Friday Poem

Environmental & Science Education, Poetry, Art & Environment

Ed Hessler

A Face, a Cup is by Molly Peacock.

This is a one-stop link: poem + publication information + bio of poet.

Deer Hunting In The Big Ten: First Ever Power Rankings

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Wildlife, Science & Society, Culture, Society

Ed Hessler

In the opening to an article for the Star Tribune (April 5, 2024), outdoor writer Tony Kennedy asks:  "Ever wonder how Minnesota stacks up against its peers in deer hunting?"

 

It is accompanied by a table - color coded by highest, middle and lowest rankings - compiled by the Star Tribune's C.J. Sinner and Joe Rull in which the rankings are parsed "across six metrics."

And finally, the methodology is described.

I've returned to it several times and expect to continue doing that. This story is fascinating not only for hunters and non-hunters and I strongly commend it.  Disclosure: I am no longer a deer or other game hunter, stopping when I moved here.

And I'm deeply grateful to the writers and to the Star Tribune for making it available to subscribers who might want to take another look or who have already recycled the paper and to non-subscribers.

Colonoscopy Research

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Health, Medicine, Nature of Science, History of Science

Ed Hessler

STAT First Opinion Editor Pat Skerret (filling in for a colleague on maternity leave) chose an essay on colonoscopy, "the preventive measure everyone loves to hate." My reason for posting it is because is about evidence-based medicine - commonly used phrase today. It helped me understand that the idea is not always as clear as it sounds.

The essay is by Benjamin Lebwohl a gastroenterologist and director of clinical research at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. The title is "A liquid-only diet before a colonoscopy is unnecessary," First Opinion March 19, 2024.

 

The heading under which it was published is First Opinion. Keep that idea - opinion - in mind as you read it.

Lebwohl discusses the following:

--colorectal cancer is on the rise for people under 50 in the U.S. so it is important to convince people of the procedure

--the preparation procedure for a colonoscopy is rated by patients as the most difficult aspect. One of these is unavoidable - the purgative; the other, avoiding solid food for 24 hours before is, although diet during that period is important as Lebwohl explains.

--in 2013, a "large, randomized trial compared the results of two diet instructions the day before the colonoscopy. ... Clear liquids only, or a diet that permitted solid food." The foods allowed and the results are compared on "clean-outs" (colon free of food). Access to the study mentioned above is provided.

Lebwohl reviews similar studies in following years and his experience using the internet for searches on recommendations from respected institutions, patient advocacy groups and "obstacles in the diffusion of information." He also asked his colleagues.

 

Once again, this entry was written to illustrate the vexing issue of evidence-based medicine.

A Short History of Eclipse Prediction

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Solar System, Earth & Space Science, Maths, History of Science, Astronomy

Ed Hessler

Quanta Magazine has a short video (9m 16s) on the prediction of solar eclipses - when and where. It is posted on You Tube.  The chapters are shown with their beginning times after the brief video description.

"Nearly 3,000 years ago, ancient Babylonians began one of the longest-running science experiments in history. (ul added) The goal: to predict eclipses. This singular aim has driven innovation across the history of science and mathematics, from the Saros cycle to Greek geometry to Newton’s calculus to the three-body problem. Today, eclipse prediction is a precise science; NASA scientists predict eclipses hundreds of years into the future. (Featuring Stephen Wolfram.)"

The link to Stephen Wolfram includes an essay about it. It is also a resource for terms, some of which may be new. In the video most of these slip by quickly and reading them may help.

It is mathematical but the maths are not discussed in depth although equations are shown, etc. I post it because it includes the details of this "longest running science experiment in history." I was surprised by the records (data) that have been preserved for such a long period.

Thunder Eggs

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Geology, Earth & Space Science, Earth Systems

Ed Hessler

The following was aired on CBS Sunday Morning, March 31, 2024. It is about another kind of egg hunt than a traditional Easter Sunday would offer.

CBS Correspondent Conor Knighton takes a look at the history of thundereggs, Oregon's state rock. The episode is 4m 11s long.

Sense of Direction in Humans

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Behavior, Science & Society, Culture, Biological Evolution

Ed Hessler

It is no secret that people have different navigational abilities but the reasons why have not been studied as much as showing that they do.

 

In an article by Bob Holmes in "Knowable Magazine" (4/10/2024) he discusses recent research that "suggests that to some extent, navigation skills are shaped by upbringing."

The use of new technology, the evidence of nurturing v. innate ability, association with cultural factors, whether there is a  gender gap, cognitive factors, how we use mental maps, pros and cons of GPS, limitations of current research and directions for further research are discussed in enough detail to give you a good sense of the research field. 

In addition, the widely used navigation research instrument, the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale is shown.

