Category Archives: In the News

Art in Agar

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The worlds of art and science have always been linked.  Before the advent of photography, early medical practitioners and students had to be able to accurately sketch their subjects in order to retain and study the images.  Many of these works are beautiful pieces of art in their own right.  Sometimes it’s not just the images of subjects that can be beautiful, sometimes the subjects themselves can be used as the artistic medium.  In this month’s Do You Know, I thought I’d delve into the world of Agar Art.


Credit: www.microbeworld.org/component/jlibrary/?view=article&id=14478

Scientists typically use agar in Petri dishes to grow and study bacteria and fungi.  Some scientists use this method to create works of art, painting bacteria on a canvas of agar.  Agar art was the cover story of a recent issue of New York Magazine.  The story featured an art project which grew subway line letter “signs” from bacteria collected on the corresponding subway lines.  The images of Petri dishes against a black background are eerily beautiful and almost make up for the fact that our morning commute is spent mingling with E. coli and Salmonella. Continue reading →

Post Thanksgiving Blog Buzz

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A safe and happy holiday to everyone! Here are a few items that have caught my attention recently:

  • The AMA has called for a ban on direct to consumer advertising of medications and implantable medical devices. A report from the AP is here.
  • Some food for thought on Bibliographic Wilderness called Linked Data Caution.  Sure linked data is a great tool, but to what end is it being used and implemented? Via Ondatra iSchoolicus aka @Libskrat.
  • Have you seen the recent reports about invasive permissions requested by Apps on Android phones? Visit the Pew Research Center for a through overview and analysis.

Nano-Technology, Project GENIE and More…

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Here are a few worthy news items in the world of cancer research:

  • Researchers from the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center have developed and tested a nano-tech based sensor to measure microRNAs in blood that could lead to the design of new diagnostic strategies and, potentially, for the prognosis and treatment of pancreatic and other cancers. Read more on their findings in ACS Nano.
  • A new model has been developed to predict breast cancer risk for Hispanic women. Dr. Matthew Banegas, lead investigator presented his tool at the Eighth American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved. Read more in ScienceDaily.
  • The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) has launched Project GENIE (Genomics, Evidence, Neoplasia, Information, Exchange), a multiphase, multiyear project that will provide the “critical mass” of genomic and clinical data required to improve clinical decision-making and spur new research.
  • In a recent study published in the journal Cancer, researchers found that survivors often have poor diets, which can affect their long-term health. The study revealed that cancer survivors ate less fiber, less green vegetables, and less whole grains as compared to the non-cancer group.