tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24288419263443265322024-03-14T00:52:53.576+00:00ZomBlog - Zombie Science from the Zombie Institute for Theoretical StudiesBased at the University of Glasgow the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies is dedicated to the scientific study of Zombieism. Our research is supported by the Wellcome Trust & University of Glasgow. This blog is maintained by the Institute & contains an archive of writings from Doctor Austin, now retired, who acted as Head of the Institute from 1996 - 2014. Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-14079270335734739522014-08-18T10:26:00.000+01:002014-08-18T10:26:25.357+01:00Doctor Austin to retire<div class="normal">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Doctor Austin<br />Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies<br />1996 - 2014</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To all my
students,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The time has
come for me to retire as Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies.
I want to thank each and every one of you for giving me the honour of teaching
you about a subject I care so very passionately about. I have been so fortunate
to have such a brilliant career, it has been wonderful. I know that all of you
will carry on the study of Zombies and Zombieism, and take it to places I could
only dream of. There are further details of my retirement in the official press
release below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I know the
Institute is in safe hands, and will continue to deliver you all an excellent
dose of Zombie Science.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Stay safe out
there,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctor Austin</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PRESS RELEASE</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Issued:
18/08/2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For Immediate
Release</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">WORLD-RENOWNED THEORETICAL ZOMBIOLOGIST DOCTOR AUSTIN
RETIRES</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">World-renowned
Theoretical Zombiologist <b>Doctor Austin</b>
is to retire from his post as Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical
Studies, at the University of Glasgow, on Monday the 25th of August 2014. Appointed
in 1996, Doctor Austin has been responsible for the development of the Prion
Zombieism Theorem as well as the Institute’s public engagement programme. The
latter took the form of the spoof lectures and tutorials, <b>Zombie Science 1Z</b>,<b> Worst
Case Scenario </b>and <b>Brain of the Dead</b>.
Supported by the charity Wellcome Trust, these events have been seen by over
40,000 people since their inception in 2010. Two of these shows are currently
taking place at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctor Austin
has worked extensively on the subject of Zombiology, spending time researching
Kuru in Papua New Guinea during the 1960s and studying variant
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the 1990s. As Head of the Institute he has taken
awareness of Zombieism to an all time high. Of his decision to retire, Doctor
Austin has said, ‘I have enjoyed every moment of my time at the Zombie
Institute and have been humbled to work alongside a lot of truly wonderful
people. I am particularly proud of the public engagement programme through which
I met so many interesting and varied individuals. I’ve always believed that
science isn’t for a select few, it’s for everyone, and that’s what drove me
during my years touring the world.’</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The University
of Glasgow have yet to announce a successor for the Institute, which first
opened on campus in 1803. Doctor Austin has stated that he will remain on as
Zombiologist Royal to Her Majesty the Queen, until such time as an appropriate
replacement is selected.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctor Austin
will present his final public lectures at the Edinburgh Fringe, every night
until the 25th of August. The sixty minute shows’, <b>Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead </b>and <b>Worst Case Scenario</b> adopt Doctor Austin's unique combination of
comedy and science. <b>Worst Case Scenario </b>sees
the audience make decisions on dealing with a Zombie outbreak. The choices they
make alter the outcome - meaning no two shows are ever the same. <b>Brain of the Dead </b>allows the audience
to experience life as a Zombie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Asked about
this, and his future plans, the Doctor said, ‘the Fringe is a brilliant way to
end my career, it’s a fascinating place, full of terrifically talented people.
I have spent my whole life exploring strange environments, and this is no
exception. But after a long time on the move I look forward to spending my
retirement with my family and allowing the next generation to push the study of
Zombiology to exciting new levels.’ </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Notes to Editors</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">About Doctor Austin;</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Doctor Austin
is a Theoretical Zombiologist at the University of Glasgow and has been Head of
the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies since 1996. His theories on
Zombieism have been published worldwide in publications as diverse as The
Times, The Guardian (Las Vegas), The Daily Mail, Playboy (Russia), The Zombie
Times and The Metro. Doctor Austin has appeared on the BBC, Sirius XM (USA),
RTE Television (Ireland) and is the author of Zombie Science 1Z, a guidebook to
the science of the undead, first published in 2010. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lecture Details;</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Zombie Science:
Brain of the Dead – Edinburgh Fringe 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18th - 25th
August at 7.10pm (1hr)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tickets: £6.50
- £10.50 </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">C Venues,
Adam House, Chambers Street, EH1 1HR</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fringe Venue 34</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">C Venue Box
Office: 0845 260 123 / </span><a href="http://www.cthefestival.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.cthefestival.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fringe Box
Office: 0131 226 0026 / </span><a href="http://www.edfringe.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.edfringe.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Zombie Science:
Worst Case Scenario – Edinburgh Fringe 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">18th - 25th
August at 10pm (1hr)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Tickets: £6.50
- £10.50</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-highlight: white;">C Venues,
Adam House, Chambers Street, EH1 1HR</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fringe Venue 34</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">C Venue Box
Office: 0845 260 123 / </span><a href="http://www.cthefestival.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.cthefestival.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Fringe Box
Office: 0131 226 0026 / </span><a href="http://www.edfringe.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.edfringe.com</span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Web Links;</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.zombiescience.co.uk</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">@ZombieScience1Z</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">##Ends## </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH2roFHQehA_GMvtSabsXtZb7mxEWPNUzEKfU81rRWDug9vM66-_6f3iXY-VsIQycK6Anf20hJ8Jnnj0vTstAO9Fx24EYLqP2CbMhFjisKNGqHz4kap0Scs7A26wEdqgdgjdeQjxQGPA/s1600/Doctor+Austin+with+HRH+Credit+to+Russell+McGovern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSH2roFHQehA_GMvtSabsXtZb7mxEWPNUzEKfU81rRWDug9vM66-_6f3iXY-VsIQycK6Anf20hJ8Jnnj0vTstAO9Fx24EYLqP2CbMhFjisKNGqHz4kap0Scs7A26wEdqgdgjdeQjxQGPA/s1600/Doctor+Austin+with+HRH+Credit+to+Russell+McGovern.jpg" height="268" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Doctor Austin with <span style="line-height: 15.333332061767578px; text-align: start;">Her Majesty the Queen</span></b></td></tr>
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Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-21675368039377584982014-07-01T16:11:00.001+01:002014-07-01T16:11:03.723+01:00Book Review: Each New Morn<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good day Zombiology students,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you for stopping by the ZomBlog. Today I’ll be taking
a break from science to review <i>Each New
Morn</i> a post-apocalyptic thriller from L. G. Thomson. My usual caveat
applies, I am a scientist, not a critic, therefore I can only share my personal
thoughts of the book. I must also declare a conflict of interest, as I make a
special appearance in the story! In fact the book holds a special place in my
heart as the author found inspiration from some of our science in the creation
of her Zombies - a most humbling honour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrOstrwxA-FkC8yM76DnLFjAgLEuMmD6zjKYMmEiv3l7VX00hi7TuO7ulzQVx7aEziaGM0-tuSkQo6tUOdBWAlwOSzrAi7yyisdyrDVEXXbtfTaq98uly2sGX02drS3FzSjHT8zxI0sA/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrOstrwxA-FkC8yM76DnLFjAgLEuMmD6zjKYMmEiv3l7VX00hi7TuO7ulzQVx7aEziaGM0-tuSkQo6tUOdBWAlwOSzrAi7yyisdyrDVEXXbtfTaq98uly2sGX02drS3FzSjHT8zxI0sA/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-cover.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Each New Morn </i>follows
survivors of a deadly prion disease named <i>Falling
Down Flu</i>. I can hear scientists grinding their teeth, as influenza refers
to a virus not a prion, but settle down, this is explained in the book. This
isn’t your traditional Zombie story, in fact the word Zombie is rarely used and
the disease has many unique factors that set it apart from the standard Romero
model. The outbreak begins with patients falling into a sleeping state for a
short period. Some wake up fine, some never wake again and others, well, they
come back <i>different</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The story begins with Chrissie, a woman alone in her home,
where other members of her family haven’t woken up. Anarchy has overwhelmed the
streets and she makes the decision to take a car and seek safer pastures. As is
often the case, Chrissie discovers that the most dangerous element of the
apocalypse is not the infected but other humans.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncWhUUn9h3Q4-MeAmiI-Fc7_yArqNb0zqTGPC0zQuS2jKw7U21Ng2kW2O4t-zKSdQ0khIkmw6-kmL7S7_6u64NX2oDl3aFKfdaif0C8JBwREXbwfL6_X6ok2E3-B9JgFBx9EhhNdprXs/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-fiction-prion-disease.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncWhUUn9h3Q4-MeAmiI-Fc7_yArqNb0zqTGPC0zQuS2jKw7U21Ng2kW2O4t-zKSdQ0khIkmw6-kmL7S7_6u64NX2oDl3aFKfdaif0C8JBwREXbwfL6_X6ok2E3-B9JgFBx9EhhNdprXs/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-fiction-prion-disease.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the second part we are introduced to Shaw, a man who was
trapped on a visit to his home village and like Chrissie, his family doesn’t awaken
with him. He does have a lovely dog, Toby, for company. It is here that we have
our first encounter with a ‘Zombie’. This doesn’t happen until more than 80
pages in, very unusual for a Zombie tale, however I found the story so
gripping, that I hadn’t even noticed. After dispatching the first of many
undead monsters, Shaw begins to assemble survivors and they struggle to survive
against the conditions of the remote Highland area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m cautious not to reveal too many of the exciting twists
and turns in the book, spoilers I believe they are called. But I must discuss
the Zombies because I really loved (and was terrified) by them. Those who
awaken <i>changed</i> behave in some of ways
we expect of a Zombie. They are aggressive, relentless and difficult to kill.
In a break from the norm they do not moan – they scream. Nicknamed <i>Screamers </i>they roam the night wailing
horribly. This is a nice nod to the banshee, a fixture of Scottish Gaelic
mythology. These creatures are also vulnerable to injury in a more human way,
meaning it’s not just a headshot that’ll take them down. I liked that because
from a scientific perspective the lack of explanation as to how the body
functions without blood flowing, or consumed food & drink being transferred
to energy, is a bit confusing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall the story is action packed – it covers a long journey
and a long period of time. It explores areas many other Zombie stories
overlook, such as the rise of feral animals, an explosion in the insect
population and the realistic decay of the things we humans leave behind. The
approach is different from other Zombies stories, making it a fresh and
surprising read – and as an avid fan of all things Zombie this doesn’t happen
to me often. It is set in Scotland, and being my home country, I liked that a
lot. There’s something exciting about being able to visualize these events
happening in your immediate world. My only slight confusion was why American
terms were used, such as ‘gas’ and ‘store’, as the characters were not
American. Perhaps this helps with international sales. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’d like a gripping, fresh take on the Zombie genre,
packed with tension and surprises that are equally pleasant and horrible then <i>Each New Morn </i>is for you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-Yg7VJivPDFJUTil0sbdthUjjsK6A-MZNN3fRGqV2IK0qD66WODFTQoNgP32jtTDgSmVCqlqM7QLfeqt9I5TGlcG-PmY6rr2ZHynhHH6y54jBntTU15PIOBSFQ1T7T0gNJKC1yliPoc/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-fiction-girl-screamer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-Yg7VJivPDFJUTil0sbdthUjjsK6A-MZNN3fRGqV2IK0qD66WODFTQoNgP32jtTDgSmVCqlqM7QLfeqt9I5TGlcG-PmY6rr2ZHynhHH6y54jBntTU15PIOBSFQ1T7T0gNJKC1yliPoc/s1600/thrillers-with-attitude-each-new-morn-post-apocalyptic-fiction-girl-screamer.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">L. G. Thomson’s </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each
New Morn </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is </span><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Each-New-Morn-L-Thomson-ebook/dp/B00I9CAY7A/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1404226915&sr=1-1&keywords=each+new+morn" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">available on Amazon</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and more information can be found </span><a href="http://www.thrillerswithattitude.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">on the official website</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m going to the Edinburgh Fringe 2014 with two offerings
from Zombie Science, details below;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead – Edinburgh Fringe 2014<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30th July - 25th August (not 12th) at 7.10pm (1hr)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tickets: £6.50 - £10.50 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white;">C Venues, Adam House, Chambers
Street, EH1 1HR</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fringe Venue 34<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C Venue Box Office: 0845 260 123 / <a href="http://www.cthefestival.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.cthefestival.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fringe Box Office: 0131 226 0026 / <a href="http://www.edfringe.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.edfringe.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario – Edinburgh Fringe 2014<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30th July - 25th August (not 12th) at 10pm (1hr)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tickets: £6.50 - £10.50<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="color: white;">C Venues, Adam House, Chambers
Street, EH1 1HR</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fringe Venue 34<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">C Venue Box Office: 0845 260 123 / <a href="http://www.cthefestival.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.cthefestival.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fringe Box Office: 0131 226 0026 / <a href="http://www.edfringe.com/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www.edfringe.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay safe out there,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctor Austin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-style: italic; line-height: 17.25px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-55077239547518178022013-10-27T08:26:00.000+00:002013-10-27T08:26:59.195+00:00Zombies Write! II 'A brief too far'<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">Welcome to the ZomBlog,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">This entry is a wee break from the usual science. I've been participating in the Zombies, Write II writing challenge. Using a prompt from <a href="http://abrainlessnod.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Dan</a> I composed the below story, set in the world of <a href="https://www.zombiesrungame.com/" target="_blank">Zombies, Run</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">Please enjoy, 'a brief too far'... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6us3LOzPURERfiuqLFL4jcDNfURIJrl84rIe4svSpXA3KL3XKO0zPY5n3O0tm0yskpkr4AubjCWnDUVSszGqwOdr9ShvOUkPGvpmHuMFl5DvLcI4uB9MHUyyM1dhN9W5vYfFZxyNnoo/s1600/b532cafae6b67331_148345501_1_.preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6us3LOzPURERfiuqLFL4jcDNfURIJrl84rIe4svSpXA3KL3XKO0zPY5n3O0tm0yskpkr4AubjCWnDUVSszGqwOdr9ShvOUkPGvpmHuMFl5DvLcI4uB9MHUyyM1dhN9W5vYfFZxyNnoo/s320/b532cafae6b67331_148345501_1_.preview.jpg" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">Runner Five
rested her hands on her knees, welcoming the chance to catch her breath. She
barely flinched as the gate Warden inspected her sweat soaked body for scratches
and bites. It was a procedure to which she'd become long since used to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'You're clear
Five, good to have you back,' the Warden proclaimed with his usual unwavering,
cheerful manner. Five nodded and made her way to supply depot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The contents
of her backpack were emptied unceremoniously across the table. Batteries, ammo,
pain meds, antibiotics, sports bras, and underwear formed the bulk of the pile. The
team got to work sorting. Five did her best to avoid the smirks and stifled
laughs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'A few close
calls out there Five?' asked Mike, the head of the storage team, sarcasm
dripping from every word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'No more
Zoms than usual', Five replied curtly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'As long as
its just your legs that are running.' <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The entire
group erupted into fits of laughter. Five scooped up the underwear and bras,
stuffed them into her backpack and stormed off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Back at her shack
Five was relieved to find no one else around. She reached underneath her bunk
and pulled out a battered old tea chest. She popped the lid and swung it open,
revealing a cache of underwear and sports bras. She added the new arrivals to
the collection and shoved it back out of sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Nice chest Five',
came a voice from above. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Startled, Five
spun to face it, heart pounding. Sam Yao lay on a top bunk, dog eared copy of
the instructions for Darkness & Demons spread across his lap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Bite me Sam',
snapped Five, and angrily stomped out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'What? No! I meant the
tea chest', Sam called after her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The next day
Five stalked the wilderness alone again, well almost. She truly loved the silence, perhaps one of
the few positive aspects of the apocalypse. Even the Zombies no longer bothered
her. They'd become little more than an inconvenience, she dodged them as one
would a fallen tree. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'I'm about
to lose you on the cameras Five.' Sam's voice on her headset snapped her back from
her thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Perfect.
Five had been waiting for this opportunity. She pulled off her backpack and
undid the buckles. From inside she removed a sports bra and set of underwear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Behind Five a
branch snapped. Slowly a Zombie emerged, stumbling toward Five from between two
trees. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">S</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">tuffing the underwear into the cups of the bra Five hooked the strap
behind her thumb. With her other hand she grasped the bra between the two cups
and stretched it back. Closing one eye she took aim at the incoming Zombie. She
steadied her breathing, and began counting down in her head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Three. Two.
One. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five
released her grip. The elastic contracted, sending the underwear hurtling
toward the rotting target. The airborne briefs made contact with the Zombie's
face, lightly bounced off, and landed on the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Runner 5
cursed to herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The Zombie
paused briefly, staring at her in what Five thought was a mixture of amusement and
confusion. It was as if the Zombie was astounded anyone would do something so
pointless and so stupid. No, that was her imagination, Zombies always have that
look.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Rummaging in
her backpack Five grabbed another pair of boxer shorts. This time she carefully
placed them into the bra, open end toward the front.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five fired
again, aiming slightly higher than the Zombie's head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The boxers
flew through the air, almost gliding, in a perfect arc. The wind puffed them
partially open, and they descended onto the Zombie's skull. The boxers sat at a
jaunty angle. Five laughed quietly to herself. Thank God Sam can't see her,
this must look ridiculous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Satisfied
her plan would work, and having got to grips with the method, Five loaded
another pair of boxers into the bra. As she steadied her aim she took a step
back. Something pressed against the heel of her shoe. Without thinking Five
fired her pants based payload just as her world turned upside down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five felt as
if she were falling in slow motion, gracefully sailing downward, hard ground
rising up to meet the back of her head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">When her
vision cleared Five was looking up at the Zombie. It towered over her,
appearing massive. Five smiled. Sitting neatly upon the Zombie's head were the
pair of boxers. Her aim had been spot on. Its eyes were completely covered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">In one fluid
motion Five rolled toward her pack and pulled a bat free from its holder. With
cat like agility Five rose to her feet and began circling the blinded monster.
