The Blind Codemaker

First name: Max
Current Event Posting Number: 1
Topic: Technology
Title of article: The Blind Codemaker
Author: Larry Hardesty
Publication name: MITnews
Date of Publication: 13 Feb 2012
Length of article: ~900 words

Wireless and cellular signal has taken over much of society today. However, there is no doubt that our cordless-communication is constantly impeded by fluctuations in wireless and cellular signal strength. A solution to this problem was suggested many years ago, called error-correction codes, and they are present in almost every modern device now. These codes help reduce the "noise" that interferes with and destroys information. They are extensions to the original information that are used to correct the damage caused by the noise. Thus, the more noise, the more extensions are needed, and the longer the code, which slows down the information transfer. So modern devices nowadays constantly send test information to judge the ambient noise, and change the length of their error-correction codes based on that. However effective this system is, it is still too slow to keep up with the ever-changing environment and noise, so often error-correction codes are too long or too short. Recently MIT has developed and patented a method that splits the code into pieces to improve this system. The first part of the code only contains a bit of error-correction codes, and if the receiving device still received damaged code, then the transmitter sends the second part to further correct the original code. The transmitter continues to send pieces of code until all then noise is removed. Thus, this new method will be able to send just the right amount of extra code, all the time.

It is clear to me the vast implications and benefits that this new method has. As wireless communication grows ever more popular, it will become essential to keep data transfer both fast and devoid of any interference. As the article already showed, error-correcting codes is an already proven method, and exists in many of our devices today. In addition, it is obvious that ambient noise is an extremely prevalent issue, and can damage communication, efficiency, and progress. Thus, it is important that people are working to improve this system, and MIT's method seems both logical and revolutionary. I predict that their method will be nothing but successful, and will have a huge impact on society.

MIT launches 'automated course'

First name: Emmanuel

Current Event Posting Number: 1

Topic: Education

Title of article: MIT Launches 'automated course'

Author: Sean Coughlan

Publication name: BBC News

Date of Publication: 13 Feb 2012

Length of article: ~10 paragraphs

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT, has launched its first free online course. The course, unlike others, gives students a certificate for completing and completely resembeles actual MIT courses. This program allows students all over the world to break the barriers of higher education costs. The course takes 10 hours a week and will run until June. It is more unique than other online courses in it that it incorporates a virtual laboratory, e-textbooks, online discussions, and videos in the form of lectures. There are no requirements for students other than basic knowledge of maths and sciences. While there is nothing to check identity except an 'honor code', a mechanism will be implanted soon. The university will search for funding from philanthropists, but with a 8.5 billion dollar science endowment, it is well resourced.

This project is a great step in developing global online education. While MIT only teaches a few thousand students on campus, this project can expand that knowledge to millions of eager students all over the world that cannot afford the whopping $50,000/year most universities charge. However, this could potentially hurt universities because students will realize they could get their degrees for free from a top university. Although it might hurt the income of universities, this is a great advancement for the world as education becomes accessible which creates equal opportunity between the rich and lower classes.

I fully support this project, as an international student, most universities do not offer scholarships and ask for $50,000/year. I think many people will benefit from this, and people who want to learn, who want to invest their time to become smarter should receive this opportunity. I hope that universities will see this as competition, and start bettering their services and lowering their prices. With this project implanted, rich or poor, there is nothing stopping anyone from become who they want to be, which is essentially what this country was founded upon.

Rise in Artificial Knees in the United States

First Name: Joshua
Current event posting #1
Topic: Health
Title: Nearly 1 in 20 US Adults Over 50 Has a Fake Knee
Author: Lindsy Tanner
Date of Publication: 2/10/2012
Publication Name: Huffington Post
Length of Article: 780 words

