse gases', by flying. 'Ghost flights' have worried environmentalists. A 'ghost flight' is defined as one with between zero and fewer than 10% of the aircraft's passenger capacity. A 'ghost flight' generates emissions without much transport of passengers (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/31/ghost-flights-from-uk-running-at-500-a-month-data-reveals). Freedom of information requests directed to UK airports, found a total of almost 15,000 'ghost flights' between March 2020 and September 2021. These were International flights from UK airports rather than arrivals. The highest numbers of 'ghost flights' came from Heathrow (London); Aberdeen, Manchester, Stansted and Norwich. The phenomenon is not, however, limited to the UK, as the German airline Lufthansa, also reported 18,000 'ghost flights'. The use of 'ghost flights' had been blamed on a requirement of airlines to maintain 80% of their flights, in order not to lose their airport landing slots. The requirement was, however, abolished in the pandemic. It was only reintroduced at 50% in October 2021. These changes appear, however, to have had little impact on the monthly numbers of 'ghost flights'. Perhaps, the airlines fly 'ghost flights' for 'the hell of it' or appearances sake?

"Like Frogs in a Slowly Boiling Pot"?

Eleanor Salter believes that the decision of the UK's Meteorological Office to change heatwave temperature thresholds in eight English counties, is a 'gift' to climate change deniers ( https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/30/met-office-fewer-heatwaves-england-optics-action). This Met Office decision is certainly one way of reducing the number of heatwaves in a county. A heatwave is defined as there being three consecutive days above a threshold temperature for a specific area. The threshold temperature varies from county to county. The Met Office decision is defended on the grounds that the 'undeniable warming trend', makes original temperature thresholds obsolete. Average temperatures obtained between 1990-2020, rather than those used earlier (1981-2010) will be used. The Met Office claim this will make messaging the general public clearer. It will not, of course, lower the actual temperatures. It will simply need to be hotter to qualify as a heatwave. Elevated ambient temperatures have detrimental effects on the health of both humans and animals. Salter thinks that the Met office decision follows the shifting baseline syndrome. This syndrome is a gradual change in the accepted norms for conditions of the natural environment. As she points out, the shifting baseline syndrome has been used to make reductions in 'greenhouse gas' emissions, look better than they really are. It's clearly a valuable aid to the greenwashing and pledging industries!

Omicron Mythology

Christina Pagel (University College London) thinks it odd that people, in the UK, believe the Covid19 pandemic is 'over'. There was a near record of more than 4.25 million cases in the country last week. She suspects that people (and their government) are widely accepting at least one of three prevailing myths about this coronavirus (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/30/uk-near-record-covid-cases-three-myths-omicron-pandemic). The first myth is that Covid19 is 'endemic' and we will just 'have to learn to live with it'. Pagel points out that the term 'endemic' means the disease has become predictable (like Influenza). The various waves of Covid19, have been (and are) far from predictable. Pagel thinks that Sars-CoV-2 will probably become 'endemic' but we could be decades away from that situation. The second myth is that Sars-CoV-2 s evolving to become milder and will eventually become like the Common cold. Pagel points out that there is no progression through successive variants (alpha to omicron). Transmission, rather than 'living with the host', drives the evolution of this virus. Scientists really don't know much about the long-term evolution of coronaviruses in humans. The third myth is that the vaccination programme is 'finished'. Pagel notes that immunity from the current vaccines wanes, over a matter of months. This waning is mostly against new infections but there are also declines in vaccine effectiveness against severe disease and death. Pagel concludes that the Covid19 pandemic is far from 'over'. She believes a sensible strategy would be to facilitate the effects of vaccination by concomitantly reducing infection. There are few signs of any such approach, when these myths prevail.

Seeing the Changes 1586

In Bynea, Ramping fumitory (Fumaria capreolata) and some king of small Speedwell were in flower. In Penclacwydd, Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis) was blooming.

