Cytoskeleton, Cells Bones!!

Things are not always what they seem to be... sometimes, in our lives, the paths chosen are put into question. Sometimes, learning something new, clarifies our vision; makes us question things we thought of as fitting ~ cells are more interesting to me this week than atoms.

It's along this diversion of topic that I came across cellular structure; as another path calling my name had me reading publications on this topic, greatly to my dismay ~ as if, no matter what I know I should do, I can't do it- the other option is far to enticing.

A Cytoskeleton is like the structure of a cell, like 'bones'. These 'bones' are not solid and give the cell mobility and malleability among other things. A big difference from the basic idea of a cell being an encasing (I always imagine gelly like) with innards of floating components that do stuff (yes, that is exactly how I thought of it prior to reading these past two weeks) I never thought about the fact that cells move (thinking more in terms of a flow of liquid pushing the cells through the body - which is a childlike comprehension of both cells and cell mobility) But, now upon learning that cells actually have an internal formed structure allowing for malleability, I'm flabbergasted.

What makes a Human - Human? (Philosophical)

What makes a human, human?

A human is what? Well, humans are mammals, or more specifically a bipedal primate species called Homo sapiens. We have a large brain cavity and an intellectual ability that allows us to reason abstractly, communicate in complex manners and to learn and expand on knowledge progressively (primarily through the communication of learnt or discovered information.) Humans are also emotional, creative, and singularly talented. As group behavioral aspects go; we are by far the most cooperative creature in known existence, at least in regards to information. We operate in societal structures with powerful factors such as religious collective belief and instruction; government influenced behavioral guidelines and rules, learned morals and mannerisms to dictate social behavior and regulated perceptions. This combination of forces influencing humans’ communication and coexistence is a powerful contributor to our progression. If we cared little to share or corroborate; growth in collective knowledge and discovery would be far more difficult. Our mind has not changed in size since the first known modern human (est. 200,000 yrs ago.) We had the same brain mass, but much less knowledge. Hence the benefit of information sharing… Without information already discovered – to learn, we would appear to be much less intelligent. But, we aren’t (at least compared to our earthly counterparts.) Many other species on earth show signs of intelligence. Some other animals show learned behaviors, teaching and problem solving. So, if animals have a mind capable (even minimally) of the analytical capability to problem solve (as dolphins and chimpanzees have shown) they do not lack in the intellectual ability department. As my theory goes… The ingredient lacking is the sharing of information. Many animals communicate; but can any share learned information? If so, even minimally, I would argue that it is not the mind that differentiates humans from other animals.

If it is not the mind then, is it the body?

As this article about chimps barter ability.
Or this article on a court proceeding regarding classifying another primate as human for the purpose of taking caretaking custody shows, no.

KAS

Atomic Structure of Water

Raindrops fall on the green leaves this afternoon and my thoughts wander to water. I have two small tomato plans, growing in the window, needing water and light alone to prosper. Little bristles of organic promises and wisps of petals to be grown to new leaves. It's scent, a musky and poignant one of fruitful promises. This life granted by drops of water, poured into dirt and absorbed through roots. Utterly fascinating, that such things happen from so little.

Here on Earth, we live on a planet covered by water. Over seventy percent of our world, is water. Over fifty percent of our bodies is water. Hydrogen, one of the only chemical elements not created in a star, has held a special spot for longevity among the cosmos and is a key component of water.

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.

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.

Water, Life*

Droplets cling to the pane of the window I peer from
Its remnants apparent in the weight of the air
Birds sing its praise, as insects scuttle in its life granting wake
Joy and excitement dominate fear

I notice, in times of distress and wonderment
We think of the past… or, the past thinks of us
And yells its lessons learned; it pests
It cautions and taunts and alludes to solutions- thinking best

Flapping wings disperse fragments of dew
Branches dangle and vibrate and move
Ground cover waits its turn at the treat
Oh wonderful water of nutrition and deceit

Walking and talking and peering at time
Humans toil and concern and analyze
…For what, to deny the real
To obscure the thought, the reality- life’s zeal

KAS

Vulnerable

Like turbulent tides of exertive organic emotion, I claim it.
Walking behind its shadow in flat tones, blue currents
It wraps me

You wonder, I hear.
The thoughts hang heavy in air
The oppression of robes of red and fear

The trees have leaves now, green and fertile in youth
New beginnings, new passages, new life
Cells and processes spring forth from this implied, seasonal death

I inhale its sweet nectar, its fragrance of freedom
Like palatable realism and truth
I expose myself through words

I'm committed

KAS

Paths.

Paths encompass my consciousness as of late, with words and thoughts and quandaries blurring my vision... In it's wake, I file restlessly through it's maze. Numbers and colors and counting come back, it's beautifully distracting... The cold and warmth and leaves shine at me through my window this Saturday. As I think, then distract, then think some more

~KAS

Words on life...

Life. We walk through it with heavy disposition. Wanting, desiring and trying to shape the next moments continuously. We live in the wake of what was, the stability of what is and the hopeful assurance of what will come. But, we fool ourselves... The actions on our part being only one small portion of how we are able to influence the future. We fret and stress and plan for all possible outcomes only to be surprised by impromptu circumstances shaped by others.

Why do we do all this? To bring sanity and clarity to the unknown, though the unknown is never actually clear. We do it because humans plan, we organize our lives, our moments, for such purpose.

But what of the contributors that affect us in ways we are unprepared to handle. What of the factors that bring us turmoil in our paths. Guiding us with a light of options, of choices we hadn't realized existed. Consequences abound.

