Call for 'radical action' on drug-resistant malaria

      Malaria-infected red blood cells

Drug-resistant malaria is spreading in South East Asia, and has now reached the Cambodia-Thailand border, according to a study.

"Radical action" is needed to prevent further spread of malaria parasites resistant to key drugs, say scientists.

The spread could undermine recent gains in malaria control, they report in the New England Journal of Medicine.

No evidence was found of resistance in three African sites - Kenya, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The study analysed blood samples from more than 1,000 malaria patients in 10 countries across Asia and Africa.

It found the malaria parasite had developed resistance to front-line drugs known as artemisinins, in western and northern Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and eastern Burma, also known as Myanmar.

There were signs of emerging resistance in central Burma, southern Laos and north-eastern Cambodia.

Of particular concern was the corner of Asia on the Cambodia-Thailand border, where resistance to other anti-malarial drugs has emerged in the past.

"Resistance is now present over much of South East Asia," said lead scientist Prof Nicholas White, of the University of Oxford.

"It's worse than we expected.

"We have to act quickly if we are going to do anything."

Prof White said it might be possible to prevent further spread, but conventional malaria-control approaches would not be enough.

"We will need to take more radical action and make this a global public health priority, without delay," he added.

Meanwhile, a separate study, also published in the New England Journal of Medicine, reported early results of an anti-malarial drug in the pipeline.

Commenting on the research, Dr Brian Greenwood, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: "The emergence of artemisinin-resistant parasites is a major threat to further advances in malaria control.

"Every effort needs to be made to contain their spread while at the same time pushing forward with the development of effective alternative treatments that are almost certainly going to be needed in the future."

#FITNESS FIRST!

Skin needs to be Cared!

Some raw foods that are good for your skin:

Kale contains carotenoids, which are rich in antioxidants. Juicing with dark leafy greens helps fight inflammation and detoxifies the liver, which in turn detoxes the skin. Good digestion is linked to clearer skin.

Walnuts are chock-full of vitamins B and E, which help fight off free radicals that can cause stress and wrinkles. Plus, they contain omega-3 fatty acids that help strengthen the skin membrane, keeping it moisturized and looking subtle.

The vitamin C in citrus fruit (tropical fruits as well) can help with collagen production.

If you love sashimi or ceviche you are in luck. Salmon and tuna are full of those omega-3 fatty acids that will provide your skin with a natural moisturizer.

Carrots are rich in vitamin A and biotin, which provide the building blocks for the development of new skin cells. They are also packed with antioxidants that support collagen health and fight inflammation.

Spinach is full of anti-aging antioxidants and minerals like vitamin A, C, and K. It also helps skin stay hydrated. 

Berries are jam-packed with antioxidants, which protect skin cells from signs of aging.

Beets are a potent cleanser that can clear your blood of impurities. Skin reflects the health of your blood, so the cleaner your blood, the more beautiful the skin.

Apples contain polyphenols, which can act as a natural sunscreen.

Almond and other nut milks are rich in copper, a mineral required to manufacture collagen, the structural protein that keeps skin wrinkle-free. It’s also high in manganese, a mineral that not only protects the skin from UV damage, but has also been shown to prevent red and itchy skin.

#FITNESS FIRST!

Health Issues:

Despite incredible improvements in health since 1950, there are still a number of challenges, which should have been easy to solve. Consider the following:

• One billion people lack access to health care systems.
• 36 million deaths each year are caused by noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. This is almost two-thirds of the estimated 56 million deaths each year worldwide. (A quarter of these take place before the age of 60.)
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the number one group of conditions causing death globally. An estimated 17.5 million people died from CVDs in 2005, representing 30% of all global deaths. Over 80% of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• Over 7.5 million children under the age of 5 die from malnutrition and mostly preventable diseases, each year.
• In 2008, some 6.7 million people died of infectious diseases alone, far more than the number killed in the natural or man-made catastrophes that make headlines. (These are the latest figures presented by the World Health Organization.)
• AIDS/HIV has spread rapidly. UNAIDS estimates for 2008 that there are roughly:
  • 33.4 million living with HIV
  • 2.7 million new infections of HIV
  • 2 million deaths from AIDS
• Tuberculosis kills 1.7 million people each year, with 9.4 million new cases a year.
• 1.6 million people still die from pneumococcal diseases every year, making it the number one vaccine-preventable cause of death worldwide. More than half of the victims are children. (The pneumococcus is a bacterium that causes serious infections like meningitis, pneumonia and sepsis. In developing countries, even half of those children who receive medical treatment will die. Every second surviving child will have some kind of disability.)
• Malaria causes some 225 million acute illnesses and over 780,000 deaths, annually.
• 164,000 people, mostly children under 5, died from measles in 2008 even though effective immunization costs less than 1 US dollars and has been available for more than 40 years.

