naturalnews--2020-01-16--Study: Are ticks behind a new virus infecting people in China?

( Natural News ) There ’ s a new virus on the rise in China and the culprit behind its spread may just be crawling around the corner .
Dubbed the “ Alongshan Virus ” after the northeastern Chinese town where it was first discovered , the virus is linked to a number of symptoms , including fevers , headaches , fatigue , nausea , rashes and in extreme cases , falling into coma .
While the sickness is currently found only in northeastern China , experts from several leading universities and institutions in the country , through a report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicine , say it could potentially gain a much wider range thanks to the spread of ticks native to the region .
Initially thought to be a case of tick-borne encephalitis virus ( TBEV ) , the sickness was first identified in 2017 in a 42-year-old farmer from Alongshan , who , after developing a fever , went to a county hospital in Hulunbuir City , in inner Mongolia .
However , the man , who also reported having a history of tick bites , tested negative .
Succeeding tests soon showed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetically different from TBEV and other known viruses , the report revealed .
After identifying the new virus , the researchers started examining blood samples from patients who exhibited the same symptoms as the Alongshan farmer .
Of the 374 who met the criteria , 86 were confirmed to be infected with the Alongshan virus .
Nearly all of them were farmers or forestry workers , the report said .
The Alongshan virus , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , belongs to a family of viruses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes TBEV , as well as mosquito-borne viruses such as the dreaded dengue fever , the West Nile virus and the Zika virus .
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The researchers , in their report , said the Alongshan virus generally had an incubation period of three to seven days .
Aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nausea in infected persons , the virus also causes symptoms such as poor appetite , depression , rashes and muscle and joint pains .
( Related : Deadly outbreak of “ monkey fever ” virus , spread by ticks , has killed 19 in India . )
As noted in their study , all 86 patients were treated based on their symptoms , all of which soon went away in about six to eight days of treatment .
Although the patients spent an average of 10 to 14 days in the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any long-term complications .
The researchers suspected the taiga tick ( Ixodes persulcatus ) – a species commonly found throughout China , Korea , Japan , Mongolia , Russia and parts of eastern Europe – of being the virus ’ main vector .
However , upon conducting tests in both ticks and mosquitoes in the region , the researchers found that the virus was present in the systems of both animals .
“ Our findings suggest that [ the Alongshan virus ] may be the cause of a previously unknown febrile disease , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine the geographic distribution of this disease outside its current areas of identification , ” the authors concluded .
Aside from the Alongshan virus , ticks also spread other serious diseases and infections .
Among the most common are the following : • Lyme disease — This tick-borne disease causes joint pain , and in extreme cases , brain tissue inflammation and complications within the nervous system .
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever — A serious tick-borne disease , Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can potentially lead to multiple organ failure if not treated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anaplasmosis will often have fever , headache , chills and muscle aches .
If left untreated , this infection may disrupt the blood ’ s clotting process , which can lead to organ failure .
• Babesiosis — A malaria-like disease , this infection is caused by the parasite Babesia .
Among its symptoms are the development of blood clots , unstable blood pressure and possible organ failure .
With this in mind , it ’ s best to start proactively avoiding these tiny pests .
Some of the things one can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following : • Do not go to tick-infested areas .
• Apply natural and organic insect repellent on your skin before going outdoors .
Essential oils extracted from lemongrass , cedar , peppermint and thyme have been proven effective .
• Spray a solution of white vinegar and water on affected , tick-infested areas .
• Clean your surroundings : mow your front yard , take out the trash .
Ticks love living in dirty , dark places .
For more news and studies on infectious diseases spread by ticks and other @ @ @ @ @

(Natural News) There’s a new virus on the rise in China and the culprit behind its spread may just be crawling around the corner.
Dubbed the “Alongshan Virus” after the northeastern Chinese town where it was first discovered, the virus is linked to a number of symptoms, including fevers, headaches, fatigue, nausea, rashes and in extreme cases, falling into coma.
While the sickness is currently found only in northeastern China, experts from several leading universities and institutions in the country, through a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine, say it could potentially gain a much wider range thanks to the spread of ticks native to the region.
Initially thought to be a case of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), the sickness was first identified in 2017 in a 42-year-old farmer from Alongshan, who, after developing a fever, went to a county hospital in Hulunbuir City, in inner Mongolia. However, the man, who also reported having a history of tick bites, tested negative.
Succeeding tests soon showed that the patient was infected with a virus genetically different from TBEV and other known viruses, the report revealed.
After identifying the new virus, the researchers started examining blood samples from patients who exhibited the same symptoms as the Alongshan farmer. Of the 374 who met the criteria, 86 were confirmed to be infected with the Alongshan virus. Nearly all of them were farmers or forestry workers, the report said.
The Alongshan virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), belongs to a family of viruses called Flaviviridae, the same family that includes TBEV, as well as mosquito-borne viruses such as the dreaded dengue fever, the West Nile virus and the Zika virus.
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The researchers, in their report, said the Alongshan virus generally had an incubation period of three to seven days. Aside from causing persistent moderate headache, fatigue and nausea in infected persons, the virus also causes symptoms such as poor appetite, depression, rashes and muscle and joint pains. (Related: Deadly outbreak of “monkey fever” virus, spread by ticks, has killed 19 in India.)
As noted in their study, all 86 patients were treated based on their symptoms, all of which soon went away in about six to eight days of treatment.
Although the patients spent an average of 10 to 14 days in the hospital, all of them eventually recovered without any long-term complications.
The researchers suspected the taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus) – a species commonly found throughout China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Russia and parts of eastern Europe – of being the virus’ main vector. However, upon conducting tests in both ticks and mosquitoes in the region, the researchers found that the virus was present in the systems of both animals.
“Our findings suggest that [the Alongshan virus] may be the cause of a previously unknown febrile disease, and more studies should be conducted to determine the geographic distribution of this disease outside its current areas of identification,” the authors concluded.
Avoid getting bit by ticks
Aside from the Alongshan virus, ticks also spread other serious diseases and infections. Among the most common are the following:
Lyme disease — This tick-borne disease causes joint pain, and in extreme cases, brain tissue inflammation and complications within the nervous system.
This tick-borne disease causes joint pain, and in extreme cases, brain tissue inflammation and complications within the nervous system. Rocky Mountain spotted fever — A serious tick-borne disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can potentially lead to multiple organ failure if not treated immediately.
A serious tick-borne disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can potentially lead to multiple organ failure if not treated immediately. Anaplasmosis — People with anaplasmosis will often have fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. If left untreated, this infection may disrupt the blood’s clotting process, which can lead to organ failure.
People with anaplasmosis will often have fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. If left untreated, this infection may disrupt the blood’s clotting process, which can lead to organ failure. Babesiosis — A malaria-like disease, this infection is caused by the parasite Babesia. Among its symptoms are the development of blood clots, unstable blood pressure and possible organ failure.
With this in mind, it’s best to start proactively avoiding these tiny pests. Some of the things one can do to avoid getting bitten by ticks are the following:
Do not go to tick-infested areas.
Apply natural and organic insect repellent on your skin before going outdoors. Essential oils extracted from lemongrass, cedar, peppermint and thyme have been proven effective.
Spray a solution of white vinegar and water on affected, tick-infested areas.
Clean your surroundings: mow your front yard, take out the trash. Ticks love living in dirty, dark places.
For more news and studies on infectious diseases spread by ticks and other insects, visit Health.news.
Sources include:
LiveScience.com
NEJM.org
CDC.gov
Healthline.com


naturalnews--2020-01-16--New research: Social media found to harm mental health, particularly in developing countries

( Natural News ) For many people , social media provides the ultimate escape , an opportunity to peer into the daily lives of the rich and famous , or even just to see what their neighbors across the road are getting up to .
What many of us don ’ t realize , however , is that several studies have linked social media use to an increase in depression and other mental health disorders .
The reality is that continuously feasting on images of other people ’ s supposedly perfect lives can create feelings of envy , sadness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Indonesia has found that this is particularly true in developing countries like Indonesia .
( Related : Is social media making you depressed ?
Science concludes “ yes ” . )
As reported by EurekAlert , social media is amazingly popular in Indonesia .
Around 54 million of its 272 million inhabitants are active on Facebook – making it fourth in the rankings of Facebook-using countries in the world – and 22 million Indonesians regularly comment on Twitter – making it the world ’ s fifth largest Twitter-using country .
Despite having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the G20 countries , however , Indonesia is a country of stark inequality , with an emerging consumer class that has left behind a large number of people who have not enjoyed the same employment and education benefits .
After examining the effects of Facebook , Twitter and chat use on 22,423 study participants located in 300 districts in the country , the research team found that this gap between the haves and the have-nots is cruelly highlighted on social media , with images of apparently happy , successful people creating envy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have no real way to improve their circumstances .
Indonesia is also a country that has been struggling for decades to establish a democratic form of government .
In fact , it has tried to implement three different types of democracy , all of which have failed .
These political struggles and failures are also regularly featured on social media , with negative results .
A cacophony of news about government failures , corruption , crime , conflicts and poverty is amplified on social media on a daily basis – providing little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the economic gap between the privileged class and those with little means has widened , and social media use has increased , the number of people diagnosed with mental health problems has increased exponentially , placing a significant burden on the country .
Indonesia ’ s 2018 Basic Health Research Survey revealed that around 11.8 million Indonesians struggle with a mental health disorder .
“ It ’ s a strong reminder that these technologies can have a downside , ” warned Global Development Institute researcher , Gindo Tampubolon .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think creatively about how we can encourage citizens to take a break from social media or be aware of the negative consequences it can have on mental health.
” ( Related : Is social media addiction a new type of psychiatric condition ? )
Not just a problem in developing countries The link between social media use and mental health problems has not only been established in developing countries , however .
As reported by the Independent , social media use can affect anyone ’ s mental health negatively in at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect your self-esteem , leading to depression ; • It makes forging bonds and connecting with others in real-time harder , creating feelings of isolation ; • It can distort the way in which we remember things , because it tends to only highlight the good things that have happened in our lives ; • It interferes with our sleep patterns by suppressing the release of the sleep hormone melatonin , which can increase feelings of anxiety ; • It interferes with your attention span , meaning you are easily distracted ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media users report that it makes them feel anxious , sad and depressed .
Clearly , whether we live in a prosperous country or in the developing world , there are good reasons to limit the amount of time we spend on social media each day .
Learn more about the link between social media and mental health disorders at Psychiatry.news .

