| Author | Thread |
|
|
06/02/2005 12:28:09 AM · #26 |
two ideas, actually three, but the last one is pretty fundamental.
1) Develope a machine that can cause a resonence, and frequency to open up any of the 15 dimensions of String Theory.
2) Find common ways, maybe in a digital camera sensor, to use nano-tubes.
and finally...
3) How many shots of beer does it take to get plastered off your ass?
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 12:42:25 AM · #27 |
Originally posted by laurielblack:
The inherent differences in male and female brain science/chemistry
|
You might need to ask for a time extension if you go for this one
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 01:27:54 AM · #28 |
As a biologist I ask, what field of science are you interested in? Nothing worse than doing something for three years that your have no interest in. As a wildlife biologist, I would die a quick death of boredom doing something in chemistry. So, think of something practicable, do-able, and within your scientific interest, or you'll get burned out in three years. Also, if this is for an advanced degree, you'll have to be able to defend your research to others that are very critical thinkers. Main thing enjoy the learning process no matter what the subject or out come.
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 01:57:37 AM · #29 |
Find the cause and discover a cure for DPC addiction!
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 02:49:27 AM · #30 |
Tonight while at the hospital visiting a friend, we all were talking about different things, and something that was mentioned intrigued me.
Her husband swears that a couple of years ago he had switched to Diet Pepsi (not Coca-Cola) and within 6 months developed short-term memory loss and could not figure out why. Someone said something to him, he stopped with the Diet Pepsi, and within 6 months, he had no problems. 2 years later he tried it again, same results.
I would love to know why this happened and does it happen to others. |
|
|
|
06/02/2005 05:07:50 AM · #31 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
Tranquil,
If physics is not out of the picture, consider exploring whether C (Speed of light in a vacuum) is as constant as we've believed? |
I saw a lecture by the controversial scientist Sheldrake (came up with the idea of Morphic Resonance) 15 years ago where he talked about the non-constancy of the speed of light. He was promoting a book he had just written (I forget the name) giving the average reader ideas for scientific experiments they could carry out on their own. I don't have it here at work, but as an example I remember one of the ideas was to find out if dogs really do have a telepathic link with their owners by investigating the phenomenon where they get excited just before their owners get home. It might be worth checking out as there are loads of ideas in it.
Message edited by author 2005-06-02 05:08:17. |
|
|
|
06/02/2005 09:52:10 AM · #32 |
Wow --- thanks everyone. There are some wonderful and intriguing ideas here! I will be looking into some of these fields soon and I see what sparks my interest. Thank you SO much and keep it coming!
Now to respond to a few quotes...
Originally posted by brianlh:
A couple questions that I have off the bat:
1. Are these scientific findings expected to be novel/groundbreaking, or possibly confirming and slightly expanding on past discoveries?
2. Are you asking us for specific research projects, or general research topics? Researching metabolism is certainly broader than researching the effects of cyanide on metabolism in mice, which is also different from the competitive binding of cyanide to Fe in cytochrome a3. If you're going to be writing a scientific journal (or do you mean a scientific article?), I would assume you'd want to lean more towards the general end of things. |
Hey, Brian. In response to your first question, the research is very open. Technically, we could do any of the three things you mentioned; whether it be a new science, improving on older data, or confirming previous studies. Personally, I would like to work with the novel/groundbreaking as that is what I am most interested in. I feel like I need to delve in and come up with something new if possible.
In response to your second question, it is my eventual goal to come up with a precise and specific question for analysis. We are starting with broad topic/fields that we may be interested in and then narrowing it down to a specific topic from which we can write a paper. So I am willing to take broad subjectrs or any subdivisions within as anything more specific will just make it easier to eventually decide on a possible topic. Thanks for your interest.
Originally posted by Skyarcher:
Tonight while at the hospital visiting a friend, we all were talking about different things, and something that was mentioned intrigued me.
Her husband swears that a couple of years ago he had switched to Diet Pepsi (not Coca-Cola) and within 6 months developed short-term memory loss and could not figure out why. Someone said something to him, he stopped with the Diet Pepsi, and within 6 months, he had no problems. 2 years later he tried it again, same results.
