Scarring Childhood Leaves Scars

Considering the fact that I have been studying for my genetics exam for a few days now, I figured I would post about a new, interesting discovery made within the field of genetics.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for children to experience rough, sometimes traumatic times during their early lives. While many of these children suffer from damaging emotional problems, these traumatic experiences may be leaving even deeper, more severe scars. Researchers believe found that abused or bullied children tend to have shorter telomeres, structures found at the tip of chromosomes. The problem with shortening telomeres is that the length of one's telomeres is believed to be linked to how long you will live as well as health problems. Each time cells divide, telomeres reduce in size. Thus, as you age, your telomeres get shorter. Scientists are considering stress as an accelerator of telomere loss, leading to increased risk of developing diseases at an earlier age. For those who can relate to childhood violence or traumatic experiences, there is hope for a healthy future. Studies show that making healthful changes that reduce stress, such as eating healthy and exercising, can slow down the rate of telomere loss. With beach season quickly approaching, daily exercise and a healthy diet won't just get you in shape but give you even more years to enjoy the summer sun!

Scorching Summers

With the school semester coming to an end, students everywhere look forward to Summer. Students at Rutgers University countdown the days until they can kick back, layout, and enjoy the warm weather. Some may be unaware of just hot our Summers are becoming. Scientists studying climate change have observed that the high summertime temperatures are occurring much more frequently over the past few years. Research shows that the increasing frequency of summertime-average temperatures is consistent with the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. While some may believe these occurrences are due to the effects of natural climate variability, scientists believe that this trend directly relates to pollution of the air. Future climate models predict that rare summertime high temperatures will occur in over 50% of summers by the middle of this century. The South, Southwest, and Northeast are expected to experience the greatest increase in frequency of unusually hot summers. This prediction is based on the assumption of future emissions of carbon dioxide that have been being emitted heavily in these regions over the years. Carbon dioxide is one of the main causes of human-caused climate change. With this said, I ask the students ready to hit the beach one question. Can you take the heat?

Stressed About Finals?

It's that time of year again. Finals are approaching quickly. Poor hygiene, sleepless nights, and splitting headaches are starting to become more frequent. As the stress builds, many students tend to feel physically unwell. But why? Scientists says that stress has more of an impact on our health than we realize. As we try and deal with stress, our immune system begins to suffer. The body releases pro-inflammatory cytokines, or signaling proteins that promote inflammation. The problem with these molecules is not only do they decrease our body's ability to fight infection and heal wounds, but inflammation also increases risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases like Type 2 Diabetes. With Spring's beautiful weather also comes allergies. Stress contributes to an increased risk of allergies, worsening stressed students who suffer from pollen or other allergies. How do we avoid stress in such a stressful week? About.com provides 6 easy ways to help relax during finals week and get through the end of the semester. Personally, I have always found that exercise is a great stress reliever. The endorphins released during physical exercise not only make you feel good, but you'll feel better about yourself. Going into finals with confidence is one of the best ways to do well. Another tip not on the list is to make a reward system. Give yourself an incentive to get studying done, so you'll be able to stay focused and not give in to temptation. Follow these tips and you'll be sure to study away, stress free. Good luck!

The Future of Funding

After recent research I have done concerning the current problems with scientists receiving funding for equipment, trials, and other experimental costs, I believe there is a major problem worth the public's attention. Over the past few years, science funding has largely been riding on the help of the stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama in February of 2009. $10 billion dollars supplement was given to the National Institute of Health in order to continue funding breakthrough scientific research. Although it was only three years ago, within the next year and a half, this will have been used, leaving only a few hundred million left. This drastic change in money available for funding runs the risk of putting the United States in a position where we could no longer keep up with the scientific research of countries that receive better funding. Britain faces a situation similar to that of the United States. Due to cuts in science funding, a major brain drain may be in Britain's near future. Young, upcoming scientists are looking for work in other countries with better funding that can provide more prosperous and productive careers. Considered a major investor in the development of various science and technology research and training institutes, brain drains of countries like Britain threaten the advancement and progression of the scientific community. In order to uphold progression within the scientific community, funding is essential.

