Author: trainitright

ALS Society of Canada Dedicates Last of the Matched Ice Bucket Challenge Research Funding to Early-Career Researchers in Pursuit of a Future Without ALS

 

2018 funding competition with Brain Canada results in $720,000 for six trainee awards –
more trainee awards in a single year than ever before

TORONTO, Dec. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - The ALS Society of Canada (ALS Canada), together with Brain Canada, today announced $720,000 in funding for six new trainee awards, thus completing the last of the $20 million research partnership with the Brain Canada Foundation (with financial support from the Government of Canada) following the Ice Bucket Challenge. ALS Canada is also pleased to partner with La Fondation Vincent Bourque who will be providing financial support for one of these awards. Each grant has been awarded with the aim of sustaining high-quality Canadian ALS research by providing salary support for the next generation of ALS researchers currently pursuing PhDs or postdoctoral research positions.

At a given time, approximately 3,000 Canadians are living with ALS, a terminal disease that gradually paralyzes people because the brain is no longer able to communicate with the muscles of the body that we are typically able to move at will. As the connection with the brain and muscles breaks down, someone living with ALS will lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, swallow, and eventually breathe. Each year approximately 1,000 Canadians die from ALS. With no cure and few treatment options available that have a significant impact on the progression of the disease, 80 per cent of people with ALS die within two to five years of diagnosis.

"This was a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with Brain Canada and La Fondation Vincent Bourque to support more trainees in a given year than ever before," said Dr. David Taylor, VP Research, ALS Society of Canada. "For more than a decade the ALS Society of Canada has funded exceptional students and postdoctoral candidates with the goals of advancing key Canadian ALS research and creating the next generation of dedicated ALS researchers in the country. It's a program that has impact today and for many years to come."

"Since 2015, Brain Canada's much-valued partnership with the ALS Canada Research Program has resulted in a $20-million investment in ALS research. The funded projects will lead to new discoveries in the development of effective treatments for this devastating disease, and enable the next generation of ALS researchers to start or continue research in promising areas of investigation," said Inez Jabalpurwala, President and CEO, Brain Canada Foundation. "In addition, the discoveries that will result from this partnership have the potential to inform how we approach other neurodegenerative diseases with similar underlying mechanisms, such as MS, and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases."

"An ALS diagnosis has significant impact on all areas of life – physical, emotional and financial – but the progress of research in recent years has brought hope to those living with ALS that life-changing treatments could be possible," shared Vincent Bourque, the founder of La Fondation Vincent Bourque, shortly before his passing in November 2018. Mr. Bourque was diagnosed with ALS in 2015 at the age of 40. "Future advancements in research are only limited by the amount of funding available, which is why we are proud to be helping to build the capacity for future ALS research discovery by supporting an early-career researcher."

This year's six trainee award recipients seek to answer the following questions about how ALS occurs and how it could be treated:

  • Can advanced imaging techniques effectively pinpoint validated biomarkers in ALS and track disease progression? $75,000 has been awarded to Abdullah Ishaque, a MD/PhD student from Dr. Sanjay Kalra's lab at the University of Alberta. Abdullah's research involves analysing images obtained from the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC), a project that was funded through the single largest grant given by ALS Canada and the Brain Canada Foundation following the Ice Bucket Challenge.
  • Can restoring motor neuron inhibition prevent or stop ALS progression? In partnership with La Fondation Vincent Bourque, $165,000 has been awarded to Dr. Sahara Khademullah, a postdoctoral fellow from Dr. Yves De Koninck's lab at Université Laval. This research builds on two projects previously funded by ALS Canada that explore whether targeting the activity of upper motor neurons in the brain could be a new and unexplored way to treat ALS.
  • Is a loss of C9orf72, responsible for the most common protein abnormality in ALS? $75,000 has been awarded to Lilian Lin, a PhD student in Dr. Janice Robertson's lab at the University of Toronto.
  • Does a specific type of viral infection play a role in triggering ALS and its progression? $75,000 has been awarded to Yasir Mohamud, a PhD student in Dr. Honglin Luo's lab at the University of British Columbia.
  • Can using worm and stem cell models of ALS to screen for new ALS drugs identify something that slows disease progression? $165,000 has been awarded to Dr. Prateep Pakavathkumar, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Alex Parker's lab at Université de Montréal.
  • Can antibodies detect a key misfolded protein associated with ALS in cerebral spinal fluid? $165,000 has been awarded to Dr. Yulong Sun, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Avi Chakrabartty's lab at the University of Toronto.

