Category Archives: North Dakota Stem Cells

Introduction

Freezing is one of the easiest, quickest, most versatile and most convenient methods of preserving foods. Properly frozen foods maintain more of their original color, flavor and texture and generally more of their nutrients than foods preserved by other methods.

Good freezer management is important. The following tips will help you get the most of your freezer dollar.

The condition of the food at the time of freezing will determine the final quality of the frozen food. Frozen food can be no better than the food was before it was frozen. Freezing does not sterilize foods as canning does. It simply retards the growth of microorganisms and slows down chemical changes that affect quality or cause food spoilage.

Freezing, heating and chemical compounds can control enzyme actions. Freezing slows enzyme activity so that many frozen foods, such as meats and many fruits, will keep satisfactorily with little or no further treatment.

Enzymes in vegetables are inactivated by heat during the recommended blanching process. Enzymes in fruits, causing browning and loss of vitamin C, are controlled by chemical compounds (antioxidants).

Oxygen in the air may cause flavor and color changes if the food is improperly packaged.

Microorganisms do not grow at freezer temperature, but most are not destroyed and will multiply as quickly as ever when the frozen food is thawed and allowed to stand at room temperature.

The formation of small ice crystals during freezing is desirable. Fast freezing is the most practical way to form small ice crystals. Large ice crystals associated with slow freezing tend to rupture the cells, causing an undesirable texture change.

Maintain temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit or less to keep frozen foods at top quality. The storage life of foods is shortened as the temperature rises. For example, the same loss of quality in frozen beans stored at 0 F for one year will occur in three months at 10 F, in three weeks at 20 F, and in five days at 30 F.

Fluctuating temperatures result in growth in the size of ice crystals, further damaging cells and creating a mushier product. Changes in temperature can also cause water to migrate from the product.

Improperly protected food will lose moisture, color, flavor and texture. Ice crystal evaporation from an area at the surface results in freezer burn, which is a dry, grainy, brownish area that becomes tough. Freezer burn does not render a food unsafe, only less desirable.

The prime purpose of packaging is to keep food from drying out and to preserve nutritive value, flavor, texture and color. Labels on packages will say if the product is suitable for freezer storage. A good packaging material should have the following characteristics:

The packaging you select will depend on the type of food to be frozen, personal preference and availability. For satisfactory results, do not freeze fruits and vegetables in containers larger than one-half gallon.

Packaging not sufficiently moisture/vapor-resistant for long-time freezer storage includes ordinary waxed paper and paper cartons from ice cream and milk.

Rigid containers are made of plastic, glass, aluminum and heavily waxed cardboard and are suitable for all packs. These are often reusable. Straight or tapered sides on rigid containers make it much easier to remove frozen foods.

Glass jars used for freezing should be made for the purpose. Regular glass jars may not withstand the extremes in temperature. Do not use regular, narrow-mouth canning jars for freezing foods packed in liquid. Expansion of the liquid could cause the jar to break at the neck.

Cans, such as shortening and coffee cans, are good for packaging delicate foods. Line the can with a food-storage bag and seal the lid with freezer tape because they are not airtight.

Baking dishes can be used for freezing, heating and serving. Dishes may be covered with a heavy aluminum foil taped with freezer tape. To reuse the baking dish after the food is frozen, wrap the food in casserole-wrap fashion.

Ice cube trays are good for freezing foods in small amounts. Freeze food until firm and then transfer to freezer bags.

Bags and sheets of moisture/vapor-resistant materials and heavy-duty foil are suitable for dry packed vegetables and fruits, meat, fish or poultry. Bags can also be used for liquid packs. Protective cardboard cartons may be used to protect bags and sheets from tearing and to make stacking easier.

Laminated papers made of various combinations of paper, metal foil and/or cellophane are suitable for dry packed vegetables and fruits, meats, fish and poultry. Laminated papers are also used as protective overwrap.

Keep a list of all the foods in the freezer. Update the list each time food you put food in or take it out of the freezer. Use of an inventory can prevent overstorage of foods and loss of quality.

See sample.

Most of the changes that appear during thawing are a result of freezing and storage. When food is thawed the ice crystals melt, the liquid is either absorbed back into the food or leaks out from the food. Slow, well-controlled thawing usually results in better return of moisture to the food and results in a food more like the original food than rapid thawing.

Thawing in the refrigerator is the safest thawing method. Food standing at room temperature gives microorganisms the opportunity for growth and activity.

See Thawing Fruits.

The basis for safety in refreezing foods is the temperature at which thawed foods have been held and the length of time they were held after thawing. You can safely refreeze foods that still contain ice crystals or if they are still cold, i.e. below 40 F, and have been held no longer than one or two days at this temperature after thawing. In general, if it is safe to eat it is safe to refreeze.

Unfortunately, you often dont know the time and temperature. In these cases, you need to consider the following points.

If the freezer will not be operational within a day or two:

Use dry ice if available. Twenty-five pounds of dry ice in a 10 cubic foot freezer should hold the temperature below freezing for two to three days with less than half a load and three to four days in a fully loaded cabinet if you obtain dry ice quickly following interruption of freezer operation.

Place dry ice on boards or heavy cardboard on top of packages. Open freezer only when necessary. Dont handle dry ice with bare hands as it will cause burns. When using dry ice be sure the room is ventilated.

If dry ice is not available, other options are to:

- Cover the freezer with layers of newspaper and blankets. Pin the blankets away from the air vent. The air vent must be open because the freezer needs air when electricity comes on. A blanket cover will help even when using dry ice.

- Find other freezer storage at a locker plant or with friends and neighbors. Transfer foods in insulated boxes or well-wrapped in layers of newspapers.

Refreezing needs to be done quickly. Clean the freezer before refilling. If the freezer has an adjustable temperature control, turn it to the coldest position.

Check each package or container of food. You often can check nonrigid containers without opening by squeezing to feel for ice crystals. If they need to be opened they should be carefully rewrapped.

Place the warmer packages against the refrigerated surface when possible, but leave space between packages for air circulation.

The quality of refrozen foods is diminished.

Label and use refrozen foods as soon as possible.

Foods that have defrosted have no remaining ice crystals. If defrosted foods have warmed above refrigerator temperature (40 F) they should not be refrozen, except for very high acid foods, such as fruits.

Many thawed foods, i.e. those still containing many ice crystals or a firm-to-hard core of ice in the center, may be safely refrozen.

Any signs of spoilage, off-odors or color in any food indicate you should dispose of the food without tasting.

Remember, however, that you cant rely on appearance and odor. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if theyve been at room temperature too long, food poisoning bacteria may have multiplied enough to cause illness.

Meats, such as beef, pork, veal, lamb and poultry can be refrozen when they are still firm with ice crystals. Meat still safe to eat can be cooked and refrozen. Discard meats if they have any signs of spoilage such as an off-color or off-odor.

Fruits usually ferment when they start to spoil, which will not make them dangerous to eat but will spoil the flavor. Defrosted fruits that smell and taste good can be refrozen.

Vegetables should be refrozen only if they contain plenty of ice crystals.

Shellfish, prepared foods or leftovers should not be refrozen if defrosted. If the condition of the food is poor or even questionable, get rid of it. It may be dangerous.

Never refreeze melted ice cream, cream pies, eclairs or similar foods.

Unfrosted cakes, uncooked fruit pies, breads and rolls can be refrozen.

The investment in the foods in the freezer may be significant, but so are the benefits of serving safe foods.

Recent studies have shown the nutrient content of frozen, fresh ready-to-eat and canned foods to be nearly comparable. Nutrient content is the highest when foods are preserved or eaten as soon after harvest as possible.

Fresh, tender vegetables right from the garden are best for freezing. If vegetables cannot be frozen immediately after harvesting, store them in the refrigerator to preserve freshness until they can be prepared and frozen.

See table 1, for approximate yield of frozen vegetables from fresh.

Not all vegetables freeze well. Be sure to contact your county extension office for information on recommended varieties of vegetables for North Dakota to ensure a good crop to fill the freezer.

Blanching is scalding the vegetables in water or in steam for a short time. It is a very important step in freezing vegetables because it slows or stops the action of enzymes. These enzymes are essential for growth and ripening. If the enzyme action is not stopped before freezing, the vegetables may continue maturing, develop off-flavors, discolor, or toughen so they may be unappetizing in a short time.

This heating process also wilts or softens vegetables and makes them easier to pack. Some microorganisms are killed and the color is brightened.

Blanching times vary with the size and kind of vegetable. The times recommended are just long enough to stop or destroy the enzymes. Be sure to follow the recommended blanching times.

