Wednesday, September 30, 2009
State of research project (Sept. 30)
the state of my project right now is still in the process of being started. The article that I have chosen is still something that I am not sure that I really want to research about. I am in Athletic Training so I wanted to choose something that was along the lines of what I should be studying anyways. I have thought about many of the areas that I would want to write about, but since this semester I am sticking to lower limbs, i thought that I should go for something lower. I then thought about the knee and ACL's, but I think I will just stick an ankle injury.
"Caffeine Linked to Hallucinations" -14
"Caffeine Linked to Hallucinations"
ScienceNOW. Retrieved at: http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/113/1
People who drink a lot of caffeinated drinks and coffee daily, are reported to more likely have out of body experiences and hear voices, than those you do not drink as much. The link between the two makes sense, since when the body becomes stressed it produces more of the hormone cortisol, which if elevated it can cause people to hear and see things. The hormone cortisol can also be regulated by caffeine, making it possible for caffeine users to see and hear these unexplained things. Several scientists tried out an online survey to see what coffee drinkers where experiencing. The survey had the answer from mostly women that they have had outer body sensations. These women were used to having two to three cups of coffee a day, which then caused them to have the outer body experience and the hallucinations. It is still possible that coffee is not the reason for these people having hallucinations, since they do not know their use with alcohol or any illegal drugs. There was a search done years ago also connecting caffeine to hallucinations, then there is the question about those who have developed a tolerance, could they also develop a tolerance for the hallucinations.
ScienceNOW. Retrieved at: http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/113/1
People who drink a lot of caffeinated drinks and coffee daily, are reported to more likely have out of body experiences and hear voices, than those you do not drink as much. The link between the two makes sense, since when the body becomes stressed it produces more of the hormone cortisol, which if elevated it can cause people to hear and see things. The hormone cortisol can also be regulated by caffeine, making it possible for caffeine users to see and hear these unexplained things. Several scientists tried out an online survey to see what coffee drinkers where experiencing. The survey had the answer from mostly women that they have had outer body sensations. These women were used to having two to three cups of coffee a day, which then caused them to have the outer body experience and the hallucinations. It is still possible that coffee is not the reason for these people having hallucinations, since they do not know their use with alcohol or any illegal drugs. There was a search done years ago also connecting caffeine to hallucinations, then there is the question about those who have developed a tolerance, could they also develop a tolerance for the hallucinations.
"Obesity In Mid-life Reduces The Chance Of Healthy Survival In Women" -13
"Obesity In Mid-life Reduces The Chance Of Healthy Survival In Women"
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929194205.htm
A recent study shows that women who live to be 70 and that are either over-weight or were over-weight during their mid-life, can have some serious issues later in life. They were seen to have more chronic diseases and impaired cognitive function, physical function, and mental health. Women, who were lean throughout most of their lives starting from young adults, are shown to be much healthier later on in life. It is the first study showing what adiposity does to the woman’s body. In today’s day, people are getting older, but in the United States, people are also getting much bigger. In the U.S., one third of the population is obese, and almost two thirds of the population is over-weight. In a study that was done, 9.9% of the women were healthy and at a decent weight. Out of the rest of the women, about 3% had chronic diseases, but no other health limitations, about 60% had cognitive, physical or mental health limitations but no chronic diseases and the last 37% had both the chronic diseases and the limitations in cognitive, physical, and their mental health.
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929194205.htm
A recent study shows that women who live to be 70 and that are either over-weight or were over-weight during their mid-life, can have some serious issues later in life. They were seen to have more chronic diseases and impaired cognitive function, physical function, and mental health. Women, who were lean throughout most of their lives starting from young adults, are shown to be much healthier later on in life. It is the first study showing what adiposity does to the woman’s body. In today’s day, people are getting older, but in the United States, people are also getting much bigger. In the U.S., one third of the population is obese, and almost two thirds of the population is over-weight. In a study that was done, 9.9% of the women were healthy and at a decent weight. Out of the rest of the women, about 3% had chronic diseases, but no other health limitations, about 60% had cognitive, physical or mental health limitations but no chronic diseases and the last 37% had both the chronic diseases and the limitations in cognitive, physical, and their mental health.
