REVIEW-30

Title: Light drinking in pregnancy may be good for baby boys, says study

Source:www.guardian.co.uk

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/women-pregnancy-alchohol-birth-deffects

Date of publication:Friday October 31 2008

As a pregnant woman you are strongly adviced not to smoke or drink alcohol to help your baby grow up healthy. But researchers found that light drinking during pregnancy has no ill effects and may benefit baby boys. This topic is developed in the article ‘Light drinking in pregnancy may be good for baby boys, says study’, from a publication in The Guardian newspaper.

Boys born to mothers who drank lightly during pregnancy are better behaved and score more highly in tests at the age of 3 than the sons of women who abstained. Light drinking is defined as one to two units a week, or on occasion. The study also found that girls born to light drinkers were 30% less likely to have emotional and peer problems. But doctors were not completely certain that children’s better performance was not linked to their family background. Although it has always been clear that heavy drinking can seriously damage babies, scientists have not had good evidence either to prove or disprove that light drinking does any harm. The British National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence states that it is best not to drink at all for the first three months on the grounds of a risk of miscarriage, but thereafter occasional drink will not harm the foetus. Moreover, the list of food, drinks and activities to avoid is really long.

In my opinion, a study base on 3-year-old children cannot be absolutely certain even more if the origin of their behaviour is not clearly identified. I agree with the idea that light drinking after the first three months of pregnancy won’t harm the foetus. But I do not think that only alcohol could determine children’s behaviour or could have different effects according to their gender.

This article gives strong healthy recomendations of when and how much alcohol a pregnant woman can drink in order to avoid harming her baby. It also describes some possible benefits of alcohol on children, based on a researche in 3-year-old children. But though light drinking of alcohol may not be dangerous, there are many other factors which will affect the development of the baby while the mother is pregnant.

Review-29

Title:Drawing the Line on Drug Testing

Newspaper: NEW YORK TIMES

Link:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/nyregion/new-jersey/23Rparent.html

Date of publication: NOVEMBER 19TH, 2008

Drug addiction and alcohol consumption among teenagers are nowadays the most concerning worries of parents, schools and the whole society. But does the schools have right to test students on substance consumption and monitor their behavior at home? This controversial issue is dealt with in the article ‘Drawing the Line on Drug Testing’ published in The New York Times newspaper.

As many otherAmerican parents, Lynn Evelyn supports what’s called “suspicion-based testing”. That is, testing students if they appear to be impaired at school. In the course of a year the testing for drugs or alcohol have showned a reduction in positive results. But though she thinks that is a school’s right and responsability, she claims that more testing is an invasion of privacy. This has put her at odds with many shool officials of Basking Ridge that want to implement a random drug screening program. This program would test 15% of the students of Ridge High, (her daughter’s school), to monitor their behavior when they are not in school. Mr Gillikin, the school counselor, is surprised with the amaizing results that other schools have obtained with this method.

For Ms Evelyn this is parent’s responsibility, and she claims that the bigger problem is alcohol, not drugs. However, since 2002 it is a rule that schools randomly test students participating in sports and clubs. It has been implemented in 7% of the nation’s high and middle schools. New Jersey has taken an aggressive approach, which has reduced grately the positive results. In the case of Ridge High, any students wanting to play a sport, join a club or get a parking permit – about 80% of the students – would have to consent to random testing or would not be able to participate. The testings would be done once a week. Students testing positive would not miss school, nor would results appear on their transcripts. They would have to take part in counseling with their parents and miss two weeks from their team or club. Mr Gillikin also acknowledges that a school committee could find no academic research indicating that random testing reduces student drug use. Even more, a 2007 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended against testing because there has been little research on the effectiveness, and it can bree “distrust and suspicion” among students, school officials and parents. On the other hand, Ms Evelyn has unearthed a forgotten 2005 study done here, in which a substance abuse was identified but it was alcohol. The report said, it was particularly a problemamong athlets. Indeed, the district’s surveys of Ridge High students over the last decades have found the rate of alcohol abuse to be two to three times the rate of drug abuse. Asked about this, Mr. Gillikin said that they created a coaches, manual on alcohol and drug use to teach student-athletes healthy decision-making. He also said that they should perfect the random drug testing system first and then maybe take on alcohol.

