A classmate is doing her seminar this semester on Amyloid beta. Apparently, it is a protein that can build up and form plaque around nerve cells, leading to damage. It is believed to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Her focus is how sleep affects these plaques. It would seem that during sleep, the normally functioning body cleans away these plaques. Test subjects who are sleep deprived show higher plaque levels.
Another classmate is doing his seminar on a particular type of fungus that attacks ants. It grows into their brain, kills them, then takes control of the ant’s body, using it to travel to better reproductive conditions for the fungus. Very night of the living dead. Fascinating, but creepy.
I honestly think some of my classmates stand to give better seminars than the so called professional seminars we are required to attend.
Janie's Place 