Entry #5 Possibility to choose

Arizona State University to offer more short classes

Starting in 2012, Arizona State will offer more 7�1/2-week courses

I am currently a student at Glendale Community College (GCC) taking prerequisite classes for nursing. I was looking for classes which are shorter than the traditional 16 week classes, so I would be able to finish my prerequisites before the deadline for applying to a nursing program. I was happy to find out that GCC offered 8 week classes in English. For one semester I would be able to finish two classes, English 101 and 102. I already finished English 101 and I am currently taking English 102.

In the article: "Arizona State University to offer more short classes" is stated that Arizona State University (ASU) plans to offer courses that can be completed in half of the traditional 15 week time. The change is expected to give students more scheduling flexibility and financial savings. By taking 71/2-week course, students could finish a course faster, graduate faster and pay less in tuition. 
These are the same reasons I choose the 8 weeks long English classes with GCC.

Another reason for ASU to offer 7 1/2-week classes is that this will draw more students and according to the ASU director Fred Corey, “these courses fill up first.” This will increase the popularity and the ratings of the faculty and the university.

I think that the choice of shorter classes over traditional length classes depends on different factors. One factor is the nature of the classes; if the classes are part of the main curriculum for finishing a major or the classes are prerequisite courses. If the class is an important subject which is directly connected to my major, I would prefer a traditional class, to be able to have more time to learn and absorb the information. If the class is a general subject, I would prefer a shorter version, for example math.

Another factor is the background of a student. There are students who had previous degrees and they have already learned some of the material. These students would not need the traditional length class, but a faster version. 

Students who never studied these subjects have to take into consideration the fact that the same work load which is planned for the 15 week class has to be learned for half of the time. This means more hours of studying, long hours of reading, writing, and preparing homework. This is more stressful, and not for everyone. Students are different, some learn faster than others. Another factor that should be considered is the social status of the students. Some students might have jobs and families. They might prefer to take mostly on line classes than the traditional face-to-face classes.

The article presents two students with the same age and studying the same major. One prefers the traditional 15-week semester; the other welcomes the possibility of flexible scheduling. This shows that people are different and have different preferences. It is best when they are given the possibility to choose.

I like the fact that the colleges and universities give the students the possibility to choose what kind of classes they prefer. I think that this is democracy in practice.

Entry #4 Killing Cancer

In an effort to find cure for cancer scientists turn their attention to viruses and immune system. They try to find a way to make our immune system to attack the cancer the same way it fights infections. This is the so called Immunotherapy. One study found that Polio virus can be used to treat cancer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acrlYaAqAKU

This 60 minutes show was about a clinical trial done at the Duke University. The doctors were using experimental therapy to treat patients with a deadly brain cancer called glioblastoma. Cancer cells develop a shield that makes them invisible to the immune system. In this way they can spread without being attacked. The medical staff injected the tumor with a re-engineered version of the polio virus. 

Dr. Mathias Bromire removed a genetic key sequence from the polio virus that causes paralysis and death. He replaced it with a strand of the common cold virus. The new modified virus was injected into the cancer cells. This leads to the awakening of the immune system. The immune system releases toxins that kill the cancer cells.

 

This therapy saved the lives of 16 patients, including the live of a young woman. 

The first patient was 20 years old Stephanie, a nursing student who would not be alive if it was not for the Polio virus therapy. It is impossible to imagine the emotions this young girl and her family went through during her diagnosis and treatment. She was lucky to survive. She graduated nursing and today she is helping patients to be treated, knowing perfectly well how they feel as patients from personal experience.

Hopefully someday all the research done with the purpose to find treatment for cancer will come to an end and there will be cure for cancer.

 

Entry#3 Slanted Reporting on GMOs

What is Slanted Reporting? This is reporting which is biased, takes directions or sides. Slanted publications are those which leave out or emphasize purposely certain facts in the information being presented with the idea to convince the audience of their point of view. We, as consumers, get used to this kind of reporting in the news world. It is almost impossible for me to think of a news channel or newspaper which does not lean toward one side of the political spectrum than the other. It is very rear today to hear unbiased journalism where a balance of both viewpoints is presented. I came across slanted reporting when I worked on a project about GMOs pros and cons. When people discuss a topic which concerns our health, they get emotional and take sides. In the discussion of any controversy in our society we would definitely see slanted reporting.

