tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38539808402632425852024-03-19T21:52:07.118+11:00The Dryad's DiatribeNeysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-85868361003372864632013-06-18T10:49:00.000+10:002013-06-18T10:49:35.204+10:00We Are the Champions – How music helps us exercise.<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>In March this year, I participated in the most-excellent <a href="http://sciencemediaspace.com.au/">Science Media Space</a>. One of the activities was to write a blog post about an interesting science topic. Yes, it has taken a while, but here's my take on the use of music in sport.</i></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WXWdM1SQbxdUYjHld5FDhp7v8vN2ZU1znnMDMSXnFuGHA9hQrM2wsEWOabSrIjEqE-eoPDSID_uMQ_pDIJhU47Gf8iQrn0pTwirW_kkD5uc2ggpIxqp0WiXc6RZ-8iPihYlJBnH3wQY/s1600/82adf048136e11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WXWdM1SQbxdUYjHld5FDhp7v8vN2ZU1znnMDMSXnFuGHA9hQrM2wsEWOabSrIjEqE-eoPDSID_uMQ_pDIJhU47Gf8iQrn0pTwirW_kkD5uc2ggpIxqp0WiXc6RZ-8iPihYlJBnH3wQY/s320/82adf048136e11e19896123138142014_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.0625px;">Couldn’t have made it through Run Geelong<br /> without my favourite playlist!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My birthday has passed for another year, signalling not only
that I’ve made it through another year in the lab, but also the shift to cooler
weather. Yes, summer is over (BOO!), and I actually wore my scarf for the first
time this morning. But with autumn comes my return to a regime that 30C days
sees fall by the wayside…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Roller Derby Fitness!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, back to suicide runs, ridiculous looking squats, and the
universally hated <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFU-mkSGSY">Spiderman
Climbs</a>. As a ref, we skate the full hour game, having to keep up with
the fastest jammer, break hard with every tumble, and dodge each other nigh
constantly. Sadly, our 2x3hr training sessions a week just don’t cut the
mustard for that level of endurance. But before your quadriceps begin aching in
sympathy, this increase in physical activity has one serious upside…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
New Workout Playlist!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve currently got a few new playlists that I’m trialling,
spending a few minutes after each session pruning the slow tracks (The Vines
“Ms Jackson” sadly cut), and finding the exact spot to place that motivating
power song (Hello, Flogging Molly’s “Seven Deadly Sins”!). But questionable musical
taste aside, I was excited to learn there’s an increasing body of science
studying how music can affect our exercise performance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Lets Get
Physical</b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are plenty of different factors that may influence the
effect that music has on us during exercise. These can be loosely divided into
the internal (rhythm response, and your own innate ‘musicality’), and the
external (Cultural influences, and associations to particular music).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re going to focus more on the former here
today, but as you can see in Figure 1, there is a complex interplay between all
these factors that impact on how we react to music during physical exertion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZmuC2v6_9b-Dt1BgJ4UtPLSRpyXnh6lPz0VjxFwMKxDRtKZAxfPrq8df1Q2dQxWC3npYFbNxgXMhLDXchqSNm1JmDJQHHRNj3E_LbMkARbJLRygExRjj-kx2RDXuFGHqzqRDzMEHayg/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZmuC2v6_9b-Dt1BgJ4UtPLSRpyXnh6lPz0VjxFwMKxDRtKZAxfPrq8df1Q2dQxWC3npYFbNxgXMhLDXchqSNm1JmDJQHHRNj3E_LbMkARbJLRygExRjj-kx2RDXuFGHqzqRDzMEHayg/s640/music.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.0625px;">Music can affect us in many different ways, with many potential benefits (RPE= Rating of Perceived Exertion; </span><a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2011.631026#_i6" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #ffbb00; font-family: Arial, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20.0625px; text-decoration: none;">Karageorghis & Priest 2011</a><span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20.0625px;"> Creative Commons)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZmuC2v6_9b-Dt1BgJ4UtPLSRpyXnh6lPz0VjxFwMKxDRtKZAxfPrq8df1Q2dQxWC3npYFbNxgXMhLDXchqSNm1JmDJQHHRNj3E_LbMkARbJLRygExRjj-kx2RDXuFGHqzqRDzMEHayg/s1600/music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Little is actually known about the mechanisms of how this
occurs, because the equipment you would normally use to measure
neurophysiological responses is notoriously immobile. Imagine trying to MRI
someone in the middle of a footy field! That said, scientists are developing a
good picture of the end result of listening to music while you work out.</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music exerts what is known as an ergogenic effect on our
bodies, that is it improves physical exercise performance by delaying the onset
of fatigue or increasing our capacity for work, which manifest as <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1750984X.2011.631026#preview">“higher-than-expected
levels of endurance, power, productivity or strength”</a>. It also has a
psychological effect, influencing mood, emotion, thought processes and
behaviour, and psychophysiological effects, such as the perception of effort
and fatigue. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Big
Distraction</b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The nervous system is complex, but sensory stimuli, like
music, <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1750984X.2011.631026#_i6">can
actually block the feedback signals</a> created in response to exercise.
Literally a sensory overload, you’re distracting the body from responding to
fatigue. This varies at different exercise levels, i.e. the harder your body is
working, the stronger the physical feedback signals, so the inhibiting effect
of music gets drowned out. Even so, your choice of music may actually make you
feel <a href="http://dspace.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/3117">better about
being fatigued</a>, so don’t write it off if you’re pushing your
boundaries! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Totally
Addicted to Bass</b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all do it. You’re favourite song comes on, and you start
using your fingers, feet, and the nearest surface to start tapping out the
percussion. Humans are hard-wired to synchronise our movements to music. Its
been suggested that we have a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20845211?dopt=Abstract">pattern
generator, much like a pacemaker in our brain</a>, that coordinates
afferent (incoming/sensory) & efferent (outgoing/motor) nerve signals,
resulting in the syncing we see when our stride starts matching the beat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The part of our brain that processes pre-movement signals
shows increased activity with a ‘preferred’ tempo, making it <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19585590?dopt=Abstract">easier
to key-in to a beat </a>that appeals to us. Our body relaxes more into
exercise when it can follow a repetitive rhythm, like that throbbing baseline,
increasing efficiency by taking away the need for minute kinetic adjustment,
letting you maintain that steady state longer than in the absence of music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s not just that bass drum either: When scientists <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16368629?dopt=Abstract">just played
the extracted drumbeat</a> to participants, while still better than no
music, endurance decreased. This pushes the case that it is a collective
impact, the beat, lyrics and harmonies, that make the difference.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Pump Up the
Jam</b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Changing the tempo of your music can lead to a change in
your work rate. There have been a couple of studies that have shown that when
we switch to a higher tempo, the faster pace seems more stimulating, and <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10573664?dopt=Abstract">we up our
output</a>. Its great for when your enthusiasm starts to plateau,
especially when you’re hitting the later stages of your workout. Long live the
power song!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Faster music is generally preferred at higher exercise
intensities, i.e. when your heart is really pumping. However, this relationship
is not linear, and <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21699107?dopt=Abstract">actually
tapers off at higher levels of exertion</a>. So while that 180 bpm
espoused as the golden rule by running music webpages everywhere may be perfect
for elite athletes, your mileage may vary depending on your fitness level, how
hard you’re pushing, and what your goals are.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17090506?dopt=Abstract">Louder fast paced
music can also be beneficial</a>, leading to high output, though changing
volumes at slow tempos does little. Just keep in mind that loud music can
damage your ears, or drown out things like traffic. Your danger response reflex
will be dampened, so you may not notice a hazard until its too late. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>Push It Real
Good</b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Self-paced exercise, like what we do when we go for a run,
ride or skate, is where the effect of music really shines. It has been
demonstrated that motivational music (generally 140+ bpm) can <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17090506?dopt=Abstract">enhance exertion
without increasing perceived exertion</a>. This means that they are
increasing their speed, power, distance, what-have-you, without actually
realising they are working harder! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how do we put this all together? Get an idea of where you
are now, and where you want to be. Then, put together a play list of tracks
that you love, aiming for a BPM range that matches your style, varying the
tempo for your chosen workout, For example, my intervals playlist starts with a
140 warm-up, a 130 stretch song, then jumps around between 140-170, with a 180
‘sprint’ song thrown in every now and then to pump up the motivation. Last
season, I had a great ‘pyramid’ list, which started at 130, and got
incrementally faster with each song, peaking with 3 minutes of 180 bpm before
incrementally decreasing again. Then, like every good scientist, test, refine,
repeat!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1126</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6424</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Deakin University</o:Company>
<o:Lines>53</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>15</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7535</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So load up your mp3 player, lace-up your boots, and get that
heart rate pumping. Step aside dodgy AFL ‘peptides’: Music is the drug, a 100%
legal performance-enhancing drug.<o:p></o:p></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-3534683978055248202013-02-17T12:47:00.001+11:002013-02-17T13:01:59.746+11:00SeeMyScience: Cancer Cachexia Cell Lines - The Why and The HowIn order to study cancer cachexia, we need to use a type of cancer that will cause cachexia in a controlled way. We need to know exactly how long it will take, how the cancer will act, and be confident that it will always produce the same result. There are different lines of cells that will cause cachexia, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Our lab uses the well-characterised Murine Adenocarcinoma 16 (MAC16) model of cachexia.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="background: #C9C967; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmal76W0lX393pW5bfeGEk0c4eSQIqFZixXZMaCp_ypFYpzcCRTZ5giLvGMNgc__CH23y02ufvT34HAjj9cWymHorNxQOtI5vI44RyEIwpdRFzSI5fgjgVlH9YkDYXKtnnSg9LPjHUNeA/s1600/75f51c60249711e2890a22000a1fbc9a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmal76W0lX393pW5bfeGEk0c4eSQIqFZixXZMaCp_ypFYpzcCRTZ5giLvGMNgc__CH23y02ufvT34HAjj9cWymHorNxQOtI5vI44RyEIwpdRFzSI5fgjgVlH9YkDYXKtnnSg9LPjHUNeA/s320/75f51c60249711e2890a22000a1fbc9a_7.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They may not look much, but these are lean, <br />
mean, cachexia-causing machines</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
What do the MAC cells do?</h2>
The MAC16 cell line produces a round, isolated tumour at the site of injection. The rate of growth varies a small amount from animal to animal, but it will usually appear as a small bump, like a grain of sand under the skin, at 3-7 days. The MAC16 model is not invasive, in that it does not migrate or infiltrate other organs and cavities, but remains wrapped in its own thin-membraned compartment. <br />
<br />
Weight-loss begins around the same time as the tumour appears, gradually at first. Weight-loss is usually significant from around the 12 day mark, and may reach up to 15% of initial body-weight by the end of the study. The weight-loss is caused by a number of different factors, including a number of particular chemicals, or “tumour factors”, secreted by the cancer. <br />
<br />
Unlike many other cancer types used in the lab, this cell line does not, in our experienced, decrease appetite. This is very important, because it allows us to make sure that the weight loss is being caused by the cachexia, rather than starvation.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h2>
How does your cell-line grow?</h2>
<br />
Cells can be very temperamental when they are growing outside of an organism. We grow them in plastic flasks, in a liquid nutrient mixture, containing proteins and sugars to nourish them, buffers to keep them at the right pH level, and antibiotics to fight off bacteria. The cells take up the nutrients in this “growth media”, and excrete their waste into it. This means it needs to be changed every 48 hours, so that they aren’t poisoned by their own waste. <br />
The cells are kept at a constant 37C, with 5% Carbon Dioxide, which is roughly the same conditions as they would experience if they were living in a mammal. It takes anywhere between 3 days and 2 weeks for the cells to reach “80% confluence”, which means they have multiplied to the point that cells are taking up 80% of the media volume. <br />
<br />
<br />
Once they reach 80%, we can do one of three things: split them into new flasks, so they keep growing without smothering themselves, freeze them down to place them in storage, or study what they do in an animal model, which is what we will talk about next.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Neysa</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<i>“<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html">See My Science</a>” aims to explain the science done by our group in a manner accessible to the public. <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html">The current series</a> focuses on the following publication: Vaughan VC et al (2012) <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900">Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Oxypurinol in the Treatment of Muscle Wasting in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia</a>. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45900. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045900</i>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-78142460526396373752013-01-22T15:59:00.001+11:002013-02-18T15:43:36.044+11:00SeeMyScience: Fighting Back – EPA & Oxypurinol to treat Cachexia<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span lang="EN-US">As a condition that affects so many people,
and so negatively impacts on treatment success and quality of life, the
effective treatment of cachexia is increasingly acknowledged as imperative for
improving patient care. </span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Unfortunately, there is no ‘Silver Bullet’
where cachexia is concerned. As a complex condition, involving many convoluted
pathways, many potential treatments only treat one section of the syndrome, only
work on a certain part of the cachectic population, or are simply ineffective. It’s
like a game of Whack-A-Mole: you hit one thing on the head, and another pops up
somewhere else.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For this reason, we need to look at what is
called “multi-target therapy”, a treatment that hits the cachexia pathways in
lots of places, rather than just one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">EPA</span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8D9jy6UwxHd2rT0UUMfPpsXalji8r5XMHwzjS5h-m64B_A1PGr3ZKVMiZmmLXIdyopdUQLmqmJW0QeouBxZSNhqUW4c3PxDN7rfWN0O0oIg7g797v4LO02P6ojLnThJ9pseIBntR51s/s1600/Healthy-Fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8D9jy6UwxHd2rT0UUMfPpsXalji8r5XMHwzjS5h-m64B_A1PGr3ZKVMiZmmLXIdyopdUQLmqmJW0QeouBxZSNhqUW4c3PxDN7rfWN0O0oIg7g797v4LO02P6ojLnThJ9pseIBntR51s/s320/Healthy-Fish.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salmon & other oily fish are rich sources of EPA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You know all those adverts on TV talking
about fish oil, or krill oil, and how excellent for your health it is? There
are two main reasons for that: EPA and DHA. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Not all omega-3s are created equal. While
you can find some omega-3s in plant products, such as flax, soy and canola, our
bodies have a hard time converting these to long-chain omega-3s, like EPA and
DHA. EPA (Eicosapentaenoc acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid) are long-chain
omega-3 fatty acids, oily substances found in fish, which are essential for the
growth and health of our bodies. I am particularly interested in EPA, and how
it may help us stop muscle loss in cachexia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/seemyscience-why-is-muscle-gone-altered.html">my last post</a>, I mentioned how oxidative
stress, the imbalance of antioxidants and free radicals, is a key player in
cachexia. There has been research suggesting that EPA added to your diet can encourage
certain antioxidants to be more active, increasing the body’s capacity to deal
with excess free radicals. We’re giving the body a few extra security guards to
throw the rowdy footy-trippers back onto the bus. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Interestingly, when eaten in high levels,
EPA also replaces Arachidonic Acid (AA). AA is an omega-6 fatty acid, which,
for the purposes of this discussion, you could think of as an opposite of EPA.
While EPA can be used by the body as an anti-inflammatory, mopping up after sometimes
harmful chemicals released in response to the tumour, AA is used to create
inflammation, which can lead to the release of factors that cause muscle
wasting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">There have already been lots of trials
looking at EPA in cachexia, with mixed results. Normally, it appears to work
really well in animal models, slowing down muscle loss, and even slowing tumour
growth. Unfortunately, when you give it to humans, it’s not terribly effective
on its own. The most recent studies suggest that you need to combine EPA with
exercise, good nutrition support, and some form of pharmaceutical agent. This
is where oxypurinol comes in.</span></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US"> </span></h2>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">Oxypurinol</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Oxypurinol is a strong inhibitor of
the enzyme xanthine oxidase (XO), which produces free radicals as part of its normal
processes. It blocks the ability for XO to convert hypoxanthine to xanthine to
uric acid. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgthCYxhDx6O3hOt3rs1OczzzLhzYzxinw1WBcGP2N8pvz5t5jqvgd7KVvI6qwStKbwGIbeTC3sr9jMJCbMwJSrbt4Iy5AznRRmWMCrHEiGezNigYX-aM9lZwUNK-Cmt0bkQx8RFMtsQ/s1600/PBB_Protein_XDH_image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgthCYxhDx6O3hOt3rs1OczzzLhzYzxinw1WBcGP2N8pvz5t5jqvgd7KVvI6qwStKbwGIbeTC3sr9jMJCbMwJSrbt4Iy5AznRRmWMCrHEiGezNigYX-aM9lZwUNK-Cmt0bkQx8RFMtsQ/s200/PBB_Protein_XDH_image.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might look cool, but Xanthine Oxidase could be <br />
causing major problems for cachectic patients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Blocking this process could have several
benefits in cachexia: </span></div>
<br />
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Uric acid encourages the
release of AA from cell membranes. AA is thought to be a key point in the
pathway that leads to muscle wasting in cachexia. By making less of it
available, we might slow down the muscle wasting </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Blocking XO will mean less free
radicals being produced, meaning less oxidative stress, and the damage it
causes.</span></li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
<span lang="EN-US">Oxypurinol hasn't been studied as a treatment for muscle wasting in cachexia previously, but has been used to successfully treat gout, another XO linked disorder, and its pre-cursor, allopurinol, has been used in the treatment of muscle injury for many years.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">Putting it all together</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">So, we have our two treatment strategies –
a pharmaceutical (Oxypurinol), and a nutritional supplement (EPA). How do they
work together to target cachexia?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmcWGMDDBgXNkdSi7UqqXLJhN5X9BJo0zODZ0jejqFQf2nDGN2Boavtw3lLn-XKoN6-Gy54DSDICScJlzG9FJ3qq2s6UjgAce2zfXhCAdIH8d9GOq7w3xzgwY0dcynZ9IUMpxdbcAezc/s1600/EPAOXY_inhibition_pathway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmcWGMDDBgXNkdSi7UqqXLJhN5X9BJo0zODZ0jejqFQf2nDGN2Boavtw3lLn-XKoN6-Gy54DSDICScJlzG9FJ3qq2s6UjgAce2zfXhCAdIH8d9GOq7w3xzgwY0dcynZ9IUMpxdbcAezc/s640/EPAOXY_inhibition_pathway.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 2. How EPA and Oxypurinol may act to interfere in the muscle wasting pathways of cancer cachexia. Adapted from Vaughan et al 2012, J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As you can see in the diagram, EPA is
stopping the release of tumour factors, and increasing antioxidant activity,
while also replacing AA. Meanwhile, oxypurinol is blocking the production of
free radicals by XO, and stopping the formation of uric acid, which stops the
release of AA.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">With this hypothesis in hand, we began the
process of testing our treatments. In the next "See My Science" post, I’ll begin
looking at the methods we use to study cancer cachexia in the lab, and how we
can tell if the treatments are working. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Neysa</span></i></div>
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">See My Science</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">” aims to explain the science done by our
group in a manner accessible to the public. </i><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">The current series</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> focuses on the following publication:
Vaughan VC et al (2012) </i><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Oxypurinol in
the Treatment of Muscle Wasting in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia</span></i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45900.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045900</i>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-91241022049360549622012-12-04T14:21:00.001+11:002013-02-18T15:51:56.998+11:00SeeMyScience: Why is the Muscle Gone? Altered pathways in Cancer Cachexia.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Cachexia is a complex condition of muscle
wasting affecting about half of all cancer patients. In the<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/seemyscience-what-is-cancer-cachexia.html"> last installment </a>of
“<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html">See My Science</a>”, we discussed what cachexia is, and how it affects patients.
