Blaire+Webber


 * B-WEBZ's kinda cool Wikispace. You are special.**
 * Homework #1**
 * Another Generic Post About Cancer.** Okay, not //completely// generic. Still interesting.

As we know already, our bodies are completely made up of cells, and each cell knows exactly what purpose it must serve depending on where it is. Most types of cells stay where they are in tissues, with the exception of White blood cells, which travel all around, patrolling, looking for opportunities to fight off infections or other bad guys that make their way into the system. However, cancer cells, ignoring the "status quo" of normal cells, invade and destroy other tissues where they do not belong.

When cancer spreads to different parts of the body, it is called "Metastasis". This is one of the main reasons why cancer is so lethal. Tumors (large groups of uncontrollably growing cells) are relatively easy to remove surgically, but when metastasis occurs, it often spreads to so many different parts of the body that it is nearly impossible to control with surgery alone. This is not to suggest that there are not ways of killing cancer from a person. There are methods such as Chemotherapy, or "Chemo" and Radiation. While Chemotherapy kills rapidly dividing cells in the form of a drug, Radiation therapy kills them simply by exposure.

Some basic causes of cancer are:
 * Smoking
 * Unhealthy diets
 * Exposure to dangerous chemicals
 * Heredity
 * Predisposition

Cancer begins when cells break free from their normal routine. Let's put our imaginations to work a little bit. Picture a straight line of mature, disciplined people stretching as far as you can see. Then, you see one break off from the group and start flailing themselves all over the place, growing and multiplying uncontrollably, and entering into forbidden places. That is pretty much what happens in the body, except for the fact that cells are not people. They are cells.

If you'd like to hear a monotonous man speak about this lovely subject, you may click this URL. Have fun! []

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ References: [] "How Cancer Spreads" September 1996; Scientific American Magazine; by Ruoslahti "Fundamental Understandings" September 1996; Scientific American Magazine; by Staff Editor "What Causes Cancer?" September 1996; Scientific American Magazine; by Trichopoulos, Li, Hunter [] ‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍‍ Oh, would you look at this silly woman, clutching her simultaneously silly joints! She looks as if she is experiencing some kind of pysical pain! Well, isn't that somethin'. Perhaps she has Arthritis! (She has Arthritis) .....but what on earth IS Arthritis, and how dare she inherit such habits? Well, children, there is something out there called Rheumatoid Arthritis (commonly referred to as "RA"). This is a long-term disease that causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues....which causes issues. The cause of RA is unknown, but what we do know is that it is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body's immune system mistakeningly attacks healthy tissue. Oops.
 * Wiki Post #1 - Rheumatoid Arthritis**

RA can occur at any age, either gender, but is most common in middle aged women. Infection, genes, and hormone changes may be linked to the disease. Wrists, fingers, knees, feet, and ankles are the most commonly affected.

Casual question: Why did I post about this incredibly silly topic? Even more casual answer: Well, my grandmother always had it as a kid and I was always like "?????????" when I saw her somewhat odd-looking joints. Also, I always have a touch of hypochondria when it comes to this particular disease. Besides the fact that my father has developed some of his own, I have more reasons than just that. You see, for the last 6.5 years I have been playing a wretchedly pleasant instrument called the guitar. Sometimes I worry that the finger that I strum with is developing Arthritis, as sometimes the joint gets a little stiff and refuses to stay straight the way I would like it to. What if my ill-fated suspisions are correct? What if my life ends before it has barely begun? WHAT WILL BECOME OF MY WONDERFUL FINGERS?? CUUURRSEEEE YOOUUU ARRRTHHHRIIITIIISSS!!! ...please

That was silly.

References: [] Huizinga TW, Pincus T. In the clinic. Rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Intern Med. 2010 Jul 6;153(1). Scott DL, Wolfe F, Huizinga TW. Rheumatoid arthritis. Lancet. 2010 Sep 25;376(9746):1094-108. Harris ED Jr, Firestein GS. Clinical features of rheumatoid arthritis. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Harris ED Jr, et al., eds. //Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology//. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 66. []

**Wiki Post #2 - Hiccups (Singultus)**
To the right, you will notice a photo. This photo is of CTV's sitcom, "Hiccups". It is a comedy. However, actual hiccups are not all that funny. They're annoying. That is, unless it's a baby who has them, then they're just cute.

