TB Treatment May Leave Some Patients Contagious

Jack Kochansky

AP Biology EF Even

Mr. Ippolito

10 April 2018

TB Treatment May Leave Some Patients Contagious

By Emily Baumgaertner

Baumgaertner, Emily. “TB Treatment May Leave Some Patients Contagious.” The New York

Times, The New York Times, 6 Apr. 2018,

www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/health/tuberculosis-treatment-hiv.html.

Even as our medical technological capabilities have advanced dramatically in the last few years, there remain many diseases that continue to plague less developed regions of the world.  As New York Times Global Health writer Emily Baumgaertner points out in her article TB Treatment May Leave Some Patients Contagious, tuberculosis is a severe example of a disease that is still prevalent and deadly today.  She begins the article by discussing the status of the disease today, explaining that even with antibiotics in use, “TB, now the leading infectious killer worldwide, takes over 1.5 million lives per year.”  Despite the fact that some medical facilities in Africa have the treatment drugs, rifampicin and isoniazid, it does not always save the patients or prevent new infections. In particular, Baumgaertner focuses on a study conducted by Swiss and Ugandan researchers on a group of 270 patients who were suffering from both HIV and tuberculosis.  With weakened immune systems, these people have a very difficult time fighting off the disease and are especially at risk of spreading it to those around them. The study found that within the group examined, 8 in 10 patients did not have adequate levels of the antibiotics to combat TB. Researchers found this to be shocking -- for a significant group of people, the decades-old treatment does not seem to be enough.  “This study provides one piece of a larger puzzle, and it’s necessary that we have another look,” says Dr. Karin Weyer of the W.H.O. It is expected that studies like this one will lead to more research into the effects and treatments plans for TB, which continues to grow despite the W.H.O’s goal of eradicating the disease by 2035.

Studies such as this one are essential for maintaining global health and preventing dangerous outbreaks of deadly diseases, of which tuberculosis is one.  Even though we currently have some treatments for it, they are often ineffective, especially as TB continues to rapidly evolve and attack the weakest members of communities globally.  For the well-being of everyone, we first need to protect those of us most susceptible to infection. Even though we scarcely hear about tuberculosis in the news, it is the world’s deadliest disease.  Therefore, finding a way to cure it or completely rid the population of it would be a huge achievement. Not only is TB a serious health concern today, the current situation highlights some intrinsic problems with our health system.  For diseases prevalent in the US, companies have developed many drugs to treat even the smallest of concerns -- they are driven by profit margins. In poorer countries like those in Africa, however, people do not have the same capability to pay for treatments, but they are the most at risk.  As a result, few have dedicated any real research into tuberculosis treatments. Those who need care the most receive it the least.

This New York Times article was very well written.  Baumgaertner chose a very relevant topic to write about, especially as this little-known disease continues to devastate communities around the globe.  She effectively summarizes the problem that many patients are facing and explains that market forces, rather than scientific research, are what have really had an impact on dosages in the past.  However, there are a few places that the author could have strengthened the article. For example, while Baumgaertner quotes two medical professionals familiar with tuberculosis, she does not include the names of or any quotes from the researchers involved in this breakthrough study.  Though she does mention that they are Swiss and Ugandan scientists, it would have been even better if she had included more detail to lend some more credibility. In general, however, this article is very well-written and addresses an issue that deserves a lot more attention than it is receiving today.

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“Growing Number Of Cancer Cases Caused By Excess Weight”

Clio Dakolias

AP Bio

Mr. Ippolito

March 26, 2017

CE 20

Adamson, Allan. “Growing Number Of Cancer Cases Caused By Excess Weight.” Tech Times, 26 Mar. 2018, www.techtimes.com/articles/223715/20180326/growing-number-of-cancer-cases-caused-by-excess-weight.htm.