The granting of these trainee awards follows a competitive peer review process, which engaged a panel of Canadian ALS experts in evaluating applications to identify the most exceptional young researchers whose projects have great potential to advance the field of ALS research. All aspects of the peer review process were executed in full partnership with Brain Canada, whose funds are provided through the Canada Brain Research Fund (with financial support from Health Canada).

With Brain Canada's commitment of matched funds now complete, the ALS Canada Research Program will now return to its historic funding levels with $1.5 million to $2 million in research grants awarded each year.

About the ALS Canada Research Program and Canada's ALS Societies
The ALS Canada Research Program funds peer-reviewed research grants and fosters collaboration amongst Canadian researchers, helping to nurture new ideas and build capacity. ALS Societies across Canada fundraise on a regional basis to provide services and support to people and families living with ALS in their province and contribute to the funding of the ALS Canada Research Program. ALS Societies advocate federally, provincially and locally on behalf of people and families living with ALS for better government support and access within the healthcare system.

About Brain Canada and the Canada Brain Research Fund
Brain Canada is a national registered charity that enables and supports excellent, innovative, paradigm-changing brain research in Canada. Since 1998, Brain Canada has made the case for the brain as a single, complex system with commonalities across the range of neurological disorders, mental illnesses and addictions, brain and spinal cord injuries. Looking at the brain as one system has underscored the need for increased collaboration across disciplines and institutions, and a smarter way to invest in brain research that is focused on outcomes that will benefit patients and families. Brain Canada's vision is to understand the brain, in health and illness, to improve lives and achieve societal impact.

The Canada Brain Research Fund is a public-private partnership between the Government of Canada and Brain Canada, designed to encourage Canadians to increase their support of brain research, and maximize the impact and efficiency of those investments. Brain Canada has committed $115 million from private donors and non-federal partners—now numbering more than 100—which Health Canada has matched with $120 million. For more information, visit www.braincanada.ca or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

SOURCE ALS Canada

Five Everyday Alternatives to Statins

Five Alternatives to Lower Statins.jpg

 

For the last 30 years, statins have been prescribed to people battling high cholesterol. While these drugs have been proven to lower cholesterol, the side effects have been debilitating to many.

Still, like with every other drug, potential side effects can cause problems just as significant as the ones that statins are treating. If your body isn’t compatible with statins, you might start to feel muscle pains, headaches, or fatigue. Additionally, in some cases, more severe liver and muscle damage are possible. Nobody wants to experience something like this, especially not from a medicine that is supposed to be helpful.

Luckily, there are other ways to cope with cholesterol problems which would allow you to reduce and even eliminate statins over time. We provide you with five suggestions.

 

Consult Your Doctor for Another Drug

Statins are not the only medication that can lower your cholesterol. Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitors are often prescribed, and they give good results if you combine them with a healthy diet. Sequestrants block cholesterol absorption into your bloodstream, while Niacin lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides at the same time increasing the level of good cholesterol. All these names can be confusing, but your doctor will know the one best for you.

 

Be More Active

Physical activity lowers bad cholesterol, raises good cholesterol, and strengthens your heart. So, don’t be lazy. If you are out of shape, start slowly. A 30-minute route of walking every day is more than enough for the beginning. Gradually work up to jogging and running. Swimming is a cool activity too! Why not go to the swimming pool once or twice a week? The goal is to be consistent and to lose excess fat. In no time you’ll build a routine, and you’ll start feeling fresh and energetic.

 

Quit Smoking

Every passionate smoker has some version of a story about an old man from Cuba who’s been smoking since he was 5 and now he is 110 years old, and he feels great. Let’s face it. These are old wives’ tales. Cigarette smoke raises both the levels of bad cholesterol and a blood fat called triglycerides. By ditching this ugly habit you’ll help yourself in many different ways, and lowering cholesterol in your blood is only one of them.

 

Use a Supplements Clinically Proven to Lower Cholesterol

A new product that has shown to be very helpful in lowering bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol is Cholesterade. Created by Dr. J. Robert Cade, the inventor of Gatorade, this product is a completely natural supplement that reduces total cholesterol by 17.9 % within eight weeks, even without diet adjustments.

 

Change Your Diet

Besides increasing your activity and quitting cigarettes, other habits can be adjusted to help fight high cholesterol. Replacing red meat with fish is a great idea. Yes, it does seem difficult to imagine a life without steaks and burgers, but you don’t have to stop eating them entirely. Replace them with fish a few times a month, and that helps. Also try to eat more nuts, oats, barley, apples, and berries.

