Can our pupils predict treatment response?

In his latest video‚ Dr. Vernon Coleman describes the dirty tricks used to make life miserable and difficult for both him and his wife. “What’s happened to us is significant because it […]

by St. Funogas‚ Survival Blog: (Continued from Part 2.) 5. Meals and Menus for Day One and First Week This may seem like a silly priority item but read on. There term “menu” is being used very loosely. My DOM Action List 1. Keep freeze-dried foods in plain sight on the table. 2. Check cabinets […]

When you imagine a 3D-printed home‚ you probably picture a boxy concrete structure. As 3D printing’s popularity has grown in the construction industry — thanks to its efficiency when it comes to time‚ energy and cost — carbon-intensive concrete has become the go-to building material. But a project in Maine has set its sights on something different: a neighborhood of 600-square-foot‚ 3D-printed‚ bio-based houses crafted from materials like wood fibers and bioresins. The aim: a complex of 100-percent recyclable buildings that will provide homes to those experiencing houselessness. In late 2022‚ an initiative between the University of Maine and local nonprofit Penquis unveiled its prototype — BioHome3D‚ the first 100-percent recyclable house. Now‚ the pioneering project is working toward completing its first livable housing complex. It will be fully bio-based‚ meaning all materials will be derived from living organisms such as plants and other renewable agricultural‚ marine and forestry materials.  Once the pilot project is completed and the team reaches full commercial capacity‚ the team will be able to print a home in as little as two days. Courtesy of the University of Maine ASCC As the materials are all 100-percent recyclable‚ so become the buildings. The materials are also all renewable. And thanks to its natural composition‚ the home acts as a carbon sink‚ sequestering 46 tons of carbon dioxide per 600-square-foot unit.  The materials for this project will mainly come from wood left over by local mills. “The wood fiber material that’s used in the mix is essentially waste wood here in Maine‚” says Jason Bird‚ director of housing development for Penquis. Bird is referring to what’s known as wood residuals: materials that‚ he explains‚ “pulp mills or other sawmills either landfill‚ discard or set off to the side and rot.”

