The document outlines the schedule and agenda for a Science Day event on December 29, 2011 hosted by Govinda Bhisetti. The day includes presentations on the 2011 Nobel Prizes, top science news and breakthroughs of the year, and a tribute to Prof. Har Gobind Khorana. Sessions will cover the Nobel Prizes in Physiology/Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature, Peace, and Economics. The schedule also allocates time for introduction, lunch, and concludes with a discussion of the disaster of the year in Japan.
This document summarizes recent findings that challenge the traditional definitions of innate and adaptive immunity. It provides three examples of studies that found evidence of immune specificity and memory in invertebrates like water fleas and copepods. It also notes that while mammals use immunoglobulins for antigen recognition, other phyla use different receptor systems, and that innate immune systems may be more complex than originally believed. The growing evidence from diverse species suggests a blurring of the lines between innate and adaptive immunity.
The document discusses the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), a digital library that aims to make biodiversity literature openly accessible online. It was founded by a group of natural history and botanical libraries to address the need for improved access to published biodiversity literature. The BHL scans literature from its collections and makes it searchable and available for reuse. It also works with other institutions and publishers to expand its collections and embed content in linked open data networks to further biological research.
Jacques Benveniste - A TRUE LEGEND AMONG MYTHSAnton Fedorenko
The above presented materials stand as a foundation for the justification of Jacques Benveniste and his research discoveries within the fields of biological and physical properties of water and the transfer of signals from biologically active substances are actual and attested. The implications of this natural phenomena have vast applications in multiple areas of human activity; and in particular, already are used in healthcare.
Jacques Benveniste The Outstanding French Scientist, was far ahead of his time and has made one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in recorded history.
In the visage of our beloved science, the time is now upon us to restore justice by giving tribute to a man who has devoted himself wholeheartedly and suffered for his beliefs. Please join us in our righteous efforts by signing onto our international initiative group. Our main initiative is the restoration of the honest name Jacques Benveniste.
The document outlines the schedule for Science Day 2012 hosted by Govinda Bhisetti on December 28, 2012. The day-long event includes an introduction, a tribute to Dr. Yellapragada SubbaRow, a discussion of the 2012 Nobel Prizes, a screening of a movie, and presentations on breakthroughs in science from the past year. It also provides background information on Dr. SubbaRow and how Nobel Prize winners are selected.
The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse PopulationZbut.Eu
Within a few generations all such roles in all physical space available to the species are
filled. At this time, the continuing high survival of many individuals to sexual and behavioral
maturity culminates in the presence of many young adults capable of involvement in appropriate species-specific activities.
The document outlines the schedule and topics for Govinda Bhisetti's Science Day event on December 30, 2008. The schedule includes presentations on the 2006 Nobel Prizes, science trivia, a discussion on breakthroughs in science in 2008, and a discussion on the 2008 financial meltdown.
This document provides an overview of DNA and genetics. It discusses how DNA was established as the genetic material through experiments in the 1940s-1950s, including Griffith's transformation experiments, Avery et al.'s work demonstrating the transforming principle was DNA, and Hershey and Chase's experiments with bacterial viruses. It also summarizes the discovery of the DNA double helix structure by Watson and Crick in 1953, based on Chargaff's rules and X-ray crystallography data. The key properties of DNA structure, including specific base pairing and semiconservative replication, are briefly outlined.
Lectures at the University of Padua, Department of Biology, "Evolution and phylogenetics" class, prof. Telmo Pievani
http://www.epistemologia.eu
"Tree-making should be part of our evolutionary toolkit (see below), but not the backbone of the evolutionary metanarrative that we seem to feel obliged to defend from anti-scientific attack" W. Ford Doolittle
Chimeras and Consciousness, una vertigine cosmica di devozione alle connessioni: continuità nel tempo, reticolazione nel tempo, connessione nello spazio, dal micro al macro. L’aspetto che più interessa in questo corso è la reticolazione nel tempo, cioè la forte tendenza della vita ad evolvere non con separazioni nette, bensì con connessioni continue e pervasive, anzi, nel suo insieme, come un tutto organico.
Non ci sono soltanto gli "ultras" della reticolazione, o i "lateralisti" fondamentalisti, ma l’attenzione è presente in parallelo in diversi campi, e noi infatti cercheremo di immaginarne le implicazioni per l’albero della vita e la filogenesi. Quattro storie parallele: filogenesi dei batteri, simbiogenesi theory, parabola di Ernst Mayr, studi ibridazione negli animali.
This document summarizes recent findings that challenge the traditional definitions of innate and adaptive immunity. It provides three examples of studies that found evidence of immune specificity and memory in invertebrates like water fleas and copepods. It also notes that while mammals use immunoglobulins for antigen recognition, other phyla use different receptor systems, and that innate immune systems may be more complex than originally believed. The growing evidence from diverse species suggests a blurring of the lines between innate and adaptive immunity.
The document discusses the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), a digital library that aims to make biodiversity literature openly accessible online. It was founded by a group of natural history and botanical libraries to address the need for improved access to published biodiversity literature. The BHL scans literature from its collections and makes it searchable and available for reuse. It also works with other institutions and publishers to expand its collections and embed content in linked open data networks to further biological research.
Jacques Benveniste - A TRUE LEGEND AMONG MYTHSAnton Fedorenko
The above presented materials stand as a foundation for the justification of Jacques Benveniste and his research discoveries within the fields of biological and physical properties of water and the transfer of signals from biologically active substances are actual and attested. The implications of this natural phenomena have vast applications in multiple areas of human activity; and in particular, already are used in healthcare.
Jacques Benveniste The Outstanding French Scientist, was far ahead of his time and has made one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in recorded history.
In the visage of our beloved science, the time is now upon us to restore justice by giving tribute to a man who has devoted himself wholeheartedly and suffered for his beliefs. Please join us in our righteous efforts by signing onto our international initiative group. Our main initiative is the restoration of the honest name Jacques Benveniste.
The document outlines the schedule for Science Day 2012 hosted by Govinda Bhisetti on December 28, 2012. The day-long event includes an introduction, a tribute to Dr. Yellapragada SubbaRow, a discussion of the 2012 Nobel Prizes, a screening of a movie, and presentations on breakthroughs in science from the past year. It also provides background information on Dr. SubbaRow and how Nobel Prize winners are selected.
The Explosive Growth and Demise of a Mouse PopulationZbut.Eu
Within a few generations all such roles in all physical space available to the species are
filled. At this time, the continuing high survival of many individuals to sexual and behavioral
maturity culminates in the presence of many young adults capable of involvement in appropriate species-specific activities.
The document outlines the schedule and topics for Govinda Bhisetti's Science Day event on December 30, 2008. The schedule includes presentations on the 2006 Nobel Prizes, science trivia, a discussion on breakthroughs in science in 2008, and a discussion on the 2008 financial meltdown.
