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koleksi kumpulan list daftar cara prosedure prektikum fisika untuk kelas sua belas 12 XII ipa yang paling baru terbaru paling lengkap terlengkap
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di situ tersedia berbagai prosedure praktikum fisika untuk berbagai macam bab tapi formatnya pdf,kalu mau di convert juga susah, jadi mending di print aja langsung yah OK
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Ketika ditanya, “Duluan mana antara ayam dan telur?”, banyak orang yang masih bingung menjawabnya. Para ilmuwan dari universitas di Sheffield dan Warwick melaporkan, seperti yang dilansir dari Mailonline, jawabannya adalah ayam. Penemuan ini dipublikasikan dalam makalah “Structural Control Of Crystal Nuclei By An Eggshell Protein”. Masih dari sumber yang sama, kulit telur yang terbentuk bergantung kepada zat protein yang hanya ada di rahim ayam. Artinya cangkang telur akan terbentuk hanya jika berada di dalam ayam.
Protein yang disebut ovocledidin-17, atau OC-17 – bertindak sebagai katalis untuk mempercepat pengembangan kulit telur dan mengubah kalsium karbonat menjadi kristal kalsit yang membentuk kulit telur. Kalsit kristal ada di berbagai tulang dan tempurung tetapi mereka terbentuk lebih cepat di dalam ayam. Unggas itu mampu menghasilkan 6 gram kulit telur setiap 24 jam. Sedangkan computer yang digunakan oleh para ilmuwan, yang diberi nama HECToR itu membuktikan bahwa OC-17 sangat penting dalam memulai kristalisasi atau tahap awal penciptaan kulit telur.
Protein yang disebut ovocledidin-17, atau OC-17 – bertindak sebagai katalis untuk mempercepat pengembangan kulit telur dan mengubah kalsium karbonat menjadi kristal kalsit yang membentuk kulit telur. Kalsit kristal ada di berbagai tulang dan tempurung tetapi mereka terbentuk lebih cepat di dalam ayam. Unggas itu mampu menghasilkan 6 gram kulit telur setiap 24 jam. Sedangkan computer yang digunakan oleh para ilmuwan, yang diberi nama HECToR itu membuktikan bahwa OC-17 sangat penting dalam memulai kristalisasi atau tahap awal penciptaan kulit telur.
The house is hot is usually attractive to mosquitoes. Maybe you do not know what causes it, and just watched it. But actually, there are many reasons why the mosquito is so interested in humans. Seven reasons listed below may also be aware of.
1. You always wore dark clothing. Mosquitoes had always indeed "programmed" to hunt mammals, which tend to be dark skin and fur, according to entomologist Grayson Brown, PhD. In experiments, lab workers Brown wore a white dress. Evidently, the mosquito is not so desperate for them.
2. You spray perfume scented flowers. Mosquitoes are happy to suck the sweet juice of the flower, as the provision of energy to fly and sting. If you wear a rose-scented perfume, is not wrong if you thought the mosquitoes rose.
3. You like to drink beer. Beer drinkers were 63 percent more attractive to mosquitoes than plain water drinker, according to a study in France. Alcohol does affect bad breath and body smell. Even so, still needs further research whether this also occurs in drinkers of other types of alcohol, such as wine and cocktail.
4. You are pregnant. According to the researchers, pregnant women are two times more attractive than non-pregnant women. Especially in the late trimester of pregnancy, women will exhale 21 percent more, and this lure mosquitoes do like carbon dioxide and humidity. The body temperature of pregnant women also tended to be higher, thus more easily detected by mosquitoes.
5. You do not empty the water in the bathtub. You know, the mosquitoes attracted to puddles or stagnant water. For example, rain water collected in empty cans. To prevent mosquitoes entering the house, make sure no puddles in the house, wash in bahttub (bath) at least once a week, cut the lawn regularly, and cover the swimming pool at home (if any) when not in use.
6. You like to sleep late at night. Mosquitoes are more active from late afternoon until early morning. That's when they started to hunt in your home. Avoid eating outdoors, so you do not fall prey to mosquitoes.
7. You often sweaty. Researchers at Yale University found that mosquitoes can be targeted chemicals in our sweat. Sweat can also make you wear insect repellent (eg a topical or sprayed) easily vanish. Because, apply again every few hours.
1. You always wore dark clothing. Mosquitoes had always indeed "programmed" to hunt mammals, which tend to be dark skin and fur, according to entomologist Grayson Brown, PhD. In experiments, lab workers Brown wore a white dress. Evidently, the mosquito is not so desperate for them.
2. You spray perfume scented flowers. Mosquitoes are happy to suck the sweet juice of the flower, as the provision of energy to fly and sting. If you wear a rose-scented perfume, is not wrong if you thought the mosquitoes rose.
3. You like to drink beer. Beer drinkers were 63 percent more attractive to mosquitoes than plain water drinker, according to a study in France. Alcohol does affect bad breath and body smell. Even so, still needs further research whether this also occurs in drinkers of other types of alcohol, such as wine and cocktail.
4. You are pregnant. According to the researchers, pregnant women are two times more attractive than non-pregnant women. Especially in the late trimester of pregnancy, women will exhale 21 percent more, and this lure mosquitoes do like carbon dioxide and humidity. The body temperature of pregnant women also tended to be higher, thus more easily detected by mosquitoes.
5. You do not empty the water in the bathtub. You know, the mosquitoes attracted to puddles or stagnant water. For example, rain water collected in empty cans. To prevent mosquitoes entering the house, make sure no puddles in the house, wash in bahttub (bath) at least once a week, cut the lawn regularly, and cover the swimming pool at home (if any) when not in use.
6. You like to sleep late at night. Mosquitoes are more active from late afternoon until early morning. That's when they started to hunt in your home. Avoid eating outdoors, so you do not fall prey to mosquitoes.
7. You often sweaty. Researchers at Yale University found that mosquitoes can be targeted chemicals in our sweat. Sweat can also make you wear insect repellent (eg a topical or sprayed) easily vanish. Because, apply again every few hours.
Activation of the midbrain is a phenomenal discovery in the education of children. Actual use of the midbrain theory has been widely applied in many Asian countries especially Japan. Japan has long practiced the midbrain activation in young children who have been activated anak.Seorang midbrain will have more ability than children not yet in the middle of brain activation.
Activities with your eyes closed is a most significant activity can be seen. A child who has been activated brain center (Mid Brain Activated) can have extraordinary abilities. This capability is often exhibited even miraculously in magic entertainment programs. After looking at the ability of children who have been activated, most of the events at The Master's magic match becomes less attractive. Because this can be done alone by the kids who just plain brain activation training center for 2 days. Basic skills that can be done is to 'see' the card with the eyes closed (blind fold). Christofle (9 yrs), for example, brain activation after training center, to sort all cards according to numbers, colors and shapes the picture cards with their eyes closed. He can use the senses of touch to see the patterns and colors complete with numbers only with visual skins (Skin Vision).
Another capability that can be done by these children are walking with eyes closed, without crashing. Conducted experiments on a boy who walked with his eyes closed cloth. Someone deliberately blocking the road in front. He immediately to avoid obstacles without touching it. A child can even recognize his father among the crowd of other parents, without touching and hearing his voice.
