Unlike the incomplete data provided by fingerprints, blood types, and protein profiles used as evidence in criminal investigations, DNA provides a much stronger case against suspects. DNA can be found in a variety of sources often present at crime scenes, including semen, blood, hair, saliva, and cells from underneath the fingernails. The DNA found in substances such as hair or bone is called mitochondrial DNA. It is not as useful as DNA found in the nucleus of a cell, but can still be useful when, for example, studying fossilized creatures. Since DNA is absolutely unique to each person (except when looking at that of twins), it can be used to catch criminals as well as keep the innocent out of jail. DNA is also useful because it takes such a long time for it to decay.
Though miniscule biological samples are enough to find a sufficient amount of DNA, a polymerase chain reaction can be used to create a large number of copies of a sample so that the DNA can be analyzed. This is done by using restriction enzymes-used to "chop the DNA up"- to find certain sequences in the DNA. These are then arranged by how long the chains are and what their charges are. With a certain treatment, the DNA can be placed on nylon, creating “DNA bands” similar to a bar code. These DNA fingerprints can be compared side to side, for example placing the DNA fingerprints of a suspect next to samples found at a crime scene.
It's interesting to read about what they're really doing on those crime shows. It sounds like it's not as easy as plopping the samples in a machine and letting the computer do all the hard work.
Baird, Colin.Chemistry in Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company. New York, 2006.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Boo, Impact of TV Dramas on Modern Judicial System
A recent article in Time Magazine gave credit to television programming for changes in the modern judicial system. The phenomenon is not new. Back in the 1960’s, “Perry Mason” with Raymond Burr, showed a trial defense lawyer who walked up to the witnessnes’ in the withness chair as he interrogated them. For television purposes Burr approached the witnesses because the traditional style of remaining at the defense table while questioning left either Burr or the witness out of the shot. After years of subsequent lawyer shows on TV, witnesses now expect layers to get out from behind the table and are disappointed if they don’t.
The newest trend in TV is forensic evidence programming. What began with “Quincy” in the 1970’s has exploded in a deluge of police procedural programming. “CSI”, “CSI NY”, “CSI Miami”, “NCIS”, “Bones”, “Criminal Minds”, “Da Vinci’s Inquest”, “Medical Dectives”, “Crossing Jordan”, “Silent Witness”, “Dexter”, “Forensic Files”, “Law and Order” (and it’s spin offs) all show DNA evidence and other evidence revealed and confirmed through forensic investigation. The preponderance of these shows, modern jurors are experiencing what the article labels “The CSI Effect”. That is to say that they expect DNA evidence and are disappointed when it is not given. What they fail to understand is that such testing is very expensive and not appropriate for every case. “To analyze a sample of DNA properly can cost as much as $10,000.” The article expressed concern that unnecessary test will be run in order to placate the TV watching public.
Fecundity: The quality or power of producing abundantly
I enjoyed this article because I am a huge fan of lawyer, police/detective/investigative and forensic shows. I have to admit that while intellectually I understand how expensive forensic investigation is, emotionally I would be a juror who would want DNA evidence and/or other forensic evidence in a trial. The article discusses the danger of where demanding DNA evidence would lead both financially and problematically and in class the idea of privacy rights was introduced. As a citizen I would not want my DNA automatically on file. I suspect that as it becomes cheaper to type DNA the day will come when DNA is taken at a baby’s birth and kept in a national, perhaps international file. I don’t expect it happen in my lifetime, yet I would not be surprised if it did.
“Where CSI Meets Real Law and Order” by Amy Leonard Goehhner; Lina Lofaro; and Kate Novack, Time, November 8, 2004
The newest trend in TV is forensic evidence programming. What began with “Quincy” in the 1970’s has exploded in a deluge of police procedural programming. “CSI”, “CSI NY”, “CSI Miami”, “NCIS”, “Bones”, “Criminal Minds”, “Da Vinci’s Inquest”, “Medical Dectives”, “Crossing Jordan”, “Silent Witness”, “Dexter”, “Forensic Files”, “Law and Order” (and it’s spin offs) all show DNA evidence and other evidence revealed and confirmed through forensic investigation. The preponderance of these shows, modern jurors are experiencing what the article labels “The CSI Effect”. That is to say that they expect DNA evidence and are disappointed when it is not given. What they fail to understand is that such testing is very expensive and not appropriate for every case. “To analyze a sample of DNA properly can cost as much as $10,000.” The article expressed concern that unnecessary test will be run in order to placate the TV watching public.
Fecundity: The quality or power of producing abundantly
I enjoyed this article because I am a huge fan of lawyer, police/detective/investigative and forensic shows. I have to admit that while intellectually I understand how expensive forensic investigation is, emotionally I would be a juror who would want DNA evidence and/or other forensic evidence in a trial. The article discusses the danger of where demanding DNA evidence would lead both financially and problematically and in class the idea of privacy rights was introduced. As a citizen I would not want my DNA automatically on file. I suspect that as it becomes cheaper to type DNA the day will come when DNA is taken at a baby’s birth and kept in a national, perhaps international file. I don’t expect it happen in my lifetime, yet I would not be surprised if it did.
“Where CSI Meets Real Law and Order” by Amy Leonard Goehhner; Lina Lofaro; and Kate Novack, Time, November 8, 2004
Jenna, Recycled PCBs
PCBs are usually released in the environment during production, use, storage, and disposal. PCBs are considered to be an environmental contaminant because of their widespread use, along with some other reasons. In 1977, production of PCBs came to an end because the harmful effects that it caused. Many that could not be controlled quickly became terminated, but some can still be found in electrical transformers. It has been discovered that if PCBs "are released in the environment, PCBs persist for years because the molecules are so resistant to breakdown by chemical or biological agents." Though, PCBs are not soluble in water, there are still some that are found in surface waters that are constantly being transported back to the land and water. Some PCBs have even been transported worldwide and have been found on the ocean floors! The levels of PCBs will continuously be recycled back in through the land, water, and air for hundreds of years.
PCBs: polychlorinated biphenyls stands for a group of industrial organochlorine chemicals that became a major environmental concern. Must not be mistaken for pesticides.
I thought this supplementary section was actually quite interesting especially after reading the sections that came prior to this one. It seemed to make more sense. Though, it is still a bit difficult for me to fully grasp what PCBs actually are and how they came about. I do not think the book explained them as well as they probably could have, but what I do understand of them makes it an interesting and informative read. The picture that the book provides of how PCBs are recycled was extremely helpful. It illustrates, better than the book described, the whole recirculation process of PCBs.
Baird, Colin. "Chemistry in Your Life." Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company,
New York: 2006. 399-400.
PCBs: polychlorinated biphenyls stands for a group of industrial organochlorine chemicals that became a major environmental concern. Must not be mistaken for pesticides.
I thought this supplementary section was actually quite interesting especially after reading the sections that came prior to this one. It seemed to make more sense. Though, it is still a bit difficult for me to fully grasp what PCBs actually are and how they came about. I do not think the book explained them as well as they probably could have, but what I do understand of them makes it an interesting and informative read. The picture that the book provides of how PCBs are recycled was extremely helpful. It illustrates, better than the book described, the whole recirculation process of PCBs.
Baird, Colin. "Chemistry in Your Life." Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company,
New York: 2006. 399-400.
Nathan, Can environmental estrogens affect health?
The reading discusses what is considered the most famous example of “the effects of hormone-like chemicals upon wildlife” [1] . According to the text, in the mid 1980’s alligators in Lake Apopka, Florida, suffered severe birth defects ranging from sterility to eggs remaining unhatched. In the males they found that “the ratio of natural estrogen to the male sex hormone testosterone” was severely elevated resulting in decreased genital size [1]. The defects were the specific result of large quantities of DDT being spilled into Lake Apopka. The text goes on to explain that the effects of environmental estrogen do not take effect on those who ingest them, but rather upon their offspring. Their offspring often have “reproductive system abnormalities” which most commonly result in sterility as well as cancer when the offspring matures. In humans, a synthetic estrogen given to women in an attempt to prevent miscarriages often led to sterility in their offspring and in rare cases a form of vaginal cancer developed.
I was unaware that estrogens could have such a dramatic effect on organisms. In retrospect it seems obvious that abnormal hormone ratios would cause severe problems, although I would not have predicted that they would arise in the offspring. The results are especially stunning when considering the effects of the miscarriage preventative medication. It’s becoming abundantly clear to me that no medicines can truly be considered safe until they have been tested for two generations.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry In Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 2006. Pg405,406.
I was unaware that estrogens could have such a dramatic effect on organisms. In retrospect it seems obvious that abnormal hormone ratios would cause severe problems, although I would not have predicted that they would arise in the offspring. The results are especially stunning when considering the effects of the miscarriage preventative medication. It’s becoming abundantly clear to me that no medicines can truly be considered safe until they have been tested for two generations.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry In Your Life. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 2006. Pg405,406.
Tyler, Lipids
Most people can say they know someone with either heart disease or struggling with cholesterol. Cholesterol is a lipid that is vital to parts of cell membranes and certain hormones. Lipids are insoluble in water due to its fatty material but must be transported to their desired destination through the bloodstream. To make this process possible the lipids are covered in a coat of water-soluble lipoproteins that make the lipid temporarily soluble. What makes the lipid soluble and able to travel through the bloodstream are hydrophilic side groups of proteins.
When the lipids and proteins mix their densities can vary into two different groups. The Low-Density Lipoproteins or LDL’s are considered to be the least healthy and this is because if there is too much of it, it causes fatty deposits called plaques in the walls of blood vessels. On the lighter side, High-Density Lipoproteins or HDL’s are rich in protein and low in cholesterol unlike its counterpart. HDL’s are known as good cholesterol due to the fact that they travel through the vessels, collecting unneeded cholesterol and sending it back to the liver.
