MINI MAG! CURRENT AFFAIRS IN A WAY YOU'LL LOVE
Vrinda Gandhi
founder art co-director layout director
vice executive
vice executive lifestyle co-director
Kavya Gurunath
Ashmita Annamalai
art & media, opinion co- director
vice executive science co-director
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Taruni Manam
Sahithi Lingampalli
Geethikaa Tarra
vice executive public relations co-director
Samita Pandit
Harvi Karatha
Harshvir Chahal
lifestyle co-director
editing co-director
tech co-director
Evelyn Chen
Grace Yoon
Uday Lingampalli
art co-director
politics & world events codirector
editing co-director
Aathmika Radhachandran public relations co-director
meet the directors @theaffairmag theaffairmag@gmail.com Published monthly by The Affair. All Rights Reserved.
Anvitha Mattapalli tech co-director
COVER ART BY SAHITHI LINGAMPALLI
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meet the staff
WRITERS: Aliza Alibhai Gunkriti Kaur Harshvir Chahal Helen Bian Kavya Gurunath Mia Davis Neve Walker Nitya Baratam Rachel Adam Sahithi Lingampalli Samita Pandit Taruni Manam
ARTISTS: Evelyn Chen Sahithi Lingampalli Thejo Tattala
EDITORS: Ameya Aneja Anvitha Mattapalli Arushi Patil Geethikaa Tarra Gunkriti Kaur Harini Akurathi Harshvir Chahal Harvi Karatha Jashan Mehta Jeet Parikh Kavya Gurunath Myint Myat Theingi Mia Davis Nitya Baratam Ritika Soni Samita Pandit Tanishka Gangavelli Taruni Manam Uday Lingampalli
LAYOUT DESIGNERS:
Arushi Patil Hannah Huang Harini Akurathi Helen Bian Karen He Sahithi Lingampalli Tanishka Gangavelli
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contents
5 ART AND MEDIA
39 LIFESTYLE
6 The Media's Scary Obsession With
41 How to Support a Person with
Mental Health
Dyslexia
7 History of Horror
43 Safe Ways to Enjoy Halloween
9 All About Halloween
45 Mental Health in Breast Cancer
12 POLITICS AND WORLD EVENTS
Patients
13 Texas Abortion Law
47 Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls Recipe
15 The Fall of Afghanistan
51 OPINION
19 TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN 21 Facial Recognition Technology and
Autonomy 23 Assistive Technology for Those With
Down Syndrome
52 Retreat From Afghanistan 53 Mask Mandates 57 MOTM 58 SPONSORS
25 Assistive Technology for Those With
Dyslexia 29 SCIENCE 30 Psychology Behind Fashion 31 Science Behind Breast Cancer 33 Science Behind Down Syndrome 35 Science Behind Dyslexia
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A R T
media page 6 THE
M E D I A S
OBSESSION
WITH MENTAL HEALTH
In the past few years, the romanticization of mental illness has become overwhelmingly widespread with the emergence of social media platforms. Mental disorders essentially become sought-after personality traits while their true symptoms and effects remain unseen.
page 7
The History Of Horror page 9
ALL ABOUT
Halloween 5
Horror is a fundamental genre of media, alongside romance and fantasy. How did it arise and morph into what we see today?
Halloween…the glorious culmination of #spookyseason. Ever wonder why we celebrate this holiday or the roots behind our favorite Halloween traditions? Get ready to discover the surprising origins of Halloween!
THE
M E D I A S
OBSESSION
WITH MENTAL HEALTH With the prevalence of online social networking and connectivity rising, people have been provided a platform to express themselves and their ideologies. Such power, however, can allow for negative messages to gain traction instantaneously. One of the dangerous themes buried within social media is the unhealthy romanticization of mental illness. This glorification has taken social media platforms by storm and appears to have no intention of settling. Common mental disorders range from anxiety disorders (ie. generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD), to eating disorders (ie. anorexia nervosa), to psychotic disorders (ie. schizophrenia). There are various mental illnesses — none of which can be categorized into a single box. No matter what kind of mental illness one suffers from, they are all a constant uphill battle. Media users on platforms like TikTok and Instagram tend to undermine the difficulties people face every day while glorifying the “easier” elements of mental illness. Such romanticization often revolves around mood disorders,
particularly depression. Depression causes significant impairment of everyday life. This could include isolating oneself, denying a shower for days or weeks on end, or even having suicidal ideations. Someone with depression could experience none, one, or all these symptoms. Depression is not, however, simply feeling sad and having one bad day. It goes far beyond that. Social media has coerced us into believing what is okay and what is not regarding mental illness. For example, with OCD: it is okay to organize things in a color-coded arrangement, yet it is not okay to have violent intrusive thoughts that are uncontrollable. Being “bipolar” is a personality trait, while experiencing debilitating depressive lows is erroneous. Our perceptions of mental illness versus its genuine impacts are molded by our consumptions of media. If incorrect representations of such disorders are commonly perpetuated, destigmatization will fail to occur and mental disorders will continue to face unjust criticism.
WRITTEN BY MIA DAVIS EDITED BY GEETHIKAA TARRA, AMEYA ANEJA, HARVI KARATHA LAYOUT BY HELEN BIAN ART BY THEJO TATTALA
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As long as there has been storytelling, there have been tales of fear. Human legends have incorporated elements of the fantastical and the unknown since ancient times. In most cultures, early creation myths and folktales contain some sort of hell and a pantheon of fearsome creatures, such as goblins and cruel spirits.
However, modern horror as we know it is only around 200 years old. Stories of fearsome elements, “what ifs” and “who knows” have existed since the beginning of time, but stories designed to instill fear in us just for the sake of it are relatively new. Horror has its roots in Gothic fiction, which was born with The Castle of Otranto — A Gothic Story by Horace Walpole in 1764. Walpole’s novel was a new and controversial entry into the literary scene; writers of the 18th century were more prone to realism than excessive fantastical and supernatural tales. However, Walpole’s novel is credited with inspiring other writers and inflaming the desire for stories that would eventually morph into the
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The Hi Of Hor
modern horror genre. Early Gothic fiction was heavily influenced by Romanticism, and were typically tales of romance with supernatural and horror elements. In fact, the introduction of vampires occurred during the early decades of Gothic fiction, and were creatures that Romantic writers viewed as supernaturally beautiful and awaiting an unsuspecting lover in the fringes of life and death.
The next shift in what was to become the horror genre occurred in the early 19th century, with the release of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and John William Polidori’s The Vampyre, inspired by Lord George Byron. Shelley and Byron began a competition to see who could write the most fantastical tale, having long discussed the
istory rror
When Sigmund Freud began his explorations into the human consciousness, horror began taking a more psychological approach. These stories focused less on external monsters, and more on the internal monsters of the mind. Authors walked freely into the territory of the mind called madness, and worked to instill a sense of resounding terror in the audience. The golden era of this new horror -- the 1890s -- coincided with the development of filmmaking.
Horror is an ever-mutating genre, and will remain instilled in the pantheon of storytelling for as long as it stands. As H.P. Lovecraft once said, “the oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.”
written by: Helen Bian edited by: Uday Lingampalli, Geethi Tarra, Jashan Mehta layout by: Harini akurathi
The earliest horror films took after the more modern, psychological horror that was prevalent during the time. Later in the mid-20th century, the slasher genre was introduced. The 1970s was the birth of contemporary horror, with authors like Steven King at the forefront. Now, horror is expanding into more areas of media, such as into tales of alternate history, parodies and comics.