At more advanced levels of a child is expected to 'see' objects behind walls or inside the box. He can even count the money contained in the wallet seeorang in front of him without that person out his wallet. If a child is diligently train the middle brain function even he can expect to read a document which is located in the closed position.
The ability of prediction (predict what will happen some time later) is a higher capacity that can be owned by a child. A child who has got the midbrain activation can 'guess' what the card will appear at the time the person is still shuffling the cards. Once finished churning, and choose a card, that person takes a card that turned out exactly like the 'allegations' of the child.
Activation of the midbrain is not something magical or supernatural smells. Activation of midbrain done scientifically. Activation of the midbrain is much use Alpha brain waves. Alpha brain waves on a scientifically proven brain waves which are dominant at the time we emerged in a relaxed state and the most creative. These brain waves are dominant at the time we wake up, or in a relaxed state in the toilet, or even medium hot water soak in the bathtub. No wonder why Archimedes discovered the law Achimedes when he bathed.
Midbrain which emit activated similar brain wave radar. This makes the owner able to see things in a state of closed eyes. Basically, the wave is located under the nose. Only able to detect objects located just below the nose.
Regular exercise can make the children become stronger and able to see objects located higher. There are even some kids who can medeteksi to 360 degrees. That means they can detect objects located behind, above and all directions.
Midbrain activation Training has started in Indonesia. Currently not many people know the existence of this training. Training is usually done for 2 days. At that time, also usually carried out training for the parents. As with other areas of expertise, parents can play a major role to help children develop their potential midbrain. A child with a strong central brain, are expected to develop the right brain and left brain is more leverage so they can be categorized as a genius. Not only in the left brain (IQ, intellectual), or right brain (emotional, EQ) but also in 'Loving Intelligence'. They are a balanced individual and love others as the creator loves him. Unfortunately this midbrain activation training can only be done for children aged 5-15 years.
Activities with your eyes closed is a most significant activity can be seen. A child who has been activated brain center (Mid Brain Activated) can have extraordinary abilities. This capability is often exhibited even miraculously in magic entertainment programs. After looking at the ability of children who have been activated, most of the events at The Master's magic match becomes less attractive. Because this can be done alone by the kids who just plain brain activation training center for 2 days. Basic skills that can be done is to 'see' the card with the eyes closed (blind fold). Christofle (9 yrs), for example, brain activation after training center, to sort all cards according to numbers, colors and shapes the picture cards with their eyes closed. He can use the senses of touch to see the patterns and colors complete with numbers only with visual skins (Skin Vision).
Another capability that can be done by these children are walking with eyes closed, without crashing. Conducted experiments on a boy who walked with his eyes closed cloth. Someone deliberately blocking the road in front. He immediately to avoid obstacles without touching it. A child can even recognize his father among the crowd of other parents, without touching and hearing his voice.
At more advanced levels of a child is expected to 'see' objects behind walls or inside the box. He can even count the money contained in the wallet seeorang in front of him without that person out his wallet. If a child is diligently train the middle brain function even he can expect to read a document which is located in the closed position.
The ability of prediction (predict what will happen some time later) is a higher capacity that can be owned by a child. A child who has got the midbrain activation can 'guess' what the card will appear at the time the person is still shuffling the cards. Once finished churning, and choose a card, that person takes a card that turned out exactly like the 'allegations' of the child.
Activation of the midbrain is not something magical or supernatural smells. Activation of midbrain done scientifically. Activation of the midbrain is much use Alpha brain waves. Alpha brain waves on a scientifically proven brain waves which are dominant at the time we emerged in a relaxed state and the most creative. These brain waves are dominant at the time we wake up, or in a relaxed state in the toilet, or even medium hot water soak in the bathtub. No wonder why Archimedes discovered the law Achimedes when he bathed.
Midbrain which emit activated similar brain wave radar. This makes the owner able to see things in a state of closed eyes. Basically, the wave is located under the nose. Only able to detect objects located just below the nose.
Regular exercise can make the children become stronger and able to see objects located higher. There are even some kids who can medeteksi to 360 degrees. That means they can detect objects located behind, above and all directions.
Midbrain activation Training has started in Indonesia. Currently not many people know the existence of this training. Training is usually done for 2 days. At that time, also usually carried out training for the parents. As with other areas of expertise, parents can play a major role to help children develop their potential midbrain. A child with a strong central brain, are expected to develop the right brain and left brain is more leverage so they can be categorized as a genius. Not only in the left brain (IQ, intellectual), or right brain (emotional, EQ) but also in 'Loving Intelligence'. They are a balanced individual and love others as the creator loves him. Unfortunately this midbrain activation training can only be done for children aged 5-15 years.
DNA or Deoxyribo Nucleic Acid is a nucleic acid that stores all information about genetics. DNA is what determines the type of hair, skin color and specific qualities of human beings. Should DNA testing?
With DNA testing, so if someone knows that he is susceptible to certain diseases, theoretically it would make prevention efforts, such as controlling your diet or routine inspection.
There are 5 DNA tests that actually needs to be done as reported from Menshealth:
1. DNA tests to determine the risk of prostate cancer.
DNA testing is done by analyzing five genetic variants in saliva. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that men with four of the five variants have an increased risk of prostate cancer is 450 percent higher than other men.
Companies that have claimed assay 99.9 percent accuracy. But its weakness, this test is no longer available after October 2008. In addition, according to Muin Khoury, MD, Ph.D., director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S., family history of prostate cancer is enough to predict the risk.
2. DNA test to determine lineage (father or mother)
This test is promising to provide definitive results about the identity of the child's parent (either father or mother) within 3 to 5 days.
3. DNA tests to identify Alzheimer's disease
These tests look for the gene variant, known as apoE and associated with Alzheimer's disease. But its weakness, not all Alzheimer's patients carry this gene variant. In addition, the risk of Alzheimer's can also be found from the factor of age, gender, ethnicity and family history.
4. DNA tests to identify various degenerative diseases
These tests promise to find disease susceptibility of 18, begun from heart attacks to diabetes type 2 (diabetes due to lifestyle) and colon cancer. But its weakness, to perform these tests are very expensive price. For the initial test you have to spend money of 2,500 dollars or approximately USD 22.5 million.
5. DNA tests to detect baldness
This test promised to look for genetic variants associated with 95 percent of male baldness, especially at ages above 40 years. The presence of the variant gene showed increased risk, but does not always guarantee the occurrence of baldness.
With DNA testing, so if someone knows that he is susceptible to certain diseases, theoretically it would make prevention efforts, such as controlling your diet or routine inspection.
There are 5 DNA tests that actually needs to be done as reported from Menshealth:
1. DNA tests to determine the risk of prostate cancer.
DNA testing is done by analyzing five genetic variants in saliva. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that men with four of the five variants have an increased risk of prostate cancer is 450 percent higher than other men.
Companies that have claimed assay 99.9 percent accuracy. But its weakness, this test is no longer available after October 2008. In addition, according to Muin Khoury, MD, Ph.D., director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S., family history of prostate cancer is enough to predict the risk.
