Meet the Solenodon: Another weird, wonderful, venomous mammal!

Solenodon
paradoxus

While totally sounding like a sci-fi planet, Solenodons are actually just insectivores. In the family Solenodontidae, there is only one genus-Solenodon and just two species. Yes, solenodons come in just two flavors the Hispaniolan (Solenodon paradoxus) and the Cuban (Solenodon cubanus). These shrew-like looking creatures have a venomous bite that emanates from a groove in their second incisors. Solenodons are reported to eat plants, insects, small invertebrates, but also reptile, amphibians, and rodents. They kill prey larger than themselves most likely after inflicting a fatal bite. The toxin blarina produces a peptide called bradykinin and this bite then leads to paralysis and convulsions.
Continue reading “Meet the Solenodon: Another weird, wonderful, venomous mammal!”

HIV: Cancer Killer?

Photo by Samantha Celera
Photo by Samantha Celera

Recently, I saw an article referencing a young girl’s leukemia being fought by HIV viral transformation. The headline was surprisingly restrained, but the mere mention of HIV (a pathogen surrounded by fear and misinformation, like AIDS denial) risks leaving many readers thinking an HIV infection cured a young girl’s leukemia (not true!). So, I headed to the scientific literature to see if this flashy headline’s mention of HIV was really warranted. Continue reading “HIV: Cancer Killer?”

Unwind after your holiday party with Bill Callahan and a science drink

It not often that kids science classes and Holiday parties have much in common, but thanks to the delights of carbonated beverages there is at least one similarity: everyone loves watching dried fruit bob up and down in glass. Whether it’s champagne and dried cranberries to ring in the New Year, or raisins in a plastic cup of ginger ale on a school desk, this one is a classic. Continue reading “Unwind after your holiday party with Bill Callahan and a science drink”

Science Caturday: Cathenge

cathenge

The approach of the winter solstice on December 21 reminds us that even prehistoric humans with crude tools studied the movements of the sun and earth and built sophisticated structures to mark different phases of their alignment.  Cats are pretty good at following the movement of the sun’s rays, too, but are not noted for their ability or willingness to move large boulders.

Take that obesity!

kids
Photo by Lori Yerdon, USAG-Humphreys

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported measurable declines in the rate of obesity in some of America’s children. In Philadelphia, New York City, California and Mississippi major efforts have been underway since the late 90’s to reduce the obesity rate among school-aged children. Children often consume the largest portion of their daily calories at school. Philadelphia and New York City took measures to connect farms with schools to provide fresh produce and created new nutritional standards for meals and beverages to be served. Mississippi and California improved nutrition standards state-wide and California has banned sugar sweetened beverages in high schools. Continue reading “Take that obesity!”