In this post, I’ll expand on some of the key pathway changes we focus on, and
how they lead to muscle loss.</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-US"> </span>
<br />
<br />
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US"></span></h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh904Od3r0lgY8_zkrylBvjdjiLzA3DRuwX1x8lwfokiBbDhF09tWethP9ayypQD4QspL7ZiQNDxIRULJml-0qAbNIwXIur5TAp2Ukv0B48STbpc5EAJcsVAeyZyVazR46-3mkIyW3M9FA/s1600/auntieoxidant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh904Od3r0lgY8_zkrylBvjdjiLzA3DRuwX1x8lwfokiBbDhF09tWethP9ayypQD4QspL7ZiQNDxIRULJml-0qAbNIwXIur5TAp2Ukv0B48STbpc5EAJcsVAeyZyVazR46-3mkIyW3M9FA/s320/auntieoxidant.jpg" height="234" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antioxidants are the enzymes keeping destructive <br />
Free Radicals under control. Source: <a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/Dave/ar00275.htm">Doctor Fun</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">Stressed Out</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The body is fighting a constant battle to
maintain the status-quo, a fine balancing act where the smallest change in one
area could have huge effects down the track. One of these on-going fights is
between free radicals and antioxidants. Free radicals are a normal product of
bodily function, and are used in the day-to-day functioning of cell systems.
However, if overproduced, and not kept in check, these highly reactive species
can become seriously destructive, causing damage to DNA, proteins, and other
parts of the cell, a state known as “Oxidative Stress”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Of all the free radical producing enzymes,
I’m most interested in one called Xanthine Oxidase (XO). XO is responsible for
the conversion of purines, and makes the free radical superoxide (O<sub>2</sub>-)
as a byproduct. Both superoxide and the end-products of purine conversion help
drive the cells in the direction of protein breakdown.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">What keeps free radicals in check?
Antioxidants. You may know of antioxidants as something you get from heavily
hyped “super foods”, but our body actually already has antioxidants in place,
their sole purpose in life being to take highly reactive free radicals, break them down (or rather, build them up by donating elections) into less destructive molecules. For example, superoxide can be
broken down into hydrogen peroxide and oxygen by SOD, and the hydrogen peroxide
can be further broken down into oxygen and water by Catalase and GPx.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">My boss explains it in a great way: think
of free radicals like a rowdy football team on their end of season trip. They’ve
had a few drinks, things have gotten out of hand, and they’re starting to get a
bit rowdy. The second they are off the bus, things get a bit rough, and maybe
they start breaking a few things, getting into fights. Antioxidants are the bus
and the security guards: they keep them contained, and limit the amount they
can damage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">When there aren’t enough antioxidants, or
they’re not working efficiently enough to mop up the excess free radicals, we
start to see the accumulation of damage we associate with oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is known to be a key player in many conditions, including
cachexia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQFf-JAlwOVJsp58Y4qEsihKsPOE_LBZi8VyPqg61JzPnxHV9QvV6bbIagRxdx7LoYruwx-tuvrOvuBia1I5aI7-87WEphyphenhyphenE3_NelY54KyGSo-NmZqHba61nGBIKtWt9ivQlXC35S9F8/s1600/13539_2012_87_Fig1_HTML.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQFf-JAlwOVJsp58Y4qEsihKsPOE_LBZi8VyPqg61JzPnxHV9QvV6bbIagRxdx7LoYruwx-tuvrOvuBia1I5aI7-87WEphyphenhyphenE3_NelY54KyGSo-NmZqHba61nGBIKtWt9ivQlXC35S9F8/s640/13539_2012_87_Fig1_HTML.gif" height="640" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure 1. An example of muscle wasting pathways in cachexia. A complex cascade of reactions is triggered by molecules released by the tumour. Source: <a href="http://www.springerlink.com/content/90778jp112w54j67/fulltext.html">Vaughan et al 2012, J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US"> </span></h2>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">How is Oxidative Stress involved in Cancer Cachexia?</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Levels of free radicals and the damage they
cause have previously been shown to increase in patients with cancer and
cachexia. Several studies have also shown that antioxidants are present in
lower levels, or are not working as efficiently in cachexia as they would in a
weight-stable or healthy person. This means that they are not able to
compensate for the increased activity of free radical-producing pathways,
resulting in oxidative stress. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In addition to the damage they cause, free
radicals play an important role in cell signaling, where they are involved in
the pathways that drive muscle break-down. An example of this is the key
muscle-degrading pathway we are interested in, the Ubiquitin Proteolytic Pathway (UPP; See Figure 1).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">The Ubiquitin Proteolytic Pathway</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The UPP is basically a system that uses
ubiquitin molecules to tag proteins that are to be broken down. Ubiquitin is
activated by an E1 enzyme, moves to a carrier protein (E2), which then recognizes
E3 protein ligases. Two E3s in particular, known as MuRF1 (Muscle RING-finger
protein-1) and Atrogin1/MAFbx (Muscle Atrophy F-box), have been suggested as
key to the loss of muscle in wasting. Together, the E2 and E3 enzymes attach a
chain of ubiquitin enzymes to the target protein (in our case a muscle
protein), which can then be unfolded and broken down by a unit called a ‘proteasome’.
The proteasome breaks the protein into its smaller building blocks, peptides, which
then get broken up into even smaller bits, amino acids. This sudden surge of
amino acids can be used to make proteins that further drive the UPP, creating a
vicious cycle of muscle destruction, as shown in the bottom section of Figure 1.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Certain components of the UPP are increased
in experimental models & patients with cachexia, which means increased
potential for them to be tagging our muscle proteins. Increased levels of free
radicals can help drive the reactions that lead to the activation of the UPP,
by signaling for the control of rate at which the various components are
produced.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<span lang="EN-US">How are we looking at these pathways?</span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In order to determine whether there is an
increase in potential free radical production in cachectic muscle, and an
increase in damage caused by them, we look at the expression levels of genes
for our two free radical-producing enzymes of interest,XO and
NOX. We also look at the activity of XO, as an increase will indicate that more
free radicals are being produced as a by-product. To identify damage caused by
free radicals, we look at a marker referred to as 8-OH-dG, which is produced
when free radicals damage DNA. We also check what the levels of gene expression
are like for certain components of the UPP, as increased expression gives an
indication that there is greater potential for the breakdown of proteins by
that method.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To figure out what’s going on with
antioxidants, we do similar work. I look at the gene expression levels of the
different SODs, GPx, and Catalase, and their activity levels in muscle samples.
If there is no change in their levels or activity, but there is an increase in
free radical production, it means the body is not compensating for the
increased potential for damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they
have decreased compared to healthy or weight-stable tissue, it means that the
there is a decreased ability for the cell to clean up the excess free radicals.
Either way, oxidative stress is on the cards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">For this particular study, we were more
interested in whether these pathways can be returned to normal (or at very
least cleaned up after!) by our two treatments, fish oil and oxypurinol. In <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/seemyscience-fighting-back-epa.html">my next post</a>, I’ll explain why I think these treatments will be beneficial to
cancer patients, and how they fit into the above systems.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Neysa</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html">See My Science</a>” aims
to explain the science done by our group in a manner accessible to the public.
<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html" target="_blank">The current series</a> focuses on the following publication: Vaughan VC et al
(2012) </i><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Oxypurinol in the
Treatment of Muscle Wasting in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45900.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045900</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Cambria","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-76137012223851883632012-11-28T15:00:00.000+11:002012-12-04T14:22:32.506+11:00SeeMyScience: What is Cancer Cachexia?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
When I completed my Bachelor of Science, I was looking for a
lab in which to complete my one-year honours qualification. <a href="http://www.deakin.edu.au/health/medicine/research/paul-lewandowski.php" target="_blank">Dr Lewandowski</a> had
been one of my lecturers during my undergrad, and his group had started working
on an serious condition of muscle loss experienced by many chronic disease
patients, called ‘cachexia’. In Part 2 of "<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html" target="_blank">See My Science</a>", I'll begin to explain what cachexia is, and why researching it is important.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wikidoc.org/images/0/04/Cachexia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://wikidoc.org/images/0/04/Cachexia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cachexia, affecting 50% of cancer patients, causes extreme loss of muscle and fat (<a href="http://wikidoc.org/index.php/File:Cachexia.jpg#filehistory" target="_blank">Source</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
What is Cachexia?</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cancer Cachexia (pronounced car-kex-ear) is the
unintentional loss of muscle and fat that occurs in many patients with cancer.
While cachexia is seen in several other diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, sepsis,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure, the loss of
muscle has been shown to occur <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12938166">most rapidly in cancer
patients</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patients are said to have <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900#s1" target="_blank">“[…] a complex metabolic profile […]”</a>,
meaning that there are many changes in their metabolism which are causing these
issues, resulting in more <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9058439">energy
being used</a> by the body than is being put in/stored. This also means that
the <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9058439">metabolism of muscle
is altered</a>, i.e. the rate of muscle break-down is faster than the rate of
creation of new muscle. Part of this is in response to the increased energy demand
(the body can break down muscle in order to obtain more energy), but it is also
caused by <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19342610">complex chain
reactions </a> triggered by the body’s
response to the tumour. <a href="http://physrev.physiology.org/content/89/2/381/F8.large.jpg">This is just one example</a> of a pathway in<span style="font-size: small;">volved.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patients with cachexia have a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14997369">lower quality of life</a>
than patients who do not lose weight, experiencing greater pain, fatigue, and
reduced mobility as muscles become less functional. Weight-loss also reduces
the <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7424938">effectiveness of
chemotherapy</a>, with cachectic patients having to have lower doses, for
shorter periods, and often unable to undergo as many rounds of therapy.
Developing an effective treatment for cachexia would help cancer patients to
have a better quality of life, and also help improve their chances of
successful therapy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The most common definition used at present is <span style="line-height: 115%;">involuntary weight loss of greater than 5%
from historical weight, a body mass index (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index" target="_blank">BMI</a>) less than 20 with any degree of
weight loss greater than 2%. <span style="font-size: small;">However, these measures only take into account weight,<span style="font-size: small;"> ignoring the vast number of other serious symptoms. Therefore, newer definitions are</span></span> supported by other symptoms, including inflammation, fatigue, and decreased quality of life.
See <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21296615">Fearon et al 2011</a>
for the consensus definition.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
How common is Cachexia?</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is generally thought that <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15586034">about half</a> of all cancer
patients will develop cachexia, although this can rise to <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17509812">as much as 80%</a> in the
later stages of cancer. In is most common in cancers of the pancreas, colon
and lung. 45% of patients with cachexia lose <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437757">more than 10%</a> of their
original body weight, and patients <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16437757">who lose 30%</a> of their original
body weight will unfortunately usually succumb, with around <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17507116">20% of cancer-related deaths</a>
thought to be attributable to cachexia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite how common cachexia is, it is <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21475699">often underdiagnosed</a>.
This may be because weight-loss is seen as an inevitable part of cancer. Sometimes
it is also because the tumour itself it considered more urgent than the loss of
weight. Weight-loss is also often thought to be a side-effect of cancer
therapy, and while this is true to a certain extent, many cancer patients lose
weight prior to undergoing chemo or radiation, or even before they receive a
diagnosis.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Why don’t they just eat more?</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unlike some forms of weight-loss, simply eating more <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2988769">does not cure</a> cachexia.
Neither does <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16556927">smoking pot</a>,
sorry. Improving nutrition is vitally important to the treatment of cachexia
(you can’t make muscle out of thin air!), but alone, it is not enough, because <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18718696">reduced calorie intake is
not the underlying cause</a>. This is because of those complex pathways I
mentioned before, which are telling the body to break down muscle and fat. We
need to stop the processes that cause the body to break down muscle, but in the
past, this has proven to be very difficult due to the complexity of the
condition.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I like to think of it like a busy city. You might have a
normal route you take from your house to work. One day, a tree falls across the
road, and you can’t get by. What do you do? Back-track, and take another route!
The body can to the same thing: you stop one pathway, only for another to
compensate. The only way you’re not getting to work is if every street,
railroad and back alley is impassable. In order to stop cachexia, we have to
hit it in lots of different places. This is called a <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18375115">multi-target approach</a>,
which I will discuss in a few post’s time, but generally, it will involve
improving nutrition, targeted exercise, and a combination of pharmaceuticals
that will inhibit some things and promote others.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At present, we do not have a globally effective treatment
for cancer cachexia. There are some treatments that may work for some people, but
not others. The aim of our study was to look at two potential treatments, both
alone and in combination, to figure out whether they were able to slow down, or
even stop, the loss of muscle we see in cachexia.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next post, I’ll be <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/seemyscience-why-is-muscle-gone-altered.html">explaining the pathways</a> my research
focuses on, and how they interact with the body. In the mean-time, is there
anything you would like to know about cachexia that I haven’t covered here? I’d
love to hear from you, so either leave a message below, or <a href="mailto:andanin321@gmail.com?subject=See%20My%20Science:%20Cachexia.">drop
me a line</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Neysa.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html">See My Science</a>” aims
to explain the science done by our group in a manner accessible to the public.
