respiration

The Masked Kids Are Alright

Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 18:56:31 +0000

It is easy to raise the spectre of science to scare people. Talk about a new vaccine technology messing with your DNA and you’ve conjured up instant anxiety. It is an especially potent technique when the target of the sciency boogeyman is a child. Children are frequently at the center of moral panics, from video games to heavy metal music, from alleged Satanic ritual abuse to reactionary views on gender expression.

Nothing About COVID-19 is Simple

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 13:46:47 +0000

Whatever the end result may be, the attack starts with the virus invading cells in the lining of the nose and throat. Here the virus can latch on to a protein known as “angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)” found on the surface of the cells. From here it manages to worm its way into the cell. Once inside, the virus hijacks the cell’s genetic machinery and trick it into making copies of itself. These newly minted viruses then invade other cells and soon there is an army of viruses marching down the respiratory tract infecting whatever cells they encounter.

Turtles Breathe Out of Their Butt

Ada McVean B.Sc. — Sat, 23 Dec 2017 16:51:12 +0000

Technically the term is cloacal respiration, and it’s not so much breathing as just diffusing oxygen in and carbon dioxide out, but the fact remains: when turtles hibernate, their main source of oxygen is through their butt.

How did a bird’s nest kill a whole family?

Joe Schwarcz PhD — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:07:26 +0000

The birds had built their nest in the chimney which blocked the flow of air and resulted in a buildup of carbon monoxide when a fire was lit in the fireplace. Carbon monoxide is produced alongside carbon dioxide any time gasoline, wood, oil or natural gas burns. The amount depends on the availability of oxygen; the more limited the supply, the more carbon dioxide forms. It is an insidious poison because it has no smell or taste but can cause headaches, nausea, breathlessness and even death. Basically it kills by depriving cells of oxygen.