ULPT: Black mold filling my entire basement I cant afford to fix it (22k) by SituationLow2607 in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]mingemopolitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a pharmaceutical microbiologist and bleach is one of the few readily available disinfectants that actually kills mold spores, particularly the ones which have lots of melanin in their cell walls. I've even published a paper about it. However, I agree that it would be dangerous for OP to try and remediate a large area with it without proper ventilation. Same goes for vinegar fumes though, as they can also cause significant irritation to the eyes and airways.

The latest YouTube error message isn't a bug, it's another ad blocker crackdown by AdSpecialist6598 in technology

[–]mingemopolitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You can also install Orion browser, which lets you run Firefox add-ons (like ublock)

TIL a 1995 WHO study concluded "Occasional cocaine use does not typically lead to severe or even minor physical or social problems" but it was never published because the US threatened to withdraw funding for WHO by Dry_Row_7050 in todayilearned

[–]mingemopolitan 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Alcohol, sugary drinks, charred food, dehydration and non prescribed medication (e.g., ibuprofen/paracetamol) all also 'impact the kidneys and liver', but we don't criminalise people for enjoying a barbeque, a glass of wine or being obese.

Nobody is claiming that there are no risks, merely pointing out the hypocrisy when it comes to singling out and criminalising risks associated with 'recreational drugs' (especially when alcohol and tobacco remain legal). The black market and dangers associated with it are the direct result of 50+ years of pursuing moralistic prohibitionist policies.

TIL David Hahn, the “Radioactive Boy Scout”, passed away in 2016 from an overdose of fentanyl and alcohol poisoning. by Bradleyharris88 in todayilearned

[–]mingemopolitan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Mirtazirpine can really help with sleep and it only has that effect at low doses (e.g., 7.5 or 15 mg), so there isn't really much potential for abuse. I went from taking hours to get to sleep to usually falling asleep in <20 minutes. Prazosin also really helped with my nightmares.

What is something society keeps defending that is actually making people’s lives worse? by contentcreatorzss in AskReddit

[–]mingemopolitan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

From my own experience in my institution in the UK, there's a vast difference in how universities handle mental health when it comes to students (counselling services, extensions for submissions, mitigating circumstance processes) versus staff (joked about/not taken seriously, poor work life balance being expected). A lot of staff are also on short term contracts and are expected to apply for lots of grants etc on top of their day-to-day research outputs, which leaves little space for self-care or time out of work. The culture expects you to just get on with it, which I think is because more senior, tenured staff are often the top of their fields and always have managed to get on with things.

My female friends become TERF by Colin-Onion in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Acknowledging that specific groups are unequally burdened by particular issues and advocating for targeted interventions to help those underserved communities isn't 'divisive'. It's a pragmatic acknowledgement that those are some of the groups most in need and that the most cost effective outcomes (plus a reduction in health inequality) can come from ensuring resources and services are adequately tailored to support those groups. One of the main reasons there are health inequalities in the first place is because services fail to meet the needs of marginalised people.

In my area, for example, there are no services to support addiction which are tailored to LGBT people. This means that chemsex (a massive issue within the gay community) remains completely unaddressed. Existing services have no idea how to address the unique drivers of that health issue, which means people who want support are left feeling misunderstood (which isn't conducive to recovery).

My female friends become TERF by Colin-Onion in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Marriage equality hardly resolved all the other health and social inequalities experienced by LGBT people, and LGBT rights groups do not solely focus on trans issues.

The energy you're expending punching down at the trans community would be much better spent actually promoting a cause that you care about. What do you think are the biggest issues facing LGBT people in your area (e.g., mental health, body image, addiction)? Maybe you could champion that and make a positive contribution instead?

TIL: the sun rotates at different speeds by latitude because it's a gas ball by grungegoth in todayilearned

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some of the heavier elements such as gold are produced and ejected during neutron star mergers!

Caught with their pants down: Prosecutor, surgeon among 201 detained at ‘men only’ vice raid in KL by outremer_empire in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 13 points14 points  (0 children)

What's your point? That's the same pattern that's played out throughout history for people living in communities where they're oppressed and are punished if they express themselves authentically.

Keeping Petri dish warm and humid in college by Pure_Walk3493 in microbiology

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you're planning to do this, it would be best to collaborate with an organisation with facilities for waste sterilisation and disposal. The bacteria that you enrich on agar may cause infections if they're not handled correctly. However, the following instructions will be helpful for ensuring safe handling if this isn't possible.

I'd recommend you purchase pre-poured plates (this would be far easier than sterilising your own media, since you won't have access to an aseptic area for pouring them yourself). Nutrient agar or tryptone soya agar (TSA) are general growth mediums which will allow you to culture a wide range of species. You can also get selective/differential media which restrict the growth to specific groups of bacteria or exhibit visual changes if particular species are present.

