Tuesday is Science Day

After reading a couple of articles in New York Times, I found myself still looking for things to be done. So, I went to CNN.com to read about more stuff. I haven't read so much news in my life during the morning, especially in the morning. I have been trying to dodge newspaper, news on the television ever since I was a child. I just can't seem to take everything in on top of having violence in the newspaper all over. It seems like it's the same story each and everyday, the only difference are the characters and the setting.

Anyways, just to share what I read and my opinions about it.

Breastfeeding in Public

There is a group called lactivist who promote breastfeeding. A lot of people frown at mothers who breastfeed their babies in public. Yeah, it could be so awkward, especially having men around looking at your bare bossom. Like what they said, a breast is a breast is a breast to most man, even if there is a baby attached to it. Sad, I know. Think about it though, what can one do if the baby is hungry and they are stuck, let's say, on a subway? Would you really want a wailing child next to you or a mother breastfeeding? Breastfeeding is highly recommended for babies until the age of two. Breastmilk could also easily go bad and it's a bad idea to store it in room temperature. I personally have mixed emotionss about this, I am not sure if I would be comfortable breastfeeding in public, but I also don't mind if moms breastfeed in front of me.

On AIDS

In Saudi Arabia, it said that there is about 10,000 people reported to have HIV/AIDS, but the real, unreported cases is estimated to be aorund 80,000. Wow!! Those are really big numbers. I don't know what the population number is in Saudi Arabia, but still, that is alot. According to the article, AIDS is still taboo in the country and that it is SLOWLY just coming into the open. That alot of people are not aware that they have it, especially the women. A good number of them are giving birth and without them knowing, passing the disease to theur offspring. Most people as well have a hard time looking for employment for it would require testing, and once found out, they are turned away. Most can't tell their families what they are going through and really can't confide to someone. There is an AIDS conference going on right now (I think) in Canada, and they are discussing ways on how to treat it, since the virus could be really smart and hide in places in our body that the treatment can't reach. I have encountered people with HIV/AIDS during my clinicals, and hearing their stories and how they contracted it, most of the time, blows me away. I pray that cure for this disease be found and that people who has this disease could find comfort and support from people around them.

Tapeworms

A tapeworm could live for 20 years and could grow upto 30 feet long in our intestines. They stick onto the walls with their suction-cup like feet. Tapeworms absorb most of the bodies Vit. B-12 which could cause us to have pernicious anemia since B-12 is known as vital vitamin for red blood cell production. I used to think that tapeworms are only found in porks, apparently, these tapeworms are capable of secreting eggs in fresh water and fresh water fishes sometimes feed on these eggs. The case that the New York Times wrote on was about a Jewish wife who tastes the fish raw prior to seasoning. To rid of this tapeworm one needs to go through heavy medication since it is a really menace, and sticks really well in the intestine.

Body Modification

Aside from tatoos and body piercing, people found a new way to make themselves look more "unique" than anyone else. They found a way to put horns on their temples, slice their tongues to make it look snake like, implant magnets on the palms of their hands. Yep, weird, right? These people say that tatoo and boyd piercings are not enough anymore since everybody does it now a days. How much unique can you be? God created us all differently right? Oh well..

Blueberries

My mom has been buying me a crate of these tiny fruits that I could eat a bowl of it in one sitting. These tiny berries are found to be good antioxidants and they carry alot more antioxidants compared to other fruits. They are good in dealing with free radicals in ones body and it's is also good for preventing urinary tract infection. It is also known to delay, if not prevent, certain types of cancer.

Cellphones and Humor

Although not really health related, Iraqis are found to own more advanced cellphones. Amidst the terror of the war, people find humor in their lives. (Read article on nytimes.com) The article reminded me of Filipinos and how they deal with everyday hardships in living. They say that it is seldom that you see a filipino with a sad face for they are always smiling. That humor has been one way for them to cope.