To help determine what kind of cholesterol is in what foods you can check to see what type of fat is in your foodstuff. If a food item is high in saturated fat then you are increasing both you high and low-density lipoproteins thus making it unhealthy. On the other hand, food with unsaturated cholesterol only increases your high-density lipoproteins which helps clean your blood vessels. The worst type of fat is trans-fatty acid, which increases your LDL levels and actually decreases your HDL level.
Hydrophobic- physical property of a molecule
This was another very insightful article that I will be able to apply to my final presentation. I was looking for more information on the subject of lipids and cholesterol so this chapter has come in handy. In addition, I can even use this information to improve my own diet.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. New York: H.W. Freeman and Company, 2006 pgs. 363-635
When the lipids and proteins mix their densities can vary into two different groups. The Low-Density Lipoproteins or LDL’s are considered to be the least healthy and this is because if there is too much of it, it causes fatty deposits called plaques in the walls of blood vessels. On the lighter side, High-Density Lipoproteins or HDL’s are rich in protein and low in cholesterol unlike its counterpart. HDL’s are known as good cholesterol due to the fact that they travel through the vessels, collecting unneeded cholesterol and sending it back to the liver.
To help determine what kind of cholesterol is in what foods you can check to see what type of fat is in your foodstuff. If a food item is high in saturated fat then you are increasing both you high and low-density lipoproteins thus making it unhealthy. On the other hand, food with unsaturated cholesterol only increases your high-density lipoproteins which helps clean your blood vessels. The worst type of fat is trans-fatty acid, which increases your LDL levels and actually decreases your HDL level.
Hydrophobic- physical property of a molecule
This was another very insightful article that I will be able to apply to my final presentation. I was looking for more information on the subject of lipids and cholesterol so this chapter has come in handy. In addition, I can even use this information to improve my own diet.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. New York: H.W. Freeman and Company, 2006 pgs. 363-635
Monday, February 18, 2008
John, Steroids and Congress' efforts
The article is focused on the players that were named in the Mitchell Report months ago. The Mitchell Report was a condemning list of accusations for professional baseball players of steroid use for a competitive edge in the sport. This can improve one’s ability to recover and therefore get stronger than their body would normally allow. Such players listed in the Mitchell Report were Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte. This article says that Congress is not lightening up on the pressure on these popular baseball stars.
In the article a point is brought up that baseball players are “heroes” and should have to deal with the highest standard of moral values. This is to set a good example for the people (mainly younger generation) of integrity. Baseball, while not the most popular sport in the nation, is “America’s Pastime” and should represent America in the best way possible. The stars of the game such as Pettitte and Clemens are constantly in the spotlight and should, more than anyone be examples of the best all around people. This makes the issue of performance enhancing drugs so significant.
As for the future, Pettitte was mentioned to have testified and admitted to using steroids. It was the lesser of two evils, in my opinion. The other choice was to not say anything and be bombarded by a media barrage until confession. Clemens appears to have evidence piling up against him. To avoid an absolutely crushing blow to his reputation and his career, I think he should confess. If not he may go down a road of baseball infamy, similar to Barry Bonds’ current state.
Dwyre, B. (2008, February 5). Congress ensures there’s no lull; Stakes are incredibly high for heroes. Los Angeles Times. p. D1, D8.
In the article a point is brought up that baseball players are “heroes” and should have to deal with the highest standard of moral values. This is to set a good example for the people (mainly younger generation) of integrity. Baseball, while not the most popular sport in the nation, is “America’s Pastime” and should represent America in the best way possible. The stars of the game such as Pettitte and Clemens are constantly in the spotlight and should, more than anyone be examples of the best all around people. This makes the issue of performance enhancing drugs so significant.
As for the future, Pettitte was mentioned to have testified and admitted to using steroids. It was the lesser of two evils, in my opinion. The other choice was to not say anything and be bombarded by a media barrage until confession. Clemens appears to have evidence piling up against him. To avoid an absolutely crushing blow to his reputation and his career, I think he should confess. If not he may go down a road of baseball infamy, similar to Barry Bonds’ current state.
Dwyre, B. (2008, February 5). Congress ensures there’s no lull; Stakes are incredibly high for heroes. Los Angeles Times. p. D1, D8.
Caitlin, Subliminal scents
An article in the Los Angeles Times revealed that many upscale hotels around the world use specific perfumes and scents in their lobbies in order to "brand" the hotel. Since the sense of smell is the most closely linked to memory, hotel operators believe that if a customer has a good experience in a hotel, when he or she smells the scent associated with it, it will entice them to come back.
From the simple use of flowers in the entryways, to "sensation bars" in guests' rooms, the use of smell as a marketing ploy exists on many levels. However, so does the sensitivity to these smells. For some, the overwhelming scents prove to be a negative experience and create the opposite results that marketing strategists were are after.
The article quotes that odors trigger attacks in %15 of those who suffer from migraines. It states that this reaction is similar to those who are allergic to cigarette smoke and has the same health hazards.
Since there is no way to screen the guests coming in and out of these various hotels, is the use of fragrant aromas as a marketing strategy considered ethical?
Citation: Doheny, Kathleen. "Sniff. Say 'Ahh' or 'Achoo!' Los Angeles Times. 30 July, 2006. http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-healthy30jul30
From the simple use of flowers in the entryways, to "sensation bars" in guests' rooms, the use of smell as a marketing ploy exists on many levels. However, so does the sensitivity to these smells. For some, the overwhelming scents prove to be a negative experience and create the opposite results that marketing strategists were are after.
The article quotes that odors trigger attacks in %15 of those who suffer from migraines. It states that this reaction is similar to those who are allergic to cigarette smoke and has the same health hazards.
Since there is no way to screen the guests coming in and out of these various hotels, is the use of fragrant aromas as a marketing strategy considered ethical?
Citation: Doheny, Kathleen. "Sniff. Say 'Ahh' or 'Achoo!' Los Angeles Times. 30 July, 2006. http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-healthy30jul30
Greg, Homeland security stepping up research
The Department of Homeland Security Advanced Research Project Agency is increasing funding for research for solutions to biological and chemical agent detection, nuclear, radiological and high explosive attack deterrence, and information security. They are trying to accelerate technology. They are conducting experiments with lipid bi-layer biosensors that are able to quickly detect viruses, anthrax and other bacteria.
Most of this research is being done in government labs but they are starting to expand with industry. There is a lot of money involved in the research and transition between government to industrialized research for the Homeland Security. This is to improve air detection machines that will eventually have sensors all over, that will be monitored by a computer that will alert operator when levels change in the air.
These new ideas for detecting any change in air quality and sensors to detect anything terrorists might use against us. The development of these is very important in order to keep us safe from attacks. It is also important that these are being produced outside of government labs so that it can be made available to use in all public places.
These sensors that detect viruses, anthrax and bacteria in the air will become a major part of places with a large amount of people like airports, sporting events, large buildings. These can also be used in places like post offices or hospitals. It is also important that this level of research is opened up for non-government organizations because sometimes they can come up with new and improved ideas.
It is important to open these research developments up to the industry because these biosensors can be developed over and over and made cheaper than the government ever could so it will be available in a large public areas.
Lawlor, Maryann, “Signal”. Falls Church: Oct 2003. Vol. 58, Iss. 2; pg. 3
Most of this research is being done in government labs but they are starting to expand with industry. There is a lot of money involved in the research and transition between government to industrialized research for the Homeland Security. This is to improve air detection machines that will eventually have sensors all over, that will be monitored by a computer that will alert operator when levels change in the air.
These new ideas for detecting any change in air quality and sensors to detect anything terrorists might use against us. The development of these is very important in order to keep us safe from attacks. It is also important that these are being produced outside of government labs so that it can be made available to use in all public places.
These sensors that detect viruses, anthrax and bacteria in the air will become a major part of places with a large amount of people like airports, sporting events, large buildings. These can also be used in places like post offices or hospitals. It is also important that this level of research is opened up for non-government organizations because sometimes they can come up with new and improved ideas.
It is important to open these research developments up to the industry because these biosensors can be developed over and over and made cheaper than the government ever could so it will be available in a large public areas.
Lawlor, Maryann, “Signal”. Falls Church: Oct 2003. Vol. 58, Iss. 2; pg. 3
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Carey, Vitamin D to the rescue
This article from Newsweek magazine discusses vitamin D, a vitamin once thought to be “boring” by doctors but has now been found to have dramatic positive effects on the human body, even though the majority of the population doesn’t get nearly enough of it. When it was discovered a century ago, vitamin D was used to cure a major public health problem: the disease rickets, which was caused by vitamin D deficiency and led to slow bone development. With the intake of the vitamin, the problem of rickets disappeared, so doctors advised that the RDA (recommended daily allowance) was simply the level that would prevent rickets. Today, however, the health problems linked to vitamin D deficiency are more serious: type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, tuberculosis, colon cancer, and the flu. Conversely, high levels of vitamin D can help fight the HIV infection, as well as protect against fractures in adults by strengthening bones and muscles. The main problem in combating vitamin D deficiency is that it is only found in a few foods, and we get most of it from sunlight shining on our skin. Modern life makes this method of intake difficult, as we spend a lot more time indoors than our ancestors did, as well as wear more clothes and use more sunscreen. Sunscreen, when applied to protect against skin cancer, can actually lower skin’s ability to make vitamin D by 95 percent. Age, obesity, the time of sun exposure, the season, and geography also all affect how much vitamin D your body can produce. Skin pigmentation can affect the way your body processes vitamin D as well, because melanin, the pigment that provides a darker tint in the skin, acts as a sunscreen, so darker-skinned people require at least five times as much sun exposure to form the same amount of vitamin D that a fair-skinned person has.
So what do we do to ensure that our bodies are getting adequate amounts of this vitamin? There are only three ways to take action: increase sun exposure, increase our intake of foods rich in vitamin D, or take vitamin D supplements. Considering the threat of skin cancer and the lack of vitamin D-rich foods (fatty fish, some mushrooms, and fortified dairy products), the third option seems to be the most practical. Doctors agree that the current RDA of 400 IU is too low and should be raised to around 1,000 IU, or perhaps even higher for people over the age of 70 or those that live in northern regions with less sunlight (a cup of milk has 100 IU). Even though our body needs vitamin D, too much can be toxic; the current official upper limit is 2,000 IU, but many experts think this should be raised to 4,000 IU.
