Kevin Dalby

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KEVIN DALBY SHARES 5 TIPS ON HOW TO WAKE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING (AND LOVE IT)

Originally published on myzeo.com

Some people have more trouble than others waking up and being productive early in the morning, even if they desire to do so. Some are more productive later than they are earlier.

Dr. Kevin Dalby says there are ways that most night owls can learn to wake up earlier in the morning and be more productive. Here are five ways you can wake up earlier and love doing it.

Tip #1. Prepare for the Morning

One of the things people dread about mornings is all the prep work involved. After you roll out of bed, the last thing you might want to do is prepare a healthy breakfast. Instead, you turn to what’s quick and easy, and that starts you off on the wrong foot.

You can start loving waking up early by preparing breakfast the night before. You can prepare a breakfast smoothie by putting all the ingredients in a container and then simply blending it when you wake up. Overnight oats are also a simple, healthy, and delicious way to start your morning off right.

Tip #2. Set a Sleep Alarm

Most people set a morning alarm to wake up on time, but not many people put an alarm to sleep at night. Setting a go-to-sleep alarm forces you to stop what you’re doing and prepare for bed — just as a morning alarm forces you to wake up and start your day.

A nighttime alarm will ensure that you’re getting sufficient rest and not staying up too late to watch just one more episode of the new show you’re binge-watching.

Tip #3. Do Something You Love

You may not love waking up early because you don’t like what you have to do in the morning. You don’t like working out. You don’t like preparing a healthy breakfast. You don’t like getting ready to go to work.

You can flip the script on the morning outlook by setting aside time each morning to do something you love. This can be as simple as having a cup of coffee while you read the news, checking social media, or watching a show.

By scheduling this time in the morning for something you enjoy doing, you’re more likely to love waking up early.

Tip #4. Write Down the Whys

Why do you want to wake up earlier in the first place? It may be to get time to yourself, work out before the workday starts, or eat healthier.

It’s easy to remember your “why” in the short term but also easy to forget it in the long term. By writing down your motivation for waking up early, you’ll be keeping yourself on track each and every day.

Tip #5. Do It Incrementally

Any change will be difficult at first, especially if you try to institute monumental changes overnight — no pun intended. Kevin Dalby suggests making incremental changes to your night and morning routines, so waking up early can be a realistic proposition for the long term.

Start by setting your alarm 30 minutes earlier than usual. Then, once you’re comfortable with that new time, go 30 minutes earlier and so forth until you reach your ultimate goal.

Before you know it, you’ll be waking up earlier in the morning and loving every minute of it.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is chemical biology and medicinal chemistry professor who is currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he examines the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments and teach and motivate students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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UT Austin Professor Kevin Dalby Answers: What Are “Faulty Genes” Anyway?

Originally published on freeyork.org

Inheriting a faulty version or a “variant” of specific genes can significantly increase your risk of developing certain cancers. As a cancer researcher at UT Austin, Kevin Dalby explains that these types of genes can’t repair damaged cells.

The damaged or “bad” cells can build up and eventually form a tumor in your body. But, what are faulty genes?

Kevin Dalby explains what they are and how CRISPR technology can potentially fix them.

How Genes Can Cause Cancer

Just about every cell in a human body includes a control center known as the nucleus. Inside each of those are 23 chromosome pairs in which genes are located. The genes have coded messages telling cells how they should behave.

Each of us has roughly 25,000 genes in our body controlling how we develop and grow. Over our lifetimes, things can go wrong in our genes, which allows cancers to develop. These changes in genes are referred to as mutations or faults.

Faulty genes are the cause of most types of cancers. Typically speaking, they occur as people age. Defective genes can develop randomly as cells divide due to exposure to carcinogens such as sunlight or cigarette smoke.

These faulty genes develop over a person’s lifetime, and luck won’t be passed onto offspring.

Some Faulty Genes are Inherited

That being said, some faulty genes can be passed on from one generation to the next. These inherited defective genes can increase one’s risk of developing certain cancers.

The faulty genes, in this case, are in the genes that are present in either the woman’s egg or the man’s sperm cell when conception occurs. They are then copied into all cells in the offspring’s body and passed on continuously from one generation to the next.

Just because you inherit faulty genes doesn’t mean you will develop cancer. It just puts you at increased risk of creating certain types of cancer. Luckily, only about 5% to 10% of all diagnosed cancers can be linked to faulty genes that are inherited.

How CRISPR Can Help

CRISPR is a technology that was first unveiled back in 2012. Before its discovery and creation, editing genes in animals and plants was possible but cost excessive money and took years to occur.

CRISPR technology makes editing genes much quicker and less expensive. It works by finding a specific piece of a cell’s DNA and altering it. As Dr. Kevin Dalby, UT Austin professor, explains, CRISPR can also be used to turn off particular genes without changing the sequence in any way.

Technology has the immense potential to transform medicine completely. CRISPR could help treat certain diseases such as cancer and completely prevent them as it relates to faulty genes.

