#Dramatic decline of Caribbean corals can be reversed: Stop killing parrotfish to bring back Caribbean coral reefswith only about one-sixth of the original coral cover left most Caribbean coral reefs may disappear in the next 20 years primarily due to the loss
of grazers in the region according to the latest report by the Global Coral reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the United nations Environment Programme (UNEP.
An unidentified disease led to a mass mortality of the sea urchin in 1983 and extreme fishing throughout the 20th century has brought the parrotfish population to the brink of extinction in some regions.
which have restricted or banned fishing practices that harm parrotfish such as fish traps and spearfishing. Other countries are following suit.
They are docked usually tail without analgesia as a preventative measure to reduce the chances of flies laying eggs on dirty tails
and they may also experience bacterial infections such as'joint ill'or'navel ill'.'However the long-term consequences of these early life challenges are understood not well.
or experienced a mild simulated infection shortly after they were born showed more pain-related behaviour
Furthermore the lambs of those mothers who had experienced a mild infection in early life were less sensitive to pain during the first few days of their lives than were other lambs.
and the researchers suggest that variations in the management of early life health and husbandry conditions can have important long-term implications for animal health and welfare.
Our study suggests that infection and tail-docking during the first few days of life may have long-term effects on an individual's development and behaviour and on that of her own offspring.
Dr Fiona Clissold who led the study explains why temperature has such a large influence on insect diets.
Dr Clissold adds Being small insects can take advantage of the multitude of microclimates available. As mammals are warm-blooded animals that maintain a constant body temperature it is unlikely that temperature overtly affects the nutrient quality of their diets.
However there is some evidence that rodents may increase their body temperature to reduce the toxicity of compounds found in some plant leaves.
Flies spread disease and a host of pathogens that cost farms hundreds of millions of dollars in annual losses.
We think it is due to fitness costs where a mutation allows the fly to survive insecticides
but is not optimal in terms of overall health Scott said. Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by Cornell University.
Dr Rachel Crockett Senior Research Fellow at the university's Faculty of education & Health led the research.
#Foodborne bacteria can cause disease in some breeds of chickens after allcontrary to popular belief the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni is not a harmless commensal in chickens
but can cause disease in some breeds of poultry according to research published in mbioâ the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.
This rather changes our view of the biology of this nasty little bug says Paul Wigley of Institute for Infection and Global Health at the University of Liverpool an author on the study.
Campylobacter jejuni is the most frequent cause of foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis in the world and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate it affects approximately 1 3 million people per year in the United states. Chicken is the most common source of infections.
Infection of chickens had previously not been considered to cause disease and the bacteria were thought to be part of the normal microbiota of the birds.
In the study Wigley and his colleagues experimentally infected birds from four commercial breeds of broiler chickens.
while levels of the bacteria in the intestines did not differ by breed immune response and inflammation did to the extent that one breed showed damage to the gut mucosa and developed diarrhea.
Interestingly the breeds did not differ in the levels of bacteria we found in their intestines after infection even
when kept to normal slaughter age says Wigley. This suggests that chicken breed has little direct effect on the risk of Campylobacter entering the food chain
but has a big effect on the health of the birds. The most important finding says Wigley is that Campylobacter infection directly impacts broiler chicken health and welfare.
The United states produces over 8 billion broiler chickens per year and the United kingdom produces nearly a billion.
On the positive side we now know that chickens produce a robust immune response to infection
which in the longer term may allow us to develop vaccines says Wigley. Story Source:
A new study focused on determining the best Earth-Kindâ varieties for withstanding the challenges of salt stress.
which can ultimately cause salt stress in plants. In arid and semiarid regions high soil salinity is the result of low rainfall
which a stream consumes oxygen and an important measure of a stream's health--during a drought.
Ozden explained that the even distribution of stress along the belly-flopping nanotube which is many times longer than it is wide breaks carbon bonds in a line nearly simultaneously.
and blue holiday to the fullest the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) offers some star-spangled tips.
but allergy and asthma sufferers need to be aware of the triggers which can sometimes ruin their good time said allergist Michael Foggs MD ACAAI president.
Working with an allergist who can arm you with knowledge about possible risks and how to handle them means getting back to all the outdoor activities family reunions camping
and swimming that people love about summer. Fireworks Campfires and Asthma Don't Mixfireworks and campfires are a staple of the 4th of July
but smoke can cause asthma symptoms to flare. Allergists recommend keeping your distance from campfires
--and if you have to be near one sit upwind if possible. If you can't resist the fireworks consider wearing a NIOSH N95 rated filter mask to keep smoke out of your lungs
and always carry your reliever inhaler. Summer's Bounty of Produce Can Sometimes Cause Itching
and Swellingif you suffer from hay fever and you've ever experienced an itchy mouth scratchy throat
or vegetables you may have oral allergy syndrome. Oral allergy syndrome is caused by cross-reacting allergens found in both pollen and raw fruits vegetables or some tree nuts.
