Category Archives: Science

The Role of Dental Implants in Effective and Comfortable Tooth Replacement Therapy

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The importance of good oral hygiene

Good oral hygiene is an important part of daily life which needs to be instilled in us from a very young age. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis can make sure that you are looking after your teeth properly and any signs of tooth decay or gum disease, which are the leading causes of tooth loss, can be taken care of early and successfully to help prevent further complications in the future. Tooth loss can be a very difficult situation to find yourself in, resulting in distress, embarrassment, and discomfort. By speaking to a dentist early on as soon as you experience tooth loss, whether this may be as a result of poor oral hygiene or as a result of an accident or injury, you can help reduce your distress and discomfort, but you can also more importantly prevent further issues and damage to your surrounding teeth.

Treating tooth loss

There are many different treatment options available for tooth loss so there is no need to suffer in silence or put up with it in this day and age. Advances in dental technology have seen the introduction and establishment of dental implants in Nottingham over the last few decades. Dental implants have proven to be a popular and effective choice of tooth replacement therapy and it is something that you need to speak to your dentist about to find out whether you are eligible and how it can positively impact your teeth following tooth loss.

To be eligible for dental implants it is important to speak to your dentist as soon as you lose your tooth or teeth because dental implants require that you have sufficient healthy bone for the treatment to be successful. If tooth loss is left unchecked and untreated it can result in bone decay and this may affect your eligibility therefore speak to your dentist today without delay and find out more about why dental implants are such a popular choice of treatment.

What are dental implants and how do they work?

The implant itself is a small titanium component which requires a hole to be drilled where the missing root of your tooth once was and is then inserted directly into the jawbone. When the titanium comes into contact with the bone it results in the direct fusion of the implant to the bone which results in the strength and stability that it is able to provide for the prosthetic of your choice. This is what makes dental implants an effective and popular choice of tooth replacement therapy. The process of successful fusion can require a few weeks as it is a natural process and once your dentist is happy that the implant has successfully fused into the jawbone then an abutment is attached to the implant to which the prosthetic is then joined to. You may choose to have a crown, multiple crowns or a set of dentures attached to the abutment, and this will depend on your requirements and personal preferences and is something that you can discuss with your dentist and come to an agreement on. Speak to your dentist today and find out more about dental implants and how they can help you.

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Your 2020 Cancer Research Update

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The last decade was a remarkable one in the scientific effort to overcome cancer, with investigators making a series of high-profile breakthroughs. Not only are we now looking at the prospect of cancer survivors living longer, but also healthier too. New techniques that make use of the body’s immune system can fight off cancer without the need for potentially harmful radiation therapies. 

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It’s not all good news, though. While researchers have made tremendous advances, the depth of the technologies they have developed are immense. Things like immunotherapy and CRISPR have a long way to run before we exhaust their potential. 

Here are some updates on cancer to take with you into 2020. 

The Microbiome Plays A More Important Role

Researchers are coming to learn that the state of a person’s gut health is fundamental to their overall wellbeing. We’re not just humans, but rather vessels for colonies of trillions of microbes that live in the gastrointestinal tract. The health of those microbes can determine overall health outcomes, including cancer. 

Research, for instance, shows that the microbiome can influence the response of several chemotherapy drugs. Animal orthotopic models and human trials both reveal that certain bacterial strains living in the gut are powerful immune signals. The higher the concentration of beneficial bacteria, the more likely the body is to sweep away dysfunctional cells that could turn cancerous. 

Already researchers, for instance, have identified a strain of bacteria that could alter the makeup of the human gut microbiome and promote the spread of a type of blood cancer. In the future, they hope to target these microbes with selective antibiotics, wipe them out, and then wait for the body to return to health. 

CAR T Doesn’t Work In Everyone

While CAR T-cells have proven effective in small scale trials and on individual patients, the data from larger studies is less dramatic. While a segment of cancer patients see a total reversal of symptoms on the CAR T protocol, many do not show any improvement at all. 

Researchers believe that the problem here is subtle. They think that the principle of CAR T therapy is correct and that altering the immune system to go after cancer cells is a powerful tool. But they are increasingly coming to realize that they need to tweak the immune system in different ways, depending on the type of cancer the patient has. 

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, for instance, is another approach that managed to kill all tumors in a woman with metastatic breast cancer. However, we’re still waiting for more extensive trials to see whether doctors can repeat the performance of the therapy en masse. 

Liquid Biopsies Are On The Way

Traditional cancer biopsies are invasive and, in some cases, dangerous. The hope is that with liquid biopsies, doctors will be able to improve patient safety.

