J460 Science Writing » Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008 Students in a new undergraduate course in science writing report here on the 2008 meeting of the National Association of Science Writers, on new discoveries in science, on the scientists who make the discoveries, and on the science writers who translate these discoveries for the general public. They also review a recent book on science written by New York Times science writer Natalie Angier. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:50:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Scientists Confirm Mind/Body Connection http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/scientists-confirm-mindbody-connection/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/scientists-confirm-mindbody-connection/#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:06:27 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=138
Researchers have found more evidence of the mind/body connection. This time at a cellular level.

The study shows that the daily practice of relaxation can change the activity of genes that relate to how a healthy body deals with stress. Certain mindful activities produce a state of deep physiological rest. Meditation, repetitive prayer, biofeedback and tai chi are a few examples of activities that elicit this deep state of rest, known as the Relaxation Response (RR).

Researchers at The Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital released the findings in the July 2008 issue of the open-access journal PLoS One. Funding was provided by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from the National Institutes of Health.

“The latest genetic findings point out that the mind is not separated from the body and Rene Descartes was in error in separating the two," explained Dr. Herbert Benson, co-author of the report. He is the director emeritus of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and Mind Body Medical Institute Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Benson is internationally known for his work in the area of mind/body medicine. He described the steps to practice that create the calming effects on the mind and body in his book The Relaxation Response,  published in 1975.

Previous studies have identified the genetic effects of RR on the cells of patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. This is the first study to show the genetic effect produced by RR in healthy individuals.

The study compared the gene expression profile of 19 healthy long-term practitioners of RR with that of 19 healthy gender and aged matched individuals who took part in  eight weeks of training in the relaxation response. The profiles were then reassessed. Genetic expression profiles were analyzed using bioinformatics technology and computer software that creates a ‘biography’ or map of an individual’s genetic makeup from whole blood samples.

Researchers noted the number of differently activated genes between the three groups. Statistical formulas revealed that over 425 were shared by long-term and short-term practitioners. These results demonstrate that both long-term and short-term RR practice leads to consistent gene expression changes in the formation, development, and maturation of cells.

Researchers at Indiana University (IU) were quick to point out the small size of the sample in the study, but equally quick to point to the significance of the findings. The sample suggests the research should be treated more like a pilot study.  Dr. Jennifer Steinbachs, evolutionary biologist and deputy director of The Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics at IU understands the importance of the findings.

“Anything we do will impact our gene expression," Steinbachs said. “Stress wreaks havoc and RR reduces the impact of stress.” On a more personal level, she added, “As I get better with my yoga, I will be impacting my genetic expression.”

Dr. Anne Prieto, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Indiana University, Bloomington expressed similar confidence in the effects of relaxation on a healthy person’s cells. “We create our own stimuli by simply thinking. We trick our body. The mind is a product of the brain. The brain is part of the body. There is no separation of mind and body.”

Stress is meant to be a short-term biological state of readiness that is experienced as an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and brain activity. Most people experience chronic stress.

“The thing that needs to be taken into consideration is that, I think, we underestimate the effects of stress on our normal daily lives…” said Prieto.

Chronic stress keeps the body in a constant state of readiness. On the molecular level, it decreases the ability of antioxidants to destroy free radicals, the natural byproduct of cells converting oxygen to energy. Free radicals create oxidative stress that deteriorates cells. Stress-related diseases and aging are the results.

The RR practitioners in the study showed a greater capacity for antioxidants to destroy free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and cell damage. RR lessens the negative impact of stress.
–Martina Samm
 

For instructions on how to incorporate the relaxation response into a daily practice to decrease the negative effects of stress, go to

www.bhimgh.org/basics/whatis_rresponse_elicitation.asp

 

]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/scientists-confirm-mindbody-connection/feed/ 0 The Canon: Quirky and highly entertaining http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/the-canon-a-whirligig-tour-of-the-beautiful-basics-of-science/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/the-canon-a-whirligig-tour-of-the-beautiful-basics-of-science/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:28:43 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=124 The Canon, A Whirligig Tour of the Beautiful Basics of Science is a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice recipient as well as Amazon.com Best Science Book of the Year. Her other books include Natural Obsessions, The Beauty and the Beastly, and Woman: An Intimate Geography, which was a National Book Award finalist. She has been a science writer for 25 years and a regular contributor to the Tuesday ‘Science Times’ section of the New York Times.

