News
scientists pose potential cure for alzheimer's disease
by: crystal griffiths
For over a century, Alzheimer’s disease has plagued America’s elderly population with fear.
With no known cure, scientists have gone through trial and error to fix one of the most debilitating neurological diseases.
Though recently, scientists have made a breakthrough that could provide Alzheimer’s patients with a treatment.
Xenon gas is commonly used throughout different scientific fields ranging from space craft to pharmaceuticals.
Medical scientists have long implemented it into their practice through machinery and medicine, but its use has recently been expanded to the brain.
Through studying mental disorders like depression, Xenon was discovered to easily breakthrough the blood-brain barrier, a membrane that surrounds the brain’s blood vessels and acts as a shield to keep safe from infection.
This process allows the gas to alleviated disordered symptoms.
But because of the barrier’s natural efficiency, it’s posed an issue for scientists as there is no way to overcome it with most drugs, the main reason why neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's have gone untreated for so long.
The new research on its ability to affect the conditions of neurological disorders has posed the question of its chances at curing Alzheimer’s.
To conduct the experiments, scientists gathered a group of mice to test the gas on.
Results showed that the Xenon gas protected microglia cells, which largely make up the brain’s immune defense.
A researcher at Harvard Medical School, Oleg Butovsky, comments, “It is a very novel discovery showing that simply inhaling an inert gas can have such a profound neurological effect.”
It also proved to lessen decay and inflammation of the brain, linked to amyloid plaque.
Amyloid plaque is a buildup of protein which turns excessive and clumpy in the case of Alzheimer's disease.
Through its eradication, the main cause of Alzheimer's can be prevented.
With the success of the mice trial, researchers have gone to prepare for its testing in humans. Author reporting on the new experiment, Howard Weiner, suggests, “If the clinical trial goes well, the opportunities for the use of xenon gas are great.
”Within the coming months, a Phase I Trial is set to be in operation. What scientists expect could easily break barriers for the field of study and cure one of the most neurologically devastating diseases known.
If the treatment succeeds, patients will be treated simply with an inhalation device.
Butovsky proposes, “Everything in the paper is beautiful, but the final verdict will be after a Phase 2 clinical trial. If it reaches its end point with a positive effect on biomarkers andcognition, this is going to be very big.”
bear necessities:525 pound bruin takes refuge under altadena house amid eaton fire
by:nyanna counts
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In the aftermath of the devastating Eaton Fire that ravaged parts of Los Angeles County in January 2025, residents returning to their homes faced numerous challenges.
Among the most unexpected was the discovery of a massive 525-pound black bear seeking shelter beneath a house in Altadena.
The Eaton Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, in the foothills north of Altadena and Pasadena.
Fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, the blaze rapidly consumed over 14,000 acres, destroying nearly 10,000 structures and resulting in at least 17 fatalities. Communities were forced to evacuate, leaving behind homes and habitats in the fire's path.
Upon returning to his home after the evacuation orders were lifted, Altadena resident Samy Arbid received startling news from utility workers.
They informed him that power restoration efforts were impeded by an enormous bear occupying the crawl space beneath his house.
Arbid recounted, "We ended up putting a ring camera with a light on it under the crawlspace and found out we have a giant bear under there."
The bear, affectionately dubbed "Berry" by locals, likely sought refuge under the home to escape the encroaching flames and chaos of the Eaton Fire.
Wildlife experts suggest that such behavior is not uncommon during wildfires, as animals flee their natural habitats in search of safety. Arbid speculated, "I think during the fire he pretty much stayed in there. I think he was scared.
"The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) was called in to address the situation.
Given Berry's substantial size, tranquilization was deemed unfeasible. Instead, officials devised a plan to lure the bear out using a smorgasbord of enticing foods, including rotisserie chicken, sardines, apples, and peanut butter.
CDFW Environmental Scientist Kevin Howells noted, "They made a feast for him."
The strategy proved successful.
Within minutes of placing the bait near the crawlspace opening, Berry emerged and entered a trap set by the team.
He was subsequently transported to theAngeles National Forest, where he underwent a welfare check, was fitted with a GPS collar for monitoring, and was released back into the wild.
Following Berry's relocation, Arbid took steps to secure his property by bear-proofing the crawlspace to prevent future intrusions.
The CDFW advises residents in bear-prone areas to proactively seal potential entry points, especially before winter months when bears seekdenning sites. "In the foothills of bear country, it's important to close crawl spaces with bear-proof material in ...
