Christopher Wanjek
Published October 18, 2012
http://www.livescience.com/24099-green-tea-anti-cancer-secrets.html
Summary:
Although green tea has long been praised for its numerous health benefits, for the first time scientists have found a way it could prevent the spread of breast and prostrate cancers at a cellular level. Certain chemicals in green tea seem to hinder two proteins (growth factors) that increase tumor cell growth and migration. Katherine D. Crew, an assistant professor in epidemiology at Columbia University, leads the ongoing study, with 40 women with a type breast cancer unresponsive to hormone therapy. The scientists randomly gave patients either a placebo (a negative control for this experiment) or varying amounts of an extract containing the chemicals from green tea. After two months, the women taking green tea extracts had conspicuously lower levels of of the tumor growth factors. Dr. Crew suggests that the evening out of factor levels between the groups four months later was due to the patients losing track of their pills. She hopes that, during the process of this study, her team will be able to determine a recommended amount for green tea extract, with optimal therapeutic results. The study builds on findings from a similar, earlier study run with 26 men with prostrate cancer. A newer, separate study also found that drinking green tea seemed to reduce levels of tumor-related chemicals. However, these studies used extracted or pure green tea, and general supermarket teas will contain more sugar and added chemicals and be less effective.
Relevance:
This article relates to what we have learned about cancer and current treatments for it, as well as a bit of proteins. Cancer is caused by malignant tumors, which continuously grow, until cancerous cells start entering the bloodstream and traveling to other areas of the body. If green tea extracts are as effective in limiting tumor cell growth as these studies show them to be, it will prove some folk beliefs in the health benefits of green tea.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Chaparral Forest Fire Dies Down
Jack Foster p3
Published by Associated Press,September 6, 2012
www.Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2012/09/06/rain-aids-battle-against-california-forest-fire/InBkW4rQDkTmAfdYOqFneM/story.html
Summary:Remnants of a tropical storm helped put out a 4,180-acre fire northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains.There has not been a fire in this area for a while, but this fire was contained greatly by the favorable weather and hard work.The fire was stopped by the south eliminating the threat to the local residents.The small community in that area was evacuated but can now return because there is no danger anymore.Some thought that the moist air from the tropical storm would cause lightning and make the fire worse but that was not the case.Nearly 1,300 firefighters were needed to contain the fire. A 25% of thunderstorms followed but there were none. This low pressure system was the end of the tropical storm and a high pressure system was predicted to come in soon after.The firefighters have yet to find the original cause of the fire but have found a burned car that could have started it. Over labor day 12,000 people were asked to evacuate and only a few brave souls refused and stayed in their homes.
Connection:We learned about biomes in class and Chaparral was one of the many biomes that we learned of. Chaparrals are very susceptible to wildfires and this is proof of it. Because of their vulnerability to wildfires it can make it difficult to put out the fire. This is why other natural disasters can actually help others even though they have a reputation of destroying rather than helping. Because of a tropical storm the fire was reduced greatly and the firefighters took the rain from the storm as a huge advantage to further surround and contain the fire. Because of this fire secondary successions occurs because new species can be found in this are but he soil is still intact. This can lead to new life and new possibilities in the area.
Published by Associated Press,September 6, 2012
www.Boston.com
http://www.boston.com/news/weather/2012/09/06/rain-aids-battle-against-california-forest-fire/InBkW4rQDkTmAfdYOqFneM/story.html
Summary:Remnants of a tropical storm helped put out a 4,180-acre fire northeast of Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Mountains.There has not been a fire in this area for a while, but this fire was contained greatly by the favorable weather and hard work.The fire was stopped by the south eliminating the threat to the local residents.The small community in that area was evacuated but can now return because there is no danger anymore.Some thought that the moist air from the tropical storm would cause lightning and make the fire worse but that was not the case.Nearly 1,300 firefighters were needed to contain the fire. A 25% of thunderstorms followed but there were none. This low pressure system was the end of the tropical storm and a high pressure system was predicted to come in soon after.The firefighters have yet to find the original cause of the fire but have found a burned car that could have started it. Over labor day 12,000 people were asked to evacuate and only a few brave souls refused and stayed in their homes.
Connection:We learned about biomes in class and Chaparral was one of the many biomes that we learned of. Chaparrals are very susceptible to wildfires and this is proof of it. Because of their vulnerability to wildfires it can make it difficult to put out the fire. This is why other natural disasters can actually help others even though they have a reputation of destroying rather than helping. Because of a tropical storm the fire was reduced greatly and the firefighters took the rain from the storm as a huge advantage to further surround and contain the fire. Because of this fire secondary successions occurs because new species can be found in this are but he soil is still intact. This can lead to new life and new possibilities in the area.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The top five cancer-causing foods
Published by Mike Adams
NaturalNews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/021808_cancer_prevention.html
Summary:
Modern science has developed a way for us to now begin to understand what foods and ingredients in processed foods can cause cancer, these are known as carcinogens. There are a few major offenders: hot dogs, doughnuts, French fries, cookies/ crackers/ chips, and processed meat/ bacon. These foods are known to have hydrogenated oils (helps to preserve food, and simultaneously add trans fat to it), acrylamides (what forms when starchy food is subjected to very high temperatures), or sodium nitrate (used to make meat look fresh, and doesn't have to be put on the ingredients list) which all have been found to cause cancer.
By looking more closely at the ingredients in our food as well as making attempts to regularly get vigorous exercise and stay hydrated, we can potentially prevent cancer. According to the World Health Organization, we can prevent up to 70 percent of cancers with these diet and lifestyle changes.
Connection:
This connects to both our cells unit and matter & energy unit. Our matter and energy unit discussed fatty acids having to due with the macromolecule lipid. One of the points in the cell unit was about cancer and how cells mutate and divide more than they should. Chemotherapy and radiation can treat cancer, but this article proves that we can make attempts to prevent it.
NaturalNews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/021808_cancer_prevention.html
Summary:
Modern science has developed a way for us to now begin to understand what foods and ingredients in processed foods can cause cancer, these are known as carcinogens. There are a few major offenders: hot dogs, doughnuts, French fries, cookies/ crackers/ chips, and processed meat/ bacon. These foods are known to have hydrogenated oils (helps to preserve food, and simultaneously add trans fat to it), acrylamides (what forms when starchy food is subjected to very high temperatures), or sodium nitrate (used to make meat look fresh, and doesn't have to be put on the ingredients list) which all have been found to cause cancer.
By looking more closely at the ingredients in our food as well as making attempts to regularly get vigorous exercise and stay hydrated, we can potentially prevent cancer. According to the World Health Organization, we can prevent up to 70 percent of cancers with these diet and lifestyle changes.
Connection:
This connects to both our cells unit and matter & energy unit. Our matter and energy unit discussed fatty acids having to due with the macromolecule lipid. One of the points in the cell unit was about cancer and how cells mutate and divide more than they should. Chemotherapy and radiation can treat cancer, but this article proves that we can make attempts to prevent it.
