March 2010

A study done in Japan has shown that taking vitamin d on a regular basis in the winter can reduce the chances of having asthma attacks or catching a seasonal flu. The study was done by Dr. Mitsuyshi Urashima on a group of 167 schoolchildren. Half were given vitamin D3 supplements while the rest received placebos.

The study showed a marked drop in those children who would normally catch influenza A. the downside is that the vitamins had no effect on the influenza B strain. Doctors hope to use this information to help prevent those at risk to fend off the early spring flu. Those who wish to start their children on vitamin D should check with a doctor first.

On the cold planet of Mars is a lonely piece of equipment. The rover named Spirit is stuck in a sand trap and the Martian winter is coming. NASA has decided to initiate a plan that allows the rover to rest for much of the time. Spirit now wakes up once a week and sends a data downlink back to earth before resuming its shutdown.

Originally sent on a 90 day mission in 2004, Spirit and her sister Opportunity still endure the Martian cold. The rover’s mission of exploring the planet and sending back data has succeeded beyond all expectations. NASA hopes to free Spirit from its trap after the winter is over.

One of the greatest movies of all time in my opinion is The Wizard of Oz. I have always loved the story of Dorothy from Kansas. While no movie can ever replace the original, it may soon have some competition. Warner Brothers is considering a remake of the 1939 classic. While we are not sure of the form it will take. I am hoping it will be as good as the original.

The cast of the Wizard of Oz..

With all the news about jobs lately, it’s about time that the congress does something about it. I was glad to hear that the house passed a bill today that will address the issue. A 217-201 vote decided that $35 billion dollars will be allocated to give tax incentives to employers who hire new workers.

There are still many debates about the bill as some feel it does too little while others feel it is unnecessary. The bill will move back to the senate for a vote before it is sent to the President. Another part of the bill dedicates money to federal highway programs until the end of the year.