”The encounter between Samy Arbid and Berry the bear serves as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness between humans and wildlife, particularly in regions susceptible to natural disasters.
As wildfires continue to pose threats, understanding and preparing for the movements and behaviors of displaced animals become crucial components of community resilience and safety.
For a visual account of this incident, you can watch the following video: Family finds 525-pound bear in crawl space underneath home that survived Eaton Fire
Another plane crash going down in
Fullerton Furniture Warehouse
killing two and injuring 19
by: Chris rule, feb 7 2025
Another plane crash going down in Fullerton Furniture Warehouse killing two and injuring 19Reports reveal that the plane’s door was open before the crash.
On a Thursday afternoon January 2nd, a plane came crashing down in a furniture store in Fullerton California killing 2 and injuring 19.
Reports say that the door was seen open before the crash occurred.
The two victims consist of the pilot also known as Pascal Reid and his 16-year-olddaughter who was flying with him during the incident.
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The 19 injured all consist of workers who were working at the furniture warehouse at the time.
Before the Crash A witness who knew Reid claims that he saw Reid taxi the plane from his hangar in the southeast corner of the airport toward the runway.
While security footage also found that Reid’s pilot cabin door was open, reports said that “it was not flush with the fuselage,”.
It was only moments after takeoff that Reid contacted air traffic control saying that he required an emergency landing.
And although being asked to make a left turn Reid says he’ll just circle around to land on Runway 24.
"Once the airplane had departed the runway environment ... he realized its left door was open and up," the NTSB said, also reporting that a witness report states that "He saw an arm reach up and pull the door down.
By this time the airplane was far enough away that he could no longer discern what was happening, and he assumed the pilot was able to rectify the situation.
"Other witnesses, such as all of the pilots at the airport during the time, said that the plane was "flying lower than normal and banking aggressively left as it made the transition from downwind to base."
NTSB investigators said. "Three then saw the airplane roll aggressively again to the left for what they assumed was a turn to final, all stating that they could almost see the full wing profile, and were concerned it may stall.
The airplane then rolled right as its nose dropped, and dove toward the warehouse, where it collided in a fireball.
"While reports stated that witnesses saw a piece of the plane that looked panel like “flutter" or “floated” to the ground.
When the plane hit it struck a series of pallet rack frames loaded with foam and wood furniture material.
It was only until inspection of the crash site where the truth behind the accident was revealed.
The Door Modifications
Upon inspection on Reid’s plane, Investigators found that Reid made multiple modifications to the Door locking system, possibly causing the incident to occur in the first place.
Investigators learned Reid's plane kit was shipped either 2007 or 2008 and that he finally finished it in 2011 where the plane kit came with aluminum pins for its door locking system.
So many ask why "the use of solid steel locking pins rather than the kit-supplied aluminum pins, along with the replacement of the UHMW polythene door blocks with chamfered aluminum blocks.
"Additionally, the secondary safety latch had not been installed, and the door latch indicator system had been modified," NTSB officials said.
On a plane there is an LED lamp that turns on to warn the pilot that the door wasn't shut. But they found that on Reid's plane it "appeared that only two reed switches had been installed, with each mounted to the aft pillars of both doors.
As such, the modified system would not have warned the pilot if the forward latch pins had failed to fully engage.
When investigators arrived, they saw that pieces of the plane were scattered but almost all were inside the building.
With pieces like he fuselage being found on a pallet rack about6 feet above the ground with the forward cabin and most of the wings burned.
Other pieces such as the engine, fire wall, and instrument panel assembly were found about 40 feet away.
The only item of the plane that was not found in the building was the main cabin door which was found on the roof about 150 feet from the ground from the impact point investigators stated.
Kelly Reid Kelly Reid was only a junior Huntington Beach High School student who did many sports including flag football, soccer, and lacrosse.
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Her team saw her and will remember her as a positive teammate and a gifted player in her sports.
While her coach says she had a positive outlook on life, always being full of energy.
“Yesterday, our soccer family suffered an unimaginable loss,” the soccer team's Instagram post read.
“Kelly was an amazing girl...genuine and kind with such passion for life. Kelly was a natural caregiver and alwaysput others first.
She will be deeply missed. Her father was at every single game, always so proud of his daughter. Our love and prayers go out to Tara and Rebekah Reid.
