HOW THE FRUIT FLY COULD HELP US SNIFF OUT DRUGS AND BOMBS

A fly's sense of smell could be used in new technology to detect drugs and bombs, new University of Sussex research has found.

Brain scientist Professor Thomas Nowotny was surprised to find that the 'nose' of fruit flies can identify odours from illicit drugs and explosive substances almost as accurately as wine odour, which the insects are naturally attracted to because it smells like their favourite food, fermenting fruit.

Published today (15 October 2014) in the journal Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, the study brings scientists closer to developing electronic noses (e-noses) that closely replicate the sensitive olfactory sense of animals.

The hope is that such e-noses will be much more sensitive and much faster than the currently commercially available e-noses that are typically based on metal-oxide sensors and are very slow, compared to a biological nose.

Professor Nowotny, Professor of Informatics at the University of Sussex, led the study alongside researchers from Monash University and CSIRO in Australia. He said: "Dogs can smell drugs and people have trained bees to detect explosives. Here we are looking more for what it is in the nose -- which receptors -- that allows animals to do this.

"In looking at fruit flies, we have found that, contrary to our expectation, unfamiliar odours, such as from explosives, were not only recognised but broadly recognised with the same accuracy as odours more relevant to a fly's behaviour."

Professor Nowotny and his collaborators recorded how 20 different receptor neurons in fruit flies responded to an ecologically relevant set of 36 chemicals related to wine (the 'wine set') and an ecologically irrelevant set of 35 chemicals related to hazardous materials, such as those found in drugs, combustion products and the headspace of explosives (the 'industrial set').

By monitoring the 'firing rate' of each neuron, they were able to assess which smells elicited the strongest reactions from the flies. They then used a computer program to simulate the part of the fly's brain used for recognition to show that the receptor responses contained enough information to recognise odours.

Of the wine set, 29 out of the 36 compounds elicited clear excitatory responses in at least one receptor neuron. They were surprised to find, however, that the flies also responded to 21 out of the 35 substances related to drugs and explosives.

Professor Nowotny adds: "The long-term goal of this research direction is to 'recreate' animals' noses for technical applications. As well as the detection of explosives, chemical weapons and drugs, there is a broad array of other possible applications, such as measuring food quality, health (breath analysis), environmental monitoring, and even geological monitoring (volcanoes) and agriculture (detecting pests).

"And, of course, the fly's success in identifying the 'wine set' might prove useful for those in the winemaking industry.

"But it would be quite difficult to recreate the entire nose; even adopting all sensors would be too difficult. One may be able to do five or maybe 10, out of 43 in the fruit fly or hundreds in the dog. So the question is, which 10 should we use and would it work? In this paper we show that it could work with as little as 10 fruit fly receptors and we identify the most likely candidates to use."

Watch Out For Ticks

Although it may seem early in the year as far as the Northern hemisphere is concerned, this article from health.usnews.com (see link below) warns yet again about the danger of ticks. Via Lyme disease that tick bites can cause, people can suffer nerve damage including neuropathy. The bites themselves  are both difficult to find and eradicate. If neuropathy ensues, tracing it back to a tick bite may also be very difficult, so it's sensible to at least do your best to avoid being bitten, or treat the bite as quickly as possible after it's discovered.

Prevent Tick Bites While Enjoying the Outdoors
By Robert Preidt, HealthDay Reporter HealthDay April 13, 2014 

SUNDAY, April 13, 2014 (HealthDay News) -- With spring's arrival, many Americans will begin enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and gardening -- and they need to protect themselves from tick bites, an expert says.

"There aren't any vaccines for tick-borne diseases like Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, so the only way to prevent infection is to not get bitten in the first place," Dr. Christopher Ohl, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, said in a Wake Forest news release.

Ohl, who is also the medical director of communicable diseases for the Forsyth County, N.C. Health Department, offered the following tips:

Use an insect repellant containing DEET on exposed skin, and treat clothing and footwear with a permethrin-based repellant that provides weeks of protection and remains through several washings.

Tuck your pants into socks to reduce the amount of exposed skin. When hiking, stay on well-worn paths and out of tall grass or bushy areas.

Check for ticks immediately after being outdoors. The longer a tick is attached, the greater your risk of infection.

If you discover a tick, use tweezers to remove it as close to the skin as possible. Don't grab it with your fingers and squeeze it. That injects the tick fluids into you and increases the risk of infection, Ohl warned.

If you suffer a tick bite and develop a fever one to two weeks later, see a doctor. The incubation period for tick-borne diseases is eight to 14 days, he said.

