livingthink

Analysing carbohydrate molecules in honey Prior to this research, Dr Schlothauer says other published research had shown there were big  carbohydrate   molecules  in honey that stimulated  immune cells  but their structure had not been analysed. “We started separating the  molecule  but were puzzled about what it was. Initially we thought it was a glycan and sought appropriate analysis, but they put us on to Dr Ian Sims in the  Carbohydrate  Chemistry group at IRL, who is a leading expert in analysing complex molecules that play an important role in biological systems,” says Dr Schlothauer. IRL has one of only three laboratories worldwide with the capability and  expertise  required to carry out complex research into the extraction, purification and analysis of oligo- and poly-saccharides and glycoconjugates. The IRL team started with small-scale analyses on  mānuka , kānuka and clover honeys. Starting with 5 grams of honey, separation of high molecular  weight  polymers from small sug

About Stall Catchers A stall is when there is a blockage to blood flowing. Stalls reduce blood flow, and reduced blood flow in the brain has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease. By tagging the occurrence of stalls in videos of blood flow through mice brains, scientists are making real progress towards finding effective treatments in clearing stalls and restoring memory function. In this project, the citizen watches a focused area of video as it plays through layers of vessels in the brain. Does the blood flow continuously, or is there a blockage on the way? The citizen simply tags flowing or stalled. There is a very easy to understand tutorial and a substantial amount of support by way of information, videos and graphics. This project could be used in upper primary school to teach within a real science context, or it could be extended to be used in senior biology. This OCS project page has been written from a circulation and blood point of view but could equally well be approached with

Habitats range in size, and their characteristics are determined by a large number of variables. In the marine environment, these variables include light,  temperature ,  substrate , wave action and  oxygen  availability. The particular combination of variables results in a habitat suitable for particular types of organisms. For example, the stalk-eyed mud crab is  adapted  to live in mud flats of an  estuary , and cockles are adapted to the fluctuating  salinity  of the  subtidal  zone. New Zealand’s marine environment is incredibly diverse and made up of a large number of marine habitats. Scientists estimate that these habitats provide homes for up to 65,000 marine  species  around New Zealand (although only 15,000 of these species have been named!). Beaches A beach is a platform along the shoreline of the sea. A beach, particularly a surf beach, is an unstable habitat. Plants and animals are exposed to constantly changing and often harsh conditions. One of the main obstacles that su

Fisheries Humans living near the coast have probably always used the ocean as a source of food. However, with advances in fishing equipment, larger ships and new tracking technologies, many fish stocks around the world have reduced significantly. Fish stocks on  continental shelf  areas are now widely considered to be fully or over exploited. Aside from reducing fish stocks, unsustainable fishing practices can have other negative impacts on the marine environment. For example, some fishing techniques such as dredging and trawling can cause widespread damage to marine  habitats  and organisms living on the sea floor. These techniques also often capture non-target  species  (known as  bycatch ) that are then discarded. In New Zealand, fisheries are managed by a quota system that sets catch limits for commercially important species and aims at  sustainable  management of our fish stocks. The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society (NZ) publishes the Best Fish Guide to try and encourage u

Further classification Based on the information above, we can confidently categorise earthworms as living things as they carry out all seven life processes. It is now possible to classify them further into a  series  of hierarchical categories:  kingdom ,  phylum ,  class ,  order ,  family ,  genus  and  species . Classifying living things into these categories is an important way for scientists to show how living things are related to each other. Most scientists classify living things into one of the following six kingdoms. Bacteria  are single-celled microorganisms that don’t have a  nuclear membrane . Protozoans  are single-celled organisms that are generally much larger than  bacteria . They may be  autotrophic  or  heterotrophic . Chromists  are a diverse group of plant-like organisms and range from very small to very large. They are found in almost all environments. Fungi  are multicellular and rely on breaking down  organic  material as they are not able to make their own food.

The dictionary definition goes something like this: “An individual form of life, such as a bacterium, protist, fungus, plant or animal consisting of a singular cell or a complex of cells in which cell organelles or organs work together to carry out the various processes of life.” But turn and ask your friend the same question, “what are living things?” Chances are he or she will associate life or a living being with movement, that is unless he or she refuses to answer the question. You see, most of us identify life through movement. When we breathe, our chest moves up and down, it makes it easier to point at a person and call him alive. But what about a leaf? If the color you look at is green, it is alive. But you see, the conundrum arises when one reminds you that there are plants which exist that aren’t green. So, now what is the solution? There is no definite solution, to be honest. On the safe side, one can assume that if something can procreate or reproduce, it can be called alive