This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What is an insect?
Science Myth: Flies fly north for the winter.
Science Controversy: Insecticide usage.
Film of the Week: Starship Troopers
Further Thoughts
In his seminal poem, If, Rudyard Kipling said, "Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it." It's a thought that's cropped up in a lot of societies (especially in religions) over history: the Earth belongs to us.
Unfortunately, in reality, the Earth does not belong to us. The world probably belongs to bacteria, but even just within the animal kingdom, we aren't the masters of the world. The world belongs to insects.
There are somewhere between 6 and 10 million species of insect on Earth, only about a million of which have been described. According to some estimates, 90% of the differing visible life forms on earth are insects.
To talk numbers, there are approximately 2,200 species of praying mantis, 5,000 dragonfly, 20,000 grasshopper, 82,000 true bug, 120,000 fly, 110,000 bees, wasp, ant and sawfly, 170,000 butterfly and moth, and 360,000 beetle species described to date (and remember there are 6 to 10 times that waiting to be described). There are so many species of beetle that, when asked if anything could be concluded about the Creator from the study of creation, J. B. S. Haldane said, "An inordinate fondness for beetles."
In contrast, there are only about 5,400 species of mammal.
Insects range in size from 0.14 mm (the fairyfly) to 57 cm long (a stick insect). The largest overall, though (as in, the heaviest and the bulkiest) are the Goliath beetles, which can be 11 cm long but weigh up to 50 g. The biggest insect in history is a species of dragonfly named Meganeura, which had a wingspan of 75 cm. They are the only class of animals (except birds and bats) that can fly, and can have more complex societies than any animal except humans.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
A clarification
When Wendy was referring to the energy from radioactive material she said that electrons were releasing the energy. In fact, the energy released from radioactive material is from protons and neutrons in the nucleus, the core of the atom.
Also, Denise asked us about selective pressure.
DNA are the body's instructions, telling the body what colour our eyes, hair or skin should be. These final products are called phenotypes. In evolution, pressures from our environment put pressure on the phenotypes, not the DNA directly. The phenotypes that can survive do, and pass on their genes. The phenotypes that can't survive die out, so the species overall slowly changes to the more suitable genotypes and phenotypes. This is how evolution affects our genes.
Also, Denise asked us about selective pressure.
DNA are the body's instructions, telling the body what colour our eyes, hair or skin should be. These final products are called phenotypes. In evolution, pressures from our environment put pressure on the phenotypes, not the DNA directly. The phenotypes that can survive do, and pass on their genes. The phenotypes that can't survive die out, so the species overall slowly changes to the more suitable genotypes and phenotypes. This is how evolution affects our genes.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
S2E1: Science News
Hearing black balloons
Scientists from Curtin University of Technology are using thousands of acoustic sensors to hear global warming. Usually these sensors are used to monitor nuclear weapons testing by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation. The scientists will be able to hear ice breaking from the giant icesheets of the South Pole. The aim of the research is to see if we can monitor changes in the ice shelf through sound. So far the results have not been successful – but by god it’s a cool idea. Dr Alexander Gavrilov says “This is very promising research which may provide a practical and cost-effective way of monitoring the impact of climate change on Antarctica.” Plus, analyzing the data over the past six years has revealed a strong seasonal cycle in the intensity and frequency of noise events located in Antarctica.
Patchy cures
A radioactive skin patch might be new way to treat skin cancer. Researchers at the Society of Nuclear Medicine published results this week using a patch with radioactive phosphorus that can deliver radiation to the cancer site. The small study of 8 adult patients with basal cell carcinoma on the face, but no cancer elsewhere elected to try the patch instead of surgery or radiation. The patches were custom-made to the shape and size of each patient's skin cancer lesions. And applied on the cancer sites for three hours and then reapplied to each site two more times on subsequent days. After three months biopsies of the sites revealed no residual cancer. But the phosphorous used has a limited range. It’s fairly weak so does not reach the bone or underlying blood vessels.
The power of proteins!
Today Monash University researchers discovered a protein, called PLZF, that is an important player in the body's immune response to disease. Interferon activates PLZF and a bunch of genes that are important in protecting us against viral infections – like swine flu! Interferon is naturally made when we are infected with a virus or cancer. It is being used to treat many diseases at the moment like hepatitis, cancer and MS.
Scientists from Curtin University of Technology are using thousands of acoustic sensors to hear global warming. Usually these sensors are used to monitor nuclear weapons testing by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation. The scientists will be able to hear ice breaking from the giant icesheets of the South Pole. The aim of the research is to see if we can monitor changes in the ice shelf through sound. So far the results have not been successful – but by god it’s a cool idea. Dr Alexander Gavrilov says “This is very promising research which may provide a practical and cost-effective way of monitoring the impact of climate change on Antarctica.” Plus, analyzing the data over the past six years has revealed a strong seasonal cycle in the intensity and frequency of noise events located in Antarctica.
Patchy cures
A radioactive skin patch might be new way to treat skin cancer. Researchers at the Society of Nuclear Medicine published results this week using a patch with radioactive phosphorus that can deliver radiation to the cancer site. The small study of 8 adult patients with basal cell carcinoma on the face, but no cancer elsewhere elected to try the patch instead of surgery or radiation. The patches were custom-made to the shape and size of each patient's skin cancer lesions. And applied on the cancer sites for three hours and then reapplied to each site two more times on subsequent days. After three months biopsies of the sites revealed no residual cancer. But the phosphorous used has a limited range. It’s fairly weak so does not reach the bone or underlying blood vessels.
The power of proteins!
Today Monash University researchers discovered a protein, called PLZF, that is an important player in the body's immune response to disease. Interferon activates PLZF and a bunch of genes that are important in protecting us against viral infections – like swine flu! Interferon is naturally made when we are infected with a virus or cancer. It is being used to treat many diseases at the moment like hepatitis, cancer and MS.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Episode 16: Superheroes
This week on the Petri Dish, we're wearing our underwear on the outside and talking about superheroes.
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What is a mutation?
Science Myth: Can radioactive things give you cancer?
Science Controversy: Designer babies
Film of the Week: Hollow Man
And happy birthday to our producer Kane too!
