Tuesday, March 9, 2010

“Int'l scientists to launch environmental studies on "Third Pole" (People's Daily)” plus 3 more

“Int'l scientists to launch environmental studies on "Third Pole" (People's Daily)” plus 3 more

Int'l scientists to launch environmental studies on "Third Pole" (People's Daily)

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 07:07 PM PST

International scientists are preparing to launch a joint study on the environment of the "Third Pole" region centered on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and neighboring areas, a Chinese scientist said Monday.

Like the South and North Poles, environmental changes in the "Third Pole" has attracted increasing worldwide attention against the backdrop of concerns over global climate change, said Yao Tandong, director of the Institute of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Research with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The "Third Pole" region, covering more than 5 million square km at an average altitude of above 4,000 meters, is the birthplace of about 1,000 glaciers in tropical and sub-tropical regions, Yao said.

"The environmental changes in the 'Third Pole' will directly affect the economic and social development in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and neighboring countries, and will directly or indirectly affect the livelihoods and even survival of the 1.5 billion residents there," he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

Yao, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks while attending the ongoing annual session of the country's top political advisory body.

"Due to the global climate change, the 'Third Pole' is experiencing sensitive and marked changes, such as in cryosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere, which are exerting an influence on the social and economic development in the region," he said.

Under the "Third Pole Environment" (TPE) project initiated by Chinese scientists, a group of scientists and science organizations from countries in the region and western countries will gather to carry out joint studies focusing on the competing influences of water, ice, air, ecosystem and human activities in the region, Yao said.

"We hope to reveal the process and mechanism of environmental changes in the 'Third Pole' region, its response mechanism to global climate change, especially the monsoon system, improve the adaptation ability of human-kind for climate change, and help achieve harmonious development between human-kind and nature," he said.

Chinese scientists have conducted studies on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for decades, and will further improve their research methods to expand their studies to the "Third Pole" region, Yao said.

During the interview, Yao also offered some negative forecasts for the plateau region due to climate change and human activities.

It is expected that the glaciers in China, located mainly on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, would shrink by more than 45 percent in area by 2100, he said.

"In developing glacier tourism, we must protect the environment," he said.

In addition, the area of frozen earth on the plateau would decrease by about 8.8 percent 50 years later and would diminish "drastically" within the next century, he said.

"That will endanger the safety of the highways and railway on the plateau," he warned.

He proposed that the central government continue funding major highway and railway projects to eliminate hidden dangers in roadbeds on top of the frozen earth layer in a bid to ensure the coordinated development of society, economy and the ecosystem in Tibet.

Source:Xinhua

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Sunridge International to present patented, 2-minute, non-invasive PNT treatment at SWIA Conference (News-Medical-Net)

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 10:11 PM PST

Sunridge International, (OTC Bulletin Board: SNDZ) said it will be presenting details of its patented pneumatic trabeculoplasty treatment (PNT) a non-invasive treatment at the upcoming Southwest Investment Association, Inc. (SWIA) Conference on March 13, 2010, at the Westin Stonebriar Hotel in Frisco, Texas.

Making the announcement today, Sunridge International CEO, G. Richard Smith, said, "The Conference provides a timely forum at which to communicate the progress that Sunridge has made in recent months and the inroads it has made in several of the world's major markets.  "Our visit to the Southwest Investment Conference is an important of a robust marketing outreach program to bring the unique advantages our PNT treatment might afford millions of Glaucoma sufferers around the world.  We continue to find after our very successful presentation to the Long Island Investment Banking Group last month, that these meetings like this help us gain awareness throughout the US investment community."

Mr. Smith said that Sunridge International team has much to tell investors.  "Only last week, we won the approval of China's State Food and Drug Administration to market our PNT treatment throughout China, a country which offers our Company huge potential."  He said that after the Texas event, the Sunridge team will be presenting to the San Francisco brokerage community.

The SWIA, was formed to help select companies share information and present investment opportunities to their group of associates, including broker/dealers, investment bankers, investment advisors, analysts, financial managers, capital formation service providers, fund managers, institutions, media and accredited investors.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, affecting over 70 million people worldwide. PNT has been proven (through studies completed over the last 10 yrs) to be a safe, effective, non-invasive and a cost effective alternative for treatment for glaucoma and ocular hypertension.  The 2-minute treatment has been developed, patented, and distributed by Sunridge International, wholly owned subsidiary, Ophthalmic International (www.oi-pnt.com).

