EXPRESSIONS
- Outdoor excursions for the adventurous Ross Brooks
- Scientists, industry debate cell phone dangers Mike Hughlett
- Bailey Rae's uplifting freshman disc reveals potential staying power Sarah Houston
- Caffeine addiction could expand waists, shrink wallets Amanda Johnson
- Exposing sun dangers MyStudentHealthZone.com
- Oddball Antics Mike Pinree
Outdoor excursions for the adventurous
Parks and preserves activities give students opportunities to step out of the classroom and into nature
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While cold snaps from the past few weeks might lead people to think otherwise, spring is right around the corner.
Historically spring's official kickoff coincides with the
vernal equinox; usually March 20 or 21, a day when the sun spends more time in the sky than the moon.
Aside from bringing longer days and shorter nights, spring also means biding farewell to jackets and sweat shirts and hello to more typical Florida clothing fare such as T-shirts, shorts and sandals. The change in weather patterns not only allows for more comfortable clothing, but also provides outdoor enthusiasts with ample opportunities to get outside and enjoy themselves.
Whether it's hiking, camping, fishing or mountain biking, the spring months of March, April and May give nature lovers all the sunshine and warm weather necessary to take pleasure in the outdoors. With cold mornings and chilly winds of winter gone and the triple-digit heat of the summer around the next bend, there is no better time than spring to start or renew a love affair with the greener side of life.
In the fast-growing, technologically centered world in which we live, it can be easy to forget about the quickly diminishing wild places left for Americans to enjoy.
How lucky then for University of North Florida
students that there is a nature preserve right in their backyard. For those just entering the world of outdoor entertainment, the trails around UNF serve as a great launching pad for their budding interest.
If seeking out places wilder than UNF's backyard is more your style, Duval and its surrounding counties offer more wild spaces than you can shake that proverbial stick at. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Northeast District contains 34 state owned parks, spanning over 117,643 acres combined.
Unlike the UNF nature preserve, where students are limited to walking the trails or canoeing Lake Oneida, the state-owned parks surrounding Jacksonville allow for other types of outdoor adventures. Many of the parks allow visitors to stay and camp.
No camping equipment? Not to worry because UNF's Eco-Adventure facility allows students to check out a variety of equipment needed to survive any weekend in the wild. From tents to camp stoves, sleeping bags to canoes, the people at Eco-Adventure have the essentials for any outdoor outing.
"We're serving the students, that's why we're here," said AyoLane Halusky, an employee with UNF's
Eco-Adventure
program.
Halusky said one of aims
of the Eco-Adventure program is to help students stay connected with the wilderness, while at the same time keeping everything within the scope of a student's budget.
Instructors in the Eco-Adventure program do more than rent out camping essentials. They also teach a number of different classes on primitive survival, and lead a few outdoor adventure trips of their own. Halusky said they are all in an effort to get people involved in and thinking about wild places.
"It's impossible to leave no trace in the wilderness.
Yet, the tracks we do leave can benefit if we intend them to," said Halusky.
Along with camping, each park has some
activity sure to interest any level of outdoors-lover. Some of the parks contain freshwater springs where visitors can swim in crystal-clear water that maintains 72 degrees year round. Other parks hold vast expanses of rivers, where fishing, kayaking, and canoeing can make up an entire weekend of fun. Additional activities in the state-owned parks ncluding mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving, birding, wildlife photography and simply relaxing under the shade of a tree with the cell phone turned off and the everyday world hidden behind miles of trees.
Contact Ross Brooks at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Scientists, industry debate cell phone dangers
Investigators at an eminent research clinic in Cleveland concluded last fall that excessive cell phone use could damage a man's sperm. Then last month, a major European study found that long-term cell phone use appeared to increase the risk of developing a head tumor.
Wait a second. Wasn't the cell-phone-can-hurt-you issue put to rest long ago?
In fact, no. In what is something of an oddity for a common consumer product, the mobile phone developed into the world's most popular personal electronics device without the scientific community ever unanimously declaring that it is fully safe to use.
Health concerns over the effects of radiation waves or the heat generated by cell phones in close proximity to the head continue to be shot down by respected scientists and then raised again by others, more than a decade after phones went into general use.
Regulators in this country and throughout the world say cell phones don't pose a health risk. And studies have piled up over the past 15 years concluding that wireless phones don't affect biology, human or otherwise.
But at the same time, many studies also have concluded cell phone radiation perhaps can produce biological effects, including possibly harmful ones.
An immense amount is at stake for the wireless industry if cell phones were ever found to be hazardous. About 1 billion of them were produced globally last year.
To the cell phone industry, the radiation issue appears settled.
