Envision, Issue 2

Spring2020 2021 Spring

envisio n ISSUE NO. 2

CONT E N T S 4 Wildlife Photo Essay 6 Microplastics 8 Submersible Technology 10 Mental Health Photo Essay 12 Free Will 14 Telehealth Practices 16 Vitamins 18 COVID + Local Businesses 2

ABOUT THE ISSUE letter from the art director Especially now, there has never been a more important time to make science and information more accessible to the public.

Communicating science through visual media has been a key to the success of Scientifica as a magazine. In this second issue of Envision (and my first year as Art Director) we continue to push for new ways to engage our readers through infographics, art, and photography.

In this magazine you will find work by our current art and design staff. They are a group of incredibly talented and driven individuals with the common goal of creating dynamic ways to showcase science in the world around us.

Please enjoy this very special issue of Envision!

MEGAN BURAs

Anam Ahmed Austin Berger Abigail Adera Snigdha Sama Megan Piller Meera Patel Megan Buras Avery Boals Kim Sookoo Setareh Gooshvar Gabriella Guerriero Ainsley Hilliard Sofia Mohammad Mac Clifton Victoria Pinilla Roger Williams, M.S. Ed.

c o r e t e a m

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Copy Chief Design Director Design Director Art Director Director of Photography Director of Creative Writing Associate Director of Creative Writing Director of Public Relations Director of Distribution Director of Community Outreach Webmaster Board of Advisors Liason Editorial Advisor 3

Campus Wildlife

Exploring the diverse array of wildlife across the University of Miami campus

D Yellow-chevroned parakeet / Brotogeris chiriri

Great blue heron / Ardea herodias

by Anuj Shah

uring my four years here at the University of Miami, I’ve been fortunate enough to document and photograph the incredible array of species that graces our campus. Many of these creatures are accustomed to the South Florida climate, and are out and about near Lake Osceola, the nearby river, and other green areas on campus—head out on a morning walk and you’ll see everything from lounging waterfowl to bright green parakeets.

Exploring the wildlife around campus also provides important insight into the need to protect vulnerable ecosystems and biodiversity on our planet. Though many of

Florida banded water snake / Nerodia fasciata pictiventris Yellow-crowned night heron / Nyctanassa violacea

American white ibis / Eudocimus albus Limpkin / Aramus guarauna

4

Coastal plain cooter / Pseudemys floridana

Muscovy duck / Cairina moschata

Yellow-bellied sapsucker / Sphyrapicus varius

Brown pelican / Pelecanus occidentalis

Bark anole / Anolis distichus

the campus species are native to this region, among the organisms are a few non-native, invasive species. Some, such as the brilliant blue-and-yellow macaws that can be heard loudly squawking on early mornings, are less harmful to the environment. Others, such as the green iguanas that roam around campus Blue-and-yellow macaw / Ara ararauna and other parts of Miami, can pose a greater threat to native species and their habitats. Research conducted by UM scientists and other ecologists have shown that the conservation of many animals and plants ties directly to the health of ecosystems here in Miami.

Moving forward, the species on campus should serve as an important reminder that maintaining biodiversity and protecting human well-being truly go hand in hand.

Blue jay / Cyanocitta cristata

Green iguana / Iguana iguana

Great egret / Ardea alba

Green heron / Butorides virescens

5 5

THE LIFE OF MICROPLASTICS Small plastic pieces less than 5mm long

by Anam Ahmed

Where do microplastics come from?

28%

How can you help?

Car Tires • • •

24%

35%

City Dust

Synthetic Fabrics

•

7%

Road Markings

0.3%

Plastic Pellets

6 6

2%

Personal Care Products

3.7%

Marine Coatings

Reduce single-use plastics Choose reusable alternatives Purchase and wash synthetic fabrics less Repurpose existing fabric

However, the overall responsibility of plastic pollution does not fall on individuals. We must put pressure on corporations to reduce their plastic consumption and on the government to develop policies targeting the plastic crisis.

Where do microplastics end up?

64% of fabric is made from plastic, such as polyester or nylon

1,500,000 pieces of plastic are released every time 1kg of fabric is washed

40% of microplastic from fabric enters rivers, lakes, and oceans

Where have microplastics been found?

Drinking Water

Mt. Everest’s Summit

Fish and Seafood

Human Placenta

7 7

OCEAN

SUBMER

by Megan Buras

fins

Length: 9.7 feet Width: 7.2 feet (fins extended) Height: 5.8 feet

SENTRY The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Sentry is an autonomous underwater vehicle that has been in operation since 2010. This vehicle can carry a variety of scientific instruments and is capable of generating high resolution three dimensional maps of the sea floor. The Sentry can reach a depth of 6,000 meters and travel at a maximum speed of 2.3 knots or around 2.6 miles per hour.

8

robotic arms

exploration

exploration

SIBLES ALVIN Length: 23.1 feet Width: 8.4 feet Height: 12.1 feet

Alvin is a human occupied vehicle that has been operating since 1964. This vehicle allows two scientists to collect data directly on dives that can last up to 10 hours. Alvin has two robotic arms that allow for sample collection and the manipulation of various instruments.

It can dive to a maximum depth of 4,500 meters and can travel at a maximum speed of 2 knots or around 2.3 miles per hour.

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The Invisible a Photo Essay by Meera Patel

afFlicted with a mental health disorder, I am not defIned by it.

