Scientific Sales Poster

The aim of this assignment is for you to create a poster that presents a new technology to highly skilled
professionals. The technology could - for example - be a new medical device, GPS tracking for ecology,
wildlife camera traps, or even statistical modeling programs.

The sales poster should:

- Identify and explain the issue that the technology will address.
- Explain the science behind how the technology addresses the issue: i.e. how the new technology
works.
- Build trust in the new technology by:
- Evaluating both the positive benefits and the limitations / precautions in its use.
- Back up the content with sources and numeric citations and a correctly formatted
reference list.
- Be printed as one single sided sheet of A2 paper. (Two sheets of A3 is equally acceptable)
- Be visually effective: use both text and diagrams / images. Show attention to formatting: you may
use this website or another method of your choosing to format the poster into its final print form.

Here are some videos to help you to start brainstorming for a topic: A new device , 10 new technologies
wildlife technology, or this Article with ecology technology.
Title: MRI TECHNOLOGY

Problem (factor):

MRI is also called Magentic Rosanance Imagination, a type of scanning machine that uses magnetic
fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the human’s inside body (1). This technology can
diagnose various conditions, from ligaments to tumors, and it is very useful for examining the brain and
spinal cord (2). For example, the MRI can detect small tumors, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries
that may not show up on X-ray or CT scan. There are two ways for people to examine their internal
bodies: X-ray and MRI; however, MRI becomes a better option than X-ray. Both X-ray and MRI
provide images of bones, organs, and other inner structures of the body. Back in the time when there
was no MRI, X-rays used radiation to produce images of our bodies; however, it can be harmful to
human bodies in high doses. After MRI appears, it prefers soft tissue images and does not use any
radiation (3), which MRI is safer and more beneficial to human bodies than X-ray. Furthermore, MRI
can give better soft tissue and differentiate water, fat, muscle, and other soft images than CT and X-ray;
therefore, these soft tissues produced by MRI can give detailed information about patients’ bodies to
the doctor, which makes the doctor diagnose a wide range of conditions and diseases (4). MRI is
non-invasive (5), which means that it does not require any injections. This makes it safer and more
comfortable for patients who can not tolerate invasive procedures well. Last but not least,

How the new technology works:

MRI requires patients to remove all metal items that will interfere with the magnetic field (6), then
patients will lie down at a table that will slide into the MRI machine. Once the patients are inside the
MRI machine, a strong magnetic field will be applied to patients’ bodies; this step causes the protons in
water molecules in the body’s tissue to realign themselves in certain ways. After the realignment of the
human body’s water molecules, the radio waves will be sent through the whole body, and induce these
molecules in order to create images in cross-section (7). When a radiofrequency current is passed
through the patient, the protons are stimulated, and spin out of equilibrium, pulling against the magnetic
field (8). After turning off the radiofrequency, the energy started to release when the protons realign
with the magnetic field, this will be used to create MR images (9). The time for the molecules to realign
with the magnetic field, which is the amount of energy released, will have different emphasis on a grey
scale, and the changes depend on the environment and chemical nature of the molecules; therefore, the
physicians can tell the difference between various tissues base on these magnetic properties (10). These
detailed images can show the doctor the muscles, tendons, and organs, so the doctor can develop
personalized treatment plans for the patients. Even though MRI machine is a safe and painless
procedure for doctors to diagnose diseases, some patients may have claustrophobic or uncomfortable
during the scan; therefore, the hospital can accept a sedative to help patients relax (11), which is more
ethical and moral.
Benefits of the new technology:

For the brain, a brain MRI can help doctors to look for situations such as bleeding, swelling, and the
following problems of the brain: tumors, infections, inflammation, damage from injuries or strokes, and
blood vessels. The brain MRI can also search for the causes of headaches and seizures (12). These
features make human life more convenient and easy for doctors to find patients’ problems. For cancer,
MRI is useful for scanning and identifying suspected tumors by displaying the differences in water
content and blood flow between human body tissues. Cancerous tumors can grow in their own
formation of new blood vessels, which gives them a larger blood supply than other surrounding tissue,
and it is easy for MRI to reveal this (13). There is one tumor neoangiogenesis, which is a new
formation of blood vessels from pre-existing one; therefore, there is a dynamic contrast enhanced MRI
(DCE-MRI), it is for clinical practice to detect cancer based on patients’ increased blood flow and
capillary permeability (14). Moreover, not like X-ray, MRI does not use radiation to diagnose.
Radiation is an energy that has an electric field and magnetic field associated with it, and it has
wave-like properties (15). Radiation can damage or break the cells in human DNA, which will cause
genomic instability, apoptosis, and senescence, these can affect the organism’s development (16). High
doses of radiation can cause Acute Radiation Syndrome and Cutaneous Radiation Injuries, and high
doses can also cause cancer later life, which is extremely harmful to human (17). Therefore, MRI took
radiation off on this machine in order to decrease risk and it is more eco-friendly. These are all the
benefits of MRI technology.
 (image of the brain inside MRI machine)

Limitations of the technology:

MRI has a lot of requirements for installation, it must be installed into a magnetically sterile clean room
to eliminate outside interventions while protecting people outside the room from magnetic fields. This
can raise the installation cost to hundreds of thousands of dollars (US dollars) (18), increasing the costs
of those who need to use an MRI. For some of the MRI machine, it still requires doctors to injected into
patient’s veins, it can help to increase the clarity of MRI scan and highlight any concentration of blood
vessels to help identify cancerous growths (19). However, it will cause pain in patients body and
uncomfortable, which is not very moral and ethical. Since MRI uses strong magnetic field and radio
waves, for some patients with certain metal implants inside their bodies, such as pacemakers and
cochlear implants, it can cause the implants to move or twist, which causes patients to feel discomfort,
injuries, or pain (20). Furthermore, some patients may have claustrophobia, which is a fear of dark and
confined spaces, or mobility issues; this will cause patients to panic and be anxious. According to the
study, 13% of patients suffered from a full-blown anxiety attack while lying inside the MRI machine
(21). However, physicians can not really solve the problems, the only thing they can do is to let patients
listen to music, or accept a sedative to comfort the patient. From these limitations, we can see that MRI
technology is not powerful enough to satisfy the preferences of all human beings in the world, there is
still a big space for MRI technology to improve.

Concluding statement:

Overall, MRI is a demonstration of the great progress of human beings in science and technology; even
though it is not perfect enough, it still benefits human lives a lot and makes our lives more convenient;
it also saves a lot of complex steps for doctors to do things like MRI do. Therefore, MRI technology is
a trustworthy and credible machine for humans to diagnose their inner bodies!
 Works Cited

1. NHS. MRI scan [Internet]. NHS choices. NHS; 2022 [cited 2023Apr24]. Available from:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/#:~:text=Magnetic%20resonance%20imaging%20(MRI)%20is,the%20tube%20during%20the%20scan.

2. Plus M. MRI scans [Internet]. MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2016 [cited 2023Apr27]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/mriscans.html#:~:text=Magnetic%20resonance%20imaging%20(MRI)%20uses,the%20brain%20and%20spinal%20cord.

3. Murtaza A. Difference between an MRI and an X-ray: Si ortho [Internet]. South Island Orthopedics. 2022 [cited 2023Apr27]. Available from:

https://siortho.com/blog/x-rays/difference-between-mri-xray/#:~:text=What%20Is%20the%20Difference%20Between,don't%20use%20any%20radiat

ion.

4. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Benefits and risks [Internet]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA; 2016 [cited 2023Apr27].

Available from:

https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/mri-magnetic-resonance-imaging/benefits-and-risks#:~:text=MRI%20provides%20better%20soft%2

0tissue,variety%20of%20diseases%20and%20conditions.