The effectiveness of statins is documented, however, there are situations when they do not mesh well with your body. In those cases, there are other strategies to fight high cholesterol. Exercise and diet changes can be helpful. Some bad habits also should be eliminated.

Furthermore, some supplements can help as well. No matter what, don’t forget to talk with your doctor before you make any decision.

Eli Lilly’s $2bn deal highlights the increased focus on anti-tau therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, says GlobalData

Following the news (12th December 2018) that AC Immune and Eli Lilly have signed a collaboration agreement to research and develop tau aggregation inhibitors for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other neurodegenerative diseases,

Alessio Brunello, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:  

“The amyloid hypothesis has been the central theory for the pathogenesis of AD, but all Aβ-targeting drugs treating AD have ended in failure, as AD drug development is considered to have one of the highest failure rates of all indications. Eli Lilly suffered many clinical failures on its candidates in the past.

“The anti-amyloid therapies have had limited success and the industry is shifting to other methods of treatment such as anti-tau therapies. This trend is confirmed also by the recent collaboration between Eisai and University College London (UCL) in the development of the first investigational drug candidate from their drug discovery, known as E2814, an anti-tau monoclonal antibody that is designed to slow the progression of AD and other tauopathies.

“Key opinion leaders (KOLs) interviewed for GlobalData’s report: ‘Alzheimer’s Disease: Dynamic market Forecast to 2026’ were enthusiastic about the anti-tau monoclonal antibodies, as they are seen as a new potential therapeutic intervention, even though it will take several years before we know if tau immunotherapies are efficacious in slowing the progression of tauopathies.

“There are currently eight clinical trials ongoing on tau immunotherapies, four in Phase II and four in Phase I, and several more in late-stage preclinical development. These trials aim to prove that tau clearance will apply in human tauopathies.

“No new drug for AD has been approved in the past 16 years, despite more than 400 clinical trials and billions of dollars being spent in an attempt to tackle the disease. Pharma companies and researchers understand the necessity and importance to look beyond amyloid approaches to treat the most significant unmet needs in AD.”

FUNCTIONAL FITNESS REMAINS CANADA’S #1 FITNESS TREND EXPECTED FOR 2019 AS ACTIVE RECOVERY CLIMBS TO #2

TORONTO, ON – December 12, 2018 – Canadians crave practical workouts, according to an annual survey of fitness professionals, conducted by Canada’s fitness education leader, canfitpro. Functional Fitness reigns as the #1 Fitness Trend for the second year in a row recognizing that people not only want to look better but need to be able to perform their everyday tasks with ease. Being stronger in movements that are relevant to our everyday lives, such as carrying groceries, taking the stairs, or shoveling snow, allows us to fully enjoy all aspects of our lives.

Active Recovery made its debut on the chart in 2018 at the fourth position, but this year, it climbs to the #2 spot. With high intensity workouts (HIIT), express options increasing, alongside overall everyday stress and overall wellness being more at the forefront of media, Active Recovery is one of the ways we take care of ourselves and our health. Active Recovery has been part of canfitpro programming since day one as it is essential to overall health.

HIIT drops to the #3 spot, the lowest position since the survey’s inception with the 2015 fitness trends. Although still wildly popular, as the format is an effective way to move and sweat in a shorter time, HIIT continues to see growth in gym chains, studios and boutiques; however, this style may need a refresh in order to continue its dominant reign.

Other survey results reveal:

* Recognizing the huge impact that what we eat has an impact on our overall health, nutrition and healthy eating programs climbs from #8 last year to #4.
* Older Adult Training drops from #3 to #5, however being able to stay independent and lead a healthy life may also be reflected in the gains of Functional Fitness & Active Recovery.
* Body Weight Training is gaining in popularity because of television and social media and the accessibility/increasing advancement in gymnastic movements, calisthenics, parkour, outdoor gyms etc.

New in this year’s survey, fitness professionals were asked, outside of physical activity, what are the health and wellness recommendations you make in 2019?
Mindfulness debuts as the top trend in that category, along with Diets, Meal Planning / Meal Prep, Self-Love & Meditation round up the top five. This is consistent with Fitness Trends: the more you work out, the more recovery you need physically and mentally.

Canada’s authority in fitness education for 25 years, canfitpro reached its nearly 24,000 members, including fitness professionals (personal trainers, fitness instructors), health club operators and industry suppliers from across Canada to gather the annual survey results.

