Thursday, September 03, 2015

What are wasps for?


This little story caught my eye today. We've all heard that well known curmudgeonly question common at late summer BBQ's and picnics "what exactly are wasps for?" which is a question that could equally be applied to the fly, the mosquito and the midge. Well, it seems that the venom of a wasp in Brasil has proved pretty good at zapping cancer cells and yet leaves healthy cells completely intact. The article explains how the chemicals in the venom attack the cell membranes at certain weak points allowing the contents of the cell to flow out, therefore killing it. A fascinating study and one that may well put the bad press around this daily mail bogie to bed for good!

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