This document provides an overview of DNA and genetics. It discusses how DNA was established as the genetic material through experiments in the 1940s-1950s, including Griffith's transformation experiments, Avery et al.'s work demonstrating the transforming principle was DNA, and Hershey and Chase's experiments with bacterial viruses. It also summarizes the discovery of the DNA double helix structure by Watson and Crick in 1953, based on Chargaff's rules and X-ray crystallography data. The key properties of DNA structure, including specific base pairing and semiconservative replication, are briefly outlined.
Lectures at the University of Padua, Department of Biology, "Evolution and phylogenetics" class, prof. Telmo Pievani
http://www.epistemologia.eu
"Tree-making should be part of our evolutionary toolkit (see below), but not the backbone of the evolutionary metanarrative that we seem to feel obliged to defend from anti-scientific attack" W. Ford Doolittle
Chimeras and Consciousness, una vertigine cosmica di devozione alle connessioni: continuità nel tempo, reticolazione nel tempo, connessione nello spazio, dal micro al macro. L’aspetto che più interessa in questo corso è la reticolazione nel tempo, cioè la forte tendenza della vita ad evolvere non con separazioni nette, bensì con connessioni continue e pervasive, anzi, nel suo insieme, come un tutto organico.
Non ci sono soltanto gli "ultras" della reticolazione, o i "lateralisti" fondamentalisti, ma l’attenzione è presente in parallelo in diversi campi, e noi infatti cercheremo di immaginarne le implicazioni per l’albero della vita e la filogenesi. Quattro storie parallele: filogenesi dei batteri, simbiogenesi theory, parabola di Ernst Mayr, studi ibridazione negli animali.
This document summarizes a lecture given by Dr. Larry Smarr on exploring the human microbiome. In 3 sentences:
Dr. Smarr discussed how recent advances in sequencing have revealed that the human body hosts trillions of microbes containing many times more genes than human cells. Longitudinal studies of his own biomarkers and microbiome provided insights into the dynamics of his autoimmune disease. New research is exploring the complex relationships between the gut microbiome and various health conditions.
This study examines two species of photosynthetic sea slugs, Plakobranchus ocellatus and Elysia timida, that are able to retain functional chloroplasts from consumed algae for extended periods. The researchers sequenced expressed mRNA from actively photosynthesizing individuals of both species and found no evidence that nuclear genes specific to photosynthesis had been transferred from the algal food source to the slugs, despite the long-term maintenance of plastid function. This suggests the molecular basis for plastid longevity in these species does not involve lateral transfer of algal nuclear genes.
This document summarizes a lecture on how different parts of genomes and cells can have different evolutionary histories. It discusses how endosymbiosis led to the origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts from ancient bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and chloroplast genes supports a single origin for each from ancient endosymbiotic events, though some lineages have since lost these organelles. The distribution and trees of chloroplasts and mitochondria do not always match the nuclear genome tree.
This study used an electrotaxis assay to separate Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes into groups based on their crawling speed in response to an electric field. Nematodes that crawled more slowly had shorter lifespans, higher levels of protein damage, and lower heat shock resistance than faster nematodes. Gene expression analysis found that slow nematodes had higher transcript levels of heat shock genes, which correlated with their poorer stress response and shorter lifespan. The results suggest that accumulation of early-life damage leads to faster age-related deterioration and a shorter lifespan.
Pamela L. Gordon is a scientist with an active Top Secret clearance from the Department of Defense. She has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters on topics related to actinide chemistry, including studies of neptunium, plutonium, and uranium speciation under various conditions. Gordon also has other publications, presentations, and reports on emerging chemical threats and nanotechnology.
Science article "False Positive" chronicles XMRV research controversydegarden
The article summarizes the ongoing controversy around the purported link between the mouse retrovirus XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A 2009 study in Science linked XMRV to CFS in two-thirds of patients examined, but subsequent studies failed to replicate this finding. Now, a new study by nine labs, including the original proponents, also found no evidence of XMRV in blood samples from CFS patients. However, the lead researcher from the original 2009 study maintains her position that XMRVs may still infect CFS patients, even as most other researchers want to put this controversial line of research to rest.
Evolution, Humanity and Religion Where is the evidence for God?William Hall
This hypertextual presentation derives from a nearly completed hypertext book on the co-evolution of and revolutions in tools humans use and human cognition (see below), and was tailored for an atheists and freethinkers group interested in what paleontology, archeology and human genomics have to say about the human origins of religion. Comprehensively detailed scientific evidence for the evolution of modern humans from our primate ancestry leaves no gaps in our long evolution that need any kind of mystical explanation to account for our existence. The presentation begins with a consideration of the biophysical nature of life and the philosopher Karl Popper’s construction of an evolutionary theory of knowledge. These foundation stones explain how natural selection works. The recent development of genomic technology, has enabled detailed genomes to be constructed for many humans, all of the great apes, and two extinct human species, the Neanderthals and Denisovans. The genomes plot the detailed sequences for some 3 billion DNA nucleotides for each species. Humans are 99% identical and chimpanzees / bonobos down to the nucleotide level, 98.4% identical to gorillas, and 97.4% identical to orangutans. Given the vast number of data-points it is easy to unambiguously reconstruct details of the relationships and relative times of speciation in the ancestry. Although scrappy fossils are notoriously difficult to reconstruct they do establish the presence of certain lineages in particular geographic areas. Various forms of radioactive decay allow their ages to be determined with some considerable accuracy. It is clear that we share a “last” common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos some 5-7 million years ago. Paleoarcheological evidence traces the initially gradual development of tool use over that period of time. Several videos in the presentation demonstrate that the great apes are also surprisingly accomplished tool users. This evidence is then used to construct in detail the evolution of small-brained tool-using ape men into spear and fire equipped top carnivores into today’s big-brained modern men that are dominating the entire planet. Human speech probably emerged only in the last 100,000 – 200,000 years ago. With the emergence of speech, people could begin to speculate about their origins – positing earth mothers and angry sky gods. Only in the last few decades has the evidence become strong enough to show there is no need for mystical gods and creators to explain human origins. When the writing and editorial work on the book “Application Holy Wars or a New Reformation – A Fugue on the Theory of Knowledge” is finished, it will be published via Kororoit Institute (http://kororoit.org). Crowd funding will be sought to complete the editorial and publishing work. The argument of that book is structured as a fugue, crossing many disciplinary paradigms.
The document provides an overview of biology and the scientific method. It discusses that biology is the study of living things through various branches and approaches. The scientific method is used to generate hypotheses and test theories through controlled experiments. Some key aspects of living things discussed are cells, metabolism, response to stimuli, homeostasis, growth, genetics, and reproduction. Paradigm shifts in scientific theories over time are also mentioned. The document then discusses some benefits of science like medicines and vaccines but also risks like nuclear weapons. It raises ethical issues around topics like nuclear power, animal testing, and human experimentation.