What are GMOs? GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering).This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding. According to the nonprofit Center for Food Safety, GMO seeds are used to plant 90 percent of corn, soybeans, and cotton grown in the U.S. These products find their way into many of our foods, from our morning toast, to our salad, to the cookies we snack on at night.

Here is how GMOs are presented as something very safe for the consumers to use in a show called:“TheBalancingAct. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVsdeF5TI7M

Why people get so concern about the use of GMOs in our food since they are harmless?

Environmental Risks: Seventy-two percent of US GMO crops are engineered to tolerate a certain type of herbicide. But the weeds that these herbicides used to kill are coming back bigger and stronger, creating herbicide-resistant “super weeds” that require greater quantities of more toxic pesticides to eradicate. Even when a farmer isn't growing GM crops, contamination can easily occur—through seed mixing or pollen drift from neighboring GM fields. It can be an economic disaster for organic and family farmers.

Human Health Risks: More and more studies point to the idea that there’s grave cause for concern about the health effects of consuming GMOs and the chemicals they are sprayed with, including food allergies, irritable bowels, organ damage, and cancer.

I found another slanted report that tried to convince the public that these studies did not prove any harmful effects of GMOs on people.  Layla Katiraee says in an article,”10 studies proving GMOs are harmful? Not if science matters” that “none of these studies proves or even persuasively suggests that GMOs can be harmful to human health. The majority are either obviously flawed or are not scientific studies.” 

http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/01/10-studies-proving-gmos-are-harmful-not-if-science-matters/

On the other specter of the debate about the GMOs, I came across an interview: “Fox News Shockingly Reports the Truth on GMOs”, which shows the dangerous health consequences of consuming GMO containing food. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koLz-guYRao

Since the public could not get a definite answer about the health risks of consuming GMOs and the laws are not changing fast enough, the consumers decided to ask about labeling of the GMO foods.

In USA some states do require labels. In May 2014, Vermont became the first to pass a law that requires labels on any foods produced entirely or partially with genetic engineering.  Maine and Connecticut are also on their way, but bills that mandate GMO labels can only take effect until related bills are passed, which could take years. GMO labeling legislation is pending in 28 other states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Now the debate is really heating up. A 14 year old Rachel Parent, GMO activist and founder of “Kids’ Right to Know” has been bullied from the T.V. reporter on Canadian Biotechnology Action Network: www.cban.ca 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIXER_yZUBg

While Rachel was presenting her point of view on labeling of GMO foods, she was accused by the T.V. host of being “anti science”. It is amazing how this 14 year old girl was able to prove her point of view with such grace while being “pressed to the wall” by our millionaire Kevin O’Leary who was very “concern” about the food supply of third world countries if the business of Monsanto (the biggest monopole in our food industry) is decreased. She stated that she is for “responsible science and ethical progress”. Rachel was accused from the T.V. hostess as being unreasonable as would a "passionate 14 years old” would be for the simple reason of asking the food industry to put labels on our food, to show us which food contain GMOs, so we, as consumers can take informed decisions. 

Entry #2 Can we prevent cancer?

Receiving the diagnosis of cancer is the most frightening thing that can happen to somebody. Is there any way we can prevent cancer? The answer is yes.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/04/health/who-world-cancer-report/ 

Prevention of cancer could be achieved with leading healthy lifestyle. Dr. Otis W. Brawley, chief medical officer and executive vice president at the American Cancer Society in a CNN interview: “Imminent Human Disaster” says that the prevention of obesity epidemic can eliminate up to 12 different cancers. High calorie intake diet causes 28 to 29 percent of cancer in USA. He recommends maintaining normal weight and being physically active. He emphasizes on the importance of cigarette smoking as a preventable cause of cancer. In USA 33 percent of cancer cases are related to tobacco.