I would love to know why this happened and does it happen to others. |
In my rather acute knowledge of biology and genetic disorders, I think that I may know a possbile reason behind this. Brain damage and memory lost is connected to drinking o diet sodas because of the presence
Phenylalanine in the artificial sweetener of the drink. If you look at the bottom of the ingredients on a can of diet Coke you will see the disclaimer that reads: PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE. Phenylketonurics are people who are born without the enzyme that can process phenylalanine. The inability to process this substance results in buildups of phenylalanine in the brain of the person who has phenylketonuria (or PKU for short). The person you are talking about may have something along the lines of PKU. I am not a PhD and I only have a very small knowledge of medical sciences so I may, and in all likelyhood, can be very wrong. I suggest you see a professional about this.
*
I wish I could rspond to all of your posts but I cannot. There are some very intriguing ideas and the more information you give me the better off I will be! Any literature that you would like to recommend would be greatly appreciated along with any more ideas spanning all fields (specifically or broadly).
So keep 'em coming! I will be regularly checking and bumping the thread :)
Thanks,
Lee
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 10:27:21 AM · #33 |
(1) Sleep, sleep deprivation.
(2) I have read that scientists can genetically trace lineages surprisingly far back, to ancient common ancestors for some people. I wonder if that technique could be used in the context of very old writings, specifically for example, if the contention that Arabs and Jews have Abraham as a common ancestor could be investigated genetically?
(3) Extreme compensational sensory acuity in the deaf or blind: is this an urban legend or fact? Can it be taught? etc.
(4) (On a related theme) The human sense of smell... is it on the wane (I would guess that would be the common consensus but hasn't been studied) or increase, or not changing at all. Why do we have it? etc.
(5) Is self-discipline genetic? If so, and if lack of self-discilpine could be "treated", it seems to me that it could cure a world of ills in self-destructive behaviour! (We can dream, right?)
Please pardon me if these are too flaky. (Notice the word "too"... I KNOW they are at least some bit of flaky :) Just trying to keep the ideas coming. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 10:35:34 AM · #34 |
Study the effects of marijuana on a 26 year old american girl who is still in college, has a tattoo of a unicorn, and whose middle name is Elizabeth.
Amazingly, I fit that profile to a T. Is there pay involved?
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 10:08:12 PM · #35 |
Originally posted by kpriest:
Find the cause and discover a cure for DPC addiction! |
Well if you can relate this to a scientific idea, it could work. Maybe look into why people feel a need to see their up to the minute status, although it will not affect their final outcome? Like how people always have to hit the update button but its not going to change anything if the challenge still doesn't end for 5 days.
Idk, but this could be interesting if you can fix it up a bit.
Theres some pretty good ideas here. Hope you find something
|
|
|
|
06/02/2005 10:11:18 PM · #36 |
| What makes a bicycle stay upright and how do people learn to ride them. |
|
|
|
06/03/2005 11:49:54 AM · #37 |
|
|
|
06/03/2005 12:44:54 PM · #38 |
Originally posted by colyla:
Originally posted by Arcanist:
Another random thought, the effect of radio transmission devices or noise(wireless internet, network, 2ghz phones, subwoofer magnets and low output hum, 900 mhz bluetooth etc) on blologicals that are enclosed in small spaces (say under 750 sq feet) for long periods of time.
I've noted a massive increase in my ringing in the ears and a lot less tolerance for noise since all that stuff has come into my life. |
EXCELLENT idea!!! |
I also really like this one.
Either that, or you could build a perpetual motion machine...I dare ya.
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 01:24:28 PM · #39 |
Regarding the possibility that the speed of light "C" is slowing down:
Originally posted by theSaj:
Do you realize that proving this wrong would cause absolute chaos!...this would mean Einstein was wrong... |
No...proving that the earth revolved around the sun did not result in absolute chaos. In fact, proving such will probably result in advanced space travel because it would re-open the minds of the multitude of closed-minded scientists. Much as Albert Einstein did himself. In fact, there are many who do not believe that Einstein's theories would necessarily be "wrong" if such is proved true.
