starchild: special tribute to michael jackson
DESCRIPTION
StarChild pays homage to the fallen King of PopTRANSCRIPT
I checked yahoo and google and they were all abuzz with the news, but disbelief was still lodged within me. So I put
my ear to the street (so to speak) and went to the one place I knew I would get the answer: Facebook. All of my
friends’ status messages were Michael Jackson related. There were R.I.P messages, profile pictures changed to his
image, and new “R.I.P. Michael Jackson” Facebook groups had already been created.
I left from inside of the laundromat and went to sit in my car to collect my thoughts. When I turned on the radio,
EVERY station was playing Michael Jackson songs back to back. That is when the weight of it hit me: The King of Pop
was surely dead.
I can’t explain the melancholy I felt over the next few days. I was actually embarrassed and surprised that I cared so
much. In my everyday life I didn’t think much about him, but his passing reminded me just how important he was to
the soundtrack of my life.
FROM THE DESK OF B.DAOn June 25 I was happily at the laundromat, washing all of our
comforters and feeling really domestic when I received a text from my
friend that said simply, “Michael Jackson has died. He was 50 years
old.”
The weight of that statement didn’t hit me immediately. I figured it
was a random text, a joke of some sort, but decided to check the
Internet to see what thus sayeth the newsfeeds.(Me paying my respects at the birth home of
Michael Jackson)
the soundtrack of my life.
When I returned home that evening and turned on the television, it seemed that all of the major stations were
paying tribute to Michael Jackson and his musical legacy. Not even 7 hours after he had been pronounced dead, NBC
debuted a special tribute program for Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett, who had also recently died.
Elsewhere in television-land, VH1 and MTV were playing all of Michael Jackson’s videos. As I watched them, I was
taken back to different periods of my life. For each video played, there was something in the music, something in
the movements, something in the dance steps, something in the song lyrics, something in the outfits, that took me
back.
The Sunday after his death I attended church service and the Pastor preached a sermon entitled, “The Man in the
Mirror.” He tied in the lyrics of the song to James 1:19-25. They even showed Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”
video during the sermon. I was moved to tears. The IMPACT this man had on the world!
On my way home from church service, I found myself in a prayerful and tearful conversation with the Lord
and I prayed ever so fervently that God bless me to have that kind of impact in life on the world. It’s not
merely for my own gain that I look to be successful. I choose to be successful in the hopes of
positively impacting others…and my prayer is that I get closer to that goal;
issue by issue…page by page.
Read and be blessed,
BB..dada OsoOso StarChildStarChild
Items appearing in StarChild are protected by federal copyright laws. Material found in StarChild may not be copied or reprinted
without prior written authorization from the Editor and/or writer of the article. Send all requests to [email protected].
July 2009 | Volume 6 Issue 18
REMEMBERING THE TIMES: A timeline of the life of Michael Jackson 4
Q&A: Quincy Jones gives insight into the man behind the music 6
THE JACKSON 6: Six-word obituaries for the King of Pop 7
THRILLER GRILLER By: Chef Eric B. Lewis 9
The 2009 BET Awards Tribute to Michael Jackson By: B.da 10
2300 Jackson Street: The Memorial 12
THE KING OF POP
2300 Jackson Street: The Memorial 12
The Comfort Zone By: Angela Ratcliffe 14
Five Best Cities For Jobs 15
Diabetes in African Americans By: Tyra T. Ellis 17
8 Eargasms
19 StarChild Ink
20 Bday Shout Outs
Cover art provided by Kate Baker © 2009
DEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTS
FEATURES
1958 Michael Joseph
Jackson is born
August 29, in Gary,
Indiana.
1962 Michael becomes a
member of the Jackson 5
along with his brothers
Tito, Jackie, Jermaine, and
Marlon. He is lead singer.
Their father, Joe, is their
manager. There first
playing gig is at a place
called Mr. Lucky's.
