Category Archives: Science Communication

The Real Cause Behind Canker Sores

Posted on March 11, 2019 by | 3 comments

An image showing the various causes for mouth pain, including mouth sores (center). Source: Authority Dental

Have you ever experienced a painful sore inside your mouth — the kind of sore that appears on the linings of one’s cheeks, lips, tongue or gums and can last for days without end? There are a variety of mouth sores that can cause pain, but the one in particular that I have in mind are canker sores.

A canker sore on a person’s lower lip. Source: Wikimedia Commons

What are canker sores?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, round ulcers on the inside of the mouth that can appear red, white, or yellow in color. About 1 in 5 people get them, making them the most common type of mouth sore. These sores can occur in healthy people, recurring about two to six times in the average individual within a year.

Having known people that get canker sores on a monthly basis, I take pride in the fact that I get them about only once or twice every other year. It had been a while since I had my last sore and for the longest time, I couldn’t remember what it was like to even have one… until last week. This time around, the pain and discomfort felt unfamiliar to me, and after judging that enough days had passed and it still hadn’t gone away, I decided to take matters into my own hands. In my search for possible treatment methods, I came across the following video explaining the true cause behind canker sores.


Credit: Joe Scott, Source: Youtube

So, what is the real cause?

In the video, self-proclaimed canker sore expert Joe Scott sheds light on the fact that while there are many suggested treatments for the sores, few people know about why it occurs. He explains that when we get minor cuts, our immune systems release a special protein, TNF-a, whose job is to wipe out any damaged near the site of the cut. According to Scott, canker sores indicate that the body produces too much of this protein, wiping out these damaged cells and then some, which creates “a huge crater of exposed nerves made all the more sensitive by inflammation.” Basing his knowledge off of a 2003 study published by the American Dental Association, Scott claims to have found a cure that regulates the protein, which many others have attested to on his website.

Why does all of this matter?

Despite the discovery (and strong evidence) of a working solution, it is surprising that the widespread knowledge states that the cause behind canker sores is still unknown to this day, which is echoed on sites such as KidsHealth, HealthLinkBC, Colgate and even WebMD. Although this may affect a minority of the population, this discovery could mean the world for someone who faces the pain of constantly recurring canker sores (RAS). Focusing on the bigger picture, this demonstrates that science communication still has a long way to go.

— Breyanne Bautista

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication, Science Communicators

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So, What’s the Deal with Vitamin D?

Posted on March 4, 2019 by | 10 comments

With spring approaching, I’m sure we’re all excited about getting a little more sunshine. As most of us know, the sun provides us with vitamin D, but have you ever wondered how it works exactly?

Let’s first start by explaining what vitamin D is. Vitamin D is a vitamin that is present in foods such as salmon, canned tuna, beef liver, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products. However, you would need to be eating them almost every day in order to get a sufficient amount of vitamin D. So instead, most of us get the rest of our vitamin D through the sun. When the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays make contact with your skin, the rays provide enough energy for the cholesterol in your skin cells to undergo vitamin D synthesis.

An image of a woman outside enjoying the sun. Photo by Morgan Sessions on Unsplash

This sunshine vitamin has many benefits and is essential for maintaining optimal health. Its most important role is to promote the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that are key for maintaining strong healthy bones, especially in children and the elderly. In addition to bone health, vitamin D is also crucial for keeping your immune system healthy so it can fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Studies have also linked healthy levels of vitamin D to slowing down or decreasing the chances of getting colon cancer and prostate cancer.

A black and white image of a man looking upset. Photo by Brut Carniollus on Unsplash

On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children, a painful condition due to misshapen bones. In elderly individuals, it can cause osteomalacia, a condition where the bones soften, leading to bone pain and muscle weakness. New research has also shown that not getting enough vitamin D can even lead to cognitive disorders such as depression and schizophrenia.

Does learning all this make you want to run into the sunshine yet? The optimal amount of midday sunlight exposure you should aim for for healthy vitamin D levels is 10-30 minutes several times a week, but a bit longer if you have darker skin. Also, just as an FYI, most glass windows end up blocking the UVB wavelength, so on your next study break, maybe opt for a quick walk outside to ensure you reap the vitamin D health benefits.

– Kristy Ip

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Science Communication

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Exercise and Mental Health

Posted on March 4, 2019 by | 2 comments

An Overview

Physical activity may play an important function in the control of mild-to-moderate mental health illnesses, specially depression and anxiety. Despite the fact that human with depression tend to be less physically active than non- depressed individuals, improved cardio exercise or strength training has been shown to reduce depressive symptoms significantly. However, habitual physical activity has not been shown to prevent the onset of depression.

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Effects of Exercise on Anxiety

Anxiety signs and panic disorder also improve with everyday exercise, and beneficial outcomes appear to equal meditation or relaxation. In general, acute anxiety responds better to exercise than chronic anxiety. Research on older adults and adolescents with depression or anxiety have been restricted; however, physical activity appears beneficial to those populations as well. Immoderate physical activity may lead to overtraining and generate psychological signs that mimic depression.

The following video demonstrates the brain-changing benefits of exercise.

