As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, the stores are a sea of red, white and pink. Some people reach for a heart-shaped trinket, while others may opt for the standard teddy bear.  Some people, on the other hand, may be headed to the local grocery store. For thousands of years, certain foods have been named as having aphrodisiac properties. An aphrodisiac is loosely defined as any substance that promotes, enhances, or even creates romantic desire. Named for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, each culture around the world is sure to have a list of foods that help set the mood. But do these ancient remedies have any merit in the world of science? After decades of research on the topic, three general theories have emerged to help explain how aphrodisiacs might work.Sexual desire is based on hormones. Hormones are naturally occurring chemicals that are produced by our brains. Hormones tell our bodies what to do.  The first theory suggests that many foods contain chemicals that are similar to natural hormones, and influence our bodies accordingly. One of the most popular aphrodisiacs thought to be chemically based is chocolate. Used to promote romance since the early days of the Aztecs, chocolate contains chemicals called serotonin and phenylethylamine. Both are “feel good” chemicals that are naturally produced in our bodies. By increasing these hormones, individuals may feel happier, excited, and attracted to their partners. The second theory explains that certain foods have high doses of specific nutrients. These nutrients directly influence the production of sex hormones.  The very popular aphrodisiac oysters, for example, are very high in zinc. Zinc is linked to testosterone levels (which impacts libido in males and females) and also influences healthy sperm production. Although this theory seems sound, it was probably more prevalent when aphrodisiacs were being “discovered” centuries ago. People of the past were commonly nutrient deficient, and therefore a healthy dose of any nutrient-rich food would have contributed to their overall well-being and activity level. Finally, the third theory hints at the fact that many aphrodisiacs resemble male or female anatomy. By consuming the food, your brain makes the association, and your body reacts accordingly. Most scientists are quick to point out that the brain plays a large role in all aphrodisiac use. If you think something is going to work, it probably will to some degree. To explore more about Sex, Love and Attraction, Science North will be hosting a Science Café on February 7th, 2012 at the Laughing Buddha Café. Panelists Dr. Frank Mallory, Dr. Michael White and Dr. Albrecht Schulte-Hostedde will reflect on the concepts from a biological, physiological and social perspective, while inviting comments and questions from the audience.  Start time is 7:30 p.m., and admission is free. 

There aren’t many topics that can hold an audience’s attention for a few minutes, let alone a few hundred years. For some reason, the world’s fascination with dinosaurs is just as deep as it was when the first fossil was discovered.  Earlier last week, at an excavation site in South Africa, scientists discovered what appears to be a dinosaur nesting area. 10 nests have been discovered so far in a small area on the side of a cliff. Leading the study is Dr. Robert Reisz, from the University of Toronto, along with colleagues from both the United States and Australia. The dinosaur that left these nests behind was called Massospondylus, and lived 200-180 million years ago. It was likely an herbivore (plant-eater) and also bipedal (walked on two feet). Adult Massospondylus were 4 - 6 meters in length, with long necks, long tales, tiny heads, and small arms. The nests were found in a relatively small area, but were contained in several different layers of sedimentary rock. This means that they were from different time periods. Scientists believe that female Massospondylus returned to the area year after year to lay eggs. As more rock erodes from the site, the researchers expect to find many more nests.Some of the discovered nests contained up to 34 eggs (most not hatched, with fossilized embryos inside). The eggs are not randomly scattered, but instead carefully arranged into clusters. This suggests that the females took time to replace the eggs after they’d been laid. More surprising still was the discovery of many tiny Massospondylus footprints in the nesting area. These footprints indicate that baby Massospondylus stuck around the nest until they were big enough to fend for themselves.  Prior studies have indicated that Massospondylus hatchlings were toothless, so the mothers must have provided food for them somehow, or aided them in finding suitable items. Studies suggesting that dinosaurs had parental instincts present a different concept, considering the term dinosaur literally means “terrible lizard”.  

Can nature make a snowman?Debra Dawe of Sudbury recently sent us a photo of a snow roll from a friend’s backyard.  These are a neat sight to see in winter, created by a specific set of ice, snow, and wind conditions.Snow rolls usually form on top of snow or ice.  We, in Sudbury, have had perfect conditions lately to make these. Temperature increases cause snow on the ground to melt. When this is followed by freezing rain, it creates a slick and smooth icy surface.  If there is a light and fluffy snowfall with temperatures hovering around the freezing point, it will make the snow sticky.  Add in a little wind, and you've got the perfect recipe for snow rolls.  When you make a snowman, you start by rolling some snow into a ball and then rolling it across the ground. Snow rolls are made in a very similar way.  However, when you make a snowman, you generally turn the ball around and compact it with your hands to make it more like a sphere.  If you rolled the snow in the same direction for a long time, it would become a cylinder shape.  In the case of a snow roll, the wind blows the snow into a small pile and then the wind blows it hard enough to flip the roll over and over again, building up enough snow to create a cylinder.  Snow rolls are often found in open fields that allow the wind to pass freely through.Snow rolls are often hollow and, depending on the temperature, they may freeze solid enough that you can pick them up!