Commoners and Aristocracy Amongst British Butterflies

The UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme confirmed that 2021 was a disasterous year in terms of overall butterfly numbers. This was largely a consequence of a cold and very wet May in England. A more positive story is now being presented around a few rare butterfly species. For these species, numbers were 'bolstered' by intensive conservation efforts (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/30/britains-butterflies-conservation-species-2021). It's reported that the Heath fritillary and the Silver-studded blue have seen surges in numbers. These are, however, rare (in the UK) species, restricted to very limited areas. Conservation efforts have been directed to restoring the habitats necessary for these butterflies. The declines in numbers of 'common' species (such as the Green-veined white, the Large white and the Common blue) are much more concerning. The collapse of these populations seems largely a consequence of climate change. There is nothing much that intensive conservation efforts can do to reverse declines in 'common' butterfly species. They need elevated summer temperatures to fly, feed and mate.

Eagles Unwelcome Here?

The introduced White-tailed eagle, found dead in Dorset (SW England), was poisoned with the rodenticide brodifacoum (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/29/dead-eagle-found-in-dorset-was-poisoned-but-case-closed-police-confirm). The local police have confirmed the poisoning but say that no further action will be taken. They also refuse to name the estate (there is an obvious contender), on which the dead bird was found. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds claim to be 'baffled'. Perhaps, the police decisions are linked to the comments of the local Member of Parliament (MP), who declared eagles 'unwelcome in Dorset'? That MP also suggested the police should not 'waste their time' looking for the eagle's killers.

Seeing the Changes 1585

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) in bloom in Bynea.

Saving Slowworms and Snakes?

The UK's Environment Secretary maintains that, his abolishing of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protected Areas (SPA) designations, is designed to help animals such as the Slowworm and the Adder (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/29/adders-and-slowworms-to-gain-extra-protection-under-new-system-in-england). The Environment Secretary claims that, removing SSSI and SPA protections, would give him more scope to tailor English designations to its endangered wildlife (like the Adder). He suggests that rare species on brownfield and urban sites need more protections. This is probably true. There's seems a possibility, however, that any new scheme will be used to boost building on currently protected greenfield areas. All protections are effectively removed, until the Environment Secretary decides what should be protected!

Saving Energy?

There's a UK home energy crisis in terms of the ramping costs for electricity and gas, as well as the associated climate-altering emissions. It's consequently helpful to get expert advice on 'burning' questions (https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/mar/29/cheaper-bath-shower-energy-questions-answered-reduce-bills). The following nuggets appear useful:- 1. money is saved on home heating, by turning it off when it's not required (reheating an abode from stratch, isn't actually a costly option); 2. more than 20% of UK home electricity, is used by 'vampire' devices (chargers left plugged in or items on standby); It pays to unplug mobiles, TV's, computers, electric toothbrushes, razors etc as soon as they are fully charged (it also extends the lives of their batteries); 3. it's cheaper to have a brisk shower than to wallow in a bath; 4. washing machine laundry can be efficiently done at less than 40 degrees Centigrade, if modern powders and detergents are used; 5. it's a good habit to turn off lights, when leaving a room but LEDs save lots of energy anyway and 6. when cooking, microwaves are more efficient than electric or gas ovens. Having said that, at current prices, gas hobs may be cheapest when boiling water to cook pasta. It all seems to involve a great deal of plugging and unplugging!

Bitcoin 'Mining'

Bitcoin mining has massive detrimental effects on global heating. Mining the cryptocurrency is said to use as much electricity as Sweden. In the US, it has also revitalized failing fossil fuel enterprises, to supply the required electricity. Cryptocurrency appears to be saving coal. Climate groups are now saying that Bitcoin could and should reduce its energy demands (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/mar/29/bitcoin-reduce-energy-consumption-climate-groups). Bitcoin uses a simple switch termed 'proof of work', requiring the use of massive computer arrays to validate and secure transactions. A rival cryptocurrency, Etherium, alternatively uses a 'proof of stake', which would reduce Bitcoin's energy use by 99%. 'Proof of work' and 'proof of stake' are essentially software codes. Climate groups maintain that Bitcoin should change its code, rather than the climate of the entire planet! This seems a not unreasonable request.

Personalised Prescriptions?

