Abstract This paper provides an insight into nanotechnology, an anticipated manufacturing technology that is intended to provide thorough, inexpensive control of the structure of matter through the manipulation of individual atoms. Topics discussed include the definition of nanotechnology, the ultimate goals, and potential hazards of the technology, as well as the companies, both privately and publicly owned, that are involved in the field. It looks at some of the products of nanotechnology and describes how nanotechnology can be used in our daily lives. It also discusses the role the government currently plays in funding research into nanotechnology applications. A summary of the research is provided in the conclusion.
From the Paper "The term, ?nanotechnology,? was proposed by K. Eric Drexler. The Institute of Nanotechnology advises that nanotechnology can best be considered as a "catch-all" phrase used to describe activities at the level of atoms and molecules that have applications in real world settings. A nanometer is a billionth of a meter (about 1/80,000 of the diameter of a human hair, or 10 times the diameter of a hydrogen atom) (Nanotechnology ? What Is It?, 2002). Nanomaterials are defined as particles having a size in the range of 1-100 nanometers that exhibit unique physical and electrochemical properties, thereby enabling the manufacture of stronger, harder, more wear-resistant materials."
Abstract This paper provides a scholarly biography of Marie Curie and an assessment of her unique contributions to humanity, followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper "Albert Einstein said she was "the only person to be uncorrupted by fame" (Davis 1986:1). Marie Curie (n?e Maria Sklodowska) was born September 12, 1897, in Paris and died there on March 17, 1956 (Marie Curie 2004). While many people suggest that it takes 35 years to become an overnight success, Marie Curie was successful from the outset and while her personal life was marred by tragedy, her professional career has been widely recognized as being an early example of the contributions women in the scientific community could make given the opportunity. According to Lydia Davis, Curie "was a proud, passionate, and hard-working woman who played an important role in her time because she had the ambition and the means to do so, and who has played an important role in our own time too, since there is a direct relationship between Marie Curie-Sklodowska and atomic energy. It was also atomic energy that caused her death" (1986:2)."
Abstract This paper discusses the importance of proteins and protein folding to the human body. The paper explains that, during the different stages of protein folding that include primary, secondary, tertiary and sometimes-quaternary structures, the protein becomes susceptible to incorrect folding by binding with other molecules. The paper explores these "misfoldings", which may cause diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, cystic fibrosis, and many cancers. The paper states that researchers continue to try and comprehend the reasons and methods of protein "misfolding" to further our knowledge of the diseases that are caused by it.
From the Paper "Proteins are the biochemical molecules that make up cells, organs and organisms. (1) Like the larger structures, proteins also put themselves together, in a process termed "folding." Protein folding is the process by which a protein assumes its functional shape or conformation. All protein molecules are simple unbranched chains of amino acids, but it is by coiling into a specific three-dimensional shape that they are able to perform their biological function. The proteins fold into either alpha or beta helices with the assistance of chaperon proteins. (1)"
Abstract This paper discusses that science has proven that pesticides pose two separate yet related dangers. The writer notes that pesticides are everywhere in our environment and that children especially are exposed to them every day in their food and in the surfaces they touch. The writer points out that firstly, they cause various health problems, including cancer and that secondly, they attack the immune system. Thus, the writer shows that they not only create challenges for the immune system but they also make it unable to do its job.
From the Paper "Pesticides have served mankind since ancient times, mostly as insect repellents. More than fifteen hundred years before Christ, the Egyptians used natural preparations to get rid of fleas in their households. In the 1930s, a whole range of new products was developed to destroy or repel insects, rodents, fungi, weeds and other unwanted organisms. The most notorious of these new pesticides was DDT."
From the Paper "Methane hydrates are solid, crystalline structures that exist at low temperatures and high pressures. They are composed of a methane gas, which is encased by a water cage. Methane hydrates were discovered in the 1900's but until recently were considered a nuisance. Recently, methane hydrates have been considered as the next fuel source for the future. Some believe that there is enough methane in the form of methane hydrates to supply energy for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. Methane hydrates may be the answer to the fossil fuel crisis. One characteristic that has not been researched to an acceptable level is the effect that methane hydrates have on global warming. By harnessing methane hydrates as a fuel we have the potential of unlocking an immense quantity of methane. Methane is twenty-one times better, than carbon dioxide, at retaining infrared energy. This trapped infrared energy intensifies the greenhouse effect also referred to as global warming. However, we may not have to directly tap into the hydrate reserves to increase global warming. We may have already, unknowingly, set this process in motion. There are significant amounts of methane hydrates trapped in permafrost. By increasing global warming, through the use of fossil fuels, we may have already destabilized the methane hydrates that were trapped in permafrost."