•IU – An international unit (IU) is an internationally accepted amount of a substance. This type of measure is used for the fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E) and certain hormones, enzymes, and biologicals (such as vaccines).
I chose this article as I was searching the Newsweek website for pieces on vitamins because I did not know much about vitamin D, perhaps because until only recently, there was not much press about it. After reading this article, I think the suggested course of action of taking supplements sounds like a good idea, especially if someone like me, who is fair-skinned but wears a lot of sunscreen, is to get a proper intake of this helpful vitamin.
Stampfer, Meir J., M.D., DR. P.H. "Vitamin D in the Spotlight." Newsweek 15 Oct. 2007. 16 Feb. 2008
http://www.newsweek.com/id/43998/page/1
So what do we do to ensure that our bodies are getting adequate amounts of this vitamin? There are only three ways to take action: increase sun exposure, increase our intake of foods rich in vitamin D, or take vitamin D supplements. Considering the threat of skin cancer and the lack of vitamin D-rich foods (fatty fish, some mushrooms, and fortified dairy products), the third option seems to be the most practical. Doctors agree that the current RDA of 400 IU is too low and should be raised to around 1,000 IU, or perhaps even higher for people over the age of 70 or those that live in northern regions with less sunlight (a cup of milk has 100 IU). Even though our body needs vitamin D, too much can be toxic; the current official upper limit is 2,000 IU, but many experts think this should be raised to 4,000 IU.
•IU – An international unit (IU) is an internationally accepted amount of a substance. This type of measure is used for the fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E) and certain hormones, enzymes, and biologicals (such as vaccines).
I chose this article as I was searching the Newsweek website for pieces on vitamins because I did not know much about vitamin D, perhaps because until only recently, there was not much press about it. After reading this article, I think the suggested course of action of taking supplements sounds like a good idea, especially if someone like me, who is fair-skinned but wears a lot of sunscreen, is to get a proper intake of this helpful vitamin.
Stampfer, Meir J., M.D., DR. P.H. "Vitamin D in the Spotlight." Newsweek 15 Oct. 2007. 16 Feb. 2008
http://www.newsweek.com/id/43998/page/1
Michael, Just say no
There is an interesting article that just appeared on SI.com. Apparently there is an eventual epidemic in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) where bulls are being injected with anabolic steroids. This has caused an inaugural test for anabolic steroids for bovine athletes in the sport. The bull is named Big Bucks and he is by far the most feared bull on the circuit for his bucking ability. Since 2004 only 2 inspired bull riders have been able to stay on his back for the mandatory 8 seconds.
The purpose of the test is to screen top of their class bulls to ensure that their meanness is acquired through good genetics and not performance enhancing drugs. The test results are not expected to come back for another couple of weeks, but the owner, Jerry Nelson, insists that his prize bull is clean. The PBR wants to ensure the public that this is not believed to be a widespread problem, but there are a select few that some feel have been injecting their bulls with anabolic steroids and testosterone.
The PBR has taken the liberty of hiring anabolic steroids scientists from Iowa State University to test for the positives and negatives of injecting these bulls. According to the scientists, there are few positives because just a simple injection is not enough to enhance the bull’s performance. The bulls must be able to do things such as lift weights to take advantage of the performance enhancers. They also said that injecting the bulls with anabolic steroids would severely lessen their chance of reproducing, which could put a fair amount of breeding companies out of service.
The main incentive of enhancing these bovines are not necessarily to be at the top of their bucking game, because bulls receive little money for bucking off foes. The money comes from selling their semen as prize bulls when they are actually so-and-so bulls. This has led to a large outcry from clean bull breeders because it negates all of their hard work of raising a prize bucking bull.
-Anabolic Steroids: a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles.
-Bucking: To leap upward arching the back.
-Testosterone: A steroid hormone that is the most potent naturally occurring androgen and that regulates the development of the male reproductive system and male secondary sex characteristics.
What strikes me as interesting in this article is the fact that these anabolic steroids are the same exact types of steroids that are being injected into humans. These performance enhancers are having a huge effect on 1350 lbs. bulls! I find it amusing that human beings would go through these lengths to enhance their performance to ultimately make more money and glory.
Another thing that strikes me from this article is the analysis from the Iowa State University scientists. According to their studies the bulls must do things such a lift weights in order for these enhancers to have an effect. But according to my research many anabolic steroids need no catalyst to take into effect. Testosterone, specifically just increases the hormone made in the testes that does things such as increases muscle strength and mass. It also gives the bull more energy and broadens the shoulder blade and the rib cage which is a factor when it comes to bull riding. So insisting that there is no point in using performance enhancers on bulls is a bad analysis.
I am happy that the PBR is spending money on testing for performance enhancers, but it is stirring to think just what the rise of anabolic steroids have done to the world of sports. It has totally changed the mentality of being a top of your game athlete (human or animal) because there seems to be more and more suspicion that cheating must be involved. To me there are a lot of sports that should be looking at what the PBR is doing in order to stop the problem before it becomes widespread in the sport.
"PBR Puts Bovine Athletes to the Test." Sports Illustrated. 7 Feb. 2008. Associated Press. 10 Feb. 2008.
The purpose of the test is to screen top of their class bulls to ensure that their meanness is acquired through good genetics and not performance enhancing drugs. The test results are not expected to come back for another couple of weeks, but the owner, Jerry Nelson, insists that his prize bull is clean. The PBR wants to ensure the public that this is not believed to be a widespread problem, but there are a select few that some feel have been injecting their bulls with anabolic steroids and testosterone.
The PBR has taken the liberty of hiring anabolic steroids scientists from Iowa State University to test for the positives and negatives of injecting these bulls. According to the scientists, there are few positives because just a simple injection is not enough to enhance the bull’s performance. The bulls must be able to do things such as lift weights to take advantage of the performance enhancers. They also said that injecting the bulls with anabolic steroids would severely lessen their chance of reproducing, which could put a fair amount of breeding companies out of service.
The main incentive of enhancing these bovines are not necessarily to be at the top of their bucking game, because bulls receive little money for bucking off foes. The money comes from selling their semen as prize bulls when they are actually so-and-so bulls. This has led to a large outcry from clean bull breeders because it negates all of their hard work of raising a prize bucking bull.
-Anabolic Steroids: a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles.
-Bucking: To leap upward arching the back.
-Testosterone: A steroid hormone that is the most potent naturally occurring androgen and that regulates the development of the male reproductive system and male secondary sex characteristics.
What strikes me as interesting in this article is the fact that these anabolic steroids are the same exact types of steroids that are being injected into humans. These performance enhancers are having a huge effect on 1350 lbs. bulls! I find it amusing that human beings would go through these lengths to enhance their performance to ultimately make more money and glory.
Another thing that strikes me from this article is the analysis from the Iowa State University scientists. According to their studies the bulls must do things such a lift weights in order for these enhancers to have an effect. But according to my research many anabolic steroids need no catalyst to take into effect. Testosterone, specifically just increases the hormone made in the testes that does things such as increases muscle strength and mass. It also gives the bull more energy and broadens the shoulder blade and the rib cage which is a factor when it comes to bull riding. So insisting that there is no point in using performance enhancers on bulls is a bad analysis.
I am happy that the PBR is spending money on testing for performance enhancers, but it is stirring to think just what the rise of anabolic steroids have done to the world of sports. It has totally changed the mentality of being a top of your game athlete (human or animal) because there seems to be more and more suspicion that cheating must be involved. To me there are a lot of sports that should be looking at what the PBR is doing in order to stop the problem before it becomes widespread in the sport.
"PBR Puts Bovine Athletes to the Test." Sports Illustrated. 7 Feb. 2008. Associated Press. 10 Feb. 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Isaac, Hops and barley in low supply
Late 2007 has proven to be a sullen time for private beer brewers and commercial American breweries alike. A shortage of the humble hop plant has reduced the availability of the hop buds that are necessary for many of the most popular brews of beer (all but ales, to be exact). Hops are the agent in beer that gives it that unmistakable slightly bitter taste that beer drinkers often crave in their brews. The culprit for this decrease in availability is due to pacific northwest farmers’ choice to discontinue hop growth and focus on corn, which can more easily be converted into ethanol alcohol which some believe might be the latest alternative fuel source. The decrease in hop production has caused a significant rise in cost, thereby making some of America’s most popular beers (brewed by Anheuser-Busch, and Miller) much more expensive than other domestic brands. Barley, another integral ingredient in beer (used to make malt, that will later be converted to alcohol by the addition of yeast) is also coming in short supply. The local home-brewer as well as the commercial giants are left to find alternative methods of production.
I feel like although it is a shame to see that beer production is soon to be cut down significantly it will be for a greater good. Beer is simply a luxury item that is unnecessary to any society, whereas the reason for beers decrease in production- corn farming- will hopefully make way for a new age in renewable energy. The idea that more ethanol will be available on the market at the cost of fewer, and more expensive, domestic beverages will not phase me at all.
This article, although upsetting to many domestic beer consumers, will help start discussions and actions towards a different method of brewing beer. Perhaps hops and barley are great caloric contributors in beer. Reading this article might lead to the production of different brews that have a different taste and are less fattening.
The Economist. London: Dec 22, 2007. Vol. 385, Iss. 8560; pg. 72
I feel like although it is a shame to see that beer production is soon to be cut down significantly it will be for a greater good. Beer is simply a luxury item that is unnecessary to any society, whereas the reason for beers decrease in production- corn farming- will hopefully make way for a new age in renewable energy. The idea that more ethanol will be available on the market at the cost of fewer, and more expensive, domestic beverages will not phase me at all.
This article, although upsetting to many domestic beer consumers, will help start discussions and actions towards a different method of brewing beer. Perhaps hops and barley are great caloric contributors in beer. Reading this article might lead to the production of different brews that have a different taste and are less fattening.