G Protein-Coupled Receptors and the Nobel Prize
Ashutosh Jogalekar
Published October 10, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/10/10/g-protein-coupled-receptors-gpcrs-win-2012-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/
Summary: Up until the late 20th century how cells can sense their environment was a mystery. Scientists theorized that our cells had some sort of sensors on their surfaces. Since then, many important discoveries regarding cell sensors have been made. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been studying these cell sensors for over 40 years. Lefkowitz started off using radioactive isotopes to trace cell receptors in the early late 60's and then again in the 80's, but his most important discovery happened earlier this year. This specific discovery deals with G-protein coupled receptors, receptors that sense hormones and other substances. Similar to the light, odor, and flavor sensors we have in our eyes, nose and mouths, our bodies have internal protein sensors that help our body recognize chemicals like dopamine, adrenalin, serotonin and histamine. Roughly half of all medications affect these G protein receptors. Of course, scientists knew that our body reacts to these substances, but they didn't fully understand how the receptors in our brain recognize them and convey signals. Lefkowitz and Kobilka discovered that these receptors function in the same manner as light receptors in our eyes. Their most recent breakthrough came when they took a picture of the exact moment one of the adrenalin receptors was activated and sent signals into the cell.
Connection: This directly connects to our unit about cells, specifically about proteins. We discussed how protein receptors in cells send signals, exactly what this article is about. We've also been learning about how proteins contribute to chemical reactions within our cells. The protein receptors discussed in this article enable our bodies to function and carry out extremely complex chemical reactions.
Published October 10, 2012
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/the-curious-wavefunction/2012/10/10/g-protein-coupled-receptors-gpcrs-win-2012-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/
Summary: Up until the late 20th century how cells can sense their environment was a mystery. Scientists theorized that our cells had some sort of sensors on their surfaces. Since then, many important discoveries regarding cell sensors have been made. Robert Lefkowitz and Brian Kobilka have been studying these cell sensors for over 40 years. Lefkowitz started off using radioactive isotopes to trace cell receptors in the early late 60's and then again in the 80's, but his most important discovery happened earlier this year. This specific discovery deals with G-protein coupled receptors, receptors that sense hormones and other substances. Similar to the light, odor, and flavor sensors we have in our eyes, nose and mouths, our bodies have internal protein sensors that help our body recognize chemicals like dopamine, adrenalin, serotonin and histamine. Roughly half of all medications affect these G protein receptors. Of course, scientists knew that our body reacts to these substances, but they didn't fully understand how the receptors in our brain recognize them and convey signals. Lefkowitz and Kobilka discovered that these receptors function in the same manner as light receptors in our eyes. Their most recent breakthrough came when they took a picture of the exact moment one of the adrenalin receptors was activated and sent signals into the cell.
Connection: This directly connects to our unit about cells, specifically about proteins. We discussed how protein receptors in cells send signals, exactly what this article is about. We've also been learning about how proteins contribute to chemical reactions within our cells. The protein receptors discussed in this article enable our bodies to function and carry out extremely complex chemical reactions.
The Affects of Wildfires
Nicholas K. Geranios
Published August 18, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/18/washington-fires-2012-idaho_n_1800453.html
Summary: In August, there were large wildfires covering 113 square miles and passing through Washington, California, and Idaho. It lasted for 2 weeks, and was very dangerous and active. The fire threatened the lives of many and resulted in people having to evacuate their homes and towns in order to stay clear of its path. It also moved very quickly and could reach towns within 24 to 36 hours. A small town in Washington was in a scary situation when the roads leading in and out of the town were all under threats. Firefighters worked to keep the fire under control and to slow it down. Many others also helped with keeping the residents safe and also repairing the damages left by the fire. Residents in Washington and California were allowed to return home while more residents in Idaho were told to evacuate due to the fire moving closer.
Connection: This article connects to the ecology unit and to the matter and energy unit. After an area has gone through a natural disaster, many of the plant and animal species are wiped out. Therefore the land goes through secondary succession. Also, a severe disturbance like a fire removes diseased plants and harmful insects to the ecosystem and also returns nutrients to the soil by burning dead or decaying matter. The article also connects to the matter and energy unit because in order for a fire to survive and continue to grow, it needs three things and one of them is the element oxygen. A fire dies out if not exposed to oxygen.
Published August 18, 2012
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/18/washington-fires-2012-idaho_n_1800453.html
Summary: In August, there were large wildfires covering 113 square miles and passing through Washington, California, and Idaho. It lasted for 2 weeks, and was very dangerous and active. The fire threatened the lives of many and resulted in people having to evacuate their homes and towns in order to stay clear of its path. It also moved very quickly and could reach towns within 24 to 36 hours. A small town in Washington was in a scary situation when the roads leading in and out of the town were all under threats. Firefighters worked to keep the fire under control and to slow it down. Many others also helped with keeping the residents safe and also repairing the damages left by the fire. Residents in Washington and California were allowed to return home while more residents in Idaho were told to evacuate due to the fire moving closer.
Connection: This article connects to the ecology unit and to the matter and energy unit. After an area has gone through a natural disaster, many of the plant and animal species are wiped out. Therefore the land goes through secondary succession. Also, a severe disturbance like a fire removes diseased plants and harmful insects to the ecosystem and also returns nutrients to the soil by burning dead or decaying matter. The article also connects to the matter and energy unit because in order for a fire to survive and continue to grow, it needs three things and one of them is the element oxygen. A fire dies out if not exposed to oxygen.
Heaven Is Real: A Doctor's Experience With the Afterlife
Eben Alexander, Neurosurgeon
Published October 8, 2012
During seven days in a coma, a neurosurgeon takes a trip to the afterlife.
Summary:
While a neurosurgeon was in a coma, he experienced a trip to the afterlife. Doctor Eben Alexander has been a neurosurgeon for the past 25 years. During that time, he has become a firm believer in the theory of evolution, rather than the idea of creationism (Adam and Eve). He had come to accept that he did not know where the beginning cells came from, and that he did not know all that was out there. Dr. Alexander considered himself a christian, but he never accepted the theory involving God. A powerful being that is known to many through faith. That all changed, though, after he fell into a coma and experienced what he is now calling a trip to the afterlife. He describes his journey to the afterlife which included great beings that were flying - but not butterflies or birds - and making a noise of pure happiness, a woman who was kind and reassuring, and "an inky darkness that was also brimming with light". All of these descriptions were used to emphasize the peace and joy he felt in this new place he believes was the afterlife. While there are many skeptics - he does not hold it against people - he tries to persuade them, not to accuse them of inferior knowledge. He explains in detail about his cortex was completely shut down, rather than just being unconscious. With his cortex having been shut down while he was in a coma (for seven days), there is no concrete answer of how he could have imagined this journey from a scientist's perspective.
Connection to Honors Biology:
During the first weeks of school, we discussed in class the difference of science versus pseudoscience. However, this article has most likely made many people who have also been believers of the theory of evolution, question their beliefs. If this article had been written by someone who had not worked in a science related field for twenty five years, it most likely would not have gotten so much publicity. Dr. Alexander's field comes along with many stereotypes, including brains and skill. People tend to trust and respect a doctor's opinion because they usually approach a situation from a "logical" perspective. Yet this article not only completely contradicts this stereotype, but also gives an understandable, step by step process of the way Dr. Alexander came to the conclusion he did. In this case, people would have to use their own opinions and beliefs to define Dr. Alexander's findings as either science or pseudoscience.