The Nobel Prize is awarded annually for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. The prizes were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with Alfred Nobel's will. The 1901 prizes in physiology or medicine were awarded to Emil von Behring for his work on diphtheria antitoxin and Paul Ehrlich for his work on immunity and chemotherapy. Subsequent prizes have been awarded for major advances in understanding the immune system, including discoveries of monoclonal antibodies, the major histocompatibility complex, immune tolerance, and the roles of dendritic cells and innate immunity.
A Brief History of Mitochondria: The Elegant Origins of a Magnificent OrganelleJackson Reynolds
A Case Study written by Jackson David Reynolds, written in the style of the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (NCCSTS): http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/...
University of North Georgia, Gainesville, GA, USA
Spring 2016
Evolutionary psychology combines evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology to study the evolution of human psychology and behavior. The core tenets of evolutionary psychology are that 1) behavior is influenced by psychological mechanisms and their inputs, 2) these mechanisms evolved through natural and sexual selection, and 3) they function to solve adaptive problems faced by our ancestors. While genes influence traits, epigenetics shows that environmental factors can influence which genes are expressed.
Biology is the science that studies living organisms and life processes. It uses the scientific method and is divided into many branches and fields that overlap, such as botany, zoology, anatomy, and physiology. Understanding biology helps explain how and why living systems function. Modern biology builds on knowledge contributed by biologists over generations and benefits from tools like microscopy, DNA sequencing, and gene cloning. Rapid development in areas like biotechnology and molecular biology characterize 21st century biology.
Evolutionary epistemology versus faith and justified true belief: Does scien...William Hall
This presentation explores the basis for scientific rationality by testing our claims about the world against nature as described by Karl Popper's evolutionary epistemology versus accepting claims based on justified true belief. The presentation is particularly concerned to show the philosophical problems with religious fundamentalism.
EVIDENCE FOR EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM - EMF Sensitivity Not Relevant
The document discusses the immune system and its response to electromagnetic fields. It provides background on the basic components and functions of the immune system. It then discusses how the immune system can have hypersensitivity reactions to environmental substances, including electromagnetic fields. It notes several types of hypersensitivity reactions and cells involved. Finally, it discusses natural and human-made sources of electromagnetic fields and how different frequencies interact with the body.
This document discusses innate immunity in Drosophila and mammals. In Drosophila, innate immunity involves phagocytosis, proteolytic cascades, and production of antimicrobial peptides. The peptides are produced in the fat body and barrier epithelia. In mammals, innate immunity recognizes pathogens and distinguishes self from nonself. It also links to adaptive immunity. Innate defenses are highly conserved between insects and mammals, pointing to a common ancestry.
1) The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2013 was awarded to James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Südhof for their work mapping the cell's transport system using vesicles.
2) The 2014 prize was awarded to John O'Keefe for discovering cells in the hippocampus that form an internal map and to May-Britt Moser and Edward Moser for discovering cells that form a coordinate system for navigation.
3) The 2015 prize was divided between William Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for discovering treatment for roundworm parasites and Youyou Tu for discovering artemisinin from sweet wormwood for treating malaria.
This document appears to be a project report submitted by a student named Avinash Rai to their professor Anita Parmar. It includes:
1) A cover page with the student and professor's details and the project topic.
2) A certificate signed by the professor certifying the work as the student's original work.
3) A declaration signed by the student stating it is their original work.
4) An acknowledgements section thanking the professor for their guidance and other individuals who helped with the research.
Thomas Kuhn argued that science proceeds through both normal science and scientific revolutions. Normal science involves incremental progress within an established theoretical framework, while scientific revolutions occur when anomalies arise that cannot be explained by the existing framework. The document discusses how molecular biology arose through a series of scientific revolutions, from Darwin's theory of evolution to the discoveries of DNA's structure and role in heredity. However, recent findings regarding prions may challenge the central paradigm of molecular biology that information flows unidirectionally from genes to proteins.
April 5, 2016
Panelists discussed the relationship between genetics, enhancement, public health, and national security.
Speakers:
- Jamie Metzl, "The National Security Implications of the Genetics Revolution"
- George Annas, "Post-9/11 Uses of Public Health and Medicine by National Security Agencies"
- Jonathan Moreno, "National Security and Biology"
Cosponsored by the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School, the Harvard National Security & Law Association, the Harvard National Security Journal, and the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, with support from the Oswald DeN. Cammann Fund at Harvard University.
Visit our website to learn more!: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/the-national-security-implications-of-the-genetics-revolution
Wagner College Forum for Undergraduate Research, Vol 10 No 2Wagner College
This document summarizes an experiment that investigated the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to infect the central nervous system of adult zebrafish. Approximately 20 adult zebrafish were injected in the eye with L. monocytogenes. Imaging techniques were then used to study the time course of the infection. The experiment found that when injected into the vitreous humor of the eye, L. monocytogenes was able to invade retinal cells, move through the optic nerve, and ultimately gain access to the optic tectum region of the brain. This demonstrated that adult zebrafish can serve as a model for studying L. monocytogenes infections of the central nervous system.
This document summarizes a lecture given by Dr. Larry Smarr on exploring the human microbiome. In 3 sentences:
Dr. Smarr discussed how recent advances in sequencing have revealed that the human body hosts trillions of microbes containing many times more genes than human cells. Longitudinal studies of his own biomarkers and microbiome provided insights into the dynamics of his autoimmune disease. New research is exploring the complex relationships between the gut microbiome and various health conditions.
This study examines two species of photosynthetic sea slugs, Plakobranchus ocellatus and Elysia timida, that are able to retain functional chloroplasts from consumed algae for extended periods. The researchers sequenced expressed mRNA from actively photosynthesizing individuals of both species and found no evidence that nuclear genes specific to photosynthesis had been transferred from the algal food source to the slugs, despite the long-term maintenance of plastid function. This suggests the molecular basis for plastid longevity in these species does not involve lateral transfer of algal nuclear genes.
This document summarizes a lecture on how different parts of genomes and cells can have different evolutionary histories. It discusses how endosymbiosis led to the origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts from ancient bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial and chloroplast genes supports a single origin for each from ancient endosymbiotic events, though some lineages have since lost these organelles. The distribution and trees of chloroplasts and mitochondria do not always match the nuclear genome tree.
This study used an electrotaxis assay to separate Caenorhabditis elegans nematodes into groups based on their crawling speed in response to an electric field. Nematodes that crawled more slowly had shorter lifespans, higher levels of protein damage, and lower heat shock resistance than faster nematodes. Gene expression analysis found that slow nematodes had higher transcript levels of heat shock genes, which correlated with their poorer stress response and shorter lifespan. The results suggest that accumulation of early-life damage leads to faster age-related deterioration and a shorter lifespan.
Pamela L. Gordon is a scientist with an active Top Secret clearance from the Department of Defense. She has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters on topics related to actinide chemistry, including studies of neptunium, plutonium, and uranium speciation under various conditions. Gordon also has other publications, presentations, and reports on emerging chemical threats and nanotechnology.
