Biochemistry

Long-Time Professor of Biochemistry at URI, Joel A. Dain, Dies at 89 – GoLocalProv

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Shalom Memorial Chapel

Joel was the caring and playful father of Peter J. Dain (Deborah Blicher), of Sudbury, MA; Jonathan L. Dain (Karen Kainer), of Gainesville, FL; and Leonard E. Dain (Ivetia Paniagua), of Seattle, WA. Joel was the dear brother of Martin Dain of Sun City, FL, and was the loving and mischievous grandfather of Rebekah, Beatrice, Kristina, Max, Joshua, and Isabel. He was a resident of Kingston since 1962.

Joel received his doctorate from Cornell University in 1956. He was a Professor of Biochemistry at URI for close to 60 years. After retiring in 2015, he continued working as an Emeritus Professor until his death. Joel was known for his influential research on the biochemical underpinnings of Tay-Sachs, diabetes, and other diseases, and for his caring and dedicated mentoring of numerous graduate students and postdocs with whom he maintained regular contact. From early on he opened his lab to female and male graduate students alike from all over the world and from diverse backgrounds. In addition to hisundergraduate and graduateteaching and research duties, he served on committees tasked with hiring University coaches, Athletic Directors, and Presidents.

Joel was an active member of various organizations that demonstrated his eclectic interests:

AAUP (American Association of University Professors)American Chemical Society (ACS) In 1995, he was elected chairman of the Rhode Island Section of the ACS.URI Athletic CouncilDemocratic Town CommitteeAmerican Philatelic Society

As a part of his professional work, Joel and Ellie took their family to live in locations as diverse as Heidelberg, Germany; Santa Rosa, California; and Tokyo, Japan, where he collaborated with scientists at local universities. He gave invited lectures at conferences and universities worldwide.

Joel and Ellie were also generous donors to numerous causes in support of human rights, scientific research, and the environment.

Sports were a very important part of Joels life. He was a runner in high school; he played junior varsity basketball at the University of Illinois; and into his 80s he was a regular at weekly pick-up basketball games at URIs Keaney Gym. He rarely missed a basketball game by his beloved URI Rams, and for almost 60 years was a fixture at Keaney Gym and then the Ryan Center. Joel was also a lifelong and ardent tennis player a love he passed on to his sons.

Joel was an avid reader and was particularly fond of suspense and detective novels. He was a regular at the Kingston Library.

Joel had a wry sense of humor which he applied to most any situation he encountered, particularly politics. He greatly enjoyed bantering with friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances.

Joel was a lifelong stamp collector, reflecting his interest in all things international. For many years, he taught beginning stamp collecting to children through the Neighborhood Guild Community Center in South Kingstown.

Graveside services are open to the public and will be held Tuesday, August 24that 12:00 noon in New Fernwood Cemetery, 3102 Kingstown Rd., Kingston.

Due to the age and health of those attending, we ask that mourners please wear a mask and practice social distancing.

A private family gathering will be held after the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joels memory may be made to Beatrice Dain Memorial Fund in Diabetes. To make a gift, visiturifoundation.organd click theMake a Giftbutton in the upper right corner. Indicate the amount of your gift, then click select from a list of options. Scroll down to URI Programs and Initiatives and click Other Funds, then Continue. In the text box type Beatrice Dain Memorial Fundin Diabetes. Complete the form with the requiredinformationand follow the payment options.

Memorial gifts may also be made by check,payable to the URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement, and writing Beatrice Dain Memorial Fundin Diabetes in the memo line. Mail to: URI Foundation & Alumni Engagement, PO Box 1700, Kingston, RI 02881.

Contributions may also be made toMultiple Myeloma Research Foundation.

To attend the funeral service via Zoom, pleaseclick here.

Meeting ID: 849 3499 3118

Passcode: 548378

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Long-Time Professor of Biochemistry at URI, Joel A. Dain, Dies at 89 - GoLocalProv

Biochemistry

Biochemistry offers options to help reduce huge potato losses in the US – FreshPlaza.com

Massive losses in the number one US vegetable crop, potatoes, aren't only due to pests or drought, theyre due to damage in the handling and storage of potatoes over the nine months of storage they generally undergo on their way to the supermarket as fresh potatoes or as potato chips or fries.

