StemCell Therapy

I write this article sitting in a car wash, leaning against a stone wall.

I am aware that I am surrounded by people I do not know. How do you sit at a car wash? Insulated and keeping to yourself? Or do you want to people watch or engage someone?

Is this meant to be an opportunity for alone time or can it be a time to say hello to the person next to you?

But the person next to me on this beautiful afternoon is texting on their cell phone.

I decide to keep to myself and check my emails. I eventually stop emailing and allow myself to become present to this moment ... even with a rock station blaring in the background ... breathing in and out, becoming a part of the whole.

We only have one moment at a time and we often take our moments for granted as we go from one thing to the next.

And besides taking time for granted, we also take our authentic self for granted, the self that was created in the image and likeness of God. That's the self that has a soul, a spirit, an essence created to love and receive love.

In our very busy lives, care for our souls is hardly something we worry or think about unless we go to a church or a synagogue or a worship center.

Care of the soul? I ask this question as the New Year begins and especially as a new decade begins.

A new decade! I am sure you feel it ... wonderment at the dawning of the year 2020!

A new year often includes new resolutions, but a new decade?

That feels ripe for mid-course adjustments if needed!

Yesterday I was talking to someone who said this year 2020 literally invites the invitation for clear vision. Isnt that something else!

The year 2020 is such a metaphor for clearer vision for us to consider.

We know that 2020 eyesight in an optometrist office is good news indeed! So how will we foster 2020 eyesight for soul-filled living?

Maybe some adjustment can happen with the eyes of your heart, to learn to look upon the world and see more clearly the presence of God in creation and in people. Maybe the adjustment needs to start within, at your soul level.

I saw the following on Facebook and it was recently texted to me. It is such a concrete way to do some soul-care:

Welcome to flight #2020! We are preparing for take off into the New Year! Please make sure your Attitude and Blessings are secured and locked in an upright position.

All self destructive devices should be turned off at this time. All negativity, hurt and discouragement should be put away. Should we lose our attitude under pressure during the flight, reach up and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will automatically be activated by Faith. Once your Faith is activated you can assist other passengers. There will be NO BAGGAGE allowed on this flight.

The Captain has cleared us for takeoff.

Our destination is kindness, understanding, forgiveness, caring, respect and love. Please take this flight with me ... Happy New Year & May you have a safe and smooth 2020.

May you go gently into this New Year in the ways best for you. May you see with 2020 vision the blessings and opportunities, the world and Gods people before you.

The Rev. Paula Vukmanic is rector of St. Francis Episcopal Church

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Dawn Unity Column: Instead of resolutions, the year 2020 offers a whole new vision - Palos Verdes Peninsula News

ALL drivers and riders should have an eye test this year to help reduce the number of accidents, says road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist.

The group is warning that the UK's driver eyesight regulatory system is no longer fit for purpose and needs to be updated.

Neil Worth, GEM road safety officer, said: "You should only drive when you're sure you can see properly. After all, poor eyesight is linked to more than 3,000 fatal and serious injury collisions every year.

"We continue to be concerned that there are too many people driving whose eyesight has deteriorated to a dangerous level. This puts their own safety at risk, as well as the safety of others sharing the same road space.

"A detailed professional eye examination will mean any problems can be identified and - in the vast majority of cases - corrected, meaning the risks are reduced considerably.

"So many people are staying behind the wheel into their eighties and beyond. This, coupled with the greater volume of traffic and an increase in distractions, both inside and outside the vehicle, points to the clear need for more regular and detailed eyesight testing."

The eyesight test was introduced to the driving test in 1937 and has been amended only in minor ways to reflect changing number plate sizes. It is the only eyesight test drivers are required to undertake until they reach the age of 70.

According to GEM, the test is crude and outdated, as it only measures visual acuity - the sharpness of an individual's vision. It could also quite easily examine a driver's field of view, as is done in many US states, to check whether motorists can see and react to what's happening around them.

Mr Worth added: "This year we are encouraging drivers to ensure their eyesight goes beyond 20/20. After all, 20/20 is only an expression of normal visual acuity, but the requirements for safe driving go beyond clarity of central vision.

"Asking someone to read a number plate at 20.5 metres (67 feet) cannot on its own be a measure of their fitness to continue driving. A proper eye test will also measure peripheral awareness, eye coordination, depth perception, ability to focus and colour vision."

GEM believes all drivers should have an eye test every two years, just to ensure there are no safety concerns about their vision and to deal with any issues at an early stage.

The organisation is also calling for every new driver to produce evidence of a recent eye test when first applying for a licence and to obtain a mandatory vision test every 10 years in line with licence renewal.

See the original post here:
20/20 vision alert to drivers - Eurekar

A West Australian mum said her son complained of losing his vision before he was diagnosed with a rare and potentially fatal disease.

Mum Christina Thomas, from Secret Harbour south of Perth, told Yahoo News Australia her eight-year-old son, Theo, first had trouble seeing in November while doing motocross.

Theo pulled into the pit area and said he was having trouble seeing because of a smudge, she said.

I told him to clean his goggles. He then went out to continue riding.

Theo kept racing but missed the chequered flag and did another lap. This continued a few times that afternoon.

Theo Thomas, 8, has a rare illness which affects the nervous system. Source: Supplied

On the following Monday, Ms Thomas received a phone call from her sons school.

They told me, Theo cant see, she said, adding Theo had been sitting at the front of the classroom.

He was a metre away from the whiteboard.

The boy was taken to an optometrist who noted vision loss in both eyes. He was rushed to Perth Childrens Hospital in the days that followed.

Theo had lost 100 per cent of the vision in his right eye and things only got worse.

The Secret Harbour boy was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica in December. Its widely considered to be a similar illness to multiple sclerosis with no cure.

According to MS Australia, neuromyelitis optica, also known as NMO or Devics syndrome, involves the inflammation and destruction of optic nerves.

Patients with NMO have antibodies which mistakenly attack the nervous system.

The boy's receiving ongoing treatment but has some paralysis in his right arm and issues with his sight. Source: Supplied

NMO also affects the spinal cord and can leave patients paralysed.