Angier begins by explaining why most people tend to disregard science. She writes, ”In the civic imagination, science is considered dull, geeky, hard, abstract and, conveniently, peripheral, now, perhaps, more than ever.” She points to the scientific community as being partly responsible for the lack of educating the public about just how science works. “We’ve failed”, she writes, “we’re pathetic when it comes to educating our nation’s youth. We’re punished by “the system”…that rewards scientists for focusing on research to the exclusion of everything else.” The Canon was written to alter public misconceptions and allow scientists to explain, simply and clearly, the fundamental principles of science that are the catalysts of discovery.

Angier ditches the dry and boring and makes basic scientific knowledge humorous and user-friendly. Science is a part of everyday life, and it’s to our advantage to see the connection. Scientists are getting closer to predicting weather patterns, solving the issue of global warming and, through genetic research, finding the cure for certain types of cancer. Moreover, Angier argues, by understanding the critical thinking, cause and effect reasoning and results based on facts of laboratory science, we can apply these same principles in the laboratories of our lives.

Angier’s approach to explaining science is witty, maybe even too witty. I found myself rolling my eyes at some of the puns and skimming over paragraphs in order to get to the science. I don’t recommend this approach. As I continued reading, I soon found myself skimming through the science to get to her next comeback. I don’t recommend this approach either, for the scientific information becomes secondary to the light-hearted writing style.

In between quotes from interviews with top scientist in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, geology and astronomy, Angier uses her wit to explain basic scientific principles, reminding me of the wise-cracking kid in the back of the classroom who made the class fun for everyone, except maybe the teacher.

I absolutely recommend this book. Angier manages to write a great overview of basic science in a quirky, highly entertaining way. But it should be read at your leisure, say, over semester break. You will be humored and educated at the same time.
–Martina Samm




]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/stories-and-reviews/the-canon-a-whirligig-tour-of-the-beautiful-basics-of-science/feed/ 0 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/the-writers/martina-samm/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/the-writers/martina-samm/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:54:44 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=103
For 18 years, she worked in the land surveying profession with several years as a field supervisor and crew leader. Martina is the mother of two, a singer/songwriter and performer, and a painter (both interior and exterior).   She hates to argue. She is grateful for this opportunity to write yet another chapter in her life.

Links to Martina’s articles
]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/the-writers/martina-samm/feed/ 0 The Science of Movement with David Koceja (Part II) http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-the-science-of-movement-part-ii/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-the-science-of-movement-part-ii/#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:40 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=73
data analysis room…cozy!
I met with Dr. Koceja at the Motor Control Lab as planned. He had some quick business so he left. I felt a real cozy feeling as I sat at the table of the data analysis room. I didn’t really understand why until it dawned on me…”Hey! This is what my data analysis room looks like at home…controlled clutter.” Glad to see it works for scientific research, too.

Dr. Koceja returned and began to untangle wires. I spoke with Assistant Professor Lee Hong. He graduated in 2007 from Penn State with a PhD. in motor control and expressed genuine interest in the type of research he is involved in.

“ I’m a thinker not a doer…that’s the job but it’s fun because…it’s problem solving, If you like to play puzzle games, there’s this never ending crossword puzzle…”

(I pick up a sudoku puzzle book from the table)

“Is this your book?” I ask.

“No, that’s Dr. Koceja’s, (we laugh)…but it’s what we do for a living”.

Dr. Koceja is ready to begin the test. In order to do this, he needs to record the muscles. He uses an electromyography (EMG) to record how the nerves communicate with the muscles. A recording electrode is placed over the muscle. He finds the nerve that is connected to that muscle and begins to stimulate it.

I’m a bit anxious. (but thinking…”All systems go!”)

Then Dr. Koceja says, “Martina…and I will be right upfront with you…there’s about 5% of people who don’t like this.”

“Really," I said.(I was thinking of the 95% who do!)

“They kind of get light-headed…but it’s only 5%” he added. I still didn’t like the statistical odds but I assured him that I was pretty hearty, and we continued the test.

Dr. Koceja attaches EMG electrode
Dr. Koceja places the EMG electrode on the peroneus muscle just above the anklebone on the outside of my leg. This muscle contracts when we rise up on our toes. The electrode begins to record and shows up as swiggly lines, very minimal but noticeable, on the oscilloscope, a screen for viewing electrical voltage. The peroneus muscle takes part in the ‘motion’ of standing still.

I’m asked to rise up on my toes. The oscilloscope shows a spiked line, indicating a sudden muscle contraction. I tippy-toe and watch the screen.

