Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Dissociative Identity Disorder: An American Phenomenon?

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a condition where individuals will display various distinct personalities or identities. Another name for this disorder is Multiple Personality Disorder. The diagnosis for this condition requires that at least two personalities are routinely taking control an individual's behavior with an associated memory loss that goes beyond just normal forgetfulness.( MedicineNet.com) When discussing DID there is much controversy surrounding the topic, including that it does not exist outside of North America.(Ross) This diagnosis is more commonly found in females and is concentrated more heavily in North America, especially the United States. Women are diagnosed more with DID and they also tend to have more alternate personalities. The disorder tends to become dormant as individuals enter middle age, but the symptoms can resurface during periods of stress. DID seems to be a cultural disorder because it is rarely found outside of North America, specifically the United States.(MedicineNet.com)

An interesting way that psychiatrist has chosen to help relieve people that are suffering from DID is Art therapy. It is helpful for them to distinguish how many personalities a person has who has DID. I found a video about a woman, Kim Nobel who uses art therapy specifically painting to deal with her multiple personalities. Each one of her personalities is evident in the paintings she creates because each is completely different. This is very interesting to me because she is using aesthetics to help relieve some of the problems she has stemming from Dissociative Identity Disorder. Below is a link to the Video of Kim Nobel:

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Art-Therapy-and-Dissociative-Identity-Disorder-Video


Works Cited

"Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) Symptoms, Treatment, Causes, Signs and Diagnosis by MedicineNet.com." Web. 14 Dec. 2010. .

Ross, Colin A. "Dissociative Identity Disorder." Dissociative Identity Disorder (2006). Springerlink. Web. Oct.-Nov. 2010. .

Unknown. "Art Therapy and Dissociative Identity Disorder - Video - Oprah.com." Oprah Winfrey's Official Website - Live Your Best Life - Oprah.com. Web. 14 Dec. 2010. .

Monday, November 29, 2010

Spray-On Clothes

Manel Torres, a Spanish fashion designer, has worked with scientists from the Imperial College London to create spray-on clothing. The spray-on fabric is made of fibers is made of lots of short individual fibers mixed with other polymers which allow it to solidify upon the skin. If the fabric is not applied correctly it can also dissolve back into it's solvent, ready to reapply.


Click Here to be linked to the rest of the video.
This is another video demonstrating the aerosol applicator.

Various types of fibers can be used to change the texture of the end product such as wool, cotton, and polyester. The fabric looks form fitting when it is first applied, but as the wearer moves around it will wrinkle and move as other fabrics do. It will even maintain its shape in a washing machine.

The revolutionary spray-on clothing is only one use of this amazing new technology. Torres stated that he was interested in finding other practical uses for it such as spray-on upholstery. This could revolutionize basic first aid by changing the way we administer medicine and apply bandages. It could be used to provide sterile medications and bandages directly to a wound without having to apply any pressure.


Imagine if fictional bio-gel like in Halo 3: ODST were to really exist? It not hard to imagine that grenade shaped can of sci-fi miracle foam as a can of spray-on healing. With this new leap in scientific advances we very well might have a can of All Purpose Spray-On Bandages in our medicine cabinet or even in our pockets rather than a box of Band-Aids sitting on our shelf.



Boyle, Rebecca. "Video: Spanish Designer Demonstrates Spray-On Clothing." Popular Science. Popular Science, 17 Sep 2010. Web. 29 Nov 2010. .

Ceurstemont, Sandrine. "Real spray-on clothes to hit the catwalk ." NewScientist. Reed Business Information Ltd., 17 Sep 2010. Web. 29 Nov 2010. .

Sunday, November 28, 2010

"Anti gravity" platform

Since just about the beginning of mankind, UFOs have been seen around the world, and each person has their own theory on them. A widely accepted theory about these spacecrafts is that they use some sort of anti gravity technology. Sure, we may be able to imitate this effect, but we have not actually gotten to the true state of anti gravity. On our way towards being able to levitate objects, without simply giving an outside force to push against gravity, we have discovered some very intriguing inventions. A recent invention that struck my interest is the anti gravity platform.

