The Science of Life

I just finished the book " The Vaccine Narrative " by Dr. Jacob Heller.  I feel it is a good idea to post a review of it on here, since it fits all of what I am trying to do with this blog.  Fair warning, if you intend to read this book without spoilers, this review does have spoilers a plenty. Dr. Heller looks at the narrative through history of the pro-vaccination side of the public argument we all know about.  He opens with the sentiment that yes, he is pro-vaccination, but he also feels the need to correct misconceptions which are prevalent in the narrative propagated by his side of the public debate.  The best way to convince those with legitimate concerns about vaccines (not those who are anti-vax conspirators, but those who have questions as a result of those conspiracy theorists) is to be completely open and honest about all aspects of vaccines, not just those aspects which are positive.  The first step in being honest to concerned parents is to...

Hello internet, and welcome to The Science They Don't Want You to Know.  As I have mentioned in the first post of this series, I am doing research regarding the statistical viability of currently unconfirmed conspiracies (no leaked documents) by way of currently known conspiracies (documents have been leaked).  The primary purpose of this initial research is to gather particular information, specifically how many people were involved in the actual conspiracies and the length of time which these conspiracies took place.  If you have not read the first post, you should  read it here . There are instances where people in charge of accumulating information and data fudge the numbers or outright lie.  This is one snippet of information where the conspiracy theorists are correct.  There are people in the position of collecting information feel that the possible rewards for lying about said information outweighs the cost of getting caught.  As a che...

Hello internet, and welcome to The Science They Don't Want You to Know.  As I have mentioned in the first post of this series, I am doing research regarding the statistical viability of currently unconfirmed conspiracies (no leaked documents) by way of currently known conspiracies (documents have been leaked).  The primary purpose of this initial research is to gather particular information, specifically how many people were involved in the actual conspiracies and the length of time which these conspiracies took place.  If you have not read the first post, you should  read it here .  For NSA part one of this post, it'll be found here . If you'll recall last time , I was talking about how the Patriot act allowed the NSA to tap into the phone calls and emails during the Bush administration.  I covered the fact that this does not technically fall under the fourth amendment because conversations do not fall under the legal definition of property. ...

Hello internet, and welcome to The Science They Don't Want You to Know.  As I have mentioned in the first post of this series, I am doing research regarding the statistical viability of currently unconfirmed conspiracies (no leaked documents) by way of currently known conspiracies (documents have been leaked).  The primary purpose of this initial research is to gather particular information, specifically how many people were involved in the actual conspiracies and the length of time which these conspiracies took place.  If you have not read the first post, you should  read it here .  In today's world of the internet -- and with the modern obsession with distrust of the government -- there are  few who don't know at least of the existence of the CIA project called MK-Ultra.  For those of you who don't know, it was a project in the 50's and 60's where they attempted to develop direct mind control similar to what happened to Geordi la Forge in the...

This is a supplement for my video covering the basics of conversational tactfulness when speaking about science, which can be found here . List of Free Online Text-Book Sources: http://bookzz.org/ http://bookboon.com/ http://oerconsortium.org/discipline-specific/ (Side note here; alternatively, you may want to go to the local library.  Some university's libraries also provide access to the general public, not just to students.) To determine textbooks: UNLV: http://unlv.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBWizardView?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=19074 MIT: http://mitcoopbooks.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBWizardView?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&storeId=52081 UC Berkeley: https://calstudentstore.berkeley.edu/textbook OpenCourseWare (OCW): http://ocw.mit.edu/index.htm http://ocw.uci.edu/ http://ocw.umb.edu/

These are the sources of information and video content for the Meat-Cancer link video, found here . The World Health Organization Science Press Release: "Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat"; published online on October 26th 2015 http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2815%2900444-1/fulltext They wish you to register before they provide the article for free, and it is a good idea to do so. Big Beef is bigger than Big Poultry.  Here's the proof: http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/ldpm-livestock,-dairy,-and-poultry-outlook/ldp-m-256.aspx The happy cows video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onWzeDElz6w The Minecraft cow can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUSByiRUgE4 The Bull taking a dump can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwbxlSnKE9U Gameplay of DOTA 2 found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iphorNRO_Go The 18% Video can be found here: https://www.youtu...