Further Thoughts
Homosexuality and the major publishing houses for super hero comics do not have a particularly close relationship for most of their history. In fact, the Comics Code Authority forbade any direct reference to LGBT themes until 1989, for fear of corrupting the youth who read the comics.
Despite that, there seems to have been a lot of subtle innuendo in comics before then. Or maybe I just have a filthy mind, or standards of appropriate behaviour have changed in the last 40 years. The relationship between Batman and Robin, for example, has always seemed a little... unconventional, for example. In fact, the character of Aunt Harriet (Dick Grayson's/Robin's aunt) was invented in 1964 purely to reduce the possiblity of "unfortunate implications" coming from an athletic batchelor living with his (batchelor) butler and gymnast ward. But Batman, especially in the 60s, was always very camp anyway. Introducing a maiden aunt character wasn't going to help.
(For some interpretations of this style of comic, and to show I'm not alone in my interpretation of this, see http://www.superdickery.com/. Especially the Seduction of the Innocent and Suffering Sappho! galleries. Really, go and look. They're hilarious.)
Even later, when we returned to the grim-and-gritty Batman of nineties comics, the Tim Burton films or the more recent Christopher Nolan films (starring Christian Bale), the character retained an air of sexuality sublimated into vigilante crime fighting. The Joker has always shown an unhealthy interest in Batman that has sometimes (The Dark Knight Returns or Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, for example) been overtly shown as psuedo-sexual. Of course, the fact that he's a villain is hardly presenting homosexual attraction in a good light.
The first openly gay character in DC was Extrano, which, (insultingly?) is Spanish for "strange" (in fairness though, it may just be a reference to Marvel's Dr. Strange). And what a flamingly gay stereotype he was. Extrano first appeared in 1987. Marvel introduced the character Northstar in 1979, who was intended to be gay from his first appearance but wasn't actually outed until 1992.
Overt lesbian superheroes and supervillains are much harder to find. They're much more likely to be bisexual, and more likely to be villains than heroes. The Dark Queen in Barbarella, Mystique and Destiny in X-Men, and Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in Batman are all implied to be lesbians (although, since Mystique can change her sex, that's a bit more complex). Perhaps because the authors and readers of mainstream comics are more likely to be male than female, the idea of a depraved bisexual villainess is more appealing than a normal, bi or lesbian heroine? That may explain why there are so many more gay heroes than lesbian heroes too.
Perhaps the earliest oblique reference to trans issues in comic books was Madame Fatal in 1940, a former stage actor who lived alone (which is a stereotype so transparent that it barely deserves the term "oblique reference"). To rescue his daughter from kidnappers, he dressed as an old woman so the criminals would underestimate him. Then he found he liked it, and Madame Fatal's vigilante career was born. Unfortunately, Madame Fatal later died off-screen (after DC bought the licence to the character), and has only reappeared a few times since in joking references to the character's cross dressing.
If there's a common theme running through these characters, it's that most of them, especially in earlier strips, were conceived of as joke or parody characters. Their non-mainstream attributes were used mockingly, or as a symptom of their villainy. Partly this may because most comics are written in America, aimed at adolescent boys, and needs to bypass conservative censors. None of these three groups are well known for their appreciation of LGBT issues.
Even in more politically aware eras, where there are far more gay heroes (still no lesbians though), they do seem to attract more abuse than their straight conterparts. I don't want to seem over-sensitive about this, since superheroes go through some pretty rough experiences generally, but I'm not the only one to have noticed this. Perry Moore (executive producer of the Chronicles of Narnia, amongst other things), was so incensed when Northstar was killed in 3 different continuities in the space of one month, once by the hero Wolverine, that he made a list of all the LGBT characters in these comics and what had happened to them.
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/10/0081728
He also wrote a young adult novel, Hero, trying to present a gay teenaged super hero in a more positive light. Still no lesbians though.
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What is a mutation?
Science Myth: Can radioactive things give you cancer?
Science Controversy: Designer babies
Film of the Week: Hollow Man
And happy birthday to our producer Kane too!
Further Thoughts
Homosexuality and the major publishing houses for super hero comics do not have a particularly close relationship for most of their history. In fact, the Comics Code Authority forbade any direct reference to LGBT themes until 1989, for fear of corrupting the youth who read the comics.
Despite that, there seems to have been a lot of subtle innuendo in comics before then. Or maybe I just have a filthy mind, or standards of appropriate behaviour have changed in the last 40 years. The relationship between Batman and Robin, for example, has always seemed a little... unconventional, for example. In fact, the character of Aunt Harriet (Dick Grayson's/Robin's aunt) was invented in 1964 purely to reduce the possiblity of "unfortunate implications" coming from an athletic batchelor living with his (batchelor) butler and gymnast ward. But Batman, especially in the 60s, was always very camp anyway. Introducing a maiden aunt character wasn't going to help.
(For some interpretations of this style of comic, and to show I'm not alone in my interpretation of this, see http://www.superdickery.com/. Especially the Seduction of the Innocent and Suffering Sappho! galleries. Really, go and look. They're hilarious.)
Even later, when we returned to the grim-and-gritty Batman of nineties comics, the Tim Burton films or the more recent Christopher Nolan films (starring Christian Bale), the character retained an air of sexuality sublimated into vigilante crime fighting. The Joker has always shown an unhealthy interest in Batman that has sometimes (The Dark Knight Returns or Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, for example) been overtly shown as psuedo-sexual. Of course, the fact that he's a villain is hardly presenting homosexual attraction in a good light.
The first openly gay character in DC was Extrano, which, (insultingly?) is Spanish for "strange" (in fairness though, it may just be a reference to Marvel's Dr. Strange). And what a flamingly gay stereotype he was. Extrano first appeared in 1987. Marvel introduced the character Northstar in 1979, who was intended to be gay from his first appearance but wasn't actually outed until 1992.
Overt lesbian superheroes and supervillains are much harder to find. They're much more likely to be bisexual, and more likely to be villains than heroes. The Dark Queen in Barbarella, Mystique and Destiny in X-Men, and Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in Batman are all implied to be lesbians (although, since Mystique can change her sex, that's a bit more complex). Perhaps because the authors and readers of mainstream comics are more likely to be male than female, the idea of a depraved bisexual villainess is more appealing than a normal, bi or lesbian heroine? That may explain why there are so many more gay heroes than lesbian heroes too.
