Blogging Experience

Recent blogs are the most cost me to do, the truth is that I am late enough in choosing the right words to not make many mistakes. Certainly I have not yet managed to emerge and the words I use references. Do not think I learned by doing blog much, but I hope that my unconscious has been a word I did not know kept. Read the blogs of my classmates but I had fun, but there are things that really do not understand, maybe because sometimes do not understand the wording, they would probably feel the same with mine.

I think it's much better when we do group work, when we have time to devise a short prayer and then say it in front of everyone. I like being able to take my computer to class, so I can look up words I do not know. I learn easier when I see things written, but I guess it depends on each person.

He did not know the blogger in general, is something I like and probably if it were not for this course would never have known.

I do not think I can suggest something we can do to improve, because if you know a better way to learn English would, but for me it has always been quite difficult. What I like to do, and because of that everything is in English, is to translate music, listen and sing ... Series also listen in English with subtitles in some occasions, when I'm enlightened, I understand almost everything

It must be that learning English through this system that I can easily hear and understand what I read, however it is very difficult to me to express myself in English, whether written or talking.

Is a relief to finally reach the end of the blog, greetings to all and see you in class.

Transgenic Food

The transgenic species as immediate food and food processed from transgenic species are called transgenic food.

In other words, transgenic food are those directly made from or processed from the species (animals, plants and microorganisms, etc.) which can produce substances possessing highly effective expressions, such as polypeptide and protein, after one or several types of exogenous genes are transferred into it through the means of genetic engineering.

From the beginning, industry and governments around the world have described the benefits of Genetically Modified crops, as a benefit the environment by reducing use of herbicides and insecticides, help farmers, solve the food crisis, feed the hungry by increasing crop yields, produce more nutritious food and ,above all, that they is safe to eat and for the environment.

But an accumulating body of scientific evidence and on the ground experience with Genetically Modified crops over the last ten years shows that this technology has failed all expectations.

On the contrary, Genetically Modified crops have been scientifically proven to increase chemical inputs over the long term. They have been shown to deliver yields that are no better, and in some cases worse, than conventional varieties.

Most seriously, Genetically Modified crops have been shown to pose risks to human and animal health and to cause social and environmental problems. With the availability of proven, energy efficient and safe ways of meeting the current and future food needs of the world, Genetically Modified crops are a waste of resources and a risk that is not worth taking.

In Argentina, the massive conversion of agriculture to Genetically Modified soya production has had disastrous effects on rural social and economic structures. It has damaged food security and caused a range of environmental problems, including the spread of herbicide-resistant weeds, soil depletion, and increased pests and diseases.

I think the transgenics is an important tool that can help man in many ways, but the nature of man have to use it improperly, increasing the wealth of some for the benefit of many.

Student Protests

The current education system is founded upon neoliberalism, privatisation, a climate of over-expectation and promises of social mobility. However, Chilean society is stratified, with a small group holding all the privileges. There is no real room for meritocracy or equal opportunities. For instance, the unemployment rate among young people (15.2%) is more than double the national average. Most young people are building up frustration by seeing how their hopes for the future clash with the sad reality.

The clearest reflection of this inequality in Chile can be seen in education. As a result of a series of reforms, Chile has developed one of the world's most segregated education systems, with insufficient state participation. This has translated into a growing privatisation trend in education since the 1980s, whit a proliferation of private universities (very few of which are decent) which despite being classified as non-profit organisations, nevertheless yield juicy returns for their owners thanks to a series of subterfuges.

Students and teachers understand that strengthening public education will greatly contribute to building a fairer society and a better democracy. The neoliberal reforms that promoted competition and privatisation have failed because they have been unable to bridge the existing social divides and have perpetuated privileges.

Some say that the Chilean education system is not in crisis; however, they say nothing of the inequality or the quality of the education. Luckily, we are mobilizing to remind us that a better public education means a better country.

Despite the damage caused by a few, also has a kind of mobilization not seen before, much more original, entertaining and in the protests have congregated so many heteregoneous people, to realize the awareness of the problem we have taken not only students but also parents and grandparents and the most varied types of organizations, such as teachers, parbularias, football matches, and others who were not on TV.

A photograph

I do not really like taking photographs, and I always forget to take pictures if I'm having fun, it really is a problem when I'm in charge of leaving the time saved in an image. However, I love watching them, especially when some time has passed since they were taken, but I do not like when people stop a good time for to take a picture, or when people are out thousands of photographs and then only interested in how they look themselves and want to see the picture immediately. Perhaps this last is a product of technology that allows you to display the image immediately and take many, with only limited the battery.

On the other hand is always nice to have photographs and memories, the memory is fragile and often we forget certain things that the photos remind us. I started doing this blog to review some photos I had saved, I moved the photos reminded me of some animals that were part of my life and no longer are, I also like that play of light by chance or talent of the photographer are beautiful or not let me forget the important moments recent years as the earthquake and friends who helped us start anew.

I sometimes find beautiful pictures in google, do you travel to places you do not know and see things that would not have the opportunity to observe. I generally look for aquarium that I love and give me ideas to make it beautiful mine.

Finally chose the photo that is very simple but it brings many emotions and that she is my horse titinak, shortly after that he died of a colic but accompanied me since I was little when we spent every day together, ate berries and me let ride even without being tamed

Antumapu

The truth is I had no idea of the meaning the word Antumapu, while studying veterinary to myself was the campus next door, or antromapu, today I feel like home.

