Bathing, but Not Alone

Imagining taking shower could contain more bacteria then walking out on New York City’s subway station is scary then anything else. A study done by group of people headed by Dr. Norman R. Pace of University of Colorado finds that the water is morning shower contain about 15 different types of bacteria. The good news is that not all of these bacteria are harmful to humans. But these bacteria are closely related to bacteria that cause severe diseases like lifeguard’s lung, hot tub lung and Lady Windermere’s syndrome. Water could be also contaminated by Mycobacterium avium, cause tuberculosis. Mycobacterium avium is common problem in municipal water supplies, because cities use chlorine to kill bacteria in water but it does not kill Mycobacterium avium. the group also tested New York City’s subway station air. And the results were different then other tests. The subway station air have less bacteria in the air because pressure from the trail movement cause the outdoor air to move into the tunnel.

Author’s response:

I believe the reason author wrote this article is to let people know that how dangerous shower mist you inhale could be.

Personal response:

The reason I chose this article is that when I first saw this article I could not believe there could be so many bacteria in shower water. I guess it does not matter if the color of water looks clear or not. We here people saying wash your hand or use hand sanitizer, but if water we use to wash our body is not germ free then what is the point of taking shower if we just added few more bacteria on our body by taking shower. And defiantly cannot use hand sanitizer all over our body after every time we take shower. I guess no matter how much we try to sanitize ourselves we’ll never be germ-free.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/health/15shower.html

"Toddler brain difference linked to autism."

Summary:

In this article author report the study done by University of North Carolina in development of autism in children. In study, using MRI brain scans, researchers found that on average 13 percent children with autism have enlarged brain. This area is called amygdale. At birth this area is normal but at some point in their life this are enlarges. This area helps person process faces and emotions, behavior which is commonly known as joint attention. The researchers have found that toddlers with enlarged amygdale have joint attention problem. Researchers have not yet linked the repetitive behavior and other social problems with enlarged amygdale. But this could be the next step in finding the cause of the autism.

Personal Response:

Well this could be the next step in finding the cause of autism. If this could be the cause then researchers might be able to find some type of cure. Maybe by shrinking this area could help joint attention problem.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/05/04/autism.brain.amygdala/index.html

IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEFS

Summary:

The article is about coral reefs and how they are important in this world not only to the humans but also to some other species. They help fishes by providing them a shelters to keep there eggs in safe plce where they can hide them from other pray of the oceans. They also provide food for 30 to 40 million people on the earth. The article also says that people not only benifot from the food, but also coral reefs are used as good pets. Therefore people catch them and sale them and from that income many people feed there families. The article also talks about coral reefs regulating the level of the carbon dioxide in the oceans water.

Personal Response:

The reason I picked this article is because coral reefs play an important part in this world. They not only feed the fishes and provide them shelters, but they also feed 30 to 40 million peoples on the earth and not only that coral reefs are income for some people. Coral reefs are good pets some people make money by catching them. They feed there families buy selling them. Also coral reefs regulates the the level of the carbon dioxide in the oceans water which I think is very important because for many species to survive in the ocean it is important to have the level of carbon dioxide in water.

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/students/coral/coral4.htm

Indian village marks 25 years in dark despite electric posts

Summary:
In this article writer Harmeet Shah Singh write about unique celebration. In India a village celebrate unusual jubilee of not having electric despite of posts to convey electrical power arrived in 1985. A village in India, Kanugaon-located in Assam state in northeast, does not have electricity. People of the village have tried to contact with authorities about this issue, but their attempts have been failed. Children study with lanterns at night, cell phone carriers travel to neighbor village to charge their phone. According to India’s 2001 census around 78 million rural households had no access to electricity. And today at least 4 out of 10 people have cell phones. India heavily relies on thermal power. Half of their power generation comes from Cole and less than three percent is from nuclear energy. India is one of the fastest developing countries along with China. And somewhere in this race India is neglecting the need of its own people.

Author’s response:

One of the reasons why the author wrote this article, in my opinion, is to show that despite of becoming one of the fastest developing countries, India is neglecting its own people. India gained independence in 1947 from Britain, after around 400 years of ruling. It was Gandhi’s dream to make India a better country for anyone to live. But his dream is shattering somewhere. India has made excellent progress like they are one of the few with nuclear power, they have been on moon, and economy is increasing. But somewhere in India these progress has no effect because they can’t afford to get education, decent nutritional food, or even decent clothes. I believe the writer wanted to let the Indian government know what they’re neglecting.

