Fairman’s class weighs in on world issues

Seeing into the future of blindness By Matthew Moscato

Some may have originally believed that blindness was a tragedy that could not be resolved, when really it is almost always preventable or curable. There are over 250 million individuals suffering from visual impairment all over the globe and four in five cases result in the returning of the patient’s vision. For the victims of blindness, WHO (World Health Organization) marked blindness fairly high on the key priorities they still have yet to deal with. They were also given permission for the construction of a treatment area for their remarkable plans for 2020. There will be an estimated 32 million cataract operations compared to the 12 million that took place in 2000. The lead scientist, Dr. Josef Bille, has received patents as well as launched several companies that collectively equate to the majority of all laser surgeries underwent around the world up to present day. Bille also recently was presented the EPO (European Patent Office) Lifetime Achievement Award and has not slowed down his research the slightest bit.

The incredible mind of Dr. Bille has now developed a new laser that is an extremely precise beam that targets the problem areas of the cataracts without causing lacerations, which directly lead to retinal damage or other complications during the healing process. A number of tests have even proven that there are significant safety advantages of using this method of eye surgery. These lasers are so accurate that they can pinpoint individual molecules and adjust their focus all awhile leaving all healthy material untouched. On top of the new lasers, Bille also created a new technology called “wavefront” scanning, which provides a digital map of the retinas of the patients. ‘Wavefront’ scanning is believed to be so detailed that Bille claims that this type of scanning could potentially provide information that could explain the effects of aging in relevance to eyesight.

Every single one of the laser units are expected to be priced around $500,000, but Bille’s belief in this new technology might just solve the issue of blindness. His target estimate to completely eradiate blindness is 10 years. However, this also includes different, more basic methods such as early screening to help catch and treat impairments earlier. Our generation just might witness the defeat of blindness in not just the United States, but also all around the world. Thanks to Dr. Bille and his inventions, precision laser eye surgery will soon result in zero victims suffering from vision loss.

Islamic State of Iraq and Syria By Jordan Johnson

The terrorist group formed from the leftover troops of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, are creating big controversies in the Middle East. They have been gaining more and more land and money over the past months. We have looked at the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) more of a nuisance instead of an issue that needs to be delt with as soon as possible. If we continue to do so, we will most likely run into another World War, which everyone is also trying to avoid.

What are the objectives?

The objective of ISIS is to establish a world wide Caliphate, reflected in frequent media reports by means of images of the world united under a ISIS banner. Although it has perpetrated many terrorist acts since its formation in 2006, especially against Shia and Christians, they have claimed responsibility for killing and wounding hundreds of people through suicide bombings. It’s principal targets are U.S. Military, Shia, and Christian civilians. They believe that if you aren’t with them, you are against them. They will kill you if you don’t convert into Islam. They are a militant form of Islam,and they will do anything possible to take over the world.

How are we responding?

The United States and a couple other countries from the U.N. are taking steps towards eliminating ISIS. We have been launching missiles and airstrikes against ISIS and the resources they are stacking up. Even though we are doing this, it won’t make them back off. They believe that when they fight and die they go to the promise land, and if you don’t die then you are contributing to creating a perfect world. It’s a win-win situation for them, which means more people are willing to fight for ISIS. Our airstrikes will do nothing compared to the amount of troops that they have ready to fight. We need to put troops on the ground if we want to stop ISIS in their tracks, because if we don’t they will eventually become stronger than we can handle. The issue that is presented with putting troops on the ground is that we would be putting more people in harms way. Nobody wants to have that happen. The tricky part is how the presidents decision will reflect his term served. Every president wants to end on a good notice, but will he make the right decision, especially if the wrong decision is the easier one. The big question is, will it be to late to stop ISIS if we don’t put boots on the ground?

Ebola By Serina Lambert

Ebola all of a sudden an outbreak, epidemic, or is this panic being fueled by the media? The first recorded case of Ebloa was in 1976, in Zaire, Africa with about 300 deaths due to the isolated location no further deaths were reported. How does it spread? By bodily fluids or direct contact with someone who is infected. The fear is that airborne contamination will be possible.

Why is the US bringing infected people to the US for treatment? If the Center For Disease Control (CDC) and media keep promoting an impending OUTBREAK why isn’t it being eradicated? If there is a possible vaccine then why hasn’t the medicine been given to areas where they have a high population of Ebola patients being reported?

Is this another way for the government to control population targeting? The U.S should stop bringing people into the country that are infected with Ebola. They are so worried about the health and safety for those that are infected. It seems that they are not thinking about our country, which can be effected by one person, just like in Africa. America isn’t thinking of the safety of its citizens. Due to the rash thinking of allowing people to come through from infected areas they have just made matters worse.