A friend told me that was once a farm Antumapu, and wine sector known as Santa Elena, now is a veterinarian, but maybe it's just a rumor.

Today I realize that I was fortunate to have studied and continue studying in a place like South Campus, which is a lot like where I come from or where I spent most of my childhood.

Do not think it was coincidence studying veterinary medicine, but it is a pleasure that the University of Chile has had a space away from the downtown area of Santiago, away a little more noise, smog, and with more space for green areas and animals such as we see in “World Farm” which has many beautiful exotic animals, especially birds such as ostriches, peacocks and a variety of chickens. Although sometimes it has some bad things, that have improved over time, such as locomotion, previously very poor, or flooding today are not. Not so long ago come on a rainy day was almost suicidal if they had no car or rubber boots to wait for the bus in the central floes because the street was flooded, it was not convenient to leave after 6PM a day of winter.

However, in my opinion, to enjoy a campus in the city as Antumapu not have bad things that can diminish the pleasure of being here.

Do not know if my friend's story is true, but today I discovered that what Mapudungun word means "land of the sun”, was formed in 1971 under the wing of the then Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry at the University of Chile, Veterinary then moved from Quinta Normal to finish together as South Campus.

Controversial topic of "Ventanas"

Ventanas has produced a string of environmental tragedies. In 1993, it was declared a saturated area by the presence of sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, so the Ventanas division of Codelco, the largest and most polluting, implements a remediation plan. However, 135 workers of Codelco have died of cancer in recent years and after a toxic cloud of sulfur dioxide, among other components, on March 23 this year, there was a leak that caused poisoning in 23 children and seven adults in La Greda School. The Ministry of Health has proved respiratory diseases and cancer to have grown by 40% in Ventanas.

But two companies produce the major sulfur dioxide emissions in the area: besides the industrial complex of Codelco, the power plants of AES Gener. Both are under the rule in Chile, but their standards are quite low. The two, however, are well above the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), and the U.S. standard.

 Causes and effects this situation has avoided if had revised time Chilean standards. But, firstly, they must make a serious study of the effects of pollution, as nobody knows exactly where contamination comes from.

It is essential to carry out studies and implement monitoring stations in the area of Puchuncaví to establish whether a causal relationship between contaminants and potential health problems of people. Fortunately, the body has the ability, once off-site contamination, to activate the detoxification mechanisms and lower pollution levels by itself. But this can not be done if you live there.

The nuclear leak in Japan

Radiation fears in Japan have grown after they admitted that the nuclear reactor core at Fukushima may be cracked after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11 this year. Then, dangerously high radiation levels were detected in the region of the plant, residents were evacuated. Unfortunately, the area around a nuclear plant in danger became  contaminated with nuclear radiation ,which can then spread  to  the nearby area through  the wind. However, any radioactive contaminants released will end up by raining out from  the atmosphere into the Pacific Ocean, where they will be diluted and absorbed, or in the nearby  plants. There are some scientists  who say  they cannot give a clear answer yet,  because they don't know enough about the amount and type of radioactive material that has been leaking . . Nonetheless, most experts seem to suggest the danger to the public is low. The radiation leak in Japan is small in comparison  to the worst nuclear accident in history,  Chernobyl, 25 years ago. At Chernobyl a huge explosion was followed by a fire which was blazing  for 10 days and emitted a huge amount of radiation which spread over a vast area.

Good Bye, see you at the next post

My argentine friend

My today’s post is related to a person that lives in another country, the expert I admire in my field, that is particularly molecular biology in Chagas disease, is a person I met when I was in Argentina, in the laboratory of Research Institute of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology (INGEBI) at the University of Buenos Aires, where  I did an internship. Her name is Margarita Bissio, a doctoral fellow and partner who helped me understand more of the real time PCR and their use. She is not only an expert in making, but also a very good person. One day, I went with her to teach children in a poor neighborhood in a house that had organized support with others, outside a typical Argentinian village, because they could not study in their own homes. She was very patient to teach them and me in the lab, helping me a lot in the research. When we had some free time, she showed me around the city; we celebrated Chilean national holidays on September eighteen with a barbecue with other lab mates and Cristian, was visiting me in those days. I had a great time and learned a lot about the technique that helps me to research today.

 

My last movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

This movie is based on the seventh book of  Harry Potter novels.  It  Is a magical film that describes the adventures of the young boy wizard ,Harry Potter, and his best friends ,Ron Weasley and Hermione, students of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry.

In this film Voldemort's power is growing stronger. He now has control over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts. Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord. But little hope remains for the Trio, and the rest of the Wizarding World.

With very good visual effects, I recommend this film and all Harry Potter’s movies for people who like action and magic.

I hope you like it

Welcome to my blog!!

My name is Catalina. I´m a Veterinary doctor; now I´m a student in the first year of Doctorate of  Silvoagropecuarian and Veterinary Sciences. Usually I work   at the laboratory of parasitology of the University of Chile,   at the Medicine Faculty, working in Chagas disease in molecular diagnosis. The objectives I hope to achieve with my blog are to have better English language skills by sharing and having some fun  with my colleagues  in this language.