In the UK, by the age of 70, 90% of people are routinely taking at least one medication. These compounds include common painkillers; drugs to limit the risk of coronary heart disease/stroke and antidepressants. Circa 7% of UK hospital admissions, are actually triggered by adverse drug reactions. Many prescription medicines are also only efficacious in between 30 and 50% of the people who receive them. 99% of people carry at least one genetic variation that alters their response to particular drugs. The British Pharmacological Society and the Royal College of Physicians are arguing the case for pharmacogenomic testing (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/mar/29/experts-push-for-genetic-testing-to-personalise-drug-prescriptions ). Pharmacogenomic testing would enable medics to make personalised prescriptions based on the patient's genes. If instituted, such testing would reduce medical side-effects. Pharmacogenomic testing would also reduce the wasteful prescribing of ineffective medications. Such testing would, however, be quite difficult to set up (it would be a major undertaking). There might also be confidentiality issues linked to the collected data?

Fuming on Beech Street

Beech Street is a tunnel under part of London's Barbican Estate. It became London's first zero emissions street. Beech Street's air pollution plummeted, when a traffic order was made, restricting its use to electric vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. That traffic order ended in September 2021, allowing petrol and diesel cars to use the street again. Predictably, levels of air pollution in Beech Street are now back well above legal limits (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/28/pollution-back-at-levels-on-former-zero-emissions-street-in-london). This tunnel now appears to be dangerous to human health, as nitrogen dioxide (from vehicle exhausts) damages lung function. Air pollution is exaccerbated in a tunnel but it exceeds legal limits on many of London's busy roads. The 'experiment' at least suggests that change is possible, even in problematic locations. This finding makes it all the sadder than some London councils appear to be distinctly anti-cycling and pro-car (https://lcc.org.uk/news/two-problem-london-boroughs-and-how-lcc-is-trying-to-win-change/). Cycling routes have to be 'joined up' in order to be viable and to work effectively.

Seeing the Changes 1584

My first Seven-spot ladybird (Coccinella 7-punctata) of the year in Loughor.

Penny Pinching?

Much of the UK's 'greenhouse gas' emissions are linked to its notoriously poorly-insulated homes. There was an attempt to remedy this situation, by using government subsidies. In 2012, 40,000 homes per month were being more effectively insulated. Home insulation rates fell, however, by 92%, when this subsidy was 'pulled' in 2012. Had it continued, it's estimated that an extra 9 million households would have benefitted from the scheme. UK households that were not insulated, are currently calculated to be paying £170 a year more for their heating (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/28/millions-of-households-pay-170-more-for-energy-due-to-tory-subsidy-cuts). Clearly, it was short-sighted to remove the subsidy scheme (as well as not insisting on higher new build standards). Improved insulation would have not only saved people money on heating their homes. It would have also reduced government need to import fuels to run power stations. In deed, it would have lowered the country's 'greenhouse gas' emissions, taking it more quickly to net zero. All that has been done, is to advocate law changes, making it more difficult to protest about the failure to insulate UK homes.

Newt Patrol

Newts are endangered amphibians. Amphibians have to return to water to breed. Many thousands of Pacific newts were killed each year, as they crossed a busy highway to their breeding ponds in the Chileno Valley, north of San Francisco. These amphibians are now being protected by the Chileno Valley Newt Brigade (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/mar/26/california-pacific-newts-volunteers-cross-road). The Chileno Valley Newt Brigade are volunteers who go out on warm, humid nights, when Pacific newts are likely to attempt to cross the highway from their grassland 'homes'. It seems not at all unreasonable to offer these inoffensive, little animals some protection from speeding vehicles.

People Split on Nuclear?

The recent UK enthusiasm for developing nuclear power, appears to have largely ignored the problem of disposing of nuclear waste (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/28/push-for-new-uk-nuclear-plants-lacks-facility-for-toxic-waste-say-experts). The UK is no nearer finding a permanent site for the underground storage of hazardous 'spent fuel'. Unremarkably, people have not generally proved enthusiastic about having radioactive material secreted in the rocks under locations where they live. The underground storage of hazardous 'spent fuel' is a problem experts reckon will cost in excess of £130bn. Yet another bill that future generations will have to pick up?