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ALL ABOUT
Halloween
ARTICLE BY RACHEL ADAM EDITED BY GEETHI TARRA, MYINT MYAT THEINGI, AMEYA ANEJA
Halloween started around 2,000 years ago, although, originally, it had a different name. The Celts, who lived in Ireland, Great Britain, and France, considered the new year to start on November 1st. The day before, they celebrated with a festival called Samhain (meaning “summer’s end”). To the Celts, November 1st marked the end of summer- and the start of the dreary, dark winter, which represented death to them. On October 31st, they thought that ghosts could return to the living world. The ghosts were believed to destroy crops, but also helped make it easier for priests to predict the future. This was comforting to the Celts during the unpredictable, scary winter season. To celebrate the return of the ghosts, the priests built bonfires, where people burned crops and animals as sacrifices for the Celtic deities. The Celts also wore costumes made of animal skins and heads. At night, they went door-to-door, singing and reciting Pagan verses in exchange for food, or simply asking for it, known as “mumming and guising.” They would also try to predict each others’ fortunes. After everyone had finished
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“mumming and guising,” people relit their hearth fires from the bonfire to protect them from harm during the winter. Later, when the Romans had taken over Celtic territory, they combined the traditions of their own festivals with those of the Celts. One of those festivals celebrated Pomona, the Roman goddess of the orchards, fruit trees, and gardens, whose symbol was the apple. The tradition of bobbing for apples originated from this festival. It was rumoured that the first successful apple-bobber would get married first. Young women also peeled an apple in one continuous strip, and threw it over their shoulders. Supposedly, when the strip landed on the floor, it would spell out her soulmate’s initials. In the 10th century, the Church created All Souls Day, which took place on November 2nd, and honored the dead. It was intended to replace the Celtic festival of Samhain. People dressed as saints, angels, and devils, and celebrated with bonfires and parades. The poor would also go door to door, receiving “soul cakes’’ filled with sweet spices like cinnamon,
nutmeg, and allspice, or raisins and currants, in exchange for their promise to pray for the household’s dead relatives. This replaced the earlier practice of leaving out food and wine as offerings for the deceased. Later on, children would take up the tradition, eventually named, “going-a-souling,” asking the houses in their neighborhood for ale, food, and money. People also hollowed-out turnips and placed a candle inside to ward off evil spirits. This practice started because of an Irish myth about a man called “Stingy Jack.” Stingy Jack entrapped the Devil and forced him to promise that he wouldn’t send him to Hell. Once Stingy Jack died, he wasn’t allowed into Heaven, due to all of the misdeeds he’d done during his life. True to his word, the Devil kept his promise and sent him to the Netherworld between Heaven and Hell, with only a burning piece of coal to find his way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip, and has supposedly been roaming the Earth ever since. Hence, the name “jack-o’- lantern.” In America, at first, the celebration of Halloween was mostly limited to the Southern colonies, since New England’s population was made up of strict Protestants. The traditions of Europeans and Native Americans combined to create new Halloween traditions. People would tell ghost stories, play pranks on each other, sing,
dance, and tell each other’s fortunes at “play parties” to celebrate the harvest. It wasn’t until the Irish fled Ireland to come to America during the Irish Potato Famine that Halloween was celebrated by all of America. Traditional jack-o’-lanterns got their start in America once the Irish immigrants realized that pumpkins were easier to carve than turnips. Later on, Americans also invented the practice of “trick-or-treating,” where children dressed up in costumes and visited their neighbors asking for food and money. People believed that if they gave out small “treats” to the children, they’d avoid having “tricks” played on them. Today, people still celebrate Halloween. Children and adults continue to dress up in costumes ranging from real-world celebrities to comic-book superheroes and attend costume parties. Today, trick-ortreating is when people go door to door, gleefully exclaiming, “Trick or treat!” in exchange for candy, a beloved tradition. Many go all-out decorating their houses with jack-o’lanterns, spiders, cobwebs, ghosts, and skeletons. Others love exploring haunted houses, or simply bingewatching horror movies at home. Who would have thought that there was so much history behind this spooktacular holiday!
LAYOUT BY HANNAH HUANG
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R E F E R E N C E S The Media’s Scary Obsession with Mental Health Spencer, T. (2021, February 12). Tre's take: How social media romanticizes mental health challenges. The Post. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.thepostathens.com/article/2021/02/social-media-mental-health-tik-tok. U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2021, August 10). Mental disorders. MedlinePlus. Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://medlineplus.gov/mentaldisorders.html. Vidamaly, S., & Lee, S. L. (2021, April 1). Young adults' mental illness aesthetics on social media. International Journal of Cyber Behavior, Psychology and Learning (IJCBPL). Retrieved September 20, 2021, from https://www.igi-global.com/article/young-adults-mental-illness-aesthetics-on-socialmedia/275826.
the history of horror Wilson, K. (2005). Horror's Literary Roots. Horror Film History. https://horrorfilmhistory.com/wp/horror-roots-of-the-genre/ Wasserstein, F. (2017, April 4). The Evolution of Horror in Fiction: a brief guide. The Circular. https://thecircular.org/evolution-horror-fiction-brief-guide/
all about halloween History.com Editors. (2019, October 25). How Jack O'Lanterns originated in Irish myth. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/history-of-the-jack-o-lantern-irish-origins. History.com Editors. (2021, April 27). Halloween 2021. History.com. https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween. Radford, B. (2020, October 19). The History of Halloween. LiveScience. https://www.livescience.com/40596-history-of-halloween.html.
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politics & world events
texas abortion law. pp. 13 Threatening a woman’s right is not something a man or the government wants but is exactly what Texas, a state in the United States of America, is doing.
the fall of afghanistan pp. 15 Learn about how the Taliban, an extremist group, lead to the extreme oppression of Afghanistan, and what it means for the country's future.
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.wal noitroba saxet
To get an abortion or not to get an abortion: is it a woman’s right? The United States Supreme Court has now passed an anti-abortion law in the state of Texas that states a woman cannot get an abortion after around six weeks of pregnancy. Most women don’t even know that they are pregnant around six weeks - for those with regular menstrual cycles, this is about two weeks after a missed period (Langquist, 2017). The details of the law don't stop there. It also states anyone helping a woman getting an abortion that is financially, medically, even a cab driver who drives a woman to the clinic or the place where she gets an abortion from all get sued. The law has no exceptions for cases such as rape, incest, or sexual abuse. The woman carrying the fetus is left with no option but to give birth, even if she was forced into sexual relations, is not financially capable of providing for a child, or does not want to. It is a way of indirectly challenging women. The law, known as SENATE BILL 8 (SB8), will lead to an overflow in the foster care system that is already broken. Which is no less of a truth. This law not only disobeys a woman’s right to bodily autonomy, but unconstitutionally places inequitable amounts of money above the heads of those assisting in the healthcare right of abortion. This law makes a woman’s decision vulnerable but also makes a person the financially unstable, as not many women would have the privilege or financial aid to fly to another state
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and get an abortion. In conclusion, this law is an injustice to not only the women who are getting an abortion but also to the people helping them. It will lead to an increase in illegal abortions, and threatens the wellbeing of both women and children, something that the Supreme Court should wish to take no part in.
by Gunkriti Kaur Edited by Mia Davis & Tanishka Gangavelli Artwork & Layout by Sahithi Lingampalli
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The Fa Afghan The Taliban is an Islamist extremist group. The Taliban first came into power during the Afghan Civil War in 1994. By 1996 it held power in threequarters of Afghanistan. Under the power of the Taliban, the Sharia Law was strictly enforced. Sharia Law is a strict law that is made using the Quran, an Islamic religious book. The Taliban mainly consisted of “talibs”, which means students in Arabic. The Taliban grew from students of Islam. Two weeks before the US withdrawal from Afghanistan was to be completed, the Taliban swept through the country, took Kabul, and seized power. Afghan military forces, trained and equipped by the US, crumpled under the force of the invading Taliban. Soon after the Taliban takeover, many Afghans rushed to the airport with hopes of leaving the country.
