Interplanetary Contamination vs. Space Exploration: What did Elon Musk Achieve?

Posted on November 12, 2018 by | 1 comment

Recently, the world’s first ever space-bound Tesla complete with his spacesuit passenger reached Mars. But, just what did we send to space?

Elon Musk’s Tesla in space with its spacesuit passenger. Image from Wikimedia Commons

On board with our dummy passenger, we may have just sent a bunch of organisms to Mars. However, to what extent should we care?

Scientists have different opinions.

Researchers worry that microorganisms from earth may proliferate on Mars. Based on evidence of bacterial resistance to extreme conditions, they aren’t wrong. Dr. Osman and his team concluded that some bacteria or bacterial spores can survive under stimulated atmospheric and radiation conditions of Mars. The team stated that the spores likely stayed dormant, however, with high UV and lack of water. In contrast, they found that non-spore forming bacteria can live for many years if they can find shielding from UV within uneven soil, or around spacecrafts. This means that we may introduce bacteria to Mars, thereby possibly eliminating any native micro lifeforms through natural selection.

A contrary argument, however, claims that we are impeding ourselves from exploring space with very strict regulations against interplanetary contamination. These scientists believe that if meteorites from Earth that crashed on Mars or space missions before planetary protection act couldn’t contaminate the planet, the modern bacteria won’t be able to either. So far, we haven’t seen any solid signs of ancient or modern life on Mars, which means we probably haven’t introduced any terrestrial life yet. In contrast, the argument states that if we somehow did, the planet is already contaminated. Then, should we really spend most of our space funding on sterilization, or prohibit some programs as a precaution?

NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory being prepared for launch in the clean room to keep the spacecraft germ free. Photo by NASA/JPL

Let’s go back to the Tesla orbiting Mars. The debate takes a whole new level with this SpaceX mission. Why? Because the car and its dummy passenger foreshadows what’s to come. By 2024, SpaceX is planning to send people on Mars. If the company achieves this goal, the proliferation of species will no longer be a question. Nobody sends people on a suicide mission with such publicity; the company will ensure human survival.  What else will definitely survive? Bacteria!

Elon Musk’s speech about future plans for Mars missions and beyond. Video by CNET on Youtube.

The same question applies. Should we care that we are introducing different species to Mars? Or instead, should we focus on how to survive in different planets? Surely, we can learn from planets a lot more if we can figure out a way to remain there.

If you ask me, it’s a tough choice. What’s the opportunity cost here? What if we are letting some bacteria die that may give us insight on many genetic processes? But what if there isn’t any, yet our fear is not letting us investigate any further?

Maybe let’s just let the space agencies decide for this one.

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Is It Necessary to Take Cold Medicines?

Posted on November 12, 2018 by | 3 comments

Common Cold, photo from Wikipedia Commons

People catch colds more easily in cold-weather months, such as fall and winter. Some common cold symptoms are a sore throat, cough, runny nose, and fever. Those unwelcome side effects have a great impact on our daily life and work. Therefore, even though most colds will go away within one week, some people will still choose to take cold medicine to ease the misery of cold symptoms. However, sometimes taking those medicines may do more harm than good.

When humans get sick, they usually prefer to stay at home instead of going to work or school. A high body temperature or fever, which causes dizziness and headache, decreases our working efficiency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 22 million American school days are lost each year because of the colds. Also, if body temperature reaches too high, it can lead to complications. A complication means an unfavorable evolution of a disease. As a result of that, taking cold medicines can make us feel better or shorten the illness, so that we may get back to work faster.

Cold Medicine Display, photo from Wikipedia Commons

However, it has been well reported that cold medicines cannot cure a cold. Instead, cold medicines have some potential hazards for our body. For example, acetaminophen, which is used in cold medicine to quell a headache, can cause liver damage. Each year, about 78,000 people were taken to the hospital because of acetaminophen toxicity. Also, when the human immune system fights against the influenza virus which is the agency that causes cold or flu, the human body responds to the fight and assists the immune system by showing cold symptoms. For instance, a high body temperature can slow down or destroy the replication of influenza virus, because influenza virus replicates and spreads best at cold, but not too cold temperature.

In conclusion, taking cold medicines or not really depends on you and your cold symptoms. If your body shows mild symptoms, such as a sore throat or rummy nose, it is better to not take any cold medicines. If you have a fever and an assignment that is due tomorrow, a cold medicine may help you get through this situation. Otherwise, drink a lot of hot water to make you sweat may help you feel better as well.

