Wednesday, September 30, 2009
State of my Research Project
At this point in time I believe that I have decided to do my project on battery research. Secondary batteries are growing in intrest becase they are one of many paths that could lead towards energy independence. The problem with these batteries is that the life span is not very good. After the battery has charged and discharged a number of times, the battery life keeps gettting shorter and shorter. A part of battery research is finding out about new materials that will prolong the life of the battery. One way to approach the problem is to have theoretical chemists do calculations on what compositions would work when trying to build a battery. Once the calculations are completed, the information is given to a materials scientist who will try to build the compound and test the batteries by charging and then discharging the battery, also called cycling. The data that is collected can be put into a graph where the battery preformance can be viewed.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Article Summary 15: Light, Photosynthesis Help Bacteria Invade Fresh Produce
Light, Photosynthesis Help Bacteria Invade Fresh Produce. Science Daily [Internet]. 2009 Sept 29 [cited 2009 Sept 29]. Available from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928172524.htm
Research shows that a bacteria called Salmonella enterica, a common cause of food poisoning, is showing up more and more on fresh produce like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. Studies also show that this bacteria does not just stick to the surface of the produce. Rather, it burrows itself deep into lettuce leaves through plant pores called stomata. By hiding here, the bacteria will not be able to wash away with water.
In a study published this week, researchers in Israel and Tel-Aviv studied the role of light and photosynthesis on the ability of salmonella to infiltrate lettuce leaves through the stomata pores. In order to examine this, they exposed lettuce leaves to bacteria in the dark, in the light, and in the dark after being exposed to light for 30 minutes. Incubation in the light, or in the dark after exposure to the light resulted in masses of bacteria near the stomata and inner leaf tissue. On the contrary, the bacteria was scattered across the surface of the leaf when the lettuce was exposed to bacteria in the dark (where no photosynthesis took place, and the stomata stayed closed).
Now that we know how bacteria enters lettuce, it could have implications on how we need to handle and store fresh produce during harvest, in transit, or while on store shelves. Additionally, we may need to develop new types of sanitizers that will work more effectively.
Research shows that a bacteria called Salmonella enterica, a common cause of food poisoning, is showing up more and more on fresh produce like lettuce, tomatoes, and peppers. Studies also show that this bacteria does not just stick to the surface of the produce. Rather, it burrows itself deep into lettuce leaves through plant pores called stomata. By hiding here, the bacteria will not be able to wash away with water.
In a study published this week, researchers in Israel and Tel-Aviv studied the role of light and photosynthesis on the ability of salmonella to infiltrate lettuce leaves through the stomata pores. In order to examine this, they exposed lettuce leaves to bacteria in the dark, in the light, and in the dark after being exposed to light for 30 minutes. Incubation in the light, or in the dark after exposure to the light resulted in masses of bacteria near the stomata and inner leaf tissue. On the contrary, the bacteria was scattered across the surface of the leaf when the lettuce was exposed to bacteria in the dark (where no photosynthesis took place, and the stomata stayed closed).
Now that we know how bacteria enters lettuce, it could have implications on how we need to handle and store fresh produce during harvest, in transit, or while on store shelves. Additionally, we may need to develop new types of sanitizers that will work more effectively.
Article Summary 14: Hyenas Cooperate, Problem-solve Better Than Primate
Hyenas Cooperate, Problem-solve Better Than Primates. Science Daily [Internet]. 2009 Sept 16 [cited 2009 Sept 29]. Available from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131032.htm
Conventional wisdom tells us that primates with large brains like monkeys are smarter than animals with small brains like dogs or hyenas. Yet new research shows that hyenas actually outperform chimpanzees on cooperative problem-solving tests.
Pairs of spotted hyenas were given a task that required them to work together to tug two ropes in unison in order to release food. Time and again, hyenas with no prior training were able to learn the maneuver. Additionally, hyenas who had seen the task before even taught partners with no prior experience. In contrast, chimpanzees given a similar task required extensive training, and cooperation between individuals was difficult.
The research also showed that social factors affected how quickly hyena pairs were able to accomplish the task: when other hyenas were present, experienced animals solved the task faster; when dominant hyenas were paired together, teamwork was more difficult even if the two had been successful in pervious trials with subordinate partners.
This research does not mean that hyenas are necessarily smarter than primates. It does indicate that carnivores that hunt in packs have good cooperative problem solving skills, and studying them may give us a better understanding of how social intelligence has evolved and will continue to evolve.
Conventional wisdom tells us that primates with large brains like monkeys are smarter than animals with small brains like dogs or hyenas. Yet new research shows that hyenas actually outperform chimpanzees on cooperative problem-solving tests.
Pairs of spotted hyenas were given a task that required them to work together to tug two ropes in unison in order to release food. Time and again, hyenas with no prior training were able to learn the maneuver. Additionally, hyenas who had seen the task before even taught partners with no prior experience. In contrast, chimpanzees given a similar task required extensive training, and cooperation between individuals was difficult.