The Economist. London: Dec 22, 2007. Vol. 385, Iss. 8560; pg. 72
Nick, Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme
A new study conducted by the Medicinal Plant Research Center in Grreat Britain has shown signs that significant memory improvement can be ties into the ingestion of sage through various mediums. Teas, oils, and capsules have all been used in research projects, along with placebos,where people were asked to remember words and then recite them later. Significant results showed that those who took the capsules had better results than those who injested the placebos. This is not a new concpet however. Writing dating back to the 16th century have described saqe as "singularly good for the head and brain and quickeneth the nerves and memory". People have been taking sage to help alleviate memory deficiencies for centuries and have longed enjoyed the boost it provides. This research is important because it is currently being used as a possible replacement for Alzheimer's drugs that have nasty side effects. Sage is being considered as a possible treatment for this disease which affects over 10 million people workdwide. It is thought sage contains an enzyme which can be used to help break down the main chemical that causes this popular form of dementia. Trials are ongoing using sage as a treatment on those with Alzheimers.
I think this is a very positive story about helping those affected by this terrible disease. This natural way could possible help the patients feel good about the medicine they are recieving. It seems to have withstood the test of time as it has been used for a long time. Even if it provides valuable information about what course the cure seekers should take, it is still a valuable herb that should stay focused on. Also, I am going to start taking sage before tests.
University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne. "Sage Improves Memory, Study Shows." ScienceDaily 1 September 2003. 7 February 2008 .
I think this is a very positive story about helping those affected by this terrible disease. This natural way could possible help the patients feel good about the medicine they are recieving. It seems to have withstood the test of time as it has been used for a long time. Even if it provides valuable information about what course the cure seekers should take, it is still a valuable herb that should stay focused on. Also, I am going to start taking sage before tests.
University Of Newcastle Upon Tyne. "Sage Improves Memory, Study Shows." ScienceDaily 1 September 2003. 7 February 2008 .
Chantal, Formaldehyde in your flour?!
In June, 2007, 180 Chinese food manufacturers were shut down in response to the findings of toxic ingredients in products. In preceding months, inspectors found traces of mineral oils, paraffin wax, dyes, malachite green chloride, and formaldehyde in Chinese food manufacturing companies. These toxins were used in the production of candy, pickles, flour, biscuits, black fungus, bean curd, seafood, and melon seeds. While these mostly came from small and unlicensed food plants, the thought is still unsettling to food safety officials and to consumers. Han Yi, the head of the Chinese government’s quality control and inspection department stated “These are not isolated cases” and went on to suggest a larger number of companies may have similar problems.
Though contaminated products have made US headlines, the majority of major Chinese news outlets have not broadcast or published the scary results. Food safety scares became popular with the tainted pet food scare in early 2007 where melamine, a chemical used in plastics and pesticides, was found in a number of pet foods imported from China. Since this incident, other scares have taken place including the contamination of toothpaste, rice snacks, poisonous fish, fake products, and diseased pork. Upon finding a dangerous chemical component of antifreeze, diethylene glycol, in Chinese-made toothpaste, Japan rejected Chinese products, and importers recalled millions of containers of toothpaste.
In retaliation for the US-imposed regulatory crackdown on Chinese exports, China focused on American food imports, and Beijing authorities seized American orange pulp and dried apricots claiming they contained too many preservatives and bacteria.
Amidst all concerns, some experts still insist that China’s food standards meet those of the rest of the world. They also acknowledge that the most common exports, those produced by large companies, are generally safe and have good records as they are concerned with their reputations. Fifteen years ago, according to the VP of Food Science and Nutrition at China Agricultural University, only about 70% of Chinese products met safety standards. Now, about 90% meet the even higher standards of the US.
What is “Malachite Green Chloride?” The article explains that this is a suspected carcinogen that is used as an anti-fungal agent used in fisheries.
Even though the majority of China’s food manufacturers meet safety standards, this is still a scary thought. Formaldehyde, carcinogens, and antifreeze ingredients in food? In candy consumed by children? Just the possibility of these slipping onto store shelves should encourage strong regulations. The article does not address this, but I am pretty sure that many imports are inspected when they enter US ports. However, it is good to know that many of the problems come from the smaller exporter.
Unfortunately, America does not have an excess of funds and it would be difficult to enforce and implement significantly stronger regulations on imports to US. However, as consumers, I think we would reduce the possibility of consuming toxins by buying organic food. This would also support local growers, eventually making organic food cheaper and more readily-available.
Landsberg, Mitchell. “TRADE; China revs up food inspections; A crackdown finds potentially toxic ingredients. Publicity may be meant for foreign consumption.” Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2007. C 1.
Though contaminated products have made US headlines, the majority of major Chinese news outlets have not broadcast or published the scary results. Food safety scares became popular with the tainted pet food scare in early 2007 where melamine, a chemical used in plastics and pesticides, was found in a number of pet foods imported from China. Since this incident, other scares have taken place including the contamination of toothpaste, rice snacks, poisonous fish, fake products, and diseased pork. Upon finding a dangerous chemical component of antifreeze, diethylene glycol, in Chinese-made toothpaste, Japan rejected Chinese products, and importers recalled millions of containers of toothpaste.
In retaliation for the US-imposed regulatory crackdown on Chinese exports, China focused on American food imports, and Beijing authorities seized American orange pulp and dried apricots claiming they contained too many preservatives and bacteria.
Amidst all concerns, some experts still insist that China’s food standards meet those of the rest of the world. They also acknowledge that the most common exports, those produced by large companies, are generally safe and have good records as they are concerned with their reputations. Fifteen years ago, according to the VP of Food Science and Nutrition at China Agricultural University, only about 70% of Chinese products met safety standards. Now, about 90% meet the even higher standards of the US.
What is “Malachite Green Chloride?” The article explains that this is a suspected carcinogen that is used as an anti-fungal agent used in fisheries.
Even though the majority of China’s food manufacturers meet safety standards, this is still a scary thought. Formaldehyde, carcinogens, and antifreeze ingredients in food? In candy consumed by children? Just the possibility of these slipping onto store shelves should encourage strong regulations. The article does not address this, but I am pretty sure that many imports are inspected when they enter US ports. However, it is good to know that many of the problems come from the smaller exporter.
Unfortunately, America does not have an excess of funds and it would be difficult to enforce and implement significantly stronger regulations on imports to US. However, as consumers, I think we would reduce the possibility of consuming toxins by buying organic food. This would also support local growers, eventually making organic food cheaper and more readily-available.
Landsberg, Mitchell. “TRADE; China revs up food inspections; A crackdown finds potentially toxic ingredients. Publicity may be meant for foreign consumption.” Los Angeles Times. June 28, 2007. C 1.
Melanie, Causes of schizophrenia
There is no solitary and unique cause for schizophrenia. Scientists believe that schizophrenia can result from genetic mishaps. Schizophrenia tends to run in families, rather then a random person on the street. An identical twin of a person who has schizophrenia has the highest percentage of developing the disease, around 40%-50%. The risk of developing schizophrenia in the general population without any relatives who have it is very minimal, around 1%. Scientists are studying the presumed ‘main’ genetic factors that lead to schizophrenia. They have found that prenatal difficulties, such as intrauterine, starvation, and other nonspecific stressors appear to influence the development of schizophrenia. Studies have also shown that schizophrenia tend to evolve when the person’s brain starts to mature. Schizophrenia is virtually undetectable in children and adolescents. Presently, it is not yet possible to detect weather someone will get this disease or not. Yet, the link between schizophrenia and neurotransmitters, which are “substances that allow communication between nerve cells,” has been rowing rapidly. It is presumed, yet not confirmed, that schizophrenia has to deal with the imbalance of these neurotransmitters, specifically dopamine and glutamine. Recent studies in schizophrenia show that abnormalities in brain structure and function are very subtle, and are not an actual characteristic of schizophrenia. Science investigators have found new ways to invent a devise to detect schizophrenia, by using a brain imagine technique that prompts the examination of the neural circuits that are be believed that are producing the ‘symptoms’ of schizophrenia.
Intrauterine: women’s uterus
Neural circuits: Circuits in the brain that are composed of a number of neurons (nerve cells) that communicate with one another through special junctions called synapses. (Synapses: a specialized ‘junction’ at which a neuron communicated with it’ ‘target cell’)
This article proved to actually be very informative. I had first thought that it would be boring, and much too technical. Yet, this was an easy to read article that I enjoyed and found it to be very helpful in my understanding of schizophrenia. I learned that identical twins have an upsettingly higher risk of developing schizophrenia then any other person.
Causes of Schizophrenia. (2012, June 6). Retrieved February 7, 2008, from http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/schizophrenia/a/sz2.htm
Intrauterine: women’s uterus
Neural circuits: Circuits in the brain that are composed of a number of neurons (nerve cells) that communicate with one another through special junctions called synapses. (Synapses: a specialized ‘junction’ at which a neuron communicated with it’ ‘target cell’)
This article proved to actually be very informative. I had first thought that it would be boring, and much too technical. Yet, this was an easy to read article that I enjoyed and found it to be very helpful in my understanding of schizophrenia. I learned that identical twins have an upsettingly higher risk of developing schizophrenia then any other person.
Causes of Schizophrenia. (2012, June 6). Retrieved February 7, 2008, from http://mentalhealth.about.com/od/schizophrenia/a/sz2.htm
Allison, Fever effect
This article is about the “fever effect” on Autistic children. This is the phenomenon that occurs when children with Autism have a high fever, their symptoms lessen and they seem to be able to communicate easier with those around them. Parents have noticed that children who do not make eye contact or speak, begin to talk and interact with others when they have fevers, but as fevers go away, so do these improvements. Some studies have been done on this, and while it did not happen to all children, some children had great improvements while their temperatures were high. The question now is why does this happen. Some scientists believe that it has something to do with the extra amount of proteins called cytokines that are in the brain when it is feverish. Further research of this may lead to possible treatments.