January 26‚ 2024

New research from the Monterey Bay Aquarium reveals a striking link between the recovery of Southern sea otters and the condition of kelp forests along the West Coast. According to a study published in the journal PLOS Climate‚ the recovery of sea otter populations in central California coincided with considerable increases in kelp forests between 1910 and 2016. Teri Nicholson‚ the study’s lead author‚ asserts in a press release‚ “Our study showed that kelp forests are more extensive and resilient to climate change where sea otters have reoccupied the California coastline during the last century.” Kelp forest gains and losses across California While central California saw a 57.6 percent increase in kelp forests or 19.7 square kilometers‚ the northern and southern regions experienced losses. Northern California lost approximately 8.1 square kilometers‚ whereas southern California lost 18.3 square kilometers. These losses mirrored locations where sea otters were virtually hunted to extinction in the nineteenth century. The study findings emphasize the disparity‚ stating‚ “Where sea otters are absent‚ kelp forests have declined dramatically.” Sea otters: guardians of biodiversity Kelp forests provide critical habitat and food for marine life‚ and they play an important role in biodiversity conservation. The study points out the importance of preserving sea otter populations to prevent sea urchin dominance‚ which can destroy kelp forests and create what scientists refer to as “urchin barrens.” According to the study’s senior author‚ Kyle Van Houtan‚ “Sea otters‚ of course‚ are hugely influential for Pacific kelp forests. Historical studies like this are a crucial demonstration of this dynamic over the long term.” Kelp’s impact on climate change mitigation Aside from their ecological relevance‚ kelp forests provide a major contribution to climate change mitigation. Kelp can absorb about 20 times more CO2 per acre than land forests. Their involvement in reducing coastal erosion adds to their environmental value. The study emphasizes the environmental benefits of kelp forests‚ saying‚ “Kelp forests play an important role in mitigating coastal erosion.” Threats to kelp forests While pollution‚ over-harvesting‚ and climate change all pose dangers to kelp forests‚ the decline of sea otter numbers emerges as a major concern. The findings show that sea otters operate as guardians‚ keeping sea urchins from overgrazing kelp and preserving the ecosystem’s delicate balance. Acknowledging the multifaceted challenges‚ the study highlights‚ “Ecosystems are complex‚ and to give them their best chance at surviving these extreme changes‚ they need all their component parts.” The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s research reveals a peaceful link between sea otters and kelp forests. As sea otters thrive‚ so do kelp forests‚ resulting in balanced ecosystems. In the face of mounting dangers such as rising ocean temperatures‚ recognizing and sustaining this delicate interplay is critical to the health of California’s coastal habitats. Source study: PLOS Climate—Sea otter recovery buffers century-scale declines in California kelp forestsThe post Sea otters: the guardians of California’s kelp forests first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In the center of Bogotá‚ La Trocha Brewery‚ an unexpected company started by former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) militants‚ is more than simply beer. It’s a tribute to transformation‚ resilience‚ and a commitment to peace. Doris Suárez‚ co-founder of La Trocha‚ recounts the distinct aromas of Coromoro beer‚ the brewery’s first production‚ and associates it with memories of the highlands where she formerly lived.  “It reminds me of the mountains where I used to live‚ and it’s very‚ very delicious‚” says Suárez‚ remarking on the brew’s rich flavor. Brewing beer‚ challenging stigmas: how La Trocha came to be The FARC‚ a Marxist-Leninist rebel organization‚ had long conflicted with Colombia’s government. However‚ following the 2016 peace agreement‚ former FARC members looked for new opportunities in civilian life. Overcoming the stigma associated with their past‚ La Trocha was founded in 2019 as a brewery that does more than just craft beer. Suárez acknowledges the challenges of reintegration‚ stating‚ “I am a guerrilla fighter‚ I am a former prisoner‚ so with that on my CV‚ no one is going to give me a job easily.” Recognizing the necessity of averting a return to guerrilla warfare‚ the Colombian government awarded ex-FARC members with grants and scholarships to learn how to produce beer. La Trocha now has six beers‚ including the recently launched La Fariana‚ which features a dove and a resting rifle on the label‚ representing the path from combat to peace. La Casa de la Paz – fostering reconciliation through culture In 2020‚ La Trocha expanded its reach beyond brewing by establishing La Casa de la Paz (the House of Peace) in Bogotá. This three-story cultural building acts as a reconciliation center‚ featuring graffiti and posters supporting peace and justice. Suárez goes on to say‚ “It’s what helps me to wake up every day‚ to get up with courage and be able to offer the best that we farianas can.” La Casa de la Paz is more than just a cultural hub; it also serves as an educational place. The center hosts events‚ video screenings‚ and guided tours that explore Colombia’s violent history and journey to peace. A co-working area‚ a gallery‚ and a bar form an inclusive environment‚ attracting approximately 300 guests every day. Educating future generations Recognizing the need to conserve history‚ La Trocha’s Center offers seminars for children. Suárez stresses the significance of understanding one’s roots‚ saying‚ “Many children no longer know the history of their home. And if they don’t know the history of their home‚ they don’t know the history of their country either.” La Casa de la Paz’s engaging seminars aim to break the cycle of ignorance and create a better understanding of Colombia’s complex history. Suárez candidly admits her initial skepticism about the peace process‚ stating‚ “I never believed in the agreement because most of the governments were looking for the surrender of the guerrillas in exchange for nothing.” However‚ she appreciates the gains made under former Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos’ leadership‚ underlining the foundations created for a more democratic state with greater chances. Former President Santos and Farc ex-commander-in-chief Timoleón Jiménez visited La Casa de la Paz‚ signifying a bridge between former rivals through shared moments and beer bottles. Suárez argues that peace is more than just laying down guns; it also includes establishing equitable opportunity and fundamental rights for all. Navigating security concerns Despite progress towards peace‚ security worries remain. Approximately 400 former Farc combatants have been killed since the peace deal was signed. La Casa de la Paz honors them with paper butterflies hanging at the entryway‚ a sad reminder of the sacrifices made for the cause of long-term peace. La Trocha Brewery‚ with its creative approach to brewing and cultural participation‚ serves as a light of hope in Colombia’s reconciliation efforts. La Casa de la Paz not only produces beer‚ but also promotes understanding‚ education‚ and healing. In the face of adversity‚ former guerrillas turned craft brewers demonstrate tenacity and the possibility of creating a united and peaceful future.The post From guerrilla fighters to beer brewers: former FARC members craft peace in every sip first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