There is nothing to do, but to continue planning. Continue trying to carve out the future though we hold little actual control. We can do nothing further, and nothing less, than to try and prepare ourselves for what may or may not come.

KAS

Poetry Month ~ Please forgive the excursion...

Early Spring

Like rocks retaining heat, it's warmth sucked cold by earth, I walk in Boston
The trees are swaying restlessly in these rainy new england days
Wandering minds and hands and feet, rustling bags and dirty streets
Eyes focused, astray and wandering... the subway grinding, we walk

I find it peculiar.
The thoughtless focus, loud noises of thought, emotion and energy merging
Smells of air, moistness, perfumes.. wisps of cold subway wind and sprinkling mists
Cars and people and time. Moving and passing in and out of attraction

My thoughts are richer in town, en route, in mindlessness
To think and ponder and scrutinize. To review this days bad news.
Tomorrow, it rains. I plan to relish in newenglandism, by going out anyway.
I can think of nothing better to shush the chaos, than Boston
on a warm, rainy night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It's not sage that lingers, but lies
Everywhere seems dim
Today is a sense of causeless distress

Like looming branches
It's oppression holsters the dice
It adores you and I

Friday the 13th ~ not like another day, not unlike all others

While reading about atoms... hydrogen atoms and Bohr & Heisenberg, mixed along with time and space and wonderment and confusion. I find, that the world is not all it seems. Our perception blinding our ideals and our ideals blinding our reason. It is in knowledge I am comforted; it's words that ground me.

This week- from the Cytoskeleton aspect of cell composition, to cancer cells & mercury and it's illusive elemental potential; bisphenol A and the dangers of plastics we use every day and their proposed detrimental effects on human health and connection to the obesity epidemic; molecular structure and intrigue; and just this evening -Sylvia Plath- I've been a busy girl.

Great news on the stem cell front ~ finally. How absurd to discuss the 'ethical' applications of any cell in the body. Ethics have nothing to do with biology. What a waste to restrict the progression, even temporarily, for such a ridiculous (human generated, non fact based and essentially made up) reason. How far can one go to argue destined life- and why in the world are human stem cells more worthy of life than other cells? Why is it immoral to alter a stem cell to become other cells (as it's most easily modified) that will lead to the resolution of countless human afflictions? Are more humans REALLY needed on Earth?

Life. News on Mars recently as well. Methane gas is spilling out of cracks on the surface and though this can happen through chemical reaction it also is a byproduct of organisms that could be deep within the surface.

Also newsworthy is the new stimulus package funding for Science ~ yay Obama. As I work within this field and am unsure as to what is public vs institution knowledge, I won't delve to deep. But, funding is focused on research (and all supporting components) that will employ people and will be utilized in the near future. For those whose budgets are strapped due to the waining economy, this additional artery is particularly valuable.

Lastly, I cannot resist but to say (as I thought of it today) I celebrated my 21st birthday on a French compound in Kabul, Afghanistan (the French don't have general rule 1a, and stock full bars at war) upon such a reflection, I am reminded of all the other young minds taken by such expenditures as war. It saddens me.

Life is so short, so valuable and so fickle.

I could use a nice bout of chess right now- to settle my philosophical affliction and ground me in reason, where it's all much easier to assess...

KAS

Snowy New England Morning, Opposition & Reflection

Another diversion... cells ~ updated 4.2

So... recently. I asked someone about their research & they answered "cell"

I have also recently asked a fellow staff member why one might be reluctant to discuss their research; and it was explained to me that the field is so competitive that researchers prefer to keep information under wraps for fear of being out-published. In a world where work published and discovered is the foundation for reference to ones credit. One is either remembered or revered as an "Einstein" or not. Not that my layman ears would put anyone at such risk. I think it's likely that such people do not feel the need to 'explain' and that it can be frusterating continiously doing so for the curiously ignorant. Like myself.

Nonetheless, I found this distressing. How can progression flow unburdened, if the burden is the progression?

Not coincidently, I also recently inquired with a professor into their work. The reply was an exuberant explanation of the particular health study; being sensitive to the above advice regarding researchers concerns with losing credit- I have the sense to not explain further. ;) But, loved it and refuse to stop asking due to this encouragement.

**Update 4.2.09

So, today, I received an email from a co-worker whom I am social with. The email was subject lined "Swooped" and was about a researcher whose work was recently "swooped" by another scientist that got access or awareness of the work and published with his own data. Quicker. Ouch!

**Back

But, on to the subject at hand. The original discourse of someone telling me 'cell' when asked for the "cliff notes" of their research.

Atoms Poetry

In ninety four combinations, they lie
Intrinsic partners of opposites, attracted
Keeping order, Energy's fury wizzing by

Life, the remnant of stars passing
Death, the birth of new
The same amount, reused

To attract and never touch
The delicacy's of balance
The energy- always enough

It pains me to think
That in terms such as this
Our lives are but combinations- of unrest

Mini hiatus, Except this one. Where have you lived?

visited 6 states (2.66%)
Create your own visited map of The World or try another Douwe Osinga project


visited 11 states (22%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or try another Douwe Osinga project

Where have you lived?

Click Title.

Found on scienceblog.com/highlyallochthonous

KAS

Appalachian Trail, White Mountains

Gone Camping :)

Well, I just got back from camping in the White Mountains (NH) & it was great!! I will post some picture's soon. But, I couldn't exactly blog while camping (smores smudges all over the screen would not be good!)

KAS