Internet-based grid computing

An open letter to members of D'Wild West (A The Site Fights Team) was sent in October 2000, which is below. After seven years the UD grid accomplished its goals and remains silent as of Friday April 27, 2007.

The research centered on proteins that were been determined to be a possible target for cancer therapy. Through a process called "virtual screening", special analysis software identified molecules that interacted with these proteins, and determined which of the molecular candidates had a high likelihood of being developed into a drug. The process is similar to finding the right key to open a special lock ? by looking at millions upon millions of molecular keys.

Participants in the Cancer Research Project were sent a ligand library over the Internet. Their PC analyzed the molecules using a docking software called LigandFit by Accelrys. The LigandFit software analyzed the molecular data by using a three-dimensional model to attempt to interact with a protein binding site. When a ligand docked successfully with a protein, the resulting interaction was scored and the interactions that generated the highest scores were recorded and filed for further evaluation.

We need a better answer. Over five decades of cancer research effort in drug discovery and development have yielded more than 40 drugs for the treatment of cancers. These anti-cancer drugs are extending the lives of many people with cancer, but often at great cost. The side effects commonly associated with cancer therapy often may seem as bad as the disease itself. Side effects can be so severe that they limit the dosages patients can receive. And half of all cancer patients fail to respond to the therapies currently available.

Despite these shortcomings, these therapies are still quite costly ? a considerable amount of money is spent on treating cancer. Treatment of cancers account for over 6% of all health care costs. The National Institutes of Health estimate cancer is responsible for $37 billion for direct medical costs, and $11 billion in lost productivity due to illness. The discovery of new drugs represents the best hope to fight both the rising medical costs and the suffering associated with current cancer therapies.

There could hardly be a scourge more worth fighting ? the high mortality rate, the suffering experienced by patients, and the high costs of treatment make fighting this disease a research priority.

Even with extensive pre-screening, the whittled-down number of molecules to review for this project is estimated at over two hundred million for each protein ? a daunting number. Analyzing this quantity of anything requires an enormous amount of computational power. And when the numbers are this big, even supercomputing is limited. A super computer has a peak capacity. That is, if a workload is three times the capacity of the computer, the jobs must be "queued up" and attacked consecutively. A project like this one might take so much time that a researcher wouldn't even embark on it ? he or she wouldn't see the end result in their lifetime. However, with distributed computing, thousands or even millions of individual computers can each work on different molecules simultaneously, and the time to results can be significantly lessened.

Diana Campbell's Letter

I have had Stage IV Breast Cancer (metastases to the bones) since Sept. 2000, and was first diagnosed as Stage IIIB in January, 1992. The past decade has been a roller coaster ride and if you, a family member or friend has cancer, then you know what I'm talking about.

I began researching Stage IV Breast Cancer in the summer of 1999 when an X-ray during a checkup showed a suspicious sliver on a back rib. Many months later, this sliver was a huge tumor, but it had previously biopsied negative. I had a feeling something was not right so I began researching. I found there was not as much info on Stage IV as there was on Breast Cancer prevention and awareness as well as early stage, primary diagnosis and treatment.

So I created this website and the associated Survivor webring, email lists, research project and stores. My goal was to provide the information here that we all want to know at this Stage -- mostly associated with what we can do to prolong our lives. I am in the process of updating and adding but I hope this site will be of some help to you. Please join the UD grid too as this project will help speed cancer research and possibly help me and others too very shortly as we cope with stage IV breast cancer.

Diana Campbell

Diana passed away on February 19, 2003

Within a month of joining Diana's team in December 2000 I found that cancer had vested itself in my frailer human body too.

The initial team which Diana formed began to dwindle as cancer took its ugly toll. Wishing always remember my dear friend and make a contribution, my resources were transferred to the AS! team-CureNow. AS! is now exploring forming another team with broader appeal beyond the very small awards community and will be making a decision in the very near future. I will certainly join and a new team graphic with a link will be updated in this space.

To keep the memory of Diana alive there are now various Internet-based grid computing schemas available, thanks to the pioneering work of Oxford University and United Devices.

The World Community Grid software uses the idle time of Internet-connected computers and applies this computing power toward the advancement of humanity.

The agent works like a screen saver, only using a computer's resources when it would otherwise be idle and relinquishing the resources back to the users when they start using the computers again. The agent can also be run like an application, always running in the background unless specifically disabled/paused.

