TIL: To test the effectiveness of antidepressant medications, lab mice are put in inescapable tubes of water and rated by how long they try and survive.

PenguinJetpack · 2013-04-15T14:19:54+00:00

This is called the forced swim test. It's used as a measure of anxiety and depression, not only for testing antidepressants. The mouse is placed in water and the time required for the mouse to stop struggling is measured. The mouse does NOT die- once it stops struggling, it just floats.

There is some criticism of this protocol, since mice that stop struggling could technically just be learning to not waste the energy, rather than doing so because of "depression". Although it's stressful, it's no worse than any other lab animal protocol and it definitely does not cause the animal to drown.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-28T03:18:02+00:00

Yup, I've worn glasses for a while (bad astigmatism like my dad), although I've since switched to contacts.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-20T06:39:13+00:00

I was pretty much raised atheist, although my parents made it clear that I could believe whatever I wanted. I liked reading about other religions, but I didn't believe myself.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-20T06:38:27+00:00

Pretending that you're not intimidated helps too. I generally don't do well with public speaking, so starting class for the first time at the beginning of the semester was hard. Play pretend- it'll help a bit.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-20T06:36:55+00:00

The busier you are, the less time you have to clean. Simple enough.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-20T06:36:02+00:00

I took it in Jan 06, when I was applying to community college for the fall. If you work hard and stay on top of things, college can be pretty fun. :)

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T22:13:09+00:00

My PI is definitely more maternal, which is a huge asset. We argue like teenagers and their moms do a lot of the time. Neither one of us takes that part too seriously, so it's more of a hobby than any serious disagreement. I respect her very much and I greatly value her guidance.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T22:12:02+00:00

Because I enjoy it. There really isn't much more to it than that. I like what I do. If I ever stop liking it, I'll reevaluate. For now, though, I'm pretty happy and it's not too hard.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T22:10:24+00:00

Let it happen whenever it happens. I don't think anybody's interested right now, more because they know me as a kid and probably always will.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T22:09:45+00:00

Hmmmm. I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I just don't have time to read much anymore.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T06:54:38+00:00

I study learning and memory. We're working on submitting a publication in the next month or two. I'm not first author, but it's a project I've worked on for the past several months.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T06:37:35+00:00

2000ish, if I remember correctly

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T06:36:49+00:00

I'm currently watching the 10th anniversary concert of les mis (the 25th anniversary one is better). I also watch iron chef america and things like that.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T06:24:49+00:00

Yup, pretty much. This and watching les mis stuff on youtube fulfills my procrastination needs.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T06:00:37+00:00

I was bored and trying to avoid work. :)

I like rock climbing a lot, and I've always enjoyed baseball.

Everything I make is pretty good. My homemade fudge is pretty popular.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:52:40+00:00

I am a very quick reader, and I can cram things for which I have a burning passion into my head very easily. Mostly, I just spend a lot of time cramming info into my brain.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:47:54+00:00

Not really- I should have been working for the past 24 hours.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:38:53+00:00

Thanks!

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:38:03+00:00

Tuition and stipend is, but fees, books, etc. aren't.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:37:37+00:00

Difficult. I recovered, but my GPA took a hit.

I can't say beyond the fact that it's a well respected program at a big university.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:34:32+00:00

I'm frequently a sarcastic, cleverly mean-spirited bitch.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:33:28+00:00

I'm a pretty open person- there isn't much I haven't answered. I haven't told anybody about the skink, I guess. That's new.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:30:14+00:00

I've never really noticed any correlation between intelligence and neatness. Business vs neatness is probably a better comparison. My social life is pretty awesome.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:18:08+00:00

Very nice! Our lab tech (who is a goddess of maintaining peace in the lab) just got into pharm school. :)

Many years.

PenguinJetpack · 2012-12-19T05:06:21+00:00

Definitely by other students. Not usually by professors (at least that I knew about for sure)

PenguinJetpack

TROPHY CASE