Thank your for your attention to last week's post and your ideas for "animal for a day" activity. This week I would like you to explore the wonderful world in biology by reading a recent news article concerning biology, make a one or two sentence summary, and then posting a link to a different article you have found.
So the to start us off, here is a link to a recent article in the news. The first person, to respond to this post should read, offer a 1-2 sentence summary, and then post the link to a different article. The next, person should respond to that link and so forth.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/gallery/slowly-evolving-elephant-shark-offers-clues-about-why-some-fishes-have-no-bones/
Be good and do good,
Mr. Clark
The elephant shark is an ancient species of fish which has barely changed since it first evolved and therefore gives a unique insight into the evolutionary past. It has a skeleton made of cartilage, but is missing only one set of genes that would allow it to have a bony skeleton, and it's immune system has only one type of immune helper cell.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.popsci.com/blog-network/our-modern-plagues/do-plants-sleep?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=do-plants-sleep
This article looks into the idea that plants actually sleep. They have a circadian rhythm just like us humans but have been said not to sleep because they lack a central nervous system. One example talked about is how, like us humans, plants have a internal clock and are extremely sensitive to the sun (displaying taxis).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130402182502.htm
Cassie's article focuses on the idea of synthetic biology, essentially, we are at a point where humans are afraid to interfere with the natural world with the use of synthetic biology. In the future, with substantial research, humans will be able to recreate extinct species, produce natural services for humans (agriculture/ aquaculture) and more.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326141648.htm
Sara's article debates the ethical, legal, and social issues of performing whole genome sequencing on newborns. While the current newborn screening has been in place for many years and has helped to save thousands of newborn lives, this new screening could cause more concern and issues in the future. The whole-genome screening could reveal genetic diseases, paternity information, and reproductive risks, and while it may seem helpful, it could also lead to problems with health insurance and much caution throughout the child's entire life.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140326142303.htm
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DeleteMandy's article talks about a gene that was discovered by scientist that predates cancer. This P53, so its called, is a gene that apparently is pivotal to stopping the development of cancerous cells in a tumor. Obvious if this gene could be harnessed properly we would have a cure for cancer (which would be a pretty big deal).
ReplyDeleteI thought this article would be an interesting one to read since we are currently talking about the bodies immune system.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/27/world/africa/guinea-government-bans-bat-soup-to-halt-ebola-outbreak.html?ref=science&_r=0
Very interesting post Hairball! I find this to be quite strange because I find it hard to believe that they choose to eat bat meat over any other meat like chicken or beef although that may just be because that's the American way. Anyways, I would never even think of trying bat meat just because of strangeness and the filthiness they seem to possess. But besides the fact, intriguing article!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/25/us/fish-embryos-exposed-to-oil-from-bp-spill-develop-deformities-a-study-finds.html?ref=science
Interesting post Ryan, it is very concerning to think that even after so many years the BP oil spill is still affecting the ecosystem. To think that we had no idea the way that crude oil can destory the cardiovascular system of fish is amazing in this day and age. Barbra Block hit the nail on the head when she said, "“It’s important that in the 21st century, we’ve only just realized that one of the most common substances on the planet, petroleum, has a cardio-toxic impact on vertebrate hearts." Very powerful article Ryan.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21599754-first-synthetic-chromosome-creature-complex-cells-designed
Wowza Benjamin what an amazing article you've found! Scientists were able to synthetically reconstruct the smallest chromosome in a strain of yeast, a type of fungi. This is the first example of something like this happening in a eukaryotic cell. They had already sequenced this chromosome, so they took out many regions of DNA that coded for harmful proteins or were redundant. This is really a huge stepping stone for genetic engineering of humans, and is likely to raise a lot of controversy with the more "traditionalist" sect of our political scene.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/bone-citrate-goo/
I have to say, Anish, I liked this article and found it interesting to read. It turns out that within the bones, there is a type of viscous, citrate "goo." Its fluidity keeps crystals within the bone from fusing together to maintain flexibility; it allows the bones to bend without breaking under normal pressure. But the older we get, the more the goo can leak, the more prone we are to broken bones as the crystals fuse together and make us brittle.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cannibal-spiders-may-have-poor-impulse-control/