She was careful not to make a sound. The Zombie kept lurching forward,
toward the spot Five had fallen. Wherever Five moved, the Zombie stayed on its
original course. Five smiled with satisfaction. Her theory was bang on. There's
nothing mystical about how Zombie's hunt. Sight and sound. Like everything
else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'You okay
Five?' Sam's voice asked over the headset, laced with concern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">It startled
Five, such had been her focus on the task at hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Nothing I
can't handle Sam', Five replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">At the sound
of her voice the Zombie began turning, seeking the source. Five moved in front
of the Zombie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Thanks for
your assistance sweetie, you were a big help.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five brought
her bat firmly down on its head, popping it like a melon. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Back in Able
Five paced nervously outside the Major's office. Despite the success of her
experiment she still remained somewhat hesitant about how her idea would be
received. The Major's staccato call echoed from the office, ordering Five in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five entered
and set the sports bra, with its underwear ammunition, on the desk. She would
never forget the bemused look on the Major's face. It alone was worth the risk
of being dismissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">---<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Dawn was
breaking as the crowd of Able residents assembled in the training area. The
Major stepped forward, a hush descended, and she began to address them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'All of us
know too well the challenge we face in combating the Zombie threat. They are an
enemy unlike any other the human race has faced. To gain victory, and I am
convinced we shall, requires new thinking, unique thinking. I have been
presented with a tactical advantage, one we must all learn to master. Runner Five,
your demonstration please.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Five stepped
forward, bra and underwear in hand. The supply team, led by Mike, fought to
hold back laughter. The mirth infectiously rippled out to the rest of the
crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Two of the
Major's Officers dragged something through the flaps of the tent. As it came into focus, the laughter ceased immediately. It was a Zombie, writhing forward, straining
against its restraints. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Major are
you mental?' A deathly hush came upon the crowd. They strained to eye who had spoken. It was Sam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft';">Sam became nervous as the looks fell upon him, and added, 'Sir'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Without even
looking at him the Major shot back, 'be silent and watch Mr Yao.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier Final Draft;">Every eye was
on Five. Controlling her breath she counted down and repeated her skillful shot.
The blinded Zombie bumbled around, its putrefying brain unable to figure out
why it was blind, its extended arms never considering to simply remove the
underwear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'We have
heard many stories', continued the Major, 'the undead are mystical, magical,
they have enhanced powers that lead them to find us wherever we hide. The
stories are wrong.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The Zombie
was moving toward her voice, as it reached her, the Major casually stepped
sideways, and the Zombie crashed into the podium falling with it to the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Not only
has Runner Five proven this today. She has given us a new weapon against the
monsters. One that requires no bullets, and little maintenance. Once blinded
the Zombies are easily taken down in hand to hand combat.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">Illustrating her point the Major pulled a large combat knife from her waist and sliced into the Zombie's head, nearly parting its entire skull in two. It fell down limp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'We owe Runner 5 a debt of
gratitude.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">The entire
crowd broke into applause. Grudgingly Mike joined in and Five fired him a smug
wink. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">As the applause faded out at single hand rose. The Major followed it to
its source and let out a heavy sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Question Mr
Yao?'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier Final Draft";">'Does this
mean I have to start going commando?' All eyes turned to him. 'Sir.'</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier Final Draft'; text-align: center;"> ---</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Thanks for reading,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joining me on the 28th & 29th of October 2013 for the brand new lecture </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead</a></span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> at the London Horror Festival</a>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Book your tickets online or by calling 020 7482 4857. The lecture is part of a 3 year project supported by a Society Award from the Wellcome Trust. </span></div>
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Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-21553104549899854222013-09-30T15:57:00.000+01:002013-09-30T15:57:00.957+01:00Angry Zombies<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Fit like there students, help yourself to a cup of tea and let’s get into today’s ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m preparing our new public lecture, <a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" target="_blank">Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, for it’s debut at the London Horror Festival. In this lecture I’ll be delving into the Zombie brain. Today I thought I’d share some insights into a part of the brain called the amygdala, and what its role is in Zombieism.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVADvJO_C-5fQ5v8F_eHHpcJq-TpFnOS9DvcRs8-QfoWDo_RBSdTTEXnPSNfOtUXNVJIQwNFQEI8XPD-_fij2BPj-LpIJpFzsA0h4SZlH99z30CpLxh4NGcbReVxh7dmoxGtM1N9uALWg/s1600/amygdala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVADvJO_C-5fQ5v8F_eHHpcJq-TpFnOS9DvcRs8-QfoWDo_RBSdTTEXnPSNfOtUXNVJIQwNFQEI8XPD-_fij2BPj-LpIJpFzsA0h4SZlH99z30CpLxh4NGcbReVxh7dmoxGtM1N9uALWg/s1600/amygdala.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The amygdala lies deep within the brain and is about the size of an almond. It plays a key role in the display and control of aggression.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">During a study involving monkeys, their amygdalae were stimulated electrically. This led to an increase in aggression. The fact that monkeys react angrily to having their brains electrocuted isn't exactly a revelation, but us scientists have to pass the time somehow. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The size of the amygdala is known to correlate with how aggressive a species is. If a male is castrated, the amygdala can shrink by up to 30 percent. This may offer one method of calming down male Zombies, but, as opposed to the head, usually offers a smaller target.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcvxNSG4jVJLTIijX_R5sh1BpTsmBTXXDVVLGXX3HDL1GUQ7vw6Mgvn86jxM2MOqGWbWzhcqePb0bEls0AsN_XEpP5awqbSfjcUgG6pOyoTtjlmna2eGKDtge4cyccHnVHZQBptPeiOU/s1600/2ec2gr9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcvxNSG4jVJLTIijX_R5sh1BpTsmBTXXDVVLGXX3HDL1GUQ7vw6Mgvn86jxM2MOqGWbWzhcqePb0bEls0AsN_XEpP5awqbSfjcUgG6pOyoTtjlmna2eGKDtge4cyccHnVHZQBptPeiOU/s1600/2ec2gr9.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm personally uncomfortable just looking at this tool, never mind attempting to use it on a Zombie</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">A reason that Zombieism may want to manipulate this area, and cause increased aggression, is to help it spread.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recent research suggests that parasites often take up residence in the amygdala. The parasite, toxoplasma causes the disease, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Toxoplasmosis</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Its preferred host is a cat however if it infects a mouse or rat, it changes their behaviour to make them attracted to cat odours. This will increase their chance of being eaten by a cat thus placing the parasite in the host it desires.</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78_PEP2g2uSAQuq6Soj14qDADCtNTsNkwkeBnn8sGJ2d3aIbv7_ptP8gaJdI9kqVqId4dfKvBAhEzjctgsY9oDWGTNkBEG3xkztlNW0ail7uIPyj11c5aVD7SiRQjAs-8hjuDHMtJFzQ/s1600/TomandJerry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78_PEP2g2uSAQuq6Soj14qDADCtNTsNkwkeBnn8sGJ2d3aIbv7_ptP8gaJdI9kqVqId4dfKvBAhEzjctgsY9oDWGTNkBEG3xkztlNW0ail7uIPyj11c5aVD7SiRQjAs-8hjuDHMtJFzQ/s1600/TomandJerry3.jpg" height="194" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unless of course the mouse has a basic understanding of explosives</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">In a similar way Zombieism could twist the amygdalae to do its bidding by altering Zombie behaviour, making Zombies more likely to bite, and therefore improving the odds the disease will be transferred.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find out more about the undead brain by joining me on the 28th & 29th of October 2013 for the brand new lecture </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" target="_blank">Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" target="_blank"> at the London Horror Festival</a>, find out more here, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and book your tickets by calling 020 7482 4857. The lecture is part of a 3 year project supported by a Society Award from the Wellcome Trust. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t forget, if you have a question you’d like me to answer here in the ZomBlog why not leave it as a comment below? Or visit our </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and ask your question there. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When it comes to the science of Zombies we’ve got it covered, or at the very least, we can make it sound like we do.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Keep up the good work my students,</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-81897725211929667352013-09-11T21:35:00.000+01:002013-09-11T21:35:02.373+01:00Zombie Vs Predator<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Ahoy-hoy Zombie Fans, good to have you here for today’s ZomBlog.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Once again I’ll be endeavouring to shine some scientific sense over your Zombiology questions.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first question we have today is from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lee</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who asks,</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“How do zombies sense their prey? Their eyes are often portrayed as cloudy, so can they see? Can they just 'see' movement? Do they develop other senses, to pick up heat for example? As their infected brains can barely function enough to move their atrophied limbs, how difficult it must be to use barely functioning senses.”</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">A real Zombie would of course be more like a human being than their fictional counterparts. They’d have the same senses as we do. In movies they are often shown as being super sensitive to smell, noise, and so on. This of course makes for a more dramatic and scary scene, but isn’t based in reality. </span></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The same is true for the eyes. It is creepier to have a Zombie with cloudy, grey, and generally dead eyes. In the book World War Z, one of the characters explains that Zombies don’t blink and their eyes become cloudy as scratches form. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.desktopas.com/files/2013/06/Brad-Pitt-World-War-Z-Movie-1024x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.desktopas.com/files/2013/06/Brad-Pitt-World-War-Z-Movie-1024x768.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First we kill the Zombies. Then we kill the spirit of the book.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">For us un-undead blinking is an important function. It provides moisture to the eye, allowing us to see nice and clearly. If a human with the Zombie disease didn’t blink, their eyes would dry out, and they would eventually become completely blind. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Real Zombies would be primarily guided by sight and as I mentioned </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/team-zombie.html" target="_blank">in this previous blog</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">humans are naturally good at seeing living things compared to inanimate objects.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Unfortunately gaining thermal vision, like the Predator, is out of the realms of possibility for the moment. If we could see the infrared spectrum it would completely overwhelm our eyes. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.insidearm.com/wp-content/uploads/Predator_Vision_by_LOL2679-610x387.jpg?edcc28" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.insidearm.com/wp-content/uploads/Predator_Vision_by_LOL2679-610x387.jpg?edcc28" height="203" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that the former Governor of California?</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the answer to </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lee’s </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">question is that Zombies sense their prey the same way humans do, by seeing, hearing, or smelling them. Lee is right to point out that the damage to their brains is already causing them problems in moving, and in interacting with the world around them. So they’d be utterly terrible at hunting humans - luckily for us!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next our inquisitive student </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nico</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> got back in touch with another question, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What should you do before a zombie crisis ? Buy guns?”</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Here at the Zombie Institute we believe that all life is sacred, even Zombie life, and we would never condone or encourage the use of involuntary euthanasia to deal with a Zombieism outbreak. That’s a practice Hitler used, and as a rule, anything Hitler does, we avoid. Tiny mustaches, VW cars, Hugo Boss, etc.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">In the event of a Zombie outbreak taking off, there are many excellent government and international agencies who would swoop in to help deal with it. If you look at recent disease outbreaks, Mad Cow Disease, Bird Flu, Swine Flu, and so on, you can see how well they have been dealt with without becoming extreme pandemics akin to the plagues of old.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However, if we take Nico’s question as wondering what to do if, for reasons unknown, the Zombieism disease spreads like we see in fiction there are some things you can do to prepare. As Sun Tzu said, know your enemy. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4NqpIroBt8NvT_-12tBXtN6p3Hi3O-LkqIfQsXherjTrvkociOcuIWf7h9PghvJSFnHsEo2Cz3zR2ieG0jvGe7xDyR8-9lqt1Obpp5abU7fD2jrJG8gvOL2Yc9eo7NH8wBA3Ni2Uo_E/s1600/paris-hilton-reading-the-art-of-war-by-sun-tzu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY4NqpIroBt8NvT_-12tBXtN6p3Hi3O-LkqIfQsXherjTrvkociOcuIWf7h9PghvJSFnHsEo2Cz3zR2ieG0jvGe7xDyR8-9lqt1Obpp5abU7fD2jrJG8gvOL2Yc9eo7NH8wBA3Ni2Uo_E/s1600/paris-hilton-reading-the-art-of-war-by-sun-tzu.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All great minds know the work of Sun Tzu. And Paris Hilton, who thinks 'that's hot'</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By learning all you can about how diseases work, how to control them, and how to treat them you’ll know how best to proceed. For example, if the disease is viral, swallowing a movie star quantity of antibiotics won’t help a bit. If the disease is spread by a bite, and moves through the body very quickly upon infection, there is little point in chopping off your limbs as a preventative measure. Knowledge is power, and by studying this blog, as well as the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/" target="_blank">information on our Institute website</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you can begin to get educated. You can also attend our live lectures or tutorials. Find one near you on the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=tour-dates" target="_blank">Tour Dates section of the website</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=tour-dates" target="_blank"> </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are many excellent guides on the internet to preparing for apocalyptic scenarios, so get researching if you’re concerned. Don’t forget the simple stuff, Zombieland taught us the importance of cardio and I personally love this running app, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://www.zombiesrungame.com/" target="_blank">Zombies Run!</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lifeofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Zombies-Run-head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.lifeofandroid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Zombies-Run-head.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always find sports bras, amazing how these apps know you so well</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.3125; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has a splendid story intertwined with terrifying Zombie chases. Although, my neighbours have been avoiding me since I began running around shouting about invisible Zombies. And since I got the app too.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3125; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 1pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So to answer Nico’s question, there are many ways we can prepare for a Zombie disease crisis scenario. But don’t be too scared, here at the Institute we’re looking out for you. As I told the freshman students this week at STD Awareness Day, prevention is better than cure. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My thanks to Lee and Nico for asking today’s questions. If you have a question you’d like me to answer here in the ZomBlog. Why not leave it as a comment below? Or visit our </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and ask your question there. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Whatever Zombie knowledge you desire, I’ll do my utmost to oblige.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Take care out there students,</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The brand new lecture </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zombie Science: Brain of the Dead</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is premiering at the London Horror Festival on the 28th & 29th of October 2013, find out more here, (</span><a href="http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.londonhorrorfestival.com/whats-on/zombie-science-brain-of-the-dead/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">) and book your tickets by calling 020 7482 4857</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-72380948247017538882013-09-04T10:01:00.000+01:002013-09-04T10:01:22.417+01:00Vegetarian Zombies<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Greetings Zombie Seekers, and a warm welcome to another edition of the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Today I’ll be answering a pair of questions from our fine Zombiology student body.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first is from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Jim</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who asks, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“If someone is a vegetarian in their pre-zombie state would they refrain from meat? And along the same vein could a zombie be able to recognise nuts and berries as food and survive on non-meat products?” </i></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.sliceofscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/fminus2007062036730.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.sliceofscifi.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/fminus2007062036730.gif" height="106" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">A famous slogan of vegetarianism is “nothing with a face”, and if fiction has taught us anything, it’s that Zombie’s love nothing more than sucking and tucking into a human’s face. </span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Vegetarianism comes in many forms, some eat eggs, but no other dairy products, and vegans exclude all animal products including clothing such as leather. There are various reasons people abide by these diets, it might be part of their religious practice or for moral reasons but ultimately it is an active choice. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Our current research indicates that a Zombie’s diet stems from the disease affecting an area of the brain known as the hypothalamus. </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://endocrine101.wikispaces.com/file/view/Hypothalamus.jpg/188972073/Hypothalamus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://endocrine101.wikispaces.com/file/view/Hypothalamus.jpg/188972073/Hypothalamus.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The hypothalamus helps regulate appetite by letting us know when we are hungry, or reversely, full. Dysfunction in this region can make us feel like we are never full, causing us to continually eat. This is called hyperphagia. We believe that a Zombie would be hyperphagic and therefore be compelled to eat continuously. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Areas of the brain also play a role in moral sensitivity. In the 19th century a man named Phineas Gage was involved in an accident. An iron bar was blasted through his head, damaging the frontal lobe of his brain and severely changing his personality. Prior to his accident Phineas was a calm mild mannered man, afterward he became an angry womaniser. By studying Gage scientists learned much about the brain, and that the damaged areas were partly responsible for moral sensitivity. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sometimesinteresting.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/pgage-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://sometimesinteresting.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/pgage-8.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phineas had great difficulty finding suitable hats after the accident</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must also consider that the Zombie disease is likely to affect a person’s memories, and personality. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">If we combine all of these factors it is unlikely that a vegetarian who subsequently becomes a Zombie could remember their previous diet choices, nor care about maintaining them - on top of this the burning compulsion to eat would lead them to devour anything that is available, including meat. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To answer the second part of Jim’s question, could Zombies survive on non-meat products, our current theories indicate that they could and would. A real Zombie, unlike a movie version, does not have a purely cannibalistic diet, and has similar nutritional requirements to a regular human. Read more about our theories in this <a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=zombieism-guide" target="_blank">handy online guide: </a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=zombieism-guide" target="_blank">http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=zombieism-guide</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc0=zombieism-guide" target="_blank"> </a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">In conclusion, a pre-Zombie vegetarian would not carry on this dietary choice once infected, and would be happy to eat anything from meat to veg.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our second question today comes in from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Nico</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> who wants to know, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>“Do you think its possible for zombies to become useful members of society? For example get jobs etc.”</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.rebelcog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/zombie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.rebelcog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/zombie.png" height="320" width="294" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course in some professions no one would notice a difference</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The answer to this depends on whether we could develop a treatment for Zombieism that would remove the disease, and whether we could then repair the damage it leaves behind.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">If we could do both then Zombies would essentially be human again and able to return to their previous lives. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">If we could do neither it would be more difficult, as we’d need to ensure we kept the disease contained and therefore keep infected people away from the uninfected. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">If we could remove the disease, but not repair the damage, a Zombie could be left with significant brain injuries leading to difficulties ranging from movement problems to aggression issues. However the human brain is capable of rewiring itself in a process known as neuroplasticity. The aforementioned Phineas Gage overcame many of his initial personality problems over time. So the longer a disease free Zombie lived, the greater the chance it’s brain has of resolving any problems. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcRstVuoUxSg9iHDQ1GJ3Lbv8G5dESXsahlJRP__4CBg42PENeBb-hAhbd41yoSLDyIebXGOUuyvwpAWuPdNcI5GFt6-n8dV__m0en-kXQXlziUCSuFDXZ8razu8LjFI7ekAGVTo2zwU/s320/in+the+flesh1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLcRstVuoUxSg9iHDQ1GJ3Lbv8G5dESXsahlJRP__4CBg42PENeBb-hAhbd41yoSLDyIebXGOUuyvwpAWuPdNcI5GFt6-n8dV__m0en-kXQXlziUCSuFDXZ8razu8LjFI7ekAGVTo2zwU/s320/in+the+flesh1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Advert for 'In the Flesh'</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The television series <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series)" target="_blank">‘In the Flesh’ (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series)" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series)</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Flesh_(TV_series)" target="_blank">)</a> examined this scenario with fantastic creativity, and if you haven’t seen it, I’d recommend you check it out.