While many public computing grids such as SETI@home or Folding@home have been devoted to a single project, the World Community Grid offers multiple humanitarian projects under a single umbrella. Projects are approved by an advisory board, with members from most of the major research institutions and universities, as well as the UN and WHO.

Within the grid, users may join teams that have been created by organizations, groups, or individuals. Teams allow for a heightened sense of community identity and attempts to inspire competitiveness.

World Community Grid also differs from other grid projects by offering support for more than one grid infrastructure. The open source BOINC client is available for Linux, Windows, and Mac; the proprietary Grid MP from United Devices Inc. is only available for Windows.

History

The United Devices Smallpox Research Grid Project was sponsored by IBM and other Research Participants to accelerate the discovery of a smallpox cure. The Smallpox study employed computational chemistry on a massive distributed computing grid to analyze candidates for a medical therapy to fight the smallpox virus.

The project allowed scientists to screen 35 million potential drug molecules against several smallpox proteins to identify good candidates for developing into smallpox treatments. In the first 72 hours, 100,000 results were returned and 44 strong treatment candidates were identified at the completion of the project.

Based on the success of the Smallpox study, IBM announced on November 16, 2004 the creation of World Community Grid with the goal of creating a technical environment where other humanitarian research could be processed.

World Community Grid initially only supported Windows, using the proprietary grid technology from United Devices which powers grid.org projects. Strong demand for Linux support led to the open source BOINC grid technology which powers the Seti@home and Climateprediction (among others) being added. Mac OS X support is now also included.

As of March 24, 2007, the World Community Grid had nearly 272,000 members with over 550,000 registered work stations. It had a total process run time equivalent to about 82,000 years and about 80 million results have been sent. The World Community Grid updates these statistics several times a day, making the information available through a dedicated statistics page.

How to prevent Cancer

There are numerous studies that show that exercise can prevent cancer. However, the medical world is still skeptical against everything that is free!

Most cancers grow very slowly, silently eating away your body, until they manifest themselves. Despite claims by the National Cancer Institute of the success of the treatment, after cancer, medicine is generally powerless.

Whenever you are ready to ease by the statements of the cancer industry, don't forget the quick death of Jaquline Kennedy Onassis lymphoma and Michael Landon of pancreatic cancer.
If there were an effective treatment anywhere in the world, do you think these immensely wealthy people would have bought it?

Therefore, if a bit of the exercise of the right may prevent cancer, this worth more than any gold in Fort Knox. And like all the other good things in life... it's totally free!

I mentioned in my article on exercise to lower cholesterol, the study of Dr. Kenneth Cooper that followed 13 344 men and women, for fifteen years. After eliminating the interfering factors, the incidence of all forms of cancer was closely correlated with the lack of fitness.

Unfit men and women had more than 300% change of developing cancer. The installer subjects were, on five levels of fitness, less their risk of cancer. But the best conclusion of this study is that you move only a fraction of sofa potatoland to prevent cancer of the big time.

"You don't have to be a marathon runner. Half an hour of exercise four or five days a week can drop dramatically cancer risk, "according to Dr. Carl Casperson of Centers For Disease
Control of Atlanta.

There are many new studies showing that exercise inhibits some cancers. I shall therefore just two examples, one for women and for men.

Breast cancer is the most common female cancer and the third biggest killer of cancer in America. More women develop and die of the breast cancer today than in the 1960s, including all cancers of the female reproductive organs, such as cervical cancer and cancer of the ovary.

Together, they make 220,000 women casualties American ech. If the simple exercises can help prevent such disasters, it will be a winner for every woman.

In a major study, Dr. Rose Frisch and his colleagues at the Harvard School of Public Health, followed 5000 students of the College. Those who exercised school on had much fewer breast cancers and cancers of the reproductive tract than inactive classmates.This evidence is clear. Regular exercise can stop cold female cancers.

Regulation of estrogen and other sex hormones is the main mechanism by which exercise prevents these cancers. If nothing is done, can cause uncontrolled cell proliferation in the
female reproductive tract.

It seems that women who exercise regularly simply enable an essential mechanism of health in their bodies, designed to be activated in this way by the almighty hand which has created all life on Earth.

What the exercise and cancer in men? I like to use examples of the colon and rectum, although these are also major causes of cancer in women. Colorectal cancers are the second category of caner leader, with more than 155,000 new cases each year. Red meat and animal fats are major causes, but that is the inactivity.

