WkS+paper+7

   This page is for Ryan, Sandra, Sarah & Stacey  Hi Guys

I already had an article earmarked from earlier in the semester so I thought I'd share it with you then I found another one on The Australian website:

The first one is about older people and exercise and how it appears to be beneficial for Alzheimers patients. The news article is very brief and appears to be more of a press release but the journal article is quite well written and easy to understand (from the quick scan I did) and more importantly it was conducted in Australia .

[|Reuters: Exercise and memory in older people] [|JAMA:Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer Disease]  The second is a better news article but the journal paper looks a bit complicated. The article is about Antarctic sea ice and how it appears to be increasing not decreasing which is contrary to global warming reports and how it is probably linked to the hole in the ozone layer. The journal article is pretty confusing but this might be the best one because the journalist appears to have spoken to the author of the journal article.

[|The Australian: Sea ice spread linked to ozone layer] [|Geophysical Research Letters: Ozone and increase in Antarctic Sea Ice]

If someone else could have a look and give me their thoughts or a completely different article - please do. BTW I think it might be easier if we colour code our input - I've gone with green. Cheers Sarah

Hello Everyone, I read both and I think that the first one about the alzheimers, its very interesting. Great work Sarah on finding something so soon, I had a bit of a look around but hadn't found much, I will let you know if i find any other options but i really like the first one you found. Stacey :) Should we try and organise a time when we are all available to write this up???? or just allocate certian sections to certain people?

ML. Ryan has withdrawn from sci2010 (I think) so don't wait for him. I have emailed Susan. I know that she has a few problems on her plate,so please give her another day or two to appear.

Stacey: Ok well Sarah maybe we could get a bit of a start on it? and Susan can join in when she is ready? These are the questions that are proposed that we answer so maybe we could do 3 each and 2 for susan? and throw in any other things we come up with as well :) a) Is the news feature successful in presenting accurate results? b) Is the science ‘dumbed down’ for the public? c) Are the implications of the research presented with any bias? d) Is the title catchy and memorable? e) Are there good pictures/illustrations used? f) Is the feature written by a dedicated science communicator? g) Is this relevant to our everyday life? h) Suggest how it could have been presented differently. Ok Im going to start this off because I have too much other stuff due this week. Im going to do Questions B, D and G :). Feel free to edit/add/change if you think it can be better :) STACEY

Hi Stacey and Sarah this is Sandra and sorry I haven't responded earlier but had a sudden death in the family. Am back home now and taking my daughter to airport to fly back to WA. This afternoon, being Sunday 3rd May, shall give this my full attention. I would like to go with the first article,Sarah and Stacey as I am familiar with this topic but if you both prefer the other one I shall accept that.Well done with the questions Stacey. Thee just y sound good. I shall have a think about whether I have any others to add this afternoon and let you know. Otherwise if you have already or would like to nominate some questions for me to answer [please let me know.

Hi Sandra, I have down questions b,d and g im not sure if sarah has decided on any questions as yet but im sure any will be fine cos we can all edit each others if we find extra things to add anyways. Stacey Hi Stacey,Good work with questions b,d and g. I have some other work to finish tonight so shall do that then answer the remaining questions unless Sarah has done some in the meantime.Do you know how to make the link to the articles? I might work it out before I need it but thought I should ask.I am not at work tomorrow so shall make sure I have the answers in by morning and then Sarah maybe you can add your comments before the evening so that it can be submitted by Tuesday night to blackboard. Do either of you feel confident to submit the final article Tuesday night? Sandra

Ive added the links in since, its show by the little green arrows so hopefully that will be ok! I think we should be ok to submit by then, it only took my about 45 mins to have a good read of both and then come up with these answers, so maybe if we can all have done the questions by say 6pm tomorro? we can edit eachothers by about 9pm and leave a comment to say we are happy and who ever is the last to add/edit can submit on blackboard? or I am happy to come on about 9pm to submit if you both are unable too. Stacey

