Researchers of this study have discovered the oldest blood known to modern science. They have used a mummy, they named Ötzi , whose body was frozen in a glacier for over 5,000 years. Blood was extracted from the wound that was presumed to cause his death. Using both an atomic force microscope and a raman spectroscopy method, red blood cells were positively identified. This in itself was a break through because scientists could not begin to imagine how long blood could survive, let alone what these cells looked like in the Chalcolithic period. According to their results using nanotechnology, they not only identified the blood from the wound, but also characterized it to look like the modern "doughnut shape" we know today. Using Ötzi's blood, scientists hope to estimate how long a trace of blood has been present at a crime scene.
Cool, huh?! What do y'all think about the break through?!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502141132.htm
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Blog 13b: Tall DNA
In this article, 180 DNA variants that were implicated in normal height variation was tested with extremely tall subjects and normal height control subjects. When doing so, it was found that 90% of the variants had some effect on height in tall people and of this percentage, 40 % was significant. Long story short, they are using this DNA-based prediction technique in forensic molecular biology to estimate the height of a person based on these variants. If they are successful, they hope to apply this testing to possibly find perpetrators who do not have DNA profiles in authoritative systems.
What do y'all think about this? Will it work?!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131120103613.htm
What do y'all think about this? Will it work?!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131120103613.htm
Blog 13a: Spit and Aggression
Scientists of this study have recognized that aggression in young boys, ages 7 to 9, can be related to three types of hormones: testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and cortisol. Using saliva samples from this range of boys, they are able to detect or predict violent behavior. According to their results of all 17 boys, the levels in these hormones correlated to the severity and frequency of aggression. The researchers hope to one day use this type of testing to improve safety in schools by identifying boys that have the potential to be dangerous to peers and seeking the proper help for them.
My questions for this article is why did they only focus on males? What are the hormones that would signify aggression in young females?
What are your thoughts on this study and possible questions you all have?!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130326162157.htm
My questions for this article is why did they only focus on males? What are the hormones that would signify aggression in young females?
What are your thoughts on this study and possible questions you all have?!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130326162157.htm
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blog 12b: Heroin...enough said
So! The study presented by Jorg Morland from Norway discusses how heroin works (mechanisms and pathways to the brain) and how addiction can be treated.
Morland and his group of researchers theorizes that heroin is not introduced to the brain as such, yet morphine. According to them, heroin goes through a series of transformations before reaching the brain, one being 6-MAM, a metabolite. This metabolite induces the signaling of dopamine, a crucial molecule in the reward circuit for pleasure. The 6-MAM then converts to morphine about an hour of heroin injection to the body, and then dominates for the proceeding hours. Six to twelve hours after injection, morphine produces a metabolite called morphin-6-glucuronide that is responsible for the heroin effects one may observe.
Treatment that Morland's group are looking into, deals with blocking these substances from entering the brain with the 6-MAM antibody. When the antibody binds to 6-MAM, it will be too large to enter the brain, thus causing a stop to the effects of heroin.
Pretty dang on awesome!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130926102626.htm
Morland and his group of researchers theorizes that heroin is not introduced to the brain as such, yet morphine. According to them, heroin goes through a series of transformations before reaching the brain, one being 6-MAM, a metabolite. This metabolite induces the signaling of dopamine, a crucial molecule in the reward circuit for pleasure. The 6-MAM then converts to morphine about an hour of heroin injection to the body, and then dominates for the proceeding hours. Six to twelve hours after injection, morphine produces a metabolite called morphin-6-glucuronide that is responsible for the heroin effects one may observe.
Treatment that Morland's group are looking into, deals with blocking these substances from entering the brain with the 6-MAM antibody. When the antibody binds to 6-MAM, it will be too large to enter the brain, thus causing a stop to the effects of heroin.
