Yesterday, I posted inspiring articles regarding many science topics from 2014 around our world, and today, I have a perfect transition article discussing how our DNA changes while exercising. “Whaaat?” my scientist deep within exclaims! “DNA doesn’t change, because that is our genetic identification. That’s what makes you …you. DNA cannot change,” I try to convince myself, yet incredibly intrigued at the possibility that changing DNA might be a real phenomenon.
Of course, at this stage of understanding that our carbon-based bodies are in fact changing into crystalline-based bodies, then I already have an acceptance that our DNA is changing, and yet to say it aloud and accept it on the intellectual former-pre-med student level is a whole other story.
“Exercise, a new study finds, changes the shape and functioning of our genes, an important stop on the way to improved health and fitness. The human genome is astonishingly complex and dynamic, with genes constantly turning on or off, depending on what biochemical signals they receive from the body. When genes are turned on, they express proteins that prompt physiological responses elsewhere in the body.”(1)
Subjects would be their own control group, simply by exercising one leg (on a stationary bike) and not the other. This one-legged cycling experiment showed that in the control leg, our genes “play a role in energy metabolism, insulin response and inflammation within muscles. In other words, they affect how healthy and fit our muscles –and bodies– become.”(2)
Malene Lindholm, lead graduate student of this study, stated “Through endurance training –a lifestyle change …is easily available for most people and doesn’t cost much money. We can induce changes that affect how we use our genes and, through that, get healthier and more functional muscles that ultimately improve our quality of life.”(2)
1. How Exercise Changes Our DNA by Gretchen Reynolds. New York Times.
Toyota is banking on hydrogen cars as the “next big thing”
While most of us can verifiably criticize car companies for so many things they might be doing wrong and could improve upon, it is most necessary to commend those who are doing “the right thing.” Toyota has created a new car which they hope will change the face of the automobile industry as we know it! Available this past December 15th in Japan, the Mirai will be available late 2015 in the US and Europe, as the one and only first mass-market hydrogen car.
“The Mirai is hardly a speedster, though it’s quicker than a Prius. It can reach 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour in 9.6 seconds. When you punch it, the car feels like an electric—there’s none of the vibration of a combustion engine….The interior is a Zen sanctuary of silence, save for the rush of wind passing around the vehicle and the occasional muffled sound of the suspension doing its work. The car can double as a mobile power station: A socket in the trunk can electrify the typical Japanese home for about a week in the event of an earthquake or other emergency.”
How do low prices of gasoline decrease airplane sales?
Speaking of hydrogen cars which may impact our use of gasoline cars, our current low prices for gasoline at the pump may decrease airplane sales says George Ferguson from Bloomberg Intelligence in this 2015 aviation outlook video clip. As a result, he says that airlines may in fact start utilizing used planes vs. new planes betting on the idea that travelers will not be able to tell the difference between the two, ultimately leading to lower ticket prices.
One would think that more fuel efficient aircraft is a high priority for any and all airlines, yet Ferguson is saying that it is a matter of airlines deciding how quickly they want to buy said airplanes, when in contrast, their current models work relatively fine, without cause for alarm. It certainly is the standard business issue of how much and how soon is a business willing to re-invest in their company and upgrade to the newest and latest technology. It can be presumed that one clear desire of most people is, of course, good prices, and yet it must be balanced with safe aircrafts, quality pilots, and job performance evaluations, which costs money.
If you are a regular reader of our beloved News Roundup, then you’ll know I am just a smidgen opinionated: ”Who me …a news commentary writer? Never (wink wink)!” Of course, most of us have strong opinions, mine are just published. While I found this article interesting, I could not help but think of the bigger picture here: “Who thinks of these stories to print in the first place? Who decides that this is newsworthy?” To me, this seems a little nonsensical. In other words, where is the connection between low fuel prices and potential decreasing airplane sales? It seems to be fabricated in order to alarm airline families that there is potential danger looming on the horizon to place us in fear.
It’s like there’s some think tank that strums up the most outrageous connections to a good thing happening in society, such as low gas prices. “As long as it invokes fear then it’s worth writing about” must be their motto … in an effort to hook –and keep hooked– as many people locked in fear from as many silly, unrealistic and far-fetching topics as possible. I see it now (someone at the think tank table asking), “How can we turn low gasoline prices into something that’s negative and will bring fear in people?”
“Hey, I got it!” exclaims another black hat, “let’s connect it to airplane sales. ‘Obviously,’ if people are paying less money for gas, then airline sales will drop. And that will impact the airlines –awesome idea! Let’s stir up fear in the families who work for the airlines today …and we’ll pick another industry tomorrow to stir up more illogical unfounded fear. Boy, this fear-mongering works –let’s make up stories everyday attacking different industries and keep everyone on edge!”
Cheap Fuel Threatens to Trim Airplane Sales by Bloomberg Business Week.
Thank you for your listening ears today –I hope you enjoyed my post. I wish you and yours well during this holiday season… and always. If your current situation is heavy and overwhelming, then please remember that this too shall pass!
We Are All One
Gavin