China is depleting its underground water reserves in an effort to increase its agricultural productivity, according to a news article in Science magazine. Hundreds of thousands of wells were drilled in the North China Plain over the past 40 years, turning the plain into a fertile corn- and wheat-farming region. But the water table in the North China Plain is now falling at an alarming rate. Many of the wells are expected to run dry within the next couple of decades, putting at risk China’s ability to feed its growing population.
Water in deep underground aquifers exchanges only slowly with surface water. According to experts, some of the water now being drawn out in the North China Plain aquifer has been underground for 30,000 years. It might be that long again before it could be replaced naturally. In other words, water in deep underground aquifers should be thought of as a non-renewable resource, like coal, oil, and gas.
Rabu, 23 Juni 2010
Jumat, 18 Juni 2010
Reducing the Duration of Muscle Cramps
The cause of muscle cramps during extreme exercise is somewhat of a mystery. The usual explanation is that dehydration-induced electrolyte imbalance leads to inappropriate firing of the motor neurons to the muscle. The usual treatment is physical stretching until the cramping stops, followed by rehydration with salts and water to restore fluid and electrolyte balance.
Is there anything that can shorten the duration of a cramp? Apparently there is – pickle juice! A recent study shows that the duration of cramps deliberately induced in a muscle in the big toe is reduced 37% by drinking about 2 ½ tablespoons of pickle juice as soon as the cramp starts. (Cramps were induced in a muscle in the big toe, because deliberately inducing muscle cramps in a larger muscle was thought to be too painful.)
Interestingly, the pickle juice worked within 1 ½ minutes – too fast to be due to replenishment of body fluids or salts. Researchers speculate that the acetic acid in pickle juice triggers a neural reflex originating in the esophagus or stomach, which somehow inhibits the excessive firing rate of motor neurons to the cramping muscle.
Whether pickle juice will reduce the duration of cramps in major muscle groups in athletes remains to be seen.
Is there anything that can shorten the duration of a cramp? Apparently there is – pickle juice! A recent study shows that the duration of cramps deliberately induced in a muscle in the big toe is reduced 37% by drinking about 2 ½ tablespoons of pickle juice as soon as the cramp starts. (Cramps were induced in a muscle in the big toe, because deliberately inducing muscle cramps in a larger muscle was thought to be too painful.)
Interestingly, the pickle juice worked within 1 ½ minutes – too fast to be due to replenishment of body fluids or salts. Researchers speculate that the acetic acid in pickle juice triggers a neural reflex originating in the esophagus or stomach, which somehow inhibits the excessive firing rate of motor neurons to the cramping muscle.
Whether pickle juice will reduce the duration of cramps in major muscle groups in athletes remains to be seen.
Kamis, 17 Juni 2010
Selasa, 15 Juni 2010
Teens and the Rhythm Method of Birth Control
According to a recent government survey of teen sex entitled “Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing, National Survey of Family Growth, 2006-2008”, teens aged 15-19 increasingly are relying on the rhythm method for birth control. Among sexually active teens, 17% reported using the rhythm method in 2006-2008, compared to just 11% in 2002.
The rhythm method, also known as periodic abstinence, is moderately effective as a birth control method. Approximately 25% of women who rely on the rhythm method will become pregnant in a year. (Approximately 85% of women who use no birth control method at all will become pregnant in the first year.) However, the rhythm method is much less effective than birth control pills or condoms, which have failure rates of less than 5% per year if used properly.
The new findings coincide with both an increased number of teen pregnancies and an increased acceptance of unwed pregnancy by teens. In the survey, 2/3 of all teens said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “It is OK for an unwed female to have a child”. Sex-education messages to teens may have to change if this trend is to be reversed.
The rhythm method, also known as periodic abstinence, is moderately effective as a birth control method. Approximately 25% of women who rely on the rhythm method will become pregnant in a year. (Approximately 85% of women who use no birth control method at all will become pregnant in the first year.) However, the rhythm method is much less effective than birth control pills or condoms, which have failure rates of less than 5% per year if used properly.
The new findings coincide with both an increased number of teen pregnancies and an increased acceptance of unwed pregnancy by teens. In the survey, 2/3 of all teens said they agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “It is OK for an unwed female to have a child”. Sex-education messages to teens may have to change if this trend is to be reversed.
Selasa, 08 Juni 2010
Do Skin Sutures Need to be Kept Covered and Dry?
I’ve always heard that skin sutures should be covered and kept dry for a couple of days in order to prevent infections – at least that’s the usual standard medical advice. But does getting recent sutures wet really lead to more infections?
To answer that question, a couple of years ago a team of Australian researchers randomly assigned over 850 patients who needed skin sutures into one of two groups. Patients in one group were asked to keep their sutures dry and covered, while the patients in the other group were allowed to remove their bandages and get their sutures wet within the first 48 hours.