Thawing Arctic Sea: The Effect on the Artic Tundra
Published Tuesday September 25, 2012 by CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/opinion/boelman-arctic-tundra/index.html?iref=allsearch
Summary
On September 16th, it was reported that the Arctic Sea ice
cover reached the lowest level ever recorded. Due to global warming, the Arctic
Sea ice has been melting. In addition to shrinking the polar bears’ habitat and
reducing the amount of area that reflects the sun’s light, the melting ice also
affects the nearby Arctic tundra. In the same way that large bodies of water moderate
coastal temperature patterns, the Arctic Ocean has an impact on the tundra. Less
sea ice means a warmer climate, which causes the permafrost, the tundra’s frozen
soil, to thaw more. This releases stored carbon in the form of carbon dioxide
and methane, both greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere. The last record low
before this one was in 2007 and caused a fire that lasted for two and a half
months and covered an area 10% larger than Manhattan.
The warming climate has an effect on the tundra’s plant and
animal species. The short vegetation is becoming taller because warmer soils
allow for larger, woody plants. This could have an effect on the animal species
that nest in the grasses, some of which may not be able to adapt and could then
create a disrupting domino effect on the tundra’s food web.
Connection
This connects to our unit on ecology. It talks about biomes,
specifically the tundra, and the characteristics of the biome, such as climate
patterns and vegetation. It also relates the effect human activity has on the ecosystem
through global warming. It is related to the carbon cycle as the greenhouse
gases carbon dioxide and methane are released due to the thawing permafrost,
which contributes to global warming. In addition, it connects to the lessons on
the food web and chain because of the domino effect the warming climate has on
the tundra’s species.
8 Ways Global Warming is Already Changing the World
Live Science
Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer
Published April 21, 2012
http://www.livescience.com/19833-8-ways-global-warming-changing-world.html
Summary
Over the past century, the temperature of the Earth has increased by approximately 1.33°F. This has led to many changes on Earth. First of all, the rich resources under the Arctic region are becoming more accessible to humans, causing militaries to move farther north to deal with security and border problems. Secondly, the breeding seasons of many animals are becoming longer or shorter. Changes in high elevation area are also occurring because less snowfall allows more species to move to the area. The new species affect the whole ecosystem. Another change is that many common plants around Massachusetts are flowering about 10 days earlier and some species have completely vanished because of earlier springs. Another effect of earlier springs is that people are visiting National Parks earlier in the year. An additional effect of global warming is that the genotypes of some species are changing to be more like similar species in areas closer to the equator. Furthermore, the population of polar bears is decreasing because the sea ice that they live on is melting, forcing them to swim farther between pieces of ice. This causes a higher mortality rate in polar bear cubs who can’t swim the entire distance. Finally, species are moving away from their natural habitats at a much faster rate than ever before.
Connection
This connects to our unit on ecology. We learned that Earth’s temperature is increasing because a greater amount of carbon dioxide is being added to the atmosphere through the burning of wood and fossil fuels. The greenhouse effect of this carbon dioxide increases with more gas and prevents heat from escaping Earth. This global warming can have major effects on Earth. This article outlines some of these effects.
Dolphins Unique Ability and Brain Functions
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121017181244.htm
(Science Daily-Public Library of Science- October 17, 2012- Copyright 1992-2012)
A New Study Shows Dolphins Can Stay Alert and Perform Functions for 15-days strait without any Signs of Fatigue: (October 17, 2012 Discovery)
In an recent study, scientists have observed that Dolphins can utilize an interesting function in the brain in order to stay alert of its environment and surroundings.
Dolphins have been know to be one of the most intelligent ocean mammal on the planet. Dolphins are streamline shaped and can reach incredible speeds underwater with the help of toned muscle and slick skin. Dolphins also has one of the largest brain to body ratio like that of an octopus. With this characteristic, Dolphins are able to migrate great distances and remember the exact way back, from feeding ground to mating ground. They can also communicate using high frequency sound waves between one another during feeding and mating. Similar to that, and the most important characteristic, is the use of Echolocation which are high frequency sound waves sent out of the Dolphins melon, or cranial structure, that bounce back from surrounding objects to create a clear image of the Dolphins surrounding.
Dolphins utilize this function throughout there entire lifetime, but requires constant energy. Feeding on fish and other organisms replenishes most of Dolphins energy, but a new way of energy conservation and brain function has been discovered. Dolphins have the ability to use the process called Unihemispheric Sleep, where half of the brain and cellular functions are able to "shut down" but still have the ability to preform echolocation and movement to the ocean surface for breathing. This allows Dolphins to conserve cellular functions energy consumption while allowing the vital life-sustaining processes even when only HALF the brain is active. In this same study, scientists were able to see no signs of energy loss or fatigue in a total of 15 days. This new discovery opens new ideas as to how other organisms brain and cellular functions work to conserve energy and increase lifespans and abilities in which human don't posses
Connection to Honors Biology:
This directly relates to our study of cellular processes and energy conservation, like that of enzymes. Functions of the brain and that of cells allow for complex processes to take place in order for organisms to adapt and survive in the worlds ecosystems. Dolphins are one of many species in which show substantial brain activity in order to maintain internal cellular functions like cellular respiration and reproduction without fatigue. Dolphins also play an important role, or niche, in the world ocean ecosystems, relating to our study of community importance and behavior.
(Science Daily-Public Library of Science- October 17, 2012- Copyright 1992-2012)
A New Study Shows Dolphins Can Stay Alert and Perform Functions for 15-days strait without any Signs of Fatigue: (October 17, 2012 Discovery)
In an recent study, scientists have observed that Dolphins can utilize an interesting function in the brain in order to stay alert of its environment and surroundings.
Dolphins have been know to be one of the most intelligent ocean mammal on the planet. Dolphins are streamline shaped and can reach incredible speeds underwater with the help of toned muscle and slick skin. Dolphins also has one of the largest brain to body ratio like that of an octopus. With this characteristic, Dolphins are able to migrate great distances and remember the exact way back, from feeding ground to mating ground. They can also communicate using high frequency sound waves between one another during feeding and mating. Similar to that, and the most important characteristic, is the use of Echolocation which are high frequency sound waves sent out of the Dolphins melon, or cranial structure, that bounce back from surrounding objects to create a clear image of the Dolphins surrounding.
Dolphins utilize this function throughout there entire lifetime, but requires constant energy. Feeding on fish and other organisms replenishes most of Dolphins energy, but a new way of energy conservation and brain function has been discovered. Dolphins have the ability to use the process called Unihemispheric Sleep, where half of the brain and cellular functions are able to "shut down" but still have the ability to preform echolocation and movement to the ocean surface for breathing. This allows Dolphins to conserve cellular functions energy consumption while allowing the vital life-sustaining processes even when only HALF the brain is active. In this same study, scientists were able to see no signs of energy loss or fatigue in a total of 15 days. This new discovery opens new ideas as to how other organisms brain and cellular functions work to conserve energy and increase lifespans and abilities in which human don't posses
Connection to Honors Biology:
This directly relates to our study of cellular processes and energy conservation, like that of enzymes. Functions of the brain and that of cells allow for complex processes to take place in order for organisms to adapt and survive in the worlds ecosystems. Dolphins are one of many species in which show substantial brain activity in order to maintain internal cellular functions like cellular respiration and reproduction without fatigue. Dolphins also play an important role, or niche, in the world ocean ecosystems, relating to our study of community importance and behavior.
