1

Guest Book / Its been too long...

« on: 16/06/2010 05:51:48 »

Just wanted to pop in and say "hi" to all my old friends (if any of you still frequent this site).  I misss you all, and I wish I had more time to come here more often.  glad to see there are still great discussions going on on TNS!!!

2

Guest Book / My 800th post! Woohoo!!

« on: 21/03/2008 15:33:32 »

But I'm still no Neil   [V]

3

Physiology & Medicine / Types of UV and sun/tanning protection.

« on: 05/01/2008 18:53:42 »

I have a question for any of you who know anything about dermatology, or are expert tanners.  I thought I knew the difference between UV-a and UV-b rays but recently i've seen some information that contradics what I thought to be correct.  (Since I got this information when I was a teenager and the dermatologist came to lecture us life guards, I may remember it incorrectly, or there may be new information out since then)

My understanding was that UV-a burns you, and UV-b tans you.  Thus UV-a is bad for your skin, and UV-b produces the Mellin that protects you from the UV-a.  I had thought that the sun as well as conventional tanning beds contain both a&b, and that the new "ultra-bronze" beds only use UV-b.

Recently I was told that UV-b is actually what burns you AND causes mellin production, and that UV-a only darkens the Mellin that is already in your skin by oxidizing it.  They said that "ultra-bronze" tanning beds only have UV-a; so while they give you the best LOOKING tan with the least amount of burning, they do not actually produce any new Mellin for you and thus give you no natural protection from the sun.

Another person actually told me that Mellin doesn't actually protect you from the sun at all, its just a big myth.  I really don't believe that because i thought that was the whole biological role of Mellin; but i guess they could be right.

I am going on a carribean cruise in the middle of the winter next week, and (while i don't ordinarilly use tanning beds) i wanted to do a little bit of tanning before I go, so that I don't FRY as soon as I get down there becaue that 1) is horrible for your skin and 2) makes for a misserable vacation.

Any info anyone could give me on this subjct to clear it up would be much appreciated!

Thanks
-J

4

Physiology & Medicine / Are cold sores always caused by herpes simplex virus type I?

« on: 28/09/2007 15:38:58 »

I have a question for all of you savvy medical nerds out there.  Are ALL cold sores a symptom of Herpes Symplex Virus 1?  or are only SOME derived from that cause? 

Basically, I had always thought that they were a symptom of HSV1, but could be caused by other things too.  (just like a fever can be a symptom of MANY different types of ailments)  But a friends of mine tried telling me recently that anyone who gets cold sores has Herpes SV1.

Anyone know whether this is true or not.

Thanks,
-J

(and for the record, I've never had a cold sore.....    on ANY part of my body  [])

5

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Book Recomendation:

« on: 23/07/2006 21:35:13 »

Not sure whether to put this here or in genereral chat, but since its on the subject....  I'm not much of a reader, but just finished a wonderful book by Kary Mullis, the scientist who won the nobel prize in chemistry in 1993 (could be wrong on the year there) for the invention of PCR  (something us molecular biologists use on a daily basis).  
Dr. Mullis is a very opinionated and eccentric man.  He gives his views on a number of scientific and sociological issues.  Whether you agree with his opinions or not, its interesting to see someone with such unique views of things be so up front about them AND reason them out scientifically.  My other favorite aspect of the book is just seeing the scientific curiosity that has been boiling inside of him since he was a kid and still is.  As arrogant as i feel comparing myself to him, he really reminded of myself in that manner.
Anyway, I don't wnat to poil any of whqat is in the book.  However, if anyone here has read it (oh by the way I suppose I should give the title:  "Dancing Naked in the Mind feild")  I'd love to hear what you thought.

(and for you reading rainbow lovers out there)
"But you don't have to take MY work for it...."

Are YOUR mice nude? []

6

Guest Book / Naked Personel?

« on: 16/03/2006 03:40:41 »

I was just curious.  When you click the "who we are" link, it takes you to a page and gives you photos and breif bios on 8 lovely human beings who contribute to Naked Scientist (I'm guessing that these are the peopel who contribute to the radio show, which i unfortunately have only listened to once due to my geographical handicap).
The thing that just struck me is that for the 2 years since i've been checking this forum, those faces haven't changed.  no new ones, no old ones.  Is this just a metter of lack of update?  Or has it really been the same crew all along?

7

Just Chat! / zetacap cult??!?!?!

« on: 14/12/2005 07:25:11 »

WOW!!

So I'm cruizing the site after months of being away and trying to catch up and then BAM!!! I find it/them  those zetacap threads??  I read the first couple posts of the original and then the whole "part 2" thread.  Do they ever talk about the science behind the drug at all??  Since when did this forum turn into the weight-watchers support group/morning coffee chit-chat

I just couldn't believe it.
Just curious as to everyones' thoughts on the subject and what all I've missed?

Are YOUR mice nude? []

8

Physiology & Medicine / Asparagus Syndrome

« on: 02/02/2005 05:40:03 »

I was reading about coffee in the semen forum (go figure) and it reminded me....   (if you're eating you might want to come back to this topic....don't say i didn't warn you[xx(])....   When I drink coffee (even a very small amount) my urine ends up smelling quite funky.  Not quite like coffee, but you can definately tell where it came from.  I don't get this from any other caffinated beverages.  I've heard everyone always talking about how asparagus makes your urine smell, but I've never really noticed it, MAYBE once, but i think it was just power of suggestion.  I can't think of any other foods/drinks that have had this affect except captain morgan parrot bay.... oui.... yummy tasting girly drink.... but i make the bathroom smell like coconut every time i went for the next two weeks.... i was kinda scared [:p].