1970 The Jackson 5
release ‘I Want You
Back’, ‘ABC’, ‘The Love
You Save’ and ‘I'll Be
There’ – they all top the
charts
1972Michael Jackson
scores his first
number 1 single as a
solo artist with ‘Ben’
– he also earns an
Oscar nomination
1977
Jackson stars in the
movie ‘The Wiz’ with
Diana Ross and meets
Quincy Jones. During
filming, rumor has it
he would leave the
set without removing
his makeup.
Jackson’s album, Off the Wall,
produced by Quincy Jones, launches
him to superstar standing. Sells over
nineteen million copies worldwide.
The album goes platinum while
1982Jackson releases ‘Thriller’.
The album goes on to
become the biggest-
19791979
Michael Jackson:Michael Jackson:
The album goes platinum while
singles ‘Don't Stop 'til You Get
Enough’ and ‘Rock With You’ top the
charts.
become the biggest-
selling album of all time
with over fifty million
copies sold worldwide.
The album stays on the
charts for 2 years and hits
number one worldwide.
1985 Co-writes "We Are
the World" with Lionel
Richie. The single supports
the all-star famine relief
effort for Africa. 1986 1986 Photos of him in a hyperbaric chamber
are published in the National Enquirer. Jackson
later says it's part of his plan to extend his life
beyond its "natural span."
Cont’d…
1983 Performs "Billy Jean" at the
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Special and for the first time does the
moonwalk, later to become his signature
move.
‘Bad’ is released - once again
produced by Quincy
Jones. Singles ‘I Just Can't Stop
Loving You’, ‘Bad’, ‘The Way You
Make Me Feel’, ‘Man in the Mirror’
and ‘Dirty Diana’ all debut at
number 1. The world tour
supporting the album becomes the
highest-grossing tour of all time.
198719871991
New album
‘Dangerous’ is
released. First single
‘Black Or White’
debuts at number one.
19931993Jackson is accused of Jackson is accused of
molesting a 13 year old molesting a 13 year old
boy. He denies the charges boy. He denies the charges
and settles out of court, and settles out of court,
paying an estimated $20 paying an estimated $20
million.million.Jackson releases
‘HIStory: Past,
Present and
Future, Book 1.
Singles ‘Scream’
and ‘You Are Not
Alone’ top the
Michael Jackson
marries Lisa Marie
Presley, the
marriage breaks
up 19 months
later.
19951995
19961996
Michael Jackson:Michael Jackson:
Alone’ top the
charts. 19961996
2001Michael Jackson is
inducted into the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame,
and releases the album
‘Invincible’.
The star’s
Neverland ranch is
searched and he is
arrested on
charges of child
molestation.
2005 2005 Jackson’s child
molestation trial begins
and he is acquitted on all
counts. The singer moves
to Bahrain.
Jackson announces his
comeback with a 50
date run of shows at
London’s O2 arena
called ‘This Is It.’
Michael Jackson dies
June 25th in California.
20092009
Q: Q: I've heard you say that you wanted Michael to sing "She's Out of My Life," the great pop ballad fromI've heard you say that you wanted Michael to sing "She's Out of My Life," the great pop ballad from Off Off
the Wallthe Wall, in part because you felt like he had to deal with reality., in part because you felt like he had to deal with reality.
A: I just wanted to hear him deal with a romantic relationship with a human being rather than a rat. I'm saying
that facetiously, but it's true. I saw him at the Oscars very emotional about
"Ben." I wanted to hear him get in touch with a real human relationship.
"She's Out of My Life" was written by Tommy Bahler from a very
bad ending to a marriage. So it was very real. I
was saving it for Sinatra. But I gave it to
Michael. And Michael cried during every take,
and I left the tears in.
Q: At root, what do you think killed Q: At root, what do you think killed
Michael Jackson?Michael Jackson?
A: I don't know, man. I'm a musician. I'm not a
psychiatrist. I would think that the pressure of the
concerts and the debt and everything else . . .
look, I've been in the hands of Nobel doctors for
the last five years, in Stockholm, at the
Karolinska hospital, which you can't even pay to get in.
