By Adhirath Bollapragada
Published: October 4th, 2013
Author: Gaurav Krishnamurthy
Source: http://www.medgadget.com/2013/10/esteya-system-for-skin-cancer-treatment-gets-fda-510k-clearance.html
Summary:
Skin cancer is one of the most common cases of cancer, combined with incidents with the breast, lung, prostate, and colon. Even though one of the main forms to cure and treat skin cancer is surgery, research has found an alternative way in which skin cancer can be treated and cured; Electronic Brachytherapy. In addition, High Dose Rate (HDR) are alternatives to treating skin cancer, but a third way has been cleared. The Esteya system uses a click on applicator and easily maneuverable, using high LED brightness. As a result, the time it takes to complete the treatment is very short. In addition, the Esteya system can be used anywhere, as it requires minimal shielding and is highly portable. A tungsten applicator shield protects healthy tissue from excessive radiation exposure. Also, the Esteya system lowers the patient lines. This all seems like advertisement, but the Esteya system is mainly used for areas on the human body where it is dangerous to undergo surgery in. The Esteya system is especially relevant for cancers of the nose, ears, eyelids or lips, where surgery may cause disfigurement or require extensive reconstruction.
Connection:
Even though this is a complicated article, consisting of a video as well, it touches upon the role of a cell in the human body and how dangerous any type of cancer can be. Cancer is an excess of cells in the human body, concentrated or not, in which cells do not undergo mitosis and have a function in the body. There are many types of cancer; brain cancer, breast cancer, etc. However, this article connects to the unit about cells because it focuses on the importance of the cell cycle; most importantly mitosis. Mitosis is a phase when the parent cell doubles its chromosomes to distribute to the two daughter cells that will form later on. But when cells keep reproducing and do not die, increasing a concentration of cells in one area or all over the body, known as a malignant tumor, it is known as cancer. The cells don't function in a way to help the body, and do not maintain a balance within the body too. So, this article talks about another way in which skin cancer can be cured. This is just only a small accomplishment in curing cancer, but there are many more to come.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Test-Tube Burger
Link: http://science.time.com/2013/08/05/meet-schmeat-say-hello-to-the-stem-cell-hamburger/
Some vegetarians object to meat for the reason of killing the animal. If there was a way to fix that maybe they could eat meat. Scientists are in fact working on a way to produce meat with out killing animals. This meat is made from stem-cells grown in labs with proteins and amino acids. The cost of producing meat from animals is a lot more than we think, the costs of land for the animals, food for the animals, land to grow the food for the animals, medicine for the animals, slaughtering the animals, processing the meat is all factored into the total. Removing those extra steps and necessities makes meat production far more efficient and cost effective.
In class we discussed many things relating to this article. Early in the quarter we talked about the efficiency of eating meat against eating plants due to the cost of feeding the animals we eat instead of that food going directly to us. Later we learned about all the parts that make up a cell and the molecules that make up the parts. To "grow" meat these molecules are very important, the amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.
Some vegetarians object to meat for the reason of killing the animal. If there was a way to fix that maybe they could eat meat. Scientists are in fact working on a way to produce meat with out killing animals. This meat is made from stem-cells grown in labs with proteins and amino acids. The cost of producing meat from animals is a lot more than we think, the costs of land for the animals, food for the animals, land to grow the food for the animals, medicine for the animals, slaughtering the animals, processing the meat is all factored into the total. Removing those extra steps and necessities makes meat production far more efficient and cost effective.
In class we discussed many things relating to this article. Early in the quarter we talked about the efficiency of eating meat against eating plants due to the cost of feeding the animals we eat instead of that food going directly to us. Later we learned about all the parts that make up a cell and the molecules that make up the parts. To "grow" meat these molecules are very important, the amino acids, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Turning on key enzyme blocks tumor formation
Katie Liu
October 20, 2013
Published: August 27, 2012
Link: http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2012/turning-on-key-enzyme-blocks-tumor-formation-0827.html
Summary:
Cancer cells put most of their energy into reproduction and growth, unlike regular cells. They rely on the help of certain enzymes to construct molecules that build up cell structures. When chemical compounds interrupt the function of this enzyme, it can prevent tumors from forming in mice, according to a study done at MIT. Cancer cells use a specific type of enzyme called pyruvate kinase that allows the cell to focus on growing and dividing quicker than normal. In normal cells, this enzyme allows a large ATP to be produced from the product of glycolysis. However, in cancer cells, the alternate form of this enzyme is less active, so instead of having more ATP produced, the products of glycolysis are being made into macromolecules essential for building and growing cells. This study suggest that cancerous growth can be stopped by raising the level of pyruvate kinase activity so the cell will have normal reactions. Drugs that change the properties of the altered enzyme into its original state hold possibilities for treating cancer. Tests have been run where chemical compounds that reverse the properties of the altered pyruvate kinase have been added into mice, and none of them developed tumors when they were exposed to human tumors.
Connection:
This article relates to our curriculum for this term since we've talked about enzymes in our second unit and cells for our third unit. We discussed the role of enzymes in chemical reactions, and how they work. This article talks about the role of a particular enzyme in cancerous cells, and how it’s causing cancer by causing less chemical reactions than normal cells which results in the cell producing building blocks like carbohydrates instead. We've also discussed cells and cellular reproduction by mitosis. Cancer cells are able to be harmful through massive cellular division and damage tissues that way. They grow uncontrollably and cancer is consider a disease of the cell cycle.
An Easier Way To Extract Energy From Plants Has Been Discovered!!
An Easier Way To Extract Energy From Plants Has Been Discovered!!
Harshul Shukla
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/make-biofuel-cut-lignin?mode=topic&context=87
Date of Source's publication : August 16 2013
Author: Meghan Rosen
Summary:
By creating a plant that doesn't have the enzyme caffeoyl shikimate esterase, Ruben Vanholme of Ghent University in Belgium was able to grow plants that have 36 percent less lignin. Lignin is a protein that makes the support beams of plant cells and makes it stand tall. These proteins become a problem when sugars are trying to be extracted. To remove the lignin, scientists usually must use many different chemicals and enzymes which sets them back large sums of money and large amounts of time. By eliminating the enzyme altogether, the plant will not produce as much lignin which will allow bio fuel to be much more accessible This process has been completed in a small flowering plant but it is expected to also work in many plants like poplar, switch grass, eucalyptus which are large sources for bio fuel. Hopefully this will make bio fuel a more dependable, effective, and accessible energy source for the future.
Relevance:
This article connects to what we have learned this year in multiple different way. For starters, Ruben Vanholme removed an enzyme in the plant to stop the lignin from forming. That plant requires the enzyme to create lignin because it does not have the activation energy to create the lignin itself and it does not have a catalyst. Also, lignin is cellulose in the plant walls that make it stand up and stiff which is something we learned about. Lastly, the discovery of a better way to make renewable energy is always good news. By reducing carbon emissions we can use this improved method to stop global warming! Also, by reducing pollutants in the sky, we will reduce acid rain which in turn will help us reduce the high levels of toxins in high tropic levels due to biological magnification. Lastly, it will help us protect ecosystem from climate change.
Harshul Shukla
Source: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/make-biofuel-cut-lignin?mode=topic&context=87
Date of Source's publication : August 16 2013
Author: Meghan Rosen
Summary:
By creating a plant that doesn't have the enzyme caffeoyl shikimate esterase, Ruben Vanholme of Ghent University in Belgium was able to grow plants that have 36 percent less lignin. Lignin is a protein that makes the support beams of plant cells and makes it stand tall. These proteins become a problem when sugars are trying to be extracted. To remove the lignin, scientists usually must use many different chemicals and enzymes which sets them back large sums of money and large amounts of time. By eliminating the enzyme altogether, the plant will not produce as much lignin which will allow bio fuel to be much more accessible This process has been completed in a small flowering plant but it is expected to also work in many plants like poplar, switch grass, eucalyptus which are large sources for bio fuel. Hopefully this will make bio fuel a more dependable, effective, and accessible energy source for the future.
