Science & Technology
Greenhouse gases can be turned benign
Some of the most potent greenhouse gases are also among the most difficult chemicals to destroy, and the most persistent once released into the environment. Scientists have reported that they can chemically react these gases and turn them into more benign compounds. Oleg Ozerov of Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts said “Our process allows us to take a hydro-fluorocarbon (HFCs) and transform it so that it is no longer a greenhouse gas.” Fluorocarbons are compounds of Carbon and Flourine, which have wide ranging application. HFCs trap heat extremely well so once released in the atmosphere; it contributes to green house effect. Fluorocarbons do not react at ordinary room temperature. They are known to react at very high temperature with some potent acids. But Ozerov and Christos Douvris have found a way to use these acids as catalyst and help HFCs react chemically without being itself consumed. “Lewis acids”, when used in organic solvents such as benzene, forces HFCs to break their fluorine atoms. The resulting compounds are easier to deal with.
Reyes Sierra of the University of Arizona in Tuscon has pointed out that though the research is useful, but would not help clean up fluorocarbons already in the environment
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Hope for Juvenile Diabetes Patients
Researchers have transformed ordinary cells into insulin producing cells in a living mouse by the technique called direct reprogramming, in which three genes are carried by the virus to transform the exocrine cells of the pancreas into beta cells which produce insulin. This nullifies the need of stem cells in research.
In the case of Juvenile diabetes (Type –I Diabetes) the pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by the body’s own immune system leading to lower levels of insulin and thus body cannot burn food to energy.
“It was easier than one might have thought,” Melton said. He also added “These cells are very stable and live for the life of the mouse.” Reporting in Nature, Melton and his team said they did it in live mice, not in lab dishes. They worked with diabetic mice that do not have insulin producing cells needed by the pancreas to help the body turn food into energy
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Laugh and Live Longer
Did you laugh?
“Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live”
……Anonymous
Studies have shown that laughter has tremendous health benefits. Laughter reduces mental and physical stress, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood and fight against depression, boosts immunity, reduces pain, sharpens cerebral functions and even decrease the chances of heart attack. When we laugh most of our muscles get active. The central nervous system gets a boost. Stress hormone, adrenaline level decreases and endorphins, body’s own pain reliever increase. Immunoglobulin synthesis is enhanced, increasing body immunity power. The blood pressure also falls significantly. Apart from the physical benefits, laughter also contributes to healthier social life, you will get more friends and even more girls will like you!!
An easy way to keep laughing is to make funny people your friends. You can also read books and watch films that make you laugh. You should also get in touch with children. They are great stress reliever. You can also join laughter clubs and make laughing a daily routine.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Arctic Ocean Ice drops below 2005 level
Arctic Ice Cap
Arctic Ocean
sea ice has melted to the second lowest minimum since satellite observations begun. Sea ice melt recorded exceeded the low record in 2005 according to the scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Centre. With several weeks left in summer, the melt has a chance to diminish below the record set last year. Christopher Krenz, arctic project manager for Oceana said “It is an unfortunate sign that climate change is coming rapidly to the Arctic and that we really need to address the issue of global warming on a national level.”
The National Snow and Ice Data Centre based at the University of Colorado reported the ice melted below the 2005 minimum of 2.05 million square miles set on 21, September 2005. In early August 2005, the decline began to slow however this time the pace has remained steady. The most recent ice retreat primarily reflects melt in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska’s northwest coast and the east Siberian Seas off the coast of eastern Russia.
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )Want a Strawberry flavored apple?
The university of Texas Medical school assistant professor Dr. CS Raman and his colleagues reported that they were able to manipulate flavor enzymes found in Arabidopsis thaliana, by genetic means. The enzymes-allene oxide synthase (AOS) and hydro-peroxide lyase (HPL) which produce jasmonate and green leaf volatiles (GLV), confers characteristics aromas to fruits and vegetables. AOS and HPL are a part of cytochrome P450. P450 family enzymes are found in most bacteria and all known plants and animals. Although AOS and HPL are not found in humans, there are related P450 enzymes.
Raman said “Genetic engineering or modification (GM) of green leaf volatile production holds significant potential towards formulating environment-friendly pest control strategies. It also has important implications for manipulating food flavor”
The study dispels the earlier view that P450 enzymes are found only in plants. Raman said “We have discovered that they are also present in marine animals, such as sea anemone and corals. However we do not know what they do in these organisms.”
For more on research check out:
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UT Medical School, Houston.
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