(Natural News) For many people, social media provides the ultimate escape, an opportunity to peer into the daily lives of the rich and famous, or even just to see what their neighbors across the road are getting up to.
What many of us don’t realize, however, is that several studies have linked social media use to an increase in depression and other mental health disorders.
The reality is that continuously feasting on images of other people’s supposedly perfect lives can create feelings of envy, sadness and isolation. A recent study by researchers in Indonesia has found that this is particularly true in developing countries like Indonesia. (Related: Is social media making you depressed? Science concludes “yes”.)
The burden of social media
As reported by EurekAlert, social media is amazingly popular in Indonesia. Around 54 million of its 272 million inhabitants are active on Facebook – making it fourth in the rankings of Facebook-using countries in the world – and 22 million Indonesians regularly comment on Twitter – making it the world’s fifth largest Twitter-using country.
Despite having the third fastest growing economy among all the G20 countries, however, Indonesia is a country of stark inequality, with an emerging consumer class that has left behind a large number of people who have not enjoyed the same employment and education benefits.
After examining the effects of Facebook, Twitter and chat use on 22,423 study participants located in 300 districts in the country, the research team found that this gap between the haves and the have-nots is cruelly highlighted on social media, with images of apparently happy, successful people creating envy and resentment among those who are struggling financially and have no real way to improve their circumstances.
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Indonesia is also a country that has been struggling for decades to establish a democratic form of government. In fact, it has tried to implement three different types of democracy, all of which have failed. These political struggles and failures are also regularly featured on social media, with negative results.
EurekAlert reported:
A cacophony of news about government failures, corruption, crime, conflicts and poverty is amplified on social media on a daily basis – providing little escape for the country’s citizens.
As the economic gap between the privileged class and those with little means has widened, and social media use has increased, the number of people diagnosed with mental health problems has increased exponentially, placing a significant burden on the country.
Indonesia’s 2018 Basic Health Research Survey revealed that around 11.8 million Indonesians struggle with a mental health disorder.
“It’s a strong reminder that these technologies can have a downside,” warned Global Development Institute researcher, Gindo Tampubolon. “We would like to see public health officials think creatively about how we can encourage citizens to take a break from social media or be aware of the negative consequences it can have on mental health.” (Related: Is social media addiction a new type of psychiatric condition?)
Not just a problem in developing countries
The link between social media use and mental health problems has not only been established in developing countries, however. As reported by the Independent, social media use can affect anyone’s mental health negatively in at least six different ways:
It can negatively affect your self-esteem, leading to depression;
It makes forging bonds and connecting with others in real-time harder, creating feelings of isolation;
It can distort the way in which we remember things, because it tends to only highlight the good things that have happened in our lives;
It interferes with our sleep patterns by suppressing the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, which can increase feelings of anxiety;
It interferes with your attention span, meaning you are easily distracted; and
Studies have found that many social media users report that it makes them feel anxious, sad and depressed.
Clearly, whether we live in a prosperous country or in the developing world, there are good reasons to limit the amount of time we spend on social media each day.
Learn more about the link between social media and mental health disorders at Psychiatry.news.
Sources include:
EurekAlert.org
Independent.co.uk
APCSS.org[PDF]


naturalnews--2020-01-16--Authorities advise Swedish citizens to save banknotes in case of a cyber attack or war

( Natural News ) In a few years , Sweden may become the world ’ s first cashless society .
But is the Scandinavian country and its people truly ready to ditch cash for digital currency ?
Swedish government officials have recently warned its citizens to stockpile banknotes and coins before the country completes its transition from conventional cash to virtual currency .
They explained that a cyber attack or a disaster might take out the banks , thereby eliminating the primary provider of digital payments .
Consumers and sellers consider digital payments to be highly convenient .
Sweden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the technologies that will eventually enable a cashless society .
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology recently established that just 18 percent of the payments made in Sweden during 2019 used cash .
The number dropped by 15 percent compared to that from 2018 .
In the same vein , data from the Swedish Trade Federation ( Svensk Handel ) showed that 80 percent of the purchases at most local retailers get paid via credit card .
Experts have predicted that the percentage would rise to 90 percent by 2020 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital commerce .
Many experts believe that it might attain the status of the first cashless society – along with all the problems that accompany it .
( Related : Public pensions risk everything , start piling money into crypto… playing roulette with your retirement . )
Recently , Swedish government experts have expressed worries about a large-scale cyber attack on their country ’ s computer networks .
At best , citizens would lose access to their money for extended periods .
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In response , the country ’ s Civil Contingencies Agency instructed every Swedish household to squirrel away cash in small denominations .
Such a stockpile of old-fashioned hard currency will serve the citizens while the banks restore their systems .
Sweden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might disable its digital commerce .
Accidental interruptions include loss of electrical power and computer networks .
Deliberate disruptions include cyber warfare and terrorist attacks .
The warnings and contingency plans in Sweden may affect other developed nations that are also adopting elements of a cashless society .
In the UK , local banking expert Natalie Ceeney warned that her country needs to take action since it isn ’ t that far behind Sweden .
“ Sweden ’ s big message to us is , ‘ Plan now before you get into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Sweden hit its crisis when its equivalent of the NHS declared it was going cashless.
” Sweden has a history of being on the cutting edge of currency .
In 1661 , it adopted the first example of the modern-day banknote .
By doing so , it became the first European nation to issue paper money .
The second place went to England in 1694 .
Meanwhile , the US started issuing its first currency after the start of the American Revolution in 1775 .
In modern times , government studies found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population would experience difficulties if they lost access to the bank accounts and credit cards that made spending convenient .
Swedish central bank Riksbank urged the government to investigate the challenges and dangers that a cashless society might face .
Bank officials also recommended that local politicians consider pioneering the world ’ s first form of digital money with state backing .
In a meeting with the Swedish parliament , the Riksbank officials described the importance of hard cash during both war and peace .
Previously , the Riksbank issued warnings about switching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stefan Ingves , pointed out that the company in charge of the digital payments possessed a lot of power in a cashless society .

(Natural News) In a few years, Sweden may become the world’s first cashless society. But is the Scandinavian country and its people truly ready to ditch cash for digital currency?
Swedish government officials have recently warned its citizens to stockpile banknotes and coins before the country completes its transition from conventional cash to virtual currency. They explained that a cyber attack or a disaster might take out the banks, thereby eliminating the primary provider of digital payments.
Consumers and sellers consider digital payments to be highly convenient. Sweden is one of the leading users and proponents of the technologies that will eventually enable a cashless society.
The KTH Royal Institute of Technology recently established that just 18 percent of the payments made in Sweden during 2019 used cash. The number dropped by 15 percent compared to that from 2018.
In the same vein, data from the Swedish Trade Federation (Svensk Handel) showed that 80 percent of the purchases at most local retailers get paid via credit card. Experts have predicted that the percentage would rise to 90 percent by 2020.
The figures show that Sweden relies heavily on digital commerce. Many experts believe that it might attain the status of the first cashless society – along with all the problems that accompany it. (Related: Public pensions risk everything, start piling money into crypto… playing roulette with your retirement.)
Swedish citizens warned to stockpile cash in case hackers disable digital commerce
Recently, Swedish government experts have expressed worries about a large-scale cyber attack on their country’s computer networks. At best, citizens would lose access to their money for extended periods. The worst-case scenario is that they might lose all of their money.
Support our mission and enhance your own self-reliance: The laboratory-verified Organic Emergency Survival Bucket provides certified organic, high-nutrition storable food for emergency preparedness. Completely free of corn syrup, MSG, GMOs and other food toxins. Ultra-clean solution for years of food security. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store.
In response, the country’s Civil Contingencies Agency instructed every Swedish household to squirrel away cash in small denominations. Such a stockpile of old-fashioned hard currency will serve the citizens while the banks restore their systems.
Sweden’s government has considered different emergencies that might disable its digital commerce. Accidental interruptions include loss of electrical power and computer networks. Deliberate disruptions include cyber warfare and terrorist attacks.
The warnings and contingency plans in Sweden may affect other developed nations that are also adopting elements of a cashless society. In the UK, local banking expert Natalie Ceeney warned that her country needs to take action since it isn’t that far behind Sweden.
“Sweden’s big message to us is, ‘Plan now before you get into a mess,’” warned Ceeney. “Sweden hit its crisis when its equivalent of the NHS declared it was going cashless.”
A future cashless society faces risks like cyber attacks and power outages
Sweden has a history of being on the cutting edge of currency. In 1661, it adopted the first example of the modern-day banknote. By doing so, it became the first European nation to issue paper money.
The second place went to England in 1694. Meanwhile, the US started issuing its first currency after the start of the American Revolution in 1775.
In modern times, government studies found that 15 percent of Sweden’s population would experience difficulties if they lost access to the bank accounts and credit cards that made spending convenient.
Swedish central bank Riksbank urged the government to investigate the challenges and dangers that a cashless society might face. Bank officials also recommended that local politicians consider pioneering the world’s first form of digital money with state backing.
In a meeting with the Swedish parliament, the Riksbank officials described the importance of hard cash during both war and peace.
Previously, the Riksbank issued warnings about switching to digital commerce. The head official, Stefan Ingves, pointed out that the company in charge of the digital payments possessed a lot of power in a cashless society.
Sources include:
DailyMail.co.uk
InterestingEngineering.com


