This post continues from the series on International Relations for IAS Prep. Read the essential posts here –
- An IAS Aspirant’s guide to cracking International Relations
- Analysis | Previous year’s IAS Mains questions from IR
If you haven’t read part one of Bretton Woods institution, click here to read that first
World Bank is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. This is not only a bank in the ordinary sense but a unique partnership to reduce poverty and support development.
Headquarter: Washington, D.C.
Publications- global economic prospects, Ease of doing business index
There are 2 goals for the world to achieve by 2030 –
- End extreme poverty by decreasing the percentage of people living on less than $1.90 a day to no more than 3%
- Promote shared prosperity by fostering the income growth of the bottom 40% for every country
World Bank Group is not just World bank but comprises of 5 institutions managed by their member countries
These 5 institutions are as follows –
- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)- Commonly known as the world bank. It is the single largest provider of development loans
- International Development Association (IDA) – assists the poorest countries
- International Finance Corporation (IFC) – supports private enterprise in developing countries.
- Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) – offers investors insurance against non-commercial risk and help developing country governments attract foreign investment <non commercial risks such as political instability, govt deciding to nationalise a private business etc.>
- International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) – encourages the flow of foreign investment to developing countries through arbitration and conciliation facilities
Except for ICSID, India is member of other four groups<We don’t like external interference such as arbitration in our decision making process, hence not the member of ICSID>
<India is one of the founder members of IBRD, IDA and IFC>
So, we will discuss this 3 institutions in detail, as are important for India –
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (world bank)
IBRD provides loans and other assistance primarily to middle income and poor but credit worthy countries at interest rates slightly lower than that offered by other financial institutions but with long term maturity<countries which have the capacity to repay the loan amount with interest>
Origins: IBRD as the name suggest was created in 1944 to help Europe reconstruct/ rebuild after World War II. To be a member of IBRD, a country has t join IMF first.
- Long-term capital assistance to its member-countries for their reconstruction and development
- It works closely with the rest of the World Bank Group to help developing countries reduce poverty, promote economic growth, and build prosperity.
Other functions of IBRD Bank –
- Supports long-term human and social development that private creditors do not finance
- Preserves borrowers’ financial strength by providing support in times of crisis, when poor people are most adversely affected
- Promotes policy and institutional reforms (such as safety net or anti-corruption reforms)
- Creates a favorable investment climate to catalyze the provision of private capital
- Facilitates access to financial markets often at more favorable terms than members can achieve on their own
- Resources of the Bank consist of the capital and borrowings.
Before granting or guaranteeing a loan, the Bank considers the following matters –
- merit of the proposal
- The borrower has reasonable prospect for repayment i.e. credit worthiness
- The loan is meant for productive purposes and to finance foreign exchange requirements of specific projects of reconstruction and development.
How is IBRD financed?
- Simple as other banks are financed; float bonds in world financial markets. In fact, in these markets, IBRD is known simply as the World Bank
- shareholder are member states with governments paying in about $14 billion in capital in proportion to their IMF quota
- IBRD has maintained a triple-A rating since 1959. Its high credit rating allows it to borrow at low cost and offer middle-income developing countries access to capital on favorable terms in larger volumes, with longer maturities <What is a credit rating? How is it determined? What is the effect of a good or bad credit rating on the prospects of countries and corporations? Answer in the comments.>
- IBRD earns income every year from the return on its equity and from the small margin it makes on lending
- This pays for IBRD’s operating expenses, goes into reserves to strengthen the balance sheet, and provides an annual transfer of funds to IDA, the fund for the poorest countries
India and the IBRD
- India is the founder-banker of the Bank
- Bank has not been merely a lending institution to India but has also served as a worthy counsel whom India has approached for advice in difficulties
- India has been the single largest borrower of the Bank
- Main sectors for which IBRD assistance of US$ 3049 million has been provided are roads & highways, energy, urban infrastructure (including water & sanitation), rural credit, disaster management and the financial services sector
- The Bank has also been instrumental in the establishment of the India Development Forum, a consortium of donor nations to India.
- The massive financial assistance pledged by the consortium members has been the largest aid commitment and is a landmark in the history of development aid from developed countries to developing countries.
International Development Association (IDA)
IDA is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries
Aim: To reduce poverty by providing loans (called “credits”) and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.
Main Functions of IDA:
- IDA provides loans which are practically interest-free and for longer periods. Therefore, it is often referred to as the ‘soft loan window’ of the Bank.
- Only the poorest of the poor member countries (with per capita income below $1215 in 2016) are eligible for assistance.
- IDA complements the World Bank’s original lending arm, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Structure of lending and credits by IDA
- IDA lends money on concessional terms. This means that IDA credits have a zero or very low interest charge and repayments are stretched over 25 to 38 years, including a 5- to 10-year grace period
- IDA also provides grants to countries at risk of debt distress <grants are donations i.e. not to be rapid>
- In addition to concessional loans and grants, IDA provides significant levels of debt relief through the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI)
- IDA is a multi-issue institution, supporting a range of development activities, such as primary education, basic health services, clean water and sanitation, agriculture, business climate improvements, infrastructure, and institutional reforms
- These interventions pave the way toward equality, economic growth, job creation, higher incomes, and better living conditions
Borrowers of IDA
- 77 countries (plus India) are currently eligible to receive IDA resources
- Eligibility for IDA support depends first and foremost on a country’s relative poverty, defined as gross national income (GNI) per capita below $1,215 in fiscal year 2016
- IDA also supports a number of countries, including several small island economies, which are above the operational cutoff but lack the creditworthiness needed to borrow from IBRD
- Some countries, such as Vietnam and Pakistan, are IDA-eligible based on per capita income levels, but are also creditworthy for some IBRD borrowing. They are referred to as “blend” countries <receive loans from bot IDA and IBRD; India is also one such country>
Roadmap ahead for IDA
- Today’s fiscal environment presents challenges for all those involved in development from borrowing countries to donors<funds are simply not available after financial crisis>
- The new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a critical opportunity to end extreme poverty. That would need strong commitment and financing to meet the goals
- A number of countries are expected to exceed IDA’s per capita income threshold in the next decade, it is also clear that these countries will continue to be home to millions of poor people who will still need extensive support, particularly during the transition period from concessional to harder lending terms
- As the main instrument for implementing the global goals in the poorest countries, IDA will need to shift toward increasingly innovative approaches to deliver trans-formative results
India has exceeded IDA’s per capita income threshold of 1260$ and is thus technically not eligible to tap IDA window but India campaigned to extend the tenure of India’s concessional loans by several more years (till 2022), given the country’s high poverty levels and WB decided to continue it’s IDA concessional lending in view of 300m people living below poverty line.
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries
Objectives of the IFC
- To further economic development by encouraging growth of private enterprise in member-countries
- Invests in private enterprise in member-countries in association with private investors and without Government guarantee, in cases where sufficient private capital is not available on reasonable terms
- Seeks to bring together investment opportunities, private capital of both foreign and domestic origin, and experienced management
- Stimulates conditions conducive to the flow of private capital – domestic and foreign – into productive investments in member-countries
- IFC investment normally does not exceed 40% of the total investment of the enterprise
- In case of its investment by equity participation, it does not exceed 25% of the share capital
IFC and India
- IFC makes strategic investments and advisory interventions to promote inclusive growth, help address climate change impacts, and encourage global and regional integration
- In India, IFC is sharpening its focus on increasing access to energy, finance and healthcare; providing sustainable infrastructure; and boosting regional linkages
Focus Areas –
- Building infrastructure
- Facilitating renewable energy generation
- Promoting cleaner production, energy and water efficiency
- Supporting agriculture for improved food security
- Creating growth opportunities for small businesses
- Helping reform investment climate
Let’s take a look at India-IFC ties
- Since 1956, IFC has invested in 346 companies in India, providing over $10.3 billion in financing for its own account and $2.9 billion in mobilization from external resources
- IFC’s committed portfolio in India is nearly $4.7 billion<India has IFC’s largest portfolio exposure>
- In FY14, IFC committed nearly $1.2 billion across 34 projects in India
- IFC also has a strong advisory program in India with a total portfolio value of $62 million across 74 projects.
- In FY14, three quarters of IFC’s advisory program had a footprint in India’s priority states
IFC also issue India’s first masala bonds to tap in foreign funding in local currency. similar IFC also issued first green masala bonds to raise investments to deal with climate change. Want to know what is masala bond, click here to read more
Concerns around World Bank lending and reform of World Bank
- As we learnt in the earlier part on Bretton Woods institution that main concern is around conditionalities and impact of world bank funded infrastructure projects on local population<displacement, loss of jobs etc.>
- The Bank’s undemocratic governance structure – which is dominated by industrialised countries – and its privileging of the private sector
- the Bank’s private sector lending arm (IFC) has been criticised for its business model<increasing use of financial intermediaries such as private equity funds and funding of companies associated with tax havens>
- World bank recently announced that it would not fund coal technologies for climate change reasons, it would make task of investing in clean coal technologies difficult for countries such as India
- World bank’s governing structure need to be made more democratic
- Developing countries should be given a chance to shape the agenda
- There should be more transparency on the issues that come to the table
- More resources(increase the capital base) need to be put in so that it continue lending to poorer countries
Let’s revise World Bank in brief
|IBRD (WB)||Infrastructure loan to poor middle income but credit worthy countries at just below market rates||India founder member, largest recipient of loan|
|IDA||Soft loan at virtually zero rate for poverty eradication to poorest countries||India founder largest recipient, has crossed the per capita threshold for funding but will continue to receive IDA funds|
|IFC||Private sector arm of WB group, supports private enterprises in developing countries||India founder, IFC launched India’s offshore masala bond|
|MIGA||Provide guarantee to investors against non-commercial political risk||India not founding member|
|ICSID||Resolve disputes through arbitration and conciliation||India not a member|
UPSC ke Sawal
#1. Which one of the following groups of items is included in India’s foreign-exchange reserves? (IAS pre 2013)
- Foreign-currency assets, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and loans from foreign countries
- Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and SDRs
- Foreign-currency assets, loans from the World Bank and SDRs
- Foreign-currency assets, gold holdings of the RBI and loans from the World Bank
#2. ‘BioCarbon Fund Initiative for Sustain- able Forest Landscapes’ is managed by the (IAS pre 2015)
(a) Asian Development Bank
(b) International Monetary Fund
(c) United Nations Environment Programme
(d) World Bank
#3. The price of any currency in international market is decided by the (ias pre 2012)
- World Bank
- demand for goods/services provided by the country concerned
- stability of the government of the concerned country
- economic potential of the country in question
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1 and 4 only
#1. The World Bank and the IMF, collectively known as the Bretton Woods Institutions, are the two inter-governmental pillars supporting the structure of the world’s economic and financial order. Superficially, the World Bank and the IMF exhibit many common characteristics, yet their role, functions and mandate are distinctly different. Elucidate. (IAS mains 2013)
#2. Does India Need the World Bank?


