4162. WILDLIFE SINGAPORE. The Scarce Silverstreak butterfly

SCARCE SILVERSTREAK, SINGAPORE ZOO, 1 JUL 2025, 10.38am

 Iraota rochana boswelliana is a species of lycaenid or blue butterfly.

 

Near Wild Asian Pond Turtle. Bright sunny day.

An uncommon butterfly in singapore

Canon R5, 105mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 1250

 

 

 

 Nowadays, most public gardens including Gardens By the Bay, Botanic Gardens, the Singapore Zoo has very few butterflies. This is one of them. Probable reason is the regular heavy thermal fogging to kill mosquitoes, killing off the caterpillars too.

 

 

4161. WILDLIFE STORIES: This squirrel eats our breakfast

30 JUN 2025:  Canon R5, 105mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 2000

The Speckled Pigeon said: "This squirrel is eating our breakfast!"
Bird paradise, 30 June 2025

4160. STORIES OF AN ELDERLY MAN.

 STORIES OF AN ELDERLY MAN. 

 

On 28 June 2025, I was in the Lentor MRT lift with an 81-year-old slim, tall and tanned Chinese man who had both upper limbs wrinkled, dry and brown pigmented due to the Covid-19 vaccination.
He had decided to walk some of his daily 10,000 steps as exercise while I hoped to complete my daily quota of 5000 steps.

“One day, I just couldn’t pee…not a drop, not a leak…never has this in my life!”
“Prostrate problems- enlarged prostrate stopping urination. What is your PSA?” I asked.
“Less than 4”, he replied. “My prostrate is normal!”

He was treated as an Emergency. “The doctor told me the cause was the cough medicine I took”. He has no more dysuria since that episode.

4159. White wild mushrooms

 

4158. FLORA SINGAPORE. The Little Ironweed (Cyanthillium cinereum). How to get...

 

 

 

 

FLORAL SINGAPORE:
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:

Cyanthillium cinereum (Little Ironweed) is a shrub in the sunflower family. 

It is difficult to get sharp images of the puffball-like fruits as they are small, less than l0 mm across. Use a tripod. The settings of the photo in the video are as follows: 

1. Canon R5, AV Mode
2. 80mm

3. 1/80 sec
4. f/11
5. ISO 160

6. Tripod gives you sharp images

 

UPDATES:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/06/4157-photography-tips-little-ironweed.html

4157. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Little Ironweed (Cyanthillium cinereum)

FLORAL SINGAPORE:
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:

Cyanthillium cinereum (Little Ironweed) is a shrub in the sunflower family. 

It is difficult to get sharp images of the puffball-like fruits as they are small, less than l0 mm across. Use a tripod. The settings of the photo in the video are as follows: 

1. Canon R5, AV Mode
2. 80mm

3. 1/80 sec
4. f/11
5. ISO 160

6. Tripod gives you sharp images

 

UPDATES:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/06/4157-photography-tips-little-ironweed.html

 

 

 

4156. Prostate cancer. Darolutamide and proteins like AR-V7

 

Darolutamide, marketed as Nubeqa, is a medication used to treat prostate cancer. It's an androgen receptor inhibitor, meaning it blocks the effects of testosterone and other androgens that can fuel cancer growth. It's often used in combination with other treatments like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel, depending on the stage and characteristics of the cancer. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

What it is: Darolutamide is an oral medication that specifically targets androgen receptors, preventing them from receiving signals that promote prostate cancer cell growth. 

How it's used:

• Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer (mHSPC): Darolutamide is used in combination with ADT and docetaxel. A recent FDA approval allows its use in this setting. 
• Non-metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (nmCRPC): Darolutamide is used with ADT. 
• Advanced Prostate Cancer: It may be used with other hormone therapies if other treatments have stopped working. 

Why it's used:

• Extends survival:

  Clinical trials have shown that darolutamide, when combined with other therapies, can significantly increase overall survival in men with mHSPC. 
• Delays cancer progression:

  It can also delay the progression of prostate cancer, including time to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, in men with nmCRPC. 
• Improves PSA response:

  Darolutamide can lead to a higher proportion of men achieving undetectable PSA levels. 
• Good safety profile:

  Darolutamide has been shown to have a favorable safety and tolerability profile, with side effects comparable to placebo in some studies. 

Important Considerations:

• Consult with a doctor:

  It's crucial to discuss with a healthcare professional to determine if darolutamide is the right treatment option based on individual circumstances. 
• Combination therapy:

  Darolutamide is often used in combination with other treatments, and the specific combination will depend on the patient's situation. 
• Potential side effects:

  While darolutamide is generally well-tolerated, potential side effects can include fatigue, diarrhea, and musculoskeletal pain. 
• Cost and access:

  Darolutamide and other similar drugs can be expensive, and access may be a barrier for some patients. 

   

  -------------------

   

  TIMES ENTERTAINMENT

  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/proteins-

  that-block-prostate-cancer..........

   

   

    

  Standard treatments sometime fail because certain proteins like AR-V7 

  allow cancer cells to survive and grow even when hormone-blocking drugs

  are used, reducing the treatment's effectiveness.
  
   Doctors can test for protein activity before beginning hormone therapy. If high levels

  of these proteins are detected, choose alternative treatments or

  advanced therapies rather than standard 

  that may be ineffective.

   

  Scientists are now developing targeted drugs that can block AR-VR and other

  proteins that interfere with treatment, increasing the chance of long-lasting

  treatment success.

   

  By identifying protein activity in advance, doctors can create customised treatment 

  plan for each patient. New targeted drugs offer hope for men living with

  prostate cancer.

   

    

4155. Wild mushroom

 

 

 

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23 Jun 2025

 

 

 

 

23 Jun 2025, 5.11pm
Tripod
Manual mode

97mm, 1/30 sec, f/4, ISO 200.  

 

4154. Wildlife Singapore. Yellow-vented Bulbul.

Pycnonotus goiavier ; Common Name: Yellow-vented Bulbul ; Ecological Notes, They are fond of berries and small fruits, especially figs and cinnamon tree fruits.

 The most common urban bulbul in Southeast Asia, this attractive songster is a common sight in cities, parks, and plantations, as well as in open forests, edges, and secondary growth. Brown above and whitish below with a bright yellow vent and a thick black line between the bill and the eye. Front edge of the weak, slightly peaked crest is also dark. Gives rolling, variable song and bubbly multiple-note calls.

SINGAPORE - SEP 2019: 8 am. The Yellow-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus goiavier) is found in scrubland, parkland and urban areas, except in deep forests. It is seen more often than other bird species. 

 

 

 

----------------------------

 

3 JULY 2025

9.45AM   SINGAPORE ZOO

 

Olive-winged Bulbul (Pycnonotus plumosus). 
Brown feathers, yellowish-olve flight feathers and dark red eyes

 

 

Canon R5, 99mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 400, TV MODE
face threats from the caged-bird and exotic pet trade.

 

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