2 I The Behrend Beacon
Honeybees dying off across the U.S.
WASHINGTON: Commercial beekeepers have report
ed alarming news regarding the nation's honey industry
and related businesses: the mysterious death of millions
of honeybees en masse.
Several organizations met with the House
Agricultural Subcommittee in Washington to discuss the
impact the problem could have on the U.S. economy.
Over the last six months, many beekeepers have had
between 50 to 90 percent of their total bee populations
die off for reasons vet to be determined.
A coalition of beekeepers, scientists and government
officials have thus far been unable to determine a cause
or solution for the problem, calling it CCD, or Colony
Collapse Disorder. The current prevailing theory is that
several factors including pesticides, parasites,
pathogens and production stress have affected the bees'
ability to adapt and survive.
"We believe that some form of stress may be sup
pressing immune systems of bees, ultimately contribut
ing to CCD," said Agricultural Research Service
spokesman Caird Rexroad.
Government officials contend that the decline in bee
population, which has been happening at an increased
rate since 1989, combined with CCD could pose some
Staying healthy
For most college students, spring signals the start of baseball season,
the start of flip-flop wearing season, and the start of gorge-hiking season.
For an unfortunate few. spring also means the start of college sickness
season. Director of Behrend's Health and Wellness Center, Patty Pasky
McMahon, said that f
and spring arc the pc,
seasons for viral int.,
(ions, such as monol
cleosis and influen;
While it has not he(
scientifically prov e
that the warm weather
directly related to tl
increase of tin or mot
cases, Paskv MeNtahi
said she helloes there
a connection. Accordi
to Pask‘ McMal-R.
who is a nurse prac
honer. protecting you
sell from illness is sip
ple. "The hardest thi
for people to do is usw
ly the easiest. Pas
McMahon
Nutrition. rct
exercise are the keys
good health:.
Studies shoved that
the flu has been one of
EMBIZI
,CN astating
infections in human history. In 1918 and 1919, the flu killed 50 million
people worldwide in just a few months. Fortunately, flu seasons this dan
gerous are rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, five to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year. That is
15 to 60 million people in the United States alone.
Approximately 200.000 are hospitalized because of flu complications,
and 36.000 die. Many of these deaths could he prevented if people got
Lisa Ling brings international continued from page 1
allowing me to cover the current international issues that I
wanted to. I was and still am committed to telling internation
al stories so the American public can be more informed about
the world. I truly believe that if Americans are given the
opportunity to care, they will."
Ling also took the opportunity to give her opinion on the
media in the United States saying she wishes international
issues were covered more often. "It seems that the American
public cares more about Anna Nicole Smith then they do
about what is going on around the world. But I think since the
media continues to cover it, they are by default forced to care.
It is a travesty that national news stations don't cover these
types of issues and that the American public is kept in the
dark. If the media covered them, then maybe by default
Americans would care about them too," explained Ling.
At this point in the evening, the crowd was completely
transfixed by Ling's speech and video presentation, and many
were ignited to ask questions, which she answered with a per
sonable honesty. Many asked about her time on The View,
some wanted to know how she had the strength to go into such
dangerous situations, and others were completely content
being in her presence. Senior Communication major Jenna
Gregory said, "I have been watching her for years. All through
high school I followed her on Channel One, and for her to
come here is just incredible. She just has such a presence. She
By Sheri Kroskie
staff write'
promise of spring comes to Erie, students
also take the necessary precations to avoid
very serious problems for the economy and agricultural
production. Domestic honey prices have increased over
14 percent in the last year, and in 2005 the U.S. honey
industry was forced to import foreign bees for the first
time just to keep production steady. The sudden drop in
domestic stock due to CCD could have far greater impli
cations.
The loss of the domestic bee colonies would also have
a severe impact on the production of local agricultural
and flower crops. Many food and cash crops, especial..
ly fruit, depend almost entirely on the bee population to
handle the pollination that makes production possible.
