Enzyme that could boost super long-term memories

Increased levels of one natural brain enzyme supercharge rat memories, a study suggests. And it's not just new, short-term memories. The enzyme -- called PKM-zeta -- gives rats better recall of old remembrances. In a number of recent studies, researchers showed that they could make rats forget a range of old learned behaviors by blocking the protein in the brain. Rodents with too little PKM-zeta, for instance, didn't know to avoid liquids that had made them sick in the past. On the other hand, when the scientists increased this enzyme, rats that had this could remember unpleasant tastes that they had been given to experience 4 days before better than control rats without the increase. However, how this enzyme helps the retrieval of this memory is unknown. PKM-zeta seems to be a brain gardener. The enzyme waters and arranges neurons, keeping the connections between these memory-storing cells flowing. Even momentary disruptions to PKM-zeta can obliterate many long-term memories seemingly for good. This is a very powerful enzyme that could help Alzheimer's or trauma victims to control their memory. I feel that this could be an artificial boost that is very powerful for people who need powerful memory, like soldiers, old people or young children.

Brief intro to bonding

A covalent bond is a form of chemical bonding that is characterized by the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms, and other covalent bonds. In short, the stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces between atoms when they share electrons is known as covalent bonding. Instead of giving electrons, the atom merges its electrons so that they form 2 or 8. To read more go to http://www.visionlearning.com/library/module_viewer.php?mid=55

What I have been learning in Science Class

In Science class, I have been learning about the theory about atoms-what they are made of, their electronic configuration and so on. Atoms are interesting to learn about as they make everything up on earth. Even earth itself.

Firstly, we learnt about the anatomy of an atom. An atom is said to contain a dense nucleus of protons and neutrons surrounded by electrons in orbitals.

Only the electrons are involved in chemical reactions. Electrons are tiny particles that carry a negative charge. They move in orbits around the nucleus. There are rules to orbiting.

1. The electron shell closest to the nucleus can only have up to two electrons.

2. Subsequent shells can have up to eight electrons.

3. For any atom belonging to an element after calcium(Ca), the third shell onwards can hold up to eighteen electrons.

The protons are fixed. They carry a positive charge. Atoms of an element carry a specifically defined number of protons. The neutrons have no charge. They are said to be neutral.

In chemical bonding, electrons interact. There are two kinds of bonding, chemical and covalent. In chemical bonding, an atom loses its electrons to another atom so that they both reach a stable electronic configuration of 2 or 8. Then they can form a compound, like sodium chloride or magnesium oxide. More will be shown in the next post.

Welcome and Introduction

Welcome to this blog, I am Timothy Leong. As of 2011 I am in 2O3, Hwa Chong Institution. This is a Science E-portfolio, a platform whereby I can post matters that are related to Science, e.g lessons, new advancements in technology, etc. This is mostly a blog of information-bites, which are (small)but interesting posts.

Welcome again.

Technology- the all-new stretchy solar cells

This is a stretchable solar cell. It can withstand stretching up to 30% when pulled from both ends. This could lead to robotic skin that are durable and can pick up sensory details from the environment.The device's electrode is made from a unique liquid metal called eutectic gallium-indium, which conforms to a surface as it lengthens and relaxes. "Eutectic" refers to a mix of elements or compound that remains liquid at lower temperature than either of its components does alone.

This is good as solar cells eliminate the need for a battery cell or charging. Also, its stretchability is good as it can withstand damage from wear and tear like scratching, grazing... this is not commercially available yet, but I think it will be very useful when it comes out. I think it can be used for:

- Robots in space

- Shopping centre walls

- Cars