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Science Simplified!

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JAI VIGNAN

All about Science - to remove misconceptions and encourage scientific temper

Communicating science to the common people

'To make them see the world differently through the beautiful lense of science'

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WE LOVE SCIENCE HERE BECAUSE IT IS A MANY SPLENDOURED THING

THIS IS A WAR ZONE WHERE SCIENCE FIGHTS WITH NONSENSE AND WINS

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”

"Being a scientist is a state of mind, not a profession!"

"Science, when it's done right, can yield amazing things".

The Reach of Scientific Research From Labs to Laymen

The aim of science is not only to open a door to infinite knowledge and wisdom but to set a limit to infinite error.

"Knowledge is a Superpower but the irony is you cannot get enough of it with ever increasing data base unless you try to keep up with it constantly and in the right way!" The best education comes from learning from people who know what they are exactly talking about.

Science is this glorious adventure into the unknown, the opportunity to discover things that nobody knew before. And that’s just an experience that’s not to be missed. But it’s also a motivated effort to try to help humankind. And maybe that’s just by increasing human knowledge—because that’s a way to make us a nobler species.

If you are scientifically literate the world looks very different to you.

We do science and science communication not because they are easy but because they are difficult!

“Science is not a subject you studied in school. It’s life. We 're brought into existence by it!"

Links to some important articles :

1. Interactive science series...

a. how-to-do-research-and-write-research-papers-part 13

b. Some Qs people asked me on science and my replies to them...

Part 6, part-10, part-11, part-12, part 14 , part- 8,

part- 1, part-2, part-4, part-5, part-16, part-17, part-18 , part-19 , part-20

part-21 , part-22, part-23, part-24, part-25, part-26, part-27 , part-28

part-29, part-30, part-31, part-32, part-33, part-34, part-35, part-36, part-37,

part-38, part-40, part-41, part-42, part-43, part-44, part-45, part-46, part-47

Part 48, part49, Critical thinking -part 50 , part -51, part-52, part-53

part-54, part-55, part-57, part-58, part-59, part-60, part-61, part-62, part-63

part 64, part-65, part-66, part-67, part-68, part 69, part-70 part-71, part-73 ...

.......306

BP variations during pregnancy part-72

who is responsible for the gender of their children - a man or a woman -part-56

c. some-questions-people-asked-me-on-science-based-on-my-art-and-poems -part-7

d. science-s-rules-are-unyielding-they-will-not-be-bent-for-anybody-part-3-

e. debate-between-scientists-and-people-who-practice-and-propagate-pseudo-science - part -9

f. why astrology is pseudo-science part 15

g. How Science is demolishing patriarchal ideas - part-39

2. in-defence-of-mangalyaan-why-even-developing-countries-like-india need space research programmes

3. Science communication series:

a. science-communication - part 1

b. how-scienitsts-should-communicate-with-laymen - part 2

c. main-challenges-of-science-communication-and-how-to-overcome-them - part 3

d. the-importance-of-science-communication-through-art- part 4

e. why-science-communication-is-geting worse - part 5

f. why-science-journalism-is-not-taken-seriously-in-this-part-of-the-world - part 6

g. blogs-the-best-bet-to-communicate-science-by-scientists- part 7

h. why-it-is-difficult-for-scientists-to-debate-controversial-issues - part 8

i. science-writers-and-communicators-where-are-you - part 9

j. shooting-the-messengers-for-a-different-reason-for-conveying-the- part 10

k. why-is-science-journalism-different-from-other-forms-of-journalism - part 11

l. golden-rules-of-science-communication- Part 12

m. science-writers-should-develop-a-broader-view-to-put-things-in-th - part 13

n. an-informed-patient-is-the-most-cooperative-one -part 14

o. the-risks-scientists-will-have-to-face-while-communicating-science - part 15

p. the-most-difficult-part-of-science-communication - part 16

q. clarity-on-who-you-are-writing-for-is-important-before-sitting-to write a science story - part 17

r. science-communicators-get-thick-skinned-to-communicate-science-wi thout-any-bias - part 18

s. is-post-truth-another-name-for-science-communication-failure?

