Author Archives: Fredricko

Differentiating Back Pain from Kidney Pain | Massage …

Posted on by

Massage therapists are often in a difficult position; western medical diagnosis is beyond their scope of practice, yet awareness and recognition of medical disorders is crucial to their clients well-being and safety. Mistaking kidney inflammation for a muscular strain can result in inappropriate therapy. Learn how to detect kidney inflammation masquerading as back pain, and what to do about it.

Sign up for our free Natural Wellness newsletter! Gain lifestyle suggestions for supporting a healthy heart and stress management, tips and advice on exercising and maintaining a healthy weight, how to beat fatigue, ways to decrease joint pain, as well as learn valuable facts about kidney health.

One of the primary reasons for client visits to clinically oriented massage practices is back pain. Recognizing the signs of kidney inflammation enables therapists to differentiate it from a muscular strain/sprain.

Often mistaken to be tense or strained back muscles, kidney inflammations most prominent symptom can be back pain. Three kidney inflammatory conditions that can cause back pain are:

When a client complains of back pain, from the lower-thoracic to the mid-lumbar regions, it is important to rule out kidney inflammation. When the kidneys are not functioning optimally, the bodys ability to manage fluid balance is impaired, often resulting in edema. Systemic circulatory massage is inappropriate for these individuals, as it would push more fluid through an already overburdened system. Additionally, if the kidneys are inflamed, they are more susceptible to injury from vigorous massage. The kidneys are vulnerable because they are only partially protected by the rib cage. The right kidneys location underneath the liver results in its position being slightly lower than the left kidney.

A solid, anatomical understanding of each kidneys location will contribute to accurate differentiation. The superior border of the kidney reaches the level of the 12th thoracic vertebrae. The inferior border lies just above the horizontal plane of the umbilicus, typically level with the 3rd lumbar vertebrae. The inferior border is one finger breadth superior to the iliac crest. The center of the kidney, where the ureter is attached, is level with the intervertebral disc between the first and second lumbar vertebrae. Therefore, pain originating in the kidney is typically felt in the upper lumbar region and can radiate to the upper right or left quadrant of the abdomen.

A thorough client history and intake is an essential component of safe practice, especially when evaluating back pain. To help the bodyworker identify kidney involvement, the three kidney inflammatory conditions previously listed are explained below.

Read more from the original source:
Differentiating Back Pain from Kidney Pain | Massage ...

The Art and Science of Palpation | Massage Professionals …

Posted on by

While seasoned massage therapists may take their sense of touch for granted, those newer to the profession quickly learn that palpating human tissue is no simple task. In addition to thoroughly comprehending anatomical structure, 13 exercises are suggested to help therapists recognize the tangible differences between body parts.

As healthcare professionals who navigate through their medium using touch, massage therapists are susceptible to the strengths and weaknesses of their own palpatory skills. A practitioner with a sensitive and responsive touch can adjust his or her applications accordingly, while one lacking these skills can make a faulty assessment, deliver a mediocre massage or even inflict accidental pain. While developing the ability to interpret what is felt underneath ones hands is a valued massage therapy skill, it is also one of the more obscure concepts to teach.

Although it is of major importance, memorizing a map of human anatomical structures is not enough preparation for learning how and where to apply bodywork. Because people come in all shapes and sizes, you can not simply superimpose any given diagram of anatomical landmarks on a client to locate the structure or muscle group being searched for. Most experts agree that there are several components to mastering palpation including combining the imaginative mind and drawing from the therapists knowledge of anatomy.

According to Leon Chaitow, ND, DO, Palpation cannot be learned by reading or listening; it can only be learned by palpation. He also says that an open mind is vital to the task of learning palpatory literacy practitioners with the greatest degree of rigidity, in terms of their training, often have the hardest time allowing themselves to feel new feelings and sense new sensations.

In accordance to John Upledger, DO, OMM, the developer of CranioSacral Therapy, Learning to trust your hands is not an easy task. You must learn to shut off your conscious, critical mind while you palpate for subtle changes in the body you are examining. You must adopt an attitude so that you may temporarily accept without question those perceptions which come into your brain from your hands. After you have developed your palpatory skill, you can criticize what you have felt with your hands. If you criticize before you learn to palpate, you will never learn to palpate.

Each tissue has a different tactile sensation. Since a practitioners fingers can literally only contact the skin, sensing the structures underneath is akin to trying to recognize types of food while blindfolded and wearing winter gloves. Below are some exercises devised by Mary Ann Foster, massage therapist and movement educator, to help develop a bodyworkers palpation skills of skin, superficial fascia, deep fascia, tendons, ligaments and muscle.

To explore the skin and superficial fascia:

To explore the deep fascia:

To explore tendons and ligaments:

To explore muscle tissue:

Although cognitive learning is essential, the ability to listen to what our hands are telling us is a vital component of delivering an effective massage. By developing palpation skills and carefully listening to a clients tissue with attentive hands, bodyworkers can transform into masters of their profession. As thinking and sensing merge together, the art and science of palpation takes full form leading to a stronger and more therapeutic connection for both practitioner and client.

Anatomy Review for ProfessionalsCranial-Sacral Fundamentals

References:

Adkins, Garry, NCTMB, Improving Palpation, Massage Today, May 2006.

Benjamin, Ben, PhD, Lets Talk About Palpation, Massage Today, February 2001.

Foster, Mary Ann, Listening Hands and Tissue Palpation, Massage & Bodywork, August/September 2006.

Visit link:
The Art and Science of Palpation | Massage Professionals ...

Relieving Ulnar Nerve Tension in Guyon’s Canal | Massage …

Posted on by

Due to the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome, it may be mistakenly implicated in cases of neurological hand symptoms that worsen with wrist pressure. If Guyons canal syndrome is responsible, this structures unique anatomy requires a drastically different massage approach than that employed for problems of the carpal tunnel.

Referred to as handlebar palsy in the cycling community, Guyons canal syndrome (GCS) is an irritation of the ulnar nerve within the palm of the hand. Because compression from outside of Guyons canal is responsible for the offending symptoms, the practicing massage therapist must understand the involved anatomy and pathology in order to avoid exacerbating the clients discomfort.

The ulnar nerves primary role is to supply sensation to the little finger and lateral half of the ring finger. Additionally, it controls most of the little muscles in the hand that control fine movements as well as some of the forearm muscles responsible for creating a strong grip. Important for grasping objects, the adductor pollicis is often affected by ulnar nerve compression. Therefore, ulnar nerve problems not only cause little and ring finger tingling, but can also manifest as difficulty in holding objects in the hand, or clumsiness when performing precision activities such as writing.

In the wrist, Guyons canal is the tunnel formed by the pisiform and hamate bones and the flexor retinaculum ligament. Passing through this tunnel, the ulnar nerve is vulnerable to compressive forces on these structures. However, when evaluating symptoms of ulnar nerve compression, a practitioner must decipher the location of the suspected problem.

Causing similar types of symptoms, there are three primary areas where the ulnar nerve can be compressed:

Because the orientation of the ulnar nerve is unique in all three of these locations, massage approaches will differ for each area.

Marked by numbness and tingling in the ring and small fingers, GCS typically begins with the feeling of pins and needles. If this irritation persists, it is often followed by decreased sensation in the lateral part of the hand. When the small muscles of the hand become affected, weakness and clumsiness eventually result.