An allergist can help you determine if your reaction to certain foods has to do with oral allergy syndrome
and possibly get you eating your favorite fruits and veggies again. Changes in Weather Can Heat up
or Stifle Funjuly is when things start to really heat up but whether it is stifling humidity
or a refreshing cool breeze sudden changes in the weather can trigger an asthma attack. Allergists are experts in diagnosing
and treating allergies and asthma and can develop a plan to keep symptoms in check no matter the season or the temperature.
Keeping an eye on the weather and knowing how changes might affect your asthma will go a long way towards helping you enjoy the summer season.
Consider indoor activities and exercise on hot high pollen and humid days and watch out for ozone alert days
when your lungs need to work even harder. Replace your HVAC filter with a high-efficiency (MERV 11 or higher) filter and change every three months.
because they are at risk of suffering life-threatening reactions to insect venom. If you experience facial swelling difficulty breathing
Follow up with an allergist who will prescribe epinephrine and possibly allergy shots that can save your life.
Cannonball! Everyone into the Pool! While some people are convinced they are allergic to chlorine the truth is that chlorine is not an allergen.
However the smell of chlorine is an irritant for some causing allergy-like eye and nose itching and discomfort.
Some people with asthma also experience difficulties when coming in contact with chlorine. Skin sensitivity to chlorine is treated often by washing the affected area with clean water to remove traces of the remaining irritant.
In some cases a corticosteroid cream may be prescribed. Hives can be treated with an antihistamine. Story Source:
The above story is provided based on materials by American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length h
#Green spaces in cities may increase erosion of building materials such as stone, concrete and steelgreen spaces in towns
Southampton's Dr Abhishek Tiwary who is based within the Centre for Environmental sciences and Dr Prashant Kumar from the University of Surrey found that heritage buildings built from limestone
and sandstone are particularly at risk. Local authorities have been encouraged to invest in green spaces which can reduce greenhouse gases cut down exposure to pollution
and provide mental health benefits. However the effect on buildings from the mix of pollutants and organic chemicals has not been accounted previously for.
Species like sycamore maple and Douglas fir (both commonly found in cities) produced organic compounds which combined with high levels of ground level ozone during the summer heightened the concentration of ground level ozone says Dr Tiwary.
In the future city planners should look into the species of vegetation they plant in green spaces says Dr Tiwary.
Southampton's Dr Abhishek Tiwary who is based within the Centre for Environmental sciences and Dr Prashant Kumar from the University of Surrey found that heritage buildings built from limestone
and sandstone are particularly at risk. Local authorities have been encouraged to invest in green spaces which can reduce greenhouse gases cut down exposure to pollution
and provide mental health benefits. However the effect on buildings from the mix of pollutants and organic chemicals has not been accounted previously for.
Species like sycamore maple and Douglas fir (both commonly found in cities) produced organic compounds which combined with high levels of ground level ozone during the summer heightened the concentration of ground level ozone says Dr Tiwary.
In the future city planners should look into the species of vegetation they plant in green spaces says Dr Tiwary.
#Almonds reduce the risk of heart disease, research showsscientists have found that eating almonds in your diet can reduce the risk of heart disease by keeping blood vessels healthy.
Research found that they significantly increase the amount of antioxidants in the blood stream reduce blood pressure
These findings add weight to the theory that Mediterranean diets with lots of nuts have big health benefits.
The study was led by Professor Helen Griffiths Professor in Biomedical sciences and Executive Dean of the School of Life and Health Sciences at Aston University in Birmingham UK.
and middle-aged men as well as on a group of young men with cardiovascular risk factors including having high blood pressure
and lower blood pressure potentially reducing their risk of heart disease. Almonds are known to contain a range of beneficial substances such as Vitamin e and healthy fats fibre
The team believes it is likely to be the combination of all these nutrients working together to create the overall health benefits rather than just one particular nutrient in isolation.
in addition to exposing their lungs to harmful toxins often eat less fruits and vegetables than nonsmokers.
and vegetable based antioxidants in improving respiratory health and the difficulty of achieving lasting dietary change researchers hypothesized that powdered fruit
and a publication from Routledge. 75 heavy smokers meeting a set of health and lifestyle criteria were divided randomly into three groups for a double-blind placebo study
and instructed to take assigned mixed fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrate capsules twice daily (Juice Plus+Â NSA Collierville TN).
and the control group was given a placebo. All subjects underwent blood sampling and respiratory tests before and after 3 months of supplementation.