A large study measured the levels of exercise and heart rate at rest of 8000 men 21 years of age. As I mentioned in my previous articles, the resting heart rate is a good measure of fitness and offers a good control on reported exercise. The risk of cancer of the colon and rectum is directly correlated with heart rate.

A still greater study followed 17 000 students of Harvard 25 years. Topics that have been very active, burn 2500 calories or more I do exercises every week, showed that half of the risk of cancer of the colon as their inactive peers.

The mechanism by which exercise probably prevents colorectal cancer is simple and also a part of the human design. Exercise naturally promotes regular bowel movements and increased the rate of excretion of waste food.

Thus, it reduces the time for the formation of carcinogen and also prevents the prolonged contact between carcinogens and the intestinal walls. In constipated society happening a huge
$700 million annually on pests (oops! laxatives "healthy, soothing, sweet"), such evidence should be a wake-up to.

These studies are just a fraction of the mass of intense research in medical journals met, proving that exercise prevents cancer. But nowhere in any of the pamphlets, public notices of the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society mention exercise as a means of preventing cancer.

Unlike medical and pharmaceutical treatments, exercise is of course free and accessible to all. Thus, it does not collect any grant, shall not solicit any advertising and does no obscene profits.

In the professional journal of the American Cancer Society, called CA for example, a new analysis of risk factors for breast cancer includes everything. Residence in the Northern States in the economic class, social, except couch potatoism.

Someone less confidence that I could suspect that the geniuses who populate our health agencies, are either too bright to bother with the humble scientific research, or they dance more than move the music. "A one-step, two-step, I scratch you-step, if you scratch me-step, Tee Hee Hee-."

Understanding Breast Cancer

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body. The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

The nipple is in the center of a dark area of skin called the areola. Fat fills the spaces between the lobules and ducts.

Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign tumors are not cancer:

Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening.
Generally, benign tumors can be removed. They usually do not grow back.
Cells from benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them.
Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.
· Malignant tumors are cancer:

Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening.
Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back.
Cells from malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
Cells from malignant tumors can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the bloodstream or lymphatic system. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

You Can Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer...

We hear it all the time? lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the extent to which this is critical to their physical well-being and ultimately their life expectancy.

In January 2003, the Journal of the American Medical Association featured a study finding that obesity appears to lessen life expectancy, especially among young adults. The researchers compared Body-Mass Index (BMI) to longevity and found a correlation between premature death and higher BMIs. For example, a 20-year-old white male, 5'10" weighing 288 pounds with a BMI of greater than 40 was estimated to lose 13 years of his life as a result of obesity. Jamie McManus, M.D., F.A.A.F.P. and author of "Your Personal Guide to Wellness" notes that while this study referenced extreme levels of obesity, there are still millions of overweight people in developed countries with a life expectancy rate that is three to five years less than their healthy-weight counterparts. She also estimates that there are 600,000 obesity related deaths each year in America.

Just how does obesity shorten our lifespan? The answer to this question is complex, yet there is a clear link between obesity and the development of cancer. An extensive study conducted by the American Cancer Institute involving 750,000 people showed that obesity significantly increased the risk of cancer developing in the following organs: breast, colon, ovaries, uterus, pancreas, kidneys and gallbladder.

Michael Thun, MD, vice-president of epidemiology and surveillance research for the American Cancer Society (ACS) says one reason obesity may raise cancer risk is because fat cells produce a form of estrogen called estradiol that promotes rapid division of cells, increasing chances of a random genetic error while cells are replicating, which can lead to cancer. In addition, fat centered around the abdomen may increase insulin and insulin-like growth factors in the blood, which may increase cancer risk.

"Women who are obese after menopause have a 50% higher relative risk of breast cancer," notes Thun, "and obese men have a 40% higher relative risk of colon cancer?. Gallbladder and endometrial cancer risks are five times higher for obese individuals".There is evidence that cancer rates in developed countries are increasing at 5 to 15 times faster than developing countries. A major contributor to this alarming reality has proven to be diet. In populations where the diet consists mostly of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains in contrast to the typical Western diet of fatty meats, refined flours, oils and sugars ? the risk of cancer is much lower.