Theos condition is rare too.

A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry in 2017 found just 193 cases of NMO recorded in Australia and New Zealand.

Adding to the rarity of Theos diagnosis, NMO is found to be more common in women, with females six times more likely to be affected by it than males.

Ms Thomas said her boy was in really good spirits and never complained.

He never says hes in pain, she said.

He just stands an inch away from the TV to play Minecraft.

When asked about Theos future, his mum said she was unsure how long he would survive.

I know this will most likely kill him, she said.

Its just a matter of time. Ive been crying so much. Im surprised I have any water left.

Theos condition is a matter of two steps forward and one backwards.

Earlier this week, the boy was told by doctors hed regained 50 per cent of his vision, but he had a lumbar puncture.

He also has permanent damage to his retinal nerves and currently is suffering some paralysis in his right arm.

Theo's mum said he's suffered permanent retinal damage. Source: Supplied

Story continues

Theo can still walk. Hes stopped motocross for a while, but the plan is for him to be back riding shortly after doctors gave him the green light.

He will also be back in the classroom.

Hes very shy and quietly spoken, Ms Thomas said.

But hes determined in what he does.

Ms Thomas has started a GoFundMe page to help her family as Theo undergoes ongoing medical treatment.

Do you have a story tip? Email:newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us onFacebook,InstagramandTwitterand download the Yahoo News app from theApp StoreorGoogle Play.

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'This will most likely kill him': Boy, 8, diagnosed with rare disease after losing eyesight - Yahoo News Australia

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. The phrase 20/20 vision refers to normal eyesight vision; according to many ophthalmologists, a person with 20/20 vision can see what an average individual can see on a standard eye chart when they are standing 20 feet away from the chart. Why my reference to 20/20 vision as I start my insights column? Well, our calendars will show the year 2020 by the time you read this, so focusing (pun intended) on vision as we begin a new year seems insightful (pun intended again) to me.

During the past year, the University of Nebraska has been reflecting on its 150-year history since being chartered in 1869. This milestone was a stimulus to not just look backward, but also to look to the future across the entire breadth of the university including the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center in Scottsbluff. Our Center is one of three R&E Centers in the state. The other two are the West Central REC in North Platte, and the Eastern Nebraska REC located north of Lincoln near Mead.

During the latter part of 2019, the three REC Directors (myself, Kelly Bruns and Doug Zalesky) have been involved with a planning process with the objective of developing a statewide strategic vision for the research and extension centers. While this process is still ongoing, there are some key outcomes relative to a unified vision. Here are two of those:

In an effort to better represent all three of the land-grant missions (i.e. research, teaching and extension) of the university across Nebraska; these Centers will transition to Research, Extension and Education Centers, or REECs. The second E will be added to focus greater involvement in teaching and educational efforts, in addition to extension education. The following paragraph from a draft document seeks to describe what the added E will entail for Research, Extension and Education Centers:

In partnership with UNL, the College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources (CASNR), and local college resources, REECs will support college-going and workforce development. This includes providing internships and experiential learning opportunities for students, micro-credentials (certificate and digital badge programs) for lifelong learners and assisting with degree completion, particularly for mid-career individuals seeking career advancement through degree attainment.

A statewide survey of research and extension center stakeholders was conducted during the fourth quarter of 2019. Survey results from the over 250 respondents identified eight important opportunities on which to focus. These are listed in rank order according to survey results:

Water and nutrient management, impacting both water quality and quantity.

Innovative cropping systems to improve soil health, conservation, sustainability & profitability.

Developing resilient food animal production systems.

Precision agriculture for both crops and livestock.

Developing programing for financial resiliency of ag producers.

Connecting the rural-urban interface through agriculture and science literacy.

Workforce development for agricultural systems.

New and innovative technology to reach more people.

These eight opportunities are certainly not new to those who currently work at the off-campus research and extension sites. In fact, there are numerous current programs and initiatives at the Panhandle R&E Center, which focus on aspects of the above list. However, the survey will provide further guidance to our statewide planning and vision for the Panhandle REEC going forward.

During 2020, it is our objective to crystalize our strategic vision to define and emphasize pathways to continue to serve the Panhandle in meeting the challenges of the next decade, and beyond. I invite you to hold us accountable during our 2020 journey as we strive for 20/20 vision to better serve Nebraskans. Have a good month and enjoy the new year.

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Jack's Insights: 2020, the year of vision - The Business Farmer

A five year old girl Julia Zuikova of the Omsk region is rapidly losing vision, against which needs urgent surgery. The child was diagnosed with cataracts, what happened after three months from the moment of birth.

Gradually the number of health problems began to increase. In particular, it was found that the child also nystagmus and amblyopia. Right eye the girl stopped to see because of the film, therefore, an urgent need in operation to replace the lens. However problems with eyes for Julia Sunboy not over. There is a serious loss of vision in the right eye observed minus 14 in the left minus 7. Because of the nystagmus the doctors refused re-operation. Help five year old girl was offered at a clinic in Moscow, theres also warned that the possible optic nerve atrophy.

The childs parents sell the car to raise funds for the surgery. Also help one young patient tries to provide charitable center Raduga. Foundation website you can donate money to the preservation of vision girl you need a total of almost 1.58 million rubles.

Natasha Kumar is a general assignment reporter at the Times Hub. She has covered sports, entertainment and many other beats in her journalism career, and has lived in Manhattan for more than 8 years. Natasha has appeared periodically on national television shows and has been published in (among others) Hindustan Times.? Times of India

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Rapidly losing his eyesight five year old girl from Omsk region needs urgent surgery - The Times Hub

Animal care specialists at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park were concerned when they noticed cloudiness in the left eye of Leslie, a 3-year-old female western lowland gorilla. Closer inspection confirmed the lens had changed and the left eye was shifting haphazardly, prompting Leslie to favor use of her right eye.