I've learned so much about the human mind and the
body, and the doctors talk all the time about how you
The hit-making producer behind the King of Pop's rise discusses Jackson's life…
Q&A: Quincy JonesQ&A: Quincy Jones
body, and the doctors talk all the time about how you
become your thoughts. It's true. With one thought it
starts, you know, and if you sit there and just stay hung up
on one negative thought, you will become that thought.
I know that Lisa Marie Presley said that she always thought
he was going to die like Elvis. You sit and think about that
stuff, it'll happen to you. If you start thinking about
darkness instead of light, or fear instead of love,
you'll get in trouble. I really believe that.
Q: With so many people asking you about Michael Jackson, is it hard to find the private space in which to Q: With so many people asking you about Michael Jackson, is it hard to find the private space in which to
mourn his death?mourn his death?
A: Yes, it is. It's surrealistic. I don't know how to process it at all. Because everybody's reacting to it, and making
up their own answers.
Q: You've said that you don't attend funerals anymore because you've lost so many friends. Do you plan to Q: You've said that you don't attend funerals anymore because you've lost so many friends. Do you plan to
attend Michael Jackson's funeral?attend Michael Jackson's funeral?
A: No, not at all, not at all. Because it's going to be, like, 9 million people there, and it's not what I want to see.
Q: You're not going to be there?Q: You're not going to be there?
A: No. I can't be there, anyway. I'm going to Wales the day after tomorrow, I go to Montreux, I go to Marbella, I
go to the south of France. My condolences and love I've already sent to the family. But being there with 10
million people is not my idea of a tribute to somebody you were so close to—who's got a part of your soul. Our
souls were joined, you know. And a piece of it goes with him.
Photo: Corbis Article: Details.com
THE JACKSON 6: Six-word Obituaries for the King of Pop
"From ABC to PYT to R.I.P.""From ABC to PYT to R.I.P."
My first schoolgirl
crush…is gone.We are the world.
Shocked, grieving.King of Pop. Died too
young.
It was never about
his appearance.
Dazzled many but
never grew up.
Amazingly talented
artist…sadly troubled
person.
Heal The World.
Honor The Man.
Looks like Prince
won this battle.
No more Man in the
Mirror.
He’s teaching angels
how to moonwalk.
Michael’s gone. Just
remember the good.
Black man. White
man. Dead now.
Mourning Jackson
travels around the
globe.
Imagine heaven with
Elvis, now Michael.
He came, he saw, he
moonwalked.
Wall. Thriller. Bad.
Dangerous. HIStory
Invincible
Shocked, grieving.
We somehow forgot
the genius there.
Michael, you beat it
too soon.
Thrilled, healed, and
rocked our world.
He made dancing
zombies super cool.
Peter Pan or King of
Pop?
Lost childhood,
meteoric stardom,
tragic end
A comeback we
won’t ever know
Courtesy of Smith Magazine / 6 Word Memoirs
To read more entries, click here: http://tinyurl.com/StarChild-Jackson6
Michael Jackson had 13
number one hits on the
Billboard Hot 100 charts
•1972: "Ben”
•1979: "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough”
•1980: "Rock with You”
•1983: "Billie Jean”
•1983: "Beat It”
•1983: "Say Say Say”
•1987: "I Just Can't Stop Loving You”
•1987: "Bad”
•1987: "The Way You Make Me Feel”
•1988: "Man in the Mirror”
•1988: "Dirty Diana”
•1991: "Black or White”
•1995: "You Are Not Alone”
1. Maria (You Were The Only Love)
2. Born to Love You
3. Good Times
4. Take Me Back
5. Love Song
“My 5 Favorite Yet Obscure Jackson 5 Songs” “My 5 Favorite Yet Obscure Jackson 5 Songs” by: m.dot
Michael Jackson had nine platinum singles in the United States, trailing only Elvis Presley (27) and
Mariah Carey (10).
Michael Jackson's Thriller album remained at number one for thirty-seven weeks.
On November 14, 1991, Michael Jackson’s music video, Black or White was broadcast simultaneously in
27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people. It is the largest audience ever to view a
music video.
