UWI Mona Lecturer appointed to IACHR Board

UWI Mona Senior lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Tracy Robinson has been elected to the Board of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR). The board of officers elected on March 20 is composed of Tracy Robinson (Jamaica), Chair; Rose Marie Antoine (Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago), First Vice-Chair; and Felipe González (Chile), Second Vice-Chair. The election was held, in accordance with the IACHR rules of procedure, at the beginning of the Commission’s 150th regular Period of Sessions. The other members of the IACHR are José de Jesús Orozco Henríquez, Rosa María Ortiz, Paulo Vannuchi and James Cavallaro. The Executive Secretary is Emilio Alvarez Icaza (Mexico).
 
Commissioner Tracy Robinson is a citizen of Jamaica. She was elected at the 41st OAS General Assembly in June 2011 for the standard four-year term, which began on January 1, 2012. She is a lawyer and teaches Gender and the Law, Constitutional Law and Commonwealth Caribbean Human Rights, among other law subjects, at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. She has been a consultant for international agencies such as the United Nations Fund for Women and UNICEF, and she has advised Caribbean governments on topics related to legislation on gender and children rights, among others. Commissioner Robinson has been editor of the Caribbean Law Bulletin and she has written and published reports on a range of topics, including gender, the rights of LGTBI persons, sexual harassment, sexual rights, sex work and the law, and the rights of the child. She has a Bachelor of Law from University of the West Indies and an LLM from the University of Yale, as well as a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) from Oxford University.

Commissioner Rose-Marie Belle Antoine has dual citizenship of Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. She was elected at the 41st OAS General Assembly in June 2011 for the standard four-year term, which began on January 1, 2012. She is a lawyer, Professor and Dean of the University of the West Indies, specializing in human rights, financial law, comparative law, administrative law, public service law, discrimination law and labor law. She has also lectured abroad, including in the United States. Commissioner Antoine has substantial international consultancy experience. She has served as senior legal advisor to all of the governments of the Commonwealth Caribbean and to governments outside of the region, such as the UK, Venezuela, USA and Canada, and to several international and regional organizations. These include the European Union, UNICEF, UNIFEM, the ILO, the IADB, the World Bank, and the OAS, among others. She is an award-winning author who has written eleven books and numerous reports and articles and drafted laws on a wide range of topics, including discrimination, constitutional reform, public service reform, juvenile justice, mutual legal assistance, women’s rights, health, sexual harassment, trafficking in persons, labor law, free movement of labor, HIV, financial law, anti-drug trafficking and anti-corruption. Commissioner Antoine is an Oxford Commonwealth Scholar and a Cambridge Pegasus Scholar, holding a doctorate from Oxford University, an LL.M. from Cambridge and an LL.B. from the University of the West Indies. Professor Antoine also holds diplomas and certificates in international human rights from the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France.

Commissioner Felipe González is a citizen of Chile. He was elected during the 37th regular period of sessions of the OAS General Assembly in 2007 for the standard four-year term, which began on January 1, 2008. He was reelected in 2011 for a second term, which started January 1, 2012. He was the IACHR Chair in 2010. Commissioner González is Professor of International Human Rights Law and Constitutional Law at Chile’s Diego Portales University. He founded and directed that university’s Human Rights Center, where from 2002 to 2006 he managed the preparation and publication of an Annual Report on Human Rights in Chile. He also founded and coordinated a Latin American Network of Legal Human Rights Clinics. He is S.J.D. from the Carlos III University of Madrid, and he holds a Master of Law degree from American University and a Master of Advanced Human Rights Studies from Carlos III University. He is a Professor at the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University and a Visiting Professor at Carlos III University. Previously he has been a Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Lund University, the University of Deusto, and the University of Alcalá de Henares. He also worked for the International Human Rights Law Group (now Global Rights), first in Washington, D.C., and then in Santiago, Chile.

A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The Inter-American Commission has a mandate to promote respect for human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area. The Commission is composed of seven independent members who are elected in an individual capacity by the OAS General Assembly and who do not represent their countries of origin or residence.

Source: myspot.mona.uwi.edu

Amazing Benefits and Uses Of Kiwi

Kiwi is a rare fruit that has countless health benefits. Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry is a native fruit of China. In China, people use Kiwi for several nutritional and medicinal uses. However, the fruit became popular in New Zealand and the people of this country started cultivating the fruit in large quantities. It is also said that the fruit got its name Kiwi from the land of New Zealand.