Media Notes: National and local experts for available for interviews by request.

The top 10 Canadian fitness trends for 2019 are:

1) Functional Fitness (#1 in 2018, #2 in 2017; #1 in 2016)
Functional fitness stays put in the top spot. Using multiple muscle groups to strengthen in a holistic way (versus one specific muscle group at a time), functional fitness programs include practical, balance-challenging movements that simulate activities like shoveling snow, carrying groceries, or unloading the car. This focus helps prepare for the physical activities of daily life and counters the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

2) Active Recovery (#4 in 2018)

Recognizing that the ability to work out is limited by the ability to move, active recovery exercises focus on movement and self-care with foam rollers, balls and low-intensity workouts to name a few. If we can take care of ourselves and move as freely as possible, our everyday lives are better, and training is enhanced.

3) High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) (#2 in 2018, #1 in 2017)

HIIT is a training methodology involving intense periods of exercise followed by durations of rest. This high-intensity approach is increasingly popular because it provides a good workout in a shorter time than steady-state cardio and because it works for all fitness levels. As Canadians work longer hours and try to maintain balance amidst a busy schedule, HIIT addresses that time crunch, burning fat and improving cardiovascular benefits quickly and effectively.

4) Nutrition and Healthy Eating Programs (#8 in 2018, #5 in 2017)

Combining exercise with healthy eating is the best approach to see the results of your efforts sooner — whether it’s weight loss or advancing your overall fitness level. More Canadian fitness professionals are taking additional training to improve their nutrition expertise, including canfitpro’s Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Coach certification.

5) Older Adult Training (#3, in 2018, #6 in 2017)

This signals the growing demand from Baby Boomers looking to adopt healthier habits to maintain their health and quality of life into their 60s and beyond. Fitness professionals are taking specialized courses and certifications to learn how to train older adults safely and effectively. canfitpro’s Active Aging Certificate is an example of the type of education required to serve this market, while organizations like the International Council on Active Aging are working to build awareness and skills to support active older adults.

6) Express Workouts (#5 in 2018, #4 in 2017)

Express workouts encourage participants to perform multiple exercises at a fast pace to generate maximum results. This is an effective approach for people on a tight schedule – perfect for lunch time or after work. Providing the ultimate convenience, an express workout typically lasts 20 minutes or less.

7) Body Weight Training (#9 in 2018, #9 in 2017)

Using your own body weight to create resistance is a growing workout trend among Canadian fitness professionals and consumers. This form of exercise builds strength and muscle and burns fat without the need for equipment, making it easy to get started and less intimidating for beginners. Enabling people to use their own body weight while doing movements like lunges, push-ups and pull-ups makes training anywhere possible.

8) Circuit Training and Boot Camps (#7 in 2018, #6 in 2017)

Circuit training involves a series of exercises performed in rotation with minimal rest. The goal is to build strength while burning maximum calories. A fitness boot camp mixes traditional callisthenic and body weight exercises with interval training and strength training. Both types of workouts are designed to push participants harder than they would normally push themselves. Both are low-cost, efficient and challenging, combining strength and aerobic conditioning to generate positive results.

9) Branded Fitness Experiences (#6 in 2018)

Branded Fitness Programs are pre-choreographed programs offered by a company. Examples include Les Mills International programs offered within GoodLife, Orangetheory classes, and a variety of others including the latest technology workouts with Peloton or Echelon for example. When attending these programs people know what to expect and can choose a workout that they enjoy no matter where they are located. The brand awareness, efficacy, and convenience of these workouts are very attractive features to their devoted fans.

10) Fusion-style Group Fitness (#10 in 2018, #7 in 2016)

New types of group fitness classes and workouts that combine disciplines — like yoga and cycling or Pilates and boxing — are springing up across Canada. Mixing totally different types of exercise to create a new workout provides variety and something new. Changing up what we do helps develop more strength, agility, balance and coordination than a single exercise discipline.

Top 10 Health & Wellness Trends for 2019

1) Mindfulness
2) Diets (ie Clean Eating, Keto, Intermittent Fasting, Paleo)
3) Meal Planning / Meal Prep
4) Self-Love
5) Meditation
6) Increase Social Time (spending time with family, friends, pets)
7) Life & Wellness Coach
8) Education through documentaries, apps, etc.
9) Holistic Nutrition / Holistic Medicine
10) Using apps to track nutrition

Feeling Unmotivated? Remove This Word from Your Vocabulary in 2019
By Carol Tuttle

I want you to pause for a moment and think of that thing you needed or wanted to do this year—but it’s December and you still haven't gotten around to yet, and you keep putting off.

