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제 23 호 Beyond the Strike Zone: ​Pros and Cons of ABS in Baseball

Kicker: Science Beyond the Strike Zone: Pros and Cons of ABS in Baseball by Sumin Lee , Cub-Reporter minnida_@naver.com Often referred to as ABS (Automatic Ball-Strike System) is a pitch tracking system that automatically judges strikes and balls by using cameras or radars and artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithm technology to deliver them to the referee. It is also used as a test format in Major League Baseball, but the KBO(Korea Baseball League) officially adopts the technology and actively uses it for the operation of the game. Prior to the introduction of the ABS system, strikes and balls were judged only by the referee and even if the ball reached the same position, the decision was different every time. Only a specific baseball batter was scapegoated or in some cases, a certain club suffered losses due to the referee's unfair judgment. With these problems continuing and technology continuing to develop, ABS technology has emerged, but despite the fact that it is a sophisticated system, it is not always possible to make perfect judgments. Therefore there are many complaints from players and various opinions from baseball fans about the introduction of the technology in the 2024 Korean Baseball League. How about your opinion? We need to think about technology that is also affecting sports. What Is the Strike Zone And ABS? Before we think about this, we need to understand some of baseball's rules. The strike zone which is most problematic in the ABS system right now is a hypothetical three-dimensional space, not a plane above the home plate in front of the batter and pitcher. In fact, strike zones did not appear long ago. Strike zones did not exist in baseball games until the mid-1800s, and pitchers continued pitching until the batter hit the ball. Under these circumstances, a rule called strikeout was introduced by Alexander Cartwright, the founder of modern baseball, but only if the batter swung and missed, and the game time was raised to be indefinitely extended. As a result, the emergence of a similar method to the present was introduced in 1887. Since humans have judged with their eyes how the ball passed through this zone for a long time in the past, the strike zones determined by the referee and by the game situation became different, leading to frequent objections to the decision. 2024 New Rules of Korean Professional Baseball League https://www.koreabaseball.com/Kbo/League/GameManage2024.aspx In the context of constantly experiencing these problems, the first element of integrated technology emerged in baseball when technology developed and began to affect sports. It was the ABS, automatic ball-strike system. Looking at the principles of the automatic pitching judgment system, the laser technology of cameras on the first baseman, third baseman and central electronic display panels is used to calculate coordinate values in the pitching tracking program to determine strikes and balls. Also, judgements are wirelessly communicated to referees through radios and earphones through other audio lines on the field. In this process, an automated system consisting of AI and machine learning algorithms, which are constantly rising, is actively used to determine the outcome of baseball games. This technology sets the middle and end surfaces of the strike zone, which are three-dimensional spaces on the home plate, and determines a strike if both sides of the ball pass, and determines a ball if only one side passes. Of course, these techniques were not perfect from the beginning, but the automatic pitching judgment system introduced in Korea after trial and error, such as long judgment time, large-fall breaking balls, and one-bound ball errors, recorded a 99.9% success rate in the demonstration game and reduced the time it took to make a decision, which greatly affected the running time of baseball games. Method Of Robot Judgement Technology https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200804114600007 The Rising Problem of the ABS Referees are talking about the result of ABS https://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2024/nw1400/article/6589423_36493.html Just as all technologies that help the world have two sides, the automatic pitching judgment system could not avoid it. Of course, it is true that it is a great help in the management of the game, but the problem raised in the 2024 Korea Baseball regular season games is that the strike zone height ratio is adjusted according to the player's height, resulting in the batter being adversely affected depending on the batting form. The automatic pitching judgment system operates a strike zone by setting the player's height ratio and setting the top/bottom of the zone.According to the KBO operating standards in 2024, the top end is 56.35% of the height from the ground, and the bottom end is 27.64%. Second, the competitiveness of international competitions could deteriorate. As South Korea is the only country in the world that officially uses ABS among baseball leagues, organizers of world games can reduce the frequency of appointing Korean referees as chief referees, and the catcher's framing technology, which is a technology that tricks referees by making them look like strikes by technically catching balls slightly out of the strike zone with his glove, does not affect in front of computers, so catcher's skills are not specifically required. However, in countries other than South Korea, which is the only country that uses ABS, it can negatively affect the improvement of Korean catchers' capabilities in a situation where the catcher's ability is constantly being considered important. It also raises the issue of ease of manipulation. As it uses electronic communication technology, the system can be hacked the system or buy managers, making it easy to manipulate. If the technology is abused in this way, the automatic pitching judgement system could lose credibility. When these technologies, which were introduced after predicting various situations, were used in practice, problems that were unexpected emerged. In a South Korean professional baseball game that took place on July 24, the referee declared a strike after making his own judgment that the machine failed to track the ball, claiming that the judgment was not heard by earphones. However, there is also an ABS tablet in the dugout that allows users to see the ABS decision in real time, and although the opposing team protested, claiming it was a ball, it is an unfortunate case that cannot be corrected. What do you think about the advancement of technology that has greatly affected sports? Although our lives have changed in a good way due to the development of various technologies, we sometimes lose our jobs, have our privacy violated, and lose our feelings and thoughts that can only be gained without technology. The automatic pitching judgement system introduced for a good purpose in Korean professional baseball is highly praised, but we need to rethink and think about the role of technology rather than being eaten up by technology based only on the idea that it is convenient. Sources: https://v.daum.net/v/q9Q8iG8CmM https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=1230260&cid=40942&categoryId=32050 https://www.chosun.com/sports/baseball/2024/03/14/RKJ7OHTAJBTYYCWKOOHRSW4JAU/ https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20200804114600007 http://www.thesportstimes.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=353008 https://www-dbpia-co-kr.libproxy.smu.ac.kr/pdf/pdfView.do?nodeId=NODE11841202