t. why-is-it-difficult-for-scientists-to-have-high-eqs

u. art-and-literature-as-effective-aids-in-science-communication-and teaching

v.* some-qs-people-asked-me-on-science communication-and-my-replies-to-them

** qs-people-asked-me-on-science-and-my-replies-to-them-part-173

w. why-motivated-perception-influences-your-understanding-of-science

x. science-communication-in-uncertain-times

y. sci-com: why-keep-a-dog-and-bark-yourself

z. How to deal with sci com dilemmas?

A+. sci-com-what-makes-a-story-news-worthy-in-science

B+. is-a-perfect-language-important-in-writing-science-stories

C+. sci-com-how-much-entertainment-is-too-much-while-communicating-sc

D+. sci-com-why-can-t-everybody-understand-science-in-the-same-way

E+. how-to-successfully-negotiate-the-science-communication-maze

4. Health related topics:

a. why-antibiotic-resistance-is-increasing-and-how-scientists-are-tr

b. what-might-happen-when-you-take-lots-of-medicines

c. know-your-cesarean-facts-ladies

d. right-facts-about-menstruation

e. answer-to-the-question-why-on-big-c

f. how-scientists-are-identifying-new-preventive-measures-and-cures-

g. what-if-little-creatures-high-jack-your-brain-and-try-to-control-

h. who-knows-better?

i. mycotoxicoses

j. immunotherapy

k. can-rust-from-old-drinking-water-pipes-cause-health-problems

l. pvc-and-cpvc-pipes-should-not-be-used-for-drinking-water-supply

m. melioidosis

n.vaccine-woes

o. desensitization-and-transplant-success-story

p. do-you-think-the-medicines-you-are-taking-are-perfectly-alright-then revisit your position!

q. swine-flu-the-difficlulties-we-still-face-while-tackling-the-outb

r. dump-this-useless-information-into-a-garbage-bin-if-you-really-ca re about evidence based medicine

s. don-t-ignore-these-head-injuries

t. the-detoxification-scam

u. allergic- agony-caused-by-caterpillars-and-moths

General science:

a.why-do-water-bodies-suddenly-change-colour

b. don-t-knock-down-your-own-life-line

c. the-most-menacing-animal-in-the-world

d. how-exo-planets-are-detected

e. the-importance-of-earth-s-magnetic-field

f. saving-tigers-from-extinction-is-still-a-travail

g. the-importance-of-snakes-in-our-eco-systems

h. understanding-reverse-osmosis

i. the-importance-of-microbiomes

j. crispr-cas9-gene-editing-technique-a-boon-to-fixing-defective-gen

k. biomimicry-a-solution-to-some-of-our-problems

5. the-dilemmas-scientists-face

6. why-we-get-contradictory-reports-in-science

7. be-alert-pseudo-science-and-anti-science-are-on-prowl

8. science-will-answer-your-questions-and-solve-your-problems

9. how-science-debunks-baseless-beliefs

10. climate-science-and-its-relevance

11. the-road-to-a-healthy-life

12. relative-truth-about-gm-crops-and-foods

13. intuition-based-work-is-bad-science

14. how-science-explains-near-death-experiences

15. just-studies-are-different-from-thorough-scientific-research

16. lab-scientists-versus-internet-scientists

17. can-you-challenge-science?

18. the-myth-of-ritual-working

19.science-and-superstitions-how-rational-thinking-can-make-you-work -better

20. comets-are-not-harmful-or-bad-omens-so-enjoy-the-clestial-shows

21. explanation-of-mysterious-lights-during-earthquakes

22. science-can-tell-what-constitutes-the-beauty-of-a-rose

23. what-lessons-can-science-learn-from-tragedies-like-these

24. the-specific-traits-of-a-scientific-mind

25. science-and-the-paranormal

26. are-these-inventions-and-discoveries-really-accidental-and-intuitive like the journalists say?