Don't treat lightning lightly
From the Ada City-County Emergency Management
Responsibly recreating outdoors means having a lightning safety plan in place. Before you go out to play, make a plan and know:
Additionally, if you are supervising an organized group activity you should have a responsible designated party that monitors weather broadcasts during the event. Listening to a weather alert radio will provide this critical information. Advance notice can make the difference between safety and danger.
What if you are caught outdoors and are nowhere near a safe shelter?
If lightning is imminent, it will sometimes give a few seconds of warning. Your hair might stand up on end, or skin might tingle, light metal objects may vibrate, or you could hear a crackling or "kee-kee" sound. Get away from isolated trees, poles, metal fences or bleachers. Squat low to the ground on the balls of your feet, place your hands on your knees with your head between them.
You need to make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground.
The “Lightning Crouch,” as the position is called, should only be used as a last resort. Do not lie flat on the ground, when lightning strikes, it can produce current in the ground that can be fatal up to 100 feet away from the strike. The best answer is to plan outdoor activities in accordance with the weather and to have safe shelter available when it’s needed. When you go out to play, play it safe.
Death associated with lightning strike is often from cardiac arrest and/or stopped breathing. Call 911 immediately. Performing CPR (cardio-pullmonary resuscitation) and/or mouth- to- mouth resuscitation as needed could save the life of a strike victim.
Lightning victims do not retain an electrical charge, contrary to the myth, so there is no risk of shock to the rescuer. However, if the thunderstorm is still active and you are at continued risk of a strike, consider moving the victim and yourself to a safer location.


The Supreme Court is set to hear oral argument today in McDonald v. City of Chicago. At issue is whether the Second Amendment, whose broad contours were decided in Heller, applies to States. Chicago has gun laws equally as restrictive as those struck down in Washington D.C. by Heller. But there is so much more here. This is anything but a normal case.
There has not been a case so intertwined with the issues of slavery and racism since the Civil War. Here is the big, big, big rub. Ultimately, for opponents of the Second Amendment, in order for the Court to find that the Second Amendment does not apply to states, the Court would have to uphold a series of racially charged, post civil war decisions that gave free reign to the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and which forgave the slaughter of hundreds of blacks one Easter's day in post-Civil War Louisiana. Those cases were an attempt to limit the rights of blacks in post Civil War America and they are a stain on our nation's history that should not be left standing.
Here is the background to McDonald. The starting point is with perhaps the most reviled Supreme Court decision of all time, the 1857 case of Dred Scott. In that case, Chief Justice Taney, a Democrat, held that no black, whether a freedman or a slave, could ever be considered a citizen of the U.S. entitled to rights under the Constitution.
Dred Scott was one of the many fuses that led in 1861 to the Civil War. In the immediate aftermath of the war, the abolitionist Republican Congress, in answer to Dred Scott, amended the Constitution. They passed the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery. They passed the 14th amendment, of concern in the instant case for the Privileges & Immunities clause as well as the Due Process clause. Specifically, it states:
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; . . .
They also passed the 15th Amendment, preventing States from interfering with the right of anyone to vote based on such person color.
At issue for originalists in McDonald is what the drafters intended when they wrote the 14th Amendment. You can read the Petitioner's brief in McDonald for some very good historical research on that topic. It is pretty clear that the drafters intended the "privileges or immunities" clause to extend the rights set forth in the Bill of Rights to individual citizens in each state as an answer to Dred Scott. The due process clause - of such importance today - was then considered purely procedural.
But in the Slaughterhouse Cases of 1873, a 5-4 majority in the Supreme Court gutted the "privileges and immunities" portion of the 14th Amendment, holding that it only applied as a brake on federal power, while states were free to establish their own laws in contravention. On the heels of this decision, in 1875, came the decision in Cruikshank - a decision that led directly to the growth of the KKK and the era of Jim Crow.
The background to Cruikshank is that, on Easter Day, 13 Apr 1873, hundreds of black Republicans were meeting in the Colfax, Louisiana courthouse to protect it from a Democratic takeover during a political dispute. Hundreds of whites surrounded the Courthouse and attacked, burning it down and killing somewhere between 100 and 280 blacks. Several members of the white mob were arrested and charged under The Enforcement Act, a federal law that made it a crime to conspire to deprive anyone of their Constitutional rights.
The Cruikshank Court held, on the basis of the Slaughterhouse Cases, that the federal government could not hold individuals liable for violating another citizens civil rights. Among other things, the Court held that individuals could only look to the States for the enforcement of their 1st and 2nd Amendment rights:
The first amendment to the Constitution prohibits Congress from abridging 'the right of the people to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.' This, like the other amendments proposed and adopted at the same time, was not intended to limit the powers of the State governments in respect to their own citizens, but to operate upon the National government alone. . . .
The particular amendment now under consideration assumes the existence of the right of the people to assemble for lawful purposes, and protects it against encroachment by Congress. The right was not created by the amendment; neither was its continuance guaranteed, except as against congressional interference. For their protection in its enjoyment, therefore, the people must look to the States. The power for that purpose was originally placed there, and it has never been surrendered to the United States. . . .
The second and tenth counts are equally defective. The right there specified is that of 'bearing arms for a lawful purpose.' This is not a right granted by the Constitution. Neither is it in any manner dependent upon that instrument for its existence. The second amendment declares that it shall not be infringed; but this, as has been seen, means no more than that it shall not be infringed by Congress. This is one of the amendments that has no other effect than to restrict the powers of the national government, leaving the people to look for their protection against any violation by their fellow-citizens of the rights it recognizes, to what is called, . . . the 'powers which relate to merely municipal legislation, or what was, perhaps, more properly called internal police,' 'not surrendered or restrained' by the Constitution of the United States. . . .
The end result of the Slaughterhouse-Cruikshank line of cases from a legal standpoint was to nullify and atrophy the privileges and immunities clause of the 14th Amendment. Later Courts would get around that by developing the legal canard of "substantive due process" to bootstrap federal enforcement of civil rights. As a practical matter, as already pointed out, Cruikshank gave rise to the growth of the KKK and the imposition of Jim Crow laws.
The original intent of the drafters of the 14th Amendment, by the Privileges or Immunities clause, was to apply the Bill of Rights to all citizens of our country. It may be that the court in MacDonald does not reach this issue, but rather finds the Second Amendment is "incorporated" under the Due Process clause. But those on the Court who do not want to see the Second Amendment applied as a universal right of all citizens are going to have to reach Cruikshank - and uphold it. The irony here is just delicious.