In March 1991, Jackson signed a new record-breaking $890 million contract by Sony. It is still the largest
recording contract of all time.
Michael Jackson had the fastest ticket sales in history with 700,000 tickets sold in about four hours for
the now-cancelled "This Is It" tour that was set to take place this year.
DID YOU KNOW…?DID YOU KNOW…?
5. Love Song
Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller Thriller Griller by: Chef Eric B. Lewis
Grilled Shrimp & Pesto PizzaGrilled Shrimp & Pesto PizzaGrilled Shrimp & Pesto PizzaGrilled Shrimp & Pesto Pizza1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast 3/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F) 1 3/4 to 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading and dredging 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for greasing the bowl Cilantro Pesto, recipe follows 8 ounces buffalo mozzarella, thinly sliced Grilled Shrimp, recipe follows Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
Whisk together the yeast and 1/4 cup of the water in a small bowl and let sit for 5 minutes to proof. Place 1 (3/4 cups) of the flour in a large bowl with the salt. Add the yeast mixture, the remaining water, and oil and stir until combined.
Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead until smooth. Grease a large bowl with the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil, addthe dough, and turn to coat. Cover and place in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Preheat the grill to high. Once the dough has risen, divide it in half. Divide each half into 2 balls. Roll each ball into an 8-inch circle. Brush with oil and grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread a few tablespoons of the Cilantro Pesto over inch circle. Brush with oil and grill on both sides until golden brown. Spread a few tablespoons of the Cilantro Pesto over each pizza, top with a few slices of buffalo mozzarella, and then top with 4 shrimp and cilantro leaves. Place the pizza on the grill until the cheese melts.
Serve hot.
Cilantro Pesto: Cilantro Pesto: Cilantro Pesto: Cilantro Pesto: 3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons pine nuts 1/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepperCombine all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Grilled Shrimp: Grilled Shrimp: Grilled Shrimp: Grilled Shrimp: 16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined Olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepperPreheat the grill to medium-high.Brush each shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through (shrimp will be opaque and turn pink).
They say death and tragedy affects everyone differently. For me, the
death of Michael Jackson provoked me to do something I had never done
before. In memory of the King of Pop, I purposely tuned in to the BET
Awards.
Since I became an adult, BET has left a bad taste in my mouth. I think
when Donnie Simpson left BET, I did too. So that let’s you know how long
I had been a staunch BET avoider.
The buzz on the ‘net was BET changed up the entire show to be a tribute
to Michael Jackson. This I had to see!
The show had some highlights such as New Edition’s performance with
Bobby Brown, BBD performing Poison, Jamie Foxx and Neyo’s rendition
of “I’ll Be There”, Maxwell’s finale and Janet Jackson ‘s tear-jerking
remarks.
The show also had some lowlights; Beyonce’s Ave Maria, Ving Rhames
horribly re-enacting his “Baby Boy” character and the very hard to look at
(and even harder to listen to) Tiny .
What I loved mot about the BET Awards, really had nothing to do with the
show. The true highlight for me was being on Facebook and seeing all of
my friends’ status messages as they were watching the show. It
seemed that every one of my African-American Facebook buddies was
tuning in and weighing in. The comments ran the gamut from sheer
accolades to un-repeatable disses.
Whether we liked the show or hated it, the fact remained we were all
tuned in. and very full of opinions; that we rapidly shared. I felt like I was
watching the BET Awards surrounded by 518 of my rowdiest friends .
And each time a new status message was posted, it was akin to someone
in the theater yelling out stuff at the screen that would make everyone
else holler with laughter.
There was a unity that I hadn’t personally felt since our recent
presidential election and the celebrations that followed. The death of
Michael Jackson was the catalyst that enabled BET to single-handedly
turn Facebook into a Twitter-esque atmosphere. And though only for
one night, it was very memorable.