2. DNA test to determine lineage (father or mother)
This test is promising to provide definitive results about the identity of the child's parent (either father or mother) within 3 to 5 days.
3. DNA tests to identify Alzheimer's disease
These tests look for the gene variant, known as apoE and associated with Alzheimer's disease. But its weakness, not all Alzheimer's patients carry this gene variant. In addition, the risk of Alzheimer's can also be found from the factor of age, gender, ethnicity and family history.
4. DNA tests to identify various degenerative diseases
These tests promise to find disease susceptibility of 18, begun from heart attacks to diabetes type 2 (diabetes due to lifestyle) and colon cancer. But its weakness, to perform these tests are very expensive price. For the initial test you have to spend money of 2,500 dollars or approximately USD 22.5 million.
5. DNA tests to detect baldness
This test promised to look for genetic variants associated with 95 percent of male baldness, especially at ages above 40 years. The presence of the variant gene showed increased risk, but does not always guarantee the occurrence of baldness.
Di antara berbagai jenis gangguan tidur, parasomnia termasuk yang paling mengkhawatirkan. Gangguan ini bisa membuat seseorang melakukan berbagai aktivitas tanpa disadari selama tertidur.
Jika dampak gangguan tidur pada umumnya hanya depresi dan kelelahan, dampak parasomnia bisa lebih parah lagi. Misalnya saat seseorang berjalan sambil tidur, ia bisa mengalami kecelakaan. Atau jika merokok saat tidur, tempat tidurnya bisa kebakaran.
Dikutip dari ABC News, berbagai jenis aktivitas mengkhawatirkan tersebut di antaranya adalah sebagai berikut.
1. Berjalan
Sleepwalking atau berjalan saat tidur bisa disebabkan oleh berbagai faktor, termasuk obat-obatan, stres dan kurang tidur. Paling sering terjadi pada usia 8-12 tahun dan biasanya makin berkurang saat tumbuh dewasa.
Saat terbangun, seseorang yang berjalan dalam tidur tidak bisa mengingat apa yang dilakukannya. Beberapa pelaku tindak kriminal juga menggunakan dalih ini sebagai pembenaran untuk menghindari hukuman berat.
2. Berbicara
Hampir semua orang pasti pernah menjumpai teman atau kerabatnya sedang ngelindur atau berbicara saat tidur. Selain dipicu oleh obat-obatan, perilaku ini juga bisa sebabkan oleh stres dan gangguan mental lainnya.
Ngelindur terjadi ketika seseorang berada pada fase tidur yang disebut Rapid Eye Movement (REM), sehingga bisa berkembang menjadi REM Behaviour Disorder atau gangguan perilaku REM. Pada gangguan yang lebih terkait pada penurunan fungsi otak ini, kata-kata yang diucapkan saat ngelindur cenderung kasar misalnya berteriak, menjerit atau mengumpat.
3. Makan, minum dan merokok
Beberapa orang terbangun dengan rasa kaget karena mendapati tempat tidurnya dipenuhi puntung rokok dan remah-remah sisa makanan. Meski demikian, orang tersebut tidak ingat bagaimana sampai ada makanan di tempat itu.
Ada juga yang makin terkejut ketika mendapati kulkasnya kosong di pagi hari dan mengira ada pencuri kelaparan masuk ke rumahnya. Padahal tanpa disadari, ia berjalan saat tidur lalu mengambil makanan dan memakannya di tempat tidur.
Penyebabnya ada bermacam-macam, antara lain penggunaan obat-obatan antidepresi. Stres dan gangguan kesehatan seperti wasir atau haemorrhoid dikabarkan juga meningkatkan risiko terbentuknya perilaku semacam ini.
4. Mengirim SMS
Remaja yang sudah merasa kecanduan teknologi tidak bisa lepas dari ponsel, sekalipun saat tidur. Dampaknya bisa berbahaya, sebab beberapa orang bisa mengirimkan SMS atau bahkan email saat terlelap dan ketika terbangun ia tidak ingat apa yang telah dilakukannya.
Berbeda dengan ngelindur, mengirim SMS saat tidur atau sleep texting lebih sering terjadi di fase awal ketika seseorang belum benar-benar terlelap. Yang sering terjadi adalah ada SMS masuk, lalu secara otomatis tangannya mengetik balasan namun semuanya terjadi di luar kesadaran.
5. Berhubungan seks
Journal of Sleep Research mencatat sekitar 8 persen penderita gangguan tidur pernah berhubungan seks tanpa sadar saat tidur. Angka ini diperoleh berdasarkan pengakuan pasangannya, sebab pelakuknya tidak dapat ingat apa yang dilakukannya sepanjang malam.
Seksomnia atau berhubungan seks saat tidur termasuk parasomnia yang digolongkan dalam subkategori confusion arrousals. Gangguan ini terjadi ketika seseorang kehilangan batas yang tegas antara status terbangun dan tertidur.
Jika dampak gangguan tidur pada umumnya hanya depresi dan kelelahan, dampak parasomnia bisa lebih parah lagi. Misalnya saat seseorang berjalan sambil tidur, ia bisa mengalami kecelakaan. Atau jika merokok saat tidur, tempat tidurnya bisa kebakaran.
Dikutip dari ABC News, berbagai jenis aktivitas mengkhawatirkan tersebut di antaranya adalah sebagai berikut.
1. Berjalan
Sleepwalking atau berjalan saat tidur bisa disebabkan oleh berbagai faktor, termasuk obat-obatan, stres dan kurang tidur. Paling sering terjadi pada usia 8-12 tahun dan biasanya makin berkurang saat tumbuh dewasa.
Saat terbangun, seseorang yang berjalan dalam tidur tidak bisa mengingat apa yang dilakukannya. Beberapa pelaku tindak kriminal juga menggunakan dalih ini sebagai pembenaran untuk menghindari hukuman berat.
2. Berbicara
Hampir semua orang pasti pernah menjumpai teman atau kerabatnya sedang ngelindur atau berbicara saat tidur. Selain dipicu oleh obat-obatan, perilaku ini juga bisa sebabkan oleh stres dan gangguan mental lainnya.
Ngelindur terjadi ketika seseorang berada pada fase tidur yang disebut Rapid Eye Movement (REM), sehingga bisa berkembang menjadi REM Behaviour Disorder atau gangguan perilaku REM. Pada gangguan yang lebih terkait pada penurunan fungsi otak ini, kata-kata yang diucapkan saat ngelindur cenderung kasar misalnya berteriak, menjerit atau mengumpat.
3. Makan, minum dan merokok
Beberapa orang terbangun dengan rasa kaget karena mendapati tempat tidurnya dipenuhi puntung rokok dan remah-remah sisa makanan. Meski demikian, orang tersebut tidak ingat bagaimana sampai ada makanan di tempat itu.
Ada juga yang makin terkejut ketika mendapati kulkasnya kosong di pagi hari dan mengira ada pencuri kelaparan masuk ke rumahnya. Padahal tanpa disadari, ia berjalan saat tidur lalu mengambil makanan dan memakannya di tempat tidur.