naturalnews--2020-01-16--Study: Natural alternatives can be used in place of harmful chemical herbicides

( Natural News ) Scientists have created natural weedkillers using commonly grown plants .
In their study , published in the Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine , a team from the University of Samarra in Iraq explored the potential of three plants — oleander ( Nerium oleander ) , olives ( Olea europaea ) and castor ( Ricinus communis ) — as natural alternatives to commercial weedicides .
A natural way to deal with pesky plants When people think of weeds , they often picture small plants that pop out in unwanted places — like bindweed , nutgrass , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any plant can be classified as a weed , as long as it interferes with farming or gardening , or it reduces agricultural , aesthetic or environmental values of produce .
In agriculture , weeds are considered a serious threat .
A 2014 study commissioned by Oregon ’ s Department of Agriculture showed a loss of over $ 1.8 billion in personal income from weed infestations .
To counter this threat , farmers rely on weedkillers , which can penetrate an unwanted plant and stunt its growth .
However , recent studies have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both human health and the environment .
Glyphosate , the active ingredient in Roundup , is the most controversial : The US Environmental Protection Agency insists that the herbicide is not a carcinogen , even as scientists find evidence of it causing DNA damage and adversely affecting wildlife .
In addition , repeated exposure has caused weeds to be more resistant to the effects of chemical herbicides .
Given this development , the researchers looked to nature in an effort to minimize further losses .
They focused on allelopathy , a natural phenomenon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another plant .
Some examples of plants with allelopathic properties include sumac trees , which can suppress all sorts of grasses , and black walnuts , which can inhibit the growth of birch and pine with the chemical juglone .
For their study , the team looked at the potential of three plants against nutgrass ( Cyperus rotundus ) , considered to be the world ’ s most invasive weed .
The researchers used leaf extracts from oleander , olive and castor , testing each for its ability to inhibit the germination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment , the team noted that weeds treated with oleander had the highest inhibition rate .
While all plant extracts showed dose-dependent effectiveness , researchers found that both 10 and 7.5 percent concentrations of oleander extract had an inhibition rate of 90 percent .
“ The current study indicates the possibility of using natural products of plant origin as alternatives to chemical herbicides , ” the researchers concluded in their report .
If weeds are creeping up in your garden , here are some ways to address them without the use of synthetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just great for adding flavor to food , these are also great dealing with weeds that just won ’ t die .
This solution is best for weeds that creep up walkways and gravel drives .
It ’ s worth noting , however , that while the solution won ’ t harm the environment , it ’ s non-selective , so apply it directly to weeds .
If you ’ re treating weeds in the garden , stick with vinegar – adding salt will ensure that nothing grows in the spot again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mix well .
• Once blended , transfer the solution to a plastic spray bottle .
• Drench the weeds in the solution on a sunny day .
The effects can be seen in just a few days .
This treatment is easy to prepare and does not leave any residue , which means the soil can be used for replanting .
Apply boiling water directly to the weeds , since it can also kill other plants .
Harvest.news has more stories on natural weed killers .

(Natural News) Scientists have created natural weedkillers using commonly grown plants. In their study, published in the Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, a team from the University of Samarra in Iraq explored the potential of three plants — oleander (Nerium oleander), olives (Olea europaea) and castor (Ricinus communis) — as natural alternatives to commercial weedicides.
A natural way to deal with pesky plants
When people think of weeds, they often picture small plants that pop out in unwanted places — like bindweed, nutgrass, amaranth and crabgrass. In reality, any plant can be classified as a weed, as long as it interferes with farming or gardening, or it reduces agricultural, aesthetic or environmental values of produce. In agriculture, weeds are considered a serious threat. A 2014 study commissioned by Oregon’s Department of Agriculture showed a loss of over $1.8 billion in personal income from weed infestations.
To counter this threat, farmers rely on weedkillers, which can penetrate an unwanted plant and stunt its growth. However, recent studies have shown that chemical weedkillers pose dangers to both human health and the environment. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is the most controversial: The US Environmental Protection Agency insists that the herbicide is not a carcinogen, even as scientists find evidence of it causing DNA damage and adversely affecting wildlife.
In addition, repeated exposure has caused weeds to be more resistant to the effects of chemical herbicides. Given this development, the researchers looked to nature in an effort to minimize further losses. They focused on allelopathy, a natural phenomenon wherein a plant inhibits the growth of another plant. Some examples of plants with allelopathic properties include sumac trees, which can suppress all sorts of grasses, and black walnuts, which can inhibit the growth of birch and pine with the chemical juglone.
For their study, the team looked at the potential of three plants against nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus), considered to be the world’s most invasive weed. The researchers used leaf extracts from oleander, olive and castor, testing each for its ability to inhibit the germination of nutgrass seeds. After two weeks of treatment, the team noted that weeds treated with oleander had the highest inhibition rate. While all plant extracts showed dose-dependent effectiveness, researchers found that both 10 and 7.5 percent concentrations of oleander extract had an inhibition rate of 90 percent.
“The current study indicates the possibility of using natural products of plant origin as alternatives to chemical herbicides,” the researchers concluded in their report.
Dealing with weeds without pesticides
If weeds are creeping up in your garden, here are some ways to address them without the use of synthetic weedkillers.
Salt and vinegar
The two aren’t just great for adding flavor to food, these are also great dealing with weeds that just won’t die. This solution is best for weeds that creep up walkways and gravel drives. It’s worth noting, however, that while the solution won’t harm the environment, it’s non-selective, so apply it directly to weeds. If you’re treating weeds in the garden, stick with vinegar – adding salt will ensure that nothing grows in the spot again.
Pour a gallon of white vinegar into a bucket. Add a cup of table salt and mix well. Stir in a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing soap. Once blended, transfer the solution to a plastic spray bottle. Drench the weeds in the solution on a sunny day. The effects can be seen in just a few days.
Boiling water
This treatment is easy to prepare and does not leave any residue, which means the soil can be used for replanting. Apply boiling water directly to the weeds, since it can also kill other plants.
Harvest.news has more stories on natural weed killers.
Sources include:
Science.news
Almanac.com
TeAra.gov.nz
Oregon.gov [PDF]
CBSNews.com
GardeningKnowHow.com
GardeningSolutions.IFAS.UFL.edu
IUCNGISD.org
AEEM.pl
HomeGuides.SFGate.com
TreeHugger.com


naturalnews--2020-01-16--Researchers explore health benefits of African plants and spices

( Natural News ) Spices aren ’ t just good for adding flavor and kick to your meals : They ’ re good for treating skin infections too .
According to a study in the Journal of Medical Plants Research , several compounds extracted from native Cameroonian spices have been proven effective when it comes to treating skin infections , including those from antibiotic-resistant bacteria .
Researchers from the University of Dschang in Cameroon investigated whether the essential oils from four Cameroonian spices — Aframomum daniellii ( African cardamom ) , Piper capense ( Ethiopian long pepper ) and Monodora @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cream based on Aframomum citratum ( alligator pepper ) essential oil can be used to treat a skin infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) .
The researchers added that while anecdotal references to the plants ’ curative properties abound , no scientific investigations have been conducted to verify their antimicrobial properties , as well as their essential oils ’ composition .
The researchers also noted that they focused on bacterial skin infections in the study , citing its prevalence throughout most of the globe .
In addition , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has become a challenge in clinical practice .
While conventional medicines are available on the market , these are expensive and often come with toxic side effects .
This led to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine usage in up to 80 percent of developing countries , with essential oils being the product of choice for many users .
( Related : Essential oils for good health : How to use them and when to avoid them . )
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Essential oils — while primarily used as natural preservatives , flavorings and fragrances in cosmetic products — are potential sources of antioxidants and natural antimicrobials , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cytotoxic properties .
The team used essential oils from the said spices , which they then tested against S. aureus and other microorganisms normally associated with skin infections , namely Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton violaceum , Enterococcus aerogenes , Enterococcus adecarboxylate , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacillus subtilis , Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella flexneri .
The researchers also tested the compounds against several yeast ( Candida ) species .
Their findings revealed that compounds from the oils worked well , with A. citratum seen to be the most effective in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A. citratum was the most active against bacteria and fungi , followed in decreasing order by those of A. daniellii , P. capense and M. myristica , ” the researchers said in their paper .
They also noted that the antibacterial activity of A. citratum essential oil against MRSA and E. coli was higher than that of the amoxicillin that they used as a reference drug .
The combination of A. citratum and A. daniellii essential oils also displayed a synergistic effect , adding that the cream based on A. citratum essential oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dermatosis in rats after two weeks of treatment .
The results , says the team , indicate that the essential oils possess antimicrobial activities which could be a function of either the individual or the additive effects of the identified phytoconstituents .
The results complement the findings of an earlier study in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies , which looked into the medicinal properties of several Cameroonian plants and their effectiveness against multi-drug resistant ( MDR ) bacteria .
The 2016 study by researchers from the same university , found that six commonly-used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ageratum conyzoides , Croton macrostachys , Cassia obtusifolia , Catharanthus roseus and Paullinia pinnata — demonstrated antibacterial activity against MDR bacteria , with the researchers even noting that the plants “ …could be a reservoir of molecules to fight against MDR bacterial infections.
” Find out more about the potential benefits of herbs , essential oils and other natural cures at Herbs.news .

