Black currant is not just a childhood berry that we used to pick
with our grandmother in the garden. It has many benefits - that
can seriously improve your health and appearance, especially
for women. It's time to discover --- why you should add black
currant to your diet and the incredible advantages it offers.
Omega-3 Fatty acids for joints
Black currant is a real treasure trove of gamma-linolenic acid,
which is part of the omega-3 fatty acids. This acid has anti-
inflammatory properties and helps to fight joint pain,
especially in women over the age of 50. If you
suffer from pain due to rheumatoid arthritis
or other inflammatory joint conditions,
black currant can help alleviate
unpleasant symptoms and
improve mobility.
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce
inflammation and support joint health. Currants can be a
delicious and healthy addition to your diet, to help
combat these issues.
Protection of the heart and blood vessels
One of the main benefits of black currant is its ability to support
cardiovascular health. The berries contain compounds - that
help prevent hardening of the arteries, reducing the risk of
cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension
and stroke. Consuming black currant can
help improve blood circulation --- and
lower blood cholesterol levels.
The natural components of berries, not only improve the
condition of blood vessels, but also fight the formation
of blood clots, which also contributes to a better
blood supply.
Effect on the beauty of skin and hair
If you want to improve the condition of your skin and hair, black
currant is a great help. It contains vitamins and minerals that
stimulate hair growth, making it stronger and shinier. In
addition, black currant berries have a beneficial effect
on the skin, helping it to stay clean and healthy,
especially if you suffer from acne
or inflammation.
Regular consumption of currants not only helps to strengthen
nails, but also gives the skin a radiant appearance, reducing
inflammation and improving overall tone.
Support for women's health
Black currant has a beneficial effect on the female reproductive
system. The berries contain proanthocyanidins, which fight
bacteria that cause cystitis and support the health of the
urinary tract. This makes black currant an excellent
preventive measure for infections of the
genito-urinary system ----- which is
particularly relevant for women.
In addition, currants have a positive effect on hormone
balance - and can help normalize the menstrual cycle.
Painkillers for PMS
For women, black currants --- can be an indispensable tool in
combating pain and discomfort during PMS. The leaves and
berries of black currant contain components that have anti-
inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Infusions made
from black currant can help alleviate pain and restore a
disrupted menstrual cycle.
If you often suffer from menstrual pain, try adding currants
to your diet ----- and see how your well-being improves.
Conclusion
The Black currant is not just a berry that evokes pleasant memories of childhood. It has many beneficial properties from strengthening the joints to improving the skin and hair health.
If you want to take care of your health, adding black
currant to your diet --- is a great idea. It is an
affordable and delicious way -- to support
your body and improve your well-being.
Enjoy the berries straight from the bush
-------- and get the most out of them!
____________________________________
Stressful events......increase the risk
of Alzheimer's, according to experts
July 3rd, 1:39pm
(Prensa Latina)
Lifelong exposure to stressful life events is a potential risk
factor, largely unexplored today, of Alzheimer's disease
and dementia, according to a study published in the
journal Neurology.
Events such as losing a partner or widowhood, being
unemployed or financial problems were related here
to the brain changes associated with Alzheimer's
disease (AD).
This research carried out by ISGlobal researchers included
2,743 participants without cognitive impairment and with
a higher risk of AD (86% have at least one parent
diagnosed with that disease).
Participants underwent clinical interviews between 2016
and 2021, and experts --- examined exposure to 18
different stressors with a structured interview.
According to the data provided, being unemployed affects
men's brains more and also losing a partner, while
economic losses have a greater impact
on women.
The alterations described are greater, both in men
and women, in the case of people with a lower
educational level, the study states.
The authors of this research see vital points to avoid
these situations in developing resilience to stress
and facing it in the healthiest way possible.
They conclude that their findings provide new evidence
suggesting that lifelong exposure to events related to
grief and the economy ------- may affect brain health.
They also demonstrated, according to their analyses,
that the death of the couple is associated with the
pathophysiology of AD, that unemployment and
economic losses are linked to a reduction in
gray matter volume, and that the strength
of these associations --- depends on
gender and educational level.
______________________________________
A medical instructor explained
how to lose weight by cycling
by Valentina Brykalina
June 10th, 7:27pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
Cycling can help you lose weight without exhausting diets,
as these workouts can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour.
RIA MO was told about the rules of cycling by the
instructor of the Department of Rehabilitation
Medicine, Kirill Antonov.
"One hour of cycling burns between 250 and 1,000 calories - the
more you pedal - the faster your metabolism speeds up. Weight
loss, muscle work, and the body gets used to healthy exercise
--- without exhausting diets," the expert noted.
The specialist added that regular cycling can also help
with insomnia, reduce stress levels, and prevent
cardiovascular diseases.
Earlier, the website Passions reported that cycling is
especially suitable for those who have to stand for
long periods of time (salespeople, cashiers,
and promoters).
People in these professions, often experience: venous
insufficiency, blood stagnation ---- and severe leg
swelling. In such cases, it is recommended
to engage in aerobics, step aerobics,
aqua aerobics, swimming, and
anti-gravity training.
____________________________
Dangerous toxins --found in a popular hygiene product
by Ekaterina Grafskaya (Editor of
the Science and Technology Dept)
May 29th, 10:32pm
(Lenta.ru)
Scientists from the UK found dangerous levels of pesticides
in tampons of popular brands — the concentration of the
substance glyphosate in some samples was 40 times
higher than the permissible norm for drinking water.
The study included 15 different tampon packs, including
products from well-known brands such as Tampax.
This is reported by the Daily Mail.
Pesticides get into hygiene products through cotton grown
with the use of agrochemicals. Of particular concern is
that when using tampons, toxic compounds are
absorbed directly into the bloodstream,
bypassing the liver.. and other body
filters. This can increase the risk
of cancer, Parkinson's disease,
and hormonal disorders.
Activists demand an urgent tightening of rules for
manufacturers, as well as transparency of the
composition of products. "If glyphosate, is
dangerous in water, why is it acceptable
in intimate products?" — outraged
environmentalists commented.
Against the background of alarming data, experts urge
women to take a more careful approach to the choice
of hygiene products and insist on the introduction
of mandatory product testing ------ for
pesticide residues.
_______________________________________
The doctor told mewhen you need
to run to the doctor urgently
with dizziness
by Valentina Brykalina
May 28th, 7:41pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
Zincheva neurologist: nausea with dizziness
is a symptom of a stroke --- or a tumor.
Vertigo is a symptom that should not be ignored,
because it can indicate the presence of serious
health problems. About this..... mentioned the
neurologist Olga Zincheva in 'Newspaper.Ru.
"Quite often, patients come to the doctor's office with
complaints of instability, uncertainty when walking,
weakness, fog in the head, calling it in one word:
dizziness," said the neurologist.
The doctor noted that dizziness, which occurs acutely
and is accompanied by nausea, repeated vomiting,
double vision, hearing loss, can be dangerous
and indicate one of the serious diseases,
such as: stroke, Meniere's disease, a
brain tumor ...and some others.
A person can assume that they have high blood pressure,
as noted by "Tsargrad" ---- for signs such as headaches,
especially in the occipital and temporal regions,
dizziness, a feeling of heat, redness of the
face, nausea, vomiting, nosebleeds,
trembling in the body --- and a
rapid heartbeat.
Previously in "360.ru" he clarified that most of the unpleasant
symptoms are manifested in low blood pressure - when blood
circulation in the blood vessels of the brain, worsens. This can often lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, or rapid fatigue.
To ensure that daytime sleep does not bring fatigue,
but a sense of cheerfulness and a charge of energy,
you should follow a few simple rules. I listed them
.....in a conversation with the correspondent of
Gazeta.en, cardiologist, and somnologist,
Natalia Zolotareva.
Choose the right time to sleep. The best period is between
13: 00 and 15: 00, when energy levels naturally decrease.
Avoid sleeping in the evening, so as not to disrupt the
night's sleep, said the doctor.
The medic also recommended resting for about half an hour,
which she says, is ideal for a short break. In addition, sleep
conditions are important: you should darken the room, use
an eye mask or earplugs. The room should be cool and
fairly humid.
Previously, on 360.ru she said that a late dinner negatively affects
sleep, so the meal should be finished three to four hours before
bedtime. In addition, it is recommended to stop watching
violent movies and reading disturbing information,
two to three hours before bedtime.
In order for the body... to have a good rest at night,
a person should sleep on his back or at least on
his side, otherwise you can get heartburn, and neck and back pain, as well as problems with the spine.
_______________________________________
The cardiologist told about the causes
of headaches......after a long sleep
May 14th, 8:27pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Prolonged sleep.... can lead to headaches. This was announced
on May 14 by Natalia Zolotareva, a cardiologist at SM-Klinika,
in an interview with Gazeta.Ru.
According to the expert, there are six main causes of headaches
after a long sleep. The first one is a failure of circadian rhythms.
This occurs due to the body's habituation to a certain schedule.
If a person sleeps 2-3 hours longer than usual, this leads to the
production of hormones (for example, serotonin & melatonin),
which can trigger migraines.
The second reason for a headache after a long sleep, the doctor
named as dehydration. During 7-9 hours of sleep, moisture is
removed from the body through breathing and perspiration.
If there is no water in the body before going to bed, there
is a lack of fluid, which leads to discomfort ------ and the
narrowing of the brain vessels.
The third reason, according to the cardiologist, is problems
with blood circulation. Staying in one position for a long
time worsens blood flow in the neck and shoulders,
which leads to tension in the muscles, which
develops into a headache.
The fourth cause of headaches --- is hypoglycemia. According to
Zolotareva, skipping dinner or a light snack before going to bed
reduces blood glucose levels. This will lead to a depletion of
the body's reserves, and then to a "hungry" headache.
Other causes of headaches.... include
sleep quality and caffeine withdrawal.
According to the expert, in order to avoid headaches after a long
sleep, it is necessary to follow the regime: go to bed and get up
at the same time even on weekends, drink a glass of warm
water an hour before bedtime .....create a comfortable
sleeping area, and ventilate the room more often.
She also advised not to skip dinner, avoid heavy food and
alcohol, which overload the body, do a morning warm-up
— after waking up, perform light gymnastics or
stretching...... to improve blood circulation
and relieve muscle tension.
IF CONTRA-INDICATIONS APPLY -
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
If headaches recur, you should consult a doctor. It may be
caused by sleep apnea, neurological disorders, or a lack
of vitamins (for example, Group B).
"A long sleep....... should not become a torment. A balanced diet, attention to nutrition and a comfortable environment in the bedroom --- will help you wake up refreshed - and without headaches. Remember: it is not the amount of sleep that matters, but its quality," Zolotareva concluded.
______________________________________________
Russians warned about --
early signs of dementia
by Evgeny Odintsovo
May 7th, 12:01am
(Gazeta.ru)
Early signs of dementia - are often blamed on fatigue,stress, or age-related changes. But -
with timely detection of hidden symptoms,
you can slow down the progression of the
disease, Daria Tsvetkova, therapist and
physiotherapist at Medfriends Centre,
told "Gazeta.Ru".
"Less obvious signs of dementia ------ include emotional
instability, which can be manifested by sudden mood
swings, gratuitous anxiety, apathy or irritability.
''Against the background of an early development of
the disease, there may be a decrease in interest
in hobbies... problems with planning everyday
activities ----- and a desire to avoid social
contacts," she explained.
Due to damage to neurons, circadian rhythms are
disrupted, so, in the first stages of dementia,
insomnia, frequent awakenings at night,
and daytime drowsiness..... begin
to worry.
"In addition ---- changes in speech, are not excluded:
regular pauses, the long selection of words or the
formulation of simple sentences. It is very rarely
mentioned that, when dementia occurs, the
sense of smell may disappear, and self-
criticism .....may decrease," the
doctor noted.
Despite the fact that this disease ---- is more often
associated with old age and is more typical for
people over 65 years of age, the first forms
of the disorder can occur much earlier.
"According to statistics, 5-10% of cases of dementia
are detected between the ages of 40 and 65, they
are associated with - genetic mutations, brain
injuries or vascular disorders, for example,
as a result of a stroke. There are young
people under the age of 40 who have
dementia -- caused by autoimmune
diseases, infections or metabolic
disorders," the expert said.
Age is just one of the risk factors. Lifestyle,
heredity, and related diseases (such as
diabetes or hypertension) ---- play a
crucial role in the development
of dementia.
To prevent the development of dementia ------ it is
recommended to show cognitive activity: learn
languages, read, solve puzzles. All of these
actions force the brain to work, thereby
creating a "cognitive reserve" that
slows down degeneration.
Physical activity ---- is also important. Regular
exercise improves blood circulation and
stimulates neurogenesis, and even
150 minutes of walking a week ---
reduces the risk by 30-40%.
"The package of measures includes a balanced diet:
the diet should be supplemented with vegetables,
fish, olive oil, nuts, as well as: focus on berries
and leafy greens. Trace elements from these
products, protect neurons, which reduces
the appearance of the disease by 30%,"
the doctor recommended.
It is extremely important --- to monitor your health,
maintain normal cholesterol levels, treat hyper-
tension, diabetes and depression ------these
conditions damage the blood vessels of
the brain and can, later, lead
to dementia.
"In addition, it is necessary to show social activity,
give up bad habits ------ adhere to a healthy sleep
duration of 7-8 hours. If you find any disturbing
symptoms -- you should consult a neurologist.
With the help of MRI ----- neuropsychological
tests and other modern diagnostic methods
it is possible to identify the problem at an
early stage ---- when treatment is most
effective," the doctor concluded.
_____________________________________
Taking care of yourself
Three daily habits that lead
to dementia ---- are named
by Ilya Pyatygo (Editor of
the Self-Care department)
April 28th, 4:28pm
(Lenta.ru)
Neurologist, Baibin Chen, said - that three daily habits ..accelerate the development of dementia. He named them in an interview with the publication El Español.
As Chen warned, the risk of developing dementia
increases, due to the excessive consumption of
sugar and sugary drinks. In addition, this habit
leads to the occurrence of diseases of the
cardiovascular system, diabetes
and obesity.
The doctor also advised against listening to loud music with headphones ---- which is especially
common among teenagers and young people.
According to the doctor... poor sleep quality - also
increases the risk of developing cardiovascular
diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
The specialist called for taking care of the quality
of night rest ---- from a young age, since it is a
fundamental factor in physical, mental and emotional well-being.
In conclusion, Chen noted that, according to research
by scientists, sleep deficiency negatively affects the
structure of the brain... regardless of the presence
of the biomarkers of dementia.
Earlier, neurologist Ekaterina Demyanovskaya said
that brain aging can be avoided. To do this, she
said ---- it is necessary to change the diet.
_________________________________________
WARNING ---- TICKS!!!
by Anna Kukartseva
April 25th, 8:49am
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
20 MINUTES TO 3 HOURS
Getting on the human body, the tick looks for a place
to attach --- it needs thin skin, preferably where the
capillaries - veins are close to the surface, and
that it is dark. No wonder the "favourite"
places of ticks, are the folds of the
arms and legs, armpits, groin
area, and behind the ears.
''It takes from 20 minutes to 3 hours to find the "right"
place for a tick',' says Maria Semenyuk. ''Therefore,
it is important to examine yourself -- especially
during and after walks in the forest. And -- if
you notice a tick, you should quickly and
correctly remove it – the longer the
insect is on your body, the higher
the risk of infection.''
''Therefore, during the period of increased tick activity,
it is very important to follow preventive measures
and not make mistakes that can turn a meeting
with a tick ---- into a disaster.''
MAIN ERRORS
Mistake # 1: "Pulled out and thrown out"
Often, the tick is sharply pulled with tweezers or fingers, while the body is torn off from the head.
Why it's dangerous: the virus is concentrated in the
insect's salivary glands and on its head, which
remains in the wound, when detached ----
and can cause inflammation.
How to do it: use tweezers, a special hook, or loop
of thread, to gently unscrew the tick with smooth
swinging movements. If the head remains, treat
the wound with an antiseptic --- and consult
a doctor.
Mistake # 2: "Use oil, gasoline, and matches"
In any case, do not fill the tick with oil or alcohol.
And even more so, do not try to cauterize!
Why it's dangerous: the tick reflexively injects
the contents of its salivary glands... into the
bloodstream, raising the risk of infection.
How to do it right: remove the tick immediately
after detection with tweezers or a special loop.
Mistake # 3: "Squashing a tick"
The tick should not be squeezed out
with your fingers or nails.
Why, it is dangerous: if the tick is infected, then there
is a virus in its internal organs, and the compression
of the body causes it to "spit out" more infected
saliva into the blood ..or into the micro-holes
of the wound.
How right: carefully unscrew the tick, and place it in
an airtight container - then take it to the laboratory
for analysis (no later than 3 days) ---- to make sure
the tick is not infected with dangerous infections.
Mistake # 4: "They think it will pass by itself"
If you did not manage to avoid a tick bite, but managed
to remove it carefully, be sure to monitor the bite site
and your health. Don't ignore the symptoms.
Why ---- it's dangerous: fever, headache, or erythema
migrans (redness around the bite) they appear in 1-3
weeks. Without treatment, encephalitis can lead to
damage to motor neurons ------ muscle atrophy and
paralysis, and Lyme disease can become chronic,
destroying joints - & disrupting the brain & heart.
How to do it: within 72 hours after the bite, you should
consult a specialist about possible antibiotic therapy
or emergency vaccination. This can help with some
types of infections.
Mistake # 5: "They go on a picnic in shorts."
During the period of tick-borne activity, it is not safe
to go "out into nature" in open clothes. Ticks sit on
bushes, tall grass and easily move to bare feet or
loose clothing - clinging to branches.
How right:
* wear light-colored clothing with cuffs, and tuck your
trousers into your socks. A light colour will allow you
to quickly notice the tick --- and shake it off. This is especially important for children!
* Be sure to use repellents.
* When walking in parks and forests -- check on
yourself and your children every 15-20 minutes.
* When you get home, wash your clothes at 60°C
— ticks die at this temperature in 10 minutes.
* If you live in endemic areas,
be sure to get vaccinated.
Yes, of course, ticks will not disappear, because they
are active from spring to autumn, as long as the
above-zero temperature lasts. Therefore, it is
important to learn how to protect yourself
from the diseases that they can reward
you with.
An innovative way to restore
teeth -------has been found
by Catherine Grafskaya (Editor of the
Science and Technology Department)
April 14th, 10:30pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Scientists have grown a human tooth in the lab for the
first time — an achievement that could completely
change the way we treat ''lost'' teeth. The study
was conducted by experts from King's College
London in collaboration with scientists from
Imperial College. This is reported by
The Telegraph.
The authors developed a material --- that mimics the
environment required for tooth formation. It allows
the cells to interact ....and start the process of
natural tooth development.
According to the researchers, in the future, this will
make it possible to grow teeth from the patient's
own cells directly in the jaw -- or in advance,
in the laboratory.
Today's restoration methods, such as fillings and
implants, have a number of limitations — they do
not adapt over time, can cause complications
and lose strength over time. A laboratory-
grown tooth, on the other hand, forms
naturally, with minimal risk of
rejection and complete
bio-compatibility.
As part of the project, the researchers.. are considering
two possible approaches: full growth of the tooth with
subsequent transplantation, or the introduction of
immature cells --- directly into the oral cavity, where they can mature inside the body.
The development - took more than ten years. There are
clinical trials ahead, but scientists are confident, that
the technology opens a new era in dental restoration.
The idea for the study came after the mother of one
of the patients said that she used breast milk to
treat a chemical burn to the cornea (the outer
shell of the eye that covers its front part)
of her child.
The result was impressive: the wound healed faster
than expected. This prompted experts to study the therapeutic potential of breast milk.
In an animal experiment, researchers found that
treating corneal wounds with breast milk, leads
to more active re-epithelialization; the process
of restoring the surface layers of tissue. The
researchers also found.... elevated levels of
Ki67 protein, a marker of cell proliferation
--- which confirms accelerated healing.
______________________________________
Taking care of yourself
Russians urgedto give up one
bad habit before going to bed
by Vera Vladzievskaya (Editor
of the Self-Care Department)
February 6th, 11:01pm
(Lenta.ru)
Blue light from smartphone screens worsens the quality
of sleep, said psychotherapist Irina Krashkina. In an
interview with RIAMO, she urged to abandon the
use of gadgets before going to bed.
"Smartphones interfere with quality sleep for several reasons:
the blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production,
which disrupts sleep and its cycles," Krashkina explained.
She advised you to stop using your smartphone an hour before
bedtime, as well as use special apps or settings that reduce
the brightness and filter blue light, and turn on the do not
disturb mode.
Also, the therapist recommended - to give up the bad habit of
constantly being distracted by the phone. So, in her opinion,
you can improve concentration and productivity. If you do
a digital detox, you can reduce your stress levels,
she added.
Special applications and a clear plan of action will help
to painlessly reduce the time spent with gadgets in
your hands, the psychotherapist assured.
She advised to spend the free time on
walks and activities.... that bring joy.
Earlier, Krashkina advised about Internet use lowering the
risk of dementia. According to her, older people who use
the Internet, maintain their brain activity - and reduce
the risk of experiencing dementia.
_________________________________________
Filimonov: in Vologda Region
it is necessary -- to stop this
"soldering of the population"
January 25th, 1:58pm
(RT.ru)
The Governor of the Vologda Region, Georgy Filimonov,
recalled in an interview with RT that 71% of deaths of
residents of the Vologda Region of working age
are related to alcohol.
Filimonov: in Vologda Region it is necessary
to stop the "soldering of the population"
He said this while commenting on the decision
to restrict the sale of alcohol in the region.
"We listened carefully... to the representatives of the alcohol
business and took their suggestions into account. However,
our position remains firm: the health and well-being of
residents is more important. The task is to reverse
the critical situation in demography --- a huge
negative contribution to which, is made by
large-scale soldering of the population...
Last year alone --- the population of the
region decreased by 7,500 inhabitants.
Scary numbers. In terms of scale, it is
an entire municipality. 71% of deaths
of our countrymen of working age
are related to alcohol,"
the governor said.
The Governor stressed -- that most often people die due to
cardiomyopathy and other diseases of the cardiovascular
system, pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, as well as
drunk driving.
In the Vologda Region, from March 1*, a law will come into force
that restricts the sale of alcohol to two hours a day: from
12:00 to 14:00. On weekends and public holidays... the
usual trading mode will continue: from 08:00 to 23:00.
[Rhondda Records adds:
March 1st* - is Saint David's Day in Wales
England's first colony - where there is a
huge problem with readily available
alcohol - and its related diseases
and early deaths.]
________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
The doctor named the reasons for
the appearance of an urge to
urinate at night
by Ekaterina Ulitina
(Editor, Self-Care Dept)
January 21st, 6:03pm
(Lenta.ru)
One in three people over the age of 30 experiences
a frequent urge to urinate at night, according to
therapist Zoe Williams. The reasons for this
problem, she told The Sun.
Williams noted that nocturia — the need to urinate frequently
usually occurs in the elderly and progresses with age. Other
possible causes of this condition include urinary tract
infections, diabetes, menopause in women, or
prostate problems in men. In addition, the
therapist noted that sometimes the
nighttime urge to urinate is
provoked - by caffeine,
alcohol and certain
medications.
The doctor added, that Kegel exercises can help solve the
problem, as they strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, but
they must be performed correctly, otherwise abdominal
pain may appear. She also recommended --- not to
postpone a visit to the doctor.
Earlier, nurse Davina Richardson called the normal frequency
of urination per night. According to her, for people under 60
years of age, the need to use the toilet once a night....
is not unusual.
____________________________________
Foods that will help you
lower Your Cholesterol
today
January 17th, 10:43pm
(Pravda.ru)
One simple change in diet can help control weight, lower
cholesterol, and improve the heart and vascular health.
High cholesterol remains a serious problem that
increases the risk of ischemia, heart attack,
and stroke. However, nutritionist Melissa
Mitri..... has suggested an effective and
natural way to combat this condition.
How Fibre Helps Lower Cholesterol
The soluble fibre found in oats, beans, lentils,
vegetables, edamame beans, and fruits....
acts like a sponge.
"It reduces the excess absorption
of cholesterol into the blood,"
explains Melissa Mitri.
In addition, dietary fibre feeds beneficial intestinal bacteria.
They, in turn, produce short-chain fatty acids that regulate
the production of cholesterol in the liver - and inhibit its
release into the bloodstream.
Dietary recommendations
The dietitian suggests the following dietary changes::
Start your morning - with oatmeal. Add berries
and chia seeds to boost the nutritional value.
Use vegetables, beans, and lentils, as side dishes. Canned beans are also suitable, if
their composition is good. Snack on fruit.
This is a delicious and healthy way to
increase your fibre intake.
Integrated approach
While adding fibre to your diet is an important step,
it's not the only thing you need for a healthy
cardiovascular system.
The nutritionist recommends:
Monitor your weight.
Avoid cigarettes and alcohol.
Maintain an active lifestyle.
Follow your doctor's recommendations.
Cholesterol is an organic compound, a natural polycyclic
lipophilic alcohol found in the cell membranes of all animals, including humans. Cholesterol is insoluble in water, yet soluble in fats and organic solvents.
Author Danila Firsov
Danila Firsov is a freelance
correspondent for Pravda.Ru
Tutor Elena Timoshkina
Elena Timoshkina - Editor
-in-chief of Pravda.Ru
_________________________
Russians were given advice
to protect their eyesight
by Oleg Davydov (Editor of the
Internet and Mass Media Dept)
January 11th, 1:25am
(Lenta.ru)
Ophthalmologist Mikhail Konovalov on the air of the
program "Live healthy!" on Channel One gave
Russians advice to protect their eyesight.
Konovalov recommended to include river eel in the diet
to protect your vision. "It contains vitamin A, which is
needed to produce rhodopsin - this is visual purple,
which begins to be consumed when light hits,
when it is consumed, an electrical impulse
occurs, and all information from the eye,
is transmitted to the brain, so we see,"
the doctor explained.
Cardiologist Herman Gandelman, in turn, noted that acne
is also good for bone health, as it contains vitamin D. In
addition, according to immunologist Andrey Prodeus,
eating this fish reduces the risk of anemia due to
the content of vitamin B12 in it.
Earlier, doctor Elena Malysheva named the best medicine
that will help relieve alcohol-induced headaches. "If the
headache is related to an alcohol overdose... the best
medicine is aspirin," she said. She reminded that the
medicine should be in the home medicine cabinet
along with other painkillers.
_________________________________________
It became known about the British dying
every day --- because of waiting for help
by Marina Sovina (Editor of the
Operational Information Dept)
January 11th, 12:18am
(Lenta.ru)
About 50 people a day die in Britain due to waiting
for help in hospitals, according to the Times,
citing an analysis of the data.
"According to an analysis conducted by leading
doctors, about 50 people die every day due to
delays in emergency care," the Times notes.
Major hospitals in the UK are facing difficulties due
to the increase in the number of patients suffering
from flu and other viral diseases --- during the
winter period. In some cases, the waiting
time in the emergency department is
up to 50 hours.
In December 2024, about 167,000 patients waited
more than 12 hours for help. In addition, as a
result of delays in the provision of medical
care, the excess number of deaths in
2024... increased to about 16,000.
In October last year, representatives of the National
Rehabilitation doctor and TV presenter Sergey Agapkin
named a way to spend the New Year without harm to
health.On the air of the program "About the most
important thing" on the channel "Russia 1",
the expert advised Russians to eat
small portions.
The doctor said that during the New Year's feast, it is
necessary to limit the use of.. fatty, fried and smoked
foods. As Agapkin explained, such food can provoke
pain in the gallbladder, liver and pancreas.
"We, of course, in no case, encourage you to give up
your favorite dishes. You can just start by reducing
their number, because it is very important - not to
overeat. Even at the New Year's table, it is better
to make portions small. If you are hungry, then
eat the same portion again,"the expert
recommended.
__________________________________________
The combination of imlunestrant and abemaciclib
improves progression-free survival rates in
advanced ER+ HER2- breast tumors,
regardless of genomic profile,
according to a study
released Monday.
December 16th, 5pm
(Prensa Latina)
The study, published in The New England Journal
of Medicine, surveyed 874 women with estrogen
receptor-positive (ER+) & HER2-negative (HER2-)
advanced breast cancer, who had progressed
after endocrine therapy.
Participants were randomly assigned to receive
imlunestrant monotherapy, the imlunestrant-
abemaciclib combination, or standard
endocrine therapy.
The combination of imlunestrant and abemaciclib
increased median progression-free survival to 9.4
months, versus 3.8 months for standard therapy.
However, imlunestrant as monotherapy only showed
a benefit in people with ESR1 gene mutations,
achieving a median of 5.5 months, versus
3.8 months for standard therapy.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and
the second most common cancer overall in the world,
with approximately 2.3 million diagnoses in 2022.
________________________________________________
Doctors warned about the
dangerous consequences
of refusing breakfast
by Oleg Davydov (Editor of the
Internet and Mass Media Dept)
December 11th, 4:41pm
(Lenta.ru)
Cardiologist Herman Gandelman and immunologist
Andrey Prodeus on the air of the program "Live
healthy!" on Channel One -- warned about the
dangerous consequences of refusing to eat
a breakfast.
Gandelman said that skipping a morning meal increases
the risk of heart disease by 22 percent, and the risk of premature death - by 25 percent. In addition,
according to the expert, refusing breakfast
once a week, also increases the risk of
developing diabetes by six percent.
"If....... you skip breakfast four to five times a
week - almost 55 percent," the medic added.
According to research, breakfast is necessary until eight
o'clock in the morning, said Prodeus. "If you do it after
nine, then every next hour increases by six percent
....the risks that Herman Shaevich [Gandelman]
spoke about," concluded the immunologist.
Earlier, therapist Elena Malysheva and immunologist
Andrey Prodeus ----- named other unpleasant
consequences of refusing breakfast.
Doctors said the lack of breakfast leads
----- to stress and reduced productivity.
The top healthiest foods for the heart
include bananas, nuts and olive oil
by Anastasia Rumyantseva
December 7th, 2am
(RT.ru)
In case of heart diseases, the body needs potassium. Products with a high content of this trace element include --- apricots, bananas, strawberries, and
currants, said Oksana Pivovarova, therapist
at the Department of Therapy at the
Medical Faculty of the State
University of Education, in
an interview with RT.
"But you need to be careful: some of them... are sweet,
and excessive sugar consumption is contra-indicated
in patients with heart disease. Potassium is also
found in nuts, liver, and dairy products. They
should preferably be consumed - with a fat
content of up to 1%. The use of fermented
milk drinks and low-fat cottage cheese is welcome," the expert advised.
In addition, according to her, you need magnesium,
because it affects the vascular wall, preserving
its tone.
"Magnesium..... is found in legumes, carrots, strawberries,
avocados, as well as in cereals ------ buckwheat, oatmeal
and wheat. You need foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids -
which play a major role in the metabolism of the heart
muscle. They improve its functioning, contractility,
reduce the level of so-called bad cholesterol and
maintain the energy value of the diet -- which is
important, when following a diet. Foods rich in
omega-3s include salmon, tuna and olive oil,"
she said.
In addition, she explained that fibre is important,
which binds excess fat, thus reducing the level
of bad cholesterol.
"And these ----- are fruits and vegetables. Vegetables, of
course, in boiled or baked form, but not fried. Low fat varieties of meat and poultry - mainly beef, veal,
rabbit, chicken - are useful for heart diseases.
And it is necessary, of course, to remove
the skin and subcutaneous fat layer.
Spices should be limited, because they will adversely
affect the work of not only the gastrointestinal tract
---- but also, the cardiovascular system,"
the therapist believes.
She also stressed that it is useful to drink weak tea and
weak coffee drinks, preferably without caffeine, fruit
and vegetable juices, various decoctions, for
example, rosehip broth.
The doctor also recommended to exclude too salty foods
& the use of table salt, because the sodium contained
in it ---- contributes to the development of edema.
Earlier, Elena Ostrovskaya, an endocrinologist, a
specialist in preventive and anti-age medicine
at the European Medical Centre, told RT that
with the onset of autumn, you do not need
to give up a variety of fresh fruits
and berries.
The psychiatrist told how alcohol
influencesa winter melancholy
by Roman Polosikov
December 3rd, 3:39pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
With the onset of the cold season, many of us face a decline in
strength and a deterioration in mood. Psychiatrist Victoria
Zakharova shared with RIAMO simple but effective ways
to deal with the autumn blues.
According to her, alcohol - is not a friend in this matter. On
the contrary, its use will only increase the negative state,
adding to the emotional fatigue and physiological
consequences.
The doctor advised to pay attention to the power of nature: herbal
decoctions of motherwort, mint, peony, valerian, oregano and St.
John's wort can gently calm the nerves. However, before using
it, it is recommended to consult with a specialist.
But it's not just your mood, that can be affected by alcohol. Drinking
alcohol harms not only the soul, but also the body. Andrey Svintsov,
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information
Policy, made a proposal to tighten the rules for the sale of
alcohol — to offer it exclusively in specialized stores with
separate entrances, completely restricting access to
teenagers. According to the deputy, such measures
will help reduce the popularity of alcohol among
young people, writes Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
However, the problem of alcohol is not limited to the social sphere.
Scientists have discovered an unexpected effect of regular
alcohol consumption: it increases the risk of developing
androgenetic alopecia (AHA), one of the most common
forms of baldness. Research has shown that people
who abuse alcohol are 40% more likely to lose
their hair than those who give it up. This
is reported by Life.ru.
__________________________________
Doctor Shmelev explained........why
smoking on the go is more harmful
December 2nd, 6:08pm
(RT.ru)
Professor, pulmonologist Evgeny Shmelev,
commenting on the initiative of deputies
to ban smoking on the move, explained
that smoking on the move harms not
only the health of the smoker... but
also others who inhale this smoke.
He told about this in an interview with Life.ru.
"When a person smokes on the move, more harmful
substances get into him, he inhales this poison
more strongly. And they will do the right thing
......if they penalize those who smoke while
walking. This is a huge harm to everyone around you. Second-hand smoke is very harmful -- especially for those who do
not smoke, but they have to breathe it. This --- is equivalent to a gas
attack," the doctor said.
Evgeny Shmelev also said that
smoking on the go is a sign
of bad taste.
Earlier, the deputy from the" New People " Amir
Khamitov, spoke in the State Duma, with an
initiative - to combat smoking on the go.
Freepik by Anastasia Kazakova, PDM
An effective way to remove a fat apron
November 20th, 6:12pm
(Pravda.ru)
Health mentor, Georgy Surenyan, told whether
massage will help to get rid of the "fat apron".
Often, after losing weight, the skin on the abdomen
sags...... and an ugly so-called apron is formed. To
prevent this you could take a course of massage
- hardware or manual. It will help to remove
excess fluid --- contribute to a faster
reduction of the fat layer --- and
tighten the skin, writes "SE".
"Sustained weight loss takes time and consistency.
Patience, perseverance and a comprehensive
approach are the best helpers to achieve
long-term results - and improve your
overall well-being," said Surenyan.
He added that massage alone will not help to get rid of
the tummy. Without changing your lifestyle you won't
be able to achieve a pronounced result. However, if
you add proper nutrition and sports to the massage,
in a month.. the stomach will noticeably decrease.
___________________________________
The doctor pointed out the benefits
of home training against the blues
November 18th, 11:45am
(Izvestia.ru)
Nutritionist Sofia Kovanova on Monday, November 18th,
announced the benefits of home training to preserve
the figure in winter ...and get rid of the blues.
In a conversation with the site aif.ru - the specialist
urged to include joint warm-up, myofascial release,
as well as light exercises ---- for general physical
fitness in such trainings.
Kovanova stressed - that such work should be
performed at least three times a week. Thus,
you can reduce puffiness and clamps in the
muscles, as well as generally improve your
well-being ....and overcome the off-
season blues.
In addition, it is useful to count calories and not go
beyond the limits - so in winter you will be able to
save weight, or lose it.
Earlier, on November 13th, the gastro-enterologist of
the Mytishchi hospital, Irina Perminova, called the
persimmon a fruit that beats the autumn blues.
Also, according to her, this fruit is a champion
in the content of beta-carotene, which slows
down the aging process of the body.
On November 12th, psychologist Daria Dugentsova, said
that taking a break from social networks ------ will help
overcome autumn depression. According to her, long
-term scrolling of the news feed and social networks
negatively affects the psyche. It is recommended to spend the free hours on an activity that brings
pleasure and joy, notes 360.ru.
On November the 8th, social psychologist Alexey Roshchin,
in an interview with NSN, called communication a better
protection from the autumn blues. He noted ------- that
autumn melancholy, is a disorder associated with a
change in the general state of nature and affecting
mood. He added that lonely people....... are more
susceptible to the autumn blues, as they have
no one to share their experiences with.
In October, psychiatrist Alexander Meshcheryakov - told
the site kp.ru - to prevent depression.. you should go to
bed earlier, and alternate between relaxing and active
moments in life, fill the house with comfort and warm
aromas, and plan something new and interesting.
Also in October, psychologist Galina Krasnoruzhenko
explained that --- if a bad mood, fatigue and other
symptoms of autumn blues do not disappear
after more than two weeks, it is better
to visit a doctor. In such cases,
phototherapy can help,
notes Pravda.Ru.
In March, psychologist Ekaterina Tubis advised to
adjust the diet to combat the off-season blues,
giving preference -- to foods rich in useful
substances. She also pointed out - the
importance of walking and physical
activity, writes RT.
____________________________________
Basic memory mechanisms are not exclusive to the brain
November 14th, 11:02am
(Prensa Latina)
Memories do not only reside in the brain, but also in
other cells of the human body capable of storing
and processing information, details a new
study published today in the journal
Nature Communications
According to the research, cells in non-neuronal tissues
also respond with greater strength and persistence when they receive spaced chemical signals, and
this change in molecular state, represents an
equivalent to the “memory” that neurons
activate, when they detect patterns
of information in the brain.
This process is associated with the activation of
proteins crucial to memory, such as CREB and
ERK, whose inhibition interferes with the
cell’s ability to respond to the spaced
stimulus, the text states.
With this finding --- experts suggest that memory does
not depend exclusively on complex neuronal circuits,
but may be embedded in the dynamics of chemical
and protein signals common in different types
of cells.
To test their hypothesis, the scientists replicated one
of the principles of memory formation, the so-called
“spacing effect,” in 2 types of non-neuronal human
cells.
They exposed the cells... to spaced pulses of chemical
signals and discovered that, just as neurons do, these
cells could “remember” and respond differently when
the stimuli were applied intermittently - rather
than continuously.
“Knowing the ways in which these “cellular memories”
work could help us improve treatments and develop
innovative therapies to address learning problems
and memory disorders,” the study states.
It also reveals that if all cells possess a kind of
“memory,” in the future it would be possible to
use this quality to train cells in vital organs so
that they respond better to certain patterns
or treatments.
Health Doctors - Autumn
November 13th, 5:04pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The doctor spoke about strengthening
the immune system in late autumn
Chief physician of Zaraisk Raptsun Hospital:
proper nutrition will strengthen the immune
system in the autumn.
Chief physician of the Zaraisk Hospital Roman Raptsun
gave advice on Wednesday, November 13, on how to
strengthen the immune system in late autumn. The expert noted -- that a few simple rules will help
protect the body from seasonal diseases.
"The first ---- is proper nutrition. The diet should be filled
with fresh vegetables, fruits and foods rich in vitamins. Pay special attention to citrus fruits, berries & herbs.
Make sure that your menu contains
sources of vitamins C, D, and zinc.
The second rule -- is regular physical activity. Even
simple walks in the fresh air... will improve blood
circulation and strengthen the immune system,
"Radio 1 quotes the doctor.
Raptsun added that stress can negatively affect your
health, so you need to find time -- for recreation and
hobbies to relax and restore your mental balance.
An important step to prevent colds, the doctor called
regular hand washing, especially after visiting
public places.
In addition, flu vaccination is also one of the most
effective ways to protect yourself in the cold
season, the expert concluded.
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Head of the
Department of Pediatrics of the Faculty of Advanced
Training and Professional Retraining of Doctors,
Vice-rector of Novosibirsk State Medical
University Elena Kondyurina, told how
to support the immunity of children
in the off-season.
According to the expert, to protect the child from
flu and colds, it is better to use both methods of
prevention at once: strengthening the body and
increasing its defenses in various ways, as
well as vaccination, reports RT.
In October, general practitioner Lyudmila Lapa spoke
about useful products for colds. According to her, in
particular, milk and honey are histamine liberators
and contain a large amount of histamines.
Their use leads to the fact that the immune system
becomes aggressive and begins to produce a
huge amount of anti-inflammatory proteins.
Taking care of yourself
by Alexandra Lisitsa
Editor of the Self-
Care Department
November 12th, 3:33pm
(Lenta.ru)
The therapist explained the
appearance of the smell
of old age.
Therapist Kondrakhin --- the smell of old
age appears due to digestive disorders.
The characteristic smell of old age... begins to appear in
a person after 50 years, confirmed cardiologist Andrey
Kondrakhin. He explained the nature of this
phenomenon in an interview with
Vechernaya Moskva.
The smell, according to him, may appear due to chronic
diseases and medication. "As you know, the skin is
one of the excretory organs that brings various
substances to the surface with sweat, which
acquire certain odours in the process of
vital activity. Of course... older people
are prescribed different medications
depending on their diagnosis -- but
the drug affects the metabolism
in this way - by the release of
an odour," Kondrakhin
explained.
The smell of old age appears against the background
of ---- urinary incontinence, digestive disorders and
incorrectly working fat cells, because of which
fat acquires a different smell — senile,
he continued.
"In the skin folds of an elderly person, microorganisms
that are not typical of a healthy person start up, and
therefore there are changes in the composition of
sebum. They feed on this fat ------ provoking the
appearance of a senile smell," the
therapist said.
The doctor noted that it is difficult for many elderly
people to take care of themselves. However, if a
person follows the rules of personal hygiene,
the specific smell will be less pronounced.
_______________________________________
Proven benefits of increasing sleep duration
by Alexander Enikeev (Editor of Science
and Technology Department)
November 6th, 9:16pm
(Lenta.ru)
Baylor University researchers -- have shown that even a
small increase in sleep duration --- can have a positive
effect on mental well-being. According to the results
published in the Journal of Positive Psychology,
adding 46 minutes of sleep per night - is
associated with improved measures
of gratitude, resilience, prosperity,
and pro-social behaviour.
The study focuses on the effects of sleep on positive
psychological states, such as gratitude, rather than
studying the negative effects of lack of sleep.
Scientists have tested the hypothesis that increasing
sleep duration may in itself contribute to improving
mood and well-being, and not just prevent the
negative effects of lack of sleep.
For the study ---- methods were used to track the
participants' exact sleep time using actigraphy.
Researchers selected 90 young people and randomly
assigned them a later, earlier, or regular bedtime
during the work week - to identify possible
changes in their psychological state
and emotional well-being.
The results of the study showed that participants who
increased their sleep duration showed significant
improvements in indicators - such as gratitude,
resilience, and overall life satisfaction.
In particular, those who added 46 minutes to bedtime
experienced greater feelings of gratitude and
satisfaction with life, as well as showed
a more stable emotional state.
In contrast, participants who had a reduced sleep time
of 37 minutes per night --- showed a reduction in the
same indicators. This indicates that even a small
reduction in sleep time can negatively affect
mental health and social behaviour.
In conclusion, the researchers emphasized --- that
increasing the duration of sleep contributes not
only to better physical well-being, but also to
an improvement in emotional state and
social activity.
The study also reveals that well-rested people are
more likely to engage in pro-social behaviours,
such as giving to charity and participating
in social life.
___________________________________________
The clinical psychologist told how
to cope with autumn melancholy
November 4th, 4:34am
(Donetsk news agency)
Autumn melancholy is a seasonal phenomenon
accompanied by a feeling of depression, that
occurs in many people due to the reduction
of daylight hours -- and the usual useful
things can help to fight it — physical
activity, healthy food and a careful
monitoring of your emotional state.
Yaroslavl clinical psychologist
Daria Ivanova, told about this.
Autumn is the time of year... when people often start
complaining about their psychological state and an
everyday series of gray, dreary days.
This phenomenon is called autumn melancholy and
there are several reasons for its appearance and
a couple of ways to cope with seasonal spleen.
According to the psychologist, we can begin to feel
changes in mood... from the beginning of autumn,
because the heat gradually leaves the streets,
the amount of light --- we need so much
decreases, and rain begins. All this
together affects our emotional
background.
"Seasonal depressive disorder (SDD)... is on the horizon.
SDR, is not just a bad mood. It's a form of depression
that manifests itself in certain seasons, most often
in autumn and spring. Constant sadness, a
decreased interest in life and fatigue -
that's what awaits us. SDR can
seriously impair the quality
of life, as opposed to a
temporary malaise,"
Ivanova notes.
But seasonal depressive disorder should not be
confused - with just a bad mood, as the first
requires serious measures and treatment
from a specialist and the second comes
to naught with the change of season.
To understand what exactly is happening to your body,
you could listen to yourself. Autumn blues have
specific symptoms — mild fatigue, bad mood
and irritability, but they are not intense and
usually go away on their own. It.. is also
believed that women.... have a greater
tendency to such an autumn ailment,
if you compare the two sexes.
So, how to deal with the state of apathy and fatigue?
Ivanova noted that you need to start with activity —
sports, hiking, any movement can give you energy
and a good mood. Light therapy --- is also
recommended — special lamps and
exposure to sunlight.
Just as important -- is proper nutrition, you could
pay special attention to foods high in omega-3s
and vitamins.
Your favorite hobbies, support for loved ones, and
keeping a diary of emotions - can also help you
cope with autumn sadness, in order to clearly
sort out your thoughts. If the melancholy
drags on for just two weeks, it will be
superfluous to consult a specialist.
_____________________________________
How not to kill kidneys at ARVI:
the therapist ---- explained why anti-coagulants are necessary
November 1st, 7:32am
(DAN News Agency)
A respiratory infection such as severe flu or covid, can
lead to kidney failure, so it is extremely important not
to forget anticoagulants. Chairman of the Moscow
City Scientific Society of Therapists, Professor
Pavel Vorobyov, explains about it.
"Any infection can cause glomerulonephritis - this is an autoimmune process - that can be triggered by both
bacteria and viruses. For example, streptococcus
also causes glomerulonephritis, that is, after a
sore throat, the kidneys can get sick,"
said Vorobyov.
During glomerulonephritis, the immune system begins
to attack the glomeruli — the glomeruli that function
as blood filters, which can lead to kidney failure.
Symptoms of the disease include rapid fatigue, fever,
nausea, low back pain, swelling.... and high blood
pressure. However - often the disease proceeds
without obvious complaints - and a diagnosis
is made on the basis of tests.
''The acute form of the disease is manifested by fever,
general weakness, swelling and aching pain in the
lower back; nausea and vomiting, are possible.
''Severe forms of H1N1 influenza ("swine flu")
and COVID-19, which can cause multiple
organ failure, are also dangerous.
"With a severe respiratory infection, DIC-syndrome
develops-intravascular blood clotting ---- which
primarily affects the kidneys. Blood clots go
to the kidneys ---- and their function is
disrupted. You can die from it.
''Sometimes you need dialysis (connection to an
artificial kidney machine-ed. note), although
not for everyone. Pyelonephritis may occur.
''After acute renal failure, there is a very
long period of kidney recovery, which
is, necessarily, accompanied by an
infection," the professor added.
Anticoagulants are an effective means of protection.
They help prevent complications such as DIC,
which can damage the kidneys.
''When the blood's microcirculation is disturbed,
microthrombosis forms, so anticoagulants
become necessary. This is true for both
infectious diseases, and autoimmune
diseases. Even with a common cold,
their use is justified.
''The guidelines for the treatment of thrombosis
emphasize that acute respiratory infection ---
is a risk factor.
Therefore, people with pre-existing kidney problems
should consider taking preventive anticoagulants
during respiratory infections.
______________________________
NHS privatized,taken
over by Zionist entity
October 29th, 6am
(PressTV)
Israel is encroaching into the British National Health
Service, an institution which is lauded across the
world for providing care at the point of need to
millions of people daily, has been targeted
by stealth.
A key way Israel has been able to entangle itself with
the NHS is through the UK Israel Tech Hub. This
shady organization is based inside the British
Embassy of the Zionist entity, and is staffed
entirely by former Israeli military and
intelligence personnel.
In addition to the British Embassy itself, the UK Israel
Tech Hub is funded by three other institutions of the
British government; The Department for Culture,
Media and Sport (DCMS), the Department for
Business and Trade (DBT), and, the Foreign
Office itself.
The UK Israel Tech Hub's stated objective is procuring
contracts in Britain for Israeli tech companies, most
of which were founded by alumni of the Israeli spy
unit 8200.
The UK Israel Tech Hub launched the UK Israel
Dangoor Health Initiative in 2018 which aimed
to direct profits from the privatization of the
NHS towards Israeli tech companies.
This scheme is funded by David Dangoor, who
commented: "We ---- are in the midst of a bio
health revolution, and Israel is in a supreme
position to take advantage - and carve a
lead in this. With all this new computer
power, we are absolutely at the
threshold --- of a health care
revolution, and I'm hoping
that Israel and the UK ---
will be at the forefront
of that, hand in hand.”
David Dangoor and his family foundation have funded
various Israel lobby groups; The Board of Deputies
of British Jews, the Islamophobic Henry Jackson
Society, the settlement building, Jerusalem
Foundation, &, perhaps most interestingly,
the interfaith Zionist subterfuge,
Nisa-Nashim, which targets
Muslim women.
There is a convergence happening around the NHS,
with the installment of long-time Zionist asset, Wes
Streeting as Health Secretary, alongside the
activities of the UK Israel Tech Hub... the
NHS, is clearly under threat from the
genocidal Zionist entity and its
privatization profiteers.
Have you ever heard of the company charging people
two pounds per hour to use wheelchairs in hospitals
in Britain?
WHEELSHARE uses the phrase 'Simply Care' to market
its products within the National Health Service.
It is behind the smash and grab scheme in
hospitals today.
What is not well-known about the company is that it's
directed by three Israelis based in a settlement in
occupied Palestine. The individuals listed as
directors of the firm on Companies House
are Israel Kasirer, David Michael and
Meir Slater, all three are listed as
citizens of the Zionist entity.
They give their address as 21 Hamelacha,
Rosh Haayin, Israel, 48091577.
Rosh Haayin is a Zionist settlement built on top of the
Palestinian village and Ottoman fort, Ras Al Ayn. The
village was destroyed when Zionist settlers expelled
the Palestinians from it in the 1920s.... during the
British Mandate of Palestine.
There is a plethora of other Israeli companies,
and British companies run by Israelis, that
are milking off the privatization of the
British National Health Service.
The new Health Minister, Wes Streeting, is likely
to escalate the process, as he has spent over
a decade as an asset of the Zionist lobby.
Over the past year, Streeting has received funding
for 'Office Costs' from the key Israel lobbyists,
Jonathan Mendelsohn and Trevor Chan.
Mendelsohn even funded Streeting through his vehicle,
Red Capital, at the same time as he directed Europa
Healthcare Group, which was benefiting from the
privatization of the NHS.
________________________________
HEALTH NEWS
October 24th, 3:43pm
(Izvestia.ru)
The doctor told how to distinguish
ordinary fatigue ....from asthenia
by Valentina Brykalina
Chronic fatigue can lead to insomnia
In Autumn, many people feel tired, but - it is important
not to confuse normal fatigue, with asthenia. This is
a condition when rest is no longer enough... and
treatment is required, the general practitioner
Svetlana Burnatskaya warned, in an
interview with RIAMO.
''One of the main symptoms of asthenia, is fatigue,
which does not go away after rest. A person may
feel exhausted even after a full night's sleep or
vacation. People with asthenia ---- cannot
withstand the usual physical or
mental stress," the
doctor explained.
The doctor added that emotional instability, can also
indicate that a person has developed asthenia.
Another disturbing symptom, is sleep
disorders and insomnia, which
also do not give a full rest.
Previously, he reported that asthenia is a pathological
condition of fatigue under normal exercise. Causes
of chronic fatigue syndrome... include endocrine
diseases, anemia, viral infections, stress,
and injuries.
It is important to remember that with asthenia,
you should consult a specialist ------ for an
accurate diagnosis.
________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
October 18th, 6:35pm
(Lenta.ru)
The 4 most useful supplements to
porridge for breakfast are named.
Oatmeal, rice, buckwheat, barley and many other options for
porridge can be made even more useful, if you supplement
it with various delicious additives. The four most useful of
them, gastroenterologist Elena Yakusheva named to the Russians... during a conversation with aif.ru.
The first recommendation of the doctor is to add fruits and
berries to the morning porridge, which are perfectly combined with any type of cereals. At the same
time, it is better to choose peaches, bananas
and other sweet fruits for oatmeal, while
citrus fruits and cherries are more
suitable for semolina or
corn porridge.
Another useful addition to porridge for breakfast Yakusheva
called seeds and nuts, both whole and ground. They will
add additional nutritional value to the dish and saturate
the body with healthy fats, which are also necessary
for brain function. However ------ it is still not worth
abusing seeds and nuts, as they are very high in
calories, the gastroenterologist reminded.
The doctor also considers dried fruits in small quantities to
be an excellent option. Raisins, dried apricots and prunes
are very high in sugar, so you can only eat them
individually. "Also, dried fruits should be
especially carefully added to cereals
for those people who have been
diagnosed with diabetes,"
Yakusheva warned.
The last useful addition to porridge... will be a small spoonful
of honey, the doctor believes. Only put it in the finished dish,
and not when cooking, otherwise all the useful substances
in it, will be destroyed, the expert warned.
Earlier, general practitioner, and TV presenter, Elena
Malysheva and her co-host, ophthalmologist Mikhail
Konovalov, on the program "Live healthy!" on
Channel One called the best for Russians
protecting from obesity --- porridge.
Experts said that the use of logaza porridge, which
is prepared from barley groats, peas and lard,
reduces the risk of obesity.
_______________________________
Murashko called physical activity
a "universal pill" for all diseases
October 7th, 12:46pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Physical activity can be called a "universal pill" for
all diseases. This was announced on October 7 by
the Minister of Health of the Russian Federation
Mikhail Murashko.
"Physical activity has a positive effect on 35,000 different
biochemical processes. Here is a universal pill - if we
must say so, then for treatment and prevention - this
is, among other things, physical activity," Murashko
said during a speech at the Bioprom forum. His
words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
He also noted that no medical technology has such
a broad positive effect as physical activity.
The forum "Bioprom: Industry and technologies for
humans" is being held on October 7-8 in Gelendzhik.
According to the National Health League, the main risk
factors for chronic diseases include high cholesterol,
salt abuse, a lack of fruits and vegetables in the
diet, smoking, low physical activity, obesity
and high blood pressure.
_____________________________________________
The doctor explained......the
craving for harmful products
October 2nd, 5:58pm
Izvestia.ru
The dietitian, MD Mikhail Ginzburg, told about the reasons for cravings for harmful products. In his opinion, it should
not be explained by the lack of important substances
that the body is supposedly trying to fill itself.
In an interview with Radio 1, on Wednesday, October 2nd,
the doctor noted that when certain bioactive substances
are deficient, an inversion of tastes occurs when you
want something inedible. If such incorrect taste
preferences occur, you should pay attention
and conduct tests. A lack of iron, which is
poorly absorbed in the body, can cause
cravings for meat.
According to the doctor, the usual conversation with the
patient about his diet helps to identify the lack of some
substances in the body. For example, he will have an
insufficient intake of vitamin C if he neglects
vegetables and berries. B vitamins will be
lacking --- if the diet is low in nuts and
cereals. A lack of legumes and nuts
may indicate a lack of the mineral
selenium. Its deficiency in people
over 50 years of age can speed
the development of athero-
sclerosis ---- especially in the
absence of favorable factors.
Ginzburg noted that it is important to contact doctors
who will help you adjust your diet, so that you can
avoid certain health problems. You can also take
vitamin and mineral complexes, but also after
consulting with a specialist.
The doctor called it normal to want to eat chips, buns and
other harmful products, because a person wants a
variety of tastes, from which you can get joy and,
as it were, a reward for your efforts. When a
person refuses to eat, he risks falling into
depression. He stressed that frankly
harmful products should never be
eaten instead of food.
On the same day, endocrinologist Yurgita Varaeva told the
website aif.ru about products that will help to overcome
cravings for sweets. According to her, these include cereals, and whole-grain bread, as well as fruits,
berries, poultry meat, fish, some cheeses, soy,
quinoa, and bitter chocolate. Also, to combat
this, sweets should not be allowed for long
periods without food. In addition, it is
important to observe the sleep and
wake regime, and maintain
physical activity.
On October 1st, the doctor Irina Nikulina advised to eat
fresh fruit to fight cravings for sweets. She pointed out
that it is necessary to remove sugar and sweeteners
for three to seven days in order to move away from
addiction, RT clarifies.
On September 27, rehabilitation doctor Sergey Agapkin,
on the air of Rossiya 1 TV channel, advised to include
liver dishes in the diet in order to reduce cravings for
sweet foods. According to him, the liver is rich in
chromium. Its lack in the body --- just causes an
inexplicable desire to eat sweets, notes 360.ru.
In November last year, scientists from the University of
Sydney found that a lack of protein in the diet can lead
to weight gain. Consuming high-carb and fatty foods, a
person can still feel hungry due to a lack of protein,
and its dilution in a diet with a high content of fats
and carbohydrates, leading to increased energy
consumption, is called a protein lever, notes
IA Regnum.
In July, endocrinologist Kamilya Tabeeva said that to
overcome sugar addiction, it is necessary first of all
to pass tests, get enough sleep and play sports. It
is also important to check whether there is a lack
of carbohydrates, iron, B vitamins and other trace
elements in the diet.
In May, a dietitian, Candidate of Medical Sciences Daria
Rusakova called a constant craving for sweets a
harbinger of serious diseases. According to her,
in the state of prediabetes and diabetes, a lot
of insulin is produced in the blood, and
serious glucose spikes are observed.
Because of this, the person feels dizzy, weak and
nauseous and wants to eat sweets to return to
a stable state.
______________________________________________
Doctor: it is important to form the
right eating habits of children
as early as possible
June 29th, 3:30am
by Anastasia Rumyantseva
(RT.ru)
Olga Sazonova, market expert at NTI "HealthNet",
director of the Institute of Preventive Medicine
of Samara State Medical University, and chief
freelance dietitian of the Ministry of Health
of the Samara Region, told RT ---- how to
properly form food habits in children.
"It is very important, for parents to form the right eating
habits of their children as early as possible. Of course,
our eating habits are formed not only from childhood
and not only in the family — they are influenced by
society and marketing, but it is the principles of
nutrition that were defined in childhood that
model eating behaviour in adulthood,"
Sazonova said.
She specified, that all food groups should be present in
the diet of children. At the same time, according to the
expert, special attention should be paid to cooking.
"You should give preference to stewing and steaming.
The fried crust contains a lot of harmful substances,
which, if used frequently, eventually lead to the
appearance of inflammatory processes in
the body," the source warned RT.
The nutritionist stressed - that breakfast should
consist of vegetable salads and two hot dishes.
"The first is porridge, potato and vegetable dishes, eggs,
cottage cheese, and the second, is various hot drinks.
Lunch includes soup, meat or fish dishes with a side
dish. Afternoon tea should meet the child's need for
fluids, since children are thirsty after lunch and
daytime sleep — it consists of liquids, fruits
and berries," she said.
According to her, dinner should include necessarily hot
meals, in the form of cottage cheese, vegetables,
cereals and other dishes, as seconds —
milk, jelly, kefir, or yogurt.
In addition, the expert noted that you should not eat
from bags or boxes, as it is difficult to estimate the
amount of food in them.
"During meals.... it is also necessary to turn off the TV
and not use gadgets; this will allow you to feel timely
satiation and avoid overeating," Sazonova concluded.
__________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
June 26th, 7:01pm,
(Lenta.ru)
The doctor revealed the main
secrets... of women's health.
To maintain women's health..... it is necessary to have a
good rest, and follow simple rules of personal hygiene,
said Tina Gadiati, a leading obstetrician-gynecologist -endocrinologist, and surgeon at La Salute Clinic.
According to the doctor, every woman who cares about
her health should visit a gynecologist at least once a
year (and ideally once every six months), even if
there are no complaints.
"A preventive examination..... allows you to identify many
female pathologies at the earliest stages --- which may
initially be asymptomatic. And in the presence of any
discomfort, abdominal pain, atypical discharge,
itching and burning, delayed menstruation or
irregular cycle — and do not self-medicate
at all. It is important to visit a doctor as
soon as possible," Gadiati said.
Huge damage to women's health --- is caused by sexually
transmitted infections --- that can occur for a long time
either with mild symptoms or totally asymptomatic,
the obstetrician-gynecologist added. She drew
attention to the fact that --- even with full
confidence in your partner -- you should
not lose vigilance and forget about
protective measures.
Condoms, of course, do not provide an absolute
guarantee of protection from all diseases, but
nevertheless, serve as a barrier to sexually
transmitted infections. If you have a new
sexual partner, you should visit a
gynecologist - and take the
necessary tests.
The doctor also called for weight control, the doctor said.
She explained that if the weight is constantly changing
or if a woman follows a strict diet, then the level of
hormones in the body is disturbed and the
microflora suffers. And this - in turn -
affects the menstrual cycle and
overall well-being.
You need to sleep at least seven to eight hours a day, and
you should go to bed - before midnight. It is during this
period that the body produces hormones that are
important for the female body.
The specialist also recommended, not to forget about
compliance with the rules of intimate hygiene. You
should wash at least twice a day.
She recommended performing this procedure after each
act of defecation, since intestinal bacteria enter the
Timely intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
(PUFAs) helps women maintain their youth. This is
stated by endocrinologist, Solgar expert Lira
Gaptykayeva..... in an interview with
"Gazeta.En " on Tuesday, May 28.
"Studies show that this solves several problems at once:
it allows you to lengthen telomeres and thus delay
biological aging, helps to fight both systemic
inflammation, which provokes heart and
vascular problems, type 2 diabetes and
other chronic diseases, and mito-
chondrial dysfunction.... and
oxidative stress --- which
are considered the key
causes of malignant
tumors", - said
the expert.
An equally important trace element in the female body, is
iron. The endocrinologist warned that its deficiency can
cause disturbances in the synthesis of hemoglobin,
which is responsible for the movement of oxygen
in the body.
"Normally, the iron index varies in the range of 9-30
micromol/l . You can try to support it through
nutrition by including meat, liver, poultry,
fish and eggs in your diet. However,
heat treatment and deterioration
of the quality of the products
themselves leads to a
decrease in the
content of the
nutrients in
them," - the
doctor said.
The third important element is folic acid, which is also
called vitamin B9. This substance contributes to the
proper functioning of the immune system, gives a
healthy appearance to hair, nails and skin, and
is also responsible for energy exchange.
"During the pre-gravidar preparation of the body and
directly during pregnancy, the need for this vitamin
increases by 1.5 times, since it is necessary for
proper fetal formation, protein division, growth
and development," the specialist explained.
You can get enough folic acid by eating spinach, peanuts,
beets, liver, lentils, and asparagus daily. However, all
these products must be consumed fresh, as any
treatment -- or even long-term exposure to
direct sunlight - destroys up to 90% of
the vitamin B9 contained in them.
"In addition, some people have a genetic predisposition
to non-assimilation of this substance (polymorphism of the MTHFR gene)," the expert concluded.
___________________________________
Taking care of yourself
Men are warned:about the
dangerous consequences
of loving beer
May 24th, 4:31pm
(Lenta.ru)
The love of beer threatens men with serious health
problems, said surgeon Alexander Umnov. He
warned men about the dangerous
consequences of drinking this
drink, in an interview with
NEWS.ru.
According to him, beer alcoholics quickly develop obesity
and metabolic syndrome. "Hence the increased blood
glucose and the development of type 2 diabetes,"
he explained.
Umnov added that because of the heavy metal salts
contained in beer, men's testosterone production
decreases, which threatens to change their
appearance to the female type, and
problems in intimate life,
including infertility.
Earlier, Umnov named the devastating health
consequences of drinking vodka. According
to him, when drinking this drink, the cells of
the pancreas die, then the liver tissue
becomes scarred, because of which
this organ...... cannot effectively
remove toxins from the body.
____________________________________________
The doctor spoke on - the benefits of
greens for reducing blood pressure
April 25th, 12:01am
(Izvestia.ru)
Natalia Denisova, a dietitian, senior researcher at the
Research Centre for Nutrition and Biotechnology,
PhD, told how to make a diet in such a way --- to
reduce the dose of blood pressure medications.
In a conversation with the site aif.ru on Wednesday, April
24, the specialist pointed out that greens are one of the
main sources of potassium, which helps to remove
fluids. This reduces blood pressure and reduces
swelling. According to her, in the absence of
problems with the pancreas in each meal,
you should eat 3-4 sprigs of dill, parsley,
and/or lettuce - this is about 10-15 g
per serving. Also, greens are useful
for people with excess weight ---
since the dietary fibre of greens
helps to remove excess
fat, and cholesterol.
In addition, according to Denisova, fresh greens contain
antioxidants: vitamin C, carotenoids, and chlorophyll.
Vitamin C and other antioxidants help improve blood
circulation, stimulate hematopoiesis, and improve
the oxygen supply to tissues and organs.
The doctor added that the greens are also rich in
essential oils. In particular, dill reduces gas
formation, and improves digestion.
On April 18, Natalia Denisova told what foods should
be included in the diet for people who have a
predisposition to hypertension.
In particular, according to her, boiled potatoes help
reduce blood pressure due to the content of
potassium, which removes water from the
body. Potatoes are also considered a
mild diuretic.
On April 16, endocrinologist and dietitian Ekaterina
Kazachkova urged not to eat fast food more often
than once every two weeks. According to her,
heavy food is best combined with fibre-rich
foods. Vegetables and herbs are able to
absorb some of the trans fats, as well
as help to process the dish without
harm to health, reports TV
channel "360".
In February, the surgeon, oncourologist Mark Gadziyan
called chips and smoked sausage ---- the most harmful
products. According to him it is important to consume
sufficient amounts of clean water for the prevention
of urolithiasis. For the same purposes --- it is
necessary to reduce the amount of salt
in the diet and limit meat consumption.
Earlier, cardiologist Denis Sokolov told how to properly
measure blood pressure. According to him, this should
be done in a quiet environment, not immediately after
smoking or drinking coffee.
The hand should not be held in the air, it is necessary
to put it on the table and relax, fix it in one position.
The middle of the cuff should be at the level of the
heart when measuring, the website kp.ru. writes.
_________________________________________________
Ent pointed out the connection
between the common cold
and the use of sweets
April 24th, 11:21pm
(Izvestia.ru)
An otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category,
Vladimir Zaitsev, said that sugar can lead to a
runny nose, that is, an active discharge of
mucus from the nose.
In a conversation with the site aif.ru on Wednesday, April
24, the doctor explained that sugar is an ideal breeding
ground for microorganisms.
"Micro-organisms normally live in every person - we carry
about 2.5 kg of microflora. And without it, we would not
have lived, we would simply have died. However, the
question is in the number of these microorganisms:
if their number increases multiple times, it is bad
for the body," the expert explained.
According to him, in addition to sugar, milk, fermented milk
products and yeast are also nutrient media for microflora.
Sugar, for example, acts as a provocateur of
inflammatory diseases of the
paranasal sinuses.
The doctor explained that if a person has inflamed
maxillary sinuses, then with a large amount of
sugar in the diet, it will be constantly
maintained due to the nutrition
of bacteria.
"Further, the discharge will disturb and move from the
sinuses to the nasal cavity. When they get there,
active irritation of the lower nasal concha
begins. It will be under the constant
influence of mucus," said Zaitsev.
Thus, the nasal cavity becomes inflamed and is also
involved in the process of the active production of
mucus, which irritates the throat.
As lore emphasized, it is also important to take into
account that excess sugar increases its level in
the blood, against which there is a decrease in
immunity. So, for example.... patients with
diabetes suffer greatly with a runny nose.
Due to reduced immunity, such patients
catch any infection transmitted by
airborne droplets.
The doctor urged to reconsider the approach to the use of
sugar as it is not provided in a natural food chain of the
person. It should be a treat or delicacy. If a person is
ready to "sacrifice their sweet tooth" --- then the
situation can be corrected, but ---- if not, then,
according to the doctor, you should prepare
for a constantly flowing..... nose. This is
already...... a consequence of such a
pathology..... as chronic vasomotor
rhinitis of a neurovegetative form.
__________________________________________
The doctor told about dangerous diseases for pensioners
April 24th, 1:31am
(Izvestia.ru)
Elvira Fesenko, PhD, Head of the Department of Therapy,
Geriatrics and Anti-Aging Medicine of the Academy of
Postgraduate Education of the Federal State
Budgetary Institution of the Federal
Research Centre of the FMBA of
Russia, told which diseases
are most dangerous... for
patients over 65 years
of age.
In a conversation with the site aif.ru on Tuesday, April 23,
the specialist pointed out the danger of problems of the
cardiovascular system. According to her, these are the
main problems of older people. She explained that
with age, the risk of coronary heart disease and
the blockage of blood vessels supplying it
increases.
She noted that people of retirement age often face
hypertension, the main danger of which is that it
can be asymptomatic for a long time. Signs of
high blood pressure include chest pain, pain
in the temporal and occipital parts of the
head, palpitations, & feelings of anxiety.
In addition, high blood pressure puts a
strain on the heart, blood vessels and
kidneys, and can lead to a stroke or
heart attack.
The doctor also considered diseases of the
musculoskeletal system to be dangerous:
osteoporosis, arthritis. Also dangerous is
type 2 diabetes, as it causes problems
with the pancreas, which becomes
unable to produce enough insulin.
Dangerous cataracts, which significantly
reduce the standard of living due to the
inability to focus on objects.
In addition, the doctor added, the exhaustion
of the nervous system in old age can lead to
memory loss. It all starts with short-term
episodes, but the condition worsens and
the person loses the ability to
serve themselves.
In February, Olga Shuppo, scientific director of the Grand
Clinic network of immunorehabilitation and preventive
medicine, named the causes of early dementia.
According to her, lifestyle, immunity, social activity,
and diet, largely determine the risk of this disease.
Link found between
microplastics and
heart diseases
April 13th, 00:46am
(Prensa Latina)
The accumulation of tiny plastic particles in blood vessels
is now linked to an increased risk of heart attacks,
strokes and deaths, according to a new study
published in the New England Journal
of Medicine.
The study, which included some 300 people with
atherosclerosis, also found that they had tiny
plastic particles (microplastics and nano-
plastics) encrusted in plaques in the
carotid artery, a major blood vessel
in the neck that supplies blood to
the brain.
“Patients with plastic plaques were more than four times
more likely to have a myocardial infarction or a stroke
or to die from any cause within three years,” the
report noted.
According to the experts, when plaque builds up in the
arteries, known as atherosclerosis, the thickening of
the vessel walls reduces the blood flow to parts of
the body, increasing the risk of a stroke, angina
pectoris and myocardial infarction.
Such plaques are usually a mixture of cholesterol, fatty
substances, cellular debris, calcium and a blood-
clotting protein called fibrin or fibrinogen.
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic no larger than
five millimetres and are formed when larger plastics
decompose through chemical degradation
processes or physical wear and tear.
__________________________
The doctor listed products
that improve vision
April 10th, 4:50am
(Izvestia.ru)
The Doctor-ophthalmologist, doctor-microsurgeon,
doctor-laser surgeon "SM-Klinika", and Candidate
of Medical Sciences, Svetlana Mirgorodskaya,
listed products - that can improve vision.
In an interview with Gazeta.En, on Tuesday, April 9, the
specialist noted that vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, P,
D and E, as well as lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc and
anthocyanins, have a positive effect on your
eye health and vision.
According to her, vitamin A is present in fish from the
cold northern seas, in eggs, milk, liver, butter, wild
garlic, celery, and parsley, writes RT.
Mirgorodskaya noted, that B vitamins can be found in meat,
heavy cream, cereals, bananas, and vitamins P and C, are
found in raspberries, citrus fruits, blackberries, cherries,
black currants, grapes, rosehips, paprika, bell peppers,
cabbage, potatoes, and tomatoes.
In addition, it is worth including sea fish and mushrooms in
the diet, because they are rich in vitamin D. Also useful for
vision... is zinc, which is high in pumpkin seeds, oysters,
pine nuts and beans. kp.ru.
Earlier, on March 20, Irina Zimina, an ophthalmologist at
Atlas clinics, said that in order to prevent deterioration
of vision, it is necessary to take breaks during visual
loads, exercises for the eyes, and also moisten the
air in the room.
In February, nutritionist Alexandra Razarenova said that
regular use of rosehip helps to strengthen the immune
system, as well as cope with viruses and bacteria. In
addition, red fruits can protect against premature
aging. Vitamin A, which is present in rosehip,
improves vision, reports the TV
channel "360".
In August last year, dietitian Elena Solomatina, told
"Moscow 24" - that eating pumpkin helps maintain
good vision in the elderly. According to her, it is
rich in fiber, zinc and antioxidants that are
good for vision.
Prior to this, Solomatina noted that apricots restore visual
acuity and have a beneficial effect on the nervous and
cardiovascular systems. In addition ------ they are
easy to quench thirst, as they (85%) consist
of water, notes NSN.
________________________________________________
The expert named four
principles of longevity
April 8th, 11pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Life expectancy in Moscow, has reached a record 78 years
on average, Vladimir Filippov, Deputy head of the Moscow
Department of Labour and Social Protection and head of
the Moscow Longevity program told Izvestia. According
to him, this is influenced by a number of fundamental
factors, such as the quality and accessibility of
healthcare.... a variety of leisure and self-
realization opportunities, but there
are also four main principles
of longevity.
To the first important principle, the expert attributed the
ability of a person to find happiness in everyday affairs.
"For example, the Japanese, a nation of centenarians,
have such a popular term --- "ikigai". It means, the
meaning of life in the most applied sense ----- as
the ability to find happiness in everyday affairs.''
''So ---- most Japanese retirees have a specific plan
for each day of their lives: finish tying a blanket,
feed their grandchildren, go to the market,
clean the house, walk the dog, and so on.
They are not afraid to plan for months
-- and years -- ahead.''
''This is a serious mental factor that affects life
expectancy, " Vladimir Filippov explained.
The expert called physical health and timely passing
of high-quality medical examinations the second
and third principles.
"Today.... there is an opinion that the best patient, the so-
called "patient 2.0", is the one who goes to the doctor
in advance, and passes the necessary checkups to
prevent or detect diseases at an early stage,"
Filippov said.
According to him, the fourth important law of
most centenarians --------- is to load the brain.
"In Japan, where old age is probably better studied than
anywhere else, another study proved that older people
who were engaged in intellectual work, regularly
read, guessed crosswords, or played Go, life
expectancy on average, was four years
longer," Filippov said.
In addition, one of the key factors affecting longevity, the
expert called the human environment. Single people on
average live five to six years less.
Warm communication prolongs life - the authors of the
famous Harvard 75-year study on happiness came
to this conclusion, Filippov stressed.
Earlier, on March 31, Tamara Moseva, brand chief of the
network of boarding houses for the elderly "Warm
Conversations", told Izvestia that the secret of
active longevity lies not only in genetics and
the level of physical activity, but also in a
certain diet.
According to her, it is important for health that the meal
is varied and balanced and includes: vegetables, fruits,
cereals, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products, meat or its alternatives.
This diet helps meet the body's needs for vitamins,
minerals, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. A lack
of nutrients..... can lead to various diseases,
she explained.
_________________________________________
The doctor named the early signs of Parkinson's disease
April 1st, 1:02pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Excessive movement during sleep, such as twitching, can be the first signs of Parkinson's disease. About this on April the 1st, in Gazeta.Ru, stated Sergey Illarioshkin ---- an Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Deputy Director for Research at the Scientific Centre of Neurology.
According to him, such a symptom may appear even 10-20
years before motor manifestations. In this case, a person
can wave his hands in a dream and throw objects from
the bedside shelves.
"This is a sign of developing pathology in those parts of
the brain that are responsible for controlling sleep
mechanisms and are involved in the earliest
stage of the disease," Illarioshkin said.
The specialist explained that disabling muscle tone during
REM sleep is normal, but in people with Parkinson's
disease, the pathology of certain nuclei of the
brain stem leads to the fact that the tone is
preserved. So, a person begins to
"participate" in his dream.
Illarioshkin cited as an example a case from the United
States, when a man at the time of such an attack in a
dream strangled his wife. As a result -- he was able
to avoid criminal liability, since polysomnography
proved that the patient suffers from a violation
of behaviour... in the REM sleep phase.
"If a person has such a disorder isolated, then with a 70%
probability he will develop either Parkinson's disease, or
dementia with Lewy bodies, or multisystem atrophy —
three diseases associated with the pathology of
alpha-synuclein," the neurologist summed up.
Earlier, on March 22nd, it was reported, that Russian
scientists have patented a drug for the treatment of
Parkinson's disease in the early stages. It acts on
the enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which is
encoded by the GBA1 gene.
Mutations in it increase the risk of developing pathology
by 10 times. Tests on patient cells have shown that the
molecule created by scientists.... restores the activity
of the enzyme.
____________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
March 25th, 2:33pm
(Lenta.ru)
Products that help with bloating named
Some products help with bloating, said
the proctologist, Elena Smirnova.
Among such products, she named celery — it fights
dehydration, thereby protecting against bloating.
In addition -- avocados and tomatoes rich in
potassium.. can reduce the risk of this
problem, according to Smirnova.
Potassium, she said, reduces the level
of sodium in the body ------ which
causes bloating.
In addition, the doctor included kefir in the list, citing a
study - that proved that the use of this fermented milk
product removes gases in the gastrointestinal tract
by 70 percent. This is due to the fact - that kefir
helps break down sugar in milk, which leads
to bloating, said Smirnova. She also warns:
that large portions of food, sweets, and
fatty foods, can lead to heaviness in
the stomach... and bloating.
____________________________
Doctors named 3 cancer
- protecting products
March 20th, 3:01am
(Lenta.ru)
Therapist, Elena Malysheva, and cardiologist, Herman
Gandelman on the air of the program "Live healthy!"
on Channel One named three products, the use of
which is useful for the prevention of cancer. The
program is available on the channel's website.
Broccoli, Brussels sprouts and white cabbage have been
added to the list of foods that protect against cancer.
"Include it in your diet," Malysheva urged Russians.
According to experts, all these vegetables contain
the substance sulforaphane. "Sulforaphane
prevents cancer cells from multiplying
and, consequently, prevents cancer
from developing," Gandelman
explained.
Earlier, doctor Alexander Myasnikov on the air of the
program "About the most important thing" on the
channel "Russia 1" said that the presence of
a cyst in the ovary after menopause is a
symptom of cancer. According to
the doctor, such a cyst must
be removed.
________________________
The professor listed the important
symptoms of kidney problems
March 15th, 4:17pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Olga Vetchinnikova, MD, Professor of the Department of
Transplantology, Nephrology and Artificial Organs at
the Vladimirsky Moscow State Medical University,
spoke about what can provoke the development
of kidney diseases - and explained how to
recognize abnormalities.
In an interview with Radio 1 on March 14, the specialist
pointed out that the most common kidney diseases are
kidney damage in other diseases. We are talking about
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension.
"All these diseases are currently treated as non-
communicable pandemics. Chronic kidney
disease, also belongs to these non-
communicable pandemics,"
the doctor explained.
According to her, diseases that can cause kidney damage
also include arterial hypertension, systemic infections,
autoimmune diseases, hepatitis, HIV infections,
urolithiasis, tuberculosis, as well as urinary
tract infections ....and some
urological diseases.
Vetchinnikova warned that uncontrolled medication intake
is an unfavorable factor for kidney function. Their health
is also affected by smoking, obesity, and lipid
metabolism disorders, so people with such
ailments should carefully monitor
their health - and undergo the
necessary examinations.
The professor noted that kidney diseases are
characterized by an asymptomatic course of
the disease. It is important to pay attention
to changes in the volume and colour
of urine.
Also, a symptom of problems with this organ can be an
increase in blood pressure, especially at a young age,
the appearance of edema. Also, kidney disease in
relatives, changes in the size and shape of the
kidneys during ultrasound examination
should be alarming.
In addition, changes in the overall
urinalysis, protein and red blood
cell counts - are important.
On March 14, the nephrologist Olga Kozina warned against
self-medication for kidney stones. According to her, the
treatment of urolithiasis depends on many factors
that can only be evaluated and taken into
account by a specialist.
In particular, if the stone is large and causes repeated
episodes of unbearable pain, it is necessary to
remove it, writes RT.
She also advised drinking more water to prevent the
formation of kidney stones. An adult should drink
at least 1.5 litres of clean drinking water
a day, the 360 TV channel notes.
On March 3, dietitian, MD Mikhail Ginzburg, in an
interview with Zvezda TV channel, warned that
excessive consumption of fat-soluble vitamins
leads to dangerous overdoses. According to
him, the main danger lies in the removal of
excess elements from the body.
Absorbed together with fat, excess vitamins can not
be removed by the kidneys, as is the case with
water-soluble drugs. The most dangerous is
an overdose of vitamin D: first of all, the
harm is manifested --- in the form of
calcium retention in the body.
In February, urologist-andrologist Dmitry Zhuravsky said
that kidney stones are formed due to changes in the
chemical composition of urine and an increase in
its salt level. The urologist advised patients
with oxalate kidney stones to use sorrel,
spinach, parsley, dill, rhubarb, beetroot,
and citrus fruits --- with caution.
_________________________________
Taking care of yourself
March 11th, 3:2pm
(Lent.ru)
Russians listed available products
...............that slow down aging.
Endocrinologist Mikhaleva urged --- to eat
herring and mackerel to slow down aging.
To slow down aging, it is necessary to regularly eat
herring, mackerel and other varieties of cold-water
fish, endocrinologist Oksana Mikhaleva advised.
She listed these and some other available
anti-age products, to Izvestia.
Mikhaleva urged to eat wild fish, because it is rich in
polyunsaturated Omega-3 fatty acids -- which help
reduce the risk of osteoporosis and prolong the
youthfulness of the skin.
Most of the fatty acids - according to her - are found in
mackerel and herring, and not in expensive red fish,
as many people used to think.
Herbs, fruits and vegetables, also play a significant role in
prolonging youth, the endocrinologist continued. An adult
needs to eat at least half a kilogram of these anti-aging
foods a day, she said.
To slow down aging...... according to Mikhaleva, the body
needs a sufficient amount of fibre, which is rich in whole
grains and legumes. As a healthy source of animal
protein --- the endocrinologist recommended eating lean meat: rabbit and poultry.
In addition, as the doctor noted, many older people face
osteoporosis. To reduce the risk of its development, it
is necessary to include dairy products in the diet.
It is important that they are low-fat and do not contain sugar, she stressed.
Earlier, endocrinologist, Natalia Tananakina, told what
products can replace fatty and fried foods, as well as
pastries and sweets. According to her, meat, fish,
as well as fruits and cereals are alternatives
to these products.
___________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
March 6th, 3:32pm
(Lenta.ru)
Three available breakfast options for
preventing bowel cancer are named.
Meredee Birdie, a dietitian who specializes in treating
cancer patients, named three affordable breakfast
options for preventing the development of bowel
cancer. Her advice is provided by
Business Insider.
According to Birdie, you can prevent bowel cancer if you
regularly eat oatmeal porridge with milk and added fruit
for breakfast. She explained... that oatmeal provides a
positive effect due to the large amount of fiber in the
composition, which feeds on "good" bacteria in the
intestines. Also, this porridge protects the mucous
membranes of the colon.
The second option... for a healthy breakfast for the
intestines, she called a mixture of unsweetened
yogurt with berries, nuts and seeds. According
to Birdie, this simple dish is rich in calcium,
protein, and probiotics to help support
normal digestion.
Finally, the dietitian suggested eating scrambled eggs with
vegetables and halloumi cheese for breakfast. For this
dish, according to her, you need to fry tomatoes,
mushrooms and spinach, and in another pan
— cheese.
Next, you need to mix the ingredients, break the eggs into
the resulting mixture and continue to fry until the whites
thicken, the doctor explained. She noted that it is best
to serve the finished dish... with a slice of avocado.
Earlier, nutritionist Mikhail Ginzburg warned against
excessive consumption of white bread. He pointed
out ---- that bread made from sifted flour can eventually provoke diseases. such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, diabetes, tumors,
and gout.
____________________________________
Tories and Labour take away your right - to see adoctor!
Ultra-processed foods - may
increase risk of depression
February 29th, 5:35pm
(Prensa Latina)
Eating high amounts of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) —
particularly those containing artificial sweeteners —
may increase the risk of developing depression,
according to a new study co-authored by
researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan
School of Public Health.
The study was published on September 20th ---- in JAMA
Network Open. Harvard Chan co-authors included Dong
Wang, the assistant professor in the Department of
Nutrition; Olivia Okereke and Mingyang Song ---
both associate professors in the Department
of Epidemiology & Andrew Chan, professor
in the Department of Immunology and
Infectious Diseases.
To assess the link between UPFs such as packaged snacks
and frozen meals — and depression, researchers collected
data on diet and mental health from 31,712 middle-aged
women enrolled in the Nurses Health Study II between
2003 and 2017. Participants filled out a questionnaire
on their dietary habits every four years. They also
reported... if they received a clinical diagnosis of
depression &/or started taking antidepressants
during the study period.
The study found that participants who were in the top fifth
of consumers of UPFs — eating 9 or more servings per day - had a 50% higher risk of developing depression
than those in the bottom fifth of consumers, eating
four or fewer servings per day.
The researchers also identified a link ----- between artificial
sweeteners and depression: Participants in the top fifth of
consumers had a 26% higher risk of developing
depression than those in the bottom fifth.
Chan said in a September 20 article in Forbes that people
“may wish to limit their intake of ultra-processed foods
wherever possible” — particularly people who already
live with depression or other mental health conditions.
He noted that the study controlled for confounding factors
such as exercise and smoking status. In addition, none
of the study’s participants had depression at the
outset, which was the study’s strength, Chan
told The Guardian.
“We minimized the likelihood that our findings are simply
due to individuals with depression being more likely to
choose ultra-processed foods,” he said, in a
September 20 article.
Those who lose weight are advised
to eat ....no more than 25 g of
dark chocolate per day
by Anastasia Rumyantseva
February 25th, 2am
(RT.ru)
Lecturer at the Russian Biotechnological University,
(ROSBIOTECH University) Inga Belyaeva explained
in an interview with RT -- that almost any of the
existing diets.... involves a complete rejection
of sweets ------ but chocolate, can be useful
for weight loss.
"The main thing is to choose the right product and consume
it in reasonable quantities. Preference should be given to
dark chocolate, which contains a lot of natural cocoa
and little sugar. Such a product helps to reduce the
level of stress that occurs when following a diet:
it stimulates the release of endorphin and
serotonin -- and neutralizes the effect
of cortisol --- thereby, preventing
overeating," the expert said.
According to her, cocoa butter.... which is part of
chocolate, is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.
"They speed up your metabolism and fat burning.
And even a small piece of dark chocolate can
effectively - satisfy your hunger. The fibre in
this product creates a long-lasting feeling
of satiety," the expert said.
Modern dietetics recommends using no more than 25 grams of dark chocolate per day, when reducing weight, Belyaeva noted.
"This is a quarter of a 100-gram tile, six pieces.
This portion contains about 155 kcal. The use
of white and milk chocolate can be harmful
- as it does not contain at all, or contains
very little, cocoa, but a lot of sugar,
animal fat, and sometimes other
additives," she concluded.
____________________________
Taking care of yourself
February 20th, 6:01pm
(Lenta.ru)
The doctor explained the reasons for the
appearance of an unpleasant symptom
of menopause
Hot flushes in menopause appear -- due to fluctuations
in the level of estrogens, directly related to the work
of neurotransmitters, explained obstetrician-
gynecologist, Ekaterina Volkova.
The doctor explained the reasons.... why
this unpleasant symptom occurs during
menopause in her Telegram channel.
According to Volkova, most women learn about
menopause by the absence of menstruation,
and many of them - face hot flushes. The
doctor noted, that everyone feels this
symptom differently.
Hot flushes can ferl like a feeling of warmth,
especially in the upper body and not even
accompanied by heavy sweating. And...
they can be a real attack with sweat,
fever and tachycardia.
The obstetrician-gynecologist, Ekaterina Volkova,
clarified that the occurrence of hot flushes is
associated with a lack of estrogen.
She explained, that this hormone is
important --- for the functioning
of neurotransmitters, which
transmit information from
the body to the central
nervous system.
If there are no estrogens, then the information is
transmitted incorrectly. "You don't overheat,
but in the centre you "hear" ....that it is
time to cool down," the doctor said.
Earlier, Volkova named five vitamins for
women over 40 years old. Among
others..... she recommended
taking vitamins A and B.
______________________________
Study:
Exercise can help ease pain
for people with cancer
February 17th, 8:16am
(Prensa Latina)
Engaging in intense exercise might not be the first thing
that people fighting cancer think to do ---- but a new
study by Trusted Source, reports that a workout
can help ease cancer-related pain.
