Group items tagged

That's the premise behind XPRIZE Feed The Next Billion, a $15 million competition incentivizing teams around the globe to produce chicken breast or fish filet alternatives that outperform conventional chicken and fish in a number of areas - from sustainability to nutrition to animal welfare, as well as taste and texture. To achieve that, teams are leaning into two methods: cultivated meat and plant-based meat alternatives. The multi-year competition is underway right now, and could provide us with the breakthrough we need to change how we eat, for good.

5:12 video animation describes the basics of enzyme structure and function. This includes enzyme substrates and active sites, enzyme denaturation, and competitive and non-competitive inhibition.

Today, about one-tenth of the world's population are southpaws. Why are such a small proportion of people left-handed -- and why does the trait exist in the first place? Daniel M. Abrams investigates how the uneven ratio of lefties and righties gives insight into a balance between competitive and cooperative pressures on human evolution. Lesson by Daniel M. Abrams, animation by TED-Ed.

Stress isn't always a bad thing; it can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you're playing a competitive sport or have to speak in public. But when it's continuous, it actually begins to change your brain. Madhumita Murgia shows how chronic stress can affect brain size, its structure, and how it functions, right down to the level of your genes.

This case study follows a young cystic fibrosis (CF) patient named Lucas. Through Lucas's story and interactions between his parents and pediatrician, students learn about the scientific background and basis of CF. By reviewing email correspondence between Lucas's parents and various doctors, students gain an overview of CF research. CF has become a model disease in certain undergraduate biology classrooms due to its relatively clear mechanism and genetic basis. This case asks students to come up with their own ideas to improve on an existing line of research - gene therapy - in treating CF. During the process, students will gain a better appreciation of the innovative nature of science and develop research skills such as finding, understanding and analyzing primary literature. The activity was originally designed for first- and second-year students as part of an extracurricular case competition, but may be used for any undergraduate biology level. The case assumes basic (high school level) knowledge of genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and physiology.

Made possible through Toyota USA Foundation funding, the REMS curriculum options include nine online lesson plans and interactive activities themed to examine three pressing challenges in the US: preserving sustainable, competitive manufacturing; distributing products and services across the world; and developing and delivering efficient health care services. Each of the lesson plans provides age-appropriate math and science curriculum that tie to the Common Core Learning Standards for elementary, middle and high school students.

This two-hour special, hosted by ABC "Nightline" correspondent Robert Krulwich, chronicles the fiercely competitive race to capture one of the biggest scientific prizes ever: the complete letter-by-letter sequence of genetic information that defines human life-the human genome. NOVA tells the story of the genome triumph and its profound implications for medicine and human health.

In July, the AP reported that its first round of tests showed disease-causing viruses directly linked to human sewage at levels up to 1.7 million times what would be considered highly alarming in the U.S. or Europe. Experts said athletes were competing in the viral equivalent of raw sewage and exposure to dangerous health risks almost certain. The results sent shockwaves through the global athletic community, with sports officials pledging to do their own viral testing to ensure the waters were safe for competition in next year's games. Those promises took on further urgency in August, after pre-Olympic rowing and sailing events in Rio led to illnesses among athletes nearly double the acceptable limit in the U.S. for swimmers in recreational waters.

"Reading and understanding scientific literature can be a daunting task for students in introductory science courses. This decision/dilemma case study helps ease them into the process by using a short scientific article with a simple experimental design that compares two types of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery, autograft and allograft. The case tells the story of Todd, a martial artist who recently tore his ACL in competition. With the help of the article, Todd discusses the potential surgical options provided by his doctor with his friend, Sam, a medical student. The case has the added value of demonstrating how one can use scientific literature to make informed healthcare decisions based on clinical evidence. Please note that the required article (Kane et al., Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 24(11): 3627-33) is not provided with this case; prior to assigning this material, instructors should confirm that students can access the article, since access may vary by institution."

This interrupted case study is designed to introduce beginning biology students to the process of science by exploring a question that is accessible to students with limited scientific background. The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardialis) is the tallest terrestrial mammal and has a disproportionally long neck. Historically, this trait has been hypothesized to be an adaptation for competition between the giraffe and other herbivore species. Guided by a PowerPoint presentation and (optional) worksheet, students will propose hypotheses to explain the giraffe's uniquely long neck and will examine the results of field experiments to test the prevalent historical hypothesis that the long neck allows the giraffe to exploit high food sources. They will find that the data do not support this initial hypothesis and will use other field observations to propose and examine an alternative hypothesis. Throughout the activity students will engage in the process of science; they will propose hypotheses, design experiments, make predictions, and draw conclusions from published field observations.