Fruit drinks are not as healthy as you think they are. Parents give their kids fruit drinks thinking that they are better for them than soft drinks, when in fact one-hundred percent fruit juice contains “unnecessary calories.” When fruit drinks say “one-hundred percent” on the bottle, it is actually contained with minimal fruit juice and more sugar than advertised on TV. Children should only have one glass of fruit juice a day. It would be more nutritious for parents to buy fruit juices that contain whole fruit instead of one-hundred percent.
When you play a sport or get done exercising and you drink Gatorade, you drink it to hydrate you and because it is a good sport drink, but do you really know how much sugar Gatorade contains? Gatorade contains about the same amount of sugar that soft drinks contain. They have high-fructose corn syrup and have caused obesity among children throughout the United States. Scientists Ranjit says, "Drinking just one can of soda or other sugary beverage a day could lead to more than a 10-pound weight gain in a year." Sugared drinks, such as Gatorade, are only healthy to consume after extreme exercising. Other than that the better choice to drink is water.
Article published on September 28, 2010
Posted by Kelli at 6:14 PM 0 comments 10/12/2010
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Labels: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100927141150.htm
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Scientists uncover new species of human ancestor
Name: Scientists uncover new species of human ancestor
Source: University of New South Wales
Date: April 9, 2010
Link:http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/04/09/scientists_uncover_new_species_of_human_ancestor.html
Summaries: In this article a team of 60 scientist have discovered a skeleton of an adult female and a child's skeleton. Dr. Andy Herries from the University of New South Wales was also apart of this discovery. These skeletons were found in South Africa. The skeletons are about 1.95 million to 1.78 million years old. Those two skeletons were from a new species. The name of the new species is called Australopithecus sediba. This species has similarities to the bipedal ape and an early homo. This article shows us that there are more species that were around that we don't know about that are extinct. It makes me wondered what other new species are out in the world.
Source: University of New South Wales
Date: April 9, 2010
Link:http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/04/09/scientists_uncover_new_species_of_human_ancestor.html
Summaries: In this article a team of 60 scientist have discovered a skeleton of an adult female and a child's skeleton. Dr. Andy Herries from the University of New South Wales was also apart of this discovery. These skeletons were found in South Africa. The skeletons are about 1.95 million to 1.78 million years old. Those two skeletons were from a new species. The name of the new species is called Australopithecus sediba. This species has similarities to the bipedal ape and an early homo. This article shows us that there are more species that were around that we don't know about that are extinct. It makes me wondered what other new species are out in the world.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Temperature Rhythms Keep Body Clocks in Sync
Article Name: Temperature Rhythms Keep Body Clocks in Sync
Source: Sciencedaily.com (Online Magazine)
Date of Publication: October 15, 2010
Website Address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014144314.htm
Summary:
The article “Temperature Rhythms Keep Clocks in Sync” explains how Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that fluctuations in internal body temperature regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, sleep and other bodily functions. The suprachiasmatic nucleus is the body’s master clock. “The SCN responds to light entering the eye, and so is sensitive to cycles of day and night. While light may be the trigger, the UT Southwestern researchers determined that the SCN transforms that information into neural signals that set the body's temperature”. The study showed that the fluctuation in temperature set the cells timing, and ultimately tissues and organs, to be active or in active. "Small changes in body temperature can send a powerful signal to the clocks in our bodies”.
Comments:
I feel that this article is very interesting. It gives a good explanation to why the human body works the way it does. It also gave good reasoning behind the research that was presented in the Article.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010-Habib Heban
Vitamin B12 May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Article Name: Vitamin B12 May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Source: Sciencedaily.com (Online Magazine)
Date of Publication: October 18, 2010
Website Address: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101018162922.htm
Summary:
The article “Vitamin B12 May Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease “explains how new studies show that the Vitamin B12 may protect against the disease. The research supporting the study will be published in the October 19, 2010 issue of Neurology. This particular study took seven years. Researchers took blood samples from Finnish people between the ages of 65 and 79 who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study. “During that time, 17 people developed Alzheimer's disease. Blood samples were tested for levels for homocysteine, an amino acid associated with vitamin B12, and for levels of the active portion of the vitamin, called holotranscobalamin. Too much homocysteine in the blood has been linked to negative effects on the brain, such as stroke. However, higher levels of vitamin B12 can lower homocysteine”. More study’s still need to be completed before the vitamin B12 is used as a supplement to protect memory.
Comments:
I feel that this article may be very helpful to many people. Many elderly people suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and this new discover could be very helpful for them. I think that the more the study progresses the more helpful it will be.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010- Lamina Buster
Climate Change May Alter Natural Climate Cycles of Pacific
Article Name: Climate Change May Alter Natural Climate Cycles of Pacific
Source: Online magazine
Date of publication: ScienceDaily (Oct. 18, 2010)
Website AdressL http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101017133641.htm
Summary
El Nino is a periodic warming in the eastern tropical Pacific that occurs along the coast of South America, however this phenominom seems to be migrating. El ninos warming is stronger now in the central pacific than the eastern pacific called el Nino Modoki. Scientists believe climate change is responsible for this shift. This latest paper in Nature Geoscience presents evidence that El Nino Modoki drives a climate pattern known as the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO). As El Nino Modoki intensifies, so to does NPGO.
Comments
This article does an ok job at informing a person on the climate shift, however, it doesn't explain the consequences this new El Nino Modoki will have when compared to a normal El Nino. Afterall, the (North Pacific Gyre Oscillation) which is affected by El nino Modoki, has a direct impact over "fish stocks and ocean nutrient distributions in the Pacific, especially along the west coast of the United States." I think the fact that this article is relitavley new will ensure follow up articles will be provided. Altough wether the changes will be destructive or not is not the only thing that must be considered. Afterall, any change ill require some enviromental adjustment, which could prove both disasterous and unpredictable.
