Immunotherapy (IT) has changed — and will continue to change — cancer treatment. Although only about 25% of patients who receive IT have a response, when patients do respond to treatment, the response is nothing short of amazing. Patients who just 5 years ago had a 10% chance of survival of over 5 years are now 10 years cancer free with no indication of recurrence. I personally know two people... Read More
It seems you can’t read the health section without finding a story about immunotherapy for cancer treatment. After 30+ years of research, immunotherapy is the latest successful cancer treatment. The success is remarkable. Immunotherapy is changing lives and providing options for a group of people who didn’t have options before. Immunotherapy treatment for cancer was the topic of the Institute of Medicine policy forum held this last week in Downtown... Read More
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month. Vaccination to prevent human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in both women and men has led to a decrease in the development and incidence of cervical cancer in women, as well as oral, anal, vaginal, and penile cancers. Cervical cancer, however, still remains the number three cancer related killer of women worldwide. The development of cervical cancer is linked to persistent, chronic infection with HPV,... Read More
As reported in Science Magazine, on September 20 the Global Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (GCC) announced the eradication of type 2 polio. This is a great step forward for the complete eradication of the disease worldwide. There are three strains of poliomyelitis, types 1 – 3. Now that type 2 has been declared eradicated, this means only 1 and 3 are still remaining. Type 3, however, has... Read More
We all know that breast milk contains vital nutrients and immunity for the newborn, but can other proteins and gene regulators, like microRNAs, also be passed along to newborns? If so, are these absorbed by the infant? Do these potentially alter gene expression in the child? Dr. Alexandra Title and colleagues published an interesting paper last week in the Journal of Biological Chemistry that looks at these questions. Specifically, the... Read More
pubished on Global Health Now 9/17 &18 8 Ways Your Science Skills Can Sell Sep 16, 2015 12:07:00 PM EDT By Judy Keen A science education provides rigorous training, helping students master many complex cutting-edge technologies and techniques. Students also gain a deep appreciation for details and accepting open critiques about their work. And yet, when students and postdocs finally leave the lab and attempt to enter any career other... Read More
Companion papers were published in Science magazine this week that show the bacteria in the gut can influence the development of allergic responses. These papers are fascinating. Done in germ-free mice, these studies show that the microbiota that reside in your colon can influence the type of immune cells (specifically increasing the T regulatory cells and decreasing T helper 17 cells) that also live in that area. So, why does... Read More
A few interesting pieces about tobacco and marijuana use have been in the news lately. The first looks at the status of tobacco smoking and the increase in vaping and hookah use in the US. What does this mean for public health? See Kerry Bloger’s piece at the aaaspolicyfellowships.org/sci-fly. The second, by Benjamin Kesling, in the Wall Street Journal discusses the increase in marijuana use by college kids and the... Read More
Image available from wiley-asia blog. https://www.flickr.com/photos/wiley-asia-blog/14056966772/ People want to hear about or have access to the latest scientific research for a variety of reasons. It is interesting. It can improve lives and lifestyles. It can help patients or families decide the best option to take when they or their loved one gets sick. So, how can we improve access to scientific studies? I have always worked for organizations that had... Read More
Big science means many authors on paper, but are adding so many authors on a paper diluting the contribution of those who did the work? Does it make authorship meaningless? I am a big proponent of including those who have done the work onto the author line. I have even been on papers with more than 25 authors. At the very least, everyone should be treated fairly and authorship needs... Read More