Cytokines- any number of substances that are secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells
I really liked this article, it introduced to me a new idea of a possible cure for Autism. I think that more research should be done in this field, if it is possible to put the cytokines into the brains of these Autistic children with out giving them a fever, may lead to a much easier and happier life. While the study that was reported here had only used 30 children, more studies could be done to see if this so called "fever effect" happens in enough children to make it practical to continue research in the field.
Hamilton, Jon. "Autism Study Lends Credence to 'Fever Effect'" NPR (2007). 6 Feb. 2008 .
Cytokines- any number of substances that are secreted by certain cells of the immune system and have an effect on other cells
I really liked this article, it introduced to me a new idea of a possible cure for Autism. I think that more research should be done in this field, if it is possible to put the cytokines into the brains of these Autistic children with out giving them a fever, may lead to a much easier and happier life. While the study that was reported here had only used 30 children, more studies could be done to see if this so called "fever effect" happens in enough children to make it practical to continue research in the field.
Hamilton, Jon. "Autism Study Lends Credence to 'Fever Effect'" NPR (2007). 6 Feb. 2008 .
Kevin, Genetically altered alfalfa fears
In Wisconsin, a genetically altered form of alfalfa, called Roundup Ready alfalfa, was planted in 13,000 acres. This alfalfa allows farmers to use Roundup Ready weed killer without hurting their crops. There was a ban put on the planting of this crop, however, because of the worry from organic farmers. The organic farmers worry that this genetically altered crop will cross pollinate with their unaltered crops, giving their crops the same characteristics as the Roundup Ready variety. Not only would it affect the alfalfa farmers, but alfalfa is a very common form of feed for cattle. The potential cross pollination and feeding of altered alfalfa to organically raised cattle would violate the trust between organic farmers and their customers. Developers of the Roundup Ready alfalfa state that with proper farming techniques the possibility of cross pollination between the altered and unaltered crops is slim to none. They also state that there are no concerns in terms of both human and animal health. A study done by the University of Minnesota found that cattle that had been fed with the Roundup Ready alfalfa produced 8% more milk than those fed on unaltered alfalfa.
Cross-pollination- the process of transferring the pollen from one plant to another, usually via insects or wind.
I think that the organic farmers are making a big fuss out of nothing. The only aspect that is altered in the new kind of alfalfa is its ability to survive herbicides. Nothing else about it is change, and if they still haven’t used herbicides in their own crops, I don’t see how the use, accidental or otherwise, of the Roundup Ready alfalfa would hurt the organic food industry.
Where the information might lead: further development of herbicide resistant crops.
Barrett, Rick. “A Change in the Air: Organic Farmers Fear Spread of Genetically Altered Alfalfa” Knight Rider Tribune Business News (Sep. 16, 2007) ProQuest (6, Feb 2008)
Cross-pollination- the process of transferring the pollen from one plant to another, usually via insects or wind.
I think that the organic farmers are making a big fuss out of nothing. The only aspect that is altered in the new kind of alfalfa is its ability to survive herbicides. Nothing else about it is change, and if they still haven’t used herbicides in their own crops, I don’t see how the use, accidental or otherwise, of the Roundup Ready alfalfa would hurt the organic food industry.
Where the information might lead: further development of herbicide resistant crops.
Barrett, Rick. “A Change in the Air: Organic Farmers Fear Spread of Genetically Altered Alfalfa” Knight Rider Tribune Business News (Sep. 16, 2007) ProQuest (6, Feb 2008)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Worldwide oil production, 1930-2050
Actual and projected oil production.
Baird, B, Chemistry and Your Life, 2nd ed., Freeman, NY, p.147
Melanie, Coal, losing its luster?
Coal is a cheap and plentiful energy source. It produces more then half of the nations electricity, yet questions arise when coal’s reliability starts to falter. The main concern involving coal burning is the carbon dioxide it emits into the air. Natural gas does not emit CO2. It is a reasonable alternative to coal, since it is both plentiful and affordable. Yet, in conjunction with nuclear power plants that go along with this, the cost would rise dramatically. David Eskelsen, who is a spokesman for PacifiCorp, seems to believe that its too early to find an alternative energy source other then coal, since “ the current situation makes the utility planning is very challenging.” In disagreement, 53 “coal-fired” plants were shut down in 2007 because of the increasing emission of carbon dioxide. Even with this disturbing thought, coal will be always known as the main energy source. New Mexico, Minnesota, and Indiana have made plans to continue the production of coal burning industry. In Washington, many believe that the rapid movement of global warming has something to do with the burning of solid carbon, which is the worst and dirtiest way to produce power. A recent study shows that if we keep burning coal, it will become more expensive then natural gas by 2030, because of the amount of CO2 it will produce and the money it would take to make a cleaner way to burn coal.
I found this article somewhat surprising, since i had no idea that coal power plants were being shut down because of there extreme CO2 emissions. I wonder what will be used for energy in the future.
Pasternak, Judy. “Coal is no longer on front burner,” LA Times. 18 Jan. 2008. A8 & A21.
I found this article somewhat surprising, since i had no idea that coal power plants were being shut down because of there extreme CO2 emissions. I wonder what will be used for energy in the future.
Pasternak, Judy. “Coal is no longer on front burner,” LA Times. 18 Jan. 2008. A8 & A21.
Dustin, Coal issues
The LA Times article discusses the United States’ current situation with energy and electricity, particularly the coal reserves that we have depended on for so many years. As our environment becomes more of a concern and global pollution and warming issues are ever-growing problems, the state officials of our country have decided to slow the production of more coal plants. Companies in control of regional power plants are making efforts to slow their carbon dioxide emissions as well as their nuclear pollution. Their inability however to find an alternative form of energy that is “environmentally friendly” is the main problem. Coal plants certainly prove to be damaging to our earth, nuclear plants are too expensive, and the “clean” alternatives such as wind-powered plants are not sufficient. Combine these factors with the problem that coal plants have of transporting their coal through rail lines (as they are primitive and inefficient) and you can understand the reason for worry.
In my opinion, our country needs to utilize as many “clean” energy plants possible and consider possible ways to sustain their electricity output while at the same time keeping their pollution levels to a minimum. Either new innovation and technological advancement needs to occur or a more effective way of ridding nuclear waste from nuclear plants needs to be made available.
Pasternak, Judy. “Coal is no Longer on front burner”. LA Times. Jan 18, 2008.
In my opinion, our country needs to utilize as many “clean” energy plants possible and consider possible ways to sustain their electricity output while at the same time keeping their pollution levels to a minimum. Either new innovation and technological advancement needs to occur or a more effective way of ridding nuclear waste from nuclear plants needs to be made available.
Pasternak, Judy. “Coal is no Longer on front burner”. LA Times. Jan 18, 2008.
John, Coallision of opinions
The coal business in America is lagging due to fears about global warming and costs. This is slowing down the rush to build power plants fueled by coal. The industry appears to be hitting many speed bumps. Utilities are being charged more for the same service and transportation from coal fields to generators is difficult with few routes. A big opposition comes from state regulators and environmental groups. Some troubles in Washington have come up as it is an issue involving climate-change policies. People still supporting the coal industry feel that it is a resource that should be tapped into, as they believe we have enough coal for 200 years. Also with the lack of coal being used, energy regulators are foreseeing difficulties in maintaining an already energy hungry people.
This article stood out to me since my brother is stationed in Gillette, Wyoming by his consulting firm, working for a coal company. He said the industry has been struggling as of late, and that was seconded in this article. I believe that the troubles need to be faced and soon with countries such as China and India increasing in power. An issue as significant as the energy situation of the United States should be sorted out as soon as possible.
It should lead to a compromise between the part of the country which needs energy to thrive and the part that must protect the environment. Finding the middle ground which can keep both sides satisfied is the key.
Pasternak, J. (2008, January 18). Coal is no long on the front burner. Los Angeles Times, pgs A8, A21.
This article stood out to me since my brother is stationed in Gillette, Wyoming by his consulting firm, working for a coal company. He said the industry has been struggling as of late, and that was seconded in this article. I believe that the troubles need to be faced and soon with countries such as China and India increasing in power. An issue as significant as the energy situation of the United States should be sorted out as soon as possible.
It should lead to a compromise between the part of the country which needs energy to thrive and the part that must protect the environment. Finding the middle ground which can keep both sides satisfied is the key.
Pasternak, J. (2008, January 18). Coal is no long on the front burner. Los Angeles Times, pgs A8, A21.
Sam, Future of Coal
This article is about the future of coal as a viable natural resource in our countries future. Recently coal has been touted as America’s saving grace. Obviously many of us have seen the recent advertising campaign on TV claiming coal is America’s fuel. But this article is questioning the reality of that claim. According to the article, coal is on the decline. One of the largest arguments against tapping into the coal reserves is that of environmental safety. Burning coal causes a very large amount of pollutants and recent concerns about climate change. This is causing a bit of a dilemma. America, today, is struggling to meet its electricity demands; the California blackouts are a good indicator that it may be time to enhance the system. The North American Electric Reliability Corp. says that if action is not take in the next year or two we probably wont have enough electricity ten years from now. There has been an attempt to build a clean burning coal power plant, dubbed the FutureGen plant, but rising costs may result in the cancellation of the project. The last major struggle that the coal advocates have to deal with is transportation. About 40% of the nations coal comes from one location, and thus, the transit around this location is vary important. In order to transport all the needed coal to the planned power plants, hundreds of millions of dollars will have to be invested in railroads.
I looked up the FutureGen plant to see how they planned to create a low emission coal plant. It turns out that the plant was cancelled yesterday, citing the massively inflated cost. The plant was originally going to cost just under a billion but the cost increased to about 1.8 billion. The plant was supposed to capture its emissions and bury them in capsules deep under ground, producing no emissions in the air and producing hydrogen and electricity. That hydrogen could then have been used in fuel cells.
