Investigations into the function of common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in the agricultural landscape

The monarch butterfly’s (Danaus plexippus Linnaeus) vibrant orange color with contrasting black veins and white spots make it recognizable to many. Unfortunately, the remarkable migration made by the eastern monarch population is at risk due to the recent decline in this cohort of the species. Many factors are said to have caused the decline, including overwintering habitat destruction, increased dependence on herbicide-tolerant crops, extreme climatic events, predation, loss of breeding habitat, etc. Two studies were conducted to: 1) determine the impact of sub-lethal herbicides on growth of common milkweed and utilization by monarchs and 2) investigate simple methods for establishing common milkweed and three additional forbs (golden alexanders (Zizia aurea L.), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa L.), and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae angliae L.), into an existing sod landscape. In the first study, fomesafen caused rapid damage to leaves contacted by the spray, resulting in the loss of many leaves. However, plants recovered rapidly and ovipositing by monarchs was not affected. Additional herbicides commonly used in Iowa crop production were evaluated for their effect on common milkweed in greenhouse experiments. Glufosinate was more injurious to common milkweed than either imazethapyr or mesotrione, but as with fomesafen, treated plants showed signs of recovery from all three herbicides within two weeks of application. The second study investigated the effects of mowing and sub-lethal rates of glyphosate on the establishment of common milkweed and three forbs in an established stand of smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss). In general, suppression of smooth brome sod with sub-lethal rates of glyphosate increased recruitment of seedlings, but there was a low probability of permanent establishment of common milkweed and other forbs. Establishment of golden alexanders and wild bergamot was greater than either common milkweed or New England aster

Keeping Up with the Joneses: How Snapchat Stays Relevant

The article we chose from Fortune Magazine is entitled “3,2,1 Countdown to the Snapchat Revolution” and is written by Jessi Hempel, Adam Lashinsky, Marty Jones, and Chanelle Bessette. The article discusses the history of Snapchat and the past and present challenges it has had to face. This ranges from the lawsuit brought by one of the original founders to rejecting an acquisition offer from Facebook of over $3 billion. Big businesses are not apt to jump on the bandwagon for marketing purposes because of their lack of data collection. The discussion varies from what the app actually is, “a disappearing-photo-sending service,” the changing demographics of the users, and how the app has evolved over time

Characterization of the near-Earth Asteroid 2002NY40

In August 2002, the near-Earth asteroid 2002 NY40, made its closest approach to the Earth. This provided an opportunity to study a near-Earth asteroid with a variety of instruments. Several of the telescopes at the Maui Space Surveillance System were trained at the asteroid and collected adaptive optics images, photometry and spectroscopy. Analysis of the imagery reveals the asteroid is triangular shaped with significant self-shadowing. The photometry reveals a 20-hour period and the spectroscopy shows that the asteroid is a Q-type

Role of SOCS3 in POMC Neurons in metabolic and cardiovascular regulation.

Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is a negative regulator of leptin signaling. We previously showed that the chronic effects of leptin on blood pressure (BP) and glucose regulation are mediated by stimulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons. In this study, we examined the importance of endogenous SOCS3 in POMC neurons in control of metabolic and cardiovascular function and potential sex differences. Male and female SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre mice in which SOCS3 was selectively deleted in POMC neurons and control SOCS3flox/flox mice were studied during a control diet (CD) or high fat diet (HFD) and during chronic leptin infusion. On CD, male and female SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre mice were lighter in body weight despite similar food intake compared to control mice. Male SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre mice exhibited increased energy expenditure. BP and heart rate were similar in male and female SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre and control mice on CD. On a HFD, male and female SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre mice showed attenuated weight gain. Female SOCS3flox/flox/POMC-Cre mice exhibited greater HFD-induced elevations in baseline BP and BP responses to air jet stress test compared to control mice. Chronic leptin infusion produced similar responses in all groups for food intake, body weight, oxygen consumption, blood glucose, BP and heart rate. Thus, SOCS3 deficiency in POMC neurons influences body weight regulation in CD and HFD and differentially affects BP and energy balance in a sex specific manner, but does not amplify the dietary, glycemic or cardiovascular effects of leptin

Restoration of Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction by Long-Term Activation of the CNS Leptin-Melanocortin System

Heart failure has a high mortality rate, and current therapies offer limited benefits. The authors demonstrate that activation of the central nervous system leptin-melanocortin pathway confers remarkable protection against progressive heart failure following severe myocardial infarction. The beneficial cardiac-protective actions of leptin require activation of brain melanocortin-4 receptors and elicit improvements in cardiac substrate oxidation, cardiomyocyte contractility, C