Willy Wonka in Space?

Basic sugar molecules were recently found in space; near a ripe star birthing location in space that could host life due to the fact that Glycolaldehyde is a componant of RNA (Ribonucleic Acid consists of a nitrogeneous base, a ribose sugar and a phosphate)

Click title to read article source.

KAS

Mars Electromagnetic Field

Interesting article on MSN News (title linked) about a theory explaining the demise of Mars electromagnetic field (i.e. an electromagnetic field, as is charged by the core of an active planet, protects the surface from harmful solar wind particles~ without the protection, organic life is near impossible.) The theory says that a bombardment of massive asteroids was so destructive (by the act of pushing so much energy through the planet) that it affected the planet's core in such a manner that it was never able to recover its electromagnetic field.

KAS

Not Exactly Rocket Science : Stem cells created from ALS patient and used to make neurons

Fantastic summarization or breakdown of Stem Cell research and news.

KAS

Not Exactly Rocket Science : Stem cells created from ALS patient and used to make neurons

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New WorldWide Telescope download from Microsoft

This is awesome!! If you have a computer that can handle it :)


KAS

Dr. X's 'Off the Grid' Amish

awesomely entertaining post on Dr. X's Free Associations about the term 'off the grid' and the Amish.

KAS

Unexplained Tremors off Oregon Coast

Ah… how little we know... The ocean is the majority of our earth and life's origin as we know it, who wouldn't want to know more? I do love to learn of new and exciting changes of our earths tectonic plates; one of the most fascinating occurrences on our planet (or is it that I find it all fascinating?) Check out this article about unexplained tremors off the Oregon Coast. Of planets in general (what we know anyway); the differences between the terrestrial solidity and the gas accumulations that create these great masses, thrills me beyond belief!

I was reading some wonderful articles and watching You Tube video's this weekend (I forget to write, as I become too far engrossed in the reading and watching) about magnetic fields and magnetar planets comprised of condensed mass and their eventual contribution to the formation of black holes Check out this video about it. Black holes always lose me in the space/time bending analogy portion of it's complex physics - but, that's for another post. I believe I heard black holes as the result of the ultra-condensed mass that is a magnetar; described as; 'gravity finally winning over mass'. Wow!

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

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

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

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

Earth Hour ~ Awareness 101

The world listens to the taunts of Environmental Health with the successful application of Earth Hour. I ask and I wonder what the energy savings actually accumulate to be for such a darkening. But, it is not the reduction in the Earths carbon footprint during that hour that is the purpose, it is the awareness of energy use and its implications on the world we live on.

This week, due to the wonderful generosity of a professor at Harvard, I've come to possess of physiology textbook. Somewhat ironically starting my quest learning about cells as that happens to be the third chapter. As cells has come into my awareness via interests not exactly scholastic, but more by intrigue with individuals, I am finding the learning particularly stimulating.

One thing that compounds that interest is the capacity of cells to manage, produce and utilize energy to go about their own function and activities that ultimately ensure my survival as a biological being. The entire body is alive, via energy, without which, we would not exist.

Energy is the reason we live, the reason anything can perceive. Energy is the reason we are. It's the use of non renewable energy of our earths sources that is not so natural. We do not have renewable sources of fuel on earth and must embark on external renewable sources if we are to keep this planet fertile and life supporting.

What will happen in the years to come. What will change. Will Russia and the US partake in the desecration of Antarctica's newly accessible sources of fuel. Will wars continue over the scarcity of these fuels. And, how much more human population will there be due to the compounding reproduction of our locust like species. What life will succeed through this transition, what life will not.

These are all questions about our near future. Humanities success as well as implications are the primary attributer to an outcome.. a result. We can hope, blind our eye, or oppress our awareness. But, that will not negate the reality of what will come, unless we do something drastic to change it.

This mission is not one a country can bring, nor a movement or common awareness. It is something that will have to be ingrained as a organic beings obligation to perform and decide based on the desire to survive.

KAS
Australia goes dark

China goes dark