(Natural News) Spices aren’t just good for adding flavor and kick to your meals: They’re good for treating skin infections too. According to a study in the Journal of Medical Plants Research, several compounds extracted from native Cameroonian spices have been proven effective when it comes to treating skin infections, including those from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers from the University of Dschang in Cameroon investigated whether the essential oils from four Cameroonian spices — Aframomum daniellii (African cardamom), Piper capense (Ethiopian long pepper) and Monodora myristica (Calabash nutmeg) — and a cream based on Aframomum citratum (alligator pepper) essential oil can be used to treat a skin infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The researchers added that while anecdotal references to the plants’ curative properties abound, no scientific investigations have been conducted to verify their antimicrobial properties, as well as their essential oils’ composition.
The researchers also noted that they focused on bacterial skin infections in the study, citing its prevalence throughout most of the globe. In addition, they added that the recent emergence of MRSA has become a challenge in clinical practice.
While conventional medicines are available on the market, these are expensive and often come with toxic side effects. This led to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine usage in up to 80 percent of developing countries, with essential oils being the product of choice for many users. (Related: Essential oils for good health: How to use them and when to avoid them.)
Sponsored: NEW Biostructured Silver First Aid Gel created by the Health Ranger combines three types of silver (ionic silver, colloidal silver, biostructured silver) with seven potent botanicals (rosemary, oregano, cinnamon and more) to create a breakthrough first aid silver gel. Over 50 ppm silver, verified via ICP-MS lab analysis. Made from 100% Texas rain water and 70% solar power. Zero chemical preservatives, fragrances or emulsifiers. See full details here.
Essential oils — while primarily used as natural preservatives, flavorings and fragrances in cosmetic products — are potential sources of antioxidants and natural antimicrobials, in addition to their anti-parasitic, analgesic and cytotoxic properties. The team used essential oils from the said spices, which they then tested against S. aureus and other microorganisms normally associated with skin infections, namely Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton violaceum, Enterococcus aerogenes, Enterococcus adecarboxylate, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella flexneri. The researchers also tested the compounds against several yeast (Candida) species. Their findings revealed that compounds from the oils worked well, with A. citratum seen to be the most effective in the batch.
“Essential oil of A. citratum was the most active against bacteria and fungi, followed in decreasing order by those of A. daniellii, P. capense and M. myristica,” the researchers said in their paper. They also noted that the antibacterial activity of A. citratum essential oil against MRSA and E. coli was higher than that of the amoxicillin that they used as a reference drug.
The combination of A. citratum and A. daniellii essential oils also displayed a synergistic effect, adding that the cream based on A. citratum essential oil and the reference drug Baneocin eradicated MRSA-induced dermatosis in rats after two weeks of treatment. The results, says the team, indicate that the essential oils possess antimicrobial activities which could be a function of either the individual or the additive effects of the identified phytoconstituents.
The results complement the findings of an earlier study in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, which looked into the medicinal properties of several Cameroonian plants and their effectiveness against multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria.
The 2016 study by researchers from the same university, found that six commonly-used medicinal plants — namely, Alstonia boonei, Ageratum conyzoides, Croton macrostachys, Cassia obtusifolia, Catharanthus roseus and Paullinia pinnata — demonstrated antibacterial activity against MDR bacteria, with the researchers even noting that the plants “…could be a reservoir of molecules to fight against MDR bacterial infections.”
Find out more about the potential benefits of herbs, essential oils and other natural cures at Herbs.news.
Sources include:
PlantMedicine.news
AcademicJournals.org
WHO.int
ResearchGate.net
FSHN.Illinois.edu
NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Secret Court Issuing Website "Takedown" Orders in America, Targeting "Vaccine Truth" Sites

( Natural News ) Take note , all independent media publishers and vaccine skeptics : A Natural News investigation has discovered the existence of a “ secret court ” in America which is run by the vaccine industry and is currently issuing takedown orders to tech companies and hosting infrastructure companies to cause targeted disruptions ( sabotage ) of independent media websites that question any official vaccine narrative .
Natural News has learned that these secret court orders are hidden inside sealed , terminated court cases which are being laundered through the federal bankruptcy courts but have nothing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public view and assigned a secret code that indicates their real purpose ; to disrupt and sabotage the independent media by ordering tech companies to remove websites , de-platform channels or disrupt indy media operations .
The secret court orders are packaged as “ Temporary Restraining Orders ” demanding “ Preliminary Injunction ” actions to hosting companies .
They are being shotgunned out to ensnare independent publishers who have nothing at all to do with the court cases under which the secret orders are being hidden .
In effect , the vaccine deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has hijacked and weaponized the federal courts to escalate censorship operations to a whole new level .
Natural News has learned that dozens of independent publishers are being hit with these TROs and that the secret orders preclude hosting companies from alerting their own clients to the nature of the sabotage .
We now live in a tyrannical police state where any website can be sabotaged , disrupted or taken down by a secret court order that is fabricated out of thin air , with absolutely no legal justification whatsoever .
Natural News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the days ahead .

Secret Court Issuing Website “Takedown” Orders in America, Targeting “Vaccine Truth” Sites
Take note, all independent media publishers and vaccine skeptics: A Natural News investigation has discovered the existence of a "secret court" in America which is run by the vaccine industry and is currently issuing takedown orders to tech companies and hosting infrastructure companies to cause targeted disruptions (sabotage) of independent media websites that question any official vaccine narrative.
Natural News has learned that these secret court orders are hidden inside sealed, terminated court cases which are being laundered through the federal bankruptcy courts but have nothing to do with bankruptcies. They are hidden from public view and assigned a secret code that indicates their real purpose; to disrupt and sabotage the independent media by ordering tech companies to remove websites, de-platform channels or disrupt indy media operations.
The secret court orders are packaged as "Temporary Restraining Orders" demanding "Preliminary Injunction" actions to hosting companies. They are being shotgunned out to ensnare independent publishers who have nothing at all to do with the court cases under which the secret orders are being hidden. In effect, the vaccine deep state, as we call it, has hijacked and weaponized the federal courts to escalate censorship operations to a whole new level.
Natural News has learned that dozens of independent publishers are being hit with these TROs and that the secret orders preclude hosting companies from alerting their own clients to the nature of the sabotage.
We now live in a tyrannical police state where any website can be sabotaged, disrupted or taken down by a secret court order that is fabricated out of thin air, with absolutely no legal justification whatsoever.
Natural News will be bringing you more details in the days ahead.


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Crazy California Democrats just destroyed freelance journalism in their state, limiting writers to j