Monday, Oct 18 - Paul Donahue
Source: Online magazine
Date of publication: ScienceDaily (Oct. 18, 2010)
Website AdressL http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101017133641.htm
Summary
El Nino is a periodic warming in the eastern tropical Pacific that occurs along the coast of South America, however this phenominom seems to be migrating. El ninos warming is stronger now in the central pacific than the eastern pacific called el Nino Modoki. Scientists believe climate change is responsible for this shift. This latest paper in Nature Geoscience presents evidence that El Nino Modoki drives a climate pattern known as the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation (NPGO). As El Nino Modoki intensifies, so to does NPGO.
Comments
This article does an ok job at informing a person on the climate shift, however, it doesn't explain the consequences this new El Nino Modoki will have when compared to a normal El Nino. Afterall, the (North Pacific Gyre Oscillation) which is affected by El nino Modoki, has a direct impact over "fish stocks and ocean nutrient distributions in the Pacific, especially along the west coast of the United States." I think the fact that this article is relitavley new will ensure follow up articles will be provided. Altough wether the changes will be destructive or not is not the only thing that must be considered. Afterall, any change ill require some enviromental adjustment, which could prove both disasterous and unpredictable.
Monday, Oct 18 - Paul Donahue
Monday, October 18, 2010
Plant Biologists And Immunochemists Develop Hypoallergenic Alternative To Latex
Plant Biologists And Immunochemists Develop Hypoallergenic Alternative To Latex
December 1, 2008 — Plant biologists and immunochemists developed a way to produce rubber from a desert plant called guayule. The plant contains a natural rubber alternative without the proteins that trigger allergic reactions to latex. To release the rubber from their aqueous solution in the bark, scientists grind up the plant. Because the rubber particles are lighter than water, spinning the solution in a centrifuge causes the rubber to separate and settle at the top.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See also:
Health & Medicine
•Allergy
•Immune System
Plants & Animals
•Endangered Plants
•Agriculture and Food
Matter & Energy
•Weapons Technology
•Inorganic Chemistry
Reference
•Hay fever
•Allergen
•Urticaria
•Hypoallergenic
Since the 1980s, latex gloves have been an important part of preventing the spread of infectious diseases like MRSA, HIV and AIDS. In fact, ten billion latex gloves are used every year in the United States. As we use more latex, more people are developing dangerous allergies to it. Scientists have developed a new, natural alternative that may solve the problem.
Faith, Lamar and David Ryberg love games -- but that's not all they have in common. They all have Spina Bifida. Like 68 percent of kids with this birth defect, all three have dangerous allergies to latex.
"You just get kind of nervous you could stop breathing at any moment," Lamar said.
Three million Americans and as many as 17 percent of healthcare workers in the United States have latex allergies. Reactions range from skin irritations and wheezing to a sudden drop in blood pressure, anaphylactic shock and even death. Scientists say a desert plant called guayule offers a new, natural rubber alternative without the proteins that trigger allergic reactions.
Katrina Cornish, Ph.D., a plant biologist and immunochemist at the Yulex Corporation in Maricopa, Ariz., says the key to processing guayule is to release the rubber contained in the plant. It starts with a sort of guayule milkshake.
"We take the whole shrub and grind it up to release the rubber particles, which are made in the bark into an aqueous medium," said Dr. Cornish.
Rubber particles in the mixture are slightly lighter than water. By spinning the solution in a centrifuge, the rubber separates, forming a liquid that rises to the top. Dr. Cornish says not only is this latex alternative, called Yulex, safer for those with allergies -- products made with it are more flexible and stronger than latex. In this test, the Yulex on the left stood up to nearly twice as much force as the purple latex on the right.
Uses for guayule latex are virtually endless.
"So far, we haven't found anything made out of rubber that we can't make with guayule," Dr. Cornish said. It's a new kind of rubber that might just fit like a glove for the millions with latex allergies, like Lamar.
"It would be very, very good!" Lamar exclaimed.
Yulex recently received FDA approval for a medical examination glove. Researchers say it's comparable in price to high-end synthetic latex. Because over 50 percent of rubber products now available are petroleum-based, Yulex could become even more attractive as oil prices increase.
WHAT IS GUAYULE? Guayule is a plant native to North America that grows well in arid areas of the southwestern United States and in Mexico. The plant produces resins that act as natural pesticides, making guayule resistant to many pests and diseases. The bark of the guayule contains rubber, but it does not contain the allergy-causing proteins present in the plants that are used to make latex. Guayule rubber has comparable strength to that of synthetic latex, but is softer and more elastic.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES? Every year, when spring rolls around, millions of Americans start sneezing and coughing. Allergies are the culprit. An allergy is simply a negative reaction to a substance that enters the body that is not toxic in itself, yet for some reason causes a bad reaction in the body. Just about anything can be an allergen: dust mites, pollen, cats, dogs, wasps or bees, milk, eggs, peanuts, and even fruits are the most common.
A normal immune system is the body's defense against invading bacteria and viruses. It senses potential invaders and attacks them by producing antibodies. But sometimes a person's immune system mistakes a common allergen as harmful. So it produces antibodies to attack them, and this triggers other cells to release chemicals called histamines, causing allergic symptoms. The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction include sneezing, swelling, itchy eyes, sinus pain, a runny nose, rashes or hives, coughing, and in some cases, vomiting. In extreme cases, an allergen can cause difficulty in breathing. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and a severe attack can be fatal if not treated quickly.