There are many causes of GCS, including trauma, fractures and small, benign tumors of the nerve or surrounding tissues of the tunnel. In addition to these structural problems, prolonged pressure on the wrist can cause this syndrome.

Guyons canal syndrome may occur as either an acute or chronic compression neuropathy. Acute injuries to Guyons canal occur most often when there is an abrupt force on the base of the hand while the wrist is in hyperextension. Falling on an outstretched hand is a good example. Chronic compression injuries occur from pressure maintained on the base of the hand for long periods. A common example is long-distance cycling, where the weight of the body is resting on the handlebars with the wrist in hyperextension.

Understanding the mechanics of nerve compression within Guyons canal can help a healthcare practitioner administer the most beneficial treatment. Since many people assume they have carpal tunnel syndrome with neurological symptoms in their hand worsening with wrist pressure, isolating the sensory symptoms of ulnar nerve distribution is important for an accurate assessment of GCS.

Because there are no tendons in Guyons canal to press on the nerve, pathological compression in GCS occurs from extrinsic factors. Extrinsic nerve compression happens when there is excessive force applied from outside the canal as opposed to pressure originating from inside the canal. In contrast, a condition like carpal tunnel syndrome involves intrinsic pressure because it comes from within the tunnel due to tendon swelling.

Once the appropriate tests reveal GCS, deliberately applied massage therapy offers sufferers an alternative to splinting and orthopedic surgery. Because GCS results from external forces causing compression on the ulnar nerve in the tunnel, massage strategies must focus on liberating the compressive force. While massage performed directly over the tunnel may worsen GCS symptoms and impair the healing process, techniques designed to decompress the nerve often provide much sought relief.

According to Doug Alexander, instructor of the Institutes Nerve Mobilization continuing education course, there are various ways to decompress the ulnar nerve in Guyons canal. In this distance-learning course, Alexander gives specific instruction on some of these techniques, including:

While nerve decompression is extremely valuable to someone struggling with GCS, Alexander cautions practitioners, You should not be creating any nerve compression symptoms during this process. If nerve symptoms are unavoidable, they should abate within a second or two of the completion of the manipulation. If they continue longer than that, you will need to explore less challenging manipulations until the nerve becomes less irritable.

While generalized massage strokes aiming at tissue compression can benefit many neurological symptoms, Guyons canal syndrome is an exception. By combining detailed study of the wrists anatomy and pathology with ulnar nerve decompression techniques, a massage therapist can feel confident in approaching compression within Guyons canal.

Advanced Anatomy and PathologyNerve Mobilization

Alexander, Doug, Nerve Mobilization Workbook, Natural Wellness, 2008.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org, Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 2007.

http://orthopedics.about.com, Guyons Canal Syndrome, Jonathan Cluett, MD, About, Inc., 2008.

Lowe Whitney, LMT, NCTMB, Median Nerve Compression Pathologies, Massage Today, October 2004.

Lowe, Whitney, LMT, NCTMB, Ulnar Nerve Entrapment, Massage Magazine, April 2005.

http://www.handsurgeon.com, Guyons Canal Syndrome, Hand Surgery Center of Brooklyn and Staten Island, 2008.

The rest is here:
Relieving Ulnar Nerve Tension in Guyon's Canal | Massage ...

Anatomy of an Inferno: How the Columbia River Gorge Fire Raced Out of Control – Willamette Week

Posted on by

The Columbia River Gorge is ablaze.

Oregon is a tinderbox, and the Gorge fire joins dozens of other wildfires burning across the state. But rarely has a fire burned such an iconic wilderness so close to Portland. Ash began drifting across the city Sept. 4 like a dirty snowstorm, the heaviest such fall many residents could recall since the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.

A look at the fire's progress shows how quickly it grew out of control, in a perfect storm of record heat, parched forests, high winds and teenage horseplay.

3:30 pm, Saturday, Sept. 2: A 15-year-old Vancouver, Wash., boy is seen tossing firecrackers off a cliff into the Eagle Creek canyon while a friend films the stunt (read a recounting here). Hikers soon observe trees on fire, and the trail to Punch Bowl Falls is choked with smoke. (1)

6 pm Saturday, Sept. 2: More than 150 hikers are trapped between the Eagle Creek fire and an ongoing blaze, the Indian Creek fire. They sleep overnight on the Eagle Creek Trail before a search-and-rescue team can retrieve them at Wahtum Lake on Sunday morning. (2)

7:25 am Sunday, Sept. 3: Feeding on a bone-dry forest, the fire grows to 3,200 acres. Evacuation notices are issued for parts of the town of Cascade Locks. (3)

4:15 pm Monday, Sept. 4: East winds push through the Gorge, spreading the fire rapidly west. State officials begin evacuating the towns of Warrendale and Dodson, and shut down 27 miles of Interstate 84. (4)

11 pm Monday, Sept. 4: Officials announce the fire has raced 4 miles in less than three hours, growing to 4,800 acres. "With strong winds like this, fire is impossible to fight," warns the National Weather Service's Portland office. "Focus is on evacuating areas in danger." (5)

5 am Tuesday, Sept. 5: The fire roars another 8 miles west through the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, with winds blowing embers from ridge to ridge. Flames surround Multnomah Falls and are seen near Crown Point. Residents of parts of Troutdale are told to be ready to leave. (6)

10,000Minimum number of acres burning in the Columbia River Gorge at press deadline.

400Number of homes evacuated in the Gorge, including the towns of Corbett, Bridal Veil and Warrendale.

0Number of buildings damaged in the first 72 hours of the blaze.

Sept. 30Date state officials expect to have the wildfire completely under control.

WW staff intern Jessica Pollard contributed reporting to this story.

Originally posted here:
Anatomy of an Inferno: How the Columbia River Gorge Fire Raced Out of Control - Willamette Week

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 14: Shonda Rhimes Warns Fans To ‘Prepare Themselves’ For Premiere – People’s Choice

Posted on by

Johnni Macke 1:00 pm on September 5, 2017

(Photo Courtesy: ABC/Ron Tom)

With theGreys Anatomyseason 14 premiere just a few weeks away, were starting to get anxious about whats ahead for our favorite doctors this time around and with good reason.

While we cant wait to see Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) back in action at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital,a cryptic tease from the series creator, Shonda Rhimes, is making us a little nervous to dive back into the ABC show.

Whos ready for Season 14 of #GreysAnatomy? 9/28. Two hour season premiere, Rhimes teased on social media last week, in her latest Greys post. Prepare yourselves.

While Rhimes didnt give too much away with her latest Greys update, we do know that when the series does return this month that it will be with an explosive two-hour premiere and were expecting at least a big chunk of that time to be dedicated to the impending fallout from season 13s big cliffhanger.Since that news most likely isnt making this wait any easier, we have a few more details about the shows return to share with you.

In addition to Krista Vernoff returning to Greys for season 14 as showrunner, and writing the premiere episode, Break Down the House, Dr. Teddy Altman is back! Yes, Kim Raver, who played Teddy for three seasons is back in a full-time role and the cast is very excited to have her back in the OR as are we.

Plus, in addition to all of the drama that is ingrained on Greys Anatomy, according to Jessica Capshaw (who plays Dr. Arizona Robbins) the premiere will be full of laughs.

