Interesting Science 2020 by Alex LOUIE https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021 en-us 2020-11-23 23:32:30 UTC 2023-01-24 04:03:54 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f4a1.png INSTRUCTIONS alouie5 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/957987084 Find some new research from this year that you think is interesting. Create a post (click the plus sign in the bottom right hand corner of this page) sharing this research.

Include the following:
  • A link to the article
  • A short description explaining why you think it is interesting
  • Two questions that you now have about the research

And finally…
  • Add comments and further questions to other people’s posts that you find interesting 
]]> 2020-11-24 21:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/957987084 Astronomers spotted colliding neutron stars that may have formed a magnetar https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978223602 The article is about the merging of two neutron stars colliding to form a magnetar. I find this interesting because neutron stars are some of the most extreme objects in the universe. The two neutron stars colliding may have caused a kilinova explosion, which have the brightness of up 1/10 of a supernova explosion.

Two questions:
Are there any implications of the magnetar on earth?

Why was a magnetar formed as opposed to a blackhole?

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/astronomers-spotted-colliding-neutron-stars-magnetar]]> 2020-12-02 01:14:47 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978223602 Room temperature superconductors https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978225423 LK
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02895-0

A group of researches found a material with the ability to act as a superconductor within room temperature. A superconductor is able to conduct electricity with no resistance meaning that the whole efficiency of electronics is greatly increased. The implications of this discovery could result in a new electronics boom, allowing for great advances in medical fields & telecommunications initially.

How can the improved efficiency of superconductors help the problems of the 21 century?

What could a future with superconductors look like?

]]> 2020-12-02 01:15:34 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978225423 Fasting vs dietary restriction in cellular protection and cancer treatment https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978226730 I find this quite interesting because this research could definitely be implemented into the treatment of cancer patients, and significantly reduce the implications of chemotherapy. Basically allowing cancer patients to undergo chemotherapy more comfortably and with fewer side effects, while also increasing the uptake of chemotherapy as a treatment.

1. Can the capabilities and effects of fasting, in cancer, be translated to certain Autoimmune diseases?

2. How much more research would need to be conducted for this to be incorporated into cancer treatment.

- Crystal
]]> 2020-12-02 01:16:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978226730 Dog ticks may get more of a taste for human blood as the climate changes https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978227169 In  this article, it informs the audience of how when the temperature increases to around 38 degrees Celsius, brown dog ticks were more attracted to humans than dogs. With this discovery, concerns arise around the increase spread of a disease. The diseases is the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever which is a pathogen that can be found in ticks. Unfortunately, this pathogen can be lethal to humans, if not treated correctly or immediately. 

Questions
- What behavioural adaptations have occurred in ticks that cause them to be attracted to humans in hotter weather?
- Does the attraction to humans change between the different species of ticks?



]]> 2020-12-02 01:16:22 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978227169 Two distinctly different liquid states of water https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978228720 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201119141756.htm

Most people seem to think of water as just that, water, so if there is a difference in types of water, that could be interesting.

1. What are the differences between the states
2. What causes these change in properties between them

]]> 2020-12-02 01:17:06 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978228720 Betelgeuse went dark https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978230176 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/betelgeuse-star-dim-supernova-death-what-happened

The article informs the audience about how a red giant star has gone dark and the possible implications. I think that it's interesting because the darkening of Betelgeuse could mean a supernova is approaching, or it could give us the clue to life.

1.If a dust cloud doesn't explain why the star is going darker, then what does?

2.If the star isn't going to die in the next 2000 years, why is it darkening?]]> 2020-12-02 01:17:46 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978230176 Farming on Mars will be a lot harder than ‘The Martian’ made it seem https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978230688 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/mars-farming-harder-martian-regolith-soil




In the article, it informs the audience on the difficulty of farming in mars. it explains the how earth soil has microbes and other organic matter that helps plants grow while mars soil is basically crushed rock. the team suspected the difficulty of farming was due to the soils high pH which was 9.5, when researchers treated it with sulfuric acid to lower the pH to 7.2 the plants lasted an extra week but ultimately died.

1 could you artificially implant microbes and other organic matter to help plants grow.