Penyebabnya ada bermacam-macam, antara lain penggunaan obat-obatan antidepresi. Stres dan gangguan kesehatan seperti wasir atau haemorrhoid dikabarkan juga meningkatkan risiko terbentuknya perilaku semacam ini.
4. Mengirim SMS
Remaja yang sudah merasa kecanduan teknologi tidak bisa lepas dari ponsel, sekalipun saat tidur. Dampaknya bisa berbahaya, sebab beberapa orang bisa mengirimkan SMS atau bahkan email saat terlelap dan ketika terbangun ia tidak ingat apa yang telah dilakukannya.
Berbeda dengan ngelindur, mengirim SMS saat tidur atau sleep texting lebih sering terjadi di fase awal ketika seseorang belum benar-benar terlelap. Yang sering terjadi adalah ada SMS masuk, lalu secara otomatis tangannya mengetik balasan namun semuanya terjadi di luar kesadaran.
5. Berhubungan seks
Journal of Sleep Research mencatat sekitar 8 persen penderita gangguan tidur pernah berhubungan seks tanpa sadar saat tidur. Angka ini diperoleh berdasarkan pengakuan pasangannya, sebab pelakuknya tidak dapat ingat apa yang dilakukannya sepanjang malam.
Seksomnia atau berhubungan seks saat tidur termasuk parasomnia yang digolongkan dalam subkategori confusion arrousals. Gangguan ini terjadi ketika seseorang kehilangan batas yang tegas antara status terbangun dan tertidur.
Oxford, Diskalkulia merupakan gangguan belajar yang ditandai dengan kesulitan untuk menghitung angka-angka. Aliran listrik pada bagian tertentu di otak ternyata bisa mengatasi gangguan ini dan bahkan efeknya mampu bertahan hingga 6 bulan.
Tentu saja cara mengalirkan listrik ke otak tidak semudah menyalakan lampu. Ada teknik tertentu yang jika tidak dilakukan dengan benar justru menyebabkan efek sebaliknya yakni semakin sulit mengerjakan soal matematika.
Dalam sebuah eksperimen, ilmuwan dari Oxford University berhasil menemukan teknik yang tepat untuk mengatasi diskalkulia dengan aliran listrik. Eksperimen ini melibatkan 15 mahasiswa dengan rentang usia 20 hingga 21 tahun.
Ketika arus listrik sebesar 1 miliampere (mA) dialirkan di otak pada bagian parietal lobe yang mengatur kemampuan numerik dan matematis, para relawan merasakan efek yang cukup signifikan. Namun efeknya berfariasi tergantung arah aliran listrik.
Jika dialirkan dari bagian kanan parietal lobe ke bagian kirinya, kemampuan berhitung para relawan meningkat hingga 2 kali lipat. Sebaliknya ketika dialirkan dari arah kiri ke kanan, kemampuannya turun drastis hingga setara dengan kemampuan anak usia 6 tahun.
Karena teknik sesungguhnya jauh lebih rumit, salah satu ilmuwan yakni Dr Cohen Kadosh mengingatkan agar teknik ini tidak dicoba sendiri di rumah. Bagaimanapun teknik ini masih dalam tahap uji coba sehingga masih butuh penelitian lebih lanjut sebelum digunakan secara luas.
“Cara ini tidak akan mengubah seseorang menjadi secerdas Einstein, tapi juka beruntung suatu saat nanti akan berguna untuk mereka yang mengalami kesulitan belajar spesifik seperti diskalkulia,” ungkap Dr Kadosh seperti dikutip dari Telegraph.
Tentu saja cara mengalirkan listrik ke otak tidak semudah menyalakan lampu. Ada teknik tertentu yang jika tidak dilakukan dengan benar justru menyebabkan efek sebaliknya yakni semakin sulit mengerjakan soal matematika.
Dalam sebuah eksperimen, ilmuwan dari Oxford University berhasil menemukan teknik yang tepat untuk mengatasi diskalkulia dengan aliran listrik. Eksperimen ini melibatkan 15 mahasiswa dengan rentang usia 20 hingga 21 tahun.
Ketika arus listrik sebesar 1 miliampere (mA) dialirkan di otak pada bagian parietal lobe yang mengatur kemampuan numerik dan matematis, para relawan merasakan efek yang cukup signifikan. Namun efeknya berfariasi tergantung arah aliran listrik.
Jika dialirkan dari bagian kanan parietal lobe ke bagian kirinya, kemampuan berhitung para relawan meningkat hingga 2 kali lipat. Sebaliknya ketika dialirkan dari arah kiri ke kanan, kemampuannya turun drastis hingga setara dengan kemampuan anak usia 6 tahun.
Karena teknik sesungguhnya jauh lebih rumit, salah satu ilmuwan yakni Dr Cohen Kadosh mengingatkan agar teknik ini tidak dicoba sendiri di rumah. Bagaimanapun teknik ini masih dalam tahap uji coba sehingga masih butuh penelitian lebih lanjut sebelum digunakan secara luas.
“Cara ini tidak akan mengubah seseorang menjadi secerdas Einstein, tapi juka beruntung suatu saat nanti akan berguna untuk mereka yang mengalami kesulitan belajar spesifik seperti diskalkulia,” ungkap Dr Kadosh seperti dikutip dari Telegraph.
Makanan bisa memengaruhi kualitas sperma pria. Jika Anda berencana untuk mengisi kekosongan rumah dengan hadirnya seorang anak, coba jaga asupan suami agar kualitas spermanya tetap terjaga dan hindari makanan-makanan yang bisa merusaknya. Berikut laporan Ana Mantica dalam majalah Eating Well mengenai makanan yang penting untuk kualitas sperma pria:
Buah dan Sayur
Dalam penelitian yang diterbitkan di jurnal Fertility and Sterility pada tahun 2009 dikatakan bahwa jumlah sperma sehat dikaitkan dengan konsumsi nutrisi tertentu. Beberapa nutrisi tersebut dapat ditemukan dalam buah-buahan dan sayuran. Para peneliti berspekulasi bahwa antioksidan dapat meningkatkan kualitas sperma.
Ikan
Menurut sebuah studi dalam di Amerika Jurnal Epidemiologi, omega-3 yang ditemukan dalam minyak ikan dapat membantu pasangan untuk meningkatkan kualitas sperma. Penelitian yang dilakukan oleh University of Illinois menemukan bahwa tikus yang mengkonversi asam alpha-linoleat (ALA) ke dalam DHA omega-3 tampak lebih subur. Meskipun demikian, penelitian ini masih dini untuk memberikan rekomendasi seberapa banyak pasangan Anda dapat mengkonsumsi omega-3.
Hindari:
Cola
Apabila Anda ingin memiliki anak, jangan berikan minuman bersoda kepada pasangan Anda. Sebuah studi pada tahun 2010 di Denmark menemukan hubungan antara mengkonsumsi cola dan berkurangnya kualitas sperma. Para ilmuwan pun melakukan penelitian terhadap 2.554 orang. Menurut laporan penelitian di Amerika Jurnal Epidemiologi, ditemukan bahwa orang yang mengkonsumsi lebih dari 10 kaleng soda dalam seminggu, cenderung memiliki sperma yang lebih sedikit.
