All ideas

How Significant are Conifers for the Silicon Biogeochemical Cycle?

The conifers were generally shown by Hodson et al. (2005) to be low silicon accumulators. The apparent reason is that conifers (and many gymnosperms) largely lack NIPIIs, aquaporins that are... continue reading

Naturalness of Atheism and Unnaturalnes of Religion

The standard model of Cognitive Science of Religion (CSR) explains religion as some kind of natural phenomenon. Religious ideas and beliefs are considered as natural not only in the sense of their foundation on cognitive processes and mechanisms,... continue reading

South American peopling and neotropical savannisation

Northern South America is covered by extensive savannas whose natural or anthropogenic origin is debated. Currently, these savannas are in expansion to the detriment of the surrounding rainforests due to fire management by humans. Knowing the... continue reading

Neuronal chain stimulation during an epileptic attack.

Ictogenesis involves a characteristic transition from normal electrophysiological activity in the brain to abnormal hypersynchronization. In epilepsy, the resistance of excitatory neurons to fire is decreased. This may occur due to changes in ion... continue reading

Relationship between strokes and seizures

During the four years that I cared for a person who had several strokes, I observed that the epileptic seizures which followed, often improved the condition caused by the strokes. It led me to consider, that epileptic seizures might be a self -... continue reading

Neurocognitive basis of procrastination: the need for more startlines than deadlines

Research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience has provided evidence that goals are maintained by sustained goal representations in prefrontal cortex (Miller & Cohen, 2001). Such goal... continue reading

The evolution of smaller arms in theropod dinosaurs

Carnivorous theropod dinosaurs may have had brilliant breast displays that were better shown off with less distracting arm size. At mating time female theropods selected males with smaller arms, for it was in the display that male potency was... continue reading

Violent Computer Games / Movies as Triggers for Violent Real Life Crimes: Is Comparative Post-Crime Influence Research Useful?

The question if violent computer games lead to more violence in real life has long been controversial. While it seems clear that some perpetrators are influenced by what they have seen on tv or in computer games, the vast majority of gamers does... continue reading

HIV Variation Driven By Somatic Hypermutation in Immunoglobulin Variable Genes

Here is an explanation for HIV variation:
• HIV-1 infects many white cells - but particularly activated B cells in the early phase of infection setting up productive provirus in a significant fraction.
• During somatic hypermutation of the... continue reading

Building a Climate Change Litigation Database

Recently, The Guardian reported on a case brought by a Peruvian plaintiff against German energy company RWE over fears of effects of climate change... continue reading