**Descripton:** A hiccup is an unintentional movement (spasm) of the diaphragm (the muscle at the base of the lungs). The spasm is followed by quick closing of the vocal cords, which produces the wonderful sound that we all know and love.

Hiccups normally begin for no apparent reason, and disappear either a few seconds, or minutes later. In extreme cases, they can last for days, months, or years (although I've only seen such cases in World Record books).

**Cause:**
 * Abdominal surgery
 * Disease or disorder that irritates the nerves that control the diaphragm (such as pleurisy or pneumonia)
 * Hot and spicy foods or liquids
 * Harmful fumes
 * Stroke or tumor affecting the brain

Hiccups may be caused by these things, but these things may not be the only causes. While one case could have legitamate theories behind them, another case may very well not.

**Cure:** There is no actual cure for hiccups, and my theory is that all of the things people recommend or suggest to get rid of them are mere distractions, and they just go away on their own.

That being said, there are some things which will help persistent hiccups. It helps if a professional gives you gastric lavage (stomach pumping) or massage of the carotid sinus in the neck. If hiccups continue, medications such as "phenothiazine" (especially chlorpromazine), baclofen, or anticonvulsants may help. Tube insertion (also called "nasogastric intubation") may also help.

References:
[] Rucker JC. Cranial neuropathies. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. //Neurology in Clinical Practice//. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann; 2008:chap 74. []

Well, folks, I suppose it's time to address a bit of a touchy subject: Nerve Damage. You see, at birth, I was forcefully and violently removed from my mother's womb with salad tongs (also knwn as "forceps"). This was all because my head was just a liiitttllee bigger than it should have been (hence, my super cute baby nickname, "Bowling Ball Head"). Anyway, as I was undergoing such trauma, the "doctor" hit a nerve in my right temple, resulting in my notorious lazy eyelid. It was most prominent in my youth, however it still reveals itself when I am especially tired, or if I rub it.
 * Wiki Post #3 - Nerve Damage**

If you'd like to gaze upon the pleasant photograph of little B, you may not only notice uncontrollable joy, but also the fact that the right eye looks just a little bit smaller than the other.

There are three general categories of nerves.
 * **Autonomic nerves:** These nerves control the involuntary or partially voluntary activities of your body, including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. (damage may affect you with things such as too much sweating (known as hyperhidrosis) or too little sweating (known as anhidrosis), lightheadedness, dry eyes and mouth, constipation, or bladder dysfunction)
 * **Motor nerves:** These nerves control your movements and actions by passing information from your brain and spinal cord to your muscles. (damage may cause weakness, muscle atrophy, twitching [also known as fasciculation], or paralysis)
 * **Sensory nerves:** These nerves send information from your skin and muscles back to your spinal cord and brain. The information is then processed to let you feel pain and other sensations. (damage may cause pain, sensitivity, numbness, tingling or prickling, burning, or problems with positional awareness)

I believe that I have motor nerve damage, as it affects the muscles around my eye, I can't feel it (eliminating sensory) and it is not a natural bodily function (like breathing, therefore eliminating the possiblilty of it being autonomatic). That being said, you can experience more than one type of nerve damage (i.e. weakness and burning in the same leg). There are more than 100 different types of nerve damage. Different types may have different symptoms and may require different types of treatment.

Over 20 million Americans have peripheral nerve damage (peripherals are the ones outside your brain and spinal cord). This type of damage becomes increasingly more common with age. In one out of every three people with peripheral nerve damage, the damage comes from diabetes (about 50% of people with diabetes suffer from nerve damage). In another third, the cause of the nerve damage remains unknown. In my opinion, the other unmentioned third was caused by forceps, even considering the extreme unlikelihood of forceps touching your brain or spinal cord......they're still dreadful little things.

References: [] Glass, J. (2010, March 02). "Nerve pain and nerve damage"

Polio (Poliomyelitis/Infantile Paralysis) is a disease that affects the nerves, and can lead to partial or full paralysis, and in some cases, death.
 * Wiki Post # 4 - 1916 Polio Epidemic**

The virus spreads through direct human contact, contact with infected mucus or phlegm from the nose or mouth, or by contact with infected feces. It enters through the mouth and nose, multiplies in the throat and intestinal tract, and then is absorbed and spread through the blood and lymph system (system involved with circulatory/nervous system). Symptoms usually start to appear on average 7 – 14 days after exposure.

