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Hey there, fellow digital adventurers! Have you ever wondered how deep we’ve dived into the rabbit hole of social media addiction? Buckle up, because we’re about to take a wild ride through the captivating world of likes, shares, and endless scrolls.
From jaw-dropping global stats to Gen Z’s battle with FOMO, we’ve got the inside scoop on just how hooked we are. So, grab your favorite virtual snack and let’s uncover the secrets of our social media obsession through our well-researched 60 Social Media & Mental Health Statistics To Know in 2023.
Social media has become a staple in our daily lives, but just how addicted are we? Well, the numbers might surprise you.
Let’s start with the big picture: 30% of American adults admit to having a bit of a social media addiction. Yep, you read that right – nearly a third of grown-ups in the U.S. have fallen deep into social media .
Age plays a significant role in our social media habits. It seems like the younger you are, the more likely you are to be glued to your feeds. Check this out:
– Among the 18-22-year-olds, a whopping 40% confess to being hooked.
– The 23-38-year-olds aren’t far behind, with 37% acknowledging their social media dependence.
– Meanwhile, as you climb the age ladder, the numbers start to drop:
– 26% of the 39-54-year-olds admit to the addiction.
– For those aged 55-64, it’s 21%.
Men and women seem to have slightly different struggles when it comes to social media. Here’s the scoop:
– 26% of American men feel the pull of social media addiction.
– Women, on the other hand, are just a tad more immersed, with 34% confessing to the same struggle.
Diversity in Addiction
Now, let’s talk about diversity. Social media addiction isn’t limited to any particular ethnicity, but the numbers do vary:
– Among White Americans, 32% wrestle with social media addiction.
– Hispanic Americans aren’t far behind, with 29% feeling the pull.
– Asian Americans have a 27% addiction rate.
– And for African Americans, it’s 25%.
Social media has become a global phenomenon, with a staggering 4.7 billion people worldwide joining in on the digital fun. To put that in perspective, that’s a whopping 59% of the world’s population!
But when we take a closer look at more developed regions, those numbers shoot up even higher. Check out these regional breakdowns:
Eastern Asians are leading the charge when it comes to social media adoption, with an impressive 71% of the population actively using social platforms. They’ve truly embraced the digital age.
Across the Atlantic, North America isn’t far behind. An impressive 78% of North Americans are active on social media. It’s no surprise that the birthplace of many major tech giants is deeply entrenched in the world of social networking.
Over in Western Europe, a staggering 83% of the population is tapping, swiping, and scrolling their way through social media. It’s become an integral part of daily life for many in the region.
And finally, in Northern Europe, social media is practically a way of life, with a remarkable 84% of Northern Europeans engaging on these platforms. It’s clear that digital connectivity knows no bounds in this part of the world.
Usage Statistics of Social Media
Ever wonder where all those precious online minutes go? Well, it turns out, that a significant chunk of our digital lives is devoted to social media. Here’s the scoop:
On average, adults dedicate a hefty 36% of their online time to social media. That’s a big slice of the digital pie!
Now, let’s break it down further:
– Social media reigns supreme among women aged 25-34, with a whopping 40% of their online time dedicated to scrolling through feeds, liking, and sharing. It seems like this age group has a particularly strong bond with their digital social circles.
– On the flip side, men aged 55-64 seem to be a bit more sparing with their internet time. They spend just 28% of their online hours on social media. The younger generations appear to be more plugged into the social media scene.
Scroll Time Statistics
Ever wondered why people turn to social media? It turns out, there are a variety of motives, and filling spare time ranks high on the list. Here’s the lowdown:
For 36% of internet users aged 16-24, the top reason they dive into the world of social media is to fill their spare time. It’s like a digital playground where they can explore, engage, and pass the hours.
While filling spare time is a big draw, it’s worth noting that the top spot still belongs to staying connected with friends and family. People want to maintain those digital bonds, and this motive takes precedence for many.
When it comes to social media, Gen Z is the trailblazing generation that’s grown up with screens at their fingertips from a young age. This unique connection with technology makes them particularly susceptible to the allure of social media.
A staggering 91% of Gen Z adults are active on at least one social media platform. For them, it’s not just a digital accessory; it’s a way of life.
But here’s the kicker – over half of Gen Z’ers, a whopping 51%, admit to using social media almost constantly. It’s like an ever-present companion in their daily routines.
What’s even more fascinating is that the lines between the digital and real worlds are blurring for half of Gen Z. Social media isn’t just something they do online; it’s intricately woven into their real-life experiences. It’s a reflection of how deeply integrated social media has become in their lives.
Despite being the generation that’s practically grown up with social media, even Gen Z isn’t immune to its downsides. Here’s why some of them are hitting pause:
For a significant 41% of Gen Z, the biggest reason to step back from social media is that it eats up too much of their precious time. It’s easy to get lost in the endless scroll; they’re not alone in feeling this way.
Coming in at a close second, 35% of Gen Z’ers are looking to reduce their social media time because they’ve had enough of the negativity that can often pervade these platforms. It’s a reminder that, in the midst of the virtual world, real emotions are at stake.
Lastly, 17% of Gen Z’ers have found that social media can sometimes take a toll on their self-esteem. The comparison game and the highlight reels of others can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
It seems that Gen Z is engaging in some serious self-reflection when it comes to their digital habits, and the numbers speak for themselves:
An overwhelming 72% of Gen Z adults believe that their peers spend excessive time on social media. It’s a clear sign that they recognize the potential pitfalls of overindulgence in the digital realm.
In response to this awareness, 58% of Gen Z’ers are actively trying to cut back on their social media consumption. It’s a proactive move to regain control over their online lives and ensure that they’re not getting lost in the digital noise.
Lululemon’s survey sheds light on an interesting connection between the time we invest in social media and our social well-being:
Here’s a noteworthy finding: Users who spend 3 hours or more per day on social media are the most likely to report negative feelings about their social well-being. It seems that there’s a tipping point where the digital world begins to cast shadows on the real one.
The survey also asked if social media made users feel like they were “missing out” or if it led them to “compare themselves to others.” The results were telling:
– 33% of those who spend over 3 hours on social media answered “yes” to these questions, indicating a higher likelihood of experiencing these negative emotions.
– In contrast, only 20% of users who spent an hour or less on social media per day admitted to feeling the same way.
User Statistics of A Multi-Account World
In today’s digital age, the average internet user isn’t just sticking to one social media platform. They’re branching out and diversifying their online presence, and the numbers tell an interesting story:
On average, internet users now have a staggering 8.5 social media accounts to their name. That’s a significant increase from just a few years ago, showcasing our growing appetite for digital connections and content consumption.
What’s intriguing is that each of these platforms serves a different purpose in the digital ecosystem. It’s like a toolbox where users select the right platform for the right job. For instance:
– Facebook has become a go-to for messaging and keeping in touch with friends and family.
– Instagram transforms into a platform for following brands, and influencers, and seeking visual inspiration.
– TikTok emerges as the go-to place for entertainment, where short, engaging videos take center stage.
And as new social media networks continue to pop up and capture our attention, that average of 8.5 social media accounts per user is bound to climb even higher. It’s a reflection of our ever-evolving digital landscape, where each platform offers a unique experience and serves a specific role in our online lives.
In the ever-evolving world of social media, YouTube stands tall as the undisputed champion in the United States. Here’s a closer look at its stronghold:
An astounding 81% of Americans are active on YouTube. It’s become a digital staple for a vast majority of the population, proving its enduring popularity.
But it’s not just about having an account; it’s about how often people engage with the platform. Over half of internet users in the US visit YouTube at least once per day, making it a regular destination for millions.
Digging deeper, 36% of users check in on YouTube several times per day. It’s clear that YouTube has become an integral part of their daily routines, whether it’s for entertainment, education, or simply staying in the loop.
When it comes to multiple daily visits, Facebook wears the crown among American adults. Here’s a closer look at the stats:
A substantial 49% of adults in the United States find themselves logging into Facebook more than once per day. It’s a testament to the enduring popularity of this social media giant.
Snapchat, with its ephemeral and interactive nature, isn’t far behind. 45% of adults can’t resist checking their Snapchat stories and messages multiple times daily.
Instagram, known for its visually captivating content, also enjoys frequent engagement. 38% of adults are drawn to their Instagram feeds several times throughout the day.
WhatsApp has solidified its position as a global messaging juggernaut with an astonishing 2 billion users worldwide. That’s a remarkable testament to its ubiquity in the digital realm.
But what’s even more fascinating is that while it ranks third in terms of total users across social media platforms, it sits at the very top when it comes to users’ preferences. A significant 16.4% of global adults consider WhatsApp as their favorite social media platform.
TikTok has taken the American social media landscape by storm, with users spending an average of 45.8 minutes per day on the app. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg:
In a year, the average American dedicates a whopping 1,393 minutes per month to TikTok. That’s equivalent to an astonishing 278 hours per year spent on the platform.
To put it in perspective, those 278 hours amount to more than 11 full days per year devoted to TikTok. It’s a testament to the app’s addictive nature and its unique ability to capture the attention and imagination of its users.
Statistics of Social Media Habits among Children
– Overall Social Media Checking: Children spend approximately 50 minutes per day checking their social media feeds. This reflects their time to stay connected, share content, and engage with friends and followers.
– TikTok: TikTok takes the lead with an average of 91 minutes per day spent on the platform. Its short-form video content has become incredibly popular among younger users.
– Snapchat: Children dedicate an average of 71 minutes per day to Snapchat. This platform’s ephemeral nature and interactive features are particularly appealing to younger users.
– Instagram: Instagram ranks third, with an average of 41 minutes per day spent by children. Its visual nature and emphasis on sharing photos and stories make it a go-to platform for many.
– Reddit: Children spend an average of 15 minutes per day on Reddit, a platform known for its diverse communities and discussion threads.
– Pinterest: Pinterest captures an average of 13 minutes of children’s time daily, thanks to its focus on visual discovery and inspiration.
– Facebook: Finally, children dedicate an average of 10 minutes per day to Facebook. While it may not be the primary platform for this age group, it still maintains a presence in their digital lives.
While social media addiction may not carry the same life-or-death stakes as substance abuse, its adverse effects are undeniably tangible and concerning. Here’s a closer look at what can happen when social media use spirals out of control:
One of social media addiction’s most immediate and practical consequences is underperformance in academic or professional settings. Constant distractions and excessive screen time can lead to decreased productivity and focus, ultimately affecting one’s performance at school or work.
Another troubling effect is an increased vulnerability to cyberbullying. Spending excessive time on social media can expose individuals to online harassment, trolling, and hurtful comments, negatively impacting their emotional well-being.
Perhaps the most concerning consequence is the toll it takes on mental health. Social media addiction has been linked to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The constant comparison to others and the pressure to maintain an idealized online persona can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
Zooming in on Facebook, a survey revealed that 12.5% of its users feel that the platform negatively affects their work, sleep, or parenting. With a massive user base of 2.9 billion, this statistic implies that these issues could potentially impact over 362 million users.
Ironically, despite the illusion of connection that social media can provide, it can also contribute to social isolation. Spending too much time online can lead to reduced face-to-face interactions, which are crucial for maintaining meaningful relationships.
Anxiety and Stress
The constant exposure to carefully curated images and lifestyles on social media can fuel anxiety and stress. People often compare themselves to others, leading to feelings of inadequacy and a fear of missing out (FOMO).
Social media can be a breeding ground for negative emotions, and prolonged exposure to such negativity can contribute to depression. The relentless pursuit of validation through likes and comments can lead to a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.
The prevalence of idealized body images on social media can also have a detrimental impact on body image and self-esteem. This, in turn, can contribute to the development of eating disorders among some individuals.
Excessive use of social media, particularly late at night, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and exacerbating mental health issues.
An overwhelming 67% of US adults believe that social media usage is closely linked to feelings of social isolation and loneliness. It’s a clear recognition of the paradox where digital connectivity can sometimes lead to emotional disconnection.
Nearly 38% of respondents believe that social media has a negative impact on mental health. This acknowledgment highlights growing concerns about the potential toll of constant comparison, cyberbullying, and other stressors associated with digital life.
Concerns about Suicide Rates
Perhaps the most striking finding is that 74% of US adults believe that social media usage has an impact on suicide rates. This underscores the seriousness of the issue and the recognition of the potential link between online experiences and mental health crises.
These numbers from YouGov illustrate a complex and varied set of views among American adults when it comes to the societal impact of social media:
A substantial 39% of respondents express the belief that social media is bad for society. This suggests a significant level of apprehension about the potential drawbacks of these platforms, from issues like misinformation and polarization to concerns about mental health and privacy.
Positive Perspective, but Less Prevalent
In contrast, 22% of American adults hold the view that social media is good for society. This group likely sees the positive aspects of social media, such as facilitating communication, enabling activism, and promoting awareness.
A Middle Ground
A sizable portion, 27%, believes that social media is neither inherently good nor bad for society. This group might acknowledge both the benefits and drawbacks and emphasize the importance of responsible use.
Undecided and Uncertain
Lastly, 12% remain undecided, indicating that they may not have a clear stance on the issue or require more information to form an opinion.
These statistics highlight the mixed emotional landscape that many Gen Z adults navigate when it comes to their social media experiences:
Negative Emotional Impact
A significant 41% of Gen Z adults associate negative feelings with social media consumption. They report feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression as a result of their online interactions.
Impact on Self-Esteem and Insecurity
Additionally, 29% of Gen Z respondents express that social media has negatively affected their self-esteem or led to feelings of insecurity. The comparison culture and curated online personas can contribute to these emotions.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
A notable 22% feel like they’re missing out due to social media. The constant stream of others’ experiences can create a sense of exclusion or inadequacy.
Despite these challenges, it’s noteworthy that a significant majority—77%—of Gen Z individuals believe that the benefits of social media outweigh its drawbacks. This suggests that they recognize the value of online connectivity, information sharing, and community-building.
Parents have several key concerns when it comes to their kids’ social media usage, and these concerns often revolve around their children’s well-being and academic performance:
– Mental Health: One of the top concerns is maintaining their children’s mental health. Excessive use of social media can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
– Academic Performance: Parents are also worried about the impact of social media on their children’s academic performance. Spending too much time on these platforms can lead to distractions and reduced focus on schoolwork.
These concerns are widely shared among adults in the United States, with a substantial 88% expressing worry about the amount of time kids and teens spend on social media. This highlights the broad recognition of the potential challenges associated with excessive screen time.
Taking Action: Blocking Social Media Apps
Some parents choose to take action to address their concerns about their children’s social media use. One common approach is to block access to certain social media apps. According to Qustodio, a parental control app, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are among the most commonly blocked apps globally.
Rising Screen Time among Teens
American teenagers are spending an average of 7 hours and 22 minutes per day in front of screens. This significant amount of screen time encompasses various activities, including social media, streaming content, gaming, and more. It reflects the increasing integration of digital devices into their daily lives.
Children’s Screen Time on the Rise
It’s not just teenagers who are consuming substantial screen time. Kids aged 8-12 years old also dedicate a significant portion of their day to screens, averaging 4 hours and 44 minutes of screen time per day. This trend indicates that screen time habits are established at an early age.
Early Smartphone Ownership
Moreover, a noteworthy statistic reveals that 53% of kids own their own smartphone by the time they reach 11 years old. This underscores the increasing accessibility and prevalence of digital devices among younger age groups.
Well, folks, it’s been a whirlwind tour of the social media universe, and the numbers don’t lie. Whether you’re a TikTok enthusiast, a Facebook aficionado, or just a casual scroller, the digital age has certainly woven its web around us. From the thrill of constant connection to the perils of overindulgence, it’s clear that social media addiction is a real, and sometimes mixed, bag.
But as we navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, one thing’s for sure: striking that balance between online and offline life is the key to staying sane in this pixelated world. Until next time, remember to log out, take a deep breath, and maybe, just maybe, put that phone down for a while. Happy scrolling!
Yes, social media addiction is real. It’s characterized by excessive, compulsive use of social platforms, often leading to negative consequences like decreased productivity, mental health issues, and strained relationships.
Younger individuals are more immersed in social media due to factors like digital native status, peer influence, and the need for constant connectivity. These factors can make them more susceptible to addiction.
Yes, excessive social media use can negatively impact mental health. It can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and low self-esteem due to factors like social comparison and cyberbullying.
Signs of social media addiction include spending excessive time online, neglecting real-life responsibilities, feeling anxious when unable to access social media, and prioritizing online interactions over face-to-face ones.
To reduce social media addiction, set time limits for usage, engage in offline activities, unfollow accounts that trigger negative emotions, and seek support from friends, family, or professionals if needed.