These and other diseases kill more people each year than conflict alone.

#FITNESS FIRST!

OMG! These Mobiles...!

Some of the main safety concerns associated with mobile phone use are discussed below.

Radio wave exposure

Radio waves received and sent by mobile phones transmit in all directions to find the nearest base station. This means that some of the radio waves will be directed at your body when you use a mobile phone.
Radio waves are absorbed into your body tissue as energy, which adds to the energy being produced by your body's metabolism.
Concerns have been raised that exposure to radio wave radiation might cause a wide range of health problems, from cancer and infertility to less specific unpleasant symptoms, but so far the only known effect of radio waves on the human body is a very small rise in temperature.
This effect of radio waves on your body is measured using specific absorption rates (SAR). SAR is a measure of the amount of energy absorbed. The units of measurement are watts per kilogram (W/kg) or milliwatts per gram (mW/g). The higher the SAR, the more energy your body is absorbing, and the higher the rise in temperature.
Some mobile phones have lower specific absorption rates (SARs) than others. You can obtain this information from your mobile phone manufacturer or retailer.
Current research shows radio waves from mobile phones can cause a very small rise in temperature (up to 0.2C). However, this does not pose a known risk to health and is comparable to natural increases in temperature, such as during exercise.
Unlike more powerful 'ionising radiation', which is associated with problems such as cancer, radio waves are not known to damage or alter the DNA in human cells.

Risks to children

Children might be more vulnerable to any health risks from the use of mobile phones because their body and nervous system are still developing.
However, research carried out to date has not found any clear evidence of a link between mobile phone use and childhood cancers such as leukaemia.
Nonetheless, it is recommended that children only use mobile phones for essential purposes and keep all calls short as a precaution.

Research and evidence

Continuing research is being carried out to see if there are any substantial health risks associated with mobile phone use and base station emissions.
In the UK, large reviews of published research by the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) and research carried out as part of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHR) have investigated possible health risks.
The balance of evidence currently available does not demonstrate that radio waves from mobile phones cause health problems.
The balance of evidence also does not suggest there is a risk to people living or working near base stations. Base stations do not need planning permission before masts are erected. However, schools should regularly monitor the emissions of base stations situated inside or close to school grounds.
Every year, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) carries out an audit, which measures emissions from a random selection of base stations across the country. A report highlighting the findings of the audit is available on the Ofcom website.
If you think that a base station near you needs to be audited, you can apply for it to be considered by Ofcom.

Traffic accidents

It is estimated that you are four times more likely to have an accident if you are using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or riding a motorbike, which is why it has been illegal to do so in the UK since 2003.
Penalties for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving or riding a motorbike are currently three penalty points and a fine of £100, with a maximum fine of £1,000 (£2,500 for drivers of goods vehicles, buses or coaches) and a risk of being disqualified from driving if the case goes to court.
You can legally use hands-free phones when you’re driving or riding a motorbike, but it still carries risk and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. If the police think you’re distracted and not in control of your vehicle while using a hands-free set, you could still get stopped and penalised.

Interference with electrical equipment

There is a possibility that radio waves produced by mobile phones could interfere with important electrical equipment, such as pacemakers, monitors and machines in hospitals, and electrical systems on aeroplanes.
Different hospitals have different rules regarding mobile phone use. Therefore, always check with hospital staff before you use your phone.
If a hospital does not allow the use of mobile phones on their site, they will display posters around the building saying so. All patients, visitors and staff should follow the hospital's rules.
It is generally considered safe to use a mobile phone if you have a pacemaker, but as a precaution you should keep it away from your pacemaker and hold your phone to your right ear.

You can read an entire article of this on wikipedia whose link is provided below:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_radiation_and_health


 Take care with your phones and remember; "FITNESS FIRST!"
 

These Risky Phones!

Q: What are the health risks associated with mobile phones and their base stations?

