rbudnick's blog

There are many factors which could have contributed to the differences between the original and replicate figure. The clear difference in lighting could have multiple factors. The time of day could have been different, which would lead to differences in light color, intensity, and the direction of the rays on the plant in the pictures. If the replicate was taken later in the day or early in the morning, that could explain the low light intensity. Weather could also be causing these differences, as the original was taken on a day clear enough for the sun to brightly illuminate everything, the replicate could have been taken on an overcast day which limits light intensity. A difference in camera would also lead to the variation in light, color, focus, and quality of the two figures. A combination of these factors could have also been affecting the different outcomes of the photographs. Unspecific directions in the methods section could have led to different subjects being examined as in panels B, C, and D. Since there was no specifications of the angle the pictures should be taken at, or the distance from the subject this could account for the differences in those features. Not knowing they should have their fingers holding the branch, the individual doing the replicate would not have known to have their fingers included in panel C. If specification was not the problem, lack of thorough reading could have also resulted in the differences, especially when considering two different plants were photographed. 

There are many factors which could have contributed to the differences between the original and replicate figure. The clear difference in lighting could have multiple factors. The time of day could be different which would lead to differences in light color, intensity, and the direction of the rays on the plant in the pictures. If the replicate was taken later in the day or early in the morning, that could explain the low light intensity. Weather could also be causing these differences, as the original was taken on a day clear enough for the sun to brightly illuminate everything, the replicate could have been taken on an overcast day which limits light intensity. A difference in camera would also lead to the variation in light, color, focus, and quality of the two figures. A combination of these factors could have also been affecting the different outcomes of the photographs. Unspecific directions in the methods section could have led to different subjects being examined as in panels B, C, and D. Since there was no specifications of the angle the pictures should be taken at, or the distance from the subject this could account for the differences in those features.

Taking a nap when tired can really change your day and give you the energy to make it through. Napping has benefits and negatives varying on your age and the time (both of day and length) of the rest. A nap is considered any short amount of sleep taken during the day, whether it be 20 minutes or two hours. The varyation of time can drastically affect the sleeper however. In general, sleep specialists suggest a 10-20 minute nap is best as it can help remove excessive sleepiness, relax the body and mind, as well as give fewer negative consequences when compared to longer rests. The National Sleep Foundation suggests 30 minutes is the longest you should be napping for. The younger the individual, the less likely they are to have negative sideeffects of a longer nap. The sideeffects are usually limited to 24 hours after the nap and include grogginess, difficulty concentrating, and interrupted sleep when you finally settle down for the night. The grogginess, confusion, and difficulty concentrating are labeled as Sleep Inertia and happens when a person wakes up during their REM sleep cycle. In that point in sleep, melatonin is at its highest in the brain which is the neurotransmitter that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. Those symptoms are more likely to occurr and can be more severe the longer you nap for. 

Humans have affected the world around us in a multitude of ways including changing the environments of the planet, the creatures that inhabit it, and the biotic and abiotic factors we interact with. As humanity progresses, we further alter the world to our needs which can sometimes create problems of its own. Changes we make to the world around us can often have unforseen (or forseen but trivialized) consequences which may change the world forever. Despite human power and ingenuity, nature and its laws continue to persist. Humanity has had a close relationship with bacteria since the first human encountered its first bacteria. Up until the last century, bacteria and their related effects on the human body were a global threat killing millions with little resistance. It was only in recent history that the invention of antibiotics relieved the human race from the grip of harmful bacteria. The invention of antibiotics was an extremely important leap in medicine for humans and the animals we can give antibiotics too. They are used heavily in a variety of industries, which all contriburte to the process of natural selection. Antibiotic resistant bacteria have become a terror for doctors, researchers, and patients in the last few decades. Overuse of antibiotics has led to mutations for resistance becoming commonplace in some bacteria species. This threatens our modern medical system, as well as the lives of all humans exposed to these bacterias. These resistant bacteria cannot be killed by the most common antibiotics and even some which are used as a last resort. A few alarming strains have been appearing more and more in recent years, usually within the species of Salmonella typhi, Mycobacterium tubercluosis, Pseudomonias aeruginosa, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While not all of these bacteria lead to deadly diseases, antibiotic resistance in these strains make it nearly impossible to help relieve the symptoms of them, or help stop an individual from dying. However, we have not run out of options yet. One possibly alternative is to simply work on developing a new antibiotic which bacteria are not yet immune to. As the new antibiotic is administered and (hopefully) kills off the bacteria, the process of lowering antibiotic use can begin. This combined process would hopefully eliminate the possibility of resistance occurring, at least at such a high rate and across multiple species of bacteria. Of course, this process is not perfect, and could result in new resistances being developed and individuals not getting the antibiotics they truly need. There is still room for genetic changes to happen spontaneously and result in resistance, but by killing off the resistant bacteria there is hope that acquired AR in bacteria can be lowered, or at least controlled.  For now, this is the most effective method at our disposal. Until humanity can find a more longterm and effective way to fight the ever evolving bacteria, the genetic and scientific armsrace will continue. 