In areas where there is an outbreak, those most likely to get the disease include children, pregnant women, and the elderly. The disease is most common in the summer and fall. In 1916, a Polio epidemic broke out in the United States. It killed approximately 6,000 people, 2,000 in New York City alone. The disease emerges in different places in the states each year, with a death toll of about 10,000 people since the initial outbreak. This being said, death does not usually occur unless the brain or spinal cord is involved.

In the 1940s (when the epidemic was at its peak, and apparently visiting Chicago, Illinois), my grandfather got it while swimming, causing partial paralysis of one of his feet. He was kept in hospital for a considerable amount of time, and most likely needed some help walking for a while even when he was released.

There are three types of Polio. These include Subclinical, Nonparalytic and Paralytic.

**Symptoms of Subclinical ** (normally lasting about 72 hours or less)**:** **Symptoms of Nonparalytic **(normally lasting from 1 – 2 weeks)**:** **Symptoms of Paralytic ( **Permanent, I suppose)**:**
 * General discomfort or uneasiness ( malaise )
 * Headache
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Red throat
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Slight fever
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Sore throat
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Vomiting
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Back pain or backache
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Diarrhea
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Excessive tiredness, fatigue
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Headache
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Irritability
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Leg pain (calf muscles)
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Moderate fever
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Muscle stiffness[[image:http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lk08e9BNQ01qzgrfr.jpg width="304" height="209" align="right"]]
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Muscle tenderness and spasm in any area of the body
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Neck pain and stiffness
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Pain in front part of neck
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Pain or stiffness of the back, arms, legs, abdomen
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"> Skin rash or lesion (tissue abnormality) with pain
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Vomiting
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Fever 5 - 7 days before other symptoms
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"> Abnormal sensations (but not loss of sensation) in an area
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"> Bloated feeling in abdomen
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Breathing difficulty
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Constipation
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Difficulty beginning to urinate
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">Drooling
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Headache
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Irritability or poor temper control
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;"> Muscle contractions or muscle spasms in the calf, neck, or back
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Muscle pain
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Muscle weakness, asymmetrical (only on one side or worse on one side) Sensitivity to touch; mild touch may be painful
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Comes on quickly
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Location depends on where the spinal cord is affected
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Worsens into paralysis

<span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Post-polio syndrome is a complication that develops in some patients, usually 30 or more years after their initial infection. Weakness may get worse in muscles that were previously weakened, and may even develop in muscles that previously were not thought to be affected.My grandfather also has Post-Polio syndrome, which affects his walking slightly even now.
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Stiff neck and back
 * <span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">Swallowing difficulty

<span style="color: #b41d0e; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">A vaccine was successfully developed in 1954. It is usually given orally, to children (being the largest target group).

<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 70%;">References: <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 70%;">Melnick, J.A. (1996, July). //Current status of poliovirus infections//.Retrieved from [] <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 70%;">deltaalphanovember (2008, September 10). //Worst diseases - the body count//. Retrieved from [] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Nath A, Berger JR. Poliomyelitis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Cecil Medicine //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier. 2007: chap 440. Retrieved from [] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Silver JK. Post-poliomyelitis syndrome. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo Jr TD, eds. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 137. Retrieved from [] []

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">**Wiki Post #5 - Gingers**

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If you think about it, people with red hair are extremely special human beings. Now, that is not necessarily taking personality into account, but rather the fact they are the rarest specimen in the human race. Only 1%-2% of the world's population is blessed with red hair, and the rest of the world is so jealous of them that they gave them their very own holiday: Kick a Ginger Day.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Skin and hair color are determined by a pigment called melanin. There are two main categories: Eumelanin, which produces brown/black hair, and phaeomelanin, which produces reddish brown hair.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In the 1990s, scientists focused their studies on the 16th chromosome, particularly one of its genes, MC1R. Now, the job of MC1R is to make a protein called MC1R receptor (melanocortin 1). This protein plays a key role in the conversion of phaeomelanin to eumelanin. When there are two mutated versions of the MC1R gene, the conversions are not as frequent and so there is a build up of phaeomelanin in the pigment cells. Consequently a person will have red hair and fair skin, they are also prone to freckles.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Parents have a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with red hair (these chances are for every child, not for every family). This is due to the fact that the parents both have a functioning and mutant version of the MC1R gene. They will have a “ginger” kid if both of their mutant genes come together.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Although being a ginger is a magnificent experience (or so I should think), there has been research conducted, followed by further research that contradicts it. First, people were saying that gingers have a lower pain tolerance. For example, they said that red haired people would need more anaesthetics during surgery than people with blonde or brown hair. However, this research was later said to be false, and gingers actually have a much higher pain tolerance.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">If you are a ginger, you had better be lathering on the SPF 6000 on sunny days, as you are more prone to burn and retract skin cancer than other people. Your melanin, the pigment responsible for tanning as a protection mechanism is different than that of all of the non-gingers in the world. That is just one of the many reasons why you are special.