Another way to prevent cancer is through vaccination. Examples are: HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer and Hepatitis B vaccine prevents liver cancer. Liver cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. In his interview, Dr. Brawley pointed out that at least half of the cancer cases are preventable.

We can control what to eat and how much to be physically active, but we can’t control the air we breathe. The World Health Organization warns that the air pollution is the leading cause of cancer in the world. China is taking actions to deal with this problem. I wonder why we do not hear anything about this concerning health issue in USA. 

The National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) writes in its website: “Air pollution continues to be a health problem, with many types of pollution and sources of pollution left unaddressed because of loopholes or political pressure or delays. But polluters and other special interests are once again asking Congress to put profits before public health.

Congress should let the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do its job in order to ensure healthy air for all Americans.”

These public health organizations started a national complain called “Clean Air Act” to protect the health of our families and children. Industrial companies, which are called “polluters” for obvious reasons and some business organizations, are pressuring members of Congress to stop the EPA from doing its job of protecting public health by rolling back existing public health laws like the Clean Air Act and blocking needed clean air and clean water protections. 

Let us support these public organizations in their effort to protect the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink. Our future and our children’s future depend on their success.

Entry #1: Learning About Blogs

Before my English class I had no experience with blogs. It is something I heard about, but had no idea what is it exactly. After researching, I realized that the blogs are a wonderful addition to our social media. It is a way to hear the most current news in the world, to learn about the latest discoveries in science and technology, to travel in time and to new places, to communicate with people from all over the world. The information in the blogs is presented in different ways depending on the author’s style. As a blogger I am able to choose who to trust and to follow, who to discuss the topics I am interested in, which pictures and videos I want to see, and all this is just one click away. I can express my views on topics concerning our health, lifestyle, environment, food, and medicine. As bloggers, we are able to learn about new findings from our history and hear news about political, social, and sports events in the whole world. We can enjoy the work of artists and witness the achievements of scientists at the same time. 
 
                                                            Funny blogs

I like the “America blog”. With a logo: “News- a great nation deserves the truth” this blog is a collaboration of news in the areas of politics, commercials, real estate business, gossip, etc.These themes can satisfy the interests of a big audience. For me the most impressive features about this blog are its tone and voice. I think that the authors are giving a very honest, open discussion about different issues. Serious topics like international and domestic politics are written in a humorous style, so nobody could be offended. I like the design of the blog. It is presented in a very well organized fashion and approachable manner. The topics are displayed with their titles and corresponding pictures. Under each title there are a couple of sentences expressing the essence of the article. Clicking on the picture or the title brings up the whole blog for the audience to read.

For me personally the most interesting blog was: “Sitting can be deadly, even if you exercise regularly” by Dr. Mark Thoma. He discusses the effects of sedentary lifestyle on our health. This topic is of big interest for me not only professionally, but also personally. I have a job which is performed in front of computers and also spend hours studying. Sitting for 12 hours is a very big health concern. I adore the “cute” picture of the couch potatoes, but the resolution is to exercise.
 
Couch potato via Shutterstock.












The blog “Postsecret” has an interesting style, but I do not like the tone. The blogs are presented like post cards with written messages on them. The messages are usually with grotesque and sarcastic nature.  They present different topics, but most of the time they are about the bloggers’ personal lives. The language used in some of the blogs expresses negative attitude and I personally do not like it.

“The Daily Beast” blog presents to its readers the most recent events not only in the country, but also in the World. It is a combination of political events, an entertainment business, technology, health, fashion, and books. It has very open and direct style of communication with the audience. This blog is very entertaining for me. Even topics which I did not know anything about, I was interested reading, because of the way the information is presented. It is very easy to read, simple language, so can be comprehended by everybody, not only by professionals.

I enjoy reading blogs that catch my attention. I realize that I have to learn a lot about writing a good quality blog. I am sure I will enjoy the journey together with my fellow bloggers!

English 102-Introduction Entry

Hello,

My name is Boriana. I was born and raised in Bulgaria, a small country in East Europe with great history and beautiful nature.

This is a resort called "Albena" where I spend my vacations growing up.