Covid19 'Boosters' May Not Boost Everyone?

Effective vaccines for Covid19 were developed with impressive and unexpected speed. These treatments have reduced hospitalisations and deaths from Sars-CoV-2 infections. Danny Altmann (Imperial College London), however, casts doubt on relying too much on vaccine 'boosters' to enable us to 'live' with the virus (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/28/uk-cant-rely-on-boosters-new-wave-covid). Sars-CoV-2 appears to have been much more prone to mutation than other coronaviruses. It has developed many variants, some with the ability to create new 'waves' of infection. The typical response to each wave, in well-vaccinated areas of the globe, has been to give booster doses (some countries are already on their fourth) to enhance 'fading' immune responses. Altmann points to a phenomenon labelled Immune imprinting. Immunity can be developed by infection with the virus and/or treatment with diverse vaccines (including the 'new' mRNA variety). It seems that combinations of exposures to the viral antigens can result in variable immune memory repertoires in patients. Essentially, they may determine how the immune system responds later. Altmann says we need more research on this phenomenon. He suggests, however, that boosters for Covid19 vaccines could produce less predictable and effective results in the future. Perhaps tweaking vaccination programmes is not the most effective way of living with a virus that continues to surprise?

Seeing the Changes 1583

A number of Small white butterflies (Artogeia rapae) whizzing around Gorseinon.

When a Reef is Bleached, It is Bleached: No Matter What Politicians May Prefer

Bleaching events represent very serious damage to coral organisms and the reefs they construct. These events are also, of course, devastating to the myriads of other animals that make the reefs their home. Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef is now undergoing its 6th mass coral bleaching event (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/we-need-action-immediately-great-barrier-reef-authority-confirms-sixth-mass-coral-bleaching-event). No areas, on an aerial survey along a 1200 k stretch, had escaped the bleaching event. Bleaching is routinely followed by death of the coral organism. Bleaching events are triggered by exceptionally elevated local temperatures. There is also no doubt that human-generated releases of 'greenhouse gases', intensify global heating and produce consequent climate change. You can't have a Great Barrier Reef and massive extraction/exporting of non-renewable energy sources.

For the US Birds

The phenomenon has already been noted in European birds. Scientists, using data on 72 species for which historical and modern data exist in Chicago records, have now confirmed that some US birds are laying their eggs much earlier (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/birds-nesting-laying-eggs-early-climate-crisis-study). The Chicago study found that one third of the species (including Blue jays, Yellow warblers and Field sparrows), were currently nesting much earlier in the year. Species showing this phenomenon, were an average of 25 days earlier, than was the case 100 years ago. This is yet another clear illustration of the consequences of human-mediated global heating. Disrupting natural cycles to such large extents, is a threat to the survival of species and biological communities.

Biting Into US Mosquito Problem?

Aedes aegypti is a species of mosquito, not really native to the USA. This biting fly is, however, now widely spreading in that country, especially in Florida and California. Had the mosquito been endemic, it is still unlikely to have been subjected to conservation programmes. The bite of the female Aedes aegypti (she needs blood for her egg development), can transmit a range of human diseases including Chikunya, Dengue, Yellow fever and Zika. An attempt is being made to eradicate this disease vector, by releasing 2.4 bn genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti in California (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/us-release-genetically-modified-mosquitoes-diseases). Male mosquitoes do not bite, as they can get by on fruit juice. Females only mate once. The genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti, produced by the UK biotech company Oxitec, make a protein meaning that their only viable offspring are also non-biting males. Mosquito larvae are aquatic and live in stagnant water. Because of recent water shortages in California, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes have been driven to breed around people's houses. Where there are people, there are potential blood meals! Using insecticides would have been problematic as a) it would have killed all other insects in the vicinity, including pollinators and b) these pesticides are also toxic to humans. Trials with genetically-modified male Aedes aegypti in Florida, appear to have gone well.