The Truth In Lie Detection

After changing my next read from The Big Thirst to The Lying Brain, I came across an article regarding lie detection technology and how valid it actually is. I was surprised of how doubtful I became of the technology, which before reading the article I believed was rather advanced and foolproof.

 Some of the major problems with lie detection technology lie in its validity due to countermeasures that interrogated suspects can take. For years, lie detection has consisted of questioning combined with observations of physiological responses. The problem with this form of lie detection is based on how easily physiological responses can be triggered. Subtle, unseen actions such as biting your tongue or pressing your toes into the ground can trigger a physiological response, making each question asked have the same affect on the interrogated individual. In this sense, there is no difference in response between any questions, making it impossible to tell if a person is lying.
         In addition to validity problems, the brain’s unique qualities that vary from person to person raise question as to how scientists can accurately tell what a lie exactly is. Brain altering problems such as depression, personality disorder, and Alzheimer’s disease cause people’s brains to function differently from one another. For scientists to pinpoint a response in the brain to a lie seems rather absurd, as every person’s brain functions slightly differently.

In the article Emerging Technologies for Lie Detection: Promises and Perils, other problems including these are further described. I would highly suggest reading the article, as it not only provides great insight as to what new technology has been developed in the field of neuroscience, but also, the article allows you to form your own opinion on whether or not these technologies should be integrated into our society. 

Interview with Dr. Young Complete

My interview with Dr. Young, neuroscientist at Rutgers University, was an extremely rewarding experience. I was fascinated to learn of his accomplishments throughout his career, as well as his perspective on science research. I would highly suggest anyone interested in the field of neuroscience or spinal cord injury to visit the W.M. Keck Center For Collaborative Neuroscience on Busch Campus. A conversation with Dr. Young or any of his students is sure to inspire any student interested in neuroscience. Below is a segment of the interview between Dr. Young and I.

When dealing with a major issue like spinal cord injury treatment, it is essential that all possible approaches to discovering a cure be considered. I was initially interested in learning about what motivated Dr. Young to pursue his research into finding a cure for people suffering from spinal cord injury, as well as his approach toward research. While Dr. Young was an intern at Bellevue Hospital in 1978, he took care of a seventeen-year-old wrestler who had broken his neck in a wrestling accident. Young, a former wrestler, found it hard to tell the young man’s parents there was nothing that could be done to treat him at the time. “ It always has been the people with spinal cord injury that has driven me to do this research,” Young explains. Considering himself a problem solver, Dr. Young believes instead of specializing in one particular facet of science, it is best to incorporate knowledge from all aspects of science and apply this knowledge toward a particular problem. Dr. Young reminisces of a saying his friend Andrew Blight, a fellow neuroscientist, once said, “ If the only tool you have is a hammer, the only problems you solve are nails. As you can see in our lab, we use microscopy, cell culture, engineering, molecular biology, surgery, etc. We use every technique available to us to solve the problem [of spinal cord injury].” As a teacher, Wise feels it is necessary to teach his students that every problem has multiple solutions, and it is fundamental to learn how to quickly come up with a variety of solutions in order to conduct the best science research. Comfort dealing with a wide variety of research tools allows scientists to apply all facets of science knowledge into formulating a possible solution. Young’s approach toward scientific research incorporates all parts of the spectrum, part of the reason he has been so successful within his field.

The Big Thirst

Water is such an essential part of life that most of us have just accepted the fact that it will always be available. While this is true, many do not know just how powerful of an element water is. Charles Fishman, author of The Big Thirst, explains how much our society depends on water. One of the first things scientists look for when determining whether life on other planets is possible is whether or not there is any indication of the presence of water. Most of us take for granted the ability to turn the faucet and have easy, constant access to clean water. For many people, water is not as accessible.  The importance of water is obvious, but if it is a renewable resource, what is the concern? In a time where pollution is a major problem, water is susceptible to many of these pollutants contributed from major companies. The Big Thirst addresses some of the methods companies are using in an attempt to not only conserve water but to avoid polluting it. I am very interested in reading this book because I would like to become more knowledgable of such a simple substance that our entire world depends on. Instead of assuming that I always have access to clean water, I would like to form a better appreciation for something so vital to each and everyone one of us.