Its very funny. Its very irreverent, and funny and sort of on its side, Capshaw previously told E! News.

Okay, so at least well have some light-hearted moments to balance out all the drama!

What do you hope to see in the season premiere? Are you ready for Greys to return?

Greys Anatomy returns for season 14 with a two-hour premiere on September 28, 2017 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

For the latest pop culture news and voting, make sure to sign up for the Peoples Choice newsletter!

The rest is here:
'Grey's Anatomy' Season 14: Shonda Rhimes Warns Fans To 'Prepare Themselves' For Premiere - People's Choice

Anatomy of wildlife crime in southern Africa – Times LIVE

Posted on by

Firearms (usually hunting rifles) were the common weapons used. There were however cases where cyanide was used to poison animals in Zimbabwes Hwange National Park.

Police customs officials or other governmental officials were perpetrators in 5% of incidents.

The top five commonly illegally possessed poached or smuggled species in the southern region were rhino horn elephant tusk abalone pangolin and big cats. Incidents where one or more species types were mixed were the third most popular after rhino and elephant.

Rhino poaching dominated South Africa and Namibia abalone dominated the Western Cape of South Africa while elephant dominated in the Botswana Zimbabwe Zambia corridor.

Poaching and trading in abalone was mostly associated with drug trafficking particularly methamphetamine (tik).

The top nationalities mentioned as perpetrators were South African first Chinese Zimbabwean and Vietnamese.

The reported market value of different commodities at the time of the crime or seizure ranged between US$200 and US$1 million per incident. Rhino horn and elephant tusk were associated with some of the higher values.

Link:
Anatomy of wildlife crime in southern Africa - Times LIVE

Researchers welcome new guidance on endometriosis – De Montfort University (press release)

Posted on by

New NICE guidelines on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis have been welcomed by researchers at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).

Today (6 September) the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued national guidance on the painful condition, which is thought to affect one in 10 women in the UK.

It is the first time NICE has offered official guidance on the condition. The advice addresses signs, symptoms and best practice for referrals and treatment.

Delays in diagnosis are common, with the average time taken to diagnose endometriosis being 7.5 years. Women may experience a range of symptoms including debilitating pelvic pain, pain during sex, tiredness, and problems with fertility and it can have a significant impact upon quality of life.

It is hoped that the guidelines will speed up the time taken to give a diagnosis and by doing so, give women access to treatments earlier.

DMU is home to the Centre for Reproduction Research, which takes an interdisciplinary approach to issues and challenges relating to human reproduction.

Professor Nicky Hudson, Director of the Centre, said: The Centre welcomes this new guideline to direct health services to offer high quality, appropriate and evidence-based care to women with this chronic gynaecological condition.

In particular we are pleased to see a consideration of the significant impact that endometriosis can have on quality of life, on womens psychosocial wellbeing, and on partners and on relationships.

We are also pleased to see an acknowledgement of the possibility of cultural differences in the experience of endometriosis.

We believe that if implemented, this guideline will support healthcare services to offer care that is tailored to womens personal circumstances, and addresses the complex emotional, sexual and relational impact of this condition.

RELATED NEWS:

* Web page launched to help women with endometriosis and their partners

* DMU swimmers go the extra length to help give people with dementia vital support

* Centre for Reproduction Research launched at DMU to lead cutting-edge analysis

Earlier this month, the Centre for Reproduction Research and leading UK charity Endometriosis UK launched a new web page which aimed to address a lack of online support for women and their partners about how endometriosis affects relationships and how to cope as a couple: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-and-couples

The Centre includes sociologists, psychologists, anthropologists, academics from the field of science and technology studies, nurses, midwives and health policy experts. Areas of research include endometriosis, egg freezing, egg donation, gay and lesbian parenthood, surrogacy and assisted conception.

Posted on Wednesday 6th September 2017

Read more from the original source:
Researchers welcome new guidance on endometriosis - De Montfort University (press release)

George Clooney gets candid on fatherhood, acting – WENY-TV

Posted on by

By Sandra Gonzalez CNN

(CNN) -- George Clooney used to suffer from insomnia, but these days, he couldn't be happier about his lack of sleep.

In a wide-ranging interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the "Suburbicon" director talks candidly about his new life as a dad (he's great at changing diapers), why audiences haven't seen him act in a while, and what he thinks awaits him in his "third act."

Here are five things we learned about Clooney:

He used to struggle with loneliness and couldn't be happier those days are behind him

Journalist Stephen Galloway interviewed Clooney at his home at Lake Como for the piece, published Wednesday, but he paints a very different picture of the actor he last spoke with at length five years ago.

Galloway recalled Clooney being plagued with insomnia and, at times, lonely. Now, Clooney described his house as "filled with the warm sounds of babies crying."

"I'm a very good diaper guy, which I didn't know I would be," Clooney said in the interview.

Wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney revealed she doesn't anticipate the couple having more children.

He has an ongoing text exchange with former president Barack Obama

Obama stayed the night at Clooney's home in Sonning, England back in June, according to Clooney. And when they're not having five-hour meals and playing basketball, Clooney and Obama have an ongoing exchange via text that sometimes gets "a little bit" colorful.

But, Clooney added, "Not Scaramucci-racy."

He's thinking about his 'third act'

With "Suburbicon," a drama that touches on racial tensions in the 1950s, earning awards buzz, Clooney is already working on two more projects, according to the article.

Neither of them, however, are in front of the camera. Clooney, who hasn't acted in two years, said, "As you get older, the parts aren't as interesting. I'm not a leading man anymore. Nobody wants to see me kiss the girl."

Meanwhile, he sees directing as something that still "excites me."

"But at some point -- which happens with everyone -- they take the toys away, put them in the box and take it away. And I know it will go away," he said. "I know how this works. I know how it ends. And when [it does], I will have another act."

Possibilities for that next act include putting more time into his nonprofit, The Clooney Foundation for Justice.

Speaking of philanthropy, he's investing $20 million in nonprofit work

On the heels of donating $1 million toward fighting hate groups, Clooney said he and Amal have put $20 million toward their foundation for various causes.

They have also "quietly" taken in a Yazidi refugee from Iraq, who is enrolled at the University of Chicago, according to THR.

He has also continued his relief efforts in Darfur and South Sudan.

Donald Trump once tried to give him a doctor recommendation

Clooney has only met Trump once. It happened years ago at a restaurant. Clooney was recovering from neck surgery, and Trump offered to give him a recommendation for a doctor.

"He wrote me a couple of times with the name," the actor said. "Then he went on Larry King Live and told him I was very short. I'm 5-foot-11 -- I'm not the tallest actor in the world, but I'm not short. That made me laugh."

Politics is largely no laughing matter for Clooney, however.

An outspoken opponent of Trump, Clooney told the magazine: "It would be best for the country if some of these Republicans -- and some of them I'm very good friends with, actually -- stood up [to him]."

TM & 2017 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

View post:
George Clooney gets candid on fatherhood, acting - WENY-TV

Australian scientist and Nobel Prize winner honoured in Google Doodle – Mashable

Posted on by

Google's new Doodle may look like a bunch of items you'd find in your high school science class, but all those cartoon beakers are in celebration of Sir John Cornforth, Australia's only Nobel Prize-winner in chemistry.