”While the flag football post says “Kelly was the most loving teammate, friend, and a truly remarkable person who touched the lives of so many with her kindness and warmth.
Kelly was one of the most passionate athletes who strived for nothing but success in everything she did.
Playing three sports and excelling in all three.
She was a leader both on and off the field, mentoring many, as well as leaving a stamp on everyone she touched. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Kelly. You’ll always be in our hearts.
”Later on, Friday afternoon a vigil was held for both father and daughter at Friends Christian Church in Huntington Beach on Friday afternoon.
Change? As plane crashes continue to happen throughout this country is it fair to think there's room for change?
Could we avoid all of these deaths if we have stricter laws towards these potential death machines?
These are the questions being asked around the US as the death count continues to be raised.
How long until a plane crashes into a populated area and instead of just leaving them injured like this accident it causes their death.
Perhaps changes on the law as simple as making it where they have to check the pilot's plane before letting it go to the sky would have been enough to save Pascal Reid and Kelly Reid.
trump plans on taking over gaza
BY: Lizbeth Munoz 2 / 11 / 2025
​​​​​​​​​Reelected President Donald Trump has shocked the political world by revealing a contentious plan to seize control of Gaza, sparking intense discussions about the implications of the area and international ties.
The whole population wonders if this audacious plan could permanently alter the Middle East and how this change will affect world peace.
This topic is important because Trump has made an unanticipated decision that the United States can takeover all of Gaza. This will cause a dramatic shift in US policy that hasn’t happened in decades.
President Donald Trump has struck worldwide controversy and brought tension against theMiddle East.
Trump believes that his leadership style will have a great effect on resolving the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. He believes that, with his negotiation tactics, he would be able to bring sustainable peace to Gaza.
There has been a long-lasting war between the Palestinians and Israelis that has been long yet to be resolved. Although Israel has recently called a ceasefire on Palestine after all the damage that they have made for a long year.
Trump believes that Israel will continue to have war with Palestine, which is why he wants to take control over the city.
Trump has claimed that with little bits of the city being rebuilt, it would be a perfect place to shelter thousands of civilians.
Millions of buildings such as hospitals, houses, businesses, schools, and more, would be reconstructed and built better than ever before.
It would be huge for the Palestinian civilians, considering they are now living in surroundings of debris, no water, and collapsed buildings.
With Trump’s idea of rebuilding all of Gaza comes a long number of years considering the whole strip has been destroyed.
As he has considered this plan, he has tried to force Jordan and Egypt to let Palestinian residents into their countries, considering they will not be able to reside in Gaza while the construction is done.
However, he has said that Palestinians will not be able to return to Gaza if he were to take it over. Instead, he has planned to have other “safe communities” around Gaza for them to stay at.
“The U.S. will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll make sure that it’s done world-class.
It’ll be wonderful for the people — Palestinians, Palestinians mostly, we’re talking about.”
Trump said this at an evening news conference with the Israeli Prime Minister.
However, while Trump’s reasons for wanting to take control over Gaza may be logical, they have sparked much controversy within other political backgrounds. Why have so many international leaders rejected Trump’s proposal, and why is it so contentious?
Due to the large fact that this could spark an international law and reconstruct the entirety of Palestinian identities.
Trump has gained arguments from both the regional and international sides.
The 1948 Nakba event, when people were being expelled from their homes, left tons of Palestinians worried and filled them with upset emotions.
Leaving Gaza means leaving their entire city full of their history, which they have fought through and through to claim an identity for.
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Many of the residents would also be likely to be displaced and face the loss of many occupations.
This idea that Trump has planted amongst these Palestinians has left them with great worry, and they believe it is an attempt to eradicate Palestinians' rights to Gaza.
Many of them conclude that Trump is stripping them of their human rights by insisting that they will not be allowed back into Gaza.
Other regions that have denied Trump’s attempts to allow Palestinians into their countries have said that there would be an excess number of refugees.
This would be bad for them because the number of Palestinians entering would weaken their area.
With the widespread amount of opposition, it is unclear whether Trump’s plans can be enforced and what the outcome of Gaza would look like.
Considering the situation of Gaza, it is highly unlikely that Trump would be able to take this plan into effective action.
The United States has no claim whatsoever over Gaza that would involve military action.
This would spark immediate action amongst both the military and diplomatic discussions.
There is still a tremendous amount of worried people who fear Trump, considering he has put forth claims of taking over Greenland or the Panama Canal.