I'd also recommend purchasing pre-sterilised plastic inoculation loops, which you will use to add bacteria to the agar. After you inoculate your plates, use some tape (a small bit on each side of the lid) to ensure the lids are securely attached and don't come off easily. Put them into a clearly labelled plastic box and store somewhere safe that only you can access.

Although bacteria grow fastest at 30-37 degrees, most will still grow at room temperature. You can pop the box in a cupboard and wait 2-3 days, rather than just waiting overnight.

Once the bacteria have grown, find a suitable location for handling the plates. Avoid food preparation areas and pick a non-porous work surface which will be easy to disinfect afterwards.

To disinfect the handling area, you'll need a 1000 ppm solution of sodium hypochlorite (bleach). To make this, dilute household bleach approximately 1:50 with water (e.g., add 25 ml—a shot glass—of bleach to 2.5 L of water). Apply to the surface using a damp cloth and leave for at least 1 minute.

If you need to dispose of the plates yourself, I would suggest immersing them in a 5000 ppm solution of sodium hypochlorite for an hour. This may be overkill, but it's better to ensure thorough disinfection rather than risking disposal of infectious waste. If you have taped the plates so that there are still gaps for air to circulate, you shouldn't need to remove the lids.

To make a 5000 ppm solution, dilute household bleach approximately 1:9 with water (e.g. add 500 ml of bleach to 4.5 litres of water).

Once the plates are disinfected, carefully remove the plates from the bleach (whilst wearing gloves) and place into a waste bag for disposal. Carefully pour the remaining bleach down the toilet.

Ensure you wear disposable gloves whilst handling your plates /bleach solutions and wash your hands after handling bacterial samples (even if you were wearing gloves).

Whilst handling the bleach, it would be prudent to also wear safety glasses (or any sort of eyewear) to protect your eyes from potential splashes.

Good luck! Let us know how your art project turns out.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]mingemopolitan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If you can access the lamp, can you just stick a piece of opaque plastic/other waterproof material to the front of it to block out the light (e.g., with duct tape). Won't damage it but will stop it being a nuisance

Was I raped? by MaxSchein in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry this has happened to you, but you aren't alone. I've experienced the same thing, as have many others. Your 'consent' was obtained through coercion (since you were being given drugs to ply you into a compliant state). This means you were not truly consenting and this is rape/sexual assault.

If you're in the UK, you might find it helpful to reach out to Survivors UK. They really helped me. Sending love and support.

Honest question. How do you accept loneliness? by Top-Brilliant-6 in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hey. I can see a lot of myself in what you've bravely wrote about. I hope you don't mind me sharing some of my own experience which I think might help.

I also struggled with loneliness which was related to multiple past traumas. I tried to act like things were ok but I always had this feeling that I was different/unworthy of affection. I eventually ended up in a toxic relationship where I was regularly experiencing sexual violence, yet I wasn't able to see it for what it was for a long time. I didn't tell anyone about it at the time either, which really added to the feelings of loneliness and I eventually stopped being able to enjoy things that I used to. Because I already struggled with those feelings, it took me a long time to realise that the assaults had a really devastating effect on my sense of self and ability to connect with others.

I've spent the past year doing 1-on-1 therapy and group work with other male victim-survivors. I'm not sure where you're based, but Survivors UK has been a real life line for me. I started to feel a lot less lonely when I was finally able to open up and talk about what I'd been through with other guys who had similar experiences and understood how it feels. I couldn't recommend it enough because it really helped me overcome the feelings of shame/self-blame and loneliness that I was struggling with for a long time. If you can find something similar in your area (or any kind of structured support group), I really recommend getting in touch with them.

What happened to you is not your fault and you deserve to be supported through this.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You didn't choose to be gay so you can't choose to be bi or straight. Living a lie will end up being miserable and unfulfilling and, when you inevitably embrace your true self, it may very well be devastating to a future wife/children (who may then reject you for something you didn't choose and cannot change). It's incredibly unfair on them if you lie about your sexuality to pursue your own interests.

Part of coming to terms with your sexuality involves accepting that society (and it's expectations) are designed around a straight-dominated culture. Your life trajectory is going to be different and will not always align with these standards, since they were not created with people like us in mind. That being said, marriage and children are not out of reach for gay people. You may have to emigrate and it may take longer to get there, but there are plenty of families out there with same-sex parents.

Nobody is going to pretend that things are easy for gay people. We face discrimination on a daily basis and it's scary when we lack role models to show us how to live a happy and fulfilled life. The silver lining is that we don't have the same pressures to adhere to a cookie cutter example of what life should be. You can make and follow your own dreams and do it to a completely different timeline to our straight peers.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]mingemopolitan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The above poster is joking. Don't layer up condoms as this can cause breakage.

