A Nobel soul

Published: Tuesday October 15, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday October 15, 2013 MYT 7:56:13 AM

by david pratt



Consecrated to work: French scientists Pierre and Marie Curie embodied the cherished ideal of

being utterly immersed in and dedicated to a task of great significance. - File photo

With this year’s Nobel Prizes unveiled last week, here’s a look at some common denominators among laureates.

ARE there any predictors that point to who gets selected for a Nobel Prize? Here’s George Beadle’s (medicine, 1958) response: “Study diligently. Respect DNA. Don’t smoke. Don’t drink. Avoid women and politics. That’s my formula.”

Is precocity in childhood a predictor? When the 2001 economics laureate, George Akerlof, was in second grade, he was asked what he wanted for Christmas, and he said, “A steel mill.”

Asked the same question by his scientist father, Roger Kornberg (chemistry, 2006) said, “A week in the lab.”

But early privilege is not essential. Mario Capecchi (medicine, 2007) was an abandoned child on the streets of wartime Italy. Albert Camus (literature, 1957) grew up fatherless, in poverty in Algiers.

In addition to childhood hardship, many Nobel laureates, men and women, at some point in their lives suffered imprisonment. Nelson Mandela (peace, 1993) set a record with his 27 years in prison in South Africa. Autobiographies show that prison strengthened the convictions of future laureates and toughened their resolution.

Childhood deprivation and adult imprisonment are, however, atypical.

The typical Nobel laureate in science is a male, born in a Western country into a middle-class family.

His father is a professional, manager or professor. His family is Protestant, agnostic or Jewish.
His parents seek out good K-12 schools for him, and he proceeds to a good university.

He receives his doctoral degree before he is 25 and undertakes post-doctoral work under a Nobel-level supervisor. He does his groundbreaking research in his late 30s or early 40s, for which he is awarded the Nobel Prize 15 years later.

Rosalind Yalow (medicine, 1977) told women: “You can have it all!” But only 43 of 862 laureates have been women.

The prizes got their start in 1901, before women won universal suffrage in most nations, let alone an equal share of education. In the sciences, even in contemporary times, the difficulty of combining motherhood with experiments that have to be checked at 3am has channelled many women into teaching universities rather than research institutes.

In their autobiographies, many Nobel laureates pay tribute to an outstanding mentor. Five of Enrico Fermi’s (physics, 1938) post-docs went on to win the Nobel Prize, and 12 of Ernest Rutherford’s (chemistry, 1908).

Otto Warburg (medicine, 1931) advised an American doctoral student, “If you wish to become a scientist, you must ask a successful scientist to accept you in his laboratory, even if at the beginning you would only clean his test tubes.”

Is eccentricity a concomitant of Nobel-level genius? In fact, laureates are mostly down-to-earth and unpretentious. In the United States, 44% of marriages end in divorce. Among Nobel laureates in the 20th century, the rate was 11%.

Much time and energy are saved by a stable family life. Naturally, there are exceptions.

Erwin Schrodinger (physics, 1933) lived for some years in a middle-class Dublin suburb with his wife and his mistress, while simultaneously carrying on affairs with his students and fathering children with two other Irish women.

There remains one quality that is essential. It is what Leon Lederman (physics, 1988) called “compulsive dedication”. What distinguishes Nobel laureates is passion for their work, work that engages their hearts as well as their heads.

Let the example of Marie Curie (physics, 1903; chemistry, 1911) and her husband Pierre (physics, 1903) stand for the experience of many others.

The Curies became convinced that radium could be isolated from the mineral pitchblende The Sorbonne assigned them a shed with a leaking roof and a dirt floor, where the Curies worked for years, freezing in winter and sweltering in summer.

“And yet,” Marie Curie wrote in her biography of her husband, “it was in this miserable old shed that the best and happiest years of our life were spent, entirely consecrated to work.

“I sometimes passed the whole day stirring a mass in ebullition, with an iron rod nearly as big as myself. In the evening, I was broken with fatigue. ... We worked in the unique preoccupation of a dream.”

