This is the first official post of the 2022 Summer Assignment. Please pass this link along to anyone else you know taking AP Biology next year.
The rules are simple:
- Look at the list of links provided.
- Pick a few (or all) to read.
- Make an intelligent comment here that shows you read and thought about at least one. Remember, please DO NOT just write a summary of the article. We have already read them, and we are looking for your opinions and perspectives.
- Gain points!
Comments are moderated, so they will not show up immediately. If it has been a few days and you don't see yours, there is probably an issue. The most common issue is your username not displaying. Please check your Google settings so that your username shows up in the comment section. If your post comes up as "unknown" or "anonymous" it will not be posted and you will not receive credit.
I highly recommend you keep a record of your comments, in case any get lost.
I highly recommend you keep a record of your comments, in case any get lost.
The Links
- The mRNA Revolution is Just Getting Started COVID-19 was most likely just the beginning of mRNA vaccines.
- A Newfound Dinosaur had Tiny Arms Before T. Rex Made Them Cool Always going to include new dinosaur findings.
- Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why You all can make your own jokes in the comments about Michael Bolton causing more pain.
40 comments:
An interesting thing that I thought about in the article “A Newfound Dinosaur Had Tiny Arms Before T. Rex Made Them Cool” is that this phenomenon happens with all types of species. In the case of humans, due to us not needing to actively hunt for food without weapons we, like the T.Rex and Meraxes gigas, have evolved to reduce features of ourselves that aren’t necessarily important to us for survival. Similarly to how these Dinosaurs’ arms are smaller in size (thought to be as a result of being a possible hindrance when competing for food within a pack), humans’ canines are a lot smaller than they used to be because we have developed into not needing to use brute force to hunt and just needed them to help tear food. It establishes the fact that in nature when things are unnecessary they are reduced.
In the article "Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers may now know why", scientists discovered that soft sounds caused analgesic effects in experimental mice. Although neurobiologist Clifford Woolf makes a good point about the many differences between mice and people, I believe this should be implemented in human medical procedures. Anesthesia is expensive and requires medical specialists. However, a music source is cheap and does not need special care. As a result, the cost of surgery would reduce significantly. Specifically for the less fortunate, this would ensure that their health is appropriately taken care of. In addition, my personal experience with music shows me its soothing effects. During high-stress situations, my favorite song is a cooling balm. It is a small piece of proof to me that music can numb pain. Personally, I would love to listen to my playlists (that do not include Michael Bolton) during surgery. Overall, this article displays the massive effects of the softest music on our bodies.
In the article, "Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why," I found it quite interesting that this simple research can be of benefit to research done in the future. In the article, it mentions research done that proved playing sounds at a certain level to rodents caused them to not feel pain. The author Zhi Zhang goes further to explain how playing sounds is a cheap method that will help rodents to not feel pain during an experiment, which can also decrease errors done during the research. I found this interesting to me because it shows how this finding will be of benefit in the future when scientists want to test their research on rodents, which will improve results received during experiments. Error in research is common and is the reason experiments are tested numerous times, but this finding allows scientists to not have to worry about their results because of the pain rodents feel. In my perspective, I did not expect that music can numb pain, but this being discovered will be of great use for rodents and even humans in the future.
The article, "Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why," by Tess Joosse really surprised me as an experiment this small could have such a big impact on operations done in the future. Additionally, at the beginning of the article, Yuanyuan Liu's experiment results made me realize that both mice and humans share a striking similarity when it comes to music/noise levels. Humans find lower volume sounds to be more calming and soothing, allowing for relaxation. As proved in Liu's experiment, the mice's pain was numbed when exposed to lower volume music, showing that despite the major differences, these species share some minor similarities. Furthermore, the focus of this experiment was to see if this could apply to humans, and even though it was done on mice, I strongly believe that this could work on humans too. If successful, there would be a multitude of benefits like how much cheaper (for both the patient and the hospital) it is than regular anesthesia or nitrous oxide, making it more accessible. Ultimately, this discovery poses to be extremely beneficial for future surgeries and procedures.