“It may feel counterintuitive to some, but physical activity
is an effective, non-pharmacologic option... for reducing
many types of pain,” said Dr. Erika Rees-Punia, a study
senior author & the American Cancer Society’s senior
principal scientist for epidemiology and behavioral
research, in a press statement.
“As our study suggests, this may include
pain associated with cancer and
its treatments.”
In the study published in the journal Cancer, Rees-Punia
and Dr. Christopher T.V. Swain, first study author and a
fellow at the University of Melbourne in Australia,
looked at 10,651 adults with a past cancer
diagnosis and 51,439 adults without
a history of cancer.
Participants were asked to rate their average pain level
from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the
worst pain imaginable. They also were queried
about their engagement in exercise.
The researchers reported that more physical activity
was associated with lower pain intensity, whether
or not individuals had a history of cancer.
Among those with a past cancer diagnosis, those
exceeding the physical activity guidelines
established by the U.S. government —
getting 150 to 300 minutes a week
of moderate-intensity exercise, or
75 to 150 minutes per week of
vigorous - intensity aerobic
physical activity ----- were
16% less likely.. to report
moderate-to-severe pain
compared to those who
exercised less.
Less pain also was reported by those who were
consistently active or became active as older
adults compared to those who remained
inactive, the researchers said.
“Cancer pain can be debilitating and most patients
in palliative care, often require opioid-based pain
medications like morphine, just to get by,” Dr.
Ryan Peterson --- a pain medicine specialist
and anesthesiologist at NuView Treatment
Center, a Los Angeles-based addiction
treatment program, told Medical
News Today.
''While pharmacological interventions are good,
I recommend non-pharmacologic therapies
such as gradual exercise, as tolerable
when possible ------ so as to prevent
muscle atrophy and further pain.''
''Exercise is also known to aid in the release of
endorphins ---- which may be helpful in pain
alleviation and tolerance,” said Peterson,
who was not involved in the study.
_____________________________________
The doctor named ways to reduce
the daily consumption of sweets
February 5th, 2:13pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Regular exercise and the use of sugar substitutes will help
reduce your daily intake of sweets. This was announced
on Monday, February 5, by the endocrinologist of
Meditsina JSC (Academician Roitberg Clinic)
Natalia Tananakina.
"It is possible to get hooked on sweets because of their
ability to cause a person to feel pleasure and stimulate
the pleasure centres in the brain. Giving up on this can
be difficult because of the possible development of
physiological dependence, as well as
psychological habits," the doctor
shared with RIAMO.
According to her, the difference in the use of natural sugar
and sweeteners lies in their metabolic effects. The first
product is high in calories, it increases the level of
glucose in the blood, while the sweetener has
zero calories.
The specialist emphasized that it is impossible to
completely switch to substitutes, since using
them in large quantities can have a negative
impact on health.
Earlier, in December, the surgeon, oncourologist Mark
Gadziyan, said that the most harmful products are
sugar and salt. He explained - that an excess of
salt in the body can cause blood clots to form
in the blood vessels, as well as a decrease
in testosterone levels and an increase
in blood pressure.
Sugar is also dangerous, as it negatively affects the
suppression of insulin production and leads to fat
deposition in the abdominal organs.
__________________________________________
High blood omega-3 levels
linked to lower risk of
Alzheimer’s disease
February 3rd 1:28pm
(Prensa Latina)
Having high levels of omega-3 in the blood is associated
with a lower risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease,
according to a study co-led by the Hospital del
Mar Research Institute and published in
the journal Nutrients.
This is the study with the largest number of participants in
this field to date, analyzing data from 260,000 people from
the UK Biobank database. Researchers from the Fatty
Acid Resarch Institute of the United States and the CIBER de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y
Nutrición (CIBEROBN) have participated
in the study.
The authors of the study, have been able to access the
blood metabolite profile of individuals included in the
UK database. As well as examining the associations
by different types of omega-3, being able to work
with such a large number of participants has
made it possible to include younger
population groups - than those
traditionally studied.
Thus, they have divided the participants into volunteers
aged 40 to 50 years, 50 to 60 years and over 60 years.
They have also been able to relate this information
to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or other
dementias, as distinct entities.
As Dr. Aleix Sala-Vila, a researcher in the Cardiovascular
Risk and Nutrition Research Group at the Hospital del
Mar Research Institute, explains, “it has helped us to
study whether having high levels of omega-3 at age
50 can help prevent the onset of dementia many
years later”.
The study has taken into account the age, sex, level
of schooling of the participants and the genetic
characteristics associated with an increased
risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The conclusions indicate that “high levels of omega-3 are
associated with lower risk for all age groups, for men and women and for both diseases, but the strongest
associations, are found in men, in people over
60 years of age, and for dementias other
than Alzheimer’s disease,” explains
the lead author of the study.
At the same time, the associations are also particularly
beneficial for omega-3s other than DHA (docosa-
hexaenoic acid). This omega-3... is provided by
oily fish, and, therefore, the study “reinforces
the idea that there are some foods, which
do not have to be fish, such as walnuts,
that could be beneficial for brain
health,” says Dr. Sala-Vila.
___________________________________
Report: Progress on Cancer Survival
in UK-------- at Slowest in 50 Years
February 3rd, 10:25am (FNA)
Progress on cancer survival in the UK has slowed to its
lowest rate in 50 years, a report found ----- with experts
blaming the impact of austerity on the nation’s health.
The study - by researchers at the London School of Hygiene
and Tropical Medicine, commissioned by Cancer Research
UK, projects there will be half a million new cancer cases
each year in the UK by 2040, The Guardian reported.
The report says nearly half of all patients (49.8%) now
survive cancer for at least 10 years. But the rate of
progress in improving prognosis slowed markedly
after 2010 -- rising by an average of 0.6% a year
between 2011 and 2018. In previous decades,
10-year survival rose by 1.5%-2.7% a year.
Figures from WHO’s cancer arm, the International Agency
for Research on Cancer, have suggested global cancer
cases will rise by more than 75% by 2050 --- due to a
combination of factors including tobacco use,
alcohol consumption and obesity.
Mark Lawler --- a professor of digital health at Queen’s
University Belfast and the chair of Lancet Oncology’s
European Groundshot cancer commission, said the
slow improvement in 10-year cancer survival as
detailed in Cancer Research UK’s study
made for startling reading.
“Good health and austerity do not mix, leading to less
resources being focused on cancer prevention and
treatment. And the bad news is it’s not going to
get any better soon, as the impact of COVID
and national lockdowns has set back
survival for certain cancers like
bowel by almost a decade,”
he said.
“Inexplicably, this is the very time that the government has
moved away from a national cancer strategy to a major
conditions strategy, going against international best
practice,” he added.
John Ashton, a former president of the UK Faculty of
Public Health, said public health budgets meant
cancer prevention --- is increasingly difficult.
“The agenda for preventing cancer is about smoking
cessation, healthy weight, less alcohol --- and a
healthy diet. Public health teams don’t really
have the resources to get upstream of the
prevention side of cancer. [Coupled with
pressures on GP practices and the
wider NHS] the picture is gloomy
from a prevention point of view
...from an early intervention
point of view -- and from a
treatment point of view,”
he added.
Jon Shelton, the head of cancer intelligence at Cancer
Research UK, said, “Cancer survival is not improving
quickly enough. People are waiting far too long for
diagnosis and to start treatment, with cancer
waiting time targets consistently being
missed. And we need to prevent
more cancers."
Dr Cary Adams, the head of the Union for International Cancer Control, said, “Despite the progress that has
been made in the early detection of cancers and
the treatment and care of cancer patients ---
significant disparities in cancer treatment
outcomes exist not only between high-
and low-income regions of the world,
but also within countries."
“Where someone lives should not determine whether they
live. Tools exist to enable governments to prioritise
cancer care and to ensure that everyone has
access to affordable, quality services. This
is not just a resource issue but a matter
of political will,” Adams added.
______________________________
The doctor told -how
to support immunity
in winter
by Evgeny Odintsovo
January 5th, 8:55pm
(Gazeta.ru)
Doctor Turtleneck recommended eating garlic and ginger in winter for immunity
In winter, the immune system plays a special role in
maintaining health, as cold temperatures and
viruses can have a negative impact on the
body. About this in "Newspaper.En" said
Angelina Vodolazkaya, a nutritionist
and endocrinologist at Biogena.
"Without enough UV light, the active form of vitamin D3
is no longer produced in the skin — it regulates fat
metabolism, helping to maintain a normal weight,
and ensures the health of the skin, hair, and
nails," she explained.
The doctor has identified several products that
support our health and mood - even in the
cold season.
"Vegetables are the main suppliers of dietary fibre,
thanks to which cholesterol is removed from the
body and the gastrointestinal tract functions.
One of these vegetables is spinach. It is a
source of vitamin C, and spinach also
contains beta-carotene and anti-
oxidants that help strengthen
the immune system," the
expert added.
The next important product needed in winter,
is garlic.
"It has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties.
Garlic can help reduce the risk of colds and flu and
boost the immune system. Ginger, a product that
can be added to tea or used in the preparation
of various dishes, also has anti-inflammatory
properties. It lowers cholesterol levels,
which protects us from heart disease.
In addition, ginger, is good for the
brain ---- it improves memory and
concentration ---- and also helps
in the prevention of Alzheimer's
disease," the doctor stressed.
Vodolazka noted that it is important to use these products
in combination with a varied and balanced diet in order to
get all the necessary nutrients to maintain health and
immunity in winter.
___________________________________
How to avoid the negative health
consequences.....of overeating
January 3rd, 8:47am (DAN)
The Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer
Rights Protection and Human Welfare has
compiled recommendations in case of
overeating. They include
four main tips.
It is noted that to improve the functioning of the digestive
system and relieve stress from the body... you should
drink more water. To reduce discomfort --- you can
perform simple physical exercises, or stretching,
take a walk. It is useful to arrange a fasting day
to give the stomach a break from digesting and
assimilating food.
After overeating, you should return to healthy eating habits,
in particular, eat more vegetables, fruits and protein, and
less food --- with a high content of sugar and fat.
_________________________________________________
Report: Expired Pfizer COVID
Antiviral Drugs Set to Cost
Europe $2.2bln
January 1st 2024, 4:22pm (FNA)
More than a billion dollars worth of Pfizer’s COVID-19
antiviral drugs procured in Europe have been wasted,
according to health data, as tight controls over who
can receive the medication left millions of doses
unused before their expiry date.
Paxlovid — designed to be given to patients shortly after
they test positive for the virus — has been far easier to
obtain in the US than in Europe, where access has
often been restricted to the elderly, or people at
high risk of developing severe COVID-19, The
Financial Times reported.
But data from analytics group Airfinity, shows European
countries --- including the UK, France, Spain and Italy
could have made the medication more accessible
without using up supplies, as more than 1.5mln
5-day courses of the pill worth about $1.1bln
have expired despite their use dates being
extended ------- by six to 12 months.
By the end of February 2024, a total of about 3.1mln
courses are set to expire, pushing the cost to
European health systems to about $2.2bln,
according to Airfinity. The data does not
include contracts that were EU-wide.
There have also been concerns, over how Paxlovid
interacts with other common medications, which
restricts how often it can be prescribed.
The European country with the biggest expiry rate is the
UK, where an estimated 1mln doses worth $700mln
were out of date - by early December, the data
shows. Another 550,000 doses are expected
to expire in February, with a further
650,000 by the end of June.
In December 2021, at the height of the Omicron wave,
the UK agreed to buy 2.75mln courses of Paxlovid.
The country’s National Institute for Health and
Care Excellence, the public health body...
recommends the drug be used - only for
people with serious underlying health
conditions such as cancer and HIV
or recipients of transplants.
The UK health and social care department said more
courses had been used, without offering its own
data. A spokesperson, said the government
had “acted fast to secure enough stock
of antivirals” at a time of “high
global demand”.
The restrictions have been less stringent in other
European countries... with elderly citizens and
people with more common risk factors such
as diabetes and obesity able to obtain the
drug. Yet more than 200,000 Paxlovid
courses expired before they could be
used in Spain and about 100,000
each went out of date in
France and Italy.
Even in the US — the largest market for COVID outpatient
treatments — demand for COVID antivirals has fallen,
tracking the reduced burden of COVID and a drop
in testing for the virus.
About 5.3mln courses were prescribed in the US this year,
24 percent down on 2022. The US government arranged
with Pfizer, to return 7.9mln Paxlovid courses at the
The doctor revealed a non-obvious sign of severe stress.
With chronic stress, a person can have a so-called
psychogenic cough --- said neurologist Marina
Anikina. A non-obvious sign - of a strong
nervous strain and its difference from
a cough caused by a cold, she
explained, in an interview
with Sputnik radio.
After a respiratory infection, the doctor specified, two
weeks are enough... for the cough caused by a cold
to fade. A prolonged cough, she explained, can
start with chronic stress and a sense of
global danger.
"First ---- the presence of a pronounced anxiety disorder
increases the likelihood that the cough is psychogenic
in nature. Secondly, such a cough has its own
frequency ---- it occurs during an emotional
conversation or some kind of traumatic
situation ---- but it is not present at
night," Anikina explained.
If you have a prolonged cough, she continued, you need
to consult with a number of specialists and undergo a
serious examination.
Anikina advised to do a chest X-ray, pass blood
tests prescribed by the therapist, and consult
an oto-laryngologist, an allergist, and a
gastro-enterologist.
_____________________________________
Doctor Bolibok talked about ways
------- to combat whooping cough
by Anastasia Belousova
December 13th, 9:24pm
(RT.ru)
Allergist-immunologist Vladimir Bolibok in an interview
with RT spoke about ways to combat whooping cough
.....and outbreaks of diseases in schools.
"The most radical method is not to take your child to school.
Go to quarantine in advance. Especially if the child is often
ill. There is probably no other method that guarantees
not to get infected," the doctor noted.
He also added that whooping cough
----- is a controlled infection.
"We need to raise the documents and see if the child has
been vaccinated or not. According to the vaccination
calendar, you need to repeat this vaccination. Our
immune system is weakened. There are many
migrant children who are not vaccinated at
all. Accordingly, whooping cough is
spreading. The particular danger
is not so much the microbe
itself but the toxin that it
spreads," Bolibok said.
The doctor said that whooping cough is especially
dangerous for children under four years of age.
"Mostly unvaccinated children under
the age of two --- die," he stressed.
_____________________________________
Russian Defense Ministry has hard proof
US conducted pre-pandemic
Coronavirus research
December 11th, 4:34pm (TASS)
The Russian Defense Ministry has obtained documents that
indicate the US carried out coronavirus research between
2016 and 2020, Chief of Russia’s Nuclear, Chemical and
Biological Protection Troops, Lieutenant-General Igor
Kirillov, said on Monday.
"I would like to remind you - that it was four years ago, in
December 2019, that the first patients infected with the
COVID-19 virus were identified," Kirillov stated. "By a
'curious coincidence' -- the pandemic was preceded
by a series of research projects on the systematic
study of coronaviruses funded by the
US Government."
"Thus, since 2009, the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) has
implemented the Predict Program to
study coronavirus diseases - and
capture their vectors," Russia’s
military official continued.
"According to the reporting documents available to us for
the Project 'Assessing Risk of Emerging Infections from
Insectivorous Bats in Ukraine and Georgia,'
coronavirus studies were conducted
in 2016-2020."
"The report notes '... that during the work in Ukraine, bats
were identified that migrate up to 800 km deep into
countries such as Hungary and Russia...'"
Kirillov said.
According to him, it was suspicious, that scientists who
were experts in the field of bioinformatics participated
in the research on coronavirus strains, although they
were tasked to study genomes of the
detected disease.
"It is also worth noting that the research involved
bioinformatics specialists whose work included
editing and combining the genomes of
identified pathogens, i.e. research
traditionally associated with
improving the functions of
dangerous viruses,"
Kirillov said.
Russia’s senior military official also noted that the US
medical establishment’s preparedness for the COVID
outbreak points to an alleged deal between "various
U.S. government agencies & so-called Big Pharma."
"It is, also, difficult to explain the high level of preparedness
of US mRNA vaccine manufacturers for the pandemic of a
new coronavirus infection," Kirillov stated. "This suggests
collusion between various U.S. government agencies and
so-called Big Pharma."
"The spread of the new coronavirus infection ---- has led to a
significant increase in the profits of biotech companies that
produce vaccines and drugs against coronaviruses, as well
as increased the dependence of developing countries on
the United States - and created the conditions for the
continued implementation of dual-use programs,"
Kirillov said.
According to the latest statistics provided by Worldometer
online stats counter --- over 699,232 million people have
been infected worldwide with COVID-19 since 2020
while the global death toll currently stands at
over 6,954.100 million.
________________________________________
The nutritionistlisted the most
useful products for the brain
December 10th, 2:45am
(Izvestia.ru)
Nutritionist Rusakova named foods that
affect human cognitive functions.
Nuts, dairy products, and fish are the most brain-healthy
foods. On December 9, a nutritionist, Candidate of
Medical Sciences Daria Rusakova told Regnum
news agency about this.
"If a person is concerned about the state of his brain, then
he should focus on fish, dairy products, as well as various
nuts and seeds," Rusakova said.
In addition, the doctor named products that negatively
affect the functioning of the brain. Sausage products
and bacon ----- are dangerous.
According to Rusakova, sausage products are indeed
subjected to processing that causes a carcinogenic
effect. Moreover, they contain excessive amounts
of salt, cholesterol and various additives, which
makes this product not very useful not only for
the brain, but also for the entire body
as a whole.
The doctor warned -- that excessive consumption of
cholesterol-containing products leads to disorders
of the cardiovascular system, impaired blood
supply and brain function. In addition,
processed red meat --- can trigger
cancer of the gastrointestinal
tract, liver and other organs.
Which foods improve mental performance:
doctors told how fish, nuts & vegetables
slow down the aging of cells.
Earlier, on December 8, doctor Tikhomirova also
listed harmful products for the brain. Among
them, are alcohol, margarine and fast food.
__________________________________
Physical exercise improves sleep quality
December 4th, 12:40pm
(Prensa Latina)
Poor sleep can reduce cognitive performance, attention
span, judgment and the emotional state of people, but
by opting for physical exercises the quality of sleep
improves, a specialized source revealed toda
According to the journal Physiology and Behaviour, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, neuro-degenerative disorders and depression - conspire against..... optimal rest.
Scientists found that 20 minutes of moderate exercise
can compensate for a poor night’s sleep.
Cognitive performance improves during a session of moderate-intensity physical activity, regardless of
a person’s sleep status or oxygen levels.
“One possible hypothesis why exercise improves cognitive
performance is related to increased cerebral blood flow
and oxygenation, however, our findings suggest that
even when exercising in an environment with low
oxygen levels, participants were still able to
perform cognitive tasks better than when
at rest under the same conditions,” the experts argued.
Scientists with this study reinforced the thesis that
movement ------- is medicine for the body and brain.
______________________________________
A Healthy diet extends
your life - by ten years
November 28th, 9:30pm
(Lenta.ru)
An international team of scientists has found that switching
from a typical Western diet to a healthier lifestyle can
extend the life of the average middle-aged person
by 10 years. The results of the research are
published in the journal Nature Food.
The researchers analyzed data from 467,354 participants in
the UK Biobank long-term study aged 40 to 69 years, which
examines the impact of genetic predisposition and
environmental exposure on the development of
diseases in humans. To learn more about the impact of eating behaviours on life
expectancy, researchers grouped
people by their eating patterns
..tracking how they changed
over the years.
Comparing people who switched from an unhealthy diet to a
healthy one with participants who were still living the same
lifestyle, experts found that in the first case, life
expectancy increases by an average of
several years.
In particular, middle-aged people who switched from an
unhealthy diet to a healthy one and followed this
regime, extended their lives by an average of
almost ten years. Moving at a later age,
also added extra years of life,
but not by as much.
The results show that a diet associated with longevity
involves the moderate consumption of whole grains,
fruits, fish, and white meat; a high consumption of
milk and dairy products, vegetables, nuts, and
legumes; relatively low consumption of eggs,
red meat, and sweetened beverages; and
low consumption of refined grains and
processed meat.
The strongest positive association with mortality
was found for sweetened beverages and
processed meat, while the strongest
inverse association was found for
whole grains and nuts.
______________________________
The doctor named ----- the main
symptoms of iodinedeficiency
November 25th, 9:20pm
(Lenta.ru)
Cardiologist Chugunnikova: main symptom of iodine deficiency ---- the appearance of a goiter.
Cardiologist "Invitro-Ural" Anna Chugunnikova: one of
the main indicators of iodine deficiency in the body
is the occurrence of a goiter - an increase in the
size of the thyroid gland.
"In most cases, in conditions of mild and moderate iodine
deficiency, the pathology is formed imperceptibl.., with goiter of a small size. In conditions of severe iodine
deficiency ---- goiter can reach huge sizes... and
be accompanied... by difficulty swallowing
and breathing, discomfort in the neck,
and a hoarseness of the voice," the specialist said.
A long-term lack of iodine.. leads to the development of
pathologies caused by a violation of the production of
thyroid hormones: a decrease in the functions of the
nervous system: a constant feeling of fatigue,
drowsiness..... and a decreased memory,
performance, and attention.
Iodine deficiency also leads to a violation of the metabolism
of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, impaired functioning of
the cardiovascular system (increased or slower heart rate,
heart failure, fluctuations in blood pressure, shortness of
breath), and reproductive function disorders, including
menstrual disorders, and infertility.
It is especially important to monitor the level of iodine for
pregnant women, as it affects not only her health, but
also the development of the unborn child, the
doctor explained.
___________________________________________
Named: simple effective means
--- to rid the apartment ofmold
November 23rd, 4:52pm
(Lenta.ru)
You can fight mold in the house without using household
chemicals. Remove black plaque by using a simple
remedy based on vinegar. Folk recipes are
revealed.... by "BelNovosti".
For the solution, you will need water and table vinegar in
a one-to-one ratio. The concentrate is sprayed on the
mildewed area... and then wiped with a napkin or
brush. It is particularly noted that the product
is not suitable for surfaces made of natural
stone and wood.
Tea tree oil has also proven its effectiveness. For a single
treatment, the solution is prepared.. in the ratio of five to
seven drops of oil, per tablespoon of water. In advanced
cases — one teaspoon of oil per 200 millilitres of water.
Before the procedure, you must first remove mold from the
surface. This product will not only eliminate mold, but
also fill the house with a pleasant aroma.
The fungus likes to settle in places where moisture
accumulates: in cold weather, condensation often
collects on window frames and slopes. Having
decided to get rid of mold once and for all,
you must first eliminate the cause of its
appearance. It is also necessary to
regularly ventilate the premises
and monitor the humidity in the house.
Experts of the publication remind that folk remedies do
not guarantee the complete disappearance of mold.
Earlier, Russians named cheap means to eliminate
fungus --- in the bathroom. Products based on
sodium hydrochloride, whiten the surface
well --- and kill mold.
____________________________
The dentist spoke about the dangers
of children's habit - of chewing
pencils and pens
by Roman Polosikov
November 22nd, 11:58am
(RT.ru)
TO SHARE
At an early age... many children often begin to chew pens
and pencils, but this habit can adversely affect not only
the teeth and gums, but also the development of the
jaw. This was told by the dentist Yulia
Zhuchkovskaya in an interview
with Gazeta.Ru.
"If you chew something constantly, then cracks appear on
the enamel, and the teeth become more sensitive and
can react to cold and hot food --- or even just
to cold air," Zhuchkovskaya added.
Dentist Elena Dunaeva urged not to ignore toothache and
immediately contact specialists. The earlier a person
goes to the dentist, the greater the chance to avoid
serious consequences.
__________________________________
The doctor spoke about ----- the dangers
of low-quality snacks and canned food
November 21st, 10:02pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Larisa Gabdulkhakova, a nutritionist, explained to Izvestia
whether low-quality, falsified and expired canned food,
sauces and snacks can be dangerous and whether
there is a need to label such products.
Snacks are not the most healthy food, because most snacks
contain dyes, preservatives, and harmful sweeteners, the
expert explained. At the same time, according to her,
there are exceptions: if the composition is "clean",
then there is less harm to the body.
"There are chips made from a prepared mixture --- (starch, stabilizers, flavour enhancers, colorants) & others from real potatoes with natural spices. The difference between these products ---- is
huge for health," said the nutritionist.
But finding healthy chips or bread rolls can be quite
problematic. In some cases --- the product list is
printed in small print, and it is rarely possible
to understand it.
The expert noted that the shelf life of the product is
important, and it is not necessary to use products
even with a long shelf life — such as snacks —
after its expiration.
At the same time, the doctor said that poor-quality
and expired canned food ---- can cause serious
damage to health.
"If it's a jar with a lid on, then you need to look at the lid.
If it is swollen or damaged, it is not recommended to
buy it. It is generally better not to buy canned food
from your hands, because they are made at home.''
''A person can get sick with dangerous intestinal
infections, and pathogens can get into canned
food. This also applies to botulism — if poorly
preserved, the risk of getting sick, is also
high," Gabdulkhakova explained.
According to the expert, it is impossible to blame stores
for selling low-quality canned food: if there is a fake,
claims should be made to the manufacturer.
"If it is improperly preserved, the technology is disrupted,
then harmful bacteria, fungi, or toxins, can multiply in
canned food. This is a large toxic load on the body,
which can lead to serious health problems - and
death. Children's fragile bodies, of course, are
the most sensitive," the doctor warns.
There are not so many cases of canned food poisoning,
Gabdulkhakova added. But there is also falsification.
At the same time, in Russia, specialists, including
those from Roskachestvo, conduct random
inspections of canned food.
Speaking about sauces, the expert noted that in
this category of goods, there is a problem of
low-quality products.
"For example, often instead of tomatoes in ketchup
is put applesauce, sugar and dyes. Sauces.. are a
liquid product, and the lid can be depressurized and it is usually stored on shelves in the store
and not in their refrigerators.''
''This can lead to the development of various bacteria
and molds in the sauce ---- which can provoke poisoning," Gabdulkhakova explained.
______________________________
Mediterranean diet--- improves
brain function in older adults
November 20th, 5:03pm
(Lenta.ru)
A team of researchers from the University of Barcelona and
the University of California has found that a Mediterranean
diet can improve brain function in older adults, reducing
the risk of cognitive decline. The results of the study
are published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and
Food Research (MNFR). A brief overview is
provided by Medical Xpress.
The study involved 840 undiagnosed dementia patients
over the age of 65, who were followed up for 12 years.
Blood serum and gut microbiome samples were collected
from the subjects and then analyzed for biomarkers. By
identifying a specific indicator associated with a group
of products included in the Mediterranean diet,
experts assessed its association with
cognitive impairment.
The results showed that following a Mediterranean diet
formed a long-term protective effect against cognitive
decline in older adults. The findings are also
consistent with previous studies.
In September, researchers at Flinders University concluded
that the Mediterranean diet has a beneficial effect on the
gut microbiome, increasing the number of beneficial
bacteria in the gut.
__________________________________
The doctor spoke about the benefits ---
and harmful effects of chewing gum
November 15th, 3:55pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Doctor-gastroenterologist, Natalia Belova, told about
how to chew chewing gum correctly and not cause
harm to health.
In a conversation with Pravda.En on Wednesday, November
15, the specialist noted that chewing gum itself does not
harm the body, but it should be borne in mind that its
uncontrolled use can negatively affect health. For
example, intense and constant chewing can
cause overexertion of the maxillofacial
joints, which is fraught with pain in
the face and head. It can also
lead to tooth decay.... and
other dental problems.
The doctor urged to give preference to sugar-free chewing
gums in order to minimize the risk of tooth decay.
Chewing gum should be no longer than 20-30
minutes, after which you need to rest the
jaw joints for at least an hour, let the
muscles relax.
The gastroenterologist also pointed out the benefits of
chewing gum. So, for example, chewing movements
stimulate the production of saliva, and this in turn
contributes to the natural protection of the gums
and teeth from bacteria and acid attacks.
Chewing gum can also help reduce anxiety and stress
levels, as well as improve memory and concentration.
In July, general dentist Lyudmila Shemyakina also warned
that chewing gum with sugar can cause tooth decay and
tooth decay. She advised choosing sugar-free chewing
gums that contain a component such as xylitol. This
will avoid damage to the enamel of the teeth and the development of caries, writes RT.
In June, orthopedic dentist Vladimir Yeshidorzhiev said that
chewing gum can remove all food residues between the
teeth and remove plaque. He warned that... however,
you should not try to replace the usual brushing of
teeth with chewing gum, reports TV channel
"360". Also, you can not use chewing gum
on an empty stomach.
Earlier, gastroenterologist Alexey Bueverov warned that the
constant use of certain chewing gums can cause diarrhea.
The reason for this is the xylitol contained in the gum,
which has a laxative effect on the digestive tract,
the Moscow city news agency notes.
__________________________________
The nutritionist named the vegetable
that helps "to renew" an organism
November 9th (Lenta.ru)
Cabbage helps to renew the body thanks to the sulphur
contained in it, said Margarita Koroleva, MD, dietitian.
She spoke about the benefits of the product, in an interview with Sputnik radio.
The specialist explained... that cabbage helps maintain the
necessary level of the antioxidant glutathione in the cells
— a substance that helps to remove toxins from the body, in a timely manner.
In addition, according to her, the use of this vegetable will
avoid chronic intoxication. "If you live in a city, with a
lot of industrial pollution --- it is important to take
care of detoxification of the body. Glutathione
helps us in this, and -- accordingly -- sulphur
containing products, including cabbage,"
concluded Koroleva.
Gynecologist, endocrinologist Olga Kaplina
advised: eating beets, pumpkins and other
seasonal vegetables and root vegetables
to maintain immunity.
She pointed out that they contain lots
of vitamins and useful substances.
______________________________________
HEALTH NEWS
by Valentina Brykalina
November 8th, 4:39pm
(Lenta.ru)
Nutritionist Senatova: hazelnuts,
buckwheat and warm water,
will help to cope with PMS
Expert advises eating foods rich in magnesium
TO SHARE
A proper diet will help to cope with
PMS symptoms, says the expert.
Premenstrual syndrome... is often accompanied by pain,
a bad mood, irritability and weakness. However, some
products will help reduce the unpleasant sensations the nutritionist Daria Senatova, told the online
publication, Podmoskovye Segodnya.
''It is useful to eat foods rich in magnesium: sesame,
hazelnuts, pine nuts, buckwheat, carrots and
sunflower seeds. Green tea, lentils.... and
pistachios have analgesic properties,"
the specialist said.
According to Senatova, women are also recommended to drink plenty of warm water - it helps to relax the internal organs and to improve the outflow of bile.
Previously KP.RU reported that the main cause of PMS is
monthly fluctuations in hormone levels, which cause a
decrease in the production of endorphins - which are
responsible for.... good moods. Mood swings are not
the only sign of PMS. This condition can seriously
affect both the psychological and physical
condition of a woman.
_____________________________________________
Do not eat fatty foods
for dinner or drink soda
by Valentina Brykalina
November 2nd, 7:15pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
To share
Before going to bed, it is better to
eat light food in small quantities.
You should not eat red meat, dark chocolate or lard
at night - these products are most likely to provoke
insomnia. This was reported by endocrinologist
Kamilya Tabeyeva.
''Dark chocolate contains caffeine, spicy food and
spices.. increase the level of endorphins. This
stimulates the nervous system and disrupts
sleep,'' said the doctor.
According to the expert, it is better to exclude fatty
foods, as well as red meat, from the evening menu:
these products are difficult to digest and take a
long time, which also interferes with the
process of falling asleep.
Earlier, the Tsargrad TV channel reported that insomnia
is one of the most common problems that ultimately
adversely affects people's health. To get better
sleep, somnologists recommend eliminating
coffee and sugary sodas from the diet. In
addition, it is important to sleep in the
dark, at a comfortable temperature.
In order to improve your circadian rhythm and wake up
better in the morning, you can give yourself physical
activity -- and use the light more actively, Izvestia
writes. For example, you can use light alarms
that simulate dawn, or seasonal depression
light therapy — a bright white lamp of
10 thousand lux.
__________________________
Nutritionist tells of foods
that can provoke
blood clots
by Valentina Brykalina
November 2nd, 5:42pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
Doctors recommend avoiding
sweets and fast food, to
reduce the risk of
thrombosis
Poor nutrition, can lead not only to obvious problems,
such as gastrointestinal disorders or excess weight,
but also to serious diseases, explains dietitian
Natalia Lazurenko.
''Frequent snacking instead of a full meal, the use of
sugary carbonated drinks, or fast food... and a
sedentary lifestyle, increases the risk of
thrombosis,'' said the doctor.
Lazurenko clarified that the nutrition system determines
the viscosity of blood. And if there is a small amount of
water in the diet, then it provokes venous stagnation.
To reduce the risk of thrombosis to zero, it is necessary,
according to doctors, to move regularly, eat right, take
rest and relaxation seriously, and also increase stress
tolerance. In addition -- experts recommend reducing
weight and using movement and nutrition to regulate
sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
If there are reasons to suspect thrombosis, a full
cardiological examination is necessary, after
which the doctor will decide on the
appointment of drugs.
____________________________________
Taking care of yourself
October 27th, 5:23pm
(Lenta.ru)
Cosmetologist named ways to keep
your skin beautiful and healthy
in winter.
In winter, the skin becomes dull, pale and dry due to
temperature changes in the premises, and on the
street, said the cosmetologist Nana Nosareva.
To the Life edition, the doctor called ways
to keep skin beautiful and healthy in the
cold season.
In winter, the skin can peel off due to dryness, for many
during this period - wrinkles become more pronounced,
the cosmetologist warned. To prevent such changes,
it is necessary to adjust your home care,
Nosareva assured.
A rich cream with ceramides, lipids and antioxidants
will help protect the skin. For night use, it is better
to choose a cream with an enhanced moisturizing
effect ----- with hyaluronic acid algae extract, the doctor listed.
In winter, alcohol lotions, alkaline soaps and even hot
water are harmful to the skin, Nosareva said. She
urged to wash your face with a neutral foam,
and then wipe the skin with a
pH-normalizing tonic.
Finally, the cosmetologist advised to apply skin care
products on the face at least an hour before going
out, and also encouraged to drink more water,
thus moisturizing the skin in a natural way.
______________________________________
The doctor listed 3 types of shoes
----- that are dangerous to health
October 27th, 5:20pm
(Lenta.ru)
Orthopedic doctor and blogger Paul (last name unknown)
from the UK ---- listed three types of shoes that are
dangerous to health. He shared the relevant
information in his TikTok account.
First, the influencer with the nickname
paulthepodiatrist, called ---- flip-flops.
According to him, they do not provide any support
to the feet, and can also easily lead to a fall,
since the shoes are held solely by
special loops.
In addition, the expert also added stiletto shoes to the
list. "A one-and-a-half-inch heel, for example, will suit
most people. But high-heeled shoes, carry a high
risk of injury — is it worth it? Even if you want
to look beautiful?" He asked, indignantly.
In conclusion, the doctor noted that the shoes of the
US company, Skechers, are unsafe. These items of
clothing are too soft, which is why the leg is very
tense while walking, the doctor said. In addition,
according to Paul, models of this brand can
squeeze your fingers. "They.... are also
quite short-lived," he concluded.
Earlier in October, orthopedic traumatologist Sergey
Aleksutov --- warned Russians about the danger of
unsuitable shoes --- for winter. According to the
doctor, popular models on flat soles provoke
the appearance of --- flat feet, corns and
fasciitis... which is accompanied by
inflammation and pain in the
heel area.
Doctors named berry that reduces
the risk of developing dementia
October 23rd, 8:30pm
(Lenta.ru)
Scientists at the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre
found that daily consumption of strawberries increases
cognitive abilities ---- reducing the risk of developing
dementia. The results of the study are published
in the journal Nutrients.
The study involved five men and 25 women aged 50 to 65
years with moderate cognitive impairment. Scientists
collected the necessary information ----- about the
patients' health status and took blood samples
from them. Then the participants were
divided into two groups.
The first group ate strawberries in dried powdered form
for breakfast.... and the second group received a
placebo, with the same taste and smell.
After 12 weeks of the study ---- participants completed
cognitive tests. Patients who consumed strawberries
performed better than participants in the placebo
group. The berry also improved the mental
health of the subjects in the first group.
People have been shown --- to have
reduced symptoms of depression.
Scientists suggested that the improvement in cognitive
abilities could occur due to the fact that strawberries
are rich in polyphenols.
In July, scientists from San Diego State University
recognized strawberries as useful for improving
cognitive abilities, as well as lowering blood
pressure in the elderly.
The study examined data from 35 healthy men and women
aged 66 to 78 years. Experts concluded --- that in the
strawberry group.... the speed of cognitive abilities
increased by 5.2 percent, systolic blood pressure
decreased by 3.6 percent, and overall
antioxidant protection - increased
by 10.2 percent.
_____________________________________
Fitness trainer advised:a set of exercises for the back after a working day
October 20th, 11:03pm
(Lenta.ru)
Fitness coach Denis Chernoguzov advised a set of
exercises that will help relieve tension from the back.... after a working day.
The specialist recommended starting with head tilts.
"Turn your head to the right -- and start bending up and down
five times. Next, move your head to the left side and repeat
the up-and-down inclines," he described, noting that you should feel the stretching of the muscles.
After that, on the inhale, you need to stretch your
head forward, and on the exhale — take it back.
Next, you can perform 20 forward tilts of the body. Starting
position - standing, feet shoulder-width apart, straight
arms behind your back, in a "lock".
"On the inhale, lean forward and round your back, try not to
control the position of the hands, you should feel as if they are outweighing and pulling forward, feel the tension of the back muscles. On exhalation, you should straighten your back and bring your shoulder blades together,"he said.
To straighten the spine, Chernoguzov suggested alternately
pulling up the knees in a supine position. This will stretch
your middle and lower back. To complete the complex,
he advised the child's pose - sit on your heels, lean
forward with a rounded back and stretch your
arms forward.
________________________________
Doctor Gadziyan named fat
- main killer of human body
October 14th, 12:16am
(RT.ru)
Fat is the main killer of the human body, said
Mark Gadziyan, a surgeon and oncourologist.
"Obesity on average shortens life by 10 years. Every
extra three kilograms that are dropped after the
age of 60, increases the average life
expectancy of a person -- by one
year," Gadziyan wrote, in
his Telegram channel.
According to him --- the waist size and
body mass index should be monitored.
He noted that for men, a waist
of more than 94cm, is already
a problem.
Photo: TASS/Svetlana Denisova
Nutritionist Faerman named
oatmeal and buckwheat
porridge as most useful
October 10th, 4:56pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge are the most beneficial for
the human body. About what important trace elements and
vitamins are contained in oatmeal and buckwheat, is told
in an interview with the "Gazeta.En" nutritionist, Larisa
Faerman, on Tuesday, October 10.
According to her, oatmeal contains beta-glucans that have a
positive effect on cholesterol levels in the blood, as well as
B vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, including iron and
magnesium, which help to normalize digestion
and increase the feeling of satiety.
"For children --- it provides the energy necessary for active
growth and physical activity, and also contributes to the
normal development of the nervous system due to the
content of B vitamins," the doctor said.
"Cereal, is ideal for breakfast, as it provides the body with
energy for the whole day, supports the digestive system
& helps to control weight. Porridge is also suitable for
children, as it is a source of iron ----- which prevents the development of anemia," said the nutritionist.
She added that among the healthy cereals, you can
also distinguish kenoa porridge, which is also rich
in vegetable protein, which contains all the
necessary amino acids.
Faerman called semolina.. the least useful porridge.
She explained that semolina is a product of wheat
processing, it is high in fast carbohydrates,
which can cause a sharp jump in
blood sugar.
At the end of August, dietitian Elena Solomatina also spoke
about the harmfulness of semolina porridge. She noted
that semolina has a high glycemic index & promotes
weight gain... and the development of diabetes.
According to her, semolina porridge used to be valued for its
high caloric content, but now the level of physical activity
has decreased --- so an increase in the amount of
nutrients in the diet, has come to the fore.
At the same time, nutritionist Michael Mosley spoke about
the dangers of instant cereals --- due to their high sugar
content. One bowl of instant oatmeal can contain up
to three tablespoons of sugar, and some brands
contain a staggering 16 grams per serving,
he noted.
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
The therapist told - what vitamins
are needed for those suffering
from herpes on the lips
by Valentina Brykalina
October 5th, 7:59pm
(Komsomolskaya Pravda)
TO SHARE
If herpes occurs frequently, your doctor may prescribe
vitamins and dietary supplements
A cold on the lips is a rather unpleasant, but common
phenomenon, the cause of which is the herpes virus.
How to protect yourself from the appearance of
new rashes? Life.ru's general practitioner,
Anna Sokol answers.
''Many people have the virus, in order to protect themselves
from exacerbations, you need to normalize the work of the
intestines, eat right, try to exclude alcohol, avoid stress,''
the therapist believes.
The doctor clarified that in case of exacerbations, it is
necessary to monitor the level of vitamins and trace
elements in the body. Namely, pay attention to
vitamin D, iron, and vitamins A and B.
Earlier, the Tsargrad TV channel reported that the frequent
occurrence of a cold on the lips may indicate serious
disorders in the body. The fact is that the virus
constantly lives in the body, but in a normal
state, the body is able to suppress it.
With a pronounced decrease in immunity, a herpetic infection
can affect internal organs, Izvestia was told. The result may
be damage to the facial and trigeminal nerves.
_______________________________________________
Ukraineplans to abolish
the concept of disability
October 4th, 10:59pm
(RT.ru)
The Minister of Health of Ukraine, Viktor Lyashko, said
the country plans to abolish the concept of disability
from 2025, and instead introduce the concept of
"assessment of loss of functionality".
Information about this appeared in
A Country.ua's Telegram channel.
According to the minister, the problem in Ukraine, is that
citizens are chasing disability, because it gives benefits
and compensation.
"We didn't ask what a person wants ----- but we say that we can give them this. This is the post-Soviet model,
which we must abandon," said Lyashko.
In August, it was reported that the Armed Forces
of Ukraine - were being tricked into attacking
disabled people.
_________________________________________________
Dr. Ginzburg named
aging-inhibiting
vitamins
by Maria Rurikova
September 20th, 8:20pm
(Lenta.ru)
Vitamins that inhibit aging were named by dietitian
Mikhail Ginzburg in his blog on the Yandex.Zen
platform. According to him, these are
B vitamins.
According to the doctor, with age, the body accumulates
homocysteine - a toxic substance that affects blood
vessels. Vitamins B6, B9 and B12 promote the
conversion of homocysteine to the useful
amino acid methionine.
They are found in large quantities -- in cereals, berries,
cabbage, salads and fish. By consuming these foods
in sufficient quantities, you can extend your life for
several years, in old age, Ginzburg noted.
A lot of methionine is also found in animal protein -- but its
excessive synthesis in the body is harmful to the elderly.
As an alternative, the doctor advised eating soy and
legume products, as well as taking vitamin and
mineral complexes
_____________________________________
Nutritionist -told about the
dangers ...of oil and butter
September 14th, 12 midnight
(Izvestia.ru)
Our body needs variety, so each product carries some benefit.
If we are talking about vegetable oils --- their benefits in the
form of vitamins and antioxidant properties are preserved - only when they are cold-pressed, nutritionist Larisa Gabdulkhakova, told Izvestia.
"When refined, the oil loses all its useful properties, only
omega-6 fatty acids remain in it, which are harmful to
the body - in large quantities," she said.
However, the expert still does not recommend frying on
cold-pressed oils: when heated, harmful substances
are formed, which leads to inflammation in
the body.
"Vegetable oils retain all their useful properties if they are
not subjected to serious heat treatment. Therefore, cold-
pressed oils are recommended to be added to salads,
porridge, ready-made soups, smoothies, protein
shakes, coffee, tea or in a natural cocoa
drink," Gabdulkhakova explained.
As for butter and ghee, they also contain a lot of useful
trace elements, just like vegetable oils, but they also
contain animal cholesterol, which stimulates brain
function and improves bile flow.
However, the doctor drew attention to the fact, that
there are many low-quality products on the market.
"If butter is of high quality, then it has all the useful
substances, but there are a lot of fakes on the
market when good butter is mixed with trans
fats. Trans Fats do not spoil, do not oxidize
— manufacturers are increasingly using
them to significantly extend the shelf
life of the product and reduce the
cost of the product," Larisa
Gabdulkhakova warned.
"Natural milk fat is expensive. Unscrupulous market
participants replace it with vegetable or beef and
do not write about it in the composition, which is
already called a fake. As a result, the production
cost is lower, the shelf life is longer, and the
addition of beef fat to vegetable oils also
complicates the analytical control
process. There is no benefit in
such a product and the buyer
is also deceived," the
expert said.
According to him, olive oil is also actively faked - they sell
hot pressed oil under the guise of the first cold one, and
sometimes... they simply mix olive oil with ordinary
sunflower oil.
At the same time, he noted that the amount of counterfeit
goods on the butter market is gradually decreasing due
to the introduced "Honest Sign"labeling system.
He also drew attention to the fact that vegetable oils are not
subject to labeling, so only vigilance in the store, as well as
the work of public organizations & supervisory authorities,
can protect the buyer from purchasing counterfeit goods.
To detect fake olive oil, the expert recommends dropping
a drop on the skin and rubbing it in: good olive oil is quickly absorbed and does not leave any trace.
______________________________
Psychologist: up to
how many years...
men need women
September 7th,
(RT.ru)
There was no need for a woman at his age. I think this
phrase has been heard by many at least once, when
it was addressed in the direction of one or another
representative of the stronger sex. So we decided
to ask the opinion of a psychologist, up to what
age women are still needed by men, in reality.
Such thoughts.. were prompted by another story. Just recently,
a neighbour started complaining about his elderly father. Tom
is almost eighty, his wife has been dead for five years, and
the children are adults, as are their grandchildren. Oh, my
great-grandchildren. And so they put him in the hospital.
There, he met a middle-aged nurse and blossomed.
He began to take care of himself, shaved, cut his
hair, dressed.
The last straw for the children was the statement of the
father, who was thinking of getting married. Moreover,
she is almost three decades younger. And he
resisted --- the taste of life, they say,
returned, and he felt a man again.
Naturally, all the relatives are hostile. She is accused of
self-interest, she is in a state of confusion. They say -
why does he need that woman in his old age?
And here it is necessary to understand consistently. For
women to men. Spiritual love, physical love, family love,
procreation love, is all there, of course. That's just
not the end of it.
A representative of the stronger sex wants to see a muse
next to him, a source of inspiration that will make him
feel the value and taste of life, makes him set goals
and go for them.
Remember that every successful man's personal story is
inextricably linked to a smart and correct woman who
inspired and supported him. And if such a muse was
met by an elderly father --- who inspired him with
strength, forced him to return to life. Is this any
worse than a suffering and lonely old man who
has already forgotten that it is necessary to
strive for something?
Everyone, regardless of age, wants to see such a muse next
to them. It is such women, and just special women, that
give a sense of the fullness of life.
And if this woman really has sincere feelings, and not a desire
to profit and self-interest, then why not. Before you accuse
the ladies of calculating, you should think about her real
intentions. And not always, are they associated only
with the thirst for profit.
_______________________________________________
Zakharova reminded - about
danger of depleted uranium
for the human body
September 6th, 9:30pm
(RT.ru)
The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry,
Maria Zakharova, recalled the toxicity and danger of
depleted uranium for the human body.
Thus, the diplomat commented on the statement of the official
representative of the White House, John Kirby, that the shells
with depleted uranium transferred to the Ukrainian army... do not pose a radioactive threat.
"What is it: lies or stupidity? About the toxicity of depleted
uranium, its special danger to the human body ...they
wrote repeatedly," the message reads.
Zakharova noted that in places where such ammunition
is used, a serious increase in oncological diseases
is recorded.
She stressed that the victims of the consequences
of the use of depleted uranium - are both military
personnel and civilians.
On September 6, the United States announced the
supply of depleted uranium shells for Abrams
tanks to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Marijuana consumers have
high levels --- of metals in their bloodstream
September 2nd, 10:13am
(Prensa Latina)
A study by the Columbia University School of Public Health
in the United States, detected significant levels of metals
in the blood and urine of marijuana consumers, the
journal Environmental Health Perspectives
published today.
The authors concluded that marijuana may be an important
and under-recognized source of lead and cadmium
exposure --- by comparing these parameters
between marijuana users and non-users.
This is one of the first studies to report biomarker levels of
metals in marijuana addicts and most likely the largest
investigation to date, linking self-reported use with
internal measures of metal exposure.
Because the cannabis plant is a known metal eliminator,
it was hypothesized that smokers will have higher
standards of metal biomarkers compared to
other non-users, as explained by Katelyn
McGraw, a researcher in Columbia
Public Health’s Department of
Environmental Health
Sciences, and
first author.
In the future, research on cannabis use and its contaminants,
particularly metals, should be conducted to address public
health concerns related to the growing number of
consumers, stressed Tiffany R. Sanchez,
assistant professor of environmental
health sciences at Columbia Public
Health, and lead author.
Marijuana is the third most widely used drug
in the world, behind tobacco and alcohol.
__________________________________________
Maduro recalls 18th anniversary
of the Sandino Commitment
August 21st, 3:37pm
(Prensa Latina)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro recalled today
the 18th anniversary of the historic Sandino
Commitment, promoted by Cuba and
Venezuela, which since then has
made it possible... to assist
visually impaired people
in Latin America.
In a message posted on his account on the social network X
(formerly Twitter), accompanied by a video of that date, the
president recalled Commander Hugo Chavez (1954-2013)
and the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel
Castro (1926-2016), leading figures of that health
agreement, undertaken by both nations.
‘It is 18 years - since the historic Sandino
Commitment was made. Venezuela and
Cuba, healing the sight of millions of
people in our continent. A brother-
hood that remains firm with the
examples of Chavez and Fidel.
Building paths of union - and
true solidarity in the world’,
wrote the President.
With the signing of the Sandino Commitment, signed in 2005,
the two countries ratified their solidarity with the rest of the
peoples of the continent, together with the will to promote
an integral development based on the complementary
support between Latin American and
Caribbean governments.
The program takes its name from the town of Sandino,
in the western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio, where
on August 21st, 2005, a special transmission of the
program, Alo Presidente, conducted by Chavez,
along with Fidel.
Since then, thanks to this initiative, more than six million
patients in Latin America and the Caribbean --- have
received ophthalmologic assistance through
the Milagro Mission.
Dr. Pavlova explained the
ideal way to use chicory
August 19th, 3:42pm
(Lenta.ru)
An endocrinologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences,
Zukhra Pavlova, named the ideal way to use
chicory in her Telegram channel.
The specialist recommended drinking
this, without adding sugar and milk.
The medic clarified that for the preparation of weak chicory,
you will need one or two teaspoons of this powder per 200
millilitres of water. At the same time, you can use it
in this form even at night, because this product
is not invigorating.
The expert also noted that chicory is rich in vitamins and
minerals, including magnesium, which is useful for
maintaining the nervous system.
Also in this product there is inulin, which is responsible
for the stable functioning of the intestines. In addition,
chicory can reduce cravings for sweets,
Pavlova stressed.
Earlier, endocrinologist Pavlova warned
about the non-obvious danger, of sugar.
__________________________________________
The nutritionist told about
the products accelerating
metabolism after 40 years
August 16th, 2:30am
(Izvestia.ru)
Endocrinologist & nutritionist Anton Polyakov, said
that a person after the age of 40, has a decrease
in their metabolism, which makes it difficult to keep the body slim.
In an interview with Vechernyaya Moskva --- on Tuesday,
August 15, the doctor pointed out that an acceleration
of the metabolism, depends, not only on the products
consumed ---- since this is a related work of the whole body.
Food and drink can only have an impact on the
mechanisms that support metabolism, but
not directly accelerate it.
According to the nutritionist, cocoa stimulates mitochondria,
which provide the body's cells with energy. If they are not
enough --- the nutrients are not converted into useful
energy. For this reason, a person consumes more
calories ...and experiences constant fatigue.
The growth of mitochondria... is also affected by pomegranates. As noted by the endocrinologist, it also delivers energy to the cells. In addition, fish is able to improve the cell membranes ---
so that they better perceive signals from the outside world.
The omega-2 found in fish, converts calories into heat, and speeds up your metabolism.
According to the 360 TV channel, bitter chocolate, ginger, garlic, cinnamon and green tea --- can also speed up your metabolism.
In January, a nutritionist, a doctor of preventive integrative
medicine, PhD Rimma Moisenko, said that the use of fresh
pomegranate juice, will help replenish the energy supply,
increase immunity - and improve internal processes in
the body. The surge of energy that occurs.... after a
glass of pomegranate juice, according to the
expert, is due to a rise in the level of
hemoglobin in the blood.
______________________________________
Doctor shares little-known
facts ------ about vitamin D
August 9th, 2:49pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Vitamin D plays a very important role in maintaining human
health and is responsible for many processes in the body.
Various myths revolve around it, and some interesting
facts remain little known, Lyubov Stankevich, Director
of laboratory Medicine at the LabQuest Laboratory,
Candidate of Medical Sciences, told Izvestia, on
August 9.
In particular, she drew attention to the fact that many people
believe that to produce enough vitamin D, you need to be in
the sun.
"The skin is really capable of synthesizing vitamin D. But to
do this, you need to tan the entire surface of your skin
every day in a bikini or without clothes at all, up to a
slight erythema. Literally every day to slightly burn.
Then there is hope to synthesize it through the
skin," said Stankevich.
At the same time, the doctor noted that, firstly, it is harmful
to the skin, and secondly, it is unlikely that you can find so
much time for tanning. In addition, the angle at which
sunlight falls on the skin is also important. Based on
this, according to her, the generally accepted
opinion that with the help of tanning you can
accumulate vitamin D is nothing more than
a myth.
Speaking about little-known facts about vitamin D, the doctor
noted that in the last decade it was found out that it is rather
a hormone, since it has hormonal activity and is responsible
for 600 biochemical reactions in the body. The receptors
that are susceptible to it are found in all organs and
systems throughout the body.
"This is a very powerful immunomodulator. The immune
system... is made up of different cells. Some cells are
activated by vitamin D - and then antiviral protection
is activated and, very importantly, antitumour
protection, that is, protection against cancer.
And other cells of the immune system are inhibited, their
activity is suppressed. And this has a therapeutic effect
for patients with pathologically excessive activity of
the immune system, " Stankevich said.
According to her, it is from vitamin D, and not from vitamin C,
that protection against viral infections depends. In addition,
it is a predictor of cardiovascular diseases, reducing the
risk of their development.
In addition, as the doctor said, it determines the work of the
brain. According to her, the relationship between mental
activity and vitamin D levels occurs even during the
intrauterine development of the child during
pregnancy of the mother. It was found that
pregnant women who were in the process
of carrying a child in a state of vitamin D
deficiency, children in adulthood have
an increased risk of developing
schizophrenia.
"Vitamin D, is linked to the reproductive system, not only
of women, but also of men, since the male reproductive
potential also depends on the right amount of it," the
doctor added.
She also said that contrary to advertising, vitamin D should
not be taken together with calcium, but with vitamin K2,
which is actively involved in the absorption of calcium.
According to her, entering the circulatory system, calcium
should end up in bone tissue, but without vitamin K2, this
does not happen, and the risk of calcium deposits in
blood vessels, internal organs and soft tissues,
increases.
Your doctor will help you determine
the exact dosage.
In June, Mariyat Mukhina, a dietitian and cosmetologist,
pointed out the danger of an overabundance of vitamin
D in the body. According to her, this can lead to
chronic pyelonephritis, cardiosclerosis and
increase the risk of fractures.
Ulankina's doctor called
shortness of breathone
of the signs --- of vape-
related lung damage
August 6th, 3:30am
(RT.ru)
Olga Ulankina, an expert doctor at the Hemotest
Laboratory --- told RT how vaping can affect a
person's health.
"When vapes were first invented, they were advertised as a
safe alternative to cigarettes. However, in fact, it turned out --- that they are not so harmless, because they contain a lot of toxic substances. For example, phenols.... irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, formaldehyde can lead
to cancer, glycerin negatively affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and acrolein belongs to the list of extremely toxic substances and generally has a detrimental effect on health," the
doctor explained.
She added that lung damage associated with smoking
e-cigarettes and vapes is called EVALI-e-cigarette
and vaping use-associated lung injury.
"This disease --- is associated with the inhalation of
substances.. that are traditionally added to liquids
for smoking. It is believed that the lungs perceive them as a foreign object, and give an immune response. It leads to - inflammation, allergic reactions and a dangerous accumulation of fluid in the respiratory system,"
Ulankina said.
Usually, the disease is manifested by shortness of breath,
which increasingly occurs even with the usual physical
exertion, the interlocutor of RT said.
"In addition, there may be other symptoms -- cough, chest
pain, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. The most
dangerous thing in this disease is the development of
severe complications up to acute respiratory failure
----- which can lead to death," the doctor warned.
In addition, according to her, vaping increases blood
pressure, damages blood vessels and increases the
risk of developing a myocardial infarction, or stroke.
"So.. when comparing the vessels of smokers and vapers,
the same pathological processes are noted. If you inhale
toxic fumes, you can also develop "popcorn disease", or
obliterating bronchitis. This is an inflammation of the
lungs, which is quite difficult to treat — with the use
of hormonal drugs, up to a lung transplant," the
doctor explained.
Other side effects, including constant smoking of
vape with nicotine-free liquids - are considered to
be weakened immunity and cognitive impairment.
"It is impossible to predict what kind of damage a
particular person will have. But the fact that
inhaling toxic fumes is unsafe can be said
--- with confidence," the expert noted.
Earlier, Anastasia Marienko, head of the
oncology department of the Euroonko
clinic in St. Petersburg, told RT that
the main factor in the occurrence
of lung cancer --- is smoking,
which provokes almost 90%
of cases of the disease.
_________________________________
Nutritionist Ginzburg:
to prevent aging,
you need to eat fish every day
July 27th, 7:17pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Daily consumption of fish slows down the aging process
of the body. This was announced on Thursday, July 27,
by nutritionist Mikhail Ginzburg, in an interview with Vechernyaya Moskva.
According to the doctor, to get nutrients to support the brain,
which over the years loses its former activity, you need to give preference to oily sea fish.
"Such fish are a source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of cell membranes. They are also a source of iodine and vitamin D. These components ------ support the central nervous system," explained Ginzburg.
In addition, the expert attributed cereals, dairy
products, vegetables, berries, fruits, as well
as nuts and seasonings, to foods that slow
down the aging process. The latter, in
particular - ginger, turmeric, pepper,
garlic and onion, can also improve
brain function.
Earlier, on July 27th, experts in the field of nutrition,
listed foods that affect human cognitive functions,
which, in turn, depend on the daily diet.
These include dark leafy greens, avocado, olive
oil, nuts, rosemary, mint, saffron, and seafood.
___________________________________
fruit and porridge
are great options
for breakfast
July 27th, 3am
(Izvestia.ru)
Breakfast is a very important meal that you should definitely
not miss. However, in order for it to benefit, it is important to
choose the right products. On July 27, Elena Tikhomirova, a
general practitioner and dietitian at SM-Klinik, told Izvestia
what the right breakfast should be.
First of all, she noted that eggs are an ideal product
for breakfast, as they contain protein and fat in the
necessary balance. Eating them in the morning
helps the body get the necessary nutrients. In
addition the protein contained in eggs is one
of the most useful and easily digestible
sources of protein for the body.
"To make breakfast even healthier, you need to add
carbohydrates to the eggs, such as vegetables or
a small piece of bread. Scrambled eggs.... made
from two or three eggs, with fresh vegetables,
or a small piece of bread are an ideal source
of protein, fat, and the so-called complex
carbohydrates ----- as well as vitamins
and fibre necessary for maintaining
health and energy throughout the
day," said Tikhomirova.
Another good breakfast option, the
nutritionist called cottage cheese
with fruit.
"Cottage cheese is rich in full-fledged milk protein
and proper milk fat, which are necessary for the
proper functioning of our body. And fresh fruits
enrich this breakfast with vitamins & minerals.
''This combination also provides the body with
the necessary and balanced amount of
protein, fat and carbohydrates," the
doctor noted.
Also, according to her, a useful breakfast option
is porridge, which can provide the body with
energy for a long period of time.
"Cereals are sources of carbohydrates, so if you lead
an active lifestyle, do sports, especially in the
evening, the day before or during the day,
then they will suit you best.''
''Ideal combinations are buckwheat porridge with milk
and oatmeal porridge with milk or water. Also --- you
can add nuts (not dried fruits) to the porridge --- as
they contain useful fats, proteins and vitamins,"
Tikhomirova said.
A berry that improves
cognitive abilities
is named
July 23rd, 11:45pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Researchers at King's College London have found that eating
blueberries has a positive effect on the brain and blood
vessels of older people. The results were published in
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN).
It is noted that with age, susceptibility to cardiovascular and
neurodegenerative diseases increases, while cognitive
functions in people over 60 years of age, on the
contrary, decrease faster.
Scientists in the study looked for ways to slow down or
prevent these age-related changes. Observations were
made on 61 people aged 65 to 80 years. The study
participants were divided into two groups, one of
which took a placebo, and the second —
26 g of blueberry powder.
The study found that older adults who consumed blueberry
powder daily for 12 weeks had healthier blood vessels and performed better on cognitive tasks compared to the group that received a placebo.
According to scientists, polyphenols, one of the types of
which — anthocyanins, are found in blueberries, can
prevent the deterioration of health. It is at its
expense that the berry has a blue colour.
Anthocyanins are strong antioxidants, neutralize the action
of free radicals, prevent the growth of tumors, and have a
beneficial effect on the human body. Therefore,
vegetables and fruits of bright colours are
considered useful for the body.
Earlier, on June 27, experts listed foods in the diet that affect
a person's cognitive functions. These include avocados and
berries, especially grapes and blueberries, as they protect
the brain... from the harmful effects of oxidative stress,
prevent premature cell aging and the development
of dementia.
_________________________________________
India develops project --- on
cannabis-based medicines
by Javier Arana Villasusa
July 23rd, 11:50am
(Prensa Latina)
India is developing its first research project on the use of
cannabis in the medical sector, which Minister Jitendra
Singh considered today of great potential to use this
drug for the good of humanity.
In a public-private partnership with a Canadian company,
the initiative is being carried out by the Indian Institute
of Integrated Medicine, in the territory of Jammu, and will contribute to the production of quality
medicines for export to patients suffering
from neuropathies, cancer, diabetes and
epilepsy, the Minister of Science and
Technology said during a tour of
the centre.
Singh described the agreement that gave life to the project
as historic not only for the region of Jammu and Kashmir,
but for the whole of India for the scientific contribution,
and highlighted the role of biotechnology in this effort.
He also commended the work of the scientists in charge
of the research, mainly those from the Indian Institute
of Integrated Medicine.
Singh obtained first-hand information on the cultivation
practices in the protected area and the research work
being carried out on the plant.
He also visited the greenhouses with climate control
facilities to improve the varieties according to the
desired cannabinoid content.
According to the Indian minister, there are already
medicines in other countries derived from the
cannabis plant for the treatment of nausea
and vomiting, neuropathic pain and
epilepsy, among others.
__________________________________
Report Warns ‘Sickness Explosion’
in UK -----Costing Billions Per Year
July 19th, 2:25pm (FNA)
The UK is being gripped by a “sickness explosion”
which is costing the economy £15 billion a year,
experts warned.
The nation has “among the worst population health in
Europe” --- due to high levels of obesity, excessive
drinking, & large health inequalities, according to a new report by health experts and peers, The Independent reported.
Poor health in the population, a rising number of elderly
people and “ballooning demand” for care, are leading
to a “health emergency”, experts said.
As a result there is a high level of “premature often
avoidable ill health” which is damaging the
economy and the NHS, they said.
The new report, titled A Covenant for Health, states
that millions are becoming prematurely ill, which
is forcing many to drop out of work.
It has been estimated.. that this cost the economy
£15 billion in 2022/23 due to higher welfare costs
and lower tax revenues.
The authors wrote, “It is urgent to act – the UK has among
the worst population health in Europe, the highest levels
of obesity, the worst excess drinking levels, very large
health inequalities, and very many people become ill
much earlier than they should."
“Our high level of premature, often avoidable, ill health,
One of the most common unusual harbingers of problems
with the cardiovascular system, Davis called numbness
of the extremities. Because of the narrowing of blood
vessels, it is more difficult to circulate blood, so the
hands and feet begin to get cold and numb, even
when the person is generally warm. In
particularly severe cases, the limbs
may turn bluish or purple, the
doctor explained.
As the next non-obvious symptom of developing cardiovascular
pathology, Davis identified problems with the digestive system,
in particular, poor appetite, frequent abdominal pain, diarrhea
and upset stomach.
Also, according to Davis, due to circulatory disorders, the hair
follicles on the legs no longer have enough nutrients, which
is why they die, and, as a result, the hair falls out.
In addition, ulcers on the legs are a sign of poor blood
circulation, the surgeon noted. Usually, such wounds
appear on the back of the lower leg, do not heal for
a long time and can cause discomfort.
In conclusion, Davis urged to be wary of sudden memory
problems and frequent dizziness, as such problems
occur due to chronic hypoxia of the brain --- due
to poor blood circulation.
______________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
April 12th, 1:34am
(Lenta.ru)
The doctor named harmless snacks before going to bed.
Nutritionist Razarenova called nuts, avocado and
eggs... the most harmless snack for the night.
Dietitian, nutritionist Alexandra Razarenova said that at night
the human body does not need additional food intake, as it is
in a state of rest. The correct diet involves avoiding late
dinners -- but if a person can not cope with the feeling
of hunger before going to bed, then they can choose
a few harmless snacks, the expert named them, in an interview with Sputnik radio.
"Bone broth, a few pieces of beef, veal, lamb tongue, nuts:
pecans, walnuts, almonds, Brazil, macadamia, pine nuts.
You can take pumpkin or hemp seeds, chicken or quail
eggs, or avocado," Razarenova said.
If a person can not cope with the evening feeling of hunger,
then it is necessary to "choose products containing the
"right" fats and protein components."
______________________________________
Pfizer vaccine released
with side effects due to
collusion — Russian
Defense Ministry
April 7th, 2:16pm (TASS)
The collusion between US officials and the Pfizer COVID vaccine producer --- made it possible to produce pharmaceuticals with serious side effects, Chief of Russia’s Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Force,
Igor Kirillov, said on Friday.
"According to information we have, the collusion between
officials and the Pfizer COVID vaccine producer made it
possible --- to release pharmaceuticals with serious
side effects. Meanwhile, Pfizer had real evidence
at the time of vaccine approval, supporting the
higher risk of serious cardiovascular system
pathologies after vaccination," Kirillov said.
This is how officials from US federal agencies,
"later..held key positions in pharmaceutical
companies,"the Ministry of Defense said.
Why pregnant women need
to listen to classical music
April 4th, 1:56pm
(Vesti.ru)
The baby in the mother's stomach... hears almost all sounds,
so it's important for pregnant women to listen to good music.
Classical music therapy, is especially useful.
Opera singer Irina Gold told the "Let's Watch" media platform
why classical music is popular among pregnant women, and
whether it is useful for the early development of the baby.
According to the expert, the healing properties of music that
affect the spiritual and physiological state of a person have
been known for a long time.
How does it affect you?
Scientists have long established the relationship between the
frequency of sound vibrations and specific physiological
processes, said the opera singer.
"Sound is a powerful information carrier that acts on the human
brain. And it doesn't matter what we are talking about: noise
on the street or a concert of symphony music," Gold said.
According to the singer, classical music has a positive effect on
the child even in the period of intrauterine development. When
the expectant mother listens to classical music, the
physiological and emotional development of
the fetus, is stimulated.
"These children have significantly better physical
and intellectual performance," she added.
So, it is very useful for a pregnant
woman to listen to Mozart's work.
"You may have heard of the Mozart Effect. It consists in the
fact that listening to Mozart's works has a positive effect
on the development of a child's intelligence," Irina
Gold shared.
In general, Mozart's music works wonders. Scientists in the
course of experiments proved that fans of the composer
have a higher IQ coefficient. And Israeli scientists in
2009, said that only 30 minutes of Mozart a day, is
enough for a child in the mother's belly, to
grow well, recover and gain strength.
It is also useful to listen to Brahms, Debussy, Schubert,
Beethoven, Vivaldi, Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Chopin,
Paganini, Glinka --- and other composers.
Numerous studies have confirmed that classical music
not only creates a sense of psychological comfort, but
also develops the attention, intelligence and creativity
of the child, and helps to reveal the inner potential.
In conclusion, Gold said that pregnant women need to focus
primarily on their personal preferences. A woman should
only listen to the music that she likes. Only then will
music therapy benefit both mother and baby.
[R.R: This last piece of advice..... excludes,
surely, those who ''like'' aggressive music.]
____________________________________________
Taking care of yourself
March 30th, 8:49pm
(Lenta.ru)
Nutritionist warned about the dangers
of out-of-season fruits and vegetables.
Nutritionist Nikulina: out-of-season fruits
and vegetables contain large amounts
of pesticides.
Irina Nikulina, a general practitioner, nutritionist, head of
the Department of Integrative Health Technologies at
the Academy of Social Technologies, in an interview
with the Prime news agency --- warned about the
dangers of unseasonal fruits and vegetables.
According to her, their use can do more harm than good.
She said that unseasonal fruits contain a large amount
of pesticides and nitrates, which are used to increase
the shelf life.
The expert noted that these substances, when used
excessively, adversely affect the human body. So,
they can cause allergic reactions, as well as
problems with the respiratory, nervous and
endocrine systems. In addition, according
to the doctor, pesticides and nitrates are
associated with the development
of cancer.
Nikulina recommended using extra caution to introduce
out-of-season fruits and vegetables into the diet of
children, as their detoxification process is not as
This document 'The health hazards of depleted uranium munitions' document 2001 has quite a detailed analysis of Uranium toxicity.
Basically seems to support evidence Alpha radiation fromDepleted Uranium and compounds lodged long term in tissues like lungs --- and even short term non-lethal doses,
Just 10% of Britons think ministers have the right policies
on the NHS --- though public support for the service’s
founding principles remains strong, according
to new polling.
The proportion of voters across the UK who believe that
ministers are tackling the NHS’s many problems in the
right way is lowest in England, at 8% – a record low,
The Guardian reported.
It is higher in both Scotland (28%) and Wales (19%). However,
across the UK as a whole just one in 10 people thinks the
government is taking the right approach to the NHS.
The notable lack of public confidence in ministers’ handling of
the health service emerged in a survey that pollsters Ipsos
undertook for the Health Foundation thinktank.
“That public confidence in the government’s handling of the
NHS has reached a new low should ring alarm bells in
No 10,” said Tim Gardner, a senior policy fellow at
the Health Foundation.
In a series of gloomy conclusions that reveal dwindling
confidence in and growing public concern about the
NHS, Ipsos also found that:
Only 33% think the NHS is providing a good service, a lot
fewer than the 43% who said it was when the survey
was last done in May 2022.
62% fear that the standard of NHS care will get worse over
the next year – a big jump from the 39% who said that last
year. 74% expect the already serious pressure placed
on NHS staff --- will intensify.
However, the research also shows that 90% think the NHS
should remain free at the point of delivery, 89% back it
being a comprehensive service, that is available to
everyone and 84% believe it should be mainly
funded through taxation.
Some right-of-centre thinktanks and commentators, as well as
the former Health Secretary Sajid Javid, have recently called
for a rethink of how the NHS is funded and organised.
However, Ipsos found that 82% of voters think the NHS needs
more money in order to function better. That view is shared
across all age groups, the four home nations and among
both Labour (94%) and Conservative (63%) voters.
“There is no evidence voters want a radical change to the
NHS model; they just want the current one to work better,”said Gardner.
NHS bosses and experts are worried that satisfaction with the
NHS is falling, especially as a result of long waiting times to
see a GP, get an ambulance, receive A&E care, or mental
health treatment, or undergo an operation.
Research published last year by the King’s Fund and Nuffield
Trust thinktanks found that public satisfaction with the
health service had fallen to its lowest level since 1997.
Their finding of significant dissatisfaction with the time taken
to get an appointment with a GP is borne out by Ipsos’s new
research, which found that 44% think it takes to long to see
a family doctor and 43% believe that it is too hard to book
an appointment.
“This polling shows the NHS is being let down by government
inaction, which is contributing to reduced public confidence,
while support for the founding principles of the NHS remains
strong,” said Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS
Confederation, which represents care providers in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
The Department of Health and Social Care said, “We are
committed to ensuring that the NHS is here for people
to give them the healthcare they need.... when they
need it. That is why we are building a sustainable
NHS, with patients at its centre – backed by up
to £14.1bln for health and social care over the
next two years, on top of record funding."
“Our urgent and emergency care recovery plan, seeks to
deliver the prime minister (Rishi Sunak)’s priority, to cut
waiting lists, whilst reducing pressure on hospitals, by
scaling up community teams, expanding virtual wards,
and getting 800 new ambulances on the road – on top
of £750mln to speed up hospital discharge and free
up beds this winter,” it added.
___________________________________
Survey: European Countries
Face Continued Medicine
Shortages
January 31st 1:57pm (FNA)
European countries are still experiencing a high incidence
of medicine shortages, with a deteriorating burdensome
impact on patients, according to a recent survey.
The Pharmaceutical Group of the European Union (PGEU)
conducted a survey with pharmacies in 29 countries,
including EU members, Turkey, Norway, and North
Macedonia, Anadolu news agency reported.
The survey results showed that the medicine shortages
in most European countries worsened substantially
compared to last year.
More than 600 drugs are scarce... in a quarter of these
countries, while 20% reported 200-300 drug shortages,
it said.
Three-quarters of the countries reported that the
shortages were worse this winter, compared to
a year ago.
The survey also showed... that the most difficult drugs to
be obtained in pharmacies across Europe are especially,
amoxicillin group antibiotics used in the treatment of respiratory tract infections, cough syrups used in treating pediatric diseases, paracetamol in syrup form, and some blood pressure drugs.
The reason for the drug problem is a decline
in supply --- despite a surging demand.
Seasonal infections, especially influenza and respiratory
syncytial virus (RSV), started early and progressed
stronger than normal, in European countries
this year.
Experts say weaker immune systems are related to
COVID-19 lockdowns as people were not exposed
to some viruses during this period.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are also unprepared for the
high demand in the face of increasing infections, with the energy crisis in Europe and the rising raw material prices, affecting production.
__________________________________________
The doctor explained... the most useful snack
for elderly people
January 21st, 11:30pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Dietitian Mikhail Ginzburg said on January 20th,
that a fermented milk drink, with muesli and
apple, or a vegetable salad combined with
grain bread, is the best snack for
the elderly.
"The most healthy snack for the elderly, is one that
contains sour-milk drinks and cereals, such as
muesli. Also, in this snack, it is very good to
eat an apple. There may be vegetables,
some kind of vegetable salad, or
vegetable slicing. Coarse bread,
grain bread, bread with bran,"
the doctor said, in an
interview with
Moskva 24.
According to the nutritionist, this meal contains everything that the body needs ---- dietary fibre, probiotics, vitamins & complex carbohydrates.
As Ginzburg noted, nutrition enriched with all the necessary elements protects the body from the deterioration of age-
related diseases.
Earlier, on January 13th, dietitian Elena Solomatina said that
turkey is the most useful product for the nervous system of
the elderly. According to her, the meat of this bird is rich in
B vitamins, the lack of which often affects older people,
which can cause them to have an unsteady gait,
or dizziness.
___________________________________________
Fentanyl deaths of children
under 14 surging – Report
by Pavel López Lazo
January 19th, 4:08pm
(Prensa Latina)
The United States has reported an accelerated increase
in deaths of children under 14 --- due To fentanyl
poisoning, according to a new report from
Families Against Fentanyl (FAF), a
nonprofit spreading awareness
about the deadly opioid.
Between 2019 and 2021, synthetic opioid fatalities led by
fentanyl poisonings among U.S. children under 14 years
old increased faster than among any other U.S. age
group, according to an FAF analysis of Centres
for Disease Control and Prevention data.
Infant fentanyl deaths increased twice as fast between 2019
and 2021. Fentanyl deaths among toddlers between the
ages of 1 and 4 more than tripled, and deaths among
children between the ages of 5 and 14 nearly
quadrupled, according to FAF.
In many cases, the drug is ingested without the person’s
knowledge. People are taking pills — such as at parties
— not knowing the pills are counterfeit and heavily
laced with fentanyl.
Two milligrams of fentanyl, which is the size of a mosquito,
is enough to kill an adult. The CDC said more than 100,000
people died of a drug overdose in 2021, and more than
65,000 of those deaths, were linked to fentanyl.
Americans 25 to 44 accounted for 53.2% of the total
number of fentanyl deaths in the U.S. in 2021.
Fentanyl spread across the United States in recent years
and is the latest wave of a drug crisis started with
addictive painkillers and followed by heroin.
The Drug Enforcement Administration warned that Fentanyl
is the deadliest narcotic nationwide and according to
federal agents 379 million potentially deadly doses
were intercepted in 2022.
The clinical psychologist --- spoke on the importance of sleep --- for health
January 18th, 8:20pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Olesya Tolstukhina, a clinical psychologist at the Doctor Next
Medical technology company, said in a conversation with
Izvestia on January 18th, that regular full — fledged
sleep is an extremely important element of mental
and physical health.
"During sleep, many processes in the nervous system
are stabilized, as well as physical stabilization and
regeneration in internal organs. When the sleep
regime fails, the psyche suffers first of all, a
prolonged lack of normal sleep can
indicate the beginning of
psychotic states,"
she said.
According to Tolstukhina, the longer a person is without
sleep, the more severe the consequences: the body's
key life support systems fail.
"Severe changes in brain tissue critically reduce
immunity, the body is depleted to the point of
death," the expert warned.
She noted that with complaints of disturbed sleep, you
should contact a neurologist or psychiatrist to find out
the causes of sleep problems, as they may be
psychological or organic.
Earlier in the day in Moscow, a 16-year-old teenager died
from a rare form of insomnia, which refers to incurable
hereditary diseases.
Candidate of Medical Sciences, neurologist-somnologist
Elena Tsareva told Izvestia on January 18th about how
to recognize the symptoms of the rarest form of
insomnia — fatal family insomnia, which
caused the death of a teenager.
According to her, the key signs that insomnia has a deadly
form are the complete inability of a person to fall asleep
and the lack of response to sleeping pills due to the
fact that the disease changes the structure of
the brain.
____________________________________________
US Guards Use Pepper Spray, Stun Guns --- to Subdue Prisoners
in Mental Health Crisis
January 3rd, 1:49pm (FNA)
Prison guards in the US state of Pennsylvania use
aggressive and distressing tactics to subdue
prisoners with mental health illness, who
may not be able to comply with orders,
an investigation found.
According to a joint probe by WITF and NPR that
looked at 456 incidents from 25 county jails in
Pennsylvania, nearly 1 in 3 "use of force"
incidents.. involved a person who was
having a mental health crisis or who
had a known mental illness during
the last quarter of 2021.
In many cases, guards used weapons like stun guns
and pepper spray... to control and subdue such
prisoners despite the fact that their severe
psychiatric conditions meant they may
have been unable to follow orders —
or even understand what was
going on.
Most uses of force in prisons don't lead to death, but
the practices employed by prison guards every day
in county jails can put prisoners and staff at risk
of injury.
“There are always going to be use-of-force incidents
at the prison," Dauphin County Spokesman Brett
Hambright told NPR.
And Craig Haney, a psychology professor, says some
of those mentally ill inmates are being traumatized.
“Some mentally ill prisoners are so traumatized by the
abuse that they never recover, some are driven to
suicide, and others are deterred from bringing
attention to their mental health problems
because reporting these issues often
results in harsher treatment,"
Cruz said.
Correctional authorities, however, claim the use of
physical force is an important option to prevent
violence between inmates, or violence
against guards themselves.
Records kept by correctional officers at the 25
Pennsylvania county jails, however, show that
just 10% of "use of force" incidents were in
response to a prisoner assaulting
someone else.
Records also show one in five uses of force —
88 incidents — involved a prisoner who was
either attempting suicide, hurting them
selves or threatening self-harm.
Pamela Rollings-Mazza, who provides medical and
behavioural services at about 35 county jails in
Pennsylvania, says her team frequently sees
people come to jail -- who are "not reality-
based" due to psychiatric illness, and
can't understand or comply with
basic orders.
In one of such “use of force” incidents in a jail in
Harrisburg county in Pennsylvania, a prisoner
with mental health proble...., Ishmail
Thompson, was killed after a guard
covered his head with a hood and
put him in a restraint chair,
strapping down his arms
and legs.
Some 20 minutes later, an officer noticed something
wrong with Thompson's breathing. He was rushed
to the hospital, but 5 days later, Thompson died.
The district attorney.. declined to
bring charges against the officer.
According to experts, prison is not an appropriate
setting for treating serious mental illness.
Currently there are thousands of local jails across
the US, and they depend on the local and state
governments... that set correctional policies,
and that fund — or fail to fund — the mental
health services that could keep vulnerable
people out of jail in the first place.
_____________________________________
UK Chancellor Admits NHS
Is on Brink of Collapse
After 12 Years of
Tory Rule
November 13th, 4:44pm (FNA)
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt on Sunday admitted
the NHS is on the brink of collapse, after
12 years of Tory rule.
The Chancellor warned... “we’re all going to be paying
a bit more tax”, as he unveils his Autumn Statement
Budget on Thursday, The Daily Mirror reported.
Reports suggest he will cut the £150,000 threshold for
45p tax to £125,000 to generate £1.3billion a year,
and cut energy bills support from £60bln in the
current six months, to just £20bln... in the
six months afterwards.
But health leaders have demanded extra funds
for the NHS --- amid record waiting times.
He was told by Sky News presenter Sophy Ridge that
“Frankly this doesn't look like a health service that
can find efficiency savings - this looks like a
health service that is on the brink
of collapse”.
The top Tory, a former Health Secretary and ex-
chairman of the Commons Health Select
Committee, replied, “There are massive
pressures in the NHS."
"Obviously --- it’s something I know very well, from
previous jobs I’ve done, and I think that doctors,
nurses, on the frontline, are, frankly, under
unbearable pressure --- so I do recognise
the picture you say" he said --- adding,
"It’s also true there is a lot of money
going into the NHS.”
NHS England figures showed a record 43,792 people
waited longer than 12 hours in October, from a decision to admit, to actually being
admitted on to a ward.
These ‘trolley waits’ were up a staggering 34%
from 32,776 in September - the highest since
records began in 2010.
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Public
services are already on their knees - seven
million people are waiting for an NHS
operation or support.”
It came as Hunt admitted he will be a “Scrooge”
in his Autumn Statement on Thursday with
no "rabbits out of the hat”.
He refused to deny it would mark a “return
to austerity”, replying --- there will be
“difficult decisions” and “we will
be asking everyone for
sacrifices”.
He warned he won’t be offering “motherhood and
apple pie” or "cakeism" - an accusation he laid
at Boris Johnson’s door.
The Chancellor... is eyeing up £33bln a year of
spending cuts and £21bln a year of tax rises
by 2027 in a bid to balance the books.
Echoing George Osborne’s austerity rhetoric, he
tried to claim the nation’s finances were like a
family budget - despite the £2.4trillion
national debt.
“We are going to see everyone paying more tax,
we are going to see spending cuts”, he told
the BBC.
Speaking to Sky he added, “Families have to make
sure that in the end, they can pay their bills. They
don't just max out on their credit card without
having any way of repaying those debts. It's
just the same for countries - and we have
to do that."
“Because if we want to put more money into the NHS,
if we want to help people who are going to find it
very, very difficult this winter,..then we need to
have the resources to do that and that means
we have to take difficult decisions even at
moments like this,” he added.
The Chancellor will slash back the Energy Price
Guarantee - which limits average annual bills
to £2,500 - from April ---- after warning it is
costing the same as “an entire
second NHS”.
On Sunday, more details emerged of what that
will cost Brits, as it is limited to only the very
most vulnerable.
The scheme is costing about £60bln between
October and March, but the Sunday reports
it may cost only £20bln in the six months
afterwards.
Treasury officials have discussed the average
bill going up from £2,500 to between £2,850
and £3,100.
That could mean a £600 rise on current bills,
and a rise of nearly £2,000 a year since 2021.
Hunt said, “We don't want anyone, not to be able
to afford to heat their home over this winter or
indeed future winters."
"But in the long run, what you need is a plan that
means we don't need to have to give very, very
expensive support as taxpayers,” he added.
He added, “We need to recognise there's only so
much you can ask from people on the very
lowest incomes so that will be reflected
in the decisions that I take.”
But he rejected striking nurses' demands for a 17%
pay rise, which his Health Secretary blasted as
"neither reasonable nor affordable".
Hunt said, “I think we have to recognise a difficult
truth that if we gave everyone inflation-proof pay
rises, inflation would stay, we wouldn't bring
down inflation.”
Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said “it’s a badge
of shame”.. that nurses are staging their first ever
nationwide strike in England, but also refused
to commit to a 17% pay rise.
She said "I’m not going to pluck numbers out of the
air" and "it’s up to the pay review bodies to work
with the unions", despite the fact the pay review
bodies have already reported back and it's up
to the government.
Reeves said, “I don't believe that austerity 2.0 after
the austerity that we've gone through for the last
12 years... is the right approach.”
She said she would close tax loopholes on “big
global multinationals” to bring in £7billion a year.
She also repeated Labour’s pledge to levy 45%
capital gains tax on private equity fund
managers, instead of the current 28%.
_________________________________________
Italy eliminates sanctions
against anti-vaccine
health personnel
by Ana Luisa Brown
October 28th, 3:38pm
(Prensa Latina)
The Italian Health Ministry announced today
that sanctions against doctors, nurses and
other health personnel, imposed for their
refusal to be vaccinated against
Covid-19 --- will no longer be in effect.
The new Italian Health Minister, Orazio Schillaci, made
the announcement on Friday and added that, data on
those infected and deceased as a result of the
disease will no longer be published on a daily
basis, as has been the case up to now.
According to the communiqué, the health authorities
consider it necessary to initiate a gradual return to
normality, although they call for responsible
behaviour, in compliance with the rules
still in force.
The suspension of employment for non-compliance with
the vaccination obligation is revoked ‘in view of the
expiration of the provisions in force on December
31st and the worrying shortage of medical
personnel’, the document states.
Schillaci also announced the creation of a
commission of inquiry ‘to clarify what
happened from the administrative
point of view’ --- regarding the
expenses incurred... by the
previous administration,
to face Covid-19.
And in Wales?
Hearing Discovery -- Reveals
Ear Architecture That Turns
Vibration into Sound
October 17th, 1:31pm (FNA)
In what’s described as a breakthrough decades in the
making, scientists at Oregon State Health & Science
University (OHSU) have revealed the inner ear
architecture that converts vibrations into
sound, in near-atomic detail.
The ability of the ear to turn vibrations into the
sensation of sound... is facilitated by an inner
structure, called the mechanosensory trans-
duction complex. Despite its critical role in
human hearing, the composition of this
structure & mechanisms that underly
its function... have remained poorly
understood.
“This is the last sensory system in which that
fundamental molecular machinery has
remained unknown,” said senior
author of the new study Eric
Gouaux.
“The molecular machinery that carries out this
absolutely amazing process has been
unresolved for decades.”
The team’s work involved the roundworm
Caenorhabditis elegans, a popular model
for scientists as the creature shares a
similar genome and many cellular
pathways with humans.
The scientists spent five years ---- studying more than
60 million worms through cryo-electron microscopy,
an emerging technique used to create 3D
reconstructions of proteins.
This enabled the scientists to piece together the
protein complex that turns vibrations into the
electrical impulses our brain recognizes as
sound. The highly detailed portrait of this
intricate biological architecture.. was a long time coming, according to fellow
OHSU hearing scientist, Peter
Barr-Gillespie, who wasn’t
directly involved in
the research.
“The auditory neuroscience field.. has been waiting for
these results, for decades, and now that they are right
here - we are ecstatic,” he said. “The results from this
paper immediately suggest new avenues of research,
and so will invigorate the field for years to come.”
Because hearing loss can came about through genetic
mutations that change the proteins making up the
mechanosensory transduction complex... an
ability to now visualize the protein complex
may present new ways to counter
the mutations.
“It immediately suggests mechanisms by which one
might be able to compensate for those deficits,”
said senior author Eric Gouaux. “If a mutation
gives rise to a defect in the transduction
channel that causes hearing loss, it’s
possible to design a molecule that
fits into that space and rescues
the defect. Or it may mean we
can strengthen interactions,
that have been weakened.”
Are Smartwatch Health Apps
to Detect Atrial Fibrillation
Smart Enough?
October 13th, 2:25pm (FNA)
Extended cardiac monitoring in patients and the use
of implantable cardiovascular electronic devices can
increase detection of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the
devices have limitations including short battery
life and lack of immediate feedback.
Can new smartphone tools that can record an
electrocardiogram (ECG) strip and make an
automated diagnosis overcome these
limitations and facilitate timely
diagnosis?
The largest study to date, in the Canadian Journal of
Cardiology, published by Elsevier, finds that the use
of these devices is challenging in patients with
abnormal ECGs. Better algorithms and
machine learning may help these tools
provide more accurate diagnoses,
investigators say.
