Health News

Online Courses Failing to Educate the Poor in Africa

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) may not be reaching the poor, but instead be catering to the rich and well-educated in developing nations, research shows.

 A global survey of almost 35,000 MOOC students engaged in courses of the online education service Coursera found that the majority were already well-educated and employed, and mostly males.

The survey’s results, published today in a letter to Nature, suggests that MOOCs reinforce the advantages of the rich rather than educating those who most need access to free education.

According to the survey, conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, United States, more than 80 per cent of MOOC students already had a college degree and 44 per cent had a postgraduate qualification.

“If you look into what some of the commentators say about what MOOCs could do, the goal is revolution in education access. They have said things like: ‘Nothing has the power to unlock a billion more brains than the massive online courses’,” Gayle Christensen, co-author of the survey, tells SciDev.Net. “So we looked at the data to see if that is the case. At this point, MOOCs are giving more to those who already have a lot.”

The survey found that the percentage of MOOC students with university degrees far exceeds the percentage of the general population with such qualifications.

This disparity proved particularly stark in Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa, where almost 80 per cent of MOOC students came from the wealthiest and most-educated six per cent of the population.

The letter in Nature says that better access to technology and improved basic education are needed worldwide before MOOCs can live up to their promise.

The survey also found that men make up about two-thirds of all MOOC students in countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, a group of mostly rich nations.

 

“I think that’s a challenge that [MOOC providers] are going to face, to overcome cultural and societal norms that are restricting technology and education access. If we want MOOCs to empower open access, we have to figure out how we can get more women and girls to access them,” says Christensen.

Claire Davenport, director of commercial, operations and international development at FutureLearn a company owned by UK distance learning institute the Open University, and a MOOC provider says: “The whole point about MOOCs being free and not requiring previous experience or qualifications is about the democratisation of education and broadening access.

“Almost everything about these courses is actually about trying to make them accessible to as many people as possible,” she says.

“Obviously, in areas where there is no Internet access, then online learning is going to be more of a challenge. But an interesting thing about MOOCs is that it’s very possible for people to share a computer,” Davenport says.

Source: e-science news

 

Zimbabwe: ‘Eight Children Die From Diarrhoea Every Week’

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UP to eight children are dying weekly as a result of diarrhoea, the Deputy Minister of Health, Paul Chimedza told the National Assembly last Wednesday.

Responding to Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya’s question on the recent death of three children after they had taken bilharzia drugs, Chimedza said diarrheal deaths were becoming prevalent in the country.

He said it has now been established that two of the three children died from diarrhoea which had nothing to do with bilharzia drugs. The cause of death for the third child could not be established as he was buried before a post-mortem could be conducted.

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Diarrhoea kills over one million children under five every year

“If you go to my statistics of deaths, every week we will have six to eight children dying because of diarrhoea which has nothing to do with drugs,” Chimedza said.

Three children, aged between five and eight, recently died in Harare and Redcliff after taking the bilharzia drug. The children were said to have started vomiting and developed diarrhoea the same day they had taken the medication.

Chimedza said the government’s decision to freeze posts was making it difficult for his ministry to function smoothly.

“The problem we have at the moment is there is a government freeze on posts. At the moment the nurse to patient ratio in some areas is about one to 15 and the ideal is one to four,” he said.

Chimedza urged parliamentarians to make sure that government unfroze the posts.

“We have an acute shortage of nurses in the hospitals. It is our desire to put a nurse or nurses that are adequate to look after our people in each and every health centre including those farm houses that we have converted to clinics,” he said.

Chimedza said the ministry was currently engaging the Finance ministry on the issue.

He said most nurses go “into the streets” after college and losing the skills that they got after using the government’s resources.

“They lose the skill after three years, they cannot be nurses anymore. They will need to be retrained,” Chimedza said, “So it’s really something that as a ministry we are very worried about. We really want to have all nurses’ posts unfrozen as a matter of urgency for the benefit of this nation.”

Source: All Africa

 

Thinking too much about food could make us eat more

A new analysis of 50 studies has found that thinking before eating may actually undermine people’s dieting goals.