A biochemistry approach that seeks to identify genetic characteristics of the wound healing process in potatoes has had success in a project led by Dylan Kosma, a biochemist in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources at the University of Nevada, Reno.

In his work, completed as part of the CollegesExperiment Stationresearch, Kosma has identified the first transcription factors known to regulate deposition of components that make up the skin that forms during the wound healing process in potatoes.

"We're working on protein transcription factors," he said. "You can think of transcription factors like the main switch in an electric panel or breaker box, with 15 circuits under control of the main switch. Finding the master switch and how it works to switch on the wound healing process in potatoes is key.

According to an article on unr.edu, One important component of potato tuber wound healing is the deposition of a corky material that makes up a large proportion of skin that covers wound sites, suberin. Suberin is a lipid polymer that is produced by all plants and is a major component of wound healing tissues in potatoes. While this wound-healing tissue can be found in nearly every plant, there is still relatively little known about its makeup and function. Even less is known about the genetic controls of wound suberin formation.

In addition to stemming the tide of losses with potatoes, Kosma hopes what they learn in this process will also be applicable to other food crops

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Biochemistry offers options to help reduce huge potato losses in the US - FreshPlaza.com

Biochemistry

FDA approval of belzutifan culminates 25-year journey at UTSW from gene discovery to a first-in-class drug – UT Southwestern

DALLAS Aug. 21, 2021 A first-in-kind kidney cancer drug developed from laboratory and translational studies conducted at UTSouthwestern Medical Center received approval from the Food and Drug Administration, providing a new treatment for patients with familial kidney cancer.

FDA approval of belzutifan culminates a 25-year journey at UTSW from gene discovery to a first-in-class drug.

Mercks belzutifan grew out of the discovery at UTSouthwestern of a protein,hypoxia-inducible factor 2-alpha(HIF-2), that is key to fuel the growth of kidney and other cancers. HIF-2 was discovered by Steven McKnight, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry.

This is an exciting milestone for patients with inherited forms of kidney cancer who are in need of more effective therapies, said David Russell, Ph.D., Vice Provost and Dean of Research, and Professor of Molecular Genetics, who collaborated in the early stages of the research.

The drug, once called PT2977, was developed based on a backbone discovered by UTSW researchers, with further drug development efforts conducted by a spinoff company named Peloton Therapeutics, which was launched on the UTSW campus and eventually acquired by Merck.

Drs. McKnight and Russell first identified HIF-2 in the 1990s.

HIF-2 was considered undruggable for many years until two more UTSW scientists at the time Richard Bruick, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, and Kevin Gardner, Ph.D., Professor of Biophysics, who also directs a structural biology center at the City University of New York did the structural and biochemical work showing that the HIF-2 molecule contains a pocket that is potentially druggable. The two scientists then identified multiple compounds that fit into this pocket and inhibited the activity of HIF-2.

The history of belzutifans development demonstrates the value of cross-disciplinary collaborations at academic medical centers and how that can translate to new treatments for diseases, said Dr. Russell. It also underscores the value of investing in basic science discoveries at the core of advancements in medicine.

In 2011, several researchers spun off Peloton Therapeutics, and by 2019, when Merck acquired the company, at least three HIF-2 agents were under investigation.

James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the UTSW Kidney Cancer Program

James Brugarolas, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the Kidney Cancer Program at UTSouthwesterns Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, showed that the drug was effective against kidney cancer.

With funding from a prestigious National Cancer Institute SPORE award, they showed in a publication inNaturein 2016 that the drug was able to inhibit HIF-2in human kidney tumors transplanted into mice and stop their growth.

This and other studies led to the first clinical trial of PT2385, a precursor to PT2977, which became belzutifan. The trial, which was led by the UTSW Kidney Cancer Program, showed that the drug was well-tolerated and active.

The approval of belzutifan represents a new paradigm in the treatment of kidney cancer, said Dr. Brugarolas, Professor of Internal Medicine. By exclusively targeting HIF-2, which is essential for kidney cancers but dispensable for normal processes, belzutifan specifically disables cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Belzutifan is the best-tolerated kidney cancer drug today and one suitable for patients with familial kidney cancer. It is a testament to the prowess of designer drugs and carefully chosen targets of which it is a prime example.

