Reactable

http://www.reactable.com/products/live/design/

BioFilm

http://www.insidemacgames.com/reviews/view.php?ID=948&Page=2

Turning cancer cells into a work of art

Stefanie Reichelt, a scientist at the Cambridge Research Institute, believes that cancer cells are beautiful. In fact, when viewed under a microscope, she thinks that all parts of the human body - from chromosomes to sperm - are visually arresting.

As head of the microscopy laboratory, the images that her team produce are crucial to developing new treatments. The pictures focus on cell division, a process that spirals out of control in cancer, leading to the formation of tumours.

But Reichelt also has an artistic streak. She was so taken with the beauty of the cells, artificially stained with a rainbow of vibrant colours to highlight certain features, that she started to make a collection of etchings based on the microscopic vistas.

Her work is on display at the institute, although she admits that the pictures are not always greeted with enthusiasm. “People sometimes say ‘Oh no, pictures of cancer cells, that's horrible.' But then they see that they are actually very beautiful.”

The exhibition is free and runs until September 30, 10am-5pm seven days a week, at ArtCell, the art gallery at Cancer Research UK's Cambridge Research Institute; tel: 01223 404180,http://stefaniereichelt-photographyandprints.org

SPIN CYCLE

This etching is based on the nucleus of a cell. Acting as the cell's headquarters, it contains all the precious genetic material, held in a long spiralled string. The red dot is the nucleolus, a sub-section of the nucleus.

This cell is in the so-called quiet phase, the time between busy periods of division. Scientists once thought that our cells were inactive at this point, before realising that they were in fact performing many vital functions, invisible even through a microscope.

The image, right, is a real cell. The nucleus is the black area, with the surrounding material, termed cytoskeleton, stained green.

X-TREME CLOSE UP

This is an etching of a real chromosome, based on what Reichelt observes through her microscope. Chromosomes are organised structures of DNA, grouped into genes. The bands, painted with fluorescent dyes, represent the positions of certain genes. In disease diagnosis and research, “painting chromosomes” can help scientists to detect abnormal genes, which may indicate cancer.

The etchings are produced by scoring the image on to a metal plate, covering it with ink and printing on to paper. Each colour requires a separate plate, so the image is built up layer by layer.

LIFE RACE

Fertilisation is the moment when a sperm and egg join together, and the genes from the mother and father combine to form a new life. This etching is based on what scientists see when observing the process through a microscope. Although Reichelt would not normally observe this process, as her work is based on cancer cells, many researchers spend hours watching it. The observations can provide clues as to why a couple has difficulty conceiving.

THE BIG SPLIT

This is an etching of what Reichelt believes is the most dramatic process that our cells perform: division, when one cell becomes two. It keeps us alive, and healthy, but can be deadly if it goes wrong. When cells divide, genetic material is duplicated before splitting into two identical portions. Here, the chromosomes have duplicated, making a butterfly shape. The “wings” are then pulled apart, with one side going to each new cell. In cancer, the mechanisms that keep the genetic material intact often malfunction.

ONE BECOMES TWO

In this etching, which Reichelt based on real scientific images, one cell is dividing to make two. Scientists are interested in this process because errors can result in cancer.

The V-shaped structures are chromosomes, which hold a cell's genetic material. Special strings pull them to opposite ends, ready to make two new cells. A real image (right) shows the strings highlighted in green.

SCIENTISTS TURN THEIR HAND TO TEXTILES

When the scientist Sir Tim Hunt won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 2001, he never imagined that one day he would be helping to make wallpaper. Or that four of his fellow Nobel prizewinners would be making dresses, rugs and fabrics.

They are not the latest victims of the credit crunch, but are teaming up with research fellows from Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design to produce textiles based on their scientific discoveries. The results of the project, funded by the college and the Medical Research Council, go on show in London this month. Hunt, who discovered a crucial process in cell biology, worked with the designer Rachel Kelly. His Nobel-winning experiments used sea urchin eggs, which inspired Kelly's wallpaper design (left). Meanwhile, Sir Peter Mansfield, who developed the scanning technique magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), worked with the dress designer Shelley Fox, who made clothes, based on scans, to represent our changing body shapes.