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all Of nistan Despite hundreds of billions being spent in development over the past two decades, the Afghan economy is still in shambles. Long lines of people stationed outside of banks can only withdraw 20,000 afghanis (approximately 200 USD) a week as deemed by a policy to protect Afghan reserves. Many have resorted to selling household goods on the streets. But in a land where many are struggling, there are no buyers. In the everyday lives of Afghans, the Taliban’s oppressive views of women have returned. Women are to follow a strict dress code, created in the light of the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam. They must wear a hijab, a religious veil, to school and are even segregated from male classmates.
Written by Helen Bian & Neve Walker Edited by Nitya Baratam & Tanishka Gangavelli Layout by Harini Akurathi
The desperation of the people caused disarray in airport evacuation procedures, leaving some injured and delaying evacuation efforts. Over 600 Afghans crammed themselves in one US military plane in what resulted in a viral internet photo. Amidst all the chaos, two suicide bombers and gunmen rained hellfire on crowds of Afghans at the airport on August 26, 2021, leaving 60 Afghans and 13 US service members killed. At the end of all the pandemonium, around 200 US citizens were left behind in Afghanistan, unable to return home under the Taliban’s rule.
Even though Afghanistan continues to face an unclear future, not all have given up. Many protests were sparked across the country on August 19th, Afghanistan’s independence day, though they were violently broken up. In the Panjshir Valley, an anti-Taliban guerrilla movement began to form under Ahmad Massoud -- the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, one of the leaders of Afghanistan’s 1980s antiSoviet resistance who was later killed at the bidding of the Taliban and alQaeda. Though many efforts at rebellion have not succeeded, the fire in the hearts of Afghans for their country has not died.
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references texas abortion law Lanquist, L. (2017, 1 30). 7 Women Share How Long It Took Before They Realized They Were Pregnant. Self. https://www.self.com/story/realize-pregnancy McCammon, S. (2021, 9 1). What The Texas Abortion Ban Does — And What It Means For Other States. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2021/09/01/1033202132/texas-abortion-ban-what-happens-next Zeller, Z. (2021, 9 14). Opinion: Texas abortion law threatens rights of women everywhere. UMKC Roo News. https://info.umkc.edu/unews/opinion-texas-abortion-law-threatens-rights-of-women-everywhere/
the fall of afghanistan Taliban take over Afghanistan: What we know and what’s next. (2021, August 17). AP NEWS. https://apnews.com/article/taliban-takeover-afghanistan-what-to-know1a74c9cd866866f196c478aba21b60b6 Byrd, W. (2021, September 7). After Taliban Takeover, Can Afghanistan’s Economy Survive? United States Institute of Peace. https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/09/after-taliban-takeover-can-afghanistans-economy-survive Hashemi, S. Z., Faiez, R., Baldor, L. C., & Krauss, J. (2021, August 27). Kabul airport attack kills 60 Afghans, 13 US troops. AP NEWS. https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1 Geddie, J. (2021, August 17). Over 600 Afghans cram into U.S. cargo plane in desperate flight from Kabul. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/over-600-afghans-cram-into-us-cargo-plane-desperate-flightkabul-2021-08-17/ Wright, R. (2021, September 1). The Anguish Over What America Left Behind—and Afghanistan’s Future. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-anguish-over-what-america-left-behind-andafghanistans-future Express Web Desk. (2021, September 16). One month since Taliban takeover: Here’s everything that has happened in Afghanistan. The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/world/taliban-kabul-afghanistan-us-7513327/
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technolog facial recognition technology & bodily autonomy
Bodily autonomy and facial recognition technology are closely linked, as in if they don't give consent to have their faces recognized, their autonomy has been violated. The question of whether the research behind or practice of this technology is ethical or not is highly debated.
pp. 21
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Assis technol down sy
Giving hope assistive techn crucial role fo Down sy
pp.
gy & design
stive logy for yndrome
and support, nology plays a or those with ndrome.
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Assistive technology for dyslexia
Giving hope and support, assistive technology plays a crucial role for those with Dyslexia.
pp. 25
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By Harshvir chahal edited by taruni manam & nitya baratam
Bodily autonomy, by definition, is the right to one’s body and self without outside influence. One may ask how exactly this concept relates with the newly introduced facial recognition technology. One may consider that both concepts, along with the concept of consent, are closely linked. Most problems that the public has with facial recognition technology are exactly that: they one, do not give consent for their faces to be recognized and tracked, and two, because of this, they consider their autonomy as being violated. The question of whether the research behind or practice of this technology is ethical or not is highly debated. As pointed out by scientists and researchers, there are quite some problems that come with facial recognition technology. For one, the research behind the technology itself is unethical. When it comes to creating and refining facial recognition technology, a database of faces is required. For this, researchers look towards publicly available images. Though this seems okay on the surface level, those whose faces have gone towards creating this technology have not consented in their photos and faces being used in such a manner. Facial
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facial rec techno bodily au recognition technology inherently requires masses of faces to take features from, and the creation and usage of this technology is immoral without the consent of these masses, which seems just as impossible. The inherent use of this technology violates the autonomy and rights of many. This technology is also vulnerable to abuse, and this is not just an issue to be worried about later. In China, facial recognition technology has been used to identify and detain Uyghurs, a minority, an ethnic group of Muslims. The genocide of Uyghurs itself has already been a highly covered topic, though the involvement of facial recognition technology is not as wellknown. Even though consent and autonomy are the least of the problems with it, there are many more ways in which this technology can be taken advantage of by the wrong people. Facial recognition technology not only contains many inaccuracies and racial biases, as demonstrated by cases where civilians of colour were mistaken for wanted criminals but also instills a sense of unease. Though one may argue that the general population has nothing to worry about if they’re truly innocent, the potential for misuse is still present. Systems like this, which
cognition ology & utonomy law enforcement and governments have access to, always have the capability of being put to the wrong use. Whether it be the general discomfort of your entire life being under surveillance or the distress that may come from not being comfortable enough to join a protest or rally, citizens deserve to live freely without the fear of oppression. Ultimately, the use of this technology only furthers the control governments and law enforcement organizations have, which as demonstrated by the Black Lives Matter movement, is not ever a good thing. With concerns regarding transparency and where said data being collected by facial recognition technology is going, the ethics of researching for this technology in the first place are being rethought. To answer these questions, one needs to look into where this research is coming from anyways. Though the answer seems obvious, it should be considered that most researchers collaborate with companies and corporations for funding and data. While these companies will claim that their practices are ethical (leaving aside that the definition of ethical in this concept is already blurry, particularly in the eye
layout by sahithi lingampalli
of the law), ultimately the end goal is to sell products; these companies do not care as much as they assert to regarding following ethical practices, especially with newer technology that isn’t regulated. The bottom line to this predicament is that many questions and concerns come with the creation, use, and regulation of facial recognition technology. However, these questions and concerns are yet to be voiced out enough for attention to be brought onto these issues. Most crucially, one should do what they are able to in order to potentially prevent more situations like the Uyghurs case in China from occurring and to maintain one’s dignity and autonomy to one’s own face, one needs to stay informed on the morals regarding facial recognition technology in the first place.
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“The world worries about disability more than the disabled do.” We are living in a world where everything is possible, be it technology or health care. Some want a life full of joy, while others just want to feel accepted. People with special abilities need special care to make their life comfortable and accessible. Every day, new research takes place to initiate a new movement. Assistive technology, a newfound technology that makes the living of the specially-abled more efficient. It stands as adaptive, and assistive; it’s rehabilitation for people with disabilities and the older population of the world to perform daily tasks with less assistance and independently. Assistive technology includes products and services, but a question arises: how does it help with the very common health condition of Down syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that happens due to uncommon cell division, which results in copying extra genetic material of chromosome 21. Down syndrome is the most common syndrome in the USA,
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written by GUNKRITI KAUR
edited by ANIVTHA MATTAPALLI JEET PARIKH KAVYA GURUNATH
at least 6000 children are diagnosed with it. While Down syndrome sounds alike and recognizable, it differs between people. There are three types of Down Syndrome : Trisomy 21 Translocation Down Syndrome Mosaic Down Syndrome While we all feel that accessing the digital world may be harmful to some, it is also beneficial to some.
