Scientists Discover a Potential New Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer

Source: Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms


Pancreatic cancer is said to be one of the most aggressive illnesses and regarded as the ‘deadliest cancer’ by health professionals. In our country, pancreatic cancer affects 0.25% of the population, making it the 45^th most common cause of death, next to tetanus and ovarian cancer.

The pancreas is a six- inch organ located behind the stomach, responsible for producing digestive juices and blood sugar- regulating hormones such as insulin and glucagon. Common diseases associated with a poorly functioning pancreas include diabetes- currently one of the fastest growing chronic illnesses in the world—and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer begins when a sporadic growth of abnormal cells occurs within the pancreas and disrupts the formation of healthy tissue. These unhealthy cells instead form lumps or tumors that can speed to other parts of the body and interfere with other biological functions if not controlled immediately. Symptoms of such cancer rarely show early signs and manifest significantly only when the illness has progressed.

Source: Science News Medicine

Tumors can be removed surgically or treated through chemotherapy and radiation, though this is most effective when the growth is benign. The malignant form of pancreatic cancer is progressive and highly resistant to treatment, making it nearly impossible to cure.

Except, scientists have found another way.

Researchers at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) have discovered an alternative approach to chemo- and radiotherapy in destroying pancreatic cancer cells. Their studies and tests on real human tumors have found that in order to kill off cancer cells without damaging healthy ones, they must cut off the supply of glycolytic ATP (metabolic energy) in cancer cells to prevent them from breaking down calcium—a key element that allows cells to survive when kept at low levels. With no source of this essential metabolic fuel, calcium levels increase in cancer cells, and destroy them in a literal ‘overdose’.

Doctors at the MCRC suggest that drugs can be formulates to impair specific sources of glycolytic ATP, which are more prominent in cancer cells than in healthy cells that rely more on a different metabolic process as a source of energy.

This approach has yet to be applied in professional medical practice, however experts from the scientific community find it a promising form of treatment and a source of hope for victims of pancreatic cancer.

Source: University of Manchester


SOURCES:

University of Manchester. “Researches find potential new treatment approach for pancreatic cancer”. ScienceDaily, 20 Dec. 2013. Web. 21 Dec. 2013

“What is Pancreatic Cancer? Pancreatic Cancer Symptoms and Causes. “Medical News Today. MediLexicon International Ltd, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2013. < <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/pancreatic-cancer/>.

“World Health Rankings. “ World Life Expectancy. LeDuc Media, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2013 <http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/members.php>.

Save the Philippine Forests! Save Biodiversity!

credits to pcij.org

          Considered as one of the richest countries in terms of biodiversity, Philippines accommodates a wide variety of endemic species, yet most of them have already been identified as endangered or threatened. The Philippine forests have been known to be a main habitat for these species. Thus, could one of the causes for this threat to endemism of species be the rising issue of forest degradation? More than having endangered species, could the denudation of our forests truly be one issue that we have to address and act upon to preserve Philippine biodiversity?

credits to imagesPhilippines.com/ kaingin/ nueva viscaya

          Our forests have been threatened over the years, and this is mostly caused by human activities. One of these major problems in terms of human activities is deforestation, or the “conversion of forested areas to non-forest land use such as arable land, urban use, logged area or wasteland”. This results to scarcity of forest resources and habitat loss for some, if not most, of our Philippine species. Illegal logging still continues to occur, along with the kaingin or slash-and burn system of burning trees, as well as urbanization wherein population growth induces people to use forest areas for residential and agricultural purposes. The latter is also a dire issue as the fact that not all forest lands are fit for agriculture is often overlooked. Moreover, adverse effects arise upon the occurrence of these problems, such as soil destruction, landslides, and disastrous floods. Instead of the soil and the forests themselves becoming the country’s assets, the improper land use causes them to become liabilities. Thus, forests turn out not to be conducive not just for human living, but also for other species.

credits to kalikasan.net/ inadequate reforestation

           Statistics showed that the Philippine forest cover has declined from 21 million hectares in 1900 to just approximately 6.5 million hectares by the year of 2007. In a span of 15 years from 1990 to 2005, Philippines already lost 32.3% of its forest cover, which is around 3, 412, 000 hectares in total. The prevalence of this forest denudation leads mankind to find forest management, protection and conservation harder to attain. With all this human activities that endanger the forest ecosystem, apathy or indifference may serve as a root cause of these problems. Yet, to look at what we would be missing if forests were to still be denuded over time, the forests has lots of potentials that we would make use of as humans, but not to the extent of abusing and totally destructing the forest lands. Forest resources could account for wood or lumber supply, raw materials for furniture and handicrafts, and herbal products. These potentials would not be possible if total forest destruction were to come about.