Underblanching can stimulate the activity of some en-zymes and is worse than not blanching at all. Overblanching results in loss of vitamins, minerals, flavor and color.

Use a blancher that has a blanching basket and cover or fit a wire basket into a large kettle with a cover. A cheesecloth bag is another option. Use at least 1 gallon of water for each pound of vegetables. Put the vegetables into the basket or bag and lower the basket into the boiling water. Cover and start counting time immediately. Keep heat high and continue boiling for the time specified for the vegetable you are freezing. If boiling stops, you are blanching too large a quantity at one time.

The same water can be reused several times for blanching; just be sure to bring it back to a vigorous boil before adding vegetables.

Put 1 to 2 inches of water in a kettle and bring to a rolling boil. Suspend a thin layer of vegetables in a wire basket or cheesecloth over the rapidly boiling water. Cover, keep the heat on high, and steam blanch vegetables the time recommended in the table.

Microwave-blanched vegetables are not as acceptable as either water- or steam-blanched vegetables. Using the microwave for vegetable blanching does not save significant time. This is because the time required when using either water or steam is so short.

If you choose to use the microwave for blanching vegetables, check the oven manufacturers recommendations.

After vegetables are heated they should be cooled quickly and thoroughly to stop the cooking. After heating, plunge the basket of vegetables immediately into a large quantity of cold water. Change water frequently or use cold running water or ice water. If ice is used youll need about 1 pound of ice for each pound of vegetables. It takes about as long to cool the vegetables as it does to heat them. When vegetables are cool, remove from water and drain thoroughly.

When using rigid containers leave head space (see below). Food expands when it freezes, and the top may pop off the container if it is too full.

When using freezer bags, press air out of unfilled part of the bag, seal and freeze. If the bag has a twist closure, be sure to twist the bag and fold the bag back in a gooseneck before securing the twist. If this is not done, air will rush back into the bag.

Vegetables can be packed either solid or loose.

Solid pack: Put drained vegetables into freezer containers. Pack tightly to cut down on the amount of air in the container or bag. Seal and freeze.

Loose or tray pack: This enables you to pour out as much as you want from a large package. Spread the drained vegetables in a single layer on a tray and freeze. As soon as they are frozen, pour into rigid freezer containers or bags, seal and return to freezer. Remove as you need them.

Most frozen vegetables should be cooked without thawing them first. Corn on the cob is an exception it should be partially thawed so the cob is heated through by the time the corn is cooked. This takes about 10 minutes.

Do not overcook vegetables. Cook only until tender. Most vegetables have been partially cooked when blanched, so less cooking time is required than for fresh vegetables. Cook in a small amount of water; about cup is sufficient.

Note: The microwave oven does an excellent job of cooking frozen vegetables. Follow the manufacturers recommendations for times and power selections.

Most fruits can be frozen satisfactorily, but the quality of the frozen product will vary with the kind of fruit, stage of maturity and type of pack.

Select a variety suitable for freezing. Select fruits with a firm texture and well-developed flavor and treat them with respect. Wash small lots (2 to 3 quarts) at a time to avoid bruising. Wash through several changes of cold water, lifting produce out of the water so dirt will not settle back on the fruit. Do not let produce soak.

Fruits are prepared for freezing in about the same way as for serving. It is best to prepare enough fruit for only 2 to 3 quarts at one time.

If fruit is to be crushed, suit the method to the fruit. A wire potato masher, pastry fork or slotted spoon may be used to crush soft fruits. Firm fruits may be crushed more easily with a food chopper. A colander, food press or strainer is useful for making purees. Blenders and food processors tend to liquify the fruit too much.

Do not use galvanized ware with fruit or fruit juices because the acid in fruit dissolves the zinc, which is poisonous. Metallic off-flavors may result from the use of iron utensils, chipped enameled ware or tinware that is not well tinned.

Some fruits such as peaches, apples, pears and apricots darken quickly when exposed to air and during freezing.

While preparing, keep peeled, halved, quartered, sliced or diced fruits that turn dark in a solution of ascorbic acid. This procedure is also useful for preventing stem-end discoloration in cherries and grapes. You can get ascorbic acid in several forms:

Pure powdered form seasonally available among canners supplies in supermarkets. One level teaspoon of pure powder weighs about three grams. Use one teaspoon per gallon of water as a treatment solution.

Vitamin C tablets economical and available year round in many stores. Buy 500-milligram tablets; crush and dissolve six tablets per gallon of water as a treatment solution.

Commercially prepared mixes of ascorbic and citric acid seasonally available among canners supplies in supermarkets. Citric acid powder is sold in supermarkets, but it is less effective in controlling discoloration. If you choose to use these products, follow the manufacturers directions.

There are several types of fruit packs suitable for freezing: syrup pack, sugar pack, unsweetened pack, tray pack or sugar replacement pack.

Most fruits have a better texture and flavor if packed in sugar or syrup. Some can be satisfactorily packed without sweetening, but vitamin C losses are greatest when fruits are packed without sugar. The type of pack will depend on the intended use. Fruits packed in syrup are generally best for serving uncooked; those packed in dry sugar or unsweetened are best for most cooking purposes because there is less liquid in the product. Unsweetened packs and sugar replacement packs are often used by people on special diets.

The proportion of sugar to water used depends on the sweetness of the fruit and the taste preference of the user. A 40 percent syrup is recommended for most fruits. Lighter syrups are desirable for mild flavored fruits to prevent masking the flavor. Heavier syrups may be used for very sour fruits.

To make syrup, dissolve the sugar in lukewarm water until the solution is clear. Cool syrup before using.

Use just enough cold syrup to cover the prepared fruit after it has been settled by jarring the container (about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of syrup per pint). To keep the fruit under the syrup, place a small piece of crumpled waxed paper or other water resistant wrapping material on the top and press the fruit down into the syrup before closing, sealing and freezing.

Fruit can be packed dry. Place the clean fruit in the carton, cover and freeze, or cover with water containing ascorbic acid or packed in unsweetened juice. For fruit packed in water or juice, submerge fruit by using a small piece of crumpled water-resistant material as for syrup and sugar packs. Seal tightly and freeze.

Unsweetened packs generally yield a lower quality product than packs with sugar. However, some fruits such as raspberries, blueberries, scalded apples, gooseberries, currants, cranberries and rhubarb give a good quality without sugar.

Put fruit in a bowl or shallow pan. Sprinkle sugar over the fruit and mix gently until the juice is drawn out and the sugar is dissolved. Use a large spoon or pancake turner for mixing.

Soft sliced fruits, such as peaches, strawberries, plums and cherries will yield sufficient syrup for covering if the fruit is layered with sugar and allowed to stand for 15 minutes. Some whole fruits may be coated with sugar and frozen.

Pack fruit and juice into container. Place a small piece of crumpled water-resistant paper on top to hold fruit down in the juice. Seal and freeze.

This is a good pack for the fruits mentioned above in unsweetened pack section. Spread a single layer of prepared fruit on shallow trays. Freeze and package in freezer bags promptly. The fruit pieces remain loose. Later the bag may be opened, the needed amount taken out, and the bag reclosed and returned to the freezer.

Sugar substitutes can be used when freezing fruits. They will give a sweet taste but do not furnish the beneficial effects of sugar like color protection and thick syrup. Fruits frozen with sugar replacements will freeze harder and thaw more slowly than those preserved with sugar.

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Food Freezing Guide - North Dakota State University

Newswise (Rockville, Md.) June 17, 2022Physiology educators will gather in Madison, Wisconsin, June 2124, 2022, for the American Physiological Society (APS) Institute on Teaching and Learning (ITL). The interactive multiday workshop will engage educators in sessions focused on the latest research and best practices in teaching, learning and assessment.

We are very excited that APS President Dee Silverthorn, PhD, FAPS, will be giving the keynote lecture for the fifth ITL. The meeting will cover topics such as inclusive and anti-racist teaching, mentoring and advising; assessment; helping students cope with failure in research; career transitions to teaching; and tools for teaching challenging physiology concepts. Something new this year will be featured workshops to bookend the conference, said co-organizers Beth Beason-Abmayr, PhD, of Rice University in Houston, and Ryan Downey, PhD, of the American University of the Caribbean in Saint Maarten, in a statement.

Highlighted sessions are listed below. View the meeting program for more information.

