As the Universe Turns...
Yay! Ali is back!
In the show this week: A New Physics Theory Vindicates Justin, Do More Yoga, Being Sheeple, ADHD Discord, Barefoot Jogging, Green Slugs and Viral Me, Water Don't Burn, See Thru Fish, Save the Fish Save the Coral, and Much, Much More...
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A New Physics Theory?
Eric Verlinde may have given us a new way of looking at the universe and gravity: Maybe gravity is, in fact, an effect of information rather than a force itself! According to his theory, space and gravity are emergent through a holographic scenario. He published his calculations on archive.org, which means that they aren't yet peer reviewed. But, that doesn't mean it's not good food for thought.
New Years Resolution: Do More Yoga...
A study recently showed that regular yoga practice may actually live up to some of the claims of yogis. Yoga has been shown to lower levels of cytokine interleukin 6, an inflammatory protein, which might in turn decrease inflammation. This may provide a multitude of health benefits as we know inflammation plays a role in many diseases.
Vinegar Diet for Better Health...
Acetic Acid might be good for your health. Several studies suggest that it might help insulin control in diabetics and promote satiety.
What is Osteopenia?
NPR discovered that the company that produces a drug for osteopenia also designed the machine that scans for bone loss. The broad definition of osteopenia and the relationship between the drug company and the diagnosis equipment makes the necessity of the drug for this "disease" suspect.
Book Club - The Canon by Natalie Angier. Discuss this book at twisbookclub.ning.com:
The Neuroscience of ADHD...
Researchers are investigating what is going on inside the brains of kids with ADHD. They first showed them the letter V on a screen followed by a picture or an A followed by a sound. If you have a stimulus the frontal regions would tell the visual areas to pay attention and same with auditory. Kids with ADHD did not have the same brain processing in preparing for a stimulus. This is the first concrete electrical difference shown for kids with ADHD.
What Shoes to Wear Running: None...
A study shows that wearing running shoes is worse for your joints than running barefoot.
Slug or Plant?
The green sea slug, Elysia chlorotica, is the first plant animal combo. The slug feeds on algae, and in doing so also sucks up the algal photosynthesizing machinery, called chloroplasts. Then the slug stores the chloroplasts so that they still function. This allows the slug to go without feeding if it needs to because it can now get its energy from the sun.
8% of human genetic material comes from a virus...
... specifically, Bornaviruses, RNA viruses whose replication and transcription takes place in the nucleus. Some suspect this extra DNA may actually be a cause of some pyschiatric disorders. Bornaviruses infect only neurons and reside in the brain, but somehow became a part of our DNA.
Gardening Tip:Lots of people know not to water their lawn at the midday because the sun can hit the water droplets and focus the light to burn the plant. When this common knowledge was put to the test, scientists found that hairier plants are more likely to burn. The hair holds water droplets off the leaf surface allowing them to act like a lens.
See Through Goldfish
In Japan you can now purchase see through goldfish where you can see the internal organs. See through frogs are already available.
Let's Save Fish
Marine Reserves are highly important for allowing coral reefs to recover. The whole ecosystem is essential for the health of the coral. The parrot fish eats seaweed, basically weeding the coral reef and giving it space to thrive. More evidence that you must look at an ecosystem perspective in dealing with conservation.Be an Astronomer!
Amateur astronomers can collect data and observe epsilon aurigae.
Shout-outs to...
all the TWIS minions, but especially those of you who send us stories, have donated money, and who simply write us to keep us in line. You keep us going. You are the TWIS lifeblood. Thanks for everything.
Music this week was by Unbalanced Wheel, TMBG, Warp11, and The Gifted Apes. Buy it HERE.
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current science news posted by bob at 1/12/2010 11:18:00 AM