“Essentially, this is biofeedback, Dr. Koceja said, “it’s showing you what your body is doing…it’s kind of interesting.”

“It’s all interesting to me!" I replied, nearly shouting. It’s one thing observing a lab. But to be the observer and the observed at the same time took this assignment to a whole new level.

He adjusts the screen to different time sequences. The readings show the jagged lines at different lengths. The EMG is working correctly.

We are interrupted with the arrrival of Dr. Koichi Kitano. He is a graduate of Osaki University in Japan. He received his masters degree here at I.U. and will graduate this January (2009) with a PhD. in both human performance and neuroscience.

stimulating electrode place over tibial nerve
As Hong and Kitano discuss data results and instrument settings of a previous lab, Dr. Koceja prepares the dispersal pad to be placed above my kneecap. The stimulating electrode is placed behind my knee where the tibial nerve is located. This is a good nerve to stimulate because it’s so close to the surface of the skin, it doesn’t take much electrical charge to produce results.

I will experience an electrical pulse at 1-millisecond intervals. If the electrode is placed correctly, my muscle will contract. A minimal amount of electricity is sent to my nerve. Optimal word here is minimal.

This is good, I thought. I’m pretty ‘nervous’ already. The thought of an electrical shock, even a small dose in the name of science, just makes me a little jumpy. (I’ve had my share of ‘electrifying experiences’ and can’t say I ever wanted to go back once the smoked cleared.)

I felt nothing so they increased the voltage. This time, as my muscle contracts, my knee buckles….found it!

“Good job!”, I say, and we all break into laughter.

“Human motion is complicated, " Dr. Koceja continues. “The central nervous system has general rules it follows.” One rule is when the nerve stimulates a muscle to contract, the complimentary muscle is stimulated to relax, as when we flex our biceps, and our triceps is signaled to relax. As we view the oscilloscope, I see that 1.6v, the voltage of an AA battery, has been used to produce the results that contracted my muscle and buckled my knee.

wave frequency shows intensity, speed of muscle contraction
In an elderly person, when a little change in wave frequency shows an inability to relax and contract muscles, the person is put on a training program and nerve response is tested again to measure any change in efficiency. Change will also be seen behaviorally, as better muscle control and balance.

In a person with less neural control both muscles that are stimulated to contract, producing spastic movements or tremors like those in Parkinson’s disease.

The other test used to measure stability in the elderly is the Kiser Force Platform. As a person stands on it and looks straight ahead at a bull’s eye, it measures in milliseconds, the force, pressure and change of center. The size is about 2’X2’ square, so it’s portable. This makes data collection easy and convenient with participants who may have difficulty getting to the lab.

Koichi Kitano explained to me how the Force Platform information is plotted for analysis. “…these signals are quantified”, he said. Movements are measured in millimeters and divided into lateral (side to side) and sagital (back and forth) at 15-second intervals. They are plotted separately as a line graph and together where lateral movements equal ‘x’ and sagital movements equal ‘y’. By analyzing the information in this way, the researchers have a visual representation of the subject’s ‘sway path’. This information is combined with the nerve stimulator results. It gives a clear picture as to how much effort it takes for the subject to stay in balance.

computer analysis of ’sway path’ data from Kiser Force Platform
Kitano finds this research helpful and an easy way to understand what is going on inside the human body. He explains, “…because we have limitations when studying humans. We cannot check the DNA for each person. But measuring muscle activity and neural activity…that’s what we can do…it’s non-invasive but we can still measure a lot of circuitry”.

In humans, the nervous system is not fully developed at birth. If that were the case, babies would walk and talk the first day. It follows the path of life itself…birth, development, maturity, decline and death. The work done here in the motor control lab is helping to find the answers to this natural process and ways to extend the vitality of the nervous system.

These two tests have shown that if a person is able to improve reflexes, stability improves. Improved stability means greater ability to balance, which reduces the chance of falling and injury.

Final thoughts

Well, there you have it…two labs, two looks at the research being done in the Department of Kinesiology at Indiana University. Both are valuable in helping to solve the mysteries of the human body. Who wouldn’t be interested in the research findings? Advances in understanding human movement and performance can be applied to our everyday life.

Lee Hong offers his perspective, “The human body is remarkable…no matter what you believe…whether you believe in intelligent design or evolution, it’s a remarkably engineered thing…and a very interesting thing to study." You don’t have to be an athlete training for the Olympics or an elderly person having difficulty balancing to benefit from the studies being done.

