107 posts · 43,465 views
Random musings of an aspiring science teacher and writer.
Jason Carr
107 posts
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- May 28, 2013
- 02:35 PM
- 46 views
Preventing ‘Traffic Jams’ in Brain Cells
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Imagine if you could open up your brain and look inside. What you would see is a network of nerve cells called neurons, each with its own internal highway system for transporting essential materials between different parts of the cell. When this biological machinery is operating smoothly, tiny motor proteins ferry precious cargo up and … Read More →... Read more »
Gunawardena S, Yang G, & Goldstein LS. (2013) Presenilin controls kinesin-1 and dynein function during APP vesicle transport in vivo. Human molecular genetics. PMID: 23710041
- May 23, 2013
- 03:37 PM
- 59 views
Researchers Turn a Smartphone into a Biosensor
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed a cradle and app for the iPhone that uses the phone’s built-in camera and processing power as a biosensor to detect toxins, proteins, bacteria, viruses and other molecules. Having such sensitive biosensing capabilities in the field could enable on-the-spot tracking of groundwater contamination, combine the phone’s GPS … Read More →... Read more »
Gallegos, D., Long, K., Yu, H., Clark, P., Lin, Y., George, S., Nath, P., & Cunningham, B. (2013) Label-free biodetection using a smartphone. Lab on a Chip, 13(11), 2124. DOI: 10.1039/C3LC40991K
- May 13, 2013
- 09:58 AM
- 72 views
Riding Hexapod Walkers on Dusty Alien Worlds
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Speculative fiction is the home of countless machines that fly in space, yet resemble humanoid lifeforms. Scientists are now working on the next generation of robots that will blaze a trail in space by going where humans simply can’t maneuver on their own. Like so many things in the field of space exploration, the descendents … Read More →... Read more »
Toralf Boge, & Ou Ma. (2011) Using Advanced Industrial Robotics for Spacecraft Rendezvous and Docking simulation. Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 1-4. DOI: 10.1109/ICRA.2011.5980583
Wilcox, B. (1992) Robotic vehicles for planetary exploration. Applied Intelligence, 2(2), 181-193. DOI: 10.1007/BF00058762
- May 9, 2013
- 09:59 AM
- 67 views
Study Finds Brain System for Emotional Self-Control
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Different brain areas are activated when we choose to suppress an emotion, compared to when we are instructed to inhibit an emotion, according a new study from the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience and Ghent University. In this study, published in Brain Structure and Function (citation below), the researchers scanned the brains of healthy participants and … Read More →... Read more »
Kühn, S., Haggard, P., & Brass, M. (2013) Differences between endogenous and exogenous emotion inhibition in the human brain. Brain Structure and Function. DOI: 10.1007/s00429-013-0556-0
- May 2, 2013
- 09:50 AM
- 86 views
Meteorites May Reveal Mars’ Secrets of Life
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
In an effort to determine if conditions were ever right on Mars to sustain life, a team of scientists, including a Michigan State University professor, has examined a meteorite that formed on the red planet more than a billion years ago. And although this team’s work is not specifically solving the mystery, it is laying … Read More →... Read more »
Stopar, J., Taylor, G., Velbel, M., Norman, M., Vicenzi, E., & Hallis, L. (2013) Element abundances, patterns, and mobility in Nakhlite Miller Range 03346 and implications for aqueous alteration. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 208-225. DOI: 10.1016/j.gca.2013.02.024
- April 29, 2013
- 11:04 AM
- 107 views
Early Childhood Education: the Importance of Phonological Awareness
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
There are many factors that go into how a child learns to read, write, and spell. Phonological awareness in early childhood is a proven predictor of how well a child will progress in their literary performance. Today’s post explains the basics of phonological awareness and how to better develop it in young children. What is … Read More →... Read more »
Lonigan CJ, Farver JM, Nakamoto J, & Eppe S. (2013) Developmental Trajectories of Preschool Early Literacy Skills: A Comparison of Language-Minority and Monolingual-English Children. Developmental psychology. PMID: 23316767
Carson KL, Gillon GT, & Boustead TM. (2012) Classroom Phonological Awareness Instruction and Literacy Outcomes In the First Year of School. Language, speech, and hearing services in schools. PMID: 23275432
Chipere, N. (2013) Sex differences in phonological awareness and reading ability. Language Awareness, 1-15. DOI: 10.1080/09658416.2013.774007
Wagensveld B, van Alphen P, Segers E, Hagoort P, & Verhoeven L. (2013) The neural correlates of rhyme awareness in preliterate and literate children. Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. PMID: 23523114
- April 25, 2013
- 09:21 AM
- 107 views
Newborn Stars and their Effect on the Universe
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
When galaxies form new stars, they sometimes do so in frantic episodes of activity known as starbursts. These events were commonplace in the early Universe, but are rarer in nearby galaxies. During these bursts, hundreds of millions of stars are born, and their combined effect can drive a powerful wind that travels out of the … Read More →... Read more »