#Some dogs and cats prone to sunburn: How to protect your animal from skin damageexcessive sunbathing damages the skin.
Dermatologist Christa Horvath-Ungerbã ck from the University of Veterinary medicine Vienna explains which animals are particularly sensitive how to prevent sun damage to the skin
which is often hairless to the rays of the sun increasing the risk of sunburnâ#reports veterinary dermatologist Christa Horvath-Ungerbã ck.
Particularly vulnerable petshouse pets with white or short fur are at particular risk of sunburn.
The short hair allows UV rays penetrate down to the sensitive skin and cause sunburn.
but for the animal overallâ#explains dermatologist Horvath-Ungerbã ck. Particularly sensitive animals require sun protection in the form of a waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30
or if an animal is highly sensitive it is up to us to protect it from further damage. â#Treating sunburn in animalsif sunburn is reddened visible as warm
Cool compresses and ointments to soothe the skin can help relieve the initial symptoms. If the burn is severe a veterinarian should be consulted as treatment with a cortisone product may be indicated to prevent inflammation.
If the skin changes present as a secondary infection antibiotics may be indicated. The affected animal will need to be protected well from the sun in future to prevent permanent damage.
Certain preexisting conditions can increase skin sensitivitysome illnesses and genetic defects that result in a thin coat can make the skin more sensitive to sunburn.
Any longer-term stimulus that results in a loss of fur is a possible factor. These can include parasitic infections chronic skin conditions or congenital hairlessness.
 In some cases exposure to the sun can worsen an existing condition. Animals with autoimmune skin diseases must be protected carefully from the sun for example.
And areas of the skin that were covered by fur but are exposed suddenly due to hair loss such as scar tissue after an operation
or injury should be observed carefully and shielded as needed Damage caused by sun exposurein animals sunburn results in an acute inflammation of the skin that can cause itching
or even pain depending on the individual animal. Frequent sunburns can lead to pre-cancerous conditions
or even actual skin tumours. â#oewe sometimes see squamous cell carcinoma on the heads of white outdoor cats as the result of chronic sun exposure.
The affected areas of the skin then need to be surgically removedâ#Horvath-Ungerbã ck explains.
The large-scale acquisition of land by foreign governments and business--more commonly known as land grabbing--is a contentious issue particularly in Africa where a large number of deals have taken place in regions facing food security problems and malnutrition.
what diseases they carry and how to safely avoid them? Mosquitoes and ticks are the two pests you primarily want to avoid
because they potentially carry infectious diseases says Jennifer Layden MD infectious disease specialist at Loyola University Health System.
Ticks can carry Lyme disease and Rocky mountain spotted fever and mosquitoes can spread West Nile Virus. Insect repellents are used to avoid exposure to pests that can bite attach
or burrow into the skin. DEET is the most effective ingredient to protect against biting insects.
Common insect repellent products contain up to 30%DEET for maximum protection says Christina Hantsch MD toxicologist at Loyola.
Tips from Dr. Layden on how to avoid bugs this summer are: â#¢Dusk and dawn are the prime hours for insectsâ#¢Wear long sleeves and long pants to cover skinâ#¢Wear light colors
which tend to not attract bugsâ#¢Wear loose clothing to avoid skin irritationcalamine lotion is effective to take away the annoying itch of a mosquito bite says Hantsch.
Clean the bite area with an antiseptic and cover with a loose bandage. Signs that medical attention is needed include fever vomiting excessive sleepiness swelling redness and infection.
Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by Loyola University Health System. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length o
#Organic agriculture boosts biodiversity on farmlandsdoes organic farming foster biodiversity? The answer is yes however the number of habitats on the land plays an important role alongside the type and intensity of farming practices.
The study examined the State of New york's Eat Well Play Hard in Child care Settings nutrition-education program administered by registered dietitian nutritionists in low-income child care settings.
As part of the program registered dietitian nutritionists provided nutrition education to both children and parents during a six-to ten-week period.
Nutritionists also provided training sessions to child care center staff about identifying areas of policy needed to improve nutrition at the center and how to incorporate messages about nutrition into the classroom.
#Peanuts dont panic parents as much as milk and eggsit's tough being the parent of a child with food allergies.