Abstract This paper details the results of a chemistry experiment on the deblocking of benzyloxycarbonlyglycylglycine to glycylglycine. The production of glycylglycine 4, a peptide consisting of two glycine units, is described. The reaction of Z-Gly-Gly-OH 1, an N-carbobenzoxylated peptide was reacted with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid to produce glycylglycine 4. The purification of glycylglycine 4 was achieved through filtration to give a low yield of 13%. The experiment was successful with the product being identified as glycylglycine 4; it was identified as such through the analysis of its melting point.
From the Paper "Z-Gly-Gly-OH 1 is a peptide composed of two gylcine residues or units. Z-Gly-Gly-OH 1 may also be referred to as a C-terminal amino acid because it has a free carboxyl group at the right end of the molecule1. Z-Gly-Gly-OH 1 is reacted with hydrogen bromide in glacial acetic acid, which results in the scission of the N-acyl substituent yielding glycylglycine 42. "
Abstract This paper takes a look at the applications, characterization, adverse effects and toxicity of cyanazine.
From the Paper "The use of herbicides has led to their detection in various parts of our environment. One particular herbicide, which has been found in our water, is cyanazine. The detection of cyanazine in our lakes and sources of drinking water is of great importance because it has the potential to affect numerous organisms and biological systems. Cyanazine is a selective herbicide, which is used to control annual grass and broadleaf weeds in a variety of crops1. Cyanazine is a member of the triazine herbicide family, and has been in use since 19713. At one time cyanazine was the fourth most widely used synthetic chemical pesticide in the United States3. Cyanazine may be released into the atmosphere by the application of the herbicide to a field or by vapor drift or through precipitation. Cyanazine once released to the environment will readily partition to water where it may be found in sources of drinking water."
Abstract This is a detailed and illustrated paper on using organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers on plants. Results of experiments concerning this topic are included with the paper.
From the Paper "Organic fertilizers can provide enough nutrients to plants, that is the reason why the plants can grow well. Also the organic fertilizers can change the structure of soil and create a good drainage system, and well-ventilated environment which can be a better place for microorganisms to survive. The organic fertilizers contribute a lot to the growth of plants, but they still have some disadvantages. If one adds too much organic fertilizers, the plants will die because the concentration of organic fertilizers is very high."
Abstract An in depth look at electromagnetic fields and their effects on health aspects such as breast cancer, leukemia, tumors and increase in hormone levels. The author argues that no clear evidence shows that EMF's do cause human health defects, yet many studies have proved to be inconclusive making EMF's potential harmful products that need further investigation.
From the Paper "Electromagnetic fields, or EMF's, are invisible lines of force that surround all electronic devices and wiring. Researchers have explored the question of whether low- frequency electromagnetic fields can cause breast cancer, among other types of cancer, for roughly two decades now. Numerous studies have been conducted attempting to discover a link between EMF's and breast cancer, but most have been inconclusive(Rembert, 1997). They have neither come up with solid support for the hypothesis that EMF's cause breast cancer, nor managed to put it to rest(Taubes, 1997). There is no conclusive scientific evidence at this time showing a direct link between EMF's and breast cancer."
Tags: electric, magnetic, fields, exposure, cell, cancer, health
Abstract An in-depth look at aspects of human cloning. The author outlines some major points about the ethics, myths and process of human cloning. Included is an examination of various cloning foundations, the history and development of cloning, legal issues and an analysis of the ethicality and moral issues around the topic.
From the Paper "Cloning is one of the foremost thoughts on people's minds today. A clone is a group of genetically identical cells. The term clone also refers to a group of organisms that are genetically identical. Today science can clone an entire plant or animal, not just a group of cells. The process of cloning humans is currently being deemed unethical, but there are some in the scientific community that are in favor of this experimentation. A clone would look identical to its predecessor. All of the genes in the clone would also be the same but the application of these genes may be different. The clone would not have the same personality or mentality of his or her predecessor. Identical twins are clones of each other but they develop into two different people and are not considered to be the same. A person's clone would grow up differently and not be subjected to the exact same environment as it's predecessor, therefore so they may not be the same person except for in looks and genes. "
This paper gives an overview of the symptoms and causes of multiple sclerosis. It includes illustrations of myelin sheathe damage, author's personal experiences with MS, and in-depth descriptions of three drugs commonly used to treat MS.
Abstract This is a concise paper explaining the symptoms of MS as well as the difficulty involved with diagnosing the disease. It explains the cases for some accepted potential causes and also examines the different types of MS. The three drugs used most commonly to treat MS - Avonex, Copaxone, and Beta-Seron - are compared and contrasted, and the pros and cons are duly noted. Paper written by an MS sufferer who also details her own experiences with the disease.
