Day: 09/15/2014

Pleural Plaques and Their Effect on Lung Function in Libby Vermiculite Miners

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BACKGROUND:  Multiple studies have investigated the relationship between asbestos-related pleural plaques (PPs) and lung function, with disparate and inconsistent results. Most use chest radiographs to identify PPs and simple spirometry to measure lung function. High-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning improves the accuracy of PP identification. Complete pulmonary function tests (PFTs), including spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, provide a more definitive assessment of lung function. The goal of this study was to determine, using HRCT scanning and complete PFTs, the effect of PPs on lung function in Libby vermiculite miners.

METHODS:  The results of HRCT scanning and complete PFTs performed between January 2000 and August 2012 were obtained from the medical records of 166 Libby vermiculite miners. Multivariate regression analyses with Tukey multivariate adjustment were used to assess statistical associations between the presence of PPs and lung function. Adjustments were made for age, BMI, smoking history, duration of employment, and years since last occupational asbestos exposure.

RESULTS:  Nearly 90% of miners (n = 149) had evidence of PPs on HRCT scan. No significant differences in spirometry results, lung volumes, or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide were found between miners with PPs alone and miners with normal HRCT scans. Miners with both interstitial fibrosis and the presence of PPs had a significantly decreased total lung capacity in comparison with miners with normal HRCT scans (P = .02). Age, cumulative smoking history, and BMI were significant covariates that contributed to abnormal lung function.

CONCLUSIONS:  Asbestos-related PPs alone have no significant effect on lung function in Libby vermiculite miners.

Autoimmune Diseases Tied to Eating Disorders

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http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20140912/autoimmune-diseases-eating-disorders?ecd=soc_fb_news_autoimmuneeatingdisorders

From the desk of Zedie.

Goldfish has brain operation

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A goldfish in Australia is recovering from surgery after a life-threatening tumour was removed from its brain in a “high-risk” operation.

George, whose owner lives in Melbourne, was put under general anaesthetic for the $200 (£125) procedure.

Dr Tristan Rich, who carried out the operation, told Melbourne’s 3AW radio station that the fish was now “up and about and swimming around”.

Vets say the 10-year-old fish is now expected to live for another 20 years.

“George had a quite large tumour on the top of his head that was growing slowly, and it was beginning to affect his quality of life,” Dr Rich from the Lort Smith Animal Hospital said.

George’s owner was given the choice between an operation or having the fish put to sleep.

“She was dedicated enough to give it a go,” he said.

He added that the fish was kept alive by pumping oxygenated pond water through its gills.

Dr Rich described the 45-minute operation as “fiddly”.

George the fish post-operation
Vets say the operation went swimmingly, and that George can be discharged soon

This new radio is the size of an ant, and powers itself .

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Engineers in the US have invented a new ant-sized radio that’s so energy efficient, it gathers all the power it needs from harvesting radio waves.

small-radio

If, like us, you’re wading through a sea of wires and cables and battery packs, this new invention should make you very happy. Researchers at the University of Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley in the US have invented a radio the size of an ant. And the best part? It doesn’t need an external power source to function.

These minuscule silicon chips are powered through the harvesting of radio signals, and have been designed not for your smartphone or tablet, but for a brand new wave of electronics that will bring the capability of the Internet into everyday objects at home. So think smart lightbulbs, smart coffee makers and smart fridges, all communicating wirelessly with each other to make decisions to suit you, with minimal human intervention to get them working.

The key to making these chips so small, says Dalmeet Singh Chawla at Science, is scaling down every component. “The antenna, for example, is one-tenth the size of a Wi-Fi antenna – and yet, it runs at a fast speed of 24 billion cycles per second,” he says.

“The advantage of moving to this kind of architecture is that we can have the scalability that we want, we can scale the number of radios to thousands in a very dense environment,” says Amin Arbabian, assistant professor of electrical engineering at Stanford, in the video below. “Because there’s no battery connected, there’s essentially no lifetime associated with these devices, as long as the signal’s coming in, they can recover the power, communicate and communicate back, and the cost is extremely low, because we’re talking about a few millimetres of silicon chip, which is a few cents to manufacture on a large scale.”

We can’t wait to move into our new smart homes.

For The First Time, Scientists Have Captured The Sound Of A Single Atom .

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A single atom sounds like a D-note — D28, to be precise, “about 20 octaves above the highest note on a grand piano.”

That’s the conclusion from a team of researchers at Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology, which set out to capture the sound of an atom.

“We have opened a new door into the quantum world by talking and listening to atoms,” study co-author Per Delsing said in a press release. “Our long term goal is to harness quantum physics so that we can benefit from its laws, for example in extremely fast computers. We do this by making electrical circuits which obey quantum laws, that we can control and study.”

