scrAPES 1-What is Ebola?
SUMMARY
The article talk about the Ebola virus affecting West Africa. The viru can only be spread by bodily fluid like blood. It have been reported that 25-88% of those infected die. Side-effect include a fever, headaches, muscle pain, diarrhea, vomiting and loss of appetite after 2-21 days after exposure and uncontrollable internal bleeding as it progress. Ebola was actually first reported in 1976 and got it name from the region where it was first identified near the Ebola River in what is known as Zaire. The article speculate that bats or other wild animals may have contracted the viru-most likely without getting themselves sick. And once humans contact the infected animal would receive the viru and a possible reason for the recent outbreak.
In early 2014, there was no vaccine or drug to combat a virus that have taken over 1000 people. Health official decided to use an experimental drug called Zmapp that was tested on animals and 6 Ebola patients. But the drug is inconclusive because it may either be due to the drug getting rid of the virus or the patient immune system.
In early 2014, there was no vaccine or drug to combat a virus that have taken over 1000 people. Health official decided to use an experimental drug called Zmapp that was tested on animals and 6 Ebola patients. But the drug is inconclusive because it may either be due to the drug getting rid of the virus or the patient immune system.
REFLECTION
The reason for my interest in this article is because the virus had the capability of being able to travel internationally. Since if it can travel by bodily fluid then it may be able to cross very far from it original location. Resulting in an international emergency that can spread uncontrollably.
scrAPES 2-Watch out: Cell phones can be addictive
SUMMARY
The article talk about how addictive technology can be. For example, a average college student use their smartphone for 9 hour a day. Which is more then the average amount a person sleep. It explain that some people that are addicted to their cell phones use would should symptom that are similar to a drug addict. According to James Roberts, a marketing professor at Baylor University in Waco, Texas added that "Too much phone use can interfere with normal activities or cause conflicts with family and other people".
During a new study that ask college student how much they spend on their phone, it should that some realize they use their phone more than they really should or get agitated if they can't find their phone. The data also differ for men and women. According to the article women would use the phone more then men. Men would use the smartphone for more for entertainment and information and women would use the phone for maintaining and nurturing social relationships according to James Roberts.
During a new study that ask college student how much they spend on their phone, it should that some realize they use their phone more than they really should or get agitated if they can't find their phone. The data also differ for men and women. According to the article women would use the phone more then men. Men would use the smartphone for more for entertainment and information and women would use the phone for maintaining and nurturing social relationships according to James Roberts.
REFLECTION
The reason for taking interest in this article is that even through I don't own a smartphone I understand how addicting technology can be. Especially when entertainment, information, and online social life is in the conveniences of a person hand.
scrAPES 3-Mechanized human hands: System designed to improve hand function lost to nerve damage
SUMMARY
The article talk about how a mechanical hand develop in Oregon State University have developed and successfully demonstrated a pulley mechanic that improve hand function after surgery. Especially if their nerve trauma to the hand and have the possibility of improving other joint in the human body. According to Ravi Balasubramanian, an expert in robotics, biomechanics and human control systems, and assistant professor in the OSU College of Engineering, he said "This technology is definitely going to work, and it will merge artificial mechanisms with biological hand function". He also said that it require a few more year to develop and further test need to be done. The technology develop isn't really robotic and use a more passive mechanic that use a basic pulley that will be implanted within a person's hand to allow more natural grasping function with less use of muscle energy. It state that many people would get knee replacement and the knee would be weaker after surgery. The technology is said to have the potential to allow joint to function as well or better after surgery.
REFLECTION
The article interest me because the idea that mechanical parts can be inserted and make that certain joint function the same or better than before. It remind me of an anime called Full Metal Alchemist were people can get mechanical replacement on there limbs. Although the one in real life is not as dramatic or advance it have potential to be better in the future and can aid many people with joint issue. It can also be a step closer to becoming a mechanical replacement for limbs and even organs.
ScrAPES 4-Stop Burning Rain Forests for Palm Oil
SUMMARY
The article explain how rare Sumatran orangutans are losing their habitat to oil palms that fruit contains palm oil, a widely used component of biofuels, cosmetics and food. The process involve burning down section of rainforest to make way for land to plant the oil palms. Originally, the rainforest was protected, but Aceh governor(Indonesia) issued a permit in August 2011 for Indonesian palm oil firm PT Kallista Alam that allow burning of rain forest that was later revoke the next year. Oil palms are a major profit for poor farmer and is desirable due to it low prices and high shelf life.Palm oil exports yield Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia $40 billion a year. But converting rain forest to palms plantation not only threaten orangutan and other critically endanger species but it also contribute to the crisis of deforestation.
