Author Archives: Rachel Wynn Evans

Space Veggies

When space exploration kicked off in the 1960s, food quality for the astronauts was not at all top notch. They were limited to only tubed foods and pastes, for the food would spoil otherwise, and supplies would run out. Things got a little better by the Gemini missions of 1965, for the menu had expanded to nicer items, such as: “shrimp cocktail, chicken and vegetables, and butterscotch pudding.” Even though that doesn’t sound so bad, one must take into consideration the preparation of those foods. Again, to prevent spoiling, the food had to be dehydrated for the journey, then rehydrated upon consumption with a small nozzle in the packaging that would release a certain liquid.

However, after many years of being forced to eat less-than-satisfactory meals, astronauts finally get to enjoy something a little more fresh. For the first time in history, the International Space Station has produced fresh food, grown on the vessel itself.

The first successfully grown piece of vegetation is a crop of lettuce (seen below.) The lettuce, now known as Veg-01, was a result of Nasa’s plant experimentatioScreen Shot 2015-12-04 at 3.03.48 AMn system in May 2014.

How they made this work was through a “collapsible and expandable unit” that housed the plant under red, blue, and green LED lights. According to Dr. Massa, and agricultural expert working with NASA, the red and blue lights provide the energy needed for the food growth, and the green lights were so the researchers could analyze and observe the plants most efficiently.

Half of the lettuce was tested and eaten by the astronauts, and the other half was setback to America for a more in-depth study on its nutrition. Since those who consumed it responded so positively about the taste and freshness, similar projects are expected to be continued in the future. In fact, NASA haScreen Shot 2015-12-04 at 3.16.18 AMs already come up with concepts involving vegetation growth on Mars.

Not only would this continued method of food production be extremely beneficial in providing fresh and nutritious meals to astronauts on long voyages, it also presents a promising concept of future food growth. Pictured above, Nasa hopes to install small vessels of vegetation growth to test the ability of food to grow in those environments. According to Dr. Massa, numerous experiments are planned to test “crop yield, nutrition, and favor” in these installations. I think this is a great technological advancement that will excel our understanding of food growth in space as well as efficient, sustainable meals for astronaut transportation.

Consciousness after decapitation?

We’ve all seen the countless horror movie scenes of headless bodies running around and lone blinking heads, but how much of it is actually scientifically accurate? And thinking beyond physical capabilities, would one still remain conscious post-decapitation? First, let’s define the conscious experience. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines consciousness as the “normal state of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you.”

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 12.20.31 AMAccording to molecular biologist Francis Crick (pictured to the left) in his novel, The Astonishing Hypothesis, consciousness is simply the result of “electrical activity in our brains.” This activity comes from neurotransmitters, which basically send signals to the brain from a plethora of neural networks. When living things experience physical or mental stimulation, these networks alert the brain, and we are able to understand sensations from our surroundings. Therefore, as long as electrical activity coming from these neurotransmitters are functioning in the brain, one could assume that the entity is experiencing consciousness. This activity can be observed through advanced technology, such as the electroencephalography (EEG) which looks at the brain waves.

Since decapitation is a frequently used procedure in putting down lab rats it is the perfect platform for testing said electrical activity, as well as the morality of the method. In 2011, a research group from Radboud University in the Netherlands performed an experiment in which they connected a sample of lab rats’ brains to EEG machines. After measuring each of their electrical activities, the researchers proceeded to decapitate the rats and measure the following changes in activity. The study found that the rats were in a state of cognition for about 4 seconds after their heads were removed, displayed by their brain activity being “between the 13 and 100-Hertz frequency band.” The Cleveland Clinic defines this state as the ability to mentally process things, meaning that the rats were able to think for a short period of time following their euthanization.

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 2.05.11 AMDespite this conclusion, scientists are still unable to discern whether or not the effect is the same in humans. However, it is very unlikely that we will every truly know, for human decapitation is not morally sound; therefore, further scientific research on the topic will be hard to continue. There are a few cases of past beheadings in which the moments following the procedure were recorded, particularly after undergoing the guillotine. The first case of a respondent severed head was in Francein 1793 where Emily Corday’s facial expression changed numerous times in the few seconds after it had been chopped off. Since the guillotine provides a clean sever, the brain undergoes no trauma, and will continue to retrieve signals until blood loss kills the entity. In 1905, Dr. Beaurieux conducted a study upon the execution of convict Henri Languille, where he recorded Languille’s activity for 30 seconds following the beheading. He noted that the severed head was able to open his eyes and focus them on the doctor when Beaurieux said his name. Even though further research on the topic in relation to humans is limited, scientists can gather research from prior cases of human decapitation and animal testing.