1997UTSouthwestern biochemist Steven McKnight, Ph.D., and molecular geneticist David Russell, Ph.D., report the discovery of the HIF-2 gene, which they call EPAS1. The team shows that HIF-2 binds to another protein, HIF-1. The HIF-2 partner functions like a pair of tweezers to grab DNA. HIF-2 binds DNA at specific places to initiate the production of other proteins such as VEGF, which support kidney cancer growth.

2003The laboratories of Richard Bruick, Ph.D., and Kevin Gardner, Ph.D., uncover aspects of the atomic blueprint of HIF-2. They show how HIF-2 docks with HIF-1 to assemble into a functional HIF-2 complex. They identify a cavity within the HIF-2 protein, hypothesizing that it may offer a foothold for a drug. Working with UTSouthwesterns High-Throughput Screening laboratory, Drs. Bruick and Gardner develop a test to identify chemicals among 200,000 drug-like molecules that bind to the HIF-2 cavity, preventing HIF-2 binding to HIF-1. By interfering with HIF-2 binding to HIF-1, these compounds block HIF-2 action. The most promising chemicals undergo a refinement process by medicinal chemists at UTSouthwestern.

2010Peloton Therapeutics is founded by UTSW researchers to develop the HIF-2 blocking chemicals into drugs. Peloton scientists create libraries of related compounds, ultimately identifying PT2385 and PT2977 to test in humans. A related drug, PT2399, is identified for laboratory work.

2016Dr. James Brugarolas validates HIF-2 as a target in kidney cancer. In experiments incorporating more than 250 mice transplanted with human kidney tumors, researchers show that PT2399 blocks HIF-2 while not affecting related proteins, is active against 50% of human kidney tumors, and has more activity and is better tolerated than sunitinib (the most commonly used drug for renal cancer treatment at the time).

2018Dr. Kevin Courtney reports the results of a phase 1 clinical trial testing PT2385 in humans. The trial represents the first-in-human study of a first-in-class inhibitor of HIF-2. The trial, which involves 51 patients, shows that PT2385 is safe, well tolerated, and active against kidney cancer in humans. More than 50% of patients see their cancer regress or stabilize.

2019U.S. drug manufacturer Merck acquires Peloton Therapeutics for $1.05 billion, with an additional $1.15 billion contingent on sales and regulatory milestones.

2020Through studies of tumor biopsy samples from patients who participated in the Phase 1 clinical trial, Drs. Courtney, Brugarolas, and Ivan Pedrosa report the identification of drug resistance mutations in patients, establishing HIF-2 as the first-known core dependency of kidney cancer.

Dr. Brugarolas holds The Sherry Wigley Crow Cancer Research Endowed Chair in Honor of Robert Lewis Kirby, M.D. Dr. McKnight holds the Distinguished Chair in Basic Biomedical Research. Dr. Pedrosa holds the Jack Reynolds, M.D., Chair in Radiology. Dr. Russell holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished Chair in Molecular Genetics. Disclosures: UTSouthwestern and some of its researchers will receive financial compensation, through prior agreements with Peloton, based on belzutifans FDA approval.

About UTSouthwestern Medical Center

UTSouthwestern, one of the nations premier academic medical centers, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institutions faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 16 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UTSouthwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 117,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 3 million outpatient visits a year.

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FDA approval of belzutifan culminates 25-year journey at UTSW from gene discovery to a first-in-class drug - UT Southwestern

Biochemistry

Eight receive excellence awards as academic year opens – uwec.edu

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor James Schmidt honored eight faculty and staff members for their excellence during the Blugold Breakfast and academic year opening meeting on Aug. 24.

Recipients of UW-Eau Claire's 2021 excellence awards are, from left, Rob Mattison, Signe Matson, Dr. Jeanette Olsen, Kris Presler, Dr. Sanchita Hati, Dr. Rose-Marie Avin, Dr. Pam Forman and Dr. Heather Ann Moody.

