Category Archives: News

Antibiotic Treatment Course…to finish or not to finish?!

Posted on November 19, 2018 by | 1 comment

Have you ever taken antibiotics for any infections? I’m sure most of you have… have you been told to finish the course of treatment even after you feel better? This has been the traditional approach to antibiotic treatment for many years. The common belief is that, not completing the course of treatment would cause the bacteria to mutate and become resistant to the antibiotic. This belief was questioned by a study published in 2017 claiming that there is little to no evidence supporting the idea that not completing a prescribed antibiotic course results in antibiotic resistance; while many studies suggest that taking antibiotics more than necessary increases the chance of antibiotic resistance.

The common belief is that failure to complete the course of antibiotic treatment can result in antibiotic resistance. A new study has questioned this belief. Image from Pixabay

The study by Martin Llewelyn, a professor in infectious diseases at Brighton and Sussex medical school, and colleagues published in the British Medical Journal became controversial as it claimed that this idea has arisen from the “fear of undertreatment” in the early years of antibiotic discovery. The article suggested that “[policy makers, educators, and doctors] should publicly and actively state that this was not evidence-based and is incorrect.” Many experts agreed with these findings. Alison Holmes, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, in agreement with this article mentioned that a great British authority, Professor Harold Lambert had made the same point in an article in 1999. This article states that since the optimum duration of antibiotic treatment for infections are unknown, patients should stop taking antibiotics when they feel better to avoid antibiotic resistance.

Martin Llewelyn and colleagues claim that there is no evidence for completing the course of antibiotic treatment and patients should stop taking antibiotics once they feel better. Image from Pixabay

On the other hand, many disagree with this claim. Sumanth Gandra, a physician, claims that although it is true that an antibiotic treatment course should be reduced to minimum, the only way to minimize antibiotic use responsibly, is by clinical trials to assess the optimal treatment lengths for different infections. Moreover, patients should not stop their antibiotics without consult with their physicians. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and World Health Organization (WHO) still strongly encourage the public to follow the instructions of their physician and finish the course of antibiotic treatment.

Health organizations strongly encourage the public to follow the instructions of their physicians and finish the course of antibiotic treatment. Image from Shutterstock

Antibiotic resistance is an important topic in today’s society and there are several different opinions about the causes of antibiotic resistance. Despite these disagreements, I think it is our responsibility as the educated public to follow the instructions and suggestions of authorities and experts in institutions such as WHO and advise others to do so.

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The Weight of the World’s Fate

Posted on November 17, 2018 by | 1 comment

In (very!) recent news: the concept of the kilogram as we know it could drastically change.

Scientists from around the world gathered together on November 16, 2018 in Versailles  to vote on whether the current kilogram system should continue or be rejected and modernized. I started writing this post before the date and so I will provide both sides to the argument before revealing the vote’s outcome.

Currently, the kilogram is based on an actual physical object. Hidden under lock and key outside of Paris, a platinum-iridium cylinder called the International Prototype of the Kilogram is the fundamental unit of mass. This cylinder has been the definition since 1879 and is nicknamed Le Grand K. It is the last base system international (SI) unit to be based on a physical object and poses a couple of problems.

A replica of of Le Grande K, held by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the US. Photo credit to NIST

The mass of Le Grand K is divergent, as it can pick up particles of dust, decay with time and has the possibility of being dropped or damaged. As a result, it seems very inefficient to base all of our scientific research and measurements over something this arbitrary. Le Grande K is also very inaccessible to scientists over the world.

The proposed solution? Set Planck’s constant as a fixed value. It is famously known that energy is correlated to Planck’s constant (h) and frequency (f). Energy is also known to equal mass (m) times the speed of light (c2). By rearranging, (as seen in Figure 1) mass is dependent on (hf)/c2. By setting h to a fixed value, we standardize the value of mass and therefore the kilogram.

Figure 1. Rearrangement of formulas to show mass’ (m) dependency on Planck’s constant (h). Made by Elizabeth Porter.