• 작성일 2024-09-11
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제 23 호 Hedonic Eating

Kicker: SCIENCE Hedonic Eating By Ji-Won Choi, Cub Reporter support0321@naver.com https://mbdrive.gettyimageskorea.com/ Have you ever eaten not because you arehungry, but because you want to eat something? In modern society, people are experiencing not only physical hunger, but also another form of desire called hedonic hunger. Eating food is not only about hunger, but eating food can also be to satisfy our hedonistic desires. Our bodies use energy through meals in order to function. To do this, hormones in the stomach send a signal to the brain that the stomach is empty when it burns more calories than it gets. This is called physical hunger. However, unlike this, when you do not feel hungry, but you have a desire to consume food for the purpose of pleasure, it is called hedonic hunger. Through this article, I would like to learn about the causes of hedonic hunger and the effects of this hunger on our lives and health. An Appetite by Hedonistic Impulses Unlike hunger for our body's homeostasis, the characteristics of stone water seeking pleasure and avoiding pain also affect appetite. From a long time ago, only animals seeking survival and reproduction were able to leave offspring. Since sufficient energy is essential for all animals to survive and reproduce, it is assumed that animals that feel pleasure and strongly reward high-concentration energy foods, such as sugar and fat, are advantageous for survival and reproduction. Rather, our instinct to seek pleasure and avoid pain, which may seem primitive, are characteristics that were inevitably developed in the course of human evolution. However, in modern society, the pleasure and desire of high-concentration energy foods, which were tools to induce individuals to consume food, make them eat for pleasure even if they are not hungry. Some studies of animals and people have found that the brain's reward centers and pleasure centers, which are stimulated by addictive drugs, are stimulated equally by delicious foods high in sugar, fat, and salt.Hunger and appetite are commonly felt together, but they often work independently of each other and affect individual eating behavior. For example, if you see a dessert that looks delicious after eating enough, you will feel an appetite even if you are not hungry. Increased Stress and Appetite your body's reaction when stressed out https://news.koreadaily.com/2019/07/05/society/opinion/7397317.html In addition, psychological stress has increased in modern society compared to the past. These stresses may increase appetite. When stress occurs, it produces stress hormones such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. Usually, these hormones return to normal when stress is released, but when stress is chronically maintained, it becomes overstressed and cortisol is excessively produced. Cortisol combines with the cortisol receptor in adipose tissue to store fat in the adipose tissue. Stress can reduce appetite for a short period of time. When stressed, sympathetic hormones, such as epinephrine are activated, which can lead to loss of appetite. However, chronic stress increases cortisol, and cortisol dulls the hormone action called leptin. Leptin is a hormone that lowers appetite and increases energy consumption. Therefore, it consequently increases appetite. Addiction and Changes in Our Bodies As with other hedonic experiences, such as drugs, alcohol, and gambling, the more you consume hedonistic food, the more dull your senses become. In other words, the degree of pleasure decreases and the degree of longing increases. Through this process, a vicious cycle of binge eating, being stressed after starving, and binge eating again occurs. When this hedonistic eating addiction begins, weight homeostasis changes. It becomes a stable obese state that forms a new homeostasis balance in the direction of gaining weight from normal weight. The Danger of Obesity As such, eating foods high in calories as a hedonistic motive increases the likelihood of obesity. As the World Health Organization defined obesity as a “disease requiring long-term treatment” in 1996, obesity is not simply negligible. Obese people have more than twice as much mortality as normal weight people. It is mainly caused by cardiovascular disease. In addition, obesity can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and arthritis. It also increases the risk of various cancers such as colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer. Therefore, what are some ways to prevent thishedonic eating? First, when you have a desire to eat food, you should think about whether it is physical orhedonic eating. Hedonic eating makes your stomach growl. Also, your energy decreases and your hunger gets worse as time goes by. Normally, when you are full after eating, you stop eating. On the other hand, with hedonic eating, you suddenly feelshunger. There is also a desire to eat certain foods, such as “I want to eat ice cream”. It persists after you are full, and you may feel guilty after eating. Second, eat nutritious and low-calorie foods instead of processed or sweet foods that may lead to overeating. Use natural sweeteners instead of sugar. It is recommended to cook at home as much as possible, and eat three meals regularly. Avoid caffeine drinks and drink enough water. Third, try to understand your current emotions. Since pleasure hunger occurs according to our emotional state, it is good to understand exactly what kind of emotions you are feeling. And rather than relieving these emotions by eating food, they express them in a healthy way. It is recommended to try various methods such as exercising, meditating, and listening to music. Fourth, wait for a moment. When you feel the urge to eat for a moment, it's better to eat after a while rather than eat right away. This is because hedonic eating can be reduced. Drinking water is a good method to delay time. Additionally, limiting accessibility can be beneficial. Avoid keeping snacks at home. Even if you crave them, you become lazy to go outside and don't eat. Finally, don't drink alcohol. Alcohol can reduce our self-control and cause binge eating. Also, alcohol has an effect on our body's blood sugar control. Alcohol can raise blood sugar quickly and stimulate the secretion of insulin. This makes you want to eat again because your blood sugar levels drop sharply. Sources: https://www.bbc.com/korean/articles/c4n145x3g12o http://www.mind-journal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=67 조우진, 이인혜. (2019). 쾌락적허기짐, 충동성이폭식행동에미치는영향: 충동성의조절효과를중심으로. 한국심리학회지: 임상심리연구와실제, 5(4), 377-394. https://www.sisajournal.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=217720

