Mystery of First Americans Solved Using a Skeleton?

Did analysis of an ancient skeleton found in Mexico solve the mystery of the origin of the first Americans?
Click here to read about Naia who died more than 12,000 years ago and how she is helping to solve the puzzle of how the Americas were first populated.

3D Printer Creates a Skull and Saves a Life!

3D printing technology has saved a life!  A skull created by a 3D printer has been used in a human.  Check out this link for details and a look at the transplant surgery.
 3D Printed Skull Transplant

 Can you imagine other applications for this technology?  

An Origami Microscope That Works???

You have to see this!

Scientist Manu Prakash and his team have invented fully functional microscopes made out of paper.  These microscopes are durable, water proof and can fit into your pocket!  Best of all they cost about 50 cents to make!  Incredible!

Think about how this could enhanced medical care in developing countries and inspire young scientists!

Biohacking - What Do You Think?

Do It Yourself Biology??  Biologist Ellen Jorgensen and her colleagues have opened Genspace, a nonprofit DIYbio lab in Brooklyn.  In this scientifically creative space amateurs can go and experiment with biotechnology.  The spread of DIYbio has sparked some controversy.  Watch, listen and see what you think. 

Testing your Pee - There's An App For That!!

There is an app that can test your urine for health problems.  The UChek app was developed by Mumbai’s Myshkin Ingawale and uses your smartphone’s camera to test colour changes in your urine at set points in the day.  No need to fret if you don’t have an iPhone – an Android version is in the works!  Check out the details - UChek Urinalysis

A 'New' Knee Ligament Found!

 A great example of how we are continually learning about the anatomy and physiology of the human body! Knee surgeons in Belgium suggest that they have identified a new ligament in the knee (anterolateral ligament).  Surgeons have long suspected that, in addition to the 4 main ligaments in the knee others must exist in order to provide the stability that we see in our knee joints.  Think about all of the textbooks that may have to be changed!   A New Knee Ligament Found!

Thanks to Taylor (GHS student) for suggesting this post!  :)

A New Way to Grow Bone Tissue

Watch this talk by scientist Molly Stevens as she explains a new way to grow bone tissue within people by stimulating stem cells found in the periosteum.  The process can also be used to grow cartilage.

Worth watching!

Manipulating Memory???

 Two scientists from MIT suggest that they have discovered a means by which memories can be pinpointed and manipulated in living mice by shooting a laser beam into their brains. As you watch this interesting and entertaining talk (these two scientists are actually engaging) note the number of concepts mentioned that you have discussed in your Psychology and Human Biology courses (ie. memory formation, brain anatomy, receptors, stimuli).

Can you imagine if we were able to do this sort of thing in the human brain???

This is Your Digestive System..... This is Your Digestive System on Junk Food....

Ever wonder what happens to a gummi bear after you eat it???
Take a look at the impact of processed food vs. whole food on the human body with researcher Stefani Bardini from Boston.
Stefani videos the digestion of gummi bears and other processed foods using a swallowed M2A capsule [Mouth to Anus capsule] which wirelessly transmits images from the digestive tract.
You may never eat another gummi bear after watching this!  Click on this link to Watch a Gummi Bear on Its Journey Through Your Digestive Tract!

Fevers. A Helpful Defense Against the Flu???

 Fever Reducing Medications - Are They Enhancing the Spread of the Flu???

Check out this link (Flu and Fevers) to a spot off Thursday’s CBC “The National” where a mathematician from McMaster University, Dr. David Earn (Vikki's undergraduate research supervisor - How cool is that???), was interviewed.  Dr. Earn specializes in mathematically modeling infectious diseases.  His speaks briefly about the effects that taking fever reducing medications, such as Tylenol and Advil, may have on the spread of influenza.

Japan and Blood Types: Does it Determine Personality??

 As you know your blood type is determined by glycoproteins present on the surface of your RBCs.  Does whether you are A, B, O or AB determine your character?   Many people in Japan believe that it does.  Japanese interview committees, dating sites and  even educators are using blood type information. With Valentine's Day fast approaching you may wish to think about who is your "type"!!
Follow this link to read more....
What your Blood Type Says About You!

Can Dieting Cause Weight Gain?

