tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74145020562204160932024-02-08T05:00:42.919-08:00New Scientific Studies and BreakthroughsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-23722195058651729132013-12-11T13:00:00.000-08:002013-12-11T13:00:32.885-08:00Colorado State wine hopeful to be sold in local stores soon<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this blog is centered on scientific studies and
breakthroughs scientific fields, I decided to branch off from the original side
of things and look at ‘scientific studies’ from a new angle. Being a student of
<a href="http://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank">Colorado State University</a>, why not make a post about local news?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Colorado State University has the Department of Horticulture
and Landscape Architecture, and one of the concentrations available through the
department is viticulture, which is the science, study, and study of grapes,
and enology, the science and study of wine and wine making. So this post does
have the original concept of scientific studies in mind!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The department was developed back in 2008 by CSU professor
<a href="http://hortla.agsci.colostate.edu/faculty/menke/" target="_blank">Stephen Menke</a>. He says that the two purposes for the program are to help
students get a good background in enology to further help them get a job in the
field, and to also help the Colorado industry viticulture and enology grow. ‘[We
want the students] to take charge of making and deciding which vines to produce
and implementing their innovative ideas’ said Menke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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CSU actually owns its one winery, called the <a href="http://ramspointwinery.com/" target="_blank">Ram’s Point winery</a>, which is located in Grand Junction, and is ran by Menke and the
department’s students. The students are actually given the ability to grow
grapes at a Fort Collins vineyard that are used at the winery.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So far, Ram’s Point wine is only sold online, but Menke
hopes that with the department growing in popularity the CSU campus will embrace
its own wine brand, and then demand it to be sold on the shelves of local
stores. As of now, there is no definite date or time frame when Ram’s Point wine
will actually be sold in local stores, but as a Fort Collin resident and a
newly turned 21-year-old, I can only hope that it happens sooner than later!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-13028271892651932392013-11-17T12:03:00.000-08:002013-11-17T12:07:46.611-08:00MIT and Harvard scientists create matter from light<div class="MsoNormal">
Physics professors <a href="https://www.physics.harvard.edu/people/facpages/lukin" target="_blank">Mikhail Lukin</a> of Harvard and <a href="http://web.mit.edu/physics/people/faculty/vuletic_vladan.html" target="_blank">VladanVuletic</a> of MIT have successfully created a scenario where photons of light bond
together to create mass, a logically impossible, but scientifically probable
outcome.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The two scientists filled a vacuum chamber with rubidium, and
then laser cooled the chamber to near <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/absolute_zero.htm" target="_blank">absolute zero.</a> This temperature is 0
Kelvin, where the very particles of atoms have no movement, thus rendering the
atoms frozen. Lukin and Vuletic fired single photons of light into the atomic
cloud of rubidium, which made the photons give off energy to the unmoving
rubidium atoms, thus drastically slowing the photons of light.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When two photons of light were fired into the rubidium
cloud, they emerged bound together as a molecule. Because of this breakthrough,
there is now talking of one day creating 3D crystals out of light itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are nerds, like myself, who see this breakthrough as a
scientific milestone toward the eventual creation of lightsabers. A man can
dream, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-25345803785963220702013-11-17T10:44:00.002-08:002013-11-17T10:44:56.552-08:00Racism linked to firearm ownership and resistance to gun control<div class="MsoNormal">
In a <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0077552" target="_blank">recent study</a> by the <a href="http://www.manchester.ac.uk/" target="_blank">University of Manchester</a> in
Britain, <a href="http://www.monash.edu.au/" target="_blank">Monash University</a> in Australia, and a few other universities, a link
between firearm ownership by white Americans with racism and resistance to gun
control. As obnoxious as it sounds, the study actually has some compelling
explanations to hold up the findings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Using data from the American National Election Studies
(<a href="http://www.electionstudies.org/" target="_blank">ANES</a>), which gives information about voters such as age, gender, education,
opposition to gun control, income, and anti-government sentiments, the study
researchers put in this information into logistical regression models along
with indicators of racism and stereotypes about violent black men and looked
for a correlation between the two factors. The regression model showed that for
each one point increase in symbolic racism, there was a 50% increase in the
