Methionine: Essential Roles in Physiology, Metabolism, and Health
Structure and Properties Methionine is an essential amino acid that plays many important roles in the human body. Chemically classified as a nonpolar, aliphatic amino acid, Met contains a α-amino group, a α-carboxylic acid group, and an L-configuration. Its IUPAC name is 2-amino-4-(methylamino)butanoic acid and it has the symbol Met or M. Met is…

The Evolution of U.S. Vaccine: From Pioneering Breakthroughs to Modern Triumphs
Early Development of Vaccines in America Even in the earliest days of the United States, deadly diseases posed a major threat. Smallpox, in particular, ravaged indigenous populations and European colonists alike in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the first breakthrough came in 1796, when English physician Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine using cowpox….

Tracking Submarines from Above: How Sonobuoy Help Localize Sound Sources at Sea
What is a Acoustic buoy? A acoustic buoy is an acoustic sensor device designed to detect underwater sound waves, including those made by submarines. Deployed from aircraft or ships for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), they are parachute-equipped float kits that descend slowly through the water column. Once in the water, acoustic buoys transmit detected audio data…

Hot Dogs and Sausages: Understanding the Differences in Types and Origins
Hot dogs and sausages can be classified broadly based on their ingredients and cooking methods. A hot dog is a cooked sausage that is served in a partially sliced bun or roll. Sausages, on the other hand, simply refer to forcemeat (a mixture of meat, fat, and seasonings) that is stuffed into an edible casing,…

Floriculture: The Cultivation and Marketing of Flower Crops
History and Origin of flower farming Flower farming, or flower farming, has been practiced for thousands of years by cultures around the world. However, it wasn’t until the 18th century that commercial flower farming began emerging in Europe. Wealthy European aristocrats started cultivating exotic blooms in orangeries and greenhouses. Dutch growers became pioneers in manipulating…

What Are Collagen Fillers and How Do They Work?
They are dermal fillers that are injected under the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Made from stabilized hyaluronic acid or collagen, these fillers work by filling out the skin to smooth away signs of aging. Let’s take a deeper look at how collagen fillers work and the procedures involved. The…

Water Turbine: An Efficient Technology for Converting Water Flow into Electricity
Water turbines are mechanical devices that convert kinetic energy from moving water into mechanical energy for the purpose of electricity generation. The flowing water drives a turbine, which spins a shaft connected to an electrical generator to produce electricity. There are several types of these turbines, such as impulse turbines and reaction turbines depending on…

Tram Systems: An Environmentally Friendly Mode of Public Transportation
Trams, also known as streetcars or trolley cars, have been providing public transportation in cities around the world for over 150 years. One of the earliest tram systems began operating in Germany in 1865, using horse-drawn carriages to transport passengers along rail tracks laid in city streets. Electric trams soon replaced the horse-drawn vehicles, with…

Drone in a Box: An All-In-One Solution for Drone Pilots
The concept of ‘drones in a box’ first emerged in the early 2010s as consumer drones became increasingly popular. Early models like the DJI Phantom tried to package all the essentials for basic drone flight into user-friendly kits. However, payloads were limited and assembly was still required. It wasn’t until 2015 that the first true…