20 Million Years Fossil Hunt in the Mush River Valley in Ethiopia

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December 29, 2010, 4:55 PM
A Fossil Hunt in Ethiopia’s Mush Valley
By BONNIE F. JACOBS

Bonnie F. Jacobs
A fossil frog with bones and soft parts preserved.

Bonnie F. Jacobs, a paleobotanist at Southern Methodist University, writes from Ethiopia, where she is studying fossils of ancient plant and animal life. The current field season in the Mush Valley of Ethiopia is financed by a grant to Ellen Currano of Miami University, Ohio, from the National Geographic Society Committee on Research and Exploration.

Monday, Dec. 27

This winter’s field season in Ethiopia is my tenth since I began working there, and despite my experience I am filled with anticipation. Our project is a relatively new one — studying rocks and fossils from an important period of history, 22 million years ago — and the location, Mush Valley, is also somewhat new to our team (last year was our first collecting trip here).

Mush Valley is only about 160 kilometers northeast of the modern capital city, Addis Ababa, but it feels as though it could be a thousand miles away. Very little of city life intrudes into the villages of Upper and Lower Mush.

What really takes me away from it all are the rocks and fossils exposed by and alongside the Mush River. They provide us an exciting opportunity to document life, climate, landscape and atmosphere 22 million years ago. As we excavate blocks of fine-grained sediment — primarily shale — looking for clues to the past, the pivotal role played by that ancient time period is always on our mind.


Why is it important to know about the Ethiopian Plateau 22 million years ago? The Mush Valley preserves plants and animals from a time soon after a land connection was established between Afro-Arabia and Eurasia — a land connection that marked the end of Africa’s island status and that was used by animals to migrate between the two previously separated land masses. By looking at the fossil record from that period of time — before the Red Sea was formed — we can gain a clearer view of which species survived this great migration and which did not.

A handful of Africa’s unique island mammal families that were present 26 million years ago are absent from sites younger than Mush, but some originally Eurasian families are found in their place. Circumstantial evidence is pointing toward the influx of invaders as deadly competitors responsible for the demise of the ancient African mammalian families — including Arsinoitheres (an extinct rhinoceroslike mammal), some elephant families and some relatives of living hyraxes.

When and how did this happen? Did it happen all at once, very rapidly, or perhaps more gradually? And what can the historical record tell us about the evolution of Africa’s modern iconic mammals and the potential effects of mixing native and non-native animals today?


Bonnie F. Jacobs
A view of the Mush River near Addis Ababa, with its dark fossil-bearing shales.
We have already found some mammal bones at Mush — as yet unidentifiable — in addition to amazing fossil frogs with soft body parts preserved. We hope to find more! And we wonder: Will any of the extinct forms be among them, or will the fauna have a modern aspect?

We will also look at the plant world and ask the same questions. Already we have studied fossils that are 27 million to 28 million years old and come from a region called Chilga that is to the northwest of Addis Ababa. We know the Ethiopian Plateau was clothed by forests with trees, shrubs and vines whose relatives can be found today in the now separated forests of Central and West Africa on the one hand, and Eastern Africa on the other. We think that an increase in the length of the dry season sometime after 27 million years ago caused the loss of those plant groups on the Ethiopian Plateau. But when did the flora change, and can we find evidence of such a climate change?

Many people think the forests of the East and West became separated with development of the arid and semi-arid East African Rift, a slash in the earth running thousands of kilometers from the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea through Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Malawi. But the rift did not begin to develop until around 15 million years ago. Will the 22-million-year-old Mush flora be essentially the same as Chilga floras?

We have noticed a big difference between the forests of Chilga and what we have found so far at Mush. At Chilga we found palm fossils in rocks all over the depositional basin — they were ecologically important 27 million to 28 million years ago. Today, palms are rarely important in African forests, and are not diverse. We know from fossil pollen that palms were flourishing when tropical Africa and South America were splitting apart, about 70 million years ago, and they continue to flourish in the Amazon and Southeast Asia.


Bonnie F. Jacobs
In Ethiopia, Ellen Currano and Aaron Pan sample the shale for fossil plants.
If palms were still present and important 27 million years ago at Chilga, when was their demise? We are anxious to see if any palms turn up at Mush. If they are present, what kind are they? If they are absent, does it tell us something about climate change -– or was there another reason?

Past climate can be assessed from fossil plants — the shapes and sizes of their leaves, and by comparison with where their living relatives live — and various other measures from the rock record that are independent of the plants. We are able to estimate the mean annual temperature, and the mean annual and seasonal rainfall. The chance to use more than one means of estimating climate and the rest of the physical environment is part of what makes us so excited about our work.

Estimates of past climate are useful for testing the accuracy of computer-generated global climate models (useful for estimating scenarios of future climate), and for understanding how earth’s climate system operates in general. Climate scientists often run models meant to represent a time in the past to see if they can generate a global climate system that is consistent with what is known from estimates that come from fossils.

The record is woefully poor for tropical latitudes, and we expect that estimates from both Mush and Chilga will be useful for these kinds of studies. Perhaps more importantly, there is currently some scientific uncertainty about the climate during the interval between 27 million and 22 million years ago — and more data is needed to settle the issue.

The plant fossils are exquisitely preserved. They occur as leaf and fruit compressions with the organic outermost cuticle layer on both sides of the leaves still intact. Cuticle is a waxy substance laid down on the leaf surface as it develops, so looking at leaf cuticle is essentially the same as looking at a leaf’s outermost cells — the epidermis.

Included among these cells are hairs (yup, leaves have hairs), any sort of bump or ornamentation, and most important, stomata. A stoma is an opening through which carbon dioxide goes in and oxygen and water vapor escape. I like to think of them as akin to mouths (botanists, forgive me!). The pattern made by the cells of a leaf’s stomatal openings can help paleobotanists to identify it.

Here’s another cool thing about stomata: It has been shown that when the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is high, many plant species reduce the number of stomatal openings on their leaves (relative to the regular cells). Conversely, when atmospheric carbon dioxide is low, stomatal density tends to increase — it’s like getting more mouths to breathe with. We plan to use this relationship — which must first be established or calibrated using modern plants for the genus or species of plant fossil — in order to estimate the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere 22 million years ago.

Our team in the field this year consists of Mulugeta Feseha, an associate professor of geology at Addis Ababa University; Ellen Currano, an assistant professor at Miami University in Ohio who specializes in paleobotany and insect damage analysis; Aaron Pan, a paleobotanist who is curator of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History; Louis Jacobs, a professor of earth sciences at Southern Methodist University whose specialty is vertebrate paleontology; and Jordan Noret, a paleobotany graduate student at Southern Methodist University.

Africa, Bonnie F. Jacobs, climate change, Ethiopia, extinct, Fossils, mammal, rocks, Shale
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1.
Vicki
Duluth MN
December 29th, 2010
6:36 pm
Hey Bonnie, wonderful writing! Have a fantastic and productive field season.
Recommend Recommended by 2 Readers
2.
Chenjeri
Talent
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
Good job. Keep up the excellent reporting. It's a great pedagogical tool to help my students see how scientific work is done-meticulous, painstaking, collaborative...and exciting.

