At-Home HIV Test

          I just read an article today about a new HIV test that can be taken in your own home. This product was endorsed by a group of people in the Food and Drug Administration. The significant thing about this test is that it only takes twenty minutes and you don’t need to take a trip to a clinic to get tested for HIV. This incredible new HIV test was created in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania by a company called Orasure. The new test has been accurate ninety three percent of the time. This means that out of 50,000 people, 3,800 people have a chance of not getting accurate results. Although 3,800 people may not get accurate results, this still means that 45,000 people will get accurate results that they may have HIV.

          In my opinion, this new HIV test is incredible. First, it is cheap. Even though it is not something you can buy from your local pharmacy yet, you can still buy it from your doctor. The price is around twenty dollars. Next, it can save you money because people don’t need to guzzle gas and go to a clinic to get an HIV test. Also, it doesn’t take a long time to take this test. This test gives results in only twenty minutes. Lastly, it is a test that you don’t have to send to a lab. All other at-home HIV tests have to be sent back to a lab to get tested.

Article:

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-05/fda-panel-endorses-over-counter-hiv-test-diagnoses-just-20-minutes   

Picture:

http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/Oraquick2.jpeg

Drugs for Humans Grown in Plant Cells

Today, I read an article about a new drug for humans that was approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. The cool thing about this new drug is that it was genetically created into a plant cell. This is the first drug made like this that was approved by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. The drug that was put into these plant cells is called Elelyso. Elelyso is a treatment for a disorder called Gaucher disease. This disease is a lysosomes storage disorder that can cause lung disease, easy bruising, and seizures. This amazing drug was accepted on Wednesday June 2, 2012. Even though this idea of using plant cells to make human enzymes isn’t the first, it shows that the FDA may allow future “bio-pharmed treatments”.

I feel that by getting the trust of the FDA, scientists can create more treatments using plant cells. By doing this, people will be able to receive treatments for diseases and disorders much faster. This will save time and money for treatments. Also, more and more drugs can be generated in plant cells and then given to patients. This process will make treatments easier for doctors and patients. Lastly, this gives another treatment option to patients. 

Picture: http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/Carrots.jpeg

Article: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2012-05/first-plant-derived-biologic-drug-approved-human-use-fda

Plastic That Bleeds?

Recently, I read an article about a plastic created by Marek W. Urban. This is no ordinary plastic. In fact, it is a plastic that bleeds. When this special type of plastic is cut, it bleeds red just like a human being. Another thing it has in common with humans is that it can heal itself. It may seem impossible, but it’s not. The reason this type of plastic is able to do this is because it is made from water-based copolymers. When these copolymers are cut or cracked, their molecular link breaks. What Marek Urban did is that he changed this copolymer so that when it breaks, you can see the color of it change. This breakthrough occurred at the University of Southern Mississippi, but it was actually presented at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting in San Diego on Monday, March 26, 2012.

In my opinion, this new type of plastic is a wonderful invention. First, it is easy to apply. All you need to do it put a thin coat of the copolymer on any material. Next, it can fix anything. Many people have cracked cell phone screens and this new plastic can fill the cracks. This will make the cell phone screen look good as new. Also, it can improve safety. For instance, when there is a mechanical issue or something breaks in an airplane, the color will change and the problem will be visible. In addition, the copolymer works using any type of heat or light. Overall, this breakthrough is life changing for many people. 

Link: http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-03/new-plastics-bleed-red-when-scratched-then-heal-themselves-skin

States of Matter Labs

          In the past week our science class did multiple labs about the states of matter. First, we did a lab about burning a candle. Before the candle was lit I noticed that the candle was waxy, yellow, and stood up straight. These were all physical properties of the candle. After lighting the candle it started melting and getting smaller. These were physical changes that occured. A chemical change that occured was that the candle began burning. The difference between chemical and physical changes is that physical means the appearance of the substance changes while chemical is when a substance is changed it to a different substance. Physical and chemical changes can be used to describe anything.

          Next, our science class did a lab about carbon dioxide and fire. To make the carbon dioxide we mixed vinegar and baking soda together. This made the substance to fizz. The new substance we made was a chemical change. We took the beaker holding the carbon dioxide mixture and held it over a flaming candle. This caused the flame to go out. The reason this happened was because fire is not supported by carbon dioxide.

          After that, we did a lab about marshmallows. Each person got one small marshmallow and one big marshmallow. The first thing we did was rip the small marshmallow in half. This was a physical change because the appearance of the marshmallow changed. Next, we put the big marshmallow over the Bunsen burner and burned them a little bit. This was a chemical change. The burned part of the marshmallow tasted bitter and burned. The rest of the marshmallow was sweet and fluffy. 

          The last lab we did also showed many examples of physical and chemical changes. In the beginning of the lab we had to crush up sugar cubes. This was a physical change because the size of the sugar cubes changed. Then, we took the crushed sugar and mixed it in with a glass of water. This was also a physical change because the sugar just dissolved. The last part of this lab was burning the sugar. Because the sugar was being burned, it was a chemical change. 

          All of these labs showed many examples of physical and chemical changes. The skills I learned during these labs can help me in my life. For instance, I can use physical and chemical properties to describe different things.

Pictures:

burned sugar

candle

marshmallow

Seperating Mixtures

1. To begin, remove the toothpicks from the mixture with the spoon.
2. Next, remove the beans from the mixture using the spoon.
3. Then, take out the large marble with the spoon.
4. After that, using the magnet, remove the iron filings.
5. Also, place the filter sheet over the beaker and pour the mixture into the beaker. This will separate the sand from the water.
6.Place all the items removed from the mixture onto the tray.
7. Take the mixture in the beaker and put it on the hot plate. Remember to turn the hot plate on.
8. Wait for the water in the beaker to evaporate. Now, the only thing left in the beaker should be salt that was mixed in with the water.
9. Turn off the hot plate and clean up your lab area. 
10. All seven parts of the mixture have been found!

Frog Dissection

          Opening up a frog and looking at its insides is not exactly the most appetizing thing to do before lunch. Last week, in science class, we dissected frogs. At first, I wouldn't even look at the frog. Finally, I mustered up the courage to poke it. After that, I was able to help cut it open and even help point out the organs. My groups frog was a female, so we named her Kermita. On the first day of dissection we only opened up Kermita and observed her organs. Kermita's organs seemed to all be squished in a small space. The first thing I noticed after opening up Kermita was the hundred of tiny, black balls that were everywhere. These were her eggs. I had predicted that her eggs would be enclosed in sac like ovaries in a human body. Instead, the eggs were everywhere. 

          The next day, my group took out the organs and tried to name them. We  noticed that the organs inside the frog were very similar to the organs inside a human body. Kermita had a heart, liver, stomach, lungs, and many other organs also found inside a human body. All of these organs have the same function in a frog as they do in a human. For instance, the liver makes bile in both frogs and humans. A few differences that Kermita had from a human were that she had oviducts, a cloaca, and smaller organs. The oviducts carry and transport eggs. The cloaca is where waste, eggs, and sperm exit the frog. In the end, the frog dissection was a lot of fun and helped teach our class about the organs in a frog.

Picture links:

Frog diagram

Jumping frog

Online dissection game:

http://frog.edschool.virginia.edu/Frog2/

The Circulatory System