Perhaps the earliest oblique reference to trans issues in comic books was Madame Fatal in 1940, a former stage actor who lived alone (which is a stereotype so transparent that it barely deserves the term "oblique reference"). To rescue his daughter from kidnappers, he dressed as an old woman so the criminals would underestimate him. Then he found he liked it, and Madame Fatal's vigilante career was born. Unfortunately, Madame Fatal later died off-screen (after DC bought the licence to the character), and has only reappeared a few times since in joking references to the character's cross dressing.
If there's a common theme running through these characters, it's that most of them, especially in earlier strips, were conceived of as joke or parody characters. Their non-mainstream attributes were used mockingly, or as a symptom of their villainy. Partly this may because most comics are written in America, aimed at adolescent boys, and needs to bypass conservative censors. None of these three groups are well known for their appreciation of LGBT issues.
Even in more politically aware eras, where there are far more gay heroes (still no lesbians though), they do seem to attract more abuse than their straight conterparts. I don't want to seem over-sensitive about this, since superheroes go through some pretty rough experiences generally, but I'm not the only one to have noticed this. Perry Moore (executive producer of the Chronicles of Narnia, amongst other things), was so incensed when Northstar was killed in 3 different continuities in the space of one month, once by the hero Wolverine, that he made a list of all the LGBT characters in these comics and what had happened to them.
http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/10/0081728
He also wrote a young adult novel, Hero, trying to present a gay teenaged super hero in a more positive light. Still no lesbians though.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Episode 15: Radiothon Science News
Being lonely is leaving you cold
Last year Psychologists Chen-Bo Zhong and Geoffrey Leonardelli from the University of Toronto found that social exclusion literally make us feel cold. The researchers divided volunteers into two groups. One group recalled a personal experience in which they had been socially excluded—rejection from a club, for example. The other group recalled an experience where they were accepted. The researchers then made the volunteers estimate the room temperature. Those thinking about a socially isolating experience gave lower estimates of the temperature.
In a similar study by the same authors published in the September issue of Psychological Science last year the “unpopular” volunteers who were ostracized during a computer game were more likely than the others to want either hot soup or hot coffee. Their research suggests that warm chicken soup may be a coping mechanism for social isolation.
Spanish soup stops stress
In 2004 Tufts University in Boston found that volunteers eating a type of vegetable soup called gazpacho twice a day had lower stress-related molecules in their blood after just 7 days. Gazpacho is a, a Mediterranean-style cold soup of uncooked vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, garlic, oil, and seasonings.
So why is it reducing stress molecules? Researchers reckon that it’s the vitamin C in the veggies doing the work. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, but this study suggested that the soup might do more than just reduce free radicals in the body. Vitamin C prevents the development of things in your body involved in abnormal inflammation and oxidative stress. After a week of consuming the soup consistently, the volunteers had a significant decrease in blood concentrations of prostaglandin E2, made during inflammation and influences immune responses. They also had less of a molecule called monocyte chemotactic protein-1, which has been found in high concentrations in artery-clogging plaques.
Vitamin C is also found in Brain tissue. Increased concentrations of vitamin C in cells of human brain tissue improve the function of lysosomes. Lysosomes break down and eliminate waste products. Scientists now know that the function of lysosomes decreases as people age.
Lets make some honey
Professor Tom Seeley of Cornell University, has discovered that animals that live in communities make decisions collective when it comes to new real estate, food hunting and decision makings. Seeley has been observing the behavioural patterns of honey bees and noted that when moving house, honey bees would send out older scouts to find a new home, and would indicate that it is a good sot by dancing over the spot followed by other bees coming to inspect the new property.
These decisions are not just for finding new homes but it is also used in things such as finding appropriate flowers and also many other life/death making decisions. These rituals are also observed in insects such as ants and locusts.
Trilobite Orgy
Researchers from the El Insituto de Geologia Economica in Spain have discovered that trilobites mated en masse and used its number for protection. This finding was published in the May edition of Geology, the paper describes the behaviours of these ancient creatures – thought to be related to lobsters and spiders. Fossil records and findings have indicated that these ancient animals would moult together similar ot that of horseshoe crabs and that mass moulting also could indicate that these animals mated en masse to for safety.
Fossils of trilobites are found en masse and usually under larger animals, with their old shells, which suggest that they may stick together as they are more vulnerable in their soft shell state.
Gay Marriage Bans Linked to rise in HIV Rate
In the US, it has been found that an intolerant society towards gay marriage, can raise HIV infection by about 4 in 100,000 people. The study used data from the General Social Survey (GSS) which tracked attitudes in America over the past 4 decades.
The overall data found that from 1970-1990 as tolerance increased, there was a 1 per 100,000 people decrease in HIV cases, and when laws were passed to allow gay marriage, there was a dip in the number of cases, by 4 in 100,000 people.
Mialon, the economist who did the study stated that “intolerance is deadly, Bans on Gay Marriage codify intolerance, causing more people to shift to underground sexual behaviours that carry more risk.
Logging online Prevents Teens from Logging OFF.
According to the University of Alberta researchers, teenagers aren’t going to councillors or calling the youth hotlines, but instead going online for emotional support. The University had set up an anonymous thread site, where teenagers could go onto talk about how they were feeling.
Volunteers monitored the site, leaving encouraging messages, and found that students were leaving encouraging messages for each other. The study also found that teenagers who previously logged onto the dite for support started writing support for others, and shows the power of an online community to be a meaningful peer-based support system.
Not edible, but soup news
The discovery of a salty, acidic soup that could have supported life on Mars was named Breakthrough of the Year by Science in 2004. The researchers from NASA, who discovered the breakthrough, used their soup-a finding to suggest that Mars was once a wet, warm place and could have been capable of supporting life billions of years ago. The Opportunity rover found a bedrock at Eagle crater on Meridiani Planum that suggests a cyclical wet-and-dry history. But four years later, in 2008 a new analysis of the Martian soup suggested that the water was too salty to support life as we know it.
New Galaxy on a feeding frenzy
Astronomers from the Carnegie Insitution for Science in Pasadena, California, have discovered a giant parcel of gas and stars that is about half the diameter of the milky way and is about 12.9 billion light years away from earth
This object is thought to have been formed about 800 million years after the big bang, which is estimated to be about 6% of the universes current age. The blob is at the stage of feeding frenzy, taking in gases around it. It is not certain whether this is a new galaxy or if the glowing object is gas heated by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.