Personally, I always thought that the tiny arms and huge head made the T-rex so special and fascinating but the article, "A newfound dinosaur had tiny arms before T. rex made them cool," by Carolyn Gramling proved me wrong. This article shocked in many ways, especially when I found out that these two dinosaurs are not even apart of the same species of predatory theropod dinosaurs. This made me realize that scientists, sometimes, could be proved wrong by new discoveries even when they think that they are correct. In addition, I didn't think about how evolutionary adaptations could completely change or connect two species, as explained that the Tyrannosaurus rex's features evolved independently in different lineages. Evolution has had a crucial role in all organisms and species both present and past, and discoveries like this show that science can always be argued, no matter the conflict.
The article, “The mRNA Revolution is Just Getting Started” is fascinating to me because although I was aware that mRNA COVID vaccines existed, I did not know that mRNA had the capability to help treat rare cancers, autoimmune diseases, and problems within different organ systems. I believe if companies successfully make and effectively distribute such therapies, it will be highly beneficial and completely transform the medical field. The research in the article is promising and researchers seem to be optimistic about the capabilities of mRNA therapies, so I think it is likely that mRNA therapies will soon become widespread. I also was surprised to learn that the structure of mRNA allows it to be used in a variety of therapies. Although the article mentions some of the downsides of mRNA (such as that it is easily degraded by air, light, blood, and saliva), I think that the positives outweigh the negatives. For example, mRNA therapies can be administered in many ways other than an injection, and this will help make the mRNA therapy more effective by enabling it to reach what it specifically needs to target. Moreover, I was surprised to learn that there are many different small companies that are researching mRNA therapies for specific disorders/diseases. In the article, biotech analyst Harataj Singh states that smaller companies that target specific and rare diseases have less competition and can obtain the needed materials easier, and I think that this can cause many small companies to flourish and many new treatments for rare diseases will be created in the future. Overall, I learned a lot about the capabilities of mRNA and I hope to see many new mRNA therapies/treatments in the near future.
While reading the article, "Soft Sounds Numb Pain", I found it interesting that the recent studies could lead to more ethical scientific experiments involving animals. Studies with human participants require signed informed consent forms, debriefing, and approval from an IRB or Institutional Review Board in order to make sure such practices maintain the dignity of participants. However, this high level of importance placed on ethics is not always matched in animal studies. Oftentimes, this is due to the fact that animals cannot consent to such experiments like humans. Therefore, the IACUC or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee generally only approves experiments that prioritize the humane treatment of animals. With more studies, future researchers may use low sounds to cause pain relief for animals, promoting more humane practices. Thus, I believe it may also broaden the range of animal experiments that may be approved and conducted, furthering scientific research altogether.
The article "The mRNA revolution is just getting started" by Deborah Balthazar is interesting as it emphasizes the possibility of mRNA experiments on genetic illness. IT's main focus is the use of mRNA in cell tissue which is used to halt the progression of several genetic illnesses such as cancer. What I found even more surprising was the observation made by Joseph E. Payne, chief executive of Arcturis Therapeutics, which concluded that mRNA is easily affected by air, light, blood, and saliva. With all these limitations, it's surprising how fragile the single strand of DNA is when compared to its functions in the body. Research only dates back 40 years and it's surprising to learn about the advancements mRNA has made to treat illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and myeloma. A point made within this article that sticks out is the limitations mRNA treatment has at it only has the temporary ability to alter cell behavior. While a more permanent solution is required, the excessive use of such treatment creates the effects of a double-edged sword, meaning it does more harm than good. Despite the variety of genetic disorders and illnesses that affect each individual, the astounding ability of mRNA to provide a solution to all is something that should definitely be looked into when discussing the future of medicine.
The article, “ The mRNA revolution is just getting started” discusses the endless possibilities of RNA, specifically mRNA, therapeutics and the various parts of the body which this therapy may target. I found it fascinating that other than inserting a shot into the arm, RNA can enter the body in other ways which are more specific due to its ability to be modified. At Houston Methodist, researchers are creating a method where RNA can travel through a catheter (tube) directly into the pericardium in order to rejuvenate failing heart cells. I feel that this method is more efficient than injecting a shot into the arm, especially because mRNA is easily degraded by light, blood, air, and saliva. This invention will allow for mRNA therapeutics to have successful outcomes. In addition, after reading the article “ Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why” I found it interesting that humans and mice share a similarity in which soft/calming music soothes them. I was also surprised to learn that a low sound over background noise is ideal when it comes to reducing the level of pain in mice. Typically, I would assume that louder sounds would be more effective than lower levels of sounds when it comes to relieving the mice’s pain as loud sounds/music tend to distract the human brain. If humans have the same reaction as mice when pleasant, symphonic music is played to them, medical bills could be greatly decreased since music will serve as anesthesia, which would otherwise come at a high cost.
