Analysis of Aging Process - Research Paper Example

Studies show that everyday activities such as exercise, stress reduction, getting plenty of sleep and making new friends improved brain function by creating stronger connections between cells.
This article is thorough in its research and is very timely. The population of the United States is skewed towards individuals entering retirement. They will begin to experience more and more memory loss. Understanding these things from a biological perspective is important because it shows that things we do a young people can affect the quality of life we have later. The article and graphics are clearly presented and the scientific language is accurate but not too hard for the non-scientific reader to understand.

Complex World of Soil Studied by Colorado State University Scientists

Soil is incredibly important to all of the inhabitants of the earth. Recent biological studies have begun to focus on the importance of the organisms that inhabit the soil. Nematodes, water bears, mites and springtails all have been ranging through the earth’s soils devouring carbon and nitrogen as zebras and lions devour grass and prey on the surface. But little has been studied about how these organisms benefit larger ecosystems. Scientists at Colorado State University are remedying this. They are finding that disrupting soils by paving them or developing them in other ways is deadly for the soil ecosystem. Scientists are trying to quantify how much benefit these soil-dwelling organisms do for us so that we can look at our development activities in a new light.
Reading this article was pleasurable because the writing was clear. What was not so clear is how the studies from the scientists are really going to be applied. Mention of United Nations support of soil studies was made, but no specifics were given. There were no details about what is being done as a result of the research. It does affect our daily life because these organisms support life on earth, but action for their support was not clearly stated.

Proposed EPA ballast water regulations criticized

Ballast water has introduced many organisms into the waters of the Great Lakes that are not a part of the natural ecosystem. These organisms, such as zebra mussels have crowded out native species. The EPA has developed new regulations over the discharge of ballast water by international ships. Environmental groups are not happy with the regulations because they say that up to ten live organisms’ can be discharged by each ship. Environmentalists and some scientists agree that this is not tough enough. They point to the fact that this amount of live discharge can lead to the introduction of new, destructive organisms.
This affects daily life because we all depend on shipping that comes through the Great Lakes. Stricter regulations will make goods coming through these ports more expensive because the water will need to be treated before it is discharged. But his might be the price we have to pay to the same native species in the Great Lakes ecosystem. This article was very informative but was light on actual science. The article focused more on the governmental policies that are formed as a result of biological science than on the science itself.


Worms' survival in space bodes well for humans, study says

Twelve generations of worms have been successfully raised onboard the space station. This is important for humans if we one day want to travel to Mars and beyond. Some of the biological challenges that the worms needed to overcome in order to reproduce and adjust to weightlessness may be good instruction for humans planning to travel into space. Biological changes brought on the body include a loss of muscle mass and bone density due to the lack of gravity. The skeletal system has less resistance so less muscle is maintained or developed.
It may not appear as though this relates directly to everyday life right now, but it would in the near future. Earth’s resources are rapidly being depleted and we may need space exploration soon to bring home minerals and precious metals from outer space. Humans will need to learn how to function biologically in weightless environments. This article has some good science to show how this can happen.