How the Element Californium Could Change the World

By: Jessica Robertson

Californium (Cf) has not been thought to be one of the most glamorous elements of the periodic table, but that could soon be a different story thanks to a team of chemists at Florida State University. Their careful research has shown californium to have an uncanny ability to bond and separate other materials, all the while being highly resistant to any radiation damage. The lead researcher has called it “almost too good to be true,” and “wicked stuff,” after seeing the exciting qualities of the previously unimpressive element.

            The real-world application of such findings could entirely shift the scientific paradigm in the realm of nuclear chemistry. Storage containers built of californium could safely hold radioactive waste, while other californium based methods could be used to separate radioactive fuel, meaning the radioactive fuel could be recycled.

            Currently, the cost of californium is extremely high, but its promising ability to overcome the problem of nuclear waste in our world makes this research an entirely worthwhile pursuit. 

The Horror: Grinded Alive

By: Daniela Silva

Poultry industry kills millions of hatchings alive

The horror begins as young males are tossed, tumbled and thrown into a chute where they are ground and crushed alive, in one of the worlds largest egg-laying industries. In one sole industry, the one of the largest known in the world 150,000 hatchings a day face this unimaginably brutal and painful fate; equalling to over 22 million deaths a year.

The lives of the females begin with being whirled and tossed by their heads, followed by the snap of their sensitive beaks. The chicks are then shipped in packed tight boxes and shipped internationally.

This practice is not only limited one sole industry but it is practised worldwide as a standard in all egg industry businesses. Educated consumers can make a difference by protest and promotion to better provide the little yet significant lives humane treatment; becoming vegan should not be the only way one can make a difference.

The following video shows the whole process ** WARNING** this is graphic and may be very discomforting to many.

The Sweet Side of Dark Chocolate

By: Kate M. Serrano

For someone who is conscious about his or her weight, curves and diet, chocolate is something that’s ticked off the diet plan. But not all chocolates are created equal. If it is your weakness, indulging the right stuff is not only delicious; it also benefits your heart, skin and whole body. A recent research by the Louisiana State University revealed that certain bacteria in the stomach namely Bifidobacterium and lactic acid eat dark chocolate, ferment it and release anti-inflammatory compounds that benefit the heart.
 When these compounds are absorbed by the human body, they lessen the inflammation of cardiovascular tissue, decreases the chance of blood clot therefore reducing the long-term risk of stroke. People who have just the right amount of dark chocolate a day tend to have lower BMI than those who don’t. The researchers also found that eating solid fruits such as pomegranates and acai could gain even greater health benefits if they eat dark chocolate with it. Dark chocolate is also good for the skin. It contains antioxidants that can improve blood flow, promote a healthy glow, fight wrinkles and protect from sun damage. Aside from its awesome taste, it contains serotonin which acts as an anti-depressant, reduces stress hormones and boosts the release of dopamine, the “feel good” hormone. 
In effect, eating dark chocolate will make you feel happier. For all of its health benefits though, dark chocolate does contain a lot of calories and it does not replace prescribed medication so experts recommend sticking to no more than three ounces of the sweet stuff per day.

Towels, Social Pressure, and Responsibility

By: Jessica Robertson

Stay in any mainstream hotel and you will likely see a sign reminding guests to reuse towels. The signs usually add some information about the benefits of reducing towel usage, like lower hotel costs and conserved water and energy. But, do these signs really convey their message with any power resulting in a change?

A recent study in two hotels showed that signs having certain added information can impact the effectiveness of the message. In some rooms, the signs included the phrase, “75% of guests in this hotel reuse their towels” and another set of rooms added a phrase to the sign saying, “75% of guests in this room have reused towels.” The findings of the study showed that the guests who were told of the behavior of those who had stayed in their particular room before used 40% fewer towels than guests who were told about the behavior of all hotel guests as a whole.

People are social beings, and we like to be accepted. If people who we feel connected to have a certain conviction or act in a particular way, we are more likely to act in a way that makes us feel like we belong. The subtle pressure of relating one hotel guest to the previous guests of that certain room has a profound impact on behavior.