December 1, 2008 — Plant biologists and immunochemists developed a way to produce rubber from a desert plant called guayule. The plant contains a natural rubber alternative without the proteins that trigger allergic reactions to latex. To release the rubber from their aqueous solution in the bark, scientists grind up the plant. Because the rubber particles are lighter than water, spinning the solution in a centrifuge causes the rubber to separate and settle at the top.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See also:
Health & Medicine
•Allergy
•Immune System
Plants & Animals
•Endangered Plants
•Agriculture and Food
Matter & Energy
•Weapons Technology
•Inorganic Chemistry
Reference
•Hay fever
•Allergen
•Urticaria
•Hypoallergenic
Since the 1980s, latex gloves have been an important part of preventing the spread of infectious diseases like MRSA, HIV and AIDS. In fact, ten billion latex gloves are used every year in the United States. As we use more latex, more people are developing dangerous allergies to it. Scientists have developed a new, natural alternative that may solve the problem.
Faith, Lamar and David Ryberg love games -- but that's not all they have in common. They all have Spina Bifida. Like 68 percent of kids with this birth defect, all three have dangerous allergies to latex.
"You just get kind of nervous you could stop breathing at any moment," Lamar said.
Three million Americans and as many as 17 percent of healthcare workers in the United States have latex allergies. Reactions range from skin irritations and wheezing to a sudden drop in blood pressure, anaphylactic shock and even death. Scientists say a desert plant called guayule offers a new, natural rubber alternative without the proteins that trigger allergic reactions.
Katrina Cornish, Ph.D., a plant biologist and immunochemist at the Yulex Corporation in Maricopa, Ariz., says the key to processing guayule is to release the rubber contained in the plant. It starts with a sort of guayule milkshake.
"We take the whole shrub and grind it up to release the rubber particles, which are made in the bark into an aqueous medium," said Dr. Cornish.
Rubber particles in the mixture are slightly lighter than water. By spinning the solution in a centrifuge, the rubber separates, forming a liquid that rises to the top. Dr. Cornish says not only is this latex alternative, called Yulex, safer for those with allergies -- products made with it are more flexible and stronger than latex. In this test, the Yulex on the left stood up to nearly twice as much force as the purple latex on the right.
Uses for guayule latex are virtually endless.
"So far, we haven't found anything made out of rubber that we can't make with guayule," Dr. Cornish said. It's a new kind of rubber that might just fit like a glove for the millions with latex allergies, like Lamar.
"It would be very, very good!" Lamar exclaimed.
Yulex recently received FDA approval for a medical examination glove. Researchers say it's comparable in price to high-end synthetic latex. Because over 50 percent of rubber products now available are petroleum-based, Yulex could become even more attractive as oil prices increase.
WHAT IS GUAYULE? Guayule is a plant native to North America that grows well in arid areas of the southwestern United States and in Mexico. The plant produces resins that act as natural pesticides, making guayule resistant to many pests and diseases. The bark of the guayule contains rubber, but it does not contain the allergy-causing proteins present in the plants that are used to make latex. Guayule rubber has comparable strength to that of synthetic latex, but is softer and more elastic.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES? Every year, when spring rolls around, millions of Americans start sneezing and coughing. Allergies are the culprit. An allergy is simply a negative reaction to a substance that enters the body that is not toxic in itself, yet for some reason causes a bad reaction in the body. Just about anything can be an allergen: dust mites, pollen, cats, dogs, wasps or bees, milk, eggs, peanuts, and even fruits are the most common.
A normal immune system is the body's defense against invading bacteria and viruses. It senses potential invaders and attacks them by producing antibodies. But sometimes a person's immune system mistakes a common allergen as harmful. So it produces antibodies to attack them, and this triggers other cells to release chemicals called histamines, causing allergic symptoms. The most common symptoms of an allergic reaction include sneezing, swelling, itchy eyes, sinus pain, a runny nose, rashes or hives, coughing, and in some cases, vomiting. In extreme cases, an allergen can cause difficulty in breathing. This is called an anaphylactic reaction, and a severe attack can be fatal if not treated quickly.
Biology News Blog-Gene Identified That Prevents Stem Cells from Turning Cancerous
Source-Science Daily
Article Name-Gene Identified That Prevents Stem Cells from Turning Cancerous
Article Date- Oct 14, 2010
Link to Website-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014191151.htm
Summary
Stem cells are the prodigious precursors of all the tissues in our body. They have the ability to develop almost anything in our body given the right circumstances and unfortunately this can be a good thing and a bad thing. One bad thing that can be developed from stem cells is cancer. Researchers from Rockefeller University found out that two things can increase your chances in developing cancer. The two are having too many stem cells and having stem cells that live too long. To help slow down this problem, researchers identified a mechanism, which is called Sept4, that regulates programmed cell death in precursor cells for blood, or hematopoietic stem cell. This provides evidence of the potentially carcinogenic downside to stem cell treatments and suggests that nature tries to balance stem cells' regenerative power against their potentially lethal potency.
What I Think.
I believe that this is a major improvement in science because cancer is a problem that has an effect on many people. Alot of deaths have come from cancer and this is huge that scientist have found a way to at least attempt to slow down the problem. Researchers have been trying to solve this problem for many years and never had a way to slow it down or tell u a reason why u developed the gene but now that they now more about the problem they can do more to help u get rid of the cancerous gene.