Given Leslies young age and developmental stage, Safari Park veterinarians organized a team of internal and external experts, including ophthalmologists and anesthesiologists at UC San Diego Health, to perform the Parks first-ever cataract surgery on a gorilla.

As veterinarians, we are experts in our species but we are not necessarily specialists in all of the different fields of medicine, said Meredith Clancy, DVM, San Diego Zoo Safari Park associate veterinarian. We rely heavily on the amazing community we have here in San Diego to help us out.

On December 10, 2019, surrounded by animal care experts and veterinarians in khaki uniforms and UC San Diego Health medical team members in scrubs, Leslie rested comfortably in the operating room at the San Diego Zoo Globals Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center. A pharmaceutical muscle blocker prevented even the slightest of movement, allowing Chris W. Heichel, MD, cataract surgery specialist at Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health, to perform the delicate procedure.

Heichel and his team employed a specialized microscope and instruments designed for cataract surgery to successfully remove the cataract in Leslies left eye using gentle suction. Once the cloudy lens was removed, a new artificial lens was inserted, which is designed to provide Leslie with clear vision for the rest of her life.

While Heichel has performed thousands of eye surgeries on human patients, ranging in age from one day to 105 years, this was his first surgery on a gorilla.

Fortunately, the similarities between the anatomy of human and gorilla eyes are great enough to allow us to safely navigate the procedure without complication, said Heichel. The remainder of the eye appeared to be in excellent health, indicating exceptional vision potential for the rest of Leslies life.

A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens behind the colored part of the eye, known as the iris. Cataracts typically develop over time, as part of the normal aging process, but they can also be caused by trauma to the eye. Once a cataract develops, the lens becomes progressively cloudier and vision deteriorates.

Heichel, Clancy and animal caregivers suspect that Leslies cataract was a result of an injury, either from a fall while the youngster was practicing her climbing skills or from an overly rambunctious play session with other young gorillas in her troop.

As she recovers, Leslie will require both topical and oral antibiotics and steroids to prevent infection and to control postoperative inflammation, said Clancy. Leslie will be monitored closely, but she is already back with her troop in the Gorilla Forest habitat at the Safari Park.

Following successful healing, the remaining concern is the possibility of cloudiness recurring.

The eye has an envelope that holds the lens in place. It should remain clear, but sometimes after cataract surgery, the envelope will get a little cloudy, said Heichel, professor of ophthalmology in the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology at UC San Diego School of Medicine. In a human patient, we can laser the envelope to remove the cloudiness. That might not be quite so easy for Leslie, therefore I made a little opening in the back of the envelope to maintain her clear vision in the future. I am grateful for the chance I had to work with the exceptional San Diego Zoo Global team to help have a positive impact on Leslies life.

Because of Leslies age, the Safari Parks animal care team was concerned her 31-year-old mother, Kokamo, might be upset about Leslies absence from the gorilla habitat during the procedure. They elected to anesthetize Leslie and Kokamo at the same time, and use the opportunity to perform a routine health check on Kokamo, which included dental, cardiac and overall physical assessments. The results of Kokamos exam showed that she continues to be in good health.

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Researchers Come Together to Save 3-year-old Gorillas Eyesight - Tdnews

In addition to this being the start of a new year, it is the beginning of a brand new decade. This year also marks the commencement of my fifth decade as a pastor.

In every church I have served over the past 40 years, the leadership team would conduct the arduous work of casting a vision for the congregation. A carefully crafted vision pictured a preferred future for which goals and objectives became stepping stones. A vision serves as a vehicle to get you where you want to go. A vision is crucial for a church, an organization, a nation as well as an individual.

Crossing the threshold of this New Year, Im in the process of formulating a vision for this season of my life. Perhaps my work in progress will prompt you to initiate or personalize your own. Although my eyesight has diminished with age, when it comes to the next 12 months my vision this year is definitely 2020.

Because seeing is believing, visualizing desired change is the first stage in realizing what you long for. Picturing a preferred future can be translated into goals or resolutions. I believe my New Years resolutions will motivate me to become more effective as a husband, father, grandfather and pastor.

This year I resolve to glance back while gazing forward. Lessons learned this past year are worth reflecting on. Embracing nostalgic moments has a way of softening the hardship of current realities. But too much past-pondering can be counterproductive. The operative words are glance and gazing. My 2020 vision invites me to spend more time contemplating the future than considering the past.

This year I also resolve to focus on what is right with our world instead of being so quick to identify the issues that bother me. The headlines of national and world events can coax us into thinking crime, scandal and injustice dominate human existence. I am determined to look for the good and decent in every day. Godwinks, generosity and random acts-of-kindness are more common than we realize.

I also resolve to engage people who think differently than I do when it comes to matters of faith, political perspectives and cultural values. While I treasure what I believe to be true, I want to esteem people created in the image of our Creator even more. In this current milieu of hate speak and adversarial-ism, I refuse to give in to us-versus-them ideology.

Furthermore, I resolve to look inside myself when my sense of worth starts to blur and I have a hard time remembering what I am skilled at doing. Focusing on what others affirm in me can silence my doubts and clarify my calling in life. Reviewing past achievements (and failures) serves to remind me of what I can easily forget. Watching film is not just the prerogative of NFL players.

Finally, I resolve to look up when I start to lose my focus on matters of the heart. I determine to always admit my need for help no matter how many candles will adorn my next birthday cake.

Even though Ive been a man of the cloth since 1979, I first learned the importance of admitting my helplessness when the cloth that defined my position in life was a security blanket I pulled across the playroom. Requesting a helping hand from a parent paved the way for acknowledging ones need for God. And that need to look up never goes away.

So, theres my 2020 vision. My picture of a preferred future is still a work in process, but its something tangible on which to focus. Heres hoping youll discover the wide-eyed wonder of picturing your dreams for the coming year.

Greg Asimakoupoulos is the chaplain at Covenant Living at the Shores retirement community.

