In the News

Compiled by Amanda Stiver

Libraries in Use
According to a recent survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, 53 percent of U.S. adults said they visited a library in 2007, and the biggest user group was Generation Y, ages 18 to 30. The study found that those who use the Internet were more than twice as likely to frequent libraries as those who did not. As a result, public libraries have increased their online resources and software to appeal to this new demographic.

Interestingly, a 1996 survey of young adults found that most saw libraries becoming less important in the future. "Scroll forward 10 years and their younger brothers and sisters are now the most avid library users," said Lee Rainie, coauthor of the new survey (Julie Vorman, "Generation Y Biggest User of Libraries Survey," Reuters, Dec. 30, 2007).

High Caffeine—Dangerous Consequences
Many high-caffeine "energy" drinks containing double or triple the amount of caffeine found in traditional soda are causing near heart attack conditions in some young people.

Doctors are finding more and more young patients who need to be treated after drinking too many "energy" drinks on dares, to stay awake to study or to stay up and play video games. Symptoms like dizziness, fainting, dehydration, heart palpitations, seizures and excessive heart rate are resulting in emergency room visits and sometimes death.

MySpace and YouTube users who feature videos about the drinks and their excessive consumption on their pages have served to augment the trend (Katharine Mieszkowski, "Spiked!" Reader's Digest, July 2007).

The biblical principle of moderation in all things (Philippians 4:5, King James Version) should especially include substances such as caffeine that can dramatically affect one's state of mind. Relying on caffeine drinks for energy instead of adequate sleep and a balanced diet can lead to serious consequences.

Parents, Kids and the Internet
The Pew Internet and American Life Project found that 59 percent of Americans with children ages 12 to 17 think the Internet has a positive effect on their lives, a drop from 67 percent in a similar survey in 2006.

Amanda Lenhart, a senior research specialist, said of parents: "They are realizing the Internet is something with good and bad things...Time use is seen as problematic for reasons related to obesity, but parents are more concerned about keeping their children sheltered and safe from a lot of the images and things that come through the content on the Internet."

The survey also found that children saw computers and gadgets as more helpful to their lives than parents did. Among parents, mothers were more likely to praise technology (Anick Jesdanun "Study: Parents More Ambivalent About Net," Associated Press, Oct. 24, 2007).

Tech Manners Matter
In the invariably invasive era of cell phones and other digital paraphernalia, how does one master good manners?

Marian McEvoy, hostess and etiquette writer, suggests a few guidelines for keeping the peace between cell phones and friends ("Tech Etiquette," Domino, November 2007):

• When visiting friends, don't greet your host while on the phone, never answer a call at the dining table and leave your cell phone in another room during the meal to avert the temptation to answer.

• Avoid chronic texting because the reason for accepting an invitation is to spend time with one's friends—hard to do if host or guest is constantly tapping texts. McEvoy suggests asking texting guests to do their typing in another part of the house since they are not inclined to mingle.

• Finally, in the case of thank-you notes, love letters, apologies, invitations, congratulations and condolences, opt for a written missive that includes a salutation and a signature. To those born before the digitized age, text messaging shorthand and emoticons are confusing. So make use of the beauty and delights of longhand language and practice your penmanship!

Adequate Sleep May Reduce Childhood Obesity
Recent research analyzed by University of Michigan doctors finds that third graders who got adequate sleep at night, about 9 1/ 2, were less likely to be in the obese weight category by the time they were in the sixth grade.

Lack of sleep in adults results in increased ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite, and decreased leptin, the hormone that promotes fullness. The overall impact of this condition produces increased weight. Tiredness in kids also may lead to less exercise and more munching.

In the study, of the children who got 10 to 12 hours of sleep a night, about 12 percent were obese by sixth grade. Of those who got less than nine hours a night, 22 percent were obese in the sixth grade (Carla Johnson, "Lack of Sleep May Lead to Fatter Kids," Associated Press, Nov. 5, 2007).

Digital Library Carves Out Shelf Space
An ambitious new project intends to produce the largest digital library ever attempted and in seven languages: English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese. The composite venture includes the participation of the U.S. Library of Congress, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and six other libraries, including the national libraries of Egypt, Brazil and Russia.

The digital library Web site will provide searches by time, geographical location, topic and format, and the ability to narrow results by resources such as books, photographs, movies or recordings. The site will be ready for use by late 2008 or early 2009 at www.worlddigitallibrary.org (John Ward Anderson, "Checking Out Tomorrow's Library," The Washington Post, Oct. 17, 2007).

Activity-Oriented Electronic Games
Electronic game makers are developing products that promote activity and physical action. The concept capitalizes on the popularity of the game Dance Dance Revolution, which requires participants to step on the panels of a platform according to the direction of lighted arrows, creating dance steps. Some schools even use the game in physical education classes (Ann Pleshette Murphy, "Games to Keep the Kids Active," USA Weekend, Dec. 14-16, 2007).

It's important to get exercise—and during the winter we are often confined mostly to indoor workouts. Yet as it gets warmer, getting some fresh-air exercise and discovering the better-than-virtual reality of the natural world can help promote good health as well as appreciation of God's incredible creation. Even in the winter we can spend time outdoors when it's not too cold.

There's Petroleum in That?
The rising price of gasoline is frequently in the news these days, but it's easy to forget the other items made from petroleum. One expert suggested that 70 percent of products in a supermarket have some form of petroleum by-product in the item itself or in the packaging.

For instance, petroleum can often be found in antiseptics, baby strollers, balloons, bandages, cameras, clothing, computers, dentures, deodorant, food preservatives, glue, ink, medical equipment, shampoo, toothpaste and vitamin capsules, among other things.

In fact, in the United States, from each 42-gallon barrel of oil 34 gallons go to fuels of various kinds, while the rest goes to produce ingredients for products like those in the above list (Paul Wilson, "Gusher of Goods Made With Crude," The Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 5, 2008).

The price of oil contributes to the cost of more things than just fuel—something to ponder the next time you pick up a tube of toothpaste!

Abortion and Breast Cancer Linked
A new study from the United Kingdom connects abortion with increased risk for breast cancer. The study is based on data from Britain, Ireland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Finland and Denmark.

Abortion, particularly in a woman who has never given birth, results in disrupted hormonal cycles and breast cells that are more susceptible to cancer. Other factors that are said to raise the risk of breast cancer are the use of hormonal contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy (Sylvia Hubbard, "Breast Cancer Epidemic Linked to Abortion," Newsmax.com, Nov. 7, 2007).

Hyperactivity and Diet
A new study from the United Kingdom has found that common food dyes as well as the food preservative sodium benzoate can increase hyperactivity in children. The study is so authoritative that the Food Standards Agency of Britain recently issued a statement advising parents to limit the intake of food additives to their children if there are any signs their behavior is affected.

The study showed that sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in soft drinks, fruit juices and salad dressings, can encourage hyperactivity (Sylvia Hubbard, "Study Shows Hyperactivity Linked to Diet," Newsmax.com, Sept. 24, 2007).

God made a plentiful variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cereals and dairy products to be enjoyed in moderation. Eating these and avoiding overly preserved and processed food is certainly a delicious way to help prevent hyperactivity.