Now that planting season has begun in many parts of the
country, farmers are concerned that bee levels have
dropped below that necessary for efficient production,
which could drive up prices for all food products.
"Though economists differ in calculating the exact
dollar value of honeybee pollination, virtually all esti
mates range in the billions of dollars," said entomologist
Dr. May Berenbaum at the House committee hearing on
Thursday.
In the last 20 years, the U.S. bee population has
dropped an estimated 40 percent.
as the seasons
their flu vaccine in the fall each year.
College campuses like Behrend are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks
of flu and other illnesses. College students contract six to seven colds a
year, a rate much higher than a typical adult, according to the University
of lowa's Student Health Services website. The stress of classes, poor
exercise and eating habits and lack of sleep also lead to health problems.
Plus, dormitories, gyms, libraries, and classrooms are breeding grounds
CONTRINUTED PHOTO McMahon said. "Rest, rest, rest! A virus
are spending more time outside. They
that wouldn't have bothered you a month
getting sick.
ago could now affect you if you haven't
gotten enough rest." She stated. Pasky
McMahon also explained that your body needs an average of eight hours
of sleep every night. "Some people require even more sleep, Pasky
McMahon said. "For some people, more than eight hours of sleep a night
is a luxury." Doctors say when a person is at rest, their body produces
more antibodies that help fight off infections. To try to remain healthy this
season, eat well, exercise and get adequate rest.
vating. Her passion just emanates."
Like Gregory, many Behrend students were very impressed
with the comfortable and real persona that Ling spoke with.
Passion for excellence can certainly be learned through Ling,
and many students took notice. "She is such an inspiration and
just has such obvious passion. I would love to follow in her
path some day," said Gregory.
In addition to her numerous international reports on
National Geographic Explorer, Ling is also currently a regular
contributor to the Oprah Winfrey Show, where she focuses
mainly on international affairs dealing with women and chil
dren like gang rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
bride burning in India, and child trafficking in Ghana.
However, Ling said the piece she is most proud of is her
investigative piece of China's Lost Girls, which shows the
results of China's one child law. "I am so glad that I was given
the opportunity to work with Oprah and deal with issues of
women and children, because if women don't stand up for
each other, who else is going to?" said Ling.
Ling hopes to continue working on both the Oprah Winfrey
Show and National Geographic Explorer, where she will
undoubtedly reveal many more secrets of current internation
al issues. To learn more about the speaker series contact the
Penn State Behrend Office of Student Activities or phone 814-
898-6171
ri
-.)
Waves of violence rock Baghdad
BAGHDAD, Iraq: Several suicide bomb
ings, gun battles and mysterious shootings
plagued the Baghdad area Thursday as
security forces struggled to bring it under
control.
At least two suicide bombers with
high explosives strapped to their chests
waded into markets crowded by people
looking to pick up food and other goods
before the weekend begun, detonating
themselves and killing at least 115 innocent
bystanders. Over 170 others were serious
ly injured, and there is some confusion in
the Iraqi government as to how many
bombers were involved.
"It was a very, very crowded mar
ket. All those killed are innocent," a
wounded but otherwise unidentified man
told a Reuters new reporter in Baghdad.
A few miles north of Baghdad in
the town of Khalis and about 20 miles
change
germs.
The flu is caused by a virus, mostly
icking the lungs but also affects other
is of the body. The three types of
luenza virus that are identified today;
uenza C, Influenza B, which causes
'adic outbreaks of the flu, especially
:ommunal settings like college dorms,
uenza A, is responsible for the classic
>maks every winter like clockwork.
Mononucleosis is another big illness
plagues college campuses. Heath
cials say mono is probably the worst
t usually knocks you out for long peri
at a time.
