Abstract
This paper analyzes the aging process in humans. It describes the effect of aging on the organs of the body and discusses the role of reactive oxygen species (or ROS), which includes oxygen free radicals (or OFRs) in this process. The paper also discusses chronic fatigue and its effects and then briefly discusses the link between fatigue and aging.

From the Paper
"Fatigue and aging seem linked. A decrease in energy production with aging is associated at least partly with mitochondrial lipid peroxidation by ROS and the body's failure to replace or repair the injured molecules. Damage to the membranes and the consequent dysfunction of mitochondria by ROS can also lead to certain changes, such as mutations and deletions in the mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. The mitochondrial theory of aging suggests that degenerative disease is explained partly by accumulated mtDNA mutations and deletions and oxidative injury to mitochondrial members through time. These findings connected chronic diseases to the degree of mitochondrial membrane lipid peroxidation and mtDNA injury. This is why experts link or relate the damage of mtDNA and mitochondrial membrane age-related degenerative diseases. These diseases lead to important cell changes, which determine its survival and say a lot about the disturbing phenomenon known as aging (Nicolson)."

Tags:DNA, fatigue, mitochondria, disease

Abstract
This paper discusses the role that DNA plays in the aging process. The author looks at several studies that have been conducted over the years that look at how different types of drugs and disease affect the aging process. Some of the studies involved a look at such issues as cholesterol and the effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs on both the human and animal populations. The paper also looks at Vitamin K, the loss of DNA from the human heart as a person ages, how a person's alcohol and tobacco use affect their longevity. In all of these cases, the paper looks at both the male and female populations in order to illustrate how all of these different aspects affect an individual's DNA and as a result, their life expectancy.

From the Paper
"The third category, accretional defects, results from the accumulation of waste materials composed of nonfunctioning of poorly functioning parts of the body system during aging. These involve the liver and kidneys. The human liver must absorb 70% of the dysfunction before they appear in routine blood tests (Strehler), since it is one of the many jobs of the liver to remove bilirubin from the blood. (Bilirubin is a natural by-product of red blood cells at the end of their life cycle.) A high-level bilirubin translates into jaundice and is harmful to the brain if high levels accumulate in the blood. But if the liver's own removal cells are malfunctioning, bilirubin accumulates in the blood and damages the person's overall health. (Strehler). The kidneys are even hardier : 90% of them must sustain the damage and be damaged themselves before abnormalities are detected in blood tests of kidney function (Strehler). This means a person may have kidney trouble for many years without knowing it, only until his or her kidneys are 90% damaged, during which the signs of illness begin to show."

Tags:hearts, brain, gene, tissue, kidney, liver, bilirubin, blood, cholesterol, alcohol, tobacco, rats, vitamin, k, mass, hepatic, hormonal, expectancy, life, male, female, arteries

Abstract
This paper explains that Brenda Maddox writes in "Rosalind Franklin: The Dark Lady of DNA" that Franklin, who died in 1958 at the age of thirty-seven, just five years after her discovery through startling photos of x-rays of the double helix of DNA, was never given the same acknowledgement as men were given. The author points out that Maddox used extensive research including primary and secondary sources from a great number of areas in the United States and Great Britain and many lectures, notes and articles from the scientist herself to back up her story. The paper stresses that Maddox tends to write as if she was writing a novel rather than a biography by describing the characters vividly, using personal information to make them seem real and animated to the reader.

From the Paper
"There is one other part of the book that is sometimes difficult to get past. While the stories of Franklin, her family, her schooling, and her career read mostly like a novel, the author intersperses detail that sometimes takes away from the story. Much of the detail is necessary to fully understand Franklin's life and accomplishment, but some of it is quite detailed science or history. For example, the author stops the narrative to explain the history of Cambridge and how it related to Franklin's education, and the author stops again to go into a detailed description of the research into DNA and its components. While this is certainly important to the overall story, it is sometimes jarring. Most of the book is quite an easy read, but some of these sections seem to go on indefinitely, and they might cause at least some readers to skip them and move on to more interesting information."

Tags:research, insight, education, personality, maverick

From the Paper
"Theories of Aging
The aging process may vary considerably both between individuals and among different species. Over the years, innumerable theories have been proposed in an attempt to explain this phenomenon. While none of these theories conclusively defines the physiological mechanisms of aging, many do seem plausible. Of the mammalian species, the human life span is greatest. In fact, in recent decades, entire populations of humans have been increasing in average age. This shift in age distributions has occurred primarily in the world's developed countries. Undoubtedly, such change will one day have implications for health care providers. In nursing, for example, a re.evaluation of health care priorities could become necessary. The term, "senescence," can be defined as a "decline in the..."

Abstract
The paper explains that Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria (HGS), premature aging, is named after two 19th century men, Hutchinson and Gilford, who discovered the disease, which is a mutation in one nitrogen base in a cell. The author points out that progeria, a remarkably rare genetic condition in which this mutation causes phenotypic symptoms comparative to that of an elderly person, can be seen in the DNA base on Chromosome 1. This codes for Lamin A (LMNA), a protein specifically taking part in the membrane surrounding the cell's nucleus. The paper relates that, generally, the children look perfectly normal during their first or second year of life, but from then on, the effects of HGS rapidly unfold; the average life span for a child is approximately 12-18 years. Many illustrations.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Progeria
What is It?
Who has It?
What are the Effects?
Analogies
The Records
The Cure
The Meaning behind it All

From the Paper
"To begin with, for you to be here now, trillions of drifting atoms had somehow to assemble in an intricate and intriguingly obliging manner to create you. It's an arrangement so complex and detailed that it has never been tried before and will only exist this once. We hope that in the many years these atoms will engage in all the necessities needed for your survival. This is an underappreciated state known as existence."

