Sports and Politics

       Sports and politics have always been intertwined. The World Cup and the Olympics are modern examples of this.

       In 1990, West Germany clenched the World Cup. The Berlin wall had been freshly torn down and tensions between East and West Germany were at an all-time high. After the victory, East and West Germany joined in celebration which eased the merge of the two halves. The victory at the World Cup helped to unify a divided country.
       Having been held in Beijing, the 2008 Olympics provoked controversy regarding its repressive government. Activists believed that China would use the Olympic games to boost their propaganda. Like the World Cup, the Olympics are influenced by politics and politics are influenced by the Olympics.

        On a national level, we can observe sports bring together a variety of individuals from ranging ideologies. Although many sports fans reject politics in their conversations, sports and politics intersect in American politics.
       Below is a graph (found here) displaying professional sports preferences based on party identification. Although the sports a citizen watches is not dependent on party, party identification correlates with preferred sports.
      

     

      "Sport is a powerful and important political force." In today's politics, sports play two main roles. First, attending sports games draws media attention and reminds the public of a politician's existence. Second, sports can positively enforce a candidate's image. By attending a sporting event, a politician can begin to form a structured image as a figure an average American can relate to.

       All in all, sports play a larger role in politics than we realize. The thrill of competition can definitely influence politics.

New Species Foun in "Lost World"

• Pinocchio Frog was found by accident
• went into the Foja Mountains camp kitchen
• can't find another one of these animals so they suspect they live up in the tree tops
• the male frog's nose hangs up when it is calling but down when its not

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/05/photogalleries/100517-new-species-lost-world-foja-science-pictures/#foja-mountains-new-species-discovered-frog_20352_600x450.jpg

Reflection

In my biology class we have studied evolution. In evolution there are some traits that are neither good nor bad for a species. The pinocchio-like nose of the Pinocchio Frog could be one of those traits. I think that this new animal is pretty cool. I wonder how many animals we have overlooked or just not discovered in areas that we think we have searched inside and out. This animal is obviously one of the animals that have hidden from humanity for a decent amount of time.

Laman, Tim. "Mobile Phone Use and Brain Cancer Risk: Inconclusive Results from International Study." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 17 May 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

Mobile Phone Use and Brain Cancer Risk: Inconclusive Results from International Study

• the studies that cell phones can give you brain cancer haven't brought forth results
• brain tumors in relation to cell phones have been recorded and studied
• the tests usually don't have frequent users
• the expanding use of cell phones have brought worries about if it i hazardous to ones health

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100517085204.htm

Reflection:

In my biology class we went over cancer. Though I understood what we studied, I barely had a clue what they were talking about in this article. There were a lot of technical terms for cell phones and cancer. I feel that, thought I barely understood most of it, I got the message. Cell phones could be cancerous, but we don't know for sure yet. I know that I am going to be a lot more careful with using my cell phone because I now know how it might affect me. This is an article that I had to share because it affects most, if not all, of teenagers.

International Agency for Research on Cancer. "Mobile Phone Use and Brain Cancer Risk: Inconclusive Results from International Study." ScienceDaily 17 May 2010. 19 May 2010 /releases/2010/05/100517085204.htm>.

EXPERT ASSESMENT - The Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research

PART ONE: ARTICLE SUMMARY

KEY IDEAS:

• the Church is providing financial support International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium
• research is to find out a new way to get stem cells without embryos
• research is going to be in Rome
  
• Dr. Alession Fasano says that of the adult stem cells, the intestinal stem cells seem to be the best to use

PURPOSE:

• the purpose of the financial support is to find a new way to harness stem cells

KEY CONCLUSIONS:

• my conclusion is that the Vatican is trying to eradicate the use of embryonic stem cell research by supporting the research for this new method

PEOPLE, AGENCIES, etc.:

• Catholic Church
• International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium
• Dr. Alessio Fasano
• Center of Celiac Research
• University of Maryland School Medicine
  

Biology class has bettered my understanding of this article. We have covered the topic of Stem Cell research and without that I wouldn't have known what they were. We studied how they address moral issues and how they can be found in only specific areas of the body. The topic of stem cells has been covered well and I feel that I understand them very well.

TYPE OF ARTICLE = a report on new research development

Hutchison, By Courtney. "Vatican Backs Stem Cell Research - ABC News." ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Politics, Online News, World News, Feature Stories, Celebrity Interviews and More - ABC News. 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

PART TWO: BACKGROUND RESEARCH

ARTICLE #1: Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md.

This article is about how the Church and science are agreeing on partnership. The Vatican funded adult stem cell research in Italy for over two million dollars. The article talks about how the Vatican is supporting the therapeutic applications for adult stem cells. The purpose of the intestinal stem cell research is to cure gastrointestinal diseases. The University of Maryland health institutions in Italy will lead the research in adult intestinal stem cells.

Bubala, Mary. "Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md. - Wjz.com." WJZ - Baltimore, Maryland's Breaking News, Weather & Sports Station - Wjz.com. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

ARTICLE #2: Vatican to Finance Adult Stem Cell Research

This article notes that the Vatican will finance the research of adult intestinal stem cells. It says that the Vatican will give over two million dollars to the University of Maryland's School and Medicine. Though the Church is against embryonic stem cell usage, adult stem cell usage is pro-life and accepted by the Vatican. The article states that Pope Benedict said "adult stem cell research respects human life." The researchers hope to find the answer in the next two or three years.