Jessie De Witt Huberts of Utrecht University says that we are expert rationalizers when it comes to finding a reason to eat more. He said that people seem to

be very creative in coming up with such reasons, asserting that they can justify having the cake on account that it has been a hard day, or that they will exercise tomorrow, that it is a special occasion, or that it is impolite to refuse.

Huberts said that this is when justification processes become a slippery slope – as the reasons are often applied ad hoc, they no longer form strict rules that regulate when you stick to your diet and when you can cut yourself some slack.

A growing body of research has found that such justification can even come from performing well on a task or from doing good for others. In several studies, people who received positive feedback on a task were more likely to choose an unhealthy versus a healthy option.

Source: Hindustan Times

Eat steamed broccoli to prevent cancer

Eating steamed broccoli can help prevent cancer, according to a new study. New research reveals that the way people cook the vegetable can change its cancer-fighting abilities.

Eating steamed broccoli can help prevent cancer, according to a new study. New research reveals that the way people cook the vegetable can change its cancer-fighting abilities.

Researchers said that most ways of cooking broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, which are rich in cancer-fighting sulforaphane, decrease their ability to fight disease. They explain that the enzyme myrosinase in broccoli is needed for sulforaphane to form, and if myrosinase is destroyed, sulforaphane cannot form.

The latest study compared boiled, microwaved and steamed broccoli. Researchers found that steaming broccoli for up to five minutes was the best way to preserve its myrosinase. For example boiling and microwaving broccoli for one minute or less destroyed the majority of the enzyme.

However, people who eat well-cooked broccoli can still get sulforaphane by adding raw foods containing myrosinase to their meals, according to researchers.

Participants in the latest study were given broccoli supplements with no active myrosinase. However, some participants ate a second food with myrosinase.

Participants who consumed myrosinase had significantly higher levels of sulforaphane in their blood and urine than those who did not eat the second food.

“Mustard, radish, arugula, wasabi and other uncooked cruciferous vegetables such as coleslaw all contain myrosinase, and we’ve seen this can restore the formation of sulforaphane,” researcher Elizabeth Jeffery of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign said in a news release.

“As we’re learning, food processing isn’t just what happens to food before it reaches the grocery shelves,” AICR associate director of nutrition programs Alice Bender added, according to HealthDay. “This research highlights that what you do in your kitchen can make those fruits and vegetables on your plate even more cancer-protective.”

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Institute for Cancer Research in Bethesda, Maryland.

Source: Counsel heal

 

Artificial skin created using stem cells from umbilical cord

In a first, scientists have grown artificial skin using stem cells derived from the umbilical cord.

Scientists from the Tissue Engineering Research Group at the Department of Histology at the University of Granada demonstrated the ability of Wharton jelly mesenschymal stem cells to turn to oral-mucosa or skin-regeneration epithelia.

To grow the artificial skin, the researchers used, in addition to this new type of epithelia covering, a biomaterial made of fibrin and agarose, already designed and developed by the University of Granada research team.

Prior studies from the same team, already pointed to the possibility that Wharton stem cells could be turned into epithelia cells.

The current work is the confirmation of those initial studies and its application to two regeneration structures: skin and oral mucosa, increasingly needed in injuries in these parts of the body.

One of the problems major-burn victims currently have is that, in order to apply the current techniques of artificial skin, a number of weeks are needed. That is because the skin needs to be grown from parts of the patient’s healthy skin.

“Creating this new type of skin using stem cells, which can be stored in tissue banks, means that it can be used instantly when injuries are caused, and which would bring the application of artificial skin forward many weeks,” said Antonio Campos, Professor of Histology at the University of Granada and one of the authors of this study.

The study is published in the journal Stem Cells Translational Medicine.

Source:  The Hindu

Egg Timer Test proves unreliable guide to fertility

A popular fertility test designed to tell a woman how long she has left to fall pregnant is providing inaccurate and misleading results, creating a wave of panic among women in their 30s and 40s, Australia’s leading fertility expert, Dr Anne Clarke, said.

