Sex, Drugs and Neurotransmitters: A Simple Reward
March 23, 2012
Image via Wikipedia
It’s something we’ve all seen before: someone gets rejected in the dating game and they automatically reach for the bottle. Little did science know that this reactionary measure is common to a number of species, including the humble fruit fly. Maybe human coping mechanisms aren’t so human after all.
Lake District Conservation [with photos]
March 21, 2012
I recently went to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) in the Lake District, United Kingdom, to learn more about hunting and biodiversity preservation. Although I am by no means an expert on conservation biology, it was interesting to hear the opinions of those who had a vested interest in the subject, which in this case was those trying to preserve hunting grounds for tourism. Here are some pictures of the day, which I think illustrate the need to celebrate and preserve natural beauty far better than words can.
Make Mine a Decaf – Genetically Engineered Coffee
March 19, 2012
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed drinks in the world. Because of it’s high caffeine content, it also counts as the most widely used stimulant drug. With increasing concern about the effects of caffeine on the body, more and more people are searching for caffeine-free alternatives, including decaffeinated coffee. This is more complex than it seems, with coffee containing more than 2,000 different chemical compounds (including caffeine) which all contribute to the taste and aroma of the drink. These need to remain as unaltered as possible to make decaffeinated coffee a viable option. New research shows how biotechnology of the coffee plant may change the face of decaf forever.
Image via Wikipedia
Biodiversity and Human Health
March 18, 2012
UPC0610 Biodiversity (Photo credit: BasBoerman)
Loss of biodiversity is occurring at the fastest rate since time began, and nearly all of this loss is due to human interaction with the environment. Whilst many may exclaim that it is sad to see some of our favourite species go, there are a number of deeper reasons to be concerned by this loss. One of these is that human well-being is inextricably linked to biodiversity, particularly as we rely on a number of different plant and animal species for ecosystem services including food provisions, social services, security and health. A loss in biodiversity can often lead to some areas being plunged into poverty, and may impact the future availability of plant and animal products for medicines, clothing and development. Humans are also particularly sensitive to their environment, meaning that a loss of natural environments may lead to negative psycho-social effects.