Cornforth died just four years ago, just one year after his wife, scientist Rita Cornforth, passed away. The Doodle celebrates what would have been his 100th birthday.

Cornforth gained his Nobel Prize in 1975 for his work on the stereochemistry of enzyme-catalysed reactions not the easiest work to break down in layman's terms, but suffice to say rather important in the world of drug discovery.

The degree of Doctor of Science (honoris causa) was conferred upon Sir John Warcup Cornforth at a ceremony held in the Great Hall on Nov. 2, 1977.

Image: University of sydney

According to his alma mater, the University of Sydney, Cornforth went deaf early in life, using textbooks instead of lectures and relying on fellow researcher and University of Sydney chemistry alumnus Rita for assistance with lip reading and sign language. The university now awards the Rita and John Cornforth Medal for Ph. D achievement.

Rita and Sir John Cornforth.

Image: University of sydney

The Cornforths made a remarkable contribution to the world," says University of Sydney Vice-Chancellor and Principal Dr Michael Spence. "It was perhaps Sir Johns determination to consult primary sources, and celebrate science as an ongoing endeavour, that made his work so precise and compelling.

Google's other recent Australian Doodles include an Australia Day special on Jan. 26, featuring World Heritage Site the Great Barrier Reef, and a Doodle to celebrate iconic Aboriginal Australian artist Albert (Elea) Namatjiras 115th birthday on Jul. 28.

Excerpt from:
Australian scientist and Nobel Prize winner honoured in Google Doodle - Mashable

They go together: Gibson, Ewoniuk exhibit chemistry early in season – The Dickinson Press

Posted on by

"They have very good chemistry," head coach Pete Stanton said. "They're both very similar that they're very good leaders and both have the same goals. They both have a great understanding of the game, and I think that chemistry is what's really helped in the first couple games."

Gibson has proven to be the worthy choice of starting quarterback for the Hawks. He threw four touchdown passes in the 43-28 win over Rocky Mountain College on Aug. 24, and three more in Saturday's 30-21 win over Valley City State University. Those three scores were all to Ewoniuk.

Ewoniuk easily stands out on the field. The Belfield native checks in at 5-foot-7, 160 pounds and sports brown hair that hangs to his shoulders. But those aren't the only traits that makes him so easy to spot.

"Seth is very quick and very smart, and one of the things that he does when we put him in the slot with some of the routes we've been running, he gets matched up with linebackers and we like that matchup," Stanton said. "He's got a really good knack for getting open. He's very elusive and very quick and experienced."

Over two games, Ewoniuk has scored four touchdowns and caught nine footballs for 149 yards. That accounts for nearly a third of the Blue Hawks' 455 passing yards.

"We were just taking what they gave us," Ewoniuk said. "We had good play calls and we got the run going to set up play-action. Hayden threw me good balls and they were the three easiest touchdowns I've ever scored in my life."

At 6-foot-3 Gibson is one of the taller players on the team and is able to see over the field to spot open receivers.

"He's done a good job," Stanton said of the young quarterback. "His completion percentage has been very high. He's made good decisions as far as what we want to do offensively. He's gotten the ball out well. He's just been very efficient. His arm is strong too. When it's third-and-8, third-and-9, we know he has the ability to make that throw and make the right read."

Over two games, Gibson has completed 30 of 42 pass attempts, good for a 71.6 completion percentage.

"His job is to read the play and give the ball to the guy that's open," Ewoniuk said of Gibson. "I happened to be the read last week but next week it could be a different guy scoring three touchdowns."

While it's the two of them lighting up the scoreboard so far, Gibson said it's not just him and Ewoniuk who can take the credit for offensive success.

"I think the whole group on offense played well," Gibson said. "The big guys up front had a good game. You know, it's not just the guy that catches the ball, it's all the other wideouts that run their routes really hard and take the defense from guys like Seth."

Read more:
They go together: Gibson, Ewoniuk exhibit chemistry early in season - The Dickinson Press

Sliding into security with trail-blazing nanotechnology – International Airport Review

Posted on by

Nanotechnology that cleans better than bleach now lines TSA trays at Akron-Canton Airport in Ohio.

The airport, which served 1.3 million passengers last year, has become the first in the world to wheel out nanotechnology inbins at security checkpoints.

Last week, specially-designed mats and skins developed by NanoTouch Materials were placed on the inside of the passengers TSA trays into which they place items for x-ray.

They contain nano-crystals and create a self-cleaning oxidation reaction that, the company claims, is stronger than bleach. This breaks down organic contaminants.

Don't miss this year's Airport conference!

Discover the latest developmentsin information technology, airport & nuclear security and crisis management atAirport 2017.

Find out more

NanoTouch Materials, a Virginia based nanotechnology firm, have been supplying self-cleaning skins and mats to the healthcare, commercial cleaning and education industry for three years but last Tuesday marked the first time the nanotechnology has been put to use in an airport.

The skins are stuck to bin handles at the TSA checkpoint and self-cleaning mats line the bottom.

Travellers health and happiness is a priority of ours,

Doctor-owned and independent Western Reserve Hospital sponsored the application of the nanotechnology at Akron-Canton. Dr Robert Kent, President and CEO of the Cuyahoga Falls hospital said: This initiative reflects our commitment to support the health of our community far beyond our hospital walls. It also exemplifies the type of community health innovation our independent physician owners seek to execute. As many of our patients travel through CAK, we a pleased to be a partner in this effort.

Travellers health and happiness is a priority of ours, said Rick McQueen, President and CEO of the Akron-Canton Airport. Our employees pride themselves on holding high standards for the cleanliness of the airport, and there is a lot of hard work that goes into meeting those standards. Were proud to be the first airport to implement this product because its one more way CAK continues to be a better way to go.

The NanoSeptic mats are marketed as continuously self-cleaning, using no poisons, heavy metals or chemicals. Nothing is released from the surface because the nano-crystals are bonded to the material.

Dennis Hackemeyer, co-founder of NanoTouch Materials, said: Delivering self-cleaning surfaces in high-traffic areas like TSA security improves traveller experience and public perception of cleanliness while travelling. Additionally, were empowering the consumer by offering portable mats that can be used throughout their travels. These mats are also a tremendous opportunity for hotels, cruise lines, airlines and travel agencies to provide a new high-value amenity in rooms, while concurrently extending their brands.

Go here to see the original:
Sliding into security with trail-blazing nanotechnology - International Airport Review

Whole body health for all ages – CapeGazette.com

Posted on by

Year after year, our bodies change - and consequently, the food we choose, how much we move and exercise our bodies, and the medical counsel we seek can all have a significant impact on these transitions. That's why it's so important to tune into your body, notice any shifts and consider what it requires during different stages of life. Here are some helpful ways to keep yourself happy and healthy no matter how many candles are on top of your birthday cake.

What you eat has a significant impact on how you feel and how your body refuels. The older you get, the more your food choices begin to stack up. Keep your heart and arteries healthy, help prevent high cholesterol and high blood pressure which can lead to cardiovascular disease, reduce pain, and fight diabetes and overall inflammation by eating a nutritious and balanced diet full of vegetables, fruits, protein and healthy fats.

Did you know dehydration can lead to memory issues and constipation? Dehydration can become more dangerous as we age. We may forget to drink enough water during the busy days. The recommended amount is eight to 12 glasses of water a day. Try setting aside a container like a travel water bottle or pitcher, with ounces measured on the outside, so you can keep track of how much water you drink each day.