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So in answer to Nico’s question, I’d optimistically say that yes Zombie’s could become useful members of society. It might take some time for treatments and cures to be developed but we’d never simply give up on helping our fellow humans. Eventually we’d find a way.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A big thank you to Jim and Nico for today’s questions. As always I can answer your questions right here on the ZomBlog. Why not leave yours as a comment below? Or visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a> and ask your question there. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">No matter how gruesome or tricky, or trickily gruesome, I’ll endeavour to answer them.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Have a Zom-tastic day students,</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-15724571753378475382013-08-28T08:12:00.000+01:002013-08-28T08:12:21.156+01:00The Zombie Scale<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">A good day to you fine Zombiology Student, come on in and make yourself comfortable.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In our ZomBlog today we’re answering a question posed by </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chris </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who wanted to know, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Can zombies rock climb?”</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://zombease.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc_4845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://zombease.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/dsc_4845.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Zombie is on the fence</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rock climbing is a challenging but extremely fun activity. In the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse it may be reassuring to know you can simply ascend to safety and take up residence in a cave, holding weekend dinner parties with Bigfoot.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">But this reassurance may be shattered if the undead can simply shimmy up after you.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Let’s first find out what it physically takes for us humans to climb.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scenery-wallpapers.com/walls/rock_climbing_sport_hd_wallpaper-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://scenery-wallpapers.com/walls/rock_climbing_sport_hd_wallpaper-wide.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm guessing a strong sphincter is one thing</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Studies have shown that the average elite male climber is around 5 foot 8 inches, and weighs about 65 kgs. Muscular endurance is important, as you often have to hold your hand in a single position whilst your body moves. What makes climbing rather physiologically unique is that it requires sustained and intermittent contraction of the forearm muscles for upward propulsion. A good climber will generally have a small frame, low body fat, a high level of upper body strength, a reasonable balance of strength between their arms, and a high endurance factor.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Let’s compare that with the physicality of a human suffering from the Zombieism condition.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The areas of the brain known as the cerebellum and basal ganglia are imperative for physical movement, and would likely be affected by Zombieism. Damage to the cerebellum would prevent a Zombie from tuning and refining their movements. This would make conducting the careful and deliberate motions for climbing very difficult.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The basal ganglia helps us select the correct movement in a particular situation. Damage here would prevent the Zombie from actively choosing say, to move it’s hand over moving it’s leg. You can now imagine how this might affect one’s ability to climb.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Furthermore the cerebellum helps us to keep the image our eye’s are seeing still when we turn our head. If it is damaged the image will appear to slip, making it difficult to keep focus on a particular spot such as an important hand hold required for climbing. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the answer to Chris’ question, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“can Zombies rock climb”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> , is thankfully, no. The disease robs them of the skills required to undertake such a task. When the outbreak begins, rock climbers can simply scale their way up to safety, kick back with Bigfoot and watch the world burn below.</span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m always seeking questions to answer here on the ZomBlog. Why not leave yours as a comment below? Or visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a> and ask your question there. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I’m here for all your undead knowledge needs.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Many thanks to Chris for today’s question, and I’ll see you next time, unless you’re out at a rock climbing lesson!</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<br />Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-52622128632135045552013-08-21T08:35:00.001+01:002013-08-21T08:35:42.674+01:00Zombieism: Eat, Sex, Poop<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hello there Zombiology Student, it’s great to have you with us at the ZomBlog.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Today we have a terrific trio of Zombie Science questions from some of our students. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">First off we have Ida who asks, “Do zombies have a functional digestive system, and do they defecate?”</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stuffpoint.com/zombies/image/13340-zombies-zombie-eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://stuffpoint.com/zombies/image/13340-zombies-zombie-eating.jpg" height="184" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love human, but it goes straight through me.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s begin with the first part. In fiction Zombies have a continual craving for human flesh, yet they are said to not require nourishment. Regular visitors will know that here at the Institute we have a different idea of what a real Zombie would be like. First off, we don’t believe Zombies would be ‘undead’ but rather human beings suffering from a disease. Humans have to ingest certain materials which the digestive system processes and turns into energy in order for us to survive . Zombies move around, so they must be using some form of energy. In order to get this energy their bodies must be processing what they eat, therefore they will need to have a functional digestive system.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">But do they defecate? Defecation is the last part of the digestion process whereby solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste is eliminated from the digestive tract via the anus. As we have established, Zombies are using their digestive systems and to use an old adage ‘what comes in must go out’. However, the damage a Zombie disease would do to a human brain could cause changes in behaviour. So don’t expect a Zombie to excuse themselves to the bathroom. They’d likely go wherever and whenever they needed to, we should count ourselves lucky that TV and Film has yet to develop smell-o-vision. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://zombieresearch.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/zzz-crapper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://zombieresearch.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/zzz-crapper.jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except this Zombie, he has standards.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Next up is Paul who wanted to know, “Can they mate or bear children?”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The answer depends on how we approach the question. A Zombie disease that is spread by biting, akin to Rabies, is contained within saliva and transferred by a bite. The disease increases aggression raising the Zombie’s chances of biting someone, spreading the disease, and therefore creating infected Zombie offspring. So from that perspective, yes they can in a way create more Zombies.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">However I believe Paul’s question really relates to whether a human with Zombieism could have intercourse and produce a child the ‘old fashioned way’.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/persephany_13/ZombieSex.jpg?t=1245441622" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/persephany_13/ZombieSex.jpg?t=1245441622" height="280" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the only appropriate 'Zombie Sex' image I could find. I saw things students, things I'll never be able to un-see. </td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Surprisingly we have not conducted much research into Zombie Sex. Although in a previous ZomBlog we did answer the question, “If a Zombie bites a pregnant woman, would the baby become infected?” (</span><a href="http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/babies-first-bite.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/babies-first-bite.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">We believe that a Zombie disease would be affecting the human brain in a variety of ways, affecting memories and altering their personalities. This could mean that a Zombie may not be interested in sex, nor able to recall how to do it. Yet there is nothing to say that the biological facilities required to create a baby would be non-functional. If two Zombies did make love, it would be an instinctive behaviour, much like when two animals go at it in the wild. Of course the Zombie’s wouldn’t have hospitals, midwives, and so on. So if a Zombie did become pregnant, once she came to term the baby would simply drop out and without the proper care it is unlikely to survive for long.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thelope.com/images/09-05-02-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thelope.com/images/09-05-02-004.jpg" height="320" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Zombie giving birth is essentially a packed lunch.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lastly Colin asked, “Why don’t zombies feed on each other in a frenzy?”</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">This is a question that many have asked when watching Zombie films. A possibility may be that a Zombie is capable of sensing the Zombieism disease by smell, and therefore avoids it in favour of non-infected food. There are countless stories of animals such as dogs and cats being able to detect disease in humans. But, these animals have far superior smelling abilities than humans so it seems unlikely that a Zombie would have such a skill.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fromthesupermassive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/World-War-Z-Zombies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.fromthesupermassive.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/World-War-Z-Zombies.png" height="143" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you hear that World War Z?</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another idea is that the disease may be altering their behaviour in such a way to discourage them from infecting those who already have the disease. There are many parasites who alter their hosts behaviour. When the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">malaria parasite plasmodium infects a mosquito it initially makes them more cautious and less likely to bite. This provides time for the disease to reproduce in their guts. Afterwards it makes them bite more frequently, and for longer, increasing odds the parasite will spread. Yet once a human becomes infected they give off signals that attract more mosquitoes.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">At present we could hypothesize that a Zombie disease is in some way discouraging infected hosts from biting those who are infected. A reason for this would be because its aim is to spread the disease, and to do that it makes more sense to bite someone who is uninfected. But we would need to learn a lot more about Zombieism to provide a definitive answer. This is what makes studying Zombieism so exciting - the unanswered questions! </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">My thanks to Ida, Paul, and Colin for their brilliant questions - I hope you are satisfied with the answers.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a question about the undead please get in touch with me in the comments section below, and don’t forget to visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a>. I’m ready, waiting, and willing to answer your questions right here on the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Remember in the fight against Zombies the greatest weapon is knowledge, and crossbows, but mainly knowledge.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kyeo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Screen-shot-2011-08-29-at-16.15.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.kyeo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Screen-shot-2011-08-29-at-16.15.09.png" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-64431594773758953112013-08-14T10:35:00.001+01:002013-08-14T10:35:06.553+01:00Team Zombie<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Good day Zombiology Student and thanks for stopping by the ZomBlog.</span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Today I’m answering a question that came in via the Book of Faces from Jim;</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">“Hey Doc. I was wondering if Zombies would have organisation skills? I'm not talking about becoming wedding planners or the like but think more along the lines of "The leader" from I Am Legend. Would Zombies be able to lead other zombies with instructions and would those zombies be able to follow them?”</span></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sj-2D-jdAOQiPr_iszkouCjq3jQE4je0ZTPvd-lavhTlQsasJDIkddndziyJN_C9uibvCWREphEZf7btomxEjXImL_hc0uANWxHXJkjgwGiNkpvOJqbJpCaD1wfKDWLZpPyPRQQ5xtE/s400/scream04_iamlegend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Sj-2D-jdAOQiPr_iszkouCjq3jQE4je0ZTPvd-lavhTlQsasJDIkddndziyJN_C9uibvCWREphEZf7btomxEjXImL_hc0uANWxHXJkjgwGiNkpvOJqbJpCaD1wfKDWLZpPyPRQQ5xtE/s400/scream04_iamlegend.jpg" height="135" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leader from 'I Am Legend' - more appealing that most political leaders</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">To begin answering this fascinating question, let’s learn a little something about instinct. </span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Whilst being a complicated term, instinct essentially refers to the in-built responses seen in animal species. These responses are predictable in a variety of situations for example, many animals will attack anything that threatens their offspring, a cornered animal will either fight, run, or play dead, and most animals demonstrate built in food finding behaviours. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">But when it comes to humans, instinct becomes more complicated especially because our brains are capable of overriding instinct, or over expressing it. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Take survival for example. There are many who would argue that the survival instinct is inbuilt into humans. Yet that doesn’t seem to be the case for newborns, young children, and even teenagers - who continually put their survival at risk. You need only look at the newborn who tries to swallow coins or the teenager who drives recklessly to see that in action.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myimprov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/US-teen-drinking-and-driving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.myimprov.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/US-teen-drinking-and-driving.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survival of the Drunkest </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Human instincts are strongly linked to an area of the brain known as the amygdala. This almond shaped structure is one of the oldest parts of the brain from an evolutionary perspective. The amygdala plays a key part in what has been called the "general-purpose defense response control network" and gives rise to whether we will attack or retreat when faced with a specific situation, better known as the “fight or flight” response.</span><br />
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<a href="http://wordpress.greenwichacademy.org/gasciencetimes/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/amygdala2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://wordpress.greenwichacademy.org/gasciencetimes/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/amygdala2.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our research into Zombieism has indicated that the condition could be caused by damage to the human brain including the amygdala. So it is likely that a Zombie would be inclined to act instinctually, certainly more than a uninfected human. </span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">However, this same damage would mean that an individual Zombie lacks the ability to act as a leader and Zombies themselves would be unresponsive to following instruction. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mikesaunders.com/files/2011/10/HerdingCatsCartoon.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.mikesaunders.com/files/2011/10/HerdingCatsCartoon.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing Zombies would be akin to herding cats. Or directing an episode of Geordie Shore</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">But this doesn’t mean that Zombies could not appear to have organisational skills, or even act in a collective manner.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that humans seemingly have a hard-wired ability to notice living things. The study's subjects watched images of various outdoor scenes, two at a time. The second image was slightly different from the first. The differences covered a variety of things, from living animals and humans to inanimate objects such as cars. The results showed that humans can identify changes much faster and more accurately if they're living things. Nearly 90 percent of the living changes were spotted compared with 66 percent for inanimate objects. In other words, we're naturally wired to look out for living things. So it is feasible that a Zombie would be better able to spot and therefore target living things like humans. This could explain why they would be drawn to attacking humans and in a sense would appear to be specifically targeting them. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">We can also consider the area of sociology known as collective behaviour. Collective behaviour is when people engage in interactions in response to unstructured, ambiguous or unstable situations. All of which cover Zombies rather well.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Zombieism is highly likely to affect the aforementioned amygdala, leading to heightened aggression. Therefore a horde of Zombies would be defined in this area of sociology as a mob, because they are an emotionally aroused crowd intent on violence or destructive action. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Rather aptly the coming together of such a mob is described under “Contagion Theory”, whereby people get swept up in the behaviors of others and act like herds of cattle. Yet a large number of Zombies coming together may only appear to be an example of “herd mentality” rather than actually being one. Take the situation shown in the recent Zombie film “World War Z”. Brad Pitt visits Jerusalem where large walls are keeping the undead out. The loud singing of the assembled crowd attracts the Zombies, who pile against the walls, eventually climbing over one and another until they get in.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://impruvism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/original1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://impruvism.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/original1.jpg" height="181" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zombie piley-on in action</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Observing this, one might think that it is a clever tactic on the Zombies’ part. Using teamwork to reach their prey. In actual fact every Zombie is acting on their individual desire to reach the sound. The action of forming of Zombie Tower, akin to an army of ants, is not a purposeful choice but merely a by-product of the mass of Zombies trying to reach the sound.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02470/ant-tower_2470169k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02470/ant-tower_2470169k.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now Zombie Ants, that'd be scary. Or a good Pixar film.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">So the answer to Jim’s question, would Zombies have organisation skills, is ultimately no, but they might appear to when observed. The second part of his question “Would Zombies be able to lead other zombies with instructions and would those zombies be able to follow them?” is also presently a no. Their brains would have been too badly damaged to leave leadership skills intact and if by chance one could act as a leader the others would not be able to understand or follow their instructions.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Many thanks to Jim for an excellent question, and if you have a question about the undead please get in touch with me in the comments section below, and don’t forget to visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a>. I’m ready, waiting, and willing to answer your questions right here on the ZomBlog.</span></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Keep your eyes to the sky, and your ears to the ground, because you never know when Zombies are around.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY2Ah2GsBhHnMS-cNTQ96e_AbrOAYVhkiIPMLoH2GFmKi4nfWw8l8hUoTZlrmMXFsssXXtwjzLNBT9opk3iGGxdBGXIgSWuWvGrAsmZ_8m8imh6XlR4CXDPzbdpkS2H3Gw2yeB692d3L0/s320/DocAandDaveyWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY2Ah2GsBhHnMS-cNTQ96e_AbrOAYVhkiIPMLoH2GFmKi4nfWw8l8hUoTZlrmMXFsssXXtwjzLNBT9opk3iGGxdBGXIgSWuWvGrAsmZ_8m8imh6XlR4CXDPzbdpkS2H3Gw2yeB692d3L0/s320/DocAandDaveyWEB.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-38259828506705200982013-08-07T10:26:00.001+01:002013-08-07T10:26:14.491+01:00Zombies - Sick Zombies<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Greetings Zombiology Students and a hearty welcome to the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today’s question came in from </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>John</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, he asked </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>‘can Zombies get sick?’</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5NDVWR9ofiGEbB7YeCnhppazQFkZPnSKGu7GN798rR4FhsoIW9t4zlfGTPhn7elDfz3203dnmMbKO6eC8hhccQBpzv7qAAUZnrDpJ1fuauv1KCNWeoATMCx3Q5qbVLcD8XlFRDQfKG0q/s640/zzzz-sick-zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5NDVWR9ofiGEbB7YeCnhppazQFkZPnSKGu7GN798rR4FhsoIW9t4zlfGTPhn7elDfz3203dnmMbKO6eC8hhccQBpzv7qAAUZnrDpJ1fuauv1KCNWeoATMCx3Q5qbVLcD8XlFRDQfKG0q/s640/zzzz-sick-zombie.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Regular readers will know that our version of Zombies here at the Institute are based on genuine science, rather than fiction. So there are many differences between our idea of a Zombie and those you might encounter on the silver screen.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Presently it is not possible to have a dead body that acts as though it were living. Our current theories dictate that Zombies are not undead but they are human beings who are suffering from a disease. Therefore they will still have beating hearts, a need to eat, breathe and expel waste. The Zombie disease will cause them to be very aggressive, eating continually (controversially not just human flesh - but anything), walk with unsteady shambling movements, and communicate only through a deathly moan. Whatever causes this disease, be it a virus, bacterium, or prion disease, it will be a serious, horrific illness. </span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://global3.memecdn.com/zombie-apocalypse_c_931291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://global3.memecdn.com/zombie-apocalypse_c_931291.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cat based meme is also a strong contender. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">But as John asks, could Zombies get sick? </span><br />
