Today I have a sad announcement. The New Voices blog will be ending this week. The blog archive will continue to be available online, but we will not be adding new content. Thank you all for your interest and support over the years. On Friday, we’ll be posting information on how to remain engaged with Research!America and our advocacy efforts.
This week's Tuneage Tuesday features N.E.D., a sweet band made up of gynecologic oncologists. The band's name stands for No Evidence of Disease and the "rock docs" hope to use their talents to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers and the 90,000 women who struggle with them every year.
Let us know if you know of other scientist musicians! We'd love to feature them on future Tuneage Tuesdays.
In my ideal world, a viral New Voices Round-Up would be one that is so popular it flies around the web at previously unknown speeds of electron transfer. In reality, New Voices has been quieter this week than any week since we began posting in December of 2008 because of a freakishly powerful virus that attacked my work computer.
We're glad to be back online now and even more excited to catch up on our theme-day pieces that got missed between help desk calls.
Thanks to New Voice Elyse for sharing a link perfect for our usual Tuneage Tuesday: a trailer for the upcoming The PHD Movie, based on the very popular (and often shown here) Piled Higher, Deeper comic strip about life as a PhD student/post doc. After you see this, you'll definitely be requesting showings at your university:
We don't have a bunch of other links from this week (what with limited Internet access), but get your fill of New Voices with these historical posts, and we'll have quite a reading list for you next week.
On this day in New Voices:
2010 - Ryan made us aware that June is Aphasia Awareness month in his post, Colorless Green Ideas Sleep Furiously.
2009 - Matt told us about his Experiences with H1N1 in China. Seems like E.Coli is trying to earn the same epidemic status in Europe right now.
Finally! I get to write about ponies. At work! No kidding folks, anyone in my family would tell you I was an avid fan of My Little Pony through about age 10, and so I'm thrilled to show you this student presentation examining the physics of My Little Pony.
I just want to clarify that
My Little Pony used to
look like this.
Of course, grown-up Heather is more impressed with the physics than the new adventures of my favorite ponies. Beatledude64 took creativity to a new level and approached his homework assignment with humor and finesse; exactly the sort of thing to celebrate, since June is Effective Communications Month.
Here at New Voices, we are huge fans of science communication and the sub-type of communication known as advocacy, so throughout the month we'll be sharing examples of great science communication to help all of us on our journey to become more effective communicators and advocates for research.
What makes this a great jumping off point? Most of us got our first experiences speaking in front of groups in classrooms, and regardless of where we're speaking now, the same general rules apply:
Speak to your audience. Know who you're talking to, and find something that will be interesting to your target demographic; whether that's sports, a movie, a TV show, or a local legend. Be sure to take the time to mention the pertinent details (ex.: "ponies fall a lot") that way anyone who isn't as intimately familiar with the example can follow along, too.
Talk about what you know. If you choose to make an analogy to driving a motorcycle, and you've never actually ridden one, you're not doing your presentation justice.You will be the best at talking (and responding to questions!) about the things you're most familiar with.
Make it a dialogue. If you get a question or comment mid-presentation, respond. Ignoring it doesn't make it go away. Laughter and heckling only gets bad when you don't take it in stride.
Work through any trouble spots. Your technology might not work. It may not even be plugged in. But if you don't make a big deal out of it, chances are, no one else will either. Not wasting time repeatedly apologizing for video delays or technological hiccups will keep you on your presentation rhythm and your audience engaged.
Be confident. You know more about your topic than probably anyone else in the room. If that wasn't the case, you probably wouldn't be the person everyone came to hear in the first place.
Fear not, super presenter, you can do this. It takes practice. Lots of practice, usually out loud, and preferably in front of a mirror or friendly audience.
We may not be magic ponies, but your New Voices compatriots are here to support you in your endeavors, too. Drop us a line in the comments or by email if you have questions about effective communication.
Twenty years after scoring his first hit, British singer Rick Astley became an Internet phenomenon.
Chain letters, whose origins date to nearly a century before the Internet, viral marketing and even Rickrolling all have a curious, scientific parallel: the genetic code.
