I found this pod cast about two weeks ago. Since then, I have watched it several times. While chopping vegetables for dinner, while the children watched a movie near by, while the baby nursed. I have not done it once. Not even rolled out the mat. I have managed to do 5 sun salutations on most mornings. I have noticed them strengthening, my body moving more like fluid from one place to another. I have noticed my breath, even off the mat. I have noticed my place, my time, my space. Because, here, in the thick of full motherhood- the strength of my body and mind are the only tools I need. Here, in this time and place- Asana practice is not to increase flexibility, or give me a firmer body. Never, is asana about what I can do on the mat- it's about what I can take with me when I leave the still, quite rectangle and move into the great wide open. So practice here, is about finding that balance between what is needed-and what can wait. Wait till babies do not cry when they are left, wait till big girls don't need grown ups at brownies, wait until after the only time two tired parents can find each other. I do indeed need my asana practice, and my meditation, and my reading, writing, breathing, and art. But, if the main objective of all them is to bring me clarity and balance- then I need not lust after time for these as long as I find myself in a place of clarity and balance. There will be time, time to study more, practice more, explore more- but there will never be more of this. I will never get more of these precious beings as they are today. And I will never get more time to practice being here, in full motherhood. What there is to learn here- cannot be learned from someone else, only from showing up here, present and mindful.
BAMAKO/SEVARE, Mali (Reuters) - French and Malian troops were restoring government control over the fabled Saharan trading town of Timbuktu on Sunday, the latest gain in a fast-moving French-led offensive against al Qaeda-allied fighters occupying northern Mali.
The Islamist militant rebels have pulled back northwards to avoid relentless French air strikes that have destroyed their bases, vehicles and weapons, allowing French and Malian troops to advance rapidly with air support and armored vehicles.
A Malian military source said the French and Malian forces reached "the gates of Timbuktu" late on Saturday without meeting resistance from the Islamist insurgents who had held the town since last year.
The French and Malians controlled the airport and were working on securing the town, a UNESCO World Heritage site and labyrinth of ancient mosques and monuments and mud-brick homes, ready to flush out any Islamist fighters still hiding.
"Timbuktu is delicate, you can't just go in like that," the source, who asked not to be named, said.
On Saturday, the French-Malian offensive recaptured Gao, which along with Timbuktu was one of three major northern towns occupied last year by Tuareg and Islamist rebels who included fighters from al Qaeda's North Africa wing AQIM.
The Malian military source, and at least one resident of Gao who travelled south out of the city, said there were still rebel "pockets of resistance" there, and that government troops were carrying out house-to-house searches.
The third town, Kidal, in Mali's rugged and remote northeast, remains in rebel hands.
The United States and Europe are backing the U.N.-mandated Mali operation as a counterstrike against the threat of radical Islamist jihadists using the West African state's inhospitable Sahara desert as a launch pad for international attacks.
One Timbuktu resident now outside the town said a friend inside had sent him SMS messages saying he had seen government troops on the streets, but gave no more details.
Fighters from the Islamist alliance in north Mali, which groups AQIM with Malian Islamist group Ansar Dine and AQIM splinter MUJWA, had destroyed ancient shrines sacred to moderate Sufi Moslems in Timbuktu, provoking international outrage.
They had also imposed severe sharia, Islamic law, including amputations for thieves and stoning of adulterers.
As the French and Malian troops push into northern Mali, African troops from a continental intervention force expected to number 7,700 are being flown into the country, despite delays due to logistical problems and the lack of airlift capacity.
FEARS OF GUERRILLA WAR
France sent warplanes and 2,500 troops to Mali after its government appealed to Paris for help when Islamist rebels early in January launched an offensive south towards the capital Bamako. They seized several towns, since retaken by the French.
In the face of the two-week-old French-Malian counter offensive, the rebels seemed to be pulling back north into the trackless desert wastes and mountain fastnesses of the Sahara.
Military experts fear they could carry on a grueling hit-and-run guerrilla war against the government from there.
A leader of Mali's main Tuareg insurgent movement, MNLA, whose initial separatist rebellion in the north was hijacked by al Qaeda and its local Malian allies, offered help from his group's desert fighters to the French-led offensive.
Speaking from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Ag Mohamed Assaleh said the MNLA was preparing to attack the withdrawing al Qaeda-allied Islamist forces and its leaders, whom he said were hiding in the Tidmane and Tigharghar mountains in the Kidal region that borders with Algeria.
"The MNLA is on maximum alert," Assaleh said.
At Konna, a town 500 km (312 miles) southeast of Gao recaptured from the rebels earlier this month, some people said they were still afraid.
"No-one believes the rebels will give up without resisting. They may be regrouping for an attack, there is fear of a guerrilla war," said Salou Toure, a middle-aged resident of Timbuktu who had fled that town three months ago.
Malian Captain Faran Keita, an army officer in the central Mopti region, said: "We're at war against terrorists, even here someone with an explosive vest could attack."
AFRICA CHIDED FOR SLOW RESPONSE
Malian government control was restored in Gao on Saturday, after French special forces backed by warplanes and helicopters seized the town's airport and a key bridge. Around a dozen "terrorists" were killed in the assault, while French forces suffered no losses or injuries, France's defense ministry said.
Officials said the mayor of Gao, Sadou Diallo, who had taken refuge in Bamako during the Islamist occupation, had been reinstalled at the head of the local administration.
The robust military action by France over the past two weeks in its former Sahel colony has left African leaders embarrassed about the continent's inability to quickly field its own force.
At an African Union summit in Addis Ababa, outgoing AU chairman Thomas Boni Yayi, president of Benin, criticized Africa's slow response to the Islamist insurgency in Mali.
"How could it be that when faced with a danger that threatens its very foundations, Africa, although it had the means to defend itself, continued to wait," Yayi said.
Around 1,900 African troops, including Chadian, have been deployed to Mali so far as part of the planned U.N.-backed African intervention force, known as AFISMA. Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Niger and Chad are providing troops. Burundi and other nations have pledged to contribute.
OFFERS OF FUNDS, HELP
The United States and Europe, while providing airlift and intelligence support to the anti-militant offensive in Mali, are not planning to send in any combat troops. Washington agreed to fly tankers to refuel French warplanes.