However, this is not as easy as it sounds. Scientists have been reminded  that Planck’s constant comes with a degree of uncertainty. The last few decimal places of the number have been differently suggested by many. What isn’t uncertain? The mass of Le Grand K, locked away in France. Because of this, there may be merit in keeping the system as is. Additionally, the standardization of Planck’s constant will affect not only the kilogram, but other SI units such as the mole, the Kelvin and the ampere. Is deviating from the status-quo worthwhile?

Both sides of this topic have validity, although a conclusion has been made. Over the years, scientists have worked tirelessly to set Planck’s constant to a certain value. Many methods were cross referenced to one another to report that h equals 6.62607015 x 10-34 Js. The kilogram can now be based off of this scientific discovery, rather than an arbitrary object. The mole, the Kelvin and the ampere are also now certainly known.

As for the vote? Scientists unanimously approved the overhaul of Le Grand K with joy and celebration. Nobel Prize winner William Phillips exclaimed  that this change is “the greatest revolution in measurement since the French revolution.” Measurements are the foundation of science as they allow us to make observations, and I think it is important to keep modern in our referencing.

This is a photo of people celebrating after Superbowl XLVII, but I like to think the reactions in Paris were similar. Photo credit to David Robert Crews.

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Interplanetary Contamination vs. Space Exploration: What did Elon Musk Achieve?

Posted on November 12, 2018 by | 1 comment

Recently, the world’s first ever space-bound Tesla complete with his spacesuit passenger reached Mars. But, just what did we send to space?

Elon Musk’s Tesla in space with its spacesuit passenger. Image from Wikimedia Commons

On board with our dummy passenger, we may have just sent a bunch of organisms to Mars. However, to what extent should we care?

Scientists have different opinions.

Researchers worry that microorganisms from earth may proliferate on Mars. Based on evidence of bacterial resistance to extreme conditions, they aren’t wrong. Dr. Osman and his team concluded that some bacteria or bacterial spores can survive under stimulated atmospheric and radiation conditions of Mars. The team stated that the spores likely stayed dormant, however, with high UV and lack of water. In contrast, they found that non-spore forming bacteria can live for many years if they can find shielding from UV within uneven soil, or around spacecrafts. This means that we may introduce bacteria to Mars, thereby possibly eliminating any native micro lifeforms through natural selection.

A contrary argument, however, claims that we are impeding ourselves from exploring space with very strict regulations against interplanetary contamination. These scientists believe that if meteorites from Earth that crashed on Mars or space missions before planetary protection act couldn’t contaminate the planet, the modern bacteria won’t be able to either. So far, we haven’t seen any solid signs of ancient or modern life on Mars, which means we probably haven’t introduced any terrestrial life yet. In contrast, the argument states that if we somehow did, the planet is already contaminated. Then, should we really spend most of our space funding on sterilization, or prohibit some programs as a precaution?

NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory being prepared for launch in the clean room to keep the spacecraft germ free. Photo by NASA/JPL

Let’s go back to the Tesla orbiting Mars. The debate takes a whole new level with this SpaceX mission. Why? Because the car and its dummy passenger foreshadows what’s to come. By 2024, SpaceX is planning to send people on Mars. If the company achieves this goal, the proliferation of species will no longer be a question. Nobody sends people on a suicide mission with such publicity; the company will ensure human survival.  What else will definitely survive? Bacteria!

Elon Musk’s speech about future plans for Mars missions and beyond. Video by CNET on Youtube.

The same question applies. Should we care that we are introducing different species to Mars? Or instead, should we focus on how to survive in different planets? Surely, we can learn from planets a lot more if we can figure out a way to remain there.

If you ask me, it’s a tough choice. What’s the opportunity cost here? What if we are letting some bacteria die that may give us insight on many genetic processes? But what if there isn’t any, yet our fear is not letting us investigate any further?

Maybe let’s just let the space agencies decide for this one.

