Kerr County People Magazine

09/06/2024

Can she style that hair or what? 🤣❤️

09/05/2024

Our cells can make sounds:

And each cell has its own "unique sound" that remains inaudible to the human ear. In 2002, researchers found that baker's yeast cells oscillate at the nanoscale. They noticed that the cell walls were vibrating at a remarkable rate of 1,000 times per second! These movements, although incredibly fast and subtle, when translated into sound, create a high-pitched scream. Researchers believe that this sound comes from tiny machines inside the cells called molecular motors. These motors help move materials within a cell.

These motor proteins are attached to the cytoskeleton, which helps keep the cell's shape, and that is linked to the cell membrane. This means that when the motor proteins move, they make the cell membrane vibrate. These subtle vibrations offer a window into how our cells respond to various stimuli, including our thoughts and emotions, and may ultimately broaden our understanding of both cellular function and the impact of psychological states on our bodies. Researchers are now looking into using these vibrations to tell the difference between healthy and cancerous cells. When cells transform into cancerous forms, their internal dynamics change, potentially creating distinct vibrational patterns and sounds. So, one day, a doctor may potentially determine if a cell is malignant by simply listening to the cell’s vibrations. Moving molecules inside living cells with the power of sound could be a new way to treat certain diseases.

09/03/2024

Mary Stewart

Here's a 2 gallon water dispenser from last weekend's firing.

09/03/2024

Found this on my feed today. Surprise guest on the back porch 🐻

09/02/2024

Get into the holiday spirit with us for a weekend of creativity and fun! Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking to explore your crafty side, we’ve got the space and supplies ready for you. Dive into various projects, discover new techniques, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with us at Mo!

For more information and to register visit www.moranch.org/attend

08/29/2024

And we say, "Thanks for the rain" - it's wonderful.

Joe Beeler really captured the feeling in this fine bronze!

08/29/2024

🤠 Criders Rodeo & Dancehall has been around for generations in the heart of the Hill Country! Established during America’s Roaring Twenties in 1925, this dance hall and rodeo has brought good ol’ two-steppin’ and rodeo fun to visitors exploring Kerrville and its surrounding areas! Experience the fun before the rodeo closes after Labor Day weekend! 🏇

📲: https://bit.ly/3Oi6rOl
📸: Papi Chu

08/29/2024

So it really was the Planet of the Apes.

This is Lucy, a young adult female Australopithecus afarensis who lived in Ethiopia 3.2 million years ago.

Her partial skeleton, discovered in 1974, is one of the most significant fossil finds in the study of human evolution.