No more whining
Low to moderate drinking of red wine reduces causes of mortality, says a new study from the University of Queensland. Researchers reviewed recent findings on polyphenols found in red wine. Data will be published in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research; the review is also available at Early View. The breadth of benefits found in the mixture of bioactive compounds in red wine includes cancer prevention, protection of the heart and brain from damage, reducing age-related diseases such as inflammation, reversing diabetes and obesity.
Last year Psychologists Chen-Bo Zhong and Geoffrey Leonardelli from the University of Toronto found that social exclusion literally make us feel cold. The researchers divided volunteers into two groups. One group recalled a personal experience in which they had been socially excluded—rejection from a club, for example. The other group recalled an experience where they were accepted. The researchers then made the volunteers estimate the room temperature. Those thinking about a socially isolating experience gave lower estimates of the temperature.
In a similar study by the same authors published in the September issue of Psychological Science last year the “unpopular” volunteers who were ostracized during a computer game were more likely than the others to want either hot soup or hot coffee. Their research suggests that warm chicken soup may be a coping mechanism for social isolation.
Spanish soup stops stress
In 2004 Tufts University in Boston found that volunteers eating a type of vegetable soup called gazpacho twice a day had lower stress-related molecules in their blood after just 7 days. Gazpacho is a, a Mediterranean-style cold soup of uncooked vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions, garlic, oil, and seasonings.
So why is it reducing stress molecules? Researchers reckon that it’s the vitamin C in the veggies doing the work. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, but this study suggested that the soup might do more than just reduce free radicals in the body. Vitamin C prevents the development of things in your body involved in abnormal inflammation and oxidative stress. After a week of consuming the soup consistently, the volunteers had a significant decrease in blood concentrations of prostaglandin E2, made during inflammation and influences immune responses. They also had less of a molecule called monocyte chemotactic protein-1, which has been found in high concentrations in artery-clogging plaques.
Vitamin C is also found in Brain tissue. Increased concentrations of vitamin C in cells of human brain tissue improve the function of lysosomes. Lysosomes break down and eliminate waste products. Scientists now know that the function of lysosomes decreases as people age.
Lets make some honey
Professor Tom Seeley of Cornell University, has discovered that animals that live in communities make decisions collective when it comes to new real estate, food hunting and decision makings. Seeley has been observing the behavioural patterns of honey bees and noted that when moving house, honey bees would send out older scouts to find a new home, and would indicate that it is a good sot by dancing over the spot followed by other bees coming to inspect the new property.
These decisions are not just for finding new homes but it is also used in things such as finding appropriate flowers and also many other life/death making decisions. These rituals are also observed in insects such as ants and locusts.
Trilobite Orgy
Researchers from the El Insituto de Geologia Economica in Spain have discovered that trilobites mated en masse and used its number for protection. This finding was published in the May edition of Geology, the paper describes the behaviours of these ancient creatures – thought to be related to lobsters and spiders. Fossil records and findings have indicated that these ancient animals would moult together similar ot that of horseshoe crabs and that mass moulting also could indicate that these animals mated en masse to for safety.
Fossils of trilobites are found en masse and usually under larger animals, with their old shells, which suggest that they may stick together as they are more vulnerable in their soft shell state.
Gay Marriage Bans Linked to rise in HIV Rate
In the US, it has been found that an intolerant society towards gay marriage, can raise HIV infection by about 4 in 100,000 people. The study used data from the General Social Survey (GSS) which tracked attitudes in America over the past 4 decades.
The overall data found that from 1970-1990 as tolerance increased, there was a 1 per 100,000 people decrease in HIV cases, and when laws were passed to allow gay marriage, there was a dip in the number of cases, by 4 in 100,000 people.
Mialon, the economist who did the study stated that “intolerance is deadly, Bans on Gay Marriage codify intolerance, causing more people to shift to underground sexual behaviours that carry more risk.
Logging online Prevents Teens from Logging OFF.
According to the University of Alberta researchers, teenagers aren’t going to councillors or calling the youth hotlines, but instead going online for emotional support. The University had set up an anonymous thread site, where teenagers could go onto talk about how they were feeling.
Volunteers monitored the site, leaving encouraging messages, and found that students were leaving encouraging messages for each other. The study also found that teenagers who previously logged onto the dite for support started writing support for others, and shows the power of an online community to be a meaningful peer-based support system.
Not edible, but soup news
The discovery of a salty, acidic soup that could have supported life on Mars was named Breakthrough of the Year by Science in 2004. The researchers from NASA, who discovered the breakthrough, used their soup-a finding to suggest that Mars was once a wet, warm place and could have been capable of supporting life billions of years ago. The Opportunity rover found a bedrock at Eagle crater on Meridiani Planum that suggests a cyclical wet-and-dry history. But four years later, in 2008 a new analysis of the Martian soup suggested that the water was too salty to support life as we know it.
New Galaxy on a feeding frenzy
Astronomers from the Carnegie Insitution for Science in Pasadena, California, have discovered a giant parcel of gas and stars that is about half the diameter of the milky way and is about 12.9 billion light years away from earth
This object is thought to have been formed about 800 million years after the big bang, which is estimated to be about 6% of the universes current age. The blob is at the stage of feeding frenzy, taking in gases around it. It is not certain whether this is a new galaxy or if the glowing object is gas heated by a supermassive black hole at the center of a galaxy.
No more whining
Low to moderate drinking of red wine reduces causes of mortality, says a new study from the University of Queensland. Researchers reviewed recent findings on polyphenols found in red wine. Data will be published in the September issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research; the review is also available at Early View. The breadth of benefits found in the mixture of bioactive compounds in red wine includes cancer prevention, protection of the heart and brain from damage, reducing age-related diseases such as inflammation, reversing diabetes and obesity.
Episode 15: Alphabet Soup Radiothon
This week, we're doing something special on the Petri Dish.
JOY is a community radio station providing a voice for the LGBTIQ community (Q-munity?) in Melbourne, and around the world at joy.org.au. We don't receive government funding, and there is a limit to the amount of sponsorship we are allowed to accept (only 5 minutes per hour!). Basically, JOY runs on the smell of an oily rag, and we need your support to stay on air.