I grew up in a small town in Oklahoma where my family attended First Baptist Church every week. That may sound like a common story‚ but what made my family’s consistent church attendance unique was my sister‚ Syble‚ with Down syndrome. A 2013 study shows families that have a member with a disability are less likely to attend church than typical families. When these families do attend‚ more than two-thirds report negative experiences. Thankfully‚ my experience growing up in church with a sibling with a disability was mostly positive. Syble attended the typical children’s ministry classes with a helper who made sure she was safe and included. When she transitioned to the youth group‚ our church created a class for her and other teenagers with disabilities that was attuned to their spiritual and social growth. Since there was always an option for Syble‚ our entire family attended regularly. Move forward in time to 2010. That’s the year my son James was diagnosed with autism. After his assessment‚ we looked around our rural church and realized there were no special-needs families there. An accessible church—something I’d taken for granted as a child and teen—wouldn’t be my son’s experience unless our church took steps toward inclusion. Once again‚ God’s people took action. Our leaders found a buddy to support James in his Sunday school class. They purchased sensory toys (like an indoor trampoline) to address his extra sensory-seeking. In time‚ other kids with disabilities began to attend the church‚ and it even reached out to special-needs parents by offering respite nights and a fully inclusive vacation Bible school. More and more‚ churches like these aren’t alone. I’ve never been more optimistic about evangelical disability ministry than I am right now. Here are four reasons why. 1. Church leaders see needs‚ and they want to include children and teens with disabilities. Megachurches often design ministry programs and facilities specifically for kids with disabilities. However‚ according to one study‚ people who have disabilities but don’t require the level of support offered in these self-contained ministries often struggle to attend church. Many children with diagnoses like autism‚ anxiety‚ and ADHD aren’t placed in special education classes in public schools. Yet they do receive accommodations to help them thrive in typical classrooms. When these kids come to church‚ such accommodations aren’t readily available. As a result‚ the kids can struggle to be successful in typical children’s and youth ministry environments. Through my work with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC)‚ I help churches across our state learn to welcome such families. Conversations with church leaders often begin like this: “We have kids with special needs in our ministry. We want to better support them‚ but we don’t know what to do.” I’ve seen this in church after church. When special-needs families struggle to connect with churches‚ it’s most often because ministry leaders don’t know how to support kids with disabilities‚ not because they don’t want to include them. Studies support my anecdotal observations. Both parents and ministry leaders believe churches want to welcome children with disabilities but acknowledge the need their churches have for more training in the how. By God’s grace‚ the desire is there. And‚ thankfully‚ training is becoming more readily available too. 2. Colleges and seminaries now offer more classes (and even degrees) on disability theology and ministry. Both parents and ministry leaders acknowledge the need churches have for more education and training on disability ministry. According to the 2000 census‚ one in five U.S. families has a family member with a disability. But the Bible college and seminary leaders surveyed in a 2014 study believed their graduates were “not at all (3.4%) or only a little (70.7%) prepared to respond to spiritual and theological questions resulting from disability-related human experiences.” This lack of training affects ministers’ pastoral care‚ teaching‚ and ability to address families’ needs in a variety of ministry settings. To address this weakness‚ several evangelical institutions have made changes. This fall‚ Liberty University (where I serve as an online instructor) will add a disability ministry minor to their undergraduate degree options. Other schools like Wheaton College and Moody Bible Institute provide similar opportunities‚ and I’m hopeful programs like these will expand in the future. 3. Denominational groups and parachurch organizations are providing more resources and support. It’s not just Bible colleges expanding their training. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) has a strong denominational disability ministry. It provides discipleship resources and coaching for churches wanting to include people with disabilities. In Southern Baptist circles‚ state conventions like the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and my own SBTC provide church consultations‚ educational resources‚ and even financial grants for churches wanting to expand their reach to people with disabilities. Moreover‚ parachurch organizations like Joni and Friends and Guidelight offer consultations and resources to help churches start and grow disability ministries. 4. Jesus loves people with disabilities‚ and he modeled the way of inclusion. My greatest hope for the future of disability ministry isn’t these expanded ministry offerings. My assurance is in Jesus’s love. My greatest hope for the future of disability ministry isn’t in expanded ministry offerings. My assurance is in Jesus’s love. There’s an often-overlooked verse in a well-known story near the end of Matthew’s account of Jesus’s life. In Matthew 21‚ Jesus drove the money changers and those buying and selling out of the temple. As a result‚ “the blind and the lame came to him in the temple‚ and he healed them” (v. 14). Under Levitical law‚ people with disabilities were considered unclean. They only had access to the part of the temple grounds where the market had been set up. When Jesus cleared the temple‚ he removed barriers blocking the way for people with disabilities. He made a way for them to access him. Because Jesus has made a way for us‚ churches today can follow his example. We can look for barriers that may be keeping families from accessing our churches and work to take them down. Through increased training and growth in denominational and parachurch support for ministry leaders‚ families like mine will have more opportunities to hear and experience Jesus’s good news.