<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html" target="_blank">The current series</a> focuses on the following publication: Vaughan VC et al
(2012) </i><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Oxypurinol in the
Treatment of Muscle Wasting in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45900.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045900</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-69345237729082451392012-11-26T16:00:00.000+11:002012-11-26T16:00:10.650+11:00SeeMyScience: On the Topic of Animal Testing<div class="tr_bq">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Earlier this year, I
had the opportunity to participate in the </i><a href="http://imascientist.org.au/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I’m A
Scientist, Get me out of here”</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
program, in which students from around Australia ask a variety of scientists
questions about every topic imaginable, from what the universe is made of, to
what subjects we studied at school. We had some fantastic questions, including </i><a href="http://diseasea12.imascientist.org.au/2012/09/05/what-do-you-feel-about-using-animals-in-experiments-and-testing-experiments-on-them/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">one in particular</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> that highlighted one of the most
controversial issues in medical science: </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 35.45pt; text-indent: .55pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">“What do you feel about using animals in experiments
and testing experiments on them?”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Animal testing is a
loaded topic, and not often spoken about, because scientists often fear the
backlash that comes from people who do not understand or approve of what it is
we do. As<a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/see-my-science-explaining-our-published.html" target="_blank"> part of this series</a>, I felt it would be appropriate to reproduce my
response to this important question, in order to help explain what goes into
the development of treatments for some of our most debilitating diseases.</i></div>
<br />
<blockquote>
"[This is a question] that is discussed a lot by scientists, particularly in medical research. This is going to be a very long answer, but it is a very big issue! First up, I will be honest: I agree with animal testing in medical research, but not for cosmetics. Now, let’s go in to a bit more detail about why I have these opinions. Let’s start with medical research. I’m going to use drug development as an example, because it’s what I’m familiar with, but this could apply to any disease.<br />
<br />
"When a scientist comes up with a new idea for a drug that helps treat cancer, we can’t just take that drug and immediately start using it on people. We don’t know what dose to use, if it will actually cause more harm than not taking the drug, if it will make the cancer get larger, how it interacts with all of our organs. Some new drugs might cause people to have heart failure, or injure their brain, cause birth defects, or just make them feel really sad. In extreme cases, they might even die, so as you can see, we don’t want to go testing things on people straight away. So, where do we start? Hint: It’s not actually with animals!<br />
<br />
"Once we’ve done lots of reading about this compound, and figured out how we think it will work, we can do things like run it through a computer simulation. These programs can be quite complex, and give you lots of data about how the body MIGHT react to the drug. This step can rule out lots of drugs, when the computer reminds the scientist that Drug X actually acts on nerve Y in a bad way, so it gets ditched. Even if our drug passes this step, the computer doesn’t know everything about how the human body works (even we don’t!), or how the drug might react with environmental factors. So, after we have gained insight from our computer program, we take it to cell models.<br />
<br />
"There are all different kinds of cells we grow in the lab, which can represent all different tissues and diseases. The first thing we do is figure out how much of our drug will cause the cells to die. We then work backwards, using lots of different dilutions to figure out the minimum amount of drug we need to have an effect on the cells. Think of it like making up cordial. We know that straight cordial doesn’t taste very good, but not enough cordial just tastes like water, so we want to get just the right amount to taste good! Once we find this level, we can study the cells to see how they react to the drug. This might be changes in the way they look, what genes they are producing, how well their enzymes are working. We can make sure it is having the effect on the cells we think it is supposed to, or figure out why it is having ones we don’t know about. We do all the same tests in different types of cells, to see what effect it will have on different tissues. This step can take a very long time, and even more drugs never make it past this stage, because they simply do the wrong thing, or are too toxic. <br />
<br />
"So, our drug has passed cell culture testing, we think it’s pretty safe, we know how much we need to use, and we’re ready to stick it into a human! NO WAY! We know it’s not killing off the cells in culture, but those are just cells. The body is made up of organs, and blood, and enzymes, all of which can take a drug and change it. This is called bio-metabolism, and some of the products can be quite poisonous. Unfortunately, cell models can only recreate these conditions to a small extent, and we certainly can’t replicate our complex organs in a petri-dish. Without knowing what it will do when it’s taken into our livers, kidneys, brains, etc., wouldn’t you rather have more information? This is where animals come in.<br />
<br />
"The only way we can know how a drug will react in complex systems is to place it into a complex system. We want it to be comparable to humans, so we need an animal that has similar genes, organs, and biological processes to us, which can have the same diseases as humans have. In many cases, the closest animals are mice. I’ve already talked a little bit about how mice relate to the human body <a href="http://diseasea12.imascientist.org.au/2012/08/27/so-how-do-mice-relate-to-the-human-body/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
"Before we work with animals, we have to be very sure that our drug is going to work, and that it is going to be safe. We have to do a lot of math to make sure that we use as few animals as possible, but enough that our results will be meaningful. Even before we see the animals, we have to talk to other scientists, vets, and people from the community, to figure out if this research is going to help people, if we are doing the right thing, a process known as ethics approval. We have to make sure that our animals are going to be under as little stress as possible, that we can reduce stress if we have to, and that we are not going to put the animals in pain. Only after we are very sure of all these things do we ever test on animals.<br />
<br />
"When we are running animal trials, we check our animals every day, sometimes twice a day! We make sure they have enough food and water, that they are socialising with other animals, and that they are comfortable. If we ever see that they are in pain, or stressed, we do everything we can to help the animal. Sometimes we have to give them an injection, or take some blood, just like going to the doctor for a blood test. When we give them our new drug, we keep a close eye on them, and if it looks like it’s having a bad effect, or an effect we weren’t expecting, we stop straight away. And at the end of the study, we put the animals to sleep quietly, so that they don’t feel any pain. Some people are lucky, and don’t have to give their animals drugs. Some people give them different food, <a href="http://organsa12.imascientist.org.au/profile/emmaburrows/">and Emma from the Organs Zone</a> gets them to run through mazes to check their memory, or listens to them sing to each other! <br />
<br />
"The life of the animals we use in research gives us valuable information that can help us improve or save many human lives. It can be very difficult sometimes, and sad, but we treat the animals with respect, and I thank each for the contribution they are making. We do not let anything go to waste, looking at all of the organs and other tissues, and keeping all the parts we don’t use so that other people can look at the same drug or disease without having to do the experiment all over again with new animals. <br />
<br />
"I don’t agree with animal testing of cosmetics for reasons that are linked to those I’ve already spoken about above. A new type of hair dye or eye shadow isn’t going to save lives, or really even make them better. We already know so much about the ingredients in products we use on our bodies, that I don’t see why we should use more animals to test them."</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>I often speak to people, even within my own family, who are
against animal testing. Each has their own particular reason, and discussions
can become quite heated. Scientists are often told they are evil, amoral, their
lives sometimes even threatened, because we have to use these methods in order
to complete our research. We can try to reason and explain, but many of us do not, placing it in the 'too hard' basket. I do not enjoy testing on animals, but I know that in doing so, we may be able to help many people in the future.</i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Neysa. </span></i></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-82091410904546224372012-11-26T15:00:00.000+11:002013-02-17T12:47:52.579+11:00SeeMyScience: Explaining Our Published Papers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LLEk3qIkSvfWEdv1Hs56E6wNldWKloaCJsRBtb70l7EwDMvr90xEHpaccRKNX_UE4K8abYFA581E73TTzak687OIEo7MBsvzQeRJyFCCr0FM1dnMrBrwHXxo5gxfPW0704BuUQ9vI7c/s1600/fbss_plos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LLEk3qIkSvfWEdv1Hs56E6wNldWKloaCJsRBtb70l7EwDMvr90xEHpaccRKNX_UE4K8abYFA581E73TTzak687OIEo7MBsvzQeRJyFCCr0FM1dnMrBrwHXxo5gxfPW0704BuUQ9vI7c/s400/fbss_plos1.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"You do what now?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a scientist, the most frequent comment I get when I tell
people what I do is some variation of “I have no idea what that means, but it
sounds important”. This was perfectly illustrated recently, in response to a
link I posted on Facebook about a paper we published
(Pictured Left).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s be honest, many scientists suck at talking about their
work in a way that people who are not scientists can understand. Part of this
is the way we are trained to write: technical papers for science journal
publication. However, as I said in a <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/for-love-of-science-or-why-we-need.html" target="_blank">recent blog post</a>, we need to do better. We
need to talk about our science in a way everyone can understand. And it’s about
time I put my money where my mouth is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the coming weeks, I will be posting a series that looks
at the paper our lab group recently published about our work developing a treatment
for Cancer Cachexia. In this series, I will be combing through the article, explaining what we do, why we do it, what we learn from the
results, and how we decide what to do in the future.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3>
EPA and Oxypurinol Treatment of Cancer Cachexia</h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/seemyscience-on-topic-of-animal-testing.html" target="_blank">On the Topic of Animal Testing</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com/2012/11/seemyscience-what-is-cancer-cachexia.html">What is Cancer Cachexia?</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com/2012/12/seemyscience-why-is-muscle-gone-altered.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Why is the Muscle Gone?</span> Altered Pathways in Cancer Cachexia</a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/seemyscience-fighting-back-epa.html"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Fighting Back - Why EPA & Oxypurinol?</span></a></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com/2013/02/seemyscience-cancer-cachexia-cell-lines.html">Growing Cachexia-Causing Cancer Cells</a></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Explaining treatment groups
and ‘interventions</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Weight-loss and Muscle Mass</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">What happened with Oxidative
Stress?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Was muscle mass being
controlled?</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Putting it All Together</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Where to now?</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“See My Science” aims
to explain the science done by our group in a manner accessible to the public.
The current series focuses on Vaughan VC et al
(2012) </i><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0045900"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Oxypurinol in the Treatment
of Muscle Wasting in a Mouse Model of Cancer Cachexia</i></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. PLoS ONE 7(9): e45900.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045900</i></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-45031213717884604672012-10-28T22:13:00.002+11:002012-10-28T22:14:09.222+11:00For the love of science! (Or, why we need science communication)<br />
<div class="p1">
Science in Australia is often referred to be being "under attack", not only because of the pressures of finding funding and establishing a career, but because there are so many issues where people don't understand the science behind a particular problem. Examples of current issues include genetic modification of food crops, vaccination against disease, and climate change. Despite strong scientific evidence, hundreds of studies, and a general scientific consensus on each of these issues, there are vocal opponents of each. Whilst questions and concerns surrounding each of these issues are valid, there is often strong evidence that can allay these concerns, if only we could communicate the science.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Science is a mystery to most people. Perhaps that is because it is never explained in terms that are easily understandable, because people have never learnt how to think scientifically, or because science in something that only super smart, lab-coated scientists do, a job as cloaked in secrets, mystery and bafflement as that of wizards or solicitors. Science never makes the headlines unless it is controversial, dangerous, or about to cure us of a disease. Of course, once you read past the headline, the message is usually less spectacular than first claimed, but people often don't know how much to believe, and take stories at face value. We can tell people that our work is important, but this means nothing if they do not understand <b>how</b> that work is important. I strongly believe that we need people that can reach out and fill that gap, retrieving science from complex, jargon-filled journals and hyperbolic news articles, and presenting it in a way that is accurate and easy to understand for everyone. We need to demystify the science.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
By talking to school students about our science, we can begin to challenge those perceptions of science as being like some secret society. By showing students how science can relate to their day-to-day life, introducing them to science in a way that is interesting and approachable, we can begin to foster a higher level of scientific literacy in Australia. By taking the time to talk to our political representatives, explaining our projects and their implications for society, the effect of see-saw policies on the ability to conduct our research, we can begin to move toward sustainable, proactive science policy that will benefit not only Australia, but the international community. By engaging with the media, communicating with journalists about our work, learning to write for a broader audience, and changing the habit of portraying every scientist as wearing a labcoat whilst gazing meaningfully at vials, we can engage with our audience, and open dialogue with those that will eventually benefit from our work: the community.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The way we as scientists communicate with the public needs to evolve. Science for scientists is no longer a viable strategy, and simply causes more confusion in our already conflicted society. We need to learn to explain our science to anyone who has an interest, and attempt to encourage those who don't. We need to use whatever resources are open to us, be it newspaper, blog, Twitter, podcast, or the local pub. We need to write, we need to talk, but most importantly, we need to listen. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
We need to take science to the people.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Neysa xo</i></span></div>
</div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-25993612384644478422012-10-02T09:34:00.000+10:002012-10-02T09:34:34.379+10:00New On The Scene: There There
<br />
<div class="p1">
There is something special about the Geelong CBD early on a Spring Saturday. There's a strange hush on the streets, soft golden light filtering around buildings, a complete absence of shoppers and traffic. It was one of my favourite times when I was living in the apartment, a time to get up, go for a walk through the dappled light of Johnson Park, catch a quiet coffee before the rush of Saturday brunch business.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I was up early for a train to Melbourne, planning to have brunch in the city before an early afternoon flight to Canberra for the Science Pathways forum at the Australian Academy of Science. I was taking my time walking along Malop St, planning to stop in at Mr Hyde, when the doorway of the old 2-Faces caught my eye.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
A table with two chairs on the sidewalk, a table set up across the beautiful old doorway, and in pride of place, a small shiny coffee machine and grinder, glinting in the sun. I couldn't resist, as my curiosity took my feet across the road to check out what is soon-to-be Geelong's newest eatery and bar, <a href="http://therethere.com.au/" target="_blank">There There</a>.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The two guys were friendly, happy to talk about their plans while pulling my Coffee Cartel long black (which was excellent), sitting on the steps and making the most of the warm morning sun. Their enthusiasm is evident and, with little more than a "Cool, new venue!", I'm offered a first look at the reworked interior, that whilst still devoid of furniture, feels much lighter and brighter than the previous incarnation. The beautifully crafted wooden bar is an immediate stand-out, vast potential evident, while the narrow blonde floorboards lead the eye further into depths still to be explored. The new owners are both chefs by trade, with fine dining pedigrees, interested in high-quality food, with an emphasis on casual sharing-style menu. As my guide put it, somewhere you can meet up with friends, sample your way through the menu, and have a few drinks.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This new venue could give Mr Hyde a run for the money, jumping into a space that the beautiful old bank has previously dominated. It will be interesting to see if they fill the void that Mr Hyde has recently created with the shift to afternoon openings and closing of BoxOffice, and whether the new kids in town will take it to the experienced cocktail crew. Mr Hyde has had to battle the 'expensive' tag that the opulent interior has, perhaps unfairly, been lumped with, and it will be interesting to see if the lads at There There battle the same stigma given the reputation of the building's previous occupant.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Neysa xo</i></span></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-35878075548202877212012-08-24T13:11:00.000+10:002012-08-24T13:11:02.434+10:00Foodie Friday - Chocolate, Bacon & Maple Syrup Cupcakes<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjHdA_YyIUy3ZfNyM8X7Vx9WoeTuIg9DYvtvcAiExfZ8GDF_9rjOPHxwYNO0-cUFHXOj_on5fdFXapRCRFKgQAJQ3q_kIB-4k9kic9reuK-DcsVp2xyQ65xl5lZ-Ne1P0CHn-w-2HUXg/s1600/00388890eb6711e19fe522000a1e9fbc_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsjHdA_YyIUy3ZfNyM8X7Vx9WoeTuIg9DYvtvcAiExfZ8GDF_9rjOPHxwYNO0-cUFHXOj_on5fdFXapRCRFKgQAJQ3q_kIB-4k9kic9reuK-DcsVp2xyQ65xl5lZ-Ne1P0CHn-w-2HUXg/s320/00388890eb6711e19fe522000a1e9fbc_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't knock it 'til you've tried it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Last
weekend, I was sitting around having a few beers with the Safari boys, when
Mentor started (jokingly) lamenting the fact I never bake any more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">At the
start of my PhD, when I was working full time in hospitality (5 nights, with
double shifts Fri-Sat) and studying part time (2-3 days a week), I used to have
one blessed day a week off. Tuesdays were the one day I could sleep in, do my
laundry, go to the shops, and finish my chores. It was the weekly Safari poker
game. And it was baking. Usually it was cupcakes, because they're easy to make,
easy to share, and easy to eat. My <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/foodie-friday-lemon-cupcakes.html">lemon
cupcakes recipe</a> is the most read post on this blog! Anyway, I'd bake them
in the early afternoon, ice them early evening, and appear at the poker game
with a box in hand. I remember one game where I was actually using the boys'
kitchen to bake <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2009/12/foodie-friday-ginger-biscuits.html">ginger
cookies</a>, rolling them while playing several hands. We had a new guy, who questioned
my being allowed to play, let alone play while baking, only to be slapped
upside the head and told to never question the method, "the cookies just
appear!".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Other
than the occasional birthday cake or lab meeting, I haven't really stretched my
baking legs in the kitchen for 18 months, and I've missed it. So when Mentor
started joking about it, I figured now was as good a time as any. A bit of
discussion followed, and I decided to have another crack at the bacon/maple
syrup/pancake theme. My original attempt involved pancake mixture with bacon
mixed through poured into muffin tins, topped with maple icing and maple-tossed
bacon pieces. While you got the idea, they weren't really cupcakey. Switch
pancake for chocolate, and you get...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Chocolate, Bacon & Maple Syrup Cupcakes</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span></i></h3>
<h3>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span></i></h3>
<h2>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">(Because everything is better with bacon)</span></i></h2>
<h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">
</span><b><span class="Heading3Char">Chocolate Cupcakes</span></b></h4>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">2 cups
plain flour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">2 cups
sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Pinch
salt</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">2 large
eggs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">1/4
teaspoon baking powder</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">1
teaspoon bicarb soda</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">3/4 cup
milk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">3/4 cup
water</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">1/2
teaspoon vanilla flavour</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">50g dark
chocolate (70% or higher)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">50g
unsalted butter</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<h4>
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Topping</span></h4>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Around
50:50 butter & cream cheese (I use 1/2 block Philadelphia)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Icing
sugar</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Bacon</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Maple
syrup</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Preheat
your oven to 180C, and line a muffin/cupcake tin as desired.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Melt your
butter and chocolate together in a non-stick pan over very low heat. Chocolate
will help at blood temperature, so use your lowest setting). Meanwhile, pop all
the other cupcake ingredients into a bowl and mix with a hand mixer to about 30
seconds, or until combined. Scrape down your bowl, and mix again for about 2
minutes, by which point your batter should be super smooth and your chocolate
melted. Let the chocolate cool slightly, then add it to your bowl and give it
another good mix until evenly distributed. Your batter should vaguely resemble
slightly runny chocolate mousse.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Spoon/pour
your batter into your lined tray, 2/3 filling each well. Into the oven for
about 20mins, or until the spring back when lightly touched (or you can use the
clean bamboo skewer method). Let them rest for 5 minutes, then remove from tin
and allow to cool fully on a wire rack.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">While
your cupcakes are cooling, place your bacon onto a wire rack over a baking
tray, and put it in the oven. The aim is super crispy bacon with as little fat
remaining as possible, thus the rack. When it's starting to look golden brown,
pull it out, and place on some paper towel to absorb any remaining grease.
Don't worry if your rashers seem a bit pliable when fresh out the oven, they
will go crisp after a few moments. Once cool, chop/break into small pieces.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">On to the
key part of this whole recipe: the maple syrup icing. Icing measurements are
tricky, as they will vary depending on where you are. I generally start with a
half-half mix of unsalted butter and Philly cheese, around 125g of each, a
tablespoon of maple syrup (not the fake maple flavoured syrup) and beat using a
hand mixer. Once combined, I gradually add icing sugar (not icing mixture,
which contains extra starch) until I get the firmness of icing I'm after. You
may want to give it a brief mix with a spatula, just to make sure there's no
lumps of sugar, then put in the fridge to set slightly.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Once your
cupcakes are cooled, add enough maple syrup to your bacon pieces to just coat.
You don't want them soaked, otherwise you get soggy bacon pieces! Use a piping
bag or butter knife to apply your icing, top with a sprinkle of bacon, et
voila! Now try not to eat them all in one hit.</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">I always cook more bacon than I
think I'll need, because invariably a few pieces go missing before they make it
onto the cupcakes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">You can cut corners on some
things, but try for good maple syrup. It will reduce the amount you need to
use, and is what makes this unusual recipe really work. The most common comment
from people when I make anything with this icing is that they would have been
happy to ditch the cake and just eat the icing, and that's down to good syrup.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">BurgerMary posted a recipe for
Bacon Praline yesterday. Haven't tried it yet, but could see it going very well
on top of these instead of the maple-tossed bacon.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Enjoy! </span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Neysa xo</span></i></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-77625553278138221332012-08-06T14:26:00.000+10:002012-08-24T13:12:06.012+10:00Odyssey Tavern presents Mornington Peninsula Brewery Beer Degustation<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDus9FVVHhwmKljuY3LpjtxQNWvYDeCUFPcNqZBiY3YQabK4rSbf3GJNCP_P1J1J71ZRMMKNUV3Id-DuRJ13zDmpZ0-wSPRGMulQAuC-ut1wuAPxgnKoK950piPXMV97C6SRbc7DKmIs/s1600/ae7614dadc6811e1839c1231381b781d_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDus9FVVHhwmKljuY3LpjtxQNWvYDeCUFPcNqZBiY3YQabK4rSbf3GJNCP_P1J1J71ZRMMKNUV3Id-DuRJ13zDmpZ0-wSPRGMulQAuC-ut1wuAPxgnKoK950piPXMV97C6SRbc7DKmIs/s320/ae7614dadc6811e1839c1231381b781d_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well thought menu, complete with tasting <br />
notes from both brewer and chef!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Wednesday night (2<sup>nd</sup> August), I had the
opportunity to attend the Geelong region’s first Beer Degustation, held at
Odyssey Tavern in Mt Duneed. The brews featured on the night were all from the
Mornington Peninsula Brewery (MPB), with six beers matched to six courses by
the chefs from Odyssey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Grant and the crew have been operating the Surf Coast craft-beer
mecca that is Odyssey Tavern since March 2012, giving the region a much needed
opportunity to sink its teeth into the boutique brews that the mainstream invariably
forces out in set-in-its-ways Gee-troit. With over 80 beers from Australia and
New Zealand, 8 taps of continuously changing guest pours, and a menu that
caters to pretty much everyone, it is rapidly becoming a favourite in the area.