Lipid Droplets Play Unexpected Role in Embryo Development
n.p. "Lipid Droplets Play An Unexpected Role In Embryo Development." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 21 Oct. 2012. Web.
25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/251722.php>
25 Oct. 2012. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/251722.php>
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/251722.php
Summary:
Histones are proteins that are essential in embryo development, as they help to assemble chromosomes, but too little histone will result in DNA damage and too much is toxic. Certain lipid droplets, commonly found in fat, contain high amounts of histones that the body uses to call into action during embryo development. The article tells how scientists have discovered that the lipids that store histones have greater versatility than they first believed. In the past, scientists thought that histones not bound to DNA were toxic, prompting them to be destroyed by the cells. The scientist' work demonstrates that binding to lipid droplets protects the histones and the DNA, while storing them for later use in chromosome assembly. This discovery has opened possibilities for medicine development and for greater understanding of the human body.
Connection:
This is relevant to cells and their essential macromolecules. It details yet another use for both lipids and proteins.
Cancer Cells Executed by Magnet
Metal nanoparticles trigger cell's own death machinery
Rachel Ehrenber, Science News
Published Tuesday October 9, 2012
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/345663/description/Cancer_cells_executed_by_magnet
Summary:
The ongoing war between humans and cancer has been going on for a few years now- roughly 4000 years to be exact. Since the first recorded case of cancer back when years were counted down (a.k.a Before the Common Era) to the cancer victim in a hospital near you, cancer has been inflicting pain upon its victims and puzzling scientists. There has always been this question :How can one effectively kill cancer? The methods known to us today are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Each one is not perfectly sure to work, and each one has undesirable side effects, making them a very dreadful experience. On the other hand, this article tells of a new method of removing cancer cells- self destruction. Scientists have now discovered a new method using magnets to turn on the self destruct "button" on a cell, effectively killing them. Scientists have found a way to lead the nanoparticles to something called "death receptor 4". This is a "switch" on the outside of a cell that, if activated (by the clumping of nanoparticles), it can completely demolish the cell. In South Korea, this new method was tested on a dish of colon cancer cells, and within 24 hours, more than half the cells exposed to the magnetic field (coming from the magnet) were dead. Of course, there is also a con to this method. See, normal cells of your body also contain death receptor 4, which leads to the problem that in order to kill off the cancerous cells, normal cells must also be demolished in the process. When tested on zebra fish, their tails had a small indentation where death receptor 4 was activated, showing that it is not a very safe process to test out. It is still unknown whether or not the magnet can be aimed so that it specifically kills the cancerous cells. There seem to be many factors that might effect the efficacy of the magnet.
Connection:
In Biology Class, we are currently learning about cancer cells and how cancer could possibly be treated. The three methods that the book provides are surgery (removing the malignant tumors), radiotherapy (exposing parts of the body to high- energy radiation, and chemotherapy (treating the patient with drugs that disrupt cell division). This links to what we are learning because it is a possible new method of successfully removing cancer cells without the unwanted side effects that radiotherapy and chemotherapy bring. It is also much more precise and more likely to succeed than surgery. So, overall, this new discovery provides a possible new cure for cancer in the near future.
Picture: http://www.news-medical.net/image.axd?picture=2009%2F12%2Fbreast+cancer+cell.jpg
Rachel Ehrenber, Science News
Published Tuesday October 9, 2012
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/345663/description/Cancer_cells_executed_by_magnet
Summary:
The ongoing war between humans and cancer has been going on for a few years now- roughly 4000 years to be exact. Since the first recorded case of cancer back when years were counted down (a.k.a Before the Common Era) to the cancer victim in a hospital near you, cancer has been inflicting pain upon its victims and puzzling scientists. There has always been this question :How can one effectively kill cancer? The methods known to us today are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Each one is not perfectly sure to work, and each one has undesirable side effects, making them a very dreadful experience. On the other hand, this article tells of a new method of removing cancer cells- self destruction. Scientists have now discovered a new method using magnets to turn on the self destruct "button" on a cell, effectively killing them. Scientists have found a way to lead the nanoparticles to something called "death receptor 4". This is a "switch" on the outside of a cell that, if activated (by the clumping of nanoparticles), it can completely demolish the cell. In South Korea, this new method was tested on a dish of colon cancer cells, and within 24 hours, more than half the cells exposed to the magnetic field (coming from the magnet) were dead. Of course, there is also a con to this method. See, normal cells of your body also contain death receptor 4, which leads to the problem that in order to kill off the cancerous cells, normal cells must also be demolished in the process. When tested on zebra fish, their tails had a small indentation where death receptor 4 was activated, showing that it is not a very safe process to test out. It is still unknown whether or not the magnet can be aimed so that it specifically kills the cancerous cells. There seem to be many factors that might effect the efficacy of the magnet.
Connection:
In Biology Class, we are currently learning about cancer cells and how cancer could possibly be treated. The three methods that the book provides are surgery (removing the malignant tumors), radiotherapy (exposing parts of the body to high- energy radiation, and chemotherapy (treating the patient with drugs that disrupt cell division). This links to what we are learning because it is a possible new method of successfully removing cancer cells without the unwanted side effects that radiotherapy and chemotherapy bring. It is also much more precise and more likely to succeed than surgery. So, overall, this new discovery provides a possible new cure for cancer in the near future.
Picture: http://www.news-medical.net/image.axd?picture=2009%2F12%2Fbreast+cancer+cell.jpg
Multivitamin Use Linked to Lowered Cancer Risk
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/18/health/daily-multivitamin-may-reduce-cancer-risk-clinical-trial-finds.html?_r=0
Summary: Through a large clinical trial of nearly 15,000 male adult doctors, followed for more than a decade, researchers have found that taking a daily multivitamin can in fact lower your chance of getting cancer. Of the total amount of doctors involved in this clinical trial, those who took a daily vitamin experienced 8% fewer doctors with cancer, compared to the subjects taking "dummy" or fake pills. Usually clinical studies similar to this focus on giving the subjects high doses of specific vitamins, but this study dealt with the basic daily multivitamin. This study was a randomized double-blinded trial, considerably one of the most rigorous and in-depth clinical trial involving vitamin linked cancer reduction to date. These findings were reported at an American Association for Cancer Research conference on cancer prevention, and were also published online in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The results are as follows: The amount of fewer cancers reported in doctors taking a multivitamin daily was small but statistically significant. Having said this, taking a multivitamin is only a modest way of reducing cancer, and is not as effective as other means of preventing cancer, such as wearing sunscreen and quitting smoking. Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, the study's main author, recognized that other measures are more likely to prevent cancer as taking a daily multivitamin. In conclusion, taking a multivitamin is healthy and does reduced the risk of getting cancer, but only moderately, and there are more measures that are more likely to prevent or reduce cancer.
Connections: This article directly relates to our studies of cell division. Cancer is a disease caused by the disruption of the cell cycle, specifically cell growth. It is caused when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except leukemia). These tumors then interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, which are all necessary in bodily function. In this way, the article, which talks about cancer reduction, relates to our study of life, including cell processes and cell division.