It is a good thing that the government has already done some ways to address this issue. An example would be the issuance of Executive Order No. 23 by President Benigno Aquino III last February 2011, declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the national and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force. As an example of its policies, it prohibits the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to issue logging contracts and agreements in all natural and residential forests. This has proved to be fruitful over time, One report on August 2012 stated a decline in illegal logging cases, with more illegally cut timbers confiscated more than a year after the issuance of the said moratorium.

credits to cepf.net

In desiring for forest conservation and sustainability, we must not just ignore these threats to nature. As Filipino citizens, we can take part in this advocacy to save our environment. Just by learning to appreciate once again the forests and its potentials, not supporting the aforementioned forest threats and supporting our government in their policies towards forest conservation, we could be steps closer to preserving our Philippine forests and our rich biodiversity.

REFERENCES:  

American University (2013). Philippine Deforestation. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from TED Case Studies: http://www1.american.edu/TED/philwood.htm

BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation (2012, August 2). Illegal Logging Cases Decline After Ban. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from Business World Online: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Nation&title=Illegal-logging-cases-decline-after-ban&id=56185

Butler, R. (1994). Statistics: Philippines. Retrieved December 22, 2013, from Mongabay: http://rainforests.mongabay.com/deforestation/archive/Philippines.htm

Conservation International (2013). Philippines. Retrieved December 21, 2013, from http://www.conservation.org/where/priority_areas/hotspots/asia-pacific/Philippines/Pages/default.aspx

Philippine Government (2011, February 1). Executive Order No. 23, s. 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2012, from Official Gazette: http://www.gov.ph/2011/02/01/executive-order-no-23-4/

Ang Limang Pandama

credits to todayifoundout.com

          Makikita  na may pagkakaugnay ang wika sa limang pandama (senses) at ang lahat ng ito ay may pagkakaugnay sa kultura. Kadalasan,sa kultural na aspeto ng wika, iniiba natin ang kahulugan ng mga salita na iba ngunit kaugnay sa konbensyonal na kahulugan nito. Katulad na lamang sa paksa ng paggamit sa limang pandama - paningin, pandinig, pang-amoy, panlasa, at pandama - at bigyan ang mga ito ng ibang kahulugan base sa ibig natin sabihin. May ilan ding mga kategorya kung saan madalas gamitin ang mga salitang ito sa ibang kahulugan. Ilan na rito ay ang paglalarawan sa isang relasyon o sa karanasan. Sa partikular na aspeto ng panlasa, itatangka ang paglista ng iba’t-ibang mga salita at parirala  mula sa iba’t-ibang wika sa Pilipinas na tumutugon  sa ganang relasyon o karanasan. Kasama na rin dito ang mga katumbas ng mga salita-matamis,maalat, maasim, at iba pang lasa sa Tagalog- sa ilang mga pangunahing wika sa Pilipinas. Mula sa artikulong ito ay susubukang ihanay ang mga salita at mga parirala ayon sa mga  kategorya , halimbawa na lamang ang kategoryang senswal/sekswal. Sa huli, ibabahagi ang mga pagkaka-ugnay at pagkakaiba ng ilan sa mga wika sa Pilipinas pagdating sa metaporikal na paglalarawan ng relasyon at karanasan gamit ang aspeto ng panlasa.

