All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

For Looks and For Health: How Your Garden Could Be Helping Your Brain

Urban Gardens NYC

The benefits of having a home garden extend much farther than being merely aesthetically pleasing, as recent studies have found a connection between cognitive benefits and nature. If you’ve ever felt more at peace after visiting a garden, listening to the water move in a fountain or river, or walking through a forest, this instantaneous reaction might be linked to the natural stimulants you’ve recently immersed yourself in.

According to a recent study conducted by the Psychology Department at the University of Michigan, a correlation was found between improved cognitive abilities and being surrounded by nature. The research report, titled “The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting with Nature,” set out to compare the restorative effects on cognitive functioning present in an urban versus natural environment, testing subjects in both locations to determine how each one impacts cognitive abilities.

The study’s findings concluded that interacting with nature, such as walking through an…

View original post 165 more words

Schengen states to granted more control over borders | News | DW.DE | from space you can see no borders – humans illegal?

Germany’s biggest selling newspaper Bild on Thursday voiced outrage at the fact that the Italian government had given grants of up to 500 euros ($650) to African migrants at its temporary refuge centers, as a “reward to leave.” Bild claimed that the migrants were advised to move to Germany.

However, the Italian ambassador to Berlin told the ANSA news agency that this was untrue. “It is not true that the money was given with the advice to go to Germany. This is a slanderous and unpleasant interpretation given by the German press,” said Menzione.

via Schengen states to granted more control over borders | News | DW.DE | 30.05.2013.

GMO Database – Authorisation and approval status in the EU

Many genetically modified plants have already been approved for use in food and feed in the EU. Additional applications are awaiting decisions.

This database contains information about every genetically modified plant that has been approved or is awaiting approval in the EU. Information on the food and feed produced from the respective GM plant is also available.

via GMO Database – Authorisation and approval status in the EU.

To Prevent MRSA In Hospitals, Don’t Prevent Only MRSA | Wired Science | Wired.com

Universal decolonization was the most effective, reducing MRSA-positive cultures by 37 percent and bloodstream infections from any pathogen, not just MRSA, by 44 percent. In second place: targeted decolonization. In last place: active detection and isolation, which made almost no difference to the occurrence of bloodstream infections from MRSA or any other pathogen, or to MRSA carriage by patients. The authors (from eight hospitals or systems, plus the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) say:

Several factors may account for our observation that universal decolonization had a greater preventive effect than the two other strategies. First, chlorhexidine reduces skin colonization by many pathogens, thus protecting patients in the ICU from their own microbiota during a period of heightened vulnerability to infection. Second, universal decolonization reduces the environmental microbial burden, reducing opportunities for patient-to-patient transmission. Third, universal decolonization began on the first ICU day, thus avoiding the delay in decolonization pending the results of screening tests.

via To Prevent MRSA In Hospitals, Don’t Prevent Only MRSA | Wired Science | Wired.com.

About GrowNYC | GrowNYC

GrowNYC is a hands-on non-profit which improves New York City’s quality of life through environmental programs that transform communities block by block and empower all New Yorkers to secure a clean and healthy environment for future generations.

GrowNYC was originally created in 1970 as the Council on the Environment of New York City. Born out of the spirit of the first Earth Day, the Council was initially a policy-based organization, writing comprehensive reports about quality of life issues like air quality, traffic, and noise.

Over the past 40 years we’ve worked to become more engaged with New York City and its citizens. Whether it’s operating the world famous Union Square Greenmarket, building a new community garden, teaching young people about the environment, or improving recycling awareness, if you’re a New Yorker, GrowNYC is working near you!

via About GrowNYC | GrowNYC.

Nearly 90 bears killed under Alaska predator control program | OregonLive.com

(Common knowledge that humans know best – not!) A predator control program has resulted in the killing of nearly 90 bears in western Alaska.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that the program designed to increase moose in the area is operating in game management unit 19A along the Kuskokwim River.

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, agency staff shot 89 bears between May 13 and Monday, when the two-year program ended for the year. Officials say 84 black bears and five grizzlies were killed.

Biologists shot the bears from a helicopter in a 530-square mile area of state land that is a small part of unit 19A, which encompasses nearly 10,000 square miles east of Aniak. The goal of the program is to eliminate bears in the area.

The meat was distributed to residents.

via Nearly 90 bears killed under Alaska predator control program | OregonLive.com.

The Lebanese Celebrities Running For Parliament

Elections and nominees might make for a good movie plot?

A Separate State of Mind | A Blog by Elie Fares

Even though Nathalie Fadallah running and Myriam Klink not running made the biggest splash (not the TV show) when it comes to the celebrities choosing to take on political life, Beirut.com has compiled a list of other famous people who decided to run as well.

Nathalie Fadlallah

Nathalie fadlallah parliament

As established, she is running for one of the Maronite seats in Tripoli. She runs a modeling agency and was a former model herself. She wants to bring her “revolutionary” ideas to parliament. If you know what I mean.

George Kordahi

Georges Kordahi

He used to be (not sure if he still is) the presenter of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and he’s running for one of the Maronite seats in Keserwan. His use of the Arabic language gives me the creeps. No one simply pronounces those letters that accurately. No one.

Toni Khalifeh

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The TV presenter who ridiculed the Ethiopian maid who…

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John McCain’s allies in Syria – The Maddow Blog

McCainFriends

McCain quietly traveled to Syria, and his office distributed photos from his visit to news organizations. One image, in particular, has generated some unexpected attention.

Senator John McCain’s office is pushing back against reports that while visiting Syria this week he posed in a photo with rebels who kidnapped 11 Lebanese Shi’ite pilgrims.

The photo, released by McCain’s office, shows McCain with a group of rebels. Among them are two men identified in the Lebanese press as Mohamed Nour and Abu Ibrahim, two of the kidnappers of the group from Lebanon.

McCain’s office insists the senator was not aware that he’d met with Nour and Ibrahim — if they are, in fact, the men in the photograph — and they had not been identified as such during his trip. The spokesperson added that if McCain had unknowingly met with kidnappers, “that is regrettable.”

It is, indeed.

McCain’s office went on to tell BuzzFeed that it “would be ludicrous to suggest that the Senator in any way condones the kidnapping of Lebanese Shia pilgrims or has any communication with those responsible. Senator McCain condemns such heinous actions in the strongest possible terms.”

via John McCain’s allies in Syria – The Maddow Blog.

Saudis investigating possible second hospital outbreak of MERS cases

Authorities in Saudi Arabia are investigating whether there is a new cluster of MERS coronavirus cases linked to a hospital in the eastern part of the country, a separate incident from a previously reported large hospital outbreak there.

A case reported Wednesday and five reported Tuesday may be linked to a hospital, said the country’s deputy minister of health, Dr. Ziad Memish. He would not reveal the name of the town or the hospital.

via Saudis investigating possible second hospital outbreak of MERS cases.

Canadian Hazelnut Recall Expanded | Food Safety News

The public warning issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Authority has updated a hazelnut recall to include more products and more information.

CFIA is warning the public not to consume certain in shell hazelnuts described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products were sold in packages of various weights or in bulk at the locations indicated below.  Consumers who are unsure if they have affected product are advised to check with their retailer.

via Canadian Hazelnut Recall Expanded | Food Safety News.