"Earlier studies have validated the accuracy of the
Apple Watch for the diagnosis of AF in a limited
number of patients with similar clinical profiles,"
explained lead investigator Marc Strik, MD, PhD,
LIRYC institute, Bordeaux University Hospital,
Bordeaux, France. "We tested the accuracy
of the Apple Watch ECG app to detect AF
in patients with a variety of coexisting
ECG abnormalities."
The study included 734 consecutive hospitalized
patients. Each patient underwent a 12-lead ECG,
immediately followed by a 30-second Apple
Watch recording. The smartwatch's
automated single-lead ECG AF
detections were classified as
"no signs of atrial fibrillation,"
"atrial fibrillation," or
"inconclusive reading."
Smartwatch recordings were given to an
electrophysiologist who conducted a
blinded interpretation, assigning each
tracing a diagnosis of "AF," "absence
of AF," or "diagnosis unclear."
A second blinded electrophysiologist interpreted
100 randomly selected traces to determine the
extent to which the observers agreed.
In approximately one in every five patients --- the
smartwatch ECG failed to produce an automatic
diagnosis. The risk of having a false positive
automated AF detection was higher for
patients with premature atrial and
ventricular contractions (PACs/
PVCs), sinus node dysfunction,
and second- or third-degree
atrioventricular-block.
For patients in AF, the risk of having a false negative
tracing (missed AF) was higher for patients with
ventricular conduction abnormalities (inter-
ventricular conduction delay) or rhythms
controlled by an implanted pacemaker.
The cardiac electrophysiologists... had a high level of
agreement for differentiation between AF and non-AF.
The smartphone app correctly identified 78% of the
patients who were in AF and 81% who were not in
AF. The electrophysiologists identified 97% of the
patients who were in AF and 89% who were not.
Patients with PVCs were three times more likely to have
false positive AF diagnoses from the smartwatch ECG,
and the identification of patients with atrial
tachycardia (AT) and atrial flutter (AFL)
was very poor.
"These observations are not surprising, as smartwatch
automated detection algorithms are based solely on
cycle variability," Dr. Strik noted, explaining that
PVCs cause short and long cycles, which
increase cycle variability.
"Ideally, an algorithm would better discriminate
between PVCs and AF. Any algorithm limited to
the analysis of cycle variability will have poor
accuracy in detecting AT/AFL. Machine
learning approaches may increase
the smartwatch AF detection
accuracy in these patients."
In an accompanying editorial, Andrés F. Miranda-
Arboleda, MD, and Adrian Baranchuk, MD,
Division of Cardiology at Kingston Health
Science Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada,
observed that this is the first "real-
world" study focusing on the use
of the Apple Watch as a
diagnostic tool for AF.
"It is of remarkable importance because it allowed us
to learn the performance of the Apple Watch in the
diagnosis of AF is significantly affected by the
presence of underlying ECG abnormalities.
In a certain manner, the smartwatch
algorithms for the detection of AF in
patients with cardiovascular
conditions are not yet smart
enough. But they may soon
be," Dr. Miranda-Arboleda
and Dr. Baranchuk said.
"With the growing use of smartwatches in medicine,
it is important to know which medical conditions
and ECG abnormalities could impact and alter
the detection of AF by the smartwatch... in
order to optimize the care of our patients,"
Dr Strik said. "Smartwatch detection of
AF has great potential, but it is more
challenging.... in patients with
pre-existing cardiac disease."
British women ‘more depressed
than men’overcost-of-living
crisis: Poll
October 7th, 2:30pm
(PressTV)
Women in the UK are more worried than men about
paying bills and household expenses and are more
depressed than men when faced with financial
crises, according to the findings of a survey.
The survey was conducted by YouGov, a charity and
representative of British psychologists in the UK
between September 6 and 7.
The results of the survey showed that 61% of women
compared to 47% of men are more worried about
paying their bills compared to last year.
Also, 3 out of 10 women said that financial worries
make them feel depressed. This rate is 26% in men.
The results of the research show that women are more
worried about meeting household expenses in the
coming year, including paying energy bills (77%
of women and 65% of men).
Julia Faulconbridge, official psychologist and a member
of the clinical psychology department of the British
Psychological Society (BPS) said: “We know
women often shoulder more of the childcare
and home responsibilities and are more
likely to be in low-paid and insecure
work, increasing their chances of
being hit by rising prices, and
subsequently experiencing
greater anxiety, stress
and worry.”
“There is a clear causal link between living in poverty
and mental health difficulties,” she said. “We know
that the stress of raising a family in poverty can
have a huge impact on parents’ mental health
and that poverty is one of the major risk
factors for the development of mental
and physical health problems
in children.”
“This is magnified in a single-parent household, which
is why we urgently need the Government to confirm
they will support those who need it most by
uprating benefits in line with inflation.”
The BPS is joining a range of organizations and
politicians calling on the government to
increase benefits in line with inflation.
The UK government has not ruled out actual
reductions in benefits, as reports suggest
payments could increase in line with
average income increases.
The decision is expected to be made in
November .....and implemented in April.
____________________________________________
Physiotherapist spoke
about the 'dangers' of
heavily roasted coffee
for digestion...
September 30th, 4:21pm,
(Lenta.ru)
Doctor Philip Glubokov: strongly roasted
coffee depresses digestion.
Heavily roasted coffee can depress digestion, warned
the physiotherapist Philip Glubokov in an interview
with the"Fifth Channel".
Glubokov referred to the opinion of scientists, about the
different effects of roasting coffee on digestion. "There
is evidence that coffee of different degrees of roasting
has different effects on digestion. For example,
strongly roasted coffee, can slightly depress
digestion, make it slower, while coffee with
a lighter roast will, on the contrary, speed
up digestion," the physiotherapist said
about the harm of the drink.
Therefore, Glubokov continued, it is not necessary to
combine strong coffee with full meals — it is better
to use it in between meals.
Earlier, the doctor Monica Wassermann warned
about the dangers of coffee. According to her,
drinking coffee can increase the risk of
blood clots.
________________________________________
Endocrinologist named lard
and pumpkin products --- to
support the immune system
September 21st, 2022, 11:03pm
(Izvestia.ru)
Lard, pumpkin, sunflower seeds and kefir will help
strengthen the immune system, said Elena
Evdokimova, an endocrinologist and a
member of the Russian Association
of Endocrinologists and the
European Association for
the Study of Diabetes.
Writes " Gazeta.Ru",
September 21st.
According to the doctor, fat, thanks to a large amount
of arachidonic acid, helps prevent viral diseases and
strengthens the immune system. Kefir fungi, which
are contained in kefir, help to normalize the
microflora, and vitamin D, which is also
contained in it, is a source of protein
that is easily absorbed in the body.
"Another product with non-obvious benefits is pumpkin.
It contains a huge amount of carotenoids and trace
elements, which greatly strengthen the immune
system. Many dishes made from pumpkin are
useful: juice, mashed potatoes, cream soup,
as well as baked pumpkin,"
says Evdokimova.
Also, peeled sunflower seeds have a beneficial effect
on the immune system. Seeds contain a lot of fat-
soluble vitamins A, D and E, as well as a large
number of minerals ---- that have
immunomodulatory effects.
On the same day, hepatologist Alexandra Yakovleva
also spoke about the benefits of using fat.
According to the doctor, the fats present in fat
contribute to the formation of a protective
film on the surface of the lungs.
_________________________________________
China creates mask with sensors
--- capable of detecting viruses
by Aleynes Palacios Hurtado
September 21st, 11:07am
(Prensa Latina)
Chinese scientists have developed a face mask that
has sensors, uses a rechargeable lithium battery
and can detect different types of viruses,
including SARS-CoV-2, which causes
Covid-19, CGTN reported
on Wednesday.
The face mask was developed by professionals at
Shanghai’s Tongji University --- and the built-in
system allows the wearer know if he or she
is exposed to pathogens ...such as the
common flu, H5N1 & H1N1 influenza.
The device sends alert signals wirelessly to cell
phones and works best in enclosed spaces
with poor ventilation, such as elevators.
To test its effectiveness, its creators sprayed virus-
laden liquid on it, simulating scenarios with
people talking and coughing.
As part of its strategy to fight Covid-19, China
maintains the mandatory use of face masks, to access any public place and most people
keep it on, even if they walk in the street in the open air.
Since October 10th, 2021 and until the end of October,
2022, the government put into effect new adjustments
to the sanitary mechanism, also coinciding with the
week of holidays for its National Day and the
celebration of the 20th Communist
Party Congress.
The changes imply that all provinces require the population to present negative results of a RT-PCR test taken 48 hours before
boarding any means of public
transportation, that is, a bus, train, plane or ferry.
__________________________________
Pfizer Isn’t Sharing....COVID
Vaccines with Researchers
for Next-Gen Studies
September 8th, 12:37pm (FNA)
Researchers studying next-generation vaccines to fight
an evolving Covid-19 threat, are running into problems
getting existing vaccines to use in their research.
Because Pfizer and Moderna hold the patents for the
current vaccines, researchers would likely have to
get the companies’ permission to use them for
research into products like nasal or pan-
coronavirus vaccines.
Right now, Pfizer isn’t sharing its vaccines for research
purposes, a spokesperson confirmed to STAT.
Moderna, didn’t comment when we asked.
Some university researchers argue the posture slows
global progress toward more effective vaccines in
the future, especially since the United States has
already wasted tens of millions of doses of the
Covid-19 vaccines.
Yale University virologist and immunologist Akiko
Iwasaki has designed a study of nasal vaccines
against Covid-19, which - she argues - could
provide better protection against infection
and transmission than shots alone.
The ideal study would be conducted on subjects that
have already had a primary vaccine series, to
simulate real-world scenarios. She inquired
with Pfizer about obtaining some vaccine
to use in her study of nasal vaccines,
but has not received any.
“In order for us to develop a better vaccine -- we need
a comparator. For that reason, everyone who’s doing
research in this area is in the same boat, we don’t
have access to do a comparison,” Iwasaki said.
California Institute of Technology professor Pamela
Bjorkman said her lab has had similar troubles
obtaining existing Covid-19 vaccines, that
would otherwise be discarded, in order
to research a vaccine candidate that
could provide protection against a
variety of Covid-19 variants.
“Whatever policy prevents using such vials, does a
great disservice to global efforts to develop new
and improved vaccines,” Bjorkman said.
When asked whether Pfizer has provided any vaccines
for research purposes, spokesperson Sharon Castillo
said, “We are not accepting or reviewing
applications for possible clinical
research that studies the
Covid-19 vaccine.”
COVID godfather prepares to
start a new career chapter
September 1st, 3:08pm
https://en.news-front.info/
Coronavirus fine-tuning takes place
in US biolaboratories --- in Ukraine.
President Biden’s top medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci,
dubbed Dr Evil, has announced he is stepping down
next December to “continue the next chapter” of
his career: “I am announcing today, that I am
stepping down.. as director of the National
Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
(NIAID) and head of the NIAID immuno-
regulation laboratory and as chief
medical adviser to President Joe Biden.''
The departure of Fauci, one of the protagonists of the recent world-wide “pandemic”
is no small event.
One of America’s most prominent political
commentators, Tucker Carlson, told Fox
News that “for the last two years, Fauci
recommended treatments & preventive
measures against COVID that did
not work.''
''He admitted to the New York Times, that he lied about
collective immunity in order to sell more vaccines…
which really weren’t even vaccines and have
hurt tens of thousands of people.''
The report of the placebo vaccines turned out to be just
one of the information bombs. Global Research says:
“It’s been almost a year since the FDA (U.S. Food and
Drug Administration) gave full approval to Pfizer’s
COVID mRNA injection… Many will be surprised
to learn that this particular vaccine in FDA-
approved form never actually existed and
never will. The widely touted --- ''FDA''
approval by the Biden administration
was just a sleight of hand. It was a
bureaucratic sham.”
The U.S. government ran a drug campaign, deceiving
citizens into giving them vaccinations --- that the
authorities assured them were FDA-approved.
In fact, everyone in America has been
administered and continues to be
administered, another version of
the vaccine with what is known
as an “Emergency Use
Authorisation” (EUA).
The FDA-approved Comirnaty vaccine has
never been available to Americans.
Fauci lied not only about vaccines, but also about
quarantine, about self-isolation, about masks:
“You have to wear masks when you cycle,
you get too much life-enhancing oxygen.
What you really need, is more carbon
dioxide.” This Dr Evil spelled it out
publicly. And, privately, he was
saying that:- “the usual mask
you buy at the drugstore is
actually ineffective in
protecting against
the virus”.
When Fauci testified under oath before
Congress, he concealed that he had
helped create the coronavirus:
Senator RAND PAUL: ''Dr. Fauci, knowing that it is a
crime to lie to Congress, do you want to withdraw
your May 11 statement where you claimed that
the NIH [National Institutes of Health], never
funded the Wuhan enhancement research?''
FAUCHI: ''Senator Paul, I have never lied to Congress and
I am not retracting that statement. That document
you referred to is qualified by staff at all levels
as ineffective…''
RAND PAUL: ''You take an animal virus and enhance its
ability to be transmitted to humans. Are you saying
that’s not enhancing the function?''
The Intercept... spoke to virologist, Vincent Racaniello,
professor of microbiology & immunology at Columbia
University. “There is no doubt,” said Ricaniello, “that
the weight loss in the mice in the study is a gain of
function. Tony Fauci is wrong to say it is not.”
Fauci was yowling and wiggling his way
through the conversation to interpret
the term “gain of function,” and
The Intercept reports:
''Scientists working under an NIH grant, to the
Environmental Health Alliance to study bat
corona viruses (2014) --- combined
genetic material from the parent
coronavirus -- known as WIV1,
with other viruses.''
They produced more potent viruses
--- and Fauci supervised the work.
This kind of work was banned in the US, so the
experiments were conducted abroad. And not
just in Wuhan, but in us biolaboratories in Ukraine. Tucker Carlson writes that:
''At some point, someone… will ask the question,
why are all these bio-laboratories of ours, in
Ukraine, located everywhere? Ukraine
does not seem to be a hotbed of
pharmaceutical research.''
In a letter to the House Oversight Committee, NIH
spokesman Lawrence Tabak wrote that a “limited
experiment” was conducted in Wuhan to test
whether -- “spike proteins from natural bat
coronaviruses circulating in China could
bind to the human ACE2 receptor, in a
mouse model”. The finalisation of the
virus took place --- in Ukrainian
biolaboratories.
In early 2020, Christian Andersen, a virologist at the
Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California, wrote to
Fauci about the COVID-19 virus as follows:
“Some functions (potentially) look
engineered.” And Nobel laureate
in medicine, biochemist and
virologist David Baltimore
said he had found:
“incontrovertible
evidence of the
artificial origin
of the virus”.
It can be considered established, that the coronavirus
has been artificially bred. Why is a separate question.
As for a vaccine against the American-created virus,
in 2020 Fauci proclaimed that the solution to COVID
would be remdesivir, a drug produced by the
pharmaceutical giant. Gilead.
“The time has come” --- declared Dr Evil.
He only did not say what the time is for.
The Biden administration, government health agencies
and Pfizer have launched a massive PR campaign to
overcome “indecision on vaccines”. The media
joined in this campaign. Fake FDA-approved
status was used to put pressure on private
companies to get their employees
vaccinated. And millions of
Americans were forced to
vaccinate because they
could not afford to be
unemployed.
And after a while it was discovered that the mRNA
drug didn’t work, that it was dangerous for young
men and wasn’t a vaccine, in its classic
definition, at all.
So the Biden administration first sanctioned the
creation of the virus -- and then, together with
Big Tech and Pfizer, tricked Americans into
taking “FDA approved” vaccines against
COVID --- that did not exist.
by Agniya Krengel, FSC
Pictured - UK air pollution
The toxicologist ---told about
millions of deaths annually
because of polluted air
August 21st, 7:30pm
(Lenta.ru)
Professor, Academician of the Russian Academy
of Natural Sciences, Corresponding Member of
the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences,
toxicologist Mikhail Kutushov, in an
interview with Ura.ru --- said that
every year -- about seven million
people die, due to polluted air.
He explained that death occurs
due to the diseases caused by
the environmental situation.
"Many people suffer from health problems....
especially if they live near large industrial
facilities, or near busy highways.
Approximately seven million
people a year, die from
polluted air.''
''It is believed that a third of strokes, and
other heart diseases -- and lung cancer,
are caused by a polluted environment.
Diseases begin with asthma, and
bronchitis," the specialist said.
He noted that, since human lungs work together
with the heart, diseases begin to worsen in the
event of air pollution. According to him, the
main disease that can occur in humans is
cancer. In addition, cases of asthma or
chronic bronchitis are common, the
toxicologist added.
Kutushov stressed that the greatest danger for
residents --- is represented by enterprises
located within the city limits, that work
with toxic substances.
He said that it is necessary to move such enterprises
out of the city, green the city, and people should
drink more water, as well as eat more
vegetables and fruits.
Formerly, Shanghai, Moscow and Tehran, have
been named as the cities with the highest
level of nitrogen dioxide air pollution in
the world. This is the conclusion
reached, by the US non-profit
organization, Health Effects
Institute - and the research
institute for Health Metrics
and Evaluation.
FOOTNOTE:
86% of UK Towns and Cities
Fail Air Pollution Tests -Gibbons Group
Possible control of type 2
diabetesby rhodiola root
say scientists
by Elsy Fors Garzon
August 17th, 00:11am
(Prensa Latina)
The extract from the roots of the Rhodiola rosea plant,
known as rhodiola, could be effective in helping to
control type 2 diabetes, a scientific source
reported today.
Experts from the University of California at Irvine,
United States, found that “it reduced fasting
blood sugar levels, improved response to
insulin injections, modulated the
composition of bacteria in the
gastrointestinal tract and
decreased... several bio-
markers of inflammation”.
The team used a genetically engineered mouse
model that develops obesity, insulin resistance,
and hyperglycemia, similar to advanced
human type 2 diabetes.
Such a laboratory procedure – specifies the journal
Scientific Reports – had the objective of verifying
if rhodiola could improve glucose homeostasis.
The extract from the roots of this plant acts through
changes in the microbiome that lead to an increase
in the integrity of the intestinal barrier and a lower
translocation of inflammatory molecules to the
blood circulation.
“The integrity of the intestinal barrier, influences body
weight and the response to insulin, and could improve
the responses of liver and muscle tissues to insulin
produced by the pancreas,” the specialists
point out.
Known as rhodiola, this herb grows in the colder,
more mountainous regions of Europe and Asia.
The golden root, as it is also called in the Scandinavian
culture and Siberian peoples --- is used to increase
resistance at work and improve altitude sickness.
A clinical trial showed that taking 400 milligrams of
Rodhiola rosea extract daily for 12 weeks improved
symptoms of anxiety, exhaustion, and irritability.
Its properties are related to two of its active
ingredients, rosavin and salidroside.
Chinese scientists have found a
new way to reduce the risk of
heart and vascular diseases
August 8th, 7:59pm
(trud.ru)
For the prevention and treatment of such diseases,
it is necessary to reduce the level of lipids in the
blood serum and liver.
Chinese scientists have found that inhibiting the ASGR1
receptor in the liver can reduce serum and liver lipids,
thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
This was reported on Monday, August 8th, by the
Xinhua news agency, with a link to an article
published in the journal Nature.
As the authors explain, the ASGR1 receptor is
expressed - exclusively - in the liver. Little is
known about how it affects the metabolism
of cholesterol, the accumulation of which
can lead to an increased risk of
heart disease.
At the same time, reducing the level of lipids is
necessary for the prevention and treatment
of these diseases.
A research team from Wuhan University in China found
that inhibition of ASGR1 promotes the elimination of
cholesterol – with bile and faeces, which reduces
the level of lipids in the serum and liver.
Based on the results of the study, biologists have
developed a neutralizing anti-ASGR1 antibody
that can effectively reduce lipid levels, by
increasing cholesterol excretion.
___________________________________
Russian Defense Ministry
considers the possibility
of US involvement in
the spread of COVID
August 4th, 2:50pm
https://en.news-front.info/
The Ministry of Defense of Russia suggests that the United States was involved in the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and its spread in the world.
The spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world,
suggests the deliberate role of US organizations in
its emergence. This -- was announced at a briefing
on August 4th, by Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov,
Chief of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological
Defense Forces of the RF Armed Forces.
“We are considering the possibility that the United
States Agency for International Development
(USAID) is involved in the emergence of the
new coronavirus,” Kirillov said.
The general recalled the words of the leading expert of
the authoritative medical journal, The Lancet, Jeffrey
Sachs, who said in May 2022, that the COVID-19 virus --- was artificially created.
Sachs specified that there is a high probability: that US achievements in the field of biotechnology, were used in its creation.
"There is enough evidence, that this should be
investigated, but it is not being investigated,
neither in the United States - nor anywhere
else. I think they(US officials - Gazeta.En)
don't really want to look too much, under
the carpet," Sachs emphasized.
The "Achilles heel" of almost
all types of cancer, including
drug-resistant ones,
has been found
by Olga Muraya
July 31st, 2:05pm
(Vesta.ru)
New genetic data is helping to better understand the
causes of different types of cancer in humans.
This, in turn, will help to develop new methods
of cancer treatment.
Medical researchers from several leading institutes
in the United States have found that at least 70%
of cancer types and 8% of all individual tumors
activate a single gene that is normally
"turned off" in most body tissues.
It turns out that scientists have
discovered a universal cancer switch?
So far, the study is improving our understanding of how
different types of cancer develop. But the team that
made this discovery has already begun working
with chemists and biologists to figure out how
to target this gene with possible
new treatments.
What did the scientists find? It turned out that many
cancers show abnormal expression of the FOXR2
gene. This gene is normally expressed
("switched on") only in the testes —
the male sex glands.
In a further study involving mice that artificially
activated the FOXR2 gene, it turned out that
the expression of the gene increases the
growth rate of brain tumors.
The team suspects that FOXR2 may be part of
a broader scheme in which normally inactive
testicular genes --- are switched on in
cancer patients.
The authors are already working with other
laboratories to develop cancer treatments
that target FOXR2.
The study was published in the July
8th, 2022 issue of Cancer Research.
At the same time, scientists from Spain have
revealed the mechanism by which some
cancer patients do not respond well
to treatment.
A condition known as multi-drug resistance (MDR)
can seriously reduce the number of available
cancer treatment options. However, exactly
what factors contribute to the development
of MDR and how it can be controlled...
remains unclear.
The team started by looking at genes that may play
arole in causing cancer resistance to drugs. To do
this, the researchers used CRISPR gene editing
technology in mouse stem cells. A gene
known as FBXW7 quickly caught
their attention.
The researchers found that mutations in the FBXW7
gene endow cells with resistance to most existing
drugs, with lower levels of FBXW7 expression
associated with a poorer response
to chemotherapy.
But importantly, the team also found
a way to use this feature for good.
The researchers found that a drug called tigecycline
activates a process known as the integrated stress
response (ISR). This process helps to" clean" cells
of toxic proteins that are produced due to a
mutation in the FBXW7 gene.
Subsequent tests with other drugs that activate
the ISR... also showed some effectiveness.
The work of the Spanish scientists, was
published in EMBO Molecular Medicine.
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_________________________________
NHS England... Short of
Tens of Thousands of Staff in 'Greatest Workforce Crisis
in Its History'
July 25th, 9:30am (FNA)
NHS England is short of tens of thousands of doctors,
nurses & midwives with the persistent understaffing
creating a "serious risk to staff and patient safety",
MPs said in a damning report.
Health and social care services in England face “the
greatest workforce crisis in their history” and the
government has no credible strategy to make the
situation better, according to the cross-party
Health and Social Care Committee,
ITV reported.
Fresh research by the Nuffield Trust shows the NHS in
England is short of 12,000 hospital doctors and more
than 50,000 nurses and midwives, revealed in a new
report from the committee.
It said maternity services are “under unsustainable
pressure”, while the number of full-time equivalent
GPs also fell by more than 700 over three years,
to March 2022.
Projections suggest an extra 475,000 jobs will be
needed in health and an extra 490,000 jobs in
social care... by the early part of the
next decade.
The report said staff are under pressure and the NHS
loses millions of full-time equivalent days to staff
sickness caused by anxiety, stress
and depression.
“The result is that many in an exhausted workforce,
are considering leaving - and if they do pressure will
increase still further on their colleagues,” the study
said, adding that some simple things are not in
lace, such as access to hot food and drink on
shifts and flexible working.
MPs said the government has shown a "marked
reluctance to act decisively", adding, “The
workforce plan promised in the spring has
not yet been published and will be a
‘framework’ with no numbers, which
we are told could potentially follow
in yet another report --- later
this year.”
MPs said that while some progress has been made
towards a target of recruiting 50,000 nurses, the
government is set to miss its target to recruit
6,000 more GPs, as promised in the
Conservative Party manifesto.
“The persistent understaffing of the NHS now poses a
serious risk to staff and patient safety both for routine
and emergency care. It also costs more as patients
present later with more serious illness," it added.
“But most depressing for many on the frontline is the
absence of any credible strategy to address it,”
it said.
MPs said the government’s “refusal” to make
workforce planning data public “means that
the basic question which every health and
care worker is asking: 'are we training
enough staff to meet patient need?'
will remain unanswered”.
The report also criticises NHS pension arrangements
which are leading to senior doctors reducing their
working hours, owing to facing hefty tax bills.
More needs to be done on social care worker
pay to stop people leaving, it added.
A separate report by the committee’s panel of
independent experts rates the government’s
progress overall to meet key commitments
it has made on workforce as “inadequate”.
Health and Social Care Committee Chairman and Tory
MP Jeremy Hunt said, “We now face the greatest
workforce crisis in history in the NHS and in
social care with still no idea of the number
of additional doctors, nurses and other
professionals we actually need."
“NHS professionals know there is no silver bullet to
solve this problem but we should at least be giving
them comfort that a plan is in place. This must be
a top priority for the new prime minister,” he added.
He told Times Radio that before Brexit, both parties
believed that if there was a staffing problem, they
will “fill it with immigration”.
The report said almost every part of the NHS was
suffering staff shortages. On maternity, it said
552 midwives left in the last year showing a
“clear problem with midwifery retention”.
MPs criticised the government and NHS England for
failing to set out when safe staffing in maternity
would be reached, a failure that “demonstrates
a lack of responsibility” and “is absolutely
unacceptable”.
Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers,
which is part of the NHS Confederation, said the
report “once again highlights the extent of the
workforce crisis now facing both the NHS and
social care”. He said “it is time for a reality
reset on the NHS”.
He added health leaders are “beyond worried that the
government has shown a sustained reluctance to act
decisively on NHS and social care staffing and echo
the Committee’s concerns that the lack of long-term
planning and investment risks the government’s
plans to tackle the waiting list backlog and
poses a serious risk to both staff and
patient safety”.
Patricia Marquis, the Royal College of Nursing’s
director for England, added, “On pay, the
committee was very clear saying it is
unacceptable that some NHS nurses
are struggling to feed their families,
pay their rent, and travel to work."
“Their recommendation that nursing staff should be
given a pay rise that takes account of the cost of
living crisis should make government rethink the
latest pay deal that follows a decade of, in real
terms, pay cuts --- that will force even more to
leave the profession,” she said.
Unison General Secretary Christina McAnea said,
“The government’s had years to improve the
workforce situation, but has done little."
“Only last week ministers could have acted to stop
the exodus of porters, healthcare assistants and
other NHS staff with an above-inflation wage
rise. But chose not to,” she added.
Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting
accused the government of having “utterly
failed” to address the crisis.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson
said, “We are growing the health and social care
workforce, with over 4,000 more doctors, and
9,600 more nurses compared to last year,
and over 1,400 more doctors in general
practice, compared to March 2019."
“As we continue to deliver on our commitment to
recruit 50,000 more nurses by 2024, we are also
running a £95 million recruitment drive for
maternity services and providing £500
million to develop our valued social
care workforce, including through
training opportunities and new
career pathways," the spokes
person added.
“We have commissioned NHS England to develop a
long term workforce plan to recruit and support
NHS staff while they deliver high quality, safe
care to patients and help to bust the COVID
backlogs,” the spokesperson said.
Rhondda Records adds:
and in Wales? Would you bet your life
everything's just fine and dandy???
_______________________
Up to 70% of recovered patients
--- experience post-COVID conditions, expert says
July 22nd, 4:56am (TASS)
Up to 70% of recovered coronavirus patients
experience post-COVID conditions, the
Russian Health Ministry’s Chief
Freelance Neurologist Nikolay
Shamalov, told reporters.
"The professional medical community, has been
discussing the so-called post-COVID syndrome
recently. In fact, 30 to 70% of recovered
coronavirus patients experience these
conditions. The figure ranges because
experts use various research methods
but in any case, it is about a large
number of patients.''
''When it comes to the post-COVID syndrome, cognitive
functions are affected in the first place, which concern
qualities such as memory, attention and speech, as
well as motor and cognitive skills. Besides, people
often suffer from headaches, sleep disorders and
asthenia," Shamalov pointed out.
According to the expert, the older the patient, the
higher the risk of the post-COVID syndrome
because the coronavirus... often
exacerbates already existing
health issues.
"When patients notice symptoms of the post-COVID
syndrome, they should consult a neurologist,"
Shamalov added.
Drug overdose epidemic
wreaks havoc in the US
by Pavel López Lazo
June 24th, 3:29pm
(Prensa Latina)
A drug overdose epidemic kills two people an hour
in the US, The New York Times reported on Friday.
The report stated that many more people are
currently dying in the US of drug overdoses
than at any other time, Jeneen Interlandi,
member of the US newspaper’s editorial
board, stressed.
The North American country´s drug overdose death
rose afresh to record-breaking levels, by exceeding
100,000 cases per year for the first time in 2021,
and as of mid-2022, it appears to be increasing
even much higher (latest figures come out to
about 300 people per week or over 2 people
per hour).
Interlandi pointed out that it is tempting to see
such a crisis as the inevitable byproduct of an
unprecedented moment. The astonishing
malpractice of the drug industry, the rise
of economic inequality and the Covid-19
pandemic conspire to ramp up the drug
overdose death rate.
The analyst said that drug addiction itself is
as enduring a part of human experience as
cancer, diabetes or Alzheimer’s.
In fact, it is at least as common as any of them.
And the fact we do not treat it early and
carefully is not an accident. It’s a
choice, she pointed out.
___________________________________
What goes around?
‘Playing with fire’:COVID-19 cases in
US 30 times higher than reported
June 3rd, 7:56am (PressTV)
The United States finds itself in the throes of the
fourth wave of coronavirus, according to the
official case count, albeit experts say the
actual current rate could be 30 times
higher than reported.
About 94,000 people in the world’s worst-hit
country are contracting the virus every day,
and hospitalizations have also surged this
month, but officials insist --- the rate is lower than in previous waves.
A new survey of the surge in New York, cited in a
Guardian report, on Thursday, suggests that the
virus cases could be undercounted by a factor
of 30.
“It would appear that official case counts are under-
estimating the true burden of infection, by about
30-fold, which is a huge surprise,” Denis Nash,
an author of the study and a professor of
epidemiology at the City University of
New York School of Public Health, is
quoted as saying in the report.
According to the study, which has not been peer-
reviewed or published, at least 1 in 5 people in
New York.. had COVID-19 between April 23rd
and May 8th, constituting about 22 percent
of the city's population.
This means that more than 1.5 million people in the
city have been infected with coronavirus, in just
two weeks, which is more than the official
figure, the study finds.
While it is focused on New York, the findings may be
true throughout the rest of the country, Nash said,
adding that undercounting could be even
worse elsewhere.
“It’s very worrisome. To me, it means that our ability
to really understand and get ahead of the virus is
undermined,” Nash said.
This week marks the eighth consecutive week of
a surge in COVID-19 cases in the United States.
In recent weeks, confirmed daily US cases have
been rising again, powered by a rising tide of
Omicron sub-variants currently circulating
in the country.
US hits another grim milestone
with 900,000 COVID-19 deaths
The milestone comes more than 13 months into
a vaccination drive that has been confounded
by misinformation, political and legal strife,
and vaccine hesitancy in segments of the population.
It also marks the seventh consecutive week that child
COVID-19 cases have been increasing in the country,
according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) and the Children's Hospital Association.
More than 112,000 child COVID-19 cases were
reported in the United States during the past
week, a doubling of case counts from the
four weeks before that.
The daily COVID-19 death count is also increasing.
More than 500 COVID-19 deaths were reported
nationwide on Wednesday, sending shock-
waves across the country.
Amid a rise in infections, a growing list of school
districts and universities... are now moving to
bring back mask requirements.
“This idea that we need to return to normal and that’s
the most important thing, rather than just actually
using mitigation measures to save lives – it’s not
that hard, and if it were normalized, we could do
it,” Lara Jirmanus, a family physician and
clinical instructor at Harvard Medical
School, is cited in the report.
“To just decide that it’s perfectly fine for everyone to
be infected three to four times a year in the future
with a new virus, whose effects we don’t fully
understand, is a huge, huge gamble,” she
continued. “We just don’t know what
Covid could lead to in the future…
We’re playing with fire.”
Reports citing medical experts say the most
dominant form of COVID-19... currently
spreading in the US, appears to spread
faster than earlier variants and
is believed to be a mutation
genetically linked.. to both
Omicron & Delta versions
of COVID-19.
____________________________
Four US biolabs operate in Nigeria,
where monkeypox came from
— Defense Ministry
May 27th, 5:47pm (TASS)
At least four US-controlled biological laboratories
operate in Nigeria, where monkeypox came from,
the Russian Nuclear, Chemical and Biological
Protection troops head, Igor Kirillov,
stated on Friday.
He pointed out that, according to the World Health
Organization, the monkeypox pathogen strain was
imported from Nigeria, where the US deployed its
biological infrastructure.
"According to the available information, at least four
US-controlled biolaboratories operate in Nigeria,"
Kirillov said.
According to Kirillov, in this regard, it is necessary
to point out a "strange coincidence that requires
additional inspection by specialists."
"According to European and US media, materials
of the 2021 Munich Security Conference (that is
amid the COVID-19 pandemic), mentioned the
practice of a monkeypox countering
scenario," the NCB troops
commander said.
___________________________
Confirmed Monkeypox Cases
Hit US, Europe, Australia,
Canada
May 20th, 11:01am (FNA)
Cases of Monkeypox are being investigated in
European countries, as well as the US,
Canada and Australia, according to
health authorities and local
media reports.
A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in
Melbourne, while a probable case in Sydney
remains under investigation, the Australian
ABC News reported on Friday.
Canada has confirmed its first two cases of
monkeypox, both in the province of Quebec,
the country's Public Health Agency said in
a statement issued on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the US Massachusetts Department
of Public Health said it had confirmed a single
case of monkeypox virus infection in a man
who had recently traveled to Canada.
Several European countries have also reported their
first confirmed monkeypox cases, including the UK,
Sweden, Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The outbreak spread in Europe after cases
were initially reported in the UK.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
confirmed that an individual.. has been
diagnosed with monkeypox in England
who has traveled from Nigeria, where
they are believed to have contracted
the infection, before travelling to
the UK.
Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs
primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central
and West Africa and is occasionally exported
to other regions, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO).
The WHO said monkeypox is usually a self-limited
disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4
weeks, but severe cases can occur.
PressTV adds:
Monkeypox causes fever, body aches,
enlarged lymph nodes and eventually
"pox," or painful, fluid-filled blisters
on the face, the hands, and feet,
according to medical experts.
Most people recover from the illness (which is
endemic in parts of central and western
Africa and usually the result of close
contact with infected animals)
within a few weeks, but it can be fatal.
One of its versions is deemed deadly and kills
up to 10% of those people infected,but the
version spreading presently in the UK, is
said to be milder with a 1% fatality rate.
_____________________________________
John Ioannidis: 'Public Health
Officials Need To Declare
The End Of The Pandemic'
by Tyler Durden
Authored by Ross Pomeroy
via RealClear Science,
April 2nd, 12pm (ZeroHedge)
John Ioannidis, a Professor of Medicine, of
Epidemiology and Population Health and
by courtesy, of Statistics & Biomedical
Data Science at Stanford University,
lauded for championing evidence-
based medicine, has been harshly
criticized over the past two years.
Like many highly-credentialed health experts,
Ioannidis made some predictions during the
pandemic that eventually proved incorrect.
During a once-in-a-century pandemic replete
with unknowns, that is to be expected. But
perhaps.. the greatest reason he has come
under fire is for questioning the orthodoxy
of strict lockdowns, divisive vaccine
mandates, and other restrictive
measures to manage the
pandemic.
Ioannidis is sure to court more controversy with
a new commentary published to the European
Journal of Clinicial Investigation, in which he
argues that it's time to declare the end of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This does not mean... that the problem is
inappropriately minimized or forgotten,
but that our communities move on
with life," he writes.
"Pandemic preparedness should be carefully
thought and pre-organized, but should not
disrupt life."
While Ioannidis recognizes that there are
no quantitative definitions for the end of
a pandemic like COVID-19, he contends
that the amount of immunity now
present worldwide exceeds the
threshold needed to declare
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that
causes COVID-19, endemic
– constantly present but
not a public health
emergency.
"By the end of 2021, probably 73-81% of the
global population had been vaccinated, infected or both," he says. Pockets of
low immunity, such as in places that
pursued zero-COVID policies and/or
with limited access to effective
vaccines, may persist, causing
regional outbreaks but we will
likely never see COVID-19
again trigger a global
emergency.
Declaring the pandemic phase of COVID-19
to be concluded means understanding and
accepting a new "normal".
"A decrease of COVID-19 deaths back to typical
seasonal influenza levels may not necessarily
happen in 2022 or even beyond," Ioannidis
cautions. "With an increasingly aging
global population, "normal" may still
correspond to higher death counts..
This should not be mistaken as a
continued pandemic phase."
Easing out of the pandemicm, requires a
widespread mental shift, as well. This
means focusing more on indicators
such as hospital intensive care
admissions to guide policy,
rather than just infections.
"If the perception of risk focuses on the number
of documented cases, the spurious perception
of emergency situations may be difficult to
quell," Ioannidis writes.
Exiting the pandemic, also means reducing
fearmongering coverage of COVID-19 in the
popular media, the propagation of which,
undoubtedly contributed to the public's
warped perception of COVID's risks
throughout the pandemic.
On average, Americans believed in early 2021
that 8% of deaths had occurred, in people
under the age of 24. The real percentage
as of today, is 0.3%. Moreover, a third of
the population has consistently
believed that COVID leads to
hospitalization in over half
of infections. During the
most recent Omicron
wave, the proportion
was 3% or lower.
Declaring an end to the pandemic phase of
COVID-19 has benefits, Ioannidis says. For
example.. it could allow public health
organizations... to refocus their time
and money, on more pressing global
health issues like poor nutrition and
hunger, which collectively claim the
lives of 9 million people each year,
including 3.1 million children.
For comparison, at least 6.2 million people have
died from COVID-19 over the past two years,
the vast majority over age 65. Accepting
endemicity and reducing societal
restrictions & disruptions would
also permit economies to
stabilize more rapidly
..alleviating hardship,
easing inflation and
reducing global
inequality.
Lastly, moving on from the pandemic could
ease some of the political divisions that
have fractured societies across
the globe.
Good hydrationmay reduce
long-term risks for heart
failure – Study
by Pavel López Lazo
March 30th, 4:28pm (Prensa Latina)
UK scientists strongly recommended
staying well-hydrated to reduce the risk of developing heart failure, a
specialized source reported
on Wednesday.
''Similar to reducing salt intakes, drinking enough
water and staying hydrated, are ways to support
our hearts, and can help reduce long-term risks
of heart disease,'' the European heart Journal
magazine said.
The team assessed how hydrated the
participants were by analyzing serum
sodium levels which increases when
fluid levels decrease. This can be a
useful marker for identifying
individuals at risk of
heart failure.
The research also helped pinpoint older adults
at higher risk of developing both heart failure
and left ventricular hypertrophy.
“Serum sodium and fluid intake can easily be
assessed in clinical exams and help doctors
identify patients... who may benefit from
learning about ways to stay hydrated,”
the experts said.
_______________________________
Distribution of pathogenic materials from Ukraine will lead to pandemic-like situation
March 24th, 10:11am (TASS)
Sending pathogenic biomaterials from Ukraine to Europe ...could lead to a situation comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic the chief of Russia's radiation, chemical and biological protection force, Igor Kirillov, said on Thursday.
"The current situation... with the distribution
of pathogenic biomaterials from Ukraine to
European countries, could result in death
and create a hotbed of epidemiological
instability, the scale of which would be comparable to the COVID-19 pandemic," Kirillov said.
Obesity may impact on mental and emotional
health
by Pavel López Lazo
March 17th, 4:43pm (Prensa Latina)
A study revealed that excess weight is closely
related to people´s mental and emotional
health, who can suffer from depression,
insecurity and low self-esteem, a
specialized media reported
on Thursday.
Other psycho-social damage linked to obesity
include problems getting a job, falling asleep,
poor sex life, social isolation,
and discrimination.
Infosalus.com website pointed out that personal
looks, shape and weight are all-important
elements in the 21st century.
Excessive weight and feeling bad creates more
anxiety, we generate cortisol levels, so this
sustained situation causes low moods,
causing an overweight person to be
worse off, with greater emotional
lability which can appear with
an uncontrollable burst
of crying.
Sometimes depressed people tend to have a
huge binge, take refuge in food; so this will
cost much more when dating or socializing.
Obesity not only affects psychologically, but
also socially, emotionally, and personally,
experts said.
Vitamin D3 helps strengthen
defenses against Covid-19
– Study
by Pavel López Lazo
February 24th, 7:41pm (Prensa Latina)
Vitamin D3 could balance people's immune
system and help strengthen defenses
against viral infections including
Covid-19, the Swiss publication
Frontiers in Immunology
reported Thursday.
In a collaborative study by the Universities of
Surrey & Brighton, researchers investigated
the impact of vitamin D supplements – D2
and D3 – taken daily over a 12-week
period on the activity of genes in
people’s blood.
Those involved in the research, contrary to
widespread opinion, found significant
differences between the two vitamin
D supplements, as they discovered
that vitamin D2... leaves a
questionable mark on
human health.
“Vitamin D3 appears to stimulate the type I
interferon signaling system in the body – a key part of the immune system that
provides a first line of defense...
against bacteria and viruses.''
Thus, a healthy vitamin D3 status may help
prevent viruses and bacteria from gaining
a foothold in the body,” said Professor
Colin Smith, lead-author of the study
from the University of Surrey.
“Our study suggests that it is important that
people take a vitamin D3 supplement, or
suitably fortified foods, especially in
the winter months.”
Although some foods are fortified with vitamin
D, like some breakfast cereals, yogurts, and
bread, few naturally contain the vitamin.
Vitamin D3 is produced naturally in the
skin from exposure to sunlight or
artificial ultraviolet UVB light,
while some plants and fungi
produce vitamin D2.
Many people have insufficient levels of vitamin
D3... because they live in locations where
sunlight is limited in the winter, like the
UK. The Covid-19 pandemic has also
limited people’s natural exposure to
the sun, due to people spending
more time in their homes.
__________________________________
Withholding vaccine safety
data‘morally indefensible,’
medical journal says
January 22nd,, 4:17pm (RT)
The British Medical Journal (BMJ), has urged public
health regulators & pharma majors to immediately
release all raw data from Covid-19 vaccine trials
for independent scrutiny --- arguing that
“complete data transparency” is a
matter of “public interest.”
Branding Big Pharma as “the least trusted industry,”
a recent op-ed by BMJ editors stated that it was
“morally indefensible” that this information
remains inaccessible to doctors, public,
and researchers -- despite the global rollout of vaccines and treatments.
In the scathing editorial, the writers – senior BMJ
editor Peter Doshi, former editor-in-chief Fiona
Godlee and her successor Kamran Abbasi –
accuse pharmaceutical companies... of
“reaping vast profits without adequate
independent scrutiny of their
scientific claims.”
At least 3 of the many companies making Covid-19
vaccines have past criminal and civil settlements
costing them billions of dollars. One pleaded
guilty to fraud. Other companies have no pre-Covid track record.
In particular, the editorial collective calls out Pfizer,
Moderna and AstraZeneca for not providing “timely
access” to “anonymized individual participant data” from their clinical trials.
This granular data is available to regulators like the
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which told
a judge last month to give it 75 years to publish all
data relating to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.
But the BMJ said Pfizer – whose trial was “funded
by the company and designed, run, analyzed, and
authored by Pfizer employees” ------ has indicated
that it will not entertain data requests until May
2025, a full two years after the primary study
is completed.
This lack of access to data is “consistent across
vaccine manufacturers,” the editors write,
noting that the industry is not “legally
required” to honour requests from
independent researchers.
Further, they point out that regulatory bodies like
Health Canada and the European Medicines
Agency, do not even “receive or analyze”
trial data, whereas the UK’s Medicines
and Healthcare Products Regulatory
Agency does not “proactively
release” such info.
“The purpose of regulators is not to dance to
the tune of rich global corporations... and
enrich them further; it is to protect the
health of their populations,”
they concluded.
__________________________
Ireland:To Fully Lift
COVID-19 Restrictions
January 21st, 11:50pm (teleSUR)
Irish Prime Minister, Micheal Martin, announced
that COVID-19 restrictions that have been in
place for almost two years, are now lifted.
Micheal Martin, Irish Prime Minister disclosed that
the governments decided that almost all COVID-19
restrictions placed for about two years, are lifted.
Ireland is placed among the countries with the highest
rate of COVID-19 infections in Europe, and now also,
the continent's highest uptake of booster vaccines,
which made possible the number of seriously ill
people remained below the previous peak.
"We have weathered the Omicron storm," the minister
stated, on Friday's televised address --- in which he
noted, booster vaccines had "utterly transformed"
the country's situation. "I have stood here and
spoken to you on some very dark days. But
today is a good day," he added.
Ireland was one of the most cautious countries
in Europe about the risks of COVID-19, having
some of the longest-running restrictions on
travel and hospitality. According to public
health officials' advice, the government
decided: that bars and restaurants will
no longer need to close at 8pm, a rule
held late last year when the Omicron
wave struck, or to ask customers
for proof of vaccination.
The full capacity has been restored for the indoor
and outdoor events --- paving the way for full
crowds, for next month’s Six Nations rugby
championship. Martin highlighted that the
measure which decreed.... the need of
wearing masks in public places will
remain at least until the end
of February.
The Irish hospitality sector, which has been hit by one of Europe’s toughest lockdown
regimes, has welcomed the decision.
[and in Wales?]
__________________________
Bye Bye, Mask and Covid Pass:
Boris Johnson --- Announces End of Plan B Restrictions
in England
January 19th, 1:43pm (Sputnik)
UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced
on Wednesday the end of the so-called Plan B
implemented in England since December, to
prevent the spreading of the Omicron
variant of the SARS-CoV-2.
Addressing Parliament, Johnson said.. that the
working from home guidance, the requirement
to wear face masks, and the use of COVID
passports, in some settings, will be
dropped, next week.
"This government got the toughest decisions right,"
the prime minister told lawmakers, adding that the
government "will trust the judgment of the British
people" ...when it comes to social distancing
measures and face mask covering... to
prevent the spreading of the virus.
The so-called Plan B was originally rolled out in
December to combat the spread of the highly
transmissible variant.
Reacting to the announcement, the leader of
the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, called it an
attempt to distract the public’s opinion on
the crisis the prime minister is facing...
following revelations, that he and his
staff in Downing Street held parties
during the COVID-19 lockdown.
[Rhondda Records adds - and in Wales?]
_____________________________
Booster programs... will
prolong COVID pandemic,
not end it,WHOchief warns
January 17th, (various media)
Blanket vaccine booster programs are likely to
prolong the COVID-19 pandemic, as inequity
in access to jabs, could lead to more
mutated variants that drag out the
crisis, the head of the World
Health Organization
(WHO) warns.
[The UK and others in the West... simply don't care, Rhondda Records adds]
__________________________________
Cannabis could prevent
Covid --- study claims
January 12th, 2:57pm (RT)
The next breakthrough in stopping Covid-19, may
come not from Big Pharma, but from the humble
pot plant. Researchers in Oregon in the US,
discovered that two compounds found in the devil’s lettuce can stop the virus in its tracks.
Rather than attempting to smoke their way
to immunity, a team of scientists at Oregon
University isolated two compounds from
hemp -- cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) and
cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) -- and found
they bind to the coronavirus’ spike
protein and stop it from binding to the outer membrane of human cells.
This latter binding process, is normally how the
virus enters the human lungs and other organs.
The two compounds are precursors to CBG and
CBD, which are widely legal, and available to
consumers. The CBG and CBD cannabis oils
and extracts are commonly used to treat
anxiety, sleep disorders, epilepsy, and a wide range of other ailments.
CBGA and CBDA “are not controlled substances like
THC... the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana and
have a good safety profile in humans,” said Richard
van Breemen, a researcher with Oregon State’s
Global Hemp Innovation Centre. Van Breemen
added that these compounds “can be taken
orally,” and “have the potential to prevent
as well as treat infection” by
the coronavirus.
Van Breemen and his team published their research in
the Journal of Nature Products on Tuesday. However,
they have a long way to go before doctors begin
writing hemp oil prescriptions en masse. While
the study found CBGA and CBDA effective
against both the Alpha & Beta variants
of the coronavirus, it was carried out on human cells in a laboratory rather than actual human test subjects.
Still, the scientist sees these hemp compounds
eventually being used alongside vaccines... to
make “a much more challenging environment”
for Covid-19. One of the main criticisms of the
current crop of vaccines is that they use the
original spike protein of the virus as an
antigen, meaning that when variants
emerge... with new spike protein
mutations, they are more likely
to evade the protection offered by a vaccine.
“These variants are well known for evading antibodies
against early lineage [Covid-19].... which is obviously
concerning given that current vaccination strategies
rely on early lineage spike proteins as an antigen,”
said van Breemen. “Our data show CBDA & CBGA
are effective against the two variants we looked at, and we hope that trend will extend to other
existing and future variants.”
_________________________________
UK government gives NHS
to private companies
to ''help''with Covid
January 10th 10:52am (PressTV)
The National Health Service (NHS), the publicly funded
healthcare system in the UK, is seeking ''help'' from private health companies to deliver critical treat-
ments... such as cancer surgery.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has ordered England's
NHS to strike a ''3-month'' agreement with private
health companies --- to allow patients to get
specific treatments, as the NHS hospitals
are ''overwhelmed'' with COVID-19.
David Sloman, NHS England chief operating officer
and COVID incident director, said on Monday the
deal “places independent health providers on
standby to provide further help should
hospitals face unsustainable levels of
hospitalizations or staff absences.”
The agreement includes Practice Plus Group, Spire
Healthcare, Circle Health Group, and several other
leading private companies, according to the NHS.
Circle CEO Paolo Pieri said the company has been
helping the NHS, since the first COVID wave in
March 2020, performing urgent treatments
for over 400,000 NHS patients.
According to the Spire Healthcare, under the agreed
deal the company “will grant NHSE access to 100%
of its facilities and teams on a local, regional or
national basis, in the event of a surge of
COVID-19 patients in NHS hospitals
in England.”
The Spire said the deal ''expires'' on March 31st, 2022.
The new plan comes in the wake of the highest level of
hospital staff absence in England, since the vaccine
rollout began.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has expressed
sorrow over the “terrible toll” of more than 150,000
deaths inflicted by the coronavirus in the UK.
The UK’s death toll from the COVID-19 pandemic
has reached more than 150,100, making it the
world's seventh worst official pandemic toll.
PM Boris Johnson confirmed the number and
expressed sorrow over the fatalities last
weekend. He said the coronavirus has
“taken a ‘terrible toll’ on the country.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove was at pains to assert that there is mounting pressure on
British hospitals... and the country is ''not
yet'' in a position to live with
the pandemic.
_______________________________________
UK care sector declares ‘red’ alert amid Covid staffing shortage
January 5th, 1:42pm (RT)
Over 11,000 care home workers are currently unable
to work, amid the spread of the Omicron strain, with
staffing shortages leaving the UK sector struggling
to cope and infections delaying hospital discharges.
Government data shows that, across England, 9.4% of
care home staff are temporarily off work, with around
3% self-isolating due to Covid. Although the figures
could be higher, having been undercounted... due
to the festive period and bank holiday weekend.
The situation has forced more than 90 care operators
to declare a “red” alert, meaning that they don’t have
the staff to meet patient demands. This has been
exacerbated by a shortage of PCR tests,
delaying workers from getting test
results and forcing them to
isolate at home longer
than needed.
Barchester, one of the UK’s largest care home
operators, running 250 establishments, has
warned: that it is facing Covid outbreaks in 105 of its homes. Under government
guidelines, care homes with active
outbreaks cannot accept hospital
discharges, creating a backlog
and preventing the struggling
NHS from clearing beds.
Staffing shortages have forced care agencies to offer
up to £80 ($108.31) an hour for temporary staff – four
times the normal cost – as well as resulting in homes
poaching staff from other providers at the last minute.
“The spread of Omicron across the country will bring
more care homes into outbreaks, put huge pressure
on the already compromised staff group, and mean
those who need care, do not get it,” said Vic
Rayner, the chief executive of the National Care Forum.
To address the situation, one care operator in
Yorkshire, Mike Padgham, called on the UK
government to establish a “volunteer
army”... of retired nurses, doctors,
and carers who could potentially
fill shifts at short notice.
Despite the situation in care homes, the chief
executive of Barchester, Pete Calveley, says
that the virus is not causing serious illness
and death among the majority of residents
....with most only showing “minor or
cold-like symptoms.”
____________________________
Growing evidence that
Vitamin K improves
heart health
by Pavel López Lazo
January 2nd, 5:27pm (Prensa Latina)
New Edith Cowan University (ECU) research
has found that people who eat a vitamin K-
rich food... have up to a 34% lower risk of
atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular
disease, the US magazine
SciTechDaily reported.
Researchers examined data from over 50,000
people taking part in the Danish Diet, Cancer,
and Health study, over a 23-year period.
They investigated whether people who ate
more foods containing vitamin K, had a
lower risk of cardiovascular disease
related to atherosclerosis (plaque
build-up in the arteries).
There are two types of vitamin K found in foods
we eat: vitamin K1 comes mainly from green
leafy veggies and vegetable oils, while
vitamin K2 is found in meat, eggs,
and fermented foods, such
as cheese.
The study found.... that people with the highest
intakes of the vitamin K1.. were 21% less likely
to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease
closely related to atherosclerosis.
For vitamin K2, the risk of being
hospitalized was 14% lower.
University of Western Australia researcher Dr. Jamie
Bellinge, the first author on the study, said the role
of vitamin K in cardiovascular health, and
particularly in vascular calcification,
is an area of research... offering
promising hope for the future.
“Current dietary guidelines for the consumption of
vitamin K are generally only based on the amount
of vitamin K1 a person should consume, to
ensure that their blood can coagulate,”
explained ECU researcher and
senior author on the study,
Dr. Nicola Bondonno.
However, there is growing evidence that intakes of
vitamin K - above current guidelines - can afford
further protection against the development of
other diseases, such as atherosclerosis.
“Although more research is needed to fully
understand the process, we believe that
vitamin K works by protecting against
the calcium build-up in the major
arteries of the body leading to
vascular calcification.”
“Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause
of death in Australia... and there’s still a limited
understanding of the importance of different
vitamins found in food and their effect on
heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral
artery disease,” Dr. Bellinge said.
_______________________________________
Chinese Think Tank: US Most LikelyOrigin of COVID-19
December 25th, 1:50pm (FNA)
The US is most likely the country where the
coronavirus originated and it is most
responsible for the fast global
spread of the deadly viral
pathogen, according to
a research report.
The report titled... ‘US Responsible for Global Spread
of COVID-19’ was jointly released by the Intelligence
& Alliance Think Tank and the Taihe Institute in
China ,on Friday.
China's official Xinhua news agency, published the report’s findings, saying data from multiple
sources had shown that the US was to blame for the coronavirus out-break as its political manipulation of the disease had made the global anti-pandemic efforts, difficult
and challenging.
“Evidence indicating COVID-19 originated from
the United States has kept cropping up,” the
report said.
“For example, the timeline of the outbreak in the
United States has been continuously backdated,
the role of the US military is implicated in the
origin and spread of COVID-19, and early
cases, in many countries, are linked to
the United States,” it added.
Calling the United States "the main force of global
COVID-19 spread", the report said... the country
missed the best time to contain the pandemic
at an early stage... and its open-door policy as well as its irresponsible repatriation of immigrants... had exacerbated the global spread of the virus.
Xinhua also said that the US troops stationed
overseas have repeatedly violated epidemic
prevention protocols and accelerated
the transmission.
The country's failure to control COVID-19 in
international events, has led to "super-
spreading" of the virus and its
unilateral sanctions have led
to a humanitarian crisis,
according to
the report.
Stressing that the US political manipulation has made
the global fight against the pandemic more difficult,
the report said the country shirked responsibility
for pandemic prevention, which undermined
international anti-pandemic efforts.
“The United States has been obsessed with political
self-interest and evaded due responsibility,” Xinhua
cited the report as saying, adding that political
polarization harmed both America and the
world at large.
Underlining that the US should abandon its obsession
with political self-interest, and reflect on epidemic
prevention and control, the report called on the
country to stop politicizing the coronavirus
and undermining international anti-
pandemic cooperation.... and
actively share its vaccines
with the world.
It also urged the US, to conduct origins tracing
research in a scientific manner and facilitate
global economic recovery, so that the
COVID-19 pandemic will be
eventually defeated.
The theory that the contagion had leaked from a
Chinese lab was originally hyped up by, among
others... the administration of former US
President Donald Trump, as part of his
hawkish anti-China policies.
Since infecting its first victims in the central Chinese
city of Wuhan, in late 2019, the pandemic has
spread to nearly every country across the
globe, causing more than 278 million
infections and nearly 5.4 million
deaths worldwide.
Last week, Trump said the US should make China pay
for the COVID disaster, demanding that the US tariffs
on Chinese goods be increased “very substantially”
as reparation payments for the chaos unleashed by the virus.
China has repeatedly called on the US to give a full
clarification on its bio-military activities at home
and abroad, a matter of concern shared by
Russia and others.
___________________________________
Doctor who flagged Omicron
advises against harsh
restrictions
December 14th, 1:23pm (RT)
There is ''no need'' to impose tougher restrictions over
the Omicron variant as the cases are “predominantly
mild”, the head of South Africa Medical Association
Dr. Angelique Coetzee, has said.
The South African GP was the first medic who raised
concern about the new Covid-19 variant four weeks
ago. Answering questions of the UK Parliament’s
Science & Technologies committee on Tuesday,
Dr Coetzee said... that “we don’t have all the
answers” and that “we need to see how
this virus progresses”.
However, the current picture shows that Omicron is a
“mild disease”, & less dangerous than Delta variant,
thought it might be more transmissible, she added.
Dr Coetzee said that the existing data, though
limited, shows that the symptoms in Omicron
patients, even in those who are hospitalized,
are milder, they get better quicker & there
have been no cases of long COVID in
these patients.
Therefore, she noted that, before imposing travel bans
and other tough restrictions, it would make sense for
governments to take measures internally: to get
more people vaccinated, make sure that they
are wearing masks, avoid crowded places,
and keep social distance.
Saying that South Africa is “still on the same level of
restrictions”, she underlined that “we don't see
the need for stricter restrictions."
“The virus is everywhere. Maybe, in a way, we
need to learn how to live with this,” she said.
Earlier, in an article for Daily Mail, Dr. Coetzee was
even more straightforward.. in her criticism of
what she called “knee-jerk reactions”, to the
news of discovery of the new COVID variant.
The UK was one of the first countries to
impose bans on travel from South
Africa in the aftermath of the
announcement.
“Indeed, I am disappointed by such knee-jerk
reactions. They bear no relation to what we
are seeing in surgeries in South Africa,
where people rarely even discuss
Omicron.
As one Twitter user commented:
'Covid's become a UK neurosis’”,
she wrote.
Study names major
risks for vapers
December 1st, 2:36pm (RT)
Men who vape or use e-cigarettes are more than twice
as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than those
who have never used the popular nicotine-based
smoking alternatives, a new study has found.
The study, which analyzed self-reported data from
almost 14,000 US men aged between 20 and 65,
found that regular e-cigarette users were
around 2.2 times more likely to
experience impotence than
non-smokers.
The findings were published in the American
Journal of Preventive Medicine on Wednesday.
The risk was found to be 2.4 times greater in a smaller
sample of men younger than 65 – with normal body
mass indexes and no history of heart disease –
when compared to non-vapers. The study did
not include data on whether the respondents
were taking medications that can raise the
risk of erectile dysfunction.... such as
antidepressants or heart medication.
Researchers noted the “abundant evidence” already
linking smoking and nicotine to sexual dysfunction
and theorized that the particularly high level of
nicotine in vaping liquid reduces blood flow
to the penis and interferes with the normal
functions of blood vessels, though they
didn’t definitively prove the link.
Nonetheless, the study’s authors – from New York
University and Johns Hopkins University – noted
that vaping enthusiasts needed to be warned
about the potential impact on their
sexual health.
Citing research based on rodent models, the
researchers also noted that another
“plausible” link was exposure to
e-cigarette “refill liquids.. with or
without nicotine.” These contain
chemicals that may reduce
testosterone levels in the
human body and impair
normal erectile function.
“Overall, e-cigarettes are likely less harmful than
smoking cigarettes to the degree that they
substitute cigarette smoking,” the study’s
lead author, Omar El Shahawy, told Insider.
He added that men who view vaping as a
healthier alternative should try to “limit”
the habit as it is “simply not risk free.”
The study comes as England gears up to become
the first country to prescribe e-cigarettes as a
method to help smokers kick the habit. In
October, the UK’s Medicines and Health-
care products Regulatory Agency issued
updated guidance.. that would allow the
products to be offered through the NHS.
But El Shahawy warned that the relationship
between vaping and impotence needs to be
“fully investigated” in further studies. The
study did not detail whether the risk of
erectile dysfunction was comparable
to that posed by smoking.
________________________________
Report: Tens of Thousands Missed Cancer Referrals in UK ''Due to COVID-19''
December 1st, 11:43am (FNA)
The NHS may be missing more than 9 million
referrals, while patients face - a “postcode
lottery” for cancer treatment and routine
operations, a parliament watchdog
has warned.
Millions of patients... have either avoided, or been
unable to obtain healthcare during the pandemic
leaving the NHS with a potential unknown back-
log of operations, which could push the
national waiting list to 12 million by
2025, The Independent reported.
A report from the government’s National Audit Office,
on Wednesday, also warned that patients across
England are facing a postcode lottery in terms
of waits - with some hospital waiting lists far
larger than others following the pandemic.
The findings come ahead the government’s plan to
tackle the NHS’ treatment and surgery backlog,
which is expected to be published this week.
In November the NHS recorded its highest
ever waiting list, at 5.8 million.
According to the NAO’s analysis NHS services in
Birmingham and Solihull have racked up the
longest waiting lists - with 51 percent of
patients waiting more than 18 weeks,
compared to 20 percent in Surrey.
Birmingham and Solihull also had the worst for
cancer waiting times according to the data,
with 57 percent waiting more than three
months compared to Surrey, Kent
and Cornwall.
The NAO said variations may reflect, differences in
areas, such as poverty levels and rates of routine
operations, prior to March 2020, as well as the
direct impact of the pandemic.
The findings come after NHS data in November,
revealed the number of patients waiting more
than two years for treatment following a
referral, rose to a record 12,491.
The report also estimated there were between 240,000
and 740,000 “missing” urgent GP referrals for
patients with suspected cancer between
March 2020 and September 2021 and
up to 60,000 patients, missing first
treatments, in the same period.
The NAO warned, “The NHS was doing more work
year-on-year, before the-pandemic, but the
demand for its services was increasing...
even faster. To keep pace, it would have
needed either more beds and more staff
or a different way of working, or most
likely, a combination of all three.”
When COVID-19 first hit England, the NHS rapidly
agreed a deal with 27 private sector hospitals to
carry out routine operations.... amid fears
hospitals would be overwhelmed.
Under this national contract, during 2020-21, the NHS
will have paid £2.1 billion to private sector providers
in return for 3.3 million completed treatments, according to the NAO’s report.
Between March 2019 and February 2020,
independent providers carried out 8%
of routine operations for the NHS.
Following the pandemic... the NAO said there was a “sharp” reduction in operations carried out by
private sector hospitals in the initial stages of
the pandemic but that this increased to pre-
pandemic levels from June 2021.
It is not clear how many operations and treatments
were expected to be carried out by private
providers under the £2.1 billion contract,
and NHS England has never officially
released this information.
However, in November last year, the Health Service
Journal reported just one third of capacity paid
for by the NHS in private hospitals was used
following the first pandemic wave.
Eve Byrne, head of campaigns and public affairs, at Macmillan Cancer Support, said, “This report
confirms what we hear --- day in, day out, from
people living with cancer.... Chronic staffing
shortages are already having a devastating
impact on cancer patients, and we have
major concerns that is only set to
worsen without urgent action."
She said the government’s plan to tackle
the operations backlog must be backed
up by steps.... to ensure enough
nursing staff.
“Without these critical pieces of the puzzle, we
risk increasing numbers of people facing later
diagnoses, poorer care and potentially worse
chances of survival. This has to change,”
she added.
As part of its recommendations the NAO has said
the government, NHS England and education
body Health Education England, should
develop a detailed plan to address
shortages in the workforce over
the next 12 months to 3 years.
The recommendation comes just after the government
rejected an amendment to the Health and Care Bill by
MP Jeremy Hunt which would have required the
Secretary of State for Health and Care to
publish independent assessments of
NHS workforce gaps, every 2 years.
Dr Tim Mitchell, vice president of the Royal College
of Surgeons of England said, “The NHS faces huge
challenges as staff continue to treat COVID-19
patients, while trying to reduce the vast
waiting list for planned care.
He called for the government’s upcoming plan to
include guidance --- on how it would set up
“surgical hubs” and separate planned
surgery from emergency care... to allow for operations to continue safely during the pandemic.
The royal college vice president added, “Also we urge
the government to amend the Health and Care Bill, to
ensure there are independently verified assessments
of workforce numbers. It will take investment both in surgical hubs and staff to bring waiting times down to acceptable levels.”
An NHS spokesperson said, “Treating more than half
a million patients in hospital for COVID... as well as
delivering a world-leading vaccination programme,
has inevitably had an impact on some routine and
non-urgent care, yet, since the pandemic began,
the NHS has performed millions of routine
procedures, and over 450,000 people
have started treatment for cancer."
“NHS staff are now pulling out all the stops to recover
elective activity levels, making good use of additional
resources to open new surgical hubs and diagnostic
centres, develop innovative ways of working and
perform more operations, tests, checks and
scans, so anyone who is concerned about
their health should come forward so the
NHS can help you,” the spokes-
person added.
(Rhondda Records adds: and in Wales?)
__________________________
Long-term efficacy of Russian
Sputnik V jab revealed
November 24th, 6:32pm (RT)
The Russian-made Sputnik V Covid vaccine
has demonstrated high long-term efficacy,
according to data collected in San Marino.
The jab remains around 80% effective
against the disease 6 to 8 months
after being administered.
The data was revealed on Wednesday by the
Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), the
sovereign wealth fund which bankrolled
the vaccine’s development.
Evaluation of the vaccine’s performance is based
on analysis of real-world experience obtained in
the Republic of San Marino. About 70% of the
microstate’s 34,000-strong population have
received the Russian-made vaccine.
“The data is based on the number of Covid infections
in San Marino, in November 2021. Efficacy was
calculated based on data obtained from over
18,600 individuals fully vaccinated with
Sputnik V not less than five months
before November,” the RDIF said
in a statement.
The analysis shows that the vaccine remained some
“80% effective against coronavirus infection from
6 to 8 months, after administering the second
dose.” Hospitalization rates among those
Sammarinese who got vaccinated with
Sputnik V have been extremely low,
with “only 0.75 per 1,000 people”
ending up in hospital, over the
span of the mass vaccination
campaign, from February to November 2021.
“This rate is more than two times lower than that
of any other vaccine used in the country,” the
RDIF noted.
“Efficacy of Sputnik V in 6-8 months, is much higher
than the officially published efficacy of mRNA vaccines,”the fund added.
Multiple studies have raised the alarm: about the
waning efficacy of mRNA vaccines - with the US
Pfizer jab in particular, faring rather poorly over
a long period of time. According to a study,
bankrolled by Pfizer itself - and published
in the leading medical journal the Lancet
-- the jab demonstrated 88% efficacy in
the first month, after full vaccination,
dropping to only 47% after 5 months.
The study was based on analyzing a large amount
of data, harvested during vaccination campaigns
in the US.
A competing mRNA vaccine, the Covid-19 shot by
Moderna, another US company, has apparently
shown significantly better long-term efficacy
than Pfizer’s shot. According to the firm’s
own claims, the jab remains some 93%
effective... six months after full
vaccination, compared to the
shot’s initial efficacy of 94%.
These estimates have been corroborated by
research from the US Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
The research showed the Pfizer jab’s efficacy
falling from 91% to 77% over the 120-day
period after vaccination, compared to
Moderna’s shot -- demonstrating a
decline from 93% to 92% during
the same period.
An analysis of effectiveness of the mRNA shots over
a longer period of time, however, has produced
worrying results. According to a study, based
on data from of nearly 800,000 US veterans
and published in the Science journal early
this month, both Pfizer and Moderna jabs
demonstrated ''a major decline'' in efficacy, over a 7-month period.
While effectiveness against the disease was
some 89% for Moderna and 87% for Pfizer
in March, it dropped to 58% and 43%
respectively, by September.
___________________________________
Assisted death... only for vaccinated,
euthanasia association says
November 24th, 9:21am (RT)
Anyone wishing to be euthanized now, has to first
present proof of vaccination, or recovery from
Covid, as per the new guidelines issued by
Germany's euthanasia association.
A statement put out by the Hamburg-based group on
Friday reads... “assisted suicide and the preliminary
examination of a patient’s ability to make decisions
freely implies physical closeness between people.
However, that is precisely the precondition for the spread of Covid.”
In February 2020, Germany's top court overturned
a ban on providing euthanasia as unconstitutional.
A number of German regions have put in place strict
curbs, banning the unvaccinated from most public
places. Across the country, only recovered or
inoculated people can enter restaurants,
museums, and similar venues, while
those even with a negative Covid
test cannot. Amid the surge in
cases, the German states of
Saxony and Bavaria have
both cancelled.... all
Christmas markets.
German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, told her fellow
party members on Monday that the current wave
of Covid in Germany, was worse than any
previous one, and called for stricter
measures to contain it.
The country’s health minister, Jens Spahn, went
even further, claiming that “by the end of this
winter, everyone in Germany will either be
vaccinated, recovered, or dead.”
Those statements came as the seven-day infection
rate per 100,000 people broke a new grim record
on Wednesday, reaching the 404.5 mark.... as
reported by Germany’s disease control and
prevention authority, the Robert Koch
Institute.
______________________________________
Covid jab compensation
claims soar in Australia
November 17th, 3:15pm (RT)
Australia’s government could be forced to spend tens
of millions in payouts - after receiving over 10,000
compensation claims from people who suffered
side effects and a loss of income, due to
Covid-19 vaccines.
Under a no-fault indemnity scheme, eligible claimants
can apply for compensation amounts... of between
AU$5,000 (US$3,646) to AU$20,000 (US$14,585)
to cover medical costs and lost wages, as a
result of being hospitalized, after getting
the shot. The scheme’s online portal
is scheduled to be launched
next month.
Official figures suggest, however, that over 10,000 people
have already indicated their intention to make a claim,
since registration opened on the health department’s
website in September. If each claim was approved,
the government could face a bill of at least
AU$50 million (US$36.46 million).
There were around 78,880 adverse events to Covid-related
vaccination in Australia as of November 7th, according to
the Therapeutic Goods Administration, which regulates
national health products. The majority of side effects
were minor, including headaches, nausea, and
arm soreness.
Only people who experienced a moderate to significant
adverse reaction that resulted in a hospital stay of at
least one night are eligible for coverage under the
government’s scheme. Those seeking $20,000
or less have to provide proof their claims are
vaccine-related – although there has been
no information, as yet, on exactly what
evidence would be acceptable.
“Adverse events, even though they happen to a tiny
proportion of people, for the people it does impact
it’s really quite devastating,” Clare Eves, head of
medical negligence at injury compensation firm
Shine Lawyers, told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Among the adverse reactions covered... are the blood
clotting disorder “thrombosis with thrombocytopenia
syndrome (TTS)” linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine
and... the “myocarditis and pericarditis” heart
conditions associated with the Pfizer vaccine.
Other reportedly accepted side effects are Guillain-Barré
syndrome, a rare neurological condition, and immune
thrombocytopenia (excessive bleeding due to low
platelet levels).
Claims for over $20,000, including those for vaccine-
related deaths, will be assessed by an independent
legal panel of legal experts and compensation
paid on its recommendations. Nine people
have reportedly died after an adverse
reaction to one of the 3 vaccines
in the country.
Eves told the Morning Herald that her firm was
representing a number of litigants over the
vaccine side effects, including several
who are not eligible for the scheme.
_______________________________
Ambulance Logjams Leave
Patients Dying With 12,000
Annually Suffering 'Severe
Harm', Says NHS Report
November 15th, 3:30pm (Sputnik)
Although the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is
known to have struggled for a long time to meet
'recommended ambulance response times' for
patients who have suffered a stroke or severe
burns – classified as Category 2 – in recent
months some patients have been forced to
wait for nearly an hour, after calling 999.
Increasingly long times to hand patients arriving in
ambulances, over to the Accident & Emergency
department (A&E) are resulting in more people
either dying or suffering a permanent setback
to their health, according to a damning report
by the UK NHS ambulance service.
Long periods of waiting before patients can be admitted
to hospitals --- because of bed shortages caused by
COVID-19, delays in discharging patients and
record demand for care, could be affecting
up to 160,000 patients annually, said the
report, cited by the daily newspaper,
the Guardian.
Clarifying that a typical handover, takes much longer
than the projected 15 minutes, an estimated 12,000
of the aforementioned patients, suffer “severe
harm”, stated the document, drawn up by the
Association of Ambulance Chief Executives
(AACE) and based on official NHS figures.
The conclusions were drawn after all handover delays
of more than an hour, spanning 10 ambulance trusts
on January 4th - and the ensuing harm – had been
analysed.
The data was used to estimate... how many patients
annually suffer a deterioration in their health, or a
condition necessitating more invasive treatment
such as surgery, as a direct result of
waiting times.
“When very sick patients arrive at hospital and then have
to wait an excessive time for handover to emergency
department clinicians to receive an assessment and
definitive care, it is entirely predictable and almost
inevitable that some level of harm will arise. This
may take the form of a deteriorating medical or
physical condition, or distress and anxiety,
potentially affecting the outcome for
patients and definitely creating a
poor patient experience,” states the document.
Those patients who finally get admitted to hospital after
languishing in the back of an ambulance or waiting in
their home after dialing 999, are increasingly not
saved - because paramedics are overwhelmed
at A&E departments.
Although stopping short of saying how many patients
die annually because of ambulance logjams, the
report is cited as adding:
“We know that some patients have, sadly, died while
waiting outside ED [emergency departments], or
shortly after eventual admission to ED, after
a wait. Others have died while waiting for an ambulance response in
the community.”
The AACE report also estimated that because of the
pressure that hospitals are under, about 190,000
handovers a month – around half the total – take longer than they should.
Shadow Health Secretary Jonathan Ashworth was cited
by the outlet as deploring the scale of harm being
done to patients thanks to “years of Tory NHS
neglect”. In the wake of the report, a
Department of Health and Social
Care spokesman was cited
as saying:
“We are committed to supporting ambulance crews who
work tirelessly, responding to emergencies every day.
NHS England and Improvement, has given ambulance
trusts an extra £55 million to boost staff numbers for
winter, helping them to bolster capacity in control
rooms and on the frontline.”
The UK Department of Health and Social Care, also stated
it had pledged support to the NHS to meet unprecedented
challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic. It cited
record investments this year, including an extra
£5.4 billion over the next six months to support
the COVID-19 response, and £36 billion for
“health and care over the next 3 years”.
______________________________________
Latest scientific discovery may
lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s
November 15th, 11:11am (RT)
A team of scientists from the UK and Germany has
managed to reverse memory loss in mice... and
says the treatment could, potentially, lead to a
breakthrough in fighting Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers used the “humanized” therapeutic
antibody called TAP01_04, and the vaccine
called TAPAS.
According to a study published in Molecular Psychiatry,
both drugs triggered “a striking reduction” in the
formation of harmful deposits of protein, that
prevent communication between neurons
of the human brain.
Previous drugs for Alzheimer’s have a similar
mechanism, but have shown little success
and have sometimes produced negative
side effects.
One of the study’s authors, Mark Carr, a professor
from the Institute of Structural and Chemical
Biology at the University of Leicester, said,
“While the science is currently still at an
early stage, if these results were to be
replicated in human clinical trials,
then it could be transformative.”
The researchers are now looking for a commercial partner to run the anti- body, and the vaccine, through clinical trials on humans.
_______________________________
UK: NHS Waiting List at Record High as 5.8mln Still Waiting for Treatment
November 11th, 2:14pm (FNA)
More than 5.8 million patients were waiting for routine
surgery by the NHS, in England, by the end of
September, new data revealed.
This is the highest figure since August 2007 and comes
as hospital leaders have warned: the health service is
at “breaking point”, The Independent reported.
Ambulance services answered 82,000 emergency 999
calls in October, which was more then any other
month on record, while response times
have skyrocketed.
The average response time for category two patients
who needed emergency, but not life threatening,
care such as strokes, was nearly 54 minutes -
the longest average waiting time since
records began in 2017.
Response times for urgent calls - such as late stages of
labour, non-severe burns and diabetes - averaged three
hours, nine minutes and 58 seconds. This is up from
two hours, 35 minutes and 45 seconds in September,
and again is the longest average since current
records began.
The Independent has previously revealed ambulance
response times doubled during the pandemic, amid
a spike in patient deaths recorded by services.
Patients waiting for more than 12 hours in A&E also
reached the highest levels ever in October, with
7,059 waits recorded. This is more than five
times higher than the number of 12 hour
waits recorded in October 2020, which
saw 1,268 patients waiting.
Meanwhile there were 121,000 patients waiting over
four hours in A&E, following a decision to admit,
during the same month. Which is the highest
number on record.
The number of patients waiting more than year for
treatment has also risen for the first time in five
months, from 292,138 in August to more than
300,566 in September.
A total of 12,491 people in England were also waiting
more than two years to start routine hospital
treatment at the end of September 2021.
This is up from 9,754 at the end of August and is more
than four times the 2,722 people who were waiting
longer than two years in April.
NHS England has told hospitals to eliminate all waits
of more than two years by March 2022 and is due to
publish a plan on how the NHS will recover its
growing backlog of routine operations, later
this month.
For key diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRI scans, NHS
England data shows almost 370,000 people have waited
longer than six weeks. This is an improvement on
September 2020, when there were 419,841.
But in September 2019, before the pandemic, there were
just 38,802 people waiting longer than six weeks for a
diagnostic test.
The NHS has been given £5 billion to reduce NHS backlogs
including opening 100 community diagnostic hubs to try
and carry out more tests away from hospitals.
The number of urgent cancer patients who waited more
than two weeks to see a doctor was the highest-ever
on record in September, as was the number of
people who were left waiting more than a
month for treatment.
However, the numbers of people starting treatment for
cancer, in September, had risen.... compared to
pre pandemic levels.
Responding to figures, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer
Support Minesh Patel, stated it was “deeply concerning”
to see record numbers of people waiting too long for
specialist cancer treatment, in addition to this
she said “progress to clear the
backlog, stalled".
Professor Stephen Powis, medical director for the NHS
noted, “there is no doubt pressure on the health
service remains incredibly high”
He added, “But, despite high demand, NHS staff are
going above and beyond to see more patients and
deliver millions more tests, checks, treatments
and operations.
“Increasing numbers are coming forward for
treatment and this is expected to go up, but
it remains really important -- people do not
delay seeking help from the NHS, if they
feel unwell,” he continued.
Tim Gardener, senior fellow for think tank the Health
Foundation said, “Today’s figures provide further
evidence of the increasingly serious pressures
facing hospitals across the country."
“The government has said that the NHS is under
‘sustainable pressure’, but it would be extra-
ordinary to look at what’s happening in the
NHS right now.... and claim that it is
sustainable," Gardener continued:
“That we are facing pressures this significant,
before we have reached the peak of winter, is
concerning, particularly as cases of seasonal
viruses, and rising staff absences, are likely to add further pressure.”
New symptoms that could
help doctors diagnose pancreatic cancer
by Pavel López Lazo
November 10th, 5:10pm (Prensa Latina)
Researchers at the University of Oxford, UK, have identified a series of symptoms associated with pancreatic cancer, including two previously unrecognized symptoms - feeling thirsty and having dark urine.
The study has confirmed a further 23 signs of pancreatic
cancer, after looking at data from 24,230 patients who
were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in England
between 2000 and 2017, using a large electronic
database (QResearch).
The research, which is the largest study of its kind,
found 23 symptoms linked with the diagnosis of
PDAC... (yellowing of the skin, bleeding in the
stomach or intestine, problems swallowing,
diarrhea, change in bowel habits, vomiting,
indigestion, abdominal mass, abdominal
pain, weight loss, constipation, fat in
stool, abdominal swelling, nausea,
flatulence, heartburn, fever,
tiredness, loss of appetite,
itching, back pain, thirst,
and dark urine).
Nine symptoms were linked with PNEN (yellowing of
the skin, blood in stool, diarrhea, change in bowel
habits, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal mass,
abdominal pain, and weight loss).
“When pancreatic cancer is diagnosed earlier, patients
have a higher chance of survival. It is possible to
diagnose patients when they visit their GP, but
both patients and GPs... need to be aware of the symptoms associated with pancreatic
cancer.”Dr. Weiqi Liao said.
While most symptoms were not specific to pancreatic
cancer and could be due to other benign conditions,
the researchers found patients diagnosed with
pancreatic cancer, had a higher chance of
experiencing some of these non-specific
symptoms, one year before diagnosis.
Dr Liao said: “These new findings enable us to conduct
further work on understanding symptoms that could
suggest pancreatic cancer. This will help GPs to
make decisions - about who to refer for urgent
tests, especially when patients have several
seemingly non-specific symptoms.”
____________________________________
Swedish doctors sign petition
to stop Pfizer rollout over suspected fraud
November 9th, 9:36am (PressTV)
A group of doctors from Sweden, along with researchers
have signed a petition demanding the suspension of
vaccination with Pfizer jabs --- over reports of
violations in the trial of the vaccine.
In the petition, a group of 16 Swedish medical
practitioners have expressed grave concern
over what they call “gigantic” side effects of the Pfizer vaccine --- amid reports of a suspected research fraud.
It comes as the British Medical Journal (BMJ), a weekly
peer-reviewed medical journal from the UK, last week
cited a whistleblower as saying that a subcontractor
to Pfizer falsified data and failed to promptly follow
up on adverse events reported during the crucial
phase III trial of the vaccine last autumn.
Brook Jackson, who served as the regional director at
the Ventavia Research Group, told the BMJ that the
company unblinded patients, and employed
inadequately trained vaccinators.
According to the report, staff members who conducted
quality control checks were “overwhelmed by the
volume of problems they were finding.”
An employee at a US-based contract research company
helping to carry out Pfizer’s pivotal covid-19 vaccine
trial was fired, after reporting massive clinical trial
violations, a report says.
‘Extremely serious'
The group of Swedish doctors considered the
report surrounding Pfizer “extremely serious”.
“It undermines confidence in Pfizer, which is responsible
for testing the vaccine and for the safety of the vaccine
currently used by Swedes, including hundreds of
thousands of children,” the petition said.
The health experts also suggested that the extent of
the number of reported suspected side effects of
Pfizer jabs, is “gigantic”.
They put the number of suspected side effects reported
during the 10 months that vaccination has taken place,
at 83,744 ------ 10 times more than all the side effects reported, per year.
“The strong suspicion, that parts of the clinical trial of
Pfizer's vaccine were not performed in a scientifically
acceptable manner, and where the study results can
not be considered reliable, combined with the large
extent of reported suspected side effects, after
vaccination - many of a serious nature - makes
us, as doctors, researchers & immunologists
--- deeply concerned,” the petition stated.
____________________________________
UK Senior Adviser Says
Vaccinated Patients
Dying of COVID Due
to Waning Immunity
November 8th, 11:46am (FNA)
Double-jabbed vulnerable and elderly people are
dying from COVID-19 due to the efficacy of the
vaccine waning, a senior adviser said.
The effects of coronavirus vaccines are known to
wane some five or six months after the second
dose, as discovered in multiple studies
during the pandemic, PA news
agency reported.
It comes as the government launches a campaign
to encourage take-up of booster jabs this autumn.
While most of those dying with COVID-19 are
unvaccinated, reports last week said Number
10 was concerned about hospital admissions
& deaths among double-vaccinated people
rising, due to waning immunity.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK
Health Security Agency... told the BBC’s Andrew
Marr Show there are deaths among the elderly
because around 5% remain unvaccinated.
She added, “We’re still seeing deaths in mainly the
unvaccinated population ... but increasingly,
because of immune waning effects, there
are deaths in the vaccinated group
as well.”
She added that the majority of deaths are occurring
in the older age-groups --- particularly the over-70s,
and also among the clinically/extremely vulnerable
and those with underlying medical conditions.
She continued, “As we’ve mentioned, the immune
effects wane and what we see is, especially in the older or the vulnerable groups, those are the people whose immunity will wane the most."
“So, if you’re a healthy 30-year-old, then two doses
will protect you for a longer period. That’s why
those people need to come forward for their
third dose as soon as possible,” she added.
Patients over 50 and those most at risk from COVID-19
are currently eligible for a booster six months after
their second jab.
More than seven in 10 people aged 80 and over have
had their boosters while almost three in five people
50 and over have also had their top-ups,
according to NHS figures
from Sunday,
From Monday, booster jabs can be booked
one month earlier than previously allowed.
Under previous rules, people could only book their
booster six months after receiving their second
dose. Now, they will be able to arrange an
appointment after five months, and
attend as soon as the six-month
period is up.
The move is meant to accelerate the programme by
making it easier for people to book their inoculation.
Dr Hopkins said that, while the uptake of booster jabs
has been “quite good”... it has also been slower
than with previous doses.
“I think.. that may be due to people thinking they’re already protected, which is why we’re giving a lot of public health messages about why it’s so important for them to come forward for that third dose,” she added.
She added, “We know the virus is circulating at very
high levels in our community. So... unless people get
vaccinated, we will have a long and difficult winter.”
_________________________________________
Veteran care workerloses job
over vaccine mandate, blasts
government
November 8th, 7:07am (RT)
A UK care worker who worked in the field for over a dozen
years, decried the Covid-19 vaccine mandates, after her
refusal to be vaccinated cost her... her job. The story
has grabbed national headlines.
Louise Akester, 36, worked at Alderson House in Hull for
the last three years and in the healthcare field for 14
years, but has now lost her job, due to her non-
compliance with a mandate stating that all
care workers must be fully vaccinated
after November 11th, unless they
receive a medical exemption.
Opponents of vaccine mandates have argued that this
approach could lead to major staffing issues over
the winter months, while supporters insist it will
offer more protection to vulnerable care
home residents.
In a video she reportedly took... on Friday afternoon,
after her final shift, Akester tearfully explained how
losing her job and walking away from the people
she has cared for, was the hardest thing she has ever done.
“I just can't believe what the bloody government
is doing to us, I just don't get it, I don't
understand,” she said.
Akester said the situation is unfair, as residents and
guests are not required to be vaccinated under the
new rules. She claimed residents at her facility
are “crying their eyes out” over her departure,
and noted that she has been tested for
Covid-19 regularly --- and has worn
proper protective gear at her job.
Thousands could lose their jobs after November 11th,
and Akester, who said she made the minimum wage at her last job, said she has received lots of messages of support.
“It’s nice to know I’m not alone - that there’s
other people in my shoes,” she said.
Akester insisted that she is not against vaccines,
but is not ready to be vaccinated for Covid-19
just now. She previously told the Daily Mail
she is waiting -- due to concerns over the
potential long-term side effects.
“This choice should be my basic human right.
I do not deserve to be punished for saying
no,” she said.
However, she did not rule out being
vaccinated for Covid-19... at some
point in the future.
_____________________________
Covid-19 causes hearing
and balance disorders
by Pavel López Lazo
November 4th, 8am (Prensa Latina)
A team of experts disclosed that the SARS-CoV-2
virus causes hearing and balance disorders ---
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(MIT) reported.
“Coronavirus can infect cells of the inner ear, including
hair cells, which are critical for both hearing and
balance, causing hearing loss and tinnitus,”
researchers stressed.
In both human inner ear samples and stem cell-derived
cell models, specialists found that certain cells (ciliated and Schwann) express proteins necessary for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to enter.