HENN scored first prize in the competition to design the new CAMPUS ’25 office building for the Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich regional bank in Linz, Austria. Located between the Blumau Tower and Südbahnhofmarkt, the new 30,000 m² building will revive the campus with new co-working zones, shops, restaurants, exhibition spaces, and improved outdoor public spaces.
The German architecture practice is no stranger to designing corporate office headquarters. Some of their competition-winning projects in recent years include offices for Continental AG, Zalando, and Shenzhen software company Kingdee, to name a few.
HENN shared more details about their CAMPUS '25 design below.
Key objectives for the project's design were openness, flexibility, and multi-functionality, including several services and facilities that will be open to the public. Featuring a cubic, staggered form, the “solitary building closes a gap between the bank’s main complex and the Blumau Tower. The new business headquarters is expected to house 1,000 staff members. What emerges from the design is an urban and networked central location which facilitates collaboration and communication – equally for the people of Linz and the staff of the Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich alike,” HENN describes.
The building's exterior and interior are connected by an atrium that “extends itself as a spatial continuum to embrace the individual working spaces and beyond to the roof terraces. The effect is that of a three-dimensional plaza, which zones the multiple floors via the large open space, gives the offices rhythm and cadence, and incorporates the whole into the neighboring vicinity. The lower stories fuse to form generous and flexible occupancy areas, which morph in the upper stories to become modern office worlds.”
The building's “staggered, terraced vertical evolution acts as a mediating force between the Blumau Tower and the main offices. The interior plaza is additionally emphasized through its visual enunciation in the facade of the building, creating a hovering impression on the upper levels.”
Find more project images in the gallery below.
RELATED NEWS HENN to design Continental AG's new headquarters in Hanover
RELATED NEWS HENN to design new Zalando HQ in Berlin
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The film featured below, titled "Care Opinion across the UK" was launched at Care Opinion's online conference on the 21st October 2021. In this film, we asked healthcare staff from across the UK, what is was like to receive online feedback through Care Opinion.
- How do you share stories with colleagues (good or bad)?
- How do you use stories to learn and improve?
- How does receiving stories make you feel?
- And how does feedback affect staff culture?
We want to thank all of those involved in the film very much for their support, as without them, this film would not have been possible. A special thank you goes to the staff featured in the film; Janet Butcher, Lydia Broom, Laura Harvey, Christine Somerville, Linda Russell, Lisa Brown, Jillian Johanison, Sallyanne Wilson, Shane Delvin, Dr Shazia Din, Lesley Inglis, Martha Magee, Tara Boyle, Jessica Sutton, Jackie Stecka, Vi Gray, Nicola Robertson, Rhea Crighton, Nola Cassidy and Malachy Nixon.
Film Launch - Care Opinion conference 2021Film Launch - Care Opinion conference 2021 https://patientopinion.blob.core.windows.net/profile-pictures/687c29b4-9355-402b-a98f-e0ef81f075e7.jpeg Care Opinion 0114 281 6256 https://www.careopinion.org.uk /content/uk/images/logos/co-header-logo-2020-default.png
Update from Care Opinion Scotland
Posted by Fraser Gilmore, Head of Scotland, Care Opinion Scotland, on
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Behind Harry Reid’s war against the Koch brothers
After the Kochs’ response to Reid’s January broadside — in which Ellender called Reid’s remarks “disrespectful and beneath the office he holds” — Reid and his staff convened a series of Koch strategy sessions. They gathered reams of research on the brothers’ political activities and background from liberal groups, analyzed polling and studied how the Kochs reacted to earlier, lower-level scrutiny.
Coincidentally, in the midst of that early strategizing, Senate Democrats huddled for their annual retreat at Nationals Park, where they heard a presentation from business-messaging gurus Chip and Dan Heath, who touched on the effectiveness of identifying foils.Continue Reading
Their breakout book, “Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die,” asserts that in order to gain traction for ideas, it’s helpful to replicate some facets of urban legends and conspiracy theories. They encourage readers to make their ideas about people, rather than abstractions and to tap into emotions such as “fear, disgust, suspicion.”
The Heath brothers didn’t respond to a request for comment.
But an operative who has worked with Reid said the presentation “had some impact. In some ways, it affirmed what we were considering with the Kochs.”
Sanders prodded Reid as well, providing the majority leader with a copy of the Libertarian Party platform from 1980, when David Koch was its vice presidential nominee and primary campaign funder. The platform called for dismantling Social Security, welfare, the Federal Reserve Board, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Securities and Exchange Commission, not to mention the Federal Election Commission and its campaign contribution limits.
“He thought it was very interesting,” said Sanders. “If you read it and you understand that platform, then you understand how enormously successful the Koch brothers have been in the last 35 years, because the ideas that David Koch ran on in 1980 at that point were considered kooky, crazy ideas. Today, you go down that list, and many of the ideas that were thought to be really outside of the mainstream are now part of mainstream Republican thinking.”
Reid’s focus seems at least partly based in sheer politics, born out of fear that his vulnerable members would be crushed under the deluge of attack ads from Koch-backed nonprofits, including Americans for Prosperity and Freedom Partners, that are expected to spend $290 million before Election Day.
When Reid first started focusing on the Kochs, AFP was refining its anti-Obamacare messaging in North Carolina ads targeting that state’s Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan, and Democrats were growing increasingly desperate as the botched Obamacare rollout got worse and worse. It was drastically diminishing electoral prospects that had seemed so promising only a few months earlier during the GOP-led federal government shutdown.
“We needed something to gravitate to, and he’s good at figuring out how to get back to our strongest ground when things are going badly,” said a Democrat who’s talked to Reid about the Koch push. “He saw the Kochs as a compelling way to draw a contrast.”
Reid had already developed a knack for vilification-as-political-strategy as an early and enthusiastic adopter of Democratic efforts to caricature Mitt Romney as an out-of-touch elitist during his 2012 presidential campaign.
Independent polls suggest the Kochs don’t resonate with most voters in the same way the Romney attacks did.
But Democratic pollster Geoff Garin, who has consulted with Reid’s team on its Koch push, says that it’s starting to pay off. “I’ve told them that I think that Sen. Reid has had a significant impact and that he has struck a responsive chord in terms of creating real responses and reactions from voters,” said Garin, whose firm polls for multiple Democratic super PACs, candidates and party committees.
“The Koch brothers have become central enough that we ask about them in every poll, regardless of who we’re polling for,” Garin said. On average, nearly 60 percent of respondents recognize the Koch brothers’ names, he said, adding that their negatives “are in the high 30s and moving towards the 40s, depending on the state.”
Invoking the brothers’ names also “helps to negate some of the impact of some of their negative advertisements,” Garin said. “Once people understand that the Koch brothers are behind these ads, people discount what they’re hearing in the ads.”
With Reid out front, the institutional left embraced the attacks in a much more concerted way than ever before. Groups with ties to Reid have brought major resources to bear. Senate Majority PAC, the super PAC run by former Reid chief of staff Susan McCue, and its counterpart House Majority PAC have aired ads attacking GOP congressional candidates for support they’d received from Koch-backed groups. Patriot Majority, a nondisclosing nonprofit group run by Reid ally Craig Varoga, continued its own Koch attack ads. And American Bridge, the super PAC run by David Brock, which counts McCue as a board member, morphed into a central hub of anti-Koch activity, providing research to the other groups and digging through the Libertarian Party archives for dirt on the brothers.
None of that would have happened without Reid taking to the floor to repeatedly bash the Kochs, Brock suggested at a private, closed-press meeting of major liberal donors and operatives last month in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“I don’t know about you, but I loved watching him do it,” said Brock, according to someone who was present for the meeting. Brock has worked to assuage liberal donors’ concerns about the Koch attacks, and at the Santa Fe meeting, he pointed to Reid’s efforts to cast the brothers as self-interested political investors, as a turning point. “And ever since, it seems, Reid has single-handedly stiffened Democratic spines,” Brock said.
Brock acknowledged to the donors in Santa Fe that he himself had wondered whether attacking the Kochs was “a fool’s errand,” but said his group was given access to private focus group findings that suggested the strategy could work.
Out of 46 people in the focus groups, only two had a positive or mixed reaction to the Kochs’ agenda, Brock said, while the rest had a negative perception. Respondents reacted most strongly not to criticism of the Kochs themselves but to characterizations of the Kochs’ positions on education, health care, wages and jobs.
“The key connection Democrats need to make: The Kochs are out to hurt the middle class,” Brock told the donors. “So that’s the strategy we’re pursuing. Relentlessly.”