I think that the issue of coal power is actually a very pressing concern for the American people. We need to either increase our energy production fast that it seems possible right now, or lower our usage. Between 2001 and 2006 about 30% of the energy produced in the world was produced by coal. Sadly, none of these coal plants are low emission and therefore pose a significant threat to our environment. America has about 200 years worth of coal reserves, and yet there is a good chance that these reserves will never be tapped, as they are too dangerous to the environment and we lack the infrastructure to operate the amount of plants that we need to build. I think that the decision to leap forward in coal use was a rash one. Granted we do need the energy, but it is absolutely critical that we develop new methods of getting our energy that do not cause permanent damage to the environment.
Pasterna, Judy. Coal is No Longer on the Front Burner. LA Times. Friday, January 18th. 2008. Pp A8+A21.
I looked up the FutureGen plant to see how they planned to create a low emission coal plant. It turns out that the plant was cancelled yesterday, citing the massively inflated cost. The plant was originally going to cost just under a billion but the cost increased to about 1.8 billion. The plant was supposed to capture its emissions and bury them in capsules deep under ground, producing no emissions in the air and producing hydrogen and electricity. That hydrogen could then have been used in fuel cells.
I think that the issue of coal power is actually a very pressing concern for the American people. We need to either increase our energy production fast that it seems possible right now, or lower our usage. Between 2001 and 2006 about 30% of the energy produced in the world was produced by coal. Sadly, none of these coal plants are low emission and therefore pose a significant threat to our environment. America has about 200 years worth of coal reserves, and yet there is a good chance that these reserves will never be tapped, as they are too dangerous to the environment and we lack the infrastructure to operate the amount of plants that we need to build. I think that the decision to leap forward in coal use was a rash one. Granted we do need the energy, but it is absolutely critical that we develop new methods of getting our energy that do not cause permanent damage to the environment.
Pasterna, Judy. Coal is No Longer on the Front Burner. LA Times. Friday, January 18th. 2008. Pp A8+A21.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Tyler, How do low-carbohydrate diets work?
Over the last few years, the low-carbohydrate diet has become one of many common trends to help with weight lose. With all infomercials and friend’s friend’s miracle stories aside, are diets like the popular Atkins Diets really beneficial for our health? This diet works by cutting back on carbohydrates, which reduces the number of calories through out the day. With less calories, there is less fat that is stored in the body. During the introduction of the diet, the dieter loses what seems like an amazing amount of weight due to the low number of calories that are being transformed into storage (fat). In addition, the diet slows down after the first few weeks and it can cause bad breath, constipation, loss of energy as well as cancer or heart disease. If anyone is thinking about trying to loss some unneeded weight and go on a diet they should find out if they really are medically under- or over- weight. To figure this out, one should use a body mass index to calculate how fit they are. A person whose BMI lies between 25 and 30 is often classified as over weight and over 30 is obese.
BMI= To calculate your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 700, then divide the answer by the square of your height in inches.
Glycogen= functions as a short term energy for animal cells
South Beach Diet= Diet that was developed by Author Agatston and is based on eliminating “bad” carbohydrates
I have witnessed the low-carbohydrate diet fad first hand. When I was in high school my mother and cousin tried the popular Atkins diet. They both lost weight but after a few weeks it seemed as if the progress had stalled. This is expected due to the fact that the chapter article predicted this outcome. I personally think that it is a healthy diet to reduce the number of calories because they do lead to fat but to eliminate all carbohydrates seems too extreme.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. New York: H.W. Freeman and Company, 2006
BMI= To calculate your BMI, multiply your weight in pounds by 700, then divide the answer by the square of your height in inches.
Glycogen= functions as a short term energy for animal cells
South Beach Diet= Diet that was developed by Author Agatston and is based on eliminating “bad” carbohydrates
I have witnessed the low-carbohydrate diet fad first hand. When I was in high school my mother and cousin tried the popular Atkins diet. They both lost weight but after a few weeks it seemed as if the progress had stalled. This is expected due to the fact that the chapter article predicted this outcome. I personally think that it is a healthy diet to reduce the number of calories because they do lead to fat but to eliminate all carbohydrates seems too extreme.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life. New York: H.W. Freeman and Company, 2006
Jennifer, Modern CSI
With the popularity of the TV drama, CSI produced my Jerry Bruckheimer; DNA testing has entered into the vocabulary of many court jurors. However, what the show fails to demonstrate is the amount of financing that is needed to undergo DNA testing and the time that it takes for the tests to be completed. The article describes the pros and cons to DNA testing and what a show like CSI or Perry Mason has done to transform the court system. Today, jurors demand DNA testing for almost every case, regardless of the other evidence already collected (including admission of guilt). This has attorneys angered, since more money and more evidence is needed to win a case. However, law officials are excited the DNA testing has received so much press. People are more likely to help fund new labs and buy more up to date equipment. Also, high school and college students are excited about the field, which increases the number of qualified lab techs and expert witnesses.
This article is great in that it gives both sides to the DNA forensic debate. It also shows how the court system has changed due to TV dramas. This would make for a great intro for my presentation.
Goehner, Amy. “Where CSI Meets Real Law and Order.” Time. 8 Nov. 2004.
This article is great in that it gives both sides to the DNA forensic debate. It also shows how the court system has changed due to TV dramas. This would make for a great intro for my presentation.
Goehner, Amy. “Where CSI Meets Real Law and Order.” Time. 8 Nov. 2004.
Isaac, Beer basics
Most often created from barley, beer is a product of the fermentation process. The barley is soaked and left to sit for about a week, to malt, in order to build the enzymes necessary to convert the grain’s starch into sugar. By heating the grains to between 60 and 100 degrees Celsius, the grains are kept from sprouting during the germination process that develops the enzymes. Once the barley has been malted it is steeped in water and crushed in order to remove sediment and solid particles. The next step is to mash the starch product by heating it, allowing the enzymes to convert the starch to glucose and disaccharide maltose. In order to counter balance the sweet flavor caused by the residual carbohydrates the next step is to add hops, the bitter tasting flower blossoms that give beer its biting flavor. Again, the mixture is boiled and the hops are added to release the bitter flavor. The amount of hops added is based on the type of beer desired, for example, an ale requires no hops and a lager will require a generally small amount of hops. The fermentation process truly begins once yeast is added to the mixture. The live cultures react with the mixture to convert the maltose in the starches into carbon dioxide and ethanol that gives the beer is alcohol content. This process takes about one week to complete, during which several steps requiring different enzymes are required to boost the amount of alcohol created in the beer. After this process is completed, the mixture is strained again and then bottled and left to sit for several months to age and deepen in flavor and clarity.
Steeping: to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
Maltose: a crystalline dextrorotatory fermentable sugar C12H22O11 formed especially from starch by amylase
I think it is interesting to see how often the mixture has to be boiled in order to catalyze every reaction. Since the process takes up to several months to complete it also makes me wonder how old the commercial beer is that we drink, considering that aside from the fermentation and bottling process there is also time spent in shipping containers and on vendor shelves.
This article does not raise any serious concerns other than concerns regarding the age of consumed beer products, if that is even a factor worth considering. Perhaps newer, faster, or more efficient methods of brewing will come about in the near future.
Baird, Colin "Chemistry in Your Life" W.H Freeman and Company 2006, p291-293.
www.merriam-webster.com
Steeping: to soak in a liquid at a temperature under the boiling point (as for softening, bleaching, or extracting an essence)
Maltose: a crystalline dextrorotatory fermentable sugar C12H22O11 formed especially from starch by amylase
I think it is interesting to see how often the mixture has to be boiled in order to catalyze every reaction. Since the process takes up to several months to complete it also makes me wonder how old the commercial beer is that we drink, considering that aside from the fermentation and bottling process there is also time spent in shipping containers and on vendor shelves.
This article does not raise any serious concerns other than concerns regarding the age of consumed beer products, if that is even a factor worth considering. Perhaps newer, faster, or more efficient methods of brewing will come about in the near future.
Baird, Colin "Chemistry in Your Life" W.H Freeman and Company 2006, p291-293.
www.merriam-webster.com
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Daisy, (sniff, sniff)
The matter we smell comes from evaporated liquid in its gaseous form. When we spritz some type of fragrance into the air and if we look closely enough we can see the liquid falling down, but what we actually smell are the molecules that have evaporated and gone into our nose and into our odorant receptors. These receptors come in many shapes and sizes and when we smell, its because the molecules have met the same characteristics and size of the receptor. While we have about 1000 different receptors dogs have many more than us, thus being far better at catching odors than us. Interestingly enough, these receptors are also connected to other parts of the brain which is why sometimes a certain smell can take us back to a time that we lived long ago-it has the power to make us recall old memories. Today, scientists are trying to understand the connection between a sexual partner and pheromones.
Pheromones: n. A chemical secreted by an animal, especially an insect, that influences the behavior or development of others of the same species, often functioning as an attractant of the opposite sex.
I thought it was really interesting that we are really sensitive to smell that is penetrable with water because our own receptors have a “thin layer” of water. Thus, gases that cannot penetrate water are not easily picked up by our noses.
The book states that scientists are working on artificial noses. These could potentially help distinguish other smells that are not so easily picked up by a human nose.
Baird, Colin, Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd Edition, pgs 43,44, Freeman, NY, 2006
"pheromone." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 18 Jan. 2008. http://www.answers.com/topic/pheromone
Pheromones: n. A chemical secreted by an animal, especially an insect, that influences the behavior or development of others of the same species, often functioning as an attractant of the opposite sex.
I thought it was really interesting that we are really sensitive to smell that is penetrable with water because our own receptors have a “thin layer” of water. Thus, gases that cannot penetrate water are not easily picked up by our noses.
The book states that scientists are working on artificial noses. These could potentially help distinguish other smells that are not so easily picked up by a human nose.
