Page 1 of 1
Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:39 pm
by Lazar
From MSNBC:
CHICAGO - Public health officials are investigating the death of a University of Chicago researcher who studied plague bacteria and was found to have the microbe in his blood, university officials said on Monday.
Malcolm Casadaban, who died on September 13, was researching a weakened strain of the plague bacteria Yersinia pestis. Because it is missing key proteins, the strain is not normally harmful to people.
Medical center spokesman John Easton said Casadaban had the laboratory strain of Yersinia pestis in his blood, suggesting he had a form of the infection known as septicemic plague, which can kill even before the symptoms begin.
That would suck.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:50 pm
by Tsukiyumi
That does suck.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:59 pm
by Tyyr
Centuries later and the plague is still killing.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:03 pm
by Nickswitz
Tyyr wrote:Centuries later and the plague is still killing.
Only those who refuse to just get rid of it... However, he was only studying it, so I feel bad for him. If it was the military I wouldn't...
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2009 9:34 pm
by stitch626
Because it is missing key proteins, the strain is not normally harmful to people.
This made me chuckle, and then hit myself for chuckling.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:49 am
by Aaron
Nickswitz wrote:
Only those who refuse to just get rid of it... However, he was only studying it, so I feel bad for him. If it was the military I wouldn't...
The military doesn't weaponize the plague, there are
far more effective NBC weapons then that.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:14 am
by Mikey
I thought septicemic plague resulted from bubonic plague bacteria getting into the lymphatic system.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:26 am
by Tyyr
Most military research into bio-warfare is in preventive measures. Bio weapons are just too unpredictable and slow acting to be worth bothering with. Chemical and nukes are far more controllable and prompt.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:38 am
by Aaron
Weird, now I have the urge to make the next world in DH a burned out cinder, poisoned by persistent chemical weapons.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:00 am
by Tyyr
Here I was going to suggest something like Naboo from SW Ep I. Nice, pretty, naive.
Preferably with a Natalie Portman look a like wandering around.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:40 am
by Aaron
Needs more Grimdark, she can have stainless steel pasties.
Re: Researcher dies of plague
Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:52 am
by Tyyr
Works for me.
Hey, idyllic worlds exist even in WH40K. Of course the Administratum and Ecclisiarchy go above and beyond to ensure that they stay perfectly in line so they can be shining examples of what happens when you obey the Emperor in all things.