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Discussing causes, origins, evolution, and implications of disease and other phenomena.
Tara C. Smith is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology. Her research involves a number of pathogens at the animal-human nexus. Additionally, she is the founder of Iowa Citizens for Science and also writes for The Panda's Thumb and previously for WIRED SCIENCE's Correlations. Please note the views expressed on this site are Dr. Smith's alone and may not be representative of the groups mentioned above.
"...a veritable expert on tawdry cosmetic procedures gone horribly awry..."--Kevin Beck
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Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Shylo Wardyn I recently read the book 'Good Germs, Bad Germs' by Jessica Snyder Sachs. I became intrigued by parts of her book that discussed how babies become colonized with bacteria during birth. The most interesting...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 8:00 AM • 12 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: Cancer epidemiology
Student guest post by Desiré Christensen Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are small DNA viruses that infect epithelial cells. There are well over 100 subtypes of HPV. The subtypes that infect cutaneous epithelia are termed beta-HPVs and those that infect the mucosal...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 3:00 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Andrew Behan Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a disease most affecting children (previously named juvenile-onset diabetes). However, adults can still develop this life-threatening illness. Research in the genetic arena has provided evidence this disease is...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 1:00 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Rajeshwari Nair Discussion on consumption of meat products is a common occurrence in my household. Hailing from India, I have always relished meat dishes that my mom cooks up, hot and spicy! However, there is always...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 12:30 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by D.F. Johnston Many who have had the responsibility of taking care of man's best friend hear "parvo" or "parvovirus" and their thoughts leap immediately to something Fido needed to be vaccinated for. But while there is...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 8:00 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Anne Dressler The idea of evolutionary medicine is new to me and my understanding is quite shallow but it has piqued my interest. Currently, the book "Why We Get Sick" by Randolph M. Nesse and George...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 2:00 PM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Laura Vonnahme The recent explosion in the rate of autism has prompted an increase in research as well as media hype. The disease, first described in 1943 by Leo Kenner, is a serious health condition that...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 12:30 PM • 18 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Jay Watson We've all been there at some point before: a hot summer day, your delicious ice cream cone or tasty treat, and that uneven sidewalk. After taking about ten steps away from the vendor, you...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 8:00 AM • 3 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Liz Stepniak In the United States, the obesity epidemic is rapidly spreading. Since 1980 the prevalence of obesity has increased over 75%. Currently, over half the population is overweight, and nearly 1 in every 3 adults...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 5:45 PM • 4 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
Category: General Epidemiology
Student guest post by Dayna Groskreutz Heart disease is the leading cause of death in adults in the United States. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term which includes both heart attacks and unstable angina. ACS occurs, in part, due...
Posted by Tara C. Smith at 3:45 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