• 작성일 2024-09-09
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제 22 호 Everything about Appetite Suppressants

Kicker: Science Everything about Appetite Suppressants By Yu-Na Seo, Cub-reporter seoyuna100@naver.com Is your life healthy? Summer is coming, so how about your body? These days, Kim Kardashian took Wegovy and had a weight loss of 7kg. Everyone wants apretty and healthy body. So, anorectic agents are growing in popularity. This article will help you to know everything about anorectic agents. Background of appetite suppressant development,how it functions in our body, side effects, how to take it, etc… Background of Appetite Suppressants’ Development Appetite suppressants are pharmaceuticals developed to address the serious health issues related to obesity that have emerged in modern society. In industrialized nations, the prevalence of obesity is increasing due to factors such as changes in food consumption and lifestyle. Consequently, there is a growing awareness of the need to address this issue. Against this backdrop, appetite suppressants have been primarily developed to address health issues related to obesity management. However, the reality is somewhat complex. Concerns have been raised that these medications may not only target obese individuals but also be exploited by the already slim and affluent segments of society seeking further weight reduction. The Correlation between Health Inequality and Appetite Suppressants The interaction between health inequality and appetite suppressants is a significant social health issue. Health inequality refers to the phenomenon where socially and economically vulnerable groups experience constraints in the accessibility and usability of health services. This also affects appetite suppressants, such as obesity management medications. These medications often come with high costs and economic burdens, making it difficult for economically vulnerable individuals and groups to access them. Cultural factors play a crucial role in the interaction between health inequality and appetite suppressants. Individuals with specific cultural or social backgrounds may have different attitudes and behavioral patterns toward obesity, which can influence the use of obesity management medications. Cultural discrimination and biases can hinder certain groups from accessing health services and information. Information and education are essential for the use of health services and effective medication. Lack of health information can impede understanding of proper medication use and health management, exacerbating health inequality. Therefore, a focus on improving accessibility and increasing understanding of information is crucial for inclusive and effective health service supply. Side Effects of Appetite Suppressants Appetite suppressants can cause different reactions in our bodies. Some common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, constipation, feeling confused, and having trouble sleeping. These symptoms usually happen at the beginning and get better as your body gets used to the medication. However, there are more serious side effects to watch out for. Some people may have dangerous effects on their heart and blood pressure. This happens because appetite suppressants change how certain chemicals work in our bodies. Using appetite suppressants for a long time might also make them less effective or cause more side effects over time. Hormones Involved in Appetite Suppression The hormone that makes blood sugar levels low is insulin.GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) is an intestinal hormone secreted in the small intestine, and it plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. It contains aningredient that increases the amount of insulin secreted so that our body can secrete well insulin. Some appetite suppressants activate GLP-1 receptors to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar levels. These appetite suppressants mimic the action of GLP-1 receptors to stabilize blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Our bodies have special chemicals called hormones that control things like hunger and blood sugar. One important hormone is insulin, which helps lower our blood sugar levels. Another hormone called GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) comes from our intestines and helps keep our blood sugar levels stable. GLP-1 does something special – it tells our body to make more insulin, which helps control our blood sugar better. Some appetite suppressants work by activating parts of our body called GLP-1 receptors. This helps reduce our appetite and keeps our blood sugar levels in check. So, these medications work kind of like GLP-1 does, helping us feel less hungry and maybe even lose weight. How to Take Appetite Suppressants The amount of medicine you need might be different depending on you and the kind of appetite suppressant you're using. So, it's really important to follow the exact instructions your doctor gives you. When you're taking appetite suppressants, it's super important to only use them the way your doctor says. Don't give them to anyone else or use them for anything else. If you have any weird feelings or reactions while taking them, make sure to talk to a doctor right away. Some appetite suppressants, like Vygobin, are given as shots at specific times. These shots should only be given by a doctor or nurse in a hospital. Don't try to give yourself the shot – let a doctor do it for you. Usually, you'll take the shot before meals, and you'll need to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. And if you have any problems or weird feelings after taking Vygobin, be sure to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Appetite suppressants are important medications that assist in managing obesity, but their use requires caution. It's crucial to consider health disparities and cultural factors that may influence medication usage. Therefore, when using such medications, strict adherence to medical instructions is necessary, and immediate consultation with healthcare professionals is advised if there are any side effects or adverse reactions. We encourage you to understand well about the background of appetite suppressants' development, their side effects, hormonal influences, administration methods, and more. We support your journey towards making a more healthy life. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bthGb6Xyr8c&t=23s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0u-KtdY2tQ

• 작성일 2024-06-10
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제 21 호 Reactive Oxygen Species