By identifying faulty genes and altering them before they can cause a problem, CRISPR could help prevent cancers before they ever develop – no matter whether the defective gene developed over a lifetime or was inherited at conception.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is chemical biology and medicinal chemistry professor who is currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he examines the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments and teach and motivate students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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Kevin Dalby, UT Austin Professor, Examines How Gratitude Can Transform Your Life

Originally published on psychreg.org

Gratitude thoughts do not have to happen only once a year when cooking the Thanksgiving turkey. The idea of gratitude comes heavily to mind during holidays, but it should be something that people think about daily. Here, UT Austin professor Kevin Dalby shares his thoughts on the benefits of practicing gratitude regularly.

Kevin Dalby, UT Austin professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry at the College of Pharmacy, currently works as a researcher in cancer drug discovery. He is a co-director of the Texas Screening Alliance for Cancer Therapeutics and the principal investigator on a $2.3 million CPRIT grant that gives Texas scientists access to drug discovery research resources. Dalby often reflects on his time as a student at the University of Cambridge, where his career interests first blossomed. He is grateful for the opportunity to be on the frontlines of making the world a more cancer-free place. Dr Dalby shares his favourite benefits of gratitude.

Better health

Thinking about what we are grateful for might seem simple, but this practice’s effects are powerful. Regular moments of gratitude can boost mental and physical health as studies have uniquely linked gratitude to life satisfaction. According to a study found in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, being more grateful improves a goodnight’s sleep. Getting good rest will enhance overall wellness and leave behind tired days. Focusing more on mental health, multiple studies, like one published in the Clinical Psychology Review in 2010, have shown gratitude having a direct connection to lowering depression levels and suicidal thoughts. Physically, thoughts of gratitude can lower blood pressure, boost immunity, cut pain or aches, and even lead to a healthier heart.

Increased happiness

Many people can relate to resenting a job, getting burnt out, or feeling stuck in life. Thoughts of gratitude can be the solution in moments that need a spark of happiness. Harvard Medical School published a study that proved that being grateful makes people feel happier. Having a gratitude mindset can also make mundane routines or daily living more exciting as it produces more energy to work on specific goals. Finding little things to be thankful about through all of life’s moments will fuel enthusiasm, energy, alertness, attentiveness, and determination.

Enhanced prosperity

It is not possible to be fearful and grateful at the same time. Gratitude cancels out fear, which allows people to make better decisions. Living a life without fear means more moments of joy, more opportunities taken, less stress, and overall a better approach to life. Such a mindset that allows one to move forward rather than harp on the things that cannot be controlled will enhance prosperity. Moments of “I can’t” will turn into “I can,” and life’s doors and windows will open. Gratitude also brings peace of mind. Piece of mind helps avoid a world of pain, and that mixed with lack of fear will make any human unstoppable to live their best life.

About Kevin Dalby

Kevin Dalby, UT Austin professor at the College of Pharmacy, teaches chemical biology and medicinal chemistry. Dr. Dalby is a big advocate of cancer research as he currently works on cancer drug discovery. When he was a student at the University of Cambridge, Dalby was always interested in the “why” of chemical reactions, which lead to his passion and appreciation for what he currently does with cancer research. During his time off, Dr. Dalby enjoys photography and spending time in the Texas countryside with his dogs.

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UT Austin Professor Kevin Dalby Discusses the Role of Technology in Cancer Research And Treatment

This article was originally published on The USB Port.

Technology changes and enhances our lives in many ways. It also enables more constructive cancer research in a variety of unexpected ways. In this article, UT Austin professor Kevin Dalby shares his thoughts about personalized vaccines, cell therapy, new analytical and gene editing technologies, and microbiome treatments that are getting us closer to a future where cancer is a curable disease.

Personalized vaccines

A recent clinical study's results indicate that a personalized vaccine, combined with an immunotherapy drug, had an encouraging response in patients with advanced incurable head and neck cancer.

Oncologists at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson — in partnership with the pharmaceutical company Moderna — led a phase one clinical trial to test the use of personalized vaccines created from tumor DNA with the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab.

Of the ten patients involved in the study, 30% of cancer mass decreased for five. Furthermore, cancer could no longer be detected for two of the patients. 

Cell therapy

Cell therapy, or cytotherapy, is a treatment in which viable cells are implanted into a patient to cause a therapeutic effect. For example, transplanting T-cells capable of fighting cancer cells in the course of immunotherapy can regenerate diseased tissues.

In recent decades stem cell and cell transplantation have gained significant interest by scientists as a potential new therapeutic approach for a wide range of diseases, particularly for degenerative and immunogenic pathologies.

Analytical technologies

Some new imaging tools can take non-invasive images using bioluminescence. Others only required a small sample from the patient, but even so, these tools allow researchers to visually inspect patients.

Gene expression and gene editing tools such as PCR and CRISPR help researchers understand cancerous cells’ genetic codes. These devices can also be used to reprogram a cell's function by modifying its genetic code. 

Recent innovations in flow cytometers have made it possible to employ these tools to profile several cells in a single assay of whole blood. Flow cytometers can be used to evaluate therapies and cancer vaccines. 

Microbiome

Research teams from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the University of Chicago have conducted experiments demonstrating the possibility of manipulating the microbiome to affect treatment responses. In a series of experiments, researchers transplanted gut microbes from metastatic melanoma patients — some of whom responded well to checkpoint inhibitors and some patients who did not — into mice. 

