jenny cares 

Leave Sharks Alone, Says Tim Winton 

submitted by Jenny taken from theage.com.au
Tim Winton - the award-winning writer and avid marine conservationist has called for an end to what he's calling our "jihad" against sharks. "Australians have an almost supernatural fear and hatred of sharks," he says.
The hammerhead is already 89% gone.
http://www.care2.com/news/member/234119459/1865524 

• Dame Annabelle Rankin, born 28 July 1908, in July 1947, Rankin was the first Queensland woman to be elected a member of Federal Parliament; she held office for 34 years.
• Jean Blackburn, born 14 July 1919, feminist, socialist and education advocate; 1969-1973 consultant to the Karmel Report; 1983-1985 the Blackburn Report.
• Mary Chomley OBE, died 18 July 1960, feminist, worked for the Red Cross Society and for the equality of women in Victoria and in England. Violet Teague, Australian artist, painted Mary Chomley's portrait in 1909.
• First International Women in Agriculture Conference, from 1-3 July 1994, Melbourne, Victoria, participants from 33 countries; largest agricultural conference held in Australia; a pivotal moment in the women in agriculture movement and in the process of securing a voice in decision making for rural women, nationally and internationally.
• Nancy Cato, died 3 July 2000. Author - 'All the rivers run', journalist, poet and environmentalist http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0104b.htm
• Vivian Bullwinkel, died 3 July 2000, was the sole survivor of the 1942 Banka Island massacre. Post-war, she was Matron of Melbourne's Fairfield Hospital.
• Kate Cable, born 10 July 1899, died 6 July 1999, 1 July 1927 was appointed postmistress at Macrossan, west of Townsville, earning 15/- per week. Cable was the longest serving postmistress in Australia, serving 59 years service at the Macrossan post office. http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/PR00234b.htm
• Vera Scantlebury Brown, OBE, died 14 July 1946, commonly known as Dr Vera; was appointed the OBE for her work in infant and maternal welfare.
• Anna Maria Bligh, born 14 July 1960, in July 2005, Bligh was appointed Deputy Premier of Queensland - the same month she celebrated 10 years as Member for South Brisbane was the first woman in Australia to be elected in her own right as Premier. http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/PR00264b.htm
• Women's Peace Army, established 15 July 1915; social action organisation established to mobilise the women in Australia who opposed all war, regardless of political party membership. It was to be a fighting body to destroy militarism 'with the same spirit of self-sacrifice that soldiers showed on the battlefield'. 'We war against war' was the motto of the Women's Peace Army. Their flag took the feminist colours of purple, green and white. The most well-known members were Vida Goldstein, president, Cecilia John and Adela Pankhurst. With autonomous branches in Sydney and Brisbane, the Women's Peace Army projected a radical, militant image with its socialist anti-war ideology and attracted large numbers to its sometimes controversial public meetings. Other tactics included participation in peace demonstrations, support for peace candidates at elections, petitions to members of parliament and practical help to those disadvantaged by war. It participated in the anti-conscription campaigns of 1916 and 1917. With the end of the Great War, the Women's Peace Army went into recess on 18 December 1919. http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE0542b.htm 
• Monica Clare, died suddenly on National Aborigines Day, 13 July 1973. Aboriginal Administrator, Aboriginal activist and Aboriginal leader, worked tirelessly for the political and social equality of Aboriginal people, and their independence.
• Margaret Jean Court, MBE, born 16 July 1942, Albury, NSW Margaret Court was one of Australia's greatest sportswomen. She won 62 grand slam titles and, in 1970, was the second woman in history to win the Australian, French, U.S. and Wimbledon titles in a calendar year. Winner of the ABC Sportsman of the Year Award in 1963 and 1970, Margaret Court was appointed to the Order of the British Empire - Member (Civil), was the recipient of the 2003 Australia Post Australian Legends Award,and featured on a special 50c stamp; 2006 awarded the International Tennis Federation's (ITF) Philippe Chatrier Award

This Day in History : 9th July
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Born on this day: 1894 - Percy LeBaron Spencer, the inventor of the microwave oven, is born.
Australian Explorers: 1827 - Australian explorer Allan Cunningham discovers the Gwydir River in northern NSW, opening up the area for grazing and pastureland.
World History: 1982 - A man breaks into Buckingham Palace and spends about ten minutes in informal conversation with the Queen.