As you age, your heart rate begins to slow down, and your joints may start to ache more. In order to keep your heart healthy and your bones strong, you want to incorporate physical activity that not only gets your heart rate up, but also helps improve strength and flexibility. This includes incorporating activities such as walking, swimming, gardening, stretching and weight-bearing exercises into your daily routine. Pick something you like or find an exercise partner to help motivate you to stick with it! If you can't commit to something every day, aim for three to five days a week and focus on increasing movement in your daily routine.

Annual checkups are a must during any stage of life. However, they prove especially helpful as we get older - theyre the primary way we can prevent health issues from sneaking up on us. Take the time to select a physician you trust and can form a partnership with. This will make your visits all-around more enjoyable and beneficial to your health. Once you complete a wellness visit, your physician will be able to determine how often you need to schedule appointments in the future. If all is well, they will often suggest an annual routine checkup or physical.

Interacting with others and cultivating relationships is a great way to boost your mood and your overall health. Consider volunteering with friends, joining a church or other spiritual place of worship, or finding others with similar hobbies.

Overall health doesn't have to be a chore. It's all about balance and setting manageable expectations for yourself. Start by breaking up health goals into the four categories above to help you prioritize where to begin. Implementing healthy habits today will help you feel great inside and out as you continue each year.

If you need a physician, Beebe is here for you. Whether you need a primary care physician or a specialist, to find all the physicians affiliated with Beebe, go to http://www.beebehealthcare.org/find-a-doc.

Rita Karapurkar Williams, MA, CHES, is a health coach at Beebe Healthcare working with both the Wellness program and Integrative Health. She has a master's degree in health education from Teachers College, Columbia University and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She is currently in the process of becoming a certified Integrative Health Coach through the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. For more wellness tips and healthy recipes, and to create a profile on the Women's Health website, go to http://www.beebehealthcare.org/be-there.

Read the original here:
Whole body health for all ages - CapeGazette.com

Clearfield Co. Lifelong Learning Institute continues – The Courier-Express

Posted on by

CLEARFIELD Interested in learning something new? The Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc., in collaboration with Lock Haven University Clearfield, announces an upcoming educational seminar offered through the Clearfield Community Lifelong Learning Institute. Courses are geared towards the interests of the baby boomers and older citizens. Typical sessions will last approximately 90 minutes and will be taught primarily by Lock Haven University faculty and community individuals with specific expertise. All programs will be free, or very low cost.

An Overview of Integrative Medicine: This session will provide a summary of Integrative Medicine what it is, its emphasis on providing medical care with the whole person in mind (body, mind, and spirit), and what resources are available in the region that focus on Integrative Medicine. Topics will include lifestyle, medicine visits, medical acupuncture (its indications and effectiveness), and prolotherapy injections for the treatment of chronic joint and ligament pain.

Join presenter, Dr Karen Willenbring, director of the Susquehanna Rural Free Clinic & Integrative Medicine Practice, on Thursday, Sept. 21, at the Lock Haven University Clearfields Academic Building from 1-2:30 p.m. The seminar is offered at no charge but pre-registration is required. Register by calling the CCAAA at 814-765-2696.

The Clearfield County Lifelong Learning Institute has seminars scheduled through December. For a complete listing of classes, visit the agencys website at http://www.ccaaa.net or http://www.lhup.edu/clearfield and click on the Lifelong Learning Institute link.

Programs and services of the Agency are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging Inc, Mature Resources Foundation, and local and consumer contributions.

The rest is here:
Clearfield Co. Lifelong Learning Institute continues - The Courier-Express

FG To Boost Nigeria’s GDP Via Biotechnology – PM NEWS Nigeria – P.M. News

Posted on by

President Buhari

The Federal Government on Tuesday announced plans to improve the countrys Gross Domestic Products (GDP) via biotechnology (the use of biological processes in industrial production).

Mr Abayomi Oguntade, the Director, Bio-resources Technology Department, in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology made this known in Abuja.

Oguntade stated that government is making concerted efforts to ensure that biotechnology becomes instrumental to improving the GDP as a step toward achieving vision 20:2020.

Early examples of biotechnology include the making of cheese, wine, and beer, while later developments include the production of vaccine and insulin.

The director said that the use of biotechnology would boost food, crop, and animal production as well as, improve industry, health and the environment.

Biotechnology has applications in four major industrial areas, including health care, crop production and agriculture, non-food (industrial) uses of crops and other products (e.g. biodegradable plastics, vegetable oil, biofuels), and environmental uses.

Applications of biotechnology include direct use of organisms for the manufacture of organic products (examples include beer and milk products) and using naturally present bacteria by the mining industry in bioleaching.

Biotechnology is also used to recycle, treat waste, clean-up sites contaminated by industrial activities (bioremediation), and also to produce biological weapons, he said.

According to Oguntade, Nigeria can benefit immensely from the use of modern biotechnology just like countries such as South Africa, India, Kenya, Brazil and Burkina Faso have.

He said that Nigeria designed a biotechnology policy in 2001 with the aim of promoting biotechnology activities and taking advantage of the benefits that would materialize from such activities.

See the original post here:
FG To Boost Nigeria's GDP Via Biotechnology - PM NEWS Nigeria - P.M. News

Valuation Dashboard: Healthcare – Update – Seeking Alpha

Posted on by

This article series provides a monthly dashboard of industries in each sector of the GICS classification. It compares valuation and quality factors relative to their historical averages.

Biotechnology is close to its historical average in valuation ratios but below it in profitability measured in ROE. Pharmaceuticals look good in Price/Earnings and Price/Free Cash Flow but very bad in Price/Sales and ROE. Other healthcare industries look overvalued by at least 20%. Life Science Tools/Services are significantly above their baseline in profitability, which may partly justify overpricing. Healthcare Equipment is the less appealing group, significantly worse than its historical averages in all metrics.

Since last month:

P/E is stable in Managed Healthcare, Healthcare Technology, and Life Science Tools and has deteriorated in Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare Equipment.

P/S has improved in Healthcare Technology and Biotechnology and deteriorated in Life Science Tools, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare Equipment.

P/FCF has improved in Healthcare Equipment, Managed Healthcare, and Life Science Tools and deteriorated in Biotechnology, Pharmaceuticals, and Healthcare Technology.

ROE has improved in Life Sciences Tools and deteriorated in Healthcare Technology and Pharmaceuticals.

In one trailing month, the SPDR Select Sector Healthcare ETF (XLV) and the S&P 500 Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) have outperformed the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by about 2%, whereas the Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) did so by about 6%.

The five best performers among S&P 500 Healthcare stocks in this period are Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB), Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), Incyte Corp. (NASDAQ:INCY), Perrigo Company Plc (NASDAQ:PRGO), and Varian Medical Systems Inc. (NYSE:VAR).

The stocks listed below are in the S&P 1500 index, cheaper than their respective industry factor for Price/Earnings, Price/Sales, and Price/Free Cash Flow. The 10 companies with the highest Return on Equity are kept in the final selection.

