More Beta Cells, More Insulin, Less Diabetes Caption: Betatrophin, a natural hormone produced in liver and fat cells, triggers the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas to replicateCredit: Douglas Melton and Peng Yi Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has arguably reached epidemic levels in this country; between 22 and 24 million people suffer from the disease. But now there’s an exciting new development: scientists at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have discovered a hormone that might slow or stop the progression of diabetes [1]. T2D is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 95% of cases. Treating diabetes costs the U.S. a veritable fortune. The NIH-funded researchers set out to try to identify a signal that seems to be sent by the liver to the beta cells when the insulin receptor is blocked and blood glucose levels rise. Betatrophin sends the beta cells into a frenzy causing them to replicate as much as 30 times their normal rate! It’s not every day that a new and important hormone is discovered! References: Links:
NH Field Investigation Models Using Field Investigations to Model Scientific Inquiry State and national science standards emphasize the importance of inquiry and problem-solving for today’s students. Field investigations offer rich opportunities for students to practice inquiry in engaging and authentic ways. Key steps in field investigations mirror the inquiry process. They are posing research questions, planning and conducting investigations, using evidence to describe findings, communicating research findings to target audiences, and asking new research questions based on findings. Beyond Data Collection Just as New Hampshire is gifted with abundant natural resources, so too do we benefit from plentiful scientific field investigations. Maximum and minimum air temperature data collected at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Field Investigation Model HB Max Min Air Temp.pdf HB Max Min Air Temp Data.xls Precipitation data collected at several rain gages at Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. Useful Links
9 Word Cloud Generators That Aren't Wordle The use of word clouds in the classroom is a powerful way to really get through to visual learners. The details about the following nine word cloud generators will give you a fair idea how, as an educator, you can get the best out of them. A quick note: Wordle is quite easily the most popular word cloud generator out there. It’s free and easy to use. It does require Java though so Chrome users might have some trouble. In any case, this article focuses on non-Wordle options you should know about. Tagul Several features that do not figure in Wordle are incorporated in Tagul .For example, you have the option of choosing personalized shapes and multiple fonts to be used in your cloud. ABC Ya This application is very much like Wordle and operates the way Wordle operates. Tag Crowd This application gives you access to see frequency of words. Word It Out Word It Out helps create word clouds from any text, similar to the way Wordle does. Make Word Mosaic Wordsift TagCloudGenerator You Are Your Words
Solve Puzzles for Science | Foldit Extraordinary Adaptation Cuttlefish: Chameleons of the Sea Neuroscience: Hardwired for taste : Nature A mouthful of bittersweet chocolate cake with a molten centre can trigger potent memories of pleasure, lust and even love. But all it takes is one bad oyster to make you steer clear of this mollusc for life. Neuroscientists who study taste are just beginning to understand how and why the interaction of a few molecules on your tongue can trigger innate behaviours or intense memories. The sensors in our mouths that detect basic tastes — sweet, salty, bitter, sour and umami, and arguably a few others — are only the start of the story (see 'The finer points of taste', page S2). The way the brain represents these tastes is just as important. Researchers have recently developed a 'gustotopic map' based on the idea that, just as each taste bud on the tongue responds to a single taste, so there are regions of the brain that are similarly dedicated1. The other recent revelation in taste research is that the receptors that detect bitter, sweet and umami are not restricted to the tongue. Brain map
How Do Animals Become Zombies? Instant Egghead [Video] It may sound like something straight out of a horror movie, but many animals can come under the zombie-like control of parasites. So what about humans? Scientific American editor Katherine Harmon fills us in on the ghoulish side of Nature. Give a Gift & Get a Gift - Free! Scientists unlock chemical processes behind silver-related skin condition Ingesting silver — in antimicrobial health tonics or for extensive medical treatments involving silver — can cause argyria, condition in which the skin turns grayish-blue. Brown researchers have discovered how that happens. The process is similar to developing black-and-white photographs, and it's not just the silver. PROVIDENCE, R.I. “It’s the first conceptual model giving the whole picture of how one develops this condition,” said Robert Hurt, professor of engineering at Brown and part of the research team. Scientists have known for years argyria had something to do with silver. As it turns out, argyria is caused by a complex series of chemical reactions, Hurt said. From silver to salt and back again Hurt and his team have been studying the environmental impact of silver, specifically silver nanoparticles, for years. To find out, the researchers mixed a series chemical treatments that could simulate what might happen to silver inside the body. Implications for nanosilver
11 cheap gifts guaranteed to impress science geeks Science comes up with a lot of awesome stuff, and you don't need a Ph.D, a secret lab, or government funding to get your hands on some of the coolest discoveries. We've got a list of 11 mostly affordable gifts that are guaranteed to blow your mind, whether or not you're a science geek. Click on any image to see it enlarged. 1. Also known as frozen smoke, Aerogel is the world's lowest density solid, clocking in at 96% air. Aerogel isn't just neat, it's useful. Price: $35 2. Inside these sealed glass balls live shrimp, algae, and bacteria, all swimming around in filtered seawater. EcoSpheres came out of research looking at ways to develop self-contained ecosystems for long duration space travel. Price: $80 3. NASA has been trying to figure out how to get a sample of rock back from Mars for a while now. Every once in a while, a meteorite smashes into Mars hard enough to eject some rocks out into orbit around the sun. Price: $70+ 4. Price: $150 5. So what's next year's new color going to be? 6.
ToonDoo - World's fastest way to create cartoons!