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">All of us have a guardian against getting ill, our immune system. The immune system is our defender from infectious invaders. Through something called an immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that enter our body to try and damage our vital systems or cause disease. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://myprojectoryforkids.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/3/2/11327754/2099563.gif?347" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://myprojectoryforkids.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/3/2/11327754/2099563.gif?347" height="320" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The immune system, as portrayed by a terrifying drawing.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A network of cells, tissues and organs make up the immune system. The important cells are the white blood cells, also known as </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">leukocytes</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. They come in two basic types; </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">phagocytes</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, which, much like a Zombie, chew up invading organisms, and </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lymphocytes</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, cells that allow the body to remember and recognize previous invaders and help the body destroy them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When foreign substances</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> enter our body (called </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">antigens</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">), many cells work together to spot them, and try to get rid of them. They do this by triggering the creation of </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">antibodies</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, special proteins that lock on to the invaders. Once they’ve been created, they stay in the body, ready to strike again should the disease return. This is why once you get sick with something like chicken pox it is unlikely you’ll get ill from it again. </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/hab/habs_toxins/marine_biotoxins/detection/images/AntibodyMolecule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/hab/habs_toxins/marine_biotoxins/detection/images/AntibodyMolecule.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.35; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are diseases that can affect the immune system. One of the most well known is HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection / AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). This disease gradually destroys the immune system. Without any defence the body is vulnerable to a multitude of organisms which can easily cause life threatening infections in AIDS patients. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Whatever is causing Zombieism it will be a very invasive disease and is likely to weaken the immune system. On top of this a Zombie’s diet is unlikely to be balanced. They are simply eating anything and everything they can. It is doubtful they’ll be garnishing all the required nutrients that help the body fight off germs. Poor hygiene will also play a role. After all I seriously doubt that a Zombie will take the time to wash its hands after eating or going to the bathroom (if indeed they go to a bathroom, they probably go wherever and whenever they want).</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I believe they call this a 'mercy flush'.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.35; white-space: pre-wrap;">Combining all these factors together and a Zombie is going to be an easy target for every illness out there. So the answer to John’s question, can Zombies get sick, has got to be a firm yes. Not only can they get sick, they’re at much greater risk than the rest of us. Hence biological warfare may offer a defence against the apocalypse. But here at the Zombie Institute we always recommend trying to help treat and cure Zombies, rather than trying to kill them! Always remember that Zombies are people too.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a question about the undead please get in touch with me in the comments section below, and don’t forget to visit our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a>. I’m ready, waiting, and willing to answer your questions right here on the ZomBlog.</span></span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Stay safe students,</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="background-color: black; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.gothic.stir.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/dr-austin-biz-300x193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gothic.stir.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/dr-austin-biz-300x193.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-61660382811503043582013-07-31T14:10:00.000+01:002013-07-31T14:10:31.080+01:00Zombies - Fast Vs. Slow<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Good day Zombiology Students and thanks for stopping by the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The release of the Zombie epic ‘World War Z’ has reignited the debate on whether the undead would move with the shambling strength of a Glaswegian on a Friday night, or strafe the apocalyptic landscape like a decomposing Usain Bolt.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's still preferable to a budget airline</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">In today’s ZomBlog I’m not going to explore the issue from the ‘what makes a good film’ perspective, but rather examine what science can contribute to the debate.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Let’s begin by exploring how a disease, like Zombieism, could create the staggering, slow moving monster we encounter in so many undead incarnations.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are two main areas of the human brain that control movement and coordination. These are the </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cerebellum</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">basal ganglia</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://drugline.org/img/term/basal-ganglia-1664_0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://drugline.org/img/term/basal-ganglia-1664_0.gif" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">cerebellum</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> essentially tunes and refines our movements. Imagine you are learning to balance on a board placed on a ball. You'll likely tip forward or backward, and have to lean to adjust your body to correct your balance. As you perform and repeat this action your cerebellum is learning, and with enough practice you will be able to get your balance quickly.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.512solutions.com/sites/default/files/pictures/Balancingact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.512solutions.com/sites/default/files/pictures/Balancingact.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This elephant's cerebellum has mad skillz</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">If this area is affected by a disorder you will have a wider stance as you attempt to balance. When you try to walk you could easily fall and when trying to perform an action, such as touching your nose with your finger, you will often miss.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">basal ganglia</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> are responsible for selecting a particular movement, or a series of movements. When you decide to give someone a 'high five' the basal ganglia prevent you from wiggling your leg at the same time you raise your hand.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">If the basal ganglia are damaged you may become slow to begin making movement. For example if I throw a ball to you, it will have bounced off your face before you even begin raising your hand and once the movement has started you will be slow in carrying it out.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.raywj.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/user_submission_image_full/user-submission/d4/soccer-man-hit-in-face-with-soccer-ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.raywj.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/user_submission_image_full/user-submission/d4/soccer-man-hit-in-face-with-soccer-ball.jpg" height="267" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know when you've be basal ganglia-ed</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Therefore we can conclude that if the Zombieism disease is damaging or impairing the aforementioned areas of the the brain it will produce in humans an unsteady and slow Zombie-like walk. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">How then could a disease evoke the opposite effect, giving us unrelenting, fast moving Zombies?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">When we face a dangerous situation, inside our brain, the hypothalamus activates, sending a chemical signal to the adrenal glands which are next to your kidneys. These glands produce adrenalin, which is to the human body what spinach is to Popeye. Fuelled by adrenalin our blood flows more easily to our muscles, bringing more oxygen with it, ultimately letting them work at heightened levels. This gives us the ability to perform actions, like running fast, slightly better than we normally would. Rather than gaining a new ability, it simply expands on what we already have. But these fits of speed are short lived as within a few minutes the body begins to return to a more normal state.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">But what if we continued in this state, would that give us the unrelenting abilities of the fast Zombie? Not for long, as we’d enter a state of exhaustion, damaging our immune systems and increasing our chance of having a heart attack. Simply put, the body would run out of steam.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">So in reality would a disease that causes Zombieism be more likely to give us a fast or slow Zombie? The answer, for now, has to be - slow.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.titanbooks.com/filebrowser/blog/various_images/zom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.titanbooks.com/filebrowser/blog/various_images/zom.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal thoughts on the debate summed up by a meme</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Disease itself means, ‘a disordered or incorrectly functioning organ, part, structure, or system of the body’. A disease makes us worse than we are normally, it doesn’t improve us. I for one am particularly bad at running so it is unlikely that contracting a massively debilitating disease like Zombieism would suddenly give me Olympic level speed. Although if Usain Bolt contracted Zombieism I would be a little bit worried.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4179246-3x4-700x933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4179246-3x4-700x933.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First I break a world record - then I eat <i><b><u>your</u></b></i> face</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, we’re dealing with Zombies from the perspective of science. In the fictional worlds of Zombie films, TV shows, games and books it may well be something ‘supernatural’ that gives them these amazing abilities. Couple that with the wonderful ways diseases are changing in our world and perhaps one day science will give us those terrifying fast moving ghouls. </span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you have a question about the undead please get in touch with me in the comments section below, and don’t forget to visit our<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank"> Book of Faces (</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">)</a>. I’m ready, waiting, and willing to answer your questions right here on the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Take care out there,</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-69881989085710454802013-07-24T15:22:00.000+01:002013-07-24T15:22:00.274+01:00Walking Corpse Syndrome<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Hello Zombiology Students and a warm welcome to the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Today we're looking at Walking Corpse Syndrome, also known as Cotard's Syndrome. This rare mental condition causes people to believe they are dead, putrefying and missing internal organs - essentially Zombieism of the mind.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8y1-RAUZD7DY27SI1hze1FY_t_ZxKPhTum2RBa1gqGPk-rW1SFD2h233Tq-faKZebF9-zAsLyipCvapIIdykNd3XOGaPSgU6LBc1_Sj7dhsra0EV0kQGJ6axG_zTTqQqayQWrksIxGw/s320/zombie+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8y1-RAUZD7DY27SI1hze1FY_t_ZxKPhTum2RBa1gqGPk-rW1SFD2h233Tq-faKZebF9-zAsLyipCvapIIdykNd3XOGaPSgU6LBc1_Sj7dhsra0EV0kQGJ6axG_zTTqQqayQWrksIxGw/s320/zombie+eating.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have a medical licence right?</td></tr>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Cotard's Syndrome takes its name from French Neurologist Jules Cotard who encountered a patient named, Mademoiselle X (perhaps a relation of Professor X). Mademoiselle X claimed to have no brain, no nerves, no chest, no stomach, and no intestines. She also believed she was immortal and therefore didn't need to eat. She died of starvation.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/Professor-Xavier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/Professor-Xavier.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I ain't related to no French Bird Bro. They don't even have a word for entrepreneur."</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">The condition is usually found in patients suffering from depression and schizophrenia - leading many Doctors to see it as a component of these illnesses.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">More recently a patient, known only as Graham, was identified with the syndrome. Graham believed his brain had died. Neurologists Adam Zeman at the University of Exeter, UK, and Steven Laureys at the University of Liège in Belgium, met with Graham and took scans of his brain. The type of scan they carried out is called positron emission tomography (PET) and is used to produce detailed, three-dimensional images of the inside of the body. Before being scanned the patient has a radioactive substance passed into their body. The substance gives off gamma waves (a type of radiation) that can be detected by the scanner. The scans taken of Graham were the first ever conducted on someone with Cotard's Syndrome.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/2/8/l288576853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://photos-ak.sparkpeople.com/nw/2/8/l288576853.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A PET Scan. Or maybe this is a CAT Scan. I get them confused.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">What they discovered was amazing. The activity in certain areas of his brain was so low it was comparable to someone in a vegetative state.</span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Laureys explained, </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I've been analysing PET scans for 15 years and I've never seen anyone who was on his feet, who was interacting with people, with such an abnormal scan result. Graham's brain function resembles that of someone during anaesthesia or sleep. Seeing this pattern in someone who is awake is quite unique to my knowledge.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Adam Zeman continued, "It seems plausible that the reduced metabolism was giving him this altered experience of the world, and affecting his ability to reason about it."</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The condition caused Graham to completely withdraw into himself. He found no pleasure in anything, he stopped eating, speaking and even brushing his teeth. This caused his teeth to turn black, further compounding his feelings that he was dead.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After lengthy psychotherapy and drug treatment Graham gradually recovered. There have been reports that </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">using </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">antidepressants, antipsychotics and mood stabilizers combined with traditional talking therapies have helped those who suffer from the illness.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">With being such a rare condition, research into this mysterious syndrome is very limited. Could it be that when Zombies do appear the disease affecting them will induce such a syndrome? Only time will tell.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Keep up your studies and join me again next time for more science behind the undead here on the ZomBlog.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Best wishes,</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4q-ZQbmV2miyn8Ga_fHLLGmWjkl_gSaCbJhmKF7cfod9eW3v4TGEb15F0nPhj9GyT97n7hNewoFLoJjm-6UvHEFTfABoiUoia-CPU8yRk4pEZa_mR0vp-pMzDA00O964pXjULUwFBvA6/s1600/Queen+and+Doctor+AustinWEB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4q-ZQbmV2miyn8Ga_fHLLGmWjkl_gSaCbJhmKF7cfod9eW3v4TGEb15F0nPhj9GyT97n7hNewoFLoJjm-6UvHEFTfABoiUoia-CPU8yRk4pEZa_mR0vp-pMzDA00O964pXjULUwFBvA6/s1600/Queen+and+Doctor+AustinWEB.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: Doctor Austin Right: HRH The Queen</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-40594710681356435832013-02-04T15:18:00.001+00:002013-02-04T15:18:27.885+00:00Are Zombies Real?<b id="internal-source-marker_0.38183285598643124"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A warm welcome to all of you fine Zombiology Students.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I travel the UK delivering our new tutorial </span><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/#!vstc13=page-2/vstc0=about" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zombie Science:</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Worst Case Scenario </span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I find myself regularly being asked one question in particular, ‘are Zombies real?’</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Whilst this question may seem to evoke a simple yes or no answer, it is actually a little more complicated than that.</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I hope it's a yes, otherwise I'll be looking pretty stupid right now...</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Certainly the Zombies (dead human bodies reanimated with an unending desire to consume flesh and the ability to transform those they bite) that populate the world of television, films, comics and games do not presently exist in the real world.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However that doesn’t preclude them from ever existing. There are many agents capable of causing disease including viruses, bacteria, parasites and rogue prions. Whilst none of these produce all the symptoms found in a fictional Zombie it is important to remember that these agents are always changing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think for a moment of the flu. We’ve all had it at least once, but it’s far more likely you’ve had it several times. It is caused by the influenza virus, and like Lady Gaga it’s always changing. As with all living things the virus makes small mistakes, called mutations, each time it reproduces. In every generation there are slight differences and overtime these differences build up. The fancy term for this process in ‘antigenic drift’ and this is why scientists have to continually update and change flu vaccines, to try and keep up with changes in the virus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From this example we can see how a virus can change. Who is to say that at some point in the future a virus might change enough to produce an illness that matches the fictional version of Zombieism?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Now remember, I said this wasn’t a simple question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Zombies are real and do exist, there’s even a law banning them from being created – although they’re not like those you’ve seen on the silver screen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t believe me? Then let’s travel to the Caribbean country of Haiti, as ethnobotanist Wade Davis did over 25 years ago. Here we find a deeply spiritual culture with a deep belief in the existence of Zombies – albeit far from the Zombies of Romero or Kirkman.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s say you’re Haitian and you’ve got a family dispute. Perhaps your brother borrowed your wife, or your Gran keeps asking you to explain the internet – how do you resolve it? Simple, get the local sorcerer to turn them into a Zombie slave – problem solved!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the Bingo? Eh, yeah, of course we are Gran.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s precisely what is believed to have occurred there as Wade Davis discovered. Through meetings with these sorcerers (known as Bokors) Davis managed to acquire samples of their Zombie powder. Analysis revealed the presence of a range of substances including one in particular; Tetrodotoxin. Found in species of puffer fish this toxin is one of the deadliest poisons known to humanity. However if administered in small doses it doesn’t cause death but rather gives one the appearance of being dead via paralysis, the slowing down of body functions, and the like.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now which one is the Zombie Powder and which one is the Paprika?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bokor would place the Zombie powder in an unsuspecting victim’s shoes, down their back or generally anywhere where it would come in contact with the skin, nose, and throat. The victim would appear to progress toward death, eventually fooling people that they were indeed dead, and be buried. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Bokor and his minions would then exhume the victim and feed them another concoction designed to keep them somewhat ‘out of it’, so that they wouldn’t attempt to escape or talk back. Many claim these Zombies were then put to work as slaves, but how useful they’d be in performing even a basic task is debateable. </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I mentioned earlier, creating a Zombie in Haiti is illegal, as article 246 of the Haitian penal code states:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It shall also be qualified as attempted murder the employment which may be made against any person of substances which, without causing actual death, produce a lethargic coma more or less prolonged. If, after the person had been buried, the act shall be considered murder no matter what result follows.</span></b></blockquote>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So as we have seen, ‘are Zombies real?’ is a hard question to answer, but I’ll try and make it as simple as possible. The answer is yes, and no.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If you want to know anything about the real science behind Zombies, do send your questions in to </span><a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> or post them in our </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Book of Faces</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (</span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just remember to stay on good terms with your family if you ever find yourself in Haiti,</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Doctor Austin </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ZITS BSz MSz DPep</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span></i><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">See the Zombie Science: Worst Case Scenario tutorial –</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brighton Science Festival 2013:</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date: Sunday 10th February 2013</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Times: 5.30pm & 7.30pm</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Venue: Sallis Benney Theatre, 58-67 Grand Parade, Brighton, BN2 0JY</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tickets: </span><a href="http://www.brightonscience.com/2013/category/10th-zombie-science-worst-case-scenario/" target="_blank">Visit Brighton Science Festival’s Official Website</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Glasgow International Comedy Festival</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date: Monday 18th March 2013</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time: 7.30pm</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Venue: The Stand Comedy Club, Woodlands Road, Glasgow, Scotland</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Tickets: </span><a href="http://glasgowcomedyfestival.com/shows/#!/shows/489" target="_blank">Visit the festival’s official website</a><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-11960936454863146022012-11-26T11:33:00.003+00:002012-11-26T11:37:54.471+00:00The Walking Bred?Good day to all you fine Zombiology Students,<br />
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I’m sure many of you are fans of <a href="http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead" target="_blank"><b>the</b> <b>Walking Dead</b></a>¸
whether in the medium of a comic book, novel, computer game or TV series – it’s
truly impossible to avoid… and why would you want to? In any form it’s become
one of my favourite Zombie worlds since George Romero gave birth to the modern
version.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/romero-zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/romero-zombies.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who wants ice cream? Daddy's buying ice cream!</td></tr>
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Being a scientist I’m interested in what Zombieism would be
like in real life, and what elements we see in fiction would actually work in
reality. The Walking Dead has thrown up a few brain teasing questions that I’m
keen to answer. So in today’s ZomBlog I’m going to investigate their version of
Zombieism, specifically trying to figure out these two puzzles…</div>
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<b>How is the disease
being transmitted?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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And.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Whether their
claim that everyone has the disease, but not everyone has shown symptoms, is
really possible?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why won't you just love me?</td></tr>
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Whether intentional or not, Walking Dead makes the clever
decision of not explicitly telling us what is causing the disease, making it
more fun to theorise on.</div>
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<i>"Internally, we don't know
where the zombie outbreak started, how to cure it, anything like that,"</i>
<b>– Glen Mazzara, Show Runner, Walking Dead (TV Series)</b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“...the rule is: WHATEVER it is
that causes the zombies, is something everyone already has. If you stub your
toe, get an infection and die ... you turn into a zombie." </i><b>– Robert Kirkman, Creator,
Walking Dead</b></div>
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In the TV series even a CDC disease specialist whose been
studying the outbreak for months hasn’t been able to figure out the causative
agent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“It could be microbial, viral,
parasitic, fungal…”
</i> <b>– Dr. Edwin Jenner, Walking Dead, Season 1
Episode 6</b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Animal, vegetable, mineral ... wait ... what was the question? </td></tr>
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From observation we can make some assumptions about its transmission:</div>
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The disease seems to spread through saliva. People contract
it after being bitten by infected people. This is much like Rabies. A Rabies
infected animal has the virus in its nerves and saliva, and can transmit it to
a human through biting. In rarer cases, the animal can spread the virus when
its saliva comes in contact with a person's mucous membranes (moist skin
surfaces, like the mouth or inner eyelids), or broken skin such as a cut,
scratch, bruise or open wound.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Walking Dead, no one appears to have been infected from
indirect contact. For example, the survivors must spend a massive amount of
time off camera cleaning up the biological debris left by each action scene.
