QuickBIC Admin – Page 4

The Debate Question That Won’t Get Asked Monday Night

QuickBIC Admin on September 26, 2016

After a hectic and unconventional election season with many unexpected twists and turns, the nation is gearing up to watch the first presidential primary on Monday. This highly anticipated debate will give voters a chance to get a better feel for the two candidates with some of the lowest likeability ratings ever recorded. Many people will watch the debates with no intention of voting for either candidate, but simply because they are curious to see how the election will continue to play out. Even so, the debate we will watch on Monday not will not give us the answers we are looking for.Despite the public’s strong opposition to the candidates, both sides’ parties

Despite the public’s strong opposition to the candidates, both sides’ parties continue to release fear-mongering statements about the importance of winning the election, even going as far as to say that this is the most important election and if the other side wins then there will not be another election. The media continues to frame the election in terms of black and white, overemphasizing issues like Clinton’s health and Trump’s donors when in reality there are substantive problems with the candidate’s policies. Trump will not give an explanation for how he is going to make Mexico pay for the wall and Clinton will not give an explanation for her email scandals. The candidates will not be asked why they have both changed parties and opinions on major issues like abortion and gay marriage. They will find ways to dodge questions about the policy changes made in the last few months of their campaign, which greatly alter their platforms.

Instead, the point of the debate will be for the two candidates to attack and demonize one another in order to scare voters into voting for their party. The election is based around attention grabbing headlines and potential scandals on both sides of the race, shifting the focus from who is the candidate that will do the most good for the country to who is the lesser of two evils. As American people, we deserve better. We deserve to compare candidates on issues of policy and cast a vote for the person who we believe best reflects our beliefs. We deserve to see a debate stage that represents more than just two parties, after all, elections are not binary choices. We deserve to get full and unbiased coverage from the media throughout the election cycle. We also deserve to have this question answered: without mentioning your opponent’s name, why should the American people vote for you?

These things will only change if we make an effort to get involved and see that they change, and this starts with being politically aware. When you watch the debate (which you should even if you despise the candidates because one of them is our next president), think of the issues you want to know more about and research them. Think of the questions you want to be answered and call your representatives and ask them.

The debate will begin at 8 pm CST on CNN and other major news networks.

Brittany Gamlen is a junior majoring in international studies.

ISIL and Attila

QuickBIC Admin on April 15, 2016April 16, 2016

With Secretary of State John Kerry’s announcement on March 17^th that ISIL is guilty of committing genocide in the Middle East, the Islamic State was officially established as a morally-reprehensible entity in the eyes of the international community. As Brittany Gamlen noted in her article “Is the Declaration of Genocide Enough?” this declaration does not officially elicit any particular action from the United States or its allies but, at a base level, it symbolizes the United States’ abhorrence of the violent acts of the Islamic State.

ISIL’s bombing of European nations, organized sex slavery, and vicious tactics in warfare have placed the group on a worldwide stage upon which most nations across the world have expressed their condemnation of the group’s horrible acts. The current international disdain for ISIL raises the question, “Has the world ever seen such a violent and internationally-hated entity? Unfortunately, our current situation shares a number of similarities with Europe and the Middle East’s conflict with the Hunnic Empire, which began as early as 372 CE.

A notable difference between ISIL and the Huns is that while ISIL is interested in capturing settlements and forming a new caliphate, the Huns were a nomadic people who were interested in sacking and razing settlements, not capturing them.

ISIL and the Huns do share, however, almost global enmity. In 372 CE, the Hunnic hordes descended from their Northern Eurasian steppes and began raiding the territories of various Gothic factions bordering the Black Sea. By 376 CE, the Huns had subjugated the Alans and the Greuthungi, two previously prominent factions, forcing coalitions of Ostrogoths and Visogoths to abandon their settlements and flee toward the protection of the Roman Empire to the West.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.com — *Image courtesy of Wikipedia.org*

Notably, however, neither the Western or Eastern Roman Empires would be able to withstand Hunnic attacks. The Huns began their first major invasion of the Eastern Roman Empire in 395 CE, raiding and pillaging around modern Bulgaria and Greece for three years before falling back to the steppes to count their plunder.