You won’t find a Carlton Draught, a VB, or (heaven forbid) a Corona in the
place, but what you will find are passionate staff who are happy to guide you
on your first steps along the path to malty, hoppy enlightenment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmGet2NfJ9J8HE6OkErifSA28wVrt6OMr9SZxiGV3l-jgT5IiWs59tc3GhPlxyTEfnXyr6Q9gv2OOz21yhoXisa7b1TY07zQXivSslnM1b0jsTmYTLZtWHxYu8Q2t5i44Ug10biSCbTY/s1600/483944_457762220923790_2122407_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmGet2NfJ9J8HE6OkErifSA28wVrt6OMr9SZxiGV3l-jgT5IiWs59tc3GhPlxyTEfnXyr6Q9gv2OOz21yhoXisa7b1TY07zQXivSslnM1b0jsTmYTLZtWHxYu8Q2t5i44Ug10biSCbTY/s320/483944_457762220923790_2122407_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of speculation about the upcoming pairings <br />
(Photo courtesy Odyssey T&B)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
After a weekend at Splendour in
the Grass, subject to mid-strength beers and foot-deep mud, I was eager to get
out to Odyssey for what was shaping up to be a great occasion. So eager that
while on the bus, I missed my stop, and ended up in Torquay. Look, it was dark,
and it’s the Surf Coast Highway. After hitching a ride back to Whites Road with
an off-duty bus-driver, I was met by the warm glow and happy buzz of
pre-drinks, with attendees mingling around the two long tables and, of course,
bar. I started with the MPB Sorachi Kolsch, a clean, light, refreshing brew,
with a nice lemongrass hit on the tongue, most likely from the Japanese Sorachi
Ace hop. Would be perfect for a few in the hammock come summer, and was a great
way to start the night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
After finding our seats (well,
everyone really just sat where they were and got to talking to the people
around them), and a brief welcome by Grant, he handed over the floor to the
guys from Mornington, Head Brewer Andrew Gow and Michael “the sales guy”. It
was fantastic to have these guys introduce each of the beers, talking about the
ideas and influences, the process, answering every question thrown at them, and
with a good dose of humour. Their passion was contagious, and really took the
appreciation of the beers to another level.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2TlYDnACk55O7V5A-2jNDRyGkNmw04MDpxC97yOuLz_z95GsSuoRabku1v6LYyDHwrnKdzsGlseWnbGs7XYLBMumW6brnz8bF5sgUCZdqgLMxXEwPMvFBaAcZwqPEEDtaqlJtMm6mbs/s1600/ca959fcedbbd11e1880f22000a1e9e21_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2TlYDnACk55O7V5A-2jNDRyGkNmw04MDpxC97yOuLz_z95GsSuoRabku1v6LYyDHwrnKdzsGlseWnbGs7XYLBMumW6brnz8bF5sgUCZdqgLMxXEwPMvFBaAcZwqPEEDtaqlJtMm6mbs/s320/ca959fcedbbd11e1880f22000a1e9e21_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Salmon Wonton w/ MPB Witbier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
First up was the MPB Witbier,
matched with a smoked salmon wonton stack, with wasabi mayo and balsamic
reduction, served with roast pear and pickled ginger. Now, I’m not usually a
huge fan of witbiers. I find them quite confronting, with a sense of umami that
I’d sooner associate with cured meat, vegemite, or sushi than a beverage.
However, paired with this dish, I found a certain appreciation, and the witbier
and I made a tenuous truce. The beer has a real coriander element, with citrusy
overtones, which worked wonderfully well to create a sweet and sour sensation
with the soft pear, spicy ginger, and gentle warmth of the wasabi. It also cut
well through the richness of the smoked salmon, and the whole dish was
lightened by the crunch of the crispy wontons. One of my top two matches of the
night!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeashRctcRq3D8IvQBJ5EG-76CMtmVyN8bj0I-qa1HNF-ZTjnJN1diT2-szB4jJjLBP6cQ9QmrePXLewyK3uXvzU5I4Hm3F4CjF2pZi5sXNPQTXEfQd4q4ACHq9HVkBYNQVk56xC1zvo/s1600/82974b86dbc311e1886622000a1cbad2_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeashRctcRq3D8IvQBJ5EG-76CMtmVyN8bj0I-qa1HNF-ZTjnJN1diT2-szB4jJjLBP6cQ9QmrePXLewyK3uXvzU5I4Hm3F4CjF2pZi5sXNPQTXEfQd4q4ACHq9HVkBYNQVk56xC1zvo/s320/82974b86dbc311e1886622000a1cbad2_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herb-crusted lamb w/ MPB English Special Bitter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
The second entrée was a herb
crusted lamb backstrap on citrus couscous with a quince jus, matched to the MPB
English Special Bitter. It was a beautiful deep orange colour, would be perfect
around autumn harvest with big sweet raspberry notes, and a bit of earthy brown-sugar
toffee. Something a bit fruity as well, almost reminding me of trail mix, or
Christmas cake. The lamb and quince worked really well with this beer, bringing
out some of the more complex flavours, but consensus at our end of the table
was the summery couscous was a little out of place. Whilst delicious, and
working very well with the lamb, the bitter really felt like it needed
something a bit more earthy, like sweet potato, or a parsnip mash, to really
complement the autumn characteristics of the beer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 103.5pt;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nuQwB6ajerI8sNShDeNUBct0-fgEc1JkG3dWL9mSuBtindCv6vgc7Ewy98qQqtiN94J45VqIleSWiGOg4VZrKZlIPrqcpI5JRIm7hs6zlb2qxVtG0jjmZt4SOHpHG6f9_yeNKtSTy3E/s1600/9cabdfa8dbed11e1b5561231380f91a6_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nuQwB6ajerI8sNShDeNUBct0-fgEc1JkG3dWL9mSuBtindCv6vgc7Ewy98qQqtiN94J45VqIleSWiGOg4VZrKZlIPrqcpI5JRIm7hs6zlb2qxVtG0jjmZt4SOHpHG6f9_yeNKtSTy3E/s320/9cabdfa8dbed11e1b5561231380f91a6_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poached Rockling w/ MPB IPA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was then on to the MPB American-style IPA, matched with a
delicate poached rockling, scalloped chat potatoes, and a baby caper, thyme and
verjuice sauce. The chef was not kidding when in his notes he said it was
“something a little left of centre”, but it worked! The IPA was beautifully
malty, quite bitter, and a little on the alcoholic side (~6.2%), with subtle
nectarine/peachy flavours. From memory, this is attributed to the three types of
hops, Citra, Centennial and Simcoe (correct me if I’m wrong!). The creamy sauce
played down some of the bitterness, though the bite from the red onion gave a
bit of the punch I’d associate with IPA’s usual spicy pairings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfkYm7frEwnoskLF6jlFRr885H6blek5icwhMnYvKZp8CkmDWqofYIKDn90KZlPC9hX1m6SvZM9iF25bmiekGONzwAuolWLpyWPt-Br9dms2fR7cKv5sNgeavRyGq_MM_QpWxfrzAq4o/s1600/226f4bc6df7b11e19f5b22000a1cdc2c_7.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfkYm7frEwnoskLF6jlFRr885H6blek5icwhMnYvKZp8CkmDWqofYIKDn90KZlPC9hX1m6SvZM9iF25bmiekGONzwAuolWLpyWPt-Br9dms2fR7cKv5sNgeavRyGq_MM_QpWxfrzAq4o/s320/226f4bc6df7b11e19f5b22000a1cdc2c_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too tasty to last (Pork & White peppercorn sauce)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The final main was pork medallions, with blue cheese and
green peppercorn sauce, topped with some leafy green salad, and matched with
the MPB Brown Ale. One of the few brown ales available at the moment, this was
the beer highlight for me, a really nutty, warming beer, very malty. Really
reminded me of rum & raisin chocolate. While this paired really well with
the pork (chocolate and pork are always a winning combination in my book), the
thick, creamy sauce got in the way a bit, bringing out all of the pepper, and
drowning any more subtle flavours that the lighter white meat would have
brought forward.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJVDUHNLhxBA3NvnR0Gj79X9qD5vK6oC3OeBp0gT_N6K5lWQpWB3NbW_BCE8DgFVHpy4cshl_1bHqxSgbSCeuFavux9FWsHt0bX1VZzw85CeUvZ9I4t2tcvqW6SqyAG18YqY_H96KY0Y/s1600/fbb74134dc6711e1b3ea123138141d1a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJVDUHNLhxBA3NvnR0Gj79X9qD5vK6oC3OeBp0gT_N6K5lWQpWB3NbW_BCE8DgFVHpy4cshl_1bHqxSgbSCeuFavux9FWsHt0bX1VZzw85CeUvZ9I4t2tcvqW6SqyAG18YqY_H96KY0Y/s1600/fbb74134dc6711e1b3ea123138141d1a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJVDUHNLhxBA3NvnR0Gj79X9qD5vK6oC3OeBp0gT_N6K5lWQpWB3NbW_BCE8DgFVHpy4cshl_1bHqxSgbSCeuFavux9FWsHt0bX1VZzw85CeUvZ9I4t2tcvqW6SqyAG18YqY_H96KY0Y/s320/fbb74134dc6711e1b3ea123138141d1a_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sex on a plate: Vanilla pannacotta w/ MPB Porter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dessert one was the highlight of my night. The MPB Porter, paired
to a vanilla pannacotta with burnt orange syrup and roasted pinenut toffee.
There are those moments in your life where something just works. I flushed, I
giggled, and I melted into a pool of dessert ecstasy. The porter is beautiful and rich, with big, bitter dark
chocolate and coffee flavours, with a subtle thread of vanilla to round it out.
Combine that with the luscious, perfectly set pannacotta, which really brought
out the vanilla in the porter, the bitter orange caressing the chocolately
notes, and the way that the bright pinenut toffee brought out the brown-sugar
notes of the beer were amazing. I could have died a very happy woman there and
then. The guys opposite me at the table were asking if I needed a moment to
recover. If Odyssey does not make this combination a permanent fixture, they
are missing a beautiful opportunity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xtLweeE_U0k9DdvsFMmkpQKIK3BvmZ2JCn3389YpRyC6vui3SBMBC4qaJdnk1qL7IHc6mxlVAvgvpZkuipJIJm0gm7DpCTpRiU5q0mVFqrpzYIlnlcnvDIfaQcyx3JH8iQq24_-og4/s1600/5ece7256dc6811e1b28822000a1c9e1a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5xtLweeE_U0k9DdvsFMmkpQKIK3BvmZ2JCn3389YpRyC6vui3SBMBC4qaJdnk1qL7IHc6mxlVAvgvpZkuipJIJm0gm7DpCTpRiU5q0mVFqrpzYIlnlcnvDIfaQcyx3JH8iQq24_-og4/s320/5ece7256dc6811e1b28822000a1c9e1a_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Pikelets w/ MPB Imperial Stout</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The final course was a super-rich stack of dark chocolate
pikelets, with white chocolate and honeycomb filling, served with a mulled wine
syrup, and matched to the MPB Imperial Stout. It was a great match, the
chocolatey stout adding another chocaholic layer to this decedent end to the
night. A touch of liquorice, and something reminiscent of cherries in the beer
was enhanced by the syrup, which I could happily have drunk on its own. It was
the prefect winter dessert, matched with a brilliant winter stout (at 9.5%, it’s
a real warmer). Coming at the end of what had been a huge meal, it was perhaps
a slightly heavy note to finish on, but a tasty one none the less. I did manage
to resist the urge to curl up under the table and go to sleep afterwards!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After dinner, it was great fun to hang around, meet some of
the beer aficionados of the region, and sample a few more of MPB stable,
including their delectable Imperial Amber (figgy caramel goodness), and the ol’
faithful Pale Ale (My original introduction to the world of beer!). Whilst the
beer was the star on the night, the food was beautifully presented, and every
course was delicious. I will certainly be back for more. This was an absolutely wonderful event, and I express my
whole-hearted thanks to everyone that was involved in making it such a
memorably experience. May it be the first of many (official) beer appreciation
sessions!</div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Neysa xo</i></span></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-39792774837004727322012-06-15T14:10:00.000+10:002013-06-20T14:23:28.133+10:00A letter to Apple<link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cvcv%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cvcv%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx" rel="themeData"></link><link href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cvcv%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml" rel="colorSchemeMapping"></link><style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
.MsoPapDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
line-height:115%;}
@page Section1
{size:595.3pt 841.9pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dear Apple,</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
I am writing to provide some
feedback about how impressed I am with the durability Apple devices.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV16H8SzGaofwhQgzkztVdHjCXC-ysa-ciUJ44shGmAq-yPAVcdm8_LLR6IHI2mJJQRUw6h4ryxxHtWt7NKuVwjyIRmGPx2kV4I5iZuAuxR18mPgd7pbgFLb50CUlt_bJybeO1U0_U00c/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV16H8SzGaofwhQgzkztVdHjCXC-ysa-ciUJ44shGmAq-yPAVcdm8_LLR6IHI2mJJQRUw6h4ryxxHtWt7NKuVwjyIRmGPx2kV4I5iZuAuxR18mPgd7pbgFLb50CUlt_bJybeO1U0_U00c/s320/IMG_0119.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so bad, right? At Box Office, Corio St, where Stick <br />
offered
condolences and coffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
A month ago, while riding to university,
a strap on my bag snapped, and caused it to fall on to the road. Before I was
able to retrieve the bag, it unfortunately found itself beneath the back wheel
of a school bus. No, he did not stop. Yes, I agree, that’s a bit rude. The bag
contained, among the normal university commute items, my Macbook Pro, iPhone
4S, and two external backups being moved for ‘safe keeping’. Immediately, I
resigned myself to the complete loss of everything in my bag, including my
beloved Keep Cup, and of course the 4 years of cancer research notes, my
library of 1200+ PDF papers, and the last 2 years of photos housed between my
Macbook and backups. Whilst dodging sweary soccer mums in Landcruisers, I retrieved the contents of my rather flattened bag, and
removing the unsurprisingly intact biology textbook, I proceeded to determine
just how bad my losses were.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
After
being run over by a bus, which item survived: <br />
A Macbook, an iPhone 4S, or a pair of reading glasses?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, the back glass panel was
shattered, the metal frame was slightly bent, and getting the charging jack
connected required 15 minutes of patient manipulation, but my iPhone was
otherwise intact, and in perfect working order. I have a notoriously bad
history with mobile phones, and by some miracle avoided having to talk to my
phone company about requiring a new phone less than a fortnight after receiving
the new upgrade. It also allowed me to ring my boss to tell him I’d be late,
organise new bank cards, and call my mother to <s>throw a tantrum</s> maturely
discuss my bad luck. I would like to heartily congratulate Apple on the design
of their iPhone 4S, the durability of which allowed it to survive being run
over by a bus.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KMjU7hbxgodx3uZe0qpyfkw0VZ_5JeqLLaAcIkdsG6osVuIk3V8E90wDjmcygVYsH_KD1W4ozOqJtO5P20o4VeDeNXidYFp2dXe4RIxCQXmBWgzekSyblMnm98PfQ4_-96Ca2s4iTHU/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7KMjU7hbxgodx3uZe0qpyfkw0VZ_5JeqLLaAcIkdsG6osVuIk3V8E90wDjmcygVYsH_KD1W4ozOqJtO5P20o4VeDeNXidYFp2dXe4RIxCQXmBWgzekSyblMnm98PfQ4_-96Ca2s4iTHU/s320/IMG_0120.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MacBook Pro Pancake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
Unfortunately, the Macbook Pro
was not so lucky. Since 2010, that Macbook had been the workhorse of my PhD,
taking the all-nighters, conference presentations, 'Protect Research' campaigns, mass data analysis, movie
marathons, and Twitter trawling in stride. Initially, I was excited by the fact
that it appeared to be in one piece. The outer casing, whilst now decorated
with a charming array of scratches, dents, and depressions, was still intact,
as was the ‘clam’ hinge. The Apple logo hadn’t even sustained a mark! Sure, it
wasn’t quite closing properly, and you could see exactly where every piece of
internal hardware was located, but all the pieces were contained <i>inside </i>the
hard casing! That much could not be said of the external hard-drive, which was
so badly broken that it was unable to be picked up from the middle of that busy
road, or the USB drive that was literally snapped in two. Unfortunately, the
tinkling of glass indicated the screen was completely destroyed, and whilst
making a gallant attempt to start up, the ominous knocking of hard drive
components and loud, previously inaudible, whirring of fans shattered the last
of my hopes. Admittedly, those hopes were minimal after discovering my insurance didn’t
cover ‘transit damage’. A quick trip to my local Apple reseller confirmed my
worst fears, with the device declared “unsalvageable”. The lovely lads did,
however, whip out the hard drive for me, with murmured, half-hearted encouragements of
“perhaps a professional recovery service can save something for you”. Alas, the
$1,900+ recovery fees far outstrip the resources of a PhD student stipend, but
I took home the priceless lesson of ensuring you have multiple back-ups, stored in water/fire/terrorism/bus-proof safes, that
are never allowed within a 1km radius of each other under any circumstances. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hvv3aK_TUsknWWRLy0lSYKVhYLuHX1YApA-UUM1pP5i4yNrO-_zwWSFMGinhI1LSvXI_SdjzLHdmhiLtqp5x5KJD2TclYFffLlpF-9lMePBjioZjoWSF3usQi8lUSPXVTJZ4dmm2QQk/s1600/IMG_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5Vjf5WtiUInPcqMyXtePHMThKCcvWhEEnmdvwXc9VDWeuxHFsPNJ1z5dq6Dn-az6rsUF8-QrddoN_dyD9AtLhiMV3golDW-r5p1x-0DnqtNPrfkczkinHSrBfs6IgXLnjCDPdf4BSK4/s1600/IMG_0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5Vjf5WtiUInPcqMyXtePHMThKCcvWhEEnmdvwXc9VDWeuxHFsPNJ1z5dq6Dn-az6rsUF8-QrddoN_dyD9AtLhiMV3golDW-r5p1x-0DnqtNPrfkczkinHSrBfs6IgXLnjCDPdf4BSK4/s200/IMG_0060.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shattered, but functional</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxRXmV8JHCDXYKQOGeVj05VTKdUjvyrjViPORLPcGBsdmh149wV74R4pHIX9wDISD7I4YcMQd5bzBNoyGlUDE9NwkilifsULlu7UHsPxAD7SnffXz01p_xJvGnqadcY2U18Lq6W6EpV4/s1600/IMG_0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxRXmV8JHCDXYKQOGeVj05VTKdUjvyrjViPORLPcGBsdmh149wV74R4pHIX9wDISD7I4YcMQd5bzBNoyGlUDE9NwkilifsULlu7UHsPxAD7SnffXz01p_xJvGnqadcY2U18Lq6W6EpV4/s200/IMG_0061.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New ergonomic iPhone design</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The fact that the iPhone emerged
with little more than cosmetic damage is a testament to the durability of the
devices designed and built by Apple, and despite the damage it incurred, I
remain very impressed about how intact the Macbook was, allowing it to be
quickly and safely retrieved from the flow of irate peak hour traffic.<br />
<br />
I fully
intend to purchase a replacement Macbook Pro, once my savings account reaches
Apple-supporting levels. Five years should just about do the trick.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Kind Regards,</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Neysa </b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0Geelong West VIC, Australia-38.1393964 144.3481984-38.151885400000005 144.3284574 -38.1269074 144.3679394tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-65189475415177251462012-02-27T20:43:00.002+11:002012-02-27T20:43:44.407+11:00Good News, Bad News<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">So,
what happened on Friday of Week 3 that has potentially killed me for the rest
of the RDWC challenge?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After a week of taping my ankle to help
with support, I’d had the tape off for about 2 days, giving it a chance to
prove itself before derby on Sunday. My quadriceps were still pretty sore from
the previous weekend, but I was still stubbornly believing that there was
nothing to worry about, and that I’d be fine by Sunday. Then, on the way to
watch the football with some friends at the pub, my ankle gave out. I landed
heavily on my knee (thankfully not the dodgy one!), and all of my weight went
back. Those crazy tight quads screamed, and so did I. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It took me almost 10 minutes to limp the
30m from where I fell to the pub. A skinned knee dripping blood down my leg was
the least of my worries. My right leg couldn’t bear weight without feeling like
I’d been stabbed in the thigh. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
fairly convinced I had ripped the muscle from the bone. I spent 2 hours sitting
on one bar-stool, my leg supported on another, with ice wrapped around my quad,
before I felt like I could put any weight back on it. Thankfully, my favourite
team was playing their pre-season game, so in between growling, yelping and
crying, I got to see them play. After hobbling to the car, and then from car to
boyfriend’s couch, I spent the rest of the night with ice on and off. The pain
localized, and seemed to be focused on my vastus intermedius, the middle
section of the quadriceps, the type of pain suggesting partial tear, rather
than full snap. Despite being good friend’s with my physio, and knowing he was
open the next morning, I decided to wait it out until my appointment Monday
afternoon. I knew the drill: RICE. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate. Saturday,
could weight-bear for short distances, but rested up as much as possible.
