Kendall Roberson
www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/06/09/swine_flu_spread_was_much_wider_than_first_thought_scientists_say.html
The swine flu outburst of 2009-2010 was much more worldwide than scientists had previously thought. Scottish adults' blood samples taken in March of 2010, exhibited that almost half of the blood samples carried the H1N1 antibodies to the virus. Forty-four percent of the the people who tested positive had the swine flu. Others had gained immunity from a previous form of the flu or had gotten the shot for the flu. Research at the University of Edinburgh showed that tons of cases of the swine flu were unreported. Only 100,000 people visited their General Practitioner about the flu, which is not a lot out of the two million people who were believed to have had the H1N1 virus.
I believe this is a discovery that is needed, but it's a little to late for it now. The scientists needed to discover this last year when the swine flu was a prime virus among a lot of people. Now, we are just hearing about the H1N1 virus and how many people actually had the virus. I think that scientists should have investigated this virus more when it was a major outbreak, and not now when it's not very prime. This is good information to have now, but it would be used much more if we would have had it last year.
Friday, June 10, 2011
It Wants To Eat Your Flesh
Researchers have found something very disturbing in dairy cows. A new strain of the flesh eating bacteria (MRSA). Humans are at risk because it is passable from the cows to us. This new strain of MRSA is undetectable by standard MRSA detecting. It also is able to grow with antibiotics present and this is a very bad thing. Now we have a bacteria that can destroy flesh and is communicable; and we can't stop it. This is because this new MRSA's DNA is different from the previous one, enabling it to go by unnoticed. Doctors aren't yet able to know if we gave the cows it, or they gave it to us, just that we can give it to each other. They assured us that pasteurized milk is still safe, although unpasteurized is not.
I've been a fan of the different forms of flesh eating bacteria for a while now, so naturally this sparked my interest. Like most forms of flesh eating bacteria; MRSA is resistant to antibiotics. The currant strains are all able to be "treated" though never fully gotten rid of, yet this new strain is undecidable to the current means of treatment and identifying. Also it's ability to infect dairy cows and their handlers is another very scary thing. I really hope we are able to stop this before it becomes out of control. Something like this could run rapid in an environment where it is uncontrolled and undetectable.
- Lauren (Ren) Stogner
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Fetal Drug Addiction
Knoxville hospital uses new way to treat babies born drug addicted: "Doctors at East Tennessee Children's Hospital say so many babies are being born addicted that the problem is considered an epidemic. Now the hospital has come up with a new way to treat these babies."
As a part of my dream job to work in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit); they have to treat infants born with drug addictions inherited from the mother. These mothers have a specific addiction to a substance which in terms affect the baby as well. We have all heard of fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects that such as mental retardation and learning disabilities (ADHD,ADD,Dyslexia,etc.) but in actuality that is not the only fear mothers should have. Babies, who are hooked on drugs go through withdrawal just as any other addict and without treat it could be fatal. There once was a time where physician gave the baby a small doses of the drug to relieve the pain of a difficult process. The infants have to withstand hardships such as eating difficulties, visual difficulties, low birth weight, shorter height, missing fingers/toes, bone/skeletal defect, tremors, seizures, sleep abnormalities, and among many other things, difficulty consoling or comforting. They scream as if someone is killing them as little by little doctors try to whine the baby off the drug. As time progresses on, medical science has proved other ways to treat these babies; the video will input on the new research taking place today (click on the link above).
As a part of my dream job to work in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit); they have to treat infants born with drug addictions inherited from the mother. These mothers have a specific addiction to a substance which in terms affect the baby as well. We have all heard of fetal alcohol syndrome and other birth defects that such as mental retardation and learning disabilities (ADHD,ADD,Dyslexia,etc.) but in actuality that is not the only fear mothers should have. Babies, who are hooked on drugs go through withdrawal just as any other addict and without treat it could be fatal. There once was a time where physician gave the baby a small doses of the drug to relieve the pain of a difficult process. The infants have to withstand hardships such as eating difficulties, visual difficulties, low birth weight, shorter height, missing fingers/toes, bone/skeletal defect, tremors, seizures, sleep abnormalities, and among many other things, difficulty consoling or comforting. They scream as if someone is killing them as little by little doctors try to whine the baby off the drug. As time progresses on, medical science has proved other ways to treat these babies; the video will input on the new research taking place today (click on the link above).