27. how-the-brain-of-a-polymath-copes-with-all-the-things-it-does

28. how-to-make-scientific-research-in-india-a-success-story

29. getting-rid-of-plastic-the-natural-way

30. why-some-interesting-things-happen-in-nature

31. real-life-stories-that-proves-how-science-helps-you

32. Science and trust series:

a. how-to-trust-science-stories-a-guide-for-common-man

b. trust-in-science-what-makes-people-waver

c. standing-up-for-science-showing-reasons-why-science-should-be-trusted

You will find the entire list of discussions here: http://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum

( Please go through the comments section below to find scientific research reports posted on a daily basis and watch videos based on science)

Get interactive...

Please contact us if you want us to add any information or scientific explanation on any topic that interests you. We will try our level best to give you the right information.

Our mail ID: kkartlabin@gmail.com

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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 2, 2020 at 5:53am: Brain protein linked to seizures, abnormal social behaviors

A research team has found a new mechanism responsible for the abnormal development of neuronal connections in the mouse brain that leads to seizures and abnormal social behaviors.

The researchers focused on the area of the brain called hippocampus, which plays an important role in learning and social interactions; and synapses, which are specialized contacts between neurons.

Each neuron in the brain receives numerous excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. The balance between excitation and inhibition in neuronal circuits, known as E/I balance and thought to be essential for circuit function and stability and important for information processing in the central nervous system, can play a role in causing many neurological disorders, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia.

The researchers also focused on a protein called ephrin-B1, which spans the membrane surrounding the cell and plays a role in maintaining the nervous system. The goal of their study was to determine if the deletion or over-production of ephrin-B1 in astrocytes—glial cells in the brain that regulate synaptic connections between neurons—affects synapse formation and maturation in the developing hippocampus and alters the E/I balance, leading to behavioral deficits.

They found the changes in the E/I balance are regulated by astrocytes in the developing brain through the ephrin protein. Further, astrocytic ephrin-B1 is linked to the development of inhibitory networks in the hippocampus during a critical developmental period, which is a new and unexpected discovery. Specifically, the researchers show the loss of astrocytic ephrin-B1 tilts the E/I balance in favor of excitation by reducing inhibition, which then hyperactivates the neuronal circuits. This hyperactivity manifests as reduced sociability in the mice and suggests they can serve as a new model to study autism spectrum disorder.

Amanda Q Nguyen et al, Astrocytic ephrin-B1 controls excitatory-inhibitory balance in developing hippocampus, The Journal of Neuroscience (2020). DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0413-20.2020

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-brain-protein-linked-seizure...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 2, 2020 at 5:43am: Researchers shed light on split-second decision making

A little understood region of the cerebellum plays a critical role in making split-second 'go-no go' decisions, according to a new study from researchers.

Employing mice the team used a multiphoton microscope that peered into the brains of the free-moving rodents as they decided whether or not to lick a water solution.

The researchers focused specifically on the molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) in the cerebellum. The mice were given a sugar water reward if they licked a water spout in the presence of a specific, pleasant odour and they avoided a timeout when they refrained from licking in the presence of unscented mineral oil.

At first, the MLI responses did not differ between odors. But with learning, the reward odor prompted a large increase in MLI calcium responses. When the stimuli were reversed, the MLI switched responses to the odors.

When the scientists intervened with chemogenetic agents to inhibit MLI activity, the mice floundered and became less effective in making `go-no go' decisions.

The data indicate that the MLIs have a role in learning valence. That is, it helps determine whether something is good for me or not.

The findings further illuminate the function of the cerebellum, long associated primarily with movement. But it also plays a key role in cognition and emotion and is associated with non-motor conditions such as autism spectrum disorders

A lot of learning goes on inside the cerebellum. The cerebellum may also be the place where quick choice arises. This study shows that it also coordinates both motion and decision making, when to go or not to go. And decision making.

