eht
beaker
Del Norte Student Science Publication
THE REACTION:
ALIENS
do they exist?
FALL 2016
LETTER FROM
the editors
Hello Nighthawks!
We are extremely pleased to present to you the very first Beaker issue of the 2016/17 school year!
Science consists of a beautiful, bewildering world of curiosities, and we are very proud of our writers and fellow Nighthawks for their willingness to embrace it in all its complexity and glory. It’s only October, and they have already made us thrilled with their outstanding and creative articles and mesmerizing designs.
This issue dwells on the most fascinating topics to the most entertaining stories. For the space lovers who long for something just out-of-this-world, we offer you Proxima b, a newly discovered exoplanet that scientists are just beginning to learn more about. For the Nighthawks out there suffering from copious amounts of homework and tests (all of us), we bring you an open letter explaining the psychology and physiology of stress.
As we fall into autumn, and thereby a season of thankfulness, we hope the knowledge (both exciting and troubling) in this magazine encourages you to dwell on how lucky we are to learn and live.
We would like to thank everyone who made this issue possible, including Mr. Liao (our wonderful teacher advisor), Hamilton College Consulting, and of course, our amazing student writers and designers.
This is the beginning of a new school year, the beginning of a new and improved Beaker, and the beginning of our very first issue. We hope you enjoy what’s to come!
Sincerely, Flora Park and Ivana Mai
Editors-in-Chief
CONTRIBUTORS
fall 2016
Editors-in-Chief
Writers
Flora Park
Angela Baek
Ivana Mai
Angela Chen Aruna Sudarshan
Teacher Advisor
Arushi Dogra
Frank Liao
Ayesha Aslam-Mir Chan Park
Copy/Content Editors
Divya Sood
Isaac Lee
Hazelle Gunawan
Janelle Uy
Isaac Lee
Shaan Trika
Jessica Liu Josephine Shia
Design Editors
Lucy Gao
Brian Huo
Priyanka Babu
Tiffany Do
Varsha Bodepudi
Principal Artist
Danielle Chang
STNETNOCeht
01 03 05 06 07 08 09 11 13 15 17 19 21 23
Science & Tech Events Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria The Tallest Mammals of the Earth My Experience with the Genomic Revolution Over the Edge and Back A New Possibility A Letter to the Stressed High School Student Antibacterial Soaps: Off the Shelves? Aliens / Do Aliens Exist? Beating the Blackbird How the Dead Sea is Slowly Deteriorating It’s Cute! It’s Fluffy! It’s… Terrifying? The Energy Debate Citations
SCIENCE & TECH EVENTS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Introduction to 3D Printing and CAD Drawing Workshop @ Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1875 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101) $85 for Fleet members, $95 for nonmembers; tickets online on the Fleet site Otto Lai, founder of Platt College’s Visual Effects and Compositing Program and current teacher at SDSU, presents a threesession workshop on computeraided design and 3D printing. You will get to design and print your very own 3D object!
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Machine Learning Forum Panel Discussion on How Machine Learning and A.I. Systems Are Impacting Science, Technology, and Business @ NEST Cowork (1855 1st Avenue #201 San Diego, CA 92101) FREE; register online at EventBrite.com A panel of 34 industry experts will discuss Machine Learning and its impacts on the present and future in industries. Search up for more information.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Hour of Code by New Horizons Learning Group @ New Horizons (7480 Miramar Road Building B, Suite 202 San Diego, CA 92126) FREE; register online at EventBrite.com Students ages 818 are invited to learn unique computer science skills like programming languages, critical thinking and more! The event will be presented by Technical Training Manager Bill Berger.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Ethics of Climate Change and Climate Engineering by The Center for Ethics in Science and Technology @ Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1875 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101) FREE; register online at EventBrite.com Hear Margaret Leinen, an oceanographer and director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UCSD, speak about the ethical issues over the threat of climate change and how they relate to climate engineering.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Robotics for Assisted Living by The Center for Ethics in Science and Technology @ Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (1875 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101) FREE; register online at EventBrite.com Hear Dean Albert Pisano, a professor of UCSD’s Jacob’s School of Engineering speak about the effects of robotics for those who need assisted living and the questions that are raised due to the technology’s ability to capture information about us.
FALL 2016
02
ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANT
bacteria BY PRIYANKA BABU
Bacteria is an important part of our lives.
of the low resistant bacteria that invaded
It is found all over our skin, in the
your body begin to die off. The issue is that
environment we thrive in, in the food we
there are several types of bacteria with
consume, and even inside our body. Many
different resistant levels ranging from
species of bacteria are required to keep our
extremely vulnerable to a level of resistance
bodies healthy and maintain homeostasis.
1,000 times stronger than any other
Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled living
bacteria[2]. The antibiotics may work on the
organisms that are able to thrive in divergent
majority of the low to high resistant bacteria,
environments and rapidly multiply. They are
but the highly indestructible ones will still
often the first line of defense against foreign
remain because they are not susceptible to
pathogens that invade our bodies and
antibiotics. These extremely durable
promote the repair of damaged tissues,
bacteria will continue to thrive in their
among many other things. These types of
environments. Natural selection will take
bacteria, such as lactobacillus and
place and the high-resistant bacteria will be
bifidobacterium, are considered “good”
selected. They will then begin to quickly
bacteria. [1] There is, unfortunately, a “bad”
reproduce, creating several new generations
type of bacteria. The cancer-causing, food-
of high-resistant bacteria. Some of these
poisoning, disease-stimulating bacteria are
bacteria, called multi-resistant organisms,
likely the ones that you are more familiar
are so resistant that they are able to
with. These infectious bacteria, such as
withstand multiple types of antibiotics[2].
botulinum and Escherichia coli, cause
Eventually, the antibiotics will not be strong
serious illnesses and can be life-threatening, unless they are treated with antibiotics. [1] Antibiotics are powerful medicines that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria. An issue that scientists have been focused on for many years is that some types of bacteria eventually become antibiotic resistant and continue to thrive in their environments. How do these microscopic prokaryotes go from treatable to resistant in a matter of weeks?
It all starts when a bacteria enters your body
"An issue that scientists have been focused on for many years is that some types of bacteria eventually become antibiotic resistant and continue to thrive in their environments."
enough to terminate the large population of highly resistant bacteria and will no longer be effective.
Antibiotic resistant bacteria has cast a shadow over the medical miracles that we take for granted. They cause concerns since certain antibiotic medicines are no longer effective. The bacteria become resistant to the common, easily available antibiotics that are typically prescribed by doctors. This makes it difficult to treat infections and can
through the food you consume, your nose, or
increase the risk of more serious conditions
any body opening, really. The bacteria begin
or death. As high multi-resistant organisms
to multiply rapidly and cause damage to
continue to thrive and spread, several
some of your tissues or attack your immune
antibiotic drugs are in danger of losing their
system. When it begins to take its toll on your
potency. If high antibiotic-resistant bacteria
body, you begin noticing the signs of a
continue to become accustomed to today’s
disease or infection. Then, once you begin
miracle drugs, the world might just find itself
administering the copious amounts of
back in the early ages of medicine with few
antibiotics your doctor has prescribed, many
cures to deadly bacterial infections.
03
THE BEAKER
THE TALLEST MAMMALS OF THE EARTH MAY GO EXTINCT RIGHT BENEATH OUR NOSES BY ANGELA BAEK
A New Discovery
Tall and long-necked, yellow with brown patches, purple tongues, and Africa — as children, that may have been the only thing we needed to know about giraffes. However, this has changed and scientists have found that there may be more to giraffes than we had originally thought.
Originally, scientists had thought that all giraffes belong to one species, Giraffa camelopardalis, with up to 11 subspecies, 7 of those recognized [3]. On September 8th, 2016, an article was released on Current Biology describing the new change. After studying the DNA of natural giraffe populations in Africa, researchers have found not one, but four distinct species: the Northern giraffe, the Southern giraffe, the reticulated
World’s Tallest Mammals -- Overlooked?
When it comes to Africa, scientists have focused mainly on researching large, endangered mammals, including elephants, rhinoceroses, and lions. Although the giraffes’ numbers have dropped drastically from more than 150,000 to fewer than 100,000 over the last three decades, scientists remained oblivious to their decline without thorough study.
“The giraffe is a neglected species. Only 400 scientific papers have been written about giraffes, versus 20,000 papers on white rhinos,” says Axel Janke, a biologist studying in a research center in Germany [2].
giraffe, and the Masai giraffe.
