Russell's Teapot - Issue 5

Russell’s Teapot

CONTENTS

PROSTHETICS DOROTHY HODGKIN

THE iPHONE

TELOMERES

CHEMISTRY OF PERFUME GAME THEORY

GENETIC TESTING

SURVIVAL INSTRINCTS

NUGGETS OF

TELOMERES: The longevity code of human life

From ancient times to the present, human society has always pursued an eternal goal, which is to delay aging and even longevity. Although the average life expectancy of human beings has exceeded 70 years, there is still a considerable gap to achieve the goal of longevity. Coincidentally, the scientific community has been full of theories about the length of life for a long time, but unfortunately, the answers they give are not satisfactory. It was not until the 2009 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was awarded to Professor Elizabeth H. Blackburn for her discovery of “how telomeres and telomerase protect the chromatin mechanism”, that we were able to glimpse the mystery of the human “longevity code”.

A telomere is a small piece of DNA present at the end of a cell’s chromosomes. Together with telomere-binding proteins, it can maintain the integrity of chromosomes and control the cell division cycle. Telomere length reflects the ability of a cell to replicate, and each time a cell divides, the telomere shortens a little bit. Once telomeres are depleted, cells enter a state of senescence. This suggests that people with longer telomeres live longer, but the initial length of telomeres is determined at birth, so you might ask: is my lifespan set from birth? The answer is no, the length of life depends more on how to maintain and extend the length of telomeres. I have three suggestions to introduce to you:

A 2018 US study found a significant linear relationship between fiber consumption and telomere length. The more fiber they ate, the longer their telomeres. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories, but there are plenty of fiber-rich and healthy foods we can all eat, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, oats, and wholewheat bread.

A 2018 study published in the European Heart Journal compared telomere length and telomerase activity after different types of exercise. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been found to prolong telomere length, so you can choose between short high-intensity bursts and longer strides of low-intensity exercise.

Stress is a killer, and it has a major impact on telomeres. You can’t get rid of stress with pills, but yoga and meditation are good for fighting stress and increasing the length of telomeres. One study measured the effects of yoga meditation on mental health and telomerase activity. The researchers found a 43 percent increase in telomerase activity and a 50 percent improvement in mental health.

Nowadays, Harvard finds a way to restore telomere length, and the possibility to reverse the aging process! If research continues to develop, I think longevity will not be a problem anymore.

- By Xinyue (Cynthia) Dong

GAME THEORY

Game Theory, which is mainly thought to be founded in the 1940s by computer scientist John von Neuman; is a branch of mathematics that is concerned with the analysis of strategies for dealing with competitive situations. It provides a framework for being able to analyse different multiplayer games and produce the most optimum moves. In order to do this, game theory uses key mathematical theories, including: Expected value theory, Probability and Decision theory. John von Neuman originally created the field of game theory to provide a fair and reliable framework in order to analyse and make decisions regarding the world around us. In order to further understand Game Theory applications in the modern day world, we first have to understand what we consider as ‘Games’.

Most people immediately think of the idea of games as nontrivial fun inducing activities, such as Connect 4, Jenga or Solitaire. But this is by no means an accurate representation of what a game is. Broken down a game is a series of choices you - as a player - make that represent the final outcome. We also know that games are not limited to having a single player, so, the question now becomes what is not a game, rather than what is a game. From establishing how vast of what we can quantify as a ‘game’, we now need to have a way to look at these games, this is the basics

of game theory. Game theory isn’t very well known to the wider population even though many people use it without realising. Choosing whether to pay £5 or £7 for a sandwich will utilise game theory for the decision making part.

Game theory is nearly everywhere you look, with questions such as “should women be wearing make up?”, “do you need to find an internship for this summer?”, or “should your country limit its CO2 emissions to fight global warming?”. All of these require such dense amounts of game theory in order to make a sensible and accurate answer, it is very important now more than ever to be able to spot out game theory and try and quantify our decisions. If we agree that game theory is everywhere then the obvious next step is how do we approach game theory and use it to our advantage.

- Maximilian Nicholson

More on Game Theory on the Russell’s Teapot website.

The Chemistry of Perfumes

The sense of smell is one of the five senses of the human body. The scent of nature has long inspired people to create perfumes. For example, the floral scent of rose, the sensual smell of sandalwood, and the crisp aroma of yuzu. Perfume is often made from a variety of several types of scents. Perfumers compose perfume just like musicians compose a song. Most perfumes consist of a three-part olfactory structure:

The first impression: top note

The top note is the most volatile aroma compound in a perfume. Aromas are light and small, so they evaporate quickly, lingering for only about 5 to 30 minutes. Common notes used are floral and fresh. Giving people a refresher and a strong first impression, just like the climactic note of a song.

