Arsenic-based life forms: Fact or fiction?

The biggest science news of the past week probably has to be NASA's press release claiming to have isolated a bacterium that substitutes arsenic for phosphorus on its macromolecules and metabolites. (Wolfe-Simon et al. 2010, A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus.)

As things stand, many scientists are openly skeptical of the claims made in the paper.

That is understandable, given the potential impact on biology. If the results are shown to be right, this might open a whole new field of research on arsenic-based life forms (and possibly the Nobel Prize in the near future). E.g. The discoverers of graphene were awarded the 2010 Physics Nobel a mere six years after their publication in Science.

And the authors' response to the online critics?

"If we are wrong, then other scientists should be motivated to reproduce our findings. If we are right (and I am strongly convinced that we are) our competitors will agree and help to advance our understanding of this phenomenon. I am eager for them to do so." - Ronald Oremland, US Geological Survey.

Heh, the scientific method is at work here.

This whole episode reminded me of a question back in the days of my JC S-paper chemistry class where we were asked to suggest alternative elements that could potentially replace those currently in use by nature. Can we substitute carbon with silicon? Phosphorous with arsenic? Would there be any problems with these changes under earth's atmosphere and conditions?

Maybe I should revisit my old A level notes (if I still have them somewhere) to look for old theories to test. Maybe I can get something useful (like a Science publication) out of them. Like the SN2 reaction mechanism. Who could have thought there would be an unexpected 'roundabout' mechanism in addition to the traditional 'inverted umbrella' pathway?

Love Interrupted

Boy and girl were classmates at DHS.
Boy and girl had good impressions of each other in class.
Boy and girl went to different JCs and lost touch.
Boy and girl reconnected in Singapore last year after more than 15 years (thanks to facebook).
Boy and girl started dating.
Girl is applying to US universities for PhD study.
What will be the outcome of their relationship?

*

The ex has just given birth. The news (and the baby pics) came through facebook, even though we are not 'friends' on the networking site. We have too many mutual friends.

The feeling is neutral. I am happy for them.

Ghim Moh-ians Unite

For all the gripes I may have about the school (when it was still at Ghim Moh), I love my class. 12 years after being put together as one, we are still in touch - with 16 out of 24 of us accounted for; cell numbers, emails and addresses are surprisingly up-to-date.

I feel bad about missing several weddings (not by choice), and I appreciate others making time for a gathering whenever I am home for a holiday.

Kudos to Mr B. for taking the initiative and sending out the updated class list. It only seemed yesterday when we were hanging out by the stairwells after/in between lectures playing carrom. And that Singapore-style contract bridge.

The Network

I found out that ScHoLaR's direct supervisor was my BMT platoon mate. (No surprise, I was expecting something like this to happen.) Those who are still wearing (military) uniforms are now 'crabs'.

***

My supervisor's supervisor is a fellow alum (Grad School, not the JC one like above). If you count in the alumni from my undergrad college, the numbers go up. Like the guy occupying the next cubicle from mine is a also (an animal, pun unintended).

But my numbers pale in comparison to the Wolverines, while the Sun Devils seem to have home ground advantage.

***

The folks I went to Vegas with couldn't believe I am still single.

"You must be very choosey," despite my protests to the contrary. They first tsked me, then offered to introduce their (single, female) friends to me.

On the other hand, I have no idea why 3 married guys with young kids would want to go to the Sin City to have fun without their families accompanying. Not that I mind. :)

***

I asked my folks (and my sis) if they would like me to forward them my recently published paper in a reputable academic journal.

They politely declined. The title alone was enough to turn them off.

"Wah, so long one ah." my mum complained.

A friend told me that in order to generate (layman) interest, I have to use as few scientific acronyms and mathematical equations as possible. Plus nice-looking and easy to understand figures and tables.

How many of you readers automatically understand terms like SPM, XPS, XRD, SEM, FE-TEM, NMR, TOF-SIMS, FTIR and CSAM?

He suggested I do something like this in future.

Hi De Ho - by K7

I spent 30 mins yesterday playing and replaying this song. It was also featured in "The Mask". Brought back happy memories of the silly Mass Dance they subjected the first years to.