Many visitors came up to the Forest Lab this summer to see our incubating grey rat snake eggs on display. Staff and visitors alike have spent the last three months anxiously waiting to find out whether the eggs would in fact hatch. I am quite sad to report that unfortunately none of the ten eggs hatched. Mold began to form on two of the ten eggs soon after being laid and upon inspection it seems that the eggs may not have been successfully fertilized. We kept the other eight eggs until the end of October when it became apparent that they weren’t going to hatch. It seems the eggs all died at approximately the same stage- fairly early in their development.  The most likely reason why our snake eggs didn’t fully develop has to do with the age of our female grey rat snake. We were a little surprised when our two-year-old snake Pandora laid the eggs, since grey rat snake females do not generally start to reproduce until the age of four years. Pandora was able to start reproducing at such a young age because unlike many other animals, the ability to reproduce in snakes is dependent on the size of the female and not her actual age. Since Pandora was born and raised in captivity, she’s always been fed on a consistent basis and therefore has grown to adult size quite quickly. In many animals that give birth to several young, including reptiles, a female’s reproductive success increases with age. That is with age, a female’s reproductive system ‘gets better’ at producing more healthy and viable young. This is particularly important in oviparous (egg-laying) animals like snakes- where the quality of the egg is crucial for survival. If the eggs do not contain enough food for the embryos to feed on while they complete development, then the embryo will emerge underdeveloped or not emerge at all. Studying these eggs over the last three months has made us aware of what a wonder it is that somehow without any parental care and despite the many conditions that must be just right, snake eggs still manage to survive in the wild!

This fall we wrapped up another exciting season of rearing, tagging and especially teaching about monarch butterflies.  Science North participates in Monarch Watch. This North American initiative aims to involve the public in collecting data to track the migration and population status of the monarch butterfly. The monarchs we see in Ontario every summer belong to the Eastern monarch population. In the fall, this population undergoes an incredible Southern migration to Mexico. Not bad for a little butterfly! Unfortunately this beautiful insect is declining due to habitat loss both in both their Northern (Canada and United-States) over-summering sites and Southern (Mexico) over-wintering sites. Science North helps monarchs by providing suitable habitat for them. Our Northern Garden is accredited as a Certified Monarch Waystation as it provides milkweed for the caterpillars to feed on and native plants as nectar sources for adults.    At the beginning of September. Science North visitors helped release tagged monarchs in the Northern Garden. Over the summer we successfully raised and released over 20 monarch caterpillars, 11 of which were tagged. The tagged monarchs will continue their migration and the tags will eventually be recovered when the monarchs die. The information on the tags will help scientists to determine migration patterns of monarchs, the effect of weather on their migration and their survival rate. Want to find out if any of our Science North monarchs made it to Mexico this winter? You can check the status of the monarchs released at Science North by searching the Monarch    Watch Tag Recovery Database: http://www.monarchwatch.org/scgi-bin/search2.plInput ‘Science North’ under the ‘Organization’ field or any of the specific tag codes: PAX125, PAX126, PAX127, PAX128, PAX129, PAX130, PAX131, PAX132, PAX134, PAX135, PAX136

A young man was on his way to his fiancé’s funeral when he collapsed.  He was rushed to the hospital.  The time was May 1993.  The place:  a small town in the four-corners region of the southwestern United States; a part of the world familiar through its appearance in so many old Hollywood westerns.He had flu-like symptoms such as fever and a headache.  Like many people who show up in the ER with these symptoms, the initial thought was aseptic meningitis and not bacterial meningitis, which can be life threatening.  The usual recommendation in such instances is to send patients home and tell them to take two aspirin, get plenty of bed rest, and have a bowl of chicken soup.But his condition worsened and his symptoms grew more severe. He couldn’t breathe.  No doubt he was asked the standard diagnostic questions like have you been out of the country recently? Did you eat any uncooked meat?  Did you come into contact with any wild animals?  But despite the efforts by the medical professionals, he died… a few days after his fiancé died too. Other people in the area began falling sick with the same symptoms.  There were other deaths.  Soon tests performed at the Center for Disease Control identified the cause – Hantavirus.  A particularly nasty, contagious parasite, deadly like the more infamous Ebola virus. There is no cure and no anti-viral treatment for Hantavirus.  It was transmitted to humans by rodents through their bites, saliva, or feces.  The problem then became how to prevent its spread?  You need to identify the species that carries and transmits it to humans in order to stop a major outbreak.This is where taxonomy comes in.  Taxonomy is the classifying of organisms into species, and it is what enables us to study biology.  We employ a system first used by the Swedish scientist Linnaeus in the 18th century.  It is sometimes referred to as binomial nomenclature because every species is given two names, a genus and species.  For instance, your pet cat is Felis catus.  Thanks to increased travel, the threat of a deadly and highly contagious diseases spreading around the globe has also increased.  Taxonomy allows us to identify diseases, where they come from, the species that transmit them, and how they are spread. This allows us to develop vaccines and medications that save lives.  Currently, there is still no vaccine available, but early detection of the virus has allowed us to treat it accordingly. Without the work of taxonomists who are studying Hantavirus, many more lives might have been lost due to this deadly disease, and other young men might have died on the way to their fiancé’s funeral.  As Carl von Linne himself said: "If the names are unknown, knowledge of things also perishes".

