November 30th Honors

Article Name:

“New Figures on Cancer in Europe Show a Steady Decline in Mortality but Big Variations”

Date: November 29th, 2009

Magazine: Science Daily

Summary:

New European studies say that deaths from cancer (in Europe) show a steady decline in death between 1990-1994 and 2000-2004, deaths from all forms of cancer in the European Union between these two periods fell by 9% in men and 8% in women, with a large plummet with the middle-aged populace.

Thoughts:

Another interesting development in the cancer case. Decline in the amounts of lives taken by cancer but showing much difference and unique qualities of the different cases.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091129210539.htm

Honors Article Review 3

Article Name: How Cells Tolerate DNA Damage: Start Signal for Cell Survival Program Identified

Author: Nathan Seppa

Date: November 17th, 2009

Magazine: Science Daily

Summary:

Cancer researchers of the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) Berlin-Buch have gained new insights into how cells react to DNA damage. They have shown that the protein "PARP-1", which detects DNA damage, activates the transcription factor "NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB" triggers a survival program, which blocks programmed cell death. The activation of "NF-kappaB" is thought to be one of the potential causes for tumor cell resistance to chemo and radiation therapy.

Thoughts:

It's interesting, how almost every week new research and new innovations come out all relating to cancer. It really displays how much we don't know about cancer, and how much we have yet to learn.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091116103441.htm