Science Project
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School
Southern New Hampshire University *
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Course
100
Subject
Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
9
Uploaded by ChiefComputerKookabura15
Science Project
Savannah Wallace
Part 1: Natural Science Topic Exploration
In this section, you will explore a natural science topic by selecting and analyzing a current news
story. You will also reflect on your existing knowledge about the topic. Then, you will identify
how research on the topic was conducted as described in the news story.
1.
Describe the main idea discussed in your chosen news story.
a.
In other words, what is the key concept or thesis being examined in the news
story?
This news story is about how scientists have found a type of therapy that will help
prolong dogs lives when they have cancer.
2.
Explain your prior and desired knowledge regarding the main idea in your news story.
a.
What do you already know about the topic? Do you have personal experience
with the topic? What else would you like to know about it?
I don’t have much prior knowledge of cancer within dogs. But I am a dog lover, and have
had to put down my dogs, so when I saw a way to help dogs, it stood out to me.
One thing I do know is that when dogs have cancer, there’s really isn’t much you can do (…
until now). Many times, the dogs have to wait it out and eventually get put down.
I’d like to know more about how it works, is it injected, or a pill? How much longer do they
live after? Does it completely cure the cancer?
3.
Identify a scientific approach that the scientist(s) used to research the topic.
a.
Consider the way the topic was studied or how evidence was collected. Consult
your article for this information. You do not need to conduct outside
research.
The scientific approach that the scientists used was a “stem cell precision engineering
technology to treat the cancer- canines” (ScienceDaily, 2023). As well as, the team of
scientists “modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells, which are able to seek out cancerous tumors”
(ScienceDaily, 2023). Lastly, they “designed a non-viral gene delivery platform that
introduces a high payload of therapeutic genes into the stem cells, to effectively destroy the
out-of-control growing cancer cells” (ScienceDaily, 2023).
Part 2: Fundamental Questions About the Natural World
In this section, you will identify questions you want to answer about your topic. Your finalized
question will directly influence the hypothesis you write. Finally, you will consider how your
opinions and experiences affected the focus of your hypothesis.
1.
Finalize your research question related to the main idea in the news story you
selected.
a.
Your finalized question will be based on the questions you began working with
earlier in the course.
How could cancer therapy benefit both dogs and humans?
2.
Propose a hypothesis based on your finalized research question.
a.
Make sure your hypothesis is directly related to your finalized research
question and is both testable and falsifiable.
If
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) can be modified to produce a cancer killing drug
(
5-fluorouracil) for dogs, then
Mesenchymal Stem Cells can be modified in humans to defeat
cancerous tumors.
3.
Explain how your personal beliefs, assumptions, and values influenced how you
approached writing your hypothesis.
a.
Think about your preexisting opinions and knowledge about the topic. How
might they have affected the focus of your hypothesis?
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I personally believe there is a way to treat cancer within humans and dogs, so it’s nice to
hear that it is finally getting out there and could be available soon, for themselves or for their
dogs.
Believing this definitely helped me create a scientific question that correlated to both
humans and dogs. I also have a huge passion for dogs, so anything to keep them alive, or alive
longer, sparks my interest. Lastly, I have had a family member die from cancer, so it sparked my
interest when I read that they could be testing this therapy on humans in the future.
Part 3: Major Developments in the Natural Sciences
In this section, you will research a significant advancement, discovery, or event that has affected
how scientists research your topic. You will also explore the interrelationship between science
and ethics.
1.
Describe one major development in the natural sciences that has impacted how your
topic was or may be studied.
a.
In other words, what advancements or events have changed how scientists
research your topic?
The development of “stem cell precision engineering technology” allows a safer and lower
cost effective therapy to take place on animals and possibly humans in the future. ScienceDaily
states,
that
“the stem cell modification therapy differs from other cell and gene therapies that use
viruses to introduce genes into cells. Instead of using viruses, the modification involves using a
chemical carrier, which is safer and faces less regulatory restrictions in the development of the
treatment. Compared to other cell and gene therapies, the therapy design has a significantly
shorter cycle and much lower costs of production, paving the way for a more accessible and
affordable option for cancer patients in future.” Due to this advancement, it makes it easier for
scientists, patients, and canines to have/create a successful therapy.
2.
Describe the contributions of a scientist (or group of scientists) who was involved in
the major development relevant to your topic.
a.
You might consider the scientist’s motivations to study the topic, the challenges
they encountered, or how their research changed how we think about the
topic.
The contributions and motivation from the Head Veterinarian is what led this study to take
place. Yee Lin states, "Therapies and advances in allopathic medicine are usually developed
primarily for humans, before they are applied to animals. As part of the trials for this study
however, dogs with cancer with no other viable treatment options available are the primary
receivers of the therapy -- and many of them showed promising results with an improvement to
their quality of life” (ScienceDaily, 2023). Yee Lin wanted to find a therapy for dogs with cancer,
before humans, because usually it is the other way around. His initiative to help dogs and
animals is what created the scientific research to begin and the major development to happen.
3.
Discuss how an ethical issue might impact research on your topic.
a.
Some examples of ethical issues in science include bias in research, the impact
of politics on science, research funding sources, objectivity in science, or the
spread of scientific misinformation.
One ethical issue that has impacted the research of this therapy is bias in research. Due to
therapies and medicines being usually developed for humans. This scientist is a little biased and
is particularly researching and implementing this science on dogs and canines. The
implementation of this therapy on humans won’t be done until 2024, possibly. Even though they
stated that it is cost affordable for humans.
Part 4: The Value of Studying the Natural Sciences
In this section, you will reflect on the benefit of having a deeper understanding of the natural
sciences to you personally and to society as a whole.
1.
Explain how viewing the world through a scientific lens may influence your personal
life.
a.
In other words, how might applying scientific inquiry skills to your daily
experiences help you better understand them or take action?
Viewing the world through a scientific lens can help individuals understand and
appreciate the world around them. It can provide valuable knowledge and skills.
Understanding scientific principles can help individuals make informed decisions regarding
issues such as health and nutrition.
For example, as an early childhood educator, applying
and knowing the science behind children’s health, nutrition, and child development will be
beneficial for properly taking care of my children/students.
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2.
Articulate how being a more scientifically informed citizen may affect your relationship
with your community.
a.
Think about challenges or opportunities in your community. How might being
more scientifically literate benefit your community?
An issue that’s been talked about often and within this course is climate change. If you are
more scientifically informed about climate change, you may understand the urgency of the issue
and take actions to help, like reducing energy and waste. I believe that being a more scientifically
informed citizen will only bring positive outcomes, experiences, and opportunities due to
understanding and knowing more about what is around you, scientifically. Being more
scientifically informed will help people make informed decisions and take actions towards the
issue, which will only benefit our community.
3.
Discuss how being a more scientifically informed citizen may help you understand
global contemporary issues.
a.
Consider how being scientifically literate could influence how you approach
current challenges or questions in the world, even outside the sciences.
A more scientifically informed citizen can have a significant impact on the approach to
many global issues, challenges, or questions. For instance, a better understanding of science and
health can help people to make more informed health choices, understand and follow public
health guidelines during pandemics or outbreaks, and avoid being misled by false or misleading
information about health issues. For instance, during covid. If people were more scientifically
literate, they would’ve understood the serious harm towards people, and would’ve followed the
CDC guidelines more seriously. Being a more scientifically informed citizen will help provide
society with more informed decision making citizens who have scientific knowledge and take
action on the global issue.
References
National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. (2023, January 30). Novel
cancer therapy extends lives of terminally ill dogs.
ScienceDaily
. Retrieved February 27,
2023 from
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230130112405.htm
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