Kailyn Valido
Horton #333
411 Skipper Bowles Dr
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
kvalido@live.unc.edu
February 4, 2016

Dear Ms. Boyd,

It has delightfully come to my attention that you are in need of an interesting, informative article for your Nature Genetics journal. I am a first-year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill currently taking a class in genetics, and my recently written article on the revolutionary implications of telomeres in human DNA might just interest you.

The majority of people dread the inevitability of aging, a genetically programmed process. It is evident that many wish that they could somehow rewind time to relive their 20’s and 30’s—a range of years where most people do not have wrinkles, graying hair, and frequent thoughts about “The Great Unknown.” What if one can extend this period of youthfulness and vivacity? What if one can delay this seemingly undesirable process of aging?

This is where the notion of telomeres comes into play. Telomeres are essentially repeated sequences of DNA at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes. These sequences are in the form of repeated TTAGGG bases on one strand of DNA and AATCCC bases on the complementary DNA strand. Analogous to the plastic tips on shoelaces, telomeres ultimately provide the chromosome with protection—up to a certain point.

Synthesized by the enzyme telomerase, telomeres get shorter every time a cell undergoes division. Because there is not enough telomerase for somatic—or body—cells, the gene for them is inactive and telomeres consequently shorten. The shorter the telomere length, the less amount of times a cell can divide. Once the telomeres become too short, the cell cannot divide, and so it ages and inevitably dies.

For this reason, telomere shortening has been linked to the aging process. Scientists, however, are still unsure of whether telomere shortening is merely a sign of aging, such as wrinkles, or an actual contributing factor. If telomere shortening is proven to be a definite cause of aging, this information would be an immense breakthrough in the medical field. Scientists may be able to extend human lifespan greatly by somehow devising a mechanism to restore or preserve telomere length.

In my article, I will discuss small-scale scientific studies exploring the implications of telomere length and aging in the context of lifestyle habits, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and meditation. I will, however, explore the more troubling connection between telomeres and cancer. Cancer cells escape their death by having a consistently active telomerase, preventing telomeres from shortening. This in turn allows these cells to grow an abnormal amount of times to form tumors. If telomeres can be lengthened to extend one’s lifespan, would that increase a person’s risk of cancer? Perhaps, but scientists remain hopeful and are even trying to utilize telomeres as a target for curing cancer.

I hope you consider my article as an addition to your journal. It would be a great fit due to its intriguing relevancy and informational nature.

Sincerely,
Kailyn Valido

Muznah Khan
495 Paul Hardin Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
muznahk@live.unc.edu

February 4, 2016

Dear Ms. Boyd,

As the World Health Organization has recently proclaimed, the current outbreak of the Zika virus is a major public health emergency with potential repercussions around the world. This troubling virus is known to be transmitted from person to person through the bite of a mosquito. What if there was a way to stop this outbreak by genetically removing a mosquito’s ability to carry the virus, thereby ending its ability to transfer it to humans? This solution would have been improbable a few years ago, but CRISPR has made it a viable option. As a young researcher investigating this possibility, I humbly ask you to consider publishing my research on this topic in your esteemed journal.

I am an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, currently studying Exercise and Sports Science. I have spent several years with a team of experienced researchers investigating the potential applications of the CRISPR genome-editing tool for mitigation of mosquito-borne infectious diseases. Given that your journal focuses on the most recent advancements in practical and promising applications of laboratory and medical technology, I believe the topic of my article “From Cutting Bacteria to Helping Humans Fight Infectious Diseases: The New Age of Gene Editing” is quite relevant.

Genome editing, the process of editing or changing an organism’s DNA, has been around for many decades now. Various gene-editing methods have been successfully utilized to modify genes in animals and agricultural crops. However, no past method compares to the efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system. CRISPR stands for “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic”.