Relevance:
This article connects to what we have learned this year in multiple different way. For starters, Ruben Vanholme removed an enzyme in the plant to stop the lignin from forming. That plant requires the enzyme to create lignin because it does not have the activation energy to create the lignin itself and it does not have a catalyst. Also, lignin is cellulose in the plant walls that make it stand up and stiff which is something we learned about. Lastly, the discovery of a better way to make renewable energy is always good news. By reducing carbon emissions we can use this improved method to stop global warming! Also, by reducing pollutants in the sky, we will reduce acid rain which in turn will help us reduce the high levels of toxins in high tropic levels due to biological magnification. Lastly, it will help us protect ecosystem from climate change.
Adaptability to local climate helps invasive species thrive
Sophie Antonioli
Mr. Mathieu
10/20/13
Published: October 17, 2013
URL: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-local-climate-invasive-species.html
Summary:
The University of Toronto has recently done an experiment about purple loosestrife. This invasive species has been evolving at an accelerated pace. As it spread to the colder climate of Northern Ontario, it has produced 30 times more seeds and flowers 3 weeks earlier than it regularly does. In the experiment, the university took 3 different samples of purple loosestrife from 3 different locations, northern, central, and south latitudes in eastern North America. They then planted them at places spanning their distribution and observed differences and similarities in their survival strategies, reproductive rates, and overall fitness. The results were that the plants closest to the 'home' always exceded the others in all the categories. This proved the point that the evolution of purple loosestrife is happening because of the climates they live in. Dr. Rob Colautti claims this is important because "Understanding that species can evolve rapidly to local climates is important for predicting how invasive species spread and how native and non-native species alike will respond to climate change."
Connection:
This connects to what we have learned this term because it talks about invasive species. In the ecology unit, we mostly focused on the competition of invasive species while in this article the evolution of invasive species is discusses. Never the less, both are related to the relationships invasive species have to their surroundings. Also, purple loosestrife was commonly our example or the invasive species we focused on specifically, just like in the article.
Mr. Mathieu
10/20/13
Published: October 17, 2013
URL: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-local-climate-invasive-species.html
Summary:
The University of Toronto has recently done an experiment about purple loosestrife. This invasive species has been evolving at an accelerated pace. As it spread to the colder climate of Northern Ontario, it has produced 30 times more seeds and flowers 3 weeks earlier than it regularly does. In the experiment, the university took 3 different samples of purple loosestrife from 3 different locations, northern, central, and south latitudes in eastern North America. They then planted them at places spanning their distribution and observed differences and similarities in their survival strategies, reproductive rates, and overall fitness. The results were that the plants closest to the 'home' always exceded the others in all the categories. This proved the point that the evolution of purple loosestrife is happening because of the climates they live in. Dr. Rob Colautti claims this is important because "Understanding that species can evolve rapidly to local climates is important for predicting how invasive species spread and how native and non-native species alike will respond to climate change."
Connection:
This connects to what we have learned this term because it talks about invasive species. In the ecology unit, we mostly focused on the competition of invasive species while in this article the evolution of invasive species is discusses. Never the less, both are related to the relationships invasive species have to their surroundings. Also, purple loosestrife was commonly our example or the invasive species we focused on specifically, just like in the article.
Elimination Prairie Dogs Can Lead to Desertification
Anna Kramer
October 20, 2013
Sarah Zielinski
Published October 17, 2013
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/wild-things/eliminating-prairie-dogs-can-lead-desertification
Summary:
A research team has studied the comparison between three types of land in the northwestern part of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. They compared grasslands with prairie dogs, grasslands without prairie dogs, and scrublands that used to have prairie dogs but are now overtaken with mesquite. In each land the scientists documented five present ecosystems: groundwater recharge, soil erosion, soil productive potential, carbon storage and availability of forage. The grassland with prairie dogs clearly beat out the other two areas. By burrowing in the ground that prairie dogs provided the soil with aeration, making the soil less compact so water and nutrients can distribute and feed the organisms. This goes through the chain of the ecosystems allowing for biodiversity. Because the soil is as well prepared by the prairie dogs in the other ecosystems, it leads to eventual desertification. Many people don't realize how necessary the prairie dogs are, they just see them as pests but do not understand the resulting chain of consequences that would result by eliminating the species.
Connection:
This articles connects to our lesson in the first unit about ecosystems. We learned that an ecosystem is an area that includes all of the abiotic (nonliving) factors and biotic (living) factors of that area, in this article the ecosystem is the grassland. We also learned that a keystone species is a species whose niche (living arrangement including many different factors) affects many other species in an ecosystem. This articles talks about the importance of the prairie dog as a keystone species in the grasslands. The prairie dog's burrowing provides homes for many species like amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. They are also prey for animals such as the endangered black-footed ferret. Their grazing helps keep grasslands open and devoid of trees and as I said before they help aerate the soil. So as we learned the elimination of a keystone species does, if the prairie dogs were to be eliminated a huge loss of biodiversity would fall soon after.
October 20, 2013
Sarah Zielinski
Published October 17, 2013
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/wild-things/eliminating-prairie-dogs-can-lead-desertification
Summary:
A research team has studied the comparison between three types of land in the northwestern part of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. They compared grasslands with prairie dogs, grasslands without prairie dogs, and scrublands that used to have prairie dogs but are now overtaken with mesquite. In each land the scientists documented five present ecosystems: groundwater recharge, soil erosion, soil productive potential, carbon storage and availability of forage. The grassland with prairie dogs clearly beat out the other two areas. By burrowing in the ground that prairie dogs provided the soil with aeration, making the soil less compact so water and nutrients can distribute and feed the organisms. This goes through the chain of the ecosystems allowing for biodiversity. Because the soil is as well prepared by the prairie dogs in the other ecosystems, it leads to eventual desertification. Many people don't realize how necessary the prairie dogs are, they just see them as pests but do not understand the resulting chain of consequences that would result by eliminating the species.
Connection:
This articles connects to our lesson in the first unit about ecosystems. We learned that an ecosystem is an area that includes all of the abiotic (nonliving) factors and biotic (living) factors of that area, in this article the ecosystem is the grassland. We also learned that a keystone species is a species whose niche (living arrangement including many different factors) affects many other species in an ecosystem. This articles talks about the importance of the prairie dog as a keystone species in the grasslands. The prairie dog's burrowing provides homes for many species like amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. They are also prey for animals such as the endangered black-footed ferret. Their grazing helps keep grasslands open and devoid of trees and as I said before they help aerate the soil. So as we learned the elimination of a keystone species does, if the prairie dogs were to be eliminated a huge loss of biodiversity would fall soon after.
Cancer Cells' Communication Path Blocked
Cancer Cells' Communication Path Blocked
Matthew HeOctober 20, 2013
Lund University
October 17, 2013
Article URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131017080252.htm
Video Story URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmseYv1hZNs
Journal Reference: H. C. Christianson, K. J. Svensson, T. H. van Kuppevelt, J.-P. Li, M. Belting. Cancer cell exosomes depend on cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans for their internalization and functional activity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2013; DOI:
Journal Link: http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/10/04/1304266110
Summary:
Mattias Belting and other researchers at Lund University have discovered a possible alternative to cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, both of which yield detrimental side effects. Studies have found the path of exosomes, small virus-like particles that transmit genetic material and proteins between cells. Researchers were able to analyze the process of transporting exosomes into new recipient cancer cells, and were able to see the effects of the exosomes on existing cells. By isolating existing exosomes with fluorescent dye, and culturing them into other cancer cells. After observing the processes of exosomes they came up with potential strategies to block the effects of exosomes. Exosomes have been shown to be active molecules within cancer cells, and by reducing their impact on cells through blocking them and other techniques, the researchers at Lund University hope to build off the existing knowledge about exosomes to introduce a technique in which they can help patients. There are several options possible in the prevention of exosomes into cancer cells involving heparan sulfate. This may possibly present a solution to help treat malignant tumors, by removing the presence of such exosomes, therefore treating cancer.