A new study... from MIT and the Massachusetts Eye and
Ear provides evidence that “these two proteins include
the ACE2 receptor, which is found on the cell surface,
and two enzymes called furin and serine 2
transmembrane protease, which help the
virus to fuse with the host cell.”
Damage to cochlear hair cells, which can cause hearing
loss, is generally assessed by measuring otoacoustic
emissions, sounds made by sensory hair cells when
they respond to auditory stimulation.
Possible pathways for the virus to enter the ears include
the Eustachian tube, which connects the nose to the
middle ear.
The virus can also escape through the nose via small
openings surrounding the olfactory nerves. That
would allow the virus to enter the brain and infect the cranial nerves, including the one connected to the inner ear.
According to the Reports Nature’s Scientific journal,
Covid-19 causes more than 50 negative effects in
humans. These discomforts can last for weeks
and even months after a patient’s recovery is
decreed. The list of complaints is led by
fatigue, headache, attention disorder,
hair and tooth loss, shortness of
breath, loss of taste, smell,
cough, chest discomfort,
the decreased ability to
pulmonary diffusion,
sleep apnea.... and
pulmonary fibrosis.
Patients may also have heart disorders such
as arrhythmias and myocarditis; in addition
to tinnitus (when a ringing or other noise is
felt in one or both ears) and night sweats
...in addition to neurological disorders,
including dementia, depression,
anxiety... and obsessive-
compulsive disorders.
______________________________
High efficacy of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine in protecting the elderly confirmed by the large Argentinian study
November 1st, at 10:57am (RT)
A real-world study carried out in Argentina's capital
of Buenos Aires, has proven the high efficacy of
Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19
in those aged above 60, the distributor of
the jab has said.
The results of the large-scale research by the Ministry
of Health of the City of Buenos Aires were published
in the prestigious, peer-reviewed Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA) last week.
The study included more than 660,000 elderly residents
of Buenos Aires who'd been vaccinated with Sputnik V,
AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm jabs, between June the
1st and June the 15th, 2021.
According to the paper, infection rates decreased by
over 88% among those fully vaccinated, while
mortality dropped by 96.6%.
Two-dose vaccination also contributed to a 94.2%
reduction of all-cause deaths among those aged
80 and over, and a 98.2% reduction among
those aged between 70 and 79.
Sputnik V was the leading vaccine in the survey,
with over 63% of the participants injected with
the Russian-designed jab.The Argentinean
study: “reconfirms the great efficacy of
Sputnik V, in protecting the elderly,”
the Russian Direct Investment
Fund (RDIF), which funded
the development of the
Russian jab, and now
oversees distribution
...said in a statement.
The RDIF pointed to other research by the Buenos
Aires health ministry that was published in June
...and revealed the single-shot Sputnik Light
vaccine had an efficacy of 78.6–83.7%
among people aged between
60 and 79.
Sputnik V has been one of the main vaccines used in
Argentina’s immunization drive. Russia's jab has
contributed to Covid-19 cases in the capital
dropping “at least 15 times”, over the last five months, the RDIF said.
Its high efficacy of 97.6% in those fully vaccinated
and its lack of any significant known side effects
has generated praise in the international
scientific community --- including from
the prestigious medical magazine,
The Lancet.
The Russian jab is already registered in 70 countries
but still lacks authorization from the EU's regulator,
the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the
World Health Organization (WHO).
In late October, the WHO said it was resuming the
approval procedure after a month-long pause
...caused by the claimed discovery of
''irregularities'' at one of the plants
where Sputnik V is manufactured.
During his address to the G20 summit over the
weekend, Russian President Vladimir Putin
urged the world’s leading nations to work
out a mechanism: to efficiently update
vaccines against Covid-19. in light of
the new variants and accelerate the
recognition of each other’s jabs.
Competition in the area of vaccines, only
undermines global vaccination efforts,
and exacerbates inequality in access
to the jab, he pointed out.
Putin again highlighted the high effectiveness
of Sputnik V, and said its single-component
version could be used as a booster shot...
to vaccines produced by other countries.
___________________________________
Pandemic-hit NHS -- wastes over
£560mn yearly on ‘unnecessary’
and addictive pills with severe
withdrawal symptoms – study
October 19th, 2:46pm (RT)
Despite the Covid pandemic, the NHS is reportedly
wasting as much as £568 million yearly on habit-
forming drugs like painkillers and sleeping pills
that the majority of patients do not need,
leading to dangerous addictions.
Doctors in England, are unnecessarily pushing
dependency-causing opioids, antidepressants
and other pills, according to a new study by
the Council for Evidence-based Psychiatry.
Researchers found that 3 in 4 prescriptions
were totally unnecessary in some cases.
The study, published Tuesday in the journal Addictive
Behaviours, revealed that, for many patients, their
symptoms... were not severe enough to warrant
such medication. In other cases, safer options
of treatment such as counselling or less toxic
drugs, were not fully explored, while there
were also instances of patients who were
put on the pills for longer than required.
“Money is being wasted at a time when the health service
is strapped for cash. The NHS, is not taking this problem
seriously and many doctors don’t appreciate the extent
to which withdrawal from these medicines is a problem,”Dr James Davies, the study’s co-lead author, told the
Daily Mail.
Between 2015 and 2018, the study estimated, there
was a taxpayer bill of £1.7 billion for prescriptions
for... antidepressants, opioids, gabapentinoids,
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (sleeping pills).
The total costs accounted for the price of the
drugs, the average consultation cost (about
£33) of seeing a General Practitioner (GP),
and dispensing fees.
NHS figures reportedly show that nearly 17 million people
a year, in the country, are getting a prescription for such
drugs. The level of waste is so colossal that it could go
towards paying the salaries of another 10,000 GPs or
20,000 nurses, according to the Daily Mail, which
reported that the Department of Health and
Social Care is yet to finalise plans to
tackle the issue.
Nearly half the taxpayer money being wasted each year – to the tune of £288 million – goes towards highly
addictive opioid painkillers followed by £158
million a year for gabapentinoids. But the
researchers, at Roehampton University,
Greenwich University, plus University
College London, warn that it is likely
the total amount lost is far higher
than the “conservative”
estimates in the study.
In addition, the study does not account for the significant
costs related to harms caused by habit-forming drugs.
These include higher disability payments and lost tax
revenues, as well as workplace absenteeism and
decreased productivity.
Besides the financial losses, unnecessary prescription also
exacts a human cost: when people try to kick the habit, they
suffer severe withdrawal symptoms --- including stomach
cramps, blurred vision & loss of appetite. For instance,
studies on benzodiazepine usage reportedly show that
50% of those on the drugs for as little as four weeks
Commenting on the study, the Tory MP Danny Kruger, who
chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed
Drug Dependence, said a “fraction of these wasted
costs should now be invested in a helpline and dedicated withdrawal support services.”
In 2019, a Public Health England report revealed that
“hundreds of thousands” of patients... .had become
dependent on medicines.. and recommended face-
to-face support, better training for doctors on the
risks of drug dependency, and a 24-hour helpline
on how to reduce medication.
While little action has occurred since, a Department of
Health and Social Care spokesman told the Daily Mail
that ministers are finally backing plans for a helpline
and will be “working closely” with the NHS to
implement the recommendations.
______________________________
Psychosis Cases Soar in England
as Pandemic Hits Mental Health
October 18th, 3:22pm (FNA)
Cases of psychosis have soared over the past two years
in England... as a rising number of people experience
hallucinations and delusional thinking, amid the
stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There was a 75% increase in the number of people referred
to mental health services for their first suspected episode
of psychosis between April 2019 and April 2021, NHS data shows, The Guardian reported.
The rise continued throughout the summer, with 12,655
referred in July 2021, up 53% from 8,252 in July 2019.
Much of the increase has been seen over the last year,
after the first national lockdown, according to data
analysed by the charity Rethink Mental Illness.
More than 13,000 referrals were made in May
2021, a 70% rise on the May before, when
there were 7,813 referrals.
The charity is urging the government to invest more
in early intervention for psychosis to prevent any further deterioration in people’s mental health, from which... it could take them years to recover.
It says the statistics - provide some of the first concrete
evidence... to indicate the significant levels of distress experienced across the population in the pandemic.
A study earlier this month, found that anxiety & depression
around the world, increased dramatically, in 2020, with an
estimated 76mln extra cases of anxiety and 53mln extra
cases of major depressive disorder than would have
been expected.. had COVID not struck. Women and
young people were disproportionately affected,
the researchers said.
Psychosis can involve seeing or hearing things that other
people do not (hallucinations) and developing beliefs that
aren't based on reality (delusions), which can be highly
distressing. It can be a symptom of mental illness... such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe
depression, but psychosis can also be a
one-off, potentially triggered by a
traumatic experience, extreme
stress or drug and alcohol
misuse.
Despite the continued pressure on mental health services,
Rethink Mental Illness is highlighting the importance of
rapid access to treatment to prevent further episodes
of psychosis... and reduce people’s risk of
developing severe mental illness.
Nice guidelines for people experiencing a suspected
first episode of psychosis state they should receive
an assessment within two weeks. However, the
charity fears that if the increase in referrals is
sustained, more people will have to wait
longer for vital treatment.
Brian Dow, the deputy chief executive of Rethink Mental
Illness, said, “Psychosis can have a devastating impact
on people’s lives. Swift access to treatment is vital to
prevent a further deterioration in people’s mental
health... which could take them years to
recover from."
“These soaring numbers of suspected first episodes of
psychosis are cause for alarm. We're now, well beyond
the first profound shocks of this crisis and it’s deeply
concerning, that the number of referrals remains so
high. As first presentations of psychosis typically
occur in young adults, this steep rise raises
additional concerns about the pressures
the younger generation have faced
during the pandemic," he added.
“The pandemic has had a ''gamechanging'' effect on our
mental health and it requires a revolutionary response.
Dedicated additional funding for mental health and
social care must go to frontline services to help
meet the new demand, otherwise thousands
of people could bear a catastrophic cost,”
he added.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social
Care said, “It is vital everyone can get the right support
when they need it and we are delivering the fastest
expansion in mental health services in NHS
history, backed by an additional £2.3bln a
year, by 2023/24, benefiting hundreds of thousands more people.
“On top of this, we’ve invested an additional £500mln
this year to help people whose mental health has
been particularly impacted by the pandemic. All
NHS mental health providers have established
24/7 urgent helplines, which have answered
around three million calls... during the
pandemic,” the spokesperson said.
_____________________________
López Obrador - again -asks WHO to
recognize all anti-Covid-19 vaccines
October 14th, 4:30pm (Prensa Latina)
President of Mexico, Andrés Manuel López Obrador,
asked today, again, the World Health Organization
(WHO)... to approve the anti-Covid-19 vaccines
that have already been positively tested.
In the morning press conference at the National Palace,
the president said that, if it is already proven they are
not harmful, but quite the opposite, that they help people and the efficacy is also proven, why are they not yet ''authorized'', he wondered.
In the case of the United States, there is already some
advance... since they stopped talking about allowing
entry to that country only to those vaccinated with
locally made immunizers. Previously, they said
only Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, but now
they accept AstraZeneca and others.
Apparently they will allow the entry of people vaccinated
with those authorized by WHO. It is no longer a single
country deciding, but a world organization, and it must be without political or ideological
interests, but exclusively supported by science.
It should not be possible, he said, that there is an effective
vaccine in a country with a different political system and
they try to marginalize it,as that resource is used in
many other countries and has shown it helps.
Political issues should not be mixed with those of health
and science, he reiterated. Hopefully, all (vaccines) in
progress, finish the analysis and are approved and
authorized by WHO... and we can travel everywhere.
To a question about Cuba's 'Abdala' and its application in
children, the president said there is an agreement with
the government of Havana, to acquire their vaccines,
but it has not yet been possible, and reiterated the
optimal relationship of bilateral cooperation in
the field of medicine, and that they will
continue to work together.
It is the 2nd time the president addresses the issue
due to the delay of WHO... to approve numerous
vaccines from other countries, outside those
where the drugs are already authorized.
He said the world institution has to act with rectitude, without political or
ideological bias, and with
adherence to science.
Concerning the case of Mexico and the reopening of
borders with the United States, the problem is the
large number of Mexicans vaccinated with
Russian and Chinese drugs-- which have
not yet been approved by WHO, despite
their wide and generalized use.
López Obrador asked WHO to hurry, because they have
been in the process for a long time, and there are
vaccines being applied by millions of doses that
have saved lives. And most importantly, there is no report in the world, that they have
caused harm.
_________________________________
Users Unable to Access
NHS App, Website
& COVID Pass
October 13th, 3:48pm (Sputnik)
Brits were stranded in airports on Wednesday, unable
to access their Covid-19 vaccination records, due to
technical issues.
The National Health Service (NHS) reported problems
with user access to the Covid Pass on the NHS app
and the website, adding that the issue is being
investigated.
The NHS Covid Pass is used to prove one's vaccination
record and allows people to travel, as well as access
events and venues in the UK and other countries.
Travellers took to social media on Wednesday to complain and fume about the incident, saying they couldn't take their trips, take tours, or go to museums.
The NHS said it would update users
on the matter "as soon as we can."
_________________________________
‘Alarming’ drop in life expectancy
in England --- even before Covid
pandemic hit, new university
study shows
October 13th, 12:53pm (RT)
Life expectancy across the UK was falling even before
the Covid pandemic hit, with researchers finding an
“alarming” drop over the past decade, according
to a study published by Imperial College
London (ICL).
Having examined around 8.6 million death records in
England from 2002-2019, ICL found life expectancy
decreased in one of five communities for women
and one in nine areas for men, over the
past decade.
The analysis, published on Wednesday, comes after
the Office for National Statistics (ONS), released a
report earlier in 2021, estimating life expectancy
for men had fallen for the first time in 40 years...
due to the Covid pandemic.
However, ICL researchers found it had actually
started to decline, years before the pandemic
impacted communities.
“There has always been an impression in the UK that
everyone's health is improving, even if not at the
same pace,” said Professor Majid Ezzati, who
led the study, but “data show that longevity
has been getting worse for years, in large
parts of England.”
For such declines to be seen in 'normal times'
--- before the pandemic --- is alarming.
Beyond the national picture across England... the study
outlined the stark difference between life expectancy
in different parts of the country. At the most extreme
point, there was a 20-year gap between women
living in the London borough of Camden and
Leeds, West Yorkshire, while there was a
27-year gap between Kensington and
Chelsea and Blackpool, Lancashire.
The analysis, released in the peer reviewed Lancet
journal, blamed the differences in life expectancy
on poverty, employment issues, welfare support,
and healthcare, urging the government to boost
investments in areas that have the lowest life
expectancies.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his government
recently pledged to tackle inequalities between
different regions --- laying out his so-called
‘levelling-up’ agenda, which will seek to
providing funding to towns, cities and
rural areas, giving local authorities
''greater control'' over how
government investment
is spent.
(Rhondda Records adds: twenty years ago, the
Rhondda's life expectancy was worse than
Ruanda's - want to guess what Wales'
figures are now?)
______________________________
Phthalates in toys, shampoo,
makeup,linked to early
deaths in US
October 12th, 8:21pm (PressTV)
A new study has found that the chemical phthalates
used commonly in various industries, has been
causing early deaths in the United States.
According to the study published on Tuesday
in Environmental Pollution: Phthalates, also
known as plasticizers, may contribute to
some 91,000 to 107,000 premature
deaths a year, among people
ageD 55 to 64 in the US.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Leonardo Trasande,
said the research confirmed earlier studies showing
that Phthalates exposure, led to a range of health
problems.
Trasande, who is a professor of pediatrics, environmental
medicine, and population health at NYU Langone Health
in New York City, said industries needed to stop, or at
least reduce, the use of the hazardous man-made
chemicals found in hundreds of consumer products, including food storage
containers, shampoo, makeup,
perfume, and children's toys.
"This study adds to the growing database on the impact of plastics on the human body, and bolsters public health and business cases --- for reducing or
eliminating the use of plastics."
Several earlier studies had shown that Phthalates
exposure was linked to obesity, diabetes, heart
disease, and cancer.
According to the National Institute of Environmental
Health, phthalates can interfere with important
hormone functions: affecting the immune and
reproductive systems, as well as the brain,
liver, and other organs.
People are exposed to phthalates almost everywhere
because they are added to most consumer products.
Exposures commonly come from breathing contaminated
air, or eating or drinking foods that came into contact with the plastic, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
___________________________________
IcelandHalts Moderna Jabs...
over Heart-Inflammation Fears
October 10th, 10:47am (FNA)
Iceland, on Friday... suspended the Moderna
coronavirus jabs citing a slightly increased
risk of cardiac inflammation, going further
than its Nordic neighbours which,
previously, only limited the use of the vaccine.
"As the supply of Pfizer vaccine is sufficient in
the territory ... the chief epidemiologist has
decided not to use the Moderna vaccine
in Iceland," said a statement published
on the Health Directorate website,
AFP reported.
This decision owes to "the increased incidence of
myocarditis and pericarditis after vaccination with
the Moderna vaccine, as well as with vaccination
using Pfizer/BioNTech", the chief epidemiologist
said in a statement.
For the past two months, Iceland has been administering
an additional dose "almost exclusively" of the Moderna
vaccine to Icelanders vaccinated with Janssen, a
single-dose serum, marketed by America's
Johnson & Johnson, as well as to elderly
and immunocompromised people, who
received 2 doses of another vaccine.
This will not affect the vaccination campaign in the island
of 370,000 inhabitants, where 88% of the population over
12 years old, is already fully vaccinated.
Since Thursday, Sweden & Finland have also suspended
the use of Moderna vaccine, but only for those under 30,
because of a risk of inflammation of the myocardium,
the heart muscle, and the pericardium, the
membrane covering the heart.
Denmark and Norway... have formally
advised against it, for those under 18.
According to the Swedish authorities, most of these
inflammations are benign, and pass on their own,
but it is recommended that medical advice be
sought, should symptoms occur.
Image by Holger Langmaier
Study: Covid has caused
dramatic rise in anxiety,
depression
October 9th, 11:44am (PressTV)
Cases of depression and anxiety went up by more than
a quarter worldwide, in 2020, due to Covid-19, shows
a study.
Cases of major depression and anxiety around the world
increased dramatically in 2020 due to the Covid-19 crisis,
according to the first global estimate of the impact of the pandemic on mental health.
The study, published in the Lancet medical journal, is the
latest to suggest the pandemic has taken a serious toll
on mental health, with an estimated 76 million extra
cases of anxiety and 53 million extra cases of
major depressive disorder, than would have
been expected, had Covid not struck.
In 2020, cases of major depressive disorder and anxiety
disorders increased by 28% and 26%, respectively.
Women were affected more than men, and
younger people were more affected than
older age groups, according to the
recent study.
Countries with high Covid-19 infection rates, and major
reductions in the movement of people - a consequence
of measures such as lockdowns and school closures –
had the greatest increases in the prevalence of major
depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.
The head of the research group from the Queensland
Centre for Mental Health Research, School of Public
Health, University of Queensland, Australia, said,
“This study is the first to quantify the prevalence
and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders
by age, sex, and location globally in 204
countries and territories, in 2020.”
Women and young people are more likely to be affected
than men or older people. The study showed... that
almost 52 million of the added cases for anxiety
during the first Covid year were accounted for
among women, contrasted with 24 million
for men.
“We believe [that] is because women are more likely to
be affected by the social and economic consequences
of the pandemic,” said the lead author, Dr. Damian
Santomauro of the University of Queensland.
“Women are more likely to take on additional career and
household responsibilities, due to school closures, or
family members becoming unwell. Women also tend
to have lower salaries, less savings... and less
secure employment than men.... and so, are
more likely to be financially disadvantaged
during the pandemic,” he said, adding: a
rise in domestic violence, may also play a role.
Although Covid caused more death and serious illness
among older people, it was younger people who faced
the greatest burdens of depression and anxiety.
The category with the highest burden, the 20 to 24-year
age bracket, had an estimated 1,118 added depression
cases per 100,000 people, and 1,331 more per 100,000
for anxiety.
“School closures and wider restrictions limiting young
people’s ability to learn and interact with their peers,
combined with the increased risk of unemployment,
also meant that young people were also more
heavily impacted by major depressive
disorder and anxiety disorders
during the pandemic,” says
Alize Ferrari, one of the
University of Queens
-land researchers.
“We are hoping that these findings encourage more dialogue by policy makers, governments, researchers and people considering resource allocation and planning for mental health responses…. It is crucial --- that policymakers take underlying factors such as these into account... as part of measures
“While vaccinations are highly effective at protecting
against infection & severe COVID-19 disease, our
review demonstrates that natural immunity in
COVID 19-recovered individuals is... at least
equivalent to the protection afforded by full
vaccination of COVID-naïve populations.”
“There is a modest and incremental relative benefit to
vaccination in COVID-recovered individuals; how-
ever, the net benefit is marginal on an absolute
basis.” The researchers recommended that...
“vaccination of COVID-recovered individuals
should be subject to clinical equipoise and individual preference.”
And that’s not all... “Israelis who had an infection were
more protected against the Delta coronavirus variant - than those who had an already highly effective COVID-
19 vaccine,” wrote Science Magazine... of the bench-
mark Israeli study from August (while still bizarrely,
claiming vaccinations were “vital”). Since then,
we’ve learned that the effectiveness of these
‘highly effective vaccines’ – like Pfizer/
BioNTech’s – wanes after 6 months.
In Pfizrael, sorry, Israel – the primary ground for Covid-19
jab experimentation according to Dr. Philip Dormitzer,
vice president and chief scientific officer at Pfizer,
who called the country a “sort of laboratory” – a
record explosion of Covid infection has resulted
in calls for a FOURTH dose, even as the double -jabbed who haven’t yet received their 3rd jab
started losing their QR code health pass
privileges... this week.
It looks like endless jab hell. So how about just giving
the Covid-recovered our lifelong health pass already
and leaving us alone, so we can ignore this circus
and move on with our lives? Why are you holding
us hostage? Let me take my own ‘jab’ at
answering that.
What’s clearly lurking behind the reluctance of authorities
to acknowledge acquired immunity is the fear that if they
just decided to leave us alone while subjecting everyone
else to their endless jab and pony show --- then an
increasing number of people would eventually
decide to find a way to deliberately catch and recover from Covid, so they could be left alone, too.
The authorities are literally going against the science and
lying to victims of Covid... in order to avoid creating a
benefit that others might seek out at a potential risk.
Except that, they themselves.... are responsible for
creating the restrictive system, from which, people
are now literally seeking out infection to find relief
– if only to acquire a health pass good for six
months so they’re able to access everyday
venues and basic freedoms.
As Sir Walter Scott once wrote, in his epic poem:
“O what a tangled web we weave, When first we
practise to deceive!” So maybe stop manipulat
-ing people, in a lousy attempt at social
engineering and start actually follow-
ing your beloved ‘science’, rather
than cherry picking it, to suit
your corrupt narrative, you
inept clowns.
_________________________________
Finland becomes Third country to limit use of the Moderna vaccine
over cardiovascular side effects
October 7th, 5:25pm (PressTV)
Finland becomes the third country, after Sweden and
Denmark, to pause the use of Moderna’s COVID-19
vaccine for younger males, over reports of its rare cardiovascular side effects.
In a statement on Thursday, Mika Salminen, director
of the Finnish health institute, announced the news,
saying that Finland would instead give Pfizer-BioN
Tech COVID-19 vaccine, to men born in 1991
and later.
The precautionary decision was made by Helsinki after
a Nordic study found that those aged 30 and below
had a “slightly higher risk” than others, of
developing myocarditis.
“A Nordic study involving Finland, Sweden, Norway and
Denmark, found that men under the age of 30, who
received Moderna Spikevax, had a slightly higher
risk than others, of developing myocarditis,”
he said.
Finland currently offers COVID-19
vaccines to people aged 12
and over.
The decision by Finnish authorities came, just a day after
Swedish and Danish health officials announced that they
would halt the use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for all young adults and children, citing the same
unpublished Nordic study.
Norway already recommends the Cominarty vaccine,
and Finland was expected to publish a decision later.
Salminen said the study will be published in the next
couple of weeks, and that the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) had already received preliminary
data, for further assessment.
Back in July, the safety committee of the EMA
announced that the reported inflammatory
heart conditions could be observed in
very rare cases after the use of
Spikevax, or the Pfizer/BioN
Tech Cominarty jab, more
often in younger males,
after the second dose.
_________________________________
‘Fact-checkers’ rush to defend
Bill Gates--- as video of him
praising vaccines’ abilities
to reduce population
growth, goes viral
October 6th, 5:59pm (RT)
Self-proclaimed ‘fact-checkers’, have been forced
to walk back some of their more forceful denials
of Bill Gates’ opinions on population control, in
another effort to frame the philanthropist’s
critics, as loonies.
FactCheck.org has seemingly revised its view of
Gates’ infamous 2010 TED Talk... in which he
declared doing a “great job” on vaccination
in the developing world... could bring down
the population count. In ITS statement on
Wednesday, the organization announced
that while Gates had -- “said health care
& vaccines could reduce unsustainable
population growth,” his words had
been taken out of context – and he had never said “3 billion people need to die.”
The ‘fact-checker’ had gleefully seized upon a 2019
video featuring naturopath R. Young addressing a group of judicial-cosplay conspiracy theorists known as the International Tribunal for Natural Justice, noting that there is no documented evidence of Gates uttering any of the words Young was putting into his mouth – especially the “3 billion people” line.
However, most of Gates’ detractors have never
accused him of outright claiming 3 billion
people need to die, though many have
referred to him - in one form or another - as a eugenics fan.
The vaccine evangelist’s claim that the world’s
population, standing in 2010 at 6.8 billion and
“headed up to nine billion”, at the time of the
infamous TED Talk, could be reduced “if we
do a really great job on new vaccines,
health care, reproductive health
services,” and the like... “by,
perhaps, 10 or 15% percent”
can itself be considered an incriminating statement --
and FactCheck.org ..has
acknowledged that he
said it.
Many of the self-proclaimed ‘fact-checking’ groups
have become somewhat notorious for seizing on
bizarre conspiracy theories about figures like
Gates and using such falsehoods to smear
legitimate criticism of those figures.
Additionally, a Gates TED Talk, from last year, was
edited post-broadcast to remove a line regarding
vaccine certificates, which, at the time, were
considered to be much too redolent of the
police-state mentality... for any of the
democratic countries to accept.
A year and a half later, lockdown-mad populations
have been driven into the arms of such passport
regimes, and Gates’ prediction - which persists
in the audio version of his talk - sounds
almost restrained.
__________________________________
1 in 4 Brits give up on NHS
non-emergency calls due to long queues caused by staff shortages
October 3rd, 11:14am (RT)
Almost a quarter of callers hang up, while attempting to ring the National Health Service’s non-emergency
111 phone line, because of waiting times that far
exceed the service’s call-handling target.
The average wait time across the UK, was roughly eight
minutes in July, but in northeast England, some callers
were left waiting for up to 25 minutes, The Guardian
reported on Sunday. In comparison, NHS targets
suggest a caller should not be waiting for more than 20 seconds.
111 is an NHS phone line that can be used to report health
concerns that are not considered to be an emergency.
It’s used by many British people when they need to
reach a medical practitioner more quickly than it
would take to secure an available appointment
with their own doctor.
Due to the lengthy queues, 24% – or nearly one in four
callers – bailed on their attempts to reach 111 in July
– up by 16% since April, when callers were left
waiting for just over a minute and a half... on
average. In the Northeast... the figure was
even higher, with half of all callers giving
up before reaching a staff member. NHS
targets suggest that just 3% of callers
should be put in a position where
they consider it preferable to
hang up before connecting.
A spokesperson for the NHS told The Guardian that the
long waiting times were due to an “increased demand”
amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the backlog it has
caused, with “call handlers seeing a 44% rise
in calls during July compared with the same month in 2019”.
The GMB trade union’s public-services officer... Rachel
Harrison... said the long queues were also due to: “a
staffing crisis” in the health sector, with “exhaustion
and burnout, Covid sickness and the impact of low
pay on workers”, leading to fewer staff to deal with the increased numbers of callers.
“When people can’t get through to 111, they turn to 999 –
which, in turn, increases the demands and pressures
on our already-overstretched ambulance services,”
Harrison added.
_____________________________________
Canadian MilitaryUsed COVID-19
to Test Afghan-Like Propaganda
Techniques on Citizens: Report
September 30th, 6:40pm (RT)
The government in Ottawa reportedly didn’t authorise
a covert propaganda operation against its own
citizens, according to a plan designed by
Canada's military leadership.
The Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) used
the COVID-19 pandemic to test its propaganda
techniques - similar to those used during the
Afghanistan war - on its own citizens, the
daily paper Ottawa Citizen reported,
citing documents obtained through the Access to Information law.
What the Operation Was About
According to the newspaper, the plan was hatched last year
by the CJOC, which at the time was headed by Lt-Gen Mike
Rouleau. The operation called for “shaping” & “exploiting”
information during the health crisis to make the
government’s messages about the pandemic
more effective and prevent any civil
disobedience from Canadians.
The CJOC reportedly issued the directive for the plan on
April 8th 2020 but it was quickly shut down by General
Jonathan Vance, then-chief of the defence staff who
stepped down from his post in January 2021.
Vance was reportedly prompted to kill the initiative after
hearing the concerns from his advisers about the
scheme’s legality and ethics. The plan was still
reportedly active until May 2nd... when the
general’s halting order finally took effect.
Investigation Launched
Vance then invited retired Major-Gen Daniel Gosselin to
investigate how the CJOC had been able to launch the
propaganda scheme without getting authorisation
from higher levels. Gosselin’s report concluded
that military commanders were not seeking
approval from the authorities because they
apparently didn’t believe they needed it.
Canada’s federal government never
authorises initiatives, Gosselin
argued.
According to the investigative report... the CJOC saw the pandemic as a “unique opportunity” to test their
''techniques'' on ordinary citizens. Gosselin notes
that the plan did not emanate from “passionate”
propaganda specialists but was a result of the
CJOC’s deeper “mindset” that supported the
use of such techniques.
Gosselin cited the views of the body’s former chief of
staff, Rear-Adm Brian Santarpia, who believed that the pandemic was “an opportunity to monitor and collect public information to enhance awareness for better command decision-making.”
The report concluded that CJOC held a “palpable,
dismissive attitude” towards concerns of other
military bodies and leaders when launching
the scheme.
Gosselin has recommended that Canadian Forces review their policies, when it comes to information operations
– especially those concerning a domestic audience.
‘Controversial’ Issue?
Ottawa Citizen argues that “military propaganda training
and initiatives within Canada, over the past year.... have
proved controversial”. The paper cites a recent incident in Nova Scotia, when a fake letter from the government designed by the military, warned about “wolves on the loose”, causing panic among locals and officials who were unware about the ongoing ''operation'.'
But revelations about the military’s reported move didn’t
simply stir controversy among some readers but down-
right outrage.
As such, Lorne Gunter - a columnist on another daily
newspaper, the Toronto Sun - has raged in a recent
piece, against “censorship, propaganda and
manipulation” --- which typifies the Canadian government's “toolkit”.
“The military should never treat Canadian citizens as if
they are the enemy,” he wrote, suggesting that this
attitude is “increasingly popular among the
Canadian elites”.
Canada’s political leaders have
kept silent on the report so far.
_______________________________
Antibodies in Fully Vaxxed
With Pfizer, AstraZeneca
--- Decline Steeply After
Several Months – Study
September 30th, 7:05am (Sputnik)
Swedish national broadcaster SVT described the new
findings as a piece of the puzzle why Sweden and
other heavily-vaccinated countries are now
seeing more and more breakthrough
infections among those who duly
received their two shots.
Antibody levels among fully vaccinated people wane
faster than researchers previously thought, a major
recent study performed in Sweden has concluded.
In total, over 2,000 healthcare employees have been
included in the Community Study -- whose goal is to
learn more about immunity after COVID-19 and the
effect of vaccines, inasmuch as how quickly
immunity wears off.
For Pfizer-vaccinated people who haven't had COVID-19,
antibody levels were halved after only three months.
After seven months, only 15 percent of the original
levels remained – a decrease of 85 percent,
national broadcaster SVT reported.
Because the staff who received the AstraZeneca vaccine
received the booster shot later, the researchers were
only able to follow them for three months. Never-
theless, the decline was even steeper. After
barely three months, AstraZeneca-
vaccinated people had only one-
fifth of the Pfizer-vaccinated
antibody levels.
A handful of participants received Moderna's vaccine,
but that group was too small... and had a too short
follow-up time. for the researchers to say
anything conclusive.
“The fact that antibody levels fall over time is fully expected,
but I am surprised that it has dropped so significantly in
such a relatively healthy and young group”, research
leader Charlotte Thålin told SVT. “The low levels
mean that we can have an increased spread
even in vaccinated groups, and this can
have consequences for our elderly. ”
“This is worrying and indicates that
the elderly and fragile must
receive a third refill dose
as soon as possible”,
she added.
SVT described the new findings as a piece of the puzzle
why Sweden and several other heavily-vaccinated
countries have begun to see more and more
breakthrough infections among those who
have duly received their two shots. How-
ever... researchers still don't know where the protection line goes.
“Antibodies are only part of the immune system, we know
that high antibody levels.. are associated with protection
against infection. But the immune system also contains
memory cells, that quickly supplement the antibody
levels when we are exposed to the virus and we do
not know exactly where the limit is, for becoming
infected or ill”, Charlotte Thålin.
Sweden, a nation of over 10 million, has vaccinated over
63 percent of its population. So far, it has had 1.15
million cases of the disease, with over
15,000 deaths.
While famous for not introducing any comprehensive
lockdowns even at the height of the pandemic,
unlike its neighbours, earlier on Wednesday
September 29th, Sweden lifted the last
restrictions in place. In practice, this
means that the number of guests at
events, is no longer limited, that
Swedes are no longer recom-
mended to work from home
and that the distancing
requirements...
disappear.
_________________________________
Pope Francis calls for
a comprehensive
approach to health
September 27th, 3:07pm (Prensa Latina)
Pope Francis said here today, that considering health
in its multiple dimensions, at a global level, helps
to understand and responsibly assume the
interconnection between phenomena.
Upon receiving participants in the Plenary Assembly of
the Pontifical Academy for Life, the Supreme Pontiff
pointed out that this is how it is better seen how
living conditions derived from political, social
and environmental decisions, produce an
impact on the health of human beings.
If we examine life expectancy, and healthy life... in different countries and social groups, we discover deep inequalities, Francis said, at the three-day
event, inaugurated today, and focused
on the theme 'Public health in a
global perspective. Pandemic,
bioethics, future'.
After noting that these differences depend on variables
such as... level of income and education and places of
residence, the Pope specified that 'we state that life
and health are equally fundamental values for all,
based on the unalienable dignity of the
human person'.
But if that declaration does not follow the appropriate
commitment to overcome inequalities, in fact, we
accept the painful reality: that not all lives are
equal, and health is not protected in the
same way, for everyone, he said.
When highlighting how the Covid-19 pandemic made clear
the profound interdependence 'both between us and
between the human kind and our common home',
he recalled that 'our societies, especially in the West, have tended to forget that
interconnection', with the
resulting 'bitter
experiences'.
The Pope called to reverse this trend through synergy
between different disciplines, such as biology and
hygiene, medicine and epidemiology, but also
economics and sociology, anthropology
and ecology.
In this sense, he stressed that the objective should be
- in addition to understanding the phenomena - to
identify the technological, political and ethical
criteria for action --- on the health system,
the family, employment, and
the environment.
____________________________
Back to normal everyday life’:
Norwegian PM announces
end of Covid restrictions
September 24th, 1:22pm (RT)
Speaking at a press conference... on Friday, Norway’s
prime minister, Erna Solberg, stated that the country
will reopen the country on Saturday... ending Covid
restrictions on businesses and social interactions.
The decision to remove the strict Covid measures comes
561 days after they were first introduced to reduce the
spread of the virus, with Norwegian health authorities
also giving the green light for other restrictions,
such as those on sports venues and travel,
to end in the coming weeks.
“Now we are going back to a normal everyday life,” Solberg
stated... as she announced that, from 4pm (3pm GMT) on
Saturday, the country will “remove most of the infection
control measures,” giving “a big thank you” to citizens
for complying.
Celebrating the removal of restrictions, Solberg hugged
Health Minister Bent Hoie at the press conference,
which the two said was acceptable, as they are
both fully vaccinated.
While measures will be lifted in the next 24 hours, the Norwegian PM urged businesses to not start
preparing for customers to return until tomorrow, as the rules are still in
place until the “common time”
that has been agreed.
Although Norwegian officials feel comfortable enough to
start reopening the country, the official urged eligible
citizens to ensure they are fully vaccinated,
describing it as their “civic duty” and
issuing a plea to “minority
communities” who have
not yet had the jab.
Responding to the announcement, the head of the
Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, Ole Erik
Almlid, declared that this is what “the whole
society has longed for,” even though “the
finish line has not yet been reached,”
with more work to come until
industries have fully
rebounded.
________________________________
England’s cancer treatment backlog
could take ‘decades’ to clear after
Covid pandemic crippled patient
care – report
September 24th, 11:25am (RT)
The cancer treatment backlog in England could “take
decades to address” ...after the Covid pandemic
caused the health service to “collapse rapidly”,
according to a new report from the Institute
for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
In the research, released on Friday, the independent
progressive think tank warned of the impact of the
pandemic on cancer treatment, urging officials to
take steps to prevent potentially “severe”
consequences... that will require
“considerable catch-up”
work to be done.
While the UK government has announced a three-year
funding proposal to address issues that have
emerged in the NHS during the pandemic, the IPPR said there was “more to be done” if Britain is to “build back better”... as Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised.
Highlighting how the impact of coronavirus had caused
the health service to “collapse rapidly”, the think tank said the crisis had forced the NHS to take
“unthinkable steps --- like cancelling cancer treatments”, leaving an estimated 19,500 people with undiagnosed cancers.
Examining the ways to clear the backlog, the study warned
that it would take until 2033 before hospitals, already
“stretched” to capacity... could clear the backlog
- even if treatment interventions were increased
by 5%. If they rose by 15%, it could potentially
be cleared by next year. However, if the NHS
didn’t boost cancer treatments, the backlog
“could take decades to address”, the
researchers said.
The IPPR’s report urges the government to implement
greater funding as a matter of urgency, as the funds
announced so far were “just about enough to keep
the health service afloat”, it said, given that data
showed that, before the pandemic, the cancer
survival rate in the UK already lagged “far
behind most similar countries”.
“These alarming estimates lay bare just how urgently
investment in equipment, and, crucially, in NHS
staffing, is needed to avoid a devastating
decade of further disruption to cancer
diagnosis and treatment,” the chief
executive of Breast Cancer Now,
Baroness Delyth Morgan, said
following the release of
the report.
The UK government has not yet issued
a response to the IPPR’s findings.
[Baroness Delyth Morgan, hmm...
that's a Welsh name-- wonder
if she could offer to publicise
what on earth is happening
in Wales?]
_______________________________
ER Doc Accuses Gov’t of ‘Shoving’
Vax Side Effects ‘Under the Mat’
in Vid Leaked to Project Veritas
September 22nd, 8:35pm (Sputnik)
A Department of Health and Human Services ER doctor from
the Phoenix Indian Medical Centre, has been caught on
hidden cam footage... calling the vaccines being
administered in the US “bullsh*t” and accusing
the federal government of willfully ignoring
serious and potentially fatal side effects.
The video, published by investigative journalism collective
Project Veritas, shows a discussion between DHHS doctor
Maria Gonzales and her colleague, Dr. Dale McGee, as
well as Jodi O’Malley, a registered nurse, regarding
vaccine safety and effectiveness.
“So how come after 18 months, we haven’t had any research?
Isn’t that fishy to you?” O’Malley, who filmed and leaked the
footage to Project Veritas, asks Gonzales. “It does – it is
fishy,” the doctor replies.
“It’s not that it hasn’t been done. It hasn’t been
published, that’s why,” Dr. McGee interjects.
“It hasn’t probably been done because the government
doesn’t want to show that the darn vaccine is full of
sh*t,” Gonzales alleges.
In separate conversation with Gonzales, O’Malley complains
to the ER doctor that a 30-something-year-old patient began
suffering from congestive heart failure after receiving a
second dose of the jab.
“He’s probably got myocarditis!” Gonzales exclaims. “All this
is bullsh*t. Now probably myocarditis due to the vaccine....
But now, they’re not gonna blame the vaccine,” she adds.
“They are not reporting. Because they want to shove it under
the mat,” Gonzales says, referring to federal guidelines put
out by the Centres for Disease Control requiring hospitals
to report severe adverse side effects, including congestive
heart failure –a side effect occasionally reported in mRNA
-based vaccines, including the Pfizer and Moderna jabs
being deployed in the US.
“The problem in here is that they are not doing the studies.
People that had it and the people that have been vaccinated,
they’re not doing any antibody testing,” Gonzales tells
O’Malley.
O’Malley also secretly filmed a conversation with Deanna Paris,
another DHHS registered nurse at the hospital, discussing the
situation of people falling ill after being vaccinated.
“It’s a shame they are not treating people like they’re supposed
to, like they should. And, I think they want people to die,” Paris
bluntly tells her colleague.
“How many have you seen that have gotten vaccinated here?”
O’Malley asks. “A lot!” Paris replies, adding that “nobody”
is writing the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
(VAERS) reports “because it takes over a half hour to
write the damn thing.”
O’Malley told Project Veritas that she decided to come forward
after an unnamed colleague of hers who had expressed
vaccine hesitancy died from complications after getting
the jab. “She didn’t want to take it. She didn’t want to
take it because of her religious beliefs and she was
coerced into taking it. Nobody should have to
decide between their livelihood, being ‘a part
of the team in the hospital’, or take the
vaccine,” the nurse said, tearing up.
“Now we’re just making people take it and then there’s reactions
to it, and then you have a medication that has been shown
effective and surely has no adverse reactions for trying it,”
the nurse added, referring to Ivermectin, a medication
often derided in mainstream media reporting as
“horse paste.”
O’Malley further explained that the vaccines that the US has been
using are currently in stage three clinical trials. “Normally, stage
three clinical trials is where you gather your data. What the
responsibility on everyone is, is to gather that data and
report it. And if we’re not gathering that data and
reporting it, then how are we going to say that
this is safe and approved for use?”
she asked.
The nurse admitted that she was afraid that the government might
retaliate against her, but said her “faith lies in God and not man,”
and that her career was to “help people,” not harm them.
VAERS: The Figures
According to the latest CDC data, about 6,000 people across the
United States have died from various complications after taking
at least one dose of the available Covid vaccines, with “death”
appearing 6,055 times under “2021VAERSSYMPTOMS.” To
date, about 182 million Americans have been fully
vaccinated against the coronavirus.
OpenVAERS, an independent non-profit VAERS reporting service
which bases its figures largely on US data, but also information
coming from other countries, has reported nearly 15,000
fatalities to date, plus over 1.5 million reports of other
‘adverse effects’, ranging from hospitalizations and
urgent care to doctor office visits, anaphylaxis,
Bells Palsy, heart attacks, miscarriages,
Shingles and severe allergic reactions.
In addition to the mRNA-based Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the
US Food and Drug Administration has also approved Johnson
& Johnson's Janssen vaccine, a viral vector-based single jab
preparation. Like the AstraZeneca preparation, which has
not been approved in the US, the Janssen vaccine has
been associated with rare blood clots, with CDC
guidelines advising women younger than 50
years of age to be aware of the risks of
this particular vaccine.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration began pushing a
federal vaccine mandate, requiring all businesses with more
than 100 employees to either get staff vaccinated or provide
weekly testing for infection. The directive has run into
resistance from some governors, lawmakers, mayors,
and industry leaders, as well as ordinary Americans
expressing hesitation amid concerns of the
potential side effects.
(Of course, the above is all about the USA... AREN'T YOU GLAD YOU CAN TRUST BORIS?)
Men Sleep Worse During
Waxing Moon,Women
Unaffected – Study
September 20th, 8:53am (Sputnik)
One hypothesis concerns the amount of sunlight that is
reflected from the moon around the time when people
usually go to bed. Men's brains are suggested to be
more receptive to ambient light conditions
than women's.
Men's sleep seems to be affected more than women's by
the moon's cycle, a study conducted by researchers at
Uppsala University has indicated.
While many men sleep worse during the waxing stage of
the moon, women's sleep was largely unaffected, the
researchers concluded, having studied the quality
of sleep of 492 women and 360 men who slept at
home in their own beds.
To this end, they used polysomnography – a comprehensive
test used to diagnose sleep disorders. Polysomnography
records brain waves, the oxygen level in the blood, heart
rate and breathing, as well as eye and leg movements.
The people whose sleep was registered were unaware of the
researchers' interest in the link to the moon's movements
that the researchers were interested in.
Men, but not women, exhibited lower sleep efficiency, and
were longer awake after sleep onset on nights during the
waxing period.
“We could see that men whose sleep was measured during
the first phases of the moon had poorer sleep quality and
woke up more often during the night compared with men
whose sleep was measured during the waning phases of
the moon. In women, sleep was largely unaffected by the
lunar cycle.
Our results were robust for adjustments for chronic sleep
problems and sleep apnea,” Christian Benedict, associate
professor and sleep researcher at Uppsala University,
said in a statement.
According to researchers, a possible mechanism that can
explain the moon's effect on sleep is the amount of sun-
light that is reflected from the moon around the time
when people usually go to bed. As a recently
published study suggested, men's brains
may be more receptive to ambient light
conditions than women's.
“However, our study cannot determine whether it is the lunar
cycle that affects sleep in men or whether the lunar cycle
co-varies with some other factor that affects sleep,”
Christian Benedict told the science news portal
Forskning.se, suggesting further research.
_____________________________________
Appeals court overturns ruling on child gender treatment --- in UK;
doctors CAN prescribe puberty
blockers to under-16s
September 17th, 3:47pm (RT)
The Court of Appeal has ruled that under-16s do not lack
the capacity to give informed consent concerning
medical treatment which delays the onset of
puberty --- overturning a ruling from last year.
On Friday, the court overturned a 2020 ruling by a divisional
court which stated that under-16s lacked the capacity to
give informed consent to treatment concerning
transitioning gender. The original case had
been brought forward by Keira Bell... who
claimed doctors should have challenged
her more, when she requested puberty
blockers at a young age.
However, on Friday, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the
appellant, the Tavistock Trust, which runs the UK’s only
gender identity clinic for young Britons, and overruled
the 2020 decision.
Friday’s ruling noted that the divisional court “had made no
findings of illegality”. Judges at the Court of Appeal said
they understood “the difficulties and complexities” of
the issue, but insisted “it is for the clinicians to
exercise their judgement --- knowing how
important it is, that consent is properly
obtained according to the particular
individual circumstances.”
In its written conclusions, the court acknowledged that clinicians
will inevitably take great care before recommending treatment to
a young patient and ensuring that both the parent and child are
aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the
proposed treatment.
The court also contended that doctors are subject to professional
regulation and oversight, and while some may have fallen short
of standards in the past, it did not impact the lawfulness of
the practice.
The NHS prescribes gender identity treatment, including the use
of puberty blockers, to some children who are experiencing
gender dysphoria. The blockers are drugs which pause the
process of puberty by suppressing the body’s release
of hormones.
In December 2020, the divisional court ruled that children under 13
were “highly unlikely” to be able to give informed consent, adding
that it was “very doubtful” that those aged 14 and 15 would have
the requisite understanding to make the life-changing decision.
Bell - now 24 - started taking puberty blockers at 16.
She has said she now regrets her “brash” decision.
___________________________________________
Wales to impose mandatory vaccine
certificates for nightclubs and large
events... from October 2021
September 17th, 2:22pm (RT)
The Welsh government announced on Friday that, from
October 11th,, over-18s will be required to prove they
have been fully vaccinated against Covid or tested
negative in the past 48 hours, to enter clubs or
large events.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford stated that the
requirement to show an NHS Covid pass, to enter
these venues was needed because “coronavirus
cases have risen to very high levels,” resulting
in more people “dying from this terrible virus.”
“My message to you, today, is a simple but serious one –
the pandemic is not over and we all need to take steps
to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” Drakeford
said in his announcement.
The vaccine certificate mandate will apply to nightclubs,
indoor non-seated events that have more than 500
people, outdoor non-seated events with an
attendance of more than 4,000 and any
event with an audience over 10,000.
The measure comes despite warnings from the Night Time
Industries Association that the Covid restriction will have
a “hugely detrimental impact on trade,” potentially
resulting in customers leaving Wales to visit
businesses in England.
In a letter, the trade group cautioned that “any implementation
of vaccine certification will be inevitably arbitrary,” as Welsh
officials have failed to outline the criteria required to identify
impacted businesses.
Alongside the need to show a Covid pass, the Welsh government
urged people to work from home if they can and stated that
enforcement of social distancing measures, including the
need to wear face coverings in public places and on
public transport, would be stepped up.
Wales saw a rise in Covid infections since the start of August,
and has a rate of 494.3 cases per 100,000, compared with
neighbouring England’s rate of 347.9 cases per 100,000.
The decision to implement a vaccine passport scheme in Wales
comes after England scrapped similar plans, with the UK
Health Secretary Sajid Javid claiming the government
“shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it.”
Scotland is set to require proof of vaccination for entry
into nightclubs and large events, from October the 1st.
_______________________________________________
First in EU, Denmark FULLY lifts
Covid restrictions almost 550
days after lockdown was
introduced
September 10th, 10am (RT)
All remaining anti-coronavirus rules, including an
obligatory Covid pass, were officially cancelled
in Denmark on Friday, making it the first state
in the EU to wholly get back to pre-pandemic
daily life.
Starting from midnight on September 10th, the deadly
virus is no longer classified as a “socially critical
disease” by the Danish government, meaning no
special measures will be applied to deal with
Covid-19 in the European country.
All restrictions previously enforced by authorities, including
‘coronapass’ requirements to enter night clubs and other
venues, a ban on mass gatherings and obligatory mask-
wearing, have been lifted, 548 days after Prime Minister
of Denmark Mette Frederiksen initially declared a lock -down in his country, local media reports.
In March 2020, Denmark was among the first nations
to enforce harsh measures to fight coronavirus.
Having first announced the decision to abandon the legal
basis for restrictions last month, Danish authorities said
“the epidemic is under control.” They reserved the right
to reinforce special measures “if the pandemic again
threatens important functions in society.”
According to Denmark’s health officials, “record high
vaccination rates” helped the country set a
precedent in the European Union and
return to life with no Covid-related
restrictions whatsoever.
Three out of four Danish citizens consider vaccination
against the virus a civic duty, according to a Euro-
barometer survey conducted last month on
behalf of the European Parliament.
Out of 1,000 representatively selected Danes, 43%
completely agreed to the statement that everyone
should be vaccinated, while 31% said they tend
to agree. For all of the EU, the percentage of
people who completely or predominantly
agree to the statement stands at 66%,
Denmark’s Ekstra Bladet 'paper
reported on Friday.
“Throughout the pandemic, Denmark has had higher
acceptance than many comparable countries,”
Professor Michael Bang Petersen, who
advised the Danish government on
the subject, wrote on Twitter,
adding that “no mandates
[were] needed.”
An “incredibly high and completely stable” trust in
the authorities’ management of the pandemic, is
behind the vast vaccine acceptance in the
country, Petersen wrote.
He also suggested that lifting of the restrictions
became possible thanks to collective action...
after the government “formulated distancing
as a moral project, which gained high
public support.”
By September, over 73% of Denmark’s 5.8 million
population had been fully vaccinated, with more
than 8.6 million anti-Covid doses administered
in total.
Throughout the pandemic, the EU country
registered over 352,000 cases of the virus.
___________________________________
AstraZeneca vaccine designer says
Covid boosters are unnecessary for
most people - & should be sent to
countries in need instead
September 10th, 10:59am (RT)
The designer of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine
has called for surplus doses in the UK to be
sent to countries with lower levels of
vaccination --- calling plans for a
booster program unnecessary
for the majority of immunised
people.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert – who also developed
the universal flu vaccine – expressed doubt over
the vaccination of healthy children and booster
shots for people who are still well-immunised
from their first 2 shots, in an interview with
the Telegraph newspaper on Thursday.
Professor Gilbert urged the UK to instead send their
doses to countries in need, declaring, “We need to
get vaccines to countries where few of the
population have been vaccinated so far.
We have to do better in this regard.
The first dose has the most impact.”
“The immuno-compromised and elderly will receive
boosters. But I don’t think we need to boost every-
body. Immunity is lasting well in the majority of
people,” she added.
AstraZeneca and Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccines have
both been approved by government regulators
to be used as booster shots.
The professor previously questioned the government’s
plan to vaccinate children, and in July she told La
Republica, “If you can’t prevent transmission
by vaccination... and the children are not at
risk of severe disease and hospitalisation
and death, which the vast majority of
children are not, you have to ask
yourself:‘What would be the
benefits of vaccinating
children?’”
On Friday, the Times reported that the UK’s Joint Committee
on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) had been
“presented with data yesterday showing that a
top-up Pfizer-BioNTech dose months after a
second jab greatly boosted” the immune
system against Covid-19 and that the
government may be looking to
provide booster jabs to old
people in the late autumn
to protect them ahead
of winter.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid also declared on Thursday
that “we are heading towards our booster programme”
and said he is confident the booster programme “will
start later this month,” subject to final advice.
_________________________________
Children can get Covid-19 vaccine
even if their parents are opposed,
UK minister says
September 5th, 2:14pm (RT)
Asked by Times Radio’s Tom Newton Dunn what would
happen if a teenager’s parents said no to vaccination
but the teenager said yes, the UK vaccine minister
Nadhim Zahawi, said they would still be able to
get jabbed without permission.
Claiming that the NHS “is really well-practiced in this
because they’ve been doing school immunisation
programmes for a very long time,” Zahawi told
Newton Dunn on Sunday “what you essentially do is make sure that the clinicians discuss this with the parents, with the teenager, and if they are then deemed to be able to make a decision that is competent, then that decision will go in favour of what the teenager decides to do.”
Newton Dunn questioned... “So to be clear, the teenager
can override the lack of parental consent? If a teenager
really wants a jab and is only 15, the parents say no,
the teenager can have it?” ...to which, Zahawi
responded, “They’d need to be competent
to make that decision, with all of the
information available.”
Bizarrely, on the same day, Zahawi told Sky News
that children would require parental consent to
get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Asked by Sky News’ Trevor Phillips... whether he could
“assure parents that if there is a decision to vaccinate
12 to 15-year-olds, it will require parental consent,”
Zahawi declared, “I can give that assurance,
absolutely.”
Despite the fact that the UK’s Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) refused to
recommend - on Friday - that healthy children
between the ages of 12 & 15, be vaccinated
against Covid-19, given they are considered
extremely low risk, the government is still
pushing for vaccination – with The Times
newspaper reporting that child
vaccination could occur as
early as next week.
JCVI’s deputy chairman, Professor Anthony Harnden,
noted on Saturday, that: “the health benefits from
vaccinating well 12- to 15-year-olds” are only
“marginally greater than the risks,” and said
that any decision should ultimately require
“parents’ consent.”
“Both the teenagers and the parents need
to be involved in that choice,” he argued.
The age of consent in the UK is 16.
On Friday, protesters stormed the London H.Q.
of the UK’s Medicines & Healthcare Products
Regulatory Agency --- in protest over the
government’s likely intention to
vaccinate children under
the age of 16.
_____________________________
UK care workers leave industry
en masse after being told to
get vax or quit,with unions
begging govt to reconsider
September 4th, 3:55pm (RT)
Many care workers in the UK who were told to get
vaccinated against Covid-19 --- or lose their jobs,
have left the industry en masse for better paid
positions at companies such as Amazon,
creating massive staffing shortages.
According to the Guardian, which spoke to several
care home industry officials, “three-quarters of
care home operators are reporting an increase
in staff quitting since April,” with the reasons
being... “a desire for less stress and for
higher pay” and “to avoid mandatory
vaccination... which comes into effect on November the 11th.”
The newspaper reported that many care workers
are leaving for other positions in the NHS, where
vaccination has not yet been made compulsory,
and for unrelated jobs at companies such as
Amazon, where they have been offered... a
30%increase in pay and other incentives.
One care worker left their £9.30 an hour job to work
as an Amazon warehouse picker, which pays
£13.50 per hour and also offers a £1,000
joining bonus, according to the report.
In response to the mass exodus, the industry is now
desperately calling on the government to end its
mandatory vaccination policy for care workers,
warning that a “catastrophe” is on the horizon.
National Care Association executive chairman Nadra
Ahmed told the Guardian that the National Health
Service (NHS), will ultimately “have to pick up
this mess” and called on the government to
reconsider its policy, while public service
union Unison declared that ministers
“must immediately repeal ‘no jab, no
job’ laws for care home staff in
England, to avert a staffing
crisis - that threatens to
overwhelm the sector.”
The government must scrap the ‘no jab, no job’ rule
now. Widespread care home closures could be the
consequence if they ignore the warnings. This
would be disastrous for elderly people... and
those who cannot live without care support.
Unison warned that the “draconian” mandatory vaccination
policy is “pushing thousands to the brink of quitting care
work” and said the government is “sleepwalking into a
disaster”... by ensuring a massive shortage of staff
during a pandemic.
The union also revealed that many care workers – who are
already underpaid and overworked – “feel totally under-
valued” and that “being bullied” into taking a vaccine
they didn’t want, was “the last straw” for many in
the industry.
The vacancies for care workers could total more than
170,000 people -- with 70,000 being those who refuse
the jab - after mandatory vaccination is implemented
later this year, according to government estimates
cited in the media.
During the first wave of the pandemic, elderly people in
care homes made up roughly half of all Covid-19
deaths in the UK between March and
September 2020.
Nearly 30,000 residents died and it was later discovered
that a shortage of personal protective equipment
contributed to the problems experienced.
______________________________________
‘More data needed’:Top health officials
reportedly urge White House to‘follow
science’& DELAY vaccine booster plans
September 4th, 10:15am (RT)
Top US health officials have called on the White House
to pump the brakes --- on plans to administer Covid
vaccine booster shots to millions of US citizens
later this month, pointing to insufficient data,
according to multiple reports.
While President Joe Biden’s administration already moved
ahead with its booster announcement last month – with
Biden stating that all US adults should receive a third
dose within eight months of their second shot...
beginning September 20th.
US health agencies have said the move could be premature,
as they have yet to approve universal boosters for any of
the three jabs used in the country.
During a White House meeting earlier this week, the heads of
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centres for
Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) told officials their
agencies may be able to recommend boosters for the
Pfizer vaccine alone sometime in the coming weeks – and possibly only for certain recipients at that –
according to a Friday report in the New York
Times and corroborated by Axios.
The briefing from the agency heads... suggests Biden’s
September rollout date could have been set too early,
not allowing enough time for regulators to authorize
third doses for the other inoculations.
Asked about that meeting on Friday, a White House spokes-
man told the Times that “We always said we would follow
the science, and this is all part of a process that is now
underway,” noting that the Biden team is seeking a
“full review and approval” for boosters.
While the FDA, CDC and other top health agencies have
Further controversy was stirred over the booster debate
earlier this week after two top FDA executives involved
in vaccine research abruptly resigned their posts,
reportedly in protest over a number of federal
missteps, with Biden’s premature booster
announcement, apparently, the
last straw.
US health officials have vacillated on the question of
additional vaccine doses in the past. In July, top
White House Covid-19 adviser Anthony Fauci
suggested it was far too early to discuss
boosters, even noting that Pfizer CEO
Albert Bourla had apologized to him
for publicizing the company’s work
on boosters at such an early stage.
Just a few weeks later, however, Fauci changed his tune,
arguing that all US citizens... would “inevitably” need
extra doses... explaining that many vaccines lose
effectiveness over time – a factoid he apparently
forgot to mention in more than a year of prior
regular public appearances .
Pharmaceutical firms stand to reap a massive windfall
from a booster drive, while Pfizer’s Bourla has gone
even further, floating the idea of regular, yearly
Covid-19 immunizations. Between Pfizer and
Moderna – the top two vaccine producers in
the US – $50 billion in coronavirus jab sales
are expected this year alone, according to
Reuters. That figure does not account for
the millions of additional doses that will
be produced and sold as boosters...
which will be sure to further juice
Big Pharma’s already-massive
pandemic profits.
________________________________
Major UK Covid-19 test provider
faces probe by market watchdog,
reportedly still selling tests
September 3rd, 6:54pm (RT)
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has
opened an inquiry into Expert Medicals – one of the
nation’s major Covid-19 test providers – following
customer complaints. The company still
allegedly sells the tests, though.
Expert Medicals, one of the largest providers of PCR travel tests in the UK, has been removed from a list of companies that “self-declare that they meet the government’s minimumstandards for COVID-19 testing,”the CMA said, in a press release, on Friday.
The competition watchdog said it had opened a formal probe
into the test provider since it had been “the subject of a high
number of complaints.” Expert Medicals has reportedly
been accused of failing to provide tests and results in
a timely manner, or even at all, as well as failing to
respond to customer complaints and issue
refunds... when due.
“Our actions today are the next steps in our work to ensure
the PCR testing market works for consumers and we are
preparing to take further action in this sector,” said
Andrea Coscelli, the CMA’s CEO.
One of the cheapest Covid test providers on the UK market,
Expert Medicals has been selling kits for travelers for £28
($39), including postage and packing. The company
received a large number of complaints over delays
in delivery of its tests and customer results,
according to some media reports.
However, the test provider is apparently still able to sell the kits
despite being removed from the government list, the UK’s
‘Which’ media outlet said. That is despite Oncologica –
one of the Covid-19 test laboratories Expert Medicals
used to work with – telling ‘Which’ it is unlikely to
cooperate with the test provider, after it was
pulled from the official list.
Apart from taking action against Expert Medicals, the CMA also
warned further Covid-19 test providers that they should
improve their pricing information, or face some action
from the watchdog.
The move comes about a week after the agency issued
another statement, telling Covid test providers that
some of their “harmful” practices could be in
breach of consumer protection law.
The chief issue concerned some companies advertising PCR
test prices that do not include additional obligatory charges,
or advertising very cheap tests that are available only in
very small quantities or not at all.
Failures to meet the required timeframe and refusals to provide
customers with refunds when due were also on the CMA’s list
of “practices of concern.” The watchdog demanded that test
providers include the full cost of tests in their ads and
provide “honest, accurate and clear timescales on
when tests will be received.”
“PCR test providers should be in no doubt that they need to get
on the right side of the law. If they don’t, they risk enforcement
action,” said the CMA General Counsel, Sarah Cardell.
_________________________________________
How (and why) Israel changed
what “fully vaccinated” means
by Kit Knightly
September 2nd (off-Guardian)
Newspeak definition opens the door for more
authoritarian control, huge Big Pharma
profits…and, potentially, the worst
deception of the entire
“pandemic”.
Israel... has been at the forefront of the vaccination push ever since November 2020, when they signed
agreements with Pfizer, to run what were
essentially medical experiments on
their civilian population.
They were the first country to roll out the Pfizer vaccine.
They were the first country to try out the (abandoned) “Green passes” system of medical segregation. And now they’re the first country to change the terms
of the “get vaccinated and get your freedom back” contract.
That’s right. Just as “three weeks to flatten the curve”
turned into around 18-months (and counting),
“double jabbed” is now evolving into
“triple jabbed”.
To quote Dr Salman Zarka, Israel’s “coronavirus czar”:
''We are updating what it means to be vaccinated,”
So, there you have it. In Israel, officially, those who have
been injected with two doses of Pfizer’s so-called
vaccine, are no longer counted as vaccinated.
What does this mean?
Well, first of all, it means all those “vaccinated” people
can kiss their recently acquired freedoms goodbye,
unless they’re willing to get at least one
more booster.
According to the Wall Street Journal [paywalled article]:
''Holders of Israel’s vaccine passports must get a third dose
of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine within six months of their
second dose, or lose the so-called green pass that
allows them more freedom.”
It should also be noted that the third booster is not considered
the last. The Israeli Ministry of Health “has not ruled out
further boosters in the future” and the third shot will
only extend the “vaccinated” status for six months,
not permanently.
So, essentially, the precedent has been set that your freedoms
are the state’s to take away on a whim. And, if you comply,
they will simply use your compliance... as an excuse to
take even greater liberties (pun very much intended).
Israel has been the Petri dish for this since the beginning.
If it works there, expect the “booster shot requirement”
to be instituted in other countries all over the world,
fairly quickly.
To all the people who have taken the vaccine, and are now
realising they may have done something foolish. Sorry,
but we did try to warn you this would happen.
Financially speaking, this is yet another boon in a golden
year, for Pfizer, who can now ship even more doses of
their experimental (and unnecessary) gene therapy
to people who are, literally, legally obliged to use
it. If you don’t want to take the jab, just take
some of Pfizer’s new magic anti-Covid
pills instead.
So don’t worry about the death of freedom and democracy
in the name of an almost-completely-harmless disease. At
least the Pfizer shareholders can afford that second
private island, and golden costumes for their
human chess sets.
However, the predictable seizure of freedoms, and obvious
financial motives behind it, aren’t even the worst part.
The potentially far more cynical part comes later. In three
months or so, when the flu season hits and the elderly
and infirm start dying, as they do every winter.
It won’t be called “flu season”, of course. It will be all be classified as “Covid”. Combined with this new
definition of “vaccinated”, the “fourth wave”
or the “sigma variant”... (or whatever they
call it) could now be used to produce a
whole new manipulated statistic.
Think about it: Every Israeli citizen who gets sick and/or
dies, after being double jabbed but not triple jabbed,
will be officially labelled “not fully vaccinated”.
They could therefore claim that Covid is primarily affecting
“unvaccinated people”, even if the majority of people
getting sick have had two doses of Pfizers
mRNA cocktail.
Just as they used linguistic tricks to turn “deaths from any
cause” into “Covid deaths”, and “asymptomatic positive
tests” into “Covid cases”, they have now created a
loophole to turn “vaccinated people” who get
sick into “unvaccinated people”.
Worse still, it’s possible that, over the coming winter,
people who have been “vaccinated”, may die at an
even greater rate than normal.
If the theory that the mRNA vaccines may cause antibody-
dependent enhancement (ADE) proves correct, a lot of
people could be killed by viruses this winter as a
direct result of being “vaccinated” …and then
be used as evidence to prop up the idea of
“vaccine effectiveness”.
In twenty months of obvious scientific malpractice, data manipulation, statistical dishonesty, and full -on linguistic reversal…we may be about to see
the worst lie of all.
This is all supposition at this point, of course. But for anyone
out there thinking “they would never do that”, I remind you
that a man was counted as a Covid death, after shooting
himself in the head. There is, literally, no bar so low
that the powers-that-be couldn’t limbo under it.
Even if time proves my theory wrong, the solid, admitted
reality of the booster-shot system, is bad enough.
Freedom forever, under a dangling sword of
Damocles, and yet another assault on
language as part of a years-long
campaign... to rob our very
words of meaning.
And while all this may seem incredibly cynical, if you
haven’t become incredibly cynical in the last two
years, then you weren’t paying attention.
________________________________________
Japan suspends Moderna
Covid vaccine: as another
million doses are found
contaminated bringing
total to 2.6 million
August 30th, 10:41pm (RT)
Japanese officials have suspended the use of millions
of doses of the Moderna Covid vaccine, after foreign
substances were found in a number of batches and two people died after receiving jabs from the affected lots.
The Japanese government discovered the contamination
over the weekend, in a batch of the Moderna Covid
vaccine in Gunma prefecture, close to Tokyo,
forcing officials to temporarily suspend use of the vaccines.
The decision to suspend a total of 2.6 million doses of
the Moderna vaccines comes after 1.63 million shots
were halted, last week, following the discovery of
contaminants in some vials, in a batch that was
shipped to over 860 vaccination centres
across the country.
While the source of the contamination has not been confirmed,
Moderna and pharmaceutical company Rovi, which
manufactures the Moderna vaccines, said that it
could be due to a manufacturing fault on one of
the production lines, rather than anything
more concerning.
The country’s health ministry has confirmed that two
individuals who were vaccinated, using doses from
the batch have died. However, the cause of death
in both cases is under investigation and officials
claim, that no safety concerns have been
identified yet.
In a statement, Moderna and Japanese distributor Takeda
stated that “we do not have any evidence that these
deaths are caused by the Moderna
COVID-19 vaccine.”
Gunma is now the seventh Japanese prefecture to discover
contaminants in doses of the Moderna vaccine, after
similar incidents in Aichi, Gifu, Ibaraki, Okinawa,
Saitama and Tokyo. It comes as Japan battles
a surge in Covid cases --- that has pushed
nearly half of the country’s prefectures
into a state of emergency.
Since the start of the pandemic, Japan has recorded
1.38 million confirmed cases of Covid and 15,797
fatalities from the virus. So far... Japanese
officials have administered 118,310,106
doses of a Covid vaccine.
_______________________________________
Scientists Discover -Chilling
Similarity Between COVID-19
Infection and Rattlesnake Bite
by Max Gorbachev
August 30th, 6:56pm (Sputnik)
Using machine learning algorithms, researchers analysed
blood samples from hundreds of individuals. They say
the results of their study could be used to better treat coronavirus patients, as well as potentially... to save hundreds of thousands of lives across
the globe.
An international group of scientists claims to have discovered
one of the leading causes of death from SARS-CoV-2.
According to their study, published on August 24th in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, getting a
severe case of the novel coronavirus, is like
getting bitten by a rattlesnake. An enzyme
that skyrockets, after a person falls ill with a serious case of COVID-19, is from the same family as the enzyme in rattlesnake venom.
Ironically, the human body contains the secreted A2 p
hospholipase group (sPLA2-IIA) in low concentration,
with the enzyme protecting the organism from
microbes, and fighting off infections.
But in high quantities, sPLA2-IIA is perilous to humans,
as it can "shred" vital organs, said Floyd "Ski" Chilton
...a professor at the University of Arizona, and lead
author of the study.
"In other words, this enzyme is trying to kill the virus... but
at a certain point it is released in such high amounts that
things head in a really bad direction. It is a disease
resistance mechanism until it has the capacity to turn on the host human", Chilton said.
Professor Chilton and his colleagues discovered this enzyme
in blood samples from patients who had severe cases of
COVID-19. The researchers say that medicines used for
treating snake bites could be repurposed for battling
the coronavirus.
"Because inhibitors of sPLA2-IIA already exist, our study
supports the use of these inhibitors... in patients with
elevated levels of sPLA2-IIA... to reduce, or even
prevent, COVID-19 mortality", said D. Maurizio
Del Poeta of Stony Brook’s Renaissance
School of Medicine, a co-author of
the study.
________________________________
Two Men Die in Japan...
After Receiving 2nd Dose
of Moderna Vaccine
August 28th, 7:24am (Sputnik)
The Japanese Health Ministry said on Thursday
it had halted the use of 1.63 million Moderna
doses from three lots produced at ROVI’s
manufacturing site in Spain.
Two people died: after receiving Moderna COVID-19
vaccine shots that were from the same production
line suspended following the discovery
of ''contaminants''.
According to Japan's health ministry, two men in their 30s
died recently, within days of receiving their second
Moderna doses. Each had a jab from one of three
manufacturing lots suspended on Thursday.
However, the cause of the deaths
is still being investigated.
Japan froze the use of 1.63 million Moderna doses
delivered to 863 vaccination centres nationwide
after reports of ''contaminants'' in some vials.
Spain's ROVI pharmaceutical firm... which is
manufacturing Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine,
opened an investigation - on Thursday - to
determine how vials of the vaccine sent
to Japan were contaminated with
''foreign particles''.
US vaccine maker Moderna is reportedly
conducting a parallel investigation.
Japan's NHK broadcaster cited the ministry
as saying: that the ''contaminants'' were
magnetic and appeared to be metallic
particles. No safety issues linked to
the three lots have been observed.
[A blogger observes: The magnetic property
of the experimental mRNA vaccines was
discovered several months ago, I think
by a Spanish lab... but was ignored,
I suspect, in favour of the dollar.]
____________________________
NHS plans Covid-19 vaccination
for 12-year-olds that would NOT
require parental permission
– reports
August 26th, 12:19pm (RT)
The UK National Health Service (NHS) has reportedly
made plans to vaccinate children as young as 12
without the need for their parents’ permission –
a plan that government advisers have not
yet supported.
Under the NHS’ plan, children between the ages of 12
and 15 would start being vaccinated in less than two
weeks’ time after returning to school following the
summer holidays, according to The Telegraph,
which obtained emails sent by NHS’ regional
offices. The newspaper also reported on
Thursday that the children “would not
need parental consent” to
get vaccinated.
Though Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine has been approved
in the UK for children aged 12 and over... the
Department of Health said on Wednesday
that a decision on the vaccination of
young children had not yet
been made.
Government advisers on the Joint Committee on
Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have been
reviewing whether to approve widespread
vaccination of children, but had earlier
said only children with certain health
conditions would receive jabs.
Earlier this month, England’s deputy chief medical
officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, expressed his support
for the vaccination of under 18s, claiming to be
“very much in favour” of 16- and 17-year-olds
getting jabbed.
Vam-Tam also said that it was “more likely rather
than less likely” that the number of children
between the ages of 12 and 15 who were
eligible to get vaccinated, would
soon expand.
News of the NHS’ plan angered many people on social
media ,who pointed out that the risk vs reward
conclusion for vaccinating young children,
was still uncertain.
Reform Party leader Richard Tice called the plan
“shocking” while pub entrepreneur Hugh
Osmond called it “grotesque.”
Conservative academic Adrian Hilton --- a former
adviser to Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove
--- pointed out that “12-year-olds cannot
consent to a medical procedure.”
Other Brits protested that “the government does
not own my child” and threatened to pull their
children out of public schooling.
Some supported the idea, with one Welsh social media
user stating that she agreed 12- to 15-year-olds “can
consent” and are “mature enough to make that call,”
but thought it should be “done near to medical care
like mine was, not in school.”
In the United States, the Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), advises all US citizens aged 12 and over, to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Roughly 600,000 children between the ages
of 12 & 15, were vaccinated in less than a week after Pfizer’s vaccine was approved for under 16s, in May.
Many European Union countries, have also started
vaccinating children - with the EU approving Pfizer
for 12- to 15-year-olds in May and Moderna in July.
_____________________________
Physical exercise helps
stroke survivors reduce
risk of death by 54%
August 20th, 12:36pm (Prensa Latina)
People younger than 75 years of age, stroke survivors
who engage in physical activity three to four hours
per week, can lower their risk of death, according
to new data published in Neurology magazine.
A new study has shown that people who walk at least
three to four hours per week or bike at least two to
three hours per week, or the equivalent after
having a stroke, may have a 54 percent
lower risk of death --- from any cause.
'Our results are exciting - because just three to four hours
a week of walking was associated with big reductions in
mortality & that may be attainable for many community
members with prior stroke,' said study Raed Joundi
study author, M.D., D.Phil., at the University of
Calgary in Canada and a member of the
American Academy of Neurology.
The study found the most benefit for younger stroke
survivors. When people under the age of 75
exercised at least that amount, their risk
of death was reduced by 80 percent.
Looking specifically at stroke survivors under 75 years
of age, Joundi et al. found that 11% of patients who
were physically active died and 29% of patients
who were not physically active died.
Meanwhile, stroke survivors over 75 years of age who met
minimum physical activity requirements were 32% less
likely to die—not quite as much of a benefit, but still
a significant number.
''Our results suggest that getting a minimum amount of
physical activity may reduce long-term mortality from
any cause, in stroke survivors,'' Joundi said. ''We
should particularly emphasize this, to stroke
survivors who are younger in age, as they
may gain the greatest benefits from
walking just 30 minutes each day.'
___________________________
Welsh Labour govt. blasted over ‘catastrophic’ record
NHS waiting lists as ''Covid pandemic'' exacerbates delays to hospital treatment
August 19th, 3:01pm (RT)
The NHS in Wales has reported record long waiting lists
for non-urgent treatment, as the number of people who
have had their medical care delayed, reached almost
625,000 in June, the latest month for which data
is available.
The growing waiting list came as A&E departments and the
ambulance service in Wales recorded their busiest period
since the Covid pandemic began, further delaying
appointments for those awaiting non-urgent
treatment.
June saw the number on the list grow to 624,909, marking a
41% rise since the start of the pandemic, with 233,210 people waiting more than 9 months for treatment.
Similarly, waiting times within the country’s A&E departments, were the worst ever recorded, with 30.2% of patients not being seen within four hours.
Addressing the situation, the opposition Conservative Party’s
health spokesperson, Russell George, criticised the Welsh
government, calling the situation “catastrophic.”
“To record the worst ever A&E waiting times and the longest
NHS treatment waiting list in the same month, shows a
complete lack of leadership,” George said in
a statement.
While a spokesperson for the government conceded that
“waiting times for treatment continue to grow,” they
expressed optimism that the number of people
waiting more than 52 weeks has fallen “for
the third month in a row.”
The latest figures come... as £551 million ($753.29 million) in
extra funding was handed to the Welsh NHS to help alleviate
the pressure caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The money is set to be spent on the country’s vaccination
programme, Covid testing, PPE, and cleaning, to prevent
the spread of the virus, according to Health Minister,
Eluned Morgan.
‘Is it anti-vax to be concerned?’:
Magazine editor reports
changes to period after
Covid jab, the latest in
over 30,000 UK women
August 19th, 11:32am (RT)
At least 30,304 British women, have disclosed
changes to their menstrual cycle after getting
vaccinated against Covid-19. An editor for
The Spectator is one of the most recently
affected, and says many more are afraid to come out.
Lara Prendergast, an executive editor at London's
Spectator magazine, raised some concerning
questions in a column, on Thursday, after
reporting that she had been affected
since receiving her first Pfizer dose in May.
Noting that it is an “uncomfortable” and sensitive topic to discuss – indicating that the true number of women with period-related vaccine side effects could be far greater than the 30,304 documented – Prendergast revealed that her cycle has not been right, since she was vaccinated, months ago.
“Millions of British women have been jabbed, so
30,304 reports will be a tiny proportion: a
negligible number, you might say. But it
doesn't seem negligible if you're one of
those women” she wrote, adding that
friends have told her “they've also
been affected” but “didn't report it
either” due to the topic being both
awkward and sensitive... and
because of ''fears'' of being
branded an ‘anti-vaxxer’.
“Is it ‘anti-vaxx’ to be concerned that these jabs may
be having an effect on our menstrual cycles?”
Prendergast questioned... before claiming
that a women's health doctor had told her
it is not exactly normal, “for vaccines to affect periods in such a way.”
Prendergast also expressed concern that “if the jabs
are affecting so many women's periods, who knows
what else might be going on,” noting that millions
of women can only “hope and trust” that the
medical officials and influencers who are
pushing for young women to get
vaccinated are right about the
allegedly low risks involved.
Though she acknowledged that officials, such as Royal
College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
President Dr. Edward Morris, have assured women
that it would be ''impossible'' for the vaccines to
affect a woman's fertility, Prendergast pointed
out that most women do “associate their
periods with their fertility,” and that side
effects are thus extremely alarming to those who experience them.
“A month after my second jab, I make a note that my latest cycle is messed up, once again,” she
concluded in the column.
The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) has advised concerned women that
menstrual issues are “mostly transient in nature”
and that “there is no evidence to suggest that
Covid-19 vaccines will affect fertility and the ability to have children.”
RCOG Vice President Dr Jo Mountfield has also said that
although “changes to periods can be concerning,” it
appears “most women's menstrual cycles return
to normal after one to two cycles.”
Menstrual cycle changes do not appear on the list of
side effects given to Brits, before they receive a
Covid-19 vaccine in the UK.
The UK government announced on Monday that the MHRA
was reviewing “suspected side effects of menstrual
disorders and unexpected vaginal bleeding
following vaccination against Covid-19
in the UK.”
___________________________________
COVID App Error Possibly Caused
Thousands to Needlessly Isolate,
Media Says
by Andrei Dergalin
August 18th, 6:17pm (Sputnik)
The matter regarding the app was reportedly brought
to the attention of the former Health Secretary Matt
Hancock shortly before his resignation, but it
wasn't until a month later that his successor
Sajid Javid announced that the app would
be updated.
Thousands of people in the United Kingdom may have
isolated for no reason due to an error with the NHS
COVID app, The Guardian reports, citing a source
in Whitehall.
As the newspaper points out, while official guidelines
for the app "defined close contact as occurring two
days before the infected person had symptoms,"
users apparently weren’t told that the app could
"notify of contact with an infected person as far
back as five days before the positive test."
"The standard definition of a contact in all the scientific
and public stuff from Public Health England and NHS
test and trace is someone who has been in contact
from two days before they have symptoms and if
they don’t have symptoms but test positive, you
go back two days from the test," the source
said. "But the app had five days in it."
They also mentioned that this matter was apparently
brought to the attention of former Health Secretary
Matt Hancock, shortly before his resignation.
"A submission was made to Hancock from test and trace
people around the time of his resignation saying ‘it’s five
days but it should be two days: should we change it
now? And it didn’t happen,’" the source remarked.
The Labour Party has apparently used this opportunity to
take pot shots at the government, with Shadow Health
Minister Justin Madders calling it "another shambolic
situation from hapless ministers."
"The COVID app has been one mess after another and a
lack of clear information and guidance around the app
only undermines its effectiveness," he said.
About a month after that, Hancock’s successor, Sajid Javid,
said that the app would be updated in order to have the
contacts of people who tested positive for COVID
tracked from the last two days instead of five.
The health secretary reportedly said that it was being
"updated based on public health advice to look back
at contacts two days prior to a positive test."
The Department of Health and Social Care didn't challenge
the whistleblower’s account, the newspaper notes, adding
that the department is "making the case that the COVID
app had different definitions of a close contact to test
and trace... with a five-day period chosen for the
asymptomatic, because it is the halfway point
in a potential 10-day infectious period."
_________________________________
WHOslams wealthy nations’
rush towards COVID
vaccine boosters
August 18th, 5:03pm (PressTV)
The World Health Organization has condemned the rush
by wealthy countries to provide COVID vaccine booster
shots, while millions around the world have yet to
receive a single dose.
Speaking before US authorities announced that all
vaccinated Americans would soon be eligible to
receive additional doses, WHO experts insisted
there was not enough scientific evidence that
boosters were needed --- and said providing
them, while so many were still waiting to
be immunized, was immoral.
"We're planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who
already have life jackets, while we're leaving other people
to drown without a single life jacket," WHO's emergency
director Mike Ryan told reporters from the UN agency's
Geneva headquarters, on Wednesday.
"The fundamental, ethical reality is we're handing out second
life jackets while leaving millions and millions of people
without anything to protect them."
WHO called earlier this month for a moratorium on COVID
vaccine booster shots to help ease the drastic inequity in dose distribution, between rich and poor nations.
But that has not stopped a number of countries from
moving forward with plans to add a third jab, as they struggle to thwart the Delta variant.
US authorities warned Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccination
efficacy was decreasing over time, and said they had
authorized booster shots for all Americans from
September 20th, starting eight months after
an individual has been fully vaccinated.
The officials said while the vaccines remain "remarkably
effective" in reducing the risk of severe disease,
hospitalization and death, from the effects of
COVID, protection could diminish in the
months ahead... without boosted
immunization.
Washington had already authorized an extra dose
for people with weakened immune systems.
The coronavirus pandemic has killed at least
4,382,528 people and infected 208,617,866
people.
'Shame on all humanity'
But WHO experts insisted that the science was still out
on boosters and stressed that ensuring that people in
low-income countries, where vaccination is lagging,
received jabs ------ was far more important.
"What is clear is that it’s critical to get first shots into arms
and protect the most vulnerable before boosters are
rolled out," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus told Wednesday's
press conference.
"The divide between the haves and have nots will only
grow larger, if manufacturers and leaders prioritize
booster shots, over supplies to low- and middle-
income countries," he said.
"The virus is evolving and it is not in the best interests
of leaders just to focus on narrow nationalistic goals
when we live in an interconnected world and the
virus is mutating quickly."
Tedros voiced outrage at reports that the single-dose
J&J vaccine ...currently being filled and finished in
South Africa, was being shipped for use in Europe
"where virtually all adults have been offered
vaccines at this point".
"We urge J&J to urgently prioritize distribution of their
vaccines to Africa before considering supplies to rich
countries that already have sufficient access," he said.
"Vaccine injustice is a shame on all humanity... and if we
don’t tackle it together, we will prolong the acute stage
of this pandemic for years - when it could be over in a
matter of months."
(Source: AFP)
_________________________________________
Drug, Alcohol Deaths
...Hit Record High... After UK Government
Cuts Funding for the
Treatment Services
August 15th, 12:35pm (FNA)
Deaths from drug and alcohol misuse hit a record
high, following sharp cuts to treatment services
across the UK, according to a report.
An analysis by the House of Commons Library found
that more than £100 million less was being spent per
year on services between 2016-17 and 2019-20, The
Independent reported.
In a record high, more than 11,000 people died from
drug and alcohol-related diseases in England and
Wales, in 2020.
In the years leading up to the peak, services were cut
by 15 percent, with sharper slashes to local council
areas, in particular.
The Commons Library figures show that just 10 councils
have been ''able to'' find the cash to increase resources
for drug and alcohol misuse.
Meanwhile, in four local authorities – South Tyneside,
Wiltshire, Staffordshire, and Medway – cuts of more
than 40 percent were made to drug and alcohol
misuse services.
“Years of Tory cuts to vital public health services have
seen sickness increase and health inequalities widen,”
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Health
Secretary, said.
“It’s unacceptable for public health services that tackle
alcohol and drug addiction, to be left so weakened
because of deep cuts, when we know that they
can cause huge harm and death," he noted,
adding, “We need a new settlement for
public health services, a clear target
to reduce inequalities and action to
minimise harm... and help prevent
so many dying from addiction.”
In total, spending on services fell from
£762mln in 2016-17 to £690mln
in 2019-20.
Government figures show that in 2020 a record
number of 7,423 people in England and Wales
died from diseases that were a direct
consequence of alcohol, with a
further 4,561 people dying
from causes related to
drug poisoning.
A government spokesperson said, “Any death
due to substance misuse, is a tragedy."
“We are investing £148mln to tackle the root causes
of drug misuse including £80mln for treatment and
recovery – the largest investment in the drug
treatment system for 15 years – as well as
tightening controls on dangerous
substances... and we will bring
forward an ambitious drug
strategy later this year,"
the spokesperson
continued.
“On top of that, we are backing local authorities,
who know their communities best, with over
£3.3bln in 2021-2022 to spend on public
health services, including drug and
alcohol treatment,” the spokes-
person added.
Experts Say Booster Jabs
for Rich Countries ---
Will Cause More
Deaths Worldwide
August 14th, 10:02am (FNA)
Many more people around the world, will die of COVID,
if Western political leaders “reject their responsibility
to the rest of humanity” by prioritising booster shots
for their own populations, instead of sharing doses,
the head of the Oxford vaccine group warned.
Writing for the Guardian, Professor Andrew Pollard, and
Seth Berkley, the chief executive of Gavi, the vaccine
alliance, say that the scientific and public health
case for large-scale boosting, has not been
made ---- and could have far-reaching
consequences in other countries.
“This is a key moment for decision-makers,” they write,
adding, “Large-scale boosting in one rich country will
send a signal around the world - that boosters are
needed everywhere. This will suck many vaccine
doses out of the system, and many more people
will die because they never even had a chance
to get a single dose. If millions are boosted, in the absence of a strong scientific case,
history will remember the moment at
which, political leaders decided to
reject their responsibility to the
rest of humanity, in the
greatest crisis of
our lifetimes.”
On Tuesday, Sajid Javid said plans were in place, to
offer all over-50s a COVID booster at the same time
as they receive the flu jab.
But Prof Adam Finn, who sits on the Joint Committee
on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which
advises the government, said such a mass
rollout may not be needed, with it more
likely boosters would only be needed
to protect a small number of the
most vulnerable people.
Germany, France and Israel are all planning, or already
administering, boosters for older citizens, although
the eligibility details vary by country.
This is despite the World Health Organization saying that
halting booster shots until at least the end of September
would help ease the drastic inequity in vaccine
distribution between rich and poor nations.
The US also indicated it would not heed
the WHO’s call, describing it as a
“false choice”.
But Pollard and Berkley write that while vaccines have
brought hope and will likely save millions of lives
globally... thousands are still dying of COVID
every week, and many countries are still in
despair, with their hospitals overwhelmed.
“The vast majority of people who will die of COVID this year
could have been saved if we had got this right,” they said,
adding, “Vaccinating those at risk everywhere, is in our
self-interest. It may reduce the risk of new variants
arising, and will relieve pressure on health
systems, open travel, resuscitate the
global economy, and raise the
international authority of
politicians prepared to
take such moral
leadership.”
They also stress that the level of antibody or T-cells required
to prevent people from getting seriously ill cannot yet be
measured. While the yellow fever vaccine, which
provides lifelong protection with one dose, the
flu jab is given annually. Somewhere in-
between is the tetanus vaccine, which
requires five to six doses for lifelong
protection. Pollard and Berkley say
it is ''unclear'' where the COVID
vaccine sits on the spectrum
but – so far – it is clear it is
offering protection against
severe disease, including
that caused by the
main variants.