"Air Pollutants From Abroad A Growing Concern, Says New Report" -12
"Air Pollutants From Abroad A Growing Concern, Says New Report"
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929132509.htm
Harmful air pollutants not only stay around locally and harm the areas that it is in; it crosses oceans and flows from one continent to another. Emissions from any country can be completely harmful for a country different from the country that it is starts, affecting humans and ecosystems around the world. There are four types of pollutants that travel through the air over the northern hemisphere, and satellites are actually able to catch some of the pollutants through the hemisphere. It is still difficult to determine which pollutant causes what in the air. It is known that where it lands it can cause respiratory problems for people. Some of the pollutants found in the United States can be traced back to emissions and pollutants from inside Asia. They were able to track how long it took to cross the pacific from Asia to the observatory in Oregon, which took eight days.
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929132509.htm
Harmful air pollutants not only stay around locally and harm the areas that it is in; it crosses oceans and flows from one continent to another. Emissions from any country can be completely harmful for a country different from the country that it is starts, affecting humans and ecosystems around the world. There are four types of pollutants that travel through the air over the northern hemisphere, and satellites are actually able to catch some of the pollutants through the hemisphere. It is still difficult to determine which pollutant causes what in the air. It is known that where it lands it can cause respiratory problems for people. Some of the pollutants found in the United States can be traced back to emissions and pollutants from inside Asia. They were able to track how long it took to cross the pacific from Asia to the observatory in Oregon, which took eight days.
"Closer Look at Einstein's Brain" -11
"Closer Look at Einstein's Brain"
ScienceNOW. Retrieved at: http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/417/1
Albert Einstein, a genius, died in 1955 and had his brain removed by a pathologist, who preserved, photographed and measured Einstein’s brain. Throughout the years, a colleague of the pathologist cut up slices of the brain to mount them onto slides, and occasionally send them off to universities. What was left of the brain then traveled in a jar with the pathologist until he gave the last remaining piece of Einstein’s brain to the University Medical Center of Princeton. A neurobiologist studied the pictures of the brain, as that was all that was left of the whole brain intact. They found that Einstein’s parietal lobes were larger than normal, yet his brain size was smaller than the lower end of average for modern human beings. While studying his parietals, they noticed that he had more grooves and ridges, possibly explaining his abilities to conceptualize physic problems. While studying other photos of his brain and 25 others, they found a knob like structure in the motor cortex and realized that this is the structure that controls left hand, but in others it has been associated with musical ability. Some are skeptical that Einstein was a parietal thinker, such as thinking in images and sensations, but they are only working off of photographs so it is difficult to tell.
ScienceNOW. Retrieved at: http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/417/1
Albert Einstein, a genius, died in 1955 and had his brain removed by a pathologist, who preserved, photographed and measured Einstein’s brain. Throughout the years, a colleague of the pathologist cut up slices of the brain to mount them onto slides, and occasionally send them off to universities. What was left of the brain then traveled in a jar with the pathologist until he gave the last remaining piece of Einstein’s brain to the University Medical Center of Princeton. A neurobiologist studied the pictures of the brain, as that was all that was left of the whole brain intact. They found that Einstein’s parietal lobes were larger than normal, yet his brain size was smaller than the lower end of average for modern human beings. While studying his parietals, they noticed that he had more grooves and ridges, possibly explaining his abilities to conceptualize physic problems. While studying other photos of his brain and 25 others, they found a knob like structure in the motor cortex and realized that this is the structure that controls left hand, but in others it has been associated with musical ability. Some are skeptical that Einstein was a parietal thinker, such as thinking in images and sensations, but they are only working off of photographs so it is difficult to tell.
"A Connection Between Sleep and Alzheimer's?" -10
"A Connection Between Sleep and Alzheimer's?"
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/924/3
A new study has been found between the connection of sleep, or lack of sleep, and Alzheimer’s disease. For both humans and mice, there is a peptide that rises while the human, or mouse, is awake, and falls while they sleep. Scientists reported on the mice that were sleep-deprived had a build up of the peptide, a sort of plaque. This build of plaque from the peptide is the same type of build up found in the patients with Alzheimer’s. They believe that a patient who now has Alzheimer’s had a build up from the very beginning, before any symptoms began. To experiment this peptide and Alzheimer’s disease, the scientists took cerebrospinal fluid from mice, and for three weeks, they kept the mouse awake for 20 hours a day to see if their peptide level had risen. After the three weeks, the peptide level had risen to higher plaque levels compared to the other well-rested mice. They also found a hormone that promotes wakefulness, which reduced plaque formation. The findings could let people know that not getting enough sleep could lead to build up of the peptide plaque, making them more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. They also are trying to see if anything can be done with the hormone that reduces the plaque. There is yet a cure or any serious type of treatment for Alzheimer’s, but it is still a new piece of information that could be helpful.