Summary: Through a large clinical trial of nearly 15,000 male adult doctors, followed for more than a decade, researchers have found that taking a daily multivitamin can in fact lower your chance of getting cancer. Of the total amount of doctors involved in this clinical trial, those who took a daily vitamin experienced 8% fewer doctors with cancer, compared to the subjects taking "dummy" or fake pills. Usually clinical studies similar to this focus on giving the subjects high doses of specific vitamins, but this study dealt with the basic daily multivitamin. This study was a randomized double-blinded trial, considerably one of the most rigorous and in-depth clinical trial involving vitamin linked cancer reduction to date. These findings were reported at an American Association for Cancer Research conference on cancer prevention, and were also published online in The Journal of the American Medical Association. The results are as follows: The amount of fewer cancers reported in doctors taking a multivitamin daily was small but statistically significant. Having said this, taking a multivitamin is only a modest way of reducing cancer, and is not as effective as other means of preventing cancer, such as wearing sunscreen and quitting smoking. Dr. J. Michael Gaziano, the study's main author, recognized that other measures are more likely to prevent cancer as taking a daily multivitamin. In conclusion, taking a multivitamin is healthy and does reduced the risk of getting cancer, but only moderately, and there are more measures that are more likely to prevent or reduce cancer.
Connections: This article directly relates to our studies of cell division. Cancer is a disease caused by the disruption of the cell cycle, specifically cell growth. It is caused when damaged cells divide uncontrollably to form lumps or masses of tissue called tumors (except leukemia). These tumors then interfere with the digestive, nervous, and circulatory systems, which are all necessary in bodily function. In this way, the article, which talks about cancer reduction, relates to our study of life, including cell processes and cell division.
First Windpipe Transplant a Success: Could Lead to Other Breakthroughs
http://www.ivanhoe.com/science/story/2010/01/665a.html
Published January 2010
Ivanhoe Broadcast News and American Institute of Physics
Summary: Claudia Castillo has two kids and was unable to even play with them due to the tuberculosis she had preventing her from breathing freely. Dr. Paolo Macchiarini fixed her problem with the first ever windpipe transplant. This took place at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Macchiarini was able to repair the windpipe with Castillo's on stem cells. First, he took a donor windpipe and cleaned all the cells off of it and then he took stem cells from Castillo's bone marrow and added them to the donor windpipe. To stop further growth of the donor windpipe, it was placed into the Clinic's bioreactor for 4 days. Castillo noticed a difference right away and she currently does not have to take any medication to assist in the healing process.
Connection: This amazing breakthrough relates to our unit on cells. Also, it is a great example of Mr. Mathieu's lecture on stem cells. A donor's stem cells have to closely match up with the recipients stem cells or the body will reject the organ. Since the cells were washed off the organ and Castillo's cells were added to it, the transplant worked seemlessly. This is very similiar to the case Mr. Mathieu told the class about when one identicle sibling had a problem with a kidney and his identicle twin donated a kidney to him. The reason the transplant worked was due to their similarity in stem cells because they were related.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/science/story/2010/01/665a.html
Published January 2010
Ivanhoe Broadcast News and American Institute of Physics
Summary: Claudia Castillo has two kids and was unable to even play with them due to the tuberculosis she had preventing her from breathing freely. Dr. Paolo Macchiarini fixed her problem with the first ever windpipe transplant. This took place at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Spain. Dr. Macchiarini was able to repair the windpipe with Castillo's on stem cells. First, he took a donor windpipe and cleaned all the cells off of it and then he took stem cells from Castillo's bone marrow and added them to the donor windpipe. To stop further growth of the donor windpipe, it was placed into the Clinic's bioreactor for 4 days. Castillo noticed a difference right away and she currently does not have to take any medication to assist in the healing process.
Connection: This amazing breakthrough relates to our unit on cells. Also, it is a great example of Mr. Mathieu's lecture on stem cells. A donor's stem cells have to closely match up with the recipients stem cells or the body will reject the organ. Since the cells were washed off the organ and Castillo's cells were added to it, the transplant worked seemlessly. This is very similiar to the case Mr. Mathieu told the class about when one identicle sibling had a problem with a kidney and his identicle twin donated a kidney to him. The reason the transplant worked was due to their similarity in stem cells because they were related.
Cell Phones and Cancer
http://www.naturalnews.com/035602_cell_phones_radiation_cancer.html
Summary:
Past studies have shown mixed results about whether or not cell phones cause brain cancer. However the newest research seems to show that it is definite. The article explains what research is being done and how the problem is trying to be resolved. Scientists are worried that the weaker skulls of children may cause an increase in brain cancer over time. Right now people are only worried about long time exposure to radiation from cell phones. With ten years of continued use doubling your chance for cancer and cell phone usage increasing only time will tell how dangerous they truly are.
Connection:
Cells duplication plays a large role in all cancers. The fear in this study is that radiation from cell phones is causing it to happen more often. As we study cells we should pay attention to the way they duplicate and form cancers so that we can better help to treat cancer.
http://www.naturalnews.com/035602_cell_phones_radiation_cancer.html
Summary:
Past studies have shown mixed results about whether or not cell phones cause brain cancer. However the newest research seems to show that it is definite. The article explains what research is being done and how the problem is trying to be resolved. Scientists are worried that the weaker skulls of children may cause an increase in brain cancer over time. Right now people are only worried about long time exposure to radiation from cell phones. With ten years of continued use doubling your chance for cancer and cell phone usage increasing only time will tell how dangerous they truly are.
Connection:
Cells duplication plays a large role in all cancers. The fear in this study is that radiation from cell phones is causing it to happen more often. As we study cells we should pay attention to the way they duplicate and form cancers so that we can better help to treat cancer.
Works Cited
Burrel, Lloyd. "Cell Phone Radiation and Cancer: Just How Much More Proof Do You Need?" Cell Phone Radiation and Cancer: Just How Much More Proof Do You Need? Natural News Network, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
Oceans in year 2100 may 'sound' like dino-era seas
Rising acidity could set underwater acoustic conditions back 110 million years
LiveScience Staff
NBC News
October 19, 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49484120/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.UIMjLWlEQtp
Summary
Global warming is a far reaching problem that is even affecting the sound conditions in the world's oceans. Firstly, the heightened levels of carbon dioxide, allow for more of the gas to dissolved into the waters. This in turn creates chemical reactions which increase the acidity of the oceans. Due to the lowered pH, the underwater sound absorption is decreased, which allows for better sound transmission (low-frequency sounds can travel significantly farther).
With examinations of seafloor sediment, scientist have been able to discover the approximate pH levels of the past 300 million years and estimate the approximate levels of sound absorption. Acoustician David G. Brown predicts that sound conditions of modern day oceans are similar to the ones in Paleozoic Era 300 million years ago and will soon reach the levels of the Cretaceous period 110 million years ago.
The information about the changing soundscape will affect how sonar systems are designed and the predicted performance they will have. In addition, it allows for more accurate estimations and understandings of the both the acoustic conditions surrounding marine animals and the effect of humans on the environment.
Connection
The news article relates to our first unit on ecology since it describes one of the effects of human activity and global warming. Due to the high levels of carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere, we are changing sound absorption in the water. Though this doesn't seem obviously bad, changes in environments can greatly affect the marine life and their niches. In addition, the article also connects to our second unit on matter and energy because it stresses the importance of pH since it affects the sound absorption of the oceans.