I devoted my professional life to Medicine, and my personal life to raise two wonderful children. My son is a college student, and my daughter is in High School.

My professional interests are in the field of science. There are so many things we do not know about us, for example how our brain works. There are so many diseases we do not know how to treat, and even what causes them. We do not know how to treat Ebola, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, and so on, the list is long. There is an “epidemic” of cancer – the incidence of cancer is growing every year. It is expected  in the near future that deaths from cancer will exceed deaths from cardiovascular diseases.

I think we should pay more attention to our environment. What have we done with it? We polluted the air and the water with chemicals. The food we eat has more GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), than vitamins and minerals. No wonder we have such a huge increase in cancer cases! Instead of giving the necessary ingredients to our bodies with food, we put artificially produced chemicals, pesticides, and hormones. I would love to be able to influence our society to produce organic foods, to educate people to take care of their bodies, to treat diseases, to discover the reasons for the diseases, and new treatment options. This is what inspired me to pursue a degree in Nursing. I attend Glendale Community College to be able to fulfill the prerequisite classes for a Master’s degree in Nursing.

My personal interests have completely different direction. I love art- books, paintings, music, theater, and movies. Being an European citizen, I had the opportunity to visit places where great artists were born and raised, and had their concerts. Coming to America, I was introduced to a huge entertainment business. I love to watch movies. I think that the American actors are very good, and I really enjoy their work.

I love spending time with my family and friends. I used to play volleyball in High School. Last year I participated in the volleyball team of the hospital I work at. We did not win in most of the games, but we had a lot of fun. This year my daughter’s team won first place in the State Cheer Competition in Prescott. I am a very proud mom of a cheerleader. 

Entry #11: Final Blog Reflection

Blogging was a new and very exciting experience for me. I was hesitant at first because I did not have any experience in blogging and English is not my primary language. I was surprised that once I started writing, the ideas kept coming and I was able to express my feelings and share opinions. Blogging gave me the possibility to improve my writing skills. It also brought out my personality. I did not know I had so many things to say and I was shocked that I was able to say them in correct English!

This experience taught me how to use technology. From this assignment I learned that blogs are a wonderful addition to our social media. It is a way to hear the most current news in the world, to learn about the latest discoveries in science and technology, to travel in time and to new places, to communicate with people from all over the world. The information in the blogs is presented in different ways depending on the author’s style. As a blogger I am able to choose who to trust and to follow, who to discuss the topics I am interested in, which pictures and videos I want to see, and all this is just one click away.

I expressed my views on topics concerning our health, lifestyle, environment, food, and medicine. The most exciting was the fact that I could choose a topic to write about. I used the possibility to express my opinion on current events. My blog “Vaccines can save lives” was a respond to the measles’ outbreak which started in Disney Land.

I was able to blog about topics which I consider important for our society and concern me personally. My blog “Obesity epidemic” gave the opportunity to do some research and express my opinion on a very important global health issue. 

In my effort to figure out the reasons for these problems, I learned a lot about our food industry. The movies, “Fresh”,“Food, Inc.” and the video,"Food preservative video: Pink Slime",  were an eye opener for me. They changed my view about my eating habits. Thanks to the blogs I posted on the food themes, I will make an effort to change my lifestyle. I will definitely consider the local food markets for buying food, and I will try to eat more fruits and vegetables instead of meat. 

I decided to post a blog, "Healthy food from my country of origin. Bulgarian cuisine", to introduce my readers to tested through 20 century tradition of making healthy food. I hope this blog will show that the old customs of preparing food are possibilities we can consider in our effort to build a healthy lifestyle.  

As a blogger, I am able to learn about new findings from our history and hear news about political, social, and sports events in the whole world. I can enjoy the work of artists and witness the achievements of scientists at the same time. Blogging gave me an opportunity to express my vision on important current topics such as "GMOs pro and cons", "What are Probiotics?", and the future in "Technology in Medicine".

I enjoy reading blogs that catch my attention and see the world through the eyes of other people. This was a very enriching experience for me and I will definitely continue blogging.