Human Genetic Variation Alters Anthrax Toxin Sensitivity
Martchenko, Candille et al., PNAS
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine show that genetic variation affecting capillary morphogenesis gene 2, or CMG2, dramatically alters toxin sensitivity in humans. In its analysis, the team reports on "a CMG2 single-nucleotide polymorphism occurring frequently in African and European populations [that they found] independently altered toxin uptake." The group goes on to suggest "testing of genomically characterized human cell populations may offer a broadly useful strategy for elucidating effects of genetic variation on infectious disease susceptibility."
At the Back of the Pack
October 26, 2009
In the Wall Street Journal, three education experts discuss why American students don't match up with students from other developed countries in math and science. Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, says that K-12 education needs teachers who did well in math and science. "Those countries that are doing best are recruiting their K-12 teachers from the top third of their college graduates. America is recruiting our teachers generally from the bottom third," he says. Amy Gutmann, the president of the University of Pennsylvania, agrees. She says that to compete with Chinese and Indian students, Americans need to recruit the best teachers. Finally, Christopher Edley, the dean of the law school at the University of California at Berkeley, adds that how curriculum is determined — currently by local school boards — needs to change for current goals to be emphasized.
One problem is that science
One problem is that science in general, physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics is usually taught by teachers who are not expert in the subject. It is not a problem of the quality of the teachers, but a problem of availability, the number of teachers with degrees in math, chemistry and physics is very limited, and this is a difficult one to solve. A second factor is that in most countries math, physics, chemistry and biology are requested subjects as is the native language, history and geography from middle school onwards. Edley's suggestion to change "how curriculum is determined" is essential if any improvement is to be seen.
One problem is that science
One problem is that science in general, physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics is usually taught by teachers who are not expert in the subject. It is not a problem of the quality of the teachers, but a problem of availability, the number of teachers with degrees in math, chemistry and physics is very limited, and this is a difficult one to solve. A second factor is that in most countries math, physics, chemistry and biology are requested subjects as is the native language, history and geography from middle school onwards. Edley's suggestion to change "how curriculum is determined" is essential if any improvement is to be seen.