The Future of Medicine - Stem Cells

Could you imagine if one of your parents had a disease that doctors said could not be cured?  Fortunately, there is something doctors might be able to do.  They could be cured by something called stem cells.  Once a cell is damaged, it is very hard to repair them.  Often times in very dangerous illnesses like heart failure, cells will break down.  That's where stem cells come into place.  Stem cells are taken from the tissues of fetuses that never fully developed.  These stem cells can then be placed into tissues of damaged cells.  The stem cells then replace the damaged tissues that.  This process could possibly save so many people with illnesses.  Scientists have been spending a lot of time study mice and have determined that the use of stem cells has helped remove dangerous diseases like Parkinson’s, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and ALS.  This is a major accomplishment.  It shows that one day, they can continue to help cure these diseases in people.   Although stem cells sound amazing, it can be a complicated process.  Here is a picture to help explain it better:



Image courtesy of http://whyfiles.org/127stem_cell/stem_cell_graphic.html

As you can see, stem cells can be a complicated task.  In the picture above, we see them start as a fertilized egg.  Over the course of 5 to 7 days it the egg enters the blastocyst stage.  By step 3, inner stem cell mass, the cell have grown and take up much more space than they previously did.  After this point doctors have determined that the egg will never truly form and create life.  We now at this point it is possible to use them for medical purposes.  Cultured undifferentiated stem cells, or step 4, is when cells are formed but have are not developed into a specific cell type yet.  This means they can be used at different areas of the body that could use them.  That takes us to the final step where they become specialized cells like blood cells, neural cells or muscle cells.  They are also know as differentiated stem cells.  This is the step where than can be put into places of the body where cells are damaged and the stem cells move in to repair them.  This process is the whole idea of stem cells that can help save countless numbers of lives.  T.J. Atchison is one of the first people in the United States to take part in this study.  This video will help show the progress.  Watch the video below:

 



As seen in the video, T.J. was in a terrible car accident that changed his life forever.  He became paralyzed from the stomach down.  Once paralyzed, it is not possible to feel anything in the part of the body affected by it.  However, with the use of embryonic stem cells, T.J. can clearly feel again and use his legs to some extent.  This is a incredible breakthrough in the medical world.  Hid story shows that there is a sign for hope for people just like him and millions of others facing diseases that stem cells can potentially cure. 

If you knew someone you loved was suffering you would want to help them, right?  With stem cells it appears it is possible.  Years ago, technology like this seemed out of reach.  Breakthroughs in modern medicine are giving us all a new look at what we can do.  Ask around and try to spread the use of stem cells to help others.  This idea can possibly save millions.  Why wouldn't we try it?  If we can do all of this now, I cannot even imagine what will be possible in the future.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. (2009 ). http://stemcells.nih.gov/info/basics/pages/basics6.aspx

How well can you communicate without your smart phone?

An Incline in Technology and Social Networking-May result in a Decline in Communication skills 

Recent advancements in technology have resolved issues and developed things that just a few years ago people would not have imagined was possible. However, has a negative impact also emerged from these continuous technical advancements?  Your smart phone is quick, easy, and efficient but has it negatively taken the quality of societies communication skills?  Consider yourself and how dependent you have become on your smart phone and other technical devices.  For example, think back to the last time you were in a room with a group of your friends.  How in depth did the conversation get amongst each of you?  Were you and your friends able to socialize for more than five minutes without checking your cell phones?  Unless you do not own a smart phone, the answer to this question is probably no.  Most likely you and your friends spent majority of the time you had together updating yourselves with the latest news on your facebook, twitter, Instagram, or some other social network.  Smart phones today are capable of amazing things but the availability of constantly being connected to the internet makes tapping on the twitter app every three minutes irresistible.  We have entered an era in which communication through modern technology has become more and more prominent.  So what does this mean for our future?

The video above displays how society rapidly participates in technology and social networking.  This video was posted in 2012 and as you watched it, I am sure you thought to yourself, "nobody uses facebook anymore."  Facebook, was easily the most popular social network just a year ago, however, for you and your peers facebook has become a foreign website.  If you even previously owned a facebook, I am sure you abandoned your page and quickly jumped on the latest networking sites such as instagram and twitter.  These websites are popular now but most likely they will become old news as more and more networks evolve.  Society is restless when it comes to social networking. Everywhere you go people are found attached to their phones constantly surfing the web.  What they are doing on their smart phones may be beneficial in one aspect, however, communication through technical devices is beginning to slowly take away from any face-to-face interaction held with others. With very little one-on-one communication we will only see a break in our closest relationships with families and friends.    

