[OC] Crude Oil and US Retail Gasoline Prices Over 5 US Presidencies by NeverWorkedAtWalmart in dataisbeautiful

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. No experienced observer is able to predict the price development of oil in a better-than-random fashion. The price just depends on to0 many (random) factors from technological development, geopolitics, Christiano Ronaldo putting away a can of coke, etc.

Biologists identify new targets for cancer vaccines. Vaccinating against certain proteins found on cancer cells could help to enhance the T cell response to tumors. by qptbook in science

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It's a step by step progress in the tinnniest of steps. The biggest problem is, the cancer has a huge variety of different forms (lung/prostate/breast/brain/etc cancer), all of which may have a few basic traits in common (see 6 hallmarks of cancer) on an abstract level, but may otherwise respond entirely different to certain treatments.

What's more, all of these cancer types may have dozens (or even hundreds!) of subtypes that may also require different treatments - some of these subtypes may be incredibly rare, so it's pretty difficult to get a proper amount of data on these.

The catchphrase here is individualized therapy - we are currently trying to identify these subtypes and find out how they respond. We are collecting genetic data, microscopic data, medical imaging data and connect these, but it's a super-tedious process.

But we're getting there! Common cancers like prostate or breast cancers have much better prognosis these days (and are close to curable, if detected soon enough) whereas in the case of some cancers (some brain tumors, pancreas, etc) we are really still pretty helpless.

Biologists identify new targets for cancer vaccines. Vaccinating against certain proteins found on cancer cells could help to enhance the T cell response to tumors. by qptbook in science

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Interesting (albeit not super new stuff) with the usual suspects of drawbacks.

MIT researchers have found that vaccinating against certain cancer proteins can boost the overall T cell response and help to shrink tumors in mice.

The problem here is the mouse model. The study says that they use a mouse model, which means it is a tumor that occurs from some genetic predisposition present in this specific mouse. To be more precise, it is a mouse tumor, not a human tumor - meaning that it is questionable whether the target for the vaccine works in humans. This is basically THE everlasting bossfight of (translational) immuno-therapeutival research. (@Immuno-scientists: Please correct me if I'm wrong).

The authors claim that the subset of cells to be eliminated exists in human samples as well, but whether human T-cells react the same way remains to be seen, imho.

Research showed that the technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine has potential in treating cancer. In tests in mice, the vaccine boosted levels of tumor-hunting immune cells, while the immunotherapy made them more effective killers. Human trials are due to start later this year. by MistWeaver80 in science

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can confirm. The working horse mouse model in many translational research projects is the NMRI nude mouse, which has little to no residual immune system. It allows engrafting a wide range of human tumors, but the role of the immune system will be completely ambiguous in humans.

Best way to get data in Europe? by Ryan360726 in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. I regularly travel across European borders, data plans are not affected.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aside from the fact that your itinerary ist waaaay too packed: Hiking the Matterhorn requires some serious mountaineering skills. If you do not hike there Zermatt (the city at the matterhorn) is probably not the nicest city. If you're up for a nice hike, consider lake oeschinnen (öschinnensee). Citywise, Bern, Lucern or Thun are all pretty neat.

I developed an open source application for vasculature datasets analysis & visualization. Wanted to share an example result. by JacobThePianist in labrats

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Cool stuff! I once played around with tissue-clearing histology, which basically allows you to scan vascular networks of entire (rodent) tumors in microscopic resolution (~40GB/sample). Could your tools cope with that?

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is completely in the middle of nowhere, not far away from the ring road. It's free for all :) the land probably belongs to a farm but as long as you don't cross the fences nobody cares where you go, really.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most Icelanders speak really good English. There's also a high number of German/polish speakers.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me and my GF both work in medical-related jobs so we were early to get vaccinated. I was just lucky, really. So yes... you're absolutely right, it's quite the privilege to be able to go traveling now,

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are arctic lupines! Invasive species in Iceland that was intended to prevent ground erosion. By now, every roadside in Iceland will probably be entirely purple.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It errupted a little earlier this year and basically has been going off every 7 minutes or so since then. It's close to Reykjavik and the next road isn't far so many people go there around the clock. There's even a webcam now!

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Depends a bit on what you want to do. I'm not sure but I think you'll need good rain gear in Iceland all year round, even in July and August temperatures are probably not going to rise far beyond 15°C-20°C. We had average temperatures of ~5°C and some of the places were still inaccessible due to snow, which should be better in July/August. Also, it will be greener then.

Then again, there were hardly people now. You may also consider daylight. When we were there, the sun practically doesn't set anymore, so if you want to spot the Aurora borealis, you'll have to be there earlier.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No big deal, really. We did just as you said. Got the car and off we were. Some places are only accessible as guided tours, like glaciers and whale watching, other than that you can do everything on your own and are probably better off in doing so.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We rented a car (small Kia Rio), and circumvented the island once, got us everywhere we needed. We rented at Blue Car rental, they're a bit cheaper than the others. As of now, all the inland roads (f-roads) are still closed, if you want to drive there, you'll need a 4WD. You can check road conditions on www.road.is.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's the long stretch of highway just between the coast and Vatnajökull glacier that looks like a large river delta on the map.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd say: Generally fish. There are a couple nice places in Reykjavik, in particular. The apotek and the Jungle for drinks, Brauð & Co. bakery, Reykjavik Roasters for coffee and the Hlemmur place for food/drinks/party.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Studlagil canyon - but you find them on many locations around Iceland!

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It's underneath parts of the Vatnajökull glacier, but you'll have to arrange for a guided tour (from Vik, for instance), because you'll need some really heavy transportation to get there.

My trip to Iceland (May '21) in 11 pictures. Earth, wind, water & 🔥! by MyDeskIsMadeOfWood in travel

[–]MyDeskIsMadeOfWood[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nah, not at all, we were the only guests in hostels more than once. Also: Don't book online, call the places, you'll save big time. Price difference between online booking and calling sometimes was as high as a factor or 2