Baird, Colin, Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd Edition, pgs 43,44, Freeman, NY, 2006
"pheromone." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. Answers.com 18 Jan. 2008. http://www.answers.com/topic/pheromone
Kevin, Gold, not just a pretty metal
Gold was one of the first elements known to man. This is because it occurs in nature in the form of the solid metal and sometimes in very large pieces. Pure gold cannot be made in nature. The gold that is mined is an alloy that has other metals in it as well. The other metals can be taken out by a couple of different ways, including just melting down the mixture, or when it is in its liquid state blasting it with air, which turns the non-gold particles into a compound that is not soluble in metal, and can therefor just be taken off the top of the liquid gold. Gold is a very functional metal. Because, like all metals, its atoms can be reformed while still remaining close to each other, gold can be turned into wire or smashed out into sheets. The thin sheets of gold are used for decoration, both edible and non-edible, as well as for more practical purposes such as coating windows to either reflect or keep in heat. The gold used in jewelry is actually an alloy, mixed with silver, copper, and nickle. This is done because pure gold is very soft and mixing it with those other metals makes it strong enough to stand up to daily wear and tear. The amount of gold in an alloy is measured using carats. 24 carat gold is 100% pure gold. To get the carats of gold you divide the mass of gold in the sample by the mass of the whole sample and multiply that number by 24. (ex. (20/32) X 24= 15 carats)
Alloy-a mixture of metals
Compound-a material that consists of two or more types of atomsin a fixed ratio, with uniform composition throughout, and that connot be easily separated into its pure component elements.
Carat- gold-alloy classification system; carats of gold = 24 X fraction of mass that is pure gold
It was interesting to read on some of the more practical uses of gold. As far as I knew it was used almost purly for decoration. The bit about using it to coat windows was something completely new to me. It was also nice to learn exactly how the carat system works. Potentially lead to further investigation of the properties of gold and therefore potentially more uses for the element.
Baird, Colin "Chemistry in You Life" second edition. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2006. 24-26, G-1, G-2, G-3
Alloy-a mixture of metals
Compound-a material that consists of two or more types of atomsin a fixed ratio, with uniform composition throughout, and that connot be easily separated into its pure component elements.
Carat- gold-alloy classification system; carats of gold = 24 X fraction of mass that is pure gold
It was interesting to read on some of the more practical uses of gold. As far as I knew it was used almost purly for decoration. The bit about using it to coat windows was something completely new to me. It was also nice to learn exactly how the carat system works. Potentially lead to further investigation of the properties of gold and therefore potentially more uses for the element.
Baird, Colin "Chemistry in You Life" second edition. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2006. 24-26, G-1, G-2, G-3
Jenna, Ages in history
The ages of history is discussed in chapter one, section eighteen of “Chemistry in Your Life”. Though this was an extremely short section, it was still very informational. This particular section talks about how people from the Stone Age began to make use of gold, silver, and copper that was found. Beginning with copper, it was actually one of the first metals ever used. People then began to notice certain characteristics about copper that allowed them to make and create objects of all sorts. After realization that objects could be made form copper, more and more became available to the people. During extraction, copper and tin ore accidentally got mixed together creating bronze. Bronze then became the “preferred material” due to the fact that it was easier to melt and shape. Thus, the Bronze Age began. The fabrication of metal requires liquid form. Iron was the next metal to be discovered, however, it does not become a liquid so it required a more advanced technological process to take place. This brought rise to the Iron Age.
Some words that I was not all that familiar with included: sickles, ores, optimum, and rudimentary.
Sickles: a short-handled implement with a curved blade used for cutting tall grass or grain.
Ores: rock mixtures of metal-containing compounds with other components.
Optimum: the best out of a number of several options or outcomes.
Rudimentary: existing at an elementary or basic level.
This particular section was, once again, extremely informative. It was actually quite interesting to learn about how the different ages in history came about. In all honesty, I have heard about these ages in history repeatedly throughout my years of school, but I never really knew how they came into existence or how they each got their particular names. That bit of information apparently got overlooked over and over again. It was also interesting to me how iron and bronze came to be through accidental discoveries and mishaps. This section in general was extremely interesting.
Baird, Colin. “Chemistry in Your Life”. Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 2006. 23-24.
Some words that I was not all that familiar with included: sickles, ores, optimum, and rudimentary.
Sickles: a short-handled implement with a curved blade used for cutting tall grass or grain.
Ores: rock mixtures of metal-containing compounds with other components.
Optimum: the best out of a number of several options or outcomes.
Rudimentary: existing at an elementary or basic level.
This particular section was, once again, extremely informative. It was actually quite interesting to learn about how the different ages in history came about. In all honesty, I have heard about these ages in history repeatedly throughout my years of school, but I never really knew how they came into existence or how they each got their particular names. That bit of information apparently got overlooked over and over again. It was also interesting to me how iron and bronze came to be through accidental discoveries and mishaps. This section in general was extremely interesting.
Baird, Colin. “Chemistry in Your Life”. Second Edition. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York. 2006. 23-24.
Boo, Good to raise public awareness about dangers of CO gas
Once I began having children, I found myself drawn to the “Women’s Magazines” at the supermarket check out. Interested in keeping my children safe I repeatedly noticed how over the last 20 years, the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning have consistently made news in everything from Good Housekeeping to Woman’s World. Kits to check for carbon monoxide in your home are readily available at Home Depot and other retailers and awareness of carbon monoxide dangers have been the subject of everything from news broadcasts to Oprah. Why?
We all know that large amounts of carbon monoxide are fatal. (i.e. suicide by car parked in un-vented garage). What many people do not know is how severely carbon monoxide in low doses can degrade their health. Exposure higher than a few ppm can produce symptoms like headaches and drowsiness. Since theses symptoms are linked to many other causes, people often don’t suspect CO poisoning. CO inhibits the transfer of Oxygen molecules throughout the bloodstream. The CO molecules attach themselves to hemoglobin in the blood and limit the amount of hemoglobin available to attach to O2 molecules. This creates a condition where the heart must work harder to pump the available oxygen. If caught early, the CO can be displaced by forcing excessive amounts of O2 in to the bloodstream. Unfortunately the process of replacement takes time and as much as 30% of the 700,000 reported cases of CO poisoning in the U.S. each year result in some degree of brain damage. The CO inhaled by smokers and even non-smokers inhaling second hand smoke can lead to severe cardio vascular problems.
Hemoglobin: A hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
Although the information in the text was not new to me, I was pleased to know that college students are learning about the dangers of CO poisoning so that they can be proactive in protecting their families now and in the future.
Baird, Colin, Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd Edition, pgs 90-91, Freeman, NY, 2006
WordNet 3.0, 2006 by Princeton University
We all know that large amounts of carbon monoxide are fatal. (i.e. suicide by car parked in un-vented garage). What many people do not know is how severely carbon monoxide in low doses can degrade their health. Exposure higher than a few ppm can produce symptoms like headaches and drowsiness. Since theses symptoms are linked to many other causes, people often don’t suspect CO poisoning. CO inhibits the transfer of Oxygen molecules throughout the bloodstream. The CO molecules attach themselves to hemoglobin in the blood and limit the amount of hemoglobin available to attach to O2 molecules. This creates a condition where the heart must work harder to pump the available oxygen. If caught early, the CO can be displaced by forcing excessive amounts of O2 in to the bloodstream. Unfortunately the process of replacement takes time and as much as 30% of the 700,000 reported cases of CO poisoning in the U.S. each year result in some degree of brain damage. The CO inhaled by smokers and even non-smokers inhaling second hand smoke can lead to severe cardio vascular problems.
Hemoglobin: A hemoprotein composed of globin and heme that gives red blood cells their color; function primarily to transport oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues
Although the information in the text was not new to me, I was pleased to know that college students are learning about the dangers of CO poisoning so that they can be proactive in protecting their families now and in the future.
Baird, Colin, Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd Edition, pgs 90-91, Freeman, NY, 2006
WordNet 3.0, 2006 by Princeton University
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Chantal, Medicine that makes you sick?
In his article “Trusting Medicine from China,” Jean-Francois Tremblay discusses whether or not active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) from China are safe. He begins with an example of how counterfeit Chinese glycerin used in a cough syrup killed dozens in Panama in November of 2006. Glycerin is often used in medicinal liquids and is sometimes substituted with diethylene glycol to reduce production costs. The FDA has recommended that if pharmaceutical manufacturers are using glycerin in a medicine, they should first test it to ensure it is pure glycerin(3).
Chinese companies have defended their actions by saying that they have always advertised exactly what they are selling and have not lied about selling diethylene glycol in place of glycerin. According to Tremblay, some companies also claim that they are merely filling the orders of drug manufacturers; it is not their responsibility to make sure the ingredients they are selling are in line with that country’s drug regulations. The general secretary of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Producer’s Association, Yan Zhou, admits that there is drug counterfeiting throughout China, but insists that the major drug exporters supply legitimate, safe products. After all, if APIs exported from China were frequently inferior, there would be far less demand for such products(3).
According to the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA), just like product or food shipments from China, most of the API imports enter the Country without ever being inspected by American officials such as the FDA. While inspections do occur, plants that supply over-the-counter (OTCs) or nutraceuticals are often exempt. When time allows, the FDA visits all pharmaceutical supply plants for inspection. However, in the case with OTCs and nutraceuticals, only the actual manufacturing plants are inspected. Fortunately, according to the senior vice president of sales at Chemwerth (the biggest US importer of Chinese APIs), Dave McCleary, counterfeit ingredients are rarely used in prescription drugs (3).
What is diethylene glycol and what makes it so bad?
Diethylene glycol is a chemical used in making resins, plasticizers, and acrylic (2). According to the FDA, this is a poisonous chemical that has also been found in imported Chinese toothpaste (4).
What are nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals are foods that have medicinal benefits including vitamins and dietary supplements (1).
This is pretty scary stuff, but I think the FDA usually takes control before too much damage is done. It’s good to know that prescriptions are usually safe!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there is too much the average citizen can do about this other than stay away from drugs as much as possible. The FDA is already on overload so I am not sure how much more can be done to inspect imported drugs. The FDA’s suggestion for manufacturers to inspect glycerin seems like a great start on the manufacturer’s part to ensure safe products. An easier solution (but not very realistic) would be to stop buying APIs from China or at least only buy from the top exporters.
