Lung Virus Taking Its Toll on Young Lives, Study Finds

Summary:

This article is about the lung virus that is taking young lives. The article says that a common virus that causes wheezing and pneumonia claims the lives of up to two hundred thousand children worldwide each year. The article says that the research conducted by the University of Edinburgh showed that about 3.4 million children require hospital treatment for severe lung infection caused by the bug respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The article also says that RSV, which infects most children before the age of two usually, causes mild cold-like symptoms, but can lead to serious illness in babies who are born prematurely or who have congenital heart disease. The author also states that the study which was published in the Lancet journal, confirms that RSV is the single largest cause of lung infection in children. “It is the first time that the numbers of children dying globally from RSV before the age of five has been quantified.” “The international team analysed unpublished data from developing countries as well as all the published medical research on RSV infection. They found that about 33.8m children become infected with RSV each year and that 99 per cent of RSV-related deaths occur in developing countries.” The article says that since the number of the affected patients the international team may contribute to the development of a vaccine against the infection.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100415205748.htm

Personal response:

This article interested me somehow. I feel very bad for those children who are infected by this lung virus at very early age. I wish I could do anything to help those children, but I am not much of science person. I just hope that researcher at University of Edinburgh comes up with a vaccine that will help this children.

Getting the global view: Nestle, led by Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, climbs to the #1 spot in this year's Best Companies for Leaders

Summary:

This article is talking about the Nestle Company, which is a food and beverage company. This article is explaining how can a food and beverages company that wants to sell 8,500 brands in 86 countries become all things to all customers yet maintain its focus and keep its identity intact? The article says that Nestle CEO Peter Brabeck-Letmathe says that it all hinges on the talent that his company nurtures. Austrian-born Brabeck says that they want to make sure that employees at all their regional companies maintain their (employees) original cultures, but follow the same Nestle principles. He says they don't want to transform a Chinese into a Chilean or an American into an Australian. All they are asking for is that he or she embrace the common values that they(company) have. The article says that the company's Management and Leadership Principles state that "people are Nestle's most important asset". The article says there were nearly 2,000 junior executives selected from all over the world undergo a month long induction into Nestle's corporate philosophy. They work together on team projects and meet the company's top brass in groups as well as one on one. Brabeck says he spends at least four weeks a year at the training center. He sees it as his key task and says, "Leadership development" is perhaps one of the most important duties that I have.

Here is the link for the article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4070/is_202/ai_n8576050/

Personal response:

This is an argumentative article I think, but also somewhat informative. I like Nestle myself and I think they are the best at least for me. I would say they are number one because they have kept their identity unbroken. It shows that the employees are following Nestle’s principle. I also think leadership is important in keeping the company whole, which according to this article Brabeck does.

9 questions to ask your new lover: what you were afraid to ask, but always wanted to know

Summary:

I find this article very interesting and good. It explains what girls or women should do when dating a guy. It asks all the questions that you want to know the answer of, but are afraid of the answer that one might give. “Is he or she the one for you? What is the wildest thing he's ever done? How many sex partners has he had? Is he broke or head over heels in debt? Has he ever been arrested? And more importantly, how can you be sure?” The article says that knowing those answers it can protect ones health. Dr. Lauren Durant who is a clinical psychologist and relationship expert in Durham, N.C. says if a guy runs away from your questions, don't get discouraged. She says it is not hard to find a good man. She also says a woman should ask all the questions she want to in first three months of dating arranged in from most invasive to least invasive questions. In the article Paula Williams said that there was a time she was afraid of asking the tough questions, put she has got positive results from men by being more upfront.

Here is the link if you want to read the whole article: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_5_59/ai_113681698/?tag=content;col1

Personal Response:

I think this was a really good article. I agree with the writer that if you want to know the answer of all the questions you should also be prepared to answer those for yourself. I also think that you should ask all the questions you want to ask ASAP so that you will know if that is the person for you or not before you give your heart to someone. That way you will not have broken heart if you had to let someone go because of something you find out when it is way pass the point of getting to know.

Childhood Cancer Survivors At Higher Odds of Early Death

Summary:

This article is talking about the childhood cancer and breast cancer in women. It does mention couple other cancers as well, but most significance of this article is about the childhood cancer survivors at higher odds of early death. The author says that people who develop cancer at young age require lifelong monitoring and are at an increased risk of early death, which is true according to the outcome of two studies. In the article the authors tells us that the computer model developed by the study showed that health risks faced by childhood cancer survivors shorten their life length by an average of 10 years. It varies according to the type of cancer people have. As the author says, people with kidney cancer who survive died 4 years earlier than the general population and people with bone or brain cancers who survive dies 18 years earlier. The researchers noted that the short life expectancy could be the result of cancer treatments with long-term toxicity that were used in previous decades, which is what the author says in the article. If that is the case than I think we can definitely come up with something that is less toxic in treatment which will increase the time of life expectancy from past at least. Also as the author stated in article doctors should consider past cancer treatment and their long term effects when caring for childhood cancer survivor. Author also talks about the women with breast cancers. He says that the best thing for those women is the MRI and mammography beginning at age 25. People who have cancer certainly need help and most of them need help financially to fight the cancer.