"The overwhelming majority of studies that have been published in scientific journals around the globe show that wireless phones do not pose a health risk," according to a statement by CTIA-The Wireless Association.
Health regulators and the American Cancer Society agree, the CTIA noted.
Yet respected scientists continue to study the devices, and some are raising questions. The contentiousness of the issue goes beyond the research itself into who funds it. The wireless industry, including Motorola Inc., the world's second-biggest cell phone-maker, has long funded academic research on phone radiation.
A recent study by a team of Swiss academics found that industry-funded research was less likely to find that cell phone radiation could cause biological effects results favorable to the industry's own products.
Worries about phone radiation started not long after the mobile market took off in the 1990s. The radiation issue died down, but
still pops up when new studies
are released.
For example, Ashok Agarwal, research director of the Cleveland Clinic's Reproductive Research Center, unveiled research in October that showed a significant decline in sperm health for men who use mobile phones frequently.
Agarwal was soon touring the morning TV talk shows, talking about potential fertility problems for hard-core cell phone users.
But there's a pingpong nature to phone radiation research. Six weeks after Agarwal's work was released, a study led by the Danish Institute of Cancer Epidemiology found no cause for worry.
It culled health data on 420,095 Danish cell phone users and found no evidence that phones were linked to a higher risk of leukemia or cancers of the brain or nervous system.
The Danish report is "epidemiological," meaning it involves studying disease patterns among people. Several such studies have been done in Europe, and most haven't found a higher tumor risk among cell phone users, but not all of them.
Last month, a pan-European study concluded that people who'd been using mobile phones for
at least 10 years appear to have
a slightly increased risk of a cancerous tumor on the sides of their heads where they held
their phones.
There is an accumulation of research probing cell phone radiation more than 300 studies by
the count of Henry Lai, a bioengineering professor at the University of Washington.
Just greater than half show radiation having some sort of potential biological effect, though not necessarily harmful, while slightly less than half show no effect, Lai said.
Most of that research has been done in laboratories such as Lai's. He and fellow scientist N.P. Singh were the first in the 1990s to find that microwave radiation, which is akin to phone radiation, could lead to DNA damage in a rat's brain cells.
DNA carries genetic information, and many scientists believe that cancer is caused by some
sort of DNA disturbance. A major European study, the "Reflex" report, found results similar
to Lai's.
But several researchers also tried and failed to get the same outcomes as Lai and the Reflex study, said Dariusz Leszczynski,
a biochemist who worked on
the latter.
Leszczynski is head of radiation biology at Finland's Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, and a leading phone-radiation researcher.
Last year, his lab found that phone radiation caused changes in the activity of genes and proteins derived from human blood vessels. Cells essentially recognized radiation as a stress.
It's possible that such small
biological effects might become
significant for human health
if exerted over a long time, such
as decades of cell phone
use, Leszczynski said in an
e-mail interview.
But he's ready to admit there's no conclusive evidence from his work or anybody else's that cell phones are a health hazard.
To make matters murkier, scientists face a big challenge in explaining why phone radiation would cause biological effects such as DNA breaks.
Scientists agree that the low-energy radiation from cell phones can have a "thermal" effect, heating tissue. But they also agree that such a heating effect is simply too weak to actually hurt people.
So, the biological effects found by Lai and Leszczynski must be explained by something else. The problem, in addition to the conflicting lab results: lack of an accepted scientific theory.
Many studies are Motorola-funded studies and were done by Joseph Roti Roti's lab at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
A radiation oncologist, Roti Roti has been investigating weak radiation issues since 1994. He's published at least 25 papers, primarily finding no biological effects. Any effects he found, he couldn't replicate.
Roti Roti said Motorola was one of the few places he could get funding for his work; the federal government has put relatively little money into his field.
Motorola had little say over
his research, he said. "They
never said how we should do the experiment or what we should write. Otherwise, I wouldn't take
the money."
To Roti Roti, the issue is all but settled, but that doesn't mean
it will go away. "I think it will go on forever."
Indeed, some cancers can lay hidden for 20 years before blooming. But cell phones, as a mass-market device, haven't even been around that long, making any
20-year latency a tough issue
to research.
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Bailey Rae's uplifting freshman disc reveals potential staying power
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Corinne Bailey Rae's debut album showcases her songwriting chops with sweet and soulful lyrics. |
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Bottom line: Corinne Bailey Rae's self-entitled soulful debut album is a must-buy for 2007. Four and a half sails. |
British singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae's eponymous debut album is making many turn their heads asking 'Corinne who?'
Bailey Rae's album, Corinne Bailey Rae, is filled with soulful sounds, simple melodies and lyrics that can't help but make you smile. The album seems to put listeners in a good mood while listening to the sounds of the soulful singer. Bailey Rae's voice is inspired from blues and jazz, and her accent can be heard on some songs, adding uniqueness to her sound.