Ebola By Tati Heliverthon

The origin of Ebola

The Ebola virus outbreak that’s ravaging West Africa started with a single infected person, as shown by new genetic analysis. This West African variant can be traced genetically to a single introduction. Perhaps a person infected by a bat, researchers report in the Journal of Science. The outbreak was identified six months ago, three months after it is believed to have begun from a single animal-to-human transfer.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually appear within 8-10 days after infection, according to the center For Disease Control (CDC). World Health Organization (WHO) says lab tests of contaminated individuals find low white blood cell and platelet counts.Humans spread the virus through contact with blood or other body fluids of an infected person, as well as exposure to objects like contaminated needles, according to the CDC. These symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and sometimes internal and external bleeding, according to WHO.

How do we Stop Ebola?

The organization is hoping to raise $600 million from donor countries to fight the outbreak in West Africa, where the number of Ebola cases has already surpassed 3,500 and the death toll is inching toward 2,000.In the best-case scenario, it will take at least six to nine months to bring the current Ebola outbreak under control. During those months, at least 20,000 more people may be infected, and half will likely die.

Texas Ebola case exposes readiness gaps By Tom Lowman

When Thomas Eric Duncan walked into a Dallas emergency room last week, he might as well have been wearing sign, shouting: “Ebola.” He had flown in from virus-ravaged Liberia, where he had just come from. He was suffering from flu-like symptoms. Yet, he was examined, given some antibiotics and sent home — only to return by ambulance three days later, deathly ill with the nation’s first reported case of Ebola.

Once he was quarantined, family members were left in a contaminated apartment for days with Ebola-ridden bedding and linens. State and federal authorities wrangled over permits needed to clean the apartment. In an era where new disease threats look to be growing, the Center For Disease Control (CDC) needs to drop the side jobs and focus on its real reason for existence. However, the problem isn’t just the CDC. It’s everywhere. All and all this was close-too close. This was a wakeup call for the country to take this seriously otherwise the citizens of the United States will be at risk. The response after this incident was late and very sloppy. If this is the way every diagnosed Ebola case on United States soil is going to be handled, the chance of an Ebola outbreak in the United States is very high.

Hong Kong’s Situation By Griffin Mundis

Right now Hong Kong is a political hot bed. It goes back a little while to when Great Britain was in control of Hong Kong. This means that Hong Kong’s leader is the same as Great Britain’s. Now if you have ever looked at a map you would notice that Great Britain is pretty far away from Hong Kong.

Due to this distance it was costing Great Britain a lot to maintain and ship goods and services to and from. Since Hong Kong is originally from China and over 90% of their population is Chinese people, they decided to give Hong Kong back, on one condition. This condition is that when election times comes up, the people of Hong Kong choose their own leader. China is not allowed to interfere in any way. After negotiations it was final, Hong Kong is a Chinese region. When the elections came up is where the political hot bed arose.

The next Chief Executive Election will be in 2017. This vote will be the election for the 5th term of Hong Kong. China has made an announcement that the 2017 elections are going to have vet candidates for the leadership polls. This means that the Chinese government are going to sort through candidates for the election and pick from the select few chosen to run for leadership of Hong Kong. Most Hong Kong citizens are outraged at this announcement. According to the agreement signed between Great Britain and China, the Hong Kong citizens choose who they want to be leader. This goes against the laws set by Great Britain. The Chinese government believes it’s acceptable because technically the citizens are voting for who they want. Hong Kong replies with statements about how this is a win win situation for China.

From this political hot bed a protestor group emerged. The group is Pro-Democratic. This group is fighting against the idea of having to vote from vet candidates. They want full universal suffrage for the city. The protestors are mainly younger Hong Kong students who will be the ones allowed to vote on the 2017 election. Their main way to protest is of crowding Hong Kong’s main streets. One main area is the downtown central district. The Hong Kong protestors call it “occupy central with love and peace”. I feel that China needs to meet and abide by the rules that they themselves have agreed to. Hong Kong citizens have every right to a leader that they the people choose to help lead them in the direction he or she may see fit.

War on Ukraine By Chase Abendschoen

Everyone seems to be soaked up on the war with ISIS. Distracting them from noticing what”s going on with Ukraine. Ukraine is slowly and slowly getting more heated just as the war with ISIS is. Recently Poland has moved thousands of soldiers east towards Ukraine near a military structure built during the Cold War. Poland feels threatened by the war, hence why they are bolstering their boarders and ensuring themselves that they are safe. Also Polish defense minister says that “at least three military bases in the east will see populations increase from the current 30 percent of capacity to almost 90 percent by 2017, and that more military hardware will be moved to those bases as well.”

News media is centered around ISIS and what ISIS is up to/accomplishing. Rarely has it been about Ukraine and what’s happening there recently. The Ukrainian war seems to be pushed aside, but countries surrounding this area are preparing themselves for something huge. Some have already sent help into Ukraine to help them hold their ground against the iron fist of Putin and all of Russia.

