As the saying goes, seeing is believing but for some scientists they are testing for something they can't even see: nano-materials. Nano-materials are the tiny, microscopic molecules that are created by everything like from cooking foods, building factories, or driving around. Nano-materials surround us; they are literally everywhere. In the news article from Science Nation titled Investigating the Impact of Natural and Human-made Nano-materials on Living Things it talked about how scientists are testing the effects of different nano-materials in certain environments. In this case, these scientists created their own controlled-wetlands called mesocosms. Each mesocosm tested the effects of different nano-materials on the plants, on the animals, and on the water itself. These experiments each take about a year to complete to understand the full effect of the nano-materials. When they weren't testing in the mesocosms they tested on zebra fish, specifically the effect that plastic nano-material had on the development. The scientists were very surprised when the results showed a lot of string heart defect, and other major defects in the liver and brain. This is just one example of how harmful something so small can really be. Another nano-material they tested on was the effects of a substance called selenium, which is mainly used in semiconductor industries. The results showed that it was more toxic than they thought. However, the lead scientist said that a small amount is actually good for our diet yet too much could be very bad and very toxic. Overall these scientists are hoping that their research will make more factories and industries come test their nano-materials in the mesocosms to check the safety levels before producing them and releasing them to the public.
This was the first topic that really grabbed my attention. The reason it did was the word "nano" which i new dealt with very small particles and I was curious on what they would discuss. I really like the idea that factories could first test their materials to make sure it is safe for the environment. Also, I think its important to understand those small things that we can't even see. I really enjoyed this article because it showed that there's more to our world than meets the eye. -BP
Friday, September 22, 2017
How Openings in Antarctic Sea Ice Affect Worldwide Climate
We've already learned from class that water plays a huge role in temperature regulation for the earth. Because of its properties associated with hydrogen bonding, ice is able to float to the surface of water allowing for life underneath, and it is able to regulate temperature because the bonding does not allow water to respond to temperature changes very quickly. This study was able to highlight just how important water and ice in our oceans can be when it comes to climate change, especially in the Southern Ocean.
Until recently, experts in oceanography and climate scientists thought that the major contributing factor to ocean and atmospheric conditions was found in the tropics. However, this team composed of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Spain’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Johns Hopkins University was able to see significant findings dealing with the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, which is instead located in the South.
What they were researching was an observed pocket or hole called a polyna in the normally solid ice structure in the sea. Polynas occur when the warm sub-surface waters mix at a location with cold waters surface present. This leads to the process of open-ocean convection, which means that the heat ends up rising and the cooler temperatures of water drop. The heat ends up melting a hole in the otherwise solid ice.
The team was able to make models to show how these holes in the ice of the Weddell sea actually impacted the climate. To quote one of the researchers, Irina Marinov, these were some of the findings: “This small, isolated opening in the sea ice in the Southern Ocean can have significant, large-scale climate implications. Climate models suggest that, in years and decades with a large polynya, the entire atmosphere warms globally, and we see changes in the winds in the Southern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the equatorial rain belt. This is attributable to the polynya.”
In addition to these findings, their model also showed that polynas show up around every 75 years. When they do, they release the ocean's heat - which doesn't just end up affecting the local area, it also increases temperatures in the sea-surface and atmosphere of the entire Southern Hemisphere. It also has a smaller impact on the Northern Hemisphere. In essence, the polyna ends up playing a major role in precipitation that leads to agriculture in populated areas and worldwide temperatures.
The article ends by pointing out that with climate change, these polynas may not be showing up as frequently. Without having a "release valve" for the ocean's temperature that shows up in a predicable timeframe, we don't know how bad the impacts will be. Because it became clear that these pockets lead to a number of environmental changes, I believe that we need to pour more research into the topic and find out how big of an impact we're looking at, and if we can reverse it in any way if it ends up being detrimental to our climate.