A: This is a question which WHO takes very seriously. Given the immense number of people who use mobile phones, even a small increase in the incidence of adverse effects on health could have major public health implications.

Because exposure to the radiofrequency (RF) fields emitted by mobile phones is generally more than a 1000 times higher than from base stations, and the greater likelihood of any adverse effect being due to handsets, research has almost exclusively been conducted on possible effects of mobile phone exposure.

Research has concentrated on the following areas:

• cancer
• other health effects
• electromagnetic interference
• traffic accidents.

Cancer

Based on mixed epidemiological evidence on humans regarding an association between exposure to RF radiation from wireless phones and head cancers (glioma and acoustic neuroma), RF fields have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Studies to date provide no indication that environmental exposure to RF fields, such as from base stations, increases the risk of cancer or any other disease.

Other health effects

Scientists have reported other health effects of using mobile phones including changes in brain activity, reaction times, and sleep patterns. These effects are minor and have no apparent health significance. More studies are underway to try to confirm these findings.

Electromagnetic interference

When mobile phones are used very close to some medical devices (including pacemakers, implantable defibrillators, and certain hearing aids) there is the possibility of causing interference with their operation. The risk is much reduced for 3G phones and newer equipment. There is also the potential of interference between mobile phones signals and aircraft electronics. Some countries have licensed mobile phone use on aircraft during flight using systems that control the phone output power.

Traffic accidents

Research has shown an increased risk of traffic accidents, some 3-4 times greater chance of an accident, when mobile phones (either handheld or with a "hands-free" kit) are used while driving due to distraction.

Conclusions

While an increased risk of brain tumours from the use of mobile phones is not established, the increasing use of mobile phones and the lack of data for mobile phone use over time periods longer than 15 years warrant further research of mobile phone use and brain cancer risk. In particular, with the recent popularity of mobile phone use among younger people, and therefore a potentially longer lifetime of exposure, WHO has promoted further research on this group and is currently assessing the health impact of RF fields on all studied endpoints.

#FITNESS FIRST

Hip-Hop...

Boost Memory

Dance not only instills grace, but it also helps you age gracefully. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.

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Improve Flexibility

Those plies and arabesques that ballet dancers practice aren’t just for aesthetics — they also increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. You can skip the ballet slippers and still reap the benefits of ballet by practicing some simple stretches at home. Increasing your flexibility will help ease joint pain and post-exercise soreness.

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Reduce Stress

If you’re feeling tense or stressed out, you might want to grab a partner, turn up the music, and tango! In a controlled study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, researchers found that partner dance and musical accompaniment can help bring about stress relief.

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Diminish Depression

Dancing really does lift your spirits, according to a study in that tested the effects of dancing on people with depression. Patients who participated in an upbeat group dance showed the fewest depression symptoms and the most vitality. Got the blues? Grab a friend and go out dancing tonight.

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Help Your Heart

Dance is a great activity for those at risk forcardiovascular disease. People with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing, and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise, noted an Italian study.

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Lose Weight

Bored with your bicycle? A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that an exercise program of aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight and increasing aerobic power as cycling and jogging.

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Balance Better

If you are nervous about falling as you get older, some dance lessons might help ease your worries, according to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity that showed tango dancing can improve balance in aging adults. Dancing requires a lot of fast movement andgood posture, so frequent dancing will help you stabilize and gain better control of your body.

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Increase Energy

Can’t seem to find your get-up-and-go? Taking a dance class might help. Research published inThe Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition found that a weekly dance program could improve physical performance and increase energy levels among adults.

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Make Friends

A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially. Maintaining positive relationships may just rank up there with healthy eating and exercise. Being socially engaged leads to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system.

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#FITNESS FIRST!

Tone Your Body in two weeks!

Toning Move 1: Squat and Shoulder Press

Works butt, thighs, arms

Stand with feet hip-width apart holding five-pound weights in each hand, arms bent, palms facing in. Bend knees and squat, as shown; pause, then stand and press arms straight up over shoulders. Do 8 to 12 reps.

Toning Move 2: Pull Combo

Works butt, thighs, abs

Stand with feet hip-width apart, arms bent 90 degrees, with left hand near hip and right hand up by face, like a sprinter. Bend and lift left knee toward chest, then lean torso forward, extend left arm forward and left leg back, as shown. Return to standing, step left foot behind you and lower into a lunge, arms back in sprinter position; pause. Rise up in one explosive motion, swinging arms so they switch positions, lifting left knee toward chest and rising up onto toes of right foot. Do entire sequence 8 to 12 times; switch legs and repeat.