Guest Opinion by Lori Otter
For children, walking or riding a bike, skateboard or scooter is an adventure. For parents and teachers, it can help them encourage a child’s creativity, health and overall happiness. As an educator, I have observed that children who walk to school come better prepared to learn and have fewer behavioral problems. Safely walking to and from school can be a fun, social experience for children. It is a chance for them to spend time with their families, neighbors and peers while learning about their community.
As the State of Idaho’s spokesperson for the newly launched Safe Routes to School Program, I want to encourage community leaders in education, government, law enforcement and public and private sector organizations to implement a program in their communities.
I recognize that juggling work, health and family sometimes forces parents to choose the fastest and most convenient way to get things done, so driving children to school has become a necessity for many families. Parents concerned for children’s safety are driving them to school even if it is just a short distance. Communities in Idaho, however, now have a way to create an alternative that can reverse the lifestyle choices that are hurting children’s overall health.
Implementing a Safe Routes to School program, which may reduce the number of motor vehicles on the roads and encourage physical activity, may stem the tide of asthma and diabetes. Both of these diseases have a higher incidence among today’s children than any generation in our history.
Thirty years ago 90 percent of children who lived within one mile of school walked or biked. Today less than 15 percent of children walk to school. The Safe Routes to School program is an attempt to reverse that trend. The program brings together experts in the fields of engineering, education, health care and law enforcement with parents in each community who wish to improve routes to school. This is not an easy task, and there is minimal funding available to Idaho for infrastructure improvements such as crosswalks and sidewalks. However, many innovative things can be done at very little cost through education and encouragement programs that promote physical activity and safety. Together we can get children off their seats and onto their own two feet.
On June 1, we announced the recipients of the 2007 Safe Routes to School funding awards. The awards totaled $1.5 million to improve infrastructure and provide educational programs at 36 schools around Idaho. The awardees will attend training on June 27 to assist them with implementing their projects.
I know firsthand how important it is to teach children safety awareness. It is one of the most important skills we can teach them. The Idaho Safe Routes to School program started out at about the same time as the kindergarten class of 2007; we hope that by 2017, when this class graduates, every community in Idaho will have a program.
For more information about the Idaho Safe Routes to School program email Jo.O'Connor@itd.idaho.gov or call 208-334-4475..


From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level : NCRB
Mains level : NCRB and its report
The cases of suicide and the number of accidental deaths registered an increase across the country last year compared to 2018, according to the annual National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report.
Do you know?
NCRB also released data on hate crimes, fake news, and anti-national activities etc.
(1) Data on Suicides
- Statewise data: The maximum cases of mass/family suicides were reported from Tamil Nadu (16), followed by Andhra Pradesh (14), Kerala (11) and Punjab (9) and Rajasthan (7).
- Unemployed person: Suicides by unemployed persons amounting to 14% were in Kerala (1,963), followed by 10.8% in Maharashtra, 9.8% in Tamil Nadu, 9.2% in Karnataka and 6.1% in Odisha. Of the 97,613 male suicides, the maximum were daily wage earners (29,092), followed by self-employed persons (14,319) and the unemployed (11,599).
- Farmer’s suicide: Majority of victims engaged in the farming sector were reported in Maharashtra (38.2% of 10,281), Karnataka (19.4%), AP (10.0%), MP (5.3%) and Chhattisgarh & Telangana (4.9% each),” said the report.
- Rural-Urban: The suicide rate in cities (13.9%) was higher compared to the all-India average. Family problems (other than marriage related problems)’ (32.4%); ‘marriage related problems’ (5.5%); and ‘illness’ (17.1%) accounted for 55% of the total suicides.
- Gender-specific cases: The overall male-female ratio was 70.2:29.8. Nearly 68.4% of males were married and the ratio was 62.5% for female victims. While 12.6% of the total victims were illiterate, 16.3% had studied up to primary level, 19.6% up to middle level and 23.3% up to Matriculation level. Only 3.7% were graduates and above.
- Defence personnel: In the Central Armed Police Forces, a total of 36 personnel died by suicide, 38.9% were due to “family problems”.
(2) Data on Accidents
- Accidental deaths in the country increased by 2.3%. Compared to 4,11,824 in 2018, the figure stood at 4,21,104 last year.
- The rate (per lakh population) increased from 31.1 to 31.5. The maximum casualties of 30.9% were reported in the 30-45 years age group, followed by 26% in the 18-30 years’ age group.
- The highest rate was reported from Puducherry (72.8), followed by Chhattisgarh (68.6), Maharashtra (57.4), Haryana (54.3), Goa (51.5) and Madhya Pradesh (51.4).
- Maharashtra reported the highest deaths (70,329), amounting to nearly one-sixth of the total figure. UP, the most populous state, accounted for 9.6% cases, followed by MP (10.1%).
- Maximum deaths (85.4%) were in road accidents. While 38% of the victims were two-wheeler riders, 14.6% involved trucks.
- Dangerous/careless driving or overtaking contributed to 25.7% road accidents, claiming 42,557 lives and leaving more than 1 lakh people injured.
(3) Deaths due to disasters
- A total of 8,145 deaths were due to the causes attributable to forces of nature, including 35.3% due to lightning, 15.6% by heat/sunstroke and 11.6% deaths in floods.
- Maximum deaths (400) due to lightning was reported each from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, followed by Jharkhand (334) and Uttar Pradesh (321).
- The NCRB is an Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data as defined by the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Special and Local Laws (SLL).
- It is headquartered in New Delhi and is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- It was set-up in 1986 to function as a repository of information on crime and criminals so as to assist the investigators in linking crime to the perpetrators.
- It was set up based on the recommendation of the Task-force 1985 and National Police Commission 1977.


From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level : GMO, BT
Mains level : Hazards of using GMO crops
Amid the perpetual debate surrounding BT cotton’s positive and negative impacts, a recent study has said its adoption in Punjab in the past over a decade has resulted in net economic and environmental benefits.
- BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton has been commercially grown in India for the past 19 years.
- The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) approved the release of BT cotton for commercial cultivation in 2002 in western and southern parts of the country.
- In Punjab, BT cotton was released for cultivation in 2005.
- Before the release, it was adopted by 72% farmers on 22% of the cotton area. However, a lot of questions have been raised recently on its impact.
BT cotton in India
- BT cotton is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant plant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm.
- Strains of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce over 200 different BT toxins, each harmful to different insects.
- Most notably, BT toxins are insecticidal to the larvae of moths and butterflies, beetles, cotton bollworms and flies but are harmless to other forms of life.
- In 2002, a joint venture between Monsanto and Mahyco introduced BT cotton to India.
- In 2011, India grew the largest GM cotton crop at 10.6 million hectares.
Issues with BT cotton
- In India, BT cotton has been enveloped in controversies due to its supposed failure to reduce the need for pesticides and increase yield.
- The link between the introduction of BT cotton to India and a surge in farmer suicides has been refuted by other studies with decreased farmer suicides since BT cotton was introduced.
- BT cotton accounts for 93% of cotton grown in India.
- Maharashtra banned the sale and distribution of BT cotton in 2012, to promote local Indian seeds, which demand less water, fertilizers and pesticide input.
What is the new study about?
Success of BT in Punjab
- The research was funded by the Agricultural Extension Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research under extramural project “Impact evaluation of integrated pest management technologies”.
- It found that since the commercialization of BT cotton:
- there has been reduction in insecticide use by volume and applications,
- decline in environmental and human health impact associated with insecticide use,
- more reduction in the use of highly hazardous and riskiest insecticides, and
- reduction in the expenses associated with insecticide use.
- Cotton yields in the past 13 years have been stable, the only exception being 2015
Now its’ time to answer this PYQ in the comment box:
Q.In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as: (CSP 2017)
(a) Pesticides in agriculture
(b) Preservatives in processed foods
(c) Fruit-ripening agents
(d) Moisturizing agents in cosmetics