domain: politics


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Written by: Autumn Faulkner
Primary Source: Wallace Conservation Lab
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Autumn Faulkner is the Assistant Head of Cataloging and Metadata Services at Michigan State University Libraries with a secondary assignment in the Wallace Conservation Lab. She enjoys providing access to MSUL's resources, whether than involves managing projects, cataloging a stack of books, or repairing an old map so it can be handled by patrons. Her research interests include the upcoming transition of bibliographic data to the Semantic Web environment and efficient methods for creating and maintaining that data.

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Any dog owner might guess that dogs are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day and sleep at night. However, this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, dogs are not nocturnal or diurnal. They’re social sleepers and simply take their cues from their owners.
What kind of dogs are nocturnal?
The Great Pyrenees was bred to guard the flocks at night while the shepherds were sleeping and predators roamed about. Because of this, he is naturally nocturnal.
Do all dogs sleep at night?
Over the course of a 24-hour day, dogs spend most of their time sleeping at night, and about 3 hours napping during the day. A dog’s sleep needs change as they age, just like a human’s sleep needs evolve over the course of a lifetime.
Do dogs know night and day?
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it’s time to go to bed and when it’s time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
Can dogs sleep alone at night?
Some dogs have medical conditions or experience distress and anxiety when you’re not there. If this is the case, you should not leave them alone for long periods of time. The best way is to hire a pet sitter or get a friend to stay with your dog at night.
Why my dog is hyper at night?
Zoomies also happen quite often at night. Especially with puppies who have been crated all day or have not been given enough opportunities to exercise. As soon as they get the chance to run around, they take it. Even adult dogs get the zoomies, although the younger the dog the more frequently it seems to occur.
How do dogs know it’s night time?
Dogs do not have night vision in the sense that they can see when it’s very dark or there’s no light. The secret of a dog’s night vision that allows them to see better than humans in low light situations is a large amount of light-sensitive rods found in the retina that collect light.
Why you shouldn’t sleep with your dog?
Prolonged close contact to dogs exposes them to pet dander and may result in respiratory symptoms. But even people who do not have pet allergies can suffer increased allergic symptoms when co-sleeping with their dog. When dogs are ouside, dust and pollen clings to their fur and can exacerbate human allergies.
How Long Can dogs hold their pee?
Adult dogs can hold their pee for up to 10-12 hours if needed, but that doesn’t mean that they should. The average adult dog should be allowed to relieve itself at least 3-5 times per day. That’s at least once every 8 hours.
Where should dogs sleep at night?
Where Should Your Dog Sleep? Dog crates. A dog crate is both an extremely useful training tool and a perfectly good spot for your furry friend to lay his head. Your bed. Another potential option is to allow your dog to curl up on top of your covers at night. A dog bed. Inside vs outside your room.
Do dogs need darkness to sleep?
Keep Their Sleeping Area Quiet and Dark: Mammals have circadian rhythms that are influenced by light15, so it’s easier for your dog to sleep at night if it’s dark or dim. It’s also easier for them to sleep if they aren’t being interrupted by excessive noise.
How long will a dog remember you?
So, how long does it take for a dog to forget a person? A dog will not forget you. A dog can remember someone his entire life. It’s safe to say that your dog will not forget you after two weeks, a month, or even if you are gone for many years.
Do dogs think you leave forever?
During the research, the team found that dogs really do understand what their owners are saying. Although it’s still unclear whether dogs are aware of the length of time they’re left alone for, research suggests that they’re more excited to greet their owner if they’re left alone for two hours than 30 minutes.
Is it cruel to let a puppy cry at night?
Leaving a puppy to cry at night is likely to increase your puppy’s anxiety and may lead to other behaviour problems developing, such as separation-related problems.
Is it cruel to crate a dog at night?
Crating is useful for training because it draws on your dog’s natural instinct to be in a den. For that reason, if your dog is properly crate trained, the crate will be a comfortable place that he likes spending time and where he feels safe. It is not cruel to crate your dog at night.
Can dogs see in the dark?
Obviously, his stronger sense of smell is useful, but it’s also because dogs can see movement and light in the dark, and other low-light situations, better than humans. They are assisted by the high number of light-sensitive rods within the retina of their eyes. Rods collect dim light, supporting better night vision.
Do dogs have a witching hour?
They can be down-right nuts! And puppies are especially crazy during the Witching Hours: roughly between 5-8pm every night. It’s 100% normal and common.
Why do dogs get the Zoomies?
Goldman explains that dogs engage in the zoomies when, “they have some form of excess energy that’s been contained such as physical energy, like when they’ve been crated, or nervous energy, like when they have tolerated an uncomfortable situation.” The chance to finally release that energy can lead to seemingly wild Jan 29, 2019.
What time should puppies go to bed?
But in all honesty, there’s no ‘right time’ for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it’s the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.