The Petri Dish, like most of JOY's programmes, are staffed (although "fuelled" might be a better word) by volunteers. We do this because we're enthusiastic about science, about JOY, and about the LGBTIQ community.
If you enjoy the Petri Dish and all the other programmes that JOY brings to you as much as we enjoy bringing them to you, show your support for queer independent media by becoming a JOY member. If you do it before Sunday 21/6, you could be in the running to win an enormous number of fantastic (but non-science related) prizes! That's how much we value your support.
To everyone who has already joined up or renewed their memberships, thank you for your support.
And a very special thank you to everyone who listens to the Petri Dish! Remember, we always want to hear what you have to say, by texting in, ringing, emailing, or leaving posts on this blog.
Thanks again, and now: back to the science!
JOY is a community radio station providing a voice for the LGBTIQ community (Q-munity?) in Melbourne, and around the world at joy.org.au. We don't receive government funding, and there is a limit to the amount of sponsorship we are allowed to accept (only 5 minutes per hour!). Basically, JOY runs on the smell of an oily rag, and we need your support to stay on air.
The Petri Dish, like most of JOY's programmes, are staffed (although "fuelled" might be a better word) by volunteers. We do this because we're enthusiastic about science, about JOY, and about the LGBTIQ community.
If you enjoy the Petri Dish and all the other programmes that JOY brings to you as much as we enjoy bringing them to you, show your support for queer independent media by becoming a JOY member. If you do it before Sunday 21/6, you could be in the running to win an enormous number of fantastic (but non-science related) prizes! That's how much we value your support.
To everyone who has already joined up or renewed their memberships, thank you for your support.
And a very special thank you to everyone who listens to the Petri Dish! Remember, we always want to hear what you have to say, by texting in, ringing, emailing, or leaving posts on this blog.
Thanks again, and now: back to the science!
Episode 14: Sound
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What is a sound wave?
Science Controversy: Should we have scientific research into preventing deafness?
Science Myth: Does angry music make you angry?
Film of the Week: Street Fighter
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What is a sound wave?
Science Controversy: Should we have scientific research into preventing deafness?
Science Myth: Does angry music make you angry?
Film of the Week: Street Fighter
Episode 14: Science News
Kidding around
Research released this week from LaTrobe Uni shows that Children with imaginary friends are better at learning to communicate than other children. The appropriately named psychologist,b Dr Evan Kidd, looked at 44 children, 22 of which had imaginary friends. Those with imaginary friends were better able to get their point across than were children of the same age who did not have one. Why? Dr. Kidd reckons that Children with imaginary friends have a lot of practice at inventing interactions between their imaginary friends and themselves. Dr Kidd further established that the benefits of imaginary companions are long lasting. University students with an imaginary friend in childhood were more creative, more achievement oriented, and more emotionally responsive than students who didn’t have one.
Bright eyes
Our mood changes the way that we see, says a study from the University of Toronto. Adam Anderson, professor of psychology says that good and bad moods change the way our visual cortex operates.When we are happy our visual cortex takes in more information, while negative moods lead to tunnel vision. The study appears in the Journal of Neuroscience. They found this out using fMRI to scan how the visual cortex in the brain processes sensory information in different moods.
Taylor W. Schmitz, Eve De Rosa, and Adam K. Anderson. Opposing Influences of Affective State Valence on Visual Cortical Encoding. Journal of Neuroscience, 2009; 29 (22): 7199 DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5387-08.2009
Weak sounds
Evolutionary psychologist John Neuhoff in Ohio asked participants were asked to listen to a tone moving toward them and press a button when they thought the sound had was directly in front of them. Nearly everyone pushed the button too early, but individuals with greater upper body strength and/or stronger cardiovascular systems waited longer to push the button. In general, women pushed the button sooner than their typically larger, stronger male counterparts-- though both groups perceive receding sounds equally.
Research released this week from LaTrobe Uni shows that Children with imaginary friends are better at learning to communicate than other children. The appropriately named psychologist,b Dr Evan Kidd, looked at 44 children, 22 of which had imaginary friends. Those with imaginary friends were better able to get their point across than were children of the same age who did not have one. Why? Dr. Kidd reckons that Children with imaginary friends have a lot of practice at inventing interactions between their imaginary friends and themselves. Dr Kidd further established that the benefits of imaginary companions are long lasting. University students with an imaginary friend in childhood were more creative, more achievement oriented, and more emotionally responsive than students who didn’t have one.
Bright eyes
Our mood changes the way that we see, says a study from the University of Toronto. Adam Anderson, professor of psychology says that good and bad moods change the way our visual cortex operates.When we are happy our visual cortex takes in more information, while negative moods lead to tunnel vision. The study appears in the Journal of Neuroscience. They found this out using fMRI to scan how the visual cortex in the brain processes sensory information in different moods.
Taylor W. Schmitz, Eve De Rosa, and Adam K. Anderson. Opposing Influences of Affective State Valence on Visual Cortical Encoding. Journal of Neuroscience, 2009; 29 (22): 7199 DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5387-08.2009
Weak sounds
Evolutionary psychologist John Neuhoff in Ohio asked participants were asked to listen to a tone moving toward them and press a button when they thought the sound had was directly in front of them. Nearly everyone pushed the button too early, but individuals with greater upper body strength and/or stronger cardiovascular systems waited longer to push the button. In general, women pushed the button sooner than their typically larger, stronger male counterparts-- though both groups perceive receding sounds equally.
Episode 13: Winter
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News
Science Myth: Can you catch a cold when you're cold?
Science Controversy: Is Antarctica melting?
Remember This Fact?: Why do seasons occur?
Film of the Week: The Day After Tomorrow
Science News
Science Myth: Can you catch a cold when you're cold?
Science Controversy: Is Antarctica melting?
Remember This Fact?: Why do seasons occur?
Film of the Week: The Day After Tomorrow
Episode 13: Science News
Leaf it to me
Plants to grow HIV medication: This week research published from St George's, University of London describes a new protein that can kill the HIV, it then demonstrates how this protein could be produced in large quantities, to make it affordable for people in developing countries. The researchers combined two proteins that have been shown to kill the virus. Combined the proteins are more effective at killing HIV. In creating this fusion scientists designed synthetic DNA that would make the protein, and they introduced this DNA into plant cells.