The genetic research has revealed that these four species do not mate with each other in the wild, posing a bigger threat to giraffes than we have seen before. When together, their numbers are strong; however, when separated into categories, we can see that they are definitely close to endangered.
Specifically, the northern giraffe and the reticulated giraffe are significantly threatened. The northern giraffe, with three subspecies of the Nubian, Kordofan, and West Africa, have a combined population of less than 4,750, while the reticulated giraffe has had the fastest
Scientists have focused on researching large endangered mammals when it comes to Africa. They raise questions about elephants being
population declines, almost 80%, with less than 8,700 [4]. Many declines are due to habitat loss, while others are from poaching [2].
poached for tusks and the decline of white rhino population. Compared to these other animals, giraffes seem untouched as a large group, causing them to be overlooked by researchers.
Giraffes becoming endangered may not have a large impact on our lives. But what if they go extinct? More importantly, what animal is next?
my experience with the
GENOMIC REVOLUTION
BY ISAAC LEE
Spiderman. The Flash. The Hulk. What do
Personal Genome Revolution International
gathering, I was able to express my idea of
these superheroes have in common? Most
Symposium 2016. During this momentous
applying genetic applications into the real
people will point out, “They’re Marvel and DC
flight to South Korea, home to the world’s
world by creating business models and
characters, duh.” But what if there was a
fastest Internet and the largest electronics
concepts. In addition, renowned scientists
broader, more fundamental parallel
company. For about a month, I had a once-
such as Graeme Bethel from Illumina and Dr.
between these characters? There is, in fact:
in-a-lifetime internship experience at the
Brandon Colby from Sequencing dot com
they are all genetically mutated.
Eone Diagnomics Genome Center (EDGC),
delivered presentations on consumer and
one of the fastest growing bioinformatics and
precision genomics at the symposium. With
genomics business in the country.
this unique opportunity, I am officially
Ever since I was young, I grew up watching quite a bit of DC and Marvel films, being
recognized as one of the very few high
fascinated and enthralled by the amazing
EDGC was established in 2013 in conjunction
schoolers in the world to have had their
abilities some of these superheroes can
with the Eone Life Science Institute, merging
entire genome mapped and analyzed.
perform. But I knew in the back of my head,
two distinct expertises and experiences to
these superheroes weren't real. So I falsely
create new types of healthcare. When EDGC
But enough about what I did. What does this
assumed that superheroes were just pure
announced an internship program for aspiring
mean to the rest of the people? What insight
science fiction and that humanity will never
high school students, the opportunity was too
can we gain from getting our genomes
have the capability to modify humans. Never
good to give up. The program primarily
mapped? Again, to put it simply, it is the first
have I been so wrong.
consisted of hands on lab experience,
major step in the future of cancer care. Just
content editing for the company’s
like how a blueprint is needed if a building is
publications, and research based on the
found to have faults, scientists can
results of different genetic experiments—all
determine and even cure deformities in our
It’s likely that we will never have a
under the guidance of Dr. Min Seob Lee. He
genes from our genetic “blueprints”.
Spiderman or a Hulk in our societies (due to
ensured that me and my other team members
ethical justification). So although it is unlikely
were actively engaging in and learning about
By getting our genomes mapped and truly
to see a future filled with genetically
the different medical applications related to
knowing who we are on the genetic level, it
mutated super beings, it is certain that in the
genetics. But what’s more unique about this
empowers people to control the fate of their
near future, modified humans will be free of
internship is the fact that it is the world’s first
future wellbeing. Once scientists in the
harmful diseases and predisposed
program to offer more unique about this
future are able to fully harness the powers of
conditions. This future is often regarded as
internship is the fact hat it is the world’s first
the human genome, a bright future is ahead
the “Genetic Revolution” by the science
program to offer students to conduct and
of us. A future in which the average person
community.
analyze their own entire genome, a feat that
is able to live significantly longer. A future in
was once only possible by highly trained
which people can do whatever they want to
To explore how I can take part in this so
scientists in state-of-the-art laboratories.
do without health issues hindering them. A
called “Genetic Revolution”, I decided
After analyzing my genome, I had the
future in which loved ones can reunite with
to finally go out into the world and express
amazing opportunity to be one of the junior
their friends and families. A future in which
my affinity towards genetics. On a warm
presenters at the 1st Personal Genome
cancer is eradicated from the face of the
Sunday in June, I headed to LAX to take a
Revolution International
Earth.
But ok, let’s to be a little realistic.
FALL 2016
06
OVER THE EDGE AND BACK BY LUCY GAO
Death. It’s something that fascinates us,
coincidentally, had rather similar
something that scares us. It’s one of the
recollections. Whether it’s flying off without
recurring themes in our history, something
being tied down to Earth with their bodies or
As we get ever closer to the brink of death
worshipped and feared with theories
seeing strange lights, all these fall into the
and manage to pull ourselves back, NDEs
spinning wildly off of its back. It’s perceived
study of near-death experiences, or NDEs
have become “perhaps the only spiritual
as a stopping point, a finishing act, a certain
[2]. And as Dr. Sam Parnia’s work around
experience that we have a chance of
and ultimately unavoidable end. Our
cardiac arrest patients explains, “almost 40
investigating in a truly thorough, scientific
common medical dictionary defines death as
percent [of the patients] described having
way” [4]. Diane Corcoran, the president of
“the cessation of all vital functions of the
some form of ‘awareness’ at a time when
the International Association for Near-Death
body including the heartbeat, brain activity
they were clinically dead.”
Studies (IANDS), explains that NDEs have
(including the brain stem), and breathing”
times including the Middle Ages.
often been linked to a large range of
[1]. In simpler words, death is when the body
One case belongs to a singer and
different circumstances, including heart
essentially stops working. It’s a process, sort
songwriter, Pam Reynolds. She had an
attacks and electrocution [4].
of like life.
aneurysm in her brain and her surgeon decided to use “hypothermic cardiac arrest”,
Bruce Greyson, “one of the first doctors to
Clinical death is the first step in this process
which is a method to lower the temperature
study NDEs seriously” [4], has created a
[2]. Clinical death is very short, and it only
of her body enough to stop her heart and
scale that determines what classifies an
lasts from when the person stops breathing
drain the blood from her head. It’s not a
NDE. He rates the experience on 16 different
until their pulse ceases. Throughout this
traditional approach but it’s not as fatal as it
topics, with a minimum score of 0 and a
stage, some organs may remain alive, such
may sound; her cells don’t die when the
maximum score of 2 for each category. Any
as the eyes, kidneys, and perhaps even the
oxygen is removed. After her body is heated
experience that rates 7 or higher than a 7 on
brain.
and her heart begins to pump, she is alive
this scale is considered an NDE.
once again. She’s basically ‘shut down’ and Biological death is the second step. This is
then ‘restarted’, somewhat like a computer.
when the body’s organs actually begin to
NDEs can have long-term effects, whether they’re good or bad. Some are more
stop, and the cells start to die off. But what
Her surgeons confirmed that Pam Reynolds
positive, such as a pure love for everyone
we don’t know is at what point a person is
was dead after a couple of minutes and
and becoming more generous to others, but
declared “dead” by definition.
then was effectively “restarted.” She recalls
others can be more on the negative or on
experiencing a rather strong NDE, and
the strange side, such as developing
It’s not really what happens to the body
correctly listed details about what happened
difficulty with money and exerting a weird
during death that truly fascinates us —
around her when she was “dead,” “such
influence on electrical devices or equipment.
rather, it’s what we think during death of
as the shape of the bone saw used on her
what happens to us after we die. It’s a given
skull, snatches of conversations between the
As the studies of NDEs progress, we’re able
that we will never know what happens the
medical staff, and the staff listening” [4].
to acquire huge amounts of information
moment ‘death’ actually occurs, and this is
She is a prime exhibit for the studies on
about the science of death. We’re able to
due to the fact that people who have died
NDEs.
get small glimpses into where death resides,
cannot simply wake up and tell us what it
and we’ve peeked into the chasm quite a NDEs themselves and their links are pretty
few times now. We haven’t been able to fully
difficult to explain; there are many gray
fall over the cliff and come back yet, but
Even so, we can get pretty close to this
areas, and it’s hard to connect the biological
we’re close. And with the fast-paced,
mysterious reality.
processes that come together to give us
modernized way of science, practically
these vivid experiences when we die. Some
anything is possible. Maybe, within a few
Some individuals have actually been brought
scientists agree that there’s a good amount
decades or centuries, we’ll have mastered
back after their breath and their pulse had
of biological information and research to
the art.
stopped [2]. They returned from their daze
back up NDEs, but others simply dismiss it as
with memories of what they had
unrealistic. Accounts that seem similar to
And maybe, by then, you’ll be the one going
experienced, and weirdly, perhaps,
NDEs, however, have dated back to ancient
over the edge and back.
feels like.
