Verma Zapanta's ACCHS Blog

Bionics & Military Weaponry I totally support the development of a bionic person, especially if it will enhance a their quality of life. Mobility is a privilege many of us take for granted and to be presented with an opportunity to (re)gain use to a part of your body is a blessing and is especially true for veterans returning from war.  Advancements in bionics have progressed over the last few decades, for instance making it possible for individuals to control a prosthetic limb through a microchip and even use electrodes on the skin to send muscle signals for movement. Check out this 2007 publication on Wired for an article on the world's most advanced bionic arm.   However like many scientific developments over the course of history, the use of bionics for military use has become a reality.  Ekso Bionics  a robotic exoskeleton company has developed "a wearable uniform, which provides superhuman capabilities with superior mobility and protection" for the

Tardigrades! A stormtroop riding the back of a tardigrade. 😂 Why am I just learning about these adorable creatures? Some scientists refer to these creatures as moss piglets or water bears! 😍 Sounds like an up and coming Pokemon character. Haha! I am curious to see what direction researchers will take upon their continuous study of the tardigrades and their ability to not only survive harsh environments, but also "hibernate" for years before coming to life again. I was reminded of our discussion on biomimicry in biology earlier in the trimester and was almost positive that companies have attempted to mimic the tardigrades fascinating ability to survive dehydration. Here's what I found on the Biomimicry Institute's website: "The water bear, a tiny tardigrade, has inspired a couple of products that greatly reduce the need for refrigeration.  Conservation Magazine   recently published a story about one of these companies,   Biomatrica . Biomatrica h

"...buildings of the future might become, living, breathing things"  I'm encouraged that this may be true! A friend of mine who is traveling in Singapore shared online that it is the greenest country on earth! When I did a little research, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew envisioned Singapore to be known as "The City in the Garden." This is a cool article I found published by National Geographic explains how Singapore is fulfilling its goals of becoming an eco-friendly country. The image below are "super trees" and considered to be a symbol of Singapore, reflecting their use of green space. Legislatures began the initiative of green building in 2008 and aims to have a 80% environmental performance rating by 2030. My research topic: TCM + Medicinal Marijuana I chose to wrote about medicinal marijuana in both Chinese and Western medicine and its use in TCM.  Since its legalization in California, the cannabis industry and research has sky rockete

Acupuncture as Effective Energy Healing I found my way to acupuncture by way of a friend who saw me struggling with burn-out. I knew nothing about acupuncture, except for the use of needles and went into my first session with no expectations. Upon the first needle insertion, I immediately felt a surge of energy unlock (probably on Lv-3).  I was curious, anxious, and relieved all at the same time.  I didn't understand what was happening to my body, but kept going to session because I was feeling energized.  Over the course of several months, my acupuncturist would also access points that (re)activated my spirit. In addition to the restoration of my physical body, I also felt an energetic purging of some sort.  I am grateful to TCM for giving me the tools and language to understand the energetic body and how it important it is to maintain, just like the physical.  As a future practitioner, I don't think it'll be necessary for me to explain or justify why the medicine wor

Ultra Processed American Diet The chart above seems to be the common view on what processed foods look like. But what fails to be seen in this image is the increase in ultra processed plant-based food items.  I don't know how many times I've written about the Impossible Burger in my blogs, but I just find it relatable to many topics that have surfaced in both biochemistry and biology. I think its also because I am one of many consumers who were tricked into believing that the being vegan is an healthier and ethical alternative to eating meat. 😩 I have come to learn....HELL NO! With the mass push to sell processed and ultra processed food in order to save a buck, it is imperative that all folks (no matter what diet you have) should have the agency and knowledge to know where their food comes from. But back to the Impossible Burger... I read an article published just two months ago by the Center for Food Safety  who found that the Impossible Burger is genetically mo

Public Health Policy + Vaccinations I think compulsory vaccination is effective, especially if there is a major breakout of a disease that historically has been under control, such as small pox.  I think because I don't have any children there is a bias, disconnect, and misunderstanding I have of parents who are willing to place the children (and the risk of other peoples children) by not vaccinating them.  Throughout history, our society has been able to sustain and survive crazy epidemics.  There was a point in time when vaccines weren't available or accessible in the U.S. There are developing countries today who continue to have little to no access to vaccines that people in this nation are PRIVILEGED to obtain.  Perhaps anti-vaxxers would have a change of heart if they lived in an environment where they see scores of children being decimated from preventable diseases like the measles.  I honestly don't know how to accommodate parental choice if I were drafting the v