Program Highlights

Tuesday, June 21

Featured workshopScientific communication through improv: talking about tough ideas

Facilitator: Monkey Business Institute,Madison, Wisconsin

Keynote lectureAdapting to change: reflections on the evolution of teaching and learning

Speaker: Dee Silverthorn, PhD,FAPS,University of Texas at Austin

Wednesday, June 22

Plenary lecture 1Where do we go from here? Key considerations for equity-focused teaching in dynamic times

Speaker: Kayon Murray-Johnson, PhD,University of Rhode Island

Workshop 1Navigating difficult dialogues on race and justice: building capacity for when emotions run high

Facilitator: Kayon Murray-Johnson, PhD,University of Rhode Island

Workshop 2Effective and inclusive assessment strategies in physiology

Facilitator: Josef Brandauer, PhD,Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania

Workshop 3A framework for reasoning about complex physiological systems

Facilitator: Tara Slominski, PhD,North Dakota State University

Plenary lecture 2Toward more inclusive biology learning environments: identifying inequities and possible underlying mechanisms

Speaker: Katelyn Cooper, PhD,Arizona State University

Workshop 4Building inclusive and fair classrooms: spotting sources of bias in biology classrooms

Facilitator: Katelyn Cooper, PhD,Arizona State University

Workshop 5The joys and challenges of mentoring students and colleagues in teaching settings

Facilitators: Robert Carroll, PhD, FAPS,Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University;Dee Silverthorn, PhD, FAPS,University of Texas at Austin

Workshop 6Teaching strategies/tools: Learning how to use dramatization to teach difficult concepts in physiology

Facilitators: Helena Carvalho, PhD,Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine;Patricia Halpin, PhD,University of New Hampshire at Manchester;Elke Scholz-Morris, PhD,Methodist College Unity Point Health, Peoria, Illinois

Thursday, June 23

Plenary lecture 3Anti-racist and inclusive pedagogies

Speaker: Amanda Jungels, PhD,Rice University, Houston

Workshop 7Using anti-racist and inclusive techniques in the classroom

Facilitator: Amanda Jungels, PhD,Rice University, Houston

Workshop 8Inclusive and productive advising

Facilitator: Katie Johnson, PhD,Trail Build LLC, East Troy, Wisconsin

Workshop 9How do I move up or over? Making transitions to teaching and education

Facilitator: Sydella Blatch, PhD,National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland

Plenary lecture 4Failing (in order) to succeed: Exploring how challenge and failure in course-based undergraduate research experiences can become a learning opportunity

Speaker: Lisa Corwin, PhD,University of Colorado, Boulder

Workshop 10Failing (in order) to succeed: helping STEM students to approach challenges, cope with failures and develop scientific resilience

Facilitator: Lisa Corwin, PhD,University of Colorado, Boulder

Workshop 11Putting our points where our mouths are: pre-specifying exam structure to improve cognitive richness and fairness

Facilitators: Gregory Crowther, PhD,Everett Community College, Seattle;Benjamin Wiggins, PhD,University of Washington

Workshop 12Teaching strategies/tools: tools for teaching cell signaling, bioenergetics and the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve

Facilitators: Zhiyong Cheng, PhD,University of Florida;Alice Villalobos, PhD,Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Friday, June 24

Plenary lecture 5Bearing witness to trauma and resilience of our students

Speaker: Mays Imad, PhD,Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona

Featured workshopEngaging students and identifying barriers to inclusion in physiology classrooms

Facilitators: Monica Cardenas Guzman,University of Maryland;Jeff Schinske, PhD,Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, California

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: The APS Institute on Teaching and Learning will be held June 2124 in Madison, Wisconsin. To schedule an interview with the researchers, conference organizers or presenters, contact APS Media Relations or call 301.634.7314. Find more highlights in our Newsroom.

Physiology is a broad area of scientific inquiry that focuses on how molecules, cells, tissues and organs function in health and disease. The American Physiological Society connects a global, multidisciplinary community of more than 10,000 biomedical scientists and educators as part of its mission to advance scientific discovery, understand life and improve health. The Society drives collaboration and spotlights scientific discoveries through its 16 scholarly journals and programming that support researchers and educators in their work.

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Physiology Educators to Discuss Inclusive Teaching, Mentoring and Assessment at the APS Institute for Teaching and Learning - Newswise

Newswise (FARGO, ND) ND EPSCoR (North Dakota Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) ND-ACES (New Discoveries in the Advanced Interface of Computation, Engineering, and Science) will host an Education Pathways for Careers in STEM virtual public Science Caf on March 30. This event will feature science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty members from North Dakota Universities discussing STEM majors and STEM careers with secondary students from around the state.

In this free, public event, researchers from ND-ACES will talk about STEM majors and their connection to different career paths. Panelists will also answer audience questions and share their exciting scientific research. Students, families, educators, and staff are all welcome to attend.

This Science Caf will be moderated by Dr. Colin K. Combs, a University of North Dakota (UND) Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at UND, and Dr. Kalpana S. Katti, a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering and the Graduate Program Coordinator at North Dakota State University (NDSU). Dr. Katti and Dr. Combs Co-Lead the Center for Cellular Biointerfaces in Science and Engineering (CCBSE).

This event is free and open to the public via Zoom webinar on Wednesday, March 30 at 3:00 pm CDT.

For more information on the event, please visit: https://www.ndepscor.ndus.edu/about/news/science_cafe/

To join the virtual Science Caf event via the Zoom webinar, please visit:https://ndsu.zoom.us/j/93534279178?pwd=Y09ORUZkbTU1VzJlWkpuZE9ZeXdjdz09

About the Panelists

Dr. Mark Hoffmann is a UND Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Associate Dean for Research at the University of North Dakota. In addition, Dr. Hoffman is an ND-ACES Computation, Machine Learning, and Predictive Modeling Pillar Co-Lead.

Dr. Khwaja G. Hossain is a Professor of Biology at Mayville State University. In addition, Dr. Hossain is an ND-ACES Materials Design at Biointerfaces Pillar researcher.

Dr. Dinesh R. Katti is a Jordon A. Engberg Presidential Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at North Dakota State University. In addition, Dr. Katti is an ND-ACES Computation, Machine Learning, and Predictive Modeling Pillar Co-Lead.

Dr. Jiha Kim is an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences at North Dakota State University. In addition, Dr. Kim is an ND-ACES Cellular Systems at Materials Interface Pillar researcher.

Dr. Julia Xiaojun Zhao is a Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Dakota. In addition, Dr. Zhao is an ND-ACES Materials Design at Biointerfaces Pillar Co-Lead.

About ND-ACES

ND-ACES: New Discoveries in the Advanced Interface of Computation, Engineering, and Science (ND-ACES), ND EPSCoR's most recent NSF RII, is a five-year cooperative agreement with an 80/20% federal/state match.

ND-ACES builds research capacity to better understand design rules that govern in vitro biointerfaces and influence in vivo decisions surrounding the understanding of biochemistry and the cell biology of cancer cells and tumors. To address the clinical need for more robust in vivo-like biointerfaces, CCBSE will rely on a coordinated effort across three pillars of scientific inquiry: 1) Materials design at biointerfaces; 2) Cellular systems at materials interface; and 3) Computation, machine learning, and predictive modeling. Computationally created design rules can enhance the predictability of cellular responses to material surface characteristics and provide fundamental information to address many bioscience challenges. Thus, the integration of computational modeling as a prominent research partner allows for more extensive testing than possible with trial-and-error methods. This acceleration of the design, manufacture, and validation stages not only provides quicker materials authentication for use in biologic applications to produce more in vivo-like behaviors but also offers a more streamlined laboratory method of predicting cellular responses while creating a directed workflow that expedites progress.

For more information, visit the ND-ACES website.

About ND EPSCoR

North Dakota first became EPSCoR-eligible in 1985 and is one of 28 EPSCoR jurisdictions. EPSCoR is a federal program designed to broaden the science and engineering ecosystem across all jurisdictions in the US, primarily through the NSF research infrastructure improvement (RII) awards.

The North Dakota University System funds the ND EPSCoR State Office to strengthen the state's STEM infrastructure and enhance its participation in the nations competitive research and development enterprise. ND EPSCoR benefits ND by helping students, supporting quality faculty, growing research infrastructure capacity, and assisting with innovative research that positively impacts the state's economy and citizens. For more information, visit https://www.ndepscor.ndus.edu/.

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ND EPSCoR ND-ACES to Hold Science Caf on Education Pathways for Careers in Stem - Newswise

The adorable Cavalier King Charles mix puppy is acting very unpuppy-like: He is lethargic and doesn't have an appetite.

Veterinary technician Carlene Ternes holds the tiny, white-and-ginger puppy up into the air and gazes at his fuzzy, teddy-bear face.

Hes not eating, but his tail works, she reports, grinning.

Logan is just one of the many patients spending Friday night at the Red River Animal Emergency Hospital and Referral Center. The 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital the only one in North Dakota or western Minnesota treated somewhere between 18,000 and 20,000 patients last year, according to Dr. Andy Carver, the hospital's director and the first board-certified specialist in emergency and critical care in North Dakota.