Enzyme that doubles lifespan?

Despite ancient legends and mythological stories, it is understood that, in reality, nobody can live forever. The mechanisms we are born with us that allow us to grow and develop eventually wear down and become less and less functional, and the body shuts down and stops working. But what if there was a way to prevent this? A group of Korean researchers are working on ways to prolong human longevity, an idea they got from looking at a peculiar case with roundworms. These scientists modified one of the roundworm’s enzymes and successfully doubled their lifespans, a procedure that may work on humans in the future.

Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.40.23 PMAlthough it is only one millimeter long, the roundworm being studied (Caenorhabditis elegans) has many biological parallels to humans. One of the similar processes involve a group of enzymes called the RNA helicase. The function of RNA helicase is to regulate RNA, which caries signals from the DNA to control the entities’ cells. The reason scientists are taking a closer look at this enzyme is because, since it regulates cells and their functions, it may correlate with the aging process.

The experiment involved the suppression of HEL-1, a part of the helicase, in addition to the suppression of a gene known as daf-2. The mutated worms were then compared to wild roundworms, and the study concluded that the mutated worms were more immune against “environmental stresses of heat, cold, and pathogenic bacteria,” and even their lifespans “[doubled] that of the wild roundworms.”

There are many more follow up studies that must be done on this project, for scientists are still trying to figure out how to apply this phenomenon to human lives. One idea as to why this RNA helicase mutation is so efficient in roundworms is that the alteration allows to cells to be controlled in such a way that the entity does not wear down as quickly and so it’s longevity is elongated. Although the results were a big step for the possibly of longevity for humans, we are still “millions of years of evolution” away from roundworms. However, if studies are continued, progress in the direction of immorality may be possible.

WEREWOLF MICE

Okay, not actually, but still pretty close. The southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys torridus) roams the Sonoran desert looking for unsuspecting prey. Unlike many other variations of mice, this one is peculiarly carnivorous. It will go after crickets, tarantulas, and even other rodents. They are born to be aggressive killers from the day they are born, for the parents will raise the pups in captivity so that they can learn how to go after much larger prey.

Additionally, since they are raised with their two parents, they take on their father’s aggression and learn to bully other rodents, as opposed to species who are only raised by their mothers. These behaviors continue through their adulthood, for they are able to bully their ways into house and home. The mice will not make their own burrows but rather take over other nests, and will even remove the prior residents by force.

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It is sometimes referred to the Werewolf mouse for it’s murderous tendencies and the fact that is throws back its head to howl at the moon. The howl is more like a high pitched screech that echoes through the desert right before the mouse completes a hunt. Moreover, there are still many more strange characteristics of the specimen. If the mouse cannot find anything to eat for extended periods of time, it will often result to eating members of its own species, or even family. In addition to its cannibalistic tendencies, the grasshopper mouse will also keep various flea species from their victims as a type of trophy from the hunt.

Despite being a tiny, trouble-causing savage, there are scientific benefits involved with their hunting mechanisms. For example, the rodent has a “unique biology” that allows them to be resistant to venom, particularly that of the Arizona bark scorpion. Researchers are looking into these mechanisms in the hopes that could one day be used to “treat human pain disorders.” The Arizona bark scorpion is one of the most poisonous scorpions in the world, causing heart and breathing issues, as well as intensive muscle contractions and searing pain. However, the grasshopper mouse will get stung numerous times by the scorpion and continue to eat it without showing any signs of pain or struggle.

Ashlee Rowe of Sam Houston State University conducted an experiment to find out why it is so pain intolerant. Scientist injected the venom into the back paws of the grasshopper mouse, and into the back paws of ordinary house mice. The house mice were much more respondent to the venom, licking their paws for long periods of time in attempts to sooth the pain. However, the grasshopper mice licked their paws only a few times before returning back to normal. The scientists found that this was because the grasshopper mice have a genetic alteration in which a “protein in the cell membrane called Nav.17 that fires pain signals,” changes to Nav1.8, resulting in the signals to have mutations that block them from going to the brain. This means that when the grasshopper mouse is attacked, the pain signal doesn’t reach the brain and the discomfort from the venom doesn’t register. According to Rowe, this alteration in humans results in a disease called erythromelalgia, which causes burning sensations in the hands and feet. Scientists are working on using the pain-blocking mutation in these mice to alter the mutations in humans. If the continued experiments develop further, these alterations would be very helpful in the creation of painkillers.

