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
Monday, February 18, 2008
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
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