The album has reached triple platinum in the U.K. and is currently No. 9 on Billboard's top 200 chart, according to Billboard.com. Bailey Rae debuted on the chart at No. 17, the highest ever chart debut for a U.K. artist in the U.S.
It seems nothing is impossible for the almost 27-year-old. Bailey Rae was recently nominated for three Grammys, including record of the year and song of the year for "Put Your Records On" and best
new artist.
Bailey Rae is commonly
compared to musician Nora Jones, however, she seems to differ from Jones by having more uplifting sounds to her music. The feeling of a summer breeze and sunshine at the beach comes to mind when listening to Bailey Rae's album.
The first single of the album is "Put Your Records On," a bubbly song with an uplifting message. This is by far one of my favorite songs on the album. Lyrics such as "three little birds sat on my window and they told me I don't need to worry," allow listeners to construct a visual aspect to the song.
Bailey Rae does a superb job throughout the album with descriptive lyrics
that help listeners see
the music.
The first track on the album, "Like a Star," has a slower tempo and is soothing to the soul. Beginning the album with this song was a gutsy choice by Bailey Rae. Even though the song is extremely mellow, it does grab attention. Some might recognize this song as the one she performed with John Legend and John Mayer at the Grammys
in February.
Another highlight of the album is "Trouble Sleeping," which poetically tells the story of the dilemma of not being able to sleep because she thinks she is falling in love. Bailey Rae credits her husband of five years for the love-inspired lyrics she has written on her album.
Rumored next single, "I'd Like To," has a mix of her own style with a touch of old-school Lauryn Hill. This song truly shows Bailey Rae's wide spectrum of talent. Though her sublime love ballads are what attract most listeners to her album, the fast-paced beats of songs like "I'd Like To" and "Call Me When You Get This," keep listeners around for more.
Corinne Bailey Rae as a whole is a must-buy for 2007. You can take the advice from me, record sales or even the Grammy nominations but everything comes down to one thing; Bailey Rae may be an up-and-coming artist but she will definitely be around for a while.
Contact Sarah Houston at features@unfspinnaker.com -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Caffeine addiction could expand waists, shrink wallets
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Guzzling several cups of coffee a day might sharpen cognitive abilities. However, too much caffeine could pose health risks and side effects. |
The alarm goes off and you hit snooze, maybe a few times, before
finally getting up. You are a little cloudy from working or partying
or studying too hard the night before. There is only one thing that will help you get through this long day: coffee.
"Starbucks, Outtakes, and Osprey Cafˇ sell around 3,811 cups of coffee a day; and you can add another 188 cups if you include frappachinos and mochas," according to Korey Konopasek, director for retail outlets at the University of North Florida campus' coffee shops.
The average college students spend anywhere from $3 to $5
dollars a day, or $1,000 to $1,400
dollars a year, on coffee. This could seem like a lot of money to a
college student whose average debt will be around $15,399 when the student finishes four years
of school.
But all of that coffee may
actually be helping you do better in school.
Even with a good night's sleep, the caffeine in coffee makes you
feel more alert and able to think more clearly, especially in tedious
activities. Research done by
a psychologist at the Military Nutrition Division of the U.S. Army, Harris Lieberman, found that caffeine improves test scores on a range of cognitive tasks
such as decision-making, learning, short-term memory and
attention exercises.
In addition, caffeine helps boost your mood, further enhancing your test-taking abilities,
alertness and attentiveness, which can lead to a better performance.
In a research study conducted by Harvard University of 80,000 women who drank two to
three cups of regular coffee a day found that a woman's risk of suicide was cut by one-third over a
10-year period.
The caffeine in coffee injects adrenaline into the body's central nervous system, giving your system a boost.
Caffeine also temporarily blocks the adenosine receptors, which make you feel tired, so you are able to stay active.
"One or two cups of coffee could be a welcomed pick me up in the morning," said Dr. Frederick Beck, the UNF Director and Physician of Student Medical Services, "but I put this in a category of moderation."
Fredrick also said caffeine is a stimulant much like Ritalin and Aderol. Most stimulants can be very beneficial to some people but accelerated use may result in many health risks. Beck remembered the story of a convenience store clerk who worked the night shift. She took three or four NoDoz pills and died from cardiac rhythm disturbance.
Most people who indulge in coffee are aware of the downward spiral that tends to take effect after binge drinking coffee or any other caffeinated beverage. Some of the side effects include nervousness, anxiety, irritability, tremors, insomnia, depression and an expanding waistline, depending on how much sugar or cream you load into your cup.