Sexton et al. Design, expression, and characterization of a multivalent, combination HIV microbicide. The FASEB Journal, 2009; DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-131995
Inflaming the flu
This week researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that a drug used for treating rheumatoid arthritis reduces severe illness and death in mice exposed to the Influenza A virus. But why? They propose that changing the response of the body's immune system to influenza infection may reduce the severe symptoms of the influenza virus. The mice were effectively vaccinated against influenza A, and then infected with it. The mice didn't become as sick, recovered much faster and had much less damage to the lungs, compared to mice that weren't given the drug. Researchers said that the arthritis drug does not affect the immune system's early response to the virus – the fast attack in the lungs,, but it prevents "memory" T-cells from overreacting. "It's this overactive immune response that can make you feel sick – and can also lead to pneumonia," she says.
Teijaro et al. Costimulation Modulation Uncouples Protection from Immunopathology in Memory T Cell Responses to Influenza Virus. The Journal of Immunology, 2009; 182 (11): 6834 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0803860
The mercury is rising
RMIT University researchers have used nanotechnology to create a sensor that can measure mercury, which is one of the world’s most toxic substances. The sensor uses tiny flecks of gold are nano-engineered that attract mercury particles. Industrial processes release a complicated mix of volatile compounds, which interfere with monitoring mercury concentrations. The RMIT researchers altered the surface of the gold, making hundreds of tiny nano-spikes. Each one of these are about 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. It’s been known since ancient times that gold attracts mercury, but a regular gold surface doesn’t absorb much vapour and any measurements it makes are inconsistent.
Plants to grow HIV medication: This week research published from St George's, University of London describes a new protein that can kill the HIV, it then demonstrates how this protein could be produced in large quantities, to make it affordable for people in developing countries. The researchers combined two proteins that have been shown to kill the virus. Combined the proteins are more effective at killing HIV. In creating this fusion scientists designed synthetic DNA that would make the protein, and they introduced this DNA into plant cells.
Sexton et al. Design, expression, and characterization of a multivalent, combination HIV microbicide. The FASEB Journal, 2009; DOI: 10.1096/fj.09-131995
Inflaming the flu
This week researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine found that a drug used for treating rheumatoid arthritis reduces severe illness and death in mice exposed to the Influenza A virus. But why? They propose that changing the response of the body's immune system to influenza infection may reduce the severe symptoms of the influenza virus. The mice were effectively vaccinated against influenza A, and then infected with it. The mice didn't become as sick, recovered much faster and had much less damage to the lungs, compared to mice that weren't given the drug. Researchers said that the arthritis drug does not affect the immune system's early response to the virus – the fast attack in the lungs,, but it prevents "memory" T-cells from overreacting. "It's this overactive immune response that can make you feel sick – and can also lead to pneumonia," she says.
Teijaro et al. Costimulation Modulation Uncouples Protection from Immunopathology in Memory T Cell Responses to Influenza Virus. The Journal of Immunology, 2009; 182 (11): 6834 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0803860
The mercury is rising
RMIT University researchers have used nanotechnology to create a sensor that can measure mercury, which is one of the world’s most toxic substances. The sensor uses tiny flecks of gold are nano-engineered that attract mercury particles. Industrial processes release a complicated mix of volatile compounds, which interfere with monitoring mercury concentrations. The RMIT researchers altered the surface of the gold, making hundreds of tiny nano-spikes. Each one of these are about 1000 times smaller than the width of a human hair. It’s been known since ancient times that gold attracts mercury, but a regular gold surface doesn’t absorb much vapour and any measurements it makes are inconsistent.
Episode 12: Emotions
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What are emotions?
Science Controversy: Should people take anti-anxiety pills?
Science Myth: Do rage blackouts actually happen?
Film of the Week: Invasion
Science News
Remember This Fact?: What are emotions?
Science Controversy: Should people take anti-anxiety pills?
Science Myth: Do rage blackouts actually happen?
Film of the Week: Invasion
Episode 12: Science News
Depressed about not fitting into your genes
The University of WA claim to have found a gene that increases a man’s risk of depression. Results were published in the May issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. The gene is a version of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene and surprisingly it is not linked to increased levels of CRP, which is a protein found in the blood in response to inflammation. Why would the gene variation lead to depression? Researchers believe it might lead to a deficiency in individuals’ ability to address physical changes that happen to the body as a response to a stressful event. So, takes the body longer to be restored into full health. Researchers tested blood samples of 3,700 men over 65. 4.9 per cent of the sampled men showed clinically significant symptoms of depression.
Reaching new heights
New research from ANU says that tall people earn more. Five centimeters of height increases your salary $950 per year. Contrary to popular belief and studies from the US and Germany, being overweight or obese does not affect salary.
Attachments of the sex offenders
New Australian research is breaking stereotypes about the personality of sex offenders. Researchers from the University of NSW compared a sample of sex and non-sex offenders. The research found that sex offenders often displayed attachment styles just as secure as the non-offenders. In the past it was believed that sex offenders had insecure attachments when they were growing up – and this lead to poor intimacy skills.
The University of WA claim to have found a gene that increases a man’s risk of depression. Results were published in the May issue of the International Journal of Epidemiology. The gene is a version of the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene and surprisingly it is not linked to increased levels of CRP, which is a protein found in the blood in response to inflammation. Why would the gene variation lead to depression? Researchers believe it might lead to a deficiency in individuals’ ability to address physical changes that happen to the body as a response to a stressful event. So, takes the body longer to be restored into full health. Researchers tested blood samples of 3,700 men over 65. 4.9 per cent of the sampled men showed clinically significant symptoms of depression.
Reaching new heights
New research from ANU says that tall people earn more. Five centimeters of height increases your salary $950 per year. Contrary to popular belief and studies from the US and Germany, being overweight or obese does not affect salary.
Attachments of the sex offenders
New Australian research is breaking stereotypes about the personality of sex offenders. Researchers from the University of NSW compared a sample of sex and non-sex offenders. The research found that sex offenders often displayed attachment styles just as secure as the non-offenders. In the past it was believed that sex offenders had insecure attachments when they were growing up – and this lead to poor intimacy skills.