( Natural News ) If ever there was a case study for why Democrats should never be given complete control over our country , it is the state of California .
Actually , there are a couple of other examples along the West Coast as well , including Washington and much of Oregon , but they aren ’ t a more real-life example of abject lunacy than the Golden State .
Earlier , the Democrat super-majority passed a law ( signed by Gov .
Gavin Newsom ) that outlaws most of what is called “ gig ” work .
Introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changes the rules for how employers determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor , ” according to lawyer Stephen Fishman at NOLO .
“ The law was aimed primarily at workers who obtain temporary ( “ gig ” ) work through online hiring platforms such as Uber , Lyft , Postmates , and many others .
However , the law applies to all California workers , except for those in several job categories who were specifically exempted from its reach , ” he writes .
One group of gig workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law include freelance writers .
As far back as October , a month after Newsom signed it , the Los Angeles Times reported : Freelance writers and photographers in California are in a panic that Conroy ’ s case is the canary in the coal mine that signals a sharp contraction in their opportunities for work .
AB 5 specifically exempts about a dozen work categories from its provisions , such as doctors , accountants , fishermen , stockbrokers and travel agents .
But not journalists .
Writers and photographers who submit more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a publisher must be treated as an employee of that publisher .
Simply put , the new law “ makes in unattractive to hire writers from California , ” adds David Swanson , a travel writer from San Diego .
What made Democrats think they HAD to interfere in the first place ?
Well , as goofy as this law is , California Democrats just got a boost from a federal judge .
As Zero Hedge reports , U.S. District Judge Philip Guiterrez in Los Angeles , a George W. Bush appointee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and instead will permit the law to cripple writers ’ incomes .
Two freelancers ’ organizations requested the law be halted temporarily but Guiterrez said they waited too long to file their opposition , as he takes additional time to consider their objections before another hearing in March .
“ Plaintiffs ’ delay belies their claim that there is an emergency , ” Gutierrez said in his ruling Friday , according to KPIX5 .
There would have been time for a full hearing had they “ promptly filed ” their objections , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Related : Crazy California lawmakers to begin treating homeschooling parents like they are all child abusers . )
Zero Hedge noted that the law has already cost many California-based writers their gainful employment , including hundreds of writers cut by Vox Media .
A lawyer for one of the freelance journalist groups said the harm to its members has been “ immediate.
” “ Freelance journalists in California are losing work each day AB 5 remains in effect , ” said Jim Manley , an attorney for the nonprofit libertarian Pacific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision to wait until March for a full hearing “ is understandable given the gravity of the issues.
” As for the 35-article limit , “ I know many people who would hit that cap for an outlet in a single week , let alone in a year , ” said freelancer Alisha Grauso of Santa Monica , Calif. “ The 35 submission cap might work for a writer at a traditional outlet or magazine who is writing a 5,000-word piece for a dollar a word , but the vast majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ versatile , ” she added .
The law does not apply to some 700,000 truckers after a different court blocked AB5 from affecting them .
But there ’ s no guarantee that relief will be permanent .
What Democrats did here is absolutely crazy .
In their zeal to ‘ protect workers , ’ they have destroyed incomes instead and made entire classes of California workers unattractive to employers .
What made them think they had to do anything at all ?

Crazy California Democrats just destroyed freelance journalism in their state, limiting writers to just 35 articles per year
If ever there was a case study for why Democrats should never be given complete control over our country, it is the state of California.
Actually, there are a couple of other examples along the West Coast as well, including Washington and much of Oregon, but they aren’t a more real-life example of abject lunacy than the Golden State.
Earlier, the Democrat super-majority passed a law (signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom) that outlaws most of what is called “gig” work. Introduced by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, AB5 “changes the rules for how employers determine whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor,” according to lawyer Stephen Fishman at NOLO.
“The law was aimed primarily at workers who obtain temporary (“gig”) work through online hiring platforms such as Uber, Lyft, Postmates, and many others. However, the law applies to all California workers, except for those in several job categories who were specifically exempted from its reach,” he writes.
One group of gig workers who feared the ill-effects of the new law include freelance writers. As far back as October, a month after Newsom signed it, the Los Angeles Times reported:
Freelance writers and photographers in California are in a panic that Conroy’s case is the canary in the coal mine that signals a sharp contraction in their opportunities for work.
AB 5 specifically exempts about a dozen work categories from its provisions, such as doctors, accountants, fishermen, stockbrokers and travel agents. But not journalists. Writers and photographers who submit more than 35 published works per year to a publisher must be treated as an employee of that publisher.
Thirty-five articles a year.
Simply put, the new law “makes in unattractive to hire writers from California,” adds David Swanson, a travel writer from San Diego.
What made Democrats think they HAD to interfere in the first place?
Well, as goofy as this law is, California Democrats just got a boost from a federal judge. As Zero Hedge reports, U.S. District Judge Philip Guiterrez in Los Angeles, a George W. Bush appointee, refused to grant writers a temporary reprieve and instead will permit the law to cripple writers’ incomes.
Two freelancers’ organizations requested the law be halted temporarily but Guiterrez said they waited too long to file their opposition, as he takes additional time to consider their objections before another hearing in March.
“Plaintiffs’ delay belies their claim that there is an emergency,” Gutierrez said in his ruling Friday, according to KPIX5. There would have been time for a full hearing had they “promptly filed” their objections, he added, instead of waiting three months. (Related: Crazy California lawmakers to begin treating homeschooling parents like they are all child abusers.)
Zero Hedge noted that the law has already cost many California-based writers their gainful employment, including hundreds of writers cut by Vox Media. A lawyer for one of the freelance journalist groups said the harm to its members has been “immediate.”
“Freelance journalists in California are losing work each day AB 5 remains in effect," said Jim Manley, an attorney for the nonprofit libertarian Pacific Legal Foundation, although the judge’s decision to wait until March for a full hearing "is understandable given the gravity of the issues.”
As for the 35-article limit, “I know many people who would hit that cap for an outlet in a single week, let alone in a year,” said freelancer Alisha Grauso of Santa Monica, Calif.
“The 35 submission cap might work for a writer at a traditional outlet or magazine who is writing a 5,000-word piece for a dollar a word, but the vast majority of writers have gigs that are far more versatile,” she added.
The law does not apply to some 700,000 truckers after a different court blocked AB5 from affecting them. But there’s no guarantee that relief will be permanent.
What Democrats did here is absolutely crazy. In their zeal to ‘protect workers,’ they have destroyed incomes instead and made entire classes of California workers unattractive to employers.
What made them think they had to do anything at all?
Sources include:
ZeroHedge.com
TheBoldItalic.com
LATimes.com


naturalnews--2020-01-23--One million new cases of sexually transmitted disease diagnosed each day, WHO warns

( Natural News ) According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , more than one million cases of sexually transmitted infections ( STIs ) are contracted every day , with chlamydia , gonorrhea , trichomoniasis and syphilis infections being the most worrisome .
The WHO report , based on 2016 global data , showed that there were 156 million new cases of trichomoniasis , 127 million cases of chlamydia , 87 million cases of gonorrhea and 6.3 million cases of syphilis among men and women aged between 15 and 49 .
According to the report , these figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimate by five percent .
“ On average , approximately one in 25 people globally have at least one of these STIs , ” the WHO report stated .
Melanie Taylor , lead author of the report and medical epidemiologist at the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research , said the figures indicate that people are “ …taking risks with their health , with their sexuality and with their reproductive health.
” According to Taylor , the WHO chose to document cases instead of individuals , as people can have multiple infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one or more STIs .
Furthermore , the WHO said that while the vast majority of the infections are easily preventable and curable , some – such as gonorrhea – are actually evolving into antibiotic-resistant “ superbug ” forms , which , if left untreated , can lead to serious and chronic health conditions on both adults and children .
These include infertility , ectopic pregnancies , stillbirths , neurological and cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of HIV .
Peter Salama , executive director for universal health coverage at the WHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ a concerted effort to ensure everyone , everywhere can access the services they need to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases.
” Compounding the issue , however , are recent shortages in the global supply of benzathine penicillin , which is used to treat syphilis – an infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria that often first manifests as sores .
According to the WHO , these shortages in medication have made it more difficult to treat the disease on a larger scale , resulting in an estimated 200,000 stillbirths and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease one of the leading causes of baby loss globally .
Tim Jinks , a specialist in infectious disease at the British global health charity Wellcome Trust , said the increase in cases of STIs like gonorrhea is alarming , especially given that some antibiotics are becoming less effective due to drug resistance .
“ We are increasingly seeing incidences of so-called ‘ super-gonorrhea ’ which are practically impossible to treat , ” Jinks said , referencing to a case first seen in the UK in 2018 .
( Related : Rise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ STDs to become untreatable while venereal diseases spread more rapidly in modern decadent society . )
According to the WHO , one possible factor for the spike in STIs worldwide is the “ complacency ” people have when it comes to access to protection , which stems from the relatively easy access that people have to treatments .
“ You have less people worried about HIV .
This has led to a lower use of condoms , which also stop other diseases , ” Teodora Wi , a medical officer in the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research , said .
What makes things even more alarming , according to Wi , is that this trend is happening at a time when sex is being made more accessible through advances in media and technology such as dating apps .
However , possible ways with which this global problem can be addressed include the implementation of better STI diagnosis , screening and treatment services from program managers and health care providers , and consistent and responsible use of condoms and other forms of protection by individuals .
“ STIs should not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and most importantly we can not sweep them under the carpet and pretend they do not exist , ” Wi said in a statement .