-Tina Sun

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Advertising Space: Is The Privatization of Space Exploration Good?

Posted on November 11, 2018 by | 3 comments

SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, and Lockheed Martin, if you are a space fan, then you’ve probably heard these names. After a long hiatus on space exploration since the Apollo missions, new leaders have emerged, but this time is not just NASA. In recent years, multiple new private space companies have popped up and taken the space sector by surprise. But we have to ask ourselves, is space privatization good?

United Launch Alliance’s ATLAS V rocket carrying NASA’s Curiosity Rover- picture by NASA

Private space companies operate on a for-profit platform, which can lead to exploitation of space. Due to lack of regulations, these space companies have lots of freedom when it comes to their operations in space. This allows them for the exploitation and monopolization of resources in space.

These companies are also very secretive of their inside functions. New innovations from these companies are confidential and isn’t publicly available. Consider this, NASA’s Hubble space telescope imaging system is publicly available, and has found use in early breast cancer imaging. Imagine if such intellectual property was not publicly available and kept as a company secret. The secretiveness of these companies could severely impede the advancement of science.

Privatization of space also comes with lots of benefits. Some of these benefits are the re-spark in popularity of space exploration and the plummeting cost of transport.

As NASA shifted focus away from space exploration, it has pawned off majority of its responsibilities to the private aerospace sector. These private companies are incredibly efficient compared to NASA. Government agencies such as NASA require funding from taxpayers, their budget and goals are constantly changing every new election cycle.

Rendering of NASA’s mars rocket, Ares V, which was cancelled by the US government in 2011- photo by NASA

Private companies can set long term goals and also have a stable source of funding. This and the profit driven nature of companies, has allowed them to excel in the industry and significantly drive the cost down. The cost of transporting supplies into low earth orbit costed around $20,000 per kilogram in the 1970s (around $100,000 today) and today the cost is only around $2,000 per kilogram.

SpaceX’s reusable rockets have dramatically decreased the cost of rocket launches- photo by SpaceX

Along with decrease in launch prices, the public interest in space has also been growing. Recently space is becoming more popular likely due to the emergence of these companies. For example, SpaceX’s ambitious goals to reach mars by 2022 has led popularity in space to an all time high since the Apollo missions. This increase in excitement for space can potentially also influence government into allocating more resources for space exploration.

I am okay with the privatization of space, as long as humanity becomes a multi planetary society. New regulations should be placed on these companies so they are held accountable for their operations in space. If all works out, hopefully one day I can pack up my bags and take a vacation to mars.

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Marathons – A Life Changing Experience (literally)

Posted on November 9, 2018 by | 2 comments

Everyone has heard of how a marathon is a life changing event. The seemingly unsurmountable task of finishing one is on the bucket list of many people.

“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon”

“When you cross the finish line, no matter how slow or fast, it will change your life forever”

Eluid Kipchoge – The Current Marathon World Record Holder – Photo from Flickr

The quotes and testimonies are endless. Every year, at least 50,000 people participate in the New York Marathon. Multiple studies (here, here and here) have shown physical exercise to be healthy for the heart. Over the past 40 years, people believed that endurance exercise would be a panacea for heart problems. This study from 1977 suggested that marathon running and a healthy diet would immunize runners against atherosclerosis. With all this evidence, it’s no surprise that running marathons have grown in popularity.

Medal from the 2010 New York Marathon – Photo from flickr

However, running marathons (and other forms of long distance endurance sports), might not be beneficial as one might think, especially when it comes to issues of the heart. Most runners know the damage caused to their body and heart during the course of the marathon. That damage has only been thought to be temporary, lasting only a few weeks  This report published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings suggests that this damage done to the heart actually adds up over time. Repeated intense and endurance exercise can cause a build-up of scar tissue on the heart – leading to the development of patchy myocardial fibrosis.

For marathon runners, the name Micah True will ring a bell. Known for running up to 160km at a time for training, Micah was a force to be reckoned with. However, his death (which happened while running ironically) was called out as a link between the long-term effects of excessive endurance training and scarring of the heart. An autopsy showed that his heart was enlarged and scarred, suggesting death from lethal arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat.

A Normal Heart vs An Enlarged Heart – Photo from Wikimedia Commons

But most of us will never run the same distances that Micah did.

According to author James O’Keefe, the best outcomes are found far below the exercise levels of even casual endurance athletes. A 15-year study cited by O’Keefe highlights that the greatest benefits resulted from running less than 32km per week in runs of 30 – 45 minutes over 3-4 days. Anything beyond that level results in diminishing returns.