LiveScience Staff
NBC News
October 19, 2012
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/49484120/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.UIMjLWlEQtp
Summary
Global warming is a far reaching problem that is even affecting the sound conditions in the world's oceans. Firstly, the heightened levels of carbon dioxide, allow for more of the gas to dissolved into the waters. This in turn creates chemical reactions which increase the acidity of the oceans. Due to the lowered pH, the underwater sound absorption is decreased, which allows for better sound transmission (low-frequency sounds can travel significantly farther).
With examinations of seafloor sediment, scientist have been able to discover the approximate pH levels of the past 300 million years and estimate the approximate levels of sound absorption. Acoustician David G. Brown predicts that sound conditions of modern day oceans are similar to the ones in Paleozoic Era 300 million years ago and will soon reach the levels of the Cretaceous period 110 million years ago.
The information about the changing soundscape will affect how sonar systems are designed and the predicted performance they will have. In addition, it allows for more accurate estimations and understandings of the both the acoustic conditions surrounding marine animals and the effect of humans on the environment.
Connection
The news article relates to our first unit on ecology since it describes one of the effects of human activity and global warming. Due to the high levels of carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere, we are changing sound absorption in the water. Though this doesn't seem obviously bad, changes in environments can greatly affect the marine life and their niches. In addition, the article also connects to our second unit on matter and energy because it stresses the importance of pH since it affects the sound absorption of the oceans.
Cancer Risk In Middle-Aged Men Reduced by Multivitamins
Teja Pallikonda
Published on Oct, 17, 2012, CNN
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/17/multivitamins-may-prevent-cancer-in-men/
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2012/10/18/exp-cohen-mutivitamin-and-cancer-risk-in-men.cnn
Published on Oct, 17, 2012, CNN
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/10/17/multivitamins-may-prevent-cancer-in-men/
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2012/10/18/exp-cohen-mutivitamin-and-cancer-risk-in-men.cnn
Summary
For the past ten years, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School have conducted a study to test if taking multivitamins can help reduce the risk of cancer in middle-aged men. The study was conducted by first recruiting 15,000 male physicians of fifty years or older. The men were split into two groups and one group was given the multivitamin Centrum Silver and the other group was given a placebo. The men in the multivitamin group had an eight percent reduction in cancer cases compared to the placebo group. This study has shown significant data that makes people rethink whether or not vitamins help to reduce cancer or not. When the study originally started in 1997, most scientists weren't quite sure if vitamins made a difference because back then they had data that proved some vitamins were actually harmful. On the other hand, it really doesn't prove that vitamins are the way to go due to the fact that these physicians were mostly healthy people and most of the men didn't smoke. This study tells nothing about women with cancer or with people who smoke. The bottom line is, having a healthy diet with the right dose of multivitamins can help prevent cancer and health issues in general.
Connection
This article relates to our studies this term because cancer is unrestricted cell division in our body. There are many types of treatments like surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. For years and years, scientists are trying to find a solution and cure for cancer and this study suggests on way to try to prevent cancer in someone. By this study, it shows that multivitamins do reduce the risk of cancer in a person along with having a healthy diet and disproves the preexisting fear that vitamins actually stimulate cancer.
Half of Great Barrier Reef Gone
Gabe Kline
http://news.discovery.com/earth/great-barrier-reef-half-gone-big-pics-121002.html
Summary: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest reef in the world. It is 133,000 square miles large. Recent surveys have shown that in the past 27 years the reef's size has decreased in half. Katharina Fabricius has been spending almost 25 years surveying various parts of the reef. She has surveyed 214 reefs and 2,258 surveys to determine the rate of decline. They did fine local differences as the northern end of the reef is still picturesque. The biggest factors that have caused the reef to decline is the Crown of Thorns starfish, the climate change and tropical cyclones. The Crown of Thorn Starfish is an invasive species, who eats the coral. The starfish is boosted by agricultural runoff much like algae. These can grow up to 3 feet in length and can have as many as 21 arms and are covered in poisonous spines. They are responsible for 84% of the decline in the reef. The younglings eat the coral and leave the skeletons behind, creating a barren wasteland. The climate change, causes the coral to bleach. The coral polyps at high temperatures secrete the algae inside them. This causes the coral to bleach. Nothing can be done about the category 5 storms which batter the reef every year. In the short term, finding ways to keep the starfish population low, as they usually are, could bring back the reef to normal conditions in 20-30 years.
Connection: The Coral Reef is the most diverse marine ecosystem. It is much like a rain forest, in that a large chunk of species live on them around the world. Also just like rain forests, coral reefs are threatened by climate change and human interaction. Also it has to do with invasive species, because the Crown of Thorns in wiping out native populations.
http://news.discovery.com/earth/great-barrier-reef-half-gone-big-pics-121002.html
Summary: The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest reef in the world. It is 133,000 square miles large. Recent surveys have shown that in the past 27 years the reef's size has decreased in half. Katharina Fabricius has been spending almost 25 years surveying various parts of the reef. She has surveyed 214 reefs and 2,258 surveys to determine the rate of decline. They did fine local differences as the northern end of the reef is still picturesque. The biggest factors that have caused the reef to decline is the Crown of Thorns starfish, the climate change and tropical cyclones. The Crown of Thorn Starfish is an invasive species, who eats the coral. The starfish is boosted by agricultural runoff much like algae. These can grow up to 3 feet in length and can have as many as 21 arms and are covered in poisonous spines. They are responsible for 84% of the decline in the reef. The younglings eat the coral and leave the skeletons behind, creating a barren wasteland. The climate change, causes the coral to bleach. The coral polyps at high temperatures secrete the algae inside them. This causes the coral to bleach. Nothing can be done about the category 5 storms which batter the reef every year. In the short term, finding ways to keep the starfish population low, as they usually are, could bring back the reef to normal conditions in 20-30 years.
Connection: The Coral Reef is the most diverse marine ecosystem. It is much like a rain forest, in that a large chunk of species live on them around the world. Also just like rain forests, coral reefs are threatened by climate change and human interaction. Also it has to do with invasive species, because the Crown of Thorns in wiping out native populations.
Glowing Deep-Sea Creatures Found in Carribean
By Helen Scales, National Geographic
October 10, 2012
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/pictures/121009-glowing-bioluminescence-oceans-animals/
Summary:
At the bottom of the Bahamas, the shrimp Parapandalus has been found to give off a cloud of blue. Additionally, other species in the same area gave off bioluminescent light such as sea cucumbers, sea anemones, bamboo corals, and a new species of hermit crab. Scientist speculate that the light is given off either to confuse predators, color code food, or maybe as a way to communicate with each other. Usually, animals would use bioluminescence on their undersides to match the light coming from the surface. However, almost no light reaches the bottom, making it rare to find species with bioluminescence there. Additionally, scientist on this trip must examine other regions in order to make their findings on this trip valid.
Connection:
In our first unit on Ecology, we discussed limiting factors for a population as well as carrying capacity. At the bottom of the Bahamas, only a select few species can live there because of factors such as temperature, food, and pressure. Additionally, for species already there, their carrying capacity is greatly influenced by the amount of food available to them. We had defined Ecology as the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. It is possible that the bioluminescence was a form of communication, which falls under interactions among organisms.