<span style="color: #ff2900; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Take advantage of your being a ginger. And do not dye your hair, please. It is beautiful. Besides, we learned today that a ginger shall no longer be judged based on the color of their hair, but on the chemicals in their pigment (or lack thereof!). References: Arnold, P. (2009, September 04). //The genetics of red hair//. Retrieved from [] []

In terms of Stem Cell research, despite having a Christian background (we're not as uptight as you might think), I think that scientists should do whatever it takes to save human lives. This directly applies to discarded embryos from IVF. If the embryos were not to be used, the scientists would not be taking away from any sort of human life. I strongly agree with the fact that if humans have the capabilities to improve human life, they should do so. If they didn't act on these capabilities in order to protect the human lives that the embryos probably wouldn't have had, their morals would amount to little, if not counterproductivity. The chances of success for this research are very high, so I cannot see any reason why it shouldn't be conducted.
 * Homework #2**

At the moment, I don't really have an opinion on whether tax money should be used to support stem cell research, only because I do not yet pay taxes. However I think that those who do have an opinion whould consider their loved ones, in the sense that you never know when someone in your life could get sick, or need some kind of medical attention involving methods that only stem cells can provide. Therefore, perhaps paying taxes that go to research could be similar to paying life insurance. It all comes down to how you look at it.

I think that stem cell should, in fact, be regulated by the government. We wouldn't want any crazies going around cloning their dogs in the basement or something. Plus, since we have a democratic gonvernment, I think that it would be the most realistic solution, because most people would probably think the same thing.

I think that it may be beneficial to have somewhat different laws for adult and embryonic stem cells, but I wouldn't be absolutely enraged if the rules were the way for both. I already expressed my pleasure in stem cell reasearch in general, so I suppose the same reasons would apply. Do what you need to do to save lives!!

If stem cell therapies are regulated, I think that theraputic cloning for producing embryotic stem cells for research should be permitted. For example, I think it'd be better for someone to get an organ (one sure to be compatible, at that) instantly, rather than have to wait and put their life at risk, or die from their body rejecting said organ.

References: []

**Homework #3** The Hot Zone: Part 1

Charles Monet, a french man living in Africa in 1980 contracts a lethal agent in Kitum Cave while on Mount Elgon for vacation on New Years. After a few days, he starts experiencing symptoms: a severe head ache, back ache, red eyes, expressionless face, rash, etc. He must be flown to the Nairobi hospital for treatment, and on the plane he vomits "vomito negro", or black vomit. In the waiting room of the hospital, his body crashed and he bleeds out. Dr. Musoke, who was taking care of him, accidentally ingests Charles' vomit, when he throws up all over him and in his mouth. Charles dies, and Dr. Musoke is diagnosed with Marburg disease, experiencing the same initial symptoms, but survives.

Nancy Jaax is a veteranarian with the Army, along with her husband. She cuts her hand one day while making supper for her kids, and goes into work the next day. There, she is dealing with level 4 biohazardous materials. She has three layers of gloves on (along with a space suit) and she discovers a rip in the two outermost layers while her hands are drenched in Ebola contaminated monkey blood. Luckily, her cut/skin does not come in contact with the Ebola.

Gene Johnson is a civilian who has a project which revolves around Ebola, and the possibility of finding a vaccine/cure. He finds, after the death of a 10-year-old who visited the same cave as Charles Monet, that Marburg most likely lives in Kitum Cave. He takes a team there, and conducts experiments with caged animals to see if they contract the disease. Sadly, they do not.

The first part of the book also goes into great detail regarding how the virus is passed on from person to person, with different methods of transmission.

What interests/grosses me out the most is the description of human bodies crashing and bleeding out, and insides liquifying....things like that. I think that what gets me the most, though, is reading about blood coming from all openings in the body without clotting, filling your eyeballs, coming out eye sockets, mouth, and everywhere else. Also, when it was described that the surface of the tongue will turn red and "slough off".....That is disgusting. I'd prefer to keep my tongue the way it is.