 Frogsicles anyone? The citizens of northern Ontario are tough. We laugh in the face of -20oC and winter blizzards. With no disrespect to the ‘can-do’ attitude of Northerners, there’s a creature that can trump our cold weather adaptations – the wood frog. This little frog has mastered the art of freezing and thawing, which allows it to live from the Central United States to the Arctic Ocean. Freezing and living to tell the tale is a pretty tricky proposition. The first European observation of frozen frogs comes from the British explorer Samuel Hearne on his expedition to the Arctic Ocean in 1771. Hearne and his team found several frozen frogs in piles of leaves while setting up camp. Hearne noted that if the frogs were gently warmed, they would reanimate. From these early observations, a whole section of biological exploration sprang up. Wood frogs spend their winters buried in leaf litter and clumps of moss. Once they have a suitable location, they prepare to be frozen. Ice is both the enemy and a partner in surviving a deep freeze. Ice crystals need to form slowly and, and in the right places, in order to avoid bodily harm to the frog. If ice forms in long, sharp needles they can puncture cells and tissues. When these cells thaw, they leak and eventually die. Ice needs to form slowly and outside the cells. The rate of ice production is controlled by several anti-freeze molecules produced by the frog. The first thing a wood frog does to control their freezing is to get rid of as much water as possible, and the easiest way to do that is to urinate. Anyone who has ever had a slushy, can understand how adding a lot of sugar to the solution can help keep it from freezing completely. Wood frogs dump large amounts of sugar into their blood until they have more than eight times the blood sugar of a hyperglycaemic human. With this massive amount of sugar flowing through the blood, the frog starts to slowly freeze from the outer extremities inward. The wood frog concentrates even more sugars and other protective molecules inside its cells, which forces the ice to form outside the cells in glassy sheets between muscle fibres and under the skin. The ice slowly advances towards the centre of the body, until the heart and brain functions cease. The frog can remain in this state, with its vital organs bathed in a slurry of sugary blood, for several months.On the defrost cycle, the wood frog thaws evenly through all parts of the body. As soon as enough ice has melted, both the brain and the heart spark back to life and the frog can go about its business. Exactly how brain and heart activity reactivate after months of dormancy is a secret that still baffles scientists. Scientists have learned a great deal from our frosty froggy friend. Advances in the preservation of frozen tissue can benefit those needing organ and tissue transplants and survival in extreme environments. So, the next time the weather dips below minus 20, luxuriate in your warm hat and mitts... at least you’re not a wood frog.

A study published on January 11, 2012 discovered not only two new species of frogs, but one of them takes the title of world’s smallest vertebrate measuring at 7.7 mm. A vertebrate is an animal that has a spinal column, or backbone. Until just last week the smallest vertebrate known to scientists was a fish (Paedocypris progenetica) measuring in at 7.9-10.3 mm. On the very opposite side of the spectrum, the blue whale takes the title for largest vertebrate with a length of 25.8m! The new smallest vertebrate went through extensive genetic analysis and has been given its scientific name (Paedophryne amauensis), which in Latin translates loosely into childlike, or miniature toad. For those of us who don’t speak Latin, hopefully the discoverers of the new species come up with a common name too. So, where and how does one find the world’s smallest frog? Well according to Eric Rittmeyer and Christopher Austin, two of the researchers on the paper, it wasn’t easy. They travelled to Papua New Guinea for a biological survey. From the leaf litter below, they heard calls at dawn and dusk making this frog neither nocturnal, nor diurnal but crepuscular. They were small trill calls that lasted between 1-3 minutes. Now, for anyone who has ever been out in the spring time and heard frogs and toads calling in the ponds and lakes around you, it can be quite a challenge to locate where that beautiful sound is coming from. Just think, the frogs and toads making those calls are huge in comparison, anywhere from 1.9 cm-11.1 cm! So how did they do it? Well they became so frustrated with looking through the leaf litter and coming up empty handed that they just grabbed a handful of leaves, put them in a bag and began sorting through the clump until they found the little jumping frogs. It was hard to get a good look at these frogs due to their size, but also their jumping capabilities. Turns out, they can jump over 30 times their body size! These little frogs are taking advantage of a very specific habitat in the forests of New Guinea. The leaf litter in the forest provides them with the camouflage they need from invertebrate predators, as well as the food they need to survive. Since amphibians need water to survive, they are closely tied to the moisture that the leaves contain. The researchers think that their small size might be in part linked to an evolution of their life history traits. As we know, frogs lay their eggs in water and those hatch into tadpoles that change into frogs. Well, 83% of miniature frog species don’t have a larval stage. In fact, they develop directly into frogs. More research will need to be conducted on these two new species to determine if they lay eggs, or just small frogs. Ecologically, the discovery of these two new species is very significant. Worldwide, amphibians are declining for many reasons. Some of these reasons include habitat loss, fragmentation and the spread of newly emerging infectious diseases such as chytrid fungus and rana virus. It is important to protect what little habitat is left for amphibians, and other species worldwide so they can continue to roam the planet for many years to come. If you are interested in helping out your local frog populations, head out in the springtime and record your sightings or frog call monitoring data to naturewatch.ca. You can enter your data into a real-time system that helps to monitor amphibian populations across Ontario. The full article can be found by E.N. Rittmeyer, A. Allison, M.C. Gründler, D.K, Thompson, and C.C. Austin. (2012) Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World’s Smallest Vertebrate. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29797. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029797