Here we’ve compiled just a few
of the commentary made by
StarChild’s Facebook buddies
during the BET Awards Show:
5 QUESTIONS THAT 5 QUESTIONS THAT
WENT THROUGH MY WENT THROUGH MY
MIND WHILE MIND WHILE
WATCHING THE BET WATCHING THE BET
AWARDS SHOW:AWARDS SHOW:
5.5. Who greenlighted Tiny and Who greenlighted Tiny and
Toya’s show?Toya’s show?
4.4. What was Joe Jackson What was Joe Jackson
thinking during Janet’s thinking during Janet’s
remarks?remarks?
Joe Jackson
said “We just
lost the world’s
greatest
entertainer.”
Ummm., that
was your son!
– Ryan Hodge
I wish
Beyonce
would
Ava
Maria off
the
stage -Angelique
3.3. Why were there underage Why were there underage
girls on stage during girls on stage during
Drake’s performance?Drake’s performance?
2.2. I wonder who had to clean I wonder who had to clean
up all the feathers from up all the feathers from
Maxwell’s performance?Maxwell’s performance?
1. Guns is Michael Jackson?1. Guns is Michael Jackson?
2300 Jackson Street
"We find comfort among those who agree with us and
growth among those who don't.“
The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone The Comfort Zone by: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffeby: Angela Ratcliffe
When I started my own business, I believed that I was right about most things and that anyone who didn't agree with me, had a
problem. That is where I was most comfortable. In my way of doing things. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. We may
feel that other people are difficult to deal with when in fact, it may be our own self that is the difficult person. I had to learn that
my personal growth in all areas of my life were perfected by and practically depended on me coming out of my own "comfort
zone" which I discovered were my perceptions or my feelings of being content. It made for a very unhappy me.
I realized that what I thought was comforting was, in fact, very uncomfortable. I had to accept that the limits to my abilities are
endless as long as I was willing to step out of what was familiar and to always seek alternative ways even if they were not my
ways. It is easier to stay in a situation that is familiar and I discovered that I should never be comfortable in any one situation for a
long time. This proved true in my relationships, my employment and my living environment. Often times, if I didn't move out of a
situation that I had become use to that was either too good or too bad, I was forced out one way or another. I was fired from a
job of 12 years back in 2003 that paid very well. I thought it was the worst thing that ever happened to me, when actually it was
one of the greatest blessings of my life. The experience, which was very uncomfortable catapulted me to a whole new level of my
career and success.
While I rely on God to guide the order of my steps, I would like to share some practical thoughts to those of you who have found
yourselves 'too comfortable' in your situation. These will work in most every area of your life (relationships, employment/career,
health & well being, friendships);
1: TRUST YOUR GUT (IT'S USUALLY 1: TRUST YOUR GUT (IT'S USUALLY
GOD TALKING) GOD TALKING) If you feel like
something is wrong, it probably is. If it
feels like a burning desire where you
feel like something requires action,
move on that thought as long as it
won't cause harm to the next.
Remember...this is for the betterment
of YOURSELF. God gave us all a
conscious. It's a gift from Him that let's
you know when it's time to move on or
move along.
2. DON'T BE AFRAID 2. DON'T BE AFRAID Fear hinders the
soul. We were not born afraid. It is an
emotion that tricks the mind into
believing you cannot achieve. Never be
afraid to try a new thing because you
have never experienced the
consequences. Consequences are not
always bad and are often building
blocks to growth and understanding.
Failure is an event, not a person.
3. LISTEN MORE THAN YOU TALK3. LISTEN MORE THAN YOU TALK
I have always gotten along better
observing others and listening. Most
people just want to be heard, anyway.
We don't have to agree with
everything we hear, but we do learn
more by listening. My business is
successful today because I listened to a
supervisor whom I couldn't stand. She
told me "God gave you two ears and
one mouth for a reason." I was insulted
at the time but it turned out to be one
of the most brilliant statements I've
ever heard!
4. THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO 4. THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO
LEARN LEARN Most of us are comfortable
when everyone agrees with us and
thinks we are perfect or when our
situation is perfect. The truth of the
matter is, you can learn from your
critics. Ask other people how they see
you, not only at your best but even at
your worst. Business Owners....your
most unhappy customers are your
greatest source of learning!
