The Cobra Event (want to lose some sleep tonight?); Book Review

The Cobra Event by Richard Preston is a worthwhile book to read indeed, but it will scare the be-Jesus out of you also. This is quite a heavy book to read and if you are an intellectual type of person, then it should frighten you.

Having also read the book; Germs and many other similar books and having kept up to date on recent scientific findings, I realize how serious and realistic this book is. Biological human distributed pathogens are real and we must indeed make sure we keep these biological scientists who consider using these things on mass population bases at bay and prevent them from ruining life on Earth as we know it. The United States of America may indeed have a missile defense system, but unless we have a way to detect and protect the American people from such dastardly deeds such as is described in Cobra Event we will be sorry. It is time for all of America to wake up and realize, how important it is to pay attention to where all these scientists who practice this line of work are and exactly what they are doing now, for whom and why.

Additionally we need to consider all the nations, which are experimenting and trying to perfect such bio weapons. Indeed, this book is intense, it is realistic and it scared the . . . out of me. Perhaps some reading it may not be scared, but if you have half a brain you will have to really stop and think about how serious these issues are. Read the book and see for your self and consider all this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.

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Review of on Natural Selection by Charles Darwin

I have been researching great thinkers and how they have shaped the world. I have also been trying to prove that the act of reading helps to generate or even stimulate great ideas. Great thinkers do not operate within a vacuum, they rely on the works of others, and often expand the original thought and take the world further. Charles Darwin and British biologist Alfred Russel Wallace independently arrived at similar theories of Natural Selection in the mid-1800s after reading Essay on the Principle of Population by British pastor Thomas Malthus.

Darwin defines natural selection as the "preservation of favourable variations and the rejection of injurious variation." So what does this all mean? Darwin further adds, "Variations neither useful nor injurious would not be affected by natural selection, and would be left a fluctuating element, as perhaps we see in the species called polymorphic... Natural selection can act only by taking advantage of slight variations; she can never take a leap, but must advance by the shortest steps."

This book wasn't the easiest to read, and I found it quite "dry". But, in my quest to find out where really good ideas come from, I made the sacrifice and slogged through it. I have selected fives ideas from On Natural Selection. For the five ideas below, how can you use them in different contexts to resolve/understand modern day problems?

Five Good Ideas

When a plant or animal is placed in a new country amongst new competitors, though the climate may be exactly the same as its former home, yet the conditions of its life will generally be changed in an essential manner. If we wished to increase its average numbers in its new home, we should have to modify it in a different way to what we should have done in its native country; for we should have to give it some advantage over a different set of competitors or enemies.Individuals having any advantage, however slight, over others, would have the best chance of surviving and of procreating their kindWhen a species, owing to highly favourable circumstances, increases inordinately in numbers in a small tract, epidemics often ensueThe more diversified the descendants from any one species become in structure, constitution, and habits, by so much will they be better enabled to seize on many and widely diversified places in the polity of nature, and so be enabled to increase in numbersNatural selection is working behind the scenes all the time throughout the world whenever the opportunity arises. It works to improve each organic being in relation to its organic and inorganic conditions of life. You cannot see these slow changes taking place, until after a long period of time has elapsed, we see that the forms of life are now different from what they formerly were

We could take idea number two and look at it in the context of education. It's a reasonable assumption to make that people who are more educated have a better chance of succeeding than those who have less education. Or, for that same idea, we could say, someone who has an idea and knows how to take action, will be more successful than someone who has ideas but do nothing about them. Success in this context is not restricted to financial success. Why don't you take one of the above five ideas and see what new ideas you can generate?

I recommend On Natural Selection because I am sure that you will come up with your own five ideas. This is not a book that you would read for entertainment, but it will certainly stretch you.

Avil Beckford, Chief Invisible Mentor, writer and researcher with over 15 years of experience is the published author of Tales of People Who Get It and its companion workbook Journey to Getting It. Subscribe to the Invisible Mentor Blog http://theinvisiblementor.com/ for great information to ignite your hidden genius, and explore the Resources page for free white papers and an e-book.

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Triplet Genetic Code - A Book Review Which Allows the Reader to Better Understand DNA Nutrition

This book presents the basics of what the genetic code is, so that the reader can have a basis of understanding of molecular biology. The backbone of the book is the central dogma of molecular biology, which is the idea that information flows from DNA to RNA to protein. It not only defines and discusses what the genetic code is, but discusses the rules of the genetic code and the type of mutations that can occur in the system.