Researchers studying bacteria observed their unique ability to fight viral infections using an immune system called CRISPR. From their observations, the researchers realized they could use the CRISPR system as a tool for genetic engineering. In most organisms, a break in DNA is quickly fixed by the organism’s cells. To researchers, this ability of cells means they can remove segments of DNA from an organism and insert new genes in their place during the mending process. Furthermore, unlike previous methods, CRISPR does not require a series of steps that, if performed incorrectly, could be quite harmful. CRISPR is also highly cost effective compared to previous technologies, making it an even bigger hit in the world of genetic engineering

The science world is very excited about the real-world applications of this new gene editing technology. In one of a number of successful projects, researchers have been able to use CRISPR to remove a segment of mosquito DNA and replace it with a DNA sample engineered synthetically in the lab, thereby creating mosquitos that are resistant to the malaria-causing parasite. This is a significant step towards defeating a devastating disease and it is just the beginning to what CRISPR is capable of in the war against mosquito-borne diseases that kill millions of people every year.

The CRISPR technology is still in the early stages of development; however, researchers all around the world have recognized it as the next big advancement in the field of genome editing. In my article, I will explain the process of using CRISPR to advance the fight against Zika and other mosquito-borne disease. I will further analyze the effectiveness of CRISPR compared to past gene editing methods and discuss what researchers believe to be the future of CRISPR. Furthermore, as with all genetic engineering techniques, there are many ethical concerns floating around and this article will introduce key issues and propose practical solutions for some of these concerns.

Thank you for considering my article for your journal.

Sincerely,
Muznah Khan

Mustafa Abdoh
515 Paul Hardin Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27415
mabdoh@live.unc.edu
February 4, 2016

Dear Ms.Boyd

I Mustafa Abdoh, an aspiring blog-post writer for health topics, implore you to graciously honor me in this letter by gracing these humble lines of text with your knowing and learned eyes. I pray that in this query, your visage not reflect the jaded expression brought about by the skimming of a mundane proposal, but rather your face illuminates in recognizing the contested topic of the effects of fluoride on human health as an invaluable addition to your journal Science. I invite you to enter the murky realm of fluoride, so that you may yourself, gain clarity on such a vital topic.
               Fear Flee Fluoride
Mass hysteria floods the public psyche, panic in the media, incessant buzzing of rumor emanating from the lips of those around you. You lack the comfort you once knew from the moment you were first vicariously touched by the monster’s invisible hand. No longer can you rest at ease in the once gratifying presence of a crystalline glass of water now that your eyes are opened to the heinous and insatiable appetite of this venomous fiend. There is no place on this earth in which this villain, Fluoride, could possibly reside and simultaneously hold up a respectable reputation as an upstanding compound. Hence forth and forevermore we should ban him from our pipelines and dental products and return to a time before the introduction of “big government’s” proxy in human extermination (for the obvious reason that governments are just too lazy to do the killing themselves!). By and by if we’re going to die, why not get to know the reaper before he reaps?

Fluoride, as it likes to be called, can really be thought of as a coalition group of chemical compounds containing the element fluorine (chemical symbol F). Fluorine can be considered the biological parent of all fluoride compounds, but interestingly enough you can’t find it isolated in nature because it is so electronegative. This property of fluorine means that if it is alone in the wild, it’ll ravenously grab the nearest element’s electrons and never give them back, much like a spoiled toddler. Unlike fluorine, which as we’ve said you’ll never find unless you are at the scene of a sun gone supernova, fluorides are literally everywhere, in small doses that is. Fluorides occur naturally in water and soil, as well as trace quantities in the air from various pollutants. I am confident you can grapple with the idea that fluorides are everywhere, but surely you are content knowing that the chemical is far from entering your loved ones’ bodies (and yourself, because you love yourself no?). Of course you are! And I proceed with even greater certainty that the structural integrity of your very being would be better off if it never heard the name fluoride again. Yes indeed, fluorides are in no way essential to the fortification of bone and teeth, nor does your body contain any mechanism built for responding to excess of the compound.