Bubala, Mary. "Vatican Financing Adult Stem Cell Research In Md. - Wjz.com." WJZ - Baltimore, Maryland's Breaking News, Weather & Sports Station - Wjz.com. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

ARTICLE #3: Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research

This article states that the Vatican is backing up adult stem cell research, but has not yet given financial support. Embryonic stem cells treatment is opposed by the Church. The Church supports adult stem cells, which are taken from organs and tissues. The project that the Church is supporting is research for intestinal adult stem cells. These can are adaptable cells obtained through endoscopy.

Albainy-Jenei, Stephen. "» Vatican Supports Adult Stem Cell Research." Patent Baristas. 26 Apr. 2010. Web. 20 May 2010. .

PART THREE: ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL BIAS

1. Bias through selection and omission

This article shows bias through selection. The writers only chose to quote the scientists point of view. Only once did they chose to quote the Pope, and that was when he said that adult stem cell research respects human life. They most likely left out some quotes that opposed stem cells research. One quote that might have potential bias is "'We are trying to explore stem cell research aside from embryonic stem cells,' says Dr. Alessio Fasano" This might have potential bias. They might, instead of using embryonic stem cell research, use other stem cells that can prevent the birth of another human.

2. Bias through placement

This article isn't placed in any particular order. Each one of these articles is part of a website.

3. Bias through headline

All of the headlines have to do with the Vatican siding with stem cells. They obviously don't say that the Vatican is siding with adult stem cells instead of embryonic. The bias that Vatican has completely changed its viewpoint on the subject is in each of the headlines. One specific example of bias through headlines is "Vatican Supports Stem Cell Research." A more appropriate headline would be "Vatican Supports Adult Stem Cell Research."

4. Bias by photos, captions, and camera angles

There are no photos or captions on any of the websites that include that articles I read.

5. Bias through use of names and titles.

In article #3, the writer calls the research an "international project for adult stem cell research." I think that this puts more emphasis on the stem cell research than on the Vatican. This gives a reader the feeling that the choice for supporting adult stem cell research is a great decision.

6. Bias through statistics and crowd counts

There were very few statistics in the articles that I read. The only statistic that seemed to show bias was the amount of money the Vatican invested in the stem cell research. They seemed to stress that the Vatican invested $2.7 million dollars. This could show bias that they either put to much money in or to little.

7. Bias by source control

This type of of bias was blatant. Most of the sources were from the International Intestinal Stem Cell Consortium.

8. Bias by word choice and tone

The tone for all of articles for me was shock. It was trying to show how shocking it was for the Vatican to change its mind on stem cell research.

Hammerhead Shark Study Shows Cascade of Evolution Affected Size, Head Shape

• hammer head sharks were on the earth 20 million years ago
• through the years the hammerhead shark's head changed in size and shape
• the ancestor of the hammerhead shark was most likely larger
• through divergent evolution, it branched into the eight species of hammerhead known today

http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2010/05/100518113132.htm

Reflection:

This article relates to my biology class in many different ways. We studied divergent evolution and convergent evolution. This species of shark, the hammer head, underwent divergent evolution. This is the process when one species branches into two due to different environmental pressures. This article is another interesting article. Imagine what the early species of hammerhead shark was before it diverged into the current eight species. The idea of a larger shark in the water is a frightening one. I thought that this article was a nice article to share.

University of Colorado at Boulder. "Hammerhead Shark Study Shows Cascade of Evolution Affected Size, Head Shape." ScienceDaily 18 May 2010. 18 May 2010 /releases/2010/05/100518113132.htm>.

Discovery of New Species Proves Indonesia’s Rich Biodiversity

• a new species was found in Papua
• scientists have already found an abundance of new species in the forest of Papua
• also found the smallest marsupial and a new bat
• Indonesia has an abundance of biodiversity

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/05/19/discovery-new-species-proves-indonesia%E2%80%99s-rich-biodiversity.html

Reflection:

In my biology class we have studied the environments and Darwinian explanations for biodiversity and natural variation. In Indonesia there is much diversity within the wild life. This article also shows how far we are from discovering all the animals on the face of this planet. We have discovered a large amount, but we still have much to go. I wanted to share this with the class because new discoveries is a topic that most people are interested in.

Simamora, Adianto P. "Discovery of New Species Proves Indonesia’s Rich Biodiversity." The Jakarta Post. 19 May 2010. Web. 18 May 2010. .

Natural Compound Speeds Bone Growth

• scientists have found natural compound that might be able to fix fractures more efficiently
• the natural compound tells stem cells to turn into new bone
• so far only tested on mice
• protein called Wnt

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre63r5fg-us-bone-growth/

Reflection:

My biology class has helped me to understand Wnt. We have been studying stem cells and how they can change into other cells depending on what genes are turned on and what genes are not. I enjoyed reading this article because of how many uses their are for stem cells. I have made many interesting blog entries about stem cells and their many uses and so far I think that this one is one of the best. I hope that this new treatment will be approved because a bunch of people will need this. Scientists are becoming more and more creative with their uses for stem cells.

Fox, Maggie. "NewsDaily: Natural Compound Speeds Bone Growth: Report." NewsDaily: Your Best Source for Breaking News. 28 Apr. 2010. Web. 19 May 2010. .