CSB #3: Butterfly wing colors duplicated to prevent forgery - 15catherineg

Indonesian Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio blumei)

DEFINITIONS

Pigment - Pigments are chemical compounds that only reflect certain wavelengths of visible light.

Microscopic - Something that is too small to be seen with the naked eye; a microscope must be used to see it.

Nanofabrication: Nanofabrication is the design and manufacture of devices with dimensions measured in nanometers. One nanometer is 10 ^-9 meter, or a millionth of a millimeter.

SUMMARY

British scientists have found a way to mimic the colors found on the wings of tropical butterflies. This method could help prevent forgery. Prior to this finding, researchers had trouble duplicating the colors on insects like beetles and butterflies. The colors were difficult to duplicate because those colors were produced by light bouncing off microscopic structures (on the wings) instead of through pigmentation.

The problem was solved by researchers in Cambridge University. These researchers studied the Indonesian Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio blumei), whose wing scales are composed of intricate, microscopic structures, kind of like the inside of an egg carton. Using a combination of nanofabrication procedures, Cambridge researchers were able to create a structurally identical copies of the butterfly wings, and those copies produced the same vivd colors as the butterfly wings.

One of the researchers stated that, "These artificial structures could be used to encrypt information in optical signatures on banknotes or other valuable items to protect them against forgery."

DISCUSSION

I found this article extremely interesting. The title of the article caught my eye and I was intrigued by the information provided. I think that it's such a creative idea to use something like butterfly wing colors to prevent forgery. It is a great idea because the colors on the wings are extremely hard to duplicate, making it a good way to protect against forgery.

QUESTIONS

1. The colors on the butterfly wings seem extremely difficult to duplicate. Will this be available to a wide range of people?

2. The article states that the colors can be used as signatures to protect forgery and provide better security. How does that work?

CITATIONS

Article: "Bright butterfly wing colors duplicated." Science Online. N.p., 21 June 2010.
Web. 18 Nov. 2010. .

Picture: http://www.bugunderglass.com/shop/buttefly_displays.html

- catherine

CSB #2 - Moth spit produces bigger potatoes?

Definitions -

Potato Tubers - The part of the potato plant we consume is called the tuber, which is an underground stem. Each potato plant produces several tubers. They are usually red and white and come in a variety of shapes.

One way to identify tubers is to look for "eyes," small swellings or knobs. (shown in picture above) These swellings have buds in them and if the tuber is placed in a warm location, the buds will sprout.

Potato Moth Larvae (Tecia solanivora) - The species and stage of moth that is being written about in this article is the Guatemalan Potato Moth larvae. Larva is one of the stages that the moth is in during Metamorphosis. It is the stage after the moth is out of the egg and before it turns into an adult. The larva is also known by another name - caterpillar.

Photosynthesis - Photosynthesis is the process where autotrophs (producers) use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make oxygen and glucose.

The formula is: 6H2O + 6CO2 + sunlight --> C6H12O6 + 6O2


Summary -

Scientists have found that when the Potato Moth Larvae infests potato tubers, the plant produces larger tubers. The Potato Moth Larvae are a major pest in the Columbian Andes because they damage the potato plants. However, by eating at the potato tubers, the caterpillars leave behind their saliva, which increases the rate of photosynthesis in the Columbian Andes potato plants. Having more photosynthesis means that more starch is produced, leading to larger tubers. Kessler, a scientist working on this project said that, "This could be an example where the co-evolutionary arms race led to a beneficial outcome for both."


Discussion -

I found this article very interesting! The "Moth spit" title caught my eye so I clicked on the article and saw that it also talked about photosynthesis, which relates to topics we are discussing in science class now. My last CSB talked about scientists finding a new drug with King Cobra Snake venom in it. In my discussion, I said that I found it very innovative that scientists were looking in such unusual places for helpful things. I think this CSB proves my point even more! Who ever thought that caterpillar spit would help potatoes grow bigger? This discovery could be very beneficial to farmers around the world.


Questions -

1. Is the Potato Moth larvae more helpful or hurtful? Although they may increase photosynthesis and help potatoes grow larger, they are also considered very problematic and damage the potatoes.

2. If it is approved, will farmers start purposely putting these caterpillars into their potato crops? How will people react? Are people open to the idea of caterpillars crawling around and "spitting" in the potatoes that they will eat?


Citations -

[Original Article]
"Moth spit produces bigger potatoes." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 15 Oct. 2010.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=UPI-1-20100528-124430-bc-us-biggerpotatoes&SingleRecord=True

[Image]
Potato Tuber
http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16labman05/lb4pg6.htm

- catherine

CSB #1 - The venom of the King Cobra could lead to new drug

Original source of photo: http://animalinformations.blogspot.com/2009/12/king-cobra-world-dangerous-snakes.html

Definitions -

Protein: A polymer made up of a set of 20 kinds of amino acids.

Nervous System: The system of organs, cells and tissues that help control the body's actions and reactions to internal/external stimulation.

Cardiovascular System: The Cardiovascular system circulates the blood in the heart and other blood vessels.

Summary -

Haditoxin, a protein found in the venom of the King Cobra, the world's largest venomous snake, was discovered by Professor Manjunatha Kini in his Singapore lab. This protein is structurally unique because it is made up of two identical three-finger toxins (protein molecules) linked together. Nirthanan, the study's co-author says that, "the toxin is like a conjoined twin." Scientists know that three-finger toxins have different affects on the human nervous system, blood clotting and cardiovascular system. Some three-finger toxins have led to the development of compounds with properties like blood pressure reducing properties. With this in mind, it is likely that Haditoxin (either in its "conjoined twin state" or as individual components) will offer scientists more understanding on three-finger toxins.

Discussion

This article doesn't relate to my life. However, I find it very interesting. When I saw the title "King Cobra venom may lead to new drug" I felt compelled to read the article. I find it very innovative that scientists are looking for cures in things like snake venom. Before reading this study, I never would have thought that something so dangerous like king cobra venom could be helpful and lead to something like a new drug.

Questions

1. What kind of drug would snake venom lead to? Will it actually work?
2. Are there any other seemingly dangerous things out there that could actually be used for good?

Citations

[Original Article]
"King Cobra venom may lead to a new drug." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 10 March. 2010. .

[Image]
http://animalinformations.blogspot.com/2009/12/king-cobra-world-dangerous-snakes.html

*note - i don't know why the image is not showing up in the post. however if you click in the space where the image is supposed to be, it will link you to the picture. sorry bout that.