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CAM: Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away?

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The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reported in 2012, 33.2 percent of adults in the United States used alternative health approaches (NIH). John Astin received his PhD in health psychology from the University of California. He researches the field of mind and body medicine. He claims that people seek out alternative medication because they are not satisfied with traditional treatment, they feel as if they have more control over their own health care conditions, or the alternative methods are more compatible with their values and beliefs. He conducted a study on alternative medication which consisted of a written survey that examined the actual use of alternative methods, status on health, as well as values and attitudes toward traditional medicine. He concluded that patients’ dissatisfaction with traditional medicine practices didn’t predict the use of alternative medication, because only 4.4 percent of the 1035 people who were surveyed said that they re...
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Engaging the Public with Science

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Other than my own service hours, we also completed some service hours as a class that I very much enjoyed! We went to a showing of a film that basically addressed the issues of global warming and what natural disasters have done to certain places. Some of the countries that were mentioned were places I have never even heard of prior to the film, especially small islands that are greatly affected by natural disasters involving water. Another service project we participated in, that was my favorite, was the Archie carnival. After working on our Archie projects it was fun to see them go into play, especially with the elementary school students. The reason I enjoyed the carnival so much was because it reminded me of how I was at that age. I am glad that were we able to teach these students about Archie but also let them have fun with it. I believe activities like this are what help kids learn the most                        ...
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Helping People Understand Science

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     A simple question: Why is it important to understand science? With science we are able to answer questions with quality, true information, as well as make technological advances and help us learn the  importance of the environment as well as even our own health.  Science isn't something that only scientist need to understand, it is important for everyday people as well. A disscusion made by Jonathon Garlick stated that "A recently elected senator has linked sealing the US- Mexican border with keeping Ebola out of the US, even though the disease is nonexistent in Mexico." This is an example of being misinformed about science; when people aren't knowledge on their science, they tend to spread information that is in fact false. Being an informed citizen makes conversations more productive and more educational as well as making your general academic knowledge useful. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2014/12/why-everyone-needs-to-understand-science/ ...
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Engaging Scientist in Public Discourse

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     We (Rachel Lanier and Maddie Goodwin) were assigned Dr. Steve Hageman, a member of the Department if Geological and Environmental Science here at Appalachian State University. The paper that we were assigned by Dr. Hageman as well as the other two authors, Noel P. James and Yvonne Bone, was about Cool- Water Carbonate Production from Epizoic Bryozoans on Ephemeral Substrates. We did our best to break down the information within the paper in order for students like us to understand what was being studied by asking Dr. Hageman a couple questions about his research as well a a couple personal questions.      We asked Dr. Hageman if he were to have to explain the context of his paper to a group of students, what would he say. Although trying to break it down for us, the topic was still slightly confusing and hard for a student to understand without a decently strong scientific background. What he said was the study had to do with the natural production ...
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"Good" and "Bad" Data

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     Exploring data is something that comes up in our everyday lives. We view statistics of sports teams, use data in math and science, and hear stories of collected data on things like the news all the time. So considering that we hear, see and collect data all the time, how are we suppose to know if that data is valid, or just misleading?     We should always analyze our data, because you never know if what you are reading is true. Now, what makes data "good" data? When looking at a set of data or even a graph, you must make sure that you are able to comprehend the data. If it is easily understood, it is possible that the data could be accurate. Also make sure that the data is valid and relevant. Ask yourself, is this information plausible? Does it make sense? Is it possible for grandma to live to age 120? Or, does 101 sound more realistic? When it comes to graphs, always check that the axis are labeled, and that they correspond in some way. Also, consider th...
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Science and I- How Science Has Influenced Me

     I have always had some sort of love for science. I wouldn't say that the small important details of science are something I enjoy, but the power of science is something that I fell in love with. As a kid I never knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life, but what I did know is that I wanted to help other people. Because of my passion for helping others and bettering peoples lives, I hope to use science in order to attend those in need. I am currently a Health Care Management Major with a Minor in Spanish. I hope to one day go into medical sales and work with prosthetic patients. I looked into many science fields and opportunities before I made my decision and decided that Health Care would be best for me.      Having the opportunity to explore things in the science world that not everyone has the chance to do as a teenager is something that I am grateful for, because it has shaped my values and my goals. My passion for science and has encouraged m...
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