The interaction of diet and the development of cancer is an active field of research and Dr David Heber, M.D., Ph.D. and author of "What Color is Your Diet", says "It appears that diet has its most significant effects after the cancer has already formed, acting to inhibit or stimulate the growth of that cancer". At the risk of oversimplifying a complex set of interactions, the typical Western diet that leads to obesity may actually act to stimulate the growth of cancer cells.It is never too late to improve your health through healthful eating and adopting a more health-giving lifestyle. Here are simple steps to follow which can make an immediate improvement to your health and vitality. Please check this web site for more information -> http://treat-breast-cancer.info/

1. Check your Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine if weight has become health risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of Americans are overweight, defined as having a BMI (a ratio of height to weight) over 25. Of those, nearly half (27%) qualify as obese, with a body mass index of 30 or more. In 1980, just 15% of Americans were considered obese.

2. Match your diet to your body's requirements. If you eat and drink more calories than your body requires you will put on weight. Learn to control calories and portion sizes, make recipes leaner, and eat infrequently from fast food restaurants. Also learn how to snack with healthful choices.

3. Color your diet with a large variety of colorful, cancer-fighting fruit and vegetables. There are seven different color ranges of both fruit and vegetables and by choosing between 5 to 9 daily serves from a wide range of fruit and vegetables, we are extending our consumption of cancer (and other disease) fighting nutrients.

4. Eat lean protein with every meal. Protein provides a powerful signal to the brain providing a longer sense of fullness. The right source of protein is essential to controlling your hunger with fewer calories and necessary to maintain your lean muscle mass. Choices of protein should be flavored soy shakes with fruit; the white meat of chicken and turkey, seafood such as shrimps, prawns scallops and lobster and ocean fish or vegetarians may prefer soy based meat substitutes.

5. Rev up your metabolism with activity. If you want to enjoy a lifetime of well-being, exercise is a key ingredient. Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society (ACS), says adults should do something for 30 minutes each day that takes as much effort as a brisk walk. Children should be active for an hour each day. We are more likely to develop habits around things we enjoy, so seek activities which you enjoy doing. It is also helpful to build physical activity into your daily routine: use the stairs instead of the escalator or lift at work, park your car in the parking bay furthest from the super market and don't use the remote control to change TV channels.

6. Get support to ensure you develop a healthful eating plan and reach your goal weight. Whilst a small percentage of people possess the discipline to lose weight, many obese people have developed strong thoughts and habits concerning the food they eat. In order to establish new habits, most people respond well to some form of consistent encouragement and coaching. A study, "Effects of Internet Behavioral Counseling on Weight Loss in Adults at Risk of Type 2 Diabetes" shows that participants who had the support of weight loss coaching lost more weight than those who didn't. The study concluded that the support of a weight loss coach can significantly improve weight loss results.

Being overweight or obese has been identified next to smoking, as the most preventable major risk to developing cancer. Even small weight losses have been shown to have beneficial health effects. So it's never to late to start and you can never be too young or too old to be concerned about your health and do something about achieving a more healthy weight.

Save yourself from Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is one of the main cancers that affect women everywhere in the world. Women are much more at risk of contracting this disease and for this reason, they should take precautions and how to avoid it now.

If you find a lump or a thickening of tissue on your chest that is different from the surrounding skin, then it can be either malignant or benign training. Similarly, bloody nipple discharge may suggest something evil in the chest and is one of the tell-tale signs of breast cancer. Check the skin on your chest to see if it begins to change, dimple or show redness or bites, because this can be a sign of early-onset breast cancer.

In addition, an inverted nipple could indicate cancer, and if the skin on the nipple shows peel or flake, you should consult a doctor immediately. Make an appointment with your doctor in these cases is essential, regardless if your previous mammogram was normal. If a diagnostic physician of the breast cancer in the early stages, your chances of survival increases monumentally. Thus, it is essential for women and men to make annual appointments to the doctor for checkups.

Risks that make the disease likely

Being a woman matured you have a higher risk of breast cancer. Similarly, if there is a history of the disease in your family, maybe your mother, grandmother, etc., your chances are much higher as well. If you are a woman who likes to be in the Sun for prolonged amounts of time, perhaps an athlete, a biker or a beach lovers, you are more at risk of having the disease. Obesity is a huge risk factor, as well as alcohol. If you had a child at an age or are the subject of a postmenopausal hormone therapy, and then also, you stand a greater chance of having breast cancer.

Prevention

There are many ways to take that can ensure the prevention of breast cancer, but it takes vigilance and attention your health. Once you are aware of the factors that may put you at higher risk, you should take additional measures to ensure what you are looking for the proper care and precautions. Receive the screening of your doctor. You and your doctor should determine the best age to start screening and methods best suited for you. Be sure to perform self-exams regularly enough to learn the form and shape of your breasts and be able to spot irregularities with ease. Also, because alcohol is so dangerous and risky, try to avoid alcohol and will do so with moderation.