Video taken from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHY0FxzoKZE

Improvement of Mental Health

Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to improve your mental health. Regular exercise relieves stress, helps you sleep better, improves memory, and boosts your overall mood. Research indicates the advantages of exercise on mental health. You can learn to use exercise as a powerful tool to feel better in any age or fitness level.

Physical exercise is increasingly being encouraged as a method to keep and enhance excellent intellectual health. In general, findings from studies suggest that exercise is related to improvements in mental health which include mood state and self-esteem, although a causal link has not been established. Studies on acute exercise shows that 20 to 40 minutes of cardio activity outcomes in improvement of mood that persist for several hours. These transitory adjustments in mood occur in each people with ordinary or multiplied ranges of anxiety; however, appear to be restricted to aerobic exercise.

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Exercising may also result in adverse modifications in mental health. Some individuals can grow to be overly depending on physical activity and exercising to an immoderate degree. This abuse of exercise can result in disturbances in mood and worsened physical health. In the case of athletes the acute training, or overtraining, vital for endurance sports activities continually effects in increased mood disturbance. Severe cases of overtraining may result in the staleness syndrome; a circumstance associated with deteriorating overall performance and behavioral disturbances including clinical depression.

Effects of Exercise on Children’s Mental Health

Physical activity can increase self-esteem and decrease depression and anxiety in children. We also know that physical activity performed in an outside area can improve cognitive performance, self-esteem and decrease anxiety and symptoms associated with interest deficit disorder. Organizations that promote physical activity in children with mental health issues have to have targeted safeguarding staff and referral pathways to greater professional services. This consists of the control of acute mental health conditions.

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– Setareh Moazen

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Posted in Biological Sciences, Issues in Science, Science Communication

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On the Climate Change Doom and Gloom

Posted on March 4, 2019 by | 11 comments

I was insomniac for the last three months.

See, if the world is inevitably inhospitable for the humans in the next decade, why should I put so much effort on my college studies? I kept on being reminded in my class about how the doomsday is going to happen during my lifetime. No matter what I do, I probably can’t save my country in South East Asia from sinking due to the global sea level rise. Also, the future generation is going to suffer more, so why should I give birth to new ones? Why add to the population if the world can’t handle it? I felt so alone because I don’t think people close to me understand my concerns. I’m overwhelmed and depressed – and it’s all because of climate change.

What if we lose all of this? (Image: Syakirah Zainal)

Many people are actually familiar with this feeling. There is even a scientific term being widely used to describe these blues.

It’s called eco-anxiety.

What is eco-anxiety?

Robert Gifford,  a professor of Psychology in the University of Victoria described eco-anxiety as “a kind of fear what’s next.”

“The fear that nature is changing permanently or at least permanently within the lifetime of the people who are alive,” he said. “Fear for children.”

People who are experiencing this often feel alienated because we are not used to blaming climate change for our mental health problems. We have seen unfortunate individuals fleeing from civil wars caused by scarcity of natural resources in their areas. They lost their homes, families, and the ability to work. We can imagine them being stressed out and depressed. But what we don’t usually understand is, eco-anxiety affects fortunate people too, i.e., people in first-world countries with no war.

This is because the world is a complex network of systems. Whatever affects one system would definitely affect another; news of extinction of floras and faunas, and sufferings all over the world will reach us at least once in our lifetime. With more understanding of what it really is and personally experiencing it, we can’t help but worry if this problem is bigger than we thought.

Does that mean we should stop spreading climate news?

This is a worse option. Everyone needs to be educated to make an effective change. We must accept the reality of climate change, and we should also acknowledge the fear that comes with it. Kim Knowlton, a senior scientist from National Resources Defense Council perfectly summarised this in the video below: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=91&v=gd4465GfAf4

I also started to find hope when I talk to others about this. Some may listen, some may take it with a grain a salt. But hey, at least they are hearing about it. We should always focus on hope. When the network for change is strong, we’ll have more impact on a cleaner environment. Getting involved is great because I can see that people care and I’m not doing this alone.

I know this. Because I sleep better now.

– Syakirah Zainal

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Posted in Issues in Science, Science Communication

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Please get rid of this headache!

Posted on January 29, 2019 by | 2 comments

Possibly one of the most dreadful feelings: an oncoming headache. Nothing more mundane could be worse than your head feeling like it’s caving in at any moment while you’re trying to get through the day. There are many different types of headaches, with tension headaches being the most common among adults and teens caused by a variety of factors.

Painkillers are a common and quick remedy to relieve headaches. [Source: Vox]

You soon find yourself at the local pharmacy to quickly rid yourself of the pain. So, what should you take? The following are common over-the-counter drugs (OTC) used to treat pain and fever relief.

Tylenol

This is the brand name of the chemical drug acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol). It is the most popular OTC painkiller worldwide. Acetaminophen inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are chemical messengers produced by the body in response to an injury/illness that helps to signal pain and induce fever. Acetaminophen then blocks this signalling to help reduce the pain. Prostaglandins also induce inflammation of the body tissues but (unlike the other two drugs below) acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory action.

