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Alternative Medicine in the News
April 2010 edition 67
published weekly
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Natural compound in bananas could hold key to stopping HIV
[note from Didi: Don't get confused! This article is about a particular chemical in bananas, not the bananas themselves.]
University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School scientists have found a
potent substance that could block the sexual transmission of HIV, the
virus believed to cause AIDS. This HIV preventative isn't a potent new
drug or chemical-laden vaccine. Instead, it's a natural substance
derived from a popular, inexpensive fruit -- bananas.
In their study, just published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry,
the researchers noted that HIV/AIDS remains a world-wide epidemic. "HIV
is still rampant in the U.S. and the explosion in poorer countries
continues to be a bad problem because of tremendous human suffering and
the cost of treating it," study senior author David Marvovitz, M.D.,
professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, said in a
statement to media.
Bottom line: new ways of stopping the spread
of HIV are desperately needed. In fact, the rate of new HIV infections
is currently outpacing the rate of new patients receiving Big Pharma's
expensive anti-retroviral drugs by 2.5 to 1. And while the medical
establishment has pushed the idea of an AIDS vaccine for decades, an
effective vaccine remains elusive. However, lectins, which are
naturally occurring chemicals in plants, could hold the key to fighting
HIV/AIDS because they are able to stop the chain of reactions that lead
to a variety of infections, including HIV.
The
U-M scientists specifically studied BanLec, the lectin found in
bananas. In laboratory tests, they found it was just as potent as two
current anti-HIV drugs. In a statement to the media, the researchers
said BanLec may become a less expensive new component of applied
vaginal microbicides (topical treatments used to stop the spread of HIV
through sexual contact).
Although condom use can be effective in
preventing HIV from being transmitted, condoms are successful only if
used consistently and correctly -- but that's not often the case.
"That's particularly true in developing countries where women have
little control over sexual encounters so development of a long-lasting,
self-applied microbicide is very attractive," Dr. Marvovitz explained.
The
new study found that lectins, sugar-binding proteins, are able to
"outsmart" viruses. They identify a virus in the body and attach
themselves to it. BanLec was found to inhibit HIV infection by binding
to the sugar-rich HIV-1 envelope protein dubbed gp120. The result? The
virus was blocked from replicating.
Study co-authors Erwin J.
Goldstein, Ph.D., professor emeritus of biological chemistry at U-M and
Harry C. Winter, Ph.D., research assistant professor in biological
chemistry at U-M, invented the biopurification method used to isolate
BanLec from bananas. They pointed out that although they found that the
banana-derived HIV inhibitor was similar in potency to T-20 and
maraviroc, two anti-HIV drugs currently in clinical use, there are some
big differences.
First, therapies incorporating BanLec should be
cheaper than current anti-retroviral prescription medications made from
chemicals. What's more, the researchers stated that BanLec could
provide a wider range of protection from HIV than synthetically created
drugs do.
"The problem with some HIV drugs is that the virus can
mutate and become resistant, but that's much harder to do in the
presence of lectins," lead author Michael D. Swanson, a doctoral
student in the graduate program in immunology at U-M, noted in a press
statement. "Lectins can bind to the sugars found on different spots of
the HIV-1 envelope, and presumably it will take multiple mutations for
the virus to get around them."
The scientists stated that even
if the banana-derived HIV preventative is only modestly successful, it
could save millions of lives. Other studies have previously estimated
that 20 percent coverage with a microbicide that is even 60 percent
effective against HIV may prevent up to 2.5 million HIV infections in
three years.
For more information:
http://www.jbc.org/content/285/12/8...
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The Scientific Fraud Pandemic: Few Honest Scientists Remain, Part I
Media headlines are full of stories about the fraudulent hucksters who
lie at the edges of the natural remedies and anti-vaccine cultures, but
when scientists in accepted fields of study are caught faking results
and cooking the books, the stories go largely unreported. Andrew
Wakefield gets censured for one paper from over ten years ago and it's
front page news. When 70 scientific papers from two scientists
analyzing chemical structures are found to be well-written fiction,
barely a peep is heard.