Kedelai
Mengkonsumsi kedelai untuk jangka panjang, dapat menurunkan jumlah sperma, menurut penelitian dalam jurnal Endokrinologi Molekuler and Cellular. Penelitian yang dilakukan terhadap tikus jantan menunjukkan bahwa kedelai yang dikonsumsi setiap hari dapat menurunkan 25 persen sperma dari jumlah normal. Para ilmuwan juga mencatat perubahan dalam gen yang terlibat dalam motilitas sperma pada tikus yang mengkonsumsi kedelai. Para peneliti menduga bahwa isoflavon kedelai dapat menurunkan kualitas sperma.
Buah dan Sayur
Dalam penelitian yang diterbitkan di jurnal Fertility and Sterility pada tahun 2009 dikatakan bahwa jumlah sperma sehat dikaitkan dengan konsumsi nutrisi tertentu. Beberapa nutrisi tersebut dapat ditemukan dalam buah-buahan dan sayuran. Para peneliti berspekulasi bahwa antioksidan dapat meningkatkan kualitas sperma.
Ikan
Menurut sebuah studi dalam di Amerika Jurnal Epidemiologi, omega-3 yang ditemukan dalam minyak ikan dapat membantu pasangan untuk meningkatkan kualitas sperma. Penelitian yang dilakukan oleh University of Illinois menemukan bahwa tikus yang mengkonversi asam alpha-linoleat (ALA) ke dalam DHA omega-3 tampak lebih subur. Meskipun demikian, penelitian ini masih dini untuk memberikan rekomendasi seberapa banyak pasangan Anda dapat mengkonsumsi omega-3.
Hindari:
Cola
Apabila Anda ingin memiliki anak, jangan berikan minuman bersoda kepada pasangan Anda. Sebuah studi pada tahun 2010 di Denmark menemukan hubungan antara mengkonsumsi cola dan berkurangnya kualitas sperma. Para ilmuwan pun melakukan penelitian terhadap 2.554 orang. Menurut laporan penelitian di Amerika Jurnal Epidemiologi, ditemukan bahwa orang yang mengkonsumsi lebih dari 10 kaleng soda dalam seminggu, cenderung memiliki sperma yang lebih sedikit.
Kedelai
Mengkonsumsi kedelai untuk jangka panjang, dapat menurunkan jumlah sperma, menurut penelitian dalam jurnal Endokrinologi Molekuler and Cellular. Penelitian yang dilakukan terhadap tikus jantan menunjukkan bahwa kedelai yang dikonsumsi setiap hari dapat menurunkan 25 persen sperma dari jumlah normal. Para ilmuwan juga mencatat perubahan dalam gen yang terlibat dalam motilitas sperma pada tikus yang mengkonsumsi kedelai. Para peneliti menduga bahwa isoflavon kedelai dapat menurunkan kualitas sperma.
Nose Check A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist examines a gray bat for signs of white-nose fungus Ann Froschauer/USFWS via Flickr
Students are working on the front lines of one of conservation biology’s biggest challenges: The widespread death of bats from white-nose syndrome. The fast-moving fungus, which is expected to infiltrate much of the midwest and west this winter, is causing equally brisk priority shifts in academic institutions across the continent. Students who were initially interested in topics like wind turbines and bat social behavior are shifting their focus to white-nose research. Even seemingly unrelated topics, like new methods for examining bat guano, is at least partly colored by white-nose and its impacts.
Money is one motivator, students and advisers say — private and public agencies are funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars into white-nose research, so biologists who don’t study it directly may have a harder time getting funding.
Alan Hicks, a retired wildlife biologist from New York, was the first field researcher to recognize white nose syndrome back in 2006. He’s been beating the drum ever since and practically begs graduate students to study the disease. He recently sent a former student, Kate Langwig, to work with another prominent bat researcher, Thomas Kunz of Boston University, with a promise: “I said, ‘I will haunt you to your dying days if you don’t try to solve this white-nose thing,’” he recalled.
But most young people don’t need the prodding — they say their love for bats and frustration about their plight are the biggest consideration. “I love bats — I don’t want to see them die,” said Sarah Brownlee, a master’s candidate at Bucknell University.
Brownlee’s interest in bats stemmed from undergraduate research on wind turbines, the other major bat killer. As an undergraduate at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, Brownlee knew she wanted to study mammals, but the first time she saw a bat, “I fell in love,” she said. She went to grad school at Bucknell University, where DeeAnn Reeder has a renowned bat research lab, because of Reeder’s work on WNS, she said.
Brownlee, 23, is interested in animal behavior and studies the differences between white-nose bats and unaffected bats. Last winter, she set up infrared cameras in an abandoned mine and in a hibernation chamber in her lab, and noticed the sick bats were arousing from hibernation every few days, as opposed to every 13 or 14 days like healthy ones. She believes the fungus causes an itchy irritation that wakes the bats up, and she wanted to see whether they spent more time grooming themselves. They did, and they also spent more time crawling around, stretching and yawning, she said. They moved so much that she had to keep rearranging her cameras to get the best angle (she could move them remotely, which doesn’t disturb the bats). This winter, she has more cameras installed in a mine known to be infected with white-nose.
After Brownlee graduates in May, she hopes to find a job as a field researcher or bat biologist working for the government or a non-profit group. She said sometimes she feels like her research is narrowly focused — “On the big scale of this planet, I’m studying bats; what is that about?” — but on the other hand, she’s glad to be working in a field with such major problems. “It’s highly depressing — we know so little, and with all I do, there are more questions. But I like telling people what I’m doing and trying to make headway into what’s going on,” she said.
Kristin Jonasson, a graduate student at the University of Winnipeg, is studying the different hibernation behaviors of male and female bats, and notes that her findings may have implications for post-white-nose recovery of several species. Female bats have to conserve more fat over the winter so they’re plump enough to produce milk for their pups in the spring, and Jonasson said those fat reserves could also help them survive WNS. No one has ever studied the sex ratio of white-nose survivors, and Jonasson believes more data could help researchers understand population recovery.
Jonasson, 25, will defend her master’s thesis a month from now, and plans to pursue a PhD next. She is starting to look at possible schools and she knows white-nose research will be in demand; this fact is evident just from the content of this year’s bat conference. Nearly half of the 150-plus abstracts at the North American Society for Bat Research symposium mention white-nose in some way, about twice the amount as last year. Interest in bats, and the need for researchers, has grown as the disease has spread. This thrills older researchers like Hicks, who praised Brownlee’s and Jonasson’s work.
“These aren’t million-dollar projects; they are small problems, but every one answered this one tiny piece,” he said. “It’s important research, and nobody else is doing it.”
Two years ago, when Jonasson started graduate work, white-nose was still a brand-new problem that had yet to reach the western United States or Canada. But she knew population studies and baseline data would be important when the fungus eventually reaches her region, and she tailored her research to fit those needs.
“When there’s a massive decline like white-nose, maybe you shouldn’t do exactly what you love — there are more things that need research,” she said. “I still love this, but it’s an area that needs help.”