According to a story in the May issue of Smithsonian magazine, memes (ideas that are spread to others) and the genetic code have several common characteristics: each meme is passed on to a new host; they can rearrange elements of their makeup; and they can evolve over time.
That observation comes from Jacques Monod, PhD, a Nobel laureate in 1965 who died 11 years later – just as the first publications were being written about ARPANET, the Internet’s predecessor. The story’s author, James Gleick, notes that this observation preceded even the DARPA-era Internet, when only a handful of academic centers were connected through a network. Noted evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, DPhil, picked up the theme – it was Dawkins who coined the term “meme.”
The article, which clocks in at nearly 3,950 words according to LongReads.com, is a fascinating look at where memes came from, how they’re classified and what makes them carry on as they do.
A sample, with some themes most familiar to researchers:
Like genes, memes have effects on the wide world beyond themselves. In some cases (the meme for making fire; for wearing clothes; for the resurrection of Jesus) the effects can be powerful indeed. As they broadcast their influence on the world, memes thus influence the conditions affecting their own chances of survival. The meme or memes comprising Morse code had strong positive feedback effects …
Perhaps the analogy with disease was inevitable. Before anyone understood anything of epidemiology, its language was applied to species of information. An emotion can be infectious, a tune catchy, a habit contagious. “From look to look, contagious through the crowd / The panic runs,” wrote the poet James Thomson in 1730. Lust, likewise, according to Milton: “Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire.” But only in the new millennium, in the time of global electronic transmission, has the identification become second nature. Ours is the age of virality: viral education, viral marketing, viral e-mail and video and networking. Researchers studying the Internet itself as a medium—crowdsourcing, collective attention, social networking and resource allocation—employ not only the language but also the mathematical principles of epidemiology.
Indeed, in the communication age, information needs seconds to travel globally. Contrast that with one of Gleick’s examples, Sir Isaac Newton. Despite being one of the most famous men in England in his day, only a few thousand people had any idea what he looked like. Today, people around the world recognize the likeness of President Barack Obama or basketball player LeBron James.
Gleick also cites “jumping the shark” as another example; in the days of digital communication, there are boundless others: Rickrolling, “all your base are belong to us,”Cigar Guy and a Coke geyser – all being continually updated, passed on and giving way to the latest sensation.
Special thanks to today's guest blogger, Brian Hunsicker, a communications specialist at Research!America. Prior to his position at Research!America, Brian was a sportswriter and copy editor at The News & Messenger in Woodbridge, Virginia.
It isn't easy to have a conversation about AIDS with Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and make it funny.
Stephen Colbert did it last night, however, and he made the conversation interesting and incisive, too.
This is an excellent example of making science accessible to the public. Fauci provides statistics, explanations, and a bit of commentary on US health policy, while Colbert makes it fun and entertaining.
Here's a bonus: NIH Director Francis Collins and Colbert back in October 2009.
It’s Friday, and you’re probably thinking about whether or not you want to see a movie this weekend. Well, how about two free movie tickets to help you out?
Complete the survey below and help Research!America improve its website and advocacy resources. Plus, if you provide your name and email at the end, you’ll be entered to win a pair of free movie tickets.
Only complete survey responses will be entered into the drawing. The survey closes March 18, with the winner announced soon after. Take about 10 minutes now and you could be seeing movies on us.
A special thank you to guest blogger Lorien Benson, the DC-area regional promotions director for Regal Entertainment Group. With the 83rd Annual Academy Awards airing on Sunday evening, she's offered her take on what is sure to be the talk of the weekend (and Monday's water cooler!).
Who is going to be the big winner at this Sunday’s Oscars? Most of us in the industry have already seen or figured out the future.
Now don’t get me wrong this year’s Oscar nominated films are all outstanding and I enjoyed watching them all, but part of the fun is deciding and debating with friends about who will win. The sheer rush of jubilation I normally get when I make my final decision and fill out my ballot just isn’t there this year; it doesn't have the same mystique since it seems so predetermined.
We already know that even with Julia Roberts backing, Javier Baredem will be the one to make the most convincing fake congratulatory face when Colin Firth takes the stage to accept for Best Actor in leading roll. We are all secretly hoping that Natalie Portman will go into labor during the live broadcast while on stage accepting her golden man for Best Actress in a leading role.