Thanks. PC
Recommend Recommended by 0 Readers
3.
Kent
Montana
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
Accurate and engaging... what science writing needs more of..
Recommend Recommended by 0 Readers
4.
barbarian horde
Goble, OR
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
Thank you for your patient explanation of some very complex topics.
Recommend Recommended by 0 Readers
5.
Andy
Austin, TX
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
Fascinating, great pictures; can't wait for more! It's interesting to hear what you're looking for and why, not to mention the big geological pictures. An annotated map would be great, if a little impractical from the field, but maybe someone back back at one of your home institutions could produce one from your directions. Maps with a little Ethiopian geography/topography, along with some maps of the forest areas, and maybe the relevant historical geology.
Recommend Recommended by 0 Readers
6.
CitizenJoe
Oregon
December 30th, 2010
10:41 am
Lovely exposition! Thanks!
I was particularly interested in fossil preservation of stomata; pretty darned fine detail to be preserved.
Can you tell from the fossils how thick the cuticle was? If so, can you infer the level of solar exposure of the plant just before death? Or the season?
Joe

Mengistu worku the Ethiopian 8 legend in Soccer dies at the age of 70

Ethiopian soccer legend Mengistu Worku passed away

December 16th, 2010 | | 6 Comments

Ethiopian soccer legend Mengistu Worku who helped Ethiopia win the 3rd African Cup has passed away, according to the Reporter.

Mengistu, 70, had been fighting cancerous tumor since 2001. He was receiving treatment in South Africa and Thailand.

Memorial service for Mengistu Worku will be held on Friday in Addis Ababa at the St. Petros Church where he will be laid to rest.

The following is a brief biography of Mengistu Worku (Sources: Wikipedia, Facebook, Ethiopian Review archive).

Mengistu Worku was an Ethiopian footballer, recognized as one of the best football players in Ethiopia’s history.

He is most popularly known for scoring 2 goals in the final of the 3rd African cup against Egypt, when Ethiopia won their only major trophy to date by defeating Egypt 4-2.


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Mengistu Worku with the Ethiopian national team that won the 3rd African Cup (1962). L. to R. standing: Luciano Vassalo (captain), Awad Mohammed, Tesfaye GebreMedhin, Berhe Goytom, Asmelash Berhe, Kiflom Araya, Gashe Tilahun (trainer); L. to R. sitting: Girma Zeleke, Gila-Michael T. Mariam, Italo Vassalo, Getachew Wolde, Mengistu Worku.

Mengistu finished as top scorer of that tournament with 3 goals. He debuted with Saint-George SA in 1957 and remained with the club for the entirety of his career.


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Ethiopians in Europe honor heroes of the 3rd African Cup Mengistu Worku and Luciano Vassalo (Sweden, 2008)

Mengistu was given numerous offers to play professionally for teams in Italy and France, as well as Egypt’s El Zamalek, but like earlier legend and coach Ydnekatchew, he refused all offers and stayed in Ethiopia wearing Saint George’s characteristic “V” across his chest.


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Mengistu Worku with former team mate and captain of the victorious 3rd African Cup Ethiopian national team Luciano Vassallo (1991)

Mengistu wore the number 8 for the entirety of his club and national team career. His international career began in 1958 and ended in 1970, following disappointment in the 7th African Nations cup in Sudan, where Ethiopia finished bottom of their group. He still managed to score 3 goals, the only Ethiopian goals in that tournament.

Mengistu played 2 more years with Saint George, retiring in 1972. He is the seventh-highest scorer in the history of the African Cup Of Nations with 10 goals.


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Members of the Ethiopian National team celebrate their 3rd African Cup title

Mengistu coached the national team after retirement, but the team failed to match the success it found during his playing days. He did, however, coach the country to their first-ever CECAFA cup title in 1987, when the tournament was hosted by Ethiopia.


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1960s Ethiopian national team arrives in Moscow. Mengistu Worku is on the right.

In 2001, Mengistu was struck by a tumor, and doctors had told him he had only months to live. With treatment unavailable in Ethiopia, the Ethiopian billionaire Mohammed Al Amoudi paid for Mengistu to travel to South Africa for treatment. “It was because of Al Amoudi that I am standing before you today,” he said on Ethiopian television.


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The 1968 Ethiopian National team. First row, left to right: Abdulrahman "Pache", Haile Tesfa-Gabir, Girma Asmerom, Luciano Vassalo, Col. Tamrat Yigezu (President of Ethiopian Football Federation), Yidnekachew Tessema, Gashe Tilahun, Bereket Amde-Michael, Getachew Dula, Getachew Wolde, Adamu Alemu (assistant coach); Second row: Tesfaye Bahire (assistant coach), Mengistu Worku, Tekeda Alemu, Shewangizaw Agonafer, Getachew Gelashe, Hailu Abebe Woldegiorgis; 3rd row: AmdeMichael, Kiflom Araya, Yohannes Tiliku, Abraha Araya, Tesfaye Gebremedhin, Berhe Goytom; 4th row: Eshetu GebreHiwot, BekureTsion GebreHiwot, Fisseha WoldeAmanuel, Milosevic (head coach), Getachew Abdo; Last row: Nega WoldeSelassie

At the 2002 CECAFA Cup, Mengistu was honored before the tournament kickoff by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association, along with five other east African footballers and three referees, including Tesfaye Gebreyesus, the Ethiopian who refereed at three ACN tournaments.

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Diversity Education- the Kansas Professor experience with Ethiopia Reads Project

rofessor: Trip opened her eyes
By Andy Rao

junior staff writer

Published: Friday, December 10, 2010
Updated: Friday, December 10, 2010 08:12


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Laurie Curtis, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction, displays piece of artwork she bought during her travels in Ethiopia.

Throughout history, the word diversity has taken on many different meanings, both literal and implied. Until the 15th century, diversity actually signified something perverse or wicked.
In today's world, however, the term has taken on a more positive meaning. Rapid globalization has caused the world to shrink and has caused people to come into close contact with others of different race, religion and culture.

During the summer of 2010, 12 teachers from around the nation explored this globalization by participating in a month-long excursion to Ethiopia to explore cultural diversity. The teachers spent a majority of their trip in the capital city, Addis Ababa, visiting schools, churches, monasteries and other centers of learning to explore the educational system of the African nation.

Partnering with a nonprofit literacy program called Ethiopia Reads, the participants traveled to the northern and southern parts of Ethiopia, distributing books and other learning materials to eager teachers and children. An $81,566 grant allocated by the Fulbright-Hays Group Project funded the majority of the program and helped the participants pay the travel expenses and for any books that were bought to distribute to the schools.

Two K-State professors, Jacqueline Spears and Laurie Curtis, went on the trip.
"It was an amazing opportunity to see the rich culture of Ethiopia," said Curtis, assistant professor of curriculum and instruction. "The culture, customs, rituals and societal traditions that I was fortunate enough to be a part of showed me another side of human civilization that opened my eyes to not only differences but the commonalities between people all over the world."
The cultural exchange program gave the participants insight into the cultural traditions as well as the academic structure in Ethiopia.