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Cannabis: The Good & The Bad

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 2 comments

Pot, weed, marijuana, Mary Jane, grass – you know name it. Just like how cannabis takes on many names, people can’t seem to come to a solid conclusion on whether or not the drug is beneficial to human health. Since the legalization of cannabis in British Columbia just this year on October 17, marijuana smokers and non-smokers voice their opinions loud and clear.

Non-smokers are against using cannabis. The reason? Well, there have been many published studies exposing the negative effects of cannabis. To name a few, cognitive development may be affected, especially for young users. Additionally, not only do studies show that the probability of death from hypertension increases, but the probability of stroke and heart failure increases as well. 

On the other side however, marijuana smokers have come to their own defence as there are studies that also reveal the positive effects of cannabis. Research

reveals that mental stamina may be improved for HIV patients, drug addiction may be treated, and smoking marijuana can relieve chronic nerve pain as well. 

Marijuana use proves to be a popular controversial topic around the world. Multiple studies and extensive research finds both pros and cons for people who are against smoking weed, and for the people who are for it.

If you were to ask me, it really depends on the situation. For all I know, you could be someone who enjoys the recreational use of marijuana, but claim that it helps “relieve muscle pain” because the news article you read on Facebook said it would. Either way, as long as cannabis is legal, most people like me don’t care if you need it for medical reasons or not. It’s a free world. Do your thing.

 

  • Sonia Sharma

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This is the Last Straw (literally)

Posted on November 5, 2018 by | 1 comment

Plastic straws (image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

I’m sure you’re all aware of the most recent environmental movement: elimination of single-use plastic straws. From Starbucks to McDonald’s, major companies around the world are pledging to ditch plastic straws. Although they are small, their effects are mighty. Close to 500 million plastic straws are thrown away every day in the United States. Some end up in landfills, but a large number become plastic trash in our oceans. The solution was to introduce “sippy cup” plastic lids and alternative-material straws. This is a huge win for anti-straw advocates, but what are the true environmental effects?

On one side, plastic straws should stay as their ban results in an insignificant decrease of plastic waste in our oceans. According to a recent report by environmental group Better Alternatives Now (BAN), plastic straws comprised only 7% of plastic items found along the California coastline, compared to plastic bags at 9% or plastic bottle caps at 17%. When taken by weight, a report by Jambeck Research Group places plastic straws at only 0.03% of aggregate plastic in the oceans themselves. Majority of plastic waste found in oceans actually comes from fishing nets.

Plastic waste gathered at a shoreline (Image courtesy of Pixabay)

Furthermore, the BAN report also noted that products labeled as biodegradable or compostable plastics are not, in fact, actually biodegradable in an earth or ocean environment. Companies moving towards biodegradable plastic straws are not having any actual impact on ocean plastics.

Chemical structure of the plastic polymer, polypropylene (Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

In support of the plastic straw ban, companies have revealed the benefits to their alternative solutions. Starbucks made it known that their new “sippy cup” lid is made from polypropylene, a commonly-accepted recyclable plastic that can be captured in recycling infrastructure. This was an almost impossible task to accomplish with straws, which are too small and lightweight to be captured.

The lives of marine animals, such as sea turtles, will also be protected by the straw ban. Small plastic straws can easily get lodged in their airways, causing them pain and discomfort, and in extreme cases, death.

Both sides of the plastic straw ban have valid arguments. Although only a small one, I believe it is a step in the right direction. This movement will hopefully be the gateway to banning more plastics which will hopefully lead us to a future of plastic-free oceans and landfills. So, are you pro-straw?

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Guardians of the Upper Realm: Characteristics of Fighter Pilots

Posted on October 28, 2018 by | 1 comment

Let’s go back in time and reminisce about the 80’s: when kids watched Top Gun and dreamed of becoming fighter pilots. Honestly, Tom Cruise looked so cool in his jumpsuit and aviators (he really did..)

My 16 year old Dad decided he too would become a fighter pilot because of that movie. He studied aeronautical engineering and entered fighter pilot school in the Philippines. Although, he never finished because he decided to marry my Mom (another love story on its own). Nowadays, he designs and repairs planes, but no longer flies.

