Verma Zapanta's ACCHS Blog

Biochemistry Final: TCM & Biochemistry As I continue on this journey of becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner, the rhetoric of having to justify and validate the efficacy of our medicine in the West is the norm; regardless of thousands of years of scientific literature produced on TCM in ancient China.  Since this is the case, biochemistry within the scope of Western Medicine is our best friend as practitioners. One useful tool is an online database called, "Evidence Based Acupuncture"  (EBA). They are a community group of research volunteers that collect literature and scientific data on the health effects of acupuncture. (Although, many of us at ACCHS already know this!). I've included a list below outlining common conditions that Evidence Based Acupuncture has provided research for.   According to their studies, there many signaling and biochemical pathways that play a critical role in the clinical effects of acupuncture, in particular a process called Pu

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