Connection:
This article connects to our current unit on cells, specifically cell division and cancer. Cell division in malignant tumors is especially tricky to treat, and treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation have very undesirable side effects. The articles goes in depth on showing what specific molecules may help deter the presence of exosomes, vacuoles that are known to have a direct relation to tumor growth. In the textbook (9-4 : Cancer cells grow and divide out of control) we learned about cancer cells and the two kinds of tumors, and how difficult they are to treat. This article supplements to that by providing new insight on new discoveries such as the processes of exosomes within cancer cells, which may lead to new treatments that can be implemented in clinics, in turn helping patients. This article specifically identifies molecular relationships to cancer cells, such as the function of exosomes, interesting new information that may result in real world solutions with cancer.
The Movement of a Cell with Messenger Proteins
Isabelle Terranova
October 21, 2013
Published by: John Hopkins University
Published on: October 20, 2013
Url: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-random-cell-movement.html
Summary:
Biologists at John Hopkins University have made a ground breaking discovery on how cells move. It was previously thought that messenger proteins were only involved in directional movement. They thought that without messenger proteins a cell could only preform random movements. Now, however, we know that the messenger proteins are also involved in the random movements of the cell. The cytoskeleton is a complicated network of proteins that wrap around the inside of the cell and dive it it's shape and construction. The cytoskeleton allows the cell to move by pushing outwards in a certain spot and creating a projection outside of the cell that pulls the cell forward. The cytoskeleton moves by getting signals from the messenger proteins that are directed by the sensor protein on the outside of the cell. To perform their experiment, they bathed the cell in a drug that prevents the cytoskeleton from moving, and as they suspected the cell could not move, however the random responses of the messenger cells still happened. Then they tested what would happened if they paralyzed other parts of the system. They thought that if they removed the sensor proteins that no movement would occur, but they notice that the messenger proteins can still work on their own telling the cytoskeleton how to work. This discovery explains in more detail how cells move, but much is still unknown.
Connection:
In class we did a unit on cells. We talked about how there are three different types of proteins in the cell membrane, channel proteins, receptor proteins and marker proteins. These proteins help the cell get messages from others cells and allow the cytoskeleton to get the message on where and how to move. We also learned about macromolecules and the function of a protein. Proteins have very diverse functions; some main functions are structure, defense, enzymes and receptors on the outside of the cell's membrane. The proteins in the cytoskeleton hold the cell's structure while allowing parts of the cytoskeleton to bulge out and enable the cell to move. In class we also discussed how cilia and flagella enable the cell to move. This relates because the article discusses how these organisms get the message from the messenger proteins and move the cell like propellers! In class we learned a lot about the functions of proteins and the movement and functions of cells. This material is enriched by the study carried out at John Hopkins University School of Medicine and recorded in the listed article!
October 21, 2013
Published by: John Hopkins University
Published on: October 20, 2013
Url: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-random-cell-movement.html
Summary:
Biologists at John Hopkins University have made a ground breaking discovery on how cells move. It was previously thought that messenger proteins were only involved in directional movement. They thought that without messenger proteins a cell could only preform random movements. Now, however, we know that the messenger proteins are also involved in the random movements of the cell. The cytoskeleton is a complicated network of proteins that wrap around the inside of the cell and dive it it's shape and construction. The cytoskeleton allows the cell to move by pushing outwards in a certain spot and creating a projection outside of the cell that pulls the cell forward. The cytoskeleton moves by getting signals from the messenger proteins that are directed by the sensor protein on the outside of the cell. To perform their experiment, they bathed the cell in a drug that prevents the cytoskeleton from moving, and as they suspected the cell could not move, however the random responses of the messenger cells still happened. Then they tested what would happened if they paralyzed other parts of the system. They thought that if they removed the sensor proteins that no movement would occur, but they notice that the messenger proteins can still work on their own telling the cytoskeleton how to work. This discovery explains in more detail how cells move, but much is still unknown.
Connection:
In class we did a unit on cells. We talked about how there are three different types of proteins in the cell membrane, channel proteins, receptor proteins and marker proteins. These proteins help the cell get messages from others cells and allow the cytoskeleton to get the message on where and how to move. We also learned about macromolecules and the function of a protein. Proteins have very diverse functions; some main functions are structure, defense, enzymes and receptors on the outside of the cell's membrane. The proteins in the cytoskeleton hold the cell's structure while allowing parts of the cytoskeleton to bulge out and enable the cell to move. In class we also discussed how cilia and flagella enable the cell to move. This relates because the article discusses how these organisms get the message from the messenger proteins and move the cell like propellers! In class we learned a lot about the functions of proteins and the movement and functions of cells. This material is enriched by the study carried out at John Hopkins University School of Medicine and recorded in the listed article!
Longer Life for Humans Linked to Further Loss of Endangered Species
Jonathan Liu
October 20, 2013
Published: October 9th, 2013
URL:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131009130122.htm
Summary: In a study from the September issue of Ecology and Society, scientists researched 15 social, economic, ecological variables -- from tourism and per capita gross domestic product to water stress and political stability. Then researchers examined their correlations with invasive and endangered birds and mammals. One variable that showed up during this study was human life expectancy. Human life expectancy was shown to be a key predictor of global invasions and extinctions. Wealthier countries (countries with high GDP) tend to have higher life expectancies because they have the money to afford medical expenses. The higher GDP a country has, the more invasive mammals and birds the country had. This was just one of the several findings of the research mentioned in the article. Also. increased life expectancy means that people live longer and affect the planet longer; each year is another year of carbon footprint, ecological footprint, use of natural resources, etc. The magnitude of this impact is increased as more people live longer.
Relevance: One of the things we studied this term were invasive species and factors that caused loss of biodiversity in ecosystems. This article talks about a factor that contributes to invasive birds and mammals, which is human life expectancy. In the study that the article talks about, it also looks at other unique variables that effect biodiversity, such as adult literacy. We also talked about biodiversity and the health of ecosystems in class, and this article talks about human factors that effect ecological health and biodiversity.
October 20, 2013
Published: October 9th, 2013
URL:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131009130122.htm
Summary: In a study from the September issue of Ecology and Society, scientists researched 15 social, economic, ecological variables -- from tourism and per capita gross domestic product to water stress and political stability. Then researchers examined their correlations with invasive and endangered birds and mammals. One variable that showed up during this study was human life expectancy. Human life expectancy was shown to be a key predictor of global invasions and extinctions. Wealthier countries (countries with high GDP) tend to have higher life expectancies because they have the money to afford medical expenses. The higher GDP a country has, the more invasive mammals and birds the country had. This was just one of the several findings of the research mentioned in the article. Also. increased life expectancy means that people live longer and affect the planet longer; each year is another year of carbon footprint, ecological footprint, use of natural resources, etc. The magnitude of this impact is increased as more people live longer.
Relevance: One of the things we studied this term were invasive species and factors that caused loss of biodiversity in ecosystems. This article talks about a factor that contributes to invasive birds and mammals, which is human life expectancy. In the study that the article talks about, it also looks at other unique variables that effect biodiversity, such as adult literacy. We also talked about biodiversity and the health of ecosystems in class, and this article talks about human factors that effect ecological health and biodiversity.
The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
Shaina Sikka
Period 2
Mr. Mathieu
October 20, 2013
Author: Nobel Media
Publication: October 7, 2013
"The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine - Press Release".Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 20 Oct 2013.
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2013/press.html
Summary:
Three scientists, Randy Schekman, James Rothman, and Thomas Südhof were awarded with the 2013 Nobel Prize for medicine for their discovery of how the cell organizes its transport system and how its cargo is delivered to the right place at the right time. According to the scientists, each cell acts like a factory by producing molecules and then exporting them in small membrane-bound sacs called vesicles. Randy Schekman solved the mystery of how vesicles know where and when to deliver their cargo by studying its genetic basis. Using yeast, he found flawed transport machinery, which lead to a defective transport system. Randy found that three genes controlled different areas of the cell’s transport system, and that the problem was due to a mutation of these genes. These genes were the controllers of vesicle traffic. Using cells from mammals, James Rothman discovered a protein machinery that allows vesicles to fuse with their targets, permitting transfer of cargo. Thomas Südhof, using nerve cells, researched how the release of a vesicle's contents was accurately controlled. He also discovered signals that instructed the vesicles to release their cargo. All of these findings gave insight on how cargo is delivered with timing and precision within and outside the cell. Without these findings, the cell would become chaotic.