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/924/3
A new study has been found between the connection of sleep, or lack of sleep, and Alzheimer’s disease. For both humans and mice, there is a peptide that rises while the human, or mouse, is awake, and falls while they sleep. Scientists reported on the mice that were sleep-deprived had a build up of the peptide, a sort of plaque. This build of plaque from the peptide is the same type of build up found in the patients with Alzheimer’s. They believe that a patient who now has Alzheimer’s had a build up from the very beginning, before any symptoms began. To experiment this peptide and Alzheimer’s disease, the scientists took cerebrospinal fluid from mice, and for three weeks, they kept the mouse awake for 20 hours a day to see if their peptide level had risen. After the three weeks, the peptide level had risen to higher plaque levels compared to the other well-rested mice. They also found a hormone that promotes wakefulness, which reduced plaque formation. The findings could let people know that not getting enough sleep could lead to build up of the peptide plaque, making them more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. They also are trying to see if anything can be done with the hormone that reduces the plaque. There is yet a cure or any serious type of treatment for Alzheimer’s, but it is still a new piece of information that could be helpful.
"Hyenas Cooperate, Problem-solve Better Than Primates" -9
"Hyenas Cooperate, Problem-solve Better Than Primates"
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131032.htm
A study was done on spotted hyenas that showed how their cooperative problem-solving tests performed higher than chimpanzees, but that does not make hyenas smarter than chimpanzees. Two captive hyenas were put into a cage with rope test to see if they could work together to open the door with the food. Their task was to pull on the rope in unison and the door would open only because of the force of the pull from both sides. When experienced and inexperienced hyenas were put together the higher-level hyena would help the other until the door was open. When chimpanzees were put into the same situations they required training experience before they were able to pull down on the ropes together and win their prize of food. The experiment did not allow one hyenas tug to open the trap door, it was designed so that two hyenas had to pull the door. When two dominant hyenas were to open the trap door though, it became more difficult for the two to work together. When the dominant was placed with a less experienced hyena, the more dominant one went down to the level of the other to help it figure out how to open together. Also when two dominant females were placed together, their aggressiveness towards each other prevented them from passing the test.
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928131032.htm
A study was done on spotted hyenas that showed how their cooperative problem-solving tests performed higher than chimpanzees, but that does not make hyenas smarter than chimpanzees. Two captive hyenas were put into a cage with rope test to see if they could work together to open the door with the food. Their task was to pull on the rope in unison and the door would open only because of the force of the pull from both sides. When experienced and inexperienced hyenas were put together the higher-level hyena would help the other until the door was open. When chimpanzees were put into the same situations they required training experience before they were able to pull down on the ropes together and win their prize of food. The experiment did not allow one hyenas tug to open the trap door, it was designed so that two hyenas had to pull the door. When two dominant hyenas were to open the trap door though, it became more difficult for the two to work together. When the dominant was placed with a less experienced hyena, the more dominant one went down to the level of the other to help it figure out how to open together. Also when two dominant females were placed together, their aggressiveness towards each other prevented them from passing the test.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
"Social Isolation Worsens Cancer, Mouse Study Suggests" -8
"Social Isolation Worsens Cancer, Mouse Study Suggests"
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133115.htm
Scientists have been studying mice with human breast cancer, and their social interactions and isolations. Researchers have studied that a negative environment for the mice, in their case isolation, actually increases the tumor growth. The search is to study the altered gene expression in the mammary glands of the mice, and how the changes increase the size of the tumors. The altered gene expression shows that it doesn’t all happen in the brain, it happens in other tissues also, when the animal’s environment is changed around. Two mice that were genetically found with mammary gland cancer, and placed one of the mice in a environment with other mice and the other mouse with breast cancer was put into isolation. After the same amount of time, the mouse in isolation had a larger tumor than the one that was put into a community. Not only were the tumor sizes different, the behavior hormone levels and stress hormone levels in the isolated mouse were much higher than the other mouse. The findings in the mice with breast cancer, could further suggest that not only in mammary gland cancers, but also any type of chronic disease could be much worse when dealt with in isolation.
