*new* 21Nov14 Brain-Computer interaction (neural code) research
http://www.the-scientist.com//?articles.view/articleNo/41367/title/Mind--Powered/
A short video explaining some current research & applications.
Sentinels in the Sewers - NYTimes.com
This article describes a new area of basic research -- trying to map out the genome of our cities by sampling our sewage. So gross yet so cool!
http://mobile.nytimes.com/blogs/well/2014/11/10/what-our-sewage-can-teach-us/?nlid=25414714&src=recpb&referrer=
Q: What is basic science research? What is its role in the development of technology, treatments, other improvements for our lives? Should there be limits on basic science? Are those limits due to ethics? Should there be limits on what companies, in contrast to government or the academy, can research? GMOs? Chemical/biological research that might be turned into weapons?
what is the role in the development of technology, treatments, other improvements for our lives?
ReplyDeletewith new research such as researching sewage it makes you think that anything is really possible. the more advanced technology becomes the more breakthroughs that are going to develop in healthcare and disease outbreaks. The more things that we are able to do research on the more things we will be able to solve. Answers to questions are out there we just have to figure out where to find them. It is unimaginable to predict how the advancements in technology in science may shape out. By seeing just how far things have grew in the last fifty years who know what be possible fifty years from now.
Patrick, you have a great point. Imagine all the new discoveries that can be made through new inventions of technology. There are so many things that are seen as unobservable or immeasurable, but maybe this could be different as technology changes, maybe we are just lacking the correct tools.
DeletePat makes a few great points in his response. I like when he says that answers to the questions are out there, we just have to figure out where to find them. When you think about how far we have come as a universe it is truly amazing. Technology, treatments, and other improvements are constantly getting better day in and day out. Who knows what kind of technology we will have 100 years from now. It is scary to think about but yet amazing at the same time.
DeleteBasic science research is just trying to figure out a way to find answers about something you may be interested in. In this article, for example, Dr. Carlton wants to know more about harmful viruses and bacteria and looks to find this out by examining the sewage in New York, which is disgusting. I think basic science should be limited by what is ethical even though that's unlikely to happen because already, weapons have been made with the use of science and extensive research so it's almost like it's too late. As long as the research is helping humanity as a whole, though, I don't think it should be limited.
ReplyDeleteExamining sewage really is pretty disgusting. But Carlton going to such extreme illustrates that basic science research lets us cover anything we want, really. I know I just said and believe that we should research more about what we want, but I also agree that it has to be limited via some manner (whether religious, ethical, [etc]). I think you would agree with me that a rule of thumb for all scientists is that all research should be helping humanity.
DeleteCORRECTION to last sentence--RATHER:
DeleteI think I would agree with you [that research should help humanity].
the role in the development of technology, treatments, and other improvements for our lives is that it makes our lives even easier than they already are. Right now we already live a very pampered live style, where we can have everything we want at the snap of a finger. However, it is making it easier for us to purify drinking water, and also make enough food for everyone. All of this wouldn't have been achievable without the use of technology
ReplyDeleteBasic scientific research is defined as fundamental theoretical or experimental investigative research to advance knowledge without a specific image or immediately practical application. It is the quest for new knowledge and the exploration of the unknown. As such, basic science is sometimes naively perceived as an unnecessary luxury that can simply be replaced by applied research to more directly address immediate needs.
ReplyDeleteTo me, basic scientific research would be the building block of all other research. This is where you learn the fundamental processes of testing, observing, and analyzing. Science has done wonderful things to our lives but it can be used in inappropriate ways. it would be hard to put limitations on research though. Where would the line be drawn exactly. Although i disagree with GMOs it is still important to research them because then you could possible create an antidote in any situation if they were used against us.
ReplyDeleteAccording to an International Council for Science (ICSU) position statement and Tyler's earlier post, basic scientific research is defined as "fundamental theoretical or experimental investigative research to advance knowledge without a specifically envisaged or immediately practical application." In other words, basic scientific research involves conducting experiments for the sole purpose of expanding knowledge. Because of that sole purpose, most research of the type that is being discussed will not yield into something immediately useful.
ReplyDeleteThe NY Times article covering the creating of a microbiome is one example. Carlton and her graduate students are concluding data on sewage samples taken from the New York City area to do so. All was conducted not in response to anything, but out of sheer curiosity. If Carlton and her group were to conduct their experiments with an actual plan in response to something, it would not be considered basic scientific research.
Its role on technology and other developments is to encourage more research, with or without a specified purpose. With more research comes more discovery that might be useful.
http://www.icsu.org/publications/icsu-position-statements/value-scientific-research