BBC Focus Magazine – New Species

Heyy everyone, I was looking through the BBC Focus and found some interesting things that have been discovered. I thought this was fascinating that it’s worth sharing! I really reccommend suscribing to the Focus Magazine as it comes with new updates on science and technology. I find reading about the latest research really interesting, and it just makes you wonder what else is out there in the world.

Discoveries of new species:

Psychedelic frogfish
(Histiophryne psychedelica)

- first though? Woah!









Attenborough’s Pitcher
(Nepenthes attenboroughii)






Green bomber
(Swima bombiviridis)


more info - bbc focus!

Medlink Blog

Heyy everyone! Just to let you know I also made a another blog on the medlink website!
http://blogs.medlink-uk.net/blogs/kavitarani/
I will be uploading on both sites, they will contain similar info! if there are any other medlinkers who have a blog on that site, i would love to follow :) thanks!

'Institutional Discrimination'

When I heard about this I thought it was pretty shocking. Doctors and Nurses in the NHS, not taking care of their paitents needs, have led to people with learning disabilities dying.

'Institutional Discrimination refers to the policies of the dominant race/ethnic/gender institutions and the behavior of the individuals who control these institutions and implement policies that are intended to a differential and / or harmful effect on minority race/ethnic/gender groups.'

'More than 70 disabled patients have died because of mistakes by hospital staff in the past decade, it was claimed.'

This report said that families of the paitents were being ignored and basic procedures were not carried out. This is shocking to me because arn't doctors and nurses meant to be trained to take care of all their paitents no matter what the circumstance? It shows that maybe education plays a fault in this. We look up to doctors today to take care of us, and we trust them more than anyone with our personal lives. It is rather shocking to see that doctors of all people are being looked down upon by the public.

“They confirm that too many parts of the health service still do not understand how to treat people with a learning disability and they are an appalling catalogue of neglect and indignity.''  - David Congdon, Mencap’s head of campaigns and policy

More info - The telegraph

More Time At School 'boots IQ'

I recently heard that apparently spending more time at school will boost a childs IQ. An extra year in school could boost IQ by 4 points. Is it worth it? Do children really want to spend more time in school for increasing IQ points?

However, the authors of this study said they were not sure if it applies to all children. There are so many factors that need to be considered, for example, education at each school is different. Every child is different. There have been so many articles on IQ, but does IQ really prove anything? Some adults and children who many not have a high IQ might be really creative and intelligent in other areas, for example music. In my opinion IQ tests do give an indication of how intelligent a person is but there are so many factors that effect intelligence.
BBC News - more info

Is Stem Cell Research Ethical?

Embryonic Stem Cells

What are stem cells?

Research into stem cells is pretty recent, however stem cells have always existed. They are able to grow into any 300 cell types in the body.
So you must be thinking great right? However, there has been a prolonged debate about using stem cells as the best stem cells come from embroys. They can also be found in adults and children - bone marrow.

The use?

Stem cells can grow into any kinds of cells so its possible to produce tissue and organs from your own stem cells! Stem cells can help treat disease's such as Alzheimers and Parkinson's. And best of all, there is no rejection.

Ethical Issues?

Many people are against the use of stem cells because in order to obtain the stem cells, embroys must be destoryed. So anti abortion and religious groups oppose the use of stem cells.
The Coalition of Americans for Research Ethics argues the case like this: "The destruction of human embryonic life is unnecessary for medical progress, as alternative methods of obtaining human stem cells and of repairing and regenerating human tissue exist and continue to be developed."

But what if someones life is at risk and the only hope they have is through stem cell research? As you can see its complicated!

In my opinion, I think stem cell research is valuable, and there are other ways of obtaining stem cells rather than destroying the embroys, e.g. using stem cells from the umbilical cord which wouldn't create ethical issues. Its really interesting to see how people feel about this research and if this reseach is needed for further progress in medicine. What are your opinions on this topic? Feel free to post a comment below!

Links!
http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48969936.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/aug/10/qanda.stemcells

Medlink Experience 2011

During these holidays, I attended a Medlink Conference in Nottingham. Medlink is a week (4-5 days) spent at Nottingham University for those who are interested in Medicine. You may think, why during my christmas holidays I went to university. Its simple, I want a medical career, and Medlink has definatly inspired me to continue on my dream.

So what did we do? When I first arrived at Medlink I didn't know what to expect, I had a general idea of what it was going to be like, but it was so much more. The days were pretty long, around 9am-10pm each day. You must be thinking crazy! right? but every hour was worth it. The lectures were really interesting and the days just got better and better. The lectures covered a range of areas in medicine, from pathology to A&E. It also included UCAS application forms and The UKCAT & BMAT enterence exams. If I didn't attend medlink I wouldn't have all the valuble info I needed.

The Best Part? Meeting new people. I am so glad I went on my own to medlink. I made so many new friends with the same interest. I would reccomend it to anyone who wants to go into medicine. Everyone in medlink was friendly, and in the same position as I was. At first, it was scary not knowing everyone, but then once you get talking, you cant stop! So many people attended Medlink, and because medicine has so much variety there is a never ending choice.

So what now? I am gathering information for my Stem Cell research project which I hope to get published. Im doing as levels, Biology, Chemistry, Maths and History, and hopefully going to achieve those A's. Medlink has made me realise that there are different routes into medicine, including studying abroad. There are so many different aspects of medicine and yes it may be a long process but it's worth it! I would recommend Medlink to anyone who is interested in Medicine, it is an amazing experience and its not all just lectures. There are practical activities too which were so much fun! Dont be intimidated by other people who say medicine is out of reach. If you have a passion for medicine, go for it!

Kavita