MONKEY MUSINGS DAILY OPEN DISCUSSION #55 6/18/10 - 9/30/10

[Bearlyhere]

http://www.**/articles/2010/07/31/news_state/nt153state42pertusis10.txt

Whooping cough found in Amish community
Advertisement

Published: Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:21 AM CDT
MEXICO, Mo. (AP) -- Health officials have identified six cases of whooping cough among a northeast Missouri Amish community in the past week.

The first Audrain County case was diagnosed July 23 and the other five were confirmed the next day. Whooping cough, or pertussis, has symptoms that are similar to a common cold and can be highly contagious.

Health officials say about one-fourth of the 82 pertussis cases reported over the past month in Missouri involve children less than a year old.

They say the best way to avoid whooping cough is to be vaccinated against the disease, which can cause severe illness or even death if left untreated.

OS

They also say the reason there is a correlation between the nil numbers of Amish with autism is due to not being vaccinated.  I have not done research on this but have read articles from people who did, so please don't take this as gospel..

[Bearlyhere]

http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/autism-study-babys-babble-may-contain-vital-clues/19559884?sms_ss=facebook


Autism Study: Baby's Babble May Contain Vital Clues
Updated: 12 days 7 hours ago
Traci Watson Contributor

(July 19) -- To a parent's ears, there's nothing more enchanting than the babble of a child learning to talk. Now research shows that those nonsense syllables could contain coded signals that a toddler is autistic.

In a study released today, scientists report that they have designed a computer program that can distinguish between the speech of normal children and those with autism. Even though the work is only a first stab at analyzing audio recordings for signs of autism, it can correctly identify more than 85 percent of autistic and nonautistic children.

"We had no idea that this was possible," Kim Oller of the University of Memphis, head of the research team behind the study, told AOL News. "It's very surprising that you can use a totally objective system and get this much information so quickly."

The finding could eventually help doctors diagnose autism early in a child's life. Early diagnosis is crucial, because the earlier autistic children start intensive therapy, the more they improve.

If the computer program proves itself, "it would be very helpful to have an automated way to screen for autism," said Geraldine Dawson, a top autism researcher and the chief scientific officer for Autism Speaks, a science and advocacy group.

Autism is an often-devastating disorder that is being diagnosed in a growing number of children. One in 110 kids in the United States has autism or a related disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children with full-blown autism have trouble communicating and relating to others. Many autistic kids, even as babies, avoid making eye contact. They may flap their hands and obsessively line up their toys rather than playing with them.

Scientists have known for decades that autistic children show early problems in their speech, but there's tremendous variety in how such toddlers distort their babbling, Oller said. That has made it difficult to use speech problems to help diagnose autism.

Oller and his colleagues tucked miniature voice recorders -- each roughly the weight of a candy bar -- into the chest pockets of more than 200 children ages 10 months to 4 years. The team then recorded everything that came out of the kids' mouths over six to eight days, for roughly 12 hours each day. The computer software filtered out crying, sneezes and coughs and focused on the sounds that resembled syllables.

All children mangle their syllables while learning to talk. But the scientists discovered that autistic children tended to do so far longer than normal children, making it easy for the software to pick out the autistic kids' voices.

The current gold standard for diagnosing autism is a long observation session by a medical specialist who watches a child and tallies up activities characteristic of autism.

The computer program "is the first kind of system that's totally objective," Oller said. "I don't know of any other system that doesn't involve judgments being made by people."

He doesn't think his program alone, even when perfected, should be used to declare that a child is autistic. But audio analysis "could be used very effectively" as a tool for screening children whose parents are worried about their development, he said.

Dawson agrees, saying automated voice analysis could help "improve our ability to identify infants who are at risk." Such a tool could also be useful in countries where autism specialists are in short supply, she said.

The study is being published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Several of the authors were paid consultants to a for-profit company that developed the recorder and computer program. The company was turned into a nonprofit foundation in 2009. Oller said the consulting fees had no influence on his research and that he stopped accepting them when he decided to write this paper.

Filed under: Nation, Science, Health

[SuzieQ]

http://www.aolnews.com/science/article/autism-study-babys-babble-may-contain-vital-clues/19559884?sms_ss=facebook


Autism Study: Baby's Babble May Contain Vital Clues
Updated: 12 days 7 hours ago
Traci Watson Contributor

(July 19) -- To a parent's ears, there's nothing more enchanting than the babble of a child learning to talk. Now research shows that those nonsense syllables could contain coded signals that a toddler is autistic.

In a study released today, scientists report that they have designed a computer program that can distinguish between the speech of normal children and those with autism. Even though the work is only a first stab at analyzing audio recordings for signs of autism, it can correctly identify more than 85 percent of autistic and nonautistic children.

"We had no idea that this was possible," Kim Oller of the University of Memphis, head of the research team behind the study, told AOL News. "It's very surprising that you can use a totally objective system and get this much information so quickly."

The finding could eventually help doctors diagnose autism early in a child's life. Early diagnosis is crucial, because the earlier autistic children start intensive therapy, the more they improve.