Antas ng lasa sa pagkain (mula pinakamasa ma hanggang pinaka-kanais-nais)	Antas ng Pagkain o Pag-inom	Estado ng relasyon o Paglalarawan sa karanasan	Paglalara wan sa mukha o  facial expression	Senswal o Sekswal	Pananalita	Katangian
Nakakasuka	Tikman	matamis	matamis na ngiti	masarap	dulo ng dila	mabalahibo ang dila
Panis/lasang panis	Lasahan	malinam nam	maasim	may asim pa	buhol	kumakalam ang sikmura
Malansa	Lasapin	masarap	nakakasuya/ nakakaumay	tikman	kinakain ang salita	may gatas pa sa labi
Mapakla	Kainin	nakakasuya/ nakakaumay	nakakasuka	dilaan	matabil ang dila
Mapait	Lamunin	maalat		uhaw	makati ang dila
Maasim	Lunukin	mapait		naglala way/ pinaglalawayan (?)	mabulaklak magsalita
Maalat	Sakmalin				matamis magsalita
Matamis	Higupin				matalim ang dila
Malasa	Inumin				mapait magsalita
Masarap	Lagukin				maanghang magsalita
Malinamnam	Laklakin				mabalahibo ang dila
Katakamtakam (?)					magdilang anghel
					panis na ang laway

Sa ibang wika:

(Bisaya) Lami - masarap

(Hiligaynon, Bisaya) Aplod - yung lasa ng hindi pa hinog na prutas

(Cebuano) Aslom - maasim

(Cebuano) Asgad - maalat

(Cebuano) Tab-ang - for matabang

(Hiligaynon) sabor - lasa

(Hiligaynon) tilaw - tikim

(Hiligaynon) las-ay - walang lasa

(Kapampangan) maslam - maasim

(Kapampangan) mayumo - matamis

(Kapampangan) malat - maalat

(Kapampangan) manyaman - masarap

(Kapampangan) mabangnas - panis

(Kapampangan) takman – tikman

(Ilocano) naapgat - maalat

(Ilocano) nasam-it – matamis

(Ilocano) naalsem – maasim

(Ilocano) napait – mapait

(Ilocano) nagasang – maanghang

(Ilocano) namit – for masa

credits to travelandlifestylediaries.com

Makikita mula sa mga salita sa itaas na ang panlasa ay mas madalas ginagamit bilang panlarawan ng relasyon, e.g. maalat, matamis, mapait. Ginagamit rin ang ibang mga salitang kaugnay ng panlasa at ng mga bahagi ng katawan na ginagamit para sa pagkain at paglasa sa pagtukoy sa sari-saring katangian at aspeto ng buhay. Ang mga ito ay maaring nagpapatunay ng kahalagahan at malaking papel ng pagkain sa kulturang Pilipino, lalo na sa mga patungkol sa relasyon o pagkakaugnay-ugnay. Kumakain nang magkakasabay ang pamilya; mahalaga sa mga nanay o lola na masarap ang kanilang pagluluto.

credits to christopher1218

          Bagama’t may iba’t-ibang pagkakahulugan ang mga salita na nabanggit, mapapansin na may pagkakapare-parehas ang mga kahulugan nito. Kahit na mula ito sa iba’t-ibang wika o diyalekto sa Pilipinas, makikita ang koneksyon o ugnayan sa pagpapakahulugan ng salita. Gayunpaman, meron ding mga salita na maiiba ang pagkakahulugan sa isang salita. Maaari nating masabi o mapatunayan na ang salita ay nakaugat sa kulturang pinanggagalingan nito. Ang konteksto na nakapaloob sa salita ay nakaugnay o maiiugat sa lugar na pinanggalingan nito. Gayundin, masasabi na ang mga tao at lugar ay isang malaking impluwensya sa pagpapakahulugan ng isang salita.

Mice Can Warn Their Children/Grandchildren VIA Sperm

credits to optimara.com

Recently, scientists discovered that mice can warn their children and grandchildren about dangers before they are born.

This occurrence happens due to external influences rather than genetic (epigenetic). Because of environmental factors, without a chance in DNA encoding, the genes in sperm begin to behave differently. Though there are no changes in the DNA, there are epigenetic marks that may have caused a change in behavior for the offspring of trained mice.

credits to ABC Science

Studies show that lab mice trained to fear a particular smell can transfer the impulse to their unborn children and grandchildren through a mechanism in their sperm. In this case, scientists, Dias and Ressler, trained mice to fear the smell of cherry blossom by using foot shocks. Without previous exposure to the smell, the offspring of the trained mice, once exposed to the cherry blossom smell, become startled. According to the study, these mice haven’t been conceiver while their fathers underwent its training. Not only that, the offspring of the trained mice were able to detect the smell much better than their father; their reaction was 200 percent stronger than the offspring of non-trained mice.

