The European Union Times |
- Study suggests obesity doesn’t have to be problematic
- German firms hurting over Russia bans
- New Study Finds GMO Soy Toxic to Kidneys, Liver and Reproduction
- Two separate bushfires ravage South Australia state
- Erasing memories and landing on a comet
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Posted: 03 Jan 2015 05:35 AM PST
 Scientists in the US, where the number of overweight people is soaring, say that obesity does not automatically lead to metabolic changes in the body that can cause health problems, like diabetes and heart ailments. Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis asked 20 obese men and women to pack on an additional 15 pounds (7 kilograms) over several months to analyze how the weight gain affected their body’s metabolic functions. “This was not easy to do. It is just as difficult to get people to gain weight as it is to get them to lose weight,” said chief author Elisa Fabbrini, assistant professor of medicine. The results of the study, published in the Jan. 2 edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, challenged the idea that being obese automatically translates into poor health. Participants of the study who did not suffer disorders normally connected with obesity – such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and excess liver fat, did not demonstrate these ailments even after the additional weight gain. But for those participants who had health problems before the start of the study, these individuals suffered worsening health after packing on extra pounds. The researchers said the results will allow them to better distinguish obese people who will be more at risk to ill health from those who may enjoy better prospects of staying healthy. “This research demonstrates that some obese people are protected from the adverse metabolic effects of moderate weight gain, whereas others are predisposed to develop these problems,” Samuel Klein, MD, director of Washington University’s Center for Human Nutrition, told the American Association for the Advancement of Science. “This observation is important clinically because about 25 percent of obese people do not have metabolic complications,” he said. “Our data shows that these people remain metabolically normal even after they gain additional weight.” Klein said all of the participants of the study were enrolled in a weight-loss program to help them shed the extra pounds they had gained. The scientists concluded that the results they found are similar to those found in the general population: About 25 percent of obese people do not seem to have metabolic dysfunctions that can cause heart ailments, diabetes and strokes. The volunteers were featured on HBO’s documentary “Weight of the Nation” while the research was being conducted. Source           |
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Posted: 03 Jan 2015 05:28 AM PST
 The survey published on Friday by the German-Russian Chamber of Commerce showed 58 percent of the German firms polled said they had been affected by West’s punitive measures against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. In addition, 36 percent said they expected to cancel projects due to the situation in Russia amid the bans. The results showed, however, that only three percent of the companies are completely ending their business in Russia. The latest German-Russian business project to be canceled came last week when chemical giant BASF suspended a deal with Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom, involving natural gas extraction and distribution. Car makers Opel and Volkswagen are also among German firms who are either freezing, scaling back or closing operations in Russia. The poll comes as Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walther Steinmeier warned last month that the West’s sanctions against Russia could backlash. The EU, including Germany, along with other Western government have in recent months imposed sanctions on Russia, targeting among others its financial and energy sectors, and put a number of Russian nationals close to President Vladimir Putin on a sanctions list. The West accuses Moscow of having a hand in the crisis in eastern Ukraine, which erupted when Kiev launched military operations in April to silence pro-Russia protests there. However, the Kremlin denies the accusation. In a tit-for-tat measure, Moscow imposed year-long food bans on the United States, the European Union, Australia, Canada and Norway in August. The move is estimated to cost European agricultural industries millions of dollars in damages. Source      |
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Posted: 03 Jan 2015 05:19 AM PST
