Finding Strenght in Nature (1 of 2)

Nature does not cease to amaze scientist. In fact, a number of scientific explorations are geared toward mimicking nature to solve scientific problems. Mathematical models and computer simulations are even formulated to predict how physical and biological systems work.

In all these, scientists use both fundamental and advanced knowledge of the basic sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics) to achieve their goals.

For instance, Buckminster Fuller (to whom the buckyball or buckminsterfullerene was named after) is one inventor who introduced the conception of tensegrity structures. In nature, tensegrity (tensional integrity) is exemplified by a spiderweb.

Just imagine how formidable these webs are to a spider’s prey. No amount of wriggling an kicking can, free the poor prey from becoming dinner to the crafty spider. In a way, spiders are engineers, because they construct their webs with such precision—though these animals don’t have to study tension and compression forces in building their webs to withstand mechanical forces.Today, we see and recognized tensegrity structures in toys, machines, and even among molecules. What is so amazing about these structures is that both stability and resiliency are borne out of the structures’ internal balance. The strength of the structure lies in the collective effort of the fibers or segments that make up the entire unit.

Finding Strenght in Nature (2 of 2)

Scientist are not into discovering how the concept of these structures can help in deciphering biological processes, from cellular shape and mechanical forces to genetic activity, evolution, and biological organization. Understanding molecular mechanisms in biological systems can help scientist in fighting debilitating disease through drug design and tissue engineering.

Then there’s the concept of whirlpools being mimicked in the nanoscale. And in such a minute setting, a new science—micro fluidics—surfaces with a powerful promise that can bring about endless possibilities in the interrelated fields of science, technology, and engineering. Everything seems connected and a part of a grand scheme of things.

Nature is a manifestation of endless wonder and enchantment. This fascination of the world we live in fuels a scientist’s mind with inspiration and ideas. Natural processes such as lightning and climate changes as well as the grand happenings in the world of the atoms—energy, charges, attractions—serve as a compass to a scientist’s quest to deeipher, invent, innovate, discover, and rediscover.

Living in a world where much is to be desired when it comes to balance, stability, and security, we can learn from the relationship science has with nature. Finding solace in the beauty of nature and finding life’s solution from the inspiration the experience brings. – Bato Balani

Sto. Nino

Sto. Nino
January 20

Begin to Hope

One famous fable by Aesop tells about a thirsty crow that flew all over the fields to look for water. When the crow finally chanced upon a jug of water, it was unable to drink from it because the jug’s neck was too narrow and too heavy for the crow to push down. The crow was about to give up when it was suddenly hit by a good idea. It started picking up pebbles, dropping each into the jug. As more and more pebbles filled the jug, the water level kept rising. Soon it was high enough for the crow to drink. The plan worked!

Beyond the value of trying and trying until you succeed, the crow’s story tells us that with every challenge, we should not lose hope. If the crow had given up, it would not have found the jug of water, and it wouldn’t have thought of a great plan to quench its thirst.

Sometimes life is like that. A problem should present itself as simple and uncomplicated or it could unravel and reveal a myriad little challenges that you have to deal with before you can consider it as truly solved.

Photo courtesy: whitedoves.brohavwx

Practicing Self-Control (1 of 2)

Again and again I’ve seen that the only real freedom a person ever has comes from developing inner self-control. And how do you develop this? It’s obviously a lifetime project, but if you want to begin, here are some guidelines to follow.

Take a moral inventory: decide the areas in your life where you may need more self-control. Your job, for example. You might never steal merchandise, but do you steal time? Do you ever come in late, leave early, paid an expense account or change a private phone call to the company? What about your marriage? Are there areas in your life—or even in your thoughts—where you deceive your married partner? And your children, do you always tell them the truth?

Do you set up standards for them that you refuse to meet yourself?

Work from a spiritual base: The best base for spiritual growth is, of course, the Bible. What do the Ten Commandments say to you? Christ’s Sermon on the Mount? It’s vital that you know what you believe about God and how this belief relates to your life.

Concentrate on thought-control: Wrong action starts with a thought. Work at blocking those wrong thoughts before they become action. Not that you can totally prevent a tempting or destructive thought from entering your mind. But you can refuse to dwell on the thought and thus keep it from enlarging.

Practicing Self-Control (2 of 2)

Self-denial is a must: Stop kidding yourself that you can develop self-control without giving up some of the things you like to do. give up the move, refuse the sweet, turn off the TV, shorten the telephone call, refrain from telling the story . . . Where will you start to say no to yourself? Don’t consider it a decision against some form of fun, but a decision for some desired goal. You might even offer the sacrifice of an innocent pleasure as a prayer for another who needs God’s help in some manner.

I’ve noticed often that the more small pleasure a person gives up to concentrate on one important task, the stronger he becomes. Jesus Christ was the greatest example of One Who depended on self-denial for strength to perform His ministry. And He put it in these words to His disciples: “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Remember that the ultimate in self-control is not for you to become master of your fate, but to be above to serve a higher Master. -N.V.P.

The Power of Changes

Ask yourself, “Why is change so important in our lives?” if you think about it, not every change is positive. Sometimes, we feel it’s better for the people and the situations we are in, to remain the way they are. However, without change, there are life experiences we might be missing out on. Beyond our self-exploration, we should also consider that the world cannot possibly exist without going through necessary changes.

Like if we talk about volcanic activity and how it affects the integrity of the ozone layer. Volcanic emissions changes the balance between the amount of radiation Earth receives from the Sun and the amount of energy Earth Reflects back to space. We also noted how this change can eventually lead to the destruction of the ozone layer. And while this change can be viewed as something that the world is better off without. We should also remember its geologic e=importance in building the Earth’s crust. Volcanic activity is always good for farmlands, as it enriches the soil with rare minerals.

Next, we got to see changes at the microscopic level, as we looked at how a unique “bug” is able to pull a Midas trick on gold ores. Know s the Midas bug, we saw how this particular species of bacteria plays a significant role in the formation of secondary gold grains. We also got to discover the possibilities of this kind of information, especially in the field of bioprocessing and gold prospecting.

Ten, we explored the skies, and discovered how far from friendly if could actually be. When the conditions turn sunny to icy, we learned how pilots and aircraft personnel deal with flight hazards such a s in-flight icing. Currently, there are a number of tools and techniques devised to handle this problem but, any changes or modifications to up the safety factor, and of course with the help of technology, will always be welcome in the aviation industry.

Finally, we wend deep, 400 meters below the sea floor to be exact. We witnessed a change in perspective, as we learned about other processes aside from photosynthesis that can drive the survival of organisms. Deep-sea radiation, radiolysis, and natural radioactivity were just some of the new concepts we learned in this article.

Changes are happening all the time—around us and within us. Life is more fulfilling if we lean to accept changes, rather than resist it.