There is a lesson to be learned from this study; if we, as a society, uphold the good, like environmental responsibility, generosity, or compassion, others will be persuaded to act similarly. However, if we uphold selfishness, greed, or any other vice, we pressure others to follow the same. Be the change you want to see. 

Sleepy or sleepless

By: Kate M. Serrano
Do you have trouble staying alert when you are supposed to be awake and working? And do you have trouble sleeping when it’s time to rest? This is a common condition for those whose work schedule collides with their body's natural internal clock— you’re forced to try to sleep when you feel alert and work when you feel drowsy. It’s called shift work sleep disorder and people who work shifts are those most at risk. The symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, irritability, decreased alertness, and trouble concentrating and none of which will help win the Employee of the Month status.

Not all shift workers are affected though. Night owls adjust well to working at night and they get enough sleep during the day. And despite the toll that such shifts can take, somebody has to work them. Here are a few of the jobs that may put you at risk of shift work sleep disorder.

Factory Workers. To maximize productivity, the manufacturing industry relies on shift work for productivity and maximizing profit. Drowsy or tired workers can increase the risk of workplace injuries.

Nurses. In the goal of providing continuous care for patients, nurses work not only shifts but long hours too.

Senior Managers. Senior managers deal with stress all the time – overseeing the team, resolving financial issues, attending to clients. If you have a cranky boss, too little sleep could be the reason.

Airplane Pilots. They face irregular hours, long shifts and jet lags as they take on red eye flights and travel through multiple time zones. Because of this, there are strict guidelines to flight time and rest. Before completing a flight, pilots must have at least eight hours of uninterrupted rest.

Network Administrators. The Internet has created a new demand for shift workers. Network administrators are hired to ensure a 24/7 smooth operation on web-based services. The downside to this is that there are more sleep-deprived workers than in the past.

New Parents. Proven and tested as a sleep wrecker. When a newborn wakes up, it is rather difficult for parents to get sleep. A new mom may be sleeping seven hours at night but sleep is fragmented, irregular and not refreshing. Luckily, as the baby grows older, sleeping pattern improves too.

Experts recommend sticking to the same schedule even on days off or weekends when working shifts otherwise you’re more likely to feel fatigued, have lesser concentration or be more prone to accidents at work. There are strategies though to keep you alert – drink something with caffeine at the start of the shift, walk around during breaks. It also helps if you work with others instead of being alone. And when it’s time to go home and sleep, wear an eye mask or put the curtains down. You can also create a bedtime ritual like reading a book or taking a shower to signal your brain that it’s time to sleep.

Most people don’t have it so easy. Sleeping is a skill, rest is a necessity. Be savvy about the amount of sleep you get.

She Sells Seashells (and Energy?) by the Seashore

By: Jessica Robertson

The power of the ocean is undeniable. With new technology, that power could be harnessed in such a way that seashells and seafood won’t be our greatest export from the watery giant for much longer.

Renewable energy falls into the top-priority category among global sustainability issues; the more avenues we have for garnering clean, renewable energy, the better for our planet. The ocean is full of frighteningly powerful, high-energy water, and turning that power into electricity would be emission-free, and genius. Good thing the plans, though in their infancy, are underway!

Some of the biggest names in the energy industry are teaming up to turn these ideas into reality. Lockheed Martin, Scottish PowerRenewables, MeyGen, UC Berkeley, and the US Navy are just a few of the familiar names on these impressive projects. Five types of power-generating machines are under testing, either in the lab or in the open seas, currently.