Science article "False Positive" chronicles XMRV research controversydegarden
The article summarizes the ongoing controversy around the purported link between the mouse retrovirus XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A 2009 study in Science linked XMRV to CFS in two-thirds of patients examined, but subsequent studies failed to replicate this finding. Now, a new study by nine labs, including the original proponents, also found no evidence of XMRV in blood samples from CFS patients. However, the lead researcher from the original 2009 study maintains her position that XMRVs may still infect CFS patients, even as most other researchers want to put this controversial line of research to rest.
Evolution, Humanity and Religion Where is the evidence for God?William Hall
This hypertextual presentation derives from a nearly completed hypertext book on the co-evolution of and revolutions in tools humans use and human cognition (see below), and was tailored for an atheists and freethinkers group interested in what paleontology, archeology and human genomics have to say about the human origins of religion. Comprehensively detailed scientific evidence for the evolution of modern humans from our primate ancestry leaves no gaps in our long evolution that need any kind of mystical explanation to account for our existence. The presentation begins with a consideration of the biophysical nature of life and the philosopher Karl Popper’s construction of an evolutionary theory of knowledge. These foundation stones explain how natural selection works. The recent development of genomic technology, has enabled detailed genomes to be constructed for many humans, all of the great apes, and two extinct human species, the Neanderthals and Denisovans. The genomes plot the detailed sequences for some 3 billion DNA nucleotides for each species. Humans are 99% identical and chimpanzees / bonobos down to the nucleotide level, 98.4% identical to gorillas, and 97.4% identical to orangutans. Given the vast number of data-points it is easy to unambiguously reconstruct details of the relationships and relative times of speciation in the ancestry. Although scrappy fossils are notoriously difficult to reconstruct they do establish the presence of certain lineages in particular geographic areas. Various forms of radioactive decay allow their ages to be determined with some considerable accuracy. It is clear that we share a “last” common ancestor with chimpanzees and bonobos some 5-7 million years ago. Paleoarcheological evidence traces the initially gradual development of tool use over that period of time. Several videos in the presentation demonstrate that the great apes are also surprisingly accomplished tool users. This evidence is then used to construct in detail the evolution of small-brained tool-using ape men into spear and fire equipped top carnivores into today’s big-brained modern men that are dominating the entire planet. Human speech probably emerged only in the last 100,000 – 200,000 years ago. With the emergence of speech, people could begin to speculate about their origins – positing earth mothers and angry sky gods. Only in the last few decades has the evidence become strong enough to show there is no need for mystical gods and creators to explain human origins. When the writing and editorial work on the book “Application Holy Wars or a New Reformation – A Fugue on the Theory of Knowledge” is finished, it will be published via Kororoit Institute (http://kororoit.org). Crowd funding will be sought to complete the editorial and publishing work. The argument of that book is structured as a fugue, crossing many disciplinary paradigms.
The document provides an overview of biology and the scientific method. It discusses that biology is the study of living things through various branches and approaches. The scientific method is used to generate hypotheses and test theories through controlled experiments. Some key aspects of living things discussed are cells, metabolism, response to stimuli, homeostasis, growth, genetics, and reproduction. Paradigm shifts in scientific theories over time are also mentioned. The document then discusses some benefits of science like medicines and vaccines but also risks like nuclear weapons. It raises ethical issues around topics like nuclear power, animal testing, and human experimentation.
The Nobel Prize is awarded annually for achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. The prizes were first awarded in 1901 in accordance with Alfred Nobel's will. The 1901 prizes in physiology or medicine were awarded to Emil von Behring for his work on diphtheria antitoxin and Paul Ehrlich for his work on immunity and chemotherapy. Subsequent prizes have been awarded for major advances in understanding the immune system, including discoveries of monoclonal antibodies, the major histocompatibility complex, immune tolerance, and the roles of dendritic cells and innate immunity.
A Brief History of Mitochondria: The Elegant Origins of a Magnificent OrganelleJackson Reynolds
A Case Study written by Jackson David Reynolds, written in the style of the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science (NCCSTS): http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/...
University of North Georgia, Gainesville, GA, USA
Spring 2016
Evolutionary psychology combines evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology to study the evolution of human psychology and behavior. The core tenets of evolutionary psychology are that 1) behavior is influenced by psychological mechanisms and their inputs, 2) these mechanisms evolved through natural and sexual selection, and 3) they function to solve adaptive problems faced by our ancestors. While genes influence traits, epigenetics shows that environmental factors can influence which genes are expressed.
Biology is the science that studies living organisms and life processes. It uses the scientific method and is divided into many branches and fields that overlap, such as botany, zoology, anatomy, and physiology. Understanding biology helps explain how and why living systems function. Modern biology builds on knowledge contributed by biologists over generations and benefits from tools like microscopy, DNA sequencing, and gene cloning. Rapid development in areas like biotechnology and molecular biology characterize 21st century biology.
Evolutionary epistemology versus faith and justified true belief: Does scien...William Hall
This presentation explores the basis for scientific rationality by testing our claims about the world against nature as described by Karl Popper's evolutionary epistemology versus accepting claims based on justified true belief. The presentation is particularly concerned to show the philosophical problems with religious fundamentalism.
EVIDENCE FOR EFFECTS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM - EMF Sensitivity Not Relevant
The document discusses the immune system and its response to electromagnetic fields. It provides background on the basic components and functions of the immune system. It then discusses how the immune system can have hypersensitivity reactions to environmental substances, including electromagnetic fields. It notes several types of hypersensitivity reactions and cells involved. Finally, it discusses natural and human-made sources of electromagnetic fields and how different frequencies interact with the body.
This document discusses innate immunity in Drosophila and mammals. In Drosophila, innate immunity involves phagocytosis, proteolytic cascades, and production of antimicrobial peptides. The peptides are produced in the fat body and barrier epithelia. In mammals, innate immunity recognizes pathogens and distinguishes self from nonself. It also links to adaptive immunity. Innate defenses are highly conserved between insects and mammals, pointing to a common ancestry.
1) The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2013 was awarded to James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Südhof for their work mapping the cell's transport system using vesicles.
2) The 2014 prize was awarded to John O'Keefe for discovering cells in the hippocampus that form an internal map and to May-Britt Moser and Edward Moser for discovering cells that form a coordinate system for navigation.
3) The 2015 prize was divided between William Campbell and Satoshi Ōmura for discovering treatment for roundworm parasites and Youyou Tu for discovering artemisinin from sweet wormwood for treating malaria.
This document appears to be a project report submitted by a student named Avinash Rai to their professor Anita Parmar. It includes:
1) A cover page with the student and professor's details and the project topic.
2) A certificate signed by the professor certifying the work as the student's original work.
3) A declaration signed by the student stating it is their original work.
4) An acknowledgements section thanking the professor for their guidance and other individuals who helped with the research.