This article is about how female wolf spiders treat male spiders. It has been observed that instead of mating with a male wolf spider, the female tends to eat the spider. A study was done with 80 female wolf spiders. The spiders were given male spiders, and there was a distinct group of female spiders that would eat the males, and another group that would mate with the spiders. This study proved that the female spiders personalities directly correlate as to whether they will eat or mate with a male wolf spider.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article/females-are-genetically-protected-from-autism/
This article is about the genetic differences between males and females with autism. A study revealed that men are more prone to be diagnosed with autism with fewer mutations that are more common in comparison to females, who generally needed lot of rare mutations to receive the disease. Although the obvious explanation is that the mutations occur on the X chromosome, causing males to be more sensitive to the disease, it turns out that most of the discussed mutations occurred on autosomal chromosome.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article/blind-cavefish-could-change-our-understanding-of-evolution/
This article is centered on the protein HSP90, a protein that assists other proteins in keeping their original tertiary and quaternary structure even after slight mutations. Over the past decades, a MIT professor has discovered that under stressful situations, the HSP90 protein becomes distracted its job which causes the proteins to show their mutant variations. This causes greater variations to be chosen for or against in natural selection.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cuckoo-chicks-bring-benefits-to-nests-they-parasitize/
This article describes how cuckoo chicks act as parasites. Once they hatch, they are raised often in the nests of other cuckoos, where they remove any host offspring, or in the nests of crows. Scientists have suggested that this is accepted because the cuckoo chicks provide benefits to the hosts by excreting a substance that repels predators.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/39262/title/Making-New-Spinal-Neurons/
The article that Elizabeth chose is about a team of scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center that have been able to prove the concept (in mice, only) of a new technique for regenerating spinal cord neurons, which are otherwise unable to replicate when a human reaches adulthood. The two-part, at-least-four-week-long method involves injecting the SOX2 reprogramming gene into astrocytes, or supporting cells in the spinal cord, which causes more-or-less five percent of the cells to eventually become neuron-producing neuroblasts. While these findings are particularly exciting because they suggest that an afflicted spinal cord can not only be brought back to normalcy but also made self-sustainable (unlike similar studies, this one focuses on neuron-producers rather than cell-to-neuron transformation), the methods of the technique, and, more importantly, the functionality of the new neurons are still in question.
ReplyDeleteI thought this was really interesting, and I hope whoever comments after me does too:
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-nutrition-one-generation-can-change-genetics-next?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=1&con=how-nutrition-in-one-generation-can-change-the-genetics-of-the-next
This article describes a new epigenetic discovery: environmental changes can affect one's DNA, and can even be passed on to offspring. In Cambodia, the current generation is suffering from a mass onset of Type II diabetes. A huge proportion of the population has the disease, and scientists believe that this is because they were conceived during the Khmer Rough regime: a period of Cambodian starvation. This altered the mother's genes to absorb as much sugar as possible, and this trait, then useful, has now been given to Cambodians who do not live in a period of such need.
ReplyDeleteI found this next article incredibly fascinating...our technology is advancing at an alarming rate.
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/woman-has-her-skull-replaced-3-d-printed-plastic-one?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=2&con=woman-has-her-skull-replaced-with-a-3dprinted-plastic-one
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ReplyDeleteSeeing as Haley has already summarized her article, I will go back and summarize Emma's so that the blogs can continue to build on each other.
ReplyDeleteThe article that Emma posted calls to attention the possibility of using 3D printed plastics and other materials, such as titanium, in "specific surgeries" as "personalized" "bony parts" substitutes. These "replacements" are provided to patients who have undergone serious physical trauma, or are suffering from rare diseases that cause similar issues. One such woman was suffering from a rare bone disease that caused her "skull to increase in thickness, giving her severe headaches and affecting her eyesight." She received a 3D printed plastic skull after the surgery that removed "much of the top of her skull."
This article reminds me of one of the question on our midterm... http://www.popsci.com/article/science/have-wolves-really-saved-yellowstone?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=8&con=has-the-reintroduction-of-wolves-really-saved-yellowstone
Matt's article talks about how scientists and the public in general have this idea that when wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone the ecosystem was restored. This is not the case. The environment is so much more complex than simply whether or not wolves are present. The elk population is not the only one that changed as a result of the wolf extermination. WHile I think it's good that people at least know the basics of this issue it's important that people do not over simplify a problem that is still going on.