The AU is expected to seek hundreds of millions of dollars in logistical support and funding for the African Mali force at a conference of donors to be held in Addis Ababa on January 29.
European Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs told Reuters in Addis Ababa he believed enough funds would be offered to sustain the African troop intervention for a year.
Piebalgs added the latest estimated cost of the operation he had seen was 430 million euros ($579.42 million). The EU had already committed to provide 50 million euros ($67.37 million) to pay the salaries of the non-Malian African troops.
Japan would pledge over $100 million at the donor conference for humanitarian and social development in Mali and the wider Sahel, a Japanese official in Addis Ababa told Reuters.
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi also offered in Addis Ababa to work with the African Union to help resolve the crisis in Mali. Salehi said Iran was ready to offer assistance to Mali's tens of thousands of refugees and displaced people. ($1 = 0.7421 euros)
(Reporting by Tiemoko Diallo in Bamako, Richard Valdmanis in Sevare, Mali, Nathalie Prevost in Ouagadougou, Joe Bavier in Abidjan, Richard Lough and Aaron Maasho in Addis Ababa; writing by Pascal Fletcher; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Ashley Broadway, left, is pictured with her wife, Lt. Col. Heather Mack and their 2-year-old son.
By Bill Briggs, NBC News contributor
Hours after same-sex Army wife Ashley Broadway was named Fort Bragg's 2013 ?spouse of the year,? the on-base spouses club???that has for two months rebuffed Broadway's bid to join?? fully reversed course and invited her "to become a full member," according to emails sent to NBC News and Broadway.
The decision comes one week after the Association of Bragg Officers' Spouses (ABOS) extended Broadway???who is married to Army Lt. Col. Heather Mack???a "special guest membership," an invitation she declined and called "extremely demeaning."
"After further reviewing the (club's) constitution, by-laws and internal procedures, the ABOS Board felt that in order to immediately support all military Officer spouses who are eligible for ABOS membership a more inclusive definition of spouse was needed. Therefore, any Spouse of an active duty commissioned or warrant Officer with a valid marriage certificate from any state or district in the United States is eligible for ABOS membership," the club's board said in a statement.
"ABOS does not discriminate based on race, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, creed, or sexual orientation. ABOS would like to publicly invite Ms. Broadway to apply for full membership to ABOS. It is and always has been our mission to support all military families."
In an email to Broadway ? shared with NBC News???the club said, "We would like to offer you to become a full member of ABOS."
"I will go ahead and submit my application," Broadway said in response to the invitation. "I need to educate some of the naysayers that are in that group and show them my family is just like their family."
In the online election held Tuesday, Broadway captured the Fort Bragg vote ?by a country mile,? said Babette Maxwell, founder of Military Spouse magazine and the Military Spouse of the Year award. Ballot totals were not revealed.
As one of the 154 base-level winners, Broadway now is eligible to be nominated for Army ?spouse of the year.?
?A lot of people who voted never me met or talked to me or knew me from Adam. I know it was a statement to the Obama Administration, to Secretary (of Defense Leon) Panetta, to Senator (Chuck) Hagel ? if he is confirmed (as defense secretary) ? to the Pentagon and, really, to America that, yes, she is a military spouse and she needs to be recognized,? Broadway told NBC News.
?There are things the government can do right now to make life a hell of a lot easier than what it is currently for those who are in same-sex marriages in the military,? she added. ?It was a lot of people saying, ?Enough?s enough.? ?
Broadway?s rejection from the Fort Bragg officers? spouses club sparked the U.S. Marine Corps to issue on Jan. 9 a pro-gay, branch-wide directive. On Jan. 16, her bid drew the Pentagon?s attention. The next day, the?on-base spouses club offered Broadway a "special guest membership" ? an invitation she declined, calling it ?extremely demeaning.??
Broadway married Mack, her 15-year companion, in November ? their first chance to hold a formal ceremony after?the 2011 repeal of ?Don?t Ask Don?t Tell,??the policy that kept gays from openly serving in the military. The couple has a 2-year-old son and Mack gave birth to their second child, a daughter, on Tuesday.?
?People got one vote per email address ? one ballot for the person you wanted to represent you. I think people would be unwilling to, quote-unquote, throw their vote away on simply doing what was popular,? Maxwell said. ?There was a significant amount of meaning in what they were doing when they voted for Ashley.
?Removing her a bit from the press and recognition she?s received the last few months, Ashley???more importantly???has a platform to benefit a large number of spouses, and that?s what people want to see happen,? Maxwell added. ?The winners are chosen based on their merits, their accomplishments and what they intend to do for the community in the year to come.?
Broadway has volunteered to tutor soldiers? children in reading, briefed inbound Army families on local school districts, and helped transferring soldiers with housing-location decisions.
?When I was denied membership, I asked to speak to the club?s board. I was convinced that if they?d just sit down with me for half an hour, if I could talk to them about what I?ve been doing, what I?ll be doing in the future, they would see what an asset I would be to the group,? Broadway said.
The meeting was not granted.
?That was the most frustrating thing,? she said.
Before its decision late Friday to relent and offer Broadway full membership, the ABOS board had maintained Broadway was never rejected because ?a formal application was never filed,? and that she simply had inquired about the eligibility of a same-sex spouse and was told the club would need ?time to look at the issue.??
Online voting for the next round of the 2013 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year???the branch level???will take place Feb. 5. The overall winner, elected from the branch finalists, will be revealed May 9.
"I never thought in a million years I would be the one to advance the cause. If that?s what it?s going to take to get attention for all the military same-sex spouses, then so be it," Broadway said. "But I do take this (Bragg 'spouse of the year' award) very seriously. And we'll see where it goes from here."?
Jan. 24, 2013 ? Cape Cod, Massachusetts has a problem. The iconic salt marshes of the famous summer retreat are melting away at the edges, dying back from the most popular recreational areas. The erosion is a consequence of an unexpected synergy between recreational over-fishing and Great Depression-era ditches constructed by Works Progress Administration (WPA) in an effort to control mosquitoes.
The cascade of ecological cause and effect is described by Tyler Coverdale and colleagues at Brown University in a paper published online this month in ESA's journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.