The basic building blocks of both DNA and mRNA are adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine. These are defined as nitrogen bases and are usually labeled A, T, G, and C. These bases code for twenty specific amino acids. The twenty amino acids that can be created are as follows: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartate, cysteine, glutamine, glutamate, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, praline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. A nucleotide is defined as a linked bunch of molecules, composed of a phosphate group, nitrogenous bases, and a pentose sugar. The nucleotides code for these amino acids in groups of three, giving 64 possible combinations. The groups of threes are called codons. There are actually three codons that don't code for amino acids. These codons are called stop codons and they signal signal translation termination. These codons are UAA, UAG, and UGA.

The genetic code is said to be degenerate. This means that the code doesn't code to its capacity. Basically, the twenty known amino acids that can be created by the genetic code can be made by more than one type of nucleotide sequence. For instance, CUU, CUC, CUA, and CUG all code for the amino acid leucine. Another example is that CGU, CGC, CGA, and CGG all code for arginine.

According to the book, there are three main rules for the genetic code. The first rule is that the sequence of nitrogenous bases must follow the direction of translation. mRNA is translated in the 5' to 3' direction, so the codon sequences have to occur in the same orientation. This ensures that they will be properly translated. The first base of a codon must be located at the 5'-most end of the codon. For instance, the following three bases code for the amino acid cysteine: CGU. Two codons code for this amino acid, 5'-UGU-3' and 5'-UGC-3'. 5'-UGC-3' matches the codon CGU if you read it backwards.

The second rule is that one nucleotide can be used per reading frame. In other words, one nucleotide can only be part of one codon. For example, the code AATT could be read only as AAT or ATT, but not at the same time.

The last rule deals with start and stop codons. Basically, once you begin reading a codon from a specific nucleotide, one must continue reading it by threes until the end. The most common start codon is AUG. UAA, UAG, or UGA are the stop codons. So, the implication of this rule is that any sequence can be read in three different ways, depending on which nucleotide is put first. The three different ways of reading can yield three different amino acids.

Mutations are errors in codons caused by changes in nucleotide bases. Depending on the type of mutation, the error can cause no change or devastating change in protein created. These changes can result in positive phenotypic changes in the living organism, but usually are deleterious. The first type of mutation discussed is the base substitution. This is when one base is substituted for another. There are three main base substitutions: silent mutations, missense mutations, and nonsense mutations. Silent mutations do not change the amino acid created, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code. For example, if UGU is changed to UGC, the corresponding amino acid will still be cysteine. A missense mutation results in a substitution that changes the actual amino acid that is created by the codon. A nonsense mutation is a substitution that actually transforms the codon into a stop codon. This is generally considered to be the worst sort of base substitution mutation because it can really mess up the formation of a protein.

The next category of mutations is the insertion and deletion mutations. The main mutation that correlates to the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide in a codon is the frameshift mutation. This mutation is very profound in its effects, due to it changing every codon in a genetic sequence. It messes up the three codon structure which constitutes code, thus altering the protein that is created by the code.

The last category of mutations are the suppressor mutations. Supressor mutations change the result of an entirely different mutation. There are two types of these: extragenic and intragenic mutations. Extragenic mutations occur outside the genetic code, but has an effect on the amino acid sequence that is translated from the genetic code. Basically, one mutation can negate another mutation, due to the affects of a tRNA mutation. An intragenic mutation comes from within the genetic code. An example of this would be if an insertion of a particular nucleotide was negated by a frameshift deletion of this nucleotide. This book does a thorough job of educating the reader in the basic of the genetic code. It not only defines what the genetic code is, what rules govern it, and what mutations can occur in it, but it discusses how the genetic code is an indicator of evolution. Since all life shares the same four nitrogenous bases, which make up the codons that code for the proteins that make all living bodies, evolution from common descent seems plausible.

Written by Chris Bielke
Independent Affiliate GeneWize LifeSciences
Direct: 928-261-8247

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7 Daughters of Eve Book Review

The 7 Daughters of Eve is a non-fiction book written by human genetics profession Brian Sykes from the University of Oxford in England. Although a non-fiction book with its core being a nice commingling of the authors life story at the time when he was working to pioneer mitochondrial DNA research and testing, there are fictional aspects to it as well.

The first half of the book is interesting in that it tells the story of how the type of mitochondrial DNA testing came about and the stories from the authors personal life that helped move the research along. As an example, after a motor cycle accident left Sykes with a bad shoulder that needed to set before flying, he was able to take samples from a small island population in the Pacific Rim which was useful in showing how often (well, actually how not often) mitochondrial DNA mutates. It is these real stories that allow the average reader to enjoy the book without being overpowered by the science, which when summed up says that a mother passes mitochondrial DNA in its entirety on to all of her children.

