CSB #8: The Effect of Different Exercise on Heart Rate

BY: ZABIN BASHAR, VIKRAM CHARI, and ERIC HOLT

How Standing, Walking, and Jogging Affects Heart Rate

Background Info: Our project tested heart beat rate after doing physical exercise. Heart beat rate was measured after standing in place for a minute, walking in place for a minute, and running in place for a minute. 

Why we chose this topic: We were curious to figure out how various daily activities affected our heart rate. In addition, after watching the video on heart attacks we were concerned about how each activity plays a role in our heart rate, and how we can take care of our hearts in the long-run. 

QUESTION: Does physical exercise increase a person's heart beat rate? Does the physical intensity of the exercise have a positive correlation with heart beat rate.

HYPOTHESIS: We think that physical exercise increases heart beat rate. The more intense the activity, the higher the heart beat rate will go.

METHODS: We first measured a person's heart rate for 1 minute using Vernier's Hand-Grip Heart Rate Monitor. During this one minute, we would either stand, walk, or run in place. Make sure to rest for a few minutes before doing another run of the experiment. After Logger Pro finished collecting data on our laptops, we examined it.

HOW TO HOLD THE HEART GRIP MONITOR

VARIABLES: The intensity of the exercise was the independent variable and the dependent variable was the heart rate.

DATA AND GRAPHS

Leo's heart rate while running

 

 Matthew's heart rate while walking

Zabin's heart rate while standing (Went from 84-94 beats per minute)

 Eric's heart rate while standing

 Vikram's heart rate while running

 Vikram's heart rate while standing

Vikram's heart rate while walking in place

 Zabin's heart rate while running

  Zabin's heart rate while walking

 Eric's heart rate while running 

  

Eric's heart rate while walking in place

Although the values on the tables are not readable, the points on the graphs show that their is an increase in heart rate when exercising. In addition, the faster we moved, the steeper the slope of the graph was. Therefore, we can conclude that the physical intensity had a positive effect on heart rate.  
    
PHYSIOLOGY ASPECT: Cells transport oxygen and energy using blood. The more intense an exercise becomes, the more oxygen and energy is necessary for your body. So, blood needs to be shipped out much faster. In order to ship blood faster, the heart must pump blood out faster. Therefore, heart rate goes up. Since running in place required the most energy, the heart rate went up the most.


FUTURE ADDITIONS: 
When planning this experiment, we also thought about testing the CO2 emissions during exercise. However, we did not have time and ended up doing only heart rate. So, if we repeat this experiment again, we will add that variable.


Thanks to Leo Yu and Matthew Huang for also contributing data sets.

How To Treat Acute Pancreatitis Using Aluminum Foil, Gelatin, Milk Protein, A Cheap LED Light, and A Few Other Cheap Items

BY ZABIN BASHAR

In the university of Texas, a smart grad has found out how to do a fast one-hour test of acute pancreatitis using aluminum foil, gelatin, milk protein, a cheap LED light, and a few other cheap materials. All of this can be done using less than a dollar. For those who do not know, acute pancreatitis is the sudden swelling or inflammation of the panacreas. This is a serious issue which can cause pain, fever, or even death. Since it is so serious, it needs to be identified as quickly as possible. That is why Brian Zaccheo, the graduate behind this amazing device, created it. This test is much faster than any known methods. This sensor is simple enough to understand. It uses a two-step protocoal to test for the disease. In step one, a bit of blood extract is dropped onto a layer of gelatin and milk protein. If there are high levels of trypsin, an enzyme that is overabundant in the blood of patients with acute pancreatitis, the trypsin will break down the mixture the way it breaks down protein in the stomach. In step two, a drop of sodium hydroxide is added. If the trypsin levels were high enough to break down that first barrier, the sodium hydroxide can trickle down to the second barrier, a strip of aluminum foil, and start dissolving it. The foil breaks down, and with both barriers now permeable, a circuit is able to form between a magnesium anode and an iron salt at the cathode. Enough current is generated to light up a red LED. If the LED lights up within an hour, acute pancreatitis is diagnosed. In addition,


This is a great invention because it is cheap and self-powered. It is also faster than any known method. This invention will be useful for people in developing worlds, who do not have the resources for more complicated tests. In addition, it could be used when batteries are in short supply. Finally, it could be used in hospitals as a measure to test for acute pancreatitis. This ingenious solution is brilliant, a model that all future scientists should try to follow: cheap, simple, and fast.