Science Daily. Retrieved at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929133115.htm
Scientists have been studying mice with human breast cancer, and their social interactions and isolations. Researchers have studied that a negative environment for the mice, in their case isolation, actually increases the tumor growth. The search is to study the altered gene expression in the mammary glands of the mice, and how the changes increase the size of the tumors. The altered gene expression shows that it doesn’t all happen in the brain, it happens in other tissues also, when the animal’s environment is changed around. Two mice that were genetically found with mammary gland cancer, and placed one of the mice in a environment with other mice and the other mouse with breast cancer was put into isolation. After the same amount of time, the mouse in isolation had a larger tumor than the one that was put into a community. Not only were the tumor sizes different, the behavior hormone levels and stress hormone levels in the isolated mouse were much higher than the other mouse. The findings in the mice with breast cancer, could further suggest that not only in mammary gland cancers, but also any type of chronic disease could be much worse when dealt with in isolation.
"HIV vaccine 'reduces infection'" -7
"HIV vaccine 'reduces infection'"
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8272113.stm
For over seven years, a vaccine for HIV was being tested in Thailand for over 16,000 people. The vaccine was found to have reduced the risk of contracting HIV by nearly one third. The vaccine is a combination of two previous experimental vaccines, and has been hailed as an important, scientific breakthrough, even though no global vaccine has come out. The study was done in Thailand to HIV-negative men and women between the ages of 18 and 30. The two previous vaccines separated did nothing to cut the infection rate, whereas when they were put together, that’s when scientists started to notice a difference. Half of the study group was given the vaccine and the other half was given a placebo, and every six months for about three years they were to come back and get tested for HIV. 74 of the placebo subjects were infected and 51 of the vaccine subjects were infected. One said that the news was encouraging, since they have not had good news in the Aids vaccine field in over a decade. Even though it was very good news for the scientists, they still must be cautious and completely study through this new find and bring hope to the world.
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8272113.stm
For over seven years, a vaccine for HIV was being tested in Thailand for over 16,000 people. The vaccine was found to have reduced the risk of contracting HIV by nearly one third. The vaccine is a combination of two previous experimental vaccines, and has been hailed as an important, scientific breakthrough, even though no global vaccine has come out. The study was done in Thailand to HIV-negative men and women between the ages of 18 and 30. The two previous vaccines separated did nothing to cut the infection rate, whereas when they were put together, that’s when scientists started to notice a difference. Half of the study group was given the vaccine and the other half was given a placebo, and every six months for about three years they were to come back and get tested for HIV. 74 of the placebo subjects were infected and 51 of the vaccine subjects were infected. One said that the news was encouraging, since they have not had good news in the Aids vaccine field in over a decade. Even though it was very good news for the scientists, they still must be cautious and completely study through this new find and bring hope to the world.
"Can Evolution Run in Reverse? A Study Says It’s a One-Way Street" -6
"Can Evolution Run in Reverse? A Study Says It’s a One-Way Street"
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/science/29evol.html?ref=science
By CARL ZIMMER
Published: September 28, 2009
As evolution pushes forward, evolutionary biologists have always wondered if evolution could ever go backwards, back to how it first began. In 1905, a Belgian scientist named Louis Dollo, stated that no organism could ever go back to it’s former state, which was later known as Dollo’s Law. Scientist examined the evolution of one protein and claimed that there is no way for the proteins mutations to send it back to its first state. To test it out, they took the evolutionary history of an insect that started out with wings millions of years ago, and as it evolved it lost the wings, but then started to grow them again. They wondered if it was reverse evolution at the molecular level. They then tested with a protein that helps people deal with stress and they figured out how it evolved, yet they tried to reverse it, it became a dead receptor. They realized that the protein had some extra key mutations that involved the other mutations to become harder to reverse the evolution of the protein. Scientists say that maybe a simple mutation would have the ability to reverse but once it involves other mutations that twist and wind in each other to make it more complex, then that is when the reverse evolution becomes impossible.
