ENGLISH SPECIAL EDITION - ONLINE DIGITAL - NOVEMBER 2023
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Women's Health
hen your periods are alW ways heavy and very painful,
Contact: Phone: (347) 600-5347 cartasaoeditor@aol.com
you’ll want to see your doctor to find out why it keeps happening.
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A condition called endometriosis may be to blame. Or it might be something else.
All Rights Reserved The Newspaper O Mensageiro7 is a monthly publication via ONLINE in English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
To find out, you may visit your regular doctor first. Or you could see your gynecologist, who specializes in the health of your ovaries, uterus, and other parts of your female reproductive system.
Reproduction in whole or in part of the context of the publication without proper permission is expressly prohibited.
To make the most of your appointment, it helps if you do a bit of homework and prepare beforehand.
O Mensageiro7 Newspaper is not responsible for the insertion of photos, logos, slogans, errors or omissions by advertisers or information provided by third parties, edited in any part of this publication.
If your doctor has already told you that you have endometriosis, read up on it. Get to know what the treatments may be. That way, you’ll be ready when you see your doctor. What are the most important things to understand about your condition and treatment? Take a written list of questions for your doctor so you won’t forget.
Get to know what the treatments may be. That way, you’ll be ready when you see your doctor. CONTINUES ON PAGE 3
Articles, messages, interviews, and studies published in this Newspaper, by each author, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor. Each writer is responsible for their own content. Therefore, each author is available to answer the reader's questions.
Women's Health
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SOME THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO ASK: •What’s causing my symptoms? •What treatment options are there? What do you recommend for me? •What can the treatment do for me? •What side effects can it cause? •What lifestyle changes might help? •What do I do if my symptoms don't get better? •What will happen if I do nothing? •Will this affect my fertility? If so, how will we treat that? •Could a previous surgery be causing my pain and period problems? •Also, write down all the medicines you take for endometriosis and other conditions. Include any over-thecounter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
It can be hard to talk about endometriosis. But with your doctor, it’s important to be open. Don't downplay your pain. •Do any of your close female relatives have endometriosis?
•Prepare Your Answers
TRACK YOUR SYMPTOMS
•Your doctor will have questions for you, too. Be ready to answer:
When you tell your doctor about your symptoms, it helps to be specific. For instance, if you feel a stabbing pain in the lower part of your pelvis, say that, instead of, "My belly hurts.” Keep a journal of your symptoms and when and where they started.
•What are your symptoms? •When did they start? •Do they happen or get worse at certain times? •What makes them better or worse?
•Painful periods •Cramps •Painful sex
•Pain when you pee •Heavy bleeding •Irregular periods •Bloating or nausea during your period •Diarrhea •Constipation •Headaches •Trouble getting pregnant
OPEN UP TO YOUR DOCTOR It can be hard to talk about endometriosis. But with your doctor, it’s important to be open. Don't downplay your pain. Describe it as precisely as you can, using words like burning, sharp, dull, or aching, if those fit how you feel.
Also describe how your pain affects your life. Is it bad enough to make you skip soDon’t leave out symptoms cial events or miss school even if they don't seem re- or work? Does it vary from lated to endometriosis. Your month to month? ◙ doctor needs to know about everything you’ve noticed. SOURCE: WebMD
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Nature
l Niño and La Niña are difEferent phases of a climate
the planet. Since September 2020, the world has been under the effects of La Niña: it has been felt, for example, in the Horn of Africa and some regions of South America in the form of strong droughts, contrasting with heavy rainfall in Southeast Asia and Australasia.
pattern that repeatedly occurs in the tropical zone of the Pacific Ocean and is known as ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation). El Niño is a warming phenomenon, while La Niña is a cooling phenomenon. The two factors follow one after the other, although there are often neutral conditions between them. During El Niño events, the Pacific surface warms, surface winds weaken and rainfall increases in the southern and eastern part of the ocean. All this causes changes in air pressure at sea level, in temperature, in rainfall and in winds, not only in the tropics, but also in many other regions of the world. La Niña events, however, have the effect of cooling the surface of the Pacific Ocean. The consequences, like those of El Niño, can be felt all over
After three consecutive years dominated by La Niña, the El Niño warming phenomenon could begin to gather momentum in the Pacific in the second half of 2023.