This obvious bias on the part of the
bulk of the media is flagrant and obvious. It took weeks for the media
to pick up on the leaked emails and possible fraud going on in England
at the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) at East Anglia. Blogs and websites
circulated the story as soon as it was discovered, and they have been
instrumental in cracking the case and showcasing the fraud and insider
dealing that goes on in the climate research field.
That was just the tip of the iceberg.
In
December, the University of Alabama at Birmingham requested that 11
protein structures be removed from databases and the papers written on
them be retracted from journals,1 including the Journal of Biological Chemistry, which has already made the retraction.2
The
granddaddy of the group, however, is what was alluded to at the
beginning of this article. In January, an editorial appeared in Acta Crystallographica Section E,
an eminent Scottish journal of chemistry, and announced the retraction
of over 70 peer-reviewed studies by two Chinese scientists from
Jinggangshan University.3 At about the same time, the BBC
News did a brief story on the money that may have changed hands to
facilitate the scientific research - China has a black market for
research as professors and others can receive large bonuses for being
published in foreign journals.4
In 2008, Mike Adams
revealed the ghostwriting of papers isn't just a Chinese phenomenon.
Pharmaceutical companies have been doing it for years and were finally
exposed. In-house Big Pharma writers pen the scientific papers and then
pay off respected doctors and scientists outside of the pharmaceutical
company to put their name on it.5
These are just some
of the hundreds of stories of scientific fraud and mis-handling that
have appeared over the past decade or more. Yet news media and academia
rarely question science and pundits on the television point to "peer
reviewed science" as if it's the end-all, be-all of the scientific
method and provides irrefutable truths.
The peer-review process
is not, however, as perfect and sacrosanct as most in academia would
like you to believe. In fact, it is fundamentally flawed and is a more
recent phenomenon in scientific research and publication than most
people realize.
Resources:
1 - UAB Statement on Protein Data Bank Issues University of Alabama
2 - Dengue virsu NS3 serine proteas. Journal of Biological Chemistry retracted article (one of several by author H.M. Krishna Murthy)
3 - Editorial by William T.A. Harrison, Jim Simpson, and Matthias Weil, Dept. of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Vol 66, January 2010
4 - Chinese academia ghost-writing 'widespread' BBC News, 5 Jan 2010
5 - Widespread Ghostwriting of Drug Trials Means "Scientific" Credibility of Pharmaceutical Industry is a Sham by Mike Adams, NaturalNews
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Home Insecticides Linked to Autoimmune Disorders
Using pesticides in the home may significantly increase women's risk of
developing autoimmune disorders, according to a study conducted by
researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences and presented at the annual meeting of the American College of
Rheumatology in Philadelphia.
Although the study was not set up
to prove that insecticides directly caused the disorders, the
researchers did control for all other known risk factors, and none
appeared to play a role.
"It's hard to envision what other factors might explain this association," lead researcher Christine Parks said.
In
autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, the body's
own immune system attacks some other part of the body. Previous
research has shown that women exposed to agricultural pesticide use are
at a higher risk of developing both rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Women not living on farms, however, tend to be exposed to much lower
doses of the chemicals, even if they use them in the home.
In
the current study, researchers examined data on approximately 77,000
postmenopausal women between the ages of 50 and 79, sorting them by
self-reported home pesticide exposure. They found that regardless of
whether they had lived on a farm, women who were exposed to more
insect-killing chemicals in the home were significantly more likely to
develop either of the diseases. Women who had been exposed most
frequently or for the longest period of time had twice the risk as
women who had never been exposed.
Either mixing or applying
insecticides counted as exposure for the purposes of the study. Insect
repellent exposure was not included.
"I would recommend that people read the labels and take precautions to minimize their personal exposure," Parks said.
Although
significant insecticide exposure can occur when people use pesticides,
Parks noted that much exposure actually occurs inside the home itself
-- from roach sprays, ant traps and other insect-killing poisons.
