earthquake in Haiti

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The number of deaths from HIV/AIDS in different parts of the world has topped 25 million, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint UN Program on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS) report says.

According to the report recently released by the WHO and UNAIDS, an estimated 33.4 million individuals across the globe are HIV positive. The report stated that nearly 60 million individuals including the 25 million deaths have been infected by HIV since the epidemic started.

 Despite the high number of infected individuals worldwide, the figures show that less people are dying from HIV.

 The use of anti-retroviral drugs is believed to account for the 10% reduction in the HIV/AIDS-related death toll over the past five years. In other words, these drugs have saved some 2.9 million lives since their introduction in 1996.

 Latest figures also showed a significant drop, equal to 17 percent over the past eight years, in the number of new HIV infections, which can be attributed to the effective drugs that prevent the spread of the virus as well as the established HIV prevention programs.

 The report stated that Africa is still the worst country hit by the virus although the number of new infections has fallen by around 15% since 2001. It also stressed that the disease is responsible for half of all maternal deaths on the continent.

A mild electric shock can help treat patients complaining of nighttime teeth grinding, overcoming their daytime sleepiness.

 Teeth grinding or bruxism is a common and usually harmless sleeping habit induced by sleep apnea, high levels of anxiety and depression.

 Untreated bruxism can lead to excessive tooth wear and decay, periodontal tissue damage, jaw pain and temporomandibular joint or TMJ pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances.

 Wearing a mouthguard when sleeping to prevent the top and bottom teeth from meeting and using certain painkillers along with relaxation therapies are the common ways used to treat the condition.

"The broken sleep pattern caused by grinding can exacerbate any stresses or worries already being felt by the patient, and add an extra layer of anxiety to their lives," said lead researcher David Vivian.

 He added that the new device would improve not only the quality of sleep but also the psychological and physical problems associated with grinding. Grindcare is a small electrode placed on the temple which monitors the movement of facial muscles and delivers tiny electrical impulses or biofeedback as soon as it detects the initiation of grinding.

 The impulse, which helps relax the muscles, is not consciously detected by the sleeping patient. It, however, causes headaches and stiff necks. The device has shown promising results in reducing grinding by as much as 80% within two months.

Vitamin D is reported to play a critical role in keeping the brain in a good condition and prevent mental decline in old age.

While previous studies have indicated that vitamin D can protect individuals against cancer, artery disease and tuberculosis, a new study reveals that high levels of the sunshine vitamin can ward off mental decline.

 According to a study published in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, high levels of vitamin D slow down the ageing process in the brain, preventing dementia and memory loss commonly experienced in old age.

Elderly folk who achieve vitamin D levels higher than 35 nanomoles per liter are reported to perform better on visual scanning, memory and information processing tests.

Produced by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight, vitamin D protects cells and key signaling pathways in the brain, perking up its performance.

Scientists conclude that inadequate amounts of vitamin D in a person's regular diet can alter the mental performance in old age; they therefore urge individuals to add vitamin D supplements with the aim of tackling or preventing dementia.

The routine practice of acid-reducing medications for non-acid reflux related purposes accounts for an estimated 33,000 deaths a year.

 Proton pump inhibitors and other acid-suppressing drugs known as H2 blockers are commonly prescribed for more than 50% of the hospitalized patients with the aim of reducing the risk of stress-related ulcers, which can be life threatening.

 According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the regular use of these drugs increases the risk of hospital-acquired pneumonia in patients with a very low risk for developing ulcers by 30 percent.

Acid-suppressive medications are believed to alter the bacterial flora of the respiratory tract, placing the individual at a greater risk of developing pneumonia.

Scientists therefore urged physicians not to prescribe acid-suppressing drugs in non-ventilated, non ICU-treated patients with a low risk for developing stress ulcers routinely.

They, however, stressed that hospitalized and non-hospitalized individuals taking these medications for symptoms such as frequent heartburn or ulcers should not stop taking them, adding that the pneumonia risk in these individuals is reportedly low.

Font size : Despite the belief that the rate of suicide is higher in autumn and winter, a new study finds long summer days increase the number of suicides.

 Previous studies had reported that sleep disturbance caused by longer hours of darkness in autumn and winter contributes to the increased risk of suicide in adolescents and those with psychiatric disorders.

This is while the new study conducted at the Karolinska Institute reported that too much sun exposure in summer can drive individuals to the point of suicide.

