First Stem Cell Study for Spinal Injuries Begin

Recently, the U.S. had approved the controversial issue on stem cell research to start back up again. A U.S. biotech company says it plans to start this summer the world's first study of a treatment based on human stem cells aimed at helping spinal cord injury. They had recently gotten federal permission to inject eight to ten patients within two weeks of their injury, with cells derived from embryonic cells. All of the patients will be paraplegics, who can use their arms but cannot walk. What the doctors are hoping for is signs of improvement, like return of sensation or movement of legs. Whatever the outcome is, the study will mark a new chapter in the controversial history of stem cell research in the United States.

Obama Inauguration

Just yesterday, america had just inaugurated our new president Barack Obama. The long awaited day has finally come after the November election. Nobody knows what lies ahead for the president and what lies in the future. The only thing we know is that he will try his best to fufill his duties.

I had read an article about president Obama's inauguration on www.nbc.com which had clearly shown how people's life has been changed by this historic moment. The reporter had mainly spoken to people at the national mall and people on their way there. Many different stories and views came from many different people. For just about everyone interviewed this had changed their life greatly both emotionally and mentally. One of the quotes the reporter had taken from an 86 year old World War II veteran who was one of the first black military airman said,"my heart had skipped a beat", as Michelle Obama walked to the platform. To me this article says most people are looking forward to some change in the U.S. and are having high expectations of President Obama.

The second article I had read about Obama's inauguration was from www.usatoday.com which had covered Obama on the day of his Inauguration. From a long train ride to being sworn in, Obama had a long but fufilling day. It was pointed out that Obama uses the word change not just for a catchy buzzword, but as a moral. A quote that greatly supports that is, "I believed that our future is our choice, and that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everyone together — Democrats, Republicans and independents; North, South, East and West; black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American; gay and straight; disabled and not — then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearned for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process," said Obama in his Inauguration. This article basically compares Obama to day one to being inaugurated and how he expresses the issues and the opinions of America.

In my opinion, I think Obama will become a great forty-fourth president. Just as most people, I am enthusiastic about his presidency and his plans for America. We know things will not get better fast but in time everything will be fixed.

Third Hand Smoke

In recent scientific discoveries, there is a type of new health hazard called third hand smoke. This was found out by using a tool to measure exposure to tobacco products including second hand smoke. Third hand smoke refers to tobacco smoke contamination that remains a while after the cigarette has been smoked. Now the toxins and chemicals stay on materials such as hair, clothing, inside cars, carpets, beds, sofas and curtains. Although this is a discovered health hazard, it is a distinct one. Until now, more than fifty percent of smokers were unaware of the hazard caused.