odds of a white American having a gun in their home.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This does not mean that owning a gun makes you racist, but
that racists are more likely to own guns and oppose the restrictions of gun
control. The researchers believe this is tied with the fear of ‘the criminal black
man’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This study did not examine the <a href="http://www.saf.org/lawreviews/tahmassebi1.html" target="_blank">historical role</a> of racism in
gun control legislation targeting black citizens.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-55051689559411744152013-11-10T12:37:00.001-08:002013-11-10T12:37:19.187-08:00Vegetative patient found aware of surroundings and able to pay attentionA <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/patient-in-vegetative-state-was-not-just-aware-but-also-able-to-pay-attention-study-shows/2013/11/04/92a66d5a-4250-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html" target="_blank">new study</a>, conducted by scientists at the Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the <a href="http://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank">University of Cambria</a>, was studying patients in a vegetative state and whether they were able to attend to target words. The testing was done through electrical measurements of the patient's scalp while the patient was read a series of words, such as moss moth and worm, and asked to alternatively attend to the word 'yes' or the word 'no'. If the patient was able to attend to the correct target word, the patient was considered aware of their surroundings.<br />
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Of the 21 patients that the researchers studied, one vegetative patient was able to filter out the unimportant words and focus on the relevant words that they were asked to focus on.<br />
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Using fMRI brain scanning, the scientists conducting the study also discovered that the patient followed simple commands to imagine playing tennis. This suggests that the patient was not only aware of his surroundings, but also able to pay attention.<br />
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These findings are hopeful in opening the door to specialized devices in the future that would allow vegetative patients to interact with the outside world.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-36096756660700666242013-11-10T10:50:00.000-08:002013-11-10T10:50:57.897-08:0040 billion possible Earth-like planets in the Milky Way galaxy<div class="MsoNormal">
A <a href="http://www.scientificcomputing.com/news/2013/11/study-88-billion-earth-size-just-right-planets#.Un8ogflQGSo" target="_blank">recent study</a> run by astronomers of NASA has brought up the
estimate that there are roughly 8.8 billion Earth-sized planets orbiting suns
common to ours that have the chance of harboring life in the Milky Way galaxy
alone. These planets are shown to be in the Goldilocks Zone, an area where it
is neither too hot nor too cold, thus being a possible habitable zone. To put
that into context, there are more of these possible life-sustaining planets
than there are people currently living on Earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The study was conducted by having the Kepler telescope look
at 42,000 stars and see how many Earth-like planets there were, then
extrapolated that amount to the rest of the galaxy’s hundreds of billions of
stars. The study only looked at suns that were roughly the same size as our own
though, which is not the most common type of star.</div>
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If the Kepler study was concerned with Earth-like planets orbiting
other sized suns in their Goldilocks Zone, the study’s co-author, <a href="http://kepler.nasa.gov/Mission/team/coi/geoffMarcy/" target="_blank">Geoff Marcy</a>
estimated that there are roughly 40 billion right-sized and right-placed
planets out in the Milky Way galaxy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Marcy questioned why, if there were so many possible
Earth-like planets, there is a deafening silence in our galaxy from advanced
civilizations?<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-32501730636131053912013-11-02T17:45:00.001-07:002013-11-02T17:45:21.419-07:00Men need two social nights a week with their bros<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank">The Oxford department of Experimental Psychology</a> has
recently found that men need at least two days a week with their male friends
to maintain good health. <a href="http://senrg.psy.ox.ac.uk/people/r_dunbar.html" target="_blank">Robin Dunbar</a>,
the director of the Oxford University’s social and evolutionary neuroscience
research group, also suggests that men should meet with four friends to recap
the benefits of male friendship, and to grab a few drinks while they’re at it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dunbar also suggests that this bonding will also benefit men’s
health through faster recovery times when faced with illnesses and higher
levels of generosity. If the men also do some physical activity, such as
playing a sport together, entertainment and laughter will cause the release of endorphins,
which are responsible for the health benefits of the male bonding time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently in the United Kingdom, one in three men cannot find the time to meet with their male friends once a week, and 40% of men are able to make a 'guy's night' only a weekly affair.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-57955018110081645082013-11-02T17:17:00.001-07:002013-11-02T17:17:32.908-07:00The truth of 'the cheerleader effect'<div class="MsoNormal">