For those of you who don’t know, a liquid biopsy would essentially be the same as a blood test. Doctors would send a sample to the lab, and then technicians would look for the telltale genetic and chemical markers of cancer.

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Days to Hours: How Has Surgery Gotten Faster In Recent Times

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doctor having operation

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Surgery is a relatively new form of science, compared to a lot of the work which goes on in labs. Before the advent of electronics capable of measuring vital signs, chemicals which can render someone unable to feel pain, and widespread information sharing, a huge portion of those going under the knife wouldn’t have come out from the otherside. Even as this field developed, though, many procedures would have taken an extremely long time. This has changed in the modern world, with routine operations often taking mere minutes, and some of the hardest of them only taking a few hours. Of course, though, how exactly has this field managed to get so fast?

Preparation

In the past, a lot of surgeons would have to make an educated guess at where they should start with certain procedures. With x-rays and other types of imaging only giving a broad picture, it was incredibly difficult for people to make an accurate guess as to where an operation should start, and it would take a lot of time to figure out where the problem was. Nowadays, though, a planned operation is far smoother. With the technology to see inside people in great detail, doctors, surgeons, and other medical professionals can just about do perform their procedures with their eyes closed.

Non-Invasive Tools

There are a lot of medical procedures which used to involve opening someone up and getting past organs, fat, and other tissues, just to solve something relatively simple. With the way that the human body is built, different parts will often get in the way of what the surgeon needs to access. Companies like Medtronic have been changing this, though, creating tools which enable many operations to be performed without cutting someone open at all. Options like this are great, as they not only improve the time in which someone is being operated on, but will also speed up their recovery, too.

Improved Knowledge

The medical field is always expanding, with new minds being put to tasks which have been explored for decades. With this ever-increasing well of knowledge, modern surgeons have an edge over their traditional counterparts, and this can make their job move a lot faster. Many of the procedures they are performing will have been done thousands of times. There will be resources available to them which make it easier, and advancements in the procedures being used can be spread between hospitals like never before. A new world of medical science is being opened up, and this makes the job of a surgeon all the easier.

Reading this should leave you feeling a sense of calm about your next visit to the hospital. While many people go through their whole lives without an operation, you can never predict what might happen in the future, and this makes it worth learning about the field now. As time goes on, this will only improve, though you should never put off a surgery when you need it, and should feel confident that the people working on your body know exactly what they’re doing.

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Keeping It Cool: The Rise Of Modern Temperature Control

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strawberry ice cream bottle inside container covered in ice

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There is a very fine range of temperatures in which humans will feel comfortable. Even a slight variation can result in health issues which are impossible to overcome, with both heat and cold putting your body under a lot of stress. As time has gone by, people have slowly mastered this, with shade and fires being used in the past, and HVAC systems being popular in the modern world. Of course, though, temperature control has gone far further than simply keeping humans comfortable. To give you an idea of where technology like this is used, this post will be exploring some of the key uses for temperature control in the modern world.

First, though, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of how these systems work, as they aren’t too complicated. There are a few main components which can be used to create a basic temperature control system, and most people would be able to piece something like this together for their own home with just a small amount of research. You can find some examples of the pieces you’d need below.

Thermostat: Most homes use a thermostat to keep themselves at the right temperature. These small devices act like automatic switches, turning on and off when specific conditions are met. This will usually be a minimum or maximum temperature. These enables people to control the temperature of their home, while also saving the effort of turning heating on and off whenever they want to make the place more comfortable.

A Heater: Modern heaters have been around for a long time, though there are several methods which are used to achieve higher temperatures. The most common of these will involve some sort of heating element. This will be a piece of metal with very low resistance which electricity is passed through to create heat, and they are very easy to control. Along with this, though, gas burners are also very common, though these are less accurate.

A Cooler: Cooling something down is a lot more complicated than heating it up, as you have to take the heat and put it somewhere else. Liquid-filled radiators are often used for this, with air being pushed through a grid with a very high surface area to lower the temperature of the water inside. Of course, there are other ways to cool things down, with a liquid spray also having a big impact, though this is most commonly found in server applications. 

An Insulated Chamber: There isn’t much point in trying to control the temperature in an outdoor space. Instead, when approaching something like this, engineers will often start with an insulated chamber, whether this is a room, the inside of a fridge, or even a computer. This makes the process of changing the temperature far more effective, while also ensuring that proper measurements can be taken.

Where Is It Used?

Temperature control has many uses, though most people will only be able to think of one or two of them. As time has gone on, the need for this sort of technology has only been increasing, with people across the world looking for ways to take control of their environment. There are some examples of where this tech is used below, giving you the chance to develop an insight into this complex market.