07
THE BEAKER
AN E WP O S S I B I L I T Y BY HAZELLE GUNAWAN
For years, scientists have been combing
Proxima Centauri being a red dwarf
actually habitable or not. Some questions
through the universe, in search of the
doesn't help matters, as such stars are
begging to be answered are whether water
needles in haystacks that are habitable
known to have unstable growths that could
exists on the planet or if it has a magnetic
planets. As rare as painite, planets able to
negatively impact Proxima b. Rory Barnes, an
field like Earth’s to help protect against its
sustain life are few and far in between. The
astrobiologist at the University of
star’s radiation. Astronomers also want to
most important requirement, liquid water,
Washington, suggests that a blanket of
learn about the planet’s history, in hopes
demands that planets reside in their solar
hydrogen could combat this problem, only
that it might help them learn more about
system’s “Goldilocks Zone,” a term used to
dissipating once the star has finished
Proxima b’s capability to contain water and
define the optimal distance from a planet to
growing. Another thing that could cause
in turn, life [2].
its star for life to exist. The general opinion
troubles is the tides that Proxima Centauri
was that a planet like this would take
could hypothetically produce on its planet,
Astronomers also hope for a transit, when
decades to find, especially one within a
locking one side of the planet into light and
the planet casts a shadow as it passes
reasonable distance to Earth.
the other into permanent darkness. Even
across the face of its star. Although the
worse, if Proxima b’s orbit was ever
shadow would be small, it would be
At least until August 24, 2016, when
stretched out, “tidal heating” could boil off
measureable, and scientists would be able
astronomers discovered a planet orbiting the
any water and erase any chances of life
to use it to calculate Proxima b’s size, mass,
red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, only 4.22
existing [1].
and maybe even density and composition.
light years away [1]. The planet, dubbed
Even if the planet doesn’t transit, ground-
“Proxima b”, resides in its star’s Goldilocks
An interesting question posed is why it took
based telescopes would still be able to
zone, and has the potential to contain liquid
so long to find this planet, if Proxima
gather a wealth of information about red
water. Many people think this planet could
Centauri is the closest star to our solar
dwarf stars [1].
be the one we’ve been looking for.
system. The answer is in the star itself. As a low-mass red dwarf, or M-class dwarf,
In the meantime, programs like Mission
Proxima b bears many similarities to Earth. It
Proxima Centauri is hidden by the light
Centaur plan to use imaging and other
has been estimated to be a little more than
coming from Alpha Centauri AB.
techniques to look for even more planets
one third heavier than Earth, and could have
Observations on Proxima Centauri have
around Proxima Centauri and the
a solid surface to contain much-needed
noted that the star tends to act like a planet,
surrounding stars [2]. Astronomers are now
water. However, it has a significantly longer
and so astronomers have been on the
debating on whether to pool all their
orbit at 11.2 Earth days, and orbits Proxima
lookout for a wobble that would be caused
resources into a giant observatory or send
Centauri at a mere 5% of the distance
by a planetary body pulling on the star.
out smaller, cheaper telescopes, and are
between the Earth and the Sun. Fortunately,
Finally, after using data collected from
asking to send out robotic probes or
Proxima Centauri has a much weaker
2000, they found definite signs of a planet
radio/laser-based messages in hopes of
intensity than our star, making Proxima b still
orbiting around Proxima Centauri, leading to
contacting other forms of life [1]. Proxima b’s
a possibility. This proximity means it
the discovery that has generated so much
discovery has garnered more excitement
experiences more radiation than Earth,
excitement [2].
than ever, and I can’t wait to see what we
which would likely affect anything living
find next.
there [2]. It is also unknown if Proxima b has
Scientists plan on continuing to research
an atmosphere, so making plans to move
Proxima b, trying to find out all they can
might not be a wise decision at this point.
about this planet and whether or not it is
FALL 2016
08
A LETTER TO THE STRESSED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT BY VARSHA BODEPUDI AND ANGELA CHEN
Dear high school student,
this, the most immediate effect of chronic stress, and perhaps the most important one, is the impact on mental health. Before we get
I’m sorry you have that math test tomorrow. I’m sorry you have to take
there, however, here’s a mini-lesson on the human brain.
those 30 pages of APEC notes. I’m sorry you have to juggle all that’s expected of you during one of the most difficult times of your life. I’m
As you probably already know, the brain is an organ that, as part of
especially sorry you have to deal with copious amounts of stress on a
the central nervous system, controls your body. Our brain is made of
daily basis.
two components- gray matter and white matter. Gray matter is consists of neurons and glia, which work together to store and process
Stress. Now that’s a word we hear quite often, whether it’s coming
information [4]. Meanwhile, white matter is a network of fibers that
from the mouth of a fellow student or the larynx of an older family
connect neurons together [4]. Think about it like this: in the urban
member. But what exactly is stress? Evolutionarily speaking, stress is a
jungle that is your brain, all the apartments and businesses and public
response that evolved to save you from danger through the “fight or
areas are the gray matter, while all the roads and intersections are the
flight response.” While that response is still useful in moments of
white matter. Now imagine a giant, rabid, screeching monkey swinging
danger, the average high schooler doesn’t face such life-threatening
in on invisible vines, kicking everything in sight and messing up the
events on a daily basis. But between juggling school, extracurriculars,
entire city.
and relationships while trying to figure out life in general, we have quite a lot on our plate. According to the American Psychological
This beloved monkey, my friend, is stress.
Association, “Teens report that their stress level during the school year far exceeds what they believe to be healthy (5.8 versus 3.9 on a 10-
When this stress monkey is allowed to rampage through the city for too
point scale) and tops adults’ average reported stress levels (5.8 for
long, it can ruin the entire place. Mind you, this isn’t the typical giant,
teens versus 5.1 for adults)” [1]. It might sound cliche, but the best thing
rabid, screeching monkey you’re probably imagining right now- it’s a
to do for both your mental and physical health is to not stress. Easier
systematic, giant, rabid, screeching monkey. Instead of obliterating
said than done, right? But the road to recovery has to start
important buildings and smashing crucial roads like the mindless
somewhere. Chronic stress has virtually no positive effects, and
Godzilla would do, this stress monkey obliterates parts of important
reducing the amount of stress you have to deal with is the best thing
buildings and turns the road system completely upside-down.
to do. Stress can take a toll on a both an individual's physical health and mental health, so for the sake of your well-being, don’t stress too
Now, this is a bit of a tangent, but still an important detail. There are
much, and make sure you have ways of coping when it is inevitable.
three buildings we’ll be focusing on today. First off, there is the building called the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps with
Stress can do as much damage to the body and mind as any other
memory and plays a role in various emotional disorders. Another
disease can. Now, I’m sure many people have already heard of some
building, the amygdala, is the hub for the production of emotions,
of the negative effects of stress. It can weaken your immune system,
motivation, and the fight-or-flight response. Meanwhile, the prefrontal
wreak havoc on memory, and significantly alter your behavior, just to
cortex acts as the headquarters by taking in all the information,
name a few. High levels of cortisol, the major stress hormone, can also
thinking logically, and moderating responses.
lead to an increased vulnerability towards various diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease [2]. High levels of cortisol
Anyways, back to the monkey. One thing that this stress monkey can
can also kill brain cells in the hippocampus, a region of your brain that
do is destroy several roads connecting the hippocampus and the
is crucial for long-term memory [3]. Frankly, those APUSH notes won’t
prefrontal cortex while adding roads connecting the hippocampus and
do much if you’re too sick to actually learn from them.
the amygdala. In this case, the impact on the urban jungle is enormous: it can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
As relatively healthy and young individuals, we often overlook the
Daniela Kaufer, UC Berkeley associate professor of integrative biology,
effects of stress on our long-term well-being. But in order to live a
explains, “..if your connections are not so good to the prefrontal
healthy life, you should always prioritize your well-being, even if it
cortex, your ability to shut down responses is impaired. So, when you
means not doing as well as you would like to in school. In addition to
are in a stressful situation, the inhibitory pathways from the prefrontal
09
THE BEAKER
cortex telling you not to get stressed don’t work as well as the amygdala shouting to the hippocampus, ‘This is terrible!’ You have a much bigger response than you should” [4]. And according to research, this stress monkey can cause even more damage than just PTSD—people suffering from chronic stress are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and other neuroses [5]. Chronic
"Now imagine a giant, rabid, screeching monkey swinging
stress, therefore, plays a large role in mental health.