The research was published in the journal Science.

DNews explains how the research was conducted:

“The team started by first making an artificial atom. Next, they charged it with energy. Normally, atoms release energy in the form of light, called a photon. However, in this experiment, the atom was designed to both emit and absorb energy in the form of sound, called a phonon.”

One of the greatest historical discoveries involving atoms was the finding that atoms combine in a certain way:

Here’s Why You Should Convert Your Music To 432 Hz

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“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.” – Nikola Tesla
“What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.” – Albert Einstein

convert-your-music

Tesla said it. Einstein Agreed. Science proved it. It is a known fact that everything—including our own bodies—is made up of energy vibrating at different frequencies. That being said, can sound frequencies affect us? They sure can. Frequencies affect frequencies; much like mixing ingredients with other ingredients affects the overall flavor of a meal. The way frequencies affect the physical world has been demonstrated through various experiments such as the science of Cymatics and water memory.

The science of Cymatics illustrates that when sound frequencies move through a particular medium such as water, air or sand, it directly alters the vibration of matter. Below are pictures demonstrating how particles adjust to different frequencies.
We all hold a certain vibrational frequency, not to mention our bodies are estimated to be about 70% water… so we can probably expect that musical frequencies can alter our own vibrational state. Every expression through sound, emotion or thought holds a specific frequency which influences everything around it—much like a single drop of water can create a larger ripple effect in a large body of water.
With this concept in mind, let us bring our attention to the frequency of the music we listen to. Most music worldwide has been tuned to A=440 Hz since the International Standards Organization (ISO) promoted it in 1953. However, studies regarding the vibratory nature of the universe indicate that this pitch is disharmonious with the natural resonance of nature and may generate negative effects on human behaviour and consciousness. Certain theories even suggest that the nazi regime has been in favor of adopting this pitch as standard after conducting scientific researches to determine which range of frequencies best induce fear and aggression. Whether or not the conspiracy is factual, interesting studies and observations have pointed towards the benefits of tuning music to A=432 Hz instead.
432 Hz is said to be mathematically consistent with the patterns of the universe. Studies reveal that 432hz tuning vibrates with the universe’s golden mean PHI and unifies the properties of light, time, space, matter, gravity and magnetism with biology, the DNA code and consciousness. When our atoms and DNA start to resonate in harmony with the spiraling pattern of nature, our sense of connection to nature is said to be magnified. The number 432 is also reflected in ratios of the Sun, Earth, and the moon as well as the precession of the equinoxes, the Great Pyramid of Egypt, Stonehenge, the Sri Yantra among many other sacred sites.
Another interesting factor to consider is that the A=432 Hz tuning correlates with the color spectrum while the A=440 Hz is off.
Let’s explore the experiential difference between A=440 Hz and A=432 Hz. The noticeable difference music lovers and musicians have noticed with music tuned in A=432 Hz is that it is not only more beautiful and harmonious to the ears, but it also induces a more inward experience that is felt inside the body at the spine and heart. Music tuned in A=440 Hz was felt as a more outward and mental experience, and was felt at the side of the head which projected outwards. Audiophiles have also stated that A=432hz music seems to be non-local and can fill an entire room, whereas A=440hz can be perceived as directional or linear in sound propagation.
I personally have enjoyed many bands, artists and styles of music even though they were tuning in A=440 hz, however by comparing a few songs in both A=432 hz and A=440 hz, I can feel and hear the difference. I wouldn’t say that my experience of 440hz music has turned me into an aggressive person, but I can understand how an entire population being exposed to music that is more mind directed as opposed to heart directed—not to mention all of the materialistic and ego-driven lyrics in most popular music—is a perfect combination to maintain a more discordant frequency and state of consciousness within humanity.
I cannot state with complete certainty that every idea suggested in this article is 100% accurate, nor am I an expert on the subject. For this reason, I suggest that we each do our own research on the matter with an open yet discerning mind if we are looking for scientific validation. However, we all possess intuition and the ability to observe without judgment—which can be just as valuable (if not more) as filling our heads with external data. It is therefore up to us to tone down the urge to jump to conclusions and instead EXPERIENCE the difference between A=440 Hz and A=432 Hz. To do so, we need to listen with our entire body and a neutral awareness as opposed to with our mental ideas, judgments and preconceptions.

Ghrelin paralleled adiposity increase after acromegaly surgery

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The rise in total ghrelin found to accompany some remaining cardiovascular risk markers and adiposity increase in patients with acromegaly remission after surgery could be interrelated, according to research published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

“Our prospective study found increases in weight and central adiposity after surgery for acromegaly along with reductions in many, but not all, markers of cardiovascular risk,” the researchers wrote. “Ghrelin levels rose in parallel with the less favorable anthropometric profile, novel evidence of a possible relationship of ghrelin to the increase in adiposity that follows surgical treatment of acromegaly mechanisms and long-term implications of changes with acromegaly treatment.”

