Triple Helix Conference

Science in society, Cambridge conference

On the 13th and 14th of February, I attended the Triple Helix conference 2013 at Newnham College, Cambridge. Website for the conference- http://tthssc2013.weebly.com/.

I found out about the conference from a pupil at my school in the year above, whom attended the previous year and was enthusiastic to encourage me to go...I can see why she was so eager after attending, myself! Science has always been my greatest passion, so it was an obvious decision to register asap- and, of course, encourage my peers to look into it. 

As I arrived in Cambridge, I was gazed awe at the wonderful architecture and was delighted to see so many bikes about- a keen cyclist myself, and most interested in Cambridge for my studies. The town centre was a near perfect size: not too big, not too small; although my friend and I did manage to get quite lost in our desperation to find a chip shop, typical. 

Day 1- Technology
On arrival at Newnham hall, we were handed our conference packs: editions of the Triple Helix magazine, quick-fire questions and a name tag. I was pleasantly surprised, I must admit, that there were not that many people in total attending- a select bunch of teenagers equally as 'geeky' as myself. We discussed in small groups a selection of the questions handed to us upon arrival before joining with the other groups as a whole to report back; it was then I realised that I would enjoy the days there- discussions are one of my favourite activities.
Chris Mannerings: 'Technology in education/development' was our first talk- where we were encouraged to remember our ability as humans to think, our "best ability". The main focus was on mobile phones and other types of technology and their effect on development (e.g. activism like the Arab Spring, education like MoMaths, and economics like M-PESA). We also touched on healthcare, sanitation, disease, and how technology can help. This was certainly an eye-opener.
Prof Peter Gruthie gave the next talk, explaining sustainable development and how needs are different in difference places (e.g. in developing countries). This really did make me realise how subjective technologies are in aiding development.
Krishna Mahbubani: 'Biotechnology in genetic modification and human enhancement' was our last talk before lunch, so the majority were losing concentration - but this speaker really stood out to me, helped greatly by her contagious enthusiasm. We followed her path in developing an oral vaccine; of particular interest to me, wanting to study Medicine. It was refreshing to see a problem identified, worked on as a team and eventually sold on as an idea.
After lunch and the 'poster session', we were informed of the careers in science- I myself, greatly surprised with the range of career prospects post-doc. Although this did just confirm my desire to study medicine- I concluded that I belonged not with test tubes, but with people!
The challenge of a debate was thrown at us next- a challenge because we were fighting our side as a group, and not necessarily the side that we agreed with personally.It was quite heated, but nevertheless enjoyable.
Day 2- Mental Health
Following the discussion ice-breaker (same to previous day) to include the people who had not attended the first day, we were made audience to a panel discussion.
Student mental health was the topic of one speaker- my friend frequently looking accusingly over at me at any mention of stress, anxiety or depression. Jokes aside, I did ponder at whether I would be mentally stable enough to survive the pressures of studying at Cambridge...Of course, not enough to put me off. I was very impressed with the support system that the university had in place for students- something I count quite highly in reasons to apply to Cambridge now. We were left with the message of "expect change" for university.
Next, we learned about learning difficulties- or as possibly concluded, learning differences. The education system is built with one ideal learning style in mind, purely for the ease of it. However there is great variation, and Cambridge has a wide range of services to provide for anyone struggling or with a specific learning disability.
Anthropology was the topic of the next speaker- looking into Alzheimer's. I found this entirely fascinating, a brilliant speaker. I will not go into detail for fear that I cannot put over the desired information. It was food for thought- how has modern society meant that more elderly people have the disease than earlier? This was of particular interest as I am currently writing a research paper on exercise's effect on the brain and how it can be used to help with dementia.
After lunch and the poster session, we were given a talk on applying to Cambridge- certainly the most informative activity of the conference for me. I will not try to recreate or summarise my notes as I got rather excited when scribbling down every word. All I can say is that Cambridge seems like the perfect option for me and I honestly cannot wait to apply.
An interesting activity followed- developing a policy for ADHD in schools. We were divided into groups such as teachers, parents, scientists etc and had to outline a policy for tackling the problems that can arise from ADHD children. I enjoyed this, but realised how complicated things like this get when looked at in depth.

I met some amazing people: speakers and my peers from the UK and USA. I learned a great deal. And I developed many skills. Overall, an invaluable experience for me.

HIV Increase

Researchers say the rise in HIV is due to the lack of condom use in the male gay/bisexual community.