Mystery Solved: How Genes Are Selectively Silenced (Misteri Soal: Bagaimana Gen Apakah selektif dibungkam)
Labels:
science
Our genetic material is often compared to a book. However, it is not so much like a novel to be read in one piece, but rather like a cookbook. The cell reads only those recipes which are to be cooked at the moment. The recipes are the genes; 'reading' in the book of the cell means creating RNA copies of individual genes, which will then be translated into proteins.
The cell uses highly complex, sophisticated regulatory mechanisms to make sure that not all genes are read at the same time. Particular gene switches need to be activated and, in addition, there are particular chemical labels in the DNA determining which genes are transcribed into RNA and which others will be inaccessible, i.e. where the book literally remains closed. The biological term for this is epigenetic gene regulation.
Among the epigenetic mechanisms which are well studied is the silencing of genes by methyl groups. This is done by specialized enzymes called methyltransferases which attach methyl labels to particular 'letters' of a gene whereby access to the whole gene is blocked. "One of the great mysteries of modern molecular biology is: How do methyltransferases know where to attach their labels in order to selectively inactivate an individual gene?" says Professor Ingrid Grummt of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
Grummt has now come much closer towards unraveling this mystery. She has focused on studying those text passages in the genetic material which do not contain any recipes. Nevertheless, these texts are transcribed into RNA molecules in a controlled manner. "These so-called noncoding RNAs do not contain recipes for proteins. They are important regulators in the cell which we are just beginning to understand," says Ingrid Grummt.
In her most recent work, Grummt and her co-workers have shown for the first time that epigenetic regulation and regulation by noncoding RNAs interact. The scientists artificially introduced a noncoding RNA molecule called pRNA into cells. As a result, methyl labels are attached to a particular gene switch so that the genes behind it are not read. The trick is that pRNA exactly matches (is complementary to) the DNA sequence of this gene switch. The investigators found out that pRNA forms a kind of plait, or triple helix, with the two DNA strands in the area of this gene switch. Methyltransferases, in turn, are able to specifically dock to this 'plait' and are thus directed exactly to the place where a gene is to be blocked.
More than half of our genetic material is transcribed into noncoding RNA. This prompts Ingrid Grummt to speculate: "It is very well possible that there are exactly matching noncoding RNA molecules for all genes that are temporarily silenced. This would explain how such a large number of genes can be selectively turned on and off."
The cell uses highly complex, sophisticated regulatory mechanisms to make sure that not all genes are read at the same time. Particular gene switches need to be activated and, in addition, there are particular chemical labels in the DNA determining which genes are transcribed into RNA and which others will be inaccessible, i.e. where the book literally remains closed. The biological term for this is epigenetic gene regulation.
Among the epigenetic mechanisms which are well studied is the silencing of genes by methyl groups. This is done by specialized enzymes called methyltransferases which attach methyl labels to particular 'letters' of a gene whereby access to the whole gene is blocked. "One of the great mysteries of modern molecular biology is: How do methyltransferases know where to attach their labels in order to selectively inactivate an individual gene?" says Professor Ingrid Grummt of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
Grummt has now come much closer towards unraveling this mystery. She has focused on studying those text passages in the genetic material which do not contain any recipes. Nevertheless, these texts are transcribed into RNA molecules in a controlled manner. "These so-called noncoding RNAs do not contain recipes for proteins. They are important regulators in the cell which we are just beginning to understand," says Ingrid Grummt.
In her most recent work, Grummt and her co-workers have shown for the first time that epigenetic regulation and regulation by noncoding RNAs interact. The scientists artificially introduced a noncoding RNA molecule called pRNA into cells. As a result, methyl labels are attached to a particular gene switch so that the genes behind it are not read. The trick is that pRNA exactly matches (is complementary to) the DNA sequence of this gene switch. The investigators found out that pRNA forms a kind of plait, or triple helix, with the two DNA strands in the area of this gene switch. Methyltransferases, in turn, are able to specifically dock to this 'plait' and are thus directed exactly to the place where a gene is to be blocked.
More than half of our genetic material is transcribed into noncoding RNA. This prompts Ingrid Grummt to speculate: "It is very well possible that there are exactly matching noncoding RNA molecules for all genes that are temporarily silenced. This would explain how such a large number of genes can be selectively turned on and off."
DNA methylation plays an important role in many processes such as animal development, X-chromosome inactivation, and carcinogenesis. Understanding the mechanisms and functions of DNA methylation and how it varies from tissue to tissue and between individuals will have profound implications for human health and disease.
A team of Chinese researchers decoded the essentially complete methylome (an inventory of all the bases that are methylated) of the human genome using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The results are published in the online, open access journal PLoS Biology.
The research is part of YanHuang (YH) Project, which has been launched by BGI (previous known as Beijing Genomics Institute) at Shenzhen, which aims to sequence 100 Chinese individuals in 3 years to accelerate the discovery of disease genes and mutations in an Asian population.
The methylome was generated from the same donor whose genome was deciphered in the YH project. The methylome was examined at 20 distinct features including regulatory, protein-coding, non-coding, and repeat sequences. The integration of the data with the previously determined genome sequence of the same Asian individual allowed the identification of allele-specific methylation (ASM) differences between the methylomes of the genomes inherited from either parent. This revealed that ASM was highly correlated with allele-specific gene expression (ASE) which indicated that parental gene imprinting (that is the favored expression of the genes inherited from one parent) may be more common than previously thought.
The research not only provides a comprehensive resource for future epigenomic research but also demonstrates a paradigm for epigenetic studies through new sequencing technology. The PBMC methylome data has been deposited to NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Traces/sra/, accession number: SRA008544). It is expected to form a lasting resource as part of the International Human Epigenome Project.
A team of Chinese researchers decoded the essentially complete methylome (an inventory of all the bases that are methylated) of the human genome using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The results are published in the online, open access journal PLoS Biology.
The research is part of YanHuang (YH) Project, which has been launched by BGI (previous known as Beijing Genomics Institute) at Shenzhen, which aims to sequence 100 Chinese individuals in 3 years to accelerate the discovery of disease genes and mutations in an Asian population.
The methylome was generated from the same donor whose genome was deciphered in the YH project. The methylome was examined at 20 distinct features including regulatory, protein-coding, non-coding, and repeat sequences. The integration of the data with the previously determined genome sequence of the same Asian individual allowed the identification of allele-specific methylation (ASM) differences between the methylomes of the genomes inherited from either parent. This revealed that ASM was highly correlated with allele-specific gene expression (ASE) which indicated that parental gene imprinting (that is the favored expression of the genes inherited from one parent) may be more common than previously thought.
The research not only provides a comprehensive resource for future epigenomic research but also demonstrates a paradigm for epigenetic studies through new sequencing technology. The PBMC methylome data has been deposited to NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Traces/sra/, accession number: SRA008544). It is expected to form a lasting resource as part of the International Human Epigenome Project.