This would inevitably include a few litres of Walker drool. Yet never has a
character turned after embarking upon a heavy session of mopping, when perhaps,
in the rarest of cases they should. (Exciting idea for Season 4? No expensive make-up
or effects, just a mop and 250ml of dirty drool!?!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rabies has never been found in blood, perhaps it’s the same
with the Walking Dead Zombie disease. This would explain why, despite the
characters flip-flopping between being careful to avoid contact with Zombie
blood and getting splashed on like a kid at Sea World, they don’t get the
illness. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.sfx.co.uk/files/2011/10/walking-dead-2.2_610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.sfx.co.uk/files/2011/10/walking-dead-2.2_610.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I told you, this episode we stay clean of Walker bits, next season we'll be like kids in a fountain. Visualise the fountain with me Rick. Visualise. </td></tr>
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Alongside the saliva based transmission we also get a
shocking revelation from the only bona fide medical expert we meet in the TV
series, shortly before killing himself, when he utters the terrifying line, <i>“every
survivor is infected.”</i></div>
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How can everyone be infected but not turn?<o:p></o:p></div>
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An interesting comparison is latent tuberculosis infection.
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria called <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>.
Some people who are infected by it do not develop the active illness. It simply
remains inactive and stays that way in the majority of cases – this is known as
latent tuberculosis infection. For a small percentage of people it can
eventually become active for a variety of reasons; if their immune system is
damaged or compromised, if they become malnourished, or simply when they become
older. So our Walking Dead characters may have latent Zombieism infection. A
major biological event, such as a severe trauma, or being near death, may be
what is activating it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/healthtap-public/ht-staging/user_answer/reference_image/2296/large/tuberculosis.jpeg?1344912021" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/healthtap-public/ht-staging/user_answer/reference_image/2296/large/tuberculosis.jpeg?1344912021" width="205" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've really got to stop letting the Daleks make these posters...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We’ve managed to answer both of our questions today. How is
the Walking Dead Zombie disease being spread? It could be like Rabies, in the
saliva of the infected Walkers. This would explain why getting covered in blood
and guts doesn’t turn anyone. But realistically the characters should be
equally afraid of being licked by a Walker as being bitten by one.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, we discovered that it is possible for us humans to
be infected by a disease that lies inactive, waiting for certain conditions to
get it going. A terrifying thought, I’ll not sleep tonight! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I do hope you enjoyed this entry, and if any of you out
there want to know anything about the real science behind Zombies, do send your
questions to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a>, post them in our Book of Faces (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">facebook</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">zombiescience</span></a>)
or get in touch on our website<a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">zombiescience</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">co</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.zombiescience.co.uk/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">uk</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/dont-let-zombies-cost-you-arm-and-leg.html" target="_blank"><b>Want to know whether cutting off a limb after being bitten would prevent you becoming a Zombie?</b></a> Or <a href="http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/babies-first-bite.html" target="_blank"><b>would a pregnant woman who was bitten give birth to a Zombie Baby?</b></a> Read other ZomBlog's to find out!</div>
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Stay Frosty,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical
Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the
University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-29636055605056003672012-11-09T18:15:00.002+00:002012-11-09T18:15:58.319+00:00Zombies versus VampiresWelcome back Zombiology Students,<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s a busy time here at the Zombie Institute. We’ve just
finished developing a brand new tutorial <b>Worst Case Scenario</b> that
premiered at the London Horror Festival during Halloween. Right now our team
are organising a UK tour so do keep your eyes peeled for that. This has meant
I’ve had less time to write articles for the ZomBlog, but I’m making up for it
now by finally completing this Zombies versus Vampires blog to which many of
you contributed your thoughts. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://contentm.mkt3662.com/ra/2012/13706/10/4897898/zombies_vs_vampires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://contentm.mkt3662.com/ra/2012/13706/10/4897898/zombies_vs_vampires.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you’re no doubt aware this year saw countless news
stories appearing relating to cannibalistic attacks. These stories have
inspired the term ‘Zombie Summer’ and are almost always cited as being
indicative of Zombies, leading many to believe that a Zombie outbreak is in
progress, or at the very least, building up steam. In a previous blog I
discussed this, and to reiterate, they are not Zombie-like at all. However,
whilst talking with my friends at the Zombie Shop, they made an interesting
point, “...was there an influx of 'real' vampire attacks after the release of
'Interview with a <i><u>[sic]</u></i> Vampire'?”<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cinemasights.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/interviewwiththevampire-interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cinemasights.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/interviewwiththevampire-interview.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before we start, can I get you a drink? No. Wait. I meant something to eat. Damn it! It's the Murdoch interview all over again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Has the prevalence of the Zombie genre (e.g. The Walking
Dead, Zombie events, walks, etc) caused reporters to become obsessed, and see
Zombies everywhere? If so, why hasn’t the Twilight series created a similar
pattern for Vampires? Or as Zombie Shop point out, did Anne Rice’s Interview
with the Vampire evoke such a response when it was published, or again when
adapted as film?</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s important to state here that I am not examining ‘real’
Vampire stories, those that pertain to describe the exploits of a mythical
being who feeds on blood. I for one am not an expert in Vampirology. I am
merely looking for news stories that attribute unusual assaults/murders to
Vampires, or set these stories in that context.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Interview with the Vampire was published in 1976, and the
later film adaption in 1994. During my research I couldn’t locate many reports
of Vampire-like attacks following either of these periods. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This may be due to the lack of Internet, it was a simpler
time, where not every news story was posted online and kept available until the
end of the universe. However, in 1998, 22 year old Joshua Rudiger ran around
the streets of San Francisco slashing homeless victim’s throats and drinking
their blood. He claimed to be a 2,000 year old Vampire, and a Samurai. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a wide range of such stories available in the 21st
century, amazingly some very recent stories are far more extreme than that of
the Miami Cannibal. Yet we haven’t seemed to have heard of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Take the case in Florida of Josephine Smith, a 22 year old
woman. In September 2011 she viciously attacked an elderly homeless man, biting
chunks of flesh from his face, lips, and arms. Her final words before beginning
the assault were, “I am a vampire, I am going to eat you.” When arrested Smith
claimed to have no recollection of the attack. This story is very similar to
the recent Miami Cannibal case. The victim in both instances was a homeless
person, both involved biting, and both attackers carried out the attack naked.
Yet this story apparently failed to capture the public’s eye. Smith wasn’t even
deemed worthy of her own nickname as the ‘Florida Vampire’ or even ‘Bitey
Lady’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And this is by no means the only one;<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>May, 2006:</b> A 15 year old girl attacked three classmates in
New York, slashing their throats, biting them, and attempting to drink their
blood. The ‘vampire’ was charged with second degree assault as a minor and
released. Read in full: <a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">metro</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">co</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">uk</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">weird</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/12547-</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">vampire</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">girl</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">attacks</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/12547-vampire-girl-attacks-classmates"><span style="color: #1155cc;">classmates</span></a></div>
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<b>December, 2010:</b> A 20 year old in Alabama attempted to burn a
‘V’ into a teenager’s forehead, the arresting Detective described him as, “a
want-to-be vampire”. <o:p></o:p>Read in full: </div>
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<a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">emirates</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">247.</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">offbeat</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">crazy</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">world</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">man</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">claims</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">he</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">s</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">a</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">vampire</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/offbeat/crazy-world/man-claims-he-s-a-vampire-2010-12-10-1.327469"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-2010-12-10-1.327469</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<b>August, 2011:</b> An 18 year old man appeared in court accused
of, amongst other things, cutting young woman, biting them, and telling them he
was a vampire. Read in full:</div>
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<a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">journaltimes</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">news</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">local</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">crime</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">and</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">courts</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">article</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">_</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">e</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">09</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">b</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">91</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">ea</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">bc</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">90-11</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">e</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">0-9421-001</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">cc</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">4</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">c</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">002</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">e</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">0.</span></a><a href="http://www.journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_e09b91ea-bc90-11e0-9421-001cc4c002e0.html"><span style="color: #1155cc;">html</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>August, 2011:</b> A 19 year old Texas man, who claimed to be a
500 year old vampire (from Hell), broke into a woman’s apartment and bit her,
then fled shouting that he, “didn’t want to have to feed on humans”. <o:p></o:p>Read in full:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">abcnews</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">go</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Health</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">MindMoodNews</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">texas</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">man</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">bites</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">woman</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">claims</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">vampire</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">story</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">?</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">id</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">=14315864#.</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">UAl</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">4</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">nrSe</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">68</span></a><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/texas-man-bites-woman-claims-vampire/story?id=14315864#.UAl4nrSe68A"><span style="color: #1155cc;">A</span></a> <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>June, 2012:</b> A San Diego man with ‘vampire teeth’ was
arrested for attacking a 55 year old homeless man. <o:p></o:p>Read in full:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">pakalertpress</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/2012/06/12/</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">man</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">with</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">vampire</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">teeth</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">attacks</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">homeless</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">man</span></a><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/2012/06/12/man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pakalertpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.pakalertpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Man-with-vampire-teeth-attacks-homeless-man.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm often mistaken for R-Patz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>June, 2012:</b> In Denver a woman was arrested after attacking
two people in a convenience store, groping and biting one man, then biting the
female cashier. <o:p></o:p>Read in full:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">://</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">emirates</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">247.</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">news</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">woman</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">jailed</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">for</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">vampire</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">like</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">assaults</span></a><a href="http://www.emirates247.com/news/woman-jailed-for-vampire-like-assaults-2012-06-24-1.464211"><span style="color: #1155cc;">-2012-06-24-1.464211</span></a><u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A notable difference between these stories and their Zombie
counterparts is tone. When reading the Vampire stories it’s obvious that they
don’t paint the ‘Vampire’ as being real, but rather as an (often) disturbed
person. Yet many of the Zombie articles cite the incidents as being clear proof
that a Zombie is real and that a ‘Zombie Apocalypse’ is beginning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A fellow Zombie researcher, Louise, had an interesting
perspective:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>Eating human flesh,
particularly the face, in public places is a bit more terrifying than draining
blood in public. Plus, those acting like 'zombies' seem unconscious of what
they're doing, whereas the 'vampires' are probably very conscious of their
actions ... which, to me, make it a little more scary.</i> <i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another student of mine, Mike, had this to say:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>The main issue is the
background of each of the two types of story, vampiric behaviour has always
been seen as erotic, personal, and this is why people are attracted to the
whole vampire thing due to books and movies. The vampire has lost its
‘darkness’ and is more acceptable now as such the media likes is shock value
and that's why the ‘zombie’ stories still loom large in the media. There is
nothing sexy about eating someone’s face.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, fans of the film Zombie Strippers may disagree with
the last sentence. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ultimately I haven’t determined a single reason as to why
assault stories framed as ‘Zombie Attacks’ are more prominent and have a
tendency to go wildly viral compared to those described as ‘Vampire Attacks’.
But I do like the following idea from one of my top students, Flora, on how we
can make the Zombie a more attractive story in the press:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<i>Zombies lack the glamorous
image the press likes to promote, but do get the 'shock, horror, yuk' response.
Redress the balance by getting Gok to do a zombie make-over, thus making them
appear more on-trend and ask Alistair Campbell to do some negative spin about
the more gruesome vampire activity, showing them in their worst possible light
in a Sunday newspaper expose. Suddenly zombies will be the ones to get the
positive headlines and vampires will be so last year they won't get a mention,
except in a short disparaging paragraph on page 10.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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I'll leave you with this brain tickler from the enigmatic Philosoraptor...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
If any of you out there want to know anything about the real
science behind zombies, do send your questions to info@zombiescience.co.uk or
post them in our Book of Faces (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">www</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">facebook</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">.</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">com</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">/</span></a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience"><span style="color: #1155cc;">zombiescience</span></a>).<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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The truth may well be out there,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical
Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the
University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-35241131191566883912012-07-09T13:26:00.001+01:002012-07-09T13:26:29.685+01:00Zombie Cities<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Welcome back Zombiologists,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">I’m continuing to enjoy my summer break and having a lovely
rest from Bunsen burners and overly emotional Janitors (sorry Davey). So with
science firmly on the back Bunsen burner, today I’ll be reviewing the new Zombie
graphic novel from Silver Fox Comics & Sorab Del Rio, <b>Zombie Cities</b>.<b> </b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545734_387610734620361_193260270_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/545734_387610734620361_193260270_n.jpg" width="216" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Zombie Cities is a compilation of seven unique zombie tales
set in cities across the world. It was written, directed and created by Sorab
and visually brought to life by a small team of highly talented artists. The
stories are excellent and regularly hilarious. For example, an Aussie Dad
rescues his daughter from a Zombie horde, and then proceeds to endanger her by
insisting she film him in action for the ‘You Tube’, a news reporter tries to
be the first to interview a Zombie live on air, and the frequent use (or
perhaps abuse) of George Clooney, all amused me greatly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Zombie Cities makes clever use of world locations, and world
figures. They have certainly taken advantage of their freedom from costly sets,
and digital effects, that are obstacles for equivalent movies. Events are set against
landmarks from Sydney to London, and all are very well drawn. I was most
impressed with downtown London, where Big Ben stands behind a burning red bus
and zombies are lumbering forward. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/292221_385512211496880_1158832611_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/292221_385512211496880_1158832611_n.jpg" width="209" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Many of the stories are self-contained, whilst others leave
you wanting to know what happens next;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">President Obama features in <b>Yes We Can Kill Zombies </b>struggling to come to terms with leading a
Zombie infested nation. Here Mr. President is outclassed at shooting by his
First Lady, a very nice touch. I won’t spoil it by revealing the end, but the
title does say it all. <b>If I Can Kill Em’
Here, I Can Kill Em’ Anywhere</b> is a feel good story (something that in the
Zombie genre is rather unique in itself) about Ronald Crump, a homeless man who
makes good during the Zombie outbreak thanks to a very unusual law that’s put in
place in New York City. In <b>Horror at
Harajuku </b>we get a fascinating insight into Japanese teen culture as a group
of girls head to fashion capital Harajuku for a day out. Only of course to
encounter Zombies, and naturally, George Clooney. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">My personal favourite has to be <b>God Save the Queen</b>. I must admit my bias here. As Zombiologist
Royal to the Her Majesty the Queen I do have a love for all things Elizabeth II.
It opens with a brilliant reference to Earl Grey Tea, one of my Top Ten Teas. I
showed it to my friends at Tea Club last week and my how we all laughed. I
realise the tea based reference isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, (ha!) but to tea
lovers such as myself it was a nice addition. It truly is a great zombie tale.
Prince’s Harry and William make a great shadowy duo as they command a ruthless
Queen’s Guard. We’re left on a cliff-hanger, so here’s hoping we see more of the
Queen and her Corgi’s in future editions.