Here are the sources for my video The Basics of Chemistry . Definition: Chemistry, Matter, Atom, and Molecule. Chemistry: The Central Science (11th Edition) 11th edition; Theodore L. Brown, H. Eugene LeMay Jr., Bruce E. Bursten, Catherine J. Murphey, and Partick Woodward; ISBN-13: 978-0-13-600617-6, ISBN-10: 0-13-600617-5; p. 6 Definition: Chemistry http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=chemistry Definition: Matter http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=matter&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=000, third noun definition Definition: Atom http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=atom&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=0000000 Definition: Molecule http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Molecule&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h=00 Definition: Organic Chemistry Chemistr...

Here are the sources for my video "Lucy and the Ten Percent Myth", which can be seen here . The Fair Use Clause:   Copyright Act of 1976, 17 U.S.C. § 107 . Evolutionary argument against this myth: Rosenberg, K.R., "The Evolution of Modern Childbirth" in American Journal of Physical Anthropology 35, 1992, p. 89–124 Energy consumption argument against this myth: Swaminathan, Nikhil (29 April 2008). "Why Does the Brain Need So Much Power?". Scientific American. Scientific American, a Division of Nature America, Inc. Retrieved 19 November 2010. Twenty Percent energy usage: Carpenter's Human Neuroanatomy by Malcolm B. Carpenter, Oliver Smith Strong, and Raymond Carl Truex; Ch. 1 Evidence for 100% use of the brain: Radford, Benjamin (8 February 2000). "The Ten-Percent Myth". "Do People Only Use 10 Percent Of Their Brains". Scientific American. 7 February 2008. Clips taken from the following movies and episodes: Lucy (20...

Hello everyone!  This is the sources list for my ocean acidification video, found here ! News Report:  http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/augusta-waterville/2015/02/05/ocean-acidification-state-report/22948213/ Report Published by the State of Maine:  http://www.maine.gov/legis/opla/Oceanacidificationreport.pdf Dissolving: Chemistry: The Central Science Chapter 2 Scientific Papers: “Anthropogenic Ocean Acidification over the Twenty-First Century and its Impacts on Calcifying Organism”; Orr, J.C. et al; Science; 437; 2005; p. 681-686 “The Ocean Sink for Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide”; Sabine, C.L. et. al.; Ecience; 305; 2004; p. 367-371

The Full on definitions of the word theory from the five texts referenced in my Theories video.  The citations are in the format ("Title"; Principle Author (there may or may not be secondary authors); ISBN; page number referenced; which UNLV course the book is for).   See the video here . These books may be obtained through any public library or digitally through your  favorite  means of obtaining digital copies of books. (“Biology: A Guide to the Natural World Fifth Edition”; David Krogh; 978-0-321-61655-5; p. 6; for UNLV's course BIOL 189 - Fundamentals of Life Sciences) It is unfortunate but true that the word theory means one thing in everyday speech and something almost completely different in scientific communication. In everyday speech, a theory can be little more than a hunch. It is an unproven idea that may or may not have any supportive evidence. In science, meanwhile, a theory is a general set of principles, supported by evidence, that expla...

All physical scientists, regardless of the field of study (both on the experimental side and on the theory side), rely upon past experiments.  Regardless of how purely theoretical the work of any particular scientist tends to be, the foundation of the theoretical work is solidified in experiment.  I challenge you to present a case where this is not the case which is not philosophy.  Think very carefully about and thoroughly background check any example you come up with before being set in presenting the example; chances are phenomenal (100%, actually) that either it is based on experiment or is philosophy. Since I am a student of science, I wish to understand experiment construction, running, and replication.  I also wish to have everybody else understand the process of experimenting and why it is so important to the process of science. First, we need to understand why experiments are performed.  Everything about any given experiment follows from the r...

