By Geoff Hunt, ASBMB Today
On April 24, comedian Mike Abdelsayed will lead a team of improv professionals from One Group Mind to put on “Nothing Academic: A Night of Science-Themed Improv” at The Comedy Clubhouse in Chicago. The improv comedy show, which is sponsored by the Public Outreach Committee of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, will present an example of science communication in action.
How do fish and other marine species find forever homes? How long do they remain drifters?
Adults spawn and release eggs that hatch into larvae that temporarily join the drifting communities of the open ocean, plankton. What happens from there is not easy to study–larvae are tiny; almost invisible, and the ocean is huge. In this talk you will learn about the unique strategies and characteristics that fish and invertebrates use to increase their odds of survival as they search for a coral reef. For example, baby lobsters hitch rides on and make meals of floating jellyfish, as they surf the current. Baby fish may stay together as a group by grunting, and many species can follow signals from the sun, stars, wind and waves to find the right home.
Continue reading “Tales From the Sea: How do Baby Fish and Other Marine Species Find Forever Homes?”
Since our conception as a species, humans have relied on plants for every aspect of our existence.
Plants provide us with shelter, food, medicine, and–given the increase of chocolate and champagne consumed this time of year–plants are often used “to set the mood.” From the age-old theory that the physical appearance of a plant signals the medicinal properties (think bananas) to the consequences of a world that was malnourished, learn why certain plants captured the imagination more than others. This presentation will also investigate the importance of plant biodiversity in our changing world: after all, variety is the spice of life, and we want to make sure there are plenty of plants in the forest! Just in time for Valentine’s Day…
Continue reading “Sexy Stems: Aphrodisiac Plants that Cause Love to Bloom”
Opening Day may seem far in the distant future, but that doesn’t stop us from counting down the days until pitchers and catchers report for the spring season, and for the official start of spring training.
But there is no better way to celebrate the Cubs’ World Series than taking a closer look at what happens on the ballfield: Why does Jon Lester’s curveball curve? How did David Ross handle all those fastballs? And what’s the quickest way for Dexter Fowler to run around the bases?
Continue reading “The Physics of Baseball: What Newton said to the Billygoat”
By Janet McMillan, C2ST volunteer and graduate student in chemistry at Northwestern University
A Challenging Climate for Our Energy Needs
As the world population grows and the developing world gets richer, the global demand for energy is projected to double by 2050.
The challenge we are all faced with, Dr. Maria Zuber lays out, is to develop rational, pragmatic and, importantly, accelerated energy solutions, all while considering the growing energy needs of the developing world. Dr. Zuber, a professor of geophysics at MIT and Chair of the National Science Board, is a prolific researcher and advocate for climate policy, quickly makes obvious both the seriousness and urgency of this challenge.
Continue reading “A Challenging Climate for our Energy Needs”
According to popular media, there seems to be a new cure/treatment/fad for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) every few months. But sadly, the number of patients keeps rising, as does the fear and desperation of family, friends, and those at risk.
Functional images of calcium release within a neuron from a normal brain (left), and from an AD brain (right). More calcium is indicated by redder colors.
Continue reading “Why in the World Haven’t We Cured Alzheimer’s by Now?”