Hunnic attacks would not stop, however. In 435 CE, under the leadership of the infamous Attila, the Huns forced the Eastern Roman Empire to sign the Treaty of Magnus, which gave the Huns trade rights and required an annual payment of tribute from the Eastern Roman Empire. This agreement would be broken quickly, as hostilities resumed in 440 CE with the Huns sacking more than ten Eastern Roman settlements.

What is truly notable about the Huns, however, is that they would regularly raze their enemies’ settlements. When a settlement is “razed,” its population is either completely decimated or enslaved, its buildings are burned or knocked to the ground, and its fields are torn up and filled with salt. Sophomores taking Natural World II this semester were recently taught that the Western Roman Empire fell because of its non-sustainable agricultural practices, but this may not be the case. We do not know a lot about Roman farming practices, but we know that their fields were destroyed by the Huns. As such, the Romans did not have the food to feed their soldiers and, thus, did not have the soldiers to maintain their empire.

But why raze a settlement? We can look to the acts of ISIL for an answer. ISIL has systematically looted and destroyed modern cities and ancient ruins alike, notably the ancient ruins near the settlement of Palmyra in Syria. ISIL has claimed that these attacks are meant to destroy the idols of other Muslim sects (although there is no indication of idol worship in many affected areas) and landmarks of Western expansion into the Middle East. There is also a great deal of money to be made through the sale of the ancient artifacts that ISIL has stolen.

Therefore, both modern ISIL and the ancient Huns share the same despicable and barbaric practices. The Hunnic menace to the world, rampaging through most of Europe as well as the Middle East, lived for almost an entire century. ISIL cannot have the same lifespan. The Huns succeeded because although the entire world was afraid, they did not unite against the Huns. When one Gothic faction fell, its neighbor to the West would wait with fingers crossed, hoping to not be the next anthill sitting in the path of the Huns. For this modern Hun to be destroyed, the civilized nations of Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East must unite against our common enemy.

While we share many differences, a united global coalition would free the world from a shared terror.

Lee Shaw is a sophomore BIC student majoring in professional writing.

Politics is not Just for Your Grandparents

QuickBIC Admin on April 11, 2016April 16, 2016

Here in the United States, we are lucky to live in a country where we play a direct role in shaping the policies of our country. Unfortunately, most people do not take advantage of this great system. Our age group gets an especially bad reputation for being out of touch and uninvolved in the world. It might even feel like there is no way to get involved. There are a few things you can do to increase your political participation.

First, understand that the political process is messy and often you are not going to agree with what is happening. That is not always bad thing. Congress moves slowly because there is more than one view on the way policies should function in our country and there are disagreements over legislation. That might seem frustrating, but the great Leslie Knope once said, “….what I hear when I’m being yelled at is people caring loudly at me.”

We have a beautiful political system where laws are not passed without expressing varying views on the issue. If you do not like something, the good news is that there is room for you to change it. Brush up on high school government and make sure you have an understanding of how everything works.

Next, realize that you do have a say in this system, and it is crucial that you engage in the political process. The most obvious statement is vote regularly. We live in a republic, not a democracy, which means that we elect people who represent us. Make sure the person you are electing is a good representation of yourself. Many people wonder why Donald Trump is the GOP frontrunner. During presidential election cycles, less than thirty percent of citizens vote in primary elections. Thus, one of the reasons Trump is winning is that only one third of registered Republicans are voting. Even fewer people vote in non-presidential election years. It is important to note that many more elections than the presidential election occur every year. Sometimes state and local elections get over looked in favor of larger races, but it is your local officials that shape your communities and in some ways have a greater impact on your daily life.

Moreover, you need to be an educated voter. Too many people do not know what they are voting for, or do not vote because they do not know what is going on. Download a (credible) news app and spend five minutes you would normally spend on social media reading up on the current issues. It will even send you updates when major stories break. It is important to realize that most news outlets are biased, so it is a good idea to look at a few and do not always believe everything you hear.

You can “like” several news outlets on Facebook (or other social media) so that whenever you scroll through your newsfeed you get a glimpse of actual news. Part of being an educated voter is not being a single-issue voter, so it is important to have a good grasp of all issues. It is natural to have certain issues that you are more passionate about than others, but it is problematic when you vote for a particular candidate based on their stance on one issue. There is usually no candidate whose views align perfectly with yours. Check out each candidate’s website, do not just rely on the media, and read up on their positions on every issue. Then, vote for the candidate who you think will do the best for the country, not necessarily for yourself.