"People who live near the marshes complain about the die-off because it's not nice to look at," said Coverdale. "Without cordgrass protection you also get really significant erosion, retreating at sometimes over a meter a year." The die-back is ugly, but it is also a substantial loss of a valuable ecological resource.
When fishermen hook too many predatory fishes out of the marsh's ecosystem, the fishes' prey go on fruitfully multiplying, unchecked. The reverberations down the food chain can result in uncomfortable environmental changes for human residents. The problem for Cape Cod is the native purple marsh crab (Sesarma reticulatum), which burrows in the mud along the inner shorelines of the marshes, and dines almost exclusively on the tall and fast-growing low marsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) that lines the marsh edges.
The tall and sturdy cordgrass is an essential buffer against the friction of tides and storms. Without it, soft banks erode out from under the other plants and the water line retreats farther and farther back into the marsh. The unchecked multitudes of purple marsh crabs have taken a visible toll on the developed areas of the Cape. By 2008, 50 percent of the creek banks in the marsh had worn back. Old drainage ditches have expanded from nearly invisible threads to open channels -- some nearly 30-40 meters wide -- with muddy, exposed edges.
The purple marsh crabs need tidal creek edge habitat to thrive, and do not venture into the inner heart of the marsh, where a shorter cordgrass species (the closely related, but squattier Spartina patens) and other high marsh plants dominate. The old WPA mosquito ditches also fulfill the crabs' habitat requirements. Once benign, the ditches nucleated dramatic reconstruction of the landscape with the loss of blue crab, striped bass, and smooth dogfish, and the subsequent boom of purple marsh crabs.
One of the remarkable features of the cordgrass die-off is its tight locality. Some areas of undeveloped marsh as close as a kilometer to the denuded banks around private residences and public docks appear healthy and unaffected. Mosquito ditches that can only be reached by a hard slog through undeveloped marshland do not display the striking die-off and bank erosion. The pattern cued the researchers to the possibility that recreational fishing was the trigger, Coverdale says. Few people wade into the swamp to fish.
Marshes are excellent model systems for observing the intersection of human impacts that can trigger environmental degradation, the authors say, because they have been exploited by humans for centuries, if not thousands of years, and are easily studied from aerial and satellite images.
"Marshes are one of the most heavily utilized resources worldwide," said Coverdale. "They are easily accessible, and provide shellfish, fuel, baitfish and opportunities for recreational anglers. A lot of those harvests are probably sustainable."But he is interested in the tipping points at which use of the marsh becomes unsustainable. The revelation of the slumbering menace of the mosquito ditches raises the prospect of other submerged impacts that may surface under the influence of new, contemporary pressures.
In the early twentieth century, Cape Cod was a very different place from the summer vacation destination it is today. As land use shifted from agriculture toward tourism, the local chamber of commerce funded an effort to draw off standing water through drainage ditches to suppress the mosquito population. The program was probably not very effective at controlling mosquito-borne disease, Coverdale says, but it did put a lot of people to work, and they were industrious. Over 2400 kilometers of old ditches stripe the marshes of the long, low-lying peninsula. The Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project continues ditch-dredging under the Barnstable County Department of Health and the Environment.
The ditching program had a relatively minor impact on the marshes compared to other forms of development, however. Following the Second World War, Cape Cod developed rapidly, nearly tripling in permanent human population between 1940 and 1976, when a new awareness of the ecological and economic benefits of the marsh brought strict limitations on further development. Ditches claimed only 2 percent of the marsh, compared with the 70 percent affected by roads, houses, restaurants, marinas, and other hallmarks of a modern coastal community. Alone, the ditches did not fundamentally alter the marsh ecosystem. The species that colonized the ditches were already present in the marsh; the WPA's remodeling project just moved them around. The additional pressure of recreational fishing changed that equilibrium.
How do Cape Cod residents and local fishing enthusiasts feel about this news? Coverdale says the area has a strong conservation ethic. People remember what the Cape looked like when their parents lived there, and are unhappy with the changes. As a fishing enthusiast himself, Coverdale does not see ecologists and fishermen as opposing forces.
"People enjoy catching fish today, but they come back year after year. They want to see the fish there tomorrow," Coverdale said. He has faith that the tendency of residents and long-time visitors to take the long view will make a solution possible. A system of catch and release could make fishing the Cape sustainable and allow the local community to retain its fishing heritage.
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Ecological Society of America. The original article was written by Liza Lester.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Tyler C Coverdale, Nicholas C Herrmann, Andrew H Altieri, Mark D Bertness. Latent impacts: the role of historical human activity in coastal habitat loss. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 2013; : 130117050902007 DOI: 10.1890/120130
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
PBS has been exploring a fair bit technology history with its digital shorts lately -- examining the likes of animated GIFs, indie games and coding as art in its Off Book series -- and it's now tackled one issue that's making more headlines than ever: software patents. It hasn't provided a distilled history of the topic this time, though, instead offering a brief profile of the man who received the first software patent in 1968, Martin Goetz, as part of its Inventors series. Not surprisingly, he still sees a place for software patents, but admits that the current situation is "a little bit of a mess." Head on past the break for the video.
A UK government agency has slapped Sony's wrist with a £250,000 penalty for not doing enough to protect the personal information of its customers. The fine specifically concerns the large-scale PSN hack in April 2011, which the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) says "could have been prevented." The agency's head, David Smith, said that the security measures Sony had in place "were simply not good enough." He added that Sony trades on its technical know-how, and had access to the necessary expertise to protect itself from criminal attacks:
"There's no disguising that this is a business that should have known better."
Though the size of the fine might seem piddling for an outfit like Sony, the ICO considers it to be a "substantial" punishment, reflecting the fact that this case is "one of the most serious" that has ever been reported to it. Check out David Smith's statement and best angry teacher face in the video after the break.
Many people want to improve some aspect of their lives. It could be changes emotionally, socially or professionally. The piece that follows includes several useful ideas for those wishing to pursue greater personal development.
Listening is equally as valuable as speaking when you are communicating. This is particularly true when you are talking about self-development. Don?t just listen to other people. Listen to yourself. Hearing your own thoughts and feelings when you express them will lead to a better understanding of what you need to improve your life.