One million new cases of sexually transmitted disease diagnosed each day, WHO warns
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than one million cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are contracted every day , with chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and syphilis infections being the most worrisome.
The WHO report, based on 2016 global data, showed that there were 156 million new cases of trichomoniasis, 127 million cases of chlamydia, 87 million cases of gonorrhea and 6.3 million cases of syphilis among men and women aged between 15 and 49. According to the report, these figures exceed the Organization’s previous global estimate by five percent.
"On average, approximately one in 25 people globally have at least one of these STIs," the WHO report stated.
Melanie Taylor, lead author of the report and medical epidemiologist at the WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, said the figures indicate that people are "…taking risks with their health, with their sexuality and with their reproductive health."
According to Taylor, the WHO chose to document cases instead of individuals, as people can have multiple infections or can become re-infected within a year with one or more STIs.
Furthermore, the WHO said that while the vast majority of the infections are easily preventable and curable, some – such as gonorrhea – are actually evolving into antibiotic-resistant “superbug” forms, which, if left untreated, can lead to serious and chronic health conditions on both adults and children. These include infertility, ectopic pregnancies, stillbirths, neurological and cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of HIV.
Peter Salama, executive director for universal health coverage at the WHO, said the data showed the need for "a concerted effort to ensure everyone, everywhere can access the services they need to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases."
Compounding the issue, however, are recent shortages in the global supply of benzathine penicillin, which is used to treat syphilis – an infection caused by the Treponema pallidum bacteria that often first manifests as sores. According to the WHO, these shortages in medication have made it more difficult to treat the disease on a larger scale, resulting in an estimated 200,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths in 2016, making the disease one of the leading causes of baby loss globally.
Tim Jinks, a specialist in infectious disease at the British global health charity Wellcome Trust, said the increase in cases of STIs like gonorrhea is alarming, especially given that some antibiotics are becoming less effective due to drug resistance.
“We are increasingly seeing incidences of so-called 'super-gonorrhea' which are practically impossible to treat,” Jinks said, referencing to a case first seen in the UK in 2018. (Related: Rise of 'Super-Gonorrhea': Antibiotic overuse causing STDs to become untreatable while venereal diseases spread more rapidly in modern decadent society.)
According to the WHO, one possible factor for the spike in STIs worldwide is the “complacency” people have when it comes to access to protection, which stems from the relatively easy access that people have to treatments. “You have less people worried about HIV. This has led to a lower use of condoms, which also stop other diseases,” Teodora Wi, a medical officer in the organization's department for reproductive health and research, said.
What makes things even more alarming, according to Wi, is that this trend is happening at a time when sex is being made more accessible through advances in media and technology such as dating apps.
However, possible ways with which this global problem can be addressed include the implementation of better STI diagnosis, screening and treatment services from program managers and health care providers, and consistent and responsible use of condoms and other forms of protection by individuals.
“STIs should not be treated any differently than other infections, and most importantly we cannot sweep them under the carpet and pretend they do not exist,” Wi said in a statement.
Sources include:
DailyMail.co.uk
DW.com
WHO.int


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Low vitamin K levels associated with disability and mobility limitations in the elderly

( Natural News ) Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that plays a vital role in bone and heart health .
It is one of the main vitamins responsible for blood coagulation and bone mineralization and also helps maintain brain function , boost metabolism , and protect against certain cancers .
While vitamin K deficiency is rare , a lower-than-average intake of this important vitamin could lead to negative health effects in the future .
In fact , recent research suggests that not getting enough vitamin K could even leave a lasting effect on the mobility of the elderly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gerontology : Medical Sciences found that low levels of vitamin K circulating the body is associated with an increased risk of disability and mobility limitation in older adults .
This study is the first to evaluate the link between the onset of mobility limitation and disability in older adults and the biomarkers of vitamin K status .
“ Because of our growing population of older people , it ’ s important for us to understand the variety of risk factors for mobility disability , ” said Kyla Shea , first and corresponding author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ K status has been associated with the onset of chronic diseases that lead to disability , but the work to understand this connection is in its infancy .
Here , we ’ re building on previous studies that found that low levels of circulating vitamin K are associated with slower gait speed and a higher risk of osteoarthritis.
” The link between vitamin K and mobility In this new study , researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University focused on examining two particular biomarkers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vitamin K ( phylloquinone ) and the functional measure of vitamin K ( plasma ucMGP ) .
The researchers used multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the link between vitamin K status and mobility limitation and disability .
The researchers define mobility limitation as two consecutive semi-annual reports of having difficulty walking a quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps of stairs without resting .
Mobility disability , on the other hand , is defined as two consecutive instances of having significant difficulty or even inability to walk or climb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vitamin K deficiency found to promote osteoporosis in women . )
Using participant data gathered from 635 men and 688 women aged 70 to 79 enrolled in the Health , Aging and Body Composition Study or Health ABC , the researchers discovered that participants with low levels of plasma phylloquinone were more likely to develop both mobility limitation and disability .
The other biomarker , however , was found to not have any association with incident mobility limitation and disability .
To be specific , the researchers found that older adults with lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely to develop mobility limitations and twice as likely to develop disability compared to participants with sufficient levels of circulating vitamin K. This factor was true for both older men and older women .
“ The connection we saw with low levels of circulating vitamin K further supports vitamin K ’ s association with mobility disability , ” said senior author Sarah Booth , a vitamin K and nutrition researcher .
“ Although the two biomarkers we looked at are known to reflect vitamin K status , biomarker levels can also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Further experiments to understand the mechanisms of biomarkers and vitamin K and their role in mobility are needed.
” From the results , the study findings suggest that vitamin K may be involved in the disabled process in older age .
However , the researchers stress that future studies are required to confirm their findings and search for more clarification on the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon .
Learn more about the importance of vitamin K and where to get more of it at Nutrients.news .

Low vitamin K levels associated with disability and mobility limitations in the elderly
Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that plays a vital role in bone and heart health. It is one of the main vitamins responsible for blood coagulation and bone mineralization and also helps maintain brain function, boost metabolism, and protect against certain cancers. While vitamin K deficiency is rare, a lower-than-average intake of this important vitamin could lead to negative health effects in the future. In fact, recent research suggests that not getting enough vitamin K could even leave a lasting effect on the mobility of the elderly.
A study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences found that low levels of vitamin K circulating the body is associated with an increased risk of disability and mobility limitation in older adults. This study is the first to evaluate the link between the onset of mobility limitation and disability in older adults and the biomarkers of vitamin K status.
"Because of our growing population of older people, it's important for us to understand the variety of risk factors for mobility disability," said Kyla Shea, first and corresponding author of the study. "Low vitamin K status has been associated with the onset of chronic diseases that lead to disability, but the work to understand this connection is in its infancy. Here, we're building on previous studies that found that low levels of circulating vitamin K are associated with slower gait speed and a higher risk of osteoarthritis."
The link between vitamin K and mobility
In this new study, researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University focused on examining two particular biomarkers of vitamin K status: the circulating levels of vitamin K (phylloquinone) and the functional measure of vitamin K (plasma ucMGP). The researchers used multivariate Cox proportional hazard models to evaluate the link between vitamin K status and mobility limitation and disability.
The researchers define mobility limitation as two consecutive semi-annual reports of having difficulty walking a quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps of stairs without resting. Mobility disability, on the other hand, is defined as two consecutive instances of having significant difficulty or even inability to walk or climb the same amount. (Related: Vitamin K deficiency found to promote osteoporosis in women.)
Using participant data gathered from 635 men and 688 women aged 70 to 79 enrolled in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study or Health ABC, the researchers discovered that participants with low levels of plasma phylloquinone were more likely to develop both mobility limitation and disability. The other biomarker, however, was found to not have any association with incident mobility limitation and disability.
To be specific, the researchers found that older adults with lower circulating vitamin K levels were 1.5 times more likely to develop mobility limitations and twice as likely to develop disability compared to participants with sufficient levels of circulating vitamin K. This factor was true for both older men and older women.
"The connection we saw with low levels of circulating vitamin K further supports vitamin K's association with mobility disability," said senior author Sarah Booth, a vitamin K and nutrition researcher. "Although the two biomarkers we looked at are known to reflect vitamin K status, biomarker levels can also be affected by additional known or unknown factors. Further experiments to understand the mechanisms of biomarkers and vitamin K and their role in mobility are needed."
From the results, the study findings suggest that vitamin K may be involved in the disabled process in older age. However, the researchers stress that future studies are required to confirm their findings and search for more clarification on the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon.
Learn more about the importance of vitamin K and where to get more of it at Nutrients.news.
Sources include:
ScienceDaily.com
Academic.OUP.com


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Vaccine DEEP STATE Behind the Recent Sabotage Attacks on Natural News

( Natural News ) After two days of investigations involving several lawyers and a private investigator , we have identified the source of the attacks on Natural News .
It turns out our original fears were not quite right .
Rather than “ cyber warfare , ” it turns out that Natural News was the target of industry sabotage .
The source of the sabotage is the vaccine deep state , a secretive , fascist cabal of operators with ties to both Big Pharma and the pro-vaccine branches of the federal government ( NIH , CDC , FDA ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine deep state has gained control over a federal court and is now issuing secret , extrajudicial orders to tech companies that order them to disrupt or deplatform so-called “ anti-vax ” publishers and news organizations .
It is no exaggeration to say that the vaccine deep state now runs its own secret court system that issues sabotage orders to disrupt independent media publishers .
The rampant de-platforming of vaccine skeptics across YouTube , Facebook and Twitter was almost certainly accomplished through this secret court mechanism .
This is why so many vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech giants .
Natural News has also learned that many other independent publishers are about to be impacted by the same secret court orders .
The publishers who are targeted in these operations are given no notice and no chance to challenge the illegality of such orders .
Tech companies are ordered into silence and told they can not communicate with the parties who are affected .
These “ sabotage orders ” are then suddenly enacted in secret , with no warning at all .
They can not be found through regular searches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney who reviewed the items we found was astonished , saying he ’ d never seen anything like this before .
The sabotage order recently issued against Natural News was , we have learned , a “ warning shot ” to prove that the vaccine deep state can now deplatform any publisher it chooses , for any length of time it wants .
Even more horrifying , the vaccine deep state appears to be able to seize any domain name it wants by simply issuing a secret court order to the domain name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this reason , all publishers who hope to defend against these nefarious actions must immediately seek to move both their website hosting and domain name registrations out of U.S. jurisdiction , where U.S. court orders are far less likely to be enforced .
The vaccine deep state is now at war with humanity and is systematically working to silence all pro-human voices that question the false narratives of the vaccine industry .
No doubt the same heavy handed tactics will soon expand to target websites that are opposed to pesticides , GMOs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole new level of tyranny on the ‘ net , and President Trump continues to do absolutely nothing to stop this techno-fascist tyranny from expanding .
We now live in a nation where any publisher can be taken offline at any moment , without notice , simply because the vaccine industry doesn ’ t want you to have a voice .
This is what America has come to under the total fascism of what I call the “ pharma state.
” Watch my mini-documentary below for more details :

