October 12th, 2007 by Kevin A. Barnes
You’ve probably heard the medical reports about people damaging their hearing because of listening to iPods with the volume cranked to 11. But is that the worst health risk associated with iPods? The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) began reporting in the July 12, 2007 issue about cases of iPod wearers being struck by lightening. (See the original NEJM article: “Thunderstorms and iPods — Not a good iDea”.)
The article described the injuries sustained by an iPod-wearing jogger who was struck by lightening during a thunderstorm. Those injuries included ruptured eardrum membranes and burns leading from the ears down the chest and matching where the man’s earbud wires had been. The article hypothesized that even if wearing an iPod didn’t increase the risk of being struck by lightening, the iPod still potentially directed the lightening to the person’s ears and head. Read the rest of this entry »
Categories: Technology |
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October 11th, 2007 by Kevin A. Barnes
As I related in Part 1, I have set the personal goal of running a half marathon as participant in the CCFA (Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America*) Team Challenge. Team Challenge trains volunteers to run or walk a half marathon while helping the Foundation raise funds to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. So by participating in Team Challenge I will be able to accomplish my long-delayed goal of running in a major event, while also being able to raise awareness and funds for Crohn’s disease research.
And almost immediately after I committed to Team Challenge, the rational part of my brain began a low level, continuous nagging that this goal was unrealistic — or even impossible — given my health. Read the rest of this entry »
Categories: Crohn's Disease |
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October 11th, 2007 by Kevin A. Barnes
Despite my Crohn’s disease, over the years I’ve been able to accomplish almost all of the personal and professional goals I’ve set for myself. Those goals have been — for the most part — non-physical, such as securing a promotion or starting a business. The one goal that has repeatedly eluded me, however, is to run in a major running event (such as a marathon or half marathon).
I’ve been unable to accomplish that goal because my Crohn’s has never been under control/in remission long enough for me to train fully and get into the shape necessary to run the marathon. Then this year I was presented with what may be the opportunity of a lifetime — to run in a half marathon and raise funds (and awareness) for Crohn’s disease. Read the rest of this entry »
Categories: Crohn's Disease |
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October 11th, 2007 by Kevin A. Barnes
I’ve decided it’s time to “come out of the bathroom.” To reveal a part of my life that previously has only been known to my family and close friends/associates.
Since the age of 12, I have suffered from severe Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract.* In severe cases such as mine, it can result in malnutrition and require numerous surgeries and hospitalizations.
Why is it such a big deal for me to admit this publicly? Read the rest of this entry »
Categories: Crohn's Disease, Technology |
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October 4th, 2007 by Kevin A. Barnes
On October 4, 1957, humans looked skyward and for the first time saw a manmade object orbiting over their heads. A dot of light passing west to east across the night sky, history’s first artificial satellite: Sputnik.*
At the time, much of the world’s reaction seemed political in nature. For Russians, Sputnik evoked a strong streak of pride for what their nation had accomplished. Throughout the United States and Western Europe, the reaction was more one of shock and amazement at how a seemingly third-world agricultural nation had become the first to reach beyond Earth. Yet the true significance of the event was lost for most. Read the rest of this entry »
Categories: Science, Space Exploration, Technology, The Future |
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