At tertiary referral centers for pituitary tumors, Carlos Reyes-Vidal, MD, of the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, and colleagues looked at 42 adults who had untreated active acromegaly before surgery.

The researchers evaluated changes in outcome measures from before to after surgery in 26 patients who achieved remission, or normal insulin-like growth factor I and 16 patients whose active acromegaly, or elevated IGF-I, persisted.

By 6 months, patients with remission had increases in total ghrelin, body weight, waist circumference, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, HDL and leptin, and decreases in systolic blood pressure, homeostasis model assessment, triglycerides and lipoprotein(a); the changes remained for 32 ± 4 months after surgery. Higher ghrelin correlated with the reduced levels of growth hormone, IGF-I and insulin and insulin resistance.

Patients with persistent active acromegaly did not demonstrate significant increases in weight, waist circumference and ghrelin. In 15 patients with remission, total body fat, trunk fat and percentage total body fat increased by 1 year after surgery: Increase in body fat correlated with increase in total ghrelin.
“It is unknown whether the changes represent a readjustment to the anthropometric and cardiovascular risk profile they would have were they not to have acromegaly,” the researchers wrote. “Further investigation into the mechanisms of these changes and their long-term implications is warranted.”

US Army: ‘Super Soldier’ Genetically Modified Humans Won’t Need Food, Sleep Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/us-army-super-soldier-genetically-modified-humans-food-sleep/#ixzz3DOn2LpB2 Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

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The next frontier of genetic modification is not centered around a certain fruit or vegetable, but humans. More specifically, military personnel. Genetically modified humans is the next venture for biotechnology companies working with the United States military, with the admitted goal of producing a ‘super soldier’ that does not require food or sleep to perform Olympic-style physical feats.

The genetically modified humans, or ‘super soldiers’, will even be able to regrow limbs that were destroyed by enemy fire and live off of their fat stores for extreme lengths of time.

geneticallymodifiedhumans 235x147 US Army: Super Soldier Genetically Modified Humans Wont Need Food, Sleep

Backed by $2 billion a year in funding, the Pentagon’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently unleashed the news after years of secret experimentation and study. The organization did not say whether or not genetically modified humans currently exist to such an extent, however it is known based on previous reports that human chimeras have already been created outside of the public spotlight. Such scientific experiments have drawn fire from scientists and activists alike, who are demanding for laws to forbid the creation of ‘monsters’.

As of right now, DARPA has a functioning exoskeleton that enables soldiers to run far faster and handle heavy weights. This is but a step in the direct of full modification of the genetic coding of soldiers.

DARPA, of course, has earned the nickname of the ‘mad scientist’ wing for its rampant experiments in modifying life and fusing biology and technology. In working with killer drones, DARPA earlier this year was developing research into contact lens-mounted displays that could transport information from drones into the eyeballs of soldiers. Furthermore, the agency is also developing helmets in which the soldiers could communicate ‘telepathically’ with the kill drones.

The announcement ties in with the 2045 project, which I’ve covered in the past. The project offers ‘immortality’ to the wealthy elite who financially back it, and touts artificial bodies and brains for humans to achieve ‘immortality’. This entire system, of course, ties into a larger ‘singularity’ project as outlined by the creator of the 2045 plan and others like Ray Kurzweil. In a nut shell, ‘consciousness singularity’ can be defined by a merging of all ‘transhuman’ bodies into one ‘hive mind’ of sorts. Likely a massive super computer of some sorts that has full control over the minds of those ‘hooked in’.

It truly sounds insane, yet it is plainly stated out in the open. A number of issues arise from this singularity plan (not to even mention the fact that ‘soldiers’ are slowly becoming more of DARPA creations than human), such as the serious threat to humanity’s very integrity. We’ve seen the many issues regarding traditional GMOs on public health and the environment, now what about human modification?

Read more: http://naturalsociety.com/us-army-super-soldier-genetically-modified-humans-food-sleep/#ixzz3DOn9RImo
Follow us: @naturalsociety on Twitter | NaturalSociety on Facebook

MAD SCIENCE: ‘GENETICALLY MODIFIED MICRO HUMANS’ TO BE ‘FARMED’ FOR DRUG TESTING BY 2017

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Developers of artificial micro-humans, or ‘mini GM humans,’ are hoping to release their technology on the market by 2017. No this isn’t a sci-fi joke. Scientists are developing artificial humans in the same vein as GM plants with the hope that these creations will replace the need for using animals in laboratory testing.

