NationStates Jolt Archive

I ask this because I am to do a project (due January) on scientific research being done by scientists. I must interview the scientist doing the research and everything.

Basically, I ask NS General, what interesting scientific research is being conducted at this moment?

I don't nessecarily need links to anywhere (I have all the resources I need), but ideas are what I'm looking for.

Last month's Popular Science had a top 10, they called it the Brilliant 10.. across a whole range of fields.. epidemiology, robotics, physics, math, etc.

Edit: Oops.. heh. didn't see that you needed an interview.. not likely to happen with the guys I mentioned.

Time-reversed Acoustics.

I heard something about how the modern banana is going to become extinct.

well, my engineering electromagnetics lecturer is currently researching terrahertz radiation for use in imaging (similarly to x-rays)
the problem is that i live in australia, but you could probably find a source more local to you, try google or something

I ask this because I am to do a project (due January) on scientific research being done by scientists. I must interview the scientist doing the research and everything.
They’ve got you doing some hard shit out there in California, don’t they?

They’ve got you doing some hard shit out there in California, don’t they?
:D

I didn't want to give you the entire syllabus of what I need to do.

Basically a research paper (>11 pages) on >10 scientific articles about a specific scientific research that's been going on. And an interview with one of the scientists that published one of the scientific articles.

And uh, I hope I got that right. Because if I don't, I'll be really surprised during an all-nighter come January. ;)

Wish I could remember where I read it but a couple guys in Sweden are using stem cells to regrow skin for bad burn conditions. Sounds like if they get it right; you won't have to use skin grafts.....

I've read that they're testing the scientific validity of the "five second rule."

I've read that they're testing the scientific validity of the "five second rule."


Haha :D
That is excellent!

Well, not an experiment, but a conclusion.
I've deduced that relative to a stationary particle/wave of light, I'm moving at the speed of light!

Oh yeah, the scientific method is wrong. Data based conclusions rather than hypothesis based experimentations work better and more efficiently.

I've deduced that relative to a stationary particle/wave of light, I'm moving at the speed of light!A stationary real photon. Right.


Getting back to the topic of the thread, here's a web page set up by the guy who's in charge of the experiment I'm working on http://www.phys.hawaii.edu/~anita/web/index.htm.

I've read that they're testing the scientific validity of the "five second rule."
Commonly applied to dropped food, the "five-second rule" is a bit of conventional wisdom that mandates that it is permissible and indeed hygienic to eat food that has been dropped on the floor as long as five seconds have not elapsed from the time that it was dropped.

In 2003, the "five-second rule" was investigated by Jillian Clarke, a high school senior in Chicago. Clarke, who received an Ig Nobel Prize in 2004 for her efforts, swabbed floors at the University of Illinois and found them surprisingly clean of microbes. She therefore concluded that if a floor is clean, it is indeed safe to eat food that has been dropped on it after five seconds. Readers should be warned, however, that Clarke found that if a floor indeed contains microorganisms, food can be contaminated in five seconds or less.

Using a survey, Clarke discovered that 76 percent of women and 56 percent of men in America are familiar with the "five-second rule" and use it to justify picking up and eating treats from the floor. Her research also revealed that women are more likely to eat food that has been on the floor than men, and that cookies and candy are more likely to be picked up and eaten from the floor than cauliflower or broccoli.

Commonly applied to dropped food, <snip>
Ah, so they've finished researching it. Never mind, then. (But that was an interesting post, nonetheless.)

Wish I could remember where I read it but a couple guys in Sweden are using stem cells to regrow skin for bad burn conditions. Sounds like if they get it right; you won't have to use skin grafts.....

Bah. Widener is working on making artificial skin with collagen to do the same thing :P

The lab I work at is doing methanol fuel cells. We're doing it for spacecraft, but lots of people have been developing them for cars. GM, for example.

I could tell you about what we're working on, but then I'd have to kill you.

*Mission: Impossible music plays in the background*

I could tell you about what we're working on, but then I'd have to kill you.