In fact, the 11,000-square-foot hospital is so busy that plans are underway to add a $6 million, 17,000-square-foot addition to the building at 4491 23rd Ave. S., Fargo. The hospital will also add 20 staff, including specialists in internal medicine, oncology and surgery as well as critical care veterinary technicians, says Bill Walker, hospital administrator. A groundbreaking to commemorate the new construction will be held at 1 p.m., Thursday at the hospital.

As a pet owner who has brought my own dogs into the ER several times, I've often wondered what goes on behind closed doors at an emergency veterinary hospital. Now, thanks to access granted by Carver and Bill Walker, the hospital administrator for the RRAEHCC, I know.

Within four hours there, I was exhausted. In that time, I saw dozens of animals, including a ferret named Bandit who ingested an Advil, a green conure with fluid build-up in its abdomen and a very large dog named Elvis who jumped out of a moving car.

I also saw a bunch of hard-working vets and supporting staff who impressed me with their professionalism, teamwork and stamina.

Veterinary staff Alex Wong (left) and Amanda Fish remove the oxygen tube from a Basset hound's nose as they prepare him to go home. / By Tammy Swift

I can't stop comparing the facility to a human hospital.

There's a posh waiting room, a big reception desk and a slew of exam rooms.

The waiting room of the Red River Animal Emergency Hospital was empty most of last year when COVID-19 made it impossible for owners to wait for their pets as they were treated. As in many other veterinary clinics, owners needed to wait in their cars until their pets could go home. / By Tammy Swift

In the back, there's a glass-enclosed recovery unit and ICU units outfitted with oxygen and temperature control. There's a triage area, a blood bank, operating rooms, an x-ray room and a room that contains a human-grade CT scanner. RRAEHCC even has a mechanical ventilator.

The hospital has several pieces of human-grade medical equipment, including this CT scanner. Tammy Swift / The Forum

Carlene Ternes was instrumental in setting up the hospital's blood bank, which is now regularly restocked by more than 30 dogs and 15 cats. The pets receive treats and toys for their life-giving gift. / By Tammy Swift

Vet techs like Ternes marvel over how much the hospital has grown in her nine years here. When she started, the clinic was in a single suite on Oak Manor Drive South. In the early days, only one or two vet techs would work each night and there would be evenings when no patients were admitted.

In 2018, the hospital moved into the site of the former Golden Corral. Their new space can accommodate up to 38 animals at once and it frequently does. So much so that they have had to initiate a priority system. Once the hospital reaches Level 3 capacity, they will only accept the most critical cases. Owners whose animals have a less-serious ailment, such as an ear infection, are encouraged to monitor their pets closely and get them to their primary providers as soon as possible.

Vet tech Kailley Martinson holds a cat still while Molly Moritz draws a blood sample from its jugular vein, a commonly used venipuncture site for felines. / By Tammy Swift

Talk to staff and they share many theories as to the hospital's popularity. Carver attributes it to a growing regional awareness that the facility exists. Walker attributes it to the RRAEHRC's excellent reputation. Still others link it to the metro area's vigorous growth.

Another factor: People nowadays are more willing to pamper their pets. "More people are willing to spend money. They're family members now," Ternes says.

Carver says he hates turning owners away, as he knows how upsetting it is when one's pet suddenly gets sick. Even so, it has become necessary in a facility with limited room and staff. "I think its tough for people to realize the whole art and science behind needing to triage things and prioritize care," he says. "Everyone who comes there truly feels its an emergency. They see a quiet parking lot or lobby and get frustrated. I wish they understood ... priority has to be on caring for the sickest ones. We're not just being lazy and hanging around behind closed doors."

Just as I arrive, Carver emerges from surgery. Hes just operated on a 7-pound Yorkie to remove foreign objects from the puppys stomach.

The dogs owner brought him in after noticing the little guy was shaky and uncomfortable.

Carver soon found the problem. Or, actually, a whole wad of problems. The dog had ingested enough hair ties to outfit a drill team.

Carver removed a wad as big as a newborn's fist, along with another oddity a single jalapeo.

Any veterinary surgeon worth their scalpel has found a grab bag of goodies in the digestive systems of pets, from rocks, pantyhose and socks to children's toys, pacifiers, tinsel and pencil erasers.

While a "dog eat sock" world might sometime be caused by a nutritional deficiency or anxiety, Carver says most cases stem from pets being playful and inquisitive. "They're curious about things and they may like the mouth-feel and, without thinking about it, they may wind up swallowing it," he says.

Carver moves on to perform an ultrasound on a small dog.

The source of the dogs pain is soon apparent. A healthy pancreas is less than one centimeter thick and is hard to find on an ultrasound, Carver says. But this dogs pancreas is a billowy mass, filling the upper one-fourth of the ultrasound screen.

Dr. Andy Carver (left) performs an ultrasound on a dog with pancreatitis, while Dr. Anna Stansbery assists.

The little guy has a taste for eating trash, which explains the pancreatitis, Carver says. The pancreas produces enzymes to assist in food digestion and hormones to regulate blood sugar or glucose metabolism. When it isn't working right, it activates those enzymes prematurely, so they actually start digesting the pancreas itself.

Some bouts of pancreatitis are mild and can be treated at home. But some cases are severe and life-threatening; those animals may wind up in ICU, hooked up to feeding tubes and treated for multiple related problems.

Carver says this dog's pancreatitis is in the "moderate severity" range. The dog will make it, but his garbage-foraging days are over.

The ultrasound has helped RRAEHRC staff diagnose problems with greater efficiency and accuracy, Carver says. Before they had the machine, they relied on a patients bloodwork, which would have shown elevated liver enzymes. It could have easily been misdiagnosed as liver disease. This way, the pup will be on the road to recovery much more quickly and his owners will not have to spend more time and money trying to get to the real problem.

When people are looking for highly specialized medical care, many will travel to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. But when Mayo physicians and Minneapolis-area pet owners seek highly specialized care for their pets, many will travel to Fargo.

Dr. Ashlyn Kuklock performs emergency surgery on a canine patient while Kailley Martinson (center) and Rachel Manning assist. / By Tammy Swift

As the RRAEHRC has the only dialysis machine for animals between Seattle and Chicago, the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital routinely refers dogs and cats with failing kidneys here.

A recent example: After a referral from the University of Minnesota, Carver and Dr. Sam Wigglesworth, the second criticalist to join the RRAEHCC staff, performed a therapeutic plasma exchange on a golden doodle, who had managed to eat an entire bottle of ibuprofen.

The animal was in acute kidney failure, so the two vets performed a therapeutic plasma exchange, a process in which they used dialysis to separate the cells from the liquid part of the blood, then discarded the liquid part, which contained the toxins. They then replaced that fluid with donor fluids.

"The dog did great and went home with no symptoms," Carver says.

In another case, a Mayo doctor's dog, Ezra, was on dialysis at the Fargo hospital for weeks, Walker says. A little later, the hospital again received a call asking if they could keep Ezra for 10 days. Staffers were alarmed: Was Ezra sick again? Oh no, the doctor responded. He planned to go on vacation and didn't trust anyone else to watch his dog.

One of the more serious cases of the day involved a farm dog hit by a car. Tex's owner had driven two-and-a-half hours from Devils Lake to bring him here. She heard this is the best place, says Dr. Anna Stansbery, who is overseeing his case.

Veterinary technician Shelby Feickert comforts Tex, a cattle dog who suffered a severe compound fracture after being hit by a vehicle. / By Tammy Swift

Tex is a handsome Australian shepherd with long, russet hair. His snout is enclosed in a muzzle and his breathing is shallow and fast. His amber eyes are wide open, but dont seem to focus on anything. He is pretty shocky, a vet tech remarks.

Upon seeing his injury, its easy to see why. Tex's left front leg is broken so badly that splinters of bone peek through the skin. The limb bends at an unsettling angle.

Pain relief is first priority. While several techs stroke to calm him, Stansbery calls for a shot of methadone a quick, effective painkiller for animals.

With Tex's pain managed, Stansbery analyzes the best way to proceed. The owner could take the dog to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center, where they could perform a complex surgery in attempts to reconstruct the leg. But it would cost at least $5,000 and contain no guarantee that the leg would work.

Tex is 12 years old. Most dogs adapt well to three-legged life, especially smart, athletic herding dogs, Stansbery explains. At the same time, the loss of a front limb is harder, as the front legs bear more weight than the hind legs.

She discusses the options with the owner, who decides it is best to amputate.

