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What is Science Writing?
 It has to be said that Science Writing
should be distinguished from
scientific writing, like that done in lab
reports and research papers and
textbooks, writing directed towards an
audience of researchers or members
of a particular field.

 Science Writing is meant for a general
audience, accessible to all levels of
knowledge and understanding, for non-
experts and “non-scientists.”
 Science Writing is a co-constructive
conversation between writer and reader, a
means of telling a story and communicating
an interesting set of information, of
furthering investigations into the world
around us and into ourselves.

 Science Writing is an effort to make science,
something often seen as cold and analytical,
something enthusiastic and approachable.
Science is more than just beakers in a lab or
men in lab coats. Science is life and is
something worth appreciating for everyone.
Science Writing is storytelling, plain and
simple, and a means by which we can learn
and communicate.

The question answers itself:
journalism that focuses on
science and technology. At
its heart, science journalism
is largely about translation.

Why is it important?
 Because science is important. Science affects
our lives more each day, and the number
and complexity of scientific discoveries is
accelerating. This is where science writers
come in. They act as a sort of translator
between the scientific community and the
public at large by reporting on what is
important, clarifying what is unclear, asking
the right questions, and looking for the right
answers.

We strip away the jargon to
help readers understand the
cutting-edge science and
technology that affects their
lives.

Characteristics of a S & H Writer
 In order for a reader to understand what the writer
is trying to say, the writer has to understand the
reader, their aims and purposes and how they
understand things.
 The writer has to anticipate any struggles or gaps in
comprehension that the reader might have; they
have to properly introduce and communicate data
and information in a way that is digestible and
understandable for someone who may not have a
background in science.

 Connecting scientists with the public is one
of the biggest parts of a science writer’s job.
 Science journalists act as a sort of translator
between the scientific community and the
public at large by reporting on what is
important, clarifying what is unclear, asking
the right questions, and looking for the right
answers.

 the main qualities needed in a science
journalist are curiosity, a desire to learn,
and a strong work ethic. Writing about
science can be difficult, but it can also be
rewarding.
 He/she reports on stories that affect his/her
lives directly, such as stories on concussions
in youth sports, school lunches or the
epidemic of childhood obesity.

Science and Health Writing Covers:
Science News
Science Editorials
Science Feature
Science Column

Things to Remember in S&H Writing
 Take a reader’s view. Write for your audience.
 Specify facts. Support your writing with source
materials. DO NOT INVENT FACTS. Always
cite references (websites, authors, books,
research journals etc.)
 Examples:
“Jones(1985) found that…
Since fence lizards are not… (Ballinger and
Lynch, 1992) it is…

 Write as you speak. Reach your audience by
using simple words. CONNECT with your
READERS by using words they can easily
understand.
Remember: you write to convey
information, facts to promote awareness,
understanding and involvement.
Make it concrete. Use concrete words and strong
verbs, words must be precise and convey what
you mean.

 Make it short and to the point. Ideally,
it should be 8-10 paragraphs, 5
sentences each, minimum.
Avoid redundancies, repetitions and
over explanation.
“ A good S&H article is the one that is
read and cited.”

