Allie+J.

=October 23rd 2015=

= **Wikipost #1- Human Height** =

Have you every wondered how you ended up with the height that you are? Well, determining someone's height is a very complicated thing to figure out. One would assume that tall parents will likely have tall children and short parents will likely have short children, which is pretty obvious for the most part, right? I, myself, am a little over 5'10, my mom is 5'6 and my dad is around 6'1'', so for a very tall person like myself, I have fairly tall to average height parents. Studies have shown that genetics are indeed 80% responsible for a person's height. However, there are some instances where short parents can have a child that is significantly taller than they are and vice-versa, so by trying to figure out who someone's height is going to conclude, completely on their parents' genes, is quite a gamble. Why exactly is that? Well, even though a significant amount of our height is determined by the genes we inherited from our parents, there are still other factors that are involved in our height potential as well. In case you're wondering, the other 20% of someone's height is depended on certain environmental factors and nutrition (healthy eating, good medical care and overall taking care of themselves). It also depends on how much their parents take care of themselves; if mom didn't eat well or smoked while she was pregnant with her child, that child's growth will probably be stunted. Not to mention, it's important for the child to make sure they get all of their nutrients, because that will also stunt their growth. According to Dr. Hirschhorn, a geneticist and pediatric endocrinologist, we study height genes because they tend to work together with genes that cause diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and asthma, so the more they understand height genes, the more they'll understand how genetics for human diseases work. This explains why certain tall or short people get these diseases.



Height is something kids are curious about at a young age; I know I was when I was younger!

So how exactly is the height of people determined by their genes? Do they get most of the height from their mom or their dad?
Well, illustrated in the image below, demonstrates that. There is no specific number of height genes, but scientists predicted that there are around seven to twenty genes that work together to form a human's stature. Now according to nature genetics, who analyzed a quarter of a million people, found 700 genetic variants and more than 400 genome regions relating to height. This diagram shows how possible children could get their height genetic wise (if there were only, say, three genes involved). If this were to be the case, we would get two sets of those three genes, one from mom, and one from dad. These genes would be, let's say, "Aa," "Bb," and "Cc." Each parent would have three dominant genes (aka tall genes, which are the capital letters) and three recessive genes (aka short genes, which are the lower-case letters). The child would get, at random, three of each of their parents' genes. Most of them could be recessive, or mostly dominant; it could even be half and half. That's the thing about height genes- they're still very complicated to understand; just imagine how many combinations there would be if there were hundreds of genes that control our height.

__Diagrams__
These diagrams represent the average height that people are. As you can probably tell, there aren't a crazy amount of people that are very tall or very short; the majority of people are of average height or in the middle. They also demonstrate that height is not black and white. In other words, people aren't either really tall or really short. There are many combinations of height in the spectrum.

__Video__
This video sums up how height it determined, including further detail on how we started to figure out

media type="youtube" key="Y98_XA4BkL4" width="560" height="315"

__Further Readings__
This site is about Robert Wadlow, who was recorded as the tallest man alive. He is a great example of someone who grew towering over his not-so-tall family. Of course, he had a hyperactive pituitary gland,
 * http://mashable.com/2015/07/27/tallest-man-in-history/#x0KLZzDWskqK

This is a site I found that shows how one can mathematically figure out what height their future kids will be, just in case you're curious. It may also explain how your height may be so different from your parents, whether you're much shorter or much taller.
 * https://www.enotalone.com/health/11399.html

This is a link to some more detail on genes of height, but is more skeleton based.
 * http://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/press/2009/090403.html

Here is some information on the shortest man recorded in history, Chandra Bahandur Dangi.
 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandra_Bahadur_Dangi

Here's an article from Scientific America that states some research on some facts on health when it comes to tall and short people.
 * http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/no-tall-tale-height-matters/

__Souces Cited__

 * http://genetics.thetech.org/ask/ask98
 * http://sciencenordic.com/scientists-discover-which-genes-determine-your-height
 * http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/scientists-answer-the-long-and-short-of-height-questions-as-they-pin-down-genetic-mutations-9775829.html
 * http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113249782/genetics-of-height-giant-consortium-100614/
 * http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/05/us-science-height-idUSKCN0HU0QI20141005
 * http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113249782/genetics-of-height-giant-consortium-100614/