In the past ten years there has been a significant surge in the number of knee replacements and knee surgeries in the United States. Recent data shows that approximately one in every 20 adults above the age of 50 have artificial knees. This new data is really ground breaking as it shows the path we are on and leads to doctors to ascertain and hopefully help spread awareness of the causes of this surge. People with artificial knees are prone to infections and scarring in the tissue of the knee which can lead to further surgical intervention. The artificial knee itself wears out after only 15-20 years calling for another intrusive surgery. Based on the current trend, the numbers of knee replacement surgeries are still on the rise. Knee replacements have tripled in people over 50 since 1997.
Doctors have predicted two main causes for this recent rise in knee replacements. The first cause is the ever obesity trend in the United States. The second cause is amateur athletes who don’t account age nor injury in their workout regime.
In conclusion, the recent rise in artificial knees in the United States is sobering as it shows the trend we are on. It also leads to wonder at the obesity trend over time in the United States. Though recent data shows the obesity rate to have plateaued, it’s final stop is at a staggering 34%. This data also raises awareness to all amateur athletes to modify and change their workout routine. Armed with this knowledge, it is posible to save the estimated $40,000 per surgery by simply living smart and healthily.

Lindsey Tanner. "Nearly 1 In 20 US Adults Over 50 Has A Fake Knee." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Huffington Post, 10 Feb. 2012. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .

Police Teargas Occupy Oakland Protesters

First Name: Sean                                                                      Current Event Posting Number: 1
Topic: Civil Rights
Title of Article: "Occupy Oakland: Police Teargas Protesters, Use Flash Grenades"          
Author:  Robin Wilkey
Publication Name: The Huffington Post (San Fransisco News)
Date of Publication: January 29, 2012
Length of Article: 530 Words/ 1 Page


Early Saturday mourning, Oakland Occupy protestors began a destructive march that was met by violence from the Oakland police department. The demonstrators assembled at a downtown plaza early Saturday mourning. The Protestors threatened to take over the vacant Henry Kaiser Convention Center, which police believed they would attempt to turn into a social center and political hub. The group then began disrupting traffic and marching in the street on their way to the Convention Center. The protestors reached the vacant convention center, and began tearing down perimeter fencing and construction equipment. The crowd had reached around 1,000 to 2,000 protestors strong, and was growing violent. Police arrived and issued a dispersal order that was ignored by the protestors. Police then proceeded to use tear gas and  "flash" grenades against the protestors, after a group of demonstrators had pelted the police with bottles, rocks, burning flares, and other objects. Arrests were than made as protestors continued to ignore the dispersion order and assault officers. Shortly after, the bulk of the crowd left the vacant convention center and headed back downtown, where arrests were continuing to be made.

In conclusion, three Oakland police officers were injured and around 100 protestors were arrested during this Occupy display. Oakland police received heavy criticism for using force to break up Saturday's protest as well as previous marches. Oakland City Administrator Deanna Santana responded to the event by saying "the city will not be bullied by threats of violence or illegal activities." Since the Occupy movement started late October, police have arrested over 300 people.

Personally, I find the Oakland polices actions to be completely justified. The Occupy protestors instigated the violence by throwing harmful objects at the police. In order to defend the city and the citizens, the police were forced to step in, and use necessary actions, which happened to include tear gas. I believe that the Occupy protestors should have every right to march and stand up against injustices in American society, but they will never be above the law when it comes to violence.

Dishonest Doctors Andrew M

Andrew M
Health

Dishonest Doctors by Dr. Otis Brawley on CNN
2/11/12


Sometimes the person in charge of your life can slip in a lie or two. Its hard to believe, that doctors - the guardians that treat people and take care of them - would even think of doing something so incredibly absurd. Yet everyday, physicians everywhere are lying to cover up their own mistakes. Now keep in mind, its human nature to fear to admit error. 
Most of these errors committed by doctors are due to misreading data, not due to negligence of a patient. A doctor will commit a mistake, and when he finds out what he has done, he is truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. He could have missed a life threatening symptom that without knowing, hurt the patient tremendously. Of course this situation is hypothetical, but if it were to happen it would give a doctor a good reason to lie. Also doctors are forced to see many patients a day. It wouldn't be uncommon for a doctor to make small mistakes that have big impacts.
But just like we were always told as kids, the truth has to be told. The truth should be told under any circumstance, but when it comes to ones health it is especially crucial. It is hard to admit a mistake, especially when dealing with ones life. However, this is no excuse. It's the doctors job to secure the health of a patient, and by keeping secrets he is doing the opposite. 

