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Show 8 MONDAY, AUGUST 30,2010 THE SIGNPOST Neuro continued from page -1 STD continued from page 4 "This department can give me a scientific look directly into the brain and its functions without having to go through a backdoor route through other anatomy, physiology courses where you get a broad range of the entire human body and its physiology," Webb said. "Instead, I have been able to focus directly on the brain, its functions." Webb has been able to take many additional courses that have been added to the neuroscience program, which he believes will solidify his knowledge and prepare him for the future. "This is preparing me for a Ph.D program in neuroscience," he said. "I hope to do research either at a university or doing research in the private industry." Sarah Ahmad is a senior at WSU enrolled in the medical program and is another of the nine students fulfilling the neuroscience minor requirements, and is following Webb in completing her own research in neuroscience. "I was excited about the neuroscience program when I and cellular and molecular heard about it because it's always neuroscience, as we are trying to been an area of interest to me," cover different levels," he said. Ahmad said. "This minor gives me Schmolesky said he is excited the research opportunity that I can aboutthe future of the neuroscience use in my capstone, which will also program and attributed its be attractive to medical schools." beginnings to hard work, dedicated Ahmad said she believes that faculty, chairs and deans, but when medical schools review *also the contribution of financial her application, they will see that support. she has a consistent interest in "The whole thing got started neuroscience with the education to with the Hemingway Foundation support it. grant," Schmolesky said. "I definitely think that having an In 2007, WSU applied for the extra minor in a biology-related area grant offered by a local family, which would help, because when you're provided the financial means to in your second year of medical create the neuroscience program. school, you take your science and "We approached them as neurology classes," Ahmad said. collaborative venture, meaning "Not all students are prepared in the instead of a single faculty member area of neuroscience." askingformoney to do apet project, Schmolesky said he projected we had 12 faculty and three deans WSU offering a neuroscience major that collectively worked to create a and is currently in the process of document saying what we would adding three other courses to the do with that money," Schmolesky existing program. said. "One of them is clinical neuroscience, cognitive and Comment on this story at behavioral neuroscience, wsusignpost.com. Tech continued from page -I childhood, the Ender series by Orson Scott Card. Throughout the course of this series, the child genius Andrew Wiggin, better known as Ender, meets and befriends a computer-based life • form and dubs her "Jane." Along his journey, Jane proves herself indispensable. Without Jane, the four-book series would most likely wind up being a two-book series. The unique relationship between Ender and Jane only grows when Ender obtains an inner-ear implant that allows immediate communication between Jane and himself. Ender need only form his words in his throat and Jane can understand him, and Jane can quickly respond via Ender's earpiece. Imagine having a search engine, or better yet, Google Maps, at your disposal without using those gross appendages called fingers, and you can forget those opposable thumbs! Another childhood favorite, Star Trek, has inspired not only that way that I talk ("we are the Borg ... resistance is futile" - an international greeting, of sorts), but the way in which I think. Dragon NaturallySpeaking, one of the first speech recognition programs available to the public, has been around since the mid'90s. Since that time, I haven'tbeen impressed with any advances in speech recognition programs. How I long to say, "Computer, initiate the self-destruct sequence," in the same deep, monotonous tone as Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Yet my iPhone is incapable of recognizing "Bjork" when I fancy a call to my good friend. If memory serves, President Obama called for a return to science and mathematics earlier this year (thanks for all your help with NASA, Mr. President). I fully support his plea. Many of the once-renowned scientists of the Cold War Era are now ending this life's journey and replacements are slim pickin's. However, there's no greater time than now for new technology. The possibilities are endless! Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. w f/'-/// NO PROBLEM, WE'RE HERE TO HELP. YOU'VE GOT TWO OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM Siybric classes » Combine the traditional classroom experience with the convenience of online. » Accelerated classes you finish in just seven weeks. » Two blocks available each semester, next block starts October 18. Self-paced » No waiting for semester online classes start dates, classes start whenever you're ready. » Take up to six months to complete each class. » No more rushing to class, log on and complete coursework when it's most convenient for you. lea-ri Tiore about flexible class options at CoWeberState.com #5 • • / * , one of those funny rashes that people get. Even children can get them as well — if they wrestle with each other they can get them on their arms and shoulders, and adults get them from skin-to-skin contact, mostly genitally." According to the Mayo Clinic, molluscum is a relatively common viral infection of the skin. It results in raised, round, flesh-colored bumps (papules) that are painless and usually disappear within a year without treatment. If the papules are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to surrounding skin. Molluscum contagiosm spreads through direct person-to-person contact and through contact with contaminated objects. This virus spreads easily through skin-toskin contact, sexual contact with an affected partner and contact with contaminated objects such as toys, doorknobs and faucet handles. Because it spreads easily, doctors often recommend medical treatment, especially for adults. McQuilkin said that even though molluscum is the most prevalent STD he sees, he also sees about two cases of chlamydia a month and roughly one case of gonorrhea every couple of months. He said it is important that students take the necessary precautions before engaging in sexual activity. "Obviously, you are going to want to use condoms, but they won't protect you from herpes or molluscum because those are acquired by skin-to-skin contact," McQuilkin said. "I think that is probably one of the reasons why we are seeing something like molluscum in the clinic, because there is really no way to prevent it." In addition to safe sex practices, McQuilkin recommended the Gardasil shot for both men and women. "The idea there is to help the person become immune against the subtypes of HPV that can make them prone to cervical and penile cancer." McQuilkin said he thinks practicing safe sex is important, and WSU students should not be afraid to ask questions and demand the use of condoms. "We have a little poster in our bathroom at the Health Center that reads, 'Like with skiing, check the conditions before you hit the slopes,'" McQuilkin said. "It is not an unreasonable thing for couples to undergo baseline STD testing before they become intimate. And that can be done for free, or at very little cost, at Weber State's health clinic." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. |