Vaccinations Save Lives

The article I read this week from the NY Times was entitled, "20 million in Mideast to Get Polio Vaccine." It was written by Donald G. McNeil Jr, and the article discusses a potential outbreak of polio in the Middle East. I feel very strongly about vaccinations and their importance, so I chose to discuss it this week.

Vaccinations Range For Different Diseases/Illnesses

The article explains how the World Health Organization and UNICEF are attempting to have 20 million children vaccinated against polio in certain Middle East countries. The push for the vaccination of these 20 million children comes from the diagnosis of 10 children in Syria with polio. Apparently, the polio virus has been found in the sewers of these Middle Eastern countries. 

Sewer in Israel

The reason that scientists and doctors are pushing for these vaccines is that polio offers a risk to tourists and can be spread when people move away from the Middle East. In order to keep polio non-existent, we should vaccinate anyone who is at risk for contracting it. 

Advertisements for the Polio Vaccination in Previous Years

I chose this article because it is important for the world to understand the importance of vaccinations. Vaccinations not only protect you, but they also protect the people around you. We discussed this in class regarding the influenza vaccination. This year, the government and health officials are doing a big push for people, especially children and the elderly, to get the flu vaccine. We also want those who are around these groups of people to get the vaccine as well. When people are vaccinated against illness they no longer pose a danger to their own or others' health and well-being. So, even though people may say what happens in the Middle East (disease wise) can not affect them all the way over here in the United States, they are very wrong. 

Children Showing Support For Polio Vaccines

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/12/science/vaccine-drive-to-curb-spread-in-middle-east.html?ref=science

Catch More Zzzz's

Tonight, as I sat in the dungeon of the library at 3 AM, an article caught my attention on the-scientist.com. The article was written by Ruth Williams on November 7th, and it addressed the positive effects of sleep and awake cycles on the body's production of T cells. Well, since I was clearly breaking the 8-hour sleep rule, I thought I would continue reading.

3 AM Study Sessions...productive?

The article goes into scientific detail of how T cells are created, but their primary purpose is to help with the immune system. AKA: The cells help keep students healthy. The surprising finding of scientists is that these T cells are in fact created during the day as well as at night; however, they also found that during long awake cycles (example used: "jet lag"), there is an overproduction of T cells. This over production leads to inflammation of the digestive system.

An Inflamed Digestive System

The article addresses some of the possible side effects of over active T cells as well. The main one is an inflamed digestive system, but more serious complications include "hormonal and metabolic problems." This is why we are told to get sleep to keep us healthy and happy: the T cells affect our immune system.

Not Sleeping Can Lead to "Hormonal and Metabolic Problems" 

I chose this article because it frightens me. It directly relates to college culture and the art of perfecting the "all nighter." The library on campus is open 24 hours a day during the week, and there are always students on every level. In fact, I am typing this, it is 3 AM, and I still have 5-6 neighbors around me. I was never sick in high school, but in college I am perpetually sick, exhausted, and I rarely remember to eat three meals a day (today I managed a snack and dinner). I wish that I could say that this article will change mine and other students' study schedules, but it can not work miracles. As long as there is class, work, and extracurriculars, there will be all nighters and immense amounts of coffee drinking.

May have possibly done this before in the library...NO SHAME

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/38207/title/Time-for-T-cells/

The King Tut Mystery

The article I read this week was entitled, "Mystery of King Tut's Death Solved? Maybe Not." It was written by A.R. Williams for National Geographic. The article explores new scientific findings and possible theories surrounding the Egyptian pharaoh's famously mysterious death.

King Tutankhamun

The article discusses the previous possible causes of death for the young pharaoh, and presents new theories. One of the theories was that King Tut was hit by a chariot, while another was that a horse kicked him. The final theory is that King Tut was attacked by a hippopotamus. The evidence that these theories are even possibilities includes tests that have shown King Tut incurred a crushed chest and a broken leg.

Scan of King Tut's Body

There were also reports of a possible fire that damaged the mummy; however, this seems very unlikely. The article explains this reasoning based on the lack of damage to the other objects in the sarcophagus, the fabric on the body, and the other layers of the coffin.

Possible Burned Face of King Tut

This article related to our class discussion of King Tut and the process of mummification. Scientists continue to do research on Egyptian mummies and pyramids, so the information is always changing and getting closer to the truth. I chose this article because it directly related to class discussion, and it gives us an update on the information we have been studying.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/11/131106-king-tut-mummy-death-mystery-solved-archaeology-science/