In Homes: Controlling the temperature in your home is crucial if you want to stay healthy. People can’t live in places which are too hot or cold, and this is especially so for the young and old. In some places, heating is used the most, as the weather outside will be very cold. In others, though, people will use air conditioning to cool the air around them, but this is mostly in hotter places.

Fridges & Freezers: People have been using ice to keep food from going off for a very long time. In fact, long before the use of electricity for this task, people would work extremely hard to create spaces which could be kept cool, usually relying on spaces beneath the ground for this. A modern pharmacy fridge is far more complicated than this, giving medical professionals the chance to control temperatures to an incredibly fine degree. This isn’t used for food, though, instead holding samples and treatments.

Servers & Computers: Computer processors produce a lot of heat and can easily destroy themselves if they are left to their own devices. This makes it crucial that they are kept cool, and air is often used for this job. In more complex or powerful systems, though, this can get a lot more complicated. Liquids are often used, flowing in a system similar to what you’d find inside your car. Unlike a car, though, these loops have to be carefully designed, as the machines ability to work will be largely based on their temperature.

Transport: Finally, as the last use of temperature control, it’s time to think about transport. There are a lot of goods which have to be kept hot or cold during transit, and this makes moving them very difficult. To overcome this, some trucks are built like freezers, with think insulating walls, and a compressor which can be used to lower the temperature. Control is crucial for this, as it enables the companies which rely on these machines to keep their products from being wasted.

Temperature control is a lot more important than a lot of people realise. While this field isn’t anything new, there are advancements being made all the time, and this is something which most people know little about. This technology keeps your food in the right conditions, can provide you with great comfort, and, most importantly, could even save your life, making it far more crucial than you might think. Of course, though, the best tools aren’t used in homes, and you have to look further if you want to learn more about this field. Hospitals and food places are a great place to start, though you could also think about the devices you use each day.

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Hemp vs Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

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Originally posted on APRIL 2, 2019 in CBD EDUCATION, CBD NEWS

hemp vs marijuana

It seems like you see the letters CBD everywhere today. You almost forget that not long ago, CBD products weren’t legal in America. What makes CBD legal comes down to its plant source. Following the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and marijuana are classified as two different substances under the Control Substance Act. That’s because the effects of hemp vs marijuana are very different. This contrast is thanks to how marijuana and hemp affect a network inside of our body, known as the endocannabinoid system. Let’s discuss the differences between hemp and marijuana.

Hemp vs Marijuana: A Difference in Genetics

While hemp and marijuana effects differ, the two plants are siblings from the same family. Marijuana and hemp are both species of the Cannabaceae genus. There are two predominant plants in the Cannabaceae family. They are Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa.

Due to it’s sturdier frame and huskier exterior, present-day hemp evolved from Cannabis sativa. Their short and stocky frame cause hemp plants to grow closer together than marijuana plants do, maxing out around 4 inches apart.

Thanks to the hardiness of their fibrous stalks and close proximity to other plants, hemp can withstand many climates. The durability of hemp allows them to reach maturity within 108 to 120 days.

While hemp is just one species of the Cannabaceae genus, marijuana, on the other hand, can be cultivated as either Cannabis indica or Cannabis sativa. That’s where it’s pickiness stops.

To best grow marijuana, you’re going to need warmer climates and more space. These cannabis family members also like breathing room–upwards of six feet between plants! Hey, maybe space is a bit of a good thing. After all, marijuana matures quicker than hemp, as these plants are ready for harvest within 60 to 90 days.

Another glaring difference between hemp and marijuana? Hemp plants are male. Whereas, marijuana is female. Maybe that’s why they mature quicker than hemp plants!

Hemp Effects vs Marijuana Effects

One last difference in the hemp vs marijuana debate might just be the most important. It involves how compounds within these plants interact with our endocannabinoid system.

The endocannabinoid system relies on a series of receptors located throughout our body. These receptors regulate everything from our mental health to hormone production to appetite.

Research indicates hemp effects are very beneficial to the system. The plant is a complete protein containing all the essential amino acids. Hemp effects also include antioxidative and anti-inflammatory benefits. This wide range of qualities is why CBD oil is popping up in everything from beauty lines to supplements to skin care.

Additional research confirms many of the benefits of hemp effects can also be achieved to some degree by marijuana as well. However, there’s one significant difference between how hemp affects the endocannabinoid system vs how marijuana affects it. This primary contrast is that marijuana triggers a psychoactive effect on the endocannabinoid system.