The HPA and some universities found a 26% rise in the number of men having sex with men without the use of condoms from 1990 to 2010; although this was thought to be a less sharp rise due a wider use in anti-retroviral drugs- thought to be 68% higher without this use. HIV rates in MSM (men having sex with men) have reached an all time high- figures show: nearly half of the 6 280 diagnosed in 2011 were MSM. 1 in 20 MSM have HIV.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21474066

This links in quite nicely with an article in the NewScientist I read last week, about making condoms a more desirable approach. Researchers were finding ways to make use of condoms more pleasurable- the main idea was an origami-style condom, which received very good feedback from both partners in having intercourse. Might an entirely new condom style contraceptive be more attractive, more pleasurable, be more popular?

Paracetamol: Small Change, Big Impact

I was reading this article on the BBC website, and it made for very interesting reading:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21370910
After 11 years the law on size of paracetamol packets changed- although the number of people taking overdoses had not declined-the deaths from overdoses dropped by 43%. In 1998, the packets were restricted to 32 in pharmacies and 16 in other shops. This long-term impact was not anticipated by previous studies.
An Oxford study not only showed fewer deaths, but also that people registering for liver transplants from overdose (frequent cause of liver damage) was reduced by 61%.

I think this just goes to show that the small differences that can be made really do help people. Paracetamol is an easily accessible way to attempt suicide, so at the point of mental instability and crisis it is too easy to overdose as a means of escape. Even thought the number of people overdosing has not decreased due to the smaller packs, there is a significantly greater chance of survival due to the smaller quantity taken and less risk of liver damage.

Obesity to lack of Vitamin D?

Genetic data from 21 studies was analysed in a report in the journal PLOS Medicine. There was a 4% drop in the vitamin D available in the body for every 10% of BMI increase.
The vitamin is stored in fatty tissue, so why is less available in people with more of it? It was suggested that the larger storage capacity in obese people (BMI > 30) may prevent vitamin D from circulating the bloodstream.

What is Vitamin D?

It helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. 

Sources of vitamin D include: oily fish, eggs, fortified fat spreads, fortified cereals. But the body can also synthesise it when sun exposure is adequate, and so cannot be strictly scientifically called a vitamin (as the body can produce it in sufficient amounts normally, without including it in diet).

Healthy levels are about 50 nanomoles litre. Less than 30 can cause softening and weakening of bones- leading to rickets and osteomalacia.

Obese groups are not acknowledged normally as being at risk of vitamin D deficiency, those that are include: pregnant women, age under 5, aged 65 and over, people with darker skin and people who are not exposed to much sunlight. These groups are recommended to take vitamin D supplements. 

Stafford Hospital

The report

290 recommendations in total. Overall, the hospital's board should take ultimate responsibility- they took the decision to peruse a cost-cutting drive to achieve foundation trust status, and which refused to listen to complaints.

There was a lack of clarity about the role of the regional health authority in monitoring. The Department of Health was also being criticised for being to not always putting patients first and being too remote.

The scandal should not be seen as a one-off; change is needed- to put patients first.

More hospitals?

The public inquiry into failings at Stafford hospital has lead to investigations at five other hospitals.

There were many, many unnecessary deaths at the hospital between 2005 and 2008, now David Cameron has announced that these other hospital- of which have had high death rates for two years- to be investigated.

Namely: Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust

All UK medical students to be provided with a Junior Doctor job

A post a while back explained about the issue of unemployment and that the intake to medical schools will drop by 2% in 2013 to tackle this.
Now, the Government have pledged to provide all UK medical students with a junior doctor job for the 2013 application cycle. The BMA responded positively... with this new guarantee, lots of tax-payers' money will be saved- not wasting on the training of students who would be unemployed.
Great news for me!

High Court ruled that sperm donors can seek access to their offspring

It is now possible for males that donate sperm to apply to seek a role in the lives of their biological children.

Mr Justice Baker ruled that two men (with a civil partnership) could apply through the courts for contact with a child of their sperm used by lesbian couples they are friends with. There were disagreements about the level of the men's involvement, despite the contact between the couples after birth- so they applied to the courts. He ruled that, in this case, it was appropriate for the biological fathers to apply for a contact order.

Should sperm donors have contact with their biological children? Of course, this could have implications on both the donor and the family involved. It would be a scary prospect for many parents, if the donors could apply for courts orders. Surely, it is most vital that plans are already in place prior to the use of fertility treatment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21296551