1 February 2018 (Thursday) - Sign of the TImes ?

The American Society of Hematology sent their newsletter today. Much of it wasn’t really relative to me. Much of it isn’t. But one article piqued my interest.

Social media has infiltrated our everyday lives – both personally and professionally. With most people keeping in touch with friends, family, and colleagues and monitoring the news cycle through multiple social media avenues, the question has shifted from if we should be using social media, to how we can make sure we use it to our benefit.

I once got a formal disciplinary warning for mentioning my place of work on Facebook. At the hearing I was told from the one issuing the formal warning that he didn’t do Facebook or understand it,but knew enough that mentioning the place on Facebook was enough to bring it into disrepute.
Now the place has its own Facebook page and Twitter account too…

29 January 2018 (Monday) - C.S.O. Update



The Chief Scientific Officer sent out an update today. Much of it was only of passing interest, but I was interested to see “Healthcare Science Week” mentioned.
Many years ago I stood in the town centre manning a stall for “Healthcare Science Week”… I wonder if I might do it again… perhaps I should ?

26 January 2018 (Friday) - Cabot Rings


This picture appeared in one of the lab-based Facebook groups I follow. “Cabot rings appear as thin, red-violet-staining strands in the shape of rings, figure eights, or shapes of the letter B on Wright-stained smears. They are rarely seen in peripheral blood. The rings are probably microtubules from the mitotic spindle that remain behind after the rest of the erythrocyte nucleus is extruded.
Cabot rings have been observed in megaloblastic anemia, lead poisoning, severe anemia, leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and other cases of dyserythropoiesis

You can read more about them by clicking here.