If the computer program proves itself, "it would be very helpful to have an automated way to screen for autism," said Geraldine Dawson, a top autism researcher and the chief scientific officer for Autism Speaks, a science and advocacy group.

Autism is an often-devastating disorder that is being diagnosed in a growing number of children. One in 110 kids in the United States has autism or a related disorder, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children with full-blown autism have trouble communicating and relating to others. Many autistic kids, even as babies, avoid making eye contact. They may flap their hands and obsessively line up their toys rather than playing with them.

Scientists have known for decades that autistic children show early problems in their speech, but there's tremendous variety in how such toddlers distort their babbling, Oller said. That has made it difficult to use speech problems to help diagnose autism.

Oller and his colleagues tucked miniature voice recorders -- each roughly the weight of a candy bar -- into the chest pockets of more than 200 children ages 10 months to 4 years. The team then recorded everything that came out of the kids' mouths over six to eight days, for roughly 12 hours each day. The computer software filtered out crying, sneezes and coughs and focused on the sounds that resembled syllables.

All children mangle their syllables while learning to talk. But the scientists discovered that autistic children tended to do so far longer than normal children, making it easy for the software to pick out the autistic kids' voices.

The current gold standard for diagnosing autism is a long observation session by a medical specialist who watches a child and tallies up activities characteristic of autism.

The computer program "is the first kind of system that's totally objective," Oller said. "I don't know of any other system that doesn't involve judgments being made by people."

He doesn't think his program alone, even when perfected, should be used to declare that a child is autistic. But audio analysis "could be used very effectively" as a tool for screening children whose parents are worried about their development, he said.

Dawson agrees, saying automated voice analysis could help "improve our ability to identify infants who are at risk." Such a tool could also be useful in countries where autism specialists are in short supply, she said.

The study is being published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Several of the authors were paid consultants to a for-profit company that developed the recorder and computer program. The company was turned into a nonprofit foundation in 2009. Oller said the consulting fees had no influence on his research and that he stopped accepting them when he decided to write this paper.

Filed under: Nation, Science, Health

I read this a day or two ago. Wouldn't it be great if this works and they could catch it early. It would be even greater if they could find out what causes it.

[Blue Moon]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

[Nut44x4]

I have noticed a commercial on TV lately re: Whooping Cough in babies and a vaccine for parents to get.

[MuffyBee]

I have noticed a commercial on TV lately re: Whooping Cough in babies and a vaccine for parents to get.

(Bolded by me)
The part about the vaccine for parents to get is interesting.  Maybe they are onto something doing this as a way to stop the spread of Whooping Cough, esp. if the vaccines lose effectiveness over time.

[Blue Moon]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

One more thing Ono, is the seafood safe to eat?  I know they say it is but the reports coming out this week on the dispurseants? used could have contaminated the food chain. (doesn't matter cause I am still going)

[seahorse]

Monkey's, 

O.T. I looked up Moonflowers and to my surprise the flowers are toxic to pets.  I thought it be best to find out what other
plants are toxic to people & pets.  My dog like to chop on grass, so I will steer him away from the Moonflowers, I won't sniff
them myself. 



http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants


This list contains plants that have been reported as having systemic effects on animals and/or intense effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Please note that the information contained in our plant lists is not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather a compilation of the most frequently encountered plants. If you think that your animal is ill or may have ingested a poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or our 24-hour emergency poison hotline directly at 1-888-426-4435.

snip

[cookie]

I have noticed a commercial on TV lately re: Whooping Cough in babies and a vaccine for parents to get.

(Bolded by me)
The part about the vaccine for parents to get is interesting.  Maybe they are onto something doing this as a way to stop the spread of Whooping Cough, esp. if the vaccines lose effectiveness over time.

yes...a good idea...if we were vaccinated as children, they are saying that it may have "worn off" and that we need to be revaccinated..I had to get a new vaccination when my grand babies got the whooping cough weeks ago..We all had to be treated with an antibiotic as well! everyone who had contact with the children had to be treated..including the 23 month old's entire day care center!

thanks everyone for the articles on whooping cough...if your child is coughing, please don't think that it is just a cold..it might be something more serious...this goes for adults with coughs as well...
stay healthy everyone!

[klaasend]

 

The Hotel Bill

My wife and I are traveling by car from Victoria to Prince George . Being Seniors, after almost eleven hours on the road, we were too tired to continue, and decided to take a room. But, we only planned to sleep for four hours and then get back on the road. When we checked out four hours later, the desk clerk handed us a bill for $350.00.

I explode and demanded to know why the charge is so high. I told the clerk although it's a nice hotel; the rooms certainly aren't worth $350.00 for four hours.  Then the clerk tells me that $350.00 is the 'standard rate'. I insisted on speaking to the Manager.

The Manager appears, listens to me, and then explains that the hotel has an Olympic-sized pool and a huge conference centre that were available for us to use. 'But we didn't use them," I said, ''Well, they are here, and you could have," explained the Manager.

He went on to explain that we could also have taken in one of the shows for which the hotel is famous. "We have the best entertainers from New York , Hollywood , and Las Vegas perform here," the Manager says.

"But we didn't go to any of those shows," I said. "Well, we have them, and you could have," the Manager replied.