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Prescription for a 2020 Vision | On Faith - Mercer Island Reporter

Size really does matter with sound and vision

Independent.ie

If you haven't changed yours in a while, it's likely that you have what would be regarded as a 'small' set by today's standards - perhaps 28, 32 or 40 inches.

https://www.independent.ie/business/personal-finance/size-really-does-matter-with-sound-and-vision-38852072.html

https://www.independent.ie/world-news/and-finally/e80fc/38852330.ece/AUTOCROP/h342/ipanews_c04e315e-e4a8-4293-90f7-5de069ef42f2_1

If you haven't changed yours in a while, it's likely that you have what would be regarded as a 'small' set by today's standards - perhaps 28, 32 or 40 inches.

These days, the starting point for most sitting-room TVs is now between 40 and 43 inches. But a 40-inch model today is probably about the same overall dimensions as a 32-inch model from 12 years ago, because today's models have very thin 'bezels' (the metal or plastic frame around the screen). So in relation to the layout of your living room (assuming that this is where it's for), a 40-inch model shouldn't look any bigger as a piece of furniture than a 29-inch or 32-inch set. And for those who still have an even older 'fat' CRT television (with a large rear end), it will be even less disruptive as you don't have to place it in a corner.

Most new tellies sold are closer to 50 inches, which is a good size for someone with a medium- to large-sized sitting room. It is also good for someone whose eyesight isn't great anymore (like large-screen smartphones or large-print books).

If you look around, you'll see that most 40-inch TVs now range in price from around 250 to 800. The main differences between the cheaper sets and the more expensive ones are the quality of the picture, the sound, the physical design and the connections. All of these are worth considering.

You'll also hear a lot about '4K'. It's good but, for a 32-inch or 40-inch set, not essential. For a 40-inch set, a bigger consideration is high dynamic range (HDR), which separates shades and colours better, meaning that you see much more detail in a night-time scene. There's little in home electronics more disappointing than buying a new telly only to find the blacks washed out in shades of grey.

Related to this are differences in the way the screen is physically illuminated from within the set. I won't get into the technicalities, but it's safe to say that for each 50 to 100 you go up in price, you'll get better picture quality. A good example is the difference between, say, Panasonic's TX43GX550b (370) and Samsung's Q60R (779). The cheaper set does most of what the dearer one does, but the image quality is unquestionably brighter and more vivid on the Samsung. You'll see this if you walk into any of the big electronics superstores (Harvey Norman, Curry's, DID, Power City, Expert).

The other important feature that is often overlooked when shopping for a new TV is the sound quality. Ever since televisions all moved to a flat-screen format, the audio has suffered a lot due to thinner speakers. The result is often tinny sound, leaving you wanting an additional sound bar (which is a pain to set up and usually costs over 100).

Also, most new TVs now have wifi and direct links to Netflix, Amazon Prime Movies or YouTube built in- but there are still one or two that don't. These built-in smart apps are very handy.

Irish Independent

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Size really does matter with sound and vision - Independent.ie

Optometrists back call to make regular eye tests mandatory for drivers

More than 130 drivers a week have their driving licence revoked by the DVLA because their eyesight doesnt meet the minimum standard.

Figures from the DVLA reveal that an average of 7,000 people a year lose their licence due to failing eyesight but it is feared there could be many more with unsafe vision still on the roads.

The data was obtained by Direct Line Motor Insurance which also found that an average of 12 learners each week are refused a licence before even getting behind the wheel because their vision isnt up to scratch.

The DVLA requires drivers to be able to read (with glasses or contact lenses if necessary) a car number plate from 20 metres, have accurate vision to at least decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale and an adequate field of vision.

Failure to meet these standards means drivers face having their licence taken away and between January 2017 to September 2019 19,644 drivers fell foul of the rules.

Separate research suggests as many as 8.9 million drivers havent had their eyes tested in the last two years, meaning many more could be suffering from deteriorating vision without realising.

Worryingly, the research found that as many as a quarter of motorists would continue to drive even if they knew their eyesight wasnt up to the legal minimum standard, putting themselves and other road users at risk.

It also found that more than three-quarters of optometrists (81 per cent) supported changing the law to make annual eye tests mandatory for drivers.

Failing to inform the DVLA of a medical condition which affects you ability to drive carries a fine of 1,000 and if defective vision is found to have contributed to a crash you could be prosecuted.

Steve Barrett, head of motor insurance at Direct Line, commented: If people do not have regular eye tests, they may not even realise their vision is impaired when they get behind the wheel, which leaves them a danger to themselves and other road users.

A simple eye test, that takes a moment in time, can ensure drivers have the appropriate corrective glasses or contact lenses so that their vision is adequate to drive.

Dr Nigel Best, clinical spokesperson for Specsavers said: Our vision can deteriorate slowly, meaning it is sometimes difficult to detect a change ourselves but subtle variations can increasingly affect both perception and reaction time when driving. We welcome this research and hope it will make more road users aware of the risks they run by not having regular eye tests, whether it is potentially losing your driving license or worse, causing a collision on the road.

It takes around 25 minutes for an optician to conduct a thorough vision and eye health check. To take this simple step every two years or more, if recommended by your optician, isnt an arduous task, particularly when you weigh up the potentially negative consequences of driving with impaired vision.

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Over 7,000 motorists a year stripped of their driving licence because they cant see - Lancashire Post

People in the United States say someone is "blind as a bat" to mean that person has poor vision. James Hager/Robert Harding World Imagery/Getty Images hide caption

People in the United States say someone is "blind as a bat" to mean that person has poor vision.

Animals' abilities are often used to describe people's personality traits or attributes. If you're stubborn, you might be called "pig-headed." Is your room at home a mess? A parent might call it a "pigsty." If you're being rude, someone might call you a "jacka**" you get the drift.

But what validity is there to these statements?

That's the question we're tackling here at Short Wave as part of a series called "Animal Slander."

We're starting with the phrases "blind as a bat" and "memory of a goldfish" because they are problematic, for multiple reasons. For one, the phrases are often used in a derogatory manner and it is not cool to make fun of people based on their physical or mental abilities.

And second, the phrases aren't even true.

1. Blind as a bat: a compliment of your ability to see ultraviolet.

People in the U.S. use the phrase "blind as a bat" to rib someone for not being able to see well.