Two of the projects, particularly, are standouts. The largest wave energy project, already in the water off the coasts of Australia, consists of special buoys anchored to the ocean floor; as waves roll, the buoy moves with the wave and the anchor stays intact, causing the tension to power a hydraulic pump. The energy moves through wires to the coast, where it is stored; one single buoy’s energy can power an astounding maximum of 10,000 homes. While that number is staggering, the most effective prototype, it seems, is known as the magic carpet. Intended to be placed off the coast of California, on the sea floor, the giant mats absorb the energy that is normally dissipated into the sand on the bottom of the ocean. Careful placement of the mats, avoiding coral reefs and other marine habitats, could also create “safe zones” to protect harbors during wild storms and prevent erosion due to their ability to absorb up to 90% of waves’ energy.  Just a one square-meter patch of the mat creates enough power for two homes. Open-ocean trials are scheduled to begin in April 2016.

One familiar approach, designed similarly to wind turbines, underwater turbines rely on the tidal pull of the water rather than waves, turning the arms of the machine and creating a steady source of energy. Water turbines, though, present a significant threat to marine life that may be hurt by the many moving mechanical parts; efforts are being made to prevent any collateral damage to the environment. Another proposal, called the Sea Serpent, is at work floating off the coasts of Scotland, where jointed segments flex along with the movement of the waves to power hydraulic pumps and store energy that is delivered to the shore by underwater cables.

All the models must be designed to survive the ferocious storms that the ocean can deliver, and the fifth model banks on its simplicity to survive. As the low profile machine floats atop the water, it funnels high-pressure water through a pump to shore, where the majority of the machinery remains to convert the water pressure into electricity. This design has already proven itself in its two-and-a-half-year lifetime working on the seas.

Each of the projects has its challenges, but the real vision of clean and renewable energy helps overcome the hurdles that arise with the advent of new technology. 

The Colorful Truth

Kate M. Serrano

It’s been said that humans eat with the eyes as much as with the mouth. This is certainly the reason why the vivid colors, shapes and bright packaging of food in the supermarket aisle can be so appealing that we buy them not because of the brand or quality but because of what we see in the packaging. But how much of these bright colors should be in food? 

Food dye is normally used for enhancement of color and improving food’s overall appearance. The issue on how much food color should be in food is a known fact. In Europe, regulations on labeling food containing artificial food dyes to inform consumers of the health risks are already in place. The United States have no such requirement yet every year food manufacturers pour 15 million pounds of artificial food dyes into U.S. foods. Some of the most commonly used food dyes may be linked to numerous forms of cancer, alongside hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reported that nine of the food dyes currently approved for use in the United States like Red #40 and Blue #2 are linked to health issues such as cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions. These were results from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself.

Our diet should include a range of food in vibrant colors. By color I mean those that are naturally rich in color such as red bell peppers, purple eggplants, blueberries, green beans. Their natural colors are reminders of the important nutrients they contain and these are the kind needed in our diet. It may just be high time to think twice about that rainbow-colored cereal or fluorescent blue juice. And have you taken your eyes off that pretty pink cupcake on the kitchen table too? 

Making Rice Sustainable

By: Jessica Robertson

Perhaps the most urgent of challenges arising from climate change is making agriculture sustainable. In coming years, edible resources will be more important than ever with the growing world population. One of the main staples worldwide is rice, and, at the 3^rd annual LEGATO Conference (Land-use Intensity and Ecological Engineering – Assessment Tools for Risks and Opportunities in Irrigated Rice Based Production Systems), questions were addressed regarding sustainability, productivity, and diversification in the Southeast Asia rice ecosystems.

            One of the most discussed subjects at this year’s conference was the use of silicon (Si) as an enhancement for rice plants, being able to strengthen the plants, improve their immunity to disease and ability to utilize fertilizers, and block the uptake of toxic metal. In case studies from the Philippines, where levels of Si in the soil are higher compared to soil in Vietnam, these beneficial characteristics were observed. Farmers who burn rice straw and apply the ash to the field typically find higher Si levels in their soil, while farmers who export the ash do not reap the benefits of silicon-rich soil. Educating farmers about the benefits of silicon and methods of introducing it to their crops could help increase the sustainability of the rice industry.

            The conference group also discussed topics like natural pest control, biodiversity, education in restoration of landscape biodiversity through entertainment, and the abuse of pesticides.