Author Jeff Wax, LCSWR, is the Director of the Emotional Health and Wellness Center at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) in New York.
Bullying a concern as kids go back to school
As the summer ends and the school year begins, one topic that has become prominent in our thoughts is bullying. It is a good thing that most of the time our children roll with the everyday ups and downs of school or community social life. But when children are experiencing true bullying, it becomes challenging to let go of the hurts and the shame that is inflicted. Parents, teachers, and other professionals need to know what bullying is, what the impact can be on their children, and what to do about it.
Over the past few years, we have become more attuned to bullying behaviors and the tragedies that can happen when these behaviors are not taken seriously. In our work at CHC with families and children who have hearing loss, we recognize that there may be special concerns regarding bullying. Research has shown that children with disabilities, including hearing loss, are at an increased risk of being bullied. Physical vulnerability, social skill challenges, or intolerant environments may increase the risk, and the risk can be diminished by creating a safe environment wherever children are – at home, at school and at play. However, research seems to be pointing towards social skills and character as being even more closely linked to involvement in bullying than these more obvious factors. Parents of children with hearing loss can thus benefit from both learning about bullying as well as how to help their children develop social skills to interact effectively at school and elsewhere.
Dana Selznick, CHC’s education specialist and a teacher of the deaf, notes the importance of building a child’s confidence at every stage of development. “When a child is confident about their hearing loss, they can explain with confidence, and without shame, why they need a hearing aid or cochlear implant. The advocacy training and social groups I oversee at CHC build confidence in children and give them the skills they need to handle difficult social situations.”
StopBullying.gov defines bullying as “an unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involve a real or perceived power imbalance.” Simply put, one child’s behavior is forced, unwanted against another. Forced behaviors can include using language to say or write mean things, to tease, call someone names, make inappropriate sexual comments, spread rumors, taunt or threaten to cause harm. Social bullying involves intentionally trying to hurt another person’s reputation or relationship, leaving someone out on purpose, telling other children not to be friends with another child, or intentionally embarrassing someone in public. Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions including hitting, kicking, pinching, punching, spitting on, tripping, or pushing.
In the past, bullying behaviors were frequently chalked up to “Oh, that’s just kids being kids.” It can be hard for kids (or adults) to make distinctions about what is truly inappropriate behavior. One of the primary distinctions between “kid” behaviors and bullying is that bullying instills fear. Bullying primarily includes behaviors that are shaming, aggressive and repeated over a period of time, and there is a real perceived imbalance of power between the people involved. For example, a kid who bullies uses their power – physical strength, knowledge of something they know will embarrass another, their popularity – to control or harm others.
Warning Signs of Bullying
Less than half of children who are being bullied report it or ask for help, and it is important to talk with children if you suspect something is going on. Some warning signs are:
- A change in your child’s usual behavior;
- Unexplained injuries;
- Lost or destroyed possessions;
- Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness;
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares;
- Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school;
- Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations;
- Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem;
- Self-destructive behaviors such as harming themselves or talking about suicide.
It is also important to recognize that these warning signs may indicate other issues such as depression, anxiety or substance abuse, and they should not be ignored.
What to Do if You are Aware of Bullying
It can be uncomfortable or awkward, but adults need to respond swiftly every time they know or witness bullying behavior. When the response is quick, it sends a needed message that the behavior is not acceptable. Adults taking action stops bullying behavior and can help keep kids emotionally and physically safe. Actions adults can take immediately include separating the children involved, making sure everyone is safe, meeting any immediate medical or mental health needs, reassuring the kids involved, including bystanders, and modeling respectful behavior when you intervene.
There are certain actions to avoid. These include forcing other children to say publicly what they saw, questioning the children involved in front of other children, talking to the children involved in a group, and making the children apologize on the spot.
Why This is Important
We all grow up and experience hurts and difficulties. Kids and adults can be mean. Hopefully we have enough positive influences in our lives to cancel out these hurts, but often we find ourselves believing thoughts like, I am bad, I am weak, Nobody likes me because I am ____. This can result in lasting emotional wounds that often stick around far too long, even influencing our adult lives. Bullying is a shaming behavior and there is great potential for lingering emotional scars if not addressed quickly.
Dr. Sandra Mays Clough, child psychologist here at CHC, says, “Bullying is an ongoing issue in many schools, places of work and communities that is not going to stop through a onetime intervention. It is a mindset: a way of being and interacting for those who perpetrate this behavior; and this way of interacting will likely not change for them without support and encouragement as well. By dealing with the bully, the victim, the witnesses and the environment, a more healthy way of interacting can be sustained.”
If bullying is occurring, creating a hostile environment and becoming a harassment situation, then parents and schools need to know about Federal Civil Rights Laws related to Youth with Disabilities. Some protections are outlined under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Author Jeff Wax, LCSWR, is the Director of the Emotional Health and Wellness Center at the Center for Hearing and Communication (CHC) in New York. He and his team of experienced psychologists offer compassionate support in a safe and linguistically accessible environment.
Fluent in American Sign Language, CHC’s therapists serve a clientele that is primarily, but not exclusively, the Deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind communities. Jeff Wax welcomes your questions and inquiries related to this post or to the services provided at CHC. He can be reached by phone at (917) 305-7739.
CHC acknowledges the use of information from www.stopbullying.gov, an invaluable resource on the topic of bullying.


‘In An Artist’s Studio’ Analysis Part 2 Poetry Workshop
In An Artist’s Studio
(by Christina Rossetti)
One face looks out from all his canvasses,
One selfsame figure sits or walks or leans;
We found her hidden just behind those screens,
That mirror gave back all her loveliness.
A queen in opal or in ruby dress,
A nameless girl in freshest summer greens,
A saint, an angel; – every canvass means
The same one meaning, neither more nor less.
He feeds upon her face by day and night,
And she with true kind eyes looks back on him
Fair as the moon and joyful as the light:
Not wan with waiting, not with sorrow dim;
Not as she is, but was when hope shone bright;
Not as she is, but as she fills his dream.
Having analysed the title and form, we are ready to enter the world of the poem. Now that we realise we are in an artist’s studio, we can start to look around, somewhat apprehensively I suspect. What do we see? Unsurprisingly, we see paintings (‘canvasses’). But what is special about these paintings? ‘One face’ looks out from ‘all’ of them: ‘one selfsame figure’ (the same model) is the subject of every single painting. Although the model’s ‘loveliness’ is portrayed differently in each picture (‘girl’; ‘queen’; ‘saint’; angel’), these differences are ultimately superficial. Whether the model ‘sits or walks or leans’, or is dressed as a saint or an angel in the pictures, each work conveys ‘the same one meaning, neither more nor less’.
But what ‘one’ meaning is that exactly?
And wait a minute: we are supposed to be in an artist’s studio, and we haven’t been introduced to the artist for 8 lines. How rude! But let’s see what we can glean about the artist in any case. Well, it’s a man (‘his canvasses). What kind of man? A man who paints the same figure, over and over again, not just in some, but in ‘all his canvasses’. So we know already that this is quite an obsessive man.
The sestet finally introduces us to the artist in this startling manner: ‘He feeds upon her face by day and night’. This vampiric image of the artist is in unsettling contrast to the ‘loveliness’ of his model. This image requires closer analysis. There is a double-meaning here; the artist ‘feeds upon her face’ in the sense that his paintings of his lovely muse pay the bills and put dinner on the table. The nourishment he is getting is not only literal, but also symbolic. He has an appetite for his muse’s face, and this appetite is parasitic and insatiable. Day and night he feeds on her beauty, but is never satisfied. So this artist is a perfectionist and a parasite.
At this point, we are becoming quite concerned about this muse. How is she really feeling? The poem reveals her surprising reaction to the artist’s vampiric advances: ‘She with true kind eyes looks back on him.’ This seems an unlikely reaction to a parasitic, obsessive boss. This is where we need to read carefully. The ‘true kind eyes’ belong not to the artist’s model, but to his pictures of her. She looks ‘fair’ and ‘joyful’ because this is how he has chosen to portray her. Thus every painting conveys the ‘same one meaning’: what the artist wants to see.
In lines 12-13, we learn what we have begun to suspect; the artist and his muse have a personal history. These two lines tell us that the artist does not see her ‘as she is’, but only as she ‘was when hope shone bright.’ Now she is ‘wan with waiting’ and ‘with sorrow dim’. Why is she sad? What is she waiting for? It could be a romantic commitment; it seems fairly clear that this relationship is not strictly professional.
But perhaps what she is waiting for is something more fundamental than long-term commitment or sexual fidelity. Perhaps the muse is waiting for fidelity of a different kind, for a faithful interpretation of herself. Maybe she is waiting for the artist to see her ‘as she is’, to accept her not just for the ideal, joyful queen, angel or saint he wants her to be, but for her real, sorrowful human self.
That the artist dodges reality and holds fast to ‘his dream’ is not presented as an imaginative or creative triumph. Here, dreaming is a sinister and dangerous act. This sense of disturbance is conveyed in the closing rhyme word, ‘dream’. This rhyme unsettles because ‘dream’ recalls both the b and d rhymes in the poem (‘leans / screens / greens / means); (him / dim) without ever committing to either. As readers of a Petrarchan sonnet, we are ‘waiting’ for the corresponding c rhyme (night / light’, or d rhyme (‘dim’ / ‘him’) or e rhyme (an independent word rhyming with neither c nor d), but instead we get an end rhyme with is not quite any of these. It sits as uncomfortably at the end of the sonnet as a visitor or model might sit in this artist’s studio.
Please visit again for the next part of the analysis, where we will look at this poem’s tone & speaker.


From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level : Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan
Mains level : NA
The discovery of the species Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan in the Agasthyamalais in the Western Ghats a decade ago has now found a place in the Journal of Threatened Taxa.
William Shakespeare’s words hold true! Really “Whats in a name!”
Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan
- The new taxon of Lycaenid butterflies belonging to the Nacaduba genus had been first sighted by a team of Bombay Natural History Society.
- Line Blues are small butterflies belonging to the subfamily Lycaenidae and their distribution ranges from India and Sri Lanka to the whole of southeastern Asia, Australia and Samoa.
- It is the first time that a butterfly species was discovered by an all-Indian research team from the Western Ghats.
Try this PYQ from CSP 2020:
Q.With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are


The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) meets this week in Mallorca, and will discuss the potential for new regulations for mako sharks in the high seas Atlantic. Government representatives from 52 nations will consider new research regarding the status of the shortfin mako shark.
To reverse decline of the devastatingly overfished North Atlantic population, scientists are advising that ICCAT completely ban fishermen from retaining catches. There are currently no EU or ICCAT fishing quotas for makos. The EU ranks first in the world for mako landings, primarily because of vessels from Spain.
In March this year, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified both the shortfin mako and the longfin mako as Endangered. In August, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting, 18 threatened species of sharks and rays, include two species of mako shark, were given an Appendix II listing.
“Just a few months ago, the EU took to the world stage to help secure global conservation commitments for makos under CITES, but the EU’s efforts to ensure that these obligations are implemented through fisheries restrictions are to date lacking,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International.
Overfishing is recognised as a major threat to marine biodiversity as well as overall ocean health. Sharks are among the ocean’s most threatened animals, mainly due to excessive and often unregulated catches in a wide array of fisheries.
“The conservation status of North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks is atrocious, and the EU is mostly to blame,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “Spanish fleets have consistently, year in and year out, taken more makos than any other country. All the while, the EU has ignored countless warnings about overfishing and has failed to even limit the amount of makos that can be landed. The result, unsurprisingly, is disaster. This ICCAT meeting presents a critical juncture for EU fisheries managers. It is time to finally put an end to reckless mako fishing policies and begin leading ICCAT toward adopting the clear and urgent scientific advice.”
There are a number of European countries that are among the world’s top shark fishing nations. However, there is a lack of basic catch limits for a number of heavily fished and traded shark species. Numerous international conservation commitments made through environmental treaties are being largely ignored by the fisheries officials that are integral to implementation.
The Shark League coalition will be in attendance at the meeting alongside local conservation groups to demonstrate the increasing public concern for the mako shark and demand for scientifically determined conservation regulations to prevent further decline in populations. Active partner Project AWARE has, at the time of writing, gathered more than 25,000 signatures on the #Divers4Makos petition to end uncontrolled mako shark fishing.
“We are hopeful that 2019 will continue to be a pivotal year for mako shark conservation, but true progress where it matters most now – at ICCAT – depends on the EU stepping up and fighting for the mako ban that scientists advise,” added Fordham. “Such action is needed to save this valuable shark population from complete collapse. It’s truly make or break time.”
Photograph by Charles Hood.
To read the full story of the Mako Shark movement, click here to read ‘Racing extinction’ by Shawn Heinrichs and Riley Elliott.
For more from our Ocean Newsroom, click here or on one of the images below:


UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
The Transformation of the U.S. Electricity System
Why are coal-fired power plants closing?
An increasing number of old and inefficient coal plants are no longer able to compete with cleaner, more cost-effective energy sources such as natural gas and wind power. Over the coming decades, as more coal plants reach the ends of their lifespans and are retired, they will likely be replaced by more cost-competitive energy sources.
Why is nuclear power projected to decline so dramatically?
Nuclear power is expected to drop significantly over the coming decades as existing nuclear plants reach the ends of their lifetimes and are retired. Few new U.S. nuclear plants are expected to come online in the future, in large part because nuclear power is not currently economically competitive with other energy sources.
Why is natural gas expected to provide the majority of U.S. electricity by 2050?
Domestic supplies of natural gas have increased dramatically in recent years, due in large part to the development and expansion of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) drilling techniques. This increased supply – which is expected to continue for years – has lowered prices for natural gas, making it very cost-competitive compared to other energy sources.
The Climate Risks of Natural Gas
Natural gas burns cleaner than coal, so why don’t carbon emissions decline with a natural gas-dominated electricity system?
Compared to coal, natural gas produces approximately half of the carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated. But natural gas is expected to replace not just declining coal power in the future, but also a significant portion of low-carbon nuclear power.
Electricity demand is also projected to rise nearly 30 percent from 2012 to 2050 – increasing from 4,054 to 5,222 Terrawatt-hours. Much of the additional needed electricity is projected to come from natural gas, creating more emissions in the process.
To effectively address climate change, how much do we need to reduce emissions from the electricity sector?
The electric power sector is the largest contributor to U.S. global warming emissions and currently accounts for approximately one-third of the nation’s total emissions. To limit some of the worst consequences of climate change, the National Research Council (NRC) recommends an economy-wide carbon budget that would cut U.S. power sector carbon emissions 90 percent from current levels by 2050.
The electricity sector has a range of low- and zero-carbon technologies that could contribute to this carbon budget including energy efficiency, renewable energy, nuclear power, and coal or natural gas plants with carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, UCS analysis shows that scenarios including high levels of CCS and nuclear power for reducing emissions are more expensive than scenarios that rely on energy efficiency and renewables. Learn more.
Are there additional climate risks associated with natural gas?
Yes. Methane – a primary component of natural gas – leaks from drilling sites and pipelines. It is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
An estimated one to nine percent of all natural gas produced escapes into the atmosphere, equivalent to the global warming emissions from 26 – 231 typical-sized coal power plants (600 megawatts). This methane leakage poses additional climate risks and erodes the climate benefits of replacing coal with natural gas. Learn more.
About the Union of Concerned Scientists
“The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.”


It should come as no surprise that studies suggest that long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution common to many metropolitan areas is an important risk factor for the development of cardiopulmonary diseases (i.e. asthma, bronchitis) and lung cancer mortality (Rios, et al., 2004; Pope, et al., 2002). Individuals most at risk from exposure to such air pollution are children, asthmatic adults and children, individuals with pre-existing heart or lung disease, and the elderly (US EPA, 1997). Fine particle air pollution often comes from fuel combustion power plants, vehicle emissions, diesel buses and trucks, and from construction and demolition activities.
Environmental justice adds an additional layer to this pre-existing framework by recognizing that urban communities located near major construction and demolition projects and/or near major interstate highways may be disproportionately impacted by air pollution. More often than not, these communities are poorer and more likely to be comprised disproportionately of minorities.
Though environmental quality is still a primary concern in environmental justice determinations, over time EJ has come to be more broadly interpreted to include the assurance of equity in the planning for and distribution of public resources, which determine the opportunities available to nearby residents. In the particular case of transportation planning, an environmental justice determination would not focus simply on the negative health burdens of a transportation project, but would also examine the distribution of transportation benefits — access, mobility, and service quality — across different groups. In that same vein, an environmentally just planning process would ensure that all affected parties had equal access to information and opportunity to participate in project planning and decision-making.


New Plan for Collecting Data On Bird Health
A wildlife rehabilitator is hoping to pin down the extent of salmonella sickness in birds.
The Northwoods Wildlife Center is planning to train citizen scientists to notice and report cases of salmonella in birds. Executive Director Sharon Reilly says the center got dozens of calls this spring reporting sick or dead birds…where salmonella sounded like the culprit.
“Unfortunately when I started talking to other people around – like biologists as well as other rehabbers, there was really no real good hard data on, was this a really bad year?”
Reilly hopes to get a better handle on the numbers with a three-year study. Salmonella is a common bacteria that is spread through fecal matter. It often infects birds that eat at dirty feeders. Reilly says keeping feeders clean can prevent birds from getting sick.
“Our center is focused on rehabilitating animals that are injured or sick; but we can do a lot more and save a lot more animals by doing more education and promoting prevention – as opposed to dealing with one animal at a time.”
Reilly plans to use an online tool to keep track of confirmed cases of salmonella. She expects to train volunteers this fall in preparation for the outbreak that sometimes happens in the spring.


By Jonathan Velez
Pulse Staff Reporter
Ruth Rojas, Esther Galvan and Deyanire Sanchez share stories about past financial decisions. Photo by Jonathan Velez.
Credit, equity, savings, checking and gross income—the amount made before taxes are deducted—all play a part in adulthood. Many college students are unaware of the language associated with banking and credit.
Many have heard the phrase, “as broke as a college student,” but you don’t have to be broke to be a college student. You can learn from previous mistakes and prepare yourself for real-world situations.
The public school system teaches young students language arts, math and science, but many schools lack classes to establish a solid financial foundation.
“I mean c’mon you’re 15, you have a credit card, why not go crazy for it?” said, Deyanire Sanchez, a sophomore Cosmetology major at Palo Alto College.
At 15, Sanchez was given a credit card by Wells Fargo with a limit of around $1,200. She soon realized that the interest rate was too high and the bank gave a credit card to a minor, knowing that she only worked a part-time job. Sanchez had racked up over $3,000 in interest payments, but the bank later agreed to a settlement and cancelled her debt, which restored her credit.
“I would never, never go back to Wells Fargo again. They should have never offered me a card at 15,” said Sanchez.
Sanchez now has a better understanding of how credit cards work and the responsibility it takes to stay debt-free.
According to www.debt.org, credit is buying something now and agreeing to pay for it over time. Your credit score is how banks and businesses will trust you to purchase a product now and pay for it later. If your credit score is low, then the banks and companies will not trust you with loans for items you may need, like a car, or a house or a school loan.
“Don’t be afraid to check your credit score before applying for a loan because your credit score is essential to your loan amount and interest rate,” said Clarisa Rivera, a credit clerk employee at South Trust Bank.
People continue to take out loans to pay off debt. While this is an option, it may not always be the best route to take when attempting to build credit.
“It’s better to pay off your debt monthly and acquire equity than move your debt from place to place,” Rivera said.
Your savings and checking accounts are also vital in knowing how the financial system works. The bank tracks and monitors these accounts and can use them to determine if you’re financially fit. Therefore, it is important that you learn how to save.
“When you are young and starting out, maybe in college or working at your first job, it’s easy to be caught up in living check-to-check. It is crucial to create a financial foundation for your future self,” said Annabel Urias a college graduate with a bachelor’s in Marketing and Business. Instead of blowing through your paycheck, set aside money in a savings account each month at a bank or a credit union.
Understanding that today’s spending can affect your future savings for big-ticket items, like a home, will enable you to make better financial decisions; for example, if you have a credit card, you need to learn how to live within your means and budget the money you earn. If you do choose to take out a credit card, you want to keep a few things in mind.
Let’s say you buy something for $1,000 with your credit card and the bank charges you 16 percent APR (interest) with a $50 monthly payment. Of the $50 payment, $36.67 will be applied to the principal amount and the remaining $13.33 will go toward the interest. It will take you two years (24 months) to pay off the $1,000 plus an additional $170.90 in interest, but only if you refrain from making more purchases during that time period. Use this handy credit card payoff calculator to figure out how long it will take you to pay down your credit card debt.
Financial growth doesn’t happen overnight, but with self-discipline and diligence, you can live life knowing that you are financially stable. With money being one of the leading causes of stress in America, getting a handle on your finances and spending will greatly decrease stress levels and ensure that your day-to-day living is smooth sailing.


