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Newspaper Humor

Measles, Vaccines, and Japan

The article I mentioned in class: Measles Scare Hits 3 U.S. Airports

While I was reading the article, the Measles scare video was playing, and when it was done it automatically jumped to the next video: Fraudulent Vaccine Research Exposed, the topic from Willrich's article.  It shows interviews with Dr. Wakefield, other doctors/researchers, and families impacted by the fake research, including one mother who is convinced vaccines gave her child autism.

On another note, I really admire Japan's engineers and their advanced technology.  But even though Japan’s Strict Building Codes Saved Lives, there was still a vast amount of damage done: Satellite Photos of Japan, Before and After the Quake and Tsunami and Hundreds flee in Japan after Shinmoedake volcano begins spewing ash, boulders

I know very few people actually read this blog, but donate!
Google Crisis Response: Japanese Red Cross Society

Don't be like this guy:

xkcd: Charity

Reflection: John Q (2002)

The scene in which John and Denise Archibald are hearing the news about Michael from the hospital employees stood out for me.  The setting of the scene is a conference room with a rather large table for five people.  When they first sit down, we can see the tension that is about to arise because of where they sit: the Archibald's on one side and supervisor Rebecca Payne, Dr. Raymond Turner, and Dr. Ellen Klein on the other.

Dr. Turner straightforwardly tells the Archibald's what is wrong with his heart, "There are septal defects here, here, and here, which have induced a myopathy resulting pulmonary edema, and malignant ventricular ectopy."  Clearly, the Archibald's are not going to understand those medical terms, and John even asks him to rephrase in layman's terms.  The ethos in this scene is overwhelming.  Two doctors are telling John and Denise that Mike is dying. John and Denise are going to believe the doctors that have professional background knowledge about health.  The pathos hits the audience when we see Denise break down into tears and John's eyes start to water.  The audience can relate to this scene because everyone either knows the pain of losing a loved one or they can imagine how painful it must be to lose someone they love.  When Payne tries to convince the Archibalds that they should accept Mike's short future and say goodbye, the tension builds between the Archibalds and the hospital.  The audience also feels some frustration with Payne because of her lack of sympathy and consideration towards the Archibalds and their nine year old son.  But even though she is trying to make them let him go, John asks Dr. Turner what he would do if it was his son instead, which brings back the ethos of the scene.  Given the two options, both with very high risks of death, John turns towards the doctor for advice because of his status and education.

xkcd: Surgery

Research Log: Sources

1. Booth et al. "A case-control study of benign ovarian tumors." Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 46 (1992): 528-531. Print.

This case study in London investiages "the association between reproductive, contraceptive, and menstrual factors and the risk of benign ovarian tumours."  The results show age trends and the affect of oral contraceptives on ovarian tumours.

2. Parazzini et al. "Risk Factors for Functional Ovartian Cysts." Epidemiology 7.5 (1996): 547-549. Print.

This article is another case study that took place in Southern Europe that evaluates risk factors of ovarian cysts and compares women with functional ovarian cysts.

xkcd: Researcher Translation

Borders

I just came back from Borders, the last remaining Borders in my area.  Last year they already closed one nearby, but now the two-story Borders in White Flint Mall is closing! Of the 200 stores to be closed because of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy file, they had to close the ones near me! :( It was a little upsetting to see "STORE CLOSING" signs plastered everywhere, yet it was so exciting to see books on sale.  When are books ever on sale?

When White Flint Mall replaces Borders, I hope they turn it into another bookstore. There's something about bookstores that beats the library and the nook. Sitting in the comfortable couches with the soothingly quiet atmosphere, the low background music, the light coffee smell, and the untouched pages of a book just feels so peaceful and relaxing. I'm definitely going to miss it.

xkcd: Bookstore

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Reflection: Philadelphia (1993)

One particular scene that stood out to me was when Miguel gets frustrated with Beckett when they are alone.  He throws the notebook Beckett was writing in and says, "The least you can do is look at me, and give me a little bit of your time."  It's a rather short scene, but after watching it for the second time I noticed that during the dialogue, the camera is looking directly at the speaker as if the audience were in the recipient's shoes.  The whole movie focuses so much on what AIDS is, how AIDS is transmitted, and AIDS discrimination that I was genuinely surprised to see this snippet of Miguel and Beckett interaction.  It's a very subtle dose of pathos, but the scene does have an emotional appeal to it.  You realize that the victim of AIDS is not just Beckett; it also impacts those close to him as well -- his lover and his family.  When Miguel is speaking directly to the camera, you notice how scared he is of losing Beckett.  Even though Miguel understands what Beckett is going through and is trying to support him, he is frustrated with Beckett because of his lack of attention to their relationship.  Beckett replies to Miguel/the audience, "You are worried...we don't have very much time left, now aren't you?"  These are precisely the thoughts that Miguel has in mind, or anyone who knows someone with AIDS.  It plays on the emotional appeal because of how the audience can easily relate to the two characters in the scene.

xkcd: Positive Attitude

Blogging Prompt #4: Experience and Other Evidence Final Topic Choices

For my paper, I have decided to research about ovarian cysts.  Three and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with an abnormally large ovarian cyst within my left ovary, although it was almost misdiagnosed as cancer.  Normally, the size of ovarian cysts ranges from a pea to an orange, but the one within my body grew to the size of a pineapple.  Usually, women experience abdominal pain when a cyst forms, but throughout the many years that it could have existed for, I never felt such pain.  During surgery, the gynecologist surgeon removed my no longer functioning ovary with the cyst inside, donating it to NIH.

My final paper will cover the different types of ovarian cysts and the range of symptoms that ovarian cyst carriers may experience.  It will also include doctors' various reactions on how to deal with their patients' cysts and the impact ovarian cysts may have on women, especially those planning on having children.  What exactly is an ovarian cyst?  What makes it grow to various sizes?  What are the different kinds of ovarian cysts?  What effects would a cyst have if a women is pregnant? What other effects are there with an ovarian cyst?

xkcd: Lego

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