If you’re thinking about raising a glass of red wine this evening, you may want to hold the toast to a healthy heart. Depending on which studies you’ve read, that is. Last week, a prominent researcher from the University of Connecticut was found guilty of falsifying nearly a decade of scientific research. The main focus of his work was the link between heart health and a chemical that is found in red wine. Dr. Dipak K. Das (PhD) is a professor of surgery, and Director of the Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Connecticut. The bulk of Das’ research focused on the chemical resveratrol. Found in the skin of red grapes, resveratrol is widely thought to have antioxidant properties. The research conducted by Das and colleagues promoted the idea that resveratrol, taken through moderate consumption of red wine, was linked to a healthy cardiovascular system and overall longevity.Das has been charged with nearly 150 counts of data falsification and fabrication. In over 20 papers produced since 2002, there is evidence that Dr. Das’ team used imaging software to manipulate lab results. This, in turn, changed the outcome of the studies. The University is working to remediate the situation, which includes removing Dr. Das of his current positions and titles. It also requires informing scientific journals of the false data. Clearing the records of all falsified data will be difficult, as the papers in question have been sited and referenced by many researchers in the last decade. Despite the scope of research that this investigation will impact, there have been unrelated studies that discuss the health benefits of resveratrol. Though you may not have to dump out that merlot, remember to enjoy in moderation, and incorporate other heart-healthy behaviours.

We all know it’s winter outside by the snow and the cold temperatures.  But when you’re underground, it’s a different story.How cold does it get in a mine? With the cold spell that Sudbury experienced in early 2012, one of the mine exits at Dynamic Earth had cold air pouring in, making it colder than -10˚C.  As a result, the ground froze over, but the air near the ceiling of the mine stayed above zero.  The water seeping through the rock dripped from the warmer ceiling onto the frozen floor – where “ice stalagmites” grew drop by drop. In these conditions, their counterparts –the stalactites that hang from the ceiling – never formed.The tallest stalagmite is 1.07 meters high.  They get shorter as one continues into the mine. There are no more stalagmites after 40 meters, an indication of increasing temperatures as one moves through the mine.  As seen in the pictures, the location and relative sizes of the stalagmites are mapping out the pattern of dripping frequency in the mine drifts: The more it drips, the taller the stalagmite. This is just another reminder that we have plenty of cracks in the rock above us.Ice stalagmites are quite common at the entrance area of abandoned mines or caves. However, unlike the much deeper production mines in the Sudbury area, Dynamic Earth’s visitor mine is only 20 meters below the surface.  Despite the much shallower depth, the average temperature in the visitor mine stays at a hospitable 5˚C.Even though Dynamic Earth is closed to the general public during the winter months, schools are encouraged to book into our programs: your class will likely be able to witness the wondrous stalagmites on an Underground Tour.  Occasionally, even a layer of fog can be observed close to the ceiling of the drifts – another underground winter feature!  

