She Sells Seashells (and Energy?) by the Seashore

By: Jessica Robertson

The power of the ocean is undeniable. With new technology, that power could be harnessed in such a way that seashells and seafood won’t be our greatest export from the watery giant for much longer.

Renewable energy falls into the top-priority category among global sustainability issues; the more avenues we have for garnering clean, renewable energy, the better for our planet. The ocean is full of frighteningly powerful, high-energy water, and turning that power into electricity would be emission-free, and genius. Good thing the plans, though in their infancy, are underway!

Some of the biggest names in the energy industry are teaming up to turn these ideas into reality. Lockheed Martin, Scottish PowerRenewables, MeyGen, UC Berkeley, and the US Navy are just a few of the familiar names on these impressive projects. Five types of power-generating machines are under testing, either in the lab or in the open seas, currently.

Two of the projects, particularly, are standouts. The largest wave energy project, already in the water off the coasts of Australia, consists of special buoys anchored to the ocean floor; as waves roll, the buoy moves with the wave and the anchor stays intact, causing the tension to power a hydraulic pump. The energy moves through wires to the coast, where it is stored; one single buoy’s energy can power an astounding maximum of 10,000 homes. While that number is staggering, the most effective prototype, it seems, is known as the magic carpet. Intended to be placed off the coast of California, on the sea floor, the giant mats absorb the energy that is normally dissipated into the sand on the bottom of the ocean. Careful placement of the mats, avoiding coral reefs and other marine habitats, could also create “safe zones” to protect harbors during wild storms and prevent erosion due to their ability to absorb up to 90% of waves’ energy.  Just a one square-meter patch of the mat creates enough power for two homes. Open-ocean trials are scheduled to begin in April 2016.

One familiar approach, designed similarly to wind turbines, underwater turbines rely on the tidal pull of the water rather than waves, turning the arms of the machine and creating a steady source of energy. Water turbines, though, present a significant threat to marine life that may be hurt by the many moving mechanical parts; efforts are being made to prevent any collateral damage to the environment. Another proposal, called the Sea Serpent, is at work floating off the coasts of Scotland, where jointed segments flex along with the movement of the waves to power hydraulic pumps and store energy that is delivered to the shore by underwater cables.

All the models must be designed to survive the ferocious storms that the ocean can deliver, and the fifth model banks on its simplicity to survive. As the low profile machine floats atop the water, it funnels high-pressure water through a pump to shore, where the majority of the machinery remains to convert the water pressure into electricity. This design has already proven itself in its two-and-a-half-year lifetime working on the seas.

Each of the projects has its challenges, but the real vision of clean and renewable energy helps overcome the hurdles that arise with the advent of new technology. 

The Colorful Truth

Kate M. Serrano

It’s been said that humans eat with the eyes as much as with the mouth. This is certainly the reason why the vivid colors, shapes and bright packaging of food in the supermarket aisle can be so appealing that we buy them not because of the brand or quality but because of what we see in the packaging. But how much of these bright colors should be in food? 

Food dye is normally used for enhancement of color and improving food’s overall appearance. The issue on how much food color should be in food is a known fact. In Europe, regulations on labeling food containing artificial food dyes to inform consumers of the health risks are already in place. The United States have no such requirement yet every year food manufacturers pour 15 million pounds of artificial food dyes into U.S. foods. Some of the most commonly used food dyes may be linked to numerous forms of cancer, alongside hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) reported that nine of the food dyes currently approved for use in the United States like Red #40 and Blue #2 are linked to health issues such as cancer and hyperactivity to allergy-like reactions. These were results from studies conducted by the chemical industry itself.

Our diet should include a range of food in vibrant colors. By color I mean those that are naturally rich in color such as red bell peppers, purple eggplants, blueberries, green beans. Their natural colors are reminders of the important nutrients they contain and these are the kind needed in our diet. It may just be high time to think twice about that rainbow-colored cereal or fluorescent blue juice. And have you taken your eyes off that pretty pink cupcake on the kitchen table too? 

Making Rice Sustainable

By: Jessica Robertson

Perhaps the most urgent of challenges arising from climate change is making agriculture sustainable. In coming years, edible resources will be more important than ever with the growing world population. One of the main staples worldwide is rice, and, at the 3^rd annual LEGATO Conference (Land-use Intensity and Ecological Engineering – Assessment Tools for Risks and Opportunities in Irrigated Rice Based Production Systems), questions were addressed regarding sustainability, productivity, and diversification in the Southeast Asia rice ecosystems.

