CSB #3: A Cure For All Cardiovascular Problems?

ABOVE: clogged up artery vs. normal artery


Definitions: 


HDL- good cholesterol
LDL- bad cholesterol
CETP- cholesteryl ester transfer protein, helps increase amount of good cholesterol 


Summary: 
Could we finally have a way to reduce high cholesterol? Well, scientists are working on a solution called anacetrapib that promises many positive effects. It works by increasing the number of HDL and eliminating some LDL by speeding up the reaction of CETP. When the drug was tested, patients experienced a 138% increase in HDL and decrease in LDL. Merck, a drug company, is investing $150 million in this project and if all goes well, anacetrapib is projected to yield one billion dollars in revenue. However, they must do two things. One, this drug must prove to not only reduce cholesterol levels, but reduce risk for cardiovascular problems. Two, no negative side effects may come out of this. Before it can be sold on the market, Merck must prove that  anacetrapib is completely safe. A similar product called Pfizer lowered cholesterol levels as well, but it was shown that death risk is raised when Pfizer is used. More studies will be conducted to ensure nothing of this sort will happen. 


Discussion: 
I think it would be great if scientists discovered how to lower cholesterol levels. Many people suffer from high cholesterol( to be exact, 1 out of three people in the US). High cholesterol can interfere with everyday life and even lead to fatal outcomes. However, I do believe it to be a little skeptical that there will be no side effects whatsoever. Raising your good cholesterol and lowering the bad, basically altering with the regular bodily functions is bound to not be that great for you. Hopefully, they will find a way around this; after all, they are scientists. 


Questions: 
What types of studies will be performed to learn more about this topic? 
How much will this product be sold for if put on the market? 


Sources: 
Singer, Natasha. "Merck Drug to Raise Good Cholesterol and Lower Bad Shows
     Promise." New York TImes. N.p., 17 Nov. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.
     <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/health/research/18merck.html>.
Merck. "In Phase III Study Merck's Investigational CETP Inhibitor Anacetrapib
     Met Safety and Efficacy Endpoints in Patients with CHD." Merck. Merck, 17
     Nov. 2010. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. <http://www.merck.com/newsroom/
     news-release-archive/research-and-development/
     2010_1117.html?WT.svl=content&WT.pi=content+Views>.

Gabi Gupta's CSB #2 Salt: Good Addition to Food or a Cell Repairer?

definitions:
tadpoles- baby frogs
regeneration- regrowth of bodily organs
NaV1.2- protein that create sodium channel
sodium channel- integral membrane proteins (connected to membrane) form together is selectively permeable in letting sodium ions pass through the plasma membrane
sodium transports-

Summary:

Scientists in Massachusetts studying regeneration conducted an experiment on the Xenopus laevis, or African Claw Frog, to help them better understand how cells can be repaired. They first amputated the tadpoles tails, and then injected a rush of salt into the area where the tail was. The salt inrush proved to have helped the rate of regrowth. Usually, the NaV1.2 is prevented from entering the cell, therefore deterring or completely stopping the rate of regeneration. The reason that the salt never reaches the cell and helps it rejuvenate is because it is stopped by sodium transports. NaV1.2 is associated with one of the main components needed to help regeneration, so when it is not able to get through, the chances of the cell revitalizing are slim. But if scientists find a way to regulate sodium transports, that would allow the sodium ions to enter the cell, allowing the cell to undergo changes.



Discussion:
I think this is really interesting because this brings us one step closer to solving medical problems, such as spine problems or limb loss. But, we should look further into this idea because we would not want any negative side effects, which might be impossible. If scientists can get this to work, we would be able to help soldiers and maybe even handicapped people who undergo loss of arms and legs. That would be a huge accomplishment and a pioneer the idea of generation. New discoveries always lead to discoveries that build on previous discoveries, so if these Massachusetts scientists can overcome this challenge and find a way to make it work, that would be SO impressive.


Questions:
What future studies will be conducted and what kind of experiments to further expand on this concept?
What other information is there on mutation that can help them? Are there any other experiments that they can learn from?

Sources:
http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/abstract/30/39/13192
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/12/science/12obsalt.html
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/SCN5A
http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene/SCN2A

CSB # 1: Hybrids Tend to Have Traits Parents Lack

Definitions: 
Hybrid: offspring of when two different species mate 
animal kingdom: group comprising of all animals


Summary: 


Hybrids are often thought to be rarities in nature and viewed as very special. But contrary to popular belief, research has shown that at one time or another, at least 10% of animals and 25% of plants will mate with another species. They may not always generate offspring, but that is still a high number. Now, most people are under the impression that the offspring contains qualities of both parents, but the studies conducted by Loren H. Rieseberg of the University of British Columbia show that hybrids may contain completely different attributes than those of their parents. Rieseberg found that when the common sunflower and praire sunflower reproduce, the offspring can only live in "extreme habitats", unlike their producers. The hybrid sunflowers tend to have traits that have no connection to their parents. This pattern also occurred in the Lonicera fly. Its parents, two variations of the maggot fly, preferred a certain type of honeysuckle opposed to the ones its parents were attracted to. In both cases, we see that hybrids contain different traits from those of their parents. This is an interesting find and led scientist to discover more.
Discussion: 
Now, I myself was appalled at the findings. I used to think that species, hybrid or not, contained the same genes as their parents. For example , I thought the zorse had a combination of the traits of  a horse and a zebra. This article dissproved previous thinkings. Now we know that, yes, the hybrid offspring often are dissimlar to their parents. From this information, many more studies can come out of this
Questions:
Do hybrids often share the same qualities as their parents or different?
Why do hybrids have different qualities?
Link to picture: http://www.geekologie.com/2007/06/28/zorse.jpg
Link to article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/14/science/14creatures.html?_r=1
Citations: Carrol, Sean B. "Hybrids May Thrive Where Parents Fear to Tread." Ny Times. 
     N.p., 15 Sept. 2010. Web. 25 Sept. 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/
     14/science/14creatures.html?_r=1>.