ADHD Linked to 5 Areas of the Brain

In this article, researchers unite together to obtain a better understanding of ADHD and where it affects areas of the human brain. Over 80 researchers joined together in this study led by Martine Hoogman who studied 1,713 people with ADHD and 1,529 others without it. Their research concluded that changes occurred in five different areas of the brain including: amygdala, caudate, putamen, accumbens, and hippocampus. These findings help the researchers understand the disorder more clearly because all of these areas play a key role in attention. In addition, the team concluded that damage to early brain development explains the differences in the sizes of these regions to those who have the disorder and to those who do not. The results from this test explain the symptoms of the disorder by pinpointing the areas that are different from people who do not have ADHD.

Researcher Jeffrey Halperin studies ADHD at Queens College in New York City. He praised the study for recruiting so many participants but stated, “Still, its findings won’t change the way that clinics treat people with ADHD today.” I think Halperin has a point. It must have been a very costly project to use MRI scannings for more than 3,000 people and it did not suggest a treatment, rather, just areas in the brain that are affected. However, I do believe this study helps people understand how to deal with the emotions that are attached to the disorder and people can learn how to deal with them better. I think that for the results yielded, it could have been done at a much smaller scale with less expenses.

Sachan, Dinsa. "Study Links ADHD To Five Brain Areas." Science News for Students. Society for Science and the Public, 05 Apr. 2017. Web. 14 June 2017. https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/study-links-adhd-five-brain-areas

The Blood of a Crab

   
      "The cost of crab blood has been quoted as high as $14,000 per quart." That's how much blood from a horseshoe crab can retail for. WHAT?! Their distinctive blue blood is used to detect dangerous Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli in injectable drugs such as insulin, implantable medical devices such as knee replacements, and hospital instruments such as scalpels and IVs. Components of this crab blood have a unique and invaluable talent for finding infection, and that has driven up an insatiable demand. Every year the medical testing industry catches a half-million horseshoe crabs to sample their blood.

      The main concern from the biomedical field is that the constant bleeding of these crabs may be endangering the species that has been around since the dinosaur age. Scientists bleed only 1/3 of their blood and then put them back into the ocean but do they really survive once in the water? How much blood do they need to live? These are the questions that the biomedical industry is putting millions of dollars into the research to come to the bottom of this.

Reference: Chesler, Caren. "The Blood of the Crab." Popular Mechanics. N.p., 05 May 2017. Web. 14 June 2017.

Crustacean Commination

Crustaceans are an enormous and diverse phylum with nearly 100,000 different species. Nearly 10,000 species of Crustaceans measure less than 4 millimeters but some grow to be 4 pounds. Crustaceans began their reign in the water, but, like many other species have done before, some Crustaceans have adapted to land and to other niches in the world.Crustaceans include lobsters, crayfish, krill, water fleas, crabs, and a wide variety of lesser-known organisms.

Though there is a great diversity among the Crustaceans, there is also a great diversity and danger in their threats. Crayfish, for example, are the second most endangered group of plants and animals in North America. Many species of shrimp and crabs are endangered due to overfishing and pollution. There are also some species of amphipods such as the federally endangered Noel's amphipod are affected by a very small range of living space that shrinks every year. According to the ICU, one third of all Crustaceans are endangered. This phylum that was formed 600 million years ago is shrinking due to human activities and a change needs to come to save these ancient crawlers.

N.a. "Crustaceans." WildEarth Guardians. Don Montgomery, n.d. Web. 15 June 2017.

Introduction to the Nematoda

This article, published by Berkeley University, is designed to give an overview of the phylum Nematoda and it does just that. It begins by explaining how massive nematodes are--not necessarily in physical size, but in number of species. There are an estimates one million species of Nematoda. Despite most of them being small, there is a species that grows to be thirteen meters long and feeds off of sperm whales. A portion of the article is about the history of the species, which, if you are not an expert or specifically interested in the subject, it easy to skim over. The remainder of the article talks about the body composition of the organisms and how they are unique. One of their most defining factors is that they are not made up of distinct cells, because their cells do not each have a cell membrane. All in all, the article is reliable because of its being publishes by a prestigious college, and achieves its goal of giving the basics of the phylum while keeping it interesting.

Reference:

Waggoner, Ben. "Introduction to the Nematoda." Introduction to the Nematoda. Berkeley University, n.d. Web. 14 June 2017.

Similar Methods of Capturing Prey in Organisms

Biologists at Heidelberg University uncovered an example of convergence in unicellular organisms: dinoflagellates and cnidarians. Assistant Professor Suat Özbek and Professor Thomas Holstein discovered that the two organisms developed similar miniature weapons for prey capture. The weapons are stinging capsules known nematocysts. The capsule forcefully ejects the spear-tipped tubule coiled inside, and penetrates their prey while simultaneously injecting paralysing poisons. However, after research, the biologists discovered that the two organisms don’t match up; they use entirely different genes and proteins to construct their weapons.