            One of the most discussed subjects at this year’s conference was the use of silicon (Si) as an enhancement for rice plants, being able to strengthen the plants, improve their immunity to disease and ability to utilize fertilizers, and block the uptake of toxic metal. In case studies from the Philippines, where levels of Si in the soil are higher compared to soil in Vietnam, these beneficial characteristics were observed. Farmers who burn rice straw and apply the ash to the field typically find higher Si levels in their soil, while farmers who export the ash do not reap the benefits of silicon-rich soil. Educating farmers about the benefits of silicon and methods of introducing it to their crops could help increase the sustainability of the rice industry.

            The conference group also discussed topics like natural pest control, biodiversity, education in restoration of landscape biodiversity through entertainment, and the abuse of pesticides.

            However, one crucial topic that was not addressed at this year’s conference was water conservation. Water conservation is one challenge that remains higher in importance than sustainable agriculture in the face of today’s environmental issues. On average, it takes 2,500 liters of water to produce just 1 kilogram of rice. With rice being one of the world’s most popular staples, in order to increase its sustainability, the water use issue must be addressed. Hopefully, that will be one topic on the list for next year’s LEGATO conference. Until then, hopefully these proposed changes will be jumpstarting sustainability in the rice fields of the world. 

Loving Your Luscious Locks

Kate M. Serrano

 They say the hair is our crowning glory. Some conditions and medications does not only affect the body, they can cause serious damage on the hair too. How the hair looks says a lot about a person’s health. Here are some “hair issues” worth considering and some easy prevention steps.

Dandruff.  Doctors are not sure how we get it but a theory suggests that it may be due to an overgrowth of fungus, stress, weather conditions or obesity. Although the itching and flakes can be quite embarrassing, dandruff is not contagious. Anti-dandruff shampoos may be used to decrease the build-up of dandruff, and there is no right or wrong shampoo for this. You may need to try several dandruff shampoos to see which one works best. If it doesn’t help, it’s time to consult your doctor.

Sun Damage. Too much exposure to the sun can make hair brittle, break and split easily. Worst, it can make it dry as a mop. Hair care products are to be chosen carefully especially for those with thinning hair. It is important to choose a shampoo that provides sunscreen protection. And for days when you need to be out in the sun for long, it doesn’t hurt to wear a hat or bring along an umbrella.

Crash Diets. In extreme cases, crash diets can cause hair damage. Hair needs a good dose of protein and vitamins to stay healthy and often times low calorie diets do not provide the sufficient nutrients it needs. If vitamin deficiency is high, this could result to hair loss. To help keep hair healthy and shiny, your hair food list should consist of salmon, walnuts, spinach, carrots, oysters, whole grains, vegetables and cashew. And the double whammy – anything that is good for the hair is also good for the heart.

Overstyling. You may look like Barbie popping out of a magazine but too much blow drying, ironing, coloring, bleaching and even over-brushing weakens hair. This makes hair dry and dull. It may not cause permanent damage but over-styling may lead to a point where your only option is to cut off your locks and start over.

Hair care may often be neglected in our effort to look good at all times but the formula is very simple. When it comes to hair, doing less leads to a healthier tress.

One Beautiful, but Unbalancing, Result of Climate Change

By: Jessica Robertson

Climate change is responsible for many environmental shifts that no one appreciates. With climate change still desperately needing addressing, one recently recorded shift is something we can all enjoy visually, but hopefully it skirts any negative effects on the surrounding wildlife.

            Scientists who track flower blooming patterns within the meadows of the Rocky Mountains have noticed a surprising pattern. As the climate changes, the season for blooms has lengthened by more than an entire month. Thirty-nine years ago, when records first began, the beautiful flowers would bloom beginning in late May and flower until early September. The newest studies are showing the first blooms in late April and the last blooms in late September.

            No one wants to complain about the extended presence of flowers, right? If that were the only facet of the story, we could all be happy. However, since climate change affects the millions of Rocky Mountain flowers with more complexity than first understood, some flowers are responding in unexpected ways.

            With the changes, the flower combinations that bloom together are different than they once were. It is expected that these shifts will affect the insects, birds, and animals that rely on the changing plant life. Take, for example, the hummingbird; every year, hummingbirds nest deliberately so that their eggs hatch when the flowers are at their peak bloom, meaning plenty of nourishing nectar for the growing baby birds. Now, with the blooming season spreading over a longer period of time but the same number of total flowers, peak bloom holds fewer flowers for hungry bugs and birds.

            This summer, the study will continue, finding valuable information on how these changes do affect the wildlife. One researcher plans to study the hummingbird population, particularly. Hopefully the findings will show we can appreciate the extended presence of flowers and not need to worry about unbalance in this ecosystem. 

The Morning After

Kate M. Serrano

Hangovers. Whether you are headed to happy hour, a friend’s wedding or a party, sipping your spirits can get uncontrollable and haunt you the next morning. No expert has ever recommended overindulging in alcohol. Heavy drinking rocks the central nervous system. This translates to the headache and dizziness that sends you running to the bathroom so often that you become dehydrated.