October 10, 2012
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/pictures/121009-glowing-bioluminescence-oceans-animals/
Summary:
At the bottom of the Bahamas, the shrimp Parapandalus has been found to give off a cloud of blue. Additionally, other species in the same area gave off bioluminescent light such as sea cucumbers, sea anemones, bamboo corals, and a new species of hermit crab. Scientist speculate that the light is given off either to confuse predators, color code food, or maybe as a way to communicate with each other. Usually, animals would use bioluminescence on their undersides to match the light coming from the surface. However, almost no light reaches the bottom, making it rare to find species with bioluminescence there. Additionally, scientist on this trip must examine other regions in order to make their findings on this trip valid.
Connection:
In our first unit on Ecology, we discussed limiting factors for a population as well as carrying capacity. At the bottom of the Bahamas, only a select few species can live there because of factors such as temperature, food, and pressure. Additionally, for species already there, their carrying capacity is greatly influenced by the amount of food available to them. We had defined Ecology as the scientific study of interactions among organisms and between organisms and their environment. It is possible that the bioluminescence was a form of communication, which falls under interactions among organisms.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Northernmost Lake Resurrected Due to Warming
By Kate Andries, National Geographic
October 17 2012
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121017-northernmost-lake-greenland-global-warming-science-environment/
Summary
The world's northernmost lake called Kaffeklubben Sø , situated near the coast of Greenland, was once teeming with a microscopic algae called diatom, which was formed 3500 years ago due to glacial retreats which created numerous small lakes on the plain. However studies show that the population had decreased and diminished over 2400 years ago. Scientist believe that the lake was deeply frozen, cutting off any sunlight from getting on to the water and providing the algae with energy to perform photosynthesis. So the drop in temperatue and the lack of sunlight led to the organisms being killed off. This had been the case since roughly 1920. Around 1960-1970, scientists had found evidence that the diatom population had begun to gradually increase due to summer temperatures increasing as well. Climate change certainly played a role in this case. The diatom population had exploded from 1980 onwards. The layer of ice on the lake which was usually 1 to 2 meters thick had now reduced with summer temperatures rising to 1.6 degrees celsius particularly towards the shore. Scientist were determined to see if the the sudden boost of the diatom population was the result of nitrogen pollution which can cause algae to bloom but that hypothesis was refuted when they found no evidence of pollution. They confirmed that the only reason for this increase in population was because of climate change.
Connection
Connections between this article and what we have learnt so far in biology are that climate change, specifically global warming, can have a huge impact on the living apsects of our ecosystems. The photic zone in ponds and lakes are where most plants and microscopic algae such as phytoplankton and in this particular case, diatom are ideal places where photosynthesis occurs. Since the lake had frozen, the ice had blocked out all means of sunlight from getting to the diatom which killed the species in this lake due to lack of energy. Fortunately, thanks to global warming, the climate in Greenland had started to become warmer especially in the summer, melting the ice mostly towards the shore and allowing photosynthesis back in to help re-populate Kaffeklubben Sø lake with diatoms again. Although the hypothesis was not valid, it was suspected that nitrogen pollution had caused algae to bloom but it was more of a climate- driven change than a nutrient-driven change.
October 17 2012
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121017-northernmost-lake-greenland-global-warming-science-environment/
Summary
The world's northernmost lake called Kaffeklubben Sø , situated near the coast of Greenland, was once teeming with a microscopic algae called diatom, which was formed 3500 years ago due to glacial retreats which created numerous small lakes on the plain. However studies show that the population had decreased and diminished over 2400 years ago. Scientist believe that the lake was deeply frozen, cutting off any sunlight from getting on to the water and providing the algae with energy to perform photosynthesis. So the drop in temperatue and the lack of sunlight led to the organisms being killed off. This had been the case since roughly 1920. Around 1960-1970, scientists had found evidence that the diatom population had begun to gradually increase due to summer temperatures increasing as well. Climate change certainly played a role in this case. The diatom population had exploded from 1980 onwards. The layer of ice on the lake which was usually 1 to 2 meters thick had now reduced with summer temperatures rising to 1.6 degrees celsius particularly towards the shore. Scientist were determined to see if the the sudden boost of the diatom population was the result of nitrogen pollution which can cause algae to bloom but that hypothesis was refuted when they found no evidence of pollution. They confirmed that the only reason for this increase in population was because of climate change.
Connection
Connections between this article and what we have learnt so far in biology are that climate change, specifically global warming, can have a huge impact on the living apsects of our ecosystems. The photic zone in ponds and lakes are where most plants and microscopic algae such as phytoplankton and in this particular case, diatom are ideal places where photosynthesis occurs. Since the lake had frozen, the ice had blocked out all means of sunlight from getting to the diatom which killed the species in this lake due to lack of energy. Fortunately, thanks to global warming, the climate in Greenland had started to become warmer especially in the summer, melting the ice mostly towards the shore and allowing photosynthesis back in to help re-populate Kaffeklubben Sø lake with diatoms again. Although the hypothesis was not valid, it was suspected that nitrogen pollution had caused algae to bloom but it was more of a climate- driven change than a nutrient-driven change.
Making cell division impossible: Optimized substance forces cancer cells into death
Making cell division impossible: Optimized substance forces cancer cells into death
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ)
Saturday, 20 October 2012
Summary
Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) have now developed a substance that thwarts this trick and forces cancer cells into death during cell division. When normal cells divide, the chromosomes are distributed evenly to exactly two daughter cells. The process is regulated by centrosomes. The cells are located at the opposite sides of the cell and they start forming spindle fiber to each chromosome. As a result of this cell division, two daughter cells are formed. Cancer cells have too many centrosomes that usually lead them to death, but most of them have developed a trick to escape this fate: They form clusters of polar bodies at two poles. Scientists of DKFZ have discovered this clustering as a potential treatment for cancer years ago. They have been able to optimize this substance for use in cancer treatment.The optimized agent GF-15 reduces the tension of the protein fibers and thus prevents clustering. As a result, cell division proceeds in a chaotic manner and this eventually leads to the death of the cancer cell. This treatment has been proved to work effectively in various types of cancer as colon cancer, cervical cancer, brain tumors, and blood cancer. GF-15 did not show any affect to normal cells.The scientists tested this treatment on mice with colon cancer, and result showed that mice with the treatment live longer than the untreated one with no negative effects. In the future, scientists will do more tests to prove whether GF-15 can really be use as a anti-cancer medicine.
Connection
This article is connected to the cell cycle unit. It is connected to cell cycle unit because it detailed about cell division and the differences between normal cell division and can cells division. It is also connected to the cell cycle and cancer cells section. Cancer has been the most dangerous and dreadful human disease. Labs and scientists have been discovering the connection between cell division and cancer cells spreading. It would be such a great news to everyone in the world if GF-15 can be used as a anti-cancer treatment with no negative effects.
A Bird, a Crab and a Shared Fight to Survive
Lisa Foderaro, NY Times
June 5, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/nyregion/red-knots-horseshoe-crabs-and-fight-to-survive-in-delaware-bay.html?_r=3&
June 5, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/06/nyregion/red-knots-horseshoe-crabs-and-fight-to-survive-in-delaware-bay.html?_r=3&
Summary:
Every
Spring, red knots migrate more than 9000 miles from the southern tip of South
America to Northern Canada, just in time for the spawning of green horseshoe
crab eggs. However, due to the overfishing the crabs, the red knot population
has dropped drastically from 100,000 in the 1980s to around 30,000 today,
causing wildlife biologists to worry that the red knots could vanish. Thus, New
Jersey has made horseshoe crab harvesting illegal and listed the red knots as
endangered.