Although worry is a factor for anyone caring for a child with food allergies according to a study published in the July issue of Annals of Allergy Asthma
and Immunology the scientific publication of the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) there is increased anxiety and strain for caregivers of children allergic to milk and eggs.
The study examined 305 caregivers of children allergic to milk egg peanut or tree nut--the 4 most common food allergies.
The caregivers were asked about details of the children's most severe food reaction as well as information about the caregiver's quality of life.
Researchers found caregivers who understood their child's reaction to offending foods had a higher quality of life.
If they knew exactly what foods could give their child an allergic reaction they were less likely to be stressed anxious
and. The authors were surprised to learn that milk and egg allergies were the most worrisome for caregivers.
It's assumed peanut and tree allergies are the most severe and therefore it may be presumed they would cause the most strain for caregivers said allergist Laura Howe MD lead study author and ACAAI member.
But because eggs and milk are used everywhere and to prepare so many dishes caregivers with children allergic to those two ingredients feel more worried and anxious.
Only 64 percent of caregivers accurately perceived the severity of their child's reaction. More than 15 percent over-perceived their child's reaction severity
and 19 percent under-perceived the reaction severity. Caregivers had significant concerns regarding their ability to help in the event of a reaction
and also that others wouldn't understand the seriousness of their child's food allergy.
It is important for those who care for food-allergic children to work with an allergist to determine exactly what foods their child is allergic to
and how to respond in an emergency situation said allergist Michael Foggs MD ACAAI president.
Parents need to have a clear plan of action in case their child eats a food they shouldn't. Children with a history of severe allergic reactions
and their caregivers need to know how to administer epinephrine. Having plans in place can ease a parent's worries.
Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length h
#Win-win-win solution for biofuel, climate, and biodiversityfossil fuel emissions release billions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year
which is changing the climate and threatening the sustainability of life on planet Earth. In Brazil the demand for alternative energy sources has led to an increase in biofuel crops.
For Dr. Macedo Because Brazil has a large supply of under-used low productivity pastures that are suitable for sugar cane there is no reason to clear additional native Cerrado for sugar cane production.
Dr. Davidson adds A study commissioned by the World bank shows that there is likely room for an all of-the-above future land-use strategy
and reduces greenhouse gas emissions while improving longevity according to new research from Loma Linda University Health.
A study and an article produced by researchers at Loma Linda University School of Public health will be published in full in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
therefore be a feasible and effective tool for climate change mitigation and public health improvements the study concluded.
and health benefits said Sam Soret Ph d. MPH associate dean at Loma Linda University School of Public health
The study drew data from the Adventist Health Study which is a large-scale study of the nutritional habits and practices of more than 96000 Seventh-day Adventists throughout the United states and Canada.
and health outcomes at the individual level makes these findings unprecedented Soret said. The analysis is the first of its kind to use a large living population
and health effects relied on simulated data or relatively small populations to find similar conclusions.
To our knowledge no studies have used yet a single non-simulated data set to independently assess the climate change mitigation potential and actual health outcomes for the same dietary patterns said Joan Sabate MD
Drph nutrition professor at Loma Linda University School of Public health and co-author of the studies.
The School of Public health at Loma Linda University has a keen interest in studying environmental nutrition
The above story is provided based on materials by Loma Linda University Medical center. Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.
Traveling waves model tumor invasioncell migration which is involved in wound healing cancer and tumor growth and embryonic growth and development has been a topic of interest to mathematicians and biologists for decades.
In a paper published recently in the SIAM Journal on Applied Dynamical systems authors Kristen Harley Peter van Heijster Robert Marangell Graeme Pettet
and Martin Wechselberger study a model describing cell invasion through directional outgrowth or movement in the context of malignant tumors in particular melanoma or skin cancer.
Tumor cells move up a gradient based on the presence of a chemical or chemoattractant--this process is called haptotaxis.
In this paper the authors prove the existence and uniqueness of traveling waves to the model of malignant tumor invasion.
Fitness-dependent dispersal is a type of biased dispersal; the fitness of a species is given by its per capita growth rate.
In many mathematical models of fitness-dependent dispersal movement of organisms into and out of an area or region depends on the fitness differences between the organisms'resident patch
and other patches in the habitat and there is a net movement from patches of lower to higher fitness.
In a recent paper published in the SIAM Journal on Mathematical analysis authors Yuan Lou Youshan Tao
and continuous-space reaction diffusion model for fitness-dependent dispersal where the species moves upward along its fitness gradient.
and maximizes fitness. Thus it is natural to expect that dispersal strategies leading to ideal free distribution of populations would be favored over the course of evolution.