 "During the long periods of constant light, it is crucial to keep some circadian rhythm to get enough sleep and sustain mental health," said Karin Sparring Bjorksten, the team leader of the study. According to the study published in BMC Psychiatry, 82 percent of suicides in Greenland occur during daylight months.

Most of these suicides are committed via violent methods such as shooting, hanging and jumping from high altitudes. Light-generated imbalances in serotonin, the brain chemical linked with mood disorders, are believed to be responsible for the increase in impulsivity and insomnia, the two main factors leading to suicide.

While many women find weight loss after labor challenging, a new study says probiotic supplements can easily help them retain their figure.

Previous studies had linked taking probiotics, live bacteria or yeast dietary supplements, to improved digestion and intestinal health.

 According to the study presented at the 17th European Congress on Obesity in Amsterdam, taking these supplements in the first trimester of pregnancy can lower the risk of post-partum central obesity.

Women who took probiotics during pregnancy were reported to have the lowest levels of central obesity and body fat percentage in the year after delivery. These supplements not only modify the bacteria in the intestines but also influence adipose formation in the body through breaking down sugars and carbohydrates.

 A probiotics-supplemented diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding is therefore considered as an economic, practical, and potentially safe method for reducing the risk of obesity after labor.

 University of Turku researchers concluded that just one yoghurt cup a day is enough to help pregnant women control their weight.

The exposure of expectant mom's to air pollution affects the development of the fetus, increasing the risk of delivering small babies.

Mothers who have small babies are commonly reported to be young, under educated, of African-American decent women who smoke, have a low income and are unmarried. A new study however shows that higher levels of air pollutants can also restrict fetal growth.

According to the study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the higher a woman's exposure to pollution during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy, the less likely the baby is to grow properly.

The risk of giving birth to a small birth-weight baby is reported to be associated with every increase in the amount of particulate matters such as PM 2.5s produced from vehicle exhausts. These particulates also increase heart and respiratory disease-related deaths in the general population.

Each 10 parts per billion increase in the levels of nitrogen dioxide, the other pollutant produced by cars, also alters fetal growth in the womb.

Scientists concluded that living near a busy road and heavy exposure to air pollution alters cell activity and restricts oxygen and nutrient intake by the fetus, leading to restricted fetal development.

Scientists hope to use cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli to develop anti-melanoma medication in the form of sunscreen lotion.

 Previous studies had reported broccoli to be effective in reducing respiratory inflammation that causes conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

 According to a new study conducted at Penn State College of Medicine, the extract of broccoli and cabbage acts as a potent drug against melanoma, an invasive form of skin cancer.

 The isothiocyanates found in cruciferous vegetables inhibit the development of melanoma through targeting the Akt3 protein.

 Considering the fact that large amounts of the compound were needed to produce the required anti-cancer results, scientists replaced the sulfur bonds in the extract with selenium aiming to increase its potency.

Compared to conventional therapy, the combination of broccoli extract and selenium is reported to be 30 to 70 percent more effective in treating certain cancers such as melanoma. Scientists are optimistic that their findings will pave the way for the development of an effective anti-melanoma medication in the form of sunscreen lotion or injection in the near future.

Orange is a good source of vitamin C, A and B, calcium, potassium, copper, zinc and manganese.

 Men who take high amounts of vitamin C supplements are placed at a lower risk of developing gout, a common inflammatory joint disease.

 According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the regular intake of supplements rich in vitamin C such as sprouts, peppers and oranges lowers the risk of gout in men.

Those who take 1,000 - 1,499 mg vitamin C per day are reported to be at a 34 percent lower risk of developing gout. Vitamin C alleviates the pain associated with gout by tackling the inflammatory processes and lowers uric acid levels - high levels of which form crystal deposits in and around joints, causing the pain and swelling associated with the condition.

Scientists urge individuals at risk of developing gout - overweight individuals and those taking certain medications as well as individuals who drink too much alcohol, and following an unhealthy diet high in meat -- to adopt a healthy diet that is rich in vitamin C.

Individuals, who start smoking before 17, are at an increased risk of developing the debilitating multiple sclerosis (MS) disease.

 According to a study presented at the 61st annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, more than 32 percent of MS patients are those who started smoking at an early age. The study found that early smokers are 2.7 times more vulnerable to developing MS. There was no increased risk of developing the disease in those who started smoking in later life.

 Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system, leading to the disability of nerve cells to communicate with each other. The disease usually presents with sensorial, visual, cerebellar and motor symptoms which often progress to physical and cognitive disability.

Health officials believe the Iranian population is more likely to develop diabetes at lower ages compared to developing countries.

 "The age of developing diabetes is 10 years lower in Iran," said Assadollah Rajab, the head of the Iranian Diabetes Association. He added that while the age by which an individual in developing countries becomes more prone to diabetes is about 55 to 65, Iranians aged 45-55 are at a greater risk of developing the condition. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5-10 percent of diabetic cases in Iran.

 Other diabetics are affected with type 2. Rajab said that over 60 percent of Iranians suffering from type 2 diabetes are unaware of their disease, adding that they only realize their condition 5 to 7 years after the onset of the disease when complications ensue.

 According to Rajab, focusing on treatment rather than prevention is the main factor contributing to the lowered age of diabetes in Iran.

 In industrial countries which focus on preventative measures, fewer individuals are affected with the condition, he concluded. Adopting a healthy diet and exercise play a critical role not only in preventing diabetes but also in reducing its complications.

Scientists say drinking apple juice can improve mental performance and subsequently tackle the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

 According to a study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, apple juice puts off age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, leading to Alzheimer's disease.

 Drinking two glasses of apple juice daily lowers the formation of beta-amyloids responsible for forming senile plaques, characteristic of AD, in mice.

Scientists maintained the role of nutritional and genetic risk factors in the development of the debilitating neurodegenerative disease, adding that the regular consumption of apple juice not only improves the mental function but also helps postpone the risk of AD.

The regular use of cellular phones does not place the individual at a greater risk of developing a cancer known as eye melanoma.

 Several previous studies had reported a strong link between the long-term use of cell phones and brain cancers and the melanoma of the eye, indicating that the radio waves transmitted by radio sets or mobile phones are carcinogenic in humans. Many other studies, however, had shown no significant association between long-term exposure to radio waves emitted from cell phones and DNA changes leading to cancer.

According to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, there is no association between the time an individual has used a cell phone and his/her chance of developing uveal melanoma. Uveal melanoma is an aggressive form of cancer characterized by the production of extra melanin pigments in the skin and the eye.

A new study shows that taking two-hour walks everyday can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Physically active women are less likely to develop breast cancer, particularly hormone receptor positive tumors. HER2 receptor positive tumors and the stage of the cancer, however, are reported to be unrelated to physical activity.

 Scientists believe exercise reduces the risk of cancer by influencing the individual's hormonal levels rather than by affecting body fat or by altering physical constitution.

 According to the study conducted by MARIE researchers, even moderately intense physical activity in postmenopausal women can lower the risk of breast cancer by 30 percent. Scientists urge women to become physically active particularly in the second half of life, adding that even simple activities such as house cleaning, gardening and walking are helpful.

Compared to men it is more difficult for women to resist food cravings and they are therefore are at a greater risk of becoming obese.

 According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the ability to suppress food cravings in men explains the lower obesity rate in the male population. This can also explain the reason for women's lower success rate in weight loss diets compared to men. The brain areas linked to food desire -- amygdala, hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex and striatum -- are less active in men; they are, therefore, less vulnerable to feeling hunger pangs and carving for food.

 As these cerebral areas are also responsible for emotional regulation and memory, therefore men are not only less affected by the thought of food but also retrieve the memories of the desired food less frequently.

Estrogen, previously considered as one of the factors contributing to the higher obesity rate in women, is reported to play a vital role in the brain's mechanism in controlling food intake and binge eating. The gender differences can therefore play an important role in guaranteeing the success of a weight loss diet.

Despite the general belief, a South Korean study has revealed that eating garlic has little effect on fighting different types of cancer.

 Previous studies had reported that garlic has several health benefits as it fights oxidative stress by destroying the free radicals responsible for developing cancer and other health concerns. Garlic was reportedly effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels, and fighting viruses, bacteria and cancer.

 According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating garlic does not reduce the risk of developing gastric, breast, lung and endometrial cancers. It, however, has limited effects in tackling colon, prostate, esophageal, laryngeal, oral, ovarian and renal cell cancers.

 Scientists believe food labeling should indicate that garlic is "highly unlikely" to reduce the risk of colon cancer and "highly uncertain" to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

 Labeling should also show there is a "highly uncertain" relationship between garlic intake and the reduced risk of esophageal, laryngeal, oral, ovarian or renal cell cancers.

Smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes, one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, by seven percent.

 "Smoking reduces the secretion of insulin from the pancreas and at the same time increases cellular resistance to insulin, leading to diabetes," said head of the Iranian Internal Medicine Association Iraj Khosronia.

 Khosronia said more than 50% of diabetic individuals are unaware of their disease, about 30% ignore their disease and visit a physician only after untreatable complications have occurred. Diabetic individuals are at a higher risk of developing cardiac attacks, and renal failure and blindness because vessels are commonly narrowed in the course of the disease.

Khosronia urged individuals to lose weight, adopt a healthy diet and exercise regularly in order to protect themselves against the common complications associated with the disease.

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

 "Surely we are Allah's, and to Him we shall return."

 [The Holy Quran Sura Baqarah (2), Ayah 156]

The appalling crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza and the massacre of hundreds of oppressed men, women, and children, has once again revealed the true nature of the bloodthirsty Zionist wolves, who had been hiding behind a veil of deception during the past few years. This event has again revealed-to those who are not vigilant and prepared to compromise at any price-the threat posed by the presence of these warring infidels (kafer-e harbi) living in the heart of the lands of the Islamic Ummah.

 This tragic event is unbearable for all Muslims, nay, for any moral and honorable human being living anywhere in the world. However, what is even more tragic and unbearable is the cowardly silence of some Arab governments that claim to be Muslims-which only encourages the enemies.

What could be more tragic than the fact that so-called Muslim governments-which should have supported the oppressed people of Gaza against the occupying, infidel (kafer) and warring (mohaareb) Zionist regime-have acted in a way that the criminal Zionist officials have become insolent enough to declare that these Arab governments support and are in agreement with this great tragedy? What explanation do the heads of these countries have before the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.)?

 How will they justify their inaction to their own peoples, who are undoubtedly bereaved by this tragedy? Surely today, the hearts of the people of Egypt, Jordan, and other Muslim countries are bleeding because of this massacre, which follows the long siege of Gaza during which food and medicine were kept away from its people. Being an accomplice in this great crime, the criminal Bush administration-which is going through the last days of its disgraceful rule-made the US regime even more disgraced than before and added more pages to its war crimes record.

 European governments once again proved the falsity of their claims regarding their support for human rights through their indifference and through their support for this great tragedy. They have shown that they are part of the anti-Islam and anti-Muslim camp.

 I ask the ulama and clergy of the Arab world and the heads of Egyptian Al-Azhar University: is it not time you felt alarmed for Islam and Muslims? Is it not time you fulfilled your obligatory duty of warning against evil and fulfilling your obligation of "saying what is right to the oppressive leader"? In order for you to feel responsible, do you need a clearer proof than what is happening in Gaza and Palestine?

These events prove the collusion and collaboration of warring infidels (kafer-e harbi) with the hypocrites (munafeqeen) of the Islamic Ummah and are aimed at suppressing Muslims.

 I ask the media and intellectuals of the Muslim world, especially the Arab world: until when are you going to continue neglecting your duties and responsibilities as media and intellectuals?

Can the disgraced western human rights organizations and the so-called Security Council be disgraced any further? All the Palestinian mujahideen and the faithful people of the Muslim world are obliged to defend the children, women, and defenseless people of Gaza by all possible means.

 Those who are killed in this sacred and legally sanctioned defense are martyrs, and their souls will be associated with those of the martyrs of the Battles of Badr and Uhud, before the Holy Prophet of Islam (s.w.a.).

The Organization of the Islamic Conference must fulfill its historic duty in these critical times and form a unified front-without petty considerations or any passivity-to oppose the Zionist regime. The Zionist regime must be penalized by Muslim governments.

 The Zionist heads must be personally tried and penalized for their crimes and the prolonged siege imposed on Gaza. These goals can be fulfilled through solid determination of the Muslim nations, and in this critical period, politicians, ulama, and intellectuals shoulder the heaviest responsibility. Due to the tragedy in Gaza, I hereby announce Monday as a day of public mourning and I call on the government officials to fulfill their duties with regard to this tragic event.

"And soon those who do injustice, will know to what final place of turning they will be turned."

[The Holy Quran, Sura as-Shu'ara (26): Ayah 227]

 Sayyid Ali Khamenei