Two weeks later, the researchers introduced cancer cells along with checkpoint inhibitors to the mice every three days for another two weeks. The drugs worked to decrease tumors in the mice that received human bacteria from successfully treated patients. The drugs were not effective in mice that got bacteria from the humans who did not respond well to treatment.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby, UT Austin,  is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he examines the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments and teach and motivate students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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Kevin Dalby Suggests That Apart from COVID-19, mRNA Technology Could Fight Numerous Diseases

Originally published on kevsbest.com

The COVID 19 pandemic was harmful in every respect except, perhaps, one: it accelerated the development of highly effective anti-viral vaccines based on mRNA technology. Here, UT-Austin medicinal chemistry professor Kevin Dalby discusses potential benefits from recent mRNA research in the fight against a wide range of other diseases.

RNA is an acronym for a complex organic substance present in living cells, namely ribonucleic acid. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a genetic material that contains instructions for making proteins. Proteins carry out nearly every function in the human body. In the protein synthesis process, mRNA carries genetic information to the cell, instructing its protein-producing mechanisms.

Over the past twenty years, scientists have been increasingly interested in RNA-based technologies to develop preventative and curative vaccines. Clinical trials have indicated that mRNA vaccines provide a safe and long-lasting immune response. There are remarkable advantages associated with mRNA vaccines. Some of these advantages include a low cost, fewer and less severe side effects, and a high efficacy rate. These factors contribute to the prevalence of mRNA vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical trials against various infectious diseases and cancers.

In the case of COVID-19, the mRNA enters a human cell and gives instructions to produce the “spike” proteins — the sharp bumps that protrude from the surface of the coronavirus. The body recognizes the spike protein as an invader, so it produces antibodies to protect against it. These antibodies are then ready to destroy the actual virus should it be encountered.

Vaccines used to combat measles-mumps-rubella contain attenuated, or weakened, forms of an organism that causes a disease. They are called live attenuated vaccines. The weakened organism acts as an antigen and stimulates the body to create antibodies to respond to the organism.

Unlike live attenuated vaccines, mRNA vaccines effectively instruct the body to build a protein that imitates the dangerous virus. The vaccine induces a strong neutralizing antibody response creating protection from viral replication. mRNA vaccines do not contain the offending organism itself.

Vaccination is the most successful approach to disease prevention and control medical science has to offer. Future vaccines hold the potential to be used against cancer as well as against infectious diseases. Due to the dramatic results of RNA-based vaccine studies, many mRNA vaccines have entered clinical trials. mRNA vaccines can now be synthetically produced through a cell-free enzymatic transcription reaction and might prove much safer than other vaccines. They are considered a promising vaccine platform for many diseases.

Currently, nearly all vaccines need to be transported and stored in an uninterrupted cold-chain process. In many poor rural areas of tropical countries, this can be problematic. Because this temperature-controlled requirement inhibits the widespread distribution of vaccines in some areas, interest in the development of thermostable vaccines is gaining momentum. Synthetic mRNA has shown great promise in the area of thermostable vaccines. This could lead to groundbreaking advances in the vaccination of populations in some parts of the world.

About Kevin Dalby

Kevin Dalby is a UT-Austin medicinal chemistry professor. He is researching the mechanisms of cancer cell signaling to develop targeted therapeutics. Dr. Dalby’s efforts were recognized by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and the National Institutes of Health, granting him nearly $5 million to support his research.

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UT-Austin professor Kevin Dalby explains action research in education

Originally published on dailyscanner.com

Action research is one of the key buzzwords in 21st-century education. Action research borrows techniques from traditional quantitative and qualitative research methods to create a new research type motivated by concern for the education system. Whether quantitative, qualitative, or both methods are used, action research is conducted by people with ties to the education system to improve it systematically. Here, UT-Austin professor Kevin Dalby details action research in education.

Educational action research can analyze either the patterns and averages of quantitative data or the insights gathered from qualitative concepts, opinions, and experiences. It is not the source or the type of data being analyzed; instead, it is the intended purpose and resulting benefit of the inquiry. Action research is a process of examination that is conducted by and for those performing the analysis. The primary purpose for engaging in action research is to assist the “actor” in improving and refining their actions.

Action research is empowering and inherently relevant. It is empowering because it helps educators be more effective at teaching and developing their students. Relevance is ensured because each research project’s focus is defined by the researchers, who are also the conclusions’ principal consumers.

An MIT professor, Kurt Lewin, is credited with coining the term “action research” in 1944. Still, this interactive inquiry process that balances problem-solving actions with data-driven analysis did not enjoy appreciable popularity until the last decade. It can be engaged in by a single instructor, by a group of co-workers who share an interest in a common issue, or the entire teaching staff.

Five-step process

Action research involves a five-step process. These five iterative steps are as follows:

Identification of problem area – To be effective, the participants should focus on a central problem to help them be more successful in the classroom.

Collection and organization of data – To ensure accurate results, teachers should use multiple independent data sources.

Interpretation of data – In this step of the process, teachers methodically sort, sift, rank, and examine their data to identify the trends and patterns.

Action, based on data – Creating an action plan, or incorporating the data results into an already existing action planning process, will allow the teacher to introduce structure around the changes they decide to implement. By altering only one variable at a time, they will identify which changes are responsible for an outcome, positive or negative, and refine their plan from there.