Though I would personally love to see the young Hailee Stienfeld from True Grit accept for Best Supporting Actress she will be applauding from her seat for Melissa Leo this year. But the biggest surprise will be seeing Christian Bales’ perfectly formed face instead of that scruffy beard, while he bounds up the stage to accept his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fighter. (Or maybe the real Dickey will join him on stage again like he did at the Golden Globes, now that will add a little excitement to the show!)
As a side note, though I am not totally sold on the new 10 title upgrade for the Best Picture category I am excited to see that it does open doors for deserving films that may never have been nominated. Inception or even Toy Story 3 - though both fantastic films - coming out in early summer would have hurt their chances in years past; but with 10 choices they get to sneak in there even without all the hype of recent openings surrounding them. And, if there weren’t 10 choices this year, Netflix would not have had a run of Winter’s Bone discs (and I would have been able to watch it sooner).
This brings me to the actual top dogs in the category; the films at a disadvantage by the looming number of choices. Though we can safely narrow this category down to a top winner there are people out there still pulling for The Social Network and The Fighter. My money, however, come Oscar night will be on The Kings Speech!
With the new younger hosting talents of Anne Hathaway and James Franco (who is also nominated for Best Actor on Sunday), the Academy is hoping to appeal to the younger generation who tune in to see if The Social Network brings home any gold. Which, it most likely will in the Best Director and Adapted Screenplay categories for David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin, respectively.
There will be a musical performance of “Coming Home” from Country Strong by past Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow who is up against two Disney numbers in the Original Song category.
It seems like the only big surprises won’t be related to heavy statues at all. Let us not forget the reason we all watch the Oscars: for the RED CARPET, of course! Who doesn’t like watching beautiful people in beautiful clothes while stuffing themselves with snacks on friends’ couches in comfy flannel pajamas?
No matter what your thoughts are on this years race for the golden man the show will go on and we will all be tuned in to watch it!
Have your own thoughts on Sunday’s Oscars? Leave a comment and challenge Lorien’s picks by completing this ballot. The person with the most correct selections* will win a prize from Regal Cinemas and New Voices.
On January 24, 1984, Apple introduced Macintosh. Macintosh would launch a new philosophy toward computing, one that would eventually lead to the ubiquity of computers and proliferation of mobile computing.
The advertisement that launched this new product was nothing short of striking, profound, and groundbreaking. Some consider it to be the most effective television advertisement ever conceived.
The commercial was directed by Ridley Scott, who had recently directed Alien (1979) and clearly adapted thematic elements from the film to the Macintosh commercial.
In the first 10 seconds of the ad, we immediately get a sense of the world that Scott has created. It is bleak, monochromatic, orderly, and authoritarian. At the time, it was thought that this world was an allusion to the current business leader of computing – IBM – a company that was known for its strict standards that even applied to the style of ties that employees could wear. In sharp contrast is the heroine. She is the only female in the commercial and committed to rousing the proletarians.
The ad concludes with a reference to Orwell’s 1984. The implication is that Macintosh will ‘save’ us from the conformity and tyranny offered by Apple’s competitors. Clearly, Apple is making a profound statement and they did it in just 60 seconds.
Has Apple changed the world? What would the technological landscape look like without Macintosh?
The Sundance Film Festival begins on Thursday, and so for today's Tuneage Tuesday, here are some links and trailers to films we think those of a New Voices mind might like. Which ones are you excited to see?
For many of our university-affiliated readers, this is the last weekend of winter break. Hope your batteries are recharged for an exciting year ahead full of great New Voices posts!
It is the season of perpetual hope. Of giving. Of generously not throwing snowballs at passersby. It's also a time for re-giving.
One way to re-give is wrapping up a present you got last year - but don't particularly like - and giving it to someone else. (This was entirely evident at our office holiday celebration today during the White Elephant gift exchange.)
Another way is to pay it forward. Sort of like this...
Each of you has a gift. Whether it is being a brilliant researcher, a fantastic mentor, a strategic communicator, a policy wonk, or an issue expert; your gift could be put to good use. When thinking about re-gifting this season, I hope you'll also consider re-gifting your talents in a new and interesting way outside of your professional life.