Since germs spread so easily through
Thing, sneezing, and even breathing,
ky McMahon said that good hygiene
:ritical. "If you make sure you wash
it hands, keep your hands off of your
and cover your mouth when you
igh, you lessen your chance of spread
an infection or picking one up," Pasky
Task force works continued from page 1
local environmentalists for its interesting trees. Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Robert
Light said, "The faculty and staff have further developed the Arboretum at Penn State
Behrend which works with the ground crew to make the campus a place recognized
for its education, research, and outreach related to its trees and plantings." In addi
tion, Light said, "The faculty and staff have established a Landscape Committee that
works with the grounds crew to beautify specific sites on campus".
The task force has also been successful in incorporating the use of geothermal
heating in residence halls and reclaiming heat from the Junker Center pool area to use
in other parts of the building. In addition, automatic heating and cooling setbacks are
being utilized when buildings are not in use, and automatic light shutoff has been
installed in classrooms and parking lots when they are not in use. Among other
promising efforts to reduce energy use, Light said, "They are working with housing
to promote the installation of "low-flow" showerheads in residence halls, and work
ing with housekeeping to maintain the college's active recycling program."
Educating the Behrend community about sustainability is a vital asset to create a
more knowledgeable and environmentally friendly campus. "We need the faculty,
staff, and students to realize how important becoming sustainable is, not only on
campus, but in general. The entire community must drive sustainability efforts and
not wait or rely on a few to push the program," Light said.
The Greener Behrend Task Force is integrating sustainability topics into the cur
ricular offerings throughout the college as part of their education campaign. The
community can become more involved in creating a more sustainable environment
by "Learning more about sustainable issues and working with college leaders to pro
mote environmentally friendly ideas," Light said. With future plans for the task
force, Behrend will continue to stand as a role model for other institutions by pro
moting a greener environment.
Source: CNN.com, Yahoo! News
Niagara fire wakes
continued from page 1
Police and Safety Services Manager Jim Amann said that they
currently do not have any suspects. "We are talking to residents
and trying to see if anyone has information to share," Amann
said, "If anyone knows anything, they certainly shouldn't pro
tect that person. They might be looking at it as a prank, but they
were risking lives."
Police and Safety Services are not looking at the fire as a
prank. According to Amann, the culprit faces arson, risking a
catastrophe, and reckless endangerment charges. "He is facing
felony charges," Amann said. "That building houses hundreds
of sleeping people, if that fire would've gotten out of control,
there possibly could have been serious injuries or a death,"
Amann said.
According to Cerroni, if the police do not solve the case, the
residents of the second floor will be charged for the damages to
the walls, carpet, and floor.
"It's not unusual to hear about injuries or deaths from residence
hall fires," Amann said. According to the National Fire
Protection Association, there were 1,380 fires at universities.
Officials from the United States Fire Administration said that
80% of all fire related deaths occur in residence halls.
Students assist with TOPS
continuted from page 1
to because of baseball...l thought it would be a great chance to
get involved," said Campbell.
Another volunteer, Mackenzie Light, has formed a special
relationship with her child, an autistic child also named
Mackenzie. This is Light's third year in the program and has
worked with the same girl each year. "We were able to form a
relationship throughout the eight week program and continue to
keep in touch today," said Light. "Volunteering with the TOPS
program has been an amazing experience for me and the chil
dren who participate in this program. I am very thankful that I
can take part in it and have such an impact on the children's
lives."
More information on TOPS can be found at www.usyouth
soccer.org, or contact Coach Perritano at dpp2@psu.edu.
Friday, March 30, 2007
south of Baghdad in the city of
Mahmoudiya, at least three car bombs were
involved other incidents at roughly the
same in a similarly crowded marketplace,
with similar results.
Baghdad police swept through the
capital city to discourage further violence,
only to find at least 25 bodies riddled with
bullet holes and no immediate signs of
motive.
As this was taking place, the new
U.S. ambassador to Iraq. Ryan Crocker,
was being sworn in Thursday.
"We have a historic challenge
ahead of us," Crocker said in a news con
ference after the ceremony. "Terrorists,
insurgents and militias continue to threaten
security in Baghdad and around the coun
try. Security is without question the central
issue."