Citations: : Dilow, Clay. "In One Hour, For Less Than a Buck, a Sensor Made of Jell-O and Foil Detects Acute Pancreatitis." Popular Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 May
2011. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/less-buck-sensor-made-jell-o-and-foil-detects-acute-pancreatitis-one-hour>.

Key To Japan's Nuclear Disaster: ALGAE

                                                           By: Zabin Bashar

      Definitions

Penchant- Tendency to do something

Sequester- Isolate

Culture Bacteria- Grow Bacteria

Summary and Discussion

Recently, Japan has undergone one of the most tragic and expensive natural accidents in history. It experienced a 9.0 earthquake, which struck some nuclear power plants. Many of these power plants experienced a meltdown and have released much waste, including the deadly radioactive isotope called strontium-90. Strontium-90 has a similar size to calcium, making it difficult to separate the two. This is where the algae, Closterium Moniliferum, comes 

into play. This algae has a "unique penchant for sequestering strontium into crystals". Generally, C. Moniliferum, tries to go after barium. However, stronium-90 has a size in between calcium and barium, so the algae vacuums this isotope too. One benefit to this algae is that it does not convert the harmless calcium. In addition, the conversion factor could be speeded up by seeding barium in the nuclear power plant's site.

This find could be crucial to helping Japan in its effort to clean up this disaster by saving money and time.  The algae is effective in both of these categories. It is cheap to culture and can start precipitating strontium-90 crystals in half an hour. This ingenious solution to the nuclear crisis is an excellent example of how science can be applied to problems in real life. The algae is an excellent find by scientists and will provide tremendous help for the people of Japan. 

Citations: Dillow, Clay. "Algae Could Be Key to Cleaning Up Nuclear Accident Sites." 

     Popular Science. Popular Science, 1 Apr. 2011. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
     <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/
     algae-could-be-key-cleaning-nuclear-accident-sites>.

CSB #5: New Nanotech Solution Cuts Engine Friction By More Than Half

In any metal on metal machine (i.e: car engines and industrial machines) energy is lost as heat to friction. While this loss can be minute (as in the case of a toaster), the losses could be huge amounts (as in cases like car engines). However, a new nanotech solution, created by Dr. Guojun Liu, could reduce the amount of energy lost to friction. This chemistry professor at Queen's university used base automobile engine oils with nanoscale polymer particles just tens of nanometers in size. When tested under simulated conditions that imitate sufrace metal contact on car engines, these particles reduced friction by more than 50%. Since metal-on-metal machinery is used widely around the world, this cutting edge friction reducing "nanolube" could save enormous amounts of energy. Due to this potential, Dr. Liu has been awarded the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers' Captain Alfred E. Hunt Memorial Award. I think that he is deserving of the award because this has the power to save massive amounts of energy. Being a lubricant, this product is cheap and simple. In a world dominated by energy, this lubricant will be of vital importance. I chose this article, because I am interested in cheap, yet practical methods to solve problems. This is a simple method, in where a lubricant could save much energy in the future. Many people try looking at complex ways to save energy (i.e: solar panel and hybrid cars). However, Dr. Liu found a simple, yet ingenious method to save energy: a lubricant. Small advancements like this, which many people can use, will be necessary in the near future as our energy-wasting ways catch up with us.


Resources:


1) Dillow, Clay. "New 'Nanolube' Could Cut Engine Friction by More Than Half." 
PopSci. N.p., 2 Mar. 2011. Web. 7 Mar. 2011. <http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/
2011-03/ new-nanolube-could-cut-engine-friction-more-half>.

