Sunday, February 24, 2019

The fundamental structure of the universe







My latest YouTube video introduces our cosmic neighborhood. 


The incompatibility among string theory, quantum mechanics, and general relativity suggests we are missing a good world model. However, separating the cosmos into compact dimensions by an information-blocking horizon offers a path to coherence. Because an information-blocking horizon confines particles (Figure 1), interactions exchange energy and information in ways that modify spatial volume (Figure 2).



Figure 1. The proposed view of ‘space-time.’ The compact dimensions (horizontal lines) are isolated by an information-blocking horizon, limiting particles to discrete frequencies. Interaction is an energy–information exchange between the micro and macro-dimensions. Thus, the field, which forms the smooth topology of space and the particle wave function, evolves in parallel. 

Every interaction modifies space and the particle. Information accumulation generates time  (Figure 1, horizontal lines). The wave function's insulation leads to quantum phenomena such as entanglement and the double-slit experiment. It is also the source of cosmic self-regulation and the parallel evolution of the wave function and the field curvature. The micro-dimensions form a closed minimal surface (Figure 1), but entanglement enhances curvature differences (Figure 2). 



Figure 2. Volume changes in entangled particles b, Particle before entanglement a) Spin-down, c) Spin-up particle. 


      

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Wednesday, February 13, 2019

A novel and economical plan to clean the oceans of plastic trash



Paddle-steamer
A paddle steamer


Plastic waste is a major problem that affects every environment on Earth, including wildlife, their habitats, and humans. The Great Pacific garbage patch is a massive collection of marine debris that has accumulated in the North Pacific Ocean due to ocean currents. It contains plastic, chemical sludge, and other debris that are harmful to the environment. The patch is made up of microscopic particles and larger objects, covering 1.6 million square kilometers and comprising 1.8 trillion pieces of debris. 

 Research has shown that the patch is growing rapidly and needs to be cleaned up. The following is the outline of a two-step process for cleaning up the trash. 


Step 1: A modern, high-efficiency engine moves a paddle steamer slowly through the water, while the paddle wheels reverse to catch the garbage.



The paddle wheel picks up garbage as it turns and drops collected pieces onto the boat's moving platform. Image attribution: Malcolm Boura

Step 2. The collected plastic can be safely baled by a baler on the ship and stored for transportation to a recycling facility. A baler compresses the material into bales that are easy to handle and store. Industrial balers that are used in recycling facilities prepare plastic for transport. 

Image result for plastic bales for transportation


The two-step process described above is an innovative approach to cleaning up the garbage patch on the world's oceans. Plastic collection can be fully automated as a mobile factory in the middle of the sea. Servicing the operation would require regular transportation of the collected trash for recycling.

Please contact me at this link if you would like to help with moral support, financial assistance, or technical know-how in turning this idea into a real-world solution for the world! Also, please share the post with others. By acting together, we can solve the problems humanity faces. 


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Monday, January 28, 2019

Intellect is not fixed: a new understanding of cognitive abilities





Spatial navigation, decision-making, sociality, and creativity are essential measures of intelligence. Brain structures and neuronal networks mediate cognitive ability, turning intellect into a flexible trait. Mice growing up in a stimulating environment show higher problem-solving skills later in life. Environmental factors, such as place of residence, physical exercise, family income, parents' occupation, and education, significantly influence a child's IQ. 

Food scarcity was probably a significant factor that drove cognitive evolution. However, the continuous availability and consumption of energy-rich foods in relatively sedentary modern humans might, in turn, affect mental changes. For example, high-calorie intake negatively affects intelligence and cognitive abilities. Obesity impairs cognition and increases the risk of some psychiatric disorders and dementia. Moreover, maternal and paternal obesity predispose offspring to poor cognitive development by epigenetic molecular mechanisms. 

Intermittent food deprivation seems to enhance cognition on the cellular level. Epigenetic molecular DNA and chromatin protein modifications can be inherited by future generations. Paying attention to bioenergetic-based eating and exercise patterns can improve cognitive health and resilience. Read the whole article. 

Amazingly, a virtual reality experience can modify intelligence. For example, being a virtual Einstein improves cognitive function and decision-making and reduces elderly bias. Impersonating psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud fosters personal problem-solving and social understanding. Brain modulation technology can artificially create or cancel memories, opening new, noninvasive avenues to treat mental disorders, depression, PTSD, and others.




Picture credit: www.freepik.com


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Saturday, January 19, 2019

The expansion of the universe: Is dark energy allowed?




String theory is the youngest and most abstract of the fundamental theoretical frameworks of physics. String theory expresses the hope that all the different forces, particles, interactions, and manifestations of reality are tied together as part of the same fundamental framework. Particles are tiny vibrating strings, and each type of vibration corresponds to a different particle. But a new article has shown that string theory is fundamentally incompatible with our current understanding of "dark energy," - which is the only explanation for the accelerated expansion of our current universe. The controversy, which even questions the Higgs boson's existence, has generated a lot of talk in the physics community.

In the next few years, the universe's accelerated expansion will be measured more accurately than ever before, allowing the hypothesis to be tested experimentally. More details about the debate and a more visual explanation of the problem go to the article: String theory: Is dark energy even allowed? For a purely physical approach, read the original article: de Sitter swampland conjecture and the Higgs potential.

Picture credit: Andrew J. Hanson, Indiana University. / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)


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Friday, January 4, 2019

Insecurity, fear, and the tools to leave them all behind


Our lives depend on trust; the food we eat and the water we drink supply our survival and well-being. We trust that cars stop at the red light and allow others to pass. Without having faith in others or the system, we become stiff, tense, and suspicious of everything. Overprotected children, as young as 14 months old, grow anxious around strangers.