Sanchayeeta Borthakur, Timothy Heckman, David Strickland, Vivienne Wild, & David Schiminovich. (2013) The Impact of Starbursts on the Circumgalactic Medium. The Astrophysical Journal. arXiv: 1303.1183v2
- April 22, 2013
- 12:43 PM
- 94 views
Using Black Holes to Measure the Universe’s Rate of Expansion
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
A few years ago, researchers revealed that the universe is expanding at a much faster rate than originally believed — a discovery that earned a Nobel Prize in 2011. But measuring the rate of this acceleration over large distances is still challenging and problematic, says Prof. Hagai Netzer of Tel Aviv University’s School of Physics and Astronomy. Now, Prof. … Read More →... Read more »
Wang, J., Du, P., Valls-Gabaud, D., Hu, C., & Netzer, H. (2013) Super-Eddington Accreting Massive Black Holes as Long-Lived Cosmological Standards. Physical Review Letters, 110(8). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.081301
- April 2, 2013
- 12:12 PM
- 136 views
The Misguided Search for Validation via Social Media
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
We human beings are social creatures. It’s natural for us to orient ourselves in terms of the world outside and what the people around us are thinking and doing. This socialization instinct is strongest in us when we’re young and still developing our own sense of identity. Historically speaking, this dynamic has typically played itself … Read More →... Read more »
Leung, L. (2013) Generational differences in content generation in social media: The roles of the gratifications sought and of narcissism. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 997-1006. DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2012.12.028
Maltby J. (2010) An interest in fame: confirming the measurement and empirical conceptualization of fame interest. British journal of psychology (London, England : 1953), 101(Pt 3), 411-32. PMID: 19646329
- March 19, 2013
- 08:34 AM
- 123 views
Origins of Human Teamwork Found in Chimpanzees
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Teamwork has been fundamental in humanity’s greatest achievements but scientists have found that working together has its evolutionary roots in our nearest primate relatives – chimpanzees. A series of trials by scientists found that chimpanzees not only coordinate actions with each other but also understand the need to help a partner perform their role to [...]... Read more »
Melis, A., & Tomasello, M. (2013) Chimpanzees' (Pan troglodytes) strategic helping in a collaborative task. Biology Letters, 9(2), 20130009-20130009. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2013.0009
- March 14, 2013
- 09:57 AM
- 187 views
The Benefits of Current Mars Research
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Martian exploration is unquestionably a hot topic right now. Mainstream media outlets have largely focused on the most visible efforts of the Curiosity mission, and that’s a good thing. While people might be thrilled with the photographs that they have an opportunity to view on their screens however, they may be less familiar with the [...]... Read more »
Peters, G., Smith, J., Mungas, G., Bearman, G., Shiraishi, L., & Beegle, L. (2008) RASP-based sample acquisition of analogue Martian permafrost samples: Implications for NASA's Phoenix scout mission. Planetary and Space Science, 56(3-4), 303-309. DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2007.10.001
Amato P, Doyle SM, Battista JR, & Christner BC. (2010) Implications of subzero metabolic activity on long-term microbial survival in terrestrial and extraterrestrial permafrost. Astrobiology, 10(8), 789-98. PMID: 21087159
- March 11, 2013
- 02:04 PM
- 202 views
Let’s Explore Quantum Computing
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
It’s fairly easy to surmise how quantum computing will evolve in the future if/when it becomes a reality. Devices that are currently based around a system of electronic circuits would eventually die off. Quantum devices would ultimately become the new standard in computing. While Peter Shor’s research showed how quantum algorithms would speed up advanced [...]... Read more »
Benningshof OW, Mohebbi HR, Taminiau IA, Miao GX, & Cory DG. (2013) Superconducting microstrip resonator for pulsed ESR of thin films. Journal of magnetic resonance (San Diego, Calif. : 1997), 84-87. PMID: 23454577
Petersson KD, McFaul LW, Schroer MD, Jung M, Taylor JM, Houck AA, & Petta JR. (2012) Circuit quantum electrodynamics with a spin qubit. Nature, 490(7420), 380-3. PMID: 23075988
- March 6, 2013
- 10:03 AM
- 209 views
Dead Sparrow Turned into Robot to Study Bird Behavior
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Researchers at Duke University recently took a major step toward better understanding how swamp sparrows use a combination of song and visual displays to communicate with one another. How they came about making this discovery, though, is what makes this story particularly newsworthy — they stuffed a deceased swamp sparrow with a miniature computer and some [...]... Read more »
Anderson, R., DuBois, A., Piech, D., Searcy, W., & Nowicki, S. (2013) Male response to an aggressive visual signal, the wing wave display, in swamp sparrows. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1478-9
- February 27, 2013
- 10:47 AM
- 191 views
Let’s Explore Flywheel Energy Storage Devices