Thomas Kuhn argued that science proceeds through both normal science and scientific revolutions. Normal science involves incremental progress within an established theoretical framework, while scientific revolutions occur when anomalies arise that cannot be explained by the existing framework. The document discusses how molecular biology arose through a series of scientific revolutions, from Darwin's theory of evolution to the discoveries of DNA's structure and role in heredity. However, recent findings regarding prions may challenge the central paradigm of molecular biology that information flows unidirectionally from genes to proteins.
April 5, 2016
Panelists discussed the relationship between genetics, enhancement, public health, and national security.
Speakers:
- Jamie Metzl, "The National Security Implications of the Genetics Revolution"
- George Annas, "Post-9/11 Uses of Public Health and Medicine by National Security Agencies"
- Jonathan Moreno, "National Security and Biology"
Cosponsored by the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School, the Harvard National Security & Law Association, the Harvard National Security Journal, and the Center for Bioethics at Harvard Medical School, with support from the Oswald DeN. Cammann Fund at Harvard University.
Visit our website to learn more!: http://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/events/details/the-national-security-implications-of-the-genetics-revolution
Wagner College Forum for Undergraduate Research, Vol 10 No 2Wagner College
This document summarizes an experiment that investigated the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to infect the central nervous system of adult zebrafish. Approximately 20 adult zebrafish were injected in the eye with L. monocytogenes. Imaging techniques were then used to study the time course of the infection. The experiment found that when injected into the vitreous humor of the eye, L. monocytogenes was able to invade retinal cells, move through the optic nerve, and ultimately gain access to the optic tectum region of the brain. This demonstrated that adult zebrafish can serve as a model for studying L. monocytogenes infections of the central nervous system.
This article reports the detection of two gas clouds with no discernible elements heavier than hydrogen, representing the lowest heavy-element abundance observed in the early universe. One cloud at z=3.4 exhibits a deuterium abundance matching predictions from Big Bang nucleosynthesis, providing direct evidence for the standard cosmological model. The sparse metal enrichment of these clouds implies an inhomogeneous process for transporting heavy elements from galaxies into the surrounding intergalactic medium.
1
CHAPTER 1 Microbiology: Then and Now
CHAPTER 2 The Chemical Building Blocks of Life
CHAPTER 3 Concepts and Tools for Studying Microorganisms
CHAPTER 4 Cell Structure and Function in the Bacteria and Archaea
CHAPTER 5 Microbial Growth and Nutrition
CHAPTER 6 Metabolism of Microorganisms
CHAPTER 7 Control of Microorganisms: Physical and Chemical Methods
1 Foundations of Microbiology
P A R T
n 1676, a century before the Declaration of Independence, a Dutch
merchant named Antony van Leeuwenhoek sent a noteworthy let-
ter to the Royal Society of London. Writing in the vernacular of his
home in the United Netherlands, Leeuwenhoek described how he used a simple
microscope to observe vast populations of minute, living creatures. His reports
opened a chapter of science that would evolve into the study of microscopic
organisms and the discipline of microbiology. At that time, few people, including
Leeuwenhoek, attached any practical significance to the microorganisms, but
during the next three centuries, scientists would discover how profoundly these
organisms influence the quality of our lives and the environment around us.
We begin our study of the microorganisms by exploring the grassroot devel-
opments that led to the establishment of microbiology as a science. These devel-
opments are surveyed in Chapter 1, where we focus on some of the individuals
who stood at the forefront of discovery. Today we are in the midst of a third Golden Age of microbiology and our
understanding of microorganisms continues to grow even as you read this book. Chapter 1, therefore, is an important
introduction to microbiology then and now.
Part 1 also contains a chapter on basic chemistry, inasmuch as microbial growth, metabolism, and diversity
are grounded in the molecules and macromolecules these organisms contain and in the biological processes they
undergo. The third chapter in Part 1 sets down some basic concepts and describes one of the major tools for study-
ing microorganisms. Much as the alphabet applies to word development, in succeeding chapters we will formulate
words into sentences and sentences into ideas as we survey the different groups of microorganisms and concentrate
on their importance to public health and human welfare.
Although most microorganisms are harmless—or even beneficial, some cause infectious disease. We will concentrate
on the bacterial organisms in Chapter 4, where we survey their structural frameworks. In Chapter 5, we build on these
frameworks by examining microbial growth patterns and nutritional requirements. Chapter 6 describes the metabolism
of microbial cells, including those chemical reactions that produce energy and use energy. Part 1 concludes by consider-
ing the physical and chemical methods used to control microbial growth and metabolism (Chapter 7).
I
Cells of Vibrio cholerae, transmitted to
humans in contaminated water and food, are
the cause of cholera.
62582_CH01_001_034.pdf 162582.
Dr. Greta Sykes gives a lecture on what educational psychologists can learn from discussions of evolution among biologists. She summarizes that Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection was initially controversial but is now widely accepted. Recent research shows genes have less influence on traits than originally believed and that group selection and niche construction have played larger roles in evolution than previously acknowledged. This implies an environmentally-focused, preventative approach is important for educational psychologists rather than assuming traits are predetermined by genes.
Peter Doherty was born in Brisbane, Australia and attended school there. He joined the John Curtin School of Medical Research in 1972 where he met Rolf Zinkernagel. They discovered that T-cells in mice infected with lymphocytic virus (LCMV) were able to attack and kill cells infected with the virus. This began their research collaboration. Doherty and Zinkernagel found that T-cells must recognize both the viral antigen and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule on the infected cell surface to initiate the killing of that cell. This discovery of MHC restriction was seminal in understanding cell-mediated immunity.
Family Fun Activities and Entertainment at.pptxgnanesh225
DLF Promenade is a prime destination for family fun, offering a range of activities and entertainment options. The state-of-the-art PVR cinema showcases the latest movies, providing a perfect outing for film enthusiasts. For younger visitors, the Kiddyland play area is a haven of excitement with safe and engaging attractions.
Dive into this presentation to explore the complete guide to the 7 Chakras and their effects, and discover the fascinating world of chakras. Learn how these seven energy centers influence your physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and find out how balancing them can improve your overall well-being and harmony.
MISS TEEN HYDERABAD 2024 - WINNER RYKA TANDONDK PAGEANT
In the dynamic city of Hyderabad, a youthful and outstandingly skilled person has as of late made waves on the national stage. Ryka Tandon, a 14-year-old understudy, has been honored with the prestigious title of Miss High Schooler India 2024 Victor, Pride of India, from the Dk Show. Her travels to this regarded position are a confirmation of her unflinching devotion, ability, and tireless endeavors. Despite her youthful age, Ryka has, as of now, accomplished momentous points of reference that recognize her as a guide of motivation and pride for her city and her nation. This article digs into the uncommon life and accomplishments of Ryka Tandon, investigating her foundation, achievements, and the qualities that make her a standout individual.
