Biology – Page 2 – MatterUnderMind

In Search of Europans (On Jupiter’s Moon)

In Search of Europans (On Jupiter’s Moon)

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:27:20-08:00 April 6th, 2013|Astronomy, Biology, Featured|

No, this article's title is not a typo and this search is not for our friends across the Atlantic. These potential Europans are not as conveniently located; in fact, they live on the distant moon of Jupiter. The icy surface of this moon, named Europa, might seem like a barren wasteland, but below its outer shell could lurk a hidden ocean; an ocean of liquid water that, until recently, has remained hidden without our knowledge. As Europa orbits Jupiter, the gravitational stress causes the moon's core to heat up, which could melt the ice into a possible haven for life. Pictures of Europa's surface, taken [...]

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The Panspermia Hypothesis

The Panspermia Hypothesis

By Brett Vollert| 2015-12-07T22:44:46-08:00 March 19th, 2013|Astronomy, Biology|

They tumble through the blackness of space; frozen and isolated. Their solar systems have abandoned them and the light from the star that gave them birth fades into the void of interstellar space. Perhaps this journey began with tragedy; a distant world in turmoil. It's inhabitants scrambling to save their oasis of life from an impending collision, but to no avail. And from the ashes of this scattered world falls a freeze-dried microcosm; a comet carrying with it the remains of its parent planet. Normally an ambiguous occurrence of the universe, but this comet is headed for Earth. Not an Earth we [...]

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What are we teaching these kids?!

What are we teaching these kids?!

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:27:46-08:00 March 18th, 2013|Astronomy, Biology, Featured, Physics, Politics, Science|

Sadly, the human mind has a limited knowledge capacity. So why then do our schools continue to waste student's valuable brainpower on outdated paradigms and extinct scientific rationale? Without even qualifying these dated lessons as science history or as a step in the progress of science, we are building scientific scaffolding in the minds of our young students that leads them to build a incorrect view of our world. Even more frightening, it could prevent our future generations from being able to progress our scientific understanding. I will consent with Isaac Newton's sentiment that, " we stand on the shoulders of giants," but even Newton [...]

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An Anthropic Universe (Many Worlds Theory)

An Anthropic Universe (Many Worlds Theory)

By Brett Vollert| 2016-02-03T22:58:43-08:00 January 29th, 2013|Astronomy, Biology, Featured, Science|

The problem with proving the theory of multiple universes is that these universes are inherently not apart of our own. Due to this seemingly obvious fact, designing and tediously carrying out experiments in our universe have failed to detect anything beyond. But still, our great minds ponder a bubbling foam of multiple universes and our whole universe trapped inside one of those many bubbles. Perhaps we will one day decipher a method for crossing through the thin skin of our cosmic bubble, but for now the idea of multiverse is entirely theoretical and mathematical. Quantum does theory suggests these hidden worlds with cornerstone principles such [...]

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Struggling with Evolution: 7 Misconceptions

Struggling with Evolution: 7 Misconceptions

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-06T07:59:16-08:00 January 4th, 2013|Biology|

"I am not a monkey and my grandfather was not a monkey so how could evolution be real?" This statement might seem ridiculous to some and yet this sort of misunderstanding of evolution is found throughout society. Perhaps it is the expansive temporal scale of evolution that is leading to so many misconceptions and false ideas. Or maybe there are too many cultural barriers that are obstructing its progress. Either way, I thought I would take this opportunity to address the 7 Misconceptions of Evolution: 1. Humans evolved from monkeys, so why are there still monkeys: Humans did not evolve from modern day monkeys. Instead, humans [...]

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I might believe in UFOs, but I don’t believe YOU…

I might believe in UFOs, but I don’t believe YOU…

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:28:40-08:00 December 7th, 2012|Astronomy, Biology, Featured, Science, Technology|

I love a good UFO conspiracy as much as the next guy. However, traveling across the universe and through the vacuum of space to probe some humans seems ridiculous. And while the numbers are clearly on the side of the existence of extra-terrestrial intelligent life, it is hard for me to believe that these same advanced aliens fail to be able to land securely and crash into the the deserts of New Mexico. Although if these are aliens are crashing into our planet, I have new found confidence that we could successfully defend ourselves against a alien invasion. Because [...]