Citation-
Rockefeller University (2010, October 14). Gene identified that prevents stem cells from turning cancerous. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2010/10/101014191151.htm
Raymond Hines
Article Name-Gene Identified That Prevents Stem Cells from Turning Cancerous
Article Date- Oct 14, 2010
Link to Website-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014191151.htm
Summary
Stem cells are the prodigious precursors of all the tissues in our body. They have the ability to develop almost anything in our body given the right circumstances and unfortunately this can be a good thing and a bad thing. One bad thing that can be developed from stem cells is cancer. Researchers from Rockefeller University found out that two things can increase your chances in developing cancer. The two are having too many stem cells and having stem cells that live too long. To help slow down this problem, researchers identified a mechanism, which is called Sept4, that regulates programmed cell death in precursor cells for blood, or hematopoietic stem cell. This provides evidence of the potentially carcinogenic downside to stem cell treatments and suggests that nature tries to balance stem cells' regenerative power against their potentially lethal potency.
What I Think.
I believe that this is a major improvement in science because cancer is a problem that has an effect on many people. Alot of deaths have come from cancer and this is huge that scientist have found a way to at least attempt to slow down the problem. Researchers have been trying to solve this problem for many years and never had a way to slow it down or tell u a reason why u developed the gene but now that they now more about the problem they can do more to help u get rid of the cancerous gene.
Citation-
Rockefeller University (2010, October 14). Gene identified that prevents stem cells from turning cancerous. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 16, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com¬ /releases/2010/10/101014191151.htm
Raymond Hines
Discovery: New Form Of Energy Production
in recent findings biomass has been proven to produce as much energy as 25 wind turbines. Turbines that contain methane, producing bacteria which degrade waste and energy crops to produce a biogas or carbon methane mix which is then converted to electricity by a process of a turbine. the article tells no further of the recent discoveries but tells on how the same Prof. Verstraete have produced nanosilver particles from silver ions by using the "good" bacteria Lactobacillus.
These same particles can be used to fight against the highly infectious norovirus and potentially used as therapy for the cold and influenza
Comments:
"Gene identified the prevents stem cells from turning Cancerous I have read the full article and agree with the findings, however that was not the discovery that was found, the discovery was finding a way to inhibit IAPs or the protein that inhibits the process of apoptosis. When they conducted a study with IAP inhibitors, the results were that the drug that inhibits the IAPs actually interfered with the natural IAP production and caused the tumors to grow even more rapidly. No sure fire way to prevent the artificial IAP production has been found
Tyler Dishman
These same particles can be used to fight against the highly infectious norovirus and potentially used as therapy for the cold and influenza
Comments:
"Gene identified the prevents stem cells from turning Cancerous I have read the full article and agree with the findings, however that was not the discovery that was found, the discovery was finding a way to inhibit IAPs or the protein that inhibits the process of apoptosis. When they conducted a study with IAP inhibitors, the results were that the drug that inhibits the IAPs actually interfered with the natural IAP production and caused the tumors to grow even more rapidly. No sure fire way to prevent the artificial IAP production has been found
Tyler Dishman
KEY TO BLOOD BARRIER OPEN WAY FOR ALZHEIMER’S AND STROKE
According to Dr. Christer Betsholtz who has led the study of Blood-Brain barrier detect that Blood-Brain barrier(BBB), guarded the brain from any dangerous chemicals that might naturally form in the blood and at the same time this blood-brain barrier also block any drugs going into the brain.
The solution to the Blood-brain barrier (BBB) was detected by a group of scientist at the
Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute. “The new founding state that a potential answer to this problem”
The key to the BBB is located in the “blood vessel walls” which is knows as pericytes, and the scientist thought the new founding to (BBB) will add to the treatment of stroke and Alzheimer.
Inside the brain the pathway in which the capillary walls allowed certain particles carried by “the blood, such as the plasma proteins albumin and immunoglobulin, out into the surrounding tissue is closed off.
The groups discover recently the “capillary permeability” inside the brain had been said to be number one factor coursing “neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson.
Inside the article, Professor Betsholtz explain further that “Our knowledge of how the BBB is regulated could be used in two ways,”-
1. To protect the brain under conditions such as stroke and inflammation that lead to the opening of the BBBB and the release of neurodamaging substances;
2. and to open the barrier temporarily to allow the transport of drugs against neurodegenerative and other diseased of the brain.
The group also discover Unknown molecular mechanism” which means if the molecule is absent, a process called transcytosis gives way though the “capillary wall” in other for the molecules of various sizes, plus large plasma proteins can go from the blood to the brain.
They also found that the pericytes control another brain cell known as astrocytes. Astrocyte work with BBB through a system called end-feet which envelop the capillaries and control water and ion flow.
Finally, they discover a cancer drug “Imatinib” that inhibits a particular protein for cell growth has the same effect in the presence of pericyctes and also shut the capillary wall transport part.
WWW. CancerCenter.com
Summary of the Article
According to Dr. Christer Betsholtz who has led the study of “Blood-Brain Barrier” detect that “Blood-Brain barrier”(BBB), guarded the brain from any dangerous chemicals that might naturally form in the blood and at the same time this “Blood-Brain Barrier” also block any drugs going into the brain.
The solution to the “Blood-brain barrier” (BBB) was detected by a group of scientist at the Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute. “The new founding state a potential answer to this problem”
The new finding about “Blood-Brain Barrier” is that the barrier is protected by pericycles which restrict the passage of solutes. According to Professor Betsholtz his results show us that the barrier can be open in a system that allow the passage of molecules of different sizes at the same time keeping the basic functions of the brain operating properly.
In other part of the body the capillary wall such as plasma proteins “albumin and immunoglobulin” allow certain substances carried by the blood, out into the surrounding tissue. In the brain, things are different, the pathway is closed.