<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538947_347745128606922_558290918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/538947_347745128606922_558290918_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Overall <b>Zombie Cities
</b>is an excellent series of contemporary zombie stories. It strikes a good
balance between humour, emotion and horror, with enough new twists on the
zombie genre to make it stand out against the horde. Zombie Fans should
absolutely purchase this fine novel. My Tea Club gave it five biscuits out of
five, but I didn’t think that measurement system was appropriate in this
instance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Please do visit the <b><a href="http://sorabdelrio.wix.com/zombie-cities" target="_blank">Zombie Cities Website</a> </b>and <b><a href="http://www.facebook.com/SilverFoxComics?ref=pb" target="_blank">Book of Faces Site</a></b>.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Remember, if any of you out there want to know anything
about the real science behind zombies, do send your questions in to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a> or post
them on our Book of Faces (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a>).
My wee break is almost up, so I’ll be back next time with a spectacularly
scientific Zombie Science Blog. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Stay fresh and loose,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Doctor Austin</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;">Doctor Austin <i>ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i>, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">For even more Zombie Science pick up the </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" style="background-color: black;" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></span></div>
</div>
Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-64747404539881665212012-07-03T16:37:00.000+01:002012-07-03T16:37:39.834+01:00Remaining Days<br />
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<a href="http://www.buyzombie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/remainingdays-artwork.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.buyzombie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/remainingdays-artwork.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Greetings Zombiologists,<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s that marvellous time of year when our current students
have all graduated and our new students are still to arrive. This allows me the
benefit of ‘chillax-ing’ as they call it (I think) and take a break from my
academic & scientific duties. So for the next two ZomBlogs’ I’ll be having
a look at some of the more creative contributions to the Zombie World. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I’ve been listening to the wonderful new album <b>Remaining Days</b>, from the immensely talented
<b>Aaron Stoquert</b>. Aaron is a New York
folk artist who specialises in his own unique brand of eerie melodies. All of
which are based on the undead and the emotions they might feel. It is this
inimitable quality that I believe makes Aaron’s contribution to the Zombie
genre truly distinctive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This isn’t the first time I’ve had the pleasure of hearing
Aaron’s work. Some time ago I discussed his EP, <b>Run for your Life</b>, in this very blog. And fans will be pleased to
hear that Aaron’s new album doesn’t disappoint. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We open with <b>The
Guests</b>, a haunting piano melody crackling out amongst a blanket of gritty
distortion. Whilst there are no vocal lyrics, it speaks volumes, setting an
emotional scene that one can visualise playing out across a Zombie apocalyptic landscape.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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But this unnerving peace is quickly shattered by <b>Flesh and Bone</b>, an almost threatening
ballad where one feels overtly intimidated by an oncoming Zombie horde, <i>“we're coming for you, say goodbye or hope
to god, that days are spared you.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Only one track, <b>Last
Day</b>, returns from the original EP. But it does so in splendid form,
sounding bigger and fuller than its predecessor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A particular favourite song of mine is <b>The Front Lines</b>, a track that is the official theme of War Against
the Walking Dead, a book by Sean T. Page. Sean is well known to us here in his
role as Minister for Zombies (UK), and this track truly captures his writing.
From the military beat of the drums, to the enduring melody, by listening you enter
the mind of someone trapped and fighting for their life against the undead. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ll admit that I am by no means a musical connoisseur, nor
expert, but I know what I like, and Remaining Days is one album I truly love.
Aaron has really stepped up from his EP, bringing a bigger, more developed,
sound and range to his new work, whilst not losing the individuality that I
feel makes him a unique voice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.aaronstoquert.com/" target="_blank">Be sure to check out Aaron’s work on his website.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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And do join me next time when I’ll be reviewing Zombie
Cities, a new graphic novel from Sorab Del Rio and Silver Fox Comics. <b> </b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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Remember, if any of you out there want to know anything
about the real science behind zombies, do send your questions in to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a> or post
them on our Facebook page (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a>).
I might be relaxing for a little bit, but I’ll be back into science mode soon. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Doctor Austin <i>ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i>, is a
Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical
Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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For even more Zombie Science pick up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-26033989545537584042012-06-13T23:55:00.000+01:002012-06-13T23:58:25.662+01:00Face Off<br />
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Good day Zombie Science Fans,<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the past few weeks the world has been buzzing with
stories of potential zombie incidents. Only last week I was on US radio
reassuring my American cousin’s that they are safe, and have had many requests
to explain what’s going on via the old Book of Faces. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD2gLXNuUfA/T8YHj4vwjrI/AAAAAAAAK2k/tYKTSNSL2XA/s1600/Rudy-eugene-victim-on-miami-causeway.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DD2gLXNuUfA/T8YHj4vwjrI/AAAAAAAAK2k/tYKTSNSL2XA/s320/Rudy-eugene-victim-on-miami-causeway.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The body of Mr. Rudy (naked) and his victim Mr. Poppo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It all began with a chap in Miami USA, who spent almost 20
minutes eating a homeless man’s face before being shot dead by police. From
there the floodgates opened, not a day passed without someone eating someone’s
something, and journalists attributing it all as evidence that the zombie
apocalypse is nigh. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, no one more than I would welcome the arrival of zombies.
Mostly because if they remain theoretical I will have wasted my entire
scientific career. But also because it would make it easier for our Institute
to acquire research funding. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So are these incidents indicative of Zombieism spreading
amongst the population? <o:p></o:p></div>
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No.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And here’s why.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Journalists regularly use the word zombie in their articles
to sell more papers, zombie-banks, zombie-youth, zombie-countries, etc. In fact
<a href="http://zomblogofficial.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/ant-ithesis-of-zombies.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: white;">I’ve written about this in a previous blog</span></a>. It amazes me, given what we know of
the industry, that people still believe anything that’s written in a newspaper.
But that’s away from the subject.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/moore_reppion/press-zombie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/moore_reppion/press-zombie.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If we put zombie in the headline twice we'll sell double the amount. Throw in our integrity too. </td></tr>
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The three main ‘supposed zombie’ stories cited have been; Eugene
Rudy AKA the Miami Cannibal, who ate up to 75% of the homeless Mr. Poppo’s face
before police stopped him, the Baltimore student who murdered his housemate and
ate parts of his brain and heart, and lastly, the Hackensack man who stabbed
himself dozens of times and threw his protruding intestines, as well as pieces
of skin, at the SWAT Team who arrived to help him.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/hackensack-man-throws-intestines-at-cop-e1338327408259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2012/05/hackensack-man-throws-intestines-at-cop-e1338327408259.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sack, right, not slash. My bad. Let me wipe those intestines off. Officer.</td></tr>
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Now we can certainly understand where the zombie angle comes
from for the first case, it maybe just works for the second, but certainly not
the third.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the Miami case the attacker showed no regard for wearing
clothing, consumed his victim raw, did not respond when talked to, and did not
demonstrate self-preservation (ignoring the officer’s request to desist or be
shot). These are all behaviours a true zombie may have.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The second case is tenuous at best. The murder may or may
not have been premeditated, but the keeping of the body parts most certainly
was a conscious choice. Zombies do not have the mental capacity to plan or
carry out such a scenario.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The third case is definitely disturbing, but hardly zombie
like. A zombie would struggle to use a weapon, has little interest in
self-harm, and doesn’t have the coordination to throw an object.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So if the cause isn’t Zombieism, what is it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are a variety of possibilities. The Miami Cannibal was
thought to have been high on a designer drug called ‘bath salts’. The effects
of this drug are consistent with his behaviour, high temperature (leading to
removal of clothing), hallucinations, and violent behaviour. However this has
not yet been corroborated by toxicology reports.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Bubble_bath_fun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/32/Bubble_bath_fun.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man, I'm so high right now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The second case was one of pure cannibalism. Cannibalism is
in itself a mystery. We do not know what makes some people choose to eat other
people. We have yet to identify anything in the brain, damage or otherwise,
that can explain why it happens. You won’t find cannibalism in any psychiatric
handbook or any instances of it being a defence for the behaviour in court.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, the third case was carried out by someone who had a history
of mental problems. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In conclusion, none of these events provide us with any
evidence to support the arrival of the Zombieism disease. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many people are citing bath salts as being a drug that makes
people into zombies. However there have been countless bath salt fuelled
incidents reported; such as a man who broke into a random family’s house and
put up their Christmas decorations, or, another man who was found wearing
women’s lingerie, standing over the body of a dead goat. These tales just
scratch the surface of ‘high on bath salts’ news stories. Yet it is only the
ones that can be vaguely pinned on Zombieism that get the same attention as
that of the Miami Cannibal. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the next time you read something discussing a supposed
incidence of Zombieism, check the source. If it has been written by a
journalist and not a zombiologist and/or scientist, you may want to pass it
directly to my colleague, Mr. Shredder (the appliance, not the Turtles baddie).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aznbadger.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/turtles-3-manhattan-project-shredder-forest-fires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://aznbadger.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/turtles-3-manhattan-project-shredder-forest-fires.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha ha Doctor Austin, I'm where all those manuscripts you send to Brian Cox end up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If any of you out there want to know anything about the real
science behind zombies, do send your questions in to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a> or post
them on our Facebook page (<a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience">www.facebook.com/zombiescience</a>).</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The truth may well be out there,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Doctor Austin <i>ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i>, is a
Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical
Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For even more Zombie Science pick up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-37681936465186289232012-04-27T07:00:00.000+01:002012-04-26T23:00:47.376+01:00Hypothetical Hunger<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Welcome once
again Zombiology Students,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was contacted
by Albert who asked me the following;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Say there was a
zombie apocalypse and all humans were eradicated. What would the zombies
do after they have eaten all the human brains and (as far as I know) depleted
their only source of nutrients? Is there any knowledge regarding this
topic? They wouldn't just starve themselves out, would they?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://astortheatreblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/fulci_zombie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://astortheatreblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/fulci_zombie.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But we haven't thought about food security, not one meeting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I can
answer it we must first establish some points about Zombieism. Regular visitors
will be aware of our Institute’s current Zombieism research and can skip this
section, but for those of you not familiar with it, read on. Here at the ZITS
we believe that zombie’s will most likely be caused by a new type of prion
disease, similar to vCJD <i>AKA</i> human mad cow disease. Unlike movie zombies,
sufferers will <b><u>not</u></b> eat only
human flesh or brains, but <b><u>any food
source</u></b> they come across. In fact there is presently nothing that can
occur in a human to make them only want to eat human flesh or brains. Genuine Zombieism
is highly unlikely to make a person become clinically dead, then return to
life, referred to in fiction as undead. They would in reality be a human who
has contracted an illness with specific symptoms. They would not live
indefinitely, but wither and die as the disease progressed. How long that would
take very much depends on the causal agent. Furthermore, prion disease is very rare in
humans, to date there have been less than 200 cases of vCJD, so at the moment
it is very unlikely we will reach a scenario whereby there were no humans
left who were not infected.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course there
is no guarantee that Zombieism will be the result of a prion disease, it might
be a new strain of virus or a previously unseen parasite. So to answer Albert’s
question we can widen our net to include these biological agents. The fact that
you are alive and reading this means that there has not yet been a disease that
has wiped out the human race, or left only infected humans, unless such a
disease occurred a very long time ago to a different species of Homo genus. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://curezone.com/upload/Members/new03/homer_simpson_with_doughnut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://curezone.com/upload/Members/new03/homer_simpson_with_doughnut.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Homo Simponus perhaps ...?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we look at the
most deadly disease pandemics that have occurred we can try and seek a
comparison. The Spanish Flu may be the deadliest pandemic in history, with
somewhere between 20 – 200 million people dying because of it. Then there is
the infamous bubonic plague that throughout its history has claimed the lives
of some 200 million victims. Now whilst these diseases have produced a
tremendous loss of life it is worth bearing in mind that the human population is
presently just over seven billion. So Zombieism would have to be particularly
vicious to turn us all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But let’s think
hypothetically, say Zombieism did spread to the entire population of the world,
how long would the food supply last? We produce around seven billion tons of
food each year. If everyone in the world has succumbed to Zombieism, it is safe
to say no one will be producing any more. It is very difficult to get exact
figures to work with here. It is hard to know how much food is readily accessible
to the zombies. Some may be in cans they cannot open, and as a zombie isn’t
exactly a gourmet chef, they’re going to be going for raw food only. Zombies
may also consume each other when they get desperate. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8y1-RAUZD7DY27SI1hze1FY_t_ZxKPhTum2RBa1gqGPk-rW1SFD2h233Tq-faKZebF9-zAsLyipCvapIIdykNd3XOGaPSgU6LBc1_Sj7dhsra0EV0kQGJ6axG_zTTqQqayQWrksIxGw/s1600/zombie+eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8y1-RAUZD7DY27SI1hze1FY_t_ZxKPhTum2RBa1gqGPk-rW1SFD2h233Tq-faKZebF9-zAsLyipCvapIIdykNd3XOGaPSgU6LBc1_Sj7dhsra0EV0kQGJ6axG_zTTqQqayQWrksIxGw/s320/zombie+eating.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'We've had some times zombie-ing together Bill but I can't take your moaning one minute more'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The average
person/zombie needs between 2,000 – 3,000 calories a day. In 2003, the world
produced 2,809 calories per person per day, but by the end of 2006 there was
only enough of a reserve to last the world 57 days. I haven’t been able to
source data more recent than that, but we could assume that we’re running a
careful balance these days whereby we only just keep producing enough food to
get by, without having large reserves. So by the time we reached a point where
there were only zombies, and no one producing more food, these zombies would run
out of food in probably a matter of weeks, maybe even days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How long the
zombies will ultimately survive from there depends on how long the disease
takes to kill them, assuming they don’t die of starvation, or dehydration,
first. With a prion disease we estimate a person surviving three to six months
after full onset. A more aggressive biological agent, like a virus, may act
even quicker.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So in conclusion,
the answer to the question, ‘what would the zombies do after they have depleted
their only source of nutrients’ is ... they would die. However it is unlikely we’d
reach a scenario where everybody was infected by Zombieism in the first place,
and if we do there’s no need to worry, because you’d soon be dead. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As always, if there is anything you want to know about the
real science behind zombies, do get in touch. We’ll always do our best to
answer your questions, no matter how difficult or strange. You can contact the
Institute at <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a>. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a
Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical
Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For even more Zombie Science pick up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies, University of Glasgow, University Ave, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G12 8QQ, UK55.872704 -4.288620555.8637955 -4.3083615 55.881612499999996 -4.2688795000000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-26676135591678882892012-04-10T16:37:00.000+01:002012-04-10T16:37:58.757+01:00A Fission of Zombies<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="display: none; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hide: all;">Bottom of Form<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Greetings Zombiology Students,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="" name="_Toc294621110">My inbox is getting fuller than my trousers after a Walking Dead marathon. So here’s another ZomBlog answering your zombie science questions.<o:p></o:p></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I got an email from Leigh who asked, “What would you think to be the least likely theory of zombies?” <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Zombiology students out there will be aware that many natural and manmade factors are blamed for zombie outbreaks in fiction. Whether it’s a genetically modified virus, a minute nanobot, or a chemical found in a fish, Hollywood is always there to distort the scientific truth behind everything, to give us a plausible, or just fresh, reason for zombies taking over the Earth.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.horrorphilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bong-of-the-dead-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.horrorphilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bong-of-the-dead-poster.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're not running out of zombie film ideas ... honest</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Regular readers will know my favourite zombie film is George A. Romero’s <i>Night of the Living Dead</i> (in black & white only). I watch it every day, and twice on a Saturday, for a wee treat. Whilst not stated explicitly, it is implied that <b>Radiation</b><b> </b>is the cause of the zombie outbreak.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Radiation is energy that travels across space in the form of waves or high-speed particles. A high enough blast of this energy can ionize atoms. Atoms are found in human cells, so this ionization can cause serious damage to them, potentially resulting in conditions like cancer. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The vast majority of background radiation we encounter occurs naturally. Cosmic rays reach us from space, gas is emitted from rocks in the ground … in fact radiation is pretty much everywhere you can think of.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/TOWIE-Cast-Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://static.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/TOWIE-Cast-Picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">We humans are of course working hard every year, building nuclear power stations, nuclear weapons, using X-rays … generally trying our dandiest to add to radiation levels. Sadly, despite our best efforts, man-made sources still only account for 15% of all the radiation we are exposed to. It mainly reaches us through medical X-rays and airport security checks.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.usatoday.net/news/_photos/2008/06/05/bodyscanstoryx-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://i.usatoday.net/news/_photos/2008/06/05/bodyscanstoryx-large.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now, would you jump up and down for me, for security reasons.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Every day thousands of staff work in these environments, and whilst it may look like Heathrow’s Terminal Five is a scene choreographed by Mr Romero, airport staff don’t actually appear to be turning radioactive. Or into zombies. Yet.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In situations where much stronger doses of radiation are applied we can begin to get a measure of its effect. <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region> used atomic bombs against the Japanese in World War II. Modified bomber planes dropped two bombs that were the equivalent of 20,000 tonnes of TNT onto the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The destruction they caused is difficult to imagine. Unless you’re Michael Bay. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://meanstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bay_EXPLOSION-300x237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://meanstock.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/bay_EXPLOSION-300x237.