The chancellor recognized the following 2021 award winners:

Each award recipient received a university medallion and $1,500. All of the UW-Eau Claire Foundation excellence awards for faculty and staff are funded by Markquart Motors and Markquart Toyota of Eau Claire. The award honoring the 2021 UW System Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award nominee is funded by the Arnold and Lois Domer Foundation of Eau Claire.

Dr. Rose-Marie Avin, professor of economics and director of the Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies program, received the Excellence in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Avin has demonstrated a sincere commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion during her 34 years at UW-Eau Claire through outstanding service and teaching, according to her nomination materials.

Dr. Avins entire lifes work has been dedicated to EDI, nominators say. Her advocacy on behalf of EDI is global and transnational.

Through her courses and immersion programs, Avin taught students to advocate for gender, racial and economic justice in the U.S. and other nations such as Nicaragua, Spain, Vietnam, India, Brazil and Argentina.

Avin has included UW-Eau Claire students in her work to fight racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia in the world.

You have showed me that the world is so many shades of gray, a student wrote in a letter to the WGSS program. I cannot express in words how appreciative of this I am. It is impossible.

Dr. Pam Forman, professor and chair of the sociology department and a faculty member in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Students select the Excellence in Advising Award, and Blugolds say Forman, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for 17 years, always takes time for them, even when she is running in multiple directions.

The sociology students who Forman advises describe her as unmatched in empathy, passion for application of sociology in real-world contexts and commitment to students.

Forman promotes an inclusive campus by updating sociology students about current events and extending her expertise to all.

As a department chair, Dr. Forman is exceptional, nomination documents state. As an advisor, Dr. Forman consistently goes above and beyond. As an ally to all students, Dr. Forman is unmatched.

Dr. Sanchita Hati, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, received the Excellence in Scholarship Award.

Hati, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for 15 years, is a productive researcher who has an exemplary publication record with undergraduate students, according to nomination materials. Her students have presented at least one poster at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society every year since 2014.

She has moved research into the teaching laboratory and, in some classes, all students in her upper-level biochemistry courses have become authors on a peer-reviewed publication, according to the nomination materials. Her peers in science recognize her as an outstanding scholar.

Hati currently manages three distinct projects: exploring protein dynamics to design the next generation of antibiotics, developing a noninvasive tool for cancer diagnostics in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and investigating the role of oxidative stress on the severity of COVID-19 infections.

Beyond direct contributions to science, Dr. Hati is also an outstanding role model who encourages students to become independent, lifelong learners, according to nomination materials. She has directly mentored 50 undergraduates in her research group, and about half of these students have entered Ph.D. programs, including many at prestigious universities like Dartmouth and Northwestern.

Rob Mattison, senior information systems and technology services videographer in Learning and Technology Services, received the University Staff Excellence in Service Award.

Mattison, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for nine years, shows respect to all members of the university community and has a genuine goal to brighten the day of people he encounters, according to nomination materials.

Rob routinely goes above and beyond his job duties to assist faculty in creating engaging video content for courses, according to nomination materials. This was especially true in 2020 as Rob worked long days preparing courses and content for virtual learning. Many of the courses offered on this campus are made better through Robs efforts.

Mattison is a consummate professional, according to nomination materials, who strives for high-quality work while maintaining a casual, friendly, funny and enthusiastic demeanor. He cares about the well-being of students and considers his co-workers to be family.

Rob is an example of what excellence means at UWEC, according to nomination materials. He puts more effort into his job than anyone could ask while living his dream and is supportive of everyone and their dreams.

Signe Matson, lead academic advisor in the Advising, Retention and Career Center, received the Academic and Professional Staff Excellence in Service Award.

Matson, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for 21 years, has been the lead advisor in the arts and humanities cluster since the formation of the Advising, Retention and Career Center in 2016. Students have appreciated Matsons support over the years.

Signe is a very kind and caring advisor! one nominator states. She has provided a lot of helpful information and guidance as I consider a degree at UWEC while taking courses as a special student. Going back to school as a nontraditional student is a bit intimidating, but Signe has been full of encouragement and helped break down the steps in a clear and understandable manner.

Matson has helped with training and mentoring new staff members, and is a steady and reliable team member who has a wealth of institutional knowledge, according to nomination materials. Matson is considered a hard-working, compassionate and student-first person who is a great resource inside and outside ARCC.