The main fragrance: heart note

The aroma of the middle note is larger than that of the top note. As they are less volatile, the scents of the heart note would begin to appear after 30 to 40 minutes. This allows the scents to last longer for about several hours. The commonly used middle notes are floral such as rose, lavender and freesia, sometimes woody. No matter the taste of the middle note, the top note must have a good connection with it to complete the perfume’s character.

Longevity of perfume: base note

The base note is the least volatile, as the aromas are the largest. Having a scent for more than 6 hours, they are the longest-lasting. Scents like sandalwood and amber leave a soft aftertaste. The base note also works as a supporting character, underlining the smell of the top and heart notes.

Expression

Extracting aroma molecules from natural animals and plants has been practised since the ancient Egyptian era and continues today. One of them is expression. This extraction method is most

suitable for citrus plants. Since the aromatic substances of these plants, such as essential oil, are mostly found in the peel part of the plant, when the peel of the citrus plant is squeezed, the orange oil mist is the essential oil that we want.

Steam Distillation

It promotes the release of aromatic molecules in plants through high temperatures, which is more suitable for plants that are heat-resistant, and the aromatic molecules will not be destroyed under high temperatures. Steam distillation is adding water or steam into the still pot so that the oil and water in the plant are extracted at the same time. Finally, the oil and water are separated by their densities. When the plant is distilled, the aroma oil that remains is the essential oil. The distilled water layer is usually considered waste. However, the water layer distilled by steam from plants such as roses, lavender, citrus and other plants often have a large number of aromatic components and is retained. This is commonly known as floral water.

Solvent extraction

Solvent extraction is a complicated, but very gentle, way of extracting essential oils. Since it causes less damage to the plants, it is usually used on aromatic plants that cannot be distilled. This method of obtaining essential oils has a strong scent because not only aromatic compounds are extracted, but waxes and colourings as well.

- Ping Ping Ellis Liao

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin A woman in STEM

A lot of girls still grow up with the sense that they can’t do all the things they want to. This is particularly true when it comes to careers in science. Women are estimated to only make up 28% of the workforce in STEM subjects, and men greatly outnumber women in most of these fields at school and universities. So, why so few women?

A heavy male dominated arena is said to hamper girls’ ambition when they lack strong female role models who can push them to pursue and thrive in STEM careers. Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin is such a role model to inspire the female scientists of the future. She achieved so much, particularly at a time when so few women had opportunities, especially in the scientific field. She was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1910 and was interested in archaeology, following in her father’s line of work. From an early age, she was interested in science and was particularly fascinated by chemistry when she grew crystals at her primary school. She said that “she was captured for life by chemistry and crystals”. At secondary school, she was one of only two girls who were allowed to join the boys in studying chemistry.

In her teenage years, she discovered the invention of X-rays and how you could see where the atoms are within the molecules and how they are arranged in space. She read extensively about how you could actually see atoms and decided that it was what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. She went to study at both Oxford and Cambridge between 1928 and 1937. She became renowned in her lectures for looking like she had gone to sleep, but at the end, she was always able to ask the most astute questions proving that she had paid the utmost attention. She graduated with a PhD and returned to Oxford as a fellow, which was a very rare occurrence for a woman at that time. When she got married, she was asked to step down from her fellowship position; this was commonly asked of women. She managed, through her extraordinary personality, to overturn this decision and was awarded maternity leave instead. She was the first woman to achieve this at the University of Oxford and paved the

way for other women to carry on with a scientific career after having had children.

The first Nobel Prizes in Chemistry and Physics were awarded in 1901 and since then, only 10 women have received these honours. To this date, she remains the only British woman scientist to win a Nobel Prize in any of the three sciences it recognises, and she was nominated more than once. She won the 1964 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of structure of the vitamin B12, which was lauded as “the crowning triumph of X-ray crystallography”. In a derogatory manner, the papers ran the headline of “Oxford Housewife wins Nobel Prize”. The reaction of newspapers in the 1960s whenever women achieved something was absolute appalling.

Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin has had incalculable influence on modern medicine. All the areas she worked on helped further understand the human body, health, and diseases. She worked tirelessly on insulin and penicillin, with the knowledge of its structure being so important during the Second World War; penicillin’s structure was not properly understood until she solved it. This discovery allowed doctors to use substances like antibiotics, that had been synthesised in a laboratory, on patients directly in the field. This undoubtedly saved many lives. The way the drug is made nowadays is still on the structure that Dorothy determined.