The Hot Zone: Part 2
 * Homework #4 **

In Reston, Virginia in 1989, there is a company called Hazelton that keeps monkeys for a month after they are imported to the US. A man named Dan Dalgard, a Veteranarian, is called in because the monkeys are breaking in some sort of disease and dying quickly (in a certain room). In order to try and confirm what was happening to the monkeys, he calls USAMRIID (where Nancy Jaax works). They agree to take a look at some samples, so Dalgard sends some blood and spleen samples. At USAMRIID, they confirm that the monkeys most likely have a certain type of fever that is harmful to only monkeys, and Dalgard euthanizes the sick monkeys. However, taking photos with a microscope, the scientists at USAMRIID find that the samples have a filovirus. After they figure this out, Tom Geisbert (who discovered that it was a filovirus) and Peter Jahrling remember that they had sniffed the tube that contained the filovirus, and handled it without proper equipment. Neither of them had gotten headaches yet. Dan Dalgard is anxious about getting word back from USAMRIID about the test results, and he is concerned because monkeys are dying in other rooms. Geisbert runs come tests, and discovers that the filovirus is Ebola Zaire (worse than Marburg, which was what he initially thought). Geisbert and Jahrling alert C.J. Peters, who has a higher ranking, and then they take it even further up the chain of command. Gene Johnson attemps to biocontain the monkeys. Nancy Jaax gives some of the monkeys necropsies to do further research. Colonel C.J. Peters holds a big meeting for everyone who the virus would concern (not including everyone on the planet). Gene Johnson drives to Reston to see the layout of the monkey house, and is horrified by how little precaution everyone is taking there. The team, including Nancy, try to calm down some of the people who they have alerted, who may have come in contact with the virus.

For some reason, one thing that really grossed me out was when it was talking about Monkeys biting and scratching your face and eyes. Nothing really weird comes to mind other than that.

**Wiki Post #6 - <3 Whales <3 in Captivity**

As you may or may not have noticed by the explicit title of this post, I love whales; perhaps even more than I love humans. I've got a whale shotglass, towel, DVD, and a burning passion in my soul. Also, I will mention that the Shamu show at SeaWorld was the single best 20 minutes of my life.

Today, I would like to focus on just one type of whale: the Orca. My favorite. However, this is not such a happy topic. Although the fact that many Orcas are held in captivity does contribute to my obsession, there are many risks, often harming my little babies both physically and psychologically. To give a bit of a history lesson, the originally Shamu from SeaWorld died in 1971, after being held captive for only six years. The truth of the matter is, captivity does not only hinder their right to freedom - evidently, it also shortens their lifespan. Some scientists claim that, in the wild, female Orcas have a lifespan 70 years on average, while males live for about 40 years on average. In captivity, it is said that both females and males don't live much more than 20 years.

What really leads people to question whether whales should be held captive are occurances such as accidents, illnesses, failed pregnancies, premature deaths, and even attacks on trainers and other human beings. The whales are not necessarily to blame for any of these things, especially when some of these things seem to be conscious decisions made by the animals. If I were to blame it on anything, I would point my finger at the stress put on the whales when kept in a tank, away from their pod (family).

The size of the tanks, and the lack of anything resembling their natural habitat is blamed for the variations in both health and behavior. Natural movement and speed are decreased. Males (and some females) have tall dorsal fins that bend over due to lack of space. Normally, their fins are held up by collagen, and there are several theories as to why this happens, named by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
 * Alterations in water balance caused by the stresses of captivity dietary changes.
 * Lowered blood pressure due to reduced activity patterns.
 * Overheating of the collagen brought on by greater exposure of the fin to the ambient air.

Their tanks have flat, plain blue walls, and many scientists believe that this lack of diversity leads to limited activities, which also affects the behavior of the Orcas. They become restless, and sometimes even aggressive.

Many do not recieve the nourrishment that they would have in the wild. In their natural habitat, the whales feed on sharks, fish, squid, whales, seals, turtles, octopus, penguins, and sea gulls. However, in captivity, they are fed frozen fish and vitamin supplements.

The quality of the water is a major contributor to health problems in captive whales. Even though the water is pumped in from the ocean in most marine parks, it is filtered to remove micro and macro marine life, and chlorine is added. An ozonator is used to remove bacteria, some of which would otherwise serve important purposes. All of this filtering and water treatment is not natural, and not good for for the Orcas.

