Study: Mangroves in Florida expanding poleward

January 3, 2014
According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sci
ences (PNAS) journal, Mangrove trees, which are highly sensitive to cold, have e
xpanded extremely on the pole ward side or on the Atlantic coast of Florida as t
he frequency of frosts has diminished.
Mangroves are restricted to the tropical areas as they cannot tolerate the extre
me cold events that are so very typical of the temperate zone. Thus, the massive
expansion of mangroves in the temperate zone of Florida during the last three d
ecades is a proof of climate change s role.
Over 28 years, the Florida coast, from Miami northwards, gained more than 3,000
acres of Mangroves.
The reason for this strange expansion/reduction in mangrove coverage boils down
to extreme cold events days colder than -4o C. The -4o C is the physiological te
mperature limit of mangrove survival.
Usefulness of Mangrove trees
They form a biomass of trees that tolerate salt in tidal areas near freshwater e
stuaries on tropical coastlines.
Support great biological diversity, including numerous species of crustaceans, f
ish, birds and molluscs.
Both salt marshes and mangroves help contain flooding, store atmospheric carbon
and contribute to the expansion of the land mass.
Note: At present, Mangrove forests face deforestation from carbon production, aq
uaculture and urbanization, and are threatened by drainage from sewers, while sa
lt marshes are threatened by waste-water pollution and rising sea levels.
Marijuana becomes legal in Colorado
January 3, 2014
The US State of Colorado became the first state to legally sell marijuana and op
en the retail spots for pot.
About Marijuana
Marijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds
and flowers of Cannabis sativa
the hemp plant. Most people smoke marijuana, tho
ugh it can also be used in other forms such as edibles, powders and oils.
In Colorado, both medical and recreational marijuana are legal. The drug used fo
r controlling pain for medical issues, like cancer, nervous system diseases, gla
ucoma, migraines, etc and also used to treat nausea and improve appetites for pe
ople with HIV or other chronic illnesses.
Research shows that daily use of marijuana during adolescent years results in im
paired learning, memory and decreased IQ.
The health effects of marijuana use
Short term effect - it can lead to a rapid heart rate, increase blood pressure,
red eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite and slowed reaction time.
Long-term effect- impaired thinking, memory problems, panic attacks and other ps
ychological issues. There have also been studies showing a weakened immune syste
m and, for those who smoke the drug, impaired lung function.
Union Ministry issued food safety guidelines for ICDS
January 3, 2014
The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development issued food safety and hygiene
guidelines to prevent contamination of supplementary nutrition provided to preg
nant women and children under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) s
cheme.

Operational Guidelines for Food Safety and Hygiene in ICDS

While cooking and serving food, the anganwadi workers and helpers are not allowe
d to wear wrist watches, rings, bangles, nail polish, artificial nails, etc, bec
ause these can carry foreign bodies and compromise hygiene. The fingernails must
be trimmed and cleaned.
Hair should be neatly tied up and covered and glass in any form is not allowed i
n the cooking areas.
An adequate precaution for cleanliness issued for the staffs to prevent the food
from getting contaminated during cleaning of rooms, utensils or any other equip
ment.
It has mentioned that before using any equipment, while cooking food should be w
ashed with water.
To make safe disposal of stool and wastes, the toilets must be clean all the tim
e.
The activity rooms should be well ventilated, spacious enough and should be clea
ned every day before the start of the functions in the morning.
Adequate space should be provided for the kitchen, it should be separate from ac
tivity/classrooms, preferably located at a safe, but accessible distance.
About Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme
The Government of India sponsored programme.
Launched: October 2,1975.
Aim: to improve the nutritional and health status of vulnerable groups including
pre-school children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Scheme: to tackle malnutrition and health problems in children below 6 years of
age and their mothers.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the nodal department for UNICEF,
which has provided essentials supplies to the ICDS Scheme since 1975.
China banned officials from smoking in public places
January 3, 2014
China s ruling Communist Party issued an order to ban officials from smoking in pu
blic places or while performing official duties.
According to the circular
Officials are not allowed to smoke in public places viz. schools, hospitals, off
ices, public transport, public venues, etc. where smoking is banned.
They can neither use public funds to buy cigarettes, nor are they permitted to s
moke or offer cigarettes when performing official duties.
The sale of tobacco products and advertisements will no longer be allowed in Par
ty and government offices.
Notices of smoking bans must be displayed in meeting rooms, reception offices, p
assageways, cafeterias and rest rooms.
It is an effort to cut the 1.4 million deaths linked to tobacco every year.
Note: China is the world s largest cigarette producer and consumer, with an estima
ted 300 million smokers. Smoking is one of the greatest health threats, which ca
use death of millions of people in China.