Setting Psikologis Tokoh pada Film Nanti Kita Cerita Tentang Hari Ini (NKCTHI)
The study aims to understand the psychology setting of the figure on a family movie that was released in January 2020 with the title later we're Story of today (NKCTHI). This research uses primary data sources in the form of text and images contained in the soft copy of NKCTHI movies and secondary data obtained from documents, journals and other records. Primary Data is used as a description analysis material by researchers. That is focused on the setting, the setting of the place, the time or the atmosphere that is then attributed to the psychology theory of Sighmund Freudh namely Id, Ego and Super ego. The results of this research show that, a condition of setting the place, time and atmosphere affects the psychological of a person ranging from his subconscious to the output produced by his own behavior control in the scope of Id, Ego and Super ego.


Worming your pets is an essential part of looking after them. Here’s all you need to know to keep your dogs and cats healthy, happy and worm-free.
- Regular worming and flea treatment help keep your pet healthy and free from worms
- Cats are likely to contract worms at least once in their lifetime
- Worms can be passed on from your pets to other family members, spreading disease and infection
While your pet may look healthy on the outside, worms can be causing them pain and stress, which can even lead to death in rare instances when left untreated. If you spot any signs of worms in your cat or dog, it’s important to take them to the vets as soon as possible.
Treatment can be expensive, depending on how severe it is, but the condition will get worse if you ignore it. However, preventing worms in the first place is simple and affordable.
Worms in dogs
Treating your dog for worms is hugely important. Not only does it keep them fit and healthy, it helps to stop diseases spreading from your dog to other family members or pets.
If your dog does have worms they’ll usually show some of the following signs :
- Sickness and diarrhoea (look out for blood)
- A swollen stomach
- Worms in their vomit, faeces or around their rear
If you suspect your dog has worms, there are several different kinds, each with slightly different symptoms:
- Ringworm – this is contagious and will be visible on skin. Look out for oval-shaped bare patches. Vets will be able to check them under UV light to determine if they do have worms.
- Roundworm – roundworms are passed on through dirt or infected stools. They cause your dog’s stomach to appear rounded and swollen. Being sick, diarrhoea and mucus in the stool can also be key indicators of roundworm in dogs.
- Hookworm – this is one of the most dangerous types of worm and can be transmitted at birth, putting puppies especially at risk. Key signs to watch out for include lethargy, poor appetite, black stools and anaemia .
- Tapeworm – tapeworms in dogs are generally passed on from fleas or mice. They cause young dogs to eat a lot more frequently than normal, without any weight gain . If a mature dog has tapeworms, they generally try to scratch their rear on the floor .
- Whipworm – whipworm predominantly affects your dog’s bowels and will cause mucus to appear in their stools.
- Coccidia – particularly harmful to puppies, coccidia is a type of worm that attacks your dog’s intestines. Look out for diarrhoea and signs of blood .
- Heartworm - heartworm comes from the bites of infected insects that carry heartworm larvae . It can spread into your dog’s heart and lungs, making it one of the most dangerous types .
How do dogs get worms?The main reasons dogs get worms is by eating their eggs, which are found in either soil or faeces . Dogs are renowned for sniffing and eating things they shouldn’t, so it can easily happen in your garden or on walks.
They can also get worms by their skin - usually their feet - coming into contact with microscopic larval.
To prevent your dog getting worms, it’s important to give them regular worming treatments (around every 3 months ). Talk to your vet about the safest treatments for your pet and keep up with regular flea treatments too as they can carry tapeworm eggs .
Worms in cats
Cats are likely to get worms at least once in their lifetime, making worming even more important. Many of the same types of worms that affect dogs are also found in cats.
The 3 most common types of worms in cats are:
How do cats get worms?
As cats like to groom themselves and spend a lot of their time outside, they’re likely to find infected faeces, rodents or eggs. These are then digested when they groom themselves .
Cats with worms usually have one or more of these symptoms:
- Visible worm segments in your cat’s faeces
- Bloody stools
- Unexplained weight loss
- Rounded stomach
- Constant coughing
- Difficulty breathing
To save you and your cat this trouble, speak to your vet about the best treatment to avoid them getting worms.
Worming puppies and kittens
The best way to keep your pet safe is to start worming them when they are puppies or kittens. If you’ve adopted a pet, this won’t be possible, but talk your vet as soon as you can. Reputable shelters will probably have already started worming treatment and should give you all the information you need to continue it.
Young pets are more susceptible to worms. Puppies and kittens could even already have them if their mother was infected.
Worming treatments should be given routinely from 2 weeks old. This means breeders usually give the first worming treatments. It’s important to check whether your new pet has been wormed and when their next dose is due.
With LV= you can insure your cat or dog from just 8 weeks old, so should your pet contract worms, any treatment required will be covered in our pet insurance policy.
All content is approved by our in-house advisory board of experts.


Lawmakers Grill Corporations about PFAS Contamination
As the number of communities in the U.S. discovering high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to grow, congressional leaders are intensifying efforts to find legislative solutions to address the pervasive problem.
PFAS is a class of man-made chemicals used to manufacture firefighting foam and many household products, including cookware and clothing. Animal, human and scientific studies have shown the chemicals can be toxic, and can cause illnesses, such as pancreatic and testicular cancer, as well as thyroid disease. High levels of PFAS have been found in both wastewater and biosolids, as well as in drinking water systems.
As of March 2019, at least 610 locations in 43 states were known to be contaminated with PFAS chemicals, including drinking water systems serving about 19 million people, the Social Science Environmental Health Institute in Boston said. The number of known contaminated sites was 172 in July 2018.
At a Sept. 10 hearing, Democrats and some Republicans on the House Oversight Committee asked witnesses what lawmakers could do to begin to address the problem, including revising laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation and Liability act to speed remediation of contaminated sites. They also chided officials from the companies that manufactured the products—3M and Dupont—for maintaining that their products were safe, when animal and human studies done by their own researchers showed that PFAS chemicals used in their products were harmful to wildlife and humans.
Subcommittee Chairman Harley Rouda (D-Calif.), said although he considers himself a ‘compassionate capitalist,” “the companies here today need to be held accountable.”
Seventy sites contaminated with PFAS have been identified in Michigan and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), said her state is just the tip of the iceberg. “As more states begin to test, we are going to see more,” she said. “This affects Republican and Democratic districts; it’s not a partisan issue,” she said, adding, “Government officials at all levels must work together to determine how to clean up current PFAS contamination, clean it up quickly and efficiently as possible, and prevent any further contaminations and dangers going forward.”
Republican Bob Gibbs of Ohio asked Bob Bilott, an attorney who has worked on lawsuits against the manufacturers of PFAS for two decades, whether there has been enough research to be able to say whether the entire class of PFAS chemicals—which includes some 5,000 compounds--is dangerous. Bilott said, “The chemical similarity of the compounds suggests that we need to be looking at the entire class.” He added that “We have enough information on PFOA, one of the PFAS compounds, to act now,” he said.
The corporations testifying at the hearing were Dupont; Chemours, a Dupont spinoff established in 2015 to house the company’s Teflon lines and other products manufactured with PFAS; and 3M. In her testimony, Denise Rutherford, senior vice president of corporate affairs at 3M, noted that 3M voluntary phased out PFOA and PFOS use in 2000 and is working with the state of Minnesota to support “ongoing remediation” of sites where 3M played a role.
A $739-million settlement, reached between the state of Minnesota and 3M in 2018, established a working group to determine how to appropriate funds from the settlement for drinking water and other solutions at sites and drinking water systems contaminated with PFAS.


