Some recent
science finds of note
SUGAR SHOCKER … “Contrary to parental belief, sugar may actually cause drowsiness,
not hyperactivity,” says Laura Sanders in Science
News (Aug. 8th). According to a recent scientific study in the Journal of Neuroscience, key brain cells
awash in glucose put mice to sleep … “We all experience this strong feeling of
sleepiness after a very large meal,” reports French co-author Christophe Varin
of the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center. Those study results suggest that
sugar is the cause for these post-meal naps … This correlates with a 2006 study
published in Human Psychopharmacology:
Clinical and Experimental which found that high-energy drinks, often loaded
with sugar, can lead to quick surges of alertness. But over time, such
high-sugar drinks, that have little caffeine, may actually enhance sleepiness.
NANOPARTICLES … According to Science News
(Oct. 31th), many of us have been noshing on all manner of nanoparticles for
some time. Explained Susan Gaidos, “Over the last two decades, nano-sized
components – smaller than 100 nanometers – have found their way into a wide
range of products: clothing, electronics and cosmetics as well as food” … Some
of the more common teensy tiny additives include titanium dioxide, silicon
dioxide and zinc oxide. Recent studies have suggested that these tiny compounds
may not be as benign as originally thought, and most studies have focused on
potential harm to the intestinal tract. But Dr. James Waldman is worried about
studies that show that these nanoparticles don’t stay in one place in the body.
“Particles are getting into the bloodstream,” he noted, “and once they’re
there, they can go on to any other organ” … Foods with significant amounts of
titanium dioxide include Hostess powdered Donettes, Kool-Aid blue raspberry,
M&M chocolate candy, Betty Crocker whipped cream frosting, Trident White
peppermint gum, Jell-O banana cream pudding, Mother’s iced oatmeal cookies,
Albertson’s mini-marshmallows and Vanilla milkshake Pop-Tarts.
STRANGE RELATIONS … Science News reported in
August on an article that appeared in Science
magazine earlier in the year, which turns our view of evolutionary branchings
on its head. Gone are the “kingdoms” of the old biology tree of life. Humans
and animals get lumped in with mushrooms and eukaryotic microorganisms under
the supergroup heading “Opisthokonts” – derived from two Greek words meaning
“rear poles.” Opisthokonts refers to the common characteristic of organisms
having flagellate cells, such as the sperm of most animals and the spores
of chytrid fungi, which propel themselves with a single posterior flagellum
… I suppose we might start fine-tuning our insults of variously undesirable
humans from ass-holes to ass-poles.
ARCHIVE …
It’s a little tricky to find my column’s on the Watch’s on-line site. You have to go to the “E-edition” hot key,
get the issue you’re interested in, and scroll down to the column … So, I’ve
created a personal blog in case some folks want to see the column and make
comments. Go to upbearcreek.blogspot.com … I currently have four columns up and
running and will post future ones after they’ve been published in the Watch.
POETRY …
In 1992, 17 percent of Americans said they read a poem at least once in the
past year. In 2012 that number fell to just 6.7 percent, according to the Washington Post … But this January the Telluride Institute’s
Talking Gourds Poetry Club will be attempting to turn that focus around with a
First Tuesday reading at Arroyo’s in Telluride that will feature famed
Southwestern master poet Judyth Hill teaming up with international pop
sensation and poet Jewel (Kilcher). It’s free. Don’t miss.
KEVIN RITTER
… The general manager of San Miguel Power Association is retiring after eight
years on the job. And what a productive eight years it has been … Taking over
at the start of a significant economic downturn and in the middle of a lawsuit
controversy over a new 115kV line across Wilson Mesa, things did not look
promising in 2007. But working together, the County and Ritter, along with
other partners, were able to broker a compromise that allowed the line to be
built and undergrounded across much of the region’s most scenic mesa. SMPA went
on to build the largest single community-owned solar array in the country,
converted its system to automatic metering, retired capital credits (paying
money back to its member/owners), shelled out $1 million in Christmas credits
in 2014, instituted its EnergyWise newsletter (which I read religiously), is
working on a fiber-optic network for the region, offers a green block program, is
focused on renewables – the list goes on and on. Of course, to accomplish all
this it took strong board backing from the likes of the late Wes Perrin and
others, a dedicated local staff and the support of its member/owners … But one
has to think Mr. Ritter deserves a huge thank you from our regional community
for a job well done.
THE TALKING GOURD
Tucson
the desert breaths
thin and spare
January air
no way to soften
the sun
no escape
from truth's sharp
edges
Carol Anne Modena
Port Townsend