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can imagine any explosion. Even with one arm tied behind my back, by another explosion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Almost 2,000 feet above the city of Hiroshima, the bomb exploded. What was once a thriving city was now a burning crater. Thousands were killed instantly and thousands more slowly died of radiation sickness. The main causes of death during a nuclear blast are thermal burns, brought about as a result of infrared radiation, and fatal injuries caused by falling structures. Thermal burns are usually only visible on the side of the patient exposed to the blast itself. Patients might also exhibit beta and gamma burns after a radioactive attack.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a57.foxnews.com/images/379396/450/350/2_23_incredible_hulk_still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://a57.foxnews.com/images/379396/450/350/2_23_incredible_hulk_still.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood's idea of the effect of gamma radiation on humans. No Hollywood. Bad Hollywood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Those who survive the initial blast may go on to develop radiation sickness. Its symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, hair loss, organ failure, weakness and death. The exact selection of symptoms you develop is heavily dependent on what level of radiation dose you have been subjected to.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.encyclopedia.com/utility/image.aspx?id=2801694&imagetype=Hero" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images.encyclopedia.com/utility/image.aspx?id=2801694&imagetype=Hero" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A woman with radiation sickness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Radiation, when used as a weapon, definitely paints the kind of apocalyptic picture we’d expect from a zombie film. The bombings of World War II did create burning wastelands where disfigured people stumbled around confused and uttering painful sounds. Yet this is not quite the scenario we seek in terms of a Zombieism outbreak. Aside from the aesthetic qualities left by the blast, radiation exposure and radiation sickness just don’t provide the symptoms we are searching for.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is not, however, the only way radiation can mess with us humans. What occurred with the Simpsons’ three-eyed fish can also happen to us; we can become mutated. In reality mutation doesn’t occur in quite the same way as it is portrayed in the movies. Also, in real life mutations the effects are slower and much less outwardly noticeable. They are usually heredity, meaning they are passed on to the children of those affected. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The primary condition found in abundance after nuclear accidents or attacks is cancer. This field of research is under considerable debate at the time of writing and more about the long-term effects of radiation exposure is bound to develop over the next few years.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ultimately radiation has failed to provide the required symptoms needed for Zombieism. This may be because its effects are often uncoordinated. All areas of the body can be hit in different ways by radiation, whereas we are seeking something with the precision skills to mainly go for the brain. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So to answer your question Leigh, I would say Radiation is the least likely factor to result in the creation of zombies. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.andyerupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/George-A.-Romero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.andyerupts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/George-A.-Romero.jpg" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry Mr. Romero. Sir. God?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I hope you enjoyed your answer Leigh, and if any of you out there want to know anything about the real science behind zombies, do send your questions in to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a> or post them on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zombiescience" target="_blank">Facebook page (www.facebook.com/zombiescience)</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </span></i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For even more Zombie Science pick up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-1622670652550869102012-04-04T00:00:00.000+01:002012-04-04T00:00:52.554+01:00Getting a Zombie grip, and maybe a rip<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="display: none; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hide: all;">Bottom of Form<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">Good day Zombiology Students,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The recent exciting series of the Walking Dead has inspired my students to ask a lot of new zombie questions. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Andrew, an excellent student of mine, asked me this, ‘Are zombies able to tear into someone’s guts with their bare hands? We all know they like to use their teeth but can say Granny Z (that is a zombie with no teeth) uses its hands to tear us into swallow-able pieces? We have already seen zombies have no self-preservation instinct so assuming no atrophy or other degradation of the muscle mass should we not be conscious of the fact that zombies will bring a greater strength to bear as they will not care about injuring themselves? Something any human is capable of (imagine pre-zombie granny Z lifting a car off her grandchild) under particular circumstances’.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lawtechworld.com/tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/the-walking-dead-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lawtechworld.com/tv/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/the-walking-dead-25.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I hope the answer is no, but I have my doubts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Let’s start with the first part, can a human being tear apart another human being bare handed? Well yes, yes they can. As recently as October 2011 a man in Italy tore out his own eyeballs during a Church sermon, and in 2006 a man in the USA lifted a 3,000 pound car to free an injured cyclist. With practice most of us could tear a phone book in half, even if I myself have never managed it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.heavysports.com/emag/Clay_Edgin/rippingbookapart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.heavysports.com/emag/Clay_Edgin/rippingbookapart.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success! I can't wait to call my friends, what are there numbers? Oh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">But a person suffering from our proposed Zombieism Prion Disease would be very unsteady on their feet, and have poor control over their limbs. Also, because Zombieism would be a new form of prion disease, it may incorporate the symptoms and characteristics of other current prion diseases. For example Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), causes amongst other things, extreme weight loss. Although it affects animals at present CWD could develop into part of the new Zombieism Prion Disease. So there is a good chance Zombieism would reduce a person’s strength considerably.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With regard to self-preservation amongst zombies, we certainly see that symptom in the movies, with zombies happily walking through rotor blades on the off chance of getting a snack. In our studies we have concluded that real life zombies would feel pain. The condition congenital insensitivity to pain (CIP), which prevents sufferers feeling the signal of pain, is something one is born with. It cannot be caught like a cold. This condition is the closest comparable one we’ve found to that fictional zombie symptom. CIP is very rare, with only around 100 cases in the USA, so we can bet a real zombie is very unlikely to have that symptom. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ihatehumans.ca/_imagesPOST/zombie_splat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="http://www.ihatehumans.ca/_imagesPOST/zombie_splat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No stinkin' helicopter rotor is getting between me and my brunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">However we know that Zombieism causes a lot of damage to the brain. One area of the brain, the amygdala, is responsible for our instincts. Shaped like an almond, and buried deep with the temporal lobes, it produces much of not only our instincts, but our base emotions as well. If Zombieism caused damage to this area, it may produce a zombie that was overcome with instinct, so much so it may show disregard for pain, even if it was feeling it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Finally let’s go back to those events, like Andrew’s ‘Granny lifting a car idea’, where people show moments of almost super human strength. In a dangerous situation the human body goes through some interesting changes.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s56790.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/unsorted/granny-gun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://s56790.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/unsorted/granny-gun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll either lift that car, or shoot it off. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">In the brain, the hypothalamus activates, sending a chemical signal adrenal glands. These glands produce adrenalin, which is to the human body, what spinach is to Popeye. When fuelled by adrenalin our muscles are able to contract more. This suddenly gives us the ability to perform actions, like lifting a car, actions we normally couldn’t have managed. Some believe that most of time we only use a small proportion of our strength. When under threat we simply gain the ability to expand on what we already have. But these fits of strength are short lived. Within a few minutes of happening the body begins to return to a more normal state.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s a lot like those friends of Captain America, the Six American Warriors, who were given a less refined version of the super solider serum. It gave them Cap’s powers but only for a short time. Inevitably these newly found super powers would give out during a pivotal moment in the plot. On the bright side they do always return during final battles. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/6/30/4c6bf36310a78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="120" src="http://i.annihil.us/u/prod/marvel/i/mg/6/30/4c6bf36310a78.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Six American Warriors, well, em, I can name one...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">To conclude; zombies do have the potential to tear a human apart. Like humans, when faced with a dangerous situation they may also receive an adrenalin rush, giving them a short burst of enhanced strength. However the Zombieism disease would be badly affecting their ability to move both legs & arms, and may be causing wasting of the body. So they may lack comparable strength to a healthy human.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ultimately zombies are like fingerprints, each one is different. And just like fingerprints they inevitably end up all over your glass door. No zombie would have the exact same presentation of the disease as another, so some may be more akin to human, and others more akin to demons. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyosPEE3JqTxxX36YDBGJhfnAu38Sf9c6BYU9cDMsDemRt8zHfILmIDE_vIQZaz2KBm3q5Nkl2xBVkzBuGr5_6v6XDIlU5HB8ZiDRtTmMVcmCWS-JA2y8RI76EffQLPDH8imVgwUAEoKK/s1600/zombie-outbreak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyosPEE3JqTxxX36YDBGJhfnAu38Sf9c6BYU9cDMsDemRt8zHfILmIDE_vIQZaz2KBm3q5Nkl2xBVkzBuGr5_6v6XDIlU5HB8ZiDRtTmMVcmCWS-JA2y8RI76EffQLPDH8imVgwUAEoKK/s320/zombie-outbreak.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just washed these you inconsiderate fiends! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Thank you Andrew for a great question, and if any of you out there want to know anything about the real science behind zombies, do get in touch on <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Doctor Austin ZITS BSz MSz DPep, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </i></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For even more Zombie Science pick up the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a>. <o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-65707151447413530552012-02-08T19:02:00.000+00:002012-02-08T19:02:49.246+00:00A Tale of Two Zombies<div class="MsoNormal">Hello Zombiology Students,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We recently received two interesting questions from you Zombiology fans and decided to share them in today’s ZomBlog.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first is from Vicki who emailed asking ‘would it be possible for zombies to be made from a natural mutation of a dual-infection? My idea is that the fer-de-lance snake and a vampire bat causing rabies, both in Panama, could both infect someone, possibly mutate and cause a zombie apocalypse.’ <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Bothrops atrox aka fer-de-lance, is a venomous snake, ‘regarded as the most dangerous snake in the Panamanian jungles, chiefly because it is the commonest of the vipers’ (Elton 1999). The snake bite releases venom which contains a substance called a haemotoxin. In the human body this kills red blood cells, stops blood clots forming and can cause tissue damage. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKZKaxlgI9axKXgJ6eP3X0JVGhPC9--LA7ZUuwg80Esb44R5FUq6NbVlqAkg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTKZKaxlgI9axKXgJ6eP3X0JVGhPC9--LA7ZUuwg80Esb44R5FUq6NbVlqAkg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 47# Fer-de-lance (with snake)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Vampire bats can refer to three species of bat whose diet consists of blood. Contrary to popular belief they do not suck blood through their teeth, but rather create a wound and lap the blood up. As with all bats they have the possibility of transmitting Rabies, however in reality only a small percentage of the population carry it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/analytical/images/4/40/Baseballbat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.wikia.com/analytical/images/4/40/Baseballbat.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 420# The Vampire Bat (aha ha, gosh I pee'd a little there)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Now we know some basics let’s turn to our resident viral expert, Dr. Katie White for more details, ‘the damage caused by fer-de-lance snake bite isn’t caused by an infection. Infections are caused by the presence or growth of a biological agent (e.g. bacteria, virus) within the host body. As an infectious agent grows and multiplies within the host body, the host can then pass on the infection to other people/animals. The snake venom is not an infectious agent, so the host won’t start producing more of the toxin and won’t have enough inside them to pass it on to anyone else. The snake bite won’t pass on any genes to the host, so there is no genetic material to mutate or combine with that of the Rabies virus. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As it affects the brain, the Rabies virus does cause some zombie like symptoms and yes it could possibly mutate to cause a more zombie like disease. However, the Rabies virus is only really transferred between animals and people through bites, as infected hosts produce the Rabies virus in their saliva. A zombie would have to produce a very large amount of saliva to infect a town’s water supply at a high enough level to actually cause disease. The Rabies virus normally enters the body through the wound caused by the bite and then it travels along the nervous system to the brain. If it was drunk in water instead, the virus would probably be destroyed in the stomach and would have no way of actually reaching the nervous system and brain.’<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We would advise that any zombies found drooling in your local dam be guided away, and of course never share a drink with a zombie. <o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFGFJ7O4U6xwZlOJP2v9sJ8zfG-0nMzZgPWUJVtm1TFfeNVAYbE0Jn72_4kP4g9d92MxmO1VQrIoq77XaOyENeNfUZDuVOQyCTgJsLgN6gUm-PZ0-l0JF21pnc9F4nSR3WE40Rzodruc/s1600/Water+Bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFGFJ7O4U6xwZlOJP2v9sJ8zfG-0nMzZgPWUJVtm1TFfeNVAYbE0Jn72_4kP4g9d92MxmO1VQrIoq77XaOyENeNfUZDuVOQyCTgJsLgN6gUm-PZ0-l0JF21pnc9F4nSR3WE40Rzodruc/s320/Water+Bottle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No matter how tempting it may be...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Our ZITS colleague Dr. Kevin O’Dell, a senior lecturer in Genetics at the University of Glasgow, kindly explained more about virus mutation, ‘any virus can and does mutate. Usually this leads to a mutant virus that doesn't function at all so doesn't infect and doesn't replicate. Very occasionally a mutation makes a virus more virulent (more infective). The snake venom would only make this more likely if it actively damaged virus DNA, but as Katie says, it doesn't.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If the snake bite occurs first and causes tissue damage then you might be able to argue that a subsequent bite by a zombie bat is more likely to happen as (a) the previously damaged host may not be able to run away as fast so is an easier target and/or (b) a zombie bat may be able to actively detect a compromised host (although I’m not 100% that they have that ability).’<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264875_102966606466815_100002604282976_23664_6601335_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264875_102966606466815_100002604282976_23664_6601335_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Kevin O'Dell, he puts the 'S' in 'Necrosis'</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Of course you’d have to be having a really bad day to be both bitten by a fer-de-lance snake and a vampire bat in short succession. Or for the optimists out there, a really lucky day, as apparently you are more likely to be struck by lightning than bitten by a fer-de-lance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So to conclude Vicki, it would seem your theory of dual-infection, whilst creative, is thankfully a long way from causing the zombie apocalypse. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our next question came from Lydia who asked, ‘could you please answer a zombie conundrum me and some zombie enthusiast friends are having over the<i> Walking Dead</i> TV series. In Season One we see the policeman dude and his new pals in the city covering themselves with blood and guts so that the walkers wouldn't sniff them out. And yet, one of my eagle eyed friends noticed they didn't do that when hiding under the cars from the zombie swarm in Season Two - the zombies never got so much as a whiff of them. And yet the redneck dude covered up the other dude who cut his arm in dead bodies so that the walkers wouldn't smell his blood. So what's that all about? Is this a TV continuity error? And could zombies really smell us living folk? Do they smell us if we are cut; like sharks can 'smell' blood? What's going on?’<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"> I feel I should start by pointing out that the <i>Walking Dead </i>zombie disease is very different from the condition we investigate in our research. Certain aspects, like being ‘undead’ are not possible at present, and having continual decomposition of skin and organs, would be a lot different than they portray. Regular visitors will know that I love the <i>Walking Dead </i>in its many formats but at the end of the day it is fictional, and so shouldn’t be criticised for its scientific inaccuracies.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/the_walking_dead-season-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="http://cdn.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/the_walking_dead-season-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My ex-wife used to say this all the time</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">However your smell question is still a good one, and I will endeavour to give you an answer all the same.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Those who have attended my lectures or read my book will know I believe a new type of prion disease, similar to Mad Cow Disease (vCJD), may be responsible for delivering Zombieism in the future. This type of disease occurs when our natural prion protein (PrP) is forced to change shape by a Rogue form, possibly by ingesting the Rogue through an infected food source, as occurred with cow meat and vCJD (note; this is not the only way to get a Prion disease). Scientists are still unclear as to what function the normal PrP has in our bodies. Many studies to determine an answer have involved mice who had this PrP gene removed or ‘knocked out’. Recent work has shown that mice without the gene perform badly in smell tests, failing to find hidden cookies, amongst other things. Therefore it is likely a Prion diseased zombie would have a poor sense of smell. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If we took the <i>Walking Dead </i>zombies as being real (ignoring the obvious inaccuracies) I would say that they would also have a poor sense of smell and restricted sight. If their bodies are decomposing their eyes would too, getting worse over time. The same would apply to their sense of smell. This means that in Season One using camouflage should work, depending on how long the zombies around them have been decomposing. Any recently turned zombie would have better senses compared with a longer term sufferer. In Season Two, what might be happening is an example of the disease giving rise to low zombie intelligence. Some of them may smell blood or humans, but are not smart enough to think to look beneath a car to find one. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">With regard to sharks, they smell around 10,000 times better than humans. A zombie, due to being gradually reduced in operating capacity by the disease, is definitely going to have a worse sense of smell than you or I, or a shark.<o:p></o:p></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deviantart.com/download/134408806/Zombie_Shark_Tattoo_by_CuteKillerDog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.deviantart.com/download/134408806/Zombie_Shark_Tattoo_by_CuteKillerDog.png" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But if it's a zombie shark... oh dear</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQt4KUAz3jQS7X8B9AtYNtOJwZsBF_h14a4A1CgXDMiWa0mwYONhptxTOlk" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQt4KUAz3jQS7X8B9AtYNtOJwZsBF_h14a4A1CgXDMiWa0mwYONhptxTOlk" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double oh dear if it's a zombie land shark (although I don't know if I believe Google Images on this one...)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Finally, on the question of TV continuity, it is worth noting that Frank Darabont was the showrunner during Season One, and was replaced by Glen Mazzara for Season Two. You can read various reasons for this online, and I daren’t wade into the debate.</div><div class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Ultimately I think we should all take something from Ron Moore’s First Law when creating the show <i>Battlestar Galactica. </i>When describing questions people asked about the real science of its content he advised taking the mantra, ‘it’s just a show, I should really just relax’. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We do hope you are both satisfied with your answers. If you want to know anything further, or someone else has a question, do get in touch on <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk"><span style="color: white;">info@zombiescience.co.uk</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Very best wishes,<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Doctor Austin<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Doctor Austin </span><i style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For even more Zombie Science pick up the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">official Zombie Science book on Amazon now</a></span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. </span> </o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.thehorrorzine.com/ReviewFolder/ZombieScience/ZombieScience1ZBookCover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Bibliography </div><div class="MsoNormal">Elton, N. (1999, September 27). <i>The Venomous Snakes of Panama</i> from <a href="http://www.czbrats.com/Facts/snakes.htm"><span style="color: white;">http://www.czbrats.com/Facts/snakes.htm</span></a></div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-4659568116111637882011-12-01T12:03:00.000+00:002011-12-01T12:03:48.709+00:00Walking Dead Rise of the Governor: Competition Winners<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Greetings Zombiology Students,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big moment is here, time to announce the winners of the Walking Dead competition. It wasn’t easy, picking just four out of all your wonderful entries. Well some were wonderful, some were down right terrifying, the things you people would do in this event, my word!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was somewhat disappointing that nearly every entry came down on the side of violence. In fact no one at all suggested finding a cure. At least I know good old Hershel is with me on this. Well maybe not after last week’s episode!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fandompost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Walking-Dead-Bloodletting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://www.fandompost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Walking-Dead-Bloodletting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I realize she doesn't look like my wife anymore, but the sex is still the same</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So without further ado, here they are:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘Naturally, knee capping my partner ala Shane to buy me time would certainly be an easy/quick option. However, since it's early in the outbreak I would look for the nearest manhole cover to secure my hasty retreat!’ <br />
