Introduction and Choice of article
The article that has been selected for this essay is, ‘Rice scientists create a super antioxidant – Common catalyst cerium oxide opens door to nanochemistry for medicine’. The article was published in Rice University News and Media on October 14th 2013 where it was posted in the ‘Featured Stories’ section. The author is Mike Williams who is a senior media relations specialist working at the Rice University in the Public affairs department (Williams 1). The article was selected based on the issues of nanochemistry that it has discussed in details. It has also been chosen based on its straightforward method of presentation of research findings. The article is a summary of the research on nanochemistry that was done in the university, and is hence appropriate for discussion in the essay. This essay looks at the assumptions, conclusions, and implications from the article.
Assumptions and Purpose
The author’s purpose of writing the essay is to demonstrate the application of nanochemistry in medicine. The use of nanochemistry has largely been in other fields apart from medicine (Koji, Yoshida and Ikuhara 1, Babentsov 31). The author intends to show how breakthroughs at the university will make it possible to use this technology in the health sector. The other purpose of the study is to demonstrate progress that has been made at the university.
The author does not indicate the purpose of writing the article. Besides, he does not provide an explicit explanation of why he does not give it. For readers who are going through the article, the purpose may be interpreted from the author’s phrase based on the way they explain some of the contents. Therefore, the purpose of the study is implied. Researchers and other authors should state the purpose of their studies clearly and hence the need for introduction and abstract.
The key question that the author is trying to answer is whether nanochemistry can be applied in medicine. He provides evidence to support the available answers, especially the scientific evidence that shows successful studies on the use of antioxidants. The question the author raises is answered in his subsequent discussions. He qualifies the assumptions that he has made in his article.
The author’s main point of view in the article is that the application of nanochemistry in medicine is a potentially beneficial breakthrough. A point of view guides the author in making the right assumptions in his article (Laramee 2366). The author also lauds the research on Cerium oxide nanocrystals by stating that the results will mean a lot to cancer patients. Previous studies on the use of safe and efficient use of products to treat post radiation injury have not been fruitful.
In this article, the author is aware of the alternative and conflicting views in the article. He shows sensitivity to these views. This observation is one of the characteristics of a good author who aims at attracting an audience by passing information appropriately (Laramee 2366). While he lauds the research on the use of nanochemistry in medicine, he states some of the existing products that serve the same function (Williams 1).
The most significant assumption that the author made is that readers are aware of the existing interventions in medicine and some of the works done in nanochemistry. The author states that the existing interventions in the treatment of radiation injury are not as effective as the use of cerium oxide nanocrystals (Williams 1). He also assumes that readers are aware of some of the components of the catalytic converters in cars. The assumptions made in the article are justifiable. Hence, most readers will understand the article when given the chance to read it. The assumption that the discussed medical interventions are common can be justified by the explanation that the author provides.
Conclusions and Implications
The author concludes that the application of nanochemistry in medicine is of potential benefit to some patients, especially those who are on treatment for cancers on radiotherapy. He also concludes that the research on cerium oxide nanocrystals will benefit the medical world where redox reactions will provide antioxidant effects. Some of the individuals who would benefit according to the author include patients who suffer traumatic brain injury, those with Alzheimers, and those who have heart attacks (Williams 2). The author generally concludes that the discovery of the nanochemicals and their use in medicine is a progressive finding.
The article communicates scientific reasoning and chemistry concepts clearly, even to the readers who may not have the basic knowledge in these areas. According to Patterson, scientists who intend to produce materials for the public should target to make their information easy for the audience (23). The author communicates the findings of the research on cerium oxide nanocrystals, especially where he states that the catalysts are commonly found in motor vehicles. The concepts under discussion are clear in the article because the author uses easy concepts. He also provides the findings of the research besides explaining them.
The author offers a convincing line of argument to arrive at the conclusion at the end of the article. The basis of the argument is scientific evidence that is provided in the research that the author provides. According to Lamb, any conclusions that the author makes should have scientific backing, most likely from a peer reviewed research (91). The author in this article supports his arguments through such methods, with the only evidence being the research quoted in the paper. The author supports the assumptions that are made in the paper.
A number of references and conclusions are possible from the article by Williams. One of the main conclusions is that the research by the university was a successful one that led to the discovery of important uses for nanochemistry. Williams provides an important basis for the use of nanochemistry in medicine by focusing on the study in the article (1). Another conclusion is that the article is well structured with enough evidence to support the findings that the researcher provides. The author provides an update on the new advances in medicine in the use of nanochemistry in the field.
If the author’s reasoning is accepted, a consequence is that more attention will be given to the use of nanochemistry in medicine. The credibility of the research that he discusses will also increase, thus making the use of this intervention more common. The other consequence of the article is that there will be more evidence to support the use of nanochemistry. If rejected, the author’s views will also have some consequences. One of them is that the quoted research will lose credibility, especially from the personal point of view. The other consequence of rejecting the author’s reasoning is that there will be the effect of conducting a second study to prove the findings in the first study.
In conclusion, the article is well presented. It uses sound scientific evidence to support the author’s intended message. The research that the article focuses on is a progressive one in the field of medicine and nanochemistry. Hence, the article is a good summary of this research.
Works Cited
Babentsov, Nigel. “Dislocation Emission Caused By Different Types Of Nanoscale Deformation Defects In Cdte.” Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics 17.1(2014): 29-33. Print.
Koji, Matsui, Yoshida Hidehiro, and Ikuhara Yuichi. “Nanocrystalline, Ultra-Degradation- Resistant Zirconia: Its Grain Boundary Nanostructure And Nanochemistry.” Scientific Reports 1.1(2014): 1. Print.
Lamb, David. “Promoting The Case For Using A Research Journal To Document And Reflect On The Research Experience.” Electronic Journal Of Business Research Methods 11.2(2013): 84-92. Print.
Laramee, Robert. “How To Write A Visualization Research Paper: A Starting Point.” Computer Graphics Forum 29.8(2010): 2363-2371. Print.
Patterson, David. “The Health Of Research Conferences And The Dearth Of Big Idea Papers.” Communications Of The ACM 47.12(2004): 23-24. Print.
Williams, Mike. Rice scientists create a super antioxidant. Rice University News & amp; Media, 2013. Web.