BACTERIA HAS EATEN MUCH METHANE FROM BP OIL SPILL

Definitions:

Oxidize: Combine chemically with oxygen


Methanotrophs - Bacteria that oxidize methane as an energy source

Methane: A gas


Summary:

Last year, we were witness to a terrible oil spill that was detrimental to the Gulf. The cleanup operation as hardly a success, and environmentalists all over the world were worried about this catastrophe. An investigation led by John Kessler, an oceanographer at Texas A&M University has found out that methanotrophs, a species of bacteria, were feasting on the spill. Bacteria have evolved to live with the Gulf's naturally occurring oil seeps and high methane concentrations so they are effective in taking out methane. Their effectiveness is a relief, considering what would have happened without them. In mid-June, scientists found methane concentrations nearly 100,000 times above normal levels, and learned it was decomposing slowly. It was suggested that it would take many years for the hydrocarbon to dissipate. However, within four months of the oil spill, bacterial blooms had removed more than 200,000 metric tons of methane. Kessler and colleagues conducted this investigation by taking three cruises aboard the NOAA ship Pisces between Aug 18 and Oct. 4, collecting 207 separate water samples and measuring their oxygen and methane concentrations. Since oxygen drops when vacteria breath methane, researchers say the depleted oxygen levels can only be explained by the consumption of methane. They also examined the genetic sequences of bacteria in the samples, which suggested a growing population of methane eating life forms. Funnily enough, methane was what started the whole BP oil spill. A methane bubble surged from the Macondo well up the Deepwater Horizon's drill column, busting several seals on its way to the rig, causing a huge explosion. This not only killed 11 people, but also cause 83 days of oil spilling into the Gulf.


Discussion:
I chose this article because I am interested in the BP oil spill and bacteria.  It is amazing that such basic forms of life could have such a huge impact on the environment. This article not only opened my mind to how catastrophic the BP oil spill was, but to how every life form has a place on this planet. It makes me think what my place on this planet is. In addition, I think the Gulf is lucky that the methanotrophs were so efficient or its sea life would face much more trouble than they are now( although they still are facing a lot of trouble.

Questions:

1) Is the genome for the methane harvesting part of the methanotroph mapped out? If so, could we put this in another bacteria and grow methane eating bacteria to put in the atmosphere or another oil spill.?

2) Can we speed up the process of methane eating in methanotroph with genetic engineering?

Citations:
Boyle, Rebecca. "Bacteria Ate All the Methane From the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, New Study Says." PopSci. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2011 <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-01/bacteria-ate-all-methane-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill-new-study-says>.

The Sensor Magician: Santosh Kumar

By Zabin Bashar

Definitions

Accelerometer- This is a device used to measure acceleration, typically that of an automobile, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, or that involved in the vibration of a machine, building, or other structure.

Gyroscope- This is a rotating mechanism which comes in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction

http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/SantoshKumarJuly20_1.JPG

Summary

Santosh Kumar, an Indian professor at the University of Memphis, has created revolutionary, low-powered, cost effective tracking sensors that have widespread uses. One example is his AutoWitness system, made up of playing-card size sensor and a remote server. This inexpensive sensor can track property using cellular signals and inexpensive components. First it detects incriminating motion, as the software can recognize the difference between a theft and rearranging a roof. If the stolen item ends up in a car, the sensors, from time to time, report data about the car’s motion over a cellular network to a remote server along with the signal’s geographical coordinates. Then, the server text messages the car’s last “seen” location to the authorities.  All this can be accomplished with a 1-dollar wireless sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GSM radio, and some complex software. Another example is Kumar’s AutoSense, a system, worn under clothing for monitoring stress levels. Autosense uses a chest band and an armband to track respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, and features an activity monitor. Software can be loaded onto a smart phone, which analyzes the data. For examples, say an addict in treatment is indoors, outdoors, or smoking. With this information, the software can identify the stress and self-destructive behavior and anticipate when the addict is about to relapse, alerting him or his therapist about his new vulnerable states. These sensors have endless possibilities that can only mean good for the world.