Reflection – The action research cycle is created by identifying a focus for new research during the reflection step and thus beginning again.

Educational action research can be a rewarding pursuit for teachers and administrators for several reasons. Among these is the desire to know more and to improve in their craft. After all, good teachers are themselves students and should always look for ways to expand their existing knowledge and skills.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a UT-Austin medicinal chemistry professor. He is researching the mechanisms of cancer cell signaling to develop targeted therapeutics. Dr. Dalby’s efforts were recognized by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and the National Institutes of Health, granting him nearly $5 million to support his research.

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Dr. Kevin Dalby Reviews The Creative Process: an Infrastructure for Learning

Originally published on patch.com

The infrastructure of education continues to undergo stress and change. To meet new challenges, educators and administrators must approach their roles within the changing structure with as much creativity as is routinely expected of students. In this article, Kevin Dalby, professor at the University of Texas in Austin, explains the creative process as an infrastructure of learning.

The coronavirus has upended nearly every aspect of life for students, teachers, and administrators. Uncertainty reigns as some schools open to students, others remain closed, and still, others employ a hybrid approach to in-person teaching. Now, more than ever before, faculty, staff, and students must learn to utilize the process of creative thinking to their role in the learning process.

British psychologist Graham Wallis outlined the creative process in his book "The Art of Thought" in the 1920s. His four-stage model of the creative process has withstood the test of time and remains popular today.

Stage 1: Preparation A worldwide pandemic provides little time to prepare for the changes that will be immediately required. Student safety and containment of the virus must be the priority considerations. But, nearly a year into the current health crisis, educators have had time to define and understand the challenges they will encounter moving forward, at least as far as we can estimate what the future will look like. The creative process at this stage includes gathering information, identifying sources of inspiration, and acquiring knowledge about the problem.

Stage 2: Incubation While it is true that the overwhelming challenges facing education today were thrust upon us unexpectedly, the incubation period for creative solutions is ongoing. In this stage, diverse ideas seemingly unrelated to the current problem can start to find application in unexpected ways. While educators focus on the immediate tasks associated with providing the best education they can, given the current circumstances, new and creative ideas are percolating in their minds.

Stage 3: Illumination As new and creative ideas simmer in the minds of visionary educators, they will inevitably erupt in exciting epiphanies. The most rewarding part of creative thinking, these "aha moments" bring clarity to what was just a clue that a solution existed. As illumination occurs, a vision of the new infrastructure needed for learning will emerge. At first, it was what we were already familiar with, like applying traditional teaching methods in virtual classrooms. Using the powers of creativity, we will need to rise above this temporary stopgap measure and find new ways of delivering meaningful content to learners regardless of their location.

Stage 4: Verification Like any discovery, there will inevitably be failures and missteps. Creative educators must be willing to use critical thinking skills to evaluate new education solutions, measure their results, and work to allow them to be refined.

Rarely does the creative process play out in an orderly fashion. It should be expected that competing ideas will conflict with each other. Creativity can be a messy process, but only by thinking creatively will we find the best solutions to enable education to meet our current needs while preparing us to meet future challenges. This pandemic will end, but rather than revert to struggling with the pre-pandemic difficulties of education, let's think creatively and position education to emerge more effective and resilient.

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Dr. Kevin Dalby Discusses How to Prepare for Exams Effectively

Originally published on thedailyhaze.com

Many excellent students struggle with exams – for a good reason. The skills needed to do well on an exam are significantly different from the skills required to learn the material. Here, professor Kevin Dalby lays out three essential tips for exam preparation in an exact, easy-to-follow way.

It is important to note that none of these top tips for exam preparation have anything to do with studying. Yes, you have to learn the information, but knowing the material is not the key to getting high grades on the test for many test-takers. It is often more about your mental and physical condition when you sit down to take the exam than the amount of studying you have done.

Eat a Nutritious Breakfast

Research has found that learners who miss breakfast experience a 20% to 40% reduction in cognition ability. Without adequate food to fuel your brain, your ability to concentrate will falter, and your memory will fail you. A well-balanced meal will make you feel full longer, stabilize your mood, and give you an abundance of energy for the day.

Hydrate

The adult human body is comprised of around 60% water. The cells in the body, including your brain cells, depend on water to carry out their essential functions. Therefore, if water levels are too low, your brain cells cannot function properly, leading to cognitive problems and low test scores.

Exercise

Studies have shown that moderate-intensity exercise is directly related to increased performance in working memory and cognitive ability. High-intensity exercise increases the speed of information processing. To ensure you don’t sit for an exam with sore muscles, make exercise a regular part of your academic experience.

Bonus Tip

As a bonus, here is a tip that has to do with taking, not preparing, for an exam. Focus on what you know. If you become overly concerned with what you don’t understand during an exam, you will likely miss questions that should have been simple for you to get correct.

The first time you go through the questions, only answer one that you know the correct answer. After that, go through the remaining questions, thinking through all of the items you are unsure about.

Don’t stress too much about your exams. Stress will hurt your score more than a lack of knowledge. Eat a good breakfast, drink plenty of water, be in good physical shape, and then sit down with confidence.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy, Department of Oncology at The University of Texas in Austin. He is researching the mechanisms of cancer cell signaling to develop targeted therapeutics. Dr. Dalby’s efforts were recognized by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and the National Institutes of Health, granting him nearly $5 million to support his research.