Protect your dog with tick collars or monthly treatments. This will prevent ticks from being brought into your home by the dog.

More information

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about tick bite prevention.

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2014/04/13/prevent-tick-bites-while-enjoying-the-outdoors

Maybe Time To Chuck Out The Old Sneakers And Do Your Feet A Favour

Today's post from bestshoesforwalking.com (see link below) follows on from yesterday's post about the perils of Winter for neuropathy patients and takes a comprehensive look at footwear expressly designed for people with nerve damage in their feet. Now don't expect high fashion here - there are no Jimmy Choos or Louboutins - but let's face it, tottering along the street in 5 inch heels is not for the average neuropathy patient! It may be worth taking a look at this article, if only to see what's on offer and why it may be suitable for you. If you're like me and have 5 year old sneakers that you wear day in day out because they're sooo comfortable, you may not be doing your feet any favours at all and be storing up problems for the long term. On the other hand, orthopedic shoes can be the ugliest footwear on earth but manufacturers are seeing the size of the market and adapting their styles accordingly. The list here is by no means exclusive but may give you an idea of what to look for. By the way; the article may be aimed at the diabetic foot but as we all know, it still applies to all forms of neuropathy in the feet.

Best Shoes For Diabetic Neuropathy in Man and Woman
December 10th 2016 


Walking is considered to be the entire useful exercise, to assist control blood sugar levels, that suits people of all ages. Accordingly, a diabetic person who begins to use walking as a method to control blood sugar need choose a suitable walking diabetic shoe that must meet specific criteria’s, in order to protect his diabetic foot. Below the best shoes for diabetic neuropathy in man and woman review that must be helpful or needed for your health, body and fitness. Below the recommended shoes are help to stop swelling on your feet.
Diabetic Walking Shoes:

For somebody with diabetes, walking can be very beneficial to health. In addition to reducing cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, walking for diabetic activity also lowers blood sugar level and develops circulation to the legs and feet. Being a diabetic walker, you will require paying careful consideration to prevent foot problems such as injuries and calluses. Walk-related foot injuries tend to happen when a walker wears a shoe that is unless the incorrect type of shoe or a cheap fit for their feet. Luckily, most diabetic foot problems can be prevented by buying a pair of suitably adjusting diabetic walking shoes and paying proper care to diabetic foot care.

Tips for Purchasing Shoes with Diabetes:

* Have feet measured periodically, because feet turn over time?

* Shop later in the day, because feet swell during the day, particularly if you have heart disease or kidney problems.

* Have shoes matched with the socks you’ll be wearing with these particular shoes? That process you’ll know they will fit accurately.

* The range between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe should be ½ of your thumb’s width, so you have the benefit amount of space to fit your feet.
When you bargain a new pair of shoes, break them in before wearing them for a long period. Wear them for one-two hours, then inspect your feet for any cuts or injuries. Wear them three to four hours the next day, and so on, until they feel comfortable.
Better Shoes Delivers The Best Results:

Only a uniquely designed diabetic walking shoes can protect and not hurt your feet although walking. People with diabetes must be careful when it comes to even a mild activity such as walking, as even the inadequate pressure can lead to an injury when it comes to a sore foot.
When you are walking for a higher period with lower quality shoes, the consequences can be severe, in many cases, simply having fulfilling shoes can help amazingly ease the pressure on your feet.
WHAT IS NEUROPATHY?

Neuropathy is a collection of complications that happen when nerves of the peripheral nervous system are damaged. The condition is referred to as peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathy typically causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. It can occur from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic sicknesses, and exposure to toxins. One of the common critical difficulties of neuropathy is diabetes.

Of the American with diabetes, 25% increase foot problems related to the disease. This is essentially due to a condition called neuropathy. Diabetic Neuropathy is a difficulty of diabetes that affects the nerves. The most common figure of diabetic neuropathy is called external neuropathy and attacks the peripheral nerves. Peripheral tissues are the nerves that go out from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles, skin, internal organs and glands. Peripheral neuropathy impairs the proper functioning of these sensory and motor nerves.
Diabetic Neuropathy Foot Care-

Diabetic Neuropathy (diabetic nerve destruction) of the foot is a moderate complexity of diabetes. In its initial stages, diabetic neuropathy may create diabetic foot pain. As the disease advances, it may lead to loss of feeling in diabetic feet. There are many various types of neuropathy, each with different symptoms. The significant common type of neuropathy that affects diabetic feet is peripheral diabetic neuropathy.