In the full version “Fear Flee Fluoride”, we will be exploring the nature of fluoride and both the pros and cons of its existence in our waters and in our toothpastes. Fluorides will be touted as the defenders against dental caries and bastions from osteoporosis. The means by which fluoride is attained each day will certainly be examined, and as alluded to previously, it is largely from water. Information from a case study in India will be explored as we venture into the various circumstances surrounding fluoride deficient and excessive areas and the health effects on resident populations. The article will then take a riveting turn to explore more negative effects of fluorides on the body. How did excess of fluoride effect lab rats’ DNA for example, and what happens if you brush your teeth too much? Once more the blog will shift to explore the attitudes of the Australian public in the fluoride debate and common concerns will be falsified and verified. This will include statistics on the health care costs concerning water fluoridation and its absence. For those who still fear and wish to escape by way of alternate toothpastes, we will find that according to a simple study, fluoride is in fact a killer… of bacteria. Finally, tips will be provided on how to spot the harmful effects of fluoride overdose and how to stay an informed consumer of fluoridated products like water.

I hope that this article intrigues as well as entertains, and look forward to your response.
Thank you,
Mustafa Abdoh

Claudia Foubert
919 Paul Hardin Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
claudiaf@live.unc.edu
February 4, 2016

Dear Mrs. Boyd,

I want to inform you and your greater audience about the importance and benefits of the unfamiliar medical approach of vibroacoustic sound therapy. My name is Claudia Foubert and I am a Psychology and Neuroscience major in the undergraduate level at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I am pleased to introduce you to my most recent article, A Resounding Approach to a Sounder Health, and believe that it is a perfect fit for Nature Medicine.

Music has become a prevalent, almost essential, part of our lives. We crank up the volume and reflect in this sound mirror that reveals our inner selves, lending a voice to our unspeakable feelings and transporting our bodies to distant memories. The impressive role music plays on our emotional and social state has attracted much attention from psychologists and even influenced a new wave of modern therapy. But while many of us are aware of this musical revelation, a more intriguing facet has gone largely unnoticed: the most fundamental unit of music – sound.

Unlike music, sound constantly surrounds us. The beeping of a crosswalk, the whir of a fan, and the tapping of a keyboard, although unconsciously processed, have profound effects on our whole selves. Humans are bounding bodies of energy. We are entities consisting of cells that simultaneously vibrate at a rate of eight cycles per second, in astonishing congruence with the earth. Remarkably, sounds resonate with our cores just as well. Audible or inaudible, they produce frequencies that align with the body’s core vibrations and unite body with sound. Like two dance partners, the perfect combination of frequency and being results in a harmonious ballad that feels effortless in each sway. In contrast, an incompatible vibration can disrupt our rhythm and have undesirable effects on our mood and comfort. If we could channel these “good” vibrations to tune our bodies, the benefits of a safe and natural practice would be worth something the Beach Boys would sing about! Fortunately, such a therapy exists.

Vibroacoustic sound therapy (VAST) is an alternative medical method that uses specific frequencies to heal both mind and muscle. Although this treatment has not garnered much attention, such a practice has been used far longer than one may expect. Dating as far back as 3600 BC, ancient peoples manipulated wall structure to capture sound and enhance vibrations that stimulate brain activity. Substituting chemical drugs with natural energy, this relaxation technique had a profound effect on early civilizations, so why not ours? In an age where a copious assortment of pills stock grocery shelves, people have begun to rely on the unknown and not trust in nature’s given healers. To believe that something nontangible, such as vibrations, could touch us in such a physical way may seem incredible but is really only the beauty of nature. Modern medicine should focus on VAST and expand its use as an alternative, if not preferred, mental remedy. Though, where the mind goes, the body follows. Not only do vibrations elicit mental and emotional responses, but they also contain healing properties for physiological maladies. With psychological and physiological benefits, vibroacoustic sound therapy potentiates an impactful shift in current medical perspectives.

In the continuation of this article, I will address the implementation of VAST on both mental and physical treatments as well its efficiency and practicality in regard to prescription medication. A case study will follow a young boy with cognitive and physical disabilities who develops better motor control, external awareness, and increased optimism with the use of sound technologies. I will also explore studies explaining the use of vibrations in various medical treatments, such as tissue repair and muscle strengthening. As a result, ultrasound technology will be examined as an efficient means of growth and healing at the microscopic scale. The intertwining psychological and physiological effects elucidate VAST as a promising practice that uses nature to balance nature. The power of vibrations is evermore significant as the world becomes busier, noisier, and smaller. Now is the time to listen and find the harmony within the crowd.