Throughout this assignment, I was constantly reminded of the complex similarities and variations in the functions of the human body. Most of these functions take place without any conscience effort. We perform the same functions yet at different rates and results.

“The individual variation is what is necessary for us to survive”, Hong said. “If we were all the same…we’d be all stuck in a rut. Movements are like snowflakes, there never the same and the reason for that is, if you didn’t have that variability, you couldn’t learn.”
–Martina Samm
 ]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-the-science-of-movement-part-ii/feed/ 0 The Science of Movement with David Koceja (Part I) http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-department/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-department/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:08 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=71
My observation began at the office of Dr. David Koceja. He was genuinely enthused by the idea of my observation. We chatted as we went down to the lab area about the research he is involved in. Dr. Koceja is an Associate Dean of Research. He has a MA in Biokinetics and received a PhD in Motor Control in 1989 from Indiana University. He is conducting research on aging, balance and neuroplasticity, the idea that nerves change. Through his research, he’s trying to determine if loss of balance in the elderly is due to nerve degeneration, which is a normal part of aging. Dr. Koceja measures the stability of the person while they stand on a motion sensitive plate. The plate measures the minute movements of the body to stay in balance while standing still. Another means of the data collection involves stimulating the nerve at the back of the knee. The time it takes for the muscle to contract is measured. By co-relating the info of the data, Dr. Koceja is trying to determine the likelihood of this person to experience losses in balance that could result in a fall.

In the elderly, this can be extremely detrimental. Since bone density is compromised as we age, a fall can lead to fractures that are difficult to recover from. It may even mean the loss of independent living. By determining a person’s ability to balance, measures can be taken to lessen the likelihood of that happening.

"Hey" I asked, "can you hook me up, measure my ability to balance and the speed of my nerve impulse?" I thought it was a fair question since the data collection of this research was finished. Dr. Koceja’s eyes lit up, and with a slight chuckle, he said, “Sure!”(…hmmm, it kind scared me, but what the hell, I thought, it’s in the name of science.) We set the time before moving on.

Our first stop was in the exercise physiology laboratory. Dr. Robert Chapman is the Human Performance Laboratory Coordinator. He earned his BA in 1991 from the University of Las Vegas, his MS in 1992 and PhD in Human Performance in 1996 from Indiana University. He is the former coach of the men’s cross-country team from 1998-2007. His research is at the other end of the spectrum, working with athletes in top physical condition. He said, “As a researcher, my goal is to understand the limits of human performance. How can we help people run faster?”
Dr. Koceja also introduced me to Dan Wilhite who has been assisting Dr. Chapman for two years. After graduating from Truman State University in Kirksville Missouri, he came to Indiana University to earn his masters’ degree in exercise physiology in the fall of 2007. He’s due to complete the program in the summer of 2009. Wilhite’s interests are more personal. As a former long distance runner, he relates to the sport and wants to help runners improve at the professional level. He added, “I like science! It’s a powerful tool for learning and (there is) always room for discovery.” Through a series of tests, Dr. Chapman determines how altitude training affects performance. They were about to test the results of an athlete who just got back from four weeks of training in Flagstaff Arizona. Testing was tentatively scheduled for Friday afternoon. Wilhite didn’t see a problem with my observing the testing.

As I walked through the hallway leading out of the lab area, I saw students recording lab results; pulse rate, breathing, weight, body temperature and symmetry. Through lab windows I could see others involved in motion: running, biking, lifting weights and stretching. With very little understanding of kinesiology, I’m amazed at the functional complexities that are involved in the movement of our bodies. We all share the same physical and chemical functions that take place inside the body during movement. Yet, as I glanced around the hallway, I saw a variety of body types, sizes and compositions. No two were quite the same…I find that fascinating.

Due to problems with Oncourse, I was unable to confirm at what time the lab was planned, but Wilhite told me it would probably be around 2 or so. I made myself comfortable in the hallway and waited…actually, too comfortable…I had a pretty good nap in between working through a few organic chemistry problems. I shook off the sleepiness and went to the office. Wilhite had returned from class and Dr. Chapman was setting up the equipment. We walked down to join him.
Dr. Chapman attaches accelerometers
When we arrived, he was adjusting the video camera used in the first test, analysis of running mechanics. The video will be synchronized with the data collected from an accelerometer attached to the runner’s shoes. Dr. Chapman explained, “These accelerometers are special because they are VERY sensitive and accurate. With these devices, we can tell when the foot hits the ground and when the foot leaves the ground. So we can tell stride length, stride frequency, ground contact time and aerial time.” They’ll use this test to determine if the altitude training changed running mechanics.