*Mission: Impossible music plays in the background*
oh! oh! I know!

a half-life mod where Gordon Freeman's right leg gets ripped off shortly after the resonance cascade and he has to stay in a wheelchair for the rest of the game? Oh wow

that's wonderful

it's gonna be tough making enough puzzles that don't involve jumping or crouching, though

really, though, that's a revolutionary idea, and long overdue
congratulations for being the first to take on the challenge

a handicapped FPS protagonist

where do you come up with these great ideas? :)

I've read that they're testing the scientific validity of the "five second rule."
Dude, WTF, over? :confused:

This is my favorite current development.
http://fusionenergy.lanl.gov/Physics/Magnetized_Target_Fusion.htm

The idea that you can build a working fusion reactor without doing it the big-ass European and Japanese way is very sweet.

This project is miles ahead in the breakeven department compared to ITER. They might end up with a tabletop fusion reactor.

Blah, science sucks.

Blah, science sucks.

Nooo! *cries*

RNA interference (RNAi) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference) when used as gene therapy :).

Possible Nonexistence of Dark Matter (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/051010_dark_matter.html)

Nooo! *cries*

RNA interference (RNAi) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference) when used as gene therapy :).

Possible Nonexistence of Dark Matter (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/051010_dark_matter.html)

Oh, honey, surely you didn't take me seriously? I was kidding, of course! ;)

Oh, honey, surely you didn't take me seriously? I was kidding, of course! ;)

You better not be serious. ;)

Possible Nonexistence of Dark Matter (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/051010_dark_matter.html)

NOOOO it does exist! It was on the X-Files! :p

NOOOO it does exist! It was on the X-Files! :p

True that. You can even make it with egg phal and stella artois.

I ask this because I am to do a project (due January) on scientific research being done by scientists. I must interview the scientist doing the research and everything.

Since science is a rather international affair, you will probably wish to limit yourself to science done somewhere near you (though if your school is willing to finance it.. the keck telescopes on hawaii are always well worth a visit;))

In other words: check the local universities and research labs. Check what they do. Pick the thing you like most, find some more articles and arrange the interview :)

I heard they gave a little girl a fully articular robot arm to replace her lost one. (But for all i know its a lie from the devil, it came from a unreliable sorce)

Blah, science sucks.

shhhh, you're going to make the gnomes in your "magical typing box" angry! If you anger them, they'll make the image of "tubgirl" appear on your crystal ball monitor just as your boss passes by.

Hmm...anymore? This paper is a pretty long commitment...

I don't even know where to start looking for ideas.

Being the current events...person...I am, I wouldn't mind a study based on international affairs...but er, I don't know if they do that.

I actually am a scientist. Not doing anything all that interesting though. Everyday I try to unthaw more cells only to find out their dead. Maybe I can do something when I find a good batch.

I'm just excited their is a thread about science that doesn't involve evolution vs ID or global warming.

I actually am a scientist. Not doing anything all that interesting though. Everyday I try to unthaw more cells only to find out their dead. Maybe I can do something when I find a good batch.

I'm just excited their is a thread about science that doesn't involve evolution vs ID or global warming.
Knowing my luck, I'd be stuck with something along those lines.

Nooo! *cries*

RNA interference (RNAi) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_interference) when used as gene therapy :).

Possible Nonexistence of Dark Matter (http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/051010_dark_matter.html)

Yippee! A gene therapy reference. I'm specializing in gene therapy (though my research is just basic virology). The most exciting thing going on in gene therapy right now, in my opinion, is being done by a California company named Sangamo (not sure if I spelt that right). Most gene therapy just puts in a correct copy of the gene while leaving the incorrect copy in, but they are working on ways of directly fixing it. If I remember correctly they are using nucleases fused to zinc fingers to nick DNA at a specific location to stimulate homologous recombination with a template they provide. I know most probably won't understand all that scientific jargon, but take my word for it that it's pretty cool.

Knowing my luck, I'd be stuck with something along those lines.

Nah, just go to the website belonging to the nearest university to you. Look up their physics, biology, medicine departments (whatever you find most interesting) then click on the faculty pages. It will tell you all about their research. Then call up or email several that you find most interesting.

I actually am a scientist. Not doing anything all that interesting though. Everyday I try to unthaw more cells only to find out their dead. Maybe I can do something when I find a good batch.

I'm just excited their is a thread about science that doesn't involve evolution vs ID or global warming.

I tried to start one, but it didn't get much interest. The Evolution and Global Warming threads seem to attract more energetic debate, albeit one-sided in the data dept..

