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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Can you become vitamin D deficient during summer?

« on: 29/06/2018 11:20:56 »

If you think that you are severely deficient in vitamin D and it is having an impact on your every day life then I would recommend that you get your bloods sent to a laboratory to have your levels tested. One of the most common test which can be quickly and easily done is to measure 25-OH Vitamin D levels.

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Marine Science / Re: What is the safest way to snorkel?

« on: 29/06/2018 11:02:18 »

Some other useful tips include:

1. Swim with a friend: Stick together and watch out for each other, just in case an accident occurs.
2. Double check and make sure equipment is good working order and that you know how to use it correctly.
3. Look after yourself and don't push yourself beyond your skill or comfort zone.
4. Be aware of the ocean, be familiar with the waves and currents.
5. Don't touch marine life, this is for your own good and that of the sea life around you.

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Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: Where did the first virus come from?

« on: 29/06/2018 10:27:42 »

It is very difficult to trace the origin of viruses due to the fact that they do not leave fossils. They can utilise many different tricks into order to infect an organism and replicate many copies of themselves within the cells it has invaded. There is also evidence that some viruses can incorporate their own genes into the cells that they have infected. This means that in order to study their ancestry requires untangling it from the history of their host and other organisms. Another thing which makes this extremely difficult is the fact that it doesn't just infect humans but can infect practically any organism, which can range from bacteria to horses; seaweed to people. Do to all these obstacles the origins of most viruses may remain forever obscure.

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The Environment / Re: Could this be a landmark?

« on: 29/06/2018 10:10:01 »

Big oil companies are only interested in protecting their profits and don't really care about global warming. You will also notice that the top people in all of these companies are either friends or know each other. I have to say this is the world we currently live in where the rich are obsessed with getting more richer without give any thought to the consequences of their actions.

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Technology / Re: Why use wet roads when advertising cars?

« on: 29/06/2018 09:56:16 »

A wet road results in clearing the road dirt, dust and grime, its also highlights the blackness of the road. This accentuates the car against a clean and dark background, in some cases you will see the reflection of the car when it is seen from certain angles. Water and various other fluids can create a explosive dazzling effect when it is associated with motion. For example, a simple splash can generate a spectacular effect when using a slow motion camera. This explains why water is used extensively in marketing because it can tap into both direct and subliminal messaging.

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The Environment / Re: Can artificial sports pitches cause cancer?

« on: 26/06/2018 12:34:03 »

Even though the turf industry have deemed these safe, we must understand and realise that tires consist of established carcinogens. Just due to this fact you would think tires should be classified as hazardous waste, however, this is in contrast to what EPA which classifies them as municipal waste. This is based on some research they have conducted into the toxicity of crumb rubber. This information is in contrast to scientific belief who strongly advise that crumb rubber should not be a first choice material for children to play on.

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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Does thinking use water?

« on: 19/06/2018 17:58:51 »

Brain function and water are more closely related than one might think. The fact that brain is 75% water and requires this precise amount of hydration in order to work correctly and efficiently, justifies its importance. The cells that are present within the brain require a delicate and precise balance of water and many other elements in order to function like they do.

If you become dehydrated, it is the brain which is the first to realise this. You will begin to lose attention, memory loses its agility and it becomes difficult to concentrate. One of the main consequences is reduced cognitive agility and this makes it harder to memorise things and infer information in order to make conclusions. Other important roles of water include: increasing the blood flow to the brain (i.e. causing it to be hydrated and oxygenated) and also helping to eliminate brain’s waste substances.

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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Is it possible to be addicted to online posting?

« on: 19/06/2018 17:10:52 »

As many people are beginning to think, the internet can be addicting. If one is under the feeling of becoming addicted then it is important to implement corrective actions in order to kick-out these habits. Any parent would have experienced the difficulty in dragging their child from a tablet or a smartphone. There is so much evidence which indicates that youngsters lack maturity in order to curb these addictions on their own and by confiscating the device altogether in majority of cases has backfired, resulting in causing withdrawal symptoms and anxiety to the affected child.

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Physiology & Medicine / Re: Do mycoses eat up Vitamin D ?

« on: 19/06/2018 16:53:40 »

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is defined as a low-grade lympho-proliferative disorder and is one of the commonest forms of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL). The typical treatment for MF early stage can include phototherapy and several investigations have concluded that 1, 25(OH) 2 D3 has an efficacy to treating CTCL. Due to these finding there have been speculations to the potential role of vitamin D. However, at present there are no statistically significant correlation found between vitamin D serum level and the extent, clinical variants or duration of MF.

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General Science / Re: Where do flies and mosquitoes go in winter?

« on: 15/05/2018 21:48:25 »

The lifespan of a male mosquito is up to 10 days, and then it dies after mating. The males never make it past the fall. The female mosquitoes spend the colder months inactive in protected places, such as hollow logs or animal burrows. It is fair to say the mosquito enters a period of dormancy, similar to a bear or squirrel hibernating for the winter. She can hibernate for up to six months.

Certain mosquitoes can survive the winter in the larval and pupal stage. All mosquito larvae and pupae require water, even in winter. As the water temperature drops, the mosquito larvae enter a state of diapause, suspending further development and slowing metabolism. Development resumes when the water warms again.

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Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Re: How are blood cells used as stem cells for cardiac repair?

« on: 15/05/2018 21:29:07 »

Heart failure is regarded as one of the major forms of cardiovascular diseases, it is responsible for high mortality and in many cases invasive treatment methods for example cardiac transplantation and mechanical circulatory support are often needed.

However, recently, cell therapy procedures are growing in popularity as a new approach for treating heart failure. There are several types of cells that have the potential to be used for cardiac repair. These cells include; somatic stem or progenitor cells (such as: skeletal myoblasts, MSC, MNC, EPC and cardiac stem cells) and embryonic stem (ES) cells. These can be easily expanded in culture and therefore provide an attract tool for heart failure. Some of the specific cardiac markers can then be detected using laboratory methods such as ELISA assays. These tests are relatively easy to perform and can provide a reliable and accurate result.