If you have been diagnosed with peripheral diabetic neuropathy, you need to make diabetic foot care is the recent priority. As diabetic neuropathy progresses, the consequences of carelessness to the health of your feet will become frequently severe. People with diabetes with advanced diabetic neuropathy of the foot are at the significant risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers and other difficulties that can lead to amputation if left untreated.
Diabetic Neuropathy – Prevention is the Best Remedy:

Prevention is the best method now available for diabetic neuropathy. Though pain and pain can be controlled with medication and medical therapies, impairment of nerve function cannot be reversed. Favorably, once diabetic neuropathy has been detected, steps can be taken to prevent any further improvement of the disorder.

Maintaining average blood sugar levels is the most important step to take when trying to prevent and control diabetic neuropathy. Shielding your feet by using diabetic shoes and diabetic socks at the full time and making healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, regularly, eating a balanced diet, exercising and having healthy blood pressure are also key factors in reducing the risk of diabetic neuropathy development or advancement.



Shoes, name Shoes, Image, Shoes, Price
Drew Shoes London Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe Check Price
Orthofeet Women’s Comfort Diabetic Extra Depth Sandal Check Price
Dr. Comfort Carter Men’s Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe Lycra Velcro Check Price
Dr. Comfort Women’s Bonita Camel Diabetic Slippers- Check Price
Diabetic Relief Slippers Check Price
Orthofeet Chelsea Neuropathy Women’s Comfort Diabetic Shoes Check Price
Acor River Walk Diabetic Walking Shoes Men’s Women’s Black Bone Mocha Check Price
Advance Diabetic Comfort Walking Shoes Men’s Black Check Price
Women’s Extra Diabetic Wide Width Adjustable Slippers Check Price

The Value of a Proper Shoe Fit:

To avoid irritation, stress, and pressure sores, you must need shoes that fit properly. For optimal comfort, make sure your shoe matches the length and width of your foot and that it provides a fitting heel counter. Also, assure that there aren’t any obtrusive seams or stitching inside because this will make rubbing and chafing against your foot. For people with diabetes with an existing foot disease, therapeutic footwear is often prescribed by a doctor or podiatrist and provided by a qualified podiatrist.
Below the best shoes for diabetic neuropathy in man and woman review .

Drew Shoes London Women’s Therapeutic Diabetic Extra Depth Shoe-

The Drew London women’s slip-on shoes give all the comfort features of a Drew so that you can move in and walk with amazing all-day support. Double depth with two detachable insoles creates space for custom orthotics or easily some extra toe room. Drew shoes are breathable, perfect with stretch fabric vamp and greatest padding where you need it most. The shoes offer our best fit still, with a soft, fabric covering. Check Latest Price

Orthofeet Women’s Comfort Diabetic Extra Depth Sandal-

Orthofeet Sarasota Beach Women’s shoes offer anatomical arch support, non-binding comfortable fit, and maximum stability against pressure points. The Gel Orthotic insole with the ergonomic, cushioning foot soften step, enhance resistance, and help natural foot movement. The deep toe box design provides the foot to ease and spreads out naturally for added comfort. Check Latest Price

Dr. Comfort Carter Men’s Therapeutic Diabetic Shoe Lycra Velcro-

Dr. Comfort Carter style shoe for men is a device washable, double-depth diabetic shoe. Built of lightweight extent Lycra with a two-way Velcro closure for more flexibility, this shoe is designed to provide foot damages such as bunions or hammertoes, yet keeps its shape after hours of washing. Our Men’s Double Depth Set features our most popular styles improved with extra depth providing the excellent fit for people who need extra volume. Check Latest Price

Dr. Comfort Women’s Bonita Camel Diabetic Slippers-

A tight heel slipper for women, with a unique rubber outsole perfect for indoor/outdoor usage. This lightweight slipper arrives with a Dr. Comfort gel insert and has a toe box for extra protection. The microfiber upper with dual flexible goring makes it accessible to slip them on your feet. The fleece lined interior assures a snug fit, reducing the chance of abrasions. With a Scotchgard shielded outer material, the slippers are great for going outside to grab the paper or decreasing in your house. Check Latest Price

Diabetic Relief Slippers-

Therapeutic Relief Slippers are a blessing for diabetic foot difficulties, swelling and bunions! Cloud-soft, plush fleece insulation and cushiony memory foam crib feet in comfort and give shock absorption. Hook loop strap closure makes them simple to put on or take off and improve fit. High ankle cut provides you great support. Plus, non-skid protection soles and weather tight P/U nubuck upper lets you use them indoors and outdoors. Check Latest Price