<span style="color: rgb(0,163,255);">Hi Sarah and Stacey I will get my work in soon and check this site at 6 to finalise any editing. That arrangement sounds good Stacey about 9pm being the time to submit it to blackboard. I will assume that you will do that then so you don't hav eto check with me again. Submit what is there at 9 pm. and thanks. I think I am working on same questions as Sarah so will check what is in when I submit it and add any oyher thoughts. Cheers Sandra <span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);">Hi Stacy and Sandra, I'll do questions a, f and h if that's ok - I should have them done during the day Tuesday and I'll be online at 6 pm as Stacey suggests so we can put it all together - but maybe we should discuss on Blackboard so we don't have problems with editing and saving here. Cheers Sarah <span style="color: rgb(0,128,128);">Hi Stacey and Sarah I have just added notes which cover a and c and a bit of h. I may add more as need to leave this for a while and will return at 6 if not a bit earlier.Feel free to edit and add to it. Sandra

Hi! Im happy to submit at 9pm so i will assume we are all happy with everything by then, Im happy with what you have written Sandra, I dont think I have anything to add to it, so I think all we need to do is wait for Sarahs' and then do a concluding sentence or two? and i think we are set :) Hi Stacey I will wait for Sarah to add her work and and see if I want to add anything.Otherwise at 9 you may submit it thanks Stacey. Cheers Sandra

Ok will do, I think after Sarah has done her bit we just need to do a bit of a concludin sentence. Stacey

<span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);">As you guys have done the bulk of the work I'm editing and adding the extra info now - so hopefully not much will need doing later - Sarah


 * The Study [|Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer Disease]<span style="color: rgb(128,0,128);"> looks at the benefits of exercise for memory improvement. Tan Ee Lyn published an article relating to this titled [|Exercise may help improve memory in older people]. Alzheimers is a commonly occuring disease which predominately affects older people, and the number of cases are increasing. The title of the journal article is vey specific, but uses quite large words. For scientific readers (which journals are aimed for) this is a good title. The title of the article is very straight to the point, it's not overly catchy however does say the same thing as the journal's title with much more 'common' language. The 'may' in the title detracts from the title as it may lead the reader to think its not true, whereas if the article's name was 'Exercise found to improve memory for those at risk of alzheimers' it may be more effective. **


 * The article has been written for the general public, and it is obvious that a science knowledge has not been assumed. It could be possible to say, that for this reason, the science has been 'dumbed down' as it does not speak about how the exercise helps, only that it may help. It has dumbed down the methods/experimentation process. However,this has been accomplished in such a way, that the general public will gain the knowledge to decide their own opinion, without being bombarded with science jargon.

<span style="color: rgb(0,128,128);">The reporting of the results in the article appears to be biased towards the older age group identified in the study.It is selective in stating the type and duration of excercise used while omitting information about the type of memory improved.The bias is also suggested in the reference to "aging population" and no apparent need to clarify the age group.This approach is contrasted with the quote about the trial results, using scientific jargon. It implied that there were two quite different audiences being addressed.

The opening sentence infers an association of results between "exercise improving memory" and "its effect on delaying the onset of dementia". This is not an accurate presentation of the study results and could be clarified by an explanation that"continuing studies may be able to confirm the link".

Alzheimers is a very common disease, that affects many people worldwide. This makes the article very relevant to everyday life, especially when there is no cure for alzheimers. Therefore the findings of protective measures, which everyday people can easily carry out, may benefit and ultimately affect people's lives.**

<span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);">I have edited quite heavily so I thought I would paste in the whole thing again. <span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);"> I moved paras, added a few things in concluded with a final sentence added onto one of Stacey's. Not sure I agree with the bias seen by Sandra the para is still there. Hope this is ok for submitting please change back or further edit if you don't agree with my changes. Sarah <span style="color: rgb(128,0,128);">Hey! Im happy with this so i havent edited any further, i will leave it til 9pm just incase one of u find something or wish to add something but other i will submit at 9. Great work! Stacey <span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);"> Here's a title and the reference:

going to submit now to blackboard okay thanks Stacey and Sarah. I had a final look but didn't change anything. Sandra 8-)

submitted :)

