27 April 2009

The romantic Schistosoma mansoni ~ partners for life. (title linked)

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Today was a most excellent day. I was fortunate enough to enjoy a lunch with with David; the same whom brought me through his lab a few weeks back. Well, this lunch was not any lunch as David has his dissertation defense this coming Friday and is doing some fascinating research on the Schistosoma mansoni parasite. Since this is his research, i'll not elaborate to much. But, I learned so much with him this afternoon, including how you make specimens 'glow' as I was utterly confused as to how this took place. I also learned that the biological affliction due to this parasite is not due to the matured individuals (or couples) it's due to the result of thier breeding. The 'eggs' congest the main artery that feeds broken down nutrients (from the intestine) to the liver. The congestion is what causes side effects and detriment to the human body. And lastly, that the romantic parasite, once matured, spoons it's mate for life (as is depicted in the picture to the left.)

This, I found to be the most interesting. Due to the fact that life, no matter how small, has individuality.

All in all, a fascinating day. What result might come from tomorrow, I wonder?

KAS
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2 comments:

  1. JannaApril 29, 2009 at 9:52 AM

    how amusing is the term "romantic parasite"? it's like an oxymoron or a misnomer!

    ReplyDelete
  2. JannaApril 29, 2009 at 9:53 AM

    how amusing is the term "romantic parasite"? it's like some sort of an oxymoron or misnomer!

    ReplyDelete

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I've Thought...

03.09 ~ I am but human, in my thoughts and desires- in my inconsistencies. It makes my opposing decisions no less real, no less quantitative... confusion is but the eye of truth, beckoning reason. ~ 03.12 ~ Time. It's existence is action progression, regression, reflection and projection. What in time is solidified and carried to another time is my choice. In one choice you lose all others; as an atom appreciates when the observer decides. It's a blue ocean of intrigue and a wave of contentment- that I am lost in, whilst, carried by. ~ 03.23 ~ That we are all part of one pulsing energy of life.. ~ 3.28 ~ There is no greater power, than the power of words. In speech we pass each other in halls, ride in elevators and embark in the great adventure that are words - with all of their beauty and intrigue. There are no wrong words spoken, only wrong interpretations and implications. Honest words are organic, true and expressions of what we are; existing autonomously and innocently, regardless of what others may think of them. 3.30 ~ That, the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. It certainly doesn't help being in the company of those who have succeeded in accumulating far more knowledge than I. Is the differentiation between intelligence and knowledge simply the accumulation verses the ability to learn/understand? Or, are the two interchangeable. I feel as though time is passing faster than my ability to accumulate... do other people share this conundrum, I wonder... 4.02 ~ That, "It is what it is" isn't exactly accurate. "It is what I make it" is more so... 4.08 ~ That, "it's not time that matters... it's that mattering is what makes time." 4.12 ~ I watch and wonder... think and ponder... about it. Should I find that I have analyzed to much, to little; or that the quandary was all for not, I'll not know till the applicable time has passed.I hereby instill time as my guide, innocently and fully without disposition and without angst. (4.17) ~ Though random, we should not ignore paths crossed. Just as, we should not entirely exclude emotion from our conclusions. (4.26) ~ That I dispise my lack of control over my own intentions and wonder why I am so weak in this regard. (4.27) ~ That I have opened doors, I wished to open, while simultaniously putting other doors at risk of closing. It's not with resistance I contemplate, it's with anxiety. (4.28) That, I should take a break. Time to simply be, for a bit. (5.01) Its hunger drives decent of rational, a battle of wit and need. Like rain pouring down, wisped by winds, settled by gravity, I’m drawn to it ~ KAS