Parasite Found Responsible for Mass Deaths

By: Daniela Silva

A unknown disease that affected the lives and killed hundreds of seals in cape Breton and 406 in 2012 has been identified as a new strain of sarcocystis. It is not known to affect the lives of humans but has contributed to the deaths of many animals including walruses, bears and sea lions. It is not known if the strain has died off.

Sarcocystis can affect reptiles,birds and mammals and is a genus of parasitic protozoa. With over 130 species, new discoveries are continuously ongoing and receive their name from the animals they take as a host; vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness and and paralysis are the effects caused by a toxin the sarcocystin produces.

The strain is  spreading through global changes in temperature to many animals, and it is not the only pathogen affecting animals, Toxoplasma Gondii is also increasing its boundaries due to the change in temperature. This is and can be fatal to humans, and causes miscarriages in women, commonly found in domestic house cats.

Disabled Can Now Walk Again

By: Daniela Silva

New technology has caught us by surprise once again, 3D printing technology may now be a essential piece of modern medical technology for those who are incapable of walking unassisted. 3D printing is an affordable method of creating robotic exoskeletons, and not only is this a fantastic idea, but it is already being developed as you read!

Earlier this month, this technology proved itself as a worthy piece of equipment when it gave Amanda Boxtel a second chance at life since her skiing incident of 1992 thanks to two brilliant companies. A 3D printing company located in north Carolina and EskoBionics united together and created a exoskeleton that generated enough energy to complete the action the wearer pushes to establish. This means those who have no physical ability to walk can be given the aid they need on a daily basis to do things they need to do without the physical aid of another person; giving the person pure independence.

Promiscuous Marsupial

By: Daniela Silva

A new marsupial has been discovered and has been noted for the incredible climatic demise these minuscule creatures endure. The Black-tailed antechinus is approximately the size of a mouse with the sex drive of a teenager. They mate very promiscuously up until the very moment the male dies of over-exertion.

The black tailed antechinus carries a heavy brown fur coat followed by a orange rump and black tail, it resembles a shrew or mouse. These marsupials have solely been discovered at the highest peak of Gondwana rain forest located in southeast Queensland; which is astonishing considering that the discovery of new mammals is quite rare. Global warming and the destruction of its habitat is proving the preservation and study of this species increasingly difficult.

Fetal Ultrasounds Hazardous

By: Daniela

Non-medical Fetal ultrasounds are being opposed by many radiologists and pregnancy specialists due to the nature of its uses. Expecting parents are told to avoid non medical fetal ultrasounds to prevent the risk of being told wrong medical information about their child; a serious problem for many specialists and many more arise with the frequent uses of non-medical fetal ultrasounds.

A randomized trial on pregnant woman in the United states viewed the different effects of frequent and repetitive fetal ultrasounds as compared to that of a fetus that was not frequently viewed. Findings surprisingly  showed that those who were exposed to ultrasound technology had a significant restricted intra-uterine growth rate as compared to the fetuses that were not viewed as often. Therefore the energies that the ultrasound gives off may be detrimental to the fetuses growth; a great concern for many specialists.

Both health Canada and the U.S food and drug administration advise pregnant women to avoid the use of ultrasounds unless it is used by a specialist in a medical clinic. Not only can it affect the growth of the fetus but also can give false reassurance to expecting parents. A situation that eventually can become disastrous.

Drug Users Beware

By: Daniela Silva
A new drug craze has hit the American streets once again, this time it is rapidly taking away the lives of many drug users. Heroin laced with fentanyl; a powerful prescription drug used for severe around the clock pain and used for those to have chronic pain.

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine this drug is mixed with heroin and distributed to drug users. Dozens have died in the past few weeks; the previous outbreak in 2006 killed hundreds of people. Police are desperate to find a solution before many more people die from the use of the drug.

