Fake sweetener Splenda fills our oceans, scientists find

Image of Gulf Stream

Fake sweetener Splenda fills our oceans, scientists find
Feb 19, 2013 | J. D. Heyes

(NaturalNews) A new study by scientists from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington found that the bulk of the popular sweetener Splenda, which is used all over the world, is winding up in the Gulf Stream, the "conveyor belt of water transport" that circulates in the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of North American to Europe, Africa and beyond.

The study, conducted by the scientists at the university's Marine Atmospheric Chemistry Research Laboratory and the journal Marine Chemistry, said that only about 10 percent of the main component in Splenda, which is sucralose, is absorbed by the body, meaning 90 percent of it leaves the body and winds up in sewage systems.

"Sucralose, discovered in 1976 and made popular by Splenda in 1999, is used in 80 countries to sweeten foods and drinks without the calories and carbohydrates of sugar," said the university in a press release. "Although it is a derivative of table sugar (sucrose), sucralose cannot be effectively broken down by the bacteria in the human digestive tract. As a result, the body absorbs little or no calories and 90 percent of the chemical compound leaves the body through human waste and enters sewage systems."

Long-term effects? We don't know yet, and that's the problem

Ralph Mead, Brooks Avery, Jeremy Morgan and Robert Kieber, professors at the lab, along with graduate student Aleksandra Kirk, said they were surprised by the dearth of peer-reviewed research regarding what happens to sucralose once it enters the environment.

They said some scientists from Switzerland and North America previously found the chemical compound inland, but the MACRL researchers focused on whether sucralose had entered ocean currents.

After the research team found significant levels of the compound in North Carolina's Cape Fear River, scientists conducted research cruises, sampling waters of the Gulf Stream off the coasts of North Carolina and Florida.

"All of the samples revealed the presence of sucralose," said the university, "which indicated that the artificial sweetener endures the wastewater treatment processes designed to dissolve foreign chemicals."

"If sucralose is not eliminated through wastewater treatment and makes its way to the Gulf Stream, then theoretically, it will travel where the Gulf Stream goes." said Kieber.

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified the artificial sweetener as a "contaminant of emerging concern," but it does not yet regulate personal care products (PCC's) and pharmaceuticals, which is the bioactive chemical class that sucralose falls into.

Further, the university said, there are limited long-term studies on the compound's impact to humans, the environment, wildlife and vegetation.

The scientists said it's unclear what kind of damage, if any, prolonged exposure to the compound will cause.

"What happens when we have been exposed to these chemicals for 20-plus years, and we can't expel them? We have to start monitoring sucralose now," said Morgan.

The scientists said they are concerned that sucralose could have long-term impacts on the environment.

"One concern," said the university, "is that the feeding habits of animals could be altered because sucralose mimics sugar but has no nutritional value."

Sucralose causes weight gain as well

Currently, the research team is examining how science might mitigate the impact of sucralose on the environment by equipping waste water treatment plants with technology designed to remove the compound before it reaches the world's oceans.

An earlier study from nearby Duke University in 2008 found that Splenda use contributes to weight gain and other health problems.

The Duke study "makes it clear that the artificial sweetener Splenda and its key component sucralose pose a threat to the people who consume the product," said James Turner, chairman of Citizens for Health, an international non-profit consumer health education group.

"Hundreds of consumers have complained to us about side effects from using Splenda and this study ... confirms that the chemicals in the little yellow package should carry a big red warning label," he said.

Sources:

http://uncw.edu

http://www.naturalnews.com/024543_health_Splenda_weight.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/artificial_sweeteners/page9.htm

3-D printer could create human organs

3-D printer could create human organs
Feb 19, 2013 | RTAmerica


Researchers from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland have created an apparatus that is able to print out embryonic cells. What does this mean for you? Imagine if you are in need of a new kidney or heart, this 3-D printer has the capability of printing what you need in order to continue living a healthy life. For more on this innovative technology Marina Portnaya joins us to discuss the recent developments.

Human intelligence is declining according to Stanford geneticist

AFP Photo / Johannes Eisele

Human intelligence is declining according to Stanford geneticist
Feb 18, 2013 | RT.com

Ever can’t help but think you’re surrounded by idiots? A leading scientist at Stanford University thinks he has the answer, and the bad news is things aren’t likely to get any better.

Dr. Gerald Crabtree, a geneticist at Stanford, has published a study that he conducted to try and identify the progression of modern man’s intelligence. As it turns out, however, Dr. Crabtree’s research led him to believe that the collective mind of mankind has been on more or a less a downhill trajectory for quite some time.

According to his research, published in two parts starting with last year’s ‘Our fragile intellect. Part I,’ Dr. Crabtree thinks unavoidable changes in the genetic make-up coupled with modern technological advances has left humans, well, kind of stupid. He has recently published his follow-up analysis, and in it explains that of the roughly 5,000 genes he considered the basis for human intelligence, a number of mutations over the years has forced modern man to be only a portion as bright as his ancestors.

