Biotechnology, the science of the future

Join Dr.Francis Crick as he explains biotechnology in ScienceNow.

Controversial Stem Cell Research could treat the blind.

Stem cell research has always been a controversial issue in modern day America. However, based on recent studies, stem cells can help people with macular degeneration, which causes blindness.
Now, biotechnology company "Advanced Cell Technology" has applied a license to the FDA to do tasks on the blind using stem cells.
Macular Degeneration is a disease which damages the center of a person's retina, or the macula. This disease affects 1.8 million people over the age of forty.


This would be the vision for someone with macular degeneration.





Experiments have been going well, the company says. Robert Lanza, the companies' chief scientific officer, is optimistic on there studies so far.
Mr. Lanza states, "We certainly expect them[the FDA] to come back with comments and questions but our hope is that we will start sometime next year.
If the trials are approved, they could begin in the spring.
Also, other scientists try to improve vision worldwide with other mechanisms. One that is a surprising idea is implanting computer chips in the eye to improve vision. This has been experimented on humans and cats, as well as a blind dog that when used the chip, gained vision once again.
Another mechanism is done on humans only, but it is complex. A camera is built into a pair of glasses that send signals to a tiny chip planted in the back of the retina and stimulates nerves that lead to the vision center of the brain.
Finally, a new "seeing-machine" uses an LED-based device to paint a picture in someones head.
Based on these facts, I have concluded several new ideas. First, stem cell research is a major part of science. However, due to how it is made, it is a controversial idea. On the other hand, in my opinion, stem cell research should be legal and a vital juncture in modern day society and will help science reach a new level medical breakthroughs, which would especially helpful in today's predicaments because scientists just don't know what to do now a days. Everything from Global Warming to cancer to the swine flu is putting scientists in a situation to deep to get out of. Even though stem cells are created controversially, they should be used because of all the breakthrough they can have.
In addition, I have concluded macular degeneration is a horrible situation, but scientists are doing a great job at solving this. With all the inventions they have made, scientists all around they world are clearly helping people with this condition. On the contrary, the only effect i worry about is cost. People around the world can not afford the discoveries science has made, especially with the worst economic situation since the Great Depression. Even in America, 50 million people can't even afford health care, so imagine the count in our country for the people who can't afford scientific miracles like these.
All in all, I have learned two main ideas. Stem cell research is vital in today's society, and how scientists are trying their bests to treat diseases like this.

For more information on this topic, please go to:
http://www.livescience.com/health/etc/091120-blind-stem-cell-treatment.html

Greenhouse gas cuts start at home

Did you know 32% of carbon emissions in the US and 8% of carbon emissions from the entire world are because of all the waist we account for in our very homes? Well, now you know!
We all know that we have a problem with Global Warming, but we don't know how to fix it. We always blame those big companies for polluting air into the earth. However, Americans contribute to one-third of the problem in the US.
So what can we do at our own homes? For starters, you can get routine car check ups to see how much your car is polluting and limit that amount. Also, we can use clothesline instead of dryers. If this sounds crazy, then try doing simpler things at home like only using inputs when necessary and avoid leaving the water on by accident.
Experts at this problem are Michigan State Professor Thomas Dietz and his co-workers. To help Americans with this problem, they are creating technology for people to use so they can lower carbon emissions.
In experiments in the past he performed, he noticed that if someone does something, than an acquittance is likely to do the same. This is called the "demonstration effect". For example, if someone is changing from gas powered cars to hybrids, it is likely that a friend of theirs is to do the same.
In my opinion, I think this technology Dr. Mietz and his fellow professors are creating is a good idea because than it will use less carbon emissions which will help us out in the future.

For more information on this topic, go to http://www.livescience.com/environment/091026-greenhouse-cuts.html

Twisted things of Nature

You may not know this but nature prefers a twisted when it comes to flying. Insects wings deform while flying, which causes the twist. After years of examining this fact, scientists at the John Young University of New South Wales decided to put this into an experiment.
The scientists made one of the most accurate models of an insect flight and photographed the wing motion of the models and found the wing curves. Then, the scientists put their measurements into a three dimensional computer simulation. Using the simulation, they tested different scenarios with twisted wings and flat wings.
This experiment was taken place in Southern Wales, UK. They had this experiment to see which was easier to fly, twisted wings or flat wings. Nonetheless, they discovered it is 50% easier to generate lift off for a twisted winged creature than a flat winged teacher. The experiment took place for several months earlier this year and was issued on September 18 in the The Journal Science.
In my opinion, if airplanes were able to have twisted wings rather than flat wings, airplanes would than be able use less power when lifting off and could go much faster.