Scientists Unlock Potential of Frog Skin to Treat Cancer
Scientists at Queen's University have made a very astounding discovery in a place least expected, the Waxy Monkey Frog. They have located two proteins on this frog's skin thst have the potential to treat many diseases such as cancer, diabetes and stroke. These proteins, or peptides, can be targetted in the body to control angiogenesis, which means that it can either control or inhibit bloo. Why does that help? Well, in most cases, cancer tumors need to enough energy and nutrients to be able to grow and spread to the rest of the host's body. This has the potential to stop the tumor growth and possibly kill it.
Opinion
This is a very interesting discovery. The best thing is that, when the proteins are extracted, the animals aren't hurt at all! This protein has so much potential, it has the ability to cure over seventy of today's diseases. This will open so many doors, in biological research. Hopefully, people will start looking for more ways to find cures of today's diseases more and more, since man-made antibiotics, and shots are basically useless to it. I hope that soon they will find a cure.
By: Daniel Pena
Monday, June 6, 2011
Nano Patch
The heart is the most important organ in the human body . Unfourtanetly if you have a heart attack part of it dies . Part of the heart dieing may cause many problems for your health . Due to recent study and research scientist has found a device that may repair that dead part of the heart . The process is called nanotechnology .
This is a great discovery . This could posibly help thousandths of people with heart promblems . It is said that if you have had a heart attack that you will have another in 6 years . That is a very bad prediction . This is exactly what we need to help the human body due to the tragedys we have to go through .
This is a great discovery . This could posibly help thousandths of people with heart promblems . It is said that if you have had a heart attack that you will have another in 6 years . That is a very bad prediction . This is exactly what we need to help the human body due to the tragedys we have to go through .
Ocean Acidification Leaves Clownfish Deaf to Predators
Baby clownfish are unable to avoid predators in the coral reef. This is because of the increase in acids in the ocean. Large amounts of CO2 has been absorbed into the ocean because of the Industrial Revolution. The excessive CO2 is lowering the Ph level, and harming the fish. The CO2 can also make the fish lose their smell, which can make them lose advantage to their predators.
Humans should be more cautious in what they do with waste. Animals can be extremely harmed because of our carelessness. Just losing smell or hearing may not seem like such a big deal, but it can make an animal become extinct. This can harm the ecosystem and the consumers in it. With the extinction of one animal, it can bring the extinctions of others.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531201221.htm
David Watts
Humans should be more cautious in what they do with waste. Animals can be extremely harmed because of our carelessness. Just losing smell or hearing may not seem like such a big deal, but it can make an animal become extinct. This can harm the ecosystem and the consumers in it. With the extinction of one animal, it can bring the extinctions of others.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531201221.htm
David Watts
DINOSAURS!!!!
link: http://www.macroevolution.net/male-dinosaurs.html
Summary: The article states that male dinosaure were most likely polygamists. Polygamy means they have more than one wife. Either males were parents alone or they had all of their many wives tend to their eggs. It is said that they would mate with multiple femals then have all the females lay their eggs in one big nest. After all the eggs were laid the male would more often than not care for the eggs alone. The theory arose when scientists came to the realization that all the nexts were together in large amounts of eggs.
Opinion: I think its kind of cool that the males for once took responsibility for their children. Since in todays world the males never take responsibility for their children. Most of them work, eat, sleep, and watch all sports. But to think that dinosaurs had that mentality and that they could care for their children; for once in this world males have the "motherly" instinct to care for their children.
