5 Animals that heal with venom!

Venom has been used in medicine since around 4500 BC.  It has been used in many different ways from hunting animals to creating anti venom's.  Currently, the most common use of venom is in the pharmaceutical industry in the production of different medicines.

The following animals are a few of the earth's most venomous creatures that science has used to synthesize pharmaceuticals from.


The Brazilian Pit Viper

The Brazilian pit viper venom provided within it an angiotensin-converting enzyme, (ACE).  This was the first venom-derived drug to receive approval from the FDA.  Now titled Lisinopril the drug derived from pit viper venom is a commonly used high blood pressure medicine designed to relax the blood vessels and decrease the volume of blood to the heart.  Other uses of snake venom include the use of it as an anti-clotting agent in surgery and anti-venom.




The Cone Snail

The cone snail uses a venomous harpoon to capture and kill fish that it wants to eat.  The venom is powerful enough to kill a human with a tiny drop.  However, the venom from the snail has been used to provide a powerful painkiller that can be used in extreme cases when opiates are not beneficial.  Unfortunately, there is a problem with this drug called Prialt. It has to be injected into the spinal column because it will not cross the blood-brain barrier if injected into the bloodstream and therefore will not enter the brain.  It's an amazing pain killer but rarely used.  As of September 12, 2016, scientists have found out the insulin derived from the cone snail works 10 minutes faster than the current fast-acting insulin.  Making it a better option for people needing insulin fast.



Bee's

It has long been believed that bee sting venom can provide some type of useful pharmaceuticals but until recently we haven't fully explored its potential.  In 2013 a team of scientists at Washington University school of medicine used nanoparticles coated with bee venom (Melittin)  to destroy the HIV virus and it worked.  They did so without causing damage to any of the healthy normal cells around the HIV virus.  Scientists are furthering the research with bee venom believing that it may have many other uses for treating human ailments.


The Gila Monster

The Gila Monster is a type of lizard the excretes venom from the saliva in its bite.  Scientists have been able to use this venom to synthesize Exenatide (Byetta) a new drug now used to aid in weight loss by helping sustain a healthy glucose level in people with type 2 diabetes.










Chilean Rose Tarantula

The Chilean Rose Tarantula is a type of spider from South America scientists are using to treat muscular dystrophy.  The venom from this spider helps the muscle cells retain there strength and proteins that keep the muscles healthy.  This does not cure people with muscular dystrophy but it does prolong their life.











The world of studying venom has been around for thousands of years but only recently have we realized the truly astounding potential of it.  With hundreds of thousands of animals that have developed the need for venom researchers will be analyzing venom for years to come.


If you liked this check out one of my other articles.

http://www.calebsapps.com/2016/07/sumerians-first-urban-society.html



Sources:

All images are sourced from Wiki creative commons.

http://www.buffalo.edu/home/feature_story/good-venom.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070709175815.htm

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257437.php

Ransomware, can take over your computer!

Ransomware!  What is it

Ransomware is a type of malicious virus designed to take over your computer and render it useless until a sum of money is paid to the owner of the virus.  The virus can put a bunch of porn on your computer blocking you from using it.  Or it can install a virus that stops you from using your computer or network entirely.

How do you get the virus

The normal way to get the virus is by going to a website with popup ads that block the site until you click them.  You can also get them from clicking an unknown link in an E-mail or from downloading software from an unknown site.

How does it affect me

If you get attacked by a ransomware virus it can completely block your computer from use.  Usually, when it happens the attackers try to force some type of payment out of you in the form of making you buy a program to remove the virus or provide funds through a money transfer of some type.  However, do not send money to these individuals.  That will only encourage them and they might try to get more out of you

Can it affect my business

Ransomware can infiltrate your network and steal personal info about you and your company.  It can also shut down usage of the network crippling productivity.

How can I protect myself

First get a reputable antivirus software and install it.  Then enable popup blocking on your web browser.  Keep an eye out for emails that you do not recognize even if they make it through your spam guard.  If you don't recognize the sender don't open the E-mail and click their links.  Backup your computer as often as you can or make sure that your computer does it automatically.  If you do get attacked disconnect your computer from the internet and do a system restore to eliminate the virus.  If any of this does happen to you alert the FBI because most of the attacks are happening in the U.K. when it happens in the U.S. the FBI wants to know.

Thanks for reading.

calebsapps.com

Please check out another of my articles on Wifi network safety.

http://www.calebsapps.com/2016/08/evil-twin-network.html


Source:

http://us.norton.com/yoursecurityresource/detail.jsp?aid=rise_in_ransomware

Who elect's the President? What is the electoral college?

Well lets look to the electoral college for this one.

What is the electoral college.

The electoral college is a group of 538 individuals that represents the U.S. in deciding the next president and vice president of the United States.  It was established by our forefathers as a compromise between the vote of congress and the voters to select the president.

Does the electoral college have the power to decide the president against the popular vote?

In 2000 George W. Bush lost the popular vote to Al Gore and was chosen president by the electoral college.  The vote was .51% in favor of Gore.

Why does the electoral college matter?

The electoral college matters because it takes away the ability for the elected official with the most votes to win the election.  

How does this affect me the voter?

This means that your vote can be overruled by the electoral college.  Taking away your power as a voter.  Or as Wiki states "the national popular vote is not the basis for electing the president or vice president."

This is bigger than Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton.

Thank you for reading.

Link to my free Halloween trivia app on the Google Play store!
http://www.calebsapps.com/2016/10/halloween-app-20-multiple-choice.html

Please check out this other article i wrote.

http://www.calebsapps.com/2016/07/sumerians-first-urban-society.html

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_College_(United_States)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/what-is-the-electoral-college_n_2078970.html

http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/about.html

Evil Twin network

If you have ever thought that the information you are sharing on a free public WiFi network is being viewed by others you might be right

It's called an Evil Twin network and hackers use it to steal your private information in public places.  They set up a wireless hot-spot and create a login page that looks similar to the one the business is using.  After you log in to their sign-on page they begin to track your keystrokes and data sent.  This can give them your passwords and login information to private sites.

They can also use this access to plant virus.  Virus's that can do things like sending your location to the hacker when accessing your home network this can tell them where you live.  And let's say you have a cool WiFi door lock on your front door.  The hacker can use the info passed over your network to unlock the front door.

What can you do to protect yourself?

Well, it appears that your antivirus can't do much to help you.  I have researched this type of attack at antivirus websites and they give a list of things you can do to protect yourself but no info on what they do you help.

Don't use the automatic connections on your computer.  Sign on yourself.

Try to not send private information over wireless networks.  No banking. Limit your social media time.

Turn off your WiFi and Bluetooth when not in use.

The Evil Twin network is one of a few very sneaky ways for hackers to steal your information.  So always think about what you send over an unsecured network.  And surf safely looking up the results for Miss Teen USA is a safe search, however, your banking should be saved for a secure network.


If you like this article read one of my other articles.Amazing castle in Florida

Thanks for reading.

www.calebsapps.com