How to Style Women's Linen Wear for Every Occasion.pdfChilinen
Discover how to choose the right toddler clothing for your needs with Chi Linen. Our guide covers essential tips and factors to consider, ensuring your little one is stylish and comfortable in every outfit.
Stag Elevators | Leading Home Elevator Company in IndiaStag Elevators
Discover Stag Elevators, India's premier home elevator company, dedicated to delivering unmatched mobility solutions nationwide. Specializing in certified home elevators, lifts, and platform lifts, Stag Elevators leads with superior safety, quality, and innovation. Partnering with renowned Italian manufacturers ensures every product meets European safety standards and is TUV certified, offering affordability and utmost safety for homes of all sizes and types, from small houses to luxury residences.
Transform your outdoor space with professional yard clean-up services! From initial assessment to final cleanup, professional yard cleaners offer debris removal, lawn care, trimming, pruning, weed control, mulching, and meticulous disposal. Save time and enjoy a beautifully maintained yard year-round.
Press Release - Invisible Disease June 21, 2024Purdue Global
Invisible Disease
PRESS RELEASE: 21 June 2024 / Lenawee County
When I moved my family to Clinton Village in 2021, I had no idea how much our lives would change. I was drawn in by the cute Victorian homes, and the historical presence of the rural community. Little did I know that the reality of a family like mine moving into the community would have so many immediate negative repercussions. Despite my love of our new home and the idealism of a country lifestyle, only a few people wanted us to share in their same happiness. Life over the past couple of years has changed drastically.
We first came to Michigan to take care of my then nine-year-old son Ben. Ben was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer at the age of 2. He has had three reocurrences and one aneurysm during that time. In 2020, he had his last reocurrence which resulted in seven weeks of gamma knife radiation treatment to a little over a quarter of his brain in the front left parietal lobe. The remaining scar tissue affects various aspects of the brain. He also has 36 staples, bolts, and plates in his brain and parts that are keeping his skull together.
Ben looks like a regular boy. His disease is what we call invisible because to look at him, you would never know he has brain trauma. He is the epitome of a cancer warrior! I thought Clinton Village was perfect for us. The motto is exactly what I’ve always said about Raising Ben. “It takes a Village.”
My naivete was shattered because of the constant turmoil we’ve encountered with the Clinton school system, The Village Inc. and the local police. The problems started immediately after living in the village for only a few weeks. The police became a consistent presence at our front door, prompted by our neighbors who felt we needed formal reprimands for a variety of reasons which included having a dangerous carport, owning a loud pocket dirt bike, and complaints that our front and backyard lawns were apparently too long. These are just a few of the supposed violations that were cited by our neighbors and that compelled them to report us to The Village headquarters and/or the police department.
During this time, we as a family tried to be good neighbors, were always friendly, smiled, said hello, and continued to offer baked goods whenever possible. They weren’t having it!
The Clinton elementary school held an IEP meeting, upon my request, to help Ben in school when we arrived in 2021. Ben had a few minor needs that required attention such as additional breaks during class time to give his over-stimulated brain a rest, extra help on assignments, assistance from a paraprofessional a few hours a day for redirecting and fine motor skill attention, as well as ADHD and non grand mal seizures (Epilepsy). The control factor for the implementation of Ben’s IEP is ongoing. He needs brakes when he feels overwhelmed, and that time cannot be scheduled.
Imagine a child swimming underwater. The child needs to breathe, so he comes up f
HR STRATEGIES AND EMPLOYEE OUTCOMES: A STUDY ON COMPENSATION, APPRAISAL, RECO...indexPub
This study examines the relationship between HR practices and employee outcomes in order to provide insight into the crucial role HR practices play in organisational dynamics. The results show that HR procedures significantly affect workers' engagement with their work and their ability to decide whether or not to stay with their current employer. In order to improve staff retention rates and achieve sustained organisational effectiveness, this study's findings stress the significance of well-crafted human resource policies. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the multifaceted relationship between human resource practices and employee outcomes, specifically focusing on compensation, performance appraisal, and recognition programs. By delving into these dynamics, the research aims to enhance our understanding of how these HR strategies influence job embeddedness and the intention to quit among employees, ultimately providing valuable insights for organizations to optimize their HR policies and employee retention strategies. Design/Methodology: This research adopts a quantitative approach, utilizing a structured survey instrument administered to a diverse sample of employees across various industries. Data collected will be analyzed using advanced statistical techniques, including regression analysis, to examine the associations between compensation, performance appraisal, recognition programs, job embeddedness, and intention to quit. Additionally, qualitative data such as open-ended responses will be analyzed to gain deeper insights into employee perceptions and experiences. Findings: Reveal significant correlations are identified as key determinants of job embeddedness, with higher levels of job satisfaction and commitment associated with these practices. Moreover, employees exposed to effective HR strategies exhibit a decreased intention to quit, highlighting the role of these practices in retaining talent. The study also identifies nuanced interactions between these variables, shedding light on the complexity of HR practices' impact on employee attitudes and behaviours. Practical Implications: By recognizing the importance of compensation, performance appraisal, and recognition programs in promoting job embeddedness and reducing intention to quit, organizations can design and implement more effective HR policies. This, in turn, can lead to improved employee retention rates, increased job satisfaction, and ultimately contribute to organizational success and stability. Originality/Value: The originality of this research lies in its ability to provide organizations with a comprehensive understanding of the interconnectedness of these variables, thus offering valuable insights and practical recommendations for HR practitioners and organizational leaders striving to retain talent and foster a positive workplace culture.
Green Illustrated Sustainable World Presentation.pdfliwangshu074
Our project "Recycling Old Clothes" aims to enhance the public's understanding and participation in the recycling of used clothes through scientific and technological means, and promote the concept of sustainable development.
The Power of Gratitude: How Gratitude Can Change Your LifebluetroyvictorVinay
n our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, often forgetting to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. Yet, there is a simple but profound practice that can significantly transform our lives: gratitude. Embracing gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” but about adopting an attitude of thankfulness that can shift our perspective, enhance our well-being, and lead to a more fulfilling life.
The Traditional Weddings of the United States of America
Science Day 2011
1. Science Day 2011
December 29, 2011
Govinda Bhisetti, Ph. D.