Summary: The article states that male dinosaure were most likely polygamists. Polygamy means they have more than one wife. Either males were parents alone or they had all of their many wives tend to their eggs. It is said that they would mate with multiple femals then have all the females lay their eggs in one big nest. After all the eggs were laid the male would more often than not care for the eggs alone. The theory arose when scientists came to the realization that all the nexts were together in large amounts of eggs.
Opinion: I think its kind of cool that the males for once took responsibility for their children. Since in todays world the males never take responsibility for their children. Most of them work, eat, sleep, and watch all sports. But to think that dinosaurs had that mentality and that they could care for their children; for once in this world males have the "motherly" instinct to care for their children.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2005/11/24/swimming_with_dolphins_can_alleviate_depression.html#comments
In Honduras, 30 people with depression were chosen to swim with dolphins. This was a 2 week trial study period. They were not allowed to take any medication during this 2 week period. Their depression was "scored" before and after the trial period. After 3 months, patients saw improvement. This is due to the theory of biophilia, the dependant on our well being in relationship to the environment.
I think that swimming with the "fishes" is a good thing, especially dolphins. I did not know that swimming with them could relieve your depression symptoms. I think people with depression now have an excuse to go to the beaches and islands for medical reasons. If I ever become diagnosed with depression, the first thing I am going to do is swim with dolphins. I hope they find more fish that we can swim with for medical reasons.
I think that swimming with the "fishes" is a good thing, especially dolphins. I did not know that swimming with them could relieve your depression symptoms. I think people with depression now have an excuse to go to the beaches and islands for medical reasons. If I ever become diagnosed with depression, the first thing I am going to do is swim with dolphins. I hope they find more fish that we can swim with for medical reasons.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Bacteria use caffeine as food source
Summary: A doctoral student at the university of Iowa has discovered a new bacterium that uses caffeine as a food source. The carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen in caffeine are important and necessary for cell growth. The compounds formed during the break down of caffeine are natural building blocks for drugs used to treat asthma and improve blood flow. At the moment these pharmaceuticals are difficult to synthesize chemically. This demonstrates the enzymes and genes utilized by bacteria to live on caffeine.
Opinion: This current event caught my attention because i personally love caffeine. I think its great that caffeine when broken down is used to treat different health conditions. I think its cool that a student discovered this new bacterium. I think its great for a change that there is something positive being said about caffeine. I liked this current event because it tells about something most people don't really think about and not something extremely serious.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/05/24/bacteria_use_caffeine_as_food_source.html
Bianca Brailey
Opinion: This current event caught my attention because i personally love caffeine. I think its great that caffeine when broken down is used to treat different health conditions. I think its cool that a student discovered this new bacterium. I think its great for a change that there is something positive being said about caffeine. I liked this current event because it tells about something most people don't really think about and not something extremely serious.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/05/24/bacteria_use_caffeine_as_food_source.html
Bianca Brailey
Cross your arms to relieve pain
Summary:
Scientist might of found a way to relive stress you feel physically on your body by just crossing your arms. Giandomenico Lannetti at University of London gave 20 volunteers a test to see how physical pain could be eased. The volunteers would take a series of painful stabs onto the back of their hands with a laser. Each pulse would take 8 to 12 seconds each series. After being stung by the laser half of the volenters would sit with their palms flat on a desk and the other half would cross their arms. Volenteers would have to measure on a scale from 0 to 100 on the pain. People who had crossed their hands had less pain then the people who had kept their palms face down on a desk. Lannetti thinks that if you place your hands in a unfamiliar position, it will relieve your pain by your brain knowing your body frame is in a unfamiliar position.
I chose to write about this article because I think its interesting how scientists are always trying to help the human body. If scientist can find a way how to relieve physical pain it could help many people who get cut or injured physically. Next time i get hurt I am going to cross my arms and see if it helps because I can test Lanetti's theory. This article makes me think about how if you could relieve pain by yourself, i wonder how else you could help your body by just moving body parts to make your brain think something else. I would recommend this article to any scientist who is also working on something like like Lannetti's theory.