The results of the study indicated that there were no differences in the incidences of infection between the two groups. The results indicate that it would be perfectly okay to take a shower without increasing the risk of infection of recent skin sutures. But I wouldn't suggest going swimming in a scummy lake or river....
To answer that question, a couple of years ago a team of Australian researchers randomly assigned over 850 patients who needed skin sutures into one of two groups. Patients in one group were asked to keep their sutures dry and covered, while the patients in the other group were allowed to remove their bandages and get their sutures wet within the first 48 hours.
The results of the study indicated that there were no differences in the incidences of infection between the two groups. The results indicate that it would be perfectly okay to take a shower without increasing the risk of infection of recent skin sutures. But I wouldn't suggest going swimming in a scummy lake or river....
Senin, 07 Juni 2010
Edward Tufte kills kittens...
Bruce forwarded this to me. If you don't get it then you must take CS105 - Research Presentation before you graduate. Or the kittens will die.....(Original at Mark Goetz blog)
Sabtu, 05 Juni 2010
Improving Rice Yields, Feeding the World
Two groups of scientists working independently have identified a variant of a gene in rice that can increase rice crop yields by 10%, according to a news report in Science. Neither group knew of the other’s work until their work was near completion, but when they learned of each other’s work they agreed to publish simultaneously.
Rice is a staple of a large fraction of the world’s population. Breakthroughs such as this one will help improve crop yields and feed the still-rising world population. They’re made possible by modern DNA technology and genetic engineering – techniques that allow crop scientists to sequence genomes, identify specific genes with specific actions, and then splice the genes into other plants of interest.
Rice is a staple of a large fraction of the world’s population. Breakthroughs such as this one will help improve crop yields and feed the still-rising world population. They’re made possible by modern DNA technology and genetic engineering – techniques that allow crop scientists to sequence genomes, identify specific genes with specific actions, and then splice the genes into other plants of interest.
Jumat, 04 Juni 2010
Midterm answer and job opportunity
Ecology 'midterm' answers, plus a few comments, are here. (If you need the midterm itself it is here).
Here's one more job opportunity for the summer if any of you are looking for gainful employment.
The Valentine Lab of the Earth Science Dept. and Marine Science Institutute at UCSB is seeking an undergraduate assistant for summer 2010. This student will aid in field collection and organization of marine water samples and related equipment as part of our seeps-related research into the methane budget for the waters of the Santa Barbara Basin. Additional laboratory experience will be gained as well. Experience with working aboard UCSB's small watercraft is a plus (but not required). The stipend for this position will be approx $12.50/hr at 20-40 hrs a week - taking summer school is ok but ability to work all day on Tuesdays is important. Those interested please contact Frank Kinnaman at kinnaman@geol.ucsb.edu for more information.
Here's one more job opportunity for the summer if any of you are looking for gainful employment.
The Valentine Lab of the Earth Science Dept. and Marine Science Institutute at UCSB is seeking an undergraduate assistant for summer 2010. This student will aid in field collection and organization of marine water samples and related equipment as part of our seeps-related research into the methane budget for the waters of the Santa Barbara Basin. Additional laboratory experience will be gained as well. Experience with working aboard UCSB's small watercraft is a plus (but not required). The stipend for this position will be approx $12.50/hr at 20-40 hrs a week - taking summer school is ok but ability to work all day on Tuesdays is important. Those interested please contact Frank Kinnaman at kinnaman@geol.ucsb.edu for more information.
oh yes, I almost forgot...
And to end the quarter on the best note possible, the newest (and great) xkcd comic:
Summer Reading
That title sounds painful, I know (and I apologize). So as we all depart for our homes, our vacations or our labs for summer research, I thought I'd bring up a book I think we could all take the time to read. I feel like during the school year I miss a lot of reading time because I'm so wrapped up in coursework, but really, the majority of learning for me comes from independent research.
George C. Williams' "Adaptation and Natural Selection" is the perfect summer book because it's relatively short (although dense) and really beautifully covers a lot of the evolutionary themes we have discussed throughout the year. I've noticed that in class a lot of questions have arisen as to why organisms have or have not evolved specific traits. Within the first 25 pages of the book Williams well addresses these issues and I think its worth a read for all of us.
Tara
George C. Williams' "Adaptation and Natural Selection" is the perfect summer book because it's relatively short (although dense) and really beautifully covers a lot of the evolutionary themes we have discussed throughout the year. I've noticed that in class a lot of questions have arisen as to why organisms have or have not evolved specific traits. Within the first 25 pages of the book Williams well addresses these issues and I think its worth a read for all of us.
Tara
Kamis, 03 Juni 2010
Beating the EPO Blood Doping Test
Synthetic erythropoietin, called EPO, was widely used by endurance athletes in the 1990s to boost red blood cell production and blood oxygen carrying capacity. The use of EPO declined after 2000 when the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) developed a test to detect EPO in urine.
