Monday, December 3, 2012

Explainer: Why was pregnant duchess hospitalized?

LONDON (AP) ? While morning sickness in pregnant women is common, the problem the Duchess of Cambridge has been hospitalized with is not.

In a statement Monday, palace officials said she was hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum, a potentially dangerous type of morning sickness where vomiting is so severe no food or liquid can be kept down. Palace officials said the duchess was expected to remain hospitalized for several days and would require a period of rest afterwards.

"It's not unusual for pregnant women to get morning sickness, but when it gets to the point where you're dehydrated, losing weight or vomiting so much you begin to build up (toxic) products in your blood, that's a concern," said Dr. Kecia Gaither, director of maternal fetal medicine at Brookdale University and Medical Center in New York.

The condition is thought to affect about one in 50 pregnant women and tends to be more common in young women, women who are pregnant for the first time, those expecting multiple babies and in non-smokers. Gaither said that fewer than one percent of women with the condition need to be hospitalized.

Doctors aren't sure what causes it but suspect it could be linked to hormonal changes or nutritional problems.

Women admitted to the hospital with hyperemesis gravidarum are usually treated with nutritional supplements and given fluids intravenously to treat dehydration. Dr. Dagni Rajasingam, a spokeswoman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said most women hospitalized with the condition are discharged within several days.

"It depends on how well the woman is keeping fluids down," she said.

If the problem is recognized and treated early, doctors say there are no long-term effects for either the mother or the child. Left untreated, the mother could be at risk of developing neurological problems ? including seizures ? or risk delivering the baby early.

Gaither said the condition usually subsides by the second trimester.

"The rest of the pregnancy could be entirely uneventful," she said, adding that pregnant women treated for the condition are usually advised to avoid fatty foods that could aggravate the problem.

Gaither said the duchess would probably be able to meet her usual royal obligations by her second trimester.

"She should be able to meet all her public obligations soon," she said, advising her to take her vitamins and ensure there are no other underlying health problems. "She should just be looking forward to having a healthy little plump person."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/explainer-why-pregnant-duchess-hospitalized-172733420.html

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Chiefs Beat Panthers 27-21 At Somber Arrowhead Stadium

  • Kansas City Chiefs players greet fans as they exit the tunnel before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

  • Ndamukong Suh, Donald Brown

    Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, right, stops Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown (31) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Greg Zuerlein

    St. Louis Rams kicker Greg Zuerlein (4) watches his 54-yard field goal during overtime of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in St. Louis. The field goal gave the Rams a 16-13 victory. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

  • Calvin Johnson

    Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) puts the ball over the goalpost after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Members of the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers pray together following an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Chiefs won 27-21. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

  • Leon Washington, Sherrick McManis

    Seattle Seahawks running back Leon Washington (33) is tackled by Chicago Bears defensive back Sherrick McManis (27) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

  • Rob Housler, Calvin Pace

    Arizona Cardinals tight end Rob Housler (84) is tackled by New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

  • Jake Locker, Whitney Mercilus

    Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) is sacked for a 1-yard loss by Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus (59) in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Joique Bell

    Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) is upended by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • Bill Belichick, Jim Howey

    New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick argues a call with head linesman Jim Howey during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Miami. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

  • Chris Clemons, Aaron Hernandez

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  • Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall

    Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate Brandon Marshall (15) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

  • Tom Brady

    New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) leaves the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Miami . (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

  • Greg McElroy, Konrad Reuland

    New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) is lifted by teammate Konrad Reuland after throwing a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeff Cumberland during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

  • CJ Spiller, Dawan Landry

    Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars' Dawan Landry (26) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

  • Louis Murphy, Jalil Brown

    Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy (83) reaches the ball across the goal line while tackled by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jalil Brown (30) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

  • Kellen Davis, Red Bryant, Matt Forte

    Chicago Bears tight end Kellen Davis (87) blocks Seattle Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant (79) as Bears running back Matt Forte (22) rushes in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Lovie Smith, Jay Cutler

    Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith throws a red flag to review a touchdown play in the second half against the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The ruling went in favor of the Bears. Looking on is Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Matt Forte, Bobby Wagner

    Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) scores on a pass from quarterback Jay Cutler (6) past Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) in the second half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall

    Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) celebrates his touchdown reception with teammate Brandon Marshall (15) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Stevie Johnson

    Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson (13) celebrates a touchdown catch with fans during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

  • William Powell, Ellis Lankster

    Arizona Cardinals running back William Powell (33) leaps over New York Jets defensive back Ellis Lankster during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Josh Norman, Jon Baldwin

    Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jon Baldwin (89) is tackled in the end zone by Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the second half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

  • Jorvorskie Lane, Jerod Mayo

    Miami Dolphins fullback Jorvorskie Lane fumbles the ball as he is tackled by New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Miami. The Dolphins recovered the ball. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

  • Haruki Nakamura

    Carolina Panthers free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) jumps over the pile during a goal line stance in the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

  • Mario Williams

    Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) knocks the ball away from Jacksonville Jaguars' Chad Henne (7) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Williams recovered the fumble on the play. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

  • Chad Henne, Kyle Moore

    Jacksonville Jaguars' Chad Henne (7) runs for a touchdown as Buffalo Bills defensive end Kyle Moore (54) chases him into the end zone during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

  • Wes Welker

    New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker (83) runs for a touchdown as Miami Dolphins defensive back R.J. Stanford (25) cannot catch up during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Miami . (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)

  • Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson breaks away for a 48-heard run during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

  • Brady Quinn

    Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn (9) gestures after a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

  • Arian Foster

    Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) blows a kiss to the crowd after scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard run against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson breaks a for an 82-yard touchdown run during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

  • James Jones

    ADDS THAT THE PLAY WAS CALLED BACK ON A HOLDING CALL - Minnesota Vikings cornerback A.J. Jefferson cannot stop Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones (89) from crossing the goal line after catching a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. The play was called back on a holding call. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

  • Coby Fleener, DeAndre Levy, Louis Delmas

    Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80), defended by Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas (26) and linebacker DeAndre Levy (54), falls into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • C.J. Spiller, Aaron Ross

    Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs past Jacksonville Jaguars' Aaron Ross (31) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

  • Aldon Smith, Sam Bradford, Barry Richardson

    San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith, center, sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, left, for a 6-yard loss while Rams tackle Barry Richardson, right, tries to block Smith during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

  • Mikel Leshoure

    Detroit Lions running back Mikel Leshoure (25) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • James Casey

    Houston Texans fullback James Casey (86) scores a touchdown on a 5-yard pass reception against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Joe Howell)

  • Steve Smith, Neiko Thorpe

    Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) celebrates after making a touchdown catch while covered by Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Neiko Thorpe (38) during the first half of an NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

  • Specatators use bags over their heads while watching the first half of an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Steve Smith, Ron Torbert

    Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) makes a touchdown catch in front of side judge Ron Torbert (62) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

  • Bruce Miller, Colin Kaepernick

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) throws to fullback Bruce Miller, left, during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

  • Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)

  • Earl Bennett

    Chicago Bears wide receiver Earl Bennett (80) dives for a touchdown after a 12-yard pass reception against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The play was ruled a touchdown after a review. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

  • Donnie Avery, LaVon Brazill

    Indianapolis Colts wide receiver LaVon Brazill (15) jumps in the air as wide receiver Donnie Avery runs into the end zone for a touchdown as time runs out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Colts won 35-33. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

  • J.T. Thomas, Michael Bush

    Chicago Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas (97) and running back Michael Bush (29) leave the field after the Bears' 23-17 loss in overtime to the Seattle Seahawks overtime in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

  • Mark Sanchez

    New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez talks during a post-game news conference after of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jets won 7-6. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

  • Demaryius Thomas, Ronde Barber

    Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Ronde Barber (20) in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)

  • Sidney Rice

    Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sidney Rice (18) leaves the field after scoring the winning touchdown in the Seahawks' 23-17 overtime win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game in Chicago, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

  • Ike Taylor, Torrey Smith

    Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor, right, breaks up a pass intended for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith during the first half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

  • Eric Decker, E.J. Biggers

    Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) is upended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback E.J. Biggers (31) in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

  • Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/02/chiefs-panthers-27-21-arrowhead-stadium_n_2228495.html

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    Productivity in mining a disaster: BIS | WA Business News

    The mining sector's labour productivity is a disaster that will block much future job growth in the industry, says a new report.

    Pressure from lower commodity prices, high and rising costs and the lowest labour productivity in a generation had ignited a new war on costs within the mining sector, said economic forecasters BIS Shrapnel in their Mining in Australia 2012-2027 report.

    However, that would not threaten a forecast boom in mining production over the next decade, the report says.

    Growth in employment will not keep pace with the expansion in production as miners seek to restore productivity lost during the furious race to invest in new capacity since the mid-2000s, said BIS infrastructure and mining unit senior manager Adrian Hart.