Signes knowledge of campus resources, advising experience, calm professional demeanor and positive attitude make collaborating with her in this work a delight, according to nomination papers. I trust Signe to serve our students while holding true to the mission of the university.

Dr. Heather Ann Moody, associate professor of American Indian studies, received the Faculty Excellence in Service Award.

Moody, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for 14 years, is a true example of a servant leader with a passion for undergraduate education and mentorship, commitment to EDI and extensive service beyond campus, according to nomination materials. In 2019, Moody received an Outstanding Women of Color in Education Award from the UW System.

Dr. Moodys professional service to the greater Eau Claire community and to the state of Wisconsin reflects the values of this university and embodies the spirit of the Excellence in Service Award, according to nomination materials.

Moody has been instrumental in leading important EDI initiatives at UW-Eau Claire. She is a co-chair of the EDI Strategic Plan Committee that will guide the institution for the next five years and also co-chairs the Center for Racial and Restorative Justice Implementation Committee.

Dr. Moody is a model faculty member in her dedication and willingness to provide service to both our university and surrounding communities, according to nomination materials. She exemplifies what service means and does so with great knowledge, care and enthusiasm. Dr. Moody goes above and beyond in her service to support the growth of knowledge and understanding on the UWEC campus related to the Native American people within Wisconsin.

Dr. Jeanette Olsen, assistant professor and director of assessment and evaluation in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, received the Excellence in Teaching Award.

Olsen, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for five years, was praised in nomination materials for her dedication to students and her ability to provide multiple methods of learning to accommodate every type of student. Students say Olsen takes a genuine interest in the lives of those in her classroom.

She always has time to answer questions and is willing to take the time to make sure you understand it, student nominators say. If you don't, she will find a different way to teach it. Even though she has students for just one semester, she knows and remembers everyone's name. She makes you feel important. She makes every question feel valid and is excited to help foster a growth of knowledge.

Olsen is extremely knowledgeable and approachable, always has a smile on her face and she truly cared about us as her students and wanted us to do well and succeed as nurses.

Dr. Olsen greatly encouraged me and my classmates in the nursing program to achieve our fullest potential, a student says. She remains an inspiration to me and is someone I hope to emulate in my nursing career.

Kris Presler, a professor of mathematics, was UW-Eau Claires nominee for the UW System Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award.

Presler, who has been at UW-Eau Claire for 18 years, helps his students realize that mistakes are just opportunities for learning that should be embraced and not feared, according to nomination materials.

Presler is described as a true professional who is full of humility and grace, valuing the people he serves each day. He works to bring humor into his courses to produce a more engaged classroom environment where laughter leads to a greater approachability, approachability to questions and questions to understanding.

Students praise Presler for his professional mentorship and advising in technical upper-level courses.

Actuaries often excel at math but struggle to clearly communicate their ideas and analysis with others, nominators say. Kris actuarial science curriculum was mathematically challenging and prepared students for exams, but also placed a heavy emphasis on creating well-rounded, articulate actuaries.

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Eight receive excellence awards as academic year opens - uwec.edu

Biochemistry

New study examines ‘Achilles heel’ of cancer tumours, paving the way for new treatment strategies – UBC Faculty of Medicine

Researchers at UBCs faculty of medicine and BC Cancer Research Institute have uncovered a weakness in a key enzyme that solid tumour cancer cells rely on to adapt and survive when oxygen levels are low.

The findings, published today in Science Advances, will help researchers develop new treatment strategies to limit the progression of solid cancer tumours, which represent the majority of tumour types that arise in the body.

Solid tumours rely on blood supply to deliver oxygen and nutrients to help them grow. As the tumours advance, these blood vessels are unable to provide oxygen and nutrients to every part of the tumour, which results in areas of low oxygen. Over time, this low-oxygen environment leads to a buildup of acid inside the tumour cells.

To overcome this stress, the cells adapt by unleashing enzymes that neutralize the acidic conditions of their environment, allowing the cells to not only survive, but ultimately become a more aggressive form of tumour capable of spreading to other organs. One of these enzymes is called Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX).