I update every month 8 lists like this one covering all sectors (some sectors are grouped). The 8 lists together have returned about 25% in 2016. If you want to stay informed of updates, click "Follow" at the top of this page. My Marketplace Subscribers have an early access to the stock lists before they are published in free articles. Past performance is not a guarantee of future result. This is not investment advice. Do your own research before buying.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)

BIOTECH

Biogen Inc. (BIIB)

BIOTECH

Bioverativ Inc. (NASDAQ:BIVV)

BIOTECH

Eagle Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:EGRX)

BIOTECH

Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD)

BIOTECH

AMN Healthcare Services Inc. (NYSE:AMN)

HCAREPROVID

DaVita Inc. (NYSE:DVA)

HCAREPROVID

McKesson Corp. (NYSE:MCK)

HCAREPROVID

INC Research Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:INCR)

MEDEQUIP

Phibro Animal Health Corp. (NASDAQ:PAHC)

PHARMA

I take 4 aggregate industry factors provided by portfolio123: Price/Earnings (P/E), Price-to-Sales (P/S), Price-to-Free Cash Flow (P/FCF), and Return on Equity (ROE). My choice has been justified here and here. Their calculation aims at limiting the influence of outliers and large caps. They are reference values for stock picking, not for capital-weighted indices.

For each factor, I calculate the difference with its own historical average: to the average for valuation ratios, from the average for ROE, so that the higher is always the better. The difference is measured in percentage for valuation ratios, not for ROE (already in percentage).

The next table reports the 4 industry factors. There are 3 columns for each factor: the current value, the average (Avg) between January 1999 and October 2015 taken as an arbitrary reference of fair valuation, and the difference explained above (D-xxx).

P/E

Avg

D- P/E

P/S

Avg

D- P/S

P/FCF

Avg

D- P/FCF

ROE

Avg

D-ROE

Health Care Equipment

46.58

27.18

-71.38%

4.28

3.18

-34.59%

43.55

30.51

-42.74%

-36.43

-12.14

-24.29

Managed Health Care

26.67

20.88

-27.73%

1.07

0.85

-25.88%

21.15

17.75

-19.15%

8.03

5.78

2.25

Health Care Technology*

78.89

56.13

-40.55%

3.18

3.39

6.19%

40.42

35.77

-13.00%

-20.98

-6.2

-14.78

Biotechnology

40.12

39.78

-0.85%

35.81

29.01

-23.44%

34.09

43.74

22.06%

-76.88

-64.42

-12.46

Pharmaceuticals

28.6

Visit link:
Valuation Dashboard: Healthcare - Update - Seeking Alpha

Is There Now An Opportunity In Cellect Biotechnology Ltd (APOP)? – Simply Wall St

Posted on by

Cellect Biotechnology Ltd (NASDAQ:APOP), a pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences company based in Israel, saw a significant share price rise of over 20% in the past couple of months on the NasdaqCM. As a small cap stock, hardly covered by any analysts, there is generally more of an opportunity for mispricing as there is less activity to push the stock closer to fair value. Is there still an opportunity here to buy? Today I will analyse the most recent data on APOPs outlook and valuation to see if the opportunity still exists. Check out our latest analysis for Cellect Biotechnology

Are you a shareholder? If you believe APOP should trade below its current price, selling high and buying it back up again when its price falls towards its real value can be profitable. Given the uncertainty from negative growth in the future, this could be the right time to de-risk your portfolio. But before you make this decision, take a look at whether its fundamentals have changed.

Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on APOP for a while, now may not be the best time to enter into the stock. Price climbed passed its industry peers, in addition to a risky future outlook. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the financial strength of the company. Should the price fall in the future, will you be well-informed enough to buy?

Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on Cellect Biotechnology. You can find everything you need to know about APOP in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in Cellect Biotechnology, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.

Originally posted here:
Is There Now An Opportunity In Cellect Biotechnology Ltd (APOP)? - Simply Wall St

UW-Madison study links nicotine addiction to genetic variation in … – Madison.com

Posted on by

Some smokers have more of an urge to light up right after they wake up, and UW-Madison researchers have identified a reason: genetic variation in a substance that breaks down nicotine in the brain.

The finding, by scientists at UW-Madison and Washington University in St. Louis, adds to growing research on genetic links to how much people smoke, how hard it is for them to quit and how likely they are to develop lung cancer.

Most of the attention has focused on genetic variation in enzymes that metabolize nicotine in the liver. Some studies suggest that dozens of genes could influence how addicted people become to smoking.

The new understanding about FMO3, an enzyme that metabolizes nicotine in the brain, could someday allow researchers to tailor tobacco cessation treatments to individual patients or develop new drugs to target the enzyme.

The research clearly suggests that its not just one or two big players here, but that a lot of genes may contribute to these outcomes, said Tim Baker, director of research at UW-Madisons Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention.

Despite a steady decline in smoking in recent years, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 17.3 percent of Wisconsin adults smoked in 2015. Thats down from 20.9 percent in 2011. Still, nearly 800,000 adults and adolescents in the state continue to light up, resulting in about 7,700 deaths a year, according to the state Department of Health Services.

Nationally, 17.5 percent of adults smoked in 2015, and smoking causes 480,000 deaths a year, the CDC says. More than half of American smokers attempt to quit each year, but only 6 percent succeed.

The brain enzyme study, published earlier this year in The Pharmacogenomics Journal, involved 1,558 smokers, most of them in a study at UW-Madison of people who were trying to quit.

Smokers with genes that produce more FMO3, causing nicotine to be broken down more quickly in the brain, were more likely to say they smoke first thing in the morning a key indicator of nicotine dependence.

Even if they have a home smoking ban, they will go out into their porch or to the garage to have their cigarette right away, as soon as they get up, Baker said.

Smokers with certain genetic types of the liver enzymes respond better to nicotine replacement therapy, researchers have found. Its too early to tell if the same might be true for the brain enzyme.

The genetic information could eventually help more smokers quit, but Baker said they shouldnt wait.

Regardless of their genetic status, although some people are at greater risk than others, any kind of smoking is dangerous and they should do whatever they can to quit now, he said.

Go here to see the original:
UW-Madison study links nicotine addiction to genetic variation in ... - Madison.com

Fatherhood After 40? It’s Becoming A Lot More Common – NPR

Posted on by

College-educated new dads are more likely to be older, with an average age of 33. Brooke Fasani /Getty Images hide caption

College-educated new dads are more likely to be older, with an average age of 33.

If you've put off starting a family, you're not alone.

In the U.S., the average age a woman gives birth to her first child has been rising. And, a study published Thursday in Human Reproduction shows dads are getting older, too.

In 1972, the average age of fathers of newborns in the U.S. was 27. Now, it's closer to 31 years old (30.9 years to be specific), the study finds.

If you need a little reassurance that it's not too late, consider this: Twice as many dads of newborns are now in the 40-plus age group, compared to the 1970s.

Of the roughly 4 million births each year in the U.S., about 9 percent of fathers are over 40. And "about 40,000 newborns have a father over the age of 50," says Michael Eisenberg, an assistant professor of urology at Stanford University Medical Center and the senior author of the study. "This surprised me," Eisenberg told us.

Eisenberg says there are potential risks and benefits of becoming a parent later in life. Typically, older mothers and fathers are farther along in their education and in their careers, "so with that comes more resources," Eisenberg says.

So, the risks? For women, there's an age-related decline in fertility, that can begin sooner than some women realize. The risks of chromosomal disorders increase with age, too.

But for men, the risks are less clear.

