Avian Advantage?

Last year, I became fascinated with evolutionary science after taking a course with Professor Will Provine, one of the leading historians of evolutionary biology and population genetics. I still browse the internet frequently for news about discoveries in evolutionary science. 

This morning, I happened upon a fascinating article about the discovery of a link between heart disease and evolutionary differences between mammals and all other species. Mammals are the only creatures on earth that possess Platelet cells, a vital tool the mammalian body uses to help blood clot during excessive bleeding.

Platelet Cell

We would be undoubtedly be dead without Platelets. However, these cells come with a drawback, because they also form clots at the site of cholesterol buildups in the blood vessels, ultimately resulting in cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke. 

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania wanted to see just how detrimental Platelets were in comparison to other species. To test the difference, they decided to compare the blood clotting abilities of mice and birds. They chose birds because, like mammals, they have an extremely high pressure arterial system. 

The difference is that instead of Platelets birds have clotting cells called Thrombocytes.

Thrombocyte Cell

The researchers found that the Thrombocyte cell, though composed of many of the same proteins as Platelets, was fundamentally different in that it could not form "three dimensional aggregates under high-flow conditions." This means that the Thrombocyte cell in avians is missing characteristics that the Platelet cell has which contribute to the first stages of heart attack and stroke.

Researchers speculate that Platelets are probably present in mammals as the manifestation of an evolutionary need for early mammals to survive traumatic injury. Although at one time this might have been an evolutionary advantage, it now seems that the avians have the upper hand. For while humans  possess a keen ability to form blood clots quickly after injury, our Platelet cells make us more susceptible to detrimental intra-vascular clotting, which often precedes cardiovascular disease. 

Joanna

We have crowned a winner...

Yesterday in Statistics, my Professor was illustrating a point about the correlation coefficient significance test by using the example that the amount of fat consumed and the likelihood of heart disease are directly related. And...I suddenly realized that I had yet to report upon the results of Ivy Man!

So, without further delay....our winner this year was Elias Barber!

His bio describes him as a "rough and rogue competitor who retains the sex appeal of the untamed Cowboy of eras past--mysterious, sexy and rebellious.A man of many skills, some of which he learned on the farm, Elias is always equipped to hotwire a Volvo, wrestle a dangerous canine, or parallel park a tractor."

Elias's performance lived up to his big reputation, but he had to work hard to earn the title of Ivy Man
amongst the group of impressive competitors. The boys rocked the stage in their choreographed dance, and then went straight into the swimsuit competition.

We had contestants strutting their stuff in everything from speedos to full wetsuits, but Evan Maclin emerged as the obvious ladies favorite, later placing in the top 5.

After swimsuit came talents, and the audience was entertained by everything from Austrian song and dance, to serenades, to guitar playing. But Elias' talent was a clear indicator that he would be a favorite for the win. He performed a (unique?) but hilarious interpretive dance, which he flawlessly executed with the help of a few of his fraternity brothers.

The boys wrapped up the night with evening wear and onstage question, and all showed an excellent spirit of friendly competition.

But the best news of all is that Alpha Phi raised $4,500.00 for cardiac care, doubling our earnings from last year! The girls all had an amazing time contributing to a cause that has been a part of the Alpha Phi tradition since the 1950's.


Joanna