Cancer Cells Paintings

Artist: Angela Canada Hopkins
http://www.canadahopkins.com/large-single-view/Cancer%20Cells/226195-1-7424/Painting.html

Syndyn [MaxMSP, Game, Environment]

Created by André Rangel and Anne-Kathrin Siegel, Syndyn is a physical game but also a visual environment where the players control all the audiovisual events that occur in the space/time of the game. They perform a live show and simultaneously produce a database of light drawn images.

The space where the event takes place is colored with light which is controlled by players movements. Their rackets and arms are decorated with electro luminescent wire and the shuttlecock (speeder) with a bright LED, providing vivid dynamic scenic effects.

In the beginning of each game, users choose on an iPod ™ touch device a soundscape associated with visuals and colors for the ambience lighting system. Syndyn rackets are equipped with sensors that detect each hit of the speeder. A radio transmitter system broadcasts the sensors data to the central processing unit (computer). The hits on the rackets are accompanied by synchronous real-time synthesized sounds, by an instant change in the ambience light color according to the previous players choices and by real time generated visuals.

In addition to this real-time audiovisual response, players can also take a visual memory of their game. A long exposure photographic camera covers the playing area. This camera registers the traces that represent the trajectories and movements of the lighting speeder, the lighting racquets and the lighting arms. The resulting drawings of light, can be automatically printed with photographic quality paper and offer to players. These images are automatically stored in a database that feeds a web photo gallery.

Literally the possibility of drawing with this game, gives Syndyn its original and innovative character: being simultaneously an artistic, sports, and entertainment event that merges aesthetics, physical activity, technology and entertainment.