5. tutor2u. “Biopsychology: Studying the Brain - Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Fmri).” tutor2u, 2017,

www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/biopsychology-studying-the-brain-functional-magnetic-resonance-imaging-fmri#:~:text=Invasive%20or%20N

on%2DInvasive%3A%20An,is%20therefore%20virtually%20risk%2Dfree.

6. What to expect [Internet]. MRI Procedure - What to Do Before, During & After an MRI | UH Cleveland | University Hospitals. [cited 2023Apr30].

Available from:

https://www.uhhospitals.org/services/radiology-services/radiology-procedures/Magnetic-Resonance-Imaging-MRI/what-to-expect#:~:text=Remove%

20all%20metal%20items%20such,fear%20of%20being%20closed%20in).

7. Imaging P. How to prepare for an MRI: Premier imaging [Internet]. Premier Imaging | Diagnostic Radiology. 2022 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available

from:

https://premierimaging.org/how-to-prepare-for-an-mri/#:~:text=During%20an%20MRI%20procedure%2C%20you,generate%20images%20in%20cro

ss%2Dsections.

8. National Institutes of Health. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) [Internet]. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services; [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri#:~:text=MRIs%20employ%20powerful%20magnets%2

0which,pull%20of%20the%20magnetic%20field.

9. Berger A. Magnetic Resonance Imaging [Internet]. BMJ (Clinical research ed.). U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2002 [cited 2023Apr30].

Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1121941/

10. National Institutes of Health. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) [Internet]. National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services; [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.nibib.nih.gov/science-education/science-topics/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri#:~:text=MRIs%20employ%20powerful%20magnets%2

0which,pull%20of%20the%20magnetic%20field.

11. NHS. How MRI scan is performed [Internet]. NHS choices. NHS; 2022 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mri-scan/what-happens/#:~:text=An%20MRI%20scan%20is%20a,advance%20of%20having%20the%20scan.

12. Hirsch L, editor. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Brain (for parents) - nemours kidshealth [Internet]. KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation;

2022 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/mri-brain.html#:~:text=A%20brain%20MRI%20can%20help,causes%20of%20headaches%20or%20seizures.
 13. Rojas Y. Benefits of getting an MRI [Internet]. Independent Imaging. 2019 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.independentimaging.com/benefits-of-getting-an-mri/

14. Mustafi D, Leinroth A, Fan X, Markiewicz E, Zamora M, Mueller J, et al. Magnetic resonance angiography shows increased arterial blood supply

associated with murine mammary cancer [Internet]. International journal of biomedical imaging. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2019 [cited

2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6354161/#:~:text=Tumor%20neoangiogenesis%2C%20the%20formation%20of,blood%20flow%20a

nd%20capillary%20permeability.

15. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Radiation studies: CDC - what is radiation? [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2022 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/what_is.html#:~:text=Radiation%20is%20energy%20that%20comes,call%20radiation%20%E2%80%9Celectrom

agnetic%20waves%E2%80%9D.

16. Hakem R. DNA‐damage repair; the good, the bad, and The ugly | the embo journal [Internet]. National Library of Medicine. 2008 [cited 2023Apr30].

Available from: https://www.embopress.org/doi/abs/10.1038/emboj.2008.15

17. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health effects of radiation [Internet]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention; 2021 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/health.html#:~:text=Radiation%20can%20damage%20the%20DNA,to%20cancer%20later%20in%20life.

18. Heartland I. Why are mris so expensive at hospitals? [Internet]. Heartland Imaging. 2021 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://heartlandimagingcenters.com/2021/03/19/why-are-mris-so-expensive-at-hospitals/#:~:text=Expensive%20to%20Buy%20and%20Install&text=

MRI%20machines%20must%20be%20installed,hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20dollars.

19. Rojas Y. Benefits of getting an MRI [Internet]. Independent Imaging. 2019 [cited 2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.independentimaging.com/benefits-of-getting-an-mri/

20. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Cochlear implants and MRI safety [Internet]. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA; 2021 [cited

2023Apr30]. Available from:

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/cochlear-implants/cochlear-implants-and-mri-safety#:~:text=MRI%20scanners%20use%20strong%20magnetic,

discomfort%2C%20pain%2C%20or%20injury.