"The biggest difference I saw between Ethiopia and the United States is the amount of resources kids in the states have at their disposal," Curtis said. "Here at home, kids can learn using the Internet, computers and other gadgets. In Ethiopia, we had to use more conventional methods to connect with the students."

One of these conventional methods included using readily available material to construct homemade books. The handwritten books were made up of paper, staples and duct tape. The stories were written in Amharic, one of the 84 languages native to Ethiopia, by the schoolchildren.
The books were used to facilitate literacy initiatives and were major additions to the libraries across the countries. In one school, a suitcase full of books that the participants brought doubled the size of the library.

Both Curtis and Spears agreed that the journey to Ethiopia was an eye-opening experience. The teachers were able to be a part of a world in which the education system was very raw — the literacy rate in Ethiopia was 38 percent in 2008 — and they said this helped them "count their blessings."

"Although the Ethiopian government has made a push for a stronger universal education system, there is still much progress to be made" said Spears, professor of curriculum and instruction and director of K-State's Center for Science Education. "There were many schools that needed help in finding serviceable resources and teachers that could motivate more parents to send their children to school."

The teachers plan to use their experiences from the trip to create much of their own classroom curriculum.

"The purpose of the project is to share the Ethiopian culture with American students," Spears said. "This trip has given teachers across the nation an opportunity to expose their students to a diverse learning environment."

Participants have already implemented the curriculum in K-12 schools, using "realia," which are traditional cultural items like music, different types of native clothing and other objects to facilitate learning and add a unique cultural exchange to classrooms.

The project will formally end on May 31, 2011, when participants will give a final presentation depicting the benefits and successes of the program.

Biodiesel Crop Farming in Ethiopia Via Jatropha Crude Oil

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- Policy-makers in Ethiopia, challenged by fluctuating oil prices and poverty, are seeking solutions that will improve the living conditions of its people and boost its fragile economy. One such solution, Ethiopian leaders hope, is renewable energy.

Statistics from the Ethiopian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MoME) indicate that the country spends about Ethiopian Birr 10 billion (US$800 million) annually to import petroleum products for domestic consumption. The figure, according to the MoME represents more than 90 percent of Ethiopia’s earnings from foreign trade each year. Were the country to tap some of its renewable energy potential, the energy independence it would achieve as a result, would be a boon to the economy.

Because of its location, Ethiopia is perhaps one of the most-suitable nations in Africa for tapping renewable sources of energy not only for its own economy, but also for export into regional economies such as Kenya, which is always looking at enhancing its energy capacity.

Biodiesel Production

While Ethiopia boasts of numerous green energy possibilities such as geothermal, solar and wind power generation, it is the biodiesel sub-sector that has taken off over the last few years and continues to witness increased attention both from the government and development partners from abroad.

Ethiopia is one of the largest countries in Africa but it is also one of the driest, a factor that renders most of its land unsuitable for agricultural production. This has led the Ethiopian government to shift its focus to biodiesel crops that flourish under the harsh climatic conditions of Ethiopia.

The shift from expensive fossil fuels to cost-effective biofuels has received a stamp of approval from the Ethiopian government. It recently approved a 16-page renewable energy strategic document that was prepared under a collaborative partnership between the MoME, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD).

According to an expert from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), as the country has grown over the last few years, it has had to devote more and more of its already limited resources towards the purchase of petroleum products and now sees a clear need for cheaper energy that it hopes to get through renewables.

The most popular biodiesel plants in Ethiopia include castor seeds and jatropha curcas. Numerous companies from India, Europe, Israel and the United States have formed joint partnerships with local companies to help grow the plants for biodiesel extraction.

One of these companies that has already started operations is Global Energy Ethiopia (GEE), which has pumped in more than Ethiopian Birr 200 million (US$ 20 million) in a castor and jatropha seed farming and processing program that will allow GEE to process more than 40,000 tonnes of crude oil when fully operational. GEE started production in 2007 after it leased more than 30,000 hectares of land in Wolaita Soddo in the Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPR).

The World’s Largest Biodiesel Producer?

In addition to GEE, Eco Energy is an Ethiopian company that has entered into a partnership with the Indian-based Jatropha World. The partnership allows for the exchange of technical expertise that will allow Eco Energy to develop a 25,000 hectare jatropha farm for biodiesel production.

According to Robel Debebe, the Chief Executive Officer of Eco Energy, the firm is set to pump in more than Ethiopian Birr 250 million (US$25 million) towards the biodiesel venture that will see the company produce jatropha crude oil for the local market and for export, especially to European nations.

According to MoME, biodiesel offers Ethiopia one of the best alternatives to expensive fossil fuels and accords the progressively expanding Ethiopian economy cheap energy sources. The growing interest in the sector is evident, as the Ethiopian Investment Agency (EIA) has over the last two years registered more than 60 companies interested in venturing into the biodiesel production sub-sector.

According to EIA, there are more than 25 million hectares of land available in Ethiopia suitable for biodiesel crop farming. If fully developed, this would make Ethiopia the largest biodiesel producer in the world, with an annual output of more than 20 million litres of crude oil processed from biodiesel crops.

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JimW
December 3, 2010
It is not my business but I see GreenGas.cc as another way these people can become self sufficient. If they have wind or solar they can use GreenGas machines to make fuel. If anyone knows a govt person or group from Ethiopia, they should contact GreenGas.cc because I know they are looking for partners and sites to place machines.
A

Chinese and the French take over Ethiopia Telecom

By Aaron Maasho

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Ethiopia signed an agreement late on Thursday to outsource the management of its sole telecoms provider to France Telecom as it seeks to improve coverage and service.

The agreement marks the first foray by a foreign company into Ethiopia's state-owned telecoms industry, which remains one of Africa's few remaining government monopolies in the sector.

The management of Ethio Telecom will be taken over by the France Telecom for two years, in a deal worth 30 million euros for the French company, the state-owned monopoly said.

"France Telecom will strive to improve and modernise Ethio Telecom's overall business aspect by implementing a new organisational structure," it said in a statement.

Ethiopia has the second highest population in Africa after Nigeria but has one of the least developed telecoms industries on a continent where mobile phone use is exploding.

Mobile phone usage is about 5 percent out of a total population of more than 80 million people. In neighbouring Kenya, mobile penetration is more than 50 percent.

The Ethiopian government has invested heavily in its telecoms industry in the past few years in a bid to boost communication flows and reduce rates, including an 80 Gigabyte fibre network via the Port of Sudan landing station.

Chinese telecoms equipment maker ZTE bagged a contract from Ethiopia in 2008 to build next-generation telecoms networks in 14 cities.

The Horn of Africa nation, however, has so far shrugged off calls by the International Monetary Fund and other agencies to liberalise its telecoms sector.