Connection:
Period 2
Mr. Mathieu
October 20, 2013
Author: Nobel Media
Publication: October 7, 2013
"The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine - Press Release".Nobelprize.org. Nobel Media AB 2013. Web. 20 Oct 2013.
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/2013/press.html
Summary:
Three scientists, Randy Schekman, James Rothman, and Thomas Südhof were awarded with the 2013 Nobel Prize for medicine for their discovery of how the cell organizes its transport system and how its cargo is delivered to the right place at the right time. According to the scientists, each cell acts like a factory by producing molecules and then exporting them in small membrane-bound sacs called vesicles. Randy Schekman solved the mystery of how vesicles know where and when to deliver their cargo by studying its genetic basis. Using yeast, he found flawed transport machinery, which lead to a defective transport system. Randy found that three genes controlled different areas of the cell’s transport system, and that the problem was due to a mutation of these genes. These genes were the controllers of vesicle traffic. Using cells from mammals, James Rothman discovered a protein machinery that allows vesicles to fuse with their targets, permitting transfer of cargo. Thomas Südhof, using nerve cells, researched how the release of a vesicle's contents was accurately controlled. He also discovered signals that instructed the vesicles to release their cargo. All of these findings gave insight on how cargo is delivered with timing and precision within and outside the cell. Without these findings, the cell would become chaotic.
Connection:
This article relates to our study on cells. In lessons 6.4 and 6.5, we learned that vesicles are small membrane sacs that specialize in moving products into, out of, and within a cell. This connects to the article because it explains how the contents of vesicles are transported with precision and timing. In addition, in our curriculum we learned about proteins and organelles in cells. This article names some molecules that are transported in vesicles, proteins being one of them. Further more, in chapter six we learned about the concepts of the endoplasmic reticulum, the Golgi apparatus, and the processes of endocytosis and exocytosis. Vesicles were the main topic of the entire article, and all of these concepts learnt in chapter six depend on the use of vesicles for the transportation of molecules.
New Fossil May Trim Branches of Human Evolution
Becky Nitschelm
October 20, 2013
P2
Mr. Mathieu
Science Friday
Host: John Dankosky
Produced by: Alexa Lim, Associate Producer
Guest Speaker: Adam Van Arsdale, Assistant Professor Anthropology Wellesley College
Published: October 18, 2013
Listen to It: http://www.sciencefriday.com/playlist/#play/segment/9250
Summary: Many scientists believe that homo sapiens (humans) come from many different species including homo habilis (from 2.3 million years ago) and homo erectus (from 1.8 million years ago). However, a skull discovered in Dmanisi, Georgia from about 1.8 million years ago,under the site of an old medieval structure from about 1000 years ago, suggests otherwise. Many fossils of homos have been found at this site. One of them, skull 5, is know as the best preserved skull ever found older than 100,000 years old. From the fossils found at the site, scientists get a complete view of what homos were like 1.8 million years ago. The individuals found are both male, female, old, and young and are from the same time period. Each individual has variations between them, similar to the differences that can be seen today in modern chimpanzees or humans. Previous fossils found about human evolution come from sites in East Africa. These fossils show wide ranges of variation over large periods of time (some fossils differ in age up to 400,000 years). From these, scientists concluded that this large amount of differences between homos can only be because they are from different species. However, the fossils at Dmanisi, including the recently discovered skull 5, which rounds out the picture, show that there can be these large differences between homos in the same species. This variation could just be a result of variation due to evolution, or changes that occur over time. This suggests that the homo genus is all from a common ancestor; it is one continuous line of evolution that does not branch out into different species. Adam Van Arsdale, professor at Wellesley College, believes that this conclusion about evolution of homo sapiens is true and that the genus homo developed due to an increasing niche for humans (new tools and places to live). This new niche makes it harder for a new species to branch out, giving more evidence to the conclusion.
Connection: This connects to what we have been learning in many ways. We also spent time on niches of animals and how that effects them. In this article, Van Arsdale believes that the increasing niche of humans due to new tools and new environments created the genus homo. Also, he thinks that this niche causes less of a chance of a new species to arise. This relates to our study of niches and how if two species occupy the same niche, then one may be hurt by the other (competitive exclusion). In addition, we learned about the evolution of species. We learned that species have to adapt to changes around them in order to survive. This is what is known as evolution, or change over time. In this article, it talks about the evolution of the homo genus and the human species. Also, we learned about biodiversity, which is the differences of life on Earth. I think this relates slightly to this article because in this article in shows the diversity between a single species.
USC Scientists ID Protein That Regulates Cellular Trafficking, See Potential For Anti-Cancer Therapy
Sonali Deshpande
20th October 2013
Published: 10/14/13
URL:http://bhcourier.com/usc-scientists-id-protein-regulates-cellular-trafficking-potential-anti-cancer-therapy/2013/10/14
Summary:
Molecular microbiologists at USC's Keck School of Medicine have discovered regulatory mechanisms in cells, that coordinates the processes of the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum, which are important to cellular homeostasis(when an organism adjusts its physical properties to maintain an internal equilibrium) and disease development. If the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum do not perform their jobs well enough to regulate the trafficking of proteins, diseases like cancer can take hold in the cell. The researchers discovered that the UV irradiation resistance-associated gene protein(UVRAG), which has been used to suppress colon and breast cancer coordinates the trafficking of proteins in the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum, which are often dismantled in lethal conditions. This new development can lead to anti-cancer agents that target UVRAGs and the ER-Golgi pathway.
Connection:
This article connects to our unit on cells and the organelles in a eukaryotic cell that carry out its many functions. We learnt that the Endoplasmic Reticulum is a maze of membranes in a cell, that produces proteins that are inserted through the membrane, or ribosomes bound to the Endoplasmic Reticulum produce proteins that are then packaged in storage organelles and secreted by the cell. We also learnt that the Golgi Apparatus is an organelle in a cell that modifies, stores, and routes proteins and their chemical products to their next destinations. The ER and Golgi often work together, as enzymes in the Golgi Apparatus refine and modify the ER products by altering their chemical structure.
This article also connects to the lesson about cancer in our cells unit. We read in our textbook that cancer is a disease caused by the severe disruption of the mechanisms that normally control the cell cycle. The mass of cancer cells, or tumor, can spread into surrounding tissues or even form new tumors. The most used curing methods(which often do not work effectively enough), radiation and chemotherapy, both focus on the disruption of cell division, but this article focuses on the potential of an agent that could control the trafficking of proteins, so that cancer cannot grab a strong hold in the cell or reproduce too much and too quickly.
20th October 2013
Published: 10/14/13
URL:http://bhcourier.com/usc-scientists-id-protein-regulates-cellular-trafficking-potential-anti-cancer-therapy/2013/10/14
Summary:
Molecular microbiologists at USC's Keck School of Medicine have discovered regulatory mechanisms in cells, that coordinates the processes of the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum, which are important to cellular homeostasis(when an organism adjusts its physical properties to maintain an internal equilibrium) and disease development. If the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum do not perform their jobs well enough to regulate the trafficking of proteins, diseases like cancer can take hold in the cell. The researchers discovered that the UV irradiation resistance-associated gene protein(UVRAG), which has been used to suppress colon and breast cancer coordinates the trafficking of proteins in the Golgi Apparatus and the Endoplasmic Reticulum, which are often dismantled in lethal conditions. This new development can lead to anti-cancer agents that target UVRAGs and the ER-Golgi pathway.
Connection:
This article connects to our unit on cells and the organelles in a eukaryotic cell that carry out its many functions. We learnt that the Endoplasmic Reticulum is a maze of membranes in a cell, that produces proteins that are inserted through the membrane, or ribosomes bound to the Endoplasmic Reticulum produce proteins that are then packaged in storage organelles and secreted by the cell. We also learnt that the Golgi Apparatus is an organelle in a cell that modifies, stores, and routes proteins and their chemical products to their next destinations. The ER and Golgi often work together, as enzymes in the Golgi Apparatus refine and modify the ER products by altering their chemical structure.