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/science/29evol.html?ref=science
By CARL ZIMMER
Published: September 28, 2009
As evolution pushes forward, evolutionary biologists have always wondered if evolution could ever go backwards, back to how it first began. In 1905, a Belgian scientist named Louis Dollo, stated that no organism could ever go back to it’s former state, which was later known as Dollo’s Law. Scientist examined the evolution of one protein and claimed that there is no way for the proteins mutations to send it back to its first state. To test it out, they took the evolutionary history of an insect that started out with wings millions of years ago, and as it evolved it lost the wings, but then started to grow them again. They wondered if it was reverse evolution at the molecular level. They then tested with a protein that helps people deal with stress and they figured out how it evolved, yet they tried to reverse it, it became a dead receptor. They realized that the protein had some extra key mutations that involved the other mutations to become harder to reverse the evolution of the protein. Scientists say that maybe a simple mutation would have the ability to reverse but once it involves other mutations that twist and wind in each other to make it more complex, then that is when the reverse evolution becomes impossible.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Freewrite #2
My most recent dream dealt with one of my friends who had just told the night of the dream that she was not the type to get married right out of college. So that night I ended up outside of the capitol building in washington D.C. I was standing at the bottom of the steps and was looking up at the building. there were several people around but i didn't really notice their faces. this was a fairly short dream so right around the end, before i woke up i see a beautiful wedding gown and a girl wearing it. i couldn't see her face but she started walking across the steps and i caught her profile view. she was wearing a huge dress with a really long train, it was big and poofy, and she had a vale on, but not covering her face. and right before i woke up, my friend who said she didn't want to marry just yet turned her face towards me from inside the dress and smiled. i woke kind of confused and then realized there was no way that it was real, the fact that she was in that dress actually made me laugh.
Another dream, either that same night or a different night one dealt with me in my room and i was trying to sleep. my roommate came into my room poking and excitedly saying that our other roommate was going to be coming back from work soon and that she wanted me to get up and see her. and i kind of got excited but then quickly fell back asleep when she left, she then came back in a few seconds later and told me to get up and see her because she was going to be there soon. i fell asleep again, so she just went to bed. then i heard banging on my roommates door and it was the other roommate coming back from work telling her to get up. i could not believe the amount of noise that was happening right outside my door but fell back asleep. then next morning i had to confirm with my roommates that none of this happened because i honestly thought it was real.
Another dream, either that same night or a different night one dealt with me in my room and i was trying to sleep. my roommate came into my room poking and excitedly saying that our other roommate was going to be coming back from work soon and that she wanted me to get up and see her. and i kind of got excited but then quickly fell back asleep when she left, she then came back in a few seconds later and told me to get up and see her because she was going to be there soon. i fell asleep again, so she just went to bed. then i heard banging on my roommates door and it was the other roommate coming back from work telling her to get up. i could not believe the amount of noise that was happening right outside my door but fell back asleep. then next morning i had to confirm with my roommates that none of this happened because i honestly thought it was real.
"Key gene 'controls disease fight'" -5
"Key gene 'controls disease fight'"
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8250330.stm
United Kingdom scientists have found the main gene that helps the immune system to fight off disease. The scientists say that the gene found causes stem cells to become disease fighting immune cells. They hope that this discovery is a way to increase the cells and potentially find a way to kill cancer. Along with killing cancer, it could help with new treatments for type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. These diseases are a result of the immune system not working and turning against the body, and the disease fighting cells are the damaged cells. Researchers have been studying with mice that lack the main gene that kills of diseases. These mice should be the answer that the scientists are looking for about the disease fighting cells in the immune system, with autoimmune diseases, and possible infertility in women. The latest find is that the stem cells produced in the bone marrow is actually controlled by the gene that they discovered, and their aim is to develop some type of drug that build up the disease fighting cells in the body. The disease fighting cells can be different from person to person, so it does not always work in the fight for cancer when the patient receives donated blood.