Skin Cancer Drug Reverses Alzheimer's Symptoms in Mice

Name: Josie                                                                                           Current Event Posting Number: 1
Topic: Health (Medicine)
Author: Gary Stix
Publication Name: Huffington Post
Date of Publication: February 9, 2012
Length of Article: 2 Pages

Alzheimer's has been a very devastating disease in the elderly, by causing their brain to deteriorate at a rapid pace, but a new mouse study with the skin cancer drug bexarotene has reversed the symptoms of the disease in mice. This study took place in Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and it is being led by Gary Landreth. They had genetically engineered mice to exhibit Alzheimer's symptoms and then  gave them the bexarotene. After only a single dose it lowered the toxic amyloid beta peptide by 25 percent with in 6 hours, and this effect lasted for 3 days. Then the regular amyloid buildup resumed its normal behavior after 72 hours. The scientists were able to tell this because the mice were able to crinkle the toilet paper to make nests which they were not able to do with increased amounts of amyloid in their brains. The drug removes the toxins by activating receptors on the brain that produces a fat-protein complex which helps get rid of any excess amyloid between neurons and increases the amount of phagocytosis. Many are saying that is study has great promise and that it is impressive, but there are some concerns about it being too early to get excited over.
Some people have a gene that does not allow the ability to clear the toxic amyloid. This gene would encourage the Alzheimer's even more and greatly complicate the development of bexarotene. Many researchers are unconcerned with this and are optimistic about the results. Another issue is that there hasn't been any testing on humans yet, but it is sure to be starting within the next few months. Scientists say that medicines that work with mice do not always work the same with humans, there are also several more complicating factors in humans brains than in a mouse's. The drug also comes with major risks such as raised triglyceride levels, and increased possibility of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Despite the hurdles that researchers face with the next few years of testing the drug, the outcome seems good and it is something the nation should keep their eye on.

The War Over Prescription Painkillers

Name: Leilan
Post #1
Topic: Health, Politics
Author: Radley Balko
Publication Name: The Huffington Post
Date of Publication: January 29, 2012
Length of Article: 3 pages

For quite some time, there has been an issue in America over whether or not prescription painkillers should be administered to patients, as there has been a dramatic rise in deaths from overdoses from prescription painkillers. People have used these painkillers, such as Oxycontin and Percocet, and died--a large number of people significant enough to cause a movement to crack down on patients who use painkillers, monitoring them closely and instigating tighter policies and aggressive tactics to prevent drug diversion.
However, this is a problem for the patients who are really suffering from chronic pain. Because of the people who pose as patients in chronic pain and the doctors who "unscrupulously hand out prescriptions", those who really need the medication are at risk of not receiving their needed pills due to the increased security.
This is a problem which has significance in Florida, which was the state with the first panic over painkillers in the early 21st century; the same state where the Republican primaries were held on January 30th, 2012. This was not one of the issues discussed, though it held importance and should have been brought up by the moderators as it relates to the noteworthy matters of Medicare and Medicaid, and also the drug war and the aging population. The government has yet to find an effective way to deal with this complication, and as seen from the Republican primary in Florida, there is a chance that the next administration (should it be Republican) will have a tough time dealing with it too.

California Sets Trends in Health Regulation

Name: Cassie Current Even Posting Number: 1

Topic: Health
Author: Katherine Harmon
Publication Name: CNN
Date of Publication: February 10, 2012
Length of article: 3 pages