I'm gonna go watch Free Willy now.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 70%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 70%;">

Alright, so chances are that these next few posts will be sea creature/ocean related. This is because I my obsession is growing, and topics are becoming limited. This post in particular is about a very cute, but sad looking fish. It is called the Blobfish (direct your attention to the photograph). It really does look like a cartoon, don't you think? Also, I think he's drooling. Someone should clean him off, or at least give him a napkin or something.
 * Wiki Post #7 - Blobfish**

Our little friend here can be found 800 meters below sea-level near the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. They can grow up to about 12 inches, and they are rarely seen by humans.

Most of us have probably been told at one time or another that if we don't get our exercise or stay on the couch too long we'll turn to jelly (or something along those lines). Well, that's the sort of trauma that this poor soul tends to have to deal with on a daily basis. The only difference would be that he never had any muscles to begin with, and he actually is made of jelly - or a similar substance. This means that instead of swimming around to find food, this food simply sits waits for his food to come by. It's probably quite depressing, hence his expression.

Another reason for his sadness would be the fact that he lives in the same areas and depths as some other animals that we might know - such as lobsters, crabs, and things like that. Scientists are saying that over-fishing on the Australian coast is causing these little beauties to be dragged up in fishing nets with these other fish. I may add the fact that Blobfish are not edible. But they are awfully cute.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 70%;">References: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 70%;"> Hough, Andrew. "The Telegraph." //Blobfish: world's most 'miserable looking' marine animal facing exinction//. The Telegraph, 26 Jan 2010. Web. 14 Jan 2012. [].

Well, as promised, here is another post about sea creatures <3 My obsession with fish and whales and sharks is out of the bag now, so it might get pretty intense. I don't know if you can handle it.
 * Wiki Post #8 - Megalodon**

This time, we're going back a few years. By that, I mean back to prehistoric times. Picture a Great White shark, but 2 - 3 times bigger: As a result, you would get a Megalodon. It was/is the largest predatory sea creature to date, outweighing other fatties like the Leopleurodon and Kronosaurus.

Their teeth were over 6 inches long - over twice as long as those of a Great White. Holy cow!

Fun Fact: Megalodons actually have the nickname "giant-tooth". Probably for no reason though, 'cause their teet

h were small. Just kidding. I just said they were big a second ago. The T-Rex is the only animal ever to have had larger teeth than them. Also, their teeth are heart-shaped. Probably because they know I love them. The Big Megz' teeth have always been found all other the world, however not much have been discovered as far as actual bones go. This means that their size has always had to be estimated (about 40 to 100 feet, due to scaling comparisons to Great Whites). Scientists aren't even positive of what they looked like! Their teeth are found to have been about 7 inches long, which, if you think about it, is the size of a small kitten. Now, think of the teeth of the sharks as being kittens.

They ate some of my best friends. The Whales. Some honorable mentions (animals that I care slightly less about) include dolphins, squids, fish, and giant turtles. Apparently their biting power (between 10.8 and 18.2 tons) was enough to crush the skull of a

prehistoric whale as easily as a grape. Ouch. Plus, scientists think that they may have disabled the whales by biting off their fins so they couldn't swim away. That's horrifying. I like my fins.

It's always been a mystery as to why these animals went extinct. Some kooks even think that they never did, and they're still in the ocean somewhere. Ok guys, bring me one. Then I'll believe you.

References: [] Strauss, Bob. "10 Facts About Megalodon." About.com: Dinosaurs. About.com, n.d. Web. <[]>.

Being fair-skinned as I am, it is a rather well-known fact that I tend to turn an odd shade of red on occasion. Rather than another sea creature post, I'd like to take a few minutes to discuss why the heck it happens to me. Blushing happens when the smallest blood vessels of the face, the capillaries, open up, or dilate, allowing more blood to flow into them. Sadly enough, these are greatly influenced by emotional stimulation.
 * Wiki Post #9 - Blushing**

Strangely enough, emotions are not the only cause of blushing. Spicy foods and alcohol are also able to trigger blushing in certain people. Sometimes it may signify illness - you may notice that when children are sick with a fever their cheeks are bright red.

Blushing is a symptom of a common skin condition, "Rosacea". Blushing, or the more dramatic flushing (with longer lasting and more widespread redness), may be a symptom of Carcinoid Syndrome. In this rare disease, a tumor randomly releases hormone-like chemicals which dilate blood vessels. Some other symptoms are wheezing, diarrhea, and hives. That being said, blushing is rarely due to significant illness.