It made me think… what does it take to become a fighter pilot? How does the Air Force decide who gets to fly a multibillion dollar jet armed with weapons capable of thermonuclear destruction?

In fact, I don’t know how my Dad passed selection! As a teenager, he loved getting into fights and craved reckless activities. Why would you put someone like that in a fighter jet? I don’t think someone like that should operate such an advanced piece of military hardware!

An F-16 Fighting Falcon flies a mission in the skies near Iraq.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby)

Military leaders and flight surgeons check for specific cognitive abilities that would help students with flying in a high-stress environment.  Therefore, personality tests serve an essential role in assessing pilot candidates.

To my surprise, a study shows that many fighter pilots exhibit extraverted, conscientious and open-minded behaviour.

Yeah… that sounds exactly like my Dad, he can’t stop talking!

The researchers determined that this behaviour actually helps pilots with their challenging and high risk occupation.

Graph illustrates NEO-PI-R scores of USAF pilots vs. General population. Figure by Roj Lising. Data source: https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:180418/datastream/PDF/view

NEO-PI-R serves as a psychological test that identifies an individual’s Big Five personality traits (openness to new experiences, conscientiousness, extraversion,  agreeableness and neuroticism). Data from the graph shows that fighter pilots when compared to the general public, display more extroverted, open-minded and conscientious (achievement striving) behaviour! However, fighter pilots exhibit less neurotic (anxious) and agreeable behaviour ( hard-headed).

In summary, fighter pilots get along with others, but still enjoy heated conversations (friendly, of course). They seek a thrilling, dangerous and fast-paced life (they fly jets that go faster than the speed of sound). They tolerate stress better than the general population (having a nervous breakdown shouldn’t happen) and have a high opinion of themselves (a must).

I guess my Dad really did embody a great candidate. His laid-back attitude would have certainly helped during tense moments (WARNING, missile lock!). His aggressiveness would have definitely given him an edge in dog fights (aerial battles between pilots).

Would my Mom let me become a fighter pilot?

Probably not.

 

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Women in Science: From Minority to Nobel Prize

Posted on October 27, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Earlier in October, Nobel Prize Committee announced the list of 2018 winners in all categories, including two women in the fields of chemistry and physics. Do you find this surprising? Well… it is… this is the first time in the history of the award that two women are among the winners of these two categories in the same year.

2018 is the first year in the history of Nobel Prize that two women are among the winners in chemistry and physics. Image from: Shutterstock

Since 1901 when the first Nobel Prizes in chemistry and physics were awarded, 177 people have had the honours to receive the most prestigious award in chemistry. Frances. H Arnold is only the fifth woman. Even more surprising, Donna Strickland is only the third woman out of a total of 207 Nobel Prize winners in physics.

As shown the graph below, we can easily see this trend in all science-related categories of the Nobel Prize.

Does this tell us something about the number of women in of science in general? Or maybe at least the number of women in science who have been successful enough to receive a Nobel Prize?

Relative percentages of men and women winners of Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Physics, Physiology and Medicine, and Economics. Data from: areppim

I think this trend can be explained by the fact that in the 20thcentury women in general have been the minority in all fields of science. Just take a look at the old photos of the faculty members and graduates of chemistry and physics departments hanging from the walls of chemistry and physics buildings at UBC! Women are in absolute minority! I know… this may not be the most precise and scientific evidence, but it gives us a better idea of the men and women active in these fields back then. So, it is understandable that when there were not as many women graduates in these fields in the 70’s and 80’s, there would not be a high number of women prize winners now.

But again, using my scientific method of looking at more recent photos of chemistry and physics faculty members and graduates, I am glad to say that the trend has been changing. Nowadays, we see more women active in all areas of science pursuing their dreams.

Strong successful women such as Dr. Arnold and Dr. Strickland are good motivations for all women in science. Dr. Arnold who is a professor of chemical engineering, bioengineering and biochemistry at the California Institute of technology in a news conference at Caltech predicted that “a steady stream” of future Nobel prizes in chemistry would be given to women. She also added “as long as we encourage everyone — it doesn’t matter the color, gender; everyone who wants to do science, we encourage them to do it — we are going to see Nobel Prizes coming from all these different groups. Women will be very successful.”

