Carbon is the element of life. We've discussed this topic from the viewpoint of biology but how would a chemist look into the life-giving nature of carbon? Biology is basically applied chemistry after all, would a chemist rob biology of the beauty and mystery of life?

​Or would we better understand and realize that everything in this universe is co-dependent on each other?

From our observation of the universe, life is a rare occurrence, and when it exists, a fragile one. The Earth itself had periods of extinction events that nearly turned our little blue planet into a barren death world not unlike Mars.

And we have taken life, including our own, for granted. Last Life of Leaves tells a story of how it is lost and regained, and serves as a warning and reminder to us all.

What is in a name? A lot if you're a biologist. Similarly how we have nuclear families, extended families, and far flung cousins, all species are related and some are closer to each other than others. Taxonomy is a way for us to keep track on where each species belong on the tree of life, it's part of our collective family history, so to speak.

Humanity has always pride itself of it's position in nature. We have been preconditioned by society to see ourselves as special, unique, or chosen. How about non-human animals? How much can we identify ourselves with them? Even considering the lack of communication and understanding. David Armstrong's short story is about bridging that gap...and the ethical consequences thereof.

How much are animals like us, and how much are we like animals?

One of the most basic questions in biology throughout history is regarding our origins: how did we came to be? Paleonto-biologists look of answers in our past, evolutionary biologists look at other species (our biological cousins, so to speak). But developmental biologists look for it from how we were created: the first few moments of our conception.

By studying this, we may discover more than our origins, maybe even our purpose in nature.