Sources for this story include: www.usatoday.com.
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Zinc is Essential for Good Health
Most of us are familiar with the use of zinc as an aid to combating
common colds and sore throats; however, many of us are unaware of just
how vital zinc is in maintaining overall good health. Zinc is an
essential trace element found in every cell in our bodies. While
studies have indicated that about 12% of Americans are deficient in
zinc, our ability to absorb zinc declines with age and it is estimated
that this percentage increases to 45% in older Americans.
Zinc
performs a variety of important functions, including strengthening the
immune system, protecting cell membranes against free radicals,
preventing cell structural damage and repairing damaged DNA. Zinc also
is instrumental in healing wounds, supports the stabilization of blood
glucose, supports neurological function, maintains the senses of taste
and smell, and stimulates activity in approximately 100 different
enzymes.
In addition, Zinc supports normal growth during
pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence and helps to protect against
macular degeneration, a cause of blindness in adults over the age of
60. Zinc can even help boost libido. Zinc may also be effective in
treating such conditions as acne, eczema and anorexia nervosa and for
those suffering from trauma after surgery.
Zinc deficiency can
lead to numerous health conditions, including prostate disorders which
may in turn lead to prostate cancer. Because zinc affects the immune
system, a deficiency can present itself in frequent colds, flus, and
other infections. In children, a zinc deficiency can manifest itself in
growth retardation.
In addition to aging and poor dietary
habits, digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and
Crohn's Disease can be contributing factors in the depletion of zinc
from our bodies. Deficiency in zinc can also be caused by certain
medications. Among the offenders are diuretics and medications used in
controlling blood pressure. Acid-suppressing medications also play an
important role. Alcoholics have a higher risk of being zinc deficient.
Others at risk include women taking birth control pills and those on
hormone replacement therapy.
Zinc deficiency symptoms can present themselves as:
* Rashes
* Chronic diarrhea
* Night blindness
* Depression
* Loss of appetite
* Decline in libido
* Hair loss
* Eye and skin lesions
There are several good dietary sources of zinc. Some of the best sources are:
* Beef
* Crab
* Turkey
* Oysters
* Liver
* Dairy
* Nuts, such as cashews, almonds, peanuts
* Crimini mushrooms
* Spinach
* Pumpkin seeds
The
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for zinc is 11 mg for men and 8 mg
for women. However, those that are zinc deficient, not eating a diet
rich in zinc, or have a prostate disorder should take 15 mg of zinc
daily. Because of the lower absorption of zinc from plants, vegetarians
may need about 50% more zinc. Since zinc can interfere with copper
absorption, any zinc supplement should contain 1 to 2 mg of copper.
Sources:
http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/ar...
http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com/...
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-...
http://health.learninginfo.org/bene...
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Grow Your Own Superfoods in Your Home Garden This Year
When most people think of the term "superfood," they think of exotic
fruits or imported vegetables from places with foreign names and
distant locales. In reality, many of the foods you likely eat and even
grow in your own garden are superfoods.
The common definition of
a superfood is any food (fruit, vegetable, etc.) that you can consume
that has a high concentration of nutrients and anti-oxidants. Many of
these are probably foods that your mother told you that you had to eat
if you wanted to leave the dinner table or to grow up to be big and
strong.
Here is a list of superfoods that will grow in just
about any location in the northern hemisphere with a growing season of
3 months or more. If you start from seeds, you will likely need to
start them indoors before the spring thaw to maximize your growing time
outdoors.