In a <a href="http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/people-seem-more-attractive-in-a-group-than-they-do-apart.html" target="_blank">new study run by The Association of Psychological Science</a>, the perceived ‘Cheerleader Effect’ has been proven to be true. This
psychological phenomenon, which was first dubbed on the famous television show <i>How I Met Your Mother </i>by lady-killer
Barney Stinson, states that a group of people, rather than individually, is perceived
as more attractive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Two of the scientists working on the study, <a href="http://newsle.com/person/drewwalker/20711396" target="_blank">Drew Walker</a> and
<a href="http://www.edvul.com/" target="_blank">Edward Vul</a> of the University of California in San Diego, say that people ‘average
out’ the features of the people in a group, which makes each person seem more
average that they truly are.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Walker expects that, since this averaging out of the faces
also averages out the unattractive idiosyncrasies, it explains why the groups
of average people are seen as more attractive. So, the researchers conducted
five experiments with over 130 undergraduate students.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Individuals were shown electronic pictures of people
individually and in groups, and the group photographs made each individual look
more attractive than in their solo photograph.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-34424880357623018602013-10-27T18:39:00.000-07:002013-10-27T18:39:12.299-07:00New blood-scanning camera to help solve violent crimes and sexual assaults<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently in a <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-blood-detectives-scientific-breakthrough-in-reading-stains-may-help-solve-crimes-8906451.html" target="_blank">study of forensic sciences</a>, a team of ‘blood
detectives’ are looking into creating a working model of a camera that can
detect and date blood traces more accurately. Since blood samples and splatter patterns
are some of the most commonly used forms of prosecution evidence in violent
crimes, these scientists are hoping to use this new camera to better date blood
samples and create a more accurate chronology of events, let alone a precise
time of death. This technology could also be used to detect and date other
fluids, such as saliva, sweat, and semen, which could help improve conviction
rates in rape cases and other sexual assaults.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.tees.ac.uk/schools/sse/staff_profile_details.cfm?staffprofileid=U0012004" target="_blank">Dr Meez Islam</a>, the leader of the team working on the project,
said forensic teams are still using techniques devised over a century ago
because there currently is no effective way of dating blood. These include what
is commonly seen on television where forensic scientists paint on chemicals to
areas where blood is believed to be and hope a color reaction takes place due
to the iron found in the hemoglobin of the blood.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He also stated that the forensic scientists often go to a crime scene and what appears to be blood is actually not. Blood on dark backgrounds are hard to see, and there are also traces of blood that are not visible to the naked human eye, so this new camera will allow for a fast, at-the-scene identification of the blood to speed up the investigative process. This imaging will scan the crime scene for blood and make the chances of missing a bloodstain very low.</div>
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A prototype built in <a href="http://www.tees.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Teesside University</a> has apparently
shown extremely high accuracy in blood sample laboratories. So far, police
forces have shown a very high interest in the creation of these cameras, but Dr
Islam says his team needs about 100,000 euros to fund the creation of a working
model. This small investment though would lead to a large societal impact.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-49882917805125192522013-10-27T12:57:00.000-07:002013-10-27T12:57:21.923-07:00New machine chills beverages in 45 seconds<div class="MsoNormal">
Have you ever wanted a machine that would actually chill
your drink for you? Well the technology has been found, and the <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/10404692/Reverse-microwave-can-chill-wine-bottles-and-fizzy-drink-cans-in-45-seconds.html" target="_blank">‘reverse-microwave’</a>
has been created! This machine was created by <a href="http://www.enviro-cool.co.uk/" target="_blank">V-Tex</a>, a United Kingdom company,
and funded from the European Union.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The creation cools drinks in all kinds of containers,
including wine bottles and soda cans, from room temperature to a low of four
degrees in a matter of seconds. The drink, once put into the machine, is
rotated at a low speed in water to keep the beverage from fizzing while the
water quickly brings down its temperature.<o:p></o:p></div>
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According to V-Tex, their machine uses around 80 percent
less energy than standard machines used in grocery stores and markets to keep
