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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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Global and Health Briefs

Coal Costs: Closing Plants Saves Lives and Crops

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

Between 2005 and 2016, the shutdown of coal-fired plants in the U.S. saved an estimated 26,610 lives and the equivalent of around 570 million bushels of corn, soybeans and wheat.

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Plastics Adios: Mexicans Return to Old Ways After Ban

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

A new law bans popular plastic bags in the Mexican capital, as well as handing out plastic straws, spoons, coffee capsules and other single-use items by 2021.

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Cool Solution: Biodegradable Cooler Keeps Food Cold and Dry

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

Igloo has introduced a new, biodegradable cooler made out of paraffin wax and recycled tree pulp called Recool.

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Hot Spots: Climate Change City Index for 2050

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

Temperature changes, water shortages and rising sea levels will impact some of the world’s most populous cities during the next 30 years.

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Roundup Redux: Organic Standards Clarified for Hydroponics

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

The USDA has closed a loophole that allowed farmers to spray soil with Monsanto’s glysophate to clear weeds prior to building a “certified organics” hydroponics greenhouse.

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Nutty News: Eco-Sunscreen Made from Cashew Shells

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

A “green” sunscreen has been synthesized from discarded cashew-nut shells, providing good UVA and UVB absorbance, which can protect from harmful rays from the sun.

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Unsafe Sipping: Widespread Drinking Water Contamination Found

Mar 31, 2020 09:30AM

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has found contamination of U.S. drinking water with manmade “forever chemicals” to be much worse than estimated.

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Take Folic Acid to Reduce Stroke Risk

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Researchers found that patients with cardiovascular disease who supplemented with folic acid (vitamin B9) reduced their risk of stroke by 15 percent.

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Balance Water Consumption for Cognitive Health

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Drinking either not enough or too much water can decrease cognitive performance in older women, Penn State University researchers have reported.

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Practice Yoga to Help the Brain

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Research shows that practicing gentle hatha yoga can strengthen the brain and help grow new neurons, similar to the effects aerobic exercise can have on the brain.

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Catch Some Rays to Boost Gut Health

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Evidence is emerging of a skin-gut axis that links UVB exposure to the microbiome, a finding that has implications for those suffering from autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

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Cut Back on Sugar and Carbs to Improve Sleep

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Researchers find women who consume a diet high in refined carbohydrates—particularly added sugars and processed grains—are more likely to develop insomnia.

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Try Vitamins and Garlic to Lower Gastric Cancer Risk

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Chinese researchers discover that antibiotics and vitamin/mineral supplements, specifically supplemental garlic, protects against gastric cancer.

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Green Flying: First Commercial E-Plane Makes History

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Canada-based Harbour Air has launched the first successful test flight of an all-electric aircraft.

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Waste-to-Energy ‘Matterhorn’: Sustainable Power With a Recreational Bonus

Feb 28, 2020 09:30AM

Copenhagen has dramatically refashioned the look and function of a power station with Copenhill, a waste-to-power plant that powers homes and includes a ski slope, a climbing wall and more.

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Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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