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Meat-ing a Rising Global Demand for Food

Posted on October 22, 2018 by | 3 comments

If the 20 largest meat and dairy companies in the world were a single country, they would have overtaken Germany to become Europe’s largest polluter in 2016 (GRAIN & IATP, 2018).

This statement probably makes you sad. But you’ll also get over it in the next few minutes because meat is tasty, and nothing else can fill its void in your life. Despite the damaging impacts of industrial livestock farming on the environment, the demand for farmed meat is unlikely to change without any effective meat substitutes.

But this reality is being challenged by a San Francisco-based start-up, JUST For All, developing lab-grown meat products. The movement is inspired by solving two of the meat industry’s biggest problems: the unethical treatment of animals and the poor efficiency of meat production.

The world’s first lab-cultured hamburger unveiled in 2013. Image Source: World Economic Forum – The Meat Revolution by Mark Post

The idea involves harvesting muscle tissue from an animal, followed by isolating special satellite cells from the sample. These cells can become skeletal muscle cells and so are allowed to multiply under controlled lab conditions. The cells eventually clump up into muscle fibers which can be processed into meat:

An overview of the process of producing meat in the lab – Figure by Brad Wierbowski (Image Source) (accessed 22nd October, 2018)

Raising animals for food requires many resources such as water, feed, and energy for animal upkeep. But you might think the same is true for many other industries in today’s age. The claim is justified, but the main problem concerns the resource efficiency of meat production i.e., how much meat we produce relative to the number of resources we invest.

The graph below is an example of the resource efficiency of animal feed in producing meat and dairy products. The efficiency is expressed as the percentage of energy in animal feed actually incorporated into an animal product. The energy conversion efficiency of most meat products is below 15%, with beef ranking last at 1.9%. This means that about 98% of the energy in the feed a cow eats is wasted. 

Graph illustrating percentage of energy in animal feed incorporated into final animal product. Figure by Sahil Kanani. Data Source: (Alexander et al., 2016)

I was personally skeptical about the notion of growing meat in a petri dish, but the benefits are significant. Most of the energy consumed by an animal is either wasted as heat or used in other metabolic processes asides from muscle production. Cell cultures eliminate most of these side processes, making more energy available for muscle fiber growth.

Furthermore, only a single sample of tissue needs to be harvested to make a large amount of meat: about 80,000 quarter-pounders according to start-up company Mosa Meat. Lab-grown meat effectively removes the need to raise animals from birth to harvest, reducing how much water and energy we use for meat production. 

But the road to cleaner meat is also not so straightforward. The lab-grown meat industry still needs to convince people that their products are safe to consume. Several start-ups have recently faced resistance from the US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) who filed a petition on how lab-grown meat should be marketed. The lobby group has demanded that the term ‘meat’ only include products derived from raising or slaughtering animals. From my analysis, the petition aims to deter consumers from purchasing lab-grown meat due to the negative preconceptions associated with ‘artificially’ produced foods.

Overall, for clean meat to be well-assimilated, the industry must do a good job of educating the public about the safety of their products and highlighting the need for a more environmental-friendly meat substitute.

Is it also far too late in this blog to declare i’m vegetarian?

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Let’s Talk About Weed

Posted on October 22, 2018 by | 2 comments

So last Saturday, I was enjoying my night out with friends. Then suddenly, some stranger started smoking weed.

How do people even bear that smell? It was so pungent that I got dizzy and had to leave.

With the recent legislation of weed and the visible puff of smoke around The Nest the other day, it seems we aren’t getting rid of the smell anytime soon. However, how safe is it to inhale smoke from marijuana?

Was my dizziness because of my frustration towards strongly unpleasant smells? Or is there a scientific basis to it? In other words, is being a secondhand smoker of marijuana harmful?