I am

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“I am going through my days walking on eggshells, always scared that one wrong move or step might trigger my anxiety anxiety...” ...”

“My anxiety makes me feel like the world is shrinking around me, like I’m trapped in my personal bubble with constant headaches and sadness from overthinking every detail...”

“My depression makes me feel like glass, so fragile that at any moment I might shatter into a million pieces...”

T

hose who shared their feelings shared their invisible afflictions to raise awareness. The lack of discussion around one of the largest public health issues discredits those who do suffer from mental health issues. The stigma of mental health ignites fear and people are less likely to share their stories. This will be one of many steps to combat the stigma and open much-needed conversations among individuals who may feel the same.

Those who are not afflicted with a mental health disorder do not understand the challenges faced by those who do. We have to rely on the best efforts of empathy from those around us, yet there are people who are scared to hear the worst of our imagination. Hopefully, through the exploration of different individuals’ sensations during episodes, this fright can be eradicated and open-mindedness can prevail.

o “ W hc sh hen I hic nd ak get a ks , w e s , I h panic attac reath, ave shor ess of b tn

u m ld be y m ou ody ind t of nowhere, my b ...” e runs t at a mile a minu

11

Free will is the idea that we can make decisions

Readiness potential RP (uV)

without outside forces interfering, only our own judgement. It has been a point of philosophical discussion for centuries, but the recent focus on neuroscience has introduced a new perspective. How many of our brain’s processes are known to us, and how does this affect agency?

10

.

Onset of RP

Your

Free

o

Movement onset

Time of awareness of urge to move (W)

5

-0.5

-0.25 Time (secs)

0

0.25

Libet et al. (1983) In a famous experiments exploring this concept, participants were asked to raise their finger at a certain time while connected to an EEG. Measuring their brain waves found that the resting potential rose well before the participant expressed being aware of wanting to move, suggesting that the decision was made subconsciously and therefore without free will.

by Varsha 12 12

Bear and Bloom (2016)

Brain

n

Will

In a more recent study with a different approach, participants were asked to choose one of five white circles before one flashed red and then say which color they had chosen. When they had little time, participants were more likely to say they had chosen the red circle even though it was random, suggesting that their subconscious made them believe they made this decision based on the aftermath.

.70

Circle matching middle color chosen Model Chance

Probability

.65 .60 .55 .50 .45 .40

200

400

600

800

1000

Appearance of Middle Circle (ms)

Both of these experiments define free will as being the conscious awareness of an action. While most neuroscientists would agree that we do not have as much agency as we believe, free will should still be considered when regarding more complex decisions than lifting a finger or picking a circle. The concept of “free won’t,” the ability to veto any action, is a better description of the extent of our agency.

Udayakumar 13 13

the

Debut

Telehealth, also referred to as telemedicine, is the use of electronic devices and softwares to implement health care practices long-distance and facilitate communication between physicians and patients.

Advantages of telehealth include: Being able to reach rural health needs, monitor patients remotely, reduce costs in treatments, reduce wait times, see more patients, and have access to many specialists regardless of location.

14

14

of

Telehealth

by Varsha Udayakumar Disadvantages of telehealth include: Security concerns over patient data being sent electronically and the inability to adapt certain procedures remotely, such as imaging and complicated diagnoses.

UM’s Daily Symptom Checker is an example of a telehealth practice used to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Though telehealth services have been available for many years, their use increased tremendously in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Meeting with patients online promoted social distancing, increased the amount of precious space needed in hospitals, and also reduced the need for PPE among medical professionals.

Even after the world returns to normal, telehealth’s many advantages will allow it to persist as a means to conduct health care far and wide.

15 15

EAT YOUR A

Essential for:

Found in:

vision, immune system

B1

Essential for:

1 cup raw red pepper

Found in:

B2

Found in:

B3

Found in:

energy, blood circulation

B5

Essential for:

B6

brain function

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1 Serving =

3oz tuna

Found in:

making red blood cells

Essential for:

1 Serving =

1 oz almonds

energy, cell growth Essential for:

1 Serving =

1/2 cup black beans + 1/2 cup white rice

energy, cell growth

Essential for:

1 Serving =

1 Serving =

1 cup Shiitake mushrooms

Found in:

1 Serving =

3oz tuna

VITAMINS B9

Essential for:

Found in:

energy, cell growth

B12 C

Essential for:

Found in:

D

Found in:

E

Found in:

K

blood clotting, bones

1 Serving =

3oz salmon

Found in:

immune system

Essential for:

1 Serving =

1 orange

bones, calcium absorption

Essential for:

1 Serving =

3oz salmon + 1 cup milk

immune system, healing

Essential for:

1 Serving =

1 cup edamame

nerve and blood cell health Essential for:

by Anam Ahmed

1 Serving =

2oz almonds

Found in:

1 Serving =

7 asparagus spears

17

THE

S W I T C H

udden Change ho is Affected?

COVID-19 took the world by surprise.

Small businesses, like The Salty, and Miami’s Best Pizza.

ncorporate New Guidelines ransition Safely

Small things like plexiglass and closing indoor dining.

Say goodbye to reusable menus.

Say hello to QR codes.

ommunity United

opeful for Prosperity

Supporting local businesses is a community effort.

Perseverance during these difficult times is essential; it means we have hope for a prosperous future.

by Meera Patel

BREAKING

COVID HITS CORAL GABLES

NEWS

19