This experience – being utterly immersed in and dedicated to a task of great significance – is common to all Nobel laureates, and it is cherished by them as much as the prize itself. – Los Angeles Times / McClatchy-Tribune Information Services

David Pratt compiled The Impossible Takes Longer: The 1,000 Wisest Things Ever Said By Nobel Prize Laureates. He wrote this for the Los Angeles Times.

http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/10/15/A-Nobel-soul.aspx

Human guinea pigs

Published: Tuesday October 15, 2013 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday October 15, 2013 MYT 7:59:33 AM

ALTHOUGH nearly 85% of Nobel Prizes in physiology or medicine have relied upon animal research, a few laureates have used themselves as guinea pigs. Below, the organisation Understanding Animal Research details some of these self-experimenters, who each took a risky step for their own reasons – bravery, desperation and hope.


Werner Forssmann (1956)

In the 23 years preceding winning the Nobel Prize, Werner Forssmann had worked as a urologist, served as a Major in the German Army and was captured as a prisoner of war. But none of that concerned the Nobel committee, who were honouring Forssmann for his work as a young surgical intern when he first demonstrated cardiac catheterisation in a human: himself.

Generally thought to be impossible without causing severe damage to the heart, cardiac catheters require inserting a catheter into a vein and threading it through until it reaches the heart.

This would allow clinicians to measure the pressure in the heart and determine if a defect needs to be operated on.

Inspired by researchers who had achieved this in a horse in 1861, Forssmann saw the potential this technique could have.

2005 Nobel Prize laureate Prof Barry Marshall (above) drank a broth of bacteria from the lab to prove that it was a bacterium that caused stomach ulcers while the late Dr Ralph Steinman’s work on dendritic cells helped prolong his life after he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer. — File picture

Refused permission to experiment on patients, Forssmann set out to test the technique on himself. First he had to convince the operating room nurse to give him access to surgical instruments.

She relented on the condition that Forssmann would place the catheter in her instead, which he accepted. However, once he had strapped the nurse down onto the operating table,

Forssmann quickly anaesthetised his own arm, made an incision and inserted the catheter 30cm along his veins.

He then walked up two flights of stairs to the X-ray room before extending the catheter the full 60cm to enter his heart and capturing the image.

Forssmann’s reckless bravery generated much annoyance and excitement.

The annoyance eventually won out and Forssmann was forced to withdraw from his residency.

Although he moved out of research, Forssmann’s paper on his work was read many years later by André Frédéric Cournand and Dickinson W. Richards who built on the technique and shared the Nobel Prize with him.

On hearing news of the prize, Forssmann said: “I feel like a village parson who has just learned that he has been made bishop.”


Barry Marshall (2005)

Marshall must be the poster boy for self-experimenters everywhere. He drank a heady broth of bacteria from the lab to prove to his peers that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori was the cause of stomach ulcers.

Stomach ulcers were long thought to be due to stress, with the only treatments being rest, antacids and surgery in extreme cases. But in 1979, pathologist Robin Warren noticed inflammation in regions of stomach biopsies that were colonised by small, curved bacteria.

Marshall, intrigued by his findings, contacted Warren and the pair began a survey of 100 patients and biopsies.

For them, it became clear that the bacteria, which they named H. pylori, were the cause of stomach ulcers and gastritis.



The culprit: The H. pylori bacterium, which Marshall proved caused
stomach ulcers – by testing his theory on himself! — Understanding Animal Research

This discovery was a radical departure from medical opinion at the time, and many researchers and doctors were sceptical. The presence of the bacteria and inflammation did not prove cause and effect.

With no suitable animal model susceptible to the bacteria (this was before the Mongolian gerbil had been found to model the human condition), Marshall decided to demonstrate the role of bacteria using himself as a guinea pig.

Five days after drinking the broth, he began to experience loss of appetite before then vomiting regularly each morning. An endoscopy revealed the truth: Marshall had given himself gastritis. Under orders from his wife, Marshall began taking antibiotics and the symptoms subsided.

This proved that peptic ulcers and gastritis could be cured, saved thousands of lives and rendered the billion-dollar industry of previous treatments obsolete.


Ralph Steinman (2011)

When Steinman was announced as one of the winners of the Nobel Prize in 2011 friends, colleagues and journalists were quick to try to contact him. Outside of his family, no one knew that he had died just three days earlier.

Along with Bruce Beutler and Jules Hoffmann, Steinman was being honoured for his work on the immune system.

He had discovered a new type of cell, which he named dendritic cells because of their tree-like structure, that activate T-cells to fight off an infection.

The immune system is primed to attack foreign and unusual cells in the body, but some cancer cells can slip past its defences.

