8/10/2019 affair

1/2

Study: Mangroves in Florida expanding poleward

January 3, 2014According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, Mangrove trees, which are highly sensitive to cold, have expanded extremely on the pole ward side or on the Atlantic coast of Florida as the frequency of frosts has diminished.

Mangroves are restricted to the tropical areas as they cannot tolerate the extreme cold events that are so very typical of the temperate zone. Thus, the massiveexpansion of mangroves in the temperate zone of Florida during the last three decades is a proof of climate changes role.

Over 28 years, the Florida coast, from Miami northwards, gained more than 3,000acres of Mangroves.The reason for this strange expansion/reduction in mangrove coverage boils downto extreme cold events days colder than -4o C. The -4o C is the physiological temperature limit of mangrove survival.Usefulness of Mangrove treesThey form a biomass of trees that tolerate salt in tidal areas near freshwater estuaries on tropical coastlines.Support great biological diversity, including numerous species of crustaceans, fish, 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, aquaculture and urbanization, and are threatened by drainage from sewers, while salt marshes are threatened by waste-water pollution and rising sea levels.

Marijuana becomes legal in Colorado

January 3, 2014The US State of Colorado became the first state to legally sell marijuana and open the retail spots for pot.

About MarijuanaMarijuana is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds

and flowers of Cannabis sativa the hemp plant. Most people smoke marijuana, though 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 for controlling pain for medical issues, like cancer, nervous system diseases, glaucoma, migraines, etc and also used to treat nausea and improve appetites for people with HIV or other chronic illnesses.Research shows that daily use of marijuana during adolescent years results in impaired learning, memory and decreased IQ.The health effects of marijuana useShort 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 psychological 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, 2014The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development issued food safety and hygieneguidelines to prevent contamination of supplementary nutrition provided to pregnant women and children under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

8/10/2019 affair

2/2

Operational Guidelines for Food Safety and Hygiene in ICDSWhile cooking and serving food, the anganwadi workers and helpers are not allowed to wear wrist watches, rings, bangles, nail polish, artificial nails, etc, because these can carry foreign bodies and compromise hygiene. The fingernails mustbe trimmed and cleaned.Hair should be neatly tied up and covered and glass in any form is not allowed in the cooking areas.An adequate precaution for cleanliness issued for the staffs to prevent the foodfrom getting contaminated during cleaning of rooms, utensils or any other equipment.It has mentioned that before using any equipment, while cooking food should be washed with water.To make safe disposal of stool and wastes, the toilets must be clean all the time.The activity rooms should be well ventilated, spacious enough and should be cleaned every day before the start of the functions in the morning.Adequate space should be provided for the kitchen, it should be separate from activity/classrooms, preferably located at a safe, but accessible distance.About Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) schemeThe Government of India sponsored programme.Launched: October 2,1975.Aim: to improve the nutritional and health status of vulnerable groups includingpre-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, 2014Chinas ruling Communist Party issued an order to ban officials from smoking in public 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 smoke or offer cigarettes when performing official duties.The sale of tobacco products and advertisements will no longer be allowed in Party and government offices.Notices of smoking bans must be displayed in meeting rooms, reception offices, passageways, cafeterias and rest rooms.It is an effort to cut the 1.4 million deaths linked to tobacco every year.Note: China is the worlds largest cigarette producer and consumer, with an estimated 300 million smokers. Smoking is one of the greatest health threats, which cause death of millions of people in China.