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• Announcements

  Official Redpoint University Forums site news and concerns. Must be moderator or admin to start topics.

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  Greetings All You Beautiful People. The Dupuytren's Foundation can use our help. What is Dupuytren's Disease? Dupuytren disease is the most common crippling hand condition that people have never heard of. It affects at least ten million Americans, making their fingers permanently bent, sometimes severely. Why isn’t it more commonly known? Dupuytren contracture makes the fingers bent as if relaxed, not obvious unless the person tries to open their hand. It progresses slowly, usually doesn’t hurt, and mostly affects seniors. It’s often mistaken for arthritis or tendinitis. Why is it important? Bent fingers are only part of the picture. Dupuytren disease is a systemic problem. It can affect the hands (Dupuytren contracture, Garrod knuckle pads) and the feet (Ledderhose Disease). Developing one of these increases risk of developing others. It is a serious health issue. People with Dupuytren contracture have a greater risk for cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer, and early death – for reasons unknown. There is no prevention and no cure. Who is affected? Anyone can develop Dupuytren disease. Some groups have a higher risk. Dupuytren disease often runs in families. It’s genetic, but can skip several generations. It’s most common in Caucasians. In most, it appears in senior years – in previously normal hands. An estimated ten million Americans (thirty million worldwide) have signs of Dupuytren disease. Dupuytren celebrities include politicians Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Mitt Romney, actor Paul Newman, singer Frank Sinatra, comedians Bill Murray, Chelsea Handler, and many, many others – in all walks of life. There is also some evidence that Rock Jocks (and others using "power grips") may be more likely to experience more severe/aggressive forms. Bummer, eh? Dr. Eaton had some rock climber related articles that may be of particular interest to our community. What is the Dupuytren Research Group? We are an independent 501(c)(3) public charity established in 2008. Our mission is to find a cure for Dupuytren Disease as rapidly and efficiently as possible. All our board members are intensely focused on this goal because we are either hand surgeons who have seen too many problems with Dupuytren Disease, have Dupuytren Disease ourselves, or both. Our membership represents all 50 states and spans 70 countries. We provide patient support, host academic conferences, and author academic publications. Our flagship effort is the International Dupuytren Data Bank (IDDB). International Dupuytren Data Bank (IDDB) The IDDB has three stages: Recruit, enroll, and survey patients across the globe through secure online forms to collect information about their disease, its progress, and other medical factors. On reaching enrollment and funding goals, blood tests of enrollees will be collected to analyze DNA and other serum biomarkers. On reaching target numbers for phase 1 and 2, survey and laboratory data will be correlated to identify molecular targets for drug development. How Can We Help? Enroll in the IDDB You don’t have to have Dupuytren disease to enroll. We need comparison data from people without Dupuytren disease. Also, people with Peyronie Disease, Ledderhose Disease, or Frozen Shoulder should enroll – whether or not they have Dupuytren disease. Spread the Word We need 10,000 people with Dupuytren disease and 1000 without Dupuytren disease to complete the survey and blood collection phases. The sooner we gather the information we need, the faster we can move toward a cure. The Foundation has their 10K but short on the 1K control group. I would also ask those with financial resources to spare and/or needing end of year tax deductions to consider donating to the Dupuytren's Foundation. Those interested in a deeper dive Dupuytren Review. Dupuytren's TV Thank you for your consideration.
• On Belay

  Climbing discussion and trip reports.

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  he did much better on the second day. instead of trying to climb up to make sure mommy was ok he snoozed a bit. climbing is boreing. we even top belayed a few times leaving him down there alone.
• Gearhead Mind Hive

  Cumulative knowledge base for gear related discussions. Evaluate, recommend, barter, trade and sell. Representatives and stakeholders please identify as such.

  ACOPA

  Reviews - Truly, Awesome Legit 'Chit!!
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  Kermit escaped her winter den behind the garden today she got a brand new Platinum AGM battery. biggest one the parts store stocks. made another compartment in the utensile door. Brakes are rusty but hopefully will smooth out with a bit of use. the big bummer is the roof vent fan stopped working.. it's still under warentee and it seems like Max Air is shipping me a new one but it will be a PINTA to replace..
• Digital Campfire

  Gather round the electric warmth of the cyberfire, gaze at the virtual night sky's matrix of mystery and awe while shootin' the digital breeze with compatriot climbers from all walks.

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  They thought briefly about the Cirque of the Unclimbables, but realized that it was in another county, and would require far more than the $16 that they possessed between them. A quick review of their resources, and a dim memory of a nearly forgotten axiom provided the answer. "If you have never climbed the Boar's Tusk, you have never climbed in Wyoming" went the saying. $16 would buy enough gas to get them to the Red Desert, and maybe part way back, so it was decided. They loaded their battered packs into Mickey's broken down van and set off down the road, black smoke billowing from the exhaust from the burned rings. The busted shocks rattled with every bump on the highway. After several hours of pushing the van at its top speed of 43 mph, a poorly marked turn lead East into the heart of the Red Desert. Mickey turned left onto the washboard road and the van crept along rattling and squeaking with every minute ripple. Gill, sick of the noise, plucked a single cassette from his pack and stuck it into the ancient cassette player. The gentle refrains of Black Flag neutralized the sounds from the battered van, just as effective, and much cheaper than a white noise generator, and the rolled deeper and deeper into the Desert. There were no signs, just a battered copy of the Gazetteer, and dozens of spur roads, but the general trend led deeper, so they continued on. After cresting a small rise Mickey stopped the van and they stepped out for a look. Off in the distance, barely visible in the haze, a dark thumb of rock thrust itself skyward. With the objective in sight all question of its existence disappeared and they renewed their approach with Gill at the wheel. The tape played through, but no one moved to stop it. The tower grew larger as they grew closer, and finally they reached a final intersection, and a decision. Should they take the direct looking route, or would the longer, more circuitous one be better. Dropping the shift lever into 2nd Gill punched it, throwing a roostertail of dust that could be seen in Kemmerer, on the straight track. Not so far, but not so close either, a patch of soft sand barred the way. Gill floored it and the van floated over the soft sand, and then settled axle deep 50' from the edge. "Were kind of fucked now: Gill said. The only thing to be seen was sagebrush and the lone tower a short distance away. The other road could clearly be seen approaching on firmer ground, perhaps, in retrospect, it would have been a better choice. Not the first time I've been stuck said Mickey, as he opened the back and pulled out a shovel, some empty bags and an old climbing rope. Mickey walked out 50' and dug a hole as Gill watched, then he filled the bags with sand and wrapped a sling around them before burying the whole deal. He rigged a pulley to the sling, and doubled the rope through it before walking back to the van. After securing the rope to the frame of the van, Mickey rigged a 12:1 haul system using pulleys and ascenders and then started taking up the slack. By now both were dripping sweat. Mickey dug in the van to find a hat and when he turned back saw that Gill was just pulling a tshirt on. What Mickey also saw, was that Gill had breasts! That's interesting thought Mickey, that guy always did seem a bit different!
• Site Comments & Help

  Perplexed? Got a question or suggestion about Redpoint University? This is the place - Fire away!

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  And ... just remember.... no matter where you go... there you are... Which completes our little home page tour. Although I still like Categories supplemented with Carousel - nice balanced hierarchy of cats while still keeping recent posts front and center for the drive thru consumers. That said, the Recent Carousel will be going away during future upgrades/makeovers. So that pretty much leaves "Recent" as the last of the mohicans left standing.