Benefits Of Kiwi For Skin

     1.Kiwi is a delicious fruit that contains several rare nutrients. It is a rich source of antioxidants, Vitamin C, and E. These nutrients are essential for a healthy and glowing skin.

   2.Kiwi contains antioxidants and dietary fibers. The fruit act as a natural laxative that helps the body in removing all the wastes and toxins. This in turn makes the skin clearer and more beautiful.

  3.Kiwifruit contains lots of Vitamin E which helps in keeping the skin soft and moist. Vitamin also aids in regeneration of cells which in turn makes the skin youthful and flexible.

   4.The fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C which helps in the formation of collagen. Collagen repairs the skin and helps it to recover from cuts and wounds. It also makes the skin soft, supple and moist.

   5.Kiwi contains omega-3 fatty acids which protect the skin from a wide range of disorders. It also protects the cell membranes of the skin.

    6.A mixture of kiwi pulp and lemon juice can act as a nutritious face pack. Apply this mixture and let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes. This treatment is excellent for reducing sebum production.

   7.For a glowing skin prepare a blend of avocado (1/2), kiwi and honey (1 teaspoon). Mix these ingredients and apply the mixture on your skin. After 10 to 15 minutes rinse off with cool water.

   8. The antioxidants in kiwi kill the free radicals and reduce the intensity of aging signs like dark spots, wrinkles and fine lines.

   9. Kiwi is a rich source of anti-inflammatory agents and AHAs. This prevents the skin from acne, boils, pimples, zits and abscess.

   10.Kiwifruit contains amino acids that protect the skin from sun damage.

   11.The vitamins and nutrients in kiwi help the skin in renewing its cells. Hence, eating kiwi can make your skin moist and youthful.

   12.Make a pulp of a ripe kiwi fruit and add some yoghurt to it. Mix it well and gently rub it on your face. Wash your face after 15 minutes. This will allow the nutrients to penetrate into your skin and nourish it from within.

    13.Kiwi fruit contains Vitamin C that helps in lightening your skin tone. You can make a natural scrub by mixing kiwifruit pulp, lemon juice, oatmeal and kiwi seed oil. This scrub can help your skin in getting an even tone.

    14.Kiwifruit peels can be used as a natural exfoliating agent. You can scrub your face with kiwi peels to get a flawless skin.

Benefits Of Kiwi For Hair:

   1.Kiwifruit is rich in minerals like zinc, magnesium and phosphorus that improves hair growth and enhances blood circulation. It also contains Vitamin C and E which helps in reducing hair fall.

    2.The vitamin C in the fruit helps in the formation of collagen. This enables the scalp to absorb more nutrients.

    3.Kiwi seed oil contains omega-3fatty acids that prevent the hair from losing its moisture.

   4.Kiwifruit is rich in copper. This helps the hair in preserving its natural color. It also protects the hair from premature greying.

    5.Kiwifruit is rich in iron which helps in nourishing the hair. It promotes proper blood circulation in the scalp and thus it strengthens the hair from their roots.

   6.Eating kiwi can help you in strengthening the hair and also the skin on your scalp. This in turn prevents the occurrence of dandruff and eczema. It also protects the scalp from inflammation.

Health Benefits Of Kiwi:

    1.Fights Against Free Radicals: Kiwi contains Vitamin C which fights the free radicals and protects our body and skin from various diseases. Free radicals increase the risk of cancer and it also causes aging signs. Vitamin C neutralizes these free radicals and renders them useless.

    2.Collagen Production: Vitamin C results in more collage formation. This makes the skin more elastic. Elasticity keeps the skin tight and intact. Thus kiwifruit prevents sagging of the skin.

    3.Pre-Biotic Properties: Kiwi acts as a pre-biotic agent that nourishes the body and promotes easy digestion.

    4.Weight Management: Kiwi contains lots of dietary fiber that promotes fullness. Kiwi is also a low-calorie fruit and hence it is best for people who are on a weight-loss regiment.

    5.Prevents Asthma: Kiwi fruit can reduce the chances of getting asthma.