ReplyDeleteI found this article about global warming and how it means a lot more than just rising temperatures- weather patterns are changing dangerously.
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/scientists-warming-climate-puts-people-risk?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=4&con=scientists-warming-climate-puts-people-at-risk
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ReplyDeleteKasey's article talks about the on going issue of global warming. Many people around the world tend to push it off as something that isn't affecting us or won't affect us for a long time. However, the reality is that it is changing our planet right now. The article brings up how oceans are getting warmer as well as rising around the world, causing dramatic effects on marine ecosystems. One quote the article used that I liked was "The polar bear is us," stating that we are being hurt as much as they are, but only we can try to do something about it.
ReplyDeleteThis article/video is about how global warming is leading to higher sea levels as well as how places are planning to adapt:
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/south-florida-adapting-infrastructure-rising-sea-levels?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=6&con=south-florida-adapting-infrastructure-to-rising-sea-levels
Danielle's article is about how the sea levels are rising in Southern Florida, which would wipe out towns such as Miami Beach. To prepare for this. Miami Beach is strengthening its sewer systems and water management systems, which is causing the city a lot of money. One cause of the rising water level is ice bergs are melting because of global warming.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.popsci.com/article/dolphin-squeak-english-translator-works-real-time?dom=PSC&loc=poprail&lnk=6&con=dolphinsqueaktoenglish-translator-works-in-real-time
Mandy's article is about how researchers have managed to translate dolphin's "language" using technology that can detect and send out dolphin clicks! So far they've identified the "word" for seaweed, and are currently trying to teach dolphins new clicks and whistles, and are gathering more information on how dolphins talk to each other.
ReplyDeleteI found another neat article, it's about how new species are still being discovered, even after we thought we knew what they were before. http://www.popsci.com/article/science/how-one-little-yellow-shouldered-bat-became-seven-different-species?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=1&con=how-one-little-yellowshouldered-bat-became-seven-different-species-
Mandy's article is about how a new device is able to translate dolphins high pitched whistles into English! This is astonishing because the first word that it said was a type of seaweed. It explains how the device was able to listen to the whistles from underwater. I am skeptical yet intrigued of this because it is mind boggling how the dolphins are able to understand English. At the end of the article it states that further research will investigate their natural language, which should be interesting!
ReplyDeletehere is my article:
http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21599754-first-synthetic-chromosome-creature-complex-cells-designed
This elephant shark article was very interesting. Although we can still analyze the DNA of extinct species, we we study live ones, we can observe their behavior and exactly how their body structures help them function. I had thought that we knew about many species of fish with similar body structures, so it surprised me to find that the elephant shark was the only one still alive today. The immune system of the shark was especially interesting. Is it similar to other creatures not in the vertebrae phylum? If so, the elephant shark could teach us about much more than the evolution of bones
ReplyDeleteHaley's article was about how scientists have created a totally man-made yeast chromosome. One of the things that makes this so interesting is that this cell is more closely related to eukaryotic human cells, and in the past only prokaryotic bacterial cells have been able to be created in a lab. The team tinkered with this chromosome's complex model on computers first, then modified some of its abilties to make unnatural proteins.
ReplyDeleteMy article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403132333.htm
Haley's article is about a group of colleagues at John Hopkins University that have created the first synthetics chromosome. They chromosome they made was that of yeast. This could potentially be helpful in food industries as it can facilitate the creation of yeast. I'm interested to see if in the future other substances are researched and the creation of chromosomes for these things occur!
ReplyDeleteHere is my article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403132333.htm
Haley's article discusses the creation of a new chromosome that is similar to one of yeast. The scientists working on this project have found a way to modify the chromosome without disabling it. The article concludes by saying designer plants, animals, and possibly humans could be possible in the near future which I found very interesting. It is amazing what scientists are discovering and I never thought a "designer human" could be possible.
ReplyDeleteMy article:
http://www.popsci.com/article/science/woman-has-her-skull-replaced-3-d-printed-plastic-one?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=6&con=woman-has-her-skull-replaced-with-a-3dprinted-plastic-one
Hannah's article is about how researchers have been able to identify facial asymmetry in cave fish. The study narrows in on the juxtaposition of the Astyanax mexicanus, which has now eyes and many peculiar characteristics, and its near surface dwelling relatives. They believe that there findings on a natural trait they have may unravel mysteries in asymmetries in humans.