Vancouver Global Marijuana March 2015 – by Danny Kresnyak. Cannabis Culture on Flickr

In 2016, Dr. Wang and her team, supported by NIH National Institute on Drug Abuse, investigated the effects of secondhand Marijuana smoke on rats. The study concluded that exposure to smoke of weed is quite harmful for our cardiovascular health.

Let me explain. There is a system called FMD in our bodies that dilate our blood vessels when blood flow increases. Smoke decreases this activity. As a result, some substances within the blood accumulate in our vessels. Ultimately, this can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

Are you worried yet?

The study reports that the effects of inhaling marijuana smoke on our cardiovascular health resemble that of tobacco. However, the effects from marijuana smoke last longer.

Average effect of  tobacco and cannabis smoke on FMD levels compared to air. Data at 0 minutes show levels before exposure. Figure by Ceren Gulhan, data from Dr. Wang et. al., Journal of the American Heart Association

Okay, so there are health implications. But, just what are we inhaling?
Another study conducted by Dr. Moir and his team in 2008 concluded that smoke from tobacco and marijuana have the same compounds. This means that many carcinogenic compounds in tobacco everyone is warning against are also present in marijuana smoke. In fact, compounds like ammonia and NOx that damage the lungs are more concentrated in marijuana smoke.

Despite how harmful secondhand smoke seems to be, there are currently no studies on how it affects our cardiovascular health.

So, what do we do? Should we ban cannabis again?

No. Frankly, even a year ago when I walked down the street at night I could clearly smell weed. Banning was never effective. We live in a time where people go by “you do you” as a lifestyle. If somebody wants to smoke, that’s their decision to make. Then some people also use cannabis for medical purposes.

We should take some actions, however.

Firstly, we must research the effects of secondhand smoke on people. Secondly, we need to know if smoking in open spaces remedies these effects. Judging by my nose, the diffusion of smoke into open air is not fast enough. Finally, we should support smoke-free environments for cannabis, just like we do for cigarettes.

Or, you can all try edibles instead. I am just saying…

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Intentionally Bendable Phones?

Everyone remembers the huge backlash that Apple received back in September of 2014 with the release of their iPhone 6 Plus because of it’s ability to bend quite easily. With the amount of backlash that they got, surely no one in their right mind would purposely create a bendable phone right?

Well, according to a recently published article in Science Daily, engineers from The Austrian National University (ANU) have created a semiconductor material that can be used to make mobile phones bendable because of its thin and flexible properties. It is made up of both organic and inorganic materials; not to be confused with the ‘organic’ in ‘organic foods’, but meaning that it is carbon-based (and non-carbon based for inorganic).

The Inside of a Semiconductor Phone. (Image from Technology24)

And there’s more. This material is biodegradable and is easily recyclable, which would drastically reduce the amount of electronic waste created from electronic devices.

From 2014 – 2016 , only 3-4% of all E-waste around the world was recycled each year. Graph by Keanson Phanvan, data from The Global E-waste Monitor – 2017, United Nations University (UNU)

Surely this must provide some sort of trade-off: sacrificing computing power for environmentally friendly material in the phone. But it doesn’t. According to Dr. Sharma of the ANU Research School of Engineering,

“We have the potential with this semiconductor to make mobile phones as powerful as today’s supercomputers.”

We live in a world where we could potentially have a phone that is capable of bending whilst at the same time is able to run as fast as a computer. It is innovative, but do we really want our mobile phones to bend?

Personally, I would rather have my screens kept flat. I don’t see the advantages a bendable phone provides when it comes to texting, calling, scrolling, and watching movies, etc. I wouldn’t mind if you were able to bend it back into a completely flat shape, but if its like any kind of metal, that is not possible. As a perfectionist, even just a little curve in my phone would be enough to bother me tremendously.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for making alternatives to help our environment by reducing electronic waste, but I’m sure in the future there are going to be other alternatives that do exactly that without causing my mobile phone to bend. It doesn’t matter if the phone would hypothetically cost $1, the price of a bending phone is too much to pay.

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Posted on October 21, 2018 by in Manufacturing, News

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