The SeaOrbiter

Yes, it is exactly as cool as it sounds. French architect Jaques Rougerie designed a 200 foot high-tech buoy machine to intensify sea research and allow for much more in depth exploration. His vision began in 1973 when he dreamt of a underwater village where men could see the ocean in a new light. He built the first underwater house, called Galathee, in 1977 in which the sea could be explored between 9 and 60 meters. The project continued into the next year with the release of Aquabelle, a submerged shelter that was able to reach even further down. Now, thanks to the building up of funds and the progression of technology, The SeaOrbiter (which is much more advanced than its prior models) is becoming more and more of a reality.

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 4.19.08 PMThe entire machine, pictured to the left, is 2600 tons of Sealium, which is a recyclable and eco-friendly aluminum specifically designed for marine use. 58 meters in entirely, 27 of which above the waterline, there are 4 levels on top and 6 submerged.

There are also many different levels of functionality throughout the vessel. Firstly it would act as a “mobile underwater home,” that could house a team of 18-22 scientists who would be able for research during 24/7 underwater surveillance and a plethora of missions. This would be irrevocably helpful to scientists because they would be to live among the marine life never before. Secondly, the vessel would also act like a space simulator, for the pressurized environment would accommodate astronauts and prepare them for galactic exploration. Finally, the SeaOrbiter would be one of the largest scientistic breakthroughs of the century. For the first time, scientists would have access to “uninterrupted observation and analysis,” as well as a deeper understanding of the ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Its vertical structure allows for many benefits in relation to vast exploration. There is a lookout post at 18.5m above sea level in which scientists could observe seabirds and other surface life from afar. The crew on board would be able to explore the first 100m beneath sea level, but not much further down due to the water pressure. Divers would be able to place micro-tags on nearby wildlife for extensive information as they explore the ecosystem, which would be widely beneficial to migratory animal research.However, in instances where humans can’t get further down, they can deploy devices to complete better subsea exploration. Equipped with cameras and other tools of measurements, these drones would be ale to descend about 600 meters into the abyss, allowing a wide variety of species to be observed, or maybe even discovered.

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 5.11.38 PMIf the primary vessel is successful, then there are plans in place to increase the fleet and deploy the machines around the globe. This would be vastly helpful to communities and areas that have not been explored. In addition to further research and scientific advancement, there are hopes that this project would result in a more “developed and harmonious relationship with the world’s oceans.” Only the eye, the first part, of the vessel has been constructed, but as funding increases and building continues, the SeaOrbiter could become a reality within the next decade or so.

 

The Aquaman Crystal

Have you ever wanted to be just like a mermaid? Or be able to breathe underwater in general because, hey, that’s so cool. Well, look no further, because scientists are developing an oxygen-storing crystal that could be used to breathe underwater in the near future. A team of scientists at the University of Denmark are working on a certain crystalline material known as {(bpbp)Co2II(NO3)}2(NH2bdc)](NO3)2 * 2H2O) that has the ability to store oxygen 160 times more efficiently than air.

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According to professor Christine McKenzie, it only takes a few grains to supply enough oxygen for one breath. In the case of divers, the material would also be able to gather oxygen from the surrounding water to give the diver, allowing him or her to only need a few grains along. The material is so strong that it would only take about ten liters to entirely suck the oxygen out of a room.

Screen Shot 2015-12-02 at 1.36.10 AMThe way this works is very similar to the way hemoglobin functions in the blood stream. While hemoglobin uses iron, the crystal uses cobalt, and similarly in both processes, oxygen is picked up and carried to where it needs to go, and pressure is applied. The metal in both cases helps to trap oxygen gas so that it can be bound, stored, and transported. Therefore, there is a molecular and electronic structure in place that allows the materials to absorb oxygen from nearby sources. The parallels in function give hope that the crystals will become a highly effective material in relation to human benefits.