First to arrive is Brian Olinger, 25, an Olympic finalist in 2008 and ranked in the top 10 in the country in the Steeplechase 3K event. The event involves hurtling and jumping over water as well as running…pretty grueling, if you ask me.

Olinger is an elite athlete who participates in events that are won by hundredths of a second. Training at altitude may give him the increase in performance that can shave off 2 hundredths of a second…in his world, this could make or break his chance to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. The test results are important to him, “especially since this is the first time (training) at altitude”, he said. With his four weeks of training he said, “I feel so good right now." The test results will be compared with test results noted before altitude training, and he’s anxious to see the data for what he already feels, an increase in performance from the altitude training.

Dr. Joel Kary, physician at St. Vincent Sports Medicine in Indianapolis, joins us. Dr. Kary is here to observe, gain knowledge in the testing that may help him in his practice at St. Vincent’s and as part of the medical support team for Team Indiana Elite.

Soon other interested runners arrive to witness the testing.
Analysis of running mechanics begin
The treadmill is turned on and Brian adjusts to the pace. Video and sensors click on and the test begins. The force-sensitive accelerometer quickly detects the physical movement and records the gait of a runner, the amount of time the foot is on the ground and in the air, steps per minute and length of stride. The sensors take readings every three milliseconds and these readings are synchronized with the video. All this information is fed into the DASYLab program for calculations. The treadmill speed is increased at 30-second intervals. This is the standard procedure for all runners tested. In this way the results can be compared between athletes or, in Brian’s case, before and after training programs. All this helps scientist and runners gain a further understanding of body mechanics.

At this point, the lab seemed to take on the atmosphere of a locker room or team bench. Comfortable with my presence (I guess), the guys began to casually joke and wisecrack with each other. I chuckle a bit, amused more by the situation than the conversation. (It’s one of the benefits of being involved in sports. I took part in the same jovial camaraderie and support with my softball teammates, The Rowdies…now that’s a story worth telling, but not today.)

The next two running tests are designed to measure running economy and VO2max. “(Running economy is) how much energy is costs to run at a given pace," explained Dr. Chapman. "The less energy it takes, the more economical the athlete is." VO2max is the maximal amount of oxygen the muscles can consume per minute, he added. The higher this value, generally, the better athlete will do in endurance events.

I asked Wilhite if altitude training was something that athletes normally do before a big race. “Sure”, he said, “but the problem is that there’s quite a bit of variation in the response to altitude." Training at high altitude increases the maximum amount of oxygen being delivered to the muscles. This level increases with training in high altitudes for those athletes who are responders. Responders produce more erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates the red bone marrow to produce red blood cells. More red blood cells means more oxygen is being delivered to the muscles.
Testing for running ‘economy’
After a short break, the second test begins. The athlete runs at four different speeds for three minutes each with the speed increased each time. A nose clip is put in place and through a mouthpiece, the amount of air inhaled (ventilation) is recorded, along with the amount of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled. This information is entered into the computer and calculated by an in-house program designed by Dr. Chapman. The program then calculates what it ‘cost’ to run at different speeds. If the athlete has benefitted from the altitude training, then data will show a higher amount of oxygen used when compared to pre-altitude training. Generally, the higher the value, the better an athlete will perform in endurance events.

The third test is, by far, the most difficult for the runner. The treadmill is set at a constant speed and the grade is increased by raising the end of the treadmill. The runner is asked to run until exhausted. This is the measure of the maximum amount of oxygen consumed…a measure of aerobic power. In kinesiology, this equals fitness. For athletes, it is a measure of endurance, which is important for events like the Steeplechase 3K.
Physically exhausted, Olinger catches his breath.
This test demonstrated the true power behind endurance. As Brian went through the test, I could see the stress of physical exertion. Just running against the increasing grade of the treadmill is strenuous enough to say nothing of the disruption of one’s normal breathing routine. Imagine running with your nose plugged while breathing through a two-inch tube. As the difficulty increased, the others began to encourage him, clapping and quietly cheering him on. They all understood the tremendous strain of running until physical exhaustion. They had experienced it themselves as runners. I, on the other hand, was physically exhausted just watching…

Test results for Brian were worth his effort. Although he showed no improvement in running economy, there was an 8% increase in oxygen consumed. This was due by both the effects of being in a higher altitude and training. The average improvement is 5% in those athletes who are responders. Now Brian knows that he benefits from altitude training. Dr. Chapman, too, was pleased with the testing. Everyone seemed pleased.