As 2011 draws to a close, the world is busy reflecting and making resolutions. 2011 was a very exciting year in the world of science. In the spirit of New Year’s Eve countdowns everywhere, here are 10 of the most significant Current Science events of the last 12 months.    10. You’re acting like a Neanderthal!For the first time, the DNA of ancient Neanderthals was compared to that of modern humans. To the shock of the science community, up to 3% of the DNA was consistent between both specimens. This means that our ancestors crossbred with the Neanderthal population, and the Neanderthal is not entirely extinct. 9. Reactor Disaster In March, a tsunami struck near Fukushima, Japan. A large nuclear reactor plant had been damaged, and health concerns quickly spread in response to leaked radiation. Fortunately, quick action by plant workers minimized the impact and contained most of the radiation.  8. Family Ties In Scotland, scientists found a headless, brainless fish. It doesn’t sound very exciting, but it is believed to be a close relative (if not the same species) as a headless, brainless worm called amphioxus. Amphioxus is an ancient worm, believed to be the first creature to have a defined backbone, and the founder of all vertebrate species. Now that a living specimen has been located, scientists hope to learn more about spinal cord development. 7. Here Higgy Higgy...After years of extensive searching, scientists believe they are about to locate the Higgs boson particle. Improperly named the “God Particle”, finding the Higgs boson could explain the masses of all other elements.  6. Mars Mission Our desire to explore other planets continues to grow, and this year the robot Curiosity was launched to explore Mars. There are several rovers already examining our neighbouring planet, but Curiosity will be the largest to ever land on Mars.  5. The End of an Era Simultaneously marking 50 years of humans in space, the American space shuttle program ended. The final shuttle Atlantis landed, ending over 30 years and 100 missions of space exploration.  4. Horn of Africa The western black rhino was officially declared extinct in Africa. Humans are directly to blame, as the animals have been hunted relentlessly for their horns. The loss of this large animal marks a massive new wave of extinction that is anticipated to continue as more species are pressured by human development and climate change.  3. Retreating Arctic Ice In the last 12 months, the ice covering the Arctic has retreated more than it has in the past 1,400 years. As the ice disappears, soil and water is exposed, which warm faster and induce more melting. Half of the polar ice cap remains frozen, but will likely cease to exist in the next 30 years. Check out our link to the Polar Bear Cam.  2. Malaria No More For the first time in history, medical researchers have begun large scale trials for a drug that will help prevent malaria. Right now, babies under the age of two have been vaccinated, with over a 50% reduction in the disease. The second phase of the trial begins in 2012, with hopes of mass-vaccinations by 2015. If successful, this vaccination could save the lives of close to a million people each year.  1. Earth Reaches 7 Billion PeopleOn October 31st, it was estimated that the human population on Earth reached 7 billion. In a year that was also marked by famine, drought, flooding and disease, many scientists have expressed warnings that we are already overcapacity. There are grim predictions for resource allocation in the future, but new technology does offer some promise for a more sustainable lifestyle.  Wherever you choose to spend your New Year’s Eve, raise a toast to the incredible discoveries in the fields of science and technology in 2011. May 2012 bring you health, happiness, and never ending Current Science!  Will the world end in 2012? Read about the myths and theories in our blog post 2012: Rumour has it...

Looking outside, I wouldn’t be convinced that we are anywhere near the end of November, let alone the end of December. Despite the recent balmy weather, December 21st marked the first day of winter, and we are now in a period known as the Winter Solstice.  The Earth is constantly revolving around the sun, but not situated entirely parallel to it. Earth is tilted, by about 23.5 degrees, which makes different areas receive varying amounts of sunlight during different times of the year, hence different seasons. Around or on December 21st, the Earth reaches a point where the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun. This results in the northern hemisphere experiencing the shortest day, and longest night of the year. From now on, the Earth will slowly begin rotating back toward the sun, and we will receive more daylight hours, and less darkness.Although the physics of how the earth moves is only now well understood, the days of Winter Solstice have been celebrated around the world for centuries. Cultures marked the day as one of rejuvenation and rebirth, and held feasts and dances, and gave gifts to each other and various gods. Some communities still celebrate Winter Solstice, but it has been shadowed by other December celebrations, like Christmas and Hanukkah. Even with the warmer than average temperatures this year, most of us can agree that December is a fairly dark and gloomy month. It’s easy to want to curl up with a blanket, long before your normal bedtime. For some people though, winter months can bring on an actual disorder, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The disorder is caused by a change in hormones in response to the lack of exposure to daylight. Common symptoms include weight gain, increased desire to sleep, less energy during the day, loss of interest in social situations, unhappiness, irritability, and loss of libido. Generally, symptoms improve as day light hours lengthen, but treatment is available. Some physicians recommend scheduling time outside during day light hours, while others may suggest bright light therapy for 30 minutes per day. If you think that you may be suffering from SAD, it is best to talk to your doctor. He or she will help you choose a treatment that is best for you. 