-Gabrielle Whiffen
Reference: https://news.upenn.edu/news/penn-how-openings-antarctic-sea-ice-affect-worldwide-climate
Until recently, experts in oceanography and climate scientists thought that the major contributing factor to ocean and atmospheric conditions was found in the tropics. However, this team composed of researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Spain’s Institute of Marine Sciences and Johns Hopkins University was able to see significant findings dealing with the sea ice in the Weddell Sea, which is instead located in the South.
What they were researching was an observed pocket or hole called a polyna in the normally solid ice structure in the sea. Polynas occur when the warm sub-surface waters mix at a location with cold waters surface present. This leads to the process of open-ocean convection, which means that the heat ends up rising and the cooler temperatures of water drop. The heat ends up melting a hole in the otherwise solid ice.
The team was able to make models to show how these holes in the ice of the Weddell sea actually impacted the climate. To quote one of the researchers, Irina Marinov, these were some of the findings: “This small, isolated opening in the sea ice in the Southern Ocean can have significant, large-scale climate implications. Climate models suggest that, in years and decades with a large polynya, the entire atmosphere warms globally, and we see changes in the winds in the Southern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the equatorial rain belt. This is attributable to the polynya.”
In addition to these findings, their model also showed that polynas show up around every 75 years. When they do, they release the ocean's heat - which doesn't just end up affecting the local area, it also increases temperatures in the sea-surface and atmosphere of the entire Southern Hemisphere. It also has a smaller impact on the Northern Hemisphere. In essence, the polyna ends up playing a major role in precipitation that leads to agriculture in populated areas and worldwide temperatures.
The article ends by pointing out that with climate change, these polynas may not be showing up as frequently. Without having a "release valve" for the ocean's temperature that shows up in a predicable timeframe, we don't know how bad the impacts will be. Because it became clear that these pockets lead to a number of environmental changes, I believe that we need to pour more research into the topic and find out how big of an impact we're looking at, and if we can reverse it in any way if it ends up being detrimental to our climate.
-Gabrielle Whiffen
Reference: https://news.upenn.edu/news/penn-how-openings-antarctic-sea-ice-affect-worldwide-climate
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Young Human Blood Makes Old Mice Smarter
One thing many people have worried about once in their life or continuously worry about is aging. A majority of people fear aging and all the things that come with aging such as memory loss, deterioration of the cells, no control over bowel movements and so on. It freaks me out when I think about it and its relevant to all of us we are not getting any younger!
Neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University has found a protein that is located in young human blood plasma that is improving brain function in aging mice. By infusing young human blood into the veins of older mice they have found that the mice cognitive functions has improved. The mice would have to navigate its way through a maze and learn how to avoid some areas of their cage that would administer electrical shocks.
They found that when youthful blood was infused more connections would happen between neurons and the brain which affected the hippocampus which is a part of the brain the correlates with learning and memory. Researchers tested 66 different types of protein to see which one was the one altering cognitive performance. They only found one called TIMP2, scientists noticed that it would improve the performance of the mice but did not regenerate the brain cells that are lost through aging.
Wyss-Coray (neuroscientist) also started collecting plasma from umbilical cords of newborn babies to see if younger blood might act differently with the mice but the TIMP2 from umbilical cords had no effect on memory.
Researchers still don't know how TIMP2 works with learning & memory function. Scientists believe that the protein function is involved with growth of cells & blood vessels and that because of this function it is effecting many pathways to the brain and memory all at the same time. A neuroimmunologist, Michal Schwartz believes that TIMP2 is changing the immune system which affects the brain indirectly. Another researcher Lee Rubin, noticed one mouse contained high levels of a protein called GDF11 which was injected into a vessel that leads to the brain but it never reaches the brain, he believes that TIMP2 is acting the same way and indirectly affecting the brain. Scientist still need to pinpoint TIMP2 and how it impacts the brain.
What is exciting about this find is that researchers have opened a door that could lead to potential treatments for Alzheimers disease or other aging diseases. Its still pretty new so it will take a couple of years to get to this stage. After reading this article it reminded me of the scary story of Queen Elizabeth that she would soak in the blood of younger woman which would kept her young, beautiful and even gave her strange abilities. Its an old creepy tale but it seems like it possible that using young blood into older animals improves their health in someway. I am really interested in what they are going to find in the future and the positive impact it will have on peoples lives.