November 18th 2015
=Wiki post #2 - Humans vs. Chimpanzees=

====We have all heard that we humans are related to chimps in some way, but exactly how related are we? Did we evolve from monkeys to humans? Well, that seems to not be the case, since in class, we have discussed that we are simply like cousins. We both came from another common ancestor approximately 6 million years ago, but we're just not quite sure what. There are a lot of similarities between us humans and chimpanzees, which of course explains how we're relatives. For an example, be both have the neocortex, the outermost layer of the brain characterized by brain folds, continues to grow and organize as we mature. This helps us learn and develop socially, and makes both of us extremely bright. There are so many other similarities as well (in the video further down), like humans, chimps can work with tools, communicate with distinct vocalization, and are exceptional problem solvers. We also share approximately 96 percent of our DNA with them; the other four percent of course explains the difference between us. Not to mention, psychologically, we are very similar emotionally and socially. We both demonstrate the desire of helping unrelated humans and chimps, without getting anything in return; which shows undeniable selflessness and loyalty. However, Chimps can also get very violent with their rivals, which involves rapping, killing, and making war. This is another unfortunate quality to some humans as well.====

====However, there are also quite a few things that set humans and chimps apart, because we are not the **same** species, we are //related.// For instance, the plasticity which is the brains ability to reorganize in response to environmental cues, is demonstrated when chimps pick up use cooperative grooming practices. It also help us pick up things which we wouldn't have learned at birth, like tying our shoes, or learning the alphabet. Although according to new research found in the Proceedings of the //National Academy of Sciences,// the organization in the chimpanzee's genes are far more rigid than in humans. In other words, their tight genetic control doesn't allow our primary cousins to adapt or learn in their environment with much flexibility. These limitations have an impact on their capacity to learn new behavior and skills. This means that the human brain has evolved to become more prone to picking up ways to adapt to our external influences, our environment. Our genetic control has become more loose over time, according to this new research. We might have heard rumors that chimps can outsmart us with their intelligent, and there's no doubt by any means that they are clever. However this new research proves that compared to our own, the chimps' brain power is quite pale. There is also a lot of language difference between humans and chimps. Chimps can learn many symbols, but there's not a lot of astonishing communication or social skills with chimps.====









media type="youtube" key="C850tZ5oxaA" width="560" height="315" This is a video that states 10 similarities and differences between chimpanzees and humans, you may find them as shocking and interesting as I did!

__**Sources Cited**__


 * http://news.sciencemag.org/brain-behavior/2015/11/humans-can-outlearn-chimps-thanks-more-flexible-brain-genetics
 * http://www.livescience.com/7929-human-evolution-closest-living-relatives-chimps.html
 * http://www.philipcaruso-story.com/genetic-map-chimps-may-show-makes-us-human/
 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Goodall
 * http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8681237/Project-Nim-the-chimp-who-was-brought-up-like-a-child.html
 * http://friendshipgarden10538.yuku.com/topic/21711/10-Comparisons-Between-Chimps-and-Humans#.Vk5dl3arTIU

__**Further Readings**__ This article talks about how spiny fish have evolved to become more spiny in areas to make them look wider, which makes them harder/ awkward to swallow for their predators. This article talks about how chickens have evolved throughout generations. They have become domesticated and more tame. Are you a dog person? You might find this interesting! This article talks about how foxes have been bred to be more tame, friendly, and good natured, like dogs (foxes are dogs are both from the canine taxonomic family). It even mentioned how dogs are more adept at interpreting human signals, like pointing or gazing. This is the article that goes more in-depth with "The Nim project" where Columbia prof. adopts and raises a chimpanzee as a child
 * http://news.sciencemag.org/evolution/2015/11/spiny-fish-grow-shapes-are-hard-swallow
 * http://news.sciencemag.org/evolution/2015/09/here-s-what-happens-when-you-rewind-clock-chicken-domestication
 * http://news.sciencemag.org/2005/02/fox-and-hound
 * http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/8681237/Project-Nim-the-chimp-who-was-brought-up-like-a-child.html

**January 14th 2016**
=Wiki post #3-Broken Heart Syndrome=

=
We have all heard of that expression of getting their heart broken, which is typically used as an expression to describe someone being dumped by a significant other; getting their feelings hurt by a friend a family member, or loosing a loved one. Of course this is typically thought of as an exaggeration, because our hearts don't actually get broken by someone hurting our feelings, right? Well, what if I were to tell you that it //is// possible to get your heart broken, which could cause some serious problems to your cardiovascular health?=====