The platform is about as long and wide as a sheet of paper and stands only a few inches off the ground, or table in this case. While it is not true anti gravity, it poses the question “What comes next”. The anti gravity table, while it is not actual anti gravity technology, is still incredibly interesting. The platform uses a total of seven magnets, one in each corner and two in the middle as well as the platform itself, in order to create a driving force against gravity that simulates anti gravity. This technology is small, only being able to hold about three ounces, but it is also affordable as well.

Most people hear the phrase “anti gravity” and think of some giant government project that costs trillions of dollars and will be ground breaking technology; either this or Mythbusters. In reality, this small device, while expensive, is still affordable. If you want to get your hands on one it will run about ninety euros averaging out to about one hundred and twenty dollars. While this platform is little more than a toy for evil geniuses wanting to take over the world, what comes next in our step towards the future? Being able to levitate objects, even if it’s not true anti gravity technology, could end up being the inspiration for some amazing technology and I, for one, can not wait to see what comes next.

Sources:

"Anti Gravity Platform Can Hover The Entire World." Invention Reaction. Invention Reaction, 2010. Web. 21 Nov 2010. .

Phoebz, . "Anti Gravity Platform - It's Not Magic, But It's Truly Amazing." Geekie Gadgets. Geekie Gadgets, 04 Jan 2010. Web. 21 Nov 2010. .

"The Antigravity Platform." Youtube. Web. 21 Nov 2010. .

"Lifter Anti-Gravity Myth has been BUSTED 1 of 2." Youtube. Web. 21 Nov 2010. .

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Blindness: Soon to be a problem of the past?

Growing up as a young child there was nothing I feared more than the dark. It seemed that no matter where I was the darkness held a frightening sense of the unknown. Naturally, the condition that I feared the most then was one where your world becomes permanent darkness, I am speaking of course of going blind. To me, blindness was something to be feared as I couldn’t fathom being able to function without the use of my eyes. I was taught that the condition was debilitating , absolute and that above all, barring a miracle, it was mostly permanent. However, this permanency and absolute condition of blindness may be on the verge of being cast out by technology. In development right now is a machine that can project images, text, video, and more past the parts of people's eyes that are usually responsible for blindness and directly onto the retinas. This allows, in effect, for blind people to see these images once again.

The tool started out as a diagnostic device used to determine if patients had any retina left in their blind eyes. However, one patient, Elizabeth Goldring, decided that the device could also be used to bring sight back to blind. The original device, termed an SLO or a scanning laser ophthalmoscope, cost about 100,000 USD to buy, but Elizabeth went on a crusade to create a device that could be affordable and available for blind people to buy and use in their homes. To achieve her goals she contacted the inventor of the SLO and, after redesigning the device with a mind towards it purpose as a home viewing kit, managed to get the cost of the device down to 4,000 USD.

The current version of the device can project full color images to the back of a person's eye and can be set up on a desktop in your home. Additionally, a portable prototype is being tested where Goldring says it allows her to see faces and general details of people she would not be able to see otherwise. The device is not currently available for public sale and the next step is for the scientists at the MIT Media Lab to open testing to the general public.

Aside from this one device other companies are looking for ways to help people with disabilities as well. This video describes what one company is doing now to help the blind and dyslectic be able to "read" books through current mediums :



Although they are not trying to solve the problem of blindness in the same way as the previously mentioned device they are opening the printed world to those it was closed to before.

The fact that scientists are inventing ways to make the blind see is something straight out of a science fiction story of the recent past. Who would have imagined that those once thought to be beyond help would be able to once again enjoy all the benefits of being able to see. Additionally, once this project takes off the potential is astronomical. From here we could give these devices to children born blind so that they never have to experience life without sight if they don't want to. Also those with severely ailing vision will no longer have to suffer as they will know that they do have options other than accepting being blind. Ultimately, we are on the verge of curing what was thought to be a permanent fixture in life and as we master the world around us we are discovering ever better ways to ensure the success and survival of our species.