Ming Ma et al, Molecular layer interneurons in the cerebellum encode for valence in associative learning, Nature Communications (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18034-2

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-split-second-decision.html?u...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 2, 2020 at 5:37am: Scientists show how brain flexibility emerges in infants

Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to readily switch between mental processes in response to external stimuli and different task demands. For example, when our brains are processing one task, an external stimulus is present, requiring us to switch our mental processes to attend to this external stimulus. This ability of switching from one to another mental task is the cognitive flexibility. Such flexibility can predict reading ability, academic success, resilience to stress, creativity, and lower risk of various neurological and psychiatric disorders.

the researchers show that brain regions with high neural flexibility appear consistent with the core brain regions that support cognitive flexibility processing in adults, whereas brain regions governing basic brain functions, such as motor skills, exhibit lower neural flexibility in adults, demonstrating the emergence of functionally flexible brains during early infancy.

Weiyan Yin et al, The emergence of a functionally flexible brain during early infancy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). DOI: 10.10

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-scientists-brain-flexibility...

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Radiocarbon dating and CT scans reveal Bronze Age tradition of keeping human remains

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-radiocarbon-dating-ct-scans-reveal.ht...

https://www.quora.com/q/sciencecommunication/Radiocarbon-dating-and...; - Check @@

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 1, 2020 at 7:11am: What Climate Change Does to the Human Body

An ENT physician sees the effects in her patients all the time

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-climate-change-does...

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Characteristics that Give Viruses Pandemic Potential

A handful of factors tip the scales in making a virus more likely to trigger a disruptive global outbreak. Right now, scientists tend to rank influenza, coronaviruses, and Nipah virus as the biggest threats.

https://www.the-scientist.com/feature/characteristics-that-give-vir...

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Antibody blockade effective in treatment of severe COVID-19

A team of researchers led by Osaka University find an overlap in the pathogenesis of cytokine release syndrome and COVID-19, and show that the symptoms of both can be alleviated by IL-6 signaling blockade

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-08/ou-abe083020.php

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** Decorating windows for optimal sound transmission

https://phys.org/news/2020-09-windows-optimal-transmission.html?utm...

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** Detecting small amounts of virus in early infections

https://phys.org/news/2020-09-small-amounts-virus-early-infections....

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Researchers manipulate two bits in one atom

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have succeeded in independently manipulating two different types of magnetism within a single atom. The results are relevant for the development of extremely small forms of data storage. In time, this new discovery could make it possible to store two bits of information in one atom.

Rasa Rejali et al. Complete reversal of the atomic unquenched orbital moment by a single electron, npj Quantum Materials (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41535-020-00262-w

https://phys.org/news/2020-09-bits-atom.html?utm_source=nwletter&am...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 1, 2020 at 5:31am: 'Jumping' DNA regulates human neurons

The human genome contains over 4.5 million sequences of DNA called "transposable elements," virus-like entities that "jump" around and help regulate gene expression. They do this by binding transcription factors, which are proteins that regulate the rate of transcription of DNA to RNA, influencing gene expression in a broad range of biological events.

Now, an international team of scientists has discovered that transposable elements play a significant role in influencing the development of the human brain.

Priscilla Turelli et al. Primate-restricted KRAB zinc finger proteins and target retrotransposons control gene expression in human neurons, Science Advances (2020). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba3200

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-dna-human-neurons.html?utm_s...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 1, 2020 at 5:17am: New evidence for quantum fluctuations near a quantum critical point in a superconductor

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-evidence-quantum-fluctuations-critica...

https://www.quora.com/q/sciencecommunication/New-evidence-for-quant... ----check @@

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Carbon footprints are hard to understand—here's what you need to know

https://theconversation.com/carbon-footprints-are-hard-to-understan...

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Cosmic rays may soon stymie quantum computing

Building quantum computers underground or designing radiation-proof qubits may be needed, researchers find.

https://news.mit.edu/2020/cosmic-rays-limit-quantum-computing-0826

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Face-specific brain area responds to faces even in people born blind

More than 20 years ago, neuroscientist Nancy Kanwisher and others discovered that a small section of the brain located near the base of the skull responds much more strongly to faces than to other objects we see. This area, known as the fusiform face area, is believed to be specialized for identifying faces.

