Communicating Science (2018w111)

Telescopes and Spacecrafts: Exploring the Great Unknown

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Lawrence Liang | 2 comments

Humankind has always been fascinated with the stars. To unveil the mysteries that could be hiding out there beyond our planet, we first invented the telescope, an optical instrument that allows us to observe distant objects, and later on, spacecrafts and rockets, the vehicles that allow us to travel through space.

THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

In 1610, Galileo was among the first scientists to use a telescope and the discoveries he made completely changed what we knew about our world. Today, telescopes have become so advanced that they can not only observe in the visible spectrum, but in the near infrared and near ultraviolet spectra as well. One of the most famous and most useful modern telescopes is the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), which was launched into Earth’s orbit in 1990 and is still in use today. Since it is high above Earth’s atmosphere, it is unaffected by light pollution and rain clouds, which allows it to capture perfect photos of our universe.

Star-forming region S106 (photo from HST) Image Credit

SPACECRAFTS AND COLONIZATION

However, being able to see the stars and planets is not enough; we created spacecrafts that could take us beyond the confines of the Earth, with the dream of one day establishing a colony on another planet. This is the ultimate goal of SpaceX, an aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded by Elon Musk. SpaceX intends to colonize Mars, which is the planet most habitable for humans due to similar surface conditions and solar days (the calculated time with respect to the sun). Although the temperature and composition of the atmosphere differ greatly from Earth, scientists are optimistic about colonization because of Mars’ close proximity and water has been found in the form of ice below its surface.

In order to establish a colony on Mars, SpaceX is developing an interplanetary transport system that will shuttle people and supplies between the two planets. This system, the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR), will be reusable and it will be capable of not only transportation, but orbital and interplanetary missions as well. It is intended to be the ultimate launch vehicle and spacecraft and will render all other rockets obsolete.

Additionally, to minimize the enormous costs of space travel, SpaceX has also been developing a reusable launch system. In order to explain how this works, the terms “spacecraft” and “rocket” must first be differentiated and defined. The spacecraft is the vehicle used by astronauts to travel through space and the rocket is the vehicle that propels it off of Earth’s surface. When a launch is successful and both the spacecraft and rocket exit the atmosphere, the latter is jettisoned. However, the rocket is the most expensive part of the launch, so reusing it can save millions of dollars. SpaceX has managed to create a rocket that can withstand reentry of Earth’s atmosphere without burning up and land safely before flying again.

Video of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Rocket Reflight from National Geographic

Lawrence Liang

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Posted in Science Communication, Science in the News

Tagged Hubble Space Telescope, rocket, space, space colonization, spacecraft, SpaceX

Eyes in the Sky: Tracking Anthropogenic Emissions

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Polina Orlov | Leave a comment

Do you ever feel like you’re being watched? Whatever you answer is, you are. Or at least the world around you is.

As of this year, the Earth’s atmosphere has a total of 4,897 satellites circling our planet. Although, only about forty percent of these remain active, it is still a very large number and each one serves a purpose. People rely on satellites for various reasons such communication, navigation, and observation.

The New Addition

Just this April, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched another satellite, Sentinel-1A, one of a family of six to be launched later this decade. Sentinel-2 and Sentinel- 3 are already orbiting the Earth. The Sentinel space satellites will be particularly important as the data collected from them will be combined with data from weather stations and ocean buoys creating a “potential to become the world’s most comprehensive Earth-monitoring system,” according to Zbynek Malenovsky, a remote sensing researcher.

Modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2018) by ESA

What’s the Purpose?

The $11.5 billion project will help monitor greenhouse gas emissions from individual cities and aid in observing small-scale climate patterns. Although the data will mostly be used by scientists to create real-time climate models, it will also be available to the general public as science continues to move towards transparency. The data will contribute to public services such as severe weather warnings, land-use change monitoring, and air and water quality forecasts. It will also set ground for future environmental policies and allow to ‘check-up’ on whether certain nations are following through with the 2016 Paris agreement.

The Inner Workings

The satellites are equipped to take extremely precise measurements of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. To get the precision within less than one part per million (ppm) carbon dioxide for every two kilometers requires extreme technological advances. A team of scientists from the Space Carbon Observatory (SCRABO) are still working out the kinks of this sensing technology. A combination of optical sensors, spectrometers, radiometers, and radar systems will be used to get the best results. The challenge is to make the equipment small enough to fit into the satellites. The graphic below gives a better idea of the kinds of instruments that are being built into the six Sentinels.