Several products help people with their daily life and give them a chance to explore. Technology like See and Learn Speech has different features to help children with Down syndrome to improve their pronunciation and practicing their speech skills.
layout by HELEN BIAN
Assistive technology is nothing harmful; rather, it plays a crucial role in helping a person with Down syndrome with reading, writing, and being nothing less, which helps them to gain confidence and live a life in an independent manner. Choosing the right assistive technology for people with Down syndrome is important.
For anyone that works on laptops, technologies such as Echo Smartpens can record a certain meeting or lecture an individual is attending. Later, one can go back and access it by simply tapping it on a laptop, and rigid keyguards help individuals to drag their hand across the keyboard without touching any other keys. KNFB Reader is one of the best assistive technologies for people with Down syndrome to read accurately and also comes with a lot more features to help. There can be many such technologies that are being discovered and some are out in the market for users to use. Assistive technology is very convenient and affordable despite the word technology in there it is reasonable and very effective for people. It gives them hope and support.
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Assistive Techno for Those with
written by Harshvir Chahal Technology has, so far, come a far way from where it started. From autochecking spelling to facial or fingerprint recognition technology, there are many upsides and downsides to the progression of technology. Though this does not mean that one should focus on either side of the spectrum, being aware of and implementing lifechanging technology for those with disabilities such as dyslexia is certainly worthwhile. That being said, one should also consider that assistive technology for those with dyslexia does not have to come with the downside of added costs, as many simple yet effective instruments of success come cost-free. Online and offline, many programs have been proven to be helpful not only for those with dyslexia but for those with all kinds of disabilities. In most, if not all iOS devices, accessibility has been prioritized through the existence of VoiceOver and Assistive Touch technology. Said features allow for
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those with dyslexia to easier navigate the world of words that is technology via alternate formats. On a similar note, Google Docs also has comparable features. Though spellcheck is available through most browsers and applications, Google Docs allows users to use speech-to-text functions, as well as annotation, organizing and citation creation tools. Conversely, users may also use text-tospeech functions. In these situations, dyslexic users will be able to effectively deal with any issues regarding writing, reading, editing and citations. The existence of audiobooks works in a similar way. Though they’re considered less wellknown technology, smartpens have also been used for students and adults with dyslexia alike. Depending on the case, they may be costly, but deemed worthwhile. Used to write text, smartpens allow for the written text to
ology
Dyslexia be simultaneously converted into typed text, beneficial for both students/workers and teachers who may have dyslexia. Those without dyslexia may use this technology in order to make processing words easier for those with dyslexia. For those with dyslexia, smartpens can be used in order to automatically catch spelling or punctuation mistakes in their notes. Certain models of smartpens may also be used to record audio.
On top of what’s automatically available on well-known platforms, there are also several apps and web extensions one can download in order to make work easier as a dyslexic person. For example, many browser extensions and applications function to edit PDFs, highlight webpages, read webpage text aloud and create citations automatically. Homeschooling With Dyslexia and The Yale Centre for Dyslexia both have similar articles on examples of such applications, which
can be installed according to personal preference. Though computer-based learning programs for those with dyslexia also exist, the presence of cost-efficient and easily accessible options should also be made more well-known to the general public. Not only will this allow for many lives to be made simpler, but it will also aid whole teams, organizations and classrooms to run smoothly.
edited by Anvitha Mattapalli, Ritika Soni layout by Arushi Patil 26
references facial recognition technology & bodily autonomy Nature Editorial. (2020, November 18). Facial-recognition research needs an ethical reckoning. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03256-7?error=cookies_not_supported&code=2c34d544244d-4391-8d18-6ffa4f6bc59d Nature Editorial. (2020b, November 18). The troubling rise of facial recognition technology. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03271-8?error=cookies_not_supported&code=9983641cda95-46b5-a08c-39828de3df16
assistive technology for those with down syndrome Assistive technology. (2018, May 18). World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/assistive-technology DCCI. (2021, August 20). 10 Best Assistive Technologies For Individuals With Down Syndrome 2017 Edition. Disability Credit Canada | Disability Tax Credit & CPP Disability Services. https://disabilitycreditcanada.com/10-assistive-technologies-suffering-syndrome-2017-edition/ Facts about Down Syndrome | CDC. (2021, April 6). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html Lynch, M. (2020, November 6). How To Turn Your Home Into An Effective Remote Learning Environment. The Tech Edvocate. https://www.thetechedvocate.org/assistive-technology-to-help-students-with-down-syndrome-succeedacademically/
assistive technology for those with dyslexia McMurray, J. (2019, December 19). Assistive Technology for dyslexic people. The Dyslexia Association. https://www.dyslexia.uk.net/services/assistive-technology/.
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the science behind breast cancer As we honor breast cancer awareness month, let us get ourselves aware of why, how, and what breast cancer is, and what is the science related to it.
psychology behind fashion What do your clothing choices say about you?
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the science behind down syndrome Among many other things, October is Down syndrome Awareness Month. To honor Down syndrome Awareness Month, this article aims to provide you with some more awareness about this condition.
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the science behind dyslexia Dyslexia is a neurological learning disability that affects individuals in unique ways. It is crucial to not only be aware of it as a disorder but also understand what it is, what it is like dealing with it in the classroom or workplace.
psychology behind It's known that your selection of clothing speaks quite a lot about you. From where you were born, to what you do and how you feel about yourself and others, how you dress also sends nonverbal cues to other people. In fact, clothing appears to be one of the main ways we send social signals,
as what we wear reveals our
identity.
In early civilizations, the essential purpose of clothing was to keep the people warm and relatively dry. Today, central heating warms our homes and buildings, reducing our dependence on clothes alone to help us survive. Clothes have developed from a practical asset to a social impression; they affect the way we see ourselves. They help us be seen in the light that we wish to be seen, and also radiate our personalities and social status. In many societies, your dress sense embodies personal wealth and taste. Clothes have not always been as influential of a “tell” of our personalities as they are today. An individual’s style of dressing plays an important role in enhancing his/her personality. It is rightly said that “a man is known by his dress and address”. An individual’s dressing sense can speak volumes of his character and personality. Your dressing sense can reflect your personality, character,
fashion
mood, style and what you actually are as an individual. People wearing gaudy clothes with loud makeup are generally extroverts and love partying. Dull colors indicate that an individual is sad or upset, whereas bright colors not only reflect a happy state of mind but also make another person happy. Adding on, researcher Mary Lynn Damhorst believes that a “dress is a systematic means of transmission of information about the wearer.” A person’s choice of clothing can heavily influence the impression they transmit and is, therefore, a powerful communication tool. When it comes to communicating confidence and ability, what you wear plays a significant role
in creating positive first
impressions.
by nitya baratam edited by uday lingampalli, myint myat theingi, & kavya gurunath layout by sahithi lingampalli
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B D N I H E B E C N E I C S
BY HELEN BIAN AND EDITED BY MYINT MYAT THEINGI MANA
Breast cancer is a disease in which the cells of the breast grow uncontrollably. Cancerous cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells, which accumulate to form lumps or tumors. Normal breast cells become cancerous due to mutations in the DNA that results in a defect in the cell division process. DNA damage is usually acquired, but around 5-10% of breast cancers are linked to inherited gene mutations, which can increase the likelihood of getting cancer. The most common of these mutated genes are breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2), which also significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer along with breast cancer. There is also a multitude of risk factors that can increase the risk for damaging gene mutations that cause breast cancer, such as being of the female sex, aging, a history of breast conditions or cancer, radiation exposure, obesity, beginning your period at a young age or undergoing menopause at an older age, undergoing postmenopausal hormone therapy, or alcohol consumption.