We put this phrase to Johan Eklf, who wrote his Ph.D. thesis on bat vision at Gothenburg University in Sweden. According to Eklf, there are over 1,300 species of bats and none is truly blind.

Different species rely on their eyesight to varying degrees often in combination with their sense of smell and echolocation. For example, some Emballonuridae bats that rely heavily on echolocation can still see centimeter-sized objects from about a meter away.

That being said, Eklf notes that, "They don't need their eyes to look up close. They need their eyes to figure out where they are, look at the horizon, see the trees and skyline."

Fruits bats are able to see even better than this, Eklf says. In fact, most fruit bats don't use echolocation at all. They have big eyes that allow them to primarily rely on vision and sense of smell to find fruit.

There is a myth that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds. Classen Rafael/EyeEm/Getty Images hide caption

There is a myth that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds.

2. Memory of a goldfish? Maybe you're not so forgetful after all.

The myth is that a goldfish's memory lasts about three seconds. This has been repeatedly debunked.

Ryan Wong, an assistant professor of biology at The University of Nebraska Omaha, helped us out with this one. He researches fish behavior, learning and memory.

"There are definitely lots of different studies out there and many different species of fish that show that fish have really complex learning abilities and also have the ability to remember this information for long periods of time," Wong says.

He says goldfishes' memory can last for weeks.

In one experiment, goldfish were conditioned to push a lever at a certain time of day to obtain food. That means the fish had to remember both that pushing the lever meant food and in which window of time this food would be accessible.

Some studies have also shown that goldfish are even have the kind of memory that allows them to solve mazes.

So, the verdict on the bats and the goldfish is...

Slander.

We welcome your thoughts on phrases you think are slanderous to animals to shortwave@npr.org!

This episode was produced by Rebecca Ramirez and edited by Viet Le.

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Myth Busting 'Blind As A Bat' And 'Memory Of A Goldfish' - NPR

The City of Stonnington was delighted to receive a Move It AUS Community Swimming Grant from the Australian Government and Swimming Australia to partner with Vision Australia to reduce barriers to swimming for people with blindness or low vision.

The $10,000 grant will assist the City of Stonnington to:

City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Steve Stefanopoulos, is excited about the opportunities the grant will create.

Well use this grant to remove barriers to swimming for people with blindness or low vision.

Through a combination of training for staff and increased participation opportunities, Harold Holt Swim Centre will become a safer and more welcoming environment.

We know that swimming is a huge part of Australias culture and I thank Swimming Australia, the Australian Government and Vision Australia for helping us to create these opportunities

I look forward to the program being rolled out this year, said Cr Stefanopoulos.

Training for aquatics staff at Harold Holt Swim Centre will start soon, with increased participation opportunities and training programs to follow shortly after.

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Swimming Australia grant to create opportunities for people with blindness or low vision - Mirage News

One of the things Jody Bumgardner had in common with her 10-year-old daughter, Ella, was shyness.

She was super shy. At 10, she still wanted me to walk her to her class, said Bumgardner, who will put aside her own shyness on Jan. 18 to speak at First Baptist Church of North Augustas Mix and Mingle With a Mission event at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by the churchs womens ministry.

The last time Bumgardner walked Ella to her Awana class was Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016. Unbeknownst to her family, Ella had been born with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and on that night while still at church, her brain began to bleed.

Medical professionals attending First Baptist recommended Ella be taken to the hospital after she exhibited a myriad of symptoms including severe pain, blindness and difficulty breathing. They called an ambulance that took her to the Childrens Hospital of Georgia, where she died two days later.

Bumgardner will share Ellas story at the Jan. 18 meeting as well as speak about a program her family has started called Ellas Gift, which provides small gifts for children at the hospital.

We wanted to think of ways to keep her memory alive and be able to help people, she said.

They began taking the gifts to the hospital not long after Ellas death.

Small coloring and activity books, crayons, stickers, a small New Testament and other items are placed into the green bags embroidered with Ellas name on them. Green was Ellas favorite color. The bags also come with a card with Ellas photo and her story on the back.

They provide some distraction from a scary test or keep them occupied while in the hospital, Bumgardner said.

Theyve heard that children now look forward to the items, and they try to keep the hospital stocked with them, she said.

She will be taking donations for Ellas Gift at the Jan. 18 meeting.

Bumgardner said it brings her joy knowing Ella still makes a difference even though shes no longer alive.

She would be so embarrassed at all the attention, she said. Im so thankful God has used her life.

Not only will she talk about Ella on Jan. 18, but Bumgardner will share pieces of her own story and how her faith has helped her through.

(Gods) been there every step of the way, she said.

She said shes found comfort in scripture including ones such as Philippians 4:13, which says in the King James version, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Its a verse she walks out on a daily basis, she said.

I couldnt do this if it wasnt for him, she said.

She said there are some days when shed rather stay home and cry, but she remembers that verse and it helps her through the day. She knows that her life helps other people, and that means a lot to her as well.

The event is free and open to area women. Registration is available online at http://www.csrachurch.org. Click on Events, then Mix & Mingle. The deadline to register is Jan. 12.

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Ellas Gift: Childs memory lives on through gifts to others - The Augusta Chronicle

Michael Rosenkrantz, Special to The Desert Sun Published 7:54 a.m. PT Jan. 10, 2020

Wheelchair tennis was founded in 1976 by USTA honoreeBrad Parks and Jeff Minnenbraker, both wheelchair athletes.(Photo: Courtesy Desert Ability Center)

Todd Hanover, Anthony Lara, Tom Ayala, Dana Mailloux, Sergio Naduville, Jessica Hillier-Davidsonand David Buck.None of these athletes are household names, but they are accomplished in the world of wheelchair tennis.

Wheelchair tennis was founded in 1976 by USTA honoreeBrad Parks and Jeff Minnenbraker, both wheelchair athletes, and is played on any regulation-sized tennis court with no modifications in equipment. The only difference in rules is that players are allowed two bounces of the ball before it has to be returned.

