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Journalism of Courage
8216;Weather affects disease outbreaks8217;
8226; An analysis of four decades of disease records from Bangladesh shows that periods of extreme rainfall, drought or high temperatures can sharply increase cholera rates, a pattern that some researchers believe bolsters claims that global warming will increase disease outbreaks.
In one period of turbulent weather from 1992 to 1994, the study found a six-to-eightfold increase in the number of cholera cases.
The study, published in the journal Nature, found lesser increases during other periods of severe weather.
The researchers found that both floods and droughts promote cholera infections.
Brain-dead mother taken off life-support
8226; After her husband and parents said their last goodbyes and after a priest offered a prayer 8212; words about weeping in a valley of tears 8212; Susan Torres, her improbable mission accomplished, was unhooked on Wednesday morning from the machines that sustained not only her body but that of her baby for the past three months.
The 26-year-old, who was felled by cancer and declared brain-dead in May, but who gave birth by Caesarean section Tuesday to the girl she had hoped for, died shortly thereafter.
8220;We are thrilled with the baby, but this is a very difficult day,8221; said Justin Torres, Susan Torres8217; brother-in-law, adding that years from now, he8217;d certainly tell his niece about the woman who brought her into the world. 8220;I8217;m going to tell her her mother was one of the toughest women I8217;ve ever met, that she was absolutely determined in what she did. 8230; And that, 8216;You cannot believe how many people fought for you,8217;8221; he said.
It8217;s official: Sunglasses prevent eye damage
8226;Vision researchers at Lighthouse International say sunglasses are far are more than a trendy fashion statement. They reduce the amount of light entering the eye, protect against harmful UV light, decrease glare, increase contrast and help prevent permanent eye damage from the sun. People outdoors a lot, especially during the summer, have an increased risk of developing cataracts, corneal problems and other age-related eye conditions.
8220;The thinning ozone layer of the Earth8217;s atmosphere has resulted in increased levels of UV light leading to changes in the eye,8221; says Bruce Rosenthal, chief of vision problems at Lighthouse International. 8212;
Agencies