Plenty of employers are more concerned with the fact that you have a degree, rather than what school you attended. There are of course a few exceptions, such as within the finance and engineering industries. In most cases though, just getting a four year degree will make all the difference in the world.
TIP! While it is essential that you have people in your life, you should not depend on others for your happiness. Focus on making yourself happy.
If self improvement is an important goal in your life, be sure to feed your faith with love. There is no way to have faith in something you do not love. Never let faith take a back burner in your life. Do good for others and show that you love yourself through your love for others.
When you are working on your personal development, you should realize you deserve to be the best you can be. Repeat this statement to yourself every day, ?I owe it to myself to strive for the best?. When you complete your journey you?ll be secure in the knowledge that you did the best you could and no regrets are necessary.
Take stock of your alcohol use to see if you are drinking too much. Are nicotine or other destructive habits something that harms you? Our body is sacred, and we should respect it and treat it as so. Eliminating bad habits can be a very essential part of improving your life. Take stock of how you are living your life and the habits you have accumulated. Which ones do you think you could get rid of right now?
TIP! Your mind?s health depends on how healthy your body is. Develop a regular fitness routine and follow a nutritious, satisfying diet plan.
You can try writing yourself a motivational speech. List all of your good qualities on a postcard. Keep the card in your purse or wallet, and pull it out every time you feel depressed and defeated or have a negative thought about yourself. Better yet, read the list out loud while recording yourself. What?s the point?
If you are not able to achieve anything you wanted to, it is time to evaluate the situation seriously. Find out how others have succeeded at the same thing. This could illuminate a problem with the feasibility of your goals, your technique for achieving such goals, or even simply not allowing the time necessary to complete them.
Try and find new ways to challenge yourself. New challenges open new possibilities for you. You will see, do and explore more things than you ever thought possible. You may even want to achieve something that has never been done before. Look for your own thing to do, instead of accomplishing things people have already done.
TIP! Instead of talking up all of your trophies and accomplishments, ask other people about their notable achievements and proudest moments. This will help you to find some of the amazing things that people can accomplish, and help you to respect them more.
Evaluate yourself and seek out that one aspect that you wish to change or improve. It may be that you have several such things which you could concentrate on, but by selecting just one, you stand a better chance of prevailing. In addition, this enables you to make slow and gradual changes to your actions, perceptions and behaviors, increasing the likelihood that these new concepts will eventually become second nature.
If you want to improve yourself, write down a specific list of things you want to improve. Write down everything you aspire to be or to change about yourself. The next step is to seek different ways to grow that skill or trait. Finally, you will need to put yourself in a situation where you can practice being confident. You will have a high degree of success if you attack this methodically.
One way to raise your self-esteem is to give other people compliments. Doing the opposite and taking the initiative to be kind to others helps you to be kind to yourself too.
TIP! Work more efficiently to get the most out of your effort. Some say there is a trick that involves taking frequent breaks throughout the work day.
Nothing is more important to your personal development than working on health issues. When you are feeling good, it is easier to feel better about yourself. You can think more clearly, and even save time and money, by not having to go to the doctor on a regular basis. Make it your goal to improve your health.
Getting out and living your life can really enhance your quest for self improvement. The thing you have to do is take action. Take charge of your life and refuse to take the role of a spectator. Being a passive observer to the world around you removes you from the game entirely. Do not let that happen.
Maintaining benevolent wishes for others can lead to an increase in the good things you bring into your own life. Thus, never wish down on someone and always pray for the best. If you focus on the positive aspects of everyday life, you will be much less susceptible to those random episodes of doom and gloom.
TIP! If you experience anxiety in social situations, ask a friend to join you at the movie theater. You will be thrust into a busy setting and out of your comfort zone, but you will not have to excessively socialize with others.
None of us can say that we haven?t made mistakes from time to time. One of the biggest mistakes that we often choose to ignore is our choice in foods. Unchecked stress can be very damaging to both your mind and your body. Make an honest effort to live life to the fullest without sweating the small stuff.
You can benefit by learning about other individuals who are a success. You can build upon the trails they blazed and avoid mistakes they made by finding out how they reached fulfillment. Reading about the lessons they have learned will have a positive impact on your own self improvement.
You need a good attitude for personal development. A negative attitude will hold you back and even send you down the wrong path. Instead, let go of negative thinking. Make a choice everyday to look on the positive side of things and watch your goal progression improve.
TIP! Establish reachable goals to increase your feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction in life. Once you have identified your own weaknesses, you can begin to improve upon them.
Ask successful people around you about their habits and consider adopting them too. Don?t try to make too many changes at once. Start with two or three fundamentals that can make a difference, and practice those few until they feel natural to you. It can take up to three weeks to acquire a new habit, so it is important to keep trying.
Keep your focus on your inner self instead of your physical appearance. In the long run, wearing the best clothes or looking incredible does not matter. What?s most important is your internal appearance and your personality. Instead of making cosmetic changes, put more effort into improving your inner self.
Know what your core beliefs are and live by them. Your personality is strongly shaped and supported by these principles. Sticking to your core values will help your self esteem, if you?ve got a strong foundation to rely on. This will also help you develop consistency.
TIP! Humility is essential to your success. In the grand scheme of things, we are relatively insignificant.
Get rid of every part of your life that is disorganized. Not only will being organized make you feel accomplished, but it will also boost your confidence. You will also have the added benefit of relief from the stress that disorganization can cause. Organizing your environment can be a calming and centralizing influence.
Take care of yourself physically to get the most out of your personal development activities. You can keep your energy level up with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and getting a good night?s sleep. This will give you the energy you need to be successful at your self improvement efforts. It might seem easy, but it can prove to be very difficult.
Focus on learning how to stay calm in difficult circumstances, rather than becoming irrational and emotional. Once you learn how to remain calm in the midst of stress, you?ll have the confidence needed to cope with anything that happens in your life. Learning to breathe deeply upon command can give you back your sense of control.
TIP! Decide what you value most in life and stick with it. Therefore, it is extremely important that this is a priority in your life.