The following comes from Nancy Beckham's book, "Nature's Super Foods".
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'Wort' is the old English name for herb.
The plant is native to Europe, and a number of regions in the northern hemisphere, but it has been introduced into America, New Zealand and Australia. Unfortunately it can spread rapidly, and is declared a noxious weed in some Australian states. It is toxic to grazing animals, and cows, in particular, can develop a red, itchy, flaky skin condition, which can advance into slow-healing raw areas.
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BACKGROUND
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From the time of the ancient Greeks and throughout the Middle Ages St John's wort has been part of herbal folklore. People used to say that red spots appeared on the plant on the day that St John the Baptist was beheaded, and in Europe it eas hung over house doorways or was put under the pillow for protection against evil spirits.
  St John's wort was recommended for all respiratory and bladder complaints, diarrhoea, bleeding, jaundice and nervous depression. In the 1973 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia this herb was specifically recommended for menopausal neurosis, also for painful nerve problems such as sciatica, fibrositis and neuralgia. It was also a popular external remedy. Many of the traditional uses are supported by modern scientific investigations.
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THERAPEUTIC USE
Internal
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St John's wort possesses properties that are antiviral, antidepressant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antianxiety, wound healing and mild antibacterial. It is a gentle tonic with analgesic properties, and anticancer potential.
  For the treatment of mild to moderate depressive disorders, St John's wort is as effective as pharmaceuticals, but with far fewer side effects. (87)
  An assessment of 12 clinical trials confirmed that St John's wort was superior to a placebo, and its therapeutic effects were similar to those of pharmaceutical antidepressants. There was a low incidence of adverse effects and overdosing compared to pharmaceuticals. (88)
  Most of the trials on depression have been in Europe, using a daily dosage of up to 4.5g standardised herbal product containing 1-27 mg hypericin (probably the most therapeutically active component relating to the nervous system). When people are depressed they are usually lethargic, and do not have the motivation to do anything. Treatment with this herb can gently motivate depressed people.
  In cold climates some people experience seasonal affective disorder because of lack of exposure to light during long winters. The symptoms are depression, insomnia, fatigue with restlessness, increased appetite and sugar cravings. A study showed that St John's wort helped this condition just as much as 'light therapy'. Of course, we should all get at least a little sunlight exposure because it is necessary for good health.
 St John's wort is also helpful for anxiety and insomnia, and acts as a gentle tonic. I sometimes add it into formulas for menopausal sumptoms. In a study on healthy people St John's wort was shown to have a soothing effect; brain function was stimulated and performance tests under stress were enhanced. (89)
  This reinforces the concept of traditional herbalists who have categorised some herbs as nervine tonics (the capacity to calm the nervous system without causing fatigue).
  St John's wort is likely to relieve certain types of viral infections, including AIDS, herpes, Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B, and some types of colds, and possibly some strains of influenza.
  Since 1989 a number of informal studies with HIV-positive people have been done using St John's wort, and the patient outcomes have been favourable. A report presented at the 1993 International AIDS Conference indicated that a long-term clinical trial resulted in 14 out of 16 patients remaining clinically stable, and able to maintain their normal lifestyle and work. No serious viral infections were experienced, nor were any adverse effects encountered. In most of these patients some very specific immune cells were improved. This suggests benefits to the immune system generally St John's wort may be therapeutically useful in many diseases that are linked to low immune functioning.  
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External
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 - skin-healing; accelerates wound healing and new skin growth;
 - external creams or compresses for nerve pain, inflammation;
 - oil used for dry skin, especially in older people; mix the oil into a plain base e.g. aqueous cream.
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CAUTIONS AND ADVERSE EFFECTS
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Some books warn that St John's wort can cause phototoxicity (sensitivity to sunlight), leading to skin discoloration and damage. This is based on experience with animals grazing on the plant. However, (one) report claims that a dose 30x above normal would be required to cause skin reddening in a human. I have only ever heard of one anecdotal report of such a reaction in a human.
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People with severe depression and serious infectious diseases should always be under the supervision of a medical practitioner, and should always tell their practitioner if they are self-treating with any remedies.
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If you are taking antianxiety or antidepressant medication, never add St John's wort or other natural nervous system remedies, unless guided by your practitioner.
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In recent times there have been a few reports from practising herbalists of various adverse effects, and this confirms my experience that some batches of this herb may contain more of certain components, which may be causing sensitivity or allergic reactions.
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KNOWN THERAPEUTIC COMPONENTS
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Hypericin, pseudohypericin - antiretroviral; synthetic hypericin - available in some countries, may not have any antiviral activity. (90)
 - hypericin - capable of reducing biological compounds in the brain (such as monoamine oxidase) that are implicated as possible causes of depression. (91)