While marijuana can create a euphoric feeling throughout the body, hemp doesn’t have the same effect on the endocannabinoid system. Farm Bill-compliant hemp can’t get you high. The reason for such a variance in cannabis experiences comes down to two molecules–CBD vs THC.

CBD vs THC

What gives plants their distinct attributes are the network of chemical compounds within their DNA. In the Cannabis sativa family, the significant differences between plants come down to plant-based compounds known as cannabinoids.

Cannabinoids are molecules formed within the oils of the cannabis plant. They are also behind the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

As the prefix implies, cannabinoids are closely associated with the cannabis family. While other plants do have cannabinoids, none has an abundant supply as members of the Cannabaceae clan. Research indicates that the hemp plant has at least 113 cannabinoids known to humankind.

Think of cannabis plants like men and women. Both genders have estrogen and testosterone in their system. The difference in these levels is what causes one person to grow the characteristics of a male like facial hair or traits of a female such as the growth of breast tissue.

In hemp vs marijuana plants, instead of estrogen or testosterone, their molecular structure depends on the ratio of CBD vs THC.

What Causes Marijuana Effects?

Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is the THC molecule that gives marijuana its psychoactive or intoxicating characteristics. The THC molecule binds on cannabinoid receptors, creating a euphoric-like feeling on the system.

Under the Farm Bill, hemp plants must have 0.3% THC or less. Due to its low concentration of THC, hemp effects are not psychoactive.  

What Causes Hemp Benefits and Effects?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is predominant in hemp plants and the primary reason for the effects felt from hemp. It works in unison with the other cannabinoids in hemp to help bring homeostasis (balance) to our system.

Unlike THC, the CBD molecule doesn’t bind onto many receptors. Instead, it stimulates stressed receptors, causing a calming-like effect on the body.

CBD can’t get you high. In fact, due to its molecular structure, CBD can even counteract unwanted marijuana effects.   

A History of Hemp CBD Benefits on Ancestors

Back before plants were classified by species and family, our ancestors learned about herbs through trial and error. They would use plants for sustenance and eventually, for medicinal purposes. One of the earliest texts known to humankind is a Hindu work known as The Vedas. This ancient record referenced cannabis as one of the Five Essential Plants.

ancient hemp history

When our ancestors migrated, they brought this versatile plant along with them. Chinese emperor Shen-Nung seeped the leaves in a tea to experience hemp effects such as pain relief. Egyptians used cannabis to treat sore eyes. Romans applied hemp extracts to heal sores on both humans and horses.

Our ancestors who went west took hemp along for the journey. As America started colonizing, parts of the country even valued hemp as an acceptable form of payment!

Cannabis was so commonplace that in the 1800s it was an ingredient in many over-the-counter medicines. The plant even landed itself on a list of medicinal herbs in the 1850 US Pharmacopeia.

In 1850, science hadn’t evolved to the point where scientists could differentiate between hemp and marijuana. Cannabis the species was classified like one plant, and this would come to be detrimental in the hemp vs marijuana battle.

Hemp vs Marijuana and Prohibition

In the early 1900s, America was cracking down on mind-altering substances. This change in philosophy caused the country to ban cannabis. During this time, nobody was able to differentiate between hemp and marijuana. They couldn’t figure out that one plant will cause the psychoactive side effects, while the other won’t. Since no one could distinguish between the two, the cannabis ban affected both plants.

With prohibition, companies removed cannabis as an active ingredient in their over-the-counter remedies. Consequently, the masses became deprived of the CBD benefits from ingesting hemp products.

Figuring Out the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

In the 1960s, scientists finally discovered the THC molecule. They realized this cannabinoid interacted with the body, fostering the high associated with marijuana effects.

Simultaneously, pharmaceutical companies started to grow. With the industrial revolution, companies began mass-producing medications in the same laboratories that were performing studies on these drugs. With our ever-growing reliance on pharmaceutical remedies, hemp-based care and studies seemed a thing of the past. Therefore, the need to distinguish between hemp and marijuana seemed unnecessary.   

While conventional drugs have a place in wellness, many come with a laundry list of side effects. Just watch one commercial and your head will be spinning. These unfavorable effects led many to look toward a more natural form of therapy that had our ancestors’ approval.

In 1996, medical cannabis became legal in California. However, the groundswell behind the hemp movement didn’t swing into full gear until 2012. This was a landmark year where numerous states voted in favor of medical cannabis. Even then, it wasn’t until 2014 the differences between hemp and marijuana were recognized legally. Still, the laws surrounding cannabis can be tricky and make knowing the difference between hemp and marijuana more crucial than ever.   