Unknown to most, women are more likely to feel the effects of a hangover. It’s because men have higher percentage of water in their body that helps dilute the alcohol. So for girls, never ever go crazy over the free drinks on Ladies’ Night. Having a non-alcoholic drink in between each beer can help keep your body hydrated and cut down your overall alcohol intake. Or you can hit the rocks – order drinks that are on-the-rocks. As the ice melts, the drink is diluted. That’s lesser alcohol for you.

Eating pasta before bed is a myth many believe that could prevent hangovers. Wrong. Food has to be in your stomach before Happy Hour. And while food slows down how fast the body absorbs alcohol, fat does a better job at it. So why not go for pizza before your first mojito? And while at it, having a conversation is an easy way to pace your drinking. By putting your mouth to work, the rate of booze hitting the blood stream is lowered down.

More alcohol in the morning is another myth that needs to be busted. It does nothing more than postpone a hangover. If you have a martini at breakfast, the hangover might just come later in the day. Coffee too leads to more dehydration and may just make the hangover worse. It’s best to avoid caffeine after a night of drunkenness; water and sports drinks can counter dehydration. If you can’t function without a wake-up cocktail or five cups of coffee, it may just be time to call your doctor.

Too much of something can always go bad and there is a price for partying hard. With the decision to drink comes the responsibility to stay safe.

Have you been partying responsibly? If so, let’s drink to that! 

New Found Effects of Chernobyl Radiation Damage

By: Jessica Robertson

Most of the world is still profoundly aware of the saddening effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986. When the Ukrainian nuclear power plant exploded, clouds of radioactive particles traveled across Europe and the western Soviet Union. At least 31 people were killed in the accident itself, and the cases of cancer and deformities that resulted from the contamination are innumerable. Like the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan, the Chernobyl accident was classified as having the maximum contamination level on the International Nuclear Event Scale; these are the only two events to ever classify so high on the scale.

            Recent studies into the ecosystem surrounding the Chernobyl accident site show that radiation continues to affect the bio system. Trees that had been killed by the initial blast when the accident occurred are still lying intact; the fact that there is hardly any evident decomposition of the trees is extremely unusual. Conducting tests for nine months with plant material and different levels of exposure to radiation, researchers found that the more radiation that plant material was exposed to, the less it decomposed over time.

            The researchers came to the logical conclusion that the radiation hinders – and at higher doses, kills – the bacteria and fungi that are typically responsible for the decomposition of plant material. The radiation also showed a smaller effect on other organisms, like termites, that also contribute to the decomposition process. Indirectly, the radiation slows new plant growth; as the decomposition process slows, fewer nutrients are restored to the soil to feed young plants.

            Researchers are interested to continue tracking life in the ecosystem, including microbes, plant life, and animals that rely on plants for nutrition. The accumulation of dry plant material is concerning due to the fire hazard it creates. After nearly two decades, the Chernobyl catastrophe still must remain in our thoughts to help reduce its devastating impacts and to guide us to how best to address the more recent nuclear disaster in Japan.

Social Circles

By: Kate M. Serrano 

Exercise, a balanced diet, getting enough rest and sleep are the most common secrets of living a good life. But in a recent study a new addition to the “long life” list exists: make more friends. The study reports that 22% of those with a large network of friends are less likely to die early. Friends have a positive impact on stress level and brain health. This translates to a healthier immune system and a happier disposition. 

As we age, making friends is not as easy – there are no adult playgrounds to go to or a sandbox to play in. By adulthood, most of us spend time working or doing more useful matters and we encounter fewer situations that are conducive to friendship formation. The study suggests to meet new people by trying new activities that interest you. You may want to try pilates and sign up for a pilates class or join an explorer’s club trek a nearby river. In these social circles you find acquaintances you can open up to and eventually become friends. The key is to reveal something of yourself for the relationship to get to the next level, just like dating.

However while making new friends, don’t forget the ones who have been there all along. It may be difficult to maintain friendship over the natural transitions of life. People come and go, move to places or find new jobs. It’s important to keep in touch and connect – make a phone call, update through social media like Facebook, Twitter or video call via Skype! And if you’re not connecting, bring it up, because they're probably feeling the same way.

Life can be difficult. It’s important to make room for people who are supportive and caring, they benefit your long-term health.

Save our Planet

By: Felicitas Binan

Every time we hear the term “global warming” we cannot help but  feel alarmed and  disturbed about the carbon footprint of  anything and everything around us. First and foremost concern that came into our mind is the future of our children, grandchildren and the future generation to come. Where will they be if our earth will be devoid of fresh water to drink, pure air to breathe, rivers and oceans and perpetual land to dwell in. There is still hope for a brighter outlook if all the citizens of this world will embrace the preservation of the earth and its species.