Dr Clarke, medical director of Fertility First in Sydney, said a recent British study, plus anecdotal evidence, had found the simple blood test, known as the Egg Timer Test, was unreliable and becoming discredited worldwide. ”I have big concerns about its accuracy,” she said. ”I’m seeing a lot of women turning up at my clinic in an incredibly distressed state and highly depressed because they’ve been told the test showed they had no chance of having a baby. It’s wrong and misleading.”

Among them was a 40-year-old Sydney woman who was told by her GP in April last year that the test, which measures the level of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) in the blood, showed her ovarian reserve was dangerously low. Further analysis revealed she was very fertile and well within the normal range, Dr Clarke said.

The Egg Timer Test – which costs about $70 – was pioneered by Adelaide clinic Repromed in 2004, to measure the number of eggs a woman had and predict how many child-bearing years she had left. With thousands of women rushing to take the test, other companies entered the market, but Dr Kelton Tremellen, of Repromed, said they were not always reliable. ”[If it’s not done properly] one person’s blood test can be analyzed and get two vastly different results,” he said. Results could be compromised, for example, if a woman had been on the pill. Dr Clarke added that inaccurate readings also occurred when the blood was stored incorrectly or the hormone not analyzed immediately.

 

Asked if women should have the test, she said: ”I’m not sure of the value of the test. If I want to look at ovarian reserves, I do an antral follicle count with an ultrasound.”

The first reported study on the effectiveness of the Egg Timer Test was damning. The Manchester study, published last year, found significant variations in the results – up to 60 per cent.

Head researcher Dr Oybek Rustamov said the study, which looked at the results of 5000 women between 2008 and 2011, found ”commercial AMH or Egg Timer Tests provide erroneous results”.

Dr Clarke said research was increasingly discrediting and devaluing the test as a means of gauging a woman’s biological clock.

Cheriece Harper, 31, from Penrith, had the Egg Timer Test in 2011 and was left depressed when her doctor told her she had little chance of conceiving. Ms Harper consulted Dr Clarke, became pregnant via a sperm donor and gave birth to Bridie in October last year.

”I’m glad I had the test because it pushed me to make a decision and not delay motherhood, but if women get it done, they need to know it’s measuring egg quantity, not quality.”

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Health benefits of having oats daily

Oats is rich in fiber and a good source to boost your energy. But there are several other reasons why you must include oats in your daily diet. Here are reasons to have oats daily, whether it is for breakfast or as a snack.

Improves immune system
Oats contain a fiber called beta glucans which has been extensively studied over the years. Beta glucans is also present in yeast, barley and different mushrooms. Why is it important? Well, beta glucans is known to fight viruses, bacteria and parasites there by boosting your immune system.

Great for weight loss
Oats and fiber are synonymous with each other. Digestion of oats is a slow process; when you consume oats the body will absorb it steadily. Since the process is a slow one you feel satiated and full for a longer duration. In simple words, oats reduces your hunger pangs and prevents you from indulging in oily and salted food.

Improves digestion
Since oats have a rich source of fiber, it aids digestion. It works for constipation and also works as a natural laxative. While over the counter laxatives may provide quick relief it tends to reduce body weight drastically too, but oats maintains healthy body weight. Consume oats to improve your bowel movements, as it acts like a natural scrub for the intestines.

Oats for diabetics
Oats contains the lowest amount of glycemic index, that is, it has the least effect on blood sugar levels. For diabetics, it is important to increase your intake of oats as it controls the glucose levels in the blood. Oats also absorbs sugar which reduces the dependence of releasing insulin.

Cuts the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
Oats reduces your dependence on insulin and can improve insulin sensitivity. In a study, there was approximately 40 percent reduction of insulin dosage. Oats are one of the diabetes friendly ingredients you must have.

Reduces high blood pressure
Consuming oats on a daily basis can help in lowering systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Under the supervision of a doctor, you may be able to completely stop having medication if you continue to have oats.

Reduce asthma risk
Studies suggests that if you introduce oats based food to a child, the risks of developing asthma is scare. Apparently, in the same study also says that if you include fish in your child’s diet at an early stage, it can prevent rhinitis.