Broccoli - is probably the best-known
and most often cited superfood that is commonly grown in home garden
plots. Broccoli has several benefits including being a great source of
antioxidants.1
Carrots - are likely
the other most well-known of superfoods that are commonly grown and
eaten in the U.S. Carrots are thick with phytonutrients, antioxidants,
and nearly every vitamin you can name.2
Garlic -
a favorite spice for cooking, this stuff is loaded with nearly
everything good for you that you can imagine. It's a known
cardiovascular booster, an anti-microbial, and more.3
Green Beans -
have to be one of the easiest things to grow and are grown both in
garden plots and potted indoors to vine up walls or along racks. Beans
are good for kidney stones, arthritis, and are packed with minerals.4
Spinach -
isn't just for Popeye, Olive. It's a very easy plant to grow, gives
edible leaves throughout the season, and has some of the highest
concentrations of vitamins A and C and folic acid you can get.5
Squash -
of nearly any type is great for you. Acorn, Butternut, Pumpkins, and
many others are packed with fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin B6,
potassium, and much more.6
Tomatoes -
are everyone's favorite garden vegetable (fruit, actually) to grow and
the subject of intense scrutiny and competition. Tomatoes are also full
of antioxidants, vitamin C, and light acids that aid digestion.7
These
are just a few of the many superfoods you can grow in your own garden
this year to promote better health. Gardening can not only be a fun,
healthy way to spend your spare time this summer, but it can also lower
your food bills, raise your health and nutritional levels, and bring
your family closer together!
Start gardening and grow your own superfoods this spring!
Resources:
1 - Broccoli on NaturalNews
2 - Carrots on NaturalNews
3 - Discover the Powerful Benefits of Garlic by Henri Junttila, NaturalNews
4 - Green Beans on HealingFoodReference
5 - Spinach on NaturalNews
6 - Experts tout the health benefits of winter squas by Mike Adams, NaturalNews
7 - Tomatoes on NaturalNews
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High-dose vitamin C therapy proven effective
There is a double standard in Western medicine when it comes to
assessing the efficacy of vitamins compared to pharmaceutical drugs.
While medical science recognizes that dose levels affect how well a
drug works, the same principle is not considered valid for vitamins. As
a result, 75 years of physician reports and clinical studies about the
success of high-dose vitamin C therapy has been largely ignored.
When
it comes to the effectiveness of simple vitamins and minerals at curing
diseases, many ill-informed doctors still scoff at the idea, citing
studies that allegedly verify that vitamins are ineffective. Most
studies conducted on vitamins, however, either use really low doses or
synthetic forms which negate any positive results.
High-dose
vitamin C therapy, the kind that uses upwards of 1,000 times the U.S.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Daily Reference Intake (DRI),
has been shown in legitimate clinical studies to cure all sorts of
illnesses.
Dr. Albert Szent-Gyorgyi first isolated ascorbic acid
(vitamin C) back in the late 1800s and, almost immediately, medical
professionals realized that high doses of the vitamin were effective in
treating a host of diseases.
In 1935, Dr. Jungeblut, then
professor of bacteriology at Columbia University, published vitamin C's
effectiveness at preventing and treating polio and inactivating the
diphtheria toxin. He later found that the vitamin C ascorbates
inactivated tetanus as well.
In the 1940s, Dr. Frederick
Klenner, a specialist in chest diseases, successfully cured 41 cases of
viral pneumonia using high doses of vitamin C. He published his
extensive findings in the February 1948 issue of the Journal of Southern Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Klenner ended up publishing 28 articles in various scientific publications.
Other
findings included vitamin C as a cure for kidney stones, cardiovascular
disease, hepatitis, AIDS, and even cancer. By administering tens of
thousands of milligrams of vitamin C a day, the ability of these
diseases to run their course is disabled.
Though the body can
only assimilate a certain amount of vitamin C at a time when taken
orally, high-dose, time-released oral vitamin C supplementation is a
great way of maintaining health and preventing disease. When it comes
to combatting serious diseases, intravenous vitamin C therapy is the
most effective method because the body is able to more effectively
assimilate very high doses of the vitamin this way.
Though
generally rejected by most mainstream oncologists, intravenous vitamin
C treatments for cancer have proven to be highly effective at
eradicating the disease.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.orthomolecular.org/resou...