Now that I've grossed everone out, here's my forum question/topic(s):
Does anyone know what elements of these foods make it into your urine to give them this smell.  Are they chemically related in any way, or just random compounds?
Has anyone else observed any other foods/beverages that make your pee smell funny?

ok.... you may now continue on with your breakfast. []

Are YOUR mice nude? []

9

Just Chat! / END???!!!??

« on: 02/02/2005 05:58:17 »

[:0][:0][:0]
Chris,  
I finally just got a fast enough computer to listen to the actual show.  I listened to the latest one in the archives and I hear you say something about the show going until march.  does this mean that the show is ending??!!  or do you guys go by seasons and you meant that this current season is coming to a close??!!
Please tell me that as soon as i have the ability (although not neccesarilly the time) to listen the naked scientist will be no more!!!!!

Are YOUR mice nude? []

10

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Electro physics of running gels

« on: 22/09/2004 01:03:54 »

Ok, I have a question for any of you who are familiar with running common biological gels and are smarter physicists than me (I actually contemplated putting this in the physics section, but I believe this forum is WAY underused, so I guess I am biased).  

Why is it that when you run a DNA (typically agarose) gel you use a constant Voltage from your power source, while when running a protien gel (typically polyacrylamide) you use constant amps?  Both techniques rely on the same principle of atracting charged particles to an oppositly charged pole through a gel matrix to separate by size, so why the difference.  I guess the same question could be asked about RNA gels, gel to membrane protien transfers etc but I'll just stick with teh two that I know are different from eachother.  
I think I remember hearing a reason sometime in college, but i can't find it in my notes at all.  Chances are it was one of those days I was asleep.

Can anyone help me out?

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

11

Guest Book / Peek-a-Boo!!!

« on: 15/08/2004 05:39:55 »

Hey all! Long time no see.  I've been super busy chasing flys and girls around, and triathlon season is in full swing (all the things I gotta do while I'm still young).  Just thought I'd poke in and say hi to everyone.  Glad to see things haven't fallen to pieces without me (although talk about a shot to my ego! [])  I'll try not to be so much of a stranger, but no promises..... there's just too damn much science to be done in this world!

Peace!

That's no moon.... its a GRAPEFRUIT!!!!

12

Just Chat! / Hail to science teachers!

« on: 05/04/2004 05:50:31 »

The ddeper I get into science, the more I think back to all those teachers I had from kindergarten, all the way through highschool biology instructors, and even professors in college who really got me interested in this stuff in the first place, and taught me all of the fundamentals that I take for granted everyday.  I really wish I could go back and thank every one of them.  I also really wish I could go back to, say, 2nd grade science class and hop back inside my body to see what was going through my mind at the time.  
To all you science teachers out there that read this, thanks and keep up the good work.

Does anyone have any fun stories of their "early years in science' or any great teachers they have had along the way?

This is a signature.... AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!!

13

Physiology & Medicine / How do earthworms breathe underground?

« on: 27/03/2004 19:28:09 »

Does any body here know much about the repitory system of earthworms?

Here's the thought that came to me as I was lying in bed thismorning.  How do earthworms (I guess this could be said for other underground critters oo) breathe when they're down there.  My firts (and obvious) thought was through the hole that they've been making as they crawl.  But if anyone's ever gotten the idea that a garden hose would make an awesome snorkle, they might join me in seeing the physics problems with that.  Every other scenerio I came up with came to conclusions along that line.  Finally I thought maybe they have some sort of system by which they can remove O2 from the dirt, or water in the dirt (kind of like fish's gills)  but then why do they need to come up for air when it rains?  
The only thing that I can think is that they just need so little O2 that there's just enough down there for them.

Any budding insect physiologists wanna take a stab at this one for me?

This is a signature.... AND YOU WILL LIKE IT!!

14

Cells, Microbes & Viruses / Molecular biology question.

« on: 23/03/2004 03:15:37 »

ok, this is something I really SHOULD know, but it keeps coming up at work, and I don't want to ask and sound dumb, and I never get around to looking it up when I go home, so i'll ask ya'll.  Is there a difference between "transforming cells" and "transfecting cells"?  if so what is the difference?  or is it just two names for the same technique?
Your wisdom is appreciated.

Cut me some slack I'm new around here!

15

Physiology & Medicine / Smelly Pits

« on: 19/03/2004 23:54:22 »

Ok I got this in my head while reading in the thread "sweaters"...
There is a common phenomenon known very well amongst campers/backpackers etc.  that if one is on a trip where they have no access to bathing whatsoever and they shower right before going into the woods/mountains/name your destination, but DO NOT put on deoterant they will imediately build up a SLIGHT odor, that then goes away after apox. 1 day, and then can go indefinately w/o bathing or "deotorizing" and build up virtually no stench.  
However if one puts on deoterant and does not wash it off before embraking on their journey, they will stay "fresh" for the duration that their deotorant lasts, but once it wears off they begin to build up a very noticable odor that seems to get worse and worse for up to ~one week, before begining to go away, in which case they join the trend of the first group.
Anyone have any biochemical insights into this matter? (or funny BO stories? [:p])

Yar, the flies be everywhere!!!