Furthermore, much of the damage seen immediately after marathons disappears within a month. Only when the heart is repeatedly damaged does scarring build up. O’Keefe also notes that people do endurance races for reasons besides their health. He likens it to climbing Mt. Everest – a bucket list item for many, but not without its dangers. “I don’t think anyone climbs Mt. Everest thinking it’ll be good for their health” he says.

Having run four 42.2 full marathons and eleven 21.1km half-marathons among other races in the past, I know that putting my body through these have a dramatic effect on it. I feel it in my legs after every race! But having developed a love for the sport, giving it up or cutting it down would take the fun out of running for me. Either way, I highly doubt my weekly mileage hits the same levels as Micah True’s.

After all this, is running a marathon still on your bucket list?

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Cannabis: The Good & The Bad

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 2 comments

Pot, weed, marijuana, Mary Jane, grass – you know name it. Just like how cannabis takes on many names, people can’t seem to come to a solid conclusion on whether or not the drug is beneficial to human health. Since the legalization of cannabis in British Columbia just this year on October 17, marijuana smokers and non-smokers voice their opinions loud and clear.

Non-smokers are against using cannabis. The reason? Well, there have been many published studies exposing the negative effects of cannabis. To name a few, cognitive development may be affected, especially for young users. Additionally, not only do studies show that the probability of death from hypertension increases, but the probability of stroke and heart failure increases as well. 

On the other side however, marijuana smokers have come to their own defence as there are studies that also reveal the positive effects of cannabis. Research

reveals that mental stamina may be improved for HIV patients, drug addiction may be treated, and smoking marijuana can relieve chronic nerve pain as well. 

Marijuana use proves to be a popular controversial topic around the world. Multiple studies and extensive research finds both pros and cons for people who are against smoking weed, and for the people who are for it.

If you were to ask me, it really depends on the situation. For all I know, you could be someone who enjoys the recreational use of marijuana, but claim that it helps “relieve muscle pain” because the news article you read on Facebook said it would. Either way, as long as cannabis is legal, most people like me don’t care if you need it for medical reasons or not. It’s a free world. Do your thing.

 

  • Sonia Sharma

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Plastics Give a Helpful Hand but are They Polluting Our Land?

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 1 comment

One of the most influential technological advances affecting our society has been the development of the plastic water bottle in 1973. From using animal bladders to mason jars, the evolution of the water bottle has enabled us to easily and safely transport and store water. As water is essential for life, this is great news! Or is it?

Plastic Bottles. By Tony Webster. Image from Wikimedia Commons. CC BY 2.0

Governments have been evaluating the cost and benefits of plastic bottles in regards to global warming. Some argue that they should be completely removed from consumer availability. Leading the way, the town of Bundanoon, Australia, outlawed bottled water in 2009.

Despite the expanding movement to ban plastic water bottles, there are many who think a ban will negatively impact our society and environment. During times of crisis, such as contaminated water supplies or natural disasters, plastic water bottles have been a vital part of emergency water supplies. Increases in plastic water bottle sales have been correlated with the occurrence of tropical storms. Thus, the removal of plastic water bottles would eliminate a reliably clean and readily available source of water, delaying the recovery of affected areas.

Bottled water offers consumers a healthy beverage contrary to sugary soft drinks. When the University of Vermont banned the sale of plastic water bottles in 2013, sales of sugary drinks increased. Counterproductively, this caused a 20% increase of plastic bottles on campus.

If a ban on plastic water bottles has so many detrimental consequences, then you may be asking yourself, why are so many towns and universities banning them?

To date, about 70% of plastic water bottles end up in the ocean or landfills in the United States. At this rate, by 2050 the accumulated weight of plastic water bottles is estimated to overtake the weight of fish in the ocean. As described in the Ted Talk, used plastic water bottles follow three main routes, of which two end in our ecosystems. Decreasing plastic water bottle availability will reduce pollution.

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Youtube: TedTalk about the life of a plastic bottle

Public water fountains are a prevalent and cost-effective alternative to plastic water bottles. Penn State University mathematicians have estimated that investing in a $20 reusable water bottle will save an American on average $1,236 per year. Not only can water fountains save money, they provide code-regulated water that is fluorinated without contaminants from PET plastic.

Enacting a plastic water bottle ban will save people thousands, provide a cleaner source of water, and decrease the amount of plastic introduced into our environment. Keeping plastic water bottles would decrease consumer soft drink intake and provide a reliable source of water in crisis. So should we ban plastic water bottles?