credits to nature.com

Scientists are encouraged by the fact that transgenerational inheritance does exist. It was said that “The research claims to provide evidence for the concept of animals inheriting a memory of their ancestors' traumas, and responding as if they had lived the events themselves.” This discovery can lead to a number of things; it ‘can’ help us better understand neuropsychiatric  disorders, memory inheritance, various therapies, phobias, and stress disorders

Source: ABC Science

The Native Philippine Environment

credits to itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

          It has been a common notion in our history textbooks that the entrance of the Western Civilization also brought about the entrance of a sophisticated and complex way of thinking, that is, technology, science and its study. But, thanks to the recent development on the Philippine historiography we were able to properly view the complexity of the Philippine Culture before the entrance of the colonizers. The Philippines being a maritime and a tropical country is prone to the devastation of typhoons every year, as shown, by the devastation made by Haiyan (Yolanda) recently. This gives importance to the observation and study of heavenly bodies, the sky, and the phenomena related to them which affects the Philippine Weather.

          The present day agency which takes responsibility in advancing the atmospheric and meteorological studies in the country is PAG-ASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical – Astronomical Services Administration). The agency we now call PAG-ASA and the study of the atmospheric condition of the country often traced its origin with the Manila Observatory and the efforts that were undertaken by the Jesuit Missionaries in the Philippines, starting with Padre Faura. The Jesuits and the creation of Jesuit colleges are often linked with the advancement of modern science, indeed, their works contributed a lot to our knowledge of science nowadays. One of the most enduring contribution of the Jesuits is the creation of observatory in the different parts of the world. One of the observatory that they were able to create and operate was the Manila Observatory that was founded in the year 1865 and operated until 1945.¹ It was first headed by Padre Faura, the street in Manila near Robinsons Place Ermita and UP Manila was named after him. The Robinsons Place Ermita being the original location of the Manila Observatory. By 1884, the Observatory was given the status as center for the Meteorological Service of the Philippines under the Spanish Colonial Government, however the funds were not still enough. In 1901, with the advent of American Colonialism the authorities continued the relationship to the Manila Observatory as center for                   Meteorological Services but also established their own Philippine Weather Bureau.²

credits to PAG-ASA

          During the Great Pacific War of 1940s, Manila became the second most devastated country next to Warsaw. The devastation of the capital also led to the devastation of the Manila Observatory. The next years saw the rebuilding of the observatory however some of its works were discontinued in order to gave way to the official Philippine Weather Bureau and not to be redundant. The observatory then focused on radio astronomy, geomagnetism, solar and ionosphere physics and seismology.³

         We are greatly indebted to the contribution and efforts made by the colonial masters in order to put an official meteorological service for the Philippines, their colony, however it is interesting to note if the current PAG-ASA also had its native and ethnic roots in the prehispanic period. If you are now trying to imagine a structure, a building, a dish or satellite, it was not what this article meant. By roots, we mean, the perception, study, effects and influences of the heavenly bodies and the meteorological phenomena to the native Filipinos and how they greatly deal with it.

          In order to trace the roots of linking these atmospheric phenomena to our native and complex culture (kabihasnan/kalinagan), we must take a look at the work and study that was made by Dr. Ambrosio. He was a professor of history in the UP Department of History, and an amateur astronomer. He studied ethnoastronomy linking it with our culture. His research produced a book entitled BALATIK.

credits to Dr. Dante L. Ambrosio

          What is Balatik? According to the findings of Dr. Ambrosio, the Western Judeo-Christian religion has its great influences on the way we view and perceived the constellations in the sky, as evidence to this we can recognize the constellation called Tatlong Maria. However, Dr. Ambrosio found out that we have our native and own perception of the constellations (Talampad in Filipino). Dr. Ambrosio in conducting the study used different literary traditions like epics and the dictionaries that were recorded and created by the Spanish Friars and other foreign travellers. One example that he gave us was the Balatik. Balatik was a trap used by the different ethnic groups all throughout the Philippines in hunting. When the Spaniards arrived in the 16the century the concept of Balatik was already in use and it is still in use in the present day. What is the connection of Balatik as a trap to the heavenly bodies? Balatik on the other hand also means, a constellation in the sky that was named by these groups after the Balatik trap used in hunting. This constallation (talampad) called Balatik by the ethnic groups came to be known as the shining and shimmering Tres Marias of the Judeo-Christian worldview, on the other hand, in modern science and astonomy it is called the Orions Belt.⁴ The importance of Balatik (Orions Belt) as a reference star of the native Filipinos in their Slash and Burn (Kaingin) System gives us a clue of its precolonial origin and importance.

