Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add colour to my sunset sky..' Rabindranath Tagore.
This is my blog.
A relatively capsulated collection of sights, sounds, thoughts,
ideas and pieces of knowledge that interest and inspire me.
and with every revolution comes a song
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Curiouser and curiouser..
The left image shows GABA inhibitory neurons (labeled green) in the brain’s reward pathway. The right panel shows electrical activity of GABA inhibitory neuron in a saline-injected or methamphetamine (METH)-injected mouse. Activation of the GABA type B receptor normally silences electrical activity, but has no effect in a mouse 24 hours after a single injection of methamphetamine Credit: Courtesy of Kelly Tan and Claire Padgett, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
…Scientists are trying to better understand the brain’s response topsychoactive drugs in hopes of finding new ways to prevent and treat addiction. This research has become especially important as the number of deaths due to drug abuse now exceeds those due to car accidents, with more than 37,000 people dying from drugs in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Slesinger and Christian Lüscher, a long-time collaborator at the University of Geneva, have been investigating thecellular changes in the brain that occur with drug abuse.
“It was stunning to discover that one exposure to these drugs could promote such a strong response that lasts well after the drug has left the body,” says Paul Slesinger, an associate professor in the Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology. “We believe this could be the brain’s immediate response to counteract the stimulation of these drugs.”
“This particular pathway — involving a GABA type B receptor and a particular type of potassium channel — was affected by psychostimulants in these inhibitory neurons,” Slesinger says. “We noticed a dramatic reduction in the strength of this signaling pathway, which we showed was due to a decrease in the activity of the GABAB receptor and the potassium channel on the neuron’s membrane surface.”
Nanopore DNA Sequencing
Does that mean anything to you? It should. People who know me know that I am prone to hyperbole (e.g. “This is the best freakin’ sandwich I have ever had, like, in history”), but believe me when I say that This. Changes. Everything.
Critics of genomics (even Craig Venter, “Mr. Genome” himself) have lamented the fact that sequencing our genome has not resulted in discovering the genetic basis of every disease. We have learned that human biology is orders of magnitude more complicated, redundant and networked than we ever imagined. But many people (including me) believe that we will only learn what we need to by sequencing more genomes.
Technologies like Oxford Nanopore’s, should they live up to their promises (or even half their promises), will make genome sequencing so cheap and so fast, that we will no longer be limited by how much genetic data we can assemble, only what we can process.
We will have to make sure that this doesn’t get applied to medicine all willy-nilly (true personalized medicine is still far-off), and watching for genomic snake oil hucksters will fall on all of our shoulders (they should be tarred, and then feathered). Kids: study that computer science. We’re gonna have a LOT of data to analyze.
I MEAN SERIOUSLY! THEY MADE A GENOME SEQUENCER THE SIZE OF A USB DRIVE THAT COSTS LESS THAN $1,000!! I’M LOSING MY MIND HERE!
Previously: Genome sequencing facts
(via Oxford Nanopore on Vimeo, for more check out Nature News)
This is so so cool, it could totally revolutionise and enhance genomics, wow. A genome sequencer that you could fit in your pocket no less, twice as awesome! #ilovegenetics
Electrolux Design Lab 2011 Finalists Offer Smart Domestic Appliance Solutions
Eight Electrolux Design Lab finalists offer Intelligent Mobility solutions.
The ninth edition of the annual Electrolux Design Lab competition challenged industrial design students to consider Intelligent Mobility within home appliances.
More on the eight finalists can be seen below:
1: Robo TAP Cleaner
Country: South Korea
Designer: Gyu Ha Choi
School: Handong Global University
The Robo TAP is a smart evolution of the robotic vacuum cleaner used to target an exact area for cleaning. An IPS system aligned with a simple remote control is attached to the shoe or slipper of the user. Two taps on a dirty spot directs the Robo TAP to the precise area for cleaning. Two more taps will cancel the order and three taps returns the vacuum cleaner to its automatic programme. Now you can dance your way to a clean home!
2: Mobile Induction Heat Plate
Country: Finland
Designer: Tommi Moilanen
School: Aalto University School of Art and Design
This smart induction hot plate is a compact solution for those on the go. Place the heat plate wherever you want and pair it with your smart-phone to gain a child safe remote control. The smart-phone app is designed to be used with intelligent food packaging where NFC-tags provide instructions on how to heat the food properly. The smart-phone app also comes with a memory that intuitively remembers how you previously cooked. The induction plate is a glossy black and white design with a wooden handle that makes it easy to carry and store and can be hung on a wall when charging the battery. This heating plate is hot in every sense!
3: Onda Portable Microwave
Country: USA
Designer: Matthew Schwartz
School: California State University Long Beach
The Onda portable microwave oven is a very clever twist on an appliance that was first introduced to homes in 1955. Pre-prepared meals are placed in compatible food packages and warmed with microwaves. Specifically, the Onda is slid on to the packaging and the aluminum contained within the interior of the handheld device creates a circuit connection when the seal of the packaging is broken. Paper batteries are used to produce energy, making the Onda both smart and eco-friendly. The Onda also comes in a range of different colors for personal preference.