For Trump to take control, there would need to be a large military presence, and with the US having little to no force, it is unlikely to do this without conflict.
There have been propositions made by people that include short-term international peacekeeping to supervise Gaza’s transition. This situation is complicated because Israel still chooses not to play any part in regional governance.
Jordan and Egypt have stated multiple times that they are unlikely to take in big numbers of Palestinians, considering it will leave a dramatic overpopulation of the Palestinian species.
“Jordan has served as a humanitarian lifeline for civilians in Gaza throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict and already hosts millions of registered Palestinian refugees.”
The entire nation would deem this to be a violation of Palestinian Human Rights, and other countries would oppose the US. With the plans Trump wants to make, he still has yet more obstacles to come, but the potential effects on the peace process are still profound.
Trump’s controversial plan to have the US overthrow Gaza and relocate their citizens causes a fear of a possible hazardous change in the Middle Eastern Policy.
Even though he has justified his plan as the only way to reconstruct Gaza, the wider aspects of his proposal are quite concerning.
There are many challenges in putting this concept into practice, such as the opposition of other nearby countries, human rights, and international law.
It is unclear if Trump’s proposition will gain much more support or concernment.
Across the nation, there are a tremendous number of people that are watching to see if there will be a turning point in this conflict or if this will end up into a much worse situation.​​​​​​​​​​​​
indian governer offers $1 millioin to decipher ancient script
By: Crystal Griffiths, 2/9/2025
For a century, the Indus Valley Script has sat untouched in the modern world, an ancient testament to one of the earliest civilizations discovered.
Its mysterious markings are a popular topic among archaeologists as they’ve never been able to crack its complex imagery but shockingly simplistic characters.
Recently, the mystery surrounding the ancient texts caught the attention of the public after a $1 million prize was announced to the first to decipher it.
5,500 years ago, Harappans, who lived in the Indus Valley, occupied northwestern India and Pakistan.
The ancient society quickly became known as one of the earliest urban civilizations as its inhabitants lived in built-up cities and engaged in trade, though its sudden disappearance has left many questions, including what it left behind.
Unearthed in the 1920s, archaeologists found unfamiliar symbols and depictions of animals etched into stone slabs and tablets.
Today, a database keeping track of each has around 4,000 different inscriptions recorded, with the longest string of characters on a single artifact being 68.
With still no promising leads on what it could say, Indian state governor, M.K. Stalin, has offered a $1 million reward to anyone who can accurately crack it.
Researchers have already begun to pursue the challenge.Nisha Yadav at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, comments, “We still don’t know whether the signs are complete words, or part of words, or part of sentences.
”Others have found striking similarities to other languages, such as researchers K Rajan and Asko Parpola who published a study analyzing the parallels to south Indian graffiti.
Their work suggests that there might be a cultural and therefore linguistic link between the two.
Separate research implies that it could be related to Sumerian, a Mesopotamian language dating back to 6,000 years ago in present-day Iraq.
Significantly lesser-known languages have also been mentioned by researchers, such as Proto-Elamite, spoken 5,000 years ago in modern-day Iran.
Both include carved depictions of people or objects, though Sumerian relies mostly on short lines and paddle-like figures and Proto-Elamite leans more on imagery. Along with these suggestions, though, there also remains a possibility that the Indus script was simply made up.
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​​​​​​​The excitement over the language resembles several instances just over the past two years.
In 2024, a $750,000 prize was announced to anyone that could decipher scrolls from a fallen Pompeii library.
These had been buried under ash and rubble, therefore preserved for the time being, but attempting to uncurl them only led to their disintegration.But in late 2023, a trio of students won $700,000 after using AI to decipher ancient Greek texts.
About 5% of it has been successfully translated, but this progress gives hope to researchers of the current task who have also turned to AI.Professionals and the public alike have high hopes for what the Indus text could hold with just as much time and energy spent.
Leading Indologist, Asko Parpola, tells BBC, "The Indus script is perhaps the most important system of writing that is undeciphered.”
Linkedin Lawsuit over ai data usage
By: Genny Garcia , 2/5/2025
Artificial intelligence is everywhere. It powers recommendation algorithms on TikTok, generatesresponses in ChatGPT, and even helps students write papers, draft résumés, or prepare for job interviews.
As AI becomes more embedded in everyday life, one question looms large: How much of our personal data is being used to train these systems?