Danger provokes primal physical reactions, such as sweating, an increased heart rate, and elevated adrenaline levels in the blood, known as the fight-or-flight response. In some cases, anger can spur constructive change, but fear causes paralysis. The sense of dread prevents constructive reasoning, thinking, and the capacity to plan or act. “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is,” says the German proverb. Fear shoots down every opportunity for help.

The impending instability of fear triggers a constant and futile search for security in the environment. The thoughts of vulnerability kill the likelihood of success. Presenting your story as a failure and hopeless case will manifest itself as a failure in real life. The perceived difficulty can trigger fear and procrastination regarding the subject matter. Inaction is a sure way to cement immobility, indecision, and helplessness.

Trust, like a chandelier, provides a complete, coherent picture. In contrast, fear is like a flashlight; it focuses on a small, highly detailed section of reality. Try to recognize fear in yourself. Whenever fear influences your decisions, take action! As jumping into cold water cures timidity, the most effective way to eliminate fear is to start a meaningful activity. The intimidating and often nervous first step generates familiarity, which is profoundly empowering. Because fear is a paralyzing tightness of pressure, almost any small but decisive action pierces its hold and automatically and instantaneously diminishes the fear response. Defeating fear in this way boosts confidence. Doing this exercise will not only increase your fear resistance but will also reformulate your life.

Abused and neglected dogs can be effectively rehabilitated by introducing a daily feeding and walking schedule. Creating order is a powerful stress eliminator for people, too. Children thrive on the predictability and organization of their lives. Maintaining order in the environment helps balance and calm the mind. Create order in your surroundings by organizing your daily, weekly schedule into a regular, predictable routine, which gives a profoundly empowering sense of control.
                         

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Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Breakfast and academic performance in children


Kid Eating Breakfast Clipart Image




Breakfast positively affects learning, behavior and school performance in children, especially at a young age. It provides essential nutrients to keep your energy levels up throughout the day. Iron, B vitamins (folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12) and Vitamin D are approximately 20–60% higher in children who regularly eat breakfast compared with those, who skip it. Studies have shown that eating a meal first thing in the morning decreases hunger throughout the day. Regular breakfast (including ready-to-eat-cereal) reduces the likelihood of being overweight. This occurs because children who do not eat morning meals are less likely to be physically active and have a lower cardiorespiratory fitness level.

The benefits of breakfast were apparent in all children whether they were well-nourished or they were from deprived, undernourished backgrounds. Habitual breakfast (frequency and quality) have a positive impact on children's academic performance with most evident effects on mathematics and arithmetic grades. Read the article

The morning meal is a crucial ingredient for achievement at any age


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Sunday, December 23, 2018

The Social Determinants of Chronic Diseases


Education and social conditions determine the quality of life. The place we are born, grow, work, and live, determines our attitude and ability to maintain health, or proneness to disease. The World Health Organization confirms the significant social element of diseases. Several theories try to explain the determinants of disease.

Life Course Theory recognizes the accumulation of socioeconomic conditions over the life course. The life-course theory considers how the social and material environment, income inequality, stress, nutrition, lifestyles, gene-environment interaction, public safety, and various other factors determine health. Socioeconomic advantages over a person’s lifetime lead to better elderly health.

Fundamental Cause Theory: Socioeconomic status (SES) influences multiple diseases in multiple ways. For centuries, affluent people have lived longer and had better health. Socioeconomic resources, such as money, education, status, power, and social connections, can help protect one’s health. Lack of those resources promotes sickness and premature mortality. People with control over their lives typically feel good about themselves, cope with stress better, and have the capability and living situations to adopt healthy lifestyles. People in higher SES have a better chance of survival from preventable causes of death. Access to money, knowledge, power, prestige, and social connections help to maintain health.

Social Capital: Group/network memberships, including online groups and cybernetworks, provide social support and access to group resources in times of need. As a concept, social capital has both subjective (cognitive) and objective (structural) components. Objective elements are formed by law enforcement, emergency support and medical and social services. Personal elements are the feeling of belonging, which promotes a sense of well-being. The sense of belonging, shared norms, reciprocity, and trust, which affects health-related behaviors (e.g., tobacco and alcohol use, diet, exercise), education, and employment. Sharing and exchanging resources (e.g., caregiving, transportation to medical appointments, financial assistance to access medical services) also affects health and mitigates stress.

Social groups can achieve collectively health goals, such as passing a non-smoking rules, placement of bike lanes and forming farmers' markets, or drug prevention programs. They can distribute health-related information or health-promoting innovations. Social capital is vital for self-management of chronic disease, because it fosters adherence in care regimens. It can prevent or facilitate depression and other health-related behaviors. 

Social rules determine what is appropriate or inappropriate. Lifestyle choices and personal routines are characteristic of specific groups and classes. The collective behavior becomes part of the mental make-up, subconsciously directing attitude and behavior.

Health Lifestyle Theory: Your circumstances, such as age, gender, and race/ ethnicity; social networks (kinship, religion, politics, workplace, and others), and living conditions (e.g., quality of housing, access to essential utilities, neighborhood facilities, public safety) influence life choices. These determinants also govern our life's choices to achieve our goals. Choices and possibilities interact and form a disposition to act, leading to practices (action), such as alcohol use, smoking, dietary habits, and other health-related activities.

Conclusion: your social class can significantly influence your long-term health. It can make you sick and influence your life expectancy.

The above post has been based on the scientific study, The Social Determinants of Chronic Disease, supported by the National Institute of Health.


Picture credit: Created by Macrovector - Freepik.com




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