   6.Pre-Natal Nutrition: Kiwifruit is good for pregnant women. The fruit contains certain ingredients that help in transferring the nutrients and vitamins from the mother to the child. This makes the baby healthy and well-nourished.

   7.Regulates Diabetes: Kiwifruit has a low glycemic index. Hence, it is beneficial for diabetic people. Kiwi supplements are also recommended in this case.

    8.Reduces Eye Disorders: Kiwifruit is helpful in reducing the instances of eye disorders caused due to muscular degeneration.

    9.Anti-Oxidants: Kiwifruit contains lots of anti-oxidants that help our body in cell re-building.

    10.Fiber Boost: Kiwifruit contains lots of dietary fiber. This helps in cleansing our system by promoting digestion.

Supplements

If you cannot find kiwi fruits you can opt for kiwi supplements. Kiwi fruit supplements are available in capsule form. When kiwi fruits are heated and processed some of their nutrients are lost. However, the supplements contain 80% of the actual ingredients and hence they are effective.

Facts About Kiwi

Kiwifruits are harvested during the months of August to November. Kiwi is not a big fruit. It weighs around 4 ounces. Its fleshy part is creamy and has an invigorating flavor.

When you are buying kiwifruits check whether they are ripe enough. The outer part should be rough but it should yield to some gentle pressure. Avoid the fruits that have stains or cuts on them.

If you are purchasing raw kiwi fruits, you can store them along with bananas in order to ripen them quickly. 

Kiwifruits would remain fresh in room temperature for around 4 to 5 days. However, if they are fully ripe then they won’t last so long. Ripe fruits should be kept in the refrigerator.  If you want the fruits to last for 5 to 6 months then wrap them in plastic bags that are perforated for ventilation. You can also get frozen kiwi, if you store it using ascorbic acid and sugar syrup. For making frozen kiwi, you should peel off its skin and store them in freezer.  Frozen kiwi would remain fresh for 7 to 8 months.

You should eat the kiwifruit after washing and peeling it nicely. However, the skin is considered to be an edible part that contains lots of fiber and nutrients. The inner fleshy part is quite smooth and it can be scooped out with a spoon. Alternatively, you can slice the fruit into pieces before serving. Once you peel the fruit, it should be taken without much delay. If you leave the fruit for too long it would become quite soft and watery. For this reason, if you are adding kiwi to salads, then add it just before serving.

Uses of Kiwi:

Kiwi fruit doesn’t look attractive and it has a rough and hairy exterior. However, inside the fruit lies its emerald green pulp that tastes somewhat like pineapples or strawberries. The fruit is quite delicious. Listed below are few ideas on different ways to serve this amazing fruit.

   1.Kiwi fruit looks quite appealing with its emerald green flesh and small black seeds. Hence, it would look quite decorative when used alongside salads.

   2.You can add kiwi fruit while preparing cereals, oatmeal, couscous and brown rice.

   3. To add a bit of sweetness you can mix some pieces of kiwi to special cuisines of chicken or turkey. Kiwi can also be used as an additive for savory dishes.

   4.Kiwi is often used in preparations like cheesecake, cake, jam, muffins, juice, jellies and syrup.

   5.You can add well-cut pieces of kiwi to items like yoghurt, ice cream and custard.

   6.Kiwi can be used with cantaloupe in order to prepare chilled soup.

   7.Acitinidin is a compound found in kiwi which has the ability to tenderize certain meat products. For instance, you can marinate chicken pieces in kiwifruit juice for around 20 minutes in order to soften them.

   8.Kiwifruit is used in New Zealand for making a delicious dessert known as Pavloa.

   9.You can use kiwi fruit for making smoothie along with strawberries and yoghurt.

   10.Add some sliced kiwifruit alongside grilled chicken, mixed greens, vinegar, olive oil and fat free feta to prepare a delicious salad.

   11.Kiwifruit can be used as an additive to salsa sauce and chutneys that are often used as side-dishes to fried fish.

Are you concerned about your dry and saggy skin? Are you looking for a permanent remedy for your hair fall? If you are here to find a healthy solution for all your health and cosmetic problems, start with a fresh serving of kiwifruit. Kiwi is a rich source vitamin C and a wide range of rare nutrients that can make your skin healthy and bright. Kiwifruit also has countless health benefits including its role in strengthening hair and preventing hair fall.