]]> 2020-12-02 01:17:58 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978230688 A new device can produce electricity using shadows - Axel https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978234027 A research team from the University of Singapore created a device that can produce electricity using the contrast between light and shadow. A higher contrast produces a higher amount of energy. It can provide ways to make use of shadows and generate power in places that solar panels or other conventional means of producing power could not be used. These include indoors and in a heavily shaded forest or city of skyscrapers.

How could this tech be integrated efficiently in our society?
Could this become as popular and accessible as solar panels?]]> 2020-12-02 01:19:34 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978234027 Phosphine gas found in Venus' atmosphere may be a possible sign of life https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978236950 This article explains why the discovery of phosphine in Venus' atmosphere is significant. I find this interesting because while there is very little chance that this observation means anything, it would be cool it there is microbial life living on Venus because it would prove that life beginning on other planets is possible. LB.

1.  If basic life has formed on Venus how is is surviving the harsh climate on the surface and atmosphere of the planet.

2. Is it possible that life was unknowingly sent to Venus on one of the probes launched from earth. 

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/phosphine-gas-found-venus-atmosphere-possible-sign-life


]]> 2020-12-02 01:20:48 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978236950 Plant-based gel to fast-track growth of 'mini-organs' to improve cancer treatment https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978238296 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201125091525.htm

This (nanocellulose) gel costs a fraction of the price compared to the ones' used currently and they have the ability to mimic conditions in the human body. It also has the potential to improve drug-screening for infectious diseases, like COVID-19 and other metabolic diseases such as obesity and cancer.

1. Are there any ethical issues or possible side effects?
2. Does the properties of this gel provide long-term relief/rehabilitation or is it short-term?]]> 2020-12-02 01:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978238296 Baby macaques are the first primates to be cloned like Dolly the Sheep https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978240744 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/baby-macaques-primates-clones-dolly-sheep

]]> 2020-12-02 01:22:25 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978240744 Sound can only travel at 36 km per second under normal Earth conditions eri00041 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978242108 The fastest measured speed so far is diamond, with a maximum allowed speed of less than half this new limit.

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/sound-new-speed-limit-physics-fundamental-constants-earth

This limit can be broken at pressures millions of times Earth's atmosphere.

1. This speed is derived from physical constants, so does it hint at anything bigger?]]> 2020-12-02 01:23:02 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978242108 Is it a bird, a plane? Not superman, but a flapping wing drone upa0003 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978244730 A team of international engineers designed a drone which can mimic the aerobatic manoeuvres of one of the world's fastest birds.

"A research team from Singapore, Australia, China and Taiwan has designed a 26 gram ornithopter (flapping wing aircraft) which can hover, dart, glide, brake and dive just like a swift, making them more versatile, safer and quieter than the existing quadcopter drones."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200722142724.htm

1. Could there be military implementations such as stealth objects to make it safer for soldiers to get data for their environment?

2. Would this have an autonomous flight path? As it would be hard to manually control the wings, tail, body etc of the drone all at once in unanimity.

]]> 2020-12-02 01:24:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978244730 Coronavirus-infected cells sprout filaments that may spread the virus luu0065 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978245331 Researchers have found that human cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) formed numerous probing appendages (a.k.a. Filopodia) that contain the virus budding off its projections. 

I find this interesting, because I did not consider the virus to use the cell's filopodia in order to spread to other cells. It also means that many other diseases use these cellular projections to seem to efficiently infect other cells.

1. Do these abnormal protrusions create any additional adverse effects on the already infected cell?

2. How can scientists use this discovery to their advantage in developing an effective drug treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens that also cause these increased number of filopodia?
]]> 2020-12-02 01:24:26 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978245331 How Venus flytraps store short-term ‘memories’ of prey https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978248547 This article explains the discovery of the mechanics in a Venus flytrap’s short-term “memory”. Venus flytraps's have a short term "memory" which lasts around 30 seconds and have sensitive hairs which detect touch. If an insect touches one of these hairs the trap stays open, but if the insect touches the hairs again within 30 seconds then the trap will shut. This article outlines the new discovery which has found evidence for the direct involvement of calcium in this process. The researchers added genes to the Venus fly trap which produced proteins that glowed when exposed to calcium.  "The results show that the flytrap’s short-term memory is a waxing and waning of calcium within leaves’ cells". The researchers found that once a certain concentration of calcium was achieved by the second touch the trap would close. I find this interesting as it is cool to see the adaptations this plant has done to be more energy efficient e.g not closing everytime it's touched by rain