On Jan.26, Desert Ability Center (DAC), the premiere adaptive sports organization in the Coachella Valley, along with JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa and Peter Burwash International (PBI) Tennis will be hosting its first annual Up/Down Doubles Tennis Tournamentfundraiser.Thetournament will feature doubles teams consisting of one wheelchair tennis player and one able-bodied or stand up player:hence, one up, one down.

This unique tournament will help Desert Ability Center raise funds for adaptive sports programs.DAC is looking for able-bodied tennis players of any skill level to team up with wheelchair athletes.

The tournament at the Marriott, which is open to the public, will start at 12:30 with the incredible PBI Tennis Show, which has been performed in 99 countries.A wheelchair celebrity match begins at 1:30 with "Shes a Gamer" host Cristina Walters of Radio 1010 and with her colleague Geoff Bloom.

Joining Walters and Bloom will be Ron DiGrande of the SoCal Coyotes.DAC is hoping to add a few more celebrities to the event;all will compete in wheelchairs with some of Desert Ability Centers athletes.

The main event will be a round robin tournament from 2-5 p.m., consisting of eight teams.

Desert Ability Center provides opportunities to improve the quality of life for athletes who have a range of physical disabilities.(Photo: Courtesy Desert Ability Center)

Desert Ability Center provides opportunities toimprove the quality of life for athletes (and their family members) with a range of physical disabilities, including spinal cord injuries, amputationsand blindness while raising awareness of adaptive sports and the abilities of people who live with a disability.We enable the public to dis(cover)abilities.

DAC believes in the power of sport to change the world, connect people and open the door of opportunity and inclusion for the valley's children and youth with a disability.

Michael Rosenkrantz is the program director for Desert Ability Center, working to develop more adaptive sports for athletes in the Coachella Valley.

First annual Up/Down Doubles Tennis Tournament Fundraiser

When: Sunday, Jan. 26, 12:30-5 p.m.

Where: JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert

Information: Michael Rosenkrantz (520) 244-4575, michael@daccv.org

desertabilitycenter.org

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You've never seen tennis like this before - Desert Sun

They say theres a German word for everything. My favourite is Lebenswelt, an idea described by the Austrian philosopher Alfred Schtz as that province of reality which the wide-awake and normal adult simply takes for granted as common sense. Probing beyond this is the hard work of authors: they remove our blinkers, while revealing deeper layers of reality. That is, they teach us how to see, instead of merely look.

Take a simple patch of dirt. Most of us wouldnt look twice. But David Haskell spent a year nose-deep in leaf litter examining a single square metre of old-growth forest in Tennessee. In The Forest Unseen he documents the marvellous profusion of life, and all the miniature commuters from snails and salamanders to coyote pups and woodpeckers that cross this small parcel of land, or call it their home. The result is an almost magical look at the interconnectedness of the natural world, and the invisible ties that bind us together.

In the urban jungle, we are bound by different threads: unsleeping algorithms that trawl the internet finding patterns that are invisible to human eyes. In Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy ONeil lays bare the maths, rules and data that increasingly shape our everyday lives. Models, she writes, are opinions that are embedded in mathematics. She charts the unchecked growth of these models, and how they are coming to define school admissions, bank loans, mortgages and health insurance even the ways our societies are policed. Learning how to read between the lines (of code) becomes crucial if we are to unlock their hidden biases.

In Wilful Blindness, Margaret Heffernan asks us to consider why we sometimes think ignorance is bliss

Skinny Legs and All by Tom Robbins is the only work of fiction on this list. On the surface, the story is about a pilgrimage to Jerusalem by a cast of oddball characters, including talking inanimate objects. Robbins deftly weaves the separate narratives together in a climactic big reveal; a showdown where the audience must choose between watching the Super Bowl or Salomes Dance of the Seven Veils a dance that reveals, with each veil discarded, a grand illusion held by humanity.

There are illusions, and then there are the things that we refuse to see. In Wilful Blindness, Margaret Heffernan asks us to consider why we sometimes think ignorance is bliss. Drawing on insights from whistleblowers, business leaders, criminals, psychologists and neurologists, she reveals that often we deliberately put on blinkers to avoid conflict, feel safe, reduce anxiety and protect prestige. Perhaps even more dangerous are the ways in which companies and corporations can become structurally blind; not because their leaders dont want to see, but because their sights are so myopically set on being competitive.

Last in my list is a blind spot that can be revealed through photography. Jo-Anne McArthurs haunting book We Animals documents the day-to-day conditions of animals hidden away in medical testing labs, industrial farms, circuses, aquariums and markets. While in our minds eye we picture animals out in the wilderness or grazing in meadows, McArthur brings an empathetic lens to the grim reality mostly unchallenged of millions of lives spent in captivity.

The Reality Bubble by Ziya Tong is published by Canongate.

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In focus: the best books to reveal your blind spots - The Guardian

Updated January 07, 2020 09:22:18

The number of people with myopia, aka short-sightedness (difficulty seeing objects in the distance), has increased dramatically in recent years in various regions of the world.

For example, in many cities in China, more than 90 per cent of university students are living with myopia. In pure numbers, this is one of the largest epidemics humanity has ever seen, far greater than the obesity epidemic.

The myopia boom was first noted in the 1980s in the cities of East Asian countries such as Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. The cities of China followed soon afterwards, and a similar trend is being noted in Europe.

For most people, myopia is merely an inconvenience requiring correction with glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery.

Notably, myopia is associated with an increased risk of blindness from retinal detachment, glaucoma and myopic macular degeneration. Risk of blindness increased with worsening severity of myopia and this is a major public health concern.

Researchers and parents of children developing myopia have looked for explanations and the latest "suspect" is the use of personal electronic devices.

But the myopia epidemic in Asia preceded the release of smartphones by many years (the first iPhone was released in 2007).

New technologies televisions in the 1960s, computers in the 1980s, laptops in the 1990s, and currently smartphones and tablets have all been blamed for causing myopia.