Treat yourself right by respecting your body. When your body communicates a need such as hunger, pain or thirst, it is important that you address it as soon as possible. Once you do this, your body will be better able to aid you for the long term. If you neglect your body now, you will pay for it down the line.
Many people know that they wish to improve the quality of their lives, but they do not know where to begin. This article will give you many ideas to get going, though keep in mind that only you can make a change. You?ll discover ways to keep your motivation and drive from waning by referring back to these suggestions periodically.
Look for reading material that inspires you and encourages you to be your best. Everyone?s idea of a positive piece of writing is different. It may be a religious bible, or alternatively a book of inspirational quotes. As long as you have a tangible source that can help to inspire you when you?re feeling down, you?ll always be able to regain your peace of mind. This, of course, can vastly increase your ability to deal with anything that life throws your way.
TIP! An extremely important key to personal development is knowing what you want to do with your life. One of the things that will make the biggest difference in your outlook is having long-term goals.
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Microsoft is in talks to participate in the deal to take Dell private, CNBC's David Faber reports.
According to his sources, Microsoft might invest $1-$3 billion with the group looking to take Dell private.
Microsoft is talking to Silver Lake and Michael Dell, who are working on the deal. The Microsoft investment would be "mezzanine," or some sort of preferred shares, says Faber.
Mezzanine is typically debt that converts to equity if the debt isn't paid back in certain period of time. Faber wasn't entirely clear on what he meant when he said it was in the form of "preferred" shares. Our guess is that the Microsoft loan could convert to preferred shares at a certain point.
This makes sense since getting the money in place to take Dell private is probably one of the hardest parts of this deal. Microsoft, which is loaded with cash, could help out.
Microsoft has been a very aggressive investor. It invested in Facebook. It invested in Barnes & Noble. It invested in Comcast. It invested in Apple, when it was at death's door. Like any investor, Microsoft has a mixed track record.
Investing in Dell would be very interesting for both companies. Part of Dell's downfall can be attributed to its reliance on the Windows-based PCs, which is a shrinking industry. As a private company, Faber notes that Dell wants to reinvent itself. If Microsoft is an investor, it's going to have influence over Dell's business. This could limit Dell's ability to seek out a new model.
From Microsoft's perspective, it's another tangled conflict. It's investing in one of its PC partners. How will Acer, HP, Asus, et al feel about Microsoft picking a PC company to invest in?
Evidence mounts for role of mutated genes in development of schizophreniaPublic release date: 22-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Stephanie Desmon sdesmon1@jhmi.edu 410-955-8665 Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins study links 1 family's rare gene mutation to brain cell abnormality and mental illness
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a rare gene mutation in a single family with a high rate of schizophrenia, adding to evidence that abnormal genes play a role in the development of the disease.
The researchers, in a report published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, say that family members with the mutation in the gene Neuronal PAS domain protein 3 (NPAS3) appear at high risk of developing schizophrenia or another debilitating mental illnesses.
Normally functioning NPAS3 regulates the development of healthy neurons, especially in a region of the brain known as the hippocampus, which appears to be affected in schizophrenia. The Johns Hopkins researchers say they have evidence that the mutation found in the family may lead to abnormal activity of NPAS3, which has implications for brain development and function.
"Understanding the molecular and biological pathways of schizophrenia is a powerful way to advance the development of treatments that have fewer side effects and work better than the treatments now available," says study leader Frederick C. Nucifora Jr., Ph.D., D.O., M.H.S., an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "We could definitely use better medicines."
Along with environmental factors, it is widely believed that many genes play some role in causing schizophrenia, a disease characterized by a variable combination of hallucinations, delusions, impaired cognition and a loss of drive and initiative. The disorder strikes an estimated seven in every 1,000 adults in the United States. While the Johns Hopkins experiments to date show that the NPAS3 mutation is rare, Nucifora says learning as much as possible about the biological role of NPAS3 will likely lead to a better understanding of how other genes contribute to the development of schizophrenia, even in the absence of the NPAS3 mutation.
For the study, Nucifora and his team used blood samples to search the DNA of 34 people with schizophrenia or a related condition, schizoaffective disorder. All 34 were members of families in which more than one person had the disease. The investigators were specifically looking for NPAS3 mutations previous research suggested it could be involved in schizophrenia and found it in one of the families.
By analyzing blood samples from that single family two parents and four adult children they found that the mother, who has schizophrenia, her two children with schizophrenia, and her child with major depression all had the mutant version of NPAS3. The NPAS3 gene provides instructions for the production of a protein that contains 933 amino acids. The altered gene led to a single flaw: a valine was switched to an isoleucine. Nucifora says it is not yet known how this single mutation affects the function or structure of NPAS3. A possible hint comes from the finding of other investigators that a change from valine to isoleucine in a protein known as APP is linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Nucifora cautions that, by itself, finding a mutation in a single family with mental illness doesn't establish the altered gene as the cause of the illness. Nucifora and his colleagues therefore set out to determine whether the mutation plays any role in the function of NPAS3, which serves as a master switch in cells, controlling the fate of many other genes involved in brain development and metabolism.
To do that, Nucifora and his colleagues grew neurons with either normal or mutated copies of NPAS3 in a dish, and found that the healthy neurons grew nice long extensions, a process that typically allows them to make good connections with other cells and is therefore critical for brain function. In neurons with the mutated gene, the extensions were abnormally short.
Other genes believed to be involved in mental illness also have been found to disrupt the growth of longer neuronal extensions.
"We showed that the mutation does change the function of NPAS3, with potentially harmful effects in neurons," he says. "The next step is to figure out exactly how the genetic disruption alters neuronal function, and how these abnormal neurons influence the broader function of the brain."
Nucifora and his team are now working to create a mouse with the NPAS3 mutation. "If this mutation in NPAS3 is indeed important for human disease, then we should detect abnormalities in the neurons of mice with mutant NPAS3, and the mice should have impairments in learning, memory and social behavior," he says.
###
The research was supported by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation and the Hatten S. Yoder III Memorial Fellowship.