She passed away in 1994 at her home in Warwickshire. Her legacy is rich and empowering. Over 30 years of pioneering work helped her to receive a plethora of honours and awards, both in Britain and internationally. She should be remembered as a trailblazer, showing that women can be scientists and extremely successful. Dorothy achieved so much at a time when so few women were even studying sciences. Nowadays, when girls lack female role models to inspire their interest in STEM fields, Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin is an exceptional icon for all women in science!

- Emily Hayden de Carbonnières

Prosthetics

Prosthetics have come a long way in the last couple of decades, and we have seen some real improvement in each of their designs. Prosthetics have made it possible for the Paralympics to happen, as they give athletes a second chance at their sport. Not just in sport however, prosthetics have been used to return function to injured soldiers or disabled people.

Prosthetics can have multiple designs, where for some the look is more important than the practicability. For example, cosmesis (a type of prosthetic) are designed to appear similar to the real thing. They are made with more advanced plastics and the colours are matched to the skin tone for a very real-like appearance of natural limbs. Details such as freckles, hair, and even fingerprints can be included.

How are they controlled?

1. Body Powered

This is where your body can control the prosthetic. A cable may move from one shoulder to the prosthetic hand, so as you move your shoulder the prosthetic will also activate.

2. Motor Powered

These have buttons and switches which control the prosthetic to move. A prosthetic hand, for instance, will have a button on the wrist which can be activated to move, and grip objects when needed.

3. Myoelectric Powered

More recently, prosthetic limbs are being powered by the muscles in your existing limb which generate electrical signals and pulses. When the electrodes are placed on the skin, it reacts to the muscle contractions and sends signals to the prothetic limb to move.

- Anna Clery

A long awaited feature to the iPhone

Apple is a multi-billion pound tech Goliath, well known for their simple, streamlined design philosophy. However, one thing about their phones has remained complicated - their unwillingness to add USB-C compatibility. Apple has instead opted into using a lightning port, which is exclusively used for their products. This requires a separate (more expensive) charger, unlike its more commonly used competitor. Many other tech companies, from game designers to medical devices, have adopted USB-C because of its faster download speeds and charging capabilities. Unfortunately, the nature of Apple’s exclusive lightning charger creates a large carbon footprint as well as additional costs for users, which could be considerably mitigated by adding the far cheaper USB-C compatibility.

The EU has watched as Apple has exploited its users, requiring them to use their specific chargers that are double the price of the average USB-C and far less versatile. In response,

a law was passed requiring the use of USB-C chargers for phones. Phone manufacturers will be given a window between 2024-2028 to make this change - many news outlets use 2024 as the date this change will happen but there is a window of time before the law will be enforced.

This conversion to USB-C may seem like a great idea which benefits Apple’s users tremendously but the window of time that the EU has provided for these companies is the exact amount of time for Apple to complete their wireless infrastructure which has already been in development for several years. This move will have a long term effect on Apple’s sustainability because a wireless Apple ecosystem will force all wired devices and accessories to die out which will therefore reduce their electronic waste from wires and plug sockets making Apple more eco friendly.

- Priyan Trivedi

Shark Migration due to Climate Change

Sharks aren’t exactly known for swimming in UK waters. During the spring months, harmless basking sharks can be found feeding off our coasts, and the toothless smooth-hound in shallower waters, however recent studies have shown we could soon be hosting some new species of sharks in our oceans.

Because of the impact global warming has had on our oceans and the still rising temperatures, warm water ocean animals are able to explore new environments. Migration patterns of tiger sharks, who have the second most recorded fatal attacks, have shown that they are swimming northwards due to climate change. Scientists at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science led a study that showed the increased movement and migration of tiger sharks in the western North Atlantic Ocean parallels the rising temperature of the waters, which have previously been too cold for tiger sharks to live in.

Over nine years, satellite-tagged tiger sharks have shown researchers the move polewards, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Programme provided forty years of tag and recapture data along with information on satellite obtained sea-surface temperature proved that tiger sharks are indeed migrating further, into newly warmed waters.

In the last decade, tiger shark migrations took places 14 days earlier and farther northward by around 250 miles off of the US northeastern coast, during a time when oceans were the warmest on record. Because of the increasing ocean temperature, this is likely to happen more frequently with increasing consequences.