Given that mitochondrial DNA is passed exactly from a mother to her children, it is possible to go back through history and find what Sykes called the 7 daughters of eve. These were 7 women who lead humans out of Africa and helped to populate the rest of the world according to the book.

Sykes attempts to give each of these women a name and tell the story of their life based on what we know about the area that they likely lived as well as archaeological evidence from the time period suggested by the number of mutations in the DNA sequence. While this part of the book was interesting, we see farming start in one story, dogs being domesticated in another, I found it more difficult to connect with then the actual story from Sykes life and the science which surrounded it.

It's a very interesting and quicker read then you might expect because Sykes is able to make the science sound both reasonable and accurate while explaining his own story. Each reader will likely favor a different part of the book, but it generally does not read anything like the long, boring and frustrating genetic textbooks that so many of us have been presented with in Biology class. I would say this is a definite read for anyone interested in Human Genetics.

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"The Genie in Your Genes" by Dawson Church: Book Review

The Genie in Your Genes

by Dawson Church, Ph.D.

Elite Books (2007)

ISBN 9781600700224

Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (4/07)

The first thought that came to mind after reading "The Genie in Your Genes," was the word "Inspiring." It seems like so much that I read today says that our genes determine everything. If this were true, it can be seen as a guarantee for cancer for people who have cancer in their families. It is refreshing to learn that in spite of my genes, I can still play a role in determining the outcome of my health.

"The Genie in Your Genes," discusses a variety of ways in which we can use our special link between mind and body to maintain our health. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining our emotional health so that we can stay physically healthy. If stress and negative thoughts can have an effect on our health, then it makes sense that positive, "...tools of our consciousness-including our beliefs, prayers, thoughts, intentions, and faith - often correlate much more strongly with our health, longevity, and happiness then our genes do."

I really like this idea, because it puts me in the driver's seat of determining my health. By using the techniques recommended from energy medicine and Energy Psychology, certain chronic health conditions, autoimmune conditions, and psychological traumas can be reversed. It is important to note that the author was very clear about certain health crises needing immediate medical attention. He does not recommend that you try to positively think your way out of appendicitis!

Having a healthy lifestyle by doing things like exercising, eating fresh fruits and vegetables, abstaining from smoking and excess alcohol are also factors that can prolong our lives. Church discusses, to great length, the idea of healing coming from outside the control of the gene. This is referred to as epigenetics. He says that, "...invisible factors of consciousness and intention - such as our beliefs, feelings, prayers, and attitudes - play an important role in the epigenetic control of genes."

"The Genie in Your Genes," is not a fast read. It is a book that covers a complex subject, yet it is written in a way that makes the topic clear to understand. It is well researched, well referenced and at the end is an appendix that gives you further information on how to find a practitioner and some exercises that you can do on your own. Church does not leave you hanging with the feeling that while this is a great topic, you will have no idea how to proceed. He tells you.

I think that this book should be read by practitioners of medicine, alternative therapists, science students and people who have psychological stress or chronic health problems believed to be caused by genetic defaults. "The Genie in Your Genes" will open your eyes and give you hope that you can control your life.

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Biology Book Review - Human Anatomy and Physiology

It's amazing that so few people understand the human body, especially considering that they live within it. It's perhaps the only thing you can truly say that you completely own. Many kids in school do not get an adequate education in biology, which is a travesty considering the full-importance of health care, longevity and living free from disease.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who have received less of an education on this subject than you think you need then may I please recommend an extremely valuable and easy to understand book for you?

"Human Anatomy and Physiology" by Kent M. Van de Graaff, R. Ward Rhees, Patricia Brady Wilhelm; 2001

This work boasts a crash course in biology, specifically human anatomy and physiology. The book is part of the Schaum's Easy Outline series and includes exercise questions, tips for mastering the physiology and human anatomy topic, and everything a student will need to pass a college course or final examine in the subject. The book is jam packed with information from the introduction forward.

Learn about the cell structure, tissue and cellular chemistry of the human body in the first few chapters and then the books goes on to explain the central nervous system and skeletal system, as well as the integration of the muscular components. The cardiovascular system and blood flow from the heart to the other organs. The respiratory system is completely described.

Learn how the body digests, gets rid of waste and metabolizes the food delivering the nutrients. Understand the body's use of water and electrolyte balance. Understand the miraculous reproductive system and how the life cycle continues.

"Lance Winslow" - Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/.