domain: pet


text:
Managing the digital divide better has become “a matter of life and death” for people unable to access essential healthcare information during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the UN chief.
Updated 14 Jun 2020, 7:09 pm
In the age of technology, digital divide is likely to decide the fate of humanity in many senses. How rapid technological change has impacted humanity and world aspirations can well be gauged from the way nations have nurtured ambitions to overcome communication bottlenecks and adopt digital solutions.
Against this backdrop, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres on June 11 while addressing the “High-level Thematic Debate on the (SDGs) and Impact of Rapid Technological Change on the Sustainable Development Goals Targets” at UN General Assembly noted that digital technology is central to almost every aspect of effective including pandemic response – vaccine research, online learning models, e-commerce, and work-from-home tools. He pointed out that the digital divide between those on and offline, is threatening to become “the new face of inequality”, reinforcing the social and economic disadvantages suffered by women and girls, people with disabilities and “minorities of all kinds”.
Managing the digital divide better, has become “a matter of life and death” for people unable to access essential healthcare information during the COVID-19 pandemic, said the UN chief as reported by UN News. Guterres said that far from “distracting us from the urgency of digital cooperation, COVID-19 is making it more important than ever, and demonstrating the interconnected nature of the challenges we face”.
Stating that the world is only beginning to understand the social implications of a post-COVID world, Guterres pointed out, “But one thing is certain, as we recover and rebuild, digital technology will be more prominent and important than ever”. The UN chief maintained that those without access to digital technology will be left further behind and referred to a 2018 report of the High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation concerning the optimization of technology, while mitigating its potential downsides. He announced that its recommendations to close the digital divide, including growing human and institutional capacity for today’s digital age; upholding human rights in digital contexts; building cyber trust and security; and agreeing on a new global architecture for digital cooperation; were all a part of the UN’s Roadmap for Digital Cooperation, which was also launched on Thursday, said UN News.
“We cannot reap the full benefits of the digital age without mobilizing global cooperation to close digital gaps and reduce potential harms”, upheld the Secretary-General. Stressing the urgent need for “global vision and leadership”, Guterres said that the roadmap calls on everyone to take concrete action together to “connect, respect and protect people in the digital age”. “Future generations will judge whether we seize the opportunities of this unprecedented moment”, he concluded.
The message of the UN chief is loud and clear. However, are nations willing to cooperate with the visions and leadership as envisaged by him? Are technologically most advanced countries like Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, United States, Singapore, Finland, Switzerland etc ready to lead the world in closing the digital divide or are they constrained by global geo-politics of the day as witnessed in recent times after the coronavirus outbreak?
If one may recall, even the UN became a forum to fuel escalating tension between China and the United States and few countries taking sides depending on their own calculated benefits. Despite the hurdles, one can only hope nations will exhibit maturity in the light of the noble call given by the UN the Secretary-General to meet the new face of digital inequality.
First published:14 Jun 2020, 7:09 pm
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If you desire to be part of something special, to be part of a winning team, to be part of a fun team - winning is fun
We are looking forward to an Engineering Manager in Eaton’s industrial business, based in Pune, India.
In Eaton, making our work exciting, engaging, meaningful; ensuring safety, health, wellness; and being a model of inclusion & diversity are already embedded in who we are - it’s in our values, part of our vision, and our clearly defined aspirational goals.
This exciting role is a part of Aerospace group and the individual will be responsible for leadership and management of engineering function within Aerospace group. Person in this position will be responsible for employee engagement, building organizational capability and capacity by hiring, developing team members. Person in this position will be responsible for monitoring & measuring task performance & driving quality management system Person will also be responsible for strategy development, alignment, developing and deploying systems and processes aligned to strategy within Aerospace FMC Fuel Airframe Pumps and Valves Products
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring for Fuel Airframe Pumps and Valves Product Engineers and CoE team at EIIC to develop innovative designs that meets all requirements of performance, reliability, safety, cost and manufacturability.
Drive product line growth in terms of breadth and depth of capabilities in product design as well as adjacent technology areas
Accountable to drive organic growth for Eaton by deploying the product design engineering skills and demonstrate innovation leadership to provide solutions that meets customers wants & needs/application.
Responsible for the implementation of strategic actions related to identified strategic focus areas.
Accountable to drive predictive approach and analytical problem-solving methodologies to improve the NPI/NTI and Current Product Engineering effectiveness as measured by the Business KPI’s
Identifies, develops and grows new opportunities in products and technologies
Collaborate with global and local stakeholders/teams to efficiently develop and implement growth strategies and technical roadmaps for proactively influencing and providing system level solutions to enhance value propositions.
Responsible for developing the technical and organizational talent to drive the objectives for intellectual capability building for Fuel Airframe Pumps and Valves Products by using relevant organizational processes (example talent acquisition, performance management, Organizational and Technical capability assessment framework)
Drive employee engagement and pertinent action plans to ensure high level of employee engagement & managerial effectiveness.
Drive culture of innovation with focus on patent, disclosures and product proposals
Develop six sigma initiatives within the group to improve quality, speed of execution
Efficiently deploy organizational process prescribed by EBS, Aerospace Engineering & AS Processes (Agile ProLaunch, Agile Starts, ACES, DFSS, DMAIC, APEX), and applicable Regulatory Standards and Processes (ITAR, EAR etc.)
- Bachelors or Master’s Degree in Mechanical / Aerospace Engineering
Minimum 8+ Years of relevant experience with multinational engineering organization.
Demonstrated experience in leading/ managing technical engineering organization
Demonstrated experiences in leading product development (NPI) & technology developments (NTI), Product Cost Out and Sustaining Engineering
Proven experience in Talent management (Hire, Develop, Retain), resource allocation and project management
Demonstrated experiences in preparing & presenting Multi Generation Technology & Product Plans in alignment with Product strategies
Demonstrated experiences with Manufacturing process, Customer interface, Continuous improvement methodologies,
Excellent communications skills with high degree of aptitude, creativity, and self-direction are required.
Good understanding on systematic problem-solving methods and tools.
Experience with CAD tools such as Pro-E, CATIA, Solid Works
- Experience in PLM tools (ENOVIA)
- In depth knowledge and hands on experiences with Aerospace Fuel Products specifically Fuel Airframe Pumps and Valves products.
- Experience working with Aerospace Fuel Systems
Demonstrated tenacity and flexibility to reliably achieve goals.
Demonstrated experience on of Design for Manufacturability & Assembly (DFMA).
- Highly effective interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in use of DFSS methodology & effective decision making. DFSS GB Certification preferred.
- Analytical tools (ex. Mathcad, MATLAB)
A highly entrepreneurial sense of urgency along with a passion for the execution is desirable, along with a drive to grow both personally and professionally.
The position requires the incumbent to be highly proficient in engineering skills, project management and documentation with the ability to manage multiple projects in parallel, thus enabling first time right product development and execution of NPI/NTI/Cost out/Sustaining Engineering.
Strong practical engineering experience to compliment his/her technical ability
Yes! Because you are the one we are looking for, we hope to hear from you now!
Making what matters work at Eaton takes the passion of every employee around the world. We create an environment where creativity, invention and discovery become reality, each and every day. It’s where bold, bright professionals like you can reach your full potential - and where you can help us reach ours. Need more about Eaton? Come on in @ www.eaton.com.
We make what matters work. Everywhere you look—from the technology and machinery that surrounds us, to the critical services and infrastructure that we depend on every day—you’ll find one thing in common. It all relies on power. That’s why Eaton is dedicated to improving people’s lives and the environment with power management technologies that are more reliable, efficient, safe and sustainable. Because this is what matters. We are confident we can deliver on this promise because of the attributes that our employees embody. We’re ethical, passionate, accountable, efficient, transparent and we’re committed to learning. These values enable us to tackle some of the toughest challenges on the planet, never losing sight of what matters.
Region: Asia Pacific
Organization: INNOV Innovation Center
Job Level: Manager
Is remote work (i.e. working from home or another Eaton facility) allowed for this position?: No
Does this position offer relocation?: Relocation from within hiring country only
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time