No matter what amenity the Manager mentioned, I  replied, "But we didn't use it!"

The Manager is unmoved, and eventually I gave up and agreed to pay.

I wrote a check and gave it to the Manager.

The Manager is surprised when he looks at the check. "But sir, this check is only made out for $50.00." ''That's correct. I charged you $300.00 for sleeping with my wife," I replied.

"But I didn't!" exclaims the Manager.

I said, "Well, too bad,  she was here, and you could have."   

Don't mess with Senior Citizens

[cookie]

luv that Klaas! too funny!

[Mere]

      Oh Klaas....I love that post...it is on it's way to everyone I know with a sense of humor.  Thanks..! 

[Ono]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

All is well ....I'll post some contacts for you in a minute.

[Ono]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

One more thing Ono, is the seafood safe to eat?  I know they say it is but the reports coming out this week on the dispurseants? used could have contaminated the food chain. (doesn't matter cause I am still going)

Seafood is safe--Everything is being tested ... Have no fear.

[Blue Moon]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

One more thing Ono, is the seafood safe to eat?  I know they say it is but the reports coming out this week on the dispurseants? used could have contaminated the food chain. (doesn't matter cause I am still going)

Seafood is safe--Everything is being tested ... Have no fear.

Thanks.  NOW the big question----IS IT 100 DEGREES THERE?  We are suppose to be up to 101 degrees tomorrow with heat indexes at 110-120 degrees.  Awful weather. 

I can not wait to get down there and relax.  I love the beaches there.

[Ono]

Blue Moon:

http://www.thebeachfacts.com  [ Alabama Gulf Coast] 1800-745-SAND

or

Perdido Beach Resort at 1-251-981-9811

of  YouTube;

Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Daily Beach Update, August 3, 2010
posts by TheBeachIsCalling

[Ono]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

One more thing Ono, is the seafood safe to eat?  I know they say it is but the reports coming out this week on the dispurseants? used could have contaminated the food chain. (doesn't matter cause I am still going)

Seafood is safe--Everything is being tested ... Have no fear.

Thanks.  NOW the big question----IS IT 100 DEGREES THERE?  We are suppose to be up to 101 degrees tomorrow with heat indexes at 110-120 degrees.  Awful weather. 

I can not wait to get down there and relax.  I love the beaches there.

Hell yeah, but what else is new for August ????   That's just the heat index...and I think it's supposed to cool off a bit in the next few days.  It hasn't been that bad until the last week or so ...When you're on the water, the heat is insignificant---lol.  And some cool beverages are always in order.  It's August! 

[Blue Moon]

Ono, if you see this would you give me the lowdown on the beaches?  I am going to make my usual annual trip to Gulf Shores and heard they have lifted the no fishing zones and say the beaches are clear.  Let me know what your thoughts are on the situation there.  I just cannot stay away---being going there for the past 25 years.  Thanks.

One more thing Ono, is the seafood safe to eat?  I know they say it is but the reports coming out this week on the dispurseants? used could have contaminated the food chain. (doesn't matter cause I am still going)

Seafood is safe--Everything is being tested ... Have no fear.

Thanks.  NOW the big question----IS IT 100 DEGREES THERE?  We are suppose to be up to 101 degrees tomorrow with heat indexes at 110-120 degrees.  Awful weather. 

I can not wait to get down there and relax.  I love the beaches there.

Hell yeah, but what else is new for August ????   That's just the heat index...and I think it's supposed to cool off a bit in the next few days.  It hasn't been that bad until the last week or so ...When you're on the water, the heat is insignificant---lol.  And some cool beverages are always in order.  It's August! 

Thanks for the info, I will go to the link and read up.  Cool beverages (frozen daqs) and sitting in my chair in the water.

[Ono]

Blue Moon:

More misc. contacts for you who I'm sure would love to answer various questions:

Ono Island Realty 1-251-981-8500  or e-mail: onorealty@gulftel.com

Lulu's @ Homeport Marina
1-251-967-LULU [5858]

Orange Beach Library
1-251-981-2923

[Tamikosmom]

http://www.**/articles/2010/07/31/news_state/nt153state42pertusis10.txt

Whooping cough found in Amish community
Advertisement

Published: Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:21 AM CDT
MEXICO, Mo. (AP) -- Health officials have identified six cases of whooping cough among a northeast Missouri Amish community in the past week.

The first Audrain County case was diagnosed July 23 and the other five were confirmed the next day. Whooping cough, or pertussis, has symptoms that are similar to a common cold and can be highly contagious.

Health officials say about one-fourth of the 82 pertussis cases reported over the past month in Missouri involve children less than a year old.

They say the best way to avoid whooping cough is to be vaccinated against the disease, which can cause severe illness or even death if left untreated.

OS

They also say the reason there is a correlation between the nil numbers of Amish with autism is due to not being vaccinated.  I have not done research on this but have read articles from people who did, so please don't take this as gospel..

Bearlyhere

Logic dictates comparative research with groups that oppose immunization should be where it is at!  Can you direct me to any research that has been conducted in this area.

Thank you.

Janet