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MalariX now on sale
Homeopathic anti-malarial medicine now available
 We are happy to announce that our excellent malaria medicine is now registered with the Kenyan Pharma and Poisons Board and is available though tel: +254710620323 sales@abhalight.org - Healthy U outlets
Elixir, Village Market ABC Pharmacy
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Use These Easy Tips to Abate and Prevent Common Nose Bleeds
Common nosebleeds can be an unpleasant and even alarming surprise.
Though they are usually not a reason to be overly concerned they
usually can be abated quickly and easily at home. Most often bleeding
from the nose comes from trauma caused by injury to the nose, picking
the nose and even violent sneezing. The next time you or someone in
your family has a nosebleed try one of these simple tricks that anyone
can do at home:
* Halt a mild nosebleed in minutes with this
simple trick. Tear a piece of brown paper from a grocery bag, place it
inside your mouth between your top lip and your gum, and leave it there
until your nose stops bleeding. Though it sounds strange and no one
knows for sure why it works, a prominent naturopath reports that her
patients have used this trick successfully for 30 years.
* When
you get a nosebleed, take some cayenne pepper as soon as you can. Take
about a teaspoonful of cayenne powder or extract. Red pepper, chili
pepper, or hot sauce will do. The bleeding should stop within only a
few minutes. Continue taking the cayenne pepper every day for a few
days or so, and try to eat foods spiced with cayenne pepper on a
regular basis. Cayenne pepper acts to stop all kinds of bleeding
quickly - you can even apply it directly to a wound.
* A tried
and true homemade treatment for nosebleeds that often stops the blood
flow quickly is to use ice packs. Sit back and place an ice pack on
your forehead so it touches the top of your nose. The coldness of the
ice pack constricts the blood vessels and hinders further bleeding. As
an alternative, you can also place the ice pack on your back just below
the neck. The coldness and pressure on the back of the neck will
restrict the flow of blood to the head.
* Another remedy that
uses ice is to roll up a bit of toilet tissue or paper towel and place
under the upper lip while applying ice in an ice pack to the bridge of
the nose. Never apply ice directly to the skin, but instead make sure
it is in an ice pack or covered with something like a wash cloth.
*
Though it may seem hard to believe, inhaling the fumes from a
freshly-sliced onion can also be used as a homemade treatment for
nosebleeds. The natural fumes help to clot the blood. The next time
you, or someone in your family, suffer from a nosebleed, have the
person lay their head back and then place a thick slice of onion
directly under the nose. Note the homeopathic version of this remedy is
called "Allium cepa".
* Vitamin K deficiency is often a cause of
nosebleeds. Eat lots of vitamin K rich vegetables, such as dark green
leafy vegetables, or else take a vitamin K supplement to help prevent
future nosebleeds. Vitamin C is also a good idea, since vitamin C helps
keep blood vessels strong.
* Saline solution used regularly helps prevent nosebleeds for many people.
Sources included:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/15467411/...
http://discuss.pdsa.org/topic.asp?A...
susangaer.com/studentprojects/nosebleed.htm
http://www.tbyil.com/remedies.htm
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Make Natural, Harmless Deodorants with Essential Oils
Using deodorants and antiperspirants are considered by many to be
essential in order to prevent body odor. Finding a good deodorant that
does not contain aluminum oxide, aluminum compounds, synthetic
fragrances and stabilizers makes for a tough search. Brands advertised
as organic, all natural or herbal often contain the same chemicals,
either with lesser quantities or with certain additives removed but
others added. Alternative, natural deodorants can be home-made, are
cost effective and very simple to make. Best of all, they are not
damaging to health.
Natural Alternatives to Chemical Laden Deodorants
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By mixing corn starch and baking soda with a few drops of essential
oil, an effective and natural dry deodorant can be created.
- A wet deodorant can be created by mixing witch hazel and glycerin combined with essential oil of choice.
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Blending pure essential oils with a base oil such as olive oil or
jojoba oil or blending a few drops of essential oil to use directly on
the skin can make a delightfully scented, natural deodorant.