This article also connects to the lesson about cancer in our cells unit. We read in our textbook that cancer is a disease caused by the severe disruption of the mechanisms that normally control the cell cycle. The mass of cancer cells, or tumor, can spread into surrounding tissues or even form new tumors. The most used curing methods(which often do not work effectively enough), radiation and chemotherapy, both focus on the disruption of cell division, but this article focuses on the potential of an agent that could control the trafficking of proteins, so that cancer cannot grab a strong hold in the cell or reproduce too much and too quickly.
Breakthrough in cell walls helps making bio-fuel more efficient
Cole Winsor
10/20/13
Author: Celia Luterbacher
published: 8/15/13
http://www.news.wisc.edu/22033
Summary
Scientist have recently discovered a new gene in plants that may make the creation of bio-fuel from foods more efficient. Lignin is a compound in the cell walls of plants that give their tissue structure and sturdiness, however it also limits the use of plants as a bio-fuel because in order to gain access to the energy of the plants you must first break down lignin which often requires both heat and harsh chemicals. Researcher from the Department of Energy have recently identified a new gene responsible for producing a newly found enzyme, called caffeoyl shikimate esterase, which creates lignin. these discoveries have helped the world better understand how lignin is produced and is the first discovery in ten years that has helped scientist understand how lignin is produced in plants. When Ghent University in Belgium grew Arabidopsis plants with the gene responsible knocked out the amount of lignin in the plants stems was reduced by 36 percent. By lowering the lignin in plants the process of making bio-fuel could become faster and cheaper for industry, making it a much more viable source of fuel in the future.
Connection
this article relates to much of what we are learning about enzymes. This shows how important enzymes are in cells and how little we know about how much of the cell functions. It connects to what we have learned about synthesis reactions caused by enzymes create things such as the lignin in cell walls, and how without these enzymes to help with these reactions it would be much harder for them to occur
10/20/13
Author: Celia Luterbacher
published: 8/15/13
http://www.news.wisc.edu/22033
Summary
Scientist have recently discovered a new gene in plants that may make the creation of bio-fuel from foods more efficient. Lignin is a compound in the cell walls of plants that give their tissue structure and sturdiness, however it also limits the use of plants as a bio-fuel because in order to gain access to the energy of the plants you must first break down lignin which often requires both heat and harsh chemicals. Researcher from the Department of Energy have recently identified a new gene responsible for producing a newly found enzyme, called caffeoyl shikimate esterase, which creates lignin. these discoveries have helped the world better understand how lignin is produced and is the first discovery in ten years that has helped scientist understand how lignin is produced in plants. When Ghent University in Belgium grew Arabidopsis plants with the gene responsible knocked out the amount of lignin in the plants stems was reduced by 36 percent. By lowering the lignin in plants the process of making bio-fuel could become faster and cheaper for industry, making it a much more viable source of fuel in the future.
Connection
this article relates to much of what we are learning about enzymes. This shows how important enzymes are in cells and how little we know about how much of the cell functions. It connects to what we have learned about synthesis reactions caused by enzymes create things such as the lignin in cell walls, and how without these enzymes to help with these reactions it would be much harder for them to occur
Messenger Proteins Direct the Cytoskeleton to Move the Cell
Thanoshi Balasuriya
10/20/13
Author: unknown; based on materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine, via Newswise.
Published: October 20th, 2013
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131020160500.htm
Summary:
Peter Devreotes, a professor and director at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, and other co-workers found out that cell movement caused by the cytoskeleton isn't only organized by the messenger proteins on the outside of the cell; the movement is reliant on the proteins. Before, it was thought that the movement depended on the sensor proteins. However, through the experiments carried out by the team at John Hopkins, the data showed that the cell kept moving even though it was random movement when only the sensor proteins were eliminated, but when only the messenger proteins were inhibited, the cell did not move anywhere. This showed that the sensor proteins tell the messenger proteins to direct the cytoskeleton to move in a certain direction, but the messenger proteins were what initially cause the movement whether it is random or controlled by sensor proteins. This discovery could lead to stopping cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one organ to another part of the body, since scientists could now create medicines to paralyze the messenger proteins of the cancer cell instead of only the sensor proteins in order to stop cell movement.
Connections:
This article connects to our study of cell structure. We have discussed the cytoskeleton which is a structure of the cell directly inside from the cell membrane which gives the cell some support and also helps the cell move. Cell movement is important for the cell to be able to reach other parts of the organism's body or in order for the cell to interact with other cells. Also, we briefly talked about the different kinds of proteins on or in the cell membrane which can be used for transport or other jobs, such as marker proteins used for self recognition, receptor proteins used for receiving messages, and channel proteins used for regulating or transporting the large charged particles into and out of the cell through the semi-permeable cell membrane. In this article, the sensor proteins and the messenger proteins are types of receptor proteins and they communicate with the cell's surroundings as well as with each other, or in the case of the messenger proteins, the cytoskeleton.
10/20/13
Author: unknown; based on materials provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine, via Newswise.
Published: October 20th, 2013
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131020160500.htm
Summary:
Peter Devreotes, a professor and director at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, and other co-workers found out that cell movement caused by the cytoskeleton isn't only organized by the messenger proteins on the outside of the cell; the movement is reliant on the proteins. Before, it was thought that the movement depended on the sensor proteins. However, through the experiments carried out by the team at John Hopkins, the data showed that the cell kept moving even though it was random movement when only the sensor proteins were eliminated, but when only the messenger proteins were inhibited, the cell did not move anywhere. This showed that the sensor proteins tell the messenger proteins to direct the cytoskeleton to move in a certain direction, but the messenger proteins were what initially cause the movement whether it is random or controlled by sensor proteins. This discovery could lead to stopping cancer metastasis, which is the spread of cancer from one organ to another part of the body, since scientists could now create medicines to paralyze the messenger proteins of the cancer cell instead of only the sensor proteins in order to stop cell movement.
Connections:
This article connects to our study of cell structure. We have discussed the cytoskeleton which is a structure of the cell directly inside from the cell membrane which gives the cell some support and also helps the cell move. Cell movement is important for the cell to be able to reach other parts of the organism's body or in order for the cell to interact with other cells. Also, we briefly talked about the different kinds of proteins on or in the cell membrane which can be used for transport or other jobs, such as marker proteins used for self recognition, receptor proteins used for receiving messages, and channel proteins used for regulating or transporting the large charged particles into and out of the cell through the semi-permeable cell membrane. In this article, the sensor proteins and the messenger proteins are types of receptor proteins and they communicate with the cell's surroundings as well as with each other, or in the case of the messenger proteins, the cytoskeleton.
Potential Autism Trigger Found in Brain Growth Enzymes
Julia Rowland
October 20th, 2013
Published: August 28, 2013
URL: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-08-28/potential-autism-trigger-found-in-brain-growth-enzymes.html
Potential Autism Trigger Found in Brain Growth Enzymes
Summary: In many cases autism is related to damage in a very important set of enzymes, which help the brain develop and grow. Professor Mark Zylka said that there are enzymes in the brain called topoisomerases that work a lot like scissors and glue, when brain cells are being duplicated. Studies have shown in the past that mutations in these enzymes were linked with some patients with autism. The study shows what can happen if these enzymes are impaired. Zylka said that many of these enzymes are necessary for these long genes to function correctly including dozens of those genes that have gone askew for patients with autism. The researchers inhibited the enzymes, by using a generic cancer medicine they found adequately lulls about 50 genes linked to autism.
Connection: This article about autism trigger that is found in enzymes connect to what we have been doing in class for a while now, because we learned a lot about enzymes and what types of effects they can have on different things. In particular for this enzyme, it becomes mutated and impaired, so that it can no longer fit in its active site, and no longer does what it needs to do, sometimes resulting in autism because the genes go awry do to the impaired enzyme.