Do you long to be greeted at the door by a tall, robust, fresh smelling Christmas tree during the holiday season, or does the thought of bundling up in layers and cutting down your own tree send shivers down your spine?  Well luckily there are options for every family during this season. Do you prefer a balsam or a fir, or maybe a fake tree instead? There are pros and cons to both fake and real trees in your home this holiday season. Real trees can cause allergies in some people who just have to think about pollen to start sneezing. Others shudder at the thought of having to clean up all those falling needles! Luckily, choosing the right type of tree can help avoid that big mess at the end of the year. Balsam fir trees and Fraser fir trees hold onto their needles for a very long time and can withstand being in the home without dropping too many of their needles. This is probably why these are two of the most popular species of trees for Christmas. The next two most popular trees are the White pine and Scots pine. All of these species are grown specifically in Ontario for the Christmas season. Come join me as I take a deeper look at some of the pros and cons of each type of tree. 

In one year the world will end!Or will it?Well according to one interpretation, the Mayan calendar predicts the end of an age on December 21st 2012 but not the end of the world. Nevertheless a number of claims exist out there of a cataclysmic astronomical event happening soon that could destroy life on Earth as we know. I thought it would be interesting to look at a few of these scenarios and see what evidence (if any) we have for each of them.  Magnetic Pole ReversalThis is a real effect. Over the Earth’s history its magnetic field has reversed many times – meaning if you had a compass needle that used point North it would point South after a reversal. This does not happen in a regular fashion but normally about every few 100,000 years to every few million years. We are not able to predict when it might happen again but it hasn’t happened for 780,000 years. As the magnetic field changes, its strength might be very low for a period of time allowing radiation from space to reach us that normally wouldn’t. Could this destroy life on Earth? Well most scientists agree that the historical data does not show any evidence of that. We have no evidence that a pole reversal is about to happen in 2012 (it also usually takes thousands of years to complete).  Solar StormYou have probably heard of the solar wind – a stream of particles constantly radiating away from the Sun. Could a massive storm happen on occasion and destroy life on Earth? The short answer is that we have no evidence for it. In fact the Sun currently seems to be entering a period of remarkably low activity with fewer flares and Sunspots than what is normal. We do not expect any unusually large solar storms in 2012.   Planet X or NibiruCould there be a planet in our solar system we don’t know about that is going to collide with Earth? Are astronomers trying to cover it up? As an astronomer I can tell you with certainty that the answer to both of those questions is “no”! We might certainly discover more objects similar to Pluto far out in the solar system but we do not expect any of them to pose any danger to us, as their orbits would never take them into the inner solar system. The myth of Nibiru is persistent but not based in any facts. Fear not in 2012!   NemesisNemesis is the name of a supposed small and faint companion star to the Sun. Some scientists believe that data show a 26 million year period between major extinction periods. According to their theory, a rain of comets might have hit us when Nemesis came closest to us in its elliptical orbit. I would have passed through the Oort cloud and sent these comets into the inner solar system. Most scientists however don’t agree that there is such a 26 million year pattern in the major extinction events on Earth and we have found absolutely no evidence to date of any object that could be the hypothetical Nemesis. I should also mention that Nemesis is not associated with theories regarding 2012.So in conclusion, astronomers have not found any evidence to suggest that 2012 will be in any way an unusual year. There is no evidence of an impending catastrophe. Having said that we also know that something unpredictable, like an impact by an unknown asteroid, could happen at any time. So you never know…(Images and diagrams featured in this blog post courtesy of NASA)

Did you know that we have a rattlesnake species right here in Ontario? It’s called a Massasauga Rattlesnake. The Massasauga is small as far as rattlesnakes go and not a very aggressive species. Being able to identify the Massasauga is a good idea just in case you are ever in an area where Massasaugas are found.We only have one rattlesnake species here in Ontario, but you can find three species throughout Canada. They can be found in four areas across Ontario: the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, the Bruce Peninsula, a small pocket near Windsor, and a small pocket near Wainfleet Bog by Port Colborne.One of the ways to identify this snake is by the markings and the body shape. They have markings in the shape of bow ties that run down their back and they have a short, but wide body with a distinct head and the neck.  If you would like to learn more about our resident rattler, please check out the video.

Physicists have been looking for it for years. It’s been in the news… it’s been on TV. It’s been on the minds of researchers everywhere. If it is found, it could solve some major questions. But what is it?The Higgs Boson is an elementary particle. If it is discovered, it could explain the mass of all other particles. Right now, scientists are closer than they’ve ever been before to finding it. Simon Strasser from Science North sat down with me to explain this very complex research.