Source: www.myhealthtips.in

30 ways to save your heart

There aren't too many ways to survive a bullet hurtling toward your heart. You could be wearing a Kevlar vest (unlikely), possess bona fide Matrix moves (even more unlikely), or watch in stunned silence as the hand of God reaches down and miraculously plucks the projectile out of the air (not gonna happen unless you're in a Monty Python movie).

But there's an upside to this depressing scenario. Actually, make that two. First, the lethal round you need to worry about moves quite slowly: It's called heart disease. Second, you can count on at least 30 ways to survive it.

We've collected a whole slew of simple, effective strategies for safeguarding your heart health. You don't have to adopt all of these lifesavers, but give each one a try to see if you can stick with it for the long haul. Who knows? You just might dodge a bullet.

Love Her Two Times

Men who have sex once a month or less have a risk of developing heart disease that's 45 percent greater than that of guys who do it two or three times a week, a study in the American Journal of Cardiology reveals. Sex may protect your cardiovascular system like a clothed workout does, the researchers say.

Cross these 7 lustful experiences off the list to Improve Your Sex Life in 2014!

Work In Some Walnuts

They're the alpha nuts in terms of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fat that fights inflammation, says Dr. Larry Santora, medical director of the Dick Butkus Heart and Vascular Screening Center in Orange, California. Yale researchers report that eating about a half cup of walnut halves a day can improve blood vessel function.

Keep the Beat

Tomorrow morning, before you fumble to find your slippers, find your pulse. Then log your beats per minute (bpm), says cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Pierre Theodore, vice chairman of the medical advisory board at Grand Rounds. Healthy guys should be at or below 70 bpm. If your rate rises higher for a week or more, call your doctor.

Heart disease is America's No. 1 killer. But know what's fact and fiction with these 5 Heart-Health Myths to Stop Believing.

Avoid Dirty Air

Inhaling ultrafine pollution particles can thicken the wall of your carotid artery, predisposing you to heart attacks, say University of Washington researchers. Particle levels peak in the early morning in winter, a study in Atmospheric Environment reports, so save outdoor runs or rides for the afternoon.

Be a Bean Counter

Pass on the potatoes and spoon out the legumes. People who ate 1 cup of fiber-rich lentils, beans, or chickpeas a day reduced their systolic blood pressure by 4 mm Hg after three months, according to a study in Archives of Internal Medicine. Add black beans to salads, cook lentils into a curry, or scoop an extra serving of pinto beans into chili.

Even if you have the will to eat more fiber, you almost certainly don't have the way. Use this plan for smuggling more roughage into your life.

Come to Grips with BP

As little as four weeks of handgrip training can lower your blood pressure by about 10 percent, a meta-analysis in the Journal of Hypertension reports. The researchers say the exercise creates "shear stress," which improves blood vessel function. Try four two-minute contractions with each hand. Rest for about a minute in between.

Start Scrambling. . .

. . .and stop thinking that eating eggs raises your LDL (bad) cholesterol. In fact, Brazilian research suggests a link between egg consumption and clearer coronary arteries. One guess is that the yolk's payload of vitamins E, B12, and folate may be the key. Just stop at four eggs a day to limit the calories.

Research finds that weight-training improves the quality of your "good" HDL, lowering heart attack risk. Find out how to improve your cholesterol today.

Run the Numbers

Choose an exercise to do weekly—say, a 2-mile run—and just afterward, log your time and your heart rate. Call your doc if you notice major changes—for instance, a heart rate of 185 bpm after a workout that typically takes you to 165 in the same time. That can signal an issue, like clogged arteries or a weakened heart, Theodore says.

Be a Breath Man

Stop and take a long, slow breath. Better yet, take six breaths in 30 seconds. Doing this can lower your systolic blood pressure by as much as 4 mm Hg within minutes, a study in Hypertension Research found. Some research suggests that if you practice this deep breathing consistently, the pressure-lowering effects can last over time.

Give your airways a break by avoiding these 5 Health Threats to Your Lungs.

Sweat Out Burnout

Don't let your job be the death of you: Work-related exhaustion increases your heart disease risk, a study in Psychosomatic Medicine shows. So hit reset: In a Swiss study, men suffering from burnout slashed their symptoms by up to 57 percent by doing cardio exercise just two or three days a week.