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8250330.stm
United Kingdom scientists have found the main gene that helps the immune system to fight off disease. The scientists say that the gene found causes stem cells to become disease fighting immune cells. They hope that this discovery is a way to increase the cells and potentially find a way to kill cancer. Along with killing cancer, it could help with new treatments for type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. These diseases are a result of the immune system not working and turning against the body, and the disease fighting cells are the damaged cells. Researchers have been studying with mice that lack the main gene that kills of diseases. These mice should be the answer that the scientists are looking for about the disease fighting cells in the immune system, with autoimmune diseases, and possible infertility in women. The latest find is that the stem cells produced in the bone marrow is actually controlled by the gene that they discovered, and their aim is to develop some type of drug that build up the disease fighting cells in the body. The disease fighting cells can be different from person to person, so it does not always work in the fight for cancer when the patient receives donated blood.
"Antibiotic resistance clue found" -4
"Antibiotic resistance clue found"
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8248020.stm
Researchers have recently found that some bacteria have been able to create a defense mechanism against antibiotics. The defense mechanism that is produced is a product of nitric oxide, which affects some main targets in a large range of antibiotics. An expert said that if they could inhibit the nitric oxide that is being produced by the bacteria, then it could possibly be an important step to killing off certain bacterium with a smaller, less toxic dose of antibiotics. Resistance for antibiotics by the bacteria MRSA is a developing problem and scientists need to find out how to stop them from canceling out the antibiotics. Researchers found that the bacterium produces nitric oxide, which is molecule that consists of one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom. This nitric oxide increase is their resistance to antibiotics. The researchers found an enzyme that produced the nitric oxide when the bacterium detected the antibiotic. Researchers are pleased to say that instead of having to invent a new type of antibiotic, their main goal is to just detect and figure out how the enzyme works and just stop its production of the nitric oxide.
BBC World News. Retrieved at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8248020.stm
Researchers have recently found that some bacteria have been able to create a defense mechanism against antibiotics. The defense mechanism that is produced is a product of nitric oxide, which affects some main targets in a large range of antibiotics. An expert said that if they could inhibit the nitric oxide that is being produced by the bacteria, then it could possibly be an important step to killing off certain bacterium with a smaller, less toxic dose of antibiotics. Resistance for antibiotics by the bacteria MRSA is a developing problem and scientists need to find out how to stop them from canceling out the antibiotics. Researchers found that the bacterium produces nitric oxide, which is molecule that consists of one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom. This nitric oxide increase is their resistance to antibiotics. The researchers found an enzyme that produced the nitric oxide when the bacterium detected the antibiotic. Researchers are pleased to say that instead of having to invent a new type of antibiotic, their main goal is to just detect and figure out how the enzyme works and just stop its production of the nitric oxide.
"Bathing, but Not Alone" -3
"Bathing, but Not Alone" #3
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15shower.html?scp=1&sq=bathing%20not%20alone&st=cse
By NICHOLAS WADE
Published: September 14, 2009
Everyday, people all over the country inhale or ingest millions of bacteria. Sitting in the office building, people inhale thousands of bacteria and in one glass of tap water one could swallow millions of them. Now to add to the office air and the drinking water, the showers that millions of people take each day, are now found to be completely filled with bacteria. The bacterium that was recently found in New York showers is a microbe that is related to the tuberculosis bacteria called Mycobacterium avium. It is also closely related to the bacterium that causes chest pains such as lifeguard’s lung, hot tub lung, and Lady Windermere’s syndrome. Microbiologists found that the bacteria is in each droplet of water that comes out of the shower and is just being inhaled deep into the lungs of the person showering. One of the microbiologists found 15 different kinds of bacteria in one shower. Even though people are being sprayed all over by a variety of bacteria every time they shower, the microbiologist said that none of them are harmful, except for M. avium. The doctor also found that the bacteria build up at the showerhead and the dose of bacteria is strongest at the beginning of the shower, and recommends that the shower be run for about 30 seconds so the amount hitting someone lessens. Also, most bacteria do not prefer metal showerheads and build up more in the plastic ones.