“New developments in genetics, anthropology and neurobiology predict that a very large number of genes underlie our intellectual and emotional abilities, making these abilities genetically surprisingly fragile,” he writes in part one of his research. “Analysis of human mutation rates and the number of genes required for human intellectual and emotional fitness indicates that we are almost certainly losing these abilities,” he adds in his latest report.

From there, the doctor goes on to explain that general mutations over the last few thousand years have left mankind increasingly unable to cope with certain situations that perhaps our ancestors would be more adapted to.

“I would wager that if an average citizen from Athens of 1000 BC were to appear suddenly among us, he or she would be among the brightest and most intellectually alive of our colleagues and companions, with a good memory, a broad range of ideas, and a clear-sighted view of important issues. Furthermore, I would guess that he or she would be among the most emotionally stable of our friends and colleagues. I would also make this wager for the ancient inhabitants of Africa, Asia, India or the Americas, of perhaps 2000–6000 years ago. The basis for my wager comes from new developments in genetics, anthropology, and neurobiology that make a clear prediction that our intellectual and emotional abilities are genetically surprisingly fragile.”

According to the doctor, humans were at their most intelligent when “every individual was exposed to nature’s raw selective mechanisms on a daily basis.” Under those conditions, adaption, he argued, was much more of a matter than fight or flight. Rather, says the scientists, it was a sink or swim situation for generations upon generations.

"We, as a species, are surprisingly intellectually fragile and perhaps reached a peak 2,000 to 6,000 years ago," he writes. "If selection is only slightly relaxed, one would still conclude that nearly all of us are compromised compared to our ancient ancestors of 3,000 to 6,000 years ago.”

That doesn’t mean it’s all downhill, though. Dr. Crabtree says, “although our genomes are fragile, our society is robust almost entirely by virtue of education, which allow strengths to be rapidly distributed to all members." 

"We have a long time to solve it. People 300 years ago had no idea where we'd be scientifically now," he says. "We'll be able to deal with this problem with a range of humane and ethical solutions."

Russian Meteor Blast 'Heard' Around the World

The Russian meteor blast send infrasound,
or low-frequency sound waves, through
the atmosphere. CREDIT: isoundhunter

Russian Meteor Blast 'Heard' Around the World
Feb 17, 2013 | Our Amazing Planet | Becky Oskin

The shock wave from Friday's (Feb. 15) meteor explosion above Russia sent subsonic waves through the atmosphere halfway around the world.

Up to 11 sensors in Greenland, Africa, Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and other far-flung regions detected the Russian meteor blast's infrasound, or low-frequency sound waves. The sensors are part of the global network of 60 infrasound stations maintained by the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

Infrasound's long wavelengths (about 20 to 0.01 Hertz) can travel far distances in the atmosphere, at frequencies humans can't hear. Elephants, whales and even pigeons use infrasound for communication and navigation, scientists have discovered.

The CTBTO relies on Infrasound arrays to help determine the location and size of atmospheric explosions. Man-made explosions, such as bombs, produce a different infrasound pattern than natural fireballs like shattering meteors.

Based on scrutiny of infrasound records, NASA scientists concluded the fireball released about 300 kilotons of energy, said Bill Cooke, lead for the Meteoroid Environments Office at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

Eleven infrasound stations around the world
recorded the meteor blast above Russian on Friday.
CREDIT: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization

That's about 20 to 25 times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped in World War II, but still smaller than Siberia's Tunguska meteor explosion in 1908, which released 10 to 15 megatons of energy (equivalent to the Castle Bravo device, the most powerful atomic bomb tested by the United States).

"This was a moderate explosion," said Paul Chodas, research scientist in the Near Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif.

Evidence of Revision (The Assassination of America) - Part 3

Evidence of Revision (The Assassination of America) - Part 3
Feb 15, 2013 | TheSOTTReport



Evidence of Revision (The Assassination of America) - Part 1

Evidence of Revision (The Assassination of America) - Part 2 

Evidence of Revision: The Assassination of America (2011) Movies and TV

7 Natural Brain Foods for Cognition and Concentration

© Natural Society

7 Natural Brain Foods for Cognition and Concentration
Feb 14, 2013 | Natural Society | Mike Barrett

If you have ever had problems concentrating, you know how extremely frustrating it is to get anything done. As we age, it seems to be more and more difficult to keep our thoughts collected or even remember where we put our keys. This may be a part of the aging process to some degree, but diet and lifestyle certainly has a lot to do with it as well. Luckily, there are several brain foods that you can include in your daily diet to boost cognitive function, boost concentration, and slow down brain decline.

Here are 7 foods to eat for better cognition, concentration, and for overall brain preservation.

1. Brain Foods – Walnuts 

Interestingly enough, walnuts actually resemble small brains. Perhaps this is a clue that we should eat them. A study conducted in the 2007 found that a diet including more than 2% walnuts was able to reverse brain aging, including age related motor and cognitive defects. Walnuts are rich in antioxidants which fight against free radical damage to the brain cells’ DNA.