I believe that a conscious effort should be made by the public to utilize reusable water bottles and water fountains. What is the use of having plastic water bottles, when we will have no clean water to fill them with? Elimination of plastic water bottle waste may help to tip the scales in the fight against plastic pollution in our environment. 

-Teresa Howard

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Could Eating Protein Be Bad?

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 3 comments

What would it take for you to give up eating meat?

A recent study published last Monday reported that limiting nitrogen levels in our large intestines could control the amount of bacteria growing in there.  From 30 animal feces samples that Dr. Reese and her team of scientists at Harvard University measured, they found that meat-eaters’ feces contained more nitrogen than those of omnivores or herbivores.  That’s because protein contains nitrogen.  Lots of it.

This means that when you eat protein, you’re  literally feeding the bacteria in your intestines with nitrogen.  Believe it or not, over 1000 different species of bacteria live in our largest intestines alone.  Luckily, most microbes – short for microorganisms – in our bodies help in processing food waste and regulating immunity.  In fact, intestinal bacteria that typically live in our large intestines play a vital role in metabolic activities, such as fermentation.  Fermentation essentially describes the breakdown of carbohydrates into smaller molecules known as fatty acids.

Electron Micrograph of E. coli. Image from Flickr.

So in these cases, it would actually be beneficial to make sure that these good bacteria thrive.  Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to break down the fibres found in oats, barley, and quinoa.  To promote bacterial growth, we should eat more meat and eggs, or beans and tofu if you are a vegetarian, to increase our intake of protein.

But occasionally we house harmful parasite like salmonella which cause intestinal infections.  Salmonella is an invasive bacteria that’s usually associated with consuming contaminated or raw eggs and chicken.  As a result, you would often get diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Then eating meat would have a negative impact on your body.  Since protein contains high levels of nitrogen, bacteria would feed off the same nutrients that your body requires.  Not only do parasites compete with the good bacteria residing in our intestines for growth, but by allowing parasites to thrive and manifest itself, we become more ill.  Under these circumstances, you probably want to stay away from eating all foods high in protein to be safe.

For someone who loves to eat sushi and Korean barbeque, it would devastate me too much to stop eating fish or meat.  Besides, there are probably more friendly bacteria than parasitic bacteria otherwise we would constantly feel ill.  Next time, I’ll make sure to properly cook all meats and minimize cross contamination as much as possible so that I don’t contract any harmful bacteria.

A steak dinner. Image from Flickr.

So would you eat less protein after Dr. Reese’s study suggests that this would help limit bacteria’s growth in our large intestines?

– Jacqueline Zheng

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This is the Last Straw (literally)

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 1 comment

Plastic straws (image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

I’m sure you’re all aware of the most recent environmental movement: elimination of single-use plastic straws. From Starbucks to McDonald’s, major companies around the world are pledging to ditch plastic straws. Although they are small, their effects are mighty. Close to 500 million plastic straws are thrown away every day in the United States. Some end up in landfills, but a large number become plastic trash in our oceans. The solution was to introduce “sippy cup” plastic lids and alternative-material straws. This is a huge win for anti-straw advocates, but what are the true environmental effects?

On one side, plastic straws should stay as their ban results in an insignificant decrease of plastic waste in our oceans. According to a recent report by environmental group Better Alternatives Now (BAN), plastic straws comprised only 7% of plastic items found along the California coastline, compared to plastic bags at 9% or plastic bottle caps at 17%. When taken by weight, a report by Jambeck Research Group places plastic straws at only 0.03% of aggregate plastic in the oceans themselves. Majority of plastic waste found in oceans actually comes from fishing nets.

Plastic waste gathered at a shoreline (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

Furthermore, the BAN report also noted that products labeled as biodegradable or compostable plastics are not, in fact, actually biodegradable in an earth or ocean environment. Companies moving towards biodegradable plastic straws are not having any actual impact on ocean plastics.

Chemical structure of the plastic polymer, polypropylene (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

In support of the plastic straw ban, companies have revealed the benefits to their alternative solutions. Starbucks made it known that their new “sippy cup” lid is made from polypropylene, a commonly-accepted recyclable plastic that can be captured in recycling infrastructure. This was an almost impossible task to accomplish with straws, which are too small and lightweight to be captured.

The lives of marine animals, such as sea turtles, will also be protected by the straw ban. Small plastic straws can easily get lodged in their airways, causing them pain and discomfort, and in extreme cases, death.

Both sides of the plastic straw ban have valid arguments. Although only a small one, I believe it is a step in the right direction. This movement will hopefully be the gateway to banning more plastics which will hopefully lead us to a future of plastic-free oceans and landfills. So, are you pro-straw?