"Our new knowledge of how the BBB is regulated could be used in two ways," says Professor Betsholtz. "To protect the brain under conditions such as stroke and inflammation that lead to the opening of the BBB and the release of “neurodamaging” substances; and to open the barrier temporarily to allow the transport of drugs against neurodegenerative and other diseases of the brain."
Comment
My God bless Professor Betsholtz and the group of scientist at the Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute for this new founding of how the Blood-Brain Barrier can be open to control disease of Alzheimer and stroke or any brain disease (Alzheimer is a type of demesia that affect old people from age seventy to hundred ). By opening the Blood brain barrier that prevent drug or solute going into brain will allow medicine to be use to cure stroke and Alzheimer disease.
By Justina Olatunbosun
The solution to the Blood-brain barrier (BBB) was detected by a group of scientist at the
Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute. “The new founding state that a potential answer to this problem”
The key to the BBB is located in the “blood vessel walls” which is knows as pericytes, and the scientist thought the new founding to (BBB) will add to the treatment of stroke and Alzheimer.
Inside the brain the pathway in which the capillary walls allowed certain particles carried by “the blood, such as the plasma proteins albumin and immunoglobulin, out into the surrounding tissue is closed off.
The groups discover recently the “capillary permeability” inside the brain had been said to be number one factor coursing “neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer and Parkinson.
Inside the article, Professor Betsholtz explain further that “Our knowledge of how the BBB is regulated could be used in two ways,”-
1. To protect the brain under conditions such as stroke and inflammation that lead to the opening of the BBBB and the release of neurodamaging substances;
2. and to open the barrier temporarily to allow the transport of drugs against neurodegenerative and other diseased of the brain.
The group also discover Unknown molecular mechanism” which means if the molecule is absent, a process called transcytosis gives way though the “capillary wall” in other for the molecules of various sizes, plus large plasma proteins can go from the blood to the brain.
They also found that the pericytes control another brain cell known as astrocytes. Astrocyte work with BBB through a system called end-feet which envelop the capillaries and control water and ion flow.
Finally, they discover a cancer drug “Imatinib” that inhibits a particular protein for cell growth has the same effect in the presence of pericyctes and also shut the capillary wall transport part.
WWW. CancerCenter.com
Summary of the Article
According to Dr. Christer Betsholtz who has led the study of “Blood-Brain Barrier” detect that “Blood-Brain barrier”(BBB), guarded the brain from any dangerous chemicals that might naturally form in the blood and at the same time this “Blood-Brain Barrier” also block any drugs going into the brain.
The solution to the “Blood-brain barrier” (BBB) was detected by a group of scientist at the Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute. “The new founding state a potential answer to this problem”
The new finding about “Blood-Brain Barrier” is that the barrier is protected by pericycles which restrict the passage of solutes. According to Professor Betsholtz his results show us that the barrier can be open in a system that allow the passage of molecules of different sizes at the same time keeping the basic functions of the brain operating properly.
In other part of the body the capillary wall such as plasma proteins “albumin and immunoglobulin” allow certain substances carried by the blood, out into the surrounding tissue. In the brain, things are different, the pathway is closed.
"Our new knowledge of how the BBB is regulated could be used in two ways," says Professor Betsholtz. "To protect the brain under conditions such as stroke and inflammation that lead to the opening of the BBB and the release of “neurodamaging” substances; and to open the barrier temporarily to allow the transport of drugs against neurodegenerative and other diseases of the brain."
Comment
My God bless Professor Betsholtz and the group of scientist at the Swedish Medical University Karolinka Institute for this new founding of how the Blood-Brain Barrier can be open to control disease of Alzheimer and stroke or any brain disease (Alzheimer is a type of demesia that affect old people from age seventy to hundred ). By opening the Blood brain barrier that prevent drug or solute going into brain will allow medicine to be use to cure stroke and Alzheimer disease.
By Justina Olatunbosun
Friday, October 15, 2010
"Gene identified the prevents stem cells from turning Cancerous"
October 15, 2010 Article Source: Rockefeller University
Link to Article
Summary: Research from Rockefeller University shows that having too many stem cells or cells that have lived too long increase your chance of cancer. Apparently a gene called Sept4 has a protein called ARTS and the lack of the protein can increase your cancer risk. To prove this, they bred some mice that lack the ARTS protein and in doing so, they had about twice as many hemotopoietic stem cells as the mice that had the ARTS protein. the ARTS deprived mice ended up getting spontaneous tumors at twice the rate as the regular mice. ARTS interferes with an inhibitor of apoptosis proteins that causes cells to not be able to kill themselves. Thus having a lot of the ARTS protein allows cells to die on schedule.
Significance: Knowing about the ARTS protein, maybe scientists can reproduce it and help prevent cancer.
October 15, 2010 Article Source: Rockefeller University
Link to Article
Summary: Research from Rockefeller University shows that having too many stem cells or cells that have lived too long increase your chance of cancer. Apparently a gene called Sept4 has a protein called ARTS and the lack of the protein can increase your cancer risk. To prove this, they bred some mice that lack the ARTS protein and in doing so, they had about twice as many hemotopoietic stem cells as the mice that had the ARTS protein. the ARTS deprived mice ended up getting spontaneous tumors at twice the rate as the regular mice. ARTS interferes with an inhibitor of apoptosis proteins that causes cells to not be able to kill themselves. Thus having a lot of the ARTS protein allows cells to die on schedule.
Significance: Knowing about the ARTS protein, maybe scientists can reproduce it and help prevent cancer.
