Venomdoc Forums

Venomdoc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:02 pm Post subject:

You may very well have a point there. Just as we have herp shows to educate people on herps, there is tremendous value in science expos so that people can get educated about scientists. Cool

I've been involved with National Science Week here in Oz on several occasions, giving presentations to thousands of school children. It was a lot of fun and very satisfying. At the huge one in Canberra two years back (the Australian Science Festival) our display 'Vital Venom' was voted the best of the festival. I am very proud of the little plaque we got Cool

bigGdelta · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

Just had a funny mental image of a Quantum physicist trying to break down quantum entanglement, dark energy, and brane theory for the average joe. Maybe there is a reason some scientists don't interact with us laymen.
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Venomdoc · Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2005 9:30 pm Post subject:

If a scientist is passionate enough about what they are working one, they should be able to infect others with that enthusiasm. One of the most riveting, entertaining and educational talks I've had the pleasure listening to, was by a passionate physicist talking about radio arrays replacing optic telescopics. He made it truly fascinating. Very Happy

bigGdelta · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 4:15 pm Post subject: Just had a thought

In komodos they bite and let the prey die later ,at least if it is large prey, as far as i understand. maybe there is a 2 or 3 tiered attack to the bite. a hemotoxin to break down muscle cells, an immunosuppressing component, and a bacterial component. As death from a systemic infection is often from renal failure just like from a hemotoxin (sp) , this 3 tiered venom seems logical. just a wild assed guess, but maybe it would fit both venom and virulent bacteria. Just speculating. maybe I am so far off base i can't even see home from here.
_________________
Try MISKA tonic water
....from the bubbling springs under Arkham Mass

Venomdoc · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:40 pm Post subject:

We are going to be completely reevaluating the natural history of komodos. This of course, tragically, will mean we have to spend a lot of time hanging out on the island. I love my job Cool

jdrinehart · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 6:49 pm Post subject:

i thought komodo's primarily ate carrion?

jason

Venomdoc · Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:06 pm Post subject:

Nah, thats just easier to film for television Rolling Eyes

Seriously, that sort of thing been a big part of the problem. We actually know shockingly little about their natural history and prey capture techniques. Its been conjecture breeding with assumption (leading to the mother of all screwups in that everyone missed the huge bloody gland and the venom Laughing

)

Cheers
B
_________________
Department of Biochemistry,
Bio21 Institute,
University of Melbourne,
Australia
---------------------
Faith can't be put in a test tube. Thats why it shouldn't be put in a science classroom.
---------------------
Faith (noun). Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence
Science (noun). The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.

Rabies · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 12:10 am Post subject:

Bryan
when you say"huge" what size are you talking about and possible yield? That's one hell of a head Shocked

John
_________________
"Its no help to hide behind the statement that human envenomations are a rarity and that the average Doctor seldom or never will treat one. For the patient who has been envenomed, it is a matter of life or death, and the rarity of the event is of no interest to him."

RobbieG · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 2:40 am Post subject:

Hey Doc,

have you spoken to Tim Jessop about the Komodos? I had a mate of mine down with him last year for a month doing some volunteering..he said it was amazing..he had some whopper photos

Venomdoc · Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2005 8:50 am Post subject:

Rabies, we were getting 40-50 milligrams per milking from a good sized lace monitor. Scaling upwards, I expect to get 200-300 milligrams per milking from a good sized komodo!

RobbieG, could you have Tim drop me an email?

Fangs Cool

_________________
Department of Biochemistry,
Bio21 Institute,
University of Melbourne,
Australia
---------------------
Faith can't be put in a test tube. Thats why it shouldn't be put in a science classroom.
---------------------
Faith (noun). Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence
Science (noun). The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena. Such activities restricted to a class of natural phenomena.