The research also showed that social factors affected how quickly hyena pairs were able to accomplish the task: when other hyenas were present, experienced animals solved the task faster; when dominant hyenas were paired together, teamwork was more difficult even if the two had been successful in pervious trials with subordinate partners.
This research does not mean that hyenas are necessarily smarter than primates. It does indicate that carnivores that hunt in packs have good cooperative problem solving skills, and studying them may give us a better understanding of how social intelligence has evolved and will continue to evolve.
Article Summary 13: Natural Compound In Extra-virgin Olive Oil -- Oleocanthal -- May Help Prevent, Treat Alzheimer's
Natural Compound In Extra-virgin Olive Oil -- Oleocanthal -- May Help Prevent, Treat Alzheimer's. Science Daily [Internet]. 2009 Sept 29 [cited 2009 Sept 29]. Available from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133123.htm
In 1998, a team of scientists at Northwestern University discovered that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by highly toxic proteins called ADDLs. When these neurotoxic proteins bind within neural synapses – the pathways that allow messages to flow between nerve cells in the brain – their interactions disrupt nerve cell function and lead to memory loss and cell death.
However, new research by this same team shows that a compound that can be readily found in an everyday food product may help prevent or treat this terrible disease. This compound is called oleocanthal, and is naturally found in extra virgin olive oil. The team has discovered that oleocanthal can actually alter the structure of neurotoxic proteins like ADDLs. Altering the structures of these proteins makes them unable to interact within the brain’s neural synapses.
This is not the fist time olive oil has made its debut into health studies, though. In fact, scientists have proven that olive oil contains an anti-inflammatory property similar to that of ibuprophen.
In the future, research related to oleocanthal may identify ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, or develop more effective ways to treat it. Scientists must first identify the specific ways in which oleocanthal changes the structure of ADDLs, though.
In 1998, a team of scientists at Northwestern University discovered that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by highly toxic proteins called ADDLs. When these neurotoxic proteins bind within neural synapses – the pathways that allow messages to flow between nerve cells in the brain – their interactions disrupt nerve cell function and lead to memory loss and cell death.
However, new research by this same team shows that a compound that can be readily found in an everyday food product may help prevent or treat this terrible disease. This compound is called oleocanthal, and is naturally found in extra virgin olive oil. The team has discovered that oleocanthal can actually alter the structure of neurotoxic proteins like ADDLs. Altering the structures of these proteins makes them unable to interact within the brain’s neural synapses.
This is not the fist time olive oil has made its debut into health studies, though. In fact, scientists have proven that olive oil contains an anti-inflammatory property similar to that of ibuprophen.
In the future, research related to oleocanthal may identify ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, or develop more effective ways to treat it. Scientists must first identify the specific ways in which oleocanthal changes the structure of ADDLs, though.
Article Summary 12: AIDS vaccine protects people, shocks researchers
AIDS vaccine protects people, shocks researchers. Science Daily [Internet]. 2009 Sept 24 [cited 2009 Sept 27]. Available from: http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre58n1ax-us-aids-vaccine/
For the first time in history, an AIDS vaccine has proven to be somewhat effective. A clinical trial sponsored by the US government and conducted in Thailand proves to have reduced the rate of infection by 31.2 percent among 16,402 volunteers over 3 years.
The vaccine used in this study was created from a combination of two failed products: Sanofi-Pasteur's ALVAC canary pox/HIV vaccine and AIDSVAX. While researchers are still not sure why the vaccines work when coupled together, it marks a monumental victory in the fight against HIV infection. It also leaves researchers debating about how to most effectively test the limited amount of vaccine they have left to find out how to make it more effective.
The surprising results validated the merits of the study, which had been harshly criticized for being unethical and a waste of money because the vaccines it was made out of had no effect.
Since the AIDS virus was identified in the 1980s, it has infected 33 million people and killed 25 million people around the world. Although a commercial product is still years away, this new experimental vaccine has created hope that an effective vaccine will be manufactured in the near future.
For the first time in history, an AIDS vaccine has proven to be somewhat effective. A clinical trial sponsored by the US government and conducted in Thailand proves to have reduced the rate of infection by 31.2 percent among 16,402 volunteers over 3 years.
The vaccine used in this study was created from a combination of two failed products: Sanofi-Pasteur's ALVAC canary pox/HIV vaccine and AIDSVAX. While researchers are still not sure why the vaccines work when coupled together, it marks a monumental victory in the fight against HIV infection. It also leaves researchers debating about how to most effectively test the limited amount of vaccine they have left to find out how to make it more effective.
The surprising results validated the merits of the study, which had been harshly criticized for being unethical and a waste of money because the vaccines it was made out of had no effect.
Since the AIDS virus was identified in the 1980s, it has infected 33 million people and killed 25 million people around the world. Although a commercial product is still years away, this new experimental vaccine has created hope that an effective vaccine will be manufactured in the near future.