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The most common types of breast cancer are invasive ductal carcinoma and invasive lobular carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma occurs when cancer cells grow outside the milkcarrying ducts into other parts of the breast tissue. This is the most common kind of breast cancer, and represents around 80% of cases. Invasive lobular carcinoma occurs when cancer cells spread from the milk-producing lobules to nearby breast tissue. This type is the second most common and represents around 10% of cases. In both cases, the cancer cells can metastasize ; a pathogenic agent which spreads from a primary site to secondary site from a host body- to other parts of the body. There are multiple other types of breast cancer, such as Paget’s disease, medullary breast cancer, mucinous breast cancer, and inflammatory breast cancer, however, these types are much less common. As severe as it sounds, breast cancer can affect a person’s mental health and physical health, since it is an internal body treatment that requires a lot of patience and body strength to recover from it.
BREAST CAN CE R
GUNKRITI KAUR I, KAVYA GURUNATH, TARUNI AM
The treatment involves chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation, which might make one’s body flaky, itchy, and dry. One might also feel fatigued and stressed to see their hair falling out, but the good news is that hair grows back but at times, in few cases, it grows back with a different texture. Sometimes people go through severe swelling in their arms because in some cases, the surgeon removes lymph nodes. This causes fluid buildup that makes your upper body sore. Many changes affect a person’s life after going through breast cancer. Breast cancer can be treated in different ways depending on what stage of breast cancer and what type of breast cancer you have. After diagnosis, you could get the treatment if a doctor suggests you opt for it. The most efficient option a doctor suggests is surgery, in which they check how long the tumor has spread and decide to either remove a breast (lumpectomy) or only the cancer (mastectomy). In a few cases, doctors, after reviewing a woman’s condition, remove a limited number of lymph nodes (sentinel node biopsy), remove several lymph nodes (axillary lymph node dissection),
And remove both breasts. There is also radiation therapy which uses a highpower tired beam of light to kill the cancer cells with X-rays and protons. It is usually done in big machines that aim energy beams at your body. Chemotherapy is another way to treat cancer; drugs destroy fast-growing cells like cancer cells. Your doctor might advise you to have chemotherapy after surgery if the cancer in your body is at a high risk to reoccur and spread to other parts of your body. There are other treatments, such as hormone-blocking therapy, targeted therapy drugs, immunotherapy, and palliative care, Research shows that a minor change in your life can prevent your chances of having breast cancer. The following can be some methods to prevent breast cancer : Less intake of alcohol Maintaining a well-balanced weight Being physically active; having at least 150 minutes of workout in a week Taking a good well-balanced diet Breastfeeding
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Science What is Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition that affects individuals in multiple ways. It affects about 1 in every 700 children in the US. John Langdon Down was the first to describe the characteristics of Down syndrome as a separate condition in 1866. He is known as the father of Down syndrome. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition (NDSS).
What causes Down Syndrome? Down syndrome is a genetic condition. It is caused by trisomy 21 or the presence of an extra chromosome 21. Chromosomes are genetic material that determine how you develop, grow, and function. Humans usually have 46 chromosomes. There are 23 different chromosomes, and we have two pairs of each. Individuals with Down syndrome have 3 of chromosome 21. Usually, the extra chromosome is a result of incorrect cellular division (nondisjunction) in which the chromosomes don’t split correctly, resulting in an extra chromosome (Miko,2008).
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behind
There are many factors that play a role in causing Down syndrome, but we are not sure of all of them yet. Women who get pregnant above the age of 35 are more likely to have a child with Down syndrome than younger women (NDSS, 2021).
What are the three types of Down syndrome? The three types are Trisomy 21, Translocation Down syndrome, and Mosaic Down syndrome. Trisomy 21 is the type discussed above where there are 3 separate copies of chromosome 21. 95% of diagnosed people have this type.
Layout by Arushi Patil
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Translocation Down syndrome is when there is a partial or full copy of chromosome 21, but it is not separate: instead, it is attached to another chromosome. This affects about 3% of people with Down syndrome. In Mosaic Down syndrome, some of the cells in the body have 3 copies of chromosome 21, while other cells have the regular 2 copies. This affects about 2% of people with Down syndrome (CDC, 2021).
What is life like with Down Syndrome? Down syndrome affects an individual in many ways. People with Down syndrome have cognitive delays that
vary in severity (NDSS, 2021). Some other common features of Down syndrome are a flattened face, almondshaped eyes, a short neck, small ears, a tongue that sticks out of the mouth, small hands and feet, poor muscle tone, loose joints, and shorter height as a child and an adult (CDC, 2021). Down syndrome is a life-long condition. Children with Down syndrome may need the help of services early on to improve their mental and physical abilities. Some of the services are speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. They also might need some extra help in school (CDC, 2021). Down syndrome is a condition many individuals have, but individuals with Down syndrome are capable of anything, just like anyone else. It is important to have information to be kind and respectful. Hopefully, this article has given you the information to do so.
Art by
Thejo Tattala
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Science Behind
Dyslexia Whether it is with our friends or family, we have all heard the term dyslexia at one point in our lives. But, what exactly is it? Impacting over 10% of the population, dyslexia is a learning difficulty that impairs an individual’s ability to read and write. Individuals with dyslexia have trouble reading at a fluent and clear pace without mistakes. This impacts how well they comprehend what they read. But when other people read to them, they often have no difficulty understanding the text. Not only does dyslexia affect reading and writing abilities, it can also create difficulty with other skills, as well, such as reading comprehension, spelling, writing and math. Dyslexia affects each individual in a different manner, so symptoms are not quite the same from one individual to another. That being said, one of the key
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signs of dyslexia is having trouble decoding words - the difficulty with coordinating letters to sounds. Similarly, kids may display a sense of struggle with a more basic skill called phonemic awareness. This is the ability to recognize sounds within words. In fact, trouble with phonemic awareness can show up as early as preschool. In some individuals, however, dyslexia isn’t caught until later on, specifically when they have trouble with more complex skills, such as grammar, reading comprehension, reading fluency, sentence structure and more in-depth writing. Science suggests that the root cause of dyslexia may come from the brain’s frontal lobe, specifically an area called the Broca’s area. This region generally deals with speech production. The left and right auditory cortexes may also play a role in why some people may be dyslexic. The processing of sound structure of a language is impacted by amounts of gray matter in regions, like the left parietotemporal area of the brain, as it is shown that those with dyslexia have less gray matter in that area. Many, however, also may have less white matter, which is associated with lower reading skills, considering its role in housing axons, which are extensions of neurons. LDOnline, a website all about learning disabilities and ADHD, goes in depth about the differences with dyslexic brains in comparison to non-dyslexic brains, for further information. Dyslexia is also known to be hereditary.
While some of the symptoms of dyslexia are simply shared between all those with dyslexia , a couple of signs of dyslexia are associated with emotions and behavior. People with dyslexia tend to avoid reading altogether, both out loud and to themselves. They may get anxious or frustrated when unable to grasp a concept or topic they have just read about. This can happen even after they have mastered the basics of reading. Dyslexia can also impact everyday skills and activities, some of which include social interaction, memory and dealing with stress.
