Entry 8 - Blood Sampling

What is Blood Sampling?
Sampling is "gathering of matter from the body to aid in the process of a medical diagnosis and/or evaluation of an indication for treatment, further medical tests, or other procedures" (Wikipedia). Blood sampling is often used to find diseases, organ function, etc. It can also be used for drug tests.

How this relates to Computer Science
Recently, UCLA researchers have developed a computer program that can detect cancer cells. The program detects cancer cells based on "chemical modification of DNA circulating in blood"(UCLA Newsroom). This cancer detecting program has "outperformed two common approaches and was superior in detecting cancer in blood samples containing low levels of target DNA, which reflect early-stage disease" (UCLA Newsroom). The computer program is specifically meant to detect "methylation patterns" that are common across different types of cancer (Science Daily). Methylation patterns were gathered from both cancerous and non-cancerous samples so that samples can be compared. This technology is important because now cancer cells can be detected with more accuracy and increase chances of survival as people can get treatment earlier.

References
1. Lamar, Elise. "New Computer Program Detects Cancer by Blood Sampling." UCLA Newsroom. N.p., 28 Mar. 2017. Web.
2. "Computer Program Developed to Diagnose and Locate Cancer from a Blood Sample." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 Mar. 2017. Web.
3. "Sampling." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.

Entry 7 - Streaming

What is Streaming?
According to Wikipedia, streaming media is "multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a provider." Streaming usually refers to listening or watching digital content through the internet. Streaming allows people to watch content without first downloading a file. However, unlike downloaded files, streaming services are dependent on Internet connection. If there are problems with Internet connection, streaming tends to become slow or stops working entirely. Popular streaming services include Netflix and YouTube.

How this relates to Computer Science
Streaming is related to computer science because all streaming is dependent on Internet access. In order to play a stream media, computers require plug-ins or stand-alone players. These players allow the computer to access and play the media files. It is important to note that streamed files are never saved to the computer. Computer science is needed to make these media players function properly. Streaming technology has increased greatly over the last decade and now it is even possible for regular people to live stream (deliver content in real time). Streaming technology continues to improve to create an enjoyable watching experience.

References
1. Wilson, Tracy V. "How Streaming Video and Audio Work." HowStuffWorks. N.p., 12 Oct. 2007. Web.
2. "Streaming media." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.

Entry 6 - Telephones

What is a Telephone?
According to Wikipedia, a telephone is "a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are too far apart to be heard directly." Phones are extremely common nowadays, and thus people take this technology for granted. These days people have advanced touch screen devices are able to send texts, read emails, and browse the internet through their phones. However, phones have not always been this advanced or widespread. The first phone was created in 1892 by Alexander Graham Bell. The rise in cell phones and smartphones, however, had only begun in 1999. Integrating apps and internet access into phones is are relatively recent advances in phone technology.

How this relates to Computer Science
Telephones are related to computer science because it is necessary in order for smartphones to function. The most basic phone requires a switch, a speaker, and a microphone as well as basic access to electricity. However, newer phones cannot function without computer science. Long distance calls require access to satellites. Applications, especially those requiring internet access, need programming in order to function properties. Fingerprint technology also requires computer science in order to recognize distinct fingerprints. Overall, the advancement of phone technology has made computer science a necessary part of telephones.

References
1. Brian, Marshall. "How Telephones Work." HowStuffWorksScience.  HowStuffWorks, n.d. Web.
2. "Telephone." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web.