Some in fact think it might resolve certain questions and possibly/probably be revised. The thing I find so comical is that the scientific community is so so so closed-minded to it. They laugh at the old scientists who refused to accept now commonly accepted ideas. (The Atom, the earth revolving around the sun, etc.) And yet once again they are doing the same thing. Closed minded and obstinant. (See "Around the World in 80 Days").
I have a funny feeling that this theory will eventually be proved correct in one fashion or another. And it will be regarded akin to the foolish obstinate scientists of yester-year...
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 01:49:15 PM · #40 |
Whether the introduction and wide use of strollers/baby buggies where the child is at the level of car exhausts has increased the number of asthmatic children. (as opposed to the previous use of prams where the baby was protected)
My mother-in-law always said " you eat a peck of dirt before you die" Does the greater use of anti-bacterial cleaners and an emphasis on cleanliness relating to children cause more allergy sufferers?
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 01:53:10 PM · #41 |
Just for the record, C is a constant by definition, not a measurement, as the definition of a metre (distance) is defined in terms of the speed of light and the second (time), and actually originated from Maxwell's equations.
Originally posted by theSaj:
Regarding the possibility that the speed of light "C" is slowing down:
Originally posted by theSaj:
Do you realize that proving this wrong would cause absolute chaos!...this would mean Einstein was wrong... |
No...proving that the earth revolved around the sun did not result in absolute chaos. In fact, proving such will probably result in advanced space travel because it would re-open the minds of the multitude of closed-minded scientists. Much as Albert Einstein did himself. In fact, there are many who do not believe that Einstein's theories would necessarily be "wrong" if such is proved true.
Some in fact think it might resolve certain questions and possibly/probably be revised. The thing I find so comical is that the scientific community is so so so closed-minded to it. They laugh at the old scientists who refused to accept now commonly accepted ideas. (The Atom, the earth revolving around the sun, etc.) And yet once again they are doing the same thing. Closed minded and obstinant. (See "Around the World in 80 Days").
I have a funny feeling that this theory will eventually be proved correct in one fashion or another. And it will be regarded akin to the foolish obstinate scientists of yester-year... |
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 01:57:08 PM · #42 |
I need to know why it hurts why I pee.
Sorry ... carry on. Going a bit nuts on Friday aftenroon at work zzzzzzzzz.
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 02:00:59 PM · #43 |
[quote=Jacko] I need to know why it hurts why I pee.
//www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/urination_pain.htm
Oh, you weren't serious....well, nevermind then ;)
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 03:03:33 PM · #44 |
Originally posted by ParadigmShift:
Just for the record, C is a constant by definition, not a measurement, as the definition of a metre (distance) is defined in terms of the speed of light and the second (time), and actually originated from Maxwell's equations. |
I believe you are forgetting that it's the distance during a set period of time.
Now contemplate the following (figures not accurate just used for example):
If in the year 2005
C approx. = 186,000 miles / second
But say in 500 million years ago
C approx. = 5,240,000 miles / second
That's what the researchers are saying...
Some who are investigating the possibility believe there might be a relationship between the slowing down of the speed of light and the expansion of the universe. As the universe expands the speed of light slows down. *shrug* I'm not an astro-physicist - they are. I just find it quite a tintillating idea.
-------------------------------------------
And yes, the meter is based off of the value of C. So I guess you can interpret this as also saying 500 million years ago you'd be much shorter. ;)
(or taller, i'm not sure how the relationship of meter to the speed of light is calculated)
-------------------------------------------
And note C references speed of light in a vacuum. However, recently scientists discovered that light could travel faster than C thru cesium gas. This stunned scientists and showed us just how much we've taken "C" for granted.
Great Link on Light
Message edited by author 2005-06-03 15:17:57. |
|
|
|
06/03/2005 03:46:57 PM · #45 |
Tranquil,
Is there no Advisor involved with this study? Have you confired with him/her as to their interests? Will there be a Review Committee involved at the end of this research? Even though you feel you may be free as a bird, they may have some expectations - not always, but sometimes, and sometimes very subtle.