Amazing drawing based on cancer cell

Normal cell vs. cancer cell

Food Pyramid

From MIT

Organic Food Game

http://www.organicfoodbarkids.com/play_the_games

About Cancer

1. What is cancer?
   Cancer is a group of many related diseases that begin in cells, the body's basic building blocks. To understand cancer, it is helpful to know what happens when normal cells become cancerous.
   The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally, cells grow and divide to produce more cells as they are needed to keep the body healthy. 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. The extra cells form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor. Not all tumors are cancerous; tumors can be benign or malignant.
   Benign tumors are not cancer. They can often be removed and, in most cases, they do not come back. Cells in benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body. Most important, benign tumors are rarely a threat to life.
   Malignant tumors are cancer. Cells in malignant tumors are abnormal and divide without control or order. Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue around them. Cancer cells can also break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
   Blood vessels include a network of arteries, capillaries, and veins through which the bloodcirculates in the body. The lymphatic system carries lymph and white blood cells through lymphatic vessels (thin tubes) to all the tissues of the body. By moving through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, cancer can spread from the primary (original) cancer site to form new tumors in otherorgans. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.
2. What causes cancer?
   Scientists have learned that cancer is caused by changes in genes that normally control the growth and death of cells. Certain lifestyle and environmental factors can change some normal genes into genes that allow the growth of cancer. Many gene changes that lead to cancer are the result of tobacco use, diet, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, or exposure tocarcinogens (cancer-causing substances) in the workplace or in the environment. Some genealterations are inherited (from one or both parents). However, having an inherited gene alteration does not always mean that the person will develop cancer; it only means that the chance of getting cancer is increased. Scientists continue to examine the factors that may increase or decrease a person's chance of developing cancer.
   Although being infected with certain viruses, such as the human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis Band C (HepB and HepC), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), increases the risk of some types of cancer, cancer itself is not contagious. A person cannot catch cancer from someone who has this disease. Scientists also know that an injury or bruise does not cause cancer.
3. Can cancer be prevented?
   Although there is no guaranteed way to prevent cancer, people can reduce their risk (chance) of developing cancer by:
   • not using tobacco products
   • choosing foods with less fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
   • exercising regularly and maintaining a lean weight
   • avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, using sunscreen, and wearing clothing that protects the skin
   • talking with a doctor about the possible benefits of drugs proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers
   Although many risk factors can be avoided, some, such as inherited conditions, are unavoidable. Still, it is helpful to be aware of them. It is also important to keep in mind that not everyone with a particular risk factor for cancer actually gets the disease; in fact, most do not. People who have an increased likelihood of developing cancer can help protect themselves by avoiding risk factors (see Question 2) whenever possible and by getting regular checkups so that, if cancer develops, it is likely to be found and treated early. Treatment is often more effective when cancer is detected early. Screening exams, such as sigmoidoscopy or the fecal occult blood test, mammography, and the Pap test, can detect precancerous conditions (which can be treated before they turn into cancer) and early-stage cancer.
   The NCI is conducting many cancer prevention studies to explore ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer. These studies are evaluating dietary supplements, chemopreventive agents,nutrition, personal behaviors, and other factors that may prevent cancer. More information about cancer prevention trials is available in the following NCI resources:
   • Breast Cancer Prevention Studies(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/breast-cancer)
   • Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT): Questions and Answers(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Prevention/SELECT)
   • The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR): Questions and Answers
     (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/STARresultsQandA).
   See Question 6 for additional information about clinical trials related to the prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
4. What are some of the common signs and symptoms of cancer?
   Cancer can cause a variety of symptoms. Possible signs of cancer include the following:
   • new thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body
   • new mole or an obvious change in the appearance of an existing wart or mole
   • a sore that does not heal
   • nagging cough or hoarseness
   • changes in bowel or bladder habits
   • persistent indigestion or difficulty swallowing
   • unexplained changes in weight
   • unusual bleeding or discharge
   When these or other symptoms occur, they are not always caused by cancer. They can be caused by infections, benign tumors, or other problems. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms or about other physical changes. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. A person with these or other symptoms should not wait to feel pain because early cancer usually does not cause pain.
   If symptoms occur, the doctor may perform a physical examination, order blood work and other tests, and/or recommend a biopsy. In most cases, a biopsy is the only way to know for certain whether cancer is present. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a sample of tissue from the abnormal area. A pathologist studies the tissue under a microscope to identify cancer cells.
5. How is cancer treated?
   Cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biological therapy. The doctor may use one method or a combination of methods, depending on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease has spread, the patient's age and general health, and other factors. Because treatment for cancer can also damage healthy cells and tissues, it often causes side effects. Some patients may worry that the side effects of treatment are worse than the disease. However, patients and doctors generally discuss the treatment options, weighing the likely benefits of killing cancer cells and the risks of possible side effects. Doctors can suggest ways to reduce or eliminate problems that may occur during and after treatment.