Focus ourselves on latest news and current events in what is happening around us, particularly on ecosystem. If you have extra time, take a walk in public parks, animal sanctuaries and nearby national parks. We can help conserve indigenous wealth through science, developed technology and simply by word of mouth. We can achieve this through tasking and environmentally friendly adaptations within our everyday living.

Initiating a green perspective in our own means we can contribute to a healthier future within our own homes by conserving power and water, and unplugging unused appliances. Keep air passages open to let fresh air circulate within your home instead of using your air conditioning. Drive less, waste less, and you will be on your way of reducing your carbon footprint significantly.

Lastly we can connect with different associations within our community that focus on earth and its preservation. Join tree planting drives, groups that focus on picking up litter, carpooling, and a lot more. We need to find all the means to become productive and concerned citizens of this planet, and truly promote and look for best care.

We must focus on the preservation of  the earth.

An Environmental Story of Resiliency and Commitment

By: Jessica Robertson

The U.S. state of California has long been a leader in hydroelectricity production, but in 2013, a major drought dropped the state to its lowest levels of hydroelectricity production in over two decades. But, how did they manage to keep the power flowing without water? The state’s commitment to clean energy and a never-die spirit keep pushing them through with hardly a worry.

            Even though the drought has hit agriculture and water tables hard, the state can lean on its good planning, natural gas, and newly introduced renewable energy sources to keep the lights on. With prior experience in energy crises, California regulations do well to prepare for even the worst-case scenarios; so, spirits are high.

            The boost in renewable energy programs, like solar and wind power and even geothermal energy, has helped ease the burden of the drought. These new initiatives, specifically, have bolstered the energy-generation capacity; the pressure caused by the lack of hydroelectricity in the time of drought has amped up the importance and efficiency of these relatively new projects.  However, sunshine and wind cannot be called upon on a whim; natural gas has stepped in to provide the energy when the renewable resources cannot.

            Recent rain and snowstorms have hinted that the drought may be on its way out. However, the precipitation totals are incredibly lower than average, leaving a long way to go before danger is at bay and before energy costs can remain low. Experts say that even though the recent storms have brought much-needed relief, it may take up to a year to see real recovery. The state is hopeful that despite the drought, if it is here to stay, they can remain committed to clean and renewable energy. 

Feel the Knead

By: Kate Serrano

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you are tired, stressed and you feel like you just got ran over by a herd of elephants? A massage! For many many years, massage therapy is practiced not only to relieve stress but also to improve health conditions. There are over 80 massage therapy styles to chose from, all of which includes pressing and rubbing muscles with hands and fingers.

 Most popular among the massage styles are Swedish, Thai, shiatsu, hot stone massage and reflexology. The health benefits of massage extend far beyond simple relaxation. For example, a study in 2003 revealed that massage worked better than acupuncture for lower back pains. It actually reduced the need for painkillers for about 36%. Headaches also respond better to massage therapy than medication.

Lastly, a massage helps relieve depression and anxiety; this was proven in more than 12 different studies. But what if you can’t get to a massage therapist? It’s pretty simple. Use your own hands. There are simple, self-massage techniques that can boost energy, concentration and help you get a good night’s sleep. If you think you have been staring at the computer for so long or have been pounding the keyboard the entire day, take a good 10 minutes off the screen and treat yourself to relaxation. Close your eyes. Place your thumbs under your eyebrows. Press and gently move the thumbs in tiny circles, work slowly towards the outside of the brows and continuing this movement all around your eyes, ending back at the bridge of your nose. For your tired hands rub each finger from the base to the tip, gently pulling and twisting each finger as you go. You can also squeeze and rub the palm with your fingers or your right thumb and you’re all set. Just remember not to cause yourself pain, a massage is meant to relax and release tension and not hurt in any way. Enjoy!