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=441390&highlight=Cool+Science

The Cool Science Thread (yes, I'm a gravedigger)

Maybe we could get them merged?

CERN (http://info.web.cern.ch/Press/PressReleases/Releases2005/PR08.05E.html) always does stuff...

Yippee! A gene therapy reference. I'm specializing in gene therapy (though my research is just basic virology). The most exciting thing going on in gene therapy right now, in my opinion, is being done by a California company named Sangamo (not sure if I spelt that right). Most gene therapy just puts in a correct copy of the gene while leaving the incorrect copy in, but they are working on ways of directly fixing it. If I remember correctly they are using nucleases fused to zinc fingers to nick DNA at a specific location to stimulate homologous recombination with a template they provide. I know most probably won't understand all that scientific jargon, but take my word for it that it's pretty cool.

It is fantastically cool! :) I'm in medical school at the moment (Neuroendocrinology) so I'm a total science nerd. (Especially interested, at the moment in neuroendocrine interactions with the immune system :) ) So the "scientific jargon" is not totally lost on me. Harvard is doing some similar research I believe (Engineering "designer" zinc fingers with novel DNA-binding specificities). Plus I read an article (I can't recall where) that talked about using "scid" (severe combined immune deficiency) mice to learn more about homologous (and non-homologous) recombination.

Hooray Google!! Here is the article, first link when I searched for it! (http://www.nature.com/emboj/journal/v19/n7/pdf/7592281a.pdf#search='stimulate%20homologous%20recombination%20with%20a%20template%20they%20provide')

I ask this because I am to do a project (due January) on scientific research being done by scientists. I must interview the scientist doing the research and everything.

Basically, I ask NS General, what interesting scientific research is being conducted at this moment?

I don't nessecarily need links to anywhere (I have all the resources I need), but ideas are what I'm looking for.

I think the scientific community is more concerned and being held back by this ridiculous intelligent design debate. I have seen relatively little focus on science since the damned movement picked up speed.

Its like people are getting dumber.

I think the scientific community is more concerned and being held back by this ridiculous intelligent design debate. I have seen relatively little focus on science since the damned movement picked up speed.

Its like people are getting dumber.

Oh, people are still doing science, but the general population is getting seperated further and further from it. The innovative spirit of the average joe is dissipating into dreams of day trading and winning on Survivor.

Oh, people are still doing science, but the general population is getting seperated further and further from it. The innovative spirit of the average joe is dissipating into dreams of day trading and winning on Survivor.

Let me rephrase then. I'm not saying scientist are getting dumber, just becoming more distracted from a ridiculous debate forced on the public by organized religion's zealots.

I did mean the general public is getting dumber in science though. You guys need to stop messing with the little stuff and get people inspired again by going to Mars and damned the human risks. People are willing to do it without being pampered. Just to be able to claim to say they were the first human to step on mars.

Or this nation or that was the first to have a genuine starship.

The scientific community needs to win over the nuts. One way is to discriminate against scientists with ID crackpot theories. (Not saying there is or isn't a god, but goddamnit the movement is becoming a cancer.)

Yeah. The frontier spirit is certainly lacking. Us Americans have gotten soft and decadent.

Let me rephrase then. I'm not saying scientist are getting dumber, just becoming more distracted from a ridiculous debate forced on the public by organized religion's zealots.

I did mean the general public is getting dumber in science though. You guys need to stop messing with the little stuff and get people inspired again by going to Mars and damned the human risks. People are willing to do it without being pampered. Just to be able to claim to say they were the first human to step on mars.

Or this nation or that was the first to have a genuine starship.

The scientific community needs to win over the nuts. One way is to discriminate against scientists with ID crackpot theories. (Not saying there is or isn't a god, but goddamnit the movement is becoming a cancer.)
I think a problem may be that you almost need to learn/understand alot of boring information/concepts in order to be able to understand the new developments.

Yeah. The frontier spirit is certainly lacking. Us Americans have gotten soft and decadent.
We kinda gave up when we looked up at the sky and realized we had 2 more miles to go.

apparently this is a popular one-http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/10/12/nregen12.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/10/12/ixhome.html

Nanotechnology!

Jeez, the potential here could send ripples through all other scientific fields! Engineering, medicine, exploration, everything!

