Great News, 19 November 2010

My sincere apologies for the missed posting last week. I don't know what happened exactly. To make up for it, here is some really exciting (some may say GREAT) news for you:

1. An exoplanet (a planet that orbits another star) was discovered, and it is from a DIFFERENT GALAXY: Found: An Exoplanet From Another Galaxy
2. Microbiology is cool, just ask researchers from Integrated Ocean Drilling Programme. They found bacteria capable of surviving in the most extreme environments in the deepest part of the earth's crust: Life Found in the Deepest, Unexplored Layer of the Earth’s Crust
3. Who doesn't love a good square dance? How about square dancing fun with an educational element? Here is some Friday fun for you.
4. How could I end the week without at least mentioning the royal engagement? Yahoo.

Now go have a great weekend.

Great News, 05 November 2010

Where does a whole week go? I swear when I got to my desk this morning that it was Wednesday. Now that I am back from our traditional Friday lunch, I have realized that I am a couple days short of a week. Here is great some news for the week:

1. So, this isn't exactly Great News, but the final mission of the Space Shuttle Discovery has been postponed until November 30th (the launch was delayed because of a leak in the hydrogen tank). This mission will be taking the Robonaut 2 into orbit:  http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/discovery_final_flight.html
2. Is it even possible? In an article published this week in Nature, scientists at Laval University have discovered that they can immunize bacteria, essentially preventing them from building resistance to antibiotics: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/11/05/antibiotic-resistance-bacteria.html
3. Using a new drug-engineering technology used at Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute, researchers have developed a nanobioconjugate to treat a notoriously difficult form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma multiforme: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-11/cmc-ch110410.php.

Have a terrific weekend everyone, and as always - let me know what's on your mind. 

I am a Scientist

Researchers develop a device for plants to send text messages.

Upon first glance of this article, my usual inner rage over useless studies/research began to build.
First thought - if you are too stupid to not water your plants, then you shouldn't have them.
Second thought - instead of paying $99 for a device to remind me to water, I could just buy new plants. Or better yet, silk ones.

And then I watched the video...
The rage was soon replaced with hysterical laughter.
Hearing what sounds like either a possessed leprachaun or a drunken bloke named Angus MacGregor translate the plants needs for me was hilarious!

I would definitely consider buying this device, but for entertainment purposes only. Imagine the fun you could have! A couple of possiblities:
-Scaring your children into doing whatever you say.
-Convincing dumb people that your plants really talk.
-Even better, convincing them to talk back to the plants.

I am still a scientist. A scientist with a sense of humor.

I am a Scientist

Well, here we go again. New university study shows that heterosexual male students are more comfortable kissing their male friends than ever before.

Hmm...

first thought - time and money well spent.

second thought - is hanging out in a club "researching" who is kissing who really research?

third thought - if it is really research, then I'm in.

And once again, I declare myself a scientist

Great News, 29 Oct 2010

Another week has passed and here is some great news for anyone who is looking!

1. Sir Charles Branson has completed another step in our ever closer commercial flights to space! The three km runway has been completed in New Mexico: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11611630
2. Well - once again, it all comes down to math. Engineers at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, has come up with a computer model to look at growing massive pumpkins (math rocks!): http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/10/big-pumpkin-physics/
3. A new baby gorilla was born at the London Zoo! Soo cute. New Scientist TV: Everyone's going bananas over baby gorilla

Have a spooky weekend!

Great News, 22 October 2010

Friday again!! And it is a big celebration weekend at our house - the Boy just turned one and we are having a houseful of guests to help celebrate. On that note, here is some great news from my corner of the world:

1. Rest easy fellow working moms! A new study shows that our guilt about being at work is unfounded: Working Moms' Kids Turn Out Fine, 50 Years of Research Says
2. A small study conducted in France shows that Glivec, a Novartis product used to treat Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is effective up to two years after treatment has been discontinued: Read the article from Reuters here. 
3. Finally, a team of chemists/dancers from Carleton University won the Science equivalent to "So You Think You Can Dance". HA HA. the video is definitely worth the time: CBC News - Arts - Carleton team wins Dance Their PhD contest

Have a great weekend everyone!

Great News, 15 October 2010

Another week has come and gone and I am thrilled about the way this week turned out.

1. I am not even going to put a link to this one, but the rescue of 33 miners in Chile will probably be the defining good news story of 2010.
2. I think now is a good time to remember some captivating rescues from the past (in no particular order):
1. Hudson River Landing of US Airways flight 1549 by Captain Sullenberger, 16 January 2009
2. Baby Jessica being rescued from an abandoned well after 59 hours, October 1987 
3. 13 April 1970, Apollo 13 crew fought to survive after an oxygen tank exploded. 
3. Share Happy is a vending machine for the digital age, so says the inventors. Smile into the camera and receive free ice cream. That's right, I said FREE ICE CREAM. I couldn't help but smile as I watched the video: http://www.sapient.com/en-us/sapientnitro/work.html#/?project=157.