In this talk Sandra Aamodt (a neuroscientist) discusses the connection between our brain and how our body uses food.  She suggests that ultimately, dieting is not effective and may in fact be harmful. She advises us to 'listen to our bodies" in order to maintain a healthy body weight.  What do you think?

Is Bis-phenol A a Danger????

In Scie150 a stimulating discussion erupted about  “Toxic Water Bottles” and bis-phenol .  This inspired me to search for more information on my own. A quick “Google” search revealed some interesting sources:

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/index.html - This website is put together by bis-phenol A manufacturers. This might present a biased view (as they want to continue to sell their product), but it could contain the most recent studies (as manufacturers want to convince consumers about the safety of their product).

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/ - This website is from the National Institute of Environmental Health Science in the US. They are a branch of the National Institute for Health, the largest medical research agency in the US. There are links to information from other US agencies as well.

http://chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/fact-fait/bisphenol-a-eng.php – This is the Government of Canada’s fact sheet on bis-phenol A, and is directly aimed at consumers.

In the world of science, it is often best to gather information from multiple sources and studies before coming to any conclusions. If you have any questions about this or any topic you come across, please feel free to send me an email or talk to me about it in office hours. Let’s talk science!

Heather

Creating Life in the Laboratory???

A scientist (Martin Hanczyc)  from Denmark is makes uses chemicals to create "experimental blobs" that act like living cells.  Could this be how life first occurred on Earth? What do you think?  Check it out the "dancing protocells".

WELCOME!

To our second semester students - welcome back!  We hope you enjoyed your break and are ready to continue learning and developing your skills in your second semester.

For new students starting in first semester - welcome to Fleming!  We hope you'll enjoy your time at the college and in the program. 

Take a look at some of the posts on this blog.  There are many interesting links to topics that relate to your program materials.

Make sure you're checking D2L for all of your courses on a regular basis.  .  If you have questions about anything, speak to your instructors.

See you soon!
~ The GHS Teaching Teams

Your Senses - What Life is Like Without Sight

 An interesting perspective about life in our cities from an architect who lost his sight after surgery.
This talk highlights the interconnectedness of our senses.  Check out:Life without Sight

Ethics and Integrity in Publication

Last week in COMM79 we discussed how a student in Ireland used Wikipedia to trick journalists who work for internationally respected newspapers. We then considered how the rapid transmission of information puts pressure on media outlets and discussed examples of recent retractions of news stories.

 

Though errors and retractions in daily newspapers happen on a regular basis, you might be surprised to learn that retractions of scientific research articles in peer reviewed journals are also quite common. Retraction Watch is a popular blog created by two American medical reporters who track the retraction of scientific papers. Many of the featured retractions happen to be in the life sciences. Though the content of research publications is supposed to be subject to a high level of quality control, Retraction Watch notes the considerable number of errors, misstatements and instances of plagiarism that still sneak through.

 

This week we considered Chris Spence’s resignation from his position as the Director of the Toronto District School Board after clear evidence of Spence’s widespread plagiarism was brought to light. During class discussion, we speculated as to what ramifications the charges of plagiarism might have for Spence’s PhD from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at U of T. As Kristin Rushowy reports in a recent follow-up article in the Toronto Star, there is significant evidence that Spence plagiarized in his PhD dissertation and charges are currently under investigation by the University of Toronto. Rushowy states that Spence could lose his degree if found guilty.

 Devon

When Science and Art Meet

A fascinating look at how science and art can be combined to excite both the senses and the mind. See some incredible photographs of sound, hydrophobic fluid and combustion!

                           

* But where are his lab coat and safety glasses???

Assisted Suicide - A Controversial Issue

Last year an ALS patient from British Columbia challenged the laws against assisted suicide.  Find out about recent developments surrounding this controversial issue here:  Assisted Suicide Ban

Food For Thought

Question:  Besides being big sports stars, what do LeBron Jame, Peyton Manning, Serena Williams and Sidney Crosby all have in common?

Answer:  They are all featured in product endorsements for foods and drinks of questionable nutritional value.

Are these stars sending mixed messages to our kids?  Check out this link  Junk Food Ads .  It's "food for thought".