Author: isci
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The Shrinking Proton
For decades there has been a unanimous agreement in the scientific community regarding the size of the proton (Lambert, 2013). Through various experiments, the size of the proton has been proven to be 0.8768 femtometers in radius. This value was widely accepted and considered to be as absolute as the speed of light in a…
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Quasicrystals are a scientist’s best friend
Generally, one can predict the shape of molecules by applying the VSEPR theory and knowledge of intermolecular and intramolecular bonds to a molecule. However, how can one predict the shape of a crystal when the atoms are shaped in such a unique pattern that never repeats? A quasicrystal is a naturally occurring type of crystal…
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The 99 cent Cheeseburger
The 99¢ Cheeseburger is a miracle (Fig. 1). In a mere seven minutes a minimum wage worker in Ontario can earn enough to purchase one. It combines products from all over the world: onions, tomatoes, mustard, lettuce, pickles, mayonnaise, ketchup, beef and of course cheese. 160,000 years ago when modern humans first walked the earth…
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The Hunger Games and genetics (Spoiler Alert)
The Hunger Games best-selling novel, by Suzanne Collins, is about a dystopia where each year 24 individuals are forced to fight to the death in a well anticipated televised event (Blasdel, 2012). The Capitol is the omnipotent center controlling this event. The main character, Katniss Everdeen, selflessly volunteers for the Games in place of her…
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The Progression of a Scientist: Food for Thought
1 package of ground beef + mixed Italian herbs + 3 large tomatoes + one iron fish + a dash of 1961 Lafite wine = a melange of science needed for three aspects of a perfect spaghetti bolognaise dinner Motivation: A young scientist who finds passion in using his knowledge for others Iron deficiency is…
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Quantum Teleportation
Although Captain Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise never actually spoke the phrase, “Beam me up, Scotty”, it is known by many as a hallmark of the Star Trek series. In the show Scotty wielded the power of the transporter, a fictional machine capable of instantly moving Captain Kirk and his crew from the Enterprise onto…
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Humanizing Music? Consider Skipping a Beat
Cultural background, level of exposure, and social pressures are only a handful of the factors that impact which albums we listen to on our iPods every day (Hennig et al., 2011). Musical preference seems to be something decided by countless reasons, however, researchers have recently discovered that this is not the case, and that there exist certain universal…
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The Origin of Viruses
Throughout history, viruses have been one of the major causes of disease and infection within humans, and have been responsible for a multitude of epidemics, including avian flu, the Spanish flu, and most recently, swine flu (Nicholls 2006). Viruses are unique organisms in that they lack the ability to replicate independently and require a host…
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The Applications of Cochlear Bioelectric Potential as Medical Device Power Sources
Current developments in sustainable and renewable energies focus mainly on bringing electrical energy to the masses. In these cases, technological development has not yet advanced to the point of making these energy sources efficient enough to be portable. This proves to be problematic for portable technologies, which require recharging or battery replacements. This is not…
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Algae and Salamanders: An Unlikely Duo
Humanity has been actively trying to harness the power of the sun since the first magnifying glasses were developed for fire making in 7th century B.C. (US Department of Energy, n.d.). Since then, technological advancements have been made, allowing man to utilize solar energy to power buildings and even cars. Humanity is not alone in this…