Say F.U. to the Flu

On top of its virus-fighting powers, the flu vaccine nearly halves your risk of heart attack, suggests a study in the journal Heart. That may be because influenza triggers an autoimmune response that battles the virus but also produces inflammation that can clog arteries. Visit flushot.healthmap.org to find vaccination sites in your area.

Hit the Sack. . .

Compared with solid sleepers, insomniacs face a 45 percent increased risk of heart attack, according to a study from Norway. Just 30 minutes of exercise three times a week can boost your sleep. But be patient—the benefits can take months to kick in, say Northwestern University researchers.

. . .but Don't Sleep In

There is such a thing as too much sleep: People who log 10 or more hours a night have an elevated risk of heart disease, according to a study in the journal Sleep. One explanation: Snoozing too much may be linked to weight gain and poor mental health. If you can't keep your z's in the healthy range (seven to nine hours), see your doc.

Go on a Trans Fat Fast

Columbia University scientists say you can significantly reduce your LDL-particle number (a marker of cardio risk) by cutting your trans fat intake by just 1 percent for a year. These fats are being phased out of many products, but they're not gone. For example, they're in butter-flavored Pop Secret popcorn and Land O'Lakes margarine.

Pig Out on Potassium

A CDC study found that consuming an extra 1,000 milligrams of potassium every day can reduce systolic BP. Bananas pack about 420 milligrams, and you can also find the mineral in sweet potatoes (540 milligrams per baked medium spud) and cooked yellowfin tuna (450 milligrams in a 3-ounce serving).

Charge Solar Cells

Scientists in Scotland found that 20 minutes of UV exposure can increase your body's production of nitric oxide, which lowers blood pressure. You can soak up some sun for 10 minutes twice a week, but check with your dermatologist first if you're fair-skinned or have had skin cancer, says Dr. Joshua Fox, of Advanced Dermatology P.C.

Try the Silent Treatment

For each 10 decibels of traffic noise near your home, your heart attack risk rises 12 percent, say scientists in Denmark. At night, use earplugs, such as the Howard Leight Quiet Multiple-Use Earplugs ($5 for 10, howardleightconsumer.com).

Collar Cardiac Trouble

Dog owners tend to have lower blood pressure than Fido-free folks, according to a study in Circulation. Not ready to commit? Walk a friend's pooch a few times a week, says Dr. Richard Krasuski, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist.

Join the Breakfast Club

In a recent Harvard study, men who typically skipped breakfast had a 27 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease, possibly because of greater fluctuations in their blood sugar and higher levels of blood triglycerides.

Kick the Can

Energy drinks may be enemy drinks. Research from the University of the Pacific showed that these caffeine-charged beverages can spike BP even in healthy guys. Stick with coffee.

Pour Some Milk

French research found that people who consumed the most low-fat dairy were least likely to have high LDL. The calcium in dairy may help boost fecal fat excretion from your body, which may help lower cholesterol, the scientists say.

Take Your Squats Lower

While any strength training raises your HDL (good) cholesterol, squats will supersize it, since they work your biggest muscles. But do full squats; they activate more small-muscle fibers than half or quarter squats, says Santora.

Rock the Karaoke Bar. . .

. . .and be the Ed Sheeran to her Taylor Swift. Researchers in Sweden found that people who sing together have better heart-rate variability, or the interval of time between beats. And the more variable your heart rate, the better your odds of surviving a heart attack.

Follow the Spice Route

Cinnamon may look like dirt, but it acts like a drug. Two teaspoons of it, consumed with food, can tamp down postmeal blood sugar surges, according to a study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

Shack Up

Scientists in Finland say a single guy has up to a 168 percent higher risk of dying of a heart attack than a married man who lives with his mate. Alone? Join a Meetup group; socializing can cut heart-harming stress, Theodore says.

Shun Salad Dressing

Every glug can add about 2 teaspoons of sugar to your salad, triggering spikes in blood sugar and LDL cholesterol, says Janet Bond Brill, author of Blood Pressure Down. Dress greens with olive oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.

Cook Up Some Kale

In a study from Harvard, men who averaged about 1 1/2 servings of leafy greens a day were 12 percent less likely to develop heart trouble than those who ate just one serving a week.