I do not think all technology is bad.  The goal of this blog was to bring your awareness to what essentially can come from an over usage of technology and social networking.  You, the young generation is the number one target in the world of technology and I am sure you can admit that it takes very little for you to get persuaded by each new social network.  Before you give in, however, put some consideration in yourself.  How meaningful of a life do you hope to pursue?  If you are content with living through tweets than fortunately you were born at just the right time.  However, having your voice heard is most likely the more favorable choice in this situation.  Interpersonal communication is a bracket of communication in which your tone of voice, posture, and facial expressions are the three main components that make up this particular form of communication ( Cutler, A., Dahan, D., &Donselaar, W. 1997).  If you think about it, not one of these components can be expressed through a smart phone.  This fact should strike you as a wake up call.  Step away from group chats, twitter, instagram, or whatever social network you are connected to.  Instead take the first step to developing your interpersonal communication skills and I assure you your message will be conveyed in the way you planned.  Communication through smart phones and high speed technology is just a simple branch of communication but I want you to think of the benifits it has posed for you.  Are they all that possitive in the long run? 

Cutler, A., Dahan, D., &Donselaar, W. (1997). Prosodyin the comprehension of spoken language: A literature review. Language and Speech, 40, 141–201.

Deforestation

Across the world, miles and miles of beautiful innocent green trees are being cut down every single day. The removal of these trees to make room for farmland, plants, factories, and more is called Deforestation, an issue that is becoming more and more serious as the years go on. Only about 30 percent of the world's land area is covered in forests, and every years woods the size of Panama are being cut down. If the current rate of deforestation remains the same, the world's rain forests could be completely gone in only 100 years. That may seem like a long long time but before you know it 100 years will have passed and there will be no more trees left on the earth.

The destruction of forests can have long lasting negative effects on our world. Lester LefKowitz/Getty Images

There are many reasons why our forests are being cut down, but the majority of them are related to one thing... Money. One of the biggest drivers of deforestation is agriculture. Many farmers cut down vast areas of forest to make room for planting crops and grazing livestock. Very often may small farmers cut down several acres to use the firewood to heat their house, and the land to grow food to feed their families. 

Loggers, which provide the world's wood and paper products, also cut a great number of trees down each year. They also build roads to access areas of woods that are deeper in the forest, which then leads to further deforestation. Deforestation has many negative effects on the environment. One dramatic impact it has is on the habitats of thousands of different species. About 70% of the Earth's land animal and plant population live in forests. Many of them simply can not survive the deforestation that is occurring in their area. Climate also is greatly effects by the aftermath of deforestation. Normally forest soils are very moist, but without protection from the sun and the shade the trees give off the soil dries out very quickly. Trees also help the water cycle a great deal by returning water vapor back into the air. Without trees to fill these roles, what was once beautiful forests filled with green trees will turn into dry desert-like areas. 

Not all deforestation is intentional. Some of it is caused by a mix of human and natural factors like forest fires. This often prevents the growth of young trees.

Forest fire in Southern California 

Above is a picture of a devastating forest fire that occurred in Southern California. This fire was caused by a human's careless actions. If people were just a little more careful, many big fires could be prevented. Removing the trees takes away the canopy of the forest, which blocks out the sun's rays during the day and keeps in heat at night. The disruption of this leads to temperature swings, which makes it easier for fires to occur, and can be harmful to plant and animal life. 

Trees also play a big role in absorbing greenhouse gasses that fill this Earth. These are the gases that pretty much fuel global warming. Fewer forests means more greenhouse gases entering our atmosphere, which increases the speed and severity of global warming.

The quickest solution to deforestation would be to simply stop cutting down trees. Even though deforestation rates have slowed down a little bit in some areas over the past couple of years, realistically this is very unlikely to occur. A better solution would be to stop all clear-cutting to protect the environment for many species and allow them to live together in peace. Also, the cutting that does occur should be balanced, and for every tree cut down a youth tree should be planted to replace it. If something is done, deforestation can be stopped and thousands of harmless innocent trees can be saved.