References
1. DeFelice, Stephen. What are Nutraceuticals?. National Nutraceutical Center. 10 January 2008. < http://www.clemson.edu/NNC/what_are_nutra.html>.
2. The Dow Chemical Company. Ethylene Glycols. DOW. 10 January, 2008. 2008. .
3. Tremblay, Jean- Francois. Trusting Medicine from China. C&EN Hong Kong.18 June, 2007. .
4. US Department of Human Services. Imported Toothpaste. US FDA. 10 January 2008. 9 October, 2007. .
Chinese companies have defended their actions by saying that they have always advertised exactly what they are selling and have not lied about selling diethylene glycol in place of glycerin. According to Tremblay, some companies also claim that they are merely filling the orders of drug manufacturers; it is not their responsibility to make sure the ingredients they are selling are in line with that country’s drug regulations. The general secretary of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Producer’s Association, Yan Zhou, admits that there is drug counterfeiting throughout China, but insists that the major drug exporters supply legitimate, safe products. After all, if APIs exported from China were frequently inferior, there would be far less demand for such products(3).
According to the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA), just like product or food shipments from China, most of the API imports enter the Country without ever being inspected by American officials such as the FDA. While inspections do occur, plants that supply over-the-counter (OTCs) or nutraceuticals are often exempt. When time allows, the FDA visits all pharmaceutical supply plants for inspection. However, in the case with OTCs and nutraceuticals, only the actual manufacturing plants are inspected. Fortunately, according to the senior vice president of sales at Chemwerth (the biggest US importer of Chinese APIs), Dave McCleary, counterfeit ingredients are rarely used in prescription drugs (3).
What is diethylene glycol and what makes it so bad?
Diethylene glycol is a chemical used in making resins, plasticizers, and acrylic (2). According to the FDA, this is a poisonous chemical that has also been found in imported Chinese toothpaste (4).
What are nutraceuticals?
Nutraceuticals are foods that have medicinal benefits including vitamins and dietary supplements (1).
This is pretty scary stuff, but I think the FDA usually takes control before too much damage is done. It’s good to know that prescriptions are usually safe!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there is too much the average citizen can do about this other than stay away from drugs as much as possible. The FDA is already on overload so I am not sure how much more can be done to inspect imported drugs. The FDA’s suggestion for manufacturers to inspect glycerin seems like a great start on the manufacturer’s part to ensure safe products. An easier solution (but not very realistic) would be to stop buying APIs from China or at least only buy from the top exporters.
References
1. DeFelice, Stephen. What are Nutraceuticals?. National Nutraceutical Center. 10 January 2008. < http://www.clemson.edu/NNC/what_are_nutra.html>.
2. The Dow Chemical Company. Ethylene Glycols. DOW. 10 January, 2008. 2008. .
3. Tremblay, Jean- Francois. Trusting Medicine from China. C&EN Hong Kong.18 June, 2007. .
4. US Department of Human Services. Imported Toothpaste. US FDA. 10 January 2008. 9 October, 2007. .
Allison, Bio-crops
This article highlights the good and bad about genetically engineered crops. Asseblyman Jared Huffman introduced a new bill that would protect farmers whose land is being cross-contaminated by farmers who grow these bio-crops. The bill specifically outlines that if a certain amount of damage is accrued in one year due to cross-contamination, then the farmer is allowed to sue the manufacturer of the bio-crop. Many California counties, such as Mendocino and Santa Cruz, have already passed bills outlawing these crops to be grown all together. Those opposed to genetically engineered crops argue that they contaminate the soil for other foods and lead to weeds that are resistant to earth friendly pesticides. On the other side of the issue, these bio-crops have a longer shelf life, and can be altered to have more vitamins, which would greatly benefit developing countries. It is believed that this debate will not cease until the federal government steps in.
Bio-Crops: Crops that have been genetically altered using DNA to make them less susceptible to parasites and have a longer shelf life.
I think that an outright ban on all genetically engineered crops would be a little hasty, but I do feel that the issue should be researched more as to what both the good and bad effects of it are. One thing we might want to look at is that insects stay away from genetically engineered food much more than organically grown food, this should alert us and scientist should figure why the insects do not like it and if the thing that is making them stay away is bad for us. It will be interesting to se what the final result is on this measure, and if the rest of the country will follow or not. I feel like this is a new area that we still need to explore before making any definite decisions for or against it.
Vara-Orta, Francisco. "Laws Take Aim At Genetically Altered Crops." LA Times 10 Apr. 2007, sec. B: 2.
Bio-Crops: Crops that have been genetically altered using DNA to make them less susceptible to parasites and have a longer shelf life.
I think that an outright ban on all genetically engineered crops would be a little hasty, but I do feel that the issue should be researched more as to what both the good and bad effects of it are. One thing we might want to look at is that insects stay away from genetically engineered food much more than organically grown food, this should alert us and scientist should figure why the insects do not like it and if the thing that is making them stay away is bad for us. It will be interesting to se what the final result is on this measure, and if the rest of the country will follow or not. I feel like this is a new area that we still need to explore before making any definite decisions for or against it.
Vara-Orta, Francisco. "Laws Take Aim At Genetically Altered Crops." LA Times 10 Apr. 2007, sec. B: 2.
Carey, Vitamins are saving the world, one pair of eyes at a time
This article is about vitamins for the eyes that can be taken to combat macular degeneration, a disease that breaks down the light-sensitive rods and cones in the center of the retina. The disease can blur one’s vision, causing difficulty with reading or driving. Vitamins called PreserVision made by the eye-care company Bausch & Lomb combine zinc with antioxidants to provide the body with vitamin E and beta carotene, which help with one’s overall ocular health. A study conducted by the National Eye Institute in 2001 found that more than 3,600 people with mild to moderate cases of macular degeneration who took these vitamins experienced slowed vision loss by about 25%. The vitamins work to keep waste products away from the retina in order to keep the rods and cones functioning properly. It is also recommended that patients in their 40s and older who want to prevent severe vision loss can also take the vitamin supplements, but there is no guarantee that this particular treatment will work.
• Macular – an opaque spot on the cornea
• Macular degeneration – degeneration of the central portion of the retina, resulting in a loss of sharp vision
I originally chose this article because as someone with very poor vision who can barely see clearly beyond her arm when she isn’t wearing her contacts, the headline caught my eye. After reading the article, my initial reaction was: “If there is a chance that taking the vitamins as a preventative action will work and there are no harmful side effects, isn’t it worth it?” The article also stated that the 2001 study concluded that the benefits of the vitamins were enough to make supplements worth considering, but not enough to make them a “can’t-miss” part of treatment. It seems to me that even if this is taken into consideration, taking the supplements is still worth it.
Woolston, Chris. "For Aging Eyes, Vitamins." LA Times 14 May 2007: F1 & F11.
• Macular – an opaque spot on the cornea
• Macular degeneration – degeneration of the central portion of the retina, resulting in a loss of sharp vision
I originally chose this article because as someone with very poor vision who can barely see clearly beyond her arm when she isn’t wearing her contacts, the headline caught my eye. After reading the article, my initial reaction was: “If there is a chance that taking the vitamins as a preventative action will work and there are no harmful side effects, isn’t it worth it?” The article also stated that the 2001 study concluded that the benefits of the vitamins were enough to make supplements worth considering, but not enough to make them a “can’t-miss” part of treatment. It seems to me that even if this is taken into consideration, taking the supplements is still worth it.
Woolston, Chris. "For Aging Eyes, Vitamins." LA Times 14 May 2007: F1 & F11.
Kate, Antidepressants and love
An article in the L.A. Times suggests that antidepressants dull the initial rush of falling in love. This is tied to the widely known side effect of lowered sexual desire. Evolutionary anthropologist Helen Fisher has studied the brains of those who are in the first stages of love and have found that the chemicals of dopamine and serotonin, which control happiness, are blunted by the SSRI inhibitors. SSRI’s also lessen fanatical thinking, an important part of falling in love. However, this theory is not accepted by all. The leading causes for those to stop taking antidepressants are the sexual side effects.
I thought I could use a refresher on the three chemicals that are changed by antidepressants. After reading our class book, dopamine helps balance physical action, disposition, and awareness and serotonin effects mood.
I buy this argument that Fisher is selling. Antidepressants dull lots of emotions, including falling in love. I think this becomes a problem when severely depressed people want to get off of their meds for this reason. However, America is far over medicated and maybe hindrance to falling in love and negative sexual side effects may get people off medication that they mildly depressed people do not need to be on.
It was debated in the article if this finding should be mentioned as possible side effects. Also, these findings have been replicated more in animals than humans and there needs to be further testing with humans.
Brink, Susan . "Are antidepressants taking the edge off love?." Los Angeles Times 12 July, 2007 : F8.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd edition. 396, 305. W.H. Freeman and Company, NY, 2006
I thought I could use a refresher on the three chemicals that are changed by antidepressants. After reading our class book, dopamine helps balance physical action, disposition, and awareness and serotonin effects mood.
I buy this argument that Fisher is selling. Antidepressants dull lots of emotions, including falling in love. I think this becomes a problem when severely depressed people want to get off of their meds for this reason. However, America is far over medicated and maybe hindrance to falling in love and negative sexual side effects may get people off medication that they mildly depressed people do not need to be on.
It was debated in the article if this finding should be mentioned as possible side effects. Also, these findings have been replicated more in animals than humans and there needs to be further testing with humans.
Brink, Susan . "Are antidepressants taking the edge off love?." Los Angeles Times 12 July, 2007 : F8.
Baird, Colin. Chemistry in Your Life, 2nd edition. 396, 305. W.H. Freeman and Company, NY, 2006
Friday, January 11, 2008
Welcome to our Blog space
This site is for the spring 2008 Chem 106 Science and Society class to discuss new concepts and issues in science and express our views. We are in beautiful southern California at the University of Redlands.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)