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Flywheel energy storage devices could be looked at as a radical application of very traditional technology. They work by maintaining rotational energy by moving a flywheel. This same idea is used to keep a mechanical watch ticking. A majority of modern FES devices use electricity to put the flywheel in motion, but some researchers are [...]... Read more »
Zhang, C., & Tseng, K. (2007) A Novel Flywheel Energy Storage System With Partially-Self-Bearing Flywheel-Rotor. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 22(2), 477-487. DOI: 10.1109/TEC.2005.858088
MacIntosh BR, Rishaug P, & Svedahl K. (2003) Assessment of peak power and short-term work capacity. European journal of applied physiology, 88(6), 572-9. PMID: 12560957
- February 21, 2013
- 09:36 AM
- 238 views
The Sobering Reality of Orbital Weapons Platforms
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Space warfare is quickly becoming a reality. Though people might often imagine that wars fought in space would be against some sort of extraterrestrial power, this might not be the case. It’s far more likely than human beings will someday war with one another. As with every other major venture, international law is involved with [...]... Read more »
Klein, J. (2004) SPACE WARFARE: A MARITIME-INSPIRED SPACE STRATEGY. Astropolitics, 2(1), 33-61. DOI: 10.1080/14777620490444740
Maogoto, J., & Freeland, S. (2007) The Final Frontier: The Laws of Armed Conflict and Space Warfare. SSRN Electronic Journal. DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.1079376
- February 16, 2013
- 12:28 PM
- 253 views
Witch Persecutions and the Perils of Shadow Projection
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
The history of our race is highlighted by many bright peaks and shadowy valleys. We have seen lofty heights and despairing lows. Occasionally there have been black gulfs almost too horrible to contemplate. The Holocaust in Nazi Germany is assured a permanent place on this list. Another black splotch upon the tapestry of human history [...]... Read more »
Reeves, K. (2000) Racism and projection of the shadow. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 37(1), 80-88. DOI: 10.1037/h0087844
Woolf, A. (2000) Witchcraft or Mycotoxin? The Salem Witch Trials. Clinical Toxicology, 38(4), 457-460. DOI: 10.1081/CLT-100100958
- February 13, 2013
- 01:10 AM
- 113 views
Small Business Contributions to U.S. Space Exploration
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Many of you have likely been following the progression of the Mars Rover Curiosity in recent weeks. I’ve personally developed an interest in the types of tests that are being done on the red planet during the mission. This interest led me to think about the types of test equipment that is being utilized not [...]... Read more »
Archibald, R., & Finifter, D. (2003) Evaluating the NASA small business innovation research program: preliminary evidence of a trade-off between commercialization and basic research. Research Policy, 32(4), 605-619. DOI: 10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00046-X
- February 11, 2013
- 11:36 AM
- 164 views
Cell Circuits Remember Their History
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
MIT engineers have created genetic circuits in bacterial cells that not only perform logic functions, but also remember the results, which are encoded in the cell’s DNA and passed on for dozens of generations. The circuits, described in the Feb. 10 online edition of Nature Biotechnology (citation below), could be used as long-term environmental sensors, efficient controls [...]... Read more »
Siuti, P., Yazbek, J., & Lu, T. (2013) Synthetic circuits integrating logic and memory in living cells. Nature Biotechnology. DOI: 10.1038/nbt.2510
- February 11, 2013
- 09:50 AM
- 78 views
Integrating Learning Health Systems into Medical Education
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
The original concepts behind learning health systems (LHS) were meant to address myriad concerns within the field of Western medicine, ranging from the high cost of healthcare (and resulting need for clinicians to provide greater overall value of care to their patients) to the wasteful gap of time between scientific innovations and their implementation within [...]... Read more »
Etheredge, L. (2007) A Rapid-Learning Health System. Health Affairs, 26(2). DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.2.w107
Chou, A., Vaughn, T., McCoy, K., & Doebbeling, B. (2011) Implementation of evidence-based practices. Health Care Management Review, 36(1), 4-17. DOI: 10.1097/HMR.0b013e3181dc8233
- February 8, 2013
- 01:29 PM
- 251 views
What’s Killing Our Honey Bees – And What’s at Stake?
by Jason Carr in Wired Cosmos
Along with other pollinators (which include hoverflies, butterflies and moths), honey bees perform a crucial role in the production of one-third of all the food we eat. Honey bees alone pollinate roughly fourteen billion dollars’ worth of food crops annually. They comprise a necessary part of the living ecosystem, and we would be hard-pressed to [...]... Read more »
Ellis, J., Evans, J., & Pettis, J. (2010) Colony losses, managed colony population decline, and Colony Collapse Disorder in the United States. Journal of Apicultural Research, 49(1), 134-136. DOI: 10.3896/IBRA.1.49.1.30
Tokarz, R., Firth, C., Street, C., Cox-Foster, D., & Lipkin, W. (2011) Lack of Evidence for an Association between Iridovirus and Colony Collapse Disorder. PLoS ONE, 6(6). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021844
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