Orthofeet Chelsea Neuropathy Women’s Comfort Diabetic Shoes-

Orthofeet Chelsea Women’s shoes offer anatomical arch assistance, non-binding relaxed fit, and best protection against pressure points. The Easy Slip-on design facilitates easy access to the shoe and an adjusted fit with a Velcro strap closure. The Gel orthotic-insole along by the ergonomic, cushioning sole relax step, enhance stability, and aid natural foot motion. Best Shoes for Neuropathy. The deep toe box design enables the foot to relax and spreads out naturally for continued comfort. Chelsea shoes are managed to help reduce Foot Pain, Arch Pain, Knee Pain, Heel Pain, Forefoot Pain, Metatarsal Pain, Low Back Pain, also to enhance comfort for Diabetic Feet, Arthritic Feet, Plantar Fasciitis, Sensitive Feet, Pronation, Metatarsalgia, Morton’s Neuroma, Bunions, Corns, Hammer Toes. Check Latest Price

Acor River Walk Diabetic Walking Shoes Men’s Women’s Black Bone Mocha-

Acor River Walking Shoes. River Walk shoes combine the science of walking with the comfortable style of modern design, bridging a long-standing gap within functional fit and style. The Line-of-Progression outsole imparts stability and comfort to each phase of the walking cycle. The insole method is lined with a silver technology called X-Static. This shoe has the Tandem Closure System. This system provides you the choice of usual lace-up or two methods of the hook on loop attachment. Check Latest Price

Advance Diabetic Comfort Walking Shoes Men’s Black-

The Men’s Advance Comfort Footwear last fits a medium depth fit for a wide range of feet, and particularly for the low-risk foot in need of just a little more room. Advance Support shoes come with two different insoles for a comfort of adjusting the fit. Check Latest Price

Women’s Extra Diabetic Wide Width Adjustable Slippers –

The Best Extra Wide Fit Women’s Slippers with VELCRO brand fasteners accommodate even the most swollen feet and swollen ankles in fabulous comfort. These Extra Wide Womens Bedroom or House Slippers are excellent for comfortable casual use in the home and home care settings. A great option for elderly with bunions, corns, foot edema, hammer toes, diabetes, and podiatry foot problems. The wide slipper opening features VELCRO brand fastener closures. Skid-resistant non-slip slipper soles. Memory foam insoles for the ultimate in comfort! Terrific for those with disease or lowered hand dexterity. These soft wide width slippers make the real diabetic slipper for women. Extra-roomy deep, wide width slippers for swelled feet and ankles are great for patients in hospitals, post surgery, nursing house patients residents and retirement houses. Check Latest Price

Overall, When buying for diabetic slippers, you need a pair that’s flexible and comes with a flexible closure. The adjustable closure will surely come handy as diabetic feet can eventually change in shape and size. You also need diabetic slippers whose outsoles are beefed up with extra traction; pull tabs at its heels; warm wool uppers; or sturdy construction. If you want to know more about walking shoe, so visit here now- Best shoes for walking

http://bestshoesforwalking.com/best-shoes-diabetic-neuropathy-man-woman/

DIY FIRST AID SET for out of the country travel!