Now, in a surprising new finding, Kanwisher and her colleagues have shown that this same region also becomes active in people who have been blind since birth, when they touch a three-dimensional model of a face with their hands. The finding suggests that this area does not require visual experience to develop a preference for faces.

https://researchnews.cc/news/2261/Face-specific-brain-area-responds...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on September 1, 2020 at 5:10am: Warmer, acidifying ocean brings extinction for reef-building corals, renewal for relatives

Changes in ocean chemistry and temperature have had a dramatic effect on the diversity of corals and sea anemones, according to a team of scientists who have traced their evolution through deep time. This new study finds that reef-building corals emerged only when ocean conditions supported the construction of these creatures' stony skeletons, whereas diverse softer corals and sea anemones flourished at other times. Without a significant change to anthropogenic carbon emissions, the new findings present stark implications for the present and future of hard-bodied corals while suggesting a silver lining for the diversity of some of their softer-bodied relatives.

Palaeoclimate ocean conditions shaped the evolution of corals and their skeletons through deep time, Nature Ecology and Evolution (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41559-020-01291-1 , www.nature.com/articles/s41559-020-01291-1

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-warmer-acidifying-ocean-extinction-re...

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Being a selfish jerk doesn't get you ahead, research finds

The evidence is in: Nice guys and gals don't finish last, and being a selfish jerk doesn't get you ahead.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-08-selfish-jerk-doesnt.html?utm...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 31, 2020 at 6:46am: Breakthrough in Artificial Photosynthesis Lets Scientists Store The Sun's Energy as Fuel

https://www.sciencealert.com/new-artificial-photosynthesis-device-c...

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One Theory Beyond the Standard Model Could Allow Wormholes that You Could Actually Fly Through

https://www.universetoday.com/147549/one-theory-beyond-the-standard...

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**Effectiveness of cloth masks depends on type of covering

https://phys.org/news/2020-08-effectiveness-masks.html?utm_source=n...

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Lupus, Arthritis Patients Aren't Necessarily High Risk For Severe COVID-19 After All

https://www.sciencealert.com/study-says-arthritis-and-lupus-patient...

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Human Vision and Color Perception

https://www.olympus-lifescience.com/en/microscope-resource/primer/l...

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The Human Eye's Response to Light

https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/Penetran....

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 31, 2020 at 6:42am: Scientists Think They've Figured Out a Main Culprit of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Between 6 and 8 million people worldwide suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, a group of chronic intestinal disorders that can cause belly pain, urgent and frequent bowel movements, bloody stools and weight loss.

New research suggests that a malfunctioning member of the patient's own immune system called a killer T cell may be one of the culprits. This discovery may provide a new target for IBD medicines.

The two main types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which mainly affects the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can affect the entire digestive tract. Researchers currently believe that IBD is triggered when an overactive immune system attacks harmless bacteria in the intestines.

Although there are many treatments for IBD, for as many as 75 percent of individuals with IBD there are no effective long-term treatments. This leaves many patients without good options.

https://theconversation.com/ibd-how-a-class-of-killer-t-cells-goes-...

IBD: How a class of killer T cells goes rogue in inflammatory bowel disease

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on August 31, 2020 at 6:17am: An infant with caudal appendage (tail)

There are several human atavisms that reflect our common genetic heritage with other mammals. One of the most striking is the existence of the rare ‘true human tail’. It is a rare event with fewer than 40 cases reported in the literature. The authors report a case of an infant born with the true tail. A 3-month-old baby girl, presented with an 11 cm long tail, which was successfully surgically removed. Human embryos normally have a prenatal tail, which disappears in the course of embryogenesis by programmed cell death. Recent advances in genetic research reveal that ‘of those organs lost, in evolution, most species carry ‘genetic blue prints’. Thus, rarely the appearance of ancient organs like tail may be the result of re-expression of these switched off gene.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3339178/

https://biologydictionary.net/vestigial-structures/#:~:text=Vestigi....