Pretty dang on awesome!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130926102626.htm
Blog 12a: Workout with Methamphetamine
Remember when Coca-Cola had cocaine in it? I've always believed it was to keep consumers addicted to the product, whether it is true or not is up to you. Well, the idea is far from gone. The company Drive Sports produced a "performance fuel" supplement called CRAZE, that one would take before a workout to help enhance their performance without the crash feeling of energy drinks or such. After many athletes failed their athletic drug tests, further research went into this product for answers; "the results revealed the presence of methamphetamine analog N,alpha-DEPEA", a drug with addictive qualities.
Three samples of this product were tested from different locations: US retail stores, and online stores in US and Holland. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the scientists were able to correctly identify the methamphetamine analog, a dangerous designer drug. The company stands behind their statement that the compound that is in their product (N,N-diethyl-phenylethylamine or N,N-DEPEA) is what they use instead of the N,alpha-DEPEA and it is derived from endangered dendrobium orchids. Scientists have no proof if the compound Driven Sports claim actually comes from orchids, but nonetheless, after analysis of their samples, the analog has been identified.
As of now the product has been banned. If the facts are true regarding where the compound (N,N-DEPEA) is derived, the only thing the FDA can do is "warn consumers and remove supplements containing N,alpha-DEPEA from sale.
Mind blowing if you ask me!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131014094107.htm
Three samples of this product were tested from different locations: US retail stores, and online stores in US and Holland. Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the scientists were able to correctly identify the methamphetamine analog, a dangerous designer drug. The company stands behind their statement that the compound that is in their product (N,N-diethyl-phenylethylamine or N,N-DEPEA) is what they use instead of the N,alpha-DEPEA and it is derived from endangered dendrobium orchids. Scientists have no proof if the compound Driven Sports claim actually comes from orchids, but nonetheless, after analysis of their samples, the analog has been identified.
As of now the product has been banned. If the facts are true regarding where the compound (N,N-DEPEA) is derived, the only thing the FDA can do is "warn consumers and remove supplements containing N,alpha-DEPEA from sale.
Mind blowing if you ask me!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131014094107.htm
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Blog 11b: The microbial clock and time of death
So! I'm reading the article and before I finish the first sentence, I see it deals with our lovely University!
In September, Science Daily reports how the microbial clock can help determine the time of death of an individual. A research group is working closely with Dr. Sibyl Bucheli and Aaron Lynne (spelled Linne according to them) to discover how this is so. The scientists are testing the microbes on a body as one decomposes as a function of external factors such as "weather, seasons, animal scavenging and insect infestations". The study is still pretty new, so there isn't anything conclusive, but it is still interesting!
I thought the article was pretty cool because it dealt with good ol' SHSU. Is it just me or did you slightly get excited as well?!
Find the link below:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130924153953.htm
In September, Science Daily reports how the microbial clock can help determine the time of death of an individual. A research group is working closely with Dr. Sibyl Bucheli and Aaron Lynne (spelled Linne according to them) to discover how this is so. The scientists are testing the microbes on a body as one decomposes as a function of external factors such as "weather, seasons, animal scavenging and insect infestations". The study is still pretty new, so there isn't anything conclusive, but it is still interesting!
I thought the article was pretty cool because it dealt with good ol' SHSU. Is it just me or did you slightly get excited as well?!
Find the link below:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130924153953.htm
Blog 11a: Lollipops that attack?!
Well, not literally (lollipops do not attack). The bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica, is one that causes fever and diarrhea upon infection. It uses extensions from its body called adhensins that are sticky, thus allowing for adhesion to the host cell for attack. The scientists of this study are hoping to discover the exact transportation of extracellular domains; in doing so, they have identified important components of Y. enterocolitica's gram negative membrane. Having insight to the membrane and how the bacteria moves about, will aid in the development of antibiotics to fight against the infection.
My question: would you go for the transportation mechanism or find a way to stop the bacteria by the way it attaches to a host cell? Which do you think would be a better method?
Find the article below:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121112090513.htm
My question: would you go for the transportation mechanism or find a way to stop the bacteria by the way it attaches to a host cell? Which do you think would be a better method?
Find the article below:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121112090513.htm
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