Journal Entry #7: Typhoid Animal Model

Newspaper article: Animal Model of Typhoid Fever Could Lead to Better Vaccines 

Article by: ScienceDaily 

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Summary of the Article

Since mice show symptoms related to humans, and since they respond positively to immunization, mice models can be used to develop vaccines for typhoid fever. However, prior to the work done by Columbia University researchers, there were no animal models for studying responses to typhoid. Researchers from Columbia University developed the first mouse model to respond to typhoid as mice do not develop this fever due to a receptor in their intestines. The team hopes that their model will increase progress towards developing better vaccines.

Journal Entry #6: Power Felt

Newspaper article: Recharge Your Cell Phone With a Touch? New Nanotechnology Converts Body Heat Into Power
Article by: ScienceDaily

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Summary of the Article

A new thermoelectric device called Power Felt, converts heat into electrical energy. This device was developed by researchers at Wake Forest University. The Power Felt is made to feel like fabric, but it is actually made up of carbon nanotubes and plastic fibers. The potential uses for it include collecting heat under roofs to lower heating costs, lining automobile seats to help boost battery power and things like the radio and navigations systems in the car, and more. It could also be used to recharge a cell phone and make an emergency call, or to power a flash light. Currently the power output is 140 nanowatts, and the research team is working on adding more nanotube layers to increase the power output. More work needs to be done on the Power Felt before it is ready for the market, however one researcher says that “it's definitely within reach.”

Journal Entry #5: Sicko

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Summary of Sicko

Sicko is an informative documentary on the healthcare system in the USA. It explores issues such as insurance companies denying claims (without good reason), insurance companies denying insurance based on pre-existing medical condition, and advantages of a universal healthcare system. The documentary also talks about how many politicians have been bought by health insurance and drug companies. In Sicko, the healthcare systems of France, Canada, the UK, and Cuba are compared to the American system to prove that universal healthcare could work in the USA as well.

Journal Entry #4: 3-D Medical Scanner

Newspaper article: 3-D Medical Scanner: New Handheld Imaging Device to Aid Doctors on the ‘Diagnostic Front Lines’
Article by: Angela Stark (The Optical Society)

Summary of the Article

A new, real time imaging scanner developed by engineers from the University of Illinois will help physicians (family doctors) better diagnose conditions and accurately refer patients to specialists. This scanner uses optical coherence tomography (OCT), which is a technology similar to ultrasound. The device is made up of three parts, “a near-infrared light source and OCT system, a video camera to relay real-time images of surface features and scan locations, and a microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based scanner to direct the light.” (Source article) Reduction in price for production and more compact designs are hoped to help make this device a common point-of-care device.