=
It has been scientifically proven that a broken heart can lead to critical cardiac problems or even death (however, it's very rare to die from it). The theory behind it is that cardiomyopathy/ takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as it's most common name, Broken Heart Syndrome, is a temporary heart condition in which the heart responds to a traumatic or intensely stressful occurrence, such as the examples we said above about what happens when our heart gets broken, metaphorically speaking. =====

=
These events, according to theheart.org, could be death of a loved one or even a divorce, breakup or physical separation, betrayal, romantic rejection, or even domestic abuse. It could also be events that aren't romance based, such as loosing a job, money problems, or public speaking; on the other end of the spectrum, it could also be caused by an overwhelming shock, like winning the lottery, or a surprise party. But how exactly does that work? Well, heart.org explains that a part of the heart expands and can no longer pump blood very well. Meanwhile, the rest of the heart functions the way it usually does, or in some cases, even more forcefully than it did before. =====

According to professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia University, Peter Shapiro, who studies emotional issues in heart diseases, these types of events can trigger your nervous system, which is called your fight of flight mechanism. He also says, your body unleashes a flood of chemicals, including adrenaline. This sudden flood can stun your heart muscle, leaving it unable to pump properly.


 * Here are some Symptoms of Broken Heart Syndrome:**


 * Chest Pain (otherwise known as Angina)
 * Shortness of Breath
 * Irregular Heartbeats (AKA Arrhythmias)
 * Cardiogenic shock (this is when a sudden weak heart can no longer pump the amount of blood the body needs
 * Arm Pain
 * Sweating

=
However, on the bright side, Broken Heart Syndrome is usually very treatable, and the majority of people who have had it make a full recovery in the span of a week to a few weeks. Also, there's a good chance it wouldn't happen to them again. =====

So can the Broken Heart Syndrome be prevented? Well, not exactly. Because Broken Heart Syndrome is such a new and recent discovery and diagnosis, scientists are still in the process of figuring out specific treatments to get rid of it cold turkey.

But here's some good news: It is still treatable. And it turns out, improving your mental, emotional, and physical health can reduce your chances in getting this syndrome. This can be done by stress management, relaxing, and coping with problems.

Broken Heart Syndrome is triggered by emotionally upsetting or overwhelming events, so if we can improve how we deal with stressful or overwhelming situations/events, it can really save us from a risky condition. It also helps to be surrounded with loving and supportive people in our lives, that you can open up to about anything. After all, communication is key!

Physical health, such as exercise, a healthy diet and body weight can also work wonders. Not to mention, drinking ecsessively, smoking, and eating piles of junk food won't help matters either. Keep a stable physical well-being!

__**Photos**__








__**Video**__
media type="youtube" key="5f2Ga5O55k8" width="560" height="314" align="left"

This is a video from Sonoran Living with a guest, a Mayo Clinic Cardiologist, who goes into more detail about how a Broken Heart works and what it looks like.

__**Further Readings**__

This is a recent news story that was published a little more than a week ago; it's a story of someone who was sent to the hospital with a rapidly beating heart, so this woman was diagnosed with a heart attack, but realized it was something different. The article also shows results of many tests run for this syndrome.
 * http://www.newser.com/story/218490/broken-heart-syndrome-is-real-and-dangerous.html

This websites provides answers to the most common and detailed questions asked about Broken Heart Syndrome.
 * http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/asc/faqs.html

This article suggests that lucid dreamers have the ability to control their actions in a dream and to be aware of if their dreaming or not.
 * http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/crux/2016/01/08/lucid-dreamers-consciousness/#.VpgNvvkrLIU

This article's discoveries show that dogs have the ability to understand humans emotions, happy or sad- another reason to love dogs! :)
 * http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2016/01/13/dog-human-emotion-empathy/#.VpgPR_krLIU

__**Sources Cited**__

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/Cardiomyopathy/Is-Broken-Heart-Syndrome-Real_UCM_448547_Article.jsp#.VpQ0m_krLIU

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-heart-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20034635

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/broken-heart-syndrome/prevention

http://www.webmd.com/heart/features/broken-heart-syndrome-stress-cardiomyopathy