As men age, studies show that the quality of their semen declines, but "the effects of advanced paternal age are incompletely understood," as another study points out.

Some reports have found "increased risk of autism, psychiatric illness, neurologic disease ... and chromosomal abnormalities in children born to older fathers," writes Eisenberg and his coauthors in the manuscript.

Eisenberg says here's how he helps his patients think about the potential risks. He explains the absolute risk of having a child that develops one of these conditions is unlikely to be changed that much by being an older father. Your risk may be higher, but you've got to put that risk in context.

"It's kind of like buying two lottery tickets, instead of one," he says. "If you buy two, you're chance of winning doubles," but you're still very unlikely to hit the numbers.

The U.S. isn't alone when it comes to the rise in paternal and maternal ages. In Germany, the median age of fathers has risen to 33. And, in England, fathers aged 35 to 54 account for 40 percent of live births , according to this 2006 study.

Read this article:
Fatherhood After 40? It's Becoming A Lot More Common - NPR

While you celebrate the third royal baby, remember all of the women in Britain who aren’t allowed a third child – The Independent

Posted on by

U Soe Win, the great-grandson of Burma's last King, visits Buckingham Palace

John Phillips/Getty Images

Protestors demonstrate in support of workers at British McDonalds restaurants striking over pay and other industrial relations issues, near the Houses of Parliament in London

Reuters

World War II veteran from the Auxiliary Territorial Service Betty Webb (R) joins other veterans who worked at Bletchley Park and its outstations for a group picture in front of Bletchley Park Mansion during an annual reunion in Milton Keynes, England. Bletchley Park was the Government Code and Cypher School's (GC&CS) main codebreaking centre during World War II and the site where codebreakers famously cracked the German's Enigma and Lorenz cyphers.

Getty Images

50,000 people making the foot crossing over new Queensferry road bridge

EPA

Britain's Prime Minister, Theresa May, is greeted by Emperor Akihito of Japan during her visit to the Royal Palace in Tokyo, Japan. Mrs May is on the third and final day of her visit to Japan where she has discussed a number of issues including trade and security

Carl Court/Getty Images

Well-wishers and Royal 'enthusiasts' gather outside the gates of Kensington Palace where tributes continue to be left, on the 20th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana

Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

Prime Minister Theresa May takes part in a tea ceremony in Kyoto, during her visit to Japan.

PA

Revellers dance to music from a sound system with a Grenfell poster on it during the Notting Hill Carnival in London. The Notting Hill Carnival has taken place since 1966 and now has an attendance of over two million people

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan takes part in a release of doves as a show of respect for those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, during the Notting Hill Carnival Family Day in west London.

PA

Eight people have died in a crash involving a minibus and two lorries on the M1 near Milton Keynes.All of those who died are believed to have been travelling in the minibus, which was from the Nottingham area.The two lorry drivers have been arrested, one of them on suspicion of driving while over the alcohol limit.

Alamy

A Science Museum employee poses next to the Wells Cathedral Clock mechanism during a photocall at the Science Museum in London, England. The Wells Cathedral Clock mechanism is believed to be one of the oldest in the world.

Getty Images

Lavlyn Mendoza (left) and Jennifer Quila celebrate after collecting their GCSE results, at Sion-Manning Roman Catholic Girls school in west London

Ben Stevens/PA Wire

Reverend Andrew Poppe takes part in cricket match on the Brambles sandbank at low tide on August 24, 2017 in Hamble, England. The annual event sees Hamble's Royal Southern Yacht Club team take on the Cowes-based Island Sailing Club in a game of cricket. Spectators from the Isle of White and Southampton travel on boats to watch the match which lasts for around 45 minutes while the sandbank is exposed

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

People gather in Parliament Square to listen to the final chimes of Big Ben ahead of a four-year renovation plan in London. The bell will still be used for special occasions such as marking New Year, but will remain silent on a daily basis, to allow the work teams to carry out structural repairs

Getty Images

The Liverpool crew enters the Mersey, during the start of the Clipper Round the World Race at the Albert Docks, Liverpool.

PA

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage poses for photographs with veterans and Chelsea Pensioners next to a Spitfire on display at the Biggin Hill Festival of Flight in Biggin Hill, England. The Biggin Hill Festival of Flight is an annual airshow event and in 2017 the airport is celebrating its centenary. The airport only became exclusively business and general aviation in 1959, prior to which it was used by the British Royal Air Force.

Getty

The Isle of Skye is known as one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, however its infrastructure services are being stretched to the limit by the number of visitors heading there to enjoy its rugged scenic beauty.

Getty Images

Grainne Close (L) and Shannon Sickles (2nd L) alongside Henry Edmond Kane (3rd L) and Christopher Patrick Flanagan (4th L) at Belfast High Court speak to the media through their solicitor Mark O'Connor (R) after the ruling on whether to allow same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The judge dismissed both cases. Same-sex marriage is recognised in the rest of the United Kingdom but not in Northern Ireland were the largest political party, the DUP has blocked proposed legislation. Shannon Sickles and Grainne Close, the first women to have a civil partnership in the UK and Henry Edmond Kane and Christopher Patrick Flanagan were challenging the NI Assembly's repeated refusal to legislate for same sex marriage.

Getty

Ratings line the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's newest aircraft carrier, as she arrives in Portsmouth. The 65,000-tonne carrier, the largest warship ever to be built in Britain, is expected to be the Navy's flagship for at least 50 years.

PA

People watch a bonfire in the bogside area of Londonderry, which is traditionally torched on August 15 to mark a Catholic feast day celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven, but in modern times the fire has become a source of contention and associated with anti-social behaviour.

PA

An artists impression showing the proposed London Garden Bridge. The 200m plan to build a bridge covered with trees over the River Thames in central London has been abandoned. The Garden Bridge Trust said it had failed to raise funds since losing the support of the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan in April

EPA

Sir Mo Farah stands at the top of the Coca-Cola London Eye as he bids a final farewell to British track athletics after winning gold in the 10,000m and silver in the 5,000m at the IAAF World Championships in his home city

PA

A dog retrieves a shot grouse on Lofthouse Moor in North Yorkshire as the Glorious 12th, the official start of the grouse shooting season, gets underway.Grouse moor estates received millions of pounds in subsidies last year, according to analysis which comes amid a debate over the future of farming payments after Brexit

PA

Hot air balloons in the air after taking off in a mass ascent at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

PA

The scene in Rosslyn Avenue, Sunderland, after an explosion at a house.

PA

Police on Goose Lane bridge which goes over the M11 motorway near Birchanger which is closed after a van driver was killed in a motorway crash after what "appears to be a lump of concrete" struck his windscreen and his vehicle hit a tree.

PA

Emergency services at the scene in Lavender Hill, southwest London, after a bus left the road and hit a shop.

PA

Guards march up to Windsor Castle in the rain as a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for parts of the UK. Heavy rain has brought flooding to the north-east of England

PA Wire

A car on fire in the North Queen Street area of Belfast, close to the site of a contentious bonfire. The car was torched shortly after 10pm on Monday night

PA Wire

A post-Brexit trade deal with the US could see a massive increase in the amount of cancer-causing toxins in British milk and baby food

Reuters

Acts gather amongst the crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

PA

New world 100m champion Justin Gatlin pays respect to Usain Bolt after the Jamaicans last solo race

Reuters

Katarina Johnson-Thompson of Great Britain (Lane 6) and Carolin Schafer of Germany (Lane 7) and their opponants compete in the Women's Heptathlon 100 metres hurdles during day two of the 16th IAAF World Athletics Championships London 2017 at The London Stadium.