Other Johns Hopkins researchers involved in the study include Lan Yu, Ph.D.; Nicolas Arbez, Ph.D.; Leslie G. Nucifora, Ph.D.; Gabrielle L. Sell, B.S.; Christopher A. Ross, M.D., Ph.D.; and Russell L. Margolis, M.D.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Evidence mounts for role of mutated genes in development of schizophreniaPublic release date: 22-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Stephanie Desmon sdesmon1@jhmi.edu 410-955-8665 Johns Hopkins Medicine
Johns Hopkins study links 1 family's rare gene mutation to brain cell abnormality and mental illness
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a rare gene mutation in a single family with a high rate of schizophrenia, adding to evidence that abnormal genes play a role in the development of the disease.
The researchers, in a report published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, say that family members with the mutation in the gene Neuronal PAS domain protein 3 (NPAS3) appear at high risk of developing schizophrenia or another debilitating mental illnesses.
Normally functioning NPAS3 regulates the development of healthy neurons, especially in a region of the brain known as the hippocampus, which appears to be affected in schizophrenia. The Johns Hopkins researchers say they have evidence that the mutation found in the family may lead to abnormal activity of NPAS3, which has implications for brain development and function.
"Understanding the molecular and biological pathways of schizophrenia is a powerful way to advance the development of treatments that have fewer side effects and work better than the treatments now available," says study leader Frederick C. Nucifora Jr., Ph.D., D.O., M.H.S., an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "We could definitely use better medicines."
Along with environmental factors, it is widely believed that many genes play some role in causing schizophrenia, a disease characterized by a variable combination of hallucinations, delusions, impaired cognition and a loss of drive and initiative. The disorder strikes an estimated seven in every 1,000 adults in the United States. While the Johns Hopkins experiments to date show that the NPAS3 mutation is rare, Nucifora says learning as much as possible about the biological role of NPAS3 will likely lead to a better understanding of how other genes contribute to the development of schizophrenia, even in the absence of the NPAS3 mutation.
For the study, Nucifora and his team used blood samples to search the DNA of 34 people with schizophrenia or a related condition, schizoaffective disorder. All 34 were members of families in which more than one person had the disease. The investigators were specifically looking for NPAS3 mutations previous research suggested it could be involved in schizophrenia and found it in one of the families.
By analyzing blood samples from that single family two parents and four adult children they found that the mother, who has schizophrenia, her two children with schizophrenia, and her child with major depression all had the mutant version of NPAS3. The NPAS3 gene provides instructions for the production of a protein that contains 933 amino acids. The altered gene led to a single flaw: a valine was switched to an isoleucine. Nucifora says it is not yet known how this single mutation affects the function or structure of NPAS3. A possible hint comes from the finding of other investigators that a change from valine to isoleucine in a protein known as APP is linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Nucifora cautions that, by itself, finding a mutation in a single family with mental illness doesn't establish the altered gene as the cause of the illness. Nucifora and his colleagues therefore set out to determine whether the mutation plays any role in the function of NPAS3, which serves as a master switch in cells, controlling the fate of many other genes involved in brain development and metabolism.
To do that, Nucifora and his colleagues grew neurons with either normal or mutated copies of NPAS3 in a dish, and found that the healthy neurons grew nice long extensions, a process that typically allows them to make good connections with other cells and is therefore critical for brain function. In neurons with the mutated gene, the extensions were abnormally short.
Other genes believed to be involved in mental illness also have been found to disrupt the growth of longer neuronal extensions.
"We showed that the mutation does change the function of NPAS3, with potentially harmful effects in neurons," he says. "The next step is to figure out exactly how the genetic disruption alters neuronal function, and how these abnormal neurons influence the broader function of the brain."
Nucifora and his team are now working to create a mouse with the NPAS3 mutation. "If this mutation in NPAS3 is indeed important for human disease, then we should detect abnormalities in the neurons of mice with mutant NPAS3, and the mice should have impairments in learning, memory and social behavior," he says.
###
The research was supported by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation NARSAD Young Investigator Grant, the Milton and Tamar Maltz Family Foundation and the Hatten S. Yoder III Memorial Fellowship.
Other Johns Hopkins researchers involved in the study include Lan Yu, Ph.D.; Nicolas Arbez, Ph.D.; Leslie G. Nucifora, Ph.D.; Gabrielle L. Sell, B.S.; Christopher A. Ross, M.D., Ph.D.; and Russell L. Margolis, M.D.
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Jan. 22, 2013 ? Antidepressant prescriptions in the UK have increased by 9.6% in 2011, to 46 million prescriptions. Does this reflect overmedicalisation or appropriate treatment? Two experts debate the issue on bmj.com today.
Glasgow GP, Dr Des Spence, thinks that "we use antidepressants too easily, for too long, and that they are effective for few people (if at all)"
He acknowledges that depression is an important illness, but argues that the current definition of clinical depression (two weeks of low mood -- even after bereavement) "is too loose and is causing widespread medicalisation." He also points out that 75% of those who write these definitions have links to drug companies.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines do not support the use of antidepressant medication in mild depression, nor necessarily as first line treatment of moderate depression. Instead, they promote talking therapies.
"But even if we accept that antidepressants are effective, a Cochrane review suggests that only one in seven people actually benefits. Thus millions of people are enduring at least six months of ineffective treatment," he writes.
He is unconvinced by research showing that depression is undertreated and that antidepressants are being used appropriately, saying "the only explanation is that we are prescribing more antidepressants to ever more people."
He also questions the view that depression is a mere chemical imbalance and concludes: "Improving society's wellbeing is not in the gift of medicine nor mere medication, and overprescribing of antidepressants serves as a distraction from a wider debate about why we are so unhappy as a society. We are doing harm."
But Ian Reid, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Aberdeen, says the claim that antidepressants are overprescribed "needs careful consideration."
He argues that the rise in prescriptions is due to small but appropriate increases in the duration of treatment, rather than more patients being treated, and that increased use of antidepressants in other conditions "has compounded misunderstanding."
He refutes the idea that GPs are handing out antidepressants "like sweeties" and points to a survey showing "cautious and conservative prescribing" among GPs in Grampian. He also points to "methodological flaws and selective reporting" of data showing that antidepressants are no better than placebo except in severe depression. Instead, he says, practice is supported by evidence.
