Category Archives: Daily Science

Did you know that there are retroviruses in the human genome? In fact, there are retroviruses in the genome of all mammals. These viruses have previously integrated their DNA into our ancestors’ DNA, and have degraded to the point that they can no longer replicate and infect other cells. However, they still contain some of the characteristics of retroviruses, such as long terminal repeat (LTR) regions and gag, pol, and env genes. [1]

It has been suggested that these human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may modulate gene expression. [1] For example, the release of amylase into saliva may be regulated by a HERV that acts as a promoter, and apolipoprotein C1 (a protein that helps with lipid transport) may be regulated by a LTR from a HERV. [2] Continue reading →

Do you have a phone that has wireless charging capabilities? It can seem almost magical at times. It can also be pretty convenient, although charging with a wire can also have its advantages.

But how does it work? In the charging pad, there is a coil of wire that has a current running through it. [1] According to Ørsted’s law, an electric current will induce a magnetic field around it. This is used in solenoids, for example, a helix of wire that creates a relatively uniform magnetic field inside.

A cross section of a solenoid showing the electric current going out of the page on the top, around, and back into the page on the bottom. This creates a magnetic field going right. The direction of the magnetic field changes when the direction of the current changes. Credits: Wikimedia

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Natural poisons are abundant in the foods we eat every day, such as in apples, peaches, chickpeas, lima beans, bamboo shoots, flaxseeds… [1] In all of these examples, a class of chemicals called cyanogenic glycosides are responsible.

Apple. Credit: Wikimedia

Glycosides are simply molecules where a sugar is bonded to another group. For example, in adenosine, one of the nucleosides in RNA, an adenine nitrogenous base is bonded to a ribose sugar. Meanwhile, the term cyanogenic refers to the nitrile moiety in the molecule, also known as a cyano group.  So, a cyanogenic glycoside is just a sugar molecule that has a cyano group attached somewhere. Continue reading →

Have you ever taken an ice-cold shower, dumped a bucket of ice water on your head, or leaped into a freezing cold lake? You might have felt a sudden jolt of adrenaline rushing through your body, with your heart pumping faster and your breathing rate increasing.

Water. (Public Domain)

When the body is submerged in cold water, cold receptors in the skin activate of the sympathetic nervous system, known for causing the so-called “fight-or-flight” response. These responses include increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, and increased breathing rate, which are all immensely useful during physically stressful situations. The metabolic rate also drastically increases as the body attempts to heat itself up; in fact, previous studies have recorded up to 350% increases in metabolism when study participants were immersed in 14°C water! [1] Continue reading →

Everybody knows those popular fluid-filled sticks that glow vividly in the dark. They’re popular at dances, raves, and other events. But what exactly is going on? How does bending the stick make them glow? What is even glowing in the first place?

Glow sticks may come in a variety of different colours. Credits: Glowtopia

Glow sticks rely on a property called chemiluminescence, where some of the energy released from a chemical reaction is emitted in the form of light. This energy is usually derived from the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide contained within a fragile tube inside the stick, which forms high-energy intermediates. [1] Continue reading →