However, be warned: caffeine is an addictive substance. It has some of the same effects heroin does on the body, just in lower doses, and it manipulates many of the same pleasure sensors. Someone who considers themselves addicted to caffeine may use the term loosely, but it really is
a drug.
Anyone stopping the use of caffeine will experience some of the same withdrawal symptoms as many other addictive drugs. Some include oversensitivity, dramatic decrease in blood pressure and excruciating headaches. The best way to quit is to wean yourself off caffeine gradually.
Contact Amanda Johnson at uspinnak@unf.edu -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Exposing sun dangers
Getting that sun-bronzed
glow is extremely important to many people, whether soaking up
rays at the pool or the beach or turning to self-tanners and tanning booths. But before you start on that tan, it's important to learn about your skin and sun
exposure.
The sun's rays contain two types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB. UVA radiation penetrates to the lower layers of the epidermis, where it triggers cells called melanocytes to produce melanin, the brown pigment that protects the skin from burning by causing tanning. UVB radiation burns the upper layers of skin (the epidermis), causing sunburns.
Overexposure to UVA rays may damage a person's immune system, making it harder to fight off diseases. They are also the main factor in premature skin aging, and can lead to eye problems like cataracts.
Damage from UVA rays can lead to melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. If melanoma is not found and treated, it can quickly spread from the skin to the body's other organs. UVB rays may also contribute to developing melanoma and two other types of skin cancer: basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
The main treatment for carcinomas is excision cutting the tumors out. Scars from surgery to remove these melanomas can be anywhere on the body, and they're often large.
This doesn't mean you need to stay out of the sun completely. Sunscreens or sunblocks are probably the best defenses against sun damage because they protect your skin without interfering with your comfort and activity levels. The SPF number on a sunscreen tells you the level of protection it gives.
One safe way to go bronze is with sunless self-tanners, which contain dihydroxyacetone (DHA). DHA gradually stains the dead cells in your skin's outer layer. The "tan" lasts until these skin cells slough off, so exfoliating or vigorously washing will make the color fade faster. A "sunless tan" can last from several days to a week.
Fake tans won't protect you against sunburn, so you'll still need to wear sunscreen when you go outdoors. But the upside is that you get the warm glow of a tan while you keep your skin beautiful for years to come.
Distribted by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services -- PERMALINK -- TOP OF PAGE
Oddball Antics
FREEZE! THIS IS A STIC ... BLAM!
A man tried to rob a gun store in Penrose, New Zealand, with a machete. The proprietor shot him.
AN ATTORNEY DROPS HER BRIEFS
A married female attorney had sexual relations with four married men, after which her husband, also a lawyer, threatened to sue each of his wife's lovers unless they paid him for his "emotional distress." The four, who had the encounters with the woman over a six-month period, paid him a total of $144,000. But a Texas grand jury says the couple was engaged in a scam of coercion and deception and indicted them for theft.
SHOW YOU MY WHAT?
A tenant in York, England is facing eviction because her parrot, which sits in her front room, has been screaming, "Show us your knickers" at the neighbors as they pass by the house.
WE FEEL WE'VE GIVEN YOU AMPLE WARNING, OLD MAN
A man provoked the ire of his fellow bar patrons at the Gordon Arms pub in Southampton, England, for playing Mariah Carey songs on the jukebox 20 times a day for six years. They were particularly irritated because he played "All I Want for Christmas" all year round. He has been banned from the Gordon Arms for life.
ON SECOND THOUGHT [ ... ]
A man serving a sentence for theft escaped from the Frontenac prison in Kingston, Ontario, during the height of a blinding snowstorm, but the weather was so bad that he returned to the jail early the next morning and asked to be let back in.
THIS BEHAVIOR ISN'T UP TO OUR SALOON'S STANDARDS, LADIES
Two young ladies were thrown out of the Grumpy Mole Saloon in Christchurch, New Zealand, for kissing passionately on the dance floor. It was distracting the other patrons.
GOOD GRIEF! WHERE'D ALL THESE COPS COME FROM?
After burglarizing a home on Belle, S.C., and driving off, a couple had a flat tire, so they pulled into a tire center for help. While there, they stole some tools, but the proprietor saw them and they fled - unfortunately for them - right into an area where a SWAT team and a K9 unit had assembled to deal with an unrelated emergency. They were arrested.
HONEY, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE TALK
After examining the call history on his girlfriend's cell phone and discovering she had been talking to other guys, an Independence, Mo., man tried to shove the phone down her throat. The phone was removed via emergency surgery, and the man was convicted of second-degree domestic assault.
OH SURE, WHERE CAN WE MEET?
A drug dealer in Bladen, N.C., calling one of his regular customers, inadvertently dialed the cell phone of a local police officer, and made arrangements to sell him some illegal substances.
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