Abstract
This paper discusses how ecological footprints, effective ecological tools used to help maintain our world, impose many questions in sustaining the earth's life. Charts are included with the paper.

Defining Our Ecological Footprint
Dependency on Nature
Carrying Capacity of Cities and Earth
Comparison between Countries
Natural Capita: Effects on the Earth
Impact of the World Economies
Solutions

From the Paper
"The world economy has a great impact on the ecological footprints of the world. Every country wants to obtain economic growth to produce more money. But in doing this, they have to deplete their natural capital, which in turn, is not helping in sustaining this world. As William Rees states, "there is simply not enough on the planet to sustain present international development trends using prevailing technologies" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). So something drastic has to be done. As the ecological footprints of humans are already too large for the earth to handle, how can we accommodate the rising materials and rising in population, while trying to sustain the earth. Most analysts agree that it can happen in two ways: through a reduction in the standard of living or through the increase in material and energy efficiency (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). These two issues also apply problems, through cultural, economic, and social values. Especially in the more developed countries. To lower the standard of living would be outright rejected in the more developed countries such as Canada and the U. S. So indeed, most people agree that "global sustainability is achievable only through large increases in the consumption of goods and services in both poorer and richer countries" (Westra and Werhane ed. 1998, 115). But still a problem arises. There will still be inequity in the growth of the more and less developed countries. It seems the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer. A consensus seems to be emerging though. They say that the needed consumption will work if there is a reduction in the material energy costs of goods and services. "

Tags:capacity, carrying, footprints, economy, world, natural, capita, sustainability, consumption, food, ecology, countries, cities, earth, nature

Abstract
The paper summarizes the article "In Vivo Activation of the p53 Pathway by Small-Molecule Antagonists of MDM2" and its study of the MDM2 protein which strongly binds to, and modulates the activity of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The paper describes the methods and testing used and posits that the methods were relative to the objective and were properly carried out. The paper therefore agrees with the conclusion reached by the article and concludes that this is indeed a promising treatment should it be proven that suppression of MDM2 activity in p53 proteins may lead to the reduction of tumors in humans and animals.

Outline:
Summary
Method

From the Paper
"The main focus of the article is around the MDM2 protein which strongly binds to, and modulates the activity of the p53 tumour suppressor protein by an autoregulatory feedback loop. This is done through three mechanisms. Firstly, MDM2 binds at the p53 transactivation site and blocks its activation of transcription initiation. Secondly, it participates in the nuclear export of p53. Thirdly, it serves as a ubiquitin ligase, promoting the degradation of p53. When p53 is activated, it can bring a halt upon the cell cycle and cause apoptosis."

Tags:MDM2, inhibitors, Nutlin, mice

Abstract
This paper discusses the serial endosymbiosis theory, which states that the evolution of eukaryotes (cells that have a nuclei) from prokaryotes (cells that lack a nuclei) involved the symbiotic unification of many previously independent ancestors. The writer describes the theory's four main parts and presents the evidence in support of the theory. The writer then explains how some aspects of this theory, such as the notion that eukaryotic cilia and flagella originated from spirochete bacteria, have been rejected by some scientists and discusses alternative theories that have been proposed. The paper concludes that future research should be concentrated on analyzing new molecular and nucleic sequence data along with fossil records to divulge significant information regarding the origin of eukaryotes.

Outline:
Controversy regarding the Serial Endosymbiosis Theory
The Chimeric Model
The Hydrogen Hypothesis
The Syntrophic Hypothesis

From the Paper
"The origin of the eukaryotic cell was first analyzed by American biologist Ivan Wallin in the 1920s; he proposed that the cell was composed of colonies of microbes. Although over time adjustments and tweaks have been made to the theory, the invention of the modern Serial Endosymbiosis theory can be credited to biologist Lynn Margulis. Margulis proposed that eukaryotic cells originated as colonies of interacting individuals that joined together in a specific sequence. Over a period of time, the individuals of this unification became the organelles of a single host (Margulis and Chapman, 1998)."