beverages cool. A commercial product is currently being used in retail outlets across the UK, but a domestic product is currently being created for the average household to purchase. The V-Tex site even has a <a href="http://www.enviro-cool.co.uk/#/prototype-gallery/4566911789" target="_blank">prototype gallery</a>!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-90676670106233421442013-10-20T11:41:00.001-07:002013-10-20T11:41:31.231-07:00Possible AIDS vaccine found, 10 years until mass-production<a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=promising-hiv-vaccine-may-take-ten-years-to-perfect" target="_blank">According to researchers</a> who attended the 13th Aids Vaccine Conference last week in Barcelona, providing a commercial product to the world markets to combat AIDS might finally be a possibility. Scientists and drug companies say that consumers will have to wait for about 10 years if said vaccine was created and effective; but since AIDS has been around for only 30 years and has already killed over 36 million people, any hope in a widespread vaccine is good news.<br />
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This new vaccine, RV 144, as created by combining two previous vaccine's approaches at combating the HIV strain. The RV 144 combines a DNA vaccine with a protein vaccine effectively protecting the immune system 31% more than a placebo. This jump in efficiency sparked the creation of the Pox Protein Public-Private Partnership, (P5), a combination of companies and nongovernmental organizations that hope to make RV 144 a licensed product.<br />
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Other researchers, although ecstatic with these findings, wonder if governments should be investing in a concentration on prevention and treatment strategies instead of investing in a possible vaccineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-80156361190714517422013-10-20T11:04:00.002-07:002013-10-20T11:04:29.892-07:00Air pollution causes lung cancer<div class="MsoNormal">
A<a href="http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-10-17/science/43143437_1_air-pollution-air-quality-lung-cancer" target="_blank"> new study</a> scientifically confirmed a commuter’s worst
fears last week: air pollution directly causes lung cancer. The ultimate
decision was chosen by an expert panel of the International Agency for Research
on Cancer (IARC), the cancer agency of the World Health Organization (WHO),
based in Lyon, France.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The IARC confirmed that air pollution is a carcinogen (a
cancer causing agent) such as asbestos, tobacco, and ultraviolet radiation.
Previously, the IARC had classified components of air pollution, such as diesel
fumes, to be carcinogens; but this is the first air pollution in its entirety
has been classified as such.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The researchers are concerned that, unlike secondhand smoke,
the population is not able to just maneuver their way around air pollution.
This hopefully will prompt governments and other agencies to create and
implement stricter controls on spewing fumes.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-56629689179294328812013-10-11T10:01:00.001-07:002013-10-11T10:01:38.186-07:00Smoking is more dangerous than previously believed according to Australian study<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">A new Australian study on
the effects of smoking shows that this bad habit is even more deadly than
scientists previously thought. According to the study, supported by the
<a href="http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">National Heart Foundation</a> in collaboration with <a href="http://www.cancercouncil.com.au/" target="_blank">Cancer Council NSW</a>, smoking
cuts ten years off of the average smoker's life and it is directly linked to
two-thirds of deaths in current smokers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/smoking-cuts-10-years-off-life-study/story-e6frg8y6-1226738034684" target="_blank">The study</a> involved 200,000 Australians and states that even moderate
smoking is deadly, and the risk of complications increases with the number of
cigarettes smoked each day. The good news is that at any age, completely
stopping smoking reduces the risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The scientists believe that this new study will help smokers realize just
how dangerous this habit is and give them an incentive to quit. According to The
Heart Foundation’s <a href="http://au.linkedin.com/pub/robert-grenfell/10/1a6/51" target="_blank">Dr. Rob Grenfell</a>, a worker on the study, smoking is the single-most
preventable cause of death in Australia and kills 15,000 people a year.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-46805294485876856922013-10-10T19:39:00.002-07:002013-10-10T19:39:47.930-07:00Haitian cholera survivors sue United NationsA very deadly strain of cholera has recently been <a href="http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/1009/479228-haiti-cholera-un/" target="_blank">reported</a> in Haiti, a country that has not known cholera for over 100 years. So far, there have been roughly 700,000 deaths from this outbreak, and the survivors and family members of these Haitians are suing the United Nations for billions of dollars in unspecified damages. These include over 679,000 victims of personal injury, wrongful death, and loss of use of property and natural resources.<br />
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The UN has stated that they have legal immunity from the compensation claims, even going so far as not allowing a resolution to the claims using its own internal procedures, which is why proceedings for the court action are being held in New York.<br />