As far back as the 1600s, the German astronomer Johannes Kepler, who first identified concave lenses could correct myopia, is said to have attributed his short-sightedness to all his years of "intense study of astronomical tables and so forth". But he might well have blamed Gutenberg's printed books (the latest technology at the time).

So, what have researchers found so far?

Having parents with myopia increases a child's risk for myopia. But children can mimic their parents' potentially myopia-inducing lifestyle such as near work that requires focusing on close-up objects and studying a lot inside as well as inherit their genes.

After years of debate over whether myopia is due to genetic or environmental factors (with reading and screen use suggested), we now know it is an interaction of both genes and environment.

Myopia does not result from a single gene defect; more than 160 interacting genes contribute to the risk of myopia.

What are the environmental triggers that would explain an epidemic?

Many studies have looked at possible risk factors but only a few have come out consistently around the world: near work, years in education and lack of time spent outdoors in daylight.

Untangling the interactions is a challenge because these factors are interrelated, with children who study more spending less time outdoors.

Despite decades of parents warning children, no study has shown that sitting too close to the television causes myopia.

In the past two years, five papers (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) have looked at myopia and personal electronic devices. Some, but not all, have found an association between the amount of screen use and myopia. But this does not mean screen time itself causes myopia.

Instead of reading from books, children are reading more from screens and changing the nature of their near work. Rising rates of myopia are related to near work behaviours, rather than screen use in particular.

Children are also changing the way they use screens. The simple idea that screen use occurs indoors was completely overthrown by the Pokemon Go craze, as gamers headed outdoors with their smartphones in search of virtual treats.

In addition, we now have children using virtual reality goggles to play games or even study.

Australian guidelines recommend:

There is no rigorous scientific basis for these time limits in relation to visual health. But a recent study showed a large percentage of children exceeded these time limits.

Potential health issues relating to screen time are diverse. Sleep, posture, level of physical activity and behavioural issues are additional reasons for concern.

Unlike previous generations, most children today experience a lot of screen time. But we don't have consistent findings for use of television, computers, tablets, smartphones or even virtual reality goggles themselves as the main cause of myopia.

We clearly need some very large, well-conducted studies where we directly measure the use of screen time across a wide range of health issues from infancy to young adulthood.

Some cities in China are trialling scheduled time spent outdoors at school to see if it prevents or decreases the progression of myopia in children.

In Australia, we need tailored messages to encourage kids to spend more time outdoors if they are inside reading or using screens too much.

David Mackey is Professor of Ophthalmology at University of Western Australia. This article originally appeared on The Conversation.

Topics:health,eyes,diseases-and-disorders,mobile-phones,science-and-technology,australia

First posted January 07, 2020 06:30:50

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Short-sightedness in kids was rising long before they took to the screens - ABC News

As a partner, you will help the Arthritis Foundation provide life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections for people with arthritis, the nations leading cause of disability. Join us today and help lead the way as a Champion of Yes.

Our Trailblazers are committed partners ready to lead the way, take action and fight for everyday victories. They contribute $2,000,000 to $2,749,000

Our Visionary partners help us plan for a future that includes a cure for arthritis. These inspired and inventive champions have contributed $1,500,00 to $1,999,999.

Our Pioneers are always ready to explore and find new weapons in the fight against arthritis. They contribute $1,000,000 to $1,499,999.

Our Pacesetters ensure that we can chart the course for a cure for those who live with arthritis. They contribute $500,000 to $999,000.

Our Signature partners make their mark by helping us identify new and meaningful resources for people with arthritis. They contribute $250,000 to $499,999.

Our Supporting partners are active champions who provide encouragement and assistance to the arthritis community. They contribute $100,000 to $249,999.

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Arthritis Foundation

Flaresare common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but many experiencediscordant inflammation and pain flares, according to study results publishedin BMC Rheumatology.

The study included patients from the Early RA Network (ERAN) cohort (n=719). The researchers assessed patients annually up to 11 years after presentation (3703 person-years of follow-up). The researchers defined flare events in 2 different ways, which were analyzed in parallel: Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) or pain flares. DAS28 flares satisfied Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) flare criteria: increases in DAS28 since the previous assessment (1.2 points if active RA or 0.6 points if inactive RA). Pain flares were defined as a 4.8-point worsening of Short Form Health Survey 36-Bodily Pain score.

Theresearchers analyzed the first documented episode of each DAS28 and pain flarefor each patient. They then used latent class analysis to determine subgroupswith DAS28 and pain flares and compared clinical courses between subgroups.

Afteranalyzing the results, the researchers found that 45% of patients experiencedDAS28 flares and 52% experienced pain flares. Flares were usually discordant,with 60% of patients with DAS28 flare not concurrently in pain flare and 64% ofpatients with pain flare not concurrently in DAS28 flare.

Theresearchers identified 3 distinct DAS28 subgroups: the first characterized byincreases intender/swollen joint count (14.4%); the second by increases in symptoms (13.1%);and the third, which displayed lower flare severity (72.5%). They alsoidentified 2 discrete pain flare subgroups: in the first the pain flare occurredfollowing low disease activity and symptoms (88.6%) and in the second occurredon the background of ongoing active disease and pain (11.4%).

WhileDAS28 and pain flares had observed differences, both were associated withincreased disability, which persisted after the flare.

Thestudy included several limitations. The researchers noted that assessments maynot have captured data during a flares peak, while pre-flare data may notreflect the patients best clinical status. In addition, missing data may haveinfluenced the study findings.

DAS28and pain flares are discrete entities indicative of differing underlyingmechanisms, but both have immediate patient impact and lead to longer termdisability. Identifying and understanding RA flare subgroups should guidetreatment, the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with thepharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list ofauthors disclosures.