Questions
1. Do Venus flytraps have a long term memory, and if so how does this process differ from it? (e.g is this process similar to vernalization)
2. How does this plants short term memory mechanism differ from others and why?]]> 2020-12-02 01:25:52 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978248547 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978256649 2020-12-02 01:29:35 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978256649 Can sports videogames be used as a motivation/method to get fit? https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978265612
This article explains why and how  videogames should be used to improve fitness and talks about the health, physical and social benefits of using this new technology.  I believe that this is a very interesting topic and website as most people look down on videogames and think they are a waste of time. 

1. How would accessibility of the proper equipment and technology fit into the equation?
2. Would they be workarounds for people who cannot play videogames such as people who suffer from photosensitive epilepsy or Parkinson's disease etc.]]> 2020-12-02 01:33:57 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978265612 Cable ties probably won’t stop magpie attacks – here are a few things to try instead https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978268982 https://theconversation.com/cable-ties-probably-wont-stop-magpie-attacks-here-are-a-few-things-to-try-instead-123759

At one point in our lifetime, people have been swopped by magpies (  Cracticus tibicen) in Australia. Their musical cries only mask the violent intent , as their red devilish eyes mark their next target and claw and swoop until the victim are running for their life. Especially during spring, magpies swooping's occur at a rapid rate as their animal trait is developed to protect their young, while its the females who lay the eggs it the male magpie who is the culprit for magpie swoopings. However while their intention might be innocent, their continuous appearance every spring and affect on the people swooped is not. Cyclists, runners and normal people walking are always at the risk of being swooped. Before this pandemic, personally last year I was swooped numerous and left running for my life. This begs the question what are methods to avoid being swooped by a magpie. As a person who rides a bike cable ties is not an efficient method in magpie protection as instead  of going for the head they turn to the face. One way of protection is to wear clothes or assortments that can help you escape a swooping like wearing sunglasses or wearing a mask to protect your face and eyes. Even pedestrians who are regularly  swooped can opt for methods like wearing wide brimmed hats or cover their heads with anything as it is their primary target. However there are unconventional methods like befriending the magpie before swooping season, magpies for birds have excellent memory and can recognise faces exceptionally well and with patience and food magpies can become companions. Yet the most important thing to is to always remain calm. With this hopefully you can survive spring unscathed.

Questions.
1. Has there been an instance where a victim of magpie swooping been killed?

2. How did magpies develop this nature of swooping individuals who are close to their young?]]> 2020-12-02 01:35:30 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978268982 Prevention of sleep deprivation induced memory impairment and oxidative stress https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978324012 I found this interesting as it links to the ideas of trans humanism as well as is very applicable to a lot of people in a society that demands more and more of people's time as it allows more time to be used on things other than sleep and improvement of the human body.

1. How would using this as a medical application impact other bodily functions.
2. What would be the sociological changes caused by this]]> 2020-12-02 02:01:55 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978324012 Bacteriophages in Super-bug Bacteria and Cancer Cells yan0082 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978420481 http://www.clinicsinoncology.com/full-text/cio-v2-id1295.php

These two articles explain two different applications of bacteriophages. One is to use T4 phages to fight against super-bug bacteria and the other is to adopt this virus' unique features to deliver cancer drugs into target cells. Meanwhile, I learn about the history of bacteriophages being applied for a medical weapon. Now, as bacteriophages have been disregarded by scientists for a long time, now it is again attached importance, aiming to potentially cure superbug and deliver cancer drugs. 

My two questions:
1. How to determine and improve the recognisability of phages to specific, targeted cancer cells or superbugs?
2. Because cancer cells are not bacteria, they may not be so easily recognised and attacked by phages. How can bacteriophages invade them by disguising cancer cells as "bacteria"?

]]> 2020-12-02 02:50:47 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978420481 Caribbean coral reefs under siege from aggressive algae https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978424196 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201130131412.htm

I found this article interesting as it highlights the fragile nature of marine ecosystems and how climate change can produce unexpected consequences that are still not completely understood by Scientists. The destructive Algae is "an ecological winner in our changing world", and it makes it "even harder for reef-systems to grow" in the Caribbean. This one example can be used to show the importance of getting on top of Global warming and climate change before it is too late.

