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From
the Labs...
Cutting Edge Technology
By Joshua Desmarais
Welcome back to this lovely section of the VCHS Warrior.
As stated in the previous issue and implied in the title, this section
is still about technological and scientific advancements – generally
a melding of the two. So, kick back, read and “Share and enjoy!”
First off, there is another indirect sort of advertisement as there
was in the previous article. However, this one is about the product
of a company that is… well, rather often juxtaposed against the creators
of the oh-so-very popular iPod product line. The new, snazzy bit of
technology under the spotlight this month is none other than Microsoft’s
Xbox 360. Launched on November 22, 2005, it is the first of the “next-gen”
systems out for the upcoming console wars. Combined with a sleek new
design, rather incredibly powerful hardware and the property of “intensely
pretty on HDTV,” the 360 will likely prove a powerful contender against
its rivals. Microsoft also hopes that the new, less huge construction
and sleek design of the console will aid its popularity in Japan –
a country where the original Xbox’s popularity was lacking compared
to its rival systems
Now, get ready for a shift from small electronic devices to exceptionally
large ones. The European space agency launched off a satellite on
Wednesday, November 9. The satellite’s mission is to research Venus
and is the first in regards to such in a decade. Researching Venus
may well prove fruitful, as Venus’ shape and size are remarkably similar
to Earth’s, though the state of the planet and atmosphere under the
surface are not that well known. This research, as stated before,
may well be useful because Venus has a dense atmosphere of carbon
dioxide, creating a sort of extreme greenhouse effect. Given that
we humans are indirectly building up a greenhouse effect on Earth,
this research may well prove valuable.
For something completely different: There exists now a developing
branch of medicinal science known as “organ printing” – that is, computer-aided
creation of tissues for organ transplants and repairs. Recently, a
University of Utah medicinal chemist, Glenn D. Prestwich, developed
an especially nice hydrogen-based gel (hydrogel) to construct the
organs in. This, combined with the relatively large grant of $5 million
recently awarded to the whole project of organ printing research,
should result in rather useful developments in the next five years.
As far as how organ printing works, well… It is quite similar to standard
printing processes – there is the “bio-paper” (the hydrogel), the
“bio-ink” (a solution of cells from an organ) and the subject to be
printed (the organ or tissue). The cell solution is placed in 1-microliter
dots that form layers while the hydrogel solidifies. After forming
many layers, the cells finally fuse to form whatever bit of tissue
they were placed to create. So far, this technique has been used to
print out blood vessel mimics, but within five years, more practical
organs will likely be available.
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Headlines
College Admissions Process
For college bound seniors the months of November and December are
the most hectic in the admissions process.
Application deadlines fall during these two months and senios work
continuously and arduously to finish applications with daily homework
and extra curricular activities.
- Read
More
Community Service
Christmas, is a time for giving. It is at this time that Valley Christian
students put in a lot of effort of giving back to the community. THere
are many events going on, food drives, wrapping presents, and supplying
hot chocolate to those in need.
- Read
More
JV Boys Soccer: Starting
Fresh
Usually, the boys J.V. roster is filled with quite a few freshmen.
As there is no freshmen soccer team, it is not at all unusual to see
some of Valley's newest students squaring off against some teams,
like Mitty and Bellarmine, who are chock full of sophomores and even
juniors. Naturally, putting freshman and juniors together seems slightly...
unfair. Things are going to be different this year.
- Read
More
Teacher Survey: Most
Embarrassing Holiday Moment?
Embarassing moments happen to everyone. They are not something
you can avoid or prevent, they are just part of life that most people
have learned to accept and shake off. Christmas brings joy but it
can also bring several embarrassing moments that a majority of people
would much rather forget. The events of Christmas such as the putting
up of the Christmas tree, or maybe trying to put together some of
the presents that say "assembly required" can bring those
most memorable Christmas moments.
- Read
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