Temperature Rhythms Keep Body Clocks in Sync
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014144314.htm
Summary: There has been proof that temperature can effect the rhythms we keeps in our bodies. As well as they can keep our 24-hour clock in sync. They have tested this theory on mice and have found that it is proven to be effecting the rhythms as well as the mental clock. It also controls the body's metabolism. There is a portion in the brain that is called suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is very light sensitive, which is a reason why this theory would be able to be proven true. They article basically explains that they are still doing more research into this. There has been instances where warm blooded animals' rhythms and "clocks" have been affected by temperature. This leads scientists to believe that because humans are warm blooded they are able to keep in sync because of temperature.
Significance: The significance of this article is to learn a little bit more about the human body. If temperature actually was able to control the rhythym that keeps our body's clock in sync, then we would have a lot more to learn. This article (founding) will actually help keep humans more in tact. This is to help scientist realize that small things can effect a humans brain in many ways. This will help with more an advane to temperature effects to a humans brain.
Love takes up where pain leaves off
Love takes up where pain leaves off (ScienceDaily.com)
October 14, 2010
Summary: When people are in love, they have shown significant differences in their mood when it comes to pain. Scientists aren’t ready to tell patients with chronic pain replace their painkillers with a passionate love affair just yet. They are hoping to get a better understanding of the pathways that get triggered by love so that they could lead to new methods for producing pain relief. The same areas of the brain activated by intense love are the same areas that drugs use to reduce pain. Researchers did a study on undergraduates who were in the new phases of love, the subjects were feeling euphoric, energetic, and constantly thinking about their loved ones. Results showed that both love and distraction equally reduced pain, but the two methods of pain reduction used very different brain pathways.
Significance: I believe this is an important article because it could help scientists come up with newer, safer and possibly less addictive drugs to help people deal with pain. When people are in chronic pain a lot of times they get addicted to the medication and if somehow understanding the way love affects the brain and pain receptors this can be helped. It could make a huge impact on the world if they could find new medication due to this research
Title: Genetically Altered trees and plants could help counter global warming
Source American Institute of Biological Science
Date: October 2010
http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-press-releases/101001_genetically_altered_trees_and_plants_could_help_counter_global_warming.html
Researchers have discovered a way to alter trees and plants to allow more intake in CO2 when photosynthesizing. With the main focus in aiding with the global warming issue. The CO2 will be distributed into the soil which will take it out of the atmosphere. The CO2 that is distributed into the soil would only be taken out of cycle for a while, but it would return gradually and would start another cycle.
these new plants are a natural way to aid the global warming issue and will probably work better than machines or artificial means. Being able to use plants could help more than just the atmosphere it could help the wild life.
Source American Institute of Biological Science
Date: October 2010
http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-press-releases/101001_genetically_altered_trees_and_plants_could_help_counter_global_warming.html
Researchers have discovered a way to alter trees and plants to allow more intake in CO2 when photosynthesizing. With the main focus in aiding with the global warming issue. The CO2 will be distributed into the soil which will take it out of the atmosphere. The CO2 that is distributed into the soil would only be taken out of cycle for a while, but it would return gradually and would start another cycle.
these new plants are a natural way to aid the global warming issue and will probably work better than machines or artificial means. Being able to use plants could help more than just the atmosphere it could help the wild life.
Temperature Rhythms Keep Body Clocks in Sync
Article: Temperature Rhythms Keep Body Clocks in Sync
Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center
Date: October 15, 2010
Summary: The suprachiasmatic nucleus, also referred to as SCN, is the indirect "master clock" in our bodies. The SCN responds to the different amounts of light that enters the eye throughout different time during the day. The SCN also changes the information gathered into neutral signals that set the body’s temperature. Scientists have known for some time now that warm-blooded animals have fluctuations in their body temperatures. However, they have recently found out that the body temperatures actually control body cycles. It takes only a small change in internal body temperature to change the synchronization of the cellular “clocks” in the body. "Circadian rhythms in plants, simple organisms and cold-blooded animals are very sensitive to temperature, so it makes sense that over the course of evolution, this primordial mechanism could have been modified in warm-blooded animals,” said Dr. Takahashi. In a current study, researchers have used mouse cells and tissues to perform the experiments. They have found that the genes that are related to circadian functions were controlled by the fluctuation of temperatures. However, they also found that SCN cells were not sensitive to temperature.
Significance: The significance of this article is to explain about how internal body temperature can affect SCN cells. This article also shows the difference in SCN cells in both warm-blooded animals compared to SCN cells in cold-blooded animals. For example, cold-blooded animals are sensitive to a change in temperature where warm-blooded animals are not as sensitive to the change in the temperature.
'Firefly' stem cells may help repair damaged hearts
Article: 'Firefly' stem cells may help repair damaged hearts
Source: University of Central Florida
Date: September 29th, 2010
Link: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/29/firefly_stem_cells_may_help_repair_damaged_hearts.html
Summary: This article discusses the importance of the stem cells that can help with damaged hearts. Steven Ebert, a scientist from the University of Central Florida engineered stem cells with the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow. by doing htis he noticed that the brighter the glow, the healthier the heart muscle is. Researchers are extremely interested in this idea because traditonally, stem cells tend to morph to the organs where they are transplanted. From Ebert's discovery, scientists can now physically see the cells in action which can lead to further study on how to repair damaged hearts. If doctors can figure out how to repair and regenerate the caridiac tissue, it could help the 17.6 million Americans who suffer from coronary disease. Not only can the stem cells from the fireflies help repair damaged hearts, they can also significantly reduce the number of surgeries that require cutting into patients chests. With the information Ebert already has, he plans to use it to determine how to heal damaged hearts, and also to figure out what conditions are most suitable for the stem cells to survive.