1.  What consequential negative effects will be brought to other marine life in the area from the drastic shift in coral biodiversity?

2. What makes this certain species of Algae more effective in dominating an environmental scene other than other species?]]> 2020-12-02 02:52:44 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978424196 Neuromorphic Computing https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978694789 This breakthrough in technology is interesting because it will change the way electronic information is processed as it is far more efficient due to the fact it mimics the structure of the human brain.

My two questions:

1. How are the chips so much more efficient solely due to the fact they mimic the structure of our brains?

2. How do you teach or force technology to work the same way the nervous system does?]]> 2020-12-02 06:07:00 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978694789 Calories by the clock,Squeezing most of your calories in early doesn't impact weight loss jennyz1026 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978882992 Time-restricted eating, which restricts eating to specific hours of the day, did not impact weight among overweight adults with prediabetes or diabetes. Adults in the 12-week study ate the same healthy, pre-prepared foods, however, one group ate the bulk of their calories before 1 p.m. each day, versus the other group that ate 50% of their calories after 5 p.m.

1.does the caloric intake have an impact on the results ?

2: If it doesn't improve ones weight loss goals, why has it become a trend and well known method?

]]> 2020-12-02 07:53:41 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978882992 This rare bird is male on one side and female on the other https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978987949 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/bird-male-female-grosbeak-gynandromorph

I found this article interesting as it explores the findings of a strange bird that is a half-male, half-female creature known as a gynandromorph. Researchers state this bird is likely the result of an unusual event when two sperm fertilize an egg that has two nuclei instead of one. This means that the egg can then develop male 🤬 chromosomes on one side and female 🤬 chromosomes on the other, ultimately leading to a bird with a testis and other male characteristics on one half of its body and an ovary and other female qualities on the other half.

1. Can these types of creatures reproduce?
2. Are all of the somatic cells in gynandromorphs identical? For example if the organism were to undergo cloning, would the product have the same traits as the parent and also be gynandromorphs?]]> 2020-12-02 08:45:00 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/978987949 Natural Spawning Armour https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/979094037 I found this article to be interesting as it takes a closer look at the biological advancements of earths much more smaller eco-systems. Tiny life on our planet has such a huge impact on giant life, this is why I have always taken an interest towards smaller life forms.

To see how protective the armour is, the researchers tested the hardness of the ant exoskeleton by poking armored and nonarmored pieces until an indentation formed. Despite being a mere 7 percent of the overall thickness of the exoskeleton, the calcite coating at least doubles the exoskeleton’s hardness, the team found.

It’s unclear how the armour is made, though Currie thinks bacteria are involved. If so, this could be another way the ants’ microbiome makes a huge difference to the insects’ survival.

My Questions:
Can these natural forming mineral armours be used on other insects in order to decrease the population of leaf-cutting insects?

Does the increase of population of leaf-cutting insects, as a result of this natural forming armour, pose a threat to farming?]]> 2020-12-02 09:36:48 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/979094037 The first known particle with four of the same kind of heavy Quark https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/979256366 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/new-particle-cern-tetraquark-first-four-same-kind-quark

forces and strong interactions.The article is based on an already on going experiments and further extensive researching o expand the horizons of particle physics. 

A major breakthrough occurred in particle physics when a particle was found to be constructed by 4 of the same kind of quarks. while all the previous known particle are composed of 3 quarks.

the discovery of this particle could lead to developing a clearer understanding of forces which bind these quarks, hence contribute to strong interactions in particle physics.

Q1. what properties of the individual quarks would have to be relayed upon to create a particle with four quarks?

Q2. how would investigating a four heavy quark particle help scientist relate this to fundamental forces and strong interactions?]]> 2020-12-02 10:56:06 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/979256366 Gene drive wiped out a population of mosquitoes: https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/981639085 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/lab-tests-gene-drive-wiped-out-population-mosquitoes

This study caught my eye because it proves to us that altering so much as even a single gene can result in the eradication of populations of parasites. In this case, it (the inserted gene) physically prevents female mosquitoes from laying eggs, thus preventing a "next-to-subsequent" generation of mosquitoes from arising.