Stress is not only bad for health, but incredibly counterproductive and inefficient as well. According to Psychology Today, “...high stress levels leading to cortisol, or for some reason excreting too much cortisol
in on invisible vines, kicking everything in sight and messing up the entire city.
leading to feeling stress, it impedes perhaps not the capacity to learn, but even the choice to do so” [6]. If you’re too stressed, your brain will just just refuse to learn. As in, you’re just wasting your energy and not gaining anything in return. It’s like trying to compete in a race when your race car is missing two tires and the steering wheel; it’s almost physically impossible to move forward. There’s no point in stressing out when all it does is hurt you.
In addition, stress often takes the joy out of life. When you’re too stressed out, it might feel as though the life you’re living in meaningless. Stress can turn you into a robot of your former self. Life isn’t entirely about getting that A in an AP class, being the perfect candidate for your dream job, or getting into a top-tier college. Life is about doing what makes you happy. And while hard work is necessary for reaching your goals, you might end up overworking yourself and sacrificing your well-being in the process. Is it the end result really going to be worth it? I know many of you are thinking it’s not realistic to not be stressed. That in order achieve what you want you have to work as hard as physically and mentally possible. But if you ruin your health in the process, a perfect SAT score, a high GPA, or an A in an AP-whatever means nothing.
While you shouldn’t stress yourself to the extreme, life is crazy, and sometimes stress is inevitable. Therefore, it is important to have ways to cope with stress to minimize the damage it can have. One way to deal with stress is to simply take some time to focus on yourself. Use this time to cleanse your soul, relax, and take a mental time-out. And don’t think that wanting to relax makes you a lazy person. It’s quite the opposite, actually. According to Scientific American, “downtime is in fact essential to mental processes that affirm our identities, develop our understanding of human behavior and instill an internal code of ethics...Downtime is an opportunity for the brain to make sense of what it has recently learned, to surface fundamental unresolved tensions in our lives and to swivel its powers of reflection away from the external world toward itself” [7]. In other words, relaxation is essential to a healthy and happy mental state. Do things that you
This beloved monkey, my friend, is stress."
enjoy, and actually live your life.
Stress is a state of mind we let ourselves get too wrapped up in. The effects of stress can be extremely detrimental and will hurt us in both the sprint and the marathon of life. If we take steps to protect our mental and physical health, we can all live happier and healthier lives.
Sincerely, Varsha and Angela
FALL 2016
10
Antibacterial Soaps: Off the Shelves?
BY ARUSHI DOGRA
As of Friday, September 2nd, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug
The ban will affect around 40% of all soap products. [4] The FDA’s
Administration (FDA) issued a ban on antibacterial soaps, stating that
statement on the data that was submitted by the companies is as
“over-the-counter (OTC) consumer antiseptic wash products
follows: "For these ingredients, either no additional data were
containing certain active ingredients can no longer be marketed.” [1]
submitted or the data and information that were submitted were not sufficient for the agency to find that these ingredients are Generally
“Consumers may think antibacterial washes are more effective at
Recognized as Safe and Effective." [3] Companies will have one year
preventing the spread of germs, but we have no scientific evidence
to either reformulate or remove their product from circulation. [3]
that they are any better than plain soap and water,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and
Other than not having much of a benefit, the soaps may even be
Research (CDER). “In fact, some data suggests that antibacterial
harmful to humans. The most common of these banned chemicals is
ingredients may do more harm than good over the long-term.” [1]
Triclosan, mostly used in liquid soaps, and Triclocarban, in bar soaps. [4] According to Mae Wu, an attorney at the Natural Resources
DETAILS OF THE BAN
Defense Council, these have been found to possibly disrupt hormonal cycles and weaken muscles. [3]
The FDA first issued a proposed rule in 2013, requiring manufacturers to prove the effectiveness of antibacterial soap, when compared to
Although many companies had started discontinuing the use of these
regular soap and water. [2] A week before the ban was announced,
chemicals, not all of them had. For example, Dial's "All Day Freshness"
soap manufacturers had failed to prove that 19 chemicals that were
antibacterial soap has Triclocarban listed as one of its active
used in majority of these soaps did more good than harm. [3]
ingredients on its website. [3] Other companies have tried replacing
11
THE BEAKER
Triclosan with Benzalkonium Chloride, Benzethonium Chloride, or
agency to regulate antimicrobial chemicals, warning that they risk
Chloroxylenol (PCMX). The FDA has given them until February, 2017 to
scrambling hormones in children and promoting drug-resistant
prove the safety of these new chemicals. [3]
infections, and now applaud the ban. [4] Rolf Halden, a scientist at the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University that has been
MIXED REACTIONS
tracking the issue for years, says “It has boggled my mind why we were clinging to these compounds, and now that they are gone I feel
This ban was faced with a variety of different reactions.
liberated. They had absolutely no benefit but we kept them buzzing around us everywhere. They are in breast milk, in urine, in blood, in
On one hand, supporters of the soap industry disagree with the FDA.
babies just born, in dust, in water.” [4] Also, research director of
Brian Sansoni, spokesperson for the American Cleaning Institute,
Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Jane Houlihan, called the ban "terrific"
stated in an email that, "Washing the hands with an antiseptic soap
and "a long time coming." [3]
can help reduce the risk of infection beyond that provided by washing with non-antibacterial soap and water." [3] They strongly oppose the
This ban does not apply to cleansers used in healthcare or food
new rule, saying that the agency “has in its hands data that shows the
service and it doesn’t affect hand sanitizers and wipes that are used
safety and effectiveness of antibacterial soaps.” [4] They also follow
without water and are made up of more than 50% alcohol. [3] There
by declaring that they will continue to work on their proof in order “to
are also many regular liquid and bar soaps available that do not
fill data gaps identified by the F.D.A.” [4]
contain harmful chemicals and may be used as a safer alternative. Overall, it is not the end of the world and people still have clean
Others welcome the new rule with arms wide open. Ken Cook, co-
hands. For years, antibacterial soap companies have been trying to
founder and president of the Environmental Working Group, stated
impose their products on consumers through intimidating
that, "This decision by the FDA is a huge victory on behalf of human
advertisements and promises to eliminate all germs. Turns out, they
health and the environment." [3] Health experts have pushed the
forgot to check if their own products should be eliminated first.
FALL 2016
12
ALIENS Have we finally communicated with a new species? Or is our new hope a hoax?
BY AYESHA ASLAM-MIR
The SETI Institute received the good news of a strong signal to
They wouldn’t even be able to detect our existence in the first place,
one of its satellites. Could this mean there really is intelligent life out
let alone collect enough energy (billions of watts) in order to send a
there, or could the signal have come from elsewhere?
strong signal our way. Seth Shostak, a senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, says “it's hard to understand why anyone would want to
The SETI Institute, which works in the Search for Extraterrestrial
target our solar system with a strong signal… this star system is so far
Intelligence, received a strange signal on May 15, 2015. An
away they won't have yet picked up on any TV or radar that would tell
international team noticed an extreme spike in signals they had been
them that we're here.” [5]
receiving from a probe which they had sent out. The source? A star similar to our own sun, categorized as an HD164595, which happens to
Moving on, we have to realize that the signal can’t be directly tracked
be ninety-four light years away from our own system. The theory? The
to aliens. It could have come from other sources of radiation, or
signal was interpreted as a sign from an extraterrestrial source, which
perhaps even our own species. How, you may ask? First, one must
may have been trying to communicate with humankind on earth.
understand the actual signal received was only present in one of
Although there indeed may be life out there besides us in our vast
perhaps thirty-nine observations. Dennis Overbye of the New York
universe, is this signal truly from others like us? Or is the signal from a
Times, in his article “A Call From Outer Space, or A Cosmic Wrong
source of our own?