-Candace Duvall
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028145.000-cross-your-arms-to-relieve-pain.html
Scientist might of found a way to relive stress you feel physically on your body by just crossing your arms. Giandomenico Lannetti at University of London gave 20 volunteers a test to see how physical pain could be eased. The volunteers would take a series of painful stabs onto the back of their hands with a laser. Each pulse would take 8 to 12 seconds each series. After being stung by the laser half of the volenters would sit with their palms flat on a desk and the other half would cross their arms. Volenteers would have to measure on a scale from 0 to 100 on the pain. People who had crossed their hands had less pain then the people who had kept their palms face down on a desk. Lannetti thinks that if you place your hands in a unfamiliar position, it will relieve your pain by your brain knowing your body frame is in a unfamiliar position.
I chose to write about this article because I think its interesting how scientists are always trying to help the human body. If scientist can find a way how to relieve physical pain it could help many people who get cut or injured physically. Next time i get hurt I am going to cross my arms and see if it helps because I can test Lanetti's theory. This article makes me think about how if you could relieve pain by yourself, i wonder how else you could help your body by just moving body parts to make your brain think something else. I would recommend this article to any scientist who is also working on something like like Lannetti's theory.
-Candace Duvall
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21028145.000-cross-your-arms-to-relieve-pain.html
Cancer
Link: www.news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20110602/hl_hsn/widelyusedheartdrugslinkedtobetterbreastcanceroutcomes
Summary: According to two recent experiments beta blockers might be able to help for better outcomes of breast cancer. The first study says that women who are already taking beta blockers for high blood pressure are diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier stage. Because they are diagnosed so early in the disease the women have a better chance at surviving. The second study says that women who take the drug while undergoing chemo therapy have a better chance of the cancer not coming back.
Opinion: I think this is really cool, considering a close friend of mine just got diagnoesed with breast cancer. (her cancer isnt awful, its stage 0.) It's very comforting that a drug might be able to help reduce the chances of death for breast cancer. I wonder if it works with all cancers. I am close with many victims of cancer. Two have died, and two are still living. I really hope they find a cure soon, I'm tired of watching my friends suffer.
Summary: According to two recent experiments beta blockers might be able to help for better outcomes of breast cancer. The first study says that women who are already taking beta blockers for high blood pressure are diagnosed with breast cancer at an earlier stage. Because they are diagnosed so early in the disease the women have a better chance at surviving. The second study says that women who take the drug while undergoing chemo therapy have a better chance of the cancer not coming back.
Opinion: I think this is really cool, considering a close friend of mine just got diagnoesed with breast cancer. (her cancer isnt awful, its stage 0.) It's very comforting that a drug might be able to help reduce the chances of death for breast cancer. I wonder if it works with all cancers. I am close with many victims of cancer. Two have died, and two are still living. I really hope they find a cure soon, I'm tired of watching my friends suffer.
Group of European researchers found two new types of beetles. The two beetles measure about 2.2 mm in length. They were found in the Pyrenees mountains. Scientists first thought they were just relatives of other known beetles. After they tried to identify it, they realized that it was a whole new species. Hydraena diazi, which is one of the beetles was found in a national park in Barcelona.