During El Niño events, the Pacific surface warms, surface winds weaken and rainfall increases in the southern and eastern part of the ocean.
According to the WMO, there is more than a 50% chance of this happening, although, as is often the case with meteorology, this is still fraught with uncertainty. How will El Niño affect the weather? El Niño and La Niña are natural phenomena. Unlike climate change, they are not anthropogenic in origin. However, the consequences of natural and man-made facCONTINUES ON PAGE 5
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict CONTINUING FROM PAGE 4
ries of cease-fires and peace negotiations, representatives from Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords, a peace treaty that ended the thirty-year conflict between Egypt and Israel.
into Arab and Jewish states. On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was created, sparking the first Arab-Israeli War. The war ended in 1949 with Israel’s victory, but 750,000 Palestinians were displaced, and the territory was divided into 3 parts: the State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip. Over the following years, tensions rose in the region, particularly between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. Following the 1956 Suez Crisis and Israel’s invasion of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria signed mutual defense pacts in anticipation of a possible mobilization of Israeli troops. In June 1967, following a series of maneuvers by Egyptian President Abdel Gamal Nasser, Israel preemptively attacked Egyptian and Syrian air forces, starting the Six-Day War.
In June 1967, following a series of maneuvers by Egyptian President Abdel Gamal Nasser, Israel preemptively attacked Egyptian and Syrian air forces, starting the Six-Day War.
Finally, in 1979, following a se-
Even though the Camp David Accords improved relations between Israel and its neighbors, the question of Palestinian self-determination and self-governance remained unresolved. In 1987, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip rose up against the Israeli government in what is known as the first intifada. The 1993 Oslo I Accords mediated the conflict, setting up a framework for the Palestinians to govern themselves in the West Bank and Gaza, and enabled mutual recognition between the newly established Palestinian Authority and Israel’s government. In 1995, the Oslo II Accords expanded on the first agreement, adding provisions that mandated the complete withdrawal of Israel from 6 cities and 450 towns in the West Bank.
After the war, Israel gained territorial control over the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt; the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan; and the Golan Heights from Syria. Six years later, in what is referred to as the Yom Kippur War or the October War, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise two-front attack on Israel to regain their lost territory; the conflict did not result in significant gains for Egypt, Israel, or Syria, but Egyptian President Anwar alSadat declared the war a victory for Egypt as it allowed Egypt and Syria to negotiate over previously ceded territory.
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Six years later, in what is referred to as the Yom Kippur War or the October War, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise twofront attack on Israel to regain their lost territory.
In 2000, sparked in part by Palestinian grievances over Israel’s control over the West Bank, a stagnating peace process, and former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the al-Aqsa mosque—the third holiest site in Islam—in September 2000, Palestinians launched the second intifada, which would last until 2005. In response, the Israeli government approved the construction of a barrier wall around the West Bank in 2002, despite opposition from the International Court of Justice and the International CONTINUES ON PAGE 6
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Israeli-Palestinian Conflict tinians in 2015, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah announced that Palestinians would no longer be bound by the territorial divisions created by the Oslo Accords.
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CRIMINAL COURT Factionalism among the Palestinians flared up when Hamas won the Palestinian Authority’s parliamentary elections in 2006, deposing longtime majority party Fatah. This gave Hamas, a political and militant movement inspired by the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, control of the Gaza Strip. Gaza is a small piece of land on the Mediterranean Sea that borders Egypt to the south and has been under the rule of the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority since 1993. The United States and European Union, among others, did not acknowledge Hamas’ electoral victory, as the group has been considered a terrorist organization by western governments since the late 1990s.
Finally, in 1979, following a series of cease-fires and peace negotiations, representatives from Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords, a peace treaty that ended the thirty-year conflict between Egypt and Israel.
Following Hamas’ seizure of control, violence broke out between Hamas and Fatah. Between 2006 and 2011, a series of failed peace talks and deadly confrontations culminated in an agreement to reconcile. Fatah entered into a unity government with Hamas in 2014. In the summer of 2014, clashes in the Palestinian territories precipitated a military confrontation between the Israeli military and Hamas in which Hamas fired nearly three thousand rockets at Israel, and Israel retaliated with a major offensive in Gaza. The skirmish ended in late August 2014 with a ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt, but only after 73 Israelis and 2,251 Palestinians were killed. After a wave of violence between Israelis and Pales-
In 1987, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza Strip rose up against the Israeli government in what is known as the first intifada.