Reference

McWilliams DF, Rahman S, James RJE, et al. Disease activity flares and pain flares in an early rheumatoid arthritis inception cohort; characteristics, antecedents and sequelae. [published online November 18, 2019]. BMC Rheumatol. doi:10.1186/s41927-019-0100-9

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Manifestations of Inflammation and Pain Flares in Rheumatoid Arthritis - Rheumatology Advisor

Like many diseases, arthritis is not a one-size-fits-all illness. To explain it in the easiest wayor in the most general termsthink of arthritis in two overarching categories. "As a broad classification, you have inflammatory versus non-inflammatory arthritis," explains Dr. Natalie Azar, rheumatologist and clinical assistant professor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health. "We don't categorize arthritis by the joints affected, but by inflammatory versus non-inflammatory." Osteoarthritisthe non-inflammatory kindis synonymous with wear and tear. (It's generally the kind that occurs as you get older.) Rheumatoid arthritisthe inflammatory kindis systemic and associated with autoimmune diseases.

Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty

Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the knees ("Think of how many people get knee replacements," Dr. Azar says), as well as the hips and hands. While it is genetic, and can be associated with trauma, like fractures. Obesity can also lead to osteoarthritis, since you're putting too much pressure on your joints, Dr. Azar explains. For people afflicted with osteoarthritis, there unfortunately aren't any FDA-approved medicines that can change the course of the disease. "We're still left treating symptoms," Dr. Azar says. Physical therapy can help strengthen jointsand taking Tylenol to ease pain and inflammation can offer short-term, immediate relief to those dealing with both types of arthritis.

Related: These Are the Best Supplements for People Living with Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, can affect small or large jointstypically four or more. "It's symmetrical, so both sides of the body are involved," Dr. Azar says. "It's not just one knee, but both knees, or both wrists, or both joints of the hands. It's also associated with swelling, stiffness that lasts for more than an hour, and pain." Rheumatoid arthritis, she says, can also affect the kidney and lungsit's not just a joint disease. Fortunately, with rheumatoid arthritis, there are disease-modifying therapies (or anti-rheumatic drugs) that patients can take in order to put them into remission and reverse damage, Dr. Azar explains.

And while diet doesn't cause either type of arthritis, once you have it (regardless of type), eating an inflammatory diet can exacerbate the situation, Azar says; alcohol, processed sugars, and trans fats are the usual culprits. Following an anti-inflammatory diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats may help boost the immune system, fight inflammation, and strengthen bones, the Arthritis Foundation says. Azar refers patients to the site for information and health tips on what to eat while living with arthritis, but she adds that the dietlike the diseaseis not one-size-fits all. Some people can't tolerate nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes, for example, so you just have to experiment and tailor your diet to see what makes you feel your best.

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Which Joints Are Most Affected by Arthritis? - Yahoo Lifestyle

Arthritis is an umbrella term for a number of conditions that cause swelling and tenderness in one or more of your joints.

The main symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis, and, while these conditions cannot be cured, lifestyle interventions can be taken to alleviate joint pain associated with them.

Certain foods, for example, have been shown to contain anti-inflammatory properties, and fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have shown to produce potent anti-inflammatory effects.

In one small study, 33 participants were fed either fatty fish, lean fish or lean meat four times each week.

After eight weeks, the fatty fish group had decreased levels of specific compounds related to inflammation.

Echoing these findings, an analysis of 17 studies found that taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements decreased joint pain intensity, morning stiffness, the number of painful joints and use of pain relievers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

READ MORE:Best supplements for joints: The anti-inflammatory supplement proven to relieve joint pain

Exercise may seem counterintuitive if you are in pain, but in addition to helping you lose weight, it can also help to reduce and prevent pain associated with arthritis.

As the NHS points out, exercise can also help:

As long as you do the right type and level of exercise for your condition, your arthritis won't get any worse, explains the health body.

It added: Combined with a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise will help you lose weight and place less strain on your joints.

According to Versus Arthritis, the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis, you should aim to do at least 30 minutes of exercise that makes us a bit short of breath five times a week.

Its also recommended that you spend 30 minutes a day on our feet, such as walking or climbing stairs, notes the charity.

If you have joint pain, start gently and gradually increase the length of time youre exercising. You can break this into smaller chunks if you need to, advises the health body.

It added: Doing five to ten minutes of exercise each day is important to keep your joints moving and your muscles strong.

As the NHS explains, if you have arthritis, carrying out tasks around the home can be a challenge, however, making some practical changes to your home and changing the way you work should make things easier.

Practical tips that could help include:

An occupational therapist can also help if you have severe arthritis that's affecting your ability to move around your home and carry out everyday tasks, such as cooking and cleaning, notes the health body.

They can advise about equipment you may need to help you live independently, and, depending on the exact nature of your condition, your GP may be able to refer you to an NHS occupational therapist, adds the health site.

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Arthritis: Include this type fish in your diet to alleviate joint pain - Express

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods, and available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D plays a role in insulin production and immune function. Although the amount of vitamin D adults get from their diets is often less than whats recommended, exposure to sunlight can make up the difference.

Research has found that vitamin D may play a significant role in joint health, and that low levels may increase ones risk of rheumatological conditions such as arthritis.

Several studies have found low blood levels of vitamin D in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.

In another study of more than 2,000 people, researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was strongly associated with a disabling symptoms among those with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Why does a lack of vitamin D affect bones?

Vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium, which is vital to bone health.

The vitamin is also crucial for muscle movement, communication between nerves, and fighting inflammation.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people who take oral steroids have a vitamin D deficiency twice as often as people who dont take them.

Oral steroids are a common treatment for people with arthritis.

What studies have said

In a study with Endocrinology and Metabolism, the link between vitamin D and rheumatoid arthritis was investigated.

The study concluded that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis.

As vitamin D deficiency has been linked to diffuse musculoskeletal pain, these results have therapeutic implications vitamin D supplementation may be needed both for the prevention of osteoporosis as well as for pain relief in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to helping prevent arthritis, getting enough vitamin D may also lower the risk for other autoimmune diseases like cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, bone fractures, depression and the flu.

During winter its highly recommended to take vitamin D supplements.

Doctors recommend taking 800 to 1,000 IU of vitamin D a day. Other symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include pain, infections, gastrointestinal problems, depression and weak bones.

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Vitamin D deficiency symptoms: A lack of the vitamin may cause pain in this body part - Express