Personal Response :

The reason I chose this article is to let people know that here in America that we should not take everything for granted. Here in US we get better education, food, clothes and so many other things. We cannot live without checking our face book or texting a friend, but somewhere in world there are children, not just in India, do not know what computer or cell phone is. We should appreciate what we have instead of complaining about not getting good connection on our phones.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/india.village.no.electricity/index.html

"Analyzing Predictors of Daily Social Skill Performance."

Summary:

This article is a study to examine how play activities, intervention, and teacher’s prediction of children’s sociability have impact on children with autism. In this study three preschoolers with autism participate in daily activities with their peers. The children learn to share toys, play, organize, and interact with each other. Children were to maintain the newly taught exchanges. The result shows that the social reciprocity and peer interaction have huge impact on autistic children’s level of social interaction.

Personal Response:

This research shows how children with autism can be able to live their daily life. But it also depends on how the “normal” children interact with autistic children. Not all children interact the same way, which could have some impact on autistic children. Same can be said for teacher and parents.

"Early Births Take a Toll, Group Says."

Summary:

In New York Times’ “Early Births Take Toll, Group Says,” the author describes the recent research on rising of premature birth all around the world. Nearly one in 10 babies is born premature. One of the main concerns is in poor countries like in Africa and Asia. Where there is no proper neonatal intensive care for premature babies. The rate of premature babies in United States has also increased. Those babies are what we call “miracle babies,” because of proper intensive care for premature babies. If premature babies do not receive proper intensive care then there are chance of having lifelong health problem like jaundice, learning and behavioral problem, and also breathing problems.

Personal Response:

Since this is epidemic scientists should take this more seriously. While taking the toll there might be many cases in poor countries they have not heard about. There should be research on the cause of the premature birth. And also about some type of treatment they can give to women who go under early labor. And there might be some disease that might be linked to premature birth like autism, a disease which is increasing in US and there is no known cause of it.



http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/health/research/05babies.html?ref=research.

Pregenent women cause aggression in children.

Summary:

Elizabeth Walling is mainly stating the problem with pregnant women smoking and having the affect of aggressiveness in children that most of us don’t pay attention to. She defines that aggressiveness of the child with quickness in biting, kicking, bullying and hitting. She gives the statistics of the women with antisocial behavior and smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day which is 67% and those who smokes less than 10 or 0 cigarettes a day which is 16%. She also tells us that families with higher income than $40,000 has 8% chance of having aggressive children and with lower than $40,000 has 5 times more risk of having aggressive children. She says that if the mother has a history of antisocial behavior and income lower than $40,000 then perhaps they are the main reason for the aggression in children. She says child aggression is just one more negative affect to add on the list of reasons why women shouldn’t smoke during pregnancy among prematurity, respiratory problems, low birth weight, etc.

Personal response:

I think the author is strongly trying to get the message out for the women who smoke during their pregnancy and I completely agree with her. I can see that if you prefer not to spend time with other people you might be shy or you don’t like to be other people, or you are just don’t know how to communicate and having lower income than $40,000 might means your life is not like you wanted. It creates roughness and loneliness in life. You feel like you have no future may be, but that doesn’t mean you should smoke; in particular when you are pregnant. I don’t understand why women smokes when they are pregnant knowing how it has negative effect on their children. Do they just not care or do they think that my child will be fine?

Walling, Elizabeth. "Smoking during Pregnancy may Cause Aggression in Children." Http://www.naturalnews.com/026119_smoking_pregnancy_health.html. 24 Apr. 2009. Web. 18 Oct. 2009.

How to quit smoking with Hypnotherapy.

Summary:

The author is stating his viewers about the statistic of the male and female smoking in United States and about the chemicals that cigarette have, which is 4000 according to World Health Organization. Then the author states about how adductive the smoking is to the smokers and how it affects the people surrounded by the smokers. He says that smoking is mental addiction and in order to quit smoking and not affect the people around the smokers the author suggests the alternative method of hypnotherapy to the people who smokes. The author says that people has benefited by hypnotherapy. He also says that quitting smoking also has positive impact on economy.

Personal Response:

I agree with the authors about hypnotherapy because it is matter of mind. If we think about how we make our decisions and choose one thing over another thing; it all depends on how we think. We choose to do what we like. Smoking is concept some people like and are addicted to it. I’m sure many smokers knows about the diseases that they can get by smoking, but may be they don’t know enough or exactly how tobacco effects them and people around them. Therefore I think hypnotherapy is one of the good way we can let the smokers know about the negative side of smoking in depth and try to help them quit smoking. After all it is the matter of mind, so even if we show them the negative sides at the end it is up to smokers.

Jones, Steve G. "Stop Smoking with Hypnotherapy." Http://www.naturalnews.com/026363_smoking_health_stop_smoking.html. 02 June 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2009.