Sunday, the first day of RDWC’s Week 4, I decided to test myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Derby.
</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I couldn’t strap anything but my ankle,
thanks to the amount of sweat that appears on a 38C day. I got 3 laps of the
track at a teeth-clenching jog before having to pull out in pure agony. No luck
with squats, even less with lunges. 50 wall push-ups and about the same of crutches
later, and the uninjured Fresh Meat had finished their warm-up. Threw on the
skates, made it halfway around the track before having to rip everything off. I
was in tears, and not just because of the pain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The following three hours were seriously
depressing. I watched as my fellow Fresh Meat worked on their falls and slides,
learnt the fine art of the slalom, and practiced their hops. I didn’t want to
be sitting on the side-lines, I wanted to be out there, falling on my arse,
laughing, learning. Instead, I watched, and I listened, and I tried to remember
everything that was said, in the vain hope I’d be back the next week. Once the
Fresh Meat had finished, I was the only one to stay behind for the level 2 and
up training, like I do every week, even getting the opportunity to act as
penalty timer for scrimmage. It was great, I learnt a lot, and our Fresh Meat
coaches were fantastic, encouraging me to come along next week even if I was
off skates, and telling me they’d run me through a one-on-one catch-up session
when I was back on my wheels. That made me feel better </span><span lang="EN-US"> (Thanks Ace and Fink!)</span><span lang="EN-US">, but I still couldn’t
shake the sinking feeling that in the space of one week, I had blown a year of physio and hard work. Home to more ice and an early night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Today,
I saw my physiotherapist.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">“A Grade Strain”. After 15 minutes of
explaining what happened, how it felt at the time of the injury and since,
discussing my suspicions, and having a bit of a poke around (Ok, actually more
technical than that, but you don’t want details of my screaming and crying),
those three words were a sweet relief. A strain I can handle, as long as the
muscle is intact. An intact muscle doesn’t need surgery, it just needs some
gentle love and attention until it is healed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The verdict? Minimum two weeks recovery. I
have set exercises I have to do 3 or 4 times a day, and am restricted to
walking, with a reassessment in one week. In the words of my physio “No
running, no jumping, no hopping or skipping or lunges, and for gods sake, no
skates!” Any core work involving my legs is out, so no planks, wall sits or
push-ups (unless they’re one legged, against an upright surface, on my good
leg). It’s boring, and it’s horrible, and I’m annoyed, but you know what? I’ll
do it. I’ll take the weeks off skates until I’m approved again. I’ll research a
million-and-one ways to work my core, back and upper body without engaging my
quads. Because I want it. Because derby is worth fighting for. And because I’ll
be damned if I’m letting my body get the better of me again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Neysa xo </span></i></span></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-83133711032227795412012-02-27T19:57:00.001+11:002012-02-27T19:58:25.283+11:00RDWC2012 - Week Two & Three Wrap Up<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Ever feel like your life has just been
picked up and thrown around a bit, to the extent you’ve lost a certain amount
of control? That’s been me for about the last 2 weeks. I had best intentions of
posting a weekly round-up for this challenge, but life had other ideas! So,
how’s the challenge going?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Week Two</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">After the shaky start in Week 1, I was
really happy with the progress made in Week 2. My body recovered well when I
put my calorie intake back up and cut out some of the meat proteins. On the
Sunday I had 2 hours of derby training and felt fantastic, bouncing straight
back afterwards, with little soreness the next day. Every day that week, I rode
my bike for at least 30 minutes, on one day for around 90 minutes. (House-hunting
is fantastic for this!). I did push-ups and sit-ups every second day, giving my
abdominals a chance to recover in between, since I know I have a history of
over-working them. Due to some knee and ankle issues that have flared up, I
didn’t do much leg work outside what my physio gave me, but at the end of the
week, I was pretty happy with where I was. According to my food diary, I was
still about 300 calories short a day, but I was probably operating a touch
under my calculation values, so I wasn’t too stressed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">I didn’t have too many major challenges
during Week 2. I didn’t want to push myself too hard after how my body had
reacted in Week 1, but I was still happy with my increased activity levels and
my food choices.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Week Three</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Week 3 started quite well. Fresh Meat
training on Sunday was great, though I started to get a niggle in my ankle
while doing some stopping drills. Monday afternoon I had an appointment with my
physio, who diagnosed acute tendonitis and some lower-leg muscle weakness. A
quick refresher in support taping, and an adjustment to my exercise regime, and
I was out the door again. More push-ups and crunches on the Tuesday, and I was
feeling good! Then, Wednesday. I had a rather epic day of riding around to
house inspections, only to get clipped by a car while on my bike on my way to
the last house on my list. Thankfully, no major injuries were sustained, but I
was rather shaken, sporting a few bruises, and had some doozey road rash. Took
Thursday and Friday fairly easy, not wanting to do more damage to already
bruised muscles. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">On the Saturday, I was somewhat
unexpectedly called to play a game of baseball, something I haven’t done in
about 3 years. I played a season as an undergrad, then shifted clubs as a
scorer, and eventually left the game behind, before taking up softball for a
season in my final year of undergrad, and giving it away again when I started
my research career. 4 hours of running around the outfield in sweltering heat made
for a super-sore body that night. My quadriceps were a lot tighter than normal,
but I attributed that to lack of use, and figured it would mend with some
stretching. Sunday, I was still sore, but roller derby awaited! We spent a
whole 2 hours working on our knee slides and falls (Ok, well maybe half an hour
was spent learning sticky-skating). By the end of it, my quads were screaming
at me, and I ached pretty much everywhere. Not to worry, nothing some
stretching and ice wouldn’t fix. That night, at a BBQ (Meat and salad, yay! A
ginger beer, oops. In my defense, still came in right on my calorie intake for
the day!), one of my friend’s fell through a section of roof, and I ended up
heading to hospital with him after holding a tourniquet on his arm until the
medicos arrived. Thankfully, when I finally got to see him in the ER after
getting checked out, he hadn’t done any serious damage. He had a bruised butt,
a bit of a bump on the head, and a lovely deep laceration that laid the muscles
on his arm bare, but thankfully hadn’t severed anything vital. Once he had
settled in for the night, I met up with some friends at the pub, and being the
good girl I am, didn’t have a drink. Didn’t do much else either, still being
rather sore from all that sport. Still, nothing stretching, ice and rest
wouldn’t fix, right?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>Oh how wrong I was. </b>When by Tuesday I still
couldn’t move properly, I should have given my physio a call. My gut told me
something was wrong, but I convinced myself that if I kept up with my normal
recovery routine, I’d be fine. I shifted from ice to heat, stretched out my
legs every chance I got. I cut out everything that wasn’t prescribed by my
physio. I took a ridiculously long, hot bath and THEN stretched. Friday
morning, I was starting to feel better, but was still tight. Needless to say,
called the baseball girls and put in my apologies for the rest of the season,
and eternity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b><span lang="EN-US">So what went wrong? Find out in Part 2!</span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span lang="EN-US">Neysa xo </span></b></i></span></div>
<i><b><span lang="EN-US"></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>P.S.</b> Friend is fine. After a nice 3 day hospital stay, he had surgery to reattach all his skin, and is now recovering at home. He's vowed never to climb on a roof again. </span></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-46356537382613951772012-02-07T11:04:00.000+11:002012-02-07T11:04:09.061+11:00RDWC2012 - The Week One Wrap-Up<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">First things First!</span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Straight off the bat, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that read my last post, and for all of the positive feedback both here and on Facebook. 246 visitors in 24 hours is a new record for this blog! I love that I got to use my nerdy science powers for good rather than evil, and that it may have helped people to think about the way they approach a new diet plan. So big *<b>MWAH*</b> to you all!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">So how did I go with Week 1 of the Roller Derby Workout Challenge?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Blah.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Sunday to Wednesday I had stuck pretty close to the meal plan. I spent most of the first week (Monday-Thursday) feeling pretty flat. I was lethargic, I tired very quickly, I was cranky, I had headaches, I couldn’t concentrate on work. I did do a long session of physio, followed by stair-runs, jumping jacks and planks, but I was knackered after only two sets of each. I tried to run one afternoon, and felt very faint even before the end of the first kilometer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, I’d get home from uni, try to exercise, and face a body that literally could not handle it. Enter the <a href="http://andanin.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/nutritional-analysis-of-rdwc2012-meal.html" target="_blank">nutritional analysis</a>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">After fixing my calorie intake, dropping the sodium, and upping the vegies, my body responded really well. I played kick-to-kick and tennis with my boyfriend, spent a half-hour swimming at the beach (actually swimming out the back of the breakers, not frolicking in the surf!), went for a run on the sand. And it felt GOOD! Ok, I didn’t stick strictly to the workout plan, but I was getting my heart-rate up, which I’m happy with. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">This week has already started out much better, but I’ll fill you in on that in another post.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Tracking Progress</span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">At the moment, I’m using <a href="http://www.fleetly.com/home/">Fleetly</a> to track my exercise progress, and <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">Myfitnesspal</a> to track my food intake. I’ve found the Roller Derby Challenge groups on <a href="http://www.fleetly.com/challenges/605/">both</a> <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/1770-roller-derby-workout-challenge">websites</a>, which I’m sure will be really helpful! I’ll probably start tracking my exercise through myfitnesspal too, so I have all my info in one spot, but I like the points set up in fleetly, it appeals to my competitive nature! I’ll also start logging my dietary intake once a week on Foodworks, just to keep an eye on my overall nutritional picture, but for now, I’m happy with a general idea of my intake, rather than a detailed one.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Hope you’re all having a good crack at it this week, look forward to seeing everyone’s progress!</span></div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Neysa xo</span></span></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-43621737822721007992012-02-03T21:54:00.001+11:002012-02-03T21:58:20.067+11:00Nutritional analysis of the RDWC2012 Meal Plan (or, Why I’m Ditching the Meal Plan)<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
mso-themecolor:hyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-unhide:no;
color:purple;
mso-themecolor:followedhyperlink;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u><b>Roller Derby Workout Challenge </b></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">As I mentioned in my last post, I decided to take part in the Roller Derby Workout Challenge 2012 (RDWC2012), an 8 week training program designed specifically for roller derby. The organisers repeatedly told us that it was not a weight-loss program, that is was designed to gain strength. This was perfect for me. I have no desire to lose weight, my only goal being to build fitness for derby, and strength to prevent yet another injury. Sounded too good to be true.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Turns out, it may well be.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">After a few days following the meal plan as closely as allergies and availability allowed, I was getting sick of feeling hungry within half an hour of eating. As well as that, I felt flat, was having trouble concentrating, and just generally feeling like crap. A quick look at the group told me that several other girls were experiencing hunger pangs too. What concerned me, however, was that it was just being brushed off as ‘sugar/carb withdrawal’. Ok, that might fly for some people. Sugar is a hard thing to come off of. It makes you crave, it makes you cranky. But I didn’t have a high sugar intake to start off with, and my refined carb intake (White flours, pastas, rice, etc.) is usually pretty low (I think my two weeks in Italy in December could be forgiven!). For me, I didn’t feel like sugar withdrawal was the answer to what I was experiencing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">What’s a molecular nutritionist to do?</span></b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I work in a molecular nutrition laboratory. We routinely do trials that involve analyzing food diaries, designing nutritional interventions, and creating meal plans designed to combat a multitude of problems. So, naturally, I decided to run the meal plan through our typical protocol, and see what turned up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">We run a program in our lab called <a href="http://www.xyris.com.au/default.html">“Foodworks”</a>, a software package developed by Xyris. It allows us to enter data from meal plans, food diaries, etc, utilizing a large database of items, just about any food you can think of, which can be modified as products change, or new data becomes available. It gives a full nutrition profile of kilojoules (or Calories), carbs, proteins, vitamins, minerals, breakdowns of fatty acid types. You name it, it probably looks at it. We are then able to compare this profile to recommended daily intake (RDI) guidelines, which we can tailor to reflect age, weight, gender, fitness and activity levels, whether you’re pregnant, or depending on your specific goals.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">The Profile</span></b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I tailored the protocol to give me Australian RDIs for, well, me. 24, female, 65kg, 165cm, with a light activity load. This means I sit at a desk for most of my week, skate a few hours, and walk most places. I then transferred the meal plans (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/doc/353910907971961/">Week 1</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/doc/362530347110017/">Week 2</a>). Wherever possible, I have matched like for like. Where there has been a low salt option listed, I have selected that instead of the standard. Any salad was automatically assumed to contain lettuce/spinach, cucumber, capsicum and snowpeas (because they are representative, and correlate well to most substitutions), and was not dressed unless explicitly stated. If an amount was not specified, I went with the generally accepted serving size. The only two changes I made were the addition of 2L (8 glasses) of tap water per day, and string cheese, which due to lack of data I substituted for 2 slices of Colby cheese. How did the first two weeks of the diet stack up?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">READ ME FIRST:</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"> Before starting any new diet plan, always consult your doctor or nutritionist. The data presented is tailored for my situation only, and should not be taken as nutritional advice, but rather as “food for thought”. </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">The Results</span></b></u></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo72MrBMxMdAzAEi5yeX1uw5_yFl0KdpXXmKZhyaTRrUurULbYhDVhNftHVwMIv1gdL-BGNmrrfTr6tUPbcO1OhKr_1ECuzgRTsut-d9iWyYibc82Sg_j0_HWW1SIch8uU42Wr6QL-Dlk/s1600/RDIs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo72MrBMxMdAzAEi5yeX1uw5_yFl0KdpXXmKZhyaTRrUurULbYhDVhNftHVwMIv1gdL-BGNmrrfTr6tUPbcO1OhKr_1ECuzgRTsut-d9iWyYibc82Sg_j0_HWW1SIch8uU42Wr6QL-Dlk/s400/RDIs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 1. Based on average daily intake calculated form Weeks 1&2 of RDWC2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Your EERM, or estimated energy requirement for maintenance is “</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">the dietary energy intake that is predicted to maintain energy balance… in healthy individuals or groups of individuals <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at current levels of body size and level of physical activity</i>” (<a href="http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/n35syn.htm">Source</a>). Basically, that means for me to stay at the same level as I am now, I need to consume this amount of calories. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">If I follow the meal plan to the letter, I will only obtain about <u><b>61%</b></u> of the energy I require to maintain my current level, and that means one of two things: a) If I continue at the same activity level, my body will take the energy from elsewhere, i.e. start eating itself, or b) in order to maintain my current body composition, I’d have to reduce my activity level. Neither of these are things that are conducive building fitness and muscle. The fact that it is a 39% deficit concerns me even more though. That is not just cutting back a little bit. That is a hardcore, shed-your-pounds, starvation-style diet. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">No wonder I was so hungry!</span></b><span lang="EN-US"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The protein content is more than double the RDI, but as the aim is to improve muscle, this would normally be highly desirable. You have to eat protein to make protein! The only issue at the moment is that rather than going to building muscle, it is more likely being diverted toward creating energy to keep you running. Excess dietary protein can <a href="http://hyper.ahajournals.org/content/57/2/269.short">also exacerbate hypertension, and lead to renal damage</a>. This is just one recent study that appeared in my inbox a few months ago, there are many more out there!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">The big killer though, the one thing that would have put me off this diet within moments, whether or not I was looking for a quick weight-loss fix, was the sodium content. Basically, salt. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOawwaow3ozCuddL-TlPCTkxJL3b7Prya4Q-hIgUJfbBS2nX9hlnotfNPUfNF_U7sSca3Kso88gIPjpDKSzYlQ6veec3FpLnLJpQRDoTU3ENHfTCxVMdIDZMOWO2-Ypl2AwV2kAUBsEs/s1600/RDI2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOawwaow3ozCuddL-TlPCTkxJL3b7Prya4Q-hIgUJfbBS2nX9hlnotfNPUfNF_U7sSca3Kso88gIPjpDKSzYlQ6veec3FpLnLJpQRDoTU3ENHfTCxVMdIDZMOWO2-Ypl2AwV2kAUBsEs/s400/RDI2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fig 2. Based on average daily intake calculated form Weeks 1&2 of RDWC2012.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><u><b>29% extra ON TOP of the daily recommended MAXIMUM.</b></u> That is 448% of what is called the ‘adequate’ intake, or what the average human will be able to consume and remain healthy. When that result came off, I actually went back and triple checked it was correct. The list of issues associated with a <a href="http://www.nature.com/ki/journal/v78/n8/full/ki2010280a.html">high-sodium diet</a> is long and varied, and include increased blood pressure, heart disease, kidney problems, hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance to name a few, and that this diet is so high in sodium is cause for serious concern.