I agree with the claims of Ms Evelyn that “this problem is a parent’s responsibility, not the school’s”. And also in what respects to random testing, when she says: “Any more testing is an invasion of privacy”. In contrast I disagree with Mr Gillikin, because he is making the blind eye to the main problem of the district that is, in fact, alcohol abuse. And also because random testing has not being proved to effectively reduce drug abuse.

To sum up, this article explains the pros and cons of drug testing at schools. The new method can be concidered invasive and useless. In my opinion monitorin students at school is necessary but selecting them randomly creates a sense of disgust and distrust among those who do not consume alcohol or drugs.

Review-28

Title: Scientists' stem cell breakthrough ends ethical dilemma

Newspaper: The Guardian

Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/mar/01/stem-cells-breakthrough

Date of publication: March 1st, 2009

The prospect of creating limitless stem-cells for treating conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, paralysis and diabetes, without destroying human embryos, has moved a step closer.

Researchers in Britain and Canada have developed a new and safer way of turning the clock back on adult skin cells so that they acquire the versatile properties of embryonic stem cells, which does not rely on viruses that could trigger cancer.

The move would also resolve some of the ethical and practical problems that have held up embryonic stem-cell research.There is also a shortage of the human eggs and embryos needed to produce powerful stem cells, and unless difficult cloning techniques are used, there may be a risk of rejection by the body’s immune system.

Reprogrammed skin cells promise an almost limitless source of stem cells, and as they are the patient’s own rejection would not be an issue. A method of reprogramming human skin cells into a versatile embryo-like state was first developed in 2007 by Japanese and American teams.This procedure, however, is unsuitable for therapeutic use, because it involves modifying four key genes with viruses, and this risks inducing genetic abnormalities that could cause cancer.

Teams of the University of Edinburgh, and of the University of Toronto, have now collaborated to develop a new approach to creating IPS cells that does not involve viruses.

This would be a great advance in terms of sience and ethics regarding the historical controversial betweeen scientists and pro-life organizations that have been against the use of human embryios to experiment their projects.

Review-27:

Title: Divine Refuge in the storm

Newspaper: Newsweek

Link: http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-36691290_ITM

Date of publication: February 16th, 2009

When in crisis, a person almost has a plan B. Innately, a person tries to seek for protection. specially if we are going through an economic crisis. this refuge we are longing for to find sometimes can be found in mysterious ways. Why coulldn't we find an answer in GOD?

In the states, there has been an striking event. there has been an increase of a 10 per cent of enrollment in theological schools.

The need to re-evaluate things is one important cause of this phenomena to happen. Historically speaking, this event takes place after the disenchantament with socila, political institutions and coyuntural downturns. It seems these institutions seem reluctanSo, why not taking part of the clergy, maybe God can help see the right way...

This occurs actually in the States when in crisis. Yet, it must be said that many students who take the course as a career, fewer finally get the goal of becoming a ministry. The wide majority just gets engaged in charitable institutions nationawide so as to fulfill their internal and spiritual need of helping others.

Becoming a priest can be a solution not for critical period but it is more a vocation in our days when the clergy is frequently questioned by many cases of corruptions and abuse.t to give a proper answer to citizen's need.

Review-26

Title: Rome's Reconciliation

Newspaper: Newsweek

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/181721

Date of Publication: January 26th, 2009

The Pope, Benedict XVI, is multiplying the gestures of openness with Lefbvrists but he is receiving nothing in exchange.

On January 24th, Pope Joseph Ratzinger revoked the excommunications of four bishops illegitemately ordained by Marcel Lefbvre in 1988.

Lefebvre, a french priest who believed in the traditionalist ideas of he clergy, formed an order called Spirirts od St. Pious X. He strongly believed in the union between the church and political power from the medieval ages. He also opposed to the modern liturgy and to the right of religious freedoom. This schism took place at Vatican Council II in 1968 where these freedom of choice of creed, a new liturgy in the mass regarding the tripartite division of the Hole trinity was against his ideals of Traditional Catholicism. This was enough for Lefbvre and decided to continue on his own until the moment of his death where he ordained four bishops to carry on his work, without the authorization from the Vatican. Rome decided to excommunicate by participating in this schimatic act.

As a gift of peace in the hope of encouraging a rapid discussio and solution, the Pope Benedict XVI lifted these excomunications.

ASlthough this benevolent action from the Popee, Lefebvrists are far away of a possible agreement to return to the Vatican.