Tags:phenotypic, DNA, LMNA, intelligence, existence

Abstract
This paper defines mitochondria and further explores its role in both human evolution and development. First, the paper describes what mitochondria is and where it is found on the molecular and genetic level. It also shows what happens when mitochondria mutate. Next, the paper discusses the central role of mitochondria in the aging process and also considers mitochondria in nature versus nurture. The paper continues with a look at mitochondria and evolution, highlighting the Neanderthal man, presenting various theories about his relationship to modern man based on evidence found in mitochondria. The paper concludes by stating that there is still a lot of room for research on mitochondria.

Outline:
Introduction and Experimental Information
The Process of Aging
Mitochondria and Evolution
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The mitochondria are believed to be strongly tied in to the process of aging in humans and other mammals. Many people believe that children go through many phases of development, but adults stay basically the same, but the study of cells and the changes that people go through would indicate that this is not the case. This is untrue in many ways, as adults also experience development in several areas."

Tags:DNA, evolution, nature versus nurture, Neanderthal man

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that in barely a century and a half, law enforcement identification capabilities have evolved from rudimentary procedures for positively establishing the identity of criminal suspects to incredibly sophisticated methods of identification. The writer points out that modern law enforcement authorities have the benefit of age-old interview and interrogation techniques perfected long before the technological explosion of the late 20th century. The writer discusses that fingerprinting revolutionized police identification procedures at the turn of the 20th century, and computers, DNA science, and digital analysis expanded the identification tools available to law enforcement exponentially. Still, the writer maintains that after 150 years, the basic investigative approach to law enforcement identification procedures remains essentially unchanged, except for the tools themselves.

Outline:
Background and History
Line-ups and Mug-Shots
Interviews and Interrogation
Fingerprints
Blood Evidence
Psychological Profiling
DNA-Based Technology
Shared Computer Databases
Future Directions of Identification Technology
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The traditional methods of positively identifying subjects that developed in the earliest eras of policing relied heavily on the deductive reasoning skills of police investigators, on the availability of witnesses. In this regard, criminal investigations often hinged on the individual investigator's ability to canvass crime scenes, solicit cooperation from witnesses, and information from crime victims and known associates of subjects under investigation or criminal suspects. In turn, the potential value of eyewitness testimony has always been limited by the inaccuracy inherent in human memory.
"Criminal lineups were devised as a method of testing the accuracy of memory, and consisted, in general, of simply presenting a group of subjects containing only one actual criminal suspect to an eyewitness or victim of the crime, with instructions to the witness to identify the individual suspected of perpetrating the crime."

Tags:evidence, police, procedures, fingerprint, DNA

Abstract
This paper examines how capital punishment is a highly controversial topic in this day and age. Many murder trials have successfully proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the suspects are guilty, and authorities have subsequently put them to death. Certain factors, such as DNA verification, proper evidence handling, and expert testimony, have aided in and led to convictions in such trials and put many a murderer behind bars. In particular, it looks at what happens when one or more of these factors are not properly executed, and an innocent person stands trial. It explores how problems with evidence handling in cases where capital punishment is an option can, and has, resulted in the conviction and unnecessary deaths of many innocent people.

From the Paper
"DNA evidence can be a make-or-break factor in a capital punishment case. DNA can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that a person was at the scene of a crime. It can also help to identify victims and sometimes the victim's killer. A piece of hair, sample of blood, or skin under a victim's fingernails can be an incontestable factor leading to a conviction in a murder case. The unfortunate truth, however, is that this DNA evidence can be the single determining factor that puts innocent people in jail. In 1989, a medical examiner by the name of Fred Zain gave testimony in the murder and rape case of Jack Davis. Zain gave testimony that blood found under the victim's body belonged to Davis. Jack Davis was subsequently sentenced to jail time. In an earlier conversation recorded on tape, Zain reportedly told interviewers that the blood sample analyzed belonged to the victim and not Jack Davis."

Tags:dna, murder, conviction, crime, death

Abstract
An argumentative paper against the death penalty. The author provides reasons based on age, race, DNA and methods of execution as to back up his argument.

From the Paper
"The statement goes as follows: If someone killed one of my family members, I think that he/she should be executed. I would even start the lethal injection myself. (There is no doubt who the murderer is because eyewitness accounts are supported by physical evidence including DNA.) I completely disagree with everything said here. To begin with I don't necessarily believe that they should be executed, even though most of society is on an eye for an eye state of mind. Further more I wouldn't start the injection myself, besides who is to say that it would be an injection, there are more methods of capital punishment. I also believe that convicting someone by eyewitness accounts is completely insubstantial evidence."

Tags:capital, death, dna, evidence, injections, lethal, punishment

Abstract
This paper looks into the issue of our life expectancy, providing information and data from various studies that have been carried out on this subject. The author also explains how current discoveries about the architectural structure of our DNA and other scientific advances may mean that we will soon be able to extend the maximum human lifespan and postpone or prevent the onset of diseases associated with aging.

From the Paper
"Lifelpan is the accepted term denoting and/or defining the most likely number of years a person is expected to live within his or her lifetime taking place between birth and death. Accordingly, average longevity in humans is often expressed as life expectancy. Life expectancy is the number of years a person can expect to live. Although life expectancy is many times logistically impacted in that it may largely be influenced by the level of quality and/or standard of life that a person lives within geographic location within his or her lifetime. A standard of life has to do with the quality of public health, medical facilitations and levels of nutrition available, which varies greatly between different nations and countries. As a result, Hirsh et al (2000) reports that one population is advantaged relative to another by our definition if its survival function is greater at all ages."

Tags:nutrition, population, survival