If you saw contagion, if you remember me mentioning Typhoid Mary in class, if you are curious as to the origin of HIV, if you are interested in more epidemiology, or if you wonder how an idea might spread....take a listen to this week's Radiolab. Add Radiolab to your podcasts on your smart phone, it's always interesting, really!
http://www.radiolab.org/2011/nov/14/
Maybe there will be extra credit on the final......
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
Malaria vaccine on the horizon?
I've said many times, and hopefully showed several examples, of how important cell surface chemistry is. Here is another example! Please note the phrase in the article, "a single receptor for a protein that is critical for the parasite to gain entry into red blood cells".
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/10/malaria-finding-points-to-possible-new-vaccine/
Here is an article about the GlaxoSmithkline vaccine also mentioned in the above article.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-18/glaxo-vaccine-cuts-malaria-in-african-children-by-more-than-half
I think these advances are very promising. They seem to be the most progress made in a very long time against malaria. If the vaccines are successful, what might some continuing issues be in order to rid the world of Malaria?
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/10/malaria-finding-points-to-possible-new-vaccine/
Here is an article about the GlaxoSmithkline vaccine also mentioned in the above article.
http://mobile.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-18/glaxo-vaccine-cuts-malaria-in-african-children-by-more-than-half
I think these advances are very promising. They seem to be the most progress made in a very long time against malaria. If the vaccines are successful, what might some continuing issues be in order to rid the world of Malaria?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Cheatobiotics: how can we use them?
http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/group/gardner/media/NewScientist_Oct_2011.pdf
This article is SO interesting and provocative. It was found and contributed by one of your classmates (Danielle J., yes extra credit for being chosen for the blog!). By all means read it (you won't regret it), and think about the way that the article proposes we exploit these lazy, cheating, bacteria. Make a list of the vocabulary in the article that you have learned already in this course. Would you have understood this article in the same way last August as you hopefully do now? What do you think--about the social behavior aspects of the article, about potential benefits, what could be some of the problems with the proposed therapy (think horizontal gene transfer, among other things), microbial evolution, can you relate bacterial behavior to successful human behaviors? Oh, so many things to think about. Share what you are thinking!
This article is SO interesting and provocative. It was found and contributed by one of your classmates (Danielle J., yes extra credit for being chosen for the blog!). By all means read it (you won't regret it), and think about the way that the article proposes we exploit these lazy, cheating, bacteria. Make a list of the vocabulary in the article that you have learned already in this course. Would you have understood this article in the same way last August as you hopefully do now? What do you think--about the social behavior aspects of the article, about potential benefits, what could be some of the problems with the proposed therapy (think horizontal gene transfer, among other things), microbial evolution, can you relate bacterial behavior to successful human behaviors? Oh, so many things to think about. Share what you are thinking!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Antimicrobial Resistance Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial Resistance Animation of Antimicrobial Resistance
This animation was produced by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as part of their veterinary information. The animation will reinforce things we have talked about in class with a different perspective. The twist is that we can consume pathogens from the foods we eat that could be antibiotic resistant due to the use of antibiotics in animals we consume.
Reflect on the following: What came first antibiotic resistance or the overuse of antibiotics? What is the relationship between the two? How can we reduce the development of resistant organisms? Finally, how does Horizontal Gene Transfer come in to play?
This animation was produced by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) as part of their veterinary information. The animation will reinforce things we have talked about in class with a different perspective. The twist is that we can consume pathogens from the foods we eat that could be antibiotic resistant due to the use of antibiotics in animals we consume.
Reflect on the following: What came first antibiotic resistance or the overuse of antibiotics? What is the relationship between the two? How can we reduce the development of resistant organisms? Finally, how does Horizontal Gene Transfer come in to play?
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Influenza then and now
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Health/20110919/spanish-flu-outbreak-study-110919/
Based on what we covered in lecture, your text, and after reading through the resources in BB on Influenza (In the Lectures section) post your comments on at least two of the following questions regarding Avian flu H5N1:
1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?
Also, do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?
Based on what we covered in lecture, your text, and after reading through the resources in BB on Influenza (In the Lectures section) post your comments on at least two of the following questions regarding Avian flu H5N1:
1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?
Also, do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Contagion! Fact or Fiction
Coming this September! Warner Brothers' version of a pandemic: Contagion.
View the trailer and comment on what you think the movie is about and how this movie relates to what you think you might learn in our class. In addition, what role would you play or who would you be in the movie if it were real life? In other words how does this movie relate to the career you envision for yourself. Policy maker/politician? Nurse, doctor, EMT? Researcher? Epidemiologist? We'll talk more in class about pandemics, fear, could this happen? We'll have to wait until the movie comes out before we can talk about how factual it is. In the meantime, remember, it's just a movie....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzWcrXVtwg
View the trailer and comment on what you think the movie is about and how this movie relates to what you think you might learn in our class. In addition, what role would you play or who would you be in the movie if it were real life? In other words how does this movie relate to the career you envision for yourself. Policy maker/politician? Nurse, doctor, EMT? Researcher? Epidemiologist? We'll talk more in class about pandemics, fear, could this happen? We'll have to wait until the movie comes out before we can talk about how factual it is. In the meantime, remember, it's just a movie....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdzWcrXVtwg
Monday, August 29, 2011
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
This could also be titled: So you think parasitic diseases are a third-world problem?
I've gathered some recent headlines about parasitic incidences and outbreaks right here in the very developed U.S. Parasitic diseases, especially the tropical types, are typically more commen in developing countries. This is especially true in children where their general health and nutrition is not optimal. But, parasites are alive and well anywhere there are animal (human and other) hosts. So read up. Comment on the following questions. What are the underlying causes and concerns in these outbreaks? What can happen when standard procedures are not followed or fail (ex., normal chlorination of water)? Should you be worried in your every day life?