Vaccine DEEP STATE Behind the Recent Sabotage Attacks on Natural News
After two days of investigations involving several lawyers and a private investigator, we have identified the source of the attacks on Natural News. It turns out our original fears were not quite right. Rather than "cyber warfare," it turns out that Natural News was the target of
The source of the sabotage is the vaccine deep state, a secretive, fascist cabal of operators with ties to both Big Pharma and the pro-vaccine branches of the federal government (NIH, CDC, FDA).
Natural News has now learned that this vaccine deep state has gained control over a federal court and is now issuing secret, extrajudicial orders to tech companies that order them to disrupt or deplatform so-called "anti-vax" publishers and news organizations. It is no exaggeration to say that the vaccine deep state now runs its own secret court system that issues sabotage orders to disrupt independent media publishers.
The rampant de-platforming of vaccine skeptics across YouTube, Facebook and Twitter was almost certainly accomplished through this secret court mechanism. This is why so many vaccine truth channels were simultaneously de-platformed by the tech giants.
Natural News has also learned that many other independent publishers are about to be impacted by the same secret court orders. The publishers who are targeted in these operations are given no notice and no chance to challenge the illegality of such orders. Tech companies are ordered into silence and told they cannot communicate with the parties who are affected.
These "sabotage orders" are then suddenly enacted in secret, with no warning at all. They cannot be found through regular searches through court documents, either. One attorney who reviewed the items we found was astonished, saying he'd never seen anything like this before.
The sabotage order recently issued against Natural News was, we have learned, a "warning shot" to prove that the vaccine deep state can now deplatform any publisher it chooses, for any length of time it wants. Even more horrifying, the vaccine deep state appears to be able to seize any domain name it wants by simply issuing a secret court order to the domain name registrar that holds the name.
For this reason, all publishers who hope to defend against these nefarious actions must immediately seek to move both their website hosting and domain name registrations out of U.S. jurisdiction, where U.S. court orders are far less likely to be enforced.
The vaccine deep state is now at war with humanity and is systematically working to silence all pro-human voices that question the false narratives of the vaccine industry. No doubt the same heavy handed tactics will soon expand to target websites that are opposed to pesticides, GMOs, fluoride or chemotherapy. This is a whole new level of tyranny on the 'net, and President Trump continues to do absolutely nothing to stop this techno-fascist tyranny from expanding.
We now live in a nation where any publisher can be taken offline at any moment, without notice, simply because the vaccine industry doesn't want you to have a voice. This is what America has come to under the total fascism of what I call the "pharma state."
Watch my mini-documentary below for more details:


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Same soda companies now pushing transgenderism mutilations of children once promoted sugary soft dri

( Natural News ) The same soda companies that are right now pushing the transgenderism indoctrination and mutilation of children used to run full page ads promoting sugary-laden soft drinks for infants in cribs .
As part of an investigation into the deceptive , harmful marketing practices of soda companies , Natural News acquired a 1968 LIFE Magazine issue .
Inside , a full page ad urged mothers to feed their infants 7-Up as a way to “ fresh up !
” ( See below . )
The ad features promotional text claiming 7-Up was the “ All-Family Drink ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Really got a grip on that 7-Up , haven ’ t you , big boy ?
Go right ahead , “ fresh up ” to your heart ’ s content !
Mom knows sparkling , crystal-clear 7-Up is so pure , so good , so wholesome that folks of all ages — even little guys like you — can enjoy it often !
This is how soda companies were brainwashing mothers in the 1960s to exploit their children to feed the corporate profit machine .
The ad features a young toddler with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toys in the background , implying that 7-Up should be served to infants who are still in the crib .
Here ’ s the full page ad , below .
Click here for the hi-res file .
Same soda companies now pushing transgender mutilations of children Today , these same soda companies are pushing transgender mutilations of children as part of some new , twisted “ inclusiveness ” agenda that actually consists of mentally ill transgender mobs threatening anyone who disagrees with their pedophilia and child mutilations .
Last year , Sprite released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that celebrated mothers binding the breasts of children , a painful form of child mutilation that ’ s essentially an act of sexual violence against children .
As described in a Breitbart article we republished : The video captures somewhat playful glances between the mothers and their gender dysphoric children .
The mothers of boys are seen in the ad applying makeup and dressing their sons in feminine attire as they smile at each other .
The mothers of girls are viewed binding the breasts of their daughters to help them appear as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grandson dress in drag .
Johnston also notes the video ’ s background song – “ You ’ ll Never Walk Alone ” from the musical Carousel – is used to “ tug on heartstrings ” and emphasize the narrative that transgender children are victims .
The video depicts children preparing a rainbow flag for the Pride event as they embrace LGBT family members .
Parents appear to send their LGBT children off to the event in a celebratory manner .
Here are some of the sickening scenes from the ad , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” virtue signaling from a corporation — Coca-Cola — that now espouses abusing the human rights of children in the quest to push transgenderism indoctrination : So it only took five decades for the evil soda corporations to go from abusing babies with liquid sugars to promoting the abuse of children through transgenderism and gender dysphoria .
Of course , this ongoing abuse of children is always framed as some form of “ love.
” In the 1960s , loving your children meant feeding babies sugared-up soft drinks while they were still crawling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ love ” is now painted as celebrating your child having his penis cut off while he ’ s chemically castrated with puberty blockers and turned into maimed , scarred shadow of a girl .
Somehow , no matter how evil , distorted and malicious the progressive agenda becomes , it ’ s always packaged as a new form of “ love.
” What ’ s next , will Coca-Cola promote pedophilia and child trafficking as a form of new love , too ?
“ Drink a Coke , molest a child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by the way , Twitter is now openly advocating the speech of those who support child rape and child abuse .
Under the tyranny of Jack Dorsey , Twitter ’ s corrupt , criminal-minded CEO , Twitter now essentially endorses child rape but bans anyone who supports America .
Ponder that twisted reality for a moment… The Coca-Cola corporation seems to celebrate genital mutilation of children What ’ s missing in this corporate-sponsored trip to the far side of insanity ?
Well , for starters , common sense .
After all , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status upon pubescent teens over their sexual orientation , which is oftentimes confused at best ?
Teenagers are already greatly influenced by the myriad messages they are bombarded with daily over social media .
Do they really need a Fortune 500 company promoting a lifestyle , namely transgender , which carries with it an entire rainbow of untold risks ?
The liberal media rarely reports it , but there are thousands of youth right now attempting to reverse the bodily harm they have done to themselves by trying to physically become the opposite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be clarified once and for all – absolutely impossible .
Oddly , Western society has long condemned the practice of genital mutilation in other ‘ less civilized ’ cultures , yet now somehow believes it is acceptable for children to sacrifice body parts and ingest powerful hormones in some dangerous quest to eradicate the sex they were born with .
In other words , biology and the doctors , who assigned them the ‘ wrong sex ’ at birth , got it all wrong .
What really matters today , at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how each individual ‘ identifies ’ with their ‘ true ’ gender .
In truth , the soda giants have always been at war with children .
It was always about exploitation for profit .
Now it ’ s about virtue signaling for profit , even if that signaling requires celebrating the genital mutilation and extreme psychological abuse of children and teens — this is what the transgenderism movement inflicts upon our youth .
This is the danger the Left cult now poses to humanity .
Stay informed on this important issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Same soda companies now pushing transgenderism mutilations of children once promoted sugary soft drinks for infants
The same soda companies that are right now pushing the transgenderism indoctrination and mutilation of children used to run full page ads promoting sugary-laden soft drinks for infants in cribs.
As part of an investigation into the deceptive, harmful marketing practices of soda companies, Natural News acquired a 1968 LIFE Magazine issue. Inside, a full page ad urged mothers to feed their infants 7-Up as a way to "fresh up!" (See below.)
The ad features promotional text claiming 7-Up was the "All-Family Drink" that could even be given to toddlers.
Really got a grip on that 7-Up, haven't you, big boy? Go right ahead, "fresh up" to your heart's content! Mom knows sparkling, crystal-clear 7-Up is so pure, so good, so wholesome that folks of all ages -- even little guys like you -- can enjoy it often!
This is how soda companies were brainwashing mothers in the 1960s to exploit their children to feed the corporate profit machine. The ad features a young toddler with a baby crib and children's toys in the background, implying that 7-Up should be served to infants who are still in the crib.
Here's the full page ad, below. Click here for the hi-res file.
Same soda companies now pushing transgender mutilations of children
Today, these same soda companies are pushing transgender mutilations of children as part of some new, twisted "inclusiveness" agenda that actually consists of mentally ill transgender mobs threatening anyone who disagrees with their pedophilia and child mutilations.
Last year, Sprite released an LGBT / transgenderism ad in Argentina that celebrated mothers binding the breasts of children, a painful form of child mutilation that's essentially an act of sexual violence against children. As described in a Breitbart article we republished:
The video captures somewhat playful glances between the mothers and their gender dysphoric children.
The mothers of boys are seen in the ad applying makeup and dressing their sons in feminine attire as they smile at each other. The mothers of girls are viewed binding the breasts of their daughters to help them appear as males. A grandmother teasingly helps her grandson dress in drag.
Johnston also notes the video’s background song – “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the musical Carousel – is used to “tug on heartstrings” and emphasize the narrative that transgender children are victims.
The video depicts children preparing a rainbow flag for the Pride event as they embrace LGBT family members. Parents appear to send their LGBT children off to the event in a celebratory manner.
Watch the Sprite propaganda ad here:
Here are some of the sickening scenes from the ad, which is another twisted example of "progressive" virtue signaling from a corporation -- Coca-Cola -- that now espouses abusing the human rights of children in the quest to push transgenderism indoctrination:
So it only took five decades for the evil soda corporations to go from abusing babies with liquid sugars to promoting the abuse of children through transgenderism and gender dysphoria.
Of course, this ongoing abuse of children is always framed as some form of "love." In the 1960s, loving your children meant feeding babies sugared-up soft drinks while they were still crawling around in their cribs. In 2020, "love" is now painted as celebrating your child having his penis cut off while he's chemically castrated with puberty blockers and turned into maimed, scarred shadow of a girl. Somehow, no matter how evil, distorted and malicious the progressive agenda becomes, it's always packaged as a new form of "love."
What's next, will Coca-Cola promote pedophilia and child trafficking as a form of new love, too? "Drink a Coke, molest a child. LOVE WINS."
In related news, by the way, Twitter is now openly advocating the speech of those who support child rape and child abuse. Under the tyranny of Jack Dorsey, Twitter's corrupt, criminal-minded CEO, Twitter now essentially endorses child rape but bans anyone who supports America. Ponder that twisted reality for a moment...
The Coca-Cola corporation seems to celebrate genital mutilation of children
As Robert Bridge writes at Strategic Culture:
What’s missing in this corporate-sponsored trip to the far side of insanity? Well, for starters, common sense. After all, is it really wise to award hero status upon pubescent teens over their sexual orientation, which is oftentimes confused at best? Teenagers are already greatly influenced by the myriad messages they are bombarded with daily over social media. Do they really need a Fortune 500 company promoting a lifestyle, namely transgender, which carries with it an entire rainbow of untold risks? The liberal media rarely reports it, but there are thousands of youth right now attempting to reverse the bodily harm they have done to themselves by trying to physically become the opposite sex, which is – it needs to be clarified once and for all – absolutely impossible.
Oddly, Western society has long condemned the practice of genital mutilation in other ‘less civilized’ cultures, yet now somehow believes it is acceptable for children to sacrifice body parts and ingest powerful hormones in some dangerous quest to eradicate the sex they were born with. In other words, biology and the doctors, who assigned them the ‘wrong sex’ at birth, got it all wrong. What really matters today, at least for the Cultural Marxist warrior class, is how each individual ‘identifies’ with their ‘true’ gender.
In truth, the soda giants have always been at war with children. It was always about exploitation for profit. Now it's about virtue signaling for profit, even if that signaling requires celebrating the genital mutilation and extreme psychological abuse of children and teens -- this is what the transgenderism movement inflicts upon our youth. This is the danger the Left cult now poses to humanity.
https://youtu.be/bnP_WoeNuwA
Stay informed on this important issue. Read Gender.news for frequent updates.