   Surgery is an operation to remove cancer. The side effects of surgery depend on many factors, including the size and location of the tumor, the type of operation, and the patient's general health. Patients have some pain after surgery, but this pain can be controlled with medicine. It is also common for patients to feel tired or weak for a while after surgery.
   Patients may worry that having a biopsy or other type of surgery for cancer will spread the disease. This is a very rare occurrence because surgeons take special precautions to prevent cancer from spreading during surgery. Also, exposing cancer to air during surgery does not cause the disease to spread.
   Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in a targeted area. Radiation can be given externally by a machine that aims radiation at the tumor area. It can also be given internally; needles, seeds, wires, or catheters containing a radioactivesubstance are placed directly in or near the tumor. Radiation treatments are painless. The side effects are usually temporary, and most can be treated or controlled. Patients are likely to feel very tired, especially in the later weeks of treatment. Radiation therapy may also cause a decrease in the number of white blood cells, which help protect the body against infection. With external radiation, it is also common to have temporary hair loss in the treated area and for the skin to become red, dry, tender, and itchy.
   There is no risk of radiation exposure from coming in contact with a patient undergoing external radiation therapy. External radiation does not cause the body to become radioactive. With internal radiation (also called implant radiation), a patient may need to stay in the hospital, away from other people, while the radiation level is highest. Implants may be permanent or temporary. The amount of radiation in a permanent implant goes down to a safe level before the person leaves the hospital. With a temporary implant, there is no radioactivity left in the body after the implant is removed.
   Chemotherapy is the use of drugs that kill cancer cells throughout the body. Healthy cells can also be harmed, especially those that divide quickly. The doctor may use one drug or a combination of drugs. The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drug(s) and thedose(s) the patient receives. Hair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy; however, not all anticancer drugs cause loss of hair. Anticancer drugs may also cause temporary fatigue, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth and lip sores. Drugs that prevent or reduce nausea and vomiting can help with some of these side effects. Normal cells usually recover when chemotherapy is over, so most side effects gradually go away after treatment ends.
   Hormone therapy is used to treat certain cancers that depend on hormones for their growth. It works by keeping cancer cells from getting or using the hormones they need to grow. This treatment may include the use of drugs that stop the production of certain hormones or that change the way hormones work. Another type of hormone therapy is surgery to remove organs that make hormones. For example, the ovaries may be removed to treat breast cancer, or the testicles may be removed to treat prostate cancer.
   Hormone therapy can cause a number of side effects. Patients may feel tired, or have fluidretention, weight gain, hot flashes, nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite, and, in some cases, blood clots. Hormone therapy may also cause bone loss in premenopausal women. Depending on the type of hormone therapy used, these side effects may be temporary, long lasting, or permanent.
   Biological therapy uses the body's immune system, directly or indirectly, to fight disease and to lessen some of the side effects of cancer treatment. Monoclonal antibodies, interferon, interleukin-2, and colony-stimulating factors are some types of biological therapy.
   The side effects caused by biological therapy vary with the specific treatment. In general, these treatments tend to cause flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fever, muscle aches, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Patients also may bleed or bruise easily, get a skin rash, or have swelling. These problems can be severe, but they go away after the treatment stops.
6. Are clinical trials (research studies) available? Where can people get more information about clinical trials?
   Yes. Clinical trials are an important treatment option for many cancer patients. To develop new, more effective treatments, and better ways to use current treatments, the NCI is sponsoring clinical trials in many hospitals and cancer centers around the country. Clinical trials are a critical step in the development of new methods of treatment. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.
   People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the NCI's Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER and in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies, which is available at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. Further information about clinical trials is available at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the NCI's Web site. The Web site offers detailed information about specific ongoing treatment trials as well as trials focused on prevention, screening, and diagnosis by linking to PDQ®, the NCI's comprehensive cancer information database. The CIS also provides information from PDQ.
7. Does cancer always cause pain?
   Having cancer does not always mean having pain. Whether a patient has pain may depend on the type of cancer, the extent of the disease, and the patient's tolerance for pain. Most pain occurs when the cancer grows and presses against bones, organs, or nerves. Pain may also be a side effect of treatment. However, pain can generally be relieved or reduced with prescriptionmedicines or over-the-counter drugs recommended by the doctor. Other ways to reduce pain, such as relaxation exercises, may also be useful. Pain should not be accepted as an unavoidable part of having cancer. It is important for patients to talk about pain so steps can be taken to help relieve it. The fear of addiction or “losing control” should not stop patients from taking pain medication. Patients who take medications for cancer pain, as prescribed by their doctor, rarely become addicted to them. In addition, changing the dose or type of medication can usually help if the patient has troublesome side effects.
   
   

Riley Harmon

What It Is Without the Hand That Wields It

Mediated experiences of killing change our perception of authentic violence and death. As gamers die in a public video game server of a modified version of Counter-strike, a popular online first person shooter, the electronic solenoid valves dispense a small amount of fake blood. The trails left down the wall create a physical manifestation of virtual kills, bridging the two realities. The title is inspired by the Telefon Tel Aviv song of the same name.

Light of Life

Light of life usually disappear when people died. Unfortunatelly, I wish I could see Daddy's light of life.

The Light of Life from daihei shibata on Vimeo.

Sort of like spiritual effect

Special Visual Style

The Backwater Gospel from The Animation Workshop on Vimeo.

Technology

If someone just walk through a area, and there will be a lot of cells shining.

The making of a Light Session- Tron Premiere- ENESS from ENESS on Vimeo.

Interactive?

If I can have a sword to fight for enemy...