Up with Good Food, Down with Bad Livestock Practices

By: Jessica Robertson

A team of scholars at the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Science has begun to address the challenge of making ruminant livestock a sustainable part of the planet’s food supply. The challenge holds more difficulties than may first come to mind; with a growing worldwide population, a changing climate, and an astounding one in seven people malnourished across the world, the environmental and economic costs of current livestock-keeping practices are far too high. Ruminant livestock are a major contributor to total methane gas production annually, which is a strain on the environment; and, overall, they do not serve as a high quantity food producer, making them a poor choice for feeding a growing population. Honestly, current livestock practices end up taking more from the food supply and environment than they give. The academics offer eight strategies for improving the current practices to a more sustainable level and to boost the quality and quantity of overall food production. 
• Keep human food for humans.
As of today, livestock consume about one-third of global cereal grain while that grain could act as a resource to feed people directly. Ruminant livestock can digest foods like hay that humans cannot digest, suggesting a more resourceful and efficient alternative.
• Raise animals in their appropriate region.
Local breeds of livestock are appropriately adapted to their environment, translating into their optimal yields of milk. Costs and disease increase dramatically in breeds that are relocated, and their productivity declines proportionally.
• Prevent animal disease.
Animal disease is a huge human concern; approximately 2.2 million people die annually from zoonosis (diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans). Assuring healthy animals by improving hygiene and surveillance can help control disease.
• Implement appropriate supplements.
Using supplements to encourage the bacteria in the digestive systems of livestock can increase the animals’ nutrition and decrease their production of methane.
• Keep quality above quantity.
Milk and meat may seem greedy options when considering how to provide food for a world population. However, including these animal products into a balanced diet in undernourished populations is a health benefit.
• Fit practices to culture.
Nearly one-seventh of the world relies on livestock for their daily needs. Supplying not only food, but also wealth, status, dowry payments, livestock cannot always simply be replaced with industrial systems.
• Record costs and benefits.
Even though livestock contribute to greenhouse gas accumulation, they can also contribute to biodiversity, a healthy ecosystem, and improved carbon capture by plants and soil due to their fertilization capabilities when grazing is managed sustainability.
• Study best practice.
Research farms, a global network of them, purpose to evaluate the advantages of certain farming practices for the environment and economy. They are designed to serve as an example of responsible farming practice for both farmers and policymakers.
With these informative and thorough suggestions, hopefully sustainable changes can help make world hunger a thing of the past.

Higher Hopes for Better Water

By: Jessica Robertson

The number of techniques for assuring water quality is surprisingly high. However, without detailed testing within a laboratory, few techniques are capable of testing all the important parameters of what really constitutes quality water, but portable water quality tests give more accurate information on what the current state of the water may be.  Given the limitations of the portable tests, any particular test could pass water as drinkable when, based on incomplete information, certain pollutants could be present. This situation makes water quality a major issue for poorer communities who cannot afford laboratory analysis, or those who utilize a natural resource for their water supply.

             Using an existing technology known as UV-Vis spectrometry, which is often used in water testing, a team of researchers from North Carolina State University has created a set of algorithms that combines several testing parameters to increase the amount of and quality of information in each water test. Since UV-Vis spectrometry works by measuring the wavelength of light absorbed by the water, the technology capitalizes on its ability to collect data often, getting a reading as often as every 15 seconds, and over an extended time period. These are definite advantages over traditional water sampling, where a sample of water must be collected and analyzed in a lab setting. Typically, UV-Vis technology only measures a few key information points about water quality, but with the algorithms the researchers are using, the data is comparable to what could be done within a lab setting.

            Since the technique increases frequency of testing without eliminating accuracy, natural resource managers and those without laboratory access will be more assured that their sources are suitable for use, that treatments are appropriate, and that the population is not put at risk.  

Stresbusters

By: Kate Serrano

Man is adaptive by nature. We can live under any climate, temperature or circumstance and still survive. One of the factors that man is adaptive to is stress. Stress is nothing more than a force of nature that affects an individual. It may be external – getting all stressed out at work, relationships, home, or even a confrontation. It may also be internal – the amount of sleep or rest you get, emotional wellbeing or fitness status. Stress is a normal part of life. It can either help us grow or cause significant problems but for the most part, we view its more negative side. The most common way to manage stress is through exercise. It helps avoid prolonged stress by turning down the production of its hormones and neurochemicals. It’s an antidepressant at the same time. If you’re stuck with long hours at work, it is therefore important to take breaks – take a lunch break and not talk about work! Or take walk instead of a coffee break. You can use the weekends to relax, and not schedule so many activities that will tire you when Monday morning comes. Exercise nowadays may not be limited to the more physical activities. Meditation and other forms of relaxation techniques also have lasting effects on health. This is the reason why more and more people are signed up to yoga, pilates and the likes.       

So what is so bad about stress? Nothing, it’s more on how you manage it. By preparing yourself, you can turn stress into a positive force of growth and change.

Connoisseurs of Comfort

By: Kate Serrano

There is always a good feeling about having pets around. Whether you are a cat or dog person, there are many ways on how pets help improve health. Pets are natural mood enhancers – just by watching a dog play or a fish swim can already make a person feel less stressed. This is the same reason why therapists prescribe a pet as a way of dealing with depression.

 Pets provide unconditional love and will listen to you talk for as long as you want to talk. Pets improve social interaction as they keep you engaged with others. A dog, for example, is a conversation waiting to happen. People stop and talk when they see someone walking a dog. And while socially uplifting, walking the dog also improves physical fitness. A good 30 minute walk or playing fetch will keep one moving, thereby meeting the minimum recommended physical activity for a day. Walking the dog also helps develop strong bones and prevent osteoporosis and painful fractures. It exposes you to sunlight, which is a good source of vitamin D. lastly, having a pet helps manage health conditions; owning a cat for example has long term health benefits.