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2011/aug/29/disease-outbreak-prompts-shawnee-pool-close-early-/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817175920.htm
http://www.app.com/article/20110819/NJNEWS18/308190131/3-die-of-rare-brain-infection-from-amoeba-in-water
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html
I've gathered some recent headlines about parasitic incidences and outbreaks right here in the very developed U.S. Parasitic diseases, especially the tropical types, are typically more commen in developing countries. This is especially true in children where their general health and nutrition is not optimal. But, parasites are alive and well anywhere there are animal (human and other) hosts. So read up. Comment on the following questions. What are the underlying causes and concerns in these outbreaks? What can happen when standard procedures are not followed or fail (ex., normal chlorination of water)? Should you be worried in your every day life?
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/news/2011/aug/29/disease-outbreak-prompts-shawnee-pool-close-early-/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817175920.htm
http://www.app.com/article/20110819/NJNEWS18/308190131/3-die-of-rare-brain-infection-from-amoeba-in-water
http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/about.html
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Welcome to our Blog!
The purpose of this blog is to give you, the students, the opportunity to share your thoughts, assignments, and projects with each other and perhaps the world. It is a classroom blog to begin with, however if you want to start your own blog we can certainly talk about that! The blog will be the hub of collaboration and sharing for our class. You will also comment on the work of your classmates. Finally the blog will become a repository of your good ideas.
We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, with your own blog or using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an eportfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.
Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?
Let's get started!
Blogs in Plain English:
We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, with your own blog or using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an eportfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.
Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?
Let's get started!
Blogs in Plain English:
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Flu!
Based on what we covered in lecture, your text, and after reading through the resources in BB on Influenza (In the Lectures section) post your comments on at least two of the following questions regarding Avian flu H5N1:
1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?Current situation with Avian flu outbreak
Reflect on the following:1. Do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?2. How do we balance individual rights versus public welfare?
1. What is the source of this flu?
2.What is the relationship betwAeen birds, pig, humans and the flu?
3. How might an outbreak today compare with the1918 outbreak?
4. What would some of the consequences be of a pandemic today?
5. What is being done in light of the possibility of a pandemic?Current situation with Avian flu outbreak
Reflect on the following:1. Do you think there will be a major flu pandemic in the next few years?2. How do we balance individual rights versus public welfare?
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fungus Fights Malaria
Here is a very timely short news item on Malaria research.
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2011/02/28/lab-engineered-organism-fights-malaria
Read the article and comment about this:
Imagine that you read this prior to learning about Malaria (and fungi for that matter). What insights do you have now?
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2011/02/28/lab-engineered-organism-fights-malaria
Read the article and comment about this:
Imagine that you read this prior to learning about Malaria (and fungi for that matter). What insights do you have now?
Friday, February 18, 2011
Human Microbiome
The Human Microbiome Project is a $173 NIH funded effort to to discover and study the microbes that live on and in humans. This article from Popular Science discussess the skin microbiome and specifically how the bacteria living on us relate to allergies, asthma, and eczema. Read the article and comment below in regard to at least two of the following:
1. Describe the relationship/number of bacteria to different parts of the skin.
2. Describe the study methods that were used to study the link between allergies, inflammation, and the microbiome.
3. Describe the role of metagenomic analysis is being used to study the skin microbiome.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-02/our-body-ecosystem-understanding-interplay-between-man-and-microbe
1. Describe the relationship/number of bacteria to different parts of the skin.
2. Describe the study methods that were used to study the link between allergies, inflammation, and the microbiome.
3. Describe the role of metagenomic analysis is being used to study the skin microbiome.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-02/our-body-ecosystem-understanding-interplay-between-man-and-microbe
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Welcome to our class blog: redux
This initial blog is a reposting of a July 2010 blog to introduce it to students for the first time. Feel free to go back and read the other blogs posted and comments by your predecessors. I will select a few for you to read and comment on. Follow the instructions here and get started--enjoy!
The purpose of this blog is to give you, the students, the opportunity to share your thoughts, assignments, and projects with each other and perhaps the world. It is a classroom blog to begin with, however if you want to start your own blog we can certainly talk about that! The blog will be the hub of collaboration and sharing for our class. You will also comment on the work of your classmates. Finally the blog will become a repository of your good ideas.
We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, you might create your own blog or, using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an e-portfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.
Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?
Let's get started!
Blogs in Plain English:
The purpose of this blog is to give you, the students, the opportunity to share your thoughts, assignments, and projects with each other and perhaps the world. It is a classroom blog to begin with, however if you want to start your own blog we can certainly talk about that! The blog will be the hub of collaboration and sharing for our class. You will also comment on the work of your classmates. Finally the blog will become a repository of your good ideas.
We will learn some cool easy Web 2.0 tools to help you complete assignments and projects. You may already know some and can teach me! Eventually, you might create your own blog or, using something like Google docs, you can begin to create an e-portfolio of your work. This blog is different from our BB site because it allows you to embed projects, comment directly on other's work, read postings from guests, and more. There will be plenty of guidelines for you to follow and information on how, when, why, etc. So don't freak out! We will ease into it and I promise it will enhance your learning and not just take time away from your studies.
Take the survey on web tools (posted on BB) and watch the following video. Go to the "Tips for Blogging" page here and then share your thoughts (via comments below) on your reaction to using a blog in our class by answering the following questions: Have you blogged before? How do you think it might be helpful? What is your biggest concern? What might be fun about blogging here?
Let's get started!
Blogs in Plain English:
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