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Kevin Dalby, Austin Professor, Reveals Seven Ways to Stop Procrastinating

Originally published on entrepreneursbreak.com

Everyone procrastinates sometimes. It is just part of being human, in a way. We all have things we put off until the last minute and sometimes let ourselves slip too far, causing stress. Chemical biology and medicinal chemistry professor Kevin Dalby, discusses seven ways to stop procrastinating.

1. Make a List

One of the easiest ways to make sure you get everything completed is to create a physical list. It does not matter whether you write it down or type it into your phone notes, having a physical reminder of what you need to get done is a great tool to help you create a course of events and begin tackling your goals.

2. Use The List

After making a list, use it! Make a plan from the things you wrote down to tackle everything in the most efficient way possible. This will allow you to flow through the tasks confidently and comfortably without wasting time stalling or getting hung up for too long.

3. Understand What Motivates You

Understanding what motivates you can make a massive difference in your ability to complete tasks. Some people are motivated by rewards or the satisfaction of having no backlog of pending activities. Others work best under pressure when there is a strict deadline. Regardless of what tasks need to be completed, you have to ensure that they align with your values (intrinsic motivation) or your goals (extrinsic motivation); otherwise, you won’t be excited to complete them.

4. Communicate

If you are struggling to finish a task that involves collaboration with others, make sure that you communicate with them. Not only will this help them to stay on track and create a realistic timeline, but having an accountability partner will work in your favor to motivate you to get things done faster and more efficiently.

5. Break Larger Tasks Down

Sometimes, the reason why we procrastinate is that we are feeling overwhelmed. If you are given a task that seems impossible, it helps break it down into smaller sub-tasks and begin working on them one by one. These bite-sized pieces are easier to handle and will make the path to task completion much more comfortable than if you just dove in without a plan.

6. Stop Being a Perfectionist

Perfectionism and fear of failure are also common roadblocks when it comes to completing tasks. It is easy to get stuck in your head, replaying scenarios of what could go wrong, but remember that done is always better than perfect, unfinished work. You can still make adjustments, learn, and get better at what you do.

7. Consider How Free You Will Feel

Having a lot of unfinished work can make you feel like you weight the world on your shoulders—many people who procrastinate experience perpetuation anxiety and stress that can be paralyzing. So instead, focus on how great you will feel once you get through the more considerable backlog looming over you!

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a chemical biology professor and medicinal chemistry professor currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he examines the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments and teach and motivate students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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Kevin Dalby Discusses How Long Working Hours Harm Health, Productivity, and Society

Originally published on influencive.com

On the contrary, extensive research suggests that a tired employee is drastically less effective than a well-rested one.

Kevin Dalby, Austin chemical biology and medicinal chemistry professor, witnesses the adverse effects of long working hours on students and employees on a college campus. Not only do overworked individuals have decreased productivity, but their health and surrounding community become impacted, as well. Dr. Dalby goes into further detail regarding this controversy below.

Impact on Health

The physical and mental health of an individual can be significantly impacted when not receiving a break, but rather more work. In regards to physical health, long hours can be draining on the body, and it is not suitable for the eyes to stare endlessly at a computer screen. Researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center have compared long hours of work’s toll on the body to smoking through their study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Through their discovery, they found the shocking result that sitting for long periods is akin to smoking. An adult who sits and works for longer than thirteen hours a day is twice as likely to live a shorter life span than an adult who is inactive every day for eleven and a half hours.

Heart problems have also been found as a result of continuously working extensive hours. According to a study performed by researchers at University College London and published in the European Heart Journal, employees who put in regular overtime have an increased risk of heart issues. These heart issues are seen to develop at a forty percent higher rate over a ten-year time span for individuals who work fifty-five hours or more a week. These workers are more likely to suffer atrial fibrillation.

Impact on Productivity

Mental health can have a massive impact on the level of productivity a worker produces. Those employees who lack a fixed work schedule are more prone to experiencing adverse effects on their cognitive abilities, according to a study published in Neurobiology of Aging. A work schedule that varies and results in long hours can lead to poor memory, difficulties in conquering learning curves, and impediments on daily decision making.

Lack of sleep plays a massive role in the harmful effects of working long hours. The average recommended length of sleep per night is around seven hours. This has decreased since 1910, when an average of nine hours of sleep was considered normal. An individual who does not get enough sleep regularly is more at risk for cardiovascular issues and stroke.

Impact on Society

Modern life is associated with rising mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. A contribution is consistently working long hours. The more stress workers put themselves under while laboring long days combined with not sleeping at night, the higher their chances of depression and anxiety. This chain of events results in greater possibilities for decreased productivity, poor performance, lower employee motivation, and an overall increase in health issues.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he is examining the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments, and teaching and motivating students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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Kevin Dalby, UT Austin Professor, Explains 5 Warning Signs of a Weakened Immune System

Originally published on pinoria.com

During a time when pandemic fears run high, a healthy immune system is essential to fight off unwanted illness. A body experiencing a weak immune system is vulnerable to bacteria, infection, viruses, and diseases. Immune systems lacking necessary strength can make coughs, common bugs, colds, and more severe illnesses challenging to overcome.