An Internist Comments on GLP-1 Drugs In The Treatment of Obesity

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Health, Medicine, History of Science, Science & Society, Nature of Science

Ed Hessler

In a First Opinion essay for STAT, Lisa Shah responds to what she described as Oprah Winfrey's "full-throated endorsement on national television for using GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to treat obesity." I haven't seen the television program.

Shah writes that "(Winfrey) has opened the door for an important conversation about the use of these drugs for people struggling with their weight." I'm glad that Shah decided to participate. She knows the relevant history, clinical practice, the science of the drugs involved, obesity and stigma, what is sustainable in managing weight loss...all in a discussion that is accessible and considered.

The essay is definitely worth reading. It helped me think about what a "lasting solution" will encompass on which I'd not heard any discussion but I hadn't looked for it either.

A short bio about Shah is included at the bottom of the essay but you may want to read her bio at Twin Health where you can also learn more about the organization for which she works.

Friday Poem

Environmental & Science Education, Poetry, Art & Environment

Ed Hessler

Another Postponement of Destruction is by Henry Taylor.

Fig Agriculture In A Changing World

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Science & Society, Agriculture, Sustainability, Sustainable Agriculture, Culture, Biodiversity

Ed Hessler

--“So if you long for your son or your friend at a time when they aren’t given to you, you’re longing for a fig in winter, believe me.” (Epictetus, Discourses, III.24.87)

Figs (Ficus sp.) are remarkably drought resistant which has led to a "Mediterranean research initiative, FIGGEN, (which) has assessed how figs succeed while climate changes are causing other  crops to fail." 

The FIGGEN project, how figs survived throughout history, and the importance of their diversity is reported on by British editorial photographer, Rebecca Marshall in Aramco World March / April 2024. 

 

A few items are highlighted below but you need to know that the focus is on Tunisia where Dr. Ghada Baraket "coordinates the Tunisian portion of the FIGGEN project.

--Figs have been cultivated "long before the domestication of wheat, barley or legumes." And they show great variation seen in their varieties.

--Researchers "have worked to identify the genetic traits that enable figs' resilience to heat and drought." Not only can they "survive with minimal water, (they) have little need for fertilizer...are resistant to many pests...grow back after a forest fire."

--The research design is described - which of the common fig (Ficus carica) is most resilient to climate change (in this case lack of water and increased soil salinization). The team investigated 270 varieties and a "list of the 23 fig varieties that did the best" has been compiled.

--There are several "boxes" to explore: Did you know?, The fig tree's benefits in arid ecosystems, and one, a page of anthotypes, a print process. If you scan the QR code you can learn how they were created by the author.

--There is an extensive section on a Tunisian fig farmer, Faouzi Dgeggi, who witnessed the disappearance of some traditional varieties, one of which was known for its fat figs "sacrificed their fruits to survive ''recent drought. Quantity (and size) was reduced. Dgeggi's "curiosity  led him to an "experiment" of his own.

--The availability of FIGGEN results for some of the nations participating in the study will soon be available, including publication in peer-reviewed journals.

--The experience with diminished crops from the lemon trees of Tunisian farmer Abdesslem Agaya is used to open the story and he closes the reporting with a quote on fig trees.

As usual, the photography is lovely and informs the story. I strongly recommend reading photo captions.

Here is the essay for which you must scroll down to page 14. You will be greeted by the cover photograph of a fig tree with its fruit.

About the FIGGEN project. The essay has a full page photograph of Dr. Ghada Baraket who is the Tunisian coordinator.

 

Wiki entry on caprification.

 

Wiki entry on Tunis El Manar University.

Homepage Rebecca Marshall.

 

Wiki entry on anthotypes. If you are interested in making an anthotype this site (one of many) shows you how it is done and what is involved.

 

Wiki entry on figs.

I also want to thank and author for a note in his book A Very (Short) History of Life on Earth. Henry Gee pointed out a paper on the relationship between fig wasps and figs (a photo is shown in Marshall's essay). He included a comment about the article. You may have wondered "why," Gee wrote, "when we eat a fig, we don't get a mouthful of wasps." Here is the quick guide to the paper.

Quirks & Quarks for April 13, 2024

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Science & Society

Ed Hessler

CBC Radio's Quirks & Quarks with Bob McDonald for April 13 offers the following topics: canned salmon parasites, Mars & ocean currents, Medieval pennies, bonobo aggression, Covid 19's "long tail" and answers a listener's question about eclipse temperatures.

The segments are listed with beginning times and described - these overviews are really good - so you can pick and choose based on your interest. The length of the segments may also help you decide whether you want to listen now or later. The length of the full program is 54:00 minutes.

See here for the description and a link to the radio program.