In March and May of 2018, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip conducted weekly demonstrations at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The final protest coincided with the seventieth anniversary of the Nakba, the Palestinian exodus that accompanied Israeli independence. While most of the protesters were peaceful, some stormed the perimeter fence and threw rocks and other objects. According to the United Nations, 183 demonstrators were killed and more than 6,000 were wounded by live ammunition. The tense political atmosphere resulted in a return to disunity between Fatah and Hamas, with Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah party controlling the Palestinian Authority from the West Bank and Hamas de facto ruling the Gaza Strip. This remained largely true throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s, despite Abbas’ efforts to bring the Palestinian people together under the Palestinian Authority. In May of 2018, fighting once again broke out between Hamas and the IDF in what became the worst period of violence since 2014. Before reaching a cease-fire, militants in Gaza fired over one hundred rockets into Israel; Israel responded with strikes on more than fifty targets in Gaza during the twenty-fourhour flare-up. The Donald J. Trump administration set achieving an Israeli-Palestinian deal as a foreign policy priority. In 2018, the CONTINUES ON PAGE 7
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict CONTINUING FROM PAGE 6
Sheikh Jarrah—a neighborhood in East Jerusalem— were to be evicted by May 2021 with their land handed over to Jewish families.
Trump administration canceled funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency, which provides aid to Palestinian refugees, and relocated the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a reversal of a longstanding U.S. policy. The decision to move the U.S. embassy was met with applause from the Israeli leadership but was condemned by Palestinian leaders and others in the Middle East and Europe. Israel considers the “complete and united Jerusalem” its capital, while Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. In January 2020, the Trump administration released its long-awaited “Peace to Prosperity” plan, which was rejected by Palestinians due to its support for future Israeli annexation of settlements in the West Bank and control over an “undivided” Jerusalem.
The United States and European Union, among others, did not acknowledge Hamas’ electoral victory, as the group has been considered a terrorist organization by western governments since the late 1990s.
In October 2020, an Israeli court ruled that several Palestinian families living in
In February 2021, several Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah filed an appeal to the court ruling, prompting protests around the appeal hearings, the ongoing legal battle around property ownership, and the forcible displacement of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem. In late April 2021, Palestinians began demonstrating in the streets of Jerusalem to protest the pending evictions, and residents of Sheikh Jarrah—along with other activists—began to host nightly sit-ins. I n e a r l y M a y, a f t e r a court ruled in favor of the evictions, the protests expanded, with Israeli police deploying force against demonstrators. On May 7, following weeks of daily demonstrations and rising tensions between protesters, Israeli settlers, and police during the month of Ramadan, violence broke out at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, with Israeli police using stun grenades, rubber bullets, and water cannons in a clash with protestors that left hundreds of Palestinians wounded.
In August and September 2020, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and then Bahrain agreed to normalize relations with Israel, making them only the third and fourth countries in the region—following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994—to do so. The agreements, named the Abraham Accords, came more than eighteen months after the United States hosted Israel and several Arab states for ministerial talks in Warsaw, Poland, about the future of peace in the Middle East. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah rejected the accords, as did Hamas.
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In May of 2018, fighting once again broke out between Hamas and the IDF in what became the worst period of violence since 2014.
After the clashes in Jerusalem’s Old City, tensions increased throughout East Jerusalem, compounded by the celebration of Jerusalem Day. On May 10, after several consecutive days of violence throughout Jerusalem and the use of lethal and nonlethal force by Israeli police, Hamas, the militant group which governs Gaza, and other Palestinian militant groups launched hunCONTINUES ON PAGE 8
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
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In the first two days of fighting, approximately 800 Israelis and 500 Palestinians were killed. Increasing loss of life is of primary concern in the conflict.
dreds of rockets into Israeli territory. Israel responded with artillery bombardments and airstrikes, several of which killed more than twenty Palestinians, against targets in Gaza. While claiming to target Hamas, other militants (such as those from Palestinian Islamic Jihad), and their infrastructure—including tunnels and rocket launchers—Israel expanded its aerial campaign and struck non-military infrastructure including residential buildings, media headquarters, and refugee and healthcare facilities.
the United Nations estimates that more than 72,000 Palestinians were displaced by the fighting.