Tiger sharks are a near threatened species, and the change in their migration and swimming patterns put them outside of protected marine zones, and makes them far more exposed and vulnerable to commercial fishing. Tiger sharks also play a key role in the ecosystem as apex predators. A shift in their habitats changes predator-prey interactions could lead to ecological imbalances and disruption to the ecosystem. And while the UK has reportedly had only 16 unprovoked attacks between 1785 and 2016, only one of which was fatal in 1922, this number is expected to go up as human and shark interactions become more frequent as more sharks enter our oceans.

It is estimated that by 2050, UK waters will be as warm as Mediterranean oceans, meaning many new shark species such as hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and mako sharks could appear on our coasts soon.

- Daisy Morrissey

Is science certain?

When you learn science at school, it seems that we are dealing with certainty. We are not asked to question chemistry, physics, or biology. But the question is: is science really settled?

Take our planet for example, is it round or is it flat? Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician, first proposed that the earth was round around 500BC. In medieval times, the accepted ‘truth’ was that the earth was flat and Christopher Columbus had to brave this when he sailed across the Atlantic, as ‘current’ knowledge predicted that he would simply fall off the edge of the Earth. It was only in the 16th century that Copernicus proposed the model of the earth revolving around the sun in our solar system and Galileo reinforced this theory a hundred years later. There are now plenty of people around the world who genuinely believe the Earth is flat and that the sun is a local star rather than a star millions of miles away. Where will the next discoveries take this notion?

In the 1960s, the Higgs theory was put forward to explain how objects in our universe have mass. It was only a theory at that stage. We had to wait another 50 years before the elusive particle called Higgs boson – also known as the God Particle – was officially discovered.

There is an intriguing and controversial program currently trending on Netflix, Ancient Apocalypse, which is attracting a lot of publicity. It questions the accepted timeline of

human history as explained in the sciences of anthropology, archaeology, and carbon dating. New discoveries in Turkey (Gobekli Tepe) and Indonesia (Gunung Padang) show complex human societies existed at a time when humans were only thought to be simple hunters and gatherers.

Science is clearly never certain but it takes a lot of courage to go beyond the accepted understanding of the world. Scientists are often pictured as unswerving, rigid, and inflexible. Maybe the world of science needs more creative, adaptable and unconventional scientists to allow for discoveries that challenge our views of the world.

- Henry Hayden de Carbonnières

Why do male seahorses give birth?

Despite their small size, seahorses are considered keystone species. These are organisms that play an integral role within their environment and without which, the whole food chain in their ecosystems could fall apart. They are a member of the Syngnathidae family and are surprisingly one of the only two species where the male parent is impregnated. This, understandably, could make you wonder, why scientists have claimed them as male as opposed to female. Despite being the ones who become pregnant, the males still produce sperm, however they contain a brood pouch in where, during courtship, a female will lay her eggs. The brood pouch is a saline organ which is comparable to an incubator. It will maintain a perfect environment for the eggs to hatch, by controlling factors such as temperature. The embryo will continue to grow for up until four weeks and then his abdomen will open. Similarly to humans, at the end of the gestation period, a seahorse will experience

painful contractions and can give birth to up to 1,000 baby seahorses, however, it is estimated that only 5 of these will make it to adulthood. Scientists have proposed a myriad of theories to explain this exception. The most creditable idea is that it allows seahorses to reproduce much faster, which is vital when their life span is no more than five years. Whilst the male is pregnant, the female can be preparing more eggs so that they are ready to reproduce straight away. Another explanation is that the males don’t have certain immunity genes, which means that unlike females, their immune system won’t reject foreign bodies (the eggs). Interestingly, seahorses will also mate for life and are in fact monogamous, to increase the likelihood of reproduction. Studies have found that when a seahorse dies, it’s mate will grieve and will often starve itself to death.

- Séréna Biju

Genetic Testing

In this day and age, genetic testing is one the many medical wonders at the publics’ disposal - it is extremely easy to type in some medical history and be presented with a full family history, or even to undertake genetic testing to find out who has superior qualities. With all of this information readily available, the pros and cons have never really been weighed up.

One of the largest cons of genetic testing are the mental implications of this. Rajani Aatre, M.S., M.Sc., a genetic counsellor at the University of Michigan says that “the science is easy to process, the emotional component is not”. Some genetic testing has had large negative phycological effects such as the development of depression, anxiety, and hypochondria. These effects are generally based on a person’s perception of risk, severity, and controllability of the disease, and the availability of treatments. 47 studies were undertaken by the ‘Frontiers of genetics’, in which it was found that patients diagnosed with Huntingtons disease, experienced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideations, and hopelessness.