With a total of 151,002 health and safety laws, California is now a trendsetting state towards healthier living. Although people have viewed these laws with skepticism, a lot of them are now standard practice in other states, for instance the banning of smoking in workplaces, bars, and restaurants. While some critics see these laws as never-ending, and just another way for the government to tell us how to live our lives, there's another perception that sees the laws as a gateway to more health-oriented and health-minded people. Because of these laws, Californians tend to have healthier habits, ranking 10th in physical activity, 4th in healthy blood pressure and 5th for a high fruit and vegetables diet, according to America's Health Rankings. It's discovered that the state's willingness to innovate their health laws is because of California's culture, including their beautiful environment. A big influence towards the health laws are the citizens themselves. Since California started allowing ballot initiatives in 1911, voters have been promoting health laws ever since. For instance, in 1986, voters passed a ballot initiative requiring information on chemical contents known to cause cancer, birth defects of reproductive harm in products . Voters also made California the first state to tax cigarettes and ban smoking in public places, regulations found in half of our country's states now. While California currently ranks at the 24th healthiest state, it also houses more than 10% of the U.S., consisting of a huge, diverse population.
A Californian myself, I find it incredible at how our state has impacted health and safety throughout the country. Although we do not rank as one of the healthiest states, we still continue to fight against our state's problems such as pollution, to create a better environment for future generations to come.

Rule Shift on Birth Control is Concession to Obama Allies

Name: Janine                                                                           Current Even Posting Number: 1
Topic: Health (Subcategory: Money and Politics)
Author: Helene Copper and Laurie Goodstein
Publication Name: New York Times
Date of Publication: February 10, 2012
Length of article: 2 pages

For the White House, the decision announced Friday to soften a rule requiring religious-affiliated organizations to pay for insurance plans that offer free birth control was never really driven by a desire to mollify Roman Catholic bishops, who were strongly opposed to the plan, but for Sister carol Keehan- head of an influential Catholic hospital group. Catholic allies of the White house seen as the religious left who had supported President Obama's health care law. After days of raging political controversy, Obama announced that he is changing the way the administration is implementing its new rules about health care coverage for contraception. Under the rules the administration had originally proposed, employers affiliated with religious institutions would have been required to offer insurance plans that covered contraception. Under the new rules employers who object to that will not have to offer health coverage with contraception, but the insurers will. The result is that all women will be able to get contraception coverage at no cost. The administration's new approach won critical backing from elements of both sides. Planned Parenthood as well as the Catholic Health Association approve of this new plan. However the new approach is unlikely to quell the criticism from Catholic bishops, who had come out strongly against the administrations original proposal. Nor is it likely to silence the criticism from the Republican presidential candidates, who have attacked this as an example of (in their view) an administration that is at war with religion.
  This issue of mixing faith and matters of conscience was amplified by the fact that we are going into heat of a general election campaign, something that is amplifying the stakes for both sides. It is a difficult situation to settle for any administration, as Planned Parenthood at the Catholic Health Association have different views. Both parties agreed that churches would be exempt, the controversy revolved around  colleges, charities, and other religiously affiliated institutions that employed people of different faiths. However before making his announcement, Obama got all major parties involved to give their unqualified endorsements. Even Archbishop Dolan  grudgingly acknowledged that it was a step in the right direction on this issue.

Study Explores Electrical Stimulation as an Aid to Memory

Name: Kara                                            Current Event Posting Number: 1
Topic: Health
Title of Article: Study Explores Electrical Stimulation as an Aid to Memory
Author: Benedict Carey
Publication Name: New York Times
Date of Publication: February 8, 2012
Length of Article: 840 words

Recently in early February, scientists have improved memory using an electrical stimulation to the brain. In the past they have tried the electrical stimulation to the hippocampus, critical for memory formation, in the brain but there was a negative impact on new memories. However, just recently, doctors from UCLA, in California, are testing the same electrical stimulation on the brain but in a different region called the entorhinal cortex. The entorhinal cortex is where the Alzheimer's disease hits first and is deeply connected to the hippocampus. The experiment consisted of seven epilepsy patients and connected electrodes into the brain of these patients to follow brain activity. They each played a taxi-driver game to drop off as many passengers to unknown locations as possible. The first trial was the patients playing the game with a low current to stimulate the neurons in the entorhinal cortex. They then played the game over again and performed much better, improving by a range of 40%-90% due to the low current being transmitted in the first trial. The electrical stimulation allowed for an increase of theta waves in the hippocampus, which helps to locate the neurons and aid memory. These scientists and doctors want to find a way to increase memory for patients with dementia so that they can remember the simplest things such as their identity or the direction of the kitchen.