Reference:
Reardon, Sara. “Young Human Blood Makes Old Mice Smarter.” Nature News, 2017, http://www.nature.com/news/young-human-blood-makes-old-mice-smarter-1.21848. Accessed 19 April 2017.
Neuroscientist Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University has found a protein that is located in young human blood plasma that is improving brain function in aging mice. By infusing young human blood into the veins of older mice they have found that the mice cognitive functions has improved. The mice would have to navigate its way through a maze and learn how to avoid some areas of their cage that would administer electrical shocks.
They found that when youthful blood was infused more connections would happen between neurons and the brain which affected the hippocampus which is a part of the brain the correlates with learning and memory. Researchers tested 66 different types of protein to see which one was the one altering cognitive performance. They only found one called TIMP2, scientists noticed that it would improve the performance of the mice but did not regenerate the brain cells that are lost through aging.
Wyss-Coray (neuroscientist) also started collecting plasma from umbilical cords of newborn babies to see if younger blood might act differently with the mice but the TIMP2 from umbilical cords had no effect on memory.
Researchers still don't know how TIMP2 works with learning & memory function. Scientists believe that the protein function is involved with growth of cells & blood vessels and that because of this function it is effecting many pathways to the brain and memory all at the same time. A neuroimmunologist, Michal Schwartz believes that TIMP2 is changing the immune system which affects the brain indirectly. Another researcher Lee Rubin, noticed one mouse contained high levels of a protein called GDF11 which was injected into a vessel that leads to the brain but it never reaches the brain, he believes that TIMP2 is acting the same way and indirectly affecting the brain. Scientist still need to pinpoint TIMP2 and how it impacts the brain.
What is exciting about this find is that researchers have opened a door that could lead to potential treatments for Alzheimers disease or other aging diseases. Its still pretty new so it will take a couple of years to get to this stage. After reading this article it reminded me of the scary story of Queen Elizabeth that she would soak in the blood of younger woman which would kept her young, beautiful and even gave her strange abilities. Its an old creepy tale but it seems like it possible that using young blood into older animals improves their health in someway. I am really interested in what they are going to find in the future and the positive impact it will have on peoples lives.
Reference:
Reardon, Sara. “Young Human Blood Makes Old Mice Smarter.” Nature News, 2017, http://www.nature.com/news/young-human-blood-makes-old-mice-smarter-1.21848. Accessed 19 April 2017.
Giraffes more speciose than expected
Scientists from Senckenburgand the Giraffe Conservation Foundation have been studying the genetic relationships of the major populations of wild giraffes. Before the study, there were only one type of giraffe. During this sutdy, the genetic makeup of giraffe points toward four different species. With the knowledge of these four distinct species, the need of protection of these animals gain a great importance to save them.
To me, and many of you, giraffes all look very much the same with body structure, horns, and patterns on their skin. These are also some of the ways science previously catagorize these animals with others. After the founding of the different species of giraffe, Professor Axel Janke mentions that these different species don't even mate with each other. The four types of giraffes are Southern giraffe, Masai giraffe, reticulated giraffe, and the northern giraffe.
This new knowledge of the different giraffes comes a greater urgency to save, not only the less than 100,000 giraffes in Africa, but all of the different species of giraffes. Two of the four species of giraffes are estimated below 10,000 individual giraffes left. The Giraffe Conservative Foundation (GCF) estimates that there are mabe as few as 400 West African giraffe remaining in the wild today. There is now a growing need to help protect the different species of giraffe in Africa.
This is very interesting to me because I would have never guessed that there were different species of giraffe. It's a bit crazy to think that giraffes have never really been studied in depth before because every zoo that I can think of, has at least one giraffe in it. I do understand that there is a difference between a giraffe in a zoo and a wild giraffe, but the idea of not studying it is still there. Now scientists have studied these creatures and have relized that there are fewer now then 30 years ago, there's a push for trying to help these animals.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/09/08/giraffes_more_speciose_than_expected.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biologynews%2Fheadlines+%28Biology+News+Net%29
To me, and many of you, giraffes all look very much the same with body structure, horns, and patterns on their skin. These are also some of the ways science previously catagorize these animals with others. After the founding of the different species of giraffe, Professor Axel Janke mentions that these different species don't even mate with each other. The four types of giraffes are Southern giraffe, Masai giraffe, reticulated giraffe, and the northern giraffe.
