Jul
Snake venom and human blood do not mix (here’s proof)
This video shows the venom of a Russell’s viper being extracted before a single drop is added to some blood.
The result? See for yourself (it makes me weak in the knees thinking about it).
UPDATE: In the video it’s actually rat’s blood that is seen coagulating. Russell’s viper venom will do the opposite to human blood by completely thinning it out - still a very scary thought.
Jun
Graphic science: The Human Microbiome Project
Continuing this week’s microbiome theme, The Wag have provided a easily digestible (yep) illustration that sums up the overall findings of the human microbiome project.
It’s wonderful - head here for the full cartoon.
Jun
Science art: Human anatomy and metaphysics
Nice scientific visuals by Arian Behzadi.
Jun
This is you
The human genome: lookin’ good.
May
Inside the human heart
National Geographic have an impressive gallery showcasing one of the most beautiful, complex and important organs of the human anatomy: the heart.
From NG:
Tissue-paper thin but tough, the valves of the human heart open and close to pump 6 quarts (0.9 liters) of blood a day through 60,000 miles (97,000 kilometers) of vessels. That’s equivalent to 20 treks across the United States from coast to coast. The heart is a magnificent machine when it’s in good working order. But coronary heart disease is the number one killer of American men as well as women, resulting in 500,000 deaths in the United States and killing 7.2 million people worldwide each year.
Photograph by Lennart Nilsson
May
Digital Biological Human
Get to really know your body with this in-depth rendering of human anatomy.
Online browser-based interactive resource allows you to examine human anatomy:
The BioDigital Human is a 3D platform that simplifies the understanding of anatomy, disease and treatments. Explore the body in 3D!The BioDigital Human is a 3D platform that simplifies the understanding of anatomy, disease and treatments. Interactive tools for exploring, dissecting, and sharing custom views, combined with detailed medical descriptions provide an unprecedented new visual format to learn about your body.This app uses the exciting new web standard for 3D - WebGL.You can try it out here - if you use Chrome, you can get the Chrome app here
(via greatmindsofscience)
May
Rare genetic variants more likely than common ones to result in disease
A common problem with the mass-sequencing of genetic material, especially the human genome, is how to translate this information into meaningful scientific data. Following the publication of the first draft sequence of the human genome in 2001, a natural starting point has been the comparison between sequences of different origin in an attempt to identify degrees of disease susceptibility and potential markers. But this approach, arguably, has so far proven to be unsuccessful.
However in an article in Nature magazine this week, Erika Check Hayden highlights the results of two recent papers (here and here) that suggest that “the most common genetic variations actually have very small impacts on complex human traits, and that it is the rarer variations - carried by fewer than five people in a thousand - are more significant to human health”.
Head over to Nature for more - it’s an interesting read.
May
Explore The Human Microbiome
The human microbiome refers to all of the microbial organisms that reside in the body including bacteria, fungi, and archaea. Notably, the human body contains over 10 times more microbial cells than human cells.
To illustrate the diversity of these ‘body bugs’, Scientific American have profiled this impressive, interactive map of the key microorganisms commonly identified in the human body and their predominant location.
Interest in the human microbiome has increased in recent years, following reports that the type and number of microorganisms seem to play a role in the onset of several medical conditions including obesity, cancer, and diabetes.
(via freshphotons)
May
The circulatory system of the human heart
“The human heart stripped of fat and muscle, with just the angel veins exposed.”
(via loveyourchaos)
About Me
Hi there, I'm Jim: PhD student in the biological sciences, enthusiast, friendly neighbour, Australian.
