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Finland’s Plant Ecology Shows Less Diseases with Larger Populations

For humans, the mere thought of living alone can be depressing and lead to the decline of an individual’s health. Well research out of the University of Helsinki shows that plants may react in a similar manner when faced with habitat loss. After extensive surveys into Plantago lanceolata meadows across Finland, biologists and ecologists noted in areas where the habitat is fragmented an increase in infections from fungus occurs.

The research conducted by Anna-Liisa Laine and her colleagues shows that meadows in closer proximity to other meadows showed a significantly less infection rate of fungal pathogens. Laine among other plant ecologists began investigating the effects of this powdery mildew fungus back in 2001 and has contributed to a massive amount of data analyzing the effects of plant pathogens in wild ecosystems. To date Finland has one of the largest databases of wild plant ecology and the effects of diseases in areas of varying biodiversity.

Typical results expected would suggest that the higher the population the higher the risk for disease, however in Plantago lanceolata meadows evidence suggested the contrary. It is believed this is related to the genetic diversity of organisms that live in areas where populations can grow closer together. The influence from surrounding environmental elements, such as how seeds and nutrients are dispersed, provides reinforcement through the landscape to promote healthier organisms. Meadows in areas of isolation lack the genetic diversity needed to evolve higher immune systems against pathogens while meadows in proximity appear to have more mixed genes allowing better defenses.

Traditional ecological laws prove that epidemics are dramatically more devastating in areas with higher populations, yet in many plants the occurrences of devastating epidemic s are rather slim. Anna-Liisa Laine is funded by the Academy of Finland where she seeks to unravel the mysteries of epidemiology and disease research. Anna-Liisa’s interest is spurred by the lack of understanding we currently have in how diseases are regulated in nature and she currently continues her research in the archipelago of Finland.

Posted on: June 12th, 2014 by Anttu Lein | Biology

Dibaryons: Quarks of Quantum Mechanics, Now in Six Packs!

Insight into quantum mechanics has become one of the forefronts of research in physics as it is recognized as an area that we possess little understanding of. One of the greatest difficulties in unraveling the mysteries of the quantum world is just having the ability to see it. The particles that physicists seek to study cannot be seen through even some of the most sophisticated microscopes traditionally used.

A process known as “phase shift” is currently used to detect the behaviors of quantum particles like protons which require sophisticated instruments to measure the movement and wave lengths of them. The movement of photons generates a noise that has been known to disrupt ultrasensitive tools used to measure their movements leaving physicists and engineers pondering how to attain the right balance to accurately observe these particles.

The key may be in applying theories of nonlinear physics to interferometers, which essentially superimpose electromagnetic waves to gather data on how other waves behave. The improved process of observing quantum particles could vastly expand the understanding of quantum mechanics in the near future. Despite the quest to improve methods of observing the particles that form the basis of quantum mechanics, a breakthrough has arrived for a collaboration of researchers called WASA-at-COSY with the discovery of a long searched for dibaryon.

These particles were once thought of as hypothetical because although their existence was predicted, they could never be observed by physicists. Quarks make up quantum particles and when grouped in pairs they form a Meson, grouped in threes they form a Baryon, but a Dibaryon occurs when two Baryons bond leaving two pairs of three quarks, or in other words, a six pack! These were believed to exist after the discovery of Tetraquarks which are essential two bonded Mesons.

Tetraquarks were recently discovered from the WASA detector combined with the COSY accelerator. By smashing atoms together tetraquarks were visible for fractions of a second and proved to be a very elusive particle to detect. Although the measurement was first observed in 2011, verifying that it was in fact an accurate measurement took several years as the experiment could not be repeated the same way. Nearly three years later however, physicists and engineers have found another experiment which has proved the existence of dibaryon particles to the scientific community.

Despite the verification of these measurements, it is still unknown by researchers whether this bond forms naturally in a single particle or instead as hadronic molecule, which consists of protons and neutrons engaging in a state of super excitement. The resonance detected has been named “d*(2380)” and further tests are already underway to gain enlightenment on the previous observations. Testing involves using deuterons, polarized heavy nuclei of hydrogen, shot at a proton which causes particles to scatter thus leading to the ability to detect the existence of the moving quantum particles.

Quantum mechanics is one of the studies of physics which has gained particular interest as scientist gain a greater understanding of the universe. Observations of phenomenon such as super massive black holes which were once thought to be fictional, have left a divide between astrophysics and quantum mechanics researchers. The correlation between the laws of physics on the macro scale and micro scale do not appear to be compatible with current theories of physics making the understanding of quantum mechanics an essential component in understanding how the universe was created.

Posted on: June 11th, 2014 by Anttu Lein | Physics

Shale Energy: How Does Hydraulic Fracking Work?

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Fracking is a term many have heard across the news lately in debates of whether it can be a viable form of clean energy in the future. There is no doubt that the process of hydraulic fracturing has the potential provide a large amount of energy resources across the U.S. and U.K. but some consider that it may be more of an environmentally influence than previously thought. Despite the debates many citizens may be casting votes in favor or against the legislation to expand the hydraulic fracturing industry.

So what is hydraulic fracking and how does it work? The process of hydraulic fracturing is actually a pretty innovative one which can gather “hidden” deposits of oil and natural gas from pores in shale rock, deep below the surface. Shale is typically formed from clay deposits and pieces of larger rocks in a process called compaction. During this process energy resources can become caught in pockets of air which later form pores on the shale rock. The goal of hydraulic fracking is to harvest deposits of fossil fuels that may be contained in these pores.