This new knowledge of the different giraffes comes a greater urgency to save, not only the less than 100,000 giraffes in Africa, but all of the different species of giraffes. Two of the four species of giraffes are estimated below 10,000 individual giraffes left. The Giraffe Conservative Foundation (GCF) estimates that there are mabe as few as 400 West African giraffe remaining in the wild today. There is now a growing need to help protect the different species of giraffe in Africa.
This is very interesting to me because I would have never guessed that there were different species of giraffe. It's a bit crazy to think that giraffes have never really been studied in depth before because every zoo that I can think of, has at least one giraffe in it. I do understand that there is a difference between a giraffe in a zoo and a wild giraffe, but the idea of not studying it is still there. Now scientists have studied these creatures and have relized that there are fewer now then 30 years ago, there's a push for trying to help these animals.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/09/08/giraffes_more_speciose_than_expected.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+biologynews%2Fheadlines+%28Biology+News+Net%29
Study finds shark fins & meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease
A study from Miami shows scientists finding high concentrations of toxins linked to neurodegenerative diseases in the fins and muscles of sharks. Who would of thought that eating shark meat or fins would cause such a thing? Apparently this is a huge deal! Fins and muscle tissue were collected from 10 shark species found in both the Atlantic and pacific oceans. They found toxins of both mercury and methylamino-L-alanine (AKA BMAA). BMAA has shown to cause these neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer. The reason there is a high concentration of toxins in sharks is because they are the top of their food chain. Their tissues tend to accumulate mercury and BMAA. This can harm the sharks as well as humans.
Shark products are widely consumed in Asia and globally in Asian communities. Currently, shark fin soup is in increasingly high demand, a popular food eaten at weddings and other celebrations. Other shark products, such as shark cartilage, are included in dietary supplements as a source of traditional Chinese medicine, and have gained popularity in Western nations. The people consuming these foods/products don't realize what it could possible cause them.
Neil Hammerschlag, a research assistant professor at the UM Rosenstiel School and UM Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, and the study’s lead author, said "Since sharks are predators, living higher up in the food web, their tissues tend to accumulate and concentrate toxins, which may not only pose a threat to shark health, but also put human consumers of shark parts at a health risk".
A team collected data from these 10 sharks and found that all shark species have concentrations of mercury and BMAA that could pose a threat to human health. And because they are both at high levels, the researchers believe they could have synergistic negative effects on consumers.
I think limiting the consumption of shark meat and fins, will have positive health benefits for consumers and positive conservation outcomes for sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction due in part to the growing high demand for shark fin soup. I also believe informing and educating people of Asia who mainly consume these products about the neurological damage would be a good idea. These people don't even know what is in their food and how it is affecting them.
Matthew Trapnell
References
Study finds shark fins & meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease, www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/08/29/study_finds_shark_fins_meat_contain_high_levels_of_neurotoxins_linked_to_alzheimers_disease.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%2Bbiologynews%2Fheadlines%2B%28Biology%2BNews%2BNet%29. Accessed 20 Sept. 2017.
Shark products are widely consumed in Asia and globally in Asian communities. Currently, shark fin soup is in increasingly high demand, a popular food eaten at weddings and other celebrations. Other shark products, such as shark cartilage, are included in dietary supplements as a source of traditional Chinese medicine, and have gained popularity in Western nations. The people consuming these foods/products don't realize what it could possible cause them.
Neil Hammerschlag, a research assistant professor at the UM Rosenstiel School and UM Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, and the study’s lead author, said "Since sharks are predators, living higher up in the food web, their tissues tend to accumulate and concentrate toxins, which may not only pose a threat to shark health, but also put human consumers of shark parts at a health risk".