5. THE LAW OF RECIPROCITY5. THE LAW OF RECIPROCITY
You draw to yourself what you put
out. The measure of your success will
be determined in how you treat other
people.
6. NEVER GIVE UP 6. NEVER GIVE UP If success is your
goal, TRY! If you tried one thing, try the
next. If you tried the next, try
something you never tried. If you try
something you never tried, ask for
help. If you asked for help, try that.
7. BE PATIENT 7. BE PATIENT We have been taught
for years that patience is a virtue. Just
because your blessings may appear to
take forever to come to fruition
doesn't mean they aren't coming. Use
the time to discover the hidden
message in the experience. It may be
practical knowledge in the preparation
for the ultimate task.
Top Five Best Cities for JobsTop Five Best Cities for Jobs
No. 5: Dallas-Plano-Irving, Texas Dallas should actually be called one of the ‘least worst’ places to live. The city has actually
experienced negative growth, by 0.1%, since 2007. The biggest gains came from
government (3.4%) and education and health services (4.6%). Natural resources, mining and
construction saw the biggest downward trend; that sector reversed from 18.1% cumulative
growth between 2003 and 2007 to a 3.4% decline in 2008.
No. 4: Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas The metropolitan area surrounding Fort Worth has been slowing down but still looks
relatively healthy. Cumulative growth in employment from 2000 to 2008 was 30%.
Transportation employment held mostly level with 0.1% growth, but that's a relatively
robust figure compared with huge losses among rust-belt cities in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois
and Wisconsin.
No. 3: San Antonio, Texas
Most of the cities listed below have shown that they have what it takes to survive in tough
times. If better days are coming, these areas seem best positioned to be the next drivers of
the economic expansion this nation sorely needs.
No. 3: San Antonio, Texas Cumulative growth between 2000 and 2008 for
education and health care in San Antonio was
34.2%; so far, no slowdown is reflected. Still,
overall jobs increased only 0.5% in 2008, down
from cumulative growth of 10.8% between 2004
and 2007.
No. 2: Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, Texas Houston - and its surrounding areas, Sugar Land and Baytown - didn't see any single
sector of employment rise dramatically in 2008, but modest growth across many
categories, including natural resources, mining and construction; education and health
services and wholesale, prevented losses. During the first half of 2008, Texan cities
supported comparatively high numbers of manufacturing jobs as construction boomed
and oil prices rose.
No. 1: Austin-Round Rock, Texas Of all the large cities with the best employment prospects, Austin is the leader. Job
growth between 2004 and 2008 was a whopping 14.8%. In some ways Austin is
representative of nationwide changes in employment. For example, as manufacturing
waned jobs in that sector decreased by a third. But service sectors like education and
health, leisure and hospitality, and others grew tremendously.
To see all 10 of the best cities for jobs, click here: http://tinyurl.com/JulyStarChild-bestcities
(Courtesy of Forbes.com)
Prototype Prototype
Nokia Phone Nokia Phone
Recharges Recharges
Without WiresWithout Wires
Nokia has invented a cell phone that
recharges itself using ambient radio waves
from the air, and turning that energy into
usable power.
While "traditional" wireless power systems
are specifically designed with a transmitter
and receiver in mind, Nokia's system is flexible
about where it gets its wireless waves. TV,
radio, other mobile phone systems energy
bounce around the air and most of it is
wasted, absorbed into the environment or
scattered into the ether. Nokia‘s phone picks
up all the bits and pieces of these waves andup all the bits and pieces of these waves and
uses the collected electromagnetic energy to
create electrical current, then uses that to
recharge the phone's battery. A huge range of
frequencies can be utilized by the system .
Currently Nokia is able to harvest all of 5
milliwatts from the air; the goal is to increase
that to 20 milliwatts in the short term and 50
milliwatts down the line. That wouldn't be
enough to keep the phone alive during an
active call, but would be enough to slowly
recharge the cell phone battery while it's in
standby mode, theoretically offering infinite
power -- provided that the phone is not in a
place where radio waves can't penetrate.