Tags:photosynthesis, amoeba, chloroplast, mitochondria, molecular, archaebacteria, methanogen, microtubule

Abstract
This paper examines the novel mechanism of disease transmittal in prions as well as the diseases themselves (mad cow disease and Creutzfeld-Jacobs disease). Functions of normal prions are also discussed. The paper also examines how prions are devoid of nucleic acids, and thus carry no information other than their tertiary structure.

From the Paper
"Knockout mice survived up to their 70th week, and then they began to display signs common with brain disease, which included a loss of motor coordination. Curiously, the symptoms shown by these knockout mice were similar to those found in many cases of prion diseases."

Tags:brain, cow, creutzfeld, disease, infectious, jacobs, mad, prions, protein

Abstract
Soil is an incredibly important resource and maintaining the fertility of our soils is a pressing issue at the forefront of environmental science as we try to feed an expanding global population. Queensland, Australia is one area of the world where soil is being depleted and degraded at an alarming rate. Through an examination of this specific resource management problem, this essay analyzes the concept of impact assessment to develop fair, efficient and effective solutions to this environmental problem.

From the Paper
?The preservation and conservation of the worlds soil is a serious resource management problem. The sustainable use of our soil will be a major challenge for the human species for many years to come. When assessing the impact of any resource management problem and developing feasible solutions to that problem certain factors must be taken into consideration. Examining the fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of a proposed solution is paramount to its potential success. A solution for soil loss that is completely unfair to farmers or ranchers will be rigorously opposed and impossible to implement.?

Tags:agriculture, argoforestry, arid, crop, degradation, depletion, desert, desertification, farmland, land, management, marginal, resource, salinisation

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of environmental pollution on pollinators, specifically the honeybee, and how this organism can be used as an indicator of environmental health. Emphasis is placed on examining the toxicity and effect of various pesticides including DDT, malathion and various fungicides. In addition, the influence on the health of pollinators from atmospheric heavy metal pollution is addressed. The importance of the honeybee to the future of agriculture is the theme throughout this essay.

From the Paper
?Bees are one of the most important elements of agriculture. They are one of the most widespread and efficient pollinators. For this reason, the effects of pollution on bees is an ever growing area of interest for many scientists who fear that bee populations may be at risk from human activity. Air pollution from vehicles and industry can have adverse effects on bee populations. However, one of the greatest areas of concern is the effect of pesticides due to the direct and sometimes high exposure of foraging bees to these toxic chemicals."

Tags:agriculture, crop, environment, environmental, honey, pesticide, pollen

Abstract
The writer explains that in this experiment, lysozyme was purified from egg white solution into 24 fractions using gel column chromatography. The writer points out that the odd-numbered fractions were then assayed in order to determine the enzymatic activity of lysozyme, while the even-numbered fractions were assayed for total protein content, using the Bradford protein assay procedure. The writer notes that lysozyme is one of the most well-known enzymes, being abundant in mucus, tears, and albumen (commonly known as egg white).
The writer concludes that the purification of lysozyme from egg white was only somewhat successful since the estimated value of the molecular weight, 14.25 kDa, is practically the same as the known weight of 14.3 kDa. However, the specific activity, calculated at 400 units/mg, was significantly less than the expected specific activity of 25 000 units/mg of protein.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Calculations
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Lysozyme is itself composed of 129 amino acids, including four disulfide bridges and three sets of alpha helices. The enzyme's active site consists of a long groove that can hold as many as six polysaccharides. According to past experiments, specific activity of lysozyme from egg white is approximately 25 000 units/mg. This is the expected result for this experiment. However, one factor that influences the specific activity is the actual column and type of chromatography being used, since accuracy differs among the different types of chromatographies. Therefore, some are able to purify enzymes better than others, giving a more accurate specific activity. In addition to obtaining the specific activity, molecular weight of the enzyme can be determined by comparing the fraction in which most of the enzyme eluted with the fractionation range."