The dilation and constriction of blood vessels is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system—which is not under conscious control. I know this fact quite well. Try as I may, I cannot avoid blushing or blush on command. That's just the way it is.

Resources: []

The Hot Zone: Part 3
 * Homework #5**

Takes place in the monkey house of Reston, Virginia. Jerry Jaxx is put in charge of a team that will go into the monkey house to deal with the Ebola living there. Word has begun to spread about the outbreak, and in order to keep things quiet, everyone involved in the mission wears civilian clothing. They changed into their space suits behind the building, trying not to be seen by the media. Gene Johnson and other figures of authority decided to kill all of the monkeys, due to the fact that the chances were very high that the healthy monkeys would become infected, if they hadn't already. The monkeys were killed with needles and such, and samples were taken from their insides. They were then put into hatboxes in the hallway. It was apparent that Ebola was in the monkey house, so they decided to call it Ebola Reston. For now, it could only infect monkeys, and it travelled through the air. After all monkeys were killed and the job was done, the team went through an intense decontamination procedure - first cleaning themselves, then the entire building was completely sterilized. The building was scrubbed down with bleech, and 39 Sunbeam electric fry pans were used to cook disinfectant crystals. The crystals then released formaldehyde gas.

I found the building's sanitization process to be really interesting. They literally wiped out every living thing in the entire building, and I find that quite difficult to understand, because every other place on earth has life of some kind. That's all :)

**Homework #6** The Hot Zone: Part 4

Richard Preston, the author, goes on a trip to Mount Elgon. With him he brings his friends Jamy Buchanan and Frederic Grant, along with a professional hunter, Robin MacDonald and his family. Preston packs many precautionary items - a level 4 biological space suit, a gallon of Jik (Bleech), green ruber gauntlet gloves, yellow ruber boots, a black mask, sticky tape, a plastic shower cap, a head lamp and a flashlight. To prepare for entry into the cave, Preston takes in his flashlight. He begins to look around, and notes all the life and diversity and all the possible hosts to the Ebola strain. It could have been in fruit bats, insect bats, moths, flies, spiders, even rocks. Once he leaves the cave, he and his team head back to camp where he and his friends play poker and drink whiskey and beer. The book concludes with Richard travelling to the abandoned monkey house. There, finds that the building has been up for lease for many years. He looks into the windows and recalls that there are, in fact, living organisms in the building - spiders, Tartarian honeysuckle vines and other insects. At the end of the novel, Richard concludes that Ebola will be back!

I think that Richard visiting the places he told stories about in the novel was a really good way to end the book. I found that it gave the book a different perspective, because throughout the book he was going off of other peoples' accounts, and what they remembered, whereas when he went there himself it made it seem a little more real.

**Wiki Post #10 - Hot Zone Related - Blood Clots**

Reading The Hot Zone, it often talked about how when Ebola or Marburg victims' bodies were crashing, their blood would clot. I knew that this existed, and had an idea of what it was, What are they, though, and why do they happen? Well, you're in luck! I've got a nice little explanation for you right here.

Blood is constantly in moving, being pumped through arteries to organs and cells of the body. The blood is returned back to the heart by the veins. Veins are squeezed when muscles in the body contract and push the blood back to the heart.

Blood clotting happens when your body is trying to repair damaged blood vessels.

In blood, there are red blood cells (which carry oxygen to cells and remove carbon dioxide), white blood cells that fight infection, platelets (which are part of the clotting process), and blood plasma (which contains fluid, chemicals and proteins that are important for bodily functions).

Complicated systems in the bloodstream form clots when and where they are necessary. If the lining of the blood vessels becomes injured, platelets are recruited to the area to form an initial plug. These platelets release chemicals that start the clotting, using a series of clotting factors produced by the body. In the end, fibrin is formed, the protein that crosslinks with itself to make a mesh that makes up the final blood clot.

The medical term for a blood clot is a "thrombus". When it is formed as part of a normal repair process of the body, there is little consequence. Unfortunately, there are times when a blood clot will form when it is not needed, and this can have potentially significant consequences. I guess that it wasn't so good when the Ebola-infected people were crashing. Blood clots all around!! Unfortunately, my computer will not let me upload a photo at the moment - however, you may use this link to see one. Cheers! [] References: []