Additionally, attend a local town hall and learn about the ways these broad issues directly affect your community. I challenge you to learn the names and faces of all your local representatives. These are the people that are willing to fight for issues you care about. Next time that you are bothered by something you see happening, call the appropriate representative and ask him or her what can be done about it. I have a rule when it comes to politics: you cannot complain unless you are involved and working to change the situation.

Lastly, discuss politics with others, both your peer groups and older generations. It is often considered taboo to bring up politics in many situations, but break that tradition. Politics is too important of a subject to ignore, and often times meaningful discussion can help shape our opinions. Attend discussion forums on campus to better understand issues. It is better to give up an hour or two of your time to stay informed than to give up your rights because you could not be bothered to get involved. Remember, a revolution occurred to give us this privilege and we should not take it for granted.

Brittany Gamlen is a sophomore BIC student majoring in international studies.

A Sweet Discovery

QuickBIC Admin on April 8, 2016

A recent discovery in diabetes care has the chance to make millions of lives a little bit easier. Most of us, at some point in our life, have had to get our blood sugar tested. Perhaps it was for giving blood or a physical. It is not the worst thing in the world, but it also is not fun. Imagine having to do that every day, multiple times a day.

For those with diabetes, the reality of the disease is that every day is a constant marathon of pricking your finger, testing blood sugar, tracking carbohydrate intake, administering insulin, and simply trying to keep the body balanced.

When my uncle was diagnosed with diabetes out of the blue, it took him and his wife years to really figure out how to take care of him. It was a constant struggle for him to stay healthy. For kids with Type I Diabetes, this struggle begins when they are young and continues for the rest of their lives. Many of us take for granted only having to worry about our health when we are sick. For some, it simply is not that easy. So of course, my uncle was delighted when he heard of a discovery made by a group of Korean scientists.

Diabetes is an insulin-related disorder. Insulin is a hormone released by beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin is released after we eat, and works to facilitate the build-up of energy stores. With insulin present, GLUT-4 transporters move in and allow glucose molecules to enter the cell. There, glucose can be stored in the form of glycogen. Without insulin, glucose will build up to dangerous levels in the blood.

In Type I Diabetes, the beta cells do not produce adequate levels of insulin. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. Type II Diabetics produce insulin, but their bodies have become resistant to it. Diabetics must closely monitor what they eat and often administer insulin shots. They must consistently track their blood sugar. If it becomes too high or at low, their lives could be at risk.

This new method of blood sugar detection is a wearable graphene patch. It monitors glucose levels in the sweat. “Graphene” sounds like “graphite” because they are both made of carbon atoms. Graphene is carbon atoms attached in a honeycomb pattern. This unique structure allows it to be incredible thin and incredibly strong (1).

This specific sensor is a patch of graphene lined with gold and with added computer chips. It is capable of monitoring pH, temperature, humidity, and of course glucose (2). The device is also theoretically capable of delivering doses of insulin in a nearly painless manner. The rest gets extremely technical, but basically an uptake layer brings sweat into the device, where certain things, such as glucose presence, can be determined. Then, microneedles deliver a determined dose of insulin into the skin. Due to the nature of graphene, the device is very thin and flexible, so it sits on the wearer’s skin with relative comfort (2). In other words, as far as I can tell, it may just be the best thing to happen in diabetes technology in a long time.

It is easy to say that research should only be focused on “the big stuff”. We want the big wins. Those in the sciences often dream of curing cancer or discovering the answer to the biggest question in science. Those things are important, but that are not the only point of research. This may not have been a cure for diabetes, but it is still a win. It was enough for my uncle to excitedly tell me about it on the phone. It makes lives easier, and for that, it is still incredibly applicable and impactful research.

Katherine Estep is a sophomore BIC student majoring in neuroscience.

(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphene

(2) http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nnano.2016.38.html

Five Items to Add to Your Grocery List

QuickBIC Admin on April 6, 2016

While everyone has their favorite chips and cookies that they like to get at the grocery store, there are a few things you need to put on your shopping list. These foods are “add-ins” that can supplement almost anything. With each, I will give a recipe to get started! I am always very interested in reading about foods and their benefits. I have compiled this grocery list based on my favorite things that are very easy to build recipes around.