Number?” writes that the team of Russians who were on the project noticed a few problems with the theory that the signal may have come
HD164595 lies in the constellation Hercules; although it exists far from
from aliens [3]. They noted how the signal was only recorded once and
us, somehow a warm, Neptune-like planet has been discovered near it,
how terrestrial sources, such as military probes, could have thrown off
and scientists theorize the existence of others around it. The situation
the signal recording and caused the recordings to spike. Shostak of
which the planet is in is a bit similar to that of our own Earth, and we
the SET Institute speaks of his own experiences covering the signal
just happen to exist due to the state of our planet. However, even
observed by the Russians, as mentioned in Overbye’s article, and
within the same circumstances, we could not have produced such a
continues on to conclude that the signal was no longer present after
signal.
the first spike. In his own article written for the SETI Institute, Shostak writes “the Allen Telescope Array (ATA) was swung in the direction of
Making any sense yet?
HD 164595 beginning on the evening of August 28. According to our scientists Jon Richards and Gerry Harp, it has so far not found any
Well, humankind is a Kardashev Type 1 civilization—we can only harness
signal anywhere in the very large patch of sky covered by the ATA.” [5]
the power of earthquakes, wind, sunlight, and other basic powers. The
This shows that even as that area of the galaxy was monitored, no
strength of the signal that the SETI satellite received, if it did in fact
further signal was received.
come from an alien civilization, would have to have come from a Type 2 civilization, meaning that a highly intelligent species, beyond the
Although there are other galaxies with conditions that make life
capabilities of our own, would have harnessed the energy of its entire
possible, humankind has not found any strong evidence to prove the
star (in our case, our star is the sun). This means billions of watts would
existence of extraterrestrials. The SETI Institute’s news of the presence
have been collected to emit a signal toward our direction.
of extraterrestrials seems to indeed be another false alarm in the many
This is where the speculation and theory of the extraterrestrial begins
recorded throughout history. Evidence points to the falsification of this
to shrivel down. Why in the world would a Type 2 species harness
signal. Perhaps we may find another civilization one day and perhaps
energy to send a signal our way?
they may send a signal out in order to communicate with us, but the SETI signal is not likely to be proof of alien presence.
13
THE BEAKER
DO ALIENS EXIST? A Recent Signal Proves Yes
BY CHAN PARK
From the first cavemen to the modern citizens of nations around
HD164595 is intriguing, because it comes from the vicinity of a sun-like
the world, people have been interested in lives that are not theirs
star, and if it’s artificial, its strength is great enough that it was clearly
—especially ones that are as intellectual as they are. The search
made by a civilization with capabilities beyond those of humankind.”
for such beings has not gone well on planet Earth, so they are naturally
[1] Italian astronomer also described the star HD164595 as “a strong
turning to the unknowns of the universe. The universe is the logical
candidate for SETI.” [1] A civilization that produced such a signal that
place to search, as it is an infinite expansion that humans cannot even
can travel 94 light-years and hit Earth must be much more advanced
dream to finish exploring. However, the search has been in vain, until
than humans because the power needed to transmit a signal that goes
now.
so far is at least a trillion watts, near the total energy consumption of all humankind. Can humans produce this kind of energy with any of
A group called SETI, which stands for Search for Extraterrestrial
their modern devices or generators? No, they cannot, as they are a
Intelligence, is currently investigating a mysterious signals from a star
Kardeshev Type 1 civilization. This means that they can only use only the
94 light-years, or about 552 trillion miles, in the middle of the
energy of their own planet. However, can aliens? If they are a Type II
constellation Hercules. Although many claim that the signal is not
civilization with a much more advanced technology that can harness
enough to show the existence of alien life because it can come from a
the powers of stars, sending signals to planets 94 light-years away is
stray satellite or so, it is enough to show that there are life forms much
possible.
more intelligent than us in the universe, based on the direction it came from.
Many people argue that the signal cannot be from aliens in their fear for the unknown and unrest at the thought of beings more intelligent
Coming from a sun-like star called HD164595, which has a near
than humans. They claim that there was a “technological interference
identical metallic composition with our own star, the signal appears to
or amplification through gravitational lensing, where a signal behind a
a Russian telescope among 39 observations. This may not seem that
planet or other large object appears to be far stronger than it actually
important, but the signal came from the direction of a star like ours.
is.” [1] That doesn’t explain where the signal came from; it still means
The sun provides life for all living things on Earth, and is the most
an unknown sign came from a vague place, even if it is a lot closer.
important necessity for life. Without the sun, life would not have sprung up and advanced. The first known living organisms, cyanobacteria,
The signal combined with the direction it came from—a solar system
used sunlight to produce energy for themselves and thus evolve into
with a star much like our sun—provide significant evidence that
the variety of animals and plants that exist on Earth. The sun is thus
extraterrestrial beings more intelligent than us can and are sending
very important for life.
evidence that they exist. Still seem skeptical about aliens? There is a constantly expanding universe that has barely even been seen, so the
According to astronomer Douglas Vakoch, the president of METI
chances that Earth is the only one with life, is highly unlikely.
International, which searches for life beyond Earth, “The signal from
FALL 2016
14
BEATING THE BLACKBIRD BY JOSEPHINE SHIA
In 2018, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works
But how fast exactly is Mach 6? Mach 1 is the
whopping 3800 km/h faster than its
division plans to begin construction on a
speed of sound (343 m/s at sea level), and
predecessor, the SR-71 Blackbird.
scaled-down prototype of what would
each consecutive number is going at that
become the fastest airplane ever built,
number times the speed of sound. That
The SR-71 Blackbird was legendary for its
the SR-72 [1]. Though the prototype will only
makes Mach 6 six times the speed of sound,
insane speed. Developed during the
be the size of an F-22 (about sixty feet,
or about 7409 kilometers per hour (or 4603
beginning of the Cold War, the Blackbird
while the full-size SR-72 is planned to be 100
mph) . To put that into perspective, the SR-
flew multiple reconnaissance trips, spying on
feet), it will sport a single full-size engine,
72 could fly from San Diego to New York in
and taking images of strategic targets such
which should be enough to allow the
only 32 minutes. Such speed would place
as Vietnam [3], Japan, the USSR [4] and
prototype of the SR-72 to fly at speeds up to
the SR-72 not only in the supersonic
Israel [5], without ever being shot down or
Mach 6 for several minutes [2]. While the
category (faster than the speed of sound),
damaged by enemy fire [6]. In fact, the
prototype of the SR-72 is only expected to
but also in the exclusive club of hypersonic
Blackbird was so fast that its response to
be able to fly at Mach 6 for a few minutes,
aircraft (speeds higher than Mach 5). This
enemy fighters and surface-to-air missiles
the actual aircraft with both engines is
makes the prospective SR-72 just 200 km/h
was simply to outfly them. The SR-72 is
designed to be able to sustain Mach 6 for
faster than the fastest manned rocket, the
planned to be able to fly more than twice
the majority of its flight.
X-15 (built for research reasons), and a
the speed of the Blackbird.
15
THE BEAKER
TOP AIRCRAFT SPEEDS Average commercial airline Boeing 747 F-22 Raptor SR-71 Blackbird X-15 SR-72
900 km/h 988 km/h 2410 km/h 3541 km/h 7274 km/h 7409 km/h*
Approximately Commercial airline/cargo jet Considered top U.S. fighter jet Fastest manned airplane Fastest manned rocket Faster than a rocket!
*The speed for the SR-72 is calculated at sea level pressure (Mach speeds change with pressure) and differing altitudes may also affect the actual performance.
How does the SR-72 intend to surpass the
of a turbine to compress air. With almost no
legendary Blackbird? The secret lies in its
moving parts, the simplistic ramjet can
engines. The simplest sort of jet engine is the
operate from speeds of Mach 3 to Mach 6.
turbojet, which consists of multiple rotating
However, since a ramjet needs large
fans (a turbine) that compresses and the
amounts forward speed to compress air,
heat in air while mixing it with fuel. The
ramjets cannot propel an aircraft from a
resulting mixture is then ignited, which
standstill- they need to already be going at
produces forward thrust. Most airplanes,
about Mach 3 in order to function. To bridge
from commercial airlines to fighter jets, use
this gap of 0 to Mach 3, the SR-72 is
turbofans, which are turbojets with a large
designed to use both a turbojet and a
fan attached to the front that acts both as a
ramjet. The turbojet will take care of
compressor and a propeller, resulting in
accelerating the SR-72 up to Mach 3, where
higher efficiency in subsonic speeds (under
the aircraft will be moving fast enough for
Mach 1). The Blackbird used a specially
the ramjet to take over and accelerate the
modified turbojet, the J58, in order to reach
SR-72 up to the ultra-fast Mach 6.
its cruise speed of Mach 3.2. The J58 engine
Additionally, the SR-72’s ramjet will be
acts like a normal turbojet at lower speeds,
modified to allow it to compress air at
but when the Blackbird breaks Mach 2.2, six bypass tubes pass the air being taken in by the engine directly from the turbine to the afterburners [7]. In the afterburners, fuel is injected into the post-combusted air flow, which re-combusts and uses up any remaining oxygen. This produces a large amount of thrust, though with significantly less efficiency. At this stage, the engine is already moving so fast that air is compressed when it is funneled into the
Mach (n.)
supersonic speeds, making it a supersonic
a number indicating the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the medium through which the object is moving.
