Biology Week 3 - Human Genetic Evolution

Although I was not able to get the link to www.cartage.org.1b/etc to work, I was able to find a lot of information on human genetic evolution.  The Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass seems to be the most recent source and leader in studying human genome.  The fact that scientists have the ability to study the DNA across species and see back millions of years is incredible.  Although I don't fully understand the details of the genetic science, I get the big picture.  Africa appears to have been the ground zero for the dispersal and diversification (evolution?) of primates.  Their studies also seem to confirm that speciation of humans and chimpanzees was a gradual process and more recent than previously thought.  I can't wait to see what we learn as technology advances and further studies are conducted.

Biology Week 3 - Sleep

Thousands of studies conducted over the last decade have shown the negative effects of insufficient sleep such as:

• increased risk for obesity and Type 2 diabetes
• increased risk for cardiovascular disease and hypertension
• reduced immune function

The recommendation for adequate sleep is eight hours every night.  Major functions in the body such as tissue repair, muscle growth, and protein synthesis occur almost exclusively during sleep.  New studies regarding brain function and sleep suggests this time is when the brain clears toxins and waste.  Previous studies have shown that sleep is when the brain is able to fix memories and learning.

From personal experience being around family or friends that haven't had enough sleep even for just one night, they tend to be distracted, have minor "accidents" (ie: spilling things, bumping into things), and are more easily agitated.

Over the last week I noticed that I was having some trouble falling asleep and was waking up one or two times during the night.  So I broke out my sleep "hygiene" guides and removed all electronics from my room, went to bed at 10:00 pm, and turned out all the lights.  I have slept through the night for the last three nights without waking until about 6:00 am.  I don't think the full moon has affected my sleep but I certainly have!

Biology Week 3 - Human and Chimp Genes

Human DNA is, on average, 96% identical to the DNA of our most distant primate relatives, and nearly 99% identical to our closest relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos.  I checked multiple sources regarding gene comparison between humans and chimps and all of them were within a few tenths of each other, with 99% at the middle.

What do most living primates have in common?

• Large brains (in relation to body size) 
• Vision more important than sense of smell 
• Hands adapted for grasping 
• Long life spans and slow growth 
• Few offspring, usually one at a time 
• Complex social groups

The science behind these findings is logical to me.  The separation of chimpanzee and human species being a long slow process does not create any internal angst for me.  Honestly all living things on this earth share common DNA, I believe, because we are all originated from the cosmic "Big Bang".  I just hope that humans can learn to live with respect and balance among all forms of life before we destroy it all.

Chemistry Week 3 - Green Chemistry

I think it is fantastic that the ACS has created the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry as a gold standard for manufacturing, industrial, and all chemical process companies to follow in the United States.  I spent some time on their website and found that they have formed collaborative round tables with companies from around the world to focus on the science of sustainable and green chemistry and its implementation.  I specifically looked at the round table created with some of the larger natural gas and oil producers with hydraulic fracturing operations in North America.  They are gaining ground in getting some of the companies to declare the chemicals used in the process and stop hiding behind the "proprietary" claim for the likely most toxic chemicals they use.  The round table members are working to find sustainable methods and green chemicals for the processes.

The problem I see is that all of this is voluntary and we are moving to slowly as a nation in requiring green chemistry practices.

Chemistry Week 3 - My Element - Iron

Iron - Fe - from the Latin word ferrus.  

I chose iron as my element because it's Atomic number is 26 and I love the number 26!  It is one of only three naturally occurring magnetic elements and is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust.  Most scientists believe the Earth's core consists mostly of iron.  It is also found in the sun, asteroids, and the stars.

Iron is a versatile element as it is ductile (can be drawn into thin wires), malleable (can be hammered into thin sheets) and has a high tensile strength.  There is evidence that the ancient Egyptians learned how to use iron as early as 3500 BC.  It is one of the most widely used and important metals today.  The most common use is as steel to make everything from my favorite cast iron skillet to weapons of mass destruction.  It can also be compounded for use in dyes, water treatment facilities, and dietary supplements.

Of great importance to humans, iron is used to carry oxygen in the body.

Chemistry Week 2 - Periodic Tables and Atomic Structure

The subject in Chemistry this week on the Periodic Table of Elements and atomic structure put into perspective for me a theme throughout all of the Western Sciences classes I am taking this summer.  The infinitesimally small world that we cannot see is massive and powerful.  Our technology is advancing at a mind blowing rate due to these tiny particles and giving us better "sight" into the invisible world.  Atomic structure is definitive information on over 100 basic elements that we can't even see and scientists are even able to combine and manipulate these tiny elements and then measure and extract additional information about them.  Although I don't fully understand it, I am glad there are scientists that are passionate about the exploration.

I try to be mindful of my carbon footprint every day.  I use public transportation as long as it is not too inconvenient; I don't let water run when doing the dishes, brushing teeth, I go around the house turning off lights that are not in use (not my family's favorite thing but they are coming around); I use reusable containers (glass, not plastic); I eat less meat; but I still have much room for improvement.  However, I believe the issue of the human carbon footprint has to be addressed on a much bigger scale for real progress to be made, especially in the United States.  Until the corporations are held to a higher standard of environmental responsibility, or lack there of, that affects the bottom line, they will not change their practices.  We the consumers could have a voice in pushing that effort in the way we buy.  But it will not be convenient and we have become an instant gratification society.

Biology Week 2 - Evo/Devo and Synesthesia

Evolution based on the process of natural selection has developed as a science since the 18th century.  Charles Darwin spent decades collecting data from around the world because he thought there might be something to the ideas presented by his father that traits could be passed from one generation to another.  From the data he was able to provide vast evident to support the fact that evolution had occurred and a plausible mechanism - natural selection.  Natural selection has been proven to be a process and that all species originated from the same single celled organism, not an idea that there was a first human, first mouse, first beetle, etc. 

Darwin did not have the modern day technology to support his studies but his studies have come to bear under the evaluation of modern technology such as gas chromatography and DNA testing.  It is just human arrogance that ignores scientific data and is insulted or uncomfortable believing that the "neanderthal" is a homo sapien's cousin or that we are relatives to primates.  How about worms?

Developmental biology today studies the development of an organism from the single cell stage to the fully developed embryo and the variations that can occur if this is not a correct and complete process.  The early developmental biologist used this concept as an argument against Darwin's theory of evolution as published in "The Origin of Species".

I think both of these sciences are a balanced blend of how species have evolved over the millennia and what and how sometimes it goes wrong.

Synesthesia is a neurological condition where stimuli pathways get crossed (sensory cross-talk).  It has to be involuntary and stable to be considered true synesthesia.  About 5% of the population has this condition.  It can be developmental(genetic) or acquired, but scientists do not know what happens in the brain to cause it.  Basically, in one type the synesthete the person will hear a sound but the stimulus will show up in their visual cortex and they will see the sound in color.  Since this condition can be hereditary OR developmental, does that mean humans have this ability hard wired in our core code and potentially could tap into it with practice?

The Bay Area has a synesthete that has created a VR 360 version of the colors she sees when she hears music.  She is a Software Engineer, Neuroscientist, and Musician.  Check it out....

www.youtube.com/watch?v=obrBAysVef0