In a study conducted for almost 20 years now, people who never owned a cat were 40% most likely to die of heart attack and have higher risks of cardiac diseases. And in another study, pet owners had lower blood pressure and heart rate than those without pets. Kids who grow up in homes with cats and dogs are less likely to develop allergies. Higher levels of immune system chemicals build a stronger immune system, keeping them healthy as they grow older.

So whether you consider having a dog, cat or even a hamster, it doesn't really matter. It’s already a good start to maintaining a healthy, happy life.

Animal Protector

By: Daniela Silva

Pitbulls, known as one of the most aggressive and powerful breeds are consistently receiving a bad reputation, and many pit bull owners are denied homes or insurance due to the breed. With 238 psi pounds of force it is really easy to get carried away with fear, however this didn’t matter to Wilson Martins.

Living in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Mr. Martins has dedicated his life to helping animals in dire need; taking  animals found in extreme situations, he provides medical attention, food and the care they are deprived of. Mr.Martins treats all his patients with the greatest medicine; love, and assures they are treated with the highest respect.  

Recently this man provided care to a pitbull that many would turn away in fear of the animals belligerence, however the unforgiving deteriorating conditions that literally eaten away the flesh of the poor animal. With time, the pitbull healed, and looks as though it has never been in harms way, you couldn't tell by its mentality nor were its previous gashes manifested. All it takes is common sense, a big heart and the ability to do something good.

A Man Worth Mentioning

By: Daniela Silva

A simple man from the outside; quiet and seemingly introverted, on the outside- just a custodian. English is a new language to this quiet soul,  his efforts to speak are intermittently discarded. Working day to night, this simple man blended into the heart of the building; But yet a simple day, where the wrinkles that lined the smile from his yesteryear's fell; a sudden revision came.

The man I worked with on a daily basis, no longer was a static character. A high school teacher of his was diagnosed of cancer back in his home country of Nepal, and with little money, life for the teacher became utterly unsustainable. To learn that this man I worked with gave a large portion  of his paycheck to his teacher, simply out of the good of his heart; is astonishing. The genuine nature of this is surreal in our world, and even though there is over 7,046 billion people in this world it is difficult to find a person capable of giving to those who really need it.

This man, is a man worth mentioning. Whether or not you see people demonstrating selfless acts, it is a rare art form lost sometime between the growth of technology, disrespect for others and the indulgence of gaining easy money. Have you made a change? or have you become deceased as all the others? Set yourself from the others.

Stand up. Take a chance. Make a difference.

France’s Newest Enemy

By: Jessica Robertson

France has recently been invaded by a surprising foe – the New Guinea flatworm. Platydemus manokwari, as it is also known, is the only terrestrial flatworm on the list of the 100 most invasive alien species in the world, published by the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG). The list details species that, due to the modern increase of globalization and worldwide trade, have entered a new habitat and caused harmful disruption in the ecosystem.

The New Guinea flatworm was found recently in a greenhouse of the Jardin des Plantes de Caen, and was definitively identified by its notable appearance and through special molecular analysis. These findings are no less than startling, considering this is the first instance of the species’ presence in all of Europe, not in France alone.

Snails are the main diet of this flatworm, which has been introduced in over fifteen Pacific territories, sometimes deliberately and sometimes not. The snail population in these Pacific territories has decreased significantly, causing a huge reduction in the genetic diversity of the numerous snail species. In the past, the flatworm was supposed to eradicate one particular harmful species of snail, promising better results in agriculture.  However, the serious threats of this invasive flatworm species far outweigh any ecological benefits it may previously been thought to have.

While the flatworm originates from the tropical country of New Guinea, it most often inhabits the cool mountain regions of the country, meaning it may easily adapt to the European climate. It is known to consume European snails, and, in the absence of snails, to consume earthworms. These predictions boast a surprising threat to biological diversity in France and all of Europe, where hundred of species of snails currently thrive. Now, before the flatworm continues in its conquest, is the time to eradicate the New Guinea flatworm from its new desired kingdom. 

Life After Haiyan

By: Kate Serrano

It wasn't too long ago when typhoon Haiyan brought havoc to some parts of Southeast Asia. November 8, 2013 was when the world’s strongest storm hit the Philippines, leaving thousands homeless and dead. It has been three months since the storm, and we wonder how people have been coping and moving on. With the help of other countries, international and local organizations, relief efforts have been consistently sent to Tacloban City, where Haiyan has caused the most damage. Schools have been turned to evacuation centers, churches into large living space. Electricity and water supply is still unstable in some areas. Luckily basic needs as food, clothing and medicine are on supply and it is a normal sight to see military trucks pass by highways distributing goods to survivors. To date, people are rebuilding not only houses but also lives amidst the painful memories the storm has brought. The local and national government have laid out their large scale and small scale plans; infrastructure projects and rehabilitation programs are on top priority. Hopefully this is the first step to rebuild this once upon a time alive city.