ANAND SURYANARAYANAN
Upon reading the article,"Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why," by Tess Joosse, I was shocked. I had long believed that music and sound has the ability to cure the mind and bring peace to our daily lives. However, I was baffled when I saw that even the mice in this experiment are able to find peace in music. Moreover, the mice's ability to numb their painful sensations using sound gives hope that medical experts can treat human pain with sound as well. This is because both mice and humans have similar genes. Unfortunately, due to ethical issues, human testing may be difficult, as the procedure would require the patient to experience pain. However, if this kind of sound-based treatment proves to be successful, it could provide many benefits in the medical industry, from less expensive medical bills to more relaxed patients.
Once reading the article, “The mRNA revolution is just getting started”, I was quickly intrigued by the many cures that messenger RNA based vaccines could provide for patients. Personally, I was most curious about the potential of curing cancer. As cancer has been deemed incurable by many medical professionals, mRNA vaccines' ability to create a cancer free world is certainly enticing. In addition to cancer, I was impressed by Arcturus's idea to treat cystic fibrosis through a respiratory treatment, since I was not aware that mRNA vaccines could be administered this way. Moreover, mRNA's ability to be administered in a specific part of the body is very beneficial because it can help better fight these incurable diseases. However, this cancer or disease free world might have to wait, as the article also mentioned how easily the mRNA vaccines can be manipulated with something as subtle as exposure to air and light. In my opinion, I feel that once thoroughly tested, these vaccines could produce many helpful benefits, which could outweigh the possible drawbacks that come with trying to alter DNA strands.
I found the article "Soft Sounds Numb pain. Researchers may now know why" by Tess Joosse very interesting as it focused on a revolutionary way to help humans and other animals when undergoing painful experiences. As mentioned in the article, music can make even a simple dentist appointment less painful. I found this idea very similar to music therapy. Music therapy is often used for people with mental illnesses and special needs. Music therapy can rewire the brain. Exciting rhythms can reach different parts of the brain calming a person down, and reducing stress. In this article about pain and music, music had a way to lessen the signals passed between the auditory cortex and the thalamus. What I found the most interesting is that the volume of the music mattered. It had be just a little louder than just background music . Before reading this article I would have thought the opposite because the louder the music the more it would distract a person, or animal but instead it is not the volume itself but the way the music affects neurological signals. This idea of music and pain will is already used to some degree in the waiting rooms of doctors offices but if they're used in actual procedures and checkups, not only will it calm the person but it can make a negative, painful experience into positive and safe. Music can have so many affects on the human brain, and I think it is very cool to see how it can change the mind.
After reading the article "Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why", it caused me to think about how impactful music and sound is on humans. It has the ability to get struggling people through tough times, healing internal and external pain. Music can change your mood, either bringing it up or down. When I'm stressed out, I can play low, calming music to calm me down, healing me mentally rather than physically like in the article. It's interesting to me that an assortment of different sounds can bring people together and ease our pain. What makes music so special is that because it so versatile, anyone can find something they can enjoy and relate to. There is no human creation that has a similar effect on people like music.
Upon reading ""Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why" by Tess Joosse, I realized the effect that any time of media can have on our lives. It is not surprising that this effect has worked on humans. I remember listening to classical music and other soft songs to destress and relax after a stressful day. However, it is surprising how the same phenomenon occurred in mice. It is interesting to see that even though we are so different from other animals, especially mice, we can be affected and healed by the same things. It is interesting to see how interconnected humans and other animals are. I hope that this research will lead to new treatments for humans. If the sound-based treatment works, then there are so many more possibilities for different types of therapies. This would change the medical industry fundamentally.
The article “Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why,” was very interesting because it brought upon a point that many people wouldn’t assume. Because it may be assumed that loud music pairs well with pain as it can distract the patient from their pain. There is more to focus on with loud music than with just a soft humming noise playing. Then again, when people began discovering classical music helped with studying and concentration it was probably also unexpected. If the results from the mice carry over the human studies, this discovery can have many versatile effects and uses. Some people may feel uncomfortable with the idea of going under and having a procedure done while not observing or feeling what is happening in real time. For people who feel this way, this is a great way to numb the pain but also cooperate with the request of the patient. On an another note, there are thoughts of this finding being used to benefit animals. Using animals as test subjects has long become part of the experimental world, and it would be difficult to move away from that, but especially with the animal rights and welfare movement rising, using soft music to numb the pain in animals would be a great compromise between the two sides.
