The Greatest Error in Biological Sciences, Started in 1930 and Continuing Up to Now, Generating Numerous Profound Misunderstandings in Almost All Fields of Biology

Author(s):  
Laurent Jaeken
1991 ◽  
Vol 158 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Roberts ◽  
Gordon Claridge

Throughout the history of schizophrenia as a psychiatric concept, opinions have differed sharply over its essential nature and its causes, giving rise to a wide range of explanations that have drawn upon ideas from almost all of the social and biological sciences. Only one fact has truly survived the vicissitudes of argument about the condition: that genetic factors contribute to its aetiology. Even that conclusion, first reached in the very early days of schizophrenia research, sank temporarily out of sight during the radical psychiatry challenges of the 1960s. However, the continuing collection of family, twin, adoption and other data over that period put the genetic hypothesis beyond reasonable doubt (McGuffin, 1988).


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 115-116
Author(s):  
Arlan Richardson

Abstract In 1935, Clive McCay reported that severe restriction of food increased the lifespan of male rats. In the following four decades, several laboratories replicated this observation with less sever restrictions, which will be referred to as dietary restriction (DR). However, there were concerns even in the aging community in the 1970s as to whether DR increased lifespan by retarding aging. It was the research of two former Kleemeier Awardees, Edward Masoro and Roy Walford, that conclusively demonstrated in the 1980s that DR retarded aging resulting in improved healthspan and reduced pathology. Ed Masoro’s research was focused on lipid metabolism when he was invited to attend a workshop on metabolism and aging in 1969. His interest in aging was piqued such that the more he learned about aging, the more interested he became. In a subsequent workshop in 1973, Ed heard Morris Ross describe his research on restricting food intake on cancer and longevity. Ed was impressed that a relatively simple manipulation had such dramatic effects, and he decided to focus his research on DR. After an extensive review of the DR literature up to the 1970s, Ed established the 40% restriction paradigm, which is used in almost all DR studies to date. Ed’s group was the first to study aging and DR under barrier conditions which he established at San Antonio. Over the next two decades, Ed would direct a Program Project that showed DR had a dramatic effect on most age-related pathologies and improved many physiological functions. Studying the restriction of fat, protein, micronutrients, Ed came to the conclusion that total calories consumed was a key factor in the effect of DR on longevity. His group was the first to show that DR significantly reduced circulating levels of glucose and insulin, which was subsequently shown to occur because of increased insulin sensitivity and is now recognized as a hallmark of DR and potentially important in the anti-aging action of DR. Ed was chair of the Biological Sciences Section of GSA in 1979 and President in 1995. This session is dedicated to Edward Masoro who passed away on July 11, 2020 at the age or 95.Dr. Masoro was president in 1995 and BS chair in 1979, Clive McCay was President in 1949.


Author(s):  
Klara Walkowicz

Currently almost all democratic countries grant legal protection to animals, guaranteeing them the right to life and freedom from suffering as a basis. Nevertheless, in certain countries, such as the United States and India, attempts are made to grant select species a package of rights which predisposes them to be called subjects instead of objects of law, and distinguishes them from other animals. Such activities are most commonly explained by the development of biological sciences, allowing for a better understanding of the abilities of animals in the intellectual and social spheres. Such demands, due to the still unclear legal status of animals in certain countries, are perceived as equating the position of humans and animals.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 871-875
Author(s):  
Jen Vanderhoven ◽  
Jeffrey Green ◽  
Gavin H. Thomas

The ∼1300 academic and industry members of the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Network in Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (NIBB) Crossing Biological Membranes Network (CBMNet) are motivated to explore how knowledge of the roles of biological membranes can be exploited to enhance the productivity of cell factories. Improving existing, and developing new, cell factories requires a deep understanding of the mechanisms by which substances are transported into, within, and out of the cells. Embedding consideration of membrane function into the design of cell factories is crucial for the future of almost all cell-based Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy (IBBE) applications. CBMNet provides a forum for: knowledge exchange between academics and companies; developing new interactions in the context of responsible innovation; forming, and then supporting, new multi-disciplinary teams to develop innovative membrane-based solutions to overcome IBBE bottlenecks; and funding consortia to carry out feasibility studies with the target of generating competitive bids for further research funding. More broadly, CBMNet is working with other NIBB to raise the profile of IBBE among policymakers and develop a national strategy for IBBE in the U.K.