CONCERNS Following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7, 2023, President Joe Biden made a strong statement of support for Israel. On the same day that Israel declared war against the terrorist group, the United States announced that it would send renewed shipments of arms and move its Mediterranean Sea warships closer to Israel.
On May 21, 2021, Israel and While the UN Security CounHamas agreed to a cease-fire, brokered by Egypt, with both cil called an emergency meeting to discuss the renewed sides claiming victory. violence, the members failed More than 250 Palestinians to come to a consensus statewere killed and nearly 2,000 ment. others wounded, and at least 13 Israelis were killed over Given the history of brutality when Israel and Palestinian the eleven days of fighting. extremist groups have fought Authorities in Gaza estimate in the past, international that tens of millions of dol- groups quickly expressed lars of damage was done, and concern for the safety of ci-
vilians in Israel and the Pal- and Palestinian borders. estinian territories as well as those being held hostage by On October 9, reports surfaced that the IDF was firing militants in Gaza. at targets within Lebanon, In the first two days of fight- where Hezbollah is based. ing, approximately 800 Israe- An Israeli statement on the lis and 500 Palestinians were matter did not clarify the purkilled. Increasing loss of life pose of the cross-boundary is of primary concern in the operation. conflict. A 2023 effort by the United While the United States did States to help broker a nornot immediately confirm malization accord between reports that Iranian intelIsrael and Saudi Arabia ligence and security forces directly helped Hamas plan was thrown into chaos by the its October 7 attack, Iran has October conflict. a well-established patronage Saudi Arabia has long advorelationship with Hamas and cated for the rights and safety other extremist groups across of Palestinian Arab populathe Middle East. tions in Israel, the West Bank, In addition to worries that and Gaza. Especially in Gaza, the attacks were a signal from those populations are now in Iran that it is prepared to es- the path of IDF operations, calate its malign influence in jeopardizing the progress the various Middle Eastern con- Israelis and Saudis made toflicts, experts have expressed ward common understandconcern that another extrem- ing. ◙ ist group with Iranian backing, Hezbollah, will be drawn SOURCE:cfr.org/globalinto the war, thereby expand- conflict-tracker/conflict/ ing the conflict beyond Israeli israeli-palestinian-conflict
Men's Health
rostate health is a critical P aspect of men’s overall well-
tate is essential for reproductive function, it is also prone to various health issues, including:
being, and yet it often takes a back seat in the realm of men’s health discussions.
PROSTATE CANCER: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Early detection through regular screening can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.
Ignoring the health of your prostate can have serious consequences, but the good news is that with early detection and proper care, many prostate issues can be effectively managed or even prevented.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty starting and stopping urination, and a weak urine stream.
In this article, we will explore why every man should consider getting their prostate checked when to seek medical advice, and how One Hatfield Hospital’s men’s health service can support you in this crucial aspect of your health.
WHY IS PROSTATE HEALTH IMPORTANT? The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that plays a vital role in the male reproductive system. It produces seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. While a healthy pros-
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PROSTATITIS:
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that plays a vital role in the male reproductive system.
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that can cause pain and discomfort in the pelvic region, along with urinary symptoms.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A PROSTATE CHECK? Regular prostate checks are essential for maintaining good health and detecting potential issues early on. CONTINUES ON PAGE 10
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Men's Health
CONTINUING FROM PAGE 9
ing comprehensive care and guidance tailored to your individual needs.
Here are some guidelines on when to consider a prostate check:
WE OFFER A RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING:
AGE: Men aged 50 and older should discuss prostate screening with their healthcare provider. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer should start discussions at age 45.
PROSTATE SCREENING: Our hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and expertise to perform prostate screenings, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests.
SYMPTOMS: Certain symptoms should prompt you to seek medical advice, regardless of your age.
THESE SYMPTOMS INCLUDE: •Frequent urination, especially at night •Difficulty starting or stopping urination •Weak urine flow •Pain or discomfort in the pelvic region
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men. Early detection through regular screening can significantly increase the chances of successful treatment.
•Blood in the urine or semen
If you have a family history of prostate cancer or other prostate-related issues, it’s crucial to discuss your risk factors with your healthcare provider.
Our experienced medical team is dedicated to provid-
TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT: If an issue is detected, we provide advanced treatment options and ongoing management.
