General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBee venom kills HIV!!!
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/healthcare/researchers-bee-venom-can-kill-hiv-virusScience never seizes to amaze me. WOW!!!! Oh, and if in wrong section please move.
Control-Z
(15,682 posts)TheManInTheMac
(985 posts)how to keep the venom from killing the patient.
MattBaggins
(7,897 posts)name not needed
(11,660 posts)MattBaggins
(7,897 posts)Skipx025
(2 posts)I am curious, but too lazy to look and see, if everyone who is allergic to bee stings is allergic to the same protein. The other question is: which pharmaceutical company is going to kill this research; as it's common practice to buy a competing product and kill it so it doesn't undercut sales.
elehhhhna
(32,076 posts)uppityperson
(115,677 posts)calimary
(81,085 posts)Glad you're here. Your first post! Very cool! Cool story, too, isn't it? Another reason for society to protect its bees and not do things that threaten their existence!
dballance
(5,756 posts)I am one who is allergic to insect stings. It began when I was young and my body would just swell up around where I was stung. If I was stung by any insect, bee, wasp, etc. the location where I was stung would swell up to enormous proportions. Once, my hand and half my arm were so large my parents took me to the ER. My mom had the same issue so I think it's hereditary.
As I got older my doctor prescribed an Epi-Pen for me just in case. Never had to use one but it's good to have around.
Separation
(1,975 posts)It definitely has a double edges sword sometimes though. I'm not a big fan on animal testing but I'm not so naive that I know it can be used for some pretty amazing research.
Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)You may want to cross post that in the HIV support group. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1150
FarCenter
(19,429 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)savebigbird
(417 posts)....so many bees are dying!
Lionessa
(3,894 posts)bvar22
(39,909 posts)As BeeKeepers, my Wife & I are continually amazed by these creatures.
I might start experimenting with Bee Sting therapy for arthritis this year.
The anecdotal testimony is intriguing,
and we have plenty of Bees.
Separation
(1,975 posts)When I retire here in the next year or so, the family and I are moving to Tn. in the mountains. I have always wanted to keep bees. From what I've read the first year of the colony can make or break you. I'm just worried about the cold of winter and if that could be trouble. Do you have any issues during winter time?
Sorry for the hijack, and a bump for bees!
bvar22
(39,909 posts).. in the Ouachita Mountains of central Arkansas.
There are successful BeeKeepers in Montana and Minnesota.
Surviving the Winter is one of the biggest issues,
and the biggest problem there is making sure they have enough stored food to last the Winter.
The Bees are great at taking care of themselves,
but they sometimes need a little help,
and experience and Common Sense is the best teacher.
We moved from Minneapolis to to our new home in the Fall of 2006, and started our BeeKeeping adventure that Winter,
Neither Starkraven nor myself had had any hands-on experience with bees.
During that first Winter, Starkraven researched bees (mostly online), and purchased a "Starter Kit" and two hive bodies online. She assembled the hives during the Winter, and in the Spring, the bees arrived via US Mail.
The postmaster of the small rural Post Office called us at 7AM,
and strongly encouraged us to get those Bees out of his Post Office ASAP.
My Wife introduce the Bees to their new home.
While she did everything according to the Book and wore a full Bee Suit,
it WAS very stressful. I took photos from a distance with a telephoto lens and shouted encouragement.
She must have done everything right, because the Bees decided to stay,
and we still keep bees from that original line.
As time and Seasons passed, we both became more and more fascinated with these insects, and took a course offered by the State, and later joined our local BeeKeepers Association.
While the bees are hearty and very good at taking care of themselves, they sometimes need some help.
We were lucky, and blundered through the first year on online research and love, but taking a course and joining the BeeKeepers Association has been invaluable, and we highly recommend it to anyone considering bees.
Our bees are very gentle (Italian/All Stars). We always wear protective hoods and gloves and use a smoker, but rarely put on the full suit. We do get stung on rare occasions (through the gloves or jeans), but it is no big deal anymore. I am considering trying BeeSting therapy for some arthritis in my hands .
We have gotten very comfortable with the bees, and inspect the hives every couple of weeks during the Spring/Summer. It takes about 10 minutes per hive. During the Winter, we rarely open the hives. ...only enough to make sure they have food (sugar water).
Our colonies are about 20 yards from the backdoor, visible from the house. There are plenty of bees around our house and gardens, but they have never caused a problem with us or our pets. Neither of us has been stung outside of messing with the hives.
There are many websites that offer full starter kits online.
I believe we ordered our original kits from Dadant,
but are setting up the jigs to build our own equipment,
which is relatively easy with basic carpentry skills and tools.