For Current Event 20, I chose to review an article from the Tech Times titled “Growing Number of Cancer Cases Caused By Excess Weight,” by Allan Adamson. Researchers have recently found that excess weight is now responsible for 6.3 percent of all cancer cases in the United Kingdom, a number that has risen 5.5 percent since 2011 (in only 7 years). While smoking remains a leading cause of cancer, the number of cases linked to tobacco use is falling, and the number caused by excess weight is growing. Weight problems are often preventable through a healthy diet and regular physical exercise, but many countries, including the United States, are currently facing an obesity epidemic. Those who are obese and have unhealthy eating and physical activity habits face a number of health issues, which include: an increased risk for type 2 diabetes, gallstones, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, and sleep apnea. The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, provided evidence that excess weight is a growing risk factor for cancer, but this information is not new. Obesity has long been associated with higher odds for bowel cancer, breast cancer, and womb cancer. Obesity is not the only preventable risk factor for cancer, some of which include smoking, UV radiation, eating too little fiber, drinking alcohol, and outdoor air pollution. Katrina Brown, from Cancer Research UK, stated in the study: “Changing population-level exposure to modifiable risk factors is a key driver of changing cancer incidence.” The researchers found that over 135,000 cases could have been prevented through lifestyle changes.

Obesity is a growing issue in the United States- recent findings have stated that more and more American adults are getting fatter, and the obesity epidemic is growing worse. Knowing that obesity has such undesirable implications such as cancer. While the study mentioned in the article was based in the UK, a 2016 study summarizing worldwide estimates of the fractions of different cancers attributable to obesity reported that the US had the highest fractions attributable to obesity for colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and postmenopausal breast cancer. It is important to note that many studies have displayed consistent evidence that those adults with a lower weight gain have lower risks for many types of cancer. As our country continues to report a growing obesity rate, it is important to understand that obesity has many risks and dangers, which can lead to death. Maintaining a healthy diet and constantly exercising throughout your life is important so as not to fall overweight, because it is preventable (when not related to genetics).

The author, Adamson, did a great job with this article and topic. She cited sources, including the study itself and key contributors to the initial report. Grammatically and topically, the article was very well written, and it flowed nicely, making it an interesting read. There was no urgency to the article, no indication that the topic was important. In some cases, it is important to write articles solely based on facts, but in important topics such as this, it can be more beneficial if the author displays a passion for the topic, which would have added something to the article that seemed to be missing, and made the reader want to care about the topic as well. Overall, the article was well written, and very informative.

“Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost as Strange.”

Sarah Goodell

Mr. Ippolito

AP Bio: Current Event #20

March 26th, 2018

Current Event #20

Zimmer, Carl. “Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost

as Strange.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 22 Mar. 2018,

www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/science/ata-mummy-alien-chile.html?rref=collection%2F

sectioncollection%2Fscience.

This week, I read the article “Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost as Strange” by The New York Times author Carl Zimmer. Nearly 20 years ago, a small skeleton, rumored to be a mummified alien, was found in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The skeleton is only 6 inches, but is almost complete. However, it has 10 ribs, instead of 12, large eye sockets, and an elongated skull. Despite the claims that Ata, as the skeleton is known, is an alien, scientists have investigated her DNA and claim that she was, in fact, human and even belonged to the local population. Scientists even discovered multiple mutations in her DNA that have been linked to defects in bone structure. The author writes that “Some of these mutations might be responsible for the skeleton’s bizarre form, causing a hereditary disorder never before documented in humans.” Dr. Antonio Salas Ellacuriaga, a geneticist at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, has also said that these “‘DNA autopsies’” could help humans better understand medical disorders “by looking to the past to understand the present.” DNA studies have shown that Ata is less than 500 years old, but many of her bones were as developed as those of a six-year-old. There is still much research to be done on Ata’s bone structure, DNA, and lifetime, but her discovery has helped scientists learn more about our past, present, and future.

This article is relevant because it proves that archaeologists are constantly discovering new remains of humans, animals, and artifacts from cultures that can help expand upon our knowledge of the world and our universe. Through these findings, scientists have been able to pinpoint genetic mutations never seen before amongst humans today, which can give researchers insight into how mutations function and can help prevent future mutations or find cures for current diseases and disorders. It is crucial to understand how these skeletons can help advance our technology and improve our comprehension of science-related topics that are not yet fully developed.