Sentinels by Copernicus/ESA

Another vital difference between these satellites and the majority of others launched into space is their maintenance. Each one will be checked and replaced regularly to ensure continuous and accurate data collection.

While the Sentinel satellite system is on track to be the most advanced of its kind, it is far from the only source of climate data. The significant standout feature is that it will combine various types of data such as sea level, land-use changes, surface temperature, and ozone and air pollution to make one unified data resource. “A balanced suite of Earth observations is required for observing and understanding Earth as an interconnected system” says Richard Anthes from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

Sentinels for Copernicus by ESA

Polina Orlov

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Posted in Issues in Science, Public Engagement, Science in the News

Tagged Climate Model, Climate Science, Emissions, ESA, Greenhouse Gas, Satellite

DNA storage technology

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Muxi Yang | Leave a comment

1 Introduction

Do you know DNA? The gene which could store information of inheritance.DNA has a double-helical structure with four chemical groups, nucleobases, which are arranged in a specific order to form genetic information that guides the growth and development of the organism.DNA storage technology is the use of synthetic DNA to store data such as text documents, pictures and sound files, followed by a complete reading technique.

2 Advantages

One of the significant advantages of DNA storage technology is its large capacity. DNA molecules are an incredibly dense storage medium, and 1 gram of DNA can store about 2 pats, which is equal to 300GB.
Using DNA to store data can save to thousands of years. Unlike storage media such as hard disks and tapes, DNA does not require frequent maintenance. As far as reading is concerned, DNA storage does not involve compatibility issues

Now the DNA storage

Picture 1 DNA structure

(cite: https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/lists/what-are-the-key-differences-between-dna-and-rna-296719)

3 Method

Therefore how could it be possible for storage process?

Picture 2 DNA storage progress

(cite:https://gss3.bdstatic.com/-Po3dSag_xI4khGkpoWK1HF6hhy/baike/c0%3Dbaike80%2C5%2C5%2C80%2C26/sign=651b5cbd8694a4c21e2eef796f9d70b0/4e4a20a4462309f723c110a0730e0cf3d6cad6d2.jpg)

(1)The DNA digital storage system developed by the researchers also uses these four-base “letters” to develop custom code that is completely different from the “language” used by the organism.

(2)When copying a computer file, the DNA digital storage system first translates the binary numbers in the hard disk information into custom code, and then creates the corresponding base sequence by means of a standard DNA synthesis machine. This sequence is not a long molecule, but multiple repeats, each carrying some index details, clarifying where each is located in the overall sequence.

(3)Although such a system is redundant, the advantage is that even if some fragments are destroyed, the data will not be lost. The standard device used by the Molecular Biology Laboratory (like this one)to read biological DNA can read information and present it on a computer screen.

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Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy(VRET): The Phobia Terminator

Posted on October 8, 2018 by nancyw | 1 comment

Do you feel extremely panicked on seeing a huge spider? Do you avoid taking observation elevators due to the heights? If so, you may have a specific phobia, a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation that many people are suffering just like you!

In a prevalence study by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 12.5% of U.S. adults experience specific phobia at some time in their lives. Arachnophobia, or fear of spiders, heads most Top 10 phobia lists, although it’s impossible to be precise about the true order.

In recent years, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy(VRET), a treatment that immerses patients in a virtual environment while exposing them to their feared stimulus, has become a crucial phobia treating method. As a new alternative means for exposure therapy, it eliminates the hazardousness of in-vivo exposure and the difficulty of forcing patients to imagine and describe their fears in the imaginal exposure. The safety of patients is guaranteed while they are interacting with a representation of their phobia.

Virtual Reality could help fight phobias, anxiety, and addictions by Poulami Nag; Image Source: argyllfreepress.com

Besides its advantage of eliminating dangers from real stimuli, VRET is also extremely convenient and can even be set up at home for its mobility. Patients will thus benefit from self-guided treatments outside the clinic. Here are two examples:

Arachnophobia

Arachnophobia offers a self-guided exposure therapy for those who have an irrational fear of spiders. With five levels of exposure, the user is exposed to an increasing number of spiders in the room. As if that were not enough of a stressor, you are not allowed to move your hands or arms during the session. Over time, you can condition yourself to spiders being near you — without your fight or flight response kicking in and causing you to scurry frantically in search of the nearest shoe.