Being able to control the dendritic cells would allow researchers to train them to target camouflaged cancer cells.

This was a new approach, highly experimental and likely to take decades before it could be available to the public.

So when Steinman was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in 2007, he saw the opportunity to start a human trial and potentially buy himself more time.

He had little to lose, with less than a 5% chance of surviving a year.

Dozens of his colleagues and collaborators came forward with ideas and techniques for improving his “experiment”.

They worked to grow portions of the tumour in mice, test the effects of different drugs, sequence the cancer’s DNA and extracted proteins from the surface of the cells. In addition, Steinman received three different, personalised vaccines that were based on his work on dendritic cells. Steinman received eight experimental treatments, in addition to conventional chemotherapy.

Despite the range of these treatments, Steinman still succumbed to the cancer, but he had survived four and a half years – far longer than expected.

Although he never learned that he had won the Nobel Prize, he was sure that his work had prolonged his own life and may one day extend many more.

Article courtesy of Understanding Animal Research, a not-for-profit organisation based in Britain that aims to achieve broad understanding and acceptance of the humane use of animals in biomedical research to advance science and medicine. Website: http://www.understandinganimalresearch.org.uk/

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http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Features/2013/10/15/Human-guinea-pigs.aspx

DASH - The Easiest Diet Ever

October 2013

It's also the most beneficial for your health.

 

Following a healthful diet is undoubtedly one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves from chronic disease. So why is it such a struggle?

 

Unfortunately, many diets just aren't practical over the long haul. Sure, you may be able to white-knuckle it for the first few days or weeks. But what happens when you can no longer withstand the unhealthful temptations at parties, restaurants and just about anywhere else? The solution…

 

A POWERHOUSE DIET

 

Many people are surprised to learn that one of the most widely studied diets is also perhaps the easiest to follow on a long-term basis because it provides enough food choices to be truly appealing—even enjoyable—to virtually anyone.

 

Perhaps you've heard of the DASH diet. It is commonly known as the "blood pressure diet." Short for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, the DASH plan has long been known to effectively lower blood pressure—sometimes in just 14 days, according to research.

 

Now: After years of scientific scrutiny, this "sleeper" of a diet, with its wide range of foods—vegetables, fruits, low-fat and nonfat dairy, whole grains, lean poultry and fish, and nuts, beans and seeds—is winning more proponents because of its other health benefits.

 

In addition to being linked to a lower risk for heart disease and stroke, this diet has also been shown to cut risk for kidney stones by 45% and risk for colon cancer by 20%. If that's not enough, the DASH diet also prevents (and sometimes even reverses) diabetes by controlling blood sugar spikes. And it makes you feel younger and lighter, because the low-sodium component helps you to retain less fluid.

 

The "Best" Diet: Because of its many health benefits, nutritional completeness and the ease with which it can be followed, the DASH diet was named "Best Overall Diet" earlier this year by US News & World Report, based on analyses by experts in nutrition and various chronic diseases. The DASH eating plan beat other better-known diets, such as the Mediterranean Diet and Weight Watchers.

 

WHY DASH WORKS

 

The DASH diet might seem like nothing more than a commonsense eating plan, but very few Americans actually eat according to its basic principles. Not only are most of us sorely lacking in vegetables and fruits, but we take in an average of 3,500 mg of blood pressure—raising sodium per day—far more than the amount that's recommended for healthy adults (up to 2,300 mg daily) or the amount for people with high blood pressure (up to 1,500 mg).

 

The magic behind DASH lies in its high amounts of potassium, calcium and magnesium. Potassium, found in fruits and vegetables, naturally lowers blood pressure by ridding the body of excess sodium.

 

Calcium from dairy and other sources, including broccoli and fish with bones, such as sardines, works in the same way—plus it relaxes your blood vessels, making it easier for blood to pass through. Magnesium, found in whole grains, nuts and seeds, also promotes healthy blood vessels.

 

MAKING IT EASY

 

When first considering the DASH daily eating plan, you may think that you'd never be able to eat such a seemingly large amount and wide variety of food, but that's not true.