According to the article "Soft Sounds Numb Pain," studies on mice revealed that soothing sounds can help numb pain. Listening to music is important to me as it helps relieve stress and calm my mind. To learn that music can also help with physical pain makes me appreciate the beauty of music. The article also served as a reminder of how much of the brain remains to be explored and understood. I appreciate that researchers are looking more into this solution not only for humans, but also for animals. A great benefit from this method is that it is cost efficient. I found it interesting that if music is played during an operation, people may not even require local anesthesia. If music could be used as a replacement for some procedures, the patients could be less distressed than if other methods were used to numb pain. It is simple to play a soft sound, and the results are worthwhile. I hope that these findings encourage scientists to conduct additional research.
By reading the article, “Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why,” I learned knowledgable material, which led me to think about the effects of music on people. Just as soft sounds are therapeutic, in a way, for other animals, music has a similar effect on humans. People listen to music at many different times, whether it is because they are using it as background noise to concentrate, or to aid them during times that they feel down. For instance, I usually listen to music in the mornings. Doing this allows me to feel more energized, and on mornings that I do not listen to music, I feel very drowsy and lazy. The use of soft sounds in medicine could be revolutionary, as it is an innovative way to suppress pain.
The article, “The mRNA Revolution is Just Getting Started” is a really interesting approach to solving many issues in the medical field. It is really fascinating to see that mRNA has the capability to treat certain types of cancers and other serious diseases. I was aware that the COVID-19 vaccines were created from mRNA but I didn’t know that it could cure other diseases as well. As more and more companies find ways to treat autoimmune diseases and cancer it really can benefit the public since many people suffer with serious diseases that they could die from. I was very intrigued by learning the approach that Cooke used by modifying strands of mRNA to rejuvenate failing heart cells by using a catheter or tube. It seems like a less invasive approach than surgery or any other invasive procedure that patients can benefit from. Along with that it is probably much more effective than a shot since the mRNA can target a specific part of the body. Although this seems like it can change medicine in a good way there are certain risks that the article talked about. The mRNA is very sensitive to exposure to air or light and this could ultimately make the treatment ineffective. Scientists are currently trying to find new ways to incorporate the use of mRNA to help cure certain diseases and I really think this will eventually have a very beneficial outcome.
The article "A Newfound Dinosaur had Tiny Arms Before T. Rex Made Them Cool" made me think about the two mentioned species of dinosaurs, and their similar features. They weren't even part of the same family, yet possessed common features, such as their small arms. This makes me wonder whether or not they evolved in similar environments and conditions. It also makes me think about how beneficial features are improved, and the inverse. The thought of redundant features such as the appendix and the caruncle.
In the article “Soft Sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why”, the author, Tess Joose, discusses a paper at the US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research where they tested mice to learn why music helps relieve pain. The researchers tracked red fluorescent dye injected into the mice’s auditory cortex and found that the music decreased activity between the auditory cortex and thalamus. In my opinion, I found it interesting how louder music made the mice much more sensitive to the stimulus and that only noise slightly above background noise would numb the pain because I thought louder music would help numb the pain. Personally, whenever I feel very stressed, I like to play loud music since I find that it calms me down, but now that I think about it, loud music relieves my stress most likely involves different connections to the brain compared to the connections when soft music numbs pain. To add on, I also find it intriguing how the “soft sounds” can range from instrumental music like Bach to unpleasant music because I would think that only calming music would help relieve pain since it would make the patient more calm compared to unpleasant music. Furthermore, when I had my wisdom teeth removed last year, I was given local anesthesia for the first time to help relieve some of my pain. Not only was local anesthesia expensive, but I was afraid to get local anesthesia because I didn’t know much about it and I was about to get it for the first time. Based on my experience, I believe that more people like me are afraid of getting local anesthesia, so if scientists can learn more about the relationship between soft music and pain in humans, more and more dentists can implement this and it can make patients feel less worried about getting a surgery like this.
