Science is a mystery. According Dr. Moalem, “there is much more that the scientific community doesn’t understand than there is that it does understand.” (Page 19) For example, scientists thought for a long time that climate change is gradual. It wasn’t till the 1950s that they found that humanity has the power to cause drastic change in just a few short generations. (Page 27) Similarly, Ptolemy’s geocentric model of our solar system remained unchallenged in the scientific community well into the early 16th century.
Why does this occur? Why is it that scientists have so much trouble figuring out the correct answers to Earth’s mysteries? One reason why is because many scientists are not as open-minded as they should be. They are bound to their hypothesis and studies rather than to their own true observations. For example, Swedish scientists refused to believe the existence of the Younger Dryas even though they found sufficient evidence of the climate change in mud samples they collected. Dr. Moalem says “the proof…was right in front of their eyes—but they were blinded by their assumptions.” (Page 30)
Another reason why scientists have trouble solving Earth’s mysteries is because they look for the answers in the wrong places. For example, scientists never thought to look to the superior sound of great European violin makers to discover that Andrew Ellicott Douglass’ theory (1895) that there was a century-long drop in temperatures in the seventeenth century is true. (Page 28)
A third reason why scientists have trouble solving Earth’s mysteries is because of Big Idea #4. (Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties) Because of so many interactions, scientists have trouble pinpointing the exacted causal factors for many diseases. For example, Dr. Moalem says that we don’t fully understand the cause of Diabetes. “It’s a complex combination that can involve inheritance, infections, diet, and environmental factors.” (Page 25)
Think of some other reasons why scientists have trouble coming up with the right conclusions to problems. Research some specific examples of problems that scientists had a hard time finding the solution for. Why couldn’t they solve the issue? What were some barriers they had to face in trying to solve the problem? What are scientists still trying to find the answers to today?
(Ilakkiya Thanigaivelan, ithanig3@students.d125.org)
It is arguable that scientists may have the most frustrating job. This is probably because questions keep popping up no matter where they look. The answer to one question could be the question to the next problem, and so on. Therefore, scientists are constantly burdened with finding answers to seemingly endless questions. There are a myriad of questions that scientists still haven't answered, and until we can acquire better technology and a better understanding of what we are dealing with specifically, these questions will remained unanswered.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the whole year, evolution and “survival of the fittest” have been extremely important because it determines many of the characteristics humans and other species have today. This relates to Big Idea 1: The process of evolution drives the diversity and unity of life. As Biology students, we already know that each and every organism on earth right now is here because they acquired some sort of adaptation or mutation that allowed them to outlive their peers. Yet, we still ask ourselves, what are these adaptations? This is critical in understanding the survival of these organisms and the process of natural selection.
In a recent study published in Science Daily, scientists attempted to explain why a squirrel’s offspring had greater chances of survival in higher population densities. The research determined that stress is actually beneficial to squirrels during pregnancy. This was a bit unusual because for humans, stress is something that can be harmful. Continuous stress in humans can lead to many mental health problems and even elevates your risk of heart disease. So why stress? It was found that in high population densities, pregnant squirrels began to elevate their stress hormone levels, which caused their pups to grow quicker. No additional nourishment was needed, as the stress hormone itself created larger offspring. This is great for the pups because in a large population size, only the biggest and most adaptable will survive. A major barrier in resolving why stress was beneficial to the offspring was the preconceived notion that stress was bad for you. It was thought to be ridiculous to believe that stress could create larger, more proactive offspring. Researchers looked in the wrong directions for the answer and were surprised when what they ignored was what they were looking for.
There are tons of unanswered questions today that move past the realm of biological science and even bridge between multiple sciences. For example, the question of what consciousness is, has many theories in many different aspects of science. Some believe that quantum mechanics is the answer behind it, others believe that consciousness arises from the activity and structure of neurons in the brain. This is a baffling and intriguing question because consciousness is so complex, yet it is intangible and therefore extremely difficult to study.
Many of the questions scientists approach today are in some way connected to other research or problems which make them much more complex and riveting. This relates to Big Idea 4: Biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. Interestingly, Dr. Moalem said that, “Instead of dismissing connections, we need to have the curiosity to pursue them” (Moalem 48). It is in this way that scientists approach questions which can lead them to many roadblocks and also many great discoveries.
Sources: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130418142302.htm, http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/30/10-big-questions-science-must-answer, http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/0630_050630_top25science.html,
Here is also a great documentary series titled “Through the Wormhole”, this episode attempts to explain consciousness. Morgan Freeman narrates this series which makes it much more interesting!
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/through-the-wormhole-is-there-life-after-death/
(Ted Nowak, tnowak4@students.d125.org)