I had noble goals. I wanted to write about the momentous events of the last week: the release of the photo of the black hole making visible the most destructive force in the universe; the fire at Notre Dame de Paris, which, while not completely destroying the venerable edifice, still did damage to the building at a level yet to be assessed, and destroyed some irreplaceable artworks (though many others were saved); and the ongoing train wreck that is Washington, DC, which is in the process of destroying our democracy, with the destruction of life on Earth as we know it not out of the question. There’s clearly a consistent theme there, but nothing I could draw together and expound upon for more than a paragraph (such as this one).
So instead you get armpits, which are not a destructive force at all—they’re just smelly.
Except when they’re not, which was the focus of this item that I ran across today. Much of the article was downright surreal, almost expecting the website (Medical News Today) to morph into The Onion. But no, this was honest research:
Two percent of people carry an unusual form of a specific gene (ABCC11) that means their armpits never smell.
The finding came from new research involving 6,495 women who are enrolled in the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol, England, and was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
In the study, 117 (2%) of the subjects were lucky enough to carry this gene that allows them to never have to worry about using deodorant.
I’ll admit that I’m surprised there are people in the world whose armpits don’t stink. But then there’s this:
Professor Ian Day explained:
"An important finding of this study relates to those individuals who, according to their genotype, do not produce under-arm odor. One quarter of these individuals must consciously or subconsciously recognize that they do not produce odor and do not use deodorant, whereas most odor producers do use deodorant.
However, three quarters of those who do not produce an odor regularly use deodorants; we believe that these people simply follow socio-cultural norms.
Professor Day employs the words “important finding” in ways I never would have imagined previously.
And then there was this:
The researchers noted that people who carry this unusual genetic variant also have a higher likelihood of having dry (as opposed to sticky) ear wax.
A good indicator of whether or not a person produces a smell under their arms is to check their ear wax, the experts explained.
“Uh, honey, could I take a close look at your earwax?” A query like that surely wouldn’t raise any red flags at all, would it?
I could imagine nominating this work for an Ig Nobel Prize.
So on to the comments, below the fold, after a word from our sponsor:
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Top Comments (April 17, 2019):
From FindingMyVoice:
From El Mito's diary, Is the Gay Thing Going to Stumble Mayor Pete?, alamancedem makes a pointed observation on choosing our candidates based on their electability:
'Must we always limit ourselves to the only people the most bigoted among us will vote for?'
Bravo.
Highlighted by John M Webb:
This comment by composerman in John M Webb’s recommended post today
Highlighted by userexists:
This comment by FogBelter in Older and Wiser Now’s recommended post today.
Top Mojo (April 16, 2019):
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Top Photos (April 16, 2019):
Courtesy of jotter!