A dangerous and deadly bacteria has been released from a high-security laboratory in Louisiana.
The release of Burkholderia pseudomallei from the Tulane National Primate Research Center has been the subject of investigations by multiple federal and state organizations but none has been able to explain the cause of the release or even how much bacteria has contaminated the land in the area.
The lab, 35 miles north of New Orleans, is just the latest safety breach at some of the biggest laboratories in the nation.
“The fact that they can’t identify how this release occurred is very concerning,” Richard Ebright, a biosafety expert from Rutgers University, told USA Today.
The scientists at the lab say that four monkeys that were never used in the experiments have been confirmed to have exposure to the virus. A federal investigator became ill after visiting the facility and tested positive for the virus. The scientist will make a full recovery.
“We’re taking this extraordinarily seriously. It’s very disturbing to us,” said Andrew Lackner, director of the Tulane primate center. “Right from the beginning we’ve spent an enormous amount of time trying to figure out how this could have happened.”
Lackner says there is no public health threat.
A South African man who had been in a 12-year vegetative state is crediting God for his recovery.
Martin Pistorius spoke with Glenn Beck through a voice synthesizer and said God alone is the reason he was able to communicate.
“Yes, I do believe that if it were not through God’s hand that I would not be where I am today,” Pistorius said. “If I stop and think about everything that had to happen and the odds of that happening, then there is no doubt in my mind that that could only have happened through divine intervention.”
Pistorius fell ill at age 12 when he had a hard time staying awake. He was diagnosed with Cryptococcal Meningitis. His condition worsened and he eventually laid unconscious. His family took him home from the hospital and prepared for him to die.
He is unable to speak on his own but is now a functional member of society, married and operates a business.
Pistorius said that he never questioned God or why God was doing it to him.
“There were many, many times where in some sense I felt very alone, even if there were people around me,” Pistorius explained. “However, I always seem to pause when making that statement because while a part of me experienced the extreme loneliness and isolation, another part of me always felt the presence of the Lord.”
Most of you know that Jim and I are very health conscious and we do our best to take care of ourselves. That’s because we have had health issues that would probably have taken us out if we hadn’t! That’s the reason so many people like Frank Davis and Montel Williams take care of themselves too – they both have serious health issues that could have been a lot worse but they made a choice to fight back against those things! They turned it around – we turned it around – and so can you! Continue reading →
Healthy choices in nutrition and lifestyle is something that all of us can learn to make. It’s not too late for you to learn, no matter what your age! Jim and I started making healthy choices a few years back, and I can truthfully say that we have never felt better! We hope to inspire others to get started on a healthy course. It’s a perfect time for you to make a change! In fact, getting healthy in 2015 is very achievable!
The greatest challenge is just getting started! Continue reading →
The family of seven-time Grammy Award winning gospel singer Andrae Crouch is calling on his friends and Christians around the world to pray after a downturn in his health.
Sandra Crouch released a statement Monday confirming that Andrae has been hospitalized because of issues connected to ongoing health problems.
“On Saturday, Jan. 3, my brother, Andrae Crouch, was taken to the hospital so that medical staff could more directly address some serious health complications that had arisen,” Crouch’s sister said, according to USA Today. “At this time, Andrae is being attended by a medical team, and we are so grateful for their wonderful care.”
The latest hospitalization comes after a previous incident at the beginning of December that lead to the postponement of a tribute tour.
“We are also so grateful for the many thousands of people around the world who are praying for Andrae right now,” she said. “We ask for your continued prayer – that Andrae will respond positively to the medical attention being given to him at this time, and that he will fully recover from this current health complication.”
As we look forward to the New Year of 2015 we realize that there is nothing more important than our health; physically, mentally and more importantly, spiritually. After all . . . what will we be able to do for the Lord if we cannot face each new day with energy and the strength to accomplish what He has set before us?
This past year has been a rough one for me; however it is the joy of the Lord that is my strength! I have determined in my heart of hearts that this year will be a better one for all who are following the Lord Jesus and are led by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. Continue reading →
The CDC is confirming that California is in the midst of a whooping cough outbreak.
Doctors say that the outbreak is the worst in 70 years and there is over 1,000 more cases than the last major outbreak in 2010. Over 9,900 cases have been reported and confirmed as of November 26th.
The disease, known as pertussis, is caused by bacteria and is known to run on a 3 to 5 year peak cycle.
“The last time a series of outbreaks occurred across the country, California started the parade,” said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News. “And so this is a harbinger we are fearful of.”
The CDC says that 50 percent of children under a year old who catch the disease need to be hospitalized and up to 2 percent die.
The CDC is requesting that all pregnant women be injected with the whooping couch vaccine with the hope that the injection will pass the protection from mother to child.
We are having such a wonderful time in Israel! Thank you to all of you who are praying for us – we feel your love and prayers. We can’t wait to share some of our experiences with you when we get back!
I just wanted to mention some of the things we did to prepare ourselves for our trip. It helps to ramp up your health before you embark on a trip like this – you never know what kind of bugs you will run into in airports, on airplanes, and just interacting with people!
We practice what we preach! First, you know that Jim and I eat healthy. We focus on things that are good for us like Jim’s Salba Bread and the Bean Burgers which are amazing and delicious. You can eat good and healthy at the same time! We use the Salba Chia whenever we can to add an amazing boost to our bodies ability to heal itself. You can find many creative ways to add this ‘super food’ to your diet. Continue reading →
A new study at Johns Hopkins says a virus that infects human brains has been discovered and the virus lowers human intelligence.
The algae virus impacts cognitive functions including visual process and special awareness according to a report in the Independent UK newspaper.
The study by scientists at Johns Hopkins and the University of Nebraska started completely by accident during an investigation into throat microbes. The DNA of virus that infects green algae was found in the throats of healthy individuals.
“This is a striking example showing that the ‘innocuous’ microorganisms we carry can affect behavior and cognition,” Dr. Robert Yolken told the Independent.
In the study, 40 people in 90 tested positive for the algae virus. All 40 of the positive subjects scored lower on tests to measure speed and accuracy of visual processing. They also had lower attention spans.
The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Doctors say a new disorder related to sitting too long at work could be as fatal as smoking.
Dr. Eric Tepper says that sitting for hours can lead to all kinds of chronic diseases no matter how old the patient.
“There’s a lot of research on what exactly is the pathology but it does increase mortality, it increase the risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes,” Tepper told CBS.
Tepper said that sitting hampers muscle strength, weakens metabolic strength and also cause problems with circulation. He said those who work in offices and other places where they are sitting need to stand up and walk around on a regular basis.
“You’re getting more circulation going through your legs, you’re actually using muscles to balance yourself, it’s almost impossible to stand perfectly still we’re always moving when you’re standing whereas sitting, you really are perfectly still,” Tepper said.
Tepper said that going to a gym to work out after work for an hour doesn’t help the problems with sitting at work. He says that every person should get up and walk around for at least 10 minutes an hour to offset the damage that can be done by sitting.
