Oh, also, we've got enzyme-based hydrogen producing biofuel reactors with an actual net energy gain now.
vtnews.vt.eduExcerpt:
Obstacles to commercial production of hydrogen gas from biomass previously included the high cost of the processes used and the relatively low quantity of the end product.
But Zhang says he thinks he has found the answers to those problems.
For seven years, Zhang’s team has been focused on finding non-traditional ways to produce high-yield hydrogen at low cost, specifically researching enzyme combinations, discovering novel enzymes, and engineering enzymes with desirable properties.
The team liberates the high-purity hydrogen under mild reaction conditions at 122 degrees and normal atmospheric pressure. The biocatalysts used to release the hydrogen are a group of enzymes artificially isolated from different microorganisms that thrive at extreme temperatures, some of which could grow at around the boiling point of water.
The researchers chose to use xylose, which comprises as much as 30 percent of plant cell walls. Despite its abundance, the use of xylose for releasing hydrogen has been limited. The natural or engineered microorganisms that most scientists use in their experiments cannot produce hydrogen in high yield because these microorganisms grow and reproduce instead of splitting water molecules to yield pure hydrogen.
To liberate the hydrogen, Virginia Tech scientists separated a number of enzymes from their native microorganisms to create a customized enzyme cocktail that does not occur in nature. The enzymes, when combined with xylose and a polyphosphate, liberate the unprecedentedly high volume of hydrogen from xylose, resulting in the production of about three times as much hydrogen as other hydrogen-producing microorganisms.
The energy stored in xylose splits water molecules, yielding high-purity hydrogen that can be directly utilized by proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. Even more appealing, this reaction occurs at low temperatures, generating hydrogen energy that is greater than the chemical energy stored in xylose and the polyphosphate. This results in an energy efficiency of more than 100 percent — a net energy gain. That means that low-temperature waste heat can be used to produce high-quality chemical energy hydrogen for the first time. Other processes that convert sugar into biofuels such as ethanol and butanol always have energy efficiencies of less than 100 percent, resulting in an energy penalty.
Kind of a big deal, which is probably why it’ll be painfully under-reported.
“When people are frightened, they secrete a hormone called epinephrine into their bloodstream. This hormone binds to the surface of muscle cells and stimulates an intracellular pathway that leads to the phosphorylation of several intracellular proteins, including enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. These activated enzymes promote the breakdown of carbohydrates, an event that supplies the frightened individual with more energy. Epinephrine is sometimes called the "fight-or-flight" hormone because the added energy prepares an individual to either stay and fight or run away. After a person is no longer frightened, hormone levels drop, and other enzymes called phosphatases remove the phosphate groups from enzymes, thereby restoring the original level of carbohydrate metabolism.”
— Biology (Brooker et al.)Digestive Enzymes - Digestive Health Tip #1
Your digestive system has 2 extremely important jobs: proper absorption of nutrients and elimination of harmful bacteria. When it’s doing its job properly your immune system will be able to fight off infection and your stomach will maintain gastric wellness (free of bloat, gas and indigestion).
Here is my first tip for keeping your digestive track healthy
DIGESTIVE ENZYMES -
For proper nutrient absorption and digestion it has been suggested that you chew each bite of food 30-40 times before swallowing. Yes, 40 times! As you chew your food not only is it being broken down into smaller parts, but your body is also secreting digestive enzymes to help further breakdown food as it makes its way to your stomach. Being that most of us don’t have the time or patience with today’s quick, on-the-go meals, it is important to add the support of digestive enzymes to your supplement regimen.
My favorite brands of digestive enzymes are Country Life “Natural Tropical Papaya”, American Health “Super Papaya Enzyme Plus”… I personally like chewable digestive enzymes but if you prefer capsules try Country Life “Maxi-Zyme Caps”, or American Health “Gestazyme Digestive Enzyme”.
The key ingredients to look for in a digestive enzyme supplement are:
* Amylase (breakdown of starch)
* Lipase (breakdown of fats)
* Protease (breakdown of protein)
Bonus ingredients are * Bromelain, Papain, Betaine Hydrochloride, Pepsin
Tossing one of these digestive enzyme rolls in your bag will make it easy to chew a few digestive enzymes after your next meal. Be consistent and you will feel a difference in your digestive system within 2 weeks.
Enzymes
Freelance WhalesEnzymes - Freelance Whales
Food: The Science of Taste Or: Why Dry-Aged Meat Is So Damned Delicious(via @Gizmodo)
gizmodo.comDry-aged meat is crazy expensive. But oh man is it delicious. The dean of food science writers, Harold McGee, writes in Lucky Peach Issue 2 about what makes it taste so good—and what makes other things taste, well, not so good. Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are the building blocks of…
“Do you have anything about adult acne? I have NEVER had acne, besides one here or there, but once I had the twins I look like a teen! I don't know what to do because I have never had this problem before. I wash with antibacterial soap, I have used those pads, the Mary Kay face wash stuff, and use that Max zit cream on them. I'm getting sick of it." -B.”
—Adult acne is really difficult to address, as you are finding out on your own. After having a baby, your hormones change and can cause acneic breakouts. The first line of action is to make sure you have a proper skin care routine. Read my post on “How to Take Care of Your Skin”. After you have incorporated a cleanser, toner, Oil Free Moisturizer with an spf,for your skin type, you need to be exfoliating properly. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF DEALING WITH ACNE. PROPER EXFOLIATION. Most people do not exfoliate, and if they have acne, are usually exfoliating with the wrong things. Dealing withe acne properly requires an understanding of what is actually happening in the skin. Acne begins in the deepest layers of the skin (we have 8). A plug begins of dead skin cells which are shedding deep inside the pore mix with the oil in the skin. The oil is sticky and continues to produce, which causes a plug to form. Adding to this is a naturally occurring bacteria that lives in our skin called Propionibacterium acnes. This bacteria feeds on the oil and dead skin cells, this causes redness and inflammation. At this point, our immune system recognizes there is an “invader” in the skin and begins to flood the plug with white blood cells, causing a papule or pustule. So four factors of acne are: 1. Excessive oil, 2. Bacteria, 3. Inflammation 4. Dead Skin Cells not properly sloughing out of the pore. So to control acne, we control these four factors. To control excessive oil, make sure to cleanse the skin properly twice a day. Use a clay based face mask twice a week. To control bacteria, we need to first control, or get rid of it’s food. Beginning to control the oil is a big step. Now we must be making sure our pores aren’t building up with dead skin cells. The key to this is using some sort of Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA). Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids keep the skin “sloughing” faster than our skin would naturally. This will also keep breakouts at bay AND is great for anti-aging. The reason I am not recommending a scrub is because it can spread bacteria in acneic skin causing more breakouts. Instead, I like to use a product containing an enzyme (such as a fruit acid ie, malic acid, papaya, flower, pineapple, etc), or for more extreme cases of acne a glycolic acid or salicylic acid. These actually get into the pores and work their magic there, instead of on the surface of the skin. Here are some great products that will help control oil, bacteria, and inflammation.
Masks to use twice a week:
Here are some great exfoliators for controlling acne.
If after trying some of these products in addition to a good daily home care program you are still not getting clear skin, I recommend getting a facial every three weeks by an esthetician that specializes in acne. They will be able to determine if you need to see a dermatologist or not. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