Five years after the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake that struck Haiti’s capital region, the loudly-trumpeted reconstruction of the country is still an unrealized dream.
2015 finds Haitians fighting tooth and nail in renewed political mobilizations to create the nation-building project that big governments and aid agencies pledged but then cruelly betrayed.
North American and European powers rushed planeloads and shiploads of soldiers and bottled water to Haiti in the days and weeks following the disaster, saying they would help Haiti “build back better.” The world was aghast at the rare glimpse of Haiti’s poverty provided by earthquake coverage. Leaders like Bill Clinton even acknowledged that the failed economic policies they had imposed over decades had impoverished Haiti and, indeed, are the source of its economic underdevelopment.
But the promises of the multi-billion dollar international relief effort and aid which will reach the grassroots have proven largely illusory.
A key admission in the months following the earthquake was that democratic governance and national sovereignty were essential tools for building Haiti on a new and progressive foundation. Today, the lack of democracy and sovereignty is at the epicenter of the political firestorm sweeping the country.
For many months, the Haitian people have carried out a sustained political mobilization demanding President Michel Martelly’s resignation. They want elections, now postponed for over three years, to bring a new government and parliament that is not afraid to take up the unfinished tasks of post-earthquake reconstruction.
The protest movement calls itself “Operation Burkina Faso,” inspired by events in that west African nation. In October, the people of Burkina Faso overthrew an unpopular president, Blaise Compaoré, and his government. Haitians draw inspiration from that event and, crucially, are aware that it is inspired by the socialist, egalitarian and anti-imperialist ideas of former president Thomas Sankara, killed and overthrown by Compaoré’s forces in 1987.
Haiti’s movement scored an important victory on Dec. 13 when Martelly’s prime minister, Laurent Lamothe, resigned. But Oxygène David, a leader of the Dessalines Coordination (KOD), one of the parties leading the protests, told Haiti Liberté weekly, “Lamothe was just the smallest part of a trinity holding Haiti down. The other two elements are Martelly and MINUSTAH. They also must go for Haiti to have democracy and sovereignty.”
MINUSTAH is the UN Security Council military occupation regime that deployed in Haiti in June 2004 to consolidate the Feb. 29, 2004 coup against Haiti’s progressive and elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
The next wave of large protests is planned to take place in cities across Haiti on Jan. 12, the earthquake’s fifth anniversary.
Foreign occupation and the slide to authoritarian rule
Three factors are driving the protest movement — Martelly’s march towards authoritarian rule since coming to power in May 2011, the ongoing MINUSTAH occupation, and the failed record of earthquake reconstruction.
Although two presidential elections have been held in the years following the 2004 coup against Aristide, both Presidents René Préval and Michel Martelly have been dominated by and essentially subservient to imperialist powers. This weak state was dramatically symbolized by the partial collapse of Haiti’s iconic century-old presidential palace in the earthquake. It could not be salvaged and has been razed.
Right after the quake, the U.S., Canada, and Europe rushed Haiti into a election which they brazenly meddled in to establish even stronger neo-colonial rule. A two-round presidential election in November 2010 and March 2011 brought Martelly to the presidency, but only after the Organization of American States (OAS) intervened and illegally changed the outcome. The largest political party in the country — Aristide’s Fanmi Lavalas — was excluded, producing the lowest voter turnout of any polling in the Western Hemisphere’s history. The election was entirely financed from abroad.
President Michel Martelly finally managed to get his long-time business partner Laurent Lamothe named as prime minister, and the two declared Haiti “open for business,” meaning that foreign, sweatshop factory investment was to be Haiti’s economic salvation, complemented by foreign aid and charity. Public sector intervention to tackle housing, healthcare, education, and other emergency needs was eschewed.
Martelly was a close ally of the extreme right-wing that twice overthrew Aristide in 1991 and 2004. He honored former tyrant Jean-Claude Duvalier, who was driven out of Haiti by a popular uprising in 1986 and was content (and permitted) to live in France until his embezzled funds ran out and he returned to Haiti in January 2011.
Martelly’s family faces widespread allegations of corruption, including abuse of authority, money laundering, and the squandering public funds. But the Haitian people are also alarmed by Martelly’s steady march toward authoritarian rule. Martelly and Lamothe found excuses not to hold parliamentary and municipal elections, allowing electoral mandates expire. Rather than bargain in good faith with his political opposition to create a provisional electoral commission (CEP) to oversee democratic elections, Martelly sought to create a “permanent” CEP, stacking it with his partisans.
On Jan. 12, 2015, the mandates of most Parliamentarians expire, effectively dissolving the legislative branch. Martelly says he is then prepared to rule by decree.
In the past week, Martelly has nominated a controversial prime minister and concocted a political accord that would extend parliamentary terms and guarantee his own survival until May 14, 2016, but as we go to press, six vanguard senators have refused to vote, saying the prime minister and political map forward should come from the opposition and parliament, not Martelly’s back rooms.
Haiti Liberté‘s Thomas Péralte reported on Dec. 31 that large political protests (for Martelly’s resignation) took place for the first time ever in Haiti on Christmas Eve. Protesters said there is nothing to negotiate with the doomed regime, some saying they would prefer “civil war.”
Cholera and public health care
Tens of thousands of people died in the earthquake, and half the houses in Port-au-Prince, with a population of nearly three million, were destroyed or seriously damaged. Acute needs were intensified – for health care, sanitation, housing, public education, and economic development (including agriculture).
Early gains in earthquake relief were achieved with the public health initiatives taken by Haiti’s Public Health Ministry in cooperation with international missions, particularly those of Cuba (working in Haiti since 1999), Partners In Health (present since the 1980s) and many smaller, vital health care projects.
Cuban personnel and hundreds of students and graduates from other countries of the Latin American School of Medicine in Haiti fanned out into some of Haiti’s remotest parts to meet new and existing medical needs. Other Latin American countries made substantial contributions to the Cuban-led health care effort. Cuba proposed a plan to the UN to create a comprehensive, public health care program for the country.
The Boston-based Partners In Health (PIH) expanded its work substantially, including building a second training hospital, opened in Mirebalais in 2012. PIH, too, voiced support and hope for a public health plan.
Tragically, the advances in building medical infrastructure suffered a huge blow in the autumn of 2010. The culprit was Haiti’s familiar old nemesis — foreign political intervention. MINUSTAH soldiers recklessly and criminally introduced cholera into the country when a Nepalese contingent allowed their cholera-infected sewage to flow into Haiti’s largest river system in October 2010. Over four years later, cholera has killed 8,500 people and sickened nearly 800,000, the world’s worst epidemic. The number of reported cases monthly was averaging 2,000 in 2014 but jumped in the latter months of the year.
Although UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has promised money and resources to combat and eventually eradicate cholera, a report one year ago by the Washington DC-based Center for Economic Policy Alternatives noted, “The UN itself has pledged just one per cent of the funding needed for cholera treatment [estimated $2.2 billion], even as the UN’s mostly military and police mission in Haiti costs over $572 million a year”.
A recent report by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) blames those in authority in Haiti for persistent “shortages of funding, human resources, and drugs” in Haiti’s health care system, including for cholera. The UN as well as the major governments participating in MINUSTAH are denying any culpability for introducing cholera to Haiti and then failing to assist in its prevention. Cholera is easy to treat and prevent if there is the will and funds. It just requires potable water delivery and sanitary sewage disposal. That’s why people in New York or Toronto don’t get or die from cholera.
The cholera disaster only deepened the festering wound on Haiti’s body politic known as MINUSTAH. The continued presence of the force is an affront to the dignity and sovereignty of the Haitian people.
The Housing Crisis
Housing was another of the most immediate needs in Haiti following the earthquake. International aid provided short-term shelters to protect from the elements. A reported 110,000 plywood shelters and tens of thousands of tent shelters were provided. Beginning in 2011, one-year rental subsidies were provided to families as an incentive for them to leave tent camps. The camps were an eyesore as well as visible testimony to the absence of substantial programs to build housing.
After mountains of studies highlighting the need for a massive home-building program in Haiti, the gains are few. According to arecent fact sheet on housing prepared by Church World Service and the Mennonite Central Committee (drawing on figures reported to UN agencies), some 85,000 earthquake victims still live in 123 camps of internally displaced persons within Port-au-Prince’s city limits.
Many tens of thousands more live in the new, sprawling informal suburban shantytowns of Canaan, Onaville, and Jerusalem, located beyond the pre-earthquake northern limits of the city. By a stroke of a pen, these communities are not considered as earthquake survivor settlements. That also means they don’t qualify for formal assistance.
Thirty four per cent of the families that left survivor camps were forced out by people claiming land ownership or by government officials. Twenty two of the remaining camps face eviction.
The aforementioned fact sheet reports that in the past five years, 27,353 houses have been repaired and 9,053 have been built, at a cost of $215 million. That amount compares to $500 million spent on the plywood shelters, most of which have long since deteriorated in the tropical weather or have been dismantled to build more permanent structures.
The UN-sponsored housing coordination body said in 2013: “Haiti needs to meet the challenge of constructing 500,000 new homes in order to meet the current housing deficit between now and 2020.”
The key instrument of Martelly’s housing “policy,” in keeping with the “Open for business” mantra, has been promises of financing for house construction. No housing agency of the government was created. But Haiti does not have networks of personal banking where people could obtain loans, and in any event, the proposal was laughable because most Haitians don’t have incomes to speak of. According to the updated country report on Haiti by the World Bank, more than six million out of Haiti’s population of 10.4 million live under the national poverty line of $2.44 per day. Over 2.5 million Haitians live under the national extreme poverty line of $1.24 per day. How are they to obtain loans to build houses?
In reality, the most active area of housing policy has been the clearing of survivor camps by force or by short-term economic lures. The latter has been facilitated by the Canada-funded, $20 million program of providing one-year rental subsidies.
Public education was another key social need identified after the earthquake. Before the disaster, half of Haitian children did not attend school. The number reaching secondary school was much less. In 2011, the Martelly regime created a national education fund whose goal was said to get every Haitian child into school. It was to be financed by taxes on international phone calls and money transfers, which were never ratified or overseen by Parliament as constitutionally dictated. The plan has been plagued by a lack of transparency, and its achievements are very slim.
School administrators say that promised funding under the plan does not get delivered. Or it arrives months late. This year, the opening of the school year in September was delayed by a month because parents said they couldn’t afford to buy the textbooks and other supplies that schools were not supplying.
One of the outcomes of the fund, according to a lengthy investigation by Haiti Grassroots Watch published (in French) last July is that private schools have been favored over public schools. About 80% of Haiti’s primary and secondary schools are private, typically operated by churches and other charities from abroad.
Teacher unions in Haiti opposed the fund because it had no legislative authority and therefore operates outside of public oversight. Teachers have battled for years to establish a public education system and to pay teachers living wages. Last spring, strike action won salary increases of 30% to 60%, but salaries are still woefully inadequate.
Misguided economic development
Economic development was cited as key to Haiti’s future following the earthquake, including for agriculture. Most Haitians still live in the countryside, and those forced to move to the cities by economic circumstance have not done so freely. But international aid and governments never came close to fundamental change in this sphere. They rehabilitated the failed dogma that posits Haiti’s low-wage, factory labor force as an economic asset to be built upon. And they perpetuated the neglect of Haiti’s all–important agricultural production, including environmental decline prompted by deforestation.
A centerpiece of the sweatshop labor strategy promoted by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and current presidential aspirant Hillary Clinton is the Caracol Industrial Park, located far from the earthquake zone in Haiti’s north. It was touted to create tens of thousands of jobs when its idea was launched in 2010. But a 2013 investigation by reporter Jonathan Katz revealed that “fewer than 1,500 jobs have been created — paying too little, the locals say, and offering no job security.”
Katz reports, “Hundreds of smallholder farmers were coaxed into giving up more than 600 acres of land for the [industrial park] complex, yet nearly 95% of that land remains unused. A much-needed power plant was completed on the site, supplying the town with more electricity than ever, but locals say surges of wastewater have caused floods and spoiled crops.”
Assembly factories in the new park routinely pay below the meager US$4.76 average daily minimum wage. A report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Cooperation (IFC) in 2013, which monitor and enforce factories’ compliance with national and international standards, found that all 24 of the factories it monitored in Haiti were “non-compliant”. All violate occupational safety and health standards. All violate minimum wage laws, and 11 violate overtime standards. None provide adequate health and first aid services, and 22 were in violation of worker protection standards.
And what has become of the billions of dollars of aid promised to Haiti” A report by CEPR in 2013 said that much of the aid earmarked for Haiti was not spent in Haiti at all; it went to foreign contractors. “67.1% of USAID contracts has gone to Beltway-based firms, while just 1.3% has gone to Haitian companies”, it wrote. And “of the $6.43 billion do-gooders by bilateral and multilateral donors to Haiti from 2010-2012, just nine percent went through the Haitian government.”
Writing in July of 2014, the CEPR reported that of the $1.38 billion awarded by USAID to projects in Haiti, just $12.36 million has gone to Haitian organizations. Of the Haitian amount, 57% went to Cemex Haiti, a local cement mixing outlet and subsidiary of the Mexican Cemex, the Mexican company that is one of the largest cement producers in the world. (Cemex purchased the former state-owned cement producer in Haiti some 15 years ago.)
A lot of celebrities and other prominent people have come and gone from Haiti over the past five years. Careers have been created or polished up by charitable works. The Clintons come to mind. Many Hollywood actors. Canada’s former governor-general (titular head of state), Michaëlle Jean, was a mouthpiece for the 2004 coup while she was governor general, then she became a Special Ambassador to Haiti for UNESCO following the earthquake. Recently, she rode rough over the objections of African countries to become the head of the Francophonie organization of French-speaking countries. What all these people as well as many other foreign do-gooders shared in common was their support for the political project keeping MINUSTAH and local clients (Martelly or some other derivative of him) in charge of the country, at the expense of the Haitian people.
CEPR Director Mark Weisbrot wrote one year ago that the lasting legacy of the earthquake “is the international community’s profound failure to set aside its own interests and respond to the most pressing needs of the Haitian people.”
But then there is the Haitian people – their mounting political actions and their unrelenting determination to build a country based on sovereignty and social justice. And their true and faithful international allies. Like the countries and healthcare projects mentioned earlier in this article. Like the lawyers of Bureau des avocats internationaux (BAI) and Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) who are suing the UN on behalf of the victims of cholera. Like the SOIL sanitation project and the organizations of peasants and farmers of Latin America who are working in the Haitian countryside. Like many school support projects which are an important form of the struggle for public education in Haiti.
These are the organizations which are working together with the Haitian people to help shape Haiti’s future.
 For an early 2010 report of these efforts see ‘Field Notes from Haiti: After the Earthquake’, by MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba).
 Read an eight page essay on the history of foreign intervention in Haiti: ‘ Haiti’s humanitarian crisis: Rooted in history of military coups and occupations ‘, by Roger Annis and Kim Ives, May 2011.
Here are places to go for information:
CHAN website, Haiti Liberté, IJDH