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According to the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/" target="_blank">US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, it is beyond any serious doubt that UN peacekeeping troops are the culprit in the outbreak of cholera. This strain has been found to be entering other countries too, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, killing more than 8,500 people there.<br />
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The lawsuit states that the cholera was brought by UN troops from Nepal, in which cholera is an epidemic and recent infections have already been reported.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-87149720253498306582013-10-10T17:16:00.002-07:002013-10-10T17:16:39.697-07:00Nationwide tobacco use and health concerns study<div class="MsoNormal">
Within the past few weeks, I have been a part of a new
scientific study through the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health
<a href="http://pathstudyinfo.nih.gov/UI/HomeMobile.aspx" target="_blank">(PATH)</a>. This study, in collaboration between The National Institutes of Health
<a href="http://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank">(NIH)</a> and the Food and Drug Administration <a href="http://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank">(FDA)</a>, was announced in October 2011 and
aims to teach the public why and how people are using – or not using –
different types of tobacco products and how use may affect health. The PATH’s
goal is to interview about 59,000 people aged 12 and older, which makes this
new study the largest of its kind ever done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://pathstudyinfo.nih.gov/UI/StudyOverviewMobile.aspx" target="_blank">How it works</a> is a household is chosen at random from any
city across the nation and an interviewer contacts the residents of the home or
apartment. Anyone, 12 or older, living at the address can take a quick survey
to see if they are eligible. If the residents agree to take the survey, a
residential interviewer sets up a date and time to come to the address and
guide the residents through the survey. If you are chosen, you can then choose
to be a participant in the study. As compensation, PATH offers a $35 debit card
as a thank you for participating in the study.<o:p></o:p></div>
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David Hinson, a fellow CSU Ram randomly selected to partake in the study said that although he has never used a tobacco product before in his life, his participation was greatly encouraged and appreciated. His interviewer said to him that there were practically no participants so far who had not used tobacco products before, so it was very important to have his participation to account for at least 1,000 of our peers who have the same non-tobacco habits as him.<div>
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When I contacted PATH, the man who I spoke with said that I
was a prime participant, for I am a college student of average height and weight
with a part-time job. The man explained that since they are hoping for about
60,000 participants, I would roughly represent 1,000 of my peers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Emily A. Gossner, the woman who conducted my study, also
filled me in with other questions I had and gave me more insight about the
study. Gossner said every year, for at
least three years, I will be contacted and encouraged to re-participate in the
study as a follow-up on tobacco their use. Also, for more of my heath information,
PATH is asking me if they could acquire urine, blood, and saliva samples, or
any combination of the three. I was allowed to decline though, and I did.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gossner also said that the study will conclude and by published hopefully near the end of 2015.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-43084212728258653602013-10-06T10:07:00.001-07:002013-10-06T10:07:53.767-07:00California and Japanese researchers find new hope for delaying early menopause<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
Researchers at <a href="http://www.marianna-u.ac.jp/univ_en/" target="_blank">St Marianna University</a> in
Kawasaki, Japan and <a href="http://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank">Stanford University</a> in California have found a new hope for
women diagnosed with early menopause. <a href="http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/scientific-breakthrough-reawakening-ovaries-gives-hope-women-5599434" target="_blank">This breakthrough</a> in ‘reawakening the
woman’s ovaries’ is done by removing the ovary, activating them in the
laboratory, and re-implanting the fragments of the ovarian tissue.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
Until now, the only option for having
children with women going through early menopause was to accept IVF treatment
using donated eggs, which would mean that the baby would be the result of
another biological mother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br />
So far, this procedure has resulted in one baby born and another expecting. The
researchers now plan to help other age groups of women, mostly women who become
infertile between the ages of 40 and 45.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-54969786440640569632013-10-05T22:25:00.002-07:002013-10-05T22:37:05.856-07:00Facebook linked to declining social well-being<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://selfcontrol.psych.lsa.umich.edu/papers/Kross_etal_FB_2013.pdf" target="_blank">A new study</a> involving social media’s effect on mental health