References:

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/

http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html

Drugs

Drugs: Bath Salts and Evolving Drugs 

What do you consider a drug? Drugs are an addictive substance that causes changes in behavior and the way you see things. The development of new drugs are evolving quicker than ever. There are thousands of drugs out there that are being abused and misused every single day. As kids grow older they need to be more aware of the new drugs growing on the market. Alcohol and marijuana are the most common drugs that young teens are aware of. Bath salts used to be something people referred to as a relaxer that you would put in your tub. Now bath salts are a new dangerous drug, made with many illegal chemicals that people use to get high off of. Getting high is not a good feeling. You are not yourself and your senses are all off. Bath salts come in a white powder that can be snorted, injected, smoked, or taken orally. Bath salts have the ability to make people feel angry and vicious. These drugs are super powerful that they can make people do all sorts of bizarre things. 

This video shows a man who was on bath salts and attacks a persons face. By watching this video you can see how crazy this drug can really make you. This video is intense and may be horrifying for some people. 

All drugs come with side effects. Imagine walking through a haunted house. Your heart rates going, your blood pressures high, and you are super paranoid. Bath salts make you feel like that but tens time worse.  Some of these effects can be permanent. Could you imagine feeling like that forever? Trying drugs is not something anyone of any age should do. Drugs, especially bath salts, are very addictive. Addiction is not just a mental disorder, it is a disease. Being addicted to a substance so powerful that not even your friends and family could get you to stop. Many people can not just try a drug just once. You try it once and you can get immediately hooked. Drugs are 100% life altering not only to you, but as well as your loved ones. 

This song is written by a girl named Lisa whose brother suffers from addiction. The lyrics to this song are extremely meaningful. It really shows how painful it is to watch someone go through addiction. It may be one of the hardest things to see someone go through. If this video doesn't make you not want to try drugs, I don't know what will. 

A Baby is Born!

A Baby is Born!

How Babies are Born

Do you have a little brother or sister? Do you remember when your mommy had them? It's best when the baby is born naturally. Sometimes your baby brother or sister can't be born naturally though. The baby might be sick or mommy might be sick. That's when doctors help. If the baby needs to come out a different way.

 Look at the baby still inside mommy, it seems pretty squished in there! The baby looks ready to come into the world and meet you, big brother or big sister!

When baby can't come out naturally skilled doctors need to cut the baby out. It's called a cesarean section or c-section. You can think of it as coming through an open window instead of using the door. Mommy can't feel any pain when the doctor does this because she has special medicine that makes her feel like she's asleep. A deep sleep like sleeping beauty. The doctor make a cut along the top of mommy's pants, and then into where the baby has been growing. 

 When mommy comes back from the hospital you may ask to see her cut. Be careful not to touch though, only look, it hurts just like when you get a cut. Welcome her home with a gentle hug. Be sure to be extra helpful getting your mommy things when she's back from the hospital because she will sill feel ouchie, but it will go away with time. Just like when you get an owie yours heals up. When the cut heals she'll have a scar. Here's a picture of a mommy with her little girl. Look closely, you can see her scar above her undies. That is where her daughter came through when she was born.

Image #1: <a href="http://www.babyzone.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/38-weeks-pregnant_70918"><img src="http://cdn1.babyzone.com/images/2013/04/fetal-development-week38-callouts-photo-420x420-038.jpg" alt="fetal development at 38 weeks illustration" /></a>

Image #2:http://doublethink.us.com/paala/2012/03/10/did-you-ever-photograph-your-c-section-scar/

Pollution in the Chesapeake Bay

You and your buddy are just coming back from the most intense wiffle ball game of your 10 year old life.  Exhausted you use your allowance from earlier that week and stop by the local convenience store and buy the coldest, most refreshing Gatorade there.  After chugging it down, you realize that your house is still 10 minutes away by bike, and you have to pedal one handed to hold this empty bottle.  You get a ways down the road but soon the one handed pedaling becomes to hard, so you just toss the bottle into the street and continue your way home.  Eventually that bottle finds its way into a storm drain, which then proceeds to empty out right into the Chesapeake Bay.  The bottle resting among millions of other plastic non biodegradable items, waiting to ruin an animals habitat.

