Hatrack River Forum: Crocodile blood kills HIV

This is topic Crocodile blood kills HIV in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

Interesting, no?

They do say it will be years before any practical applications, but that's a step in the right direction, hopefully.

Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :

quote:
"The crocodile has an immune system which attaches to bacteria and tears it apart and it explodes. It's like putting a gun to the head of the bacteria and pulling the trigger," he said.

Too many action movies while the petri is baking?

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

quote:
After capturing a crocodile and strapping its powerful jaws closed the scientists extract blood from a large vein behind the head.

"It's called a sinus, right behind the head, and it's very easy just to put a needle in the back of the neck and hit this sinus and then you can take a large volume of blood very simply," said Britton. [emphasis mine]

I must be working with different definitions of "easy" and "simply"

Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :

They didn't say the "capturing" and "strapping its powerful jaws closed" parts were easy and simple....

Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :

Awesome. More cures for disease should involve crocodiles and exploding bacteria.

--Enigmatic

Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :

Hang on, HIV is a virus. Otherwise we'd just just antibiotics. So what's the good of an immune system that kills bacteria?

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

KOM, did you read the article in the link? It says that crocodile immunity trumps all pathogens.

This is why you never see a crocodile with a sinus infection. Unlike some Scandinavians I know.

By the way, how are your sinuses?

Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :

You know, the human immune system also pops bacteria. That whole complement thing.

Sadly, no real information there or links to real information [Frown]

and, well, pretty poorly written. But, um, cool?

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

Yeah, I like the part where they capture the crocodile, strap its powerful jaws stuck and stick needles in it.

I'm keeping my day job.

Posted by Dr Connors (Member # 8497) on :

I think it's a great idea!

Posted by AC (Member # 7909) on :

[ROFL]

Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :

Unfortunately, in early lab tests, scientists created a ratcodile, or is a crocodrat? Anyway, whatever you call it, it's huge, warm blooded, and lives in sewers.

If found, please return. Answers to the name "Ben."

Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :

100% of people eaten by crocodiles no longer suffered from HIV infections.

Posted by CNNRS (Member # 8499) on :

GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

quote:
If found, please return. Answers to the name "Ben."

Uh, oh, Lindsay? I knew there was something wrong with Ben...