1. AVOCADOS

Avocado is all the rage right now, for a reason. I am sure you have seen the drawing of one avocado telling another discouraged avocado, “I said you are the good kind of fat!” Avocados are one of the fattiest plant foods, but this means that they are high in heart healthy fatty acid, like olive oil.

Avocados are also very nutrient-rich, and have more potassium than bananas. Another nutrient in avocados is fiber. Fiber can help with weight loss and metabolism.

Along with all of these benefits, avocados are delicious or at least I think so. My mom and I take a plain avocado, mush it together with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper, and dip tortilla chips in it.

If a plain avocado with mayonnaise does not sound appetizing to you, I understand. Try a smashed chickpea and avocado sandwich instead. This is the same idea, but you smash chickpeas and avocado together and then add cilantro, green onion, and lime juice for taste. This is a perfect sandwich to make quickly and easily. You could also spread the smashed chick peas and avocado on a burger or veggie burger, or even add egg! Click on this recipe to get the full recipe:

http://bigflavorstinykitchen.com/2012/12/smashed-chickpea-avocado-salad-sandwich.html

2. EGGS

Eggs are my go to food. I love eggs, but there is just one thing: I can not eat them alone. Nope. I cannot just eat a plate of scrambled eggs or even an omelet. I am picky in that way. However, I love eggs when they are on sandwiches or bagels or croissants.

The reason eggs are my go-to is because they are a very good source of protein. I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for three years and the amount of times I have been asked, “Where do you get your protein?” is a number too high to count. To clarify, a lacto-ovo vegetarian is someone who does not eat meat, but eats eggs and dairy. While there are several other ways to get protein, eggs are inexpensive and rich in protein. They also contain almost all of the nutrients we need.

There are so many things you can do with eggs. My favorite thing is an egg salad sandwich. It is one of the easiest sandwiches to make. All you do is boil eggs, add green onions for a crunch with salt and pepper, and a spoonful of mayonnaise, and you have got yourself an egg salad sandwich. An alternative to mayonnaise is avocado. You just add vinegar or lemon juice, and a little more salt. For the full recipe, click on this link:

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/egg_salad_sandwich/

If you are interested in watching those really quick cooking videos on Facebook, here is the link for how to make eggs in five ways:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alisonroman/how-to-cook-eggs?bffbfood&utm_term=.oaz2yy58p#.lmRLJJRjb

3. TOMATOES

I have a love/hate relationship with tomatoes. It depends on the day. Regardless of how I feel about them, they are perfect to add to literally anything. You can cut them up and put them in a salad or an omelet. To spice up your boring grilled cheese, you can add a slice of tomato. Ever heard of a BLT? The tomato makes it so good. Tomatoes are a very good source of vitamin C, K, and E. They are also rich in dietary fiber.

A really easy tomato recipe is caprese stacks. Basically all it is, is tomato with mozzarella and basil stacked on top drizzled with olive oil. What is not to like? Here is the link for the full recipe (this one comes with the nutrient facts too!):

http://www.health.com/health/recipe/0,,50400000130211,00.html

4. SPINACH

Today, I am here to tell you to stop eating icebox lettuce in your salad. Spinach is so much better for you and tastes better too. Lettuce practically does nothing for you. Spinach has twice as much potassium, protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C than any other leaf you can eat in a salad. Once you start eating spinach in your salad, you will never go back.

If you are thinking that you could not get over the taste of spinach, this recipe will make you forget you are even eating spinach. It is a spinach salad with bacon and egg. The salad has spinach, bacon, egg, mushrooms, onion, and cherry tomatoes (3 out of 6 of these are on the grocery list!). You could also probably recreate this recipe at the dining halls! For the full recipe, click on this link:

http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a35487/spinach-salad-bacon-egg-recipe-rbk0413/

5. NUT BUTTER

I first had almond butter on an airplane. Very random, I know. Me and my mom had missed lunch trying to catch our connecting flight, and were very hungry on the airplane. We decided to try the ‘Tapas’ packaged snack box they sell on airplanes. It turned out to be so good, we would purposely skip lunch so we could eat this on the plane whenever we traveled! One of the things it included was almond butter to put on a wheat bagel.