as correlated Facebook to an overall decline in life satisfaction. The study, created
by the <a href="http://www.umich.edu/" target="_blank">University of Michigan</a>, had college students fill out a questionnaire
about their overall life contentment, then over the course of two weeks, had
these same students respond to five daily text messages asking them about their
current mood.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The study found that, after using Facebook, students had a
decline in overall well-being. The researchers decided to see if there was a
relation with <i>any</i> form of social
interaction, so the students were asked the text questions again after having a
face-to-face social interaction. The findings were that the students actually
felt an increase in well-being, thus confirming their findings.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This has yet to be proven as a causal claim though and is
only based off of the correlation.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-25094416797429970492013-09-29T15:01:00.002-07:002013-09-29T15:01:13.229-07:00British scientists discover new universal flu vaccine<div class="MsoNormal">
On September 23<sup>rd</sup> 2013, scientists say they have
found a new scientific breakthrough that could help protect the people of
Britain from the flu. <a href="http://www.bestmedicalcover.co.uk/news/latest-news/Discovery_may_lead_to_universal_flu_vaccine.aspx" target="_blank">The found vaccine</a> will protect from <i>all</i> forms of the flu too, not just the most common strain. The
foundation for the new vaccine was found by scientists, led by Professor Ajit
Lalvani, at the <a href="http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank">Imperial College London</a>.<br />
<br />
This vaccine attacks the core of the virus, which would effectively kill the
existing kind of flu and also kill future strains, hopefully preventing future
pandemics from occurring, such as the historical 1918 Spanish flu outbreak that
killed millions of people all throughout Europe.<br />
<br />
Because of the thousands of people in Britain who die every winter because of
the flu, this new flu vaccine is sought to save lives.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-25939807185724191222013-09-28T17:06:00.001-07:002013-09-28T17:06:31.056-07:00Chinese create much more effective water filterThe most recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) states that the scarcity of available safe and pure potable water is increasingly becoming a reality in many countries. The WHO is linking this problem of less safe water to the increase in deaths from water borne diseases. <a href="http://www.china-qinqin.com/" target="_blank">Ningbo Qingin</a>, a Chinese Electric Appliance Company, however, has <a href="http://pr-bg.com/content/view/35354/79/" target="_blank">announced that they have created a very efficient and highly potent water filter system</a> that will give the consumers safe to drink pure and hygienic water.<br />
<br />
Usually, filtering out tiny impurities and microorganisms is extremely difficult. But reverse osmosis experts at Ningbo Qingin say that their new water filters overcome this problem by taking the filtering process through multiple steps, including specific treatment for each type of impurity and microorganism.<br /><br />Ningbo Qingin supplies water dispensers to many consumers every month, worldwide.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-26948599070636399082013-09-22T09:31:00.000-07:002013-09-22T09:31:30.647-07:00No magic cure for TBIA recent study by the Pentagon and the Department of Veteran Affairs concluded yesterday that the use of a <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2013/09/21/tbi-treatment-research-military-hyperbaric-oxygen-chamber/2842695/" target="_blank">hyperbaric chamber did not help with mild cases of traumatic brain injury</a> (TBI). The hyperbaric chamber is a pressurized chamber that forces oxygen into the subject's brain, and the study was conducted on tens of thousands of combat veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.<br /><br />These combat veterans were 60 Marines who suffered mild brain injuries in roadside bombs and mortars or rocket-propelled grenades. According to the Pentagon, over 230,000 troops have suffered mild TBI cases since 2000.<br />
<br />
Breathing pressurized oxygen raises the oxygen levels in the subject's brain, which boosts the health of damaged brain cells, improving brain functions and combating TBI. This system is similar to decompression chambers used on divers to combat decompression sickness and the bends.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-17154620641117067012013-09-21T15:05:00.000-07:002013-09-21T15:05:10.010-07:00Curiosity rover finds more evidence of water on Mars<div class="MsoNormal">
On September 18<sup>th</sup>, the Curiosity rover, first
touching down on Mars last August, <a href="http://www.space.com/22854-mars-water-curiosity-rover-discoveries.html" target="_blank">found significant evidence that water once existed on Mars</a>, and the habitat at that time could have supported microbial
life. Curiosity first found mudstone, a rock containing clay that is made of fine minerals that
settle slowly, usually caused by water and wind.<br />
<br />
The rover also found small sulfate veins on the surface that suggests a flow of
water transported these sulfate-rich minerals to these veins from their
original location. This process is very common in ancient rivers on Earth, so
scientists believe these veins are a result of rivers on Mars’ surface millions