Lexington, MA 02421
govindarb@yahoo.com
9:30 AM Arrival
10:00 – 10:15 AM Introduction
10:15 -- 11:45 AM 2011 Nobel Prizes
12:00 – 12:30 PM Top 10 News in 2011
12:30 – 1:30 PM Lunch
2:00 – 3:00 PM Breakthroughs in Science 2011
3:00 – 4:00 PM Tribute to Prof. Har Gobind Khorana
4:00 -- 5:00 PM Disaster of the Year: Japan Earthquake
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 1
2. Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize
amount for 2011 is set
at Swedish kronor
(SEK) 10 million ($1.46
million) per full Nobel
Prize.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 2
3. Nobel Festivities
http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1752
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 3
4. Prof. Har Gobind Khorana
The day is dedicated to Prof. Khorana, 1968 Nobel Prize winner in Medicine
who passed away on November 9, 2011
Hediscovered how amino acids coded by DNA combine to create proteins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-BidjlCnHs (min 4 to 14)
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/lau
reates/1968/khorana-bio.html
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 4
5. 2011 Nobel Prize winners
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 5
6. Prize Announcement Schedule
• Monday, October 3, 2011 PHYSIOLOGY or MEDICINE
Ralph M. Steinman, and Bruce A. Beutler & Jules A. Hoffmann
"for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity" and for their discoveries
concerning the activation of innate immunity
• Tuesday, October 4, 2011 PHYSICS
Saul Perlmutter, Brian P. Schmidt and Adam G. Riess
for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant
supernovae
• Wednesday, October 5, 2011 CHEMISTRY
Dan Shechtman ”for discovery of quasicrystals”
• Thursday, October 6, 2011 LITERATURE
Thomas Transtromer (Peru)
because, through his condensed, translucent images, he gives us fresh access to reality
• Friday, October 7, 2010 PEACE
President Ellen Johnson, Leymah Gboww and Tawakkol Kafman (Liberia and Yemen)
for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in
peace-building work
• Monday, October 10, 2010 ECONOMICS
Thomas J. Sargent and Christopher A. Sims for their empirical research on cause and effect in the
macroeconomy
Prizes were awarded on December 10, 2011
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 6
7. Peace Nobel Prize
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman
for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for
women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 7
8. PHYSIOLOGY or MEDICINE
Ralph M. Steinman and Bruce A. Beutler Jules A. Hoffmann
for his discovery of the dendritic cell and its role in adaptive immunity” and “for
their discoveries concerning the activation of innate immunity
Ralph M. Steinman Bruce A. Beutler Jules A. Hoffmann
Rockefeller University, NY Scripps Research Institute Université
La Jolla, CA Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr5og53z_dc
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 8
9. Innate and Adaptive Immunity
• Innate or non-specific
- mobilized immediately upon infection
- not antigen specific
• Adaptive or specific
- requires some time to react
an invading organism
- antigen specific
- exhibits an immunological memory
Both aspects of the immune system have cellular and Human blood contains most cellular and
noncellular factors that participate in
humoral components
host immunity to bacterial pathogens
Khan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp7T4IItbtM
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 9
10. Pathogen Recognition Systems and
Innate Immunity
The innate immune system is an evolutionarily
conserved mechanism that provides an early and
effective response against invading microbial pathogens.
It relies on a limited set of pattern recognition receptors
(PRRs) that recognize specific pathogen-associated
molecular patterns (PAMPs) commonly present in
microbes but not in mammals. Upon detection of
PAMPs, some PRRs trigger an inflammatory response
leading to the efficient destruction of the invading
pathogens.
Four main families of PRRs have been shown to initiate
proinflammatory signaling pathways: the Toll-like
receptors (TLRs), the NOD-like receptors (NLRs), the
RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs), and the C-type lectin
receptors (CLRs). As our understanding of innate
immunity expands, more PRRs are being identified ,
such as cytosolic dsDNA sensors (CDSs) and NLRs
involved in the formation of inflammasomes.
Trends in Immunology, 27, 352-357 (2006)
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 10
11. Dendrtic Cells in Immunity
The immune system’s
response involves a cascade
of events orchestrated by
specialized immune cells
Dendritic cells have two key functions in the initial, innate immune response. 1) they
produce cytokines that help to kill viruses and bacteria. 2) they ensure that pathogens and
other foreign substances are highly visible to specialized helper T cells, called Th1 and Th2
cells, which coordinate the longer-term adaptive immune response. Th1 and Th2
responses last for an extended time. Dendritic cells recognize different types of offending
substances and guide the immune system to make the most appropriate response.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 11
12. Dendritic cell and adaptive immunity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xA
m3Z5Iy85w
his T cell (blue), one of the immune system’s principle means of defense,
identifies the molecular signature of a dendritic cell (green) at a junction between
the two called the immunological synapse. If the immunological synapse signals
the presence of a foe, the T cell will attack.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 12
13. CHEMISTRY
Daniel Schechtman
for the discovery of quasicrystals
Dan’s discovery of
quasicrystals has
created a new cross-
disciplinary branch of
science, drawing from,
and enriching, chemistry,
physics and
mathematics. This is in
itself of the greatest
importance. It has also
given us a reminder of
how little we really know
and perhaps even taught
Dan Schechtman, 70 us some humility. That is
Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
a truly great achievement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZRTzOMHQ4s
http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1731
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 13
14. Quasicrystals
5 or 10-fold symmetry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiT00AUwQl8
Many scientists — notably Linus Pauling, the Nobel-winning giant of chemistry —
argued vehemently that Dr. Shechtman’s data could be explained by “twinning,”
where two ordinary periodic crystals are fused together at an angle.
http://www.periodicvideos.com/videos/feature_nobel_prize_2010.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLgW3fRMOhkfeature=related
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 14
15. PHYSICS
Adam Riess, Saul Perlmutter and Brian Schmidt
for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through
observations of distant supernovae”
Saul Perlmutter, 52, Brian P. Schmidt, 44, Adam G. Riess, 41,
Lawrence Berkeley Australian National Johns Hopkins
National Laboratory University in Canberra University Baltimore
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 15
16. Expanding Universe
• An exploding star known
as Type 1a supernova is
very bright
• The Nobel prize winners
used them to measure the
expansion of the universe
•http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=v6o2bUPdxV0
•http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=dMwr0VYuExE
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 16
17. Breakthrough of the Year 2011
“The goal of an AIDS-free generation is
ambitious, but it is possible,” - Hillary
Clinton
Antiretroviral treatments for HIV keep the virus
from spreading and raised hopes of ending
HIV/AIDS epidemics in whole populations.
The year's runners-up include what makes
asteroids red, ancient DNA in modern humans,
the structure of photosystem II, pristine gas in the
early universe, the microbiome, a new malaria
vaccine, alien solar systems, zeolites, and
senescent cells.
http://podcasts.aaas.org/science_podcast/Scienc
ePodcast_111223.mp3
http://podcasts.aaas.org/science_podcast/Scienc
ePodcast_111223.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi5URSLUzD
M
23 December 2011
Scanning electron micrograph of HIV viruses, each ~120
nanometers in diameter, on an infected cell surface
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 17
18. 2011 Science Breakthroughs
1. HIV Treatment as Prevention.
2. Asteroid Dust Solves Color Conundrum..
3. Archaic Humans’ DNA Lives On.
4. Plant Life’s Boxy Heart.
5. Glimpses of a Simpler Time.
6. Microbes R Us.
7. RTS,S -- A Vaccine With Many Maybes.
8. Extrasolar? Extra Strange.
9. Industrial Molecules Tailor-Made
10. Removing Old Cells to Stay Young?
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 18
19. 10. Removing Old Cells to Stay Young
Washed-up cells in our tissues promote aging, culling them
could keep us healthier longer
• Senescent cells leak growth-stimulating
and tissue-dissolving chemicals that
encourage tumors to grow and spread,
and might also promote aging by
damaging the surrounding tissue or by
stoking the protracted inflammation
characteristic of old age.