By: Thomas Sullivan
Has NASA, the monolithic space agency, failed in it's quest to put man out into the cosmos. Will profit coupled with mans need to explore be the driving engine which sends man into the cosmos. Think about what has moved technology forward within the American society over the past 100 years or so. Was Orville and Wilbur Wright employed by the government. Of course not. Most of their research and development for the invention of the airplane took place within a small bike shop in western Dayton, Ohio, the birth place of aviation. Thomas Edison, who is accredited with 1,093 patents earning him the nickname "The Wizard of Menlo Park" used his own money to build the Menlo Park research labs in New Jersey. In 1889 Thomas Edison established the Edison General Electric Company. Thomas Edison is considered the most prolific inventor of our time and his inventions were created within the realm of private enterprise. Did the seed for the invention of the personal computer germinate within a government lab. The invention of the personal computer came from an assortment of various inventions and from the tinkering of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in Job's garage in an area now called Silicon Valley. Their tinkering led to the development of Apple Computers. The story of Bill Gates and the development of the Microsoft family of operating systems took place within private enterprise. The Windows family of operating systems is the most widely used on earth and has been a major player in bringing information technology to the developed world.
Examples of major technological advancement within the realm of private enterprise are numerous. Most major technological advancements within society have occurred outside the purview of government intervention. Governments were intended to govern the people. The governments role is to preserve the environment of freedom and democracy so that intellectual curiosity can flourish within this environment. The governments role is also to provide funding, and should not be in the nuts and bolts operation of putting man into space. The ingenuity of man within the realm of private enterprise has resulted in most of the technological advancements we enjoy today.
The cosmos will be explored by man operating from the base of private enterprise and the technology needed to explore the cosmos will be developed within that enterprise. Why is this so. NASA is an agency driven by fear of tragedy. More mishaps will decrease the probability of sufficient government funding. This cycle of fear, mishaps, and the hope for continual funding is one that seems to have no end. But mishaps are part of the business of putting explorers into space. What can better withstand the expected mishaps. A government agency or private enterprise. If a private enterprise fails, it's competitor can step in to fill the gap and the engine of private enterprise can continue to push man into space. NASA is not a private enterprise competing within the world market place.
NASA is not what it used to be during the Apollo days. Given it's current mind set and culture, it will be difficult within this framework to send man out into the cosmos as true explorers. They have given the nuts and bolts of putting man into space to private contractors. But these NASA contractors have the same NASA mind set because they are under the dominion of NASA. There is a fear of mishaps within contractors without true competition within the market place. NASA awards contracts to the lowest bidder. Does the lowest bidder provide the highest level of safety. Once a company is awarded a contract, they remain a NASA contractor for many years and simply become an extension of NASA. Therefore NASA becomes a autocratic agency with it's arms extending outward to many companies. NASA's manned space flight program can do no more then low earth orbit. Year after year of low earth orbit does not excite the American people. Astronauts today are no longer household names. An American president here and there will give a speech saying we are going to Mars. Even President Bush's January 14, 2004 speech seems to have already been forgotten by the American public.
When we went to the moon this was the start of an exploration. A goal was set on May 25, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, during a speech before a Joint Session of Congress, to reach the moon before the end of the decade. NASA kicked into high gear and achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of mankind. We took the first step into space and then just stopped. Since then all of the manned space missions have never gone beyond low earth orbit, and the American public becomes bored easily. To gain the American interest and support of the Apollo days, we must send true explorers out into space. NASA wants to take such small, time consuming incremental steps that by the time comes when the really exciting work begins, the American support and interest may be eroded to the point where NASA may no longer have the financial means by which to accomplish such an endeavor. Hence, the need for private enterprise to accomplish such an endeavor. If we are going to go into the cosmos, then lets do it and stop the futile activity.
A private enterprise is not a bureaucracy. If safety issues arise from qualified personnel within a bureaucracy, these issues may not resonate to the proper people within the organization. A case in point, the knowledge of a strong potential for a O-ring failure at low temperatures between the segments for the solid rocket boosters of the space shuttle, existed within the bureaucracy of NASA before the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. More specifically, this critical information in terms of probability of O-ring compromise was expressed by engineers at Morton Thiokol, the contractor for the development and production of the solid rocket boosters. This information never percolated upward from Morton Thiokol to the proper people within the NASA organization.
In private enterprise, which is non-bureaucratic by nature, a relatively small group of people are working toward a common goal. In this situation, safety issues which arise will be known by all members of the organization. Safety issues will not get lost in a bureaucracy. NASA depends on it's contractors to deliver a high level of safety. A private enterprise depends on itself to provide a high level of safety. The structure of a private enterprise is more suited to the endeavor of sending out explorers into space. The government should award grants to the most promising companies with the understanding that the sending out of explorers into space does indeed benefit mankind.
Americans are at their best when they compete. Competition is an integral component of American society. What was the driving force that put us on the moon. It was the competition with the Russians. At the present moment in time, this type of competition does not exist. Although, it appears as if China may be a future competitor. Americans need to compete to accomplish something. It is competition which drives the advancement of technology. Why not let companies compete for government funding and let the research and development occur within these companies, and most importantly let them compete. These companies can have the same characteristics of any company that wants to produce a viable product. They will not be under contract from NASA and will operate as a separate private enterprise entity. A company can make money from space tourism and the same company can be involved in sending explorers out into space. Government grants can be awarded based on how strong the potential exists for space exploration. A company can be involved in space tourism, exploration, or can provide a research and development platform. This is the future of man's endeavor into space.
Man will be exploring the cosmos with private enterprise being the driving engine. If one enterprise fails, one of the competing enterprises will win out. Sure there will be some disasters and risks will be taken because that is the nature of the business. But when unfortunate disasters or mishaps do occur, the private enterprise engine will not grind to a complete halt. Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composites team have taken the first steps toward this archetypical dream of exploring the cosmos, and they did it with a fraction of the budget that NASA uses and with a team of 130 or so people to boot. They won the Ansari X-Prize by sending a man into space and returning him safely to earth and then they repeated this within two weeks. An absolutely unbelievable accomplishment given the facilities and resources which were available to them. This could only occur within a society where freedom and democracy are regarded as a right to all individuals. The United States is such a society.
Burt Rutan has said that he has never worked a day in his life. He only plays. His passion for his work is what produces results. Burt Rutan and his team represent the core of what makes the United States the greatest country in the world. May be terrorist can get it through their thick heads that freedom does work. Most importantly, Scaled Composites has shown the world what private enterprise can accomplish. Even if Scaled Composite's endeavors never go beyond earth orbit, they have taken the first step within the proper mind set and culture, and this is what will put man into the cosmos. This mind set and culture of pure unadulterated intellectual curiosity is what really will put man into the cosmos. Not NASA's mind set of fear.
NASA has played it's important role by lighting the torch in sending man to the moon. We are now at a point in the history of mankind where that torch should be passed to private enterprise. The developer of the Ansari X-Prize I'm sure shares my thoughts. God has placed the planets and all the stars within the universe there for a reason. It is God's intention for us to move outward into the final frontier. We do this to fulfill the natural curiosity that God has given to us and in the process we better the lot of mankind. Lets go...