Flavonoids - in general, flavonoids can have wide-ranging benefits; majority have special affinity to blood vessel walls and connective tissue - these may protect the brain from circulating toxins; some flavonoids may help brain chemistry; others have antimicrobial activity; the proanthocyanidins are antioxidants. (92)
Hyperforin - antidepressant, relaxant, nervous system
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ST JOHN'S WORT SKIN OIL
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100 g fresh St John's wort flowers (or 50 g dried)
200 ml almond oil (or sunflower, apricot kernel or olive oil)
6 capsules vitamin E (as an antioxidant)
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1. Place the flowers in a clear glass jar, and pour the oil over. Cut the vitamin E caps, and squeeze out the oil into the jar.
2. Leave to stand in the sunshine, with the lid on.
3. After 6-8 weeks the oil should be reddish in colour. Strain the liquid into a dark bottle or jar, and seal before storing in a cool dry place. Label jar to show that this oil should be used within 3 months.
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Apply the oil undiluted on minor wounds and herpes; or gently massage it into areas of joint or nerve pain.
 If you use it for household burns, wait until the heat has gone out of the injury first.
 Can be used for dry skin by mixing it into an aqueous cream - can stain clothes and linen.
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DOSAGES, DURATION OF TREATMENT
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For serious infection or depression, obtain standardised extracts, take dosage as advised by health practitioner. You may need to take the remedy for 2 or more months, and subsequently at a lower dose or intermittently.
 Usual dose is 2-4 g daily of dried herb, or 2-4 ml of a liquid extract.
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The following was taken from About.com "Newest Developments for..."
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Klaus Linde of the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research at Technical University in Munich, Germany, found that St. John's Wort is more effective than both placebo and antidepressants in treating severe depression. 
  Germany had the best results with regard to effectiveness as opposed to 28 other countries. German doctors have already been prescribing St. John's Wort as their standard treatment of medication for depression for years. Currently, the herb is unregulated, so it is found in varying qualities and content.
  In the study, between 500 and 1,200 mg were used.
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Adapted from ABC Health & Wellbeing Fact File
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Ross River fever is caused by a viral infection, transmitted through mosquito bites. The Ross River virus was named after the river in northern Queensland where it was first identified, but it is found in all states of Australia and throughout Papua New Guinea and many islands in the South Pacific.
The disease is most common in Australia from spring to autumn, particularly from January through to March, when mosquitoes are most abundant.
Ross River Fever is in a class of viruses called arboviruses (or arthropod-borne viruses), spread mainly by blood-sucking insects. Other arboviruses include dengue, Barmah forest virus, Japanese encephalitis and yellow fever.
SYMPTOMS
Infection with the Ross River virus is most commonly associated with fever, rash and joint pains. Swelling of joints may also occur – especially in the fingers, wrists and feet – and joint stiffness tends to be worse in the morning.
General symptoms such as nausea, headache, backache, and muscle aches are also common. Lethargy and fatigue are often debilitating, with some people unable to carry out minor activities, or even get out of bed.
Symptoms of the virus usually come on between five and 14 days after infection and disappear within six weeks. However, 10 per cent of people have ongoing joint pains, depression and fatigue for many months.
In many cases, particularly in children, infection with Ross River virus may cause no symptoms at all.
CAUSES
The Ross River virus usually lives in native mammals such as kangaroos and wallabies, but can also affect rodents and even horses. These animals act as natural reservoirs for the virus and when a female mosquito bites an infected animal it picks up some of the virus.
The virus enters the human bloodstream via the saliva of an infected mosquito. It then reproduces itself in some of the blood cells and builds up in organs such as muscles, joints and the skin, resulting in the symptoms of infection. This incubation time – or the time between being bitten by mosquito and early symptoms – is usually about one week. Ross River virus infection cannot be passed from person to person.
DIAGNOSIS and TREATMENT
The diagnosis of Ross River fever is made by taking a blood test. People who have been exposed to Ross River virus develop antibodies to the organism in their blood and the test detects these. 
Unfortunately there are no specific treatments. The virus is not killed by antibiotics, although doctors can advise on treatment to relieve the aches, pains and joint swelling. Aspirin and other analgesics can help. Bed rest is sometimes needed in more severe cases and avoiding alcohol and excessive physical activity is recommended.
PREVENTION
Protecting yourself and your family from mosquito bites is the most important factor in preventing this disease.
 - avoid known mosquito-infested areas, 
   especially at dawn and dusk 
 - install insect screens in the home
 - be extra careful when on holidays or camping;
   tents and caravans should be screened
 - sleep under a mosquito net
 - use a personal insect repellent
 - cover up with long-sleeved shirts and trousers
 - wear loose fitting clothing as mosquitoes
    can bite through fabrics (incl' denim jeans!)
 - get rid of stagnant water near the house
 - avoid overwatering lawns, gardens
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Mosquito populations, as well as the levels of viruses they carry, are monitored in government-based programs which aim to prevent Ross River Fever outbreaks.
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MORE INFO':
 Patients' stories - NSW arbovirus surveillance and vector monitoring program | Feeling the heat - Health & Wellbeing feature | Ross River virus breakthrough - AM 06/05/2008 | W.A. Shire of Capel Mosquito Control Program |

Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Thomas Newman

ENTERTAINMENT LINK: HERE 

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