Authors:Manvir Kaur Chima Pages: 2 - 9 Abstract: Lay summaries are an important aspect of research, as they aim to summarize scientific findings in a manner that is accessible to a lay audience. However, lay summaries often incorporate scientific and technical jargon, which makes it difficult for the public to understand research that they are indirectly funding. This study aimed to analyze lay summaries published in four open-access journals to compare differences in effectivity and accessibility when authors summarize the key points of a research study. Four open-access journals, PLOS Medicine, PNAS, Sage Open, and Frontiers in Psychology were analyzed using McMaster University’s LIFESCI 2AA3: Introduction to Topics in Life Sciences rubric. This rubric was created by Dr. Katie Moisse, assistant professor of curriculum and pedagogy at McMaster University, School of Interdisciplinary Science. The rubric judges for an accurate summarization of the study rationale, knowledge gap, methods, results, conclusions, limitations, and next steps, while ensuring accessibility and clarity. Results indicate that total scores are statistically significant between PLOS Medicine and PNAS, SAGE Open, and Frontiers in Psychology, but not between PLOS Medicine and Frontiers in Psychology. A lack of cohesion between journal instructions along with a decreased emphasis on scientific and technical jargon may allude to the disparity seen amongst scores for these four journals. This research depicts specific disparities between open-access journals, which may help revise journal guidelines to ensure cohesiveness and lay audience understanding. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3183
Authors:Julia Solina Angelyca Pagotto, Manvir Kaur Chima, Sashini Buddima Kosgoda Pages: 10 - 15 Abstract: Men’s mental health has long been stigmatized in Western society. The media plays a substantial role in emphasizing the importance of mental health; however, a gender disparity exists as men are often less highlighted than women in regard to this subject. This study investigated whether a difference in men’s mental health portrayal exists between progressive and conservative news media in the United Kingdom. Using Factiva, eight news articles were analysed; these included: The Guardian, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times, yielding a sample size of 32. Five criteria were established to score the articles on a Yes (1) or No (0) scale. An ANOVA and a t-test were used to determine the statistical significance of the results. The analyses showed significantly higher scores for progressive news media than conservative news media, whereby The Guardian had the highest percentage of articles that included criteria 1 through 4. The findings revealed a significant difference between how men’s mental health is portrayed in progressive versus conservative news media. Specifically, there was a better representation of men’s mental health in progressive news outlets. Since a limited number of papers were analysed, further research should be conducted to better understand the portrayal of men’s mental health in the media. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3193
Authors:David Rodrigues Pages: 16 - 29 Abstract: Proper training in science communication (scicomm) skills are consistently falling short of requirements in higher education. This highlights the need to examine a curriculum as a whole as opposed to a course level view. This study investigates whether or not students in their current undergraduate level are comfortable with performing various scicomm skills, in addition to exploring if the dedicated scicomm courses are effectively teaching students the necessary skills. We administered a survey to students on topics regarding scicomm, and asked them to rate their level of comfort, agreement, ranking of importance, and open-ended questions. Four scicomm skills that had the greatest increase in comfort; Argumentative Writing (12%), Literature Review (15%), Public Lecture- Style Presentation (19%), and Oral Presentation (30%). Alternatively, four scicomm skills had the greatest increase in discomfort; Debate (15%), Audio (18%), Policy Communication (19%), and Public Debate (22%). Upon completion of the scicomm courses, there was an increase in comfort for; oral science communication (22%); selecting and using the appropriate written, oral, and multimedia tools (24%); communicating science in written forms (26%); and personal knowledge of written, oral, and multimedia tools (50%). A small sample size, missing data (voluntary questions), omittance of Life Sciences research seminar courses, and uncertainty if academic level implied one took the course(s) in the same year, were limitations . These findings can inform changes to the existing curriculum in order to facilitate the development of scicomm skills for science students as they progress through their undergraduate degrees. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3209
