union-of-mad-scientists

[union-of-mad-scientists]

Vegans of tumblr, listen up. Harvesting agave in the quantities required so you dont have to eat honey is killing mexican long-nosed bats. They feed off the nectar and pollinate the plants. They need the agave. You want to help the environment? Go back to honey. Your liver and thyroid will thank you, as well. Agave is 90% fructose, which can cause a host of issues. Bye.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"Tim Friede’s YouTube channel is home to a collection of videos depicting the Wisconsin-native truck mechanic subjecting himself to purposeful snake bites, blood slowly dripping down his arms.

For the past 20 years, Friede has been one of the most notorious “unconventional” medical researchers, undergoing over 200 bites from the world’s deadliest snakes — and more than four times as many — 850 — venomous injections. 

He did it all in the name of science.

According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 100,000 people are killed by snake bites each year, with countless more being disabled by the venom of the deadly reptiles. 

While life-saving anti-venom is available, very few countries actually have the capacity to produce it properly, given that most bites occur in remote and rural areas, and anti-venom requires arduous sourcing and accuracy. 

But Friede’s blood is now full of antibodies, following decades of strategic exposure to the neurotoxins of mambas, cobras, and other lethal slithering critters.

His blood is now the source material researchers are using to develop an anti-venom capable of neutralizing a broad spectrum of snake bites...

Friede started this hobby — which he is indeed adamant no one else tries at home — out of sheer curiosity in childhood. After playing with harmless garter snakes in his youth, he began keeping more dangerous species of snakes as pets. At one point, he had 60 of them in his home basement.

In 1999, he began extracting venom from his snakes, drying it, diluting it, and injecting himself with tiny doses — keeping meticulous records as he went.

He had one major hospitalization in 2001, when he was paralyzed and in a coma for four days. But instead of giving up, he doubled down. 

“In hindsight, I’m glad it happened,” Friede told The Times. “I never made another mistake.”

Jacob Glanville, an immunologist and founder of biotech company Centivax, stumbled on Friede’s videos.

Now, Friede is the director of herpetology at Centivax and serves as something of a “human lab” to Glanville.

“For a period of nearly 18 years, [Tim] had undertaken hundreds of bites and self-immunizations with escalating doses from 16 species of very lethal snakes that would normally a kill a horse,” Glanville told The Guardian.

“It blew my mind. I contacted him because I thought if anyone in the world has these properly neutralizing antibodies, it’s him.”

To develop the new anti-venom, Glanville and his fellow researchers identified 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes — in the elapid family — which kill their prey by injecting neurotoxins into their bloodstream, paralyzing muscles (including the big, important ones, like the heart and lungs).

The trouble is, each species in the elapid family has a slightly different toxin, meaning they would each require their own anti-venom.

But Friede’s blood contains certain fragments of each of these toxins; protein molecules seen across the various species. Because of his decades of service to science, his blood also contains the antibodies required to neutralize these toxins, preventing them from sticking to human cells and causing harm.

Combining the antibodies LNX-D09, SNX-B03, and a small molecule called varespladib that inhibits venom toxins, Centivax has successfully created a treatment effective against the entire range of 19 species’ toxins.

Their work, which was recently published in the journal Cell, will soon be tested outside of the lab. 

Trials will start with using the serum to treat dogs admitted to Australian veterinary clinics for snake bites. Assuming that goes well, the next step will be to administer human tests.

Researchers also believe that because the serum stems from a human, this should also lower the risk of allergic reactions when being administered to other people. 

“The final product would be a single, pan-anti-venom cocktail,” Professor Peter Kwong of Columbia University, a senior author of the study, told The Times.

Or, he added, they could make two: “One that is for the elapids, and another that is for the viperids, because some areas of the world only have one or the other.”

As for Friede, he maintains his affinity for snakes, though his last bite was in November 2018, when he said “enough is enough,” according to The New York Times.

By then, he had certainly done enough. His pursuit of immunity could feasibly save countless lives.

“I’m really proud that I can do something in life for humanity,” Friede told The New York Times, “to make a difference for people that are 8,000 miles away, that I’m never going to meet, never going to talk to, never going to see, probably.”

-via GoodGoodGood, May 2, 2025

[union-of-mad-scientists]

On April 8 we celebrate the death of Margaret Thatcher, and remember all the lives she destroyed.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

rare reddit gem

[union-of-mad-scientists]

Okay the WEIRDEST THING is going going down right now

So some guy in Michigan in the US has just found a letter in his grandmother’s house; it seems to be a pen pal letter from 1973ish, and it’s from a young Welsh girl. In it, she lists:

Her name, and the names of her brother (Gwynedd) and sister (Catrin)

Their ages

Where she lives in Wales (Denbigh)

Her hobbies, including horse riding and reading pony books.