Nanotechnology!

Jeez, the potential here could send ripples through all other scientific fields! Engineering, medicine, exploration, everything!
It has the potential to cheapen the manufacturing of everything.

It is fantastically cool! :) I'm in medical school at the moment (Neuroendocrinology) so I'm a total science nerd. (Especially interested, at the moment in neuroendocrine interactions with the immune system :) ) So the "scientific jargon" is not totally lost on me. Harvard is doing some similar research I believe (Engineering "designer" zinc fingers with novel DNA-binding specificities). Plus I read an article (I can't recall where) that talked about using "scid" (severe combined immune deficiency) mice to learn more about homologous (and non-homologous) recombination.

Hooray Google!! Here is the article, first link when I searched for it! (http://www.nature.com/emboj/journal/v19/n7/pdf/7592281a.pdf#search='stimulate%20homologous%20recombination%20with%20a%20template%20they%20provide')

I'm studying the immune reaction to mouse hepatitis virus. We have two MHV viruses that seem to elicit different responces. Its a neurotropic and heptatotropic virus. I'm in the gene therapy and vaccines program. So my courses are all about gene therapy and vaccines even though my research isn't dirrectly related.

Different new ways of creating Solar Power!

http://www.volker-quaschning.de/articles/fundamentals2/index_e.html

Oh, people are still doing science, but the general population is getting seperated further and further from it. The innovative spirit of the average joe is dissipating into dreams of day trading and winning on Survivor.

Part of the reason is that it's not information that is easy to explain unless the audience already has a PhD.

Try explaining gene chips, string theory, or turbulence modeling to the average person.

It's not that the average person is so stupid, or so uneducated - it's that the frontiers of science are so far ahead of everyone else.

If you don't dedicate yourself to learning a lifetime of background information, you're going to be hopelessly lost trying to intelligently discuss and understand certain topics.

I'm studying the immune reaction to mouse hepatitis virus. We have two MHV viruses that seem to elicit different responces. Its a neurotropic and heptatotropic virus. I'm in the gene therapy and vaccines program. So my courses are all about gene therapy and vaccines even though my research isn't dirrectly related.

The immune system is quite amazing! Its ability (and inability) to overcome certain diseases is fascinating. By conducting immune reaction research we'll be able to treat autoimmune diseases and graft rejection better then we can now. I think the whole draw of studying the immune system for me is that in autoimmune diseases, the immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect, quite sad really.

Gene therapy is going to provide us with a lot of answers as well, once all the kinks are worked out :). Problems with viral vectors and multigene disorders are slowing down gene therapy research, but hopefully with the proper funding (and public/government support) the furture of gene therapy will be a bright one.

I'm working on an effective treatment and management (party) programme for Ménière's disease which doesn't significantly increase hearing loss.

Long story short: it ain't happening anytime soon.

Here's news from Cairo, where Muslims ARE doing interesting research (don't give up hope on them yet, folks!)

Department of Andrology and Sexology, Cairo University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. rannone74@hotmail.com

OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of a sex education-integrated treatment program of men complaining of a short-sized penis. METHODS: This study included 92 patients presenting to our department in the past 2 years complaining of a small-sized penis. History, with particular stress on the duration of the complaint and sexual habits of the patients, was collected from all patients. All patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function short-form questionnaire. Also all patients were tutored by an andrologist on sex education. Penile length and girth were measured twice using a tape measure in both flaccid and fully stretched states. Every patient was informed that if his flaccid and stretched penis size was 4 cm and 7 cm or more, respectively, it was considered normal. RESULTS: All patients complained of a short penis in either the flaccid or erect state. Of the 92 patients, 66 (71.7%) complained of a short penis only in the flaccid state, and 26 (28.3%) complained of a short penis in both the flaccid and the erect state. None of the patients had erectile dysfunction. None of the patients had short penis according to our measurements. Almost all patients overestimated the normal penile size. Most men found the combination of sex education with standard penile measurements helpful and relieving. CONCLUSIONS: Men complaining of short penis could be treated using basic principles of sex education with objective methods of penile size evaluation. This combination can correct any previous sexual misconceptions, relieve unnecessary anxiety concerning penile size, and decrease the desire to undertake still-to-be verified lengthening procedures.