Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. For many years, scientists have been researching on cancer to understand how it works. Unfortunately, it has yet to be a fully understood disease even though discoveries have been found. The main reason why cancer is tough to be fully understood is because it is not just a single disease by itself, but an umbrella term for at least 100 different but related diseases. Up to date, there are several ways in which cancer can be treated. Some examples are Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Surgery and Gene Therapy. However, none of these methods guarantee a cure for cancer.
(2) Reflection on 2 Presentations
- Effect of Stress on Subsequent Performance in Observers during High Fidelity Simulator-based Training This research is basically investigating how stress levels affect the performance of the observers during a High Fidelity Simulator-based Training. During the investigation, 8 trainee anaesthetists were subjected to 3 successive sessions of Simulator-based Training, with 2 sessions as observers and the 3rd as 'hot seat'. Stress levels were measured via heart rate and salivary cortisol at 4 different time intervals. In my opinion, the experimental design of this investigation is good because the variables (independent and dependent) are very clear-cut and precise. They even had a control group (trainees that underwent 3 successive simulation-training session in 'hot seat') to compare results with.
- Ultrasmall Peptide Therapeutics for Inhibiting Amyloid Formation
To me, this investigation of the inhibition of amyloid formation is fairly interesting although I could not understand some of the information provided. With the help of visuals and statistics presented, I had a better idea of what the investigation is about. This made me realise that visuals, statistics and figures are vital when doing a research as it show trends and aid us in analysing the results. We would also have a better idea of what we are investigating. As a result, we would be able to come up with good conclusions and relate it to how it can be used in a real-life context.
- Construction of Unpowered Glider for Long Endurance (Poster) The poster showed the final design of the group's unpowered glider. It interests me as I have always wondered how to construct an unpowered glider such that it is able to endure long distances. The poster tells me that the center of gravity should be near to the average aerodynamic chord so that it is able to have a steady flight. However, the poster only presents the group's final model. It does not show the process and experimentation of different models that enabled them to arrive at their final model. In my opinion, they should have added more of the thinking process rather than just the final model itself. This way, viewers would be able to understand the rationale behind the design.
- Efficient Generation of Human Dopaminergic Neurons from Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Research Paper) This research is about improving the existing PA6 differentiation protocol to generate human dopaminergic neurons more effectively. This project is interesting because the degeneration of certain dopaminergic neurons is the cause of Parkinson Disease and many other neurodegenerative diseases. By improving the existing method of generating human dopaminergic neurons, it will certainly bring more light to the cure of Parkinson disease. I think this research is fairly well done as it is very systematic and clear. Although some of the terms are foreign to me, I was able to roughly understand the rough outline of the research as each methodology is explained very clearly.
- Identification and Validation of Differentially Expressed Gene Targets of miRNA during Wound Healing (Research Paper) This research is basically investigating the gene targets of miRNA—an endogenous single stranded non-coding RNAs which bind to target mRNA during wound healing. The pair worked on miR1908 (the miRNA) as it degenerates during an injury and affects keratinocyte migration during wound healing. They hypothesised that Glut1 and Diaph1 are the gene targets of miR1908 due to the presence of binding sites. However, their results showed that only Diaph1 is a probable gene target of miR1908. In my opinion, this research is more clear and systematic as compared to the previous research as the headings are distinct.