There is nothing like a adissertation when it is done. It is the ultimate feeling of having arrived at the point in your education when you are truely teaching yourself.
One of my advisors was a Harvard grad. I remarked to him one day that he seemed so laid back and not at all stuck up on himself. ( I felt with a Harvard PH. D. he had every right to be and was gonna be.) His response to me: When you are through with your dissertation you are going to realize that you have learned very, very little in your field and that there is so much more that needs to be learned. Your contrubution to the body of knowledege (because it is so focused) is going to be like adding a drop of water from your finger to a fifty gallon barrel.
Best of luck. |
|
|
|
06/03/2005 04:22:37 PM · #46 |
Originally posted by theSaj:
And note C references speed of light in a vacuum. However, recently scientists discovered that light could travel faster than C thru cesium gas. This stunned scientists and showed us just how much we've taken "C" for granted. |
Actually, they have shown that the group velocity of light can be faster than C in caesium. That is different from saying that the actual speed of light is faster than C. Nevertheless, it was an interesting (though not completely unexpected) finding.
Anyway, we're getting quite a bit off track here... From experience I can say that choosing a research topic is an incredibly difficult decision, even though it may not seem so at the beginning. You will be dedicating most of your intellectual capabilities to a single topic for three years, and blieve me, no matter how 'cool' or 'interesting' something may seem at first, after a while of drilling deeper and deeper any topic can get exhausting (or boring), unless you are truly, through-and-through passionate about it. Hence, while many of the suggestions here are very interesting and worthy of more research, I would recommend you not just to choose a topic you "picked up" in some formum, but as someone else suggested, work with your advisor, and other professionals, to figure out where your true passion lies.
It is also important to note that your future career aspirations should (to a degree) influence that decision. If you want end up in scientific research professionally, your history of publications can make-or-break your career. In other words, to channel Yoda "wisely you must choose" :)
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 04:40:46 PM · #47 |
Not sure how much research is going into this subject, but here goes:
I have recently had major surgery to have a kidney and other bits removed due to cancer. I know that there has been a 17% increase in kidney cancer and exposure to diesel/jet fuel fumes.
Not sure to spell it 'carcongenics?', the particles from these fuels that are absorbed and cannot be expelled from the lungs...and during blood cleansing, the kidneys.
Could be a good subject to study?
Steve |
|
|
|
06/03/2005 05:49:20 PM · #48 |
Originally posted by drydoc:
Tranquil,
Is there no Advisor involved with this study? Have you confired with him/her as to their interests? Will there be a Review Committee involved at the end of this research? Even though you feel you may be free as a bird, they may have some expectations - not always, but sometimes, and sometimes very subtle. |
There are actually rwo advisors what will be overlooking the project and meeting with me biweekly. I will also develop a mentor of sorts who is professionally well known in the field and through my mentor will I gain resources (such as lab space as needed), etc. There are not many known expectations except for the fact, as you mentioned, that you should be passionate about what you are going to study. I am not using the forums to get a direct idea but I just need some direction and I'm hoping something here will spark some interest (some already have). Thanks for your input!
Originally posted by formerlee:
Could be a good subject to study? |
Yes! This is intriguing. Carcinogenics is related to an idea I had about studying which is viraltherapy in which scientists use viruses to attack cancerous cells. But anyways, thanks for the idea.
Lee
|
|
|
|
06/03/2005 06:04:53 PM · #49 |
Tranquil is this in high school?
i remember my high school started a research program/course but after the first two weeks i dropped it to take advanced placement bio instead.
Some topics that would be really fascinating and cutting edge would be topics around stem cells. For example, in parkinson patients parts of the brian, specifically the substantia nigra and dopaminergic chain of the midbrain, degenerate leading to a loss of control of movement. Stem cells could be injected into such patients and induced to have neural fates. Since they will be in effect neural progenitors they have the ability to become any neuronal cell in the body, and with the right local environment can be induced to grow into new substantia nigra cells replacing the degenerative ones. And you would have developed a cure for parkinsons.
|
|
|
|
06/05/2005 09:12:59 PM · #50 |
|