1985 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan T. Bagley

AbstractThe genus Klebsiella is seemingly ubiquitous in terms of its habitat associations. Klebsiella is a common opportunistic pathogen for humans and other animals, as well as being resident or transient flora (particularly in the gastrointestinal tract). Other habitats include sewage, drinking water, soils, surface waters, industrial effluents, and vegetation. Until recently, almost all these Klebsiella have been identified as one species, ie, K. pneumoniae. However, phenotypic and genotypic studies have shown that “K. pneumoniae” actually consists of at least four species, all with distinct characteristics and habitats. General habitat associations of Klebsiella species are as follows: K. pneumoniae—humans, animals, sewage, and polluted waters and soils; K. oxytoca—frequent association with most habitats; K. terrigena— unpolluted surface waters and soils, drinking water, and vegetation; K. planticola—sewage, polluted surface waters, soils, and vegetation; and K. ozaenae/K. rhinoscleromatis—infrequently detected (primarily with humans).


Author(s):  
B. K. Kirchoff ◽  
L.F. Allard ◽  
W.C. Bigelow

In attempting to use the SEM to investigate the transition from the vegetative to the floral state in oat (Avena sativa L.) it was discovered that the procedures of fixation and critical point drying (CPD), and fresh tissue examination of the specimens gave unsatisfactory results. In most cases, by using these techniques, cells of the tissue were collapsed or otherwise visibly distorted. Figure 1 shows the results of fixation with 4.5% formaldehyde-gluteraldehyde followed by CPD. Almost all cellular detail has been obscured by the resulting shrinkage distortions. The larger cracks seen on the left of the picture may be due to dissection damage, rather than CPD. The results of observation of fresh tissue are seen in Fig. 2. Although there is a substantial improvement over CPD, some cell collapse still occurs.Due to these difficulties, it was decided to experiment with cold stage techniques. The specimens to be observed were dissected out and attached to the sample stub using a carbon based conductive paint in acetone.


Author(s):  
K.R. Subramanian ◽  
A.H. King ◽  
H. Herman

Plasma spraying is a technique which is used to apply coatings to metallic substrates for a variety of purposes, including hardfacing, corrosion resistance and thermal barrier applications. Almost all of the applications of this somewhat esoteric fabrication technique involve materials in hostile environments and the integrity of the coatings is of paramount importance: the effects of process variables on such properties as adhesive strength, cohesive strength and hardness of the substrate/coating system, however, are poorly understood.Briefly, the plasma spraying process involves forming a hot plasma jet with a maximum flame temperature of approximately 20,000K and a gas velocity of about 40m/s. Into this jet the coating material is injected, in powder form, so it is heated and projected at the substrate surface. Relatively thick metallic or ceramic coatings may be speedily built up using this technique.


Author(s):  
N. Yoshimura ◽  
K. Shirota ◽  
T. Etoh

One of the most important requirements for a high-performance EM, especially an analytical EM using a fine beam probe, is to prevent specimen contamination by providing a clean high vacuum in the vicinity of the specimen. However, in almost all commercial EMs, the pressure in the vicinity of the specimen under observation is usually more than ten times higher than the pressure measured at the punping line. The EM column inevitably requires the use of greased Viton O-rings for fine movement, and specimens and films need to be exchanged frequently and several attachments may also be exchanged. For these reasons, a high speed pumping system, as well as a clean vacuum system, is now required. A newly developed electron microscope, the JEM-100CX features clean high vacuum in the vicinity of the specimen, realized by the use of a CASCADE type diffusion pump system which has been essentially improved over its predeces- sorD employed on the JEM-100C.


Author(s):  
Robert M. Glaeser ◽  
Bing K. Jap

The dynamical scattering effect, which can be described as the failure of the first Born approximation, is perhaps the most important factor that has prevented the widespread use of electron diffraction intensities for crystallographic structure determination. It would seem to be quite certain that dynamical effects will also interfere with structure analysis based upon electron microscope image data, whenever the dynamical effect seriously perturbs the diffracted wave. While it is normally taken for granted that the dynamical effect must be taken into consideration in materials science applications of electron microscopy, very little attention has been given to this problem in the biological sciences.


Author(s):  
C. F. Oster

Although ultra-thin sectioning techniques are widely used in the biological sciences, their applications are somewhat less popular but very useful in industrial applications. This presentation will review several specific applications where ultra-thin sectioning techniques have proven invaluable.The preparation of samples for sectioning usually involves embedding in an epoxy resin. Araldite 6005 Resin and Hardener are mixed so that the hardness of the embedding medium matches that of the sample to reduce any distortion of the sample during the sectioning process. No dehydration series are needed to prepare our usual samples for embedding, but some types require hardening and staining steps. The embedded samples are sectioned with either a prototype of a Porter-Blum Microtome or an LKB Ultrotome III. Both instruments are equipped with diamond knives.In the study of photographic film, the distribution of the developed silver particles through the layer is important to the image tone and/or scattering power. Also, the morphology of the developed silver is an important factor, and cross sections will show this structure.


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