         We can now conclude, that there was an advance culture relating to the view on astronomy and the atmospheric phenomena on our precolonial past. This study about different natural phenomena might give us a big help on our disaster preparedness. I remember, Ted Failon on national television saying that if Storm Surge was announced and was explained in a language that is understable to all (that is Filipino), then, the people might have understood what a storm surge really meant and was able to prepare for it. Who knows? Storm Surge might also have its precolonial roots. The dictionaries of the past created by the early friars are still waiting to be unearthed.

credits to itsmorefuninthephilippines.com

Source/s

1See Udias, Agustin, Jesuits Contribution to Meteorology, Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society Vol. 77, No. 10, October 1996 page 2310

2Ibid., page 2309

3Ibi., page 2309

4Ambrosio, Dante L., Balatik – Etnoastronomiya at Kalangitan sa Kabihasnang Pilipino, University of the Philippines Press, Quezon City, 2010 page 10

HIV Forum Reaction Blog

credits to TopNews.in

          It is like a magician’s hat – with just a short forum, one could be informed about a lot of things that are indeed worth knowing. The forum on HIV-AIDS last December 3 was a part of the HIV-AIDS Consciousness Week. The goal of informing the students of UP Diliman about the said topic was made successful by Dr. Eric Tayag of the Department of Health, Mr. Jeffrey Acoba of Action for Health Initiatives and Mr. Ryan Pinili of Take the Test.

          We know that in our society, a large number of people still do not know that unprotected sex is not the only way of acquiring HIV. A lot of us did not even know that many people living with HIV are being persecuted for their sickness. This could mainly be because of people’s lack of knowledge on what HIV really is, as well as its other possible causes. This forum truly paved a way for the people not only to be more informed, but also to be more aware.

          Mr. Pinili opened the forum with a very brief introduction on HIV-AIDS through a video advertisement which lasted for a minute or two. The shortness of the video brought the fondness of knowing more about the topic. The statistics of a Filipino being infected by HIV every three hours is a fearful and sad truth.

credits to bubblews.com/news

          When Dr. Tayag stepped on the platform, he was quite funny, and this made the atmosphere lighter. He talked about some statistics showing the trend on the prevalence of the case, such as the sad truth of the 532% increase in the cases from 2008 to 2012. He also cleared out the three main instances wherein HIV can be acquired: unprotected sex, blood transfusion, and pregnancy or childbirth. His presentation gave clarity on the matter. It did not bring fear. Rather, it served as a driving force for the audience to be more responsible students and citizens, especially when he pointed out that unprotected sex is the most common way of acquiring the said sickness, and that the population of people living with HIV is getting younger as time goes by.

          Mr. Acoba focused on introducing different organizations that are working for different HIV-AIDS-related campaigns. His talk somehow gave the audience an overview of what it must feel like to live a life with HIV. He told stories of several people who experienced suffering and persecution despite their sheer efforts to live normal lives.

          The last part was the open forum which was taken part by the attendees. Many questions were asked, and this made the topic even clearer. One thing is the clarification on how this topic must be presented. The speakers explained that they base their way of presentation on their target audience. For example, the language to be used must be one that is understood by the majority. It is truly important that we know how to present this topic to people, while giving considerations to different factors, such as language, age and lifestyle of the people.

credits to geeky-guide.com

          A forum on a sensitive topic like this is scary and sad, yet significant and worthy. One could truly see how this could bring inspiration to others in different ways. Reversing the trend could still be far from our reach, but as what the speakers added, “With responsible sharing of the information, coupled with love and care, it is possible.” Indeed, it could be regarded as a right and a responsibility for every person to be properly educated on this serious matter, as well as to share this knowledge to others with love, care, and of course, with respect.