Monthly Archives: December 2013
Toucan Play That Game
Supreme Court Genetic Ruling
Image from Wikimedia Commons Earlier this year while most of us were enjoying our summer break and staying out of school the Supreme Court made a ruling that deeply affected the biological community. They ruled that genes extracted from patients … Keep Reading
Flashlights, Glowsticks, and Other Things That Light Up the Dark
Many of us are familiar with the scene from Finding Nemo were a large fish lights up the deep sea and attempts to eat Marlin and Dori. This wonderful piece of Disney film was made possible by a process called … Keep Reading
Frontiers of Genetics
How a person was created used to be ignored by society. Mendel changed that way of thinking. Here we are today, where most people are fascinated by the promises or disturbed by the threats of their genes. The opportunity to … Keep Reading
Sitting with Style
A new method for creating furniture has sprouted up over the past few decades, a process known as tree shaping. Tree shaping is defined as “the practice of training living trees and other woody plants into artistic shapes and useful … Keep Reading
The Naked Truth About Sphynx Cats
Image from Wikimedia Commons When someone asks you to think about cats, what do you think of first? If you are like most people in this world, you will think of a furry animal that wants to cuddle with you … Keep Reading
Effects of Sleep Deprivation
Once I turn my calendar to the month of December, I cannot help but to shudder when I realize that it is that time of year. Days get shorter, holiday lights are up, and the air is colder. For me, … Keep Reading
Living with Huntington’s Disease
Imagine as you are going along with your day when you suddenly have muscle spasms. These small jerky movements start becoming more and more widespread and your ability to properly function gets progressively worse. A bit later down the line … Keep Reading
DHA’s Effect on the Brain and Alzheimers
DHA or Docosahexaenoic Acid, is common fatty acid mostly found in fish oils, such as the supplement some people take in the morning. DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. DHA is also … Keep Reading
Genetic Mutations- Harmful or Beneficial?
When we hear of all of those genetic mutations that cause things like cancer and Huntington’s disease we automatically assume that they are all harmful but some genetic mutations seem to actually be advantageous. Over the past few weeks we … Keep Reading
The Cashew: What You Thought You Knew
For those of us with nut allergies we are used to avoiding nuts like they are poison, but what most people don’t know is that the cashew, a commonly eaten nut, really is poisonous.
The Senator and It’s Legacy
In order to improve their economy, institutions loudly proclaim their defining features; a diner may boast “The World’s Best Bacon Hamburgers” while its town claims “The World’s Largest Rubber Band Ball.” Longwood, Florida derives its fame from being the former … Keep Reading
Which Came First: The Chicken or Egg?
Chicken (Gallus gallus)Image from Wikimedia Commons This ancient riddle has plagued countless sufferers into the mind numbing cycle of ” the egg came from chicken…but the chicken came from an egg…but the egg was laid by a chicken…ughhh”. With a … Keep Reading
In a Hurry to Grow Up
Genetic mutations can be so tiny and insignificant seeming when compared to the whole of DNA in a human body, but even the smallest change can have long term fatal affects.
Morphine on Steroids
Image from Wikimedia Commons Recently, scientist David Craik synthesized a new painkiller that is derived from the venom of a cone snail. The synthesized version of a venom painkiller has yet to be used in clinical trials; however, the beneficial … Keep Reading
Reindeer
Caribou or Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus)Image from Wikimedia Commons The holiday season is right around the corner and with it comes many symbols and one of those is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Rudolph is the lead reindeer that pulls Santa’s … Keep Reading