These experiments may seem promising, but they were only tested on seven patients, which is not enough to draw a conclusion. There may be other reasons why these seven patients were able to increase their memory and perhaps it had nothing to do with the electrical stimulation. More research and tests must be done to ensure that there actually is an effect of the electrical stimulation on the brain and specifically memory. However, scientists are willing to keep researching this topic and the effects of the electrical stimulation since it is true that with the low current running through your brain, you will remember better what you were doing at the time of the current. Also, these scientists can save thousands of people with Parkinson's disease and other memory loss disorders if they continue researching what stimulates the memory and how the electrical stimulation plays a part in remembering.

Cure to Alzheimer's

First name: Nicole

Current Event Posting Number: 1

Topic: Health

Title of Article: Skin cancer drug reverses Alzheimer’s in mice

Author: Elizabeth Cohen

Publication Name: CNN News

Publication Date: February 9, 2012

Length or Article: 542 words

Scientists say they "serendipitously" discovered that a drug used to treat a type of cancer quickly reversed Alzheimer's disease in mice.  After injecting mice with bexarotene, a drug used to treat a type of skin cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, researchers at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine noted that after 72 hours, the mice showed dramatic improvements in memory and very active and vigorous behavior in the mice.   Pathology tests on the mice showed bexarotene lowered the levels of amyloid beta and raised the levels of apolipoprotein E, which helps keep amyloid beta levels low.  To test the mice’s’ memories, the researchers conducted an experiment in which the Alzheimer's mice, walked right into a cage where they'd previously been given a painful electrical shock.  After treatment with bexarotene, the mice remembered the shock and refused to enter the cage.  However, Gary Landreth, the lead researcher at Case Western, stated that even though the drug was effective and beneficial in the ice, it may turn out dysfunctional or harmful to humans.  There have been several cases in which drugs that had fixed Alzheimer’s in mice, so further testing of the drug will take place before it will be tested on humans.  The study was published on Thursday in the journal Science.    

Bexarotene may or may not be the answer to curing Alzheimer’s.  Even though it worked stupendously well in mice, there is no saying in whether or not humans will react in such a positive way.  Further testing and researching will be done before any conclusions as to the safety and usefulness of this drug can be drawn.             

C-Sections Pose Respiratory Risks for Some Small Preemies

Name: Sameeha Posting #1

Topic: Health

Title of Article: C-Sections Pose Respiratory Risks for Some Small Preemies

Author: Roni Caryn Rabin

Publication Name: New York Times Date of Publication: February 9, 2012

Length of article: 725 words

Last Wednesday, Kathleen Sebelius, the federal secretary of health and human services announced that very small babies delivered prematurely by a C-section develop more respiratory problems later in life than the babies of regular deliveries. Researchers have discovered that it is much better for the baby and the mother to let the pregnancy go on as long as possible and let labor start naturally. A campaign trying to increase the public's awareness emphasizes that "healthy babies are worth the wait." Researchers are not exactly sure why babies delivered by C-section are 30% more likely to develop some kind of respiratory illness. However, this study was able to disprove the common belief that C-section deliveries are less traumatic for babies than vaginal birth. Some scientists believe that "the physical compression the baby experiences during labor helps remove fluid from the lungs and prepares the baby to breathe air." This might explain why babies born by C-section have a higher chance of developing a respiratory illness. In recent years, more and more babies have had to be delivered prematurely by C-section, even when C-section was unnecessary. In addition to the developmental delays that these babies are at risk of having, the babies are also more likely to develop respiratory illnesses. Recently, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been trying to make the public more aware of the risks and dangers of C-sections and making it easier for all women to have vaginal deliveries.

New research like this is making the public more aware of the dangers of C-sections and the benefits of natural child birth. Many organizations are trying to make it easier for women who delivered their first child by C-section to still deliver their second child through natural child birth. Even though this can put these women at risk for uterine rupture, it is highly unlikely and natural birth will be better overall for the baby and the mother. Researchers urge women to wait and consider vaginal deliveries over C-sections because it will help their babies have better respiratory outcomes after being born. Right now, 1 in 3 babies are delivered by C-section and doctors hope that they can get this number down by educating women about the dangers of C-section.