Spoilers: Theory is not what you may think.  Really, what you think the definition is for the word theory is actually closer to the definition for the word hypothesis. I've heard people utilize the word "theory" as if they think it means "a random thought which popped into ones head for no reason."  As if these people honestly believe that a theory is on the same level as the statement "Woah, the platypus is proof that God is a toker bro."  I assure you, this is definitely not the case.  This concept of people saying "Just a Theory" has always bugged me, for as far back as I can remember.  (I'm looking at you, MatPat.) I will now try to get everybody to have a sense for what the word theory really means when applied to science. Let me begin by defining what a scientific hypothesis means to those who develop science.  The word hypothesis is a statement of rudimentary observation with no systematic testing or method of rigorou...

In every physical science, we rely heavily on mathematical models to accomplish further scientific research.  (Yes, even you biologists and organic chemists; you just have the mathematical models hidden.)  Mathematical models are the key to all scientific research.  (And for those reading this from outside of the United States, I will use the word "sciences" in place of the term "physical sciences" from here on out; be prepared for that.) This brings up a key question; what exactly is a mathematical model? It would be good to have an equation fall under a mathematical model.  This can be the case, but more often than not, one equation is insufficient.  It also doesn't have to contain equations; there can also be inequalities, where a value is either less than or greater than a certain quantity. Mathematical models are descriptions of a system with mathematical language , which can be one or many equations or inequalities.  This is more of a...

Suddenly, there is silence. It's been quiet for a while now, but now that the rounds are complete, it is complete silence, here on the surface of Mars. Not that this is really Mars. In the deserts of Southern Utah, there is a crew at the Mars Desert Research Station, running simulations for a trip to Mars. There are strict protocols for such things. Ideas accumulated on the ground put into place by The Mars Society. So simple are these ideas that most people – and even higher percent of scientists – would not think of them. Like, for instance, keeping a comp notebook at each piece of equipment to track use and maintenance. Keeping a log on the computer for suggested SOP for the crew who takes over on the next cycle change. In the isolation of the desert, these people can teach us a few things about how to do what we do as Environmental Scientists. For one, it is alright to be a nerd and proud of it. In fact, it is the preferred state of mind for us....

First, I would like to apologize for my longer than acceptable absence. Both from this blog as well as my YouTube channel. My academic world has been consuming all of my time. Life, getting in the way of so much, you know? Yeah, you know. Also, as a side note, I recently received a comment from an anonymous user which was very non-productive and non-constructive. This person apparently removed it in short order, but I still have an e-mail copy of it. This person appears to be a troll. I would like to request not only that you critique my blog, but also that all comments critiquing my blogs be constructive in nature. I am open to criticism, so long as I can actually take something productive out of it. Another note on the comment section; I would like to encourage conversations in the comments section. This will help in reduction in errors on everyone's part. This is always something I am looking to improve upon, including but not limited to in myself. This al...

To begin, I would like to thank my biochemistry Professor, MaryKay Orgill, Ph. D., for fact checking this post, despite her busy schedule, and despite today being her birthday. Happy birthday Captain! Before I begin my topic today, I want to clear up some confusion the general population has about homonyms . The confusion is that the general use of a word is perceived to also be the scientific use of the same word. With the exception of the vast majority of astronomical terms (because astronomy, for the most part, has the capacity to be an exception), this is not true. These are homonyms, which are words in English which are spelled the same, sound the same, and have different definitions. In engineering, the term moment means to apply a force in a circular fashion, not a general short period of time. In biology, a Calorie is a specific unit of energy in chemical reactions, not merely something you have to consume. In chemistry, reactions are transfer of electrons ...