Lucy's skeleton is about 40% complete and is the most complete early hominin skeleton found to date. Lucy was discovered in the Afar Triangle region of Hadar, Ethiopia. This groundbreaking was made by Donald Johanson in 1974. It provided substantial evidence of bipedalism, the ability to walk upright on two legs, in early hominids. Lucy's skeletal structure, a fascinating blend of ape and human features, confirmed that bipedalism preceded the development of larger brains in humans, thus reshaping our understanding of the evolutionary timeline. Although the skeleton is incomplete, it offered a wealth of information about her species. Her small stature, despite being a fully grown adult, indicated a significant degree of sexual dimorphism in early hominids, where males were considerably larger than females. This dimorphism is also observed in some modern primates, such as gorillas. Lucy's skeletal features, including a small skull, long arms, and a conical ribcage, resembled those of an ape, while her spine, pelvis, and knees were more human-like. This unique combination of traits highlighted the transitional nature of Australopithecus afarensis in the evolutionary process. The discovery of fossilized footprints at Laetoli, Tanzania, further solidified the evidence of bipedalism in Lucy's species. These footprints, dating back 3.7 million years, revealed a walking pattern remarkably similar to modern humans, with a distinct heel-strike and toe-off motion. The footprints also suggested that these early hominids walked in groups, possibly consisting of family units, and their gait was likely slightly different from modern humans, with a more bent knee posture. The study of Lucy and her species, Australopithecus afarensis, has provided valuable insights into their lifestyle and habitat. They are believed to have lived between 3.7 and 3 million years ago in East Africa, inhabiting a diverse range of environments, from savannas to woodlands. Their diet primarily consisted of plants, but evidence suggests they might have also consumed meat, indicating a more flexible and adaptable dietary pattern than previously thought. While no tools have been directly associated with Lucy's species, it is highly probable that they utilized simple tools like sticks and stones. This assumption is based on the dexterity of their hands, evident from their skeletal structure, and the tool-using behavior observed in their close relatives, chimpanzees. The use of tools, even in rudimentary forms, would have significantly aided them in foraging, defense, and other survival activities. The brain of Australopithecus afarensis was small, roughly one-third the size of modern human brains, aligning more closely with that of extant apes. This indicates that the advancements in locomotion preceded significant encephalization in hominin evolution. Despite their smaller cranial capacity, the discovery of tools and evidence of tool use suggests that they had begun to develop cognitive abilities that facilitated the use of environmental objects as tools, a significant step in human evolutionary history. Lucy's discovery and the subsequent research on her species have been instrumental in reconstructing the human evolutionary timeline. They have provided invaluable insights into the early development of bipedalism, the dietary habits of early hominids, and the varying physical characteristics within a species. Lucy's legacy continues to inspire and inform research in paleoanthropology, solidifying her place as a cornerstone in our understanding of human origins. In addition to the scientific findings, Lucy has also captured the public's imagination and become an icon of human evolution. Soon after her discovery, Lucy ignited interest in human origins across the world. Ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of where Australopithecus afarensis fits within the hominin family tree, and new technological advances in paleoanthropology promise to uncover even more about this intriguing early ancestor.

08/29/2024

08/27/2024

⭐️SAVE THE DATE⭐️

The 4th Annual Kerr County Sheriff's Foundation Fundraiser will take place on Nov 7, 2024!

Save the date now, and stay tuned for more details and sponsor opportunities. We are also currently accepting auction items. Please reach out to us if you have something to donate. All donations are greatly appreciated, and support our mission to the Sheriff’s office and its community policing efforts. The safety of Kerr County is our #1 priority!

08/26/2024

Coming in September.

You just might learn a lot about Mo-Ranch—and what it offers for individuals, couples, families, organizations and businesses.

Cover Design by Mark Jackson. Mo- Ranch story by Anne Schneider.

Please share so more people will be looking for the Mo-Ranch story and others.

08/22/2024

08/22/2024

Wow.

This person is infected with worm parasites after eating raw pork. The disease is contracted through the ingestion of eggs found in contaminated food and water. Eating raw or undercooked pork can be dangerous due to the risk of parasitic infections such as trichinosis, caused by the roundworm Trichinella spiralis, and cysticercosis, resulting from the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This can lead to disseminated cysticercosis, which is a severe, widespread infestation of the parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This condition occurs when the larvae disseminate throughout the body, affecting multiple organs and tissues, including the brain, muscles, eyes, and skin, leading to a wide range of symptoms depending on the location and burden of the cysts. Neurocysticercosis, where the larvae invade the central nervous system, is among the most serious manifestations, potentially causing seizures, headaches, and neurological deficits. Diagnosis involves imaging techniques like MRI or CT scans alongside serological tests, and treatment typically includes antiparasitic medications, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and sometimes surgery to remove cysts. Prevention strategies focus on improving sanitation, food safety, and public health education in endemic areas to reduce the transmission of Taenia solium.

Image credit: Rajesh et al, Neurology.

08/22/2024

Does anyone know if Tivy had red and blue colors back in the 50s?

Found this flag in an old house. It has signatures on it from 1951–or perhaps that was the signir’s year to graduate.

08/19/2024

Can anyone recommend a program that transcribes audio recordings? Thanks!

08/16/2024

Look what I found. Texas Kitsch. Colors are off in this photo. It’s really cool.

08/16/2024

Mary Stewart did you see this?

👇Find this & MORE of the BEST Halloween Food ideas in COMMENTS 👇

08/13/2024

Sendera Springs is a beautiful wedding venue just outside Kerrville.

It’s family owned and operated by a wonderful
People who strive to make your dreams come true.