The idea or project is just sitting there, and the unfinishedness of it is weighing on you. But when it actually comes down to doing it, you seem to have lost all motivation.

So how do you recover motivation to do something you think you should do?

You can start by giving up this one word in 2019—and replacing it with something much more powerful!

Say goodbye to the S-word

Should.

That one word can zap your motivation to do something faster than anything.

I've found that whenever I used the word "should" I would procrastinate and avoid the activity or project I thought I "should' do. That's because the word "should" in the dictionary indicates a meaning of obligation or duty.

Notice how often you might say something similar to these:

  • I should go work out.
  • I should eat healthy.
  • I should lose 10 pounds.
  • I should get out of debt.
  • I should clean that closet.
  • I should learn how to ____.

Why "Should" can sabotage your success

Whatever it is for you, it might even be a necessary or good idea (organize a closet, clean out the car, take a class, plant a garden). But if you're trying to force it, you either just won't make the time or have the energy, or you'll probably keep putting it off because you don't enjoy it. Or it might be a good thing to do, but maybe not for you to do. Or maybe not at this time.

Get clear on what you want first

Now, for every "should" statement you say, ask yourself, "Is this what I want?" Or do you think you should do it because someone told you to or you feel under some obligation to do it? Sometimes our choices are influenced more about what others want than we want.

Although they might all be great choices, until we personally own them for ourselves we will not be motivated to follow through.

So, the first step to healthy motivation in the new year is to examine your "shoulds" and get clear on what it is YOU want.

You can also clarify what it is you want so it matches the outcome you want to create (i.e. I want to clean the closet so I can always find what I need.)

Once we claim a choice for ourselves, we then can declare them with "I am" statements.

Then replace "I should" with "I am"

  • I am working out
  • I am eating healthy.
  • I am losing 10 pounds.
  • I am debt free.
  • I am cleaning that closet.
  • I am learning how to ____.

Take your choice even higher with gratitude

An even higher vibration of belief is to act as if you have already accomplished it and imagine your success with these statements of gratitude:

  • I am grateful I choose to workout.
  • I am grateful I eat healthy.
  • I am grateful I lost 10 pounds.
  • I am grateful I am debt free .
  • I am grateful I cleaned the closet.
  • I grateful I have learned  how to ____.

This simple but powerful shift can make a world of difference!

Remember, when you declare your intentions you uplift your energy so it can support you with the motivation to do it when it is right and timely for you.

Carol Tuttle is a teacher, speaker, gifted healer, best-selling author of six books, and pioneer in the field of personal development. For over 25 years, she has supported millions worldwide with her life-changing books and online courses. Her newest book, Mastering Affluence, guides you through six transformative lessons to create a life you love. Get your copy and learn more at https://ct.liveyourtruth.com/.

Lower-priced spacer chambers could compromise young asthma patients' treatment

 

Presented at the British Thoracic Society December 2018.

LONDON, ON, Dec. 12, 2018 /CNW/ - When spacer chambers were introduced in the 1980s, they were a game changer in asthma treatment, overcoming the challenges faced by users with poor inhaler technique. Over the years, their popularity has proliferated, with a wide range of lower-priced chambers available worldwide. Although they may appear interchangeable, they can differ significantly in terms of drug delivery.

This was borne out in a recent in vitro study presented at the British Thoracic Society Annual Winter Meeting.1 Researchers evaluated the gold standard AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* chamber with a lower-cost chamber, the Free-Breath device, simulating use in both infants and children. Both chambers have a mask and are suitable for children from 1 to 5 years old. When comparing the potential drug delivery into children's lungs (using a Ventolin MDI), the Free-Breath device delivered only 55 percent of the drug as compared to the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu * chamber. Most significantly, results showed that the Free-Breath infant device—which is intended for use by children under the age of 18 months—delivered no drug at all.

"This study was a real eye-opener for me," said Dr. Will Carroll, a Respiratory Paediatrician from Stoke-on-Trent. "I had assumed that if a device was available for prescription, that studies of effectiveness would have been undertaken."

Global asthma guidelines recommend using a spacer chamber that has documented efficacy in young people.2

Using a spacer chamber is critical for young people to overcome obstacles to the drug making its way to the lungs.

