Monkey Business

For years scientist and environmental researchers have known that certain species of animals have the ability to communicate through verbal noises. In Andrew Moseman's Discover Magazine article he explains how one thing that separates animal language and human language is syntax. Moseman describes syntax as the stringing together of sounds or noises to create meaning in the order in which they come. Recently though, some researchers are suggesting that certain species of monkeys are showing the ability of syntax and higher forms of verbal communication. Researcher Klaus Zuberbuhler and his team observed monkeys of Tai National Park using repetitive language and sounds to warn for potential dangers and also to call to gather into groups. According to their findings the verbal cue for danger followed by some low "oo" sounds warned of a falling branch, whereas the verbal cue just for danger warned of approaching predators. Although many researchers are accepting these findings as proof of syntax, they say that primates are certainly not developing language like that of humans.



Research such as this is important to science today because it could provide helpful information to how animals are evolving or changing overtime. The more scientist know about this, the better we can understand how things such as the environment and our surroundings can shape us. Also understanding how language develops is also helpful in understanding society and how groups of animals or even people interact with each other. This could lead to better conservation efforts as well as filling in holes to evolution.

I chose this article to blog about today solely because of the interesting topic. I believe that biological evolution of animals is very interesting although I don't necessarily believe all that scientist have to say about it. I have also been interested in how language develops, and studying it at its most basic levels can lead to a better understanding of it overall.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/?p=7219

Just One Sip

According to Christie Wilcox of Discover Online Magazine new findings are showing that just one sip of beer is enough to trigger the release of neurotransmitters related to pleasure sensors in the brain. Even though many can recall a dislike of beer upon first taste, there is something in the drink that brings people back wanting more, whether they realize it or not. The neurotransmitter to blame in this case is dopamine, a chemical which is linked to pleasure and can often be related to additions. Stimulants which cause an increase of dopamine can trick the brain into thinking that the body needs something which is actually unhealthy for it. In order to better understand the relationship between beer and the neurotransmitters in the brain, researcher David Kareken created a test in which men's brain activity were monitored while drinking beer. Results showed that just one sip was enough to release a wave of dopamine that was enough to cause the body to want more. Along with this, Kareken found that those with a history of alcoholism in their family showed higher levels of dopamine when drinking alcohol. Knowledge such as this is pivotal in better understanding alcohol addictions and the hereditary aspects of the addiction.



In society today alcoholism is a condition that is affecting millions of individuals every day. Families are being destroyed, lives being lost, and people becoming depressed because of this terrible condition. In order for researchers and scientist to create ways to combat the addiction it is necessary to understand how alcohol interacts with our brain and body. Research such as that mentioned above is providing opportunity and painting a bright future for those involved with combating the alcohol addiction. This article is relevant today because of the large number of people affected by alcoholism and the potential that we have to combat the condition.

I chose this article today because of the number of people that I know affected by alcoholism. I have seen the life change that can result because of this addiction. Fortunately I have not seen it in my life or anyone in my families, but I have multiple friends who have become prisoner to this condition. It is saddening to see how alcohol can take a healthy young happy person and turn them into an aggressive depressed individual. It is my hope that one day we can find a solution to the addictive characteristics of alcohol.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/science-sushi/?p=2725

Microbes in Meat and Bacteria Related to Heart Disease

What's to Blame?
For years it has been common knowledge that consumption of red meat is related to an increased risk for heart disease. Although this has been known, scientist are still trying to pinpoint exactly what in the red meat is causing the increased risk. In the past it was thought to be due to sodium levels, or saturated fat but recent studies are pointing to microbes that exist in meat along with bacteria in our stomachs to be the culprits. Stanley Hazen a biochemist from Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, hypothesized that it was a microbe called L- carnitine in the red meat that was helping transport fatty acids into cell mitochondria. A rise in levels of TMAO (trimethylene N-oxide) in the body is proof of rising blood pressure, and in our bodies Hazen believes that L-carnitine is being converted to TMAO by the bacteria in our stomach. Therefore an increased consumption of products containing L-carnitine would cause in increase in blood pressure/ risk for heart disease. It is not just red meat that contains this nutrient either; L-carnitine is popularly used in products such as energy drinks because of its stimulating affects.



Heart disease is a major problem in adults today, and shows no signs of slowing down. As the country's obesity rate is on the rise as well, anything that can better our knowledge of how the things we eat effect our body is of utmost importance. The information discussed in this article has the potential to lead us to discoveries possibly preventing or coping with heart disease better than we can now.  If we can find a way to block the interaction between L-carnitine and the microbes that exist in our stomachs, there could be a way to decrease the effects that red meat has on rising blood pressure.

To me this article is important because it relates to the future health of this country, which is currently in very poor condition. I believe that it is not a matter of ignorance it's just a matter of how willing Americans are to lead healthy lifestyles. Although I do think it is important for scientist and cardiologist to continue research such as what is discussed above. We can never have enough information about our health and how the human body works, but it is also up to us as individuals to take care of our bodies.


http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2013/04/a-new-reason-why-red-meat-and-so.html?ref=hp

Gene Therapy in Arthritis Cases

Gene Therapy in Arthritis Cases

Gene therapy is a relatively new area of science in which geneticists are learning how to modify genes in organisms to effect the overall function of the body. This process is showing promising results in many areas of science such as disease prevention. If a geneticists can change the genotype in an organism's body to mask that of a disease, the disease can be prevented. Along with this genes can also be added for the body to make more or less of a certain bodily chemical in order to cope with a current condition. This is what scientist are hoping to do with arthritis.

Arthritis is a condition in which chronic pain persists in joints of the body. Many cases of this condition are caused by a protein deficiency for the protein lubricin. Lubricin (like you may have guessed by the name) provides a lubricant between joints, allowing for smooth pain-free movement. A low amount of lubricant means that joints are grinding and not moving very freely, causing the pain in arthritis. This type of arthritis is a genetic condition, meaning that it can be passed on from generation to generation and can even affect young people. Because it is a genetic disorder, scientist have been trying to find a way (through gene therapy) to encode the body to make more lubricin. Because gene therapy has not been approved for human testing yet, scientist have been testing their efforts on mice.

Scientists did their testing on mice that were bred to have an extra gene to produce lubricin. In these tests they compared the modified mice to a control group that received no treatment. The modified mice were subject to a knee injury and observed afterward. After the injury the modified mice exhibited no arthritis and resembled the cartilage of the mice that were never injured. Then the control group was subject to the same. These mice showed symptoms of arthritis just one month after the injuries.

Because of the growing life expectancy and population of elderly people in the world, arthritis is a rapidly increasing condition. Today it affects more people than it ever has. It is a painful and hard condition to live with, which is why it is important that research and testing such as that stated above be funded and continuing. Gene therapy is also a field of science that has a bright future. The possibilities seem endless with such a wide range of genes to work with. But scientist have a fine line to watch as they decide what is necessary and what is immoral to do with humans.


This article was interesting for me because biology and chemistry classes that I have taken in the past have peaked my interest in genetics. I think that it is a fascinating field that has not been around that long, but has the chance to provide some of the greatest discoveries for the next century. I also think that the moral/ immoral practice part of it is a great debate for scientist because even I do not know where I stand on how far I am willing to let science go with modifying human genes. Either way gene therapy is an interesting topic with a bright future.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=156#.UVxq9XeZZ8E