text: The nucleotide sequence of PgiC1-a which encodes a cytosolic isozyme of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGIC; EC 184.108.40.206) in Clarkia lewisii, a wildflower native to California, is described and compared to the previously published sequence of the duplicate PgiC2-a from the same genome. Both genes have the same structure of 23 exons and 22 introns located in identical positions, and they encode proteins of 569 amino acids. Exon and inferred protein sequences of the two genes are 96.4% and 97.2% identical, respectively. Intron sequences are 88.2% identical. The high nucleotide similarity of the two genes is consistent with previous genetic and biosystematic findings that suggest the duplication arose within Clarkia. A partial sequence of PgiC2-b was also obtained. It is 99.5% identical to PgiC2-a in exons and 99.7% in introns. The nucleotide sequence of the single PgiC from Arabidopsis thaliana was also determined for comparison to the Clarkia genes. The A. thaliana PgiC has 21 introns located at positions identical to those in Clarkia PgiC1 and PgiC2, but lacks the intron that divides Clarkia exons 21 and 22. The A. thaliana PGIC protein is shorter, with 560 amino acids, and differs by about 17% from the Clarkia PGICs. The PgiC in A. thaliana was mapped to a site 20 cM from restriction fragment length polymorphism marker 331 on chromosome 5.

domain: biology


Miley Cyrus Can’t Spell Boyfriend Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Last Name
Unfortunately for Miley, this is probably the only takeaway the world will get from what was supposed to be a spotlight on her partnership with the MAC Aids Fund.
— Los Angeles LGBT Ctr (@LALGBTCenter) January 23, 2015
Seriously, as much as the world is interested in this budding romance, the last 25 seconds of the interview were totally unnecessary.
For those interested, here’s her answer on how to spell one of the longest names in Hollywood:
“I literally, I just had this conversation. I can’t tell you. Apparently there’s not a ‘T’ in it.”
For the rest of Miley’s chat with GMA, watch the interview here.


Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd today began construction of six Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) warships costing RM9 billion under the Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) project.
Defence Deputy Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri said the LCS project was one of the government's efforts to strengthen the country's maritime defence system, apart from boosting the economy, especially the shipbuilding industry.
Abdul Rahim was speaking at a media conference after launching the first welding of the LCS project at Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd here today.
Also present were the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahim Mohamad Radzi and Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd managing director, Tan Sri Ahmad Ramli Mohd Nor.
The ships built under the LCS project will have various warfare capabilities.
Among the main features of the ships are their maximum speed of 28 knots and weapon capabilities such as torpedo launcher, anti-surface missile launcher system, anti-air missile launcher system and medium calibre guns to tighten security control on Malaysian waters.
The construction, integration and tests on the LCS ships would be carried out completely in Lumut where modular construction would ensure improvement at every stage.
The first ship identified as First of Class Vessel is expected to be delivered in April 2019, and thereafter, each ship will be ready every 10 months. (Bernama)


text:
ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX47) — It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on the restaurant business and now, a new collaboration aims to help.
Rochester Downtown Alliance, the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and the food blog CHOOCHOO- ca- CHEW are joining together so people can have a one-stop shop to see all area restaurants. It’s being called the “#ROCHMN” Food Partnership.
The idea is to simplify things to draw more people into the businesses, especially with colder months ahead.
“The weather’s changing, so everything is going to change again,” CHOOCHOO-ca-CHEW Founder Tiffany Alexandria said. “Patios will be closed, and we want to keep people updated on the Rochester food situation.”
Alexandria said the format is more user-friendly. Diners can find out what service options a restaurant uses, its hours, and if they are linked to services like DoorDash.
“We are pleased to collaborate to support our restaurants during this challenging time,” RDA Executive Director Holly Masek and Chamber President Kathleen Harrington said together in a news release.
Right now, there are 77 restaurants on the site. Alexandria said new restaurants are constantly being added and they will soon add ones from areas outside of Rochester.