Hemp vs Marijuana and the Law

In 2018, Congress signed a new Farm Bill into law. A provision in this legislature saw the differences between hemp and marijuana finally recognized.

Farm Bill Opportunity swiss army knife

Photo Credit: USDA Website

The new Farm Bill reassigned the cultivation of hemp under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) instead of the Department of Justice. With this change of oversight, hemp became reclassified under the Controlled Substance Act.

During prohibition, the Controlled Substance Act classified both hemp and marijuana as cannabis. Unfortunately for those who wanted hemp CBD benefits, all species of cannabis were classified as a schedule 1 controlled substance. That categorization held hemp in the same regard as opioids and meth. It’s also a reason for the long-standing stigma surrounding cannabis products today.

Thanks to the new Farm Bill, which was signed with a hemp pen by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, hemp is currently a schedule 5 substance. While recognizing the differences between hemp and marijuana was vital for CBD legality, it doesn’t make all forms of CBD oil legal. Let’s take a look at the difference between hemp vs marijuana-derived CBD Oil.

What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana Derived CBD Oil?  

CBD derived from hemp plants compliant with the Farm Bill is legal in all 50 states. That’s because these hemp plants have less than 0.3% THC in their genetic makeup. Therefore, companies can use these plants to extract CBD oil without worrying about creating a formula with psychoactive properties.

Almost one-fifth of the states in our country recognizes recreational marijuana. Based on the guidelines of those states, extracting CBD oil from marijuana plants is legal. Therefore, products in states where recreational marijuana is legal may have a higher concentration of THC than the 0.3% in government-mandated hemp. Consequently, these products may cause psychoactive side effects for the person who is using them. Furthermore, the products may become illegal when they cross state lines.

While hemp got a pass during the new Farm Bill, marijuana did not. If you are purchasing CBD oil in a state where recreational marijuana is legal, check out the label. Make sure the CBD oil comes from hemp instead of marijuana.

To further complicate the situation, states which recognize medical marijuana but not recreational, also allow the extraction of CBD oil from marijuana. Medical marijuana cardholders should always have their card inside their wallet, especially when they are traveling with CBD oil. That way, if you do purchase a product in compliance with your state’s medical marijuana program, you will be in accordance with local laws in neighboring states too.

Full Spectrum CBD Oil Benefits

You must be asking yourself, why bother making CBD oil with marijuana if the plant is illegal on a federal level? That’s because there are therapeutic benefits to the THC molecule. In fact, all 113 cannabinoids in the hemp plant (including THC) are rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and other micronutrients. Though THC found in CBD products is below .3% and not nearly enough to get you high, having a small amount can still provide benefits.

hemp vs marijuana products

The primary objective of cannabinoids is homeostasis (balance). They enter the bloodstream in search of angst-ridden receptors throughout the endocannabinoid system. Based on the cannabinoids interaction with the stressed-out receptor, the balance gets restored throughout the network.

Cannabinoids love homeostasis so much they try to accomplish this task as efficiently as possible. Studies suggest cannabinoids have a beneficial effect on one another. Dubbed the entourage effect, cannabinoids exhibit a natural synergy. This unique interaction is what makes the benefits of CBD oil possible for millions.  

Not all CBD oil is created equally. To know you are getting all of the cannabinoids, make sure the label says words such as:

  • Full-Spectrum
  • Broad-Spectrum
  • Whole-Plant

These labels indicate all parts of the hemp plant including its leaves, stems, and seeds were used during the extraction process. This means the formula is enriched with a load of nutrients which subpar, fly by night companies may leave out.

How to Get CBD Oil without the THC Molecule   

There are many reasons for someone to be skeptical of purchasing a product with THC. For one, you may have a sensitive endocannabinoid system. Others may be afraid of unknowingly breaking the law. If this sounds like you, you can still experience the benefits of CBD oil.

At Made by Hemp, we produce phytocannabinoid rich hemp oil without any THC. While the THC molecule does exhibit therapeutic benefits, it is not necessarily needed in CBD products, though as highlighted above can prove beneficial. 

CBD products made with CBD isolate are THC free.

Hemp vs Marijuana Uses

With marijuana being abundant in THC, it is mostly used for its psychoactive properties and medicinal benefits. States with laws allowing for both recreational and medical marijuana have laws for when, where and how to use these products.

Hemp, on the other hand, has historically been used for more industrial purposes like clothing, biofuel, food products, paper, and more. With the recent rise in popularity as a supplement, CBD derived from hemp is making this plant popular again, and helping companies like ours to educate more people on the benefits of hemp vs marijuana as a supplement.