"Invisible" Red Lion Fish invade the Caribbean
"Invisible" Red Lion Fish invade the Caribbean
David Chen
October 20, 2013
James Cook University
Published Oct 18, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-10-ghost-fish-caribbean.html
Summary:
Studies by James Cook University scientists Oona Lonnstedt and Professor Mark show the reason for the lionfishes' extreme success in the Caribbean, where it is thriving as an invasive species. Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they were accidentally introduced to the Caribbean Basin ecosystem around 30 years ago. The studies show that they are so good at catching prey because, they are almost invisible to the small fish. The Red Lion Fishes' camouflage is so good, that they are virtually undetectable. Studies included two other native predatory fish, and the same small prey fish were forced into interaction with them. The prey fish could not adapt to the lionfish as a threat, and the lionfish could swim up and capture almost every single one of them. This was a big contrast from the other two predatory fish, where they had much lower feeding success. The ability to trick the learning mechanism of prey with their camouflage makes the lionfish very successful, and almost unstoppable.
Connection:
This article connects to our past unit on ecology. Although the article doesn't go into depth about how the lionfish actually affects the Caribbean Reef Basin i.e. "eating its way through the reef ecosystem" and "viewed as a huge nuisance.", it does explain why the lionfish is so overwhelmingly successful. It connects with our learning of invasive species and how they can change a native ecosystem, often drastically. This article shows exactly how an invasive species is able to thrive so well in a new environment. In this case, the lionfishes' camouflage tricks the native prey fish learning mechanism, and the lionfish is able to thrive and hunt freely.
David Chen
October 20, 2013
James Cook University
Published Oct 18, 2013
http://phys.org/news/2013-10-ghost-fish-caribbean.html
Summary:
Studies by James Cook University scientists Oona Lonnstedt and Professor Mark show the reason for the lionfishes' extreme success in the Caribbean, where it is thriving as an invasive species. Lionfish are native to the Pacific Ocean, but they were accidentally introduced to the Caribbean Basin ecosystem around 30 years ago. The studies show that they are so good at catching prey because, they are almost invisible to the small fish. The Red Lion Fishes' camouflage is so good, that they are virtually undetectable. Studies included two other native predatory fish, and the same small prey fish were forced into interaction with them. The prey fish could not adapt to the lionfish as a threat, and the lionfish could swim up and capture almost every single one of them. This was a big contrast from the other two predatory fish, where they had much lower feeding success. The ability to trick the learning mechanism of prey with their camouflage makes the lionfish very successful, and almost unstoppable.
Connection:
This article connects to our past unit on ecology. Although the article doesn't go into depth about how the lionfish actually affects the Caribbean Reef Basin i.e. "eating its way through the reef ecosystem" and "viewed as a huge nuisance.", it does explain why the lionfish is so overwhelmingly successful. It connects with our learning of invasive species and how they can change a native ecosystem, often drastically. This article shows exactly how an invasive species is able to thrive so well in a new environment. In this case, the lionfishes' camouflage tricks the native prey fish learning mechanism, and the lionfish is able to thrive and hunt freely.
Scientists Find ways to Stop Cell Division
Everett Han
P2
Mr. Mathieu
10/19/2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131008123154.htm
Summary: The article above describes how scientists have found a way block cell division. Scientists have observed the way tumor cells divide uncontrolled and by observing the regulation of this process, have now found out a way to block mitosis. The control of cell division mainly relies on proteins. Scientists are mainly focused on Aurora and Polo because inhibitors have already been developed for them. They are currently undergoing clinical trials in oncology. Another protein that regulates cell division that is being worked on is Greatwall. The reason that this is not as hard to study is because France has now generated the first genetic model of this protein in mammals, using the mouse as a model. This model allows us to see that without the Greatwall protein, cellular DNA does not form the right structure at the moment of cell division and the cell collapses. This prevents them from continuing to divide. Many scientists say that this is the next future cancer treatment because Greatwall blocks the function of PP2A phosphatase, a tumour suppressor frequently altered in human cancer. This implies that the inhibition of Greatwall could, at the same time, slow down cell division and reactivate tumour suppressor PP2A, a protein capable of inhibiting many of the oncogenic molecular pathways involved in cancer development. However, the key is to find the tumors of which this would work benefit from this strategy.
Relevance: This is relevant to what we are discussing in class because we are currently learning about cell division in class. We also learned that cell division occurs because of proteins. This article says that cell division is controlled by special proteins and cannot occur without these proteins. These proteins can stop or start cell division and without them, no cell division would occur. This also relates to our unit on cancer because this arivle says that stopping sell division is the next step in treating cancer. It also syas that this is used to treat tumors.
P2
Mr. Mathieu
10/19/2013
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131008123154.htm
Summary: The article above describes how scientists have found a way block cell division. Scientists have observed the way tumor cells divide uncontrolled and by observing the regulation of this process, have now found out a way to block mitosis. The control of cell division mainly relies on proteins. Scientists are mainly focused on Aurora and Polo because inhibitors have already been developed for them. They are currently undergoing clinical trials in oncology. Another protein that regulates cell division that is being worked on is Greatwall. The reason that this is not as hard to study is because France has now generated the first genetic model of this protein in mammals, using the mouse as a model. This model allows us to see that without the Greatwall protein, cellular DNA does not form the right structure at the moment of cell division and the cell collapses. This prevents them from continuing to divide. Many scientists say that this is the next future cancer treatment because Greatwall blocks the function of PP2A phosphatase, a tumour suppressor frequently altered in human cancer. This implies that the inhibition of Greatwall could, at the same time, slow down cell division and reactivate tumour suppressor PP2A, a protein capable of inhibiting many of the oncogenic molecular pathways involved in cancer development. However, the key is to find the tumors of which this would work benefit from this strategy.
Relevance: This is relevant to what we are discussing in class because we are currently learning about cell division in class. We also learned that cell division occurs because of proteins. This article says that cell division is controlled by special proteins and cannot occur without these proteins. These proteins can stop or start cell division and without them, no cell division would occur. This also relates to our unit on cancer because this arivle says that stopping sell division is the next step in treating cancer. It also syas that this is used to treat tumors.
Effects of a Five Degree Celsius Increase in Temprature
Doran Teverovsky
October, 20, 2013
European Geosciences Union (EGU). "Terrestrial ecosystems at risk of major shifts as temperatures increase." ScienceDaily, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131008091232.htm
Summary:
In this article, research done by European Geosciences Union is used to show what changes in the environment are liable to occur by the year 2100. It shows that with a 5 degree Celsius increase in temperature, up to 80 percent of the Earth's terrestrial ecosystems are at risk for profound change. Some likely changes could include trees growing in the so formerly frozen tundra, forests transforming into temperate savannas, and even thriving rain forests slowly receding and withering away. The research was done using 150 different climate scenarios of the Earth in 90 years if we change almost nothing in terms of emissions. In addition, they also ran scenarios where we reduce emissions and only raise temperature 2 degrees Celsius. In the reduced emissions scenarios, there was a significant reduction in profound change. In these scenarios, only 20 percent of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems were impacted.
Connection:
In our first unit, we learned about ecosystems and different dangers to there balance and stability. One of the ways we did this was by making mini ecosystems and testing the effects of different variables on them. This research and scenario creation is very similar to what we did with our mini ecosystems. The only difference is that instead of making mini Earth's to run their tests on they used simulations. In addition, it relates to how ecosystems change and basic characteristics of ecosystems. When the article says, "trees growing in the freezing Arctic tundra" this indicates a serious change because we know a major characteristic of the tundra is the permafrost which stops deep root systems from forming. Without that knowledge, that phrase might have been seemingly normal.
October, 20, 2013
European Geosciences Union (EGU). "Terrestrial ecosystems at risk of major shifts as temperatures increase." ScienceDaily, 8 Oct. 2013. Web. 20 Oct. 2013.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131008091232.htm
Summary:
In this article, research done by European Geosciences Union is used to show what changes in the environment are liable to occur by the year 2100. It shows that with a 5 degree Celsius increase in temperature, up to 80 percent of the Earth's terrestrial ecosystems are at risk for profound change. Some likely changes could include trees growing in the so formerly frozen tundra, forests transforming into temperate savannas, and even thriving rain forests slowly receding and withering away. The research was done using 150 different climate scenarios of the Earth in 90 years if we change almost nothing in terms of emissions. In addition, they also ran scenarios where we reduce emissions and only raise temperature 2 degrees Celsius. In the reduced emissions scenarios, there was a significant reduction in profound change. In these scenarios, only 20 percent of Earth's terrestrial ecosystems were impacted.