Sources:
http://www.livescience.com/health/060523_vision_restored.html
Livesciencejournal is a respected reporting site of the latest health news and provides a look at the breakthrough from a health and scientific perspective.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/158246/seeing_machine_helps_blind_see_pictures.html
Pcworld is also a well respected website used to report advances in computer technology and looks at the story from a more technical and computer based perspective.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Life After Oil

Ever heard of peak oil? Undoubtedly you have briefly been exposed to the concept. If you haven't, it is the point in time when the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached. Now I ask, have you ever heard of global warming? Of course you have, it's all over the news; celebrities, television shows, supermarkets, and most any major aspect of society is joining in on the 'green' movement.

The idea of global warming has, for the most part, become an accepted idea. But why hasn't the concept of peak oil been engrained in people all over the world. "Apart from the Swedish and possibly the Irish government, no government or corporation is yet really addressing or even acknowledging peak oil, at least publicly"(Hopkins). Climate change and peak oil will have to be dealt with; there are no two ways about it. So where will we go and what can we do?

To put climate change into perspective, think about the following ideas. Pre-industrial CO2 levels were 278ppm(Parts per million). It 2007 they were recorded at 385ppm. This increase has led to a global temperature increase of 0.8 degrees Celsius. Although this doesn't sound like much it is already wreaking havoc around the world. Glaciers are melting, storms are stronger and animals migration patterns are changing.(Hopkins).

Furthermore, due to a process called thermal inertia, if we had halted all carbon emissions in 2008 the global temperature would have continued to increase by at least 0.6 degrees. This means that we are already guaranteed to reach an increase of 1.4 degrees. Scientists believe that we should set the 'safe' max in global temperature increase at 2 degrees. Anything over this will cause climate catastrophe (Hopkins). So when do we change?

Is peak oil a reality? What evidence is there to support the idea that we have already reached our maximum production or that that point is soon approaching. For the sake of brevity I will only provide a couple reasons.

"Most oil-producing nations follow the same pattern - the peak in discovery tends to occur 30-40 years before a peak in production... Given that the world as a whole peaked in discovery in 1965... we are close to or at, the peak of production"(Hopkins).

Another interesting thing to look at is the size of the fields being discovered. "In 1940 the average size of the fields found over the last five years was 1.5 billion barrels"(Hopkins). By 2004 this number had fallen to a mere 45 million barrels, and it continues to fall (Hopkins).

During this 'Oil Age' the human race has discovered over 47,000 oil fields. Of these, the 40 largest are responsible for 75 percent of all oil ever discovered. If we haven't reached peak oil, we are very close. Why else would we be so desperate for these small pockets of oil?

So where are these two issues going to take us. Basically there are three options for the decline of oil. We can go through a long term transition where the decline of oil is slow and regulated. This is our best option. This option will allow the world to realize what is upon them and make changes to accommodate it.

The second option is a little less desirable and is known as "oil Shocks". It is similar to the first option except that the world will experience "sudden disruptions and price hikes, triggering periodic sustained emergencies"(Hopkins). In essence there will be relatively short periods of time where the price of oil spikes well above a reasonable price for almost all of the population.

The last option is the least desirable. "Here, the impacts of peak oil become so severe that the fabric of society begins to unravel, leading to "socially catastrophic competition for scarce resources, including food, shelter and energy""(Hopkins). Basically the level of the world's oil reserves will be depleted in a very short period of time leaving the world to switch to alternative sources of energy immediately.

These three options are based on the bell curve that is commonly presented when talking about peak oil. What isn't known is whether it would be a gentle slope down, or an abrupt cliff (Hopkins).

A common misconception is that the human race will be able to go on as it does now relying on renewable energy. Hopkins writes, "A society without access to fossil fuels would be able to do seventy to a hundred times less work than one with them."