Supply and Demand at Brand Name US Colleges

News reports from the NY Times, WSJ and Bloomberg on selective colleges getting even more selective. Just a decade ago, such extremely competitive admissions (based on my experience with peers applying together from Ghim Moh JC) were restricted only to a few select US colleges. Teachers would only write LORs (letters of recommendations)/encourage the best (defined by their 3 S-papers, Science/Math Olympiad medals etc etc) to those applying to HYPSM and Caltech. I am still not sure if it is true, but the word going around was that these universities had set a 'low quota' for successful Singapore applicants.

The applicant numbers are rising, but the places available are still pretty much constant.

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This article reminded me of the students from a certain high school. But who am I to criticize? After all I am a beneficiary of the system. Hence my snigger when friends say they want to go to New Orleans to help rebuild the city. Yeah...right.

4As Sad, 2As Happy

The New Paper on Monday had three articles on last year's A levels results. There was this focus on some RJC students being embarrassed to get 'just' 4As.

Do we attend school to get educated, or to ace some standardized exam? Granted, in Singapore's context, one's performance that exam might make or break him/her (like a place in the first choice course in the local university or a PSC scholarship, Ha!), but what difference does it make between (AAAA A1 DDM) and (AAAA A1 DDD)? Geez.

Life starts anew AFTER leaving Singapore; Oh, and jury duty too

I speak from a male Singaporean perspective of course. And no, I am not going to to rant again about how much of a time-and-mind wasting activity National Service is was to most of us. I am just glad that I have the option of not returning and be subjected to wearing that fugly No. 4 (plus whatever push/flavor of the day the gahmen wants the herd to go into).

Oikono (Wharton/Penn), quitacet (Columbia) and 7366 (WashU)'s experiences were very similar to how I felt in my first year away from home. We may all have different dreams, but we chose to come to the US to pursue them (and going beyond grades).

But many Singaporeans do not have this luxury. That nation has done itself in somewhat with the Pygmalion Effect. I am not even referring to some generic compatriot; I looked at the sad eyes of several of my (distant) cousins and neighbors' kids who are not doing well in school, of how their parents (and I am guessing their teachers too) had given up and branded them as 'gone case'.

I do have my teachers to thank for believing in me. Not for some though. And they still leave an imprint on me, albeit in the non-academic sense. I am, in a nutshell, the most confident insecure person you will ever meet. I am still a work in progress. When I was young, I longed to fit in and finally at 21, I stopped trying. I simply went to a new environment overseas. I have not looked back since. Hopefully never ever.

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Insanepoly:

Many of them come brimming with hope and passion. Yet beneath it all, I can’t help but also noticed a lack of self confidence, a lack of belief in their own abilities. Its almost as if deep down they doubt they will ever be able to produce something good. I look into their eyes, I see self-doubts and a fear of failure. Its ridiculous to see some of the students sit infront of their workstation and they’re almost afraid if they do something wrong, the computer will explode or something.

I don’t know why, perhaps its our education system but I don’t for one second believe we don’t have what it takes. Yes, our enviroment may not be condusive for creativity but hell, if flowers can bloom in the desert I don’t see how even an adverse enviroment can stop one from exercising his own creativity. You have to work harder, that’s all. And above everything, you have to believe in yourself. And that’s all it boils down to, if you don’t believe in yourself, that in and of itself is already a major obstacle and perhaps that’s why many people stop improving as an artist. Perhaps its because subconsciously they don’t believe they will be any good, so why bother to practice, why bother to improve. They let the opinions of others beat them down, they let their lack of self confidence bear them down, and that’s sad.

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In my snail mailbox today, there was a letter from the county's "Office of Jury Clerk" addressed to me. First thought that came to my mind - Shit.

Trial by jury is a fundamental principle of our system of justice. Jury service is therefore both an opportunity and an obligation of every American citizen. Your name has been electronically drawn by random selection from a list of residents in this county as a potential juror pursuant to state law. You are being considered for jury service in this county. Your cooperation and willingness to return this form is greatly appreciated.

COMPLETE AND RETURN WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS

That was not all. On the envelope enclosed, the top-right hand box has the wording: "Place stamp here. Post Office will not deliver mail without proper postage."

WTF?! 1. I am not a US citizen. 2. You are asking me a favor, and I have to cough up money to send you the stupid form?!

Now, if only I am that lucky in winning the green card lottery...

