New Inherited Eye Disease Discovered
December 12, 2009
University of Iowa researchers have found the existence of a new, rare inherited retinal disease. Now the search is on to find the genetic cause, which investigators hope will increase understanding of more common retinal diseases.
The findings appeared in the Nov. 9 issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology.
The macula, located within the retina, is an area of high-resolution central vision that is needed to read or drive, for example. This area is damaged in more common retinal conditions such as macular degeneration and can be damaged by diabetes.
Blast Waves Cause Brain Injuries Even Without Direct Impact
December 11, 2009
Traumatic brain injuries have been associated with military conflicts for a long time, especially those involving explosives. The explosive devices used in warfare since the invention of gunpowder have not only proved deadly but also extensively damaging to those not mortally wounded by the explosions.
Brain injuries generally occur when mechanical (physical) loads are placed on the brain, leading to problems in the functionality of the brain. Generally, these injuries are seen in car crashes or sporting accidents where a high velocity object is involved. However, in a combat scenario involving explosive devices, new research indicates that one of the reasons for the high instances of brain injuries in soldiers close to a blast is the force wave generated by the explosion. This force causes a squeezing of the skull or an extreme and sudden acceleration of the head, either of which can cause serious physical pressure to be placed on the brain and potentially damaging it.
Planet X, 2012 and the End of the World
December 10, 2009
Are you familiar with Planet X? If not, you will be.
Planet X, also known as Nibiru, supposedly passes through our solar system every 3,600 years leaving death and destruction in its wake. The planet was first spotted by astronomers in the early 1980s and has been tracked by infrared observatories ever since.
If Nibiru enters our solar system, there could be a catastrophic effect on Earth. The poles could shift, extreme natural disasters could increase and the sun might be blotted out by the dust left by Planet X for some 40 years, killing most life forms on Earth.
From Sundials to Atomic Clocks: The Measurement of Time
December 9, 2009
The passage of time is an abstract concept that we all take for granted. We all eat, sleep and go to work at roughly the same time each day. Few of us give little thought about it but it is an integral part of all our lives. That’s why humans have, for thousands of years, continuously developed more and more sophisticated ways of measuring the passage of time. From sundials to computer time servers and atomic clocks, people have for generations strived to accurately measure the passage of time. This article describes the fundamental nature of time, how it is measured by movement, and how it is closely related to the concept of space. It also highlights the advancements of high technology time references and International time standards.
Antioxidants Could Be H1N1 Influenza’s Achilles Heel
December 8, 2009
A recent article from the FASEB Journal shows that antioxidants, largely found in plant-based foods, just may be H1N1 influenza’s Achilles heel. In laboratory testing they demonstrate the ability to prevent the H1N1 virus from invading and colonizing our lungs. The research, conducted by Sadis Matalon and his colleagues, also suggests that antioxidants can help in the treatment of H1N1 influenza.
The team of researchers discovered that influenza virus’ contain a protein called M2, which destroys or damages the epithelial cells of our lungs by removing liquid from inside, promoting the early stages of pneumonia as well as other lung problems.
Environmental Services For Sustainable Developments
December 7, 2009
Environmental services form the core of Government services that keep the modern world free from diseases. Waste management and water treatment ensure that people living in developed countries can go about daily life without fear of contracting diseases that are potentially life threatening. Many people may be aware of the work carried out at water treatment facilities and at landfill sites, but as the concerns for the environment mount, there are moves toward providing sustainable environmental services that maintain the high standards that already exist.
Beam me up, Scotty!
December 4, 2009
Teleportation is defined as is the transfer of matter from one point to another, more or less instantaneously, either by alchemy, paranormal means, or through technological means.
The word was originally coined in 1931 by the American writer Charles Fort to describe disappearances and appearances of anomalies, and he suggested that teleportation might explain allegedly ‘paranormal’ phenomena. Some suggest that it is difficult to tell whether Fort was being serious and genuinely believed in the idea of teleportation or was pointing out the inadequacies of mainstream science in using teleportation to explain and brush aside strange phenomena which fundamentally, perhaps, were just not understood.
Science Sites for the Average Joe
December 3, 2009
SciSeek.com was recently named one the 50 Best Science Sites for the Average Joe by X-Ray Technician Schools. The list includes some our favorites including: How Stuff Works, Discovery.com Science Channel, Space.com, Science Daily, and ScienceBlogs.com.
It’s quite an honor to be listed along with all of the great sites on that list. You can find the list over at X-Ray Technician Schools. Go check it out.
Innovative Environmental Services Turn Biowaste Into Biofuel
December 3, 2009
Sustainable solutions for waste management are on the horizon as more technologies are being developed to find an alternative to traditional waste management. We take a look at the way environmental services are processing biowaste in a bid to provide a greener future for generations to come.
Biowastes come from organic matter such as kitchen scraps, sewage and manure. This category also includes items such as cloth and paper as long as they are not composed of any synthetic materials. Putting this type of waste into a landfill site can create a build up of methane, which in the past has been the cause of an underground fire. Environmental services ensure that there is an outlet for the gas, but this is release a large amount of methane into the atmosphere.
Brain Stimulation with Infrared Light
December 2, 2009
Researchers have recently found that infrared light has the capability of stimulating brain cells. Infrared light causes the excitation of neurons thus altering their activity. This new type of brain stimulation method is referred to as infrared nerve stimulation (INS). INS has a variety of applications for altering the functioning of central nervous system disorders. For many brain disorders, brain activity is altered in comparison to more normal states. Infrared light has a very high selectivity and can target very small sub-populations of brain cells. This type of stimulation could potentially reduce many of the side effects of current brain stimulation.
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