Kicker: SCIENCE Reactive Oxygen Species Are 90% of human diseases caused by reactive oxygen species? By Myung-Gwan Kang Kmmg199999@naver.com Reactive oxygen is oxygen, but this may be a word you’ve never heard before. When you hear the name, reactive oxygen may seem like very good oxygen, but it is scary oxygen. One surprising fact about reactive oxygen was announced at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States in 1991. That is, 90% of the 36,000 diseases that humans suffer from on Earth are caused by reactive oxygen species. What is a reactive oxygen species? What is this scary reactive oxygen species that is the source of all diseases? When a person breathes, oxygen brought in through the lungs travels through the arteries and throughout the body. Inside cells are mitochondria, which are called the power plants of the cell. Here, energy is created using oxygen that enters the body. When energy is generated, water and carbon dioxide are created, and the waste oxygen created at this time is reactive oxygen species. Reactive oxygen is created during various metabolic processes when oxygen that enters the body during breathing is used in the oxidation process. Reactive oxygen is a harmful oxygen with strong oxidizing power that attacks biological tissues and damages cells. Additionally, oxygen is overproduced due to environmental pollution, chemicals, ultraviolet rays, blood circulation disorders, stress, etc. The overproduced reactive oxygen causes oxidation in the human body. Furthermore, all cellular structures, including cell membranes and DNA, are damaged, and depending on the extent of the damage, cell function may deteriorate Free radicals are molecules containing highly chemically reactive oxygen atoms. Superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxy radicals are representative reactive oxygen species molecules and are formed through a partial reduction reaction of oxygen. Additionally, highly reactive singlet oxygen may be generated by photostimulation. Most reactive oxygen molecules have the characteristic of having unpaired electrons. Effects of Reactive Oxygen Reactive oxygen has both positive and negative effects on cells. This does not mean that reactive oxygen is 100% bad for your health. That's only one side of the story about reactive oxygen. Reactive oxygen must be generated in appropriate amounts to strengthen the body's immunity and help cell growth. Reactive oxygen is essential because if low levels of reactive oxygen are generated, cells cannot grow properly and cannot remove harmful foreign substances such as pathogens or nicotine. An appropriate amount of reactive oxygen is essential for maintaining health. Why is reactive oxygen bad for the human body? The reason is excessive reactive oxygen. A moderate amount of reactive oxygen attacks bad cells, but when it increases, it attacks even normal cells. It must attack foreign substances such as germs, mold, and bacteria, but excessive reactive oxygen attacks legitimate cells. The increase in reactive oxygen occurs for many reasons, including incorrect diet, stress, drinking, smoking, drugs, ultraviolet rays, radiation, disease, and aging. Reactive oxygen attacks our body's cells about 100,000 times every day. So how does reactive oxygen cause aging? Reactive oxygen is also called free radicals, literally meaning oxygen that is active. Normally, oxygen molecules must have a pair of electrons to form a stable bond, but if they lose one electron due to various stress reasons, they become very unstable. Unstable free radicals begin to attack other opponents in order to regain lost electrons and achieve a stable state. This is the oxidation process. The process by which fresh apples gradually become shriveled and eventually rot and disappear is also a process in which cells are destroyed by oxidative stress. Overproduced free radicals oxidize the complex protein that carries cholesterol in the blood, narrowing the diameter inside the blood vessels. When this happens, the blood supply is reduced, causing angina or high blood pressure, and the blood vessel walls are weakened, causing cerebral hemorrhage or heart attack. Excessively produced reactive oxygen attacks DNA, mutating genes and causing cancer. However, our body has antioxidant power to stabilize free radicals, so we can stabilize them to some extent. Prevention Method The first way to prevent excessive production of free radicals is to quit smoking. When harmful substances contained in cigarettes enter the lungs, the body tries to defend itself by creating reactive oxygen. Second. Applying sunscreen. Ultraviolet rays are invisible to the eye, but exposure to large amounts of ultraviolet rays increases free radicals in our bodies. Third, don't be stressed. When you are stressed, the blood vessels in your body contract and the amount of free radicals increases in the process of controlling blood flow. Fourth is abstinence from alcohol. When you drink alcohol, your liver detoxifies and creates free radicals. Fifth, eat less. When we eat food, free radicals are generated in the process of decomposing the food. Overeating is not good because our body detoxifies nutrients that are not suitable for our body and creates free radicals. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, etc. are good. Also, take vitamins A, C, and E to reduce free radicals. Foods rich in vitamins include tomatoes, spinach, garlic, and blueberries. However, it is difficult to eat them all, so among seasonal fruits, dark yellow (tangerine), blue (grape), and red (apple) fruits provide the best antioxidants. In conclusion, the air we breathe may seem harmless on the outside, but it has scary effects. That is, 90% of human diseases are caused by reactive oxygen species. The reactive oxygen produced when oxygen is inhaled has strong oxidizing power, so special care must be taken to prevent excessive reactive oxygen from being generated. To do this, you need to avoid stress and take vitamins consistently. In this way, oxygen is essential for living in the world, but it also makes life difficult. If everyone takes advantage of both the benefits of oxygen and active oxygen through proper exercise and diet, they will be able to live a healthier life. Sources: https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=5733568&cid=60266&categoryId=60266 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUPPE_e98wg https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=3408923&cid=60335&categoryId=60335 https://blog.naver.com/gkstjdwn1010/222688952828 https://www.istockphoto.com/kr/%EC%82%AC%EC%A7%84/%EA%B5%AC%EB%A6%84%EA%B3%BC-%ED%91%B8%EB%A5%B8-%ED%95%98%EB%8A%98-%EC%A3%BC%EC%9C%84%EC%97%90-%EB%96%A0%EC%9E%88%EB%8A%94-%EC%82%B0%EC%86%8C-%EA%B8%B0%ED%98%B8%EC%99%80-%EC%82%B0%EC%86%8C%EB%8A%94-%EA%B3%B5%EA%B8%B0%EC%97%90-%EB%96%A0%EC%9E%88%EB%8B%A4-gm1209045879-349712794?utm_source=pixabay&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=SRP_image_sponsored&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fpixabay.com%2Fko%2Fimages%2Fsearch%2F%25EC%2582%25B0%25EC%2586%258C%2F&utm_term=%EC%82%B0%EC%86%8C

• 작성일 2024-02-23
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제 21 호 How to Fight a Virus That Is Getting​ Stronger