 Rats given GM soy found to have deadly amounts of toxicity in kidneys, liver, testes, sperm, blood and even DNA. In North America, approximately 75 to 89% of the soy beans grown are genetically modified (GM). One may not realize it, but this is concerning news – especially because recent research found that GM soy is toxic to the kidneys, liver, and more. There isn’t just one smoking gun anymore pointing at GMO toxicology. There is now an entire arsenal of scientific research proving that genetically modified organisms adversely affect the body. In yet another new study conducted by Egyptian researchers, rats given GM soy were found to have deadly amounts of toxicity in their kidneys, liver, testes, sperm, blood and even DNA. Is there any question anymore about the true poisons that are biotech’s squalid wares? The histopathological assessments made by the researchers of the rat’s bodily tissues leave no room for mistakes or misjudgments. You can’t argue over the results as some GMO-supporters have tried to do with other studies (like Seralini’s). Seralini’s study is one of the most quoted papers on the Internet, yet Monsanto gave a lengthy refutation of its findings.  Seralini stands firm in his findings, with the support of thousands of other scientists around the world. Though you’d think that he was some sort of quack with the comments that biotech makes to try to discredit him. What does Monsanto do when studies like this one, keep mounting? The evidence comes out again and again against GMOs – then what? What happens when research finds GM soy to be linked to sterility and infant mortality? Just some of the sordid highlights of GMO-fed rats from the study’s findings include: DNA fragmentation increased significantly after the rats were fed GM soy, and the levels of toxicity increased at 30, 60 and 90 days. Glyphosate tolerant enzymes were found in the blood, and as researchers pointed out, “There is a growing concern that introducing foreign genes into food plants may have an unexpected and negative impact on human health.” The kidney’s bio-pathology increased. Blood creatinine and uric acid concentrations increased significantly in rats fed the GM diet for 30, 60, or 90 days. Chromosomal aberrations were observed. There was a “highly significant” number of abnormal cells. Almost every organ observed, along with the blood and DNA showed damage from the GM diet. The researchers stated: “The results of all the param-eters evaluated in our investigation were consistent and confirm that the GM diet fed to rats for 30, 60, or 90 days caused significant histopathological, biochemical, and cytogenetic changes in all examined tissues.” No animals were tested for toxic affects after 90 days – but it didn’t take more than this to see an obvious correlation between the toxicity levels of the rats and their GM diet. The wheat-based control diet did not cause the same results. So here’s the kicker — the largest U.S. producer of hybrid seeds for agriculture, Pioneer Hi-Bred International,created a genetically engineered soybean which was approved in 2010. Soy is also on the seven most commonly grownGM crops list. Read: 4 Huge Reasons Why Soy Should be Avoided Since that time, numerous food products have been processed and sold on grocery store shelves in the US contain GM soy. Many people have soy allergies now, too, which are likely due to GM varieties. Symptoms often include: Hives; itching; or itchy, scaly skin (eczema) Swelling of lips, face, tongue and throat, or other body parts Asthma or wheezing, runny nose, cold symptoms Skin redness A tingling mouth Abdominal pains, nausea, and diarrhea The Non-GMO Shopping Guide lists GM soy as one of the hidden ingredients that biotech has so sneakily infiltrated our food system with. Even many ‘health foods’ contain GM soy. Ironically, if you consume protein drinks and health food bars in an attempt to stay fit, you’re especially in danger of eating too much GM soy. Soy protein isolate can be found in protein bars, meal replacement shakes, bottled fruit drinks, soups and sauces, meat analogs, baked goods, breakfast cereals, and some dietary supplements. Then there’s soy milk, tofu, and other more obvious culprits. Soy lecithin is another problem, and there’s even GM soy in baby formula! Companies that make Similac and Enfamil don’t seem to care.  This should come as no surprise to some – as biotech has even hidden GM in citric acid. Other findings on GM soy from previous studies include these startling facts: More than half the babies of mother rats fed GM soy died within three weeks. Soy changes the testicle cells of rats fed a GM variety. Cooked GM soy contains as much as 7-times the amount of a known soy allergen Soy allergies skyrocketed by 50% in the UK, soon after GM soy was introduced GM Soy made the third generation sterile in one Russian study. GM proteins are continually produced inside our bodies once we eat GM products – including soy. Millions of acres of crops are planted with GM soy every year. Let’s face it, GM soy is hard to avoid. Did Monsanto know about all these toxicity factors when they started selling GM Soy? It’s a moot point now. Monsanto frantically recalled GM canola seed in Canada once, but once its planted, is it too late? For now, you should be vigilant about checking labels, making sure that our government upholds labeling laws, and boycott all companies who sell anything with GM Soy in it. You can also look for substitutes for soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, and other soy-obvious foods. Even committed vegans can choose non-GMO varieties of soy to protect their health. Source      This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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Posted: 03 Jan 2015 04:59 AM PST