Tylenol is the most common OTC painkiller worldwide. [Source: London Drugs]

Acetaminophen is most frequently involved in drug overdose. Overdose or mixing with alcohol may result in severe or fatal liver damage. It was the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US between 1998 and 2003.

However, Tylenol is generally considered safe for pregnant women in all three trimesters. It can also be taken by any age group including young children with fevers at 3-months-old, which is probably one of the main reasons why this brand is so popular.

Advil

This brand’s sole medicinal ingredient is ibuprofen. It belongs to the class called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen blocks the production of prostaglandins and helps relieve a broad range of aches, especially hangover-type headaches!

Advil is popular to take when relieving headaches during a hangover. [Source: BisonOffice.com]

Most NSAIDs also have an anti-platelet effect from reversibly altering platelet function, which protects from blood clots by prolonging bleeding time.

Women are not recommended to take Advil during pregnancy. Unlike Tylenol, children need to wait until at least 6-months-old to take Advil.

Aspirin

The chemical name of this brand is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Like Advil, they also belong to the class of NSAIDs therefore also providing release with anti-inflammatory action. They also work by decreasing the body’s production of prostaglandins. In addition to providing relief from headaches, Aspirin can be prescribed by a doctor as a blood-thinner to lower the risk of stroke and heart disease, something that Tylenol and Advil cannot do.

Aspirin is another well-known brand of OTC painkillers. [Source: London Drugs]

Unlike other NSAIDs, Aspirin irreversibly and permanently prevents platelet function during their lifespans of 8-10 days, resulting in inclined unstopped bleeding.

Aspirin is considered relatively safe in infrequent doses for women during the first two trimesters of pregnancy, but should be avoided in the third trimester as it can be harmful to both the mother and baby. Aspirin should also be avoided in children less than 18-years-old that have a viral illness (e.g. flu or chicken pox) due to the risk of Reye syndrome.

Comparison and conclusions:

Table comparing the three painkiller brands. Advil has the most adverse effects, but Advil is less toxic than Tylenol in terms of overdosage. Advil and Aspirin are similar in their type class and side effects. Tylenol is safest to use for pregnant women and can be taken the earliest in children. [Source: Created using Microsoft Powerpoint]

It’s common sense that taking too many painkillers is bad for you. Do not take OTC drugs too frequently as it may cause the body to overly rely on the medication, resulting in additional headaches. There are many natural ways to treat headaches that can be just as effective. Below is a video on head massage techniques that can help as well.

Please note this post is a basic guideline for the self-treatment of common, mild-to-moderate headaches. If your headache is excruciating or lasts longer than a couple days, please consult with a pharmacist/doctor if there is an underlying issue and to discuss other treatment options.

– Julie Zhu

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Posted in Science Communication

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Why peer review is so important?

Every science student should know the importance of peer review that it involves other experts in the same field to check the validity of academic paper and suitability of publication. However, in real life peer review still lacks sufficient attention and that has much impact on the public more than you think!

John Bohannon is a journalist and PH.D. in molecular biology of bacteria. He thinks many publishers pay little attention to peer review and one of many reason is for profit.

In 2013, he made up 304 papers about a biologist Ocorrafoo Cobange at the Wassee Institute of Medicine in Asmara found some anticancer element collected from a lichen. They are unusual because the biologist and the Wassee Institute of Medicine do not exist, and this anticancer element is fake. John submitted 304 papers to 255 open-access journals worldwide and 157 of these papers were accepted. Only 36 papers were reviewed and 16 of them were still accepted after “peer review”. Certainly, John withdrawal these 16 papers before they actually get published. The results of his “experiment” were quite shocking. Based on this outcome, he published a paper on Science revealed many publishers consider profit from publication before subscriptions.

He did another experiment 1 year later. In 2014 he recruited 15 people through facebook to do a 3-week experiment. They aged from 19 to 67 years old, and 5 of them were male and 10 of them were female. John randomly assigned them to 3 groups. One group followed regular diet. One group followed a low-sugar diet and the other group followed a low-sugar diet plus 40 grams of black chocolate. John with his partners measured 18 kinds of health data for 15 people everyday and after 3 weeks they found that 2 groups followed low-carb diet lost 5 pounds of averaged weight. Between the 2 treatment groups, the group ate a bar black  chocolate everyday for 21 days lost their weight faster than the other group and their cholesterol level had decreased.

John and his partners started to write paper after the defective experiment. After some time they finished the paper ” Chocolate with high Cocoa content as a weight-loss accelerator”, which was a well-formed paper. It has proper format, eligible literature review and figures displaying data. They submitted it to 20 publisher and accepted by some of publishers within 24 hours. In 2015, John published this paper on International Archives of Medicine after he paid 600 euros. John did not stop his “experiment” then. He recomposed his paper and made a news manuscript. In a short time, many newspapers companies reprint it and resulting in a widespread across the world.

After a few months, John wrote an article “I Fooled Millions Into Thinking Chocolate Helps Weight Loss. Here’s How.” and explained how bad lacking peer review can impact on everyone’s life.

The paper has been removed from the International Archives of Medicine website but people can still see it online.

 

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Posted on January 28, 2019 by in Issues in Science, Science Communication

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