When Tex awakes, he will be a three-legged dog. But, as Stansbery points out, our pets don't wrestle with the same pangs of self-pity that we do.

"They don't wake up and say, 'Poor me,'" Stansbery says. "It's more like, 'What can I pee on and what's for dinner?'"

Even in this adrenaline-charged atmosphere, I spot many little acts of compassion.

Sarah DeCrans and her French bulldog, Nigel, provide a morale-boosting visit to vet tech Chris Knutson. / By Tammy Swift

One chihuahua has been crying most of the night. A veterinary assistant walks over and strokes its tiny nose, which immediately calms the dog. Later, I see another vet assistant cuddle a tiny calico kitten simply because "he's so darned cute."

A veterinary assistant reaches into the kennel of an ailing Chihuahua to comfort her by stroking her nose. Tammy Swift / The Forum

This tiny calico kitten looks particularly tiny and vulnerable in his kennel, but is comforted by piles of blankets and the snuggles of veterinary staff. / By Tammy Swift

Out in the triage area, another puppy is having a bad day. Freia is a baby black lab who had a run-in with a lawn mower. Its one of the trials of puppyhood: Learning how to co-exist amid all the shiny, cleverly-hidden dangers in the human world.

Dr. Ashlyn Kuklock carefully examines the afflicted foot to make sure Freia only has soft-tissue damage. But first, she caves to the pup's sweet charm, cradling the little Lab's head in her hands to plant a masked kiss to Freias soft, furry forehead. The puppys tail whips back and forth hopefully.

Experienced vet tech Carlene Ternes knows one of the perks of the job is the ability to snuggle and comfort adorable pets like Logan, a puppy admitted for lethargy and poor appetite. / By Tammy Swift

Its a testimony to puppy optimism that even when they hurt, most still find a reason to wag their tails.

In a quiet area on the south end of the treatment area, a lone veterinary technician works over a gray cat. I'm about to ask what he's in for before realizing he has been euthanized. She is cutting off the bandage that secured his IV; theres no need for that now. Black ink prints of his paws have been made on white cards and rest by his body. He lies atop a cuddly fleece blanket. For some reason, I am glad for the blanket, this last offering of comfort before he crossed the rainbow bridge.

Emergency pet hospitals often must perform euthanizations when an animal becomes gravely ill or critically injured outside of their regular veterinarian's office hours. Grieving owners are able to say goodbye to their pets and grieve in the privacy of a special "comfort room," which features overstuffed furniture and displays this comforting passage from "The Rainbow Bridge." Tammy Swift / The Forum

It is a sad, quiet moment.

Its a question I ask several people who work there. How can these animal-loving professionals handle the euthanizations? Their answers reflect a combination of professional reserve and compassion. They tell me that it is easier for them to remain objective than it is for a grief-stricken owner. They also talk of mercy, how they see this as a way to relieve an animal whose body is racked by pain, severe illness or the ravages of old age.

But after saying all this, a couple of vet techs admit it is the least favorite part of their job.

This tiny calico kitten looks particularly tiny and vulnerable in his kennel, but is comforted by piles of blankets and the snuggles of veterinary staff. / By Tammy Swift

Walker says the team likes to focus on the the triumphs the dog that beat life-threatening sickness, the kitten saved by dialysis. "Compassion fatigue is very real in the veterinary business," he says. "So it's the good things, the ones that survive and beat the odds, that keep everyone going."

All of the veterinary staff are pet lovers, as illustrated by veterinary assistant Rachel Manning's "cat-too" of her two cats. / By Tammy Swift

Read the rest here:
From broken legs to a punky pancreas, here's what a night in Fargo's animal ER is like - INFORUM

My plan to Keep America Great is very simple:

1) Stop exporting American soldiers to countries that hate our guts.

2) Stop importing people from countries that hate our guts.

When I voted for Donald Trump in 2016, I thought this was the plan. The America First champion rightly assailed Barack Obama for recklessly endangering the lives of our soldiers to pursue politically driven endless wars. President Trump promised to build an effective wall on the southern border. He enacted tough travel restrictions, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, on visitors from countries whose terror-coddling governments pose national security threats.

Yet, here we are at the dawn of 2020 with thousands of U.S. troops headed back to the Stone Age Middle East maw, Mexican drug cartels on the loose while our Border Patrol hands out diapers to illegal immigrants and refugees from around the world including nearly 1,400 welcomed just last year from the very high-risk countries the Trump travel ban was supposed to block transforming the nation without the consent of the governed. The leaky block list includes Syria, Iraq and Iran, which launched multiple missiles at U.S. airbases late Tuesday in retaliation for our deadly airstrike last week that killed Quds General Qassem Soleimani.

Now, we are on heightened alert here in our homeland with authorities nervous that Hezbollah sleeper cells (which Ive documented since writing Invasion in 2002) might strike from within.

Some of you still wonder why I write so frequently and vehemently about our failed immigration and entrance policies. Its because nothing matters more right now to the survival of our country than the right to determine who gets in and the ability to enforce it.

As I reported last year, thanks to an executive order signed by Trump in September, local communities were given the explicit opt-in rights to stem the lucrative tide of refugees coming largely from Third World countries and jihadist breeding grounds. This Wednesday, religious charities that profit the most from this multi-billion-dollar racket will be in court to assert blanket, open-borders veto power over the people.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland will hear arguments from vested refugee resettlement interests who oppose Trumps order requiring government contractors to obtain written consent from all localities and states in which they plan to resettle refugees. The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Church World Service and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service three of the nine State Department partners who resettle all refugees argue that the federal government should prioritize family reunification of foreign refugees over local control. Translation: Americans come last.

The lawsuit assails the White House executive order for threatening to systematically dismantle the organizations including Plaintiffs that have spent decades developing networks, expertise, and resources to carry out the American ideal of welcoming refugees. Those resources come from you and me: Tax subsidies that constitute the vast majority of these nonprofit activists budgets. Over the past decade, according to an analysis by immigration researcher James Simpson, the three plaintiff groups have raked in the following amounts from the federal refugee resettlement program:

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services: $471.6 million (94% from of its budget).

Church World Service: $433.3 million (72% of its budget).

Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society: $186.1 million (54% of its budget).

The refugee resettlement contractors, in turn, spread their massive wealth from both public and private sources to a galaxy of subcontractors looking to register Democratic voters, fill their pews, and recruit new clients and constituents.

The Interfaith Immigration Coalition holding a protest event after the hearing on Wednesday to support the refugee pipeline includes: Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach; Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd; U.S. Provinces; Daughters of Charity; Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries; Franciscan Action Network; Interfaith Immigration Coalition; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Leadership Conference of Women Religious; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Council of Jewish Women; Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rise for Refuge; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Leadership Team; Truah; The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; The United Church of Christ; and We Are All America.

Thanks to pressure from these groups with bottomless budgets and clout, 18 Republican yes, Republican governors are also standing against Trump and self-determination in favor of increased refugee settlement, including: Doug Ducey of Arizona, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Eric Holcomb of Indiana, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Brad Little of Idaho, Mike Parsons of Missouri, Larry Hogan of Maryland, Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, Doug Burgum of North Dakota, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Bill Lee of Tennessee, Gary Herbert of Utah, Jim Justice of West Virginia and Phil Scott of Vermont.

The names must be named and the sellouts must be shamed, especially as war breaks out on all fronts. Whats the point of sending young American troops to fight enemies over there if we are welcoming them by the tens and hundreds of thousands over here?

Michelle Malkin is a political writer. Her column is distributed nationally by the Creators Syndicate.

Originally posted here:
Malkin - The Winchester Star

1. New Horizons nails the most distant flyby in history

Just 33 minutes after ringing in the New Year, scientists at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory cheered and threw confetti a second time. The New Horizons spacecraft had just conducted a flyby of a Kuiper Belt object 4 billion miles from Earth. And as the sun rose on January 1, New Horizons beamed back its first close-up images of the 19-mile-long peanut-shaped space rock, officially named 2014 MU69.

Images eventually revealed 2014 MU69 (initially nicknamed Ultima Thule), to be a surprisingly flat contact binary, a body composed of two once-separated rocks that slowly gravitated toward each other until they lightly touched and fused. Scientists believe the flyby data could offer insight into how planets formed in our solar system billions of years ago.

In November, NASA changed the rocks nickname from Ultima Thule, a term with links to the Nazi party, to Arrokoth, which means sky in the Powhatan/Algonquian language.

2014 MU69 is revealed to be a two-tiered snowman. According to the New Horizons team, this image supports the idea that planets in our system formed as bits of raw planetary matter coalesced over time. Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Southwest Research Institute

Twelve years after a first patient was declared to be rid of HIV, another person achieved a similar milestone this year. In March, with the help of a stem cell transplant from a virus-resistant donor, the anonymous individual entered long-term remission from HIV.