Has NASA, the monolithic space agency, failed in it's quest to put man out into the cosmos. Will profit coupled with mans need to explore be the driving engine which sends man into the cosmos. Think about what has moved technology forward within the American society over the past 100 years or so. Was Orville and Wilbur Wright employed by the government. Of course not. Most of their research and development for the invention of the airplane took place within a small bike shop in western Dayton, Ohio, the birth place of aviation. Thomas Edison, who is accredited with 1,093 patents earning him the nickname "The Wizard of Menlo Park" used his own money to build the Menlo Park research labs in New Jersey. In 1889 Thomas Edison established the Edison General Electric Company. Thomas Edison is considered the most prolific inventor of our time and his inventions were created within the realm of private enterprise. Did the seed for the invention of the personal computer germinate within a government lab. The invention of the personal computer came from an assortment of various inventions and from the tinkering of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak in Job's garage in an area now called Silicon Valley. Their tinkering led to the development of Apple Computers. The story of Bill Gates and the development of the Microsoft family of operating systems took place within private enterprise. The Windows family of operating systems is the most widely used on earth and has been a major player in bringing information technology to the developed world.
Examples of major technological advancement within the realm of private enterprise are numerous. Most major technological advancements within society have occurred outside the purview of government intervention. Governments were intended to govern the people. The governments role is to preserve the environment of freedom and democracy so that intellectual curiosity can flourish within this environment. The governments role is also to provide funding, and should not be in the nuts and bolts operation of putting man into space. The ingenuity of man within the realm of private enterprise has resulted in most of the technological advancements we enjoy today.
The cosmos will be explored by man operating from the base of private enterprise and the technology needed to explore the cosmos will be developed within that enterprise. Why is this so. NASA is an agency driven by fear of tragedy. More mishaps will decrease the probability of sufficient government funding. This cycle of fear, mishaps, and the hope for continual funding is one that seems to have no end. But mishaps are part of the business of putting explorers into space. What can better withstand the expected mishaps. A government agency or private enterprise. If a private enterprise fails, it's competitor can step in to fill the gap and the engine of private enterprise can continue to push man into space. NASA is not a private enterprise competing within the world market place.
NASA is not what it used to be during the Apollo days. Given it's current mind set and culture, it will be difficult within this framework to send man out into the cosmos as true explorers. They have given the nuts and bolts of putting man into space to private contractors. But these NASA contractors have the same NASA mind set because they are under the dominion of NASA. There is a fear of mishaps within contractors without true competition within the market place. NASA awards contracts to the lowest bidder. Does the lowest bidder provide the highest level of safety. Once a company is awarded a contract, they remain a NASA contractor for many years and simply become an extension of NASA. Therefore NASA becomes a autocratic agency with it's arms extending outward to many companies. NASA's manned space flight program can do no more then low earth orbit. Year after year of low earth orbit does not excite the American people. Astronauts today are no longer household names. An American president here and there will give a speech saying we are going to Mars. Even President Bush's January 14, 2004 speech seems to have already been forgotten by the American public.
When we went to the moon this was the start of an exploration. A goal was set on May 25, 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, during a speech before a Joint Session of Congress, to reach the moon before the end of the decade. NASA kicked into high gear and achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in the history of mankind. We took the first step into space and then just stopped. Since then all of the manned space missions have never gone beyond low earth orbit, and the American public becomes bored easily. To gain the American interest and support of the Apollo days, we must send true explorers out into space. NASA wants to take such small, time consuming incremental steps that by the time comes when the really exciting work begins, the American support and interest may be eroded to the point where NASA may no longer have the financial means by which to accomplish such an endeavor. Hence, the need for private enterprise to accomplish such an endeavor. If we are going to go into the cosmos, then lets do it and stop the futile activity.
A private enterprise is not a bureaucracy. If safety issues arise from qualified personnel within a bureaucracy, these issues may not resonate to the proper people within the organization. A case in point, the knowledge of a strong potential for a O-ring failure at low temperatures between the segments for the solid rocket boosters of the space shuttle, existed within the bureaucracy of NASA before the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. More specifically, this critical information in terms of probability of O-ring compromise was expressed by engineers at Morton Thiokol, the contractor for the development and production of the solid rocket boosters. This information never percolated upward from Morton Thiokol to the proper people within the NASA organization.
In private enterprise, which is non-bureaucratic by nature, a relatively small group of people are working toward a common goal. In this situation, safety issues which arise will be known by all members of the organization. Safety issues will not get lost in a bureaucracy. NASA depends on it's contractors to deliver a high level of safety. A private enterprise depends on itself to provide a high level of safety. The structure of a private enterprise is more suited to the endeavor of sending out explorers into space. The government should award grants to the most promising companies with the understanding that the sending out of explorers into space does indeed benefit mankind.
Americans are at their best when they compete. Competition is an integral component of American society. What was the driving force that put us on the moon. It was the competition with the Russians. At the present moment in time, this type of competition does not exist. Although, it appears as if China may be a future competitor. Americans need to compete to accomplish something. It is competition which drives the advancement of technology. Why not let companies compete for government funding and let the research and development occur within these companies, and most importantly let them compete. These companies can have the same characteristics of any company that wants to produce a viable product. They will not be under contract from NASA and will operate as a separate private enterprise entity. A company can make money from space tourism and the same company can be involved in sending explorers out into space. Government grants can be awarded based on how strong the potential exists for space exploration. A company can be involved in space tourism, exploration, or can provide a research and development platform. This is the future of man's endeavor into space.
Man will be exploring the cosmos with private enterprise being the driving engine. If one enterprise fails, one of the competing enterprises will win out. Sure there will be some disasters and risks will be taken because that is the nature of the business. But when unfortunate disasters or mishaps do occur, the private enterprise engine will not grind to a complete halt. Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composites team have taken the first steps toward this archetypical dream of exploring the cosmos, and they did it with a fraction of the budget that NASA uses and with a team of 130 or so people to boot. They won the Ansari X-Prize by sending a man into space and returning him safely to earth and then they repeated this within two weeks. An absolutely unbelievable accomplishment given the facilities and resources which were available to them. This could only occur within a society where freedom and democracy are regarded as a right to all individuals. The United States is such a society.
Burt Rutan has said that he has never worked a day in his life. He only plays. His passion for his work is what produces results. Burt Rutan and his team represent the core of what makes the United States the greatest country in the world. May be terrorist can get it through their thick heads that freedom does work. Most importantly, Scaled Composites has shown the world what private enterprise can accomplish. Even if Scaled Composite's endeavors never go beyond earth orbit, they have taken the first step within the proper mind set and culture, and this is what will put man into the cosmos. This mind set and culture of pure unadulterated intellectual curiosity is what really will put man into the cosmos. Not NASA's mind set of fear.
NASA has played it's important role by lighting the torch in sending man to the moon. We are now at a point in the history of mankind where that torch should be passed to private enterprise. The developer of the Ansari X-Prize I'm sure shares my thoughts. God has placed the planets and all the stars within the universe there for a reason. It is God's intention for us to move outward into the final frontier. We do this to fulfill the natural curiosity that God has given to us and in the process we better the lot of mankind. Lets go...
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