to billions of years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-34339998043168408752013-09-15T13:56:00.002-07:002013-09-15T13:56:40.894-07:00Massive aquifers found under drought-stricken northern Kenya<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday, September 11<sup>th</sup>
2013, UNESCO drilling and the Kenyan government <a href="http://phys.org/news/2013-09-scientists-kenya-parched-north.html" target="_blank">found two large aquifers of underground water</a>, estimated at <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/09/2013915104042357942.html" target="_blank">200 billion cubic meters</a>. This discovery was found
using advanced satellite exploration technology.<br />
<br />
This water is hoped to help the drought-stricken north region of Kenya, where
just two years ago a drought pushed the malnutrition rate up to a staggering 37
percent. 17 million of Kenya’s 41 million population lack access to safe
drinking water and 28 million lack proper sanitation.<br />
<br />
UNESCO says that further studying is needed to learn of exactly how large the
two aquifers are, and the United Nations are concerned about the quality of the
water. Also, the UN is ‘seeking to confirm the presence of a further three
aquifers in the region.’<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-82596374316938486482013-09-14T18:32:00.002-07:002013-10-06T10:09:36.101-07:00Russian scientists create compound to fight autism and schizophrenia in newborns<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in 2011, a young Russian named Malyshev, a graduate of
Moscow State University, came up with the idea of artificially producing peptides,
a compound of amino acids, of breast milk that would help the nervous system in
young children develop normally. These peptides would, if successful, <a href="http://indrus.in/economics/2013/09/13/scientific_breakthrough_to_help_fight_autism_in_newborns_29351.html" target="_blank">eliminate autism and schizophrenia in newborns</a>.<br />
<br />
The peptides are planned to be added into the ingredients of breast milk formulas
in companies that are willing to partake in the study. The product, Lactocore,
has so far partnered with a major dairy producer in Russia and is planning to
launch its product by the end of 2013. A second partnership in Belarus is being
formed.<br />
<br />
Since the startup, it has raised about $70,000 in grant money to cover current
research and wages. To start up an international expansion though, the group is
looking for international partners along with $1.6 million for final testing,
patenting, and marketing.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-1068268205692351582013-09-08T14:30:00.001-07:002013-09-08T14:36:51.399-07:00Genetically engineered Israeli plants resistant to drought?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Last
month, a team of scientists from Israel <a href="http://www.algemeiner.com/2013/08/19/israeli-scientific-breakthrough-could-ease-droughts-and-famines/" target="_blank">accidentally came across new technology that might allow plants to survive droughts worldwide</a>. The team, led by the Chancellor of Kinneret College: Professor Shimon Gepstein, were testing the longevity and shelf-life of vegetables by cutting off the tips of tobacco leaves when their genetically engineered tobacco plants lived three times longer than the normal plants.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">To
further test the phenomenon, the team left their genetically enhanced tobacco
plants alone without water for three weeks. Normal tobacco plants need water every
one to two days, but the genetically engineered plants, receiving water after the
three weeks, began again to grow, showing no damage during the ‘drought period’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">These
genetically engineered plants also proved to only needed one-third of the water
usually required to keep tobacco plants alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">This
new technology is very important for countries with low annual rainfall, so it
is no surprise that many international firms are interested in the technology
for the safety and security of their nations.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7414502056220416093.post-8431407960626696862013-09-08T13:55:00.000-07:002013-09-08T14:37:11.088-07:00E-cigarettes are as effective as nicotine patches<span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-23985248" target="_blank">A new study</a>,
led by Professor Chris Bullen of New Zealand's University of Auckland, states
that e-cigarettes are as effective as nicotine patches in helping smokers kick
the habit.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">According to the team’s findings, 7.3% of e-cigarette users
had quit smoking after 6 months, whereas 5.8% of people using the patch had
done the same. There is no evidence of e-cigarettes being more effective in helping smokers quit completely; but after 6 months, 57% of e-cigarette users had halved the amount of cigarettes smoked each day. The nicotine patch users had a 16% less success rate in doing the same.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">One of the most
interesting aspects of the study is that, according to popular response,
e-cigarettes are more attractive to smokers than nicotine patches, which may
lead to an even higher rate of use.</span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Because
e-cigarettes are a relatively new phenomenon, Professor Bullen suggests long-term studies on the effects and consequences of using e-cigarettes.</span><br />
<div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03561280882675802770noreply@blogger.com0