Episode 11: Space
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News (at 1:30 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Can we live on Mars? (5:39)
Remember This Fact?: What is a star? (11:34)
Science Myth: Do black holes exist?
Film of the Week: Star Trek
Science News (at 1:30 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Can we live on Mars? (5:39)
Remember This Fact?: What is a star? (11:34)
Science Myth: Do black holes exist?
Film of the Week: Star Trek
Episode 10: Viruses
This week on the Petri Dish:
Remember This Fact?: What is a virus? (at 1:19 on the podcast)
Science News (9:11)
Science Controversy: Are the swine flu clamp downs justified? (14:30)
Science Myth: Is PEP a morning after pill for HIV? (26:17)
Film of the Week: 28 Days Later (31:03)
Remember This Fact?: What is a virus? (at 1:19 on the podcast)
Science News (9:11)
Science Controversy: Are the swine flu clamp downs justified? (14:30)
Science Myth: Is PEP a morning after pill for HIV? (26:17)
Film of the Week: 28 Days Later (31:03)
Episode 9: Sex
This week on the Petri Dish, we're getting hot and heavy on the topic of sex.
Science News (at 1:28 on the podcast)
Remember This Fact?: Pregnancy and the Pill (5:08)
Science Myth: Do girls produce a hormone that emotionally attaches them to their sexual partners? Do men not produce it? (11:08)
Science Controversy: Do abortions decrease the crime rate? (16:27)
Film of the Week: Junior (22:58)
Science News (at 1:28 on the podcast)
Remember This Fact?: Pregnancy and the Pill (5:08)
Science Myth: Do girls produce a hormone that emotionally attaches them to their sexual partners? Do men not produce it? (11:08)
Science Controversy: Do abortions decrease the crime rate? (16:27)
Film of the Week: Junior (22:58)
Episode 9: Science News
It’s as easy as Hep C
Research released on Monday by the University of NSW found that up to 70 percent of Hepatitis C patients could be cured, if they got treatment quickley. But if they didn’t act there is a risk of chronic liver infection. It is estimated that more than 300,000 Australians are infected with chronic hepatitis C. But less than two percent receive treatment. The most common routes of infection include infected needles and sexual transmission. The international study involved 702 patients from Australia, and 194 from New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, Argentina and Mexico. All had hepatitis C genotype 1– the most difficult to treat.
Mending Menopause
University of Adelaide has published research showing that menopausal women are abandoning hormone replacement therapy, preferring alternative remedies. The study surveyed 953 women over 40. HRT usage fell from 22 percent in 2000 to 11.8 in 2008. While menopausal women see alternative therapy as a safer option the authors noted that many of these treatments have not been tested for long term safety.
When two is better than one
Most animals have separate and defined sexes. But, some animals from plants to fishes, start off their lives as one sex and then switch to the another. This process is called sequential hermaphroditism, and according to Yale scientists, this is an adaptive advantage. But not too many animals do it. Why? We don’t know – possibly because the time or energy it takes to change sex make hermaphroditism unfeasible for most animals.
Sexy songs
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, found that teenagers who preferred popular songs with degrading sexual references were more likely to engage in intercourse or in pre-coital activities. These findings were reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, in April. 711 students in year nine were interviewed. Those with the most exposure were more than twice as likely to have had sexual intercourse. In the US there are over 750,000 teenage pregnancies each year and up to 25 percent of all female adolescents in the US having sexually transmitted infections.
Research released on Monday by the University of NSW found that up to 70 percent of Hepatitis C patients could be cured, if they got treatment quickley. But if they didn’t act there is a risk of chronic liver infection. It is estimated that more than 300,000 Australians are infected with chronic hepatitis C. But less than two percent receive treatment. The most common routes of infection include infected needles and sexual transmission. The international study involved 702 patients from Australia, and 194 from New Zealand, Canada, Thailand, Argentina and Mexico. All had hepatitis C genotype 1– the most difficult to treat.
Mending Menopause
University of Adelaide has published research showing that menopausal women are abandoning hormone replacement therapy, preferring alternative remedies. The study surveyed 953 women over 40. HRT usage fell from 22 percent in 2000 to 11.8 in 2008. While menopausal women see alternative therapy as a safer option the authors noted that many of these treatments have not been tested for long term safety.
When two is better than one
Most animals have separate and defined sexes. But, some animals from plants to fishes, start off their lives as one sex and then switch to the another. This process is called sequential hermaphroditism, and according to Yale scientists, this is an adaptive advantage. But not too many animals do it. Why? We don’t know – possibly because the time or energy it takes to change sex make hermaphroditism unfeasible for most animals.
Sexy songs
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, found that teenagers who preferred popular songs with degrading sexual references were more likely to engage in intercourse or in pre-coital activities. These findings were reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, in April. 711 students in year nine were interviewed. Those with the most exposure were more than twice as likely to have had sexual intercourse. In the US there are over 750,000 teenage pregnancies each year and up to 25 percent of all female adolescents in the US having sexually transmitted infections.
Episode 8: Carbon
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News (at 1:10 on the podcast)
Remember This Fact?: What is carbon? (4:57)
Science Controversy: Does your individual carbon footprint matter? (11:12)
Science Myth: Does burnt toast cause cancer? (20:45)
Film of the Week: Diamonds Are Forever (26:45)
Science News (at 1:10 on the podcast)
Remember This Fact?: What is carbon? (4:57)
Science Controversy: Does your individual carbon footprint matter? (11:12)
Science Myth: Does burnt toast cause cancer? (20:45)
Film of the Week: Diamonds Are Forever (26:45)
Episode 7: The Brain
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News (at 2:00 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Should we use animal models to study the brain? (5:25)
Remember This Fact?: What is a neuron? (21:35)
Science Myth: When you hit your head, do you get brain damage? (27:36)
Film of the Week: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (34:28)
Science News (at 2:00 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Should we use animal models to study the brain? (5:25)
Remember This Fact?: What is a neuron? (21:35)
Science Myth: When you hit your head, do you get brain damage? (27:36)
Film of the Week: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (34:28)
Episode 7: Science News
The travelling tumour
If cancer cells don’t have a particular protein, it might enable them to move through healthy body tissue, which is the first step to spreading and causing disease and death. Scientists from University of Heidelberg published results this week showing that a when SCAI protein was working it inhibited the movement and spread of tumor cells in laboratory tests. But, if the protein wasn’t functioning, cancer cells travelled much more effectively through the model of tissues in the human body.Journal reference:1. Brandt et al. SCAI acts as a suppressor of cancer cell invasion through the transcriptional control of β1-integrin.