© Thomson Reuters 2010 All rights reserved

France Telecom to manage Ethio Telecom

France Telecom Takes Over Management of Ethiopia’s Monopoly
December 03, 2010, 1:37 AM EST
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By William Davison
Dec. 3 (Bloomberg) -- France Telecom SA started a two-year contract to manage Ethiopia’s state-owned Ethio Telecom, Communications and Information Technology Minister Debretsion Gebremichael said.

The Paris-based company will, depending on performance, earn a fee of 30 million euros ($40 million) to manage the utility, Debretsion told reporters yesterday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.

Accounting systems will be modernized and new services introduced, Ethio Telecom chief executive officer Jean-Michel Latute said.

Ethio Telecom replaced the Ethiopian Telecommunications Corp. on Nov. 29 to help boost services and infrastructure. The East African nation is the second-most expensive country in the world for broadband Internet, according to the United Nation’s International Telecommunications Union.

An underwater fiber-optic cable link via Djibouti will increase capacity and lower broadband Internet costs, Debretsion said.

--Editors: Gordon Bell, Antony Sguazzin.

To contact the reporter on this story: William Davison in Addis Ababa via Johannesburg at pmrichardson@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Antony Sguazzin at asguazzin@bloomberg.net

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POLICYNovember 12, 2010

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Top 10 Ways the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Improves the National Response to HIV/AIDS


The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) contains many different elements and goals for creating a nation "where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic circumstance will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination."

To shed some light on those elements, AIDS.gov will begin monthly blog posts with a Top Ten list that explores the key goals and objectives of the Strategy, including:

Reducing the number of people who become infected with HIV
Increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes for people living with HIV
Reducing HIV-related health disparities
Achieving a more coordinated national response to the HIV epidemic
The series on the NHAS Top 10 will reinforce key parts of the Strategy, and we’ll be working to make the NHAS come alive for you and those you serve. Stay tuned for November's Top 10 list...and in the meantime, share with us your Top 10 list(s)!!!

Posted at 04:32 PM in National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Policy | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0) |Share This Post
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POLICYNovember 11, 2010

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Today is Veterans Day

By Miguel Gomez, AIDS.gov Director



Today we thank our veterans for their service to the nation—and we recognize that the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is the single largest provider of HIV care in the United States. The VA is a major partner in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

You can learn more about the VA’s HIV programs at HIV/AIDS: For Patients and the Public.

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POLICYNovember 03, 2010

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Assistant Secretary Dr. Howard Koh Highlights Drug Prevention Month

By Miguel Gomez, AIDS.gov Director


Watch the video
Last month, Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, spoke with R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), about drug prevention during the observance of Prevention Month. You can watch their discussion at the ONDCP Web site.

I want to highlight that to help reduce the number of new HIV infections, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy calls for giving much more attention and resources to the populations at highest risk of HIV, including substance abusers. Among the many benefits of preventing drug use, before it starts or stepping in early before substance use becomes chronic, is reducing the individual’s risk of exposure to HIV and other dangerous infections like Hepatitis C. This highlights the complementary nature of both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and the National Drug Control Strategy, and the government-wide efforts underway to implement both. Dr. Koh recently wrote an ONDCP guest blog post about this topic as well.

Posted at 05:46 PM in Injection Drug Use, National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Policy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) |Share This Post
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Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Discuss Their Roles in Implementing National HIV/AIDS Strategy

By Ron Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services


Participants in 10/28/10 cross-Departmental meeting of representatives of Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships discuss ways to engage their networks in supporting implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Responding to the President’s call for the engagement of all sectors of society in working toward the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) representatives of the Centers for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) at the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services (HHS), Housing and Urban Development, Labor, and Veterans Affairs and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (CFBNP) gathered on October 28 at a meeting hosted by Ms. Alexia Kelley, Director of the HHS CFBNP, and myself. We convened these important partners to discuss ways that we can work together to strengthen and maintain the engagement of faith communities in the efforts detailed in the strategy.

The President noted in his letter accompanying the release of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy in July, “The Federal government can’t do this alone, nor should it.

Success will require the commitment of governments at all levels, businesses, faith communities, philanthropy, the scientific and medical communities, educational institutions, people living with HIV, and others.” Given the collective effort required to achieve the goals of the NHAS, the CFBNPs are important allies in sustaining and enhancing the commitment of the many faith communities across the United States already engaged in some dimension of HIV/AIDS prevention and/or care and treatment while also bringing still more faith communities and community-based organizations into this important work.

The Centers will work within their respective Departments and also with one another on two specific actions identified in the NHAS. First, to reduce HIV-related health disparities, the strategy calls upon both the public and private sectors to develop and support efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and populations at high risk for HIV.

Unfortunately, even three decades into this epidemic, stigma associated with HIV infection persists and fear of discrimination causes many Americans to avoid learning their HIV status, disclosing their status, or accessing medical care in a timely fashion. Thus, working to end the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV is a critical component of curtailing the epidemic. The Federal Implementation Plan accompanying the NHAS specifically calls upon the Centers for Faith-Based and Community Partnerships to develop a plan for engaging more faith leaders to promote nonjudgmental support for people living with HIV.

Second, as part of larger efforts to reduce the number of new infections by increasing the number of Americans who know their HIV status, the strategy supports routine screening for HIV in health care settings and also encourages the expansion of HIV testing to nontraditional sites like community-based organizations, social organizations and faith institutions.

The CDC estimates that 21% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are unaware of their infection, placing them at greater risk of spreading the virus to others and preventing them from accessing treatment that could prolong their lives. Leaders of faith-based organizations can play an important role in educating their congregants about the importance of early diagnosis for HIV infection and making them aware of resources within their communities where they can be tested and, if found to be positive, receive life-saving treatment.

During the meeting the CFBNP representatives shared information about HIV-related activities underway within each of their departments and highlighted several examples of HIV testing and other AIDS-related activities by specific faith communities.

They also discussed possible activities they could undertake collectively toward the action steps identified in the NHAS, with particular attention on those populations disproportionately impacted by HIV (men who have sex with men (MSM), African American men and women, Latino men and women, and substance users).

Committing to continuing the dialogue among themselves, with leaders of their Department’s HIV/AIDS activities, and their networks of faith leaders and neighborhood organizations, the meeting participants began planning to develop some common tools to be shared with faith communities and neighborhood organizations in the coming year.

Posted at 01:30 PM in National HIV/AIDS Strategy | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0) |Share This Post
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NEW MEDIANovember 02, 2010

2
Back to Basics: Using AIDS.gov Resources for Your World AIDS Day Event

By the AIDS.gov Team


Last week we shared some materials to help you plan a Facing AIDS photo event in your community for World AIDS Day, December 1. This week, we want to point you to some additional and more general World AIDS Day event planning resources. Our World AIDS Day page has lots of resources now, and we’ll be updating it soon with more resources, including graphics.

If you want to plan a World AIDS Day event, but you aren’t sure where to start, check out our event planning guide! Along with tips on getting started and ideas for local events, the guide has suggestions for promoting your event, things to do after the event, and ways to encourage people to take individual action. You know your community best, and you know what messages it most needs to hear. You can use the ideas in the guide to tailor your plans to meet your community’s needs.