Climate Change Invites Deadly Pathogens

Another example of man-made havoc has arisen with global warming; diseases are making their roundabouts now that ice is now beginning to melt where it shouldn't. It is now come to our attention that as the earth warms, species are prone to more disease their bodies are not accustomed to fighting off. The Arctic beluga whale population is now seen infected with the parasite common to domestic cats, known as toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is known to cause severe damage to the brain eyes and organs and can remain dormant in the human system; once it becomes reactive it can cause severe symptoms up into death aboriginals are warned to stay away from beluga meat.

Animals which rely on a particular range of temperatures are more prone to becoming diseased or infected with viruses due to the new thawed-out land they now roam. Pathogens are quickly moving in and animals may be seeing their way out. We should be concerned for ourselves as well, the animals aboriginals eat and clothe themselves in can carry disease and can spread to more concentrated human populations very easily, taking care of our earth really determines the health of our people.

Massacres Missing in Media

Bodies are littered in the streets of the Izghe village in Borno State, Nigeria. It is suspected that a terrorist group by the name of Boko Haram took the men into the streets and executed them before they began going door to door in a search for more victims. Boko Haram launched a campaign of mass violence in 2009 and claims to be fighting for an Islamist state. The terrorist group is well  known in Borno State to be extremely violent carrying out aimless attacks on civilians.

Victims of the Izghe village were shot or had their throats slit, many barely escaped the attack leaving 106 people dead; the most recorded since their campaign has launched. Earlier this week a little over 30 people were murdered on the streets of Konduga. Unfortunately military strengths were taken away when a group of soldiers were ambushed by Boko Haram and there may be no end to the suffering of many. Spread the word, people need to know to take action

Wolves on the Prowl

By: Daniela Silva
Mexican grey wolves are claiming territory once again as their population increases, 83 wolves were found spread across new mexico and Arizona; Which is a excellent amount being that only in 1976 they were introduced in the federal endangered species list. Seven out of the fourteen packs that were reintroduced into the wild have new pups that have joined and are avoiding human contact, which really is fantastic for the conservation of the species.

Unfortunately with this being said the population is still very much experimental, and the genetic diversity of the wolves may lead to inbreeding, which is a problem for the pups we may be seeing in the future. There must be a greater amount of wolves reintroduced in order to boost the gene pool of these animals, until then scientists continue to study the behavior of the Mexican grey wolves to find various ways of preserving the elegant creature.

Child-Predator too Close to Home.

By: Daniela Silva

Welcome to the Internet: A predator’s playground indeed. A valuable lesson was taught to a young boy by the name of Eric when he had met a attractive girl by the name of Ashley Matthews, and with time he came to know and chat more personally with the young girl or who he thought was a young girl. Eric began to feel uncomfortable, and being close to his mom, she noticed and began to question.

Her instinct drove her to search through young Eric's computer, and immediately noticed Ashley's profile, noting the picture and information given felt as though it was just a put-on and that there was much more behind that pretty face of hers, and with Eric's approval Mr. Norton a member of Durham regional police began the investigation.

A month later Ashley Matthews was uncovered as a 38 year old man by the name of Stephen Alexander Martin previously teaching Eric at Sir William Stephenson school in whitby also employed as the schools photographer. A shocking break in the search for the true person behind the made up Ashley. Young teens are much too trusting on the Internet and need gentle guidance when talking about the predators that are lurking behind the many pages of chat rooms.

Be aware of your child and their feelings, ensure proper security and safety measures are being taken on the internet. Your kid may one day thank you for it!

The Demise of the Queen

By: Daniela Silva
The beautiful plight of the monarch may be coming to an end, the species are dying out and yes, we can witness the extinction of a wonderful species within our lifetime. Due to the  heavy destruction of the milkweed plant the monarchs have already declined by 44% of their population becoming a critically endangered species.

The steady extinction of the species don't just affect the pollination of flora, but it also affects tourism and the jobs of many in California and mexico, where the Monarchs are big business; but what is killing the butterflies?

GMO corn,soybean crops and GMO herbicides is one of the  leading problems of the butterflies resulting in the destruction of  a majority of the milkweed plants which is the only plant the eggs can be laid on as well. With Monsanto owning 90% of the worlds crops, there is a limited amount of space for the monarch to actually flourish, which leaves it up to us, the people to take control and do something about it.