Kicker: SCIENCE How to Fight a Virus That Is Getting Stronger By Su-Young Kim, Reporter /kimsuyoung1342@gmail.com Numerous infectious diseases such as SARS, MERS, and COVID-19 are threatening the health and lives of the people, and new viruses are still emerging.A disease of fear that threatens the health and lives of the people. SARS, which occurred in November 2002, killed 774 people in 37 countries, MERS in April 2015 killed 2,400 people, 830 people, and COVID-19 in China in 2019 killed 6,956,000 people worldwide. Also, even at this moment, infectious diseases are quietly spreading everywhere. a viral infection in which God is unpredictable. What are the causes and prevention of the outbreak? Types of Infectious Disease Historically, infectious diseases have been affected by various infectious diseases to the extent that they are said to have been with humans. Malaria and tuberculosis continue to be one of the most common infectious diseases. Malaria is also present in Korea, but it is not fatal. When you go to tropical areas, you have deadly malaria, so you must be careful not to get bitten by mosquitoes. After the Industrial Revolution, tuberculosis spread more through group life such as factories, and even now, college students with tuberculosis bacteria are not allowed to live together in dormitories. Hansen's disease, which was prevalent in the 13th century, is a disease in which fingers and toes fall off. The plague was a deadly disease that is often said to have destroyed the Middle Ages, and by the end of World War I, more people were killed by the flu than by the combat of World War I. Fortunately, the disease, formerly known as papilla or smallpox, has not been reported since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it to have disappeared from Earth between 1979 and 1980. Most of the infectious diseases of the past have been resolved today, so you don't have to worry too much, but the new infectious diseases are a problem these days. picture1https://www.verywellhealth.com/infection-5096014 The Cause of an Infectious Disease Why do infectious diseases occur? To cause an infectious disease, you first need a pathogen. It refers to a microorganism that causes disease. You must have this pathogen to cause disease, and this pathogen must be living in groups somewhere. This is called a hospital or a hospital. The pathogen must come out of this hospital and spread to humans. When a person breathes, the virus entering the nose refers to transmission, and it must be transmitted and enter the human body and then enter the human cells. This is the process of invading the host. If a pathogen invading the host is destroyed by human immune function, it cannot cause disease. Therefore, it is said that when immune function is weak, it causes disease, and the host's sensitivity is strong. Infectious diseases are caused by six factors, and there are many different pathogens that cause infectious diseases. Pathogen viruses have recently been spreading more strongly and faster than before as a new virus. SARS, a severe acute respiratory syndrome spread to the respiratory system, was a respiratory disease that occurred in China, including the swine flu that killed 280,000 people in 2009 and the Ebola virus, which has a fatality rate of nearly 90%. What the deadly 21st century nephrotic viral infections have in common is that more than 70% were infected through animals. Viruses that have caused genetic mutations through animals are highly viable and difficult to make therapeutic vaccines, which are developing into stronger human-infected viruses. SARS originated in Chinese bats and spread through civets, swine flu spread through Mexican pigs and avian influenza through wild birds, and the Ebola virus spread to humans through fruit bats. Characteristics of Viruses Viruses are often in the middle of living and inanimate objects in middle and high school life sciences. The reason why we use this expression is that viruses cannot multiply on their own. No matter how harmful pathogen bacteria or viruses are to our bodies, if the number does not increase, we have little damage. After entering our body, the number increases significantly and must be capable of exceeding our body's immune function to damage our body. In the case of a virus, it must enter a person's host cell, increase the number, kill the host cell, and exit. Through this process, the number of viruses increases, and our bodies also have immune functions to fight against them. However, if it takes a long time to have an immune function, the disease occurs first. 8 Ways to Improve Your Immunity I mentioned above to beat the virus, the role of immunity is very important. Therefore, it will tell you 8 ways to boost your immunity. First, eating a diet full of nutrients is important. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is key to help defend our bodies against sickness. Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants that help to stimulate and activate the T-cells which help to activate immune cells to fight infection. Vegetables are also filled with essential vitamins and minerals. Secondly, get plenty of quality sleep. Like nutrient-rich food, quality sleep (6-7 hours) helps keep the T-cells active. Third, stay hydrated. Water is necessary for carrying oxygen to organs, cells, and tissues. Water also helps to remove toxins from the body and prevent toxin build-up. Fourth, limit sugar consumption. Sugar affects the cells in your immune system, including our white blood cells which are responsible for attacking bad bacteria in our bodies. Five, exercise daily. Exercise activates the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for releasing hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine that activate our immune cells. It’s important to understand that daily exercise does not have to be extreme to reap the benefits. Moderate exercise, such as a 20-minute walk is very effective and not to mention feels great! Six, wash your hands thoroughly. Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to keep germs from spreading. Some viruses can live on surfaces for hours-some even days. Washing your hands throughout the day can help keep the germs from getting inside of your body. Seven, minimize stress. Minimizing stress is going to help keep your immune system running smoothly. Lastly, you have to get natural supplements. There is no one supplement that can cure or prevent any disease. But supplements can help improve immunity. Certain compounds in supplements, especially vitamins, play a big role in your metabolism and maintenance of the body's immune defenses. picture2https://wellhealthcenters.com/improve-immune-system As always has been the case in the past, many infectious diseases will continue to develop and threaten us. That's why we have to try to protect ourselves. Let's recognize the dangers of the severity of infectious disease and try to develop immunity and beat the viruses. Sources:http://m.viva100.com/view.php?key=20200304010001981 https://n.news.naver.com/article/079/0003520059?sid=102 https://n.news.naver.com/article/052/0001561951?sid=102

• 작성일 2024-02-21
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제 20 호 What the Hell Is a Drug?