Have an excellent weekend. 

Great News 08 October 2010

It has been a really great week for me, and here are just a few things that might make your week that much better:

1. A new language in the remote northern region of India was documented this week. The language is called Koro: CBC News - Technology & Science - Hidden language found in India
2. The Nobel Prizes have been awarded this week, which is always so amazing to me: http://nobelprize.org/index.html
3. I am currently reading a book called, "Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings", by Christopher Moore (a pretty entertaining novel, if you want to know), and so found this website endlessly entertaining. You can listen to the deep sea and hear 26 different whale and dolphin songs (be patient): http://listentothedeep.net/

Have a great (Canadian) Thanksgiving weekend everyone!

Turkeys and Other Stuffing

Working in the sciences is a very fulfilling career, but the short term rewards tend to be small. If my bacteria grows well and is not contaminated I am content. There is no whooting or removing of the sterile gloves, washing hands and leaving the lab to high five my peers. I can not imagine how the researchers felt when they discovered not one but two new mammals. (not to mention the many other species) see link:

http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2010/10/06/tech-papua-new-guinea-species.html

It’s a good thing I work in a lab and not in the rain forest canopy as I would have fallen out of my perch.

Great News, 01 October 2010

Well my friends it is Friday once again, and here is the good news as I see it...

1. The Uganda Wildlife Authority has seen an increase in wildlife after 10 years of increased monitoring and cracking down on poaching in the country: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11412091
2. Astronomers have found a planet that is 3 times the mass of earth that may have liquid water on it! Very cool (thanks Gord): Newly discovered planet may be first truly habitable exoplanet
3. On this day in history... Canada's first woman mayor took office in Ottawa in 1951. Her first official order of business was to welcome Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip: http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/10/01/

Have a great weekend. 

Great news, 24 September 2010

I have to admit that this was a bit of a slow week for me, but here is some great news to take with you into the weekend:

1. Scientists have located the off switch in our brains (for sleep that is), this is great news for insomniacs and it all comes down to ATP: U.S. scientist finds the sleep switch in our brain.
2. Todd Reichert from the University of Toronto built a human-powered flying machine based on drawing from Leonardo daVinci; watch the video - it is cool: Human-powered flying machine makes history, says Toronto university.
3. And here is a video of baby seahorses that were born at the London Zoo's aquarium:  Short Sharp Science: What's not to love about baby seahorses?

Have a great weekend.

Terry Fox and his amazing Marathon of Hope

I know that I am going to scoop someone about this, but I feel like this is important.

Terry Fox, for people of a certain age, embodies the belief that one person can make a difference; that one person with a clear goal and defined vision – no matter how lofty or unrealistic it seems to the rest of the world – can do whatever you put your mind to. 


And he also embodies the frailties of the human body and how even when you believe in a thing bigger than yourself, it sometimes becomes something completely different.


If you had survived your battle with cancer, I think you would have been overwhelmed at the difference you have made not only here in Canada, but around the world. I think you would be proud of what you started. 

Here is to 30 years of running the Marathon of Hope. Here is to envisioning a different world, where we conquer cancer.

Believe and make a difference.

And now a few of my favourite words from the man himself: “I'm not a dreamer, and I'm not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to.”

Great News, 17 Sep 2010

Great News Friday, September 17, 2010:
Hold on to your hats, this has been a great week:

1. I may not have to become an astronaut after all! Starting in 2015, I might be one of the lucky ones: Boeing: Boeing and Space Adventures to Offer Commercial Spaceflight Opportunities.
2. Well yahoo for the ATLAS team at CERN and their work with the Large Hadron Collider: Quark excitement: LHC surpasses rivals for first time - physics-math - 14 September 2010 - New Scientist
3. This is just really cool, NASA is looking at technology for launching a wedge-shaped aircraft horizontally: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/features/horizontallaunch.html.

Enjoy your weekend!

You know what really grinds my gears.....

1. When newspapers spell bacterial names wrong. Come on, I used to lose 5% on tests and papers if I misspelled them. Seriously, Google it, it takes seconds.
2. The term ‘bugs’ when referring to bacteria. Bugs are things that are creepy and crawly, they are not microscopic organisms. Call them bacteria or even germs, you just sound cooler.
3. When yogurt manufacturers make up cool names for their cool new ‘probiotics’. Really, is that necessary? First of all it’s yogurt, it already has probiotics in it, it’s what makes it yogurt and these bacteria all ready have cool names as it is.
4. I also dislike the word ‘superbug’ when referring to MRSA or VRE for example. Really, these are not some super scary creepy crawling things; they are drug-resistant bacteria. In most cases it’s not even the ‘bug’ that’s super; it’s the drug resistant gene the bacteria has acquired.
5. When the general public believes what celebrities have to say over scientific evidence. Seriously if you are going to believe a former Playboy model but not someone with a Ph.D, then you have some serious issues.