2. and 3. Coffee and Dark Chocolate 

While your average coffee from the local coffee shop might contain all sorts of sugars and additions not worth the health risks, a free-trade organic coffee can do great things for your focus and brain power. A cup or two of coffee first thing in the morning will wake up your brain and allow you to focus and concentrate. The caffeine found in chocolate does the same thing, in addition to harnessing rich, brain-protecting antioxidants. It is wise, however, not to over indulge.

4. Berries

Berries are undoubtedly one of the best anti aging foods around. These little fruit gems protect the brain from oxidative stress while decreasing the effects of age related conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. In addition to delaying memory decline by up to 2.5 years in one study, blueberries have been found to improve learning capacity and motor skills.

5. Spinach 

Popeye knew what he was doing when he ate his spinach. Spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that is loaded with vitamin E, which has been shown to improve cognitive function. Vitamin E helps increases brain tissue and released dopamine which controls information flow in the brain. Further spinach contains lutein, an antioxidant that could protect against cognitive decline.

6. Carrots 

While it’s known carrots are great for vision, did you also know that they are also great for the brain? Helping to reduce inflammation and restore memory, the compound found in carrots, known as luteolin, appears to reduce age-related memory loss and boost overall brain health. Other foods that are also high in luteolin include olive oil, celery, rosemary, and peppers.

7. Fish 

The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish give our brain a huge boost. Consuming fish weekly can reduce the risk of stroke and dementia while slowing down mental decline. Research also indicates that vital fatty acids help to keep memory sharp as we age.

A Hearty Breakfast 

It’s important to know that eating breakfast may help with brain preservation. Researchers warn that skipping breakfast can cause a tremendous strain on the brain. Children who eat a well-rounded breakfast have scored better on tests than those that skip this incredibly important meal. Try having some fresh fruit or high-fiber whole grains like oatmeal and bran. High calorie breakfasts laden with sugar and fat tend to detract from concentration.

Eating Light 

Combining these healthy foods into a varied diet will help your brain from becoming sluggish. Eating healthful whole foods (preferably organic), getting enough sleep, exercising daily and managing stress all help with concentration and cognitive function.

For more, check out some other brain-boosting foods.

Additional Sources:

MyHealthNewsDaily

Pubmed/2007155

Pubmed/19634483

Webmd

Google Plus Profile | Mike is the co-founder, editor, and primary researcher behind Natural Society. Studying the work of top natural health activists, and writing special reports for top 10 alternative health websites, Mike has written hundreds of articles and pages on how to obtain optimum wellness through natural health.

Was Siberian meteor blast a warning of things to come?

Was Siberian meteor blast a warning of things to come?
Feb 15, 2013 | Richard A. Kerr | ScienceNow



The 10-meter-diameter chunk of rock that exploded over western Siberia yesterday had nothing to do with the 45-meter asteroid whizzing close by Earth today, scientists say. But it does provide a more dramatic reminder of the incessant rain of cosmic debris that the planet endures.

Such a meteoric detonation tens of kilometers high happens on average every 10 years or so. This one just happened to strike over a populated area, injuring several hundred people, mostly by sending window glass flying. That pales beside the destruction wreaked by the detonation of a 40-meter asteroid over an unpopulated part of Siberia in 1908; that so-called Tunguska event leveled 2000 square kilometers of forest.

The object's energy - it was traveling at thousands of kilometers per hour - was released in an explosion when it shattered and atmospheric friction burned up the bits in a moment. Airbursts of Tunguska size probably happen every 1200 years on average somewhere on a mostly empty Earth. One of these days, a bigger bit of cosmic debris will make it to the ground intact.

"We Need To Push Him": Actress Daryl Hannah Arrested While Urging Obama to Reject Keystone Pipeline

"We Need To Push Him": Actress Daryl Hannah Arrested While Urging Obama to Reject Keystone Pipeline
Feb 14, 2013 | democracynow

"Impossible" Pulsar Breaks the Rules | Space News

"Impossible" Pulsar Breaks the Rules | Space News
Feb 13, 2013 | ThunderboltsProject

A newly discovered star has astonished a team of scientists. They say that nothing at this moment can explain what is happening. The star is called a "pulsar," which is a star that appears to pulse rapidly with intense radio wave emissions. However, this pulsar switches unpredictably between radio and x-ray emissions, leaving astronomers openly baffled.

Geoengineering: The real climate threat

Geoengineering: The real climate threat
Jan 4, 2013 | GRTV | corbettreport



TRANSCRIPT AND SOURCES: http://www.corbettreport.com/?p=6851

The environmental movement has developed a single-minded obsession with the supposed effects of carbon dioxide on the global climate. Rather than CO2 gas, however, the technologies that are now being proposed to mitigate this supposed problem might be the real cause of our coming environmental calamity. This is the GRTV Backgrounder on Global Research TV.