Kicker: SCIENCE What the Hell Is a Drug? South Korea Is No Longer a Safe from Drugs By Myung-Gwan Kang Kmmg199999@naver.com How much do you know about drugs? Many people associate drugs with illegal substances that are highly addictive and expensive, which is accurate. When asked to name types of drugs, most people might mention the following six: marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, opium, and poppies. While it's true that these drugs are illegal and have a high potential for addiction, the details behind why they are so are often not well understood. Additionally, despite their illegality, discussions about drugs are frequently featured in articles in Korea. https://www.hkn24.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=325698 The Current Drug Situation in Korea There were times when Korea was proudly referred to as a drug-free nation. However, in the 1970s, a notable surge in drug prevalence began. Cannabis gained popularity in the '70s, followed by methamphetamine in the '80s and cocaine in the '90s. Presently, an array of diverse drugs is widely circulated. This phenomenon can be attributed to Korea's development of an entertainment and pleasure-seeking culture, driven by economic growth. Decades of change have brought us to the realization that Korea is no longer effectively a drug-free nation. Furthermore, the escalating drug use and the consequential social issues demand serious attention at the national level. It is now imperative to assess the current situation more accurately and seek appropriate responses. What are drugs? For most people, encountering drugs is only through a movie or drama. So what on earth is this drug? Even in small amounts, the drug has powerful analgesic and anesthetic effects. Additionally, it is a substance that becomes addictive with continued use. There are many different types of drugs, and they can be divided into stimulants, sedatives, and hallucinogens depending on the action of the central nervous system. https://pixabay.com/ko/images/search/%eb%a7%88%ec%95%bd/ Method of drug administration There are many ways to administer drugs to your body. Typically, there are injections and inhalation of drugs through the nose. The typical injection drug is opium. Opium is a drug made by processing the juice of the poppy. And when opium is processed further, it becomes morphine. Morphine is a very strong narcotic. After that, if this strong morphine is further improved and chemically processed, it becomes an incredibly powerful drug. This is heroin. Heroin is so powerful that it gets its name from the word hero and penetrates the brain much faster than morphine. That's why heroin is called the drug of drugs. On the other hand, there is cocaine which is inhaled through the nose. Cocaine is a drug extracted from coca leaves that grow in South America. In the early days of cocaine, it was not a drug because it was used as a tonic. To share an interesting fact, by the 1920s, Coca-Cola contained cocaine, which is why it was given the name Coca-Cola. Why do you inhale drugs through your nose? Many people witness drug administration through audiovisual content such as movies and dramas. But why inhale drugs through the nose instead of using the convenient injection method? Now, let's delve into the reasons and side effects of inhaling drugs through the nose. Drugs that are inhaled through the nose are mostly cocaine types. Cocaine is bipolar, so it dissolves well in water solubility and fat solubility. When inhaled through the nose, it can be absorbed 30 to 60% via the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, moving through the blood vessels to the brain. At this time, the effect lasts up to 60-90 minutes when inhaled through the nose, but if inhaled differently, the duration of the effect is shorter. Hence, the method of inhaling through the nose is often preferred. However, inhaling it through your nose is too dangerous. Cocaine has a potent vasoconstriction effect, making prolonged inhalation hinder blood flow. If this is repeated, damage to the cartilage in the nasal septum accumulates, resulting in a hole. When a hole occurs, it becomes difficult to breathe, the nasal mucosa dries quickly, and the pressure of the nose changes, causing inconvenience in daily life. Additionally, the bones of the nasal septum can be damaged, leading to nasal deformity. Drugs in the war Drugs may be dangerous now, but when they first came out, they were known to be good and have had a significant impact on human history. Opium, for instance, was once so universally embraced that scholars indulged in it regularly, akin to the way coffee is enjoyed today, especially in the 19th century. Another historical application was observed during World War II when the German military used Pervitin, a form of methamphetamine, to facilitate rapid advances. The German military employed a strategy known as "Blitzkrieg" or lightning warfare, which necessitated soldiers to stay awake and alert for extended periods. Notably, during the invasion of Luxembourg, soldiers refrained from sleep for three consecutive days, fueled by the mass administration of Pervitin. However, the initial euphoria surrounding these substances was short-lived, as the detrimental side effects became glaringly apparent. The German military's reliance on Pervitin revealed a dark side, with soldiers experiencing severe consequences ranging from physical and mental health issues to addiction. The mass production of narcotics and its reasons The reason narcotics became prevalent after the 20th century is attributed to the increased demand for labor. In industrialized societies, where people had to work alongside machines, working hours were synchronized with the cycles of the machines. Machines operated from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and people adjusted their work accordingly. Originally, humans used to sleep when the sun set, but to force work out of sync with the natural rhythm, narcotics were employed. The origin of the name Philopon comes from the Greek word "philoponus," combining philo (love) + sophy (wisdom) = philosophy. "Ponus" in Greek means labor. This translates to "loving labor," implying the idea of eating and working. Side effects of drugs Dopamine is the happiness hormone that brings joy to people. However, when one engages in drug use, dopamine is excessively secreted. If you use drugs repeatedly, dopamine is depleted and no more dopamine is released. Without dopamine secretion, one may fall into depression. So, why do people continue to use drugs even when dopamine is depleted? The reason lies in the intense memories stored in the brain's hippocampus, driving the individual to seek drugs again. However, the development of tolerance results in reduced dopamine secretion even with the same amount of drug intake, leading to increased drug consumption. Eventually, the effects diminish, and the person's well-being deteriorates further. Next is a hallucination. Most individuals who use drugs experience the meth bug syndrome, feeling as if bugs are crawling under their skin. This leads to compulsive scratching, resulting in open sores. This naturally makes daily life difficult and emotional control difficult. So far, I have explained various drugs, such as what drugs have been in the past and what side effects they have. Drugs are the fastest way to ruin your life, and drugs will ruin you more than any other situation. Currently, there is a significant amount of news about drugs in Korea. To address these drug-related issues, it appears crucial to recognize the severity of the situation at the national level and take appropriate measures. The people of the Republic of Korea should collaborate to mitigate the harm caused by drugs and strive for a healthier life. Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1i2iilAX9A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjSSnCpLohM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8DsjEwxSe0 https://namu.wiki/w/%EB%A7%88%EC%95%BD https://blog.naver.com/minjune98/222978553292 https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%A7%88%EC%95%BD

• 작성일 2023-11-28
• 좋아요 Like 3

제 19 호 ADHD vs. CDD, Can You Notice the Difference Between These Two?