Tags:protein, egg, white, calculations, fractions

Abstract
This paper explains that the introduction of DNA evidence has become the cornerstone of many forms of criminal investigations especially for sexual assault and murder. Nonetheless, DNA evidence still has its drawbacks. The author provides a basic understanding of DNA and the ways DNA is used as evidence at crime scenes. The paper points out the issue of privacy, the need for collaboration even when DNA associated with the accused is found, and the difficulty of explaining the complicated DNA procedures to a jury. The paper stresses that the use of DNA is most significant in the area of exonerating previously convicted individuals who were sentenced based on inaccurate eyewitness testimony or other faults of the investigation process.

From the Paper
"One of the controversial advancements that has come along with the use of DNA evidence is the development of DNA databases, which store the DNA of convicted criminals from previous cases. It is very similar to the fingerprint databases that exist, only these databases store the electronic print out of a person's DNA. The controversy occurs over the desire of some political groups to include all humans in these databases and not simply criminals. Additionally, some even object to the database at all, regardless of who's DNA it contains, as they believe it is an invasion of privacy."

Tags:unique, databases, privacy, regions, exoneration

Abstract
This essay contains the history of the pesticide DDT and it's uses within the environment. DTT is a harmful pesticide which has been detrimental to the environment, and has caused a decline in a variety of species. The author focuses specifically on the effects of the pesticide on the environment.

From the Paper
" As earth's population grows so does the demand for food, and the use of pesticides has become essential in meeting this demand. The first important synthetic organic pesticide was a chlorinated hydrocarbon, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane or DDT. DDT was discovered in 1939 by Swiss chemist Paul Meller. In its early days, DDT was a popular pesticide because it was toxic to a wide range of insect pests, yet it appeared to have low toxicity to mammals. DDT was also persistent, which meant the pesticide didn't break down rapidly in the environment and therefore did not need to be reapplied often and since DDT was insoluble it did not wash off by rain or other weather conditions. Although gradually throughout time it was discovered that many insects had developed resistance to DDT, and it was discovered that DDT did in fact pose to be harmful to the ecosystem. This discovery created wide public interest and made people aware that chemicals were polluting the environment. As a result DDT was banned for use in North America and other countries in the early 1970's. Though pesticides, such as DDT, may decrease the number of insects, throughout history it has been proven that there is a detrimental effect upon the environment, animals and humans as a result."

Tags:ecology, ecosystem, damage

Abstract
In this article, the writer first explains that a stem cell is a human cell that has the ability to divide itself a large number of times when placed in suitable environment, such as a laboratory culture. The writer notes that stem cell research implications are generally related to human health, and thus human stem cells are the focus of this paper. The writer discusses that many people are opposed to stem-cell research because of the need for using embryo cells, which can either come from aborted foetuses or from the umbilical cords of newborn babies. The writer then argues that, despite the concerns about stem-cell research, there are a great number of medical benefits that have already and may still come from stem-cell research and they far outweigh any potential negative effects. The writer argues that stem-cell research should not only be allowed to continue and prosper, but it should also be well funded and placed at a high priority among medical research fields.

From the Paper
" Stem-cell research has allowed researchers to learn more about how cells regenerate themselves, as well as how initial cells at the embryo stage of development later develop into specific cells with specific functions in the body. This research is very useful for informing scientists about potential treatments for debilitating diseases. Researchers working with stem-cells have become fairly certain that continued research with the stem-cells will lead to potential cures or treatments for diseases such as Parkinson's disease, by regenerating muscle and brain cells. The research is also promising in terms of generating treatment options for individuals with multiple sclerosis. One of the most exciting possibilities for stem-cell research lies in the field of developing organs from stem-cells which could meet the human demand for organ transplants and remove the necessity of finding matching donors. Thus, stem-cell research has the potential to save a remarkable number of human lives."

Tags:human, embryos, regenerate, replicate