Getty Images

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is greeted by PSNI and Garda police officers representative of the gay community as he attends a Belfast Gay Pride breakfast meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Irish Prime Minister is on a two day visit to the province having already met with DUP leader Arlene Foster yesterday. The DUP, Northern Ireland's largest political party have so far blocked attempts to legalise gay marriage.

Getty Images

Members of Unite employed by Serco at Barts Health NHS Trust, on strike over pay, protest outside Serco's presentation of financial results at JP Morgan, in London.

PA

Athletics - IAAF World Athletics Championships Preview - London, Britain - August 3, 2017 Great Britain's Mo Farah takes a photo in the stadium

Reuters

Britain's Bank of England Governor, Mark Carney, addresses journalists during a press conference to deliver the quarterly inflation report in London, August 3, 2017. REUTERS

Reuters

Bank of England and British Airways workers stage a protest outside the Bank of England in the City of London.

PA

Britain's Prince Philip, in his role as Captain General, Royal Marines, attends a Parade to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge, on the Buckingham Palace Forecourt, in central London, Britain.The 96-year-old husband of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, made his final solo appearance at the official engagement on Wednesday, before retiring from active public life.

REUTERS

Jamaica's Usain Bolt gestures during a press conference prior to Bolt's last World Championship, in east London

AFP/Getty Images

Riders wait at the start on Horse Guards Parade in central London ahead of the "Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic 2017", UCI World Tour cycle race in London.

AFP/Getty Images

Horse and riders take part in the Riding of the Marches ford on the River Esk, alongside the Roman Bridge in Musselburgh, East Lothian, during the annual Musselburgh Festival organised by the Honest Toun's Association.

PA

A wide view of play during day two of the 3rd Investec Test match between England and South Africa at The Kia Oval

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

A nurse shows a message on his phone to colleagues as they take part in a protest near Downing Street in London. The Royal College of Nursing have launched a series of demonstrations, as part of their 'Summer of Protest' campaign against the 1 percent cap on annual pay rises for most NHS staff

Carl Court/Getty Images

Two men look through binoculars at US Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush anchored off the coast on in Portsmouth, England. The 100,000 ton ship dropped anchor in the Solent this morning ahead of Exercise Saxon Warrior 2017, a training exercise between the UK and USA

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Connie Yates, mother of terminally-ill 11-month-old Charlie Gard, arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on where a High Court judge is set to decide where baby Charlie Gard will end his life

Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson gestures while posing for a photograph at the Sydney Opera House, in Sydney. Johnson is there to attend AUKMIN, the annual meeting of UK and Australian Foreign and Defence Ministers.

Dan Himbrechts

Britain Prime Minister Theresa May walks with her husband Philip in Desenzano del Garda, by the Garda lake, as they holiday in northern Italy

Antonio Calanni/AFP

England team players pose after winning the ICC Women's World Cup cricket final between England and India at Lord's cricket ground in London

Adrian Dennis/AFP

Rajeshwari Gayakwad of India attempts to run out Jenny Gunn of England during the ICC Women's World Cup 2017 Final between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground in London

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Here is the original post:
While you celebrate the third royal baby, remember all of the women in Britain who aren't allowed a third child - The Independent

Artificial wombs could soon be a reality. What will this mean for women? – The Guardian

Posted on by

We are approaching a biotechnological breakthrough. Ectogenesis, the invention of a complete external womb, could completely change the nature of human reproduction. In April this year, researchers at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia announced their development of an artificial womb. The biobag is intended to improve the survival rates of premature babies and is a significant step forward from conventional incubators. Their results show that lambs (at the equivalent of a premature human foetus of 22-24 weeks) are able to successfully grow in the biobag, with the oldest lamb now more than one year old.

Researchers at Cambridge University, meanwhile, have also kept a human embryo alive outside the body for 13 days using a mix of nutrients that mimic conditions in the womb. The embryo survived several days longer than previously observed and research only stopped because they were approaching the 14-day legal limit for the length of time an embryo can be kept in a lab. In other words, our ethics rather than our technology are now the limiting factor.

The key to survival through ectogenesis is reproducing the conditions of the womb. As scientists become better at that, the gap between the longest time embryos can survive and the earliest time a foetus is viable will narrow. When the two timescales meet, we will have the technology for a complete external womb.

It is exactly this kind of scientific discovery that I imagined for my novel, The Growing Season. In a world that is still similar to present day, the recent invention of an external womb known as the baby pouch is changing society. For some, it has brought equality, freedom and choice, while for others the implications are much more frightening. This world is perhaps only decades away from our own; what will happen when our version of the baby pouch arrives?

There will be amazing medical benefits: it could save the lives of premature babies, help infertile couples, give gay and trans people new fertility options and enable older parents to have children. It could offer a safer alternative to traditional pregnancy and childbirth and provide a healthier environment for the foetus by eliminating the risks of drugs or alcohol and providing an ideal balance of nutrients, temperature, movement and sound. But where do we draw the line between ensuring healthy development and only having children deemed to be the healthiest? Who decides which type of pregnancy is best women or men? Doctors? Religious leaders? Employers?

There is a danger that whoever pays for the technology behind ectogenesis would have the power to decide how, when and for whose benefit it is used. It could be the state or private insurance companies trying to avoid the unpredictable costs of traditional childbirth. Or, it could become yet another advantage available only to the privileged, with traditional pregnancies becoming associated with poverty, or with a particular class or race. Would babies gestated externally have advantages over those born via the human body? Or, if artificial gestation turns out to be cheaper than ordinary pregnancy, could it become an economic necessity forced on some?

But an external womb could also lead to a new equality in parenthood and consequently change the structure of our working and private lives. Given time, it could dismantle the gender hierarchies within our society. Given more time, it could eliminate the differences between the sexes in our biology. Once parental roles are equal, there will be no excuse for male-dominated boardrooms or political parties, or much of the other blatant inequality we see today.

Womens rights are never more emotive than when it comes to a womans right to choose. While pregnancy occurs inside a womans body, women have some control over it, at least. But what happens when a foetus can survive entirely outside the body? How will our legislation stand up when viability begins at conception? There are fundamental questions about what rights we give to embryos outside the body (think of the potential for harvesting spare parts from unwanted foetuses). There is also the possibility of pro-life activists welcoming this process as an alternative to abortion with, in the worst case, women being forced to have their foetuses extracted and gestated outside their bodies.

One thing we can know for sure is that society will be greatly changed by ectogenesis. Growing humans outside womens bodies raises various risks but may at the same time offer hope for new forms of equality and healthcare and the debate is only just getting started. It is likely that we will have the ability to create an artificial womb within a generation or two. How will we choose to use it?

The Growing Season by Helen Sedgwick (Harvill Secker, 12.99) is published on 7 September. To order a copy for 11.04, go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call the Guardian Bookshop on 0330 333 6846. Free UK p&p over 10, online orders only. Phone orders min. p&p of 1.99.

Link:
Artificial wombs could soon be a reality. What will this mean for women? - The Guardian