naturalnews--2020-01-23--Archaeologists discover cannabis in burners at 2,500-year-old Jirzankal cemetery in western China

( Natural News ) A team of Chinese archaeologists uncovered ten handcrafted wooden braziers at an ancient burial site in the Pamir Mountains .
These religious-style incense burners can be dated as far back as 1,000 BC .
The incense burners were collected from eight tombs in Western China ’ s 2,500 year old Jirzankal cemetery .
They contained traces of burnt seed .
The contents of the burners were analyzed via mass spectrometry by researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Germany .
The wooden braziers were found to contain a special strain of cannabis with a high THC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of historical evidence showing that the ancient Chinese discovered , bred and/or traded cannabis for recreational and ceremonial use .
At this time in history , societal elites got high to supposedly connect with ancestors or the gods .
After testing the burnt strains , the scientists found a high concentration of cannabinol , a substance produced when THC is oxidized .
“ There has been a longstanding debate over the origins of cannabis smoking , there are many speculative claims of ancient use , ” said Robert Spengler at the Max Planck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This study provides the earliest unambiguous evidence for both elevated chemical production in the plant and also for the burning of the plant as a drug.
” Most cannabis residues uncovered by scientists up until this point was discovered to have a low THC content .
The discovery of this high THC strain could indicate that Chinese farmers were aware of the euphoric properties of this phyto-chemical and knew how to breed cannabis for recreational purposes .
Scientists conclude that the cannabis was burnt in an enclosed space , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get high back in their day .
Because the cannabis was found in wooden braziers closely associated with the Zoroastrian religion , archaeologists concur that the cannabis was used as part of religious activities .
The ancient Chinese believed that the euphoric feeling could connect you with ancestors and the divine .
“ Nearly all the braziers contain the bio-markers of cannabis and one brazier is severely burned , implying that the braziers were being used during funeral rituals , possibly to communicate with nature , or spirits or deceased people , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing .
Megan Cifarelli , an art historian at Manhattanville College in Purchase , New York , noted that the cannabis burning in tombs served another purpose as well : masking the smell of decaying corpses .
Of course , these societies also took advantage of hemp ’ s other valuable uses .
The hemp plant has been used by various societies over the past 4,000 years to make ropes , cloth , paper and oil .
The cannabis found in this study could have been traded along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that once extended from East Asia to South Asia , Persia , the Arabian Peninsula , East Africa and Southern Europe .
This passage enabled the Chinese to trade silk , spices , grains , apples , pistachios , walnuts and other crops from the East to the West .
“ I think with this new study we can now actually place Cannabis in that list as well as being one of these crops that originates on these ancient trade routes , ” commented Robert Spengler of the Max Planck Institute .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plates and bowls , pieces of silk , and a Chinese harp in the mountain tombs .

(Natural News) A team of Chinese archaeologists uncovered ten handcrafted wooden braziers at an ancient burial site in the Pamir Mountains. These religious-style incense burners can be dated as far back as 1,000 BC. The incense burners were collected from eight tombs in Western China’s 2,500 year old Jirzankal cemetery. They contained traces of burnt seed.
Ancient Chinese mourned the dead using high-THC cannabis strains
The contents of the burners were analyzed via mass spectrometry by researchers from the Max Planck Institute in Germany. The wooden braziers were found to contain a special strain of cannabis with a high THC concentration. This is the first piece of historical evidence showing that the ancient Chinese discovered, bred and/or traded cannabis for recreational and ceremonial use. At this time in history, societal elites got high to supposedly connect with ancestors or the gods. After testing the burnt strains, the scientists found a high concentration of cannabinol, a substance produced when THC is oxidized.
“There has been a longstanding debate over the origins of cannabis smoking, there are many speculative claims of ancient use,” said Robert Spengler at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. “This study provides the earliest unambiguous evidence for both elevated chemical production in the plant and also for the burning of the plant as a drug.”
Most cannabis residues uncovered by scientists up until this point was discovered to have a low THC content. The discovery of this high THC strain could indicate that Chinese farmers were aware of the euphoric properties of this phyto-chemical and knew how to breed cannabis for recreational purposes.
Scientists conclude that the cannabis was burnt in an enclosed space, in a mountain tomb, which allowed mourners to get high back in their day. Because the cannabis was found in wooden braziers closely associated with the Zoroastrian religion, archaeologists concur that the cannabis was used as part of religious activities. The ancient Chinese believed that the euphoric feeling could connect you with ancestors and the divine.
“Nearly all the braziers contain the bio-markers of cannabis and one brazier is severely burned, implying that the braziers were being used during funeral rituals, possibly to communicate with nature, or spirits or deceased people,” noted Yimin Yang at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.
Megan Cifarelli, an art historian at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, noted that the cannabis burning in tombs served another purpose as well: masking the smell of decaying corpses.
Of course, these societies also took advantage of hemp’s other valuable uses. The hemp plant has been used by various societies over the past 4,000 years to make ropes, cloth, paper and oil. The cannabis found in this study could have been traded along the Silk Road, a trading route that once extended from East Asia to South Asia, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and Southern Europe. This passage enabled the Chinese to trade silk, spices, grains, apples, pistachios, walnuts and other crops from the East to the West.
“I think with this new study we can now actually place Cannabis in that list as well as being one of these crops that originates on these ancient trade routes,” commented Robert Spengler of the Max Planck Institute. The archaeologists also uncovered glass beads, wooden plates and bowls, pieces of silk, and a Chinese harp in the mountain tombs.
Sources include:
Dailymail.co.uk
TheGuardian.com