The story of Ruth came to pass a hundred (31) years after Othniel's reign. Conditions in Palestine were of such a nature that if a judge said to a man, "Remove the mote from thine eye," his reply was, "Do thou remove the beam from thine own." (32) To chastise the Israelites God sent down them one of the ten seasons of famine which He had ordained, as disciplinary measures for mankind, from the creation of the world until the advent of Messiah. (33) Elimelech (34) and his sons, (35) who belonged to the aristocracy of the land, attempted neither to improve (36) the sinful generation whose transgressions had called forth the famine, nor alleviated the distress that prevailed about them. They left Palestine, and thus withdrew themselves from the needy who had counted upon their help. They turned their faced to Moab. (37) There, on account of their wealth and high descent, they were made officers in the army.
Naomi, their mother, resolved to return to her home. Her two daughters-in-law were very dear to her on account of the love they had borne her sons, a love strong even in death, for they refused to marry again. (42) Yet she would not take them with her to Palestine, because she foresaw contemptuous treatment in store for them as Moabitish women. (43) Orpah was easily persuaded to remain behind. She accompanied her mother-in-law a distance of four miles, and then she took leave of her, shedding only four tears as she bade her farewell. Subsequent events showed that she had not been worthy of entering into the Jewish communion, for scarcely had she separated from Naomi when she abandoned herself to an immoral life. But with God nothing goes unrewarded. For the four miles which Orpah travelled with Naomi, she was recompensed by bringing forth four giants, Goliath and his three brothers. (44)
Ruth's bearing and history were far different. She was determined to become a Jewess, and her decision could not be shaken by what Naomi, in compliance with the Jewish injunction, told her of the difficulties of the Jewish law. Naomi warned her that the Israelites had been enjoined to keep Sabbaths and feast days, (45) and that the daughters of Israel were not in the habit of frequenting the threatres and circuses of the heathen. Ruth only affirmed her readiness to follow Jewish customs. (46) And when Naomi said: "We have one Torah, one law, one command; the Eternal our God is one, there is none beside Him," Ruth answered: "Thy people shall be my people, thy God my God." (47) So the two women journeyed together to Bethlehem. They arrived there on the very day on which the wife of Boaz was buried, and the concourse assembled for the funeral saw Naomi as she returned to her home.
Ruth supported herself and her mother-in-law sparsely with the ears of grain which she gathered in the fields. Association with so pious a woman as Naomi (49) had already exercised great influence upon her life and ways. Boaz was astonished to notice that if the reapers let more than two ears fall, in spite of her need she did not pick them up, for the gleaning assigned to the poor by law does not refer to quantities of more than two ears inadvertently dropped at one time. (50) Boaz also admired her grace, her decorous conduct, her modest demeanor. (51) When he learned who she was, he commended her for her attachment to Judaism. To his praise she returned: "Thy ancestors found no delight even in Timna, (52) the daughter of a royal house. As for me, I am a member of a low people, abominated by thy God, and excluded from the assembly of Israel." For the moment Boaz failed to recollect the Halakah bearing on the Moabites and Ammonites. A voice from heaven reminded him that only their males were affected by the command of exclusion. (53) This he told to Ruth, and he also told her of a vision he had had concerning her descendants. For the sake of the good she had done to her mother-in-law, kings and prophets would spring from her womb.
Boaz showed kindness not only to Ruth and Naomi, but also to their dead. He took upon himself the decent burial of the remains of Elimelech and his two sons. (55) All this begot in Naomi the thought that Boaz harbored the intention of marrying Ruth. She sought to coax the secret, if such there was, from Ruth. (56) When she found that nothing could be elicited from her daughter-in-law, she made Ruth her partner in a plan to force Boaz into a decisive step. Ruth adhered to Naomi's directions in every particular, except that she did not wash and anoint herself and put on fine raiment, until after she had reached her destination. She feared to attract the attention of the lustful, if she walked along the road decked out in unusual finery. (57)
The moral conditions in those days were very reprehensible. Though Boaz was high-born and a man of substance, yet he slept on the threshing-floor, so that his presence might act as a check upon profligacy. In the midst of his sleep, Boaz was startled to find some one next to him. At first he thought it was a demon. Ruth calmed his disquietude (58) with these words: "Thou art the head of the court, thy ancestors were princes, thou art thyself an honorable man, and a kinsman of my dead husband. As for me, who am in the flower of my years, since I left the home of my parents where homage is rendered unto idols, I have been constantly menaced by the dissolute young men around. (59) So I have come hither that thou, who art the redeemer, mayest spread out thy skirt over me." (60) Boaz gave her the assurance that if his older brother Tob (61) failed her, he would assume the duties of a redeemer. The next day he came before the tribunal of the Sanhedrin (62) to have the matter adjusted. Tob soon made his appearance, for an angel led him to the place where he was wanted, (63) that Boaz and Ruth might not have long to wait. Tob, who was not learned in the Torah, did not know that the prohibition against the Moabites had reference only to males. Therefore, he declined to marry Ruth. (64) So she was taken to wife (65) by the octogenarian (66) Boaz. Ruth herself was forty years old (67) at the time of her second marriage, and it was against all expectations that her union with Boaz should be blessed with offspring, a son Obed the pious. (68) Ruth lived to see the glory of Solomon, but Boaz died on the day after the wedding. (69)


The Cost Benefit Analysis of Vaccination for Sheep in Kuwait Farms
Sheep mortality is a common agenda noticed in sheep farms globally. The mortality rate of newborn lambs in Kuwait ranges between 35 to 50% (~43%) which leads to low profitability or loss to the farmer. Vaccination gives a better remedy to withstand the infections and stresses. Vaccines are available at various rates and hence the feasibility of the farmers to afford for vaccines and the subsequent profit to be earned has to be clarified for the famers to go for vaccinating their sheep confidently. With this objective, an investigation was conducted to cost analyze vaccinated sheep production that includes their feed, drinking water and housing values. A cost benefit analysis is an imperative activity that includes break down of total cost of each component and synthesizing to reach a value to compare with the profit gain from such activity. The total cost was calculated by vaccinating 5 groups of 30 Ewes each along with the cost of feed, water and electricity for a period of 1 year to raise Ewes. According to the results, a very slight difference in vaccine cost which is very nominal is recorded suggesting to vaccinate the Ewes for the combined vaccine (Pasteurella + Clostridia + PPR) to protect for multiple diseases causing high mortality rate.


By Mathew Carr
Aug. 27-30, 2021 — Bangladesh has made a much-more solid contribution to global emission limits in 2030, widening and tightening its so-called “nationally determined contribution” to the Paris climate deal on Aug. 26.
The country is now saying it will seek to cut emissions by 22% below “business as usual” emissions by the end of the decade, as long as it gets financial assistance.
That’s a much-bigger cut than the 15% reduction proposed just last year and 10% in 2015. Warning: the plans are not easy to compare with each other.
Still, one of the least-developed nations that’s also most vulnerable to the climate crisis is planning to more than double its emissions in the next 10 years as it develops its economy and as it adapts to climate change (they would about triple under business as usual).
Bangladesh’s emissions from energy have about doubled during the past 10 years to 98 million tons, according to BP data. On top of that its agriculture emissions are big. So other nations might argue Bangladesh can do even better — with the right assistance.
This from the latest NDC document:
PREVIOUS DOCUMENT (2015) CHART HERE (NOTE LIMITED SECTORS):
Bangladesh is far from perfect on climate action: It’s been revealed as a major contributor of methane, a greenhouse gas that’s about 80 times more potent in its first two decades in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, Bloomberg reported in April (see note 2).
(Smoothed some language on Aug. 30)


Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which makes the body’s immune systemattack joint tissue, causing irritation and pain in the joint tissue. Dissimilar to different sorts of joint pain, which are caused by wear and tear of your joints, RA influences the covering of your joints and may in the long run cause disfigurement. The inflammatory nature of the infection may harm different parts of the body too.
RA influences 1% of grown-ups on the planet, with ladies being influenced 2.5 times more than men. It is frequently found in 40-50 years old, with onset in men later than in women. By and large, RA decreases life expectancy from three to twelve years, potentially due the endless inflammation.
The reason for RA is not yet comprehended by the medical community, but rather it is accepted to be caused by genes and toher natural variables. It is analyzed by x-rays of the affected joints and blood tests, in which the blood is tested for antibody agent called the rheumatoid factor. Some different sicknesses and sorts of joint inflammation have indications like RA, so the correct determination is critical.
The Early Signs of RA
Rheumatoid Arthritis regularly starts with indications of irritation in smaller joints, for example, those close to your fingers and toes. The most generally influenced joints are those joining the fingers to the hands, the toes to the feet, and those in the cervical spine.
RA Signs and Symptoms
While early Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms may start in smaller joints, as the sickness advances the indications may spread to the wrists, knees, lower legs, elbows, hips, and shoulders. Much of the time the side effects are bilateral, or happen in both sides of an influenced joint (for instance, in both the left and right wrists).
Regular signs and side effects of RA include:
- Joint agony or delicacy
- Joint swelling
- Joint redness and warmth
- Joint solidness or lost scope of movement
- Weight reduction and loss of hunger
Seriousness of RA varies from individual to individual, and side effects can likewise travel every which way inside a person. Times of declined side effects are called “flares,” which may substitute with times of relative remission when the side effects diminish or briefly vanish. Some instance of RA cause manifestations outside of the joints in territories including the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, salivary organs, nerve tissue, bone marrow, and veins.
After some time, RA can dissolve and disform joints, and at times make them move out of place. Progression of the illness is observed by ongoing imaging, frequently x-rays, of the influenced joints and following the seriousness of side effects in influenced joints.
RA Treatment Options
There is no known cure for RA, however more up to date classes of drugs have been useful in moderating the infection procedure, and different treatments and lifestyle changes are related with lessened suffering and swelling.
Numerous medicines, including supplements and natural strategies, require more research before they can be obviously suggested for those with RA, however many have detailed side effect alleviation with elective medications. Patients ought to counsel a specialist with respect to any medicines for RA which might be of advantage to them.
Sickness Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
These medications are currently the essential treatment for RA. DMARDs are an extensive gathering of medications that can diminish joint harm, decrease pain and swelling, and enhance joint versatility. They work best when started ahead of schedule over the span of the malady.
Shockingly, these medications do convey a hazard for some symptoms, including harmfulness of the digestive organs, lungs, liver, and kidneys. Those taking these medications ought to be nearly observed for reactions. Some of these pharmaceuticals require visit blood work to survey level of toxins quality, and a few patients can’t take them.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently recommended to lessen agony and power in RA. Dissimilar to DMARDs, they have no long-haul impact on the course of the malady, however simply treating the side effects. Since they have little impact on infection movement, NSAIDs are not any more the essential pharmacological treatment for RA.
Like DMARDs, NSAIDs can cause symptoms including intestinal, cardiovascular, and kidney issues. Long term use of NSAIDs is not prescribed.
RA surgery might be suggested in patients who don’t react to medicines or exercise based recuperation, or who are weakened to the point that every day exercises end up plainly troublesome. In the prior periods of RA, surgery might be performed to expel the inflamed synovial lining from the joint. This surgery can lessen pain and swelling and may likewise anticipate additionally joint harm.
Extremely influenced joints may require joint replacement or fixing of joint structure. This surgery likewise decreases pain and firmness, yet can’t moderate ailment movement. A few patients are bad contenders for surgery, and specialists will consider general safety factors and a patient’s bone thickness before prescribing surgery.
Both exercise and stress help have been appeared to moderate the movement of RA and also lessen indications. Practices, for example, yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong have been appeared to be gainful for indication help. Exercise of any sort is helpful for those agony from indications of weakness.
Some examination demonstrates that meditiation can diminish the power of pain in patients experiencing joint inflammation. Sufficient rest is essential for RA sufferers, as poor rest compounds pain and solidness.
The individuals who experience the ill effects of RA may benefit by supplements, for example, those including Omega-3 unsaturated fats (found in angle oil) and gamma-linolenic acid. There is some confirmation that both of these may lessen pain, tenderness, and stiffness. Cloves or clove fundamental oil contains solid measurements of manganese, a mineral that may give pain alleviation advantages to those pain from RA. Other regular cures under scrutiny for potential advantages to RA sufferers incorporate boswellic acid, curcumin, devil’s claw, Euonymus alatus, and thunder god vine (Tripterygium wilfordii).