This all boils down to the amount of energy returned on the energy invested or EROEI for short. In the 1930's the US had an EROEI of 100:1. This means that for every unit of energy put into the extraction process, one hundred units were obtained. This is an immense EROEI. Today the EROEI is between 11:1 and 18:1(Hopkins). And these stats are all based on the energy form oil.

What's more interesting is that wind energy has a return of about 11:1, solar, a return of between 2.5:1 and 4.3:1. Nothing will ever come close to the 1930's 100:1. "The decline in EROEI in our energy sources, together with the combined peaks of oil, gas, coal, and uranium, means that we need to acknowledge that we are as energy-rich a society today as we are ever likely to be"(Hopkins).

The best way to prepare for the drop in oil resources is to begin to create resilient communities. That is, communities that are more reliant on themselves rather that the rest of the world. You can explore this site for some more information about these communities. Rob Hopkins, the founder of the transition movement, has written a very interesting book titled, The Transition handbook from oil dependency to local resilience. I have put forth a couple of his ideas in this post but he has many more ideas that have peaked my interest. Maybe they will peak yours. Without a doubt he is biased towards the fact that peak oil is a reality, and frankly, from what I have read, on both sides of the topic, I believe him. But, only the future will tell.

Source:

Hopkins, Rob. The Transition Handbook: from Oil Dependency to Local Resilience. White River Junction, VT: Chelsea Green Pub., 2009. Print.

Monday, November 15, 2010

How words shape our thoughts

Humans speak to each other with an abundance of different languages, but does hearing something said in a different language change the way we view the situation? If a friend is using your computer and the computer breaks as he is using it, would you say "You broke my computer", or would you say "My computer was broken". The answer to this is depended on the language spoken by the person being asked. Most English speakers named the friend the responsible party whether or not it was actually their fault. People from Japan or Spain usually just said something like "It broke".

More videos were shown to the people where a person intentionally and accidentally broke eggs. Every time the person intentionally broke the egg people of every language remembered the person's name and described him as the egg breaker. When the eggs were broken accidentally most English speaking subjects set blame on the man anyway. Subjects speaking other languages would just say the egg broke, because it was an accident so they had no reason to remember the details of the person who broke it.

When people are told about a situation, the wording of that situation shapes the way we look at it. A study was done using the Super Bowl with the Janet Jackson flashing. Subjects were given a report on what happened and told to come up with a punishment. One of the reports said Justin Timberlake ripped the costume, but the other said the costume was ripped. It didn't matter that they had all the details and had all seen the video, the people who got the first report levied fines 50 percent higher.

Boroditsky, By Lera. "Does Language Influence Culture? - WSJ.com." Business News & Financial News -
The Wall Street Journal - WSJ.com. Web. .

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Epigenetics, Evolution through Experience.

Epigenetics is an emerging science, that is meant to change the way we think about DNA, and its effects on our health. The science of Epigenetics is the study of variation or change in gene activity that do not involve adaptations to the genetic code but still get passed down to at least one subsequent generation.

The following video describes the old beliefs of how DNA controlled our health, while comparing and explaining the new way of thinking which is Epigenetics. It is important to understand the following in order to comprehend the astounding revolutions, Epigenetics may have within the medical community.





Epigenetics suggests that your genes are effected by your behavior, emotions, and experiences.

In studies of rats, "Parental care plays an important role in the emotional and cognitive development of the offspring. Children who have been exposed to abuse or neglect are more likely to develop numerous psychopathologies, while good parent-infant bonding is associated with improved resiliency to stress."

What Does It All Mean...?

Epigenetics, suggests that our own thoughts, emotions, and experiences control our overall physical and mental health. For example if a particular person chooses to smoke and eat in an excessive amounts throughout his/her life, it can change the epigentic marks atop your DNA. Resulting in the subsequent generation to show weak signs of longevity (Age) due to smoking, and or being more prone to obesity due to the over eating of the previous generation.