<span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);">Hi Sandra and Stacey thanks very much for your input, I think we managed to do a great job (although a little long!) and get it in on time etc. I have resubmitted to Blackboard as the original submission didn't have the active links Good luck with your lit reviews and exams :-))) Sarah

Thanks for that Sarah! Goodluck to both of you also for lit reviews and exams. :) Stacey


 * RESEARCH FINDS POSITIVE EFFECT OF EXERCISE ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER PEOPLE**


 * Lautenschlager, NT, Cox, KL, Flicker, L, Foster, JK, van Bockxmeer, FM, Xiao, J, Greenop, KR & Almeida, OP 2008 Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer disease. //Journal of the American Medical Association// 300: 1027-1038.**


 * The Study [|Effect of Physical Activity on Cognitive Function in Older Adults at Risk for Alzheimer Disease] was an Australian study that looked at the benefits of exercise for improving cognitive impairment. In September 2008, when the study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Reuters Hong Kong published a short news feature relating to this titled [|Exercise may help improve memory in older people] written by Tan Ee Lyn. Lyn appears to be an Asia-based journalist covering medical and science related topics. The feature was a short news piece that lacked any images or accompanying diagrams that would draw attention to or increase the impact of the scientific results reported.**


 * The article has been written for the general public, and it is obvious that scientific knowledge has not been assumed. It could be possible to say, that for this reason, the science has been 'dumbed down' as it does not speak about how the exercise helps, only that it may help. It has briefly and adequately summarised the methods/experimentation process and presented the main conclusions as direct quotations. The research has been presented in such a way, that the general public will gain the knowledge to decide their opinion, without being bombarded with science jargon.**


 * The reporting of the results in the article appears to be biased towards the older age group identified in the study. It is selective in stating the type and duration of exercise used while omitting information about the type of memory improved. This approach is contrasted with the quote about the trial results, using scientific jargon. It implied that there were two quite different audiences being addressed.**


 * Alzheimer’s is a commonly occurring disease which predominately affects older people and the number of cases is increasing. The title of the journal article is long and very specific. For scientific readers (which journals are aimed for) this is a good title. The title of the news article is very straight to the point, it's not overly catchy however does say a similar thing to the journal's title with more 'common' language. The 'may' in the title detracts from the title as it may lead the reader to think it might not be fact, whereas if the article's name was 'Exercise found to improve memory for those at risk of Alzheimer’s it may be more effective.**


 * Although the trial conducted was summarised sufficiently results were not presented as accurately. The opening sentence infers an association of results between "exercise improving memory" and "its effect on delaying the onset of dementia". This is not an accurate presentation of the study results as cognitive function is what was improved. The researchers merely used decline in memory as an indicator for the possible onset of dementia.** <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Also, t **** he most important result was reported with the emotive statement “fared markedly better” after tests were conducted at the six month stage and failed to show the researchers actually reported “modest improvement” in tests after 18 months. **


 * Alzheimer’s is a very common disease, that affects many people worldwide. This makes the article very relevant to everyday life as there is currently no cure. Therefore the findings of protective measures, which everyday people can easily carry out, may benefit and ultimately affect people's lives. The news report presents the scientific results in a way that, although not altogether accurate, still conveys the importance of exercise for older people and provides evidence that it improves cognitive function (including memory) and could delay dementia. Most importantly the article was written and published in a way that made the results of the study available to the general public.**

<span style="color: rgb(128,0,128);">ML note for othe group members about editing staceys work. I think it is best to edit on the para above - ie don't copy and paste and then change. You can see what changes have been made by using the history tab, If you want to add a chunk of text, insert it above. Don't forget you need the links to the articles.