Kevin Dalby, Austin doctor and professor at the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas does extensive research on cancer drug discovery and immune systems. Below, Dalby reviews five warning signs of a weakened immune system.

Warning Sign #1: Constant Fatigue

Constant fatigue is experienced when someone wakes up extremely tired and continues to feel exhausted throughout the day. Small tasks that might seem minuscule for some can be mountainous for those with continuous fatigue. When dealing with all day exhaustion, more sleep is not the answer. While there are many reasons for tiredness, a weak immune system could be the cause. If the immune system is stuck in overdrive, the body is working harder than it should fight off unwanted factors, which results in ongoing and unshakable weariness.

Warning Sign #2: Battling Regular Infections

From continuous indigestion or diarrhea, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections to red and inflamed gums and scabs that are slow to heal, a line of infections is never fun to undergo. An overworked immune system that diminishes in strength could be battling regular infections. When someone is continually dealing with ongoing infections, that means that their immune system cannot fully reach its working capacity. An infection now and then is typical, but a continuous stream is a warning sign for a feeble immune system.

Warning Sign #3: Allergies

Holding a cat, dusting, or the yearly fall of pollen is known to turn watery eyes and runny noses into leaky faucets. Seasonal allergies are common, but new and unfamiliar acquired allergies can raise a red flag. A compromised immune system can result in round-the-clock watery eyes, skin rashes, stomach issues, joint pain, or poor reactions to food.

Warning Sign #4: Coldness, Tingling, or Numbness in Hands

Feelings of coldness, tingling, or numbness in the hands can result from multiple factors, including a jeopardized immune system. A lack of blood flow from inflamed blood vessels consequences in cold hands, making warmth more challenging to achieve. Tingling or numbness in the hands and even feet could be harmless, but it also could be a warning sign from the body that it is attacking nerves that send signs to the muscles.

Warning Sign #5: Endless Illness

If the rare illness causes misery, imagine fighting regularly for excellent and sustainable health. For those who find themselves always sick, with either different types of viruses or the same reoccurring bug, it could be a reaction from a frail immune system. The body’s immune system is in daily war with occupying viruses, diseases, or bacteria. Things to be on the alert for is returning colds, flu, mouth ulcers, or bladder infections.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he is examining the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments, and teaching and motivating students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments.

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Kevin Dalby, Austin Professor, Shares 4 Super Ways to Keep Energy Levels High at Work

Originally published on personal-development.com

When it comes to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, efforts toward self-care is crucial. Properly taking care of yourself feeds over into excellent energy levels and a sharp mind all day long in and outside of the workplace.

Kevin Dalby, Austin local cancer research doctor, and professor at the University of Texas, spends long days on campus during research periods and school sessions. Defeating fatigue through healthy habits is how Dalby takes on his extended workdays, and he reveals four ways to stay full of energy during the day.

Way #1: Sleep

When trying to increase energy levels during the workday, start by taking a more in-depth look at your sleeping habits. Multiple studies show the impact sleep has on your performance ability. Some scientists say to take advantage of naps during the day to increase vitality, while others suggest restricting rest time. The National Sleep Foundation suggests a twenty to thirty-minute nap during the day can help limit regular sleep interruption while boosting energy. However, Harvard health specialists recommend trying to get less sleep if you are feeling a lack of rest. Using your bed for sleep only and excluding other tempting activities such as watching television helps open the door to deeper sleep.

Way #2: Eat Better

What you put into your body, your body will give back to you. When choosing food, consider leaning towards options that fuel your body to exert more energy. Healthy meals with a low glycemic index such as nuts, healthy oils, vegetables with high-fiber, and whole grains are great options. These foods have sugars that the body will absorb over a more extended period. Rather than sitting down three times a day to consume a meal, give your brain a steady stream of nutrition and consider filling yourself every couple of hours with small meals and snacks. Also, take in more water, less alcohol, and do not be afraid of a little caffeine.

Way #3: Exercise

Why exercise if it makes you feel more tired? Completing a workout might follow with a need to lie on the floor, but establishing a physical fitness routine will dramatically increase energy levels over time. The more you exercise, the more energy your cells can burn and circulate oxygen, and higher stamina and motivation will shortly follow and continue to escalate. Plus, working your body a little harder during the day will guarantee a better night’s sleep. Try working out in the daylight for a double dose of good for your body, too. Natural light will help avoid fatigue and depression during slower days.

Way #4: Plan

If you find yourself exhausted for multiple days at a time while working, that might be a sign that you are overworked. Too much work on your plate to handle while trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance can throw off your whole body. Try planning your day around your priorities and leave the less important tasks at the bottom of your list.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, currently working on cancer drug discovery. At the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas, he is examining the mechanisms of nature and cancer to develop new treatments, and teaching and motivating students to conduct research. Dalby is optimistic about the future of cancer treatments. When he is not working, Kevin Dalby enjoys photography and spending time in the Texas countryside with his dogs.

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Kevin Dalby, Professor at The University of Texas in Austin, Describes the Life of a Scientist and His Cancer Treatment Research

Originally published on medium.com

Dr. Kevin Dalby, you are a Professor of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry in the College of Pharmacy. Why did you decide to pursue your career?

