Parasites and autoimmune disease

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10964&feedId=online-news_rss20

"One hypothesis that is gaining growing acceptance is that certain bacteria and parasites – which have lived alongside humans for millennia – have gradually developed ways of stimulating Treg cells to dampen down the immune system, enabling them to survive in the body for longer. With modern standards of hygiene these 'old friends' are gone and Treg cells are consequently less active, meaning the TH1 and TH2 cells go into overdrive, triggering allergies and autoimmune diseases."

Springwatch!

A great way to revive the spirits in January... the UK Phenology Network and the BBC have launched Springwatch 2007. Their indicator species are:

Frogs (spawning), Peacock butterflies, Hawthorn (flowering), seven-spot Ladybirds, red-tailed Bumble Bees, and Swifts.

Upping the ante

We're going to try and additional trick to keep the foxes off our polytunnel in future:

Silent Roar pelletted lion sh*t :-)

Apparently, some foxes have been deterred...