Getting a diagnosis for dyslexia varies from place to place. In the states, however, it consists of getting formally evaluated by a certified psychologist or neurologist. According to how this process turns out, one will be able to make a plan regarding how school accommodations can be made with their psychologist, and in some cases, with their parents too. School accommodations can look like many things, such as being able to access alternative formats of text, such as audio or video. For many, it also means being able to type assignments instead of writing them, as typing is considerably easier for those with dyslexia. Testing conditions, such as time or format, may also be altered for those with dyslexia needing an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Moreover, accommodations can also look like font and formatting changes,
as discussed in our article How to Support Someone with Dyslexia. Similar to accommodations made for students with ADHD, in-class reminders and guidance are also common. A teacher may be able to reiterate information or provide further instruction with glossaries and guides. In the workplace, accommodations may be similar, depending on case-to-case scenarios, as dealing with dyslexia may get easier or harder over time. Essentially, dyslexia is a neurological learning disability affecting many aspects of one’s life. When it comes to staying informed, doing research with an open-mind is key, whether you’re learning for yourself, an assignment, or someone else. Understanding dyslexia comes down to being able to understand how someone with dyslexia may view the world, rather than how the world views them, meaning one needs to consider the root of what dyslexia is and how it can be approached for every unique person. written by: Harshvir Chahal & Nitya Baratam
edited by: Anvitha Mattapalli, Jeet Parikh, Kavya GurunaTH
layout by: Karen He
art by: Evelyn Chen
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references psychology behind fashion Edwards, V.V. (N/A). Fashion Psychology: What Your Choice in Clothes Say About You. Science of People. https://www.scienceofpeople.com/fashion-psychology/ Juneja, P. (N/A). Dressing and Personality Development. Management Study Guide. https://www.managementstudyguide.com/dressing-and-personality-development.htm Psychologist World. (N/A). Fashion Psychology: What clothes say about you. https://www.psychologistworld.com/body-language/psychology-of-clothing-dating-dress
science behind breast cancer Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, September 17). Breast cancer prevention: How to reduce your risk. Health Lifestyle: Women's Health. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/breast-cancer-prevention/art20044676 BreastCancer.org. (2021, April 7). Symptoms and Diagnosis. Types of Breast Cancer. https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/types Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 14). What is Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/what-is-breast-cancer.htm Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, June 4). Diagnosis. Breast Cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352475 Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, June 4). Overview. Breast Cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20352470
science behind down syndrome CDC. (2021, August 6). Facts about Down Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/downsyndrome.html NDSS. (2021, May 24). What is Down Syndrome? Retrieved from https://www.ndss.org/about-down-syndrome/down-syndrome/ Miko, I. (2008) Mitosis, meiosis, and inheritance. Nature Education. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/mitosis-meiosis-and-inheritance-476/
science behind dyslexia Hudson, R. F., High, L., & al Otaiba, S. (n.d.). Dyslexia and the Brain: What Does Current Research Tell Us? | LD Topics | LD OnLine. LD Online. Retrieved September 24, 2021, from http://www.ldonline.org/article/14907/ Lewis, T. (2013, December 5). Root Causes of Dyslexia Unraveled. Livescience.Com. https://www.livescience.com/41731-root-causes-of-dyslexia-unraveled.html Understood Team. (2021, April 1). What is dyslexia? Understood. https://www.understood.org/articles/en/what-is-dyslexia Warren, E. (2021, March 18). Important Dyslexia Accommodations in the Classroom. Good Sensory Learning. https://goodsensorylearning.com/blogs/news/dyslexia-accommodations-checklist
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HOW TO SUPPORT A PERSON WITH DYSLEXIA How to give love and support to a person with dyslexia.
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SAFE WAYS TO ENJOY HALLOWEEN Don’t feel comfortable trick-or-treating because of COVID? Here are some ideas about how to safely celebrate Halloween!
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MENTAL HEALTH IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLLS RECIPE
How does breast cancer affect the mental health of those who have it? Read to learn about how you can help.
A pumpkin cinnamon rolls recipe inspired by fall spices.
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O / Tson w r W e p O A a I Hpport X su SLE Y D Having a learning disability should not be a source of pain or shame for anyone. There are several well-known people, like Keira Knightley, who have learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, who turn out to be happy and accomplished people (however they may choose to define that). However, having a learning disability can also be difficult and cause a large amount of d internalized pain. Not everyone is kind, and not everyone will try to be accommodating. That being said, learning how to be kind and accommodating to those with dyslexia is important when it comes to supporting someone with dyslexia.
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Those with dyslexia struggle primarily with words, organization, time-processing and direction. Many symptoms of dyslexia may overlap with those of ADHD, as the two disorders are known to have high comorbidity (two or more diseases afflicting the same person) rates. The best way to support anyone who is neurodivergent is first and foremost to learn. Learning about one’s disorder, whether it be by reading another article from this issue of the Affair Magazine or doing your own research, is important to stay informed about what dyslexia is and how you can further your understanding of how it affects one’s life. Learning about dyslexia also helps get rid of miscommunications and stigma about the disorder, which are unfortunately very common, such as the misconception that anyone with dyslexia cannot enjoy books. Good resources include the British Dyslexia
Association and the Ya best reso someone w they’re ope about their much more at dyslexia dyslexia le social, work also unders self-esteem to further a life easier. Like previo dyslexia st obvious so suitable fo supporting example, a more visual over writte remember someone w keep a voic the case dyslexia nee mind-maps
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video presentations also are wonderful ways to organize information for those with dyslexia. Doing the research and asking questions like, “How can I support you better in this situation?” are crucial in terms of helping someone with dyslexia. You don’t have to know someone with dyslexia personally to help them indirectly. When in a position where you give presentations, or make posts on social media, there are many changes you can make generally to be more accommodating. Using fonts like Arial, Calibri, Comic Sans and Open Sans help those with dyslexia process words easier. Similarly, slightly increasing line spacing between lines and words also helps them differentiate between words and lines. Font sizes should also be kept on the larger side, like points 12-14. There are even fonts one can download, such as “Dyslexie Font” or "Dyslexic Open" made specifically for this purpose. All in all, knowing information like this could help someone with dyslexia in many ways and in a more meaningful manner than most people could ever expect. Being able to take the time to learn about a disability, and learning how to accomodate for it without seeing those with the disability as a burden, is the best way to support that person. Having said that, doing the research, accommodating in the workplace or at school and being allinclusive even on social media can go a long way to make someone’s life considerably easier and make the spaces around you more inclusive.
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Due to the pandemic, trick-or-treating might not feel safe anymore. Don’t worry, though! There are a plethora of safe, fun, and virtual activities you can do alone or with friends/family to celebrate Halloween! Idea #1: Bake-Off Get all of your friends onto a video call! First, Decide how many rounds your bake-off will have, how long each round will take, and what each round will entail. Next, each person should choose a theme for each round. It could be a color, a certain cuisine, or anything else that comes to mind. Then, decide on what recipe(s) you’re going to make. Finally, set a timer and get baking! Since it’s through a video call, you can’t judge by taste, so judge by which product looks closest to the original one in the recipe. Once a winner has been decided, you can all enjoy your delicious treats together! Idea #2: Enjoy Halloween decorations Drive around a neighborhood with amazing Halloween decorations! If you don’t know of any, look online and find out if your city has any drive-thru events. Even if you don’t have a car, you can still have a good time! On YouTube, look up “Halloween
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Safe Way Hallo
ARTICLE BY RA EDITED BY SAMITA PA LAYOUT BY HA
neighborhood drive-by” or something similar. Here are some examples: https://m.youtube.com/watch? v=za6NyupPcME https://m.youtube.com/watch? v=q3EWMqh2zL0 Idea #3: Binge watch a horror/Halloween-themed series or movies Set up a video call with your friends. Go on your favorite streaming service, and find a series or movie to watch! If you need ideas of what to watch, here are some suggestions: Hocus Pocus, Scream, the Fear Street Trilogy, and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Idea #4: Drawing competition Start a video call with your friends. Decide how many rounds your drawing competition will have, the amount of time each round will take, and what you will draw. Now start your timer and draw! Get an impartial judge to judge each drawing based on style and aesthetic.
ys to Enjoy oween
A C H E L
ADAM ANDIT AND MIA DAVIS ANNAH HUANG
Idea #5: Make Jack-o’-lanterns One of the easiest and most beloved Halloween traditions is making jack-o’lanterns! This timeless tradition (for more information about the history of jack-o’-lanterns, check out my “All About Halloween” article) is perfect for the age of social distancing. If you’re unsure about what to carve into your pumpkin, there are some great ideas on the internet!