Significance: The significance of this article to society would be having new discoveries like these make doctor's one step closer to finding a cure for this like coronary disease. Findings like these are extremely important because they help contribute to finding cures for things noy only related to coronary disease, but also other heart problems. I believe that if scientists continue to further the study of stem cell research they will be able to help other patients that suffer from things not directly related to the heart. Discoveries like this are just the beginning, and can open many doors to helping patients survive.
Source: University of Central Florida
Date: September 29th, 2010
Link: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2010/09/29/firefly_stem_cells_may_help_repair_damaged_hearts.html
Summary: This article discusses the importance of the stem cells that can help with damaged hearts. Steven Ebert, a scientist from the University of Central Florida engineered stem cells with the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow. by doing htis he noticed that the brighter the glow, the healthier the heart muscle is. Researchers are extremely interested in this idea because traditonally, stem cells tend to morph to the organs where they are transplanted. From Ebert's discovery, scientists can now physically see the cells in action which can lead to further study on how to repair damaged hearts. If doctors can figure out how to repair and regenerate the caridiac tissue, it could help the 17.6 million Americans who suffer from coronary disease. Not only can the stem cells from the fireflies help repair damaged hearts, they can also significantly reduce the number of surgeries that require cutting into patients chests. With the information Ebert already has, he plans to use it to determine how to heal damaged hearts, and also to figure out what conditions are most suitable for the stem cells to survive.
Significance: The significance of this article to society would be having new discoveries like these make doctor's one step closer to finding a cure for this like coronary disease. Findings like these are extremely important because they help contribute to finding cures for things noy only related to coronary disease, but also other heart problems. I believe that if scientists continue to further the study of stem cell research they will be able to help other patients that suffer from things not directly related to the heart. Discoveries like this are just the beginning, and can open many doors to helping patients survive.
Can Mental Trauma alter our biology?
Source-www.ns.umich.edu/
Date of Article May 10, 2010
Link to the Article http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/can-mental-trauma-alter-our-biology/
Summary
Researcher Monica Uddin for the University of Michigan believes that people who suffer form Post-traumatic stress disorder can effect a human beings biological makeup. Some people believe that PTSD can really get under your skin an alter your biology. Monica Uddin used data collected by Detroit's Neighborhood Health Study. They collected more than 14,000 DNA samples. Where some of the patients had PTSD and it showed. They found numerous genes that were identified in people with PTSD. It appeared tthat the genes were affecting the immune functions. They found a biochemical reaction called DNA methylation, which added itself to our genetic code. The purpose of DNA methylation is to alter gene activity and sometimes reduce it. The patients in the case study where affected by the methyaltion levels of the immune genes where lower than in a healthy human being.
What I think could change
I think by finding this disorder there could be new drugs created to combat the methyaltion levels. It will help the people with PSTD because without this scientific find there immune would continue to get weaker. So with the help of the researchers it will be a change for PSTD victims living amongst us for the future. This will be a great for the soldiers fighting the war of terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Date of Article May 10, 2010
Link to the Article http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/can-mental-trauma-alter-our-biology/
Summary
Researcher Monica Uddin for the University of Michigan believes that people who suffer form Post-traumatic stress disorder can effect a human beings biological makeup. Some people believe that PTSD can really get under your skin an alter your biology. Monica Uddin used data collected by Detroit's Neighborhood Health Study. They collected more than 14,000 DNA samples. Where some of the patients had PTSD and it showed. They found numerous genes that were identified in people with PTSD. It appeared tthat the genes were affecting the immune functions. They found a biochemical reaction called DNA methylation, which added itself to our genetic code. The purpose of DNA methylation is to alter gene activity and sometimes reduce it. The patients in the case study where affected by the methyaltion levels of the immune genes where lower than in a healthy human being.
What I think could change
I think by finding this disorder there could be new drugs created to combat the methyaltion levels. It will help the people with PSTD because without this scientific find there immune would continue to get weaker. So with the help of the researchers it will be a change for PSTD victims living amongst us for the future. This will be a great for the soldiers fighting the war of terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Inner Workings of Potent Cancer Drug Derived from Evergreen Tree
Source-ScienceDaily
Article date- Oct. 14, 2010
Link to website-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014134633.htm
Summary
Scientists from both UC Santa Barbara, and a pharmaceutical company have been working together to develop a drug that kills cancer. Starting out in Isolated test tube cases they have successfully killed cancer cells with there new drug. Although the drug is not yet approved by the FDA there have been successful human trials. The drug in the clinical trail phase and has killed one third of the patients with breast cancer and showed a decrease in tumor size. Although at first this drug was dangerous because it targeted more than just cancer cells. The drug works by affecting a cells ability to do mitosis. This problem was fixed by adding an antibody which causes the drug to only attack the cancer cells. The synthetic drug comes from a molecule in an evergreen tree from the genera Maytenus, and this type of plant grows in several continents. When asked about the fight against cancer one of the scientist mentioned that scientist are finally making small steps towards beating many forms of cancer and that the best part is that they are showing results in clinical trails and are helping many people to live.
What I Think:
I think this has a huge role in the world of biology. If we can find a way to kill cancer cells with a simple drug we can save people a lot of money and even more important we can save peoples lives. Cancer seems like it has touched everybody because either you know someone who has suffered with cancer or you at least know someone who knows someone who has dealt with it. Cancer is a terrible thing and costs us the lives of thousands including children who may never get to grow older because of it. I feel like cancer should be our worlds biggest concern and any break through is us becoming one step closer to getting rid of cancer for good.