Both the SR-72’s turbojet and scramjet
combusting ramjet, or scramjet for short.
would be packed together with a shared intake and nozzle (tail end of the engine).
The SR-72 is intended to use its extreme speed for spying and reconnaissance missions similar to that of the SR-71 Blackbird. The SR-72 would perform highspeed flybys while high-tech digital sensors
turbojet’s intake. This direct turbine-to-
would pick up information. Additionally, the
afterburner airflow supercharges the J58’s
advantage of both speed and altitude would
afterburners, resulting in greater efficiency
allow the SR-72 to better avoid threats in
and higher speeds [8]. By using the engine’s
airspace [2]. The final SR-72 is planned to
forward motion to compress air, the
be a UAV, or unmanned aerial vehicle, used
Blackbird’s engine acts similar to a different
for intelligence, surveillance and
sort of jet engine: a ramjet.
reconnaissance missions similar to those of the U-2 Dragon Lady, Global Hawk and
And it is this sort of engine that the SR-72
Predator. The SR-72’s prototype is planned
will rely on to accelerate it to double the
to be finished in 2023, with the full-size SR-
speed of the SR-71. A ramjet, or a “flying
72 possibly entering service in 2030 [2]. But
stovepipe” as it has been called, is a jet
until then, we have a new fastest airplane to
engine that uses its forward speed instead
look forward to.
theBEAKER
16
BY JESSICA LIU
HOW THE DEAD SEA IS SLOWLY DETERIORATING
Everyone remembers the iconic Dead Sea for its regal desert
survived, no chances should be taken. Workers and tourists alike must
cliffs, picturesque blue skies, and its vast, salt-saturated waters.
be evacuated from the area of sinkhole damage. Because of potential
For over three million years, this enormous salt lake has stood its
deaths, insurance companies do not allow workers to remove
ground and existed as the lowest point on the planet. With a salinity of
equipment from the site which remain today, wasting a ton of money.
33.7%, the Dead Sea is incapable of supporting life other than tiny microbes. The Dead Sea also has a large historical significance, and
Also, sinkholes forming around the Dead Sea have greatly damaged
has made its way into the histories of numerous cultures. For example,
and disrupted agriculture in neighboring areas. Orchards of date trees
notable figures such as Aristotle wrote about the Dead Sea, while
remain abandoned and left to die without water under the scorching
Ancient Egyptians used its mud in the mummification process.
heat of the middle-eastern sun. With each sinkhole, farmers are at risk
Cleopatra herself enjoyed staying at the Dead Sea so much that she
of losing their jobs and money, as they can no longer work in their
ordered resorts to be built upon its shores. However, this scenic
sinkhole-ridden farms and orchards.
location could soon be gone by the year 2050. The Dead Sea’s water levels fall at “a rate of more than one meter per year“ [1], and
The Dead Sea’s death would also destroy the natural habitats of the
scientists say that humans are to blame.
surrounding area. Not far from the near-dead salt lake, several oases bloom with life. Fish swim peacefully in springs, and numerous species
Every year, tens of thousands of tourists flock to the Dead Sea to float
of animals reside nearby. Without the Dead Sea, these life-filled oases
in the salt-filled water, splash in freshwater pools, and roll in the
would surely shrivel up and perish.
mineral-rich mud. Others are attracted by the biblical significance of the Dead Sea and visit for religious reasons. Almost all of these
How can we prevent the Dead Sea’s Death?
tourists stay in neighboring cities, raising the need for housing. The population of the nearby cities has grown immensely, nearly
Although the Dead Sea is dying, there is still much that can be done to
quadrupling over the last fifty or so years. The necessity of water to
prevent it. For starters, neighboring communities could depend on
accommodate this large amount of people has forced the government
other sources for water, instead of simply siphoning off of the River
to divert it from the Dead Sea. The Jordan River, once the main water
Jordan. Additionally, governments of nearby cities could also
supply for the lake, is now used as the water source for the
encourage people to save water, instead of wasting it needlessly.
surrounding areas. In fact, the reason for the lowering water levels of
But how about healing the lake itself? Recently, “the World Bank
the Dead Sea “has been attributed to the increased consumption of
presented a bold plan to replenish the Dead Sea with water from the
water within the Jordan River and irrigation drainage basin” [2].
Red Sea, south of Israel” [4]. Through a set of pipes, water could be
Additionally, governments from around the area use water from the
pumped from the Red to the Dead sea. Although this does present
salt lake to extract minerals including potash and magnesium. Where
multiple risks, such as potential algae growth and pipe leakage, many
once hundreds of billions of gallons of water flowed in, now a
believe the plan is worth a try and support it. Through the years, the
relatively small amount of merely 26 billion gallons makes its way into
plan has disappeared and resurfaced many times, and has lost and
the Dead Sea.
gained many supporters. While some support the plan, others disagree, and believe that the Dead Sea should be revived through the
The lower water levels of the Dead Sea is not an issue that can be
rehabilitation of the Jordan River through desalination in order to
ignored. Because of the reduced water levels, sinkholes have begun to
supply water for a larger amount of people. However, this also poses
open up at an alarming rate of one every day. However, the amount of
many problems, as cooperation “is about as scarce as water in this
sinkholes can fluctuate, as the past year, “about 700 sinkholes formed”
part of the world”[4].
[3]. Although no one has died because of the opening of these sinkholes they still remain a danger for visitors and residents of the
Although the Dead Sea is disappearing, there are still many ways in
area. For example, sinkholes have already swallowed up caravans,
which the it can be revived and saved from death.
power lines, roads, and even some people. Though the victims have
17
THE BEAKER
The Dead Sea is a salt lake bordering Israel and Jordan.
It's cute! It's fluffy! It's... terrifying? BY DIVYA SOOD
Mary was just a normal lady walking to
presentation. An anxiety disorder is a mental
Starbucks on a normal day. Halfway there,
health condition in which the patient worries
though, she came face to face with her
excessively, to the point where carrying out
worst fear: a fluffy, grisly, adorable,
normal activities is difficult or impossible.
menacing, puppy. It wagged its tail. Mary
Basically, to a person with an anxiety
screamed and ran back home. You’re
disorder, pre-presentation fears would be
probably wondering what the big deal is. I
far more severe and could start months
mean, it’s just a puppy. Well, it wasn’t just a
before the actual event.
puppy to Mary, who had cynophobia. What’s that, you ask? Excellent question.
A phobia, also called a specific phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder in which a patient
To understand Mary’s fear, we first must start
has a lasting irrational fear of an object or
at the beginning. Anxiety disorders,
situation that is not actually dangerous.
characterized by excessive or overpowering
Examples include arachnophobia and
worry that interferes with daily living, affect
acrophobia. Perhaps some of you have
affected than men, but there isn’t too much
over 3 million people in the United States.
glossophobia, or fear of public speaking.
of a difference. Thirteen to fourteen year
Specific phobias, one of the more common
Mary definately has cynophobia, or the fear
olds seem to be the most affected group,
types of anxiety disorders, are caused by
of dogs. Mary’s phobia explains why she
but again, only slightly more than others.
both genetics and chemical imbalances.
reacted so poorly to seeing a puppy. But are
Various scientific reports have affirmed that
these phobias common? You don’t really see
Now that we know the basics, let’s look at
a combination of drugs, exposure therapy,
too many people scream and run from a
what a phobia is. People with phobias often
and soon to be virtual reality can effectively
puppy. Let’s take a look at the statistics.
experience panic attacks, which share many
treat specific phobias. With these innovative
of the symptoms attributed to other anxiety
methods, patients can live without the
According to the National Institute for
disorders. A person experiencing a panic
worries brought on by their condition.