A recently dismissed lawsuit against LinkedIn has reignited concerns about privacy and transparency, particularly for students and young professionals who rely on digital platforms for career growth.
The lawsuit, filed by Alessandro De La Torre, accused LinkedIn of improperly using private messages from Premium users to train its AI models.
De La Torre alleged that LinkedIn violated its own privacypolicies by allowing AI systems to process user conversations without clear consent.LinkedIn denied these claims, and the case was dismissed just nine days after being filed, with the courtciting insufficient evidence. However, while LinkedIn emerged legally unscathed, the controversy raises abigger issue: Can users trust tech companies to be honest about how they handle personal data?
Let’s be honest, most people don’t read the private policies.
They’re long, filled with legal jargon, and constantly changing. In September 2023, LinkedIn quietly updated its privacy policy to include a new setting that allowed users to opt out of data sharing.
However, the policy also noted that data collected before the update might have already been used, creating confusion about what had been shared and whether past private messages had contributed to AI training.
This case highlights a growing concern in the digital age: many platforms collect vast amounts of user data, and the specifics of how it’s used often remain unclear.
For students and professionals using LinkedIn, this is especially alarming.
Many upload résumés, engage in private conversations with recruiters, and share professional insights, all under the assumption that their information is secure.
The possibility that these interactions could be mined for AI development—whether true or not—raises serious ethical questions. Eli Wade-Scott, a lawyer representing De La Torre, later stated that LinkedIn had provided evidence proving that private messages were not used for AI training.
"Users can take comfort, at least, that LinkedIn has shown us evidence that it did not use their private messages to do that," he said.
But the fact that such a lawsuit was even filed in the first place reflects a broader mistrust toward tech companies and their data practices.
For many students, LinkedIn is more than just a media platform, it’s a gateway to internships, mentorships, and job opportunities.
Unlike Instagram or Snapchat, where privacy concerns usually revolve around personal photos or messages, LinkedIn deals with sensitive professional data.
If AI models were being trained on private conversations, that could have serious consequences for users trying to maintain professional relationships or protect confidential job searches.
This lawsuit, while dismissed, highlights the importance of understanding how AI interacts with personal data. Every day, millions of students and professionals use AI tools without considering what happens behind the scenes.
Have you ever used ChatGPT to edit a résumé? Asked an AI assistant for interview advice?
The more AI integrates into career-building processes, the more crucial it becomes to question where it’s getting its information, and whether that includes our own private data.
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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This isn’t just a LinkedIn problem.
Other tech companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Meta, have faced scrutiny for how they collect and use user data.
In 2023, OpenAI was sued for allegedly scraping internet content, including personal information, to train ChatGPT.
Google has also been criticized focusing public web data to develop its AI models.
The issue is widespread, and as AI continues to evolve, the debate over data privacy will only intensify.
One of the biggest challenges in regulating AI is the speed at which technology is advancing.
Lawsuits like this one demonstrate that many legal systems are still catching up with the ethical and practical implications of AI.
While LinkedIn insists it did nothing wrong, the fact that a user felt compelled to take legal action signals a deeper problem: people don’t feel in control of their own digital information.
Should tech companies be required to disclose exactly how AI models are trained?
Should users have more say in what data can and cannot be used?
These are questions that lawmakers, tech leaders, and ethicists are still grappling with.
For students, this serves as a reminder to be proactive about digital privacy.
While platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Google make it easy to share and store personal information, it’s important to regularly review privacy settings, read updates to terms of service (or at least skim them), and stay informed about how AI is evolving.
Although the LinkedIn lawsuit was dismissed, it won’t be the last case of its kind. As AI technology grows more sophisticated, companies will likely continue to collect and analyze user data in new ways.
So what can students and professionals do to protect their privacy?
Reviewing privacy settings regularly, being cautious with AI-powered tools, staying informed about digital policies, and advocating for transparency are all crucial steps in staying ahead of potential risks.
While LinkedIn may have avoided legal repercussions in this case, the broader conversation about AI and data privacy is just beginning.
As young professionals increasingly integrate AI into their careers, staying informed and proactive about digital rights will be essential.In the end, the question isn’t just whether LinkedIn used private messages to train AI, it’s whether tech companies can be trusted to put users first in an era where data is more valuable than ever.
By; Crystal Griffiths
Southern California residents have recently been left on edge as they endure a calm spell, a rare occurrence after over a week of devastation.