Source: The New Age

Health Benefits of Cardamom

Commonly known in India as “choti elaichi”, cardamom’s scientific name is Elletaria cardamomum. Though it is more popularly used as a herbal spice , which is added in dishes to provide a strong aroma and flavor but in Ayurveda it is considered to be a very useful and effective medicine. In Ayurvedic texts cardamom is referred to as “ela”.

According to traditional wisdom of Ayurveda, cardamom is effective in improving digestion. It helps those suffering from stomach cramps. It is a good stimulant and beneficial for those suffering from flatulence and gas.

Cardamom also helps in cleansing the body as it has detoxifying properties. It is basically a warm spice and known to have originated from India. It improves blood circulation to the lungs and can be helpful in prevention of spasms or convulsions. Hence, cardamom in small quantities is beneficial for those suffering from asthma or bronchitis.

Cardamom enhances appetite and provides relief from acidity in the stomach. It is used in the cure of halitosis. It is beneficial for those suffering from various kinds of respiratory allergies. When you have sore throat, you can try out a little quantity of this medicinal spice.

Those suffering from nausea as well as excessive threat can also try out cardamom. Along with some other medicines, it can be used for treating mouth ulcers. It is known to be a good cure for weakness in general. Some practitioners of Ayurevda also advise its use for treating infection of the urinary tract.

Cardamom is known to be helpful in balancing all three ‘doshas’ in the human body. Hence it is termed as “tridoshic”. A little quantity of cardamom is especially beneficial in balancing “kapha”. It can be used for balancing “vata” and “pitta” also.

The quantity of cardamom which need to be consumed depends on the physiology of a person and the disease which is to be treated or cured from.

Source: August Ayurveda

 

Go nuts! Healthy facts about nuts!

Good things come in small packages and nuts are no exceptions. These nuggets are packed with healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Studies have suggested that people who include nuts, including peanuts, in their diet have fewer common health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Here are some facts you should know before including nuts in your diet:

Nut varieties

A nut usually have a hard shell and a seed and most fruits we called nuts are not technically nuts nonetheless they provide similar health benefits. They include hazelnuts, chestnuts, and acorns, almonds, Brazil nut, candlenut, cashew, Chilean hazelnut or Gevuina, macadamia,   Malabar chestnut, pecan, mongongo, peanut, pine nut, pistachio and walnut.

How much to eat

According to the American Heart Association, include 4 servings of nuts a week in your diet. A serving is a small handful or 1.5 ounces of whole nuts or 2 tablespoons of nut butter. Avoid salted or oiled ones; instead, eat them raw or dry roasted

Calorie count

Almonds, cashews and pistachios have the lowest calorie count at 160 per ounce while macadamia nuts and pecans have the highest at 200 per ounce.

How to eat

You can have them as snacks whenever you feel hungry or sprinkle them over desserts and salads

Source: Zee News

Cadila launches Mycidac-C : World’s first drug for lung cancer

Cadila Pharmaceuticals has announced the launch of Mycidac-C, an affordable, unique and innovative drug for the treatment of lung cancer.

Mycidac-C is an innovative research product for the patients suffering from Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). The drug has been approved for launch in India by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It targets Desmocolin-3, a novel target, said the company in a statement.

According to the statement, Mycidac-C is a first in the class active immunotherapy as well as drug targeting Desmocollin-3. It is a breakthrough in the management of squamous cell NSCLC. There has been no significant innovation in management of squamous NSCLC since the introduction of platinum containing doublet in 1983. Besides affordability and other advantages, Mycidac-C has no systemic side effects during the treatment. Mycidac-C is to be used with platinum containing doublet therapy.

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) report, approximately 1.25 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year worldwide. Around 30 per cent of them suffer from squamous NSCLC. Lung cancer kills more people than the three next commonest cancers combined.

Mycidac-C can be administered easily by trained paramedics, thus further reducing the cost of hospitalisation associated with other cancer therapy, according to the statement.

Rajiv I Modi, chairman and managing director, Cadila Pharmaceuticals, said, “It has taken us over a decade, a huge investment and a dedicated research and development team to develop this unique drug. We expect it to be available in the Indian market by December 2013. Thereafter, we will introduce it in other regions like SAARC countries and European markets over the next five years.”

Source: India Medical Times