Examples of Science and Health Articles
How Dark Chocolate, Not Milk Chocolate, May Help Blood Flow
Researchers say the polyphenols in dark chocolate can help the body form more nitric oxide, a compound that causes blood
vessels to dilate and blood to flow more easily. Researchers say the polyphenols in dark chocolate can help the body form more nitric oxide, a
compound that causes blood vessels to dilate and blood to flow more easily.
The idea that eating cocoa-rich, dark chocolate may offer greater health benefits than milk chocolate is not new. Cocoa is
loaded with compounds called polyphenols that have been shown to help our bodies fend off inflammation and maybe even improve our
moods. And now a small study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association offers evidence of another possible benefit:
improving vascular health by increasing blood flow.
Researchers studied patients with peripheral artery disease, or PAD, which affects about 20 percent of adults older than 70 in
the U.S. and other Western countries. People who have PAD can have trouble walking and exercising since blood flow to their limbs becomes
impaired. Cramping can be a problem, too.
As part of the study, researchers gave half of the 20 participants 40 grams (about 1.5 ounces) of dark chocolate that had at
least 85 percent cocoa. The other half of the group received 40 grams of milk chocolate that had less than 30 percent cocoa. The aim was to
test whether the dark chocolate could improve those patients' ability to walk on their own on a treadmill.
"After eating the dark chocolate, [the participants] walked an average 11 percent farther," study author Lorenzo Loffredo of
Sapienza University of Rome tells The Salt in an email. And yes, he says they were surprised by the findings. He and his colleagues observed
improved blood flow among the participants who ate the dark chocolate. "Conversely, we did not observe effects on blood flow and on walking
autonomy in PAD patients after milk chocolate consumption."
So what explains the link between dark chocolate and improved walking? The researchers say the polyphenols in dark
chocolate can help reduce oxidative stress and help the body form more nitric oxide, a compound that causes blood vessels to dilate.
Interestingly, as I reported a few years back, there's another kind of intervention that leads to a similar effect: meditation.

That's right, slowing down and centering yourself, or being in the moment, as mindfulness meditation
teaches, has been shown to have the same nitric oxide-producing effect in the body.And this may be beneficial
for lots of people, not just those with PAD. When blood vessels open up, blood pressure tends to go down.
As hypertension expert Randy Zusman explained it when I reported on the meditation study, you can
think of it as a plumbing issue. "You're pushing the same amount of blood through a bigger pipe," he said.
"That's what nitric oxide ... does in response to relaxation." And, it seems, dark chocolate helps that process
along.
Now, back to the PAD study, which was funded by a grant from the Sapienza University of Rome. Do the
results suggest that chocolate could be used as treatment?
Not so fast. As physician Mark Creager of Brigham and Women's Hospital, who reviewed the study,
points out, "The overall effect [of the dark chocolate] was relatively modest."In an email, he pointed out to us
that the 11 percent increase in walking distance doesn't add up to much — only about 40 extra feet.
"To put this in context," says Creager, "with other forms of treatment, such as supervised exercise training,
maximal walking distance increases by approximately 100 percent."
Creager says the new study highlights the potential role of antioxidant treatment, but he says follow-up
studies, including a larger number of participants, would be needed to see if the findings hold up.

Can’t quit? Pray, says ex-prelate
By Philip C. Tubeza Philippine Daily Inquirer
Take it from someone who used to smoke 100 cigarettes a
day.
Retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz said
heavy smokers who find it hard to kick the habit should try
prayer to get over the addiction. Cruz, who said he used to
smoke five packs of cigarettes a day, said he resorted to
prayer to stop smoking, especially after he was about to
undergo a triple heart bypass operation.

“That was 20 or 25 years ago… that’s my reward (from smoking), a heart bypass,” Cruz said in an interview.
“I also prayed that I won’t return to my old habit and I have been successful ever since,” he said. Cruz said he thought
he could not quit smoking because he had started the habit while still in the seminary.
“I was smoking five packs of cigarettes a day. That’s about 100 cigarettes a day. My ashtrays had water in
them so I could put the cigarette butt out by itself instead of me putting it out,” Cruz said.
He said that whenever he left the country, “the first thing that went into my luggage was cigarettes.”
“Stop it. If you want to stop you can stop it. If I was able to stop it, others can also. If they cannot stop, it’s
because they lack determination,” Cruz said.
Emer Rojas, a member of the cancer survivors’ group New Vois Association of the Philippines, said he had
the same experience as Cruz except that he stopped when he already had throat cancer. “It was in 2002 when I got
operated on. I was cancer-free for a year but after 2003 the cancer recurred. I had to undergo chemotherapy every
month. From 150 pounds my weight fell to 90 pounds,” Rojas said.
He said his group supported bills in Congress that seek to raise the “sin taxes” on cigarettes to discourage people from
taking up the habit. “Some of our newer members are very young and yet they suffer from cancer not because they are
smokers but because of inhaling smoke from their environment. When people smoke, they endanger not only their own
health but also those of the people around them,” Rojas said.

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