Essays and Research Papers on Mixed Issues in Science

A 15 page overview of the application of mitochondrial DNA research to tracing the relative ages and interrelationships of the contemporary races of human beings. Distinguishes between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Suggests that while mitochondrial DNA is particularly suited to this type of investigation it should be remembered that it is a newly-emerged ...

4 pages in length. In Part I of Michael Shermer and Stephen Jay Gould's book entitled "Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time," the authors address such principles as scientific rationalism, empiricism, provisional truth, paradigms and paradigm shifts, uses of evidence, and the skeptic's role in society. Shermer ...

5 pages in length. Bernoulli's Principle, named after the Swiss Mathematician Daniel Bernoulli, provides the basis upon which air and speed equal pressure. In its most basic form, Bernoulli's Principle is responsible for establishing the inherent relationship between velocity and pressure as they relate to slow-moving air. While other principles address the ...

5 pages in length. A study of the successful isolation and characterization of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase from Escherichia Coli. Because enzymes are almost always proteins, the main aim of this enzyme purification was to successfully remove all other proteins present in the enzyme preparation. Includes introduction, results/discussion, conclusions and experimental sections.

A 10 page discussion of the first eight chapters of Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species". Presents the thesis that "Origin of the Species" itself is a product of evolutionary progression of thought. The first two-thirds of the book, Chapters 1 through 4, introduce Darwin's most basic evolutionary thoughts while the subsequent chapters 5 ...

A 5 review of the research literature pertaining to context dependent memory, which is how elements in the setting of where something is learned (that is, the context) affects the process of memory. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

A 5 page paper discussing the Psittacine disease that is not limited only to the parrot family. PBFD has been found to infect and cause disease in geese and even guinea pigs, and it is believed to affect poultry species as well. It is now known that the disease is caused by a virus and that ...

This 20 page report discusses the technological dependency of the industrialized world on fossil fuels and the ways in which those fuels have steadily degraded the Earth’s environment. The general public’s concern about the environment, the multiple efforts of environmental activists, along with fresh ways of thinking by scientists and resource managers, has led to a new philosophy regarding the ...

A 5 page essay that examines the basis for what does and does not make a scientific theory trustworthy. The writer substantiates her opinions by referring to James S. Perlman's book Science Without Limits. No other sources cited.

A 10 page paper which discusses Geographic Information Systems technology and illustrates how it can be used for wildlife conservation. The paper discusses the general uses of GIS and clearly indicates its usefulness in the field of wildlife conservation. Bibliography lists 7 sources.

A 10 page discussion of the phylogeny of the phylum Mollusca. Provides an overview of the major classes of Mollusca including Amphineura, Monoplacophora, Gastropoda, Pelecypoda, Scaphopoda, and Cephalopoda. Outlines common morphological features known as synomorphies and discusses the variations between species. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 5 page paper that examines the environmental problem of the depletion of the ozone layer. The opposing views of this issue are discussed, along with the initial goals and objectives set by the Montreal Protocol in 1987 and the present lapse in the fulfillment of those goals and objectives. Bibliography lists 4 ...

An 8 page overview of the considerations which must be made when growing Philodendron. Devotes considerable attention to growth preferences and the physiological reasons behind those preferences. Concludes that while Philodendrons are among the easiest of houseplants to grow, attention must be paid to the type of soil that they are planted in, ...

This 5 page paper provides an explanation of the Brayton cycle in reference to gas turbine energy. This paper outlines how the Brayton cycle works and assesses it's use in reference to gas turbine energy. Bibliography lists 3 sources.

A 13 page paper describing crocodiles and discussing ways in which people can coexist with them. Crocodiles coexisted with the dinosaurs, but they have survived their reptilian relatives by 65 million years. All 23 species were listed as endangered in 1971, but only seven remain so designated. In 2000, it was discovered that crocodile cartilage possesses ...

A 5 page paper discussing two possible actions of polycomb group (PcG) genes in repressing homeotic gene expression in Drosophila. One is that PcG binds to DNA through PcG response elements; the other is the dMi-2 and Hb combine to recruit PcG to DNA, though it may also be possible that Hb recruits dMi-2 directly to DNA. ...

This 5 page paper provides a secondary succession time line and an exploration of the named plants. Requirements for plant life and how they interrelate with one another and their environment are the topics addressed. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 5 page exercise in converting lists of facts to readable, continuous prose. This paper uses a field guide's description of three rails, which are marsh birds native to various areas of the US. The paper incorporates physical identification features, habitat description and differences in vocalization patterns in this technical writing exercise. Bibliography lists 1 source. ...

A 6 page discussion of the process and concept of justification. Contends that justification is in essence the presentation of evidence or facts which support our views or beliefs. This "evidence" or "fact" varies considerably, however, according to what arena it is presented in. Justification, when used in the more regulated areas of ...

A 5 page description of the gas radon. Provides the history of its discovery as well as information on the molecular characteristics of the gas, the various isotopes, and potential threats to human health. Concludes that while there are valid and useful application of radon, it is a gas which presents a number of ...

This 12 page paper provides an overview of the Cassini mission, demonstrating the scientific aspects of this astronautic endeavor. Environmental issues are addressed as well as the potential for making discoveries about Saturn's mysterious rings. An outline is included. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper considers the arguments regarding the origins of Homo sapien, including the population replacement model, the multiregional replacement model and the genetic replacement model. These three theories are assessed, with a significant concentration placed on the validity of the population replacement model, also known as the Out of Africa model . ...

12 pages in length. Expounds on the theories set forth by Pylyshyn including his FINST model. Pylyshyn's theories are directly linked to implications explaining such things as infant cognitive development as well as ancient problems in the philosophy of mind. Pylyshyn claims that "what current theories lack is any provision for a certain form of direct preconceptual connection between ...

This 5 page report reviews the article published in the July, 1999, issue of Scientific American entitled “Life’s Far-Flung Raw Materials” by Max P. Bernstein, Scott A. Sandford and Louis J. Allamandola. The article considers the idea that life on Earth may owe its start to carbon-rich molecules that once floated in interstellar clouds, then fell to the early ...

A 7 page overview of neuronal function in relation to motor skills. Delineates the impact of cerebral palsy on motor skill development. Concludes that the exact causes of cerebral palsy are not known. What is known, however, is that the condition is characterized by impeded neuronal function and that this impedance translates ...