British Summertime and My First Moth Trap is Out

My first moth trap of the year out in my Loughor garden. 5 Early greys (Xylocampa areola); 1 unidentified Carpet moth; 1 Herald (Scoliopteryx libatrix) and 1 Brindled beauty (Lycia hirtaria). A modest 'catch'.

Nationally Significant Themed Rides?

Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) designations are usually reserved for building major roads, power plants or airports. They are approved or rejected by central goverment, rather than by their local authorities. It consequently seems distinctly odd that the proposed London Resort development on the Thames' Swanscombe peninsula near Gravesend has been designated an NSIP (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/plastic-t-rex-vs-rare-beetles-disney-on-thames-plan-london-devastate-wildlife). The London Resort would be a massive development of themed rides, a water park, conference venues, hotels and a shopping centre. Hardly 'nationally significant' nor lacking in the London area. Part of the Swanscombe peninsula is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has rare plants (including a variety of orchids) and wildlife (including Marsh harriers, Spoonbills, otters and more than 1700 species of invertebrates). Surely, central government couldn't be thinking of forcing through a 'Disney on the Thames' in place of irreplaceable biodiversity?

A Bogof Burger Bonanza?

The UK's biggest supermarkets 'pledged' (there's that word again!) to promote more meat-free diets to 'improve health and tackle global heating' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/uk-supermarkets-accused-of-bombarding-shoppers-with-cheap-meat). That pledge didn't last very long. The supermarkets are all now pushing multi-buy offers on cheap meat products, such as burgers and sausages. It appears that only 1% of these hundreds of bogofs (buy one, get one free) will be banned when the government's so-called 'crackdown' on promoting foods high in fat, salt or sugar comes into force in October 2022. The 'crackdown' is intended to tackle the problem of childhood obesity. That obesity is linked to many health problems including type 2 diabetes. Not advertising burgers on TV before 9pm is, however, hardly likely to have much of an effect. Parents usually buy the household food. Bogofs are likely to tempt poorer parents, especially when they are exposed to prevailing inflationary pressures. The relationship between the UK government and food producers appears distinctly unhealthy (for people and the planet)!

Conger Ice Shelf- Start of the Conga?

The Conger ice shelf in Eastern Antarctica was relatively small, being 'only' 1200 square km. The ice shelf's complete collapse has not produced huge effects. A NASA scientist involved in the study suggests, however, that the ice shelf's collapse 'may be a sign of what is coming' (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/25/satellite-data-shows-entire-conger-ice-shelf-has-collapsed-in-antarctica). The Conger ice shelf collapsed after a record temperatures of -11.8 degrees Centigrade (40 degrees above normal values) was reached on March 18th. It seems likely that other areas of Antarctic ice will also melt. Such a succession of melts could produce a 'domino' effect, elevating sealevels, diverting ocean currents etc. We may be rapidly approaching a tipping point, at which the process can no longer be reversed.

Is a Vow the Same as a Pledge?

The UK government have 'vowed' that there will be a 10-fold increase in electric car charging points to 300,000 by 2030 (https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/24/uk-government-vows-10-fold-increase-in-electric-car-chargers-by-2030). It's obviously very uncertain whether 'vows' are stronger than 'pledges'! Even if they deliver on the 'vow', there is every probability that charging points will not be prominent in rural areas. The current UK government seem very keen to appeal to well-heeled motorists. A major change in their recent mini-budget was to remove 5p per litre from petrol and diesel duty. Most of that money is actually likely to go to drivers of gas-guzzling SUVs! It would have been rather better (certainly in an environmental sense!) to use any cuts to make public transport cheaper. In some European countries, public transport is actually free!