Mitt Romney wins narrow victory over Ron Paul in Maine’s Republican caucuses

 First Name: Pallavi                                                                      Current Event Posting Number: 1
Topic: leaders
Title of Article: "Mitt Romney wins narrow victory over Ron Paul in Maine’s Republican caucuses"          
Author:  Holly Bailey
Publication Name: Yahoo News
Date of Publication: 2/11/12
Length of Article: 270 words

Mitt Romey celebrates narrow victory in the Republican presidential caucuses on Saturday against Ron Paul. The race was a " long showdown" between the two republican candidates. Romney had won about 39% and Paul recieved 36% of the votes.The Republican caucuses seemed especially important for both Mitt Romney and Ron Paul, who were both trying to score a "symbolic victory." Out of 24 delegates Romney and Paul were both neck-and-neck for the winning votes. However Romney prove to be just a cut above the rest in the campaign.  This campaign was a chance for Paul to prove that he is capable of winning an election. However, even after dedicating a lot of time, money, and effort his results proved disappointing. According to Romney's advisers they predicted that Romney would not spend much time in Maine and that the caucuses would be an easy win for him. But he decided to make a last- minute visit to he state and observed two caucus sites. These last minute visits are hardly seen or done on election days in various states. Now that he has pulled ahead, Arizona and Michigan are two important "must win states" for Romney.

In  conclusion, both Mitt Romney and Ron Paul proved to be a cut above the rest of the Republican candidates. Both candidates had spent a lot of time, money and effort to accomplish their goal. However, Romney's last minute visit to Maine, may have helped him to gain a few more votes, causing him to push  ahead  to the rest of the candidates.

Tai Chi Benefits Patients with Parkinson's

Name: Olivia Current Event Posting: #1

Topic: Health

Title of Article: Tai Chi Benefits Patients with Parkinson's Author: Tara Parker-Pope

Publication Name: New York Times Date of Publication: 02/09/12

Length of Article: 475 words

In a recent study, 195 people who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's in four Oregon cities were recruited to take part in a trial. Parkinson's is a disease that mainly affects people over the age of fifty. Since Parkinson's causes movement and balance problems, patients were divided into groups that did different physical activities two times a week. One group did stretching exercises, another did resistance training, and the other did tai chi. After six months, the patients were evaluated once again, and i was found that the group that did tai chi was in better physical condition than patients in other groups. Tai chi involves the flowing slow movement of the body, as well as meditation.

This study shows that tai chi and physical movement can help people with physcial problems due to Parkinson's. According to scientists, tai chi may be a better "medication" than actual drugs themselves because the drugs can mentally deteriorate patients. The effect that tai chi has on Parkinson's still isn't entirely clear, but it is speculated that trains parts of the brain that control movement and balance.

Personally, I think that this is a very welcomed discovery for people with Parkinson's. It offers them a holistic way to battle their disease. They can leave a more normal life, because they still have the physical ability to do so, which I think is very rewarding to them.

Astronaut feels space's toll on his body

Jeffrey Liu

Science Technology

Number: 1

Article Title: Astronaut feels space's toll on his body

Length 2 pages 974 words

Author: Rich Phillips

Publication name: CNN

Date of Publication: Febuary 12th 2012

Mike Barrot, who returned from a six month research trip in space on the international space station in October of 2009 has recently reported dramatic changes in his vision. His once near-sited vision had turned far-sited. Many other male astronauts who have had extended stays in space reported similar problems. Female astronauts seem to be unaffected. The cause of this profound shift in vision among male astronauts is yet unclear but doctors believe it has to do with the build up of intracranial pressure during a lengthy stay on the international space station. This build up of pressure would then cause the reshaping of the optic nerve which results in vision changes.