There are all kinds of nut butters, like cashew, macadamia, walnut, and hazelnut! They have protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Beware though, many companies add unwanted ingredients, like sugar. What is the best way to avoid that? Make your own! Here is a wonderful website that gives you all details:

http://tasty-yummies.com/2014/03/18/how-to-make-homemade-nut-butters/

Bethany Dickerson is a freshman BIC student majoring in journalism.

What’s up, Jared?

QuickBIC Admin on April 4, 2016

This week, I sat down with my fellow BIC sophomore Jared DeVries for an impromptu chat about Baylor, life, and his goals for the future. I had Delia—my trusty laptop—and my usual battery of Deep, Soulful Questions© in hand and was anxious to hear what he had to say.

“Indiana Jones,” he said unflinchingly. “If I could have any job, Indiana Jones would be perfect.”

I had to take a quick break to laugh a little over my keyboard as he explained to me animatedly why Raiders of the Lost Ark was the perfect movie (“It’s got everything!”) while slurping his sweet tea from Starbucks (which was good, he said, but not as good as apple juice would have been). The rest of our interview was just as fun and light-hearted, with Jared making it clear that he tries not to take himself too seriously—an attitude we could all learn from.

“Do you have any quirky habits that you want to tell us about?” I asked after we had agreed that the Indiana Jones franchise was epic, although maybe Harrison Ford was getting a little old to take on the Nazi menace single-handed.

“I laugh a lot!” he said, surprising no one. “I think it’s one of the defining characteristics of who I am. Sometimes I laugh because I think something’s funny, but then other times if I don’t hear you, I laugh anyway, so it’s not awkward.” Maybe ironically, we both laughed over that, and Jared shrugged a little. “I like to laugh,” he said simply. “It’s fun.”

Goodness knows that we BIC-ers need all the fun we can get, and even amidst the fire and frenzy of school, Jared knows how to keep his spirits up. “Freshman year, I was in Dr. Hibbs’ class for World Cultures I,” he said when I asked him about his favorite Baylor memory. “And we got to dress up for extra credit one day, and I was Enkidu!” He had bought a long, hippie-style wig from Walmart (“The hair was everywhere,” he said) and had worn a cheetah-print loincloth, and not much else. “At first I thought it might be too risqué, but then I just decided to do it!” he said. “And then I got Chipotle afterwards.”

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” I asked him. “What would you like to be doing?”

“Hopefully I’ll have graduated,” he said, laughing. Other than the completion of his undergrad career, Jared hopes to be in some kind of a position to pursue history and teaching—an assistant-professorship, perhaps, like a real-life Indiana Jones. “I love learning, and teaching, and finding out how things work,” he said.

“How about in fifty years?”

In fifty years, Jared will be seventy, and hopefully living a well-established life somewhere with a family of his own and Washington, his beloved bonsai tree. “He’s been with me two years now, and he’s doing great,” he said about Washington. “He wants to travel more, and I keep him on my windowsill so that he can see outside.” Jared and Washington seem to like the simple life, and in fifty years they would be perfectly content to “just enjoy life and engage in what it has to offer.” That sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me.

Of everyone I have met in the BIC (or even in all of Baylor), I think that Jared is one of the only people I have yet spoken to that seems genuinely comfortable with himself—I mean, it takes a lot of gumption to dress up like an ancient Mesopotamian demigod. He sees the value in the small things and is constantly looking for opportunities to improve, even mulling over ways to make life easier for Waco’s citizens while he is out running. If BIC had any part to play in the kind of person that Jared turned out to be, then it is doing something right, and we can sleep tonight knowing that our education is in good hands.

Chelsea Teague is a sophomore BIC student majoring in professional writing.

Is the Declaration of Genocide Enough?

QuickBIC Admin on March 28, 2016

The United States Department of State recently declared that ISIS is committing genocide against Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East, including Yazidis and Shia Muslims. Secretary of State John Kerry stated that ISIS committed “crimes against humanity” and “ethnic cleansing,” arguing that the militant group’s actions meet the United Nations’ definition of genocide. This definition reads as follows; “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.” Thus, the declaration makes a bold claim and calls for action against ISIS. Yet, this statement is not as impactful as it appears, and it does not do as much as it should. There is more the government can be doing to combat ISIS.

