Stem cells are known to be able to be developed into any kind of cells.  This is the first time scientists actually turn them into sperm cells.  The development of sperm through embryonic stem cells gives a beam of light to infertile men and also lesbian couples.  These people who are inability to reproduce can now have their own biological children.

Lead researcher Karim Nayernia from Newcastle University claimed that they had effectively used the sperm created in similar technique to produce baby mice.  The technique is published in the journal Stem Cells and Development.  However many scientists are not convinced the team created sperm, and many thought that the artificial human sperms are abnormal.

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Osmosis = “diffusion of molecules from a place of higher concentration to a place of lower concentration until the concentration on both sides is equal”

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An international team of research conducted a chemical analysis of protein collagen of a 40,000-year-old bone found at Tianyuan Cave near Beijing.  They examined the ratios of isotopes of nitrogen and sulfur, and determined that the bone owner was a regular fish consumer.  This study became direct evidence that the earliest modern human who ate fish was back in 40,000 years ago.

This regular fish consumption evidence was before the effective making of fishing equipment.  It is believed that the consumption of aquatic resources may be a reflection of pressure from expanding population when modern human emerged across Eurasia.

The study is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Want to run faster?

Scientists from Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, Austria, hold key to maximum running speed through diet, instead of improved training techniques or through technological assistance.

The team found in previous study that mammal species with maximum running speed have high n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in their skeletal muscles.  The team separated mice into two groups.  One fed with sunflower oil (contained high n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), and the other group fed with diet rich in linseed oil (contained high n3 fatty acids) for two weeks.  Results showed that mice fed with sunflower oil ran 0.19 m/s faster than the other group.  This improvement equals to 100 world records improvement more than 75 years.  Mammals cannot synthesize their own polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The findings will be presented on 29th June 2009 at Society for Experimental Biology Annual Meeting by Dr Christopher Turbill.

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I find this video “Electrical Derby” for the European Union is pretty weird and comedic but entertaining.  The video teaches how electricity works by using roller derby.  Below are some of the comments:

The music is pretty catchy and ‘electrified’, but I don’t understand a word from the song.  Is the lyrics related to the electric?

Although the two fat men are kinda annoying, it is a good video for visual learning.

Do you learn anything from this video?

[hat tip: Mark Grande]

I just saw this video clip from Mashable featuring humorist John Hodgman giving a speech during the 2009 Radio and TV Correspondents’ Dinner. John Hodgman analyze the difference between jocks, nerds, and geeks. Vulcan salute!

Once a nerd, forever a nerd.  Don’t be afraid of who you are, but proud of who you are.  Nerds are the world trendsetter, the new cool.  Grab one of these yellow Anatomy Nerd t-shirt and tells the world you are really good at human anatomy.

Bed bugs (Cimes lectularius) have caused so much troubles in many industries, such as agriculture, housing, travel, hospitality, etc.  Although there are many methods and products available to get rid of the bugs, there are evidences showing bed bugs are becoming more resistance to insecticides, namely pyrethroids.  National Bed Bug Summit was even held in April by Environmental Protection Agency to deal with problems cause by bed bugs.

Desiccant dust is one of the oldest methods used to get rid of bed bugs, and it is still widely used now.  Scientists from Ohio State University and Wittenberg University increase the effectiveness of desiccant dust by applying two pheromones secreted by bed bugs themselves.  The two pheromones are (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal, which are secreted by the bugs when they are disturbed or excited.  The pheromones enhanced desiccant dust attracts the bugs to walk through it, and the bed bugs are killed due to dehydration.  Desiccant dusts can be used in many places and are not toxic (but messy).

The study is published in current issue fo Journal of Medical Entomology.  Authors are Joshua B. Benoit, Seth A. Phillips, Travis J. Croxall, Brady S. Christensen, Jay A. Yoder, and David L. Denlinger.

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Everyone has had dreams of being a hero – of saving the world – and more and more individuals and companies are beginning to realize that this is possible. While most cannot actually save the world single-handedly, everyone can help out by doing something as simple as making eco-friendly choices in their day-to-day lives. Many companies all over the world today are attempting to find ways to be more environmentally friendly. There are many companies that even specialize in environmentally friendly – or “green” – products. People can also make green choices at home to help save the environment.

Some companies, and individuals as well, believe that being green either costs too much, is too much hassle, or is just plain not worth it. True, environmentally friendly products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs, eco-friendly cleaning products and detergents, and reusable items such as shopping bags may cost more than their non-environmentally friendly counterparts when first purchased, but the long-term savings for companies and individual consumers far outweigh these costs.

For example, while compact fluorescent lights cost approximately 3 to 10 times more than the average incandescent bulb, the average life of a fluorescent bulb is anywhere from 8 to 15 times longer, and they result in approximately a 12% discount in electricity bills, as they use far less energy. When used in your house, compact fluorescent lights can add up to hundreds of dollars worth of savings per year. The savings when used in office buildings is even greater as a result of the huge amounts of electricity that they need. Many homes and businesses have other ways of helping the environment, ranging from simply buying and utilizing recycling bins for items such as paper, plastic, and glass, to only using eco-friendly cleaning products, and one manufacturing company in Ontario has created a plan to manufacture wind towers, that once built, they will use to generate power for their mills.

Companies can also be environmentally friendly by utilizing recyclable packaging for shipping supplies and merchandise, using recycled materials for advertising, using biodegradable and non-toxic paints, eliminating paper pay stubs, and conducting meetings between individuals in different cities through the internet or over the phone to reduce gas emissions from traveling from place to place.

In conclusion, if you are one of those people looking to save the world, join the fight for a better environment. By making simple changes in your home or in your workplace, you can make a difference in the world now, and in the years to come. The costs of pollution, greenhouse gases, and global warming are far more than the cost of purchasing a recycling bin and a cloth bag for your groceries. You can even have bank statements and bills sent to you by email to reduce paper waste. And please, when you have finished reading this article, recycle it!

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Came across this Nerdy Skull and Crossbones Black Tie on Zazzle.  It is not a pretty tie but a funny little nerdy skull with book, mobile phone, laptop, etc.  The tie is 55″ long and 4″ wide, made with silky 100% polyester fabric.