Video Games

Ladies, listen up!  Want to feel more connected with your man?  Play video games with him! No, seriously.  A new study discovered that playing video games together could bring players’ emotional responses and brain activity into harmony.

This study, conducted by Helsinki Institute for Information Technology, used fEMG (facial electromyography) to measure facial muscle reactions and EEG (electroencephalograph) to measure brainwaves.   According to Sovijärvi-Spapé, “Replicating previous studies, we found linkage in the fEMG: two players showed both similar emotions and similar brainwaves at similar times. We further observed a linkage also in the brainwaves with EEG.”  The study also revealed that the more competitive the gaming gets, the more the players’ positive emotions begin to reflect each other.  The results provide ground for further study, such as: “Feeling others' emotions could be particularly beneficial in competitive settings: the linkage may enable one to better anticipate the actions of opponents.”

So how do you feel about dusting off that old N64 and playing some Mario Kart?  Do you think this could be beneficial to friends, or even couples?  Do you think it would make people feel more connected?

Check out the article here!

GM Fruit Flies

Bzzz. zzz. Ever wish that pesky fly would just drop dead? Well that day just might be around the corner!  The U.K.-based company Oxitec has submitted an application to release genetically modified olive fruit flies under netted olive trees in Spain.  Oxitec has modified the flies to all be male and to carry a deadly trait.  After mating with wild female fruit flies, offspring will either be a) female flies that will die as maggots or b) male flies that will carry the same gene. 

Oxitec is the same company that modified mosquitoes and released in a Brazilian town.  As a result of the modified mosquitoes, the population of the dengue-fever-carrying mosquito population was brought down by 96%! This company has stated that their GM fruit flies will reduce the need for pesticides and that the deadly gene would only affect this particular fly. 

How do you feel about this?  I’ve been known to go ninja on flies, but I’m not sure how I feel about releasing genetically modified insects into nature.  Do you think it is wise to mess with nature in such a way? 

Check out the article here! 

RoboRoach: There's an App for that!

Greg Gage and Tim Marzullo are the cofounders of an educational company (Backyard Brains) that introduced the RoboRoach #12 at last months TEDx conference in Detroit. Ever wanted to control the movement/direction of a roach? Well there’s an app for that! No, this isn’t a joke. For about $99 you can purchase your very own RoboRoach kit that will allow you to control a roach with your iphone (or other IOS devices), the kit includes a reusable backpack and a battery, but you must supply your own insect. In order for this to work, a small “operation” must be done on the roach (under anesthesia) to connect the wires on the backpack to the roachs antennas. Once connected, you can control the roach from your mobile device by causing neurons to fire through the transmission of electrical pulses through the wires. This kind of neurotechnology (microstimulation) is the same type of technology that is being used to treat Parkinson’s Disease as well as Cochlear Implants. What do you think about this new technology? I am deathly afraid of roaches, so it’s safe to say that I would NEVER get close enough to one to try this new ‘backback,’ but for those of you who aren’t do you think it is a good learning tool? Does it actually teach kids anything?

 

http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2013/10/cyborg-cockroach-sparks-ethics-debate

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22786371

 

Pink Fairy Armadillo

Chlamyphorus truncates is the scientific name of the pink fairy armadillo that is a native of Argentina. Approximately 3-5 inches in length and 100 grams in weight, this armadillo is the smallest of its family, and I must say the cutest! Mariella Superina, a researcher for CONICET research center, has been studying this species for over 10 years, but is having difficulty discerning if it is endangered because she has never actually seen one in its natural environment. Pink fairy armadillos can be found near dry grasslands and sandy areas where it digs and burrows beneath the surface for protection and food, hence why they are commonly called “sand swimmers”. Their diet mainly consist of ants, however, they will also eat snails, worms, small insects, and plants/plant material. If you look at the picture below you will see that the dorsal shell is distinguishing for this particular species, unlike others in its family it (the shell) almost appears separate, extending from the head to the tail. Many researchers have struggled obtaining information about these ‘fairies’ for a variety of reasons, their diet can vary greatly from individual to individual, they are nocturnal, and prefer to remain hidden underground. Furthermore, researchers have found that not one individual has been able to survive more than four years in captivity. Due to these issues, it has been difficult to obtain more information on these cute little creatures. Have you ever heard of the pink fairy armadillo? Do you have any theories or suggestions as to what might be contributing to the death of this species once in captivity?

Articles/Information:  

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/pink-armadillos-ain%E2%80%99t-your-texas-critters

http://weirdanimalreport.com/article/pink-fairy-armadillos-do-not-grant-wishes

http://armadillo-online.org/chlamyphorus.html

Alcohol-Dependency

A recent clinical study revealed that gabapentin, and drug used for epilepsy, may be just as effective for treating those who are suffering from an alcohol addiction. Currently, there are three drugs that are used to treat alcohol addictions, disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone; each have a different mode of action inside the body, each is responsible for eliminating or reducing alcohol intake by different mechanisms. However, negative side effects can be experienced by all of these drugs. During a 12-week study two groups were tested, one was given the drug (gabapentin) and the other was given a placebo. Those taking gabapentin were four times as likely to refrain from drinking when given a higher dose (1800 mg) of the drug, compared to their counterparts. In addition, researchers reported that the gabapentin was the only drug to improved sleep and mood in those coming off of alcohol. I think this research is great! I know it isn’t the cure to cancer or anything, but I think it will give a lot of people hope. Breaking an addiction seems hard enough without all of the negative side effects that come along with other available treatments. What do you think? Have you heard of any other drugs being used or tested for alcohol-dependency?

Article: http://news.yahoo.com/epilepsy-drug-shows-promise-treating-alcohol-dependence-135539075.html

Fluorescent Fingerprint

Today I had my Pattern and Physical Evidence Concepts lab and we learned about all of the fingerprinting techniques that can be used for forensic application. As I was looking for an article for this week, I came across a method that I just did in lab so I thought I would blog about it! A relatively new technique being used for fingerprint processing at crime scenes involves the use of fluorescent powders, the prints resulting from this technique can be visualized using UV light.

            There are 3 different types of fingerprints, latent (invisible), patent (visible), and plastic. The method of documenting each type of print is different, due to differences in the physical characteristics of each. For example, unlike patent prints, latent prints cannot be seen by the unaided eye so assistance by a powder or chemical is needed to view fingerprint and friction ridge impressions. The use of fluorescence greatly enhances the visualization and recovery of latent prints. The process is fairly simple, once a fingerprint is obtained (on tape, glass, ect), Cyanoacrylate Ester Fuming (known as superglue fuming) is used to harden print to perform more rigorous testing; a polymerase reaction is responsible for this. Next, a fluorescent powder is applied with a special brush to enhance the print when viewed under the UV light. I found this technique to be very simple and effective in recovering all prints, even as a first time user! Has anyone had experience in a crime lab or with fingerprinting techniques? What do you think about this method?

 

                                                             Take a look at the article here