Link to the article:
http://www.usnews.com/health/family-health/cancer/articles/2010/04/05/childhood-cancer-survivors-at-higher-odds-of-early-death.html

Personal Response:
I feel bad for those kids who get cancer at the early age. Sometimes they get cancer because they inherit from their ancestor. I agree with the author that doctors should consider past cancer treatment when caring for childhood cancer survivor. I do think that doctors did consider the long term effects of the toxic chemicals, but may be they didn’t have less toxic medicine back in days to cure cancer than we have today. There might have been some doctors who didn’t consider the long term effects.

The 5 greatest movie spies

Summary:

This article is very interesting and I enjoyed reading it, I think mainly because it was about spies in movies. It talks about spies in five greatest movie spies which are based on the spy.
First person he talks about is the Austin Powers, (Mike Myers in reality, in the Austin Powers trilogy. He says how the Austin Powers is the ultimate James Bond spoof, mixed with a bit of bizarre 60s eccentricity. The author says how Austin thought he was the essence of spy-movie cool, and was oblivious to the fact that he’s really nothing but a funny, if slightly disturbing, parody. I haven’t seen these movies; therefore I have no other comments about him. He is number five in authors list of greatest spies.
Second, he talks about the Ethan Hunt, who is Tom Cruise in reality, in the movie Mission Impossible. In his quest to prove his innocence Tom Cruise’s Hunt proves himself the perfect sleek, efficient secret agent. He has the right skills, the gadgets and that annoying ability to get through anything, including a high-speed chase involving a train, a helicopter and the channel tunnel and still look picture-perfect at the end of it all. Tom cruise was so innocent in those MI movies and he had all the skills as the author described. He is number four in authors list of greatest spies.
Then he talks about Charlie’s Angels who are Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu, in the movie Charlie’s Angels. “The three femme’s fatales are the ultimate team of spies. Working for the mysterious Charlie and with the help of his assistant Bosley (Bill Murray), they go around fighting crime and, well, kicking ass. They may seem all sweetness and innocence but when these girls get angry, you really wouldn’t want to be on their bad side. And with the help of Charlie’s technological genius (they can plant voice recorders and trackers in people’s teeth!) there really can be no stopping them.” They are number three in authors list of greatest spies.
Then the author talks about James Bond, who is an incomparable movie spy who needs no introduction as the author says. The author says “Bond, in all his guises, sets the bar for spy movies in every way. He’s suave, sophisticated and has the use of a seemingly never-ending arsenal of inconceivable gadgets and awesome cars. And of course, he somehow always finds time to get the girl!” Adding to what the author said the music was also one of the factors I think that false in the category of his style. He is the number two in authors list of greatest spies.
Last, but not the least he talks about Jason Bourne, who is Matt Damon in reality, in the Bourne trilogy. Author says that, Bourne could well be the coolest spy of them all. “After he wakes up with amnesia he has no idea who he is or why he’s there, but he still has the skill and cunning to stay alive and work it all out. He may not have many cool spy gadgets but it’s not like he needs them, he’s an expert at using everyday objects in unexpected ways and he can fashion pretty much anything into a weapon!” he is the number one in authors list of greatest spies.

Personal response:

Out of all these people I would say Bourne is by far the best spy in any of the movies. He is never caught and always sleeps away from the people who try to catch him. James bond is also incredible and surely does not need any introduction, but because sometimes he got caught and girls sometime dies because of him, which is why he is number two for me as well. Ethan should be number three I think because of the stuns and everything he does. There are very few people can do what he does. Charlie’s Angels are good, but I think bond is better and I have nothing to talk about Austin since I haven’t seen his movies.
The link to the article is here http://coffeebreakarticles.com/the-5-greatest-movie-spies/ if you want to read the whole article.

Women fear violence in Haitian camps

Summary:

This article is about women in Haiti who are living (camping) in front of the presidents building in Haiti due to the earthquake on January 12, 2010. They have no privacy, everything that happens there is on the news. That is not all the young men are the worst treat to them. When those men don’t have food or work, and they are just sitting around and drinking they will do anything to women. The place where they live is build with the bed sheets. It is so easy for anyone to break into their houses. During the day women have to bathe topless in an outdoor fountain. There has been also couple report of the rape in the camp. Before the earthquake Haiti was in the middle of implementing what the United Nation Population Fund called an impressive five year plan to curb violence against women and change the culture.

Here is the link to the article http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/15/haiti.violence.women/index.html?hpt=Sbin .

Personal response:
I feel terrible for the people who were victim of the earthquake in Haiti, especially for the women. I hope the security gets better in Haiti for those women and they get some facilities so that they can at least have a place where they can go to take bathe and have 100% privacy.

Disinfectants May Promote Growth of Superbugs

Summary:

In a recent study researchers from the National University of Ireland in Galway shows that increase in using disinfectants in laboratory culture of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause increase in growth. Disinfectant can cause Pseudomonas aeruginosa to become resistant to ciprofloxacin, a commonly-prescribed antibiotic. Disinfectant can also cause mutation in DNA which cause them to resist certain types of antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection cause weak immune system, like cystic fibrosis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important cause of hospital-acquired infections. The study shows that adapted bacteria are more likely to survive when comparing to non-adapted bacteria when using small amount of non-lethal disinfectant. There could be an environmental factor in resistance.

Personal Response:

This news scares me a little. If we’re using disinfectants to kill germs, but instead if it cause them to grow then what is point of using disinfectants. Especially in hospitals or day care around kids.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091227212310.htm