This medical problem has become NASA's number one priority as of now because no further trips to space can occur if the astronaut's health cannot be guaranteed. Also, build of intracranial pressure could have other unknown neurological effects on the astronaut as well. NASA's current 18 billion dollars project to send astronauts for the first time to Mars would have to be put on halt as the fastest space shuttle ever, Orion, would have no astronauts to carry if this problem is not solved.

Facebook IPO: $5 Billion Filing to Sell Stock in May

By: Jill

Topic: Technology

Title: Facebook IPO: $5 Billion Filing to Sell Stock in May

Author: Ned Potter

Publication Name: ABC News

Date of Publication: Febuary 1, 2012

Legnth: 702 words

Announced on February first, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg have some news. This spring, Facebook will begin selling stocks. This year, Facebook profited one billion dollars. Seven investment banks are involved in the IOP, or initial public offering. After stocks are released, Facebook will be one of the most valuable interned companies. By selling these stocks, facebook will become a public company. Facebook is becoming a public company for several reasons. One of these reasons is to prove its 'maturity' or show how it would take something great to rock its stable foundation. The stocks will be sold all around the world. The stocks will begin selling in May 2012.

This is important for facebook, placing in as cement in the internet world, right next to google and youtube. This also adds a bit if risk, changing what might happen is stocks fall. This sets facebook apart from other social networking websites, saying that facebook is here to stay and only improve. But what does this say about our society, that this website is valued the same as other perhaps more useful ones. Most importantly, this definitely says that facebook isn't going anywhere.

The effect of male genes on heart disease

Name: Matt S. Posting Number: #1

Topic: Health

Article Title: Male Genes May Explain Higher Heart Disease Risk

Author: Gina Kolata

Publication Name: NY Times

Publication Date: 2/8/12

Length of Article: Words 605 / 3 Pages

Two out of every three heart-disease patients are male; furthermore, heart disease strikes males an average of 10 t0 15 years earlier than females. The answer was never really known until now. Last Wednesday in an article published in the Lancet, a group of researchers at University of Leicester in Britain conducted studies that show that two variants of a cluster of genes on the Y chromosome affect the rate of heart disease. Those with one of the variants had a 50% increased risk of contracting heart disease than those with the other variant. This increase in percentage of risk is not affected by external factors such as cholesterol levels, smoking and diabetes. The researchers have not yet found the exact gene cluster that causes this, and they do not yet know if the studies are 100% accurate however they say that the studies can be replicated. The chief leader of the study, Dr. Maciej Tomaszewski says that he cannot fully explain the male disadvantage in heart disease. Dr. Miller at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester says that over the history of mankind, there have been men who have "done all the wrong things" to cause heart disease and haven't had any signs of heart disease whatsoever, and there have also been men that lived healthy lives and did nothing wrong but died of a heart attack. She concludes that there must have been some inherited factors that caused these people to die. Dr. Tomaszewski and his colleagues were surprised by the magnitude of the increase of risk of heart disease simply because of one small gene cluster.

In conclusion, this study provides us with the information that heart-disease isn't something that is entirely caused by a person's lifestyle. Up until this point in time, many heart-disease researchers have ignored the Y-chromosome as a possible cause. Also, it also means that men should really pay attention for signs of heart-disease since they could still have it even if they live a perfectly healthy lifestyle. We who have the Y-chromosome shouldn't necessarily start panicking about this, as this study was the only one done so far to prove this theory; the evidence could have been skewed by an experimental error or something of this sort. According to Dr. Rader, much more research needs to be done in order to validate this.

I personally wouldn't worry too much about this since this is only one study that has yet to be proved.

