Glaciers…. what glaciers?

For an undisclosed reason, I thought it fitting to post on an environmental scientific issue today (how did I choose among the many degenerate conditions, you ask?) Well, I chose something fitting not only per the environment, but also reminiscent of this past weekends New England snow storm and the icicles I was cursing this morning while chipping away at the inch thick layer of concrete ~ I mean ice ~ on my windshield. It's also a lonely morning as the relationship front is about as stable as these icebergs... hence the source of this material. Crumbling, unsteady and volatile.

Deep-Sea Fish Seeing Red – And Other Colors Too

In a fascinating discovery made by a multi-national research team, it seems that elephent Sharks are able to see in color. That's right. Elephant sharks can see color in the deep sea the way we see it at sea level. It is one of the most broad color vision spectra ever discovered. This discovery could have some very interesting implications as research continues as well.

According to an article in Science Daily, the elephant shark, an ancient deep-sea fish, can see color in much the same way as a human being can. The discovery was published in the March 2009 issue of Genome Research and could be used to better understand the idea of color vision evolution in ancient vertebrates over the last half millennium. These “ancient vertebrates” include human beings and their early ancestors.

An absolute must buy, Richard Dawkins~Modern Science Writing

A fabulous read. I'll post on the material after I finish. I found myself reading articles various times and was often caught in contemplation.

KAS

Did You Know - That the human body emits more heat per square inch than the sun at equal proportions

Dr. Michio Kaku, a favorite of mine of the Science channel, stated this fact during a show; A show about the creation of Hydogen and Helium and the Big Bang theory as it was proven by way of reminiscent radiation or 'static' that could only be caused by an initial explosion~ by a radio wave telescope in the late 1980's.

~KAS

Tau Protien Munches Healthy Brain Cells, Rember acts as Criminal Protien Bounty Hunter

Now, I am loosely writing here, as I do not have many references in front of me. However, I saw on either BBC America or CNN a new drug discovered, by the name of Rember,can kill the Tau Protein in the brain, leading to an advance in the fight against Alzheimer's and Dementia. The Tau protein acts in a normal function of the brain (if I remember correctly, it usually 'eats' dead brain cells.) Apparently, as an affect of the diseases dementia and Alzheimer's, the Tau protein is re-prgammed to eat healthy brain cells instead of memory cells, among others. When these cells go awry, it obviously leads to the progression of the disease and the loss of cognitive functioning over the long term. What a horrid thought, actually eating a brain…

Though, this breakthrough cannot reverse effects, it does have the potential to pre-treat and is immediately beneficial to patients suffering it's detrimental effects as it dramatically slows down and/or eliminates the Tau protein, leading to no (or little) further damage to the brain.

As Alzheimer's and Dementia are my personal 'worst case' fears and I find the disease of the most repulsive sort; I am ecstatic at this news.

KAS

Quasars, primordial black holes and this question - Why is there a black hole at the center of a universe??

Obviously, there is no singular definitive answer to this question (that I know anyway.) I am not a space bot that can travel in time to find the source. But, amazing theorists have ideas; and I, being a pursuer of shaking my own ignorance - read what they have to say.

I started my exploration tonight with an article on MSN about a flare out of the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The article discusses how X-rays are expelled from the center of our galaxy, and a group of Japanese scientists have analyzed clouds of this dispersing residue in order to conclude the timing in which our galaxy did this last (presumably to theorize about if and when it will happen again as well as to understand it's origin.)

Did You Know? ~ Molecular nanotechnology

Is a process in which atom's are built and multiplied - into almost any form. They can combine to become any type of matter; that is available to replicate. It could be used medically to eradicate cancer cells/other disease or human afflictions. It could create unlimited food and resource supply. It could be the next progression of humans; no longer being controlled by our environment, but actually being in control of it.

If we are going to 'live on' mastering our lives biologically, the earths eco systems and our environment, are necessities. I find this science absolutely amazing. There is concern however, primarily because you they can be programmed or designed to replicate themselves (for the purpose of mass production or modifying of unforeseen qty, as in cancer cells)

~Kelly

Genetic map of human migration

In this Scientific American article, the wonderful expansion of genetic utility comes into play, by mapping the progression of human migration. This is fascinating, take the following expert;

“Then, in 1987, Rebecca L. Cann and Allan C. Wilson of the University of California, Berkeley, published a groundbreaking paper based on analyzing the DNA of mitochondria, the cell’s energy-producing organelles, which are passed down through the maternal line. They reported that humans from different populations all descended from a single female in Africa who lived about 200,000 years ago—a finding that immediately made headlines trumpeting the discovery of the “Mitochondrial Eve.” (Despite the Biblical allusion, this Eve was not the first woman: her lineage, though, is all that has survived.)” ~Scientific American, July 08 issue, pg 58

This only begins the material discussed. The article includes both the analytical study of mitochondrial DNA (maternal decent) as well as the less familiar traceability of the Y chromosome, which is passed on paternally to only male children. It also discusses some amazing information about different theory’s including one of Neandertal (or, Neanderthal) and Homo sapiens partaking in inter species breeding.