Three months ago, Congress ordered the Secretary of State to make known whether or not minority groups are experiencing genocide in the Middle East. Kerry waited until the deadline, March 17^th, to announce that genocide is in fact occurring. His announcement came as a surprise, as a spokesperson from the State Department alluded the previous day that Kerry would not be addressing the order. Furthermore, a week prior to his declaration, the House of Representatives passed a non-binding resolution with a unanimous vote declaring that the violence committed by ISIS in the Middle East is considered genocide. Hence, prior to Kerry’s announcement, the dominant belief was already that ISIS is committing genocide.

Additionally, this declaration does not mean that the United States is required to take action against ISIS. Perpetrators of genocide must be brought to justice in a court of law where a complete trial must occur, but Kerry stated that the United States would not be taking ISIS to trial or taking any action to hold ISIS accountable. In his declaration, Kerry urged someone else to lead the investigation against ISIS, suggesting an international criminal tribunal as a good candidate.

The United States has only declared conflicts as genocide in five situations since the United Nations Genocide Convention in 1948. Hence, there is no clear picture of what should precede such a declaration. The UN Genocide Convention does make it clear that the perpetrator should be punished for their crimes, although it does not clearly state who is responsible for enforcing the punishment. Therefore, Kerry’s decision is in compliance with the treaty.

Even so, ISIS is killing innocent people because of their religion, which is a huge injustice. While the United States is currently launching airstrikes and is partnered with Iraqi forces against ISIS, the increasing number of terror attacks makes it apparent that these measures are not enough. Declaring genocide is important, but punishing those who commit genocide is equally as important. Kerry’s declaration will help ramp up the fight against ISIS and brings awareness to an important problem. Nevertheless, it does not solve the problem. Our country cannot stand by the side and encourage others to act. We must lead the fight in not only holding ISIS accountable for their actions, but also in eradicating them entirely.

Brittany Gamlen is a sophomore BIC student majoring in international studies.

Remembrance

QuickBIC Admin on March 26, 2016

Memory storage and retrieval has long been one of the main puzzles of psychology and neuroscience. Who we are and how we think is deeply influenced by the memories of our experiences and sensations. Memory is far from perfect, however. We all struggle with corrupted memories and blockages that stop us from retrieving information. For many people, however, especially those of an older age, memory is much more complicated and problematic. For decades, medical researches have tirelessly looked for answers to Alzheimer’s, brain degeneration that causes severe memory loss. It is a devastating disease that eventually renders loved ones unaware of even the simplest facts of their existence. They slip further and further from reality as their memory becomes more and more distorted. Alzheimer’s, as with many things in the brain, has proved very difficult to truly understand.

Recently, however, a group of researchers have made a breakthrough working with mice. They have engineered these mice to develop a form of Alzheimer’s. Using a flash of blue light, they were able to help the mice recall memories that had become distorted (1).

Before I explain how they pulled that off, I should explain some of what we know about how memory works. Memories first enter the short-term memory, which can hold around seven items. These items can then be specially encoded and stored in the long-term memory, where they await retrieval. When we recall a memory, it is taken out of long-term memory for a period of time. Whenever this occurs, however, we tend to modify that memory with what we are experiencing at the current moment. Thus, the reason all those lovely memories you have of your ex are now soured. There is a lot more to the psychology of information which I encourage you to look into if you want to improve your studying.

There is also another neural level of memory. One possible and fascinating explanation of memory is long-term potentiation. This is thought to happen in the hippocampus. Basically, memories are created by strengthening connections between neurons. Two neurons communicate with each other by releasing neurotransmitters across the synapse upon stimulation by an action potential (a change in charge). If strong enough, a summation of these action potentials can create a conformational change in the neurons. A greater number of receptors can build up and more neurotransmitters are released upon excitation in the future. This makes the connection between the neurons stronger and more easily to excite (2).

If you are struggling to make the connection between this explanation and the psychological explanation, you can join me. It is complicated, but that is why I find neuroscience so fascinating. We take our ability to think and experience for granted, but it is actually allowed by many incredibly complicated and sensitive processes.

1111 — Image courtesy of Learningwiki.com

Unfortunately, that is what makes a disease like Alzheimer’s so difficult to understand. The cause of the memory degeneration is the buildup of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (3). These developments are build-ups of potentially toxic substances intracellularly and extracellularly. These are thought to cause damage and death of brain cells (3).

Over time, these patients lose episodic memory and eventually many more memories, and then face a continuing loss of cognitive function, which often leads to death (4).