Regular check-ups and early detection can make a significant difference in managing prostate-related issues effectively. One Hatfield Hospital’s men’s health service is here to support you on your journey to better prostate health. ◙
FAMILY HISTORY:
One Hatfield Hospital recognizes the importance of men’s health and offers a specialized men’s health service to support you in maintaining optimal prostate health.
Our experienced urologists and healthcare professionals are available to discuss your concerns, evaluate your risk factors, and create a personalized prostate health plan.
Your prostate health is not something to take lightly.
ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
ONE HATFIELD HOSPITAL’S MEN’S HEALTH SERVICE:
EXPERT CONSULTATIONS:
SOURCE:
Regular check-ups and early detection can make a significant difference in managing prostate-related issues effectively.
Parenting
o matter how prepared N you think you are, you’ll
hours, and up to 15 times a day. If your baby isn’t waking up on their own for a feeding during the first few weeks, you should get them up to eat on schedule.
still have questions once your newborn arrives.
One of the most common worries new parents have? Whether their little one is eating the right amount.
If you’re breastfeeding, your little one will spend about 10 to 20 minutes on your breast.
Every baby is unique, but there are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when it’s time for a feeding.
Some may nurse for longer, but make sure they are actually sucking and swallowing the whole time.
HOW MUCH DO BABIES EAT?
Giving formula? Plan on your baby drinking 1.5 to 3 ounces at each feeding.
NEWBORN TO 2 MONTHS: During their first month, babies need to eat 8-12 times each day. That’s about once every 2-3 hours. Some who are breastfeeding, though, can eat every 1.5
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During their first month, babies need to eat 8-12 times each day.
After about a month, they’ll start eating at least 4 ounces at each feeding. As breastfed babies get the hang of nursing, they’ll get more milk from you, too. You may not notice, though, since they’ll do it in less time. CONTINUES ON PAGE 12
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Parenting
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Whether you’re nursing or bottle feeding, as your baby keeps growing, so will their appetite.
when they are going through a growth spurt. Trust your baby to know how much food they need.
At 2 months, they may drink 4-5 ounces at each feeding, 3-4 hours apart.
You can watch for a few signs that they are full: They pull away from your breast or their bottle.
At 4 months, they may need up to 6 ounces every time. The pediatrician may encourage you to start to introduce solid foods - or advise you to wait if you are still exclusively breastfeeding. By 6 months, some babies drink as much as 8 ounces of breastmilk or formula even as they go longer between feedings. Remember: The exact amount your little one drinks will vary from day to day. For instance, they may want to eat more than normal
They fall asleep during a feeding. They shake their head or keep their mouth closed.
By 6 months, some babies drink as much as 8 ounces of breastmilk or formula even as they go longer between feedings.
Those signs can also help you know that you’re not overfeeding your little one. And at regular checkups, your pediatrician will let you know if your baby’s growth (height and weight) is on track. ◙ SOURCE: BABYCENTER.COM
Psychology
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Don't let anyone give you
Whenever a famous star dies, it’s not only their family and friends who grieve for them— their fans are devastated as well, even if they never met or saw their icon in person.
On January 26, 2020, following the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, you may have noticed an outpouring of grief on social media.
Why, exactly, are we so affected by celebrity deaths?
grief for mourning a celebrity's death: It's perfectly normal and natural, say mental health experts.
The news was tragic: 41-yearold Bryant, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, January 26th, 2020 in Calabasas, California. He left behind a legacy on the basketball court with a career spanning 20 years, as well as his wife, Vanessa, and three daughters, Natalia, Bianka, and Capri.
On January 26, 2020, following the death of basketball legend Kobe Bryant, you may have noticed an outpouring of grief on social media.
Celebrities, such as actors, athletes, and musicians, can leave a lasting mark on people, explains psychotherapist Tom Kersting. We don’t personally know these celebrities, but there’s no doubt that their work can leave a positive imprint on our minds and memories. “For example, Tom Petty’s passing can trigger past memories of his songs that can take a person back to that specific time in life,” says Kersting. CONTINUES ON PAGE 14
Psychology
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Tom Petty “An actor’s death can bring back memories of a movie he or she did, triggering memories from that time in your own life.” If you’re one of the many fans struggling to come to terms with this week’s sad news, or you have found it difficult to cope with one of the recent celebrity deaths, Kersting has some tips. First, try to focus on the positives that the celebrity brought to your life. “As a long-time Grateful Dead fan I remember how I felt when Jerry Garcia died,” he says. “Although I was sad about his passing, I smiled at the same time because his music created countless positive experiences for me with friends that I will never forget. So, the key is to be grateful for the positive memories and
Jerry Garcia fixate on that rather than on the sadness.”
just because you can’t explain your grief or your friends or family can’t understand it, that doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t a valid response. We’re often brought up to compartmentalize sadness and feel that we should mourn in a certain way, but grief is different for everyone.