Finally, he dismisses reports that limited availability of psychological therapy leads to inappropriate antidepressant prescription, saying there is no consistent relation between the availability of psychological therapies and antidepressant use.
"Antidepressants are but one element available in the treatment of depression, not a panacea," he writes. "Like 'talking treatments' (with which antidepressants are entirely compatible), they can have harmful side effects, and they certainly don't help everyone with the disorder. But they are not overprescribed. Careless reportage has demonised them in the public eye, adding to the stigmatisation of mental illness, and erecting unnecessary barriers to effective care."
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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by BMJ-British Medical Journal.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal References:
D. Spence. Are antidepressants overprescribed? Yes. BMJ, 2013; 346 (jan22 3): f191 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f191
I. C. Reid. Are antidepressants overprescribed? No. BMJ, 2013; 346 (jan22 3): f190 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.f190
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
Website development has transpired as an industry in the last decade. A company or a person develops web sites to be placed on the World Wide Web in the field of web development. Here Mark tries to explain the importance of choosing out a professional Website Development Company.
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Website development which is an emerging field of today, the number of web sites being developed on the web are increasing at a very fast pace.? The team which comprises of web developers and web designers make a fair amount of money while constructing these web sites. As the technology is advancing every moment, it is important that the web developers know the current trend and latest techniques which should be used in building a new web site as the web development is a field which can pay you a lot if you are interested in taking it seriously. Web development can be used as a tool to make money online these days as there are millions of websites on the web and also because the e-business industry is growing at a very fast pace.
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Next comes the promotion phase. When the website has been developed and it is there on the web, it needs promotion. There are effective ways of promoting a web site which includes article marketing where are lots of people visiting your websites when tried to market the website business. Article marketing is a necessary tool for getting quality traffic used to generate web traffic.
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The web development services have flourished as a result of internet life style becoming en vogue. Through web development, there are a number of freelancers and other web developers who are making a more than decent living as there has been a lot of increase in the number of web sites which exist on the web today. The number of websites on the internet has shoot up like anything compared before. The reason for the same is the competition has increased and as a result people need state of the art kind of web sites for their businesses. Success depends on the web traffic flow a web site gets in the online business. To ensure this flow, those web developers are preferred who can help you in promoting your web site by designing it properly. Website development is a full fledge industry now which has it own rules.
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A website developer needs to know everything about the current technology which is being employed to construct web sites these days. Along with it, you need to be clear about the importance of promoting a web site. The web site designs which help in website promotion are feasible these days. The use of media streaming and such other features is also important. The most important approach is that you need to know the latest technologies being used in the web development industry these days. You also need to assess the need of your client before you design the web site for your client. Paying attention towards these tricks will help you in being a successful web developer.
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Helena is a freelance web article writer and writes articles for web development company. We provides website development, website design, custom software development, ecommerce online solutions SEO etc.
I was on the phone this morning setting up a new account for our power bill, having changed providers recently, and the lovely gentleman on the end of the phone chuckled at the end of our conversation and said, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you in customer service by any chance?"
My first response was to smile and say, "No," until I had a moment of alternative thought and replied, "Well actually, yes I am. I'm a teacher."
So why did he think I was in the business of customer service? And what is it about teaching that is all based around customer service?
Relationships - when he answered the phone he introduced himself as James and I kept referring to him as that throughout the conversation. Good customer service means remembering people's names and referring to them as that. This makes people sure that we know who they are. Think about how much parents like it when we call them by name.?
Being attentive - I made sure that I was in no way distracted when talking to James. I would have made eye contact if he'd been in the room, but instead, my mobile phone was off and my attention was all his. Could you imagine how I would feel if HE had been distracted and I could hear beeping going on as texts came in to HIS phone?! Good customer service means giving undivided attention and focus to people.
The personal touch - we all like to feel valued and we all like to know that someone is going the extra mile for us. Good customer service means adding personal touches to the things we do for others.
Having manners - it's pretty basic but is often neglected nowadays. Nothing says customer service like please, thank you, ma'am and sir. Good customer service means using manners.
Sincerity - saying what you mean and meaning what you say. Carrying through what you claim you will do. Being real. Good customer service means having integrity and?following through.
So why did James think I was in customer service?
I used his name to refer to him.
I focused on the call and was attentive to him.
I asked how his holiday break had been.
I said please, thank you and was genuinely polite.
I followed through with something we had agreed to on another call.
Yes thanks James, I AM in the business of customer service, because I am a teacher :)
We'll take a break from football -- true addicts can give the Pro Bowl and Senior Bowl a look -- for one weekend before the big game, but there are other options. That includes hockey now, of course, but also a few premiering and returning shows. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.
The Following If you need a few more connections in your next six degrees of Kevin Bacon game, tune in to The Following, which pits Bacon as an FBI agent chasing down serial killer (and leader of other killers) James Purefoy. It's been heavily promoted, but we'll find out tonight if the high profile cast and production add up to a show worth watching -- it didn't work so well for ABC's Last Resort, which is airing its series finale this week. (Fox, January 21st, 9PM)
Spartacus: War of the Damned The last season of Starz' hit Spartacus: War of the Damned kicks off Friday night, and should bring along all the associated violence we've come to expect from the series. As Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar join the fight things are only going to get more interesting, if you've somehow missed out on the show till now you can check out a trailer embedded after the break. The special effects have never surpassed the level of most made-for-Syfy movies, but somehow it manages to become more than the sum of its parts. (Starz, January 25th, 9PM)
The Cave The next adventure game from Double Fine, The Cave hits a slew of platforms this week. Available for download on Steam, PSN, Xbox Live and Wii U eShop, it lets player's pick their own squad of adventures and explore -- what else -- a cave. Somehow that area will include an amusement park, castle and even a ready to launch nuke, but we're most interested to see how it integrates the Wii U GamePad for camera and character switching. ($14.99, multiple platforms / dates)
/center>
Blu-ray & Games
End of Watch
Death Race 3: Inferno
Searching for Sugar Man
The Paperboy
The Quiet Man
For A Good Time, Call...