<br />
<b> HW</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b> <br />
‘If I found myself surrounded by zombies closing in during the outbreak in Atlanta, I would first pop open the trunk (boot) to the nearest vehicle(s) and grab a tire iron. It should be the most common to find hardened implement in a street setting to defend myself with and also is a handy tool. It can be used with leverage to force open padlocks or chains on locked gates, and to smash windows for access to vehicles and buildings. I'd also grab a flashlight being another common item in a car, and essential to my initial escape plan. Lacking that, I'd use a lighter or matches. I'm now minimally equipped with two items- tool/weapon and light source (potential for fire).<br />
<br />
Given a downtown scenario in a large metropolitan area, I doubt I'd last long in the streets and nearby buildings would be likely to house more zombies or potentially dangerous panicked civilians. My hunch would be that at the onset of an outbreak, the least likely place to encounter zombies or other folks would be in the sewer system. If I could access a manhole cover with advance time, I'd use the tire iron for leverage and to help close the lid when descending. The most important thing at this point would be to get my bearings straight so that I know what street direction I'm facing and to align myself as closely as possible to the direction of the assumed "safe" house. If I do encounter zombies in tunnel, the slight advantage I have is being able to defend myself without being quickly outnumbered and surrounded as I would be on the streets above.<br />
<br />
Of course in the unlikely event that I'm outnumbered by zombies in both directions of a tunnel, I'm pretty much done for. But you can't live by giving up, so I would fight to the next manhole access and work on a plan B, by skipping across the tops of car rooftops. I'd also do this given no time to get tools or access to a sewer manhole. Zombies would likely be on the street itself, not as agile to quickly climb up a vehicle and would not be found posing across the tops of engine hoods like Tawny Kitaen in a Whitesnake video. Moving across the top of vehicles where possible would also provide better visibility and help identify an escape path.<br />
<br />
Once safe from the immediate threat of large numbers of zombies in downtown Atlanta, I'd seek the long term needs such as food, water, medical supplies, better weapons, and transportation.’<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>ML</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b> <br />
‘As it is likely to be taking place during the day (people would be less inclined to venture out in the dark), I can assume that the outbreak has attracted the attention of the emergency services, at first to secure the area, and latterly to evacuate the survivors. Knowing this would also indicate that some emergency servicemen have fallen to the horde; police officers, ambulance workers and fireman to name but a few.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this in mind, my first instinct would be to find the nearest police squad car, always careful that there isn't any infected officers nearby, or worse; an infected prisoner inside. As with all US Police Squad cars, they come standard equipped with a Police Scanner, a GPS, and a 12 Gauge Shotgun in the trunk. Upon hatching the trunk and freeing the shotgun from its hold, I would now be armed and, whether I had to hotwire the car or was lucky enough to find the keys nearby, I would have my escape vehicle.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://reviewhubcentral.com/television/walking_dead/season_1/days_gone_bye/files/days1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://reviewhubcentral.com/television/walking_dead/season_1/days_gone_bye/files/days1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this stuff is practical, but I was really hoping for a crispy cream </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After clearing the surrounding area of any infected, I would drive to a nearby safe spot, not the Safe House suggested. From here I'd be close enough to hold back for any survivors, but far away from the immediate danger of the Zombie Horde. Using the Police Scanner/CB Radio, I would track and locate any potential safe zone, and/or confirm just how safe the aforementioned safe house actually is. With this information, and any potential survivors I have come across/saved in the interim, I would head to a nearby store for supplies.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the store, shotgun in hand, I would grab some emergency supplies; tinned food, bottled water, first aid kits being the primary targets. Once supplied, I would return to the car and base my next destination on my earlier investigation; <b>NOT </b>on the impulsive suggestions of any would be heroes now attached to my convoy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I was challenged by any of my fellow survivors, I would ram the butt of my gun into the naysayer's face, breaking their nose and firmly establishing who was in charge. Now, with the survivors knowing I am calling the shots, we could retreat to my desired destination with a vehicle, weapon and supplies.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>GR</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘I wouldn’t try to escape but rather get bitten and become one with my zombie family, embracing the zombieness for its benefits; no more concern about appearance, bills or the stress of the daily grind. Why are zombie’s always the bad guys, they are neither good nor bad, they just are.’<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>KB </b> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A brand new copy of the book is winging its way to you all now.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t forget to also pick up the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322740248&sr=8-1" target="_blank">official Zombie Sciencebook on Amazon now</a></span>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117480782/zombie-science-1z-doctor-austin-paperback-cover-art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i43.tower.com/images/mm117480782/zombie-science-1z-doctor-austin-paperback-cover-art.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really wanted a bike, but thanks anyway honey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What better gift to give a loved one this Christmas than the gift of survival. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best wishes,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctor Austin</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Doctor Austin </span><i style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK.</span> </span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-43120413337641007322011-10-31T00:18:00.000+00:002011-11-12T21:08:38.438+00:00The Walking Dead Rise of the Governor: Book Review & Competition<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges57p7phzLxnTmDykkjAOYAiuDtneAQkT7cBnQ0gstXwyyv4zkqqCexU0IAVJ6hqDWCjt6S5R1ELQ7hky4rvk0YpuiyFBE6vvAZouzRCisIlTVEMTVl3zLfzn14TZYKzObQos2sO-nZ0/s1600/The_Walking_Dead-_Rise_of_the_Governor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEges57p7phzLxnTmDykkjAOYAiuDtneAQkT7cBnQ0gstXwyyv4zkqqCexU0IAVJ6hqDWCjt6S5R1ELQ7hky4rvk0YpuiyFBE6vvAZouzRCisIlTVEMTVl3zLfzn14TZYKzObQos2sO-nZ0/s320/The_Walking_Dead-_Rise_of_the_Governor.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Happy Halloween Zombiology Students,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For a wee treat I'm taking a break from the science journals to review an exciting new novel from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking Dead </i>creator <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Robert Kirkman</i>. He's teamed up with acclaimed thriller writer <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jay Bonansinga </i>to tell us the back story of infamous comic book character, the Governor.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">They've certainly set themselves a challenge. Can a notoriously nasty man like Philip Blake find his way into reader's hearts?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Rise of the Governor </i>takes us back to the start of zombie outbreak where we find Philip, his daughter Penny, brother Brian and two high school friends fighting for survival.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">During the story our band of survivors take a terrifying trip across the country trying to reach Atlanta and the supposed safety of refugee camps. But in true <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking Dead </i>style, anything, and everything, gets in their way. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Personally I adore the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking Dead </i>world, and would go as far as to say it's the best imagining of a zombie world since my old pal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Georgey Romero </i>created <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Night of the Living Dead. Kirkman</i> has even given the nod that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Romero </i>was his inspiration in forming the world. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a scientist I too think it's better that little is said about the biological cause of the Zombieism in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking Dead. </i>It allows you to theorise with your imagination instead of nit picking your way through reams of illogical made up science. Yes, it might not be possible at present for people to rise from the dead, but, maybe it will happen in future...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you're a fan of the comic books and the epic, movie style-esque dramatic imagery - don't worry, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rise of the Governor </i>doesn't disappoint. The authors have given careful consideration to mis-en-scene with every blow, slice, stab and shot colourfully described from 'a mop head slapping the floor' to 'the two bodies are launched in a cloud of pink mist.'</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An ensemble of characters emerge across the journey. A favourite for me was the Chalmers Family Band, led by Father David and his two daughters, Tara and April. The latter of whom forms an almost romantic relationship with Philip. Here Kirkman does what he does best, give us real hope, only to snatch it away and leave us lower than ever before.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The tale ends with an unexpected twist, one I of course won't reveal here. I read many reviews that have strong feelings on this, but personally, I have no opinion on it. It's the creative path they choose to follow and I was happy with where it led. No doubt these talented writers could write their way down any avenue they want to explore. In part, the ending does help to answer the question I posed at the outset.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The ending does feel like a hard stop, but this novel is but the first of a trilogy from this new deadly duo, something I for one will be eagerly awaiting. So rather than the end, it's more of a to be continued...</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Overall <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Walking Dead Rise of the Governor </i>successfully brings the concept to its third medium, and unlike it's screen and graphic incarnations the fact it's purely text lets the reader create the visuals. It's fast paced, addictive and often amusing. For me it's essence is summed up by an elderly gentleman met towards the end of the novel:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It ain't the dead things you gotta be mindful of around here...it's the living.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Pan MacMillan have very kindly given us several copies of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Walking Dead Rise of the Governor</i> for you to win. For your chance to get one send an email to <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk" style="color: white;">info@zombiescience.co.uk</a> with your name, postal address and answer to this question:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You find yourself alone and unarmed on an Atlanta street during the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walking Dead </i>zombie outbreak. Zombie's close in from all sides. The safe house is still a few blocks away. How would you escape?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hwhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Episode-2-Glenn-Rick-Guts-760-480x337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://hwhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Episode-2-Glenn-Rick-Guts-760-480x337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whilst this plan might allow you to pull, it might also cost you your face</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The most creative answers win, closing date <b>Monday 28th November 2011</b>, at midday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Good luck and I hope tonight brings you more treats than tricks,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Doctor Austin</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Doctor Austin <i>ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i>, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317832000&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Get your copy of Doctor Austin’s <b>Zombie Science 1Z</b> textbook on Amazon now</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2428841926344326532.post-13120622537833176392011-10-09T19:29:00.000+01:002011-10-09T19:29:07.316+01:00Can Zombies Love?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening <i>(delete as applicable)</i> Zombiology Students,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lifehacker.com/images/2006/04/zombieproppost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.lifehacker.com/images/2006/04/zombieproppost.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the most non-explicit image I could find, and I don't recommend typing 'zombie love' into Google Images. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today's blog is based on a question from John Burns. He asks, 'can zombies fall in love?' I take this to mean with each other, rather than with him, or at least that's what I hope.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This is by no means an easy question. Scientists have been trying for decades to unlock the mysteries of love and, with the exception of Doctor Rohynpnol (whose work is better left unmentioned), they haven't had much luck.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Excluding my ex-wife, the human brain is the most complex thing currently known of in our universe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doctor Austin with his ex-wife Mrs Doctor Austin</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many people say it functions like a powerful computer, but even this isn't an accurate comparison, because we can't yet build a computer that works like our brains. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Similarly it is hard to say that one part of the brain is responsible for just one function. Movement for example is controlled and regulated by many different parts of the brain, not just one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Recent studies of people going through different types of love seems to bear this out as well. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">'Brain regions with decidedly unromantic names, like the dorsolateral middle frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate, as well chemicals like nerve growth factor, dopamine and oxytocin, are all involved in orchestrating these feelings of love.' (Dobson, 2010)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/blog/Image/braingraphsci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/blog/Image/braingraphsci.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The human brain in love, or playing Call of Duty, I get diagrams easily confused</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dopamine, a neurotransmitter I've nicknamed 'Brain Crack', is thought to be prime player in love. Known for producing a variety of positive feelings dopamine has shown some interesting qualities during animal tests. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">'</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When a female prairie vole was paired with a male, dopamine levels went up 50 per cent. Levels of oxytocin, (the so-called "cuddle hormone", released in response to stimuli including skin-to-skin contact) likewise go up, as do levels of vasopressin, both promoting relationship bonding. When the female vole was injected with a drug that blocks the activity of dopamine, she lost interest in him.' (Dobson, 2010) </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now we know a little more about what love is doing in the brain, let's apply it to our zombies. Here at the Institute we think zombies will most likely be caused by a new type of prion disease, similar to human mad cow disease (vCJD). All prion diseases cause a unique form of 'spongiform' damage to the brain giving it the appearance of a sponge, or block of Swiss cheese. We also predict that Zombieism prion disease will cause a loss of memory and human personality, giving zombies their trademark absentminded attitude and vacant persona. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hygienicsystems.com/images/CJD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://www.hygienicsystems.com/images/CJD.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spongiformity in the brain, looks like an Aero, but my gosh it doesn't taste like one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If we combine these assertions together it doesn't paint a very promising picture for zombies falling in love with each other. Ultimately they won't remember what love is nor have the capacity to make it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So the answer to John's question, 'can zombies fall in love' is no. No they cannot.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fierceandnerdy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/datalooking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://fierceandnerdy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/datalooking.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The android Data, from Star Trek, also cannot love. Well except in that one episode, but I never saw it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rather than leave on a negative I'll instead share with you some more hopeful lyric's from the Zombie Institute's resident songwriter, Aaron Stoquert:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">''cause I don't care, I don't care what you look like tonight <br />
I don't care, I don't care, what you feel like tonight <br />
I don't care, I don't care if we're alive tonight <br />
can you stay here throughout the night--be right next to me?' - (Stoquert, 2011) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white;"><a href="http://aaronstoquert.bandcamp.com/album/run-for-your-life"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do check out all of Aaron's songs about zombies and the feelings they might have.</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thanks again for your question John, and everyone else keep yours coming in to: <a href="mailto:info@zombiescience.co.uk"><span style="color: white;">info@zombiescience.co.uk</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Best wishes,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Doctor Austin</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Doctor Austin <i>ZITS BSz MSz DPep</i>, is a Theoretical Zombiologist and Head of the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies at the University of Glasgow, Scotland UK. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Science-1Z-Doctor-Austin/dp/0980799686/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317832000&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Get your copy of Doctor Austin’s <b>Zombie Science 1Z</b> textbook on Amazon now</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">See the Zombie Science 1Z lecture live at:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Manchester Science Festival 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tuesday 25th October 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Engine House, 3 Cambridge St, Manchester, M1 5BY </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Times: 11:00, 14:00, 16:00 (11/2/4pm)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Price: Free (must be booked in advance) Ages 13+</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Booking Link: <a href="http://msf11zombie.eventbrite.com/"><span style="color: white;">http://msf11zombie.eventbrite.com/</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Blackwell's Bookshop Oxford</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wednesday 26th October 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Info: Doctor Austin will be delivering a public lecture before signing copies of his book alongside Zombie Handbook UK author Sean T Page.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Blackwells Bookshop, Broad St, Oxford, England, OX1 3BQ </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Times: 1900 (7pm) Ages 13+</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Price: £2 - <a href="http://bookshop.blackwell.co.uk/jsp/editorial/shops/instore_events.jsp?route=events"><span style="color: white;">Click here for booking information</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">British & European Society for Gene Therapy Conference - Public Engagement Day</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thursday 27th October 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Info: Doctor Austin delivers an all new Zombie Science 1G: Gene Therapy lecture on genetics and gene therapy. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Brighton Centre, Brighton, England </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Times: 1300 (1pm)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Price: Free (Just turn up) Ages 13+</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dundee Science Festival 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Saturday 29th October 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Venue: 13+ Show: Dalhousie Building,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>University of Dundee, DD1 4HN</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> 1</span>8+ Show: Dundee University<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students Union, Carnegie Suite, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Airlie Place, DD1 4HP</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Times: 13+ Show: 1400 (2pm)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18+ Show: 1900 (7pm)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Price: Free (must be booked in advance)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Click here for the official Festival website &<span style="color: white;"> </span><a href="http://www.dundeesciencefestival.org/" style="color: white;">Click here for the Official Site</a> or call (01382) 38 44 13</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">London Horror Festival 2011</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Tuesday 15<sup>th</sup> November – Thursday 17<sup>th</sup> November 1930 (7.30pm)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Courtyard Studio, Bowling Green Walk, 40 Pitfield Street, London, N1 6EU </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">£12/10</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Book online at: <a href="http://www.thecourtyard.org.uk/whatson/212/zombie-science-1z" style="color: white;">http://www.thecourtyard.org.uk/whatson/212/zombie-science-1z</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Booking line:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>+44 (0) 844 477 1000</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Bibliography:</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Anon. (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dopamine, </i>Psychology Today, http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/dopamine accessed on 02/10/2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dobson, Roger. (2010) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love on the Brain, </i>Independent on Sunday, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/love-on-the-brain-2096672.html accessed on 02/10/2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fischetti, Mark. (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your Brain in Love, </i>Scientific American, http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=your-brain-in-love-graphsci accessed on 02/10/2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fisher, Helen. (2004) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Biology: Your Brain in Love, </i>Time Magazine, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,993160-1,00.html accessed on 02/10/2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ortigue, Stephanie, et al. (2010) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Neuroimaging of Love: fMRI Meta-Analysis Evidence toward New Perspectives in Sexual Medicine, </span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Journal of Sexual Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 11, p.3541 - 3552, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01999.x/abstract </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Stoquert, Aaron. (2011) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I'll See You Again, </i>Run for your Life EP, FiveOhfour Entertainment, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>[Music Recording] </span></div>Doctor Austinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02076708995058537372noreply@blogger.com0