Safe Wa Enjoy H
your own! Once you and your friends are done decorating, find an impartial judge to judge each house based on its festiveness and overall look.
Idea #8: Do a Scavenger Hunt Use your backyard (or a local park) to hide various items! Feel free to dress up in a costume to add to the experience. The person who hides the items should give creative clues to help find them. If you have enough people, you can divide into separate teams. Whoever finds all of the items first should win a prize—a bucketful of candy would do the job well!
Idea #6: Read a Halloween-themed Book Reading a spooky book can help get you into the Halloween spirit! If you’re not sure about what to read, here are some suggestions: Fear Street #8: Halloween Party by R.L. Stine, Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, and The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones.
Idea #9: Virtually Tour a Haunted House Since regular haunted houses may be crowded this year, a good alternative is to virtually tour them instead. There are so many haunted house tours available on YouTube for anyone of any scare tolerance!
Idea #7: Hold a Halloween Home Decorating Contest To make this more challenging, try to use items that are already inside your house, or make all of the decorations on
Despite the pandemic, Halloween can still be as fun as ever, whether you’re celebrating virtually or in person. I hope that you enjoy trying some of these ideas out yourself. Happy Halloween!
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Mental Healt Cancer P
ARTICLE BY TARUNI MANAM & ALIZ EDITED BY SAMITA PANDIT, ARUSHI PA LAYOUT BY HA Breast cancer is a disease that affects 1 in 8 women, making breast cancer one of the most common forms of cancer for women in the United States. While there are many treatments for breast cancer, ranging from chemotherapy, radiation, and drugs that allow 3.5 million people to survive breast cancer in the United States, these treatments often lead to mental health issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and bipolar disease. PTSD, most commonly associated with war veterans, is an anxiety disorder that is brought on by a traumatic event. While there are many ways that PTSD can develop, in this case, it can be caused by Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer and PTSD are mainly correlated to the fear of the recurrence of its recurrence. Based on a German study by__, it is estimated that about 83% of women who have breast cancer show early
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signs of PTSD. However, only 4% are diagnosed. The study featured 166 women, aged 65 years and younger. Symptoms of PTSD were presented in the earlier stages of treatment and it was concluded that the symptoms evolved as the treatments became more intense. Depression is a medical illness that includes symptoms such as having a persistent feeling of sadness, anger, and loss of interest in activities you've once enjoyed. It was realized that as a result of the medications used during Breast Cancer treatment, there were large numbers of women struggling with fatigue, which could lead to depression. Progressive muscle relaxation, aromatherapy, and support groups were suggested to help alleviate the symptoms of depression
th in Breast Patients
A ALIBHAI (DEAR BREAST CANCER) ATIL, JASHAN MEHTA, HANNAH HUANG ANNAH HUANG With there being 3 different types of bipolar disorder (bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder), bipolar disorder is becoming a better predictor of overall survival. Bipolar disorder is often brought on by a stressor, such as a cancer diagnosis, and results in waves of manias (highs) and depression (lows). The disorder is also referred to as “manic disorder.” Symptoms of bipolar disorder include abnormally upbeat behavior and insomnia-like symptoms during manias and depression, slowed behavior and the inability to concentrate. While there are no cures, seeing a psychiatrist and/or psychologist will allow the disorder to become more manageable. While there are many mental health issues that a patient may go through, the diagnosis of breast cancer takes a toll on the family and dynamic.
Families tend to try, be brave and show no fear to appear supportive; however, such a serious condition is stressful. The patient, upon seeing their family and friends being joyful, attempts to set their fear aside. However, the act of doing so is unhealthy and causes the patient to feel as if they are a “partypooper” and a burden to the family. As said by Dr. Seth Senecal, a specialist in treating mental health issues in breast cancer patients, noted that the support group of the patient should refrain from using seemingly supportive phrases such as “you will survive”, “just be positive", "everything will be okay”, “look on the bright side…” as these phrases invalidate the patient’s emotions. As such, phrases like “I know it’s scary” and “whatever happens, we will be here” help to validate a patient's emotions and allow them to feel supported.
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Fall is the perfect time to enjoy pumpkin spice. What better way to enjoy pumpkin than in a warm cinnamon roll inspired by fall spices? This recipe for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls is a treat worth adding to your fall baking bucket list!
Ingredients: For the Dough: 2 ¼ Teaspoons Instant Dry Yeast ¾ Cup Lukewarm Water ¼ Cup Granulated Sugar 2 Tablespoons Butter, browned 1 Large Egg, room temperature 1 Tablespoon Dry Milk Powder 1 Teaspoon Salt ⅔ Cup Pure Pumpkin Puree 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice 3 ¼- 3 ¾ Cup All-Purpose Flour For the Filling: ¾ Cup Brown Sugar 1 ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 1 ½ Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice 6 Tablespoons Butter, browned
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For the Frosting: 4oz Cream Cheese, room temperature ¼ Cup Browned Butter, room temperature 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract 2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream 1 ½ Cups Confectioners/Powdered Sugar
Materials: Light-colored pan/saucepan Wooden spoon or whisk Stand mixer with dough hook and paddle attachment Large Bowl Cooking Spray/Oil Pastry Brush Small Bowl Unflavored Dental Floss/Serrated Knife Baking Dish (preferably 9” x 13”) Plastic Wrap
Process: Brown Butter: 1. This recipe uses 12 tablespoons of brown butter; however, in the process of browning, some of the butter will evaporate. The dough and filling use melted brown butter, so brown all of the butter first and then use what you need for the dough and filling. Then place the remaining brown butter in a container to chill in the fridge overnight while the cinnamon rolls rise. Start by placing 15 tablespoons of butter in a light-colored pan/saucepan over medium heat. Stir the butter for 5-8 minutes, or until golden brown. Dough: 1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix yeast and warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. Once the yeast has bloomed, add sugar, browned butter, egg, milk powder, salt, and pumpkin puree. Stir until the egg is fully combined. 2. Add 3 ¼ cups of flour and pumpkin pie spice. Using the dough hook, mix until all the flour is incorporated and a soft dough forms (if the dough
is sticky, add ¼ more cup of flour). 1. Using medium speed, knead the dough for 8 minutes, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. You may also choose to knead the dough by hand if preferred. 2. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, then turn the oven off. Spray a large bowl with cooking spray or oil and place the dough inside. Use a clean kitchen towel to cover the bowl. Then place in the warm oven to rise.
Filling & Baking: 1. After 45 minutes to an hour, the dough should have doubled in size. Punch the dough to release any trapped air bubbles. Place the dough on a floured surface and roll into a rectangle, about 16 by 14 inches. Brush the melted brown butter all over the dough. 2. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the mixture onto the dough. 3. Starting at one end, roll the dough tightly. Use unflavored dental floss or a serrated knife to cut the dough into 12, equal-sized rolls. Place the rolls in a greased, 9" x 13" baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight or let rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes). 4. The next morning, remove the rolls from the fridge and let thaw for 45 minutes (or, once doubled in size), preheat the oven to 350 degrees
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Fahrenheit and bake for 22-27 minutes or until golden brown. Once baked, cool cinnamon rolls for 5 to 10 minutes before adding frosting.
