Bruce Alberts on Future of American Science

“I have seven grandchildren, and I worry about their future. The nation that I was raised in, the United States, has clearly lost its way at a time when the world badly needs wise leadership. Nations with a long-term view are making huge investments in their infrastructure—transportation, water, energy, waste, and recreation. And they have a laserlike focus on supporting science and engineering research with government resources. As examples, Germany, China, and South Korea come to mind. Meanwhile, the United States is living off its past. Not only do we face a crumbling infrastructure but our federal investments in fundamental long-term R&D have been stagnant, dropping from 1.25% of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 1985 to 0.87% in 2013.† Now, on top of that comes a mindless budget "sequester" that will make the situation considerably worse, causing the U.S. National Science Foundation to announce last week that it may award 1000 fewer research grants in 2013 than it did in 2012.”

                                                     - Bruce Alberts (Science 15 March 2013)

 

This is not a thought of an average US citizen. Dr. Alberts, a past president of National Academy of Sciences, Editor-in-Chief of famous journal “Science”, is also a path breaking scientist in this own right, a leader, and visionary in American Science. Almost everyone in our generation of molecular biologists grew up reading his classic book during our college days that inspired us making our career in this field. His concerns seem quite genuine.

 

One study predicts that 2023 may be the year that America loses its global Research & Development (R&D) leadership.

China is on its track to overtake the U.S. in spending on research and development in ~ 10 years, as federal R&D spending (in the U.S.) either declines or remains flat.

 

However, it should not be forgotten that the United States still maintains a large lead in R&D spending over China, with federal and private sector investment expected to reach $424 billion next year, a 1.2% increase.
 

By contrast, China's overall R&D spending is $220 billion next year, an increase of 11.6% over 2012, a rate similar to previous years, according to the 2013 Global R&D Funding Forecast prepared by Battelle, a research and technology development organization, and R&D Magazine. "The U.S. still has a significant lead and advantage in R&D over all of these countries," said Martin Grueber, one of the authors of the report and a lead researcher at Battelle, "but the concern is R&D is a long-term investment, and as these other countries continue to grow their R&D capabilities ... how long can we maintain that advantage?"

 

A major share of R&D research in the U.S. is funded by the federal government, which is expected to budget $129 billion for R&D next year, a decline of 1.4%. This figure could decrease even further if Congress does not resolve its budget impasse.
 

Government R&D spending is considered significant as  because, unlike the private sector, it funds basic research. This is research that often takes years or decades to yield results, but it can also lead to new industries and jobs. Basic research is the back bone of industrial growth in any economy.

Other emerging economies, besides China, are also spending more on R&D. India, for instance, will invest about $45 billion next year in R&D, an increase of just over 12%.
 

President Obama has called for national R&D expenditures equal to 3% of GDP, which includes private and government investment. The forecast for next year is 2.66% of GDP, according to the Battelle forecast.

The White House also believes that China may overtake the U.S. in R&D spending.

"China's investment as a percentage of its GDP shows continuing, deliberate growth that, if it continues, should surpass the roughly flat United States investment within a decade," said the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

One significant but often ignored aspect of R&D operations conducted by U.S. is offshoring, which according to the White House report, "has negative long-term consequences for the United States."

The report also said that R&D returns to the U.S. economy are "likely highest when the research is both generated and used within the United States."
 

With a battery of talented scientists, engineers, medical doctors, present in the country, future of American excellence in Science and Technology is still bright, provided political leadership is honest and strong enough to resolve this issue sooner and act faster. Unfortunately, this is the most disheartening part – US Congress does not appear likely to take steps in the near term to improve R&D spending. Hope they are listening to what Dr. Alberts is echoing in his editorial piece this week.  

 

Some 2,000 odd men each year are diagnosed with breast cancer

When we think of breast cancer we always typically think of women, but it is true that approximately 2,000 men per year are diagnosed with this disease in the United States alone. Yes, breast cancer may develop in men at any age but it has typically been seen in men between 60 and 70 years of age. While male breast cancer is still a rare type of cancer as it makes up less than 1% of all cases of breast cancer worldwide, it is worthwhile to understand what it is all about.

There are several types of breast cancer found in men:

·         Infiltrating ductal carcinoma: Cancer that has spread beyond the cells lining ducts in the breast. Most men with breast cancer have this type of cancer.

·         Inflammatory breast cancer: A type of cancer in which the breast looks red and swollen and feels warm.

·         Ductal carcinoma in situ: Abnormal cells that are found in the lining of a duct; also called intraductal carcinoma.

·         Paget disease of the nipple: A tumor that has grown from ducts beneath the nipple onto the surface of the nipple.

One of the common types of breast cancer found in women is Lobular carcinoma in situ (abnormal cells found in one of the lobes or sections of the breast); this has not been seen in men.

Difference between Male and Female breast cancers

 

Male breast cancer seems to behave similarly to female breast cancer, and the disease in men is treated more or less similar to female disease. One difference between the two is in the timing of when men present with the disease, as versus when women seek care for the issue. Women typically undergo mammographic screening, bringing tumors that are not palpable to the attention of a doctor. Men do not undergo such screening because they usually have far less breast tissue and most tumors in the breast can be felt. Unfortunately however, while women are well aware that a breast lump is a concerning sign that should be brought to the attention of a doctor, many men still feel either embarrassed about seeking care for a breast lump, or are incredulous at the idea that they could have breast cancer or a serious illness that has become symptomatic. The consequence is that men tend to present to their doctors at a later stage, initially ignoring the finding more frequently than women do. When you compare the genders however, men do as well as women, stage for stage.

 

Risk factor for male breast cancer:

·         Being exposed to radiation.

·         Having a disease related to high levels of estrogen in the body, such as cirrhosis (liver disease) or Klinefelter syndrome (a genetic disorder.)

·         Having several female relatives who have had breast cancer, especially relatives who have an alteration of the BRCA2 gene.

·         Male breast cancer may sometimes be caused by inherited gene mutations (changes).

The genes in cells carry the hereditary information that is received from a person’s parents. Hereditary breast cancer makes up approximately 5% to 10% of all breast cancer. Some altered genes related to breast cancer are more common in certain ethnic groups. Men who have an altered gene related to breast cancer have an increased risk of developing this disease.

 

Men with breast cancer usually have lumps that can be felt.

Lumps and other symptoms may be caused by male breast cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in your breasts.

 

Treatment for male breast cancer

The typical treatment for men having breast cancer is a mastectomy, because there is little breast tissue to save, and resecting the tumor completely with “negative margins” (a margin of normal tissue surrounding the tumor, showing that it has been completely removed) may be more difficult.

 

In women, the cosmetic and sexuality issues surrounding the breast prompted investigation of lumpectomy with radiation as an alternative to mastectomy, and has been found to be equally safe. In men this has not been investigated sufficiently in trials to date to conclude this is safe. Men therefore have mastectomies as standard surgical treatment, along with assessment of lymph nodes.

 

When a man develops a breast lump, it is consequently important that he seek evaluation by a physician. While most lumps tend to be benign, a breast surgeon is best qualified to determine if this is something that may be normal or should be further assessed to rule out breast cancer.

Never ignore such a finding, and certainly don’t be embarrassed to seek advice from your doctor. Better to “overreact” and get attention of your doctor for something that’s benign, than ignore the problem and find out too late that it could have more easily been addressed earlier.

 For details, read following publication:

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22987302