As I prepared to leave, I overheard plans being made to go over the lab results. Dr. Chapman mentioned that he had to take his eight year old son, Ben, to practice, but he would be available after that. It’s all about priorities and who knows…He may be chauffeuring a future Olympic finalist.
–Martina Samm
]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/field-notes/kinesiology-department/feed/ 0 Conversation with Adam Frank, Scientist and Science Writer http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/adam-frank/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/adam-frank/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:28:24 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=50
For the past 16 years, he has also been a science writer. As a contributor to Discover and Astronomy magazines, Frank brings his knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for science to print on a regular basis. You can also find his articles in Scientific American and Tricycle magazines, and he has recently written a book; The Constant Fire: Beyond the Science vs. Religion Debate, which will be available in January 2009.

A self- described "evangelist of science," Frank has a sincere enthusiasm and genuine appreciation for the mystery, beauty and wonder of science. He loves science. As an educator, lecturer, guest speaker and writer, he announces his devotion everyday through his work. This guy is awesome, and awesome is not, normally, part of my vocabulary.


Well, the first thing I’d like to ask you is, as far as writing, how did you get started?

Well, My parents were both writers and even though I wanted to do science I grew up with a lot of experience with the world of writing because of my parents’ work. I read a lot of Carl Sagan; he was sort of one my hero so the idea of doing popular science writing was always attractive to me. When I was in college, I wrote a column for what was a town paper in Boulder Colorado, and that was fun.

So you’ve always been writing then? This is not really anything new?

No…no. I always felt like I had something to say, so what the hell…(laughter) that’s a good place to start.

And then, when I was in graduate school, a friend of mine and I were arguing whether physics was a language or not, and he suggested that I try to put an article in the Exploratorium Quarterly, which is a magazine of the Exploratorium in San Francisco because they were doing a special issue on language. And that is how I formally began writing.

So, do you think that all scientist can be science writers?

No way.

So what’s the difference? I mean what has to be brought into writing science? You may be knowledgeable in science, but that’s not really the point, is it?

No. It’s just like not all scientist should be teachers either. Not all professors are good teachers. It’s a different range of skills, and being a science writer whatever small talent I may have started with, I ended up learning. You have to know how to learn to write. Just like not everyone can learn how to play piano. I think probably every scientist can become a better writer but to be a good science writer requires both the understanding of how to construct a narrative and also some understanding as to what metaphors will work to bring the ideas you’re trying to work with.

That was actually my next question. What skills are needed to be a good science writer? I’m pursuing this myself, so I’m trying to pick your brain.

Right. I think you have to understand what is a good science story. Not all science is a good science story. The headlines, the biggest, latest results may not make a good story either. It’s the ability to see what makes a story in science interesting, what’s going to be interesting to a broader public.

So at this point, what do you think is hot in terms of topics in science writing?

I think you ought to be able to make anything interesting. If you find it interesting you can make it interesting to other people. Canary biology could be interesting (laughter). It could be interesting if you fine the aspect of it that makes for a good story.

If tomorrow they find life on Mars, obviously, that’s going to be a big story, right? You’re not going to have to work very hard to make that into an interesting science story.

So what I’m doing now is a story for Discover on habitable zones. On what parts of the universe will be amenable to life. Around the solar systems, around through the galaxies. And that story you don’t have to work too hard to make that an interesting story either because life is always interesting. So in some sense there are certain perennial questions — the origin of the universe, the origin of life, most anything that begins with origin, people are interested in. But I think it takes more.

An idea that I am a little more proud of, as an idea, is a story that I’ll be doing for Astronomy magazine. The title is “Are Stars Boring?” The idea behind that one is that 100 years ago, no one knew what a star was. By the mid 1960’s/early 70’s we’d done enough work that we pretty much knew what was going on with them and nobody studied stars anymore. Basically, all the work had been done. Something like that, a story that wouldn’t be very interesting because there isn’t anything interesting new to say, but that actually then becomes a story. It’s about finding the news stories and finding the unexplored corner of a story.

You probably find it easy to explain to people who don’t have a science background because you’ve been doing this for so long, but doesn’t it require a bit of decoding?