Discussion

These cheap sensors are practical for poor third world countries who need to guard their belongings. With these simple cheap sensors, poor citizens will never need to fear for their few belongings. These sensors are also good to monitor people in therapy like a drug addict or depressed person as this device can identify his state of mind and report it to therapists. These sensors are simple, yet effective and have great potential.

Questions

1) When will these sensors start being mass produced for people to use?
A: Probably when he has added finishing touches such as making the device greener.

2) How accurate are these sensors?
A: I think these sensors are really accurate because the police in some areas want to use them.

3) Can anyone’s smart phone use the software
A: Santosh Kumar will probably put this in an app store like Itunes or the Android Market

Sources and Citations:  

Cantor, Doug. "Brilliant 10: Santosh Kumar, the Sensor Guru." PopSci. N.p., 16      Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/      2010-10/brilliant-10-santosh-kumar-sensor-guru>.

Genetically Modified Silk Worms that Weave Spider Silk

                                                                           Definitions
 
Synthetic: Compunds made artifically by humans rather than by a process of nature.
 
Transgenic: An organism whose genome has been altered by the transfer of a gene from another organism

Transposon: a genetic element that can move from one site in a chromosome to another site in the same or a different chromosome and thus alter the genetic constitution of the organism

                                                                            Summary

A Spider Web

A mature silkworm is pictured just before it starts spinning its transgenic silk.

 

Lewis and Malcolm Fraser at the University of Notre Dame have announced that they have bred transgenic silkworms that they genetically modified to weave spider silk. Breeding these silkworms were done using a DNA transposon called “piggyBAC.” This transposon can insert itself into a cell’s genetic material. The researchers used snippets of spider DNA into silkworm embryos, resulting in silkworms that spin a hybridized part-silkworm, part-spider silk. To insure they had engineered a new silkworm, the researchers added fluorescent protein to the spider DNA. The mutant silkworms received glowing red eyes, and their silk turned out to be fluorescent green. Amount of silk is no issue for these silkworms whose cocoon contains more than a half-mile of silk thread. . Spider silk is a natural phenomenon which is much stronger than steel.  This silk has so many practical uses. These include artificial ligaments, super-strong wound dressings or even body armor as it is stronger than Kevlar. There could even be spider-silk replacement tendons, parachute cords and more. It could even be used to transport drugs. With such practical uses, spider silk will be an important resource in the future.

                                                                       Discussion
Spider silk is a strong, flexible, and durable material that can be used for many purposes. Now that we have found a way to make a lot of spider silk safely, we will soon be able to mass produce spider silk. With more silk, many new breakthroughs could be made using this material. Researchers have already envisioned artificial ligaments, strong wound dressing, body armor, spider silk replacement tendons and parachute chords, we already know many possibilities to use spider silk for. It can even be helpful in the medical area with transport in drugs. Body armor could be revolutionized and made super light with this spider silk that is 10x stronger than Kevlar. A hot field in the future could be uses of spider silk.
                                                                        Questions
1. Can spider silk be used for important applications apart from the ones I listed? Will it be the cloth of the future?

2. Can spider silk be used to make comfortable clothes? If so, then all people will be safe as they will have bulletproof material.

3. Is it possible to genetically modify other animals, apart from goats, to make spider silk? (Genetically modified goats can already do this with proteins in their milk)

                                                                           Citations
Article- Boyle, Rebecca. "How Modified Worms and Goats Can Mass-Produce Nature's Toughest
     Fiber." Popular Science. N.p., 6 Oct. 2010. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
     <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-10/
     fabrics-spider-silk-get-closer-reality>.

Definitions- "Synthetic, Transgenic." Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. N.p., n.d.
     Web. 15 Oct. 2010. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/>. 

Spider Web Picture-. Google Images. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. < http://www.vinnova.se/upload/ bilder/Resultat/Artiklar/spindelv%C3%A4v.jpg.bmp >.