Conclusion

Now you know the difference, spread the word! Help others to understand this important concept about the difference between hemp and marijuana. There are many epidemics going on in the world today such as deforestation, sickness and disease, opioid addiction and more which more studies and research could provide insight into how the hemp plant and its constituents could prove important in these issues and more.

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What Does It Take To Make Humans Fly?

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When you think about it, the leaps human beings have made in the science sector are truly incredible. We have all kinds of new technology under our belts, the kinds we only ever thought could be miracles sent from God a couple of hundred years ago, and they’re all thanks to a bit of modern science and its ability to experiment here and there!

And one of the biggest technological advances in the past hundred years or so has been the invention of the airplane. We can take to the skies now and fly as far as the fuel tank will take us, thousands of feet over the rest of the world. And yet, human beings were never made to fly!

Which is why it takes a lot for something like this to happen. So let’s explore the effort it takes to keep an entire plane in the sky, cruising on to different destinations all across the world.

It’s always a picturesque image, but how does it happen? (Image)

A Specialised Engine

The first thing that needs mentioning, when it comes to powering an airplane, is the engine. Jet engines are big affairs, are made by specialist (and often designer) manufacturers, and have a lot to answer for. After all, if you’re going to be flying through the air at a couple of hundred miles per hour, and you’re going to do so steadily with little turbulence, you need to have a warhorse of a core processor behind you!

Of course, a lot of things can fly without an engine, but they don’t tend to go very far, nor very high in the air around us. So by adding an engine into a winged vehicle, we have the capability to take to the skies, reaching speeds high enough to take off from the ground and keep going. The wings take it from there, and actually take us off into the sky above us,

The Right Tools

Next up we have the tools used to put an airplane together. It’s not something you’d immediately wonder at when thinking of flight, but they are a crucial part of the process.

Of course, you have your software tools first of all, to put together the entire design of the plane and make sure all the calculations for keeping you in the air are correct. But after that, when it comes to actually putting all the metal together, you’re going to need items such as Aerospace Cutting Tools. These include tools such as speed handles and magnets and mirrors, and a few standard wrenches and strong pliers here and there.

After that, it can just be a matter of using your local mechanic’s tool kit to get the job done. The inside of a car looks a lot like the inside of a plane, so there’s an idea of versatility here. Technological providers are all about accessibility!

Making humans fly is expensive and hard, but it’s a wonder of technology we should be thankful for.

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4 Great Things That Biotechnology Has Given Us

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OK, science lovers. You may want to hold onto your hat for this one, because biotechnology is an extremely cool part of science, and it has given the world a lot to be thankful for. In fact, it has contributed to a lot more things than you may even realize, and it shapes the world around us – and how we live – every day.

But what is biotechnology?

In short, it’s when a biological process or system is used to create a different product. Whilst this sounds pretty horrible, it’s not as Frankenstein-esque as you may think, and it’s not about trying to create weird half-living, half-dead things. Here, we’ve noted down 4 of the best breakthroughs of biotechnology.

Image credit

  1. Bread

OK, we know what you’re thinking. Bread? However, this is actually one of the oldest biotechnology processes, alongside the acts of making wine and beer. Bakers take a live product – the yeast – and use it to make an end product: that tasty loaf of bread. Sure, this isn’t as complex as some other biotechnology developments, and you can put the PFA tubing away for this one, but it’s still something that we use every day, and it’s thanks to science. Sandwich anybody?

  1. 3D technology for surgery

When you have surgery, it’s something that can really knock you off your feet for some time. However, the more precise the surgery is – and the more efficiently it is carried out – the quicker you will recover. Biotechnology has given us 3D technology, so that doctors can see exactly where they need to make incisions in the body, and it also allows them to diagnose problems with a lot more efficiency than methods used in the past. Biotechnology is pushing surgery forward!

  1. Face transplants

Suffering from an injury or accident can have many devastating impacts, and one of them may be that it changes your appearance quite dramatically. However, skin grafts have been used thanks to biotechnology, and they have even been shown to work for full-face transplants. Not only does this give the patient back the ability to live a normal life, but it just goes to show how great science can be, especially those developments in biotechnology. Pretty amazing, right?

  1. Sequencing the human genome

One of the most important breakthroughs in biotechnology (and biology as a whole), many scientists worked on sequencing the entire human genome, so that they could put together every single base pair that makes up DNA. In 2003, they finished this massive task, and biotechnology has been pushed further forward, as scientists begin to understand the blueprint that builds up a human being. This will, in the future, help to get rid of certain diseases, too.