Artificial humans will be ‘farmed’ with interacting organs that can be used in drug tests, speeding up the process of FDA and other government regulatory approvals, and supposedly without damaging rats or other animals currently used in laboratories. The GM humans will contain smartphone-sized microchips that will be programmed to replicate up to 10 major human organs.

Each GM human will be tiny – roughly the size of a microchip itself, simulating the response of humans to substances inhaled, absorbed in the blood, or exposed to in the intestinal tract.

Early versions comprising an artificial kidney, heart, lung or gut are already being used by the cosmetic industry and to observe the use of chemical drugs on non-GMO humans.

The Times of India reported that researchers said this could replace up to 90 million animals each year in labs. Uwe Marx, a tissue engineer from Technische Universitat Berlin and founder of TissUse, a firm developing the technology said:

“If our system is approved by the regulators, then it will close down most of the animal-testing laboratories worldwide.” said.

Currently, this type of technology is already used on artificial organs like hearts and livers, but the results must be verified on a ‘live’ being – animals in a lab, for instance, to prove that substances are safe when interacting with a living being with real organs.

The problem with current testing, and obviously this proposed ‘solution,’ is that artificial organs, like animals, won’t respond the same way as a human body. We have already observed unforeseen side effects during human trials after animal trials that are far from ‘safe’ – GM crops are a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Organs cannot be divided into ‘fake’ computerized components. They interact with one another, the endocrine system, the brain, the nervous system, environmental cues, emotions, and according to advanced research, even our energetic bodies.

This reminds me of how genetically modified humans are planned to be the next venture for biotechnology companies working with the United States military, with the admitted goal of producing a ‘super soldier’ that does not require food or sleep to perform Olympic-style physical feats. The genetically modified humans, or ‘super soldiers’, will even be able to regrow limbs that were destroyed by enemy fire and live off of their fat stores for extreme lengths of time. You can read more on GMO super-humans here.

While the new GM human farms seem great on paper, since eliminating animal testing is indeed noble, they do not address possible far-reaching, negative ramifications for trying to re-create the complexities of Mother Nature’s form. It seems the pharmaceutical industry and biotech don’t learn from their mistakes at all.

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month

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Learn about ways you can promote healthy growth in children and fight childhood obesity.

About 1 of every 5 (17%) children in the United States has obesity and certain groups of children are more affected than others. While there is no single or simple solution, National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month provides an opportunity for learning about ways to prevent and address this serious health concern.

Mother fixing lunch with young daughter

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem.

  • Children who have obesity are more likely to have obesity as adults. This can lead to lifelong physical and mental health problems, including diabetes and increased risk of certain cancers.
  • Children who have obesity face more bullying and stigma.
  • Childhood obesity is influenced by many factors. For some children and families factors include too much time spent in sedentary activities such as television viewing; a lack of bedtime routine leading to too little sleep; a lack of community places to get adequate physical activity; easy access to inexpensive, high calorie snacks and beverages; or a lack of access to affordable, healthier foods.
Small boy riding bicycleRiding bicycles is a great activity to help children maintain a healthy weight.

Three girls riding bicyclesBeing physically active improves children’s overall health.

There are ways parents can help prevent obesity and support healthy growth in children.

  • To help ensure that children have a healthy weight, energy balance is important. To achieve this balance, parents can make sure children get adequate sleep, follow recommendations on daily screen time, take part in regular physical activity, and eat the right amount of calories.
  • Parents can substitute higher nutrient, lower calorie foods such as fruit and vegetables in place of foods with higher-calorie ingredients, such as added sugars and solid fats.
  • Parents can ensure access to water as a no-calorie alternative to sugar-sweetened beverages.
  • Parents can serve children fruit and vegetables at meals and as snacks and model this behavior themselves.

Addressing obesity can start in the home, but also requires the support of communities.

  • We can all take part in the effort to encourage more children to be physically active and eat a healthy diet.
  • The federal government is currently helping low-income families get affordable, nutritious foods through programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and the Child and Adult Care Feeding Program (CACFP).
  • State and local stakeholders including health departments, businesses, and community groups can help make it easier for families with children to find low-cost physical activity opportunities and buy healthy, affordable foods in their neighborhoods and community settings.
  • Schools can help students be healthy by putting into action policies and practices that support healthy eating, regular physical activity, and by providing opportunities for students to learn about and practice these behaviors.
  • With more than 60% of US children younger than age 6 participating in some form of child care on a weekly basis, parents can engage with child care providers to support healthy habits at home and in child care settings.

Working together, states, communities, schools, child care providers, and parents can help make healthier food, beverages, and physical activity the easy choice for children and adolescents to help prevent childhood obesity.