Grin at the Reaper

A sunny outlook may cut your coronary artery disease risk by up to half, say Johns Hopkins researchers, possibly because positivity helps fend off stress and inflammation. For more on this, see "The Price of Pessimism" in this issue.

Color Yourself Healthy

If it's orange, eat it. (Except Cheetos.) A Finnish study found that men with the lowest blood levels of beta-carotene were about three times as likely to develop congestive heart failure as those who had the highest levels.

Go. Nowhere Fast

Hop on a stationary bike. Warm up for five minutes, and then alternate 15 to 30 seconds of fast pedaling with equal amounts of slow recovery. Do this for 10 minutes, rest four minutes, and repeat. This routine can help improve your lipid ratio, a Canadian study found.

Source : foxnews.com

GM crops given green light by government

Genetically modified crops grown to contain health boosting omega-3 fish oil have been given the green light 

by Defra in British trials which could see nutritionally enhanced food coming to British tables

Genetically-modified food which boosts health could be on British dining tables by the end of the decade after the Government gave the green light for the first field trial of nutrient enriched crops.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today granted permission for Rothamsted Research to grow plants enhanced with the same omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, in a decision branded a 'milestone' by scientists.

The first seeds will be sown within weeks in secure fields in Hertfordshire and will be harvested in August.

The GM crop, where the plant's DNA has been combined with genes that produce fish oil, is among the first of a new generation of so-called ‘nutraceuticals’ – plants whose genetic structure has been altered to boost dietary supplements.

If successful the plant oil will be fed to fish, such as farmed salmon, to boost their uptake, but it could eventually be used in oils and spreads such as margarine.

Professor Johnathan Napier, lead scientist of this project at Rothamsted Research, said: “Omega-3 doesn’t occur in any other plant species but there is a real pressing need for it for health reasons.

“The way that fish currently acquire their omega-3, from algae, is not sustainable. So we are trying to find another source.

“Being able to carry out the field trial with our GM plants, means that we have reached a significant milestone in the delivery of our research programme.

“And just because we are talking about fish doesn’t mean there couldn’t be lots of other applications. This is something that could reduce our dependency on fish or supplements in the long term.”

Omega-3 fatty acids have been widely linked to health benefits, such as lowering the risk of heart disease, cancers and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Although omega-3 is often described as fish oil, it is in fact made by microscopic marine algae that are eaten or absorbed by fish.

Farmed fish grown in cages are unable to absorb sufficient omega-3 in their diets so they have to be fed on smaller fish which critics claim is unsustainable.

The Rothamsted Research scientists have copied and synthesised the genes from the algae and then spliced them into a plant called ‘Camelina sativa’, known as “false flax”, which is widely grown for its seed oil.

Although the main aim of the research is to produce GM crops that could be made into food for farmed fish, the seeds could eventually be used in other foods, such as margarine.

It is the first crop to be given permission since a wide-ranging report, commissioned by the government, gave the green light to GM in March.

Sir Mark Walport, the government’s Chief Scientific Advisor recommended that Britain should begin production after finding GM crops were not only safe, but more nutritious than current crops.

GM crops are already widely used in the US, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and India. Around 85 per cent of all corn crops in the US are now GM.

Sir Mark has warned that Britain risks falling behind if it does not begin GM production soon.

Professor Cathie Martin, the John Innes Centre, which has been producing enhanced tomatoes in green houses said: "Modern diets contain low levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

"Diets with high omega-3 are strongly associated with health and protection from a range of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases,

"Cultivation of crops that produce oils high in omega 3 offers a sustainable supply of these health beneficial products for the first time.”

Prof Jackie Hunter, Chief Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences research Council, which is helping fund the research said: "This research is seeking to provide an alternative source of omega-3 oil for the aquaculture industry that is seeking new ways to maintain and increase its sustainability.

“After many years of laboratory research this project has reached the point where only a field trial will show scientists if this could work in real world conditions.”

However anti GM critics claim that omega-3 fish oils have been implicated in raising the risk of prostate cancer, and it is not clear whether GM-derived fish oils will be safe for human or animal consumption.