One way to quit smoking....

Evans, Kim. "Quit Smoking: Try Juicing Fruits and Vegetables."

Http://www.naturalnews.com/026632_juicing_chemicals_fruits.html. 16 July 2009. Web. 29 Sept. 2009.

Summary:

The author is stating us that when people smoke they start craving which makes it difficult for them to quit smoking. As of results in USA there is more than one death out of five deaths because of cigarettes. Kim is also stating us about how people who smokes can actually quit smoking by just drinking fresh organic fruits and vegetables which will help them get rid of those toxic that they get from smoking which causes them craving. Then at the end she is acknowledging us that after while when you have stopped smoking you should still keep drinking those organic fruits and vegetables because they provide us with variety of nutrients and all the amino acids for our body.

Personal Response:

I think this article is very good and effective. Our author is a natural health writer and personally eliminated many chemicals from her own body. If people who are in habit of smoking read this article there is a good chance they might try to quit smoking. People who smoke could be part of those more than one out of five people who dies because of cigarettes, therefore they should think about not participating in that number and stop smoking and help this country decrease the number of deaths because of cigarettes.

"Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules."

Summary

In “Vaccines didn't cause autism, court rules,” the author report on special Court’s decision on one of the longest case of autism. Special Court declared no involvement of vaccine causing autism. Three families: the Cedillos, the Hazelhursts and the Snyders believed their children have autism due to vaccines like measles, mumps and rubella combined with vaccines containing thimerosal, containing mercury. But court made the decision due to not enough evidence. Meanwhile the medical community is trying their best to find a link between autism and vaccine, and also the cause of the autism.

Personal Response

In my opinion there should be more research on connection between vaccine and autism. But parents should not stop vaccinating their children until link is found.

“Genes Controlling Affiliative Behavior as Candidate Genes for Autism”

Summary

In “Genes Controlling Affiliative Behavior as Candidate Genes for Autism,” the scientists are researching for specific genes that can cause Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder in neuron development. The cause of ASD is unknown. One of the common features of ASD is lack of affiliative behavior, which includes impaired social, linguistic and, motor skill. It has been said that certain genes can cause ASD but, they have not discovered yet. There are also some known environmental factors that can cause Autism-like Symptom. As of May 2008 only 10% of all ASD cases have known cause. There are six genes (OXT, OXTR, PRL, PRLR, DBH, AND FOSB) scientists believe have some influence on maternal and affiliative behavior.
In this study DNA samples have taken from Autistic children and their families. The six genes are separated for further study. The result shows that there are some genes, PRL, PRLR, and OXTR, involved in developing affiliative behaviors.

Personal Response

In my opinion it is great that they have discovered at least something responsible for the behavior noted in ASD children. But they should consider some factors that have impact on those genes. We also need to look at environment those children live in. Maybe it was environmental factor that have impact on genes. It would be good if scientists can develop a test that can be done before baby was born to see any sign of something going wrong with the genes causing ASD.

"Medical Marijuana: The Debate Rages On."

Summary

In “Medical Marijuana: The Debate Rages On”, the author describe the pros and cons of the most controversial debate of all time on medical marijuana. Instead of marijuana the term we’re familiar with are “Pot” and “Weed”, but the scientific name is Cannabis. This name comes from plant Cannabis Sativa. Marijuana smoking became famous in US among “flower people” in 1960’s. US and many countries consider marijuana smoking illegal and possession of it is crime punishable by law. But in some countries marijuana is considered as herbal medicine. Recent studied has declared that some substance in marijuana has medical proprieties, and it can be used in terminal disease: cancer or AIDS. In 1999 the Department of Health and Human Service studied marijuana’s medical properties. The result is the Institute of Medicine’s “Marijuana & Medicine: Assessing the Science Base.” The result stated the pros and cons but did not give clear conclusion. After ten years of its publication the debate is still going on. In 2006 US Food & Drug Administration listed marijuana in Controlled Substances Act, Schedule I for major three reasons: 1. High potential of abuse, 2. No current accepted medical use in United States, and 3. Lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. But technologies and our understanding in medicine has been improved since 1999. Therefore, more research on marijuana’s medical proprieties is needed to update the IOM’s 1999 report.

Personal Response

In my personal opinion there is not enough evidence on use of marijuana as medicine. By the study all we know is it’s not healthy to smoke marijuana. Also it has high rate of abuse. It should be illegalized until the researchers find the evidence of its medical proprieties, which has no side effects.


http://healthworldnet.com/HeadsOrTails/medical-marijuana-debate-rages/?C=5381.