What unique gifts do you have to share this holiday season?
My co-blogger Kate found these awesome videos from a Science competition to "dance your PhD." At New Voices we're constantly trying to think of ways to communicate science so everyone can understand it, and these are some great examples! Congratulations to the winners (two are below).
What happens at 6:02 on 10/23? Can't figure it out? It's mole day!
Mole day is celebrated from 6:02am-6:02pm on October 23 to commemorate Avogadro's number: 6.02x1023 (get it?). I'm sure the chemistry-lovers out there already know this, but to clarify: Avogadro determined that one mole of any given substance contains 6.02x1023 particles.
So, to celebrate, get crazy--drink one mole of water (18g or 0.63 ounces) at 6:02am!
*Don't worry, it's still the 22nd. We just wanted to prepare you for tomorrow.
Books have immense power. They can change the way we look at the world or the way we think about things. They can help us understand difficult concepts and turn seemingly boring material adventurous.
Here is a list of great books for scientists that have the ability to do all of those things. You might think that you read enough about science at work, but this reading will be much more enjoyable (as if that’s hard to do).
The Disappearing Spoon and Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean
I know what you’re thinking: Periodic table—boring. But, Kean manages to show the importance of the elements represented on the table throughout history while also making them interesting. This book is full of anecdotes that might even make you want to retake chemistry. Who knew it could be this intriguing?
Elephants on Acid and Other Bizarre Experiments by Alex Boese
This book examines bizarre experiments that were—sometimes surprisingly—scientifically methodical and published in peer-reviewed journals, but they are nothing like the research you’ve read about all day. From gory Frankenstein-like experiments to studying the myth of “beer goggles”, this book won’t disappoint. If only everyday in lab was this exciting!
The Art and Politics of Science by Harold Varmus
Varmus has had a storied career through science, including winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1989 for his work identifying genes that cause cancer, and directing the nation’s foremost medical research institution, the National Institutes of Health. This memoir follows it all, from his early graduate work—in English Literature!—to his foray into the political side of science. A great read for scientists and non-scientists alike.
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales by Oliver Sacks
An inspiration to many neuroscientists, this book is composed of profiles of patients with neurological disorders. Sacks chronicles the case studies and life stories of each fascinating patient in a riveting and compassionate manner, making it clear that he truly cares about the individuals. You may come away with a different view of people after reading this book.
Does it seem to anyone else like October is just flying past? Our loyal readers may have noticed that our regular Wednesday post profiling an advocate for research popped up yesterday - wishful thinking on our part? So, because we don't want anyone to miss Tuneage Tuesday (even if it is Wednesday), check out this video we saw on Science Friday about the best male dance moves.
Personally, this is my style:
What are your favorite dance moves? Do you agree with the study?
Kate's Memories Have you noticed that it’s cooler in the mornings and the air is crisper?Fall is sneaking up on us!I love the fall.I am a hiker, and the fall is one of the best times of the year to get out on the trails.The trees are changing colors, the temperature is comfortable and the air just smells like autumn.
I distinctly remember hiking in Hocking Hills with my family when I was a kid at least once every fall.It was always such a treat—we packed a lunch, got out our hiking shoes, and piled in the car. On the trail, we would find the brightest leaves to press between wax paper or pick up the perfect walking stick along the way.
I had no idea that those hiking trips in my childhood would shape who I am today.
Heather's Memories Growing up, my family of five was busy. Somehow, despite softball and swim team practices, my working mom going back to school and my dad commuting from Miami, we managed to eat together almost every night. Many of those dinners are now a blur, but some of the more memorable were pizza nights.
Sure, we all loved pizza (I am Italian-American after all!) but pizza night was special because we got to make our own. Together we'd add homemade sauce, pepperoni, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, and lots of cheese onto dough we'd smushed onto cookie sheets. Our pizzas were special because they: 1. messy 2. rectangular 3. brought us together.
Our advice Studies show that kids from families that eat dinner together regularly are happier and healthier. So how can you make pizza night just as fun and doubly healthy? Here are some deliciously good-for-you options:
Use whole wheat pizza dough or purchase a pre-made whole-wheat pizza dough (make sure there are no hydrogenated oils in the ingredients).