This study is interesting because it shows the similarities in methods of capturing prey in organisms, despite being genetically different. How/why did these organisms evolve to use this method? I wonder what other organisms have similar ways of getting their prey or warding off predators?

Heidelberg, University. (2017, June 9). Similar design, different genes: Miniature weapons in the animal kingdom. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 14, 2017 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170609103836.htm

Cnidaria on left, dinoflagellates on right:

The Emperor Scorpian

   
       The Emperor Scorpion can be found in Africa, including places like Benin, Ghana, Togo and many more. It lives in mainly tropical forests and savannas. The largest of scorpions, but not the longest, the emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) has a dark body ranging from dark blue/green through brown to black. The large pincers are blackish-red and have a granular texture.

       The Emperor Scorpion was added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) due to concerns over the level of international trade in the species, and the potential effects on its populations. The Emperor Scorpion's populations is being threatened for many years due to the rising of deforestation. 


Reference: "Emperor Scorpion Videos, Photos and Facts." Arkive. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 June 2017.

A boost for bees

       

         Earlier this year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service added another animal to the endangered species list, the rusty patched bumblebee. This was the first bee in the contiguous  U.S. to be added to the list. The bee was once found in 28 different states. By the 1990s their population had dropped around 90 percent. The bees face many threats such as loss of habitat and disease. The bees are being killed off in great numbers due to farmers spraying pesticides. Due to the bee being added to the endangered list, harming it or its habitat is now illegal.
        The rusty patches bumblebee is one of more than 4,000 bee species native to North America. Scientist estimate that nearly one quarter of all the bees in North America are in danger of becoming extinct. The Fish and Wildlife Service will work to develop a plan to help the bees population recover, which may include setting new rules on where pesticides can be used.

Reference:

      Bubar, Joe. "All Classroom Magazines." A Boost for Bees. Science World, 10 May 2017. Web. 14 June 2017.

Exercise Can Increase Insulin Production

New research shows that short training workouts, called functional high-intensity training, may improve beta-cell function and insulin production in adults with type 2 diabetes.  Beta cells in the pancreas produce, store and secrete insulin, which allows your body to use sugar for energy. These studies are the first to analyze beta-cell function in training, and they showed that the exercise programs increase cell function, liver function, and exercise capacity, all of which can help improve blood sugar levels and insulin production. 

Exercise has positive effects on the body, and now it is even more the case since it can help people with diabetes. This study shows some of the new developments researchers and scientists are making to help the body function properly. I wonder if this high intensity training can help with other diseases? If so, I think this discovery could be very beneficial to many people. 

Reference:

Fennell, D. (2017, June 13). Exercise improves insulin production in type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from: https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/blog/short-high-intensity-exercise-improves-insulin-production-type-2-diabetes/

You Can See the Living Heart of This 'Glass Frog'

This new species of tree frogs, named Hyalinobatrachium yaku, lives in Ecuador's Amazonian lowlands at elevations of between 980 to 1,150 feet. The frog has see-through skin on its underside, which is why it is often called the "Glass Frog." There are a lot of Hyalinobatrachium species, but this frogs distinctive vocalizations and dark-green spots on its head show that it is a new and different species. The frogs are arboreal and hard to find.

 I think it is very interesting that new species are always being discovered. This article showed me how the Earth is full of species that have yet to be discovered. Also, this article made me thing about what the advantages are for the frog to have clear skin. Why do these frogs have see-through skin? Does it help them blend into their surroundings?

Reference: Weisberger, Mindy. "You Can See the Living Heart of This 'Glass Frog'." LiveScience. Purch, 31 May 2017. Web. 13 June 2017. <https://www.livescience.com/59306-glass-frog-visible-heart.html>.

Amur Leopard: One of the World's Most Endangered Cats

Amur Leopards, who live in the Amur River basin of eastern Russia, have a wild population of about 40 individuals. There are many causes for their low population. First, most of the leopard's habitat has been lost due to logging and farming. Also, the Amur leopard is poached for its fur and habitat loss has made it easier to locate and kill the leopards, which has lowered their population even more. Another reason is that there has been less wild prey for the leopards to hunt, so they have to go to deer farms for food and are usually killed by farmers. The leopard's low population cause problems. For example, since there are so few individuals left in the wild, interbreeding is occurring. Inbred offspring are prone to health issues, which reduces the population's chance of survival.

While this is a difficult topic, I was excited to hear that many conservation efforts have taken place to help these leopards. For example, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has established anti-placing teams and programs to help save the leopards. Even though there are positive measures taking place, I am starting to think that it may be too late. Do you think the leopards can be saved from extinction?

Reference:

Bove, Jennifer. "Amur Leopard: One of the World's Most Endangered Cats."ThoughtCo. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 June 2017. <https://www.thoughtco.com/profile-of-the-endangered-amur-leopard-1182000>.