ReplyDeleteI chose to do a short video instead of an article I hope that's alright. Here is the link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/685229.htm
Alec Grant's link was about a Myanmar snub-nosed monkeys species discovered in 2010. An estimated 300 exist live in a remote mountain area between northern Myanmar border with China. Their habitat is threatened by deforestation due to illegal Chinese logging and Chinese demand for monkey bones. Environmentalists hope the end of an insurgency and establishment of a national park can save the monkeys.
ReplyDeleteMy link is Blue-eyed Humans Have A Single, Common Ancestor
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130170343.htm
Alec's video was about a species of monkey in Myanmar who was recently thought to be extinct; scientists have discovered a housing population of them in a mountainous region. However, they are still considered endangered, and their biggest problem is illegal Chinese loggers with deforestation. Additionally, there is apparently a high demand for monkey bones...It is upsetting.
ReplyDeleteJust going from Alec's video, I chose one that looked interesting as well. Here's the link:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/603918.htm
Kashka's video is about Japanese scientists who have developed a method of freezing the sperm of certain animals such as the giraffe. They are doing this so that if that species of animal ever becomes extinct they can bring it back to life, or if they ever want to bring a species onto another planet, they will be able to by this method.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403132333.htm
Reagan's article is about researchers who are studying the facial features of a fish called the Astyanax mexicanus. The researchers have found a genetic association with facial asymmetry in this eyeless fish that might help to solve human facial conditions such as cleft palate or hemifacial microsomia. The researchers are studying the genes on both sides of the fish's face to try to understand why such conditions may occur in humans.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403132212.htm
Tori's article is about the use of stem cells to test clinical trials and medication without risking anything to the patient or being limited to one treatment at the time. The article is centered around ALS, which is often the result of a large number of mutations as opposed to a single mutation. As a result, treatments for ALS are very difficult to develop as each case is different and responds differently to different sets of medication. This, coupled with the often lethal and dangerous nature of ALS makes finding subjects and testing ALS treatments a difficult and slow process. By using stem cell lines, scientist have been able to test multiple treatments and combinations of treatments at once, greatly increasing their rate of scientific discovery without posing any risk to patients. This type of testing is still not very wide spread at all, but it holds great potential for the future of clinical testing.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.biologynews.net/archives/2014/04/03/nanoparticles_cause_cancer_cells_to_selfdestruct.html
Michael's article is about a new process to eliminate cancer using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles cause the cancer cells to self destruct and leave healthy cells unharmed. This is a giant leap for cancer research and may lead to a more effective way to treat cancer. http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2014/04/03/tumor_suppressor_gene_tp53_mutated_in_90_percent_of_most_common_childhood_bone_tumor.html
ReplyDeleteMichael's article about self destructing cancer cells was very interesting and potentially revolutionary in the way we view cure cancer. By implementing this method, which would have less negative effects than chemotherapy, cancer could be almost obsolete.
ReplyDeleteHere's my article:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140403132333.htm
Kyle’s article is about a recent find that may help explain the causes of facial asymmetries in humans. Researchers have discovered a genetic association with facial asymmetry in a cavefish. This naturally occurring trait could shed some light on how genes behave differently on different sides of a face. This research could explain how conditions like cleft palate and other alterations are present in varying degrees on different sides of the face.
ReplyDeleteHere is my article:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/02/298332344/map-of-the-developing-human-brain-shows-where-problems-begin
Courtney's article is about a discovery in the field of autism research that has made a huge step towards understanding the complexity of the human brain and how autism affects it. Using this "brain map" researchers can look into the genes that are turned on and off in certain portions of the brain that are affected by autism to hopefully become one step closer to treating autism.
ReplyDeleteHere is my article:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2011/09/26/140753048/kids-sugar-cravings-might-be-biological
Savannah's article discusses the different "sensory worlds" children live in compared to adults and how something that seems overly sweet to an adult can seem to be a delicious treat to a child. The article goes on to explain that this sweet tooth in children is hardwired from day one. Although the reasoning for this sensory phenomenon is still unclear, scientists believe the closest reasoning to be linked to hormones that are released from bone structures during growth, which obviously is most prominent in children.
ReplyDeleteMy article...
http://phys.org/news/2014-04-fish-aid.html