Try low-fat/reduced-fat mozzarella (or other cheese) to reduces the fat and cholesterol.
Make your own sauce: To sauteed onions and garlic add 1 can of crushed tomatoes, a teaspoon each of parsley, basil, and oregano, and a splash of milk (or pinch of baking soda). Delicious and less salt, sugar and preservatives than jarred sauce.
Load the pizza with veggies to give an added health boost and fill you up.
I am going to remain in my comfort zone for my very first New Voices blog post. I figure my background in cancer research qualifies me to discuss the topic of…cancer research. In honor of Stand Up to Cancer Day, I will highlight some of the important work being done by a group searching for a cure to cancer. Stand Up to Cancer (SU2C) is a charitable organization dedicated to accelerating groundbreaking cancer research.
At 8pm this evening, SU2C will host a live broadcast to raise awareness and money for cancer research. I know that sounds about as fun as hearing your uncle’s “why did the chicken cross the road?” joke for the 13th time--especially on a Friday night. But, it promises to be entertaining and informative (if only school could combine the two!). Many actors, comedians, and musicians will take the stage as well as scientists and advocates.
One featured group, 46 Mommas, is an amazing group of 46 women who represent the 46 children who are diagnosed with cancer every day. They are hoping to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research, and they even shaved their heads to raise awareness for the cause!
In 2008, SU2C hosted a hugely successful live broadcast that was aired across the country, featuring celebrities who believe in the cause. It raised much-needed awareness and brought in over $100 million for cancer research, which I find pretty exciting (the rest of you can enjoy watching these ladies stand up).
With this money, SU2C is trying to change the way research is done. They are promoting cutting-edge research done by young scientists that might not be funded by other means, which is a huge deal for these young scientists! SU2C has funded thirteen “Innovative Research Grants”. These projects are risky--they may not work. But if they do work, they promise to be a breakthrough in cancer therapy.
One project looks at the role a particular protein, BCL6, plays in leukemia development, particularly in leukemia stem cells. The stem cells initiate the cancer, but are particularly difficult to kill using chemotherapy. Even worse, they can cause the disease to come back once the drugs are stopped. This is why many researchers are studying how to kill the leukemia stem cells.
In addition to innovation, SU2C is encouraging more cooperation among scientists. They funded five “Dream Team Grants”, where each project is tackled in labs across the country.
One such grant involves researchers from New York to Texas who are trying to identify targeted therapies for women with cancer. A targeted therapy is one that is directed to cells with a particular marker or mutation. You may have heard of a common targeted therapy called Gleevec, which kills cells with the BCR-Abl mutation in chronic myelogenous leukemia.
Well, the Dream Team scientists have found that mutations in a gene called PI3K are found in breast and ovarian cancer. They are trying to use drugs that specifically block PI3K to kill the cancer cells. Targeted therapies like these will mean doctors can give each patient the best drug based on the markers in their particular cancer with less side effects than standard chemotherapy.
There is so much great work being accomplished in areas at the forefront of cancer research because of SU2C. I can’t do all of these brilliant researchers justice. You can read more on the SU2C website or tune in to the show to hear from the scientists themselves.
There is still much knowledge to be gained and many brilliant researchers looking for a cure. Funding will give them, and us, a chance.
Though I would personally love to see the young Hailee Stienfeld from True Grit accept for Best Supporting Actress she will be applauding from her seat for Melissa Leo this year. But the biggest surprise will be seeing Christian Bales’ perfectly formed face instead of that scruffy beard, while he bounds up the stage to accept his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fighter. (Or maybe the real Dickey will join him on stage again like he did at the Golden Globes, now that will add a little excitement to the show!)
Today is full of fun holidays like Family Health and Fitness Day and Punctuation Day, as well as being part of the Great American (low cholesterol/ low fat) Pizza Bake Month. (We swear, we are not making these up.) So since it is Friday, we're taking a few moments to talk about family, food and fun (because we also like alliteration).
Heather's Memories
One featured group, 46 Mommas, is an amazing group of 46 women who represent the 46 children who are diagnosed with cancer every day. They are hoping to raise $1 million for childhood cancer research, and they even shaved their heads to raise awareness for the cause!