Another con of genetic testing is the possibility that results will come back inconclusive, resulting in a waste of time, money, and resources. Genetic testing also has it’s cons in the practical sense. Genetic testing has the potential to be incredibly expensive, therefore cutting out a significant proportion of potential patients who do not have the funds to undertake testing. As well as this, only a small proportion of people are eligible for genetic testing - also excluding a large amount of the population who do not fit specific criteria.

There are many pros of genetic familial testing to be considered. One of the largest pros of genetic testing is the idea that uncertainty is lessened. Many people have health related anxiety, and genetic testing can provide reasons into certain ailments and prove the absence of certain genetic mutations, proving to people they are completely free of the possibility of having diseases, or potentially being a carrier. Another pro of genetic testing is that once undertaking the testing, if results come back positive, action can be taken. Some genes are associated with severe diseases, and the knowledge of having, or carrying specific genes can lead to diagnosis, testing of family members and treatment. Some genes also respond better to medications and treatments and the results of genetic testing can be incredibly helpful. This relates to the field of pharmacogenomics - the study of how genetics affects the body’s response to drugs and medication. Examples of conditions which affect the response to certain drugs include: clopidogrel resistance, warfarin sensitivity, warfarin resistance, malignant hyperthermia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/ toxic epidermal necrolysis, and thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency. It is difficult to predict which medication will have a positive effect, no effect, or even adverse effects. Adverse drug reactions are responsible for a significant number of severe illnesses and death - some of which can be prevented by the use of genetic familial testing.

Overall, there are huge benefits of genetic testing however it should be undertaken with caution, with the pros and cons weighed up.

- Jiya Desai

Chemistry Of Foods

Antioxidants and Free Radicals

Throughout life, chemical reactions require energy and take place within human bodies, and for that we need oxygen. Oxygen causes iron to rust and oil to become rancid, but in the process of vital activities of our body, it oxidizes molecules to an incredibly active form - free radicals, which in small quantities are necessary for the physiological processes. Free radicals are particles containing one or more unpaired electrons on the outer shell that always tend to take electron away from other molecules, therefore oxidizing any compounds they encounter.

In adverse conditions, such as stress or improper nutrition, an excess of free radicals appear in the body. They create oxidative stress; they provoke premature aging and cell destruction. This process is accompanied by chronic inflammation, in response to which more free radicals are formed and healthy cells are at risk of destruction.

Compounds that stop the destructive effects of free radicals are called antioxidants. They give their electron to an empty radical molecule, neutralizing it. Thus, antioxidants slow down the development of severe chronic diseases and restore damages. They also contribute to slowing down the aging process, strengthening the immune system, and normalizing metabolic processes.

The main source of antioxidants received daily are from plant products. The maximum of natural antioxidants is observed in the peel and bark of plants and trees, as well as in the bones where genetic information is stored. The strongest ability to resist free radicals have vitamins:

• A (retinol) and carotenoids,

• C (ascorbic acid),

• E (tocopherol)

This question is still controversial, but the approximate daily intake of retinol is 3300-5000 IU, tocopherol — 400-800 IU, ascorbic acid — 4000 IU. (However, each human body is individual, and you need to consult a specialist before taking it).

Vegetables are good source for vitamin C. It is destroyed at high temperatures, so the main source is fresh fruits and vegetables: green salad, berries, and citrus fruits. The antioxidant beta-carotene is found in carrots, red sweet peppers, and pumpkins. It belongs to fatsoluble vitamins, so for the greatest digestibility, combine it with butter or cream.

Red berries are flooded with anthocyanins. They increase the digestibility of glucose and fats, as well as the sensitivity of cell membranes to insulin. Most anthocyanins are found in blueberries and raspberries.

Nuts are rich in vitamin E. Their feature is the ability to repair damaged DNA. A handful of almonds, walnuts or cashews will cover the body’s daily need for vitamin E.

The biggest source of antioxidants is the Indian spice turmeric, which has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. It is also able to destroy beta-amyloids, proteins that lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Freshly squeezed fruit juices also provide the necessary portion of antioxidants. To get the optimal dose, one glass of juice or vegetable smoothies, fruits or berries is enough.

In spite of all benefits, antioxidants can be ineffective with excessive intake, compliance with irrational nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. An overabundance of antioxidants can have the opposite effect on the body, aggravating the effect of free radicals. Therefore, it is important to calculate the intake of antioxidants with a nutritionist. Also, do not forget about physical and mental health.