Well what I think it requires is being judicious. You have to know which part of the story to tell. You have to know what parts to leave out.

So, what parts would you leave out — the very technical stuff?

Yea, you leave out the hemming and hawing. You have to be forceful about the part of the story that is interesting but don’t spend a lot of time spinning around on details that aren’t about the main narrative. You can’t get lost in the detail. You have to know how much story to tell.

In the bio on The Constant Fire website, you describe yourself as "an evangelist of science." Could you explain that?

It’s not just the results of science I’m interested in; it’s the whole process — science as a way of looking at the world, and taking that way of looking at the world and bringing it to all parts of your life. Looking at the world with rapt attention. It’s what science asks for. Actually, that’s what we should be doing that with anything. So I’m an evangelist. The reason I do science writing is because I’m in love with science.

You’re regularly published in Discover magazine and recently, the cover story for Astronomy magazine. Have any of your ideas been turned down?

Oh yea, sure, lots of them. Yea, all the time. I’ve been trying to do a story on the Copernican Principle for five years. Turns out that, unless I write a book on it nobody’s going to be interested, and I think it’s great!! It’s idea that we are no place special. That is actually a principle we use in science. No one wants to do a story on it.

Okay, so the principle is that we’re really nowhere special?

It’s that we are mediocre, that you can never invoke in science that we are in a special place or on a special par. The principle of cosmic mediocrity and it’s powerful, a powerful way to reason.

One of my editors told me that the most important thing in a story, not in a think piece, is narrative drive. There has to be a reason why the person turns the page. The story has to start somewhere, that why it just can’t be about the science, it has to be about the people doing the science. You have to include their story, their triumphs. Actually, you have a scientific story you want to tell but you tell it through the conflict and challenges of the people who are doing it.

I did a story about Modified Newtonian Dynamics. It’s this one guy, Mordehai Milgrom. It’s sort of an alternative to dark matter. The way to tell that story, to explain this whole idea that maybe there is no dark matter, that maybe it’s just modified gravity, was to tell his story of being a rebel. He never expected to be a rebel but he ended up a heretic. You know, that is what made the story really interesting.

So you bring the human side or the humanity of the scientist, of the story up front?

Yea, I have a story coming out in Tricycle. It’s a Buddhist magazine. This story took me a long time. It’s a story about time in contemplative practice and in physics. I just wanted to think about that because time is so essential to anyone who has done meditation. I had to do this without making it boring. The device I used was describing my own progress in a 30-minute round of sitting. I described what it was like. The bell rings, you’re starting to meditate and your legs already hurt. I kept using that as the device, and then I go off and start talking about Einstein or Buddhist theory or whatever, but I kept bringing it back to, Oh God, my legs are killing me…how much longer is this gonna happen? I heard some geese flying overhead. You have to keep grounding it. Science, by nature, is often abstract, it is ideas. You have find a way of bringing it and embodying it. And then this guy sneezed on me. You know what I mean? You have to make it about people and experiences people have.


]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/adam-frank/feed/ 0 Saturday, 9:30 pm: Science in a drum? http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/travel-diary-2/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/travel-diary-2/#comments Sun, 26 Oct 2008 01:30:30 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=47
As I thought back on this moment, I began to ask myself questions. How does the brain translate sound vibrations ? How does social group interaction contribute to a person’s state of physical well-being? What recent scientific studies are available to help answer these questions? Where can I find the research and who wants to know? These are just a few of the questions that came to mind.

This wasn’t my first tribal experience. My perception of this one was directly influenced by the experience of being at the science writer’s conference. Writing about science for a non-science audience is only limited by the subjects that science can be applied to. Our impromptu jam proved to me that science writing is limitless. Pick a subject, event or phenomena. Look around and bring science to people who may think it only belongs in the laboratory. Science is everywhere.

]]> http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/travel-diary-2/feed/ 0 Session 1D: Building the Freelance Business You Want http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/session-1d-building-the-freelance-business-you-want/ http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/nasw-2008/session-1d-building-the-freelance-business-you-want/#comments Sat, 25 Oct 2008 14:30:21 +0000 Martina Samm http://journalism.indiana.edu/classwork/j460_science_writing_fall2008/?p=27 I was thrilled to cover this workshop. The three-woman panel gave a great presentation on running a freelance business, covering everything from taking whatever you can get for work, to controlling, shaping and selecting articles.