Continue reading "Back to Basics: Using AIDS.gov Resources for Your World AIDS Day Event" »

Posted at 03:34 PM in HIV/AIDS Awareness Days, National HIV/AIDS Strategy, New Media, Strategy/Planning, Widgets | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0) |Share This Post
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Happiness is a focused Mind! says 12 Nov 2010 Science Psychogical research

Happiness Is a Focused Mind
When people's minds wandered, they reported more dissatisfaction, study found

Thursday, November 11, 2010


Related MedlinePlus Page
Mental Health
THURSDAY, Nov. 12 (HealthDay News) -- If you want to be happy, try to stay focused.

New research shows that when people's minds drifted from the task or activity at hand, they reported being less happy than when they were fully engaged in whatever they were doing.

The human mind is uniquely capable of wandering -- that is, to ponder things that have happened, to anticipate things that will happen, and to plan for things that might happen, explained study author Matthew Killingsworth, a doctoral candidate in psychology at Harvard University. The ability is one of the traits that makes human beings human, he noted.

Yet, cognitive wandering comes at a cost, which is that when people are thinking about something other than what they're doing, they feel less happy, the researchers discovered.

"Human beings seem to have this unique capacity to focus on the non-present. They have the ability to reflect on the past, plan for the future and imagine things that might never occur," Killingsworth said. "But at the same time, human beings are clumsy users of this capacity and it tends to decrease, rather than increase, happiness."

In the study, 2,250 participants were prompted at random times throughout the day using an iPhone Web application. They were asked how they were feeling, what they were doing, if they were thinking about something other than what they were doing and whether whatever they were contemplating was pleasant (say, daydreaming about a vacation), unpleasant (perhaps worrying about a relationship or finances) or neutral in nature.

According to the study, participants spent nearly 47 percent of their waking hours with their mind in a wandering state. "This study shows that our mental lives are pervaded, to a remarkable degree, by the non-present," Killingsworth said.

That is, with one notable exception. When describing what they were doing, participants could choose from 22 activities, including walking, eating, shopping, watching TV, commuting and working.

The only activity during which people seemed to be quite good at staying on task mentally was while making love. During sex, only 10 percent of people reported wandering thoughts.

Generally, people also reported being the happiest when making love, exercising or conversing. They said they were least happy when resting or sleeping, working or using a home computer.

When it came to what they were thinking about, 42.5 percent thought of pleasant topics, 26.5 percent thought of unpleasant topics, while 31 percent were thinking neutral thoughts.

And while people who were thinking of pleasant things were happier than people thinking of unpleasant things, even those thinking happy thoughts were less happy than people who were fully engaged in whatever they were doing.

The study is published in the Nov. 12 issue of Science.

In some ways, the research provides scientific evidence of what many self-help books and some religious traditions espouse, which is that being in the "here and now" is critical for happiness, Killingsworth said.

Participants were from 83 counties, a wide range of occupations and ranged in age from 18 to 88.

Barbara Becker Holstein, a psychologist and "happiness coach" in Long Branch, N.J., said the findings speak to the importance of doing things that provide a sense of purpose and meaning. Such activities make it easier to stay focused, Holstein explained.

"This research is fabulous and fascinating," Holstein said. "But long before the research, psychologists and many educators recognized that in order to feel a sense of well-being, you need to feel you have purpose and meaning in life. That means you are containing the mind around certain projects and activities, and are forcing the mind not to be all over the place all day long."

If you feel your mind starting to head down a "dark tunnel" of worry and anxiety, try to snap yourself out of it by bringing your thoughts back to the present, she said.

"It's such a natural tendency to go over bad news or things that haven't worked out, to dramatize the drama we are already experiencing," she said. "But if we can distract ourselves by getting involved doing something, we get some distance from whatever we were ruminating on and it's better for us."

SOURCES: Matthew Killingsworth, doctoral candidate, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.; Barbara Becker Holstein, Ed.D., psychologist and happiness coach, Long Branch, N.J.; Nov. 12, 2010, Science

HealthDay

Copyright (c) 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

More Health News on:
Mental Health

Recent Health News

Understanding and Managing Diabetes

Understanding and Managing
Diabetes Mellitus- (a metabolic disorder)


Glucose Metabolism Disorder

Type II Diabetes
Adult Onset Diabetes
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes





Edited and Reviewed by
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH
25 October 2010



Table of Content
1. Definition
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Risk factors
5. Complications
6. Preparing for your appointment
7. Tests and diagnosis
8. Treatments and drugs
9. Lifestyle and home remedies
10. Alternative medicine
11. Coping and support
12. Prevention

1. Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's main source of fuel.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body is resistant to the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or your body doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Untreated, the consequences of type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening.
There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you can manage — or even prevent — the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar.





II. Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may develop very slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not even know it. Look for:
1. Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
2. Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted for energy. This triggers intense hunger.
3. Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to use glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.
4. Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
5. Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus clearly.
6. Slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes affects your ability to heal and resist infections.
7. Areas of darkened skin. Some people with type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're concerned about diabetes or if you notice any type 2 diabetes symptoms.
CausesDefinition
• See Also
• Symptom Checker
• Hyperglycemia in diabetes
• Diabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern
• The 'dawn phenomenon': What causes it?
• Diabetes
References
DS00585 June 13, 2009; © 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
III. Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although excess weight and inactivity seem to be important factors.
Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.
Glucose — sugar — is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: the food you eat and your liver. After intestinal digestion and absorption, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin.
The liver acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center. When your insulin levels are low — when you haven't eaten in a while, for example — the liver metabolizes stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.
In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to the action of insulin.
In type 1 diabetes, which is much less common, the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
Risk factorsSymptoms
• See Also
• Video: How diabetes affects your blood sugar
• Diabetes and depression: What's the link?
• Stress, illness and high blood sugar
• Diabetes
References



IV. Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes can be easy to ignore, especially in the early stages when you're feeling fine. But diabetes affects many major organs, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications.
Although long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually, they can eventually be disabling or even life-threatening. Some of the potential complications of diabetes include:
1. Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. In fact, according to a 2007 study, the risk of stroke more than doubles within the first five years of being treated for type 2 diabetes. About 75 percent of people who have diabetes die of some type of heart or blood vessel disease, according to the American Heart Association.
2. Nerve damage (neuropathy). Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause you to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Damage to the nerves that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.
3. Kidney damage (nephropathy). The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
4. Eye damage. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
5. Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections. Severe damage might require toe, foot or even leg amputation.
6. Skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may leave you more susceptible to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections. Gum infections also may be a concern, especially if you have a history of poor dental hygiene.
7. Osteoporosis. Diabetes may lead to lower than normal bone mineral density, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.
8. Alzheimer's disease. Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The poorer your blood sugar control, the greater the risk appears to be. So what connects the two conditions? One theory is that cardiovascular problems caused by diabetes could contribute to dementia by blocking blood flow to the brain or causing strokes. Other possibilities are that too much insulin in the blood leads to brain-damaging inflammation, or lack of insulin in the brain deprives brain cells of glucose.
9. Hearing problems. Diabetes can also lead to hearing impairment.
Preparing for your appointmentRisk factors
• See Also
• Pregnancy and diabetes: Is your body ready?
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Obesity
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetes and pedicures: Do they go together?
• Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
• Blog: Diabetes foot care
• Diabetic neuropathy can be painful complication
• Diabetes: How does it affect my liver?
• With diabetes, kidney care is crucial
• Autonomic neuropathy hits many body functions
• Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
• Don't drive with low blood glucose
• Pain relief difficult with neuropathies
• Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet
• Diabetes

V. Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff
Your family doctor or primary care physician will probably make the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. However, you'll likely then be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders. Your health care team will also generally include a dietitian, a certified diabetes educator, a foot doctor (podiatrist) and an ophthalmologist — a doctor who specializes in eye care. If your blood sugar levels are very high, your doctor may send you to the hospital for treatment.
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for any appointments you have with your health care team. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what you can expect from your doctor.
What you can do
1. Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. If your doctor is going to test your blood sugar, he or she will ask you to refrain from eating or drinking anything but water for eight hours for a fasting glucose test or four hours for a pre-meal test. When you're making an appointment, ask if fasting is necessary.

2. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated.

3. Ask a family member or friend to join you, if possible. Managing diabetes well requires that you retain a lot of information, and sometimes, it's difficult to remember everything you've learned during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

4. Bring a notebook and a pen or pencil, to write down important information.

5. Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. Many questions may be best answered by other members of your health care team such as a dietitian or a certified diabetes educator. For type 2 diabetes, some basic questions to ask include:
Glucose monitoring
1. How often do I need to monitor my blood sugar?
2. What is my goal range?
Lifestyle changes
1. What types of changes do I need to make to my diet?
2. How can I learn about counting carbohydrates in foods?
3. Should I see a dietitian to help with meal planning at home?
4. How much exercise should I get each day?
Medications
1. Will I need to take medicine? If so, what kind and how much?
2. Does the medicine need to be taken at any particular time of the day?
3. Do I need to take insulin?
Complications
1. What are the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar?
2. How do I treat low blood sugar?
3. What about high blood sugar — what are the signs and symptoms?
4. When should I test for ketones, and how do I do it?



Medical management
1. How often do I need to be monitored for diabetes complications? What specialists do I need to see?
2. Are there any resources available if I'm having trouble paying for diabetes supplies?
3. Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
4. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
1. Do you understand and feel confident you can follow your treatment plan?
2. How are you coping with diabetes?
3. Have you experienced any low blood sugar?
4. What's a typical day's diet like?
5. Are you exercising? If so, how often?
What you can do in the meantime
If your blood sugar isn't well controlled, or if you're not sure about what to do in a certain situation, don't hesitate to contact your doctor or diabetes educator in between appointments for guidance.
• Definition
• Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Complications
• Preparing for your appointment
• Tests and diagnosis
• Treatments and drugs
• Lifestyle and home remedies
• Alternative medicine
• Coping and support
• Prevention
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VI. Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff
Insulin pump

Treatment for type 2 diabetes requires a lifelong commitment to:
1. Blood sugar monitoring
2. Healthy eating
3. Regular exercise
4. Possibly, diabetes medication or insulin therapy
These steps will help keep your blood sugar level closer to normal, which can delay or prevent complications.
If managing your diabetes seems overwhelming, take it one day at a time. And remember that you're not in it alone. You'll work closely with your diabetes treatment team — doctor, diabetes educator and registered dietitian — to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.
Monitoring your blood sugar
Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar level once a day or several times a week. Ask your doctor how often he or she wants you to check your blood sugar. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.
Even if you eat on a rigid schedule, the amount of sugar in your blood can change unpredictably. With help from your diabetes treatment team, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to:
1. Food. What and how much you eat will affect your blood sugar level. Blood sugar is typically highest one to two hours after a meal.
2. Physical activity. Physical activity moves sugar from your blood into your cells. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar level.
3. Medication. Any medications you take may affect your blood sugar level, sometimes requiring changes in your diabetes treatment plan.
4. Illness. During a cold or other illness, your body will produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level.
5. Alcohol. Alcohol and the substances you use to make mixed drinks can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time.
6. Stress. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly.
7. For women, fluctuations in hormone levels. As your hormone levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, so can your blood sugar level — particularly in the week before your period. Menopause may trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level as well.
8. Healthy eating
Contrary to popular perception, there's no diabetes diet. You won't be restricted to a lifetime of boring, bland foods. Instead, you'll need plenty of:
9. Fruits
10. Vegetables
11. Whole grains
These foods are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories. You'll also need to eat fewer animal products and sweets.
Counting carbohydrates in your food is another thing you'll need to incorporate into meal planning. A registered dietitian can help you learn to count carbohydrates and put together a meal plan that fits your health goals, food preferences and lifestyle. Once you've covered the basics, remember the importance of consistency. To keep your blood sugar on an even keel, try to eat the same amount of food with the same proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats at the same time every day.
Low glycemic index foods may also be helpful. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food causes a rise in your blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index raise your blood sugar quickly. Low glycemic foods may help you achieve a more stable blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index typically are foods that are higher in fiber.
Physical activity
Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people who have type 2 diabetes are no exception. Get your doctor's OK before you start an exercise program. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. In fact, a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training is more effective at controlling blood sugar than either exercise on its own. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually.
Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. Check your blood sugar level before any activity. You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar if you take diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar or insulin.
Diabetes medications and insulin therapy
Some people who have type 2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone, but many need diabetes medications or insulin therapy. The decision about which medications are best depends on many factors, including your blood sugar level and the presence of any other health problems. Your doctor might even combine drugs from different classes to help you control your blood sugar in several different ways.
1. Diabetes medications. Often, people who are newly diagnosed will be prescribed metformin (Glucophage), a diabetes medication that lowers glucose production in the liver. Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and becoming more active.
2. Along with metformin, other oral or injected medications can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. Some diabetes medications stimulate your pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Still others block the action of enzymes that break down carbohydrates or make your tissues more sensitive to insulin.
3. In addition to diabetes medications, your doctor might prescribe low-dose aspirin therapy as well as blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications to help prevent heart and blood vessel disease.
4. Insulin therapy. Some people who have type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy as well. Because normal digestion interferes with insulin taken by mouth, insulin must be injected.
5. Insulin injections involve using a fine needle and syringe or an insulin pen injector — a device that looks like an ink pen, except the cartridge is filled with insulin.
6. An insulin pump also may be an option. The pump is a device about the size of a cell phone worn on the outside of your body. A tube connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter that's inserted under the skin of your abdomen. A tubeless pump that uses disposable pods to hold the insulin and a wireless device to tell the pump what to do is also available. A small catheter from the pod is automatically inserted under the skin, and the pod can be worn on the abdomen, lower back, thighs or upper arms. Whichever insulin pump you use, it can be programmed to dispense specific amounts of insulin automatically. It can also be adjusted to deliver more or less insulin depending on meals, activity level and blood sugar level.
Types of insulin are many and include rapid-acting insulin, long-acting insulin and intermediate options. Examples include insulin lispro (Humalog), insulin aspart (NovoLog), insulin glargine (Lantus) and insulin detemir (Levemir).
Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe a mixture of insulin types to use throughout the day and night.
Bariatric surgery
If you have type 2 diabetes and your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 35, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Blood sugar levels return to normal in 55 to 95 percent of people with diabetes depending on the procedure performed. Surgeries that bypass a portion of the small intestine have more of an effect on blood sugar levels than do other weight-loss surgeries. However, the surgery is expensive and there are risks involved, including a slight risk of death. Additionally, drastic lifestyle changes are required and long-term complications may include nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis.
Pregnancy
Women with type 2 diabetes will likely need to alter their treatment during pregnancy. Although there's no evidence that metformin is harmful to a growing fetus, studies haven't been done to definitively establish its safety in pregnancy. So, during pregnancy, you'll be switched to insulin therapy. Also, many cholesterol and blood pressure lowering medications can't be used during pregnancy. If you have signs of diabetic retinopathy, it may worsen during pregnancy. Visit your ophthalmologist during the first trimester of your pregnancy and at one year postpartum.
Signs of trouble
Because so many factors can affect your blood sugar, problems sometimes arise. These conditions require immediate care, because if left untreated, seizures and loss of consciousness (coma) can occur.
1. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Your blood sugar level can rise for many reasons, including eating too much, being sick or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication. Check your blood sugar level often, and watch for signs and symptoms of high blood sugar — frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea. If you have hyperglycemia, you'll need to adjust your meal plan, medications or both.