Article Summary 11: Swine flu hid out in pigs for a decade, expert says
Fox, Maggie. Swine flu hid out in pigs for a decade, expert says. Science Daily [Internet]. 2009 Sept 15 [cited 2009 Sept 22]. Available from: http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre58e51g-us-flu-swine/
Research shows that the H1N1 influenza virus was circulating unnoticed in pigs for over a decade before it mutated and jumped to humans. Scientists and researchers believe that the virus may have even been circulating in humans for months before the links between patients were detected. The H1N1 virus that has been recovered from both pigs and people alike has bird-like genetic sequences in it. These sequences indicate that the virus actually jumped from birds to pigs first. Based on these facts, this article contends that we need much better surveillance of pandemics in the future.
Since it has transferred to people, the virus has been evolving at a rate 1.5 times higher than the rate it evolved in swine. Fortunately, the pandemic H1N1 is not currently mutating, a relief to researchers working its vaccine. Experts do expect that it will eventually change though.
Doctors and health organizations are looking into the future and brainstorming about how to increase observation in both animals and people. They are also searching for ways to prepare for the next pandemic more effectively, especially since influenza viruses mutate regularly and are easy to trace because of their rate of change.
Research shows that the H1N1 influenza virus was circulating unnoticed in pigs for over a decade before it mutated and jumped to humans. Scientists and researchers believe that the virus may have even been circulating in humans for months before the links between patients were detected. The H1N1 virus that has been recovered from both pigs and people alike has bird-like genetic sequences in it. These sequences indicate that the virus actually jumped from birds to pigs first. Based on these facts, this article contends that we need much better surveillance of pandemics in the future.
Since it has transferred to people, the virus has been evolving at a rate 1.5 times higher than the rate it evolved in swine. Fortunately, the pandemic H1N1 is not currently mutating, a relief to researchers working its vaccine. Experts do expect that it will eventually change though.
Doctors and health organizations are looking into the future and brainstorming about how to increase observation in both animals and people. They are also searching for ways to prepare for the next pandemic more effectively, especially since influenza viruses mutate regularly and are easy to trace because of their rate of change.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Article Summary 10: Bathing, but Not Alone
Bathing, but Not Alone. New York Times: Science [Internet]. 2009 Sept 14 [cited 2009 Sept 20]. Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15shower.html?ref=science
Microbiologists love to tell us about all the bacteria we encounter in our daily lives: we inhale ten thousand bacteria each time we breath in an average office building, and we consume ten million bacteria in each glass of tap water. Researchers at the University of Colorado who study the indoor human environment have now given us another fact that we would rather not consider: every time we take a shower, a cascade of bacteria hit our faces and flow deep into our lungs. Some strains of bacteria, like Mycobacterium avium is related to tuberculosis and can cause chest complaints like lifeguard’s lung, hot tub lung, and Lady Windermere’s syndrome.
Conventional bacteria tests involve growing cultures in laboratories. Since most species cannot be grown in this way, the majority of bacterial species are overlooked. A new method identifies bacteria by examining their genetic material directly, and does not have need for laboratory cultures. Using this new method, scientists are discovering more bacterial strains than they previously believed existed. One scientist alone has turned up over 15 new kinds of bacteria in showers across the country.
What can you do about it? Bacteria get into shower heads from water build-up, so the dose is highest when the shower is first turned on. Run the water for 30 seconds prior to stepping in. Additionally, bacteria tend to prefer plastic shower heads over metal ones.
Mycobacterium avium tends to be a particular problem in water supplies in large cities like New York. The reason is that cities treat their water with chlorine, a poison that kills most bacteria but gives this particular strain a selective advantage. Good news for New Yorkers though: due to the movement of the air, breathing within the subway system may be healthier than your shower’s mist!
Microbiologists love to tell us about all the bacteria we encounter in our daily lives: we inhale ten thousand bacteria each time we breath in an average office building, and we consume ten million bacteria in each glass of tap water. Researchers at the University of Colorado who study the indoor human environment have now given us another fact that we would rather not consider: every time we take a shower, a cascade of bacteria hit our faces and flow deep into our lungs. Some strains of bacteria, like Mycobacterium avium is related to tuberculosis and can cause chest complaints like lifeguard’s lung, hot tub lung, and Lady Windermere’s syndrome.
Conventional bacteria tests involve growing cultures in laboratories. Since most species cannot be grown in this way, the majority of bacterial species are overlooked. A new method identifies bacteria by examining their genetic material directly, and does not have need for laboratory cultures. Using this new method, scientists are discovering more bacterial strains than they previously believed existed. One scientist alone has turned up over 15 new kinds of bacteria in showers across the country.
What can you do about it? Bacteria get into shower heads from water build-up, so the dose is highest when the shower is first turned on. Run the water for 30 seconds prior to stepping in. Additionally, bacteria tend to prefer plastic shower heads over metal ones.
Mycobacterium avium tends to be a particular problem in water supplies in large cities like New York. The reason is that cities treat their water with chlorine, a poison that kills most bacteria but gives this particular strain a selective advantage. Good news for New Yorkers though: due to the movement of the air, breathing within the subway system may be healthier than your shower’s mist!
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