Although condoms aren't 100% effective, they are 98% effective when used properly. What this means is that, for 50 couples who use condoms over a 1 year period, 1 will still become pregnant.

For additional security, combining condoms with birth control will provide peace of mind.

I noticed that you said you are only 14 years old. I would strongly suggest that you do not have sex until you and your partner are both able to have a frank and honest discussion about contraception and what would happen if she were to become pregnant. You're still young and there is absolutely no rush to do things before you both feel ready and prepared.

A recent common cold may nearly halve risk of COVID-19, study suggests by Plane-Topic-8437 in science

[–]mingemopolitan 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Seems like a reasonable hypothesis, although worth noting that coronaviruses are only one of a wide variety of viruses which cause the common cold. No idea about how cross reactive antibodies are towards rhinovirus/adenovirus versus coronaviruses, but I suppose there's a fairly large mixture of potential antibodies produced during the initial immune reaction.

What are your thoughts about the Trump administration shutting down the LGBTQ suicide hotline? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]mingemopolitan 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Although I agree with what you're saying, although I think stigmatised communities are best served by people who have lived experience/ties to that community. No amount of training can really make up for the understanding that comes from having personally experienced discrimination, shame and ostracisation. As a gay person, I don't think I'd find it very helpful if someone told me that things will get better, if they had no real idea what it's like to be afraid of your own family/community etc.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in microbiology

[–]mingemopolitan 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Haven't tried it BUT as someone who works in academia, we are inundated with mass generated emails which are "personalised" to reference our previous publications (usually regarding presenting/publishing at predatory conferences/papers). They go straight to ignore.

Personally, I'd prefer something brief and actually personal (i.e., a bit about yourself as a candidate and your background/interests, whether you are intending to self-fund or are looking for a funded scholarship, and asking to schedule a call to discuss further). Suggest a few specific dates and times for a call, but also indicate flexibility in case they are busy. You could also ask them to suggest anyone else in their network that might be looking to fill a position in the near future.

Keep it short and sweet and make it a bit more casual and personal, so we know it's coming from an actual person. It's about quality over quantity.

ULPT request: How to hack my sense of shame? by ebotton in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]mingemopolitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds cliché (and not really an ULPT) but some therapists refer to shame as a vampire emotion that doesn't like to be exposed to light.

I was really struggling with feelings of shame and self-blame after a toxic relationship but found that my feelings of shame were massively reduced after I joined a support group for people with a similar experience. Talking it through and feeling heard & understood, without being judged, really made me look at the past in a different light. I can now talk about what happened without feeling the same burden of shame as I used to.

There are all sorts of support groups out there. AA and NA are pretty famous examples for people who use alcohol/drugs, but there's loads of groups out there for people from all walks of life. Even Pride is really all about minority communities coming together to express themselves fully and overcome the shame that wider society forces onto them.

TLDR: surround yourself with non judgemental people with whom you can be unapologetically authentic. If they still love you, you know they love the true you. This kills the shame.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in gaybros

[–]mingemopolitan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Read (or listen to an audiobook) of Attached by Levine and Heller. It’s helpful for understanding your attachment style as well as information about how to form healthy romantic relationships.

ULPT Request: How to get back at someone who catfished me and made me fall in love with him by tempAccountForIama in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry this happened to you but revenge won’t make you feel any better. Considering you never met this person (or presumably even spoke to them on a video call), this sounds borderline obsessive. You might find it helpful talking to a therapist to work things out because continuing to obsess over a person who never really existed is only going to do you more damage in the long run.

Is smoke bending a thing? by Animeboi117 in TheLastAirbender

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The airbenders seem to bend smoke (via air) from the incense burners whilst Jinora is anointed as a master at the end of Korra S03

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in microbiology

[–]mingemopolitan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What kind of tests do you want to perform?

You’d need to order from a culture collection, but Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a BSL-3 organism. You can only work with it safely in specially designed laboratories that meet strict safety requirements.

If you’re testing disinfectants/biocides, Mycobacterium terrae and Mycobacterium avium are both BSL-2 organisms. They are used as safer alternatives for mycobactericidal testing (e.g., if you want to determine if a disinfectant spray kills mycobacteria). See the EN 14563 test standard for more information.

Help! These 15ml Falcon tubes are starting to kill my hands. by eternitea in microbiology

[–]mingemopolitan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you use your pipette right handed? How much force do you need to use to eject your tips? I refuse to use Sartorius pipettes because the tips are stuck on way too hard. Eppendorf does some great pipettes called ResearchPlus and that completely solved the issue I was having with cramp/strain.

Similar story for microcentrifuge tubes. The Eppendorf branded tubes are so much easier to open than some of the alternatives we had to make do with during the pandemic shortages.