Michael D. Adams - “Organic chemistry is the study of carbon compounds. Biochemistry is the study of carbon compounds that crawl.” Last month we talked about organic chemistry, and some of the different functional groups organic molecules could have.  This month I wanted to explore organic chemistry in the body, with carboxylic acids and amines.  We often think of our bodies as biological. While this is true, you will also learn how we all basically run on chemistry! This is why there is a science dedicated to the understanding of chemistry within our bodies. This science is called biochemistry. With a perfect marriage between chemistry and biology, I wanted to help explain some of the biology at play so I have partnered up with one of Science North’s Biologists, Tina Haché-Roy to create this blog post. Below, Tina and I will explain some of the chemistry behind our body’s inner workings!Let’s start with the chemistry side of carboxylic acids.  These are long carbon chain molecules that have a carboxylic acid functional group on one end. (see pic below) Having this functional group at the one end makes this molecule both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecule. But what does hydrophilic and hydrophobic mean?    Carboxylic Acid groupHydrophilic molecules are molecules that really like water; they can easily dissolve in water. A good example of a hydrophilic molecule would be sodium chloride or salt. Hydrophobic on the other hand is just the opposite. It is a molecule that really dislikes water, and cannot dissolve in it. A good example of a hydrophobic molecule is oil. Now you know why oil and water don’t mix!An example of such a molecule in the body would be fatty acids. But what are fatty acids? These long-chain carboxylic acids are generally referred to by their common names, which in most cases reflect the source. The four types of biologically important fatty acids are fats, waxes, phospholipids and steroids. Let’s explore a few today.    Stearic Acid is the most common saturated fatty acid.  Fats and oils (triglycerides) are found both in plants and animals, and compose a large part of our diets. These molecules offer our bodies a reserve of energy to be used when our blood sugar supply runs out after 4 to 6 hours without food. Fats are also responsible for helping our bodies absorb vitamins A, D and E. Trans-fats, which are a type of fatty acids, are formed during the refining of liquid vegetable oils. They are also created when manufacturers use a process called "partial hydrogenation." This process turns liquid oil into a semi-solid form, such as shortening or margarine. Unnatural trans-fats appear to be associated with increased heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and obesity.Phospholipids, a second types of fatty acids, are the main constituents of cell membranes. These are made from glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group. The hydrocarbon tails of the fatty acids are still hydrophobic, but the phosphate group end of the molecule is hydrophilic because the oxygen and the hydrogen atoms do not share the electrons equally, making this end polar.  As seen in one of my previous posts, polar molecules are readily dissolved in water, making them hydrophilic. Steroids are structurally different from other fatty acids since their carbon skeleton is bent to form four fused rings. The most common steroid is cholesterol. This molecule is needed to make the male and female sex hormones: testosterone and progesterone. Cholesterol is also a component of cell membranes and is needed for the proper function of nerve cells. In excess, cholesterol has been linked to heart disease. So let’s move on now to Amines.  Amines are molecules that are typically made up of a long carbon chain and on one end have an amine functional group. (see pic below) An amine functional group, is made up of 1 nitrogen and 2 hydrogen atoms.  Amines are essential to life as the ingredient for amino acids.  Amino acids are known as the building blocks of proteins. There are 20 amino acids and humans can produce 10 of the 20. The others must be supplied by our diets.Amine functional group Tryptophan: An essential amino acid used in proteins. Must be acquired through your diet.  Can be found in most meats, among other foods but most famously, in turkey.  Histamine:  An amine that acts as a neurotransmitter.  Often used in topical medication for skin irritation, such as hivesIn our bodies, many amines are neurotransmitters, chemicals made in the cell body of neurons that allow the transmission of signals from one neuron to the next. Some examples of these are norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, histamine and serotonin. As you now know, biochemistry is a study of both biology and chemistry, as it relates to living things. We all know that the human body is very complex. Knowing what we know about how our body works and how biochemistry plays out in our cells, we can make smarter lifestyle choices and have science as our proof to do so!

 This holiday season, getting caught under the mistletoe will be a welcomed holiday tradition for some people. As warm and fuzzy as that custom can make us feel, most would be surprised to learn that the plant is actually parasitic. Mistletoe grows in most areas of the world, except the colder northern climates. There are over 1400 known species, and all are either parasitic, or semi-parasitic (hemiparasitic). By definition, parasites rely entirely on other organisms in order to survive. Hemiparasitic plants can produce their own nutrients via photosynthesis, but still infect a host.Birds usually transfer mistletoe seeds from tree to tree. After feeding on the white berries, the birds fly to a new location, and eventually leave droppings. Though most of the berry is digested, the seeds are not. The seeds stick to the branches, and when they sprout the roots grow into the bark of the tree. The mistletoe taps directly into the nutrient source. Often called witch’s broom, most varieties of mistletoe look like evergreen shrubs growing directly out of the branches of a hardwood. Trees are usually able to survive hemiparasitic infections, but not infections from full parasitic species of mistletoe.So why do we kiss each other under the mistletoe? There are several stories to back up this custom, but the most popular is about the Norse goddess Frigga. Frigga had a son named Balder (god of summer sun) that was precious to all living things. To protect him, Frigga went to all of the elements, as well as all plants and animals above and below the Earth’s surface and asked them not to harm him. Unfortunately she over looked the mistletoe, which didn’t fit in to any category. The god of evil, Loki, realized this, and made a poison dart of mistletoe. He convinced the blind god of winter to shoot the dart, which instantly killed Balder. Without the god of the summer sun, everything went gray and dark. All of the elements, as well as the plants and animals wept for days, turning the red berries a milky white. Eventually Frigga found a way to bring Balder back from the dead, and she was so happy that she declared mistletoe sacred, and kissed everyone that walked beneath it. Though kissing under the mistletoe is a relatively safe practice, eating mistletoe isn’t. You should contact poison control immediately if anyone at your Christmas party is found snacking on the plant.