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The Human Mind is Incredible - A Book Review for You

To master your mind, you are really going to need to understand the human brain - how it works, why it works, and how come it works so well. For this you are going to need to do quite a bit of research, because the human brain is rather complex, although its structure appears to be rather simplistic at first glance - but I assure you it's not at all, not in the least.

Okay so, I'd like to point you to a very good book to read on this topic, one I personally own, and have read myself. There is information on every page, and it is all well-footnoted. The name of the book is:

"The Universe Within - A New Science Explores the Human Mind" by Morton Hunt, Simon and Schuster, New York, NT, (1982), 415 pages, ISBN: 0-671-25258-5.

Although this sounds a lot like a new-age religious book, it really isn't - it's much more a science book, having to do with topics of neurology, brain structure, and how the human mind works - although indeed with a title like that it does sounds like it's a book for the new-age religion folks - it's not. And even though this was written back in 1982 without the modern understanding we have today of the human brain - the author reasoned his way through those unknown details for a very applicable summation, contemplating things we now know to be fact.

Indeed, he thus, deserves a lot of credit for that, I am impressed. The great thing about Morton Hunt is that he does not stick to a strict theory of either nature or nurture when it comes to the human mind, that is to say humans are not "pre-programmed" as he says that's an inaccurate statement. But at the same time, we are not exactly a product of our training, experience, and environment alone either. I do hope you will pick up a copy of this book, as you will be amazed how well-thought out his decades of research are. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills - (A Review of Chapters 1 and 2)

Dr. Russell L. Blaylock M.D. has written a compelling book detailing the results of numerous studies of the effects of what he calls "excitotoxins" in the brain. "Excitotoxins," such as glutamate (Monosodium Glutamate, commonly called MSG) and Aspartate (such as the artificial sweetener, NutraSweet) are among the over seventy types of special amino acids present in the brain that are known to be largely present in most packaged processed foods available today.

Before precisely defining why they are named "excitotoxins," In Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills, (Health Press, 1997) Dr. Blaylock leads the reader on a crash course of the brain in chapter 1. Most of this chapter can truthfully be skipped since the descriptions are very detailed and repeated again in subsequent chapters. However, with a brief overview of the parts of the brain (The Frontal Lobes, The Parietal Lobes, Occipital Lobes, Temporal Lobes, The brains interior paired nuclei, Brain Stem, Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus) and the neuron composition (Dendrite, Cell Body, Axon and Terminal Endings) we gain a great appreciation for the complexity and yet delicate operating balances within the human brain.

In chapter 1 Dr. Blaylock does inform us that the brain consumes 20% of the body's required oxygen and 25% of the body's required glucose for normal operations. Oddly enough, this is the one piece of information we need to remember for Chapter 3. The problem is that this tremendous need for oxygen and glucose circulating in the blood makes the brain vulnerable to ingested to toxins. In a section describing the "blood/brain barrier" we learn that this barrier the first line of defense the brain has against blood borne toxins and may actually leak under certain circumstances which presents another problem with ingesting these specific amino acids.

In chapter 2 we receive a review of Amino Acids. This is important since the "excitotoxins" are actually Amino Acids that are normally present in the brain. Dr. Blaylock gives a brief overview of amino acids and how they are the building blocks used to create proteins in a process called anabolism. Interestingly noted is collagen (the largest protein in the body) which contains 1500 amino acids.

Finally we are given a glimpse of what the potential problem is as Dr. Blaylock explains another function of amino acids. Apparently, in addition to being used to construct protein, some amino acids act as neurotransmitters. Glutamate, Aspartate and glycine are examples of these types of amino acids. Dr. Blaylock describes in detail the neurotransmitter firing process. He also points out that neuroscientists have discovered that glutamate is one of the most common neurotransmitters in the brain. Many areas of the brain contain extensive glutamate type neurons. Activation of cortical glutamate neurons in turn activate other neurons within the nuclei located deep within the brain.

These connections are important when examining the effects of excitatory amino acids (such as MSG) and the origins of neurological disease which are revealed in later chapters.

The author is an international airline pilot and a healthy living enthusiast. For the latest information try: http://www.godynamaxx.com/
For a free weight loss program try: http://www.naturallyslimshape.com/
Copyright © 2010 Walt Miller. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills - (A Review of Chapter 3, How MSG Kills Brain Cells)

According to the author, Dr. Blaylock, "Excitotoxins" are special amino acids, such as glutamate and aspartate (which are commonly found in MSG and Nutrasweet). These "Excitotoxins" are added to processed food to enhance the taste. Normally they act as neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. However, when these common food additives are consumed (by eating certain processed foods) excessive amounts can develop which kill certain neurons in the brain by causing them to fire repeatedly (and needlessly) until they die.