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Daylight Savings Time: Are we just falling back on bad habits?

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 3 comments

Twice every year, we Canadians bow down to daylight savings time and set our clocks either back or forward one hour. Some of us look forward to this, while others just grumble and go along with it because it’s tradition. Canada led the daylight savings time charge back on July 01, 1908, when Port Arthur, Ontario became the first municipality in the world to enact daylight savings time. But there must be more to it than tradition. My old colleague, in defense of daylight savings time, famously stated “the plants need the extra hour of light to grow!”. Clearly there are some bad arguments in favour of daylight savings, but there are some good ones as well.

No Daylight Savings Time Here by Kevin Harber of Flickr

Humans are diurnal, so we’re generally active when it’s light out, and sedentary when it’s dark. An extra hour of light keeps us active for a longer part of our day, making us healthier than if we had simply watched TV. With the extra hour of daylight, tourists also spend more time out of their hotels, spending money in the local economy. According to the Policy Studies Institute in the U.K., “the U.K. tourism industry could experience a boost of 3.5 billion pounds (about 5.6 billion U.S. dollars) per year under permanent daylight savings time”.  The benefits don’t end here either! Under daylight savings, we see an estimated 13% fewer traffic accidents. Additionally, the extra daylight from the spring shift causes a 7% decrease in robberies! So why are some people against daylight savings time?

The arguments against daylight savings time boil down to money and health. A study in the state of Indiana found that residential demand for electricity increases under daylight savings time. In the workplace, productivity drops when time springs ahead. Changing the clock also messes up our internal clocks, causing various sleep-related health issues. In the working days following the time change, researchers found that both the rate and severity of workplace injury increased. That’s not the only health-related problem either. The shift to daylight savings time increases the incidence of heart attacks. With problems like these, it’s certainly not a cut and dry debate.

Each of these benefits and drawbacks affect each of us differently, so we will all  have a different opinion. If we all weigh in, our solution will serve the people. What do you think about daylight savings time?

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One Pill To Cure Them All

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 4 comments

In this day and age, we put healthy living on a high pedestal. We exercise, we eat well, and we supplement our diets with vitamins minerals. Vitamins and minerals are molecules that help our bodies carry out day-to-day processes, like transforming food into energy. Vitamins and minerals are not made by our body, and so we must get them from our diets. We obtain our daily dose of vitamins through helpings of fruits and vegetables. But for some, eating healthy isn’t enough. To really ensure you are getting the right dosage of vitamins and minerals, look no further than the multivitamin.

Centrum multivitamins in Australasian packaging. Attribution:By Smoth 007 from Christchurch, New Zealand (Centrum multivitaminUploaded by smoth_007) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Multivitamins have been touted as the catch-all “cure” for ailments. They have been advertised to reduce the chance of chronic illnesses, improve energy, and even help reduce depressive episodes. But are multivitamins worth their hype?

Multivitamins do have the capability of being incredible for our health. Chock full of antioxidants and other essential molecules, multivitamins are essential to those who cannot eat a well-balanced meal. Vitamin deficiencies can be harmful to the body. Therefore multivitamins are vital to people who cannot commit to getting in a few servings of vegetables a day.  Further, according to an 8-year study done by the Supplémentation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxidants, multivitamins reduced the chance of men developing cancer by 31%. Similar studies have found significant reduction in the risk of developing heart disease in women. mental illness, such as chronic depression.

hand, full, pills. Attribution: Pixniohttps://pixnio.com/science/medical-science/medicines-drugs/hand-medicines-pills-health-care-vitamins-minerals-diet-supplements#

While there are many benefits of taking multivitamins, the perks may be too good to be true. A study in 2011 looked at the effect of multivitamins on overall cancer risk in Americans and found no significant difference between those who took multivitamins and those who didn’t. Further, for those who want a multivitamin on top of a balanced diet, there is too much of a good thing. In 1995, a study was published stating that pregnant women who take too much vitamin A, risk causing birth defects to their baby.

Woman Stretching on Grass. Attribution: Gratisographyhttps://www.pexels.com/photo/healthy-person-woman-sport-4077/

For me, multivitamins are essential to those who cannot commit to a diet high in fruits and vegetables. However, we must not trust that this single pill will cure cancers, heart disease, and mental illness in one fell swoop. To ensure a long, healthy life, we must supplement our lives with other healthy practices, such as self-care, exercise and, a healthy diet.

 

Tia Malloff

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