    Mining only represents about two per cent of the Australian workforce.

    While employment in mining had doubled since the mid-2000s, lower levels of construction and increased productivity through the next five years are forecast to see it peak at 315,000 jobs by 2016 before a decline, the report said.

    "Labour productivity in the mining sector is an absolute disaster," Mr Hart said in the report.

    "It is now 60 per cent off its peak in 2000/01 - when miners had to respond to the Asian financial crisis and then a global downturn - and is at its weakest level since 1987.

    The productivity "war" has led to a blame game between miners, governments and unions about whether management, workers or the Fair Work Act were to blame for inefficiencies in output.

    Mining services industry contractors are already feeling the heat, with Boart Longyear and MacMahon Holdings cutting earnings, suffering share price slides and recently replacing their chief executives.

    Miners were taking a tough approach with contractors, suppliers and governments to reduce costs, improve productivity and restore competitiveness, said BIS.

    The bigger miners were striking tougher bargains contractors, bringing work in-house and shelving projects.

    It was not all bad news, Mr Hart said.

    "Miners will ramp up production from new mines and expansions to offset lower commodity prices," he said.

    The report forecast annual average production growth of 7.3 per cent to 2016/17, lifting its share of GDP to 9.1 per cent.

    The increase in production is regarded by industry experts as well as the Reserve Bank as the third phase of the mining boom.

    The first was the rise in prices, regarded as having peaked in 2011, with the second phase of investment predicted to peak in 2013-14.

    Source: http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/article/Productivity-in-mining-a-disaster-BIS

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    Counselor: Manning's history showed self-harm risk

    FORT MEADE, Md. (AP) ? An Army private charged with sending U.S secrets to the website WikiLeaks had a history of suicidal thoughts and aloof behavior that outweighed a psychiatrist's opinion that he was no risk to intentionally hurt himself, a former counselor testified Sunday.

    Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Jordan testified on the sixth day of a pretrial hearing for Pfc. Bradley Manning at Fort Meade, near Baltimore. The hearing is to determine whether Manning's nine months in pretrial confinement at the Marine Corps brig in Quantico, Va., were so punishing that the judge should dismiss all charges. The 24-year-old intelligence analyst is accused of sending hundreds of thousands of classified documents to the secret-spilling website in 2009 and 2010.

    Jordan, a former counselor at Quantico, sat on a board that recommended to the brig commander in January 2011 that Manning remain in maximum custody and on injury-prevention status ? conditions that kept him confined to his cell 23 hours a day.

    Jordan said under cross-examination by defense attorney David Coombs that besides the mental-health report, he considered evidence that Manning had contemplated suicide six to eight months earlier after his arrest in Iraq. The evidence included a noose Manning had fashioned from a bedsheet while confined in Kuwait, and a written statement he made upon arrival at Quantico in July 2010 that he was "always planning and never acting" on suicidal impulses.

    Jordan acknowledged Manning had been a polite, courteous and nearly trouble-free detainee at Quantico.

    "Wouldn't his past six months of performance be an indicator of his potential for future behavior?" Coombs asked. But Jordan maintained that Manning's unwillingness to converse with him and other brig staff was a warning sign he was at risk of self-harm.

    Jordan said he considered the opinion of the brig psychiatrist, Navy Capt. William Hocter, that Manning was no longer at risk of self-harm. But Jordan said the weight he gave to Hocter's views was diminished because another detainee had recently killed himself after his custody status was reduced on Hocter's advice.

    "I would consider it, but I would always consider it with care, sir," he told Coombs.

    Earlier Sunday, the military judge said Manning's trial, previously set to begin Feb. 4, would be pushed back to sometime in March due to lengthy pretrial proceedings.

    The hearing on Manning's confinement was to recess Sunday and resume Wednesday.

    Manning is charged with 22 offenses, including aiding the enemy, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/counselor-mannings-history-showed-self-harm-risk-175239354.html

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    Saturday, December 1, 2012

    Suu Kyi decries crackdown that injured protesters

    MONYWA, Myanmar (AP) ? Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has publicly criticized the forcible crackdown on protesters at a mine in northwestern Myanmar, saying the public needs an explanation of the violence that injured dozens, including Buddhist monks.

    More than 10,000 people heard Suu Kyi speak Friday morning in a nearby village about the Letpadaung copper mine.

    Protesters say it is causing environmental and social problems and occupied the project for 11 days before the crackdown.