Article date- Oct. 14, 2010
Link to website-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014134633.htm
Summary
Scientists from both UC Santa Barbara, and a pharmaceutical company have been working together to develop a drug that kills cancer. Starting out in Isolated test tube cases they have successfully killed cancer cells with there new drug. Although the drug is not yet approved by the FDA there have been successful human trials. The drug in the clinical trail phase and has killed one third of the patients with breast cancer and showed a decrease in tumor size. Although at first this drug was dangerous because it targeted more than just cancer cells. The drug works by affecting a cells ability to do mitosis. This problem was fixed by adding an antibody which causes the drug to only attack the cancer cells. The synthetic drug comes from a molecule in an evergreen tree from the genera Maytenus, and this type of plant grows in several continents. When asked about the fight against cancer one of the scientist mentioned that scientist are finally making small steps towards beating many forms of cancer and that the best part is that they are showing results in clinical trails and are helping many people to live.
What I Think:
I think this has a huge role in the world of biology. If we can find a way to kill cancer cells with a simple drug we can save people a lot of money and even more important we can save peoples lives. Cancer seems like it has touched everybody because either you know someone who has suffered with cancer or you at least know someone who knows someone who has dealt with it. Cancer is a terrible thing and costs us the lives of thousands including children who may never get to grow older because of it. I feel like cancer should be our worlds biggest concern and any break through is us becoming one step closer to getting rid of cancer for good.
New Materials Could Replace Costly Gold in Electrical Applications
Article: New Materials Could Replace Costly Gold in Electrical Applications
Source: Science Daily (University of Connecticut)
Date: October 15, 2010
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014083122.htm
Summary:
The article explains how appliances and electronic applications / electronics we use contain costly metals such as gold, platinum, rhodium, and silver along with other metals because of their high conductivity, low oxidation, and minimal amount of corrosion over time. Professors from the University of Connecticut named Mark Aindow and S. Pamir Alpay along with Joseph Mantese of UTRC have created/developed metals that act like platinum, gold, and silver in how they react to oxidizing environments. Nickel, copper and iron were the three metals compared to the more expensive metals like platinum and gold. “Based on their research, they have laid out the theory and demonstrated experimentally the methodology for improving the electrical contact resistance of these base metals.” The experimental processes used to test these metals including separation of conducting pathways, inducing mixed oxidation, and enhanced carrier concentration “Their work has demonstrated an improvement in contact resistance of up to one-million-fold over that for pure base metals, so that base metal contacts can now be prepared with contact properties near those of pure gold.”
Significance:
The significance of this article to society would be that electronics along with appliances that we use daily will be cheaper and more affordable in the future due to the costs to manufacture these goods along with supply and demand from customers. I believe that the study of these cheaper metals would in some way influence the study of other resources that could be beneficial to the needs of humans.
Source: Science Daily (University of Connecticut)
Date: October 15, 2010
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101014083122.htm
Summary:
The article explains how appliances and electronic applications / electronics we use contain costly metals such as gold, platinum, rhodium, and silver along with other metals because of their high conductivity, low oxidation, and minimal amount of corrosion over time. Professors from the University of Connecticut named Mark Aindow and S. Pamir Alpay along with Joseph Mantese of UTRC have created/developed metals that act like platinum, gold, and silver in how they react to oxidizing environments. Nickel, copper and iron were the three metals compared to the more expensive metals like platinum and gold. “Based on their research, they have laid out the theory and demonstrated experimentally the methodology for improving the electrical contact resistance of these base metals.” The experimental processes used to test these metals including separation of conducting pathways, inducing mixed oxidation, and enhanced carrier concentration “Their work has demonstrated an improvement in contact resistance of up to one-million-fold over that for pure base metals, so that base metal contacts can now be prepared with contact properties near those of pure gold.”
Significance:
The significance of this article to society would be that electronics along with appliances that we use daily will be cheaper and more affordable in the future due to the costs to manufacture these goods along with supply and demand from customers. I believe that the study of these cheaper metals would in some way influence the study of other resources that could be beneficial to the needs of humans.
Biology News Blog- Charles Beacom
Article: Dogs may be pessimistic too
Source: University of Bristol's head of animal welfare Mike Mendi
Date: October 11, 2010
Summary:
This article regards findings about how science has found a new way of measuring emotions, particularly with dogs. Professor Mike Mendi explained that we have no way of really knowing emotions dogs are feelings because feelings are private, but says we can now use findings from human psychology research for new methods of measuring these emotions. To conduct this experiments, Mendi placed two bowls in separate corners of the room. One corner was considered the "positive side" and the other was known as the "negative" side. The positive side's bowl was filled with food and the negative side was not, and the dog's re-homing centres let the dogs know this. Mendi stated that the dogs that ran fast to the positive locations, as if expecting the positive food reward, were classed as making optimistic decisions. These dogs were interestingly enough dogs that were not left alone for a long time by their owners and also showed the least anxiety like behavior. To go along with this, it was concluded that dogs left alone by owner for an extensive amount of time turned out to be much more pessimistic.
Significance:
This article shows how the feelings of dogs can be determined by science. It also shows advances science is making in measuring dog's emotions and being able to conclude more from it. For example, the first experiment to show dogs reaction to a stimulus was when Pavlov used a bell to let dogs know it was time to eat, and after a while when the dogs heard the bell they immediately thought of food and began to salivate. This shows the advances in scientific experiments and gives thought that eventually we will actually be able to understand completely how all animals think and we can in turn learn from their thoughts as well as act off them. I feel this is going to be especially important when dealing with household pets as we as owners will be able to understand their needs and be able to not only satisfy them, but prevent them from turning "optimistic" and possibly violent.
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