Please consider this article for publication as I believe that the topic of vibroacoustics will intrigue a broad audience. Feel free to contact me with any question you might have.

Thank you for your time,
Claudia Foubert

Sofia Ocegueda
514 Paul Hardin Dr.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
sofiaa@live.unc.edu

February 3, 2016

My name is Sofia Ocegueda, and I am a first-year undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reading the Journal of the American Medical Association, I have realized how my most recent article, Taking the Meat Out of a Meatless Argument: The Debate Over Veganism, is quite compatible with your prestigious journal. I invite you to ponder on this question:

Does the love for animals negatively affect our health? In other words, does leaving animals out of our diet deprive us of the nutrients we need to be at our best health? In the past decade, veganism, a diet that prohibits any consumption of animal-related products, has risen. This piece will review the research necessary to let you decide if veganism is worth the adverse health effects.

Veganism is a diet that has been practiced worldwide and centered around two main reasons, as found by British researchers. The first is the more compelling one, you could say. The love for animals and concern for animal rights has led to a population that shames bacon like no other and questions the origins of every brownie made. But let us not leave out the essentials. While vegans are saving the lives of numerous animals, is their health equally wholesome? Is the majority of the vegan population actually risking their health for this immense love? On the other hand, the second reason why one turns vegan leans towards a health concern. That is, one adopts veganism as the healthiest option out there. Animal rights? Yes, that’s a benefit too, but it isn’t the main concern. The recent obsession with health has led to various individuals clinging to tofu and crying over spilled [soy]milk. Are these individuals as healthy as we imagine them to be?

The choice to become vegan might seem easier than it seems; there is no perfect diet without the attention it requires. No matter the diet preference, the body will still require the same nutrients one hundred percent of the time. Researchers have additionally looked at the nutrient deficiency in children with vegan diets. Recently parents have started this diet and have included their children as well. Let it be noted that adults and children have different nutritional needs and that restrictive diets require extra care when it comes to implementing them for children.

In the complete article, numerous points will be brought up to let you decide whether veganism is indeed as nutritious as proclaimed. A study released in 2015 will address the difference in nutrition levels between vegans and vegetarians, and how they live up to the recommended level. Additionally, we will explore the consequences of a restrictive diet on a child, and will specifically describe the case study of a young boy with Keratomalacia, a rare disease caused by largely restrictive diets. Has the topic of veganism brought new perspectives? Could a healthy option, in fact, bring malnutrition? Do not limit your questions because I am sure this article will answer more. Please consider publishing my article, for it will uncover some of the precautions needed to be taken while practicing this trending diet.

Thank you for your time,

Sofia Ocegueda

Dear Mrs. Boyd,

Neil Armstrong once said, “Research is creating new knowledge.” My name is Ashu Mishra and I am interested in helping your journal make new knowledge accessible and comprehendible for your readers.

According to news media reporting, the current El Niño is like a giant squid – we know it exists, but we have no clear idea how it behaves and affects its environment. On the contrary, science quite clearly understands El Niño patterns, and can even warn people how to prepare for its specific effects. Given the general public’s confusion regarding the ongoing El Niño and its upcoming impacts on global weather patterns, I hope you will find my article to be both timely and intriguing.

So what exactly is an El Niño? It is climate condition caused by warm surface ocean water on the eastern Pacific Ocean to move to the western side due to ocean currents. This causes deeper and colder water to rise to the surface on the eastern side and results in a surface water temperature difference. The water changes the air temperature, which causes shifts in wind patterns. Research indicates that the El Niño’s effects include the formation of drought and excessive precipitation, intensified cyclones, and shifting air temperature patterns. These directly impact food and water supplies, especially for countries experiencing drought, which in turn lead to economic and sociopolitical repercussions.

In the full article, I will explore the coming weather effects of the 2015 El Niño using research from previous occurrences and early trends from the current one. I aim to clarify the haze encompassing the basics of El Niño behavior while utilizing research that tests influences on rainfall and cyclones. Hurricane Patricia, the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Pacific Coast, was a strong indicator of the current El Niño’s power. Additionally, I aim to bridge the gap between environmental impact and human day-to-day life to create a better sense of awareness and preparedness for the public.