Zimmer wrote a very thorough and descriptive article on the discovery of Ata and how scientists have examined her DNA and bone structure to learn more about humans today. He successfully interviewed credible scientists, incorporated their statements, and included examples of studies that have been done regarding Ata’s DNA. Zimmer also did a great job providing his audience with an understandable summary and explanation of each scientific study. Although he wrote an informative article, Zimmer could have improved upon a few aspects of his article. Zimmer could have provided his readers with more information regarding where scientists will go from here. He also could have detailed how scientists have used Ata’s DNA to explore modern mutations.

Vampire bat immunity and infection risk respond to livestock rearing

Mairead Cain

Mr. Ippolito

A.P. Biology

27 March 2018

University of Georgia. "Vampire bat immunity and infection risk respond to livestock rearing." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 26 March 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140237.htm>.

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180326140237.htm

For my current event report, I decided to read and analyze the article, “Vampire bat immunity and infection risk respond to livestock rearing,” from the online news source Science Daily. The article discusses the study of how human provided food, such as bird feeders and livestock, affects the immunity and disease rate of vampire fats. The research endeavor was led and organized by Daniel Becker, a doctoral student at the University Georgia Odum School of Ecology. The study showed several different results from observing the vampire bats. In several cases, infection rates lowered as the vampire bats didn’t need to worry as much about food sources. Their bodies only focus was spent towards maintaining a healthy immune system. However, the provided food sources led to more reproduction and therefore the subsequent rapid spread of disease. The supplied food would also lead to more interactions between populations who do not normally interact, “allowing pathogens to cross over from one species to another -- including to humans.” The team conducted the study by taking hair and blood samples from various bats and observing their gender and maturity level. “The vampire bats in low- and high-livestock habitats have very different immune profiles. Vampire bats in the high-livestock sites really showed immune data skewed toward innate immunity, but vampire bats in low-livestock areas are investing more in adaptive immune response.”

Considering the fact that this article describes the “cross-species transmission of pathogens,” it is evident that it is important to the world of biology. This can be dangerous for the humans in the area. Despite this, Becker described how easily this problem could be avoided. “It's when you start clearing vast tracts of forest that's probably a big driver of what's going on here, because then you're depleting the bats' natural food and replacing it with this new food source, and that's having all these individual and population level consequences for the bats.” Future studies involving these vampire bats could help scientists further understand the “cross-species transmission of pathogens.” If scientists find more ways to observe the various transmissions, then they can surely make large strides down the path of further understanding how to avoid such occurrences.

Overall, I believe the article “Vampire bat immunity and infection risk respond to livestock rearing,” was very well written and equally informative. The authors easily simplify the advanced science behind the data to allow all readers to be able to interpret the information given. Many of the terms used are also defined and described. The authors go into amazing description when discussing how such transmissions could be avoided. In an effort to improve the article, the authors should have discussed why, exactly, such transmissions are bad for the humans involved. It would have also been beneficial for the article to immediately go into detail with how the researchers were able to obtain vampire bat blood and hair samples.

“Report: Earth Is Losing Plants And Animals At A Dangerous Rate.”

Susie Goodell

Mr. Ippolito

AP Biology

3/27/18

Chan, Athena. “Report: Earth Is Losing Plants And Animals At A Dangerous Rate.” Tech Times, 25 Mar. 2018, www.techtimes.com/articles/223648/20180325/report-earth-is-losing-plants-and-animals-at-dangerous-rate.htm.