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all know that calcium is important for healthy bones, with low calcium levels increasing the risk of osteoporosis, or brittle bones, later in life. And I think we can all agree, brittle bones are the enemy of roller derby girls. However, rather than maximising calcium intake, this diet only provides 63% of the RDI (Fig 1). Iron, another nutrient that young women are often deficient in, was also only at 62% RDI (Fig 1). </span><span lang="EN-US">Iron deficiency limits oxygen delivery to cells due to anemia, resulting in fatigue, poor performance, and decreased immunity. Certainly not conducive to good derby!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Most of the B-group vitamins are well represented (with the exception of Folate, 79%RDI) as is Vitamin C and total Vitamin A (Fig 1). They fall below the suggested target for prevention of chronic disease, but that is another post for another time. There are also several issues with other micronutrients, but to write about any but the main ones would take a much longer blog than this, and I felt it important to outline the major issues, such as energy, calcium and iron.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><u><b>Summing Up</b></u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I want to finish by saying that I *<b>do*</b> respect what the girls at the Roller Derby Workout are trying to do. The exercise regime is brilliant, the community they’re building is beautiful, and they are trying to encourage people to live healthier, fitter, derbylicious lives. However, their meal plan cannot be pushed as a “one-size-fits-all” dietary solution, and should only be used as a guideline, adapted to each individual's requirements. My mantra when it comes to changes in diet is “when in doubt, check it out”. Participants in any dietary plan, regardless of weight-loss goals, should always do their research, and if in doubt, consult a healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nutritionist. There are plenty of good, free food-tracking/calorie counting programs and websites online, which will give you a rough idea of how your diet is stacking up against your RDIs. For me personally, to achieve my desired results, I will have to increase my calories by almost double the meal plan in order to accommodate the extra exercise, cut the salt, and get my calcium and iron consumption back up to normal levels.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I hope this won’t discourage people from completing the challenge, but also hope that it will help some people who may be confused about why they are feeling less than stellar about the food side of things. As always, I’m happy to answer any questions, cop any criticism, and take any suggestions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Neysa xo</span></span></i></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-89639557479209505812012-01-30T21:30:00.000+11:002012-01-30T21:30:02.783+11:00The Roller Derby Workout Challenge 2012 – An Introduction<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:1 134676480 16 0 131072 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US"></span></u></i></b><span lang="EN-US"></span><u><b>How Did I Find the Roller Derby Workout Challenge?</b></u></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US"></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">A few days ago, while catching up on the Derby Deeds podcast, I heard mention of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/" target="_blank">Roller Derby Workout Challenge</a> (RDWC). Given my desire to improve my fitness for skating, I couldn’t help but check it out on Facebook, and found myself deciding to give it a crack. The challenge officially started on the 29<sup>th</sup> January, and runs during the same period of time as my Fresh Meat training. I’ll be blogging about my experience with the program in addition to my roller derby progress.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">So What IS It?</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">For those of you who haven’t heard of it (or can’t be stuffed looking it up), RDWC is an 8 week fitness and diet program designed for roller derby, by lovers of roller derby. Of course, you can also do it if you don’t do roller derby, looks like it’s going to be an amazing workout. The program focuses on building strength, rather than weight-loss, a very appealing proposition for someone with my aversion to fad diets. Every week, a meal plan, workout plan and a series of ‘homework’ questions get posted for members to follow, with the Facebook group providing a community to support and encourage, trade ideas, and generally be as awesome as roller derby communities tend to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">The Food Plan</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Now, I should point out that while it does include a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/doc/353910907971961/" target="_blank">diet-plan</a>, I probably won’t be following it too strictly as I’m not worried about my weight, it is too meat-heavy, doesn’t seem to incorporate enough variation for my liking, and doesn’t match with what is seasonally available here. That said, I like most of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/doc/353905417972510/" target="_blank">underlying principles</a> they have used in the creation of the food-plan, such as cutting out highly refined sugars and carbs, reducing processed meat, upping your vege intake, and putting a stop to that pesky drinking habit. I’ll probably be switching around some proteins (chickpeas instead of all that chicken!), having salads instead of cooked veges, and finding some form of substitute for nuts considering my seriously allergic housemate comes home in a couple of weeks. One thing I would like to see is the nutrient breakdown (Carbs, Protein, Fats, Calories, etc.) that they used, so that I can work with it in my own way, rather than trying to figure out what appropriate substitutes for each individual meal are. I’m going to give it a week, and then decide whether or not to continue with it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">The Exercise Regime</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Whilst the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/337188396310879/doc/358519347511117/" target="_blank">exercise program</a> originally calls for a copy of the <a href="http://www.rollerderbyworkout.com/" target="_blank">official workout DVD</a>, the admins have also provided an alternative workout for people who do not have the DVD, a god-send for someone like me that can’t afford the extra cost at the moment. This program is obviously designed to be supplementary to derby training, with two days using it as the primary exercise, but I’m guessing it could be substituted for any high-intensity activity, like a good long run, gym session, swimming, etc. I’ll only be having 1 derby practice a week, so I’ll have to experiment to find a replacement for the other.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Progress</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Day 1 was interesting. It was the first day I’d actually had enough money to go grocery shopping since coming back from my trekking around, so contrary to my usual method of “feed what the body is asking for”, I actually sat down with the meal plan, made a shopping list, and then went to the supermarket. Took forever, but in the end came home relatively happy with my choices, including a few substitutions based on availability or preference (i.e. switching lunch ‘meat’ for tuna, pears for bananas, brussel sprouts for green beans etc). I decided to pre-cook a few things for during the week, like turkey mince or pork fillet, so I could just throw some in to a container with salad and rice for uni. I also made a batch of <a href="http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/2011/10/recipe-the-raw-tahini-dip-that-done-stoled-my-heart/" target="_blank">tahini dressing based on Bonzai Aphrodite’s</a> offerings, which, due to its immense yumminess, I can foresee going on EVERYTHING! In terms of what I actually ate, it was a bit of a shambles. I’ll save it for a later ‘Week in Review’ post, but suffice to say it wasn’t the best start. *grins*</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US">Outside of RDWC2012</span></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">I utterly failed in my aim this week to start getting back to my strict physio routine, mostly because my usual exercises have been making my ankle hurt a lot more than is usual, and I’d prefer to see my physiotherapist before continuing too hard. Because I was only doing some exercises, that meant I slacked off a lot with the others too, so this week, it’s back on the table: <b>Physio for Neysa!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The last week, with Australia Day, glorious warm weather, and a fridge full of ciders, I drank more than I should, and the tennis has been on so it’s been a lot of late nights (But last night’s final, WOW!), so I’m looking forward to using February as my ‘reset’ for the new year, and getting my butt back on track!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">I hope you’ll all join in on my journey, be it encouragement, chastisement, or just having a general chat.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Neysa xo</span></span></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-29884072864701636852012-01-22T20:25:00.000+11:002012-01-22T20:25:33.573+11:00This Is Roller Derby.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sV-51tLLOIBVoeh1nfUGsvdQdY-9QWo-WwxFxPwF3109_QvncHSvz-xePOWaOznv0BaBi_G2nB9FpLzD_HG5N59Ek2KnWMPBDbiOgQlOuT7sdckDMQWOplckHSJp1Ng6kyF-vu3i6lg/s1600/derbygirl" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sV-51tLLOIBVoeh1nfUGsvdQdY-9QWo-WwxFxPwF3109_QvncHSvz-xePOWaOznv0BaBi_G2nB9FpLzD_HG5N59Ek2KnWMPBDbiOgQlOuT7sdckDMQWOplckHSJp1Ng6kyF-vu3i6lg/s320/derbygirl" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darby, by <a href="http://myworld.ebay.com.au/myka_jelina/?_trksid=p4340.l2559">Myka Jelina</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"> <style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-font-charset:78;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1791491579 18 0 131231 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073743103 0 0 415 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"MS 明朝";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
@page WordSection1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style><span lang="EN-US">Today was the day. Today, I became part of something bigger than myself. Today I started roller derby.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The <a href="http://www.geelongrollerderby.com/home">Geelong Roller Derby League</a> had their sign-up day today, so at 4.30pm myself and about 10 other women were sitting in the sweltering heat of the big blue Barwon Valley Activity Centre shed, listening to some of my derby heroes talk about what we are going to work through during our Fresh Meat course. Can I just say, Ace of Hearts, Eva War, and Boneyard Betsy are really wonderful in person, and I now respect them even more than I did for their on-skate performances.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The tenish of us are all different. I didn’t get a chance to really talk to anyone before everyone left, but we’re all different ages, have different body shapes and sizes. Some have piercings and tats, others (like me) had none. Some came in full make up, hair up etc, some didn’t. And pretty much everyone signed the form to start training. I like that we have such a diverse group, and look forward to getting to know the other women in my intake, as well as the rest of the league, in the weeks to come.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Fresh Meat starts on Sunday in 2 weeks time, and will include both off-skate fitness & strength training, as well as learning how to skate safely, fall, lean and all the other fun derby stuff. Some people looked surprised at the prospect of having to do push-ups and sit-ups, something which I was already anticipating from years in other sports, and from my research of derby. Being honest, the prospect of the fitness training excites me, as I’m really looking forward for a new opportunity to push myself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">And I am going to have to start pushing myself. Over the two months since I left on conference leave, I’ve been very very slack with my physio, and it’s starting to show. If I’m going to be any good at derby, and avoid needless injury, I have to start getting back in to it, so that’s what I’m going to do. As of right… NOW! I’m going to work hard, train hard, and get back to my peak. I’ll be aiming to run through my full physio program twice a day, as I was when I hurt my shoulder this time last year. I’ll also be aiming to spend at least 30mins on my skates every day, even if it is only around the house, as I was doing before I went overseas.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">I’m very excited that I am finally able to make a start in the sport of roller derby, after a couple of years of waiting, watching, and wishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring. It. On.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">Neysa xo</span></span></i></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0Geelong VIC 3220, Australia-38.145357378784347 144.36172647851561-38.161355878784349 144.3495919785156 -38.129358878784345 144.37386097851561tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-65355085887589217142011-08-28T18:49:00.000+10:002011-08-28T18:49:05.065+10:00Social Media for Scientists - Science Under Siege<blockquote><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlWX2MvDNj3vkxTI6PzV2Rfp-QzqahRpB9WRmPfwN8xj4Z5endTPzZvmidaV8oJWXuftHG1zzghceaVHRygkbAieop89ELE8NMrxvUxjwyQlFc6cYTAWyg9_fgNPOlOrE2XIcAuEWxU4/s1600/6082100668_33092f9831_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlWX2MvDNj3vkxTI6PzV2Rfp-QzqahRpB9WRmPfwN8xj4Z5endTPzZvmidaV8oJWXuftHG1zzghceaVHRygkbAieop89ELE8NMrxvUxjwyQlFc6cYTAWyg9_fgNPOlOrE2XIcAuEWxU4/s400/6082100668_33092f9831_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Rachael Dunlop speaking at Social Media for Scientists (Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/johncarney/6082100668/in/photostream">John Carney</a>, with permission)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></blockquote><blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/andanin">andanin</a>: Weeeee, #<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23socmedsci">socmedsci</a> tomorrow! How am I supposed to sleep? Far too excited! #nerd</blockquote>Yes, Thursday night I was a hyper little bunny, and by the time midday Friday rolled around, I was nearly jumping out of my skin with excitement. I was on my way to the Walter & Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) in Melbourne to attend one of the most highly anticipated events on my calendar, a seminar on the use of social media for the promotion and communication of science. The speakers were all people whom I hugely respect, following their online personas religiously. Due to train timetabling, I arrived rather early, and ended up having to seek out coffee while waiting, in hindsight perhaps not a wise move in my already supercharged state. Incidentally, the guys at Royal Fig Cafe are lovely. After half an hour catching up on tweetdeck (sans internet connection), it was 3.42pm, and time to get amongst it! <br />
<br />
<i>What follows is a bit of a mash-up between what went on at the seminar, my own thoughts, and the twitter conversation both during and after. It's long, very long. Many of the tweets and comments by the panel are no longer in chronological order, as I've tried to group things into the conversation points they are relevant to. <b>Note</b>: If you feel I have quoted you incorrectly, or misrepresented your view, please let me know. I WILL fix it. Some excess hashtags & @'s have been removed to allow for ease of reading.</i><br />
<blockquote><a href="http://twitter.com/embws">@embws</a> Sitting w scientists & communicators ready to hear exciting talk of how we can embrace social media to tell others about our work<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/misspezaro">@MissPezaro</a> I'm watching to encourage scientists to jump on board, share their work & engage with us. We want to learn from you! </blockquote>The excitement was palpable in the filled-to-capacity theatre, with its dimmed lights, microphone checks, powerpoint presentation splashed across the front wall. From the outset, you could tell this was no usual scientific seminar, as everyone pulled out their phones, laptops, and assorted other nerdy paraphernalia. Discussion was initially hushed, as people quietly confessed to those sitting next to them the extent of their social media addiction, conversation quickly buoyed as each became assured of the knowledge that in this room, they were by no means alone. I was wired, my hands shaking, knots in my stomach. I could hardly hold my pen, almost out of place at this type of forum, but the only option given my inability to type well when hyperactive. I was starting to regret that latte. A bit of shuffling to incorporate the late-commers into our ranks, and <a href="http://www.australasianscience.com.au/article/issue-julyaugust-2011/warrior-science.html">Dr Krystal Evans</a> called the room to order. Many know her simply as <a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">@dr_krystal</a>, the bright twitter personality who came to the attention of the wider science community as a passionate advocate during the baptism-of-fire that was the "<a href="http://www.discoveriesneeddollars.org/home/">Discoveries Need Dollars</a>" campaign. It is hard to believe that the rally was only 5 months ago. There's short burst of laughter at the realisation that we're actually being encouraged to use twitter (and any other social media platform we desire, so long as all devices are on silent) during the event. Yes folks, for the first time ever, people were ENCOURAGED to use their phone during a seminar.<br />
<br />
<b>I'll just let that sink in for a moment.</b><br />
<br />
Unfortunately, not long before this came up, I'd made the sad discovery that there was no wifi in the theatre, and therefore I couldn't actually contribute to the online conversation. My disappointment was mercifully short lived, as Dr Evans introduced the afternoon's invited speaker, Dr Rachael Dunlop. First, let me say, this woman is an inspiration. Tweeting as <a href="http://twitter.com/drrachie">@DrRachie</a>, Dr Dunlop won the 2010 Shortie award for Health, is a brilliant science communicator, who has spoken on panels all over the place (Including Dragoncon, EPIC!), teaches science to kids through the "Mystery Investigators" program, is an important part of Australian Skeptics (including their <a href="http://www.skepticzone.tv/">podcast</a>), <a href="http://scepticsbook.com/">blogs</a> wonderfully, is the Research & Communications Officer for HRI, and somehow still finds time to pursue research in the area of environmental triggers of motor-neuron disease. I'm sure I've left stuff out, but it give you an idea of how prolific Dr Dunlop is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Science Under Siege</b></u><br />
Anyone who essentially kicks off a seminar with a PhD Comic about <a href="http://www.phdcomics.com/comics/archive.php?comicid=1174">the science news cycle</a> is a legend. It is also quite fitting to what we see unfold as scientists. We discover a possible link between two things, publish a paper about it, and go back to the lab to do more research. Meanwhile, the uni's PR machine picks it up, tweeks it slightly for a press release, and sends it off to the media. The media, as we all know, loves a headline, and "A causes B" sounds much more impressive, and sells more copies, than "A may or may not cause B, holding C to be true". The little changes snowball, and eventually the scientist who wrote the original paper is left beating their head against the wall, wondering how their work came to be heralded by doomsayers as the final sign of the upcoming apocalypse.<br />
<br />
There is no better example of this miscommunication or misuse of science than the recent GM wheat 'scandal', and subsequent raid of CSIRO Canberra's test crops by GreenPeace activists in July. I've no doubt several hearts jumped on seeing Tony Jones at the start of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n4jThMP_HE">news clip</a>, only to be disappointed that it was from Lateline, and not QandA. The attitude of GreenPeace in the days after the attack can be summed up as "We don't understand it, so we'll destroy it". A very good point was raised by an audience member later that GreenPeace were very familiar with the techniques used, but as they don't agree with the use of the technology, they took the theatrical route.<br />
<br />