The authors in this paper determine that fitness-dependent dispersal conveys advantages to approaching such ideal free distribution.
A model for Bluetongue disease dynamics in cattlein a paper recently published in the SIAM Journal on Mathematical analysis authors Stephen Gourley Gergely RÃ st
and Horst Thieme model disease persistence of a virus called Bluetongue using a system of several delay differential equations.
The disease affects sheep and cattle and is spread by biting midges. In sheep the bluetongue virus can cause abortion congenital abnormalities
and death though mild cases completely recover. In cattle bluetongue does not generally cause death.
The basic reproduction number for a disease is deï ned as the expected number of secondary cases produced by a single infection in a susceptible population.
As in many infectious disease models uniform disease persistence of bluetongue occurs if the basic reproduction number for the whole system exceeds one.
But an additional factor influences the disease state in the case of this disease which is that it affects sheep much more severely than cattle.
As a result uniform disease persistence can occur in two different scenarios. If the disease reproduction number for the cattle-midge-bluetongue system with or without sheep is greater than one bluetongue persists in cattle
and midges even though it may eradicate the sheep relying on cattle as a reservoir. In the second situation where the reproduction number of all host and vector species coexisting is greater than one
agriculture river floods coasts tourism energy droughts forest fires transport infrastructure and human health. The report also includes a pilot study on habitat suitability of forest tree species. Connie Hedegaard European Commissioner for Climate Action said:
Good for health, not necessarily a weight loss methodit is recommended a commonly weight-loss tactic to increase the feeling of being full by consuming more fruits
and vegetables but that may be another diet recommendation deadend according to a new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Kathryn Kaiser Ph d. instructor in the UAB School of Public health and a team of investigators at UAB including Andrew W. Brown Ph d. Michelle M. Bohan Brown Ph d. James
M. Shikany Dr. PH . and David B. Allison Ph d. and Purdue University investigators performed a systematic review
and vegetables for their many other health benefits expectations for weight loss should be kept in check.
In public health we want to send positive and encouraging messages and telling people to eat more fruits
of Public health. Because this recommendation is shared so widely Kaiser believes these results should bring change to public health messaging.
There are many studies where people are spending a lot of money figuring out how to increase fruit
and you're a regional hospital network and you have 20 CT scanners says Lemon.
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health. Maternal mortality is a leading cause of death for women in many developing countries
and public health efforts to avert it have made only headway in a few countries. Elsewhere progress has started either never
#says study leader Linda Bartlett MD MHSC a faculty member in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health. â#oeour study shows that maternal mortality can be prevented even in the most difficult
of places. â#In their analysis researchers found that a 10 percent increase in midwife coverage every five years through 2025 could avert more than a quarter of
The estimates were done using the Lives Saved Tool (List) a computer-based tool developed by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health researchers that allows users to set up
For this analysis the tool compared the effectiveness of several different alternatives including increasing the number of midwives by varying degrees increasing the number of obstetricians and a combination of the two.
If a countryâ##s midwife access were to increase to cover 60 percent of the population by 2015 34 percent of deaths could be prevented saving the lives of nearly 2. 3 million mothers and babies.
Bartlett says maternal mortality is the public health indicator with the greatest disparity between developed and developing countries. â#oewith a very functional medical systemâ#she says â#oematernal deaths become extremely rare events
The researchers say boosting coverage of midwives who provide family planning as well as pregnancy care to 60 percent of women would cost roughly $2200 per death averted as compared to $4400 for a similar increase in obstetricians.
while obstetricians are needed when surgical interventions such as cesarean sections are necessary Bartlett says. Midwives can administer antibiotics for infections
and medications to stimulate or strengthen labor remove the placenta from a patient having a hemorrhage as well as handle many other complications that may occur in the mother or her baby.
While adding more obstetricians would save additional lives they cost more to deploy and can only use their surgical skills in a sterile hospital setting something that is often unavailable in many rural settings.
When both midwives and obstetricians who provide family planning are available even more lives can be saved Bartlett says:
83 percent of all maternal fetal and newborn deaths could be prevented with universal (95 percent) coverage.
While the cost of such interventions isnâ##t small â#an estimated $5. 5 billion if access to midwives increases to 60 percent coverage â#Bartlett says that governments
and aid agencies are already spending large sums of money on programs to address these issues. â#oewe have identified a cost-effective way to spend the moneyâ#she says.
Story Source: The above story is provided based on materials by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public health.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. Journal References N
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