KAS

Visiting the Local 'Nature in a Box' Display

So, to enjoy the weather this past weekend, I went to my local ‘nature in a box’ display. It's close by, on an expanse of seventy two acres. Unfortunately, instead of a day of joy and wonder (as I distinctly remember it ;) this day brought me discomfort. The animals did not seem to be in enough natural space, or to be particularly comfortable in their habitats. Nor did they seem particularly well cared for. Granted, the expense of such care must be significant. But, a free, short lived life -- is better then a long confined one, don't you agree? I did still enjoy the rare ability to see such creatures up close. But, I do not think that the Zoo kept applicable space for such worthy living forms.

On a related note; I watched coverage of a small black panther trying to get into a residence last night on the news. The lady called the cops and the cops (did the only thing they know how to do, other than being prejudice and corrupt) shot the panther. Sigh… is it but with carelessness our species try’s?

In better news; the Humpback Whale is growing in numbers and almost ready to be taken off the endangered list. Hopefully, this will not be... off the list of endangered species, only to be added to a menu :(

KAS

Apathetic Humanity

It is with fervor and tolerance that I embrace the humility of life
Sufferers who exude apathy and selfishness collide;
In a life of only experiences and a death of likely none,
time is of the essence.

Do not waste understanding through lethargy and laziness.
Knowledge is founded on many, many minds.
We are each only granted one.
And with it, only one chance to add to that knowledge.

H2O behaving badly

This article from Scientific American, on waters' molecular behavior when compromised by opposing influences, is of particular interest. For a behavior to be attributed to an element, entices colorful connotations, however unreasonable they might be.

Extinction, Madagascar and the intriguing Fossa

The Fossa, a unique type of species, is one of a number of subspecies that only exist in Madagascar.

Mako Sharks!

I found this fascinating article over on Not Exactly Rocket Science about mako sharks remaining primarily in sexual segregation throughout their lives; literally swimming separately, traveling in a horizontal highway of males in one lane and females in the other. Most interesting piece being, the aggression and risk in the mako sharks mating. The female's are often seriously injured and it is proposed in the article that the female's segregate for protection, only mingling when absolutely necessary.

Trypanosoma cruzi, Western blot ~ My first lab walkthrough :)

I watched a man carrying a framed window off street to Huntington Ave while I sat pensively reflecting on my day and how a lack of smiles took my joy (likely frowning in my sunglasses as I peered at him.) Early thirties, clearly focused on the difficult task at hand that had him walking lengthily with an awkward square framed piece of glass -he wasn't distracted. And I thought, how strange windows are. How odd to build thick walls and chained metal doors, but to carve out squares in walls as designated area's where light is allowed to pass un-thwarted, where air is controlled by this minute, delicate, volatile piece of glass that offers no defense whatsoever to a building... Glass does nothing but imply solidity. So where was this poor man heading, tasked awkwardly, in order to install this translucent illusion? It distracted my thoughts successfully, offering only moments of relief from my own mind, until the subway pulled along...

But, anyway, back on topic. So, last week a wonderfully inviting and friendly co-worker whom I meet in my orientation about four months back, offered me a walk through in his lab. I leave his name out, except that his first name is David, as well as the scientist he works for, out of respect for privacy -not disrespect. Let me begin by saying that I have never been in a lab. Being that I have pursued administration and not science, this is not unusual. I am, however, at a science school for more intentional reasons than to be an executive assistant (however much I enjoy this work and whom I am fortunate enough to work with.) I only mention such, as to explain my utter fascination and gratitude for this unique opportunity.

Lagrangian Points ~ Parking Lots in Space!

There are (5) Lagrangian Points in the Earth & Sun system. Lagrangian Points (also known as Lagrange Points) exist within allocations of space between two bodies of mass and their respective gravitational influence. So, the Earth/Sun system includes the area that the Sun effects with it's gravitational pull on the Earth as well as the Earths area of gravitational effect. Another... If you draw a circle around the Sun including the Earth within it; drew another circle around the Earth as far out as the effect on Mass exists and then converged the two with a third all encompassing circle- that is the system.

The two masses interaction and influence over one another, effect all additional objects that occupy any space within the final circle. As with general relatively and space curvature, all objects orbit if influenced to do so. So, within this system of massive influences on things in orbit; opposing orbits and lines of three interacting orbits exist. When two masses encounter a third as an interference to the balance of the two; both of the massive objects relinquish force, as they are in perfect balance, over the third object. As such, the object is not pulled in an orbit because there is no definitive superior force either way and it will stay 'parked' within this location.