Why Can't We Take Biology 101 to a Higher Level to Keep the Student's Interest?

Let me ask you something? Are we selling our kids short with the No Child Left behind Act? Shouldn't we be pushing our kids to think, reason, and adapt? Shouldn't they be using the information which we force into their heads through rote memorization in positive ways? There are many programs which NASA is doing in our local schools around the country. When it comes to such difficult subjects such as biology, I say we take it all to a higher level. How high you ask?

How about as high as we can get, how about space?

"Why Can't We Take Biology 101 to a Higher Level to Keep the Student's Interest?" How so you ask? Well, for instance why can't our high-schools talk about NASA's Astrobiological Research and ask the students the tough questions and have them do real inquiry and research, perhaps look stuff up in the latest scientific journals. Let me give you an example;

Human Biology and Space Radiation Issues

Sometimes natural disasters remind us of just how fragile human beings really are, and then afterwards we realize how resilient humans can be, as we find inspiration to rebuild and not give up - it's just amazing to me really. Although they may not seem so at the time, natural disasters here on Earth are not the end of the world. If you have a few moments I would like to discuss this with you from a philosophical standpoint, and offer some guidance on what we can learn by studying and doing research on these things for the future.

You see, after the giant Japanese Earthquake, I'd written an interesting piece titled; "We should study the radiation effects of the Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Fukishima Nuclear Power Plant Disaster and Apply What We Learn for Future Space Missions." Why you ask? Simple really, in space our astronauts and travelers will be subject to a massive amount of space radiation.

Trust Self and Let Your Brain Steer You Right!

A few months ago, someone told me that we knew less about the human brain than the dark side of the moon. In fact, he was quoting an intellectual psychologist of a past period. However true that was at the time that quote was produced - I don't think it is quite true today. Further, I would say that there's a lot more to know about the human brain, than the dark side of the moon. Okay so, let's talk about this for a moment shall we?

It seems that every single day I read something in the science news about new discoveries of the brain. We are unlocking all the secrets in rapid succession. Each incremental gain of knowledge in neuroscience is bringing us closer to the merging of computers and machines. There was an interesting article in Medical Express Online News which was titled; "Warning! Collision imminent! The brain's quick interceptions help you navigate the world," posted on February 7, 2012, which stated;

What Will They Hack Next - Your Thoughts First, Then Your Mind, and Then Your DNA, Bet Me

If I were to say to you that one day the hackers will hack your mind, you would probably think I was crazy, or some sort of a science fiction nut. Well, I do write a little bit of science fiction, but I assure you I'm not crazy. In fact, I've been tracking all the new neuroscience technologies and it appears that they are getting very close to being able to map an individual human brain. Once they can do this, and once they understand it more, they will be able to create human brain computer interfaces. Okay so, let's talk about this for a moment shall we?

There was an interesting new research report that was discussed at Scripps Research Institute in a press release titled; "Scripps Research and Technion Scientists Develop Biological Computer to Encrypt and Decipher Images," on February 7, 2012, which stated;

Does Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields Modify Brain Waves Permanently?

Is it possible that long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields could eventually change your brain waves, therefore changing the way you think, how you process information, and what sort of chemical splashes your brain delivers based on your observations, studies, reflections, and memory retrieval. Now then, and you must realize this is purely speculation, and my comments come from observations of many individuals over several decades now, so, I have this little personal theory I'd like to share with you along these lines.

You see, I've met many individuals who have worked in places under a constant electromagnetic energy field. Perhaps they worked in a hydroelectric plant, a telephone switching station, in an air traffic control facility, or they work in the communication facilities at a military installation. Now then, before you chock off this theory of mine and throw it into the category of; conspiratorial theories, I'd like to remind you that the brain is actually an electromagnetic organic device.

Bis-Tris Western Blots: A Sharper Alternative for Protein Detection

Western blotting is the most common assay to measure protein levels from cells and tissues. Standard western blots start with soluble proteins in a detergent-containing buffer. Normally, these proteins will be denatured by boiling and reducing agents (e.g. Beta-mercaptoethanol). Bis-tris westerns begin the same way, and, in fact, are completely identical to standard western blots, with a few major exceptions.

