This week's compendium

Here’s this week’s compendium. This week…

1. the booksellers Borders and Angus & Robertson went into voluntary administration [1a]. I bet the government doesn’t offer them a generous exit package like it’s given loggers and their ilk [1b].

2. zinc was reported to reduce significantly the severity and duration of the common cold [2]. It inhibits rhinovirus replication.

3. I read that record sheep prices have stimulated a spike in duffing, i.e. theft [3]. That’s predictable of course.

4. Hepburn Wind’s turbines, on the SE Panthea, are due to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow evening [4]. It’s hoped they’ll be operational later in 2011. Yay.

5. a natural gas liquification plant opened in northern Tasmania [5]. LNG will only be used in trucks – because engines need costly rebuilds to run on LNG. LNG greatly improves fuel efficiency though compounding problems firefighters face if an LNG-powered truck crashes.

6. an Australian research paper showed the incidence of multiple sclerosis falls as sunlight exposure rises [6]. This effect’s been known for years. But its basis remains unclear. Sunlight and Vitamin D explain only 32% of the latitude incidence gradient.

7. a clinical guideline from the American College of Physicians discourages routine imaging for low back pain [7]. The College says routine imaging increases costs and complications – without improving outcomes.

8. darling sister Sue sent me this link to an interview her son (thus my nephew) Dion did last 12 January [8a]. I’ve previously labelled Dion a natural [8b]. This recent interview confirms he is. I’m proud of you, mate.

Finally, I wish you, dear Farmdoc’s Blog readers, a wonderful week.