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15shower.html?scp=1&sq=bathing%20not%20alone&st=cse
By NICHOLAS WADE
Published: September 14, 2009
Everyday, people all over the country inhale or ingest millions of bacteria. Sitting in the office building, people inhale thousands of bacteria and in one glass of tap water one could swallow millions of them. Now to add to the office air and the drinking water, the showers that millions of people take each day, are now found to be completely filled with bacteria. The bacterium that was recently found in New York showers is a microbe that is related to the tuberculosis bacteria called Mycobacterium avium. It is also closely related to the bacterium that causes chest pains such as lifeguard’s lung, hot tub lung, and Lady Windermere’s syndrome. Microbiologists found that the bacteria is in each droplet of water that comes out of the shower and is just being inhaled deep into the lungs of the person showering. One of the microbiologists found 15 different kinds of bacteria in one shower. Even though people are being sprayed all over by a variety of bacteria every time they shower, the microbiologist said that none of them are harmful, except for M. avium. The doctor also found that the bacteria build up at the showerhead and the dose of bacteria is strongest at the beginning of the shower, and recommends that the shower be run for about 30 seconds so the amount hitting someone lessens. Also, most bacteria do not prefer metal showerheads and build up more in the plastic ones.
"An Organ of Many Talents, at the Root of Serious Ills" -2
"An Organ of Many Talents, at the Root of Serious Ills" #2
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/science/15angi.html?scp=1&sq=an%20organ%20of%20many%20talents&st=cse
By NATALIE ANGIER
Published: September 14, 2009
One of the organs with some of the biggest medical crises in America is an organ that many would never expect. The pancreas lies deep within the abdominal wall and lies between the stomach and the spinal cord. It lies horizontally right above the waistline, with one end that lies tucked into the stomach and the other end up against the duodenum of the small intestines. Many don’t know the purpose and function of the pancreas, when it is one of the most important things in the human body. The pancreas is both an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland. Where it produces milk that flows through the ducts in the breasts and also produces humans to perspire through the sweat glands. It then also produces internal secretions such as certain hormones and secretes it into the bloodstream. About 90% percent is based on its exocrinic role of breaking down food with certain digestive enzymes and then sending it on through to the small intestines. The other 10% of the pancreas’s function consists of certain types of cells that synthesize insulin and glucagons to regulate blood sugar in the body. Having any type of break down of the pancreas could cause one some serious problems. People with Type 1 diabetes, they have the problem that the specific cells that produce insulin are killed off and they need lifelong injections of insulin. Type 2 diabetes in adults also have problems with insulin but can be reduced through exercise and proper dieting. If diabetes is not the problem, then cancer could be the big one. It is difficult for doctors to detect pancreatic cancer early on, and by the time it is found, usually the cancer has already spread to other organs. Also, since most tumors are devascularized, chemotherapy treatment is rarely effective because none of the medicine that flows through the bloodstream can reach the tumor.
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/science/15angi.html?scp=1&sq=an%20organ%20of%20many%20talents&st=cse
By NATALIE ANGIER
Published: September 14, 2009
One of the organs with some of the biggest medical crises in America is an organ that many would never expect. The pancreas lies deep within the abdominal wall and lies between the stomach and the spinal cord. It lies horizontally right above the waistline, with one end that lies tucked into the stomach and the other end up against the duodenum of the small intestines. Many don’t know the purpose and function of the pancreas, when it is one of the most important things in the human body. The pancreas is both an exocrine gland and an endocrine gland. Where it produces milk that flows through the ducts in the breasts and also produces humans to perspire through the sweat glands. It then also produces internal secretions such as certain hormones and secretes it into the bloodstream. About 90% percent is based on its exocrinic role of breaking down food with certain digestive enzymes and then sending it on through to the small intestines. The other 10% of the pancreas’s function consists of certain types of cells that synthesize insulin and glucagons to regulate blood sugar in the body. Having any type of break down of the pancreas could cause one some serious problems. People with Type 1 diabetes, they have the problem that the specific cells that produce insulin are killed off and they need lifelong injections of insulin. Type 2 diabetes in adults also have problems with insulin but can be reduced through exercise and proper dieting. If diabetes is not the problem, then cancer could be the big one. It is difficult for doctors to detect pancreatic cancer early on, and by the time it is found, usually the cancer has already spread to other organs. Also, since most tumors are devascularized, chemotherapy treatment is rarely effective because none of the medicine that flows through the bloodstream can reach the tumor.
"One Injury, 10 Countries: A journey in Health Care" -1
"One Injury, 10 Countries: A journey in Health Care" #1
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15book.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=one%20injury,%2010%20countries&st=cse
By ABIGAIL ZUGER, M.D.