With the knowledge I gained in my botany class today, I returned home and was able to analyse the plants I keep in my room in a new light. I have a sunflower I cut from a plant kept in a small jar on the windowsill. Today in class, the professor explained to us the different types of infloresence in flowers. Infloresence is the structure and form that flowers take when they bloom on a flowering plant. Sunflowers are in the family Asteraceae which includes a very wide variety of flowers. These flowers present in the form of a captiulum which can be most closely compared to a dish. There are flowers along the outside which are usually sterile, and these are what are often presumed to be the only petals. However in the center of the flower, there are very small erect flowers arranged in the 'dish' known as disc flowers. These flowers produce the seeds for the plant, which is why sunflower seeds come from this dish-like area in the center of the flower. 

Humans have affected the world around us in innumerable ways. As humanity progresses, we further alter the world to our needs, which can sometimes create problems of its own. Despite human power and ingenuity, nature  and its laws continue to persist. Humanity has had a close relationship with bacteria since the first human encountered its first bacteria. It was only in recent history that the invention of antibiotics relieved the human race from the grip of harmful bacteria. The invention of antibiotics was an extremely important leap in medicine for humans and the animals we can give antibiotics too. They are used heavily in a variety of industries, which all contriburte to the process of natural selection. Antibiotic resistant bacteria have become a terror for doctors, researchers, and patients in the last few decades. Overuse of antibiotics has led to mutations for resistance becoming commonplace in some bacteria species. This threatens our modern medical system, as well as the lives of all humans exposed to these bacterias. These resistant bacteria cannot be killed by the most common antibiotics and even some which are used as a last resort. A few alarming strains have been appearing more and more in recent years, usually within the species of Salmonella typhi, Mycobacterium tubercluosis, Pseudomonias aeruginosa, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While not all of these bacteria lead to deadly diseases, antibiotic resistance in these strains make it nearly impossible to help relieve the symptoms of them, or help stop an individual from dying. However, we have not run out of options yet. One possibly alternative is to simply work on developing a new antibiotic which bacteria are not yet immune to. As the new antibiotic is administered and (hopefully) kills off the bacteria, the process of lowering antibiotic use can begin. This combined process would hopefully eliminate the possibility of resistance occurring, at least at such a high rate and across multiple species of bacteria. Of course, this process is not perfect, and could result in new resistances being developed and individuals not getting the antibiotics they truly need. There is still room for genetic changes to happen spontaneously and result in resistance, but by killing off the resistant bacteria there is hope that acquired AR in bacteria can be lowered, or at least controlled.  

Overuse of antibiotics has led to mutations for resistance becoming commonplace in some bacteria species. This threatens our modern medical system, as well as the lives of all humans exposed to these bacterias. These resistant bacteria cannot be killed by the most common antibiotics and even some which are used as a last resort. A few alarming strains have been appearing more and more in recent years, usually within the species of Salmonella typhi, Mycobacterium tubercluosis, Pseudomonias aeruginosa, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. While not all of these bacteria lead to deadly diseases, antibiotic resistance in these strains make it nearly impossible to help relieve the symptoms of them, or help stop an individual from dying. However, we have not run out of options yet. One possibly alternative is to simply work on developing a new antibiotic which bacteria are not yet immune to. As the new antibiotic is administered and (hopefully) kills off the bacteria, the process of lowering antibiotic use can begin. This combined process would hopefully eliminate the possibility of resistance occurring, at least at such a high rate and across multiple species of bacteria. Of course, this process is not perfect, and could result in new resistances being developed and individuals not getting the antibiotics they truly need. There is still room for genetic changes to happen spontaneously and result in resistance, but by killing off the resistant bacteria there is hope that acquired AR in bacteria can be lowered, or at least controlled.  

Goldenrods are members of the family  Asteraceae (asters) and are in the genus solidago. They are common plants in the local area, often growing on the edges of disturbed habitat such as roadsides and on the borders of agricultural fields and forests. They flower bright yellow from the end of summer into autumn and often occupy large areas of land, creating vast fields of shades of yellow, ranging from yellowish white to schoolbus yellow. Their stems are often hairy (pubescent) and have thin ellyptic leaves. Goldenrod leaves, especially  those from the Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima) are often used in teas as a decongestant. their bright flowers can be made into dye or paint. They are closely related to asters which as afformentioned share the same family with goldenrods. Asters present as daisy-like flowers usually white, yellowish, and a bright purple. Flower size can vary between aster species. They bloom around the same time as their close relatives the goldenrods. Asters are also used as a decongestant and have been used by herbalists and ancient peoples as a fever reducer. 

Bird banding is a process which birds are caught, processed, and recieve a band around their leg. The band has identification numbers on it which can be used to track the exact bird when it is recaptured or found dead. Birds are caught in a fine net called a mistnet, specifically designed for catching birds and bats. The bird flies into the net not seeing it's there, and tumbles down into a pouch like protrusion at the bottom of the net where they can be picked up out of easily. The bird is often evaluated and processed, taking measurements, checking for disease, or recording the number on the band if the bird already has one. Once these tasks are complete, the bird is released back into the same area it was caught in. This identification system is used across the world for a variety of reasons. Banding and tracking allows scientists to study not only the birds themselves, but their effect on the world around them. For example the spread of disease by birds can be tracked through the use of these bands. Dispersal of plants through seeds that the birds eat can be followed and mapped based on where they have been tagged.