In the article A Newfound Dinosaur had tiny arms before T-Rex Made them Cool, what I found interesting was how long M.gigas could live and how much it weighed. What I found most interesting was the many possible uses of their arms. When reading this I thought they could have used their arms for other necessities and also keeping their balance while they are in a standing position. I also think that their giant heads could have been for their own protection although it may have been used to hunt prey. I thought that the T.Rex and M.gigas would be from a similar species but they are not.
Reading "Soft Sounds Numb Pain", really made me think of the impact of music. Knowing that music may also be used to stop suffering opens up a whole new world of possibilities for those who use it as a form of expression. Understanding this may not only allow us to never experience the pain again, but it may also allow us to concentrate and pick up new data much faster or more productively. According to a Harvard study, children who are exposed to music have better retention of information than youngsters who are not exposed to it. Being in times like these has led to the search of music at specific frequencies known as "Solfeggio frequencies" is seen as being beneficial to your health. The scientific community began establishing links between the type of music heard and its many physiological impacts on the human body. Biologist Dr. Glen Rein discovered a breakthrough in 1988 while researching how different musical genres affected human DNA. This discovery validated long-held beliefs from the earliest spiritual traditions. Four different musical genres with varying frequencies were played for the DNA vials: Gregorian chants, Sanskrit chanting, classical music, and rock. By keeping an eye on the rate of UV light absorption, which is an essential function of healthy DNA, Rein was able to determine the effects of each musical genre. The Gregorian and Sanskrit chants, which increased UV light absorption by 5 to 9 percent, had the most positive, and sometimes even curative, effects. The modest rise in UV absorption was brought on by the classical music. The reduced UV light absorption caused by rock music actually caused damage to DNA. The assumption that sound frequencies do have major effects, for good or negative, was supported by research by Rein. This study helped to advance the field of music therapy. According to the original article, the intensity of the music is just as important as the actual song itself. All of this is to argue that given enough time and resources, we might be able to create music that helps us learn more quickly and perhaps even heal.
After reading the article “Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why” by Tess Joosse, I was interested in how this new pain relief method will be used in the future for animals during animal testing and eventually in human medical treatments. As more research is done on this topic, such as why a low sound over background noise is the “sweet spot”, I believe that this new method of pain relief should be used during medical procedures and treatments on humans. Pain management drugs such as anesthesia or nitrous oxide call for the use of anesthesiologists and can be costly for both patients and hospitals. This new method of pain treatment can ensure pain relief during surgeries at a lesser cost.
Something I found Interesting in the article, “The mRNA Revolution is Just Getting Started,” is that RNA can enhance healing properties of collagen scaffolds. This means it can form new healthy cells in the place of damaged tissue. I think this is very fascinating because this means if someone got a bad burn on their skin or was in a car accident, instead of scarring, you could regenerate new healthy tissue to replace the burnt skin. That idea of replacing skin could also be used in many plastic surgeries too. Another way RNA in collagen scaffolding can be helpful is during surgeries. For example when a breast cancer patient gets a tumor removed, the RNA in the collagen scaffolding can help create new healthy tissue in place instead. Or if someone had a tear in their muscle, this would help it heal quicker by creating healthy tissue to seal the cut.
In the article “Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why”, I realized how simple experiments can be, but still have huge impacts shown through the results. It is interesting to see how music reduces pain. Music is already known to affect your mood, for example, upbeat music can produce dopamine which is where feelings of joy and happiness come from. Now there are experiments to prove how music can also affect physical pain. This experiment can have a significant difference. If researchers continue with this idea that music can soothe pain, they can begin tests on humans. If it is successful, this substitute of anesthesia can save millions of millions of dollars, while also making procedures more affordable to those who are less fortunate. In my opinion, these findings can revolutionize the medical field in the future, in both a positive and negative way. This can reduce jobs of doctors who specialize in anesthesia, but also make surgeries more affordable for the public.