    Police used water cannons, tear gas and smoke bombs early Thursday to disperse the protest. Their weapons caused severe burns to protesters and set their makeshift shelters ablaze.

    A nurse at a Monywa hospital said 27 monks and one other person were admitted there to be treated for burns.

    Source: http://news.yahoo.com/suu-kyi-decries-crackdown-injured-protesters-054911106.html

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    Leaders Of LACMA's Art Museum Council Quit En Masse Over Fee Hikes

    latimes.com:

    Diana Gutman, chairwoman of the Art Museum Council at LACMA, says the group's 40-member board has voted unanimously to stop volunteering at the museum next year because of its plans to triple council members' fees.?

    Read the whole story: latimes.com

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    Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/30/leaders-of-lacmas-art-mus_n_2217175.html

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    Research in Southern India provides a sweet look at preservation of ecological knowledge

    ScienceDaily (Nov. 30, 2012) ? A well-known proverb states that, "It takes a village to raise a child." According to Kathryn Demps, it also takes a village to preserve ecological knowledge in upcoming generations.

    Demps, A Boise State University visiting assistant professor in anthropology, studies behavioral and evolutionary ecology in small-scale societies. Her latest project looks at the honey-gathering Jenu Kuruba tribe in South India and how its cultural knowledge is being preserved, or lost, in our modern world.

    "What we learn from others -- our culture, skills, values, beliefs and knowledge -- is passed through the generations," she said. "How it is passed down can change the body of knowledge."

    Demps noted that in today's race toward homogenous societies, indigenous knowledge is being lost even faster than languages.

    One example is medicinal specialists. In the 1980s, the first hospital in the area populated by the Jenu Kuruba opened; 1985 was the last year for a recorded medicinal ceremony. Gurus didn't train more apprentices because no one wanted to learn, and as a result, the knowledge has been completely lost in just one generation.

    The Jenu Kuruba comprise a band of small communities located in the forested Kodagu District. For generations, young men from the tribe have collected wild honey by nimbly scaling massive trees. Because honey is in such high demand in the cities for its purported medicinal qualities, it fetches a high price and is an important part of the local economy.

    But the skills needed to harvest this precious commodity are at risk of dying out. Several former honey-gathering communities were moved away from the forests in an attempt to create national parks, and those that remain (thanks to special rights from the government to live in the forest and collect non-timber products) are now sending children to school during the day, drastically affecting how, or even if, they learn necessary honey-gathering skills.

    Prior to construction of the local school in the 1970s, children rarely received a formal, western education. While the average level of education is still low, most children are spending at least a few critical years learning new skills at the expense of traditional, indigenous knowledge.

    "Kids need to learn how to climb trees and how to make big, smoky torches from sticks wrapped in green leaves," Demps said. "They have to learn to climb onto the branches and cut off the honeycomb. There also are ritual things like the honey-collecting song that is supposed to appease the bees and show brotherhood."

    Locals learn at an early age to scale trees by shimmying 100 feet up the trunk, pressing their feet flat into the bark and using their arms to pull themselves ever higher. Young boys pick this up by playing a traditional climbing game called mara cothi, which means "tree monkey" and is similar to an arboreal version of tag. Because the climb can be so dangerous, young men often leave offerings at the base of a tree, asking for a blessing for a safe climb.

    More skilled gatherers also need to know how to work with the bees, coaxing the queen into a new hive, gathering the honey or calming a troubled colony. This is especially important given that the largest honeybees in the region are massive compared to the average Idaho varieties, and pack a powerful sting.

    Demps and fellow researchers are evaluating data collected from almost 200 local residents ages 6-65 in order to understand what residents know at various ages, and who they learned it from.

    "If we know what people are learning, and how they are learning it, we can make recommendations that may remove conflicts affecting traditional knowledge," Demps said. "For instance, giving children just five or six days a month off of school can make a big difference. That has been shown to be enough time for children to learn the skills they need to collect honey but still learn western knowledge. They also can learn how to collect forest foods for better nutrition as they are out hunting and gathering, as well as medicinal knowledge and how to manage the environment so that they are less likely to deforest the area."

    Demps has published two papers based on her research and is working on another based on traditional knowledge and schooling. She hopes to eventually write a book examining the tribe's traditional life ways that draws on various firsthand accounts over the past two centuries.

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    The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Boise State University, via Newswise.

    Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.


    Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

    Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

    Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/mind_brain/child_development/~3/gqXnVqpw0t4/121130151610.htm

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