They’ve faced down humans time and time again, but Fred Phelps and his minions from the Westboro Baptist Church were not ready for the cosplay action that awaited them today at Comic-Con. After all, who can win against a counter protest that includes robots, magical anime girls, Trekkies, Jedi and…kittens?

Unbeknownst to the dastardly fanatics of the Westboro Baptist Church, the good folks of San Diego’s Comic-Con were prepared for their arrival with their own special brand of superhuman counter protesting chanting “WHAT DO WE WANT” “GAY SEX” “WHEN DO WE WANT IT” “NOW!” while brandishing ironic (and some sincere) signs. Simply stated: The eclectic assembly of nerdom’s finest stood and delivered.

Love it – Peace, out!

The worldwide eradication of smallpox may, inadvertently, have helped spread HIV infection, scientists believe.

Experts say the vaccine used to wipe out smallpox offered some protection against the Aids virus and, now it is no longer used, HIV has flourished.

The US investigators said trials indicated the smallpox jab interferes with how well HIV multiplies.

But they say in the journal BMC Immunology it is too early to recommend smallpox vaccine for fighting HIV.

Kill no cure

Lead researcher Dr Raymond Weinstein, from Virginia’s George Mason University, said: “There have been several proposed explanations for the rapid spread of HIV in Africa, including wars, the reuse of unsterilised needles and the contamination of early batches of polio vaccine.

“However, all of these have been either disproved or do not sufficiently explain the behaviour of the HIV pandemic.”

Dr Weinstein and his colleagues believe immunisation against smallpox may go some way to explain the recent rises in HIV prevalence.

Smallpox immunisation was gradually withdrawn from the 1950s to the 1970s, following the worldwide eradication of the disease, and HIV has been spreading exponentially since then, they say.

Now, only scientists and medical professionals working with smallpox are vaccinated.

To test if the events may be linked, the researchers looked at the white blood cells taken from people recently immunised against smallpox and tested how they responded to HIV.

They found significantly lower replication rates of HIV in blood cells from vaccinated individuals, compared with those from unvaccinated controls.

The smallpox vaccine appeared to cut HIV replication five-fold.

Immune boost

The researchers believe vaccination may offer some protection against HIV by producing long-term alterations in the immune system, possibly including the expression of a receptor called CCR5 on the surface of white blood cells, which is exploited by the smallpox virus and HIV.

Jason Warriner, clinical director for the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “It’s impossible to say whether the withdrawal of the smallpox vaccine contributed to the initial explosion of HIV cases worldwide, but it is a plausible explanation.

“This is an interesting piece of research, and not just as a history lesson. Anything that gives us greater understanding of how the virus replicates is another step on the road towards a vaccine and, one day, a cure.

“Further studies into the role receptor cells play are needed, and even then any discoveries are likely to be just one part of the solution.

“Until we find a way to eradicate the virus from the body, the focus should remain on stopping it being passed on in the first place.”

The research states that in the media, the portrayal of teenage boys is pathetic and is causing social disharmony. The most common phrases used to show us boys is “yobs” (591 times), followed by “thugs” (254 times), “sick” (119 times) and “feral” (96 times).

Ironically, the only time accounted in the last years media of teenage boys being shown in a positive light is when the boy has been killed by some tragic or violent event, e.g. teenagers killed by knifes, guns and so on.

Think about it guys, how many times do you read the sun just to laugh at its patheticness only to find out that not only is it a conservative piece of tabloid gossip but calls us all louts and scum-bags? Since when have we all worn hoodies, everyday all day?

On top of this however, the research also shows that boys are increasingly becoming wary of other boys just because they are in a group or they have their hoods up. Think about it, do you ever walk past a bunch of guys in Belfast thinking keep quiet, I don’t want to be beat up, just because they were wearing a tracksuit, caps or their hoods up and walked something like Clint Eastwood or doing that kind of “hard-man” Belfast walk where their arms flail at their sides like they are banging an imaginary lambeg drum?

As funny as this description sounds, even I have been scared of groups of teenagers. I’m only 18 and yet I walk warily past in the street trying not to make eye contact. Do you know why? Because we are told all day everyday that these people are scary, knife wielding ASBO owning hoodies. Who by? The Media!!!

What do you all think? Have you ever tried not to make eye contact with a group of other guys because you are scared that they might beat you up? Why do you think that? Is it because the media told you these normal other guys messing about like boys do, are thugs?

Challenge assumptions guys! Challenge everything!!!

The incident happened in the Donegal Street/Frederick Street area at about 0200 GMT on Thursday.

Police say the man’s attacker was wearing a dark jacket, light trousers and had short grey hair.

They have appealed for anyone who witnessed the attack to contact them at York Road police station or to use the Crimestoppers telephone line.

We would say that it’s always best not to be walking around town alone at nights, especially early in the morning as in this case. Stay safe! You can always get taxis, after all, saving a few pounds isn’t worth your safety! There are also rape alarms available, and given the frequency of cases in Belfast recently, it doesn’t matter if you are male or female, they might keep you safe.

Read the original BBC article using the link http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7739838.stm

Despite a fall in the number of registered suicides, young men aged between 15-24 years remain those most likely to kill themselves.

The HPA has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging men to seek help.

Its chief executive, Dr Brian Gaffney, said men are less likely to recognise the signs of mental illness.

“Rather than talk to someone about their concerns, young men are much more likely than women to use alcohol and other drugs in order to cope with worries, which can lead to other problems such as getting into fights, relationship difficulties and trouble with the police,” he said.

The most recent figures show that 72% of suicides were males and suicides among young men in the 15-24 age group were more than three times higher than that of young women of the same age.

He said more than any other group, young men aged 16-24 years feel they have a lack of social support, with almost half (49%) saying they have some, or a severe, lack of social support.

Dr Gaffney said there is often a stigma associated with emotional problems and many people, particularly young men, think it is necessary to deny or disguise how they are really feeling.

“Men have the same reactions to everyday stress and are just as susceptible to many of the same illnesses as women but generally women will seek help and support for their problems, while men tend to bottle things up, which may lead to a crisis,” he said.

“What we are saying through this campaign is don’t cover up your problems, take the first step and talk to someone.”

The campaign, funded by the Department of Health, will run throughout June and includes television, radio and bus advertisements as well as washroom posters and beer mats.