Volcano Devestation

As many of us have already heard/seen, a volcano erupting in Iceland has caused major problems. One of those problems is with the airlines. For a few days there were no flights taking off or arriving in Iceland because of the ash cloud covering Europe. The worst seems to be over since the volcanic activity is weakening. However there is still a lot of ash falling down and people are being told to wear masks for protection.

About 100,000 flights were canceled because of this eruption and the airlines are predicting over $2.2 billion in loss. Iceland and small part of Scotland had their airports closed. Along with this, thousands of European flights were canceled during the past week.
A major concern about this eruption is that it might lead to another. Katla is Eyjafjallajokull’s neighbor and is much more powerful and bigger. Katla is overdue for an eruption and according to some geophysicists; this past eruption could be the trigger. History about these two volcanoes tells us that after Eyjafjallajokull erupts, Katla will follow.

Livestock are also being affected by this ordeal. Around 20 farms closest to the volcano had to relocate, only being allowed back to their farms for essential farm work. Along with this, farmers are told to keep their animals inside. Ash that is falling on the ground can be fatal for animals if they eat the grass it is covering. Some animals could be put at risk for contracting fluorosis, which is a fatal bone disease. Drinking water is also being watched by the farmers in case it starts to spoil. One good thing is that at this time in Iceland most of the animals are inside. However, as temperatures start to warm up the farmers are going to want their animals outside.
Traffic has been affected because of floodwater. Some roads have been breached to channel the water and in some places it is difficult to drive because of low visibility. Flooding is a major danger caused by eruptions but they say the worst seems to have passed. Some croplands were damaged as well but nothing to catastrophic.

Without the media, this story would not be getting out to the public. I probably would have no idea that there was a volcano erupting, shutting down air traffic and causing thousands of people great distress. This volcanic experience does not only affect the people living in Iceland. With air traffic down, thousands and thousands of people all around the world were/are affected. Also, if Katla erupts next there could be even more devastation than this last time.

Picture: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-1267721-092C7596000005DC-426_468x286.jpg

Incurable STD?

Most of us have heard about the many STD’s out in the world today. April is STD awareness month and a study was just done on this disease. This disease is one of the more common ones known as Gonorrhea (Neisseria Gonorrhoeae), which is an infectious bacterium that can grow and multiply in the mucous membranes. This is found especially in the mouth, throat, and anus of males and females along with the cervix, fallopian tubes and uterus of the female reproductive tract. Gonorrhea is usually treated with antibiotics such as penicillin or tetracycline. However a new study shows that treating this STD is becoming more difficult to treat because it is starting to resist many antibiotics. If this continues, researchers say that there is a possibility that Gonorrhea may become resistant to all current treatment options.
Left untreated, this common sexually transmitted bacterial infection, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women. Also, this disease can spread to the blood or joints creating a life-threatening condition. The bacterium that causes gonorrhea is said to be very versatile and adept to acquiring and developing resistance to antibiotics. Currently, cetriaxone and cefixime are still effective but there are signs of resistance.
In the United States, back in 2008, there were approximately 337,000 cases of gonorrhea reported. Also, in the state of Michigan, for every 1,000 people there are 17 people that have gonorrhea. With this many people having the disease it will certainly be a huge problem if there will be no more cure. I think it is very important that the media keeps looking into this issue because the people out there really need to know what is happening.
Being April and STD Awareness Month, I think there should be more going on to warn people about potential diseases, symptoms and cures of each. If this disease is getting as bad as researchers are saying, why not go another step to inform people on this STD. Obviously many of us know about gonorrhea along with many other STD’s but there are so many out there that have no idea what they are getting into. Hanging up flyers or even launching a short news segment about this disease would be a step up. Going into schools and malls to talk with people or even set up a stand with information would be helpful.