TRAVELER'S FIRST AID KIT 

- Party of 15 - to Nicaragua - March, 2013 -

~~~~~~~~~

*fine print* - This is not a first aid training, or an herbal training. This is simply to show what is packed in the kit. You take all responsibility for the contents and use of this information.

**This especially does not cover severe emergency protocols, ie; broken bones, eye injuries, CPR, anaphylaxis, seizures, concussion, or any other medical emergency that should be tended by a medic. Always know your emergency contacts!

Resources for first aid training can be found at the very end of the article.

**

Oh Great Spirit,

I am the woman walking in the fields

collecting plants to heal the people.

I give thanks to this plant

and I have faith with all my heart

That this plant will heal the sickness of the people.

~ Gathering prayer of Belize ~

---------

------

---

We started with a workshop

Where we discussed the possible hazards, and basic first aid protocols.

Together, we made a super-sticky spruce resin salve, and a tincture they named 'after-bug care' which contained 3 kinds of Artemesia and a little Rue. Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) is specific for malaria, so we made this the primary ingredient, backed up by Mugwort (A. vulgaris) and Wormwood

 (A. absinthium). Rue (Ruta graveolens) is a well loved anti-venom and anti-parasitic, so we added a bit of that too.

We discussed Chewing Herbs, and their effectiveness, ease and versatility for travel.

I packed them up together, one pouch for each traveler. Clove, Licorice, & Osha.

After our super-fun workshop where we donned bandanna fashions and fumbled with rubber glove removal,  as well as tasted various elixirs both candylike and heinous, I got busy assembling the full kit.

The goals of the kit were several: 

• 1) Lightweight enough to carry - so I used primarily plastic 1/2 oz tincture bottles.
• 2) Address all of the circumstances the group brought up in class, and traditional ones necessary.
• 3) Be well organized, accessible, and efficient to use.
• 4) Be incredibly versatile, so each herbal packed can serve at least a few purposes.
• 5) Be theft-resistant - proper sizes so no trouble at the airport, and of the major sets, there are 2, packed with different travelers - so if one suitcase is lost or stolen, there will be another kit sufficient.
• 6) Be non-breakable and non-meltable, it's hot there. 

The team (13 teens and two adults) from North Star have been working together for months - practicing Spanish, learning stove building techniques, understanding travel responsibilities and logistics, fundraising, learning how to obtain a passport, insurance, and proper items to pack. 

They've also done team building initiatives with seasoned Outward Bound Mentor, Pandora. Who was seriously spectacular and fierce.

They've spent time also learning about the landscape, the climate of Nicaragua, and some of the Native culture and daily life of the people. They've each done a research project on something specific. My daughter studied the bugs, which are not only fascinating, but also a wee bit scary!

So ... for the final outcome, here is the full contents of the kit. If you are traveling with a group, you can use the following documents to help you assemble your own, or reduce/adjust to your own needs for the size or location of your adventure.

These INFO CARDS, to go into the 3 main baggies. I laminated them for waterproofing, and then paired them together into what seemed logical herbal/sanitary overlap. Click to download & print:

(*note: cards not organized how the bags are - I made them first :)

VECTORS/VENOMS, WOUNDS

BURNS, SOFT TISSUE INJURY

FEAR/ANXIETY/INSOMNIA, FOOD POISONING

Then I took stock of all the contents, and packed them up into their thematic baggies.

MASTER INGREDIENT LIST

MASTER LIST OF WHAT IS IN EACH BAG

And a little Jitterbug Perfume Oil - aka bugs don't like this smell and it's good for those of you who like patchouli and get a headache from too much rose-geranium. Alas, you still must bring and use deet, so I hear.

Bug Essential Oil Blend: 

Cedarwood 3 parts, Patchouli 1 part, and a touch of vetiver and mugwort, with a little jojoba oil. I did put these in little 1/4 oz glass roll on bottles, as essential oils really need to be in glass.

Here are the ingredients for a few of the other combinations found in the kit: 

Burn Dressing

to a 2 1/2 oz bottle, color coded cap blue:

Aloe Vera Gel, Rose Hydrosol, Witch Hazel Hydrosol, equal parts.

St Johnswort tincture, about a tablespoon

Lavender essential oil 6 drops

Blue Chamomile essential oil 6 drops

Helichrysm essential oil 6 drops

Wound Wash

to a 2 1/2 oz bottle, color coded cap green:

Yarrow tincture, 2 parts

St. Johnswort tincture 1 part, 

Witch Hazel hydrosol 1 part

essential oils of Lavender & Blue Chamomile (7 drops ea)

Alien Elixir: (aka random fears)

Equal Parts Skullcap and Passionflower tincture

Panacea III - Traveller's Insurance essential oil blend 

10 ml glass eo bottle

(this blend is a proprietary recipe, but I will offer the ingredients and you can either create your own version or commission an essential oil practitioner to. Summer and fall I usually have it for sale.)

contains:  Pure Essential Oils of Eucalyptus, Lavender, Roman Chamomile,

Peppermint, Blue Chamomile, White Sage.  

~~~~

So, here they go! Geared up, and ready for a transformational adventure. 

It's been a great honor and joy for me to do this project, both as an herbalist, and a mom. In addition it has fulfilled my goal in giving something this year - the first time I've made a philanthropic goal, and what better way to start that tradition in my work. I look forward to most of the medicines being unneeded, but also look forward to hearing what was successfully utilized.

Now, I ship my open heart off to Central America, and hope it returns to me still beating strong, maybe even stronger.

Thank you to North Star for being a truly remarkable place for teens to flourish, and to all of our friends and family that supported my daughter in making this dream come true - from donations, to gifts of colorful bandannas, and help with everything inbetween.

It takes a village.

~~~~~~~

~~~~

(now if you need some comic releif after the sap I just poured on you, here is North Star's rendition of the Harlem Shake!)

FIRST AID RESOURCES:

SOLO Wilderness First Aid Certification (manual seen in second photo)

HERBAL 1st AID training with Sevensong

HERBFirstAID online course, add your name for future enrollment

( I receive no compensation for these endorsements - they are my personal recommendation)

travel smart, travel safe!

xoxo

Ananda