REFLECTION
I believe that burning rainforest for palm plantation is also a economical issue and an environmental problem. Forest would continue to burn down unless the economic of the local government to protect against corruption and funding to conservation and environmental aid to find alternative to palms oil and conservation of the remaining forest.
scrAPES 5-The power of the power nap: Scientists uncover secrets of hibernation
SUMMARY
Hibernation is an extended period of deep sleep, or torpor, that allows animals to survive winter extremes. Many animals hibernate to accumulate enough energy reserves to last all winter and until spring. It mention that offspring of hibernating animals born late in the year have much less time to achieve this.Scientist at Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology at the Vetmeduni Vienna have discovered that power-napping can help late-born garden dormice overcome these unfavorable odds and a link also found a link between time spent at higher temperatures and ageing. Dormice would enter into 'torpor' which is a state of sleep that save energy and water. In this state, the dormice become inactive and show a marked decrease in their metabolic rate, causing their body temperature to reduce.Torpor and hibernation are associated with slowing ageing processes and increase of longevity. Later research were test early-born dormice that are expected to use less torpor with the late born kind.
REFLECTION
I choose this article because I sleep every chances or at least every time I'm bored and got nothing to do. I also wounder what is like to sleep for days or be able to power nap(torpor) and still be well rested and energize once awake. It relate to APES because it an adaptation that is vital to an animal survival.
scrAPES 6 -Do Low Doses of BPA Harm People?
SUMMARY
The article describe the debate of weather or not a low doses of BPA harm people. It debated by a group of toxicologists that argue it affect human health and biologist that disagree. BPA is arguably the most controversial chemical in consumer products and is used in plastic. BPA acts like an estrogen, disrupting hormones In laboratory animals. it alters how their reproductive systems and brains develop, and sets the stage for breast and prostate cancer. People with higher levels of exposure have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, according to some studies. Argument include the lab animals are subjected to high amount of BPA while humans get less on a daily basic. But there data gap that basically guesses. Regardless, the debate allow scientific information to be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration in deciding whether to regulate BPA in consumer products, such as canned foods.
REFLECTION
It describe how BPA can affect humans. I think that due to modern society, we are expose to many toxic chemical. But thinks to advancement in medical and technology, more people are healthy and less likely to be affected to all the toxin in society.
scrAPES 7-From Calm Leadership, Lasting Change
SUMMARY
The article explain the personal life of Rachel Carson and how she an inspiration for many. Back in the 1930s, there were few professional opportunities for women in the sciences. Until she found a job writing radio scripts about the ocean for what would become the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Rachel also battle with cancer throughout her life.IN early 1958, she began working intently on “Silent Spring” that bring to life the environmental issue from society.
REFLECTION
Rachel is an inspiration to many since she also wrote "Silent Spring", care for ill family member, and battle cancer. It amazing how difficult life was for her but she was able to move past it and succeed. Her accomplishment allow for the use of DDT to be question. DDT may be found to be harmful for many more year if "Silent Spring" wasn't written and by the time it was found out; many birds species and other species would be extinct.
scrAPES 8-Lead Exposure on the Rise Despite Decline in Poisoning Cases
SUMMARY
Since the U.S. took lead out of gasoline in 1976 and banned lead paint in 1978, most health scientists, regulators and the public have considered the problem largely solved. Research still show a higher amount of lead in people blood. Recent health studies have shown that exposure levels previously thought to be “safe” were too high. Lead is also link to dementia in elders and impaired cognition, attention deficit disorder and lower academic test for children. Lead doesn't deteriorate and is prevalent in the environment for many reason. Like lead pipes that transport water and lead paint from old house. Lead can be absorb and cycle back into the environment in dust and the water.
Steps can be taken to minimize the affect of lead. Including laws and regulation to tax or get rid of lead based product and replace it with substitute. Another step is raise awareness if lead can be in an environment people live in or polluting the habitat of wildlife.
Steps can be taken to minimize the affect of lead. Including laws and regulation to tax or get rid of lead based product and replace it with substitute. Another step is raise awareness if lead can be in an environment people live in or polluting the habitat of wildlife.
REFLECTION
The article is informative about how lead can still reach your blood system even if it banned. Factoring in all the other toxin like dioxin,other heavy metal, and other toxin that have names that are really long. Reduction of lead is a step in the right direction to prevent any more health problem that arise with modern growth. Now the focus show also be to take care of other toxin that is accidentally, unintentionally, or even intentionally release into the world that can cause pollution and health problem.