Siri Carpenter is from Madison Wisconsin and a trained social psychologist. She has been freelancing about behavior science topics for seven to eight years. Her articles have appeared in Prevention, Scientific American Mind and Science Careers, an online careers resource of Science magazine. Her presentation stressed time management and organizational skills, which she said were crucial but not too exciting. Honing these skills has allowed her to focus on writing magazine articles. To organize her work, she uses Microsoft One Note. It helps her capture, create and track story ideas and the progress of development to move the story forward.

In addition, she had this advice for developing a successful freelance career:

• Have confidence in your ideas. If a story seems interesting to you, it’s probably interesting to other people.

• Find the point of your story. A story is not just a topic. “What is the hypothesis of this story?” Ask this question and be willing to change the point of the article if needed.

• Read a lot to break out of the rut of writing on the same topic. She suggests reading several different kinds of magazines with the idea of following what attracts your interest.

• Take advantage of the expertise of editors. Stay in touch to keep the article moving in the direction best suited for the magazine.

• Talk to other science writers to test out pitches and ways to approach stories.

Christie Aschwandan lives in rural western Colorado and has been a science writer for 10 years. Her articles have appeared in over 50 publications including The New York Times, the The Los Angeles Times, O magazine, and National Wildlife. This year she was the recipient of the American Society of Journalists and Authors’ Arlene Award for articles that make a difference.

She began her presentation with this advice: “The key to successful freelancing is never forget why you’re doing this….and the reason is money.” Although it sounded like a joke, she was serious. Pay attention to the business side of freelancing because you’re running a small business. This requires having a business plan. She talked mostly about income goals and contract rules. She suggests:

• Find some clients for regular work to cover basic financial needs.

• Calculate the turn-around time against the payment to avoid cash flow problems.

• Work efficiently and plan time to move toward better paying jobs.

• Read contracts because most are negotiable.

• Avoid selling the rights to the article.

• Make use of the Wordsworth database on the NASW website. It covers contracts and payment per article of individual publications.

Rabiya Tuma is a freelance medical journalist who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has been writing for eight years with articles published in the Economist, Journal of the American Cancer Institute, The New York Times and Self. She suggests that your business plan should include a professional salary because it’s reasonable. Include benefits that go along with having a professional career. To do this, be honest about the time required to write an article. This includes setting appointments, research, background reading, and interviews, along with writing and revision time. When negotiating payment, the best time to ask for more money is the first time you write for a publication.

In addition:

• Be selective and specialize. Publications soon find out that your work is done well and you develop a working relationship with contacts and researchers.

• Structure articles by topics so the information can be sold to different publications. This uses the time, other than writing, more effectively.

• Get to work. Don’t procrastinate.

• Find your nitch. There are lots of different venues in the field of science writing.


During the question and advice session at the end of the workshop, the panelists offered additional advice on getting started in the business of science writing:

• Find a publication you like and build a relationship.

• Build clips for other publications.

• Do articles that build your portfolio.

• Look for what you like in a magazine.

• Market and advertise your work.

• Get the book How to Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool

Science writers who attended the workshop seemed to find the information and suggestion insightful. Running a freelance business clearly requires skills above and beyond those skills needed for reporting and writing.
–Martina Samm
 
***

Extra!
 
 
Building the Freelance Business You Want was all about just that — viewing yourself, a freelance writer, as a small business. The three panelists Christie Aschwandan, Siri Carpenter, and Rabiya Tuma, all gave very good information on how to do this, from writing out a budget to negotiating publication contracts.

However, what they didn’t get into was how to get yourself out there. As an aspiring science writer, how can you let your future editors easily find you and your fabulous writing samples? Most people accomplish this by maintaining their own website. Two of the panelists gave their URLs:

www.siricarpenter.com
www.christieaschwanden.com

Both have very good websites; they list resumes as well as ample writing samples. They are also well-laid out and easy to read. They’ve both made sure to include the very important contact information.

But how does one go about setting up a website? If you poked around on Christi Aschwandan’s website, you may have noticed that she also writes a blog. This is probably the easiest way to maintain a web presence. Free blogging sites are abundant; Blogger and WordPress are probably the most user-friendly.

To be a little more professional, you can set up an actual webpage. There are a number of places on the internet that can help you do this. A few notables are:

• www.thesitewizard.com
• http://netforbeginners.about.com
• www.webpage-maker.com

And don’t forget, if you’re still a student, the Internet Technology groups on campus are a great (and free!) source of information. So use them while you can.
–Leigh Krietsch Boerner
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