domain: economics


text:
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Faculties are of diferent kinds there. Some of them are very friendly and had a very good helping mentality. However some of them are also very strict. Not friendly in behaviour. A few number of faculties are always supportive towards the programs conducted by the union.
The University of Calicut, Kerala has introduced a new home-based program that will benefit the children identified under Persons with Disability (PwD) as a part of the Community Disability Management and Rehabilitation Program (CDMRP). The Department of Psychology will manage the program in an i
Calicut University has decided to begin private registration for the students who are seeking admissions into the distance education courses offered by the varsity. The step was taken when the approval for offering the courses was delayed by the UGC. Calicut University has the largest numbe
Calicut University has released the second allotment list for B.Ed and PG courses on its official website - @cuonline.ac.in The admission for B.Ed and PG programs at Calicut University is offered through the Centralised Admission Process (CAP) which offers various options for candidates
November 07, 2020: Calicut University has announced the conduction of re-examination for candidates who were unable to appear for the university exam due to COVID-19 restriction. Calicut University (CU) will conduct the university examination for students who have been tested positive f
UGCAP 2020 Fourth Allotment Result of Calicut University is released on November 07. Results will be announced on the UGCAP portal of Calicut University, ugcap.uoc.ac.in. Accordingly, aspirants will be able to check Calicut University 4th Allotment results and download their al
Calicut University is all set to release the PG first allotment list tomorrow, i.e. October 31, 2020. After the declaration of Calicut University PG first allotment result, candidates have to pay the mandatory fee for the confirmation. The fee under the first allotment list is to be pai
Calicut University (CU) has released the result for the 3rd allotment for UG admissions process 2020 on October 23, 2020. Candidates can check their result by visiting the official website of Calicut University @ ugcap.uoc.ac.in. According to the Calicut University 3rd allotment list, t
Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, appealed to state-funded colleges and university administration to toil harder to bag higher grading from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), in a video conference on Tuesday. University's administration will be accredited with mo

domain: news


text:
Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh appeared to have fun whilst enjoying each other’s company during the Valentino show on Monday for Paris Fashion Week.
The Black Widow actress, 27, and The Amazing Spider-Man actor, 40, channelled best friend energy at the show as they twinned in shades of pink and were spotted goofing off in between.
Sitting in the front row, Garfield rocked a burnt orange button-down shirt tucked into neutral-hued slacks. He paired it with brown shoes and wore a long light pink blazer. Meanwhile, Pugh stunned in a pale pink pant suit.
The duo, who is currently busy filming the new romantic comedy We Live In Time this year, also posed for a slew of playful snaps together.
The Little Women actress shared glimpses of the show in which FKA Twigs performed which she dubbed as “amazing” and “truly f---king magnificent.”
The show was also attended by Cher, Penn Badgley, Maude Apatow, Usher, Simone Ashley, Paris Hilton and Kris Jenner among others.
The Valentino show was held at Les Beaux-Arts, the prestigious art school that was founded by Valentino Garavani. The brand’s creative director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, celebrated “femininity and creativity” with flowing capes and florals with the fashion line.

domain: artistic


text: Check out this awesome article about Jonah Halperin (Matilda): “Life-sized Christmas Treat In The Poconos” Take a look at this article–an interview with Douglas Baldeo (Kinky Boots)! “Douglas Baldeo”Check out this recording of the kids and other cast members of Matilda (featuring Beatrice Tulchin) singing “Bring a Little Joy into the World” for the 2013 edition of Carols for a Cure! According to Broadway.com, the new Into the Woods movie, featuring Lilla Crawford (Annie, Billy Elliot), had the biggest movie musical opening ever! Congratulations to Lilla and the rest of the cast! Check out the full article on Broadway.com. Check out new pictures of K’Lynn Jackman (The Lion King) in the recording studio HERE! And here are pictures from the kids of The Lion King, Peter Pan LIVE, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Annie, and Les Miserables/Waiting for Godot!

domain: entertainment


Jon Stewart Gives Final Date for Daily Show + More TV/Movie News
I swear, a girl takes one little trip up north to Toronto and all of Hollywood explodes with announcements, trailers, and more. To save time, here is a round-up of the must know stories.
Jon Stewart announced during his Monday night broadcast that his last show at the helm of The Daily Show will be August 6th. Stewart made the announcement right before the signature “Moment of Zen” so there is a good chance your TiVo/DVR cut it off (like mine did, thanks CC) so you can watch it in the clip below. While Comedy Central has announced that Trevor Noah will be Stewart’s replacement, there has been no say WHEN Noah’s first day will be.
Time to officially welcome back the Tanner family. John Stamos made it official that Netflix has picked up the spin-off/sequel/reunion to the late 80’s/early 90’s classic Full House. Titled Fuller House, the show will focus on pregnant veterinarian D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron Bure), who like original series, will play a recently widowed spouse trying to raise her family. Sister (and aspiring musician) Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) and her childhood best friend, Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber) move in to help D.J. cope and raise her 12 and 7 year old boys. Stamos will guest star and executive produce the series which has a 13-episode order. Talks are still in the works for other original series stars Bob Saget, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Dave Coulier and Lori Loughlin to appear in guest starring roles.
This weekend was ripe with new trailers. Everything from Star Wars and Batman to Jurassic World dropped new trailer goodness for nerds everywhere to geek out. You can see them all over on Nerdy and Curvy.
Get ready for more Lego movies. After the massive success of The Lego Movie, Warner Bro’s and Lego announced that three more Lego films will be released between 2017 to 2018. Kicking off with an untitled Batman Lego movie premiering on Feb. 10, 2017 followed by a “Ninjago” themed fill set for September 22, 2017 and capped off with “The Lego Movie Sequel” for May 18, 2018.
More news has emerged regarding the possible Marvel Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. spin-off. Deadline is reporting that IF ABC picks it up, the spin-off would focus on the on-again/off-again couple of Lance Hunter (Nick Blood) and Barbara “Bobbi” Morse, AKA Mockingbird (Adrianne Palicki). S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jeffrey Bell and co-exec producer Paul Zbyszewski are currently penning the spin-off which would have its own separate pilot vs. the popular backdoor pilots that have been popular of late.
#MovieNews #TheDailyShowwithJonStewart #NerdyandCurvy #entertainment #TheLEGOMovie #TVNewsRoundup #JohnStamos #AgentsofSHIELD #Movies


text:
Please forgive me if I only recently discovered kopi. During the last four years living in Singapore I was happily sipping away on my cafe lattes. That was until I discovered Moments in Serangoon. This cafe has converted me from Western brunch-fan to local brekkie expert. These days, I cannot resist a delicious salted egg bun, or some kaya toast with a hot kopi C, on the weekend. Moments in Serangoon serves all these Singaporean breakfast favourites plus more.
Flossie’s rating: ★★★★
Moments is situated on a bright stretch of Serangoon Avenue. There is nothing nicer than sitting outside in the morning sun, by the patch of psychedelic-green grass, witha cup of Moments’ signature kopi in hand. Kopi is Singapore’s answer to espresso. In traditional style, coffee beans are wok-roasted with sugar and margarine to produce a rich cup of coffee aka as kopi. There is an art to ordering kopi in Singapore. You can read more about it at Visit Singapore. For me, I like to drink hot kopi C kosong. That is coffee with evaporated milk and no sugar.
Kopi from the local hawker can sometimes have a muggy taste, due to the above mentioned roasting method. However, the kopi at Moments in Serangoon has a wonderful caramel-like flavour. It’s kopi fit for a princess. Especially so, because it is served in a fine ceramic cup and saucer.
Whenever I visit Moments for a cup of kopi I cannot resist ordering a bit of brekkie too. The traditional Singapore breakfast set consists of kopi, kaya toast and eggs sous vide. Lightly toasted wholegrain bread, with the crusts removed, is layered with thick squares of quality butter and a generous smear of kaya jam. My only gripe – not enough butter! The butter helps to balance out the fragrant coconutty-sweetness of the jam. But, then again, I am a butter fanatic.
The key to really enjoying this brekkie set like a local is to add a dash of soy to the side of runny eggs. Mix it all up then use the eggs as a dipping sauce for your toast. Don’t knock it till you try it!
The salted egg buns at Moments are, quite simply, to die for. A serving consists of three innocent-looking, pale yellow baos in a traditional steamer. Then, one bite and surprise! Delicious ooeey, gooey custard comes spilling out like a furious volcano. These are best eaten while they are hot.
I’m also a huge fan of the char siew bao. This is a steamed bun filled with Chinese-style barbecue pork. They are a dime-a-dozen breakfast staple in Singapore. However, char siew buns can really be a hit or miss treat. I’m pleased to report the buns at Moments pass the quality assurance test. They are not stingy on filling. Whatsmore, the recipe manages a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavours. The colour is a rich and gorgeous burgandy.
When I’m feeling naughty and just want carbs, carbs and more carbs, my go-to is the French Toast with cheese. This brekkie dish is not super cheesy. There is a mere hint of light cheddar. However, the bread is that sort of Asian-fluffy-white stuff that tastes so good – kinda like what a cloud in heaven would taste like – but is just oh so bad for your hips.
Speaking of evil carbs, the peanut butter bread with kaya is another tasty calorie hog. This is the Singaporean version of American PBJs (peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Except instead of the grape jelly you have coconut pandan jam. The sandwich is steamed so it is warm and moist to eat. God, why does something that tastes this good have to be so bad for my thighs?
My hubby is partial to the tuna toast set here. While it looks fresh and portion is generous – I hate tuna. It smells like cat food. Sorry!
I would much rather have a serving of their prawn dumpling. They are rather petite but the skin is none-too-glutinous and the price is good at $3.80 for a basket of three. The prawn dumplings are not as good as the haw gow at Victor’s Kitchen, but I do admit to ordering them more than once.
Moments in Serangoon
326 Serangoon Ave 3, #01-380