It is said that we currently have very little amount of species compared to the primitive world. Just seeing news of new species being discovered says we still need to learn. I'm sure ther are billions of other organisms that we have not discovered yet. The saying that 90% of all organisms are extinct may not be true. It's just living at places we did not go or can't go.What ever the case is, it's interesting every time we discover something new every day.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531115319.htm
It is said that we currently have very little amount of species compared to the primitive world. Just seeing news of new species being discovered says we still need to learn. I'm sure ther are billions of other organisms that we have not discovered yet. The saying that 90% of all organisms are extinct may not be true. It's just living at places we did not go or can't go.What ever the case is, it's interesting every time we discover something new every day.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531115319.htm
Bacteria developing antibiotic resistance via mimicry
Through a process called molecular mimicry, bacteria have been able to bypass our immune system. Bacteria which have been easily treatable in the past are now re-emerging as a threat to our health. Scientists have found methyltransferase in a specific strain of the bacteria Francisella. A single cell of this can be very lethal. It is found in wild rats and other rodents, it can be easily be transferred to humans a number of ways, including simply breathing in the bacteria. This protein, methyltransferase, can also be found in a number of other bacteria including mycobacterium, which causes tuberculosis. This discovery can eventually lead to a new form of treatment.
I find this to be somewhat scary. Tuberculosis kills people annually, and the fact that the same protein that is found in a bacteria that can use mimicry against our immune system is... terrifying, in a sense. I hope that this is something that can eventually become treatable and avoidable. I also hope that we can eventually bring deadly bacteria to a minority.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/06/01/deadly_bacteria_may_mimic_human_proteins_to_evolve_antibiotic_resistance.html
Brittany Graham
I find this to be somewhat scary. Tuberculosis kills people annually, and the fact that the same protein that is found in a bacteria that can use mimicry against our immune system is... terrifying, in a sense. I hope that this is something that can eventually become treatable and avoidable. I also hope that we can eventually bring deadly bacteria to a minority.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/06/01/deadly_bacteria_may_mimic_human_proteins_to_evolve_antibiotic_resistance.html
Brittany Graham
Thursday, June 2, 2011
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/06/01/saliva_is_effective_in_screening_for_cmv_infection_in_newborns_says_nihfunded_research.html
Currently, one of the leading causes for hearing loss in children is cytomegalovirus (CMV). There is a new test for newborn babies, a simple swab of the mouth right after birth. Most babies do not show symptoms at birth, so it is key to detect this disease as soon as possible. This is passed down from mother to baby during the pregnancy. These mouth swabs are generally taken within the first day of birth.
I find this really cool. I hate to see anyone suffer, especially a baby. I know it's hard enough growing up, but I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to grow up without sound. This would greatly impact your speech, learning, and social life. I really hope we can find a vaccine for this disease. Perhaps, one day, we could tests the mothers before they give birth, so we can detect this disease twice as early.
I find this really cool. I hate to see anyone suffer, especially a baby. I know it's hard enough growing up, but I couldn't imagine how hard it would be to grow up without sound. This would greatly impact your speech, learning, and social life. I really hope we can find a vaccine for this disease. Perhaps, one day, we could tests the mothers before they give birth, so we can detect this disease twice as early.
Nuclear Radiation Affects Gender
Agustin Gonzalez
Summary:
According to this article, apparently, Exposure to radiation, leads to changing the ratio of males being born to female being born. They did their testing on people who were exposed to radiation due to any atomic bombs or living near any nuclear facilities. The source of all this is due to ionizing radiation from nuclear activity, which has mutagen properties. This is what causes the shift in the male to female ratio. Its not that much of a shift but it still has affects.
Opinion:
Well I kind of understand why they would go on and investigate something like this because it deals with nuclear radiation and all but this kind of information just doesn't seem useful really. Not at all because the people would still be affected anyway even with this study. They should discover like a cure for radiation and then announce that. However, besides that, I understand there point of view. Over all this article was pretty interesting. Especially on the effects on the male population in the US and Europe.
Not Quite About Biology.....