The "Elite" Views

2005 - Chua Zheng Zhan

2006 - Wee Shu Min

Lee Hsien Loong' Speech at RJC's Opening Ceremony in April (on a side note, I wonder why he was also the GOH at DHS's 50th Anniversary Celebration):

The Raffles family of schools - including Raffles Institution (RI), Raffles Girls´ School (RGS) and Raffles Junior College (RJC) - have a rich history and tradition spanning almost two centuries. Your founder, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, was deeply committed to the cause of education. He envisioned a premier educational institution with "spirit and soul", which would make Singapore a centre of learning.

...

But RJC´s mission is not just to produce brilliant students who can compete with the best in the world. More importantly, RJC must also nurture a leadership team for Singapore - students who are committed to Singapore and their fellow Singaporeans, because they have benefited from the system, and have a genuine desire to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of others. Previous generations of Rafflesians have done so, and helped Singapore to develop and grow over the years. We must now create the same ethos and mindset in a new generation of outstanding Singaporeans, a generation for whom more than ever, the whole world is their oyster.

Rhetoric, or reality? (Yeah, two is a horribly small sample size.)

Edit: You might also want to read this.

:Technorati: RJC, elite, Wee Shu Min

Class of XCVI

I am so going to strangle the next person who comes up to me (online) and announces that he/she is going to get married.

Feel just like the old times, you know - on the GCE results day when you saw your classmate(s) going up to the stage because he/she had X number of distinctions more than you and was/were thus the darling(s) of the school/college. But you still had to smile (otherwise people say you sour grapes).

Or how during NSF days you saw your classmates disrupting for their university studies (to prestigious colleges like MIT, Cornell, Michigan, Penn, Oxford, Cambridge etc ) while you were still stuck in camp doing COS duties/signing extras/being pushed around by half-fucked SAF regulars.

Yup, just like those days. Except this time you can hide your true feelings (i.e envy and jealousy) because the other person is informing you through online media like the MSN or email or friendster. And it is so easy to just type out "congratulations!" (when you don't actually mean it) and say "sorry, I won't be able to attend your wedding because I am out of country/in a different state."

Date: Friday, October 13, 2006
Message: How are you? I will be getting married in Dec this year. Will you be in Singapore?

The cold weather's not helping too. 40F. Makes me grouchy. Oh, plus my failure in asking her out she turning down my invitation to go out. Sorry, when it comes to love, I am selfish. Hate to see happy couples around me when my social life is so fucked up.


They are bankers, fast-tracked civil servants, teachers, consultants, lawyers, soldiers...and a grad student.

Guess I won't show up for the upcoming 10th year reunion. F's wedding day is a good time for the gathering. XZ is already sending out emails asking for an opportune time to meet.

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I don't really care about the rest. Except one, who has yet to declare her date. It took me an awful lot to get over the break-up, but somehow there is this nagging feeling a part of my heart is still with her.

What will I do? How will I feel?

Technorati: love, marriage, couple, class of 96

Impressing the JC kids

Am still going through and sorting out my personal items; this time round I found a booklet I had received from one of the 'tea' sessions MINDEF had held for prospective SAF scholars and their parents.

The entire first page was on a quote by (then) SM Lee:

a "passport" that you can flash

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"I would want a career which would give me options because you cannot foretell what openings the future will have.

So I would go for an SAF Overseas Scholarship or Overseas Merit Scholarship as the first step - what you want in life is a passport you can flash.

...And if you take an SAF scholarship, an Overseas Merit Scholarship, there are one of about 50 each year. Any minister, any civil servant, any judge, looks through your CV and say: Ah, one of 50 for that year."

Lee Kuan Yew's address to NUS undergraduates on 29 July 1994

I can still remember the whole of Raffles City Ballroom was packed with prospective scholars (meaning impressionable JC kids), their folks, past and present scholars (many in their No.3 with bars, crabs and stars) and included the PS for Defense. It was hard not to be caught up in that atmosphere and wish to be one of the men in uniform.

Anyway, back to the above quote. Isn't it inappropriate for MM Lee to say that to the NUS students? Afterall, they were not on any of the mentioned scholarship schemes. Kinda like telling them "hey, you are not one of the elites."

Nowadays, the best would go for bond free overseas scholarships.

On a side note: What are your thoughts about this thread?

童话里都是骗人的

I hate you for humming/singing Guang Liang's songs. The lyrics bring back painful memories. It has to be by a girl who rejected me to remind me of one I dumped.

Can you ever forget your first love? All these pieces of baggage...

*

那年在从莱初送她回家的路上,

是我第一次说:"我喜欢你"。

第一次心不停地顫抖,

第一次在路上牽起她的手,

第一次吻,

第一次拥抱,

第一次相信天長地久,

第一次決定我決不會錯。

*



Partially inspired by Olandario's entry.