Kicker: SCIENCE ADHD vs. CDD, Can You Notice the Difference Between These Two? By Da-Hwee Kim, Editor-in-chief elfnme@naver.com We often say "It seems like you have ADHD." to someone who has trouble concentrating or exhibits distracted behavior. But is this really an appropriate expression? Actually not. This is because there is something called CDD that looks similar to ADHD but is distinctly different. It is a concept that we can easily confuse in everyday life, but let's dig into these two concepts that have a clear difference! https://www.sandstonecare.com/blog/adhd/ ADHD Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder. It refers to a state of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, mainly because of a persistent lack of attention. If these symptoms are left untreated, not only can they experience difficulties in various aspects throughout childhood, but in some cases, symptoms remain even in adolescence and adulthood. In fact, in the case of ADHD, when viewed through brain imaging, lower brain activity is observed in areas that control activity and attention compared to normal people, and structural differences in these areas are also found. However, the exact cause of this disease has not been known very accurately until now. However, the disease runs in families and some genes may be involved in the development of the disease, especially since genetic imbalances in catecholamine metabolism seem to play the most important role. CDD Attention deficit disorder was previously called slow cognitive tempo (SCT) when first explored. The main symptoms of CDD include daydreaming, being easily confused, drowsiness, lethargy (easily tired), and staring into space. Often, people with CDD are slow to complete tasks, and are easily exhausted and fatigued. Although there was initially debate about whether CDD is a subtype of ADHD, clinicians have confirmed that CDD is distinct from inattentive ADHD. Even though the two symptoms found in CDD—slow task completion and lack of effort or motivation—are commonly associated with ADHD, they are distinctly different. Distinguish the Difference Between the Two If so, what is the difference between these two seemingly similar things? First of all, CDD is not associated with a specific age or gender. On the other hand, ADHD is mostly found in young children and men. In addition, CDD generally has a later onset than ADHD. Studies of adults with CDD and ADHD have shown that adults with ADHD are younger than adults with CDD. In addition, people with CDD have difficulty understanding social cues, resulting in social withdrawal. Because CDD has more to do with peer neglect. ADHD, on the other hand, is distinct in that it has more to do with aggressive behavior and peer rejection. There is one more thing to add: ADHD causes more impairment than CDD in the home or school environment, whereas CDD causes more severe impairment in community or recreational settings. It seemed like an unfamiliar concept at first, but I think if you look closely, you will understand what the difference is. After reading the article to the end, don't you think the symptoms we commonly thought of ADHD correspond to CDD? Hopefully, you won't get confused between ADHD and CDD in the future! Sources: https://sachscenter.com/adhd-or-concentration-deficit-disorder/#:~:text=CDD%20has%20not%20been%20associated,who%20had%20CDD%20(1). https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/adhd-vs-cdd-concentration-deficit-disorder https://terms.naver.com/entry.naver?docId=926933&cid=51007&categoryId=51007#TABLE_OF_CONTENT1 Image source: https://www.sandstonecare.com/blog/adhd/

• 작성일 2023-08-10
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제 18 호 Semiconductors