Nokia says it hopes to commercialize the
technology in three to five years.
The National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) show thatAfrican Americans have a rising prevalence of diabetes.
Most African Americans with diabetes have Type 2 (noinsulin-dependent diabetes). Type 2 diabetes usuallydevelops after age 40. However, in high-risk populations,susceptible people may develop it at a younger age. A smallnumber of African Americans have Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes, which usually develops before age 20.NHIS conducted a survey from 1991 to 1992 that indicateshigher rates of diabetes among African Americans thanamong white Americans. At age 45 or older, the prevalenceof diabetes is 1.4 to 2.3 times as frequent in blacks as inwhites. The greatest difference seen in NHIS was amongpeople aged 65 to 74. Within this age range, 17.4 percent ofblack Americans had been diagnosed with diabetes,compared to 9.5 percent Of white Americans.
Type 1 DiabetesType 1 diabetes is a complex disorder caused by the body'sinability to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormonemanufactured and secreted by the pancreas. Specifically, itis produced by cells called beta cells, which are located in aregion of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans.
African immigrants to America have inherited a "thriftygene" from their African ancestors. Years ago, this geneenabled Africans, during "feast and famine" cycles, to usefood energy more efficiently when food was scarce. Today,with fewer "feast and famine" cycles, the thrifty gene thatdeveloped for survival may instead make weight controlmore difficult. This genetic predisposition, along withimpaired glucose tolerance (IGT), often occurs togetherwith the genetic tendency toward high blood pressure.
Obesity is a major medical risk factor for diabetes in AfricanAmericans. The National Health and Nutrition Survey(NHANESII), conducted between 1976 and 1980, showedsubstantially higher rates of obesity in African Americansaged 20 to 74 years of age who had diabetes, compared tothose who did not have diabetes. Although AfricanAmericans have higher rates of obesity, researchers do notbelieve that obesity alone accounts for their higherprevalence of diabetes. Even when compared to whiteAmericans with the same levels of obesity, age, andsocioeconomic status, African Americans still have higherrates of diabetes. Other factors, yet to be understood,appear to be at work.
Physical activity is a strong protective factor against Type 2
An Eye on Public Health in the African American Community
Diabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African AmericansDiabetes in African Americans
region of the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans.Insulin is essential for the cells of your body to metabolizeglucose properly and function normally. Type 1 diabetesaccounts for only 5 percent to 10 percent of all cases ofdiabetes. The other forms are type 2 diabetes andgestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes has also been knownas insulin-dependent mellitus (IDDM), juvenile onsetdiabetes mellitus, ketosis-prone diabetes mellitus andimmune-mediated diabetes. It usually begins in childhoodor adolescence, but is a lifelong disease, since there is nocure. However, effective treatment allows most people withtype 1 diabetes to live long lives. Type 1 diabetes has aprevalence rate of approximately 8% in African-Americans.
Type 2 DiabetesThe frequency of diabetes in black adults is influenced bythe same risk factors that are associated with Type 2diabetes in Americans. The first is genetics, which includesinherited traits and group ancestry. The second is medicalrisk factors, including impaired glucose tolerance,hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance, and obesity. Thethird is lifestyle risk factors, including physical activity.
Inherited TraitsResearchers suggest that African Americans and recent
Physical activity is a strong protective factor against Type 2diabetes. Researchers suspect that a lack of exercise is onefactor contributing to the unusually high rates of diabetes inolder African-American women.
Compared to white Americans, African Americansexperience higher rates of three diabetes complications -blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. They alsoexperience greater disability from these complications.Some factors that influence the frequency of thesecomplications, such as delay in diagnosis and treatment ofdiabetes, denial of diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, highblood pressure, and cigarette smoking, can be influenced byproper diabetes management.