The aerosol contents of an HFA inhaler are under pressure and released quickly, making it difficult to coordinate the inhalation of particles.  As a result, much of the delivered drug is often deposited to the back of the throat and is then swallowed, increasing the risk of side effects. Spacer chambers are designed to hold the small drug particles in the chamber until the patient is ready to inhale, thus reducing the need for good coordination between inhalation and inhaler actuation.2,3 For infants and young children, coordinating inhalation with actuation of the puffer is just too difficult; using a spacer chamber allows a child to breath normally while inhaling the medication through the puffer.

Spacer chamber design can make a difference to delivery.
For example, leakages between the facemask and the face can affect inhalation. The AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu* chamber has a unique feedback feature that helps provide visual assurance of a good facemask seal. The Flow-Vu* inhalation indicator moves with inhalation and allows caregivers to count the number of breaths taken.

Bottom line? Focusing only on a lower price could result in the selection of a spacer chamber that can compromise efficacy.

"A study like this could have important safety implications," Dr. Carroll stressed. "The key message for doctors and allied health professionals prescribing spacer devices is 'prescriber beware.'"

About the AeroChamber Plus* Flow-Vu*  chamber
The AeroChamber* brand is a trusted brand with global recognition in the field of respiratory devices, with safety and efficacy validated in numerous third party clinical evaluations amongst various patient populations. It is the chamber most recommended by leading MDI pharmaceutical companies.4 https://www.trudellmed.com

* trade-marks and registered trade-marks of Trudell Medical International © TMI 2018. All rights reserved.

REFERENCES
1. Bracey A, Suggett J, Nagel M. Assessing different valved holding chambers with facemask for delivered mass to carina with inhaled corticosteroid by pressurized metered-dose inhaler. Presented at The British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting, December 5-7, 2018.
2. Global initiative for asthma (GINA) guidelines 2018. Global strategy for asthma management and prevention.
3. Lavorini F, Fontana GA. Targeting drugs to the airways: the role of spacer devices. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2009;6(1):91-102.
4. AeroChamber brand of holding chambers. Study Summary (September 2018). Available from: https://www.trudellmed.com/aerochamber-study-summary

 

SOURCE Trudell Medical International

Is America’s History of Scientific Racism The Cause Of Today’s Racial Tensions?
Documentary Exploring Scientists’ Long-Ago Theories On Race Inequality - And The Connection With Darwinism - May Shed Light On Prejudices.
Topic Summary
Immigration, white supremacists, racial profiling and the alt-right movement have made race a hot-button topic in recent times. Many Americans are taking a deeper look at race relations and whether we’ve progressed or regressed as a nation.
A recent NBC News poll showed 64 percent of Americans think racism remains a major problem in society. A Gallup poll in 2017 found 61 percent think racism against blacks is widespread in the U.S. – up from 51 percent at the beginning of President Barack Obama’s first term in 2009.
Sometimes reflecting on history helps us understand how we got where we are. A new documentary, Human Zoos: America’s Forgotten History of Scientific Racism, reveals how scientists a century ago viewed some non-white races as biologically inferior, fueling the controversial Eugenics movement, dehumanizing actions and racial divides that may be linked to the racial tensions we still see today.
“Increasingly, we are in a society where people follow what science commands, but often the people who tell us what to think are speaking out of their prejudices,” says John G. West (www.discovery.org), writer and director of the film and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute. “Today in regard to racism, there is definitely a group of white supremacists who are keying into the evolutionary thinking that was used a century ago.”
West can discuss for your listeners how scientific racism took root and spread, and how it may provide a foundation for racism today.
Discussion Questions
  • One of your main reasons for making the film was what you call the abuse of science. How do you think science was abused in this racial context?
  • Explain the Eugenics movement – its belief that non-whites were a drag on the human race – and how it impacted different cultures.
  • What kind of opposition did Eugenics run into and what was the outcome?
  • Are political happenings today related to race in the U.S. remindful of racially-divided times that the documentary explored?
  • Do you think America has progressed in terms of most people not buying into some scientists’ theories nearly 100 years ago of non-whites being biologically inferior?
About Dr. John G. West
Dr. John G. West is a Vice President and Senior Fellow at the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Institute's Center for Science & Culture. Dr. West was previously an Associate Professor of Political Science at Seattle Pacific University and has written or edited 12 books, including most recently the expanded edition of Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture Have Been Dehumanized in the Name of Science. Additionally, Dr. West has directed and written several documentaries, including Revolutionary, Privileged Species, and the award-winning Biology of the Second Reich. He has been interviewed by Time, Newsweek, USA Today, The Washington Post, and The New York Times, and he has appeared on CNN, FoxNews, and C-SPAN. Dr. West holds a Ph.D in Government from Claremont Graduate University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington. He is a recipient of several academic fellowships, including a Haynes Foundation Dissertation Grant and an Earhart Foundation Fellowship.