Authors:Hassan Masood, Ryan Ziae, Waslat Waizi, Nia Katani Pages: 30 - 35 Abstract: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health disorder characterized by the inability to focus or control impulsive, hyperactive behaviour. The research manuscript investigates how the prevalence and language use of media coverage has changed in reporting ADHD among adults. Quantitative data was obtained from news articles published from the Nexis Uni database every 5-years from 2000 to 2020. The prevalence of the articles was determined by inspecting the number of publications during each respective period. The study investigated the language use of ADHD in adults by using the ADHD Descriptive Language (ADL) scale from 1 (derogatory) to 3 (respectful). Results showed an increase in the number of news articles published within each 5-year time frame: 62, 86, 119, and 161 news articles between 2000-2005, 2005-2010, 2010-2015, and 2015-2020, respectively. Language use, determined from the ADL scale, showed a relative percent increase of 4.55%, 9.38%, and 14.6% between each period, respectively. The trend observed for the descriptive language is associated with improved public perception used for the disorder in adults. Further research is necessary to raise awareness and decrease existing prejudice regarding the prevalence and language use of adult ADHD in the media. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3194
Authors:Kleiton Strobl, Syed Irfan, Shane Shrikanth, Layla Halwagi Pages: 36 - 44 Abstract: Air pollution has a significant impact on respiratory health, yet comprehensive summaries of specific impacts are limited. This study reviews previous research done on this link, while connecting it to socioeconomic factors. Common air pollutants, such as particulate matter, have a large impact on respiratory health and can exacerbate diseases and medical conditions, such as coughing, wheezing, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis. Specifically, PM10 pollutants can deposit in the upper airways, and PM2.5 can reach deep into the lungs, leading to many complications. The efficacy of measures taken to combat these issues are also discussed. In recent years, governments have introduced national climate policies and green-space designs in urban municipalities to reduce negative health outcomes. These measures accomplish this goal to a limited degree but require further investment and development. To outline how socioeconomic status impacts air pollution-related respiratory illnesses, our study discusses five studies investigating socioeconomic disparities in air pollution exposure in various parts of the world. Evidence shows that low-income people typically reside in areas with high air pollution because housing is more affordable. This provides an opportunity for new research in social determinants of health to better understand its connection with human health. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3200
Authors:Rith Bal, Lauren Mutton Pages: 45 - 54 Abstract: Brain cancer, despite being one of the rarest forms of cancer, is one of the most substantially impactful cancers known to humankind. In this review, a comprehensive analysis of the multifaceted nature of brain cancer is conducted, with a particular focus placed on Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). Epidemiology, prevention measures, treatment techniques, and determinants of susceptibility are investigated to gain a deeper understanding of GBM. Additionally, the biophysical concepts used in Computed Tomography (CT) scanning for tumour detection are explored. Radiation therapy as a treatment modality for GBM is examined using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). Furthermore, the mechanism of action of Temozolomide, the prevailing chemotherapeutic drug used to hinder GBM growth by methylating target DNA sites, was also analyzed. Additionally, a cell survival curve outlining a traditional fractionation schedule of 2.21 Gy installments was created to effectively model a conventional radiation treatment plan. As a result, we are able to gauge the efficacy of such radiation treatments. In summation, we present a broad synopsis of the current strategies, insight, and approaches used to detect, image, and treat the malignant growth of GBM. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3201
Authors:Bianca Mammarella, Sarah Damiani Pages: 55 - 59 Abstract: Dexamethasone is known for its use as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medication. This medication has been present for many years, and its benefits have been observed in the treatment of various conditions. With the rise of COVID-19 cases on an international scale, healthcare professionals globally searched for a therapeutic medication, either existing or under development that could help those who were ill with the virus. The Recovery Trial aims to find a pharmacotherapeutic medication that would assist in treating hospitalized individuals who were diagnosed with COVID-19. In this trial, Dexamethasone’s ability to reduce hospitalization durations, and patient fatality was observed. These results increased curiosity about Dexamethasone's potential in the fight against COVID-19. As we work towards a standardized treatment plan for COVID-19, investigate Dexame- thasone’s mechanisms of action, and how it impacts different populations; together, these findings may help to determine this medication’s effectiveness as a COVID-19 treatment option. PubDate: 2022-12-17 DOI: 10.15173/sciential.v1i9.3198
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