Category: Science Group

In November Ann and Ian Murray presented an illustrated talk about Volcanoes. They explained that a volcano is a rupture in the crust of the Earth, that allows hot lava, volcanic ash, and gases to escape from a magma chamber below the surface.

On Earth, volcanoes are most often found where tectonic plates are diverging or converging and most are found underwater. It is a topical theme as there are current concerns about the situation in Iceland.

They then described their visit to Pompeii where the destructive effect of the eruption of Vesuvius had on that city is well preserved.

After the break John Tedstone described a visit to W.Winters of Derby the oldest continuously working photographers in the UK. It is still a photographer’s studio and a heritage centre.

December- No meeting

January – Revised date Friday 12^th (To accommodate the Robin Hood pantomime at JGC on the 19^th)

We will be making some simple cyanotype ‘photographic’ images.

More details will be sent to the group in advance of the meeting.

Merry Christmas to all our readers

David Rose

Our October meeting began with Part 1 of a theme entitled  ‘The Greening of Nottinghamshire’ presented by David Vincent.

Following the Aberfan disaster new laws were passed regarding coal mining spoil heaps. David was part of the Nottinghamshire County team formed with the task of transforming and making safe the spoil heaps dotted around the county.

In Part 2 in February, David will explain how they set about this task of changing vast quantities of somewhat unstable and toxic waste into our country parks.

After the break we had an introduction to the history of photography which included looking at some ‘older style’ cameras bought in by members.

David Jackson explained how he approached photographing wildlife and gave the group some ideas of how to start from our own back gardens.

Some of David’s excellent photos were then viewed including this successful Kingfisher.

November 17^th

Volcanoes with a focus on Vesuvius -Ann and Ian Murray

How knowledge of physics and chemistry led the progress of Photography and a visit to the oldest working photographic studio in Derby – John Tedstone

(Did you know that David was the most popular boy’s name from the late 1940s through to 1974 when 1 in 20 boys were named David .We have 7 Davids in the Science Group.)

David Rose

At the September meeting we welcomed Isabel (Izzy) Ely a postgraduate researcher at the Nottingham University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Centre ofMetabolism, Ageing & Physiology (COMAP).

This is part of theAcademic Unit of Injury, Recovery & Inflammation Sciences School of Medicine who are based at Royal Derby Hospital.

She outlined the current research into the effect of ageing on our muscular system. Generally as we get older we exercise less and invariably eat less protein.

These factors can lead to muscular atrophy (wasting) and her research is looking at the effect of an amino acid supplement in reversing and slowing down this process with a focus on the older generation.

Next Meeting – Friday October 20^th 10.00am to 11.45 am

Part 1: ‘The Greening of the Nottinghamshire Coalfields’ by David Vincent

From his own personal and professional involvement David will explain why and how this came about.

Part 2: An introduction to the science and development of photography – DR

David Rose

We meet on September 15^th at 10.00am in the main hall at John Godber Centre. I am pleased to report that we have a guest speaker, Isabel (Izzy) Ely, who is a postgraduate researcher at the:

Centre of Metabolism, Ageing & Physiology (COMAP) Academic Unit of Injury, Recovery & Inflammation Sciences, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences University of Nottingham, Royal Derby Hospital Centre

In her own words this is the rationale of study that she is currently undertaking.

The loss of skeletal muscle mass (known as atrophy) is an undesirable feature of many disease and scenarios including ageing, cancer and reduced physical activity from illness, injury or increased sedentarism. One mechanism thought to influence age-related muscle mass loss is “anabolic resistance” which leads to a reduced muscle building ability in response to protein feeding and exercise. As such, the search for optimal exercise and/or nutritional strategies to combat this anabolic blunting effect remains a hot-topic in scientific research.    

The study focus

The study I am currently running is focused on a specific amino acid (the building blocks of protein) called leucine which is thought to be the most important amino acid for stimulating the muscle building process. We are investigating whether there is a dose-response of muscle protein building to “super whey” protein (a protein drink with a greater portion of leucine) at rest and during acute exercise.

I have to admit to a vested interest as I am one of the ‘specimens’ being tested.

David Rose

We were pleased to welcome a guest speaker, Mr Ian Allen, at our July 15^th meeting.

Ian is a local wildlife enthusiast who contributes to the county and national surveys on sighting, frequency and the identification of dragonflies and damselflies in our local wetlands.

He explained with the help of some wonderful photographs that:

Damselflies are delicate insects, with eyes on each side of their rectangular head. They have a fluttering flight, with the front and back pairs of wings equal size. When the damselfly is resting, the wings are usually held closed.

 Dragonflies are larger and more robust, with eyes that meet in the middle of their spherical head. Their front wings are narrower than their hind wings and when resting both pairs are held wide open

                          Female emperor dragonfly

They are to be found in all wetland areas throughout the summer months.

Ian was thanked for his presentation and was able to answer questions from members.

No meeting in August but we meet again on Friday September 15^th in the main hall of the John Godber Centre.  Enjoy the break and there will be more details before the next meeting.

David Rose