Here is some info based on our own experience we keep handy for anyone thinking about Bees.
We strongly recommend the following suggestions:
1) Check in with you County Extension.
They are very helpful. There are some regulations concerning transportation, registration, and inspection, and there may be some local ordinances. They are a great resource for latest research and new methods, pest & disease control. They can facilitate state hive inspections.
We generally avoid government agencies where ever possible, and have never voluntarily registered anything, but we make an exception for our bees. The benefits FAR outweigh any downside.
2)Join you local Beekeepers Association.
These are some of the most laid back people you will ever meet. Starkraven and myself are not joiners, but we look forward to our monthly meetings with the "bee people". This is another valuable resource for local information concerning pests, honey flows, equipment and disreputable operators. You can also pick up some hands-on experience working around hives.
Make no mistake...it is scary opening a hive the first time.
You will also be able to pick up some free localized bees from you local bee keepers. (Healthy colonies EXPAND, and many local bee keepers have all they want and are more than happy to give them away).
3)Always use new equipment
There are some very persistent pests and diseases that can be transmitted through the equipment. Used equipment abounds at some very attractive prices.
It is not worth the risk in my opinion. If you join the local association, some will offer you old equipment for FREE, but we always politely turn it down.
New Equipment is very reasonable, and there are many wholesalers and retailers online.
4)Do NOT to use flower scented deodorant or fabric softeners.
You would think this is Common Sense, but we found out the hard way.
5)Do NOT feed your bees Corn Syrup
There is no verifiable science to support this suggestion.
It is our personal preference. Corn is NOT a natural Bee Food.
Many BeeKeepers DO use Corn Syrup. It is cheap, the bees seem to like it, and the chemistry seems OK.
We refuse to use it, and will continue to do so until there is 100% proof that GM contamination absolutely can NOT
be transmitted to our Bees through Corn Syrup.
We use only 100% Cane Sugar to make our food solution,
and then only use it when necessary.
We strongly recommend the above suggestions.
Our fascination with our Bees continues to grow.
The more we learn,
the more fascinated we become.
This is a wonderful site about BeeKeeping:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm
We don't always agree with him,
but love his attitude about Bees,
and his approach to natural BeeKeeping.
So far, we have adhered to more conventional methods,
but will try a Top Bar hive soon, maybe this season.
The End Product is beautiful,
....and you will have the satisfaction and security of KNOWING
that your Honey is 100% Pure, Natural Honey,
and NOT Corn Syrup that has been reprocessed through a Bee.
We keep two colonies, and both have made it through our mild Winter with high populations.
We observed them taking pollen into the hives last week,
a sign of early Spring. We would like to expand to 4 colonies this year,
and, so far, things look good for that.
Here are some photos and text I've posted in the Rural/Farm group.
There are several other BeeKeepers at DU, but they seem to come and go.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1182412
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1182619
If you have an inclination to do this,
please Follow Your Bliss.
Our experience with our Bees has been one of the most fascinating and rewarding adventures we have had since we Took-the-Leap in 2006.
Remember to have fun, and good luck.
calimary
(81,085 posts)Thank you for posting it. I hope people like you can help save our bees.
JeaneRaye
(402 posts)Unless something good has happened with our honey bees over the last few years that I don't know about, we won't have enough bees left to pollinate our food crops, let alone use them to kill HIV.
calimary
(81,085 posts)Good to have you with us! VERY good point you make - that we should all be spreading and trying to educate people about. Our bees are threatened and that has to turn around!
uppityperson
(115,677 posts)caseymoz
(5,763 posts)That is, bees are:
http://www.ars.usda.gov/News/docs.htm?docid=15572
It also applies to scientist, though:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2013/03/what-the-sequester-means-for-science.html
Wounded Bear
(58,584 posts)Harriety
(298 posts)no_hypocrisy
(46,010 posts)NightWatcher
(39,343 posts)I've lupus and I've heard about it, but it takes a lot of stings (35-40 a session) and a few sessions a week to be any kind of effective. I dont know how I'd respond to that. I may look more into raw honey or some other offshoot that is less painful than a shit load of stings. If it does work however, I guess I'd let the bastards sting me
pinto
(106,886 posts)"These data illustrate the first proof-of-concept for therapeutic and safe nanoparticle-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 infectivity. Future investigations appear warranted to explore the antiviral prophylactic potential of melittin nanoparticles to capture, disrupt and prevent initial infection with HIV-1 or potentially other enveloped viruses."
Hyperbole makes for good, short headlines. Some promising stuff here, yet very irresponsible reporting from whoever edits the Yahoo releases.