Does Diabetes Cause Excess Deaths in African Americans?Diabetes was an uncommon cause of death among AfricanAmericans at the turn of the century. By 1993, however,according to the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention's National Center for Health Statistics, deathcertificates listed diabetes as the fifth leading cause ofdeath for African Americans aged 45 to 64, and the thirdleading cause of death for those aged 65 and older in 1990.Diabetes is more dangerous for African-American women,for whom it was the third leading cause of death for all agesin 1990. Diabetes death rates may actually be higher thanthese studies show for two reasons. First, diabetes mightnot have been diagnosed. Many doctors don’t list diabetesas a cause of death even when the person was known tohave it.
Published by Tyra T. Ellis, M.S.P.HMember, American Public Health AssociationDoctoral Candidate - Walden University School of Public Health
At age 45 or older, At age 45 or older,
the prevalence of the prevalence of
diabetes is 1.4 to diabetes is 1.4 to
2.3 times as 2.3 times as
frequent in blacks frequent in blacks
as in whites.as in whites.
Cockroaches may be tiny enough to slip through the smallest of
cracks, but just like humans, these eternal pests can get fat on an
unhealthy diet.
As part of a decade's worth of research on cockroaches, Patricia
Moore of the University of Exeter studied how female cockroaches
change their mating behavior in response to their diet, specifically
what they eat when they are young. "We already knew that what
they eat as adults influences reproductive decisions," Moore said.
But just how the food they consumed early in life shaped these
decisions wasn't known.
To find out, Moore and her colleagues picked young female
cockroach nymphs and divided them into two dietary groups. Half
were fed a good-quality balanced diet of protein-rich fish food and
high-carbohydrate oatmeal, while the rest were raised on fish food
only. Both groups were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. The
difference in diets "was not quantity but variety," Moore said.
After the last molt, when the nymphs became adults, the team
switched the diets of some animals. Half of the cockroaches raised
with good quality diet lost their oatmeal, while half of the bugs fed
Children who are overweight and wet the bed
at night may have obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA), researchers report.
Both being overweight and wetting the bed are
associated with the nighttime breathing
disorder, they found. However, overweight and
bedwetting are not associated with each other.
In a "case-control" study, Dr. Joseph G. Barone,
of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New
Brunswick, New Jersey, and colleagues
performed overnight sleep studies in 149
children between the ages of 5 and 15 with
OSA, and 139 matched control children.
Obesity and bedwetting linked
to Sleep Apnea in Children
Let’s Learn From the Pests: Even Cockroaches Get Fat When
They Eat Bad Food
with good quality diet lost their oatmeal, while half of the bugs fed
poorly were promoted to a good-quality diet. Eighteen days after
the switch, the diet control ended and some of the surviving
cockroaches were dissected. The rest were allowed to live on and
reproduce.
The results: While the lifespan of the members of both groups was
about the same, the cockroaches on the poor diet were fatter and
took longer to mature. Moore suggests that the poorly fed bugs
were storing up excess fat at the expense of their growth in case
their dietary options got even worse. "This was a surprising result,"
Moore said, "but it shows the importance of a balanced diet for
healthy development."
The effects of unbalanced meals continued throughout the
cockroaches' lives, even for the few that were switched to good-
quality food. Females that ate a poor-quality diet were less willing
to mate and less likely to produce offspring. They were also more
picky and spent more time considering possible mates.
The findings suggest that "poor diets [during early life] have an
effect on the way cockroaches respond to their environment and
cannot be reset later on," Moore said.
OSA, and 139 matched control children.
They combined that data with information from
medical records, including age, gender, height,
weight, frequency of bedwetting, history of
snoring, diabetes, nasal allergies, and/or
enlarged tonsils.
According to Barone and colleagues, there was
a significant association between both
bedwetting and overweight and OSA.
Bedwetting raised the likelihood of OSA more
than fivefold and being overweight raised the
likelihood of OSA more than fourfold. However,
their associations are independent of each
other, the researchers note. Barone's team
suggests that doctors consider OSA in
overweight children who wet the bed,
especially when they display other symptoms of
OSA or fail to respond to standard bedwetting
treatment programs.
SOURCE: Pediatrics, July 2009.
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