Expand Your Mind and Holiday Reading List with The Past Life Perspective

Learn how the practice of regression therapy can give you a new lease on life for the new year.

Ann C. Barham’s The Past Life Perspective is back in time for the holidays with a new softcover print run, giving mainstream readers a practical glimpse into the powerful self-discovery and healing tool of regression therapy.

The book shares the personal experiences of Barham and her own clients as they uncover the traumatic and pivotal points of their past lives and how these moments continue to shape their emotions, relationships, health, and actions in the present day.

“For decades past life regression therapy has been seen as something for the ‘New Age’ crowd,” said Barham. “My goal is to introduce readers to the process with true life accounts they can relate to, along with the emotional processing steps that make it such a valuable tool.”

The Past Life Perspective is a captivating read for over the holiday break, offering readers an alternative route for introspection, self-healing, and--ultimately--empowerment.

The new edition of The Past Life Perspective is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and BAM! Books a Million just in time for holiday gifting.

For those looking to learn more about regression therapy or delve deeper into their own past lives, Barham also offers a 40 minute Guided Recording for download at www.pastlives.org.

The recording leads listeners through deep relaxation techniques and gives them the opportunity to glimpse the personality and key events of a prior lifetime as well as tools for processing these unique moments.

About:

Ann C. Barham is a Marriage & Family Therapist licensed in the State of California, and a Certified Regression Therapist with the International Board of Regression Therapy. While making a mid-life career change from business management to counseling, Barham was drawn to past life therapy as a rapid and effective tool for emotional and spiritual evolution after her own dramatic personal experience. After training with the world’s foremost experts in the field, Dr. Brian Weiss and Dr. Roger Woolger, she established her own integrative approach and has been helping clients uncover the secrets of their past lifetimes for over 20 years. She has appeared on a national radio and television shows as an expert in the field, including CBS' The Doctors and George Noory's Coast to Coast AM radio and TV programs.

Rock Solid Research On How To Prevent Dementia And Maintain A Healthy Brain

Chattanooga, TN, Dec. 11, 2018 ― Dr. Timothy R. Jennings speaks expertly on a subject that concerns over 5.5 million people across the nation: how to prevent dementia and keep our mind sharp as we age. A psychiatrist and international speaker, Jennings introduces his new book, recently rated #1 by Amazon in books on dementia, The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind.

Dr. Jennings prescribes simple, everyday actions we can take to stave off disease, promote vitality, and prevent dementia and late-onset Alzheimer's. "The choices we make now can help us to keep our minds sharp and maintain our independence as we age,” says Jennings.

An easy-to-use guide to maintaining brain and body health throughout life, The Aging Brain is based on solid, up-to-date scientific research, and the interventions discussed can prevent progression toward dementia, even in those already showing signs of mild cognitive impairment. The recommendations also may help reduce disability and depression.

"This book isn't just for people hoping to slow the aging process,” says Jennings. "It's also for anyone who is a caregiver to someone at risk of or already beginning to suffer from dementia. It offers a hopeful, healthy way forward.”

Jennings, who maintains a private practice in Chattanooga, TN, has authored several books, including The God-Shaped Brain and The God-Shaped Heart. He is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Fellow of the Southern Psychiatric Association, and is president and founder of Come and Reason Ministries.

For more information about Dr. Jennings, please visit the website: https://www.agingbrainbook.com.

To connect with Dr. Jennings, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/DrTimJennings/ and https://twitter.com/timjenningsmd.

The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind
Baker Books
Released: June 2018
ISBN-10: 080107522X
ISBN-13: 978-0801075223

Reviews for The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind:

Dr. Caroline Leaf, Cognitive Neuroscientist, Communication Pathologist and Author: "Great advice and excellent science on aging! It's well worth following and applying these principles so as to age the way we are supposed to.”

Rodney A. Poling, MD, DFAPA, medical director, Behavioral Healthcare Center, Columbia TN., and board-certified geriatric psychiatrist: "A well-researched and commonsense book aimed at helping one understand the complexities of dementia, while offering recommendations for maintaining healthy brain function into our later years.”