“The focus of vaccination policy... cannot be on sustaining very high levels of antibodies to prevent mild infection,”
they write.
"If we focus on antibody levels alone, we could end up
vaccinating everyone repeatedly to cope with a virus
that keeps mutating. The point of vaccination isn’t to
prevent people from getting mild infections; it’s to
prevent hospitalisation and death,” they added.
They say that it is not an “all or nothing” argument,
with careful analysis of data required to ensure
there are no groups for whom boosters are
already warranted. But... they add that, for those who do not respond well to
vaccines – a group which some
have suggested, should get a booster – “more doses
won’t help”.
The pair conclude, “Since we have the two-dose luxury
of having time on our side, we should not rush into
boosting millions of people, while time is running
out for those who have nothing. First doses first. It’s that simple.”
A government spokesperson said, “We are preparing for
a booster programme and the independent JCVI has
published its interim advice on who to prioritise for a third vaccine from September 2021."
“The UK is committed to supporting a global recovery
to the COVID-19 pandemic and improving access to
vaccines – and we have committed to donate
100mln doses by June 2022, with the first
deliveries starting last week,” the
spokesperson added.
_________________________________
Study Finds One in Ten UK Patients Caught COVID in Hospital in First Wave
August 13th, 3:49pm (FNA)
About 1 in 10 patients were infected with coronavirus while
in hospital during the first wave of the pandemic in the UK
and that figure rose to about one in six after the peak of
COVID hospital admissions, researchers found.
However, vaccines, improvements in diagnostics and PPE
supply, and an enhanced understanding of the virus have
dramatically reduced the risk of catching COVID in
hospital settings, they stressed, The
Guardian reported.
“Things have changed for the better - enormously - ” said Dr Christopher Green, a senior clinical lecturer and consultant physician in infectious diseases, at the University of Birmingham.
During the first wave, on average 11.3% of COVID patients in
the UK contracted COVID-19 after being in hospital for other
reasons, and that percentage spiked to about 15.8% in May
after the peak of hospital admissions. This was the worst
of the pandemic, as far as hospitals were concerned,
said Green.
The average level of hospital-acquired COVID was not entirely
surprising, the researchers said, given that the average risk
of contracting flu in hospital settings is about 10%.
The researchers studied 72,157 patients (two-thirds of all UK hospital admissions) admitted across 314
hospitals... during the first wave. They inferred which patients were infected after admission, based on information on how long it takes to show symptoms, following infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Using the cut-off date of August 1st, 2020, the researchers
estimated that between 5,699 to 11,862 patients were
infected, during their hospital stay... but cautioned
that this range was likely to be an underestimate,
given that the researchers could not identify
patients who were infected during
admission, but were discharged
before developing symptoms
...or patients infected during
another healthcare visit
before admission.
There were the stark variations in the risk of contracting
COVID in different hospital settings: acute and general
care hospitals had the lowest proportion at about
9.7%; residential community care and mental
health hospitals had a higher overall
proportion, 61.9% and 67.5%
respectively.
Given that patients in residential and long-term facilities
tend to stay for protracted periods, it is not unusual
that those rates were higher.
However, there were also substantial variations among
acute and general hospitals. In some busy hospitals,
there were outstanding examples of good infection
prevention control and practice... but there were
also instances where the standard was not as
good, said Calum Semple, a professor in
child health and outbreak medicine at
the University of Liverpool.
The scientists attributed the variations to multiple factors,
including inadequate PPE and test supply as well as a
poor understanding of how the virus transmits.. but
noted that these wide variations meant that there
were important lessons to be learned, for
future outbreaks.
Although this data has now been published in the Lancet
journal, the researchers have been sharing their
analysis with the NHS and policymakers since
last year. They continue to monitor what
proportion of cases could be hospital-
acquired – and that range is looking
much better at 3% to 5% now,
said Green.
“I don’t want people to be afraid about coming into hospitals
because we do actually understand a lot more that we
didn’t know back then,” he said.
“One of the key differences, of course, is the high rates of
vaccine coverage – being vaccinated … dramatically
reduces the risk of you getting sick – but even if
you’re unlucky enough to still be infected,
despite being vaccinated... it also
dramatically reduces the ability
for you to transmit to some-
body else,” he added.
Hopefully, there will now be a greater focus on reducing
the risk of hospital-acquired infections, added Semple.
“Looking at hospital-acquired infections needs to be
business as usual for [NHS] trusts, rather than an
exceptional activity,” he said.
____________________________
Vietnamese herbal medication
effective to fight Covid-19
August 10th, 2:56pm (Prensa Latina)
A Vietnamese medicine based on medicinal herbs
and already subjected to preclinical research,
has showed high effectiveness in treating
Covid-19 patients, national scientists
announced on Tuesday.
The medicine, called Vipdervir, is capable of preventing
SARS-CoV-2 from sticking to host cells, or in any case
activating immune cells so that they can recognize,
block, and eliminate the viral particles, Chu Hoang
Ha, vice president of the Vietnam Academy of
Science and Technology (VAST), explained.
Synthesized as of medicinal herbs whose names the
scientist did not reveal, the medication remains
under evaluation for its safety, stability and
capability to inhibit the spread of the
deadly virus, as well as
A/H5N1 influenza.
If the research is successful, as it appears to be, the
relevant studies will be carried out to master the
manufacturing technology of Vipdervir and
turn it into a new tool in anti-Covid-19
treatment.
The VAST's Institute of Biotechnology, the Vinh Gia
Pharmaceutical JSC and the Vietnam Chemical
Pharmaceutical JSC, are participating in
the research.
A daytime nap helps to
increase productivity..
more than night sleep
: study
August 6th (Prensa Latina)
In an interesting study, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology researchers have shown that a
daytime nap, rather than a night sleep of a
longer duration, will be more beneficial
in increasing the productivity
of people.
Spending more time in bed, does not confer any
benefits in work productivity, earnings, a sense
of well-being, or even lowered blood pressure.
Scientists - according to the statement - proved
that daytime naps tend to be more beneficial,
as they contribute to improving the process
of cognition, efficiency, decision-making
and well-being, in a general sense.
'Sleeping more hours does not equate to greater
well-being - an aspect that is closely linked to the quality of sleep,' the source emphasized.
Regarding the quality of sleep, the Mayo Clinic
scientific website suggested reviewing the drugs and supplements that people take.
Avoid drinking fluids up to two hours before
going to bed, to reduce times going to the
bathroom, and keep the environment as
dark as possible.
Liquors help people to fall asleep, but once
the effect wears off, the person is more
likely to wake up during the night.
__________________________
China stops issuing passports
due to Covid-19 rebound
August 4th, 6:21pm (Prensa Latina)
China, on Wednesday, announced the suspension
of procedures to issue passports and other
travel documents, as part of its strategy to stop the outbreak of Covid-19, that has forced the authorities to declare a risk of contagion, for 144 cities.
National Immigration Administration Director Liu Haitao said
they will only process applications from individuals with
real and urgent needs to leave the country; that is, for
study, work or business.
China will work with neighbouring countries to carry out joint
patrols, neutralize illegal crossings, smuggling and other
criminal activities at border points.
Liu reported on a tightening in the supervision of each ship,
passengers and cargo arriving at the country's air and
maritime terminals.
The Administration proceeded with these measures in order
to minimize cross-border movements and entrance from
abroad of Covid-19-infected people, while China faces a rebound, with the dangerous Delta variant of the
SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
The Government is on the alert due to the rapid spread of
the virus in some twenty provinces, the daily rise in local
cases and the concentration of infectious outbreaks in
at least three cities.
Authorities ordered the relevant departments to use up all resources to contain the outbreak, as it is already
considered the worst, after the beginning of the
pandemic in Wuhan.
________________________________________
British study shows children
unlikely to contract severe
Covid,as UK reportedly set
to begin vaccinating teens
August 4th, 2:47pm (RT)
A new study has found that prolonged illness from Covid
among minors is uncommon, reaffirming data showing
that the virus is rarely deadly for children. The findings
come as the UK prepares to start giving teens the shot.
The research, conducted by King's College London
scientists, revealed that children aged between 5
and 17, who test positive for coronavirus,
typically recover in less than a week.
Headaches and tiredness were the most common symptoms
observed, according to their paper, which was published on
Tuesday in the Lancet.
Using data provided by parents to a non-profit group that
supports Covid research, the study examined medical
information collected from 1,734 minors, who
developed symptoms and tested positive
for the virus, between September 2020 and February 2021.
The researchers said they were “reassured” to find that
fewer than one in 20 of those with the virus exhibited
symptoms, for four weeks or more. Incidences in
which children showed symptoms for more than
eight weeks, were even rarer, being recorded in one in 50 cases.
The scientists also examined cases where children had
symptoms but tested negative for coronavirus. Only a
handful of subjects remained symptomatic for 28 days or more.
The main takeaway from the study, is that it’s uncommon
for children to suffer from prolonged illness after getting
Covid, Emma Duncan, professor of clinical endo-
crinology at King's College London, said. She
also stressed that it would be ill-advised to focus only on Covid-linked sickness among children.
“We need to be looking after all children who have protracted
illnesses, irrespective of whether that illness is Covid-19 or
anything else,” the researcher noted.
Although the data used in the study was more than six months
old, the findings seem consistent with the current figures
regarding Covid among UK youth. While some experts
have suggested that the more transmissible Delta
variant may pose a greater risk to the general
public... the disease continues to have an
almost non-existent impact on mortality
among children. In the first 12 months
of the pandemic, NHS data shows
only 25 under-18s died from
the illness.
While the study seems to caution against overstating the virus’
effect on children, there may be limitations to accurately
gauging Covid infections among young Britons: last
month it was revealed that pupils in the UK were
applying orange juice to Covid lateral flow test
kits, in order to test positive for the virus and
get a two-week holiday from school.
The study coincides with reports that the British government
is preparing to approve Covid jabs for 16- and 17-year-olds.
According to the Telegraph, Downing Street is expected to update its advisory to include teens in the nation’s
inoculation drive. The youngsters will be urged to
get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the outlet
reported, citing a government source.
The British government had previously signaled that jabs
would only be offered to vulnerable 12- to 15-year-olds
and those nearing their eighteenth birthday.
The reported U-turn would mean that the UK is joining the United States and European states that have already begun to vaccinate minors as young as 12.
__________________________________
Covid-19 speeds up
Alzheimer's-like symptoms
August 3rd, 12:14pm (Prensa Latina)
Scientists have assured, that suffering from Covid-19
speeds up Alzheirmer's-like symptoms, a specialized
source reported.
Many people with Covid-19 experience short- and long
-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including loss of
taste and smell, and persistent cognitive and
attention deficits and care, knows as
brain fog.
Experts who attended the International Conference of the
Alzheimer's Association - in a virtual way - said thanks
to the studies conducted, a considerable number of
older adults, frequently suffer with persistent cognitive impairment.
Other key findings by the consortium suggest that the
biological markers of brain injury, neuroinflammation
& Alzheimer's, correlate strongly with the presence
infection, were more likely to have low blood oxygen
following brief physical exertion, as well as a poor
overall physical condition, the researchers said.
More than half showed persistent problems
with forgetfulness, and roughly one in four
had additional problems with cognition...
including with language and executive
dysfunction, the researchers stated.
_______________________________________
UK govt is working with companies
to offer cheap fast food for Covid-
vaxxed youth,despite warning
of obesity risk
August 1st, 11:25am (RT)
The UK government is cooperating with major food
delivery companies such as Uber and Deliveroo, to offer discounted fast foods for young people who get vaccinated against Covid-19.
According to the Department of Health and Social Care
(DHSC), Uber, and its takeaway delivery service, Uber
Eats, as well as rival food delivery service Deliveroo,
chain restaurant Pizza Pilgrims, & the ride-hailing
platform Bolt, are involved with the plan.
The DHSC announced - on Sunday - that the companies
"will be offering discounts & incentives to customers
who get a Covid-19 vaccine, and help protect the
country from the virus," ...as it continues in its
plan "to further drive uptake in young people."
"Uber, for example, will be sending reminders to all users
in August, encouraging them to get the vaccine, & will
be offering discounted Uber rides and meals on Uber
Eats... for young adults who get the jab," the
government revealed, while Bolt will offer
free rides to vaccination centres.
Discount coupons and vouchers could also be offered to
people getting vaccinated at pop-up sites and other
vaccination facilities, although the participating
companies will not store any health data, the DHSC pledged.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid thanked the companies in a
statement and urged the youth to "go out and take
advantage of the discounts" ...when they
become available.
Many Brits, however, described the scheme as dystopian
and questioned how giving young people access to
cheap, discounted fast food, would help
public health.
"One reason why the UK has suffered so badly from Covid
is due to having a large, unhealthy population," pointed
out one social media user. "So offering more junk food
makes perfect sense…"
Another person noted that the scheme "seems at odds with
the eat healthy and save the NHS policy," while 90s pop
band, Right Said Fred, compared the situation to "an episode from Black Mirror."
GB News producer Liam Deacon, however, argued, "A little
carrot is surely better than compulsion, force, and the
removal of freedoms?"
In July 2020, the DHSC unveiled a new strategy
to combat obesity and "protect the NHS."
"Obesity is one of the biggest health crises the country faces,"
the Department of Health claimed at the time, warning that
"almost two-thirds (63%) of adults in England are over-
weight or living with obesity" while "1 in 3 children
leave primary school overweight or obese."
The department also warned that "living with excess weight
puts people at greater risk of serious illness or death from
COVID-19," noting that "nearly 8% of critically ill patients
with COVID-19 in intensive care units have been
morbidly obese, compared with 2.9% of the
general population."
Roughly 67% of people in England between the ages of 18
and 29 have received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.
_____________________________________
Delta COVID-19 Variant
Shed by Vaccinated People,
Spreads Like Chickenpox -- CDC Document
July 30th, 5:31pm (al Manar)
The Delta COVID-19 strain spreads as easily as chickenpox,
with fully vaccinated people also transmitting the virus,
The Washington Post has reported, citing an internal
document from the US Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), expected to be published
later on Friday.
The transmissibility of the Delta variant is almost as high as
chickenpox, with each infected person, on average,
infecting eight or nine others, according to
the document.
Fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus as well as
unvaccinated people, it also said. Vaccination, however,
provides substantial protection against the virus, the
document added.
The disease control centre called for universal mask
requirements and vaccination, as the best tool
against the Delta variant.
The United States is now experiencing a spike in COVID-19
cases, with the Delta strain accounting for over 80% of new
infections as of July 20th. Some 70% of US adults, or 178
million, have received at least one dose of a COVID-19
vaccine and 60%, or 155 million, are fully vaccinated,
according to the CDC.
Source: Sputnik
Certain standards of beauty are impossible to achieve.
From perfection to depression
July 28th, 6:18am (Prensa Latina)
By Joel Michel Varona cyt@prensa-latina.cu
The obsession for physical perfection is suffered by many
people, who, dissatisfied with their image, look for
alternatives that, sometimes, far from satisfying
them, cause them to end up totally depressed,
because of the expenses and time wasted.
Such fixation not only leads to problems such as depression,
but even digestive problems, according to a team of
scientists from the Moscow State University of
Psychology and Pedagogy.
Reaching certain standards of beauty sometimes becomes
impossible and then the level of dissatisfaction generates
a crisis.
To counteract the effects of such a tendency, a method was
developed to diagnose this psychological state that
attaches great importance to appearance, which
will help to develop measures of psychological
hygiene and prevention of disorders to help
young people achieve a healthy and
harmonious treatment of their
bodies, Konsultativnaya
magazine reports.
Experts claim that the phenomenon of 'negative treatment' of one's own physique, is a consequence of 'the internalization of the ideal image, that exists in today's popular culture'.
Thus, many resort to the use of retouching and various
alterations, which in the end, the psychologists point
out, is unrealistic and unnatural... if it does not
result in feelings of rejection of oneself.
This procedure consists of a questionnaire that includes
three subscales that evaluate the manifestation of the
willingness to resort to plastic surgery to correct
imperfections, high standards of physical
appearance and the degree of attention.
Also, the inclination to make unfavorable comparisons
with other people, and suffering in relation to their
alleged defects.
The research proved that 'there are close links between
indicators of this method, with body dissatisfaction
and symptoms of depression and worry'.
(Taken from Orbe)
__________________________________
Majority of Covid patients in hospital
may have been admitted for OTHER
ailments before testing positive,
leaked NHS data suggests
July 27th, 12:38pm (RT)
Over 50% of Covid patients in England tested positive
only after being hospitalised – likely for other reasons
– leaked NHS data has suggested, raising questions
about the true impact the virus is having on the
healthcare system.
The previously hidden figures --- covering all NHS trusts in
England, showed that as of last week, only 44% of those
classified as Covid patients had tested positive for the
virus, by the time they were admitted to hospital.
Despite broad public testing for the disease, an incredible
56% of Covid hospitalisations involve already-admitted
patients who were administered routine Covid tests, the Telegraph reported. Forty-three percent of Covid -positive patients were identified within two days
of admission, while 13% were flagged in the
following days and weeks.
According to the outlet, health officials were instructed last
month to begin placing Covid patients into two categories:
those who were in hospital primarily because of the virus,
and those who were admitted for other reasons. However,
the NHS has, so far, withheld this data from the public.
With the majority of Covid patients being diagnosed after
admission - in some cases weeks later - the leaked data
points to the possibility that the virus may only have a
minor or negligible role, in many hospitalisations
blamed on coronavirus.
The leaked figures also suggest that a large number of Covid
hospitalisations are the result of nosocomial transmission,
meaning that healthcare facilities – rather than restaurants,
stadiums, schools, or other public venues – may be
driving up infections requiring medical care.
Ultimately, the NHS leak indicates that many Covid patients are
actually in hospital for non-Covid reasons, especially when
one considers the widespread and regular use of PCR tests,
Professor Carl Heneghan, director of the Centre for
Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of
Oxford, told the Telegraph.
“When people hear about hospitalisations with Covid, they will
assume that Covid is the likely cause, but this data shows
something quite different – this is about Covid being
detected after tests were looking for it,” he said,
adding that the current data being fed to the
public could lead to “false conclusions”
and exaggerate the virus’ actual
impact on the NHS.
Heneghan described the leaked figures as “incredibly
important” and urged the government to stop
withholding such data.
Tory MP Graham Brady issued a similar call for greater
transparency, noting that even after 18 months of the
health crisis, the government has failed to make
detailed information about hospital admissions
publicly available, on a regular basis.
Brady’s colleague, Conservative MP Greg Clark, said that
he would write to Health Secretary Sajid Javid and urge
him to be more forthcoming with hospital data. The
lawmaker noted that the accuracy of such
information was vital, seeing as it is used
to determine “how quickly restrictions
should be lifted.”
He added that there is a “big distinction” between people
admitted solely for Covid, and those who are in hospital
for something else but “have Covid in such a mild form
that it was not the cause of their hospitalisation."
An NHS data expert who spoke with the Telegraph said that
the government’s published statistics were “despicable”
because they do not provide a “true picture” of how
Covid is affecting public health.
An NHS spokesperson insisted that many patients are
admitted with symptoms linked to the virus, and are
later confirmed Covid cases.. upon receiving a post-
admission test. Other patients in hospital may have
“presymptomatic or asymptomatic” cases, the
spokesman said.
Recent news reports, have been highlighting renewed
pressure on the NHS, with Downing Street suggesting
that the decision to lift many Covid restrictions earlier
this month, has led to an uptick in cases.
However, even senior health officials appear to admit that
the issue cannot be blamed on Covid alone. A letter from
NHS hospital trusts to the government, warned that a
“massive backlog” of patients in need of care, as
well as a large number of medical staff ordered
to self-isolate or on annual leave, was
exacerbating the crisis.
In April it was reported that 4.7 million were waiting for
operations and procedures in England, after the NHS
stopped offering routine care, in order to focus on
Covid patients.
____________________________________
Questions Arise -as More Than
One in Five Danes Infected With
Delta COVID Have 'Corona Pass'
by Igor Kuznetsov
July 27th, 5:07am (Sputnik)
Given the new circumstances, rules for the validity of the passport should be changed, experts have argued.
However, despite the apparently poorer protection,
the country's medical authorities have urged their
compatriots to fully vaccinate themselves,
emphasising that even a single shot can
still contribute to a milder experience
with the disease.
More than one-fifth of the new, more contagious delta
variant of coronavirus has been found in vaccinated
Danes issued a so-called “corona pass”, the State
Serum Institute (SSI) has warned.
22 percent of those infected with the delta variant had a valid corona pass after the first shot when they were found infected.
“The first tests we did of the vaccine showed that they
protected well after the first jab. These were the
studies that led to the vaccine being approved.
Now we have a dominance with delta virus,
and there we have a poorer protection,”
SSI department head Palle Valentiner
-Branth ,told Danish Radio.
According to SSI's latest estimate, the delta variant
accounts for up to 91.2 percent of those newly
infected with coronavirus, making this strain
the most dominant in Denmark.
However, despite the apparently poorer protection, Palle
Valentiner-Branth emphasised that even a single shot
can still contribute to a milder experience with the
disease, if one should become infected.
“You will probably be infected to a lower degree than if you were unvaccinated, and you will not be as ill,”he said.
Jørgen Eskild Petersen, a professor at the Department of
Clinical Medicine at Aarhus University, calls it “worrying”
that people can still go out and use their corona pass,
even though they may be infected with the delta
variant. To rectify this, he proposed only
handing out corona passports after the second shot.
“It is not the vaccines that have changed since they were introduced, but it is simply a new virus that is less sensitive to the immunity that the vaccines provide,” he underscored.
He cited a major study from England, which showed that
both AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, only gave a 30-percent
protection after a single shot, calling it unreasonable
to grant corona passports, after only a single shot.
However, Danish parties from both left and
right, were against changing the rules.
Liselott Blixt, health spokesperson for the national-
conservative Danish People's Party, argued it was
''too late'' to change the rules now, and, instead,
urged people themselves to take responsibility.
“Keep your distance and make sure you maintain good
hygiene. People are already confused enough and we
are tired of hearing about corona. If we change that
now, then I think we're losing people,” she mused.
The Socialist People's Party, urged Danes to listen to the
SSI and the National Board of Health, in which it has full
confidence.
Palle Valentiner-Branth cautioned fellow Danes that they
can still become infected with only one shot - and urged
them to become fully vaccinated, at the first opportunity.
“When you are fully vaccinated, we rarely see that you get
a breakthrough infection,” Palle Valentiner-Branth said,
citing figures from the SSI, according to which, only 0.1 percent of fully vaccinated people have been found infected with COVID-19.
As of now, the corona pass becomes valid 14 days after
the first vaccine shot. A valid passport can also be
obtained, after previously becoming infected, or
producing a negative PCR or antigen test.
Denmark has fully vaccinated 50.9 percent of its population.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, it has seen 312,000
cases, with some 2,500 fatalities.
__________________________________________
'Worse Than Useless': UK Councils
Warn 'Pingdemic' May Disrupt Key
Sectors for Weeks to Come
by Oleg Burunov
July 24th, 5:55am (Sputnik)
On Friday, UK Cabinet ministers announced that workers
critical to the food supply industry will be exempt from
the "pingdemic", in order to prevent supermarket
shelves in the country from going empty.
The UK government plans to set up a scheme in order to
let more key workers take daily COVID-19 tests rather
than isolate for ten days... to tackle a possible
economic meltdown over the so-called
"pingdemic".
In the past week, over 600,000 British workers have been
"pinged" by the National Health Service app, telling
them to stay at home for up to 10 days after they were recorded as being in close contact with COVID-positive people.
On Friday night, the government said that police, fire service
staff, border staff, transport, and freight, should also be
included in the exemption scheme, which is expected
to resolve increasing numbers of isolating staff.
Earlier that day, Environment Secretary George Eustice and
Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced plans for daily
contact testing for the food and drink industries,
saying that critical food-supply employers will
be exempt from self-isolation, if they test
negative for coronavirus on a daily
basis and are fully vaccinated.
UK Councils Urge London to Clarify on Self-Isolation Exemptions
The country's councils and companies have, meanwhile, warned
that England may face weeks of "pingdemic" disruption, which
will most likely ride roughshod over key services and the
supply of food.
The British Meat Processors Association urged the government
to publish more information as soon as possible to give "clear,
unambiguous guidance on which sites are exempt [from self-
isolation], which job roles qualify for exemption, and exactly
how these new rules will be applied".
"Our fear is that, if infections keep rising at the current rate, there
will be so many non-exempt workers taken out of the system that,
regardless of those protected 'key sites', the rest of the supply
chain around them will start failing", the association said.
This position was echoed by Richard Harrow, chief executive of the
British Frozen Food Federation, who called the current situation
"worse than useless", with confusion "continuing to pervade".
James Jamieson, chair of the Local Government Association, for
his part, urged Downing Street to clarify what councils and
employers should do, when it comes to exemptions for
their critical workers.
"Residents will need to bear with us if they experience disruption
to some services, if councils are forced to prioritise services that
protect the most vulnerable in their communities", Jamieson
pointed out.
Shadow Environment Secretary Luke Pollard, in turn, insisted that
security of the food supply is fundamental and that empty shelves
in supermarkets "show the system is failing".
"The government caused this chaos by recklessly releasing all
restrictions at once in the face of the Johnson variant, hitting
the accelerator while flinging off the seatbelt", he said, in an
apparent nod to the July 19th lifting of all coronavirus
restrictions in England, touted by Prime Minister
Boris Johnson as "freedom day".
Pollard welcomed the government's "right" move stipulating that
"some critical workers in the food supply sector may be exempt
if fully vaccinated and, crucially, tested daily", adding, however,
that ministers "must be cautious, given the surging
transmission rate".
"Labour warned against removing all restrictions in one go and
we want to see a return of mandatory mask wearing in shops
and the continuation of workplace testing. The rushed plan
ministers have now published looks like a bureaucratic
nightmare for businesses, while being unlikely to be
sufficient. They have a right to be furious", the
shadow environment secretary noted.
Gov't Lifts Stage Four COVID Restrictions
He spoke after the government went ahead with scrapping Stage
Four restrictions on Monday, allowing nightclubs and music
venues to reopen, and lifting the last restrictions on pubs,
cafes, and restaurants and the attendance limits at
weddings and funerals.
Some employers have, however, complained that up to 10% of
their staff cannot work, after being told to isolate for 10 days
by the NHS app.
Downing Street responded by announcing that as of August 16th,
those who have had both doses of the coronavirus vaccine more
than two weeks prior, will no longer have to isolate if "pinged",
but must undergo a PCR-type test as soon as possible, to see
whether they are infected.
COVID-19 death rates in the UK have approached triple figures
this week, peaking at 96 on Monday. The total death toll in the
UK since the first case was identified there in January 2020
stands at 128,980, according to the World Health
Organisation's latest estimates.
________________________________
French hospital goes on
INDEFINITE strike:to protest
Covid-19 vaccination mandate
July 23rd, 6:09pm (RT)
The staff of the hospital in Montelimar, in the French
department of Drome, have gone on indefinite strike
to protest at the new rules demanding they take a
vaccine against Covid-19 by mid-September --
or face losing their jobs.
The strike against “forced vaccination” was announced on
Thursday by the CGT-GHPP trade union, and affects some
200 doctors and 1,500 nurses in the southeastern
French city.
Hundreds of them gathered outside the hospital on Friday,
denouncing lockdowns and vaccine mandates and
chanting “liberté!” (freedom).
The French legislature is finalizing the proposal that would
require all medical professionals in contact with the
vulnerable, to be fully vaccinated by September 15th, or else lose their salaries and even their jobs.
“We are against mandatory vaccination and vaccine coercion,”
Elsa Ruillere, local union representative, told Sputnik France.
“There is no choice between tests or vaccination: vaccination
is compulsory. No, we don't agree. We want to have the choice
like the rest of the world and we do not want compulsory
vaccination.”
Ruillere says her union supports “free and informed consent”
and is not against vaccination on principle but is against
coercion. Some of the medical workers said they are
waiting for the French-made Sanofi-GSK vaccine,
promised for December.
“We are well aware of the evolution of the virus. We do not
take it lightly,” Ruillere said. However, she and her striking
colleagues point out that, even with the rise in positive
tests for the Delta variant of the coronavirus, there is
no commensurate rise in hospitalizations.
“Yes, we turned ‘red’ but that's in fact due to the positive tests.
In terms of hospitalizations, we are fine at the moment, we did
not need to reopen beds, we have far fewer hospitalized
people than before and fewer people in intensive care,”
she added.
Another union gripe is the lack of public debate, since France’s
National Assembly seems to have simply proceeded on the
advice of the High Health Authority (HAS), which called the vaccination mandate “justified.”
There have been widespread protests in France since mid-July,
as the government of President Emmanuel Macron imposed
the vaccination mandate on health workers and introduced
a “health pass” requirement to access public venues with
more than 50 people in attendance. The pass requirement
will extend to cafes, restaurants and shops, starting on
August 1st.
There has been a 150% increase in coronavirus cases over
the past week in France, attributed to the Delta variant. The
government says 96% of those infected are unvaccinated.
________________________________________
People jabbed with PLACEBOS
during vaccine trials will have
same privileges as those
‘fully’ vaxxed, UK
minister says
July 23rd, 11:18am (RT)
The UK government views people who were given
placebos during Covid-19 vaccine trials... as fully
inoculated, Britain’s vaccines minister has said,
adding that they would enjoy all the privileges
granted by the NHS Covid Pass.
In remarks given before Parliament on Thursday,
vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi touted the
country’s controversial NHS Covid Pass as
having an “important role to play in
slowing the spread of the virus,”
and urged 'certain businesses'
and large venues, to adopt the
domestic health certificate in
order to “keep their clients or their customers safe”.
The NHS app can be used to show proof of vaccination
status, negative test results, or natural immunity.
But it seems the urgent need to methodically document
people’s vaccination status, and to use this private
medical information, to grant certain privileges,
contains at least one loophole ----- individuals
who have participated in vaccine trials will
be viewed as “fully vaccinated”, whether
they received a placebo, or an actual
shot, Zahawi said.
It’s unlikely that he misspoke, as he made the same
declaration in two separate exchanges, while
answering questions from Parliament
Labour MP Rupa Huq complained to Zahawi, that several of
her constituents who took part in Novavax trials, are “now
being treated as if they are vax deniers with the texts they
get from the NHS”. She also seemed to suggest they had
been “grounded” --- due to not being considered fully
vaccinated. She pointed to the case of an American
who had participated in the drug trial who said he
felt it was on account of “xenophobia” that he
could not access events that Brits can.
“People think that they are being punished for doing the
right thing. Will the Minister rectify that?” she pressed
Zahawi.
According to the official transcript of their conversation,
Zahawi promised the MP that those in clinical trials,
including that by Novavax, would have their status
on the NHS Covid app recorded as ‘fully
vaccinated’, whether they received
the placebo or the vaccine.
Minutes later, Labour MP Barbara Keeley echoed Huq’s
concerns and asked for a solution to be found for the
“wonderful volunteers” who had joined the
Novavax trial.
“They now find themselves not able to travel, as they
cannot get a vaccine certificate and their vaccines
are not recognised in the EU,” the lawmaker said.
Zahawi repeated his previous position on the matter.
“We are working with other countries to make sure that
that is recognised, but as far as the UK is concerned,
they will be considered fully vaccinated, whether
they have had the placebo or the vaccine,” he
reassured the MP.
The vaccine developed by US-based Novavax has yet
to receive emergency use authorisation in the UK.
Participants in trials for the drug have complained that
they have been denied an approved jab --- due to their
involvement with the clinical tests. The Department
of Health said in June that it would ensure that the
volunteers weren’t disadvantaged by their
participation in the trials.
Britain’s rollout of ITS domestic digital Covid passport
has aggravated many, who see the scheme as a
serious government intrusion, into peoples’
ability to carry out their normal activities.
Notably, Zahawi described the divisive
policy as “discriminatory” while
speaking about the concept,
in February.
However, he later changed his tune. In April, he insisted that
vaccine passports wouldn’t be discriminatory, if they could
also be used by people who had tested negative for
the virus.
__________________________
India reports over 45,000
''Black Fungus'' cases,
Health Minister says
July 21st, 12:05pm (Prensa Latina)
A total of 45,432 cases of mucormycosis (black fungus)
have been reported by states and Uts., till July 15th, of
which, 21,085 affected people are receiving treatment
and 4,252 have passed away, the Health and Family
Welfare Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, said in a
written reply.
A large majority of mucormycosis patients (84.4%),
had reported a history of Covid-19, Mandaviya said.
In the wake of the 2nd wave of Covid-19, an increased
number of mucormycosis cases were reported and the ministry of health, after thorough gap analysis and consultations, took a number of steps to address the problem.
Mucormycosis and other fungal infections, are most
commonly seen as an opportunistic infection. They
are found in those with underlying immunity either
due to diabetes, cancers, particularly hematolo-
gical malignances, etc., or, as a side effect of
the prolonged/irrational use of certain drugs
like steroids, & immunosuppressive drugs
for management of other disorders...
including Covid-19, the minister
explained.
Taking cognizance of the association between elevated
blood sugar levels (in those with pre-existing diabetes mellitus, or hyperglycemia due to steroid therapy), an updated Clinical Guidance on the Diagnosis and Management of Diabetes, at the Covid-19 Patient Management facility, was issued by the ministry, on June 11th.
Mucormycosis, which affects patients recovered from this
disease, is acquired by contact with spores of the fungus
present in the environment, or by the skin, through cuts
or open wounds.
It can have serious consequences for
those with AIDS, cancer, or diabetes.
The most common symptoms are poor appetite, weight
loss, tiredness, and necrosis or death of cells and tissue.
In addition to itchy eyes and nose, fever, bloody vomiting,
coughing, and shortness of breath, signs include: one-
Many Britons have taken to social media, to register
their anger at the government’s Health and Care Bill
after MPs passed a contentious motion, on its 2nd
reading, with some claiming it will lead to further
NHS privatisation.
On Wednesday evening, the governments Health and
Care Bill passed through the House of Commons by
356 votes to 219... While the bill’s future impact on
the National Health Service (NHS) is disputed, the
movement from paying publicly owned trusts to
private companies to provide services, has
stoked fears that the Tory government
may further privatise the NHS.
Following the vote, Green Party leader Caroline Lucas
called on her supporters to join their campaign to
scrap the bill, which she claimed “entrenches
privatisation & does nothing to address the social care crisis.”
Lucas was backed up by Labour MP and Corbynite
Zarah Sultana, who said the Tory privatisation
would “open the floodgates to cronyism, &
incentivises cuts & closures.” She vowed
to keep fighting against what she called
an “NHS Corporate Takeover Bill.”
With #SaveourNHS trending on Twitter, many commenters
jumped to slam Boris Johnson’s government... One person
said he didn’t realise there could be a more “destructive”
government than that of former Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher, who oversaw widespread privatisation,
adding “Johnson’s government are evil,
terrifyingly so. #ScrapNHSBill”
While many criticised the government, others highlighted
the nation’s hypocrisy, as the UK, one of Europe’s fattest
and most alcoholic states, suffers immensely under the
strain of alcohol- and obesity-induced illness. The
government estimates that it spent over £6 billion
on treating obesity related illness in 2014-2015,
with around two-thirds of the UK’s adult
population considered overweight... or
obese. In 2020, more than one million
people in the UK were hospitalised
due to obesity-related illnesses.
Meanwhile, it is estimated that the effect of UK alcohol
consumption costs the NHS around £3.5 billion each
year, marking a huge increase from the decade
before ...when the spend was around
£2.7 billion a year.
One person noted that while people were locked down to
“save the NHS,” it’d be equally effective if people looked
after themselves, to stop them being unnecessarily
hospitalised for being fat.
Others concurred, one said the country is too soft on fat,
claiming “obesity is crippling our NHS.” Another
suggested the NHS stop treating fat people
and save billions.
“How long before obese people are called selfish, for
putting a strain on the NHS?” one commenter asked,
stating that the country should move from the Covid
-19 track-and-trace system, to fitness trackers.
We “don’t need 107 new hospitals”, wrote one Twitter user, responding to a Labour MP who proposed new
investments in the NHS, adding that the country
should focus on ...preventing the UK from
“being the most obese country
in Europe.”
Another person admitted to being a “big lad” and said it
was his fault and he should foot the bill. “Obese people
shouldn't get anything from the NHS if they need it,
They should be made to pay for it,” he wrote.
The NHS has been at the centre of many policy discussions
in recent months, following a year in which it was tested
extensively by Covid-19. In June the government passed
a new law that would ban the advertising of unhealthy
food before 9am, although it won’t come into effect
until the end of 2022. The law hopes to stamp out
childhood obesity, which is also rife in the UK.
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____________________________________
Some Britons angry,as govt quietly passes bill making Covid-19 vaccines
mandatory for carehome staff in England
July 14th, 12:38pm (RT)
Some Britons have slammed the government after
the UK parliament voted on Tuesday to make
vaccines compulsory for care home staff in England, unless they have medical
exemption. There are others that
back the move.
On Tuesday the British parliament voted by 319 votes to 246
to make Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for those working
in England's care homes. As a result, from October, anyone
who works in a Care Quality Commission-registered care
home in England, must prove they have been jabbed
twice in order to retain their job. Some people will
be medically exempt.
While the bill was criticised in the house by Tory MPs, as there
had been no impact assessment published before the vote,
its passing was also slammed by some on social media.
On Wednesday, references to the Nuremberg Code – a post-
WWII convention that seeks to protect people from cruelty
and exploitation... including non-voluntary medical
procedures... trended on Twitter, as exasperated
Britons claimed that the UK government has
contravened the more than 70-year-old
principle, by making vaccines
compulsory for work.
“The UK is now a medical fascist state” wrote politician
David Kurten, leader of the Heritage Party, blasting the
vote to make what he termed “experimental injections”
compulsory. He added that “those who did not vote
against are responsible for breaking the
Nuremberg Code.”
One person claimed that the British MPs must either be
“stupid or paid off,” while another asserted that they
were now guilty of committing crimes against
humanity, adding the hashtag #nuremburg2,
a reference to the convention and the
historic Nazi war crimes trials.
However, these opinions were not held by everyone, and
a number of people were keen to point out the need for
workers in care homes to be vaccinated, reiterating
anger from earlier in the year when it emerged that
care workers, many of them from non-white back-
grounds, had a certain hesitancy in taking the
Covid-19 vaccine.
“On the one hand, obviously staff should be vaccinated as
they are caring for societies most vulnerable,” one lady
wrote, adding that her mother, a care home resident,
may now lose seven “valuable carers that are sadly
victims of vaccine misinformation.”
This sentiment was reinforced by Dr Rohin Francis, a
cardiologist and Youtuber who ran a poll on Twitter,
asking “Should healthcare workers, including care
home staff, have mandatory covid vaccination?”
Around 9% of the 941 people who voted
answered "no."
Meanwhile, human rights barrister Adam Wagner sought
to dispel the myth that “the Covid-19 vaccines are
experimental,” also sharing a document which
outlined why mandating Covid shots is not in
conflict with the Nuremberg Code. It’s
“difficult policies to protect vulnerable
people which involve trade-offs in
personal autonomy,” he wrote in
a tweet.
In June, the government said that 78%, or 1.2 million, care
home staff had received the vaccine, despite vaccinations
being open to care home staff for seven months.
Analysis from February suggests that frontline healthcare
staff were showing a degree of scepticism in taking the jab.
While many white staff had been inoculated, only 37% of
black staff were jabbed.
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_______________________
Autistic People in UK are Suffering From
'Intolerable Treatment'
at Inpatient Facilities,
Report Says
by Oleg Burunov
July 13th, 2:03pm (Sputnik)
Earlier on Tuesday, the British Department of Health and
Social Care claimed that the number of people with
autism in the country's mental health hospitals
has decreased by around 30%, over the
past few years.
A UK House of Commons committee has called for a ban
on all new long-term detentions of autistic people and
individuals with learning disabilities, except
admissions for forensic cases.
In a new report released on Tuesday, the Health and Social Care
Committee claimed individuals can be subjected to "intolerable
treatment", including "abusive restrictive practices", at
inpatient facilities across the UK.
The survey claimed that autistic people and those with learning
problems can be kept for "long periods of time in facilities that
do not meet their needs" and that such individuals are kept
long distances from their families and friends.
The report also referred to the "fatal misunderstanding" that
autistic people at inpatient facilities are treated as if their
conditions are illnesses, not a fundamental part of
their identity.
This results in a situation where they start to suffer from mental
or physical illnesses, something that is then used to justify
their detention.
The MPs pointed to a "shocking" six-year average stay of autistic
people in assessment and treatment units, which should be
closed in the next few years amid the "immediate action on
the use of restrictive practices by staff".
The lawmakers stressed that some descriptions of the use of
physical restraint and long-term segregation at in-patient
facilities are not "worthy of a 21st century healthcare
system". According to them, bespoke community
care should be offered, instead of individuals
being detained in hospitals.
Committee chairman Jeremy Hunt, for his part, insisted it is
a "national shame" that "far too many" people are still
being detained.
This was followed by a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson, stressing that the government's priority is "to ensure autistic people and people with learning disabilities are supported to live well in their communities, receive
safe and high-quality care, and are treated with dignity and respect".
The spokesperson also claimed the department is "building"
on an alleged 30-percent reduction in the number of autistic
inpatients and those with learning disabilities "with
additional funding to cut admissions further and
support the discharge of these patients back
into the community".
According to statistics from the UK's National Health Service
(NHS), there are about 2,000 people with autism and/or
learning disabilities, who are still being locked away
in the country's inpatient units... on a long-
term basis.
_________________________________
France’s call not to recognize
Russian, Chinese vaccines
unacceptable — diplomat
July 8th, 3:48pm (TASS)
The French Foreign Ministry’s call not to recognize Russian
and Chinese vaccines in the EU is unacceptable, Russian
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said
on Thursday.
"Such remarks are unacceptable. This is a hybrid of racism,
imperial hegemonism and neo-Nazism: entire peoples are
denied equal rights and opportunities, and this is being
done in violation of laws, ethics and morals, pushing
the world towards confrontation at a moment when
it endures the most difficult trials by the pandemic,"she said, in her Telegram channel, on Thursday.
"The nerve, the cynicism and brutality, with which the Western
states fight for profit, abandoning their own humanistic ideals
- without thinking about the fates of millions of people during
humanity’s fight against the pandemic - are shocking,"
the diplomat said.
"The people who authored these words have nothing to do
with the France that gave humanity the ideals of liberty,
equality and fraternity," Zakharova added.
_________________________________
Real-world evidence clearly shows
Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 jab
both ‘safe & effective’ - British
science journal Nature reports
July 7th, 11:16am (RT)
World-leading academic journal Nature has published
a new analysis of Russia’s flagship coronavirus jab,
Sputnik V, saying its efficacy has been
demonstrated, despite the EU and
others dragging their feet on
approving it for use.
The article, published on Tuesday by Australian science
journalist, Bianca Nogrady, describes the formula,
developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, as
"the subject of fascination and controversy
since the Russian government authorized
its use last year, before early-stage trial
results were published." The news that
the country had become the first in the
world, to register a jab against the
virus, was met with a mixture of
surprise and derision, by the
Western commentators.
However, Nogrady goes on to say, "evidence from Russia
and many other countries, now suggests it is safe and
effective." Approved in 67 countries, and with all
the published data seemingly in, Nature accepts that there is little doubt that the vaccine works.
Despite a number of companies in the EU vying for the rights
to manufacture Sputnik V, the bloc's central regulator, the
European Medicines Agency, is still conducting a drawn-
out review of the evidence behind the jab. Two member
states, Hungary and Slovakia, have jumped the gun
and begun including the Moscow-made formula
in their national immunization programs.
However, the article notes, there are still some questions
about monitoring for side effects, which are thought to
be similar to such formulas as those made by Astra-
Zeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
While some vaccines, most notably AstraZeneca's, have been
thought to be associated with very rare side effects such as
blood clots, Russian scientists have insisted that there is
no record of major adverse events from their jab.
Revealing in June that he himself had received two doses of
Sputnik V, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that “now
more than 20 million – 23 million – … have already been
vaccinated [in Russia]... you can see everything is fine
with us. Thank God, we haven’t had such tragic
situations, after vaccination, as [have
occasionally been seen] following
the use of AstraZeneca or
Pfizer elsewhere.”
For the EMA, Nogrady notes, this could be a sign that Russia's
population surveillance system is not robust enough to detect
any cases. However, she notes, several studies are underway
in countries that have already approved the jab, like Argentina,
Venezuela and Turkey, so more evidence willsoon be available
to wary regulators.
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__________________________________
England’s legal Covid-19 restrictions
to be dropped - in two weeks - PM
Johnson says, despite warning
‘more deaths’ on way
July 5th, 4:24pm (RT)
(updated 20hrs ago)
Nearly all of the remaining Covid-19 curbs in England,
including all legal restrictions, will be lifted on July
19th, despite an increase in cases and the
expectation of more deaths from the
virus, Prime Minister Boris
Johnson said.
Face masks will no longer be required on public transport,
nightclubs will reopen and the limit on group sizes in
private homes to six people, will all be scrapped,
Johnson told a press conference on Monday.
Other limits on the number of people at weddings and funerals
will also end, as will social distancing requirements and
limiting bars and restaurants to table-service only.
Johnson said England was still seeing a rising number of
Covid-19 infections and hospital admissions -- warning
that there could be 50,000 cases per day by July 19th.
“We must reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths from
Covid,” he said, adding that the government must take a
“careful and balanced” decision on restrictions.
Johnson said he expects the government will be able to
lift the majority of remaining restrictions on July 19th,
with a review of the latest health data, set for
July 12th.
The national test, trace and isolate system will remain in
operation from July 19th, Johnson said, although the
government is looking at different arrangements for
fully-vaccinated people, and for children. People
must still self-isolate if they test positive for
the virus, or are ordered to quarantine by
NHS Test and Trace.
The PM also indicated that restrictions
could be re-introduced down the line.
"I didn't want people to feel that this is, as it were, the
moment to get demob happy... it is very far from the
end of dealing with this virus," Johnson said.
"Obviously, if we do find another variant that doesn't
respond to the vaccines... then clearly, we will have
to take whatever steps we need to do to protect
the public."
As the restrictions are lifted, the government will no
longer require people to work from home and a
limit on the number of people allowed to visit
care homes will be dropped. A statement is
set to be made this week by the UK’s
Education Sec., Gavin Williamson,
on the 'possible end' of so-called
classroom “bubbles” which are
designed to protect schools
from Covid outbreaks.
Johnson said the pace of the UK’s vaccine rollout would
also speed up so that people under 40 years of age will
be offered their second dose eight weeks after their first, as opposed to the current 12-week interval.
Speaking alongside the PM on Monday, England’s chief
medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned of the
potential pressure Covid-19 may place on the
National Health Service (NHS) next winter.
“This coming winter may be very
difficult for the NHS, and I don’t
think that’s a particularly
controversial point,”
he said.
On Monday the UK reported a further nine deaths within 28
days of a positive Covid test, and more than 27,000 new
infections. The current rate of infection, is 230 per
100,000 people, and, in the last seven days, there
has been a 50% increase in new cases
compared to the previous week,
according to the latest
government data.
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________________________________
Delta Variant of COVID-19
Claims Lives of 50
Vaccinated Britons
June 28th, 5:28pm GMT (Sputnik)
The Delta variant of COVID-19 has killed just
over 100 people in the UK — but 50 of those
were fully-vaccinated.
A briefing paper by Public Health England (PHE)
published Friday, showed that just 117 people
had died of the so-called "Indian" variant of
concern, out of just over 92,000
identified cases.
The figures represent a mortality rate of just 0.13
per cent — less than a twentieth of the overall
2.88 per cent for UK cases, since the start of the pandemic.
But worryingly, 50 of those who died had been given
both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, although all
of those were in the over-50 age group... which
accounts for 99 per cent of deaths in the UK.
Eight people under the age of 50 died of the Delta
variant, but none were fully-immunised against
COVID-19 and only two had even received
their first jab.
"Does this mean the vaccines are ineffective? Far
from it," statisticians, David Spiegelhalter and
Anthony Masters, wrote for The Observer on
Sunday. "It's what we would expect from an effective but imperfect vaccine".
Fears of the Delta variant, thought to be more transmissible
than other strains of COVID-19, prompted Prime Minister
Boris Johnson's government to postpone the final lifting
of lockdown restrictions by four weeks from June 21st,
to July 19th, to buy time to get all the over-40s
double-vaccinated.
The latest PHE data, published on Monday afternoon,
showed just three deaths nationwide — despite new
infections soaring by almost 70 per cent week-on-
week. Almost 23,000 new cases were recorded
on Sunday. Another ray of hope, was that
hospital admissions had only risen by
10% over the past week, with 227 new patients admitted with the virus, on Sunday.
______________________________
300+ confirmed cases of
heart problems among
teen recipients of
Pfizer vaccine
June 23rd, 3:37pm (PressTV)
The United States’ Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is to host a panel of experts on
Wednesday, to discuss the more than 300
confirmed cases of heart problems
among adolescents who have
received the Pfizer/BioN
Tech vaccine.
During the session, the experts will hear a risk-
benefit analysis about whether the shots can
cause myocarditis, as well as cases of
inflammation of the heart lining.
"These cases are rare, and the vast majority have fully
resolved with rest and supportive care," said the CDC
director Rochelle Walensky last week.
Although 300 cases out of 20 million adolescents who
have received their shots is not a great number, many
believe that it is still likely higher than what would
otherwise be expected for the age group.
The vaccination of adolescents in the US was begun in
mid-May after the CDC voted 14 to 0 in favor of the use
of the mRNA vaccine made by the Pfizer/BioNTech.
A federal advisory panel claimed that children between
12 to 15 years old can receive the COVID-19 vaccine
made by the Pfizer and BioNTech.
This came as, according to the national polls, only a
limited number of families were eager to get their
children inoculated.
Nearly a month later, the CDC announced that the
preliminary findings from two vaccine safety
monitoring systems suggest a higher-than
-expected number of cases of heart
inflammation after the second dose
of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in
young men.
More than half of the myocarditis or pericarditis cases
reported to the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System after patients had received Pfizer/BioNTech
vaccines were in people between the ages of 12
and 24, the CDC said on June 10th, 2021.
The body also promised to hold a meeting of its Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices... to further evaluate the evidence and assess the risk of myocarditis after mRNA vaccinations for COVID-19.
Press TV’s website can also be accessed
at the following alternative address:
www.presstv.ir
________________________
US Warns of Illness Caused
by Hand Sanitizers...in
Latest COVID-19 Update
June 22nd, 10:35pm GMT (Sputnik)
Hand sanitizers --- a ubiquitous presence during the
coronavirus pandemic, threaten users with nausea,
dizziness and occasional adverse events requiring
treatment by healthcare providers, the US Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) warned
on Tuesday.
"FDA reviewed case reports submitted to FDA and cases
from calls to US poison control centres... of adverse
events after applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers
to the skin. While the majority of cases resulted in
minor or minimal effects, some cases resulted in
treatment by a health care professional," an FDA press release said.
The FDA explained in the release that common symptoms,
including headache, nausea, and dizziness, typically
result from fumes released by alcohol-
based sanitizers.
Consumers should limit use of sanitizers to well-
ventilated areas, and to use soap and water, when available, the FDA said.
"The best way to prevent the spread of infections and
decrease the risk of getting sick, is by washing your
hands, frequently, with plain soap and water, for at
least 20 seconds", it said.
Some 50 cases of serious adverse events have been identified after applying alcohol-based hand sanitizers, all reported after the coronavirus pandemic sent much of the US into lock-down mode, in March 2020, the FDA added.
(and no, it's not April Fool's Day!)
________________________
New Season of Pandemic?
Chinese Researchers Discover
New Coronaviruses in Bats
Similar to COVID-19
by Max Gorbachev
June 12th, 11:03am GMT (Sputnik)
The news comes amid heightened attention over
the origins of the infectious disease, which
-- according to John Hopkins University -- has killed 3.7 million people worldwide.
Initially, scientists brushed aside
allegations that SARS-CoV-2 was a man-made virus, as conspiracy theories.
While the international community is yet to gain the upper
hand in the fight against COVID-19, Chinese scientists
say they have discovered a new batch of corona-
viruses similar to the infectious disease that has been ravaging the world.
According to their study, researchers collected samples
of urine, faeces, and saliva from small bats that lived in
the forests of Yunnan Province, between May 2019
and March 2020. They assembled 24 novel
coronavirus genomes, including "four
SARS-CoV-2-like" diseases.
Scientists write that one strain of the virus discovered
in the bat species Rhinolophus pusillus had a striking
resemblance to SARS-CoV-2, although there were
differences in spike proteins, which are used to
attach to cells they infect.
Researchers note their discovery demonstrates that
viruses related to COVID-19 continue to circulate in
bat populations and in some regions "may occur
at a relatively high frequency".
Origins of the Virus
The news comes amid heightened attention over the origins
of the infectious disease that has so far infected 175 million
and killed 3.7 million (number provided by Johns Hopkins
University). At the beginning of the pandemic, scientists
said the virus originated in bats, and jumped on an
intermediary animal (most likely a pangolin),
and then to humans.
As the pandemic swept more and more countries, allegations
started appearing that the outbreak began due to a leak in a
laboratory in Wuhan, where the first known cases of COVID
-19 were reported. These claims were supported by several
high-ranking US politicians, ex-Secretary of State Mike
Pompeo and former President Donald Trump, who
accused Beijing of a cover-up and called for an international investigation.
Chinese officials, for their part, alleged that COVID-19
patient-zero came from the United States, claiming
the virus may have originated at a US military
base in Maryland that hosts the nation's
biological defence programme.
The majority of scientists dismissed the allegations of
a Chinese lab leak --- as wild conspiracy theories and
misinformation. The World Health Organisation, too,
rejected the allegations, saying in a report, written
with Chinese scientists, that it is "extremely
unlikely" COVID-19 was man-made.
At the end of May, The Wall Street Journal wrote, citing
previously undisclosed documents... written by US
intelligence, that three employees of the Wuhan
Institute of Virology sought medical care for a
disease similar to COVID-19, three weeks
before Chinese authorities reported the
first case of COVID... There has since
been a ''change in attitude'' towards
the lab leak scenario, with several
officials voicing regret that the
international community did
not pay attention to
this hypothesis.
The same month, the Biden administration announced a new probe into the origins of COVID-19. The move
prompted a rebuke from Beijing --- which accused
Washington of "political manipulation” and said
the White House "does not care about facts
and truth, nor is it interested in serious
scientific origin tracing".
____________________________________
EU addsanother rare blood
condition as side effect of
AstraZeneca coronavirus
vaccine
June 11th, 8:25pm (PressTV)
Europe’s drug regulator on Friday identified another
very rare blood condition as a potential side effect
of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine and said it
was looking into cases of heart inflammation
after inoculation with all coronavirus shots.
The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) safety
committee said that capillary leak syndrome
(CLS) must be added as a new side effect to
labeling on AstraZeneca’s vaccine, known
as Vaxzevria.
People who had previously sustained the condition,
where fluids leak from the smallest blood vessels
causing swelling and a drop in blood pressure,
should not receive the shot, the EMA added.
The regulator first began looking into these cases, in
April and the recommendation adds to AstraZeneca’s
woes after its vaccine was associated with very rare
and potentially lethal cases of blood clotting, that
come with a low platelet count.
Last month, the EMA had advised against giving a
second AstraZeneca shot to people with that
clotting condition... known as thrombosis
with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).
The committee reviewed six validated cases of CLS
in people, mostly women, who had received
Vaxzevria, including one death. Three had a history of the condition.
More than 78 million Vaxzevria doses have been administered in the European Union,
Liechtenstein, Iceland & Norway,
and Britain.
In a statement, AstraZeneca pointed to the extreme
rarity of CLS cases, at less than 1 in 10 million
vaccinated individuals.
Britain’s regulator, the MHRA, said it was considering
precautionary advice for people with a history of CLS
but does not see a causal link with the vaccine.
Two of eight reports of capillary leak syndrome
following AstraZeneca vaccination in the UK
were in people with a history of the
condition, and 40 million doses of
the vaccine had been given,
it said.
Separately, the EMA said it was continuing its probe
into cases of heart inflammation known as myo-
carditis and pericarditis, primarily following
inoculation with the Pfizer/BioNTech, and
Moderna mRNA shots, but also, after the J&J and AstraZeneca vaccines.
US health officials said on Thursday they had
registered a higher-than-expected number of
heart inflammation cases in young men who
received a second dose of the mRNA shots,
though a causal relationship could not
be established.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have acknowledged the
observations but said a causal association with
their vaccines has not been established.
BioNTech said adverse events, including myocarditis
and pericarditis, are being regularly and thoroughly
reviewed by the companies and regulatory
authorities.
“More than 300 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech
COVID-19 vaccine have been administered globally
and the benefit-risk profile of our vaccine
remains positive.”
(Source: Reuters)
______________________________________
Over 1,000 terminally-ill patients
rejected for UK benefits each year
and spend final weeks fighting for aid, charities warn
June, 9th, 3:50pm (RT)
Two British charities have called for the rule
which requires terminally-ill people to prove
they have six months or less to live, to
qualify for state benefits, to be
abolished, as hundreds die
every year, without
support.
More than 100 people per month are being denied
their lawful benefits by the UK government within
the last six months of their life, the end-of-life
charity Marie Curie and the Motor Neurone
Disease Association (MND) said
on Wednesday.
The figure comes from data released to Parliament
by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
last year, which indicated that there were at least 1,860 such incidents, over an 18-month period.
Marie Curie expressed “serious concerns” over the
DWP’s ability to properly evaluate the condition of
terminally-ill patients, saying that, due to its
actions, “many spend their final weeks of
life, either fighting for support, or dying
without any.”
“When somebody is diagnosed with a terminal illness,
a DWP benefits assessor is not well-placed to judge
how long they have left to live,” Mark Jackson,
policy and public affairs manager at Marie
Curie, said. “The current law plunges
dying people into uncertainty – they
know they are dying, but because
they do not know how long they
have left they can’t access
financial support quickly.”
Marie Curie and the MND have been campaigning for
the six months rule to be scrapped, saying that key
state benefits should become accessible... as soon
as patienst are diagnosed with a terminal disease.
In their statements on Wednesday, the charities
described the current regulations as “arbitrary,
outdated and amount to cruelty toward some
of the most vulnerable people in society.”
They also called upon the government to finally release the findings of a 2019 review into the benefits system
for the terminally ill.
“The publication of the review is well overdue and
people are still struggling and suffering. It’s not
good enough. We need the Government to
publish the review immediately and make
the changes to the system, that are so
desperately needed,” Susie Rabin,
MND’s head of policy and
campaigns, argued.
When questioned on the issue by the Mirror 'paper,
a UK government spokesman said dealing with
benefits applications of terminally-ill people “quickly and compassionately” is a priority for the authorities, adding that this work, has also continued during the pandemic.
“We are working across government, on proposals
including changing the six-month rule and raising
awareness of the support available,” he added.
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__________________________
Israel finds ‘likely’ link between
Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine...and
cases of heart inflammation
in young males
June 2nd, 10:58am (RT)
A specially appointed epidemiological team has found
“a likelihood of a link” between receiving the second
dose of Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine and the onset of
myocarditis in young men, Israel’s Health Ministry said, in a statement.
The ministry says the team was set up following reports
of cases of heart inflammation, known as myocarditis,
among males aged 16 to 30 shortly after the second
dose of the Pfizer vaccine was administered. The
link was found to be stronger in people aged 16-
19 relative to other age groups, and weakens as the age of the recipients increases.
Most patients who experienced the problem spent up to four days in the hospital, and 95% of the cases were classified as mild, according to
the ministry.
The Health Ministry commissioned the study after 275 cases
of myocarditis were reported in Israel between December
2020 and May 2021. Nearly 150 cases were recorded
after the vaccine was administered. The number of
cases reported after the second shot, was four
times greater than those recorded after the
first, the ministry said.
Myocarditis is a condition characterized by chest pain,
shortness of breath, or palpitations, and can be
caused by Covid-19, according to the ministry.
While the type of vaccine in question is not directly
mentioned in the statement, Israel relies almost
exclusively on the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine,
and it’s the only product mentioned on the
vaccination information page of the Health Ministry website.
Pfizer said in a statement cited by Reuters that it has not recorded a higher rate of myocarditis than would
normally be expected in the general population.
The pharma giant added, that it was aware of
the Israeli observations of myocarditis, but
has not established a causal link to
its vaccine.
The Israeli Health Ministry says that given the findings, it
will review the 12-15-year-old population’s eligibility for
the vaccine. The shot was recently approved in the
EU for people aged 12 and older.
Israel has been a leader in the world’s vaccination effort,
having already inoculated 55% of its population of 9
million. It has now removed social distancing
restrictions and the vaccination passes that
were required in order to enter
certain venues.
Last week, the US Centres for Disease Control & Prevention
reported that since April 2021, there has been an increase in
cases of inflammation of the heart – myocarditis and
pericarditis – occurring after mRNA Covid-19
vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna)
in the US.
It recommended further study of the potential link between
the heart conditions and mRNA vaccines, such as those of
Pfizer & Moderna, but reiterated that it still recommends
the vaccines for patients aged 12 and older.
Last month, three cases of a rare disorder affecting the
blood’s ability to clot – hemophilia – were reported
among recipients of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid- 19 vaccine in France. The country’s health
authorities are investigating the matter.
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____________________________________
Canadian health officials apologize
after children receive unapproved
Covid-19 vaccine by MISTAKE
June 1st, 8:28am (RT)
A regional health authority in British Columbia apologized
- after admitting that 12 children were given the Moderna
vaccine, which is yet to be approved for use in those
under 18, as the child vaccination campaign
kicked off.
Vancouver Coastal Health, a regional health authority that
serves one in four residents of British Columbia, Canada,
has confirmed that 12 children were given the wrong
vaccine on Friday and Saturday, last week, as
teenagers in the province became eligible
for vaccination.
Currently, only the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been
cleared for use in children aged 12 to 17 in Canada.
However, officials said they do not expect the
children to develop any adverse side effects,
noting that Moderna claimed recently, citing
preliminary data, that their vaccine protects
children, the same as it protects adults,
while triggering similar side effects.
Children from 12 to 17, around 310,000 people, became
part of British Columbia’s vaccine rollout on May 20th.
Although young children are considered to be at lower
risk of developing Covid-19 complications, & are less likely to spread the disease, compared to adults,
Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said at the time, that - by vaccinating children - the government seeks to reduce “the overall transmission of Covid in the population.”
According to data from Health Canada, Canadians under
19 account for 18.9% of the total Covid-19 cases, trailing
only the 20-29 age group. However, only 1.8%, or 1,245
teenagers, were hospitalized, including 11 who died
from the disease – the lowest percentage of all
age groups.
As of last week, a little more than half of Canada’s total
population has received at least one dose of the
coronavirus vaccine. Fewer than 5% have been
fully vaccinated, however.
Last week, Health Canada approved the use of 45,000
AstraZeneca vaccine doses past their original expiry
date. Canada’s Ministry of Health said the doses can
be used until July 1st, citing assurances from
AstraZeneca that they would still be safe and
efficient past the expiry date of May 31st.
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____________________________
UK doctors call for special
surgery hubs -to address
‘colossal’ Covid-19 back-
log of operations
May 28th, 12:14pm (RT)
The Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) has called on the
UK government to set up special surgery hubs to
address the “colossal backlog” of non-urgent
procedures that were cancelled because of
the Covid outbreak.
Issuing a warning to the UK government, the professional
body said that the issue had to be tackled urgently or
there is a risk that waiting lists will become
“insurmountable.”
The proposal from the RCS would see temporary surgery
hubs set up in every region of England to ensure that
procedures can continue even if there is another
wave of Covid-19 infections or other diseases
that impact the ability of the NHS to deal
with non-urgent cases.
“We need government support for a New Deal for Surgery
to reduce the colossal backlog in elective surgery and to
help the NHS weather future pandemics,” the president
of RCS, Professor Neil Mortensen, said in a statement.
We cannot allow surgery to grind to a halt again
or waiting lists will become insurmountable.
The RCS is asking the government to include an extra £1
billion ($1.42 billion) of spending on surgery annually for
a five-year period, as well as 11 other recommendations
that would seek to provide long- and short-term
measures “to improve the future sustainability
of surgical services.”
The UK government has previously pledged a one-time
provision of £1 billion to address elective-surgery
delays but the chief executive of NHS Providers,
Chris Hopson, has warned that the money
could be spent by autumn, with more
required to get through the bulk of
delayed procedures.
NHS figures released earlier in May found that almost
five million people in England are currently on waiting
lists in a record backlog of delayed non-urgent
hospital procedures, with more than 400,000
already having waited more than a year
to have their surgery.
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Drinking alcohol causes
damage to the brain,
study finds
May 21st (Prensa Latina)
Drinking any amount of alcohol damages the
human brain´s structure and functioning, a
study by researchers from the University
of Oxford warned.
Although alcohol consumption risks have been long
known, with this observational study, which has not
yet been peer-reviewed, researchers noted that the
more people drank, the less the volume of their
gray matter, in other words, in those regions in
the brain that make up important bits where
information is processed, according to lead
author Anya Topiwala, a senior clinical
researcher at Oxford.
'So many people drink moderately and think this is
either harmless or even protective,' Topiwala said.
Previous research has found that brain damage
can crop up in subtle ways, which are not
immediately detectable in routine tests
and can ''progress'' uncontrollably.
On the other hand, Sadie Boniface, head of research
at the UK´s Institute of Alcohol Studies, added that
while we cannot yet say for sure whether there is
no safe level of alcohol regarding brain health
at the moment, it has been known for decades
that heavy drinking is bad for brain health.
We also shouldn´t forget alcohol affects all parts of
the body and there are multiple health risks, said
Boniface, who was not associated with the
University of Oxford study.
A study published in the scientific journal The Lancet
Last spring Boris Johnson fell seriously ill with the
COVID-19 virus. On April 6th, 2020, he was taken
into an intensive care unit and there were fears
he would become the first prime minister in
modern Britain, to die while in office.
A nurse who looked after Prime Minister Boris Johnson
when he was seriously ill with the COVID-19 virus last
year has reportedly resigned in disgust at the "lack
of respect" shown for NHS workers by
the government.
Jenny McGee made the remark during a Channel 4
documentary, which will be broadcast in Britain
next week.
Ms McGee was one of the team who were by Mr Johnson's
bedside, in an intensive care unit at St Thomas' Hospital
in London, for two days.
She said she was angered by the one percent pay rise
being offered to NHS staff and said in the film: "We're
not getting the respect and now pay that we deserve.
I'm just sick of it. So I've handed in my resignation".
Ms McGee said the pay offer was the last straw, after
a year in which the pandemic had rocked Britain.
"Lots of nurses feel that the government hadn't led very
effectively – the indecisiveness, so many mixed
messages. It's just very upsetting", Ms McGee added.
In the documentary, entitled "The Year Britain Stopped",
she also referred to seeing Mr Johnson when he first
arrived in the intensive care unit.
"All around him there was lots and lots of sick patients,
some of whom were dying. I remember seeing him and
thinking he looked very, very unwell. He was a different colour really", she said.
It is not clear whether Ms McGee plans to return
to her native New Zealand, after quitting her job.
_____________________________________
Sweden records: 30,000
suspected side effects
from Covid vaccines:
with AstraZeneca’s jab
linked to more than
half of all reports
May 12th, 12:16pm (RT)
An official tally of suspected side effects resulting from
Covid vaccination in Sweden, has surpassed 30,000,
with the majority of cases occurring in people
inoculated with AstraZeneca’s shot.
According to the Swedish Medical Products Agency, as
of last week, the Scandinavian nation had received
31,844 reports of adverse reactions linked to the
rollout of Covid-19 vaccines.
Sweden is currently offering three variants of the drug.
There are currently 2,103 reports of side effects from
the Moderna shot, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
has been associated with 9,117 health issues. But
the number of suspected adverse reactions from
the two shots seems relatively small --- when
compared to the 19,961 reports linked to
AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria.
The most common side effects for all three drugs were
fever and headache. Other reported adverse reactions
included nausea, joint pain, and dizziness.
Notably, the AstraZeneca shot only accounts for about
26% of the roughly 2.7 million vaccines that have been
administered so far in Sweden, but makes up around
63% of the side effects reports.
Of the nearly 32,000 reports, 663 cases have been
registered where it’s unclear which vaccine was
administered. Two-thirds of the reports have
been submitted by the general public. The
agency cautioned that individual reports
do not - necessarily - demonstrate a
correlation between the medical
episode and the vaccine.
Ebba Hallberg, an official with the Medical Products Agency,
told Swedish media that it was unusual to receive so many
reports of side effects, but noted that the figure was likely
high, because of public focus on the new vaccines.
Healthcare providers are likely only reporting more “serious”
side effects, the official theorized. Hallberg also said that it
was possible that AstraZeneca was overrepresented in
the data, because the shot was given to many young
people and healthcare workers, who are more tech
-savvy and would therefore be more likely to
report an issue.
According to one Swedish outlet, the agency has received more reports of suspected side effects over the past several months, than it typically does, over four years.
In March, Sweden was one of several nations to temporarily
suspend the use of the AstraZeneca jab, following reports
of abnormal blood clotting in recipients. AstraZeneca, as
well as the European Medicines Agency, have insisted
that the vaccine is safe, after it came under scrutiny.
Since then, new reports have linked the drug to severe
medical episodes, and even death. Earlier this month,
a 35-year-old female medical worker in Vietnam died
from anaphylaxis after being injected with the jab, in what has been described as a “very rare” case of adverse reaction to the vaccine.
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___________________________
Not only blood clots? EMA
‘assessing reports’ - of AstraZeneca jab link to rare IMMUNE DISORDER
May 7th, 1:40pm (RT)
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is investigating
reports of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine causing
Guillain-Barre syndrome, as the pharmaceutical
company remains embroiled in controversy
over the jab’s link to blood clotting.
In a meeting this week, the European Medicines Agency’s
revealed that it was “assessing reports” of the rare
immune system disorder being found in people
following vaccination.
“As part of the review of the regular pandemic summary
safety reports for Vaxzevria, AstraZeneca’s Covid-19
vaccine, the PRAC is analysing data provided by the
marketing authorization holder on cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) reported following vaccination”, the PRAC declared.
“GBS was identified during the marketing authorization
process as a possible adverse event requiring specific
safety monitoring activities”, the committee continued - adding that it has requested “further detailed data” on the cases and will release new information, as it becomes available.
According to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS),
Guillain-Barre syndrome is a “very rare and serious
condition that affects the nerves”, and can create
feelings of numbness, weakness, and pain, in
those who have it.
Though the NHS advises that Guillain-Barre syndrome is
a treatable condition and: “most people will eventually
make a full recovery”, it can also be life-threatening and leave those who have had it, with “long- term problems”
Following hundreds of cases of blood clotting – and
dozens of deaths – AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine
has already been restricted in many countries... to older people only (sic).
In the UK, those under the age of 40, are set to be offered
an alternative vaccine, provided this causes no “delays”
in the vaccination program, however, the European
Medicines Agency maintains that the vaccine’s
benefits outweigh the risk, for much of
the population.
ALSO ON RT.COM
UK vaccination committee says the under-40s should opt for alternative to blood clot-linked AstraZeneca… unless it causes ‘delays’
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___________________________
DenmarkStops Using
Johnson & Johnson
COVID-19 Vaccine
May 4th, (teleSUR)
Nevertheless, citizens still have the opportunity
to choose both the dropped AstraZeneca and
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines,
voluntarily and for free.
The Danish Health Authority (DHA) has decided
to drop the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from
its mass coronavirus vaccination program.
"Taking the present situation in Denmark into account,
what we are currently losing in our effort to prevent
severe illness from COVID-19, cannot outweigh the
risk of causing possible side effects in the form of
severe blood clots in those we vaccinate," the
DHA Deputy Director-General Helene
Probst said.
"In the midst of an epidemic, this has been a difficult
decision to make, especially since we have also had
to discontinue using the COVID-19 vaccine from
AstraZeneca."
The authority's decision that "the benefits do not
outweigh the risks" comes after the European
Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that a
possible link existed between rare but
severe cases of blood clots (vaccine
-induced immune thrombotic throm-
bocytopenia or VITT), and the
Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
The decision will affect those in the 20 to 39 age group,
who will now face a delay of up to four weeks in their
vaccination. However, the DHA noted that the
decision does not rule out that Johnson &
Johnson vaccines may be used later.
On April 14, Denmark decided to entirely cease administering
the AstraZeneca vaccine. The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer
/BioNTech and Moderna are currently included in Denmark's
official vaccination program. Nevertheless, citizens still have
the opportunity to choose both the dropped AstraZeneca &
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines, voluntarily and
for free.
In a majority vote, the Danish Parliament has supported the
decision. The optional vaccination scheme is expected to
begin in May, the Danish news agency Ritzau reported
on Monday.
Denmark on Monday registered 762 new COVID-19 infections
with no new deaths in the past 24 hours. To date, the country
has reported 253,673 cases and 2,490 deaths, while 1,367,495
Danes have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine,
which corresponds to 23.4 percent of the population.
________________________________
TUC Calls forImmediate
Public Inquiry into
COVID Deaths
April 28th, 12:24pm (FNA)
The Trades Union Congress is calling for an
immediate public inquiry, into the handling of the COVID pandemic, insisting it should
examine whether workers were kept
safe enough, after about 15,000
people of working age, died
from COVID in England
and Wales.
The GMB union, said the Prime Minister, Boris
Johnson’s reported comments, that he would
rather see “bodies piled high”, than approve
a third lockdown, “shows why a public
inquiry is needed now”, The
Guardian reported.
It said its members “deserve to know why they
were put in harm’s way unnecessarily, and if
the prime minister think it’s OK for them
to die”.
The unions want Downing Street to announce the
start date and consult the public about its scope.
Men working in processing plants, security,
care and restaurant work were most at risk
of dying from COVID --- according to figures
up to the end of last year, while for women
it was machine operators and
care workers.
No 10 told bereaved families earlier this month, the
government did not have time for an inquiry and
would not, for months to come. It has said there will be “an independent inquiry at the appropriate time”.
Calls for an immediate inquiry are gathering momentum.
The TUC’s affiliated unions represent 5.5 million workers
...and its intervention follows similar demands for an
inquiry from the archbishop of Canterbury, Labour,
government scientific advisers, and thousands of the bereaved, who have voiced outrage at
Johnson’s alleged comments.
They include Lobby Akinnola, whose father Olufemi, 60,
was a care worker in Leamington Spa, who died a year
ago. He was visiting different clients’ homes,
improvising PPE from a winter scarf
and gloves.
“If we had locked down a week earlier, how many people
could have been saved?” said Akinnola, adding that he
was “disgusted” by reports the prime minister said “let the bodies pile high”.
“My dad was on the threshold of life and death, but fell on
the wrong side. Throughout this pandemic we have relied
on frontline workers, but the government didn’t seem to
support them,” Akinnola added.
The TUC has set five priorities for an inquiry: workplace
infection control, including financial support to self-
isolate; the impact of a decade of spending cuts on
the capacity of public services; COVID’s unequal
impact on workers, particularly ethnic minorities
and people in insecure jobs; the impact of
employment support packages, such as
furlough; and government procurement
and its effect on supplies of PPE.
____________________________
‘Whose lab?America's’:
Speaker says coronavirus
might have escaped
from US facility
April 27th, 12:51 (TASS)
The coronavirus disease might have escaped
from a US biological laboratory and the
Russian government should raise the
issue of responsibility for the virus'
leak, Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker
of Russia’s State Duma, or lower
parliament house, said
on Tuesday.
"Since the client states of the United States are silent,
and the United States itself remains mum as well, one
conclusion could be logically drawn: obviously, this
is because of a leak from one of the laboratories
they have set up across the globe. It would be
right for the government to raise these
matters," he said at a meeting of the
Council of Legislators of the
Russian Federation.
He urged the United States to halt research that
might have spawned the COVID-19 outbreak.
"And, let them think about how to compensate
all those countries for the losses they have
sustained. The virus was found in Wuhan.
But whose laboratory is it? It is an
American one, financed by
America," he noted.
He did not rule out that work was being conducted
to model the virus "and it is being done by the
United States." If such research is not
stopped, the world "will be held
hostage to another similar
situation," he warned.
The lower house speaker noted that American
laboratories were operating in Georgia and
Eastern Europe. "It should be placed under
control. <…> these matters should be
raised. Let us have a closer look at
them," he said, addressing Deputy
Prime Minister, Tatiana Golikova.
_____________________________
UK Health Regulator Concernedover Use of Rapid Coronavirus Tests
April 26th, 11:09am (FNA)
The UK’s healthcare regulator has expressed concern
to the government that its multibillion-pound mass
testing programme is “a stretch” of the authorised
use of rapid tests, the Guardian learned.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
(MHRA) has approved the lateral flow devices to be used to
find coronavirus cases but not to act as a “green light” for
people who test negative to enjoy greater freedoms.
The regulator is concerned that people who test negative
will be given false reassurance by their result and will let
down their guard if they believe they are COVID-free.
There is very little data to show how well the Innova lateral
flow devices detect the virus when used as a self-test by
someone who has no symptoms. They are being used
by millions of people a week in England under the
government’s universal testing programme.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has put mass testing at the
centre of his strategy to lift the UK permanently out of
lockdown, alongside the vaccine programme. The
government has bought millions of the lateral flow
tests as part of the £37bln budget for NHS test
and trace.
However, the MHRA told officials in the Department of Health
and Social Care (DHSC) that the twice-weekly testing regime
unveiled earlier this month, was “a stretch” of its
authorisation for how the tests should
be used.
The regulator raised the concerns before and after the
programme was announced on April 5th, the Guardian
has learned.
The MHRA has authorised LFTs to be used as a “red light” test
– to find infectious people and order them to self-isolate – but
not as a “green light” test to allow people greater freedoms if
they test negative. The regulator is concerned that the
government’s universal testing programme blurs the
lines between the two.
The concern stems from a lack of data on how well the tests
perform when taken by people who do not have COVID-19
symptoms. It is estimated that one in three infected people
will display no symptoms of the virus, making it more
difficult to track.
A recent Cochrane review – an analysis of 64 studies – found
that rapid tests correctly identify on average 58% of people
who are infected with the virus but have no symptoms,
meaning more than one in three cases are missed.
However, this was based on relatively few
samples, limiting the conclusions that
could be drawn.
The concern is that people will take a one-off test before visiting
loved ones indoors, for example, and that they may be carrying
the virus even though they have tested negative.
The MHRA is understood to have asked Matt Hancock’s department
to provide evidence about the expected accuracy of the test – and
how it performs in reality – and to carry out a public information
campaign to explain the benefits and risks of universal testing.
The MHRA said the government was “the legal manufacturer of the
test and as such are responsible for the safety and performance
of the test whilst it is in use in the UK”.
The regulator said it met government officials regularly “to discuss
a range of issues, including the data they collect on performance”,
and added, “False negatives carry a risk of unwitting onward
transmission. Therefore, even with a negative test result
people must continue to follow national and local rules
and guidelines including regular handwashing,
social distancing and wearing face coverings,
where required.”
A million people a day are taking coronavirus tests, with the majority
using lateral flow tests that produce a result in about 30 minutes.
Use of the tests has risen steadily to about 830,000 a day since
April 9th, when every adult in England was encouraged to
request free twice-weekly tests to be taken at home in
the biggest expansion of the government’s testing
programme to date.
A DHSC spokesperson said the department had been clear that
nobody should interpret a negative test result or a vaccine dose
as a green light to drop their guard and that, regardless of a test
or vaccine, people must stick to lockdown rules.
She added, “There is clear evidence that by using rapid testing we
are identifying cases we would otherwise not find, allowing people
to isolate, so they can prevent further spread of the disease and
save lives.”
Innova’s lateral flow devices are cheaper and quicker than the gold
-standard PCR tests and are good at finding the most infectious
cases and those that might not otherwise be found, but they
are more likely to produce erroneous results.
Eyebrows raised as
'PREGNANT PEOPLE'
green-lighted by US
governmentto get
Covid vaccine shots
April 24th, 12:04 (RT)
US health officials have encouraged “pregnant people”
to get vaccinated against coronavirus... saying shots
are safe for them. However, it’s not just the scientific
credibility of the guidance that has been questioned.
“Pregnant people experienced the same side effects
as others following vaccination,” the director of the
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC), Rochelle Walensky said at a White House
briefing on Friday. “Importantly, no safety
concerns were observed for people
vaccinated in the third trimester or
safety concerns for their babies,”
the health official added.
The go-ahead statement, is based on a recent study by
CDC researchers published in the New England Journal
of Medicine. Titled ‘Preliminary Findings of mRNA Covid
-19 Vaccine Safety in Pregnant Persons’, it suggested
that Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have not
proved more harmful for those who are expecting a
child. During the vaccines’ preauthorization process,
“pregnant persons” were excluded from clinical trials.
The updated guidelines for “pregnant people”
have been widely reported by US media.
Offering ‘Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding’, the CDC, previously, cautiously advised people to make a personal choice about receiving a jab, after a consultation with a doctor.
The recent “no safety concerns” recommendations are
based on preliminary findings from self-reported data.
More than 35,000 “persons … identified as pregnant,”
from 16 to 54 years old participated in the research,
using a smartphone-based tool for US vaccine safetymonitoring systems. Over 800 of them had a completed pregnancy.
More frequent injection-site pain was reported among
possible vaccine-related complications, “whereas
headache, myalgia, chills & fever, were reported
less frequently,” according to the study.
Saying that pregnancy outcomes for the vaccinated
patients were “similar” to pre-pandemic results, the study concluded: “Preliminary findings did not show 'obvious' safety signals, among pregnant persons who received mRNA Covid-19 vaccines.”
US health officials have warned before that those who
are pregnant during the new coronavirus pandemic,
are “at increased risk” for more severe suffering
from the illness, as well as being endangered to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including
preterm birth.
On the same day as good news for “pregnant people”
was delivered at the White House, UK politician
and RT host, George Galloway, expressed his
apparent concern, with the same choice of
wording in the UK. The former MP shared
a poster from an English hospital offering
information for “pregnant people and
their support partner.”
The tweet sparked a heated argument. Last year, a
similar trans debate on Twitter got British writer
JK Rowling into hot water. The Harry Potter
author questioned the use of the term “
people who menstruate” --- evoking
harsh criticism from transgender
rights activists, as well as from
actors featured in the
popular series.
_______________________
Norway: Risk of Dying from AstraZeneca Higher Than of COVID-19
April 23rd, 11:47am (FNA)
Norwegians run a greater risk of dying from being
inoculated with AstraZeneca's vaccine, than from
COVID-19, the National Institute of Public Health
(FHI) concluded in its analysis of the vaccine, previously linked to serious complications in the form of rare blood clotting and haemorrhages, amid low
platelet counts.
Abstaining from the vaccine could possibly prevent
up to 10 deaths related to side effects, the FHI said, according to the newspaper Verdens Gang.
So far, Norway has seen five cases of serious incidents
reported shortly after vaccination, with three fatalities.
FHI has calculated the mortality rate from the Astra-
Zeneca vaccine as 2.3 per 100,000 vaccinated.
The FHI stressed that continuing to inoculate will, by contrast, expose younger women to an “unreasonably high risk”, given the
current relative levels of infection
in Norway.
Furthermore, the institute is against offering the
vaccine on a voluntary basis, which has been
proposed both in Norway and fellow
Scandinavian nations.
“We believe that such an alternative may appear
unethical, and with a high risk, that those who
make such a choice, have not fully under-
stood the risk to which they are exposed,”the institute said.
The FHI also ventured that recommending the AstraZeneca vaccine for further use could lead to lower confidence among the population, in vaccination
programmes in general.
“This could lead to a lower vaccination rate and
vaccination rate in the long run, and that
patients in risk groups, will also say no to vaccines,” it added.
A recent survey by the FHI in collaboration with
Mindshare and Norstat, indicated that 76% of
respondents were sceptical of at least one
of the vaccines, even though 82 % were,
initially, positive about getting
vaccinated.
Of the vaccines, AstraZeneca gained the highest level
of scepticism at 99 percent, compared with Moderna (9 percent) and Pfizer (8 percent).
However, the government believes it is too early to
discontinue the vaccine completely, and is instead
launching a new expert group to further investigate
both AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, which
triggered similar concerns.
Pending a final decision, however, Norway has decided
to distribute its stock of AstraZeneca to fellow Nordic
countries that actually want to use them.
Of the Norwegian stock, Sweden will borrow
200,000, while 16,000 will go to Iceland.
“If the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine is resumed, we will
get back the doses we lend, as soon as we request it.
Sweden and Iceland will then send back the doses
from their first deliveries from AstraZeneca,”
Health Minister Bent Høie said, as quoted
by Verdens Gang.
The Swedish Public Health Agency has made a different
assessment of the AstraZeneca vaccine and concluded
that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks and
the side effects.
The agency's Swedish equivalent, the Swedish Public
Health Agency, has, however, made a completely
different assessment and believes that the
benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the
risk of side effects.
State epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, described the
contentious vaccine, as having a “high protective
effect” and “reducing the risk of serious illness
and death, especially among the elderly
and weak”.
Earlier this spring, dozens of countries temporarily
stopped the use of the AstraZeneca shot amid
reports of side effects. Of them, many, like
Sweden, have since resumed inoculation,
citing a precarious infection situation
and shortages of other vaccines.
_____________________________
FDA inspectors find peeling walls
and residueat US plant that ruined 15m Johnson and Johnson vaccine doses
April 22nd, 9:54am (PressTV)
Unsanitary conditions and other problems at a
manufacturing plant, were what ruined over
15m doses of the Johnson & Johnson
coronavirus vaccine, according to
an inspection report: by the US
Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA report published on Wednesday shows
the Baltimore factory operated by Emergent
BioSolutions “is not maintained in a clean
and sanitary condition.”
The agency reported that proper manufacturing
procedures were not followed and there were
peeling paint, and black and brown residue,
on the floors and walls in the factory.
Poorly maintained facilities and a lack of employee
training, were other issues cited in the report,
resulting in ''a contamination of material'' that was going to be put in the shots.
As a result, new production was halted at the FDA's request, Dr. Janet Woodcock, acting FDA commissioner, and Dr. Peter Marks,
director of the FDA's Centre for
Biologics Evaluation and
Research, said in a joint
statement released
on Wednesday.
"For the vaccines already manufactured, the products
will undergo additional testing and will be thoroughly
evaluated to ensure their quality before any potential
distribution," Woodcock and Marks said. "We will not
allow the release of any product, until we feel
confident that it meets our expectations
for quality."
“The firm has failed to adequately train personnel
involved in manufacturing operations, quality
control sampling, weigh and dispense, and
engineering operations, to prevent cross
contamination.”
The report also shows that the equipment in the factory
was not of adequate size to facilitate operations for its
intended use, or for cleaning.
The plant had been making coronavirus vaccines
under contract for both Johnson & Johnson and
AstraZeneca.
In March, a batch of Johnson & Johnson "drug product,"
which could have made 15 million doses of the vaccine,
failed quality control, and was taken out of production.
US health officials have paused distribution of
the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine, as
scientists probed the potential link between
rare cases of blood clots and their vaccine.
____________________________________
UK border force ‘seizing
ONE HUNDRED fake Covid-19 certificates’ every day, MPs told documents ‘very easy’ to forge
April 20th, 2021 (RT)
A representative of the UK’s immigration service
has told MPs that border officials are spotting
around 100 fake certificates, which are
required as proof of testing negative
for Covid-19, every day.
On Tuesday, Lucy Moreton of the Immigration Services
Union (ISU), which represents border immigration and
customs staff in the UK, told MPs of the practical
challenges in implementing the government’s
strategy for preventing people with Covid -19 from entering the country.
Moreton said that vaccine certificates were proving
“very easy” to forge & that, in many cases, officers simply had no way of checking whether the documents were indeed real. Asked how agents verified the documents, she said “it’s predominantly taken on trust,”
adding: “We do get 100, or more, a day, of fake Covid certificates – that we catch.”
Moreton said that of the 20,000 people entering
the UK every day, most of them were hauliers.
She added that the queues at airports may well
be a “breeding ground” for the virus and that
there was “little to no” evidence as to whether people were adhering to quarantine rules.
While foreign travel for holidays is banned across
the UK, people can still leave & enter the country
for business purposes. On Monday, England (sic) added India to its extensive “red list”, meaning people trying to enter the country from there, will either be turned away --- or made to
quarantine in a government-approved hotel for 10 days, due to concerns about a new Covid variant, first detected in India.
Scientists have expressed concern that variants,
like those from South Africa and Brazil, could
minimise the impact of the UK’s vaccination
programme --- by being more resistant to
antibodies. More than 500 cases of the
South African strain, have been
identified in the UK.
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__________________________________
''Fears'' Frontline NHS Staff, Are
Refusing to Get COVID Vaccine
April 18th,14:36 (FNA)
Nearly 15% of health service workers in England
remain unvaccinated -- and the numbers coming
forward for a jab have decreased sharply in the
last two weeks, NHS figures revealed,
prompting concerns that many
frontline staff are refusing
the vaccine.
