1

Physiology & Medicine / The cost £$ of cancer eradication ?

« on: 05/01/2011 21:27:15 »

Hi everyone,

if there were an unlimited supply of money, facilities and human resources, would we see the eradication of cancer in the very near future ?

Is current cancer research looking for ways to eradicate cancer altogether, or, looking to cure cancer once it has been diagnosed ? Or perhaps both ??

many thanks,

Deryn

2

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / The effects of weightlessness in space ?

« on: 22/12/2010 15:53:58 »

Hi everyone,  if a person was born into a weightless environment circling the earth, what differences would develop between them and us down here on the surface ? And, if we were to go into orbit around the earth as an adult, and remain there for the rest of your life, what effects on the body would you expect over time ?

Deryn

3

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Is sleep evolutionarily disadvantageous?

« on: 20/12/2010 11:09:44 »

Hi everyone,

I have often thought that in terms of self preservation, staying alive, sleep is one of the most vulnerable positions we could find ourselves in. It seems to me, any creature, including man, has had to develop ways of avoiding being injured, killed, and eaten by predators. Surely being asleep, dead to the world, would put any creature in danger of being killed? Is sleep absolutely necessary and wouldn't the development/evolution of a non sleeping human be more beneficial? Surely sleeping Neanderthals were easy pickings for the creatures of the night?

Deryn 

4

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Age of planets in the universe ?

« on: 17/12/2010 15:12:09 »

Hi all,   I've always been interested in SETI, the search for extra terrestrial intelligence in our universe. And so far I've been convinced that given the number of stars/planets in the universe then there could well be intelligent life out there.

I've followed with interest the work of SETI in their search for extra terrestrial signals in outer space and always thought it a worthwhile project that could pay off one day. What would happen if they did indeed receive a signal and further contact from extra terrestrial beings is another question.

But my question is, are there planets out there older than our earth that are accompanied by stars ? The reason I ask is because if there isn't then we are likely to be the highest form of intelligent life in the universe given the time we have had to develop. And as 'intelligent' advanced beings we still have such things as poverty and we can't even cure the common cold ! What chance then have we realistically of being in a position technologically of contacting other life in the universe ?

I'm hoping this question makes sense.

Deryn

5

Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Cancer in animal life ?

« on: 14/12/2010 20:58:17 »

Hi folks,  as far as you know, is cancer as prevalent in the animal kingdom as it appears to be among us humans ?


Deryn.

6

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / In what direction is space expanding?

« on: 11/12/2010 16:29:12 »

Hi guys,  am I correct in saying that our universe is expanding outwards rather than inwards ?
And if so, is it expanding in any particular direction ? I'm thinking that if it was then could we determine exactly where the event known as the big bang originated ?

thanks, DERYN

7

Physiology & Medicine / Is the incidence of Alzheimers increasing?

« on: 03/02/2010 12:54:40 »

Hi, I am fascinated when I hear that there has been an increase in something as it is always interesting discovering the possible causes. As is the case with Alzheimer's, I hear on the news that there has been an increase in the number of cases. Sometimes an increase isn't an actual increase in numbers but rather an increase in reported numbers. From what I hear it is the actual numbers of people suffering with Alzheimer's that is on the increase. Having seen my grandmother and my mother in law both suffer terribly with this disease I am hoping someone out their might be able to answer a couple of questions for me regarding Alzheimer's ?

I am aware that Alzheimer's is a disease, but not a disease that can be caught directly from someone, so is Alzheimer's due to a problem with genes ?

If the causes of Alzheimer's are due to genes then can it be hereditary ? and the disease is increasing as genes multiply with generations ?

Can Alzheimer's be increasing because of any other factors ?

Depending on the answers to the above questions, can Alzheimer's be eradicated ?

many thanks,

DERYN

8

Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / No more moon exploration ?

« on: 02/02/2010 15:54:53 »

Hi guys,  it seems that Obama is turning his back on moon exploration and diverting funds elsewhere.

Just what would we achieve by further exploring the moon ?

Has moon exploration provided any beneficial knowledge of our earth and solar system/universe ?

DERYN

9

General Science / Is memetics a science ?

« on: 01/02/2010 18:59:42 »

Is memetics a science ?

DERYN



Mod edit - Please format the subject as a question.

10

General Science / Is there a scientific study of life after death?

« on: 28/01/2010 09:11:01 »

Probably an old topic BUT, as I get older I find myself thinking a little more about the possibility of life after death. Not my material body, but perhaps some form of energy or consciousness. Is there a recognized science that deals with this topic OR is it viewed with too much skepticism by the sciences ?

DERYN