Michael Lyles, psychiatrist, author, and speaker: "Dr. Jennings clearly describes how to practically manage the medical and lifestyle variables that can positively impact brain health and the process of aging. Age is a number, but getting old is a lifestyle.”

Lithuania Ranks Amongst Top 40 of World’s Most Prosperous Countries Thanks To Outstanding Nature and Wellbeing

 

With its pine forests, freshwater lakes, and one of Eastern Europe’s oldest SPA towns, Lithuania has become a country renowned for its well-being attributes

 

December 10, 2018: In the 12th edition of the annual global Prosperity Index by the Legatum Institute think tank - which bases its findings on over 100 variables, such economic strength and the quality of natural surroundings - Lithuania ranked 36th from 149 countries. The winning factor for Lithuania was its outstanding natural environment.

 

The importance of nature in one’s happiness is scientifically proven - according to a recent study, by connecting with nature, an individual’s happiness increases by 30%.

 

Despite the country’s relatively small size, 33% of Lithuania’s territory is covered in forests, while the rest is home to hundreds of freshwater lakes. The coastline on the Baltic Sea is dominated by sand dunes and white sand beaches.

 

Nature in Lithuania is a part of the lifestyle, and its people are especially close to it - perhaps due to the country’s heritage as the last pagan country in Europe, where people still worshipped nature long after Christianity was introduced.

 

Today, lakes, beach and forests are the preferred summer vacation or weekend choices, and throughout the year many like to spend their time off in one of local wellness and SPA towns, known for their healing therapies.

 

For example, the SPA town of Druskininkai has been recognized for its healing mineral waters and mud treatments since the 18th century. It is now a modern SPA town with centuries-old traditions, offering therapeutical and beauty SPA treatments. It is surrounded by a huge pine forest, making it a popular location for those looking for some forest therapy, clean air or bicycle paths. The largest waterpark in the Baltic region, Aquapark, can also be found in Druskininkai, and its Wellness Center (Gydykla) dates back to 19th century and preserves the oldest mud and mineral water therapy traditions.

 

A fine example of Lithuania’s impressive forests is the Labanoras Regional Park, an hour drive away from the capital, which is home to some of the country’s oldest trees. Spanning almost 528-square kilometres and peppered with almost 300 freshwater lakes, it is popular during summer months amongst campers, kayakers, swimmers, and hikers. Hiking in Labanoras is popular also in the winter -  guides can take visitors to some of its most remote parts for an experience of wilderness and nature’s tranquility.

 

The summer resort of the Nida, surrounded by sand dunes, sea, lagoon and pine groves is another natural Lithuanian treasure. It is bordered by the Curonian Lagoon on one side, and wide sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea are on the other side. The Curonian Spit, a peninsula where Nida is located, is a UNESCO heritage site. This undiscovered natural jewel is becoming increasingly popular amongst international visitors during summer months.

 

Even the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, is considered to be one of Europe’s greenest and happiest cities - Vilnius rankedamongst Europe’s happiest capitals in 2016. Its citizens are also some of the very few groundwater drinkers on the continent due to the local water’s purity.

 

With a population of just three million, Lithuania is quickly gaining a reputation for being a European wellness and good-living hub in recent years. Fast-growing economy also contributes to the country’s happiness index, which is bound to keep climbing as the economy grows.

 

For more information or high-res images please contact Raminta at raminta@blueoceanspr.com.

 

ABOUT DRUSKININKAI

 

Druskininkai is Lithuania’s biggest SPA town, known for its unique combination of underground mineral waters, curative mud and surrounding pine tree forests that provide extremely clean air. The medicinal properties of Druskininkai mineral water were discovered in the 18th century and the town was declared a health resort by king’s decree. The wellness traditions of Druskininkai have been developing throughout centuries. The concept of medical SPAs emerged during Soviet times and has been modernized since Lithuania gained its independence. Medical SPA is a hotel-style wellness center, where doctors assign certain healing procedures that might involve special mineral or whirlpool baths, massages, physiotherapy, mud treatments, aromatherapy and many others. Medical SPAs, as well as regular SPAs of Druskininkai also offer regular beauty treatments and massages. The town of Druskininkai has many activities for the whole family. It boasts the biggest AquaPark in the region, year-round Snow Arena, an adventure park, multiple parks and bicycle trails. It offers rich gastronomical experience, museums, various cultural events and festivities throughout the year.