Pina
The Cave (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PC)
Monday
The Following (series premiere), Fox, 9PM
Spurs/76ers, TNT, 7PM
Lakers/Bulls, TNT, 9:30PM
The Bachelor, ABC, 8PM
Bones, Fox, 8PM
Continuum, Syfy, 8PM
The Carrie Diaries, CW, 8PM
How I Met Your Mother, CBS, 8PM
Switched at Birth, ABC Family, 8PM
WWE Raw, USA, 8PM
2 Broke Girls, CBS, 9PM
90210 (winter premiere), NBC, 9PM
Being Human, Syfy, 9PM
Bunheads, ABC Family, 9PM
Mike & Molly, CBS, 9:30PM
Hawaii Five-0, CBS, 10PM
Lost Girl, Syfy, 10PM
Deception, NBC, 10PM
Castle, ABC, 10PM
Catfish, MTV, 11PM
Tuesday
The Taste (series premiere), ABC, 8PM
The Ultimate Fighter (season premiere), FX, 8PM
White Collar (winter premiere), USA, 10PM
Raising Hope, Fox, 8PM
Betty White's Off Their Rockers, NBC, 8 & 8:30PM
Hart of Dixie, CW, 8PM
Pretty Little Liars, ABC Family, 8PM
Ben & Kate, Fox, 8:30PM
Go On, NBC, 9PM
The Lying Game, CW, 9PM
New Girl, Fox, 9PM
Happy Endings, ABC, 9PM
Emily Owens M.D., CW, 9PM
Dual Survival, Discovery, 9PM
The Mindy Project, Fox, 9:30PM
The New Normal , NBC, 9:30PM
Africa, Discovery, 10PM
Cougar Town, TBS, 10PM
Justified, FX, 10PM
Private Practice (series finale), ABC, 10PM
Parenthood (season finale), NBC, 10PM
The Burn with Jeff Ross, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
Flashpoint (series finale), Ion, 11PM
Wednesday
American Idol, Fox, 8PM
Arrow, CW, 8PM
The Middle, ABC, 8PM
Nuggets/Rockets, NBA TV, 8PM
The Neighbors, ABC, 8:30PM
WWE Main Event, Ion, 8PM
Criminal Minds, CBS, 9PM
Supernatural CW, 9PM
Modern Family, ABC, 9PM
Inside the NFL, Showtime, 9PM
Suburgatory, ABC, 9:30PM
Workaholics, Comedy Central, 10PM
CSI, CBS, 10PM
Necessary Roughness (winter premiere), USA, 10PM
American Horror Story (season finale), FX, 10PM
NFL Turning Point, NBC Sports Network, 10PM
Nashville, ABC, 10PM
Unsung: Isaac Hayes (season premiere), TV One, 10PM
The Kroll Show, Comedy Central, 10:30PM
Thursday
30 Rock, NBC, 8PM
Impact Wrestling, Spike TV, 8PM
The Vampire Diaries, CW, 8PM
Last Resort (series finale), ABC, 8PM
Knicks/Celtics TNT, 8PM
American Idol, Fox, 8PM
Parks & Recreation, NBC, 8:30PM
Beauty & the Beast (winter premiere), CW, 9PM
Glee (winter premiere), Fox, 9PM
Grey's Anatomy, ABC, 9PM
The Office, NBC, 9PM
1600 Penn, NBC, 9:30PM
Anger Management, FX, 9:30PM
King of the Nerds, TBS, 10PM
Archer, FX, 10PM
Bellator MMA Live, Spike TV, 10PM
Suits, USA, 10PM
Legit, FX, 10:30PM
Clippers/Suns, TNT, 10:30PM
Totally Biased with W Kamau Bell, FX, 11PM
Friday
Spartacus: War of the Damned (season premiere), Starz, 9PM
Spurs/Mavericks, ESPN, 8PM
Nikita, CW, 8PM
WWE SmackDown, Syfy, 8PM
Malibu Country, ABC, 8:30PM
CSI: NY, CBS, 9PM
Friday Night Fights, ESPN2, 9PM
Real time with Bill Maher, HBO, 10PM
Banshee, Cinemax, 10PM
Merlin, Syfy, 10PM
Portlandia, IFC, 10PM
Saturday
Senior Bowl, NFL Network, 4PM
UFC on Fox 6, Fox, 8PM
US Figure Skating Championships, NBC, 8PM
Abominable Snowman, Syfy, 9PM
Saturday Night Live: Adam Levine / Kendrick Lamar, 11:30PM
Jan. 21, 2013 ? A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that the average life expectancy of men and women with schizophrenia is 15 years and 12 years shorter respectively than for those who do not suffer from the disease. The study has been carried out in collaboration with Stanford University in the US.
The reasons why people with schizophrenia have a shorter life expectancy have previously been unknown, but have been much discussed in recent years. The research report that has now been published shows that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to die of two major diseases.
The study followed over six million individuals from 2003 to 2009, of whom 8 277 had schizophrenia, by analysing the Swedish population and health registers.
The results show that people with schizophrenia had contact with the health service over twice as often as people without the condition, but they were no more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or cancer.
"Yet we saw an opposing pattern of death from these diseases. It is clear that the health service is failing to diagnose cardiovascular disease and cancer in these patients," says Jan Sundquist, general practitioner and professor at the Centre for Primary Health Care Research at Lund University.
Women with schizophrenia were 3.3 times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease and men 2.2 times more likely. Women with schizophrenia were 1.7 times more likely to die of cancer while men were 1.4 times more likely, compared with those without schizophrenia. Only 26.3% of the men with schizophrenia who died of cardiovascular disease had been diagnosed before their deaths, compared with 43.7% of the men who did not have schizophrenia.
"It is unacceptable that such a vulnerable group of people, who also have extensive documented contact with the health service, should die prematurely of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer -- diseases that should be preventable," says Professor Sundquist. "A much greater degree of diagnostic and preventive measures could be put in place for this vulnerable group in our society."
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Story Source:
The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Lund University.
Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.
Journal Reference:
Casey Crump, Marilyn A. Winkleby, Kristina Sundquist, Jan Sundquist. Comorbidities and Mortality in Persons With Schizophrenia: A Swedish National Cohort Study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2013; DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.12050599
Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.
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Public release date: 22-Jan-2013
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