Cancer cells depend on the CAIX enzyme to survive, which ultimately makes it their Achilles heel. By inhibiting its activity, we can effectively stop the cells from growing, explains the studys senior author Dr. Shoukat Dedhar, professor in UBC faculty of medicines department of biochemistry and molecular biology and distinguished scientist at BC Cancer.

Dr. Dedhar and colleagues previously identified a unique compound, known as SLC-0111currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trialsas a powerful inhibitor of the CAIX enzyme. While pre-clinical models of breast, pancreatic and brain cancers have demonstrated the effectiveness of this compound in suppressing tumour growth and spread, other cellular properties diminish its effectiveness.

In this study, the research team, which included Dr. Shawn Chafe, a research associate in Dr. Dedhars lab, together with Dr. Franco Vizeacoumar and colleagues from the University of Saskatchewan, set out to examine these cellular properties and identify other weaknesses of the CAIX enzyme using a powerful tool known as a genome-wide synthetic lethal screen. This tool looks at the genetics of a cancer cell and systematically deletes one gene at a time to determine if a cancer cell can be killed by eliminating the CAIX enzyme together with another specific gene.

According to Dr. Dedhar, the results of their examination were surprising and point to an unexpected role of proteins and processes that control a form of cell death called ferroptosis. This form of cell death happens when iron builds up and weakens the tumours metabolism and cell membranes.

We now know that the CAIX enzyme blocks cancer cells from dying as a result of ferroptosis, says Dr. Dedhar. Combining inhibitors of CAIX, including SLC-0111, with compounds known to bring about ferroptosis results in catastrophic cell death and debilitates tumor growth.

There is currently a large international effort underway to identify drugs that can induce ferroptosis. This study is a major step forward in this quest.

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New study examines 'Achilles heel' of cancer tumours, paving the way for new treatment strategies - UBC Faculty of Medicine

Anatomy

The anatomy of a breakup: Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ // The – Observer Online

On May 21, Olivia Rodrigo, formerly known as the drivers license girl, released her long awaited debut album, Sour. On it, she is moody, self-centered and petty with no filters. In a culture in which were all projecting more mature and put-together versions of ourselves she wanted it to be like, messy. Sour is the beautifully imperfect portrait of an insecure teenage girl who went through the worst thing imaginable: a breakup.

The album opener, brutal, was an unexpected punch to the gut. The beginning of Sour sees her screaming accusations at life with self-deprecating lyrics detailing just how much of a lie the golden teenage years are. With pop punk instrumentation and a vocal performance Alex Turner would be proud of, we stand at the peak of her angst. This is the starting point of Sour

Listening to track 2, traitor, hurts. She is at her most vulnerable, betrayed and left alone to deal with the shipwreck of her breakup. Dont you dare forget about the way you betrayed me, she sings. By the time drivers license comes around, she has exhausted the indignation and is left deeply sad, haunted by red lights and stop signs that remind her of her lover. This song launched Rodrigo into what is possibly the fastest rise to superstardom the world has ever seen, spending eight weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and leading to not one, but two SNL features. Her polished vocal performance, the sharp imagery and the legendary bridge birthed one of the best heartbreak ballads to hit the charts in years.

1 step forward, 3 steps back sees Rodrigo relay a stream of consciousness as she melancholically recounts her self-destructive relationship with both her lover and herself. With unembellished vocals and no energy for pretense, she is all cried out at this point. And yet, as we all know, the journey to healing is not a straight line.

Track 6, deja vu, sees Rodrigo revert to petty obsession, as she picks apart her lovers new relationship, proclaiming its a cheap copy of what she had with him. She snarkily profiles his girlfriend choice, another actress / I hate to think that I was just your type, and mocks the girl too, she thinks its special / but its all reused. Sensibly enough, the next track, the snarky chart-topper good 4 u, sees her at her most bitter.

On this track, she becomes unhinged. Screw that, screw you / You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do probably takes the prize of most immature moment on the album, but its that same immaturity that makes this song so endearing and relatable. At this point, skeptics have to concede that there is no facade to Olivia Rodrigo, because this song makes her sound like a self-involved brat.

