Need another reason to be worried about climate change? It’s screwing up coffee. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and Out the Door. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
1. Gun debate
Kim Jong Un really did make that rumored trip to China. And the North Korean leader reportedly talked about getting rid of his country’s nukes with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese state media reported Kim said he’s committed to denuclearization – with conditions; North Korean state media reported Xi accepted an invitation to visit Kim in Pyongyang. Experts think Kim made the trip to Beijing because he’ll need support from North Korea’s closest ally before possible meetings with the Presidents of South Korea and the US.
Know much about the interstitium? We don’t either. Apparently, it’s the fluid-filled spaces within and between tissues all over your body. And some researchers consider it to be an organ, perhaps the body’s biggest. Say what? Doctors and scientists have known about interstitial tissue and interstitial fluid, but a new study in the journal Scientific Reports raises the possibility that it could be an organ (though not everybody’s convinced). The study also suggests the interstitium may play a role in the spread of cancer cells.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
The human body is photographed in fascinating, microscopic detail in the book "Science is Beautiful," by Colin Salter. Here are some of the most spectacular images, with text from the book.
Pictured, Serotonin is released by blood platelets during clot formation, where it causes the constriction of blood vessels. It is an important neurotransmitter (a messenger of the nervous system) in the brain, and a lack of it has been shown to cause depression. It is this function which has led to the development of SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, such as Prozac (fluoxetine).
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Empty fat cells —
Fat cells are amongst the largest cells in the human body. They form a thick insulating layer under the skin which serves to cushion us as well as store energy. In this image the normal lipid (fat) deposits of the cells (their major component) have been removed, revealing the honeycomb structure of the cell membranes. When we put on weight, the cells swell with additional fat, and eventually extra cells are added too.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Human skin —
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis (top half of this image) consists of dead cells that are constantly sloughed off and replaced from below. These tightly packed cells contain high levels of a protein called keratin (yellow) which makes the skin waterproof and strong, to protect the organs inside. In this cross-section, you can also see hair follicles (black).
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Influenza A H1N1 virus particles —
Influenza A viruses can infect humans,pigs, birds and horses. The H1N1 strain caused the Swine flu outbreak of 2009. At the center of each virus is its genetic fingerprint (the ribonucleic acid, pink), surrounded by a protective protein shell (the nucleocapsid, yellow). The enclosing fatty envelope (green) contains two types of protein, haemagglutinin and neuraminidase (the 'H' and 'N' in the strain's codename), the levels of which determine the strain of virus.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Gallstone crystals —
Gallstones mostly consist of cholesterol, but can also contain calcium and bilirubin (a product of old red blood cells). They form in the gallbladder (from which bile is released into the small intestine) when there is an imbalance in the chemical composition of the bile.
Gallstones are usually symptomless, unless one obstructs the bile duct. In that case they cause acute pain, jaundice and infection.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Balancing stone from inner ear —
Our sense of balance is derived from a tiny stone in each ear, called an otolith (from Greek, literally "ear-stone"). The stones are built up in the inner ear from deposits of calcium carbonate crystals, seen here on the surface of an otolith.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Blood clot —
Red blood cells have been trapped by a web of thin yellow-white strands of fibrin. Fibrin is an insoluble protein produced by platelets (fragments of white blood cells) from a soluble protein called fibrinogen normally present in blood.
Blood clots may occur on the surface of skin in case of injuries or inside blood vessels. These internal clots, known as thrombi, may be caused by having too many platelets. They can lead to heart attacks.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Adrenaline crystals —
Adrenaline, also called epinephrine, is normally present in blood in small quantities. It is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands above the kidneys. The glands are controlled by the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for instinct and emotion.
In times of stress more adrenaline is secreted into the bloodstream. It widens the airways of the lungs and constricts small blood vessels. This makes the muscles work harder and produces a "fight or flight" response.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Insulin crystals —
These hexagonal crystals are of the hormone insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas, and its function is to regulate blood sugar levels. Insufficient production of insulin leads to an accumulation of glucose in the blood, and can cause Type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can occur when there is plenty of insulin, but the body's cells do not respond properly to it. A third type, gestational diabetes, occurs in pregnant women who produce high levels of blood glucose.
Photos: This is your body -- up very, very, close and personal
Science is Beautiful by Colin Salter, published by Batsford. Image copyright SSPL
Brain cells in culture —
This image shows two important support cells (glial cells) of the human brain. The green splash is a microglial cell, which responds to immune reactions in the central nervous system.
Microglial cells recognize areas of damage and inflammation and swallow cellular debris. The larger orange shape is an oligodendrocyte. The ragged extensions of an oligodendrocyte can supply many neurons (nerve cells) with myelin, an insulating material which allows each neuron's communicating axon to transmit electrical impulses efficiently.
BREAKFAST BROWSE
First light
Things may actually get a little brighter at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, now that ex-Disney star Caroline Sunshine is joining the White House press shop.
Olympic legend Michael Phelps, calling for the US Olympic Committee to do more to help athletes struggling with depression. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, says his successes at each Olympic Games were followed by drug and alcohol use.
Who’s up for trick shots? Logan Broadbent, a world champion boomerang thrower (yes, that’s really a thing), and friends wow us with their skills. (Click to view.)