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

UWI Mona’s Simone Badal McCreath receives prestigious Award for cancer research

Research Fellow at the Natural Products Institute at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, Dr Simone Badal McCreath is one of five women chemists worldwide to be honoured with the Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World, for research that looks to nature for ways to address cancer and other medical problems.

 Simone Badal McCreath’s work covers the screening of Jamaican natural and synthetic compounds for potential anti-cancer and cancer-preventive properties. The anti-cancer research conducted was done under the supervision of Dr. Rupika Delgoda.

 The prizes were awarded by The Elsevier Foundation, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS), with the aim of building scientific strength and advancing scientific knowledge in developing countries. The focus of the 2014 competition was chemistry.  A selection panel of eminent chemists independently selected each winner based on her achievements, finding that the best candidates all had impressive accomplishments in applying the chemistry of nature to pharmaceutical science. Each winner received US$5000 and an all-expenses paid attendance at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting in Chicago, where the award was presented.

 Badal-McCreath holds the Bachelor of Science (BSc), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees from The UWI, Mona and also undertook an MBA at the University of Wales in Cardiff, Wales. She received the Principal’s award for best research publication (2013-2014) from The UWI, Mona for a joint publication entitled “Antiproliferative activity and absolute configuration of zonaquinone acetate from the Jamaican alga Stypopodium zonlae.” (with Penicooke N,Walford K, Badal S, Delgoda R, Williams LA, Joseph-Nathan P, Gordillo-Román B, Gallimore W).

 She was also named the Young Scientist/Technologist awardee at the 23rd Science and Technology Conference and Expo, Jamaica in 2010, and the Inaugural Luther Speare Scholar from The UWI, Mona, also in 2010. She is an editorial board member of the American International Journal of Biology and an advisory board member and reviewer of Open Access Biochemistry, London. She has also reviewed several papers, including from European Journal for Medicinal Plants and Journal of Medicinal Plant Research.Dr. Badal McCreath has some eighteen (18) publications in peer reviewed journals, two (2) abstracts in refereed journals and seventeen (17) abstracts that were presented in poster format at scientific meetings. She currently holds a preliminary patent application for work done from her PhD.

 In accepting the award, Dr. Badal McCreath, said she was "overwhelmed and truly humbled to be receiving such a prestigious award. It will no doubt inspire my students, mentees and the community of Jamaican women."  She added:  "Such an award is also vital towards increasing awareness and consequently interest among the private sector and governmental communities and will encourage the development of an anti-cancer research facility of excellence in Jamaica and, by extension, in the Caribbean."

 "The winners of the 2014 Elsevier Foundation prizes are impressive not just for their research, but also for their potential," said TWAS Executive Director Romain Murenzi. "Certainly these awards could bring them exciting new opportunities for research. We also believe that, over time, these researchers also will fulfill their potential as teachers and mentors, as partners in international projects and as advisers to governments. Such leadership can make a long-lasting contribution to global science."

 "These five women, like all women undertaking scientific research in developing countries, will certainly have faced challenges on the road to this award," said Fang Xin, president of OWSD. "But their determination, commitment and enthusiasm have paid off. The award is recognition that they are excellent scientists and that their research has made an impact both regionally and internationally. They are an inspiration to all young women considering careers in science."

 Samira Omar Asem, Vice President for the OWSD Arab Region, emphasized that, "OWSD and TWAS see this award as vital for encouraging women in developing countries to be more involved in science and technology and to make a more significant contribution to social and economic developments."
 David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation, said, "Professional visibility is crucial to developing high-profile international scientific careers, especially for women. The Elsevier Foundation provides support to early-career women scholars through our New Scholars grant programs and mentoring, research retreats, professional visibility, childcare, work-life integration and recognition programs. The awards for these impressive women scientists represent a cooperative effort supported by Elsevier, OWSD, AAAS and TWAS to build research capacity and advance scientific knowledge throughout the developing world - and what better place than the annual AAAS conference to raise awareness among scientists, policymakers, journalists and the public about the need to retain and celebrate women scientists.

