I am planning on putting up a link to my research paper. I just need to figure out how to make a hyperlink that'll get into my public folder in UMDrive.
Good luck next semester,
Joe
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Monday, April 2, 2007
AIDS and Circumcision
FROM: NY TIMES
March 29, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/health/29hiv.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
The World Health Organization officially announced circumcision as a way to help prevent AIDS. It was found in some African nations to have reduced the risk of infection in males by 60%. The sad part about this is that the men who live in these countries seem to think that because they get circumcised that they are now immune to AIDS. I understand that the foreskin is an area that males who are not circumcised need to make sure that they clean because it is easily infected due to the build-up of bacteria, however, I do not get how removing it helps prevent aids. The only part that makes sense is in the last paragraph where it states that durring heterosexual intercourse that the foreskin can tear or rip, which leaves an open invitation to the bloodstream. The only thing that I can make of this is that if you can remove that possiblility then the reduced rates may be produced.
March 29, 2007
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/29/health/29hiv.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
The World Health Organization officially announced circumcision as a way to help prevent AIDS. It was found in some African nations to have reduced the risk of infection in males by 60%. The sad part about this is that the men who live in these countries seem to think that because they get circumcised that they are now immune to AIDS. I understand that the foreskin is an area that males who are not circumcised need to make sure that they clean because it is easily infected due to the build-up of bacteria, however, I do not get how removing it helps prevent aids. The only part that makes sense is in the last paragraph where it states that durring heterosexual intercourse that the foreskin can tear or rip, which leaves an open invitation to the bloodstream. The only thing that I can make of this is that if you can remove that possiblility then the reduced rates may be produced.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Starbucks Coffee
From: http://www.slate.com/id/2161504/entry/2161505/
I agree that starbucks coffee houses are becoming as common as churches in the bible belt and I think that it is good that they are being wary of losing their "charm", but I do not think that they are pointing the blame in the right places. Starbucks has become a symbol for most people. In many eyes it is a symbol of social conformity, for some it is a symbol of good quality coffee. There have been many jokes involving Starbucks brand coffee and their baristas such as the ones on illwillpress.com. Another reason they are not so loved is because of their response to US soldiers in Iraqs' request for Starbucks coffee. They claimed that they do not support the war in Iraq and will not send the soldiers any coffee. The soldiers took this as the company does not support the soldiers, not the war.
I agree that starbucks coffee houses are becoming as common as churches in the bible belt and I think that it is good that they are being wary of losing their "charm", but I do not think that they are pointing the blame in the right places. Starbucks has become a symbol for most people. In many eyes it is a symbol of social conformity, for some it is a symbol of good quality coffee. There have been many jokes involving Starbucks brand coffee and their baristas such as the ones on illwillpress.com. Another reason they are not so loved is because of their response to US soldiers in Iraqs' request for Starbucks coffee. They claimed that they do not support the war in Iraq and will not send the soldiers any coffee. The soldiers took this as the company does not support the soldiers, not the war.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Mandatory Vaccinations
From: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/28/opinion/l28vaccine.html
This seems like a typical case of "Should the government stay out of it?", in which the topic is a vaccination for HPV (human papillomavirus). Most people who commented on the article said something about how the parents should be the ones to inform and educate their young about the possible risks of sexual activity and how people are losing faith in the pharmaceutical industry. One person pointed out that since HPV is a STD that it should be given to males along with females. The article itself said that since the number of outbreaks are nowhere near the level in which the government should mandate the use of the vaccination. Personally I have never heard of this vaccination (Gardasil) so I do not believe that it is very "mandatory" as of yet, but I do believe that if it does get to the point where the number of outbreaks becomes outstanding that the government sould do something.
This seems like a typical case of "Should the government stay out of it?", in which the topic is a vaccination for HPV (human papillomavirus). Most people who commented on the article said something about how the parents should be the ones to inform and educate their young about the possible risks of sexual activity and how people are losing faith in the pharmaceutical industry. One person pointed out that since HPV is a STD that it should be given to males along with females. The article itself said that since the number of outbreaks are nowhere near the level in which the government should mandate the use of the vaccination. Personally I have never heard of this vaccination (Gardasil) so I do not believe that it is very "mandatory" as of yet, but I do believe that if it does get to the point where the number of outbreaks becomes outstanding that the government sould do something.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Game Addiction Actually a Mental Problem?
Last June, we reported on a detox clinic in Netherlands for gaming addicts. Now, a hospital in the United States offers pretty much the same thing. Located in Newton, Mass., the McLean Hospital actually has a "Computer Addiction Services" department, that aims to help people who are hopelessly immersed in video games.
The said department's coordinator, Dr. Maressa Orzack, believes that "game addiction is a true mental disorder." According to Orzack who has treated all types of addictions for 15 years, there's little difference between drug use, gambling and video game addiction. She adds that video games work on a theory pretty similar to gambling, called the "variable ratio reinforcement.
"Basically, it means that players will set a goal (like finish a particularly a hard mission), and will keep playing until they accomplish it, even if they fail doing it a couple of times. However, they would still keep playing even if they reach the said goal. Thing is, before the players know it, they're addicted. They're already immersed in that "particular gaming world," and see it as a way to escape problems in real life.
Orzack's prescription? "Video game addicts" should accept their problem and be willing to change. And therein lies probably the biggest problem as most people don't%2
From: http://www.qj.net/Game-Addiction-Actually-a-Mental-Problem-/pg/49/aid/61206
The said department's coordinator, Dr. Maressa Orzack, believes that "game addiction is a true mental disorder." According to Orzack who has treated all types of addictions for 15 years, there's little difference between drug use, gambling and video game addiction. She adds that video games work on a theory pretty similar to gambling, called the "variable ratio reinforcement.
"Basically, it means that players will set a goal (like finish a particularly a hard mission), and will keep playing until they accomplish it, even if they fail doing it a couple of times. However, they would still keep playing even if they reach the said goal. Thing is, before the players know it, they're addicted. They're already immersed in that "particular gaming world," and see it as a way to escape problems in real life.
Orzack's prescription? "Video game addicts" should accept their problem and be willing to change. And therein lies probably the biggest problem as most people don't%2
From: http://www.qj.net/Game-Addiction-Actually-a-Mental-Problem-/pg/49/aid/61206
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