Current Event 20

For this current event, I decided to read the article “Report: Earth Is Losing Plants And Animals At A Dangerous Rate” by Athena Chan of Tech Times. This article discusses the results of four new papers on the state of biodiversity and ecosystems of the planet. The 550 researchers from all across the globe spent three years compiling data into the reports. They studied the Americas, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Central Asia. The results found for the Americas show high biodiversity has a huge impact on poverty reduction and the economy. However, after taking a closer look, scientists realized that the average species population of a particular area is 31 percent less than at the time of European colonization. Scientists calculated that because of climate change, this rate will reach 40 by 2050. They also stated that “nature's land-based contributions of $24 trillion per year are already 65 percent in decline.” In Africa, manmade and natural causes are already affecting biodiversity, especially climate change to which the continent is very vulnerable. By 2100, scientists estimate, half of the birds and mammals in Africa will be gone and lakes and plants could be 30 to 40 percent reduced. The population is also having an effect on biodiversity and will only get stronger as it is expected to double by 2050. In Asia and the Pacific, extreme weather events, invasive species, waste pollution, agricultural intensification, and sea level rise have the most impact on biodiversity. Steps have been taken over the past 25 years to fight the steep decline in biodiversity. Marine protected areas have increased by 14 percent and a 0.3 percent increase in land protected areas has led to a 2.5 percent growth of forest cover. However, the actions may not be enough, especially for the marine ecosystems and their extremely endangered coral reefs. In Europe and Central Asia, growth of conventional agriculture and forestry has the biggest impact on biodiversity. 28 percent of solely European-based species are threatened and 42 percent of all land and animal species are already declined. The wetlands have been cut in half since the 1970s, as well. Professor Markus Fischer of Switzerland, co-chair of the Europe and Central Asia assessment, said that "The people of the region consume more renewable natural resources than the region produces," which has led to the decline in biodiversity.

Overall, the research shows that plants, animals, and clean water are disappearing at dangerous rates. As the author states, “[The] four scientific reports from the United Nations reveal that the Earth may be in store for a lonelier existence.” The main pressures that cause the rate to increase so much include habitat stress, air, water and land pollution, and invasive species, climate change, and an unsustainable use of resources. Everyone has to do their part to fight the effects of climate change and our own misuse of the environment to protect the biodiversity of our planet and keep it habitable for all species. There are actions already being taken, such as some sustainable agriculture practices in Europe and Central Asia, that have been beneficial to biodiversity, but it is not enough. We have to take stronger action to combat the destruction of our planet and its beautiful biodiversity.

The author did a great job on this article. It was easy to understand and was not packed with information that would confuse the reader or turn them away from reading it. However, there are a few things that the author could have done better. She could have added a paragraph at the end of the article describing the importance of the research. Although, it may seem obvious, it would be more powerful if it was stated. Also, the author should have included more details about the research and the steps they took to obtain their results. Overall, the author wrote a powerful, informative article.

Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost as Strange

Charlie Gay

AP Biology

Mr. Ippolito

3/25/18

Zimmer, Carl. "Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost as Strange." The New York Times. The New York Times, 22 Mar. 2018. Web.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/science/ata-mummy-alien-chile.html

Current Events 20

I really enjoyed reading Carl Zimmer’s “Was a Tiny Mummy in the Atacama an Alien? No, but the Real Story Is Almost as Strange.” This article discusses how a tiny six inch skeleton was discovered in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. People originally thought that this could be an alien. However, scientists explained that Ata, the name they gave the skeleton, was in fact a human. According to Zimmer, “Ata’s bones contain DNA that not only shows she was human, but that she belonged to the local population.” Scientists believe that she had multiple mutations that led to her lack of bone development. Antonio Salas Ellacuria, a geneticist at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, said it was “a very beautiful example of how genomics can help to disentangle an anthropological and archaeological dilemma.” A series of tests have been done on Ata to help learn more about why she developed like she did. They have discovered that she is less than 500 years old. One scientist found 2.7 million variants in the genome of Ata’s DNA. More research must be done on Ata to discover what genetic disorder she possessed. Scientists are hoping that they will be able to find information that will tell them more about genetic disorders we already know about. Some scientists think that Ata underwent a stillbirth.

The discovery of Ata will hopefully shed light on skeletal deformities seen today. Scientists are hoping that they can discover what mutations caused Ata to develop the way she did. She had an abnormal amount of ribs and huge eye sockets. Even if Ata does not teach us anything about the genetic disorders we have today she will still teach us something about the past. Ata was supposedly “part of the local population” which means that she could teach us what this population was like 500 years ago. Ata will hopefully find her way to a museum where everyone can learn about her intriguing and mysterious past.

I thought this article was very well written. I thought that Zimmer did a great job of explaining some complex topics in everyday common language. I also liked how Zimmer included quotes from reliable scientists. One thing that Zimmer could have done better is he could have explained how the scientists figured out all the information about Ata. I would have been interested to know how they were able to examine the DNA of a person who has been deceased for 500 years. Overall, this article was very interesting and informative. I definitely want to do further research on Ata.