Second, just because you can’t explain your grief or your friends or family can’t understand it, that doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t a valid response. We’re often brought up to compartmentalize sadness and feel that we should mourn in a certain way, but grief is different for everyone. Finally, no matter who you’re grieving for, it’s important to seek professional help if it becomes too overwhelming or starts to interfere with your life. Now, learn about these things you should say to someone who is grieving. ◙ SOURCE: READER’S DIGEST
Tourism
ount Fuji, Japanese FujiM san, also spelled Fujisan,
name is uncertain. It first appears as Fuji no Yama in Hitachi no kuni fudoki (713 CE), an early government record.
also called Fujiyama or Fuji no Yama, highest mountain in Japan.
Among the several theories about the source of the name is that it is derived from an Ainu term meaning “fire,” coupled with san, the Japanese word for “mountain.”
I t r i s e s to 1 2 , 3 8 8 fe e t (3,776 meters) near the Pacific Ocean coast in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken (prefectures) of central Honshu, about 60 miles (100 km) west of the TokyoYokohama metropolitan area. It is a volcano that has been dormant since its last eruption, in 1707, but is still generally classified as active by geologists. The mountain is the major feature of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (1936), and it is at the center of a UNESCO World Heritage site designated in 2013. The origin of the mountain’s
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The Chinese ideograms (kanji) now used to write Fuji connote more of a sense of good fortune or well-being.
Mount Fuji rises to 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) near the Pacific Ocean coast in Yamanashi and Shizuoka ken.
In the present day the Japanese typically refer to the mountain as Fujisan, whereas foreign visitors tend to refer to the mountain somewhat incorrectly as Mount Fujiyama, which translates to “Mount Fuji Mountain” in the Japanese language. Mount Fuji, with its graceful conical form, has become faCONTINUES ON PAGE 16
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mous throughout the world and is considered the sacred symbol of Japan. Among Japanese there is a sense of personal identification with the mountain, and each summer thousands of Japanese climb to the shrine on its peak. Its image has been reproduced countless times in Japanese art, perhaps no more famously than in the series of woodblock prints Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji by Hokusai, which were originally published between 1826 and 1833. A c c o rd i n g to t ra d i t i o n , the volcano was formed in
The age of Fuji is disputed, but it seems to have formed during the past 2.6 million years on a base dating from up to 65 million years ago; the first eruptions and the first peaks probably occurred sometime after 700,000 years ago.
286 BCE by an earthquake. The truth is somewhat more complex. The age of Fuji is disputed, but it seems to have formed during the past 2.6 million years on a base dating from up to 65 million years ago; the first eruptions and the first peaks probably occurred sometime after 700,000 years ago. The earliest precursors to Mount Fuji were Komitake (which forms the mountain’s north slope) and Ashitakayama (which sits southeast of the mountain). Mount Fuji is a stratovolcaCONTINUES ON PAGE 17
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Mount Fuji's image has been reproduced countless times in Japanese art. no that rose sometime after 400,000 years ago between the peaks of Komitake and Ashitaka-yama.
In the process it has filled in the slopes of its predecessors and added the summit zone, producing the mountain’s now nearly perfect tapered The present-day mountain is a composite of three succes- form. sive volcanoes: at the bot- The base of the volcano is tom is Komitake, which was about 78 miles (125 km) in surmounted by Ko Fuji (“Old circumference and has a diFuji”) about 100,000 years ameter of some 25 to 30 miles ago and, finally, by the most (40 to 50 km). recent, Shin Fuji (“New Fuji”). At the summit of Mount Fuji Over the millennia, the lava and other ejecta the crater spans about 1,600 from Ko Fuji covered most of feet (500 metres) in surface Komitake, although the top diameter and sinks to a depth of the latter’s cone continued of about 820 feet (250 meto protrude from the slope of tres). Ko Fuji. Around the jagged edges of Shin Fuji probably first became active about 10,000 years ago and has continued ever since to smolder or erupt occasionally.
the crater are eight peaks— Oshaidake, Izudake, Jojudake, Komagatake, Mushimatake, Kengamine, Hukusandake, and Kusushidake.