Questions:

1. Can the transcription of the heriditary structural genes of the tapeworm Taenia saginata, which code for the proteins that form the suckers and hooks of the creature be inhibited by a gene drive with a regulatory function 
(i.e., it codes for transcription factors that prevent the transcription of the targeted structural genes)

OR 

Can the heriditary structural genes themselves be modified in such a manner that the mutated genes produce proteins that form weak/defective  hooks or suckers that in turn prevent the attaching of the tapeworm to the walls of the intestine as a result of which it is unable to parasitize or lay eggs.

[I assume this "defect" can arise as a result of even a single point mutation as is the case in sickle haemoglobin where codon GAG (codes for Gly) is mutated into GUG (which codes for Val) and as a result of this single change in ONLY ONE out of the total 287 amino acids that make up the protein, the shape of the red blood cell changes from an elliptical shape to a distorted, asymmetrical "sickle like" shape. As a result of this deformation, the affected red blood cell doesn't function properly.]

2. TBC]]> 2020-12-02 20:30:49 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/981639085 🤬 may help treat depression, a small study finds https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/982608680 https://www.sciencenews.org/article/🤬-treat-depression-mushrooms-psychedelic 

I find this study interesting, because the use of psychedelics in medicine (as opposed to traditional recreational use) is a growing field. Additionally, it's a controversial topic that certainly needs to have larger scale studies done to produce credible results. The topic is extremely intriguing, through the study is flawed, due to the small number of participants and lack of racial diversity.

QUESTIONS
1. How will all ethnicities react to 🤬 as a treatment for depression? Will particular ethnicities posses any intolerances (as many East Asians experience with alcohol)?

2. Recreational drugs are a controversial topic and can have ethical and religious dilemmas. If this topic is further researched will the negative connotations be removed?]]> 2020-12-03 05:28:10 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/982608680 Planets with many neighbours may be the best places to look for life https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/983207971 This article discusses how it is more likely for life to exist on a planet that has multiple sibling planets, than ones that do not. Systems with a number of planets have much rounder orbits than those with just one, indicating a "calmer family history". According to Uffe Gråe,  a long-lasting profusion of sibling planets may be one of the reasons why life on Earth became possible. This means that life is more promising on planets amongst other surrounding planets, since they have depended on them for billions of years to be protected and to survive. This article interests me as I find it very fascinating how the process for life to be possible on Earth has taken billions of years. The possibility that other planets have also undergone this long process of maintaining life blows my mind.

Questions:
1. What other characteristics are required for planets to have life on them?
2. Are there any specific planets with neighbours in the universe that are suspected to have life?]]> 2020-12-03 10:52:06 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/983207971 Fingerprints' moisture-regulating mechanism strengthens human touch https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985871889

I found this article intriguing as it discusses how human fingerprints have a self-regulating moisture mechanism that not only helps us to avoid dropping things, but could help scientists to create better prosthetic limbs, robotic equipment and virtual reality environments. A new study has revealed that Primates(Humans, apes etc.) have evolved epidermal ridges on their hands and feet with a higher density of sweat glands than elsewhere on their bodies. This allows precise regulation of skin moisture to give greater levels of grip when manipulating objects.

Questions:
1.x]]> 2020-12-03 22:02:09 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985871889 Scientists invent technology to extract oxygen and fuel from Mars’ salty water in huge step forward to colonising Red Planet chh00061 https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985874591 This article dictates the advancements in electrolysis that will further advance the ability to put humans on Mars.

I've found this article interesting as it exposes the fundamentals in how humans on Mars, whether they be living there permanently or temporarily, will be able to thrive and survive. It hints at the possibility of a 'Star Trek' like future where Mars may even become its own independent state. The topic is still very much in its infancy, however I expect great advancements in the field soon.

Questions
1. How long would it take for this technology to be refined enough to be taken to Mars itself for experimentation and implementation?

2. Could this newfound technology have negative impacts that have not been found yet? And how devastating may these impacts be


]]> 2020-12-03 22:03:15 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985874591 Sleep-deprived mice find 🤬 more rewarding https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985925882 I thought this article was very... interesting to say the least. At first i was just thinking why??? But then i realised that this also applies to humans ]]> 2020-12-03 22:26:00 UTC https://padlet.com/alouie5/ei2021/wish/985925882