-
Crystals or salt rocks that leave an almost unnoticeable residue when
applied can take care of underarm odor. Salt rock crystal deodorants
are safe, even for people with allergies and skin sensitivity, and they
do not leave behind any noticeable residue on skin or clothing. Though
there are several brands available, the only thing to really watch for
is that a pure salt crystal is chosen and does not have additives or
artificial fragrances added.
Essential Oil Blends - What to Consider
For
body odor, use essential oils that will limit the bacterial growth that
causes odor. Be careful of oils that may irritate the skin, however,
especially the sensitive skin under the arms. Try lavender, peppermint,
eucalyptus and patchouli, cinnamon and clove essential oils.
Be
sure to use very good quality essential oil, since some oils are poorly
processed or contain additives that may irritate the skin. Look for
organically sourced oil, pressed at low temperatures and safe to use
topically.
Recipe for Deodorant Powder Using Essential Oils
Deodorant powder
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup bicarbonate of soda
3/4 teaspoon pulverized lavender flowers
15 drops pure lavender essential oil
Mix lavender oil with the pulverized lavender flowers
Mix with the other ingredients and allow it to sit in an airtight glass container away from any light for a day or two.
To
use, lightly dust the underarms using a shaving brush or blush brush
and/or apply to any other area of your body you wish to feel fresh.
Recipe for Natural Spray Deodorant Using Tea Tree Oil
Pour 2 ounces of clean water
4 drops of tea tree essential oil
Mix together, shake up and spray whenever necessary for a natural deodorant that can even double up as a mosquito repellent.
Sources:
http://ecobites.com/eco-news-articl...
http://www.desertessence.com/skin-c...
http://www.natural-homeremedies.org...
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GM crops cause liver and kidney damage
A report published in the International Journal of Microbiology
has verified once again that Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) crops
are causing severe health problems. A legal challenge issued against
Monsanto forced the multi-national agriculture giant to release raw
data revealing that animals fed its patented GM corn suffered liver and
kidney damage within just three months.
Adding to the mounting
evidence that GM crops are dangerous all around, this information
provides a damning indictment against Monsanto which continually
insists that its GM products are safe. Not only are GM crops proving
disastrous for the environment, but study after study, including those
conducted by Monsanto itself, is showing that GM foods are detrimental
to health.
Monsanto's data indicated that the company had
conducted tests on three varieties of its GM corn, two of which contain
the dangerous Bt protein, and one designed specifically to resist
Monsanto's Roundup herbicide. All three are widely grown in the United
States while only one is currently grown in Europe.
Dr.
Gilles-Eric Seralini, a French researcher from the University of Caen,
was tasked with examining the data and providing a review. While
stopping short of declaring GM crops to be toxic, he did emphasize that
chronic negative effects were apparent and that there were
"statistically significant" indications of kidney and liver damage.
The
specific effects observed in test rats included a buildup of hormones
in the blood, indicating that their liver and kidneys were not
functioning properly. One variety of the corn led to elevated blood
sugar levels and increased triglyceride levels in female rats given it.
Dr.
Seralini concluded that, because GM crops are foreign substances that
have never been a part of a normal diet, there is no telling what the
long-term effects of consumption will be on people. In animals,
significant disruption of normal bodily function has been observed even
in the short term.
Genetically manipulated food crops are not
fit for human consumption and should not be classified as food. No
legitimate study has ever proven them to be safe or nutritious. The
burden of proof is on the producers of such crops to verify their
safety and, to date, all data has revealed that they are unsafe. Claims
that GM foods will end world hunger are baseless, propagated only by
those that have a financial interest in converting the world's food
supply to their own patented varieties in order to control it.
Sources for this story include:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...
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Medical Disclaimer:
The information contained within does not take the place of medical diagnosis or
prescription. See your health care provider in case of sickness.
Editorial Disclaimer: Publication of these articles are to promote food for thought. The opinions expressed in these articles may not be the opinion of editors.
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