Video Source: Steam; https://store.steampowered.com/app/485270/Arachnophobia/

Fear of Heights

The fear of heights is shared by a huge population. From mild dizziness when looking out of a second-story window to full panic when riding an escalator, most of those who suffer would try anything to avoid triggering their anxiety.

Richie’s Plank Experience places you on a plank, 80 stories above ground. You are encouraged to use a physical plank for added immersion. For those who might be afraid of both heights and spiders, you can elect to have spiders waiting at the end of your plank.

Video Source: Steam; https://store.steampowered.com/app/517160/Richies_Plank_Experience/

In the future, will virtual reality release more potentials? Let’s wait and see.

Nancy(Leqi) Wan

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Posted in Issues in Science, Public Engagement, Science Communication, Uncategorized

Tagged Exposure Therapy, mental health, Phobia, Phobia Treatment, psychology, technology, Virtual Reality, Virtual Reality Therapy

DNA Vaccine: A New Universal Vaccine Platform

Posted on October 8, 2018 by Ellena Yoon | Leave a comment

With the sudden drop in temperature as autumn comes to an end, the inevitable flu season is once again underway. For many of us, this means another visit to the doctor for a flu vaccine to last us through the winter. We have become so reliant on vaccines to protect us from disease-causing pathogens and now there is a new radical platform using DNA that will make vaccines much more accessible and cheaper.

The researchers at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) have discovered a method of using DNA for vaccine production that is much inexpensive with longer shelf-life (80% increase) and the same effectiveness as those that are manufactured in cell culture. This new approach promises not only the treatment of common flus at the universal level, it can also treat patients with weakened or impaired immune systems including those infected with HIV.

The Current Procedure

Currently, the most common way of supplying vaccine has been through cell culture in factories where large amounts of cells are cultivated in a dish. This method of vaccine production is ineffective because vaccines are prone to contamination when not refrigerated in their optimal temperature range. Maintaining a cold enough temperature while they are delivered from factories to hospitals and clinics can cost up to 80% of the original cost of vaccine in warmer regions.

Illustration of Zika virus in blood by Kateryna Kon

The New Platform

To eliminate the problem of storage and cost of vaccines, the researchers of UTMB were able to design a vaccine against a type of virus spread through mosquitoes called Zika in the form of DNA. DNA vaccine contains nucleotides that encode the region of a virus that contain the pathogens. When the DNA construct is taken up in the host cell, the viral gene is expressed into the corresponding antibodies. In the research by UTMB, a single-dose immunization of the Zika vaccine was shown to protect mice of the virus infection, as well as maternal-to-fetal transmission during pregnancy and testis damage in males.

Schematic flow chart of DNA vaccine by Margaret Scuderi

Thanks to this new approach, vaccines no longer need to be manufactured in cell culture. Also with DNA molecules being much less temperature-dependent, they can now last for years without the risk of contamination, consequently making vaccines accessible worldwide no matter the climate at the cheapest cost. Adapting to this new platform will increase vaccine availability and ensure future prospects of immunization, taking us one step closer to creating a world free of disease, ensuring health and wellness to not only the privileged but to the overarching public.

Ellena Yoon

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Science in the News

Tagged DNA Vaccine, Health, Immunology, Vaccine

Gelatin: Cheaper Alternative to Collagen

Posted on October 8, 2018 by EverLiu | 2 comments

Collagen is a widely known health product that can make skin look healthy and youthful, while gelatin is seen around kitchens as a food thickener. Did you know that gelatin is actually just a more processed form of collagen?

The collagen that you usually see in stores is hydrolyzed collagen, yet it has the same benefits as the cheaper gelatin, just easier to digest. So, what exactly does gelatin do for us? Some benefits of gelatin/collagen include:

Providing amino acids to help synthesize collagen in the human body: collagen itself is a protein extracted from the skin, bones, and joints of animals, and when consumed, will be broken down into the amino acids that are required to synthesize collagen in one’s body, mainly glycine, proline, and lysine (Bowes and Kenten 1948; Pauling and Corey 1951). So for the sake of regenerating collagen, getting these amino acids from gelatin is more efficient as it contains a larger ratio of them compared to other protein sources such as meat or eggs, but you might want to check out other sources if your diet requires more of the other amino acids. A common way to consume gelatin is from bone broth, but powdered gelatin is also a good choice. Food-safety wise, gelatin from grass-fed cows is recommended over those from an unknown source (the small packets that you can normally see in a grocery store).
Aiding digestion: Have you heard of the leaky-gut syndrome? It’s when the gut lining has large cracks or holes in it, where bacteria and toxins are able to ‘leak’ through. This may trigger inflammation and also affect how normal bacteria in your gut may function, leading to digestive problems. The amino acid glycine in gelatin can help strengthen the mucous membrane layer of the stomach. And as mentioned in the previous paragraph, gelatin is largely composed of glycine, so getting this amino acid from gelatin would be more efficient than other sources. Click here for more info on leaky guts.
Aiding weight loss: as a protein, gelatin is slower to digest, keeping the stomach feeling fuller for a longer time which helps reduce cravings. In addition, home-made gelatin desserts are low in calories! Check out fruity gummies, champagne jellies, and fluffy marshmallows!

There are also a lot of other benefits that need more scientific studies on, including: promoting nail and hair growth; sleep aiding; joint-pain relief and balancing hormones. Although consuming gelatin won’t provide an immediate improvement on current health conditions, it is a healthy and fun ingredient to have around the kitchen. 🙂

References:

Bowes JH, Kenten RH (1948) The amino-acid composition and titration curve of collagen. Biochem J 43:358–365
Pauling L, Corey RB (1951) The structure of fibrous proteins of the collagen-gelatin group. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 37:272–281

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Public Engagement

Tagged Diet, Food, Health, Nutrition, Supplements

A DNA Tool to Predict the Future

Posted on October 7, 2018 by Trevor Shen | 1 comment

A common fear among parents is the risk of their children being diagnosed with serious illnesses such as heart disease and cancer. Fortunately, a DNA tool created by Michigan State University has been shown to accurately predict people’s height and bone density. This tool could also potentially assess people’s risk for illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

The Potential:

This amazing tool uses an algorithm to predict human traits including height, bone density and even the level of education an individual might achieve, entirely based on one’s genome. Lead investigator of the study Stephen Hsu mentions, “This is only the beginning.” There are plans in motion to apply this tool to predict more relevant matters like heart disease, diabetes and breast cancer. These are major diseases that impact a large amount of people. Heart disease, for instance, is the second leading cause of death in Canada. About 1 in 12 Canadian adults live with diagnosed heart disease alone! Hence, this tool could greatly impact and advance healthcare. Doctors would be able to step in during the early stages of illnesses to prevent or delay them!

Creating and Testing:

Stephen Hsu and his team’s research used machine learning, where a computer learns from data, to analyze the entire genome of around 500 thousand adults in the United Kingdom. The genome’s obtained from the United Kingdom Biobank, an international resource for health information, were used to put the algorithm to work. The algorithm evaluated each individual’s DNA and taught the computer to identify unique differences. “The algorithm looks at the genetic makeup and height of each person, learns from each person, and ultimately produces a predictor that can determine how tall they are from their genome alone,” said Hsu.

The computer was able to accurately predict everyone’s height within about an inch. However, predictions for bone density and educational achievement were not as accurate. Nevertheless, they were accurate enough to identify outliers in the population who were at risk of having problems in school and low bone density, which is associated with osteoporosis.

Future Plans:

Hsu’s team plans to continue to improve the algorithm by obtaining larger, more diverse data sets for the computer to learn. This would increase the algorithm’s capability to understand and interpret the combination of genes responsible for risks against specific diseases.

With increasing technology, the bright future of healthcare is considerably closer than originally believed. “What was once thought to be 5 to 10 years out, is now a lot closer when it comes to this type of work,” Hsu mentioned.

It is quite possible in the near future that a simple swab of the cheek could save families millions of dollars in treatment costs and more importantly, the lives of their children through early interventions of genetically based diseases.

Trevor Shen

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication, Science in the News

Tagged Computer Science, Health, innovation, machine learning, physical health, technology

Depression and Anxiety in Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients: People suffering behind the scenes

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Sung Ju Lee | Leave a comment

Do you have loved ones or someone you know who suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia (AD)? Have you spent at least one day, taking care of them? It is hard emotionally and physically, with frustration one is often left to wonder if the person you knew your entire life still exists. Depending on the degree of progression of the disease, the level of hardship that caregivers experience drastically changes.

Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) is commonly found neurodegenerative disorder and there are 30 million people affected worldwide and this number is to double every 20 years. This is true because the AD is a prevalently found disease in elderly and with population ageing, it is becoming a serious issue across the world. AD is a problem because it often results in death caused by secondary infections in incapacitated patients. Understanding the possible outcomes of the disease, it is heart-breaking to watch over a family member or a close one progress through AD, where they start off confused, lose motor and cognitive skills to the final stage, complete loss of self-identity.

AD is scary because this disease not only poisons the body of the patient but the people around them. It most strongly impacts the caregiver that provides for the patients over the period from early cognitive impairment stage to full on-set dementia. In many studies, there is overwhelmingly lots of evidence that long-term treatments of AD patient often burden the caregivers financially and tire them out physically. These caregivers are in increased risk of physical and psychological illness because of dysfunctional coping strategies for stress and depression from significant physical, socio-economic and psychological burdens on them.

It is now recommended to many doctors, that they need to not only treat the patient but the caregivers that care for them. In a study, they examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and different coping strategies in primary caregivers of non-institutionalized AD patients. This study tests three different coping methods: cognitive coping strategies, behavioural coping strategies, and avoidant coping strategies.

The cognitive coping strategy uses active thinking about the stressful situations and for the individual to analyze why it is stressful
The behavioural coping method involves individual participating in activities on behalf of them
And lastly, the avoidance coping method is when the individual ignores or avoids the emotional consequences from the stressor.

The Behavioral coping method and Cognitive coping method showed an increase in the level of depression in the first six months but remained stable over the course of the four years of study. While Avoidance coping method was positively correlated with depressive symptoms.

There is a strong consensus that taking care of disabled elderly is difficult and stressful for many family members. At times they may feel burdened, but instead of condemning them for such thoughts, we should encourage them to feel the emotions and to express it. Doctors addressing the coping methods is a helpful intervention to caregivers in mental and emotional strains.

Video: Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Disease

This video goes over the personal experiences of AD caregivers, the emotional, physical, and social toll that they had to go through. Many times, caregivers find it daunting to see the patient that should be fully capable or used to be the support are now the ones that require care.

Video: On How Can We Support Carers?

This video also goes over the basic needs of caregivers that it is essential for them to look after themselves before they can look after patients.

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Posted in Public Engagement, Uncategorized

Tagged Alzheimer's Disease, Caregivers, Coping Methods

The Effects of Low Calorie Sweeteners

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Jasleen Jassal | 1 comment

Image Credit:
https://www.today.com/health/diet-soda-doing-these-7-awful-things-your-body-1C6558748

How often do you look at the ingredients of your diet soda, sports supplements, or “sugar free” snacks? Often these drinks or foods contain artificial sweeteners which have previously been approved for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When we’re consuming food without knowing the ingredients, we are turning a blind eye to personal health and trusting the FDA along with the manufacturers without conducting proper research.

If the FDA believes it’s safe to drink diet soda, then it must be so? Well, that depends on your definition of safety. Many experiments previously conducted on the safety of artificial sweeteners had multiple variables that did not get tested. For example, the amount of diet soda that someone may drink is different from one person to another. Many people drink more than the amount the FDA has tested for.

Recently, researchers at Ben-Grunion University in Israel, and Nanyang Technical University in Singapore conducted a collaborative study on the six most popular artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, advantame, neotame, and acesulfame potassium-k) and their effects on digestive gut microbes (things living in the gut that help to digest our food).

The results from their study Measuring Artificial Sweeteners Toxicity Using a Bioluminescent Bacterial Panel revealed that the bacteria found in the digestive tract became toxic at only 1mg/ml dosage. If gut bacteria is sensitive to only a small amount of these substances, then it can cause a variety of health issues when exposed to higher concentrations.

Image Credit:
https://www.drperlmutter.com/artificial-sweeteners-change-gut-bacteria/

When a person buys diet soda, or “sugar-free” soda as a replacement to the “normal” version, they are doing so because they wish to lower their calorie intake, lose weight, or prevent diabetes. The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis found that people consuming diet sodas on a daily basis are associated with a 36% increased risk for metabolic syndrome (biological and physiological abnormalities that can lead to cardiovascular disease) and also a 67% increased risk for type 2 diabetes. Isn’t the purpose of drinking “sugar-free” soda that you don’t develop diabetes in the first-place?