There are many positive cases that would come along with a successful development of the “aqua man crystal,” such as: help in the creation of artificial photosynthesis and new types of fuel cells. It would also be very efficient in the diving industry, allowing researches to explore under the sea in much more depth and detail. Additionally, the material would be very helpful in terms of medical necessities, for it would allow people who need oxygen to have less of a burden from carrying around tanks.

Although the developments look promising, there are some factors that scientists must take into consideration. In the case of divers, pressure changes may become an issue once the crystals are submerged deeper and deeper underwater, for much of its structure is dependent on pressure. Another implication is that humans don’t breathe pure oxygen in from the air. We are recurrently breathing oxygen as well as other natural gases, so scientists would have to perform tests on the outcome of inhaling straight oxygen before the material can be declared safe to use.

Can you catch vampirism?

The myth of the vampire has been put in the spotlight ever since Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Draculaand continues to be shown through the current day Hollywood movies, such as the Twilight series and many other corresponding TV shows. Although the creatures are highly romanticized in todays society…Screen Shot 2015-09-17 at 6.07.38 PM

they were often known for being terrifying monsters way back (as early as the 14th century)Screen Shot 2015-09-17 at 6.08.45 PM

But where did the myths starts? It turns out that there were a number of diseases dating way back that could’ve been the explanation for vampirish qualities and behaviors.

One of the more common conditions may have been Anemia (which is derived from the greek word meaning “bloodlessness.”) Anemia can be caused by severe blood loss, contracted through disease, or it may be hereditary. The condition occurs when the red blood cell count in the body is low, commonly caused by a low oxygen supply. Someone affected may have a pale complexion, fatigue, fainting tendencies, shortness of breath, and digestive disorders. Back before sufficient medical examination, it may have led people to believe that the anemic person had suffered from a vampire attack, in which their blood was sucked out from the “monster.” Additionally, it may have led to the suspicion that this person was going through a vampire transition, shown through their paleness and inability to successfully eat and digest food.

Another possible disorder that may be to blame for the myths is Catalepsy, which is a condition that alters the nervous system to suspend human animation. Symptoms include muscle tightness, temporary paralysis, and extreme temperature sensitivity so someone afflicted may be able to see and hear, but not be able to move. Therefore, it seemed as if they were dead, which caused much confusion once the condition wore off. From this, stories spread about corpses rising from the dead.

Although these were both possible reasons for the myths, the most prominent may have been the disease known as Porphyria, a hereditary blood disease, which doctors gave the name “Vampire’s Disease.” Porphyria, meaning purple in greek, is named after its discoloration of the urine, making it a dark indigo color. This is because someone afflicted with porphyria cannot create heme, which is one of the most prominent components of the red hue in blood. Modern day treatment of Porphyria includes the injection of heme into the bloodstream, but this was not discovered in science until the mid 1900s. Centuries ago it was believed that the patient was urinating blood, and that treatment required the drinking of other’s blood to replenish their own blood levels. Additional symptoms to this disease include extreme sensitivity to light (explains the myths about vampires roaming in the darkness and burning in the sunlight) and the tightening of skin around lips and gums. This would cause the incisors to become more noticeable and prominent, hinting at the appearance of fangs.  Screen Shot 2015-09-17 at 9.08.37 PM

Stories about those afflicted and their symptoms evolved to become myths which spread throughout the world and inspired many pieces of literature, art, and film. Most of these conditions are heredity, so it is unlikely that one would be able to have such a disorder. Moreover, the progression of technology has allowed for sufficient treatment of them all; therefore, it is very unlikely to catch a seemingly vampirish disease.

Could we make a real Jurassic Park?

I recently went to the theatre to go see “Jurassic World” and I found myself asking the question: could this all be possible? In the original 1993 film “Jurassic Park” directed by Steven Spielberg, the scientists took the dinosaur blood from mosquitoes frozen in amber to get the dinosaur DNA, and then they filled in the missing parts of the sequence with frog DNA. Once they completed the strands, they grew the synthetic embryos in ostrich eggs where they hatched to be dinosaurs.

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Watch the clip for the movie here

They were all supposed to be female, except a gene from the frogs allowed for some spontaneous sex changes. This resulted in the dinosaurs being able to produce in the park and grow as a species on their own. As it turns out, the entire construction of dino DNA is near impossible. Since dinosaurs went extinct about 66 million years ago, most of the sample DNA has been degraded. Even if they had been preserved at colder temperatures, the bonds would have broken down after about 6.8 million years.