For a third world country like the Philippines where even the employed can barely make both ends of a rope meet, it will take some time to put things back in order. The darkness isn’t over yet but life must go on. Haiyan may have trampled lives but it has made the courage and resiliency of the Filipino people a lot stronger.

Indifference is a Problem

By: Daniela Silva

A new commercial from Save the Children has been making its rounds around the web in providing insight on the very real situation going down in Syria. The video depicts a young girl, taking video snapshots in her day to day life. It gradually turns into havoc, despair, and tragedy as her normal childhood is turned into a terrible rendition of hide and seek. The war has unfortunately killed over 11,000 children, and many more may face this unimaginable demise.

So, before you press play, keep in mind that this sort of tragedy exists. Children also succumb to the war and terror that we as adults are responsible for. If your childhood didn't end like this, you really have a lot to be thankful for.


                                

                                    I do not take any ownership of the video and its contents.

BPA Holds True Danger

By: Jessica Robertson

It’s in manufactured products everywhere, from the lining of metal food containers to dental composites, but suspicion continues to grow about the safety of biphenyl a, better known as BPA. Canada has already deemed it a toxic chemical, but the United States is taking its sweet time to address the dangerous compound. Some researchers attribute the dangerous characteristics of BPA to its chemical similarity to biological hormones, especially estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormones. Since studies on rodents have already shown BPA to be linked to abnormalities like cancer and immune, reproductive, and brain function problems, the United States has extended the studies to include primates. In previous studies, BPA was shown to alter fetal development when rodent mothers were exposed daily to very low doses of BPA, which is cause for alarm and for further research.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health, a recent study on rhesus monkeys was considered to be a very similar model to what likely happens within the human system when a pregnant mother is exposed to BPA. Though the rhesus monkeys in the study were exposed to a level considered to be far less than the levels humans are daily exposed to, tissue samples showed damage to the mammary glands, the ovaries, the brain, the uterus, the lungs, and the heart in rhesus monkey fetuses whose mothers were exposed to BPA. It is likely that, often, actual human exposure to BPA is underestimated in both measured levels and in estimated danger. Not only does the study provide evidence that BPA does pass from mother to fetus, but it also provides evidence that BPA causes serious dangers for developing fetuses.

Hopefully the dramatic findings of this study encourage stronger regulations against such a ubiquitous but harmful chemical. 

Save Water ! But How?

By: Jessica Robertson

The vast majority of the water on our planet is not suitable for human consumption. Droughts plague a huge portion of the earth each year. Numerous countries share water with at least one other country, pushing nations closer to conflict as scarcity increases. For these reasons and more, most citizens of earth know that water conservation is important, but a recent survey showed that most of us don’t know how to save water.

The most efficient way to reduce personal water consumption, according to experts, is to improve efficiency in water-consuming household items, like toilets, washing machines and dishwashers. According to the survey conducted by a researcher at Indiana University, for most of us, the first changes we think of to reduce water waste include taking shorter showers, turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth, and making sure the sink doesn't drip. These small changes make a difference, truly; however, to make the biggest difference, the biggest issues must be addressed. Toilets use the highest volume of water daily overall, meaning, for example, if an old toilet is replaced with a water-efficient model, gallons upon gallons of precious water would be conserved.

Education and awareness are key in conservation efforts. The survey found that the majority of people underestimate gallons of water used in a particular activity by, on average, more than half. Educating populations on ways to save water and which activities use what volume of water could improve conservation efforts dramatically. Production of products such as coffee, rice, cheese, beer, and sugar requires an alarming amount of potable water, making efforts to improve efficiency in manufacturing crucial. While changes to this extent cannot be made on the individual or household level, awareness of the vast amount of water being consumed, even indirectly, serves as a great motivator in our quest to save water for tomorrow and the next generation.

Keep Calm and Love Monkeys

By: Kate Serrano

Approximately an hour from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia we see an interesting series of caves dedicated to Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory. The first thing that greets tourists when getting there is the tallest statue of the deity followed by a 272-step staircase that you have to climb to get to the cave’s entrance. More interestingly as you make your way through the steep steps you meet a few playful and cheeky friends; quite a handful of macaque monkeys have made this place their home.

 Some would be scared as they may jump off bags and steal food. They can also hurt you when threatened so the best advice: keep calm. Macaques are the most widespread of their kind, living in different habitats all over the planet. It is fascinating to know too that these monkeys are not only found in natural habitats like the Batu caves. They also abound in zoos, kept as pets and in research facilities. Yes, these monkeys have been a great help to science in medical and biological research.