Mental Health, 9% of people, children and
attack may feel as if she is dying, even when
adults, have some sort of phobia. The graph
she is perfectly safe.
So now we know that Mary has a type of
on the left shows the prevalence in children
anxiety disorder. But what is an anxiety
ages 13-18 [1]. As you can see, while many
We know what phobias are, but we don’t
disorder? I’m sure all of you have
have lifelong phobias (15%), only 0.6%
know why they occur. It is estimated that
experienced anxiety many times in your life,
actually have a “severe” phobia that greatly
between 25 and 65% are genetic, but the
like when you’re about to give a
impacts their lives. Women are slightly more
specific genes involved are unknown. What
19
THE BEAKER
Before Exposure Therapy
After Exposure Therapy
Question
Answer
Question
Answer
Goal
Pet my friend’s
Did what you were
No
dog for 30 min
most worried about occur?
What are you most
He will bite me.
worried will happen?
How do you know?
He never bit me and seemed to
On a scale of 1-
85%
enjoy my company
100, how likely
(licked my hand,
does this seem?
stayed in my lap)
What did you
Some dogs do not
learn?
bite when they are petted.
we do know, though, is that phobias can be
production in the adrenal gland. Cortisol is a
activity of a social anxiety patient’s brain as
caused by a traumatic experience. Our
hormone that stimulates the sympathetic
they are shown images of angry and sad
example, Mary, had an unfortunate
nervous system, or the part of the nervous
faces.
encounter with her neighbor’s dog when she
system that controls fight-or-flight response.
was 6. After the experience, Mary can’t be
Now you’re ready to run from those zombies.
Now, think back to Mary. Instead of a brain
around dogs because she is afraid they will
As you’re fleeing, glucocorticoid receptors in
scan, the doctor concludes that exposure
attack her.
the hippocampus monitor cortisol levels.
therapy is the best course of action.
When you reach safety, cortisol production is
Exposure therapy is just like what it sounds: a
Mary’s fear of all dogs is clearly not rational.
halted and your brain no longer senses
phobic patient is gradually introduced to the
The little puppy on the sidewalk would never
danger.
object of their phobia. The first few sessions
have bitten Mary, but she still felt like the
are meant to ease the patient into therapy,
puppy was dangerous. These parts of the
In someone like Mary, however, the same
like watching videos of a dog play. The
brain are all involved in fear response: the
powerful response triggered by zombie
patient is gradually eased into facing their
amygdala, the hypothalamus, the pituitary
apocalypses is also triggered by dogs. Her
fear as time goes on. This type of therapy is
gland, the adrenal gland, the hippocampus,
brain sees the same mortal peril in an
highly effective, just take a look at the tables
the thalamus, and two hormones
undead cannibal as it does in a Golden
below; the left table shows patient
abbreviated CRH and ACTH. In case you
Retriever. Phobic people can also have
responses before exposure and the right
didn’t catch all of that, here’s a look at some
excessive cortisol production, lack of
table shows responses after.
zombies. Yes, zombies.
glucocorticoid receptors, and even a lack of
The zombie apocalypse has arrived! What
serotonin, a hormone associated with
Exposure therapy is pretty incredible, but like
happiness.
all fields of science, technology allows for
does your brain do? Your eyes send images
new innovative advances. Patients all over
of the oncoming undead mob to your brain,
Traditionally, doctors have always prescribed
the world can use software [3] to guide
where the thalamus alerts the amygdala, the
treatments for phobias at random, whether
them through their treatment, which is
center in the brain for processing fear. The
medication or therapy. Now, with better
especially useful if the object of the phobia
amygdala activates the hypothalamus, part
technology, a patient can receive an MRI to
is not immediately available in a person’s
of the HPA axis. The hypothalamus releases
predict how effective treatment options are.
environment (water in a desert). That way,
a hormone, CRS, to the anterior lobe of the
Questionnaires and evaluations are about to
when people like Mary all over the world
pituitary gland, which in turn secretes ACTH.
be exchanged for brain scans, which are far
leave their homes, they can stop, smile, and
This chain of events leads to cortisol
more accurate. The brain scan shows the
pet that puppy.
FALL 2016
20
the energy
debate
WHAT DOES ENERGY MEAN TO US? People often see energy as simply a means of having electricity, water, and gas, but most of us rarely ever think about where the energy actually comes from or how it is obtained. If we take a closer look at common sources of energy such as nuclear power, coal, oil, and natural gas, we can see disturbing harms to miners’ health and the environment, but these sources of energy can also be seen as economically beneficial. They are the “cheap and easy” forms of energy that don’t require much action on our part, or even on the
BY ARUNA SUDARSHAN
government’s part. If all these things are true what is the reality of modern forms of energy?
THE POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW The U.S. Energy Information Agency states, “Employment in oil and natural gas production reached a high of 538,000 jobs in October 2014...Not all production jobs are directly related to drilling—the majority of the jobs are actually for extraction or support activities, which include the operations of drilled wells, exploration, excavation, well surveying, casing work, and well construction. This also includes the maintenance of already producing wells.” [1] Many of the words in these facts and statistics sound rather appealing to us, including the very large amount of jobs that are created because of oil and natural gas. Economic crises are a major concern for most people in a time when only 62.7% of American people are working and nearly 2.1 million Americans face long-term unemployment [2]. The many jobs created by oil and natural gas would help many people from various economic backgrounds improve their economic status, and mitigate the job crisis in America. Another common argument proponents of fossil fuels make is that alternative energy is not truly reliable and is far too difficult to transition to.The only way to avoid a large energy crisis would be to continue using easily available choices like oil and natural gas. Steven Cohen, executive director of Columbia University Earth Institute quotes a statistic from The United States Energy Information Agency, who estimates that 11 percent of the world’s total energy comes from renewable sources, a number they project will grow modestly to 15 percent by 2040. He admits that the only way to transition to alternative energy is for humans to overcome “institutional, financial, and even psychological barriers.” [3] The statistic depicts a 4% increase in alternative energy use in nearly 23 years, which reflects a very small scope for alternative energy evolving into a truly reliable source. Reliance on human ability to overcome “financial and even psychological barriers”, does not provide any sense of security that if we were to attempt to restrict energy usage to alternative energy, people would actually comply with such restrictions.
21
THE BEAKER
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ENERGY Let’s start with the most commonly known and also most controversial impact of fossil fuels and nuclear power. Nuclear power emits 73 million tons of CO2 while lignite emits 2654 tons, coal emits 2236, and oil emits 1846. CO2 is harmful to the environment and contributes to the growing problem of global warming. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, usually associated with the burning of fossil fuels, which is gradually causing the temperature of the Earth to increase. Ice is melting and the sea level is rapidly rising, which will affect a
WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? The real question to ask yourself is, how important are the jobs and money created by fossil fuels? The decision to make in regards to energy purely comes down to whether you see temporary economic benefit, or permanent environmental impact as more important. It comes down to whether you are willing to take an extra step towards alternative energy, if necessary, because you want to preserve water, preserve the environment, and preserve the health of the people.
large portion of plants and wildlife. If it continues, worse effects such as spread of diseases like malaria, defects in plant growth, and increased floods, droughts, and other water storms will also occur [4]. From this explanation of the impacts of CO2 on the environment and the enormous quantities of CO2 released to the environment through fossil fuels, it is evident that the impacts of using fossil fuels is dire. Many states have already been going through droughts for years, so the impact of large quantities of CO2 would further instigate an ongoing water crisis. Additionally, according to the IPPNW, the rock left over from mining uranium is radioactive and highly toxic. It can contaminate groundwater beyond drinking water standards, therefore stripping away the right to use that water [5]. The process of mining also uses a large quantity of water. Based on the research of the CRIIRAD French laboratory, in Niger, the mines had used 270 billion liters of water over 40 years of operation, all of which was dumped back into rivers and lakes. This is an unjust abuse of water resources for little economic benefit, and we have a moral obligation to preserve the environment.