Critical wind conditions and an exceptionally dry winter have recently set the L.A. region ablaze, catching the attention of the country, and quickly labelling the event as the worst fire the region has encountered.
Though, only up until recently has the community caught a small, potentially temporary, break from the chaos.
Hope has graced the region as wind speeds have died down and containment rates have shot up.
The Los Angeles Fire Department quickly updated the public, “We’ve had tremendous success in extinguishing the overall fire, as you also heard from our weather expert, we’re still in a weather pattern right now.”
Nonetheless, they urge the public to “stay vigilant” as a positive turnout remains unconfirmed.
Attitudes have continued to turn upwards as the safer conditions produced in-person aid and donations to the struggling community.
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​​​​​​Overwhelming generosity from charities and volunteer groups has exceeded what can be processed at this time.
Volunteers can be spotted around the area hauling cases of water to gathered citizens. The County describes itself as, “Working with our public and private partners to triage the flow of generous and well-intended support.”
Currently, systems prioritizing the most needed resources are in the process of production in light of fire relief. Though news has only improved, residents remain anxiously anticipating the future of their homes.
The past 24 hours have taken a positive turn for L.A. County, but it doesn’t necessarily mark the end of the disaster.
Experts still warn of potential hazards to come over the passing days, but winds have generally died down. A California Fire Commander informed the public of “Extreme hazards and the potential for fire growth,” but weather reporters confirm that a repeat of the past week’s destruction is not expected.
The following days are expected to continue similar to that of Tuesday and Wednesday; a calmer deviation from the chaos.
Currently, L.A. communities are focusing on regrouping as the peak of the disaster passes.
Co-owner of West Adams’ Empowered Yoga Studio voices what many citizens are feeling: “Some people have been furloughed; restaurants have had to close.”
ZIP codes have been wiped from the map, causing various traumatic experiences. While impacting the city broadly, its people, friends, neighbors, and community spaces have faced the hardest challenges.
It’s important to show up for one another, hold space for each other, as we flow through these emotions.”
Through community connections, the city hopes to internally heal and navigate the wildfire devastation.
Children lacking Essential Vaccines
By: Eva Padilla
In the face of global health efforts to eliminate preventable diseases, fewer children are receiving essential vaccines, leading to growing concerns among health experts.
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In recent years, childhood vaccination rates have been on decline in many countries, raising alarms about potential outbreaks of diseases once nearly eradicated.
Factors such as misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are contributing to this worrying trend.
The consequences of not vaccinating children are dire, as it not only puts individual health at risk but also endangers entire communities through the loss of heard immunity.
This article explores the reasons behind the declining vaccination rates among children, the risks associated with this trend, and what can be done to address it.
The role of vaccine misinformation and hesitancy.
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A major factor in the decline of childhood vaccinations is the spread of misinformation, especially on social media.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), misinformation about vaccine safety is one of the top threats to global health.
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Studies have shown that some parents, influenced by unverified claims about vaccines causing autism or other health problems, are opting out of vaccination for their children.
In 2024, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a 10% decrease in vaccination rates correlating with a rise in anti-vaccine sentiment.
Dr. Emily Johnson, a pediatrician, notes, “When misinformation spreads unchecked, it creates fear that drives parents to delay or refuse vaccines.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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While misinformation plays a significant role, another contributing factor is the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine immunizations.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted not only daily life but also routine healthcare services, including childhood vaccinations.
During the height of the pandemic, many families delayed or missed vaccination appointments due to lockdowns, fear of exposure to the virus, or disruptions in healthcare systems.
A report by the United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) in 2023 found that nearly 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines in 2021 alone, the Health Organization (WHO) warned that the pandemic had set back global vaccination efforts by years, risking the resurgence of diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough.
In addition to these factors, concerns over vaccine safety and the growing reliance on alternative health practices have contributed to the decline.
Alternative health practices and increasing distrust in public health systems.
A growing number of parents are turning to alternative health practices, such as natural remedies and holistic medicine, instead of relying on conventional vaccines.
This shift, combined with a growing distrust in public health systems, further complicates efforts to increase vaccination rates.
A survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2024 found that 15% of parents cited lack of trust in government recommendations as a key reason for not vaccinating their children.
As vaccine refusal rates rise, public health officials warn that herd immunity, the point at which enough of the population is immune to a disease to prevent its spread, could be jeopardized, putting vulnerable children and communities at greater risk.
