Influenza A viruses typically cause severe respiratory disease mainly in the very young or the elderly. The 2009 swine-origin H1N1 virus is unusual because it preferentially infects individuals under 35 years of age. We've previously noted that being older is a good defense against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, in part because older people have antibodies that block infection.

Our foster child has now been with us for five months. She arrived late on a Thursday night. That evening as we made something light for her to eat, she told me about her hamster. She was worried about her hamster because she had only had her for a few days and she was at home alone. Noone to feed him or look after him.

One of the remaining survivors of Flight 180, death itself stalks her. Clear Rivers is not forced off the plane during Alex's panic; she voluntarily steps off the plane during the heated confrontation between classmates and airline personnel. Cheating death once, Clear along with the other survivors discover death's design and its plan to kill anyone who was meant to die on the plane.

Brian Krebs, in his "Krebs on Security" blog, is reporting that one of the patches from this month's Microsoft "Patch Tuesday" is causing some Windows computers to crash with the infamous "Blue Screen of Death".

As many of you know an earthquake hit Haiti and has caused a collapse of buildings leaving everything in rubble. This already poor country does not have the money or infrastructure to support itself. Though the U.S. and other countries have vowed to help and send aid to the people of Haiti, it's still important to donate even a little money to help those in need. MSNBC has provided a list and information on how you can donate and help.

There has been considerable coverage in the press over the last few days of Google's claim that its network had been attacked from China, possibly with the connivance or active support of the Chinese government, and Google's threat to withdraw from that market. It has also been reported that several other large technology companies, notably Adobe, were also attacked. Google said that the attackers apparently made of with some of its software, in addition to attempting to access the E-mail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.

I still can't really believe that the "noughties" have nearly gone; it'll be 2010 in less than a month. I've been thinking about 2010 (what an impossibly futuristic date that sounds!) and what it might hold in store for me as a web worker.

Scienceroll.com readers know well I'm an admirer of WolframAlpha: I use WolframAlpha because sometimes (if I know exactly what I want to find) it saves me plenty of time and clicks. If I want to calculate BMI, Google lists me several calculators. WolframAlpha calculates it itself.

Before the development of cell culture, many viruses were propagated in embryonated chicken eggs. Today this method is most commonly used for growth of influenza virus. The excellent yield of virus from chicken eggs has led to their widespread use in research laboratories and for vaccine production. In fact the vast majority of influenza vaccines -- both inactivated and infectious -- are produced in chicken eggs. How is influenza virus propagated in eggs?

The Joel Tenenbaum " RIAA case has produced a terrific opinion by Judge Nancy Gertner of the District of Massachusetts. This is the most thoughtful, balanced, and insightful copyright opinion I've read in years.

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