21. Bergmann R. Getting through an MRI when you have claustrophobia: IMI Boise [Internet]. Intermountain Medical Imaging. 2021 [cited 2023Apr30].

Available from: https://aboutimi.com/getting-through-an-mri-when-you-have-claustrophobia/

 MYP Grading
Level MYP Descriptor Task Specific Clarification
The student does not reach a
standard described by any of the
0
descriptors below.

The student is able to:

i. state the ways in which science is
used to address a specific problem
or issue
ii. state the implications of the use
of science to solve a specific
problem or issue, interacting with a
1-2
factor
iii. apply scientific language to
communicate understanding but
does so with limited success
i. I state the ways in which science is used to address the
problem. (Text and diagrams showing little insight and statements
of basic facts, no depth or connection)
ii. I state the implications of using science to solve the chosen
topic. (simple diagrams showing little insight and statements of
basic facts, no depth or connection)
iii. I have difficulty communicating my ideas clearly. I
consistently use scientific terms incorrectly and the poster
contains mistakes (either in diagrams or spelling/grammar) that
make my points and opinions unclear.
iv. I have cited one source, but not in numeric format.

iv. document sources, with limited

success.

The student is able to:

i. outline the ways in which science
is used to address a specific
problem or issue
ii. outline the implications of using
science to solve a specific problem
or issue, interacting with a factor
3-4
iii. sometimes apply scientific
language to communicate
understanding
iv. sometimes document sources
correctly.
i. I outline a general theme or major point(s), the ways in which
science is applied and used to address the selected topic through
the use of diagrams and statements.
ii. I outline the implications of using science and its applications
to the selected topic through the use of diagrams and statements.
iii. I apply scientific language to communicate understanding but
do so with limited success. I use scientific terms incorrectly and
the poster contains mistakes (either in diagrams or
spelling/grammar) that make my points and opinions unclear.
iv. I have cited one source using numeric format, OR multiple
sources are cited incorrectly.
 The student is able to:
i. I described a general theme or major point(s), the ways in
i. summarize the ways in which which science is applied and used to address the selected topic
science is applied and used to through the use of creative diagrams and statements.
address a specific problem or issue
ii. I describe the implications of using science and its application
ii. describe the implications of using to solve the selected topic through the use of diagrams and
statements, interacting with one of the following factors: moral,
science and its application to solve
ethical, social, economic, political, cultural or environmental.
5-6 a specific problem or issue,
interacting with a factor iii. I usually apply scientific language to communicate
understanding clearly and precisely. There are very few mistakes
iii. usually apply scientific language (either in diagrams or spelling/grammar).
to communicate understanding
clearly and precisely iv. I have cited multiple sources using numeric format. Some
inconsistency in reference list or numeric citations in-text.
iv. usually document sources
correctly.
The student is able to: i. I have explained the ways in which science is applied and used
to address the issue present in the selected topic through the use of
i. describe the ways in which creatively linked diagrams and statements that provide depth of
science is applied and used to understanding using simple methods.
address a specific problem or issue
ii. I have discussed and analyzed the implications of using
ii. discuss and analyze the science and its application to address the issue present in the
selected topic through the use of diagrams and statements. I have
implications of using science and its
provided a balanced account from multiple perspectives,
application to solve a specific
interacting with one of the following factors: moral, ethical,
problem or issue, interacting with a social, economic, political, cultural or environmental.
7-8 factor
iii. I consistently apply scientific language to communicate
iii. consistently apply scientific understanding of the issue present in the selected topic clearly and
language to communicate precisely. The poster contains very few spelling or grammar
understanding clearly and precisely mistakes or none at all (either in diagrams or spelling/grammar)
avoids unnecessary repetition.
iv. document sources completely.
iv. I document my sources completely and accurately, following
the numeric referencing system. References are included in the
text and for diagrams and also at the end of the piece of work in a
reference list or bibliography.