Frosting 1. Add cream cheese and brown butter to the bowl of a stand/electric mixer. Use a paddle attachment to beat for a few minutes, until light and fluffy. 2. Add vanilla extract, heavy cream, and powdered sugar. Starting at low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and beat again for 4 minutes. Frost the cinnamon rolls while warm.
Although they taste best immediately, leftover cinnamon rolls can be stored in an air-tight container for 3 days.
Enjoy!
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REFERENCES SAFE WAYS TO ENJOY HALLOWEEN
FIVE FIRES. (2020, October 3). Nights Of Jack A Drive-Thru Halloween Experience 2020 [Video]. YouTube. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=za6NyupPcME FIVE FIRES. (2020, October 10). Hauntoween LA 2020 | Woodland Hills, CA [Video]. YouTube. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=q3EWMqh2zL0
PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLLS RECIPE
(2021, June 30). The best pumpkin cinnamon rolls. Confessions of a Baking Queen. https://confessionsofabakingqueen.com/pumpkin-cinnamon-rolls/? utm_source=pinterest&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-pug#tasty-recipes-8122-jump-target.
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SETADNAM
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O N O N N O IN IP N O IN I O IN I PO O IN I PO O I I P AM I NI PKSO I N P O N I O N N P Biden's decision to pull out troops from Afghanistan has put him under fire. Should he have handled the situation better?
As schools reopen, many schools have instituted mask mandates. This has brought some opposition. What are your thoughts? Should a school be able to tell students that they should wear a mask?
TSINAHGFA MN OA RF T A E R T E R
NO NO NO
Retreating from Afghanistan has been on all the news platforms, social media, and newspapers, but the question that arises is was it necessary to retreat from Afghanistan? In my opinion, no, it wasn’t necessary to retreat from Afghanistan.The Doha agreement which was signed between the US and Taliban was to negotiate for a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire”.The Afghan government was not a part of the agreement. There was a major issue stated in the agreement which was taken up by Ashraf Ghani, former president of Afghanistan. Ghani was not the party who stated in the Doha agreement that there will be prisoner release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners, who will be free without the knowledge of the Afghan government. With time, the withdrawal of U.S. troops was evident. Soon it was seen that the Taliban was capturing city by city and had an upper hand and on August 15, 2021, the Taliban captured the capital, Kabul.
and were in a country full of conservatism. This was a lesson where history returned, and once again Afghanistan was at its peak of independence being stolen away as a democratic country. The decision that the government has been initiating and the politics which is making citizens of a country live on the verge of death aren’t the right decisions. Retreating from Afghanistan was not the best decision that the U.S. government took, and we could have rather signed an agreement with the Afghanistan government, not the Taliban.
Afghan citizens lost their lives trying to evacuate from their home country in order to live a safe life and for a future where they didn’t have to oblige harsh rules and policies. Women lost rights
LAYOUT BY HELEN BIAN
WRITTEN BY GUNKRITI KAUR EDITED BY GEETHIKAA TARRA JEET PARIKH
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Y E S.
As much as some students find wearing masks uncomfortable or unnecessary, at the end of the day, these masks are essential to stopping the spread of COVID-19. Masks allow students to sit next to each other without social distancing, regardless of vaccination status, and are the key to bringing life back to normal. Governmental institutions such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) strongly advise schools to institute mask mandates, recommending, “all schools require universal masking and use additional prevention strategies regardless of how many students, educators, and staff are currently vaccinated.” (CDC, 2021). Governors banned mask mandates in schools in areas such as Florida, Texas and Oklahoma. However, some superintendents personally instituted mask mandates in their county, following the CDC’s advice. For example, Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida reported a 23% decrease in the COVID positivity rate among students at those schools after an emergency mask mandate was put into place (Zalaznick, 2021). Many schools in these states have shifted to a hybrid learning setting to accommodate for the optional mask policy, however, it still doesn’t completely stop COVID from spreading.
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BY SAHITHI LINGAMPALLI
At the end of the day, if one student gets COVID, it can spread extremely quickly through nearby people and their families. In that situation, instead of shutting down the school or going through a lengthy contact tracing process, prevention is the best cure. With mask mandates also come opportunities for students who are uncomfortable with masks to step outside and take mask breaks. Mask mandates in school are put into place with everyone’s best interest in mind and allow students to get a proper education, social interaction and enjoy their school experience.
For elementary schools, the risk of not wearing a mask is even bigger. Kids twelve and younger are not eligible for a vaccine, so the only option to prevent the spread of COVID is by wearing a mask. Even though non-verbal communication is made difficult by wearing masks, especially for English learners, wearing masks also allows elementary students to physically interact with each other in their developing years. They are able to make friends and enjoy their elementary school experience.
MASK MAN
Y
Y E S. With schools returning to in-person education, protests against the masking of students have arisen. Statements such as “let kids breathe” and “unmask our kids” have taken a hold of parents across California (Grimes, 2021). Those advocating for the return of normalcy in children perceive masks as dangerous, believing that masks will restrict oxygen intake. They cite science to support their arguments - meanwhile, science actively disagrees with them. A study published in April of 2020 demonstrated that wearing a mask helps to restrict the transmission of disease. By observing droplet and aerosol particles, those conducting the study recognized the aid of masks regarding transmission of coronavirus and similar infections (Nat Med, 2020). A different study focused on oxygen intake during vigorous activity and supported the claim that masks have minimal to no effect on oxygen levels. (Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020). Despite the scientific proof supporting the validity of masks, countless people continue to rally against them.
NDATES
BY MIA DAVIS
Although many are angered by mask mandates, they are a necessity for the protection of public health and the safety of our nation. Masks have become tangible representations of political parties, commonly associated with democratic ideologies. However, the use of masks should not be regarded as a political issue in the first place. Masks are not an infringement upon freedom and rights - they are an asset in the prevention of a monumental death toll. Sixty-six hundred thousand people in the United States alone have passed from COVID-19 (Our World Data, 2021). Mask mandates in educational systems will help ensure that these numbers begin to decrease, not continue to increase.
EDITED BY ANVITHA MATTAPALLI, GEETHI TARRA, ARUSHI PATIL LAYOUT BY TANISHKA GANGAVELLI
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SECNEREFER
RETREAT FROM AFGHANISTAN
Wikipedia Contributors. (2021, September 11). Doha Agreement (2020). Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doha_Agreement_(2020)?oldformat=true Wright, R. (2021, August 15). Does the Great Retreat from Afghanistan Mark the End of the American Era? The New Yorker; The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/does-the-great-retreat-fromafghanistan-mark-the-end-of-the-american-era
MASK MANDATES
CDC. (2021, August 31). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Parents and Caregivers – What Is Your School Doing to Protect Your Child from COVID-19? Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/community/schools-childcare/parentfaqs.html#:~:text=CDC%20recommends%20all%20schools%20require,alone%20 are%20not%20enough. Zalaznick, M. (2021, September 15). School mask tracker: Who is and isn’t loosening the rules. District Administration. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://districtadministration.com/track-school-mask-rules-requirements-stateby-state/ Grimes, K. (2021, May 13). The great California Mask Off: 'let KIDS Breathe' rallies Across California. California Globe. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://californiaglobe.com/articles/the-great-california-mask-off-let-kidsbreathe-rallies-across-california/. Leung, N.H.L., Chu, D.K.W., Shiu, E.Y.C. et al. Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks. Nat Med 26, 676–680 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-0843-2 Ritchie, H., Mathieu, E., Rodés-Guirao, L. et al. (2020, March 5). Coronavirus (covid-19) deaths - statistics and research. Our World in Data. Retrieved September 15, 2021, from https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths. Shaw, K., Butcher, S., Ko, J., Zello, G. A., & Chilibeck, P. D. (2020, November 3). Wearing of cloth or disposable surgical face masks has no effect on vigorous exercise performance in healthy individuals. International journal of environmental research and public health. Retrieved September 16, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7662944/.
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