A team collected data from these 10 sharks and found that all shark species have concentrations of mercury and BMAA that could pose a threat to human health. And because they are both at high levels, the researchers believe they could have synergistic negative effects on consumers.
I think limiting the consumption of shark meat and fins, will have positive health benefits for consumers and positive conservation outcomes for sharks, many of which are threatened with extinction due in part to the growing high demand for shark fin soup. I also believe informing and educating people of Asia who mainly consume these products about the neurological damage would be a good idea. These people don't even know what is in their food and how it is affecting them.
Matthew Trapnell
References
Study finds shark fins & meat contain high levels of neurotoxins linked to Alzheimer's disease, www.biologynews.net/archives/2016/08/29/study_finds_shark_fins_meat_contain_high_levels_of_neurotoxins_linked_to_alzheimers_disease.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%2Bbiologynews%2Fheadlines%2B%28Biology%2BNews%2BNet%29. Accessed 20 Sept. 2017.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Not as "white" as they had hoped to be
In the article titled, “White nationalists are flocking to
genetic ancestry tests with surprising results” by Eric Boodman, he tells a
story of a white supremacist Craig Cobb, had his DNA testing results read to
him and he found out that he was only 86% European and 14% Sub Saharan African.
Cobb was booed and laughed at for trying to get the people of North Dakota to
become an all-white dominance. Although Cobb was a white supremacist he was
expecting to see that he was all-white but he played it off as in that the DNA
test was wrong and that he wanted to be re-tested. Codd also mentions that he tried
to say that the test was all but “statistical noise”. But little do they know
now that they have made their ancestry public they would have to take down
their sign of being a complete 100% white supremacist.
Lately people have been finding out that they are not as “white”
as they had hoped to be. More and more people recently have been getting their
DNA tested to see what they actually are. Some people are not pleased to see
what they actually are. A lot of the people that get their tests are surprises
to see where their ancestry comes from. Places like ancestry.com can actually
be wrong with their data, “the science is often murky in those areas and gives
ambiguous information” says J. Scott Roberts. Although ancestry.com can find
lots of the peoples ancestors there is nothing like having your actual DNA
tested to see where or what you actually come from.
Scientific American. August 16,
2017. Eric Boodman. Biology. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/white-nationalists-are-flocking-to-genetic-ancestry-tests-with-surprising-results/
Sunday, September 17, 2017
One Test May Spot Cancer, Infections, Diabetes and More
I read an article I found on the Scientific
American website. The article was called, “One Test May Spot Cancer,
Infections, Diabetes, and More”. In this article I learned that a man named,
Kun Zhang believes that one day by taking one blood sample we will be able to
see all the issues that are going on in the body. That patience’s will no
longer have to suffer the pains and expensive of intrusive surgeries.
In 2011 a new blood
test was released to test a pregnant women’s fetal bloodstream to determine if their
child will have Down’s Syndrome or other genetic conditions. This might someday
fully replace ultrasound plus blood analysis.
Another theory
called, liquid biopsies have been releases only 3 years ago. This is where the
blood is tested to analyze the tumors genetic makeup or look at evidence of cancer
reoccurring in the patience. This is done by looking at the spread of the
tumor. When the tumor spreads it spills a little DNA into the blood. Making it
easier to identify from the normal DNA. This practices have not yet been picked
up by all routine care but is well funded and will continue research.
I chose this article
because I am very interested in the new sciences. I believe that through
research and testing we will be able to achieve a higher understanding of how
to use new technology and gain more knowledge in healthcare. By doing this we need
to ask the right questions and test the right things. With these test it is
just the beginning. One day there will be easier more efficient ways to save
lives and prevent infection. I think especially only being an 18 I will be able
to see many discovers as I age. The discovers will be life changing and I think
it needs to be shared so more people think “what if” and start changing the way
we look at things.
Resource:
McGowan, Kat. “One
Test May Spot Cancer, Infections,
Diabetes and More.” Scientific American, 5 Sept.
2017,
www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-test-may-spot-cancer-infections-diabetes-and-more/.
Accessed 13 Sept. 2017.
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