I am currently a student researcher on health policy in South American regions with the Gillings School of Public Health at UNC. El Niño weather patterns heavily affect the people living in the region of my study, and predicting future weather effects can allow the public to prepare for the coming hardships. Given that the El Niño will impede with human health care, I find it incredibly important for societies to be able to understand and predict adverse weather effects. Moreover, millions of people in the Americas will experience not only weather changes, but also the sociopolitical and economic impacts of the weather system.

I hope you find my topic interesting and I look forward to joining and contributing to your journal. Feel free to contact me by email at ashu125@live.unc.edu. Thank you for your consideration and I hope to speak to you soon.

Best Regards,

Ashu Mishra

Christopher Piccirillo                                                                                    February 2, 2016
281 Raleigh Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Journal of the American Medical Association
Sarah Boyd
330 N Wabash
Chicago, IL 60611

Dear Ms. Boyd,

I am currently studying chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and am considering pursuing a career in emergency medicine.  This has prompted my research of emergency medical treatment as well as its prevention.  Particularly, my focus is preterm birth prevention in high risk patients.  This research article, “What to Expect When It’s Unexpected,” will provide your publication with universally relevant medical research that will increase awareness of preventative methods among medical professionals and expectant mothers.

As a mother would know, giving birth is an extremely painful ordeal, but once her child has entered the world, and the mother holds him or her for the first time, all of the suffering and anguish seems to dissipate.  Unfortunately, this is not the case for all births.  Every year, more than 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the US alone, and the complications that arise from these cases can result in sustained suffering for both the child and mother.

Preterm birth (PTB) is considered to be any birth occurring before 37 weeks of gestation (time infant develops in the womb).  PTB not only threatens an infant’s probability of survival, but is detrimental to his or her quality of life.  Many premature babies suffer from mental retardation and physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy.  In the occurrence of a PTB, doctors can only respond to the aftermath.  In high risk patients, however, preventative methods are more effective, as they address the root of the problem before it occurs.  The rationale behind PTB prevention is like spilt milk.  If you remember to put away the carton, the milk will not spill.

Prevention of PTB can be organized into two major categories: primary and secondary prevention.  Primary prevention consists mainly of lifestyle habits that may reduce the risk of having a PTB, such as a balanced diet, while secondary prevention focuses on prolonging pregnancy in women who are at a higher risk of having a PTB.  High risk women include those who have had a PTB previously or are pregnant with multiples (i.e. more than one baby at once).  These patients are the focus of secondary prevention, patients like Nikki Fleming.

For the remainder of the article, Nikki’s story serves as a framework for conveying the methods of secondary prevention that are available.  In 2011, Nikki was prescribed 17P (a progesterone-based hormone) injections, a new method of secondary prevention recently approved by the FDA.  The weekly injections, though painful, prevented her from giving birth to her next two children prematurely.  Parts of her story appear intermittently throughout the article, serving as a means for discussing various research and methods of PTB prevention.  This includes the discussion of the synthetic drug relaxin, which was never approved due to the lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness.  For the majority of the article, successful research in this area is discussed, ranging from surgical procedures to progesterone injections.  In addition, the value of collaborative innovation in the medical field is demonstrated through the combination of separate treatments that resulted in a new and more effective PTB prevention method.

The article concludes by reflecting on the quality of life of Nikki’s children, a direct result of secondary prevention, thus providing a hope for readers who may be confronted with a similar situation.

I thank you for your consideration of this article as a piece in your upcoming publication.

Sincerely,

Christopher Piccirillo

A True Best Friend

Brian Koo
555 Paul Hardin Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
minkyu@live.unc.edu
February 3, 2016

Dear Ms. Sarah Boyd,

I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Chapel Hill pursuing a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  I have been doing research recently about the effectiveness of dog therapy and I found your request for an article that focuses on the interactions between humans and animals.  Given the fact that your journal is well credited and my research fits the request you are looking for, I deduce that this will go along greatly with your journal.