I didn’t like high school very much, but I took to chemistry. It was the first thing I studied that I could use to make any sense of the world around me. I enjoyed reading literature, but the books we read at school were generally set in the past and didn’t seem relevant to me at the time. I would probably have a different perspective on that now, of course, because I am a little bit wiser than I was then.

I studied chemistry at the University of Leeds in England and was planning to try and do a Ph.D. in Australia. I met a career officer who told me to apply to Cambridge, which I had not considered before because it seemed a bit elitist. Anyhow, I found myself there studying for my Ph.D. and fell in love with the world of academic research. Things just progressed from there.

It’s wonderful that you love what you do. What does your typical day at work look like?

My day starts around 7–8. I dedicate the mornings to meetings and administrative duties. I keep the afternoons and evenings free to work on grant applications, manuscripts, and lectures.

What was your biggest professional breakthrough?

It was getting a job! When I started in graduate school, I realized that I wanted to continue in science and have my research laboratory. Back then, to get a job as a lecturer in a university in England, one had to work in the US for a while. Ultimately, I decided I wanted to stay in the US and work. I will never forget how lucky I felt getting a job over here.

And they are lucky to have you, Dr. Kevin Dalby. Tell us more about what your current research is focused on.

We are working to develop new drugs to treat a range of cancers, and we are trying to develop new diagnostic approaches to identify malignant tissue and to quantify changes within the tissue that could provide valuable information on what therapies to use.

What are some of the discoveries you would like to share?

We have discovered many things over the years, but I always consider our most recent discoveries our biggest. Last year we published a paper in Nature Communications describing a new way to potentially design drugs against an important therapeutic target in cancer cells called ERK. It is a protein kinase that transmits signals that helps cells to divide, and so it is used by cancer cells in nefarious ways. More recently, we identified a new way to measure how active it is in tumors, and a couple of years ago, we published a paper describing how it binds to a protein called Ets-1 to switch it on.

What would be an ideal outcome of the research?

I have a dream that one day we will be able to take a biopsy from an individual and very quickly determine what is wrong with them and how to treat them effectively.

Dr. Dalby, what does it take to become successful in your field?

Luck and perseverance.

This is a great answer. We are guessing that over the course of your successful career as a scientist, you’ve met many inspiring individuals. Who has had the most impact on you professionally?

As scientists, we don’t work in a vacuum. There are countless other scientists in the world disseminating their results for us to digest. There are journals that allow us to publish our work. There are also great companies that develop equipment and reagents. These products will enable us to design experiments we could not have dreamed of trying just ten years ago. There is also the public who ultimately are the ones that pay for most of the work we do either through taxes or donations to foundations. Beyond this, I have been lucky to work with and be taught by some of the best scientists in the world.

About Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy, Department of Oncology at The University of Texas in Austin. He the director of the Targeted Therapeutics Program (TTP). This program provides Texas scientists access to resources for drug discovery research. By understanding cancer cell signaling, Dr. Dalby works to make advances in the development of targeted pharmaceuticals for different cancers.

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Professor Kevin Dalby Speaks on Viruses: They’re Not All Bad

Originally published on floridaindependent.com

The negative media that surrounds such an unpredictable pandemic will make anyone who watches concerned about the coronavirus. For some, it will even create a stereotyped fear against all viruses. Fortunately, not all viruses deserve a terrible report. Specific viruses have excellent reputations and benefit humans, plants, and even the journey to finding cures for cancer.

Dr. Kevin Dalby, Austin local professor at The University of Texas, is currently working on cancer drug discovery and has seen beneficial viruses in the mix. Dalby is co-director of the Texas Screening Alliance for Cancer Therapeutics, and the principal investigator on a $2.3 million CPRIT grant that gives Texas scientists access to resources for drug discovery research. The doctor says that it is vital to not categorize all viruses as dangerous, for there are those out there that serve functional well-being purposes. Below, Dalby dives deeper into what viruses should receive a positive light.

Viruses that are Good for Humans & Animals

Certain viruses are common in the mammal world, often our gastrointestinal tracts are full of them. For example, Bacteriophages inhabit the human gut and mucus. These are viruses that contaminate bacteria. Frederick Twort made their discovery over a hundred years ago. In today’s world, bacteriophages are even used as a therapeutic tool to assist in managing bacterial infections.

Many humans are often infected with the gamma-herpes viruses. Like bacteriophages these viruses can provide protection from bacterial pathogens.

Latent herpes viruses harmonize with the immune system and are naturals at cell killing. These viruses can even take out mammalian tumor cells as well as cells overpowered with pathogenic microorganisms.

In the animal kingdom, a mouse’s immune system and intestines successfully develop with the help of a virus called murine (mouse infecting) norovirus. This virus acts as a nurse aid, helping to restore function and morphology when needed.

Viruses that are Good for Plants

Plants are very thankful for viruses. Some even rely on a virus’ infection for survival. These specific plants reside in Yellow Stone National Park growing among the few that survive the high-temperature earth around the geysers. The soil in this area rises to a burning 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Plants, like species of tropical panicgrass, rely on a virus-infected fungus for survival from the heat. It is actually a necessary symbiosis where a fungus populates the grass, and a virus contaminates the fungus.