This group of scientists set out to discover exactly what part of the memory process AD affects. The scientists first “marked the memory” by tagging specific neurons related to each memory (1). They used a virus to implant a gene into these neurons that associated with flashes of light. This blue light was fired through an implanted optic fiber. The scientists marked the memory of the fear the mice felt when shocked in a cage. It was not until stimulated with blue light that the mice recalled the fear they had originally felt (1). To relate to earlier ideas, they are optogenetically stimulating the process of long-term potentiation at specific pathways (4).

So, why do people looking for a cure for Alzheimer’s care about mice with optic fibers in their brain? What these researchers have been able to determine is that Alzheimer’s is a problem with the retrieval of information, not with the storage and maintenance of that information (1). This gives the scientific community a better understanding of what they are facing. Think of it as a maze, and they have finally found where to start on a new level of research.

It is easy to believe that our memories are permanent. We treasure some, but take many for granted. The brain is, however, in certain ways, quite fragile. There are currently more than 5.4 million people in American alone with AD. The number is thought to triple in the next few decades (5).

Imagine being unable to access your memories. Imagine being unable to remember your name or your children. As a human society, we put great import on such details. We are defined by our names, our past, and the people who surround us. As they lose their details, they lose their identity. It is terrifying and isolating, both for those suffering from the disease and their caregivers.

There are answers, hiding with in our own brains. We just have to find a way to understand those mysteries.

Katherie Estep is a sophomore BIC student majoring in neuroscience.

Sources:

(1) https://www.sciencenews.org/article/lost-memories-retrieved-mice-signs-alzheimers?tgt=nrhttp://neuroscience.uth.tmc.edu/s4/chapter07.html

(2) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673610613499

(3) http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v531/n7595/full/nature17172.html

(4) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rebecca-laclair/how-alzheimers-caregivers_b_9460712.html?utm_hp_ref=science&ir=Science

4 Reasons Why Turning into Your Parents is Okay

QuickBIC Admin on March 23, 2016March 23, 2016

While many of us may go through a “rebel” phase, when we do not listen to our parents and roll our eyes at everything they say, at some point we realize they are right the majority of the time. I do not know about you, but my mother always knew what foods, books, movies, and rollercoaster rides I would like and overused, “I told you so.” Even if you do not want to admit it, we are all turning into adults, and this means that we are going to act more like our parents, and it is okay. It just means you are getting wiser and more careful.

1. YOU ARE MORE AWARE

Just a year ago, I went to the Grand Canyon with my mom and I thought it was hilarious to get close to the edge to scare her. Looking back on that decision, I am sort of horrified. I would never do that now because I am not nearly as reckless or careless. I have only been in college a semester and a half, but I am already more aware of what could happen if I get too close to the edge.

See, when I was 16, my legs were dangling off the canyon while my mother was screaming at me to be careful (this is when I went through my “rebel” phase). At 18, I was just a little too close to the edge and my mom is still yelling at me to stop. Now that I am almost 20, I am with my mom, a reasonable distance away from the edge, enjoying the beautiful view of the Grand Canyon.

2. YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

I do not like to admit it, but there was a time I rarely washed my hair because I liked the way it looked greasy. I know. Okay. I am four years away from that phase, moving on. I know when I do not need the cupcake, and when I do. I wash my face (and hair) every night. Sometimes, though, it takes a learning experience (other than realizing greasy hair does NOT look good).

I was never really scared of gaining the “Freshman 15” because my mom always told me she never gained weight in college. We are very similar, so I thought the same would apply to me. In high school, I danced 8-10 hours a week, and ate a bagged-lunch everyday. I should have known that getting fries, a dessert, and a root beer at every meal with little exercise was going to affect my body. I did not realize until I could not fit into my high-waisted jeans in December.

This semester, I have vowed to eat healthier (and to only eat a cupcake when I have had a bad day), and exercise three times a week. I have actually kept up with it. Though gaining weight made me realize I need to eat better and exercise, it is not the reason I continue. It is because it makes me feel better about my body and myself. So, when you are 6 and your mom tells you not eat cookies and ice cream for dinner, it is because she knows it will make you feel bad.