The first step of the process is to drill 7,000 ft or deeper below the surface where shale is typically formed. Jets of water are pumped down pipes which create horizontal fractures in the shale rock then mixtures of water, sand and other chemicals are sprayed into the fissures. Petroleum and natural gas are released from the shale pores and can be pumped directly into wells, but sometimes their residue is bonded to the sand with the chemical reagents which can be extracted later. The production of shale energy is formed around extracting natural gas pumped back up into storage tanks where they can be extracted through further process of chemistry and engineering.

The overall process of producing shale energy with hydraulic fracking to extract fossil fuels from shale rock may seem simplistic in theory, however the processes of chemistry and engineering that came together to discover this energy resource are actually fairly innovative. Despite this discovery of new applications of science to produce energy supplies, there has been fierce debate of the process citing that it is hazardous to the environment.

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Some cases in the U.S. showed that natural gas seeping out of the pumps of fracking sites contaminating water supplies not only injecting toxins into drinking supplies but causing unsafe levels of natural gas in the vicinity. Although cases such as these can most like be avoided by increasing fortifications on the engineering behind the fracking sites more disturbing evidence of environmental side effects may have been found in the U.K.

In 2011 all hydraulic fracturing in Britain was suspended due to three earthquakes believed to have been caused by water entering fault lines. The company conducting the fracking came forward to say they were most likely caused by their operations which led to the Department of Energy and Climate Change to ask for additional independent geological surveys. The results of the assessments all concluded that there was a great likely hood that the earthquakes were in fact a result hydraulic fracturing close to fault lines. Despite the evidence the earthquakes were fairly insignificant in size and weren’t believed to have caused any structural damages to the nearby vicinity.

Although evidence is still fairly scarce to support the true extent of the environmental stability of hydraulic fracturing, energy from shale will most likely remain as an option for energy production in the future. With the discoveries of new alternative energy resources it is interesting to see which trends, renewable or cost effective, will drive energy policies in countries around the world throughout the coming decades.
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Posted on: June 10th, 2014 by Anttu Lein | Energy

Sleeping Builds Neuron Pathways Improving Memory

Sleep deprivation is not uncommon in the modern technological world and despite a plethora of energy drinks and other products that supposedly help to enhance focus, sleep may play a more vital role in our brain’s health than once thought. Neuroscientists have been engaged in extensive research to learn in better detail how the brain functions and have been specifically fascinated in the relationship between dreams and other aspects of brain activity when a person is sleeping.

The latest research coming from a collaboration of scientists Wen-Biao Gan from the New York School of Medicine and his colleagues from Peking University Shenzhen has shown evidence that neuron connections are actually created during the process of sleep. The state of a person’s sleep looks like it could determine the effectiveness of the brain’s ability to create new neuron pathways. This means that an individual who sleeps for only a couple hours at a time tend to form fewer neuron connections than someone that sleeps for a full 8 hours a night.

Tests in mice have determined that sleep deprived members of the test population also produce significantly less neuron connections. The studies involved testing a mouse by providing an hour of exercise followed by an hour of sleep, then retested on a mouse given 3 hours of exercise with no sleep. Repeated results showed that sleep proves to be one of the factors behind maintaining a healthy brain. Testing was also conducted on humans to determine if different phases of sleep are more useful than others. Results from the experiments showed that deeper sleep (slow-waves) was more effective for a healthy number of synaptic connections (neuron pathways) to be formed.

Part of the nervous system in the brain is a structure called the synapse which is essentially a two part receptor that allows neurons to pass chemical signals or electrical signal to other parts of the body. The way in which your brain processes and stores experiences and memories creates synaptic connections which helps to improve a person’s cognitive abilities particularly in areas of memory. Observations from Dr. Raphaelle Winsky-Sommerer after reading the research notes from Wen-Biao Gan stated that the observations published may change the way we think about sleep and studying habits.

With the results from Wen-Biao Gan’s research it seems that overnight cram sessions may not be an effective learning habit for students. In order gain the full potential of memory retention from the formation of synaptic connections it is essential that an individual gets sleep after a study session.

Posted on: June 9th, 2014 by Anttu Lein | Science

Solar Impulse 2: How Solar Energy is Revolutionizing Aircraft

Solar power is undoubtedly one of the most renown forms of renewable energy but its application into the public and private sectors has been slow until recently. But new developments in technology have led to the flight of planes powered by solar energy. Solar Impulse 2 is the name of the latest aircraft prototype fitted with cutting edge technology making it one of a kind which recently concluded its maiden flight.

The Solar Impulse team was formed in 2012 with the goal of making the first solar powered plane to circumnavigate the globe. Currently their best estimate on attempting this feat is scheduled to take place in 2015 after further testing is conducted. The inaugural flight lasted 2 hours which took off from Payerne, Switzerland. The pilot took the plane up to 6,000 ft. and tested the flight mechanics and maneuverability, most of which performed remarkably similar to expected predictions.

One of the most notable features in the Solar Impulse 2 is the fact that it does not carry any fuel making it the first of its kind in an industry that will likely see exponential growth in the coming decades. Built primarily from carbon-fiber, the aircraft weights about 2.3 tons yet exceeds the wingspan of a Boeing 747 by 236 feet, this massive wingspan is needed for the 17,000 solar cells that power the aircraft. Lithiium-ion batteries allow the plane to store solar energy captured during the day to power the plane’s engines at night.

The Solar Impulse 2 may not provide the most ideal conditions for traversing the globe however, only 1 person can fit in the cockpit which contains a reclining seat that can allow the pilot to stretch, exercise and take quick naps. Previous planes by Solar Impulse have acquired a number of records during transcontinental flight including the longest flight time of a solar powered plane however conducting transatlantic and transpacific flights will prove to be much more difficult to perfect.

Posted on: June 5th, 2014 by Anttu Lein | Technology

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