So, in light of these glaring gaps between scientists and the public (or groups that claim to support the public's best interests), what are we up against? Several key factors were raised here. The first was public apathy and a lack of science literacy in Australia. This was quite obvious during the #<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23protectresearch">protectresearch</a> campaign, when threats were made by federal government to <a href="http://www.discoveriesneeddollars.org/news_links">slash NHMRC funding</a>. Some of the comments that came out said that we should have come up for a cure for cancer already, and as we hadn't, why keep pouring in funding? Another asked why scientists need so much public funding, as they're all driving around in fancy, expensive cars. This got a few giggles out of the crowd, as so many of us ride pushbikes rather than drive, and those that do have cars certainly don't have flash expensive ones. I blame <a href="http://www.csifanwiki.com/page/Cars+on+CSI#fbid=7-S1brK2LXL">CSI</a>.<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">@dr_krystal</a> Public misunderstanding of science: Scientists are all driving around in expensive cars...<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/brainsmatter">@brainsmatter</a> Do scientists all drive in expensive cars and are in cahoots? Umm ... No</blockquote>Other problems are internal to science. The current academic system does not reward outreach or communication outside of of journals, as evidenced by immense pressure to publish, or as we call it in our lab "Publish or perish". Too much involvement in communication and outreach can be viewed with suspicion by our peers, who may perceive such behaviour as being "unable to handle 'real' science". Karl Saigon is a good example of this, when he was <a href="http://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/popular-and-pilloried/">denied membership</a> of National Academy of Sciences because his involvement in media made him unpopular with other scientists. Finally, we also have to contend with the "critics" of science, with their anti-science rhetoric - <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/you-are-just-plain-wrong-about-climate-change-mr-jones-20110601-1ffhd.html">Alan Jones </a>with his constant attacks on scientists, <a href="http://www.news.com.au/national/lord-christopher-monckton-and-dr-richard-denniss-address-national-press-club/story-e6frfkvr-1226097675186">Lord Monckton</a> of climate denying infamy, and even our elected representatives, such as Peter Phelps of the NSW Govt, who <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/upper-house-whip-under-fire-for-nazi-slur-on-scientists-20110601-1fgq0.html">likened scientists to Nazis</a> (Godwin's Law, DRINK!). Recent foibles by <a href="http://loonpond.blogspot.com/2011/07/christopher-pearson-tony-abbott-and-how.html">Tony Abbott</a> and co were not mentioned, though serve to further highlight the issue. And that is to say nothing of the damage being perpetrated by the <a href="http://scepticsbook.com/2011/08/23/the_weiner_files/">Australian Vaccination Network and Nimrod Weiner</a>!<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/brainsmatter">brainsmatter</a> Politicians continue 2 misuse data 2 suit political ends-ensure that the public has a reasonable understanding of the real facts</blockquote><br />
So how to we, as scientists, stand up for ourselves? How do we break the siege? Two recent campaigns have sprung from attacks on scientists. The first, and perhaps most interesting, as the quickly mobilised #<a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23protectresearch">protectresearch</a> "<a href="http://www.discoveriesneeddollars.org/home/">Discoveries Need Dollars</a>" campaign. In a matter of days, scientists had organised rallies across the country, were lobbying politicians, and were taking their work to the world. Public support was huge, but and ultimately the campaign was successful: the federal government backed down from cuts to funding for health research. More recently, the "<a href="http://respectthescience.org.au/">Respect the Science</a>" campaign has been started, largely in response to threats made against climate scientists in the lead-up and wake-of the carbon tax announcement. But why did we need these campaigns in the first place? The answer is some what simple to identify, but much harder to address: Scientists simply are not engaging in communication of their work to the general population. A personal observation, since these campaigns have started, I've noticed an increase in scientists online talking about their work and why it's important. It has been, in my opinion, the biggest success of either campaign: it has shaken the scientists up, and gotten us out and talking to the people.<br />
<br />
And our best medium for this? The interwebz of course! Dr Rachael gave us a stack of stats, and they are awesome. Pay attention, cause these are the one's you'll want to take to your supervisor to get them to shift their butt online! Consider for a moment that Australia has a population of around 22,660,000. 12 million of us are on <a href="http://facebook.com/">Facebook</a>, with around 10 million checking their account daily (Matt was shocked by this stat when Dr Rachael was talking to him later that night, non-believer!). 9.8 million are on <a href="http://youtube.com/">YouTube</a> (Do a search for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-zWBB-">lab</a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khBmRuFc_P4">science</a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lukiDn3GZN0">nerd</a>/<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k_WgseFy6Q">geek</a> remixes, gold!). 1.8 million are on <a href="http://twitter.com/">twitter</a>, with a similar number utilising <a href="http://wordpress.org/">WordPress</a> as their blogging platform. Youtube and Facebook are amoung the most accessed pages in Australia. All these people already engage in social media, so why can't we engage them through it? At the moment, it is a captive audience of untapped potential! Interestingly, it was mentioned that twitter has a slightly older demographic compared to Facebook, and Google was our most used search engine by a ridiculously significant margin (86% market share!).<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">dr_krystal</a> Who's using social media in Aust? 1.8 million on Twitter, 10 million on Facebook - a captive audience for science?<br />
@<a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">dr_krystal</a> Australian use of social media statistics from @<a href="http://twitter.com/DrRachie">DrRachie</a> here <a href="http://t.co/wDXlucm">http://t.co/wDXlucm</a></blockquote><blockquote>Also check out <a href="http://www.hitwise.com/au/datacentre/main/">Hitwise Australia</a> for great stats on which websites we browse</blockquote>So, how are we using our time on the internet? Apparently, we're a tiny bit obsessed with our health, with 1 in 2 using the internet to self-diagnose medical conditions (We've come a long way since my great-grandmother pestering my doctor grandfather about the her latest self-diagnosis courtesy of General Hospital). Two thirds use the internet to investigate medications. However, most will only read the first page of search results (~10 entries), which are often inaccurate (they also change, based on profiling of your previous searches). Seriously, go check out <a href="http://fffff.at/dr-google/">Dr Google</a>, type in a random symptom, and see how deadly your condition is. After playing with that for 5 mins, you won't be at all shocked by this next statistic...<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/brainsmatter">brainsmatter</a> 71% of self diagnosis search results on google are wrong<br />
@<a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">dr_krystal</a> Australian use of internet for health info from @<a href="http://twitter.com/DrRachie%20">DrRachie</a> talk here <a href="http://t.co/AukQoJI">http://t.co/AukQoJI</a><br />
@<a href="http://twitter.com/cpezaro">cpezaro</a> I'd love to be able to receive credible medical advice by #SocMedSci!!<br />
@<a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">dr_krystal</a> Do scientists have a responsibility to shift the balance of information available on the internet? To counter-pseudoscience?<br />
@<a href="http://twitter.com/_vTg_">_vTg_</a> On this point, I think any scientist complaining about errors in Wikipedia should make he effort to correct them.</blockquote><br />
This is all fine and well, but how can we harness this power for good, rather than evil? Enter <a href="http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/public-health/people/profiles/simonchapman.php%20">Prof Simon Chapman</a> (@<a href="http://twitter.com/simonchapman6">simonchapman6</a>), from University of Sydney, with some very wise words: "I just can't see the point of doing research if no one is going to read it". He tested the impact of social media on the <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/twitterati-flocks-to-researchers-posts/story-e6frgcjx-1226102269294">dissemination of information</a> based on downloads (not peer reviewed). He had previously sold 200 copies of a particular book. After tweeting about it, it was downloaded 7,000 times. A paper on competing interests? 242 hits. Paper on peer-review refusal? 800+ downloads. My blog gets <40 hits a week, I'm more than impressed by his numbers. Then there's <a href="http://www.ipscell.com/">Paul Knoepfler</a>, a stem-cell biologist and prostate cancer survivor, who wrote for the <a href="http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110727/full/475425a.html">Nature News blog</a> (may require registration) earlier this year on the growing acceptance of blogging as a medium for science communication. I won't spoil the read for you, but his message can be boiled down by his final statement: "Even if you choose not to blog, you can certainly expect that your papers and ideas will increasingly be blogged about. So there it is — blog or be blogged."<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/dr_krystal">dr_krystal</a> How to increase the readership of your research papers? Put them online & tweet about it. Start a blog and write about it.</blockquote><br />
Can one person's blog really be the game changer though? Yes, it can. A paper was released in the International Journal of Oncology claiming that h<a href="http://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/36/2/395%20">omeopathy was an effective treatment for breast cancer</a>. Have a read, and tell me what's wrong with that picture. Dr Rachael got hold of it, and effectively<a href="http://scepticsbook.com/2010/02/14/a-giant-leap-in-logic-from-a-piece-of-bad-science/"> ripped it to pieces</a>, exposing it for the terrible piece of science it was. One of the authors even <a href="http://scepticsbook.com/2010/02/14/a-giant-leap-in-logic-from-a-piece-of-bad-science/#comment-13891">distanced herself</a> from the paper, saying she had requested not to be a listed author. The original article was <a href="http://scepticsbook.com/2010/06/27/a-win-for-science-scepticism-and-common-sense-in-the-house-of-commons/">tabled in the UK parliament</a> in support of homeopathy funding, a call went out from another MP who thought it was suspicious, Dr Rachael's blogged criticism was provided, and the motion was subsequently rejected. Win for common sense!<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/embws">embws</a> Sensational & bad science can slip thru peer review & get media attention. eg. Homeopathy study published in Int j oncology '10. Dr Rachie exposed lack of statistics & issue w toxic solvent in homeopathy study through twitter</blockquote><br />
Finally, Dr Rachael left us with an excerpt of an <a href="http://skepticzone.libsyn.com/the-skeptic-zone-145-29-july-2011">interview</a> with <a href="http://www.microbiol.unimelb.edu.au/people/doherty/">Prof Peter Doherty</a>, in which he reiterates the need for scientists to communicate with the community through any means available, and that social media like blogs and podcasts are important for this. We cannot rely on traditional media in Australia, especially when several providers have vested interest in seeing some ideas shot down (i.e. climate change). With advent of digital media, print media is becoming obsolete, and 'new' media, such as <a href="http://theconversation.edu.au/">theconversation.edu.au</a>. is the way forward. Advice from a Nobel Laureate? I'll take it!<br />
<blockquote>@<a href="http://twitter.com/embws">embws</a> Prof Peter Doherty urges us to get involved in <a href="http://theconversation.edu.au/">theconversation.edu.au</a> because we can't rely on print media to get it right</blockquote>Dr Rachael Dunlop was a wonderful speaker, beautifully engaging, and obviously passionate. Her contribution to science communication is inspiring, and her seminar was thought provoking in the extreme. If you ever have the opportunity, I highly recommend listening to her speak, reading her blogs, and following her on Twitter. She's also fantastically approachable, and great for a chat. Legendary.<br />
<br />
<i>Coming Next: Social Media for Scientists Part II - The Panel Discussion.</i>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-59336253916406143092011-08-03T20:12:00.001+10:002012-01-22T20:57:31.317+11:00Cottage Pie à la Soup-Mix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtPI2QhbbHQRXHu1rmP3iUQShPx33jY69vR91LeERA3-QhjnyodlykqSwBo4XlxNYd22PvdBylpFOf2stVT8fW47E9Tc-fp3Q1tP9b-Pd1Uz4f1olQ9Tbdgg9YOROW8-iiNpbODh8-9Q/s1600/P1020985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtPI2QhbbHQRXHu1rmP3iUQShPx33jY69vR91LeERA3-QhjnyodlykqSwBo4XlxNYd22PvdBylpFOf2stVT8fW47E9Tc-fp3Q1tP9b-Pd1Uz4f1olQ9Tbdgg9YOROW8-iiNpbODh8-9Q/s320/P1020985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i><b>Introduction</b></i><br />
Today’s recipe is real clean-out-the-cupboard material. I have rows of jars full of dried legumes, peas, and seeds, and brown paper bags of potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes and garlic. Even though the solstice has passed, and the days are getting longer, it’s still pretty cold hereabouts, and I’m still all about the comfort food. Before the weekend, I’d soaked a heap of my pulses, and strung them up to sprout for a few days, and it was high time they were used. Originally, this was a big-ass stuff-up. The plan was lentil burgers. Unfortunately, after cooking and mashing the potato base, I added them straight to the still-raw pulse mix. Rather than despair, I threw it all into a baking dish, and aimed for potato bake. The result was more like cottage pie, and it was delicious! This recipe is from the second attempt, which was just as good, if better planned! <br />
<b><i>Declarations</i></b>: Today’s post structure inspired by <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/dr_krystal">@dr_krystal</a>. If you’re on twitter, she’s the science bomb!<br />
<br />
<i><b>Reagents</b></i><br />
• 4-6 large potatoes, peeled & roughly chopped<br />
• 1 onion, finely diced<br />
• Two cloves garlic, finely chopped<br />
• 1 ½ cups soaked & sprouted soup mix (Pearl barley, lentils, split peas)<br />
• 1 cup soaked & sprouted chickpeas<br />
• 1 ¼ cup full-cream milk or alt-milk<br />
• 2 tablespoons gluten-free plain flour<br />
• 1 tablespoon butter<br />
• A Pinch Garam masala spice blend (or any combination of your favourite spices)<br />
• A Pinch of chilli powder<br />
• ½ - 1 cup grated cheese (I used a combination of tasty + pecorino)<br />
• Salt & Pepper to taste<br />
<br />
<i><b>Methods</b></i><br />
Pre-heat your oven to 180C, and lightly grease a baking dish big enough to hold all that delicious goodness!<br />
Place the potatoes into a large pot of cold water, and bring to the boil over medium-to-high heat. Allow the potatoes to boil until par-cooked/al dente, then strain, and roughly mash (lumps are ok!). Set aside ¼ of the mash to top the pie later.<br />
In a large bowl, combine the soup mix, chickpeas, potato, onion, garlic, and spices. Tip it into your pre-greased dish. In a small bowl, whisk your flour into the milk, and pour over the top of the lentil mix. If you’re lazy (or cleaning out the cupboard!), grab a packet of that instant potato-bake stuff, like Maggi potato-bake mix, mix it up, and pour it over. If you want it super cheesy, sprinkle a bit of your cheese over the top now! Place your baking dish in the oven and bake, giving it a good mix occasionally, until the lentils and chickpeas are al dente. Pull out of the oven, evenly spread the last of the mashed potato in an even layer, and top with your grated cheese. Replace in the oven, and cook until the cheese is melted and golden-brown.<br />
Serve hot, with a side of steamed broccoli/asparagus/<insert green="" here="" stuff="">, or a tasty salad.<br />
</insert><br />
<i><b>Results & Discussion</b></i><br />
Omnomnom.<br />
This is a recipie that may require a bit of tweeking if you try it at home. I’ve not made this three times. The first two, at home, worked exactly how I wanted them, with the lentils and chickpeas developing a beautiful, meaty flavor, despite complete lack of meat. However, when I made it the third time, in someone else’s kitchen, no luck. I’m not sure if it was the amount of soaking/sprouting, the oven, or the other ingredients. Future studies are required to resolve this dilemma.<br />
Also, in case anyone is wondering, I soak and sprout a lot of my grains, pulses, etc. I’ll admit, no references, it’s just something I’ve picked up through word of mouth, and some experimentation. Germination activates/deactivates some enzymes, whist the soaking is supposed to aid digestion, and remove toxins from things like beans. Basically, I place the dried peas/grains/seeds/etc. in a bowl, and cover with cold clean water, which is drained, rinsed, and changed every 6-8 hours for approx. 24 hours. They are then placed into a plain, homemade, muslin/cheesecloth bag, and strung up in a warm place (I use our laundry so they’re out of the way) for a few days in order for them to germinate. I also give them an additional rinse in clean cold water each morning and evening to keep them moist. When the sprouts have grown to your desired length (I usually leave them to 1cm), eat them in whatever manner takes your fancy. <br />
<br />
<i><b>References</b></i><br />
My kitchen cupboards!Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-2981932625554593512011-06-23T21:23:00.003+10:002011-06-23T21:25:47.259+10:00Red Velvet CupcakesI know cupcakes are all the rage at the moment, but can you blame them? Sweet, delicate, melt-in-your-mouth morsels. One of my favourites is Red Velvet - beautiful chocolate and buttermilk flavours, with a natural reddish tinge, and a delicious cream cheese icing. The reddish colour of the cake comes from a reaction between the low-refined cocoa and the acid in the buttermilk, so no food colouring needed! I’ve heard of people using all sorts to get a really deep red, food colour, beet juice, cranberry juice, but really, I think they’re beautiful as is. The time I made these, I got a bit carried away, as we were having people over for dinner, so I garnished with a few fresh blueberries and strawberries, which added a nice tart element, which cut through some of the sweet of the sugary icing. A huge hit with the family, and they go great when made with gluten-free flour.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4QZZSL6WyV0JfLEXCVZU-XIds1OB8ZO9rBjoPmjXDB7WI4FgIesyBpPh6vzLiZlXKWw1BFhGRVOn9F9aUcvPii-1uTW1cT54mB-rSSRauiuO3NJ18LGcblcaxxoTqqnZ7lztqsCHLyg/s1600/P1020017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI4QZZSL6WyV0JfLEXCVZU-XIds1OB8ZO9rBjoPmjXDB7WI4FgIesyBpPh6vzLiZlXKWw1BFhGRVOn9F9aUcvPii-1uTW1cT54mB-rSSRauiuO3NJ18LGcblcaxxoTqqnZ7lztqsCHLyg/s320/P1020017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><u><b>Red Velvet Cupcakes</b></u><br />
• 2 ½ cups plain flour<br />
• 1tsp baking powder<br />
• Pinch salt<br />
• 2 tbsp low-refined cocoa<br />
• ½ cup butter<br />
• 2 eggs<br />
• 1 tsp vanilla essence<br />
• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 20ml apple cider vinegar)<br />
• 1tsp white or apple cider vinegar<br />
• 1tsp baking soda<br />
<br />
<br />
Preheat your oven to 180C, and line a cupcake tray with papers.<br />
<br />
Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a large, separate bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, then beat in the eggs, add the vanilla and cocoa, and mix until well combined. Add 1/3 of the flour mix, and half of the buttermilk, mix until combined, then repeat until all of the flour and buttermilk has been incorporated. Mix the vinegar and baking soda, and add to the batter. Divide amoungst the wells in your tray, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean when poked into the middle.<br />
<br />
Once the cupcakes are out of the oven and cooling, combine equal parts cream cheese and unsalted butter with icing sugar and a drop or two of vanilla essence, and work until there are no lumps. The ratios will vary depending on everything from the weather to the cheese you use, but I usual start with 125g each of cream cheese and butter, then add the icing sugar slowly until it is the consistency I’m after. If you’re using a piping bag, so go a touch stiffer than you think you’ll need, as the heat from your hands will cause the icing to soften. Once the cupcakes are completely cooled, transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a star-shaped nozzle, and apply with as much artistic flourish as you deem necessary. Once finished, you can leave them as it, add a dusting of cocoa, or a few berries. Enjoy with a creamy hot chocolate and a good friend.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO3JyWV55YRO3bD9xlu6J67R6LmZr7x0JrbtwS7nwIBI25dLEO_JCHzp_tdUh4XgumW7S9WFxBc-N6qJAUDao8Jp8Mp4T_D46U6h2rV16ilCsijMBRdFD6XuxZC1VRvvApIF3GQWp7hA/s1600/P1020016.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcO3JyWV55YRO3bD9xlu6J67R6LmZr7x0JrbtwS7nwIBI25dLEO_JCHzp_tdUh4XgumW7S9WFxBc-N6qJAUDao8Jp8Mp4T_D46U6h2rV16ilCsijMBRdFD6XuxZC1VRvvApIF3GQWp7hA/s320/P1020016.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Velvet & Berry goodness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-61420867012963623342011-06-19T21:28:00.002+10:002011-06-19T21:29:44.361+10:00Midwinter Musings & Pasta LunchesMidwinter, when the days are short, the mornings chill, the sun’s first light glinting from a thin layer of frost on the cables strung between buildings. The wind blows cold from the south, faces burrow into colourful scarves, hands warmed around cups of takeaway coffee, sheltered from the chill by delightfully thick coats, when layers become a necessity, rather than merely fashion. I really love winter. I love curling up under piles of blankets, waking up to misty streets, the initial thrill of cold feet when Matt climbs into bed, and all the delicious, rich, warm food that keeps us sustained through the winter months. <br />