Kicker: SCIENCE Semiconductors By Jun-Seo Park, Cub-reporter from23juns@naver.com Recently, there has been an AI* craze due to chatGPT. It is clear that AI is a key technology that will lead the 4th industrial revolution. But there is a core technology that is no less important than AI, which is semiconductors. This is because semiconductors are essential to implementing AI. As semiconductors are important along with AI in the future, it will be very helpful to know basic knowledge about semiconductors. Therefore, in this article, let’s take a look at some basic principles of semiconductors and the relationship between semiconductors and AI. * AI: Artificial Intelligence What Is a Semiconductor? Semiconductor is a compound word of ‘semi’ and ‘conductor’. Simply put, it refers to a material that is half-conductor. So, what is a conductor? The materials around us can be largely divided into insulators, conductors, and semiconductors. The biggest criterion for distinguishing these materials is electrical conductivity. First, insulators are materials with very low electrical conductivity and little electricity flows. These include glass, plastic, wood, etc. Next, since conductors have high electrical conductivity, electricity flows well. Materials corresponding to conductors include copper, iron, aluminum, gold, silver, etc. Semiconductors Finally, semiconductors, which are our concern, are materials whose electrical conductivity is intermediate between conductors and insulators. The most representative material used as semiconductor is silicon. To control the electrical conductivity of semiconductors, they go through an injecting process of impurity atoms called ‘doping’. It is difficult to artificially control the conditions because conductors’ current flow too easily and insulators’ current do not flow well. For this reason, semiconductors are important. The Most Important Principle of Semiconductors: Energy-Band-Gap Previously, it was described that the electrical conductivity of semiconductors is intermediate between conductors and insulators. Therefore, the most important characteristic of semiconductors is that semiconductors’ electrical conductivity can be controlled by users. Then, it is necessary to take a closer look at the principle of electrical conductivity of semiconductors, and here, the term of Energy-Band-Gap will be introduced. In order for the current to flow, the movement of electrons must occur. Insulators, conductors, and semiconductors all have energy levels at which electrons can exist inside the material, which are not continuous but discontinuous. It is said that having such a discontinuous energy level is ‘quantized’. Energy Band Gap Current flows only when electrons move from a relatively low energy band called a ‘valance band’ to a high energy band called a ‘conduction band’. In order for such movement of electrons to occur, light or thermal energy must be applied from outside. The distance between the valence band and the conduction band of conductor is very close. So, the movement of electrons easily occurs. Therefore, the current flows well. On the other hand, since insulators have a long distance between the valence band and the conduction band, even if energy is applied from the outside, electrons do not move well. So, current does not flow well. The semiconductors have an appropriate energy band gap and can be controlled by a user. Types of Semiconductors: Why Are Semiconductors Essential to AI? Semiconductors are used largely for two things. The first is processing of electrical signals, and the second is processing of data. The role of semiconductors related to AI is the processing of data. Data processing methods can be largely divided into storage and control. Semiconductors play a role in storing information, and semiconductors used to store information are called ‘memory semiconductors. Also, semiconductors used to perform numerical operations or control information are called ‘system semiconductors’. AI learns a lot of data and derives its inference from it. In order to receive and process data to be learned in a short time, computation and control must be performed. Therefore, system semiconductors are essential. The CPU** we have often heard of is a kind of system semiconductor. ** CPU: Central Processing Unit The Reason Why NVIDIA Stock Prices Are Surging Recently: GPU’s Era NVIDIA NVIDIA’s stock price has been soaring recently. There is a good reason for this. In fact, GPU*** is much more important than CPU to implement AI such as chatGPT, and NVIDIA is a company that produces GPU almost exclusively. Therefore, while many companies struggle to dominate the AI market, NVIDIA has to supply GPU as their customers. Then let’s figure out why GPU is important to implement AI. Since CPU, the brain of a computer that we commonly use, processes data in a series one by one, it takes a long time to handle large scale data. In contrast, GPU is a parallel structure that processes multiple data at the same time. Therefore, it is appropriate to use GPU rather than CPU to implement AI. *** GPU: Graphic Processing Unit In the AI era, AI itself is important, but semiconductors are also essential to implement it. As you might already know, South Korea is globally competitive in semiconductors. To be exact, however, it is strong in the memory semiconductor field. In the field of system semiconductors, companies of the United States are superior to South Korean companies. Therefore, in order to be ‘really’ competitive in semiconductors, South Korea should strive to cultivate methods and manpower to be competitive in the field of system semiconductors. Source: https://www.aitimes.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=133691 Image sources: https://www.etnews.com/20220513000100 https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-range-of-an-energy-band-gap-in-a-semiconductor https://www.pcgamer.com/nvidias-fastest-next-gen-gpu-reportedly-enters-testing-phase/

• 작성일 2023-05-31
• 좋아요 Like 2

제 17 호 Dolphin’s Shout for Communication

Kicker: SCIENCE Dolphin’s Shout for Communication by Ji-Min Baek, Reporter pjm5875@naver.com Man-made noise pollution is affecting dolphin's communication. According to the new research, dolphins' cries for communication get louder in the noise pollution. Dolphins, known as intelligent and social animals, communicate through various frequencies and sound. In addition, sound waves with high frequencies are used to recognize the surrounding environment. As such, sound which is the most important part of communication for dolphins, is being interrupted by human noise, and dolphins are struggling. https://pixabay.com/images/id-402288/ About the New Research The study, which found that human noise makes it difficult for dolphins to communicate and cooperate, was published in the scientific journal “Current Biology”. In this study, the research team put two bottle-nosed dolphins in an experimental lake and set up a noisy situation and general situation. In this situation, the dolphins performed a cooperative mission to press the button on the opposite corner within a certain period of time, and the researchers observed their behavior. There was also a difference in the time of departure for the button, creating a situation in which communication could only be made through sound. According to observation, exposure to increasingly loud noises nearly doubled the duration and volume of the dolphin’s sound for communication. In addition, communication failures have been shown to increase. As a result, there was difference in the communication success rate of 85% for high noise and 62.5% for general noise. Changing Dolphin’s Communication As such, dolphins are changing for their communication and cooperation in the noise. In addition, not only did they raise their voices, but they also increased the number of cases facing each other. Dolphins can show this behavior because their hearing is sensitive to direction. Facing each other can help separate the other’s signal and noise. The louder the noise, the more frequent the body moves toward each other and the more it becomes to swim and get closer. These actions show that it is difficult for dolphins to overcome noise because they cannot communicate smoothly simply by raising their voices. The Problem of Continuing Communication Errors Professor King, co-author of the study, said, “If a group of wild animals cooperate to find food, the health of each individual will deteriorate and the health of the entire group will eventually become worse.” In addition, since dolphins rely on sound to communicate when hunting and mating, noise levels can affect the survival of the entire colony as well as the behavior of dolphins. Noise pollution has soared for decades as human marine activities have increased due to ship operations, earthquake exploration, and wind power generation. As a result, the above problems have arisen, and it seems to have a negative effect on not only dolphins but also other marine life. It seems that it is necessary to pay attention to the continued pain and abnormal behavior of dolphins in this situation and seek solutions accordingly. Sources: Dolphins 'shout' to get heard over noise pollution - BBC News https://news.sbs.co.kr/news/endPage.do?news_id=N1007042947&plink=ORI&cooper=NAVER https://www.mbn.co.kr/news/world/4895796 https://view.asiae.co.kr/article/2023011311335304117

• 작성일 2023-02-20
• 좋아요 Like 2