4: Portable Spot Cleaner
Country: Slovakia
Designer: Adrian Mankovecky
School: Academy of Fine Arts and Design Bratislava
Whether you’re a back packer or a business traveler you will love this small portable cleaner Separate the two components, place on either side of the garment and choose the suitable cleaning program. Negative Ions and steam refresh clothing and remove stains. Powered with a sugar crystal battery, you can use it practically anywhere in the world.
5: Ribbon
Country: Australia
Designer: Enzo Kocak
School: Monash University
The Ribbon is a multi-purpose heater and cooler for portable use. Its unique shape and flexibility allows for wrapping around a vessel containing food or drink for heating or chilling. The black side provides heat, whereas the white cools. You can curl it up, take it with you, fold out and even puzzle together to use as a hotplate. Controls placed on the side facilitate easy use. The chargeable thermoelectric cell battery can also reverse the charging process – whilst not in use the cells convert excess heat back in to electricity.
6: Salvé Bagel Toaster
Country: Canada
Designer: Kent Madden
School: Carleton University
This portable bagel toaster is especially convenient for those who can’t find time to eat breakfast. Place a bagel in the toaster and it will automatically start rotating. When happy with the color of the freshly toasted bagel, simply remove and enjoy. The toaster is very energy efficient being run on sugar crystal batteries or recharged on a ceramic dock using induction. Now there are no excuses for missing the most important meal of the day!
7: Smoobo Blender
Country: New Zealand
Designer: Roseanne de Bruin
School: Massey University
The Smoobo blender is enjoyable and easy to use. Simply open the blender, put the ingredients inside and bounce. Each bounce activates the kinetic batteries, which in turn power the rotary blades to create a perfectly blended smoothie that can be enjoyed by opening the pouring cap. The Smoobo’s nodular exterior makes bouncing unpredictably fun!
8: Sous-vide Cell Cooker
Country: Hungary
Designer: Adam Miklosi
School: University of West Hungary – Institute of Applied Arts
The Sous-vide Cell Cooker is inspired by the professional trend of slow food cooking. The Sous-vide helps you cook delicious healthy food at pre-indicated times. Personalised internet and smart-phone software helps you plan your food menu a week ahead (saving time) and aids you in buying the necessary ingredients. Ingredients are sealed in airtight plastic bags and held within a water bath (72 hours is not unusual as a cooking time)—at an accurately determined temperature and much lower than normally used for cooking, typically around 60 °C or 140 °F. The intention is to maintain the integrity of ingredients and achieve very precise control of cooking.
Info taken from Electroluxdesignlab.com
Wool area rug displays your DNA
From DNA 11 comes the ultimate in personalized home decor: A hand-tufted New Zealand wool rug that proudly displays your DNA profile … or kiss mark or fingerprint, if you’d prefer.
Why women choose motherhood over science, maths careers
Researchers point to outdated university policies that in effect penalize women who want to have children.
![6 everyday things seen really close up: Snowflake ‘Snowflakes are formed high in the atmosphere when supercooled water droplets form around microscopic impurities like dust. Once the initial ice crystal forms, the rest of the flake quickly blossoms from the center, pulling more vapor from the cloud to construct delicate and intricate arms, spindles and fingers. The structure of the final flake mainly depends on the temperature and humidity in the surrounding air. Snowflakes were first put under the microscope in the 1880s and have been photographed here beautifully by a scanning electron microscope.’ [Image: Wikimedia Commons.]](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzpw3e0blr1qba0o1o1_1280.jpg)
6 everyday things seen really close up: Snowflake
‘Snowflakes are formed high in the atmosphere when supercooled water droplets form around microscopic impurities like dust. Once the initial ice crystal forms, the rest of the flake quickly blossoms from the center, pulling more vapor from the cloud to construct delicate and intricate arms, spindles and fingers. The structure of the final flake mainly depends on the temperature and humidity in the surrounding air. Snowflakes were first put under the microscope in the 1880s and have been photographed here beautifully by a scanning electron microscope.’
[Image: Wikimedia Commons.]
(Source: mnn.com)
Ammonite Washbasin
Let us all take a moment to admire the beauty and amazingness that is the ammonite washbasin. I sure know what’s next on the installation list!
A rare natural phenomenon turns one of Austria’s most beautiful hiking trails into a 10 meter-deep lake, for half the year.
Located at the foot of the Hochschwab Mountains, in Tragoess, Styria, Green Lake is one of the most bizarre natural phenomena in the world. During the cold winter months, this place is almost completely dry, and used as a country park where hikers love to come and spend some time away from urban chaos. But as soon as temperatures rise, the snow and ice covering the mountaintops begin to melt, and the water pours down, filling the basin below with crystal-clear water.
Water levels go from one-two meters at most, to over 10 meters, in the early summer. The waters of Green Lake are highest in June, when this extraordinary place is invaded by divers, curious to see what a mountain park looks like underwater. Fish swimming over wooden benches, a grass-covered bottom, trees, roads, and even bridges create a surreal setting that feels like it belongs on dry ground. That’s because for half of the year, that’s exactly where it’s at.
Why does Adele make us cry?
Adele’s voice is known for its chill-inducing highs and lows. But why exactly, does Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ make us cry? It’s all about the dissonance, apparently. The Wall Street Journal’s Michaeleen Doucleff breaks down the science of Adele’s chill-inducing…
(Source: news.discovery.com)