In both cases, remission followed a transplant of bone marrow from a person with a mutation in the gene that encodes the protein CCR5, which many HIV strains use to infiltrate cells. Neither treatment was originally intended to eliminate the infection itself, but to treat blood cancers that had spread in both individuals.

While the intervention is likely to be effective in only a small fraction of HIV-positive individuals, the 2019 case shows that its efficacy was more than a one-time event.

In April, we were able to feast our eyes on the first-ever image of a black hole. The black hole, whose image was generated from data captured by a network of eight radio observatories that make up the Event Horizon Telescope, dwells in the center of a galaxy some 55 million light-years away from Earth.

As popular as the black hole image was, another aspect of the story that quickly unfolded online: the contribution of 29-year-old MIT scientist Katie Bouman, who crafted an algorithm to help translate the telescope data into the black hole image. Bouman, captured in a photo with a laptop, beaming behind her folded hands, quickly became a symbol for womens accomplishment in astronomy and computer science. But, Marina Koren writes for The Atlantic, This one image tapped into a multitude of questions about the role of women in science, the myth of the lone genius, and the pressure scientists have to promote themselves and their work on social media.

No one algorithm or person made this image, Bouman later wrote, referring to the black hole picture, in a Facebook post. It required the amazing talent of a team of scientists from around the globe and years of hard work to develop the instrument, data processing, imaging methods, and analysis techniques that were necessary to pull off this seemingly impossible feat.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a tool that lets scientists cut and insert small pieces of DNA at precise areas along a DNA strand. | Photo credit: Public Domain

In April, researchers began the first CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing clinical trials in people in the United States. In the trials, scientists used CRISPR, a powerful gene-editing technique derived from an ancient bacterial immune system, to combat cancer and blood disorders. That month, two cancer patientsone with myeloma and one with sarcomawere treated using CRISPR.

In the cancer and blood disorder trials, researchers remove some cells from a patients body, edit the cells DNA using CRISPR, and inject the cells back in, now hopefully armed to fight disease, Tina Hesman Saey writes for Science News. But in another trial, conducted by Editas Medicine in Cambridge, Mass., researchers are using CRISPR to edit DNA directly in the human body by snipping a small piece of DNA out of cells in the eyes of people with an inherited form of blindness, Saey writes.

The trials come on the heels of Chinese scientist He Jiankuis gene-editing on twin girls born in November 2018, which was widely criticized as premature and highly unethical. .

Mammal fossils like this one, discovered by a team of paleontologists and paleobotanists led by Tyler Lyson in Corral Bluffs, Colorado, fill in a missing piece of the timeline of life. Image Credit: HHMI Tangled Bank Studios

This year, scientists gleaned new insight into the day the dinosaur-killing asteroid crashed into Earth 66 million years ago, and the first million years after the impact.

In April, paleontologist and graduate student Robert DePalma claimed to unveil an unprecedented time capsule of the asteroid-induced catastrophe. He reported finding scorched tree trunks and hundreds of well-preserved fossil fish beneath sediment at a site in North Dakota, forming a snapshot of the first minutes and hours after impact. (Some experts remain cautious about the finding, due in part to the fact that DePalmas discovery was first announced in a New Yorker article before publication of the peer-reviewed paper.)

Then, in October, new fossils that capture the million-year timeline of life after the dinosaurs died were revealed. Discovered in Colorados Corral Bluffs by paleontologist Tyler Lyson and his team, the fossils showcase the extraordinary resilience of life in the wake of disaster and help reveal the evolutionary journey of the mammals that survived the asteroid.

With the use of artificial intelligence on the rise, one serious flaw continued to make headlines in 2019: racial bias. In October, researchers announced that a particular algorithm, which predicts who might benefit from follow-up care and affects 100 million Americans, underestimates black patients need for additional treatment. The algorithm underestimates the health needs of black patients even when theyre sicker than their white counterparts.

Additionally, the U.S. remains one of the most dangerous developed nations in which to be pregnant and give birth, particularly for minorities. Pregnancy-related deaths are rising in the United States and the main risk factor is being black, Mike Stobbe and Marilynn Marchione write for AP News. A CDC report concludes black women, along with Native Americans and Alaska natives, are three times more likely to die before, during or after having a baby, and more than half of these deaths are preventable, Stobbe and Marchione write.

Also this year, researchers further investigated why black scientists are less likely to receive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) than their white counterparts. A study published in October illustrated that topic choice contributes to the lower rates of NIH awards going to black scientists. Specifically, Jeffrey Mervis writes for Science Magazine, black applicants are more likely to propose approaches, such as community interventions, and topics, such as health disparities, adolescent health, and fertility, that receive less competitive scores from reviewers.

A replica of a fragment of a Denisovan finger found in Denisova Cave, Siberia, in 2008. Image Credit: Thilo Parg, Wikimedia Commons

New findings in 2019 added to anthropologists understanding of Denisovans, a species of early human that likely shared the planet with Homo sapiens as recently as 50,000 years ago.

This fall, scientists learned that although Denisovans DNA ties them more closely to Neanderthals, their fingers may have looked more like ours, suggesting Neanderthals broader digits evolved after their lineage split off from the Denisovans around 410,000 years ago. A few more fossils, Bruce Bower writes for Science News, plus genetic analyses indicated Denisovans were close relatives and occasional mating partners of Neanderthals and Homo sapiens tens of thousands of years ago. But there was too little evidence to say what Denisovans looked like or how they behaved.

Physicists reached a milestone in quantum computing this year, a method of computing that uses quantum physics to solve complex problems quickly.

In October, Google said it had achieved quantum supremacy. Its AI Quantum Team presented evidence that it had built a quantum computer that needs only 200 seconds to solve a problem that would have taken IBMs Summit, the worlds most powerful supercomputer, 10,000 years to crack. Though IBM disputed the claim, others in the computing community are tentatively optimistic about the breakthroughs promise. If validated, it may bring us closer to a future of ultra-efficient computing.

Just when you thought Saturn couldnt get any more awesome, it secured yet another claim to fame: the most known moons of any planet in our solar system (sorry, Jupiter).

On October 7, the International Astronomical Unions Minor Planet Center announced that researchers discovered an additional 20 moons orbiting Saturn, bringing its grand total to a whopping 82. Jupiter, the largest and oldest planet in our solar system, has 79.

The latest discoveries were made possible by Hawaiis Subaru telescope. A team led by Carnegie Sciences Scott S. Sheppard first eyed them in the spring of 2017, but because faraway moons are dim and tough to spot, researchers used Subaru to scan the skies periodically throughout the following years to confirm their finding. Then, they used a computer algorithm to link the data through time and confirm that the moons were indeed reliably orbiting Saturn.

Less than a week after the U.N. climate talks came to a close in Madrid this month, Australia recorded its hottest day ever, one day after its previous record. Just a few months ago, wildfires raged across not only the American West and Australian Outback but also Europe and the Amazon, an occurrence that many climatologists believe may have been exacerbated by climate change-induced drought and high temperatures. And in May, a United Nations report claimed that one million plant and animal species are on the verge of extinctionmore than in any other period in human historywith alarming implications for human survival. The warming climate, which heightens the effects of overfishing, pesticide use, pollution, and urban expansion is a major driver, the report concludes.

Three weeks ago, a bleak climate report, also from the U.N., predicted that global carbon emissions will climb despite promises from almost 200 nations to address climate change, propelling temperatures upward and threatening to shatter the threshold of 2C that scientists say would invite dramatic changes to ecology and the economy, Nathaniel Gronewald writes for Science Magazine. And many declared this months COP25 climate talks to be a massive failure.

But climate activists, particularly teens, have seized the spotlight this year. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish climate activist, was just named TIMEs Person of the Year. And at COP25, official youth constituency representatives expressed their disappointment to leaders and officials, Kartik Chandramouli writes for Mongabay. Do you want to be remembered as the ones who had the chance to act but decided not to as betrayers of our generation, of indigenous people and communities desperately fighting on the ground? Youth representatives said. We are rising, we are fighting and we will win.

Excerpt from:
The top 10 science stories of 2019 | NOVA - NOVA Next

POSTED ON 06/20/2018 IN Latest News BY Chris Centeno

I love writing about what I see day in and out. Yesterday I evaluateda patient who had been to a local West2North stem cell seminar and was told that they could regenerate cartilage in her foot. However, the joint they wanted to treat was without any cartilage and didnt hurt and caused her no functional disability. Hence, this is a great opportunity to talk about the ethical use of orthobiologics.