In the article, The mRNA revolution is just getting started, I found it very riveting that after the production of Covid-19 vaccines, scientists have been able to continue to use mRNA to treat other rare diseases like types of cancer in hopes of these treatments being as successful and beneficial as the Covid-19 vaccines. I also thought that the fact that the RNA treatments could be transferred into your body through various safe ways was efficient due to the effective, easily modifiable structure of RNA. The article also discussed how these treatments have been in development for over 20 years, showing that the past has heavily expedited the production of the Covid vaccine as well as other therapies to treat diseases. The 20 years have shown scientists what is effective, what needs to be changed, and the proper methods to go about these therapies. Without the prior experience and knowledge, I believe that the production of the Covid vaccines and RNA therapies would have taken much longer and been less dependable. Although there have been negatives to RNA due to its degradability, the solutions and outcomes that come with mRNA therapies outweighs the negatives. It is evident in the therapy that is being created to treat myasthenia gravis- a disorder leading to the weakening of the skeletal muscles. With the help of the mRNA therapy, the T-cells will kill off the antibodies that cause the weakness. I think that the revolution of the mRNA therapies is astonishing because of how prosperous the effects are proving to be. The future of medicine and the field of biology will heavily be altered by the successes of the mRNA revolution that will continue to expand.
In the article, “Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why,” by Tess Joosse, music is known to have a vital role in treating physical pain. Music has always been known to promote happiness and improve one’s mental health in various ways. Music’s impact on treating pain is so impeccable that some people do not even need anesthesia to get through painful procedures, which could be saving up a lot of money. Additionally, the experiment on mice was quite interesting because of how the lower sound numbed the mice’s pain instead of the louder sound. Most importantly, music is like a natural painkiller that makes you feel better and happier. I believe music should be implemented as a part of every painful procedure to help the patient get through it easier. Music therapy is a treatment that helps patients with numerous disorders such as depression, trauma, and Alzheimer’s disease. Music could also help patients with cancer. For example, in Saint Jude’s Hospital, there are a lot of kids with cancer who could definitely use music therapy to ease the tension and anxiety before, during, and after their procedures. Today, more and more hospitals are implementing music therapy because music does not distract a patient from pain, but in fact, it causes the brain to reinterpret pain signals. Music, whether it is classical or pop, tends to help patients cope with their pain and aids them through their treatments. Next time I go to the dentist, I will make sure to play some music to make my visit more bearable.
I was surprised to learn from the article “Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why” that all sounds, as long as they are played at a low intensity, can numb pain. While reading the beginning of the article, I thought it made sense that music would reduce pain because music triggers the release of “feel-good” neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins, which are known to relieve pain, reduce stress, and produce euphoric feelings. However, the real reason for this phenomenon is that soft sounds decrease activity in the auditory cortex, which weakens pain processing in the thalamus. This implies that the link to pain reduction is stimulation of the auditory cortex, regardless of whether a person finds a sound to be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. While these researchers have found all types of soft sounds can numb pain, I wonder if pleasant sounds function better than unpleasant sounds due to their additional effects on neurotransmitters.
In addition, if these research findings can be replicated in humans, it raises the question of how much pain the soft sounds can suppress. For example, are soft sounds as effective for complex surgeries as minor injuries? Using soft sounds for pain reduction is much more inexpensive than currently used anesthesia. If soft sounds have wide applicability to many types of medical operations and injuries, it would allow more people to afford life-saving healthcare and improve the outlook for humanity.
The article, “The mRNA Revolution is Just Getting Started”, mentioned research done by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania that strongly advanced the future of mRNA treatments. They figured out a way to introduce mRNA into the body without it being attacked by the immune system. This breakthrough was vital since it opened the doorway to an infinite number of possibilities as mRNA has become a promising method for curing diseases. This study is similar to another study that was done at the Perelman School of Medicine, also at the University of Pennsylvania. The research mentioned in the article as well as the research I found on my own both involve mRNA and the immune system. In the study I found, completed in 2020, the researchers used CRISPR/Cas 9 to genetically modify T-cells (cells that are part of the immune system that fight diseases, including cancer). They modified the T-cells in order to better equip them to fight against blood cancers. CRISPR/Cas 9 is a method that scientists use to cut DNA and edit the sequence. The CRISPR/Cas 9 technology altered the DNA inside of the T-cells, which in turn affected the mRNA belonging to that cell and the proteins the cell made. As soon as I read the article I immediately thought about this other research by the University of Pennsylvania and I found both research projects insightful.