Toning Move 3: Crossover Lunge

Works calves, hamstrings, butt

Stand with arms at shoulder height, palms down. Step forward with right foot, crossing it in front of left. Lower into a curtsylike lunge (right knee shouldn’t go past toes) while twisting torso right, as shown. Untwist, push off right foot, return to start. Do 8 to 12 reps; switch legs and repeat.

Toning Move 4: Inchworm

Works abs, chest, arms

Bend forward, place hands on floor in front of toes, and walk hands forward, as shown, until you reach plank position. Do a push-up, then inch back to start. (Keep belly button pulled in.) Do 8 to 12 reps.

Toning Move 5: Standing Lift

Works obliques, back, shoulders

Stand with left foot in front of right, holding one weight with both hands, arms extended so weight is by right hip. Rotate arms up and across, as shown (don’t twist torso); pause, then return to start. Do 8 to 12 reps; switch sides and repeat.

Toning Move 6: Side Plank

Works abs, obliques, butt, hips, thighs

Lie on right side with legs extended, hips and feet stacked; prop yourself up on your right forearm, elbow under shoulder, and place left hand on your waist. Slowly lift hips off the floor as high as you can, as shown; hold for 15 to 30 seconds, belly button pulled in toward spine. Lower to start, switch sides and repeat.

Toning Move 7: Biceps Curl

Works biceps, shoulders, back

Stand holding a weight in each hand, arms down, palms facing thighs. Curl weights toward shoulders, rotating palms up toward your chest as you lift, as shown; pause. Lower to start. Do 12 to 15 reps.

Toning Move 8: Kickback

Works triceps, back

Stand with right foot in front of left, holding a weight in left hand; lean forward with back flat; bend left elbow 90 degrees. Slowly extend arm back, lifting weight as high as you can, as shown; pause. Lower and repeat. Do 12 to 15 reps; switch sides and repeat.

"FITNESS FIRST!"

The Health Benefits of Sport and Physical Activity...

Although research interest on physical activity and health dates back to the 1950s, the breakthrough in the scientific evidence on health benefits of physical activity largely took place during the 1980s and 1990s. There is an overwhelming amount of scientific evidence on the positive effects of sport and physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. The positive, direct effects of engaging in regular physical activity are particularly apparent in the prevention of several chronic diseases, including: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, obesity, depression and osteoporosis.

The Report from the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace states that young people can benefit from physical activity as it contributes to developing healthy bones, efficient heart and lung function as well as improved motor skills and cognitive function. Physical activity can help to prevent hip fractures among women and reduce the effects of osteoporosis. Remaining physically active can enhance functional capacity among older people, and can help to maintain quality of life and independence.

Physical activity and psychosocial health

The WHO has estimated that “one in four patients visiting a health service has at least one mental, neurological or behavioural disorder, but most of these disorders are neither diagnosed nor treated”. A number of studies have shown that exercise may play a therapeutic role in addressing a number of psychological disorders. Studies also show that exercise has a positive influence on depression. Physical self-worth and physical self-perception, including body image, has been linked to improved self-esteem. The evidence relating to health benefits of physical activity predominantly focuses on intra-personal factors such as physiological, cognitive and affective benefits, however, that does not exclude the social and inter-personal benefits of sport and physical activity which can also produce positive health effects in individuals and communities.

Sport and Physical Activity as part of a Healthy Lifestyle

A number of factors influence the way in which sport and physical activity impacts on health in different populations. Sport and physical activity in itself may not directly lead to benefits but, in combination with other factors, can promote healthy lifestyles. There is evidence to suggest that changes in the environment can have a significant impact on opportunities for participation and in addition, the conditions under which the activity is taking place can heavily impact on health outcomes. Elements that may be determinants on health include nutrition, intensity and type of physical activity, appropriate footwear and clothing, climate, injury, stress levels and sleep patterns. 

Sport and physical activity can make a substantial contribution to the well-being of people in developing countries. Exercise, physical activity and sport have long been used in the treatment and rehabilitation of communicable and non-communicable diseases. Physical activity for individuals is a strong means for the prevention of diseases and for nations is a cost-effective method to improve public health across populations.