But health leaders, patients’ groups and unions have
been quick to dismiss any suggestion of mandatory
vaccinations after it emerged that Matt Hancock, health secretary, had already embarked on plans - before the pandemic - to make flu vaccinations compulsory for NHS staff, The Guardian reported.
Last week, the government began a consultation on
whether or not to mandate vaccinations for care-
home workers, and a London NHS trust
discussed making the vaccination
a condition of employment.
The latest figures show that only 6,259 NHS staff in England had their first dose in the seven days
before April 11th, down from 11,483 the previous
week.. and substantially lower than the average
of 22,985 per week during March. Now 190,697
workers out of 1,378,502 directly employed by
the NHS, remain unprotected against the
coronavirus --- four months, after they
became 'eligible' for vaccination.. The
figures don't include agency workers,
and will include some under-45s who
are not frontline staff and are still
waiting their turn.
Some NHS trusts would ''like to'' introduce mandatory
vaccination because they believe efforts to persuade
the remaining staff are a distraction from other
important tasks... such as tackling the
enormous waiting lists that have
grown during the lockdowns.
Lesley Watts, the chief executive of Chelsea and
Westminster hospital foundation trust, wrote to
other NHS trusts, with a draft letter to staff,
saying COVID vaccination would be
mandatory.
After the letter was leaked, Watts said there was “no
intention to mandate vaccination of our staff”, but
did not explain why the letter was written
or distributed.
Hancock was a strident critic of anti-vaxxer movements
before the pandemic, and told a fringe meeting at the
Conservative party conference, in 2019, that he
favoured making vaccinations compulsory for
all childhood diseases. He then asked civil
servants at the Department of Health and
Social Care to work out how to make flu
vaccines mandatory for NHS staff. The
DHSC did not say if the proposal was
still being considered.
Opponents of mandatory vaccination believe it could be
counterproductive & cause vaccination rates to fall in
the future. If a vaccine is mandatory, it is harder for
people to voice concerns they may have, & there
are fewer opportunities to persuade them to
get innoculated.
North Middlesex University hospital trust has drawn up
32 reasons for hesitancy and matched them to clinical
advice, so that staff can ''easily find evidence'' to ''help'' counter any concerns.
Saffron Cordery, the deputy chief executive of NHS
Providers, said the issue was “incredibly complex”
and that the consultation on social care had
“inevitably put the spotlight on whether a
similar policy should be introduced in the
health service or other parts of
social care."
“Mandatory vaccinations raise a number of legal and
ethical questions and, as expected, there is a wide
and diverse, range of views on this, among trust
leaders,” she said, adding, “While we're pleased
with the strong uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine
among staff groups so far, we know more
needs to be done to address vaccine
''hesitancy'' within the workforce and throughout society.”
One-to-one conversations had been
particularly effective, she added.
Dame Donna Kinnair, the general secretary of the
Royal College of Nursing, said compulsion might
affect future vaccination programmes.
Unison’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, said,
“Forcing NHS staff to have the COVID vaccine would
be premature and counterproductive. Work must be
done to understand and address the concerns of
hesitant staff. A heavy-handed approach could
stoke resentment and further erode morale,
already near rock-bottom after the
government’s insulting 1% pay
rise recommendation.”
The NHS said:,“The vaccination programme has
successfully vaccinated 19 out 20 people aged
50 and over as well as nearly nine in 10 NHS
staff. While the vast majority of staff have
been jabbed, local NHS teams are
making every effort to ensure
staff feel confident in taking
up the offer.”
Scientists reveal new explanation
for why people arepersistently
hungry all the time
April 18th, 12:58pm (RT)
A study between multiple universities has revisited
the link between blood sugar and appetite, and
found the relationship is far more complex
than previously understood -- yielding new
insights on how to tame persistent hunger.
The researchers examined blood sugar responses and
other indicators from 1,070 participants, in the UK, &
the US, sourcing data from the PREDICT (Person- alised REsponses to DIetary Composition Trial) nutrition research project.
The volunteers ate standardised breakfasts, after which
they were free to choose their remaining meals through-
out the remainder of the day, observing a fasting
window for three hours after breakfast.
They continuously wore blood glucose monitors and
recorded what and when they ate each day using a
phone app, along with their self-reported hunger
levels, over the study period of two weeks.
The researchers discovered that dips in blood glucose
levels, aka “sugar dips,” were significantly linked with
appetite levels and energy intake/calorie consumption.
Participants with big blood sugar dips experienced a
nine percent increase in appetite, consumed their
second meal of the day half an hour sooner, and
posted an overall average consumption of 300
calories more throughout the course of the
day, than those who didn’t experience
these sugar dips.
The research shows “great potential for helping
people understand and control their weight and
long-term health,” says senior author and
genetic epidemiologist Ana Valdes from
the University of Nottingham.
“Many people struggle to lose weight and keep it off,
and just a few hundred extra calories every day, can
add up to several pounds of weight gain over a year.”
Prevailing wisdom and research in the modern era
focuses heavily on hormones such as ghrelin, but
this latest research indicates that glucose levels
hours after eating can still have an impact on
hunger levels throughout the day, to a far
greater extent than previously thought.
“We've now shown that sugar dips are a better predictor
of hunger and subsequent calorie intake than the initial
blood sugar peak response after eating, changing how
we think about the relationship between blood sugar
levels and the food we eat,” says nutrition scientist
Sarah Berry from King's College London.
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______________________________________
‘Public Deserve Answers’:
UK Health Secretary Faces
Pressure over Family
Company Awarded
NHS Contracts
April 17th, 1:17pm (FNA)
Matt Hancock is facing pressure to explain how a company with family links, and that he holds
shares in, was awarded NHS contracts, as
Labour accused the health secretary of a
possible breach of the ministerial code.
In the latest MPs’ register of interests – published
earlier this week –Hancock declared he now owns
shares in the company Topwood Limited, which
specialises in secure storage, shredding and
scanning of documents.
It emerged last night the company was awarded a
three-year £150,000 contract from NHS Wales –
run by the devolved government – for THE conf-idential destruction of waste, last month, just days after Hancock took on the share.
The Health Service Journal (HSJ) first reported the
firm, which is part-owned by the health secretary’s
sister, Emily Gilruth, also won a place on a frame-
work to provide services to England’s NHS, in
2019, after Hancock was appointed to his
current cabinet role.
There is no suggestion the health secretary was
directly involved in any of the contract awards
and it also understood he has no direct
involvement in the running of
the company.
However, the register of members’ interests did not
mention the company’s family links, or that his
sister is declared as a “director” of Topwood
Limited, according to Companies House.
Labour’s Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner, said, “The
health secretary needs to explain in a public state-
ment today, how a company owned by his family
members which he holds shares in came to win
a place on a business services framework to
provide services to the NHS, as well as
explaining why he did not declare that
the company is owned by his
family members.”
Citing the ministerial code, which states ministers
“must scrupulously avoid any danger of an actual
- or perceived - conflict of interest between their
ministerial position, and their private financial
interests”, Rayner added, “It appears that the
health secretary has breached the ministerial
code, and the public deserve answers”.
As the government faces questions over links to
private business, amid the Greensill lobbying
scandal, she went on, “It is clear that Tory
sleaze and cronyism has engulfed this
government, making it even more
urgent --- that the government
publish the delayed register
of ministers’ interests in full - immediately”.
Before registering that he had received “more
than 15%” of TopWood’s shares... Hancock
discussed his proposed involvement, with
the top civil servant at the Department for
Health and Social Care (DHSC), who said
he was confident that, if any conflicts of
interests arose they could be dealt with
in line with the ministerial code.
A government spokesperson said, “Mr Hancock
has acted entirely properly in these circum-
stances. All declarations of interest have
been made in accordance with the
ministerial code. Ministers have
no involvement in the awarding
of these contracts, --- and no
conflict of interest arises.”
A man who answered the 'phone, when The
Independent called Topwood on Thursday
evening, to ask questions relating to the
health secretary’s role in the company,
said only “no comment”, before
terminating the call.
________________________
Report: British Workers
in Insecure Jobs Twice
as Likely to Die of COVID
April 17th, 11:34am (FNA)
Workers on zero-hours contracts and other
insecure jobs, are twice as likely to have
died of COVID-19, as those in other
professions, according to a
report - revealing stark
inequalities in the
workplace.
The research from the Trades Union Congress
in England and Wales, showed those on the
frontline of the pandemic, such as care
workers, nurses and delivery drivers,
were at a higher risk of death, The Guardian reported.
It said many of these key workers were in insecure
work, such as zero-hours contracts and agency
employment, landing them with a “triple
whammy” of no sick pay, fewer rights
and endemic low pay, while having
to shoulder more risk of infection.
According to analysis of official figures by the trade
union umbrella group, COVID-19 mortality rates
among male workers in insecure jobs was 51
per 100,000 people aged 20-64, compared
with 24 out of 100,000 in more secure
work. For female staff the rate was
25 per 100,000, compared with 13
per 100,000 in higher-paying
secure work.
Insecure jobs were defined using occupations with
a higher proportion of workers employed on
contracts that did not guarantee regular
hours or income, or low-paid
self-employment.
According to the TUC’s analysis, sectors such as care,
leisure, and occupations such as labouring, factory
and warehouse work have the highest rates of
insecure work, compared with managerial,
professional and administrative roles,
which have some of the lowest.
Official figures have previously indicated that men
working as machine operatives, restaurant
managers, chefs, taxi drivers, nursing
assistants, local government
administrators, nurses and
bus drivers, all had higher
COVID-19 mortality rates.
Insecure workers account for one in nine of the total
workforce, with women, disabled people and BAME
workers, more likely to be in precarious roles.
The TUC added the figures were stark, and called for
more research --- to understand the links between
precarious work and infection and death. It said
the pandemic needed to be a turning point, so
that everyone could enjoy dignity
in employment.
The union body added the lack of proper sick pay was
forcing those in insecure jobs --- to choose between
protecting their lives and putting food on the table.
The UK has one of the lowest rates of sick pay in
Europe, and nearly 2 million workers, including
many in insecure work, do not earn enough to
qualify for it.
Polling by Britain Thinks on behalf of the union group
found that 67% of insecure workers stated they had
received no pay when off sick, compared with 7%
of those in secure employment.
As COVID restrictions are gradually relaxed this spring,
the TUC announced the UK’s lack of proper sick pay
was failing those in insecure work and undermining
the prospect of a safe return to work. It called on
ministers to raise statutory sick pay in line with
the real living wage, a voluntary minimum pay
rate, set at £9.50 an hour and £10.85 in
London, saying this would stop
insecure workers suffering
hardship, when needing
to self-isolate.
________________________
A Quarter of deaths involving
Covid-19 in England & Wales
not caused by virus itself,
govt statistics show
April 14th, 8:28am (RT)
In roughly a quarter of deaths involving Covid-19,
in England and Wales, people actually died ‘with’
the coronavirus rather than ‘from’ it, new weekly
data from the government reveals.
According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS),
400 coronavirus-linked deaths were registered in
England and Wales, in the week ending April 2nd.
Covid-19 was recorded as the underlying cause
of death in 308 cases, which means that 23% of
people died ‘with’ the virus, rather than ‘from’ it.
Deaths involving Covid-19 made up 4.9% of deaths
registered in England and Wales over the same
period, compared with 7.2% the week before
and 45% in mid-January.
Daily Covid-linked deaths have been steadily
decreasing in the UK since the second wave
of infections peaked in mid-January.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, argues that the
positive trend is mainly a result of lockdowns,
rather than an ongoing vaccination campaign.
The PM warns that the infection rate will
“inevitably” rise again --- if the country
starts to reopen now.
More than 32 million people across the UK have
received their first vaccine dose... On Tuesday,
England started using the Moderna vaccine...
joining Scotland & Wales that began using it
earlier this month. Other vaccines that are
currently in use, are the Pfizer/BioNTech
and AstraZeneca/Oxford ones.
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_________________________________
Denmark becomes 1st
European countryto
completely halt use
of AstraZeneca jab
re:‘the real risk of
severe side effects’
April 14th, 1:07pm (RT)
AstraZeneca’s increasingly scrutinized Covid-19
vaccine has been permanently discontinued in
Denmark, following investigations that linked
the jabs to rare blood clotting.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Danish Health
Authority announced it had “decided to continue
the rollout, at this time, without AstraZeneca,”
citing... “a possible link between very rare
cases of unusual blood clots, bleeding,
low blood platelets counts” and
the jabs.
“Our overall assessment is there is a real risk of
severe side effects associated with using the
COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca,”
Danish Health Authority Director
General Soeren Brostroem
claimed, explaining the
decision.
He added that the country has other vaccines to
distribute, while he considers that the epidemic
is currently under control. Danish people who
have already received their first AstraZeneca
jab, will be invited to get vaccinated with
another provider.
ALSO ON RT.COM
WHO ‘awaiting’ J&J Covid vaccine reviews as US
suspension prompts drug maker to delay Europe
rollout amid blood clot fears.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW
_____________________________________
Good Job We Left E.U.!
For the first time ever, the ECHR has weighed in
on the issue of compulsory vaccinations. And
the ruling has major implications, for those
hoping to avoid a Covid jab in E.U. states.
In a decision bound to generate controversy, the
European Court of Human Rights on Thursday
ruled against several Czech families who had
refused to give their children compulsory
vaccinations.
The parents had appealed against fines they had
received, as well as the children’s exclusion from
preschool. The ruling was not on Covid vaccines,
but rather on vaccines for 9 diseases compulsory
for children under Czech law: including measles,
diphtheria and hepatitis B. The judges voted by
a majority of 16 to one that there had been
‘’no violation’’ of Article 8, the right to
respect for private life.
UN - Unesco resolution, article 6, Universal
declaration on bioethics and human rights:
Article 6 – Consent
1. Any preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic medical
intervention is only to be carried out with the prior,
free and informed consent of the person concerned,
based on adequate information. The consent should,
where appropriate, be express and may be withdrawn
Paul Offit, MD, director of the Vaccine Education Centre
and professor of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia: “I’m not quite sure how we are so
comfortable with this being a background rate.”
Rachel Zhang, MD, a medical
officer on the FDA panel:
“This is something we’re looking
into and thinking a lot about.”
_______________________________________
UK pauses AstraZeneca Covid-19
vaccine study on children as drug
regulator investigates blood clot
risk among adults
April 6th, 7:33pm (RT)
A trial of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
on children has been suspended while the UK’s
drug regulator investigates a potential link to
rare blood clots in the brain reported among
some adults who have received the jab.
The vaccine, which was developed in partnership
with Oxford University, is awaiting approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use among children. It was greenlit by British regulators for use in adults, at the end of 2020.
“Whilst (sic) there are no safety concerns in the paediatric
clinical trial, we await additional information from the
MHRA, on its review of rare cases of thrombosis/
thrombocytopaenia that have been reported in
adults, before giving any further vaccinations
in the trial,” a University of Oxford spokes-
person told British media, on Tuesday.
The trial of the vaccine on children aged between six
and 17 began in February, and is the first of its kind
to test the jab’s ability to generate an immune
response in the under-18s.
Reports have surfaced in recent weeks of blood clot
incidents among a very small number of people who
received a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the
days before their illness - though no clear causal
link has been established between the clots and
the inoculation. The EU’s drugs regulator, the
European Medicines Agency (EMA), said last
month that the benefits of the jab outweigh
its risks, after a number of member states
paused their rollouts of the vaccine after
reports of blood clots.
Following the regulator’s opinion, many states resumed
their use of the vaccine, while investigations by the
EMA’s safety committee into a causal link between
the jab and rare blood clots, continued.
Fresh updates from the MHRA and the EMA about the use
of the drug are expected in the next few days. The EMA
said it expects its committee to issue an update on the
jab this week, but the regulator’s head of vaccines
strategy, Marco Cavaleri, on Tuesday, suggested
that the vaccine is linked to blood clotting.
Although governments resumed their rollout of the vaccine,
some countries imposed age restrictions on its use, due to
the apparent higher prevalence of blood clots in younger
people who had received it.
Germany’s medicines regulator limited it for use in people
aged under 60, while Canada paused its rollout to those
under 55. France has limited the jab for those under 55,
and last month Denmark extended its suspension of
the vaccine, for three weeks.
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Importance of dopamine
in psychosis revealed
April 6th (Prensa Latina)
A scientific team has discovered the role of dopamine
- and how it is linked to speech in mental disorders
such as psychosis - the News Medical site reveals.
In a new study - developed by researchers at the
Washington University in St. Louis, experts have
found elements of how this neurotransmitter
changes brain circuits, to produce
hallucinations.
They found that a rise in the levels of this hormone in rodents, preceded events similar to hallucinations.
Although this is also known to occur in humans and
can be treated with antipsychotic medications the
finding shows.. the presence of a ''neural circuit''
regulated by dopamine, that, when unbalanced,
produces hallucinations & psychotic episodes.
They also found that people's beliefs and
expectations can prepare them to
experience hallucinations.
Expecting to hear a certain word makes an individual
more likely to actually say that they heard it, even
when the word was not uttered in any context.
Consequently, the mysteries surrounding human
speech & its understanding would also be vital:
this system can become chaotic - from one
moment to the next - and produce a
''tendency'' to hallucinations.
___________________________________
Netherlands Halts Vaccination With
Astrazeneca COVID-19 Vaccine
April 3rd, 8:05pm (teleSUR)
The decision comes after reports of serious adverse
effects in women between 25 and 65 years of age.
The Netherlands' Health Minister Hugo de Jonge
announced a temporary suspension on the use
of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines for
people below 60 years of age.
At least five cases of serious adverse effects in women between 25 and 65 years of age, one of whom died, were reported in the country.
The decision comes days after the German government
also decided to halt inoculations with AstraZeneca's
vaccines over concerns of "unusual blood clots" in
some patients.
The Netherlands has applied this vaccine to people
between 60 and 64 years of age, health personnel,
and people with Down's syndrome or
morbid obesity.
It is the second occasion that Dutch health authorities
have halted AstraZeneca vaccine use - after a two week suspension approved last month.
Recently, the European Medicines Agency authorized
a new name (Vaxzevria) after AstraZeneca applied for
the change. The agency maintains that the vaccine
is "effective and safe" but does not rule out
isolated risks.
"The key question is whether the problems observed
in these people, are due to conditions before, or after, the vaccine. Until then, it is best to press the caution button," De Jonge stressed.
RELATED: Spain Could Produce Sputnik V Vaccine
________________________________
Germany says AstraZeneca Covid shot
should only be given to people over 60!!!
(country has 9 deaths from blood clots)
March 30th, 1:58pm (RT)
Introducing ‘Vaxzevria’: AstraZeneca renames Covid vaccine as firm fights off controversy over drug...
Germany has restricted the use of AstraZeneca’s
Covid-19 vaccine as a ''precautionary'' measure
- amid reports the jab is being linked to more
cases of suspected adverse effects - some
resulting in death.
The country’s Standing Vaccination Commission
recommended on Tuesday that AstraZeneca’s
Vaxzevria only be given to men and women
over 60!!!, or, in exceptional cases.
The decision was made due to “available,
albeit limited, evidence” concerning the drug’s safety.
The commission announced its recommendation hours
after the city of Berlin introduced an identical policy.
Earlier, two state-owned clinics in the city halted
AstraZeneca shots for women under 55 years
of age. Munich followed suit with its own
rule --- banning the shot for people...
under 60!!!
Health Minister Jens Spahn was scheduled to speak
with regional counterparts about the AstraZeneca
drug later on Tuesday, a ministry spokesperson
announced. Germany had suspended its
emergency use of AstraZeneca shots,
earlier this month --- then lifted the
temporary ban, as EU regulators
''deemed'' it to be safe.
The latest restrictions placed on the drug come after
Germany's vaccine regulator, Paul Ehrlich Institute,
disclosed that, as of March 29th, the country has
recorded 31 cases of CSVT (cerebral sinus vein
thrombosis), 9 of which resulted in death, after
people were given the Vaxzevria injection.
CSVT is a rare form of blood clot that
forms in the brain.
Of the 31 cases of CSVT -- all except two involved women
between the ages of 20 and 63. Before the new guidelines
were issued in Berlin, a district in North Rhine-Westphalia
state suspended shots for women under 55!!! --- after two
women suffered from blood clots.
Nearly 2.7 million first doses of Vaxzevria, have been
administered in Germany. According to the official
figures, women under the age of 70, make up two
-thirds of those vaccinated with the AstraZeneca
drug. It’s believed that more women than men
have received the shot because nurses were
among the first group in Germany to take
the jab.
AstraZeneca has been scrambling to reassure governments
that its product is safe, after more than a dozen countries
temporarily halted their rollout of the vaccine following
similar reports of blood clots. Canada is the latest
country to issue an advisory about the drug,
instructing that the vaccine should not be
administered to people younger than 55!!!
EU health authorities have insisted that the vaccine is safe
and that the medical episodes cannot be linked to the jab.
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Conversation & Comments
Sounds like they want to get rid of everyone over
60. Maybe... to save on pension cheques... lol
Yes, this decision is indeed unusual, to put it mildly.
Had it not been for the influence of Big Pharma,
few countries would buy Western vaccines,
which are using new methods. According
to analysts --- these newly introduced UK
vaccines should have been tested for a
period of ten years. Instead, they were
rushed into production, with doctors
and nurses dying from them.
Anything for a dollar.
Oxford/Astrazeneca have changed their name -
maybe their new name won't cause Blood clots.
The stuff of nightmares?
Fewer than 1 in 10 adults
sleeping well during UK’s
Covid lockdowns, study says
March 29th (RT)
Are you having trouble falling asleep at night, or can’t sleep as well as you used too? Don’t be surprised – fewer than one in 10 adults in the UK are managing to sleep well during Covid lockdowns, researchers say.
Since the pandemic began over a year ago, researchers
say our quality of sleep has seriously deteriorated. A
team from the University College London (UCL) has
been looking at 70,000 people over the past year
--- and their response to the pandemic. The
researchers measured how they were
following government advice each
week, how their mindset changed,
and how they were doing mentally.
The study found that when the pandemic started, many
people couldn’t sleep because of fear of catching Covid.
Less than a third (28.7%) of those surveyed now report
being stressed by Covid – a big drop even from the end
of 2020, when almost one in two (45.1%) feared catching the coronavirus.
Dr. Elise Paul, the report’s lead author and a researcher
in epidemiology & healthcare at UCL, said the findings
show that many “have suffered from poor sleep quality”
during the pandemic, adding that lockdown brought
major disruption to normal daily routines, or changes to living circumstances.
Stress is also likely to be a factor [in sleep quality], especially,
as those from groups living in more stressful circumstances,
such as people with lower household incomes and those with
mental or physical health conditions, are reporting higher
levels of poor quality sleep.
The researchers say that less than one person in 10 reports
sleeping well now, with study participants saying finances
and job security are weighing heavily on them. One-third
of respondents, on average, cited money woes as a cause for worry.
People with lower household incomes, with a mental or
physical health condition, those with lower levels of
education, and people from ethnic minority back-
grounds, reported higher levels of ‘very poor’
sleep quality.
Conversely, people over 60 years of age, those in good
health, men, those of white ethnicity, and people not
living with children, reported sleeping better over
the past year.
The researchers said that now that lockdown restrictions
are starting to ease across the UK, people are beginning
to sleep better.
The UCL study is also part of a larger international project
that looks at people's mental health, across 70 countries.
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_______________________________
US Health AgencySays AstraZeneca May Have Included ‘Outdated Information’in COVID Vaccine Trial
March 23rd (FNA)
A US health agency, on Tuesday, said that AstraZeneca
may have included outdated information in trial results
of its COVID-19 vaccine, potentially casting doubt over published efficacy rates.
It comes just one day after the findings of a large US trial
showed that the vaccine was safe and highly effective,
and throws into question, whether AstraZeneca can
seek US clearance for the vaccine next month, as planned, CNBC reported.
The Data Safety Monitoring Board “expressed concern that
AstraZeneca may have included outdated information from
that trial, which may have provided an incomplete view of
the efficacy data,” the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a statement.
“We urge the company to work with the DSMB to review the
efficacy data and ensure the most accurate, up-to-date
efficacy data be made public as quickly as possible,”
it said.
The NIAID was notified of the concerns late Monday, along with
AstraZeneca, and the Biomedical Advanced Research and
Development Authority. Led by White House Chief Medical
Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci, the NIAID is part of the
National Institutes of Health.
On Monday, the US trial results showed that the coronavirus
vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of
Oxford, is 79% effective in preventing symptomatic
illness, and 100% effective against severe
disease and hospitalization.
The findings were welcomed as “surprisingly positive” and
“good news for the global community”. It was thought the
trial data could help to bolster public confidence in the
shot, and move it a step closer, to US emergency use authorization.
AstraZeneca did not immediately respond
to a CNBC request for comment.
Shares of AstraZeneca dipped 0.7%
during Tuesday trading in London.
AstraZeneca said it planned to prepare for the primary analysis
to be submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration for
emergency use authorization, before mid-April.
Data from the late-stage human trial study was based on more
than 32,000 volunteers across 88 trial centres in the US, Peru
and Chile.
The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine had been temporarily
suspended in several countries after reports of blood
clots in some vaccinated people. Health experts
sharply criticized the move, citing a lack of
data, while analysts expressed concern
about the impact on vaccine uptake, as the virus continues to spread.
AstraZeneca said on Monday, that the independent
DSMB had found no increased risk of blood clots.
Ruud Dobber, executive vice president of AstraZeneca’s
biopharmaceuticals business unit, told CNBC’s
“Squawk Box”, on Monday, that it was: “very
pleasing to see that, even with a magnifying
glass, the Data Saftey Monitoring Board
didn’t see any imbalance between the
vaccinated group and the
placebo group”.
“So, that gives us a lot of confidence,” he added.
Europe’s drug regulator said, earlier this month, that its initial investigation of possible side effects concluded that the shot is safe and effective, adding that the benefits still outweigh the risks.
The World Health Organization and the International
Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis, have
recommended that countries continue to
use the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Late last year, AstraZeneca faced criticism from US
health experts over the results and methods used
in their phase 3 vaccine trials. Analysts at US-
based health care and biotech investment
bank, SVB Leerink, said at the time that
they believed the vaccine would
“never be licensed in the US”.
AstraZeneca pushed back against the criticism, saying
the studies “were conducted to the highest standards”
and that more data would follow.
______________________________
German Study Reveals Why
AstraZeneca Vax Can Cause
Brain Blood Clots as WHO,
EU Give Jab Green Light
by Ilya Tsukanov
20.03.2021 (Sputnik)
AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the
pharma giant together with Oxford University, uses
a modified chimpanzee adenovirus vector to enter
cells, release and transport genes to cell nuclei,
and stimulate the formation of antibodies. This
month, nearly two dozen nations temporarily
suspended use of the vaccine amid safety
concerns.
Researchers at Germany’s Greifswald University Hospital
have completed a study of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus
vaccine, concluding that “in rare cases”, the
preparation can create antibodies which
lead to the formation of blood clots in
the brain’s venous sinuses.
In a press statement Friday, scientists explained that they
reached their conclusions, by studying samples provided
by Germany’s vaccine regulator. Analysis of the samples
of six patients who had developed blood clots after
getting vaccinated, determined that, in some patients, vaccination triggers the activation of platelets --- small colourless cell fragments of bone marrow in our blood, which, ordinarily, form clots to stop bleeding and
heal injuries.
On the basis of these findings, the researchers proposed
a course of treatment using drugs that assist against
thrombosis, but stressed that such treatment is
possible only after blood clots are detected,
and not on a preventative basis.
Greifswald University Hospital shared the findings with
the German Research Association for Thrombosis and
Hemostatis, who subsequently issued new guidelines
for patients taking the AstraZeneca vaccine - urging
them to seek medical assistance if they suffer from
headaches, dizziness or vision problems, for more
than 3 days after being jabbed. The association
stressed that the complication is “very rare” and that it couldn’t be ruled out that it is brought on by “other causes.”
Commenting on the research, Greifswald University Clinic
professor Dr. Andreas Greinacher similarly told reporters
“very, very few people will develop this complication,”
and “if it happens, we now know how to treat the patients.”
The results of the scientists’ findings, set to be published in the British medical journal The Lancet in the coming days, echo the independently reached conclusions of a group of Norwegian researchers, who issued their own report this week, attributing blood clots in some patients jabbed with the AstraZeneca preparation, to an overly strong immune system response.
The Norwegian scientists’ work was based on an examination
of 3 Norwegian healthcare employees, who were admitted
to hospital, suffering from acute pain, severe blood clots in unusual places, including their stomachs and brains,
bleeding, and low platelet counts. One of the workers died on Monday shortly after being admitted for care. All 3 were healthy and under the age of 50.
The evidence by the German and Norwegian researchers
contradicts fresh statements by the European Medicines
Agency (EMA) & the World Health Organization, both of
which announced this week, that AstraZeneca’s vaccine, is safe for use.
At least 20 countries temporarily stopped inoculation using the company’s vaccine in early March amid growing reports of complications and deaths from blood clots, but many countries, including Germany and France, decided to lift suspensions after receiving the all clear from the EMA.
On Friday, Chancellor Merkel of Germany said she would “definitely” get vaccinated with the AstraZeneca preparation --- but that she... “would like to wait
[her] turn”, before doing so.
The AstraZeneca jab has yet to be approved by the US
Food and Drug Administration, with reports citing
Biden administration officials indicating that
Washington is debating whether or not to dump millions of doses of the vaccine now sitting in US manufacturing facilities abroad, including to the EU, Brazil and Britain.
In other news... ssh...
Bill Gates says he is ‘not very surprised’
by the spinal cord damage caused by
AstraZeneca’s Coronavirus vaccine.
___________________________________
Health Minister SaysLebanon
Currently Suspending Usage
of AstraZeneca Vaccine
March 17th at 14:27 GMT
(Source: Al-Manar Englih Website)
Caretaker Minister of Public Health, Dr. Hamad Hasan, on
Wednesday told the Voice of Lebanon Radio station that
Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health was currently
suspending the usage of the AstraZeneca
vaccine pending the decision of the
international health authorities.
“The ministry does not take any hasty decisions that
might endanger the citizens’ health,“ Dr. Hasan affirmed.
He went on to explain that the first shipment of AstraZeneca
vaccine was supposed to arrive to Lebanon in mid-March,
yet the company had postponed the delivery date, “which
rules out any commercial intentions involving the vaccine.”
Dr. Hasan added that the private sector sought to secure the
Russian and Chinese vaccines for private initiatives, and
that the ministry had not prevented, but rather,
encouraged, private sector companies to
do so.
“The Ministry of Health has given permission to more than
thirty pharmaceutical companies and drug warehouses to
negotiate with vaccine companies abroad, provided that
the vaccine is provided to citizens free of charge,” he
added, stressing that free vaccination for citizens is
a nonnegotiable decision.
He finally added that next week, the state’s vaccination
campaign will begin to target age groups that range
between sixty-five and seventy-five years, as well
as those suffering from chronic diseases.
_________________________________
Spanish Drug Regulator
Probes Death of Woman
Vaccinated With AstraZeneca
17.03.2021 (Sputnik)
The Spanish medicines agency is looking into the death
of a woman who suffered a brain bleed, caused by a
blood clot, days after getting an AstraZeneca shot,
the Health Ministry said, on Wednesday.
"AEMPS, other regulators and the European medicines
agency, EMA, are gathering data and conducting a
thorough investigation, to determine whether, in addition to a temporal connection to the
administration of the vaccine, there was
a possible causative relationship", a statement read.
The 43-year-old received the first dose of the AstraZeneca
vaccine on March 3rd & reported a headache within hours,
which was dismissed as a common side effect. She sought
medical help 10 days later, after her symptoms worsened.
The surgery revealed a brain bleed and swelling. She
died on Monday.
The Health Ministry said she had suffered an ischemic
stroke, which transformed into a brain haemorrhage.
The woman was among three people, reported to have
developed a combination of unusual symptoms: blood
clots & a low count of platelets -- which may point to
an "abnormal activation of the coagulation system,
associated with the formation of blood clots in
unusual places".
___________________________________
Italian Prosecutors Open
Manslaughter Probe -- as
Man Dies After Receiving
AstraZeneca Vaccine
March 16th (FNA)
Prosecutors in Italy, launched a manslaughter probe, into
the death of a 57-year-old music teacher, Sandro Tognatti,
who died on Sunday, a day after obtaining AstraZeneca's
coronavirus vaccine, the Daily Mail reported on Monday.
A preliminary investigation was launched in Northern Italy's
Biella judiciary, and the teacher's cause of death remains
unknown. They emphasized that there is no connection
to AstraZeneca's vaccine, at this time, and that an
investigation is being conducted, to see whether
someone has a case to answer.
It comes after one health worker died and three others became
ill as a result of clots after receiving the vaccine, despite the
fact that the EMA, the World Health Organisation, and
AstraZeneca, all say the vaccine is safe.
Meanwhile, Italy has also suspended the use of all AstraZeneca
vaccines due to concerns that they cause blood clots, with
France and Germany following suit and stating that they
are awaiting guidance from European regulators.
It came as earlier in the day Italy reintroduced lockdown measures,
with 13 of the country's 21 regions now in a "red zone", which
means schools, restaurants, stores, and museums must
close, and people are prohibited from leaving their
homes, except for work, health, or other
important reasons.
Seven more regions have been designated as "orange zones",
with shops and beauticians permitted to remain open except
during a night-time curfew, while all other businesses must
close, and citizens' movement outside the local area, is
limited. Only Sardinia is in a "white zone", that is not
under lockdown.
On Monday evening, the EMA insisted that immunization with
the AstraZeneca vaccine must continue. The EMA said earlier
that there was no need to stop using the vaccine because
"the benefits outweigh the risks of side effects", but the
agency's review is still ongoing, with a new study
expected to be released on Thursday.
Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Bulgaria
have all suspended vaccinations with the AstraZeneca jab. One
batch of vaccines believed to be connected to clots has been
seized by Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
AstraZeneca said on Sunday that it had found no evidence of
increased risk of blood clots from its COVID-19 vaccine after
conducting a careful review of safety data of over 17 million
inoculated people across the EU and the UK.
EU countries and drugmaker AstraZeneca have been in dispute
over the vaccine for quite some time now, with the ministers
enforcing export bans on the company's vaccines.
The decision by some European countries to suspend the use
of the vaccines comes as a third wave of the novel coronavirus
sweeps the continent, forcing leaders to reimpose lockdowns
as vast swaths of the population remain unprotected. Cases
of COVID-19 are also on the rise in European countries,
such as Spain, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland,
the Netherlands, and Sweden.
Due to the ongoing vaccine supply crisis in the EU, some member
states have lost trust in Brussels and decided to make early
orders, separately.
Thus, Hungary turned to Russia and China in a bid to ensure a
sufficient number of vaccine doses. As a result, the country
has the best results in the EU in terms of vaccinated people,
far ahead of all the heavyweight EU countries.
_____________________________________
Norwegian Medical Worker
Dies --- After Receiving
AstraZeneca Shot
15.03.2021 (Sputnik)
One of the three medical workers hospitalised in Norway
with unusual symptoms after receiving a shot of the
AstraZeneca vaccine has died, the director of the
Norwegian Drugs Agency said, on Monday.
The three people, aged under fifty, were taken to an Oslo
University hospital on Saturday for blood clots, bleeding
and a low count of platelets. Similar symptoms were
reported in Denmark.
"Rikshospitalet said that one of those hospitalized
has died", Steinar Madsen told a news conference.
He said the drug regulator was looking into all reports
of patients developing potentially deadly blood clots.
Norway and several other Nordic countries suspended the
use of the UK-Swedish drug on Thursday amid concerns
over the drug’s safety. More nations have since paused
the AstraZeneca rollout, including Germany.
________________________________
Ireland Becomes Latest Nation
to halt rollout of AstraZeneca
Vaccine --- Following New
Reports of Blood Clotting
March 14th (FNA)
Ireland put the brakes on plans to administer the AstraZeneca
COVID vaccine, following in the footsteps of other countries
that have suspended its use, over concerns that the drug
may be linked to blood clotting.
The Irish Department of Health confirmed to the media that the
rollout of the jab had been “temporarily deferred”, RT reported.
The decision came at the urging of Ireland’s National Immunisation
Advisory Committee, following four new cases of “serious” blood clotting, that occurred in adults who received the vaccine in Norway.
Ireland's Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Ronan Glynn, said
shelving the drug was a “precautionary” measure and
stressed that there was no established link between
the medical issues and the vaccine.
The European Medicines Agency is currently investigating the
issue. AstraZeneca has said that it is conducting its own
review, and will share any new information
“without delay”.
The new advisory comes just two days after Irish medical
officials approved the AstraZeneca vaccine, for people
older than 70.
Officials had previously determined that only people under
the age of 65 should be given the drug --- amid concerns
about limited data on its efficacy for older age groups.
Denmark announced on Thursday that it would suspend use
of the AstraZeneca vaccine for two weeks, after some recipients of the jab developed blood clots. Norway
followed suit, describing the move as a
“cautionary decision”.
Austria, Iceland, Italy, and a number of other countries have also
postponed or restricted their rollout of the jab, after reviewing
the worrying reports about potential adverse reactions.
The World Health Organization has insisted that the vaccine can
still be used, as there is no established link between the drug
and the blood clotting.
______________________________________________
Boris Johnson Backs AstraZeneca
COVID-19 Vaccine, After Countries
Halt Jab Over Blood Clotting Scare
by Svetlana Ekimenko
12.03.2021 (Sputnik)
A probe was earlier launched by the EU after the
European Medicines Agency said it received
reports of 22 cases of blood clotting among
those vaccinated with the Oxford/Astra-
Zeneca jab in continental Europe –
including one person who died
ten days later.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on Thursday,
dismissed growing concerns regarding the
safety of the Oxford/AstraZeneca corona-
virus jab, after cases of blood clotting
were reported in vaccinated people,
urging Britons to continue taking it.
“We've been clear that it's both safe and effective,
and when people are asked to come forward and
take it, they should do so in confidence,” a
spokesman for Downing Street was cited
by the Daily Mail as saying.
The Prime Minister also hailed the success of
the vaccination programme across the nation.
“And, in fact, you're starting to see the results of the
vaccine programme in terms of the (lower) number
of cases we are seeing across the country --- the
number of deaths, number of hospitalisations,”
added Johnson’s spokesman.
As over 11 million doses of the Oxford jab, have been
administered in the UK, Dr. Phil Bryan, the Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
head of vaccines safety, was quoted by the outlet
as saying:
“Reports of blood clots received so far are not greater
than the number that would have occurred naturally
in the vaccinated population. The safety of the
public will always come first. We are keeping
this issue under close review but available
evidence does not confirm that the
vaccine is the cause.”
Blood Clotting Scare
This comes after a number of countries, earlier, moved
to halt the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, amid an
EU-launched probe into reports of blood clots in
vaccinated Europeans.
22 cases of blood clotting had been registered so far
by the European Medicines Agency, among the three
million given the shot on the continent, with a nurse
in Austria, 49, having died from a clot on 8 March,
reported Reuters.
Despite millions of doses of the vaccine being administered
safely, concerns spiralled, with Denmark becoming the first
to announce its suspension of the vaccine for 14 days as a
‘precautionary’ move, 'following reports of serious cases
of blood clots' among people who had received the
vaccine, stated the country's Health Authority.
The nation suspended the shots after a 60-year-old woman
who received an AstraZeneca jab from the same batch -
ABV5300 - used in Austria, formed a blood clot
and died.
Defending the move of the Danish health authorities,
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told press:
“Things have gone well in Denmark, but there are some
risks linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine that need to be
examined more closely. That seems, to me, to be the
right way to proceed.”
While also using vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech, and
Moderna, Denmark is to receive 2.6 million doses
from AstraZeneca, over the coming months.
A host of European countries, such as Norway, and
Iceland, have taken similar moves, blocking use of the AstraZeneca jabs. Italy suspended a different
batch, designated ABV2856, after the death of
a non-commissioned naval officer, of cardiac
arrest , 24 hours after receiving a dose,
followed by the death of
another person.
Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Luxembourg
have suspended the use of the specific batch of
AstraZeneca vaccine linked with the fatal case
in Austria. That consignment had been sent
to 17 European countries.
On Friday,Thailand's PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and members of his cabinet, cancelled plans
to receive AstraZeneca vaccine shots, when Thailand delayed use of the vaccines, over
reports of blood clots in some European
nations, a health official stated, at a health ministry news conference.
However, other countries have decided to refrain from
drastic moves regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine.
France’s Health Minister, Olivier Veran, said at a
Thursday news conference, that, after he
consulted with the French medicines
agency, he decided there was 'no
need' to suspend use of the jab.
Other European nations, including Sweden, Spain and
The Netherlands, have claimed they did not find
sufficient evidence, to halt vaccination with
the AstraZeneca's jab.
“There is nothing to indicate that the vaccine causes
this type of blood clots,” stated Veronica Arthurson,
head of drug safety at the Swedish Medical
Products Agency, at a news conference.
French President, Emmanuel Macron, recently made
a U-turn regarding the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
Macron had sparked a row after claiming, earlier, that the jab was 'quasi-effective' in over-65s – something that was widely dismissed by scientists – leading to France and a host of other European nations, blocking the use of the jab for the elderly.
However, French PM Jean Castex has since endorsed
the jab, conceding that it was as effective as any other vaccine approved in the EU.
Germany has also recommended the shot for
the over-65s.
‘Benefits Outweigh Risks’
On 23 November 2020 the British-Swedish multinational
pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, Astra-
Zeneca announced the completion of its COVID- 19 vaccine's successful trial --- claiming it stopped 70% of people from developing symptoms of the respiratory disease.
In January 2021, India approved the use of the Oxford–
AstraZeneca jab, with EU regulators following suit, on January 30th.
Following the recent developments, AstraZeneca sought
to allay concerns regarding its vaccine, on Thursday.
“Regulators have clear and stringent efficacy and safety
standards for the approval of any new medicine, and
that includes COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. The
safety of the vaccine has been extensively studied
in Phase III clinical trials, and peer-reviewed data,
confirms the vaccine is generally well tolerated,"
the company said in a statement.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) added that the
vaccine's benefits “continue to outweigh its risks”.
"...The vaccine can continue to be administered while
investigation of cases of thromboembolic events is
ongoing," stated the EMA.
The European Medicines Agency insisted there was
'no indication that vaccination has caused these
conditions (clots), which are not listed as side
effects with this vaccine'. It has since
launched a probe into the quality
of the ABV5300 batch.
_____________________________________
Two separate studies debunk theory
that vitamin D supplements offer
greater protection against Covid-19
March 10th (RT)
Two separate non-peer-reviewed studies looking
into the use and effectiveness of Vitamin D
against Covid infection have both reached
the same conclusion: there’s no clear
benefit to using supplements.
In the first study, researchers examined a database
of nearly 450,000 mostly white people of European
ancestry, to understand whether giving them
vitamin D supplements would lower the
probability of contracting Covid-19.
The researchers, from 10 separate universities in
Canada, Israel, Japan, Italy and the UK, looked at genetic markers that would leave people
predisposed to vitamin D deficiencies.
They concluded that: “vitamin D supplementation
as a means of protecting against worsened Covid
outcomes is not supported by genetic evidence,”
they wrote in the study. “Other therapeutic or
preventative… avenues, should be given
higher priority for Covid-19 randomized
controlled trials.”
In the second study debunking vitamin D’s usefulness
against Covid, researchers from Aristotle University,
Thessaloniki, in Greece, examined data on vitamin D
deficiency from 24 European countries & compared
it to data on Covid infections, recoveries, & deaths.
The researchers, who did not include data from those
living in nursing homes, looked at how vitamin D
deficiency rates varied across European nations
- and compared that data to infection rates.
They concluded that the “prevalence of vitamin D
deficiency was not significantly associated with
either the number of infections, recoveries, or
the mortality rate of Covid-19” across Europe.
The 2 new studies contradict a preprint study released
in mid-February, by researchers at the University of
Barcelona. It suggested that giving high doses of
vitamin D to Covid patients in hospital, could cut
deaths by 60 percent. The Lancet, a leading
medical journal in the UK, has since
removed the paper from its server,
after concerns were expressed
over the methodology used to support its conclusion.
____________________________________
Labelling every bad habit as
an ‘addiction’ simply means
people with no self-control
fail to take responsibility
for their behaviour
by Frank Furedi
The medicalisation of everyday problems – such as spending
too much time on your phone – is stunting our development.
It is creating a society of powerless ‘patients’ who refuse to take accountability for their actions.
So, what are we to make of a recently published alarmist report
that claims that almost four out of 10 students are addicted to
their smartphone?
The authors of the report claim that smartphone addiction
causes serious sleeping problems and can be both a
symptom and cause of mental health issues.
No doubt many young people spend far, far too much time
messing around with their phones. But does it help to
diagnose their bad habit as an addiction?
There are, unquestionably, many troubling aspects of smartphone usage among young people. But to
diagnose these as ‘smartphone addiction’, is to
mystify, and also to medicalise, what are, in
effect, social and cultural problems
facing society.
The addiction that I really worry about is society’s
addiction to addiction. Let me explain.
There was a time when the label of addiction was confined
to alcoholics and drug abusers. In recent decades, society
has become so medicalised, that it has embraced the
unattractive idea of diagnosing normal bad habits
and irresponsible behaviours, as mental health
problems and the markers of an addiction. So,
apparently, it is not only smartphones, but
just about any technological gadget, that
can now be portrayed as addictive. We
have gaming addiction, technology
addiction, and Internet addiction
disorder.
The addiction industry is flourishing throughout the western
world. Clinics and self-help groups devoted to treating the
recently discovered epidemic of sex addiction, are doing
a roaring trade. Celebrities gain publicity and headlines
when pictures showing them check into a rehab clinic
are flashed around the world.
Fashionable cultural norms are enthusiastic about medicalising people’s bad habits. Just about any character flaw can be recast as an addiction. Through the years, society has become ''accustomed'' to using terms, such as
workaholism, shopaholism, cybersex
addiction, porn addiction, addiction
to love, ''compulsive helping''(!),
exercise addiction, tanning
and chocolate addiction.
People who pray too much can be diagnosed as suffering from
addiction to religion and some of them may even have to be
weaned off the ‘God Drug’! And if you are too focused on
another person, and feel too much affection for her or
him, you may well be suffering from addiction to love.
Professionals promoting the ever-growing number of addictions
insist that they are in the business of providing treatment and
help. However, through medicalising every dimension of
human behaviour, they turn us into patients and clients.
The real problem is the message that the diseasing of human
behaviour sends to all of us. Take the fashionable label of an
addictive personality. It encourages people to fatalistically
acquiesce to their worst instincts. Addicts are portrayed
as victims of circumstances beyond their control: they
are literally counselled to accept powerlessness as
the defining feature of their existence. Sexaholics
Anonymous, mimics the '12-step' approach of
Alcoholics Anonymous. The first step that a
sex addict takes on the road to sexual
sobriety, is to admit that “we were
powerless over lust.”
The promotion of the ''myth of human powerlessness'' has fostered
a climate where addiction has become normalised. Addiction plays
the role of a cultural fetish -- through which, people’s potential to
exercise moral independence is constantly called into question.
The normalisation of this status of dependence is continually
reinforced by constant exhortations to seek professional
support. As a result, a new culture of dependency is
constantly upheld and promoted.
In this context, the term “irresponsible” has undergone a radical
transformation. People who cheat on their partners, cannot be
held accountable for their addiction.
The only grounds for condemning them as irresponsible is if
they refuse to seek professional support. Perversely, those
who attempt to deal with their problems through the
exercise of self-control, are castigated as being in
denial, and criticised for failing to come to terms
with the gravity of their illness. Seeking help is
mandatory, not an option, for those diagnosed
as addicts.
Western society has become so hooked on addiction, because it
finds it difficult to ''imagine'', that people can be authors of their
destiny. It's therefore drawn towards a fatalistic interpretation
of human behaviour.... This idea that people “can't help it”, or
are “victims of their emotions” represents an abandonment
of the standard of accountability associated with the ideal
of human choice. Through its devaluation of the idea of
moral independence, the medicalisation of bad habits,
diminishes the human capacity for self-determination.
The ''good news'', is that people can overcome their bad habits
if they choose to do so. People who, in one stage in their life
became far too distracted by sex, can learn to value and
cultivate a durable intimate relationship. And there is
also hope for university students clutching their
smartphones in their bedroom. Even without
the help of professional counsellors, they
are likely to get bored with waiting for
the next message.
Though it has become unfashionable to say this, a bit of self-
control can go a long way towards limiting the negative
consequences of your bad habits.
Frank Furediis is an author and social commentator. He is
an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of
Kent, in Canterbury. Author of How Fear Works: The Culture of Fear in the 21st Century.
Under a deal negotiated in secret with the British government,
shady data firm Palantir will continue to manage NHS data for
two years. Activists calling for transparency have now
brought the NHS to court.
When the British government unveiled its ‘Covid-19 data store’
last March, controversial “spy tech” firm, Palantir, was given
control of the data collected from the public, which included
sensitive data, such as patients’ ages, addresses, health
conditions, treatments & whether they smoke or drink,
among other private information. Given the contract
for a nominal fee of £1 ($1.40), Palantir was only
supposed to hold this data until the end of the
coronavirus pandemic, but was awarded a
second £23 million contract in December,
ensuring the data-gathering project will
continue until at least December 2022.
The government’s data store – used to inform its pandemic
response – was criticized last March for its reliance on US
tech firms, like Microsoft, Amazon, & the aforementioned
Palantir, to handle Britons’ data. According to an NHS
impact assessment, Palantir processes data that
includes details on patients’ sex lives, political
views, and religious beliefs.
The government inked the deal behind closed doors, and
large sections of the contract are redacted – including
sections laying out who has access to patient data,
how it will be used, and with which third parties it
will be shared. Readable in the contract is a line
stating that, after the coronavirus pandemic
subsides, the database may be repurposed
for “general business-as-usual monitoring.”
Activists with OpenDemocracy and lawyers with Foxglove
Legal this week sued the NHS, claiming that the renewed
deal with Palantir warranted a fresh impact assessment
and demanding public consultation over the deal,
which was awarded without the usual
tender process.
As news of the lawsuit broke on Wednesday, the Bureau
of Investigative Journalism also revealed that Palantir
executives had been lobbying the NHS for access to
patient data since summer 2019, six months before
the coronavirus first cropped up in China.
According to emails seen by the bureau, Palantir’s UK boss,
Louis Mosley, hosted a meal attended by Lord David Prior,
chair of NHS England, in July. In the days afterwards, he
thanked Mosley, for supplying him with “watermelon
cocktails,” and asked him to get in touch with ideas
to help the NHS “structure and curate our data.”
In the months afterwards, Palantir offered demonstrations of
its services to Prior and his colleagues at its San Francisco
offices, and at the World Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland.
In October 2019, NHS bosses reportedly met with representatives
of Microsoft, Amazon, and vaccine manufacturer AstraZeneca, to
discuss the creation of a “single, national, standardised, event-
based longitudinal record for 65 million citizens,” which would
be built in the following two years and contain medical and
genetic records of every single UK resident. Palantir was
said not to be present at the meeting, but Mosley
reportedly told Prior, shortly afterwards, that he had a “very positive meeting” with a top NHS official, in private.
Like the mythical seeing-stone it’s named after, Palantir is
a company shrouded in secrecy. Launched by billionaire
Peter Thiel, Palantir received start-up funding from the
CIA and counts multiple US government agencies, law
enforcement departments, and military branches
among its clients. Its true number of employees
is unknown, and former workers are,
reportedly, often forbidden from
talking to the media.
Its software has been used by police departments to profile likely offenders, and predict future crime; by the military to predict roadside bombings in Middle
Eastern war zones; and by immigration authorities to help track, apprehend, and deport illegal immigrants – a partnership it has tried to keep under wraps, before.
With both Palantir and the NHS seemingly keen on continuing
their partnership, Foxglove director Cori Crider told the BBC
that her aim is to prevent the government using “the
pandemic as an excuse: to embed major tech firms
like Palantir in the NHS, without consulting
the public.”
"The datastore is the largest pool of patient data in UK history.
It's one thing to set it up on an emergency basis, it's a
different kettle of fish to give a tech firm like Palantir
a permanent role in NHS infrastructure," she added.
(Source: RT)
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________________________________
Decline in Sperm Counts Caused by
Chemicals Threatens Humanity's
Existence, New Book Claims
by Andrei Dergalin
26.02.2021 (Sputnik)
Dr. Shanna Swan, leading environmental and reproductive
epidemiologist at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,
has warned of a potential threat to the very survival of the
human race, in her new book.
According to Axios, Swan’s work points at an apparent decline
in sperm counts, that has been "falling for decades", with the
major reason for this development being chemicals that
"disrupt the body's hormonal system".
"If you look at the curve on sperm count and project it forward
— which is always risky — it reaches zero in 2045," she said.
"That's a little concerning, to say the least."
The book, titled "Count Down: How Our Modern World Is Threatening
Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development,
and Imperilling the Future of the Human Race", notes factors such as
an increase in "boys with clear genital abnormalities" and a "decline
in anogenital distance in infant males", as well as "earlier appearance
of puberty signs among girls”"
Such outcomes are apparently related to "changes in hormones or
endocrines", with Swan and her colleagues reportedly blaming the
so called "everywhere chemicals" such as phthalates and
bisphenol-A, which are found in things like cosmetics,
plastics and pesticides, and which affect endocrines.
"Chemicals in our environment and unhealthy lifestyle practices in
our modern world are disrupting our hormonal balance, causing
various degrees of reproductive havoc," Swan suggested.
She did point out, however, that other factors, such as growing
obesity levels and smoking, also negatively affect both male
and female fertility.
"The current state of reproductive affairs can't continue much
longer without threatening human survival," Swan warned.
________________________________________
Click to read - then ask yourself why UK says you do NOT have any choice... !!!
volunteers to Covid-19 inworld's first trial after
studygiven green light
February 17th (RT)
The world’s first Covid-19 human challenge study has
received ethics approval in the UK, with 90 healthy
volunteers to be exposed to the virus in the
coming weeks, in an attempt to learn more about Covid’s effect on the body.
Researchers have started their search for 90 people aged
18-30 who will willingly expose themselves to Covid-19 as
part of a study to learn more about the virus, which has
killed more than two million people worldwide after the
government announced the trial had received ethics
approval on Wednesday.
The British government said the study, which is backed
by £33.6 million of taxpayers’ money, will “play a key
role in developing effective coronavirus vaccines
and treatments.”
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added that, while
there has been significant progress with regards to
vaccine and treatment development, more research is required.
The Covid-19 virus being used in the study has been
created by a team at Great Ormond Street Hospital
for the Children NHS Foundation Trust, in London,
in collaboration with industry-leading clinical
company, hVIVO.
Volunteers will be 'compensated' for their
time and their participation in the study.
On Sunday the UK hit its target of inoculating 15 million
of the most vulnerable people against Covid-19 and
now aims to vaccinate 32 million people, all at-risk groups, by May.
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________________________________
Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID shot
less effective against South
African variant: Study
February 7th (PressTV)
British drugmaker AstraZeneca AZN.L said on Saturday
its vaccine developed with the University of Oxford
appeared to offer only limited protection against
mild disease caused by the South African
variant of COVID-19, based on early
data from a trial.
The study from South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand
and Oxford University showed the vaccine had significantly
reduced efficacy against the South African variant,
according to a Financial Times report published
earlier in the day.
Among coronavirus variants currently most concerning for
scientists & public health experts, are the so-called British,
South African and Brazilian variants, which appear to
spread more swiftly than others.
“In this small phase I/II trial, early data has shown limited
efficacy against mild disease primarily due to the B.1.351
South African variant,” an AstraZeneca spokesman said
in response to the FT report.
The newspaper said none of the more than 2,000
trial participants had been hospitalized, or died.
“However, we have not been able to properly ascertain its
effect against severe disease and hospitalization, given
that subjects were predominantly young healthy
adults,” the AstraZeneca spokesman said.
The company said it believed its vaccine could protect
against severe disease, given that the neutralizing
antibody activity was equivalent to that of other
COVID-19 vaccines that have demonstrated
protection against severe disease.
The trial, which involved 2,026 people, of whom, half formed the placebo group, has not been peer-reviewed, the FT said.
While thousands of individual changes have arisen as the
virus mutates into new variants, only a tiny minority are
likely to be important or change the virus in an
appreciable way, according to the British
Medical Journal.
“Oxford University and AstraZeneca have started adapting
the vaccine against this variant and will advance rapidly
through clinical development so that it is ready for
Autumn delivery should it be needed,” the
AstraZeneca spokesman said.
On Friday, Oxford said their vaccine has similar efficacy
against the British coronavirus variant, as it does to the
previously circulating variants.
(Source: Reuters)
_____________________________
It’s not just Covid-19 that’s killing Britons…
alcohol is taking them out in record numbers
by Chris Sweeney
February 3rd (RT)
Chris Sweeney is an author and columnist who has
written for newspapers such as The Times, Daily
Express, The Sun and Daily Record, along with
several international-selling magazines. Follow
him on Twitter @Writes_Sweeney
Sales of booze have soared during lockdown, while alcohol-
related deaths leapt by 16% last year. Experts are calling for
higher prices, and urgent campaigns to tackle the UK’s
notoriously liberal attitude to drinking.
Newly released figures have uncovered shocking statistics,
which reveal that England and Wales have just recorded the
biggest death toll from alcohol since records began in 2001.
In the first nine months of 2020, there were 5,460 deaths,
a dramatic 16.4 percent increase, compared to 2019.
While it’s impossible to prove direct causation, there is
certainly a link to the first nationwide lockdown
between March and June.
Drinking during lockdown has soared in the UK. Weekly
wine sales at Waitrose’s 338 supermarkets are up by a
third, beer by 49 percent, while spirits such as rum and
tequila have risen by 64 percent and 56 percent.
Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, chair of Alcohol Health Alliance
UK, warned: “Alcohol dependence is often triggered by a
number of factors including bereavement, job insecurity,
mental health conditions or troubled relationships.
“All of these issues have been exaggerated greatly, during
the pandemic, for many. We must start preparing now, if we
wish to limit future harm.”
That’s a grim warning and, with a new lockdown set to
continue in some form for months, the numbers are
expected to keep rising.
Julie Breslin of the drug, alcohol & mental health charity,
We Are With You, said: “While it is hard to pin-point the
exact reasons behind the rise, front-line services have
seen how social isolation and the anxiety of living
through a pandemic, has led to an increase in
potentially harmful drinking.
“At the same time people are understandably concerned
about placing extra strain on health services at the
current time, with many struggling alone.”
That extends to another unwanted trend: the numbers seeking
help for alcohol addiction has fallen by 20 percent since 2014.
Experts agree that for a variety of factors, alcoholics in Britain
are becoming more hesitant to seek help. This has only been
exacerbated by the lockdown with some individuals
completely cut off from the outside world.
Breslin added: “We know that around 4 out of 5 dependent
drinkers aren’t accessing any kind of support. Sadly, these
statistics show the impact of what occurs when a majority
of people with an issue with alcohol, are not accessing
treatment or support, especially in a country with such
a heavy drinking culture as the UK.”
A breakdown of the numbers, proves that
lockdown is the main driver behind the rise.
The first quarter of 2020 was statistically similar to other
years, but the second and third quarters showed large
jumps - mirroring the beginning of lockdown in March.
The hardest hit group by age is those between 55-64 and
We Are With You has created a dedicated helpline, to try
to reach them.
“Many are unable to see their loved ones or friends, and are
drinking more as a way to cope with increased loneliness,
isolation and anxiety,” explained Breslin.
“Our research showed that at the end of last year more than
one in two over 50s were drinking at a level that could cause
health problems now or in the future, with nearly one in four
classed as high risk or possibly dependent.”
Healthcare workers are concerned that the advanced age of
most victims points to years of alcohol misuse. So this is a
problem that, even with intervention, may take many years
to curb.
Another way to categorise the data and one which
shows another strong pattern, is by location.
Compared to 2001, London and Scotland are the only
UK regions to have witnessed a drop in deaths.
All the other parts of the UK have seen an increase. However,
in the more affluent areas of the south east and south west
of England, the rise has been minimal. Conversely, the
northern regions of England have seen significant
rises, which reflects their lack of relative
economic prosperity.
Similarly, economically challenged Northern Ireland had already
suffered record deaths in 2019, showing a jump of 18 percent.
Professor Gilmore cautioned: “It is easy to forget how lax the
present regulation is for this psychoactive and addictive drug.
“In France, for example, there is a complete ban on broadcast
advertising and of sports sponsorship by alcohol producers,
and is it sensible for alcohol to be available 24/7, for example
at petrol stations?
“Most importantly of all, the government must set out an
alcohol strategy to tackle the alcohol harm crisis once
and for all. This strategy must be science-based and
introduce measures to support and transform the
lives of harmful drinkers, their families and
communities.”
One possible initiative is to introduce Minimum Unit Pricing
(MUP), which dictates the minimum price per unit of alcohol
and legally bars producers from selling at lower prices.
It makes all drinks less attractive to consumers, but stronger
spirits like vodka, whisky and gin will cost relatively more
than lower strength options such as beer or wine. The
difficulty though, much like smoking, is that alcohol
has inelastic demand, meaning price rises will
result in a less than proportionate effect
on demand.
Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce
MUP in May 2018, at a rate of 50 pence per unit. The nation
has the highest alcohol death rate of anywhere in the UK,
but it has been decreasing.
Alison Douglas, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland,
said: “Scotland continues to experience considerably
higher levels of alcohol-specific deaths than England
and Wales. Every death from alcohol is preventable,
and we should not be seeing these high numbers.
“The evidence from the evaluation of MUP, so far, is
encouraging. It appears to be having the intended
effect on alcohol consumption, with a reduction of
4 to f5 percent in off-sales in Scotland, compared
to England and Wales, in the first year.
“It is particularly encouraging that it is poorer, heavier
drinkers – who are more likely to become ill or die due
to alcohol use – that have cut down most.
“Now it looks like we may be beginning to see this translate
into health benefits, with alcohol deaths having reduced by
over 10 percent in 2019.”
There are now calls for the Scottish government to increase
the rate above 50 pence, as it has been eroded by inflation.
Wales brought in MUP last year (also at 50 pence), and there
are plans to do it in Northern Ireland too, but England, is
currently abstaining.
While it may be time-consuming to introduce legislation to
tackle the current deaths spike, Professor Gilmore points
to a quicker solution: “There are steps the government
should take in the next few weeks that would start a
fightback against alcohol harm. The chancellor
needs to increase alcohol duty by two percent
above inflation, in the upcoming budget.
“Alcohol is now 74 percent cheaper than it was 30 years ago,
and its availability at low prices, is having a catastrophic
impact on our nation’s health.”
While most of the attention is directed at the increased death
toll, there are serious secondary effects. Alcohol misuse has
a devastating impact on home life, children and employment,
and can lead to families falling into poverty or suffering
mental health issues.
For example, men are six times more likely to commit
domestic abuse if they have problems with alcohol.
Leading calls to support families struggling, The National
Association for Children of Alcoholics said: “We must
remember that alcoholism is a family problem, rarely
isolated. Behind these statistics are mothers and
fathers whose children will have been living with
the chaos of an alcoholic household. They take
on caring roles and try to make everything okay
for mum or dad.
“There will be countless children right now who feel that
their parent’s untimely death was their fault. But with
greater accessible help and support for families, we
can help to break the cycle, find healthy ways to
cope with lockdown, and bring these
numbers down.”
Despite variations across ages and locations, there is no
doubt that alcohol is having a devastating effect on the
UK and killing too many. It is tattooed across daily life,
with millions of Brits correlating drinking with
enjoyment. Serious change has to happen
if the rising death toll is to be reversed.
Professor Gilmore warned: “Alcohol harm is not taken
seriously enough in the UK as drinking is so deeply
ingrained in our culture.
“We must not forget that alcohol is an addictive and
harmful substance that needs to be better regulated.
It is linked directly to around 200 health conditions
including seven forms of cancer, as well as heart
disease and strokes.
“We must, therefore, all start to take our health seriously,
create safe spaces for those who wish to talk about the
harmful effects of alcohol and carefully reassess our
own relationship with alcohol.
“The latest figures serve as a stark reminder of what
we risk when we do not take alcohol harm seriously.”
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UK Covid-19 variant has mutated again
with some worrying new genetic
changes, scientists say
February 2nd (RT)
A UK scientist who advises the government has warned
of a “worrying” and “spontaneous” mutation of the
British Covid-19 variant which may impact the
efficacy of the vaccines currently in use.
“The mutation of most concern, which we call E484K,
has also occurred, spontaneously, in the new Kent
strain in parts of the country too,” Calum Semple,
a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for
Emergencies, told BBC radio on
Tuesday morning.
The new and perturbing E484K mutation had already
been reported in a technical briefing published by
Public Health England but had not been widely
noticed outside of scientific circles.
“A limited number of B.1.1.7 VOC (variant of concern)...
genomes with E484K mutation have been detected,”
said the summary of the briefing.
Dr. Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester,
said the mutation was worrying, but not unexpected.
“The acquisition [of the E484K mutation] may be due to a
recombination with one of the South African/Brazilian
variant viruses that may have co-infected the same
cell – as we see with different influenza viruses
– but this is rarer with coronaviruses,”
he explained.
The Kent strain, also widely referred to as the British variant,
has been proven to be more contagious, while this new
mutation may reduce the efficacy of the vaccines
currently being administered around the UK.
“If this E484K mutation is acquired by most of the UK B.1.1.7
variants – the recent reassurances from recent studies
showing that mRNA vaccines will still offer optimum
protection against the original UK variant – may no longer apply,” Tang said.
The E484K mutation has already been seen in the South
African and Brazilian variants but while the mutation is
likely to affect vaccine effectiveness, it is unlikely to
make the current jab redundant.
Studies conducted on the South African variant show that
the mutation is capable of evading parts of the immune
response induced by natural infection or vaccination.
__________________________________
'Vaccine for All Mankind':
Lancet Article Validates
Sputnik V Efficacy at 91.6%
02.02.2021 (Sputnik)
This is the well-respected medical journal's second
publication about Sputnik V since September 2020.
It's dedicated to Stage 3 of the vaccine's clinical trials.
Sputnik V is safe, efficient, and provides full protection
against severe cases of COVID-19 - this is the key
takeaway from a publication in The Lancet. It
took months of research for Russian
immunologists.... and for 19,866
volunteers to complete Phase III
of the clinical trials, which have
confirmed a 91.6% efficacy.
The other important finding is the immunogenicity of the
Russian jabs. The 14,964 volunteers, who received
actual shots of Sputnik V developed 1.3-1.5 times
more antibodies against the novel coronavirus
than those who recovered from COVID-19.
During the study, the remaining 4,902
participants received a placebo - as
was required by the rules of regular
large-scale clinical trials.
The trial included a group of volunteers aged 60 to 87,
showing impressive results for this particular age
strata. Surprisingly, Sputnik V's efficacy among
the elderly, was comparable to the 18-60 age
group (91.8%).
When it comes to safety, the Independent Data Monitoring
committee has confirmed 94% of all adverse effects were
mild. No serious adverse effects or allergies connected
with the product were detected, and most mild
complications were limited to flu-like
symptoms or headaches.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund - the country's
sovereign wealth fund - established to make equity
co-investments, primarily in Russia, alongside
international strategic and financial investors,
is currently tasked with ramping up Sputnik
V's production & international distribution.
RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev has hailed The Lancet publication, saying "this is a great day in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic":
"The data published by The Lancet proves that not only
Sputnik V is the world's first registered vaccine, but
also one of the best. It fully protects against severe COVID-19, according to data which has been independently compiled, then reviewed by peers and then published in The Lancet.
''Sputnik V is one of only three vaccines in the world with
an efficacy of over 90% but outperforms them in terms
of safety, ease of transportation due to its storage requirements of +2 to +8 degrees, and a more
affordable price. Sputnik V is a vaccine for
all mankind".
Globally, only 4 vaccine developers, including the
Gamaleya Institute, have published their Phase 3
clinical trial results, in leading peer-reviewed
medical journals. Sputnik V, is one of only
three vaccines in the world with a proven
efficacy of over 90%. Other vaccines show lower efficacy rates, such as 62.1% for AstraZeneca, 50.4% for Sinovac, & 79.3% for Sinopharm.
However, it beats the other vaccines with an efficacy of
over 90%, providing easier logistics, lower price, and a
longer lasting immune response achieved through so-
called "heterogeneous boosting", and the use of two different vectors, in two separate shots
The RDIF has repeatedly said that Sputnik V is ready to
help increase the efficacy of other vaccines, with an
efficacy rate below 90%, by providing one of Sputnik
V's shots. It's already cooperating with AstraZeneca
to increase its efficacy from 62.1% to a higher level
by adding a Sputnik V shot to AstraZeneca.
'Easy to Produce and Convenient to Deploy'
With criticism of only several months ago gradually waning
in the face of solid data, many Western scientists have
also welcomed the new publication.
"The development of the Sputnik V vaccine has been
criticised for unseemly haste, corner cutting, and an
absence of transparency. But the outcome reported
here is clear & the scientific principle of vaccination
demonstrated, which means another vaccine can
now join the fight to reduce the incidence of
COVID-19", according to Dr Ian Jones from
the University of Reading and Dr Polly Roy
from the London School of Hygiene &
Tropical Medicine, who were not
involved in the peer review of
the article in The Lancet.
Research Director at France's National Institute of Health
and Medical research, Cecil Czerkinsky, emphasises
Sputnik V's definite advantages, when it comes to
logistics, as well as its formulation:- "The interim
results of the Phase 3 clinical trials of the Sputnik
V COVID adenovirus vector vaccine, are fairly
impressive. This vaccine appears to be highly
efficacious & immunogenic across age groups.
This is, clearly, good news ---- as this dual
formulation vaccine is comparatively easy
to manufacture - and to deploy - amid the
anticipated global shortage of vaccines
and logistical problems in vaccination
rollouts of temperature-sensitive
vaccines recently authorised
for emergency use".
In Argentina – a country that has already received a
shipment of the Russian vaccine and launched
a successful immunisation campaign, health
professionals praised the product's efficacy:
"The paper, published in The Lancet, confirms successful
results and provides additional information about the
efficacy and the safety of this vaccine in different
subgroups", says Omar Sued, the President of
Argentina's Society of Infectologists.
"From the public health point of view, the efficacy of the
vaccine was very high. The safety profile was very good.
The dissemination of this information is vital for
informing the scaling up and rollout of this
vaccine worldwide".
"Presently, the world needs all the good vaccines that it
can get against COVID-19", says David Livermore, a
Professor of Medical Microbiology at the UK's
University of East Anglia. "And these are
impressive results: Sputnik V is the first
adenovirus vector vaccine to achieve
the 90% efficacy seen with the two
mRNA vaccines".
In the meantime, as the number of people getting their
shots of vaccines against coronavirus grows, US
scientist, Hildegund C.J. Ertl, from the Wistar
Institute's Vaccine & Immunotherapy Centre,
highlights that Sputnik V "is 100% effective
in preventing serious disease or death ---
which, in the end, is the most crucial
parameter; we can all deal with the
sniffles, as long as we stay out of
the hospital or the graveyard".
"Even after a single dose, of this prime-boost regimen,
protection against disease was at 87.6%. Sputnik V is
thus, more effective than the AZ or J&J. Sputnik V,
which, unlike the equally efficacious RNA vaccines
of Pfizer and Moderna, can be stored in the fridge,
will be of tremendous value to combat the global
COVID19 pandemic".
Expanding Reach
Sputnik V was developed in May of 2020 by the Russian
Health Ministry's Gamaleya National Research Centre
for Epidemiology and Microbiology. The vaccine was
designed, using a well-known and reliable human
adenoviral platform, and it's also one of the least
expensive in the world, with a price of $10 per
shot. At the end of last year, the product
received approval for use in a full-scale
domestic vaccination campaign in
Russia that began in December
2020 and is completely free
for Russian citizens.
According to the RDIF, Sputnik V has been registered in
16 countries. It's expected that within the next few days
shots of the Russian vaccine will be administered to
More than 50 nations have requested 1.2 billion doses of
Sputnik V, with the RDIF's partners in India, Brazil, China,
South Korea, and other countries, preparing to produce
the vaccine for the global market.
______________________________
WHOwarns pregnant women
NOT to take Moderna
Covid-19 vaccine
January 26th (RT)
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued new
guidance on the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, including
worrying advice that pregnant women should not get
the jab unless they are at high risk of exposure.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on
Immunization issued a series of recommendations on the
Moderna vaccine Tuesday, advising that pregnant women
should not take the shot, unless they are health workers
or at particularly high risk of exposure.
“While pregnancy puts women at a higher risk of severe
COVID-19, the use of this vaccine in pregnant women is
currently not recommended,” SAGE wrote.
WHO director of immunisation Kate O'Brien said that clinical trials
of the Moderna vaccine were needed on pregnant women.
The report also stressed that the vaccine should be administered
in two doses with an interval of 28 days between each shot, with
the possibility of extending this interval up to 42 days,
if necessary.
The SAGE report also emphasised the need for the vaccine to be
administered in facilities where treatments for allergic reactions
are readily available. The group of experts issued guidance on
the rival Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine several weeks ago.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US and the
Independent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said
that there was insufficient evidence to suggest the Moderna and
Pfizer vaccines were suitable or not for pregnant women, as
neither contains the virus itself and they therefore cannot
cause Covid-19 but insufficient data was available to
make a call.
The latest guidance from Public Health England supports this
position, stating that, “The early Covid-19 vaccines do not
contain organisms that can multiply in the body, so they
cannot infect an unborn baby in the womb.”
____________________________________
People in English-Speaking Countries,
Scandinavia, Get Drunk Most Often,
Global Survey Finds
25.01.2021 (Sputnik)
The 2020 edition of the Global Drug Survey has found that
residents in English-speaking countries and Northern
Europe drink to intoxication more often than in any
other region of the world.
"Based on data from > 90,000 people who drink, respondents
to GDS from predominately English-speaking countries and
Scandinavia, get drunk more times per year than in any
other country," the report's executive summary read.
The survey defined drunkenness as “having drunk so much
that your physical and mental faculties are impaired to the
point where your balance / speech was affected, you were unable to focus clearly on things and that your conversation and behaviours were very obviously different to people who know you.”
UK residents top the list with 34 episodes of intoxication
per year, or almost every 10 days. Next come Australia
and Denmark with 32 episodes, and Finland with
28 episodes.
The least frequent drunk drinkers reside in South America
— people in Argentina and Colombia get intoxicated fewer
than seven times per year, according to the findings.
The global average is 21 episodes of intoxication per year.
Men aged 25 and younger get drunk most frequently (28
times per year), while women aged 25 and older, get
drunk the rarest (12 times per year). Regrets about
excessive consumption are common among 33% of respondents, the poll found.
One in 30 women younger than 25 seeks emergency medical
treatment from intoxication, which is almost three times more than among men and women aged 25 and older.
The survey was conducted in 25 countries from November 7th to December 30th 2019 --- before the COVID-19 pandemic.
______________________________________________
Israel’s Coronavirus Chief Says
1st Dose of Pfizer’s Vaccine Less EffectiveThan Company Presented
by Arty Katkov
24.01.2021 (Sputnik)
Over two million Israelis have already had their first
Pfizer shot, while over 400,000 have had the second.
Israel’s coronavirus commissioner has criticized the
Pfizer vaccine and warned that it may not protect
against new strains of the virus.
During talks among Health Ministry officials ahead of
Tuesday’s cabinet meeting on the issue of nationwide
lockdown, Dr. Nachman Ash said that the protective
effect of the first dose of the vaccine is “lower than
Pfizer presented”, Army Radio reported.
Pfizer has previously claimed that trials of the vaccine it
produced with BioNTech show it is roughly 52% effective
around 12 days after the first shot is administered and
becomes about 95% effective ''a number of days'' after
the second dose.
The Israeli government signed a deal with Pfizer and
BioNTech in November for 8 million doses of their
COVID-19 vaccine. Israeli Health Minister Yuli
Edelstein has ordered healthcare workers to
prepare to administer up to 250,000 daily
injections in the coming days.
At the same time, there were some issues reported during
the mass vaccination in Israel. Last week, media reported
citing health ministry officials, that at least 13 Israelis have
suffered mild facial paralysis as a side effect after getting
the Pfizer vaccine. The report said, however, that the
country's health ministry recommended the patients
should go ahead with the second sot of the vaccine,
but only if the paralysis passes.
Earlier, some 240 Israelis have been diagnosed with
the coronavirus, days after being vaccinated.
Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in Israel
topped 10,000 on Tuesday morning - an all-time high
since the pandemic began - despite lockdown
measures and vaccination efforts.
_______________________________
Senior Doctors Attack UK Decision
toMake People Wait 12 Weeks for
Second Dose of COVID Vaccine
January 23rd (FNA)
Senior doctors criticized the decision to make people wait
12 weeks for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in the
UK, calling for the wait to be halved.
The UK is the only country to have introduced such a
long gap, flouting a World Health Organisation (WHO)
recommendation, the British Medical Association
(BMA) announced, The Independent reported.
“What we're saying is that the UK should adopt this best
practice based on international professional opinion,”
Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, its council chairman, said,
adding, “If the vaccine's efficacy is reduced....
then, of course, the risk is, that we will see
those who are exposed maximally to
the virus, may get infected.”
It emerged on Friday that the Sage advisory group had raised a possible risk of triggering a “vaccine-
resistant mutation”, by delaying second doses.
However, both the chief medical officer and the chief
scientific adviser, have backed the decision to rip up
the original promise of a second Pfizer dose, after
just three weeks.
Chris Whitty, the medical officer, stated it was a "public
health decision" that would allow "many more people
to be vaccinated much more quickly".
And Patrick Vallance, the scientific adviser, told the
Downing Street press conference, “The most risky
thing in terms of new mutations is to have very
high prevalence.”
But the WHO recommended a gap of 4 weeks
between doses --- to be extended, only in
exceptional circumstances, to 6 weeks.
Pfizer has announced it has tested the level of protection
given by its vaccine, only when the two doses are given
up to 21 days apart.
Nagpaul said he understood the “rationale” behind the
decision to delay the second dose to 12 weeks, but
argued it was “difficult to justify”.
“Most nations in the world are facing challenges similar
to the UK in having limited vaccine supply and also
wanting to protect their population maximally,”
he told BBC Breakfast time show.
“No other nation has adopted the UK's approach. We think
the flexibility the WHO offers, of extending to 42 days,
is being stretched far too much to go from 6 weeks
right through to 12 weeks," Nagpaul continued,
adding, “I do understand the trade-off and the
rationale but if that was the right thing to do, then we would see other nations
following suit.”
There is no similar concern over the 12-week wait for a second dose of the Oxford-Astra-Zeneca vaccine,
which is being made in the UK.
Its trials provided greater confidence that the first dose
can continue to provide protection for at least a few
months before the booster shot.
The researchers found it delivered 64.1 percent protection,
compared with 70.4 percent after two full doses and – in a
baffling result – 90 percent in people who received one
half dose, followed by one full dose.
_____________________________
Hacked emails allegedly detail
how EU drug regulator was
pressured to approve Pfizer
jab despite ‘problems’
January 18th (RT)
An alleged cache of email exchanges between EU officials
and the European Medicines Agency show that the drug
regulator was uncomfortable about fast-tracking
approval for the Pfizer and Moderna Covid jabs,
Le Monde has reported.
The EMA has claimed that the contents of the messages,
which were obtained by hackers and published on the
dark web, were tampered with in order to undermine
confidence in the drugs, without providing further
details. However, the agency acknowledged to the
French newspaper that the correspondences
reflect “issues and discussions” that took
place in the lead-up to the decision to
grant approval to the vaccines. The
agency said it can’t specify which
documents are genuine.
Some of the “discussions” appear to have been less than
congenial. For example, in a document dated November
19th, a senior EMA official described a “rather tense,
sometimes even a little unpleasant” conference
call with the European Commission regarding
the review process for the drugs. The official
said he felt there was a clear “expectation”
that the vaccines would be approved. A
day later, the same individual had an
exchange with the Danish Medicines
Agency --- in which he expressed his
surprise that Ursula von der Leyen,
the president of the European
Commission, had announced
that the Moderna and Pfizer
jabs could receive the green
light before the end of
the year.
“There are still problems with both,” the unnamed
EMA official noted in the leaked correspondence.
According to Le Monde, the hacked documents primarily
detail issues that the EMA had with the Pfizer/BioNTech
drug. The regulator apparently had three “major issues”
with the vaccine: certain manufacturing sites used for
its production had not yet been inspected, data on
batches produced for commercial use were still
missing, and, most importantly, available data
revealed qualitative differences between the
commercial batches and those used during
clinical trials.
The EMA expressed particular concern about the last point,
noting that mass production had decreased the purity of
the RNA contained in the vaccine. The Pfizer jab uses a
mRNA strand, a sequence of molecules that tell cells
what to ‘build’ in order to produce a disease-
specific antigen.
The EU drug regulator signaled that it was worried that less
rigorous manufacturing methods would make the vaccine
less effective and safe. However, Pfizer appears to have
agreed to make the necessary adjustments, in order to
meet the EMA’s standards.
Despite its hesitancy, it appears the EMA understood that it
was under a clear deadline. In an email exchange between
colleagues at the agency, one employee said the EMA needs
to “accelerate the process to align [with other agencies],”
and risks facing “questions and criticisms” from Brussels,
the media - and the general public - if it did not fast-track
approval.
The Pfizer jab was granted approval by the EU on December
21, while the Moderna variant was given the go-ahead earlier
this month. Since then, numerous reports have emerged of
both drugs being linked to adverse effects in countries
around the world, prompting investigations by health
authorities.
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_______________________________
Woman who suffered convulsions
after taking Pfizer Covid jab being
screened for permanent neuro-
logical damage, son tells RT
January 18th (RT)
After a video of his mother’s condition went viral, the
son of a woman who was hospitalized after receiving
Pfizer’s Covid jab told RT that, even though he was
not an anti-vaxxer, he had serious doubts about
the drug’s safety.
Brant Griner issued an appeal on Facebook last week,
after his mother began experiencing serious medical
issues... several days after taking the vaccine. In a now-viral post, Griner shared a video of his mother
shaking uncontrollably, as she attempted to walk, using nearby walls and a door to support herself as she inched forward.
“Mom is getting even worse today and I still don’t have
any answers from doctors as to how to fix this. Please
pray for her. I can’t stand to see my mom this way. It
makes me want to cry. knowing I can’t do anything
to help her. Please don’t take the covid19 vaccine,”
he wrote.
The message and accompanying video has been
shared nearly 160,000 times, and has racked up
more than 35,000 comments.
Some replies questioned the truthfulness of Griner’s story,
but he told RT, in an interview, that there was nothing
fictitious about what had happened to his mother.
He stressed that she had been eager to take the
vaccine because she had wanted to do every-
thing she could, to lessen the chance of
spreading the virus to her own elderly
parents. Griner declined to disclose at
which hospital his mother received the
vaccine, explaining that he didn’t want
the facility to become the target of an
online harassment campaign.
“I’m not in any way shape or form an anti-vaxx person.
My mom wasn’t – she was all for the vaccine before
this happened,” he said.
Griner described his mother as a “very healthy” 45-year
-old who had never before suffered from any kind of
serious disease or health condition. According to
the Louisiana resident, she woke up with a
headache a day after receiving the shot.
Several days later, she began suffering
from “seizure-like movements” in her
left leg. By the fourth day, she had
“no control” over her legs, & was
rushed to the emergency room.
The hospital determined that she was experiencing a
“neurological reaction,” he said, adding that doctors
believe the medical condition was caused by “the
metals in the vaccine.”
Although the headaches have been a daily occurrence,
the convulsions have been sporadic, Griner explained.
Sunday was the first day she had not experienced a
headache, and her uncontrollable leg movements
also seemed to be less severe, he said.
Now discharged from the hospital, Griner’s mother is
undergoing tests and her doctors are hopeful that
she will make a full recovery, provided there is
no permanent brain damage.
Although he has been smeared, by some, as peddling
disinformation, Griner insists he initially had nothing
against the jab. “I wanted it to be good. My mom
wanted it to be good. That’s the reason she got
it. Everybody wants their immunity. Everybody’s
ready for Covid to go away,” he said. Now,
however, he seems less sure about
being inoculated himself.
If it’s going to cause reactions like what it
caused to my mom, it’s not worth it to me.
Since posting the video of his mother, Griner says he
has received messages from “hundreds” of people
sharing their stories, about vaccines triggering
serious medical episodes. One woman who
contacted him said she was experiencing
“continuous” health issues, after
receiving the Moderna Covid shot.
In a follow-up video posted by Griner on Saturday, his
mother explained that she opted to have the jab to
“protect her parents” and that, so far, MRI scans
and blood tests have not revealed any
underlying condition that might have
prompted the adverse reaction.
“Before you take this vaccine, please think. It has
definitely changed my life,” she said in the video,
as she held back tears.
Pfizer said in a statement to RT that it was “researching”
the case, but has so far been unable to “confirm” it.
“Neuromuscular disorders have not been a safety
signal identified to date,” a representative of the
pharmaceutical firm said.
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______________________________
Second Dose in Doubt After PfizerVaccineReportedly
Leaves Dozen of Israelis
With Facial Paralysis
17.01.2021 (Sputnik)
At least 13 Israelis have suffered mild facial paralysis
as a side effect, after getting the Pfizer vaccine, media reported, citing health ministry officials.
According to Israeli news site Ynet, doctors estimate
that the number of similar cases could be higher
and are questioning if they should administer
the second dose of the vaccine to those
who suffered facial paralysis.
However, the country's health ministry recommends
they should go ahead, but only if the paralysis
passes, the report says.
The Israeli government signed a deal with Pfizer and
BioNTech in November for 8 million doses of their
COVID-19 vaccine. More than 20% of Israel's 9
million citizens has so far received the first
vaccine dose since the rollout began. At
least two elderly people with chronic
underlying conditions died after
being inoculated.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Epoch Times reported -- citing
the data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
(VAERS) -- that 55 people in the United States have died
after receiving Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines.
In some cases, patients passed away, just hours
after being injected.
The media outlet reported around 96 life-threatening cases following COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as 24 permanent
disabilities, 225 hospitalisations, and 1,388 emergency
room visits, in the US.
_____________________________________
Belgian Resident Dies 5 Days
After Receiving Pfizer
COVID-19 Vaccine
15.01.2021 (Sputnik)
A resident of Belgium has died five days after receiving Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine against COVID-19, the
Federal Agency for Medicines and Health
Products (FAMHP) said in a statement,
adding that an investigation has
been launched.
"On 14 January 2021 … the FAMHP was informed of the
death of an 82-year-old with health problems, five days
after vaccination. The case will be further investigated
to determine whether there is a causal link between
vaccination and the individual's death", the agency
said in a statement on Thursday.
An investigation is also ongoing in Norway after 23 people
died after being inoculated with Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine
against the disease, the Norwegian Medicines Agency
said, on Thursday.
Several European countries, including the Netherlands and
Bulgaria, have reported instances of individuals suffering
adverse side effects, such as swelling around the eyes
and rashes, after receiving Pfizer/BioNTech's vaccine
against the coronavirus disease.
European Union member states launched their mass
vaccination campaign, using the US-German vaccine,
in late December.
________________________________
About 100 people Report Side effects After Pfizer Vaccine Shots in Netherlands, Reports Suggest
15.01.2021 (Sputnik)
About 100 people in the Netherlands reported developing
side effects after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine developed
by Pfizer/BioNTech, the NOS broadcaster reported on
Friday, citing pharmacovigilance centre Lareb.
Lareb director Agnes Kant told NOS that severe allergic
reactions to the Pfizer shot were identified in two cases
in the Netherlands.
"These people had symptoms such as rashes and swelling
around the eyes. They received treatment and recovered
quickly," Kant said.
The health expert added that other cases of side effects are
more usual for the post-vaccination period and include
headache, fatigue and pain at the injection spot.
According to Kant, such side effects are logical
consequences of the vaccination, as shots
activate the immune system.
"We thought that 20 to 25 reports [of side effects] would occur
for every 10,000 vaccinations, so this is in line with our
assumptions. But not all cases of side effects are
reported to us," Kant added.
The Netherlands launched its vaccination campaign on
January 6th, with medical workers being the priority
group to receive the vaccine. According to the
latest data, approximately 47,000 people
have received the shots.
A number of counties have shared data on the side effects
of Pfizer’s vaccine. The Norwegian Medicines Agency said
on Thursday that specialists are investigating the deaths
of 23 people, who died after being vaccinated with the
Pfizer vaccine.
Moreover, the Israeli Health Ministry said in late December
that one in 1,000 vaccinated Israelis developed mild side
effects from the vaccine --- while Bulgaria reported four
side effect cases, after inoculating nearly 5,000 people.
_____________________________
Norway Links 13 Deaths to
Pfizer Vaccine’s Side Effects
January 15th (Sputnik)
4 days before New Year’s Eve, inoculation with
the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine began in Norway.
Since Svein Andersen (67) at Ellingsrudhjemmet
elderly home became the first Norwegian to take
the jab, over 33,000 Norwegians have received
the vaccine in the subsequent weeks.
