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Zombies helping science (and all of mankind)
- Aug 24, 2009 at 4:57 PM
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- Comments (8) Total Views (231) Everyone can see this journal post.
I know, zombies don't exist. Neither do the Loch Ness Monster, ghosts (??), or a method to get my kid to clean her room without whining about it. Even so, zombies have a unique connection to science, thanks to researchers in Canada.
Recently, the team in Canada made a mathematical model that describes how zombies could take over the world by infecting others with their "zombieness" with a single bite. The researchers set out to answer the question "If there were a fight between zombies and humans, who would win?" by first setting up a basic mathematical model. They then used a variety of solutions to determine the outcome of various actions humans could take to try to overcome the zombies (classic, non-intelligent ones).
According to their models, the only way to beat the zombies is to hit them hard and hit them often. otherwise, they will take over quickly, by infecting a few individuals at first, but then growing their population exponentially as all zombies (even the new ones) infect more and more individuals.
You may see that this work has some parallels to the spread of infectious diseases, which is why it has attracted the attention of disease researchers around the world. In addition, they have published the results in the book Infectious Diseases Modelling Research Progress. It may seem intuitive to think the answer is fight hard and fast, but using the model gives researchers a tool to see where critical points lie and potentially how to work with them. If you would like to read their work, I found it online for free. The team is from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. If you have any questions about the details of this mathematical study, please be advised math is not "my thing", and you might have better luck with TheMathMom.
As a side note, the original zombie movie, Night of the Living Dead, still scares the hell out of me! In some ways, more than the H1N1 swine flu.
Tonya
AKA sunmoonstars
Comments:
I can see al the CM zombie moms rushing over here to see how zombies can 'help' mankind. =D
Cool post.
LOL at both of you! Yep, I hope so! Science is everywhere :)
I was hoping you'd write a blog about this!
We just got our "disaster plan" for the H1N1 epidemic at our health system. Interesting reading!
I'm sorry, but you must PROVE to me zombies aren't real. I've seen the pictures. Right next to that shaky film of Sasquatch. They're real I tell you, real!!!
Unfortunately, still no verdict on a clean bedroom. Sorry.
We all sleep better knowing that our Z.A.P is bound with each page is neatly stowed away in a plastic covering (to keep zombie ooze off), tucked safely under our mattress, practiced monthly and drilled into our children's heads.
Now that Canada recognizes the risk, I know we are doing the right thing. :0)
It's about time someone was cereal about this!
LOL! Can I call my husband a zombie so that I can hit him hard and repeatedly for leaving his Starbucks cups everywhere?
Great post!
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Okay I'm totally going to read that now...I love zombies, this post is awesome!
- aurorabunny
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