Review-25

Title: Texting a signal of wider trends

Newspaper:BBC NEWS

Link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7822564.stm

Date of publication: Sunday 11th, 2009

Texting can be defined as a language going round the Earth. What is it? Well, it's those acronyms such as 'URT1' (Translation: You are the one) which young people (and some old) are using when sending SMS messages, speaking in chat rooms or sending e-mail.

This new tendency to use such a language is common when typing whether computers when chatting or mobie phones or th new great inventions, the so-called netbooks. These last ones lack the processing horsepower of their laptop and desktop brethren. Yet, netbooks are small and can link th web wherever a person is. They born after the cyber addicts' need to connect in a place where they have no possibility to connect in the web especially if their smartphones stop working. Such is the influence of those high tech tools in our daily life that there is a high tendency to use the thumb instead of the index finger for doing any action regarding text messaging. apart, from a a custom the use of the thumb may cause something really serious: thumb arthritis if you're not feeling it yet -- pain, that is -- that doesn't mean you won't. Problems caused by repetitive motion can take years to develop.

Experts say you should take breaks, pay attention to your posture, and pay attention to your pain. Otherwise, the wear and tear on your joints from overuse may have longterm consequences.

Review-24

Title: Finland's u-turn on alcohol tax

Newspaper:BBC News

Link:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7846842.stm

Date of publication: February 27th, 2009

The Government of Finland has reported that in 2009 the state tax on alcohol sales will be increased by an additional ten percent. The rationale behind this move is a bid by the government to discourage heavy drinking, which is continuing to be a major social problem for Finns. This same measure would like to be imitated by Scotland, Wales and England.

In Finland, the last state tax increase on alcohol was in September 2007. This tax hike was a direct response to prior decrease in the alcohol tax which resulted in cheap booze pushing alcoholism up to the second leading cause of death in Finland.

In 2005, the Finnish government reduced its tax on alcohol by a whole 40 percent in an attempt to discourage heavy consumptin on booze cruise ferries tio Estonia and Russia, where alcohol is tax free, and thus cheap. According to the Health Ministry, the result of that tax slash was a sharp increase in binge drinking within Finland itself.

The government believes the alcohol tax increase in 2007 was not enough to curb Finland's drinking problem, so the Finance Ministry has announced tha in January 2009 the average retail prices on beer, wine and spirits will go up by around 4.5 percent.

Review-23

Title: Sympathetic to Chavez, a New church draws fire

Newspaper: The New York Times

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/world/americas/01venez.html

Date of publication: August 1st, 2008

In Venezuela, some Catholic leaders are worried about the socialist transformation that could infringe on freedoms. This criticism to Chavez' government was enough to a break in relationships between the socialist governmet of Chavez and the church.

As a new answer to Chavez followers' plights, a new sympathetic to Chavez church emerged as a plausible "solution" to the issue between church and state.

This new church is formed by Anglicans and Roman Catholics quite influenced by the benevolent Chavez's actions on behalf of the needy. tHis church praise the figure of the president as a revolutionary man who free his people from humble and poverty.

From another perspective, high prelates in Venezuela accuse this church of corruption since it is said they are paid for by the governement.

The most striking of all this issue is that in a recent research the Anglican church denied the aval and suppport to this newly-born church. This fact assures the Catholicism position towards the new church. It is a false and huge lie that confuse people and keep them away from the truth, that is, to recognise that poverty can not be eradicated unless a comunion job of the entire society starting from the very top of the pinacle. To praise a person can encourage somebody to go on in life but this can not solve the problem of poverty.

Review 22

Title: How to friend Mon, Dad, and the Boss on Facebokk...Safely

Newspaper: Read, write Web

Link:http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/how_to_friend_mom_dad_and_the.php

Date of Publication: January 30th, 2009

Social networks in the web are taking part of our every day lives. The use of these sites to publish private information to be shared with others is on the increase. Badoo, sonico, Tagged and facebook are some of them. This las one, Facebook is one of the most important ones. The article suggests how to use a safe way to socialize with relatives and work partners without causing any embarrasement on your "image". This embarassament could sometimes be present when some top private information is posted on your site.

Although the site gives you safety tips to avoid plausible future problems, regarding tracing and violation of privacy. The aricle gives certain steps to follow. in this way, the sites teaches the web surfer how to protect his information by knowing how to use friend lists.