3. YOU VALUE SLEEP

Every night my mom lays on the couch and watches TV until she falls asleep at nine. Yes, she goes to bed at nine. However, when my family would go to Walt Disney World, get there when it opened and left when it closed, she would say, “You can sleep when you’re dead.” Yes, the same person who goes to bed at nine every night.

I think part of turning into your parents is knowing when to stay up, and when to value sleep. It is closing your computer or turning off Netflix to get an extra hour of sleep. It is not going to the party because you stayed up the night before studying. My mom values sleep, but is also able to stay awake when she needs to.

4. YOU ARE MORE PREPARED

You know when your mom used to tell you to bring a cardigan? I am now the person who always has the extra pen, cardigan, and granola bar. Why? It is nice to have that one thing someone needs. It is nice to be there. I keep everything I need in my purse. Through experiencing many instances of not having what I need, I have got it down: hand sanitizer, tissues, lipstick, ibuprofen, headphones, and a mirror. In my dorm, I have everything imaginable. As a kid, you were able to rely on your mom or grandma to have whatever you needed, and now it is up to you.

Though we fear dressing like our parents or inheriting their odd mannerisms, our parents give us the tools that we need to be more self-reliant. As we grow older, out of the “rebel” stage, we start to realize our parents are not so bad. We may even realize we strive to be more like our parents; I know I do.

Bethany Dickerson is a freshman BIC student majoring in journalism.

What’s up, Dr. Hibbs?

QuickBIC Admin on March 21, 2016March 21, 2016

Dr. Stacey Hibbs' famly — Dr. Stacey Hibbs’ famly

Although every BIC professor is fantastic, there are a handful of names that stick out in most students’ minds as intrinsic to the BIC machine—teachers that, were they to suddenly pack their bags and move to Slovakia or some other obscure place (like Montana or something), would take with them a special part of BIC legend. Dr. Stacey Hibbs, famous around BIC circles for her enthusiastic appreciation of Aristotle and for giving out candy on test days, is one such professor.

“Everything begins and ends with the students,” she said when I asked her what part of her Baylor career she was most proud of. Not just influencing students who go on to achieve amazing things, she clarified. Dr. Hibbs is most proud of being in a position to help the students who come to her with their problems, who want to talk to her about their “rough patches.”

“That’s great,” I said. I meant it too. In a world that puts so much pressure on academics to be the very best in their fields and that pushes them to compete with their colleagues for any kind of recognition, sometimes professors can put their obligations to their students on the backburner. It is obvious that Dr. Hibbs’ students have nothing to worry about.

“Do you have a favorite Baylor memory?” I asked her.

“All my memories involve my students,” she said, true to form. She told me about one student of hers a few years ago that began selling contraband t-shirts when Baylor beat Texas A&M in football. “I bought one from him and then watched him get chased down the street by BU security,” she said, laughing. “And two of my other students a couple of years later, on the last day of class, dressed up as a banana and a gorilla and chased each other around my classroom!” They said they wanted to make sure that she would remember them, Dr. Hibbs told me.

I broached a new topic and asked Dr. Hibbs about her hobbies or if she had any quirky habits that she would care to share. With more excitement than I could understand, she said, “I love to do yardwork!” Not gardening or anything like that, she said, but real pioneer stuff, like cutting down trees and landscaping—stuff so that you can see the difference between when you start and when you finish. There was an outdoorsy glow in her eyes as she said this—the same kind of glow my parents got whenever they used to tell me that it was yard day and that I should find some work gloves and get ready to sweat. It made me nervous just thinking about it.

“My parents love yard work too,” I told her. “It’s hard for me to see the appeal, though.”

She laughed and said that it was probably a generational thing. “Sure,” I said as I clung nervously to my smartphone and my privilege.

Finally, I asked Dr. Hibbs to explain Baylor to me in three words. It is the shortest question on the list that I ask my interviewees, but it is consistently ranked the most difficult, and Dr. Hibbs told me she thought long and hard about it.

“Warm,” she said, not meaning the weather. “And rising, and engaging.” And with that, she left to go leap tall buildings in a single bound or to put out forest fires or to do whatever it is that BIC professors do in their free time.

Thanks, Dr. Hibbs, for taking time out of your busy schedule to give a few words to all of us trying to live the examined life, and thanks for putting your whole self into your teaching. We all really appreciate it.

Chelsea Teague is a sophomore BIC student majoring in professional writing.