Image Credit:
https://danionealnutrition.com/2016/06/15/when-science-stuffed-up-the-case-against-artificial-sweeteners/

This graph shows the increased rate of developing Type 2 Diabetes when drinking artificially- sweetened beverages compared to sugar-sweetened beverages. Overall, we can see that people consuming the sugar-sweetened beverage are at a smaller risk, and therefore artificial sweeteners are not actually a “smart way” to prevent or avoid diabetes.

Amidst the popular modified food we are exposed to which allows us to preserve it for a long time, and the all the fast-food options, we forget to think smartly about what we are exposing our bodies to. These harmful chemicals definitely leave a footprint on our health. Next time, before choosing a modified option at the grocery store think about what you will be putting into you’re body and the effects it can have.

Written by Jasleen Jassal

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Issues in Science, Public Engagement, Science Communication, Uncategorized

Tagged Artificial Sweeteners, Diabetes, Diet, Health, Nutrition, Soda, Sugar

Say Goodbye to Artificial Trans-Fat: The “Great Move”

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Jinny Jang | Leave a comment

Image Cedhttp://shqip.republika.mk/?p=194461

Have you ever considered why a tub of margarine lasts for 4-5 months while a stick of butter only lasts for 1-2 months? In simple terms, margarine contains trans-fat while butter doesn’t.

As of September 17^th, 2018, Health Canada has banned artificial trans-fat from all food supplies. A specific industry produced trans-fat called Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) is a health hazard and therefore, removed from all industry manufactured foods to imported goods to meals served in restaurants across Canada, taking a step forward in the “Great Move.”

The ban of artificial trans-fat in Canada will take 2 years to phase out all of the pre-existing foods containing PHOs. Through this movement, World Health Organization (WHO) is one step closer to globally eradicating artificial trans-fat. So why is WHO so determined to eliminate trans-fat?

Small amounts of natural trans-fat are found in meat and milk, but the most consumed trans-fat is the one manufactured by the food industry. Artificial trans-fat is produced from a process where liquid oil is solidified, referred to as Hydrogenation. It’s typically found in packaged snacks, baked goods, and fried foods. PHOs is the very reason why your margarine can last for 4-5 months. It provides stability that increases shelf life, while maintaining the spreadable texture and savoury taste that everyone enjoys. But at what cost?

According to numerous research papers, high intake of trans-fat has proven to increases “bad” cholesterol, and decreases “good” cholesterol. This accumulates bundles of fat in blood vessels that result in heart diseases. Excess trans-fat is associated with diabetes and heart risks.

Why is this move so crucial?

Image Credit: Krenosky, S., L’Abbé, M.R., Lee, N., Underhill, L., Vigneault, M., Godefroy, S., & Ratnayake, N. (2013). Risk Assessment of Exposure to Trans Fat in Canada.

The image above displays the average trans-fat intake (g/day) of Canadians in the years 1995, 2004, and 2008 vs. WHOs recommended limit. As the graph indicates, the consumption of trans-fat in Canada has exceeded the recommended amount. Though the intake of trans-fat has reduced over time, it is still a major health issue in Canada. The image below shows that 25% of deaths in 2016 were due to cardiovascular diseases (28% if you include diabetes). By banning PHOs in the food industry, Heath Canada is eliminating a main cause of cardiovascular diseases, along with other health concerns.

Image Credit: WHO Canada – Proportional Mortality in 2016. *NCDs stands for Non-Communicable Diseases, which includes cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes.

Until artificial trans-fat is completely phased out of our diet, here are some helpful tips on avoiding artificial trans-fat.

Read the nutrition labels carefully – Health Canada has enforced labelling on all packaged foods. Watch out for PHOs in the ingredient section!
Image Credit: American Medical Association
Opt-out for healthier alternatives – Natural vegetable oils such as olive or avocado oils have more benefits than harm to your body. Or you could always switch back to butter!

Jinny Jang

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication, Science in the News

Tagged Artificial Trans-Fat, Health, Nutrition

Telescopes and Spacecrafts: Exploring the Great Unknown

Eyes in the Sky: Tracking Anthropogenic Emissions

DNA storage technology

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy(VRET): The Phobia Terminator

DNA Vaccine: A New Universal Vaccine Platform

Gelatin: Cheaper Alternative to Collagen

A DNA Tool to Predict the Future

Depression and Anxiety in Caregivers of Alzheimer’s Patients: People suffering behind the scenes

The Effects of Low Calorie Sweeteners

Say Goodbye to Artificial Trans-Fat: The “Great Move”

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