Often those who are suspected of carrying the simplest parasites are advised to donate blood to lamblia. Such a study is called an enzyme immunoassay, it helps with a probability of 85% to detect the presence of flagellate microorganisms at the earliest stages of infection, and also to identify at what stage of development a parasitic infection is. It is these purposes that are pursued by physicians in choosing a designated method for examining the patient. This article will help you understand how the procedure is going, how its indicators are deciphered, what preparation is required to pass a blood test for giardiasis.
So, the analysis of blood on giardia in children is carried out in two cases:
- When the carrier is detected at the earliest stages( in the first weeks after infection).
- If necessary, identify in which phase the infection develops: acute or chronic.
The accuracy of the answers to the tasks posed depends on the choice of the treatment regimen. That is why when suspicions
of giardiasis in children and in adult patients necessarily take blood for analysis. The fence is made from the ulnar vein on an empty stomach. Answering the question, where to donate blood to Giardia, doctors recommend to go to the polyclinics at the place of residence, to register for an appointment with pediatricians or therapists. They will recommend where to go with a similar problem. Many clinics now have well-equipped laboratories capable of taking blood and deciphering the data. If there are no such conditions, patients are redirected to city or regional hospitals, where there are infectious departments, or to specialized private laboratories that can conduct not only general and biochemical fence, but also conduct IFA.
How to prepare for delivery of blood for giardiasis?
In order for the analysis to be reliable, it is important to properly prepare for blood donation and observe a number of simple conditions:
- Two to three days before the procedure, it is necessary to go on a diet, completely from eating fatty foods, fried foods, spicy and salty seasonings, mayonnaise.
- Adults are advised not to smoke and drink alcohol. Do not drink these days coffee and strong black tea.
- It is necessary that the last meal be made no later than 12 hours before the blood test for lamblia.
- It is undesirable later than two days before blood sampling for giardiasis to undergo a fluorography, to do a biopsy, to take any physiotherapeutic procedures.
- In order to obtain the most reliable indicators, it is impossible to take antibiotics and some other medical preparations on the eve of donating blood for giardiasis( their list should be known in advance in the laboratory).If the children are prescribed pills for medical reasons, you do not need to cancel their admission, but it's important to inform the doctor and the laboratory technician immediately before giving blood.
Decoding of the blood test on the lamblia
The interpretation of the results of the blood test on the lamblia makes it clear whether the material provided contains antibodies that appear in the human blood after infection with protozoan parasites. It is the amount of antibodies, as well as the classes of immunoglobulins that make it possible to determine at what stage of development the infection is, to what extent the organism is affected.
Immunoglobulins( antibodies) are labeled and denoted by the Latin letters Ig. Classes of antibodies also have the letter name( class "A", "M", "G").If IgM compounds are found in the blood of a child, it is an acute phase of giardiasis. Immunoglobulins of class "M" appear first. The interpretation of the analysis will show them on the tenth day after infection. Immunoglobulins class "G" - IgG - appear in the blood when the lambliasis passes into a chronic stage. The longer lambliasis develops, the denser the picture becomes of the presence of antibodies of IgG class in the blood. If the therapy is chosen correctly, the density of IgG antibodies is reduced. That is why the described survey helps to determine the effectiveness of the chosen therapy. Immunoenzyme analysis is done within two days.
Norm lamblia in the blood
When it is possible to talk about the presence of lamblia in the body? There is a scale, which is formed on the concept of the coefficient of positivity:
- When lamblia is not present in the blood, the coefficient of positivity does not exceed 0.85 hOpt.
- Indicator 1xOpt and above indicates the presence of parasitic infection.
- If the decryption gives a result from 0,85хОПд to 1хОПд, it means that the patient is either already healed of lambliasis, or he is diagnosed with carriage of protozoa( the phase in which parasitism of simple flagellar microorganisms does not cause pathological changes).
When receiving similar results, the patient will take a blood test for giardiasis one more time in a week. It is advisable, together with repeated ELISA, to pass also the analysis of feces to cysts. Such a survey will allow to determine with accuracy to 95% whether there is lamblia or not.
Sometimes, to confirm the diagnosis, children are assigned one additional blood test - a study of the level of eosinophils. With giardiasis, a high number of eosinophils are detected. And this is another indirect confirmation of the presence of Giardiasis.
What should I do if I have a positive blood test for giardiasis?
Many parents, getting their hands on deciphering the tests, are wondering what to do when the lamblias are found in the child's blood, whether or not to treat a parasitic infection. Some pediatricians believe that answering these questions is necessary, based on the results of the research. In the presence of carrier and the absence of pronounced symptoms, it is not necessary to treat the infection. In the world more than a third of the population of the whole planet peacefully coexist with the simplest parasites. A high immune system of children is able to cope with lamblia on its own, so very often self-healing occurs without the use of highly toxic medication.
Infectionists and epidemiologists talk about the need for drug therapy when children and patients with age-old patients have pronounced symptoms of intestinal infection. It begins with the elimination of vivid manifestations of pathology( digestive disorders, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headaches).First, the work of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized, and only then, under the supervision of a doctor, antiprotozoal drugs are administered. At the final stage, rehabilitation is carried out. It is important to eliminate the consequences of intoxication provoked by parasitism of lamblia and their death caused by the use of medications. Elimination of the chronic stage requires a systematic approach.
A detailed story about where the smallest parasites come from, how dangerous they are, how a blood test for giardiasis is performed, what it helps to identify, what actions need to be taken, after receiving a positive response, will allow to properly prepare for the procedure.


Posted by Neill Abayon
Obesity prevalence is the highest it has ever been. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that more that one-third of American adults are affected. And with the increase in obesity comes an increase in the number of weight loss surgery procedures. But how safe are the procedures, and do the benefits outweigh the risks?
There is no doubt that obesity is a major cause of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
The condition can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and it has also been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer and colon cancer. A recent study reported by Medical News Today even suggested a link between obesity and pancreatic cancer.
Furthermore, the condition can severely damage a person's quality of life, leaving them immobile and often triggering depression.
Based on these factors, it is not difficult to understand why excessively overweight individuals look to various weight loss interventions in order to combat their obesity.
And weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is now one of the most common interventions to which obese individuals turn.
According to the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), the number of surgical weight loss procedures carried out in the US has increased from 13,000 in 1998 to more than 200,000 in 2008.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
|Everyone feels pain differently, but the expectation of something hurting may make the experience even more painful.|
Torture survivors are likely to experience chronic pain, even decades later. And now, researchers from Tel Aviv University say the effects of torture may be permanent, particularly in how survivors perceive pain.
If you have experienced extreme pain, the memory of it can linger. Studies have shown that the memory of pain may even overshadow the primary experience, and researchers have shown when pain is anticipated, patients report a worsening of pain.
Conversely, even the expectation of pain relief can produce a placebo effect, diminishing the experience of pain.
Researchers from Israel set out to study the long-term effects of torture on the human pain system, publishing their results in the European Journal of Pain. They claim that torture survivors "regulate pain in a dysfunctional way."
|The effects of playing a musical instrument as a child may endure into adulthood, with musically trained adults processing sound more quickly than non-trained ones.|
If you have to endure hours of squeaky tunes while your child practices their music, take heart. A new study has shown that even a little musical training in early childhood has a lasting, positive effect on how the brain processes sound.
Researchers from Northwestern University state that playing a musical instrument changes the anatomy and function of the brain. But they questioned whether these changes continue after the music training stops.
For the study, published in The Journal of Neuroscience, the researchers tested 44 adults, some of whom had previously had musical training and others with no training at all.
The musical groups began their training at around age 9, a common age for schools to start teaching music. The researchers tested the participants' brains to see how they responded to fast-changing sounds.