Friday, September 10, 2010

It's Friday and time for some Great News:

1. Move that body, baby. Seriously, and nod your head. Check out the videos, mostly because they made me giggle: These Dance Moves Are Irresistible - ScienceNOW
2. What did your mom always tell you? Well, turns out she was wrong. Kind of: Money can buy you happiness – up to a point - life - 07 September 2010 - New Scientist
3. Superbugs be gone: Locust brains could thwart superbug plagues - health - 06 September 2010 - New Scientist

Happy Friday everyone!

I am a Scientist

Even though I work in a science related industry, I have never claimed to be a scientist and/or researcher, until today. I happened upon this article about a new study declaring that magic mushrooms may indeed lower anxiety and depression in late stage cancer patients.

WOW, that is exciting news! Do we really need to spend money on studies to prove something that we already know? Of course taking magic mushrooms or marijuana will make you feel all warm and fuzzy. I know this from participating in a study myself, a study called “being a teenager”.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for scientific research and studies that discover different ways to treat diseases or ease symptoms. But c’mon people, let’s come up with something new!

Today I declare myself a research scientist and I propose this study.

“Does Vacationing on a Tropical Island Without Whiny Children or Nagging Husbands Decrease Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Women?”

Hmm….

Magic mushrooms may ease anxiety of cancer: Study

Things That We Like

One of my team mates introduced me to a blog on the internet. I haven’t been the same since. In fact I laughed so hard and so long that when I looked into the mirror my face was frozen in a laugh. Not the beautiful Julia Roberts looking laugh either. Oh no, this was a kind of sick animation laugh where it is more horrifying than funny.

Anyway, enjoy Hyperbole and a Half and let me know what you think.

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

More Good Avian-Flu News!

Ok, I don't know what this all means, or if it means that I am just watching out for Bird-Flu stories, but there is more good news!


During the last avian flu outbreak, the bottleneck for producing Tamiflu was a shortage of star anise (which contains a precursor required for the production of Tamiflu). Researchers have found that pine and spruce needles contain the same precursor and that it is easily extracted.


Reference: L. N. Gedivinne et al. Foliage extracts of conifers as potential sources for isolation of shikimic and quinic acids, precursors to Tamiflu. American Chemical Society fall meeting, Boston, August 26, 2010.

Great News, 03 September 2010

...and now for some great news. 

1. Chris Hadfield was assigned to an expedition to the International Space Station, and will be the first Canadian to command a spaceship when he becomes Commander of the International Space Station in March 2013.
2. Muscles remember! After my hiatus from the gym, it won't take long for this old body to get back into it's pre... well - pre-everything shape. 
3. Oh Canada! Leave it to us to even think of trying to build a car from cannabis. I am sure that you can use that plant for something else... 

Yay, I love Fridays. 

In my next life

I have a list of things that I will do in my next life. Not a Bucket List really, just a little list of things that I have filed away and would like to be able to say at a cocktail party that I am involved with.

So I present to you my list:

1. In one of my next lives I would like to be able to tell someone that I work at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. I would like to be able to be a part of the team that investigates the next Legionnaire’s Disease-type outbreak and unravel the mystery of how a strange pneumonia spreads through a convention of Legionnaires in Philadelphia.
2. I would really like to be the one to say, “...10...9...8...We have a "go" for main engine start...5...4...3....2....1...Booster ignition...and...LIFTOFF OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY” at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (since my mom won’t let me be an astronaut). I have practiced this. I think I would be very good at it.
3. I would like to be Roberta Bondar’s personal assistant for at least a day. I think that I would be completely exhausted by coffee on the first morning, but how thrilling to just be that close to a true Canadian hero.
4. To be a cryptanalyst who worked on breaking the code of the Enigma cipher; or some modern-day equivalent.
5. I think I would be an excellent motivational speaker. I have a lot of things that I could tell you that would make you feel warm and fuzzy inside (without actually using the words “warm” and “fuzzy”). My only problem is I am painfully shy and do not like public speaking.  And, well – that might be a small problem.

I hope that I have a lot of lives left. I have a lot left to do. 

Avian Flu Update 25 Aug 2010

Well, finally some good news related to avian flu (which admittedly has been out of the news recently, but certainly not out of my mind... especially walking by the lake looking at all of the geese families marching around).Apparently mice can detect the difference between poop that has been through an infected bird and poop that has only passed through a normal, well adjusted bird.  Just thought I would share my joy at knowing we will be well looked after if the threat of the avian flu rises again.

I, for one, am SO relieved.