It was announced in advance that the vaccine may
cause side effects of varying severity, and now the
Norwegian Medicines Agency has mapped which
ones have occurred in the country. A total of 29
side effects were reported, yet with an
alarming share of deaths.
“Of these, there are 13 deaths, nine serious side effects
and seven less serious side effects”, medical director
of the Norwegian Medicines Agency Steinar Madsen
told national broadcaster NRK.
A total of 23 deaths have been reported by the Norwegian
Medicines Agency, in connection with the vaccination.
However, only 13 of these have been assessed so far.
All surveyed deaths have occurred among frail, elderly
patients in nursing homes. All of the dead are over 80
years old and some of them are even over 90.
“It seems that some of these patients get such severe side
effects in the form of fever and malaise, that it can lead to
a very serious illness even a more serious one, which
may lead to death”, Madsen said.
At the same time, Madsen emphasised that these cases
are rare and that many thousands of frail people have
been vaccinated, without a fatal outcome. “Frail”
means patients with advanced heart conditions,
dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and other serious diseases.
Madsen said his authority is not worried about
the extent of side effects confirmed so far.
“We are not alarmed by this. It is quite clear that these
vaccines have very little risk, with a small exception
for the most frail patients”, Madsen said.
The nine patients who have had serious side effects
complained of allergic reactions, strong malaise
and severe fever. The seven less serious side
effects included severe pain at the
injection site.
Still, the Norwegian Medicines Agency cautioned
the authorities to carefully consider the order
of vaccination.
“Doctors must now carefully consider who should be
vaccinated. Those who are very frail and at the very
end of life, can be vaccinated after an individual
assessment”, Madsen said.
This is in line with the recommendations released by the
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, earlier this week.
Previously, six people died during the Pfizer/BioNTech
vaccine trials, but only two of them were actually
given the vaccine. The other four were given a
safe placebo solution of salt and water.
As of today, Pfizer and Pfizer and the Centres for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are looking into the death
of a doctor who died after taking the jab. The 56-year-
old doctor at Miami’s Mount Sinai Medical Centre
died 16 days after receiving the vaccine,
developing a rare blood disorder.
Norway has seen over 57,000 cases
of Covid-19 and over 500 deaths.
______________________________
UK nurse catches COVID-19
three weeks after getting
Pfizer vaccine
January 10th (Press TV)
A British nurse has caught COVID-19 three weeks
after getting the vaccine, prompting experts to
issue warnings that it would take time for
immunity to build up.
The nurse, who has been working for the Hywel Dda
University Health Board area in west Wales, said that
she got the virus while waiting for the second dose
of the Pfizer-BioNtech jab, which was first rolled
out in the UK last month.
She said she was “angry and heartbroken”
about catching the fatal disease at this stage.
"It gave me peace of mind. It made me feel safer and
that I was doing the right thing for my family... but it
gives a false sense of security," she said.
The nurse, who asked not to be identified, said she
was told it would take 10 days for the vaccine to
offer some protection, however, she started
feeling unwell three weeks later.
She said she had "quite severe symptoms" of a bad
cough, high temperature and breathlessness, and
that she was shocked when she tested positive.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Executive of Hywel Dda
health board, Dr Philip Kloer, said that, although
a COVID vaccine “reduces your chance of
suffering” from the virus, no vaccine is
ever 100% effectual.
On Friday, the Welsh First Minister warned people
receiving the vaccine to “continue to act in a
precautionary way.”
Professor Tim Spector, who heads up the ZOE Symptom
Tracker App study, has also said that some junior NHS
staff members have contracted the virus after getting
the shot.
"We are getting reports of reinfections, some soon after
vaccination, "I'm a junior doctor and have had Covid
twice: the last one five days post vaccination..."', he wrote on Twitter.
"Remember vaccinations take several weeks to have
a preventive effect so keep alert and keep logging!"
This comes after a 56-year-old American doctor in South Florida
died two weeks after getting a first dose of a Pfizer vaccine.
Two weeks after getting a first dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,
a 56-year-old American doctor in South Florida has died, the US
media have reported.
Dr. Gregory Michael, a Miami-Beach obstetrician, was in good
health, the Sun-Sentinel reported. He received his first dose
of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 18 at Mount
Sinai Medical Center.
However, small spots began to appear on his feet and hands
after three days and he went to the emergency room at
Mount Sinai, where he had worked in private practice
for 15 years.
Michael’s blood count was far below normal ranges, and he
was admitted to the intensive care unit. Doctors tried for
two weeks but could not raise his platelet count.
The doctor was “conscious and energetic” through the
process, but just days before a last resort surgery, he
suffered a stroke and died.
Health officials from Florida and the Centers from Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating whether
the vaccine played a role in his death, which possibly
is the country's first death linked to the vaccine.
Also, a California nurse tested positive for the coronavirus
more than a week after receiving Pfizer vaccine.
Matthew W., 45, who works at two different local hospitals,
said in a Facebook post on December 18 that he had
received the vaccine.
He told the ABC News affiliate that except for his arm, that
was sore for a day, he had suffered no other side-effects.
However, six days later on Christmas Eve, he got sick after
working a shift in the COVID-19 unit. He got the chills and
later came down with muscle aches and fatigue.
He then went for a test, to find that he was infected
with the COVID-19 virus, the day after Christmas.
________________________________________
Killer vaccine?'Healthy' South Florida
doctor died 2 weeks after receiving
COVID-19 vaccine
January 8th, (Press Tv)
A 56-year-old doctor passed away this week, two weeks
after getting his first dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine,
the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Two weeks after getting a first dose of a Pfizer COVID-19
vaccine, a 56-year-old American doctor in South Florida
has died, the US media have reported.
Dr. Gregory Michael, a Miami-Beach obstetrician, was in
good health, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Health officials from Florida and the Centers from Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating whether
the vaccine played a role in his death, which possibly
is the country's first death linked to the vaccine.
The doctor received his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech
vaccine on December 18 at Mount Sinai Medical Center,
according to his wife, Heidi Neckelmann.
Small spots began to appear on his feet and hands after
three days and he went to the emergency room at Mount
Sinai, where he has worked in private practice for 15
years, according to reports.
According to his wife, Michael’s blood count was far
below normal ranges, and he was admitted to the
intensive care unit.
Doctors tried for two weeks but could not raise Michael’s
platelet count. “Experts from all over the country were
involved in his care,” she wrote. “No matter what
they did, the platelets count refused to go up.”
Michael was “conscious and energetic” through the process,
but just days before a last resort surgery, he suffered a
stroke and died.
Michael's wife said that he spent the pandemic delivering
hundreds of babies and was a COVID-19 vaccine advocate.
Iran cancels import of US' Pfizer COVID-19
vaccines after Leader bans it
The Iranian Red Crescent Society announced the news in
the wake of a national address by Ayatollah Khamenei.
On Friday, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) said the
import of American Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines had been
cancelled after Leader of the Islamic Revolution
Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei banned the
purchase of coronavirus vaccines
produced by the US & UK.
“The import of 150,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine
[developed by] Pfizer Inc from the United States to the
country by the Iranian Red Crescent Society is
cancelled,” the IRCS spokesman Mohammad
Hassan Qosian Moqaddam told IRNA
on Friday.
US COVID-19 vaccines more dangerous
than the virus: Professor
US COVID-19 vaccines are more dangerous than the virus
itself, because they have not been tested properly, says
E Michael Jones, an American writer and former professor.
In an interview with Press TV, Professor Jones said, “The
people in America, right now, are afraid of the vaccines.
_____________________________________________
Investigation launched as 2 people die
in Norway nursing home... days after
receiving Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine
5th of January, 2021 at 8:45pm (RT)
The Norwegian Medicines Agency has announced that
two nursing home residents passed away, days after
receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine,
and that an investigation has been launched
into the deaths.
“We have to assess whether the vaccine is the cause of
death, or if it is a coincidence that it happened soon
after vaccination,” Medical Director Steiner
Madsen said, in a statement about
the deaths.
He also noted that, because people of advanced age are
receiving the vaccine first, it is entirely possible the
deaths could be coincidental. Around 400 people
die every week in Norwegian nursing homes.
The agency, along with the National Institute
of Public Health, are looking into the deaths.
Reported side effects from the vaccine have been minor
and temporary, although there have been reports of
allergic reactions in the US and UK among people
who had a history of such.
Numerous government officials have received the
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, including US Vice
President Mike Pence. Vaccinations with
the drug began in Norway on
December 27th.
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_________________________________
Family of Mexican Doctor Paralysed
After Pfizer ShotCalls for Additional
Vaccine Studies
05.01.2021 (Sputnik)
Carlos Palestino, the brother-in-law of Mexican doctor
Karla Cecilia Perez, paralysed hours after receiving
Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, has told Sputnik
that the vaccine should be exposed to additional
testing to find out whether it can cause such
severe side effects.
The Mexican Health Ministry said that it started the research
on the incident, saying that Perez had been diagnosed with
encephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal
cord). Before the inoculation, Perez experienced an
allergic reaction to antibiotics called trimethoprim
and sulfamethoxazole that can cause similar
severe adverse reactions.
"We are not insisting that it was caused by the vaccine...
However, it is necessary to clarify whether it is connected
to the inoculation with the vaccine. We are not arguing
that it was the reason. There should be a research to
confirm it", Palestino said.
Perez's brother-in-law stressed that the doctor's relatives
had decided to draw the attention of the media to the
incident, not to discourage people from vaccination,
but to make sure that Perez would be cured
adequately and this case would be studied
to prevent further incidents.
"The main goal is to care for the health of my sister-in-law,
to make sure that she will have no complications. Since it
is a new case, no one is able to determine its nature.
That's why it's necessary to disseminate [information]",
Palestino said, adding that Perez's relatives did not
support "the anti-vaccination movement" and did
not have "any political or economic interest" in
boosting publicity around the case.
On 30 December Perez was paralysed several hours after
being inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine developed
by US-based Pfizer and German BioNTech
pharmaceutical companies.
Earlier that month, the US Centres for Disease Control and
Prevention reported on 4 cases of partial facial paralysis
experienced by the recipients of the Pfizer vaccine.
__________________________________
'Alarming' number of US
health care workers, are
refusing COVID-19 vaccine
by Kenneth Garger
(New York Times)
US health care workers are first in line to receive
the COVID-19 vaccine - but an alarming number
across the country are refusing to do so.
Earlier this week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine disclosed
that about 60 percent of the nursing home workers
in his state have so far chosen not to get vaccinated.
More than half of New York City’s EMS workers have
shown skepticism, The Post reported last month.
And now California and Texas are experiencing
a high rate of health care worker refusals,
according to reports.
An estimated 50 percent of front-line workers in Riverside
County in the Golden State opted against the drug, the
Los Angeles Times reported, citing public
health officials.
More than half of the hospital workers at California’s St.
Elizabeth Community Hospital who were eligible to
receive the vaccine, did not, the newspaper.
And in the Lone Star State, a doctor at Houston Memorial
Medical Center told NPR earlier this month, that half the
nurses in the facility would not get the vaccine, citing
political reasons.
The excuse shared by the Texas nurses was echoed in a
recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey that found 29%
of health workers were “vaccine hesitant,” the
Times reported.
Majority of Ohio nursing home workers
not taking COVID-19 vaccine
Survey respondents leaning against taking the vaccine
said, among other reasons, that they were concerned
how politics influenced the development of the
vaccine, the newspaper reported.
A nurse at a California hospital, who chose to not take
the vaccine, because she is pregnant, said her co-
workers who chose the same path as she, believe that they don’t need the vaccine to make it through the pandemic.
“I feel people think, ‘I can still make it until this ends,
without getting the vaccine,’” April Lu, a 31-year-old
nurse at Providence Holy Cross Medical Centre,
told the Times.
A high percentage of vaccine refusal among not just
health care workers, but the general population,
could be problematic, Harvard epidemiologist
Marc Lipsitch told the newspaper.
“Our ability as a society to get back to a higher level
of functioning depends on having as many people
protected as possible,” said Lipsitch.
_______________________________
Boston doctor says he almost had to be
INTUBATED after suffering severe allergic
reaction from Moderna Covid vaccine
26th of December, 2020 (RT)
A physician in Boston said he suffered one of the worst allergic
reactions he’s ever experienced after receiving Moderna’s
Covid-19 jab, following a string of similar cases resulting
from Pfizer’s vaccine.
Dr. Hossein Sadrzadeh, a hematology oncology fellow at Boston
Medical Center, was given the drug on Christmas Eve. The health
care worker, who has a severe shellfish allergy, said his heart
began to race after taking the vaccine. Initially, he thought his
increased heart rate was due to anxiety he had about the jab,
stemming from reports of serious medical episodes
occurring after people with allergies were injected
with Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine.
However, he soon realized that he was suffering from something
far more dangerous. Within minutes, Sadrzadeh’s tongue and
throat began to tingle and go numb, a reaction that he
associated with his shellfish allergy. Even more
concerning, his blood pressure then dipped
so low that it wasn’t even detectable with
a monitor.
Luckily, the doctor had brought his own EpiPen, which he
administered on himself before hospital staff rushed him
to the emergency room. He was given several medications,
including steroids and Benadryl. A record of his hospital
visit stated that he was admitted to the ER for “shortness
of breath, dizziness, palpitations and numbness after
receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.”
By Friday morning, he said that he was feeling normal. But
the doctor seemed to suggest that the episode could have
been far more harrowing had he not come prepared for
the worst.
“I feel that if I did not have my EpiPen with me, I would be
intubated right now, because it was that severe,” he said,
adding that it was the worst allergic reaction he had
experienced since he was 11 years old.
The physician said he now recommends that people with
allergies receive the vaccine in a hospital setting, instead
of getting it from a clinic or local provider.
“I knew the symptoms. I had the experience. I was a physician,
and I was scared to death. Imagine someone who does not
have the information,” he noted. Sadrzadeh has offered
Moderna a blood sample in an effort to help the firm
identify what ingredient in the vaccine may have
triggered the allergic reaction.
“I really don’t want anybody to go and experience
this and go through this event that I had,” he said.
The concerning case is the first of its kind to be linked to the
Moderna jab. Officials with the Food and Drug Administration
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are
investigating at least six cases of severe allergic
reactions occurring in people who took the
Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. However, it is still
being determined whether an ingredient
in the vaccine is responsible for the
health episodes.
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Overuse of antibiotics amid Covid-19 crisis
could drive surge in ‘untreatable SUPER
GONORRHEA’, health experts warn
23rd December, 2020 (RT)
The excessive use of antibiotics during the Covid-19 pandemic
could be fueling a spike in a highly drug-resistant STI – “super
gonorrhea” – the World Health Organization has warned amid
a recent uptick in the disease.
While no antibiotic has been found to be effective in fighting off
the coronavirus, the drugs were heavily administered in the
early stages of the pandemic, with one Cambridge study
showing that more than 70 percent of Covid-19 patients
in the US received them between March and April.
Though they are also used to prevent “co-infections” in hospital
settings, the researchers found the drugs were still overused,
reporting a “significant mismatch” between bacterial co-
infections and patients receiving antibiotics.
The over-reliance on the medications risks unleashing a new wave
of antibiotic-resistant infections, such as “super gonorrhea” – a
more hardy and drug-resilient version of the sexually-transmitted
infection (STI) – a World Health Organization spokesperson told
the Sun.
“Overuse of antibiotics in the community, can fuel the emergence
of antimicrobial resistance in gonorrhea,” the WHO representative
said, adding that Azithromycin, a common antibiotic for treating
respiratory illnesses, was given to countless Covid-19 patients
earlier in the health crisis.
Such a situation can fuel the emergence of resistance in gonorrhea
including gonorrhea superbug (super gonorrhea) or gonorrhea
with 'high level resistance' to current antibiotics recommended
to treat it.
The spokesperson also pointed to disruptions in STI services
during the pandemic, saying “this means more STI cases are
not diagnosed properly with more people self-medicating as
a result.”
Kevin Cox, the executive chairperson for British biotech firm
Biotaspheric Ltd., said the 'phenomenon' could soon render
the disease untreatable, telling the Sun that new approaches
are “urgently” needed as those infected pass on the illness
and “accelerate” its drug-resistance.
The WHO has warned elsewhere that antimicrobial resistance
in gonorrhea has “increased rapidly in recent years” and
“reduced options for treatment,” even prior to the
emergence of the coronavirus on the world stage
late last year.
Though the lion’s share of the 90 million or so gonorrhea cases
reported worldwide annually are recorded in Africa, Europe
has also recorded an uptick in the illness, seeing a 22%
spike between 2017 and 2018, according to the latest
data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control. The US experienced a smaller surge,
about 5 percent, in the same period, official
numbers show.
ALSO ON RT.COM
Chlamydia & gonorrhea rates in younger US women SOAR, as
health experts raise alarm over drop in tests during pandemic
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_________________________________
A global team of experts has found 10 FATAL FLAWS
in the main test for Covid and is demanding it’s urgently axed. As they should
December 1st, 2020 (RT)
By Peter Andrews, Irish science journalist and writer based in
London. He has a background in the life sciences, and
graduated from the University of Glasgow with a
degree in genetics
A peer review of the paper on which most Covid testing is based
has comprehensively debunked the science behind it, finding
major flaws. They conclude it’s utterly unsuitable as a means
for diagnosis – and the fall-out is immense.
Last week, I reported on a landmark ruling from Portugal, where
a court had ruled against a governmental health authority that
had illegally confined four people to a hotel this summer. They
had done so because one of the people had tested positive
for Covid in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test – but
the court had found the test fundamentally flawed and
basically inadmissible.
Now the PCR testing supremacy under which we all now live has
received another crushing blow. A peer review from a group of 22
international experts has found 10 “major flaws” in the main
protocol for such tests. The report systematically dismantles
the original study, called the Corman-Drosten paper, which
described a protocol for applying the PCR technique to
detecting Covid.
The Corman-Drosten paper was published on January, 23, 2020,
just a day after being submitted, which would make any peer
review process that took place possibly the shortest in history.
What is important about it is that the protocol it describes is
used in around 70 percent of Covid kits worldwide. It’s
cheap, fast – and absolutely useless.
The 10 deadly sins
Among the fatal flaws that totally invalidate
the PCR testing protocol are that the test:
is non-specific, due to erroneous primer design
is enormously variable
cannot discriminate between the whole virus and viral fragments
has no positive or negative controls
has no standard operating procedure
does not seem to have been properly peer reviewed
Oh dear. One wonders whether anything at all was correct in the
paper. But wait – it gets worse. As has been noted previously,
no threshold for positivity was ever identified. This is why
labs have been running 40 cycles, almost guaranteeing
a large number of false positives – up to 97 percent,
according to some studies.
The cherry on top, though, is that among the authors of the
original paper themselves, at least 4 have severe conflicts
of interest. 2 of them are members of the editorial board
of Eurosurveillance, the sinisterly named journal that
published the paper. And at least three of them are
on the payroll of the first companies to perform
PCR testing!
Heroes we deserve
The 22 members of the consortium that has challenged this
shoddy science deserve huge credit. The scientists, from
Europe, the USA, and Japan, comprise senior molecular
geneticists, biochemists, immunologists, and
microbiologists, with many decades of
experience between them.
They have issued a demand to Eurosurveillance to retract the
Corman-Drosten paper, writing: “Considering the scientific
and methodological blemishes presented here, we are
confident that the editorial board of Eurosurveillance
has no other choice but to retract the publication.’’
Talk about putting the pressure on.
It is difficult to overstate the implications of this revelation. Every
single thing about the Covid orthodoxy relies on ‘case numbers’,
which are largely the results of the now widespread PCR tests.
If their results are essentially meaningless, then everything we
are being told – and ordered to do by increasingly dictatorial
governments – is likely to be incorrect. For instance, one of
the authors of the review is Dr Mike Yeadon, who asserts
that, in the UK, there is no ‘second wave’ and that the
pandemic has been over since June. Having seen
the PCR tests so unambiguously debunked, it is
hard to see any evidence to the contrary.
The house of cards collapses
Why was this paper rushed to publication in January, despite clearly
not meeting proper standards? Why did none of the checks and
balances that are meant to prevent bad science dictating
public policy kick into action? And why did it take so
long for anyone in the scientific community to
challenge its faulty methodology? These
questions lead to dark ruminations,
which I will save for another day.
Even more pressing is the question of what is going to be done about
this now. The people responsible for writing and publishing the paper
have to be held accountable. But also, all PCR testing based on the
Corman-Drosten protocol should be stopped with immediate effect.
All those who are so-called current ‘Covid cases’, diagnosed based
on that protocol, should be told they no longer have to isolate. All
present and previous Covid deaths, cases, and ‘infection rates’
should be subject to a massive retroactive inquiry. And lock-
downs, shutdowns, and other restrictions should be
urgently reviewed and relaxed.
Because this latest blow to PCR testing raises the probability that we
are not enduring a killer virus pandemic, but a false positive pseudo-
epidemic. And one on which we are destroying our economies,
wrecking people’s livelihoods and causing more deaths than
Covid-19 will ever claim.
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_______________________________________________
Efficacy vs safety? AstraZeneca vaccine is ‘busted flush’
IF it cannot help elderly – but US jabs may be worse,
UK doctor tells RT
November 26th, 2020 (RT)
AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine could be a lost cause if
it turns out that it cannot protect the elderly against the
disease, Malcolm Kendrick, an NHS GP, told RT. He
warned that on the other hand, US vaccines
could be dangerous.
“Realistically, it has got to work for the elderly, otherwise it is a
busted flush,” the Scottish doctor said, commenting on the
recent media reports about the jab’s potential efficacy.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the vaccine developed by
the British-Swedish drug manufacturer 'might be' much
less effective for the elderly population, than it is for
younger people.
The reports came after the company released quite puzzling
Phase-III clinical trials data demonstrating diverging results
in two different groups of participants. The jab somehow
turned out to be much more effective when a half dose
was injected and then followed by a full dose, a
month on.
Bloomberg suggested, citing Moncef Slaou, the head of the US
Operation Warp Speed program, that the surprisingly 90%-
effective half-dose regimen, was injected to people of
younger ages, while another group, which included
the elderly, had received two full doses that
showed only a 62%-efficiency.
If Bloomberg’s report turns out to be true, Kendrick says that
would mean the vaccine is virtually useless, explaining that
the younger population is “remarkably unaffected by the
virus itself” and has an extremely low Covid-linked
mortality rate. So, it would hardly need as strong
protection as people of older age.
The doctor cautioned against jumping to conclusions as he said
that any trial results published by pretty-much any vaccine
developer nowadays should be considered “a very early
stage efficacy testing, rather than a major trial.”
“So, all the [tests] are at very, very early stages. It is too early for
other companies to be jumping up and saying: ‘yours does not
work and ours does’.”
In fact, other vaccines developed by AstraZeneca’s rivals across
the pond – Moderna and Pfizer, which also collaborates with
Germany’s BioNTech – might pose a much greater risk than
just a possibility of a vaccine being not as effective,
Kendrick warned.
Both American vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to combat
the virus. That is an advanced genetic therapy that uses the
virus’ own genetic material against it. Kendrick, however,
warns that the technology is really new and untested,
meaning no one really knows how it could affect
human health, since it literally hijacks the
cellular reproduction mechanism.
“When you are dealing with something that has never been tried
before, the efficacy might not be so important but safety issues
should absolutely be looked at very carefully,” he said. “We
really do not know what these things might end up doing,
after a prolonged period of time.”
The fact that this rivalry between the drug manufacturers could
end up with information of vital importance to the public being
concealed, is something that is completely out of place during
the global pandemic, the doctor said.
“They are still playing these secret games, which is not appropriate
right now when the world needs to feel confident that people are
being given as much information as possible,” Kendrick said,
while calling on the vaccine developers to “be as honest
and open and share as much data as they possibly can.”
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Frank Furedi:
''Since the pandemic, anxiety about the mental health
consequences of loneliness, have intensified. This
tendency to interpret the act of fearing, existential
pain, disappointment & distress, through the prism
of mental health, is best captured by the concept
of medicalisation.The term medicalisation draws
attention to the 'trend' towards interpreting the
problems people encounter in their daily lives,
as medical ones.
This means human problems often come with a diagnosis. You are no longer shy, for example – you suffer from social phobia.
Energetic boys who are ''deemed'' to be too active
and don’t pay attention to their teacher, are given
the label Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The British government has used out-of-date death-scenario
modelling to illustrate the coronavirus crisis and justify a
second national lockdown, new research showed.
The selection of data has not been based on the current
reality, Carl Heneghan, the director of the Centre for
Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford University
said, in comments published on Monday,
RT reported.
The death forecasts could be four to five times too
high, Heneghan insists.
"I cannot understand why they have used this data,
when there are far more up-to-date forecasts from
Cambridge that they could have accessed, which
show something very different," Heneghan added.
The government’s scientific advisers showed a scenario
from Cambridge University at a Downing Street press
conference on Saturday, and graphs suggested
England could see 4,000 daily deaths early
next month. But this data was based on
different models from at least three
weeks ago, Heneghan and Daniel
Howdon of Leeds Institute of
Health Sciences explained
on Monday.
The Cambridge estimated projection for November 1st
is 1,000 deaths, the experts stated.
The most recent research from Cambridge forecasts
240 daily deaths for next week, while this figure
stands at around 500 in the second half
of November.
No Sputnik V for you! EU insists only ‘approved’
Covid vaccines allowed --- after Orban says
Hungary is in talks with Russia & China
October 31st, 2020 (RT news agency)
EU member states will be allowed to use only official
EU-approved Covid-19 vaccines, Brussels said --- in
response to remarks by Hungarian Prime Minister
Viktor Orban that Budapest was negotiating for
shots with Russia and China.
“There is no question that any vaccine that is, or could
be, made available on the territory of the European
Union would have to comply both with the quality
standards that are expected for these types of
products in the EU and follow the approval
procedures” currently in effect, European
Commission spokesman Eric Mamer said
at a press conference on Friday, asked
about Orban’s comments.
While not calling out Orban by name, Mamer’s comments
came after the Hungarian PM said Budapest was talking to Beijing and Moscow and hoping to have two or three
different vaccines by early next year.
The first shipment of vaccines should arrive in December
or January, and Hungary will be able to “declare victory
over the pandemic” by next spring, Orban said on
Friday in a radio interview.
It appears that Brussels will not allow Hungary to do so,
however, as the bloc has signed agreements with
AstraZeneca, Sanofi-GSK, and Johnson and
Johnson for “safe and effective vaccines”
against the coronavirus, once they
complete the clinical trials.
“We are not in negotiations with either Russian or Chinese
companies,” Mamer added. “That is the European vaccine
strategy. All member states have signed up to this process.”
Johnson & Johnson had paused its trials in mid-October,
citing an “unexplained illness” in one of the participants.
AstraZeneca had also halted their trials over a UK
volunteer experiencing complications, but
restarted them, even after a Brazilian
volunteer died on October 20th.
Russia was the first in the world to register a coronavirus
vaccine. Dubbed ‘Sputnik V’, it is based on the adenoviral
vector platform previously studied and considered safe,
and is currently undergoing phase-three trials. Moscow
has applied for the World Health Organization’s (WHO)
Emergency Use Listing program, which would allow
accelerated approval of the vaccine for use.
Brussels and Washington have objected to the Russian
vaccine, ostensibly on the grounds of safety. The US
also appears to have leaned on governments to
pressure them away from ‘Sputnik V’. On
October 16th, the US embassy in Kiev
announced that Ukraine “will NOT
be buying Russia’s [Covid-19]
vaccine, which has not
passed clinical trials
for safety!”
Meanwhile, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has
expressed his distrust of Western pharmaceutical
companies, accusing them of being “all about
profit.” Duterte said he would seek a deal to
buy the vaccine from China or Russia ---
which Manila was prepared to pay for.
Some 2,000 doses of the Russian vaccine were sent to
Venezuela in early October, after the authorities in
Caracas asked for help due to US & EU sanctions
ravaging the country’s healthcare system.
The virus, which was first detected in China in December
2019, quickly spread around the world, with the WHO
declaring a pandemic in March. Almost 45.5 million
people have been infected so far, with 1.18 million
deaths attributed to the virus. Much of Europe
and the US have locked down in an effort to
slow the spread, with disastrous economic
consequences.
The EU’s Mamer did acknowledge that “at some point”
vaccines produced outside the bloc “may” be
considered for distribution, but declined
to elaborate.
ALSO ON RT.COM
Are Western attacks on the Russian Covid-19
vaccine a corporate cold war against humanity?
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_____________________________________
Maduro says Venezuelan scientists developed medicine that ‘cancels 100% of Covid-19’ --- with no side-effects
October 26th, 2020 (Source - RT)
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says his country has
designed “a highly effective antiviral”, which decimates
coronavirus --- without any side effects. The drug will
be presented to the WHO for certification, he added.
"I want to say that Venezuela has developed a medicine
that annihilates 100% of the coronavirus," Maduro said
on Sunday, describing it as a “highly effective antiviral.”
It was designed by the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific
Research (IVIC), which has been working on a cure for
the virus for the past six months, he noted.
The medicine is based on a molecule called TR-10,
which was isolated and, when pitted against the
virus, proved its absolute effectiveness,
he claimed.
Maduro said the study has already been reviewed by
experts and scientists, and will be presented to the
World Health Organization (WHO) so that it can
certify its findings.
As he touted the potential breakthrough in Covid-19 therapy,
Maduro said Venezuela looks forward “to offering this
treatment to the world,” congratulating the IVIC on
“this great contribution to humanity.” Mass
production of the drug will be facilitated
through “international alliances,” he
said, without elaborating.
The newly-developed drug is completely safe, the institute
claimed, insisting it “does not affect healthy molecules in
the body” and does not result in any side effects.
The studies were conducted on virus cells isolated from
Venezuelan coronavirus patients, Gabriela Jiménez, the
minister of science and technology, said.
The molecule is an ursolic acid derivative, which “has
shown 100 percent inhibition of virus replication in
vitro [outside of a living organism],” she said, as
cited by EFE News Agency.
Earlier this month, Venezuela became the first Latin
American nation to receive Russia’s Sputnik V
Covid-19 vaccine. Around 2,000 people are
expected to be immunized in Venezuela
as part of the phase III trial. It was
registered in Russia in August
--- making it the world’s first
registered Covid-19 vaccine.
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___________________________________________
Brazilian Volunteer in Clinical Trials of Oxford Anti-Covid Vaccine Dies, Health Authority Says
17:13 GMT 21.10.2020 (Sputnik News Agency)
It's not clear yet whether the late participant
was receiving the vaccine... or a placebo.
A volunteer from Brazil who was taking part in
the Oxford coronavirus vaccine trials has died,
the country's Health Regulatory Agency
Anvisa confirmed.
According to the agency, they were notified about
the death of a 28-year-old volunteer on 19 October.
The person's death has apparently occurred as a
result of "complications from COVID-19", Globa
newspaper reported.
Anvisa did not, immediately, clarify whether the volunteer was taking the vaccine or the placebo,
and the situation is still under review.
The anti-COVID vaccine in question is being developed
by the University of Oxford in partnership with British-
Swedish multinational pharmaceutical giant
AstraZeneca. It is presently in the third
stage of clinical trials in Brazil, UK,
India and South Africa.
AstraZeneca has refused to comment on
the situation so far, amid the lack of an
official position.
___________________________________________
Pippa Bartolotti: No Compassion
in Capitalism during Covid-19
October 12th, 2020 (FNA)
Pippa Bartolotti, former Leader of Wales Green party, says
a capitalist system sacrifices people for the sake of the
economy, as witnessed in the coronavirus outbreak in
the US.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with FNA, Mrs. Bartolotti
said the mismanagement of the US Administration is obvious
during the Covid-19, and added, “The queuing for miles at
foodbanks, the attitude of the banks in withholding
stimulus checks to the poverty stricken, the many
thousands of homes with no water supply because
they could not pay the bills, the empty shelves in
supermarkets, are all juxtaposed against the
$500-billion in bail-out gifts made to the
already wealthy, pointing the long finger
of mismanagement at a system which is weak at best, failing at worst.”
Pippa Bartolotti is an author and political activist. She
served as the Wales Green Party Leader from 2012
for four years, and then as the joint-deputy leader
until 2017. She is now based in the US.
Below is the full text of the interview:
Q: Do you believe that Americans are benefitting from the
“all-time high market” during the coronavirus outspread?
''
A: ''It is becoming more and more evident that markets, just
like GDP and other monetary measures, do not reflect the
true health of a nation. Indeed, even the words ‘strong
economy’ are more a reflection of hubristic neo-
liberalism than reality. Covid-19, whilst a death
knoll for too many, is allowing many ordinary
people a space for reflection & consideration.''
''The queuing for miles at foodbanks, the
attitude of the banks now in withholding
stimulus checks to the poverty struck,
the many thousands of homes with no
water supply, because they could not
pay the bills, the empty shelves in
super-markets, are all juxtaposed
against the $500-billion in bail-out
gifts made to the already wealthy,
pointing the long finger of mis-
management at a system
which is weak at best,
failing at worst.''
Q: Why does Donald Trump firmly insist on
Americans returning to work? Does this
put the lives of Americans at risk?
A: ''The cracks in the system are widening. When a country,
for so long reliant on a ‘just in time’ policy discovers that
the policy is in fact ‘just too late’, there is panic at the top. Food shortages are very close. Starvation has an
immediacy, like no other. Never before have so
many people lived more than one day’s walk
from a food supply. Urban dwellers will take
to the streets -- and system collapse will be
inevitable. That's why there's huge pressure
to get people back to work. For those who do
not, run a 'very high risk' of losing their lives,
their legs or their loved ones, engineering a
situation whereby people start demanding
to go back to work, is likely. There is no
compassion in capitalism. People will
be sacrificed, to prop up what passes
for the economy.''
Q: How do you believe the capitalist system
implemented in the US can deal with the
coronavirus outbreak?
A: ''I believe that those who have been working the
capitalist system for their own ends, will find it
almost impossible, to change the way they do
things. Even if they did, there would be great
suspicion and mistrust. Capitalism has failed
us. It cannot stand up to disasters such as a
virus pandemic, and it will not be able to
stand up to the problems brought by
climate change. Ordinary people are
likely to become disengaged from a
system, which they can now see with
their own eyes, has impoverished the
vast majority. Of course the mass media
plays a big part in what news and current
affairs people may or may not hear about,
but the mounting numbers of dead --- the
lack of equipment for doctors and nurses,
cleaners and front line workers, the pitting
of state against state for PPE & ventilators
will not be forgotten. Advanced capitalism
- otherwise known as vulture capitalism -
leaves no room for doubt – for capitalism
to survive, it has to put itself before the
needs of the people who've unwittingly
made it such as success.''
''Ultimately it is down to individuals themselves to value
their lives and their loved ones above the economy.
Right now, we are seeing the magnificent sight of
cleaner air and resurgent wildlife, whilst at the
same time allocating a diminishing importance
to consumerist spending. This in turn will cut
manufacturing demand. As the price of dollar-
backed oil & fracked gas plummets, we hover
on the brink of a complete re-evaluation of our
economy, our priorities, and the way we live.
The people of the world could go back to
the old ways, but why would they?''
______________________________________
YOU ARE ADVISED ON NHS/GOV. WEBSITES: Phone
119 if you're in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
(BUT THIS 119 NUMBER DOES NOT WORK - yet the
Scotland number given below will result in friendly,
expert [non-privatised] GOOD help and advice)
So phone 0300 303 2713 if you're
in Scotland, England, or Wales!
P.S. The tests themselves are of very dubious value
as they are complicated, self-administered, and
controlled by (privatised) non-medical staff, who are more alert to their own ''safety'' than yours!
_______________________________________________
Privatisation to Blame for Track and Trace Disaster
--- Not the NHS
23:12 GMT 27.09.2020
by Tommy Sheridan
For over a week now I have been racked with the pain
of an aggressive bout of Shingles and largely confined
to bed and ordered to swallow daily medication
designed to undermine the virus and relieve
my pain.
However no amount of tablets in the world could relieve
my anger at this dishonest, deceitful, and corrupt Tory
government which is literally privatising the National
Health Service before our eyes and playing an
almighty con-trick on the public with the
shabby and shameful assistance of the
pathetically docile and deferential
mainstream media.
The NHS Track and Trace system that Unscrupulous Johnson
and Hopeless Hancock keep bleating on about doesn’t exist.
They privatised it in June, to reward Tory donors with
lucrative government contracts, despite the dubious
and dodgy records of performance, including criminal
behaviour, of those Tory supporting companies. This
privatised system is an expensive, chaotic cock-up,
and no proper or honest journalist should ever allow
it to be associated with the NHS.
Privatised Track and Trace System is a Shambles
The ‘world beating’, privatised scheme is not just incapable
of testing enough people locally or timeously - it has had to
send off almost 200,000 swabs and tests to other countries
to be processed, as the testing lab network introduced by
the private providers has proved woefully understaffed,
ill-prepared and overrun.
To add insult to world-wide embarrassment and bemusement
we now learn that the over-hyped but essential App system
required to facilitate the effective operation of any test
track and trace scheme, is not compatible with the
existing NHS England data systems, meaning that
users of the App cannot currently input positive or
negative results from tests carried out at NHS
hospitals or Public Health England Labs (PHE)
labs, according to the app’s website.
And just in case anyone doubted the shambolic nature of the
whole situation, the information that tens of thousands of
tests couldn’t be input to the new contact tracing App
was discovered by accident, when NHS England
informed a man who was trying to input his test
results that it wasn’t possible to do so, only a
day after a massive public launch, costing
tens of millions to advertise.
Track and Trace in England is NOT an NHS Run Service
It was launched on Thursday, after months of delay, but
within twenty-four hours came the humiliating admission
that more than 60,000 tests couldn’t be input, thereby
making a mockery of the whole system. A comedic,
expensive, politically criminal reality, which was
confirmed by the Tawdry Tory government
last Saturday:
“The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said
it is “working urgently” to make sure people can add their
positive test results to the app who are not given a code
to do so”.
What is infuriating and merits investigation by the Trades
Description enforcement officers is the use of ‘NHS COVID
-19 app’ to describe this privatised system on Twitter, as
the ignominious truth was revealed.
Repeat it over and over again. It is NOT an NHS Track
and Trace system and it is NOT an NHS Covid-19 app.
It is a farce designed and delivered entirely by private
companies at great cost to the public purse. Ministers
like Hancock should be sacked - or resign - over this
whole fiasco, but to sack him would take leadership
from Johnson, and to resign would require integrity
from Hancock. Neither of them possesses leader-
ship qualities or integrity.
Channel 4 Report Rare Exposure
of Privatisation at Heart of NHS
Take the time to check out the Channel 4 News Report the
other night, which uniquely examined the background of
the test and trace mess and exposed the fact that the
responsibility for the current omnishambles lies with
the Tory privateers and the companies they
appointed, not the NHS.
The Tories were irresponsibly slow in setting up a track
& tracing system to get to grips with the Covid19 threat.
All across the world, without exception, the countries
which have dealt best with the Covid19 pandemic and
protected their citizens and economies, are the ones
who responded quickest to the threat and introduced
robust and extensive test, track and trace systems.
The World Health Organisation advice couldn’t have been
simpler, so even dodos like Johnson and Hancock cannot
claim they didn’t understand the “test, test, test” advice
issued away back on 16th March. World Health
Organisation head, Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus, said then to the world:
“… there has not been an urgent enough escalation in testing,
isolation and contact tracing, which should be the "backbone"
of the global response … it is not possible to "fight a fire
blindfolded", and social distancing measures and hand-
washing will not alone extinguish the epidemic”.
Yet the Tories didn’t launch a track and trace system until 28th May,
over two months after the World Health Organisation exhortations.
An allocation of £10 billion was announced and testing was
originally conducted at 8 Public Health England Labs and
44 NHS Labs. Scotland launched their own distinct Test
and Protect scheme.
Within weeks the privatising instincts and intentions of the
Tories in relation to the NHS, were laid bare. The Covid19
crisis brings out the best in public servants like health
and care workers, but exposes the creed of greed
which courses through the Tory blue veins of the
rich and powerful.
Behind the scenes lobbying and promises of sinecures and
future paid consultancy posts, led to Hancock appointing
consultancy firm Deloitte to take over the track and trace
scheme. They built the website for booking tests, the one
that advises thousands seeking tests to travel hundreds
of miles to get one, and then sub-contracted private firms
like Serco, Sodexo and G4S, to run testing centres. How
much each company is being paid is not entirely clear,
but no tendering process was carried out. Private
consultancy firm Deloitte was awarded money,
allocated originally to the NHS, to pick and
choose their pals and pay them juicy sums
to run testing centres under the flag of
the NHS.
Test swabs were to be sent to a series of ‘Lighthouse Labs’
for processing with a mixture of private and public labs.
The private labs used different equipment to the public
ones, leading to kit compatibility problems whenever
help was requested. Latest figures show that the
number of tests turned around in 24 hours has
dropped from an uninspiring 32% a week ago,
to a positively pathetic 14% this week. So
much for super duper Tory Peer Dido Harding
who was appointed head of the new Health
Protection Agency, whatever the hell that’s
supposed to be, despite not possessing
any health service skills, qualifications
or experience. She has been a high heid
yin at Sainsbury, Tesco and Talk --- but
would you trust her to keep the health
service well-funded & in public hands?
Outsourcing Giants are Modern Day Pirates Pillaging the NHS
If someone tests positive, contact tracers employed by Serco
and Sitel are paid to plot the infected person’s interactions
with people during the infectious period. Serco’s tracing
contract alone is worth £108 million, but will rise to
£432 million if it continues into 2021.
This huge privatisation of a vital health service responsibility
is carried out in camouflage. Like Pirates in the lawless days
of high seas robbery who used to sail under dishonest flags
to dupe and surprise their unsuspecting victims before
pillage and robbery, so the private companies running
the track & trace system are allowed by government
to describe their operation as NHS Test and Trace -
when it is nothing more or less than a profit driven
exercise in ripping off the public purse and
denying the NHS vital monies.
The Pirate analogy is entirely appropriate here. Serco
is a company soaked in dishonesty and exuding
incompetence and fraud in equal doses. They
were fined £19.2 million last year, after a six
year Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation
into a massive scam in connection with a
prisoner electronic tagging scheme which
unearthed fraudulent claims for tagging
dead people, people who didn’t live at
the addresses submitted, and people
who were actually in prison. The fraud
raked in millions dishonestly for Serco
& G4S and the admission to the fraud
is what prevented a criminal trial.
Under the Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) scheme Serco
and G4S avoided criminal charges by paying back millions to
the Ministry of Justice, admitting guilt to three of the many
charges and paying fines and SFO investigation costs. G4S
paid £121 million back to the Ministry of Justice, Serco
paid back £70 million. G4S paid a fine of £38.5 million
and £5.9 million costs to the SFO. Serco paid £19.2
million and £3.7 million respectively.
Of G4S the SFO director Lisa Osofsky said:
“G4S Care & Justice repeatedly lied to the Ministry of Justice, profiting to the tune of millions of pounds --- and failing to provide
the openness, transparency and overall good corporate citizenship --- which UK taxpayers expect and deserve from companies entering into
government contracts.”
Her comments on Serco were equally damning.
They were, she said: “engaged in a concerted effort to lie to the Ministry of Justice in order to profit unlawfully at the expense of UK taxpayers.”
Companies Guilty of Criminal Fraud
Given Multi-Million NHS Contracts
Deloitte was complicit in the 2011-2013 electronic tagging scandal
as they were supposed to monitor and check the activities and
books of Serco and G4S, but failed miserably. They were
investigated by the Financial Reporting Council and pled
guilty to financial incompetence charges - coughing up
£4.2 million to pay a fine that was reduced by £2 million
because they pleaded guilty. Clearly, deep pockets in
the corporate world ensures you avoid proper justice.
Imagine just how much Serco and G4S defrauded the
public purse by, if they agreed to pay back £191
million in connection with their criminal scam?
Both companies pay for expensive PR, to try and convince us
these criminal frauds were the actions of rogue directors and
not part of the DNA of outsourcing firms existing like parasites
on billions from the public purse. The Serco contract to house
5,000 asylum seekers awarded last year is worth £1.9 billion
alone. It reminds me of the consciously dishonest defence
against illegal phone hacking offered up by the putrid News
of the World before the extent of their illegality was partially
exposed and they were compelled to close down the rag.
Deloitte, Serco, G4S, Sodexo, Sitel and several other
profit crazed outfits, desperate to get their hands-on
public money which should be invested in public
services, are the villains behind the test and
trace system in England and Wales. It should
NEVER be referred to as ‘NHS Track and Trace’.
How can companies like Serco, with their
criminal past, continue to secure massive
public contracts? Serco’s CEO is a former
Bullingdon Club member and brother of
recently retired Conservative MP
Nicholas Soames. His name is
Rupert Soames and he has
said he wants Serco to:
“cement the position of theprivate sector” in the NHS supply chain.
The current junior health Minister is Edward Argar.
Guess who he worked for before being elected to
Parliament? Yep. He was Head of Public Affairs
for Serco. The contact tracing contract they
were awarded was not subject to any tender.
Deloitte has advised the Tories for years on how to
cut NHS budgets, through staff reductions and
increased outsourcing. Now they are in the
heart of the health service and in charge of a vital service. The track and tracing
disasters are theirs, but they will seek
to shift blame onto the NHS and hope
to undermine public confidence in it
and support for it. They must not be
allowed to succeed.
Hidden under all the headlines of anti-lockdown protests
the other day, the Tories have removed ear-wax syringing
from the NHS, and a private pharmaceutical NHS supplier
has raised the price of Lithium tablets from £3 to £87 a
packet for people with bipolar. These are not isolated
decisions. The no-deal Brexit Johnson is hoping for,
and the free trade deal with America, are absolutely
critical dangers to the survival of the NHS. It is one
of the many reasons Scottish independence is now
so popular. We love the NHS and we will not allow
the cold, cruel, callous and unrepresentative Tories
in London to sell it off. The NHS is being privatised
before our eyes. We will defend ours in Scotland,
via independence. England and Wales must
mobilise decent citizens and the trade union movement to defend theirs, before it is too late.
_____________________________________________
Link between social media use and mental healthstronger in girls: study January 6th, 2019
Xinhua - Teenage girls who spend more time on social media have a higher risk of depression, according to a study published in the British journal EClinicalMedicine on Thursday.
Researchers led by Yvonne Kelly from University College London (UCL) in Britain found that almost 40 percent of girls who spend more than five hours a day on social media show symptoms of depression, while the rate is much lower for boys, which is less than 15 percent.
The researchers said the underlying processes of this phenomenon are not well understood.
Simon Wessely, an ex-president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, told the British newspaper The Guardian that the researchers "still cannot definitely say that social media usage causes poor mental health, although the evidence is starting to point in that direction."
Two-fifths of girls studied by UCL researchers have suffered online harassments or online bullying compared to a quarter of boys, while 40% of girls, compared to 28% of boys, have suffered sleep loss because of online habits, according to the study.
Compared with boys, girls are more likely to have low self-esteem and body weight dissatisfaction, and be unhappy with their appearance, said the study.
The research is based on interviews with almost 11,000 14-year-olds who are taking part in the Millennium Cohort Study, a major research project into children's lives.
The researchers claimed that these findings are highly relevant to current policy development on guidelines for the safe use of social media and call on industry to more tightly regulate hours of social media use for young people.
Clean cut: Dutch hospitals ditch US body-part distributors over ethics, disease December 9th, 2018.
Hospitals in the Netherlands are dropping US body-part distributors on ethical grounds after a decade of unregulated trade in dissected human limbs.
In the United States, everything has its price, and as the large scale dead-body market shows, this does not end, after death. In a Reuters exclusive, two Dutch hospitals revealed that they would be cutting off their business ties to American companies that have been profiting off the sale of human body parts, in light of disturbing revelations.
The scrutiny began after Oregon-based MedCure came under suspicion of selling diseased body parts to customers in America and abroad, drawing attention from the FBI. The company has sold tens of thousands of pounds of human parts all over Europe, including numerous severed heads that were purchased by Amsterdam’s Academic Medical Centre (AMC) for training and research.
No evidence of disease was discovered in these particular shipments, but AMC and another Dutch hospital said they would drop the suppliers over their questionable ethics.
The parts the companies sell are often acquired from macabre deals where families are offered discounts on incredibly expensive funeral arrangements (with an average price-tag of $7,000 to $10,000 dollars in the US), in exchange for allowing companies to dismember and sell pieces of their loved ones’ corpses... yet, most don’t even realize that someone is making money from their 'donation'.
According to another Reuters article from 2017, many funeral homes have struck mutually beneficial deals with body-parts distributors – tipping them off on potential donors, in exchange for referral fees – to take advantage of a ‘product’ that can easily be obtained for free.
Whereas Dutch law is fairly strict in regard to the transport, sale and use of human organs, the body-part market is essentially a free-for-all, with the health industry claiming that regulations are not needed as the hospitals themselves are trusted to take precautionary measures.
Freek Dikkers, a nose, ears and throat specialist at AMC whose department had purchased heads from MedCure, called such morbid business strategies “unacceptable.”
Reuters reports that the going rate of a human head on the US market is $500 dollars and an entire body can fetch as much as $10,000... although the hospitals themselves declined to comment on how much they had been paying.
MedCure say they are “an accredited and regulated institution and adhere to the best-in-class industry standards for safety ethics, and transparency,” who sells the parts in order to facilitate scientific and medical research.
MedCure is not the first global medical supply company to draw heavy scrutiny for exploiting an unregulated market. The International Consortium of Independent Journalists published a study, just this year, about American based Medtronic, which made millions selling faulty biometric implants - linked to thousands of deaths.
(Source - RT)
______________________________________________
Alcohol dependence & psychiatric disorders, share genetic links - study November 28th at 1:13am.
Xinhua - An international team of researchers have identified a gene, known to affect the risk for alcohol dependence, and determined many other genes which contribute to the risk, to a lesser degree.
The researchers linked genetic factors associated with alcohol dependence to other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, and showed that genetic factors tied to typical drinking sometimes are different from those linked to alcohol dependence.
The study involved 50,000+ people. It compared genetic variants from nearly 15,000 individuals diagnosed with alcohol dependence to nearly 38,000 people without such a diagnosis.
The one gene that stood out, called ADH1B, regulates how the body converts alcohol to a substance called acetaldehyde. Variants in the gene speed the conversion to acetaldehyde, a compound linked to unpleasant side effects from drinking, and that compound has a protective effect, making people less likely to drink heavily or become alcoholics.
The researchers found that the genetic risk factors related to alcohol dependence, were also linked to risk for other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, schizophrenia, ADHD and the use of cigarettes and marijuana.
A key aspect of the study is that it included genetic data from 46,568 European people and 6,280 people of African ancestry. Although the same ADH1B gene was linked to alcoholism risk, both in people of European ancestry, and African ancestry, the researchers found that different variants in the gene altered risk in the 2 populations.
The researchers also found that the genetic factors related to simply drinking alcohol, were a little different, from the genetic factors that contributed to alcohol dependence.
In other words, at least at the genetic level, there is a difference between simply drinking alcohol, even large amounts of alcohol, and becoming dependent on it.
"People suffering from alcohol dependence generally drink a great deal, but they also experience other problems, related to their drinking, like losing control over when and how much they drink," said senior author Arpana Agrawal, a professor of psychiatry, at Washington University School of Medicine, in St. Louis.
"I think it's likely that, as the sample sizes of our studies increase, we may find new DNA variants related to these problematic aspects of alcohol dependence - but possibly not related to typical drinking" Agrawal said.
"The risk conferred by the ADH1B gene is one of the strongest single-gene effects seen in people with a psychiatric illness, but overall, it explains only a small proportion of the risk," Agrawal said.
"Many additional gene variants are making small contributions to alcoholism risk, but to find them, we'll need to study more people."
The researchers plan to continue investigating those links between genetic susceptibility to alcohol dependence, and the risk for other types of psychiatric illness.
It is estimated that one in eight Americans suffers from alcohol dependence.
The study was published online, on November 26th, in the journal, 'Nature Neuroscience'.
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Toothpaste Can Cause Diabetes, Study Says July 24th, 2018
The titanium dioxide present in toothpaste favours the appearance of diabetes type two, according to research by the University of Texas, USA.
To demonstrate that statement, the authors analyzed small samples of pancreas tissue from eleven volunteers, says an article in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology.
As a result, eight of them suffered from diabetes type two, and titanium dioxide (E171) was found in their parts. No trace of the chemical was found in the remaining three people.
The authors announced they expect to repeat the experiment in a larger group of people.
E171 is widely used in cosmetics and food industries for its ability to provide a whitish colour to products.
Diabetes type two is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels. Its classic symptoms are excessive thirst, frequent urination and constant hunger.
(Source - Prensa Latina)
Huge explosion in numbers waiting to get NHS care by Ceren Sagir
The number of patients waiting over a year for NHS care has seen a sharp 75 per cent rise, according to a new official report.
Figures from NHS Improvement show that 2,647 people said they had waited for over a year for treatment in March, compared to 1,513 the previous year.
Recent figures show that GP closures have forced 1.3 million patients to move surgeries in the last five years.
Shadow health and social care secretary Jonathan Ashworth said it “exposes a real crisis” in primary care after “eight years of grinding Tory austerity.”
“Labour has long called for primary care to be given greater priority and investment,“ he said.
“A key test for Theresa May in the coming weeks will be whether or not she finally delivers the level of investment and support that primary care so obviously needs.”
The report also highlights that NHS providers ended the year with a “challenging level of vacancies” of more than 92,000 posts.
A national survey of GPs has revealed that those who plan to leave the profession in the next five years, is at an all-time high.
More than nine out of 10 GPs reported experiencing considerable or high pressure, from increasing workloads.
Fresh calls have been made on the government through a petition to review immigration policies for overseas doctors who are applying to work in the NHS.
Between December 2017 and March, over 1,500 visa applications from doctors with job offers in Britain were refused as a result of the Home Office’s cap on the number of tier 2 visas it issues to workers from outside the European Economic Area.
(Source - Morning Star)
_______________________________________________
Depressed parents blamed for childhood friendship breakup - study May 10th 2018 (Source: Xinhua)
A study published on Thursday in the Journal of Family Psychology sheds light on why childhood friendships tend to fall apart, demonstrating that parents are an important source of those breakups.
Looking at data from 1,523 children, among them 766 boys, from grades one to six, researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland conducted a survival analysis to identify the characteristics of parents that predict the stability of their children's friendships.
The researchers examined mother and father reports of their own depressive symptoms and parenting styles to predict the occurrence and timing of the dissolution of kids' best friendships from the beginning to the end of elementary school (grades one to six).
The researchers assessed three commonly recognized parenting styles: behavioral control such as curfews and monitoring; psychological control such as shaming and guilt; and warmth and affection.
They also assessed parental depression to disentangle the unique contributions of parenting styles from parents' mental health difficulties known to shape parenting.
Lastly, they assessed the children's peer social status or how well-liked they are by other children to separate the effects of parenting from difficulties that children have getting along with peers.
"We already know that peer status plays an important role in friendship outcomes. For example, well-liked children have more long-lasting relationships than do their class- mates," said Brett Laursen, a co-author of the study and a professor and graduate studies coordinator in the Department of Psychology in FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.
Laursen, who collaborated with lead author Daniel J. Dickson and co-author Melissa Huey, both of whom received their doctorates from FAU's Department of Psychology, and their collaborators in Finland, wanted to determine if negative parenting characteristics such as manipulative and coercive behaviours disrupt children's friendships.
Results from the study found clear support for their hypothesis that negative features of parenting, such as depression and psychological control, increase the risk that best friendships would end.
According to the study, for children with clinically depressed parents, the risk of best friendship dissolution increased by up to 104 percent.
There was a similar, although not quite as dramatic, increase in the risk of best friendship dissolution for children with psychologically controlling parents.
Parent depression and parent psychological control, uniquely predicted subsequent child friendships breaking up, above and beyond the contributions of peer difficulties.
A surprising finding from the study that was contrary to the researchers' expectations, was that they did not find any evidence that positive parenting behaviours like warmth and affection, altered the stability of children's best friendships.
"We were hoping that positive behaviours would help extend the life of friendships and that it would be a buffer or a protective factor," said Laursen. "This wasn't the case. Warmth and affection don't appear to make that much of a difference. It's the negative characteristics of parents that are key in determining if and when these childhood friendships end."
Findings from this study also confirmed that most friendships were transitory. Fewer than 10 percent of first-grade best friendships survived from the first to the sixth grade, with roughly half or 48 percent dissolving within a year of initiation.
"We believe that children with depressed and psychologically controlling parents are not learning healthy strategies for engaging with other people, which could have long-term consequences for their future relationships," said Laursen.
Chronic drinking in adolescence adds risks of liver diseases in adulthood: study Monday, January 22nd, 2018. Xinhua - Swedish researchers confirmed in a study published Sunday, that chronic consumption of alcohol during adolescence can lead to greater risks of developing liver diseases later in life.
The research by the Swedish scientists with Karolinska University Hospital of Sweden showed that young men who drank 20 grams or more of alcohol each day during their adolescence have higher risks of developing liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis or even liver-related deaths, later in their adult life.
The study, published in the Journal of Hepatology, was based - partly - on the retrospective statistics of over 49,000 Swedish young men aged between 18 and 20.
The data were collected in a nationwide survey conducted from 1969 to 1970 on Swedish males conscripted then into military service.
The Swedish researchers examined the link between alcohol consumption early in life and later development of severe liver disease.
After 39 years of follow-up research, the scientists found that 383 men developed severe liver diseases later in their life, such as liver cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease, liver failure, or were killed by liver diseases.
In some countries, recommended cut-off levels suggest that safe alcohol consumption for men to avoid alcoholic liver disease is 30 grams a day, roughly equivalent to 3 drinks.
However, the latest study indicates that the risk is dose- dependent and young men consuming only two drinks, or about 20 grams or more of alcohol every day, would face greater risks of developing liver diseases in adulthood.
It is generally known that alcohol is the leading cause of liver cirrhosis and liver-related deaths, and a 2014 report by the World Health Organization says that alcohol-related cirrhosis leads to 493,300 deaths globally each year.
While alcohol-related disease is theoretically 100 percent preventable,the scientists believe that it is needed to take measures to curb excessive alcohol consumption among young people.
Put the phone down: US health officials warn of cancer & infertility risk 16th of December, 2017
The California Department of Public Health has issued guidelines on cell phone exposure, warning residents to keep their cell phone away from their body to reduce potential cancer and infertility risks.
The release follows a legal battle initiated by UC Berkeley researcher Joel Moskowitz last year after he discovered draft documents on the issue had existed since 2010, without being made available to the public.
The precautionary document, ‘How to reduce exposure to radio f requency energy from cell phones’, states that while the science is still evolving, some studies have suggested a link between long-term mobile phone use and cancer.
Qualifying that these studies have not established a definitive relationship between the two, and that potential health risks from cell phones are still contentious among scientists, the health department states its advisory is for those concerned about the possible risks.
The main piece of advice issued by the authority is to keep the phone away from your body. “Keeping your phone just a few feet away from you, can make a big difference,” it says.
This means using the speakerphone option or a headset instead of holding the phone up to your ear and keeping your mobile device in a backpack or handbag and not in a pocket.
The guidelines also warn against a common habit for those who also use their device as an alarm clock – sleeping next to your cell phone. Unless the phone is off or in airplane mode, keep it at least a few feet away from your bed, the guidelines recommend.
The report highlights that children could be at greater risk as their body is still developing and over their lifetime they will have a lot more exposure.
The release of the CDPH guidelines follows a ruling by the Sacramento Superior Court handed down in March. The state argued in court that the unofficial document would cause unnecessary panic, reported KAZU.
A draft document was initially released but these new guidelines offer a more detailed picture.
In July, the California Brain Tumor Association held a demonstration in Sacramento outside the CDPH building to call for the public release of the cell phone warning document.
CDPH director Dr Karen Smith said they released the guide- lines because of a continued public interest in cell phone- related health risks and the decision had little to do with the court battle.
The latest safety recommendations are similar to those issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health in May, 2015.
A number of expert agencies including the US Food and Drug Administration, the National Cancer Institute and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have said sufficient evidence has not been presented to show an ''association'' between exposure to radio frequencies from a cell phone & health problems.
The agencies suggest more research is needed. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified radio waves as “possible carcinogens” but note there is limited evidence. The US's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP), meanwhile, have not formally classified cell phones as to their cancer-causing potential.
A study published earlier this year by University College Cork in the Republic of Ireland, on ''myths'' about cell phones and a cancer risk, found huge disparities between fact and fear.
“The results of our research show that a significant proportion of Irish males incorrectly believe certain cancer myths, for example between 45% to 52% believed that wearing tight underwear, carrying mobile phones in pockets or the extended use of laptop on the lap, increased their risk of testicular cancer,” the team concluded.
UK is fattest country in Western Europe with 63% of adults overweight & obese – OECD study 12th of November, 2017
The UK is the most overweight country in Western Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has stated.
Over 63% of UK adults are overweight, OECD says.
The 2017 Obesity Update report found that the UK is the sixth fattest nation out of 35 OECD member countries, with a 27% adult obesity rate. The US, Mexico, New Zealand, Hungary and Australia fare worse than the UK, though. The countries with the lowest levels of obesity are Japan, Korea, Italy and Switzerland.
Adult obesity rates in the UK have increased by 92 percent since the 1990s, while in the US with an obesity rate of 38%, the increase has been a “mere” 65 percent. A further 36% of the UK population are overweight. When it comes to children, the UK falls slightly below average, with a 24% obesity rate, compared to the average of 25 percent.
Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30. Overweight people are classed as those with a BMI of between 25 and 30.
While the overall health and life expectancy of Britons are average, obesity rates of 27% far surpass the average OECD rate of 19 percent. According to the study, 40% of Britons will be obese by 2030.
“One could weep over the figures,” Tam Fry, chair of the National Obesity Forum told the Times. “The result of successive governments who have, for 30 years, done next to nothing to tackle obesity.”
Obese people are at risk of cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. OECD says “more could be done” to fight the issue, while recognising the UK’s efforts to ban super-size chocolate bars from hospitals and the impending sugar tax. The report also pointed a finger at the UK for its teenage drinking, and its shortage of doctors and nurses.
(Source - RT)
Drinking frequently kills new brain cells, especially for women: study 10/11/2017
Xinhua - Frequent alcohol drinking kills new cells in key brain regions, with females being more vulnerable, a new study on mice said Thursday.
Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston discovered that alcohol killed the stem cells that are responsible for creating new nerve cells and important to maintaining normal cognitive function in adult mouse brains.
And for the first time, the research showed that brain changes due to alcohol exposure are different for females and males.
The findings, published in the journal Stem Cell Reports, may help open a door to combating chronic alcoholism.
For the study, UTMB researchers used a cutting-edge technique to tag brain stem cells in order to observe how they migrate and develop into specialized nerve cells over time.
This allowed the researchers to study the impact of long-term alcohol consumption on the cells. It showed that chronic alcohol drinking killed most brain stem cells and reduced the production and development of new nerve cells.
However, the effects of repeated alcohol consumption differed across brain regions.
The brain region most susceptible to the effects of alcohol was one of two brain regions where new brain cells are created in adults.
The researchers also found that female mice displayed more severe intoxication behaviors and more greatly reduced the pool of stem cells in a brain region called the subventricular zone.
Ping Wu, UTMB professor in the department of neuroscience and cell biology, who led the study, said in a statement that the discovery "provides a new way of approaching the problem of alcohol- related changes in the brain."
"We need to understand how alcohol impacts the brain stem cells at different stages in their growth, in different brain regions and in the brains of both males and females," Wu said.
Pollution Causing More Deaths WorldwideThan War or Smoking : Lancet
Prensa Latina - Environmental pollution, from filthy air to contaminated water, is killing more people every year than all war and violence in the world.
More than smoking, hunger or natural disasters. More than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. One out of every six premature deaths in the world in 2015, about 9 million, could be attributed to disease from toxic exposure, according to a major study released on Thursday October 19th, in the Lancet medical journal.
The financial cost from pollution-related death, sickness and welfare is equally massive, the report says, costing some $4.6 trillion in annual losses, or about 6.2 per cent of the global economy.
The report marks the first attempt to pull together data on disease and death caused by all forms of pollution combined.
Asia and Africa are the regions putting the most people at risk, the study found, while India tops the list of individual countries.
Still, many poorer countries have yet to make pollution control a priority, experts say.
Europe's cancer drugs mostly ineffective: Study Thursday October 5th, at 4:02pm
European regulators approved 39 new cancer drugs between 2009 and 2013, despite having no evidence that they worked better than existing medicines, or at all, researchers said on Thursday.
The number represented more than half of 68 treatments to become available for European cancer patients during this period, they said, "raising serious questions about the current standards of drug regulation."
Apart from dashing patient hopes, allowing unproven medicine onto the market also unnecessarily exposed people to toxicity inherent in all drugs, while inflating state pharmaceutical spending.
Writing in The BMJ medical journal, a team of public health experts expressed concern about the approval of often- pricey new cancer drugs by the EU regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
"This situation has negative implications for patients and public health," they warned.
"When expensive drugs that lack clinically meaningful benefits are approved and paid for within publicly funded healthcare systems, individual patients can be harmed, important societal resources wasted, and the delivery of equitable and affordable care, undermined."
Many drugs were approved on the basis of inconclusive, early test results such as lab experiments, which were unable to predict whether they would actually make a patient feel better or live longer.
Another study, published in 2015, had found that most cancer drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2008 and 2012 similarly came with no evidence that they boosted patient survival or improved the quality of life.
One of the authors of the American study, Vinay Prasad from the Oregon Health & Science University, pointed out that the average cancer drug in the US costs more than $100,000 (85,000 euros) per person per year.
"In the US, this broken system means huge expenditures on cancer drugs with certain toxicity, but uncertain benefit," he wrote in a comment also carried by The BMJ.
"The US Medicare program is legally required to pay for any drug approved by the FDA, without any negotiation on price."
Given the toxicity and expense of cancer drugs, patients should be exposed only "when they can reasonably expect an improvement in survival or quality of life," said Prasad.
The new study found that 11 new drugs approved by the EMA between 2009 and 2013 were not shown to work any better than existing medicines to which they were compared, co- author Courtney Davis of King's College London told AFP.
In the case of 20 drugs, they worked no better than a placebo or "dummy" drug, and another eight were not compared to anything at all, "so we don't know whether they extend or improve life," she said.
Humanity at risk as sperm levels among Western men plummet to a record low
Chemicals, diet, stress, and lifestyle choices have caused the sperm levels of Western men to plummet to less than 50 percent of what they were four decades ago, a new study has found.
The research found that sperm in the ejaculate of men from Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand fell by 1.4 percent every year between 1973 2011, leading to an overall drop of just over 52 percent.
“The results are quite shocking,”said study co-author Hagai Levine, an epidemiologist from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, according to Reuters. He called the results an"urgent wake-up call."
Levine added that, while fertility treatments such as IVF can sometimes offer solutions to the procreating problem --- little is being done to address the root of the issue: an overall general decline in men's health.
Poor sperm counts have also been associated with testicular cancer, increased male mortality rates, children born with one or both testicles missing, and the onset of male puberty, according to the researchers.
"Eventually, we may have a problem, and with reproduction in general, and, it may be, the extinction of the human species,” Levine told the BBC.
Environmental influences, heat, lifestyle factors, bad diet, stress, smoking, and obesity --- both prenatally and in adult life --- have all been “plausibly associated” with the decline, states the study.
“Therefore... sperm count may sensitively reflect the impacts of the modern environment on male health throughout the life course,”the paper reads.
In particular, the paper notes, chemical exposures or maternal smoking “during critical windows of male reproductive development, may play a role in prenatal life, while lifestyle changes and exposure to pesticides, may play a role in adult life.”
Published in the medical journal Human Reproduction Update, the “rigorous and comprehensive” research analyzed data from 185 studies. Researchers from Israel, Denmark, the US, Brazil, and Spain, took part in the study.
The trend has not been recorded among men in Africa, Asia, or South America, 'though the authors concede that fewer studies have been made, in those regions.
The study’s authors have called for urgent work to narrow down the causes for the decline in sperm levels among Western men.
“This definitive study shows - for the first time - that this decline is strong & continuing,” said one of the study’s authors, Professor Shanna Swan, of the Icahn School of Medicine, at Mount Sinai.
Recreational cocaine users get addicted much earlier than they think – study
Folks who snort lines of cocaine “only recreationally,” to socialize and have fun with friends, are actually much closer to becoming hooked than they think, say researchers, who found that just watching someone using cocaine, can bring on cravings.
Even among non-dependent cocaine users, cues associated with cocaine consumption trigger the release of dopamine, the so called “pleasure chemical,” in an area of the brain believed to promote compulsive use, scientists at McGill University in Canada say.
This means that people that refer to themselves as modest, recreational users, who think they can give up at any time, could be much closer to being addicted than they think.
“The study provides evidence that some of the characteristic brain signals in people who have developed addictions are also present much earlier than most of us would have imagined,”Marco Leyton, an expert on neurobiology drug use and addiction and professor in McGill’s Department of Psychiatry, said in a statement.
Just standing in the corner while quietly watching someone else using cocaine is enough to trigger a dopamine release and lead to cravings, the findings, published in Scientific Reports, say.
As the addiction gets worse, the cue-induced release of dopamine spreads towards the dorsal striatum, a structure deep inside the brain, whose role in determining how we respond to pleasure, has been intensively studied.
“This area of the brain is thought to be particularly important for when people start to lose control of their reward-seeking behaviours,”Professor Leyton said.
“The dorsal part of the striatum is involved in habits – the difference, for example, between getting an ice cream because it will feel good versus being an automatic response that occurs even when it is not enjoyable or leads to consequences that you would rather avoid, such as weight gain or serious health hazards,”he explained.
Scientists used positron emission tomography (PET) scans to see what happens in the dorsal striatum of recreational cocaine users. They filmed participants ingesting cocaine in the laboratory with a friend with whom they had used the drug before. The participants later underwent a PET scan while watching the video of their friend taking cocaine. Exposure to cocaine-related cues proved to increase both craving and dopamine release in the dorsal striatum.
“An accumulation of these brain triggers might bring people closer to the edge than they had realized,”Professor Leyton said, highlighting the “importance of providing help early” to avoid the grave effects of dependency.
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Record Number Of Nurses Quit NHS by Felicity Collier
Bargain-basement Britain has lost more than 10,000 nurses and midwives over the last four years, driven out by poverty pay & worsening working conditions.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) said more nurses are leaving than joining the profession, with those from Britain, leaving in the largest numbers.
The latest stats add to mounting pressure on the Tories, to end their hated public-sector pay cap.
Alarmingly, the NMC study shows that workers below retirement age, are leaving at over twice the rate, than in 2012-13.
Overall, the number of leavers - including workers from overseas -- rose from 23,087 in that period, to 34,941 in 2016-17. Those who first registered for the profession in Britain, made up 85% of the entire register.
Staffing levels and workload were top concerns for those aged 21 to 30, while low pay and benefits were also cited, alongside the worsening quality of care for patients.
An increased number of staff left for similar jobs abroad.
Both the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Royal College of Midwives (RCM,) urged the government to scrap the pay cap to alleviate the crisis.
About 1,783 left the profession in 2016-17, but that figure shot up to 3,264 for this year alone.
RCM policy director Jon Skewes said pay freezes and increasing workloads, have left workers “demoralised and disillusioned.”
Unison head of health Sara Gorton said:
“Many organisations, including the NHS pay review body have warned that the pay freeze was not sustainable.
“Nurses and midwives’ pay has been held down for too many years, despite demand for their expertise growing. So it is no surprise, that they are leaving the NHS.
“Ministers must also grant an automatic right to remain for the 30,000 EU workers in the NHS as well as scrap the pay cap --- if they are serious about keeping patients safe.”
NHS Providers policy director Saffron Cordery insisted that a new staff retention programme will assist NHS trusts with the highest leaving rates, though this will help little, in the face of the 1 per cent pay cap.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has hinted that the government could lift the pay cap for NHS staff — despite the Conservatives recently voting against raising the derisory cap for public-sector workers.
He said:“These pay review bodies have been set up in order to ensure that we can have authoritative advice on what’s required in order to ensure that the public services on which we rely are effectively staffed and the people within them, are effectively supported.”
His comments came amid claims in the Observer that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will be calling for a lift of the pay cap for NHS workers, in light of a report by the NHS pay review body -- highlighting “widespread concerns” about recruitment, retention & motivation.
Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth called on the government to give NHS workers a pay rise as it will improve recruitment & staff retention and reduce the need for agencies, saving money in the longer term.
During the election campaign, Prime Minister Theresa May came under fire after she told a nurse who hadn’t had a pay rise for eight years, that there was “no magic money tree.”
(Source - Morning Star)
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Nurses Don’t Deserve This
Britain’s nurses are on the brink of industrial action for the first time.
The Royal College of Nursing’s consultative ballot shows 78 per cent of nurses are ready to strike — and more than nine in 10 are up for action of other kinds, to resist Conservative plans for an eighth successive year of shrinking wage packets.
The RCN estimates that the below-inflation 1 per cent rises since the Tory-Lib Dem coalition imposed “austerity”, mean nurses’ incomes have shrunk by 14 per cent since we last had a Labour government.
At the same time the catastrophic squeeze on NHS Trust budgets across the country, as a result of chronic underfunding, means that trusts around the country are proving unable to fill nursing vacancies, a task made harder by the removal of bursaries for student nurses by the Tories in their 2015 “spending review.”
There are some 40,000 posts unfilled across England, twice as many vacancies as existed just 4 years ago.
The Royal College of Nursing has not taken strike action once --- in the 101 years of its existence.
Nursing is a vocation, a job taken up by people who devote their lives to looking after others.
It has always been appallingly underpaid, considering the vital role nurses play in caring for the sick and elderly, the highly skilled nature of the work, the grave responsibilities that fall on their shoulders and the huge societal contribution they make by comparison with many more lucrative professions.
Even so, nurses have not walked out for higher wages. Nobody becomes a nurse in order to rake in the big bucks, and they have shown a principled reluctance to do anything that might risk the health of the people in their care.
Far from earning them respect, this fortitude and generosity of spirit has led the government to take them for mugs, forcing their pay down for years and leaving them struggling to cope in understaffed wards.
Confronted on the Andrew Marr show over the scandal of nurses relying on foodbank handouts to survive, PM Theresa May didn’t miss a beat, sneering that there were “many complex reasons” nurses might go to foodbanks.
As the author David Rosenberg retorted, she must be a genius — having pondered it for hours, he could only think of one.
May’s obfuscation is easily explained. The PM knows there are nurses living in poverty.
She doesn’t care — any more than she cares about the millions of other working people who've lost thousands of pounds a year in pay --- thanks to seven years of government of the rich, for the rich and by the rich.
Health Minister Philip Dunne might plead that nurses deserve a pay rise, but that it's unaffordable in these hard economic times.
But this month’s Sunday Times Rich List surely gave the lie to that threadbare excuse. Britain’s billionaires are rolling in it, with the 1,000 richest people adding 14/% to their wealth over the last year — bringing their ill- gotten gains to an eye-watering £658 billion.
Nurses planning a summer of protest deserve our solidarity and support.
(Source - Morning Star)
There's a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it.
My name is Dave Gale. I have Becker muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting condition that severely impacts my mobility.
I need a car to get to my job 30 miles away to provide for my family. I can’t use a regular car because of my condition, but I have a government-funded Motability car that is adapted to my needs.
However, the government is in the process of reassessing all disabled people’s benefits, and when mine were assessed in 2016, they decided to take my car away.
On 11 October, I had to give my Motability vehicle back. I was devastated and lodged an appeal to get it back.
In the meantime I had no choice but to use our family savings to buy a new adapted car in order to keep my job.
An appeal tribunal eventually overturned the original decision– but our savings are gone.
Sadly, mine is not an exceptional story. Since 2013, 50,000 people have lost their Motability vehicles as the government has been moving people from the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Many get them back on appeal. But before that point, too many of us have seen our savings wrecked or our independence compromised because the Government haven’t conducted their assessment process correctly.
There is a very simple solution: people should be allowed to keep their vehicles until their appeals have been heard.
Penny Mordaunt MP, the Minister for Disabled People, told Parliament last year that she was going to do something to help people in my position. But months later, the minister has said nothing more.
We need to make sure that Penny keeps her promise, and we need your support to make sure that thousands more people don’t face the problems I have faced.
The person (or organisation) who started this petition is not affiliated with Change.org. Change.org did not create this petition and is not responsible for the petition content.
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Happiness in Life Could Be as Easy as a Quick Afternoon Nap 4/4/2017
British researchers have found that power napping can not only help get you through the day, but can actually make a you happier person -- an effect the researchers have dubbed “nappiness.”
More than 1,000 people of various ages participated in an online survey conducted for the Edinburgh International Science Festival. The findings showed that their level of happiness depended somewhat on whether or not, and for how long, they snoozed in the daytime.
Participants were divided into three groups: those who don't nap, short nappers of 30 minutes or less, & long nappers of 30 minutes or more... Having analyzed the participants' responses to a number of psychological questions, the researchers found that 66 percent of short nappers not only increased their productivity but also felt happier, compared with 60 percent of non-nappers, and 56 percent of long nappers.
On the five-point happiness scale, short nappers had an average score of 3.67, as compared to 3.53 for non-nappers, and 3.44 for long nappers.
Almost 15% more participants aged 18-30 took naps, than those over 50.
"Previous research has shown that naps of under 30 minutes make you more focused, productive, and creative, and these new findings suggest the tantalizing possibility: you can also become happier, just by taking a short nap," said psychologist Richard Wiseman, of the University of Hertfordshire, pointing out how firms like Google... install special nap spaces for employees.
Among survey respondents, only 11 percent said they were allowed to take naps at work.
Wiseman stressed that while brief naps, from 20 to 30 minutes, benefit health and boost performance, frequent longer dozing is associated with various health risks.
In another study on sleepy military pilots, the US space agency NASA, found that taking a short nap when the co-pilot was in control, boosted alertness by more than 50 percent.
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Planned Parenthood Director Caught Admitting: Babies Born Alive After Abortion are Killed Thursday, 30 March, 2017 at 10pm
A shocking new undercover video exposes a Planned Parenthood medical director admitting that babies born alive after abortion, are sometimes killed. The top Planned Parenthood official is caught on video essentially admitting that it “depends on who is in the room” as to whether or not a baby who is born alive after a failed abortion, is taken to the hospital, or left to die.
The new undercover video shows DeShawn Taylor, former Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Arizona and longtime abortion practitioner at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, graphically describing how to deliver intact fetuses in late-term abortions to harvest high-quality body parts, and indicating a possible cover-up of infanticide.
The footage is never-before-released material obtained by The Centre for Medical Progress, whose undercover videos recorded top-level Planned Parenthood leaders negotiating the harvesting and sale of the hearts, lungs, livers, and brains of aborted fetuses, for financial benefit.
At a networking reception at a Planned Parenthood conference, CMP investigators posing as buyers from a biotech company, are introduced to Dr. Taylor by Dr. Deborah Nucatola, Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s Senior Director of Medical Services.
Taylor explains to the investigators, “In Arizona, if the fetus comes out with any signs of life, we’re supposed to transport it. To the hospital.” When an investigator then asks, “Is there any standard procedure for verifying signs of life?”
Taylor replies, “Well, the thing is, I mean the key is, you need to pay attention to who’s in the room, right?”
Taylor then laughs as she repeats what the Arizona law requires, and says, “It’s a mess. It’s a mess.”
The Planned Parenthood medical director, also admits that Planned Parenthood does its best to obtain intact fetal organs to sell — essentially the body parts of aborted babies.
Taylor confirms she does elective abortions on healthy fetuses and pregnant women up to 24 weeks. When the investigators ask her about obtaining intact fetal organs, Dr. Taylor replies, “It’s not a matter of how I feel about it coming out intact - but I gotta worry about my staff and people’s feelings about it coming out looking like a baby.”
Additionally, the Planned Parenthood official says she doesn’t like it when people call unborn children babies -- because she considers that “creepy.”
She continues, “We have the people who do our paperwork for the fetal death certificates, they email us calling them ‘babies’. Baby this, baby that, baby so-and-so, and I’m like, that’s creepy!”
(Source: Lifenews.com)
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Revolving doors:- Former Tory government health adviserjoins US firm involved in NHS privatisation 5th of February 2017 Posted by Mike Sivier
The most worrying part of this is that services the Conservative government is paying your money to private firms, include contract negotiations.
Is that really a constructive use of our millions?
Wouldn’t that money be better-used helping people to actually, you know, get healthy?
A former Government health adviser has joined a US firm involved in NHS privatisation – in a move campaigners say demonstrates the “wafer-thin partition” between Tory policy makers and the private health industry.
Nick Seddon, who was Cameron’s Special Adviser for Health, became Executive Vice President of Optum, just four months after he left his political role in July last year.
For-profit health management company Optum is part of multinational insurance firm UnitedHealth Group, which made more than $8.4bn (£6.7bn) in 2015.
The head of NHS England, Simon Stevens, is also a former UnitedHealth executive.
Optum already provides 156 NHS organisations, which it calls its “partners”, services such as contract negotiations and medication management.
A policy change made by David Cameron’s government in 2014, meant Mr Seddon’s move to the private sector did not need to be vetted for conflicts of interest by a semi-independent advisory committee, as was previously the case.
Instead his new appointment was approved by the Cabinet Office, which did so on the condition he did not lobby the UK Government on behalf of Optum in his first 2 years in the role or “draw on privileged information available to him, as a Crown servant”.
(Source - Vox Political)
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CALL ON Government TO ACT – NHS CRISIS
Add your name to the letter demanding action
Dear Secretary of State
I am writing following events brought to my attention at (fill in)University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust site in recent weeks. In all of my dealings with (fill in) NHS Trust, as a Local Ward Councillor and Member of Parliament, there has never been a time when the sheer number of people raising concerns with me has been so great.
I've been inundated with emails from constituents detailing the problems with waiting times and specifically the accident & emergency depts being overcrowded – particularly during the last week. There have been various social media posts, including images, which have depicted the sad state of affairs.
I care passionately about our NHS, but it is currently engulfed in a crisis that has been allowed to ensue on this Government’s watch. These increasing pressures have led to an already overstretched system appearing to be at near breaking point.
Whilst we all recognise the fantastic work of our doctors, nurses and other staff who work in our NHS, they need Government support at this difficult juncture – so that their extraordinary efforts are not only recognised, but underpinned with practical help.
Therefore, I would be grateful if you could outline what steps your Department is taking to urgently address the problems hospitals are facing in my constituency and indeed across the country.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely, Signature
(fill in gap)
And…
We the undersigned, demand the government takes action to end the NHS crisis:
A&Es Forced To Turn The Sick Away by Steve Sweeney Saturday 7th January, 2017
And now... even Red Cross is intervening in the crisis as Tories run service into ground
Patients are dying in corridors as a crisis engulfing the NHS has pushed overflowing A&E departments to shut their doors to urgent cases, it was revealed yesterday.
A woman died in a resuscitation bay after she had suffered an aneurysm and waited on an emergency trolley in an A&E corridor.
A second patient died from a heart attack while on a trolley for more than 35 hours waiting to be transferred to a ward.
Overall, A&E departments in England couldn't attend patients on 143 occasions in December — an astonishing 63 per cent rise compared to the same period in 2015 — according to figures from NHS England.
The latest statistics revealed a record number of 42 diverts --- when patients are sent to other hospitals as a “last resort” -- in the week --- compared with an average of 20 over a typical week in the NHS.
And 50 out of the 150 NHS trusts in England told the Nuffield Trust they have been struggling to cope with the demand. Seven warned that they were not able to deliver even the most basic care to patients.
Nuffield Trust chief executive warned that the situation could worsen in the coming weeks.
He told Radio 4’s Today programme: “As we know, there are major problems in social care. But also in NHS community services. The ability of hospitals to get people out, is still really tricky.
“The real crunch point generally comes in week two or three after the Christmas break. I think there are early signs, that there is a problem.”
The crisis has become so bad that even the UK Red Cross is diverting resources to help. The humanitarian charity, more usually seen at front- line disaster zones, has responded to what it is calling the “humanitarian crisis in our hospital and ambulance services across the country” by deploying its own staff to ease the burden on the NHS, according to the charity’s chief executive Mike Adamson.
Royal College of Emergency Medicine president Dr Taj Hassan blamed chronic underfunding and understaffing: as he warned that hospitals are “in an absolute acute state of distress.”
Unison head of health Christina McAnea said: “The NHS is a lifesaver but it’s being starved of cash — and patients are suffering.”
Labour's Shadow health secretary:
“The government urgently needs to take action to make sure that our NHS can cope, and is able to provide the best possible care for patients.”
Sufferers with progressive and mental illnesses have benefits cut by the DWP 15 Dec 2016 - by Mike Sivier
The figures cover a period beginning under David Cameron and ending with Theresa May.
The Department for Work and Pensions’ current system of assessing the sick and disabled for benefits is on a par with medieval tests for witchcraft*.
Back in the day, people accused of being witches were submerged in a nearby river using a ducking stool --- on the expectation that their evil powers would allow them to survive. When they died, the conclusion was - they weren’t witches after all. This was, of course, no comfort to the dead suspect or their bereaved family.
Now, people with illnesses that are expected to end their lives in the near future are being deprived of Personal Independence Payments because “they were expected to live beyond six months”.
What if they don’t?
The DWP will conclude that they were terminally ill after all – but you can bet there will be no comfort for the dead claimant or their bereaved family --- as the DWP will not even offer a back-payment of benefit.
This is despite the possibility that deprivation of benefit may contribute to the deaths of claimants.
It is a sick, sick system.
This Writer would advise anybody who has lost benefits to start going through an appeal process. If the DWP’s treatment of you affects your mental health in such a way that you consider self-harm, or even suicide – write a letter to them, spelling it out, and give a copy to a near family member or friend. And keep a diary of ways your health is affected because of the DWP’s decision.
The government gets away with this treatment of innocent people because it has been able to deny responsibility for what happens to them.... If you make this denial implausible, these people will have to think again – possibly while facing criminal charges.
Thousands of people with progressive diseases and mental illness have lost their disability benefits in a cruel Tory cut.
Charities sounded the alarm tonight over a “devastating” shake-up which has axed or reduced 230,000 people’s Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
Around 110,000 DLA claimants reassessed for the new benefit – 21% of the total – have been rejected since PIP launched in 2013.
Another 121,000 – 23% of those reassessed – were given PIP but at a lower rate than their previous benefit.
Those who lost out include many with progressive diseases – around 450 Parkinson’s sufferers, 3,069 people with multiple sclerosis and 4,450 suffering unspecified ‘malignant diseases’.
Others with progressive conditions who saw benefits axed or reduced were around 294 cystic fibrosis sufferers, 36 people with motor neurone disease and 1,617 people classed as “terminally ill”.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said those in the last group were found to no longer be “terminally ill” because they were expected to live beyond six months.
Mental health charity Mind warned 74,580 former DLA claimants with 4 key psychiatric disorders lost some or all of their benefits – 55% of all those who were reassessed.
PIP was denied or cut back for around 2,525 blind people, 570 people with AIDS, 128 haemophiliacs and 19 double amputees.
Also hit were approx 20,050 people with back pain, ----- 34,545 with arthritis, 8,084 with chronic pain syndromes & 10,725 with learning difficulties.
All figures are approximate because the DWP rounded the total number of claims for each condition to the nearest hundred.
The figures, covering April 2013 to October 2016 and compiled by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), were slipped out without fanfare on the government’s website.
*Don’t congratulate me on the comparison; I’m simply quoting somebody else.
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‘Informed & personal choice’: Danish doctors rise against child circumcision
The doctors association in Denmark calls to ban child circumcision, & the country’s government has made it obligatory to report circumcision to the authorities, starting next year, in a move to tighten restrictions on the currently unregulated practice.
Circumcision must be “an informed, personal choice,” and therefore should be postponed until adulthood, the Danish Medical Association says, in a press release. It believes the current state of affairs deprives boys of the ability to make their own decisions about their bodies and their cultural and religious beliefs.
Norway may ban non-medical circumcision of boys
“Circumcision, should be an informed, personal choice. It is most consistent with an individual’s right to self-determination, that parents not be allowed to make this decision but that it is left up to the individual when he has come of age,” The Local quoted Lise Moller, the chairwoman of the doctors’ association’s ethics board, as saying.
The Danish association does not favor a total ban on circumcision, however, but believes it should be performed, on children, only for medical reasons.
“We have discussed it thoroughly, also in our ethics committee. We came to the conclusion that it's difficult to predict the consequences of a ban – for the involved boys, who could for example face bullying or unauthorized procedures with complications – and for the cultural and religious groups they belong to,” Moller said.
A majority of circumcisions in Denmark, take place outside the public healthcare system --- in religious ceremonies, and in private clinics. Somewhere between 1,000 & 2,000 circumcisions, mainly on Muslim and Jewish boys, take place yearly, according to estimates from the Danish Health and Medicines Authority.
A 2015 study, based on the data of 340,000 Danish boys, links circumcision with autism.
The study argues that autism is related to painful experiences in early childhood. Critics say correlation does not mean causation & more research is needed.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is banned in Denmark, yet male circumcision is legal & almost unregulated. Circumcision 'fans' claim that it is a beautiful tradition, which helps people hold to their ethnic, cultural and religious roots, and that banning it would violate basic human rights.
