I thought it would be an antagonist because it was an external force. Which is why our bodies would be so forthright in getting them “out” which is what gains attention. I don’t remember the other word I thought of last night, but it was less…antagonistic (wahaha!). But activator is a great term, because it just shows cause -> effect. On usage, I could see it being used by hospitals of course, but I thought perhaps starting the healing process as soon as possible (as I heard distance from an emergency room can increase risk factor) might be a life-saving process. But either way, I’m very excited for this. My ex used to talk about how she was going to keep smoking and drinking because in the future they’ll have nanobots that swim around her body and heal her. So to be honest, that’s what this reminded me of first read.
I also figured it sort of worked as a band-aid or scab does keeping further damage happening to the area by covering it until the healing process was finished. So this bit you say in the middle is a nice summary and thank you! I’ve got some tabs on cardiology pinned but it was too late last night to brush over them, and too Sunday right now to run over them too =P! Sounds like I should be reading up on immune systems as well. I went to a black school system and we weren’t taught jack-squat or shit. So I feel like I am playing eternal catch-up but I also really enjoy the process so in that sense I don’t mind. But it is sort of embarrassing how little I know grand scheme. But then again, I know Kurosawa said the same thing, so eh - no worries ultimately.
This little tail bit on the end, I am guessing that’s some combination of exposure to germs. pollutants, and mother’s milk (which I heard is vital to forming a hearty immune system). All things aside, I am guessing this is either an interest of yours or something you studied first hand? But if you have any resources you’d like to point to I welcome them with open arms. And thanks again, this has been a really insightful post with a lot of little tidbits to look into!
p.s. - Gotta say that I also did read the study - so I know the movement itself increases the healing rate. It was just me putting all the blocks together in my head, because I felt like I read the article but was missing some pieces of the puzzle and am looking forward to further news later this year.
I studied Microbiology and Immunology in undergrad and now working on an immunology PhD. It’s for sure my favorite system to study. Check out Jane Way’s Immuno Biology. It’s an amazing book to get comfortable with how elaborate the immune system function is in our bodies. Learning something new everyday is a goal of mine, sounds like it’s the same for you too, which is fun. But ya, immunology is the bee’s knees’s!!!
Hey, congrats! That’s big news. I’ve only ever known one microbiology adjacent individual and they said the heaviness of the subject actually forced them to drop it. They were plastering index cards everywhere, and studying books 500 pages thick and somewhere in-between they broke. I always applaud folk like you, because you keep folks like me (and of course others in the future) alive and well. It’s huge, so many kudos and the best of luck with your research. Although clearly you’ve got the passion, and you’ll do fine. Speaking with you made me kick the bits out of myself, because I have an auto-immune and while I looked into the disease itself I never actually studied anything on the immune system as a whole. And realize there was this whole chunk of information that I could probably look into that could help me better understand the internal workings of my inner-world over just the symptoms.
I grabbed an older edition (because it’s not academic for me, just you know - personal interest) of that book. I’m pretty excited over here! I know this sounds horrible, but I am an absolute idiot! Hahahaha! I think I saved myself by reading books out of the local library growing up, but I wish I were more academically sound like folks like you. And in living, and growing - I have found so much interest in understanding the means and mechanics of this world. And I honestly believe you train your brain regardless, but you’ve got to choose what you’re going to put in there. And a huge reason why I had to stop going to Reddit (I couldn’t even hold an account on that site, I mean look at how I type) - is because I don’t care one flying fig about “celebrities” and I don’t want that gunk in my brain. I’d much rather have beautiful stuff like this. Which sparks the imagination and allows you to follow a variety of questions down the rabbit hole.
Big thanks, you’ve been fantastic to converse with <3!