While these challenges are significant, there are steps that can be taken to reverse the trend and ensure that children receive their life saving vaccines.
The decline in childhood vaccination rates is driven by factors such as misinformation, disruptions caused by the pandemic, and increasing skepticism toward vaccines and public health systems.
The consequences of this trend could lead to a rise in preventable diseases.
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To protect children's health and prevent the resurgence of deadly diseases, it is crucial that public health campaigns address misinformation, ensure accessible vaccination services, and rebuild trust between communities and healthcare systems.
Vaccination is one of the most effective tools we must protect future generations, now is the time to act.
Self Driving cars: the road ahead
By: Nicky Latigue, Jan. 15 2025
Self-Driving cars haven’t just spun in circles like a record player but have also led to major backups during heavy traffic.
An AI Tesla car caused a huge pile up on San Francisco Bay Bridge by abruptly stopping while trying to change lanes.
This incident was argued by others that, “It’s a cruise control thing. You shouldn’t be using it in major traffic!
There needs to be some education about this.” This specific quote was a comment from under the video of this incident.
If a person decides to use these types of cars, they should be more educated on them and not use cruise control when the rest of the people on the road is not in fact “cruising".
These types of systems state that they are “fully self-driving" when they really aren’t because of the high malfunction rate when it comes to these AI cars.
Now in this situation it can be a debate about whether the self-driving car was at full fault or if the people who crashed into the car were at fault.
The audience who sides with the AI cars believe that it's the people that suck at driving and AI can support that.
AI has its benefits to society and the indefinite amount of people who argue that strongly believe that AI can help the roads as well.
There is a website called, “Are Driverless Cars the Key to a Safer and Smarter Future?” which list the pros and cons of these AI cars.
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If we go into the perspective of the people that argue it’s a benefit then we can see that driverless vehicles improve traffic, give people more access to cars, and makes it so that there are less cars on the road.
So, who do you think you trust more? Yourself, your daily honker and road rager, or an AI car that has less road experience than a 16-year-old?
This can all be true if companies just a little bit more work into fixing the unpredictable malfunctions.
Overall, the people who do believe in AI cars don’t consider the risks but focus on the improvement it has for society. The risks way heavier though since cars and driving are the most dangerous things on the road.
Self-Driving cars have huge risks and benefits to society.
People will debate for days on end whether they will be successful for society or will destroy it in the process.
Just remember that when you are on the road you are putting your life on the line while trusting yourself, others, and
now AI.
So, who do you think you trust more? Yourself, your daily honker and road rager, or an AI car that has less road experience than a 16-year-old?
Schools in need of refuge
By: Malaya Sanabria
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Are schools failing the youth?
Let’s attempt to get a better understanding of what that phrase means.
The Department of Education was created to refine the school systems in the U.S.
According to various tests and data sets, schools needed fixing.
Test scores, federal funding and graduation rates have been lowering since the 1990s!
The department of education needs to do better when functioning the school systems.
“According to 2024 ACT data, Nevada has the lowest test scores in the country, with an average score of 17.2,
while Oklahoma follows with the second-lowest average score of 17.6.”
These low scores should worry the United States!
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Schools need better learning programs and learning material!
Although it may be over budget, the youth are thefuture of our country.
Many believe that the coronavirus pandemic put atoll on the youths learning and changed their lifestyles.
The department of education should support more students who suffered online schooling!”
In the 1970-1971 school year, high school graduation rates were at 78%.
But those rates fell, dropping to a 72.9% average graduation rate in 1982, shortly after the Department of Education was established.
”The department of education is not doing the work that needs to be provided for the youth. Parents should be worried and fight for more support from government leads.
Schools are in need of salvation and equity.
But recently graduation scores have risen in between 2021-2022.
This needs to remain a success for the future youth!
Due to changes in the governmental lead, such as the election of Donald Trump.
Make people question how schools would be funded and processed through his presidency.
Trump wants to redesign the department of education rather than bulldozing It.
Trump hopes to make changes with the department of education but can’t without approval from the congress.
Many fear what these changes would lead to and how they will affecting learning.
The education of school department may be abolished but people need to know education is already failing and abolishing it would only make matters worse.
People need better understanding to failing scores and the youth. The youth may be in danger of learning what they need.
Parents need to stand up for their children’s education. Schools needbetter materials and focus for the youth to learn.