• Injections of a drug triggered the
animals to kill off cells that manufacture
the protein p16INK4a, which flags many
senescent cells
• Raises the possibility that targeting
senescent cells or countering their
effects could burnish our golden years.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 19
20. 9. Industrial Molecules, Tailor-Made
New ways to tailor the size of their pores and create thinner, cheaper
zeolites
• Zeolites, family of porous crystaline minerals was first discovered in 1756. Over
the past 250 years, 40 natural zeolites have been discovered, and chemists
have chipped in roughly 150 more synthetic versions.
• South Korean scientists crafted a family of zeolites with network of small pores
surrounded by walls holed with larger voids. Labs in Spain and China produced
large- and small-pore zeolites by using a combination of inorganic and organic
materials to guide the structures as they formed. Researchers in France and
Germany discovered that, by carefully controlling growth conditions, they could
form a large-pore zeolite.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 20
21. 8. Extrasolar? Extra Strange
Distant planetary systems are pretty weird
• NASA’s Kepler observatory—which has
been tracking 156,000 nearby stars
found six large planets, three of them
gas giants like Jupiter, orbiting a star
named Kepler 11 some 2000 light-
years from Earth.
• Five of the six are bunched up very
close to the star, closer in than Mercury
is from the sun. The sixth planet lies
only a bit farther out, as far as Venus is
from the sun.
• HAT-P-6b, a gas giant orbiting in a
direction opposite to the spin of the
parent star.
• An exoplanet orbiting a binary star
With more than 700 extrasolar planets on system.
record, researchers are grappling not only with • 10 planets floating freely in space with
planets unlike anything circling our sun but also no host stars nearby, suggesting that
with entire planetary systems whose weirdness they may have been kicked out of the
is forcing scientists to rethink how planets form planetary systems in which they
and settle into orbits. formed.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 21
22. 7. RTS,S - A Vaccine With Many Maybes
Clinical trials of a malaria vaccine keep hopes alive.
• Clinical trial of a malaria
vaccine at 11 sites in seven
African countries enrolled
more than 15,000 children.
• RTS,S vaccine produced by
GlaxoSmithKline in
collaboration with the PATH
Malaria Vaccine Initiative has
received more than $200
million in development support
from the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation.
• Early results of the ongoing
trial reassured malaria
researchers that discovering a
malaria vaccine remains
possible.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 22
23. 6. Microbes R Us
Internal microbial communities fell roughly into three enterotypes:
Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Ruminococcus
• The Microbiome: The microbes and viruses that call the human
body home has led to the concept of the microbiome. Since 90
percent of the cells in our bodies are actually microbial, scientists are
beginning to understand how significantly microbial genes can affect
how much energy we absorb from our foods and how our immune
systems respond to infections.
• Everyone has a dominant bacterium leading the gang
in their digestive tract: Bacteroides, Prevotella or
Ruminococcus.
• Bacteroides thrives on a high-protein diet while
Prevotella prefers vegetarian fare.
• These findings and more helped to clarify the interplay
between diet and microbes in nutrition and disease.
• http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/normalflora.html
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 23
24. 5. Glimpses of a Simpler Time
Clouds of gas — trapped in filaments between galaxies — may be long-
lasting leftovers from the Big Bang.
• Astronomers using the Keck telescope
in Hawaii to probe the faraway universe
wound up discovering two clouds of
hydrogen gas that seem to have
maintained their original chemistry for
two billion years after the big bang.
• Other researchers identified a star that
is almost completely devoid of metals,
just as the universe's earliest stars
must have been, but that formed much
later.
• The discoveries show that pockets of
matter persisted unscathed amid eons
of cosmic violence.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 24
25. 4. Plant Life’s Boxy Heart
High Resolution Crystal Structure of Plant’s Photo System II
• Plant’s essential protein called photo system II
(PSII) uses solar energy to split water into
hydrogen and oxygen atoms, then pairs
oxygens into the O2 molecules we breathe. It is
one of nature’s most fascinating and important
reactions.
• PSII is a transmembrane protein complex with
20 protein subunits, several electron-transfer
quinone factors, and a photoantenna system of
chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments.
• The high-resolution structure of PSII reveals
the geometric arrangement of the Mn4CaO5
cluster as well as its oxo bridges and ligands,
and four bound water molecules. This provides
a basis for unravelling the mechanism of water
splitting and O–O bond formation.
• The structure gives us a solid structural
understanding of energy migration, electron
transfer and water-splitting reactions taking
place within PSII.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 25
26. 3. Archaic Humans’ DNA Lives On
DNA from a Siberian finger bone showed mixing between Denisovans
and Homo sapiens
• In the past 100,000 years, Homo sapiens
arose in Africa, then swept out into Europe
and Asia, “completely” replacing
Neandertals and the other archaic peoples
they met there.
• In December 2010, researchers published
the whole genome of a new kind of archaic
human from Denisova Cave in Siberia.
• It was found this year that members of
three relatively isolated groups of Africans
carried unusual DNA variants apparently
inherited from archaic people in Africa in
the past 35,000 years, long after modern
humans arose.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 26
27. 2. Asteroid Dust Solves Color Conundrum
Why the most common meteorites that fall to Earth didn’t seem to come
from the most common asteroids in the asteroid belt?
• Hayabusa, a Japanese spacecraft, a
daring mission returned to Earth with
dust from the surface of a large
asteroids Itokawa after some near-
disastrous technical difficulties and a
stunningly successful recovery.
• Analysis of these dust samples
confirmed that the most common
meteorites found on Earth, known as
ordinary chondrules, are born from
these much larger, S-type asteroids.
• The earlier mistakes of identity were
caused by discoloring of asteroids by
solar wind.
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEyQ
DwAUfRQfeature=related
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsQ
p9Zey27Y Touchdown on Itokawa, as portrayed in the Japanese movie
Hayabusa: Back to the Earth
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 27
28. 1. HIV Treatment as Prevention
Antiretroviral drugs reduce HIV transmission rates by 96%
The antiretroviral drugs
used to treat HIV-infected
people also dramatically
reduce HIV transmission
rates, a finding that may
influence the strategies
used by health advocates
and policymakers to
battle the disease.
http://podcasts.aaas.org/science_podcast/SciencePodcast_111223.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi5URSLUzDM
Science Hall of Fame
http://video.sciencemag.org/SciOriginals/744533805001/1
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 28
29. HIV Clinical Trials HPTN 052 design
N Engl J Med 2011;365:493-505.
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 29
30. HIV Clinical Trials HPTN 052 design (contd.)
12/29/2011 Science Day Govinda Bhisetti 30