So, biotechnology has given us a whole host of things, that we rely upon for survival. This ranges from a loaf of bread, to the full-face transplants that save people’s lives. Sounds pretty good, huh? If you’re interested in how this amazing part of science is shaping our futures, then it’s certainly worth reading further into it!

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What’s Stopping Robots From Taking Over The World? (Hint: Not Much)

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It’s been a dream of humanity to develop a legion of mechanical slaves to do their bidding for generations. And to a large extent, that’s what we’ve done. The reason only about 2 percent of people work on farms is that machines do the work of the other 98 percent, burning vast amounts of energy in the process.

But when we talk about robots, we have something different in mind to combine harvesters. We’re talking about things that look and move like use: general purpose devices that will do our bidding, whatever that happens to be. A combine harvester might be great at scooping up corn, but it’s probably not all that great at making you a salad.

In this article, we’re going to look at some of the things that are stopping robots from being our personal assistants and when we can expect technological breakthroughs to make it possible.

Servos

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You can think of servos as the equivalent of robot muscles. They’re little motors in robot joints that translate rotational energy into linear movement. The problem is that, compared to biology, they’re poor. Although they have a lot of strength, they use a lot of energy and don’t have the finesse or ability to spin up and down quickly enough to provide robots with real-world balance.

Improvements in software and panel design, however, is changing the status quo. Servos will likely never be as good as muscle tissue, but as companies like Boston Dynamics are making increasingly clear, they are improving. Servos have now advanced to the point where they can provide stabilization for bi-pedal robots, something that looked hopeless just a few years ago.

Brains

Wikipedia

Google has a room at an undisclosed facility where it is testing robot arms. All of the arms are lined up in a row, attempting to grab objects in boxes in front of them in slightly different ways. Most of the time they fail, but when they succeed, they update smart software which integrates how the arm did it into its software so that it knows what to do next time.

There are, naturally, a lot of failed attempts. But every so often, one of the arms succeeds in picking up one of the irregularly shaped objects and depositing it into a nearby container. When this happens, the instructions that led to that success are shared with all of the other robots, improving their picking ability.

Google will be the first to admit that the technology has a long way to go. But in under a decade, we’re like to see robots like this on production lines and in fulfillment centers picking things up and depositing them elsewhere, so human workers don’t have to.

Pliable Materials

The trick to life-like robots is to create artificial muscles that behave like their natural counterparts. Researchers have already built synthetic muscle in the lab which contracts when an electrical current is passed through it. Once this technology matures, it will help some robots more naturally mimic the movements of people – movements that we’ve evolved to inhabit planet Earth.

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How Is Science Helping To Improve Reproduction?

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Science has helped humans come on leaps and bounds over the past hundred years. We are now able to use and create technology that is incredibly advanced. Not only does it make our lives a lot more convenient, but it can also make them a lot healthier and safer as well.

There have been so many tech developments in the world of healthcare and medicine over the past few decades that humans have never been able to lead such healthy lives. Not only that, though, but reproduction and having babies has also been made easier for some couples as well. For some couples who have certain fertility issues, it could have been extremely difficult for them to conceive a baby naturally. These days, though, many of these couples are now able to start a family thanks to new scientific methods.

That’s just one of the ways science has helped to improve reproduction – read on to find out about some others!

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Improved Diagnosis Of Fertility Issues

Doctors can now diagnose fertility issues in people a lot quicker these days thanks to scientific improvements in the diagnostic process. Any men who are worried about their fertility can now go to a fertility clinic and take advantage of their computer aided sperm analysis service. As these computers aren’t that advanced just yet, some fertility clinics still get a laboratory andrologist to take a look at the sperm to see for themselves. However, the use of the computer analysis still speeds up the diagnosis process so that men can get the treatment they need much quicker. Scientific advancements have also shortened the diagnostic time for women as well, and any female fertility problems can be swiftly picked up.

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Better Treatments To Help Reproduction Problems

When a fertility problem has been correctly diagnosed, it is them important that the couple get the necessary treatment that will allow them to conceive. After years of research, there are now a few different treatments that can help improve the rates of reproduction in couples who do have some issues. Even though IVF has been used by a lot of couples for some years now, many scientific developments over the past decade or so have slightly improved this whole process.

LGBT Couples Have The Chance To Be Parents

Thanks to the development of medical procedures like artificial insemination and IVF with a donor egg or sperm, LGBT couples are now able to become parents if they wish. All they need to do is find a willing donor who will donate the sperm or the egg that is needed. More often than not, it is usually a close friend who donates, but there are now agencies that match up couples and donors. The artificial insemination can then be done at home – this is known as the turkey basting method. However, for better success rates, this should be carried out in a hospital where science can be used to improve the chances of the process working.