 Apparently humans and macaques are 93% similar in DNA structure so thanks to these primates, the development of vaccines for smallpox, tuberculosis, rabies and polio are made possible. And in more recent studies, macaques have been tested for advanced AIDS research.

 It will not be surprising to know that there may be a cure to almost anything in the future! However, along with these medical advances and health benefits come research ethics and conservation issues. The question of the exposure of animals to harm and the depletion of their wild population are just some of the things brought up on the table. At this point, public support is much needed to break the barrier of pros and cons. How do we balance out care for animals and care for humans? Simple answer. Social responsibility.

A Closer Look at the Lotus

By: Kate Serrano

Probably the best attraction in a pond would be a lotus flower. Nelumbo nucifera, as it is scientifically known, grows above the water with its leaves floating on the surface. In the olden times, Egyptians use it to symbolize the sun, creation and rebirth. In Buddhism, it symbolizes awakening and faithfulness. To date, the lotus is also a very popular tattoo. But there is more to the flower than meets the eye. How many of us know that this flower – in all of its parts – has varied uses? Here is to name a few.

The lotus is found to have astringent qualities, helping improve skin complexion. This explains skin care products and herbal teas with lotus variants. Many centuries ago, lotus leaves are made to paste and then applied to the body to treat skin conditions.

The lotus sap, those in its leaves, stems and flowers have anti-bacterial components for treating bacterial infections and bleeding disorders. It is also used to treat sexually transmitted diseases. Petals and seeds are mixed with honey to heal cough while the leaves are for treating diarrhea, rectal prolapse and dizziness. Lotus flowers are prescribed to promote conception and in some countries, the seeds are taken orally for seven days to increase fertility.

But wait, there’s more!

Given that the entire flower is edible, the lotus has many culinary uses too. Flowers and petals are used as garnish, while the leaves are for wrapping food. Roots are used in pickles and sometimes as a stir-fry ingredient. Asian dishes especially salads and prawns could have some lotus parts with it, most of the time with roasted or candied seeds.

With its beauty and timeless significance, the lotus is a wonder to behold.

An Ideal Leader.

By: Daniela Silva

As an expansive species, it is easy to overhear others intentions for good in this life, but not many truly become motivated enough to achieve and conclude what they strongly believe should transpire within this world. One man has become an ideal example of an individual who has acted beyond sole opinions and has done a prodigious act; Jose Mujica the president of Uruguay has kept himself within a lower social standard to better impact his people.

At the ripe age of 77, Mujica was elected in 2009 of the second smallest nation in south america; however the riches that follow with a presidential life was of no interest to this palpable man, he had better things to do.

Ingloriously living within a farmhouse with his wife, Mujica has donated 90% of his salary to charities and lives his life completely satisfied, assured that he does not need more than the $1,250 of $12,500 he keeps to maintain and appreciate a modest life.

“I do fine with that amount; I have to do fine because there are many Uruguayans who live with much less,” Jose told the paper. He keeps his focus on guiding and providing aid for the poor and supporting entrepreneurs. Thinking and acting beyond temporary pleasures by consumer-driven living, this mans heart goes out to all of his people, knowing that an outstanding way to help the people is to provide the change that can better the standard of living.

“This is a matter of freedom,” he told BBC News. “If you don’t have many professions then you don’t need to work all your life like a slave to sustain them, and therefore you have more time for yourself.” Mujica’s passionate examples for change isn't limited to what he shares with those around him; instead, he’s also anticipating a change by impressing his altruistic ideology to other world leaders.

His doctrine on poverty and consumer expenditure was contributed at the Rio +20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June. “If all I’m doing is working to buy things to get more, if society of consumption is the energy of everything, where does this go?” he asked. “We need to start to fight for another kind of culture.”

Mujica has openly implicated that other world leaders possess a “blind obsession to achieve growth in consumption”, the president is undoubtedly in opposition to this left-brained obsession of presidential riches with no regards to the working people beneath it all. His argument draws in environmental factors and respect from societies that are governed by its many leaders.

His ‘poor’ lifestyle has gained criticism to which Jose defended with a conscious remark, “I’m called ‘the poorest president’, but I don’t feel poor. Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more”.

Thanks to Jose’s influential leadership, Uruguay is now considered a nation of gracious change; becoming one of the first nations to legalize Marijuana and a nation that is determined to ensure that all of its people are taken care of, many more positive changes are sure to be implemented.

In Jose Mujica’s logic, as a society can we reach out to our governments and ask them to slowly but surely follow Jose’s lead? Can you achieve your own selfless intentions and make a  difference in your community?