First, the buffer used to make the gels is different. As you can probably guess from its name, bis-tris gels use bis-tris-HCl buffer, whereas traditional western blots use standard tris-HCl buffer. The second difference is that the stacking gel and resolving gel use the same buffer during bis-tris western blotting. In standard applications, the stacking gel is acidic (pH 6.8) and the resolving gel is basic (pH 8.8). For bis-tris westerns, the entire gel is run under acidic conditions at pH 6.8.

An In-Depth Look at Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis and Meiosis are both cellular processes in nature which result in the division of cells and formation of new life. Mitosis involves the division of a cell into two identical cells, each containing the exact genetic makeup (genome) in their chromosomes as the original cell, but go through differentiation during a eukaryote organism's development in order to accommodate for the different cells that the body requires. Mitosis takes place in both single-celled organisms, being the method in which they are able to reproduce, and also in eukaryote somatic (body) cells, allowing them to proliferate and repair damaged tissue. Meiosis on the other hand only occurs in the sex cells of organisms and is the method by which sex cells produce gametes for sexual reproduction.

These sex cells are called germ cells, which when divided are termed gametes. Gametes are sperm in males and ova in females. 

Carbon Nano Tubes in the Human Body - There Are Some Real Opportunities and Challenges

You may not know this, but human blood causes degradation of carbon structures. You shouldn't be too surprised about this because the human body is partly made of carbon, so obviously the species has evolved to handle it, which is kind of funny if you think about it, especially for one of those people who is trying to reduce their carbon footprint. The best way to do that is go on a diet; do you see what I mean? Okay, but all jokes aside I'd like to discuss this with you for a moment if I might.

Last year, I was talking to a scientist and researcher about the possibility of using graphene and Carbon Nanotubes in the human body and human brain to interface with the human biosystem. That would be a challenge if the enzymes in the blood attacked the structures, and yes, there's probably a way around that challenge, but it is exactly that challenge which may help us deliver drugs to certain parts of the body encased in carbon nanotubes.

Biology Review: Proteins and Enzymes

Proteins

Proteins are long chains of amino acids joined by peptide bonds that fold up into complex three-dimensional structures.

The functions of proteins are so diverse and important that almost every function of every living organism depends on proteins.

This helps explain why evolutionary biologists tend to believe that protein synthesis preceded the evolution of the first cells.

In cells, proteins account for about half of the dry mass.

What Does Water Do For The Body?

All around us is a little molecule that is found in the air, makes up all the rivers, lakes, and streams, and is more important to life than any other. This little guy is a simple combination of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, but is so important to our existence that when scientists are looking for worlds that might have life, they look for water first. No water, no life. Water, maybe life.

The fact is that water makes up about 70% of our bodies. Cells are mostly bags of watery stuff floating around. Some cells have more or less, but some, like blood cells, are made of as much as 90% water. Most of this water is a mixture of substances within cells are a common molecule existing within a larger one, but there is nowhere that water alone is stored in the body with the exception of the bladder. And of course it is only stored here until excretion and is still a combination of water and other waste products, although it is more than 95% water.

Unlimited Thought Electromagnetically Induced - Hyper Mental Agility, What's It Worth, Your Mind?

As someone who runs a think tank which happens to operate online, I put a lot of thought into the category of thinking itself. What is it for instance which allows some people to be more creative than others and solve problems, and what is it that allows some people to have almost an infallible memory to the point of having savant tendenches? The human mind is incredible, and yet, what if we can improve on this biological wonder, and give the human brain more energy, energy which it doesn't have to create from within? What if we could slightly boost it, without overheating it? Okay so, let's talk about this for a moment, because I'm not the only one asking this question.

It turns out that there are many people working on this problem, for a variety of reasons - for instance to increase the uptake in learning, rote memorization, and increase the speed of training. 

Would a Human Brain Grow In a Square If It Were Grown in a Box - I Believe the Answer Might Be Yes

Can we grow add on brains, or configure a human brain in a different space? I believe so. I'd like to discuss this with you for moment, from a philosophical and theoretical biology stand point. You see, on or about June 20, 2011 I had written an interesting article titled; "Why Can't We Install an Add-on Carbon Nanotube Encased Brain Inside a Human Chest Cavity?" where I reasoned that it would be possible to build an add-on brain and attach it to the current human brain.