Having a pet nowadays is a common thing in families all around the world.  Whether it be a dog, cat, hamster, or fish, they are an important part of families.  One of the most common household pet is a dog and a common saying of dogs is that they are “A man’s best friend”.  Dogs are extremely energetic and will bring joy to anyone who sees them wagging their tail.  However, dogs can do much more than just simply be family pets; they can neurologically and physiologically effect how you react around them or around a certain predicament.

While the neurological reasoning behind dog therapy has not always been known, its therapeutic effect has always been prevalent throughout history.  Animal therapy, in records, originated from the ancient Greeks.  Patients that were ill during this time would ride on the backs of horses to raise their spirits and make them feel calm.  As time went on, different animals were used for therapeutic reasons.  Dog therapy was derived from animal therapy and has become the most common type of animal therapy in the world today.

From here on in the article, I will be giving the neurological and physiological effects of human and dog interactions and show how each party is affected by one another.  The findings are amazing because it shows why families will get so emotionally attached to their pets.  To further prove my thesis that dog therapy is indeed effective, I will give the results from experiments that were conducted on two different scenarios: one was at a college library while another was done at a hospital.  With all this evidence, my thesis should be proved by the end of the article.  Also, the title of my findings (“A True Best Friend”) should make sense to the readers.  I feel as if this read will not only be informative, but also interesting since the main focus is on dogs.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I hope to hear back from you soon!

Sincerely,
Brian Koo

Addie Frank
Horton 241
411 Skipper Bowles Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Dear Ms. Sarah Boyd,

My name is Addie Frank, and I am a student at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I am looking for a magazine or journal to publish my newest article, “Weed is What You Need”. I believe this article would fit in well with the style of your journal.

As you may have seen in recent years, the legalization of recreational marijuana has been very popular in the news. The curiosity about marijuana has brought more scrutiny to this topic. Currently, only four states have legalized it recreationally in the United States despite its controversial use and “benefits”. One of those “benefits” is medical. I say “benefits” because research and case studies still have yet to fully confirm 100% that medical marijuana is a real thing.

Did you know that medicinal marijuana is actually legal in 19 states? Although almost half of the United States legally allows the use and consumption of marijuana, the controversy over its actual benefits continues to push forward. “Weed is What You Need” is an article that discusses this issue and how the medical front is pushing towards greater legalization of medical marijuana and proving its benefits in cases like Parkinson’s disease or psychosis. With this article, questions as to how marijuana went from being illegal everywhere to slowly becoming legalized across the nation medically, and recreationally from Colorado to Hawaii will be answered. I want to show how this issue is stuck in a loop in the legality of the drug rather than the issue being focused on the benefits it can bring.

This article will start off with interesting facts about medical marijuana and what it actually does to the body when smoked- this will draw the reader in. By starting off with this, the reader will understand better the physical implications of marijuana. Then I will move into my overarching angle: the loop of legality of medical marijuana. Because medical marijuana is illegal in most of the United States still and used minimally in the places it is legal, case studies and research about its benefits are inhibited. However, on the other side, because there are not many case studies and research out there showing how beneficial medical marijuana can be; changing political policy about medical marijuana cannot happen without the proof from such research. It is a never ending cycle unless political policy changes to allow more research or for studies to happen regardless of the law.

After the discussion of the history of the policy and this loop, I will move into two positive case studies and one negative case study about medical marijuana. A study on motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease will be discussed and how it shows benefits of medical marijuana. Another study about repressed nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy will be discussed and how the chemicals in marijuana can be effective if not more effective than traditional medications for this symptom of cancer treatment. On the flip side, a case about medical marijuana used in treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder went badly and caused psychosis and hallucinations due to body chemistry. This shows that not everyone reacts well with marijuana. Finally, I will end with my opinion on the case of medical marijuana (one you can probably infer from the sound of this letter), but I will save that to share if you decide to publish my article.

I hope this gives you a taste and feel for what “Weed is What You Need” would be about and that it intrigues you. I hope to share more about this issue and bring light to the loop of legality of medical marijuana because as the title of this article suggests, marijuana can bring lots of benefits to different medical conditions.

Sincerely,

Addie Frank