The idea behind stem cells is pretty cool. They can help damaged tissue heal and may be able to replace certain types of damaged tissue. Weve been using stem cells to treat joints for longer than anyone else on earth. What weve learned is that while stem cells, used in the correct way, can help get rid of the need for some invasive surgeries, they are not magic pixie dust, and theydo have limitations. One of those is that they will NOT regrow cartilage in a joint without any left. Let me explain.

There are countless animal models where stem cells, used in very specific ways, can help small holes in the cartilage heal. However, we have no research that shows that stem cells can regrow the cartilage in a joint that has severe bone on bone arthritis. This is what we have observed in the clinic as well. Meaning that we have never seen any evidence of significant cartilage growth in bone on bone arthritis regardless of which stem cell type or prep was used. To see what is and isnt possible in real MRI results with actual stem cell procedures, see my video below:

Regrettably, you got scammed! Like every good magic trick, there is always something you missed. In this case, I created a little example below of how I tilted the X-ray beam slightly and created the appearance of more joint-space width (hence more cartilage) in my knee:

Another trick often used is to inaccurately place the cursors while measuring the width of the joint. Below is an actual before and after stem cell treatment X-ray from a chiro clinic where they seem to have purposefully(or unconsciously) mismeasured the after X-ray, which makes it look like more cartilage is there, but in reality, the real width of the joint never changed. In this case, the real width of the joint is shown by the dashed lines, while the arrows point to where the chiropractor placed the cursor to measure the joint width. See what I mean below:

The treatments that are often offered at chiro clinics are amniotic or umbilical cord based. Regrettably, these tissues dont have any living and functional cells, let alone stem cells. See my video below to learn more:

My patient is an active elderly woman who developed severe arthritis in her midfoot. One joint on both sides has no cartilage. This area doesnt hurt or prevent her from doing anything. She went to a local West2North chiropractic stem cell seminar touting amniotic stem cells (really nonviable amniotic tissue) and was told they could regrow her cartilage. She then went to our local seminar and found out the opposite, so she came in to be seen. I told her that there was no way that any stem cell therapy (even a real one) would regrow cartilage in these joints, and I refused to perform a stem cell procedure.

The chiropractic clinic chain she went to was recently fined and stripped of its ability to perform stem cell injections by the attorney generals office in North Dakota because it was misrepresenting what the technology could do. In Colorado, the West2North chain was the subject of an investigative report that found many disturbing things. For example, that a nonmedical person was the one determining candidacy for these procedures.

In some severe arthritis joints that are bone on bone and are causing pain, an actual bone marrow stem cell therapy can help reduce pain and increase function without regrowing any cartilage. For example, patients with this type of knee arthritis typically do well. This can work through precise X-ray guided direct injections into the bone lesions that can cause pain in these patients or by injecting lax ligaments that are causing instability. Even just injecting specific parts of the joint sometimes will reduce inflammation for two to seven years. However, in other joints, like the hip, the success rate in severe arthritis is much lower. Hence, its critical to understand which patients can be helped and which patients should be told that this therapy is not for them.

This comment from a former patient was recently left on Facebook:

Paul Lyon- Lots of stem cell clinics have been opening up recentlyRegenexx has been around since I think 08?ask yourself before you jump into something, how many procedures have they done, how much research do they doif your going to look into stem cell therapy, do your research.Ive had both knees done 6 years ago2 orthopedic Doctors wanted to replace..im pretty much pain free. I bike, hike, ski, very active at 72.Im in Denver now, my wife just had her hip done..no surgerywe walked around Boulder the next dayall with her own stem cellsdo your research, youll end up with a trained Regenexx doctor, you wont be sorry

The upshot? Please dont get snookered into believing that an injection by a nurse in a chiropractors office will regrow you new cartilage in a bone on bone joint. That isnt going to happen. In addition, actually getting long-term results using a real stem cell procedure is difficult and requires a precise diagnosis of whats wrong and which structures should be targeted using X-ray or ultrasound guidance.

*DISCLAIMER: Like all medical procedures, Regenexx Procedures have a success and failure rate. Patient reviews and testimonials on this site should not be interpreted as a statement on the effectiveness of our treatments for anyone else. Providers listed on the Regenexx website are for informational purposes only and are not a recommendation from Regenexx for a specific provider or a guarantee of the outcome of any treatment you receive.

Read more:
Will Stem Cells Regrow You New Cartilage if You Have None ...

Assistant Professor of Biology

Starcher Hall Room 7

Office Tel: 701.777.3375

tristan.darland@UND.edu

B.S., 1986, Biology, Revelle College, University of California, San Diego, CA

Ph.D., 1998, Cell and Developmental Biology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR

Visiting Faculty Member, Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt, ND

Instructor and Research Professor, Department of Biology, University of North Dakota

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Harvard University, Boston, MA

I am interested in finding new genes, or new functions of known genes, involved in diverse biological processes ranging from neurodevelopment and neural stem cell regulation to addiction related behavior. I use zebrafish because the genetic analysis possible is amenable to find new candidate genes and is not currently possible in other vertebrates. I am currently identifying the genes underlying mutations that affect neural stem cell regulation in the retina. Fish have the ability to generate new nervous tissue in adulthood, a process that may be applicable to treating neural injury and pathology in humans. Also, I am identifying other mutant gene products that underlie abnormal behavioral responsiveness to addictive drugs.

I house a number of wild type strains of zebrafish and hope to make the organism available to other investigators on the UND campus interested in trying new experiments with this very useful model system. In addition, I am involved in summer educational outreach programs for undergraduates and hope to provide teaching laboratory workshops on using zebrafish for genetic analysis. Undergraduates conducting research in my laboratory are encouraged to participate in all levels of the research endeavor and to present their findings at local, regional, and national meetings. Ana Espinoza (Arizona Western College) and Joclyn Seiler (University of North Dakota) recently presented their research results at the UND REU-Neuroscience poster session (August, 2012) and again at the North Dakota EPSCoR meeting (September, 2012).

Mersereau, E.J., Boyle, C.A., Poitra, S., Espinoza, A., Seiler, J., Longie, R., Delvo, L., Szarkowski, M., Maliske, J., Chalmers, S., Darland, D.C., and Darland, T. Longitudinal effects of embryonic exposure to cocaine on morphology, cardiovascular physiology, and behavior in zebrafish. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2016 May 17:847-865; [doi:10.3390/ijms17060847] Special Note: This is an issue dedicated to zebrafish toxicology models.Special Note: This is an issue dedicated to zebrafish toxicology models.

Mersereau EJ, Poitra SL, Espinoza A, Crossley DA 2nd, Darland T. The effects of cocaine on heart rate and electrocardiogram in zebrafish (Danio rerio); Comp Biochem Physiol and Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015; Jun-Jul; 172-173;1-6; PMID: 25847362.

Darland, T., Mauch, J.T., Meier, E.M., Hagan, S.J., Dowling, J.E., and Darland, D.C. Sulpiride, but not SCH23390, modifies cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and expression of Tyrosine hydroxylase and Elongation factor 1 in zebrafish. Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior 2012; 103(2):157-167.PMID: 22910534

Darland, D.C., Cain, J.T., Berosik, M.A., Saint-Geniez, M., Odens, P.W., Schaubhut, G.J., Frisch, S., Stemmer-Rachamimov, A., Darland, T., and D'Amore, P.A. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isoform regulation of early forebrain development. Developmental Biology 2011; 358(1):9-22.PMID: 21803034

Nuckels, R.J., Ng, A. Darland, T. and Gross, J.M. The Vacuolar-ATPase Complex Regulates Retinoblast proliferation and Survival, Photoreceptor Morphogenesis and Pigmentation in the Zebrafish Eye. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences 2009; 50(2): 893-905.PMID: 18836173

Gross JM, Perkins BD, Amsterdam A, Egana A, Darland T , Matsui JI, Sciasscia S, Hopkins N and Dowling JE. Identification of Zebrafish Insertional Mutants with Defects in Visual System Development and Function. Genetics 2005; 170(1):245-61.PMID: 15716491

Darland T and Dowling JE. Behavioral screening for cocaine sensitivity in mutagenized zebrafish. PNAS USA 2001; 98(20): 11691-6.PMID: 11553778

Link BA and Darland T . Genetic analysis of initial and ongoing retinogenesis in the zebrafish: comparing the central neuroepithelium and marginal zone. Prog Brain Res . 2001; 131: 565-77.PMID: 11420971

Bunzow JR, Sonders MS, Arttamangkul S, Harrison LM, Zhang G, Quigley DI, Darland T , Suchland KL, Pasumamula S, Kennedy JL, Olsen SB, Magenis RE, Amara SG and Grandy DK. Amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and metabolites of the catecholamine neurotransmitters are agonists of a rat trace amine receptor . Mol. Pharm. 2001; 60 (6) 1181-8.

