All in Science & Nature

 ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Forests and ROD

 ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Forests and ROD

Grace Klein
Environmental Policy, Science & Nature

 ‘Ōhi‘a trees are the bedrock of Hawaiian forests. Not only do they provide watershed protection and are a specific critical habitat for many biota, but they are also a critical food source for endemic birds (Friday and Herbert). ‘Ōhi‘a forests grow on the six largest Hawaiian islands: the Big Island, Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Oahu, and Kaua`i. They are a resilient species, tolerant of various conditions such as frost, volcanic gases, and extreme changes in moisture (Friday and Herbert). “ ‘Ōhi‘a trees seed prolifically but grow slowly. They survive by colonizing lava flows or fallen logs in forest gaps where other vegetation cannot compete” (Friday and Herbert). This article explores endemic and endangered Hawaiian plants by examining the ‘Ōhi‘a lehua tree, and its history and importance in Hawaiian culture.  

Hereditary Diseases: How Do They Work?

Hereditary Diseases: How Do They Work?

Siddharth I Sharma
Science & Nature

In 1819, Queen Victoria was born with what scientists currently believe was a spontaneous mutation in her genome. Though unaffected herself, some of her children and then her grandchildren began to show signs of a bleeding disease. Her great-grandson, Alexei Romanov, would go on to seek the consultation of Grigori Rasputin to treat this condition. In time, the “royal disease” would go on to become one of the most famous examples of a hereditary disease, known more commonly today as hemophilia. However, it wasn’t until 1902 when Archibald Garrod’s observations of alkaptoneuria, highlighted the relevance of Mendel’s principles in the study of hereditary diseases (Urban, 1999). With today’s advancements in medicine, the focus naturally turns to conditions that are inherited, and whether or not a cure could ever be possible.

The Significance of Earth’s Carbon Cycle

The Significance of Earth’s Carbon Cycle

KaraLeigh Eva Loya
Science & Nature

The carbon atom is recognized as “the building block” of life, not only for its abundance but also for its unique chemical structure, which allows the formation of numerous and diverse stable bonds.  It takes many forms and is found in all of Earth’s spheres – from nucleic acid within the DNA of all living things, to the inorganic compounds essential to all ecosystems.

Removing Carbon From Our Atmosphere With Carbon Capture Technology

Removing Carbon From Our Atmosphere With Carbon Capture Technology

Aidan O'Leary
Environmental Policy, Science & Nature

Climate change is a topic gaining more and more relevance as time goes on. This is because we have measured an increase in carbon within our atmosphere because of burning fossil fuels. Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide “total about 34 billion tonnes per year. About 45% of this is from coal, about 35% from oil, and about 20% from gas” (World Nuclear Association). A way to mitigate this is by carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS).

19 of the 20 fastest marathon times ever belong to runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. Here’s why.

19 of the 20 fastest marathon times ever belong to runners from Kenya and Ethiopia. Here’s why.

Ishan Gupta
Sports, Science & Nature

Of the 100 fastest marathon times in history, 89 belong to runners from Kenya or Ethiopia. Furthermore, of the top 20 fastest times, 19 have been run by athletes from this region. What is it about the runners from these two East African countries that makes them superior at long-distance events? 

In 2019, the global average time for this 26.2-mile race was 4:32:39, which is equivalent to a speed of about 10 minutes and 34 seconds per mile. The fastest officially recognized time¹, recently run by the late Kenyan distance runner Kelvin Kiptum, was 2:00:35, a staggering pace of exactly 4 minutes and 36 seconds per mile. This is a near full-on sprint for 26.2 miles. The marathon is not a sport that requires extensive finesse, strategy, or athleticism; it is a test of endurance – of how much one can push one's body – and at the highest level, with everybody pushing themselves to the absolute limit, there must be a scientific reason for why Kenyans and Ethiopians have unequivocally dominated the sport. 

Quantum Computing: The New Paradigm

Quantum Computing: The New Paradigm

Zoha Imran
Science & Nature

A quantum computer is a computing device that uses quantum bits (qubits), which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to superposition and be correlated through entanglement, enabling it to solve certain complex problems much faster than classical computers. 

The journey to quantum computing began with the early developments in quantum mechanics. Max Planck's pioneering work revealed the concept of discreteness at sub-atomic levels. J.J. Thomson's discovery of electrons in the cathode ray tube, followed by Rutherford's description of electrons orbiting the nucleus, laid crucial foundations. An unexpected source of insight came from a bad cigar, which played a role in uncovering the concept of spin as intrinsic angular momentum in electrons (Friedrich & Herschbach, 2003).

Preserving History Amid Climate Change: Heritage Site Conservation

Preserving History Amid Climate Change: Heritage Site Conservation

Ankita Nandi
Public Policy, Science & Nature

The ever-pervasive nature of climate change has impacted all facets of society and spurred scientific research into alternative energy sources, developing carbon-negative materials, and designing sustainable infrastructure, amongst many other research topics. These research directions seek to develop new technologies to tackle climate change consequences before they happen. However, along with looking towards the future, it is just as important to understand how we can preserve the past as climate change impacts historical items, materials, and architecture. Focusing on the impact of climate change on historical sites, cultural conservation research has evolved to include understanding how climate change impacts cultural heritage sites, and how we can continue to preserve these sites.

Gene Editing: What You Need to Know 

Gene Editing: What You Need to Know 

Siddharth I Sharma
Science & Nature

Beginning in the 19th century, the field of genetics saw significant growth in thought. Though concepts of heredity were postulated long before the term entered the scientific lexicon, it wasn’t until Gregor Mendel’s work on pea plants in 1865 that the concept of heredity was fully understood. By 1944, Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty discovered that DNA was the “transforming principle,” the fundamental chemical component of genes (“1944: DNA Is \"Transforming Principle\,"” n.d.).

Are We Ready for “Peak Oil”?

Are We Ready for “Peak Oil”?

KaraLeigh Eva Loya
Science & Nature

The roads we drive on daily, the technologies that run our world, the food we eat, and the products we purchase all rely upon fossil-based resources.  Our extensive use of fossils makes them necessary for a functioning society as we know it. The raw materials and all relevant supply chains are subject to government regulation and often centralized in international affairs.  The matter is highly politicized, with heavy debate surrounding climate change, energy independence, and a myriad of related topics.

There is, however, one incontrovertible truth underneath each discussion – the reality of peak oil. 

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