I found the article, "Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why" to be very interesting and informative. I was very surprised that the playing of music could reduce the pain caused in prodceders in mice and potentially humans. This study performed on mice showed that when music was played at a lower volume it had anesthesia like effect, thus proving a connection between the auditory cortex and thalamus. This discovery could be very useful in the use of minor surgeries as a source of inexpensive anesthesia. Personally, I think this is a great concept and I would much rather have a lower hospital bill by replacing anesthesia with my favorite music. In my opinion, the only flaw to this alternative is the use of musicians like Mozart and Micheal Bolton. If Frank Ocean was played at 50 decibels I would be completely numb the pain. All joking aside, I think with more testing and proof that it would efficiently lower the pain in humans during surgeries it could be used as an additional source as anesthesia and help lower the risk of health complications associated with high amounts of anesthesia applied to a patient.
The article, "Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why" presents an experiment in regards to how certain sounds or music can affect pain levels in mice. The lone focus of this study was derived from the cause that patients experienced less pain when music was played. In order to figure out if the mice experienced pain with music, they would have to flinch, licked, or pulled their paws back as a sign of pain. Volumes lower than 50 decibels were affecting the mice more. Although mice and humans differ, one thing was possible which was to ease pain levels for both based on the music presented during that time. From personal experiences with the dentist, I also believe that listening to music would decrease pain levels. In order for this to happen, more research needs to be performed and more support around the main goal which is to manage pain in humans. Overall this article gives a practical statement to whether or not music will ease someone's pain or not.
Immediately the title of the article Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Know Why, sparked my interest because of previous knowledge based on personal experience and teachings; music has always been linked with mood. Oftentimes, mood professionals [therapist and psychoanalysts], might tell a patient to immerse themselves in music because it provides them with a versatile outlet. For example, instead of practicing breathing, one might hum or sing a song that reminds them of the feeling that they should achieve. Surprisingly, I did not think that there would actually be scientific evidence to back this theory, especially soft sounds. The idea that just a few decibels above your background can numb pain is extraordinary. I always thought music triggered memories which is why people found it easier to immerse themselves in it; rather than just a few neutrons reacting differently. Additionally the article mentioned preference to music and whether it would decrease the amount of pain a patient or mice would feel. I wonder if the opposite would have adverse effects, meaning that if someone were to listen to a genre, dissimilar to their preference of music, at the same decibel, would they experience the same feeling of ease or would it negatively affect them.
The article “Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why” by Tess Joosse truly surprised and intrigued me. The fact that any sounds, as long as they are slightly above the background noise, can act like a natural pain reliever really surprises me. In my opinion, I would believe that only pleasant sounds would relieve pain. Also, the research done that was explained in this article can end up revolutionary. Learning about how soft sounds cause analgesic effects in mice is one step closer towards implementing the same findings into our society. Although it is much harder to experiment on humans while being ethical, it is possible, and eventually, soft sounds can be a much more cost effective way to relieve pain, especially in the medical field, allowing many more patients like those with low income to have better medical care. Along with this, animal experiments can become more ethical, effective, and cheaper as explained by Zhi Zhang in the article. These are just a few of the many ways these discoveries can help our society out. With these discoveries regarding soft sounds relieving pain, our world can further develop into a better place, while saving more money for other experiments and such to further enhance our civilization and ways of living.
In the article, “A newfound dinosaur had tiny arms before T. Rex made them cool,” by Carolyn Gramling The species Carcharodontosaurus are contrasted to the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Both species have extremely powerful jaws but small upper extremities used for venial purposes. While the Tyrannosaurus rex was a predator, it also was classified as a scavenger. The Carcharodontosaurus had no tendencies of a scavenger. They would often hunt for bigger prey to assert dominance such as large titanosaurs or even the species spinosaurus. Tyrannosaurus rex would typically feast of herbivores for an easier meal. While the Tyrannosaurus went for prey which put up less of a fight, this did not mean they were weaker. The Tyrannosaurus had the strongest bite of the late cretaceous period.
“Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why” was a really interesting article. The fact that sounds can have the ability to act as a painkiller and that there was a certain volume that was successful in creating the numbing effect was really interesting. If the volume was too low or too high, the numbing effect would not occur; it needed to be just slightly above the background noise. The neurobiologist Clifford was certainly correct when he made the point that there is a difference between mice and humans. I strongly believe that this process can work on humans, and if it is proven to be successful in humans, then it would be beneficial in many forms. Not only will patients be calm while in surgery but also using music as a pain medication can make some procedures more affordable which can benefit many families.