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Our Cosmic Bubble

Our Cosmic Bubble

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:28:51-08:00 December 4th, 2012|Astronomy, Biology, Featured, Philosophy, Science|

Our cosmic bubble is a nurturing oasis, yet so fragile and vulnerable. The Earth is home to us all, the only known refuge for life across the universe. Past its thin atmosphere, we find life growing abundantly. From the oxygen rich atmosphere, to the shielding magnetic field; the Earth seems to be almost perfectly adjusted for life. As if the planet was made with humanity in mind. As if this place we call home was predestined for life. So much had to have gone right for the earth to be so hospitable. However, this third rock from the sun has not always been [...]

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Programmable Consciousness

Programmable Consciousness

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:29:03-08:00 November 14th, 2012|Biology, Philosophy|

The most common assessment of human consciousness among scientists is that it has spawned from the unique complexity of the human mind. That within our DNA lays a design for a being capable of dreams, hopes, and fears. Yes, these seemingly intangible qualities are thought to be simply manifestations of a complex physical structure. It is ironic that the concept of consciousness being the product of complex bio-chemistry is hard for that same consciousness to accept. That mechanical processes, quantum effects, chemical interactions and biological machines can generate such a seemingly unique, self-aware, and sentient being. But if it is only a matter of complexity then it could be [...]

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DNA’s Cat in the Bag

DNA’s Cat in the Bag

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:30:02-08:00 November 9th, 2012|Biology, Physics, Politics, Technology|

Maurice Wilkins was a chatty Cathy. Steeped in a war of secrecy he handed the opposition his most precious intel and watched them claim victory. Some may think him the fool who let the cat out of the bag, but he just may be the hero science needed. At a time when life was thought to have some immaterial quality, three opposing factions were racing to be the first to give the essence of life a physical explanation. It was a race to see the structure of DNA, the “life molecule”. Maurice Wilkins was working with Roslyn Franklin at Kings [...]

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Creationist Evolution

Creationist Evolution

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:30:25-08:00 October 20th, 2012|Biology, Philosophy, Science|

There is a great divide between science and religion. And these two groups have never had a more polarizing topic than the origin of man. Evolutionists vs. Creationists has become a misconstrued bifurcation. But this battle royal is an unnecessary one and this divide can be easily bridged. There can be a peaceful union of church and science. Evolution through natural selection is a theory for a mechanism of positive change in organisms. Simply put it states that the organisms that survive are the ones that have properties that encourage their survival. This idea is a theory, much like the [...]

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The Superior Species Complex

The Superior Species Complex

By Brett Vollert| 2016-09-20T07:23:55-07:00 October 19th, 2012|Biology, Philosophy|

Hello my name is humanity and I have a species superiority complex. I am the pinnacle of evolution...or creation. I haven't unanimously decided yet. Unfortunately, my neighboring species on this planet don't all feel the same. They find me a nuisance and a danger to our planet, but honestly I couldn't care less because they are too inferior to even have an opinion. In fact, I don't think they can even think at all. We humans have a giant ego. However, have we possibly misevaluated our superiority? It just might be the case that we have delusions of grandeur. Does the towering [...]

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Stargazing Monkeys

Stargazing Monkeys

By Brett Vollert| 2015-11-11T07:30:45-08:00 October 10th, 2012|Astronomy, Biology, Philosophy|

We are as specks on a cosmic fabric, a vapor in the celestial wind. However, our species have become conscious not only of our existence but also of the happenings of the universe we inhabit. How is this revelation of existence evolutionarily significant? Or is this question a leading one due to the assumptions imbedded? There is strong fossil, genetic, and experimental data to support the selfishness of genes. Meaning that genes that survive are the ones that promote the reproduction of the organism. Or in some rare cases simply the reproduction of the gene itself. This is [...]

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