Circumcision opponents, however, say that keeping their privates intact is also a human right, and while the procedure does not have any confirmed health benefits, it could harm children, both physically and mentally.
Multiple polls and studies indicate that the majority of Danes support banning it on underage boys.
The Danish government, however, has ruled in favor of the pro-circumcision minority.
(source - RT)
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Remember Mark Wood? Tories QUADRUPLE the number of people likely to die like he did (by Mike Sivier, Vox Political)
Mark Wood: He died of starvation several months after his ESA was stopped without warning by the DWP.
Mark Wood starved to death four months after the then-government sickness benefit assessor, Atos, found him fit for work.
His death was never entered in Department for Work and Pensions death statistics, as it did not happen within 2 weeks of his claim being cut off. So the DWP could deny responsibility, even though he plainly wasn't fit for work when he was assessed.
Now it seems government policies are deliberately sending thousands of people to die the same way – poverty-stricken malnutrition.
Perhaps ministers think they have found a way to make the deaths look coincidental?
Consider: Government policies make people too poor to eat, so they either starve to death at home like Mr Wood, or they become a burden on an already- overworked National Health Service, forcing it further towards collapse.
If they live, they have helped push the NHS further into difficulty, that can be used later to justify a switch to insurance-based private health;- if they die, they cease to claim state benefits.
It’s easy to understand that this is how Jeremy Hunt and Damian Green think.
The number of people so malnourished they need hospital treatment has QUADRUPLED in 10 years.
In a shocking indictment of the nation’s food poverty, 16,000+ cases of malnutrition were reported in hospitals in England last year, an average of 45 every day.
Over 900 of these cases were classed as severe; meaning patients were in danger of starving to death.
But these alarming NHS figures... are just the extreme tip of an iceberg of misery & deprivation as GPs treat thousands more poverty-stricken patients for malnutrition.
Campaigners blame spiralling food prices, falling wages and ruthless benefits cuts and sanctions.
Heated vegetable oil is so toxic even lard is healthier, says study Vegetable oils produce harmful toxins when they are fried that could lead to cancer and dementia, according to research that contradicts the NHS’s healthy living recommendations.
Unsaturated fats found in corn and sunflower oil have well-documented health benefits when used at room temperature. However, vegetable oils lose these qualities when heated, -- undergoing “a complex series of chemical reactions which results in the accumulation of large amounts of toxic compounds,” said professor Grootveld of De Montfort University Leicester, who has carried out research on oils.
He told The Telegraph:
This major problem has received scant or limited attention from the food industry and health research.
The toxic chemicals are called aldehydes, and are formed in sunflower and corn oil at temperatures above 190C (374F). A standard meal of fish and chips fried in vegetable oil produces 100 to 200 times more than the safe aldehyde daily limit set by the World Health Organization.
In the De Montfort University study, butter, olive oil and coconut oil and even lard were all found to release fewer of these toxins, which enter the body through eating or inhalation.
However, the NHS Live Well website says that government guidelines advise using vegetable oil and not butter when frying food, sticking to the idea that ''unsaturated fats'' should always be chosen over saturated fats.
Reports from as early as 2012 warn of the heated vegetable oil and toxicity, although few studies have attracted the media’s attention and the government continues to support their use – not least because there is still strong support for the use of vegetable oil instead of butter in the medical community. For example Jean Gazzaniga-Moloo, PhD, RD, a spokeswoman for the USA's Dietetic Association, said:
Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats is still one of the healthiest changes most people can make.
The new study’s conclusion, however, dismisses the plausibility of Gazzaniga-Moloo’s comments, not only highlighting the toxicity of vegetable oils, but also questioning the safety of their high levels of omega-6 fatty acids.
Fatty Acids
Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid, like omega-3. The two work together: omega-3 decreases the inflammation that some omega-6 acids cause. Both are “essential” because the body does not produce them naturally.
The problem is that the western diet includes far more omega-6 than omega-3, causing an imbalance that leads to a greater risk of inflammation, which can contribute to cardio-vascular disease, depression and some forms of cancer.
John Stein, Oxford University’s emeritus professor of neuroscience believes the balance of fatty acids is vitally important, and that vegetable oils must be consumed in moderation. He said:
If you eat too much corn oil or sunflower oil, the brain is absorbing too much omega-6, and that effectively forces out omega-3. I believe a lack of omega-3 is a powerful contributory factor to such problems as increasing mental health issues, and other problems, such as dyslexia.
For now... health experts are yet to come to a conclusive opinion on the issue, so it appears that when it comes to maintaining good health, the key to a healthy diet could be moderation.
(from article in The Canary)
Shocking: UK Study Reveals Deadly Dangers of Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment
A startling study by Public Health England and Cancer Research UK has found that cancer treatment itself may be killing up to 50 percent of patients.
Chemotherapy has long been controversial, as the treatment does specifically target cancerous cells, & destroys healthy cells in the process. In a first- of-its-kind study, researchers researched cancer patients who died within 30 days of starting their treatment, indicating that the treatment caused the death, not the cancer.
Across the nation, they found that 8.4 percent of those undergoing treatment for lung cancer, and 2.4% of those being treated for breast cancer, died within a month of beginning treatment.
Results varied greatly based on the hospital however, as an alarming 50.9% of those in Milton Keynes Hospital beginning chemo- therapy treatment for lung cancer, died within 30 days.
Researchers note that the total number of patients treated at the hospital was much smaller than the norm, but the numbers remain eye-opening. “The statistics do not suggest bad practice overall - but there are some outliers,” said Professor David Dodwell, Institute of Oncology at Saint James Hospital, Leeds, a researcher behind the study. “It could be data problems, and figures skewed because of just a few deaths, but, nevertheless, it could also be down to problems with clinical practice.”
One particularly important finding in the study showed that there were significant differences in fatality, based on patients age and health.
Researchers now suggest not to opt for chemotherapy if patients are in poor health or are weak, as the invasive treatment cando more harm than good.
“I think it’s important to make patients aware that there are potentially life threatening downsides to chemotherapy. & doctors should be more careful about who they treat with chemotherapy,” Dodwell wrote.
Hospitals with higher-than-average mortality rates were notified, and asked to review their practice.
“The identification of hospitals with significantly higher 30-day mortality rates, should promote a review of clinical decision making in these hospitals. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of collecting routine data beyond clinical trials to better understand the factors placing patients at higher risk of 30-day mortality, & ultimately improve clinical decision making,” the report stated.
NHS BEING DESTROYED - MEDIA BLACKOUT -
If you’re desperate to see a GP, new scheme will make you pay by Jessica Gay (Source The Canary)
A new scheme has been launched which enables people to skip queues in GP surgeries and have an on-demand doctor visit them in their own home. Within 90 minutes. The only catch — it costs £120.
The service
The new ‘private primary care’ service, developed by GP Delivered Quick (GPDQ) --- has people ‘booking’ a doctor via a smartphone app. They select a date and time for them to visit. Each consultation lasts around 25 minutes and the doctors are on call seven days a week between 8am and 11pm.
But if you’re desperate to see a doctor, it’ll cost you. To book a 25-minute weekday consultation costs £120. For weekend visits, it’s £150. And for a bank holiday, £200!
The service, which has been approved by Care Quality Commission (a ''health regulator'' which the UK regime now controls), was launched in London in 2015. It has now recently been rolled out across Birmingham.
The man behind the app:
Dr Anshumen Bhagat is the N. London GP behind the app. After working 15 years in the NHS and in private healthcare, Bhagat decided to launch the app to provide greater flexibility for patients.
He said:
This is digitising the home visit – it really is that simple. Patients benefit from speed & flexibility, with the ability to see a doctor when & where it suits them, booking and tracking their GP through their smartphone. Our 25-minute appointments allow for a more in-depth consultation, whilst our two-hour prescription delivery service provides an extra level of convenience.
Regarding how GPs will benefit from the service, Bhagat continued:
It also enables all GPs in the UK to see patients on a private basis, work flexibly, and earn extra income in the process – they’re essentially running a virtual clinic through our state of the art mobile platform.
While the consultation price does include written prescriptions and referrals, the fact that this app prioritises those with money is troubling. £120, for example, is a lot of money. Especially for those on benefits and low incomes, and for children and elderly people.
Also, London and Birmingham (where the service has been rolled out) have some of the highest levels of poverty in the UK. 27% of people in London and 37% of children in Birmingham live in poverty. Given this, it is almost impossible for society’s vulnerable people, to afford this service.
GPs
According to the app’s website:
“every GPDQ doctor must meet our high standards of clinical experience and patient care”. As well as this, each doctor “continues to work within the NHS”.
But with the cutting of NHS budgets left, right and centre, it questions whether the NHS will even exist, in a couple of years. The cuts have already forced many local practices to close, much to the delight of private healthcare services (like Virgin Care), which have been snapping them up.
So while the service secures a role for GPs if the NHS goes under, it does little to provide for those who depend on national heath care. The service, which has been approved under Hunt’s watch, gives us another indication of how the Health Secretary envisages future health care.
So far, it involves sucking the NHS dry, over- exerting doctors, and shaking hands with billionaire privateers. Sadly, it’s the same tale. And we’re wondering how he’s still able to get away with it.
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Are you insured?!?
NHS doctors are now being ordered by chiefs -- to ask patients if they have private health insurance and, if so, to ‘gently’ remind them --- to use it.
This unprecedented move now exposes the dire financial predicament the NHS is currently in - and confirms that the ‘universal’ commitment of the health service... is well and truly over.
Labour built the NHS. Now it must fight to save and rebuild it.
If you're interested, go now to:
https://labournhslobby.wordpress.com/about/
From wales:
My late partner was told she couldn't enter the room where her son was then near to death - unless she had an MMR vaccine. I advised her to refuse the vaccine and to insist on seeing her son, anyway... the staff relented. (Her son survived).
Why did I do this? Because a dear friend had had the MMR vaccine & shrank from a fit, 14 stone man -- to a thin, shaking wisp of his former self. His friends were horrified - and when, after a year of watching him suffer, they advised him to sue... he was told it was 'too late.'
From the US:
Parents must be informed From Jon Rappoport: "On July 29, US Congressman Bill Posey made his last stand on the floor of the House. Granted five minutes to speak, he laid bare the lying of the CDC in a now-famous 2004 study, that exonerated the MMR vaccine and claimed it had no connection to autism."
"No connection to autism" was the lie...
"Parents who are, in ignorance, allowing their children to receive the MMR vaccine, must be informed. They must know what is going on. They must know the danger to their children."
"Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Germany, France, India, China, South Africa…wherever the MMR vaccine is given…parents must be made aware: they’re gambling with their children’s lives."
"Government officials anywhere in the world who make this continuing crime possible are liable."
Determining Factor in Child Autism by Kenji Tsuchiya
The age at which parents have children, shapes their neurophysiological development, and the diagnosis of the autistic spectrum, Japanese expert, Kenji Tsuchiya, explained, at the 18th Conference on Psychophysiology, in Havana.
Starting from his lecture, the 'Neurological Development of Children during the First Years of Life. An analysis of the Child's Development and the Diagnosis of the Autistic Spectrum,' the expert said that his study is based on the information collected from 1,250 children in Japan.
With the data from this research, it is possible to verify how children from parents at an advanced age, meaning 35 years or older, are at higher risk of being autistic and of having slower progress in developing language abilities and physical- motor capacities - characteristics that could appear during the first 24 months of life, Tsuchiya asserted.
Tory Plot To Sell Our Medical Records
It seems the government is about to resurrect the privatisation of our medical records, but this time without even telling us.
The government review into the care.data scheme recommended that it be scrapped.
But buried in the report is a new scheme to sell our medical records to big corporations.
The government’s review proposes to allow medical records from your family doctor, (possibly including NHS Numbers, diagnoses, referrals, prescriptions - along with postcodes and dates of birth - ) to be uploaded to a giant national database – but this time without telling us or asking for our consent.
One of the schemes to replace care.data is called the “Single GP dataset”. The government’s review into care.data proposes to send all patient records from family GPs to the central database without the express consent of patients. Once in the system, it can be “sold” to any customers of the ‘Health and Social Care Information centre”, including private companies.
The government buried this announcement on the day of the report into the Iraq War. It is hoping no one will notice this new land grab on our medical records.
As is now inevitable with such attempts at skulduggery, the plan is now exposed and there is a petition against it, which you can sign here:
A Sad Day for Carnivores: Meat Eaters Higher Cancer Risk
Eating meat could be linked to cancer, whereas consuming whole grains, fruit and vegetables, may lessen the cancer risk, Danish researchers find.
A research team at the National Food Institute reviewed several studies on meat consumption and cancer risk, after last year's International Agency for Research on Cancer summary, which listed processed meat in the same category of carcinogens as cigarette smoke and asbestos, Food Navigator reports.
In June, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report indicating that processed meat may be carcinogenic. The WHO report said processed meats like bacon, sausages, salami and canned meat, may all increase the risk of cancer.
Preben Vestergaard Hansen, a doctoral candidate in human nutrition from Metropolitan University College, explained to Danish Radio which three details aroused researchers' suspicion.
"According to new official dietary guidelines, we need to cut down on fatty meat and red meat, and this applies to all meats from four-legged animals, including pork. This concerns both fried and cooked meat," Hansen told Danish Radio.
"Blood in the meat is the first probable culprit, as iron (hemoglobin) takes oxygen around the body - and is suspected to influence the development of cancer. Basically, we know that red meat is associated with ncreased risks of colo-rectal cancer, but the link has never been established with certainty," Hansen explained.
The second hypothesis is that all kinds of fried meat can cause greater risk of cancer. In this case --- so-called nitrosamines from the meat membrane are the apparent culprit. And finally, nitrite salts, which are used in processed meat for preservation, are also associated with a higher risk of cancer.
According to the reports, a daily intake of above 50 grams a day -- leads to an increased risk of developing cancer. This amounts to roughly 3 slices of bacon or one slice of ham, which is not much, considering that Danes consume up to 100 kg of meat per year.
Despite a lack of conclusive evidence, Danish food authorities are discouraging Danes from eating processed meat --- if possible.
However, there are indications that other life- style-related causes such as lack of activity, alcohol and smoking --- must be taken into account to understand the whole picture.
Cancer is the leading cause of death, in Denmark.
UK cancer research pensions planfunds invest millions in British American Tobacco
Pension plans for scientists working at Cancer Research UK are among those to have invested in British American Tobacco to the tune of £211 million (US$308 million).
The fund, which caters for university lecturers and staff, is worth just shy of £50 billion. Its biggest investment (£344 million) is in Royal Dutch Shell, and is equally controversial, reports The Guardian.
News that Cancer Research UK money has essentially been used to fight the effects of smoking and to fund the tobacco industry, comes as a shock to many.
A UK Universities' spokesperson, defends the investments choice of the Universities Superannuation Scheme - and insists that financial return takes precedence over any moral dilemmas raised.
“The USS, as part of its investment duties, takes into account wider social, ethical, environmental & governance issues, so long as that ensures that the assets of the scheme are invested in the best financial interests of the members and their beneficiaries,” they say.
Earlier this year, the European Public Health Association (EUPHA) called on people & companies to stop investing in tobacco.
“For decades, it has actively sought to mislead the world about harms caused by its products. It has corrupted public officials, been complicit in illicit acts, such as smuggling, and undermined legislation to protect the health of the public,” reads the statement.
EUPHA President, Professor Martin McKee added that “it is simply unacceptable that USS should continue to invest in this discredited industry.”
Cancer Research UK Tobacco Policy Manager George Butterworth admitted he was unhappy with the investment situation, but insisted the Tobacco Free Portfolios movement shows that things can change.
“The tobacco industry’s deadly products, are responsible for 1 in 4 cancer deaths. Many people would be shocked to learn their pensions are invested in tobacco company shares --- especially those striving to develop cures for those diseases caused by this lethal industry,”he said.
“Cancer Research UK’s own pension funds are tobacco-free, but many of our researchers, are based at institutions where that isn't the case,” he added.
“To help make it easier for organisations’ pension schemes to opt out of tobacco shares, we are now funding the UK arm of Tobacco Free Portfolios to encourage investment funds to divest from tobacco stocks. AXA’s move earlier this week to withdraw billions in investment from the tobacco industry, shows what can be done.”
Surgery should be standard treatment option for diabetes: guidelines
New clinical guidelines endorsed by forty-five international diabetes organizations, call for bariatric surgery, involving manipulation of the stomach / intestine, to be considered as a "standard treatment option" for type 2 diabetes.
The guidelines recommend surgery to induce weight-loss for certain categories of people living with type 2 diabetes, including those who are mildly obese and fail to respond to conventional treatment.
The recommendation is based on evidence from 11 clinical trials, that bariatric surgery --- can improve blood glucose levels more effectively than any lifestyle or pharma- ceutical interventions, in obese people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Care Editor in Chief William Cefalu said in a statement that the new guidelines mark the 1st time surgery is recommended as a treatment option ------ for diabetes.
"Given the rapid developments in the field, it's important to focus on this topic for those who care for individuals with diabetes," Cefalu said.
"These new Guidelines - based on results of multiple clinical studies - validate that metabolic surgery's indicated for certain people with diabetes ------ and can yield significantly improved outcomes."
Bariatric surgery involves the removal of part of the stomach -- or a reroute of the small intestine.
Although it's as safe as other common operations such as gallbladder surgery --- there are risks of complications and long-term nutritional deficiencies that require rigorous long-term follow-up by expert teams.
The new guidelines emerged from the Second Diabetes Surgery Summit, an international consensus conference held in London in September 2015 - and jointly organized with the US Diabetes Association, International Diabetes Federation, Diabetes UK, Chinese Diabetes Society, and Diabetes India.
According to the new guidelines, bariatric surgery should be recommended to treat patients with type 2 diabetes who have a BMI of 40 and those with a BMI of 30 who are not able to adequately control their blood glucose levels via other means.
These BMI thresholds should be reduced by 2.5 for Asian patients as they develop type 2 diabetes at lower BMI than other populations.
The BMI is a measure of obesity for adult men and women --- and is calculated by dividing body weight in kilograms, by height, in metres squared.
"Surgery represents a radical departure from conventional diabetes approaches" stated Francesco Rubino, professor of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery at King's College, London, in Britain, and the firstauthor of the report.
"The new Guidelines effectively introduce, both conceptually and practically, one of the biggest changes for diabetes care in modern times," he added.
‘Global sleep crisis’ caused by social pressures – scientists
A new study, using data collected via a smartphone app worldwide, shows modern-day social pressures are eat- ing into more and more of everyone's bedtime.
The data was compiled by scientists at the University of Michigan --- who were looking to analyze sleeping patterns around the globe.
They used information such as age, gender and even the amount of light that people sleeping are exposed to.
The aim of the study, carried out in 100 countries, was to get a better under- standing of how cultural pressures can have the ability to supersede biological rhythms.
"The effects of society on sleep remain largely unquantified," the study, published on May 6th in the Science Advances journal, states, according to Reuters.
"We find that social pressures weaken and/ or conceal biological drives in the evening, leading individuals to delay their bedtime and shorten their sleep."
A lack of sleep can lead to an increase in the risk of becoming obese or contracting diabetes or heart problems.
The study found that middle-aged men suffer the most from sleep deprivation -- and get less than the recommended eight hours per day -- which can also prove to be a danger to society.
"It's middle-aged men that seem to be getting a remarkably little amount of sleep, and we think that is very significant," the study's lead author, Professor Daniel Forger, of the University of Michigan, told CBC.
"They are behind the wheel driving trucks, driving airplanes, and when they do it with so little sleep, that can pose risks to them- selves --- and also to society."
Around 6,000 people over the age of 15 were asked to send data on their sleeping patterns such as when they went to bed and woke up, and how much light they were exposed to.
The amount a person sleeps is affected by 20,000 nerve cells located behind the eyes. They adjust to how much light they are exposed to, especially natural light --- which can cause a person to wake up earlier.
Wake up! Too much sleep increases risk of dying from heart disease, study says.
"If you've very little sleep, you can perform just as well as when you're drunk, so not getting much sleep, is, indeed, a global crisis right now," Forger says.
The study found that those in Japan and Singapore, received the least sleep, at 7 hrs & 24 mins, and Netherlands subjects got the most, at 8 hours and 12 minutes.
Although this is a difference of less than an hour, even a difference of 30 minutes can impact on a person’s health, & how they are able to function.
"Impaired sleep presents an immediate, pressing threat to human health," the study mentions, according to Reuters.
However, a recent study shows that getting too much sleep may not be good for you, as those sleeping for more than 8 hours, face a higher risk of dying from heart disease.
Although previous studies had shown that a lack of sleep was linked to stress, increased blood pressure & the secretion of adrenaline – all of which are factors of an increased risk of heart disease – the effects of too much sleep on heart disease, came as a surprise.
“We don’t know which mechanism can explain a direct causal link --- between long sleep duration & an increased risk of dying from coronary heart disease,” lead author, Dr. Linn Beate Strand, says, in a statement.
Breastfeeding may reduce mother's heart attack, stroke risk: study June 22nd, 2017.
Breastfeeding is not only healthy for babies, it may also reduce a mother's risk of having a heart attack or stroke later in life, according to a new study of 300,000 Chinese women published today.
Those who breastfed their babies, had about a 10 percent lower risk of developing heart disease or stroke compared to those who did not, and the longer they breastfed, the greater effects they had, according to the study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
"The findings should encourage more widespread breastfeeding for the benefit of the mother, as well as the child," study co- author Zhengming Chen, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Oxford, said in a statement.
"The study provides support for the World Health Organization's recommendation, that mothers should breastfeed their babies exclusively, for their first six months of life," Chen said.
Previous studies have suggested that mothers get short-term health benefits from breastfeeding, such as weight loss and lower cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose levels after pregnancy. However, the long-term effects of breast- feeding on the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in mothers, were unclear.
In the new study, researchers from the University of Oxford, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking University, studied 300,000 Chinese women aged 30 to 79 years, as part of a large prospective cohort study called the China Kadoorie Biobank, which provided detailed information about their reproductive history and other lifestyle factors.
After eight years of follow-up, there were 16,671 cases of coronary heart disease which includes heart attacks, and 23,983 stroke cases among the 290,000 women who had no previous history of cardiovascular disease, when enrolled in the study.
The researchers found that compared to women who had never breastfed, mothers who breastfed their babies had a nine percent lower risk of heart disease and an eight percent lower risk of stroke.
Among mothers who breastfed each of their babies for two years or more, heart disease risk was 18% lower and stroke risk was 17 percent lower, than among mothers who never breastfed.
Each additional six months of breastfeeding per baby was associated with a four percent lower risk of heart disease and a three percent lower risk of stroke, researchers said.
"Although we cannot establish the causal effects, health benefits to the mother from breastfeeding may be explained by a faster 'reset' of the mother's metabolism, after pregnancy," said study co-author Sanne Peters, research fellow at the University of Oxford.
"Pregnancy changes a woman's metabolism dramatically, as she stores fat to provide the energy necessary for her baby's growth & for breastfeeding once the baby is born. Breastfeeding could eliminate the stored fat faster and more completely," Peters added.
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UNICEF says breastfeeding has lifesaving benefits
Breastfeeding has lifesaving benefits, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), states, reports Xinhua news.
"Investing in breastfeeding has a significant impact on the health of women and children --- and on the economies of both rich and poor countries," says UNICEF Chief of Nutrition Werner Schultink, citing a new series published by the UK weekly medical journal, The Lancet.
"The series provides crucial evidence for the case that breastfeeding is a cornerstone of children's survival, health, growth and development --- and contributes to a more prosperous & sustainable future," he says.
The study found that breastfeeding saves babies lives, reducing the risk of sudden infant deaths and intestinal diseases.
It also highlighted the economic benefits of breastfeeding and called on governments to support mothers with policies --- such as a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave.
It found that countries lost over 500 billion dollars a year -- through losses in cognitive ability which led to lower earning capacity for people not breastfed as babies.
In China, the study found that breastfeeding decreased by 5% between 2003 & 2008 and that a 10% rise in breastfeeding, could cut the treatment costs of childhood disorders by 30 million dollars, in urban China alone.
UNICEF, which contributed to the Lancet series, says the study shows that breast- feeding can help to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
These are 17 economic, social and environ- mental goals all UN member states agreed to work towards achieving by 2030.
"Breastfeeding is..... the most natural, cost effective, environmentally sound & readily available way we know, to provide all our children, rich or poor, with the healthiest start in life," stresses Schultink. "It's a win- win for all concerned, to make it a priority."
Recent Italian Court Decisions on Vaccines and Autism
On September 23, 2014, an Italian court in Milan awarded compensation to a boy --- for vaccine- induced autism.
A childhood vaccine against six childhood diseases caused the boy’s permanent autism and brain damage. While the Italian press has devoted considerable attention to this decision & its public health implications, the U.S. press has been silent.
Like the U.S., Italy has a national vaccine injury compensation program to give some financial aid to those people who are injured by compulsory and recommended vaccinations.
The Italian infant plaintiff received three doses of GlaxoSmithKline’s Infanrix Hexa --- a hexavalent vaccine administered in the first year of life. The doses occurred from March to October, 2006.
The vaccine is to protect children from polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis, and Haemophilus influenza type B.
In addition to these antigens, however, the vaccine contained thimerosal, the mercury- containing preservative, and aluminum, an adjuvant, as well as other toxic ingredients.
The child regressed into autism shortly after receiving the three doses. When the parents presented their claim for compensation first to the Ministry of Health, as they were required to do, the Ministry rejected it. So the family sued the Ministry in a general jurisdiction court, an option which does not exist in the same form in the U.S.
Based on expert medical testimony, the court concluded that the child more likely than not suffered autism and brain damage because of the neurotoxic mercury, aluminum and his susceptibility from a genetic mutation.
The Court noted that Infanrix Hexa contains thimerosal, now banned in Italy because of its neurotoxicity, “in concentrations greatly exceeding the maximum recommended levels for infants weighing a few kilograms.”
Presiding Judge Nicola Di Leo considered another piece of damning evidence: a 1271- page confidential GlaxoSmithKline report (now available on the Internet).
This industry document has provided ample evidence of adverse events via the vaccine, including 5 known cases of autism resulting from the vaccine’s administration during its clinical trials.
In many developed countries, government, not industry, compensates families in the event of vaccine injury. So GSK’s apparent lack of concern for the vaccine’s adverse effects is notable & perhaps not surprising.
In the final assessment, the report states: “[t]he benefit/risk profile of Infanrix hexa continues to be favourable,” despite GSK’s acknowledging that the vaccine causes side effects including:
“anaemia haemolytic autoimmune, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, haemolytic anemia, cyanosis, injection site nodule, abcess and injection site abscess, Kawasaki’s disease, important neurological events (such as encephalitis and encephalopathy), Henoch-Schonlein purpura, petechiae, purpura, haematochezia, allergic reactions (including anaphylactic & anaphylactoid reactions),” and death.
The Milan decision is sober, informed and well-reasoned. The Ministry of Health has stated, that it has appealed the Court’s decision, but that appeal will likely take several years & its outcome is uncertain.
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US Senate Passes Bill Approving Mandatory Vaccinations for Veterans
Basically..... biological warfare is sneaky. It involves a microbial sucker punch to its intended target, often accomplished in a manner in which the aggressor can claim clean hands, while his victim may suffer or die.
Biological warfare can take a number of forms. The question—how to get a bacteriological or toxic agent on board without the target being alerted– has been asked and answered.....
In addition to using humans and animals as vectors, biological warfare agents can be airborne, waterborne, foodborne, or put into pharmaceuticals.
Substantial concerns have been voiced. Polio vaccines have been found to contain cancer. A Merck rotavirus vaccine was found to be contaminated with a pig virus.
Another Merck product, the Hepatitis B vaccine, was reported to have been laced with the AIDS virus., In addition, a tetanus vaccine distributed in the third world was found to contain human chorionic gonad- otrophin, an anti-fertility agent known to produce spontaneous abortions.
The correlation between the rise in vaccinations of children & autism, has become an urban legend.
A Bill has just passed the US Senate:
Section 101 of Senate Bill 1203, named the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act, says the Department of Veterans Affairs will be tasked with the mandate to “ensure that veterans receiving medical services under ch. 17 of title 38, US Code receive each immunization on the recommended adult immunization schedule at the time such immunization is indicated on that schedule.”
The schedule is frankly staggering. Over ninety vaccines are listed.
The issues. First, an entire group of individuals, who at one time were in military service, will lose their inherent right to opt out of receiving what is considered prophylactic treatment.
Anita Stewart, who served in the Air Force, & now hosts Wise Women Media radio show: “This could include experimental vaccines, or vaccines that have not been tested.”
It is believed that those who refuse will, under this Bill, lose their medical benefits.
Second, the numbers of immunizations on the required schedule could be enough to sicken anyone.
Flu vaccines have been known to cause Guillain- Barre syndrome, which is a neurological disorder wherein a person’s own immune system attacks the nerve cells and can cause paralysis.
Gulf War Syndrome, which may manifest with such symptoms as:- rashes, severe fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headache, irritability, depression, gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders and neurological cognitive defects, is thought by some researchers to have been caused by “vaccine overload.”
According to Dr. Mae-Wan Ho and Professor Malcolm Hooper, US Gulf war soldiers had “at least 17 different vaccines, including live vaccines (polio and yellow fever as well as experimental vaccines that had not been approved (anthrax, botulinum toxoid) and were of doubtful efficacy.”
Others attribute Gulf War Syndrome specifically to the anthrax vaccine given to the troops.
In addition, a certain cluster of vaccines has been linked to type one diabetes. The H1N1 vaccine has been linked to miscarriages and stillbirths. According to this report, the H1N1 shot resulted in SIXTY TIMES the rate of miscarriage associated with the seasonal flu vaccine.
H1N1 was also found to be linked to a spike in narcolepsy in children. According to this study, there was a 400 percent increase in the incidence of narcolepsy in those under 20 years, who received swine flu vaccine.
It would literally be possible to go on for pages here. The pattern is clear. Vaccine safety is a realistic concern.
In light of the considerable scientific evidence that vaccines cause illness, one must ask what this piece of legislation hopes to attain. Writes Anita Stewart:
“Forced mandates are nothing more than medical tyranny….Vaccines in most cases do not cure or protect us, but could make some of us sicker and definitely create a huge and continuing revenue stream for Big Pharma.”
There are no studies of the effects of these numbers of vaccines on adults. Equally, there are no studies concerning the “poly- pharmacy” effects of combining them.
Given the increasing scrutiny of civil rights abuses in the US, plus escalating concerns over apparent covert US biological weapons activity in a number of different venues, one might expect that Senate Bill 1203 will result in an upsurge of protest.
Veterans have already served their country. To re-enlist them as lab rats diminishes both the concepts of freedom and democracy --- & those who served to protect these ideals.
‘We’ve never really seen anything like this’: US suicide rates hit 50-year peak November 29th, at 9:42am
The US witnessed the most deaths in a single year, since official records began, in 2017, with suicide and drug overdose deaths soaring among an aging population, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It marks the third consecutive year life expectancy has dropped in the US, and the longest life expectancy decline trend since the late 1910s, when WWI and the worst flu pandemic in modern history, combined, to kill approximately 675,000 Americans.
All told, the US recorded 2.8 million deaths in 2017, with middle-aged deaths making the biggest impact on life expectancy.
“These sobering statistics are a wake-up call that we are losing too many Americans, too early and too often, to conditions that are preventable,” Dr. Robert Redfield, the CDC’s director, said.
The suicide rate in 2017 was the highest in 50 years, reaching roughly 47,000 cases (up from just below 45,000 the previous year).
“We’ve never really seen anything like this,” said Robert Anderson, who oversees CDC death statistics. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the US, for the tenth year in a row.
Increases have been prominent among the female population, despite the fact that most people who die by suicide, are still male. The female suicide rate rose by 53 percent between 1999 and 2017, with a 26 percent increase for men, during the same period.
“I really do believe that people are increasingly hopeless, and that that, leads to drug use, it leads potentially to suicide,” said Dr. William Dietz, a disease prevention expert, at George Washington University.
Among the 10 leading causes of death, only cancer deaths fell, while there were increases in suicide, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, flu/pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and unintentional injuries.
The number one cause of death in the US, heart disease, levelled off. Improvements in prevention and treatment of the condition, usually offset increases in other leading causes of death.
Meanwhile, drug overdoses surpassed 70,000 in 2017, solidifying the ongoing crisis as the deadliest such epidemic in US history. Accidental drug overdoses accounted for one third of unintentional injury deaths, while intentional overdoses made up roughly a tenth of suicides, according to the CDC. The CDC’s numbers are subject to change as more data becomes available, however.
The US still ranks as having among the lowest life expectancy rates, for developed nations.
(Source - RT)
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Drug abuse leading cause of injury & deaths in US: Report
Drug abuse in the US is at “epidemic levels” where they are the leading cause of injury-related deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun violence, says a new US government report.
About 46,470 US citizens died of drug overdoses in 2013, the last year which data was available, while 35,369 people died in traffic-related accidents and 33,636 were killed by guns, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says, on November 4th.
"Drug abuse is ending too many lives too soon and destroying families and communities,” DEA Administrator Chuck Rosenberg says.
"We must reach young people at an even earlier age --- and teach them about its many dangers and horrors."
Drug overdose deaths have risen sharply in the last ten years, up more than 50 percent from 30,711 fatalities in 2004.
"Overdose deaths, particularly from prescription drugs & heroin, have reached epidemic levels," Rosenberg says.
The DEA report also finds that heroin and prescription pain killers, are among the top drug threats in the US.
Heroin use in the US has skyrocketed in recent years and there was a 51 percent increase in users between 2013 and 2014.
According to new findings by researchers, middle-aged white people in the US have suffered a startling rise in death rates since 1999 --- most likely because of problems with legal and illegal drugs, alcohol and suicide.
Womb transplants given UK go-ahead
Doctors have been granted approval to carry out the UK's first 10 womb transplants, following the success of the procedure in Sweden.
The go-ahead has been given by the Health Research Authority as part of a clinical trial - which launches in the spring.
Around one in 7,000 women are born without a womb, while others lose their womb to cancer.
If the trial is successful, the first UK baby could arrive in early 2018.
Over 100 women have already been identified as potential recipients of donor wombs.
Dr Richard Smith, a consultant gynaecologist at the Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital in London who has been working on the project for 19 years, will lead the transplant team.
He said childlessness could be a "disaster" for couples, but the technique would offer hope to those whose only other option is surrogacy or adoption.
How would the procedure work?
The operation takes around six hours, with the organ coming from a dead donor, whose heart is kept beating.
The recipient will need to take immuno- suppressant drugs after the transplant and during any pregnancy --- to prevent rejection of the donor organ.
The woman's health is monitored closely for a year and then an embryo implanted in the womb.
This embryo would arise from a combination of the woman's own eggs and the partners' sperm - using an IVF procedure.
If all goes well the baby will be delivered eight months later by caesarean section.
Couples will be given the option of trying for 2 pregnancies before the womb is removed.
Once it is no longer needed, the womb can be taken out by a team of surgeons. This prevents the need for the woman to be on immunosuppressants for the rest of her life.
Dr Smith on BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Over the years I've had quite a lot of crises with this... but when you meet the women who have been born without a uterus, or who have had their uterus removed, for one reason or another, this is really heart-rending stuff and that is what has kept us going.
According to his team at Womb Transplant UK, each procedure costs up to £50,000, but women will not have to pay for this.
The project has so-far been self-funded & supported by public donations which researchers say will allow them to take on two procedures for now.
The women selected for the trial must meet criteria set by Womb Transplant UK, which include being 38 or under, having a long-term partner and being a healthy weight. They will also need to have healthy ovaries that are able to produce their own eggs.
More than 300 women have approached the team, of whom 104 meet the criteria.
In October last year a woman in Sweden became the first in the world to give birth to a baby after having a womb transplant, but from a living donor.
Womb transplants are still very much at an experimental, trial stage.
For years researchers tried to perfect the technique on animals - from mice to monkeys.
A further three babies have since been born in Sweden using transplanted wombs.
There have been concerns that using anti-rejection drugs in pregnancy could harm the foetus.
But researchers argue these medications are likely to be safe at the right dose, building on the success of earlier pregnancies involving anti-rejection drugs for kidney transplants and other conditions.
How many need or want this procedure?
Estimates suggest one in 5,000 women are born with Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser syndrome... where they have no vagina, cervix or uterus.
In some cases women may have wombs removed after surgery for, eg, cancer.
But not all these patients will be eligible.
For the first few volunteers there is still a long and cautious road ahead.
Australian Researcher: Phone Radiation is a Hotline to Brain Cancer
A highly respected Australian doctor, currently in remission from brain cancer, is speaking out about his belief that radiation from wifi, cell phones and their towers, is a major factor in increasing brain cancer rates.
Dr. John Tickell is trying to raise awareness and calls for more funding for brain cancer research, as it has become the number one most deadly cancer for young Australians.
According to the Australian government, there are 35 new cases of the cancer discovered each week, with four out of five cases being fatal in the first 5 years.
"Leukaemia was once the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australia for under 40s, but it now has a 5 year survival rate of 80%+.
Breast cancer is about 90% --- compared to brain cancer, which is around 20%," Tickell tells the Herald Sun.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association denies there are any detrimental health effects at all from their radiation, but the World Health Organization has recently upgraded the radiation threat to category B2, meaning "possibly carcinogenic."
"You can say you can't prove it but in my mind it's proven, looking at the studies that are not funded by the industry," he says.
The largest study to take place so far, was conducted among 5,000 cancer patients. The study found no increased risk of cancer overall, but cellphone use was linked to the patients having a 40% increased likelihood of developing Glioma, a common type of brain cancer.
Tickell blasts the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the fact that they have seemingly left all investigative studies, to the telecommunications companies themselves.
"The telco-funded studies say they’re safe but the FCC has not done any tests on radiation from 'phones, in 20 years," Tickell laments.
"There's a million more times radiation in the air today than there was fifty years ago — that is frightening," he says.
Early diagnosis: Revolutionary study says most cancers can now be predicted years in advance
After a 13 year study, US scientists identify a 'specific pattern of change' in the length of a biomarker present in cells which occurs years before patients begin having cancer symptoms.
A joint Harvard and Northwestern team monitored 792 initially cancer-free people for the period, 135 of whom were eventually diagnosed with various forms of cancer. In those years, they constantly monitored their telomeres.
Telomeres serve as a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. As people age, and their cells replicate more and more times, telomeres grow shorter, until eventually the cell can't multiply again, and simply dies. They can be both an indicator of ageing -- a sort of internal body clock -- and a cause of it, as cells with worn- down telomeres can malfunction, causing a range of age-related diseases.
Those eventually diagnosed with cancer saw their telomeres deplete alarmingly many years before cancer actually developed – with some future patients having telomeres typical for a person 15 years older.
Some of this catastrophic shortening could be predicted and diagnosed externally: eg, simply by looking at patients who are already suffering from inflammations, oxidative stress and other conditions that age their cells at a rapid rate. But in other people, who appeared to have few external risk factors for cancer, measuring this rate could produce a revelatory diagnosis.
But this is not the most surprising part of the study.
Suddenly, three to four years before the diagnosis, the shortening would stop, and stabilize – but this was not good news.
“We found cancer had hijacked the telomere shortening, in order to flourish in the body,” says Dr. Lifang Hou, a professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, and the lead author of the study, published in EBioMedicine magazine.
Normally, a cell with a shortening telomere might be “aged,” but would self-destruct, to prevent any of the cell abnormalities being allowed to spread through the body. But in future cancer patients, the cells multiplied, as if with the help of the enzyme telomerase, eventually, likely, contributing to the cancer.
The study's authors say previous “snapshot” studies failed to understand the long-term complex interaction between telomeres and cancer, but that the relationship is clear & consistent.
“Understanding this pattern of telomere growth may mean it can be a predictive biomarker for cancer. Because we saw a strong relationship in the pattern across a wide variety of cancers - with the right testing, these procedures could be used to eventually diagnose a wide variety of cancers,” says Hou.
To go beyond merely early testing, scientists now face two separate medical battles.
One is to slow down the telomere shortening, or whatever underlying conditions may cause it. The other, according to Hou, is to develop a potential cancer treatment that will force the afflicted cells to self-destruct instead of making copies, but which won't merely age, and kill off swathes of healthy cells.
Chemotherapy causes irreversible brain changes
Post-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, also called 'chemo brain' has long been suspected, but no research could confirm it.
Now research shows cognitive impairment does result from chemotherapy treatment.
The research was conducted by scientists from the University of British Colombia's Departments of Psychology and Physical Therapy.
Chemotherapy treatment, they conclude, can generate 'mind wandering' and an inability to concentrate.
Patients recovering after breast cancer therapy, were asked to complete tasks. The results showed their brains stayed in a 'disengaged' state.
Todd Handy, a professor of psychology at UBC:- "A healthy brain spends some time wandering & some time engaged. We found that a 'chemo brain' is a chronically wandering brain -- they are essentially stuck in a 'shut out' mode."
Even as women were trying to focus on a subject, measurements showed that the major part of their brain was turned off. They couldn't concentrate. They were focused on their 'inner world', instead.
'Physicians now recognize that the effects of cancer treatment persist long after its over, and these effects can really impact a person's life,' says Kristin Campbell, an associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & research team leader.
It was also evidenced that, in a relaxed state, the brain was excessively active.
This 'forgetfulness', as patients have to deal with it, brings major challenges at work, and in social situations.
E-cigarettes more addictive than tobacco
59% of e-cigarette smokers are less likely to give up smoking & 49% are less likely to cut down on their usage of cigarettes.
These are the results of a new study by the University of California's San Diego School of Medicine.
Previous major research on the success of e-cigarettes devices is refuted by the new report.
Wael Al-Delaimy, MD, PhD, professor, and head of the Division of Global Public Health in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, concludes:
"We need further studies to answer why they can't quit. One hypothesis, is that smokers are receiving an increase in nicotine doses, by using e-cigarettes."
In addition to vapour, smokers inhale heavy metals and particles of aero- solized nicotine.
The US Food and Drug Administration is still misinforming American citizens with its guidelines on e-cigarettes appeal and safety, ignoring the new study's results.
Contraceptive pills ‘shrink’ part of brain influencing emotions
California scientists say contraceptive pills may change the structure of users’ brains - eventually leading to anxiety & depression.
The new find adds to those previously known side effects, which include: headaches, mood swings, nausea, blood clots, breast, liver and cervical cancer.
Specifically, synthetic hormones in the pill shrink 2 principal regions of women's brains --- changing their structure and function... Also, the same ingredients are believed to suppress women's natural hormones.
Neuroscientists at the University of California Los Angeles, studied the brains of 90 women, 44 of whom took contraceptive pills.
The researchers found that the lateral orbito- frontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex, were much thinner in the women on the Pill.
The lateral orbitofrontal cortex regulates both emotions and responses to rewards, while the posterior cingulate cortex governs the ‘internal state’: inward-aimed thoughts, the processing of emotions and finding memories.
Taking the Pill can lead to increased anxiety and depression and other alarming symptoms such as decreased attraction to their partner.
“Some women experience negative emotional side effects from taking oral contraceptive pills, although scientific findings have been mixed. So it's possible that this change in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex may be related to emotional changes that some women experience when using birth control pills,” Nicole Petersen, the research’s lead author, tells media.
The scientists say they aren’t certain if the effects last after a woman stops taking the contraceptive pill.
Further, all risks associated with the Pill rise if a woman smokes, has thrombosis, is overweight, diabetic, has high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels.
The study was published in the Human Brain Mapping journal.
Caesareans should only be performed when medically necessary: WHO
25% give birth by Caesarean section now, in the UK.
The World Health Organization calls for more careful use of caesareans, and states they should only be per- formed when 'medically necessary'.
Caesarean section is one of the most common world surgeries. Rates keep rising mostly in high & middle-income countries.
WHO says 'though caesarean section can save lives, it is often performed with no medical need, & puts women and babies at risk of short and long- term health problems.
According to WHO, the world's health community since 1985, has thought an "ideal rate" for caesareans, to be between 10% to 15%.
But new studies show when they are 10% of births or under, mother & new -born deaths fall --- yet when the rate goes above 10%, there is no evidence that death rates improve...
The UN's WHO makes several points:
1) Bad effects like stillbirths, or deaths by birth asphyxia, need to be made clear.
2) More research on their impact on women's psychological and social well-being, is needed.
3) High rates of unnecessary caesarean sections can pull resources from other needs in overloaded and weak health- care systems.
4) WHO proposes Robson classification as an internationally applicable caesarean section classification system, as there is no standard world system in place.
5) The variation in Europe is far too high - 25% give birth by Caesarean section in the UK. In Cyprus it's 52%; Sweden, 17%.
The UK's Royal College of Midwives:
'We need a review of policies, guidelines and further research - to ensure that UK clinical practice is based on evidence', says Professor Alison Macfarlane, of City University, London.
Its study says Caesarean section rates in most EU states show "a continuous rise", 'though in a few countries there are signs that they are flattening out'.
There are several possible explanations for the rise "including a fear of litigation, financial incentives, women's requests for Caesarean section, and the common perception that Caesarean section is a safe procedure".
The study says there are consequences to this -- including potential raised risks for mothers and babies -- such as more still-births in future pregnancies.
The countries with the highest rates for Caesareans planned even before labour starts, are Cyprus (38.8%) & Italy (25%).
The lowest rates are in Finland (6.6%), the Netherlands (7.7) & Norway (6.6).
Prof Alison Macfarlane:- "Given that people are supposed to be practising according to the evidence, it's surprising there are such wide variations between countries.
She stresses the importance of mothers' and children's health being prioritised... more than at present.
Gail Johnson, professional advisor for education and research at the Royal College of Midwives, affirms that the percentage of UK women giving birth by Caesarean section is 'a bit too high'.
"A Caesarean is an emergency procedure done if normal birth is not going to work. It's not a lifestyle choice, and although it's a safe operation, it does carry more risks than a vaginal birth."
Go NUTS! --- For Heart Health
A recent study published in 'Amazing' finds that people from different ethnic and socio- economic backgrounds who consume nuts - and peanuts (considered a legume) tend to have a lower risk of death from cardio- vascular disease --- and live longer too!
"We found consistent evidence that high nut/ peanut consumption, is associated with a reduced risk of total mortality and of CVD mortality," the authors of the study state.
"This inverse association was observed among both men & women and across each racial/ethnic group ------ and was independent of metabolic conditions, smoking, alcohol consumption and BMI.
Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine research team, headed by Dr. Xiao-Ou Shu, gathered data from 71,764 black and white men and women from the southeastern US, & 134,265 Chinese men and women, from Shanghai, China.
Researchers were able to assess nut and peanut consumption equally in participants from the US; but only peanut consumption was analyzed in participants from China.
Men in both groups consumed more peanuts than women.
Nut and peanut consumption led to a reduced risk for overall mortality due to cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart disease --- across gender, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
Risks for overall mortality were reduced by 21% among participants from the US, and by 17% among participants from China, who ate the most peanuts.
Although peanuts are often included as nuts in data, they are classified as legumes, with a nutrient content similar to tree nuts.
Nuts aren't only a healthy source of protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but are also high in mono-unsaturated fats, which are emphasized as part of the heart -healthy 'Mediterranean' diet.
The American Heart Association recommends eating four servings of unsalted, unoiled nuts a week - 'serving size' being a small handful, one and a half ounces of whole nuts, or two tablespoons of nut butter.
50% of all children to be autistic in 10 years - Mass. Institute of Technology
Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, state that half the children in the world, will be suffering with autism, by 2025.
Senior Researcher, Stephanie Seneff, says the drastic rise is largely thanks to Monsanto, and the use of its own brand of glyphosate (a pesticide), known as Roundup Ready.
Monsanto is a world leader in herbal bio- technology. It sells genetically modified corn seeds, soybeans and cotton, plus the world's most widely used herbicide.
According to researchers, the substance created when glyphosate is metabolized by plants and animals, is highly toxic.
Its cytogenetic toxicity is 1,000 times higher than the parent compound, say the scientists.
Glyphosate is used to suppress annual & perennial weeds. It's recommended for use in vineyards and orchards, & in tea and citrus plantations.
Unfortunately, Roundup ''contributes'' to the destruction of beneficial intestinal bacteria required for the proper functioning of the human immune system.
Another study in 2014, showed Roundup as 125 times more toxic than glyphosate.
Roundup use is linked to inflammation, cellular damage and an increased risk of developing multiple cancers. It has been associated with a higher risk of Parkinson's & Alzheimer's diseases.
Autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by: impaired social inter- action, impaired verbal and non-verbal communication, restricted or repetitive behavior, typically developes gradually --- although some individuals hit their childhood development milestones at a normal pace, and then regress.
Repetitive stacking or lining up of objects, is sometimes displayed.
India Celebrates Declaration of International Day of Yoga
Indian state and private institutions specializing in Yoga, practitioners, social institutions and the media, celebrate the United Nations’ decision to declare June 21st as 'International Day of Yoga'.
"I have no words to describe my joy", PM Narendra Modi, promoter of the initiative, writes on Twitter.
In a message on passage of the resolution, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says:
"Yoga can contribute to resilience against non-communicable diseases and can bring communities together in an inclusive way that generates respect. Yoga is a sport that can contribute to development & peace and can even help people in emergency situations, to find relief from stress."
In suggesting June 21 as International the Day of Yoga, Modi said that it is the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, and has a special significance, in many parts of the world.
Estimates suggest that about 250 million people practice Yoga worldwide.
Russia will ban methadone - a narcotic drug used to treat of drug addiction - in Crimea, Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service chief, Viktor Ivanov, says (on Wed, March 26).
Methadone has become a criminal business in Ukraine says Ivanov, and although its efficacy isn't clinically proven, there are hard statistics showing that deaths from its use in the US and UK -- have risen considerably, as addiction to methadone is much stronger than with heroin.
“Methadone is not a cure. Practically all methadone supplies in Ukraine are circulating on the secondary market as a narcotic drug in the absence of control.
"As a result, it has spread to the black market and trades there at much higher prices. It has become a source of criminal income,” Ivanov says & adds that 200 million US dollars are spent in Ukraine on methadone therapy.
Russian specialists and their colleagues in other countries, including the US, do not recognise it as a means of efficient treatment, he states.
There are twice as many drug addicts in Crimea as in Russia, Ivanov says. He describes the drug situation on the peninsula as “difficult”; blaming unemployment, the available means of making poppy straw, its closeness to Turkey (a transit country for Afghan heroin), and the trading of methadone, in Ukraine.
Death from Respiratory Causes Linked to Noise Pollution Experts have shown - for the first time - a close relationship between deaths from respiratory diseases, with environmental noise levels in a city.
To establish this link, the experts analyzed daily deaths from respiratory causes data, registered from 2003 to 2005, in Madrid.
The European Respiratory Society publishes that these results may be extrapolated to any town registering noise levels similar to those existing in Madrid.
According to the authors of the article, the cause of increase in deaths from respiratory problems can be linked to the rise of cortisone levels in the blood, a hormone released in stress situations, including noise.
The study affirms the effect of noise on mortality is 6.2% for every decibel of rise in noise levels.
It also states that the most vulnerable individuals are those over 65 years old.
PREGNANT MUM? - GET OUT IN THE SUN!
New research indicates that higher levels of vitamin D in mothers during pregnancy help babies have stronger muscles in later life.
The study conducted by the scientists at the University of Southampton shows the impact of vitamins on baby during mum’s pregnancy.
The study on 678 children unveiled that women with high levels of vitamin D in the late stages of pregnancy are more likely to have children with greater muscle strength.
When the children were four years old, their grip strength & muscle mass were measured, researchers show in the study report published in the journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
"There's some evidence that 'fast' muscle fibres go down, in vitamin D deficiency, and you get more fat in muscle," says the lead scientist Dr Nicholas Harvey, from Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit (MRC LEU), at the University of Southampton.
“These associations between maternal vitamin D and offspring muscle strength --- may well have consequences for later health; muscle strength peaks in young adulthood, before declining in older age & low grip strength in adulthood has been associated with poor health outcomes including diabetes, falls and fractures," he adds.
An earlier study by Australian researchers shows that women with low blood levels of vitamin D during pregnancy are more likely to have babies with language problems.
Their study, published in Pediatrics journal in 2012, highlighted the role that vitamin D levels play especially during the 2nd & 3rd trimesters, in the development of certain brain regions used in language learning.
10 to 15 minutes of sunshine, 3 times a week, is highly recommended.
Many experts recommend a daily 10 microgram vitamin D supplement for pregnant mums.
Vitamin D may also be obtained with a well- balanced diet, including various types of fish, soymilk, broccoli, egg, liver, cheese & butter, and fortified milk and cereals.
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Each year, of those diagnosed with AIDs, 80% are between 15 & 19 years old.
8 out of 10 are men --- and 9 out of 10 are men who have sex with other men.
The use of a condom is advised.
Perhaps better still, continence.
GRANDAD KNOWS BEST
Leading an active lifestyle through the practice of healthy hobbies - such as gardening -may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, affirms a specialized source.
According to a recent edition of the British Journal of Sports Medicine, daily activities like gardening are as effective as physical exercise in helping elderly people to lower their risk of suffering from these diseases.
The study monitored the heart health and activities of almost 4 000 people aged 60 or older in Stockholm, Sweden, for 12 and a half years.
Over the course of the study, the highest level of physical activity, regardless of the amount of formal exercise, was linked to a 27% cut in heart attack or stroke risk and a 30% lower risk of death from all causes.
Previous studies affirmed that a healthy diet, keeping to a proper weight, and exercise, are some of the main factors that help prevent these types of illness.
The UK government is being criticizised over the lack of nutrition information for toddler’s milk -- as new research shows the milk has less than the recommended daily intake of calcium -- and over twice the amount of sugar compared to natural cow’s milk.
Consumer group Which? says parents could be wasting hundreds of pounds on “unnecessary" toddler milks that can contain more sugar and less calcium than cows' milk. In their survey they found 46% of mums use toddler’s milk.
“Ministers should make their advice much clearer --- and introduce guidance on the ingredients of toddler milks, including the level of sugar and calcium,” says Richard Lloyd, the executive director at Which? .
Baby and toddler dairy products companies that distribute across the UK, like Aptamil and Hipp, and the UK-based Cow & Gate, mix additives - such as vanilla extract - which attracts a child to that type of milk and builds a preference for sweetened food.
Conventional milk has 4.7g of sugar in 100ml --- compared to 7.9g of sugar per 100ml in toddler’s milk. In 100ml of toddler milk by Aptamil and Cow & Gate there is 86mg of calcium, which means children drinking that milk, get half of the 122mg of calcium in conventional milk.
And the toddler milk is more expensive than cow’s milk. The annual cost of toddler milk, has been shown to be almost 10 times more expensive than cow’s milk, at £62 per year for cow’s milk compared to £593 for ready- to-feed toddler milk.
“At a time when so many household budgets are severely squeezed, parents could be saving hundreds of pounds on toddler milks, that the government says are unnecessary”,says Lloyd.
Up to one-third of children in the UK have either attempted or considered taking their own lives, according to a new report which sheds light on the ‘shocking statistics’ of suicide in the UK.
The latest study for the mental health charity MindFull, a sister of the BeatBullying charity, reveals that 29% of UK youngsters have deliberately harmed themselves, 32 % have considered suicide, and over 12% have felt they were failures on an almost daily basis, before they reached the age of 16. Almost 75% of the 850,000 UK youngsters with diagnosable mental health problems, get no treatment at all, due to a huge lack of support for those seeking help, says the report.
“Too many children who try to speak out about the way they are feeling are being let down or simply ignored,” says Emma-Jane Cross, founder and chief executive of MindFull.
“It’s unacceptable that so many are having to resort to harming themselves on purpose in order to cope, or worse still are thinking about ending their own lives.”
The ‘Alone with my thoughts’ research was based on the first-hand experiences of over 2,000 UK youngsters between 16 and 25 years of age. “We are at risk of failing a generation of young people,” the report warns, calling for a “transformation in the way we address young people’s mental health.” "Children and young people are growing up in a toxic climate, that they exist in a 24/7 online world where they never switch off, where cyberbullying, consumerism and pornography, sexting and the pressure to have the perfect body bombard them daily, where any exam grade below a C means failure and employment prospects are bleak,” the director of YoungMinds policy Lucie Russell says, at Mindfull's launch. “These shocking statistics highlight what YoungMinds has been saying for many years - that children and young people’s mental health is a vital issue that must be prioritized,” she adds.
According to the UK’s Office for National Statistics, there were 6,045 suicides in people aged 15 and over in the UK in 2011 - an increase of 437 people from the year before. Over 4,000 children under the age of 14 attempted to take their own lives in 2007, according to NHS figures. The figures show a 50% increase in student suicides between 2007 and 2011.
Among the key factors for childhood depression appears to be a growing fear of the future, a permanent lack of confidence, and constant pressure from schoolwork.
Mindfull, which has the support of Labour leader Ed Milliband and clinical psychologist Professor Tanya Byron, is offering free professional online help to 11-17 year olds who feel they cannot overcome life's ups and downs alone.
The organization offers to work with schools across the UK, to teach youngsters how to manage anxiety and stress.
LINK BETWEEN CELL PHONES AND BRAIN TUMOURS
The Italian Supreme Court has ruled that there is a causal link between mobile phone use & brain tumours. The ruling sets a legal precedent that could potentially trigger a deluge of lawsuits.
Innocente Marcolini, a 60-year-old retired businessperson argued that excessive use of his mobile phone for around six hours every day for 12 years caused a benign brain tumour that left his face partially paralyzed.
The Italian court ruled in the businessperson’s favour, conceding that there is a “causal link” between phone use and the development of the tumour. "This is significant for very many people. I wanted this problem to become public because many people still do not know the risks,” said Marcolini to Corriere della Sera. “I was always on the phone for at least five or six hours a day. Always with a mobile pressed to my ear.”
Marcolini’s tumour was on the trigeminal nerve, close to where his cellphone touched his head. Although the tumour was non-cancerous, it endangered his life, as it could have spread to the carotid artery and blocked one of the main blood vessels to the brain.
He argued that the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cellphones can damage cells, making tumours more likely to occur.
Oncologist and professor of environmental mutagenesis Angelo Gino Levis, who gave evidence during the court hearing, says the ruling is “extremely important.” “Finally a correlation has been officially recognized between electromagnetic waves and the development of tumours, in spite of the anti-alarmist propaganda and research financed by mobile phone manufacturers,”
Levis told the Corriere. He stressed that after working on several case studies the relationship between the use of mobile phones and the increased risk of brain tumours, is proven. "It'll open, not a road, but a motorway to legal actions by victims. We're considering a class action,” Levis told UK newspaper The Sun.
Currently the World Health Organization classifies mobile phones as “carcinogens” and places them in the same category as pesticides.
Silicon-rich mineral water prevents cognitive decline in those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, a study by UK researchers at Keele University shows.
UK researchers suggest that drinking silicon-rich mineral water can reduce the levels of neurotoxin aluminium in the body, which is linked to dementia.
Their study reveals that the majority of patients who consumed at least one litre of mineral water every day for 13 weeks showed no further signs of cognitive decline; an improved mental health condition was also noted in some patients.
Aluminium levels have long been linked with Alzheimer’s-related mental damage, but the relationship has never been conclusively proven scientifically.
“When you drink silicon-rich mineral water, aluminium
throughout the body is gathered up into the blood and
then excreted through the urine,” says Professor
Christopher Exley, Keele University, research leader.
“The most interesting thing was that we did see this
potential relationship between the removal of aluminium
and the positive improvement in cognitive function.”
Aluminium levels were reduced by as much as 70% in
some patients, which gives hope to those struggling
with the devastating disease.
HEADING FOOTBALL CAUSES BRAIN DAMAGE
Heading footballs frequently, may cause brain damage leading to subtle but serious declines in thinking and coordination, a new study suggests.
Researchers used an advanced MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) technique to analyse changes in the brain's white matter of 32 adult amateur soccer players who head balls 436 times a year, on average, and found that players who head footballs frequently --- 1,000 or more a year --- show abnormalities similar to traumatic brain injuries suffered in car accidents.
"This is the first study to look at the effects of heading on the brain using sophisticated diffusion tensor imaging," says Dr. Michael Lipton, a leading researcher and associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.
"We found the real implication for players isn't from hitting headers once in a while, but repetitively, which can lead to the degeneration of brain cells," he adds.
The researchers compared neurological images of study participants, whose average age was 31, and found those with the highest volume of headers had abnormalities in 5 areas of the brain, responsible for attention, memory, physical mobility and high-level visual functions.
The findings come in the wake of mixed reports on the so-called "cognitive" consequences of frequently heading soccer balls at practice.
Dr. Chris Koutures, a pediatrician and sports medicine specialist in Anaheim Hills, California, says the imaging study is fascinating, but needs more data to effectively determine safe header limits, especially for younger players.
Dr. Lipton agrees that neuropsychological damage from headers is hard for a coach or physician to notice, as cognitive problems develop gradually, and even the players might not be aware of memory loss.
"We can't tell an individual today not to head a ball, but caution is a good thing," Lipton says. "We need more research for definitive answers, and we have the advanced imaging tools to do it."
SO YOU'RE A STOCK TRADER? CRAZY!
Der Spiegel reports that two researchers at the University of St Gallen in Switzerland, in comparing profiles for 28 successful stock market traders, with an equal number of diagnosed psychopaths, found that the brokers easily “outperformed” all crazies -- in terms of “reckless manipulation”.
Even at the risk of hurting their own profit margins, according to Dr Thomas Noll, a prison administrator, “they spent a lot of energy trying to damage their opponents.”
WHITE FRUIT FLESH LOWERS STROKE RISK
Daily consumption of white-fleshed fruits and vegetables - -such as apples and pears -- can significantly cut the risk of developing a stroke.
During a 10 year study and follow up of 20,069 healthy adults aged between 20 and 65, Dutch researchers analyzed the effects of the daily eating of fruits and vegetables of various colours in lowering the risk of developing a stroke.
Results show that the risk of a stroke is 52% lower for people who ate a lot of white-fleshed fruits and vegetables.
Every 25 grams per day of white fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, bananas, cauliflower, chicory, cucumber and mush- rooms, led to a 9% decrease in the risk of strokes, say Wageningen University scientists.
According to the report published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, the colour of the edible portions of fruits & vegetables shows the presence of beneficial phytochemicals (plant compounds), such as carotenoids and flavonoids.
“Green, orange/yellow & red/purple fruits and vegetables weren't related to stroke. Yet the risk of stroke incidence -- was 52% lower for people with a high intake of white fruits and vegetables, compared to people with a low intake,” says lead author, Linda M. Oude Greip.
“To prevent strokes, it may be useful to consume considerable amounts of white fruits and vegetables,” she adds, saying “an apple a day, which weighs approximately 120 grams, is an easy way to raise white fruit & vegetable intake.”
"However, other fruit & vegetable colour groups may protect against other chronic diseases.
Therefore, it remains of importance to consume a LOT of fruit & vegetables."
A=PLUS FOR CHILDREN
Giving vitamin A supplements to children under the age of five can save the lives of 600,000 in low and middle-income countries, every year!
A review of 43 trials --- shows that vitamin A supplements reduced child mortality by 24% in developing countries by preventing many deadly infections in children.
A team of researchers from the UK and Pakistan studied over 200,000 children aged 6 months to 5 years, and found that taking vitamin A can also reduce disabilities such as severe visual impairment, blindness and complications caused by severe infections.
According to the World Health organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children, and increases the risk of disease and death from severe infections such as diarrhea and measles.
About 190 million children under the age of five might have vitamin A deficiency, especially in Africa and South-East Asia, a condition that hits young children and pregnant women in many low-income countries.
Supplements are already distributed twice a year in at least 60 countries, but about 20% of the target population is not covered.
"I've never really seen something that works so clearly," says author of the study, Evan Mayo- Wilson. "From the 1970s through to today, the picture hasn't changed. It's striking because the evidence of a really big reduction in mortality, is very consistent."
"Until other sources are available, supplements should be given to all children who are at risk of vitamin A deficiency,” he recommends.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and Aga Khan University, stress that the findings are so compelling and clear that further trials of vitamin A with placebos, would be unethical.
USING UK LEGAL DRUGS "LIKE TOSSING A COIN"
The UK pharmaceutical industry is in “crisis.” UK scientists are finally raising their worries about the growing number of ineffective medicines, with their adverse drug reactions named as "side effects" by the industry's chiefs.
The clinicians express their worries in a letter to PM David Cameron & Health Sec Andrew Lansley, urging a rethink of the way new medicines are tested.
The signatories say in The Lancet, that currently, “epidemic proportions” of drugs cause adverse reactions, while patients have to pay increasing sums of money for their prescriptions.
Figures show that some 197,000 citizens of the EU die of an adverse reaction to drugs every year.
The letter calls for a change of approach to drugs testing, as testing on animals produces results that are not the same for humans.
"Our reliance on animals to establish safety results in the exposure of clinical volunteers and patients to many treatments, are at best ineffective and at worst dangerous," their letter says.
Tony Dexter, one of the signatories, and head of a research lab in Cheshire, describes trying drugs on animals and assuming they are safe for humans as; “really the toss of a coin."
"A fundamental problem -- is that a rat is not a human. They are different sizes, have different metabolisms and have different diets; so using animals to predict effects on humans is difficult.
"50% of compounds that prove to be safe in rats prove not to be safe in humans, so it really is the toss of a coin," Dexter tells Sky News.
The signatories of the letter urge new procedures in favour of testing medicines on human cells - before issuing certificates for any new drugs.
They also voice concerns about the soaring costs of most new drugs, that make them unsustain- able, as high prices are “creating an ever- increasing burden on the National Health Service”.
A lack of adequate treatment for diseases like Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, many cancers, and strokes, is another source of concern for the scientists and clinicians.
"The UK pharmaceutical industry is in crisis. Likewise, health care, is in a web of crises, many of which, are intimately linked to the pharmaceutical industry's major problems" - the scientists' letter cautions.
READ AND SHARE, PLEASE !!
Blood Clots/Stroke - They Now Have a 4th Indicator, the Tongue. STROKE: Remember the 1st 3 Letters;- S. T. R.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics). She said she'd just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane enjoyed herself for the rest of the evening.
Jane's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6pm Jane passed away.) She'd suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with us today. Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this.
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke ....totally. He says the trick is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage, when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S *Ask the individual to SMILE.
T *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today.)
R *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the emergency number immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
New Sign of a Stroke --- Stick out Your Tongue
NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that's also an indication of a stroke.
A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this passes it on by email to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.
I have done my part. Will you?
TO SEE - VITAMIN D !
The University at Cardiff, Wales, headlined research last year that vitamin D is a major health boost.
Now new research indicates that taking vitamin D can ward off vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in women younger than 75, according to media reports today.
In the research, women under 75 who consumed sufficient vitamin D, cut their risk of developing early age-related AMD,a leading cause of vision loss and blindness, by 59%, when compared to women with vitamin D-poor diets. Researchers found that vitamin D levels among patients in the study were most affected by the amount of vitamin D they consumed, through certain fish, dairy, eggs, and leafy greens, NOT by the amount of outdoor exposure they had.
Considering that many in the West are deficient in vitamin D, this study may offer one more reason for women to include vitamin D-rich foods in the diet, says the lead author on the study,Amy Millen of the University of Buffalo.
TAKE IN VITAMIN D - OR DIE !!!
A fresh study at the University of Eastern Finland shows that vitamin D deficiencies can increase a person's risk of death, Finnish media report.
Researchers studied the effects of vitamin D on over 1,000 people aged from 53 to 73 who didn't suffer from cancer or vascular diseases, but 65% of the subjects were found to have low levels of vitamin D. Subjects were monitored for an average of nine years. A total of 87 of the participants died in the course of the study.
The study confirms that a lack of vitamin D increases the risk of chronic diseases. Individuals with low levels of vitamin D are about twice as likely to die early -- compared to those with higher levels.
During the summer months in Finland, people are able to obtain vitamin D from exposure to the sun. However, persons living in Finland must rely on vitamin D from food or supplements during the darker months of the year.
Oily fish & eggs are major sources of vitamin D. As, of course, is sunlight. The Cardiff study highlighted exposure for "at least" half an hour per day, as vital for health and wellbeing.
MEDITATE ON THIS...
Meditation has REAL pain relieving effects, a study in the Journal of Neuroscience says now.
In the study, researchers mildly burned 15 men and women in a lab on two separate occasions, before and after the volunteers attended four 20-minute meditation training sessions, in 4 days.
The second time, after the participants were instructed to meditate, they rated the same pain stimulus - 120-degree heat on their calves - as being 57% less unpleasant and 40% less intense. "This is the first study to show that only a little over an hour of meditation training can ''dramatically reduce'' --- both the experience of pain and pain-related brain activation,"
says Fadel Zeidan, lead author of the study and a post-doctoral research fellow at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, in North Carolina.
The reduction in pain ratings was substantially greater than those seen in similar studies involving placebo pills, hypnosis, and even morphine and other painkilling drugs, he adds.
Past research has found that Buddhist-style meditation known as mindfulness meditation can help people cope with pain, anxiety, & a number of other physical and mental health problems. But in most cases, the training takes weeks, not days (as in this study).
Eight weeks of meditation can trigger measurable changes in the brain, contributing to increases in the amount of grey matter in areas associated with learning and awareness.
A study of 16 volunteers who took the eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, shows that meditation can actually alter the brain's structure, report scientists from Mass. General Hospital, & Giessen University, Germany.
A comparison between the brain MRI scan of meditators and non-meditators, two weeks prior to the study, and 8 weeks after the meditation program, shows that the practice can increase grey-matter density in the hippocampus, the part of the brain related to learning and memory, and in brain areas associated with self-awareness.
The program included weekly meetings to practice mindfulness meditation and audio recordings for guided meditation practice. The participants were asked to keep track of the time they spent practicing each day.
The meditation group spent an average of 27 mins per day doing mindfulness meditation exercises which focused on nonjudgmental awareness of one's feelings, sensations and state of mind.
According to the study published in Psychiatry Research: "Neuro-imaging", participants reported reduced stress after 8 weeks of meditation.
"It is fascinating to see the brain's plasticity and that, by practicing meditation, we can play an active role in changing the brain, and can increase our well-being and quality of life," says the main author, Britta Holzel.
While previous studies have found structural differences between meditators and other non- meditating individuals, they couldn't prove that meditation had caused this effect.
"Other studies in different patient populations have shown that meditation can make significant improvements in a variety of symptoms, and we are now investigating the underlying mechanisms in the brain that facilitate this change," she adds.
JUST FOR A LAUGH They say laughter is the best medicine, so perhaps this news item will make you smile!
Neuroscientists are examining whether political allegiances are hard-wired into people, after finding evidence that the brains of Tories are a different shape to those of left-wingers.
Scans of 90 students' brains at University College London (UCL) uncovered a "strong correlation" between the thickness of two particular areas of grey matter, and an individual's views, reports The Independent.
Self-proclaimed right-wingers had a more pronounced amygdala - a primitive part of the brain associated with emotion - while their political opponents from the opposite end of the spectrum had thicker anterior cingulates.
The research was carried out by Geraint Rees, director of UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuro- science, who says he's "very surprised" by the finding, which is being peer reviewed before publication this year.
It was commissioned as a light-hearted experiment by actor Colin Firth, as part of his turn, guest editing BBC Radio 4's Today program, but has now developed into a serious effort to discover if we're programmed with a particular political view.
Professor Rees says that, although it's not precise enough to be able to predict some- one's stance simply from a scan, there is “a strong correlation that reaches all our scientific tests of significance.”
STOP FOLLOWING THE US NIGHTMARE!!!
It seems the US culture of slaughter, is reaching out to our children from a US dream gone wrong.
The received wisdom is that whatever happens in the US, the UK will soon do too. Time, perhaps, for our physical and mental health, to change & stop following the US to fat and ruin now?
Take a look at US "Health"... if you live there. Most of the beef you eat, has been exposed to excrement during processing. Your poultry is infected with salmonella. Your stock animals and poultry are overdosed with hormones and antibiotics.
In most countries, governments try to protect their citizens against all this, but in the US the government's increasingly bribed by companies to avoid regulations and proper inspections.
In a few years, the majority of all produce for sale in the US will be from genetically modified crops --- thanks to the cozy relationship between Monsanto Corp & the US government.
Worse, due to vast quantities of high-fructose syrup US people consume, fully one-third of US children born today, will be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at some point in their lives.
And it's not just the food that's killing you, it's the drugs. If you show any signs of life when you're young, they put you on Ritalin.
Then, when you get old enough to take a good look around, you'll get depressed, so they'll give you Prozac. If you're a man, this makes you chemically impotent, so.... you'll need Viagra to get it up. Meanwhile, your steady diet of trans-fat-laden food is guaranteed to give you high cholesterol, so you'll be given Lipitor.
Finally, at the end of the day, you'll lay awake at night, worrying about losing your health plan, so you'll need Lunesta to go to sleep.
Is this the way you want for you & your children? And it all started in the good ole US, where ten years ago they started diagnosing lively children, with little respect for authority, as "sick"....
"Hyperactivity" and "Attention Deficit Disorder" are now being misdiagnosed to control OUR kids, yet they ARE exposed to extreme violence on TV in their US created video games - and can watch so-called superstars, publicly decapitate Santa.
Good Health !?!
There is, surely, a better, brighter way.
NO MORE PAIN FOR UK DIABETICS?
Urtica dioica, a herbaceous perennial flowering plant also known as stinging nettles, has long been known for its many medical properties. The herb is effective in treating prostate disorders, respiratory problems, stomach Catarrh and anemia.
The high content of secretin in the plant makes Urtica dioica an effective herb for treatment of several gastrointestinal-related conditions.
Now scientists have succeeded in producing the world's first oral vaccine from stinging nettles to fight diabetes and high blood sugar levels.
Its "discoverer" says that a peptide cycle found in Urtica dioica improves the entrance of blood sugar into the cells, a process believed to be impaired in diabetic patients.
Shabani Domala, the researcher, says the drug has successfully finished its trials and is expected to enter the market by next year. He says the best benefit is that the new oral drug, unlike injecting insulin, is completely pain free.
“I started the project fifteen years ago in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, for my diabetic nephew, who was forced to inject insulin on a daily basis,” the lead researcher, says.
So perhaps we in Wales won't get any benefit from this at all... since we're slaves to the UK's pharmaceutical monopolies, & "our" UK regime, for its own reasons, doesn't want "its" subjects to be friends with Iran.
Mind, if Wales got off its ***e and produced its own biotechnology, that would be true liberation.
An economy for Wales - is good for yewer health!!!
CHANGE OR DIE: IT REALLY IS NECESSARY!
A new study suggests that cancer was extremely rare in antiquity and is therefore a modern, manmade disease caused by environmental factors.
Researchers at Manchester's KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology Cancer studied mummified remains and literary evidence from ancient Egypt, literary evidence from ancient Greece, & medical studies of human & animal remains from earlier periods, going back to the age of the dinosaurs.
According to the study published in Nature Reviews Cancer, cancer is the result of diet & pollution in the modern age. Only one case of cancer was found among hundreds of Egyptian mummies, withfew written references to it.
One unnamed mummy was diagnosed with rectal cancer by Professor Michael Zimmerman, visiting Professor at the KNH Centre, PhysOrg reports.
The rate of cancer, especially childhood cancer, has exploded since the Industrial Revolution, showing that old age is not the main reason behind cancer, scientists say.
“In industrialized societies, cancer is second only to cardiovascular disease as a cause of death. But in ancient times, it was extremely rare,” says Professor Rosalie David, of the Faculty of Life Sciences.
“There is nothing in the natural environment that can cause cancer. So it has to be a man- made disease, down to pollution & changes to our diet and lifestyle.”
Scientists believe that the short life span of ancients, precluded the development of cancer, but people of ancient Egypt and Greece did live long enough to develop cancer, having diseases such as atherosclerosis, Paget's & osteoporosis.
The team found the first descriptions of cancer operations in the 17th century, and the first reports in scientific literature of distinctive tumors, within the past 200 years.
YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!!!
In a new study, Australian behavioral scientists explode the theory that happiness is linked solely to genetics, in a study viewed as a breakthrough in psychological research.
The results of a 25-year study on 60,000 Germans show very strongly that long-term happiness IS determined by lifestyle decisions;- including partner choice, love for others, work & religion.
The study discovers that people who put their relationship with their partner & children first are happier than those interested in careers or material success, as are those who help others through social or political activities.
Working less hours doesn't necessarily lead to happiness, but working a lot more or less than they want, makes people VERY unhappy.
"Other things that matter are social activities, getting involved in social and community things with friends in an active kind of way," Professor Headey, team leader, says.
He adds that a link between religion and happiness is also quite evident.
"Religion seems to work for people - people who regularly attend church or mosque are a bit happier on average, than people who are non- religious or non-attenders...
"So having some kind of belief system that gives you a sense of meaning or purpose is important for happiness."
"People who select or happen to be selected by partners with relatively benign personalities, with low levels of neuroticism, and who are reasonably extroverted and outgoing, tend to be happier than average, and happier than they would be, just on the basis of their own personality traits," adds Professor Headey.
Professor Headey says these findings are the first of their kind on such a large scale.
"It is, I think, something of a breakthrough," Professor Headey says.
"People want to be happy, they want to know what they can do to make a difference, and this gives some indication of the kinds of choices that matter.
"So we don't have to be stuck with the idea that happiness is set, like disease or height or genes."
Study leader and Associate Professor at the University of Melbourne, Australia, Bruce Headey, says the study turns the idea of happiness being linked to personality, firmly on its head.
"Happiness isn't just a matter of heredity; it isn't just in the genes," he says.
"Genes might be about 50% of the story, but the rest depends on lifestyle choices: choices relating to your partner, and also relating to your work life."
The study is being published in the official journal of the US National Academy of Sciences, & based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, conducted by scientists partly from Australia.
It analyzed responses from a representative sample of people aged 16 & over, who answered questions every single year from 1984 to 2008.
PLASTIC KETTLES KILL!
Plastic dishes or packaging were very rare in the Soviet Union. Soviet food stores did not use polyethylene film & fresh groceries were wrapped in fresh clean packing paper.
Now it's considered normal to have foodstuffs packed in various plastic containers, bags, with fizzy reactive drinks in plastic bottles & even plastic kettles are used to boil water !
Disposable plastic kitchenware appeared first in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. Mass production started at the end of the 1950s, and paper was gradually replaced with plastic.
Yet plastic kitchen utensils can be dangerous, because as they're heated in a microwave oven or filled with hot water, they discharge toxins into both food and drinks.
Drinks in plastic bottles can be very dangerous for children. When such bottles are heated, they emit bisphenol A. This substance can trigger the development of various cancers, heart ailments, obesity, diabetes, etc. Bisphenol A is dangerous, and especially for boys: it can often affect the reproductive system of male embryos in the womb.
Baby bottles containing bisphenol are banned in the US. US companies now manufacture plastic bottles without the chemical. Nothing has been changed for other countries, though.
Phthalate is another extremely toxic substance used in the production of plastic kitchenware. Phthalates are used as plasticizers: they make plastic materials flexible and soft.... They are contained in polyethylene films that are used for packing meat, sausages & other foodstuffs. Phthalates can most easily penetrate into fats.
Therefore, specialists recommend that people keep food in glass, metal or ceramic containers. It's best to use plastic just for cold food & drinks.
Dmitry Zykov, a food technologies specialist:
"For hot food and water, you should only use materials that have been exposed to a process of being burnt in a furnace. Surfaces become inert as a result of this process, and no toxins can penetrate from such dishes or containers into your food. Tableware made of glass or stainless steel, doesn't react chemically with hot food.
If you have a plastic electric kettle at home, I would recommend that you replace it with a metal one. It's more expensive, but it's a lot better for your health."
EAT WHOLEMEAL BREAD & GREEN VEG TO AVOID DIABETES
For the Welsh, cursed with a high incidence of diabetes, here's some welcome research...
Following a diet rich in whole grains, which are high in magnesium, lowers the risk of developing diabetes in the long run, AND mitigates further complications for diabetics, a new study finds.
Previous studies have reported that adopting a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits lowers the risk of developing diabetes, coronary heart disease, strokes, and some cancers.
According to a study published in Diabetes Care, individuals who receive about 200 milligrams of magnesium from foods and vitamin supplements for every 1,000 calories they consume, are at a 47% lower risk of developing diabetes over the next 20 years.
The higher magnesium an individual receives, the lower would be the blood levels of several markers of inflammation. High blood levels of magnesium are linked to low insulin resistance.
"Increasing magnesium intake may be important for improving insulin sensitivity, reducing systemic inflammation, and decreasing diabetes risk," says lead researcher Ka He, at the University of North Carolina.
Magnesium is needed for the proper functioning of several enzymes responsible for the precise process of glucose in the body, the study finds.
Scientists therefore are urging both diabetics & individuals at risk of developing the condition to follow a healthy diet rich in magnesium in order to lower the risk of developing diabetes and avoiding wosening its complications.
THE HEALTH-ENHANCING POWER OF FAITH & LOVE
IMAGINE YOU'RE TOLD YOUR BABY IS DEAD !
A mother saved her premature baby's life recently, after being told by doctors "Sorry, we couldn't save him". Read what happened next here...
Following a low-carbohydrate diet in which plants, rather than animals, are the main source of fat and protein, can lower the overall risk of death.
Previous studies all report that low-carbohydrate diets can promote weight loss and improve blood cholesterol levels. According to a new study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, adopting a higher-vegetable low-carbohydrate diet, can lead to a 20% lower risk of death.
A low-carbohydrate diet rich in meat? - this increases mortality rates by 23%.
A diet rich in meat is linked with a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases. It also increases the risk of a cancer-related death, albeit not "significantly".
Following the "Eco-Atkins" diet, which is rich in vegetable-derived fats and proteins, lowers the overall risk of death and the heart disease- related mortality rate, by about 20%.
Lack of unsaturated fats, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals in meat-based diets may be responsible for the high death rate in individuals following a meat-rich diet.
"These results suggest that the health effects of a low-carbohydrate diet may depend on the type of protein and fat, and a diet that includes mostly vegetable sources of protein & fat is preferable to a diet with mostly animal sources of protein and fat," says lead researcher, Frank B. Hu.
FOLLOWING THE US HEALTH WAY?
As we now see Health insurance company salesmen on our streets, pretending to be "legal advisors", and watch helplessly as the UK's health "industry" is touted to more and more "experts" - by bribing GPs to front the smashing of the UK's once world- famous National Health Service; take a good look at the US way... and see the dark abyss loom!
1 - Even as the rest of the US economy deeply struggles, US health insurance companies increased their profits by 56 percent in 2009.
2 - According to a report by Health Care for America Now, the US's five biggest for-profit health insurers ended 2009 with a combined profit of $12.2 billion.
3 - The top executives at the five largest for- profit health insurance companies in the US received $200 million in "compensation" in 2009.
4 - According to an article on the Mother Jones website, health insurance premiums for small US employers increased 180% between 1999 and 2009.
5 - Health insurance premium increases are getting totally out of control. For example, the 39% increase in health insurance premiums Anthem Blue Cross imposed on some California customers last year, made national headlines.
6 - Since 2003, health insurance companies have given $42 million in state election contributions.
7 - More than two dozen pharmaceutical companies made over a billion dollars in profits in 2008.
8 - Each year, tens of billions of dollars is spent on pharmaceutical marketing in the US alone.
9 - Nearly half of all US citizens now use prescription drugs on a regular basis, according to a CDC report that was just released.
According to the report, approximately one-third of all US citizens use 2 or more pharmaceutical drugs, and more than ten% of all US citizens use 5 or more prescription drugs, regularly.
10 - According to the CDC, approximately three quarters of a million people a year are rushed to emergency rooms in the US because of adverse reactions to pharmaceutical drugs.
11 - According to a very surprising new study, 85% of new pharmaceutical drugs are "lemons" and pose serious health risks to their users.
12 - The Food and Drug Administration reported 1,742 prescription drug recalls in 2009, which was an increase from 426 drug recalls in 2008.
13 - Shocking new research has found that expectant mothers taking antidepressants have an astounding 68% increase in the overall risk of miscarriage. Yet pharmaceutical companies are doing nothing to stop this.
14 - The use of psychiatric medications among 18 to 34 yr old members of the US military & their wives, increased by 42% between 2005 and 2009.
15 - There are new medical studies that suggest that many of the most popular anti-depressant drugs are no more effective than a placebo.
16 - Pharmaceutical companies continue to rake in billions of dollars from selling vaccines and are encouraging even pregnant women to take them, even though there is mounting evidence that taking vaccines while pregnant, dramatically increases the rate of miscarriage.
17 - One woman in New Hampshire is seeking more than $24 million in damages from the manufacturer of a prescription drug that she took for shoulder pain. It turns out that as a result of taking the drug, she is now blind and has been left scarred by internal and external burns.
18 - According to a study, the medical liability system in the US added approximately $55.6 billion to the cost of health care in 2008.
19 - Pharmaceutical companies have become so greedy that now they are even attempting to patent our genes. It is being reported that over three million gene patent applications have been filed with the US government so far.
Tens of thousands of gene patents have already been granted at this point. It is estimated that companies hold approximately 40,000 patents on sections of the human genome right now. Those patents cover approximately 20% of our genes.
20 - According to a recent report, US citizens spend about twice as much as residents of other developed countries on health care, but get much lower quality and far less efficiency in return.
GHOULS OF UK's BODY PARTS There was a massive campaign in Wales to make people have to carry an "I don't want my organs donated" card, in order to be able to opt out from having body parts taken at death...
and in 2015, Welsh AMs capitulated to the lobbyists... but beware!
Now that system -- of only donor card carriers having organs removed automatically - is gone, the ghouls have carte blanche to steal organ parts --- when they were stealing them from UK people illegally already... !!!
An inquiry has found that organs and bones from the bodies of dead UK nuclear industry Sellafield workers, were illegally harvested without their consent for over 30 years.
The inquiry's findings reveal that relatives of 64 staff discovered that their loved ones had been stripped of livers, tongues and even legs, decades after they were buried, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
The findings also proved the existence of an “old boys' club” among pathologists, coroners & scientists around Sellafield, prior to 1992, which prioritized the needs of the nuclear industry, above grieving family members.
The workers representatives told the inquiry's Chair, Michael Redfern QC, that they felt as if bodies had been “mutilated” and treated as “commodities” to assist in research on behalf of the industry to try to disprove the link between cancers and radiation at Sellafield & elsewhere.
Some missing bones had been replaced with broomsticks for deceased workers' funerals. Redfern says families have been “wronged”.
“In most cases considered by the inquiry, relatives were let down at a time when they were most vulnerable, by those in whom they were entitled to place absolute trust," he says.
In the Commons, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne apologized to the families, and stated that the practice has now "been stopped".
The 650-page report, following a three-year inquiry, which also examined 3 other studies involving the nuclear industry, in which 6,500 bodies, including children, were used, says the removal of organs & tissue was “unnecessary & inappropriate” in a majority of Sellafield cases.
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DID YOU KNOW... that microwaves were originally developed as a weapon of war to destroy human flesh?
that ALL microwave cookers were banned in Russia - until the collapse of the USSR?
that research shows that microwave cooking mutates molecules and is probably responsible for stomach cancers, Russian research shows?
BINGE DRINKERS HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE: AND DON'T KNOW IT! Meyerhoff, group leader of new research, says that the alcohol consumption among the heavy drinkers his team studied, was only 60% of that typically found among alcoholics in clinics...
These are the ONLY group normally ever studied. But his team studied - for the first time - heavy drinkers living among the general population.
Even in these "binge" drinkers, they found that frontal white matter NAA was much lower in heavy drinkers than light drinkers, and was associated with lower executive & working memory functions.
In other words, binge drinkers are brain-damaged!
"Although the men and women who drank heavily for many years demonstrated fewer changes in brain metabolites than do alcoholics in treatment," Meyerhoff says, "the abnormalities we found, are nonetheless associated with lower brain function."
Lower cognitive functioning, he says, can affect daily living routines in not-so-obvious ways – the changes may be too gradual or too weak to be noticeable – but they may still interfere with basic cognitive processes, such as: decision making; planning; regulation of emotion and motivation; memory; and motor control.
"These deficits may have an affect on a heavy drinkers' ability to judge his/her drinking, as adversely affecting his/her life," he adds, "and can also interfere with the drinker's decision to seek treatment or reduce drinking, thus perpetuating drinking behaviour."
Meyerhoff says some behaviours associated with these metabolite changes, include the inability to apply consequences from past actions; difficulties with abstract concepts of time & money; difficulties with storing and retrieving information; and frequently needing external motivators.
Both Martin & Meyerhoff say the study's findings of chemical abnormalities in the brains of heavy social drinkers provide evidence of brain damage, even if the drinkers cannot see it themselves.
"Our major aim was to detect the early adverse effects of alcohol drinking on brain function, and to provide useful information to the heavy alcohol drinker, family practitioners, and society," says Meyerhoff. "Our message is: 'Drink in moderation! Heavy drinking damages your brain ever so slightly, reducing your cognitive functioning in ways that may not be readily noticeable. To be safe... don't overdue it.'"