Connection:
In our first unit, we learned about ecosystems and different dangers to there balance and stability. One of the ways we did this was by making mini ecosystems and testing the effects of different variables on them. This research and scenario creation is very similar to what we did with our mini ecosystems. The only difference is that instead of making mini Earth's to run their tests on they used simulations. In addition, it relates to how ecosystems change and basic characteristics of ecosystems. When the article says, "trees growing in the freezing Arctic tundra" this indicates a serious change because we know a major characteristic of the tundra is the permafrost which stops deep root systems from forming. Without that knowledge, that phrase might have been seemingly normal.
Nobel Prize in Medicine Awarded for Cell Transportation Discoveries
Victoria Zhou
10/20/13
Published: Monday Oct 7, 2013
URL: http://www.theguardian.com/science/video/2013/oct/07/cellular-transport-2013-nobel-prize-physiology-medicine-video
Summary:
On Monday, October 7th, 2013, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman, and Thomas C. Sudhof for their discoveries in regulating vesicle traffic. These discoveries have a major impact on our understanding of timing and precision of vesicle docking, which is impacted by genetics. For a long time, how a cell organizes its transportation system has been a mystery to mankind until these three professors' discoveries. Each cell produces and exports molecules which are transported around the cell in packages called vesicles. It is a must that these vesicles arrive at the right place and exactly the right time for a cell to function properly. This transportation system is controlled by molecular principles. Schekman discovered a set of genes that are required for vesicle traffic. Rothman discovered the machinery that allows vesicles to fuse with their targets to transfer molecules, and Sudhof uncovered how signals in the cell inform vesicles to release their cargo. The vesicles deliver molecules between different organelles in the cell. The missing presence of this transportation system causes major diseases such as diabetes and other neurological or immune system disorders.
Connection:
This video connects to our unit about cells, their organelles, and their functions. We learned about how proteins and other molecules are transported around the cell for it to properly function, but we never exactly got into much detail about how important it is for the vesicles to get to the right place at exactly the right time. This explains how vesicles work in a cell to transport molecules in and around a cell. These discoveries further inform us about the complexity of a cell and how similar it is to a factory, which was a comparison we even made in class. These discoveries show how important it is for each organelle and system in a cell to function properly. The video talks about how even removing the organization of this transportation system can lead to diseases and disorders that impact the whole body which shows how important everything in a cell is.
10/20/13
Published: Monday Oct 7, 2013
URL: http://www.theguardian.com/science/video/2013/oct/07/cellular-transport-2013-nobel-prize-physiology-medicine-video
Summary:
On Monday, October 7th, 2013, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James E. Rothman, Randy W. Schekman, and Thomas C. Sudhof for their discoveries in regulating vesicle traffic. These discoveries have a major impact on our understanding of timing and precision of vesicle docking, which is impacted by genetics. For a long time, how a cell organizes its transportation system has been a mystery to mankind until these three professors' discoveries. Each cell produces and exports molecules which are transported around the cell in packages called vesicles. It is a must that these vesicles arrive at the right place and exactly the right time for a cell to function properly. This transportation system is controlled by molecular principles. Schekman discovered a set of genes that are required for vesicle traffic. Rothman discovered the machinery that allows vesicles to fuse with their targets to transfer molecules, and Sudhof uncovered how signals in the cell inform vesicles to release their cargo. The vesicles deliver molecules between different organelles in the cell. The missing presence of this transportation system causes major diseases such as diabetes and other neurological or immune system disorders.
Connection:
This video connects to our unit about cells, their organelles, and their functions. We learned about how proteins and other molecules are transported around the cell for it to properly function, but we never exactly got into much detail about how important it is for the vesicles to get to the right place at exactly the right time. This explains how vesicles work in a cell to transport molecules in and around a cell. These discoveries further inform us about the complexity of a cell and how similar it is to a factory, which was a comparison we even made in class. These discoveries show how important it is for each organelle and system in a cell to function properly. The video talks about how even removing the organization of this transportation system can lead to diseases and disorders that impact the whole body which shows how important everything in a cell is.
Climate change will affect almost every corner of ocean, study says
Sunday October 20, 2013
Jessica Lim
Mr. Mathieu
Period 2
Author: Tony Barboza
Published: October 15, 2013
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-ocean-climate-change-effects-century-20131015,0,6711896.story
Summary:
The green house effect has caused ocean waters to warm up and become more acidic. It is said that by the end of the century, "the entire world's ocean surface" would have gone through big changes in biodiversity and in each and every ocean species' niche. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that by 2100 every part of the oceans on the whole earth would have been affected by climate change. As the seawater becomes warmer and the pH becomes lower, the size and growth of the ocean species will shrink and many ecosystems will be affected as well, therefore pushing the sea creatures to move further into deeper waters to the poles. Not only will the changes affect the sea creatures but it will also affect "between 470 million and 870 million poor people" because they all live on the contents underneath the ocean's surface, and if there is a sudden change they have nothing to depend on anymore.
Connection:
This article specifically connects to our unit about ecosystems, more about the green house effect and the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allows sunlight to pass through to the Earth, but it also keeps some of the heat that is radiated from the surface of the Earth. As our activities release more and more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere there is more heat that is being trapped which is causing the earth's climate to rise, and it is causing ocean waters to warm up as well which is causing many changes in the way of life for the sea creatures. As said in the article if the ocean waters keep heating up then not only will the sea creatures in the water be affected, but also the people that live on the contents in the waters.
Jessica Lim
Mr. Mathieu
Period 2
Author: Tony Barboza
Published: October 15, 2013
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-ocean-climate-change-effects-century-20131015,0,6711896.story
Summary:
The green house effect has caused ocean waters to warm up and become more acidic. It is said that by the end of the century, "the entire world's ocean surface" would have gone through big changes in biodiversity and in each and every ocean species' niche. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change predicted that by 2100 every part of the oceans on the whole earth would have been affected by climate change. As the seawater becomes warmer and the pH becomes lower, the size and growth of the ocean species will shrink and many ecosystems will be affected as well, therefore pushing the sea creatures to move further into deeper waters to the poles. Not only will the changes affect the sea creatures but it will also affect "between 470 million and 870 million poor people" because they all live on the contents underneath the ocean's surface, and if there is a sudden change they have nothing to depend on anymore.
Connection:
This article specifically connects to our unit about ecosystems, more about the green house effect and the carbon cycle. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere allows sunlight to pass through to the Earth, but it also keeps some of the heat that is radiated from the surface of the Earth. As our activities release more and more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere there is more heat that is being trapped which is causing the earth's climate to rise, and it is causing ocean waters to warm up as well which is causing many changes in the way of life for the sea creatures. As said in the article if the ocean waters keep heating up then not only will the sea creatures in the water be affected, but also the people that live on the contents in the waters.
Invasive Plant Thrives by Adapting Quickly to Local Climates
Madhuri Raman
October 20th, 2013
Author: Kim Luke
Published: October 17, 2013
http://news.utoronto.ca/invasive-plant-thrives-adapting-quickly-local-climates#
Summary: It was previously thought that invasive species such as purple loosestrife, thrived because of their ability to escape from predators, but research from the University of Toronto has found that more importantly, they are able to thrive based on their ability to adapt to their local climate. As a result, purple loosestrife has been flowering three weeks earlier than they normally would, and are also producing up to 30 times as many seeds. Researchers conducted an experiment using purple loosestrife plants from 3 different latitudes and planted them in areas climatically similar or different to their homelands. They saw that the plants that were grown closer to home had higher growth and reproductive rates, while plants grown in a climate much more different from their homelands had lower rates. The scientists found that northern populations flower at half the size and roughly 20 days earlier than southern populations. They went on to find that early flowering is an adaptive trait found in flowers in the northernmost regions because of an abundance of pollinators and improbability of frost damage. Overall we learned that adaptability is an important characteristic of invasive species.