2. Increased ketones in your urine (diabetic ketoacidosis). If your cells are starved for energy, your body may begin to break down fat. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Watch for loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting, fever, stomach pain and a sweet, fruity smell on your breath. You can check your urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter ketones test kit. If you have excess ketones in your urine, consult your doctor right away or seek emergency care. This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.

3. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome. Signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition include a blood sugar reading over 600 mg/dL, dry mouth, extreme thirst, fever over 101 F (38 C), drowsiness, confusion, vision loss, hallucinations and dark urine. Hyperosmolar syndrome is caused by sky-high blood sugar that turns blood thick and syrupy. It tends to be more common in people with type 2 diabetes, and it's often preceded by an illness. Hyperosmolar syndrome usually develops over days or weeks. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you have signs or symptoms of this condition.
4. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar. Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal and getting more physical activity than normal. However, low blood sugar is most likely if you take glucose-lowering medications that promote the secretion of insulin or if you're on insulin therapy. Check your blood sugar level regularly, and watch for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar — sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion and seizures.
If you develop hypoglycemia during the night, you might wake with sweat-soaked pajamas or a headache. Thanks to a natural rebound effect, nighttime hypoglycemia might cause an unusually high blood sugar reading first thing in the morning.
If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level — fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy, regular (not diet) soda or another source of sugar. Retest in 15 minutes to be sure you're blood glucose levels are normal. If they're not, treat again and retest in another 15 minutes. If you lose consciousness, a family member or close contact may need to give you an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood.
Lifestyle and home remediesTests and diagnosis
• See Also
1. Byetta: Can diabetes drug also help me lose weight?
2. Diabetes treatment: Medications for type 2 diabetes
3. Glycemic index diet: Losing weight with blood sugar control
4. Insulin injections: Does needle size matter?
5. Intensive insulin therapy: Achieving tight blood sugar control
6. Diabetes treatment: Using insulin to manage your blood sugar
7. Blood glucose monitors: What factors affect accuracy?
8. Insulin devices being discontinued
9. Psychological insulin resistance stems from fear
10. Diabetes educators play key role
11. Avandia safety concerns: What should I do?
12. Insulin: Compare common options for insulin therapy
13. Blog: Beware summer extremes with insulin
14. Blood glucose meter: How to choose
15. Future holds hope for managing diabetes
16. Diabetes then and now
17. Blog: Choosing a diabetes doctor
18. Diabetes management: Does aspirin therapy prevent heart problems?
19. Use the rule of 15 to treat low blood glucose
20. Blog: How to talk with your doctor about diabetes
21. Insulin and weight gain: Keep the pounds off
22. Diabetes
23. References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Tests and diagnosis Complications
• See Also
• Diabetes
References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


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VII. Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
In June 2009, an international committee composed of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation recommended that type 2 diabetes testing include the:
1. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 6 and 6.5 percent is considered pre-diabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.
2. If the A1C test isn't available, or if you have certain conditions that can make the A1C test inaccurate — such as if you're pregnant or have an uncommon form of hemoglobin (known as a hemoglobin variant) — your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes:
3. Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher suggests diabetes.
4. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, you'll be diagnosed with diabetes.
5. An oral glucose tolerance test may also be performed. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then, you drink a sugary liquid, and blood sugar levels are tested periodically for the next several hours. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates pre-diabetes.
6. Routine Screening. The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening for type 2 diabetes beginning at age 45, especially if you're overweight. If the results are normal, repeat the test every three years. If the results are borderline, ask your doctor when to come back for another test.
7. Screening at risk factors. Screening is also recommended for people who are under 45 and overweight if there are other heart disease or diabetes risk factors present, such as a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of type 2 diabetes, a personal history of gestational diabetes or blood pressure above 135/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If you're diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor may do other tests to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes — which often require different treatment strategies because in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin.
After the diagnosis

A1C levels need to be checked between two and four times a year. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors. However, for most people, the American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C level below 7 percent. Ask your doctor what your A1C target is.
The American Diabetes Association has recently introduced a formula that translates the A1C into what's known as an estimated average glucose (eAG). The eAG more closely correlates with daily blood sugar readings. An A1C of 7 percent translates to an eAG of 154 mg/dL. That would mean that your average blood sugar levels are around 150 mg/dL.
Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your medication or meal plan.
In addition to the A1C test, the doctor will also take blood and urine samples periodically to check your cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function. The doctor will assess your blood pressure. Regular eye and foot exams also are important.
Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment
• See Also
• Eye exam
• A1C test
• Microalbumin test
• Creatinine test
• Glucose tolerance test
• A1C test helps diagnose diabetes
• Diabetes diagnosis — Type is not always clear
• Diabetes
References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.



VIII. Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staff
Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. Consider these tips:
1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes. Learn all you can about type 2 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
2. Identify yourself. Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency — and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.
3. Schedule a yearly physical exam and regular eye exams. Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
4. Keep your immunizations up to date. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor will also likely recommend the pneumonia vaccine.
5. Take care of your teeth. Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
6. Pay attention to your feet. Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that isn't healing.
7. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.
8. If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.
9. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly. Alcohol, as well as drink mixers, can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. The recommendation for women is no more than one drink daily, and for for men, no more than two drinks daily.
10. Take stress seriously. If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
Above all, stay positive. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be controlled. If you're willing to do your part, you can enjoy an active, healthy life with type 2 diabetes.