Allen CN, Jiang ZG, Teshima K, Darland T , Ikeda M, Nelson CS, Quigley DI, Yoshioka T, Allen RG, Rea MA and Grandy DK. Orphanin-FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) modulates the activity of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons. J. Neurosci. (1999); 19(6): 2152-60.

Darland T , Grandy DK. The orphanin FQ system: an emerging target for the management of pain? Br. J. Anaesth . 1998; 81(1): 29-37.

Darland T , Heinricher MM, Grandy DK. Orphanin FQ/Nociceptin: a role in pain and analgesia, but so much more. Trends in Neurosci . 1998; 21(5): 215-21.

Quigley DI, McDougall J, Darland T , Zhang G, Ronnekliev O, Grandy DK, Allen RG. Orphanin FQ is the major OFQ1-17-containing peptide produced in the rodent and monkey hypothalamus. Peptides 1998;19(1):133-9.

Darland T , Leblanc GG. Immortalized Hensen's node cells secrete a factor that regulates avian neural crest cell fates in vitro . Dev Biol . 1996; 176(1): 62-75.

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Joh T, Darland T , Samuels M, Wu JX, Adamson ED. Regulation of epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in murine embryonal carcinoma cells . Cell Growth Differ. 1992;3(5):315-25.

Edwards SA, Darland T , Sosnowski R, Samuels M, Adamson ED. The transcription factor, Egr-1, is rapidly modulated in response to retinoic acid in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. Dev. Biol . 1991; 148(1): 165-73.

Darland T , Samuels M, Edwards SA, Sukhatme VP, Adamson ED. Regulation of Egr-1 and c-fos expression in differentiating embryonal carcinoma cells. Oncogene 1991; 6(8):1367-76.

Calogero A, Samuels M, Darland T , Edwards SA, Kemler R, Adamson ED. Overexpression of uvomorulin in a compaction-negative F9 mutant cell line. Dev Biol. 1991;146(2):499-508.

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As more providers are offering stem cell options, more patients are becoming aware of the wonderful opportunities forhealing provided by stem cell injections. However, not all stem cells are equivalent. It is helpful to review a few pointsthat will help patients decide which type of stem cell therapy offers the best chance of achieving their particular healthgoal.

1) Autologus versus Allogenic

Stem cells are living cells that serve a particular purpose in the body. When injecting (transplanting) these cell into atreatment area, we are asking them to perform their usual function in an area of the body different from where theymay have been obtained.

Allogeneic stem cells are cells derived from a person other than the patient into whom they are being transplanted.These might be derived from bone marrow, placenta, fat or any other tissue of another individual that are thentransplanted into the patient. Given that we are asking living cells to perform their usual function, it is understandablethat they are sensitive to changes in their environment that can affect their comfort level. The greater the change inenvironment, the greater the challenge for cell survival and efficacy.

It is important to consider that an individual acting as a tissue donor for stem cell isolation most likely has a verydifferent physiologic milieu than the patient receiving the stem cells. The donors gender, dietary habits, hormonalstatus, exposure to environmental and dietary toxins may differ from the patients status. Thus, the cells beingintroduced into the patients body are not in familiar territory and are more likely to suffer stress and may not survive,let alone function well.

Hence, it seems natural that the most logical choice between Autologous or Allogenic should be Autologous, i.e. thepatients own cells for transplant.

2) Bone Marrow versus Adipose derived

Stem cells are born in the same fashion as other blood cells. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are born in bonemarrow where other blood cells are generated. It is also not surprising that bone marrow was one of the first placeswhere stem cells were first discovered as well as the source used by many in bench science and applied medicine forisolating stem cells. However, stem cells are only born in bone marrow that is not their final destination.

Stem cells are involved in the healing cascade that is required for repair of most bodily injuries that occur in the courseof normal life. That healing cascade seems to be stimulated by bleeding, which makes a whole lot of sense. There canbe very little injury to the body that does not induce bleeding. That is because there are small blood vessels throughoutour body, and mechanical injury should necessarily involve damage to these vessels. Blood, while it is in the vascularsystem, is a normal thing for the body blood outside of blood vessels is not: it indicates injury. And there appear to bea number of systems activated by bleeding, all of which lead to healing.

One of these is the response of platelets. Many have learned in High School Biology that platelets induce clotting when there is bleeding. As noted above, bleeding seems to be a signal in the body that indicates injury. So it is not surprisingthen that science has found that platelets ALSO release a host of growth factors when they are activated to form a bloodclot growth factors being signaling molecules that signal to other cells the need for healing processes to occur. Thesehealing processes lead to repair of damaged structures including bone, ligament, cartilage, skin and other tissues.

Stem cells, back to the subject at hand, are also part of this bleeding-induced healing process. Once born in bonemarrow, stem cells migrate out of the marrow and circulate in the blood, leaving the blood to take up their position aspericytes. Pericytes are cells that are located on the outside of blood vessels. They literally attach themselves to theoutsides of blood vessels, both small and large. These cells then wait for activation by processes that affect the bloodvessels including disruption/injury that leads to bleeding. When bleeding is induced, stem cells on adjacent/affectedblood vessels are activated. Once activated, their contribution to healing is that they will generate NEW CELLS of thesame type as the tissue that has been injured. They literally replace the damaged tissue with new cells as they performthis process.

It is not surprising to find that there are MANY small blood vessels in adipose, or fat tissue. This tissue is a storage organ.It requires blood vessels to transport fat to it from the body if there has been an excessive supply of nutrients in dietaryform for deposition as stored fat. It ALSO requires lots of blood vessels to supply fat for use if and when the bodyindicates a need for the fat that has been stored. Not surprisingly then, there are LOTS of small blood vessels in fat. Andall of these are lined with stem cells.

According to Stem Cell Scientist Kristin Komella, there are 500 times more stem cells available from the same amount offat as there are from bone marrow.But wait it gets better (in the case of adipose derived stem cells). As it turns out, not all stem cells act the same. Thereis a specific line of stem cells, CD34 cells that seem to be the most beneficial in terms of the healing in which mostpatients are interested. The proportion of those cells in adipose-derived stem cells is far higher than that in bonemarrow. Bottom line: not only are there 500 times more stem cells available from adipose as compared to bonemarrow, but there are vastly higher proportions of the most active stem cells in adipose derived stem cells as comparedto bone marrow derived.

Bottom line: autologous and adipose-derived stem cells would seem to be the obvious choice when considering stemcell transplant therapy.- Patrick Mallory DO

At Mallory Family Wellness, you are our priority. With advanced training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, we dont just treat the symptoms. We treat the whole person to address the root of the problem. And well work with you so you can prevent illness and remain healthy.

See for yourself why families from Loveland, Fort Collins, and the surrounding Northern Colorado communities, as well as Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa, come to us. You can count on us to provide optimal care for your optimal health!

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Adipose vs. Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Loveland, CO

Professor Alexander Seifalian poses for photographs with a synthetic polymer nose at his research facility in the Royal Free Hospital in London, Monday, March 31, 2014. In a north London hospital, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in the laboratory in a bold attempt to make body parts using stem cells. AP

In a north London hospital, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in the laboratory in a bold attempt to make body parts using stem cells.

It is among several labs around the world, including in the U.S., that are working on the futuristic idea of growing custom-made organs in the lab.

5 Photos

In a north London hospital, scientists are growing noses, ears and blood vessels in attempt to make body parts using stem cells

"It's like making a cake," said Alexander Seifalian at University College London, the scientist leading the effort. "We just use a different kind of oven."

During a recent visit to his lab, Seifalian showed off a sophisticated machine used to make molds from a polymer material for various organs.

Last year, he and his team made a nose for a British man who lost his to cancer. Scientists added a salt and sugar solution to the mold of the nose to mimic the somewhat sponge-like texture of the real thing. Stem cells were taken from the patient's fat and grown in the lab for two weeks before being used to cover the nose scaffold. Later, the nose was implanted into the man's forearm so that skin would grow to cover it.

Seifalian said he and his team are waiting for approval from regulatory authorities to transfer the nose onto the patient's face but couldn't say when that might happen

The potential applications of lab-made organs appear so promising even the city of London is getting involved: Seifalian's work is being showcased on Tuesday as Mayor Boris Johnson announces a new initiative to attract investment to Britain's health and science sectors so spin-off companies can spur commercial development of the pioneering research.

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Ears, noses grown from stem cells in lab dishes - CBS News