But,
the main problem is that the crabs travel as far south as Maryland and
Virginia, which haven’t been able to pass laws completely protecting the crabs. Both
states have fishing limits, but they are not enough for the horseshoe crab population
to rebound. Also, completely banning horseshoe crab harvesting would prevent
pharmaceutical companies from using the crabs’ copper-rich blood to test
medicines and devices for possible contamination. The companies later release
the crabs, but many of them die. Therefore, the Atlantic States Marine
Fisheries Commission monitors the use of crabs and has recently proposed a
complex formula to restrict the amount of crabs harvested. However, many
experts believe that stricter regulations are needed.
Relevance:
This
article connects with our unit on ecology in that changes in one trophic level
or population (in this case, the crabs) can affect countless other trophic levels and populations (the red knots) within
the ecosystem, reinforcing the fact all life is connected. In the near future,
if the crab population is not protected, the red knots could become extinct,
destabilizing the ecosystem.
Skydiver breaks sound barrier over New Mexico in highest jump ever
Jack Billings
Published October 15, 2012
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/us/skydiver-breaks-sound-barrier-over-new-mexico-in-highest-jump-ever-657631/
From post-gazette.com
Author: Juan Carlos Llorca
Published: October 15, 2012
Summery:
Daredevil skydiver Felix Baumgartner made history when he broke the sound barrier for the first time in the highest sky dive ever. Baumgartner is a 43-year-old former Austrian paratrooper with more than 2,5000 jumps who, on Sunday October 2nd, took off in a capsule carried by a 55-story ultra-thin helium balloon to break the sound barrier. He jumped from over 24 miles up and hit Mach 1.24, or 833.9 miles per hour- becoming the first man to reach supersonic speed in free-fall. At 128,100 feet above the Earth, Baumgartner jumped out of the capsule not into the atmosphere, but into the stratosphere. Because of the extreme conditions of this altitude, he had to wear a pressurized suit for protection. Coincidentally, his feat came on the 65th anniversary of the day the sound barrier was first broken by a jet. In order to get the funding for this highly expensive expedition he was sponsored by Red Bull but also NASA, who is eager to improve their blueprints for future spacesuits. This jump broke the record for the fastest free-fall, the highest manned-balloon flight and the jump from the highest altitude but Baumgartner did not break the longest free-fall record (held by Joe Kittinger- who was on the team that made this jump possible).
Connection:
This article connects to biology because the conditions which Baumgartner faced at over 24 miles up demanded that he wear a special space suit for protection. Without this pressurized spacesuit (which weighed 100 pounds), Baumgartner never would have been able to survive the temperatures at 70 degrees below zero Fahrenheit or lower and the atmosphere was so thin that his blood would have vaporized without sufficient protection (not to mention that he would have suffocated without the oxygen provided by his helmet). Any contact with the capsule on his assent could have torn his suit and a rip could have exposed him to a lack of oxygen and the extreme temperatures as well as the atmosphere which would have caused lethal nitrogen bubbles to form in his bodily fluids. Luckily, there was no tear in the suit and so he was able to survive the jump and was protected from the explosive noise he made as he broke the sound barrier and the rush of air as he jumper out of the capsule.
Published October 15, 2012
http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/us/skydiver-breaks-sound-barrier-over-new-mexico-in-highest-jump-ever-657631/
From post-gazette.com
Author: Juan Carlos Llorca
Published: October 15, 2012
Summery:
Daredevil skydiver Felix Baumgartner made history when he broke the sound barrier for the first time in the highest sky dive ever. Baumgartner is a 43-year-old former Austrian paratrooper with more than 2,5000 jumps who, on Sunday October 2nd, took off in a capsule carried by a 55-story ultra-thin helium balloon to break the sound barrier. He jumped from over 24 miles up and hit Mach 1.24, or 833.9 miles per hour- becoming the first man to reach supersonic speed in free-fall. At 128,100 feet above the Earth, Baumgartner jumped out of the capsule not into the atmosphere, but into the stratosphere. Because of the extreme conditions of this altitude, he had to wear a pressurized suit for protection. Coincidentally, his feat came on the 65th anniversary of the day the sound barrier was first broken by a jet. In order to get the funding for this highly expensive expedition he was sponsored by Red Bull but also NASA, who is eager to improve their blueprints for future spacesuits. This jump broke the record for the fastest free-fall, the highest manned-balloon flight and the jump from the highest altitude but Baumgartner did not break the longest free-fall record (held by Joe Kittinger- who was on the team that made this jump possible).
Connection:
This article connects to biology because the conditions which Baumgartner faced at over 24 miles up demanded that he wear a special space suit for protection. Without this pressurized spacesuit (which weighed 100 pounds), Baumgartner never would have been able to survive the temperatures at 70 degrees below zero Fahrenheit or lower and the atmosphere was so thin that his blood would have vaporized without sufficient protection (not to mention that he would have suffocated without the oxygen provided by his helmet). Any contact with the capsule on his assent could have torn his suit and a rip could have exposed him to a lack of oxygen and the extreme temperatures as well as the atmosphere which would have caused lethal nitrogen bubbles to form in his bodily fluids. Luckily, there was no tear in the suit and so he was able to survive the jump and was protected from the explosive noise he made as he broke the sound barrier and the rush of air as he jumper out of the capsule.
Scientists Race to Save World's Rice Bowl From Climate Change
Ker
Than
For
National Geographic News
Published May 2, 2012
Scientists
warn that global warming may could threaten rice farming and the livelihood of
many people in Southeast Asia. Climatologists and researchers brainstormed ways
to help the people in the region, especially farmers, deal with the effects of
climate change. Some of the consequences of global warming include elevated
temperatures, higher salt concentration in water, and irregular rainfall. Since
a third of greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, forestry, and
changes in land use, scientists also contemplated potential ways to use
agriculture to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane.
Some areas aren’t
experiencing drastic changes yet, and can be saved. For example, in the case of
droughts, people may be able to use Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) technology. Basically,
MAR captures and stores floodwater in natural underground aquifers. During droughts, the water can be pumped out. The MAR could also decrease the amount of destruction
created by floods because it will divert water from already full rivers.
A different technology for solving this problem can also weaken the global impact of
climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released by crops. This method is involves alternately flooding and drying
rice fields to reduce the amount of methane produced. Normally, farmers leave
their rice fields submerged for the whole season, but this makes a lot of methane.
By drying the fields periodically, water consumption decreased by 30 percent
and greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 25 to 50 percent, without any change in rice crop
yields.
This article
connects to our unit on Ecology because it relates human activities altering ecosystems through agriculture, greenhouse gases, and global
warming’s effect on the environment. It illustrates how melting of the glaciers
and polar ice caps causes rising sea levels and flooding, which impacts
agriculture and ecosystems. The article discusses how crops can generate greenhouse
gases and in turn, contribute to global warming. It describes methods for lessening
production of methane (rice drying). As we learned, with less greenhouse gas
production, less heat will be trapped in the atmosphere, so there will be
reduced warming of the Earth.
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