IX. Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, and following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile because following your treatment plan can reduce your risk of complications.
Talking to a counselor or therapist may help you cope with the lifestyle changes that come with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. You may find encouragement and understanding in a type 2 diabetes support group. Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be good sources of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments and tend to share their own experiences or helpful information, such as where to find carbohydrate counts for your favorite takeout restaurant. If you're interested, your doctor may be able to recommend a group in your area.
Or, you can visit the American Diabetes Association to check out local activities and support groups for people with type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also offers online information and online forums where you can chat with others who have diabetes. The phone number is 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).
Prevention Alternative Medicine
1. See Also
2. Blog: Pet peeves for those with diabetes
3. Blog: Diabetes camps fun summer choice for children
4. Dealing with the diabetes 'police'
5. Grief is a natural reaction to diabetes diagnosis
6. Blog: Shocking diabetes diagnosis hits family
7. Diabetes and your emotions
8. Diabetes and longevity
9. Diabetes and job discrimination
10. Diabetes
11. References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical
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Treatments and drugsPreparing for your appointment
• See Also
• Eye exam
• A1C test
• Microalbumin test
• Creatinine test
• Glucose tolerance test
• A1C test helps diagnose diabetes
• Diabetes diagnosis — Type is not always clear
• Diabetes
References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Feds eye plan to make Internet snooping easier

News
Feds eye plan to make Internet snooping easier
Internet services will be required to help with data interception, report says
By Jaikumar Vijayan

September 27, 2010 03:24 PM ETComments (8)Recommended

(3)FacebookTwitterShare.Computerworld - The Obama Administration is reportedly considering a statute that would make it easier for federal authorities to intercept communications over services such as Facebook, Skype and BlackBerry -- an idea that's stoking anxiety within the privacy community.

The measure would force Internet companies that provide communications services to add in capabilities allowing federal authorities to intercept any messages on their networks, and to unscramble encrypted ones, the New York Times reported today.

The idea is being driven by law enforcement authorities worried that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is being eroded as more communications take place online rather than by phone.

A bill outlining the requirements could go to lawmakers sometime next year, the Times said.

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More in Privacy Center Under the existing Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), telecommunications providers are already required to provide interception capabilities to federal law enforcement officials. The new proposals would extend that capability to the Internet.

The growing use of peer-to-peer services such as Skype and encrypted e-mail services on Research In Motion (RIM)'s BlackBerry is making it harder for federal authorities to pursue criminal suspects on the Internet, the newspaper reported.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a Computerworld request for comment.

Marc Rotenberg, president of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) in Washington, said that any mandate requiring Internet companies to enable federal wiretapping is a very bad idea.

"It's an outrageous plan for a variety of reasons," Rotenberg said. Since CALEA went into effect, law enforcement authorities have steadily assumed new surveillance capabilities through new laws and technologies, he said.

Tools such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and National Security Letters (NSL), for instance, have already greatly broadened federal authority to intercept communications. At the same time, the standards for issuing warrants for wiretaps have also been lowered in recent years, Rotenberg said.

"We no longer have the checks and balances that existed 12 to 15 years ago," he said. Any attempt to further expand federal authority into the Internet realm is a "frightening prospect."

But Ira Winkler, president of the Internet Security Advisors Group and a Computerworld columnist, said that many privacy concerns are overstated. What the U.S. is seeking to do is something that other countries have been doing as well, he said. "There's nothing outrageous about the U.S. [authorities] saying they want to have the ability to enforce their laws."

Rather than being worried about government's ability to intercept communications for legitimate law enforcement purposes, the real concern should be over continued compromise of personal data online, he said. "Where's the outrage when Facebook and others allow themselves to get hacked into" and personal data gets into the hands of criminals, he said. "I am more concerned about criminals than about the abuse potential by the U.S. government."

News of the proposed regulations in the U.S highlights the growing anxiety among governments about the use of online communication services and encrypted e-mail as the main channel for all sorts of communications.

The governments in India, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are already in a running battle with RIM over the company's BlackBerry service. Both have asked RIM to either disable its service in their countries or to provide a way for law enforcement authorities to intercept and read encrypted BlackBerry communications.

Jaikumar Vijayan covers data security and privacy issues, financial services security and e-voting for Computerworld. Follow Jaikumar on Twitter at @jaivijayan or subscribe to Jaikumar's RSS feed . His e-mail address is jvijayan@computerworld.com.

Read more about Privacy in Computerworld's Privacy Topic Center.

Sign up for the Computerworld Security newsletter.
Comments (8) | Add yoursRecommended (3)FacebookTwitterShareEmailPrint.


Search Tweets U.S. Tries to Make It Easier to # wiretap the Internet http://eff.org/r.r8E

eff5 hours ago50retweetreply.White House Wants to wiretap Internet Communications: http://is.gd/fwce5

alternet3 hours ago10retweetreply.Feds Frustrated With Their Inability to wiretap This Here New-Fangled Internet Thing http://ow.ly/2KxLy

reasonmag2 hours ago14retweetreply.Feds Pushing For New Legally Required wiretap Backdoor To All Internet Communications http://dlvr.it/61xjh

techdirt2 hours ago6retweetreply.Obama wants to wiretap your internet http://tinyurl.com/26mdo6o #tech #fail #news #tcot #vote

creepingsharia4 hours ago7retweetreply.RT @TweetSmarter: U.S. Wants to Make It Easier to wiretap the Internet [NYTimes] http://j.mp/axTE9p

xtymiller3 hours ago11retweetreply.U.S. Wants To wiretap Your Internet...Again http://ow.ly/19byQc

roc4life1 hour ago3retweetreply.U.S. Looking to Ease Internet wiretap Laws, Report Says http://bit.ly/cErq8V

pcmag4 hours ago1retweetreply.Thank you @Thom_Hartmann for covering http://bit.ly/bsqKKG Internet wiretap story.

gottalaff4 hours ago1retweetreply.Ready for Facebook, Skype wiretap ? - http://bit.ly/9a0LJb

techwatching3 hours ago0retweetreply.Load More
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What People Are Saying8 comments | Add new . What People Are Saying
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Rate this
Rated -8

8 VotesAlthough I do not generally
Submitted by Barry on September 27, 2010 - 16:14.

Although I do not generally agree, I see that the latest 'allowance' to enable other countries to have access to Blackberry information kinda levels the fields.

How many here believe that China or Saudi Arabia and the like governments don't already have full access?

Level the field.

IMHO


Report this comment
.Rate this
Rated +7
7 VotesA good idea ... as long as
Submitted by Anonymous on September 27, 2010 - 18:04.

This is a very good idea ... as long as
President Obama, the Police and all other authorities reciprocate and give us access to their communications!


Report this comment
.Rate this
Rated +8
8 VotesGNU Telephony Statement on new Internet Surveillance Laws
Submitted by David Sugar on September 27, 2010 - 16:42.

Speaking on behalf of the GNU Telephony project, we do intend to openly defy such a law should it actually come to pass, so I want to be very clear on this statement....Read the entire comment


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