Much of this has to do with the half life of DNA, which is about 521 years. After that allotted amount of time, the bonds holding the DNA together will break apart. Say they actually figured out how to construct a dinosaur genome, the DNA would need to be transferred into chromosomes and implanted into an “egg and cytoplasm of a closely related species.”

Jack Horner, an American paleontologist, wrote a novel called How to Build a Dinosaur: Extinction Doesn’t Have to Be Forever. In his book he proposed that we genetically alter chicken embryos to have dino-like features upon their hatching. Since modern day birds supposedly evolved from dinosaurs, some initial traits are bound to still lie within them (whether or not they are expressed.)

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Even if it were possible to bring dinosaurs back, would it really be a great idea? The food chain would be altered and smaller predators would have to face competition in order to survive. Plus it would endanger the human race, haven’t you all see the movies? Although it would be super cool to have our own prehistoric park, maybe it’s best to let the past stay in the past.

Why am I seeing the Sprouse twins everywhere I look?

Upon moving into our dorm in Sproul Hall, my pun loving roommate and I hung up a picture of Dylan and Cole Sprouse as an homage to the close proximity of the names. However, ever since we did that, we are seeing the twins all over the place: in articles, on the internet, and even around campus. I thought I was going crazy, but I came upon an important question to ask. Am I really seeing them more, or am I just noticing them more?

SprouseTwins

 

It turns out that what I’m experiencing is referred to as the frequency illusion, or the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. The phenomenon is when you notice, experience, or learn about something and it begins to come up in a number of different places. The phrase was coined in 1994 by The St. Paul Minnesota Pioneer Press when a commentator working there heard the name of the left-wing German terrorist group twice in 24 hours. In 2009, Stanford Professor Arnold Zwicky refined the phenomenon to become the Frequency Illusion.

There are two psychological processes that take place when someone gets swept up in the illusion: selective attention and confirmation bias. Selective attention occurs when you hear a term and your brain subconsciously keeps an eye out for it. Therefore, when you come across something you’ve seen or heard recently, you are prone to notice it more than you would have before. Once you begin to see more reoccurrence, the confirmation bias begins to kick in. The confirmation bias is a type of skeptical thinking in which one tends to favor information that supports their pre-existing hypotheses and opinions.

ConBias

Once your selective attention triggers, the confirmation bias leads you to believe that you have seen the corresponding term more often than usual, when in reality it’s just supporting your original hypothesis and belief that it is in fact “everywhere” you look. It turns out that I am not actually seeing the Sprouse twins more than usual, my selective attention is just noticing every mention and appearance of them, and my confirmation bias is leading me to think that it is more than a coincidence.

ιnιтιal вlog poѕт

Hello everyone!

My name is Rachel Evans, and I am from Roanoke, Virginia…technically. I spent 6 years in LA, 6 in Boston, and then 6 in Virginia. It hasn’t been much of problem though considering I love to travel and experience new things all of the time! I went to France twice with my school, and I absolutely adored it. Pictured below is my friend in the Palace of Versailles being photobombed by the most photogenic french man to ever exist. Yes, it was candid. Impressive, oui? Versailles We also went to the Louvre, which is a beautiful museum in Paris, and that was super amazing. I love art and making art, so seeing so much of it in one place was so incredible to me.

Anyway, my reason for taking this course is actually a bit strange. In high school, I was always scorned for being skeptical of everything that my teachers presented to me. I was always raising new questions, and constantly questioning the “facts” in the book. When I heard that there was a class that could cultivate my skepticism in science, I was all for it. I am so excited to finally be surrounded by people who are open minded and excited to question things. The reason that I’m not a science major is simple, my true passion lies in music. Not making or scoring, but soundtracking. I absolutely love music, and I have about 200 playlists on Spotify. I listen to anything and everything, so it’s obvious as to why a career involving this sounds so exciting to me! (PS, this is one of the best albums of all time. Trust me.) Despite my goals and aspirations within this field, I still find myself incredulously interested in conceptual science and unanswered questions. There are some days when I even question my decision to not be in a science related field (If you couldn’t already tell, decisiveness is not one of my virtues) but I figure that I can dabble in research on my own time.

So yeah, if you see me say hey, and I can’t wait for this semester!