It also seems that since we can now grow brain tissue using stem cells in a Petri Dish that we can build an organic brain, allowing it to grow in any shape we wish. Okay so, before I get into my basic theory of why I believe that a human brain can grow in a square, or a sphere, I'd like to have you consider some other intriguing information;

First, go read an article in Neuroscience on March 29, 2012 titled; "Brain wiring a no-brainer? Scans reveal astonishingly simple 3D grid structure.

A Look Into: Mutations

Contrary to popular media, mutations are not always as great as they are made out to be. They do not constitute to super powers as many would like to believe, although sometimes they provide beneficial traits that can help out a species. For example, an organism may develop a mutation that codes for a certain color that allows it to camouflage from its predators. This will then give the organism a better chance to reproduce and the potential for a resulting new population of its species thanks to its particular trait. Though, most of the time mutations lead to hindrances that affect survival because changes are more likely to cause a problem to the intricate system of nucleotide translation. Mutations result from damage in an organism's DNA. They can occur either spontaneously during DNA replication or through exposure to factors that increase the chances of acquiring mutations, mutagens. An example of a mutagen is the UV light radiation from the sun's rays, which is why you hear that you should not sunbathe constantly because doing so will continuously expose the skin to this type of radiation and can result in a mutation that causes adjacent thymine bases in DNA to dimerize and potentially lead to skin cancer.

Anemia - Hemolytic Anemia

ANEMIA:
Anemia is defined as a below normal plasma hemoglobin concentration resulting from a decreased number of circulating red blood cells or an abnormally low total hemoglobin content per unit of blood volume. anemia can be caused by chronic blood loss, bone marrow abnormalities, increased hemolysis, infections, malignancy, endocrine deficiencies, renal failure, and a number of other disease states. Anemia can be at least temporarily corrected by transfusion of whole blood. In addition, nutritional anemias are caused by dietary deficiencies of substances such as iron, folic acid, and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)that are necessary for normal erythropoiesis.

SIGNS OF ANEMIA:
Pallor, breathlessness, tiredness, pica.

A Look Into: Bacterial Recombination

Bacteria are usually regarded as non-complex lifeforms, sometimes even as primitive. One must understand that bacteria have been existing on this planet longer than humans and have found multiple ways to adapt. Though they may seem simple, they posses a variety of methods to survive the change of time. Bacteria are prokaryotes, which means they are single celled organisms, and unlike the multicellular organisms they coexist with, bacteria contain only one chromosome. It is known that two homologous chromosomes are required in order for recombination to occur. So how do they recombine their DNA to produce offspring that are genetically different to the population? Bacteria have a stunning capability of acquiring the extra DNA they need through three actions: transformation, conjugation, and transduction.

Through transformation bacteria are able to take DNA from the environment and recombine it with their chromosome.

Where To Find Owl Pellets

Want to get your hands on some owl pellets for dissecting? There are over a dozen companies who sell them fairly cheap over the Internet, but if you live in or around the right areas, you might be able to find them by as close as your backyard.

If you don't know what owl pellets are, let me give you a puick explanation. An owl pellet is the remains of an owls food which they can digest. So, instead of allowing this part of their meal to back up in their intestines, they regurgitate it in the form a pellet. Typically, these pellets will contain the bones, fur, teeth and beaks from the prey they've consumed.

Owl pellets will vary in both contents and appearance. Although, most are usually around an inch long and are brown or gray in color.

The Difference Between Dinosaurs and Humans Just Got Smaller, Say Global Warming Alarmists

There are all sorts of theories as to why the dinosaurs died out, or evolved into smaller life-forms, some like myself believe the remnants of those species can be seen today in our birds, rodents, and who knows perhaps even human beings by way of the Tree Shrew - once a dinosaur, shrank in size and then eventually ended up on two-feet with a tail-bone but no tail. Your basic human carbon based bi-ped of the modern era.

Oh and speaking of theories; how about the Global Warming Theory; caused by human emissions of, of all things, CO2 a trace gas in our atmosphere for which mankind contributes a little less than 2.5%? You see, folks are just not buying the global warming alarmists' ascertains any longer, should they I dare to ask? After all, is it possible for one species to contribute so much of any type of greenhouse gas - that it would affect global weather and cause a heating of the atmosphere?