Once the user gets to know all the tips to administer his friend lists, the user can only share some information with some selected people and not with the rest. This fact gives the possibility to anyone to keep his private life safe from unscropolous hackersor undsirable people.

Review 21

Title: Accused in scandal, a pastor who rose high yet felt free to speak out

Newspaper: The New York Times

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/10/nyregion/10harris.html

Date of Publication: August 9th, 2008

Msgr. Wallace Harris, pastor of Harlem's St. Charles Borromeo Roman Catholic Church was suspended and allegations that he had sexually abused two minors 20 years ago.

Harris, 61, was ordained in 1972. He's been at the helm of St. Charles Borromeo since 1992. Quite respected and appreciated by his community, the accusation was surprising and shocking.

Msgr. Harris has denied the allegation which concerns actions that allegedly occured 20 years ago. The abused is a man who used to be student in a High school where Harris used to teach

Although this terrible news emerged all of a sudden, the majority of Harlem's community back Harris and want to help hi fight the charges.

All this situation has as background many unfortunate events related to the same issue of abuse among the high and low prelates of the Roman Catholic Church. Many other priests has been acussed so far in the States as well as in other parts of the world. Yet, this circumstances are not essential to acuse a person who should be considered innocent until proved guilty of his actions. Two positions are formed from this issue those who firmly support the pastor, and the other side who believe the father must be tried because of his crime.

Review-20

Title: The Texas- size debate over Teaching evolution

Newspaper: Newsweek

Link: http//www.newsweek.com/id/191400/page/2

Date: April 6th, 2009

The status of creation and evolution in Public education can be the subject of substantial debate in legal, political and religious circles. The situation ranges from countries not allowing teachers to discuss the evidence for evolution or the modern evolutionary synthesis, which is the scientific theory that explains evolution, to allowing evolutionary biology to be taught like any other scientific discipline.

While some religions do not have theologicsl objections to the modern evolutionary synthesis as an explanation for the present form of life on Earth, there has been much conflict over this matter within the Abarhanic religions, some adherents of which are vigorously opposd to the consensus view of the scientific community. Conflict with evolutionary explanations is greatest in literal interpretations of religious documents, and resistance to teaching evolution is thus related to the populaity of these more literalist views.

In Western countries, the inclusion of evolution in science courses has beeen mostly uncontroversial, with the exception of parts of the USA such is the case of the state ofTexas. this state is quite influenced by religious fanataics who struggle on this issue. Even biologists consider ,in a way pressed by the rest of a conservative society,the need to be neutral while teaching this issue.

REVIEW- 19

Review- 19

Title: WHO WAS MORE IMPORTANT: LINCOLN OR DARWIN?

Link: http://www.newsweek.com/id/143742

Newspaper: Newsweek

Date of Publication: July 14^th,2008

This year was the bicentennial of the births of both Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Both were born on February 12, 1809. Both played leading roles in the struggles for human equality, Lincoln directly, Darwin in establishing that all human beings are members of one species, with common ancestry.

Though Lincoln and Darwin never met or corresponded directly, Darwin came from one of the foremost abolitionist families in Great Britain. Both his maternal and paternal grandfather were leaders in the British Society for the Suppression of the Slave Trade. Darwin followed the course of the civil war, and in letters to Harvard botanist Asa Gray, expressed his wish for union victory and the abolition of slavery. Just as Lincoln’s political and military leadership resulted in the abolition of direct slavery, Darwin’s publication of the Descent of Man provided the scientific basis establishing that all humans are members of one species, Homo sapiens, and are descended from common ancestors. This was key to undermining the various pseudo-scientific theories, promoted by the pro-slavery forces, that Negros, Mongols, Jews, Native Americans and other non-Caucasians, represented separate species. That view, that different human groups were created separately, was a keystone in early colonial policies justifying differential treatment of Indians, Africans, Maoris, and other colonized peoples.

Both figures had very different lives as well. Lincoln was born in a one-room Kentucky log cabin and was the first president born outside the original 13 colonies. His family was not wealthy. Opposite, Darwin was born into an affluent English family at The Mount in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He studied theology at Cambridge University at the urging of his father but never became a clergyman. For all their differences, Darwin and Lincoln’s lives also had some striking similarities. Both men were children when their mothers died. Both lost young children of their own.

Anyone can say who the most important is. But only, it can be appreciated their great contribution to humanity as rebels.