This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 677, an undergraduate course at UW-Madison.
Lessons from the media
The two papers of interest ("Study hints at role of stem cell genes in testicular, breast cancer" and "Overexpression of Nanog in gestational trophoblastic disease") were discussed individually in the "In the News" and "Journal Report" section.
There were no media reports that directly discussed the relation of my disease of interest, gestational trophoblastic disease and gene of interest, Nanog. Hence, I chose the media report that discussed disease association of breast and testicular canceres with Nanog. Nanog is a relatively well mentioned gene in the popular media, due to its role as a cell marker for embryonic or pluripotent stem cells.
The journal of interest is the only formal paper that discusses the relation between Nanog and gestational trophoblastic disease and it was released in 2008. It is definitely disappointing that this convincing study was not publicized by the popular media as this disease concerns 1 out of 2000 pregnant women in the United States and 1 out of 200 women in Asia. (3)
It is rather difficult to discuss the new information I learnt from the primary paper as different diseases and studies are being investigated. However, based on the information I learnt from the popular media release, I will postulate the new information that I will obtain from the primary paper of the study.
1) I will learn about the experimental methods used to compare the gene expression levels between the stem cell genes.
2) The statistical calculations used to evaluate the percentage elevation in gene expression levels will be mentioned in the primary paper.
3) I will also learn about the demographics of the samples used in the study, which might affect further analysis of the claims - if most of the samples were from an older age group, we cannot draw the general conclusion that gene expression level elevation occurs in patients of all ages.
4) Figures that illustrate experimental results will better show how the authors came to the conclusion of Nanog's role in Breast and Testicular disease.
The section following below is a discussion of differences and criticisms of the two styles of science writing:
Science versus Media
Science
1) The content is meant for a scholarly audience, thus it has a huge emphasis on jargon. This makes it inaccessible to the public readers who may have little knowledge on the topic.
2) The paper figures are not entirely black and white, but some micrographs were in plain black and white (Figure 1 and 2) and this results in poor visibility of the details of the micrographs.
3) Only technical information is provided, which is typical of journal papers. However, the technical nature of the writing makes it hard for readers that are outside the field to relate to the issue discussed.
Media
1)There is quite a significant "dumping down" of the contentfor the public. It was not mentioned what kind of tests are being used to make the discovery.
2) No figures are provided to illustrate the expression levels of stem cell genes or other content.
3) There is constant use of quotes from scientists involved from the field. The writing is more personable but it might also facilitate the author's intentions of emphasizing certain issues.
References
1. Science Daily, (November 30, 2005) Study hints at role of stem cell genes in testicular, breast cancers. Retrieved January 24, 2009, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/11/051130085332.htm
2. Siu, M. K. Y., Wong, E. S. Y., Chan, H. Y., Ngan, H. Y. S.,Chan, K. Y. K., and Cheung, A. N. Y.(2008) Overexpression of NANOG in Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases. The American Journal for Pathology, 173(4), 1165-1172. DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2008.080288
3. Merck Manuals, Online Medical Library (Novermber, 2005) Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Retrieved January 30, 2009, from http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec18/ch254/ch254f.html
Ka Yi, Ling ([email protected])
Page last updated 03/14/09
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