After wrapping up the pity party, she shrinks to the size of an ant on enough for you. The acoustic instrumentals reflect how little she thinks of herself, as she confesses she wouldve done anything to get her lover to stay. The next song, happier, is a sign that Rodrigo is starting to move on, as she bitterly accepts the breakup, singing I hope youre happy, but not like how you were with me. She fights with the bitterness, though. She realizes shes being petty by picking the new girl and the new relationship apart, but as the human being that she is, she keeps doing it anyway. On jealousy, jealousy, Rodrigo borrows the psychologist glasses from her dad and matter-of-factly recounts her woes, struggling between Instagram envy and self-love, between being petty and generous, featuring lines like Im happy for them, but then again Im not.

Then finally, FINALLY, she moves on. On favorite crime, she retells the story of her broken relationship with sadness. This song sees Rodrigo personify Taylor Swift on folklore, as she describes herself as a willing accomplice in her lovers crimes, with the closing line, Well, I hope I was your favorite crime. Theres a magic in the songs simplicity that almost makes it feel like a grandiose epic; with the haunting final harmonies, she exorcizes the pain out of her story, and turns the page. This is where Sourshouldve ended but it didnt.

For the last track, hope ur ok, it is evident where she was trying to go: This was the full-circle moment, when she finally broke free of her post-breakup tunnel vision and spread her wings in kindness and gratitude again. However, based on the albums subject matter, it seems unnecessary, and it will rest besides Dua Lipas Boys Will Be Boys as part of the underwhelming final album tracks that tried to be deep but felt inauthentic.

Except for this final track, Rodrigos effort feels cohesive, honest and meaningful. Sour is a solid album that deserves every last bit of the praise and attention it is getting. Watch out for this one; we just got a Sour taste of the next main pop girl.

Album: Sour by Olivia Rodrigo

Label: Geffen Records

Favorite Song: brutal

If you like: drivers license

Shamrocks: 4.5/5 shamrocks

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The anatomy of a breakup: Olivia Rodrigo's 'Sour' // The - Observer Online

Anatomy

Sandra Oh Recalls Traumatic Experience of Starring on Greys Anatomy: I Have a Good Therapist – Us Weekly

Dancing it out wasnt enough to solve it. Sandra Oh reflected on the repercussions of achieving a new level of fame when she began starring on Greys Anatomy.

To be perfectly honest, it was traumatic. It was traumatic, the Chair actress, 50, explained in a sneak peek from her Sunday Today With Willie Geist interview, which airs Sunday, August 29. And the reason why Im saying that is the circumstances you need to do your work is with a lot of privacy. So when one loses ones anonymity, you have to build skills to still try and be real. I went from not being able to go out, like, hiding in restaurants, to then being able to manage attention, manage expectation, while not losing the sense of self.

Oh credited her focus on mental health with helping her navigate the ordeal. Well, I have a good therapist, she noted. Im not joking. Its very, very important.

The Killing Eve star also learned how to set proper boundaries in her professional life. You just have to work at finding your way to stay grounded, she said. And a lot of times thats by saying no.

Oh played Cristina Yang on Greys Anatomy from 2005 to 2014. She left after 10 seasons on the ABC drama, and unlike some of her former costars who have also departed through the years, she has no plans to return.

No, she insisted about a potential reprisal of her role during a May episode of the Los Angeles Times Asian Enough podcast. I love it, though, and this is also why I really appreciate the show that I still get asked this.

Oh then elaborated on why she does not want to venture back to her past. Its very rare, I would say, to be able to see in such a way the impact of a character, she acknowledged. In some ways, you do your work as a bubble and you let it go. I left that show, my God, seven years ago almost. So in my mind, its gone. But for a lot of people, its still very much alive. And while I understand and I love it, I have moved on.

The American Crime alum ultimately encouraged her fans to evolve with her. So please come with me to Killing Eve and on to The Chair and on to the other projects, she said. Come see the characters that Im playing that are much more deeply integrated in the Asian American experience.

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Sandra Oh Recalls Traumatic Experience of Starring on Greys Anatomy: I Have a Good Therapist - Us Weekly

Anatomy

‘Anatomy Of Time’: first trailer for Venice Horizons title (exclusive) – Screen International

Screen can unveil the first trailer for Jakrawal Nilthamrongs Anatomy Of Time, which is set to premiere in the Horizons strand of this years Venice Film Festival (September 1-11).