Mount Fuji is part of the Fuji Volcanic Zone, a volcanic chain that extends northward from the Mariana Islands and the Izu Islands through the Izu Peninsula to northern Honshu. Geologists note that the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Philippine Plate at the Nankai Trough, which extends along Japan’s southern coast, likely drives Mount Fuji’s volcanic activity.
tude-8.4 earthquake, which struck the region 49 days earlier. Mount Fuji’s volcanic activity since 1707 has been limited mostly to small earthquakes; however, a magnitude-6.4 aftershock struck the mountain’s southern flank in the days following the Great Sendai Earthquake of 2011. ◙
SOURCE: Large eruptions occur about Encyclopædia Britannica every 500 years. Accounts of the most recent major eruption, in December 1707, note that ash darkened the midday sky as far as Edo (presentday Tokyo) and buried temples and dwellings near the mountain. Geologists report that the eruption was triggered by a magni-
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Science
ome of the oldest living Sthings on our remarkable
Undoubtedly, part of the answer lies in luck. Ancient trees have (obviously) not succumbed to lethal diseases, pests, fires, droughts, windstorms, landslides, or the human axe in the centuries and centuries that they have quietly endured. That alone is no small feat!
planet are trees.
The record holders are bristlecone pines of the western United States, quite a few of which are known to be more than 3,000 years old. One individual, discovered in 2012, is estimated to be more than 5,060 years old, making it the oldest known non-clonal tree in the world! However, bristlecones are certainly not alone in their longevity: individuals across a number of other tree species have also been around for millennia. So, how do trees survive for thousands of years? This is a fascinating question for biologists that does not yet have a settled answer.
The other part of the answer has to do with how trees age.
The record holders are bristlecone pines of the western United States, quite a few of which are known to be more than 3,000 years old.
In fact, there is quite a debate about whether ancient trees can be considered "immortal." That is, will such trees ever die if they are not killed by an outside force? We may never know the answer to that, but, at the very least, we know that ancient trees age in ways that are dramatically different from the ways that most animals CONTINUES ON PAGE 19
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and even other plants age. While cell death is an important factor in the aging of humans and other animals, one study found little evidence of cell death in ginkgo tree vascular cambium, an important tissue near the bark that continuously produces new xylem and phloem to transport food, water, and minerals for the plant. In addition, a study of bristlecone pine pollen found no significant increase in mutation rates with age, which is another factor associated with animal aging. What’s more, some ancient trees have superior chemical defenses against pests and diseases. At a macroscopic level, trees have simple bodies and de-
In summary, it seems that several thousand years of good luck as well as a simple low-maintenance body plan and some clever cellular traits all work together to enable some trees to live spectacularly long lives.
velop modularly, meaning that a part that is lost can be replaced, be it a leaf or a limb. In addition, older trees benefit greatly from having bodies made mostly of dead woody tissue. In fact, an old tree might be as much as 95 percent dead tissue! Given that it isn’t alive, wood does not require metabolic activity to maintain it, so an old tree doesn’t really need to do much to keep living. In summary, it seems that several thousand years of good luck as well as a simple low-maintenance body plan and some clever cellular traits all work together to enable some trees to live spectacularly long lives. ◙ SOURCE: Encyclopaedia Britannica
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Pray for Israel
FOR YOU ARE A HOLY PEOPLE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; The LORD your God has chosen you to be his people from among all the peoples that are on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself, Israel for his possession. Psalms 135:4 'You have seen what I have done to the Egyptians, and how I have taken you on eagles' wings and brought you to me. 'Now therefore, if you truly listen to my voice and keep my covenant, you will be my special treasure among all people, for all the earth is mine; and you will be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." These are the words that you will say to the children of Israel. Exodus 19:4-6 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham, my friend; you, whom I took from the ends of the earth, and from its remotest places I called you, and said to you: 'You are my servant; I have chosen you and I have not rejected you:" Isaiah 41:8-9