The Ukrainian war can easily become a cause to WWIII just as the war with ISIS is. But for some reason everyone seems to be focused on just ISIS and not so much Ukraine. Putin has started this war to regain lost land in WWII. ISIS has started their war due to wanting their own country for themselves and to spread their beliefs. If Putin were to regain all of Ukraine who knows what he would do next. Both of these wars are hotbeds, we just have to be careful that neither one ignites.

Gunman at Washington state school targeted his cousins, relative says By Chance Leonard

Jaylen Fryberg was a freshman student at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Washington State. He was the one who shot up the school a little while after 10:30am on Friday. He used a .40-caliber handgun to shoot multiple kids in the back while everyone was a lunch. A lot of the children were able to get away by running to their classes, or to run outside, the teachers tried to get everyone into their classes to go through the intruder drill process. The cops received word of what was happening because of a student who managed to call 911 through all the chaos, and the cops were able to surround the place in a matter of minutes. The cops cleared everyone out and eventually found Mr. Fryberg dead in one of the classes, after he attacked his friends; he went and shot himself as well.

Is there a why?

The police still don’t know why he did it; no one has a single clue as to his reasoning for his actions. All the people he attacked were his friends, two of them being his cousins, and relatives even said they were always around one another having fun. He was liked by everyone, was an athlete, and was even crowned homecoming prince. He loved to be outdoors, he was proudly engaged with the Native American Tulalip tribe. There were even dozens of photos on his facebook page with him constantly smiling and being active, in things like fishing and hunting.

The consequences

The consequences for Jaylen’s actions are terrible, them being that one girl was killed, and four others injured. Not to mention the mental trauma that all the other students went through, this day will be permanently scarred into their memories. One of the students even said how she saw that blood got sprayed onto a girls face, that girl will never be the same. All these innocent students now how a terrible life changing memory in the minds that can’t be forgotten. Let’s not forget the teachers who had to try and control the chaos that was surrounding them. Although most of the trauma was mental for everyone, we still can’t forget the four kids that were severely injured, and the one poor girl who didn’t survive.

Ebola Outbreak: Get up to speed

All throughout the world Ebola seems to be a problem, whether it is on our country or another. Here in the United States Nina Pham contracted Ebola from Thomas Duncan, who was the first patient in the United States who was diagnosed with Ebola. Here in the United States we learned to quickly tame such diseases like Ebola, for example Dr. Craig Spencer has been contained after contracting Ebola from Guinea.Several days ago Australia has stopped accepting visas from countries where Ebola has spread. Now other countries have taken action and the most recent one was Canada.

They’ve stopped processing visa applications from foreign countries that have visited the three most affected countries; these consist of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Once the outbreaks have been tamed it’s more than certain that they will re-open the acceptance of visa applications.

Throughout the efforts of many volunteers who travel to West Africa the death toll is still climbing throughout the infected areas. Almost 5,000 have passed during the current outbreak says the World Health Organization. Have these people’s efforts made a difference in these countries? Is it worth risking someone’s life in the effort to save another? Hopefully in the end through the brave efforts of many men and women volunteers can we stop this disease.

Penguin Rover

By Lindsey Becker

On Possession Island in the South Indian Ocean, researchers conducted a study monitoring a colony of king penguins by using a rover. Dr. Yvon Le Maho, from the National Centre for Scientific

Research in Strasbourg, France, led the study. Dr. Le Maho said he chose to conduct the study using a rover rather than the traditional flipper tags because the flipper tags have been known to affect the penguins survival and reproduction. However, the penguins were not quite accepting of the rover. The rover seemed to irritate the birds. When the rover would attempt to get close to the penguins, many of them would lunge and snap with their beaks and flippers.

For the second part of Dr. Le Maho’s study, he teamed up with nature filmmakers to create a fake penguin chick to disguise the rover. The researchers used the rover, disguised as a penguin, to attempt to infiltrate a colony of emperor penguins. The researchers successfully got the rover past the usually territorial penguins and managed to get close enough to the penguins that they could read their tags. The emperor penguins were rather accepting to the fake baby chick. Some penguins even began vocalizing at the it. The rover allowed the researchers an up close and personal view of the birds and gave them a way to interact with the birds in a way that was much less disturbing to the penguins.

Philae Landing On a Comet

By Parker Pesta

A comet has been swinging by Earth and Mars for the past ten years but finally has its road trip come to an end on Wednesday to conclude. Rosetta was the first probe to ever orbit a comet, if successful; Philae will up the achievements by being the first to ever land on a comet.

The landing craft is due to touch down on the comet while its heading towards the sun. It will snap images while on this seven hour journey. The purpose of this landing is to learn more about the composition of comets and how they interact with solar wind (high energy particles blasted into space by the sun).

Theories may be broken with this breakthrough for example, water is believed to be brought to Earth by comets or chemicals as building blocks for life. The landing craft Philae can detect organic chemicals on the surface.

However, problems are starting to occur with the landing craft. Such as they cannot steer Philae and the mission has a 70% chance of being successful. Philae is expected to return in August 2015, when the comet is closest to the sun.

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