Standing at the Feet of Giants; or sitting on their Shoulders?

Been almost 3 weeks, and I still feel sad about the exit of Howard Lovy on nanobot. Quite a comprehensive independent blogger on nanotechnology issues, he was even featured in "Nanotechnology for Dummies".

Anyway, I digress. (Ed: His site is active again.) This entry is inspired by his opening sentences:

Did you ever get the feeling you're not exactly the most brilliant LED in the display? Nevertheless, here I am at Caltech, attempting to learn from the learned.

A giant of 20th Century Science and very likely, 21st too.

As a student in your younger days, have you ever stood outside your school gates, gaze in and wonder/marvel at the alumni who passed through them? Of ordinary folks who had gone on to greater things in life and had made a positive impact on society. Would you have felt overwhelmed or inspired? Or is there no school spirit at all?

The former would probably be "standing at the feet of the Giants", to be crushed by the pressure and end up performing mediocrely; while the latter would most likely make full use of opportunities (if they exist) in school to better their predecessors. In the case of Singapore, I still remember (as a young teenager then) walking through the hallways of my alma maters, looking up and seeing the honor rolls of ex-students who had gone on to be awarded [insert your list of prestigious PSC scholarships]. They did somehow ignite a spark in me, and made me want to join their ranks. For Country! For Honor! For Glory! Of course, now being older (and hopefully wiser) I know that bonded scholarships aren't necessarily good for one's career and aspirations in life. But anyway, I am sure you get my drift.


Prime Ministers had once walked past, will you be next?

Just as I thought JC would be the last time I would see honor rolls (or plaques), I was wrong. Universities the world over are always quick to stress out to both their students and visitors alike, ranging from the giants who have/had once strolled their grounds to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Some examples:

17th century bio-nanomicrotechnology


20th Century atomic science


They fought and died in a war that was supposed to end all wars.

Then there is the existence of Academic Genealogy Trees, of which most academics and grad students are in at least one.

I will stop here with a quote from John of Salisbury (1159):

"We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. We see more, and things that are more distant, than they did, not because our sight is superior or because we are taller than they, but because they raise us up, and by their great stature add to ours."

The Old White and Green at Mt Sinai

Thanks for the memories. Stolen from immoral fear:





While others probably see their school's name changed. No more this:

Ramblings on the educational (JC) divide II

This is sort of a continuation from the earlier entry. Wasn't too happy personally with that one because it was based on just two anecdotal accounts.

So what do I do then? I went surfing to the JCs' websites to see if I could find any relevant information. I wanted to see if the JC has provided any links/support for their graduates to pursue their undergraduate education either locally or overseas. Most were quite disappointing - they had either none or they just simply put up hyperlinks to the local (no overseas) universities' homepages or to some of the Singapore government scholarships granting agencies. Maybe they had locked up the "post-A-Levels options" page under IVLE such that you had to have a login id/password to access; I won't know.

There were however two JCs that impressed me for their rather detailed explanations/to-do list for those students with a keen interest to pursue their university education overseas. RJC had devoted an entire section for students hoping to enroll in US universities, including tables that displayed the success rate of their alumni clinching admission offers from (mainly selective) US institutions. But I couldn't find any link for those students who are interested in the other popular Singaporean student destination countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand etc. The link for UK apps appear to be dead.

VJC, on the other hand, had a very useful section for both local and overseas universities. I quite like their timeline tables for US and UK universities bound students.

Both have an interesting FAQ section on further education in the US. Which leads me to assume that the top A level students would mainly want to go to the US for their college education.

Talking about grades, the 4 A-level distinction distribution amongst the JCs is very skewed (as what most people know for a long time). RJ and HCJC (now HCI) are probably in a class of their own, followed by NJ, VJ, TJ and then the rest.

Finally, I liked this bit:

Why does RJC limit the number of schools I can apply to?

Recommended: 6 schools altogether. Absolute maximum: 8 altogether, 3 Ivy League.

1. It's a waste of your teachers' time.
2. At US$60+ per application, it's a waste of your time and money.
You'll have to make up your mind eventually.
3. We suspect you're spoiling your schoolmates' chances.
RJC is overwhelmingly overrepresented at most top US colleges.

Yeap, and that's how it even got featured in the Wall Street Journal a year ago.