 

The standard 2,000-calorie plan includes...*

 

• Fruits—Four to five servings per day (one serving equals one medium-sized whole fruit or one cup diced raw fruit).
• Vegetables—Four to five servings per day (one serving equals one-half cup cooked vegetables or one cup leafy greens).
• Low-fat/nonfat dairy—Three daily servings (one serving equals one-half cup fat-free or low-fat cottage cheese or eight ounces skim or low-fat milk or low-fat or fat-free yogurt).
• Whole grains—Three daily servings (one serving equals one slice of bread, one-half cup cooked brown rice or one ounce dry cereal).
• Refined grains—A few servings a week (one serving equals one-half cup pasta or one cookie as a treat).
• Healthy fats (such as olive oil and avocado)—Two to three daily servings (one serving equals one teaspoon olive oil or one-eighth of a small avocado).
• Lean meat, poultry or fish—Seven ounces daily.
• Beans and nuts—Four to five servings per week (one serving equals one-quarter cup beans or nuts).

Why so much food and so many different choices? The diet delivers all the disease-fighting benefits that can be derived from good nutrition. Plus, the emphasis on low-calorie, high-volume produce and hunger-fighting protein means that you'll feel satisfied and less likely to give in to cravings for unhealthful foods that cause weight gain.

If five daily servings of veggies sounds daunting, think of it this way: A dinner including one cup sautéed broccoli (two servings)…a small side salad (one serving)…and one cup roasted potatoes (two servings) equals five full servings of veggies.

Other ways to meet DASH goals…

Fruits: Try one small banana at breakfast, one plum at lunch, one cup berries as a midafternoon snack, one-half cup sliced Bartlett pears for dessert.

Low-fat/nonfat dairy: Try eight ounces nonfat milk on cereal (pour it on, then drink the rest), one ounce light Swiss cheese added to a sandwich for lunch, one cup light yogurt as an afternoon snack.

Whole grains: Try three-quarters cup whole-wheat cereal or oatmeal, two slices thin-sliced whole-wheat bread at lunch, one small whole-wheat dinner roll.

Healthy fats: Try one tablespoon salad dressing and a few avocado slices.

Lean meat, poultry or fish: Try three ounces of turkey slices at lunch and four ounces of salmon at dinner.

Beans and nuts: Try a small handful of nuts for a snack.

If you are eating out, try these DASH-friendly items…

• A Grande Starbucks Caffé Latte with nonfat milk, or any 16-ounce coffee drink with eight ounces milk.
• A slice of thin-crust veggie pizza plus a salad.
• A Subway double-meat six-inch roasted chicken sandwich topped with all of your favorite veggies, minus the top half of the bread.

For a tasty DASH snack at home, try celery dipped in hummus.

For a free copy of the complete DASH diet, go to NHLBI.NIH.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf.

"Pile It On" Chili

Didn't think you could have chili when you're following a healthful eating plan? You can! Here's an easy-to-make and tasty chili recipe…

 

1 pound ground sirloin, 95% extra-lean
½ 16-oz. bag frozen onions and sliced peppers combo (or use fresh if you like, of course)
2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced
1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, no added salt
1 15-oz. can tomato sauce, no added salt
1 15.5-oz. can kidney beans
1 15.5-oz. can black beans
2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons paprika
½ 16-oz. bag frozen mixed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots
1 cup frozen corn

Cook ground beef at medium-high heat for three minutes. Add peppers, onions and garlic. Cook on medium until onions are browned and soft. Add tomatoes, beans and seasonings. Mix well and simmer five minutes. Then add mixed vegetables and corn. Simmer 30 to 60 minutes. Add shredded light cheese and/or baked tortilla strips as a garnish (see recipe below).

Makes 12 1-cup servings. Per serving: 204 calories, 13 g protein, 24 g carbohydrates, 7 g fat, 7 g fiber, 379 mg sodium.

Baked Tortilla Strips

For easy tortilla strips, cut two corn tortillas into ½-inch strips. Place on a tray in the oven, and bake at 400°F for five minutes—or until lightly browned.

*2,000 calories daily is appropriate for men age 51 and older. Women age 51 and older usually need 1,600 calories daily. Younger adults can have more calories. Weight loss requires less calories and fewer servings.

Source: Marla Heller, RD, a Los Angeles–based registered dietitian who developed plans to bring the DASH diet from the research phase to patients. She is the author of The DASH Diet Action Plan: Proven to Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Without Medication, The DASH Diet Weight Loss Solution and The Everyday DASH Diet Cookbook (all from Grand Central). DashDiet.org

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/diet-a-exercise/the-easiest-diet-ever