About TWAS

TWAS - The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries - works to advance innovation and sustainable prosperity in the developing world through scientific research, education, policy and diplomacy. Originally named the Third World Academy of Sciences, it was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. Today, the Academy's strength resides in the quality and diversity of its membership - more than 1,100 internationally renowned scientists from 90 countries elected by their peers. Based in Trieste, Italy, TWAS receives core funding from the Italian government and is administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

About OWSD

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is an international organization affiliated with TWAS. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 4,000 members. The central role is to promote women's access to science and technology, enhancing their greater involvement in decision-making processes for the development of their countries and in the international scientific community. Created in 1989, OWSD's overall goal is to work towards bridging the gender gap in science and technology. OWSD uses its forum to promote leadership, exchanges and networking for women scientists as well as for discussions to assist in the development of national capabilities to evolve, explore and improve strategies for increasing female participation in science.

About The Elsevier Foundation 

The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate charity funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge-centered institutions around the world, with a focus on developing world libraries, nurse faculty and scholars in the early stages of their careers.  Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 60 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities.

Source : myspot.mona.uwi.edu

St. George’s University Clinical Students Shine on 2014 Match Day

Match Day 2014 guaranteed that once again St. George’sUniversity School of Medicine doctors will have a long-term impact on health care in the United States. On March 21, SGU students and graduates took the next step in their medical careers through the 2014 National Residency Matching Program (NRMP), which assigned many of them to their top-choice residencies medicine, internal medicine/pediatrics, neurological surgery, neurology, obstetrics & gynecology, orthopaedic surgery, pathology, pediatrics, pediatrics/emergency medicine, pediatrics/psychiatry/child & adolescent psychology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, and surgery. Residencies were secured in 45 states as well as the District of Columbia. In addition, 17 students matched through the Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) in March.

“We congratulate our fourth-year students who have proven to have tremendous knowledge, skill, and dedication both here in Grenada and in a clinical setting,” said St. George’s University Chancellor Charles R. Modica. “Programs across the United States will be very pleased with the quality of doctors who enter into residency this summer.”

SGU students’ patient care responsibilities will begin on or around July 1 after a two-week orientation process. Among those set to report is Russell Davenport, who will join the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Virginia. He chose anesthesiology because it combines many of his interests, including critical care medicine, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and procedures.

“I'm really excited to have matched into such an incredible program,” Mr. Davenport said. “SGU prepared me for this residency by challenging me during the basic science years with high academic standards, and the University gave me exposure to an incredibly diverse patient base in New York City hospitals during the clinical years. As a result, I feel extremely confident in my knowledge base, and I feel equally prepared to navigate through both difficult and routine clinical scenarios as I advance into residency.”

Like many, Kimberly Lally landed her first-choice residency: a highly competitive pathology position at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Originally from Southern California, Ms. Lally began with SGU’s Keith B. Taylor Global Scholars Program, spending her first year in the UK at Northumbria University before continuing her medical education in Grenada.

“I immediately felt that Cedars-Sinai was the perfect fit for me in terms of training and work/life balance, and of all the hospitals I interviewed at in California, it was the only program where I had that ‘gut feeling,’” she said. “I was ecstatic when I found out I matched there. I was with my family and we were jumping up and down and hugging and celebrating. It was a beautiful moment knowing I was coming home for good.”

Since opening in 1977, St. George’s University has graduated more than 11,000 physicians who have gone on to practice in all 50 US states and more than 50 countries worldwide. According to published information, SGU has placed more doctors in first-year postgraduate positions than any medical school in the last three years.

Source: http://www.caribbeanmedicalschools.com/blog/st-georges-university-clinical-students-shine-on-2014-match-day/

DON'T EAT FRUIT AFTER MEALS!

FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

It will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOSTIMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

Eat fruit on an empty stomach or before meals! People complain, "Every time I eat watermelon I burp; when I eat apples, my stomach bloats up; when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc ” This will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. Fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas, hence you will bloat!

Gray hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under eyes will NOT happen by taking fruit on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. Master the correct way of eating fruits, and you will have beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

Drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

Eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: A good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY:  have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessening the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. A key source of lycopene the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA:  for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; good for your eyes.

Drinking Cold water after meals = Cancer!

It will solidify the oily stuff you have just consumed and slow down digestion... Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. This will turn into fats and lead to cancer. Better to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': Not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of pain in the jaw line. You may never have chest pain during a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are common symptoms. Sixty percent who have an attack while asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can awaken you.

Source: amazingfacts4you.weebly.com