SOURCE Sunridge International

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RDS launches international outreach program focusing on cognitive impairment in individuals with Down syndrome (News-Medical-Net)

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 09:27 PM PST

Campus organizations celebrate International Women’s Day (The Massachusetts Daily Collegian)

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 09:22 PM PST

Campus organizations and community members joined together yesterday to celebrate International Women's Day in the Cape Cod Lounge.

The Everywoman's Center, the Women of Color Leadership Network and the GSS Graduate Women's Network hosted the event, which included food, music, appearances by a multitude of Registered Student Organizations (RSO) and poetry readings. The celebration also included free massages and free Henna tattoos.

A moving "Women of Hope" photo collection, biographies and stories of women such as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and Julia Alvarez were also shown. While the turnout of the event was a predominantly female audience, there were a few men in attendance.

International Women's Day is recognized by the United Nations and observed with parties, education and political discussions, said event organizers. The event provided education regarding involvement, sexual health and women of different races, explained by UMass RSO students.

Junior Jessica Toussaint, a volunteer for The Women of Color Leadership Network, discussed some of the events that her RSO puts on during the year. The club is responsible for providing "Dorm Dialogues," workshops providing information to women of color in different dormitories about domestic abuse, eating disorders, diseases and body image, among other issues.

The RSO also gives women of color a place to connect with each other, a place to relax and a place to make friends, she said. The network will also be sponsoring an event called "Body Politics" on Apr. 16 and 17 in the Bowker Auditorium. "Body Politics" will include a play, written by members.

The Everywoman's Center is an education advocacy group on campus that puts on workshops to not only the UMass community but also to all of Hampshire County. They are responsible for the "Consent Is Sexy" campaign; an awareness movement about how to consent to sexual activity, pressure, and sexual expectations of both partners. The Everywoman's Center also works with the Rape Crisis and Violence Prevention Programs, which provides free, confidential services to both men and women seeking help. The Center provides court, academic, hospital and police advocacy, as well as emergency support.

A newly reestablished undergraduate RSO, the Student Parent Association was also in attendance at the event. President Jessica Dautruche, a student mother, says that the RSO is a haven for not only student parents, but also students who may potentially become parents at any point in their lives, not just in their careers at UMass.

The RSO provides communication and support, as well as hosting "Dinner On Us" every Monday night which includes supervised children's activities, a family dinner and a roundtable discussion for parents.

"I'm really excited that we brought the organization back," said Dautruche, a student mother of a five year old. "It lets you know that you're not alone, that others are in the same situation as you."

Karen Lederer, the undergraduate advisor of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies was also on hand to talk about the 35th anniversary of the program. She also discussed the recent change from "Women's Studies" to the new name to incorporate intersexual analysis.

Student RSO VOX, the reproductive rights group, was also there providing free condoms and lubricant, as well as pamphlets discussing the political issues regarding women's rights.

"We bring attention to safe sex issues. We usually have a big turnout at events because we always hand out free condoms and every one loves to get free condoms," said senior volunteer Meghan Lemay.

At VOX meetings, the discussion ranges from women possibly losing rights with the new healthcare bill to how there is no abortion clinic in Hampshire County. Lemay said the group brings attention to issues that "until you really need them, you would never realize they weren't there."

Freshmen Mary Lenahan and Rebecca Ellis said that women's awareness is important and that the event provided a wealth of relevant information. They thought that the RSOs provided cool opportunities that they may otherwise not have heard about.

"My friend studied abroad in Europe where the holiday is a big deal," said Lenahan. "She got flowers just for being a woman. I wish the day was like that here, too."

"All the issues brought to light here; abuse, sexuality, violence, are all important," added Ellis. "They should be better promoted and made more aware to more students."

The event concluded with a poetry reading from poets Lesléa Newman, Lenelle Moïse and Karen Johnston.

Newman is the author of "Heather Has Two Mommies," the first published book that portrayed lesbian families in a positive light. She was thrilled to be asked to the event and is glad that International Women's Day is making a comeback.

When asked what message she would like to send to young female poets in honor of the day, Newman said, "Write your heart out. Read as much as possible. Never give up your dreams."

Ashley Berger can be reached at aberger@student.umass.edu.

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