Photo Courtesy of  http://www.lizasreef.com/HOPE%20FOR%20THE%20OCEANS/bays_harbors_and_sounds.htm

The picture above is a representation of the devastating impact of pollution and its effect of the bay.  In the picture it shows where the numerous storm drains empty into the bay.  Notice the enormous amounts of garbage piled  up into one area and slowly spreading into the bay.  Without any cleaning of the bay the garbage could eventually spread into deeper parts of the bay, completely destroying important ecosystems.  Most people fail to realize how important the bay is to our everyday lives.  Not only does the bay provide a lot of business through shipping, fishing, crabbing, etc. but it also is very important to the land and rivers that feed into it.

Humans are responsible for most of the pollution that enters the bay, whether it is from factories, farms, or run offs from drains and rainfall.  The only way the bay can be saved is if everyone did their part and watched their pollution that fed into the bay.  Howard Ernst author of Save the Bay said that the bay right now at its current health is at 38% of the health it should be.  This eye opening statistic should be enough motivation to start saving the bay now.  It is estimated that at the rate the bay is undergoing population currently, in about 50 years the bay could get so bad there would be no saving it.  The source of the bay's problems are people, therefore people need to be the ones who fix it.  It starts with whoever is reading this page, should go out and make sure there are no bottles or any waste outside that could make its way into the bay.  The largest estuary in America should be clean and beautiful for future generations to cherish, and the clean up starts now with each one of us.

Genetically Modified Foods

Genetically Modified Food

When you walk down the aisle at your local grocery store, most likely the foods that you are seeing such as fruits and vegetables are genetically modified. These foods are known as GMO’s. These foods are created in laboratories rather than being home grown by local farmers. Genetically modified foods are becoming more and more popular as the years go on because they are longer lasting, easier to grow, and have health benefits yet they also have some health risks.

Many of the foods you eat for every meal of the day are most likely to be genetically modified. Foods such as corn, oranges, apples, and potatoes have all been modified. The foods have been created to have more nutrients in them, so when humans eat them they are eating a healthier food. Some are created to last longer, so they don’t become rotten as fast. Some are just created so that while they are growing, insects and viruses can’t attack the food in its growing process, which helps the production rate grow.

One of the more popular genetically modified foods being grown today is a clementine. A Clementine is a smaller, seedless orange. People claim that these are not genetically modified, but rather a natural hybrid of an orange but they are technically genetically modified. Scientists when first creating these oranges changed the DNA within them making them smaller than normal oranges and also removing the seeds from them so you aren’t just picking them out when you go to eat one. Below is a picture of an orange surrounded by clementines. The biggest one is an orange and the rest are clementines.

Photo courtesy of https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhEYnyO8P2g7Ymo9T8ROkeyMRjleY9SYO-MNZbpvSfQxjeBgFdpysY7g-aPnSEVkr61D2ntoJHfQ5dnNQ0ylZesudDlC7386nXoTLxhx8gp4FqI-LvHC2WGD8E5NWSbpGMts5quzJSKE/s1600/orange+cake+002.JPG

Many people believe that these genetically modified foods are bad for a human or animal to consume as well as them also being damaging to the environment. There are many benefits to these foods that people do not think of. Crops such as sweet corn and potatoes that have been genetically modified have many benefits to both the consumer and the environment. They are enhanced with vitamins to make the nutritional value better so while one consumes it, they are getting more nutrients than what just a normal organic crop would have. They are also helping out the environment because some crops have added herbicides, which help fight off insects and viruses that try to ruin the crops. They leave behind nutrients in the soil which help for the next crop rotation to grow better and faster. The genetically modified crops can grow faster and more abundant which can help to provide for the world’s growing population.

Below is a picture of a genetically modified potato and an organic potato, both harvested at the same time. The genetically modified potato has longer life, which is shown on the left. Next time you are sitting down at the dinner table to eat a nice healthy meal or on the go eating a snack, think a little about what you are about to digest. It might not just be the natural, organic, healthy food that you think you are eating. It might be a genetically modified food that has been created in a laboratory.

Photo courtesy of http://earthfix.opb.org/media/cache/9c/40/9c40e9fded99bd77841e0338c9a76e0e.jpg