Finally, adopt a healthy diet and exercise into your life and try to do so about 30 minutes per day. This will boost your immune system and reduce the risk of breast cancer. In addition, this will prevent you from getting a host of other diseases and conditions and just will improve your overall quality of life. It is extremely important to maintain a healthy weight and try to eat well every day. Eating meals balanced with essential nutrients and do not indulge in too much candy or soft drinks that can lead to obesity, which will increase your chances of breast cancer.

For women who have a high risk of getting breast cancer, there are more extreme precautions that can be taken to avoid. If your doctor has determined that you have a very good chance to get it through family stories, then preventive medication and care surgeries which include the removal of parties where all of the breast may be the necessary options.

Mammographies sauver des vies ! Partie 2

It is a surprising fact that 1 out of 8 women will develop Cancer of the breast during their lives. Early detection is our best defense.

Mammography is the only to show the early stages of Breast Cancer. Other tests such as MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine are after a breast mass is formed. Early stage of Breast Cancer is in the form of microcalcifications. Suspicious characteristics are sharp edged calcifications that seem to form a pattern.

If your mammogram reveals a new formation of these microcalcifications, you will be 'reminded' to other images. Calcifications will be expanded to get a better look. If they seem always suspected, you will be referred for a biopsy. Finding Cancer at this stage has the best prognosis.

If your mammogram reveals a new mass, you will be referred to a review of ultrasound or nuclear medicine. MRI can be done also. A suspicious mass characteristics are sharp irregular edges, solid hard mass and are generally not painful. It feels also larger than it is. It appears always suspected, you will have a biopsy.

If you get a 'call back' after your mammogram, do not worry yet. There are several reasons for a call back.

(1) Repeat - Motion on film
(2) Repeat - not enough breast tissue on film
(3) Repeat - Film too light or too dark
(4) Displays - new calcifications
(5) Additional views - new mass

80% of "reminders" are negative, then you should not worry if you are called. I have been "recalled" after my mammogram calcifications and suffered a biopsy. Fortunately, it was negative! I discovered, that it is impossible not to worry. Our breast health is very important to us. I thought I would faint all worries!

Here is a list of things to do for the breast health:
(1) Monthly breast exam practice
(2) Have your examination doctor your breast once a year
(3) A mammogram every year or every 2 years (determined by your risk factors)
(4) Eat a healthy diet!

You should practise breast self-examination once a month. If you have a cycle menstraul, review yourself 1 week after your cycle. If you do not select any time of the month. The shower is one of the best places to review yourself. Soapy water allows your fingers to slip on the fabric breast and reduces friction. Be sure to include your Axilla (armpit). The majority of breast cancers is in external breast (nipple to the armpit).

The best reason for examination of the breast is you become familiar with your breast tissue, so you detect a change early. Wait a year for your doctor to ask could be the difference between life and death!

I would like to encourage all women to follow all the steps for the breast health. Your loved ones will appreciate your efforts to fight Cancer!

Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon Cancer Symptoms are numerous and indefinite. These include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, change in bowel habits, narrow stools, diarrhea or constipation, red or black blood in the stool, weight loss, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating. Other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (spastic colon), ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, peptic ulcer and may have symptoms that mimic colorectal cancer.

Recognize possible Colon Cancer Symptoms
• Having diarrhea or constipation or other bowel changes
• Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
• Find the stools are narrower than usual
• Often, pain or cramps, gas, or a feeling of fullness or bloating
• Weight loss for no known reason
• Feeling very tired all the time
• Having nausea or vomiting

If you have Colon Cancer Symptoms appear, it is a good idea to get yourself examined by a doctor. the Colon Cancer Symptoms are similar to other intestinal diseases, including hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), intestinal infections and Crohn's disease.

There is always the risk of cancer, but their age, their chances are slim. It sounds like constipation continues due to bloating. They are not enough excrement whenever you have a bowel full of stool. You need to change your diet to get rid of this problem - lots of fruits and vegetables and dramatically increase your daily water intake. Get tested to ensure that there is no problem. When you take the preparation before the procedure, I am sure that all these Colon Cancer Symptoms disappear because your gut completely empty. Go to WebMD and type "constipation" and read the dietary suggestions here and change what needs to change. You can also go on the site such as "hemorrhoids" and read about Colon Cancer Symptoms caring for people.