 Australian authorities are on high-alert as two bushfires rage across the country’s South Australia state and temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). On Friday, at least four homes have been destroyed and several volunteer firefighters injured as separate fires burnt out of control in northeast of the state capital, Adelaide, and in the Lower South East region. “You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately,” read a warning issued on the state’s emergency website. Local authorities have launched a recruitment drive aimed at local women as the fire has caused a major shortage of official firefighters. Metropolitan Fire Service crews were joined by Country Fire Service volunteers to assist in protecting the endangered areas. Hotter months of the year in Australia see frequent bushfires, which annually cause great damages to the country. Source      |
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Posted: 03 Jan 2015 04:56 AM PST
 2014′s accomplishments have uncovered new facts from Earth’s early days, as well as opened new horizons – in tiny cells and vast space exploration, affecting the planet’s and its inhabitants’ future. How did it all go? #Cometlanding and exploring origins of life Ten years on Earth might be a speck of sand in the hour glass of the galaxy, but not for the European Space Agency, who wanted to achieve the unachievable. And they did it – in November Rosetta robotic space probe made the first comet landing in history. Philae lander reached its target, Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, after a decade-long chase, and tweeted pictures of its new space base. Rosetta traveled some 6.4 billion kilometers (4 billion miles) to get to the comet, to look for some vital clues about the beginning of our solar system and the origin of life on Earth. It has already discovered carbon-based organic molecules on the comet, as well as sent data suggesting the Earth’s oceans have been likely formed by water brought by asteroids. There is plenty of digging up ahead!  Yet another confirmation of the outer space origins of life on our planet came from Russian scientists. They have experimentally verified a possibility that life might have been brought to Earth “on board” a meteorite. Using a satellite, scientists proved bacteria can survive landing through our planet’s dense atmosphere, which was previously believed to be a harsh barrier to any unprotected living organisms. 2-meter tall penguins and mummy secrets Plunging from the outer space right into the ancient dust: Argentinian researchers unveiled something other than meteorites reaching our planet’s surface – extinct giant penguins. New evidence gleaned from bone fossils, suggesting the colossal creatures once stood 2 meters tall and weighed over 100 kilograms. Another remains of ancient inhabitants – a mummy with a height of more than 2 meters was found in a cemetery in Egypt. Astonishingly, this tall mummy was just one out of a million bodies, discovered by a team of archaeologists at an Egyptian burial ground. Origins of the site remain a mystery, as the scientists are still puzzled about where exactly all the people came from. What researchers do now know about the ancient civilization’s past, is a cause of death of another famous mummy. Disproving a myth that Egyptian King Tutankhamun perished in a chariot crash, scientists now say he died of illness. A “virtual autopsy” showed that the boy king suffered from genetic deficiencies and that his parents were probably brother and sister. Genetically manipulating monkeys and erasing memory in mice Some animals provided scientists with info on the planet’s ages long gone – others were used to benefit its future. The world’s first monkeys with genes modified through a DNA engineering method were born in a lab in China, in a breakthrough that could become a cornerstone for research and prevention of human genetic disorders. In California, researchers managed to erase and then restore lost memory in genetically modified rats with a flash of light, having learnt to selectively affect brain neurons, influencing memories.  Other rodents helped a significant age study. In a giant leap for mankind, scientists have discovered that the brains and muscles of old mice rejuvenate after they receive the blood of younger ones – with the miracle protein responsible for the age-defying effect also found in humans. Researchers have also successfully transplanted functioning human intestinal tissue grown from stem cells into mice. The breakthrough could revolutionize the production of spare organs for people, using cells from their own bodies. First transplanted womb birth, dead hearts giving life and mind-controlled robotic limbs 2014 research in replaceable organs and body parts have blasted ahead as well. After two decades of studies, Australian doctors have successfully transplanted hearts that have stopped beating, into living patients, revolutionizing organ donation. A first birth from a transplanted womb happened this year! A Swedish woman with this implanted organ has become the first in the world to give such birth. Considered a breakthrough in infertility treatment, it has given hope of having a baby to thousands of women without a uterus.  