Connection: In our ecosystems unit and term one project, we discussed how invasive species were harmful to their environment and surroundings. Purple loosestrife, the species used in the above experiment, was mentioned many times in class, and we were able to see examples of its growth and spreading in our school's nature trail. In class, we learned about how invasive species like purple loosestrife were able to survive and thrive in various environments. Specifically, we learned that they have to compete with native species for space and other resources. This article explains why purple loosestrife is able to survive in different environments. In addition to their ability to escape from predators and other natural enemies, they perhaps more importantly, have the naturally selected characteristic of adaptation. This is and important discovery because we learn that the ability to adapt to new surroundings plays an important role in the survival of invasive species. This article complements what we learned in class because we learned about how invasive species thrive and this article teaches us why.
October 20th, 2013
Author: Kim Luke
Published: October 17, 2013
http://news.utoronto.ca/invasive-plant-thrives-adapting-quickly-local-climates#
Summary: It was previously thought that invasive species such as purple loosestrife, thrived because of their ability to escape from predators, but research from the University of Toronto has found that more importantly, they are able to thrive based on their ability to adapt to their local climate. As a result, purple loosestrife has been flowering three weeks earlier than they normally would, and are also producing up to 30 times as many seeds. Researchers conducted an experiment using purple loosestrife plants from 3 different latitudes and planted them in areas climatically similar or different to their homelands. They saw that the plants that were grown closer to home had higher growth and reproductive rates, while plants grown in a climate much more different from their homelands had lower rates. The scientists found that northern populations flower at half the size and roughly 20 days earlier than southern populations. They went on to find that early flowering is an adaptive trait found in flowers in the northernmost regions because of an abundance of pollinators and improbability of frost damage. Overall we learned that adaptability is an important characteristic of invasive species.
Connection: In our ecosystems unit and term one project, we discussed how invasive species were harmful to their environment and surroundings. Purple loosestrife, the species used in the above experiment, was mentioned many times in class, and we were able to see examples of its growth and spreading in our school's nature trail. In class, we learned about how invasive species like purple loosestrife were able to survive and thrive in various environments. Specifically, we learned that they have to compete with native species for space and other resources. This article explains why purple loosestrife is able to survive in different environments. In addition to their ability to escape from predators and other natural enemies, they perhaps more importantly, have the naturally selected characteristic of adaptation. This is and important discovery because we learn that the ability to adapt to new surroundings plays an important role in the survival of invasive species. This article complements what we learned in class because we learned about how invasive species thrive and this article teaches us why.
Climate Change Creates Complicated Consequences for North America's Forests
Carter Terranova
Oct. 21, 2013
Published by: Dartmouth College
Published on: Oct. 15, 2013
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131015103953.htm
Summary:
Climate change has been affecting North American forests in many ways, such as allowing insect outbreaks, plant diseases, and even wildfires. Though, after recent studies Dartmouth College researchers say the increase in temperatures are making some forests grow faster and be less affected by harmful organisms. This can increase forest health, timber production, carbon storage, and water recycling. Tree and plant-killing insects and diseases are natural for forests ecosystems, but with climate change, the "distribution and magnitude of forest pestilence" is being altered very quickly. Also, climate change is altering the biodiversity of the ecosystems, too. One example of this is the pine bark beetle, which has killed trees over more area in the U.S. than wildfires have, this is due the climate change. Over the last 50 years, the coldest winter night temperature averages have increased by 7 degrees, which has caused population explosions in bark beetles because the forests were protected by the coldness of the forests a night, though now they aren't because of the climate change. Also, invasive species are able to become established because of this.
Connection:
The connection to our Ecology unit is the biodiversity in the forests and what happens if a population becomes too big or too small. In the ecosystems unit we learned that biodiversity is very important because it means that if there is a change in the environment, more species will be able to survive and adapt to the changes. In the forests, this is key to the situation because the beetles were able to adapt to the climate change. The biodiversity in the forest lead to the increase in the pine bark beetle because of their ability to adapt to the increase in temperatures. This lead to them killing more trees over more area then ever before. Also, in the ecosystems unit we learned that the way species interact with one another is very important in the respect of the sizes of the populations. The connection is that the beetle's population became too big because of the increase in the temperature and then since the tree's population didn't increase also, the beetles killed off many of the trees. The beetle's population became too large and since they all still needed to eat, they ate the trees, and ended up killing many trees because the populations were not balanced.
Oct. 21, 2013
Published by: Dartmouth College
Published on: Oct. 15, 2013
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131015103953.htm
Summary:
Climate change has been affecting North American forests in many ways, such as allowing insect outbreaks, plant diseases, and even wildfires. Though, after recent studies Dartmouth College researchers say the increase in temperatures are making some forests grow faster and be less affected by harmful organisms. This can increase forest health, timber production, carbon storage, and water recycling. Tree and plant-killing insects and diseases are natural for forests ecosystems, but with climate change, the "distribution and magnitude of forest pestilence" is being altered very quickly. Also, climate change is altering the biodiversity of the ecosystems, too. One example of this is the pine bark beetle, which has killed trees over more area in the U.S. than wildfires have, this is due the climate change. Over the last 50 years, the coldest winter night temperature averages have increased by 7 degrees, which has caused population explosions in bark beetles because the forests were protected by the coldness of the forests a night, though now they aren't because of the climate change. Also, invasive species are able to become established because of this.
Connection:
The connection to our Ecology unit is the biodiversity in the forests and what happens if a population becomes too big or too small. In the ecosystems unit we learned that biodiversity is very important because it means that if there is a change in the environment, more species will be able to survive and adapt to the changes. In the forests, this is key to the situation because the beetles were able to adapt to the climate change. The biodiversity in the forest lead to the increase in the pine bark beetle because of their ability to adapt to the increase in temperatures. This lead to them killing more trees over more area then ever before. Also, in the ecosystems unit we learned that the way species interact with one another is very important in the respect of the sizes of the populations. The connection is that the beetle's population became too big because of the increase in the temperature and then since the tree's population didn't increase also, the beetles killed off many of the trees. The beetle's population became too large and since they all still needed to eat, they ate the trees, and ended up killing many trees because the populations were not balanced.
Corruption in Peru Aids Cutting of Rain Forest
Gabriella Ricciardone
October 20, 2013
Authors: William Neuman and Andrea Zarate
Published: October 18, 2013
Summary:
Over half of Peru is covered in dense forests, and the
preservation of these forests is extremely important to fighting global warming and
protecting the many plant and animal species only found in these regions. The Peruvian logging industry is very
powerful though, and illegal logging happens more often than not. Recent laws were passed in Peru to stop this illegal
logging, but large amounts of timber continue to be transported unlawfully. This includes shipping rare types of wood like mahogany, which is only available in remote areas. According to the World Bank, eighty percent
of Peru’s logging exports are illegal.
Officials say that the wood is usually authorized to be shipped with
doctored paperwork, or by rubber-stamping false documentation, in order to make
the trade look legitimate. In some
cases, false documentation identifies these rare species of wood as a different
kind to hide the fact that these species are being harvested. The United States, Europe, and Australia have
banned the imports of illegally harvested wood, but corruption and lack of
enforcement continue to undermine these countries’
efforts. Although Peru has made progress in fighting illegal logging and corruption, the problem persists. The Peruvian
government has created new laws that were mandated by a free trade agreement with
the United States, but they still have not tackled the long-standing corruption. A lack of interest on the part of the
authorities to regulate the cutting down of forests is negatively influencing the problems further.
Connection:
During our studies of Chapter 34 and Chapter
35, we discussed tropical rain forests, the cutting down of forested
areas, and the impact of deforestation on life and global warming. This article talks about the
harvesting of wood from trees in the rain forests of Peru and the corruption
involved in these processes. It also
touches on the impact of shielding these rain forests from deforestation,
including fighting global warming and protecting the diverse species of plants
and animals that live there. The ideal
growing conditions of a rain forest, which include about 350 centimeters of
rainfall yearly, result in a large diversity of plants. Of all biomes, rain forests have by far the greatest
diversity of life, with an estimated fifty percent of all known species on Earth living in these regions. Clearing
these forests for mining, farming, and lumbering has affected species in these
rain forests, and has also affected global weather patterns.
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