Alzheimer

Name: Helen                                                                                          Current Events Posting Number: 1
Topic: Health/Science
Title of Article: Skin cancer drug reverses Alzheimer's in mice
Author:  Elizabeth Cohen, Senior Medical Correspondent 
Publication Name:CNN                                                                     Date of Publication: February 9, 2012
Length of Article: 1 page, 566 words

23 Researchers from different research institutions, working at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland Ohio, published a interesting finding regarding Alzheimer's disease in the journal Science last Thursday. Their finding is of great relevance for the understanding of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is associated with impaired clearance of β-amyloid from the brain, a process normally facilitated by apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Destructive plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients have been rapidly cleared by these researchers testing a cancer drug on mice. The researches treated special  mice, which were bred to have Alzheimer disease, with bexarotene and found that this treatment efficiently removed the beta-amyloid from there brains and apparently cured them. Bexarotene is a drug already used to treat a type of skin cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. After one dose in young mice, the levels of beta-amyloid in the brain were "rapidly lowered" within six hours and a 25% reduction was sustained for 70 hours. In older mice with established amyloid plaques, seven days of treatment halved the number of plaques in the brain. The study said there were improvements in brain function after treatment, in nest building, maze performance and remembering electrical shocks. While this is indeed an interesting and great finding giving us some hope, it is by no ways clear that it will also work in humans. Many treatments that might work for animals, do not work in Humans. 
           This new research finding indicates a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease and gives a path for a possible development of a drug against it. There are other drugs in development which aim to clear the beta-amyloid plaque from the brains of Alzheimer's patients. However, many more years of research and testing will be required before this or a similar drug can become efficient for humans.

The Effects of Stress on Sleeping Patterns

Name: Angela                 Posting Number: 1
Topic: Health
Title of Article: Are You Feeling Sleepy? The Effects of Stress on Sleep Patterns
Author: Kirsty Hanly
Publication Name: Huffington Post                    Date of Publication: February 8, 2012
Length of Article: 1 page, 610 words

              I think everyone can agree when I say that junior year in high school can really stress a student out. We feel the impact of stress as pressures of grades, friends, SAT, and more weigh heavily on our shoulders. However, stress can impact us during our happiest time of the day: when we sleep. In this article written by cognitive hypnotherapist Kirsty Hanly, she describes the effect that stress can have on our unconscious minds. When we are stressed, the sympathetic nervous system treats it as if we are facing a threat, and puts our bodies in the fight or flight mode. This means that even when we're sleeping, we're not completely relaxed because our unconscious minds are continually on guard against "threats". This could lead to long term health problems or simply not being able to have a good night's rest.
             Hanly also adds that the only sense that doesn't fully rest when we sleep is our hearing. That means all night long we're listening to potential threats even if they're just family members, pets, or outside cars creating noise. That must put a lot of stress on our bodies to have to be aware of all the things going on around us even when we're asleep.
            Finally, Hanly concludes with some tips for winding down before we sleep. The first is practice feeling relaxed by taking a bath, or stretching or whatever calms you down. The second is to "get smelling" which is to put a scent by your side that you really like (maybe because you associate it with childhood memories). The third is to set a regular bedtime, which I know can be hard for a lot of us students. The last tip is to avoid stimulants such as caffeine which could increase your heart rate providing additional stress.
            It's important to relax right before you go to bed, because for me that is the best time of the day. I don't want my stress to affect me even when I'm not conscious! So it's just important to leave all of it at the desk and go to bed happy :) 

Name: Marisa
Post number: 1
Topic: Civil rights
Title of article: Study: Segregation in U.S. on decline, but disparities persist
Author: David Ariosto
Publication name: CNN
Date of publication: January 31st, 2012
Length of article: 2 pages

    A study released on January 30th by the Manhattan Institute alleges that segregation of African-Americans across the United States has “dropped to its lowest level in more than a century.”  The study, based off of census data from as early as 1890, states that now, only 0.5% of neighborhoods are without African-Americans, in comparison to 20% half a century ago.  Opponents of the article [optimistically entitled “The End of the Segregated Century”] argue that the significance and magnitude of these changes are exaggerated.  A point brought up by professors Sean F. Reardon and Kendra Bischoff of Stanford University was that the income gap is increasing, within both the overall U.S. population and within racial groups.   On the education front, schools are commonly considered “less integrated” than in the 1970s and 1980s, according to Jacob Vigdor of Duke University.  In sum, though segregation is in remission, it is too early to say that it has died.  Furthermore, the more pressing issue of economic equality is coming into play, which serves to stratify society further.

[article can be found here]