dfmiller's blog

Earthquake detection is no new technology. In fact, the first known seisometer was built in 132 CE by a Chinese astronomer by the name of Zhang Heng (1). However, simply detecting an earthquake is not enough to fully inform response teams, local leadership, and citizens. In real-time analysis of earthquake sequences, it is not currently possible to differentiate aftershocks from foreshocks-sequences that prelude larger events. However, Gulia and Wiemer have introduced a new technique that can differentiate these sequences in real time (2). This relys on data gathered from 58 other sequences, and testing these against one another (2). What results is a 95% confidence classification (2) that can help local leadership and first responders save lives.

(1) Rigg, J. (2019, August 8). The ancient earthquake detector that puzzled modern historians. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from https://www.engadget.com/2018/09/28/backlog-zhang-heng-seismoscope/?gucc....

(2) Gulia, L., & Wiemer, S. (2019). Real-time discrimination of earthquake foreshocks and aftershocks. Nature, 574(7777), 193–199. doi: 10.1038/s41586-019-1606-4

The human microbiome is a complex network of microorganisms that develop a symbiosis, both mutualistic and parasitic, with the human body in the digestive tract. Studies have been performed on the bacterial human microbiome, and its effects on human health. What has been less studied is the human mycobiome, or fungal microbiome. In recent studies, it has been observed that fungi can migrate from the gut interior to the pancreas. Additionally, in both humans and mice, those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cancers displayed a three thousand fold increase in fungi prevalence in those specific tissues than healthy subjects. This occurance of pathogenic fungi should be better understood, as well as its impact on human health.
 

(draft of METHODS abstract)

In this experiment, I identified an example of phytophagy, took photographs of the subject, and created a figure about the example. In doing so, I wrote out a set of methods describing how I created the figure. An observer took my methods, and subsequently created a replicate figure using the directions provided. Many differences are visible between the two figures, a result that can be attributed to lack of direction and specificity from the methods. Because of this lack of specificity, differences in camera angle and position, as well as figure formatting and organization are apparent.

(Work in progress paragraph from METHODS project)

Between the two pictures, the most evident difference is that these figures are describing two separate trees, located in completely separate areas. The order of the photos is different: all three photos (close, medium, far) are located in different quadrants in both figures. The map, however, is located in the correct quadrant in the replication. Secondly, the aspect ratio of the two figures is quite different. While the second figure was consistent in making a starting template of 1600x1200 pixels in the photo editor, they captured their images-presumably from a cellphone-in a portrait orientation. The result is unused space to both sides of the central figure. Also, a much thinner, longer arrow was used when pointing out information in the replicated figure. In terms of other graphical additions to the figure, the text in the top left of each image is of a different color, order, size, and font than the ones originally used. 

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the oxygen bound to hemoglobin within healthy red blood cells becomes replaced with CO. Because of this, the red blood cells are unable to engage in gas transfer with surrounding cells; which can therefore lend to organ and tissue damage. Carbon monoxide poisoning has traditionally been to treat patients with pure O₂. A new study however, has introduced a new candidate in CO poisoning treatment. Zazzerzon et al. exploited the ability of light to effectively unbind CO from hemoglobin in an extracorporeal apparatus (1). The use of this light treatment, Zazzerzon et al. saw a doubling in the CO removal rate in rats with healthy lungs when compared to treatment with oxygen alone, and a threefold increase in CO removal rate in rats with damaged lungs versus oxygen treatment (1). This treatment can be ideal for patient care, since carbon monoxide poisoning msut be dealt with swiftly in order to ensure decreased tissue damage. Implementing a treatment that filters out CO faster than existing methods is welcome news.

In metazoa, increases in morphological complexity usually correspond with increased modularity within early development regulation. This regulation corresponds to development genes, specifically hox genes. Hox genes have a history of duplication in multicellular life, both in whole genome duplications as well as tandem duplication of specific hox genes. These duplications allow for a modular structure of the body, with repeated parts that are individualized in each species. Examples of these indlude vertebrae, appendages, and even the modular nature of the limb itself.

In the agriculture industry, only a handful of companies own the rights of a few strains of genetically modified (GM) crops. This monopoly over the agriculture space results in abusive behavior, such as lawsuits for patent infringment when farmers re-use GM seed (Bowman v. Monsanto). However, with the advent of realtively inexpensive methods of gene editing, this monopolization could soon come to an end. The expensive process of utilizing agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants is being replaced by the reasonably priced, more percise method of CRISPR editing. Not only is this an economical and more accurate alternative, but CRISPR modification of crops will not necessarily require the GMO label on the final product-a label that bears a negative connotations in the eyes of consumers. Because of this, small agriculture companies and startups such as Inari in Boston, will soon be able to compete with the likes of Bayer Crop Science, who recently completed its aquisition of Monsanto. The addition of competition in such a centralized field is likely to spark innovation and reduce seed prices for farmers, two outcomes that are welcome news in the agricultural space.

Vaping has become a national talking point recently. Vaping-related illnesses seem to be appearing at an alarming rate, and subsequent legislative action has been taken by several states. New York, Michigan, and Rhode island have all banned the sale of flavored vaping products, while Massachusetts has flat out banned vaping products entirely. Is this a good choice of policy in the frame of public health then? Absolutely not. These state governments are able to take swift legislateive action against nicotene based products with unknown health side effects. What about substances with known health side effects, such as cigarettes that contain many known carcinogens? Cigarettes are still perfectly legal, and show no signs of becomming banned anytime soon. These legislative bodies, as well as the masses who fueled them with hysteria, are wholly responsible for endangering the lives of millions of smokers who could find an alternative in vaping. In addition, those who use vaping products will now have no other choice than to go back to cigarettes.
 

In the agriculture industry, only a handful of companies own the rights of a few strains of crops. This monopoly over the agriculture space results in abusive behavior from companies, threatening lawsuits against farmers and engaging in unethical conduct. However, with the advent of cheap alternatives to gene editing, this monopolization could soon come to an end. The expensive process of utilizing agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plants is being replaced by the cheaper, more percise method of CRISPR editing. Not only is this a cheaper and more accurate alternative, but CRISPR modification of crops will not necessarily require the GMO label on the final product-a label that many consumers shy away from. Because of this, small agriculture companies and startups, such as Inari in Boston, will soon be able to compete with the likes of Bayer, and make edited crops a more competitive business.