But now, WADA believes that athletes could be beating the current EPO urine tests by “microdosing” – injecting very small (micro) doses of EPO at night. EPO is excreted so rapidly into the urine that most of an injected dose will be eliminated from the body within eight hours. Thus, microdosing is likely to go undetected as long as urine samples are not demanded in the middle of the night.
Microdosing works because the effects of the erythropoietin outlast the hormone itself. Researchers now know that even such small, intermittent doses of EPO will boost the body’s production of red blood cells significantly over time. They aren’t publishing their dosage information to avoid providing a recipe for blood-doping, but they suspect that athletes already know.
But now, WADA believes that athletes could be beating the current EPO urine tests by “microdosing” – injecting very small (micro) doses of EPO at night. EPO is excreted so rapidly into the urine that most of an injected dose will be eliminated from the body within eight hours. Thus, microdosing is likely to go undetected as long as urine samples are not demanded in the middle of the night.
Microdosing works because the effects of the erythropoietin outlast the hormone itself. Researchers now know that even such small, intermittent doses of EPO will boost the body’s production of red blood cells significantly over time. They aren’t publishing their dosage information to avoid providing a recipe for blood-doping, but they suspect that athletes already know.
Banana treats for everyone
Aha, it turns out that if you want to get the tax deduction you don't have to pick a particular rat when you make a donation to HeroRats. I'm not sure I could cope with the choice and the responsibility.These rats amaze me. It's like they have single handedly decided to change the public perception of rats. Not only do they help clear landmines but now they detect TB and cancer! As Brandon pointed out, the only thing left is for them to fight crime at night. Perhaps they do.
So probably for less than the cost of buying pizza for the class everyone is getting banana treats. And by everyone I mean the rats.
Thanks for a great quarter. Have a good summer.
Rabu, 02 Juni 2010
National Running Day
Who knew? Apparently today is National Running Day. Go run somewhere. Ellwood Mesa is my favorite spot.
Selasa, 01 Juni 2010
Cowbirds in Love
I just discovered this comic. Cowbirds in Love is a daily comic about sad things, happy things, science, philosophy and occasionally obligate brood parasitism. Not quite as nerdy as xkcd it has a similar poorly drawn charm - complete with occasional biology.As someone who actually does have a strong opinion about the difference between geeks and nerds I was especially amused by yesterday's xkcd comic.
Wrapping it up
Well, I'm almost done here. Although this blog will go into diapause shortly it will be back in the Fall (for a new round of the Bio Colloquium) and then in the Winter and Spring for Intro Bio again. PLEASE post here if you have items you think other bio students would be interested in: interesting seminars, lab opportunities, grant opportunities, research etc. OR just send items to me and I'll post them.
In the last couple of classes we've mentioned the leading causes of death in the US a couple of times: Heart disease, Cancer, Strokes and Chronic lower respiratory diseases. What is amazing is how much this has changed over just a single generation. Can you guess the top four causes of death in the US in the years right before World War II, ie before the invention of antibiotics?
Tuberculosis, pneumonia, cancer and syphilis.
Hence this poster from The American Social Hygiene Association on the dangers of autoriding. Syphilis may no longer be a death sentence but guys who look like this are probably still best avoided - especially if they take you autoriding and try to take liberties with you.
I teach a class on the Ecology of Disease (EEMB40) in the Winter quarter if any of you are interested. It's a lower division class that focuses on the changing ecology that has led to changing patterns of infectious disease in human populations.
Oh go on, here's another one that's probably even more sexist. 'A girl who would yield to one man has probably had relations with another. Very likely she is diseased.' As opposed to the 'wise guy' on the right who even seems to have visible symptoms of syphilis (or maybe just a poorly drawn face).
In the last couple of classes we've mentioned the leading causes of death in the US a couple of times: Heart disease, Cancer, Strokes and Chronic lower respiratory diseases. What is amazing is how much this has changed over just a single generation. Can you guess the top four causes of death in the US in the years right before World War II, ie before the invention of antibiotics?
Tuberculosis, pneumonia, cancer and syphilis.
Hence this poster from The American Social Hygiene Association on the dangers of autoriding. Syphilis may no longer be a death sentence but guys who look like this are probably still best avoided - especially if they take you autoriding and try to take liberties with you.
I teach a class on the Ecology of Disease (EEMB40) in the Winter quarter if any of you are interested. It's a lower division class that focuses on the changing ecology that has led to changing patterns of infectious disease in human populations.
Oh go on, here's another one that's probably even more sexist. 'A girl who would yield to one man has probably had relations with another. Very likely she is diseased.' As opposed to the 'wise guy' on the right who even seems to have visible symptoms of syphilis (or maybe just a poorly drawn face).
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