BioChemisty

 I admit I don't know a lot of facts about radioactivity in the environment or the human body. I assumed that most radiation was bad and unnatural. I appreciate learning more about the topic and broadening my understanding on the topic. I found the article about bananas especially interesting. At first, I understood it to be that bananas carried an especially high amount of radiation. Then as I read more, the article states that it is not a good way to measure and present radiation exposure amount because it’s not an accurate description of the type of radiation and that it doesn’t necessarily leave the body the same way other types. So I understand that it’s important to be more specific and clear about the specific types of radioisotopes and how they leave or don’t leave the body. 

"California will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday, a move he says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation’s most populous state”  Is this a realistic target, do you feel?  Initially, I would like to say, yes, this CAN be a realistic goal. Then I stop to really think about it, and I don't know. It sounds like a great goal to combat greenhouse gas emissions through halting the sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035, but is that enough time to implement alternative options? Who will be able to afford to drive? Will new transportation infrastructure be built such as high speed railways? I think these are important questions to ask since the time frame is not far away. Expecting to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% sounds great, but I'm not sure the logistics align with a realistic target.

 I had not heard of the word misophonia, but I am familiar with the concept. I have had very sensitive hearing since I was a child. I wear earplugs to concerts, when I turn on the blender, or vacuum. I am easily overstimulated my noise and a lot of people talking. I don't know if these examples are misophonia, but maybe something closer to an accurate example is fingers scraping on a chalkboard or any high pitch sounds makes my whole body squirm and I immediately cover my ears. I think I would yell out if I felt it appropriate, but I usually hold back. I am easily annoyed by repeated sounds as well. When my kids say things over and over and over again, I ask them to stop. I pick up on background noise or repetitive sounds. So maybe I do have some misophonia tendencies. I never knew it was a thing. I just thought I was overly sensitive to sounds.

I think it is interesting and important to discuss the future of TCM during the pandemic and how it is shaping the future of our medicine. We are living through a deeply transformative period of time and when I stop to think about it and read the articles and have the discussions in class, I am reminded of this transformative period of time. It makes me feel excited and terrified at the same time. I love this medicine and yet I worry about being prepared enough not only in my education, but for what our medicine will look like and serving people post-pandemic. One transformation I see happening is the use of herbal formulas. At least at our school, patients are first coming for an online appointment and being offered an herbal prescription. I know our school gives a lot of weight to herbs and I appreciate that. I think for the future of our medicine, herbs are going to be even more important in treating patients.

Just from the little bit of information I gathered after reading the article, the evolution of Venus with its volcanos, thick clouds, and single cellular life forms seem very similar to the discoveries scientists have made about the early evolution of Earth. I don't have enough knowledge about Venus to have an opinion on the topic, but I agree with scientists that there is a possibility of life on Venus even if it is incredibly hot. I can see the excitement about the discovery of phosphine on Venus especially since it is only found in a few types of life forms here on Earth.

 I think the placebo effect is such an interesting topic and I would like to learn more about the effects on the mind and how it is altering the outcome. It fascinates me that the human mind has the power to recreate symptoms that are helpful or harmful. The fact that some patients who took a placebo pill want more pills after the trial ends, even though they know it is a placebo, is a conundrum in itself. We know that the placebo effect is a real outcome, but where else in life do we see the placebo effect in action? One area that comes to mind is religion. Having grown up in the church and "saved" myself from it, I observe the way many humans need something to attach to that gives life purpose and makes sense. Whether religion makes sense, it is the "pill" that we take in order to feel like we have a grip on things and the things we don't are happening for a reason. I have taken many "pills" to try and find those answers that give me peace of mind. I...