How do they do this? Dr. Blaylock explains that there are two problems. First, we must understand that glutamate is normally in the brain and use to signal a neuron when it is time to fire. When it is done there is a cellular mechanism which transfers excess glutamate back into the surrounding glial cells. The glial cells encase the neurons in the brain and supply them with energy (in the form of ATP). The amount of energy required to do this is very high. This points to the first problem which is that in a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) condition there is not enough ATP present to transfer the glutamate. In the constant presence of glutamate the neurons fire repeatedly until they die.

Specifically, as a part of the signal process, glutamate and aspartate act as a sort of key to unlock calcium channels into the neuron which chemically initiate the neurons to fire (their normal task). The cellular calcium pump turns on which remove the calcium. This is the second problem. The calcium pump requires a tremendous amount of energy also. In a hypoglycemic condition these calcium pumps fail to operate allowing the neurons to fire repeatedly until they die.

The solution may seem to be to eat more so that there is never a hypoglycemic state. This may seem possible, but the reality is that (as Dr. Blaylock points out) the FDA has allowed the food industry to include these "excitotoxins" in so many hidden forms that the consumer may not be aware that they are actually eating the same substances that they usually try to avoid (MSG.) This massive consumption of glutamates and aspartates may be impossible to overcome with normal brain processes. A diet rich in natural unprocessed foods is very important.

The only true solution is to avoid consuming "excitotoxins." Dr. Blaylock points out in Appendix 1 other common food additives which have hidden sources of MSG. These include: Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Hydrolyzed Plant Protein, Hydrolyzed Protein, Sodium Caseinate, Calcium Caseinate, Yeast Extract, Textured Protein, Autolyzed Yeast and Hydrolyzed Oat Flour. Some food additives may have MSG include: Malt Extract, Malt Flavoring, Bouillon, Broth, Stock, Flavoring, Natural Flavoring, Natural Beef or Chicken Flavorings and seasoning.

The author is an international airline pilot and a healthy living enthusiast. For the latest information try: http://www.godynamaxx.com/
For a free weight loss program try: http://www.naturallyslimshape.com/
Copyright © 2010 Walt Miller. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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Bioterrorism and Bio-violence Considered - Book Review

So, what keeps you up at night? Yes, a question I was recently asked as a founder of a Think Tank - and in considering this I can say that nothing keeps me from sound sleep, but there are things I am completely troubled by, for instance bio-terrorism of bio-violence (both interchangeable words in my opinion). But before one gets frightened out of their wits, or allows fear to take over their psyche, there is a very good book, which I'd like to recommend to you.

Indeed, this was one of the books I read over the weekend, and I must say I was quite impressed. So much so that I wanted to write up this quick little book review to tell you about it. The name of the book is;

"Bioviolence - Preventing Biological Terror and Crime" by Barry Kellman, Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, 2006, 362 pages, ISBN: 978-0-521-88325-2.

This is a great research reference book to have for anyone studying bioterrorism. I own it because our Think Tank often talks on this subject, luckily I picked it up inexpensively at a used book sale. I noted on the front page this book I own was once given to someone as a gift and inside the front cover it read: "To Paul, With all my best wishes. Peace, Barry Kellman." I thought to myself, how interesting that someone would sign a book "with all my best wishes, and peace" when it had to do with such a serious topic a bio-terrorism.

However, after reading the book, I understand why the author signed the book that way, as within these pages are excellent suggestions of how to stop bioviolence and terrorism in the future. Some of these suggestions I might add have also appeared in bio-defense protocols in industry, government, military, and with NGOs. In fact, the same advice was recently quoted in a GAO report I read.

I'd also like you to consider not only this book, but some of the books by Richard Preston - you can find him also on Amazon or at any major bookseller. I think you should read a couple of his books in conjunction with this one. In fact, while I have you hear, let me also recommend;

"Biological warfare, bioterrorism, biodefence and the biological and toxin weapons convention," by Edgar J. DaSilva. I believe you can find that paper online in a ".PDF format" on Google. Lastly, I recommend you also read; " The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History" by John Barry. Once you read all this, then you will realize why I worry about such things. Be well my friends, and realize there are some very smart folks looking out for you and your family when it comes to bioterrorism.

Lance Winslow is the Founder of the Online Think Tank, a diverse group of achievers, experts, innovators, entrepreneurs, thinkers, futurists, academics, dreamers, leaders, and general all around brilliant minds. Lance Winslow hopes you've enjoyed today's discussion and topic. http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - Have an important subject to discuss, contact Lance Winslow.

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