Besides environmental impacts, the health of miners is put at risk when they are exposed to harmful substances and radiation in their job. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention found strong evidence for an increased risk for lung cancer in white uranium miners. They expected about 64 deaths, but found 371 [6].There was an exposure-response relationship with exposure to radon daughters in the mines. When radon daughters are breathed in, they decay radioactively in the lung and can ultimately cause lung cancer. Miners also run the risk of respiratory damage through the high levels of dust and other chemical particulates present in deep coal mining facilities. Some of the disorders caused by these particulates include COPD, coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP, also known as black lung), and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). The dust from the minerals miners are exposed to while mining, can be deposited deep in the lungs, in the alveoli and the lungs can become inflamed as the immune cells attempt to fight the particles in the lungs [7]. As shown by the profound impact of the particulates in coal mining in addition to radiation, the health risks of fossil fuels are not to be taken lightly. Just by working in the mines, miners can face lifelong health problems and even death due to these harmful conditions.
FALL 2016
22
CITATIONS Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
[1] Yttri, PhD By Jennifer. “Bacteria: The Good, The Bad, the Ugly.” Stop Cancer Fund. N.p., 2016. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. [2] “Antibiotic Resistance - What Is It and Why Is It a Problem?” NPS MedicineWise. N.p., 2014. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.
Over the Edge and Back
[1] "Death | Definition of Death by Medical Dictionary." The Free Dictionary. Farlex, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. [2] Palermo, Elizabeth. "What Happens When You Die?" LiveScience. N.p., 29 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [3] Choi, Charles Q. "Near-Death Experiences Explained by Science." Live Science. N.p., 12
The Tallest Mammals in the World
[1] By GCF September 8, 2016 22 Comments. “Genetic Analysis Uncovers Four Species of Giraffe, Not Just One - GiraffeConservation.org.”GiraffeConservationorg, 8 Sept. 2016. [2] “Africa May Have New Giraffe Species-And This Could Help Protect Them.” National Geographic, National Geographic Society.
Sept. 2011. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [4] Lichfield, Gideon. "The Science of Near-Death Experiences." The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, Apr. 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. [5] Henig, Robin Marantz. "What It's Like to Escape From the Brink of Death."What It's Like to Escape From the Brink of Death. N.p., 11 Aug. 2016. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.
[3] Janke, Axel. “Multi-Locus Analyses Reveal Four Giraffe Species Instead of One.” Current Beating the Blackbird: The New Fastest Airplane
Biology. [4] “Giraffes Aren’t Just Giraffes. Turns out There Are Four Species.”Washington Post, The
[1] Chow, Denise. "Supersonic! The 11 Fastest Military Airplanes." Supersonic! The 11 Fastest Military Airplanes. Live Science, 22 Mar. 2016. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
Washington Post.
[2] Norris, Guy. "Skunk Works Reveals SR-71 Successor Plan." Skunk Works Reveals SR-72, SR-71 Successor. Aviation Week Network, 4 Nov. 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2016.
A New Possibility
[1] Billings, Lee. "The Earth Next Door." Scientific American. N.p., 2016. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [2] Strickland, Ashley. "Closest Rocky Planet to Our Solar System Found." CNN. Cable News Network, 24 Aug. 2016. Web. 27 Sept. 2016.
[3] Whittle, Richard. "Bye Bye U-2: CIA Legend Allen Predicts End Of Manned Reconnaissance." Bye Bye U-2: CIA Legend Allen Predicts End Of Manned Reconnaissance. Breaking Defense, 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 24 Sept. 2016. [4] "Blackbird Diaries." Air & Space Magazine. Air & Space Smithsonian, Dec. 2014. Web. 27
How the Dead Sea Is Slowly Deteriorating
[1] Nicoll, Tyler. "Disappearing Dead Sea." Great Ecology. N.p., 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [2] Griffiths, Sarah. "Slow Death of the Dead Sea: Levels of Salt Water Are Dropping by One Metre Every Year." Mail Online. Associated Newspapers, 2015. Web. 27 Sept. 2016. [3] Connolly, Kevin. "Dead Sea Drying: A New Low-point for Earth." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web.
Sept. 2016. [5] Cenciotti, David. "Declassified Top Secret: SR-71 Blackbird Mission Over the Middle East." The Aviationist Declassified Top Secret: SR-71 Blackbird Mission Over the Middle East. The Aviationist, 1 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Sept. 2016. [6] Leone, Dario. "SR-71 Blackbird Was so Fast It Outran Every Missile, Mig Fighter Jet Encountered over Enemy Territory." The Aviationist. The Aviationist, 09 Dec. 2013. Web. 25
26 Sept. 2016. [4] Prince-Gibson, Eetta. "Are We Killing the Dead Sea?" Slate Magazine. N.p., 2013. Web. 26
Sept. 2016. [7] "SR-71 and SR-72 Engine Cycle Comparison." SR-71 and SR-72 Engine Cycle Comparison.
Sept. 2016.
Aviation Week Network, n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2016. Antibacterial Soap: Off the Shelves?
[1] "FDA Issues Final Rule on Safety and Effectiveness of Antibacterial Soaps." FDA Issues Final
[8] Adams, Tech. "The Mighty J58 - The SR-71's Secret Powerhouse." The Mighty J58 - The SR71's Secret Powerhouse. YouTube, 12 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 Sept. 2016.
Rule on Safety and Effectiveness of Antibacterial Soaps. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2 Sept. 2016. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. [2] Howard, Jacquelin. "FDA Bans Some Antibacterial Chemicals in Soaps." CNN. Cable News Network, 5 Sept. 2016. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. [3] "FDA Cracks down on Antibacterial Hand Soaps." Advisory Board. Advisory Board, 6 Sept. 2016. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. [4] Tavernise, Sabrina. "F.D.A. Bans Sale of Many Antibacterial Soaps, Saying Risks Outweigh Benefits." The New York Times. The New York Times, 02 Sept. 2016. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. [5] Kodjak, Alison. "FDA Bans 19 Chemicals Used In Antibacterial Soaps." NPR. NPR, 2 Sept.
It’s Cute! It’s Fluffy! It’s… Terrifying?
[1] Doehrmann, Oliver et al. “Predicting Treatment Response in Social Anxiety Disorder From Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.” JAMA psychiatry (Chicago, Ill.) 70.1 (2013): 10.1001/2013.jamapsychiatry.5. PMC. Web. 25 September 2016. [2] Craske, Michelle G. et al. “Maximizing Exposure Therapy: An Inhibitory Learning Approach.” Behaviour research and therapy 58 (2014): 10–23. PMC. Web. 25 September 2016. [3] Heaton, L.J. et al. “Computerized Dental Injection Fear Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Journal of Dental Research 92.7 Suppl (2013): S37–S42. PMC. Web. 25 September 2016.
2016. Web. 18 Sept. 2016. The Energy Debate A Letter to the Stressed High School Student
[1] "American Psychological Association Survey Shows Teen Stress Rivals That of Adults." American Psychological Association. American Psychological Association, 11 Feb. 2014. Web.
Unemployment Rate Feel Great?" CNNMoney. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [2] Cohen, Steven. "The Transition to Renewable Energy Is Difficult But Feasible." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
26 Sept. 2016. [2] Lewis, Sheldon, and Sheila Lewis Kay. Stress-proofing Your Child: Mind-body Exercises to Enhance Your Child's Health. New York: Bantam, 1996. Print. [3] Allen, Jeffrey S, and Roger J Klien. Ready Set R.E.L.A.X., A Research Based Program of Relaxation, Learning and Self-Esteem for Children. 1996. [4] Sanders, Robert. “New Evidence That Chronic Stress Predisposes Brain to Mental Illness.” Berkeley News, 9 July 2015. [5] Salleh, Mohd. Razali. “Life Event, Stress and Illness.” The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences : MJMS, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, Oct. 2008. [6] Shrand, Joseph A. “Why Is This Stress Thing so Important?” Psychology Today, 30 May 2012. [7] Jabr, Ferris. "Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime." Scientific American. Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
23
[1] The Economy Is Better than It Was in the Great Recession. "Why Doesn't America's 4.9%
THE BEAKER
[3] Greenhouse Gas Emissions Avoided through Use of Nuclear Generation. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [4] Society, National Geographic. "Global Warming Effects Information, Global Warming Effects Facts, Climate Change Effects - National Geographic." National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [5] "Fact Sheet: Uranium Mining 4." "Health Effects of Uranium Mining" (n.d.): n. pag. IPPNW, 26 Aug. 2010. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [6]"Worker Health Study Summaries." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 July 2012. Web. 26 Sept. 2016. [7] "Coal Mining Health Risks." Kentucky Environmental Foundation. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Sept. 2016.
Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. Edwin Powell Hubble
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