With the holidays quickly approaching, most people are considering three “f” words: friends, family… and fitness? Not likely. The third “f” is for food, and this season is sure to bring lots of it. Calorie counting isn’t fun any time of year, but it can be even more challenging around Christmas. Have you ever considered how many calories are in that beloved holiday feast? I’m sure some would rather not know, but we went ahead and worked out the details. Consider it food for thought. Let’s start where we all start, in the entryway of the host’s home. Before you even get your winter boots off, you’re going to be offered a drink (either alcoholic or non). If you love eggnog, start your calorie tally at 340. If a mixed drink is more your style, your first calorie value is 250. Even a glass of wine puts you in the running at 120 calories.Keep counting! Long before dinner is served, you’ll likely linger around the appetizer table. Who can resist a bite-sized snack? A handful of olives for 92 calories, just a bit of spinach dip at 53 calories, wheat crackers at 90, and a deviled egg for 73.  That’s before you make it over to the cheese ball, which is around 90 calories for a spoonful, and those delicious Swedish meatballs, that are over 100 calories for a large one. So far you’ve consumed about 490 calories (more if you’re sipping on anything other than water.) But the eating isn’t over yet; it’s time to sit down to the long-awaited turkey dinner.It only happens once a year, so most people go for the whole package. A slice of Christmas ham (300 calories), sliced turkey (340 calories), a scoop of stuffing (360 calories), scoop of mashed potatoes (300 calories), green beans (50 calories), a buttered dinner roll (155 calories), and the plate covered in gravy and cranberries for another 340 calories. The total calorie count for this course? 1845.  Just when you think you can’t eat another bite, out comes dessert. Keeping it light with a slice of fruitcake and an iced ginger bread cookie? You just tacked on 440 more calories. So when it’s all said and done, your Christmas meal clocks in at over 2770 calories. (Keep in mind that the average woman is recommended to consume 2000 calories per day, and a man is recommended to consume 2500.)  Think a stroll to look at the neighbourhood lights will take care of the unwanted calories? You’d have to walk about 50km non-stop to burn off that meal. On December 13th we will be hosting a Science Café to discuss aspects of health, exercise and fitness. Canadians are at an all-time low for activity, and an all-time high for caloric intake. But do we all need to do extreme training to be healthy? Or can a bit of activity make a difference? Should we constantly measure calories in compared to calories out? Is it okay to indulge and skip the gym once and a while? Can a person actually be too healthy? Join us to discuss these questions, and many more at the Laughing Buddha Café on December 13th, 2011 at 7:30pm. Admission is free, and snacks will be provided.  For more information, contact Dana Murchison: murchison@sciencenorth.ca  or visit our Science Café event page.

The poinsettia plant originates from Mexico, where it grows like hedges. Identified by its bright red and green leaves, it is a popular North American Christmas decoration. Originally called Euphorbia pulcherrima, the name of the plant was changed to Poinsetta pulcherrima, in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett (1799-1851). Poinsett served in the South Carolina and U.S. Houses of Representatives. He brought the plant back to the United States after a term as the first US Ambassador of Mexico. The parts that we think are the big showy flowers are actually leaves, or coloured bracts (modified leaves). The flowers are tiny yellow portions in the very middle, and often go unnoticed. A fresh poinsettia has little or no yellow pollen showing on the flower clusters in the center of the bracts. Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants from this family ooze a milky white sap. The Aztecs used the sap, now called latex, to treat fevers. There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available, none of which are poisonous. So how can you make your poinsettia last during the holiday season? Place the poinsettia in a sunny window, and water only when the soil is dry. Try to keep room temperatures between 16oC and 21oC, as higher temperatures will shorten the life span of the colourful bracts. It is best to avoid drafts and temperature fluctuations, but putting the plant in a cool room (between 13oC and 16oC) at night will extend the blooming time. Do not fertilize when the plant is in bloom.To get a poinsettia to reflower, keep it in total darkness between 5:00pm and 8:00am. Covering the plant with a lightproof bag and placing it in a closet could work. Start this in October, and continue until the colour starts to show on the upper bracts (upper leaves). Any exposure to light can prevent the flowering, so be careful.