UNC Research - Young Men's Thoughts on HIV Testing

Researchers from UNC Chapel Hill are recruiting participants for an online survey to learn more about what some young men in NC think about HIV testing.

Eligible participants receive a $20 gift card. http://ow.ly/3rCwFc

Jamaican Government Announces Radical Changes in Drug Laws

Pressure has been growing in Jamaica in recent years for the legalisation of marijuana and it looks like a major change is on its way! The economy may be on its way to a MAJOR turnaround! 

The Justice Minister Mark Golding said the cabinet was supporting a proposal to allow possession of up to two ounces (57 grams) of marijuana, known locally as "ganja.".

Mr Golding also said marijuana would be decriminalised for religious, medicinal and scientific purposes.

It is expected parliament will approve the changes by September.

"I wish to stress that the proposed changes to the law are not intended to promote or give a stamp of approval to the use of ganja for recreational purposes," said Mr Golding.

"The objective is to provide a more enlightened approach to dealing with possession of small quantities."

Correspondents say the government plans are a major victory for Jamaica's Rastafarian movement, which considers ganja sacred.

Recent changes in drug laws in countries like Uruguay or in American states such as Colorado have also given impetus to campaigns by local farmers and some politicians for the legalisation of marijuana.

"It is not only wrong but also foolhardy to continue with a law that makes it illegal to posses ganja and its derivatives for medicinal purposes," Mr Golding said.

Angela Brown Burke, Kingston's mayor, said recently: "The time has come to provide an opportunity for Jamaicans to benefit from the marijuana industry."

Correspondents say many Jamaicans believe the decriminalisation of the drug for medicinal and scientific purposes could bring important economic benefits to the island.

Jamaica's economy has suffered from slow growth, high unemployment and high debt for the last two decades, according to the World Bank.

(Source: BBC News Online. 09/14/14)

No More Blood Clots, PLEASE!

This one is for a dear friend of mine....  

Changing your diet helps. Consider a diet of high fiber and low in saturated fats. Also, increase your fruit and vegetable intake. 

If you are preparing your own meals, consider preparing meals with foods and spices which have natural blood-thinning properties (salicylates) such as oranges, honey, cayenne, paprika, curry, ginger, thyme, turmeric, peppermint and the not-so-favorite licorice. 

Your cooking oil of choice should be a selection from vegetable oils such as corn, safflower, soy, palm, canola or sunflower oil. 

Fish! You may not like anchovies but they also help to prevent blood clots. Anchovies are a source of omega-3s, which help to reduce blood clots. Other fatty fish to consider are salmon, lake trout, herring and mackerel. Fish oil is also a rich source of omega-3s. 

Try what I call summer salads! You can have a summer salad year round. Include blood thinning fruits such as strawberries, oranges, grapes, blueberries and cranberries. You may throw in additional helpers such as raisins and prunes - I just can't eat them! 

Prepare your own dressing using a bit of cayenne pepper and/or ginger along with apple cider vinegar - you may experiment with other spices such as lemon salt, or whatever your taste fancies. 

A glass of wine also helps, if you want that manly drink - try a Moscow mule (with muddled ginger). 

Where's your Vitamin E? This is also a blood thinner and is found in nuts such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts and lentils such as chickpeas. It's also found in oats and wheat - so if you must do bread go for the brown! 

Foods to avoid! 

Avoid foods rich in vitamin K. These are green and leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, lettuce and asparagus. Stay away from fruits such as peaches and bananas.