Viruses that are Good for Cancer Treatment

Viruses are on the frontier of pioneering cancer treatments. There is a group of reasonably common and very contagious viruses to take note of called adenoviruses. You might be familiar with some of its members, that cause bronchitis, pneumonia, and meningitis. This family contains one particular virus strain, type 52 (HAdV-52), that is used in innovative cancer treatments to deliver viruses to patients containing specific genes to defeat cancer. The type 52 strain binds to the same carbohydrates found in cancer cells, opening a lot of hopeful avenues for the future of virus-based cancer therapy.

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Kevin Dalby: Exclusive Interview with Seniorlevel

Originally published on seniorlevel.com

Who Are You, And What Do You Do?

My name is Kevin Dalby, and I am a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. I currently run an active research group in the field of chemical biology. Work in my laboratory converges on mechanisms in cancer where we discover new cell signaling processes and develop new molecular tools to aid our understanding. Our studies have elucidated new mechanisms by which cancer cells send communications, and identified molecules with novel mechanisms of action to inhibit them. I also direct a collaborative drug discovery program whose primary goal is to develop new lead compounds for translational studies in oncology.

What Has Been One Insight Or Lesson That Has Been Most Helpful In Your Career?

Probably the most important lesson I have learned is no matter what the situation, one can never be over-prepared, whereas the converse is certainly not the case. This has always driven me to work hard and to prepare for anything I do, so I can say I did my best.

What Has Been Your Favorite Mistake? A Mistake That In Retrospect Led To A Great Lesson And Progress.

Perhaps, being too hard on myself when things didn’t turn out as I had hoped. The self-doubt this can create ultimately does no good at all. So I think I have learned to adopt a much healthier outlook and assess, adapt, and try harder.

Project Forward Ten Years. How Will Your Industry Or Field Be Fundamentally Different Then? What Opportunities Do You See?

It is humbling to look back at scientific publications from just a few years ago and appreciate the progress made each year by all the researchers throughout the world. Ten years is a very long time to project ahead, and it is impossible to know where the next significant breakthroughs will be. However, one thing I can say with some certainty is that we will have access to a massively increased amount of scientific data, and to be successful, we will all have to adapt to use it effectively.

What Are Some Bad Recommendations You Hear In Your Profession Or Area Of Expertise?

It is more what is not said than what is said. To succeed as an academic scientist requires dedication, and effort and so a passion for the work is a must. My recommendation is to stay true to yourself, find what you are passionate about and pursue it.

In The Last Two Years, What Have You Become Better At Saying No To?

Faculty at an extensive teaching and research-oriented university like UT Austin have a wide range of responsibilities, which include education, administration, and research. Each year I have become better at balancing these and, in large part, by carefully choosing where to apply my time and effort best.

What Is The One Book You Recommend Most Often And Why?

I would always recommend ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ for its sheer exhilaration and anything by Winston Churchill. If one can look past some of his views that were quite contemporary for the times, one surely must marvel at the resilience of the man.

What Advice Would You Give A Smart And Ambitious Recent College Graduate? What Advice Should They Ignore?

When taking a position on your work, be relatively conservative, and support your position by preparing as much as you possibly can.

What Is Your Favorite Quote, One You Aim To Live By?

A notable quote to keep in mind would be one by Johnny Cash “All your life, you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate…I choose love.”

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Kevin Dalby

Dr. Kevin Dalby is a professor of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy, and Department of Oncology at The University of Texas in Austin. He is studying the mechanisms of cancer cell signaling to develop targeted therapeutics. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) and the National Institutes of Health, recognized Dr. Dalby's efforts by granting him nearly $5 million to support his research. Kevin Dalby has been interested in the “why” of chemical reactions since he was a student at the University of Cambridge, where he graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organic Chemistry. This curiosity has led to his interest in the processes of cell signaling, and ultimately to cancer research. Dr. Dalby's research areas include biochemistry, cancer, cell biology, chemical biology, drug discovery & diagnostics, and enzymology. He is a director of The Targeted Therapeutic Drug Discovery & Development Program (TTP), and the principal investigator on a CPRIT core facility grant that gives Texas scientists access to resources for drug discovery research. By understanding cancer cell signaling, Dr. Dalby works to improve diagnoses and utilize technological advances to develop targeted pharmaceuticals for different cancers. When he is not working, Kevin Dalby enjoys photography and spending time in the Texas countryside with his dogs.

Elsewhere on the net:

https://cns.utexas.edu/directory/item/1566-dalby-kevin?Itemid=349

http://sites.utexas.edu/dalby/

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=rG6zU8oAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin_Dalby

https://academictree.org/chemistry/tree.php?pid=273954

https://publons.com/researcher/2682063/kevin-n-dalby/

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kevin-dalby-eun-jeong-cho-153605343.html

https://www.vizaca.com/kevin-dalby-professor-university-of-texas/

https://personal-development.com/articles/kevin-dalby-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month.htm

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/kevin-dalby-immuno-oncology

https://medium.com/@laurendaniels956/professor-kevin-dalby-discusses-four-key-factors-of-effective-educational-leadership-bcc092dc95d

https://patch.com/colorado/denver/kevin-dalby-explains-what-immuno-oncology

https://www.educationviews.org/kevin-dalby-shares-five-reasons-to-get-a-mentor-as-a-graduate-student/