So this American dude decides to take a photo, whack it on Twitter and ask the only Welsh person he knows if there’s any way to track this Welsh girl down, because you know, ALL WELSH PEOPLE KNOW EACH OTHER, OBVIOUSLY

Except

I am furious to report that it has worked

Welsh person he tags doesn’t know, but takes up the challenge. Someone reckons the Catrin might be a woman who translated a hymn book once, and checks the foreword to see that the dates and ages do seem to be about right. Someone else suddenly has a brainwave - wait, isn’t she the mother of Steff, the comedian?

My husband gets tagged, takes one look at this letter, and is like “That is 1000% my aunt.”

So now it’s 20 to midnight, Steff’s aunt has obviously not yet seen the excited message to put Twitter out of their misery, and my mother-in-law is currently on the phone gleefully telling us that when that letter was written her sister had never sat on a horse in her life before, and she’d lied to an American pen pal for clout before the internet even existed.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

I think it would be so funny if there was a show about King Arthur and the knight of the Round Table where a different knight(s) joins the Round Table every episode and it gets to the point where the cast is like 500 people and absolutely no one is acknowledging that there are like 400 people in this court. Like a gratuitous amount of knights. The plot randomly pivots to knight or knights of the week and then back but it’s not an anthology exactly. Some of them die the same day they join, some randomly disappear from the story and others are technically there for the rest of the series but doing fuckall. Occasionally Arthur will be like “Where has Sir Whatever gone?” and everyone will shrug. Very important quest surrounding the major knights you’re expecting and a minor knight no one has seen for 5 seasons randomly joins in. You need a knightly spreadsheet to join in.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

The abundance of methane and carbon dioxide, and shortage of ammonia, support the hypothesis that there may be a water ocean underneath a hydrogen-rich atmosphere in K2-18 b. These initial Webb observations also provided a possible detection of a molecule called dimethyl sulfide (DMS). On Earth, this is only produced by life. The bulk of the DMS in Earth’s atmosphere is emitted from phytoplankton in marine environments.

Hey possible life on another planet!

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"Yes, I expected as much," Arthur nods. "I shouldn’t keep you, though. I am sure there is much you must, or at least would like to, be doing."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

i think we should be talking about the semi-recent advancements in cystic fibrosis treatment like all the time every day. there hasn’t been a drug like this since AZT medications for HIV infection it is truly fucking miraculous and very important

[union-of-mad-scientists]

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"That sounds wonderful, honestly. Please let me know if or when you ever end up trying such a thing, I would be happy to help with any testing or experiments..."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"I would be interested to know the results of any such experiments, if you were willing to undertake them," he says, "It would be nice to be able to have my own things again. Even back in Avalon, I couldn't really interact with much..."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"See, this is what I am talking about," he says, grinning, "I don't think just anyone would be able to figure that out so quickly. Thank you." He sips the concoction gratefully. "Would it be any more difficult to create ghostly food or other objects?"

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"Could you really? That would be very kind," he says, a slight pleading look in his eyes. "I don't really need food or drink, of course, but the sensation is so nice."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"Ah, but there are alternatives... I digress, though." Arthur finishes his tea, and puts it down sadly. "I suppose that mug will pass on now. I'll have to wait for another major spill if I want more... Or maybe I'll get lucky, and it will just remain and refill itself."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"No, perhaps not," Arthur agrees, "Nevertheless you chose to use your time to pursue those crafts. I am simply saying that skill of any kind is worthy of respect. Back in my day, much of what is now called 'hobby' was the livelihoods of many. It mattered not if someone could do something for themselves, if they wanted not to spend the time on it."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.

[union-of-mad-scientists]

"With enough practice, anyone could do anything," he says. "Do not denigrate the hours of practice and learning you have put in to this skill, because not everyone will take that time."

Mac is wandering the castle when she ends up on the battlements. He ends up occasionally, and tends to just stargaze, but this is the first time they've noticed someone else up here with her. Immediately interested, they slink over quietly to see who and/or what they are.

@chaos-harbinger

Mac sees a man who fades into the stones when not looked at directly. He looks only a little older than Mer, with a full head of greying hair that was once a sandy blonde. He wears a white and red surcoat over meticulously shined chainmail. There is a crest on his chest, of a bear and crown and sword, which looks vaguely familiar to Mac. And he has a loop on his belt which might have once held sword and scabbard.

He is looking out over the meadow and into the forest. He has not yet noticed Mac.