- By Anatoliya Ageeva

Unusual Survival Tactics

The Slow Loris is a nocturnal animal that holds a passing resemblance to the galago (another nocturnal animal). The Slow Loris has a sweat gland which, when licked, creates a poisonous chemical from the combination of sweat and saliva. Some animals are not affected by the poison. For humans, exposure to this poison is said to be very painful, and in some cases even deadly. When Slow Lorises feel threatened they will remain still. In general, they will move with purpose at a slow rate, making no noise.

The Iberian ribbed newt, or more commonly known as the sharp ribbed newt, is found in the southern and central Iberian Peninsula, and also in Morocco. It is the largest kind of European newt species. The ribbed newt gets its name from it unsettling attack tactics. It has sharp ribs that will burst through its skin and function as a retractable built in spear. The ribs are not only sharp but are also packed with poison.

Ever see a face in an inanimate object? That is what sailors experienced when they saw the Heikegani crab. The Heikegani crab has developed a very innovative survival tactic. When sailors caught these crabs, they would recognise the design on their shells and immediately throw them back into the sea. The sailors would see a pattern on their back that looked like a samurai soldier’s face, and they would throw them back into the ocean because they feared they were reincarnations of the samurai soldiers that had died in the battle of Dannoura. Because of this, the crabs that survived would then pass on their genes and their looks into subsequent generations, and over time, this artificial selection left only those Heikegani crabs with samurai faces on their back.

- Elspeth Gardiner

The Future of Science

A couple of conferences, lectures, and events that you might be interested in 2023 (I have provided a variety of topics):

Mon, 16 - Tue, 17 Jan 2023

Pharmaceutical Microbiology UK

Pharmaceutical Microbiology UK (Pharma Microbiology) Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington, London

Wed, 15 - Thu, 16 Feb 2023

International Conference on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology International Conference on Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology London, UK, London

Mon, 13 - Tue, 14 Mar 2023

AI in Drug Discovery Conference AI in Drug Discovery Conference London

Wed, 26 - Fri, 28 Apr 2023

International Conference on Intelligent Engineering and Management (ICIEM) Amity University [in] London, London

Wed, 24 - Thu, 25 May 2023

International Conference on Sports Science and Engineering (ICSSE) London

Mon, 12 - Wed, 14 Jun 2023

International Conference on Hybrid and Organic Photovoltaics (HOPV) University College London, London

ARE KILLER WHALES ACTUALLY DOLPHINS?

Despite their name, killer whales or orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family. The major physical feature that ensures orcas are dolphins is the presence of a melon — a fatty deposit that assists the animals in echolocation and only exists in dolphins.

Orcas are highly intelligent, highly adaptable and able to communicate and coordinate hunting tactics. They are extremely fast swimmers and have been recorded at speeds of up to 54kph!

BANANAS ARE RADIOACTIVE

Bananas contain potassium, and since potassium decays, that makes the yellow fruit slightly radioactive. But don’t worry—you’d need to eat ten million bananas in one sitting to die of banana-induced radiation poisoning.

NUGGETS OF KNOWLEDGE

ARE WE RELATED TO MUSHROOMS?

A 2015 study from the University of Cambridge suggests that mankind may have evolved with genes that came from plants. Because of those findings, researchers accept that about one per cent of the human genome could have been acquired from plants.

So all those times your corny uncle called himself a “fungi”? He was actually sort of right.

IDENTICAL TWINS

All human beings are 99.9 percent identical in their genetic makeup. The remaining 0.1 percent hold our unique characteristics that actually make us different to each other.

This 0.1% represents millions of different locations within the genome where variation can occur, equating to a breathtakingly large number of potentially unique DNA sequences.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Welcome back to the 5th issue of the Russell’s Teapot.

As a completely student-run magazine and website, we have reached out to students to write articles. There is a very wide variety this year from the future of discoveries in medicine, the effects of climate change, and food chemistry. These articles cover all bases of science; physics, biology, chemistry, as well as geography and technology. These articles were chosen by the students, so hopefully there is something in here that also interets you.

Everyone has worked really hard on this issue, and those involved in any way deserves a lot of recognition. This magazine has been a very difficult process, and was quite time consuming. so please appreciate the work that everyone has put in. I never thought that I would be able to make a magazine in this detail, that people actually read. I really hope you enjoy! If you would like to contribute to the next issue of Russell’s Teapot, then please email me at 16clerya@royalrussell.co.uk.

THE RUSSELL’S TEAPOT

Edited by Anna Clery