The Trusty Shield Against a Pandemic

Thomas Hale (Oxford University) has, he believes, identified the factor that predicted whether countries would emerge from the Covid19 pandemic in 'good shape' (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/24/countries-covid-trust-damage-pandemic). Hale states that, in terms of their ability to deal with a pandemic, in 2019, countries, such as Slovenia, Spain, the UK and the USA, looked good on paper (in terms of medical services etc). When the virus arrived, they actually did poorly on measures such as deaths, economic damage and days they had to spend in lockdown. Countries that performed relatively well in the pandemic had, however, high levels of interpersonal trust. This is trust in other people, rather than trust in government (this can be dodgy). Interpersonal trust doesn't require actually knowing the other people. It's a belief they will 'do the right thing'. As Hale points out, trust in other people is important in many aspects of fighting a pandemic (such as social distancing). Fotunately, he believes that interpersonal trust can be enhanced in a variety of ways. Rather obviously, it is generally the first casualty of polarisation in society.

Seeing the Changes 1582

In Gorseinon an Umbellifer and Wood forgetmenot (Myosotis sylvatica) were in blomm.

Can We Afford Not To?

George Monbiot says that UK Members of Parliament (MPs), claiming that green schemes are 'unaffordable', are simply wrong (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/23/european-countries-climate-crisis-deniers-green-schemes). Monbiot lists a variety of 'success stories' from around Europe, in support of his conclusion. What they have in common is, that in each case, European governments are driving the initiatives. The UK's ruling party, in contrast, worships 'market forces', even though they have repeatedly failed to deliver. Surely, the UK's climate change-denying MPs need to be reminded of the costs of not quickly limiting global heating. In comparison, the money required for home energy improvements, fitting homes with heat pumps and providing free public transport etc, pales into insignificance. Money will be pretty meaningless, if the entire planet is unliveable!

Microplastics in Our Blood!

Scientists at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, for the first time, found microplastics in 80% of investigated human blood samples (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time). The study involved 22 healthy, adult, anonymous donors. A range of different microplastics were identified in the samples. More than half the donors had PET microplastics in their blood. PET is the plastic used mainly in drinks bottles. It has recently been revealed that recycling drinks bottles, makes them more likely to leach material into their contents. The Vrije Universiteit study is relatively tiny but it raises concerns. It should certainly be replicated using people of differing ages and from different backgrounds. The actual effects of microplastics in the blood are, as yet, unknown. Clearly, however, they also must be urgently investigated.

Has Science Changed With the Introduction of Electronic Media?

Knowledge progresses by scientists looking at phenomena (like the appearance of a 'new' virus); coming up with hypotheses (explanatory ideas) and making predictions, tested in experiments. If the prediction is supported, the hypothesis is strengthened, with other tests following. If the prediction is not supported, the hypothesis has to be rejected or modified. Eventually, one hypothesis becomes acceptable to the expert community and might then be reclassified as a theory. Devi Sridhar (University of Edinburgh) points out that our understanding of the Covid19 virus has changed dramatically over the last 2 years. She asks why then do some scientists 'doggedly cling to theories' (actually erroneous hypotheses) they proposed 2 years ago, at the start of the pandemic? (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/24/scientists-wrong-covid-virus-experts). This is a very interesting question. Back in former times, most scientific argument was conducted slowly in specialist journals and at conferences. People, who devised 'dodgy' hypotheses, often (but not always!) found it difficult to publish their 'findings'. They also tended not to be invited to specialist conferences. This, of course, mean't they generally had no wide circle of supporters. Funding, for continued research, could also become very problematic. Perhaps, the advent of electronic media has altered the behaviour of some scientists? It has never been easier for some scientists to quickly get their ideas 'out there' on podcasts and in electronic 'forums'. Early, speculative ideas about Covid19 attracted the attention of 'like-minded' (often non-specialist?) individuals. Confirmation bias (the tendency to accept ideas that fit our preconceptions) is likely to have had a powerful influence. Science, like politics, may have divided on social media, into the pros and the antis? Perhaps Sridhar's oddly behaving scientists, are simply reluctant to defect from 'their' support group. Some may even benefit financially by continuing to operate in an 'echo-chamber'. Scientists are also people. Some will have flaws (greed, a desire for 'fame' etc) just like anyone else. This is not how science is supposed to function but this modus operandi may be becoming a fact of life.

Seeing the Changes 1581

In Bynea, shoots of the Field horsetails (Equisetum arvense) were looking prehistoric.