Unfortunately, cold weather means many more hours spent indoors, so to pass the time, I’ve decided to play catch-up with a few of the things that have been going on in my kitchen that I never got around to posting. First up, this delicious number from a few weeks ago. Typical cupboard raid stuff that proves that you can make something delicious in the time it takes to cook your pasta!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRIkINhVeBw6tb1V61pKFNwdO_ZxZBdU04gI13GjzguxRqrEI4CG3ByxSD01z_1_vz0JKSLJl3__r3VfM2frcKloPkMxOyP9W5XrjDBVFP9tpgmR9yjcDn0GPPJZzZCC4lsEa7fFaFJw/s1600/P1020684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRIkINhVeBw6tb1V61pKFNwdO_ZxZBdU04gI13GjzguxRqrEI4CG3ByxSD01z_1_vz0JKSLJl3__r3VfM2frcKloPkMxOyP9W5XrjDBVFP9tpgmR9yjcDn0GPPJZzZCC4lsEa7fFaFJw/s320/P1020684.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fridge/pantry raid!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Pastalicious lunch</b></u></span><br />
<i><br />
<u>On the board</u></i><br />
<ul><li>Olive Oil (I promise it's not really vodka in that bottle!) </li>
<li>2 serves of short pasta</li>
<li>1 red onion, finely diced</li>
<li>½ spicy chorizo, diced</li>
<li>½ eggplant, diced</li>
<li>2 medium tomatoes, diced</li>
<li>2-4 marinated artichoke hearts, drained & chopped</li>
<li>Balsamic vinegar</li>
<li>Baby Spinach</li>
<li>Fresh parmesan or goats chevre to serve</li>
</ul><br />
Bring a pot of water on to boil, and add your pasta of choice. A short pasta, such as fusilli or penne, works well for this sort of dish. In a frying pan, heat a little olive oil on medium to high, and sauté some finely diced red onion. You don’t need a lot of oil, as the chorizo will provide more than enough! Once the onions are glassy, add half a spicy chorizo sausage, diced, and toss frequently until it has released some of its beautiful juices, and is starting to cook through. Add a generous handful or two of diced eggplant, two diced tomatoes, roughly chopped artichoke hearts (drained), and a good slosh of balsamic vinegar (about a tablespoon?), then mix thoroughly. By the time the pasta has finished cooking, the tomatoes should have started to break down over the heat, and create a bit of sauce. Drain the pasta well, add to the frying pan with a good handful of baby spinach, and toss both through the sauce. Serve with a grate of fresh parmesan, or some crumbled goats chevre, and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKOmp8hwACwejiiUjsuhK1zU6ttFnw0B99hwb-Ox1qH1Ggt8au9O4ALJgYrW0AixJHkC05MQarot8M7YI24RkaqymDM1miZexJ_1PXc1-_YAihohJr4vNqaOn0kSFtnhwofx5KtDlYkk/s1600/P1020687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKOmp8hwACwejiiUjsuhK1zU6ttFnw0B99hwb-Ox1qH1Ggt8au9O4ALJgYrW0AixJHkC05MQarot8M7YI24RkaqymDM1miZexJ_1PXc1-_YAihohJr4vNqaOn0kSFtnhwofx5KtDlYkk/s320/P1020687.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to serve, delicious!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-15931723166236727692011-04-06T19:46:00.002+10:002011-04-06T19:57:00.926+10:00Chocolate and Persimmon Goodness<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Np7iJNBuzT2dsBGu-skZMnVGziMsCv4K7j9U1hCXu6jF-eXxld_sEpZT-kGRVhOqvYAV11DxzOqkvNSyEpqqVM2i0fgbsbNCFkNeWjLgVxiXjatmJiDt_U9DzN8Flkt74iMZMp5rPrw/s1600/P1020753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Np7iJNBuzT2dsBGu-skZMnVGziMsCv4K7j9U1hCXu6jF-eXxld_sEpZT-kGRVhOqvYAV11DxzOqkvNSyEpqqVM2i0fgbsbNCFkNeWjLgVxiXjatmJiDt_U9DzN8Flkt74iMZMp5rPrw/s320/P1020753.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The only photo I managed to get before the demolition!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Our trip to Sydney was hugely successful. The time Matt and I spent together was some of the best we’ve had (at least I think so), and seeing my dad’s family was good too. Then the meeting! While I’m not really allowed to say anything about what happened, let’s just say I was very happy with the outcome in terms of helping along my research into cancer cachexia.<br />
<br />
Now, however, it’s back to the cold, hard reality of life, no more jet-setting around for a few weeks. But how can I be sad when persimmons just came back in to season? Autumn has always been one of my favourite times of year, both for the weather and the food. A few months ago, I read <a href="http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/persimmon-tart-a-la-golubka/">this guest post</a> by <a href="http://g0lubka.blogspot.com/">G0lubka</a> on <a href="http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/">Green Kitchen Stories</a> for their wonderful chocolate and persimmon tart. It was love at first sight, speaking to all the things I wanted in my diet at the time (eating raw, moving away from all the meat in my diet, less sugary, no preservatives), and was visually just so appealing. I mean, look at that tart and tell me you don’t just want to gobble it up! Unfortunately, it was coming in to summer, and of course the star ingredient was out of season, and it went on to the ‘maybe later’ pile. So when I went to the grocer a few days ago, and saw them literally just taking the first boxes of this season’s persimmons off of the truck, this recipe immediately came to mind, and a picked a few up.<br />
<br />
Now, with our allergy-rich household, I knew this could be a tricky piece of cooking. My housemate and best-friend Kimmy is allergic to every nut except almonds, not to mention a myriad of other random foods, and having never had persimmons, we honestly didn’t know if she would take a bite and be convulsing on the floor. She was quite brave, and said she’d give it a crack, after all, we all know where the epi-pen is! The issue of informed consent out of the way, I set to Kimmyfying the rest of the ingredients. (I also don’t have a dehydrator, but that’s less of a big deal =P)<br />
<br />
I approached this dessert as a challenge. I wanted to prove to myself that I could make something not only delicious, but visually stunning, all from scratch. So after a bit of shopping to pick up the few things that weren’t in my cupboard (coconut, coconut oil, dates and agave syrup), I set to the task at hand. I always have a kilo bag of almonds in my cupboard to snack on, so I decided to make the almond meal and almond butter from scratch. Almond meal was no biggy, but let me tell you that making nut butter from scratch takes a LONG time, especially if all you have is a stick-processor! Pretty sure that took me longer than anything else. My opening of the young coconut also became a source of entertainment for all, especially when we discovered the thing bounced if we threw it at the floor. Four knives and a hammer later, the water was sweet, and the flesh almost too good to save for the tart!<br />
<br />
Not having a dehydrator for the casing was always going to be an issue. I ended up using a loose-bottomed cake tin instead of a tart dish, and put it in the oven on 110C for about 20 minutes, then turned off the heat and left it for a few hours, which worked brilliantly, though I’m sure is not quite the same. Thankfully my mini-processor held up to the task well, something that halfway through I was honestly not expecting. I was also quite concerned that substituting the cashews for almonds in the cream would overpower the whole dish, but other than it turning out a little grainer than I was expecting (most likely due to the differences in texture of the nuts), this was the perfect dessert!<br />
<br />
A small note of warning, this is not a recipe that you can simply slap together in a few minutes, and serve. It requires effort and love to pull it off with any level of success. Doing everything from scratch meant that it took me all night, which was not helped by the lack of a normal sized food processor, but the end result was so rewarding that I would do it all over again tomorrow. Plan ahead! The result was greatly enjoyed by both my housemates (and was allergy-incident free!), and Matt (who usually dislikes sweets). Success!!!<br />
<br />
<b>Chocolate Persimmon Tart </b><i><b>(adapted from G0lubka & Green Kitchen Stories)</b></i><br />
<b><i>Chocolate Crust</i></b><br />
<ul><li>1 cup oat flour </li>
<li>1 cup almond flour </li>
<li>3 1/2 tablespoons raw cocoa powder </li>
<li>1/2 cup raw almond butter (If making yourself,<a href="http://www.rawmazing.com/raw-recipe-almond-butter/"> try this tutorial</a>) </li>
<li>1/4 cup date paste (Soak dates for an hour or so in water, drain, then process into a paste, adding some of the soaking fluid if needed) </li>
<li>2 tablespoons water </li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used less than the original recipe, but that’s just personal preference) </li>
<li>The original also called for maple syrup powder, but was very hard to come by, so I added 1 tablespoon golden syrup, which I had on hand. </li>
</ul>Sift together all the dry ingredients. Add the almond butter and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl combine the date paste, water and vanilla extract (+ golden syrup). Add the wet to the dry and mix well. Line a pan with foil. Press the dough into the pan evenly, place in oven at 110C for 15-30 mins, then turn off oven and leave crust IN THE OVEN until the oven fully cools (The original calls for the crust to be dehydrated for 8-10 hours, I found this produced a similar result).<br />
<br />
<b><i>Chocolate Cream</i></b><br />
<ul><li>Fresh meat of 1 young Thai coconut </li>
<li>1 cup soaked almonds (original called for cashews) </li>
<li>1/2 cup fresh water of young Thai coconut OR purified water </li>
<li>1/2 cup coconut oil </li>
<li>1/2 cup raw agave syrup </li>
<li>5 tablespoons raw cocoa powder </li>
</ul>In a high speed blender, mix all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Let set in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Persimmons Soaked in Vanilla Agave</i></b><br />
<ul><li>Ripe persimmons </li>
<li>Agave syrup mixed with a few drops of vanilla extract </li>
</ul>Slice persimmons into rounds, pour vanilla agave over the slices and let soak for 2-3 hours.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Assembly</i></b><br />
Spoon the chocolate cream into the crust evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Arrange the agave soaked persimmon slices on top of the cream. G0lubka garnished with pistachios, but as that was out of the question, I covered the whole top with the fruit. Yummy!Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-40927870869058811512011-03-17T17:30:00.008+11:002011-03-21T13:53:56.770+11:00Jam packed week with Rhubarb JamIt’s been a hectic couple of weeks at the Observatory! For a start, my birthday was on the 4th, and aside from a massive pub crawl the night before, the highlight was the party, in which we sat on the roof drinking, cooked up a mass of steak, and generally got rowdy, not to mention the amazing mouse cake that my amazing friend Liesa made! Seriously, the woman is talented, she’ll be dragged in to make every novelty kids cake my future offspring ask for! IN addition to the birthday shenanngians, I’ve spent this week in Sydney with Matt. Whilst officially I was here for a two day Palliative Care meeting, we went up two days early, spent Tuesday running around the city, catching the ferry, spending hours getting lost in the Botanic Gardens, and generally having a great time. We stayed in a small hotel in Potts Point, just down from Kings Cross. That night, we had an amazing dinner at a small pasta place in Darlinghurst (well worth a look if you’re ever in town!), had a few beverages at The Sugar Mill whilst listening to a table of guys singing karaoke, then discovered the gem that is Goldfish. The guys there were great, and even though it was quite busy, took the time out to discuss their cocktails, make suggestions, debate benefits of certain alterations, and generally deserved a much bigger tip than I could afford that night. The Mika is highly recommended!<br />
<br />
Wednesday saw Matt being incredibly brave, and meeting my father’s side of the family. After breakfast in the Cross, it was off to the nursing home to see my Nana, who we took out for a lovely lunch. Unfortunately completely forgot to take photos, as we were having such a great time talking. Hard to believe she’s turning 90 in less than 3 weeks, she’s so on the ball, and if it wasn’t for a bad hip operation, would probably get around town better than me! Then it was off to The Rocks with Matt and dad for a bit of exploration (read: pint @ the Irish pub), back to Paddington for a wander around the old strip (my Nana used to live just off of Oxford St), and another pub visit before dinner with Dad, his wife, and my half-sister at the most amazing backstreet pub (500g NY steak, bleu, with pepper sauce? YUM!). The night was topped off with delicious ice cream from the strip, before collapsing in to bed and instantly falling asleep. Apparently Matt was all geared up to go out, and was trying to convince me to get up again, oops. Probably just as well, with my 7.30am train trip to the airport for the meeting that started today. Matt goes back on the last plane tonight, while I’m still here for another meeting fun-filled day on my own!<br />
<br />
Since doing all this trekking around, all I wanted for breakfast this morning was toast with rhubarb jam, but couldn’t get the toast, let alone the rhubarb! I love rhubarb, it really just screams summer for me. I used to hate it as a kid, but my matured palate can’t get enough of the stuff. I had two big bunches the other day, and rather than see it go to waste waiting to be eaten, I decided to make a batch of jam. I do this every year, and it lasts me for ages, mostly because of forgetting it stashed up the back of the fridge! Whilst sweet, I don’t tend to use much sugar (relatively), and it has quite a tart bite to it, which is divine. Mmm, first thing going in my belly when I get back Saturday morning.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Rhubarb Jam</u></b><br />
<br />
What you’re going to need<br />
<ul><li>2 bunches fresh rhubarb </li>
<li>Sugar (I use raw or similarly low refined sugar) </li>
<li>Apple cider vinegar </li>
<li>Spices (I use cinnamon, ginger, star anise and all spice) </li>
</ul><br />
Wash your rhubarb, and trim off the tough ends and leaves, leaving you with the stalks only. Chop these up into 1cm lengths, and place into a heavy-based saucepan that holds them comfortably.<br />
<br />
Sprinkle some sugar over the top, I usually find ¼ cup works well at this stage. Throw in your spices (I leave the cinnamon quills and star anise whole, and grind any other spices I use), and give it all a good mix. Cover, and leave on the bench overnight to macerate. You shouldn’t have to add any more liquid, and by the next morning, there should be a nice syrup starting to form.<br />
<br />
Add a few splashes of vinegar to the mix, to preserve the beautiful pinky-purple colour of the rhubarb, then place the pan over low heat. Keep an eye on the pan, mixing occasionally until the fruit is stewed down to your desired consistency. I like mine to be a little bit chunky, but still spreadable. I highly recommend tasting along the way, and adjusting your spice and sugar levels if needed. If the cooked mix just resembles stewed fruit, and has little syrup, you may need to add more sugar.<br />
<br />
While your jam is cooking, sterilize some clean jars by filling and surrounding them with boiling water, then popping them into a warm oven to dry and stay warm. Once your jam is ready and still hot, pull out any large bits of cinnamon or star anise*, then transfer it into the hot jars, trying to ensure as few air bubbles as possible. Put the lids on their jars, then turn them upside-down, and leave them on the bench to cool. I label each jar, and then keep them in the fridge, mostly because I don’t have a whole lot of cupboard space, and partially from habit of living in a crazy hot climate.<br />
<br />
Enjoy with some toasted sourdough and goats cheese, added to a cocktail, on your morning muesli, straight from the jar with a spoon…<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
* If you’re like me, and forget to pull out the chunky bits, never fear, the flavours of the spices will just continue to infuse in the jar, and you may have to watch out for sudden crunchy, flavourful surprises when sucking the spoon. I have a jar that tastes more like licorice than rhubarb =/Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3853980840263242585.post-30034291729877222132011-02-24T23:32:00.000+11:002011-02-24T23:32:11.591+11:00From one joint to the next<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfW4Pi95fdHDE8xE8rs8wk3vrYsknd9CRi28uzri0nSdukqth2UmTaW2_KcWeMcbnp7onoAEwfLjOmlLraK57IBv5XYXsalA4wlTp0t4NBkuPTLPGoBYT5NtS_W7kyQXlnKcUA9Az9uY/s1600/P1020683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfW4Pi95fdHDE8xE8rs8wk3vrYsknd9CRi28uzri0nSdukqth2UmTaW2_KcWeMcbnp7onoAEwfLjOmlLraK57IBv5XYXsalA4wlTp0t4NBkuPTLPGoBYT5NtS_W7kyQXlnKcUA9Az9uY/s320/P1020683.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let the laugh fool you, this was my hell for most of 2009</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In January 2009, I injured my knee quite severely. I spent the best part of a year on crutches or wearing a brace, not able to bear weight. I went from 5 days a week at the gym, softball, baseball, triathalon and rockclimbing, to nothing, losing 10kg in 4 months, my thigh wasting to half its size within that time. Despite visiting naturopaths, physios and surgeons, having MRIs, CT scans and gods only know how many tests, no one was actually able to tell me what was wrong. There were plenty of theories, ligament damage, ruptured ACL, meniscus tear, cartilage damage, but none seemed to cover the complex range of problems I was experiencing. I iced, heated, strapped, massaged, drugged, herbalised, rested, exercised and stretched, with very little improvement for many months. Eventually, my body adapted, and the other parts of my leg took over from whatever the injury was. I went to the local community physio once a fortnight. Eventually I was able to walk without aids, and even run (very!) short distances, but I didn’t regain the strength or stability. Rather than helping me toward my old form, the community physio refused to see me once I regained function, i.e. I could walk. Things like rock-climbing or triathalon were, and still are, completely out of the question. I still have issues with pivoting, balance, loading, and couldn’t walk for 3-4 days a few months back because of jarring my knee on a wet floor.<br />
<br />
This morning, I actually got a definitive answer.<br />
<br />
I’ve been seeing a physiotherapist since dislocating my shoulder a month ago today, about 7 visits in that short time. Thanks to a highly intensive program, it’s back to 80%, which is great, as it hasn’t been 100% for years, and now it feels like it might actually get there. Basically, short of my doing more stabilization, endurance and strength exercises at home, there’s nothing more we can do for it. So, we moved on to the knee. He had read its convoluted history during the week, put me through the motions this morning, and within 10 minutes was shaking his head…<br />
<br />
“How did they not pick this up as a meniscus tear?”<br />
<br />
I swear, I bounced… on the good leg. Of course, there is a long road ahead. In order for me to be able to walk, other muscles had changed their usual function. We have to retrain everything from the hip down to go back to their original state. Even the two small and relatively easy exercises I was shown today had me fatigued and breathing hard after only 5 reps. It might be tiring, but I’m excited, I’m hugely motivated to get my body to where it should be, and I’m fueling my recovery with yummy creations like this! <div><br />
<div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5swhkkOJHjIOL_bMQnrkEKmH0PMDcjnpsSVi6bA1e7P6rApkN-PAuqcyl3kE9Humw1xEFP-AoahTY1K37HWCM3rb4RLcUSGRzm7IOfpDc8fjzahkiPXMN_ClwhDEVU58Uy_wySPcr10/s1600/P1020667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5swhkkOJHjIOL_bMQnrkEKmH0PMDcjnpsSVi6bA1e7P6rApkN-PAuqcyl3kE9Humw1xEFP-AoahTY1K37HWCM3rb4RLcUSGRzm7IOfpDc8fjzahkiPXMN_ClwhDEVU58Uy_wySPcr10/s400/P1020667.JPG" width="300" /></span></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster tower of an organic lunch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div><br />
</div>Local leg ham, grilled zuchinni, eggplant and sweet potato, vintage cheddar, baby spinach, sundried tomato and basil pumpkin hoummas on a fresh crusty roll. Delicious lunch, and great fuel for rebuilding muscle!</div><div><br />
</div><div>Hopefully I'll have some new recipes to put up in the next week or so, including rhubarb jam and maybe something involving a rabbit. Might also throw in to a conference wrap-up from my fun weekend in Lorne if I can pull anything non-sciency out of it! In the mean time, enjoy the last of our sunny summer weather, cause autumn starts next week!<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 27px;"><em>Love Neysa xo</em></span></div></div>Neysahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14843392307871367194noreply@blogger.com0