From the Paper "In normal human beings, the immune system will spot and attack threats to the human body, like viruses or harmful bacteria. In a person with MS, the immune system sees myelin as one of these threats. Immune system cells come into the central nervous system and start attacking the myelin sheath, creating an autoimmune response - when the human body attacks itself. On these demyelinated areas, lesions known as "plaque" develop. The plaques eventually turn into scar tissue, sclerosis, in many different locations, which is where the name "multiple sclerosis" comes from. Thus, people with MS are more or less walking around with scars on their nerves."
Abstract This a detailed, and well researched paper discussing how e. coli can be prepared and used for study of Molecular genetics. The author looks at how e.coli lends is an ideal candidate for this area because it is such a simple organism. The paper also examines how scientists have been immeasurably helped in their progression of learning about the fundamentals of molecular genetics by the fact that E. coli can be induced into competence through a number of methods. The paper includes numerous illustrations.
From the Paper "Most of us, when we think of Escherichia coli at all, tend not to have very pleasant associations with the organism. It is in fact among the organisms that are most likely to affect (and infect) households. While E. coli is actually an integral part of the normal gastrointestinal flora, certain strains can cause diarrhea, fever and vomiting by one of three ways: by giving off toxins, by directly invading the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall, or by adhering to the intestinal wall. A person infected with E. coli may also have malaise or overall weakness and abdominal cramps. And a new virulent strain of E. coli, which is passed to humans via contaminated and improperly stored or prepared food, can cause a fatal kidney condition ? a finding that has prompted public health and food industry officials to suggest changes in the meat-inspection process, including the irradiation of some ground beef. But the bad name that E. coli deserves as a very nasty bug that infects humans must be offset by the fact that study of this organism has vastly increased our understanding of the field of molecular genetics. This paper outlines some of the most important basic principles of this field by focusing on the specific findings that studying E. coli have allowed scientists to derive."
Tags: bacteria, genetics molecule molecular geneticsgenes dna rna cell, recombinant
Abstract A explanation of what antimatter is, where it originated, what its uses are and how much energy it can produce. It looks at the benefits of this matter.
From the Paper "Antimatter is a rare substance that at one time was abundant in our universe. Antimatter is relatively simple, consisting of the same parts that make up the elements in our planet. The only difference is: an atom of antimatter is a "mirror image" of a regular atom. Antimatter and normal matter both have neutrons, which make up a good portion of the mass of the nucleus. Normal atoms have negatively charged electrons which encircle the nucleus, and they also help to determine the charge of the atom. In Antimatter, those "electrons" do not exist, they are called "antielectrons", sometimes known as "positrons", and they have a positive charge. The Protons of in a normal nucleus are also different in an atom of antimatter. They are called "Antiprotons", and have a negative charge."
Tags: antimatter, chemistry, matter, physics, science, theory
Abstract The paper deals with a very detailed investigation into how the kinetics of a reaction changes from alterationss in pH, the concerntration of reactants and the addition of a catlyst in a homogenous solution. Also included is the most effective, yet efficient manner, of determining the rate of the reaction including detailed mathematical calculations. There is a lot of experimental data as evidence included and a detailed practical guide of how the investigation was undertaken and numerous discussions.This paper is essential as a reference for those studying reaction kinetics.
From the Paper "Investigate the kinetics of the above reaction and thus attempt to find a rate equation for the reaction and also establishing the best method to determine the rate of the reaction. I will do this by varying the concentrations of Iodide ions, H+ ions and Hydrogen Peroxide to generate the rate equation, I will also try to find the effect of a catalyst: Molybdate ion on the rate of reaction and also if the amount of catalyst is relevant in a homogenous reaction. The rate will be found using the iodine clock reaction and also by the use of a pH meter and a colorimeter, and these methods will be assessed to help determine the best method of analysis."
Abstract The following paper discusses the life of Linus Pauling, focusing on his achievements and discoveries. The writer discusses how in 1954, Pauling was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work in chemical bonds and in 1962 he won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts on behalf of a nuclear test ban treaty. This paper also discusses his book "The Nature of the Chemical Bond and the Structure of Molecules and Crystals".
From the Paper "Linus Pauling was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 28, 1901. When he was nine, his father died, and his mother eventually lost the drugstore her husband had owned. The family, consisting of Linus, his two sisters, and his mother, had to move into a smaller house. His mother took in borders, and money was always a constant worry for the family. Pauling was a good student, and loved to read anything he could get his hands on. He said, "I have always wanted to know as much as possible about the world. As a child, I enjoyed reading and going to school... Possibly I am a scientist because I was curious when I was young... When I was eleven, with no outside inspiration - just library books - I started collecting insects... When I was twelve I began reading about rocks and minerals and started collecting them"