New treatments for Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cancer and… HIV A complex chromosome has been constructed by scientists from scratch for the first time ever, raising hopes to add to progress in the development of new medicine and biofuels. Search in means to cure such diseases as cancer, HIV and other illnesses the mankind has long been struggling to fight, continued. British scientists have won a battle with Alzheimer’s, having developed a blood test that identifies the 10 proteins that show the disease is imminent. The research allowed physicians to take action against the condition before symptoms start to appear. In what could be a major breakthrough for diabetes treatment, scientists have discovered a way to drastically alter human embryonic stem cells, transforming them into cells that produce and release insulin. Stem cells were also discovered to help fight tumors, when a team of Harvard scientists successfully developed special stem cells that produce toxins which kill cancerous cells, causing no harm whatsoever to healthy ones. On World AIDS Day in December, Russian Health Ministry announced three different vaccines against HIV – all developed in Russia – were ready for trial. No proven cure or vaccine for the deadly virus of Ebola, that killed more than 7,000 people in 2014, has been found yet. A number of potential vaccines and drugs have been developed, undergoing safety studies in the US, Canada and Russia, with testing of one Russian-developed vaccines pointing to a positive effect within 24 hours of administering. An experimental Ebola drug reportedly helped a critically ill doctor from Sierra Leone, who was flown to a German hospital, and fully recovered. Hoverboards, self-driving cars and wrist-worn drones Millions of Back to the Future fans were hovering in excitement in November, as a test ride of the world’s first real hoverboard was made by a number one skateboarder Tony Hawk. The idea of being suspended by a physical force against gravity was made real by a Hendo company lab in California, with the first 10 hoverboards sold out before the release at $10,000 each. Those who prefer to travel on wheels, have been treated by new excitement technologies too, with Google’s famed self-drive car being now ready to hit the roads. The company’s self-driving technology was announced in May, and the first fully-functioning automated vehicles are already expected to be seen on roads in California starting next year, being a leap toward the human dream of being driven around like we’re all in a sci-fi movie. And Google isn’t the only player in the game: several traditional car manufacturers, including Ford, Nissan and Toyota have been developing their models, while Elon Musk has unveiled the new zero-emission Tesla Model S sedan that can drive on “autopilot.” For all those who fancy taking selfies while hovering or enjoying a ride in a self-driven car, or just hating your arms getting in the picture, a new technology is now also at hand – literally. A bracelet camera drone called Nixie has been introduced by a researcher at Stanford University, becoming the first wrist-mounted camera drone that wraps around your arm like a watch and can be deployed with the snap of a finger. …and, finally, 3D printing everything 3D-printing technology has grown bigger and better, really making some lives easier and happier. A 6 year-old boy from Florida, born with right arm deficiency, is now climbing trees, after having received a prosthetic replacement, made on a 3D printer for just $350. A pair of 3D-printed legs has sent a dog, born without front limbs, on his first ever run down a street. An Italian company has come up with an idea to revolutionize home building in poor countries, developing an easily transportable printer that can build houses out of natural materials, such as mud or clay. Even the International Space Station (ISS) got its own 3D printer from NASA, which has already manufactured its first object – a replacement part for itself. So, what’s next, science? Is it 3D-bioprinted transplant-ready organ? Russian scientists promised to release it in early 2015. Or maybe a new space race – as both China and India are now working on their missions to reach to the stars… But maybe it’s our home planet we should be thinking of first, starting with a small effort of re-using plastic bags. Other help to reduce tons of plastic garbage might come from North Dakota researchers, who believe they’ve discovered a new type of plastic, which degrades to molecules after use. If that doesn’t help, we’ll really have to start thinking of packing for Mars. Luckily, life on the Red Planet has become more likely after the Curiosity rover found traces of methane and other chemicals there, marking the first “definitive detection” of organic matter on the planet. Source     |