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The Risk Of Certain Diseases Can Be Reduced

Have you heard the term “designer baby”? This has been a bit of a buzzword for the past few years or so and it has become quite a controversial topic as it is thought that this new science could be misused by some couples. There is now scientific methods that give scientists and doctors the chance to alter the DNA and genetic makeup of a fetus at the point of contraception. Even though this can be used for a lot of good, such as removing any potentially dangerous genes that could result in the development of a life-threatening disease, it does mean that simple things like the sex and eye color of a baby can be altered. Many people disagree with using this technology for changing non-dangerous features of a baby, like hair and eye color, as it is just the same as playing God. Using this kind of science to create a technology isn’t legal in most countries just yet, but that might all change in the future.

Some Health Conditions Can Now Be Spotted Very Early

Of course, there are some health conditions that aren’t genetic and changing the genes of a baby might not be enough to prevent them. But recent developments have helped scientists come up with ways to spot these potential conditions while the baby is still in the womb. If these are spotted at an early stage of the pregnancy, then some treatments could be carried out during the pregnancy to try and help the baby, depending on what the health issue is. If there are no treatments that can be administered during the pregnancy, then at least doctors will have a head start on treatment as soon as the baby is born.

Endangered Species Are Being Helped To Reproduce

It isn’t just humans who are being helped by new and improved scientific process and technology in reproduction. A lot of animals have benefited from many recent developments as well. For instance, many endangered species that used to struggle to reproduce, such as pandas, now have an easier time conceiving. Some fertility treatments that are used on humans, such as IVF, have been trialled in certain species with positive results. Not only that, though, but other treatments and methods have also been used to try to encourage more sexual activity between animals as well.

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Science Can Prevent Reproduction For Couples Who Don’t Want A Baby

It’s also possible to look at things from the other side of the coin. Thanks to science, couples who do not wish to conceive and have a baby can now have sex without worrying about the implications. There are now many different methods of contraception, including the pill and hormone injections, that will make it almost impossible for them to conceive. These are great for couples who aren’t yet ready to start a family or just don’t want to have kids at all.

As you can see, there are many cool ways in which science is helping reproduction!

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Feed the World: How Can We Make More of Our Crops?

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Image Credit: ReSplashed

With a growing population of humans, the strain on the land is certainly showing. This means that we need to find new ways to feed ourselves without ruining the environment. In other words, we need to figure out the optimal way to sustain our population long term.

Enter agronomy.

This is the science of figuring out how to produce more food, keep the soil healthy and even develop healthier foods. While you might think that this depends on GM crops, it is actually much more diverse and takes in all kinds of methods such as crop rotation, the best fertilizers and pest control too.

Specialists such as MKC have been working on various agronomy techniques for years and can offer all sorts of valuable advice. You can contact us for more information, but in the meantime, here are a few things you can do yourself to make the most of your land.

Selective Breeding

One of the best ways to produce excellent crops is to select your breeding plants very carefully. Gardeners and farmers have been doing this for hundreds of years and it is quite a simple process. All you need to do is pick your best plants and breed them together, then do the same over and again until you notice the characteristics you are looking for.

If you aren’t comfortable with GM crops, you can use selective pollination to breed the healthiest plants in order to encourage those traits. Over a few generations, you should see some significant differences and be able to produce bigger crops, more resistant crops or even novel, unique crops.

Mixed Cropping

Sometimes when looking for ways to innovate and improve current methods, the past is a good place to look. Planting single crops is a relatively recent idea, but before the industrialization of agriculture, farmers would plant multiple crops in the same field. With the right crops planted together, this can still create the perfect situation for crops to grow. This is called mixed cropping.

Even on a large farm, mixing crops like maize, beans and pumpkins is a great way to improve the way that your crops grow, keeping the soil in good condition and optimizing the yield you get. With the different species of crops, you will also attract different beneficial insects, creating a fabulous biodiversity.

Technological Advances

Though we tend to think of technology as a cause of environmental problems, it is also the best chance we have of understanding the environment and optimizing conditions to improve the situation. In fact, whether you use technology to track changes, control climates or monitor results, you can certainly find a way to put it to good use.

As more and more food is required, it is important that farmers look to every possible way of improving crops and looking after the soil they grow in. Choosing the right crops through selective breeding, planting complementary crops together to create a biodiverse growing area and using technology to track results can all work together to build the future of agricultural practice.

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