What I found interesting in the article "mRNA evolution is just getting started" is the altering of mRNA because of its single strand structure. because of its simple structure scientists are able to reconstruct it to produce certain desired proteins for medical use it is mostly being used at the moment for undruggable medical issues like cancer and autoimmune disorders. However it is also being used to reduce scaring because of new ways that have been developed to get the mRNA to places that wouldn't be usually accessible because of RNA being easily degradable. It does come to a surprise that these mRNA therapies have been around for a lot longer than expected but it could still be considered in a experimental state. but my prediction for the future of mRNA therapies is that it would be used in the future for anti-aging and extended life spans because of the large variety of altercations it can make to the body.
When I was younger, my mother talked about her coworkers playing music in their operating rooms. She was also a dentist, so I've always assumed music had a calming effect. That's why it was interesting to find out that this music can actually numb pain, as said in "Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers may now know why." What's even more remarkable is the fact that the pain-numbing sensation, caused by noise, only worked at 50 decibels. Although researchers conducted this experiment on mice, by injecting its paw with a painful solution, I'm curious to see how they would test this on humans. Overall, this article made me question how scientists were going to implement this finding into human pain relief. This could become useful in the future.
The article “The MRNA is Just Getting Started” was quite a read as it demonstrated how far society has progressed within less than a decade. While I was aware that mRNA was being utilized in the process of developing the Covid vaccines, I was intrigued to read that scientists are on the path to developing mRNA technology capable of combating diseases like cancer and other genetic disorders. Seeing the success of the Covid vaccine, this technology may also have potential of enhancing common vaccines such as the flu shot. As one reputed organization found, over 9.5 million deaths are linked to cancer; the potential to save a percentage of these lives lies within mRNA technology. The problem with the technology- a point made within the article, is that the changes in mRNA strands made to a cell are only temporary. Additionally, the process of altering the mRNA code is far from a simple process because the protective bubble that encases the protein must also be modified. To conclude, it seems that mRNA technology is presently not capable of curing the genetic disorders that have stumped the medical community for so long. Regardless, I am optimistic that our current technology will give way to more effective innovations.
In the article, “Soft Sounds Numb Pain. Researchers May Now Know Why.”, I found a few things to be very interesting. First, I was shocked to learn that rodents and humans are very similar when it comes to listening to sounds. The best calming sounds can’t be at too low or too high of a volume, the perfect volume for the ear is at 50 decibels. This perfect volume can numb pain during medical procedures. This experiment had amazing results on mice and I believe it would have similar results on human testing. Our thalamus and auditory cortex can work the same way as the the rodents during this experiment. If scientists were to test this on humans it would save tons of money and be a cheaper form of pain numbing then what is used currently by medical staff. In the future it could cause anesthesia to be used less often and save the patients a lot of money. Overall, I have good hopes that it scientists were to ever test this experiment on humans the results would be shocking and have beneficial effects.
I found the article “Soft sounds numb pain. Researchers may now know why” by Tess Joosse interesting and insightful. I had always thought that in terms of calming down, soft or pleasant music would provide much more relief compared to unpleasant music but after reading the article, I learned that the type of music did not matter as much as the volume at which it is played. I always assumed that because soft music isn't as striking as loud music, it would help calm you down as it would relax you instead of keeping you on edge. Because of that, I was surprised to find out that both pleasant and unpleasant music have the same impact on pain relief. I think the findings from this study were really informative as it helped put down long standing ideas on what helps relieve pain and found an actual answer to what might help, at least in mice. I think the next step would be to start more studies exploring music and sound impact on humans as it would be a huge step in numbing and relieving pain for all sorts of scenarios. Sound could be used as a substitute to painkillers in hospitals or even just a simple way to ease pain that could be used in daily life.
In the article “Soft sounds numb pain”, the author talks about an experiment they did with mice and how they discovered that when a mouse was listening to soft music, they didn’t feel pain as harshly. I found this research interesting because I never would’ve thought that something such as what you hear can affect something like the amount of pain you feel. I think soft sounds can help with stress as well because whenever my mom gets a headache, either me or my sisters will put this “nature sounds” background music for her to relax. It ends up relaxing us too. We have a big fishtank in my house and a part of this fish tank is a small waterfall that makes soft “rushing water’ noises. It’s really relaxing to study near the fish tank because of the soft waterfall noises. I’m not the best at math so whenever I’m doing my math homework, I get really stressed. Working near the waterfall and hearing those soft noises helps me to get rid of the negative emotions that come up.
Post a Comment