Published: September 14, 2009
The article is based on the health care systems around the world. T. R. Reid is an author who had a shoulder injury and decided to get it looked at, not only in America, but all around the world. He was checking the health care systems and how they work in different countries, while the crisis of free health care in the United States is an on going issue. Mr. Reid developed a chronic shoulder problem, which opened the opportunity to check other countries and compare how the health care systems are all different. He consulted with his orthopedist in America who recommended shoulder replacement, which would cost the insurance company tens of thousands of dollars, if they were to pay. Along side with unknown co-payments, with the risks of most surgeries but an excellent golf swing. Mr. Reid then goes to France and is referred to an orthopedist with a $10 consultation fee. He is recommended to do physical therapy, but if he really wants surgery the cost would be paid for entirely by insurance. In Germany, the surgery could have been given to him in a week with a $30 out of pocket payment. In London, the doctors told Mr. Reid it was unnecessary surgery and if he really thought it was that important, he would have to go private and pay for it himself. In Japan, he was offered a range of treatments from steroid injections to surgery all paid for by insurance. In an Indian hospital, he paid $42.85 a night for a regimen of meditation, lentils, rice, and massages, which actually improved some movement in the stiff joint in his shoulder. Mr. Reid then speaks of how insurance can help or kill someone in the U.S. Someone who is unemployed could be too rich for Medicaid, yet too poor for regular insurance. These people are the ones who die of treatable illnesses because of the lack of insurance.
The New York Times. Retrieved at: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15book.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=one%20injury,%2010%20countries&st=cse
By ABIGAIL ZUGER, M.D.
Published: September 14, 2009
The article is based on the health care systems around the world. T. R. Reid is an author who had a shoulder injury and decided to get it looked at, not only in America, but all around the world. He was checking the health care systems and how they work in different countries, while the crisis of free health care in the United States is an on going issue. Mr. Reid developed a chronic shoulder problem, which opened the opportunity to check other countries and compare how the health care systems are all different. He consulted with his orthopedist in America who recommended shoulder replacement, which would cost the insurance company tens of thousands of dollars, if they were to pay. Along side with unknown co-payments, with the risks of most surgeries but an excellent golf swing. Mr. Reid then goes to France and is referred to an orthopedist with a $10 consultation fee. He is recommended to do physical therapy, but if he really wants surgery the cost would be paid for entirely by insurance. In Germany, the surgery could have been given to him in a week with a $30 out of pocket payment. In London, the doctors told Mr. Reid it was unnecessary surgery and if he really thought it was that important, he would have to go private and pay for it himself. In Japan, he was offered a range of treatments from steroid injections to surgery all paid for by insurance. In an Indian hospital, he paid $42.85 a night for a regimen of meditation, lentils, rice, and massages, which actually improved some movement in the stiff joint in his shoulder. Mr. Reid then speaks of how insurance can help or kill someone in the U.S. Someone who is unemployed could be too rich for Medicaid, yet too poor for regular insurance. These people are the ones who die of treatable illnesses because of the lack of insurance.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
English 302 "Earliest Memory"
Photo Link
My Earliest Memory
One of my earliest memories was when I lived in Bahrain. There are three different scenes but all around the same building and same age. We lived in an apartment complex somewhere in Bahrain. One of my memories was when I was in the apartment sleeping on the coach and when I woke up, I couldn’t find my parents, I didn’t search very far but I knew they weren’t in the room with me. Within a few minutes of waking up they walked in through the front door and they had on all white and long rackets. Later I find out that they had actually called a babysitter to come and watch me while they played squash. Apparently the babysitter forgot to come and watch me and that’s why I was by myself. The other is at the bottom of the apartment building, the ground floor near the elevators, were these two big white fluffy dogs. I don’t remember them that much but I definitely remember the fluffiness. I lived in Bahrain probably when I was around late 4, early 5 years of age. And the last memory was when the entire building had a big party one day, I don’t think the area was attached to the building but definitely close by, but I went up to see what the party was like and when I got up there I just leaned against the walls and was observing, then the next thing I remember was taking a side step and the heel of my shoe went into something mushy, and I’m pretty sure it was one of the big fluffy dog’s poop.
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