So instead of continuing with bizarre scientists as intended I decide to write about this school year in biology. After all the fights and arguments with Ms.Cox to having a migraine from being stuck with Devin ALL THE TIME, this class turned out to be helpful after all. Ms.Cox has taught me the importance of organization and listen, both of which I did not take advantage of until this quarter (I know bad, right). But I've never liked science, for the simple fact that I was never good at it. I haven't always tried in this subject I must admit but I have always left class learning something whether I liked it or not. Being that I want to work in the medical field I have been faced with the horror of science classes once again. I'm scared out of my mind but I like to believe that Ms.Cox has toughened my skin a bit to at least pass those future classes. And shockingly, though as annoying, conceited, and obnoxious as he may be, Devin has taught me a few things; patience being one of them. He can be a real jerk sometimes but people have to admit he's extremely smart. He kind of helped me, without asking me if I needed or not he would look at me and explain something out of wedlock as if he knew why I was so flustered. Yeah he is one person that i'll never forget.(Thanks Ms.Cox for always pushing him off on me...yeah right)Well i'm running out of words.Thanks....for everything.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Cell Phones and Cancer
Cells, a thing that we use every day, to talk, text, Facebook, email etc. People may think that they may not survive a day without their phones. Well, recently, the WHO has discovered through research that the radio frequency electromagnetic fields caused by cells phones can cause cancer. Cell phones transmit, this radiation in very low amounts, when in use, but after constant use, this device can also cause long term health problems such as cancer. This is a very big concern, in their view because, according to their studies, there are more than 5 billion cell phone subscribers, and more and more are added everyday. Other things, such as microwaves, radios, and some televisions could expose someone to radiation.
Opinion
Reading this article has made me think a little more of how much of this stuff I use all the time. At home, I watch TV, use the microwave, listen to the radio and talk on the cell phone, everyday! If one of these alone can be bad for you, imagine how many times teenagers use them today, they practically rely on these things to get through the day. I really hope that the WHO is looking in to making some laws and regulations that help from phones producing so much radiation. If they wrote these regulations, I'm sure cell phone companies would do something to try to make them better, and healthier for humans.
By: Daniel Pena
Scientists Crack the Spiders' Web Code
Kendall Roberson
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/05/31/scientists_crack_the_spiders_web_code.html
The way spiders spin their webs are skills that are used by orb-weaving spiders to protect their webs from damage, which has been revealed by scientists at the University of Melbourne. These scientists found out that orb-weaving spiders build large silk crosses in their webs after responding to severe damage. If the damage is not very severe, the orb-weaving spiders do not bother on adding the silk crosses to their web. The team of scientists at the University of Melbourne collected a group of orb-weaving spiders and left them alone in a secluded area to build their webs. Some of the webs were severely damaged, some had little damage, and the rest had no damage at all. The first sight of these silk crosses were over a century ago.
I think this discovery is one that we can use to our advantage and the spiders' advantage. We now have knowledge on why these orb-weaving spiders do this which is a good thing to know since we have known about the silk crosses for over a century now. We can try to help prevent severe damage to the spiders' webs, since we know how they try to protect their webs from severe damage. I cannot believe it took us this long to crack this code, but hey, it's better late than never. I believe this discovery is an important one, that we can use now and later on in life.
http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2011/05/31/scientists_crack_the_spiders_web_code.html
The way spiders spin their webs are skills that are used by orb-weaving spiders to protect their webs from damage, which has been revealed by scientists at the University of Melbourne. These scientists found out that orb-weaving spiders build large silk crosses in their webs after responding to severe damage. If the damage is not very severe, the orb-weaving spiders do not bother on adding the silk crosses to their web. The team of scientists at the University of Melbourne collected a group of orb-weaving spiders and left them alone in a secluded area to build their webs. Some of the webs were severely damaged, some had little damage, and the rest had no damage at all. The first sight of these silk crosses were over a century ago.
I think this discovery is one that we can use to our advantage and the spiders' advantage. We now have knowledge on why these orb-weaving spiders do this which is a good thing to know since we have known about the silk crosses for over a century now. We can try to help prevent severe damage to the spiders' webs, since we know how they try to protect their webs from severe damage. I cannot believe it took us this long to crack this code, but hey, it's better late than never. I believe this discovery is an important one, that we can use now and later on in life.