            However, one crucial topic that was not addressed at this year’s conference was water conservation. Water conservation is one challenge that remains higher in importance than sustainable agriculture in the face of today’s environmental issues. On average, it takes 2,500 liters of water to produce just 1 kilogram of rice. With rice being one of the world’s most popular staples, in order to increase its sustainability, the water use issue must be addressed. Hopefully, that will be one topic on the list for next year’s LEGATO conference. Until then, hopefully these proposed changes will be jumpstarting sustainability in the rice fields of the world. 

Loving Your Luscious Locks

Kate M. Serrano

 They say the hair is our crowning glory. Some conditions and medications does not only affect the body, they can cause serious damage on the hair too. How the hair looks says a lot about a person’s health. Here are some “hair issues” worth considering and some easy prevention steps.

Dandruff.  Doctors are not sure how we get it but a theory suggests that it may be due to an overgrowth of fungus, stress, weather conditions or obesity. Although the itching and flakes can be quite embarrassing, dandruff is not contagious. Anti-dandruff shampoos may be used to decrease the build-up of dandruff, and there is no right or wrong shampoo for this. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to see which one works best. If it doesn’t help, it’s time to consult your doctor.

Sun Damage. Too much exposure to the sun can make hair brittle, break and split easily. Worst, it can make it dry as a mop. Hair care products are to be chosen carefully especially for those with thinning hair. It is important to choose a shampoo that provides sunscreen protection. And for days when you need to be out in the sun for long, it doesn’t hurt to wear a hat or bring along an umbrella.

Crash Diets. In extreme cases, crash diets can cause hair damage. Hair needs a good dose of protein and vitamins to stay healthy and often times low calorie diets do not provide the sufficient nutrients it needs. If vitamin deficiency is high, this could result to hair loss. To help keep hair healthy and shiny, your hair food list should consist of salmon, walnuts, spinach, carrots, oysters, whole grains, vegetables and cashew. And the double whammy – anything that is good for the hair is also good for the heart.

Overstyling. You may look like Barbie popping out of a magazine but too much blow drying, ironing, coloring, bleaching and even over-brushing weakens hair. This makes hair dry and dull. It may not cause permanent damage but over-styling may lead to a point where your only option is to cut off your locks and start over.

Hair care may often be neglected in our effort to look good at all times but the formula is very simple. When it comes to hair, doing less leads to a healthier tress.

One Beautiful, but Unbalancing, Result of Climate Change

By: Jessica Robertson

Climate change is responsible for many environmental shifts that no one appreciates. With climate change still desperately needing addressing, one recently recorded shift is something we can all enjoy visually, but hopefully it skirts any negative effects on the surrounding wildlife.

            Scientists who track flower blooming patterns within the meadows of the Rocky Mountains have noticed a surprising pattern. As the climate changes, the season for blooms has lengthened by more than an entire month. Thirty-nine years ago, when records first began, the beautiful flowers would bloom beginning in late May and flower until early September. The newest studies are showing the first blooms in late April and the last blooms in late September.

            No one wants to complain about the extended presence of flowers, right? If that were the only facet of the story, we could all be happy. However, since climate change affects the millions of Rocky Mountain flowers with more complexity than first understood, some flowers are responding in unexpected ways.

            With the changes, the flower combinations that bloom together are different than they once were. It is expected that these shifts will affect the insects, birds, and animals that rely on the changing plant life. Take, for example, the hummingbird; every year, hummingbirds nest deliberately so that their eggs hatch when the flowers are at their peak bloom, meaning plenty of nourishing nectar for the growing baby birds. Now, with the blooming season spreading over a longer period of time but the same number of total flowers, peak bloom holds fewer flowers for hungry bugs and birds.

            This summer, the study will continue, finding valuable information on how these changes do affect the wildlife. One researcher plans to study the hummingbird population, particularly. Hopefully the findings will show we can appreciate the extended presence of flowers and not need to worry about unbalance in this ecosystem.