Nature Cell Biology, 2009; DOI: 10.1038/ncb1862
Anti-cancerous pot plants
Researchers from Spain have provided evidence that cannabinoids, the active ingredient in marijuana (THC) might kill human brain cancer cells. THC killed human brain cancer cell lines by encouraging the cancer cells to eat themselves up in a process called autophagy. THC was given to mice with human tumors. The mice showed decreased tumor growth and the established tumor cells began killing themselves through autophagy. Journal reference:1. Salazar et al. Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells.
Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2009; DOI: 10.1172/JCI37948
Wake up and smell the coffee, but how?
Research from Rockefeller University suggests that we don’t smell by inhaling all at once. The wind blows odors in all different directions, leaving it up to the brain to put them back in their place. The researchers analyzed the brain activity of locusts as they smelled different odors that were created and released for varying durations and intervals. Different neurons picked up the different components of the odors. The brain then encodes the time that these neurons are activated and for how long, and from this pattern understands what it is smelling.
If cancer cells don’t have a particular protein, it might enable them to move through healthy body tissue, which is the first step to spreading and causing disease and death. Scientists from University of Heidelberg published results this week showing that a when SCAI protein was working it inhibited the movement and spread of tumor cells in laboratory tests. But, if the protein wasn’t functioning, cancer cells travelled much more effectively through the model of tissues in the human body.Journal reference:1. Brandt et al. SCAI acts as a suppressor of cancer cell invasion through the transcriptional control of β1-integrin.
Nature Cell Biology, 2009; DOI: 10.1038/ncb1862
Anti-cancerous pot plants
Researchers from Spain have provided evidence that cannabinoids, the active ingredient in marijuana (THC) might kill human brain cancer cells. THC killed human brain cancer cell lines by encouraging the cancer cells to eat themselves up in a process called autophagy. THC was given to mice with human tumors. The mice showed decreased tumor growth and the established tumor cells began killing themselves through autophagy. Journal reference:1. Salazar et al. Cannabinoid action induces autophagy-mediated cell death through stimulation of ER stress in human glioma cells.
Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2009; DOI: 10.1172/JCI37948
Wake up and smell the coffee, but how?
Research from Rockefeller University suggests that we don’t smell by inhaling all at once. The wind blows odors in all different directions, leaving it up to the brain to put them back in their place. The researchers analyzed the brain activity of locusts as they smelled different odors that were created and released for varying durations and intervals. Different neurons picked up the different components of the odors. The brain then encodes the time that these neurons are activated and for how long, and from this pattern understands what it is smelling.
Episode 6: Water
This week on the Petri Dish:
Science News (at 1:50 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Where should we be getting our water from? (6:40)
Science Myth: Do you need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to be healthy? (16:26)
Remember This Fact?: Why do we urinate? (24:10)
Film of the Week: The Little Mermaid (31:35)
Science News (at 1:50 on the podcast)
Science Controversy: Where should we be getting our water from? (6:40)
Science Myth: Do you need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to be healthy? (16:26)
Remember This Fact?: Why do we urinate? (24:10)
Film of the Week: The Little Mermaid (31:35)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Episode 6: Science News
Krilling time
Turbulence in the ocean, which is caused by the wind, tides and currents, helps gases and nutrients move in the waters. Research published today in Science magazine suggests that tiny ocean organisms as small as krill contribute to this turbulence. Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division and Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that schools of krill moving through the water column to feed create large turbulence patches.
Vapouring the earth
Water vapour that is released into the atmosphere has a significant effect on climate change. Through burning fossil fuels, rising temperatures are increasing the amount of evaporation from our watery planet. This evaporated contributes additional global warming. This was released in February’s issue of Science magazine, by Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M University and Steven Sherwood of the University of New South Wales, who worked together to prove this once controversial idea.
Sexing up Water
Plastic mineral water bottles in Germany contaminate drinking water with estrogenic chemicals, says a study from the Goethe University in Germany. The researchers studied 20 brands of mineral water available in Germany – nine bottled in glass, nine bottled in plastic and two bottled in composite packaging (paperboard boxes coated with an inner plastic film). They found that estrogenic compounds were leaching out of the plastic packaging and into the water in 60% of the samples. Mineral waters in glass bottles were less estrogenic than waters in plastic bottles. These chemicals can actually function inside the body, and lead to the increased development of embryos in the New Zealand mud snail. Results were published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research in March 27, 2009.
Wagner et al. Endocrine disruptors in bottled mineral water: total estrogenic burden and migration from plastic bottles. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2009; DOI: 10.1007/s11356-009-0107-7
Turbulence in the ocean, which is caused by the wind, tides and currents, helps gases and nutrients move in the waters. Research published today in Science magazine suggests that tiny ocean organisms as small as krill contribute to this turbulence. Scientists from the Australian Antarctic Division and Georgia Institute of Technology suggests that schools of krill moving through the water column to feed create large turbulence patches.
Vapouring the earth
Water vapour that is released into the atmosphere has a significant effect on climate change. Through burning fossil fuels, rising temperatures are increasing the amount of evaporation from our watery planet. This evaporated contributes additional global warming. This was released in February’s issue of Science magazine, by Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M University and Steven Sherwood of the University of New South Wales, who worked together to prove this once controversial idea.
Sexing up Water
Plastic mineral water bottles in Germany contaminate drinking water with estrogenic chemicals, says a study from the Goethe University in Germany. The researchers studied 20 brands of mineral water available in Germany – nine bottled in glass, nine bottled in plastic and two bottled in composite packaging (paperboard boxes coated with an inner plastic film). They found that estrogenic compounds were leaching out of the plastic packaging and into the water in 60% of the samples. Mineral waters in glass bottles were less estrogenic than waters in plastic bottles. These chemicals can actually function inside the body, and lead to the increased development of embryos in the New Zealand mud snail. Results were published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research in March 27, 2009.
Wagner et al. Endocrine disruptors in bottled mineral water: total estrogenic burden and migration from plastic bottles. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2009; DOI: 10.1007/s11356-009-0107-7
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