Nerdy Science Blog

The giraffe (Giraffa camilopardalis) is the tallest land animal in the world. Interestingly, it is also one of few animals which require minimal amounts of sleep (average 1.9 hours of total sleep time a day, compared to 7.75 hours for a human according to sources for BBC). Scientists have observed that giraffes sleep in short naps at nights, and usually sleep while standing (an ability shared by other ungulates, or hoofed animals). They rest their long necks on their hind legs, thus arching their long necks over their backs. They may also rest with their necks down at nights. When entering the phase of REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), giraffes must lie down on the ground (in a state of recumbency) to prevent from collapsing, as REM sleep causes muscular atony.
The sleeping behavior of eight giraffes in captivity at a zoo was observed for 152 nights by by Tobler and Schwierin (2003), and it was found that their timing for sleep is fragmented. The giraffes slept in intervals of 6 – 35 minutes, with older giraffes sleeping more while standing than lying down. If they had napped in the day, the giraffes showed an increase in sleeping while standing at nights. Their main sleeping hours were between 2000 and 0700 hours. Their daily total sleeping times were also quite constant, and not dependent on the age of the giraffes.
References:
Tobler, I. and Schwierin, B. (2003). Behavioural sleep in the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) in a zoological garden. Journal of Sleep Research, 5 (1): 21 – 32.

Scientists had been conducting Avalanche experiments by burying pigs in snow at Austrian Alps. The purpose of the experiments was to find out the factors human are able to survive in an air pocket in snow without suffering permanent brain damage. Although anaesthesiologists said the pigs were sedated and anesthetized beforehand to minimize sufferings of the pigs, their experiments were protested by various animal rights groups. The growing media pressure forced scientists to stop the experiments.

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Scientists have identified three genes that involve in the development of stripes, spots and other markings on domestic cats.  There are at least three genes involved and genomic location of two of these genes was located through linkage mapping.  Scientists believed the findings can help to understand how mammals evolve and change coat patterns to adapt different environment (such as for camouflage function).  The two genes may be able to help in various human skin disorders research.  The result is published in January 2010 issue of Genetics.

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There are eight different forms of vitamin E.  One of them, tocotrienol (TCT) form of vitamin E, has the ability to prevent brain damage after a stroke.

The study was published in Journal of Neurochemistry.  Chandon Sen, professor and vice chair for research in Ohio State’s Department of Surgery, said that TCT vitamin E capability in preventing neurodegeneration after stroke was discovered by his lab 10 years ago.  TCT vitamin E is able to block enzyme cPLA2 from releasing fatty acids (arachidonic acid) into the brain and eventually kill the neurons.

Studies were conducted on mouse brain cells.  Sen explained that cPLA2 existed naturally in the body and presented all the time.  It is not harmful to stop the excessive function of the enzyme, and little amount of tocotrienol is needed to control the enzyme (just 250 nanomolar).  Tocotrienol is a common component in typical Southeast Asian diet.

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A couple food scientist at Texas Agrilife Research, Dr. Susanne Talcott and Dr Steve Talcott, studied the effectiveness of mango in preventing and stopping cancer cells.

The Talcotts examined five common varieties of mango in the United States.  They found that polyphenol extracts from mango promote anticancer activity in certain colon and breast cancer cells in lab.  The polyphenols also have some effects on lung, leukemia and prostate cancers.  Polyphenols can be found in tea, wine grapes, walnuts, and cocoa.  The scientists explained polyphenols consisted of tannins.  Tannins have the function of interrupting cell cycle, hence stopping mutated or damaged cells from going wild.  The polyphenolics do not cause harm to normal cells.

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A team of researchers at Rockefeller University found that Western diet, which is high in fat, and low in fiber, vitamin D and calcium, is associated with colorectal cancer.

Researchers found that high fat diets induce inflammatory response in mice colon, and such inflammation could be the cause for carcinogenesis in mice colon. Carcinogenic process is a process normal cells are transformed into cancer cells. High fat diets will induce oxidative stress and alter immune responses, and this will eventually increases the risk of colorectal cancer.

The result was published in November 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.

Colon cancer is a deadly disease that affects millions of people around the world today and appears to be the third most common form of cancer worldwide. There are also evidence shows that consumption of red meat, processed meat and alcohol are also likely to increase the risk of colorectal cancer.

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