Thailands Jakrawal won a Tiger award at International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2015 with his debut narrative feature Vanishing Point. He makes his Venice debut with his second film, a drama spanning 50 years of a womans life from her carefree 20s in 1960s rural Thailand to present-day Bangkok as the wife of a disgraced army general.

The film is backed by Thailands Diversion and Mit Out Sound Films, Frances Damned Films, Netherlands Sluizer Film and Singapores MGO Films. Jakrawal is a producer of 2018 Horizons prize-winner Manta Ray, directed by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng, the DoP on Vanishing Point and Anatomy Of Time.

Diversion is handling internationalsales.

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'Anatomy Of Time': first trailer for Venice Horizons title (exclusive) - Screen International

Anatomy

Product Review of ADAM Interactive Anatomy – The Tech Edvocate

Since technology is not going anywhere and does more good than harm, adapting is the best course of action. That is where The Tech Edvocate comes in. We plan to cover the PreK-12 and Higher Education EdTech sectors and provide our readers with the latest news and opinion on the subject. From time to time, I will invite other voices to weigh in on important issues in EdTech. We hope to provide a well-rounded, multi-faceted look at the past, present, the future of EdTech in the US and internationally.

We started this journey back in June 2016, and we plan to continue it for many more years to come. I hope that you will join us in this discussion of the past, present and future of EdTech and lend your own insight to the issues that are discussed.

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Product Review of ADAM Interactive Anatomy - The Tech Edvocate

Anatomy

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Is Dr. Webber Actually Immortal? Somehow, He Still Lives – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Over 17 seasons (soon to be 18), many people have come and gone from Greys Anatomy. Some of our favorite characters have left without warning. But others who have faced death are still holding on. For instance, for all that Dr. Webber has been through, he still manages to live. Which some people feel must make him immortal.

Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) was a part of the original cast of Greys Anatomy. On day one, he gave the speech that he gives to all new interns. A month ago, you were in med school being trained by doctors. Today, you are doctors, he told them.

He is a major player, part of virtually every episode. And hes someone audiences can count on to always be there. Part of his solidity is the fact that no matter what may come his way, he is invincible. Surviving alcoholism, sleeping in his office because his wife Adele (Loretta Devine) kicks him out, watching her develop Alzheimers and subsequently die, and much more. There is always a story being played out with him in the center of it all.

However, it is the fact Dr. Webber has more lives than a cat that baffles some of the Greys Anatomy fandom.

Dr. Webber was the hospitals chief when the show began. His pending retirement was mentioned as early as season 1, episode 2, though it really became a storyline in season 2. However, it remains a topic of discussion, like at his 65th birthday in season 10, when Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) gives him a brochure on retirement.

As pointed out by a Reddit user recently, since the start of Greys Anatomy, Webber has battled a brain tumor in season 1, an electric shock in season 9, and even cobalt poisoning in season 16. During the cobalt poisoning, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) also finds Webber about to cut himself with a scalpel because he is the only one who can fix what is wrong with him.

Among those near-death experiences, he was threatened by a gunman in season 6, episode 24. The lead-in was that the shooter wanted revenge against those who took his wife off life support. Webber convinced Clark to kill himself instead with the one remaining bullet.

In season 11, episode 20, Webber is driving to work and is close enough to see a plane crash as it goes basically over his car. Although it isnt a near-death for him, he retells the story throughout the episode, with each telling slightly more dangerous for himself.

Every show deserves to have a teddy bear-type character that everyone can turn to. For the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, that teddy bear is, has, and always will be Dr. Webber. Therefore, whether you love him or not, the one thing we can always count on is that he will simply be invincible and immortal.

In fact, most fans would be very upset if they were to tune in and one day find that he was leaving the show. We laugh with him, we cry with him, and we will always want more of him. He is just as significant as the two other always there characters: Meredith, who is the designated star of the show, and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) who we love for her spunk. Webber has simply been through too much for us to stand for him being gone from the show.

RELATED: Greys Anatomy: How Many Times Has Meredith Almost Died?

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'Grey's Anatomy': Is Dr. Webber Actually Immortal? Somehow, He Still Lives - Showbiz Cheat Sheet