Interesting Links for 19-03-2024

[andrewducker]

1. Visualising black holes by having one eat 4 million stars over New York

(tags:space video )

2. Edinburgh Council installs new slavery plaque at Edinburgh's Melville Monument

(tags:slavery edinburgh scotland history )

3. Paris cycling numbers double in one year

(tags:cycling bicycles transport Paris France )

4. FAQ on a genetically modified bacterium that outcompetes the bacteria that cause tooth decay

(tags:teeth bacteria genetics )

5. How do neural networks learn? A mathematical formula explains how they detect relevant patterns

(tags:neurons ai )

6. DUP aims to veto new EU law from applying in Northern Ireland

(tags:europe uk NorthernIreland doom )

Comments

[channelpenguin]

3. Awesome!

4. But I bet you end up more prone to gum disease instead.

Because that's kind of how it goes in nature, you seem to either get cavities easily OR gum disease easily. Plus the bug they found makes alcohol - which definitely tips the balance towards gum disease.

Given the choice I'll stick with decay, as that's a mechanical fix and usually not an issue if you regularly go to the dentist. Gum disease loses you teeth (all of them, eventually, like my dad) and can even mean you can't have implants (because they also come loose in infected gums).

[andrewducker]

I think that you should be okay for gum disease so long as you brush regularly. (At least, that seems to do the trick for me - since I got the hang of regularly using interdental brushes my gum disease seems to be on hold)

[channelpenguin]

Oh yeah. Those brushes are the thing. And no alcohol or mouthwash with alcohol.

Dental floss seems for me personally to be counterproductive.

Some people are more prone to gum issues than others.

[anna_wing]

I think there is more than one bacterial species implicated in tooth decay.

[andrewducker]

The stuff I can find says that it's the major cause by a long way. And other bacterium would also hopefully be affected by mutacin-1140.

[channelpenguin]

Yes. The article says that the one in question outcompetes them ALL.

I'm not sure how great an idea that might be long term (see my comments)

2

[danieldwilliam]

I am half expecting an outbreak of violence between the Continuity wing of the Friends of Dundas and the Provisional Cockburn Society for control over St Andrew's Square.

Re: 2

[andrewducker]

I look forward to this being televised!

Re: 2

[danieldwilliam]

If Cillian Murphy isn't playing James Bond or Doctor Who he'd be my pick for a leading role.

Re: 2

[andrewducker]

He'll be perfect as the statue!