domain: food


text:
I also posted this question here: Where are the linear regulators in ADIsimPE?
I am interested in simulating some linear regulators including the ADM7154, ADM7150, ADP7182, and ADP1740/1741. So off I went and downloaded the linear regulator excel spreadsheet tool. I am impressed by its capabilities. But it doesn't show any plots of efficiency, PSRR, ripple, or temperature.
@So then I downloaded ADEsimPE and tried to simulate it myself. I had no luck finding the SIMPLIS or SIMetrix model for any of the above parts.
Then I read in the ADEsimPE user's guide that I should be able to click a single button and have my design exported to ADEsimPE. But I could not find this button in the spreadsheet. So dead end there.
Ironically, there are linear regulators from LTI.
Why can't I find any linear regulator models in ADEsimPE? Am I just being dumb and looking in the wrong place?
Thanks for your time.
LDO models are currently under development, but have not been released yet. They have not been a high priority for development to date, but we are seeing more requests for them and raising the development priority. We hope to start adding these models over the next year. We will be notifying the registered users of ADIsimPE when models are available.
Regarding the model export feature from ADIsimPower, the export button only displays if a simulation model is available. We continue to add models on a continuous basis, but not all parts are supported.
If you look at the Operational Estimates section of the ADIsimPower design, you will find the efficiency, estimated die temperature, PSRR (@ 1kHz), and integrated noise for the design. Admittedly, they are single points instead of a curve vs. frequency, but they are a good starting point.
Thanks for the answer. That makes sense. Is there another way to simulate the Analog Devices LDOs?
The problem is that we do not have the models developed, so unfortunately there are no LDO simulation tools yet.

domain: hobby


text: Allison Romano graduated from Gettysburg College in 2020 with a degree in psychology. As an undergrad, she worked as a research assistant in a variety of labs. Primarily, she worked in a social psychology lab focused on racially based shooting decisions. Additionally, she volunteered as a research assistant at the Florida Recovery Center, helping with research related to substance use in adults. Also, during her senior year, she carried out an independent study focused on the effect of mindfulness and portion size on eating-related enjoyment. Because of her interest in health and clinical psychology, she hopes to explore questions related to how exercise and eating affect cognitive processes in adults. She is very excited to continue research at the BACH Lab. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

domain: psychology


SonoSite ultrasounds are made for the general practitioner to be very quick, easy and convenient to use with very high image quality, durability and portability. SonoSite ultrasounds and transducers, made in Bothell, WA, are built to withstand a 3-foot drop onto a hard surface and come backed by a 5-year parts and labor warranty. The new SonoSite EDGE-II portable ultrasound is the latest evolution of the portable, durable, SonoSite ultrasound - with more processing power, combined with a larger, higher contrast screen, to provide bigger, brighter, better quality and more detailed images. The soon-to-be-released SonoSite S-II Vet ultrasound offers ultimate simplicity with a full-bleed touch-screen interface, self-contained on its own dual-probe stand. Of course, SonoSite still offers our affordable, work-horse M-Turbo portable ultrasound, offering easy, high-quality imaging at a budget price.
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text:
Atomistic simulation of shape memory effect (SME) and superelasticity (SE) in nano-porous NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA)
AffiliationUniv Arizona, Civil Engn & Engn Mech
Univ Arizona, Mat Sci & Engn
Shape memory effect
NiTi shape memory alloy
MetadataShow full item record
PublisherELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
CitationGur, S., Frantziskonis, G. N., & Muralidharan, K. (2018). Atomistic simulation of shape memory effect (SME) and superelasticity (SE) in nano-porous NiTi shape memory alloy (SMA). Computational Materials Science, 152, 28-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2018.05.031
JournalCOMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
Rights© 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Collection InformationThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at email@example.com.
AbstractPorosity can play an important role in altering the phase transformation characteristics of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMA), thus changing its shape memory as well as its superelasticity properties. This work, based on atomistic simulations of binary NiTi SMA, documents the effects of porosity at the nanometer length scale on phase fraction evolution kinetics, transformation temperatures, and stress-strain response. Classical molecular dynamics simulations are performed using a well-examined and verified Finnis-Sinclair type embedded-atom method interatomic potential. Simulation results for the nano-porous NiTi with various porosity configurations are compared to non-porous NiTi. The martensite phase fraction and transformation temperatures increase noticeably with increasing porosity, and the stress-strain response shows noticeable variation with porosity. The residual strain and hysteretic energy dissipation capacity increase significantly with increasing porosity.
Note24 month embargo; published online: 25 May 2018
VersionFinal accepted manuscript
SponsorsUniversity of Arizona

domain: literature


Why are African and African Caribbean men at higher risk of prostate cancer? Despite promising new research, the reasons are still unclear, as Sophie Lutter explains.
We know that 1 in 4 black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime compared to 1 in 8 white men. We just don’t know why.
We know that it isn’t about differences in hormone levels, and we can’t use socio-economic factors to explain it either. Could there be a genetic link? Well, there could but we haven’t found it yet. That doesn’t mean that there isn’t one, though, or we’re not looking. It’s just that, so far, it’s been unexpectedly difficult to find.
Last year, we gave a Pilot Award, funded by The Movember Foundation, to Dr Christine Galustian at King’s College London. She wanted to investigate whether there could be a link between African and African Caribbean men producing an altered form of a particular protein, called Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC), and developing aggressive prostate cancer.
DARC is usually displayed on the surface of red blood cells and endothelial cells (the cells that make up blood vessel walls). Its job is to deactivate cancer promoting proteins in the blood by grabbing hold of them and pulling them into the cell and out of action.
The problem is that DARC also has a nasty side. The same ‘snatch and grab’ technique that puts cancer-promoting proteins out of action can also make it nice and easy for malaria parasites to use DARC as a secret entrance into red blood cells. So in areas where malaria is traditionally widespread, such as Africa and the Caribbean, some people make DARC differently. It’s their body’s way of protecting them from deadly malaria infections.
Some people produce another form of DARC – version B – that is either displayed as usual on red blood cells and endothelial cells, but binds everything (including malaria parasites) less strongly than the original DARC (version A), so that it isn’t as easily hijacked by the malaria parasites.
Other people express the same weaker ‘B’ form of the DARC protein but don’t display it at all on red blood cells, so completely removing the malaria parasites’ secret entrance to these cells. This is version Y.
Dr Galustian wondered whether this evolutionary protection against malaria could actually be putting [some] men at higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
Dr Galustian wondered whether this evolutionary protection against malaria could actually be putting the men who produce versions B and Y at higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer. She wondered whether the fact that these forms of DARC don’t ‘snatch and grab’ malaria parasites as well as version A also meant that they’re less efficient at clearing cancer promoting molecules from the blood stream.
Sounds possible, doesn’t it? In fact, other researchers had already found a link between versions B and Y expression and higher incidence and spread of prostate cancer in African and African Caribbean men.
Unfortunately, the path of scientific discovery rarely runs smooth. Firstly, Dr Galustian couldn’t recruit as many black men as she’d hoped to her study, so there were more white men than black men in her final sample list. This isn’t the end of the world, but she still needs a few more black men to take part to be able to wrap up the investigation.
Secondly, most of the men taking part in the study (both black and white) had fairly early stage prostate cancer. Not many men with advanced disease signed up to take part.
Finally, when Dr Galustian looked at the DNA samples from the men taking part in the study to see what type of DARC protein they would display, she spotted some surprising results.
As she expected, most of the white men in the study produced version A, but a few produced version B. However, every single one of the black men in her study produced version Y protein. She doesn’t yet know what this means. It could be to do with the ethnic origins of the men in her study as version Y is more common in African men than African Caribbean men for example. Or it could mean something more significant. It’s too early to tell yet.
Unfortunately, the fact that all the black men produced the same type of DARC, and all the men (black and white) were at a similar stage of prostate cancer, meant that Dr Galustian can’t yet draw any definite conclusions about whether the type of DARC protein black men produce affects their risk of prostate cancer.
Without taking these leaps and exploring these avenues, we’ll never find the answers we’re looking for.
But Dr Galustian hasn’t given up. She is still trying to recruit the last few black men to her trial to see if she can get the numbers she needs to draw some conclusions. She’s also hoping to look in tissue samples from men who’ve had a prostatectomy to see if she can see any differences there between the type of DARC expressed and the grade of cancer. Finally, she might also have a look at DNA samples from men who don’t have prostate cancer, to see whether there are differences between men who do or don’t have prostate cancer and their DARC protein.
Overall, we still don’t know why 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer, or why black men are three times more likely to have prostate cancer than a white man of the same age. But even if we don’t end up with a nice neat answer all wrapped up and tied with a pretty bow, research like Dr Galustian’s is a step in the right direction. Without taking these leaps and exploring these avenues, we’ll never find the answers we’re looking for.